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The precise organization of pre- and postsynaptic terminals is crucial for normal synaptic function in the brain. In addition to its canonical role as a neurotrophin-3 receptor tyrosine kinase, postsynaptic TrkC promotes excitatory synapse organization through interaction with presynaptic receptor-type tyrosine phosphatase PTPσ. To isolate the synaptic organizer function of TrkC from its role as a neurotrophin-3 receptor, we generated mice carrying TrkC point mutations that selectively abolish PTPσ binding. The excitatory synapses in mutant mice had abnormal synaptic vesicle clustering and postsynaptic density elongation, more silent synapses, and fewer active synapses, which additionally exhibited enhanced basal transmission with impaired release probability. Alongside these phenotypes, we observed aberrant synaptic protein phosphorylation, but no differences in the neurotrophin signaling pathway. Consistent with reports linking these aberrantly phosphorylated proteins to neuropsychiatric disorders, mutant TrkC knock-in mice displayed impaired social responses and increased avoidance behavior. Thus, through its regulation of synaptic protein phosphorylation, the TrkC–PTPσ complex is crucial for the maturation, but not formation, of excitatory synapses in vivo. Synopsis: Interaction between neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) receptor TrkC and phosphatase PTPσ creates an excitatory synaptic organizing complex. Analysis of a new knock-in (KI) mouse model with disrupted TrkC binding to PTPσ, but not to NT-3, reveals the in vivo roles of the TrkC-PTPσ complex in synapse maturation and brain function. Selective loss of TrkC-PTPσ interaction in mice causes abnormal synaptic vesicle clustering and elongation of the postsynaptic density in excitatory synapses. Disruption of TrkC-PTPσ interaction results in mice with more silent and fewer active synapses, the latter displaying enhanced basal synaptic transmission and impaired release probability. The TrkC-PTPσ complex targets a specific set of synaptic proteins for phosphorylation, independent of canonical neurotrophin signaling pathways. TrkC KI mice display specific behavioral abnormalities, including social abnormalities and increased avoidance behavior in unfamiliar anxiogenic conditions. Inhibiting the interaction between postsynaptic TrkC and presynaptic PTPσ results in abnormal excitatory synapse maturation and anxiety-like behaviors in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paraquat (PQ) is an herbicide toxin that induces injury in different organs. The anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects of carvacrol were reported previously. The effects of carvacrol and pioglitazone (Pio) alone and their combination on inhaled PQ‐induced systemic and lung oxidative stress and inflammation as well as behavioral changes were examined in rats. In this study, animals were exposed to saline (control [Ctrl]) or PQ (PQ groups) aerosols. PQ‐exposed animals were treated with 0.03 mg/kg/day dexamethasone (Dexa), 20 and 80 mg/kg/day carvacrol (C‐L and C‐H), 5 mg/kg/day Pio, and Pio+C‐L for 16 days. Inhaled PQ markedly enhanced total and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts, nitric oxide (NO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels but decreased catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and thiol levels both in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood and increased interferon‐gamma (INF‐γ) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) levels in the BALF (p < 0.001 for all cases) except lymphocyte count in blood which was not significantly changed. The escape latency and traveled distance were increased in the PQ group. However, the time spent in the target quadrant in the Morris water maze (MWM) test and the duration of time latency in the dark room in the shuttle box test were reduced after receiving an electrical shock (p < 0.05–p < 0.001). Inhaled PQ‐induced changes were significantly improved in carvacrol, Pio, Dexa, and especially in the combination of the Pio+C‐L treated groups (p < 0.05–p < 0.001). Carvacrol and Pio improved PQ‐induced changes similar to Dexa, but ameliorative effects produced by combination treatments of Pio+C‐L were more prominent than Pio and C‐L alone, suggesting a potentiating effect for the combination of the two agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccination programmes provide a safe, effective and cost‐efficient strategy for maintaining population health. In veterinary medicine, vaccination not only reduces disease within animal populations but also serves to enhance public health by targeting zoonoses. Nevertheless, for many pathogens, an effective vaccine remains elusive. Recently, nanovaccines have proved to be successful for various infectious and non‐infectious diseases of animals. These novel technologies, such as virus‐like particles, self‐assembling proteins, polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes and virosomes, offer great potential for solving many of the vaccine production challenges. Their benefits include low immunotoxicity, antigen stability, enhanced immunogenicity, flexibility sustained release and the ability to evoke both humoral and cellular immune responses. Nanovaccines are more efficient than traditional vaccines due to ease of control and plasticity in their physio‐chemical properties. They use a highly targeted immunological approach which can provide strong and long‐lasting immunity. This article reviews the currently available nanovaccine technology and considers its utility for both infectious diseases and non‐infectious diseases such as auto‐immunity and cancer. Future research opportunities and application challenges from bench to clinical usage are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Rates of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infections have rapidly increased worldwide and reached pandemic proportions. A suite of preventive behaviours have been recommended to minimize risk of COVID‐19 infection in the general population. The present study utilized an integrated social cognition model to explain COVID‐19 preventive behaviours in a sample from the Iranian general population. Design: The study adopted a three‐wave prospective correlational design. Methods: Members of the general public (N = 1,718, Mage = 33.34, SD = 15.77, male = 796, female = 922) agreed to participate in the study. Participants completed self‐report measures of demographic characteristics, intention, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, and action self‐efficacy at an initial data collection occasion. One week later, participants completed self‐report measures of maintenance self‐efficacy, action planning and coping planning, and, a further week later, measures of COVID‐19 preventive behaviours. Hypothesized relationships among social cognition constructs and COVID‐19 preventive behaviours according to the proposed integrated model were estimated using structural equation modelling. Results: The proposed model fitted the data well according to multiple goodness‐of‐fit criteria. All proposed relationships among model constructs were statistically significant. The social cognition constructs with the largest effects on COVID‐19 preventive behaviours were coping planning (β =.575, p <.001) and action planning (β =.267, p <.001). Conclusions: Current findings may inform the development of behavioural interventions in health care contexts by identifying intervention targets. In particular, findings suggest targeting change in coping planning and action planning may be most effective in promoting participation in COVID‐19 preventive behaviours. Statement of contributionWhat is already known on this subject?Curbing COVID‐19 infections globally is vital to reduce severe cases and deaths in at‐risk groups.Preventive behaviours like handwashing and social distancing can stem contagion of the coronavirus.Identifying modifiable correlates of COVID‐19 preventive behaviours is needed to inform intervention.What does this study add?An integrated model identified predictors of COVID‐19 preventive behaviours in Iranian residents.Prominent predictors were intentions, planning, self‐efficacy, and perceived behavioural control.Findings provide insight into potentially modifiable constructs that interventions can target.Research should examine if targeting these factors lead to changes in COVID‐19 behaviours over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Zeolites are microporous crystalline hydrated aluminosilicates, which have found various applications because of their very unique physicochemical characteristics such as ion exchange and adsorption–desorption properties. Significant progress has been made in recent years on applications of these inorganic adsorbents in different industries including agriculture, aquaculture, water and wastewater treatment, air purification and petrochemicals. This review article intends to summarize the published reports on the applications of natural, synthetic and modified zeolites in aquaculture industry. Application of zeolitic materials for water quality improvement of fish farms and fish transportation tanks by selective capturing of ammonia and toxic heavy metals and zeolite application as feed additive to enhance fish growth and promote their health and nutritional parameters are the most important discussed areas. According to the technical data that are discussed in this review, natural and synthetic zeolites should be considered as materials with tremendous potential of applications in the aquaculture industry. Considerable amounts of research works are under way to explore other opportunities for application of zeolites to benefit aquaculture industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, gold nanoparticles (Au‐NPs) have been taken into consideration in nanomedicine due to their excellent biocompatibility, chemical stability and promising optical properties. In this research, podophyllotoxin conjugated with gold nanoparticles (Au‐NPs‐POT) was synthesized and the conjugation of POT with Au‐NPs was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy, mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The anticancer effects of the product on preclinical models of lung, colon and breast cancers were investigated using MTT test. The analyses showed a direct dose–response relationship. It was found that higher concentrations of POT have more positive effects on the inhibition of cancer cell growth. At POT concentrations of 1, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 15 and 20 ng ml−1, approximately 50% of the growth of colorectal, lung and breast cancer cell lines was inhibited, while similar results were obtained in the presence of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 μg ml−1 Au‐NPs‐POT. Au‐NPs‐POT exhibited the lowest cytotoxicity due to the presence of POT. The anticancer feature of Au‐NPs‐POT proved the potential to develop better anticancer therapeutics and to open new avenues for treatment of cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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