Publications by authors named "Pascual O"

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) latently infected neurons display diverse patterns in the distribution of the viral genomes within the nucleus. A key pattern involves quiescent HSV-1 genomes sequestered in promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies (PML NBs) forming viral DNA-containing PML-NBs (vDCP NBs). Using a cellular model that replicates vDCP NB formation, we previously demonstrated that these viral genomes are chromatinized with the H3.

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Microglia, brain-resident macrophages, play key roles during prenatal development in defining neural circuitry function, including ensuring proper synaptic wiring and maintaining homeostasis. Mammalian breathing rhythmogenesis arises from interacting brainstem neural networks that are assembled during embryonic development, but the specific role of microglia in this process remains unknown. Here, we investigated the anatomical and functional consequences of respiratory circuit formation in the absence of microglia.

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The activation of phagocytic cells is a hallmark of many neurological diseases. Imaging them in their 3-dimensional cerebral environment over time is crucial to better understand their role in disease pathogenesis and to monitor their potential therapeutic effects. Phagocytic cells have the ability to internalize metal-based contrast agents both in vitro and in vivo and can thus be tracked by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT).

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Microglia, the brain-resident immune cells, are highly ramified with dynamic processes transiently contacting synapses. These contacts have been reported to be activity-dependent, but this has not been thoroughly studied yet, especially in physiological conditions. Here we investigate neuron-microglia contacts and microglia morphodynamics in mice in an activity-dependent context such as the vigilance states.

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LGI1 is a neuronal secreted protein highly expressed in the hippocampus. Epileptic seizures and LGI1 hypo-functions have been found in both ADLTE, a genetic epileptogenic syndrome and LGI1 limbic encephalitis (LE), an autoimmune disease. Studies, based mainly on transgenic mouse models, investigated the function of LGI1 in the CNS and strangely showed that LGI1 loss of function, led to a decreased AMPA-receptors (AMPA-R) expression.

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Leucine-Rich Glioma Inactivated protein 1 (LGI1) is a secreted neuronal protein highly expressed in the central nervous system and high amount are found in the hippocampus. An alteration of its function has been described in few families of patients with autosomal dominant temporal lobe epilepsy (ADLTE) or with autoimmune limbic encephalitis (LE), both characterized by epileptic seizures. Studies have shown that LGI1 plays an essential role during development, but also in neuronal excitability through an action on voltage-gated potassium Kv1.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study proposes and validates a new MRI tool using a multimodal nanoprobe called NanoGd to monitor neuroinflammation after ischemic stroke, focusing on its effects on phagocytic cells.
  • In laboratory tests, NanoGd was shown to be effectively taken up by microglia and led to observable changes in MRI signals in mouse models of stroke.
  • Results suggest that NanoGd enhances MRI as a technique for identifying neuroinflammation and may have broader implications for developing advanced imaging methods in the future.
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Neuroinflammation is a process common to several brain pathologies. Despites its medical relevance, it still remains poorly understood; there is therefore a need to develop new in vivo preclinical imaging strategies to monitor inflammatory processes longitudinally. We here present the development of a hybrid imaging nanoprobe named NP3, that was specifically designed to get internalized by phagocytic cells and imaged in vivo with MRI and bi-photon microscopy.

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Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, are highly ramified and motile and their morphology is strongly linked to their function. Microglia constantly monitor the brain parenchyma and are crucial for maintaining brain homeostasis and fine-tuning neuronal networks. Besides affecting neurons, anesthetics may have wide-ranging effects mediated by non-neuronal cells and in particular microglia.

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Background: The aim of this work was to study the influence of grape berry morphology, especially the seed weight percentage, on the tannin concentration and astringency of red wine. Clusters of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon were characterized and their seeds were extracted and macerated in a model wine solution. In parallel, we elaborated three types of wines of each cultivar.

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Vesicular release is one of the release mechanisms of various signaling molecules. In neurons, the molecular machinery involved in vesicular release has been designed through evolution to trigger fast and synchronous release of neurotransmitters. Similar machinery with a slower kinetic and a slightly different molecular assembly allows astrocytes to release various transmitters such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP), glutamate, and D-serine.

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Sleep is a naturally occurring physiological state that is required to sustain physical and mental health. Traditionally viewed as strictly regulated by top-down control mechanisms, sleep is now known to also originate locally. Glial cells are emerging as important contributors to the regulation of sleep-wake cycles, locally and among dedicated neural circuits.

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Chronic diseases impact 60% of Americans, with 42% reporting multiple chronic conditions, and account for $3.3 trillion in annual health care costs. In Hawai'i, about 80% of adults report having at least 1 chronic condition, and more than half of those report having multiple chronic conditions.

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The microbial diversity of wine alcoholic fermentation is not restricted to the presence and activity of Saccharomyces yeast strains. Some non-Saccharomyces species have been described as part of the fermentative microbiota, specially found in the initial steps of wine fermentations. These species may play roles from wine spoilage to flavor quality enhancement.

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Autoantibodies against CASPR2 (contactin-associated protein-like 2) have been linked to autoimmune limbic encephalitis that manifests with memory disorders and temporal lobe seizures. According to the growing number of data supporting a role for CASPR2 in neuronal excitability, CASPR2 forms a molecular complex with transient axonal glycoprotein-1 (TAG-1) and shaker-type voltage-gated potassium channels (Kv1.1 and Kv1.

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Myelination leads to the formation of myelin sheaths surrounding neuronal axons and is crucial for function, plasticity and repair of the central nervous system (CNS). It relies on the interaction of the axons and the oligodendrocytes: the glial cells producing CNS myelin. Here, we have investigated the role of a crucial component of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signalling pathway, the co-receptor Boc, in developmental and repairing myelination.

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The effect of the botanical origin, pH level and ethanol content of different oenological tannins on the color of malvidin-3--monoglucoside solution, including their effectiveness as copigments, was studied. Briefly, a model wine solution (4 g/L of tartaric acid, pH 3.5 and 12% ethanol) containing 50 mg/L of malvidin-3--monoglucoside was prepared and supplemented with 0.

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The chemical composition (CC), antioxidant capacity (AC) and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of 36 different commercial tannins were measured. The CC was analyzed by total polyphenol index, Bate-Smith, methyl-cellulose, Folin-Ciocalteu, OIV official method and phloroglucinolisis. The AC was measured by different methods (ABTS, CUPRAC, DPPH, FRAP, ORAC) using Trolox as standard.

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Contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2) is a cell adhesion protein of the neurexin family. Proteins of this family have been shown to play a role in the development of the nervous system, in synaptic functions, and in neurological diseases. Over recent years, CASPR2 function has gained an increasing interest as demonstrated by the growing number of publications.

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The kinetics of oxygen consumption by different oenological tannins were measured in a model wine solution using the non-invasive method based on luminiscence. The results indicate that the oxygen consumption rate follows second-order kinetics depending on tannin and oxygen concentrations. They also confirm that the oxygen consumption rate is influenced by temperature in accordance with Arrhenius law.

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Autoimmune encephalitis is a rare and newly described group of diseases involving autoantibodies directed against synaptic and neuronal cell surface antigens. It comprises a wide range of neuropsychiatric symptoms. Sensitive and specific diagnostic tests such as cell-based assay are primordial for the detection of neuronal cell surface antibodies in patients' cerebrospinal fluid or serum and determine the treatment and follow-up of the patients.

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The aim of this paper is to study the real influence of seeds and stems on wine composition, astringency, and bitterness. A decolored grape juice and a grape juice macerated for 4 days from the same Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were fermented with or without supplementation with 100% seeds, 300% seeds, or 100% stems. Once alcoholic fermentation had finished, the wines were analyzed and tasted.

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Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), were traditionally believed to be set into action only in case of injury or disease. Accordingly, microglia were assumed to be inactive or resting in the healthy brain. However, recent studies revealed that microglia carry out active tissue sampling in the intact brain by extending and retracting their ramified processes while periodically contacting synapses.

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Objective: To evaluate the presence of immunoglobulin A (IgA) subtype of anti-NMDA receptor (NMDAR) antibodies (IgA-NMDAR-Abs) in the CSF of patients with immunoglobulin G (IgG)-NMDAR-Ab encephalitis and to describe the potential association with a specific clinical pattern.

Methods: The retrospective analysis for the presence of IgA-NMDAR-Abs in 94 CSF samples from patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis diagnosed between October 2007 and February 2014 was conducted at the French Reference Centre on Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndrome. This observational study compared 39 patients with both IgA- and IgG-NMDAR-Abs to 55 patients with only IgG-NMDAR-Abs.

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Pregnancy-associated breast cancer is the most common solid tumor in pregnancy after cervical carcinoma but still has a low incidence. It has been associated with a poor prognosis; though based on a limited number of retrospective case-control studies, some authors have reported no differences from that of non-pregnant patients. There is no consensus about the treatment; it requires an interdisciplinary approach and it is necessary to balance between the benefit for the mother and risk for the fetus.

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