Abstract Sex differences in human cognitive performance are well characterized. However, the neural correlates of these differences remain elusive. This issue may be clarified using nonhuman primates, for which sociocultural influences are minimized. We used the marmoset ( Callithrix jacchus ) to investigate sex differences in two aspects of executive function: reversal learning and intradimensional/extradimensional (ID/ED) set shifting. Stress reactivity and motor function were also assessed. In agreement with human literature, females needed more trials than males to acquire the reversals. No sex differences in ED set shifting or motivational measures were observed. The findings suggest enhanced habit formation in females, perhaps due to striatal estrogenic effects. Both sexes showed increased urinary cortisol during social separation stressor, but females showed an earlier increase in cortisol and a greater increase in agitated locomotion, possibly indicating enhanced stress reactivity. Independent of sex, basal cortisol predicted cognitive performance. No sex differences were found in motor performance. Associations between brain networks and reversal learning performance were investigated using resting state fMRI. Resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) analyses revealed sex differences in cognitive networks, with differences in overall neural network metrics and specific regions, including the prefrontal cortex, caudate, putamen, and nucleus accumbens. Correlations between cognitive flexibility and neural connectivity indicate that sex differences in cognitive flexibility are related to sex-dependent patterns of resting brain networks. Overall, our findings reveal sex differences in reversal learning, brain networks, and their relationship in the marmoset, positioning this species as an excellent model to investigate the biological basis of cognitive sex differences.
Mechanical allodynia, the perception of innocuous tactile stimulation as painful, is a severe symptom of chronic pain often produced by damage to peripheral nerves. Allodynia affects millions of people and remains highly resistant to classic analgesics and therapies. Neural mechanisms for the development and maintenance of allodynia have been investigated in the spinal cord, brainstem, thalamus, and forebrain, but manipulations of these regions rarely produce lasting effects. We found that long-term alleviation of allodynic manifestations is produced by discreetly lesioning a newly discovered somatosensory representation in caudal granular insular cortex (CGIC) in the rat, either before or after a chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve. However, CGIC lesions alone have no effect on normal mechanical stimulus thresholds. In addition, using electrophysiological techniques, we reveal a corticospinal loop that could be the anatomical source of the influence of CGIC on allodynia.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) increases the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly anxiety disorders. Yet, there are presently no therapeutic interventions to prevent the development of post-traumatic anxiety or effective treatments once it has developed. This is because, in large part, of a lack of understanding of the underlying pathophysiology. Recent research suggests that chronic neuroinflammatory responses to injury may play a role in the development of post-traumatic anxiety in rodent models. Acute peri-injury administration of immunosuppressive compounds, such as Ibudilast (MN166), have been shown to prevent reactive gliosis associated with immune responses to injury and also prevent lateral fluid percussion injury (LFPI)-induced anxiety-like behavior in rats. There is evidence in both human and rodent studies that post-traumatic anxiety, once developed, is a chronic, persistent, and drug-refractory condition. In the present study, we sought to determine whether neuroinflammation is associated with the long-term maintenance of post-traumatic anxiety. We examined the efficacy of an anti-inflammatory treatment in decreasing anxiety-like behavior and reactive gliosis when introduced at 1 month after injury. Delayed treatment substantially reduced established LFPI-induced freezing behavior and reactive gliosis in brain regions associated with anxiety and continued neuroprotective effects were evidenced 6 months post-treatment. These results support the conclusion that neuroinflammation may be involved in the development and maintenance of anxiety-like behaviors after TBI.
The results of the influence of feeding silage prepared using the probiotic preparation (leaven) Josiferm on the physiological and biochemical status of dairy cows are presented. The chemical composition and nutritional value of the green mass of corn, and hence in the control and experimental samples of silage, as well as the degree of preservation of nutrients in the silage mass were determined. The experiment was conducted on two groups of Simmental cows, analogues in terms of lactation and milk yield. The animals of the control group received 24 kg of silage prepared using traditional technology, and the experimental group received 23 kg of silage preserved using the Josiferm leaven. It was found that the losses of nutrients of green mass of corn during ensiling, namely dry matter, crude protein and carotene in control samples were respectively: 18.2; 12.3 and 37.6%, in the experimental samples – 5.6; 5.5 and 20.7%. Also, the ratio of lactic to acetic acids was determined in the samples, which in the control variant was 50.51 : 37.04 and in the experimental variant – 75.66 : 23.03. It was found that feeding cows with silage preserved with the probiotic preparation Joziferm had a corresponding effect on the level of some indicators of nitrogen metabolism in the rumen content. A significantly higher concentration of total nitrogen in the rumen content of cows of the experimental group was noted (p≤0.05), mainly due to protein nitrogen, the level of which was 12.9% higher than in the control. An inverse relationship was established between the level of amine nitrogen and the content of ammonia in the rumen fluid, as well as a significantly (p≤0.05) higher content of nitrogen of free amino acids. In the blood of cows of the experimental group, a tendency to increase the concentration of erythrocytes and the degree of their saturation with hemoglobin was noted, as well as a significant (p≤0.05) increase in the content of protein nitrogen in their blood serum. The concentration of urea in the blood of experimental cows was significantly (p≤0.05) lower than in the control. Also, in the blood of cows of the experimental group, a significant (p≤0.01) increase in the sum of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) was noted on the background of a decrease (p≤0.05) in the level of ketone bodies, which caused an increase in their ketogenic coefficient by 38.2%. The obtained data suggest that feeding silage prepared with a probiotic to a greater extent contributes to the activation of the processes of reductive amination of keto acids with the formation of free amino acids, than the use of silage without a preservative.
Abstract We suggest that the inclusion of anxiety, as one relevant mood factor, could enhance the implementation of the integrative memory model in research and the clinic. The role of anxiety in Alzheimer's disease neuroanatomy, symptomology, and progression is used as an example. Customization of the integrative memory model can establish strong foundations for pathology-specific models of memory deficits, enhancing the development of precision medicine applications.
The recipe of mineral-vitamin premix, made on the basis of salts of mineral elements (Cuprum, Zinc, Cobalt, Iodine and Selenium) and fat-soluble vitamins (A and D), which are deficient in the Pre-Carpathian zone, has been developed and its influence on individual metabolic links and productivity of dairy cows has been investigated. The experiment was conducted on two groups of highly productive cows of Simental breed, analogues in origin and productivity in the summer-pasture period of keeping. The main diet for animals of both groups consisted of pasture grass, mowed mass of cereal-bean mixtures of green conveyor, hay cereal-mixed grass, molasses and standard feed K 60-32-89 with premix P 60-5M. The experimental group received a similar amount of this feed, but with an experimental mineral-vitamin premix. It was found that in the herbal-concentrate type of diet in the control group, the deficiency of Cuprum, Zinc, Cobalt, Iodine and Selenium was 16.6, respectively; 13,2; 6,9; 26,2; 51.8%, and the deficiency of vitamins A and D - 60.0 and 16.3%. Introduction of mineral-vitamin premix into the compound feed, which contained salts of the specified elements deficient for the Pre-Carpathians, made it possible to better balance the rations according to the mineral part, which significantly influenced both the intensity of metabolic processes in the rumen and blood, and the milk productivity of cows and the quality of milk. In particular, the positive effect of its feeding on the level of fermentation, the activity of enzyme systems and the intensity of synthetic processes in the rumen of cows of the experimental group was noted. The study of the hematological picture showed a tendency to increase the level of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood of cows of the experimental group, an increase in the concentration of nitrogen fractions and urea (P < 0.01). Analyzing the results of research, it can be argued that ensuring the optimal level of mineral-vitamin nutrition led to an increase in the intensity of metabolic processes in the body of animals and therefore contributed to an increase in dairy productivity.
The average daily yield of natural milk in the experimental group for 90 days of the accounting period was 21.6 kg and was 10.8% higher than in the control (19.5 kg). The chemical composition of milk of cows that received a mineral-vitamin premix as part of the feed was preferable. It showed a probable increase in the content of dry matter, total protein (P < 0.05) and calcium (P < 0.02).
