Mild Physical Activity Does Not Improve Spatial Learning in a Virtual Environment.

It is well-established that physical exercise in humans improves cognitive functions, such as executive functions, pattern separation, and working memory. It is yet unknown, however, whether spatial learning, long known to be affected by exercise in rodents, is also affected in humans. In order to address this question, we recruited 20 healthy young male adults (18-30 years old) divided into exercise and control groups (n = 10 in each group). The exercise group performed three sessions per week of mild-intensity aerobic exercise for 12 weeks, while the control group was instructed not to engage in any physical activity. Both groups performed maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) tests to assess their cardiovascular fitness at baseline and every 4 weeks through the 12 weeks of the training program. The effects of mild aerobic exercise were tested on performance in two different virtual reality (VR)-based spatial learning tasks: (1) virtual Morris water maze (VMWM) and (2) virtual Radial arm water maze (VRAWM). Subjects were tested in both tasks at baseline prior to the training program and at the end of 12 weeks training program. While the mild-intensity aerobic exercise did not affect subjects' VO2max parameters, mean time to anaerobic threshold increased for the exercise group compared with control. No effect was observed, however, on performance in the VMWM or VRAWM between the two groups. Based on these results, we suggest that mild-intensity aerobic exercise does not improve spatial learning and memory in young, healthy adults.

The Effects of High-intensity Functional Training (HIFT) on Spatial Learning, Visual Pattern Separation and Attention Span in Adolescents.

Aerobic, anaerobic, and strength exercises are known to improve various cognitive functions, such as executive functions, pattern separation, and working memory. High-intensity functional training (HIFT) is a form of physical activity that can be modified to any fitness level and elicits greater muscle recruitment than repetitive aerobic exercises, thereby improving cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility. HIFT emphasizes functional, multi-joint movements via high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and muscle-strengthening exercises. It is yet unknown, however, whether HIFT affects cognitive functions in adolescents. To address this question, we subjected adolescents to 3 × 20 min training sessions/week of HIFT for 3 months. The effects of HIFT were tested on performance in: (1) virtual reality (VR)-based spatial learning task; (2) computerized visual pattern separation; and (3) attention span. The control group performed a typical physical class three times per week. The effects on cognition were tested at baseline and following 3 months of HIFT. Three months into the intervention, the HIFT group achieved higher scores in the spatial learning task, pattern separation task, and in the attention span test, compared with controls. These data suggest that HIFT can potentially translate into improving school performance in adolescents.

Next-generation sequencing of small RNAs from inner ear sensory epithelium identifies microRNAs and defines regulatory pathways.

BACKGROUND: The mammalian inner ear contains sensory organs, the organ of Corti in the cochlea and cristae and maculae in the vestibule, with each comprised of patterned sensory epithelia that are responsible for hearing and balance. The development, cell fate, patterning, and innervation of both the sensory and nonsensory regions of the inner ear are governed by tight regulation involving, among others, transcription factors and microRNAs (miRNAs). In humans, mutations in specific miRNA genes are associated with hearing loss. In mice, experimental reduction or mutations of miRNAs in the inner ear leads to severe developmental and structural abnormalities. A comprehensive identification of miRNAs in the sensory epithelia and their gene targets will enable pathways of auditory and vestibular function to be defined. RESULTS: In this study, we used Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to identify the most prominent miRNAs in the inner ear and to define miRNA-target pairs that form pathways crucial for the function of the sensory epithelial cells. NGS of RNA from inner ear sensory epithelial cells led to the identification of 455 miRNAs in both cochlear and vestibular sensory epithelium, with 30 and 44 miRNAs found in only cochlea or vestibule, respectively. miR-6715-3p and miR-6715-5p were defined for the first time in the inner ear. Gene targets were identified for each of these miRNAs, including Arhgap12, a GTPase activating protein, for miR-6715-3p, implicating this miRNA in sensory hair cell bundle development, actin reorganization, cell adhesion and inner ear morphogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a comprehensive atlas of miRNAs in the inner ear sensory epithelia. The results provide further support of the essential regulatory role of miRNAs in inner ear sensory epithelia and in regulating pathways that define development and growth of these cells.

Correction of sampling bias in a cross-sectional study of post-surgical complications.

Cross-sectional designs are often used to monitor the proportion of infections and other post-surgical complications acquired in hospitals. However, conventional methods for estimating incidence proportions when applied to cross-sectional data may provide estimators that are highly biased, as cross-sectional designs tend to include a high proportion of patients with prolonged hospitalization. One common solution is to use sampling weights in the analysis, which adjust for the sampling bias inherent in a cross-sectional design. The current paper describes in detail a method to build weights for a national survey of post-surgical complications conducted in Israel. We use the weights to estimate the probability of surgical site infections following colon resection, and validate the results of the weighted analysis by comparing them with those obtained from a parallel study with a historically prospective design.

Pregnancy and delivery outcomes following a pathological second trimester triple test screening result and a normal karyotype.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether obstetrical complications are increased in pregnancies with a normal karyotype and an abnormal triple test (TT) (≥1:380 or more) where all analytes were within the normal range. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of women who underwent a TT and delivered in a tertiary medical center, was conducted. Patients were divided into a study group (pregnancies with abnormal TT) and a control group (normal TT). In both groups, the analyte concentrations were within the normal range and the karyotype was normal. Demographic and clinical characteristics, antenatal factors, gestational complications and perinatal outcomes were compared between the groups. RESULTS: An abnormal TT result in the presence of normal analytes and a normal karyotype, had no impact on obstetrical complications. A direct association between elevated values of hCG within the normal range (0-2.0 MoM) and pathological TT was noticed (OR = 2.6, p < 0.01). On the other hand, an inverse correlation between elevation in AFP (0-2.0 MoM) and uE3 was found (OR < 0.01, p < 0.01; OR < 0.01, p < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: An abnormal TT result in the presence of normal analytes and a normal karyotype, had no influence on rate of obstetrical complications.

Luc's abscess: the return of an old fellow.

OBJECTIVE: Mastoiditis, subperiosteal abscess and sigmoid vein thrombosis are the most common suppurative complications of acute otitis media (AOM). Luc's abscess, a subperiosteal temporal collection, is an infrequent complication with a particularly benign course. PATIENTS: Two children, aged 5 years, presented with AOM complicated by an atypical abscess deep to the temporalis muscle, with no evidence for mastoid or zygomatic arch involvement. INTERVENTION(S): Computed tomographic scan was performed in only 1 child. In both children, treatment included antibiotic therapy, grommet insertion, and local surgical drainage of the temporalis abscess. In addition, a cortical mastoidectomy was performed in the patient who did not undergo computed tomography, based on clinical assessment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical improvement, resolution of symptoms. RESULTS: Both patients recovered shortly following the surgical drainage. Mastoidectomy was poor in findings and was concluded as redundant. CONCLUSION: Luc's abscess is associated with relatively little morbidity and requires a more limited surgical intervention. Computed tomographic scan is of great value to evaluate the extent of the disease and prevent needless mastoidectomy.