Peripheral Areas Research Articles

Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease drugs side effects

IntroductionAlzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease are neurodegenerative disorders with life limiting conditions. The symptomatic pharmacological therapeutic strategies unfortunately are also related to undesirable side effects. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors administered to Alzheimer’s disease patients increase cholinergic transmission in cortex and hippocampus.Antiparkinsonian drugs increase dopaminergic system activity, to compensate for dopaminergic neurons’ degeneration in corpus striatum, therefore supplying the imbalance of these neurotransmitters in these degenerative areas.But undesirable the increase of these neurotransmitters in other cerebral and peripheral areas brings us important side effectsObjectivesTo study Alzheimer’s cholinergic drugs and Parkinson’s dopaminergic drugs’ side effectsMethods This retrospective study included 107 geriatric patients enrolled in a private long-term care institution. 79 patients with Alzheimer’s disease had mean age of 88.11 ± 5,78 years old, mean weight of 61.62 ± 13.10 kg. 28 patients with Parkinson’s disease had mean age of 84.93 ± 5.71 years old, weight mean 66.36 ± 2.83 kg.ResultsAlzheimer’s disease patients 41.77% (33) received. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (Donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine) Psychomotor agitation and aggressive behavior 63.666% and nausea (15%) were observed in the patients treated with these drugs. The association of L-DOPA and DOPA decarboxylase inhibitors (benserazide) were administered to 53%(15) of the Parkinson’s disease patients in doses between 2.0-19.0 mg/kg/day. L-DOPA associated to catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor (entacapone) 3 mg/kg/day were given to 7.14% (2) patients. Bromocriptine 0.04 mg/kg/day was given to 3.57% (1) patients. Mental confusion and hallucination side effects were observed in 53.33% (8) patients treated with L-DOPA associated with the DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor (benserazide).ConclusionsThe increase of cholinergic activity due to the acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in the Nigro- striatal pathway could be related to psychomotor agitation in Alzheimer’s disease patients in a similar way to akathisia induced by neuroleptics. The increase of dopamine levels due to the administration of L-DOPA, in corpus striatum improved Parkinson’s disease symptoms although the increase of dopaminergic activity at mesocortical pathways may be related to confusion and hallucination observed in these patients. Adjustments in dosage of these drugs could provide improvement in these patients’ daily life conditions.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

3D mineral prospectivity modeling using multi-scale 3D convolution neural network and spatial attention approaches

A significant proportion of recent mineral exploration has increasingly focused on the targeting of deep-seated orebodies. Mineral prospectivity modeling is one of the more important approaches that facilitates exploration targeting and the mitigation of risks associated with mineral exploration, particularly under cover. Recent advances in 3D mineral prospectivity modeling enable the effective extraction of predictive information from three-dimensional geological models, enabling more accurate exploration targeting of deep-seated orebodies. These advancements have synergized with deep learning approaches to improve the efficiency of mineral exploration based on nonlinear and multi-layer sensing attributes, effectively enabling the identification and extraction of key relationships between 3D predictive maps and mineralization. The main deep learning method used for 3D mineral prospectivity modeling is convolutional neural network (CNN) modeling. However, this research typically does not consider the multiscale features of geological structures, meaning further improvements can be made to this modeling approach. This paper introduces a multi-scale 3D convolutional neural network model (3D CNN) incorporating a spatial attention mechanism and an Inception module (MSAM-CNN) for 3D mineral prospectivity modeling. By integrating Inception modules and spatial attention mechanisms, the network's capability to identify multi-scale geological features and delineate key predictive areas is significantly enhanced compared to typical CNN approaches. This new approach provides further improvement in the accuracy and generalization capability of 3D mineral prospectivity modeling. To evaluate the effectiveness of this model, we undertook 3D mineral prospectivity modeling within the area of the Baixiangshan iron deposit, in the Ningwu Basin of the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt, China. The results show that the multi-scale 3D convolutional neural network model is remarkably robust and has good generalization capabilities. The approach can also can effectively delineate targets within the deep and peripheral areas of the deposit, providing targets for future exploration. The addition, performance indicators, ROC curve, and Capture-Efficiency curve generated during this modeling consistently demonstrate that the MSAM-CNN model outperforms Inception-enhanced CNN (M-CNN), CNN, Random Forest (RF), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) models. All of this indicates that MSAM-CNN approaches can effectively extract 3D spatial features within 3D predictive maps during 3D mineral prospectivity modeling better than other approaches that are commonly used, indicating that thius approach represents a promising tool for the accurate and precise identification of targets during future exploration for deep-seated mineralization.

A progress of Public-Private Partnerships in São Paulo's housing policy: challenges and conflicts in accessing decent housing

The article aims to analyze the advancement of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in housing for social interest in the central area of São Paulo. Based on a literature review and document research, it was found that such partnerships have presented limitations in providing housing for the low-income population, leading to conflicts and displacements in strategic areas of interest to the real estate market. This facilitates investor access to housing services and allows construction companies to use urban planning tools for economic exploitation and the mobilization of public lands in the city. Housing PPPs come in a context of weakened housing policies and increased private sector involvement in public services, driven by neoliberal thinking. This situation raises questions about the effectiveness of PPPs in meeting the needs of vulnerable populations living in inadequate or deficient housing. Financing difficulties for lower-income families and the displacements carried out for new housing developments have led to the relocation of local residents and workers, some of whom have been pushed into environmentally fragile and peripheral areas. As a result, there is a growing role of the private sector in decisions regarding the production of housing for social interest, which not only fails to extend its reach to the poorest groups but also creates problems related to urban density and urban sprawl. These issues need to be addressed to promote more just and sustainable cities in their social, environmental, and economic aspects, committed to reducing inequalities, socio-spatial segregation, and promoting democratic governance in cities.

Urban landscapes as therapeutic landscapes: the transforming conceptions of care environments

Psychiatric hospitals are increasingly being built in urban landscapes, in contrast to many of the old hospitals which were located in peripheral areas close to nature. This indicates a change in the conception of therapeutic landscapes: rural natural landscapes have been replaced by a more relational and fluid understanding and practices where therapeutic environments are created in relation to society, communities, networks and everyday urban life. We examine how the conception of therapeutic landscapes was constituted in the planning process of the urban psychiatric hospital in Turku, Finland, by analyzing the arguments and discourses on therapeutic elements in the planning materials. The findings reveal how the shift from inpatient care towards outpatient care has redirected attention away from hospitals. Instead of relying on healing by natural elements in remote locations, everyday environments, artificial landscapes and multifunctional spaces are now expected to create therapeutic atmospheres.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant women regarding urinary tract infections living in peripheral areas of Pakistan: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundUrinary tract infections (UTIs) are some of the most common infections affecting women during pregnancy, which – if left untreated – may lead to severe consequences for both mother and infant health. Low socio-economic status and educational attainment levels, inappropriate personal hygiene practices – especially in rural women – may lead to an increased risk of developing UTIs. The present study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant women – who are living in peripheral areas of the Chakwal district, Punjab, Pakistan – regarding UTIs, according to the Health Belief Model (HBM). MethodsA descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out using a 91-item questionnaire, including six HBM domains. Data collection was performed with convenience sampling among pregnant women in hospitals between July and September 2021. Statistical analyses (descriptive statistics, χ2-tests) were carried out using IBM SPSS 25.0. Results98.4% (n = 243) of the respondents were married, 77.7% (n = 192) were housewives, 41.7% (n = 103) attended up to an intermediate college education, while 43.7% (n = 108) were in their first trimester. Majority of women (81.8%) had positive attitudes towards UTI-related knowledge-acquisition, and most of them (94.7%) had good hygiene practices; on the other hand, only around half of the participants (55.5%) had acceptable knowledge levels. Advanced age (p = 0.005) and higher educational attainment levels (p = 0.025) were associated with better attitudes, while higher income levels were associated with better knowledge (p < 0.001). In the HBM domains, major obstacles noted by the respondents’ were finding it difficult to go for a urine/laboratory test and feelings of hesitation to refuse intimacy with their husband while having a UTI; on the other hand, good hygiene practices were not denoted as a barrier to prevent UTI occurrence. Participant age and the responses in the perceived benefits domain showed significant associations (p < 0.05). ConclusionAs attitudes towards learning were overwhelmingly positive, our results suggest that educational interventions may enhance rural women's knowledge regarding UTIs, which may helpful in the prevention of recurrent infections and the associated health risks for the mother and fetus.

Biodiversity, multi-level governance, and policy implementation in Europe: a comparative analysis at the subnational level

Abstract International efforts to protect biodiversity date back to the 1970s. The effectiveness of Multilateral Environmental Agreements and regional legal instruments has been influenced by national implementation. In this process, subnational governance plays a crucial role. Although policy implementation has been extensively investigated, its subnational dimension has been somewhat neglected, particularly in peripheral areas such as the Outermost Regions of Europe. These remote territories are critical areas in the global fight against biodiversity loss since their ecosystems’ richness makes them biodiversity hotspots. The article applies the knowledge cumulated in policy research to the implementation of biodiversity policy in two of these territories – Reunion Island (France) and the Canary Islands (Spain) – and analyzes policy implementation in the context of multi-level governance. The article questions whether and to what extent decentralization benefits biodiversity policies and highlights salient trade-offs: local empowerment versus fragmentation of competences; responsiveness versus subnational discretion; and accountability versus policy capture.

Accessibility, Rural depopulation &amp; the Modified Areal Unit Problem: An analysis of mainland Greece

In the realm of new economic geography studies, an ongoing debate centers around the role of transportation costs in redirecting economic activity away from peripheral areas towards urban spaces. This theory gains support from the phenomenon of rural depopulation in developed countries, as it is generally accompanied by improvements in accessibility due to new infrastructure and technology. This study introduces a methodology for analyzing the relationship between accessibility and regional inequality while accounting for rural depopulation. Moreover, it acknowledges the significance of the measurement timeframe, as the dynamics between accessibility components are not always synchronous. The developed methodology is employed for investigation within the geographical region of main-land Greece. The findings reveal that relative accessibility, in contrast to absolute accessibility, exhibits a correlation with rural depopulation in mainland Greece. Finally, the study examines the Modified Areal Unit Problem (MAUP) to address inconsistencies observed in similar spatial studies. The disparities in results among the various geographical administrative levels carry substantial implications for policymakers dealing with issues of urbanization and uneven regional development.

Realizing the soft infrastructure mixing of Shanghai's catering industry based on land expansion and population growth

This study takes Shanghai's restaurants as a case study of urban soft infrastructure, employing big data sets from third-party website platforms for multi-source data fusion, to deeply analyze the impact of urban land expansion and population dynamics on the availability, affordability, acceptability, and accessibility of restaurants. The case study reveals that, despite the Shanghai municipal authorities' focus on mitigating overcrowding in the central urban areas, soft infrastructure such as restaurants in new urban districts remains at a relative disadvantage. The decentralization of soft infrastructure to peripheral urban areas has not met policy expectations, presenting a spatial imbalance characterized by greater provision in the main urban areas than in new urban districts, and higher in Puxi than in Pudong. The single-threshold model uncovers that the positive impact of land urbanization and population dynamics on restaurant convenience undergoes a transformation after reaching a certain critical point, where the linear relationship and synchronous growth shift. By controlling the development area of construction land and the population density within regions, a dynamic combination of availability, affordability, acceptability, and accessibility of restaurants can be achieved. This forms a spatio-temporal management strategy that integrates land, population, and comfort facilities, potentially alleviating the inequity of comfort facilities in Shanghai and the central urban areas' siphoning effect.

Endothelial cell proliferation and vascular patterns in urothelial carcinoma.

The bladder cancer has some characteristics: the sixth most incident neoplasm in the United States, the majority of diagnosed cases in those 55 years of age and older, four times more common in man than women, a reduced five-year survival rate in case of metastatic disease. Despite the beneficial effects of the combination therapy and immunotherapy, the low response rate and drug resistance were reported. The main goal of this work was evaluation of the endothelial cell proliferation from urothelial carcinomas. Fifty-two cases of T2-T4 infiltrative bladder tumors, aged between 46 and 78 years, were investigated. Morphological, simple and cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31)∕Ki67, CD31∕smooth muscle actin (SMA) double immunostaining were performed. In all the analyzed infiltrative bladder tumors, three types of vessels were noticed: immature, intermediate and mature. In the central part of the tumor area, the following distribution of vessel types was noticed: immature (62.25%), intermediate (35.1%), and mature vessels (2.65%). In the peripheral tumor area, the intermediate vessels increase numerically, up to 54% and the mature ones, up to 18.6%. The peritumoral area was characterized by the absence of immature vessels and the presence of intermediate and mature ones only. It was found the presence of endothelial cell nuclei stained for Ki67 only for immature and intermediate vessels, and never for mature ones. The vascular patterns may contribute to a better stratification of the patient subgroups and antiangiogenic treatment algorithms.

Coworking Spaces and Mid‐Sized Cities in Peripheral Contexts: Conceptualising Development Trajectories

AbstractCoworking spaces and the creative industries represent a rapidly growing but highly diverse shared economy sector. The paper outlines the types of incremental or radical forms of change developed that lead to industrial–institutional coevolution based on evidence from selected cities in Central and Eastern Europe. The results suggest that CS in peripheral areas are contributing primarily to the path upgrading through local embeddedness of stakeholders. These spaces contribute to refocusing local creative ecosystems by enhancing competitiveness of microclusters. Results suggest that CS in peripheral areas are contributing primarily to the path upgrading through local embeddedness of stakeholders through remote workers and digital nomads These cases underline replicative entrepreneurship, where local stakeholders gather momentum for a subsequent period characterised by new internal structures and services in the urban setting. Considering the form of change, our results emphasise the importance of reproductive agency based on diverse services to digital nomads and remote workers.

Low Measles Vaccination Coverage and Spatial Analysis of High Measles Vaccination Dropout in Ethiopia's Underprivileged Areas.

(1) Background: Measles remains a major cause of disease and death worldwide, especially in the World Health Organization African Region. This study aimed to estimate the coverage of measles vaccinations and map the spatial distribution of measles vaccination dropout in Ethiopia; (2) Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Ethiopia's underprivileged areas. The study included 3646 mothers/caregivers of children. ArcGIS for the spatial analysis, Global Moran's I statistic for spatial autocorrelation, and Getis-Ord Gi* statistics for hot spot analysis were applied; (3) Results: Overall, coverages of measles-containing-vaccine first- and second-doses were 67% and 35%, respectively. Developing regions had the lowest coverages of measles-containing-vaccine first- and second-doses, 46.4% and 21.2%, respectively. On average, the measles vaccination dropout estimate was 48.3%. Refugees had the highest measles vaccination dropout estimate (56.4%). The hot spot analysis detected the highest burden of measles vaccination dropout mainly in the northeastern parts of Ethiopia, such as the Afar Region's zones 1 and 5, the Amhara Region's North Gondar Zone, and peripheral areas in the Benishangul Gumuz Region's Assosa Zone; (4) Conclusions: The overall measles vaccination coverages were relatively low, and measles vaccination dropout estimates were high. Measles vaccination dropout hot spot areas were detected in the northeastern parts of Ethiopia.

Identifying the employment effect of county‐city merger in China

AbstractThis paper draws upon a quasi‐natural experiment of county‐city mergers in China to examine whether state‐led urbanisation makes a difference in local labour markets. Based on the difference‐in‐differences framework and three waves of data from the China Household Finance Survey, we show that, on the urban fringe, residents' probability of working in nonagricultural sectors increased by 6.69 percentage points after the policy. Residents responded mainly by shifts from the agriculture sector to being self‐employed. The results indicate that, after fringe counties connect to the corresponding big city in substance, residents in peripheral areas could benefit from the positive spillover effect from large cities and gain employment.

Successful management of malignant hyperthermia without dantrolene – A case report

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare inherited genetic disorder implicated in a life-threatening catastrophic event under general anaesthesia. In India, the total number of reported cases are of the magnitude of single digit due to lack of reporting. The mortality of MH is dramatically decreased from 70-80% to less than 5%, due to an introduction of dantrolene sodium for treatment of MH, early detection of MH episode using capnography, and the introduction of diagnostic testing for MH.In India, there is enormous dependence on clinical grading scale rather than halothane caffeine contraction test due to the lack of availability of accredited testing facilities. In addition to this, the drug of choice dantrolene, is not readily available everywhere in India. The scarcity of quintessential monitoring techniques cannot be ignored in peripheral areas. Despite these limitations many reported cases have survived with vigilant monitoring, prompt diagnosis and aggressive supportive care.

Shareholding Land Readjustment Led by Local Government During Peri-Urbanization: The Case of Zhaoqing, China

This paper focuses on a new model of land readjustment integrated with shareholding in Zhaoqing, China. It determines whether this innovation reduces transaction costs throughout the land development process. To cope with the uncertainty during rapid urbanization in peripheral areas, shareholding land readjustment provides opportunities for the original landowners to share the long-term sustainable land value increment. This is accomplished through a shareholding platform built by local government and a closely associated state-owned enterprise, with a guarantee of short-term fixed compensation. Shareholding land readjustment holds great promise in connecting plan implementation with land property exchange issues in the Global South.

Assisting primary care teams and patients in a culturally diverse periphery: impact on medical students’ future career choices

BackgroundMedical students can assist in reducing healthcare disparities and promote health equity by engaging with rural communities and gaining insights into their unique healthcare needs. A two-arm student-delivered program was designed and implemented during COVID-19 in a social-geographic peripheral area to assist clinics with complex chronic and/or socially disadvantaged patients and improve preventive behavior in townships through home visits delivering community kits.MethodsWe conducted a pre-post design study which included weekly structured medical student reports and monthly structured telephone interviews with clinic directors and municipal partners. Students completed pre-post program survey on their knowledge, skills, and capabilities to address chronic patients from diverse cultural backgrounds (n = 73). The Wilcoxon-Signed-Rank test for related samples was used to determine differences.ResultsFollowing the program, the knowledge and awareness levels of students about working in the community (P < 0.001) and their knowledge of common chronic diseases were significantly improved (Mean Difference (MD) = 0.31; p < 0.001). The program significantly increased students’ interest to integrate into community care alongside a hospital (P = 0.012). Thematic analysis of student reports revealed improved insight into the role of primary care. Clinic directors (90%) were highly satisfied and reported that students became an integral part of the clinics’ teams.ConclusionsIntegrating medical students into the community through primary-care clinics and home visits in diverse communities, exposed students to the interwoven effect of clinical and social determinants on health and improve their knowledge of common chronic diseases. Participation in the program encouraged students to consider a career in community care.

Space–Time Characterization of Extreme Precipitation Indices for the Semiarid Region of Brazil

Various indices of climate variability and extremes are extensively employed to characterize potential effects of climate change. Particularly, the semiarid region of Brazil is influenced by adverse effects of these changes, especially in terms of precipitation. In this context, the main objective of the present study was to characterize the regional trends of extreme precipitation indices in the semiarid region of Brazil (SAB), using daily precipitation data from the IMERG V06 product, spanning the period from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2020. Twelve extreme precipitation indices were considered, which were estimated annually, and their spatial and temporal trends were subsequently analyzed using the nonparametric Mann–Kendall test and Sen’s slope. The analysis revealed that the peripheral areas of the SAB, especially in the northwest and extreme south regions, exhibited higher intensity and frequency of extreme precipitation events compared to the central portion of the area. However, a negative trend in event intensity was noted in the north, while positive trends were identified in the south. The frequency of extreme events showed a predominance of negative trends across most of the region, with an increase in consecutive dry days particularly throughout the western SAB. The average total precipitation index was above 1000 mm in the north of the SAB, whereas in the central region, the precipitation averages were predominantly below 600 mm, with rainfall intensity values ranging between 6 and 10 mm/day. Over the span of 20 years, the region underwent an average of 40 consecutive dry days in certain localities. A negative trend was observed in most of the indices, indicating a reduction in precipitation intensity in future decades, with variations in some indices. The dry years observed towards the end of the analyzed period likely contributed to the observed negative trends in the majority of extreme precipitation indices. Such trends directly impact the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events in the SAB. The study is important for highlighting and considering the impacts of changes in precipitation extremes in the semiarid region of Brazil. Based on the obtained results, we advocate the implementation of public policies to address future challenges, such as incorporating adaptations in water resource management, sustainable agricultural practices, and planning for urban and rural areas.

Substrate Stiffness Modulates Stemness and Differentiation of Rabbit Corneal Endothelium Through the Paxillin-YAP Pathway.

To explore the role of substrate stiffness and the mechanism beneath corneal endothelial cells' (CECs') stemness maintenance and differentiation. CECs were divided into central zone (8mm trephined boundary) and peripheral zone (8mm trephined edge with attached limbal). Two zones were analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and scanning electron microscopy for anatomic structure. The elastic modulus of Descemet's membrane (DM) was analyzed by atomic force microscopy. Compressed type I collagen gels with different stiffness were constructed as an in vitro model system to test the role of stiffness on phenotype using cultured rabbit CECs. Cell morphology, expression and intracellular distribution of Yes-associated protein (YAP), differentiation (ZO-1, Na+/K+-ATPase), stemness (FOXD3, CD34, Sox2, Oct3/4), and endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EnMT) markers were analyzed by immunofluorescence, quantitative RT-PCR, and Western blot. The results showed that the peripheral area of rabbit and human DM is softer than the central area ex vivo. Using the biomimetic extracellular matrix collagen gels in vitro model, we then demonstrated that soft substrate weakens the differentiation and EnMT in the culture of CECs. It was further proved by the inhibitor experiment that soft substrate enhances stemness maintenance via inhibition of paxillin-YAP signaling, which was activated on a stiff substrate. Our findings confirm that substrate stiffness modulates the stemness maintenance and differentiation of CECs and suggest a potential strategy for CEC-based corneal tissue engineering.

Spatial Variability and Source Apportionment of PM2.5 Carbon Components in Tianjin

The contents of eight carbonaceous subfractions were determined by simultaneously collecting PM2.5 samples from four sites in different functional areas of Tianjin in 2021. The results showed that the organic carbon (OC) concentration was 3.7 μg·m-3 to 4.4 μg·m-3, and the elemental carbon (EC) concentration was 1.6 μg·m-3 to 1.7 μg·m-3, with the highest OC concentration in the central urban area. There was no significant difference in EC concentration. The concentration of PM2.5 showed the distribution characteristics of the surrounding city>central city>peripheral area. The OC/EC minimum ratio method was used to estimate the concentrations of secondary organic carbon (SOC) in PM2.5, and the results showed that the secondary pollution was more prominent in the surrounding city, with SOC accounting for 48.8%. The correlation between carbon subcomponents in each functional area showed the characteristics of the peripheral area>central area>surrounding area, all showing the strongest correlation between EC1 and OC2 and EC1 and OC4. By including the carbon component concentration into the positive definite matrix factorization (PMF) model for source apportionment, the results showed that road dust sources(9.7%-23.5%), coal-combustion sources (10.2%-13.3%), diesel vehicle exhaust (12.6%-20.2%)and gasoline vehicle exhaust (18.9%-38.8%)were the main sources of carbon components in PM2.5 in Tianjin. The pollution sources of carbon components were different in different functional areas, with the central city and peripheral areas mainly affected by gasoline vehicle exhaust; the surrounding city was more prominently affected by the secondary pollution and diesel vehicle exhaust.

β-Amyloid peptide modulates peripheral immune responses and neuroinflammation in rats.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by immune system dysregulation, impacting both central and peripheral immune responses. The study aimed to investigate the mechanism behind the neurotoxic effects of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide in the rat brain including the study of neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and alterations in peripheral immune responses (PIR). The neuroinflammation brought on by Aβ1-42 and is unknown to influence PIR. Animal models were prepared, after 28 days, control, sham, and treated rats were anaesthetized and inflammatory markers of hippocampus and serum levels (reactive oxygen species, nitrite, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β), and some markers of PIR (splenic mononuclear cells or MNC, cytotoxicity and phagocytic index of the white blood cells leukocyte adhesion inhibition index or LAI), as well as polymorphonuclear cells of the spleen, were assessed. In addition to changes in peripheral immune responses, the present study found that AD rats had higher blood levels of inflammatory markers. Based on the study, the immune system irregularities observed in AD rats in the peripheral regions might be connected to neuroinflammation, which is facilitated by a compromised blood-brain barrier. Hence, it is viable to propose that the neuroinflammatory condition in rats with Aβ-induced AD could modify immune responses in the peripheral areas with significantly higher levels of inflammatory cytokines markers in the hippocampal tissue in Aβ-injected AD rats.

For whom do site-specific art structures provide territorial services? The case of European peripheral areas

ABSTRACT What type of site-specific outdoor art structure is more likely to induce and catalyze artistic territorial services and for whom are these services intended for? Answering this question will help the understanding of territorial impacts of such art projects in European peripheric areas. This article is based on the analysis of a European database on 128 site-specific outdoor visual art structures informed by 36 distinct criteria like accessibility, location, institutional statuses and funding, initiator and audiences, site-specificness criteria, etc. A typology, produced by the statistical analysis of this database, shows that three main intelligible categories dominate site-specific art initiatives: ‘art-washing sculpture parks’, ‘territorial art of peripheries’ and ‘eco-artistic front of art projects’. They all have different kinds of specific interactions, sometimes critical, with the local territory. They act differently as artistic territorial services (ATS) providers. ATS in Spain (Cesar Manrique artworks in Lanzarote Island) show how art is transformed into mass-tourism attraction; in France the Forêt d’ Art Contemporain in Nouvelle-Aquitaine and in Greece, the Vovousa Festival in Epirus, show how art can reinforce territorial identity and environmental commitment, but with very mixed benefits to the local economy.