Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by decreased Pavlovian influence on instrumental behavior.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by uncontrollable repetitive actions thought to rely on abnormalities within fundamental instrumental learning systems. We investigated cognitive and computational mechanisms underlying Pavlovian biases on instrumental behavior in both clinical OCD patients and healthy controls using a Pavlovian-Instrumental Transfer (PIT) task. PIT is typically evidenced by increased responding in the presence of a positive (previously rewarded) Pavlovian cue, and reduced responding in the presence of a negative cue. Thirty OCD patients and thirty-one healthy controls completed the Pavlovian Instrumental Transfer test, which included instrumental training, Pavlovian training for positive, negative and neutral cues, and a PIT phase in which participants performed the instrumental task in the presence of the Pavlovian cues. Modified Rescorla-Wagner models were fitted to trial-by-trial data of participants to estimate underlying computational mechanism and quantify individual differences during training and transfer stages. Bayesian hierarchical methods were used to estimate free parameters and compare the models. Behavioral and computational results indicated a weaker Pavlovian influence on instrumental behavior in OCD patients than in HC, especially for negative Pavlovian cues. Our results contrast with the increased PIT effects reported for another set of disorders characterized by compulsivity, substance use disorders, in which PIT is enhanced. A possible reason for the reduced PIT in OCD may be impairment in using the contextual information provided by the cues to appropriately adjust behavior, especially when inhibiting responding when a negative cue is present. This study provides deeper insight into our understanding of deficits in OCD from the perspective of Pavlovian influences on instrumental behavior and may have implications for OCD treatment modalities focused on reducing compulsive behaviors.

Photothermal antibacterial materials to promote wound healing.

Wound healing is a crucial process that restores the integrity and function of the skin and other tissues after injury. However, external factors, such as infection and inflammation, can impair wound healing and cause severe tissue damage. Therefore, developing new drugs or methods to promote wound healing is of great significance. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising technique that uses photothermal agents (PTAs) to convert near-infrared radiation into heat, which can eliminate bacteria and stimulate tissue regeneration. PTT has the advantages of high efficiency, controllability, and low drug resistance. Hence, nanomaterial-based PTT and its related strategies have been widely explored for wound healing applications. However, a comprehensive review of PTT-related strategies for wound healing is still lacking. In this review, we introduce the physiological mechanisms and influencing factors of wound healing, and summarize the types of PTAs commonly used for wound healing. Then, we discuss the strategies for designing nanocomposites for multimodal combination treatment of wounds. Moreover, we review methods to improve the therapeutic efficacy of PTT for wound healing, such as selecting the appropriate wound dressing form, controlling drug release, and changing the infrared irradiation window. Finally, we address the challenges of PTT in wound healing and suggest future directions.

Effects of tetrabromobisphenol A on the green alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa.

Flow cytometry (FC) was used to determine effects of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) on the green alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa (C. pyrenoidosa) by evaluating esterase activity, membrane integrity, concentrations of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and chlorophyll a (Chl-a) auto-fluorescence. TBBPA can inhibit esterase activity. Esterase activity was inversely proportional with TBBPA with a 24 h EC(50) value of 3.13 mg TBBPA/L. After 48 h of exposure to TBBPA intracellular ROS was significantly greater than in the unexposed cells. TBBPA inhibited Chl-a fluorescence after 168 h. Concentrations of ROS were directly proportional to both magnitude and duration of exposure and was inversely proportional to cellular Chl-a. FC was useful as an integrated, ecologically relevant, measure of a functional response of the algae. The possible action pathway of TBBPA in C. pyrenoidosa is that TBBPA can cause toxic effects on esterase activity. As concentrations and exposure time increased, TBBPA change the ROS level in the internal. The role of anti-oxidative action is marked and significant at the duration of 48 h exposure, compared to the control. This suggested there was a redox cycle. TBBPA changes physiological status of cells, further decreased Chl-a fluorescence indicating inhibition.