Intensity and Appreciation of Sweet Taste Solutions Are Modulated by High-Intensity Aerobic Exercise in Adolescent Athletic Males.

PURPOSE: Exercise seems to influence taste, but the effect of exercise on specific tastes is still to be elucidated among youths. METHODS: Athlete boys aged 14-16 years were recruited. Participants (n = 19) ages ranged 14.7 (0.7) years, weight 59.6 (7.8) kg, and height of 173.4 (7.9) cm. Distinct taste tests were administered using low and high concentrations of sweet, salty, and bitter solutions before and after a 30-minute aerobic exercise session (70%-90% of estimated maximal heart rate). McNemmar tests, standard paired t tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and Cohen d effect size tests were used to analyze taste identification, intensity, and appreciation. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in taste identification capacities after exercise. Participants perceived more intense (P = .037) and appreciated better (P = .004) the low-concentration sweet solution after exercise. Taste appreciation was increased for the high-concentration sweet solution (P = .009) after exercise. Effect sizes were moderate (0.516-0.776). Possible effects were noted for the intensity of salty solutions (P = .0501 and .0543). CONCLUSION: Following an exercise session, participants had increased perceived intensity and appreciation of sweet solutions. This adds new insights into how exercise influences taste in youths, a topic less documented compared with adults, suggesting further research into its impact on dietary choices is needed.

Inadequate Coping Strategies of Men who Have Committed Sexual Aggression Against Women: A Study of Their Developmental Antecedents.

Several researchers have found that men who have committed sexual aggression have inadequate coping strategies (e.g., paraphilic sexual fantasies, substance abuse). However, very few researchers have empirically examined the factors potentially associated with the development of these strategies. In 2011, Maniglio hypothesized that the inadequate coping strategies of men who have committed sexual aggression are the result of childhood victimization, mediated by internalized psychological problems. The present study therefore empirically tested this hypothesis in a Canadian sample of 205 men who had committed sexual aggression against women, of whom 37 committed sexual murder. Structural equation modeling (SEM) resulted in the identification of several direct and indirect trajectories leading from childhood victimization (psychological, physical, sexual) to the development of inadequate coping strategies (paraphilic sexual fantasies, alcohol and drug use) mediated by internalized psychological problems (e.g., anxiety, depression, social isolation). The theoretical and clinical implications of these developmental trajectories are discussed.

Er81 Transcription Factor Fine-Tunes Striatal Cholinergic Interneuron Activity and Drives Habit Formation.

The molecular mechanisms tuning cholinergic interneuron (CIN) activity, although crucial for striatal function and behavior, remain largely unexplored. Previous studies report that the Etv1/Er81 transcription factor is vital for regulating neuronal maturation and activity. While Er81 is known to be expressed in the striatum during development, its specific role in defining CIN properties and the resulting consequences on striatal function is unknown. We report here that Er81 is expressed in CINs and its specific ablation leads to prominent changes in their molecular, morphologic, and electrophysiological features. In particular, the lack of Er81 amplifies intrinsic delayed-rectifier and hyperpolarization-activated currents, which subsequently alters the tonic and phasic activity of CINs. We further reveal that Er81 expression is required for normal CIN pause and time-locked responses to sensorimotor inputs in awake mice. Overall, this study uncovers a new cell type-specific control of CIN function in the striatum which drives habit formation in adult male mice.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Although previous studies have shown that cholinergic interneurons drive striatal activity and habit formation, the underlying molecular mechanisms controlling their function are unknown. Here we reveal that key cholinergic interneuron physiological properties are controlled by Er81, a transcription factor regulating neuronal activity and development in a cell-specific manner. Moreover, our findings uncover a link between the Er81-dependent molecular control of cholinergic interneuron function and habit formation in mice. These insights will contribute to the future enhancement of our understanding of disorders that involve behavioral inflexibility, such as autism and addiction.

Trendelenburg Positioning in Large Vessel Ischaemic Stroke: A Pre-Post Observational Study Using Propensity Score Matching.

BACKGROUND: Along with pharmacological and mechanical recanalization, improving cerebral perfusion through the recruitment of collateral vessels during the acute phase of ischaemic stroke (IS) is a clinical challenge. Our objective was to assess the effectiveness and safety of Trendelenburg positioning (TP), a procedure intended to increase cerebral blood flow, on the outcome of IS. METHODS: Two cohorts of patients with an acute supratentorial IS related to a large artery occlusion were compared. In the first cohort (n = 119), we used standard positioning (0 to +30°); in the second cohort (n = 90), we used TP (0 to -15°). The primary outcome measure was the improvement of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score between admission and day 2. Factors associated with an improvement ≥4 points of NIHSS score were assessed using multiple logistic regression and propensity score (PS) matching analyses. RESULTS: TP was significantly associated with a greater improvement of NIHSS score within 48 h following stroke onset (4.0 ± 5.7 vs. 1.8 ± 5.9, p = 0.011) but also at discharge (p = 0.005). Multiple logistic regression analysis suggested that TP was an independent predictor of early neurological improvement (adjusted OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.00-3.27) in a model controlling recanalization and haemoglobin level. In addition, PS matching analysis confirmed the possible effectiveness of TP (unadjusted OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.04-3.82), especially in male subjects. The effect of TP was more pronounced in patients with admission mean arterial blood pressure ≥100 mm Hg, those exhibiting a good collateral vessel network on admission CT-angiography or experiencing an effective recanalization. Furthermore, TP was not associated with life-threatening complications. CONCLUSION: TP could be an effective and safe strategy in patients with large IS resulting from the proximal occlusion of a large vessel.

Calcipotriol inhibits α-synuclein aggregation in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells by a Calbindin-D28k-dependent mechanism.

Many neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the formation of microscopically visible intracellular protein aggregates. α-Synuclein is the key aggregating protein in Parkinson's disease which is characterized by neuronal cytoplasmic Lewy body inclusions. Previous studies have shown relative sparing of neurons in Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies that are positive for the vitamin D-dependent calcium-buffering protein, calbindin-D28k, and that α-synuclein aggregates are excluded from calbindin-D28k-positive neurons. Recent cell culture studies have shown that α-synuclein aggregation can be induced by raised intracellular-free Ca(II) and demonstrated that raised intracellular calcium and oxidative stress can act synergistically to promote α-synuclein aggregation. We hypothesized that calcipotriol, a potent vitamin D analogue used pharmaceutically, may be able to suppress calcium-dependent α-synuclein aggregation by inducing calbindin-D28k expression. Immunofluorescence and western blot analysis showed that calcipotriol potently induced calbindin-D28k in a dose-dependent manner in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Calcipotriol significantly decreased the frequency of α-synuclein aggregate positive cells subjected to treatments that cause raised intracellular-free Ca(II) (potassium depolarization, KCl/H2 O2 combined treatment, and rotenone) in a dose-dependent manner and increased viability. Suppression of calbindin-D28k expression in calcipotriol-treated cells using calbindin-D28k-specific siRNA showed significantly higher α-synuclein aggregation levels, indicating that calcipotriol-mediated blocking of calcium-dependent α-synuclein aggregation was dependent on the induction of calbindin-D28k expression. These data indicate that targeting raised intraneuronal-free Ca(II) in the brain by promoting the expression of calbindin-D28k at the transcriptional level using calcipotriol could prevent α-synuclein aggregate formation and ameliorate Parkinson's disease pathogenesis.

Trametes polyzona, an emerging filamentous basidiomycete in Réunion Island.

We describe two serious Trametes polyzona pulmonary infections, which occurred in Réunion Island, in critically ill patients. The identification was performed using sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA and D1/D2 region of 28S rDNA. In one case, the significance of T. polyzona in the pathological process was certain, proven by histopathological evidence of fungal lung infection. T. polyzona, an emerging filamentous basidiomycete, prevalent in tropical areas, has not been described so far in human infections.

Alpha-synuclein aggregates are excluded from calbindin-D28k-positive neurons in dementia with Lewy bodies and a unilateral rotenone mouse model.

α-Synuclein (α-syn) aggregates (Lewy bodies) in Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) may be associated with disturbed calcium homeostasis and oxidative stress. We investigated the interplay between α-syn aggregation, expression of the calbindin-D28k (CB) neuronal calcium-buffering protein and oxidative stress, combining immunofluorescence double labelling and Western analysis, and examining DLB and normal human cases and a unilateral oxidative stress lesion model of α-syn disease (rotenone mouse). DLB cases showed a greater proportion of CB+ cells in affected brain regions compared to normal cases with Lewy bodies largely present in CB- neurons and virtually undetected in CB+ neurons. The unilateral rotenone-lesioned mouse model showed a greater proportion of CB+ cells and α-syn aggregates within the lesioned hemisphere than the control hemisphere, especially proximal to the lesion site, and α-syn inclusions occurred primarily in CB- cells and were almost completely absent in CB+ cells. Consistent with the immunofluorescence data, Western analysis showed the total CB level was 25% higher in lesioned compared to control hemisphere in aged animals that are more sensitive to lesion and 20% higher in aged compared to young mice in lesioned hemisphere, but not significantly different between young and aged in the control hemisphere. Taken together, the findings show α-syn aggregation is excluded from CB+ neurons, although the increased sensitivity of aged animals to lesion was not related to differential CB expression.

Developmental Trajectories Leading to Hostility Toward Women: A Structural Equation Modeling Study.

Hostility toward women is frequently examined as a risk factor for violence against women, but research on its antecedents is sparse. The aim of this study was to explore the developmental and psychological antecedents associated with hostility toward women in a Canadian sample of sexual aggressors of women. Drawing on Malamuth's confluence model of sexual aggression, we developed a multifactorial model of hostility toward women, using structural equation modeling. The results indicate the presence of three trajectories, all starting from childhood victimization and leading to hostility toward women, involving antisocial characteristics, emotional negativity, anxiety, and depression.

The association between parameters of physical activity and olfactory function-the importance of frequency and moderate intensity.

Introduction: Overall physical activity (PA) has been linked to decreased olfactory dysfunction and could improve olfactory function. Additionally, decreased olfactory function can contribute to reduced overall PA levels, given its association with neurodegenerative disorders. This study aims to examine the relationship between specific PA parameters (duration, frequency, intensity) and olfactory function in adults. Methods: A total of 3,527 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014 underwent assessments for weekly PA duration, frequency, and intensity, alongside a smell test (including odors such as chocolate, strawberry, grape, onion, smoke, natural gas, leather, and soap). Correlation analyses and binary logistic regressions using SPSS were used to evaluate associations. Results: The total smell score exhibited small yet significant positive correlations with the duration, frequency, and volume of moderate PA (correlation coefficients ranging between 0.05 and 0.08; all p ≤ 0.05) and frequency of vigorous PA (correlation coefficient of 0.05; p < 0.05). For moderate PA, the duration, frequency, and volume were significantly and positively associated with the ability to correctly detect the smell of grapes while the frequency was significantly and positively associated with the ability to identify smoke and leather odors (odds ratios ranging from 1.01 to 1.07; p < 0.05). For vigorous PA, the frequency of PA was positively associated with the detection of grape smell (odds ratio of 1.05; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Some parameters of an active lifestyle are associated with improved odds of accurately identifying odors by up to 7.4%. Moderate PA duration, frequency, and volume were linked to better olfactory scores, while high-intensity PA had limited associations.

Effect of odor stimulations on physical activity: A systematic review.

Fewer and fewer people are reaching physical activity recommendations. Therefore, it seems important to make the practice of physical activity more enjoyable to increase the participation rate. Several environmental factors have been studied to see their impact on sports practice, and some studies investigated the effect of odors. This systematic review aims to provide a thorough view of the literature on the effect of different odors on physical activity. The search strategy consisted of using index terms and keywords in MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBM Reviews - Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science search engine. Data from 19 studies that included 458 participants revealed that the odors had different results on strength, cardiovascular, precision, and postural balance tasks depending on the odors' exposition. Among results, an important distinction was made between pleasant and unpleasant odors. Therefore, pleasant odors had better results on physical activity by improving participants' feeling. Even though this review clarified evidence about the effect of odors on physical activity, better methodological consistency is needed across studies such as the odor administration method to produce more meaningful results.

US-guided EM tracked system for HDR brachytherapy: A first in-men randomized study for whole prostate treatment.

PURPOSE: An electromagnetic tracking device (EMT) has been integrated in an HDR 3D ultrasound guidance system for prostate HDR. The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of HDR workflows with and without EM tracking. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 58 patients with a 15 Gy HDR prostate boost were randomized in two arms and two operation room (OR) procedures using: (1) the EMT investigational device, and (2) the Oncentra prostate system (OCP). OR times were compared for both techniques. RESULTS: The overall procedure median time was about 20% shorter for EMT (63 min) compared to OCP (79 min). The US acquisition and contouring was longer for OCP compared to EMT (23 min vs. 16 min). The catheter reconstruction's median times were 23 min and 13 min for OCP and EMT respectively. For the automatic reconstruction with EMT, 62% of cases required no or few manual corrections. Using the EM technology in an OR environment was challenging. In some cases, interferences or the stiffness of the stylet introduced errors in the reconstruction of catheters. The last step was the dosimetry with median times of 11 min (OCP) and 15.5 min (EMT). Finally, it was observed that there was no learning curve associated with the introduction of this new technology. CONCLUSIONS: The EMT device offers an efficient solution for automatic catheter reconstruction for HDR prostate while reducing the possibility of mis-reconstructed catheters caused by issues of visualization in the US images. Because of that, the overall OR times was shorter when using the EMT system.

Association between physical activity and taste-The advantage of increased intensity for some but not all individuals.

INTRODUCTION: Taste is a key sensory modulator of energy intake, and while the effects of acute physical activity (PA) on taste have been recently confirmed, its chronic effects remain poorly documented. METHODS: Data were extracted from the NHANES database, including salty and bitter taste tests, moderate PA (MPA) and vigorous PA (VPA) levels, and anthropometric data. Binary logistic regressions were conducted, and odds ratios (ORs) represent the association between physical activity level and successful taste tests. RESULTS: 3,114 participants (51.5% women, mean age 58.5±11.9 years, mean BMI 29.5±7.0 kg/m2) were analyzed. For the tongue tip test, the frequency of VPA was associated with a better score for the bitter and total taste test, while duration of VPA was associated with a better score for the bitter, salty, and total taste test (OR [1.01-1.06], p<0.05). For the whole mouth test, MPA frequency improved the bitter taste score (OR = 1.06, p = 0.01) while VPA frequency and duration were associated with better scores for bitter, salty, and total taste tests (OR [1.01-1.15], p<0.05). These findings were distinctively influenced by weight status and gender, with males and individuals without obesity mainly beneficiating from an active lifestyle. PERSPECTIVES: This study underlines the link between PA, particularly its frequency and intensity, and improved taste preservation. These findings emphasize the potential benefits of regular VPA for optimizing taste perception, although questions remain regarding the advantages for individuals with obesity and the lack of association observed in women who might already have a preserved profile.

Influence of DNA on the activities and inhibition of neutrophil serine proteases in cystic fibrosis sputum.

Uncontrolled proteolysis by neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs) in lung secretions is a hallmark of cystic fibrosis (CF). We have shown that the active neutrophil elastase, protease 3, and cathepsin G in CF sputum resist inhibition in part by exogenous protease inhibitors. This resistance may be due to their binding to neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) secreted by the activated neutrophils in CF sputum and to genomic DNA released from senescent and dead neutrophils. Treating CF sputum with DNase dramatically increases its elastase activity, which can then be stoichiometrically inhibited by exogenous elastase inhibitors. However, DNase treatment does not increase the activities of protease 3 and cathepsin G, indicating their different distribution and/or binding in CF sputum. Purified blood neutrophils secrete NETs when stimulated by the opportunistic CF bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The activities of the three proteases were unchanged in these conditions, but subsequent DNase treatment produced a dramatic increase in all three proteolytic activities. Neutrophils activated with a calcium ionophore did not secrete NETs but released huge amounts of active proteases whose activities were not modified by DNase. We conclude that NETs are reservoirs of active proteases that protect them from inhibition and maintain them in a rapidly mobilizable status. Combining the effects of protease inhibitors with that of DNA-degrading agents could counter the deleterious proteolytic effects of NSPs in CF lung secretions.

Sadistic Sexual Crimes Against Children: Comparing the Manifestation of Sexual Sadism and Crime-Commission Process.

Individuals who commit sexual offenses against children have been shown to be distinctive from adult offenders across both individual and crime characteristics. However, an examination of the literature shows that there are gaps in the research related to whether sadism manifests differently between those who target child compared to adult victims. The current study therefore aimed to explore the differences in the characteristics, crime-commission process, and the dimensions of sadism between sadistic crimes of children (n = 101) compared to those of adults (n = 433). Sexual sadism was assessed with the Sexual Sadism Scale (SeSaS) and binary logistic regression analysis and multidimensional scale analysis (MDS) were performed to examine differences between these two groups. Our results showed that sadistic fantasies manifested into four dimensions for both adult and child victims. In terms of differences, sadistic sexual offenses involving children appear to be reflective of deviant fantasies related to overlapping paraphilias (e.g., sadism and pedophilia). Conversely, sadistic crimes involving adult victims involve a crime-commission process that involves a greater degree of structure to control their adult victim and decrease their risk of identification. Implications for clinical assessment and police investigations are discussed.

Manifestations of sexual sadism in child sexual assault and the associated victim, offender, and offense characteristics: A latent class analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although sadistic child sexual abuse (SCSA) is rare, existing typologies of child sexual abuse have identified the existence of sadistic subtypes in child molestation, as well in the sexual homicide of children. Nonetheless, no study has sought to determine whether there is heterogeneity in the manifestation of sexual sadism between sadistic child abusers. OBJECTIVE: The present study seeks to examine how SCSA manifests differently between offenders, and whether these differences are associated with specific victim, offender, and offense characteristics. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: The current sample includes adult males (N = 101) who were involved in a child sexual assault and scored at least a 4 on the Severe Sexual Sadism Scale (SeSas). All offenses take place in France between 1990 and 2018. METHODS: Latent class analysis was used to analyze the sample for heterogeneity. Bivariate analyses were conducted to identify external variables associated with each of the latent classes. RESULTS: Three distinct latent classes were found: the sadistic kidnapper; the sadistic torturer; and the sadistic ritualist. External validity testing also revealed distinctive characteristics associated with each class. CONCLUSIONS: SCSA involves a heterogenous population with distinctive sadistic behavioral manifestations that vary in severity and relate to differences in crime-commission processes and offender characteristics. These findings offer important insights for crime prevention and correctional practice.

Expanding the momentum field of view in angle-resolved photoemission systems with hemispherical analyzers.

In photoelectron spectroscopy, the measured electron momentum range is intrinsically related to the excitation photon energy. Low photon energies <10 eV are commonly encountered in laser-based photoemission and lead to a momentum range that is smaller than the Brillouin zones of most materials. This can become a limiting factor when studying condensed matter with laser-based photoemission. An additional restriction is introduced by widely used hemispherical analyzers that record only electrons photoemitted in a solid angle set by the aperture size at the analyzer entrance. Here, we present an upgrade to increase the effective solid angle that is measured with a hemispherical analyzer. We achieve this by accelerating the photoelectrons toward the analyzer with an electric field that is generated by a bias voltage on the sample. Our experimental geometry is comparable to a parallel plate capacitor, and therefore, we approximate the electric field to be uniform along the photoelectron trajectory. With this assumption, we developed an analytic, parameter-free model that relates the measured angles to the electron momenta in the solid and verify its validity by comparing with experimental results on the charge density wave material TbTe3. By providing a larger field of view in momentum space, our approach using a bias potential considerably expands the flexibility of laser-based photoemission setups.

Effect of Physical Exercise on Taste Perceptions: A Systematic Review.

The effect of physical exercise on nutrition has gained substantial interest in the last decade. Meaningful results have been produced concerning the effect of physical exercise on different appetite hormones and food choice/preference. While it is well known that taste and nutrition are related, the relation between taste and physical activity has not yet been fully explored. This systematic review aims to provide a detailed view of the literature on physical exercise and its effect on taste perceptions. Five tastes were included in this review: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami. Sweet taste intensity, sensitivity, and preference were increased by acute physical exercise, but sweet preference was reduced by chronic physical activity. Perceived intensity and sensitivity decreased overall for salty taste, but an increased preference was noted during/following exercise. Sour taste intensity ratings were decreased following exercise and preference was enhanced. Umami taste intensity and sensitivity increased following exercise and preference was decreased. No significant results were obtained for bitter taste. While evidence regarding the effect of exercise on taste has arisen from this review, the pre-testing nutrition, testing conditions, type of test, and exercise modality must be standardized in order to produce meaningful and reproducible results in the future.

Acute severe asthma requiring invasive mechanical ventilation in the era of modern resuscitation techniques: A 10-year bicentric retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Patients with acute severe asthma (ASA) may in rare cases require invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). However, recent data on this issue are lacking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective and bicentric study conducted on a 10 year period, we investigate the in-hospital mortality in patients with ASA requiring IMV. We compare this mortality to that of patients with other types of respiratory distress using a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) model. RESULTS: Eighty-one episodes of ASA requiring IMV were evaluated. Factors significantly associated with in-hospital mortality were cardiac arrest on day of admission, cardiac arrest as the reason for intubation, absence of decompensation risk factors, need for renal replacement therapy on day of admission, and intubation in pre-hospital setting. Non-survivors had higher SAPS II, SOFA, creatinine and lactate levels as well as lower blood pressure, pH, and HCO3 on day of admission. In-hospital mortality was 15% (n = 12). Compared to a reference population of 2,670 patients, the SMR relative to the SAPS II was very low at 0.48 (95% CI, 0.25-0.84). The only factor independently associated with in-hospital mortality was cardiac arrest on day of admission. In-hospital mortality was 69% in patients with cardiac arrest on day of admission and 4% in others (p < 0.01). Salvage therapies were given to 7 patients, sometimes in combination with each other: ECMO (n = 6), halogenated gas (n = 1) and anti-IL5 antibody (n = 1). Death occurred in only 2 of these 7 patients, both of whom had cardiac arrest on day of admission. CONCLUSION: Nowadays, the mortality of patients with ASA requiring IMV is low. Death is due to multi-organ failure, with cardiac arrest on day of admission being the most important risk factor. In patients who did not have cardiac arrest on day of admission the mortality is even lower (4%) which allows an aggressive management.

Switching on Endogenous Metal Binding Proteins in Parkinson's Disease.

The formation of cytotoxic intracellular protein aggregates is a pathological signature of multiple neurodegenerative diseases. The principle aggregating protein in Parkinson's disease (PD) and atypical Parkinson's diseases is α-synuclein (α-syn), which occurs in neural cytoplasmic inclusions. Several factors have been found to trigger α-syn aggregation, including raised calcium, iron, and copper. Transcriptional inducers have been explored to upregulate expression of endogenous metal-binding proteins as a potential neuroprotective strategy. The vitamin-D analogue, calcipotriol, induced increased expression of the neuronal vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein, calbindin-D28k, and this significantly decreased the occurrence of α-syn aggregates in cells with transiently raised intracellular free Ca, thereby increasing viability. More recently, the induction of endogenous expression of the Zn and Cu binding protein, metallothionein, by the glucocorticoid analogue, dexamethasone, gave a specific reduction in Cu-dependent α-syn aggregates. Fe accumulation has long been associated with PD. Intracellularly, Fe is regulated by interactions between the Fe storage protein ferritin and Fe transporters, such as poly(C)-binding protein 1. Analysis of the transcriptional regulation of Fe binding proteins may reveal potential inducers that could modulate Fe homoeostasis in disease. The current review highlights recent studies that suggest that transcriptional inducers may have potential as novel mechanism-based drugs against metal overload in PD.