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Functional neuroimaging research on depression has traditionally targeted neural networks associated with the psychological aspects of depression. In this study, instead, we focus on alterations of sensorimotor function in depression. We used resting-state functional MRI data and dynamic causal modeling (DCM) to assess the hypothesis that depression is associated with aberrant effective connectivity within and between key regions in the sensorimotor hierarchy. Using hierarchical modeling of between-subject effects in DCM with parametric empirical Bayes we first established the architecture of effective connectivity in sensorimotor cortices. We found that in (interoceptive and exteroceptive) sensory cortices across participants, the backward connections are predominantly inhibitory, whereas the forward connections are mainly excitatory in nature. In motor cortices these parities were reversed. With increasing depression severity, these patterns are depreciated in exteroceptive and motor cortices and augmented in the interoceptive cortex, an observation that speaks to depressive symptomatology. We established the robustness of these results in a leave-one-out cross-validation analysis and by reproducing the main results in a follow-up dataset. Interestingly, with (nonpharmacological) treatment, depression-associated changes in backward and forward effective connectivity partially reverted to group mean levels. Overall, altered effective connectivity in sensorimotor cortices emerges as a promising and quantifiable candidate marker of depression severity and treatment response.

The Z-isomer of N,N’-diammoniopropyl derivative of di(3-pyridyl)ethylene was synthesized. The structure and stability of complexes between this non-planar weak acceptor (A, (Z)-2) and a planar strong donor, the E-isomer of bis(18-crown-6)stilbene (D, (E)-1), were studied using X-ray diffraction, 1H NMR spectroscopy, and optical spectroscopy, including 1H NMR and spectrofluorimetric titrations. In MeCN, the components form a very stable pseudocyclic bimolecular complex (logKD·A = 8.48) due to homoditopic coordination of the ammonium groups of the acceptor to the crown moieties of the donor through numerous hydrogen bonds. Intrasupramolecular photo-driven electron transfer (ET) in the isomeric complexes of (E)-1 with (E)- and (Z)-2 was studied using steady-state absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy with time-resolved pulse absorption spectroscopy. It was found that back ET is approximately two times faster in complex (E)-1·(Z)-2 than in closely related (E)-1·(E)-2. Meanwhile, it is ~67 times slower in complex (E)-1·(E)-2 than in the isomeric complex based on N,N’-diammoniopropyl derivative of (E)-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene. Quantum chemical (DFT, TD-DFT) calculations suggest the actual photorelaxation pathway for the complexes under study.

Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) neurofeedback was found to reduce depressive symptoms. However, no direct comparison of drug-free patients with an active psychotherapy control group is available. The present study compared rt-fMRI neurofeedback with cognitive behavioral therapy, as the standard treatment in patients declining anti-depressants. Twenty adult, drug-free patients with mild or moderate depression were non-randomly assigned either to a course of eight half-hour sessions of neurofeedback targeting the left medial prefrontal cortex (N = 12) or to a 16-session course of cognitive behavioral therapy (N = 8). Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale was introduced at baseline, mid-treatment, and end-treatment points. In each group, 8 patients each remained in the study to a mid-treatment evaluation and 6 patients each to the study end-point. ANOVA revealed a depression reduction with a significant effect of Time (F(3,6) = 19.0, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.76). A trend to greater improvement in the cognitive behavioral therapy group compared to neurofeedback emerged (Group × Time; p = 0.078). Percent signal change in the region of interest between up- and down-regulation conditions was significantly correlated with session number (Pearson’s r = 0.85, p < 0.001) indicating a learning effect. As limitations, small sample size could lead to insufficient power and non-random allocation to selection bias. Both neurofeedback and cognitive behavioral therapy improved mild and moderate depression. Neurofeedback was not superior to cognitive behavioral therapy. Noteworthy, the neurofeedback training course was associated with continuous improvement in the self-regulation skill, without plateau. This study delivers data to plan clinical trials comparing neurofeedback with cognitive behavioral interventions.

Neural networks interaction was studied in healthy men (20–35 years old) who underwent 20 sessions of EEG biofeedback training outside the MRI scanner, with concurrent fMRI–EEG scans at the beginning, middle, and end of the course. The study recruited 35 subjects for EEG biofeedback, but only 18 of them were considered as “successful” in self-regulation of target EEG bands during the whole course of training. Results of fMRI analysis during EEG biofeedback are reported only for these “successful” trainees. The experimental group (N = 23 total, N = 13 “successful”) upregulated the power of alpha rhythm, while the control group (N = 12 total, N = 5 “successful”) beta rhythm, with the protocol instructions being as for alpha training in both. The acquisition of the stable skills of alpha self-regulation was followed by the weakening of the irrelevant links between the cerebellum and visuospatial network (VSN), as well as between the VSN, the right executive control network (RECN), and the cuneus. It was also found formation of a stable complex based on the interaction of the precuneus, the cuneus, the VSN, and the high level visuospatial network (HVN), along with the strengthening of the interaction of the anterior salience network (ASN) with the precuneus. In the control group, beta enhancement training was accompanied by weakening of interaction between the precuneus and the default mode network, and a decrease in connectivity between the cuneus and the primary visual network (PVN). The differences between the alpha training group and the control group increased successively during training. Alpha training was characterized by a less pronounced interaction of the network formed by the PVN and the HVN, as well as by an increased interaction of the cerebellum with the precuneus and the RECN. The study demonstrated the differences in the structure and interaction of neural networks involved into alpha and beta generating systems forming and functioning, which should be taken into account during planning neurofeedback interventions. Possibility of using fMRI-guided biofeedback organized according to the described neural networks interaction may advance more accurate targeting specific symptoms during neurotherapy.

This article is aimed at showing the current level of evidence for the usage of biofeedback and neurofeedback to treat depression along with a detailed review of the studies in the field and a discussion of rationale for utilizing each protocol. La Vaque et al. criteria endorsed by the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback and International Society for Neuroregulation & Research were accepted as a means of study evaluation. Heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback was found to be moderately supportable as a treatment of MDD while outcome measure was a subjective questionnaire like Beck Depression Inventory (level 3/5, “probably efficacious”). Electroencephalographic (EEG) neurofeedback protocols, namely, alpha-theta, alpha, and sensorimotor rhythm upregulation, all qualify for level 2/5, “possibly efficacious.” Frontal alpha asymmetry protocol also received limited evidence of effect in depression (level 2/5, “possibly efficacious”). Finally, the two most influential real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) neurofeedback protocols targeting the amygdala and the frontal cortices both demonstrate some effectiveness, though lack replications (level 2/5, “possibly efficacious”). Thus, neurofeedback specifically targeting depression is moderately supported by existing studies (all fit level 2/5, “possibly efficacious”). The greatest complication preventing certain protocols from reaching higher evidence levels is a relatively high number of uncontrolled studies and an absence of accurate replications arising from the heterogeneity in protocol details, course lengths, measures of improvement, control conditions, and sample characteristics.

The appearance and increasing number of microorganisms resistant to the action of antibiotics is one of the global problems of the 21st century. Already, the duration of therapeutic treatment and mortality from infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms have increased significantly over the last few decades. Nanoscale inorganic materials (metals and metal oxides) with antimicrobial potential are a promising solution to this problem. Here we discuss possible mechanisms of pathogenic microorganisms’ resistance to antibiotics, proposed mechanisms of action of inorganic nanoparticles on bacterial cells, and the possibilities and benefits of their combined use with antibacterial drugs. The prospects of using metal and metal oxide nanoparticles as carriers in targeted delivery systems for antibacterial compositions are also discussed.

Interactive brain stimulation is a new generation of neurofeedback characterized by a radical change in the targets of cognitive (volitional, adaptive) influence. These targets are represented by specific cerebral structures and neural networks, the reconstruction of which leads to the brain functions’ restoration and behavioral metamorphoses. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in the neurofeedback contour uses a natural intravascular tracer, a blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) signal as feedback. The subject included into the \"interactive brain contour\" learns to modulate and modify his or her own cerebral networks, creating new ones or \"awakening\" pre-existing ones, in order to improve (or restore) mental, sensory, or motor functions. In this review we focus on interactive brain stimulation based on BOLD signal and its role in the motor rehabilitation of stroke, briefly introducing the basic concepts of the so-called “network vocabulary” and general biophysical basis of the BOLD signal. We also discuss a bimodal fMRI-EEG neurofeedback platform and the prospects of fMRI technology in controlling functional connectivity, a numerical assessment of neuroplasticity.

Depression is one of the most common neuropsychological symptoms of multiple sclerosis. However, in addition to mood disorder, depression can also influence on multiple sclerosis course. The mechanism of this dependence is not fully understood. The recent studies suggest the possible common immune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of depression and multiple sclerosis. In particular, it was shown that along with biogenic amines disturbance, neuroinflammation also play an important role in the pathogenesis of depression. Significant attention is drawn to Th17-cells subsets, which are considered as critical players in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system, including multiple sclerosis. This brief report reviews the literature data on the role of neuroinflammation in the reciprocal influence of multiple sclerosis and depression with focus on Th17-cells, which may underlie pathogenetic mechanisms of both this diseases.

The presented paper is a review article discussing existing synthesis methods and different applications of nanosized magnetic nanoparticles. It was shown that, in addition to the spectrum of properties typical for nanomaterials (primarily a large specific surface area and a high fraction of surface atoms), magnetic nanoparticles also possess superparamagnetic properties that contribute to their formation of an important class of biomedical functional nanomaterials. This primarily concerns iron oxides magnetite and maghemite, for which in vitro and in vivo studies have shown low toxicity and high biocompatibility in comparison with other magnetic nanomaterials. Due to their exceptional chemical, biological, and physical properties, they are widely used in various areas, such as magnetic hyperthermia, targeted drug delivery, tissue engineering, magnetic separation of biological objects (cells, bacteria, viruses, DNA, and proteins), and magnetic diagnostics (they are used as agents for MRS and immunoassay). In addition to discussing the main problems and prospects of using nanoparticles of magnetic iron oxides for advanced biomedical applications, information is also reflected on their structure, production methods, and properties.

The development of antiviral treatment and anticancer theragnostic agents in recent decades has been associated with nanotechnologies, and primarily with inorganic nanoparticles (INPs) of metal and metal oxides. The large specific surface area and its high activity make it easy to functionalize INPs with various coatings (to increase their stability and reduce toxicity), specific agents (allowing retention of INPs in the affected organ or tissue), and drug molecules (for antitumor and antiviral therapy). The ability of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) of iron oxides and ferrites to enhance proton relaxation in specific tissues and serve as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents is one of the most promising applications of nanomedicine. Activation of MNPs during hyperthermia by an external alternating magnetic field is a promising method for targeted cancer therapy. As therapeutic tools, INPs are promising carriers for targeted delivery of pharmaceuticals (either anticancer or antiviral) via magnetic drug targeting (in case of MNPs), passive or active (by attaching high affinity ligands) targeting. The plasmonic properties of Au nanoparticles (NPs) and their application for plasmonic photothermal and photodynamic therapies have been extensively explored recently in tumor treatment. The Ag NPs alone and in combination with antiviral medicines reveal new possibilities in antiviral therapy. The prospects and possibilities of INPs in relation to magnetic hyperthermia, plasmonic photothermal and photodynamic therapies, magnetic resonance imaging, targeted delivery in the framework of antitumor theragnostic and antiviral therapy are presented in this review.