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Hypothyroidism-associated learning and memory impairment is reported to be connected to oxidative stress and reduced levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The effects of neuronal nitric oxide inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (7NI) on brain tissues oxidative damage, nitric oxide (NO), BDNF and memory impairments in hypothyroid juvenile rats were investigated. Male Wistar juvenile rats (20 days old) were divided into five groups, including Martinez et al. (J Neurochem 78 (5):1054–1063, 2001). Control in which vehicle was injected instead of 7NI, (Jackson in Thyroid 8 (10):951–956, 1998) Propylthiouracil (PTU) where 0.05% PTU was added in drinking water and vehicle was injected instead of 7NI, (Gong et al. in BMC Neurosci 11 (1):50, 2010; Alva-Sanchez et al. in Brain Res 1271:27–35, 2009; Anaeigoudari et al. in Pharmacol Rep 68 (2): 243–249, 2016) PTU-7NI 5, PTU-7NI 10 and PTU-7NI 20 in which 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg7NI was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.). Following 6 weeks, Morris water maze (MMW) and passive avoidance learning (PAL) tests were used to evaluate the memory. Finally, the hippocampus and the cortex of the rats were removed after anesthesia by urethane to be used for future analysis. The escape latency and traveled path in MWM test was increased in PTU group (P

The present study was designed to determine the effect of different doses of oxytocin (OXT) on neuronal injury, spatial memory, blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and to explore possible underlying molecular mechanisms in the early stage of stroke in mice. Stroke model was generated by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 60 min and 24 h reperfusion in mice. OXT at doses of 1, 2, 4 and 8 IU/per mouse was administrated intranasally at the beginning of brain ischemia. Brain injury, BBB integrity, and spatial memory were evaluated by standard methods. Changes in the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and TUNEL positive cell were detected by immunohistochemistry. The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), aquaporin-4 (AQP4) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) proteins were determined by western blotting and ELISA methods. OXT at doses of 4 and 8 IU/per mouse reduced the infarct size by 42% and 52%, respectively, and improved spatial memory function (p

Transient thyroid function abnormalities at birth exhibit intellectual developmental and cognitive disorders in adulthood. Given the well-known effects of physical activity and sex hormones on cognitive functions and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the present study examined the effects of treadmill exercise, sex hormones, and the combined treatment on learning and memory and hippocampal BDNF levels in transient congenital hypothyroid rats. To induce hypothyroidism, 6-propyl-2-thiouracil was added to the drinking water from the 6th day of gestation to the 21st postnatal day (PND). From PNDs 28 to 47, female and male pup rats received 17β-estradiol and testosterone, respectively, and about 30 min later, they were forced to run on the treadmill for 30 min once a day. On PNDs 48-55, spatial learning and memory of all rats tested in the water maze, which followed by measurement of BDNF in the hippocampus. Results showed that developmental hypothyroidism induced significant deficits in spatial learning and memory and hippocampal BDNF in both male and female rats. In both male and female hypothyroid rats, exercise and exercise plus sex hormones, but not sex hormones alone alleviated learning and memory deficits and all treatments (exercise, sex hormones, and the combined treatment) increased hippocampal BDNF. These disconnects in the effects of exercise, sex hormones and the combined treatment on behavioral and neurochemical outcomes suggest that a neurochemical mechanism other than hippocampal BDNF might contribute in the ameliorating effects of exercise on learning and memory deficits induced by developmental thyroid hormone insufficiency.

Introduction: of the study: Post-training administration of glucocorticoids enhance memory consolidation of inhibitory avoidance learning. Given the involvement of 5-HT6 receptors in memory processing and the interaction of glucocorticoids with the brain serotonergic system in modulating memory processing, we investigated whether the effect of glucocorticoids on the consolidation of emotionally arousing training depends on hippocampal 5-HT6 receptors. Methods: Rats were trained in an inhibitory avoidance task and immediately received the systemic injections of corticosterone (CORT) as well as the intra-hippocampal injections of 5-HT receptors agonist or antagonist. The memory retention test was done 48 hours after training and immediately after the behavioral test, the animals were sacrificed and the hippocampi (left and right) rapidly dissected out for molecular studies. Results: Post-training injections of different doses of CORT (1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg) enhanced memory retention in a dose-dependent manner. The CORT-induced enhancement of memory consolidation was blocked by bilateral intra-hippocampal injections of 5-HT6 receptor antagonist SB271046 (5 or 10 ng/per side), but not agonist EMD386088 (5 or 10 ng/per side). Furthermore, systemic CORT reduced 5-HT6 receptor mRNA and protein expression in the hippocampus. Both doses of 5-HT6 receptor agonist and antagonist significantly enhanced and reduced the expression of the 5-HT6 receptor, respectively, and both ligands at the higher dose (10 ng) enhanced memory consolidation. Moreover, CORT injection attenuated and enhanced, respectively, the effects of agonist and antagonist on 5-HT6 receptor expression. Conclusion: These behavioral and molecular findings indicated an interaction between glucocorticoids and hippocampal 5-HT6 receptors in the consolidation of emotionally arousing experiences.

The main urgent symptom presented to anemergency departmentis acute heart failure (AHF). In that considerable risksof morbidity and mortality, it isimportant to plan precision medicine to achieve the most suitable outcomes. The object of this review is to provide a summary of contemporary management proceduresof emergency medicine in a department of acute heart failure. Heart failure could be presented with a broad range of symptoms, in particular a sudden worsening of those of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. The treatment should focus on acute and chronic underlying disorders with instructions focusing on haemodynamics and blood pressure status. Treatment of patients suffering with worsening symptoms of AHF mainly focuses on intravenous diuretics. In emergency situations, patients suffering with AHF with low blood pressure must receive emergency consultation and a primary fluid bolus therapy (range 250–500 mL) followed by inotropic therapy with or without antihypotensive agents. For treatment of severe heart failure and cardiogenic shock in patients treated with noradrenalin, when blood pressure support is required, a direct-acting inotropic agent, dobutamine, could be applied effectively. When non-invasive positive pressure ventilation is needed, suppliers must track for any possibility of sudden worsening, i.e., for acute de compensated heart failure. When cardiac output is high the disorder could be treated with vasopressor.

Background Intramedullary fixation with k-wires is a surgical option in the management of fractures of the shaft and neck of central metatarsals. The current study aimed at investigating the clinical outcomes of closed antegrade/retrograde intramedullary pinning technique. Patients and methods A total of 34 patients (26 males and eight females) with 58 metatarsal neck and shaft fractures (28 shaft and 26 neck fractures) were operated using the antegrade/retrograde intramedullary fixation technique. At the final follow-up visit, pain intensity was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and foot function was evaluated by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) forefoot scoring system. Results Mean follow-up period was 18 months, ranged 12 to 34. Mean time to clinical fracture healing was 6.5 weeks, ranged 5 to 9. Bony union was occurred in all the cases. No surgical site infection was noted. Mean VAS score at the final follow-up visit was 0.28, ranged 0 to 3. At the final follow-up, the mean AOFAS score was 95.2, ranged 81 to 100. Conclusion Closed antegrade/retrograde intramedullary pinning is a minimally invasive technique to manage central metatarsal fractures. Using this technique, metatarsal alignment can be restored and good clinical outcome is achieved.

Purpose: Trauma may lead to serious complications in children patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate prognosis in children with traumatic injuries. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on all of the children (

Probiotics are referred to species of living microscopic organisms may help conserve the normal balance of the digestive system and/or manage diseases. A number of autoimmune, psychiatric, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders may be associated with the imbalance of gut microbiota. This study examines the effect of 21 days consumption of multistrain probiotics on hippocampus injury, spatial and learning memory and some potential molecular mechanisms in a mouse model with cerebral hypoperfusion. Cerebral hypoperfusion was established in the mouse model by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) for 20 min and 24 h reperfusion. Mixtures of several probiotic bacteria at concentrations of 107, 108 and 109 CFU/day were orally administrated for 3 weeks before the BCCAO. Spatial and learning memory, histological damage and apoptosis were assessed in the CA1, CA3 and dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus 24 h after ischemia. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level were measured by ELISA technique. Prophylactic of probiotic considerably reduced the number of apoptotic cells and neuronal death in the CA1, CA3 and DG of the hippocampus at all three concentrations (P 0.05). According to the findings, the daily prophylactic ingestion of probiotics reduced hippocampus damage and prevented the spatial learning and memory deficit by suppressing apoptosis in the mouse model with cerebral hypoperfusion. Probiotic supplementation may be suggested as a useful preventive dietary strategy for groups susceptible to cerebrovascular diseases.

Introduction The long-term adverse effects of transient thyroid function abnormalities at birth on intellectual development are proven. The effect of exercise increases in the presence of sex hormones. The current study aimed at investigating the possibility that a combination of sex hormones and exercise has synergistic effects on neural plasticity in Transient Congenital Hypothyroidism (TCH) rats. Methods To induce hypothyroidism in the mothers, Propylthiouracil (PTU) was added to drinking water (100 mg/L) on the 6th day of gestation and continued until the 21st Postnatal Day. From Postnatal Day (PND) 28 to 47, the female and male pups received 17β-estradiol and testosterone, respectively. The mild treadmill exercise began 30 minutes after the sex hormones or vehicle administration. On PND 48, electrophysiological experiments were performed on brain slices. Results Increase of Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) was observed in sedentary-non-hormone female rats of TCH group, compared with that of the control. The exercise enhanced LTP in control rats, but the hormones showed no significant effect. The effect of exercise and sex hormone was not significant in the TCH group. The combination of exercise and testosterone enhanced LTP in TCH male rats, while the combination of exercise and estradiol or each of them individually did not produce such an effect on LTP in TCH female rats. Conclusion The study findings showed an increase in excitatory transmission despite the returning of thyroid hormone levels to normal range in TCH female rats. Also a combination treatment including exercise and testosterone enhanced LTP in male rats of TCH group, which was a gender-specific event.

Increasing evidence suggests that exposure to chronic stress during adolescent period may lead to behavioral and neuronal morphology deficits in adulthood. This study examined whether crocin, the main active saffron constituent, and voluntary exercise, alone or combined, could prevent the detrimental influences of chronic restraint stress during adolescent (postnatal days, PND, 30-40) on behavioral and morphological deficits in adult (PND60) male rats. Results showed that plasma corticosterone levels increased at PND40, but not PND60 in stressed rats. Moreover, stressed rats demonstrated enhanced anxiety levels and depression like behaviors in adulthood. These behavioral abnormalities were accompanied by a decline in apical dendritic length in both infralimbic and prelimbic regions and dendritic branches in infralimbic region of the prefrontal cortex. Treatment with crocin, exposure to wheel running activity, and the combined interventions alleviated both behavioral and morphological deficits induced by adolescent stress. Moreover, these treatments exerted positive neuronal morphological effects in the prefrontal cortex in non-stressed animals. Our findings provide important evidences that exercise as a non-pharmacological intervention and crocin treatment during pre-pubertal period can protect against adolescent stress induced behavioral and morphological abnormalities in adulthood.

Depression, a common mood disorder, involves anhedonia and defects in reward circuits and mesolimbic dopamine transmission in the striatum and nucleus accumbens (NAc). Active vitamin-D, (1,25-(OH)2 vitamin-D3), exerts protective and regulatory effects on the brain dopamine system. In this study, key depression-like symptoms were induced in rats by chronic mild-stress (CMS) and the comparative effect of treatment with 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin-D3 (5, 10 μg/kg, or vehicle; i.p., twice weekly) or fluoxetine (5 mg/kg or vehicle, i.p., daily) on anhedonic behavior, locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior was examined using sucrose preference test (SPT), open field test (OFT) and novel object exploration test (NOT), respectively. We also measured serum corticosterone levels and dopamine transporter-immunoreactivity (DAT-ir) levels in NAc shell and core. CMS exposure for 3 weeks was followed by a SPT and thereafter CMS was continued for 5 weeks, along with vitamin-D or fluoxetine treatment and further testing, which was concluded with another SPT. Vitamin-D treatment enhanced sucrose preference (P

BackgroundTreatment of early-onset scoliosis (EOS) is still a challenge to patients, families, and surgeons. Previous studies have indicated that EOS patients are at high risk for complications following growth-friendly surgery. This study was performed to evaluate the results and complications of all-pedicle screw dual growing rod instrumentation in the treatment of EOS.MethodsIn an IRB-approved retrospective study, we searched the electronic medical records of our institution for all patients who underwent posterior spinal instrumentation for scoliosis between March 2014 and March 2017. Patients under the age of 10 at the time of surgery who were treated with a growth-friendly technique were then selected. Patients with incomplete records and less than 2 years of follow-up were excluded. Charts, operative notes, clinic visits, and radiographs were extracted. Radiographs were reviewed, and the main curve Cobb angle, thoracic kyphosis, pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence, sacral slope, and proximal junctional angles were measured. We specifically looked for any intra-operative or post-operative complications. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the risk factors of complications.ResultsA total of 42 patients with a mean age of 4.8 ± 2.1 years (range, 1.5–8 years) were included in the final analysis. Patients were followed for a median of 34 months (range, 24–55). The major curve was corrected from a mean of 42.9° ± 10.7° to 28.8° ± 9.6° at the latest follow-up. Proximal junctional angles and thoracic kyphosis increased significantly during the follow-up period (bothPvalues < 0.001). A total of 7 complications (17%) were observed. Four patients (10%) developed superficial surgical site infections, all of which resolved with antibiotics and one round of surgical debridement. Three cases (7%) of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) were encountered during the study period, none of which required revision surgery. Pre-operative thoracic kyphosis was the only significant risk factor for the development of PJK.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that in settings without access to magnetically controlled growing rods, dual growing rods with all-pedicle screw instrumentation is still a viable treatment strategy with comparable results and complications. The most common complications are infection and PJK, with the latter being associated with a larger pre-operative thoracic kyphosis.

This study was designed to examine the effects of intra- nucleus accumbens (NAc) of BDNF receptor antagonist ANA-12 on the acquisition and expression and intra- medial-prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of ANA-12 on the extinction and reinstatement of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) and also BDNF levels and apoptotic neurons in the NAc and mPFC of rats. In this study, adult male Wistar rats (200–250 g) were used. Two separate cannulas were inserted bilaterally into the NAc and/or mPFC. ANA-12 (3 μg/0.5 μl/side) was injected into the NAc and/or mPFC to evaluate the rewarding effects of morphine using a CPP paradigm. Then, the levels of BDNF and apoptotic in the NAc and mPFC were assessed at the end of each treatment phase using ELISA and TUNEL methods, respectively. All of vehicle-treated rats following morphine CPP showed the increase of BDNF levels and apoptotic neurons in the NAc and mPFC. ANA-12 significantly attenuated the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced CPP, BDNF levels and apoptotic neurons in the NAc during the acquisition, but not the expression phase. Also, ANA-12 significantly facilitated the extinction, but no effect on reinstatement of morphine CPP, and decreased BDNF levels and apoptotic neurons in the mPFC during the extinction, but not the reinstatement. We conclude that blocking TrkB with ANA-12 showed therapeutic effects on morphine-associated reward memory and neuronal death in the NAc and mPFC induced by morphine CPP. Thus, the BDNF–TrkB signaling may be important in the acquisition, expression, extinction, but not the reinstatement of morphine CPP.

Objectives: Our study sought to determine the effects of valerian on sleep quality, depression, and state anxiety in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial was conducted on 39 patients undergoing HD allocated into a valerian and placebo group. In the first phase of the study, group A (n = 19) received valerian and group B (n = 20) received a placebo one hour before sleep every night for a total of one month. Sleep quality, state anxiety, and depression were assessed in the patients at the beginning and end of the intervention using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Beck Depression Inventory. In the second phase, the two groups’ treatment regimen was swapped. After a one-month washout period, the same process was repeated on the crossover groups (i.e., group A received placebo and group B received valerian). Results: In the first phase, the mean sleep quality, depression, and state anxiety scores showed significant reductions in both groups, but the reduction was significantly higher in group A compared to group B (7.6 vs. 3.2, p < 0.001; 6.5 vs. 2.3, p = 0.013; 14.6 vs. 7.3, p = 0.003, respectively). In the second phase, the mean sleep disorder, depression, and state anxiety scores showed significant reductions in both groups, but the reduction was significantly lower in group A compared to group B (1.4 vs. 4.6, p < 0.001; 1.2 vs. 3.8, p = 0.002; 1.5 vs. 6.2, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Valerian significantly improved sleep quality, the symptoms of state anxiety, and depression in HD patients.

Methylphenidate (MPH) is a mild CNS stimulant that has been used in hyperactive children, and patients with neurodegenerative and major depressive disorders. Exposure to MPH-associated cues enhances craving and arousal in drug users. On the other hand, cannabidiol (CBD) has antipsychotic potential that might be useful in alleviating symptoms of drug addiction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CBD administration on extinction and reinstatement of MPH-induced conditioning place preference (CPP) in rats. Male rats received MPH (1, 2.5 or 5 mg/kg, i.p) or morphine (5 or 10 mg/kg, s.c.) during the conditioning phase. Following the establishment of CPP, during extinction training, 60 min prior to every CPP session, animals were given daily ICV CBD (10 or 50 μg/5 μL), vehicle alone (DMSO) 10 % or were treatment-naive. On the reinstatement day animals after receiving the initial dose of MPH, 0.5 mg/kg, and were placed into the CPP box to evaluate the CPP scoring for 10-min. Our findings indicated that morphine (5 and 10 mg/kg; s.c.) and MPH (1 and 2.5 mg/kg; i.p.) induced a CPP. The ICV administration of both doses of CBD (10 and 50 μg/5 μL) prevented the reinstatement of MPH-induced CPP, which displayed shorter extinction latency compared to treatment-naive or DMSO 10 % groups. Therefore, CBD's site of action is a potential target for reducing the risk of MPH relapse; however, more investigation is required.

Fear extinction is defined as decline in conditioned fear responses that occurs with repeated and non-reinforced exposure to a feared conditioned stimulus. Experimental evidence suggests that the extinction of fear memory requires the integration of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC); nevertheless, the role of its sub-regions in regulating the expression and extinction of auditory fear has been rarely addressed in literature. The present study examined the roles of the infra-limbic (IL) and pre-limbic (PL) regions of the mPFC in the expression and extinction of auditory fear by temporally deactivating these regions using lidocaine (10 μg/0.5 μl) before training male Wistar rats in auditory fear-conditioning tasks. The results showed increased freezing levels and impaired extinction through deactivating the IL rather than the PL cortex. Given the role of the dopaminergic pathways in regulating fear memory, this study also investigated the role of D2 receptors located in the IL cortex in fear extinction. Fear extinction was improved in an inverted U-shape pattern through the intra-IL infusion of 15.125, 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 ng/0.5 μl of the D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride. In other words, the moderate doses, i.e. 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250 ng/0.5 μl, enhanced auditory fear extinction, whereas the lowest and highest doses, i.e. 15.125 and 500 ng/0.5 μl, were ineffective. These findings demonstrated the key roles of the IL cortex and its dopamine D2 receptors in regulating auditory fear in rats.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) arises after tremendous traumatic experiences. Recently, we have reported that morphine has time-dependent protective effects against behavioral and morphological deficits in the single prolonged stress (SPS) as an experimental model of PTSD in adult male rats. To find the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of morphine against SPS-induced PTSD-like symptoms, the present study investigated the interaction between morphine and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and beta - adrenergic system, which crucially involved in the stress response, on PTSD-like symptoms in male rats. The animals were exposed to the SPS procedure (restraint for 2 h, forced swimming for 20 min, and ether anesthesia) and morphine (10 mg/kg) or saline was injected 24 h following the SPS. The glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU486 (20 mg/kg), the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist spironolactone (50 mg/kg), and the corticosterone synthesis inhibitor metyrapone (50 mg/kg) were injected 90 min before morphine administration to block the HPA axis activity. The beta - adrenergic receptor blocker propranolol (10 mg/kg) and the peripheral beta-adrenergic receptor blocker nadolol (5 mg/kg) were administered 30 min before morphine injection to block the beta - adrenergic system. Anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated using the elevated plus maze (EPM) 11 days after the SPS. After that, animals were conditioned in a fear-conditioning task and extinction training was performed on days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 11 after fear conditioning. SPS increased anxiety-like behaviors and impaired fear extinction. Morphine injection 24 h after SPS significantly improved anxiety-like behaviors and enhanced fear extinction. The RU486, spironolactone and metyrapone prevented the protective effects of morphine on both SPS-induced anxiety-like behaviors and impaired fear extinction. The propranolol, and nadolol did not prevent the effect of morphine on anxiety-like behaviors, but the propranolol prevented morphine effects on fear extinction in SPS animals. These findings together suggest that the protective effects of morphine on PTSD-like symptoms in rats require a certain level of the HPA axis and central beta - adrenergic activity and any alteration in the function of these systems can impede the protective effects of morphine.

This study examined the effects of low frequency magnetic field (MF) on tolerance to analgesic effect of morphine in rats. Rats were made tolerant to morphine by injecting morphine (10 mg/kg, s) once daily for 8 consecutive days. Rats were simultaneously exposed to an MF (50 Hz at 1, 50, and 100 μT for 30 min) before, immediately, or 30 min after injection of morphine, and also exposed to a 0.5, 6, 12, and 30 Hz at 100 μT for 30 min before injection of morphine. The percentage of maximum possible effect of morphine (% MPE) was measured on the 1st, 4th, and 8th days by hot plate test. We observed that MF radiation (50 Hz at 1 µT and 30 Hz at 100 µT) immediately before and MF radiation (50 Hz at 100 µT) after morphine injection prevented the development of morphine tolerance compared to control. Also, we found that exposure to MF (50 Hz at 1, 50, and 100 µT) 30 min after injection of morphine failed to maintain the analgesic effect of morphine. Our results showed that exposure to low frequency electromagnetic field (30 and 50 Hz) immediately before or after the injection of morphine may be a potential method for treating the development of morphine tolerance in rats. Bioelectromagnetics. 38:618-625, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This study examined whether post-stroke bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) therapy combined with exercise (EX) and/or thyroid hormone (TH) could reduce brain damage in an experimental ischemic stroke in mice. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced under Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) guide by 45 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), followed by 7 days of reperfusion in albino mice. BMSCs were injected into the right cerebral ventricle 24 h after MCAO, followed by daily injection of T3 (20 μg/100 g weight S.C) and 6 days of running on a treadmill. Infarct size, neurobehavioral test, TUNEL and BrdU positive cells were evaluated at 7 days after MCAO. Treatment with BMSCs and mild EX alone significantly reduced the infarct volume by 23% and 44%, respectively (both, p

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that develops after an individual has experienced a major trauma. Currently, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine are the first-line choice in PTSD drug treatment but their moderate response rates and side effects indicate an urgent need for the development of new treatment. Physical activity is known to improve symptoms of certain neuropsychiatric disorders. The present study investigated the effects of moderate treadmill exercise, the antidepressant fluoxetine and the combined treatment on behavioural deficits, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction. We also examined alternations in hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and mRNA expression of apoptosis - related proteins in a rat model of PTSD: the single prolonged stress (SPS) model. Rats were exposed to SPS (restraint for 2 h, forced swimming for 20 min and ether anaesthesia) and were then kept undisturbed for 14 days. After that, SPS rats were subjected to chronic treatment with fluoxetine (10 mg/kg/day, for 4 weeks), moderate treadmill running (4 weeks, 5 day per week) and the combined treatment (fluoxetine plus treadmill exercise), followed by behavioural, biochemical and apoptosis markers assessments. SPS rats exhibited increased anxiety levels in the elevated plus maze and light/dark box, impaired fear conditioning and extinction in inhibitory avoidance (IA) task, impaired spatial memory in a recognition location memory task and enhanced negative feedback on the HPA axis following a dexamethasone suppression test. SPS rats also showed reduced hippocampal BDNF and enhanced apoptosis. Moderate treadmill exercise, fluoxetine and the combined treatment alleviated the SPS-induced alterations in terms of anxiety levels, HPA axis inhibition, IA conditioning and extinction, hippocampal BDNF and apoptosis markers. Furthermore, the combined treatment was more effective than fluoxetine alone, but in most tests, the effects of the combined treatment were similar to those of exercise alone, suggesting that exercise is the main factor in the beneficial effects of the combined therapy in PTSD patients.

Introduction: Patient-centered care is an approach to healthcare that focuses on the preferences and needs of the patients. Clarifying patients’ care preferences helps facilitate and improve the process of advance care planning. Objectives: The present study was conducted to examine the care preferences of patients under hemodialysis. Patients and Methods: The present study uses qualitative content analysis to examine the care preferences of patients under hemodialysis. The data required for the study was collected through semi-structured interviews held with 20 participants selected according to purposive sampling and continued until data saturation was reached. Results: The analysis of the data led to the extraction of the two sub-themes of "dependence on dialysis" and "protection" for the main theme of "preserving life", the three sub-themes of "acceptance of hemodialysis", "receiving information" and "adapting to limitations" for the main theme of "self-care", the two sub-themes of "friendly relationships" and "competent staff" for the main theme of "expert care providers", and the three sub-themes of "support", "equipment" and "facilities" for the main theme of "proper care conditions." Conclusion: "Preserving life" comprised the main care preference of the examined patients under hemodialysis. Clarifying the patients’ care preferences helps maintain their health and provide them with a more comfortable and satisfactory experience of hemodialysis. Keywords: Care, Nursing, Hemodialysis, Qualitative research

Aims Although approving new anticonvulsants was a major breakthrough in the field of epilepsy control, so far we have met limited success in almost one third of patients suffering from epilepsy and a definite and reliable method is yet to be found. Levosimendan demonstrated neuroprotective effects and reduced mortality in conditions in which seizure can be an etiology of death; however, the underlying neuroprotective mechanisms of levosimendan still eludes us. In the light of evidence suggesting levosimendan can be a K ATP channel opener and nitrergic pathway activator, levosimendan may exert antiseizure effects through K ATP channels and nitrergic pathway. Main methods In this study, the effects of levosimendan on seizure susceptibility was studied by PTZ-induced seizures model in mice. Key findings Administration of a single effective dose of levosimendan significantly increased seizures threshold and the nitrite level in the hippocampus and temporal cortex. Pretreatment with noneffective doses of glibenclamide (a K ATP channel blocker) and L-NAME (a non-selective NOS inhibitor) neutralize the anticonvulsant and nitrite elevating effects of levosimendan. While 7-NI (a neural NOS inhibitor) blocked the anticonvulsant effect of levosimendan, Aminoguanidine (an inducible NOS inhibitor) failed to affect the anticonvulsant effects of levosimendan. Cromakalim (a K ATP channel opener) or l -arginine (an NO precursor) augmented the anticonvulsant effects of a subeffective dose of levosimendan. Moreover, co-administration of noneffective doses of Glibenclamide and L-NAME demonstrated a synergistic effect in blocking the anticonvulsant effects of levosimendan. Significance Levosimendan has anticonvulsant effects possibly via K ATP /nNOS/NO pathway activation in the hippocampus and temporal cortex.

Ample evidences have demonstrated the beneficial effects of physical exercise on cognitive functions such as learning and memory. It is well established that female sex hormones have an important role in regulating learning and memory. This study was designed to investigate the effects of voluntary exercise and estrogen replacement on learning and memory deficits and reduction in hippocampal brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels induced by ovariectomy. Ovariectomized rats were given daily vehicle or 17 β-estradiol (20 μg/kg) and allowed to freely exercise in a running wheel over the course of 2 weeks. After this period, they were trained and tested on a water-maze spatial task for 5 consecutive days, followed by a probe test one day later. At the end of the behavioral tests, all animals were decapitated and their hippocampal levels of BDNF were measured. Ovariectomy impaired spatial learning and memory and reduced hippocampal BDNF levels. Exercise significantly improved performance during both training and the retention of the water-maze task and increased hippocampal BDNF. Exercise, 17 β-estradiol and their combination recovered the impairing effects of ovariectomy on learning and memory performance. The combined treatment did not produce stronger effect than either exercise or 17 β-estradiol alone. Our findings provide an important evidence about positive influences of regular exercise and estrogen treatment against cognitive and BDNF deficits induced in ovariectomized rats, an experimental model of menopause.

Forced exercise can alleviate cognitive-behavioral deficits in an experimental model of addiction. However, the effects of different intensities of forced exercise in improving behavioral, cognitive and biochemical deficits during morphine abstinence period are not well investigated. Thus, the current work examined the effects of different loads of forced exercise on cognition functions, anxiety behavior and BDNF changes in the hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex (PFC), and also serum levels of BDNF and corticosterone during the abstinent period in male rats. Animals received morphine injections (10 mg/kg, twice a day) for 10 consecutive days. Then, the animals were exposed to a 4-week forced exercise training program under low, moderate or high intensities (30 min per session on 5 days a week), which accompanied by behavioral and biochemical tests. In Experiment 1, anxiety-like behaviors using elevated plus maze (EPM), and light/dark box (L/D box) were examined. In Experiment 2, cognitive functions using T-maze alteration and passive avoidance tasks were tested, which accompanied by BDNF measurements in the hippocampus and PFC. In Experiment 3, serum levels of BDNF and corticosterone following the termination of forced exercise regimen were measured. Morphine-abstinent animals exhibited anxiogenic -like behaviors in the EPM, but not L/D box. They also exhibited impaired T-maze alternation performance and passive avoidance memory, and a decline in hippocampal BDNF, but not PFC. Forced exercise at a moderate intensity alleviated anxiety, cognitive and BDNF defects in morphine-abstinent animals. The high load exercise enhanced serum levels of corticosterone in both saline and morphine groups. Thus, regular moderate forced exercise may be beneficial in preserving cognitive and mood functions in male addicts during the abstinent period and drug rehabilitation.

Thyroid disorders impair various functions of the hippocampus where thyroid hormone receptors are localized in the brain. Hyper and hypothyroidism are associated with large changes in brain oxidative stress. Apolipoprotein D (APOD) is a conserved glycoprotein that increased in response to oxidative stress in the brain and has been suggested function as an antioxidant in the brain. Thus, the goal of this work was to explore the effect of maternal hypo- and hyperthyroidism on the Apod expression in the pup’s brain regarding changes in oxidative stress. For induction hypo and hyperthyroidism in adult female rats, 100 ppm propylthiouracil (PTU) and 8 ppm levothyroxine administrated 1 month before copulation to the week 3 after delivery in drinking water. The hippocampal region of rat pups was isolated and used for immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR on postnatal day (PND)5, PND10 and PND20. Results revealed that APOD over-expressed in both hypo- and hyperthyroid groups on PND5, PND10, and PND20. There was a proportional increase between the Apod expression and oxidative stress in the hyperthyroid group but not the hypothyroid in different days. Regarding the wide functions of thyroid hormones, oxidative stress does not suggest to be the only mechanism that involves Apod gene expression in thyroid disturbances.

Chitin is an important structural polysaccharide, which supports and organizes extracellular matrices in a variety of taxonomic groups including bacteria, fungi, protists, and animals. Additionally, chitin has been recognized as a molecule that is required for Rhizobia-legume symbiosis and involved in arbuscular mycorrhizal signaling in the symbiotic interaction between terrestrial plants and fungi. Moreover, it serves as a unique molecular pattern in the plant defense system against pathogenic fungi and parasites, and in the innate and adaptive immune response of mammals and humans. In this review, we will focus on the prevalence and structural function of chitin in bacteria, fungi, and protists, with a particular focus on the evolution of chitin synthases and the function of chitin oligosaccharides as a signaling molecule in symbiosis and immunity.

Background The prevalence of cognitive disorders in hemodialysis patients is twice as high as the general population, while these disorders often are undiagnosed. Timely prevention and treatment can improve their personal and social functions. Aim of study was determined the effect of Valerian on cognitive disorders and electroencephalography (EGG) in hemodialysis patients. Methods This crossover, double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 39 hemodialysis patients. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group A (n = 19) took Valerian capsules and Group B (n = 20) received placebo capsules 60 min before bedtime for one month. The type of treatment was replaced between the two groups after a one-month wash-out. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) questionnaire was completed and EGG was performed before and after intervention in both periods. Results The cognitive scores of the Group valerian were increased significantly in the first (p = 0.003) and the second (p = 0.005) periods. In addition, the mean increase in the cognitive scores in the Group valerian was significant in the first (p = 0.028) and the second periods (p = 0.030). However, the changes in EGG showed no significant difference before and after intervention in two groups. Conclusion The findings of this study indicated that valerian could be effective and significantly improve patients’ cognitive status; however, no significant changes were observed in the electroencephalography of the hemodialysis patients. Trial registration IRCT201606076318N7–2016-06-17.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) arises after an individual has experienced a major traumatic event. Recent evidence suggests that acute morphine treatment may serve as a strategy to reduce PTSD development. In the present study, we investigated the time-dependent effects of morphine on behavioral and morphological deficits induced by the single prolonged stress (SPS), an experimental model of PTSD, in adult male rats. The rats were exposed to SPS (restraint for 2 h, forced swimming for 20 min, and ether anesthesia), and kept undistributed for 11 days. Morphine was injected immediately, 6, 12 and 24 h after SPS. Anxiety profile was evaluated using the elevated plus maze11 days after SPS. Then, animals were conditioned in a fear conditioning task and extinction training was performed on days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 11 after fear conditioning which followed by morphological assessments in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). SPS rats showed increased anxiety levels and impaired contextual fear extinction retention. SPS also decreased dendritic length in the infra-limbic (IL) and dendritic spines in the IL and pre-limbic (PL) regions of the mPFC. Conversely, morphine treatment 6, 12 and 24 h but not immediately after SPS significantly improved anxiety-like behaviors, fear extinction, increased dendritic length, and spines in the mPFC. Morphine-induced much stronger response when injected 24 h after the SPS, and this effect was blocked by naloxone. Our findings show that morphine within a restricted time window selectively reversed the SPS-induced deficits in anxiety profile, fear extinction, and dendritic morphology in the mPFC. Finally, these findings suggest that the time point of morphine injection following a traumatic event is an important determinant of the full therapeutic effect of morphine against PTSD. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.

Adolescent chronic stress has been shown to induce functional, biochemical and morphological modifications of the hippocampus, leading to stress-related disorders in adulthood. The present study investigated the effects of exercise, crocin and their combination on spatial learning and memory impairment and dendritic retraction of the CA3 pyramidal neurons induced by chronic adolescent stress in adult male rats. Rats were exposed to restraint stress 2 h/day for 10 days during postnatal days (PNDs) 30–40. Following this period, separate groups of animals were treated with crocin (25 and 50 mg/kg), exposed to running wheel, and or received the combined treatment during PNDs 41–55. Following the interventions, plasma levels of corticosterone, spatial learning and memory, apical dendritic length of CA3 pyramidal neurons and BDNF levels in the CA3 area were assessed. Findings showed that adolescent stress significantly increased corticosterone levels and caused a tendency to reduce CA3 BDNF levels. Adolescent stress also impaired spatial learning and memory, and retracted apical dendritic length of CA3 pyramidal neurons. Crocin, voluntary exercise, and their combination recovered stress-induced spatial learning and impairment and CA3 pyramidal neurons dendritic length retraction. All treatments also reduced significantly corticosterone levels and enhanced CA3 BDNF levels in the stress groups. Finally, these treatments even increased apical dendritic length of CA3 pyramidal neurons in the non-stress groups. These findings indicate that detrimental effects of adolescent stress on cognitive function and hippocampal morphology in adulthood could be restored by early interventions with physical activity and crocin treatment during adolescent period.

Primary objective: To define the prognostic value of head computed tomography (CT) in patients suffering from SICH after 3 years of follow-up.Research design and methods: Between January 2011 and May 2012, consecutive patients with SICH who underwent brain CT scans within the first 12 hours of presentation were prospectively included. Independent predictors of 30-day mortality and unfavourable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale = 4–6 and Barthel Index ≤ 60) at 36 months were identified by univariable and multivariable regression analysis.Main outcomes and results: A total of 228 participants were identified. According to multivariable analysis, independent CT-related predictors for 30-day mortality were intraventricular haemorrhage [IVH] (OR = 2.42; p = 0.009), haematoma volume ≥ 30 cm3 (OR = 3.32; p = 0.006), the presence of midline shift (OR = 3.77; p = 0.004) and hydrocephalus (OR = 5.22; p = 0.001). Further, IVH (OR = 3.72, 95% CI = 1.16–11.8, p = 0.026), volume of haemorrhage ≥ 30 cm3 ...

Hypothyroidism during early development leads to numerous morphological, biochemical and functional changes in developing brain. In this study, we investigated the effects of voluntary and treadmill exercise on learning, memory and hippocampal BDNF levels in both hypothyroid male and female rat pups. To induce hypothyroidism in the mothers, 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) was added to their drinking water (100mg/L) from their embryonic day 6 to their postnatal day (PND) 21. For 14days, from PNDs 31 to 44, the rat pups were trained with one of the two different exercise protocols, namely the mild treadmill exercise and the voluntary wheel exercise. On PNDs 45-52, a water maze was used for testing their learning and memory ability. The rats were sacrificed one day later and their BDNF levels were then measured in the hippocampus. The findings of the present study indicate that hypothyroidism during the fetal period and the early postnatal period is associated with the impairment of spatial learning and memory and reduced hippocampal BDNF levels in both male and female rat offspring. Both the short-term treadmill exercise and the voluntary wheel exercise performed during the postnatal period reverse the behavioral and neurochemical deficits induced by developmental thyroid hormone insufficiency in both male and female rat offspring. The findings of this study thus demonstrate a marked reversibility of both behavioral and neurochemical disorders induced by developmental thyroid hormone insufficiency through the performance of exercise.

Menopause affects most physiological processes, including cognitive functions, although, the extent to which these functions are affected is not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of corticosterone (CORT) administration after reactivation on contextual fear recall in ovariectomized female rats. Adult female rats were ovariectomized and trained in a fear conditioning chamber (conditioned stimulus, CS) using electrical foot shock (unconditioned stimulus, US); with moderate or strong intensities. After reactivation 48 h later, rats were injected with CORT (0.3, 3 or 10 mg/kg) or vehicle. 2, 4 and 11 days after memory reactivation freezing behavior was scored. The results showed that CORT at the low dose of 0.3 mg/kg when injected after memory reactivation impaired memory recall in both moderate and strong shock on the third test (day 11). Because extinction process occurs after repeated presentation of CS without US (electrical shock during reactivation and recall days), memory impairment in our experiments is more likely to be due to increased memory extinction. Our findings suggest that CORT administration after reactivation of fear memory impairs recall in the rat model of menopause and more research is needed to find the exact mechanisms involved in this process which is of great value for treating cognitive problems during menopause.

Traumatic tooth avulsion requires an urgent intervention to replant the tooth. Prolonged post-injury dry extra-oral conditions worsen the prognosis and increase the risk of root resorption. Fluoride has the potential to delay replacement resorption. Calcium silicate cements (CSC) are used to seal the root canal system and to stimulate periapical regeneration in immature open apex teeth (apexification). This report suggests the application of a novel fast-setting CSC with fluoride for apexification in an attempt to hinder root resorption. A delayed replantation of an avulsed open apex permanent central incisor after 75 h of storage in a dry condition in a 6-year-old girl. Standard treatment guidelines for avulsed immature permanent teeth were followed. After tooth replantation a novel fast-setting, CSC containing fluoride was used for apexification. The radiographic and clinical evaluations over a period of 3 years demonstrated periodontal bone healing without root resorption, mobility, and ankylosis and an acceptable periapical tissue tolerance to the novel CSC. However, a longer follow-up period is needed. Delayed replantation of the avulsed open apex permanent incisor after 75 h of storage under dry conditions and apexification with a novel fast-setting CSC showed a successful outcome after 3 years. Novel CSC with fluoride demonstrated an acceptable biocompatibility and tissue tolerance.

Background Depression is one the most prevalent diseases. It is believed that the level of Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF (protein is reduced in the hippocampus of depressed patients and animal models of depression. Antidepressants, such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, increase BDNF levels in the brain. The present study investigated the effect of vitamin D, a possible drug for depression treatment, on BDNF levels in the hippocampus in a rat model of depression. Methods and Materials Male Wistar rats (n = 42,180 to 200g) were undergone a series of Chronic Mild Stressful (CMS) procedures on a daily bases for 3 weeks and after approval of their depression by Sucrose Preference Test (SPT), they were divided to 5 groups (n = 6); two received vitamin D treatment with either 5 or 10 microgram/kg; one, vehicle of vitamin D; one, antidepressant fluoxetine 5mg/kg, and the other group did not receive any treatment for 5 weeks. In parallel, there were 3 control non-CMS groups; one treated with vitamin D, the other with fluoxetine, and the last one without any treatment. At the end of the 8-week experiment, SPT was repeated, the hippocampus was extracted, and BDNF protein was assayed using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results The SPT at the end of 3 weeks of CMS revealed a significant difference (P < 0.0001) in sucrose preference to water between the CMS treated (mean ± SEM, 35.18 ± 4.86) and non-CMS treated group (82.72 ± 5.73), showing the induction of depression by the CMS procedure. Treatment with vitamin D and fluoxetine improved SPT in CMS-treated rats to the level of control rats (CMS, 33.43 ± 6.26 versus vit D treated 68.78 ± 5.07, P < 0.001; CMS versus fluoxetine treated 87.19 ± 3.62, P < 0.001). The BDNF levels did not show any change in depressed versus non-depressed rats (P = 0.12). Neither vitamin D nor fluoxetine could change BDNF levels in depressed rats, though fluoxetine significantly increased protein in non-depressed rats (P < 0.0001). Conclusion The current study showed that vitamin D did not affect BDNF protein level in the hippocampus of the depressed animals, suggesting that vitamin D could alleviate the symptoms of depression via BDNF-independent mechanisms.

Background Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic and progressive mental disorder related to the childhood period. This study aims to compare the oral health of two groups of ADHD children: those under pharmacotherapy and those under neuro-feedback therapy. Material and methods 72 ADHD children (aged 6-12) were divided into two 36 member groups: The pharmacotherapy group and the neuro-feedback therapy group. Unstimulated salivary flow (USF), DMFT, and plaque index were assessed in these children. Statistical analysis was carried out on the data with the independent t-test, which was performed using SPSS 16. The significance level of the study was p Results In this study, the USF of ADHD children who used Ritalin was found to be significantly less than that of the neuro-feedback group (1.25 ± 1.21 vs. 1.91 ± 1.16 ml/min; p=0.002). Also, the plaque index (5.9 ± 3.1 vs. 3.94 ± 1.9; p=0.018) and DMFT scores (39% ± 9% vs. 31% ± 9%; p=0.018) were significantly higher for the pharmacotherapy group. Conclusions Neuro-feedback therapy is preferable to Ritalin treatment for ADHD children in terms of their oral health status. Key words:Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, drug therapy, neurofeedback, oral health.

Background: Diabetes could be especially difficult for females. The burden of diabetes on females is unique because the disease could affect both mothers and their unborn children. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of developing a communication network among physicians on the level of HbA(1C) and Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) in patients with diabetes in Iran. Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial performed with 100 patients, who were randomly divided to experimental and control groups. The study was conducted from 20/11/2015 to 15/1/2016. A communication network was established among the physicians at health centers, to which patients in the intervention group were referred. The data were collected using a checklist of demographic information of patients. Laboratory results regarding the level of Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA(1C)) and Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) of patients were gathered at baseline and 4 months after the establishment of the communication network. Results: After the development of the communication network, HbA(1C) levels had reduced from 8.14 +/- 2.08 to 7.90 +/- 2.01 in the intervention group (P < 0.001), while in the control group HbA(1C) levels had increased from 8.98 +/- 2.20 to 9.09 +/- 2.21 (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The results showed that for successful control of diabetes, physicians need to communicate with each other and share information and experiences. Furthermore, establishing a communication network among physicians could be effective to control diabetes.

This study was to compare the success of resin-modified Portland cement-based material (TheraCal) with MTA in direct pulp capping (DPC) of primary molars. Symmetrical bilateral primary molars (92) from 46 healthy subjects aged 5–7 years were included in this split-mouth randomised clinical trial. DPC for small non-contaminated pulp exposures using either TheraCal or MTA were randomly performed in symmetrical molars. Thereafter, teeth were restored with amalgam. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed at 6 and 12 month follow-ups. Data were analysed using Chi square test at a significance level of 0.05. At the final follow-up session 74 teeth were available. After 12 months, the overall success rates for MTA and TheraCal were 94.5 and 91.8%, respectively. The difference between outcomes of the two groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Within the limitations of the current study, radiographic and clinical findings revealed that TheraCal exhibited a comparable outcome to MTA in DPC of primary molars after 12 months.

Background Patient’s Informal payments is among the main source of health care financing in some countries. This paper aimed at determining the patient informal payments and relative factors in Cardiac Surgery Departments (CSD) in hospitals affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS) in 2013. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 316 discharged patients were selected using multi-stage sampling. Data gathering tool was a questionnaire which was filled by structured telephone interviews. We used quantitative content analysis for open-ended questions besides descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests by SPSS 16 at 0.05 Sig level. Results Sixteen (5.93%) patients made voluntary informal payments. The purpose of payment was: “gratitude” (43.75%), satisfaction with health services provided” (31.25%) and (18.75%) for better quality of services. About 75% of the payments were occurred during receiving health care services. The main causes were “no request for informal payments” (98.14%), “not affording to pay for informal payments” (73.33%) and “paying the hospital expenses by taking out a loan” (55.91%). Responders said they would pay informally in demand situation (51.85%) just for patient’s health priority, 40.71% would also “search for other alternative solutions” and 27.33% “accepted the demand as a kind of gratitude culture”. Twenty four patients (8.9%) had experienced mandatory informal payments during the last 6 months. The minimum amount of payment was 62.5$ and the maximum was 3125$. There was a significant relationship between the way of referring to medical centers and informal patient's payment (P ≤0.05). Conclusion Despite the widespread prevalent belief about informal payments in public hospitals —particularly to the well-known physicians — such judgment cannot be generalized. The main reasons for the low informal payments in the current study were the personality characteristics of the physicians and hospital staff, their moral conscience and commitment to professional ethics, cultural factors and social-economic status of the patients. Health care system should notify people about their rights specially the payments calculation mechanism and methods. Better communication with the public and especially the media can help to correct attitude toward these payments.

Background Muscle synergy is the leading hypothesis on how the central nervous system coordinates limb functions. Cerebral palsy (CP) patients utilize fewer synergies, and are believed to have a simpler neuromuscular control. This study was undertaken to determine whether consistent muscle synergies are recruited during ambulation in cerebral palsy crouch gait and how the muscles contribute to such synergies. Methods Ten ambulatory CP patients were recruited. All walked with crouch gait. sEMG data were collected from 14 lower limb muscles during gait analysis. Non-negative matrix factorization method was utilized to extract muscle synergies. Results and significance A total of five synergy patterns were extracted. One synergy was shared among all patients, and was more active during swing. Another pattern was observed in seven patients, and was active during stance. These data suggest that CP patients with crouch gait utilize the simplest neuromuscular pattern to ambulate. One synergy is responsible for the swing phase, and one for the stance. This will substantially limit the adaptability of gait to various walking circumstances. The results of this study may help guide gait training programs and maximize the efficiency of ambulation in CP crouch gait.

Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that treadmill exercise alleviates the deficits in cognitive functions and anxiety behaviors induced by chronic exposure to morphine in male rats. In this study, we investigated the effects of low and high intensities of treadmill exercise on spatial memory, anxiety-like behaviors, and biochemical changes in the hippocampus and serum of morphine-treated female rats. The adult virgin female rats were injected with bi-daily doses (10mg/kg, at 12h intervals) of morphine over a period of 10days. Following these injections, the rats were exercised under low or high intensities for 30min per session on five days a week for four weeks. After exercise training, object location memory, anxiety profile, hippocampal BDNF, and serum corticosterone and BDNF were examined. Morphine-treated animals exhibited increased anxiety levels, impaired object location memory, and reduced hippocampal BDNF. Exercise alleviated these impairing effects on anxiety profile and memory but not hippocampal BDNF. The high-intensity exercise even further reduced the hippocampal BDNF. Additionally, both exercise regimens in the morphine group and the high exercise in the saline group reduced serum BDNF. Finally, the high-intensity exercise enhanced corticosterone serum. These findings indicate that the negative cognitive and behavioral effects of chronic exposure to morphine could be relieved by forced exercise in female rats. However, the exercise intensity is an important factor to be considered during exercise training. Finally, the correlation between changes of brain and serum BDNF and cognitive functions following morphine exposure needs further research.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the survival of composite resin restorations retained by glass fiber posts or reversed-orientated (upside-down) metal posts in severely decayed primary anterior teeth after 6, 12, and 18 months. Materials and methods: A total of forty-four 3- to 5-year-old children with bilateral severely decayed primary maxillary canines were included. Patients were treated under general anesthesia. After pulpectomy, an intracanal post was seated in the primary maxillary canine on each side: either a glass fiber post or a metallic post in reversed orientation and teeth restored with light-cured composite. Survival rate of each technique was evaluated at predetermined follow-ups and data were analyzed with McNemar’s test (α = 0.05). Results: The difference in survival of restorations retained by two types of posts was not statistically significant in clinical and radiographical evaluations after 6, 12, and 18 months. The survival rate of reversed-orientated metal and glass fiber posts after 18 months was 81.1 and 67.6% respectively (p = 0.14). Conclusion: Reversed-orientated metal post did not show lower clinical survival compared with glass fiber posts in 18-month follow-up. Hence, reversed-orientated metal post can be considered as a potential method to obtain retention for composite restorations in severely decayed primary anterior teeth. How to cite this article: Vafaei A, Ranjkesh B, L0vschall H, Erfanparast L, Jafarabadi MA, Oskouei SG, Isidor F. Survival of Composite Resin Restorations of severely Decayed Primary Anterior Teeth retained by Glass Fiber Posts or Reversed-orientated Metal Posts. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(2):109-113.