A review of functions and mechanisms of clay soil conditioners and catalysts in thermal remediation compared to emerging photo-thermal catalysis.

High temperatures and providing sufficient time for the thermal desorption of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from contaminated clay soils can lead to intensive energy consumption. Therefore, this article provides a critical review of the potential additives which can improve soil texture and increase the volatility of POPs, and then discusses their enhanced mechanisms for contributing to a green economy. Ca-based additives have been used to reduce plasticity of bentonite clay, absorb water and replenish system heat. In contrast, non-Ca-based additives have been used to decrease the plasticity of kaolin clay. The soil structure and soil plasticity can be changed through cation exchange and flocculation processes. The transition metal oxides and alkali metal oxides can be applied to catalyze and oxidize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, petroleum and emerging contaminants. In this system, reactive oxygen species (•O2- and •OH) are generated from thermal excitation without strong chemical oxidants. Moreover, multiple active ingredients in recycled solid wastes can be controlled to reduce soil plasticity and enhance thermal catalysis. Alternatively, the alkali, nano zero-valent iron and nano-TiN can catalyze hydrodechlorination of POPs under reductive conditions. Especially, photo and photo-thermal catalysis are discussed to accelerate replacement of fossil fuels by renewable energy in thermal remediation.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for inherited metabolic disorders: 35 years' experience at a single institution.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplants for inherited metabolic disorders performed at Tokai University Hospital between June 5, 1986, and May 28, 2021, were analyzed and compared between the period before 2007 and the period from 2007 onward based on availability of medical resources. Transplants were performed for 38 patients with mucopolysaccharidosis, 33 with adrenoleukodystrophy, and 16 with another disorder. Before 2007, oral busulfan-based regimens were mainly used. From 2007 onward, intravenous busulfan-based regimens or 4 Gy of thoracoabdominal irradiation (TAI), fludarabine, and melphalan (Mel)/treosulfan were adopted. Between 2002 and 2010, adrenoleukodystrophy was treated with 12 Gy of TAI and Mel. HLA-identical sibling bone marrow was used in 43% of cases before 2007 and 15% from 2007 onward, while alternative donors were selected for other transplants. Overall survival and event-free survival (EFS) before 2007 and from 2007 onward were 76% and 62%, and 97% and 85%, respectively (P = 0.006 and 0.017). Transplant era predicted superior overall survival and EFS, while myeloablative conditioning also predicted EFS. The incidence of primary graft failure decreased from 2007 onward, especially in cord blood transplant when 4 Gy of TAI with 150 mg/m2 fludarabine and 180 mg/m2 Mel or 42 g/m2 treosulfan were used as conditioning.

Remote ischemic conditioning prevents ischemic cerebrovascular events in children with moyamoya disease: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a significant cause of childhood stroke and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) in children with MMD. METHODS: In a single-center pilot study, 46 MMD patients aged 4 to 14 years, with no history of reconstructive surgery, were randomly assigned to receive either RIC or sham RIC treatment twice daily for a year. The primary outcome measured was the cumulative incidence of major adverse cerebrovascular events (MACEs). Secondary outcomes included ischemic stroke, recurrent TIA, hemorrhagic stroke, revascularization rates, and clinical improvement assessed using the patient global impression of change (PGIC) scale during follow-up. RIC-related adverse events were also recorded, and cerebral hemodynamics were evaluated using transcranial Doppler. RESULTS: All 46 patients completed the final follow-up (23 each in the RIC and sham RIC groups). No severe adverse events associated with RIC were observed. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated a significant reduction in MACEs frequency after RIC treatment [log-rank test (Mantel-Cox), P = 0.021]. At 3-year follow-up, two (4.35%) patients had an ischemic stroke, four (8.70%) experienced TIAs, and two (4.35%) underwent revascularization as the qualifying MACEs. The clinical improvement rate in the RIC group was higher than the sham RIC group on the PGIC scale (65.2% vs. 26.1%, P < 0.01). No statistical difference in cerebral hemodynamics post-treatment was observed. CONCLUSIONS: RIC is a safe and effective adjunct therapy for asymptomatic children with MMD. This was largely due to the reduced incidence of ischemic cerebrovascular events.

Blood flow restriction as a post-exercise recovery strategy: A systematic review of the current status of the literature.

The aim of this study was to systematically review the current literature on blood flow restriction (BFR) as a post-exercise recovery strategy. Experimental studies investigating the effect of BFR on recovery after exercise were included. Only studies meeting the following inclusion criteria were selected: (a) studies investigating about BFR as a post-exercise recovery strategy in athletes and healthy individuals; (b) the full text being available in English; (c) experimental research study design. Studies that exclusively analyzed BFR as a recovery strategy during the exercise (e.g., recovery strategy between bouts of exercise) were excluded. A literature review was conducted on the PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science electronic databases up until May 7th, 2023. The main findings were that (i) 9 studies investigated passive BFR as a post-exercise recovery strategy, which shows a significant lack of research in both team and individual sports (especially in female populations), and only 2 studies used active BFR protocols; (ii) although a high quality range of studies was observed, there were methodological limitations such as BFR interventions that were usually conducted after fatiguing protocols or fitness tests, which may not represent the real exercise (e.g., a sprint session of 6 sets of 50 m may induce muscle damage but it does not represent the demands of a team sport like rugby or soccer); (iii) there is a lack of consistency in BFR protocols (e.g., number of cycles or duration of the occlusion-reperfusion periods) for recovery; (iv) some studies showed beneficial effects while others found no positive or detrimental effects of BFR as a post-exercise recovery strategy in comparison with the control/SHAM group. In conclusion, only 11 studies investigated BFR as a post-exercise recovery strategy and there is not any significant amount of evidence in team or individual sports (especially in female populations). BFR could be a potential post-exercise recovery strategy, but practitioners should use caution when applying this method of recovery for their athletes and clients. In addition, it would be of interest for high performance-related practitioners to have a better understanding of the benefits of BFR interventions combined with either active or passive forms of exercise as a post-exercise recovery strategy.

Zona incerta mediates early life isoflurane-induced fear memory deficits.

The potential long-term effects of anesthesia on cognitive development, especially in neonates and infants, have raised concerns. However, our understanding of its underlying mechanisms and effective treatments is still limited. In this study, we found that early exposure to isoflurane (ISO) impaired fear memory retrieval, which was reversed by dexmedetomidine (DEX) pre-treatment. Measurement of c-fos expression revealed that ISO exposure significantly increased neuronal activation in the zona incerta (ZI). Fiber photometry recording showed that ZI neurons from ISO mice displayed enhanced calcium activity during retrieval of fear memory compared to the control group, while DEX treatment reduced this enhanced calcium activity. Chemogenetic inhibition of ZI neurons effectively rescued the impairments caused by ISO exposure. These findings suggest that the ZI may play a pivotal role in mediating the cognitive effects of anesthetics, offering a potential therapeutic target for preventing anesthesia-related cognitive impairments.

Research progress on the mechanism of action and clinical application of remote ischemic post-conditioning for acute ischemic stroke.

Remote ischemic post-conditioning (RIPostC) can reduce cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) by inducing endogenous protective effects, the distal limb ischemia post-treatment and in situ ischemia post-treatment were classified according to the site of intervention. And in the process of clinical application distal limb ischemia post-treatment is more widely used and more conducive to clinical translation. Therefore, in this paper, we review the mechanism of action and clinical application of RIPostC in cerebral ischemia, hoping to provide reference help for future experimental directions and clinical translation.

The potential of a targeted unilateral compound training program to reduce lower limb strength asymmetry and increase performance: a proof-of-concept in basketball.

Objective: This study investigates the efficacy of training methodologies aimed at mitigating asymmetries in lower limb strength and explosiveness among basketball players. Methods: Thirty male university basketball athletes were enrolled in this research. Initial assessments were made regarding their physical attributes, strength, and explosiveness. Subsequently, the participants were randomly allocated into two groups: an experimental group (EG, n = 15) and a control group (CG, n = 15). Over 10 weeks, the EG engaged in a unilateral compound training regimen, incorporating resistance training exercises such as split squats, Bulgarian split squats, box step-ups, and single-leg calf raises (non-dominant leg: three sets of six repetitions; dominant leg: one set of six repetitions) and plyometric drills including lunge jumps, single-leg hops with back foot raise, single-leg lateral jumps, and single-leg continuous hopping (non-dominant leg: three sets of 12 repetitions; dominant leg: one set of 12 repetitions). The CG continued with their standard training routine. Assessments of limb asymmetry and athletic performance were conducted before and after the intervention to evaluate changes. Results: 1) Body morphology assessments showed limb length and circumference discrepancies of less than 3 cm. The initial average asymmetry percentages in the single-leg countermovement jump (SLCMJ) for jump height, power, and impulse were 15.56%, 12.4%, and 4.48%, respectively. 2) Post-intervention, the EG demonstrated a significant reduction in the asymmetry percentages of SLCMJ height and power (p < 0.01), along with improvements in the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) test metrics (p < 0.05). 3) The EG also showed marked enhancements in the double-leg countermovement jump (CMJ) and standing long jump (SLJ) outcomes compared to the CG (p < 0.01), as well as in squat performance (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The 10-week unilateral compound training program effectively reduced the asymmetry in lower limb strength and explosiveness among elite male university basketball players, contributing to increased maximal strength and explosiveness.

A systematic review of exosomes in remote ischemic conditioning.

BACKGROUND: Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) is considered a promising non-pharmacological therapeutic strategy to mitigate ischemic injury. Although the precise mechanisms of RIC's protective effects remain elusive, existing data suggest that exosomes contribute significantly to these processes through cell-to-cell communication OBJECTIVE: This review aims to elucidate the role of exosomes in RIC-mediated multi-organ protection. METHODS: We systematically searched multiple databases through October 2023 for preclinical studies evaluating the effect of exosomes in ischemic models using RIC procedures. Key outcomes, such as improved organ function and reduced infarct size, were recorded. Articles were selected and data were extracted by independent pairs of reviewers. FINDINGS: A total of 16 relevant studies were identified in this review, showing that circulating exosomes derived from the plasma of RIC-treated animals exhibited protective effects akin to those of the RIC procedure itself. Exosome concentrations were measured in eight studies, six of which reported significant increases in the RIC group. Additional findings indicated that RIC might primarily modulate the expression of miRNAs and bioactive molecules delivered by exosomes, rather than directly altering circulating exosome levels. Notably, the expression of 11 distinct exosomal miRNAs was altered after RIC intervention, potentially involving multiple pathways. CONCLUSION: Exosomes appear to play a pivotal role in the protective effects induced by RIC. Clarifying their function in RIC under different pathological situations represents a grand challenge for future research.

Low-cost optimization of industrial textile landfill sludge re-dewatering using ferrous sulfate and blast furnace slag.

This study was based on an industrial sludge landfill with a scale of 1 million cubic meters, which had been filled for more than 10 years. It focused on the secondary dewatering of industrial textile landfill sludge (LS) with a total organic carbon (TOC) content greater than 50% and a volatile suspended solids to suspended solids (VSS/SS) ratio of 0.59. A response surface methodology (RSM) model was established using the coagulant ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) and conditioning agents such as hydrated magnesium oxide (MgO), blast furnace slag (BFS), and calcium oxide (CaO). By solving the RSM equations for the respective indicators, the optimal dosages of FeSO4, MgO, and BFS were determined to be 90 mg/g of dry sludge (DS), and for CaO 174.85 mg/g DS. Further examinations of the dewatering performance, apparent properties, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) components, rheological characteristics, moisture distribution, and pollutant content variation led to the development of a green waste-based dewatering agent composed of FeSO4 and BFS. In small-scale diaphragm plate and frame filter press tests, the optimal water content (WC) was 69.11%. In the final production-scale experiments, it was 65.72%, with the actual application cost being only 13.07 $/ton DS. Additionally, when FeSO4 and BFS were used together, the combined action of Fe and Si could significantly reduce the biotoxicity of heavy metals (HMs), cut down 75.2% of the LS's TOC, and effectively reduced the leaching of organic substances from the leachate, which was beneficial for subsequent disposal. In conclusion, the combined use of FeSO4 and BFS for the secondary dewatering of industrial textile LS was economically efficient, effective in dewatering, and had significant harm reduction effects, making it a worthwhile for waste treatment.

Association of systolic blood pressure variability with remote ischemic conditioning in acute ischemic stroke.

Systolic blood pressure variability (SBPV) is associated with outcome in acute ischemic stroke. Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) has been demonstrated to be effective in stroke and may affect blood pressure. Relationship between SBPV and RIC treatment after stroke warrants investigation. A total of 1707 patients from per-protocol analysis set of RICAMIS study were included. The SBPV was calculated based on blood pressure measured at admission, Day 7, and Day 12. (I) To investigate the effect of SBPV on efficacy of RIC in stroke, patients were divided into High and Low categories in each SBPV parameter. Primary outcome was excellent functional outcome at 90 days. Compared with Control, efficacy of RIC in each category and interaction between categories were investigated. (II) To investigate the effect of RIC treatment on SBPV, SBPV parameters were compared between RIC and Control groups. Compared with Control, a higher likelihood of primary outcome in RIC was found in high category (max-min: adjusted risk difference [RD] = 7.2, 95% CI 1.2-13.1, P = 0.02; standard deviation: adjusted RD = 11.5, 95% CI 1.6-21.4, P = 0.02; coefficient of variation: adjusted RD = 11.2, 95% CI 1.4-21.0, P = 0.03). Significant interaction of RIC on outcomes were found between High and Low standard deviations (adjusted P < 0.05). No significant difference in SBPV parameters were found between treatment groups. This is the first report that Chinese patients with acute moderate ischemic stroke and presenting with higher SBPV, who were non-cardioemoblic stroke and not candidates for intravenous thrombolysis or endovascular therapy, would benefit more from RIC with respect to functional outcomes at 90 days, but 2-week RIC treatment has no effect on SBPV during hospital.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant for bone marrow failure or myelodysplastic syndrome in dyskeratosis congenita/telomere biology disorders: Single-center single-arm open-label trial of reduced intensity conditioning without radiation.

BACKGROUND: Dyskeratosis congenita/Telomere biology disorders (DC/TBD) often manifest as bone marrow failure (BMF) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT) rescues hematologic complications, but radiation and alkylator-based conditioning regimens cause diffuse whole-body toxicity and may expedite DC/TBD-specific non-hematopoietic complications. Optimization of conditioning intensity in DC/TBD to allow for donor hematopoietic cell engraftment with the least amount of toxicity remains a critical goal of the alloHCT field. OBJECTIVES/STUDY DESIGN: We report prospectively collected standard alloHCT outcomes from a single-center single-arm open-label clinical trial of bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell alloHCT for DC/TBD-associated BMF or MDS. Conditioning was reduced intensity (RIC) including alemtuzumab 1mg/kg, fludarabine 200 mg/m2, and cyclophosphamide 50 mg/kg. A previous single-arm open-label phase II clinical trial for the same patient population conducted at the same center, differing only by inclusion of 200 centigray of total body irradiation (TBI), served as a control cohort. RESULTS: The Non-TBI cohort included 10 patients (ages 1.7-65.9 years, median follow-up of 3.9 years) compared to the control TBI cohort which included 12 patients (ages 2.2-52.2 years, median follow-up of 10.5 years). Baseline characteristics differed only in total CD34+ cells received, with a median of 5.6 (Non-TBI) compared to 2.6 (TBI) x 106/kg (p=0.02; no difference in total nucleated cells). The cumulative incidence of day +100 grade II-IV acute and 4-year chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) were low at 0 and 10% (Non-TBI) and 8 and 17% (TBI), respectively (acute, p=0.36; chronic, p=0.72). Primary graft failure was absent. Secondary non-neutropenic graft failure occurred in one (Non-TBI cohort). The Non-TBI cohort demonstrated delayed achievement of full donor chimerism but superior lymphocyte recovery. There was no difference in 4-year overall survival at 80% (Non-TBI) and 75% (TBI; p=0.78). MDS as an indication for alloHCT was uncommon, but overall associated with poor outcomes. There were 3 MDS patients in the Non-TBI cohort: 1 relapsed and died at day+387; 1 relapsed at day+500 and is alive 5.5 years later following salvage with a 2nd alloHCT; 1 relapsed at day+1093 and is alive at day +100 after a 2nd alloHCT. There was 1 MDS patient in the TBI cohort who achieved 100% donor myeloid engraftment without relapse but died at day+827 from a bacterial infection in the setting of immune mediated cytopenia. CONCLUSION: Elimination of TBI from the RIC regimen for DC/TBD was not associated with significant changes in rates of graft failure, GvHD, and overall survival, but was associated with delayed achievement of full donor chimerism and improved lymphocyte reconstitution. For DC/TBD-associated BMF, TBI appears to be dispensable. Optimal approaches to DC/TBD-associated MDS remain unclear. Larger cohorts are needed to better assess the unique contribution of TBI and donor CD34+ cell dose. Longer follow-up is required to assess differences in DC/TBD complications and late effects.

Enhanced sludge dewatering using a novel synergistic iron/peroxymonosulfate-polyacrylamide method.

In the sludge dewatering process, a formidable challenge arises due to the robust interactions between extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and bound water. This study introduces a novel, synergistic conditioning method that combines iron (Fe2+)/peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and polyacrylamide (PAM) to significantly enhance sludge dewatering efficiency. The application of the Fe2+/PMS-PAM conditioning method led to a substantial reduction in specific filtration resistance (SFR) by 82.75% and capillary suction time (CST) by 80.44%, marking a considerable improvement in dewatering performance. Comprehensive analyses revealed that pre-oxidation with Fe2+/PMS in the Fe2+/PMS-PAM process effectively degraded EPS, facilitating the release of bound water. Subsequently, PAM enhanced the flocculation of fine sludge particles resulting from the advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). Furthermore, analysis based on the Extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (XDLVO) theory demonstrated shifts in interaction energies, highlighting the breakdown of energy barriers within the sludge and a transition in surface characteristics from hydrophilic (3.79 mJ m-2) to hydrophobic (-61.86 mJ m-2). This shift promoted the spontaneous aggregation of sludge particles. The innovative use of the Flory-Huggins theory provided insights into the sludge filtration mechanism from a chemical potential perspective, linking these changes to SFR. The introduction of Fe2+/PMS-PAM conditioning disrupted the uniformity of the EPS-formed gel layer, significantly reducing the chemical potential difference between the permeate and the water in the gel layer, leading to a lower SFR and enhanced dewatering performance. This thermodynamic approach significantly enhances our understanding of sludge dewatering and conditioning. These findings represent a paradigm shift, offering innovative strategies for sludge treatment and expanding our comprehension of dewatering and conditioning techniques.

The homogenous hippocampus: How hippocampal cells process available and potential goals.

We present here a view of the firing patterns of hippocampal cells that is contrary, both functionally and anatomically, to conventional wisdom. We argue that the hippocampus responds to efference copies of goals encoded elsewhere; and that it uses these to detect and resolve conflict or interference between goals in general. While goals can involve space, hippocampal cells do not encode spatial (or other special types of) memory, as such. We also argue that the transverse circuits of the hippocampus operate in an essentially homogeneous way along its length. The apparently different functions of different parts (e.g. memory retrieval versus anxiety) result from the different (situational/motivational) inputs on which those parts perform the same fundamental computational operations. On this view, the key role of the hippocampus is the iterative adjustment, via Papez-like circuits, of synaptic weights in cell assemblies elsewhere.

Pavlovian or associative sensitization and its biological significance.

Pavlovian conditioning is typically distinguished from sensitization but a Pavlovian conditional stimulus (CS) also results in sensitization. A Pavlovian CS can sensitize responding to a probe stimulus that is related to the unconditional stimulus (US) or to the US itself. Pavlovian sensitization has been studied in the defensive, sexual, and feeding systems. In Pavlovian sensitization, the focus is not on a conditional response (CR) directly elicited by the CS but on the response mode that is activated by the CS. Activation of a response mode increases the probability of particular responses and also increases reactivity to various stimuli. Pavlovian sensitization reflects this increased stimulus reactivity. Pavlovian sensitization helps uncover successful learning in situations where a conventional CR does not occur. Pavlovian sensitization also encourages broadening our conceptions of Pavlovian conditioning to include changes in afferent processes. Implications for biological fitness and for basic and translational research are discussed.

Allogeneic stem cell transplant in primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis - a single-center experience.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare disorder of immune dysregulation characterized by fever, cytopenias, and splenomegaly. Its primary form poses a therapeutic challenge due to its high fatality when left untreated. We retrospectively analyzed 28 patients who underwent related-donor allogeneic stem cell transplant for primary HLH from 2010 to 2021. Among them were 10 cases of familial HLH, 8 cases of Griscelli syndrome type 2, and 1 case each with PRF1 and STX11 mutations. All the patients underwent transplants with reduced-intensity or myeloablative conditioning and 26 of them achieved neutrophil engraftment at a median of day + 14. The donors were either fully matched (68%) or haploidentical (32%). With a median follow-up of 1 year, overall survival was 68% (n = 19) and disease-free survival was 64.4% (n = 18). OS was better in patients transplanted with a sibling donor (compared to parent donor), who achieved complete donor chimerism, and those transplanted early in the course of the disease (diagnosis to transplant duration less than 6 months).

Want to learn? think again!

One of the best ways to improve new learning and increase memory strength is by reprocessing the recently acquired information, for example, by thinking of it again. Synaptic plasticity, the process by which neurons change the strength of their connections with each other, is fundamental for learning and memory formation. Yet, at present, it is unclear how reprocessing information drives synaptic plasticity to support memory improvement. A new study suggests that reprocessing enhances memory formation by recruiting more synapses to represent the new memory, thus increasing its strength.

Exercise and Fear and Safety Learning.

Fear conditioning paradigms have been studied for over 100 years and are of great interest to the behavioral and clinical sciences given that several safety learning processes (e.g., extinction learning and recall) are thought to be fundamental to the success of exposure-based therapies for anxiety and related disorders. This chapter provides an overview of preclinical and clinical investigations that examined the effects of exercise on initial fear acquisition, fear extinction learning and consolidation, and return of fear outcomes. This chapter highlights the collective body of evidence suggesting that exercise administered after extinction learning enhances the consolidation and subsequent recall of extinction memories to a greater extent than exercise administered prior to extinction learning. This suggests that the addition of exercise after exposure therapy sessions may improve treatment outcomes for people with anxiety and related disorders. Potential mechanisms are discussed in addition to suggestions for future research to improve our understanding of the effects of exercise on fear conditioning and extinction outcomes.

Sex differences in the social motivation of rats: Insights from social operant conditioning, behavioural economics, and video tracking.

BACKGROUND: Social behaviour plays a key role in mental health and wellbeing, and developing greater understanding of mechanisms underlying social interaction-particularly social motivation-holds substantial transdiagnostic impact. Common rodent behavioural assays used to assess social behaviour are limited in their assessment of social motivation, whereas the social operant conditioning model can provide unique and valuable insights into social motivation. Further characterisation of common experimental parameters that may influence social motivation within the social operant model, as well as complementary methodological and analytical approaches, are warranted. METHODS: This study investigated the effects of biological sex, housing condition, and time-of-day, on social motivation using the social operant model. This involved training rats to lever press (FR1) for 60-s access to a social reward (same-sex conspecific stimulus). Subjects were male and female Wistar rats, housed under individual or paired conditions, and sessions were conducted either in the mid-late light phase (ZT6-10) or early-mid dark phase (ZT13-17). A behavioural economics approach was implemented to measure social demand and the influence of stimulus partner sex (same- vs. opposite-sex stimulus) on social operant responding. Additionally, video tracking analyses were conducted to assess the degree of convergence between social appetitive and consummatory behaviours. RESULTS: Biological sex, housing conditions, the interaction between sex and housing, and stimulus partner sex potently influenced social motivation, whereas time-of-day did not. Behavioural economics demonstrated that sex, housing, and their interaction influence both the hedonic set-point and elasticity of social demand. Video analysis of social interaction during social operant sessions revealed that social appetitive and consummatory behaviours are not necessarily convergent, and indicate potential social satiety. Lastly, oestrus phase of female experimental and stimulus rats did not impact social motivation within the model. CONCLUSIONS: Social isolation-dependent sex differences exist in social motivation for rats, as assessed by social operant conditioning. The social operant model represents an optimal preclinical assay that comprehensively evaluates social motivation and offers a platform for future investigations of neurobiological mechanisms underlying sex differences in social motivation. These findings highlight the importance of continued consideration and inclusion of sex as a biological variable in future social operant conditioning studies. Humans are social creatures-our everyday interactions with others and the support this provides play a key role in our wellbeing. For those experiencing mental health conditions, people's motivation to engage with others can wane, which can lead them to withdraw from those who support them. Therefore, to develop better treatment strategies for these conditions, we need to gain a deeper understanding of social motivation. Studying social behaviour in animals can facilitate this investigation of social motivation as it allows for a causal understanding of underlying neurobiology that is not possible in human experiments. An optimal way to study social motivation in animals is using the social operant conditioning model, where rats learn to press a lever that opens a door and allows them to interact with another rat for a short time. This study characterised the social operant model by testing whether sex, housing conditions, time-of-day, and the sex of the stimulus partner influence rats' motivation to seek interaction with another rat. We found that female rats were more socially motivated than males, and that rats living alone were more motivated than those living with another rat; interestingly, this effect of housing affected females more than males. Regardless of sex, rats were more motivated to interact with a rat of the opposite sex. These findings provide insights into sex differences in social motivation in rats and new insights into the social operant model which will help guide future research into social motivation and other mental health conditions.

Assessment of Body Condition in a Threatened Dolphin Population in an Anthropized Area in Southeastern Brazil.

Sepetiba Bay, located in southwestern Rio de Janeiro state, in southeastern Brazil, is a region of extreme anthropogenic impact, and is home to a large population of Guiana dolphins, which face increasing and cumulative pressures on their physical health. Cetacean body condition provides a useful indicator for the evaluation of the conservation status of marine mammals. Given this, the present study quantified the proportion of dolphins with different body condition scores and assessed temporal variation in these scores between 2017 and 2022 through the analysis of photographic records. We analyzed the photographs and identified the individuals using FinFindR and classified each individual based on its apparent body condition. A total of 29,737 photographs were taken during the study, and 79 individuals were identified, of which 68.35% were in poor condition. The evidence suggests that the Guiana dolphins are in relatively poor condition overall, possibly reflecting the cumulative impact of human activities in Sepetiba Bay.

Effects of Surface-Etching Systems on the Shear Bond Strength of Dual-Polymerized Resin Cement and Zirconia.

Adhesion of zirconia is difficult; thus, etching agents using several different methods are being developed. We investigated the effects of surface treatment with commercially available etching agents on the bond strength between zirconia and resin cement and compared them with those achieved using air abrasion alone. We used 100 zirconia blocks, of which 20 blocks remained untreated, 20 blocks were sandblasted, and 60 blocks were acid-etched using three different zirconia-etching systems: Zircos-E etching (strong-acid etching), smart etching (acid etching after air abrasion), and cloud etching (acid etching under a hot stream). Each group was subjected to a bonding procedure with dual-polymerized resin cement, and then 50 specimens were thermocycled. The shear bond strengths between the resin cement and zirconia before and after the thermocycling were evaluated. We observed that in the groups that did not undergo thermocycling, specimens surface-treated with solution did not show a significant increase in shear bond strength compared to the sandblasted specimens (p > 0.05). Among the thermocycled groups, the smart-etched specimens showed the highest shear bond strength. In the short term, various etching agents did not show a significant increase in bond strength compared to sandblasting alone, but in the long term, smart etching showed stability in bond strength (p < 0.05).