Abnormal volumetric brain morphometry and cerebral blood flow in adolescents with depression

BACKGROUND Prior research has demonstrated that the brains of adolescents with depression exhibit distinct structural alterations.However,preliminary studies have documented the pathophysiological changes in certain brain regions,such as the cerebellum,highlighting a need for further research to support the current understanding of this disease.AIM To study brain changes in depressed adolescents.METHODS This study enrolled 34 adolescents with depression and 34 age-,sex-,and education-level-matched healthy control(HC)individuals.Structural and functional alterations were identified when comparing the brains of these two participant groups through voxel-based morphometry and cerebral blood flow(CBF)analysis,respectively.Associations between identified brain alterations and the severity of depressive symptoms were explored through Pearson correlation analyses.RESULTS The cerebellum,superior frontal gyrus,cingulate gyrus,pallidum,middle frontal gyrus,angular gyrus,thalamus,precentral gyrus,inferior temporal gyrus,superior temporal gyrus,inferior frontal gyrus,and supplementary motor areas of adolescents with depression showed an increase in brain volume compared to HC individuals.These patients with depression further presented with a pronounced drop in CBF in the left pallidum(group=98,and peak t=-4.4324),together with increased CBF in the right percental gyrus(PerCG)(group=90,and peak t=4.5382).In addition,17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores were significantly correlated with the increased volume in the opercular portion of the left inferior frontal gyrus(r=-0.5231,P<0.01).CONCLUSION The right PerCG showed structural and CBF changes,indicating that research on this part of the brain could offer insight into the pathophysiological causes of impaired cognition.

Impact of Multifidus Muscle Morphometry on the Clinical Evolution of Chronic Low Back Pain

Purpose: The multifidus muscle is an important extensor muscle of the lumbar spine. It plays a major role in the stability and realization of axial rotation movements of the thoraco-lumbar spine. Its atrophy by fatty degeneration would be at the origin of the occurrence of chronic low back pain which constitutes a public health problem in Senegal. Taking into account its anatomy is essential for the etiopathogenic analysis and the treatment of low back pain. The purpose of our work was to investigate the impact of multifidus muscle morphometry on the anatomy-clinical evolution of low back pain. Material and method: this was a prospective study over a period of 30 months from November 2019 to May 2022. It involved 100 patients seen in the neurology department of Fann Hospital for chronic low back pain and who had already had a scanner falling within the criteria for low back pain. We used 3D Slicer, SPSS 20, Excel 2016 software to model and analyze the morphometric data of the multifidus muscle after physiotherapy and control lumbar scans. Results: The sex ratio was 2.23. The average age of the patients was 45 ± 7 years. On the initial CT scan, according to the Hadar classification, we noted a predominance of grade 2 with 56% in L5/S1, followed by grade 1 with 32% and grade 3 with 14%. In L4/L5, the majority of patients, 67%, had grade 1. A conflicting circumferential disc bulge with the roots predominating in L5/S1 was present in 94% of men (p-value = 0.02). Before physiotherapy, the average volume of the multifidus was 193 mm3 ± 39, after physiotherapy it was 203 mm3 ± 42 with a progression rate of 5.2%. Clinically, severe type pain had regressed from 86% before physiotherapy to 0% after physiotherapy (p-value = 0.03). Conclusion: Taking into account the morphometry of the multifidus is an essential element in the management of chronic low back pain.

Bull spermatozoa selected by thermotaxis exhibit high DNA integrity,specific head morphometry,and improve ICSI outcome

Background Sperm migration by thermotaxis is a guidance mechanism that operates along the oviduct and it has proved to be a valid method for selecting spermatozoa with low DNA fragmentation(SDF)in mice,humans,and stallions.This study aimed to analyse if bull spermatozoa could be selected by thermotaxis and to assess their quality in terms of SDF as well as determine the presence of a specific sperm subpopulation based on sperm morphometry and assess their fertilizing capacity by ICSI.Methods We used frozen-thawed sperm from 6 bulls and sperm selection by thermotaxis was performed with TALP medium supplemented with 25 mmol/L of HEPES and 5 mmol/L of caffeine.In these conditions,sperm selection was achieved,obtaining a net thermotaxis of 3.6%.Subsequently,we analysed the SDF of the migrated and not-migrated spermatozoa using the neutral COMET assay,and we evaluated the size of the sperm head using Hemacolor■ staining with Motic Images Plus 3 software.Additionally,migrated and not-migrated spermatozoa by thermotaxis were used to fertilize bovine in vitro matured(IVM)oocytes by ICSI,a very inefficient procedure in cattle that is only successful when the oocyte is artificially activated.Results The results showed lower SDF(χ^(2),P<0.001,13.3%reduction,n=8)and lower head size parameters(length and width,P<0.01;and perimeter and area,P<0.001;n=4)in those spermatozoa migrated in comparison to those not-migrated.The distribution of sperm subpopulations structure varied between groups,highlighting cluster 2,characterized by spermatozoa with small head size,and high ellipticity and elongated heads,as the most abundant in the thermotaxis migrated group.When performed ICSI(without oocyte artificial activation)with the thermotactic sperm,the blastocyst rate was 32.2%±9.3%in the group microinjected with the thermotactic spermatozoa vs.8.3%±7.8%in the group of not-migrated sperm(χ^(2),P<0.05).Conclusion Our results showed that bull sperm selection by thermotaxis has a much higher DNA integrity,small and elongated head size parameters,and different sperm subpopulation structure than the not-selected spermatozoa.Additionally,we evidenced that thermotactic spermatozoa improve ICSI success rates.

延髓发病型及脊髓发病型肌萎缩侧索硬化症脑部磁共振结构特征变化（英文）

To investigate cerebral structural signatures of the bulbar-and spinal-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS)using voxel-based morphometry on magnetic resonance imaging.Methods The MR structural images of the brain were obtained from 65 ALS patients(15 bulbar-onset,50 spinalonset)and 65 normal controls(NC)on a 3.0T MRI system.Gray matter(GM)volume changes were investigated by voxel-based morphometry,and the distribution of the brain regions with volume changes was compared between ALS and normal controls,as well as between bulbar-onset and spinal-onset ALS based on Neuromorphometrics atlas.Results On voxel-level the decreased volume of brain regions in ALS patients was located in the right precentral gyrus(rPrcGy)and right middle frontal gyrus compared with that in NC.The bulbar-onset ALS presented extramotor cortex atrophy(fronto-temporal pattern),including left medial orbital gyrus,left inferior temporal gyrus and right middle temporal gyrus;the spinal-onset ALS suffered from motor cortex atrophy(rPrcGy dominance)and extra-motor cortex atrophy(fronto-temporal and extra-fronto-temporal pattern)compared with NC.The spinal-onset ALS featured by GM volume loss of left postcentral gyrus and bulbar-onset ALS featured by GM volume loss of left middle temporal gyrus compared with each other.Conclusions The asymmetric GM atrophy of the motor cortex and extra-motor cortex represents the common MRI structural signatures of spinal-onset ALS,and sole extra-motor cortex atrophy represents the structural signatures of bulbar-onset ALS.The present study also demonstrated that the pattern of GM damage is likely to distribute wider in spinal-onset ALS than in bulbar-onset ALS.

Computed morphometric analysis and expression of alpha fetoprotein in hepatocellular carcinoma and its related lesion

INTRODUCTION Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is closely relatedwith hepatitis and cirrhosis.In order to investigatethe pathogenesis and early pathologic diagnosis ofHCC,HCC and related lesions were analyzedqualitively and quantitively by automatic imageanalysor and immunohistochemical assay.

Histological changes of the testis and epididymis in adult rats as a result of Leydig cell destruction after ethane dimethane sulfonate treatment： a morphometric study

Aim： To quantitatively study the histological changes of the testis and epididymis as a result of a drastic reduction of testosterone secretion. Methods： Fourteen adult Sprague-Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally with ethane dimethane sulfonate （EDS, 75 mg/kg） and the same number of animals were injected with normal saline as a control. At days 7 and 12 （after treatment）, respectively, half of the animals from each group were killed. The testes and epididymides were removed and tissue blocks embedded in methacrylate resin. The cell number per testis was estimated using the stereological optical disector and some other parameters were obtained using other morphometric methods. Results： The EDS treatment resulted in an almost complete elimination of Leydig cells but had no effect on the numbers of Sertoli cells per testis. At day 7 after EDS treatment, many elongated spermatids were retained in the seminiferous epithelium and many round spermatids could be seen in the epididymal ducts. At day 12, a looser arrangement of spermatids and spermatocytes became evident, with apparent narrow empty spaces being formed between germ cells in an approximately radial direction towards the tubule lumen; the numbers （per testis） of non-type B spermatogonia and spermatocytes were similar to controls, whereas that of type B spermatogonia increased by 59%, and that of early round, elongating and late elongated spermatids decreased by 37%, 72% and 52%, respectively. Conclusion： The primary spermatogenic lesions following EDS administration were （i） spermiation failure and （ii） detachment of spermatids and spermatocytes associated with impairment in spermiogenesis and meiosis.

Regional gray matter abnormality in hepatic myelopathy patients after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: a voxel-based morphometry study

Hepatic myelopathy is a complication seen in patients with chronic liver failure with physiologic or iatrogenic portosystemic shunting. The main symptom is progressive lower limb dyskinesia. The role of the brain motor control center in hepatic myelopathy is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the gray matter changes in patients with hepatic myelopathy secondary to transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and to examine their clinical relevance. This was a cross-sectional study. Twenty-three liver failure patients with hepatic myelopathy(hepatic myelopathy group), 23 liver failure patients without hepatic myelopathy(non-hepatic myelopathy group) after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, and 23 demographically matched healthy volunteers were enrolled from March 2014 to November 2016 at Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University(Fourth Military Medical University), China. High-resolution magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo brain imaging was acquired. Group differences in regional gray matter were assessed using voxel-based morphometry analysis. The relationship between aberrant gray matter and motor characteristics was investigated. Results demonstrated that compared with the non-hepatic myelopathy group, gray matter volume abnormalities were asymmetric, with decreased volume in the left insula(P = 0.003), left thalamus(P = 0.029), left superior frontal gyrus(P = 0.006), and right middle cingulate cortex(P = 0.021), and increased volume in the right caudate nucleus(P = 0.017), corrected with open-source software. The volume of the right caudate nucleus in the hepatic myelopathy group negatively correlated with the lower limb clinical rating of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment(r = –0.53, P = 0.01). Compared with healthy controls, patients with and without hepatic myelopathy exhibited overall increased gray matter volume in both thalami, and decreased gray matter volume in both putamen, as well as in the globus pallidus, cerebellum, and vermis. The gray matter abnormalities we found predominantly involved motor-related regions, and may be associated with motor dysfunction. An enlarged right caudate nucleus might help to predict weak lower limb motor performance in patients with preclinical hepatic myelopathy after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University(Fourth Military Medical University), China(approval No. 20140227-6) on February 27, 2014.

Transient elastography compared to liver biopsy and morphometry for predicting fibrosis in pediatric chronic liver disease: Does etiology matter?

AIM: To evaluate transient elastography(TE) as a noninvasive tool in staging liver fibrosis compared with liver biopsy and morphometry in children with different chronic liver diseases.METHODS: A total of 90 children [50 with chronic hepatitis C virus(HCV), 20 with autoimmune hepatitis(AIH) and 20 with Wilson disease] were included in the study and underwent liver stiffness measurement(LSM) using TE. Liver biopsies were evaluated for fibrosis, qualitatively, by Ishak score and quantitatively by fibrosis area fraction(FAF) using digital image analysis(morphometry). LSM was correlated with fibrosis and other studied variables using spearman correlation. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was alsoperformed to examine independent factors associated with LSM. Different cut-off values of LSM were calculated for predicting individual fibrosis stages using receiveroperating characteristic curve. Cut-off values with optimal clinical performance(optimal sensitivity and specificity simultaneously) were selected.RESULTS: The majority of HCV group had minimal activity(80%) and no/mild fibrosis(72%). On the other hand, the majority of AIH group had mild to moderate activity(70%) and moderate to severe fibrosis(95%) and all Wilson disease group had mild to moderate activity(100%) and moderate to severe fibrosis(100%). LSM correlated significantly with both FAF and Ishak scores and the correlation appeared better with the latter(r = 0.839 vs 0.879, P < 0.0001 for both). LSM discriminated individual stages of fibrosis with high performance. Sensitivity ranged from 81.4% to 100% and specificity ranged from 75.0% to 97.2%. When we compared LSM values for the same stage of fibrosis, they varied according to the different etiologies. Higher values were in AIH(16.15 ± 7.23 k Pa) compared to Wilson disease(8.30 ± 0.84 k Pa) and HCV groups(7.43 ± 1.73 k Pa). Multiple regression analysis revealed that Ishak fibrosis stage was the only independent variable associated with higher LSM(P < 0.0001).CONCLUSION: TE appears reliable in distinguishing different stages of liver fibrosis in children. However, its values vary according to the disease type. For that, a disease-specific estimation of cut-off values for fibrosis staging is worthy.

Changes of brain gray matter structure in Parkinson's disease patients with dementia

Voxel-based morphometry is gaining considerable interest for studies examining Parkinson＇s disease dementia patients. In this study, 12 patients with clinically defined Parkinson＇s disease and dementia and 12 non-demented patients with Parkinson＇s disease were examined using a T1WI three-dimensional fast spoiled gradient echo sequence. Gray matter data were analyzed using a voxel-based morphometry method and independent sample t-test based on Statistical Parametric Mapping 5 software. Differences in gray matter volume were represented with statistical parametric mapping. Compared with Parkinson＇s disease patients without dementia, decreased gray matter volume in Parkinson＇s disease dementia patients was observed in the bilateral superior temporal gyrus, bilateral posterior cingulate and left cingulate gyrus, right parahippocampal gyrus and hippocampus, right precuneus and right cuneus, left inferior frontal gyrus and left insular lobe. No increased gray matter volume was apparent. These data indicate that gray matter atrophy in the limbic system and cerebral neocortex is related to the presence of dementia.

Effect of dietary supplementation with yeast cell wall extracts on performance and gut response in broiler chickens

Background:The dietary supplementation of yeast cell wall extracts(YCW)has been found to reduce pathogenic bacteria load,promote immunoglobulin production,prevent diseases by pro-inflammatory responses,and alter gut microbiota composition.This study evaluated growth and slaughter results,health,gut morphology,immune status and gut transcriptome of 576 male chickens fed two diets,i.e.C(control)or Y(with 250–500 g/t of YCW fractions according to the growth period).At 21 and 42 d the jejunum of 12 chickens per diet were sampled and stained with hematoxylin/eosin for morphometric evaluation,with Alcian-PAS for goblet cells,and antibodies against CD3+intraepithelial T-cells and CD45+intraepithelial leukocytes.The jejunum sampled at 42 d were also used for wholetranscriptome profiling.Results:Dietary YCW supplementation did not affect final live weight,whereas it decreased feed intake(114 to 111 g/d;P≤0.10)and improved feed conversion(1.74 to 1.70;P≤0.01).Regarding the gut,YCW supplementation tended to increase villi height(P=0.07);it also increased the number of goblet cells and reduced the density of CD45+cells compared to diet C(P<0.001).In the gut transcriptome,four genes were expressed more in broilers fed diet Y compared to diet C,i.e.cytochrome P450,family 2,subfamily C,polypeptide 23b(CYP2C23B),tetratricopeptide repeat domain 9(TTC9),basic helix-loop-helix family member e41(BHLHE41),and the metalloreductase STEAP4.Only one gene set(HES_PATHWAY)was significantly enriched among the transcripts more expressed in broilers fed diet Y.However,a total of 41 gene sets were significantly over-represented among genes up-regulated in control broilers.Notably,several enriched gene sets are implicated in immune functions and related to NF-κB signaling,apoptosis,and interferon signals.Conclusions:The dietary YCW supplementation improved broiler growth performance,increased gut glycoconjugate secretion and reduced the inflammatory status together with differences in the gut transcriptome,which can be considered useful to improve animal welfare and health under the challenging conditions of intensive rearing systems in broiler chickens.

Differences in brain structure in patients with distinct sites of chronic pain:A voxel-based morphometric analysis

A reduction in gray matter volume is common in patients with chronic back pain, and different types of pain are associated with gray matter abnormalities in distinct brain regions. To examine differ- ences in brain morphology in patients with low back pain or neck and upper back pain, we investi- gated changes in gray matter volume in chronic back pain patients having different sites of pain using voxel-based morphometry. A reduction in cortical gray matter volume was found primarily in the left postcentral gyrus and in the left precuneus and bilateral cuneal cortex of patients with low back pain. In these patients, there was an increase in subcortical gray matter volume in the bilateral putamen and accumbens, right pallidum, right caudate nucleus, and left amygdala. In upper back pain patients, reduced cortical gray matter volume was found in the left precentral and left postcen- tral cortices. Our findings suggest that regional gray matter volume abnormalities in low back pain patients are more extensive than in upper back pain patients. Subcortical gray matter volume in- creases are found only in patients with low back pain.

Long-term effect of vasectomy on spermatogenesis in ,en： a morphometric study

Spermatogenic damage may occur after vasectomy, and the damage is pressure mediated, occurring when the occluded reproductive tract is unable to accommodate additional sperm produced by the testis. This study aimed to determine the long-term effect of vasectomy on spermatogenesis in humans and clarify how the balance between sperm production in the testis and sperm storage in or removal from the tract might be maintained. During inguinal hernia repair, an open biopsy was performed to obtain testicular tissue blocks from 51 Chinese men （aged ≥ 50 years）, of whom 25 （control group） had not undergone vasectomy and 26 （vasectomized group） had undergone bilateral vasectomy 22-42 years before. Methacrylate resin-embedded testicular sections were made, and morphometric studies were performed using light microscopy. In addition, sizes of the testis and epididymis were estimated with ultrasonography. The testicular tissue blocks obtained from one control and seven vasectomized men consisted almost completely of connective tissue. In the other 43 men, significant differences were not found between the two groups in the testicular or epididymal size, qualitative histology or quantitative parameters including the mean diameter or volume fraction of the seminiferous tubules. In conclusion, sperm production and sperm storage/removal reached a static equilibrium after vasectomy, likely due to spermatogenic degeneration or less sperm production as a result of aging or due to vasectomy-induced testicular （interstitial） fibrosis. Thus, complications that might occur in association with overproduction of sperm and distension of the tract would disappear or be relieved with time.

Comparative Morphology and Morphometry of Six Biotypes of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) from China

Morphology and morphometry of six biotypes （B, Q, Cv, ZHJ-1, ZHJ-2 and ZHJ-3） of Bemisia tabaci （Gennadius） from China on cotton plants were studied by using microscopes. Nymphal body sizes and characters were measured and observed, especially on the 4th instar （pupal case）, including the vasiform orifice, operculum, lingula, length and thickness of anterior and posterior wax margins, width of thoracic tracheal combs. Adult characters of both sexes were investigated including the body size, compound eyes, antennal segments, vasiform orifice, hind tarsi and genitals. The results indicated that differences of some morphological characters or morphometrics were significant among the six biotypes of B. tabaci in China： （1） Pupal sizes of the exotic biotypes （B and Q） were significantly larger than the indigenous biotypes with the following order as B〉Q〉ZHJ-I〉Cv〉ZHJ-3〉ZHJ-2; （2） for both male and female adults, sizes of all characters investigated in the invading biotypes （B and Q）, especially B, were much larger than those of the indigenous ones.

Optical tissue clearing enables rapid,precise and comprehensive assessment of three-dimensional morphology in experimental nerve regeneration research

Morphological analyses are key outcome assessments for nerve regeneration studies but are historically limited to tissue sections.Novel optical tissue clearing techniques enabling three-dimensional imaging of entire organs at a subcellular resolution have revolutionized morphological studies of the brain.To extend their applicability to experimental nerve repair studies we adapted these techniques to nerves and their motor and sensory targets in rats.The solvent-based protocols rendered harvested peripheral nerves and their target organs transparent within 24 hours while preserving tissue architecture and fluorescence.The optical clearing was compatible with conventional laboratory techniques,including retrograde labeling studies,and computational image segmentation,providing fast and precise cell quantitation.Further,optically cleared organs enabled three-dimensional morphometry at an unprecedented scale including dermatome-wide innervation studies,tracing of intramuscular nerve branches or mapping of neurovascular networks.Given their wide-ranging applicability,rapid processing times,and low costs,tissue clearing techniques are likely to be a key technology for next-generation nerve repair studies.All procedures were approved by the Hospital for Sick Children’s Laboratory Animal Services Committee(49871/9)on November 9,2019.

Morphometric study of endothelial wound-healing following penetrating keratoplasty

Twenty samples of endothelia removed from normal and post penetrating keratoplas-ty (0.5,1,2,3 months after penetrating keratoplasty) were observed by scanning electron mi-croscopy.The photographs of the endothelia in graft-host junction were analyzed by computer-assisted image analysis system,and the morphometric indexes examined were area of the cells,perimeters,density,figure coefficient,long axis,coefficient of variation of the area,and oth-ers.Results showed that the morphology and the density of the endothelial cells changed obvi-ously after operation and improved slowly but progressively with time although at 3 monthspostoperatively some differences still existed.By using the new techniques,the experiment con-firmed and enriched the theories on the corneal endothelial wound-healing,revealing some ofthe new characters of the endothelial wound-healing following penetrating keratoplasty.

Functional neuroanatomy in panic disorder:Status quo of the research

AIM To provide an overview of the current research in the functional neuroanatomy of panic disorder.METHODS Panic disorder(PD) is a frequent psychiatric disease. Gorman et al(1989; 2000) proposed a comprehensive neuroanatomical model of PD, which suggested that fear-and anxiety-related responses are mediated by a so-called "fear network" which is centered in the amygdala and includes the hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, periaqueductal gray region, locus coeruleus and other brainstem sites. We performed a systematic search by the electronic database PubMed. Thereby, the main focus was laid on recent neurofunctional, neurostructural, and neurochemical studies(from the period between January 2012 and April 2016). Within this frame, special attention was given to the emerging field of imaging genetics. RESULTS We noted that many neuroimaging studies have reinforced the role of the "fear network" regions in the pathophysiology of panic disorder. However, recent functional studies suggest abnormal activation mainly in an extended fear network comprising brainstem, anterior and midcingulate cortex(ACC and MCC), insula, and lateral as well as medial parts of the prefrontal cortex. Interestingly, differences in the amygdala activation were not as consistently reported as one would predict from the hypothesis of Gorman et al(2000). Indeed, amygdala hyperactivation seems to strongly depend on stimuli and experimental paradigms, sample heterogeneity and size, as well as on limitations of neuroimaging techniques. Advanced neurochemical studies have substantiated the major role of serotonergic, noradrenergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission in the pathophysiology of PD. However, alterations of GABAergic function in PD are still a matter of debate and also their specificity remains questionable. A promising new research approach is "imaging genetics". Imaging genetic studies are designed to evaluate the impact of genetic variations(polymorphisms) on cerebral function in regions critical for PD. Most recently, imaging genetic studies have not only confirmed the importance of serotonergic and noradrenergic transmission in the etiology of PD but also indicated the significance of neuropeptide S receptor, CRH receptor, human TransM EMbrane protein(TMEM123D), and amiloride-sensitive cation channel 2(ACCN2) genes. CONCLUSION In light of these findings it is conceivable that in the near future this research will lead to the development of clinically useful tools like predictive biomarkers or novel treatment options.

在精神分裂症和听觉的幻觉的多模式的 morphometry 和功能的磁性的回声成像

AIM:To validate a multimodal[structural and functional magnetic resonance(MR)]approach as coincidence brain clusters are hypothesized to correlate with clinical severity of auditory hallucinations.METHODS:Twenty-two patients meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(fourth edition,DSM-Ⅳ)criteria for schizophrenia and experiencing persistent hallucinations together with 28 healthy controls were evaluated with structural and functional MR imaging with an auditory paradigm designed to replicate those emotions related to the patients’hallucinatory experiences.Coincidence maps were obtained by combining structural maps of gray matter reduction with emotional functional increased activation.Abnormal areas were correlated with the brief psychiatric rating scale(BPRS)and the psychotic symptom rating scale(PSYRATS)scales.RESULTS:The coincidence analysis showed areas with coexistence gray matter reductions and emotional activation in bilateral middle temporal and superior temporal gyri.Significant negative correlations between BPRS and PSYRATS scales were observed.BPRS scores were negatively correlated in the middle temporal gyrus(right)(t=6.86,P=0.001),while negative PSYRATS correlation affected regions in both the superior temporal gyrus(left)(t=7.85,P=0.001)and middle temporal gyrus(left)(t=4.97,P=0.002).CONCLUSION:Our data identify left superior and middle temporal gyri as relevant areas for the understanding of auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia.The use of multimodal approaches,sharing structural and functional information,may demonstrate areas specifically linked to the severity of auditory hallucinations.

Structural remodeling in related brain regions in patients with facial synkinesis

Facial synkinesis is a troublesome sequelae of facial nerve malfunction.It is difficult to recover from synkinesis,despite improved surgical techniques for isolating the peripheral facial nerve branches.Furthermore,it remains unclear whether long-term dysfunction of motor control can lead to irreversible plasticity-induced structural brain changes.This case-control study thus investigated the structural brain alterations associated with facial synkinesis.The study was conducted at Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine,China.Twenty patients with facial synkinesis(2 male and 18 female,aged 33.35±6.97 years)and 19 healthy volunteers(2 male and 17 female,aged 33.21±6.75 years)underwent magnetic resonance imaging,and voxel-based and surface-based morphometry techniques were used to analyze data.There was no significant difference in brain volume between patients with facial synkinesis and healthy volunteers.Patients with facial synkinesis exhibited a significantly reduced cortical thickness in the contralateral superior and inferior temporal gyri and a reduced sulcal depth of the ipsilateral precuneus compared with healthy volunteers.In addition,sulcal depth of the ipsilateral precuneus was negatively correlated with the severity of depression.These findings suggest that there is a structural remodeling of gray matter in patients with facial synkinesis after facial nerve malfunction.This study was approved by the Ethics Review Committee of the Ninth People’s Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine,China(approval No.2017-365-T267)on September 13,2017,and was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(registration number:ChiCTR1800014630)on January 25,2018.

Effects of 50 Percent Substitution of Soybean Meal by Alternative Proteins from <i>Hermetia illucens</i>or Spirulina platensis in Meat-Type Chicken Diets with Graded Amino Acid Supply

Alternative protein sources, such as insects or algae meals are in special focus of animal nutrition in order to replace soybean meal (SBM). As part of the multidisciplinary project “sustainability transitions” this study evaluated effects of replacing SBM by partly defatted larvae meal from the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens or meal from the micro algae Spirulina platensis in broiler diets. The aim of the current study was to investigate the chickens’ growth performance and the intestinal morphology as well as the health status. 288 one-day-old male growing chickens (Ross 308) from a commercial hatchery were randomly allotted to 48 pens (6 birds per pen) for the growth study with five diets and feed supply on free choice level. The control diet was based on wheat, corn and SBM. The experimental diets replaced 50% of SBM by the alternative proteins under study, both on a basic level of amino acid (AA) supplementation (Lys and Met added equal to the control diet) (diet HM and SM) and an extended level of AA fortification (Lys, Met, Thr, Arg, Val added) (diet HM+ and SM+). Response of chickens was evaluated by zoo-technical parameters, which were under weekly control (e.g. growth, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, mortality). After finishing the growth study birds from control and the experimental diets at the basic level of AA supplementation were slaughtered after 12 hour fastening and utilized for gut morphometric analysis and histological evaluation of the health status. Diets at a basic level of AA fortification led to significant depression of growth, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and protein conversion ratio, respectively. In addition, the acceptance of the Spirulina diet was lower (p ≤ 0.001) as compared to the Hermetia based diet. However, the extended level of AA supplementation improved all parameters significantly. Diets without extended AA supply altered some morphological parameters of the intestinal wall, but the nutritional significance of this observation needs to be verified in AA balanced diets. The health state of chicken was not impaired by the diets under study.

Hematology of Wild Caught Hoplobatrachus rugulosus in Northern Thailand

The rice field frog Hoplobatrachus rugulosus is an important anuran species found in wetlands throughout Thailand. At present, the hematological parameters of wild populations are unknown. Therefore, hematological and morphological characteristics of peripheral blood cells of wild-caught H. rugulosus were examined. Thirty-three adult frogs （17 male and 16 female frogs） were collected from a natural population in Nan Province, northem Thailand during the wet season of 2014. Blood samples were analyzed by packed cell volume （PCV） and blood cell counts from hemocytometer and Giemsa-stained blood smears. The mean PCV of male frogs （30.70% ±6.07%） was significantly higher than that of the female frogs （25.09%± 4.85%）. The mean number of lymphocytes and neutrophils also showed significant sex-related differences. Moreover, the morphometric analysis of blood cells revealed dimensions as follows： erythrocytes （17.96 ±1.44 μm length × 11.50 ± 1.09μm width）, immature erythrocytes （14.91 ± 2.20 μm diameter）, thrombocytes （13.93± 3.14 μm length × 7.05 ± 1.31 μm width）, lymphocytes （11.01 ±2.69μm diameter）, monocytes （12.04±2.40 μm diameter）, neutrophils （12.58 -±2.08μm diameter）, basophils （13.60 ± 2.17μm diameter） and eosinophils （12.33 ± 2.95 μm diameter）. Overall, the hematological parameters obtained in this study could be regarded as the first report and a crucial baseline data of wild H. rugulosus in Thailand that can be used for monitoring the health status of this anuran.