Post-Critical Period Transcriptional and Physiological Adaptations of Thalamocortical Connections after Sensory Loss.

Unilateral whisker denervation activates plasticity mechanisms and circuit adaptations in adults. Single nucleus RNA sequencing and multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed differentially expressed genes related to altered glutamate receptor distributions and synaptogenesis in thalamocortical (TC) recipient layer 4 (L4) neurons of the sensory cortex, specifically those receiving input from the intact whiskers after whisker denervation. Electrophysiology detected increased spontaneous excitatory events at L4 neurons, confirming an increase in synaptic connections.

Sex-Dependent Effects of Angiotensin Type 2 Receptor-Expressing Medial Prefrontal Cortex Interneurons in Fear Extinction Learning.

Background: The renin-angiotensin system has been identified as a potential therapeutic target for posttraumatic stress disorder, although its mechanisms are not well understood. Brain angiotensin type 2 receptors (AT2Rs) are a subtype of angiotensin II receptors located in stress and anxiety-related regions, including the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), but their function and mechanism in the mPFC remain unexplored. Therefore, we used a combination of imaging, cre/lox, and behavioral methods to investigate mPFC-AT2R-expressing neurons in fear and stess related behavior.

The Impact of Chronic Phthalate Exposure on Rodent Anxiety and Cognition.

Background: There is a growing importance for environmental contributions to psychiatric disorders and understanding the impact of the exposome (i.e., pollutants and toxins).

Cortical Reorganization after Limb Loss: Bridging the Gap between Basic Science and Clinical Recovery.

Despite the increasing incidence and prevalence of amputation across the globe, individuals with acquired limb loss continue to struggle with functional recovery and chronic pain. A more complete understanding of the motor and sensory remodeling of the peripheral and central nervous system that occurs postamputation may help advance clinical interventions to improve the quality of life for individuals with acquired limb loss. The purpose of this article is to first provide background clinical context on individuals with acquired limb loss and then to provide a comprehensive review of the known motor and sensory neural adaptations from both animal models and human clinical trials.

Sex-dependent effects of angiotensin type 2 receptor expressing medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) interneurons in fear extinction learning.

Background: The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been identified as a potential therapeutic target for PTSD, though its mechanisms are not well understood. Brain angiotensin type 2 receptors (AT2Rs) are a subtype of angiotensin II receptors located in stress and anxiety-related regions, including the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), but their function and mechanism in the mPFC remain unexplored. We therefore used a combination of imaging, cre/lox, and behavioral methods to investigate mPFC-AT2R-expressing neuron involvement in fear learning.

The Impact of Chronic Phthalate Exposure on Rodent Anxiety and Cognition.

There is a growing importance for environmental contributions to psychiatric disorders and understanding the impact of the exposome (i.e., pollutants and toxins).

Microanalysis of Brain Angiotensin Peptides Using Ultrasensitive Capillary Electrophoresis Trapped Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry.

While the role of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in peripheral circulation is well characterized, we still lack an in-depth understanding of its role within the brain. This knowledge gap is sustained by lacking technologies for trace-level angiotensin detection throughout tissues, such as the brain. To provide a bridging solution, we enhanced capillary electrophoresis (CE) nanoflow electrospray ionization (ESI) with large-volume sample stacking and employed trapped ion mobility time-of-flight (timsTOF) tandem HRMS detection.

Estrogen Metabolite 2-Methoxyestradiol Attenuates Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Rats by Downregulating Angiotensin Type 1 Receptor.

The therapeutic potential of 2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME2) is evident in cardiovascular disease. Our laboratory has previously demonstrated the mechanism involved in the 2ME2 regulation of angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) . However, 2ME2 regulation of angiotensin receptors and its effects on blood pressure (BP) and resting heart rate (RHR) are uncertain.

Is Neuromorphic MNIST Neuromorphic? Analyzing the Discriminative Power of Neuromorphic Datasets in the Time Domain.

A major characteristic of spiking neural networks (SNNs) over conventional artificial neural networks (ANNs) is their ability to spike, enabling them to use spike timing for coding and efficient computing. In this paper, we assess if neuromorphic datasets recorded from static images are able to evaluate the ability of SNNs to use spike timings in their calculations. We have analyzed N-MNIST, N-Caltech101 and DvsGesture along these lines, but focus our study on N-MNIST.

Internal state-dependent conditioned stimulus delivery using cardiovascular telemetry in mice.

To further understand mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disease(s) and their impact on physiological systems, improved pre-clinical models and innovative methodology are needed to assess the internal physiological state of the animal in real-time. To address this challenge we developed a customizable software-based program for Ponemah™ that takes into account the animals diurnal and resting cardiovascular state in a home-cage environment. Using an integrated Pavlovian fear conditioning and cardiovascular telemetry approach in mice, we demonstrate for the first time a novel software add-on application that can remotely trigger a conditioned stimulus (CS) (i.

Evaluation of an angiotensin Type 1 receptor blocker on the reconsolidation of fear memory.

Inhibition of the angiotensin type 1 receptor (ATR) has been shown to decrease fear responses in both humans and rodents. These effects are attributed to modulation of extinction learning, however the contribution of ATR to alternative memory processes remains unclear. Using classic Pavlovian conditioning combined with radiotelemetry and whole-genome RNA sequencing, we evaluated the effects of the ATR antagonist losartan on fear memory reconsolidation.

2-Methoxyestradiol causes matrix metalloproteinase 9-mediated transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor and angiotensin type 1 receptor downregulation in rat aortic smooth muscle cells.

Studies have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of estrogen metabolite 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2) in several cardiovascular disorders, including hypertension. However, the exact mechanism(s) remains unknown. In this study, primary rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) were exposed to 2ME2, and angiotensin type 1 receptor (ATR) expression, function, and associated signaling pathways were evaluated.

Connectivity and thought: the influence of semantic network structure in a neurodynamical model of thinking.

Understanding cognition has been a central focus for psychologists, neuroscientists and philosophers for thousands of years, but many of its most fundamental processes remain very poorly understood. Chief among these is the process of thought itself: the spontaneous emergence of specific ideas within the stream of consciousness. It is widely accepted that ideas, both familiar and novel, arise from the combination of existing concepts.

Whole genome characterization of non-tissue culture adapted HRSV strains in severely infected children.

Background: Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is the most important virus causing lower respiratory infection in young children. The complete genetic characterization of RSV clinical strains is a prerequisite for understanding HRSV infection in the clinical context. Current information about the genetic structure of the HRSV genome has largely been obtained using tissue culture adapted viruses.

Oculohypotensive effect of perindopril in acute and chronic models of glaucoma in rabbits.

We studied the effect of perindopril (1%) on intraocular pressure (IOP) and compared it with the effect of pilocarpine, a therapeutic agent used in experimentally induced acute and chronic models of glaucoma in rabbits. Acute glaucoma was induced by intravenous administration of 5% glucose. Pretreatment with topical perindopril (1%) and pilocarpine (1%) prevented acute rise in IOP induced by intravenous administration of 5% glucose.

Protein analysis of purified respiratory syncytial virus particles reveals an important role for heat shock protein 90 in virus particle assembly.

In this study, we used imaging and proteomics to identify the presence of virus-associated cellular proteins that may play a role in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) maturation. Fluorescence microscopy of virus-infected cells revealed the presence of virus-induced cytoplasmic inclusion bodies and mature virus particles, the latter appearing as virus filaments. In situ electron tomography suggested that the virus filaments were complex structures that were able to package multiple copies of the virus genome.

Neural dynamics of idea generation and the effects of priming.

Idea generation is a fundamental attribute of the human mind, but the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying this process remain unclear. In this paper, we present a dynamic connectionist model for the generation of ideas within a brainstorming context. The key hypothesis underlying the model is that ideas emerge naturally from itinerant attractor dynamics in a multi-level, modular semantic space, and the potential surface underlying this dynamics is itself shaped dynamically by task context, ongoing evaluative feedback, inhibitory modulation, and short-term synaptic modification.

Molecular targets of nutraceuticals derived from dietary spices: potential role in suppression of inflammation and tumorigenesis.

Despite the fact cancer is primarily a preventable disease, recent statistics indicate cancer will become the number one killer worldwide in 2010. Since certain cancers are more prevalent in the people of some countries than others, suggests the role of lifestyle. For instance cancer incidence among people from the Indian subcontinent, where most spices are consumed, is much lower than that in the Western World.