Corticosterone Administration Alters White Matter Tract Structure and Reduces Gliosis in the Sub-Acute Phase of Experimental Stroke

White matter tract (WMT) degeneration has been reported to occur following a stroke, and it is associated with post-stroke functional disturbances. White matter pathology has been suggested to be an independent predictor of post-stroke recovery. However, the factors that influence WMT remodeling are poorly understood. Cortisol is a steroid hormone released in response to prolonged stress, and elevated levels of cortisol have been reported to interfere with brain recovery. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of corticosterone (CORT; the rodent equivalent of cortisol) on WMT structure post-stroke. Photothrombotic stroke (or sham surgery) was induced in 8-week-old male C57BL/6 mice. At 72 h, mice were exposed to standard drinking water ± CORT (100 µg/mL). After two weeks of CORT administration, mice were euthanised and brain tissue collected for histological and biochemical analysis of WMT (particularly the corpus callosum and corticospinal tract). CORT administration was associated with increased tissue loss within the ipsilateral hemisphere, and modest and inconsistent WMT reorganization. Further, a structural and molecular analysis of the WMT components suggested that CORT exerted effects over axons and glial cells. Our findings highlight that CORT at stress-like levels can moderately influence the reorganization and microstructure of WMT post-stroke.     

Electropolishing and electrolytic etching of Ni-based HIP consolidated aerospace forms: a comparison between deep eutectic solvents and aqueous electrolytes

It is reported in this study that the deep eutectic solvent (DES), (Ethylene glycol)₂(Choline chloride), (2Eg:ChCl) is an effective medium in the electrolytic removal of the Fe-rich layer from Ni-based hot isostatic press (HIP) consolidation and that it is capable of sustaining etching at higher rates and at higher current efficiencies than a comparable aqueous electrolyte formulated from methane sulphonic acid/glycolic acid (MSA/GA). At high etch rates, the surface finish is not as good using 2Eg:ChCl, but high etch rates, current efficiency and excellent surface finish can be obtained from a 90%/10% hybrid mixture of 2Eg:ChCl MSA/GA electrolytes. This study has set out to compare the electropolishing and bulk electrolytic etching of HIP-formed bodies fabricated from RR1000 Ni-based superalloys in aqueous methane sulphonic acid/glycolic acid (MSA/GA) electrolyte and in DES-type ionic liquids. It is shown that the HIP alloy can be effectively removed under mild conditions using DES electrolytes that are of low toxicity, environmentally sustainable, relatively low cost and without the use of strong acids or chemical etchants.     

Locus of control as a measure of ineffectiveness in anorexia nervosa.

Using D. W. Reid and E. E. Ware's (1974) Internal–External Locus of Control Scale (I–E scale), scores of 54 female anorexia nervosa patients were compared to norms. Younger anorexic patients (mean age 16.3 yrs) demonstrated higher internal control compared to norms on items related to fatalism and social-system control. I–E scores for older patients (mean age 21.2 yrs) could not be differentiated from the norms. Comparison of high (external) with low (internal) scorers within the sample revealed significant differences on clinical variables related to weight history, eating habits, and psychosocial behavior. In addition, externality was associated with symptomatic scores on the Beck Depression Scale, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Restraint Scale, and 16 PF. It is concluded that the I–E scale may provide a useful prognostic index for the subgroup of anorexic patients who demonstrate external I–E orientation. (35 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)