Effects of footshock stress on social behavior and neuronal activation in the medial prefrontal cortex and amygdala of male and female mice.

Social behavior is complex and fundamental, and its deficits are common pathological features for several psychiatric disorders including anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Acute stress may have a negative impact on social behavior, and these effects can vary based on sex. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of acute footshock stress, using analogous parameters to those commonly used in fear conditioning assays, on the sociability of male and female C57BL/6J mice in a standard social approach test. Animals were divided into two main groups of footshock stress (22 male, 24 female) and context exposed control (23 male and 22 female). Each group had mice that were treated intraperitoneally with either the benzodiazepine-alprazolam (control: 10 male, 10 female; stress: 11 male, 11 female), or vehicle (control: 13 male, 12 female; stress: 11 male, 13 female). In all groups, neuronal activation during social approach was assessed using immunohistochemistry against the immediate early gene product cFos. Although footshock stress did not significantly alter sociability or latency to approach a social stimulus, it did increase defensive tail-rattling behavior specifically in males (p = 0.0022). This stress-induced increase in tail-rattling was alleviated by alprazolam (p = 0.03), yet alprazolam had no effect on female tail-rattling behavior in the stress group. Alprazolam lowered cFos expression in the medial prefrontal cortex (p = 0.001 infralimbic area, p = 0.02 prelimbic area), and social approach induced sex-dependent differences in cFos activation in the ventromedial intercalated cell clusters (p = 0.04). Social approach following stress-induced cFos expression was positively correlated with latency to approach and negatively correlated with sociability in the prelimbic area and multiple amygdala subregions (all p < 0.05). Collectively, our results suggest that acute footshock stress induces sex-dependent alterations in defensiveness and differential patterns of cFos activation during social approach.

Dearomative (3+2) Cycloadditions between Indoles and Vinyldiazo Species Enabled by a Red-Shifted Chromium Photocatalyst.

A direct dearomative photocatalyzed (3+2) cycloaddition between indoles and vinyldiazo reagents is described. The transformation is enabled by the development of a novel oxidizing CrIII photocatalyst, its specific reactivity attributed to increased absorptive properties over earlier Cr analogs and greater stability than Ru counterparts. A variety of fused indoline compounds are synthesized using this method, including densely functionalized ring systems that are feasible due to base-free conditions. Experimental insights corroborate a cycloaddition initiated by nucleophilic attack at C3 of the indole radical cation by the vinyldiazo species.

Safety and effectiveness of regional anesthesia compared with anesthetic techniques not using regional anesthesia on outcomes after free tissue flap surgery: a systematic review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review will aim to evaluate the evidence on the effectiveness of regional anesthesia, when compared with general anesthesia alone, on the outcomes of free flap surgeries. INTRODUCTION: Free flap procedures involve complete separation of a flap of tissue from its native vascular bed, followed by reimplantation to a recipient site on the body. Optimal perfusion and successful neovascularization are crucial to survival of the grafted flap. Currently, no best-practice recommendations exist regarding the use of regional anesthesia in free flap surgeries. Regional anesthesia techniques have the potential to alter blood flow and neuroendocrine responses to surgical stress, which may impact perfusion and survival of free flap grafts. This potential for augmentation or hindrance of flap perfusion may have a significant impact on patient outcomes, thus meriting systematic review. INCLUSION CRITERIA: The review will include both experimental and observational (analytical only) study designs that examine the vascular outcomes of regional anesthesia compared with general anesthesia alone in free flap surgery. METHODS: The databases to be searched include PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science Core Collection, Embase, and gray literature sources. Identified studies will be independently assessed by two reviewers utilizing JBI critical appraisal tools. Data will be extracted using a standardized data matrix. Certainty of findings will be conducted using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. Narrative synthesis will be compiled and meta-analysis completed, where possible. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42021283584.

Structure, Stability, and Photocatalytic Activity of a Layered Perovskite Niobate after Flux-Mediated Sn(II) Exchange.

A new strategy to incorporate the Sn(II) cation and its stereoactive lone pair into the structure of a photocatalytic oxide has been achieved by leveraging the asymmetric coordination environments within the (111)-oriented perovskite-type layers of Ba5Nb4O15. This layered perovskite represents one of the few known photocatalysts capable of efficiently splitting water, but its activity is restricted to ultraviolet radiation owing to its large band gap. By reacting this layered niobate at 350 °C for 24 h within a low-melting SnCl2/SnF2 salt, the new (Ba1-xSnx)Nb4O15 (x = 0-0.5; P3̅m1; a = 5.79650(5) Å, c = 11.79288(8) Å; Z = 2) has been prepared in high purity with up to ∼50% Sn(II) cations. Statistical disordering of the Sn(II) cations was probed by neutron diffraction Rietveld refinements and found to occur predominantly over the asymmetric cation sites, Ba2 and Ba3, for the 40% Sn(II) composition of x = 0.4. An increasing Sn(II) amount significantly red-shifts the band gap (Eg) from 0% Sn for x = 0 (3.78 eV; ultraviolet, indirect) to 40% Sn for x = 0.4 (Eg = 2.35 eV; visible, indirect), as found by UV-vis diffuse reflectance. Density functional theory calculations show an increasing metastability, i.e., a thermodynamic instability toward decomposition to the simpler oxides SnO, Nb2O5, and SnNb2O6. A synthetic limit of ∼50% Sn(II) cations can be kinetically stabilized under these reaction conditions. For the highest Sn(II) amounts, photocatalytic rates are observed for the production of molecular oxygen from water of up to ∼77 µmol O2 h-1 g-1 (visible irradiation) and ∼159 µmol O2 h-1 g-1 (UV-vis irradiation), with apparent quantum yields of ∼0.35 and 0.52%, respectively. By comparison, pure Ba5Nb4O15 exhibits no measurable photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation. Electronic structure calculations show that the decreased band gap stems from the introduction of the Sn(II) cations and the formation of a higher-energy valence band arising from the filled 5s2 valence orbitals. Thus, visible-light bandgap excitation occurs from electronic transitions predominantly involving the Sn(II) (5s2) to Nb(V) (4d0) cations. This study demonstrates the new and powerful utility of low-temperature Sn(II)-exchange reactions to sensitize layer-type oxide photocatalysts to the visible region of the solar spectrum, which is facilitated by exploiting their asymmetric cation environments.

Unsuitability of sump tubes for delivery of enteral nutrition and medications to intensive care unit patients.

16 Fr Salem Sump™ tubes have special features to facilitate suction drainage of the stomach, including a second lumen for air venting. These tubes are also commonly used to deliver enteral nutrition and medications to intensive care unit (ICU) patients, but we found no previous research to justify this practice. Because of the unused air vent, these tubes have a large external diameter and a small bore infusion channel (no larger than that of a single lumen 12 Fr feeding tube). The causes of 16 Fr Salem Sump tube obstructions in 17 ICU patients included clogged medications (8 cases) and precipitation of feeding formula (7 cases), each of which would be promoted by a narrow bore. Because of multiple drainage holes at their distal end, these tubes cannot be thoroughly cleansed by standard water flushing; moreover, their drainage holes mandate a deeper length of tube insertion beyond the gastroesophageal junction, which increases the likelihood of intestinal or pulmonary perforation. For these reasons, we conclude that 16 Fr Salem Sump tubes are inferior to standard feeding tubes for delivery of enteral nutrition and medications to patients in medical ICUs.

Application of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis to Detect Broiler Breast Filets Affected With Woody Breast Myopathy.

Woody breast (WB) myopathy in modern broilers is causing major meat quality issues and consumer complaints. The poultry industry is sorting out WB filets through the inconsistent manual hand-palpation method. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method was evaluated as a rapid and objective WB detection method. Freshly deboned broiler breast filets (15 filets × 2 categories × 3 trials) were sorted (hand-palpation) into severe woody (SW) and normal (N) categories were analyzed for BIA values, cook loss, texture (BMORS) method. SW filets had significantly (P < 0.05) higher resistance and reactance compared to N indicating BIA can be used to detect WB filets. In another experiment, we determined the ability of the BIA to differentiate between four WB severity levels using the whole filet. Significant differences were observed in resistance and reactance of normal and other WB categories, however, there were no significant differences among mild, moderate and severe WB categories. Segmental BIA of those filets indicated that BIA can be used to separate cranial, medial and caudal region of the breast filet based on the presence of WB myopathy. Accidental discovery of spaghetti breast in the samples demonstrated the significance of compounding different factors in analyzing WB meat using BIA.

Unsuspected primary malignancy in the setting of elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common solid liver cancer and is screened for with serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in patients with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. However, other tumors can produce AFP, and one of these is the "hepatoid" adenocarcinoma, arising in extrahepatic sites. We present a patient with chronic hepatitis C, multiple liver tumors, and a marked elevation in AFP who was mistakenly thought to have hepatocellular carcinoma, but primary hepatoid adenocarcinoma arising at the gastroesophageal junction was discovered at autopsy.

Deaths associated with insertion of nasogastric tubes for enteral nutrition in the medical intensive care unit: Clinical and autopsy findings.

It is generally assumed that blind insertion of nasogastric tubes for enteral nutrition in patients admitted to medical intensive care units is safe; that is, does not result in life-threatening injury. If death occurs in temporal association with insertion of a nasogastric tube, caregivers typically attribute it to underlying diseases, with little or no consideration of iatrogenic death due to tube insertion. The clinical and autopsy results in three recent cases at Baylor University Medical Center challenge the validity of these notions.

Electromyogram-evoked focal myositis.

Focal myositis is a rarely reported inflammatory disease of skeletal muscle, particularly of an extremity. It is often misinterpreted as an infectious syndrome, leading to prolonged antibiotic use and a delay in immunosuppressive therapy. Without a confirmed etiology to date, we present a case of recurrent focal myositis following an electromyogram.

Abdominal apoplexy resulting in small bowel obstruction.

Abdominal apoplexy is a rare hemorrhagic condition involving the small arteries or veins within the abdominal cavity. A high degree of clinical suspicion, followed by appropriate diagnostic workup and therapeutic intervention, is critical, as nonoperative mortality approaches 100%. Contrary to most previously reported cases, which were associated with hemoperitoneum, we present a patient in which gastroduodenal artery dissection resulted in an organized retroperitoneal hematoma with local compression of the duodenum and subsequent bowel obstruction, resulting in vomiting, aspiration, and death.

Unrecognized hemoglobin SE disease as microcytosis.

Hemoglobin SE disease was first described during the 1950s as a relatively benign microcytosis, but increasing prevalence has revealed a predisposition towards vasoocclusive sickling. Recognition of SE hemoglobinopathies' potential complications is crucial so medical measures can be utilized to avoid multiorgan injury.