An immersive multisensory virtual reality approach to the study of human-built environment interactions: Technical workflows.

Virtual Reality technology has gained increased attention due to its capacity to provide immersive and interactive experiences to its users. Although increasing evidence has suggested that incorporating multisensory components in VR can promote the sense of presence and improve user performance, most of the current VR applications are limited to visual and auditory senses. In this article, a novel method of integrating thermal-related devices (heat lamps and fans) into Virtual Reality was developed.

3D Neuronal Cell Culture Modeling Based on Highly Porous Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene.

Cell culturing methods in its classical 2D approach have limitations associated with altered cell morphology, gene expression patterns, migration, cell cycle and proliferation. Moreover, high throughput drug screening is mainly performed on 2D cell cultures which are physiologically far from proper cell functions resulting in inadequate hit-compounds which subsequently fail. A shift to 3D culturing protocols could solve issues with altered cell biochemistry and signaling which would lead to a proper recapitulation of physiological conditions in test systems.

Regulation of hippocampal excitatory synapses by the Zdhhc5 palmitoyl acyltransferase.

Palmitoylation is the most common post-translational lipid modification in the brain; however, the role of palmitoylation and palmitoylating enzymes in the nervous system remains elusive. One of these enzymes, Zdhhc5, has previously been shown to regulate synapse plasticity. Here, we report that Zdhhc5 is also essential for the formation of excitatory, but not inhibitory, synapses both in vitro and in vivo.

Astrocytes drive cortical vasodilatory signaling by activating endothelial NMDA receptors.

Astrocytes express neurotransmitter receptors that serve as sensors of synaptic activity and initiate signals leading to activity-dependent local vasodilation and increases in blood flow. We previously showed that arteriolar vasodilation produced by activation of cortical astrocytes is dependent on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and endogenous agonists of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Here, we tested the hypothesis that these effects are mediated by NMDA receptors expressed by brain endothelial cells.

Protein palmitoylation in the development and plasticity of neuronal connections.

Protein palmitoylation, or the reversible addition of the fatty acid, palmitate, onto substrate proteins, can impact the structure and stability of proteins as well as regulate protein-protein interactions and the trafficking and localization of proteins to cell membranes. This posttranslational modification is mediated by palmitoyl-acyltransferases, consisting of a family of 23 zDHHC proteins in mammals. This review focuses on the subcellular distribution of zDHHC proteins within the neuron and the regulation of zDHHC trafficking and function by synaptic activity.

Cadherins mediate cocaine-induced synaptic plasticity and behavioral conditioning.

Drugs of abuse alter synaptic connections in the reward circuitry of the brain, which leads to long-lasting behavioral changes that underlie addiction. Here we show that cadherin adhesion molecules play a critical role in mediating synaptic plasticity and behavioral changes driven by cocaine. We demonstrate that cadherin is essential for long-term potentiation in the ventral tegmental area and is recruited to the synaptic membranes of excitatory synapses onto dopaminergic neurons following cocaine-mediated behavioral conditioning.

Consumption of palatable food primes food approach behavior by rapidly increasing synaptic density in the VTA.

In an environment with easy access to highly palatable and energy-dense food, food-related cues drive food-seeking regardless of satiety, an effect that can lead to obesity. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) and its mesolimbic projections are critical structures involved in the learning of environmental cues used to predict motivationally relevant outcomes. Priming effects of food-related advertising and consumption of palatable food can drive food intake.

[The use of real time PCR for quantitative determination of some propionic bacteria residing on human skin].

A test system has been developed for determination of propionic bacterial species residing on human skin. This system developed in the real time PCR format is applicable for quantitative determination and also detection of genomes of the following Propionibacterium species: P. acnes, P.

Binocular training reduces amblyopic visual acuity impairment.

Amblyopia is the most common cause of monocular visual impairment. Patching, which is modestly effective, is the current treatment of amblyopia in children. There is no clinically approved treatment for adults.

Renalase mRNA levels in the brain, heart, and kidneys of spontaneously hypertensive rats with moderate and high hypertension.

Background: Renalase is a recently discovered secretory protein involved in regulation of arterial blood pressure in humans and animals. Results of animal experiments from independent laboratories indicate that administration of human recombinant renalase decreases blood pressure and some genetically predisposed hypertensive rats have lowered renalase levels.

Material And Methods: The levels of renalase mRNA expression in brain hemispheres, heart, and kidneys of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with moderate (140-180 mm Hg) or high (>180 mm Hg) hypertension and of control Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were analyzed using real-time PCR.

[The use of real time PCR for quantitative determination of some propionic bacteria residing on human skin].

A test system has been developed for determination of propionic bacterial species residing on human skin. This system developed in the real time PCR format is applicable for quantitative determination and also detection of genomes of the following Propionibacterium species: P. acnes, P.

[The diagnostic value of RNA oncomarkers in evaluation of malignant breast tumors].

The levels of the RNA oncomarkers, telomerase (hTERT), cytokeratin-19 (CK-19) and mammaglobin (MAM) have been investigated in capillary blood of female patients with mammary ductal carcinoma. The study revealed overexpression of all three factors in patients with this pathology. This overexpression was not found in healthy donors and female patients with mammary fibroadenoma.

[RNA tumor marker levels in blood of patients with malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract].

In order to develop a diagnostic panel, mRNA levels of tumor marker genes have been evaluated in capillary blood of patients with various malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) by means of the method of reverse transcription combined with real-time PCR with detection of reaction products using TaqMan probes. Use of small volumes of capillary blood did not decrease sensitivity of this method. RNA expression of telomerase (mhTERT), alpha-fetoprotein (mAFP), carcinoembryonic antigen (mCEA) and cytokeratin-20 (mCK-20) was higher in most patients with tumors.

The effect of short-term administration of (-)-deprenyl and isatin on the expressions of some genes in the mouse brain cortex.

Background: Isatin (indoledione 2,3) is an endogenous indole found in the mammalian brain, peripheral tissues, and body fluids. It exhibits many neurophysiological and neuropharmacological effects. It shares some common molecular targets with (-)-deprenyl, a neuroprotective pharmacological drug.

[Study of gene expression of cytokines and apoptotic factors in blood and tissues from patients with surgery infection by the method of real-time polymerase chain reaction].

The expression of cytokines and markers of apoptosis was studied in the whole blood of 10 volunteers by means of reverse transcription method combined with real-time PCR. These factors were also measured in the whole blood, in inflammation nodus tissues and in amputation level nodal tissues taken from 17 patients with local surgical infection. No expression of examined factors in whole blood of volunteers has been observed.

[Neutrophilic respiratory response in surgical infection and an association with plasma membranous synthesis of ATP].

Early studies have demonstrated that the unique phenomenon ATP aerobic synthesis on neutrophilic plasma membranes is observed when neutrophils are activated with the chemoattractive peptide FMLP. This paper presents the results of the study of a possible association of ATP plasma membranous synthesis with priming, with the occurrence of respiratory explosion and apoptosis of the neutrophils isolated from the blood of donors and patients with surgical infection of different severity. The interaction of neutrophilic plasma membranes with FMLP and with hTNF (was attended by ATP synthesis.

[Effects of some growth factors and cytokines on ATP synthesis by plasma-membrane-enriched particles isolated from different human tumors].

Plasma-membrane-enriched particles isolated from the tissues of malignant tumors of different sites are shown to accumulate ATP under the influence of polypeptide growth factors and cytokines whose receptors have a tyrosine kinase activity. Polypeptide growth factors, such as EGF, FGF, NGF, TNF, insulin, and the cytokine IL-2, were studied on the accumulation of adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) by the preparations of plasma-membrane-enriched particles isolated from the target tissues of human malignant tumors. The tumor (transformed) cell plasma membranes of the lung, bowel, stomach, pancreas, as well as the cells of neurinoma and a retroperitoneal extra-organ malignant tumor (leiomyosarcoma) are demonstrated to be able to synthesize ATP from inorganic phosphate and ADP under aerobic conditions human with the participation of the cyanide-insensitive proton phoric NADH-bound transversely oriented chain.

[The cause of recurrent ureteral obstruction].

A clinical analysis was performed in 88 patients with ureteral obstruction. Causes having made the origination of recurrent ureteral obstruction occur were stricture (n = 59) and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Origination of the stricture of the ureter was caused by scar and sclerotic changes in its wall and neoimplanted ostium.

TNF alpha-induced aerobic synthesis of ATP on plasma membranes of target cells. The relation to the expression of the nuclear oncogene c-myc.

The accumulation of ATP by preparations of plasma membranes enriched particles (PMEP) isolated from rat hepatocytes, murine splenocytes and human T-lymphocytes has been investigated after the binding of human and murine tumour necrosis factors (TNF alpha) to their specific receptors. The TNF alpha-induced expression of the nuclear oncogene c-myc in intact hepatocytes has been also studied. TNF alpha induced the marked biosynthesis of ATP on PMEP of hepatocytes and splenocytes within the first minute of incubation.

[Method of estimation of lysozyme activity in serum with chitin azure as substrate].

The method of estimation of lysozyme activity in serum when chitin azure is used as substrate is described. The basis of incubation medium is 0.1 M acetate buffer, pH 5.

[Indications for intestinal ureteroplasty].

Intestinal ureteroplasty was conducted in 81 patient, ageing from 5 to 62 years old. The urodynamics and renal function disorders were caused by existing obstructive megaureter--in 41, refluxing megaureter--in 9, hydronephrosis--in 7, retroperitoneal fibrosis--in 6, traumatic injury of ureter--in 18.