scholarly journals Sex-Dependent Signatures, Time Frames and Longitudinal Fine-Tuning of the Marble Burying Test in Normal and AD-Pathological Aging Mice

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 994
Author(s):  
Mikel Santana-Santana ◽  
José-Ramón Bayascas ◽  
Lydia Giménez-Llort
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Optimal Time ◽  
Longitudinal Assessment ◽  
Repeated Testing ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Marble Burying ◽  
Time Frames ◽  
Repeated Test

The marble burying (MB) test, a classical test based on the natural tendency of rodents to dig in diverse substrates and to bury small objects, is sensitive to some intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Here, under emerging neuroethological quantitative and qualitative analysis, the MB performance of 12-month-old male and female 3xTg-AD mice for Alzheimer’s disease and age-matched counterparts of gold-standard C57BL6 strain with normal aging unveiled sex-dependent signatures. In addition, three temporal analyses, through the (1) time course of the performance, and (2) a repeated test schedule, identified the optimal time frames and schedules to detect sex- and genotype-dependent differences. Besides, a (3) longitudinal design from 12 to 16 months of age monitored the changes in the performance with aging, worsening in AD-mice, and modulation through the repeated test. In summary, the present results allow us to conclude that (1) the marble burying test is responsive to genotype, sex, aging, and its interactions; (2) the male sex was more sensitive to showing the AD-phenotype; (3) longitudinal assessment shows a reduction in females with AD pathology; (4) burying remains stable in repeated testing; (5) the time-course of marbles burying is useful; and (6) burying behavior most likely represents perseverative and/or stereotyped-like behavior rather than anxiety-like behavior in 3xTg-AD mice.

scholarly journals Decoding the temporal nature of brain GR activity in the NFκB signal transition leading to depressive-like behavior

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young-Min Han ◽  
Min Sun Kim ◽  
Juyeong Jo ◽  
Daiha Shin ◽  
Seung-Hae Kwon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inhibitory Action ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Late Phase ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Middle Phase ◽  
Temporal Shift

AbstractThe fine-tuning of neuroinflammation is crucial for brain homeostasis as well as its immune response. The transcription factor, nuclear factor-κ-B (NFκB) is a key inflammatory player that is antagonized via anti-inflammatory actions exerted by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). However, technical limitations have restricted our understanding of how GR is involved in the dynamics of NFκB in vivo. In this study, we used an improved lentiviral-based reporter to elucidate the time course of NFκB and GR activities during behavioral changes from sickness to depression induced by a systemic lipopolysaccharide challenge. The trajectory of NFκB activity established a behavioral basis for the NFκB signal transition involved in three phases, sickness-early-phase, normal-middle-phase, and depressive-like-late-phase. The temporal shift in brain GR activity was differentially involved in the transition of NFκB signals during the normal and depressive-like phases. The middle-phase GR effectively inhibited NFκB in a glucocorticoid-dependent manner, but the late-phase GR had no inhibitory action. Furthermore, we revealed the cryptic role of basal GR activity in the early NFκB signal transition, as evidenced by the fact that blocking GR activity with RU486 led to early depressive-like episodes through the emergence of the brain NFκB activity. These results highlight the inhibitory action of GR on NFκB by the basal and activated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis during body-to-brain inflammatory spread, providing clues about molecular mechanisms underlying systemic inflammation caused by such as COVID-19 infection, leading to depression.

The Temporal Relationship Between Exercise, Recovery Processes, and Changes in Performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 1015-1021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Skorski ◽  
Iñigo Mujika ◽  
Laurent Bosquet ◽  
Romain Meeusen ◽  
Aaron J. Coutts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Exercise Session ◽  
Optimal Time ◽  
Recovery Processes ◽  
Exercise Type ◽  
Time Courses ◽  
Exercise Induced ◽  
Optimal Time Point ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Time Frames

Physiological and psychological demands during training and competition generate fatigue and reduce an athlete’s sport-specific performance capacity. The magnitude of this decrement depends on several characteristics of the exercise stimulus (eg, type, duration, and intensity), as well as on individual characteristics (eg, fitness, profile, and fatigue resistance). As such, the time required to fully recover is proportional to the level of fatigue, and the consequences of exercise-induced fatigue are manifold. Whatever the purpose of the ensuing exercise session (ie, training or competition), it is crucial to understand the importance of optimizing the period between exercise bouts in order to speed up the regenerative processes and facilitate recovery or set the next stimulus at the optimal time point. This implies having a fairly precise understanding of the fatigue mechanisms that contribute to the performance decrement. Failing to respect an athlete’s recovery needs may lead to an excessive accumulation of fatigue and potentially “nonfunctional overreaching” or to maladaptive training. Although research in this area recently increased, considerations regarding the specific time frames for different physiological mechanisms in relation to exercise-induced fatigue are still missing. Furthermore, recommendations on the timing and dosing of recovery based on these time frames are limited. Therefore, the aim of this article is to describe time courses of recovery in relation to the exercise type and on different physiological levels. This summary supports coaches, athletes, and scientists in their decision-making process by considering the relationship of exercise type, physiology, and recovery.

Physiological validation of a non-invasive method to evaluate adrenocortical activity and the time course for the excretion of stress hormones in the feces of three species of desert gerbils

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 21-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin R. St. Juliana ◽  
Jocelyn L. Bryant ◽  
Nadja Wielebnowski ◽  
Burt P. Kotler
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ◽  
Stress Hormones ◽  
Adrenocortical Activity ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites ◽  
Desert Rodents ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Time Frames

We evaluated the suitability of a corticosterone enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to monitor excretion of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM) in response to Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and saline injections in three desert rodent species (Gerbillus andersoni allenbyi (GA), Gerbillus nanus (GN), and Gerbilis piridium (GP). We exposed 24 gerbils (N = 9 for GA, N = 7 for GN, N = 8 for GP) to an ACTH and a saline injection at different times. Fecal samples were collected hourly for 24 hours after injection. The average starting concentration (baseline) FGM concentration was 797 ng/g for GA, 183 ng/g for GN, and 749 ng/g for GP. The average peak concentration was 2377 ng/g for GA, 589 ng/g for GN, and 1987 ng/g for GP. We were able to provide a physiological validation for the chosen assay in GAs and GPs, however, our results for GNs were less clear. We found an increase in FGM concentrations on average after 5.5 hours in GA, 3.1 hours in GN, and 3.8 hours in GP. We found a peak in FGM concentration on average after 8.8 hours in GA, 5.6 hours in GN, and 10.3 hours in GP. We determined that FGM concentration returned to starting value on average after 14.4 hours in GA, 9.1 hours in GN, and 15.1 hours in GP. The outcomes of this study can help establish trapping protocols and time frames for FGM monitoring of these wild small mammal populations. The time course for excretion of FGM is similar between the species in this study, and comparable to some non-desert rodents. We found high variation in the time course of excretion within species. This variation needs to be taken into account when monitoring stress responses in the field. By assessing adrenocortical activity using FGM monitoring, stress responses to varying ecological and environmental factors can be reliably examined in the field.

scholarly journals Qatar - Longitudinal Assessment of Mental Health in Pandemics (Q-LAMP)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salma Khaled ◽  
Peter Haddad ◽  
Majid Al-Abdulla ◽  
Tarek Bellaj ◽  
Yousri Marzouk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Longitudinal Assessment ◽  
The Impact

Aims: Q-LAMP aims to identify risk factors and resilience factors for symptoms of psychiatric illness during the pandemic. Study strengths include the 1-year longitudinal design and the use of standardized instruments already available in English and Arabic. The results will increase understanding of the impact of the pandemic on mental health for better support of the population during the pandemic and in future epidemics. Until an effective vaccine is available or herd immunity is achieved, countries are likely to encounter repeated ‘waves’ of infection. The identification of at-risk groups for mental illness will inform the planning and delivery of individualized treatment including primary prevention. Methodology: Longitudinal online survey; SMS-based recruitment and social media platforms advertisements e.g. Facebook, Instagram; Online consent; Completion time for questionnaires: approx. 20 to 30 minute; Baseline questionnaire with follow up at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months; Study completion date: Sept. 2021. Inclusion criteria: Currently living in Qatar; Qatari residents: citizens and expatriates; Age 18 years; read Arabic or English (questionnaire and consent form available in both languages). Instruments: Sociodemographic questionnaire including personal and family experience of COVID-19 infection; Standard instruments to assess psychiatric morbidity including depression, anxiety and PTSD; research team-designed instruments to assess social impact of pandemic; standard questionnaires to assess resilience, personality, loneliness, religious beliefs and social networks. Results: The analysis was based on 181 observations. Approximately, 3.5% of the sample was from the sms-recruitment method. The sample of completed surveys consisted of 65.0% females and 35.0% males. Qatari respondents comprised 27.0% of the total sample, while 52% of the sample were married, 25% had Grade 12 or lower level of educational attainment, and 46.0% were unemployed. Covid-19 appears to have affected different aspects of people’s lives from personal health to living arrangements, employment, and health of family and friends. Approximately, 41% to 55% of those who responded to the survey perceived changes in their stress levels, mental health, and loneliness to be worse than before the pandemic. Additionally, the wide availability of information about the pandemic on the internet and social media was perceived as source of pandemic-related worries among members of the public. Conclusion: The continued provision of mental health service and educational campaigns about effective stress and mental health management is warranted.

Development of Performance Evaluation Tests for Environmental Research (PETER): Time Estimation Test

1979 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 513-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael E. McCauley ◽  
Robert S. Kennedy ◽  
Alvah C. Bittner
Keyword(s):  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Performance Testing ◽  
Time Estimation ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Environmental Research ◽  
Repeated Testing ◽  
Estimation Task ◽  
Method Of Production ◽  
Time Estimation Task ◽  
Repeated Test

A time estimation task was considered for inclusion in the Performance Evaluation Tests for Environmental Research (PETER) battery. As part of this consideration the effects of repeated testing on the reliability of time judgments, using the method of production, was studied. Forty trials per day were administered individually to each of 19 subjects for 15 consecutive weekdays. Descriptive statistics are reported and the need for knowledge about the reliability coefficient over repeated test administrations in the context of performance testing in exotic environments is discussed.

Most appropriate time for the adaptive reuse of historic buildings using ARP model

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Sharifi
Keyword(s):  
Adaptive Reuse ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Optimal Time ◽  
Historic Buildings ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Improvement ◽  
East Region ◽  
Functional Aspects ◽  
National Heritage ◽  
Time Frames

Purpose The concept of adaptive reuse is an effective strategy for enhancing heritage assets, economic, cultural and social values. The purpose of this paper is to propose a method to reuse historic buildings within appropriate time frames. The adaptive reuse potential (ARP) model assesses the potential of buildings based on obsolescence criteria in order to determine the optimal time for changing the use of such assets. Design/methodology/approach Both quantitative and qualitative methods have been used in this research to evaluate the reuse potential of The Mashrooteh Building by using the ARP model. Predicting and evaluating the physical life, useful life and potential of the historic Mashrooteh building in Tabriz will ensure its reuse and will increase its future life. Findings Findings have shown that to increase the future life of The Mashrooteh Building, its adaptive reuse quality needs to be improved for the next intervention within a reasonable time. Further procedures can be outlined when the appropriate time for future rehabilitation is known. Originality/value With an emphasis on conservation of national heritage as well as promoting sustainable development, the overall future life of assets can be extended. The significance of this study is closely related to organizations dealing with the conservation and rehabilitation of historical buildings with the emphasis on sustainable improvement of environmental, economic, social and functional aspects in the best possible time frame. The result of this study will add a value to existing sustainable reuse database in Tabriz and other countries in the Middle East region.

Time-course evaluation of survival and treatment in FIRE-3 (AIO KRK0306, first-line therapy of KRAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer with FOLFIRI plus cetuximab or bevacizumab).

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 617-617
Author(s):  
Dominik Paul Modest ◽  
Sebastian Stintzing ◽  
Ludwig Fischer von Weikersthal ◽  
Alberto F. Sobrero ◽  
Thomas Decker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Overall Survival ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Course Evaluation ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Time Frames ◽  
In Fire

617 Background: FIRE-3 reported overall survival (OS) difference in favour of arm A (FOLFIRI plus cetuximab, N= 297 pts.) compared to arm B (FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab, N= 295 pts.) in the absence of significant differences in progression-free survival and response rate. Methods: We subdivided the study into six-month time intervals, starting at the time point of randomisation and evaluated OS in a time-wise fashion. Within each interval, OS was analyzed by Cox regression. Furthermore, systemic treatment and local interventions were investigated in the respective time-frames. Results: The time-course hazard ratios of OS are summarized in the Table. Pronounced differences in overall survival by time-interval analysis are observed between 24 and 30 months and between 30 and 36 months. Within the interval of 24-30 months, 24.6% (73/297) of pts in arm A and 25.1% (74/295) of pts in arm B received systemic therapy (any treatment-line). In the subsequent interval of 30-36 months, systemic anti-tumor treatment decreased to 18.9% (56/297) of pts in arm A and 16.3% (48/295) of pts in arm B. Median time on treatment was less than 2 months in the intervals of 24-30 months and 30-36 months. Updated data including RAS wild-type population will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions: The differences in OS observed in FIRE-3 are pronounced in time intervals between 24-30 months as well as 30-36 months after randomisation into the study. A small number of patients received rather short courses of anti-tumor therapy in these observation units. The significant difference in OS that manifests in time-frames between 24 and 30 months as well as between 30 and 36 months suggests that underlying effects on OS in FIRE-3 may include multiple factors and cannot be explained by the number of patients on active treatment alone. Clinical trial information: NCT00433927. [Table: see text]

Implication of Multiple Leak Tests and Impact of Rest Time on Avionic Hybrids

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 (1) ◽  
pp. 000685-000689
Author(s):  
Maureen Perry ◽  
Steve Smalley
Keyword(s):  
Rest Period ◽  
Current Method ◽  
Test Time ◽  
Repeated Testing ◽  
Leak Test ◽  
Pressure Cycling ◽  
Leak Testing ◽  
Rest Time ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Repeated Test

Since 2007 Northrop Grumman's Baltimore facility has leak tested Hybrid packages primarily through the Optical Leak method. The Optical Leak systems allow for individual part readings performed in parallel and they eliminate the need for separate fine and gross leak tests. As with most leak test operations, there are occasionally parts that need to be retested. One of the benefits of Optical Leak Test is that there is no exposure to liquids, greases, or other contaminates that may plug fine leaks. However, there is concern about the aggregate impact of re-leak testing, and interest in any time effects or “charging” that may occur from repeated test exposure. To investigate the impact of repeated test exposure and determine the effect on test results of retesting parts, NGES Baltimore performed testing on a dozen parts (both leakers and good seals) to measure the amount of distortion repeated testing generates. This paper describes the parts tested and the results from a series of tests spaced approximately 24 hours apart as well as tests performed immediately in conjunction – exposing the parts to repeated pressure cycling without a rest period for recovery. The results show that rapid, repeated testing will yield a slight worsening of the leak measurements (i.e. the test may falsely fail a good part), although the overall magnitude of the shift was not great. Allowing a rest time of 4x the test time worked as a rule of thumb for eliminating the “pressure-charging” effect of prior tests, and that testing performed on different days yielded very consistent results. The current method 1014 leak test MIL-STD-883 has specific guidance against retesting parts. At Northrop Grumman we believe there are instances in which retesting parts is useful, and have shown that with appropriate handling, retest will yield consistent results.

Developmental influences on auditory perception in female zebra finches - is there a sensitive phase for song preference learning?

2003 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Riebel
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Preference Learning ◽  
Zebra Finches ◽  
Sexual Imprinting ◽  
Female Song ◽  
Sensitive Phase ◽  
Song Acquisition ◽  
Song Preferences

Abstract Song plays an important role in mate choice in oscine songbirds. Male advertising song is culturally transmitted resulting in individual- or population-specific song variants. Evidence is accumulating that female song preferences are influenced by those song variants they experienced when young, but the nature and timing of the acquisition process itself is still poorly understood. Song acquisition (as well as sexual imprinting) has been studied in more detail in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) than in any other songbird species, making it timely to review the consequences of early exposure on female song perception in this species. The current literature provides substantial evidence not only for preference learning but also for exposure-dependent perceptual fine-tuning. Sensitivity for song preference learning changes over the course of development. Preference learning does not seem to occur earlier than 25 days of age (hence paralleling the time course for song acquisition in males), but a potential endpoint is currently less obvious. However, studies so far have focussed on the outcome rather than the process of learning, and thus have not aimed at delineating a sensitive phase. Early acquired song preferences seem highly stable regardless of additional experience, which suggests a self-terminating process as previously found for sexual imprinting. There are still obvious gaps in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the process of song preference learning, but these seem worthwhile addressing, as the consequences for mate choice might differ dramatically depending on when and from whom learning takes place.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document