Influence of brain-derived neurotrophic factor val66met human polymorphism on declarative memory consolidation

Poster (2010, November 15)

The Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin which in the adult brain regulates long-term potentiation. In humans, valine (val) to methionine (met) substitution in the 5’ pro-region of ... [more ▼]

The Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin which in the adult brain regulates long-term potentiation. In humans, valine (val) to methionine (met) substitution in the 5’ pro-region of the BDNF protein is associated with poorer episodic memory. Neurons transfected with met-BDNF-Green Fluorescence Protein showed lower depolarization-induced secretion, while constitutive secretion is unchanged. Here, we hypothesized that the differences in BDNF release determined by this polymorphism would influence memory consolidation and that in comparison with the val/met (=val/met or met/met), val/val individuals would show higher memory performance and different brain responses during a 16h-delayed rather than immediate retrieval session. Participants encoded a series of neutral faces in the afternoon. Retrieval sessions took place one hour after the encoding session, and in the following morning, during the acquisition of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) time series with a 3 Tesla Allegra scanner. During retrieval, studied faces and new ones were presented in random order. For each stimulus, the subjects indicated whether they could retrieve the encoding episode with (“Remember”), or without details (“Know”), or if they thought the item had not been presented during encoding (“New”). A repeated-measure ANOVA on discrimination index (d’) showed significant effects of group (F(1, 27)=8.65, p=0.007, n(val/val)=14, n(val/met)=15) and session (F(1, 27)=24.64, p=0.000), although the group by session interaction was not significant (F(1, 27)=1.29, p=0.267). fMRI results showed a significant genotype (val/val > val/met) by session (delayed > immediate retrieval) by memory type (Remember > Know) interaction in the right inferior occipital gyrus (x=42, y=-78, z=0, p=0.004, Z=3.77), the left inferior parietal lobule (x=-56, y=-40, z=48, p=0.013, Z=3.43), the posterior cingulate cortex (x=14, y=-42, z=42, p=0.019, Z=3.29) and the right hippocampus (x=28, y=-22, z=-22, p=0.03, Z=3.11). Val/val individuals demonstrate higher memory performance than met-carriers but the change in memory performance between immediate and delayed retests is similar in both allelic groups. In contrast, neural correlates of recollection change between sessions differently according to genotype: responses increase significantly more in val/val than in val/met individuals in brain areas involved in the retrieval, accumulation and binding of perceptual memory details during delayed, relative to immediate retest. These data suggest that activity-dependent BDNF release promotes memory consolidation during the first post-training hours. [less ▲]

Influence of breathing pattern and lung inflation on impulse oscillometry measurements in horses.

in Veterinary Journal (2004), 168(3), 259-69

The objective of this paper was to determine if changes in ventilation patterns could influence the outcome of respiratory function measurements performed with our impulse oscillometry system (IOS) in ... [more ▼]

The objective of this paper was to determine if changes in ventilation patterns could influence the outcome of respiratory function measurements performed with our impulse oscillometry system (IOS) in horses. In a first study, IOS tests were performed in vitro on six isolated equine lungs. Lung inflation levels were controlled by modifying depressurisation inside an artificial thorax and different ventilation patterns were imposed. In a second in vivo study, transient variations in breathing pattern were evaluated both with the IOS and a current reference technique (CRT) in five healthy mature horses after an intravenous (i.v.) injection of lobeline hydrochloride. In both studies, respiratory rate (RR, range: 7-42 breaths/min.) and tidal volume (V(T), range: 0.4-25 L) had minor or no influence on IOS parameters. The influence of lung inflation, most marked for resistance at 5 Hz (R(5 Hz)), was limited for the considered physiological range. In vivo, statistical models indicated that maximal changes in pleural pressure (Max Delta Ppl) and peak flows were the main determinants of the variability of the resistance (R(rs)) and the reactance (X(rs)) of the respiratory system. The fourfold increase in baseline Max Delta Ppl and peak flows obtained during hyperpnoea caused a significant increase in R(rs) at 5 and 10 Hz and a decrease in X(rs) at all frequencies. We conclude that IOS parameters are not influenced by tachypnoea, but will reflect alterations in respiratory mechanics caused by hyperpnoeic breathing [less ▲]

Influence of breed, diet and muscle on the fatty acid content in meat from young finished bulls

in Indicators of milk and beef quality (2005)

Influence of Buprenorphine on the European Rabbit's (Oryctolagus cuniculus) gastro-intestinal motility

Conference (2013, April 23)

The influence of canine obesity on endocrine and clinical pathology parameters

in Proceedings of the ACVP 58th Annual Meeting (2007)

Influence of carbon xerogel textural properties on the dynamic adsorption of methyl iodide

in Chemical Engineering Journal (2011), 173(1), 19-28

X-ray microtomography coupled to image analysis has been used to study the influence of the adsorbent pore texture and the experimental conditions on the dynamic adsorption of methyl iodide in packed ... [more ▼]

X-ray microtomography coupled to image analysis has been used to study the influence of the adsorbent pore texture and the experimental conditions on the dynamic adsorption of methyl iodide in packed filters. By applying this imaging technique the internal axial adsorption profiles for increasing exposure times to the gas stream are analysed. This experimental technique establishes a new technology to study in situ the dynamic adsorption of volatile compounds. Resorcinol-formaldehyde based carbon xerogels have been used as adsorbents, as their pore texture can be tuned by changing the synthesis conditions. The textural characteristics of the adsorbents (surface areas and pore volumes) have been assessed by using nitrogen and carbon dioxide adsorption as well as mercury porosimetry. The methyl iodide dynamic adsorption results show that, for the same gas flow rate and CH3I inlet concentration, the adsorbed amount is highly dependent on large pore volumes. Thus, samples with almost the same micropore volumes (adsorption volumes) have different methyl iodide adsorption capacities, which are related to, the above mentioned, large pores. The influence of both the gas carrier flow rate and the methyl iodide inlet concentration on the adsorption can be explained using the so-called linear driving force model. This approach takes into account the fact that internal transport limitations are directly related to the pore texture. Moreover, the simulation of the dynamic adsorption process has allowed relating the simulated axial concentration profiles to the experimental X-ray microtomography data. [less ▲]

Influence of chemical composition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of multiphase TRIP-assisted steels, processed using thermal cycles compatible with continuous hot-dip galvanizing

in Proceedings of the MS&T'06 Conference (2006, October)

Multiphase TRIP-assisted steels are particularly interesting for the automotive industry, as they exhibit an exceptional strength-ductility balance due to the combination of a multiphase microstructure ... [more ▼]

Multiphase TRIP-assisted steels are particularly interesting for the automotive industry, as they exhibit an exceptional strength-ductility balance due to the combination of a multiphase microstructure and the mechanically-induced transformation of metastable austenite to martensite (i.e. the TRIP effect). The multiphase microstructure - and the retention of metastable austenite - is achieved through the combination of appropriate chemistry and heat treatment conditions, i.e. an intercritical anneal followed by an isothermal dwell in the temperature range for bainite formation. The present work focuses mainly on the effect of heat treatment conditions that are compatible with CGL process, i.e. a high bainitic dwell temperature, on the microstructure and mechanical properties of two TRIP-assisted steel grades differing by their silicon and aluminium contents. It has thus been established that it seems easier to retain austenite when Si is replaced by Al, and more particularly that it was possible to retain a significant amount of austenite in a mixed 0.5Al-1.0Si grade, and hence to observe a TRIP effect. On the other hand, a Si-alloyed grade did not exhibit a significant retention of austenite, possibly due to carbide precipitation. It has also be seen that the intercritical annealing temperature has a strong influence on the amount of austenite that can ultimately be retained after the bainitic dwell, possibly by affecting the C content in the intercritical austenite. [less ▲]

Influence of chloride and phosphate on the binding of oxygen to canine and feline red blood cells

in Pflügers Archiv : European Journal of Physiology (2004), 447

Influence of cisplatin-use, age, performance status and duration of chemotherapy on symptom control in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: detailed symptom analysis of a randomised study comparing cisplatin-vindesine to gemcitabine

in Lung Cancer (2003), 40(2), 191-199

Background: We previously reported that treatment of patients with symptomatic advanced non-small cell lung cancer with single agent Gemcitabine (GEM) resulted in a superior clinical-benefit response rate ... [more ▼]

Background: We previously reported that treatment of patients with symptomatic advanced non-small cell lung cancer with single agent Gemcitabine (GEM) resulted in a superior clinical-benefit response rate (RR) compared to cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy. We now report the detailed individual symptom control analysis, and the influence of cisplatin-use, age, performance status (PS) and duration of treatment. Patients and methods: Patients received either GEM (1000 mg/m(2), days 1, 8 and 15) or cisplatin (100 mg/m(2), day 1) plus Vindesine (3 mg/m(2), days 1 and 15) (PV), both every 4 weeks. Scores of 9 symptoms were listed weekly by the patient on visual analogue scales. Improvement of a symptom was defined as 2 consecutive cycles of improvement over baseline. Results: Baseline symptoms in the 169 patients were well balanced between the 2 arms (84 GEM, 85 PV). Both patients with objective response and disease stabilisation had clearly better symptom control than those with disease progression. Symptom control in both arms was similar for 'disease-specific' symptoms such as cough, dyspnea, pain or haemoptysis. Compared to PV, a significantly larger number of GEM-patients had better scores for 'constitutional' items such as anorexia (P = 0.007), ability to carry on with daily activities (P = 0.04) and overall impression of quality-of-life (P = 0.008). Symptom control was very similar in younger (< 65 years) versus older (> 65 years) patients, and only slightly better in those with a Karnofsky PS greater than or equal to 80% compared to those < 80%. Most of the symptom improvement occurred in the first 3 cycles, with some further symptom improvement in the following cycles in the GEM-arm only. Conclusions: Both GEM and PV yield a symptom control rate much higher than expected by the objective tumour RR. GEM is equally effective in controlling 'disease-specific' symptoms, but superior in controlling 'constitutional' symptoms. Most of the symptom control was achieved during the first 3 cycles of treatment, with some further improvement thereafter in the GEM-arm only. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Influence of clay in limestone fillers for self compacting cement based composites

in Construction & Building Materials (2011), 25

High workability together with a good resistance to segregation is needed for cement based composites, specifically fresh Self-Compacting Mortars (SCM); in this prospect, the amount of coarse materials ... [more ▼]

High workability together with a good resistance to segregation is needed for cement based composites, specifically fresh Self-Compacting Mortars (SCM); in this prospect, the amount of coarse materials has to be reduced and replaced by fine material. Several limestone fillers are here compared and analysed. These by-products are issued from different industrial sectors, such as the aggregate and lime production industry (quarrying operations) and the ornamental stones industry (sawing operations). Particular attention has been paid to clay content, as consistency of fresh mortars was varying, while other physical characteristics like granulometry remained the same. Relationship between the physico-chemical properties of the fillers and the properties of fresh and hardened mortars are brought forward. Even if it may affect fresh properties of mortars, results clearly show that clay type and content has minor influence than limestone filler itself. [less ▲]