Discriminating and imaging different phosphatidylcholine species within phase-separated model membranes by principal component analysis of TOF-secondary ion mass spectrometry images

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) enables chemically imaging the distributions of various lipid species in model membranes. However, discriminating the TOF-SIMS data of structurally similar lipids is very difficult because the high intensity, low mass fragment ions needed to achieve submicrometer lateral resolution are common to multiple lipid species. Here, we demonstrate that principal component analysis (PCA) can discriminate the TOF-SIMS spectra of four unlabeled saturated phosphatidylcholine species, 1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DLPC), 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC), 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC), and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC) according to variations in the intensities of their low mass fragment ions (m/z ≤ 200). PCA of TOF-SIMS images of phase-separated DSPC/DLPC and DPPC/DLPC membranes enabled visualizing the distributions of each phosphatidylcholine species with higher contrast and specificity than that of individual TOF-SIMS ion images. Comparison of the principal component (PC) scores images to atomic force microscopy (AFM) images acquired at the same membrane location before TOF-SIMS analysis confirmed that the PC scores images reveal the phase-separated membrane domains. The lipid composition within these domains was identified by projection of their TOF-SIMS spectra onto PC models developed using pure lipid standards. This approach may enable the identification and chemical imaging of structurally similar lipid species within more complex membranes.     

Electrophysiological correlates of emotional responding in schizophrenia.

People with schizophrenia consistently report normal levels of pleasant emotion when exposed to evocative stimuli, suggesting intact consummatory pleasure. However, little is known about the neural correlates and time course of emotion in schizophrenia. This study used a well-validated affective picture viewing task that elicits a characteristic pattern of event-related potentials (ERPs) from early to later processing stages (i.e., P1, P2, P3, and late positive potentials [LPPs]). Thirty-eight stabilized outpatients with schizophrenia and 36 healthy controls viewed standardized pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral pictures while ERPs were recorded and subsequently rated their emotional responses to the stimuli. Patients and controls responded to the pictures similarly in terms of their valence ratings, as well as the initial ERP components (P1, P2, and P3). However, at the later LPP component (500–1,000 ms), patients displayed diminished electrophysiological discrimination between pleasant versus neutral stimuli. This pattern suggests that patients demonstrated normal self-reported emotional experience and intact initial sensory processing of and resource allocation to emotional stimuli. However, they showed a disruption in a later component associated with sustained attentional processing of emotional stimuli. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Tobacco use moderates the association between major depression and obesity.

Objective: Based on a maladaptive coping explanation, the relationship between major depression (MD) and obesity could be strong among nonsmokers, who may engage in unhealthy eating and sedentary behavior to cope with depression. By contrast, the MD-obesity association could be weak among smokers, who can use tobacco (instead of food or sedentary behavior) to cope with mood symptoms. This study examined smoking status and tobacco dependence as moderators of the MD-obesity link. Design: Correlational, cross-sectional population-based survey of 41,654 U.S. adults. Main Outcome Measures: Obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m2) and quantitative BMI value. Results: Current smoking status moderated the association between past-year MD and current obesity, as well as the link between MD and BMI value (ps ≤ .0001). MD predicted obesity and BMI among nonsmokers (ps ps ≥ .10). Similar findings emerged with tobacco dependence as the moderator. Each finding persisted after accounting for demographics, psychiatric variables, and potential confounds. Conclusion: Tobacco use characteristics appear to moderate the MD-obesity association in the U.S. population. These findings may shed light on the mechanisms linking MD and obesity and have implications for identifying which individuals may benefit most from obesity interventions that target depressive symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Post-concussive symptoms in children with mild traumatic brain injury.

To investigate postconcussive symptoms (PCS) following pediatric mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), 8- to 15-year-old children with mTBI (n = 186) and a comparison group with uncomplicated orthopedic injuries (OI, n = 99) were recruited from two emergency departments. Parent and child ratings of PCS and symptom counts were obtained within 3 weeks after injury (baseline) and at 1, 3, and 12 months postinjury. The mTBI group also completed magnetic resonance imaging at baseline. Group differences were examined using growth modeling, controlling for age at injury, sex, socioeconomic status, and (for parent-based measures) preinjury symptom levels. Relative to the OI group, the mTBI group had higher ratings of somatic PCS and parent counts of PCS at the initial assessments, but higher parent ratings of cognitive PCS and child counts of PCS throughout follow-up. Higher levels of PCS in the mTBI group were associated with motor-vehicle-related trauma, loss of consciousness, neuroimaging abnormalities, and hospitalization. The findings validate both transient and persistent PCS in children with mTBI and document associations of symptoms with injury and noninjury factors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychological care for persons of diverse religions: A collaborative continuum.

The purpose of this paper is to describe to psychologists and other clinicians a continuum of mental health care for persons of diverse religions. The continuum delineates boundaries between clinical care provided by mental health professionals and religious care provided by clergy, as well as describes pathways of collaboration across these boundaries. A prevention science based model of Clergy Outreach and Professional Engagement (COPE) is offered to guide this collaboration. The model describes a continuum that moves from the care already present in religious communities, through professional clinical care provided in response to dysfunction and returns persons to their own spiritual communities. One challenge for clinicians is that in addition to a wide diversity of beliefs and practices across religions, there is great ethnic diversity within religions. These diversities are reflected in varied correlations with mental health outcomes. Therefore, we recommend that clinicians assess religious beliefs and their cultural variations when designing religious inclusive psychotherapy specific to the client. There are ethical concerns as to the place of religion in clinical care. The “Resolution on Religious, Religion-Based and/or Religion-Derived Prejudice” adopted by the American Psychological Association has stated that it is not the role of professional psychologists to be spiritual guides. Through spiritual assessment of clients and strategic collaboration with religious leaders via COPE, mental health professionals can focus their efforts on clinical care that respects and incorporates the religious views of clients and does not attempt to recreate the lived religions of the clients' communities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

船用柴油机烟气余热ORC系统的热力性能分析

对采用不同换热器配置的有机朗肯循环(ORC)系统进行了分析,理论分析结果表明:在柴油机烟气余热ORC系统所有部件之中,蒸发器的损失最大;通过增加预热器或回热器能进一步提高热源的利用率,但同时系统的损失和成本增加。为此对影响ORC系统性能的关键因素进行优化设计:使蒸发器过热度和冷凝器的过冷度取1~2℃;并尽可能提高膨胀机的膨胀比和内效率。试验结果表明:ORC试验系统理论热效率5.7%,实际热效率5.3%,引起偏差的主要原因是膨胀机实际容积效率低于理论值,实际机械消耗大于理论值,且系统混入的不凝气也对系统造成影响。新开发的低温烟气余热ORC系统的设计方法,实现了对烟气余热ORC系统的优化配置,为船舶柴油机烟气余热利用提供了一种切实可行的解决方案。     

Associations between the general condition of culled dairy cows and selling price at Ontario auction markets

Dairy cows are culled from the herd for a variety of reasons, the most common being fertility problems, low milk production, or udder problems. Disease and injury can contribute to the decision to cull either directly, or indirectly, by causing fertility or production problems, leading to culling. Disease or injury may also affect the cow's ability to handle the stress of transportation and may increase the risk for reduced welfare. The purpose of this study was to determine the general condition of culled dairy cows sold at Ontario auction markets, to quantify the frequency of culled cows in poor condition sold at these auctions, and to determine how this relates to the sale price of the cow. Data were collected on 4,460 culled dairy cows, sold at 3 Ontario auction markets, over a continuous 16-wk study period. Observers assessed the general condition of dairy cows entering the sales ring by recording each individual cow's hock injury score, body condition score (BCS), gait score, and tail score, in accordance with 2017 Canadian proAction Animal Care guidelines. Each cow's body weight, breed, and sale price were also recorded. Results showed that 27.2% of culled cows scored had unacceptable hock injuries, 40.5% had a BCS ≤2, 72.7% had an abnormal gait, and 12.5% had docked tails. Culled cows with a BCS ≤2 sold for $0.20 less/kg compared with those with a BCS >2, which equated to an overall average loss of $117 per cow. Cows with an abnormal gait sold for $0.05 less/kg compared with culled cows with a normal gait, which equated to an overall average loss of $32.45 per cow. There was no difference in the sale price depending on hock injury score or the presence or absence of a full tail. The main issues identified in this study were the high prevalence of low body condition and abnormal gait, indicating that the welfare of these cows may be at risk. Additionally, cows with low BCS or abnormal gait sold for a lower price compared with cows that were in good condition, leading to reduced potential profit for the producer.     

Clinical trial of local anesthetic protocols for acute pain associated with caustic paste disbudding in dairy calves

Caustic paste disbudding is becoming more commonplace in North America. A large body of work has examined pain control for cautery disbudding and surgical dehorning, but fewer studies have evaluated pain control for caustic paste disbudding, and results conflict regarding benefits of local anesthesia. In humans, the pain associated with a caustic, chemical burn can differ in nature, duration, and intensity compared with a thermal burn. The objective of this clinical trial was to evaluate the effects of either a lidocaine cornual nerve block or a topical anesthetic incorporated into caustic paste on the acute pain of caustic paste disbudding. Seventy-two Holstein-Friesian calves housed in groups with an automated milk feeder were enrolled into 18 replicates balanced on age and assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: sham (S), placebo paste and a saline cornual block; topical (T), a novel caustic paste containing lidocaine and prilocaine, and a saline cornual block; cornual block (B), commercial caustic paste and a lidocaine cornual nerve block; and positive (P), commercial caustic paste and a saline cornual block. All calves received 0.5 mg/kg of meloxicam SC at the time of the block. Researchers were blinded to treatment group. Primary outcomes were validated pain behavior responses and pain sensitivity measured by algometry. Secondary outcomes consisted of respiratory and heart rate, latency to approach the evaluator, play behavior, feeding behavior, and standing and lying bout characteristics. Data were analyzed using linear, Poisson, and negative binomial regression models. Cornual-blocked calves had less pain sensitivity to 180 min after disbudding than all other groups; T and P calves had more pain sensitivity than S calves for the same time period. Compared with T and P calves, B and S calves had fewer pain behaviors until 120 min postdisbudding, decreased respiratory and heart rates, and a shorter latency to feed. The S calves exhibited more play behavior than other groups. Caustic paste appears to be acutely painful for at least 180 min, and this is reduced by a cornual nerve block but not by our novel paste. Because caustic paste may result in a different pain experience than cautery, use of a variety of metrics assessing affective state, physiologic responses, and normal behaviors, such as feeding and lying, should be included into future trials to help assess the welfare of calves disbudded by this method. We recommend that calves disbudded with caustic paste receive local anesthetic with a cornual nerve block as well as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug to mitigate acute pain.