The rewarding properties of drugs in zebrafish can be studied using the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. Most devices that have been used for CPP consist of two-half tanks with or without ...a central chamber. Here we evaluated the rewarding effects of nicotine and caffeine using a tank with five arms distributed radially from a central chamber that we have denoted Fish Tank Radial Maze (FTRM). Zebrafish were trained to associate nicotine or caffeine with a coloured arm. In testing sessions to assess CPP induction, between two and five different arms were available to explore. We found that when offering the two arms, one of them associated to the drug mediating conditioning for 14 days, zebrafish showed nicotine-induced CPP but not caffeine-induced CPP. When zebrafish had the option to explore drug-paired arms together with new coloured arms as putative distractors, the nicotine-CPP strength was maintained for at least three days. The presence of novel environments induced caffeine-CPP, which was still positive after three days of testing sessions. Complementary behavioural data supported these findings. Nicotine-CPP was prevented by the histone deacetylase inhibitor phenylbutyrate administered during conditioning; however, there were no effects on caffeine-CPP. The specific acetylation of lysine 9 in histone 3 (H3-K9) was increased in nicotine-conditioned zebrafish brains. This study suggests that novel environmental cues facilitate drug-environment associations, and hence, the use of drugs of abuse.
•Nicotine induces place preference in the Fish tank radial maze task.•Novelty during the place preference test increase nicotine preference and induced caffeine preference.•Histone desacetylase inhibition reduces nicotine place preference without affect caffeine place preference.
Objectives
To investigate the quality of sleep of patients with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS) compared with a control group.
Methods
A total of 70 patients with primary BMS and 70 control ...subjects were enrolled in the study. The severity of pain was evaluated with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Four validated questionnaires were used to investigate the psychological profile of each patient: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Oral Health Impact Profile‐14 (OHIP‐14), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (EES).
Results
Poor sleep quality was present in 67.1% patients with BMS vs. 17.1% in control subjects (P ≤ 0.001). For patients with BMS, total data resulting from the PSQI correlated with results obtained by the EES (P ≤ 0.001), VAS pain (P ≤ 0.001), localization (P = 0.01), HAD‐A (P = 0.001) and HAD‐D (P = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that an increase of one point in each depression score (HAD‐D) made the chances of PSQI 1.26 times more likely, with a 95% confidence interval (CI = 1.03–1.55).
Conclusions
Patients with primary BMS exhibited significant decreases in sleep quality compared with the control group.
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Vitamin D deficiency associates with the risk of developing many diseases, including cancer. At the molecular level, vitamin D appears to have an antineoplastic effect. However, the ...role of vitamin D deficiency in cancer pathogenesis remains unelucidated and numerous studies have resulted in discordant results. This study aimed to determine whether vitamin D deficiency during melanoma diagnosis increases the risk of developing non-cutaneous second primary cancers (SPC).
A retrospective study on 663 patients diagnosed with melanoma between 1 January 2011 and 31 October 2022. The effect of each variable on the development of a subsequent non-cutaneous cancer was performed using Kaplan–Meier curves and differences were assessed by log-rank tests. Cox proportional hazard univariate and multivariate models were used to quantify the effect of each variable in the time to develop a non-cutaneous neoplasia.
Out of 663 patients, 34 developed a non-cutaneous SPC. There was no statistically significant association between vitamin D levels and non-cutaneous SPC development (log-rank, p=0.761). Age>60 years, stage III/IV, and nodular melanoma subtype were significantly associated with the development of a SPC. After multivariate analysis, only age>60 years (HR 3.4; HR CI 95%: 1.5–7.6) and nodular melanoma subtype (HR 2.2; HR CI 95%: 1.0–4.8) were included in the final model.
Our results suggest that vitamin D deficiency is not associated with an increased risk of developing non-cutaneous SPC in melanoma patients. However, age over 60 years and nodular melanoma subtype increase the risk for non-cutaneous SPC development.
El déficit de vitamina D se asocia con un mayor riesgo de padecer varias enfermedades, incluido el cáncer. Molecularmente, esta parece tener un efecto antineoplásico. Sin embargo, el papel que juega en la patogénesis del cáncer no está bien esclarecido y hay resultados dispares en los estudios publicados. El objetivo del presente fue determinar si unos niveles de vitamina D deficientes en el momento del diagnóstico del melanoma aumentaba el riesgo de desarrollar un cáncer no cutáneo (CNC).
Se diseñó un estudio retrospectivo de 663 pacientes diagnosticados de melanoma entre el 1 de enero de 2011 y el 31 de octubre de 2022. El efecto de cada una de las variables seleccionadas en el desarrollo de un CNC durante el seguimiento tras el diagnóstico del melanoma se realizó mediante el estudio de supervivencia con el método de Kaplan-Meier y las diferencias se evaluaron con la prueba de los rangos logarítmicos. Se elaboraron modelos uni y multivariados de riesgos proporcionales de Cox para cuantificar el efecto de cada valor de las variables de estudio en el tiempo para desarrollar un CNC.
De los 663 pacientes, 34 desarrollaron un CNC tras el melanoma. No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos definidos por los niveles de vitamina D (log-rank, p = 0,761). Sin embargo, una edad > 60, el estadio III/IV, y el tipo nodular se asociaron significativamente al desarrollo de un CNC. Tras el análisis multivariado, solo la edad > 60 (hazard ratio HR 3,4; intervalo de confianza IC 95% HR:1,5-7,6) y el subtipo nodular de melanoma (HR 2,2; IC 95% HR:1,0-4,8) se mantuvieron en el modelo predictivo final.
Nuestros resultados sugieren que unos niveles de vitamina D deficientes en el diagnóstico de melanoma no se asocian a un mayor riesgo de desarrollar un CNC. Sin embargo, en una edad > 60 y el subtipo nodular sí que aumentan el riesgo de desarrollar un CNC.
Vitamin D deficiency associates with the risk of developing many diseases, including cancer. At the molecular level, vitamin D appears to have an antineoplastic effect. However, the role of vitamin D ...deficiency in cancer pathogenesis remains unelucidated and numerous studies have resulted in discordant results. This study aimed to determine whether vitamin D deficiency during melanoma diagnosis increases the risk of developing non-cutaneous second primary cancers (SPC).
A retrospective study on 663 patients diagnosed with melanoma between 1 January 2011 and 31 October 2022. The effect of each variable on the development of a subsequent non-cutaneous cancer was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves and differences were assessed by log-rank tests. Cox proportional hazard univariate and multivariate models were used to quantify the effect of each variable in the time to develop a non-cutaneous neoplasia.
Out of 663 patients, 34 developed a non-cutaneous SPC. There was no statistically significant association between vitamin D levels and non-cutaneous SPC development (log-rank, p=0.761). Age>60 years, stage III/IV, and nodular melanoma subtype were significantly associated with the development of a SPC. After multivariate analysis, only age>60 years (HR 3.4; HR CI 95%: 1.5-7.6) and nodular melanoma subtype (HR 2.2; HR CI 95%: 1.0-4.8) were included in the final model.
Our results suggest that vitamin D deficiency is not associated with an increased risk of developing non-cutaneous SPC in melanoma patients. However, age over 60 years and nodular melanoma subtype increase the risk for non-cutaneous SPC development.
Backgound
Cancer of the oral cavity is a public health problem and many cases are not diagnosed until the disease has reached an advanced stage. The aim of this study was to initiate an educational ...programme in self‐examination for patients at risk from oral cancer.
Methods
This quasi‐experimental study set out to initiate an educational programme in self‐examination for patients at risk from oral cancer, assessing the outcomes after three months. In individual 15‐minute face‐to‐face sessions, patients were given information and training in oral cancer risk factors and then verbal instructions as how to carry out oral self‐examination. Three months later, patients were interviewed by telephone and asked if they had carried out self‐examination independently at home. The programme was evaluated by means of a health belief model questionnaire on perceived susceptibility (3 items), severity (8 items), benefits (4 items), barriers (8 items) and efficacy (6 items).
Results
Eighty‐six patients (37 females 43.1% and 49 males 56.9%) with a mean age of 58.60 ± 10.7 completed the oral self‐examination programme. Logistic regression analysis indicated that patients who felt themselves subject to susceptibility (OR: 0.03 95% CI: 0.0–0.86; p < 0.04), severity (OR 0.23 95% 0.08–0.68; p < 0.008) and benefits (OR 0.11 95% 0.02–0.63; p < 0.013) were more likely to perform self‐examination.
Conclusions
Training programmes in oral self‐examination are needed to decrease morbidity and mortality from oral cancer.
Baloira A, Abad A, Fuster A, et al. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2021;16:1021–1033. Page 1026, left column, fourth paragraph, the text “Inhaler devices are many times classified as low- (30 L/min ...or below), medium– (~30–60 L/min), and high- resistance (>60 L/min) devices” should read “Inhaler devices are many times classified as low- (>60 L/min), medium– (~30–60 L/min), and high-resistance (30L/min or below) devices”. The authors apologize for this error.
A novel system formed by a Microwave Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) Multiplexer (
μ
MUX) and a room temperature electronics employs frequency division multiplexing (FDM) ...technique to read out multiple cryogenic detectors. Since the detector signal is embedded in the phase of the SQUID signal, a Digital Quadrature Demodulator (DQD) is widely implemented to recover it. However, the DQD also generates a signal that aliases into the first Nyquist zone affecting the demodulated detector signal. In this work, we demonstrate how this spurious signal is generated and a mathematical model of it is derived and validated. In addition, we discuss different proposals to improve the attenuation of this undesired signal. Lastly, we implement one of the proposals in our readout system. Our measurements show an enhancement in the spurious signal attenuation of more than 35 dB. As a result, this work contributes to attenuate the spurious below the system noise.
Rationale
Zebrafish have a sophisticated color- and shape-sensitive visual system, so we examined color cue-based novel object recognition in zebrafish. We evaluated preference in the absence or ...presence of drugs that affect attention and memory retention in rodents: nicotine and the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) phenylbutyrate (PhB).
Objectives
The objective of this study was to evaluate whether nicotine and PhB affect innate preferences of zebrafish for familiar and novel objects after short- and long-retention intervals.
Methods
We developed modified object recognition (OR) tasks using neutral novel and familiar objects in different colors. We also tested objects which differed with respect to the exploratory behavior they elicited from naïve zebrafish.
Results
Zebrafish showed an innate preference for exploring red or green objects rather than yellow or blue objects. Zebrafish were better at discriminating color changes than changes in object shape or size. Nicotine significantly enhanced or changed short-term innate novel object preference whereas PhB had similar effects when preference was assessed 24 h after training. Analysis of other zebrafish behaviors corroborated these results.
Conclusions
Zebrafish were innately reluctant or prone to explore colored novel objects, so drug effects on innate preference for objects can be evaluated changing the color of objects with a simple geometry. Zebrafish exhibited recognition memory for novel objects with similar innate significance. Interestingly, nicotine and PhB significantly modified innate object preference.
Our aim was to describe: 1) lung deposition and inspiratory flow rate; 2) main characteristics of inhaler devices in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
A systematic literature review (SLR) ...was conducted to analyze the features and results of inhaler devices in COPD patients. These devices included pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs), dry powder inhalers (DPIs), and a soft mist inhaler (SMI). Inclusion and exclusion criteria were established, as well as search strategies (Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library up to April 2019). In vitro and in vivo studies were included. Two reviewers selected articles, collected and analyzed data independently. Narrative searches complemented the SLR. We discussed the results of the reviews in a nominal group meeting and agreed on various general principles and recommendations.
The SLR included 71 articles, some were of low-moderate quality, and there was great variability regarding populations and outcomes. Lung deposition rates varied across devices: 8%-53% for pMDIs, 7%-69% for DPIs, and 39%-67% for the SMI. The aerosol exit velocity was high with pMDIs (more than 3 m/s), while it is much slower (0.84-0.72 m/s) with the SMI. In general, pMDIs produce large-sized particles (1.22-8 μm), DPIs produce medium-sized particles (1.8-4.8 µm), and 60% of the particles reach an aerodynamic diameter <5 μm with the SMI. All inhalation devices reach central and peripheral lung regions, but the SMI distribution pattern might be better compared with pMDIs. DPIs' intrinsic resistance is higher than that of pMDIs and SMI, which are relatively similar and low. Depending on the DPI, the minimum flow inspiratory rate required was 30 L/min. pMDIs and SMI did not require a high inspiratory flow rate.
Lung deposition and inspiratory flow rate are key factors when selecting an inhalation device in COPD patients.
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