Modulation of serotonin transporter expression by escitalopram under inflammation.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used for depression based on the monoamine deficiency hypothesis. However, the clinical use of these agents is controversial, in part because of their variable clinical efficacy and in part because of their delayed onset of action. Because of the complexities involved in replicating human disease and clinical dosing in animal models, the scientific community has not reached a consensus on the reasons for these phenomena.

Serotonin as a biomarker of toxin-induced Parkinsonism.

Background: Loss of dopaminergic neurons underlies the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). However stereotypical PD symptoms only manifest after approximately 80% of dopamine neurons have died making dopamine-related motor phenotypes unreliable markers of the earlier stages of the disease. There are other non-motor symptoms, such as depression, that may present decades before motor symptoms.

Dynamical questions in volume transmission.

In volume transmission (or neuromodulation) neurons do not make one-to-one connections to other neurons, but instead simply release neurotransmitter into the extracellular space from numerous varicosities. Many well-known neurotransmitters including serotonin (5HT), dopamine (DA), histamine (HA), Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) and acetylcholine (ACh) participate in volume transmission. Typically, the cell bodies are in one volume and the axons project to a distant volume in the brain releasing the neurotransmitter there.

Introducing high school biology students to biochemistry with a short, content-oriented module.

Many STEM disciplines are underrepresented to High School students. This is problematic as many students' decisions for college are shaped by their experiences and achievements in high school. Short content-oriented modules have been shown to encourage science identity and otherwise benefit the students' learning.

Maternal, Infant, and Breast Milk Antibody Response Following COVID-19 Infection in Early Versus Late Gestation.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)] infection at varying time points during the pregnancy can influence antibody levels after delivery. We aimed to examine SARS-CoV-2 IgG, IgM and IgA receptor binding domain of the spike protein and nucleocapsid protein (N-protein) reactive antibody concentrations in maternal blood, infant blood and breastmilk at birth and 6 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection in early versus late gestation.

Methods: Mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy were enrolled between July 2020 and May 2021.