Brain RNA levels were analyzed only for groups in which the degree of aggressiveness matched the calculated dominance rank (the α bee is the most agonistically active) for a total of 12 groups (out of 13 groups tested).
Differences between groups in total amyloid burden, fibrillar amyloid burden, tau burden, levels of extracted Aβ, levels of Aβ oligomers, phospho-tau/total tau levels in brain homogenates, Iba1, CD45, CD11b, CD206 activated microglia, GFAP astrogliosis, brain microhemorrhages, and cytokine levels were analyzed using a Student's unpaired two-tailed t test or one-tailed t test.
For monoamine analysis, the brain regions were homogenized in 0.01 M HClO4 and centrifuged at 14, 000×g for 15 min. DA, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels were analyzed in the brain tissue extracts using HPLC with electrochemical detector as previously described [128].
For examination of the relationship between neural response and metabolic factors, correlations between neural responses in the HCF versus NF and the LCF versus NF brain maps and fasting leptin and insulin levels were analyzed and WBISI was performed.
Fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide, C-reactive protein and hemoglobin levels were analyzed.
HMGB1 levels were analyzed by Western blot.
Methylation levels were analyzed by bisulfite sequencing.
Correlations between C-reactive protein (CRP) level and postoperative brain BNP level were analyzed using the Pearson rank correlation test (which measures the linear relationship between two variables), because we expected a linear relationship.
Sections at all levels of the brain were analyzed.
Brain regions were analyzed for PQ levels, amount of lipid peroxidation, and functional activity of the 20S proteasome.
