Local activation of CB1 receptors by synthetic and endogenous cannabinoids dampens burst firing mode of reticular thalamic nucleus neurons in rats under ketamine anesthesia.

The reticular thalamic nucleus (RTN) is a thin shell that covers the dorsal thalamus and controls the overall information flow from the thalamus to the cerebral cortex through GABAergic projections that contact thalamo-cortical neurons (TC). RTN neurons receive glutamatergic afferents fibers from neurons of the sixth layer of the cerebral cortex and from TC collaterals. The firing mode of RTN neurons facilitates the generation of sleep-wake cycles; a tonic mode or desynchronized mode occurs during wake and REM sleep and a burst-firing mode or synchronized mode is associated with deep sleep.

Effect of ascorbic acid and epidermal growth factor in a rat tibia defect.

Purpose: Bone repair aims to restore the anatomical, biomechanical, and functional integrity of the affected structure. Here we study the effects of ascorbic acid (AA) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) applied in a single dose and in combination on the repair of a noncritical bone defect model.

Methods: Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups: an intact G-1 control group, and three groups that underwent a noncritical bone defect in the right tibia: G-2 treated with AA, G-3 treated with EGF, and G-4 treated with AA in combination with EGF.

Tonic serotonergic input increases the burst firing mode and diminishes the firing rate of reticular thalamic nucleus neurons through 5-HT1A receptors activation in anesthetized rats.

The reticular thalamic nucleus (RTn) is a thin shell of GABAergic neurons that covers the dorsal thalamus that regulate the global activity of all thalamic nuclei. RTn controls the flow of information between thalamus and cerebral cortex since it receives glutamatergic information from collaterals of thalamo-cortical (TCs) and cortico-thalamic neurons. It also receives aminergic information from several brain stem nuclei, including serotonergic fibers originated in the dorsal raphe nucleus.

A castor oil plant (Ricinus communis)-derived implant improves the biomechanical properties of noncritical bone defects.

Purpose: The biomechanical properties of the polyurethanes implant material derived from castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) were evaluated in a noncritical bone defect model in rat tibia.

Methods: After three weeks of the implant application, the tibias were tested by means of the biomechanical three-point flexion test and resistance, rigidity, energy at maximum load and maximum energy were evaluated. Nonparametric statistical analysis was performed.

[Effect of BioOsteo in combination with epidermal growth factor and ascorbic acid in a rat tibia defect].

Background: Treatment of bone defects derived from trauma or from removal of tumors or osteosynthesis materials can cause socioeconomic problems as a result of treatment length.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the implant material BioOsteo in combinations with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and ascorbic acid (AA) on the consolidation of a non-critical size bone defect.

Materials And Methods: A unicortical non-critical bone defect was practiced in the right tibia of Wistar rats and 3 weeks later, a biomechanical property analysis was performed through a three-point bending test.

Striatum and globus pallidus control the electrical activity of reticular thalamic nuclei.

Through GABAergic fibers, globus pallidus (GP) coordinates basal ganglia global function. Electrical activity of GP neurons depends on their membrane properties and afferent fibers, including GABAergic fibers from striatum. In pathological conditions, abnormal electrical activity of GP neurons is associated with motor deficits.

Dopamine-dependent modulation of rat globus pallidus excitation by nicotine acetylcholine receptors.

The globus pallidus (GP) coordinates information processing in the basal ganglia nuclei. The contribution of nicotinic cholinergic receptors (nAChRs) to the spiking activity of GP neurons is largely unknown. Several studies have reported that the effect of nAChRs in other nuclei depends on dopaminergic input.

Evaluation of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and concomitant meningococcal group C conjugate vaccine in healthy infants and toddlers in Spain.

Background: Given the concurrent administration of multiple vaccines during routine pediatric immunizations, efforts to elucidate the potential interference of any vaccine on the immune response to the concomitantly administered antigens are fundamental to prelicensure clinical research.

Methods: This phase 3 randomized controlled trial of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) versus 7-valent PCV (PCV7) assessed immune responses of concomitantly administered meningococcal group C conjugated to diphtheria toxin cross-reactive material 197 (MnCCV-CRM197) in a 2-dose infant series and 15-month toddler dose.

Results: 619 subjects were randomized, 315 to PCV13 and 304 to PCV7.

Striatal input- and rate-dependent effects of muscarinic receptors on pallidal firing.

The globus pallidus (GP) plays a key role in the overall basal ganglia (BG) activity. Despite evidence of cholinergic inputs to GP, their role in the spiking activity of GP neurons has not received attention. We examine the effect of local activation and blockade of muscarinic receptors (MRs) in the spontaneous firing of GP neurons both in normal and ipsilateral striatum-lesioned rats.

Modulation of the striato-pallidal pathway by adenosine A2a receptors depends on dopaminergic striatal input.

The modulation of the striato-pallidal pathway by presynaptic adenosine A2a and dopamine D2 receptors has gained attention in the study of Parkinson's disease. Here, we analyzed the effect of presynaptic A2a receptors in the spiking activity of globus pallidus (GP) neurons recorded during electrical stimulation of the striato-pallidal pathway, in both sham and ipsilaterally dopamine-denervated rats. We found that intrapallidal blockade of A2a by 100 pMol KF-17383 in sham and lesioned rats did not modify the spiking rate of GP neurons.

Differential inhibition of globus pallidus neurons by electrical or chemical stimulation of the striatum.

The reciprocal connections between the globus pallidus (GP) and other basal ganglia (BG) nuclei indicate that the GP plays a significant role in controlling the neuronal activity of the entire BG; in turn, the activity of GP neurons is controlled by several major inputs that involve the striatum. Here, we determined the relative contributions of the selective (chemical) or massive (electrical) activation of the striatal GABAergic transmission to the GP spiking activity. In vivo extracelullar single-unit recordings were performed in the GP of ketamine-anesthetized rats.

(+)-(S)-trujillon, (+)-(S)-4-(2,2-diphenyl-1,3,2-oxazabolidin-5-oxo)propionic acid, a novel glutamatergic analog, modifies the activity of globus pallidus neurons by selective NMDA receptor activation.

Decreased levels of glutamate and changes in several markers of glutamatergic function occur in movement disorders and chronic psychiatric illnesses. Ionotropic glutamate receptors have been implicated in neuronal cell death, and have, therefore, been related to the process of neurodegenerative diseases. Drugs that interact with the glutamatergic system are important tools for the development of better therapies.

In vivo effects of local activation and blockade of 5-HT1B receptors on globus pallidus neuronal spiking.

Several morphological works have shown that the globus pallidus (GP) contains the highest density of 5-HT1B receptors within the telencephalon. However, the role of these receptors in the spiking of GP neurons in vivo is unknown. In the present work, we use single-unit extracellular recordings in the anesthetized rat to analyze changes in the firing rate of GP neurons evoked by local activation and blockade of 5-HT1B receptors.