Highlights • A review of technical aspects of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) techniques. • Recommendations for safe and replicable application of tDCS and other tES methods. • Discussion ...of state-of-the-art methodology and design considerations in tES.
To rigorously evaluate the time course of cognitive change in a cohort of individuals with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) initiating combination antiretroviral therapy (CART), and to ...investigate which demographic, laboratory, and treatment factors are associated with neuropsychological (NP) outcome (or "any NP improvement").
Study participants included 37 HIV+ individuals with mild to moderate NP impairment who initiated CART and underwent NP testing at 12, 24, 36, and 48 weeks thereafter. NP change was assessed using a regression-based change score that was normed on a separate NP-stable group thereby controlling for regression toward the mean and practice effect. Mixed-effect regression models adjusting for loss to follow-up were used to evaluate the time course of cognitive change and its association with baseline and time-varying predictors.
In persons with HAND initiating CART, cognitive improvement happens soon after initiation (13% at week 12), but more often 24, 36, and up to 48 weeks after initiation (up to 41%), with fewer than 5% demonstrating significant worsening. In multivariate analyses, unique predictors of NP improvement included more severe baseline NP impairment and higher CART CNS penetration index. Greater viral load decrease was associated with NP improvement only in univariate analyses.
Clinically meaningful neuropsychological improvement seemed to peak around 24-36 weeks after combination antiretroviral therapy initiation and was prolonged over the 1-year study period. This study also provides new evidence that benefit may be maximized by choosing antiretroviral medications that reach therapeutic concentrations in the CNS.
This article reviews current research and cross-disciplinary perspectives on the neuroscience of food reward in animals and humans, examines the scientific hypothesis of food addiction, discusses ...methodological and terminology challenges, and identifies knowledge gaps and future research needs. Topics addressed herein include the role of reward and hedonic aspects in the regulation of food intake, neuroanatomy and neurobiology of the reward system in animals and humans, responsivity of the brain reward system to palatable foods and drugs, translation of craving versus addiction, and cognitive control of food reward. The content is based on a workshop held in 2013 by the North American Branch of the International Life Sciences Institute.
When two-dimensional (2D) atomic crystals are brought into close proximity to form a van der Waals heterostructure, neighbouring crystals may influence each other's properties. Of particular interest ...is when the two crystals closely match and a moiré pattern forms, resulting in modified electronic and excitonic spectra, crystal reconstruction, and more. Thus, moiré patterns are a viable tool for controlling the properties of 2D materials. However, the difference in periodicity of the two crystals limits the reconstruction and, thus, is a barrier to the low-energy regime. Here, we present a route to spectrum reconstruction at all energies. By using graphene which is aligned to two hexagonal boron nitride layers, one can make electrons scatter in the differential moiré pattern which results in spectral changes at arbitrarily low energies. Further, we demonstrate that the strength of this potential relies crucially on the atomic reconstruction of graphene within the differential moiré super cell.
This is a cross-sectional, observational study to determine the frequency and associated features of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in a large, diverse sample of infected individuals ...in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy (CART).
A total of 1,555 HIV-infected adults were recruited from 6 university clinics across the United States, with minimal exclusions. We used standardized neuromedical, psychiatric, and neuropsychological (NP) examinations, and recently published criteria for diagnosing HAND and classifying 3 levels of comorbidity (minimal to severe non-HIV risks for NP impairment).
Fifty-two percent of the total sample had NP impairment, with higher rates in groups with greater comorbidity burden (40%, 59%, and 83%). Prevalence estimates for specific HAND diagnoses (excluding severely confounded cases) were 33% for asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment, 12% for mild neurocognitive disorder, and only 2% for HIV-associated dementia (HAD). Among participants with minimal comorbidities (n = 843), history of low nadir CD4 was a strong predictor of impairment, and the lowest impairment rate on CART occurred in the subset with suppressed plasma viral loads and nadir CD4 ≥200 cells/mm(3) (30% vs 47% in remaining subgroups).
The most severe HAND diagnosis (HAD) was rare, but milder forms of impairment remained common, even among those receiving CART who had minimal comorbidities. Future studies should clarify whether early disease events (e.g., profound CD4 decline) may trigger chronic CNS changes, and whether early CART prevents or reverses these changes.
A total of 960 male Ross 308 chicks (day-old) were used to investigate the effect of age on the relationship between metabolizable energy (ME) and digestible energy (DE) for broiler chickens. Bird ...growth variables, nitrogen retention (NR), nitrogen digestibility (ND), as well as the relative weight of liver, pancreas, and the gastrointestinal tract were determined. Practical diets that compared 2 cereals (corn and wheat) and exogenous xylanase (0 or 16,000 BXU/kg) were evaluated at 5 ages (7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 D) in a 2 × 2 × 5 factorial arrangement of treatments with 8 replicates per treatment and started with 30 birds per replicate. A randomized block ANOVA analysis of repeated measures was performed, and a 2 × 2 × 5 factorial structure was used to investigate the 2 dietary treatment factors (cereal type and the presence of xylanase) within the 5 bird ages (7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 D), and their interactions. Apparent metabolizable energy (AME) increased linearly from 7 until 28 D of age, but (P < 0.05) decreased at 35 D of age. Digestible energy was high at 7 D of age, then dropped and remained similar (P > 0.05) from 14 to 35 D of age. The AME: DE ratio was lowest (P < 0.05) at 7 D of age but there were no (P > 0.05) differences thereafter. Cereal type and xylanase supplementation did not (P > 0.05) change the ME: DE ratio. The results indicate that determining ME before 14 D of age may give absolute values that are lower than would be obtained with older birds. ME values that are determined on older broiler chickens may overestimate the energy availability of practical feeds used in broiler starter feeds.
1. This study was conducted to determine the effect of different sources of selenium (Se) on breast and liver tissue deposition, apparent metabolisable energy (AME), growth performance and ...antioxidant status of broilers, measured as Se content in liver and breast tissues and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in blood, when used in 0-35 d broiler chicken diets.
2. A total of 200 male Ross 308 broilers were used in the feeding trial, which comprised two dietary phases, a starter from 0 to 21 d and finisher from 21 to 35 d of age. Four treatments with 10 replications each were used. A control diet (C) was formulated that was sufficient in protein and energy (230 and 215 g/kg of crude protein and 12.67 and 13.11 MJ/kg of metabolisable energy, respectively), for both phases, but contained background Se only from the feed ingredients. Diet 2 (IS) was supplemented with 10.35 g/t inorganic, elemental source of Se. Diet 3 (SY) was supplemented with 136.36 g/t selenised yeast, an organic source derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Diet 4 (SS) was supplemented with 0.666 g/t sodium selenite, an inorganic source.
3. Birds fed the SY diet consumed less and weighed less than those fed IS or C (P < 0.05; 0-35 d of age), but there was no difference compared to birds fed SS diets. There were no differences in FCR or dietary AME between broilers fed different Se sources. All diets containing supplementary Se increased concentrations in the liver and breast muscle, and for GSH-Px levels in blood compared to birds fed the C diet (P < 0.001). Birds fed SY diets had greater Se levels in liver and breast tissues compared to birds fed any of the other diets (P < 0.001).
4. Diets supplemented with Se had variable effects on broiler growth performances and antioxidant status. Feeding Se from a yeast source has higher transfer into breast tissues. Feeding different sources and levels of Se to birds in a more challenging situation to induce oxidative stress may bring more conclusive results.
1. This study examined the effects of different dietary sources and levels of selenium (Se) on growth performance, hepatic and breast meat Se content, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and ...total antioxidant status (TAS) in blood, when fed to broilers from 14 to 35 d of age and reared at two different temperatures (20°C and 35°C).
2. Five hundred and sixty male Ross 308 broilers were reared in a single floor pen and fed the same proprietary starter diet from 0 to 14 d age (229.9 g/kg CP and 12.67 MJ/kg ME, without Se supplementation).
3. The experiment started at 14 d age, and the birds randomly assigned to 112 raised-floor pens (0.36 m
2
area, 5 birds/pen). Each of the seven experimental diets were offered to birds in 16 pens within four rooms. Two rooms were at 20°C and two rooms were maintained at 35°C. The experimental diets were fed from 14 to 35 d age and contained 214.9 g/kg CP and 13.11 MJ/kg ME. The experimental diets were as follows; control diet containing background Se only (0.189 mg/kg; C); low level sodium selenite (0.376 mg/kg; LSS): high level sodium selenite (0.558 mg/kg; HSS); low level commercial B Traxim® Se (0.244 mg/kg) (LBT); high level B Traxim® Se (0.448 mg/kg; HBT); low level selenised yeast (0.290 mg/kg; LSY); high level selenised yeast (0.487 mg/kg; HSY).
4. Birds consumed more when raised at 20°C compared to birds reared at 35°C (P ≤ 0.05). Birds fed lower Se level reared at 35°C had higher weight gain versus those fed higher Se level (P < 0.05). Birds fed SY had the lowest feed intake, weight gain and FCE (P < 0.05).
The greatest GSH-Px activity was observed in birds fed SS diets (P < 0.001). There were interactions between diet x level for TAS, which were highest in birds fed LBT compared to birds fed HBT (P < 0.05). Breast Se content was higher in birds fed HSY compared to LSY (P < 0.001). The highest hepatic Se was seen in birds fed SY and lowest in C (P < 0.001).
5. Birds fed BT diets showed similar levels of Se to those birds fed inorganic Se, and similar levels of GSH-Px to birds fed SY. Further comparative work with broilers fed BT and other Se supplemented diets may elucidate the findings from this report.
Abstract Objective: Chronic methamphetamine (MA) use is associated with moderate deficits in learning and memory, but the extend to which MA users are aware of such memory deficits (i.e., metamemory) ...is not known. Methods: In the current study, 195 participants with lifetime MA use diagnoses (MA +) and 195 non-MA-using comparison subjects (MA -) underwent comprehensive neuropsychiatry research assessments, including performance-based and self-report measures of episodic memory. Results: MA use disorders, major depressive disorder (MDD), and their interaction were uniquely associated with metamemory functioning, such that MDD increased the likelihood of a metamemory deficit among MA + participants. Within the MA group, individuals who over-estimated their memory abilities demonstrated greater executive dysfunction and lower cognitive reserve. Conclusions: Chronic MA use is associated with reduced awareness of objective deficits in memory acquisition and recall, which is particularly exacerbated by the presence of major depression. Efforts to enhance metamemory accuracy and deployment of compensatory mnemonic strategies may benefit substance abuse treatment outcomes.
PDF
