Gray Matter Abnormalities of Orbitofrontal Cortex and Striatum in Drug-Naïve Adult Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Objective: This study examined whether obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients have gray matter abnormalities in regions related to executive function, and whether such abnormalities are associated with impaired executive function. Methods: Multiple scales were administered to 27 first-episode drug-naïve OCD patients and 29 healthy controls. Comprehensive brain morphometric indicators of orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and three striatum areas (caudate, putamen, and pallidum) were determined. Hemisphere lateralization index was calculated for each region of interest. Correlations between lateralization index and psychological variables were examined in OCD group. Results: The OCD group had greater local gyrification index for the right OFC and greater gray matter volumes of the bilateral putamen and left pallidum than healthy controls. They also had weaker left hemisphere superiority for local gyrification index of the OFC and gray matter volume of the putamen, but stronger left hemisphere superiority for gray matter volume of the pallidum. Patients' lateralization index for local gyrification index of the OFC correlated negatively with Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and Dysexecutive Questionnaire scores, respectively. Conclusion: Structural abnormalities of the bilateral putamen, left pallidum, and right OFC may underlie OCD pathology. Abnormal lateralization in OCD may contribute to the onset of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and impaired executive function.

[Development of transcriptional regulators of Streptococcus mutans in cariogenic virulence].

Some transcriptional regulators contribute to the expression of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) cariogenic virulence factors. Although the target sequence transcriptional regulators anchored on the cell wall and the molecular mechanism of the regulation of S. mutans are yet to be clarified, certain global regulators potentially associated with the cariogenicity of S. mutans have been identified. This review is about these related transcriptional regulators, their function, and possible mechanisms.

Supercapacitor electrode with a homogeneously Co3O4-coated multiwalled carbon nanotube for a high capacitance.

Cobalt oxide (Co3O4) was homogeneously coated on multiwalled carbon nanotube through a simple chemical deposition method and employed in supercapacitor electrodes. SEM image indicated the uniform distribution of Co3O4 nanoparticles on the surface of the multiwalled carbon nanotube. A maximum specific capacitance of 273 Fg(-1) was obtained at the charge-discharge current density of 0.5 Ag(-1). After 500 cycles of continuous charge-discharge process, about 88% of the initial capacity could be retained.