New Onset Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Following High Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation over Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex for Treatment of Negative Symptoms in a Patient with Schizophrenia

Obsessive-compulsive symptoms and/or obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) are frequently comorbid with schizophrenia, though the exact clinical and etiological relationship between them is poorly understood. Here we describe a case that, to the best of our knowledge, is the first report of new-onset OCD in a patient who was receiving high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation over left dorsolateral pre-frontal cortex as an adjuvant therapy for negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Thisreport supports our understanding of OCD as a brain disorder involving hyper-activity of pre-frontal cortex and cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical circuit dysfunction.

The Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation at Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex in the Treatment of Migraine Comorbid with Depression: A Retrospective Open Study

OBJECTIVE: The literature on managing migraine non-responsive to pharmacological approaches and that co-occurring with depression is scanty. The comorbid condition predicts a poorer prognosis for migraine as well as depression. The present report assesses efficacy and tolerability of high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex as a treatment modality for migraine with comorbid depression. METHODS: The current retrospective chart review assesses effectiveness of high frequency rTMS over left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex as a treatment modality to manage migraine occurring comorbid with depression in 14 subjects. RESULTS: The mean scores on Migraine Disability Assessment Test (MIDAS) and depression rating scale reduced significantly from 21.14±3.01 and 20.71±3.95 at baseline to 13.93±6.09 and 14.21±5.52 respectively, after rTMS. There was significant improvement in migraine frequency, severity and functional disability assessed using MIDAS scores (p < 0.05) following high frequency rTMS compared to baseline. CONCLUSION: There is a role of applying rTMS as a potential therapeutic modality in the integrated management of a distinct subgroup of migraine patients with comorbid depression.

Phytase production through response surface methodology and molecular characterization of Aspergillus fumigatus NF191.

Phytase play an important role in phytic acid catalysis that act as a food inhibitor in cereals. Here, we isolated high phytase producing isolates NF191 closely related to Aspergillus fumigatus sp. from piggery soil. DNA was isolated from the fungal culture and amplified the ITS region using ITS1 and ITS4 primer using PCR. The 400-900 bp amplicon was gel eluted and subjected to sequencing. The sequencing results were assembled and compared with NCBI data base which showed the 99% identity of Aspergilllus fumigatus. Different carbon sources viz., fructose, galactose, lactose, dextrose, sucrose, maltose and different nitrogen sources (organic & inorganic) NH4Cl, NH4NO3, (NH4)2SO4, KNO3, NaNO3, urea, yeast extract, peptone, beef extract were tested for optimal production. The 0.3% dextrose, 0.5% NH4NO3 and 96 h incubation time showed the best production and enzyme activity at 45 ºC incubation temperature. The selected parameters, dextrose, ammonium sulphate and incubation time, when employed with statistical optimization approach involving response surface optimization using Box Behnken Design, gave a 1.3 fold increase in phytase production compared to unoptimized condition.

Época de aplicação de nitrogênio no feijoeiro irrigado monitorada com auxílio de sensor portátil / Timing of nitrogen application on irrigated common bean measured by portable sensor

A definição da melhor época para aplicação de N nas culturas é fundamental para aumentar a eficiência de uso do N e a produtividade e reduzir custos com fertilizantes. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho avaliar formas e épocas de aplicação de N no feijoeiro. As técnicas de manejo consistiram em antecipar a aplicação do N em relação à semeadura, em aplicações baseadas na recomendação local e na suficiência de N avaliada por meio do teor de clorofila na folha, determinado com auxílio do clorofilômetro Minolta SPAD-502. As produtividades de grãos alcançadas com a aplicação antecipada do N foram semelhantes àquelas obtidas em outras épocas. A aplicação de N na época indicada pelo ISN<90% foi promissora em predizer a necessidade de aplicação de N em cobertura com gasto de 60 kg ha-1 de N a menos e com maior eficiência agronômica do fertilizante. Os níveis críticos mínimos de leitura no clorofilômetro portátil para obtenção de 90% da produtividade máxima de grãos de feijão foram de 42 unidades-SPAD aos 30 dae e 46, no pleno florescimento do feijoeiro.

Defining the optimal timing of nitrogen application on a crop is fundamental to increase the efficiency of N use, increase the productivity and reduce the cost of fertilizers. The aim of this study was to evaluate methods and timing of N application for the common bean crop. The management technique consisted of N application previous to sowing, N application based on local recommendations, and based on the sufficiency of N evaluated through leaf chlorophyll content determined by the Minolta SPAD 502 Chlorophyll meter. Grain yield obtained with the application of N prior to sowing was similar to other periods of N applications. The nitrogen application indicated by ISN < 90% was promising in predicting the necessity of N topdressing resulting in minus 60 kg N ha-1 and higher agronomic efficiency of N use. Minimum critical levels of chlorophyll reading to obtain 90% maximum grain yield of dry bean were 42 unit-SPAD at 30 days after emergence and 46 days after emergence at full flowering of the bean plant.

Determinação da necessidade de adubação nitrogenada de cobertura no feijoeiro irrigado com auxílio do clorofilômetro portátil / Topdressing nitrogen fertilizer requirements determination for irrigated common bean, by leaf portable chlorophyll meter

As pesquisas demonstram que as leituras de transmitância obtidas em clorofilômetro portátil podem indicar a época de maior demanda de nitrogênio (N) das plantas e se há ou não a necessidade de sua aplicação em cobertura. Este foi o objetivo do presente trabalho, que avaliou para a cultura do feijoeiro irrigado os seguintes manejos de N: M1: 240kg ha-1 de N (80kg na semeadura 80kg aos 15 dias após emergência (dae) + 80kg aos 30 dae), m²: 120kg ha-1 (30 de N na semeadura + 45kg aos 15 dae + 45kg aos 30 dae); M3: 30kg ha-1 de N na semeadura e aplicação em cobertura estabelecida com base no uso do clorofilômetro Minolta SPAD-502 e M4: testemunha sem a aplicação de N. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições. A produtividade de grãos no tratamento baseado nas leituras do clorofilômetro portátil (M3) foi semelhante a do tratamento normalmente recomendado para o feijoeiro irrigado (m²), porém, foram aplicados 60kg ha-1 de N a menos. Os níveis críticos mínimos de índice relativo de clorofila para obtenção de produtividade superior a 90 por cento da máxima foram, respectivamente, de 43 e 46 aos 28 e 49 dias após emergência do feijoeiro.

The research showed that readings of transmittance obtained with portable chlorophyll meter can indicate timing of higher demand for nitrogen by plants, if there is need of N topdressing. This was the objective of this study. Were the following N management practices were evaluated for irrigated commum bean: M1: application of 240kg N ha-1, 80kg at sowing, 80kg 15 days after plant emergence and 80kg 30 days after plant emergence. m²: applying 120kg N ha-1 (30kg N at sowing + 45kg N 15 days after emergence + 45kg N 30 days after emergence); M3: Application of 30kg N ha-1 at sowing and N topdressing based on use of chlorophyll meter Minolta SPAD-502, and M4: control (without N). Experimental design was randomized complete plots with four treatments and five replications. Grain yield in the treatment based on the readings of portable chlorophyll meter (M3) was similar to treatment generally recommended to growers for irrigated dry bean (m²), however 60kg N ha-1 less was applied. Minimum critical levels of chlorophyll relative index to obtain 90 percent maximum grain yield of dry bean were 43 and 46 at 28 and 49 days after emergence of commum bean., respectively.

Características fisiológicas do feijoeiro em várzeas tropicais afetadas por doses e manejo de nitrogênio / Physiological characteristics of common bean in tropical varzea soils as affected by rate and nitrogen management

Com o objetivo de avaliar a influência de doses, métodos e épocas de aplicação de N sobre as características fisiológicas do feijoeiro foi conduzido um estudo em várzeas no Tocantins. Nos dois primeiros anos, foram avaliados as doses de 0; 40; 80; 120 e 160 kg ha-1 de N e os métodos e épocas de aplicação: M1 - todo N na semeadura; M2 - ½ na semeadura + ½ incorporado ao solo aos 20 dias após a emergência (DAE) e M3 - ½ na semeadura + ½ a lanço aos 20 DAE, com a cultivar Rudá. No terceiro ano, avaliaram-se apenas as doses de N incorporadas ao solo aos 20 DAE, com a cultivar Pérola. A adubação nitrogenada foi feita na forma de sulfato de amônio, no primeiro ano, e de uréia, nos dois últimos. Em várzeas tropicais, a eficiência de utilização da adubação nitrogenada pelo feijoeiro é baixa, o que reforça em parte a razão da resposta da cultura a altas doses desse nutriente. A incorporação de todo N na semeadura e a aplicação de parte do N por ocasião dessa e parte incorporada aos 20 DAE demandam menores doses do fertilizante para obtenção dos maiores índices fisiológicos do feijoeiro que a aplicação de parte do N a lanço na superfície do solo. Essas doses diferem da que proporciona maior produtividade de grãos. Com 140 kg ha-1 de N, o feijoeiro produz mais grãos por unidade de área foliar. Maiores doses de N propiciam maiores produção biológica e índices fisiológicos.

An experiment was carried out on varzea (lowland) soil of the State of Tocantins, Brazil, to determine the effects of rate, method and timing of N application on physiological characteristics of common bean. In the first two years, N rates evaluated were 0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg ha-1 and application timing were: M1, all N applied at sowing; M2, ½ at sowing + ½ incorporated in the soil at 20 days after plant emergence and M3, ½ at sowing and ½ applied as topdressing 20 days after plant emergence. In the third year, nitrogen rates tested were applied only at 20 days after plant emergence and incorporated into the soil. The bean cultivars used were Rudá in the first two years and Pérola in the last one. In tropical varzeas, common bean crop shows low nitrogen use efficiency. That's why that crop shows response to high rates of nitrogen. Total N applied and incorporated at sowing and the application of a part at sowing and a part 20 days after emergence require lower N rate to obtain higher physiological indices compared to fertilizer applied as broadcast at the soil surface. This rate differ with N rate that produced higher grain yield. The N rate of 140 kg ha-1 was more efficient to common bean crop, producing more grains per unit leaf area. Higher nitrogen rate promotes higher biological yield and physiological indexes.