Spindle oscillations in communicating axons within a reconstituted hippocampal formation are strongest in CA3 without thalamus.

Spindle-shaped waves of oscillations emerge in EEG scalp recordings during human and rodent non-REM sleep. The association of these 10-16 Hz oscillations with events during prior wakefulness suggests a role in memory consolidation. Human and rodent depth electrodes in the brain record strong spindles throughout the cortex and hippocampus, with possible origins in the thalamus. However, the source and targets of the spindle oscillations from the hippocampus are unclear. Here, we employed an in vitro reconstruction of four subregions of the hippocampal formation with separate microfluidic tunnels for single axon communication between subregions assembled on top of a microelectrode array. We recorded spontaneous 400-1000 ms long spindle waves at 10-16 Hz in single axons passing between subregions as well as from individual neurons in those subregions. Spindles were nested within slow waves. The highest amplitudes and most frequent occurrence suggest origins in CA3 neurons that send feed-forward axons into CA1 and feedback axons into DG. Spindles had 50-70% slower conduction velocities than spikes and were not phase-locked to spikes suggesting that spindle mechanisms are independent of action potentials. Therefore, consolidation of declarative-cognitive memories in the hippocampus may be separate from the more easily accessible consolidation of memories related to thalamic motor function.

Mind-body exercise interventions for prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder in trauma-exposed populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Mind-body exercise (MBE) interventions, such as yoga, are increasingly recognised as an adjunct treatment for trauma-related mental disorders but less is known about their efficacy as a preventative intervention. We aimed to systematically review if, and what type of, MBE interventions are effective at preventing the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or acute stress disorder (ASD) in trauma-exposed populations. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases was conducted to identify controlled trials of MBE interventions aimed at preventing the development of PTSD or ASD in high-risk populations. Risk of bias was assessed using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias and ROBINS-I tools. Pooled effect sizes using Hedges' g and 95% CIs were calculated using random effects modelling for the main meta-analysis and planned subgroup and sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: Six studies (N analysed=399) were included in the final meta-analysis. Overall, there was a small effect for MBE interventions in preventing the development of PTSD (g=-0.25, 95% CI -0.56 to 0.06) among those with previous or ongoing exposure to trauma. Although a prespecified subgroup analyses comparing the different types of MBE intervention were conducted, meaningful conclusions could not be drawn due to the small number of studies. None of the included studies assessed ASD symptoms. CONCLUSION: Limited evidence was found for MBE interventions in reducing PTSD symptomology in the short term. Findings must be interpreted with caution due to the small number of studies and possible publication bias. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020180375.

Higher fees and out-of-pocket costs in radiotherapy point to a need for funding reform.

Objective To elucidate the policy implications of recent trends in the funding of radiotherapy services between 2009-10 and 2021-22. Method We use national aggregate claims data to determine time trends in the fees, benefits and out-of-pocket (OOP) costs of radiotherapy and nuclear therapeutic medicine claims funded through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) program. All dollar figures are expressed in constant 2021 Australian dollars. Results Radiotherapy and nuclear therapeutic medicine MBS claims increased by 78% whereas MBS funding increased by 137% between 2009-10 and 2021-22. The main driver of Medicare funding growth has been the Extended Medicare Safety Net, which has increased by 404%. Over the 13 year observation period, the percentage of bulk-billed claims peaked in 2017-18 at 76.1% but fell to 69.8% in 2021-22. For non-bulk billed services, average OOP costs per claim increased from $20.40 in 2009-10 to $69.78 in 2021-22. Conclusion Despite increased Medicare funding, patients face increasing financial barriers to access radiation oncology services. Policies with regard to funding radiotherapy services should be reviewed to ensure that services are easily accessible and affordable for all those needing treatment and at a reasonable cost to Government.

Exploring the lived experience of mental health and coping during unemployment.

BACKGROUND: Unemployment is known to involve various psychosocial challenges that can negatively impact mental health. However, the intricacies of how individuals experience these challenges and strive to cope within the context of varied sociocultural and individuating factors, remain comparatively understudied. The present qualitative study used an interpretative phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of mental health and coping during unemployment. METHODS: Fifteen Australian adults who had recently experienced unemployment (for ≥3 months in the last 2 years), despite being available for and able to work, participated in semi-structured interviews from August to September 2021. Maximum variation sampling ensured participants represented diverse sociodemographic backgrounds. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis within NVivo12 software. RESULTS: Four major themes were identified: 1) disrupted identity and direction in life; 2) navigating conflicting views of contribution and progress; 3) knowing how to cope is not enough; and 4) unemployment as a catalyst for new understandings. Unemployment disrupted participants' sense of purpose, identity and visions for the future. It signified a perceived failure to meet societal standards of value based upon the economic functions of work, which participants struggled to reconcile with their own priorities for work that satisfied psychosocial needs. Participants were aware of effective coping strategies, although these had mixed positive and negative effects on mental health, or were difficult to mobilise during unemployment. The COVID-19 pandemic, while normalising unemployment to some degree, exacerbated future uncertainty and prevented engagement with known coping strategies (e.g., social interaction). However, unemployment could also instigate growth through re-defining markers of achievement, re-aligning goals with one's core values, and developing greater compassion. CONCLUSIONS: Experiences of mental health and coping during unemployment share complex relationships both with each other and with broader personal and sociocultural contexts. Service providers may better meet the mental health needs of those experiencing unemployment by balancing the economic and psychosocial functions of work, understanding that coping is a wholistic issue that goes beyond knowledge of effective strategies, and being aware of the opportunities for self-development that unemployment can create.

Drug-induced acute pancreatitis in a bodybuilder: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Unregulated use of a variety of drugs and supplements by bodybuilders and athletes is common and can lead to severe adverse complications. Only a small proportion of acute pancreatitis cases are drug induced, and case reports are essential for identifying potential drug-related risks for pancreatitis. Here we present the first case report published of acute pancreatitis linked to recreational use of anabolic-androgenic steroids, subcutaneous growth hormone, and clenbuterol in a previously healthy male after excluding all other causes of pancreatitis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 31-year-old Arab male bodybuilder presented with acute abdominal pain associated with nausea and sharp pain radiating to the back. The patient was not using tobacco or alcohol but was using multiple drugs related to bodybuilding, including anabolic-androgenic steroids, subcutaneous growth hormone, clenbuterol, and multiple vitamin supplements. Laboratory studies revealed a normal white blood cell count, elevated C-reactive protein, minimally elevated aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin with normal remaining liver tests, and elevated amylase and lipase. The patient had no hypertriglyceridemia or hypercalcemia, and had had no recent infections, abdominal procedures, trauma, or scorpion exposure. Imaging and laboratory investigations were negative for biliary disease and IgG4 disease. Abdominal computed tomography revealed hepatomegaly and diffuse thickening and edema of the body and tail of the pancreas with peripancreatic fat stranding. An abdominal ultrasound showed slight hepatomegaly with no evidence of cholelithiasis. Genetic testing for hereditary pancreatitis-related mutations was negative. A diagnosis of drug-induced acute pancreatitis was made, and he was treated with aggressive intravenous hydration and pain management. The patient has avoided further use of these drugs and supplements and had no further episodes of pancreatitis during 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This case describes a patient with drug-induced acute pancreatitis after the intake of anabolic-androgenic steroids, subcutaneous growth hormone, and clenbuterol, where all other common causes of acute pancreatitis were excluded. Clinicians should be alert to the possibility of drug-induced acute pancreatitis occurring in bodybuilders and athletes using similar drug combinations.

Synedrella nodiflora Extract Depresses Excitatory Synaptic Transmission and Chemically-Induced In Vitro Seizures in the Rat Hippocampus.

Extracts of the tropical Cinderella plant Synedrella nodiflora are used traditionally to manage convulsive conditions in the West African sub-region. This study sought to determine the neuronal basis of the effectiveness of these plant extracts to suppress seizure activity. Using the hippocampal slice preparation from rats, the ability of the extract to depress excitatory synaptic transmission and in vitro seizure activity were investigated. Bath perfusion of the hydro-ethanolic extract of Synedrella nodiflora (SNE) caused a concentration-dependent depression of evoked field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) recorded extracellularly in the CA1 region of the hippocampus with maximal depression of about 80% and an estimated IC50 of 0.06 mg/ml. The SNE-induced fEPSP depression was accompanied by an increase in paired pulse facilitation. The fEPSP depression only recovered partially after 20 min washing out. The effect of SNE was not stimulus dependent as it was present even in the absence of synaptic stimulation. Furthermore, it did not show desensitization as repeat application after 10 min washout produced the same level of fEPSP depression as the first application. The SNE effect on fEPSPs was not via adenosine release as it was neither blocked nor reversed by 8-CPT, an adenosine A1 receptor antagonist. In addition, SNE depressed in vitro seizures induced by zero Mg2+ and high K+ -containing artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) in a concentration-dependent manner. The results show that SNE depresses fEPSPs and spontaneous bursting activity in hippocampal neurons that may underlie its ability to abort convulsive activity in persons with epilepsy.

Structural evaluation of polymeric microbial films grown on kefir loaded with Maytenus rigida extract.

Kefir is a probiotic that has several health promising properties. Its grains can form microbial films on different types of substrates. In the present work, the surface characteristics of kefir biofilms associated with Maytenus rigida Mart. extract were minutely studied. Three different concentrations of plant extract were included in the biofilm forming solutions, where fresh grains of kefir were inoculated. The results showed that the plant extract was successfully incorporated into the exopolysaccharide matrix of the biofilm. The main chemical components found linked to the plant extract were triterpenes. The crystallinity of biofilms increased with the addition of the plant extract. The morphology revealed that at low concentrations of the extract there was a prevalence of lactobacilli, while at high concentrations yeasts were more observed. Adhesion and wettability were higher for biofilm with less extract. These results revealed that a combination of plant extract and kefir's exopolysaccharide could form biofilms with chemical and topographic properties of great interest in regenerative medicine.

Potassium bromate cytotoxicity in the Wister rat model of chronic gastric ulcers: Possible reversal by protocatechuic acid.

The interaction between ingested xenobiotics and the gastrointestinal epithelium influences the possibility of gut epithelial cytotoxicity and systemic toxicity. Potassium bromate (KBrO3 ) has been shown to perturb the central nervous system and it may be carcinogenic, albeit it is used as a food additive. This highlights the need to understand KBrO3 's effect on the stomach epithelium. Here, we report the cytotoxic potential of KBrO3 in an ulcerated stomach, as well as possible cytoprotection by the polyphenol - protocatechuic acid. Potassium bromate (12.5 mg/kg) and protocatechuic acid (120 mg/kg) were administered orally while omeprazole (20 mg/kg) was used as standard. Potassium bromate exacerbated gastric ulcers, increased malonaldehyde levels, catalase, and sodium pump activities, but reduced nitric oxide levels. Potassium bromate further increased mast cell count in the muscularis mucosa, while inducing chronic inflammation and moderate angiogenesis in the gastric mucosa. Our results delineate KBrO3 -induced gastric epithelial cytotoxicity that is ameliorated by protocatechuic acid. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Potassium bromate is a known food additive in the baking, brewing, and cheese-making process. Conversely, protocatechuic acid (3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid) is the polyphenolic content of plants like Hibiscus sabdariffa L that are commonly consumed as herbal drink, food, spices, and used in folk medicine. This study reports the cytoprotective effect of protocatechuic acid against gastric mucosa ulceration that has been aggravated by potassium bromate.

A Pilot Evaluation of a Smartphone Application for Workplace Depression.

Interventions delivered via mobile apps show particular promise in tackling the burden of common mental disorders. Appropriately targeting these interventions to at-risk populations is critical to their success. This pilot study aimed to assess the usability, feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of an app-based intervention designed to target depressive symptoms in a stressed working population. Anchored, a smartphone app including a 30-day program of mindfulness and cognitive and behavioural therapeutic components, was tested in a pre-post pilot study with participants recruited via social media advertisements. Eligible participants (N = 81) were Australian adults who were employed and reported elevated stress levels on a single-item screening measure. Follow-up assessment occurred 5 weeks after baseline. The primary outcome measure was change in depressive symptoms, with secondary outcomes measuring change in anxiety, wellbeing, stress, resilience, exercise, alcohol use, absenteeism, and work performance. User feedback and in-app data were analysed to assess engagement and intervention adherence. At follow-up, there were significant reductions in depressive symptoms (t61 = 6.35; p < 0.001) and anxiety symptoms (t60 = 7.35; p < 0.001), along with significantly reduced cases of likely new onset depression compared to baseline (24% vs. 6%, p = 0.012). Significant improvements were also seen in wellbeing (t60 = -5.64; p < 0.001), resilience (t60 = -3.89; p < 0.001), stress (t61 = 11.18; p < 0.001), and alcohol use (t60 = 3.40; p = 0.001). Participants reported no significant changes in work performance, absenteeism or exercise. There were satisfactory levels of app usability, feasibility, and acceptability. Most participants found the app easy to use (93.2%), understood the app content well (83.0%), and rated the app highly or very highly overall (72.9%). User feedback suggestions were predominantly focused on improving app navigation and user interface. This pilot study provides encouraging evidence that Anchored has potentially beneficial effects, and is usable, feasible, and acceptable as an app-based intervention for the working population experiencing elevated stress. Further testing of Anchored in a randomised controlled trial is required to investigate its efficacy as an intervention for workplace mental ill-health.

Long-standing LPG subsidies, cooking fuel stacking, and personal exposure to air pollution in rural and peri-urban Ecuador.

Ecuador presents a unique case study for evaluating personal air pollution exposure in a middle-income country where a clean cooking fuel has been available at low cost for several decades. We measured personal PM2.5 exposure, stove use, and participant location during a 48-h monitoring period for 157 rural and peri-urban households in coastal and Andean Ecuador. While nearly all households owned a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stove and used it as their primary cooking fuel, one-quarter of households utilized firewood as a secondary fuel and 10% used induction stoves secondary to LPG. Stove use monitoring demonstrated clear within- and across-meal fuel stacking patterns. Firewood-owning participants had higher distributions of 48-h and 10-min PM2.5 exposure as compared with primary LPG and induction stove users, and this effect became more pronounced with firewood use during monitoring.Accounting for within-subject clustering, contemporaneous firewood stove use was associated with 101 µg/m3 higher 10-min PM2.5 exposure (95% CI: 94-108 µg/m3). LPG and induction cooking events were largely not associated with contemporaneous PM2.5 exposure. Our results suggest that firewood use is associated with average and short-term personal air pollution exposure above the WHO interim-I guideline, even when LPG is the primary cooking fuel.