The gephyrin scaffold modulates cortical layer 2/3 pyramidal neuron responsiveness to single whisker stimulation.

Gephyrin is the main scaffolding protein at inhibitory postsynaptic sites, and its clusters are the signaling hubs where several molecular pathways converge. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of gephyrin alter GABA receptor clustering at the synapse, but it is unclear how this affects neuronal activity at the circuit level. We assessed the contribution of gephyrin PTMs to microcircuit activity in the mouse barrel cortex by slice electrophysiology and in vivo two-photon calcium imaging of layer 2/3 (L2/3) pyramidal cells during single-whisker stimulation.

Pain Interventions for people with dementia: a quasi-experimental study.

Background: Due to the complexity of the provision of care for people with dementia, pain assessment and management is still considered to be lacking. An optimal way to support frontline staff in providing pain assessment and management for people with dementia living in nursing homes has not yet been identified. The success of supporting interventions seems dependent on contextual factors in the nursing homes.

Trophic factor BDNF inhibits GABAergic signaling by facilitating dendritic enrichment of SUMO E3 ligase PIAS3 and altering gephyrin scaffold.

Posttranslational addition of a small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) moiety (SUMOylation) has been implicated in pathologies such as brain ischemia, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and neurodegeneration. However, nuclear enrichment of SUMO pathway proteins has made it difficult to ascertain how ion channels, proteins that are typically localized to and function at the plasma membrane, and mitochondria are SUMOylated. Here, we report that the trophic factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates SUMO proteins both spatially and temporally in neurons.

Medical end-of-life decisions in the oldest old in Switzerland.

Aims Of The Study: To analyse medical end-of-life decision making among the oldest old (80+ years) in Switzerland, focusing not only on treatments withheld or withdrawn but also on those continued until death.

Methods: This was a retrospective follow-up study of deaths registered in Switzerland between August 2013 and January 2014 using a standardised questionnaire completed by the attending physician. All individuals aged 65 years and older who did not die suddenly and completely unexpectedly, and who had met the responding physician prior to death were included (n = 2842).

Continuing, Withdrawing, and Withholding Medical Treatment at the End of Life and Associated Characteristics: a Mortality Follow-back Study.

Background: Studies on forgoing treatment often ignore treatments that are continued until death.

Objective: To investigate how often specific treatments are withdrawn or withheld before death and to describe the associated patient, physician, and care characteristics.

Design: National mortality follow-back study in Switzerland in 2013/2014 using a standardized survey to collect information on the patient's end of life and demographics on the physician.