Cognitive enrichment through art: a randomized controlled trial on the effect of music or visual arts group practice on cognitive and brain development of young children.

BACKGROUND: The optimal stimulation for brain development in the early academic years remains unclear. Current research suggests that musical training has a more profound impact on children's executive functions (EF) compared to other art forms. What is crucially lacking is a large-scale, long-term genuine randomized controlled trial (RCT) in cognitive neuroscience, comparing musical instrumental training (MIP) to another art form, and a control group (CG). This study aims to fill this gap by using machine learning to develop a multivariate model that tracks the interconnected brain and EF development during the academic years, with or without music or other art training. METHODS: The study plans to enroll 150 children aged 6-8 years and randomly assign them to three groups: Orchestra in Class (OC), Visual Arts (VA), and a control group (CG). Anticipating a 30% attrition rate, each group aims to retain at least 35 participants. The research consists of three analytical stages: 1) baseline analysis correlating EF, brain data, age, gender, and socioeconomic status, 2) comparison between groups and over time of EF brain and behavioral development and their interactions, including hypothesis testing, and 3) exploratory analysis combining behavioral and brain data. The intervention includes intensive art classes once a week, and incremental home training over two years, with the CG receiving six annual cultural outings. DISCUSSION: This study examines the potential benefits of intensive group arts education, especially contrasting music with visual arts, on EF development in children. It will investigate how artistic enrichment potentially influences the presumed typical transition from a more unified to a more multifaceted EF structure around age eight, comparing these findings against a minimally enriched active control group. This research could significantly influence the incorporation of intensive art interventions in standard curricula. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The project was accepted after peer-review by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF no. 100014_214977) on March 29, 2023. The study protocol received approval from the Cantonal Commission for Ethics in Human Research of Geneva (CCER, BASEC-ID 2023-01016), which is part of Swiss ethics, on October 25, 2023. The study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05912270).

[Painful lymphadenopathy after an insect bite-a case report]. / Schmerzhafte Lymphadenopathie nach Insektenstich ­ ein Fallbericht.

Tularemia is a bacterial zoonosis which is commonly transmitted through tick or insect bites or contact with meat of infected animals. We report the case of a 36-year-old man who developed fever, chills, headaches, and a painful, unilateral, inguinal lymphadenopathy with a red-livid skin discoloration after an insect bite on his abdomen. Ulceroglandular tularemia was diagnosed through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and serology. Treatment with doxycycline for 21 days resulted in an excellent outcome.

Andrée Gruslin award lecture: Metabolomics as an important modality to better understand preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a complex disorder that affects 3-5% of all pregnancies and is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. To date, the heterogeneity of clinical presentation, disease severity and outcomes have limited significant advances in early prediction, diagnosis, and therapeutic intervention of PE. The rapidly expanding field of metabolomics, which has the capacity to quantitatively detect low molecular weight compounds (metabolites) in tissue and biological fluids, shows tremendous promise in gaining a better understanding of PE. This review will discuss this emerging field and its contribution to recent advances in the understanding of PE pathophysiology, and identification of early predictive metabolic biomarkers for this complex disorder.

PROTECTION OF SWEET CORN FROM OSTRINIA NUBILALIS HBN. AND HELICOVERPA ARMIGERA HBN.

O. nubilalis and H. armigera regularly occur and cause significant damages in corn crops in Serbia, particularly under global warming conditions. Several measures are applied against these pests (crop rotation, tolerant and resistant hybrids, monitoring, forecast, chemical measures). Larvae damage stem, panicle and ear, which favour development of saprophytes and secondary infections by mycotoxin producing, pathogenic fungi. The aim of the paper was to test the efficacy of the insecticides azadirachtin and indoxacarb in sweet corn protection against the mentioned pests. The trials were conducted in 2014 at two localities (Becej B. and PoIjanice P.) on sweet corn, hybrid Enterprise according to standard OEPP methods (PP1/13; 1/152; 1/135). Products on the basis of azadirachtin (10 g a.i./I of product) at a rate of 0.4 and 0.5% and indoxacarb (150 g a.i./I of product) at a rate of 0.25 I/ha, were applied. Treatments were conducted on the 5th of August with tractor sprayers (high clearance). The plot size was 5000 m². Three assessments were made. The first one prior to treatment, on 25 randomly selected plants per replicate, and the number of O. nubilalis and H. armigera egg masses and larvae on silk was registered. In the second assessment (18th of August), on 20 randomly selected plants per replicate, the number of damaged plants and the number of vital larvae was registered. In the third assessment, immediately before harvest (28th of August, i.e. 12th of September) on 20 randomly selected plants per replicate, the number of plants broken below ear (fallen on the ground), damaged ears and vital larvae, was determined. Results are presented as means, efficacy (E%) according to Abbott and significance of differences by LSD test (5%). At B locality egg masses of O. nubilalis were registered on ear silk on 13-19% of plants and larvae on 3-7%, and larvae of H. armigera on 2-4%. At P locality egg masses of O. nubilalis were present on 34-40.8% of plants. After 13 days from treatment, at B locality the percentage of damaged plants was 3.8-7.5% and at a significantly lower level compared to control where 40.0% of damaged plants was recorded. Vital larvae of O. nubilalis were present on 1.3-31% of plants, depending on the insecticide and application rate, and in the control on 41.3%. At P locality the percentage of damaged plants per treatment ranged from 20 to 46.3% depending on insecticide and application rate, and in the control 63.8%, and the presence of vital larvae of O. nubilalis on 16.3-21.3% of plants, and in the control on 53.5%. Immediately before harvest, at B locality azadirachtin efficacy, depending on application rate and counted parameters, was 88.5-92.5%; 66.7-72.9% and 69.1-75.2%. Efficacy of indoxacarb in general was 75-100%. At P locality, efficacy of azadirachtin depending on application rate and counted parameters, was 77.8-88.9%; 66.5-83.3% and 44.1-74.6%, while efficacy of this insecticide in general amounted 91.5-100%.

PHYTO-INDICATORS IN DETECTION OF LINDANE RESIDUES IN WATER.

Intensive use of pesticides, especially insecticides, in agriculture during the past several decades has already led to contamination of surface and underground waters and sediments in some regions, thus presents a serious problem for the environment. Lindane was one of frequently applied insecticides for soil treatment. In Serbia, it has been in use since 1944, but in the period 2001-2007 its use was restricted only to timber treatments. In 2009 an international ban on the use of lindane in agriculture was implemented under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. However, due to a long-term use and persistence, its residues can be present in underground water and sediment, thus present a potential risk for incorporation in food chains. According to Directive 2008/105/EC it is listed as one of the priority water pollutants, whose presence is mainly detected by chemical methods. However, biological tests are gaining in importance in the last few years and since some plant species are highly sensitive to certain pollutants. This work aimed to assess potential of white mustard (Sinapis alba L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) as phyto-indicators of water contamination with lindane. The effect of lindane (rates 0.1 µg a.i./L--maximal allowable concentration (MAC) in water; 0.2; 0.5; 1 and 2 µg a.i./L) was assessed on physiological (germination energy and germination- %) and morphological parameters (root and shoot lengths, fresh and dry weights) of tested species. Assay was carried out using slightly modified filter paper method recommended by ISTA Regulations book (2011). The experiment was set in four replicates. Data were processed using Duncan's multiple range test for determining the differences between treatments for confidence interval 95%. Results of bioassay indicate that germination energy (70.75%) and germination (79.00%) of white mustard were significantly inhibited by lindane applied at MAC rate compared to the control (79.75, 82.00%, respectively). Physiological parameters of other test species were not affected by this insecticide. Lindane inhibited root elongation of barley seedlings at 2 µg a.i./L (20-fold MAC) and of cucumber at 0.5 µg a.i./L (5-fold MAC). Only fresh root weight of barley was inhibited by lindane at MAC quantities. Based on presented results, valid and reliable indicators of lindane presence in water can be considered germination energy and germination of white mustard and fresh root weight of barley seedlings.

CONTROL OF DIABROTICA VIRGIFERA VIRGIFERA LE CONTE IN MAIZE SEED TREATMENT.

During the last decade of XX century, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte became an important introduced harmful species in maize production in the northern Serbia region. The aim of this work was to assess the efficacy of imidacloprid based insecticides formulated for seed treatment in the control of D. v. virgifera. Experiments were set at two localities (Curug--two-year maize culturing; Becej--four-year maize culturing) in 2013, according to OEPP (PP 1/212(1) 2004) method. Imidacloprid based insecticide (600 g a.i./L) was applied at rates 0.36; 0.55; 0,7 and 0.8 L/100 kg of maize seeds (hybrids NS 5041 and NS 640 Ultra). The degree of maize root damage was determined according to scale 1-6 (http://www.ent.iastate.edu/-pest/rootworm/nodeinjury/nodeinjury.htm). A number of damaged plants was also registered and expressed in percents, as well as the development of adventitious roots. Significance of differences between root damages and number of damaged plants between treatments was tested using ANOVA. Regardless on localities and applied rates, maize roots in treatments with imidacloprid were significantly less damaged by larvae D. v. virgifera (1.1-1.4) compared to the control (3.7-4.1). Also, a significant reduction in percent of damaged plants (5.0-20%) was registered compared to the control (90-97.5%). At both localities in treatments with imidacloprid adventitious roots were well developed in 60.5 to 91% of plants compared to the control were it was the case in 10-27.5% plants. It is important to emphasize that roots were significantly more developed in treated variants compared to the control. Based on the obtained results it can be concluded that imidacloprid, regardless on its future status and restraints/limitations in maize seed treatment, provided efficient protection of maize roots from D. v. virgifera larvae, even at rate twice lower (0.36) than recommended (0.8 L/100 kg seeds), which justifies the application of lower quantities of imidacloprid in practice.

Histological structure of the adrenal gland of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) from the Adriatic Sea.

The structure of the adrenal gland was studied in 11 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and five striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). These species are legally protected in Croatia. All examined animals died of natural causes and were found stranded along eastern Adriatic coast. In both species the adrenal gland consists of a cortex and a medulla; the cortex is divided into three zones. Whereas in the bottlenose dolphin, there is a zona arcuata which contains columnar cells arranged in the form of arches; in the striped dolphin this zone is replaced by zona glomerulosa containing rounded clusters of polygonal cells. In both species, the zona fasciculata consists of radially oriented cords of polygonal cells, whereas in zona reticularis cells are arranged in branching and anastomosing cords. The adrenal medulla in both species contains dark, epinephrine-secreting cells and light norepinephrine-secreting cells. Epinephrine-secreting cells are localized in the outer part of the medulla, whereas norepinephrine-secreting cells are found in the inner part, arranged in clusters and surrounded by septa of thin connective tissue. The gland is surrounded by a thick connective-tissue capsule, from where thick trabeculae extend towards the interior. In the bottlenose dolphin, group of cells resembling both medullar and cortical cells can be seen within the capsule; whereas only groups of cells resembling cortical cells are found within the capsule of the striped dolphin. In the bottlenose dolphin invagination of the adrenal cortex into the medulla is obvious as well as medullary protrusions extending through cortex to the connective tissue capsule.

Adhesion and aggregation ability of probiotic strain Lactobacillus acidophilus M92.

AIMS: To investigate aggregation and adhesiveness of Lactobacillus acidophilus M92 to porcine ileal epithelial cells in vitro, and the influence of cell surface proteins on autoaggregation and adhesiveness of this strain. METHODS AND RESULTS: Lactobacillus acidophilus M92 exhibits a strong autoaggregating phenotype and manifests a high degree of hydrophobicity determined by microbial adhesion to xylene. Aggregation and hydrophobicity were abolished upon exposure of the cells to pronase and pepsin. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of cell surface proteins revealed the presence of potential surface layer (S-layer) proteins, approximated at 45 kDa, in L. acidophilus M92. The relationship between autoaggregation and adhesiveness to intestinal tissue was investigated by observing the adhesiveness of L. acidophilus M92 to porcine ileal epithelial cells. Removal of the S-layer proteins by extraction with 5 mol l-1 LiCl reduced autoaggregation and in vitro adhesion of this strain. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that there is relationship between autoaggregation and adhesiveness ability of L. acidophilus M92, mediated by proteinaceous components on the cell surface. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This investigation has shown that L. acidophilus M92 has the ability to establish in the human gastrointestinal tract, which is an important determinant in the choice of probiotic strains.

Dolphin morbilliviral infection from the Mediterranean Sea did not spread into the Adriatic Sea.

In July of 1990, a mass mortality of striped dolphins due to morbillivirus infection had begun in the western Mediterranean. By 1992, the infection had spread to the eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea. Other dolphin species in the Mediterranean were not found to have died due to this infection, although it is possible for many species of marine mammals to be infected. In 1994, it was published that morbillivirus infection had caused Atlantic bottlenose dolphin mortality in the USA. Although striped dolphins are not residents of the Adriatic Sea, it was hypothesised that the infection could have spread from them to Adriatic bottlenose dolphins. From October 1990 through April 1997, 16 dolphin carcasses found along the Croatian Adriatic coast were examined. Tissues were examined by light microscopy for syncytia and inclusion bodies, histopathologic lesions characteristic of dolphin morbillivirus infection, and by detection of morbilliviral RNA by a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). No signs of morbillivirus infection were found in the examined animals. It was concluded that this infection had not spread to dolphins of the Adriatic Sea up until that date.

Adhesins of immunoglobulin-like superfamily from earthworm Eisenia foetida.

1. From the biologically active extract (G-90) isolated from the tissue homogenate of Eisenia foetida immunoglobulin-like structures were isolated and named G-90/4. 2. G-90/4 in nanogram concentrations stimulated cell proliferation more than did the original G-90. It lyses cells in microgram concentrations. 3. G-90/4 acts as an adhesion molecule between the receptors of adjacent cells. 4. The increase in proliferative activity was accompanied by the elevation of cytoplasmic protein containing tyrosine. 5. Immunohistochemical analyses confirm immunoglobulin-like transmembrane structures in the connective and muscular tissues of E. foetida.

Histological and histochemical characteristics of the bovine notochord.

In 20 bovine embryos and fetuses 6-65 mm long (crown-rump length) and 23 to 60-70 days old, the structure and localization of acid and neutral mucopolysaccharides and glycogen in their notochord were investigated. Also, the localization in the notochord was examined of the activity of alkaline and acid phosphatases, alpha-glycerophosphate-, glucose-6-phosphate-, isocitrate-, glutamate-, lactate- and succinic- dehydrogenases, and nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide- and nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide-phosphate- diaphorases. It was found that the bovine notochord begins decomposing at the end of embryonal and the beginning of fetal development (45-50 days old) and that in the fetus aged 55-65 days it no longer represents an unbroken cord of notochordal cells. Secretory activity of notochordal cells which produce the notochordal sheath starts very early (in 10 mm-long embryos), and interruptedly increases up to the end of the embryonal developmental period when regression appears at the beginning of the fetal period. These findings agree with findings in the human embryo where, however, they relate to earlier developmental periods.

[Use of alpha-interferon in the treatment of patients with hairy cell leukemia]. / Primena alfa-interferona u lecenju bolesnika sa leukemijom vlasastih celija ("hairy cell"-leukemijom).

Hairy cell leukaemia is a lymphoproliferative disorder generally involving B lymphocytes and is usually presented by cytopenia. The standard initial therapy is splenectomy that often restores haematologic parameters to normal. Unfortunately, most of these patients manifest relapses with recurrent cytopenia weeks to years after splenectomy. Prognosis of these patients has been completely improved since 1984 when Quesada and his colleagues reported a 100 percent response rate in the first seven patients they treated with partially purified interferon. We report the clinical and immunologic results in 3 splenectomized patients with advanced hairy cell leukaemia treated with human lymphoblastoid alpha n-1 interferon. Two patients showed the leukaemic phase of the disease, and one patient presented progressive pancytopenia with serious infectious complications. The patients were subcutaneously administered 3 x 10(6) U of alpha interferon daily during 16 weeks. After 16 weeks of treatment the patients response was evaluated. They all achieved partial remission of the disease, with normalization of haematological parameters in peripheral blood, circulating hairy cells less than 5%, and reduction of hairy cells in the bone marrow by more than 50 percent in comparison with pretreatment levels. Disappearance of morphological hairy cells from peripheral blood correlated with reduction of B antigen cells, the patients continue to receive alpha interferon three times weekly and future follow-up of these patients will show if alpha interferon will confirm its effect on intermitent dose regimen.

Power-flux-dependent polarization of nonlinear surface waves.

The complete set of Maxwell's equations coupled by means of intrinsic nonlinearities in Kerr-type media has been analyzed and the integrated power flux has been found as a function of refractive index for hybrid TE-TM nonlinear surface waves. We demonstrate that for a fixed refractive index the electric-field vector of the nonlinear surface waves rotates with an adiabatic increase of the power flux from pure TE polarization at the threshold to pure TM polarization at the cutoff, passing through all possible hybrid polarization states for intermediate power fluxes.

Enhanced Raman scattering in a flowing plasma.

The growth rate for the Raman scattering instability has been found for the case when the plasma flow has a component perpendicular to the wave vector of the pump. Such a configuration allows the pump and the scattered waves to be linearly converted into corresponding longitudinal waves. The linear conversion has a resonant character that results in an enhancement of the growth rate of the parametric process.

Hybrid TE-TM nonlinear guided waves.

The first integral of the complete set of Maxwell's equations coupled through intrinsic nonlinearities in Kerr-type media has been found. The application of this result to wave propagation along a nonlinear optical waveguide leads to a general dispersion relation for nonlinear surface and guided waves of arbitrary polarization, i.e., hybrid TE-TM waves.