Synaptic Targets and Cellular Sources of CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor and Vesicular Glutamate Transporter-3 Expressing Nerve Terminals in Relation to GABAergic Neurons in the Human Cerebral Cortex.

Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) regulates synaptic transmission through presynaptic receptors in nerve terminals, and its physiological roles are of clinical relevance. The cellular sources and synaptic targets of CB1-expressing terminals in the human cerebral cortex are undefined. We demonstrate a variable laminar pattern of CB1-immunoreactive axons and electron microscopically show that CB1-positive GABAergic terminals make type-2 synapses innervating dendritic shafts (69%), dendritic spines (20%) and somata (11%) in neocortical layers 2-3.

Differential effects of group III metabotropic glutamate receptors on spontaneous inhibitory synaptic currents in spine-innervating double bouquet and parvalbumin-expressing dendrite-targeting GABAergic interneurons in human neocortex.

Diverse neocortical GABAergic neurons specialize in synaptic targeting and their effects are modulated by presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) suppressing neurotransmitter release in rodents, but their effects in human neocortex are unknown. We tested whether activation of group III mGluRs by L-AP4 changes GABAA receptor-mediated spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) in 2 distinct dendritic spine-innervating GABAergic interneurons recorded in vitro in human neocortex. Calbindin-positive double bouquet cells (DBCs) had columnar "horsetail" axons descending through layers II-V innervating dendritic spines (48%) and shafts, but not somata of pyramidal and nonpyramidal neurons.

Influence of vitamin D receptor polymorphism rs2228570 on pathological scarring.

The physiological process of scarring is a common denominator of interest in a plethora of medical specialties. The molecular basis whereby this process results in pathological scarring for some individuals is poorly understood at present, with clues pointing towards individual predisposition for pathological scarring. Vitamin D and its subsequent pathway plays a key role in skin metabolism and homeostasis, with alterations in the level of vitamin D receptor (VDR) seen within pathological scars.

Role of rs2736100 in pathological scarring.

Hypertrophic and atrophic scars are the effect of a dysregulated wound-healing process in genetically predisposed individuals. The genetic predisposition has acquired significant attention due to the diverse phenotype of pathological scarring in individuals with a positive personal and family history. Recent studies have identified telomere shortening and decreased hTERT activity in pathological scarring, proposing the rs2736100 variant of human telomerase reverse transcriptase () gene as a valuable variant gene candidate.

Gate-Controlled Supercurrent in Epitaxial Al/InAs Nanowires.

Gate-controlled supercurrent (GCS) in superconducting nanobridges has recently attracted attention as a means to create superconducting switches. Despite the clear advantages for applications, the microscopic mechanism of this effect is still under debate. In this work, we realize GCS for the first time in a highly crystalline superconductor epitaxially grown on an InAs nanowire.