Unveiling potential of Gordonia species and their cutinases for polyester decomposition.

The growing issue of petroleum-based polymer waste demands sustainable recycling strategies, with enzymatic processes offering a promising solution. This study investigates enzymatic decomposition of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) by Gordonia species, known for their pollutant-degrading capabilities. When cultivated with PET, G.

First Application of a Novel Brain Template: Motor Training Improves Cortico-cerebellar Connectivity in Cerebellar Ataxia.

People with cerebellar degeneration show characteristic ataxic motor impairments. Despite cerebellar dysfunction, they can improve motor performance through sensorimotor training. Yet, how such training changes functional brain networks affected by cerebellar degeneration is unknown.

Ions and low molecular weight components in sulfite pulp mills strongly reduce or boost lipases activity on lipophilic wood extractives.

Lipophilic wood extractives (LWEs), including triterpenes, fatty acids, resin acids, waxes, alcohols, sterols, sterol esters, and glycerides, pose significant challenges for pulp and paper mills. Microbial triacylglycerol lipases (EC 3.1.

Mental Illness in the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Period: How Does a Collective Stress Factor Affect the Hospitalization Requirement? Data from a Survey of Inpatients Admitted to a Psychiatric University Hospital During the First Year of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic.

Background/objectives: According to a diathesis-stress model for the development of mental illness, it is assumed that, in addition to pre-existing individual vulnerability, the occurrence of acute strains is an etiological factor. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was a collective massive stressor, which could predispose to a first manifestation of a mental disorder or the exacerbation of a pre-existing mental disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the pandemic on the cohort of patients admitted to hospital during the first year of the pandemic.

Coagulation temperature during cellulose regeneration from N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) influences the structure and ease of saccharification of lyocell byproducts.

The production of wood-based lyocell fibers cogenerates a cellulosic granular material devoid of hydrolysis-inhibiting hemicellulose and lignin. In this study, we set out to determine and modify the structural peculiarities of this cellulose material and demonstrate its use as a raw material for second-generation biorefineries. The unique characteristics of the granules-low crystallinity and high porosity, surface area, and water-retention values-enabled efficient enzymatic saccharification.

Psychological and Clinical Parameters as Predictors of Relapse in Alcohol-Dependent Patients During and After Extensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Treatment.

Background: Psychological parameters related to alcohol dependence (AD) affect patients' behavioral and cognitive control, decision making, impulsivity and inhibitory control. People with AD often have a chronic course with a relapse to dependent substance use even after extensive treatment. This study investigated whether the psychological parameters of patients with AD predict (a) premature termination of treatment, and/or (b) relapse into consumption of alcohol from admission until 6 weeks after discharge from an inpatient rehabilitation treatment.

Novel Plasma Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease: Insights from Organotypic Brain Slice and Microcontact Printing Techniques.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a severe neurodegenerative disorder characterized by beta-amyloid plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles. The diagnosis of AD is complex, with the analysis of beta-amyloid and tau in cerebrospinal fluid being a well-established diagnostic approach. However, currently no blood biomarkers have been identified or validated for clinical use.

Effects of Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Cerebellar Brain Inhibition as a Function of TMS Coil Orientation.

Introduction: Cerebellar brain inhibition (CBI) is a way to quantify the cerebellar influence on the motor cortex in humans. Studies suggest that the orientation of the transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) coil influences which motor networks are activated. This study investigated the influence of cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) on CBI as a function of coil orientation (anterior-posterior [AP] vs.

From Organotypic Mouse Brain Slices to Human Alzheimer's Plasma Biomarkers: A Focus on Nerve Fiber Outgrowth.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory loss and progressive deterioration of cognitive functions. Being able to identify reliable biomarkers in easily available body fluids such as blood plasma is vital for the disease. To achieve this, we used a technique that applied human plasma to organotypic brain slice culture via microcontact printing.

From Organotypic Mouse Brain Slices to Human Alzheimer Plasma Biomarkers: A Focus on Microglia.

Alzheimer's disease is a severe neurodegenerative disorder, and the discovery of biomarkers is crucial for early diagnosis. While the analysis of biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid is well accepted, there are currently no blood biomarkers available. Our research focuses on identifying novel plasma biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease.

Brain Slice Derived Nerve Fibers Grow along Microcontact Prints and are Stimulated by Beta-Amyloid(42).

Background: Alzheimer's disease is characterized by extracellular beta-amyloid plaques, intraneuronal tau neurofibrillary tangles and excessive neurodegeneration. The mechanisms of neuron degeneration and the potential of these neurons to form new nerve fibers for compensation remain elusive. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of beta-amyloid and tau on new formations of nerve fibers from mouse organotypic brain slices connected to collagen-based microcontact prints.

Cerebellar Volumetry in Ataxias: Relation to Ataxia Severity and Duration.

Cerebellar atrophy is the neuropathological hallmark of most ataxias. Hence, quantifying the volume of the cerebellar grey and white matter is of great interest. In this study, we aim to identify volume differences in the cerebellum between spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), SCA3 and SCA6 as well as multiple system atrophy of cerebellar type (MSA-C).

Beta-Amyloid Enhances Vessel Formation in Organotypic Brain Slices Connected to Microcontact Prints.

In Alzheimer's disease, the blood-brain barrier breakdown, blood vessel damage and re-organization are early events. Deposits of the small toxic peptide beta-amyloid (Aβ) cause the formation of extracellular plaques and accumulate in vessels disrupting the blood flow but may also play a role in blood clotting. In the present study, we aim to explore the impact of Aβ on the migration of endothelial cells and subsequent vessel formation.

Mild Deficits in Fear Learning: Evidence from Humans and Mice with Cerebellar Cortical Degeneration.

Functional brain imaging studies in humans suggest involvement of the cerebellum in fear conditioning but do not allow conclusions about the functional significance. The main aim of the present study was to examine whether patients with cerebellar degeneration show impaired fear conditioning and whether this is accompanied by alterations in cerebellar cortical activations. To this end, a 2 d differential fear conditioning study was conducted in 20 cerebellar patients and 21 control subjects using a 7 tesla (7 T) MRI system.

Cerebellar volumetry in ataxias: Relation to ataxia severity and duration.

Background: Cerebellar atrophy is the neuropathological hallmark of most ataxias. Hence, quantifying the volume of the cerebellar grey and white matter is of great interest. In this study, we aim to identify volume differences in the cerebellum between spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), SCA3 and SCA6 as well as multiple system atrophy of cerebellar type (MSA-C).

The Influence of Packaging Color on Consumer Perceptions of Healthfulness: A Systematic Review and Theoretical Framework.

When consumers evaluate a new product, packaging design plays a critical role. In particular, packaging color is a dominant design cue that influences consumer perception of a product. Several studies have investigated the influence of color on taste.

Long-term organotypic brain slices cultured on collagen-based microcontact prints: A perspective for a brain-on-a-chip.

Organotypic brain slices are three-dimensional 150 µm-thick sections of a postnatal day 10 mouse and can be cultured for several weeks in vitro. In such brain slices the complex cellular connections are preserved with a high viability. These brain slices can be connected to collagen-loaded microcontact prints to develop a simple brain-on-a-chip model.

Study protocol: effects of treatment expectation toward repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in major depressive disorder-a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Patients' expectations toward any given treatment are highly important for the effectiveness of such treatment, as has been demonstrated for several disorders. In particular, in major depressive disorder (MDD), one of the most frequent and most serious mental disorders with severe consequences for the affected, the augmentation of available treatment options could mean a ground-breaking success. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a new, non-invasive, and well-tolerated intervention with proven effects in the treatment of MDD, appears particularly suitable in this context as it is assumed to exert its effect via structures implicated in networks relevant for both expectation and depression.

Circulation as a Visual Practice.

This special issue looks at some of the ways that images are adopted, co-opted, and adapted in the life sciences and beyond. It brings together papers that investigate the role of visualization in scientific knowledge-production with contributions that focus on the distribution and dissemination of knowledge to a broader audience. A commentary provides a critical perspective.

Age-related differences of cerebellar cortex and nuclei: MRI findings in healthy controls and its application to spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA6) patients.

Understanding cerebellar alterations due to healthy aging provides a reference point against which pathological findings in late-onset disease, for example spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6), can be contrasted. In the present study, we investigated the impact of aging on the cerebellar nuclei and cerebellar cortex in 109 healthy controls (age range: 16 - 78 years) using 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Findings were compared with 25 SCA6 patients (age range: 38 - 78 years).

Effects of Ischemia on the Migratory Capacity of Microglia Along Collagen Microcontact Prints on Organotypic Mouse Cortex Brain Slices.

Ischemic stroke is a severe insult in the brain causing cell death, inflammation, and activation of microglia. Microglia are the immune cells of the brain and play a role in any inflammatory process during neurodegeneration. Microglia are round ameboid and migrate to the lesion site, where they differentiate into ramified forms and activated phagocytic microglia.

Novel Synthetic Opioids (NSO) Use in Opioid Dependents Entering Detoxification Treatment.

Introduction: Over the last decade, the use of New/Novel Synthetic Opioids (NSO) has emerged as an increasing problem, and especially so in the USA. However, only little is known about the prevalence and history of NSO use in European heroin dependents.

Method: A cross-sectional multicenter study, carried out with the means of both standardized interviews and urine toxicology enhanced screening, in a sample of opioid addicted patients referred for an in-patient detoxification treatment.

Quantitative susceptibility mapping reveals alterations of dentate nuclei in common types of degenerative cerebellar ataxias.

The cerebellar nuclei are a brain region with high iron content. Surprisingly, little is known about iron content in the cerebellar nuclei and its possible contribution to pathology in cerebellar ataxias, with the only exception of Friedreich's ataxia. In the present exploratory cross-sectional study, quantitative susceptibility mapping was used to investigate volume, iron concentration and total iron content of the dentate nuclei in common types of hereditary and non-hereditary degenerative ataxias.