ObjectiveMelanopsin retinal ganglion cells (mRGCs) are photoreceptors driving circadian photoentrainment, and circadian dysfunction characterizes Alzheimer disease (AD). We investigated mRGCs in AD, hypothesizing that they contribute to circadian dysfunction.MethodsWe assessed retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in 21 mild‐moderate AD patients, and in a subgroup of 16 we evaluated rest–activity circadian rhythm by actigraphy. We studied postmortem mRGCs by immunohistochemistry in retinas, and axons in optic nerve cross‐sections of 14 neuropathologically confirmed AD patients. We coimmunostained for retinal amyloid β (Aβ) deposition and melanopsin to locate mRGCs. All AD cohorts were compared with age‐matched controls.ResultsWe demonstrated an age‐related optic neuropathy in AD by OCT, with a significant reduction of RNFL thickness (p = 0.038), more evident in the superior quadrant (p = 0.006). Axonal loss was confirmed in postmortem AD optic nerves. Abnormal circadian function characterized only a subgroup of AD patients. Sleep efficiency was significantly reduced in AD patients (p = 0.001). We also found a significant loss of mRGCs in postmortem AD retinal specimens (p = 0.003) across all ages and abnormal mRGC dendritic morphology and size (p = 0.003). In flat‐mounted AD retinas, Aβ accumulation was remarkably evident inside and around mRGCs.InterpretationWe show variable degrees of rest–activity circadian dysfunction in AD patients. We also demonstrate age‐related loss of optic nerve axons and specifically mRGC loss and pathology in postmortem AD retinal specimens, associated with Aβ deposition. These results all support the concept that mRGC degeneration is a contributor to circadian rhythm dysfunction in AD. ANN NEUROL 2016;79:90–109

Purpose This meta-analysis aims to verify the efficacy of occupational health and safety (OHS) training in terms of knowledge, attitude and beliefs, behavior and health. Design/methodology/approach The authors included studies published in English (2007–2014) selected from ten databases. Eligibility criteria were studies concerned with the effectiveness of OHS training for primary prevention of workplace injury; and studies focused on examined outcome related to OHS. Findings The selected studies (n = 28) highlighted a strong support for the effectiveness of training on worker OHS attitudes and beliefs and, to a lesser extent, on worker’s knowledge but only medium for behavior and small evidences for its effectiveness on health. Research limitations/implications Future research should more deeply investigate the efficacy on knowledge increase of trainings delivered by experts and researchers, applying different methods, in a small group; training delivered by peer and by researcher, applying different methods; and trained workers less than 29 years and more than 49 years old, considering that workers in these age groups are particularly vulnerable to fatalities. Practical implications Our study is a contribution for those they intend to grant effective training, in response to specific needs of OHS. The evidences presented could be considered a first step to identify the factors related to the efficacy of OHS training to plan adequate interventions. Social implications The OHS training is effective on the basis of the extent interventions are carried out for each specific learning outcome. Originality/value This meta-analysis suggested that classroom training, although the most used and studied, does not ever revealed itself very effective: it was not significant for outcomes in terms of knowledge and showed a decreasing efficacy for attitudes and beliefs, behaviors and health. It seemed that there was a distinction between interventions on knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, as opposed to behavioral interventions and health.

Understanding how animals express positive emotions is becoming an interesting and promising area of research in the study of animal emotions and affective experiences.In the present study, we used infrared thermography in combination with behavioral measures, heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV), to investigate dogs' emotional responses to a potentially pleasant event: receiving palatable food from the owner. 2. Tail wagging could be a useful indicator of positive emotional state.3. Eye temperature can assess the arousal dimension of dogs' emotions in a positive situation.

Background: seizures are one of the most common symptoms of acute neurological disorders in newborns. This study aimed at evaluating predictors of epilepsy in newborns with neonatal seizures. Methods: We recruited consecutively 85 neonates with repeated neonatal video-electroencephalogram (eeG)-confirmed seizures between January 1999 and December 2004. The relationship between clinical, eeG, and ultrasound (Us) data in the neonatal period and the development of postneonatal epilepsy was investigated at 7 y of age. results: Fifteen patients (17.6%) developed postneonatal epilepsy. Partial or no response to anticonvulsant therapy (odds ratio (OR) 16.7, 95% confidence interval (cI): 1.8-155.8, P = 0.01; OR 47, 95% cI: 5.2-418.1, P < 0.01, respectively), severely abnormal cerebral Us scan findings (OR: 5.4; 95% cI: 1.1-27.4; P < 0.04), severely abnormal eeG background activity (OR: 9.5; 95% cI: 1.6-54.2; P = 0.01), and the presence of status epilepticus (OR: 6.1; 95% cI: 1.8-20.3; P < 0.01) were found to be predictors of epilepsy. however, only the response to therapy seemed to be an independent predictor of postneonatal epilepsy. conclusion: Neonatal seizures seem to be related to postneonatal epilepsy. Recurrent and prolonged neonatal seizures may act on an epileptogenic substrate, causing further damage, which is responsible for the subsequent clinical expression of epilepsy.

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