: NATO needs better methods of measuring and predicting human performance, as well as novel metho... more : NATO needs better methods of measuring and predicting human performance, as well as novel methods of training soldiers that might enhance performance. New breakthroughs with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) show promise in both areas. Rationale: Our group initially and now at least three others, have demonstrated that a baseline fMRI scan while subjects are performing a task can predict who will respond poorly or well after sleep deprivation (SD). That is, the degree a person activates specific brain regions while performing a task when fully rested is related to and can predict their performance under a stressful condition like sleep deprivation (SD). We discuss whether more research in this area might develop this into a useful vocational screening tool. Description of methods employed and results obtained: Over the past year, we have developed methods to detect brain activity during MRI scanning and to feed those activity levels back to participants during the scan. This real-t...
The larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L., BSFL) have received increased industri... more The larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L., BSFL) have received increased industrial interest as a novel protein source for food and feed. Previous research has found that insects, including BSFL, are capable of metabolically converting aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), but recovery of total AFB1 is less than 20% when accounting for its conversion to most known metabolites. The aim of this study was to examine the conversion of AFB1 by S9 extracts of BSFL reared on substrates with or without AFB1. Liver S9 of Aroclor-induced rats was used as a reference. To investigate whether cytochrome P450 enzymes are involved in the conversion of AFB1, the inhibitor piperonyl butoxide (PBO) was tested in a number of treatments. The results showed that approximately 60% of AFB1 was converted to aflatoxicol and aflatoxin P1. The remaining 40% of AFB1 was not converted. Cytochrome P450s were indeed responsible for metabolic conversion of AFB1 into AFP1, and a cytoplasmic reductase was most likely...
Abstract : NATO needs better methods of measuring and predicting human performance, as well as no... more Abstract : NATO needs better methods of measuring and predicting human performance, as well as novel methods of training soldiers that might enhance performance. New breakthroughs with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) show promise in both areas. Rationale: Our group initially and now at least three others, have demonstrated that a baseline fMRI scan while subjects are performing a task can predict who will respond poorly or well after sleep deprivation (SD). That is, the degree a person activates specific brain regions while performing a task when fully rested is related to and can predict their performance under a stressful condition like sleep deprivation (SD). We discuss whether more research in this area might develop this into a useful vocational screening tool. Description of methods employed and results obtained: Over the past year, we have developed methods to detect brain activity during MRI scanning and to feed those activity levels back to participants during the scan. This real-time feedback allows participants to adjust their performance based on their own brain activity, with the aim to increase brain activity. We have completed a preliminary study with 12 healthy young adults in a 3 Tesla Siemens MRI scanner and have ongoing research to further optimize brain feedback protocols. In the preliminary study, we first completed a baseline scan where participants were asked to imagine moving their right hand. In the second and third scans, participants were given real or false feedback (counterbalanced order) regarding their brain activity in left premotor brain cortex. Often brain activity decreases with repeated scanning, perhaps due to fatigue effects. We found that brain activity with real feedback remained at baseline levels in left premotor cortex, while brain activity with false feedback decreased. We hypothesize that brain feedback training can be used to enhance performance or maintain performance at baseline levels despite fatigue.
Brain is extremely susceptible to oxidative damage. Utilizing a series of novel approaches, we ha... more Brain is extremely susceptible to oxidative damage. Utilizing a series of novel approaches, we have demonstrated that oxidative damage occurs during an ischemia/reperfusion insult (IRI) to brain. Thus, we have demonstrated that an IRI to Mongolian gerbil brain results in: (1) an enhanced rate of salicylate hydroxylation, implicating an increased flux of hydroxyl free radicals; (2) an enhanced flux of free radicals as determined by spin-trapping; (3) an enhanced level of endogenous protein oxidation; (4) a decrease in glutamine synthetase (GS) activity, an enzyme very sensitive to oxidative damage; and (5) demonstration of protection from an IRI by administering the spin-trapping agent alpha-phenyl-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN). The novel observation that PBN offers protection from the lethality brought on by a brain IRI appears to be clearly linked to the ability of the administered spin-trap to inhibit oxidative damage as evidenced by the decreased amount of brain protein oxidation and the prevention of an IRI-mediated loss of GS activity in treated animals. Aged gerbils are more sensitive to the lethal action of a brain IRI than younger animals, but they are protected by PBN administration as are the younger animals. Older gerbils have a significantly higher level of oxidized protein in the brain. Older gerbils have decreased activities of GS and neutral protease, the enzyme that removes oxidized protein, than younger animals. Chronic twice daily administration of PBN (32 mg/kg) for 14 days to older animals significantly lowered brain oxidized protein levels and raised GS and neutral protease activity to those observed in younger animals. Cessation of PBN administration resulted in a time-dependent restoration of protein oxidation levels and enzyme activities back to those observed prior to spin-trap administration. Older gerbils exhibit significantly higher errors in a radial arm maze than younger animals, but older gerbils that had received chronic daily treatments of PBN (32 mg/kg) for 14 days committed significantly less errors than untreated controls. The errors committed in PBN-treated animals was decreased down to the level of those observed in younger animals. Clearly the spin-trapping agent, PBN, appears to have promise in: (1) elucidation of the role of oxidative damage in normal brain function during aging, (2) understanding the development of pathological conditions, and (3) development of treatment regimens for prevention of damage that occurs during the development of pathological conditions and in aging.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research has progressed greatly since the first description of AD by Alz... more Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research has progressed greatly since the first description of AD by Alzheimer (1) very early in this century. Three pathological hallmarks of AD are: 1. The presence in certain brain regions of senile plaques (SP), entities composed of aggregated β-amyloid surrounded by dystrophic neurites and other moieties; 2. Neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), primarily composed of phosphorylated τ, a cytoskeletal protein, and other moieties; and 3. Loss of synapses (2–4).
: NATO needs better methods of measuring and predicting human performance, as well as novel metho... more : NATO needs better methods of measuring and predicting human performance, as well as novel methods of training soldiers that might enhance performance. New breakthroughs with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) show promise in both areas. Rationale: Our group initially and now at least three others, have demonstrated that a baseline fMRI scan while subjects are performing a task can predict who will respond poorly or well after sleep deprivation (SD). That is, the degree a person activates specific brain regions while performing a task when fully rested is related to and can predict their performance under a stressful condition like sleep deprivation (SD). We discuss whether more research in this area might develop this into a useful vocational screening tool. Description of methods employed and results obtained: Over the past year, we have developed methods to detect brain activity during MRI scanning and to feed those activity levels back to participants during the scan. This real-t...
The larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L., BSFL) have received increased industri... more The larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L., BSFL) have received increased industrial interest as a novel protein source for food and feed. Previous research has found that insects, including BSFL, are capable of metabolically converting aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), but recovery of total AFB1 is less than 20% when accounting for its conversion to most known metabolites. The aim of this study was to examine the conversion of AFB1 by S9 extracts of BSFL reared on substrates with or without AFB1. Liver S9 of Aroclor-induced rats was used as a reference. To investigate whether cytochrome P450 enzymes are involved in the conversion of AFB1, the inhibitor piperonyl butoxide (PBO) was tested in a number of treatments. The results showed that approximately 60% of AFB1 was converted to aflatoxicol and aflatoxin P1. The remaining 40% of AFB1 was not converted. Cytochrome P450s were indeed responsible for metabolic conversion of AFB1 into AFP1, and a cytoplasmic reductase was most likely...
Abstract : NATO needs better methods of measuring and predicting human performance, as well as no... more Abstract : NATO needs better methods of measuring and predicting human performance, as well as novel methods of training soldiers that might enhance performance. New breakthroughs with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) show promise in both areas. Rationale: Our group initially and now at least three others, have demonstrated that a baseline fMRI scan while subjects are performing a task can predict who will respond poorly or well after sleep deprivation (SD). That is, the degree a person activates specific brain regions while performing a task when fully rested is related to and can predict their performance under a stressful condition like sleep deprivation (SD). We discuss whether more research in this area might develop this into a useful vocational screening tool. Description of methods employed and results obtained: Over the past year, we have developed methods to detect brain activity during MRI scanning and to feed those activity levels back to participants during the scan. This real-time feedback allows participants to adjust their performance based on their own brain activity, with the aim to increase brain activity. We have completed a preliminary study with 12 healthy young adults in a 3 Tesla Siemens MRI scanner and have ongoing research to further optimize brain feedback protocols. In the preliminary study, we first completed a baseline scan where participants were asked to imagine moving their right hand. In the second and third scans, participants were given real or false feedback (counterbalanced order) regarding their brain activity in left premotor brain cortex. Often brain activity decreases with repeated scanning, perhaps due to fatigue effects. We found that brain activity with real feedback remained at baseline levels in left premotor cortex, while brain activity with false feedback decreased. We hypothesize that brain feedback training can be used to enhance performance or maintain performance at baseline levels despite fatigue.
Brain is extremely susceptible to oxidative damage. Utilizing a series of novel approaches, we ha... more Brain is extremely susceptible to oxidative damage. Utilizing a series of novel approaches, we have demonstrated that oxidative damage occurs during an ischemia/reperfusion insult (IRI) to brain. Thus, we have demonstrated that an IRI to Mongolian gerbil brain results in: (1) an enhanced rate of salicylate hydroxylation, implicating an increased flux of hydroxyl free radicals; (2) an enhanced flux of free radicals as determined by spin-trapping; (3) an enhanced level of endogenous protein oxidation; (4) a decrease in glutamine synthetase (GS) activity, an enzyme very sensitive to oxidative damage; and (5) demonstration of protection from an IRI by administering the spin-trapping agent alpha-phenyl-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN). The novel observation that PBN offers protection from the lethality brought on by a brain IRI appears to be clearly linked to the ability of the administered spin-trap to inhibit oxidative damage as evidenced by the decreased amount of brain protein oxidation and the prevention of an IRI-mediated loss of GS activity in treated animals. Aged gerbils are more sensitive to the lethal action of a brain IRI than younger animals, but they are protected by PBN administration as are the younger animals. Older gerbils have a significantly higher level of oxidized protein in the brain. Older gerbils have decreased activities of GS and neutral protease, the enzyme that removes oxidized protein, than younger animals. Chronic twice daily administration of PBN (32 mg/kg) for 14 days to older animals significantly lowered brain oxidized protein levels and raised GS and neutral protease activity to those observed in younger animals. Cessation of PBN administration resulted in a time-dependent restoration of protein oxidation levels and enzyme activities back to those observed prior to spin-trap administration. Older gerbils exhibit significantly higher errors in a radial arm maze than younger animals, but older gerbils that had received chronic daily treatments of PBN (32 mg/kg) for 14 days committed significantly less errors than untreated controls. The errors committed in PBN-treated animals was decreased down to the level of those observed in younger animals. Clearly the spin-trapping agent, PBN, appears to have promise in: (1) elucidation of the role of oxidative damage in normal brain function during aging, (2) understanding the development of pathological conditions, and (3) development of treatment regimens for prevention of damage that occurs during the development of pathological conditions and in aging.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research has progressed greatly since the first description of AD by Alz... more Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research has progressed greatly since the first description of AD by Alzheimer (1) very early in this century. Three pathological hallmarks of AD are: 1. The presence in certain brain regions of senile plaques (SP), entities composed of aggregated β-amyloid surrounded by dystrophic neurites and other moieties; 2. Neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), primarily composed of phosphorylated τ, a cytoskeletal protein, and other moieties; and 3. Loss of synapses (2–4).
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