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Cyclin F (CCNF) variants have been found to be associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/frontotemporal dementia (FTD). However, the genetic and clinical characteristics of ALS patients who carry CCNF variants are largely unknown. Genetic analysis was performed for 1587 Chinese ALS patients, and missense variants were predicted by software analyses. Additionally, we searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for relevant literature and conducted a meta-analysis of the frequency of variants. In our ALS cohort, we identified 29 nonsynonymous variants in 41 ALS patients. Among these ALS patients, 18 (1.1%) were carriers of 15 rare missense variants that were considered probably pathogenic variants, and 11 of 15 variants were novel. Seven relevant studies were identified, and a total of 43 CCNF variants in 59 ALS patients with a frequency of 0.8% were reported. The ratio of males to females in our cohort (10/8) was similar to that in Caucasian populations (4/7) and significantly higher than that in Asian populations (10/1). The proportion of bulbar onset in Caucasian CCNF carriers was similar to our cohort (25.0 vs. 27.8%); however, bulbar onset had never been reported in previous Asian studies (0/11). FTD was not found in CCNF carriers in previous Asian studies and our cohort, but it has been reported in a FALS cohort (1/75) of Caucasian individuals. There were some differences in the clinical characteristics among different ethnic ALS populations. More basic scientific studies are needed to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms and genotype-phenotype associations of CCNF variants.

This study evaluated frontal behavioural symptoms, via the FrSBe self-report, in military personnel with and without a history of blast-related mild traumatic brain injury (mild TBI). Prospective observational cohort study of combat-deployed service members leveraging 1-year and 5-year demographic and follow up clinical outcome data. The blast mild TBI group (n = 164) showed greater frontal behavioural symptoms, including clinically elevated apathy, disinhibition, and executive dysfunction, during a 5-year follow-up, compared to a group of combat-deployed controls (n = 107) without mild TBI history or history of blast exposure. We also explored changes inbehaviourall symptoms over a 4-year span, which showed clinically significant increases in disinhibition in the blast mild TBI group, whereas the control group did not show significant increases in symptoms over time. Our findings add to the growing evidence that a proportion of individuals who sustain mild TBI experience persistent behavioural symptoms. We also offer a demonstration of a novel use of the FrSBe as a tool for longitudinal symptom monitoring in a military mild TBI population.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major healthcare challenge with no curative treatment at present. To address this challenge, we need a paradigm shift, where we focus on pre-dementia stages of AD. In this Perspective, we outline a strategy to move towards a future with personalized medicine for AD by preparing for and investing in effective and patient-orchestrated diagnosis, prediction and prevention of the dementia stage. While focusing on AD, this Perspective also discusses studies that do not specify the cause of dementia. Future personalized prevention strategies encompass multiple components, including tailored combinations of disease-modifying interventions and lifestyle. By empowering the public and patients to be more actively engaged in the management of their health and disease and by developing improved strategies for diagnosis, prediction and prevention, we can pave the way for a future with personalized medicine, in which AD pathology is stopped to prevent or delay the onset of dementia.This Perspective outlines a strategy to move towards a future with personalized medicine for Alzheimer's disease by empowering patients in orchestrating diagnosis, prediction and prevention of the onset of dementia.

Introduction. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurological disorder. Patients with PD were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in many different ways. This study’s principal purpose is to assess PD patients' vulnerability to COVID-19 and its consequences. Method. This systematic review was performed based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA) guidelines. A thorough search was conducted in the Medline (through PubMed) and Scopus databases from inception to January 30, 2022. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist was used to evaluate the studies. Results. Most of the studies (38%) had been conducted in Italy. Of the total number of studies, 17 (58%) were cross-sectional, seven (22%) were cohort, four (12%) were quasiexperimental, two (6%) were case-control, and one (3%) was a qualitative study. The PD duration in patients ranged from 3.26 to 13.40 years (IQR1: 5.7 yrs., median: 3.688 yrs., and IQR3: 8.815 yrs.). Meanwhile, the sample size ranged from 12 to 30872 participants (IQR1: 46, median: 96, and IQR3: 211). Despite worsening PD symptoms in the targeted population (persons with COVID-19 and Parkinson’s disease), some studies found PD to be a risk factor for more severe COVID-19 disease. There are many adverse effects during the pandemic period in PD patients such as abnormalities of motor, nonmotor functioning, clinical outcomes, activities of daily living, and other outcomes. Conclusion. This study confirmed the negative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on health-related quality of life and its determinants in patients with PD and their caregivers. Thus, due to the worsening symptoms of PD patients in the current pandemic, these people should be given more care and supervision to minimize their coronavirus exposure.

It became relatively easy to make counterfeit currency as technology advanced, such as colour printing. Counterfeit notes are produced so precisely that it's impossible to tell the difference between a genuine and a fake. We can define counterfeit currency notes as copies of actual currency notes produced without the approval of the state or central authority and used to conduct criminal activities. A parallel economy is run with the help of this fake currency note. This parallel economy causes a country's economy to deteriorate, lowering the value of its currency in the global market. As a result, it became critical to build a comprehensive technique to detect counterfeit notes to decrease the flow of counterfeit notes into the market. The fake currency detection system for Indian cash using image processing and machine learning is discussed in this research study. In order to identify real currency notes based on the distinctive features seen on the Indian currency note of 100 rupees, this research uses image processing and the random forest approach. While omitting the texture and colour of the note, banknote identification is accomplished by comparing received banknotes to a database of previously learned images. On the sample size of 400 notes, we found accuracy of 84.25%, recall of 66.25%, and precision of 78.63%. The recommended solution outperforms convolutional neural networks in terms of accuracy and training speed while using a simpler methodology. To prevent inflation and economic loss, this approach can also be used to different types of currency notes.

This paper examines what some scholars of Economic History such as A.G. Hopkins described as ‘Domestic Economy’ or what others like T.B. Ingawa and G.O. Ogunremi referred to as ‘Pre-Colonial Economy’ of African people. The Economic History of a people is an account of how the people in a particular place or a community earned their living in the past. The primary focus of this paper is an examination of economic activities of the Gungawa before their forceful resettlement from their traditional homeland on the numerous islands and banks of River Niger in Yauri and Borgu Emirates to the eastern and western banks of the river as a result of the construction of Kainji Dam. Although discussions in the paper centre on the pre-colonial period, the scope of the paper is extended to almost two decades after colonial period because the resettlement in 1968 produced everlasting consequences on the pre-1968 economic activities of the Gungawa.

BackgorundRhoB is a key member of the Rho family of isoprenylated small GTPases which modulate the cellular cytoskeletal organization. It has a crucial role in the neoplastic apoptotic mechanism after DNA damage. Due to the unavailability of 3D structure in the protein data bank database, in this study, we evaluated the structure of a protein, Rho-related GTP-binding protein RhoB.ResultsRhoB has a predicted pI of 5.10, indicating that it is acidic. The GMQE value was used to compute the target–template alignment, and 6hxu.1.A from Homo sapiens was chosen as the template structure, with the model construction task completed using swiss-model. The structural compactibility and stability were revealed after a 100ns molecular dynamics simulation using GROMACA employing the OPLS-AA force field. PCA analysis found residues that are relevant based on their fluctuation acitivity while their location is between 100-110 and 140-150.ConclusionThis study will benefit future investigations addressing the association between gene mutation and abnormalities generated by protein Rho-related GTP-binding protein RhoB in apoptotic events by offering insight into the biophysical phenomenon of Rho-related GTP-binding protein RhoB inhibitors.

In response to historical circumstances, most south-south universities enrolled students in excess of their capacity, resulting in massification and negative consequences for educational quality. Increased enrollment has addressed issues of learning content selection and designing appropriate instructional models, which are equally important issues in ensuring the delivery of quality education. Apparently, the graduation rates of students do not match up to address unemployment. The study investigated the relationship between Massification of University Education and Instructional Delivery of Business Education Programme of State-Owned Universities in South-South Region, Nigeria. Two (2) specific objectives, research questions posed were answered and corresponding null hypotheses were stated, posed, formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. Correlation research design was adopted for this study and the population consisted of eighty-three (83) Business Education lecturers in the six (6) state-owned universities offering Business Education in South-south region, Nigeria. No sampling method was employed as the entire population served as a sample of the study. Two (2) sets of instruments titled “Questionnaire on Massification of University Education (QMUE) and Business Education Instructional Delivery Scale (BEIDS)” were used for data collection, which were validated by three experts in Business Education and Measurement and Evaluation. The reliability index of 0.81 and 0.78 were obtained respectively using the test-retest method. Research questions were answered using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and t- transformational test was conducted to ascertain if the null hypotheses were significant or not. It was found out that there was a significant relationship between Massification of University Education and learning/content selection and instructional models as components of instructional delivery of Business Education programmes in State-Owned universities in the South-South region. Based on the findings, it was recommended amongst others that Business Education lecturers should select, design, and organize learning materials that stimulate and arouse students to reflect on what and how they are learning as they provide a high tech approach for students to utilize different technologies to aid students’ learning.

In this study, we explored how hotel atmospherics could be applied to enhance guests’ experience in the Nigerian hospitality industry. The study specifically aimed to determine the effects of ambience, interior-exterior design and social environment on guests’ experience in Nigerian hotels. We adopted cross-sectional survey research design. Using a structured questionnaire survey, primary data were obtained from 369 hotel guests. The data obtained were descriptively analyzed and interpreted. The hypotheses of the study were then tested using multiple linear regression. The findings thereof revealed that ambience, interior-exterior design and social environment had significant positive effects on guests’ experience in the Nigerian hospitality industry. Hence, we recommended that hospitality firms’ manager must intentionally and strategically manage atmospheric dimensions on a consistent basis to reinforce their capacity to project positive images and cues capable of stimulating desired responses from customers. Other practical suggestions are also presented along with theoretical suggestions for future research.

The role of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) in vision has been extensively studied, yet its extraretinal capacities are still being investigated, including its role in arousal from sleep. The β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit is involved in the laminal organisation of the LGN with magnocellular (MC) and parvocellular (PC) neurons. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) occurs during a sleep period and, neuropathologically, is associated with increased neuronal cell death and altered nAChRs. A recent qualitative pilot study from our group implicates the possibility of increased neuronal death/apoptosis in the SIDS LGN. The present study used quantitative analysis to report the baseline expression of apoptotic and nAChR subunits α7 and β2 in the PC and MC layers of the LGN, to determine correlations amongst these markers within layers and across layers, and to evaluate changes in the expression of these markers in the LGN of SIDS infants, along with associations with SIDS risk factors, such as age, sex, cigarette smoke exposure, bed-sharing, and presence of an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). Tissue was immunohistochemically stained for cell death markers of active caspase-3 (Casp-3) and TUNEL, and for the α7 and β2 nAChR subunits. Amongst 43 cases of sudden and unexpected deaths in infancy (SUDI), classifications included explained deaths (eSUDI, n = 9), SIDS I (n = 5) and SIDS II (n = 29). Results indicated a strong correlation of the apoptotic markers and β2 nAChR subunit between the LGN layers, but not across the markers within the layers. Amongst the diagnostic groups, compared to eSUDI, the SIDS II cases had decreased Casp-3 expression while β2 nAChR expression was increased in both PC and MC layers. Amongst the SIDS risk factors, URTI and bed-sharing were associated with changes in neuronal death but not in the α7 and β2 markers. In conclusion, our findings do not support a role for the α7 and β2 nAChRs in apoptotic regulation of the LGN layers during infancy. However, for SIDS victims, an inverse correlation between the changes for markers of apoptosis and the β2 nAChR subunit expression suggests altered LGN function.

Neurological diseases can be broadly divided according to causal factors into circulatory system disorders leading to ischemic stroke; degeneration of the nerve cells leading to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s (PD) diseases, and immune system disorders; bioelectric activity (epileptic) problems; and genetically determined conditions as well as viral and bacterial infections developing inflammation. Regardless of the cause of neurological diseases, they are usually accompanied by disturbances of the central energy in a completely unexplained mechanism. The brain makes up only 2% of the human body’s weight; however, while working, it uses as much as 20% of the energy obtained by the body. The energy requirements of the brain are very high, and regulatory mechanisms in the brain operate to ensure adequate neuronal activity. Therefore, an understanding of neuroenergetics is rapidly evolving from a “neurocentric” view to a more integrated picture involving cooperativity between structural and molecular factors in the central nervous system. This article reviewed selected molecular biomarkers of oxidative stress and energy metabolism disorders such as homocysteine, DNA damage such as 8-oxo2dG, genetic variants, and antioxidants such as glutathione in selected neurological diseases including ischemic stroke, AD, PD, and epilepsy. This review summarizes our and others’ recent research on oxidative stress in neurological disorders. In the future, the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases may be substantially improved by identifying specific early markers of metabolic and energy disorders.

The ability to store, retrieve, and extinguish memories of adverse experiences is an essential skill for animals’ survival. The cellular and molecular factors that underlie such processes are only partially known. Using chondroitinase ABC treatment targeting chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), previous studies showed that the maturation of the extracellular matrix makes fear memory resistant to deletion. Mice lacking the cartilage link protein Crtl1 (Crtl1-KO mice) display normal CSPG levels but impaired CSPG condensation in perineuronal nets (PNNs). Thus, we asked whether the presence of PNNs in the adult brain is responsible for the appearance of persistent fear memories by investigating fear extinction in Crtl1-KO mice. We found that mutant mice displayed fear memory erasure after an extinction protocol as revealed by analysis of freezing and pupil dynamics. Fear memory erasure did not depend on passive loss of retention; moreover, we demonstrated that, after extinction training, conditioned Crtl1-KO mice display no neural activation in the amygdala (Zif268 staining) in comparison to control animals. Taken together, our findings suggest that the aggregation of CSPGs into PNNs regulates the boundaries of the critical period for fear extinction.

Research is needed to understand attitudes toward and adoption of the broad range of technologies available to support active and healthy aging in different generations. The present article gives an overview of the GenerationTech survey and sample, and describes attitudes and acceptance related to technology in general and as a means to support active and healthy aging. A national survey was conducted with a random sample (n = 2,121) including men and women from three generations (30–39, 50–59 and 70–79-year-olds) in Sweden. The generations shared some attitudes toward and acceptance of technologies for active and healthy aging. However, what kind of technologies are preferred to support active and healthy aging and the reasons for using certain technologies differed by generation. The findings could help guide the development and implementation of technologies for active and healthy aging throughout the aging process.

The vertebrate neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a specialised chemical synapse involved in the transmission of bioelectric signals between a motor neuron and a skeletal muscle fiber, leading to muscle contraction. Typically, the NMJ is a tripartite synapse comprising (a) a presynaptic region represented by the motor nerve ending, (b) a postsynaptic skeletal motor endplate area, and (c) perisynaptic Schwann cells (PSCs) that shield the motor nerve terminal. Increasing evidence points towards the role of PSCs in the maintenance and control of neuromuscular integrity, transmission, and plasticity. Acetylcholine (ACh) is the main neurotransmitter at the vertebrate skeletal NMJ, and its role is fine-tuned by co-released purinergic neuromodulators, like adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) and its metabolite adenosine (ADO). Adenine nucleotides modulate transmitter release and expression of postsynaptic ACh receptors at motor synapses via the activation of P2Y and P2X receptors. Endogenously generated ADO modulates ACh release by acting via co-localised inhibitory A1 and facilitatory A2A receptors on motor nerve terminals, whose tonic activation depends on the neuronal firing pattern and their interplay with cholinergic receptors and neuropeptides. Thus, the concerted action of adenine nucleotides, ADO, and ACh/neuropeptide co-transmitters is paramount to adapting the neuromuscular transmission to the working load under pathological conditions, like Myasthenia gravis. Unravelling these functional complexities prompted us to review our knowledge about the way purines orchestrate neuromuscular transmission and plasticity in light of the tripartite synapse concept, emphasising the often-forgotten role of PSCs in this context.

This pilot study aimed to explore how caregiver spouses make sense of themselves one and five years after their partner’s deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery for Parkinson’s disease. 16 spouse (8 husbands and 8 wives) caregivers were recruited for the interview. Eight struggled to reflect on their own lived experience and primarily focused on the impact of PD on their partners, such that their transcripts were no longer viable for interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). A content analysis showed (1) how these 8 caregivers shared less than half as many self-reflections than the other caregivers, (2) that there was a bias to reflect on their partner’s experience answering the opening question, (3) the bias continued when answering subsequent questions, and (4) there was a lack of awareness of this bias. No other patterns of behaviour or themes were able to be extracted. The remaining 8 interviews were transcribed and analysed using IPA. This analysis discovered 3 inter-related themes: (1) DBS allows carers to question and shift the caregiver role, (2) Parkinson’s unites and DBS divides, and (3) seeing myself and my needs, DBS enhances visibility. How these caregivers interacted with these themes depended on when their partners were operated. The results suggested that spouses maintained the role of caregiver one year post DBS because they struggle to identify themselves in any other way but were more comfortable reassociating into the role of spouse 5 years post surgery. Further inquiry into caregiver and patient identity roles post DBS is recommended as a means of supporting their psychosocial adjustment after surgery.

Background Cyclo (his-pro-CHP) plus zinc (Zn+ 2) (Cyclo-Z) is the only chemical agent known to stimulate IDE synthesis and reduction of inactive cellular insulin fragments. Objectives The aim of this study was to characterize the effects of Cyclo-Z on insulin pathway, memory functions and brain oscillations in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) rat model. Methods The rat model of AD was established by bilateral injection of Aβ42 oligomer (2,5nmol/10µl) into the lateral ventricles. Cyclo-Z (10mg Zn+ 2/kg and 0,2mg CHP/kg, daily) was administered orally by gavage for 21 days. At the end of the experimental period, memory tests and electrophysiological recordings were performed which followed by the biochemical analysis. Results Aβ42 oligomers led to a significant increase in fasting blood glucose, serum insülin, Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance(HOMA-IR) and phospho-tau-Ser356 levels. Moreover, Aβ42 oligomers caused a significant decrement in body weight, hippocampal insulin, brain insulin receptor substrate(IRS-Ser612), and glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta(GSK-3β) levels. Also, Aβ42 oligomers resulted in a significant reduction in memory. The Cyclo-Z treatment prevented the observed alterations in the ADZ group except for phospho-tau levels and attenuated the increased Aβ42 oligomers levels in the ADZ group. We also found that the Aβ42 oligomer decreased the left temporal spindle and delta power during ketamine anesthesia. Cyclo-Z treatment reversed the Aβ42 oligomer-related alterations in the left temporal spindle power. Conclusions Cyclo-Z prevents Aβ oligomer-induced changes in the insulin pathway, amyloid toxicity, and may contribute to the improvement of memory deficits and neural network dynamics in this rat model.