Correlated signatures of social behavior in cerebellum and anterior cingulate cortex.

The cerebellum has been implicated in the regulation of social behavior. Its influence is thought to arise from communication, via the thalamus, to forebrain regions integral in the expression of social interactions, including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). However, the signals encoded or the nature of the communication between the cerebellum and these brain regions is poorly understood.

Correlated signatures of social behavior in cerebellum and anterior cingulate cortex.

The cerebellum has been implicated in the regulation of social behavior. Its influence is thought to arise from communication, via the thalamus, to forebrain regions integral in the expression of social interactions, including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). However, the signals encoded or the nature of the communication between the cerebellum and these brain regions is poorly understood.

Amylose-Lipid Complex as a Fat Replacement in the Preparation of Low-Fat White Pan Bread.

Amylose-lipid complex (ALC) was prepared with corn starch and stearic acid and used as a shortening replacement in white pan bread preparation. ALCs were prepared using various concentrations of stearic acid to corn starch (1%, 3%, 5%, and 7%) under different temperatures (55, 65, and 75 °C) and for different durations of time (30, 60, and 120 min); then, their complexing properties were assessed using iodine reagent and X-ray diffraction. The complexing reaction at 75 °C for 60 min showed the highest complexing index of the tested conditions; the in vitro digestibility of ALC was lower than that of corn starch.

Histone demethylase PHF2 activates CREB and promotes memory consolidation.

Long-term memory formation is attributed to experience-dependent gene expression. Dynamic changes in histone methylation are essential for the epigenetic regulation of memory consolidation-related genes. Here, we demonstrate that the plant homeodomain finger protein 2 (PHF2) histone demethylase is upregulated in the mouse hippocampus during the experience phase and plays an essential role in memory formation.

Long-term potentiation of excitatory synaptic strength in spinothalamic tract neurons of the rat spinal cord.

Spinal dorsal horn nociceptive neurons have been shown to undergo long-term synaptic plasticity, including long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). Here, we focused on the spinothalamic tract (STT) neurons that are the main nociceptive neurons projecting from the spinal cord to the thalamus. Optical technique using fluorescent dye has made it possible to identify the STT neurons in the spinal cord.

Evaluation of the pathogenicity of GJB3 and GJB6 variants associated with nonsyndromic hearing loss.

A number of genes responsible for hearing loss are related to ion recycling and homeostasis in the inner ear. Connexins (Cx26 encoded by GJB2, Cx31 encoded by GJB3 and Cx30 encoded by GJB6) are core components of gap junctions in the inner ear. Gap junctions are intercellular communication channels and important factors that are associated with hearing loss.

In vivo patch-clamp recording from locus coeruleus neurones in the rat brainstem.

Locus coeruleus (LC) neurones extend noradrenergic projections throughout the neuroaxis and are involved in homeostatic functions such as pain modulation, arousal and cardio-respiratory control. To address the cellular mechanisms underlying pain modulation we have developed a patch-clamp recording technique from LC neurones in anaesthetized rats. These recordings showed LC discharge in vivo to be driven by both spontaneous membrane potential oscillations and CNQX-sensitive EPSCs opposed by bicuculine-sensitive IPSCs.

Endothelial progenitor cells functionally express inward rectifier potassium channels.

Since the first isolation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from human peripheral blood in 1997, many researchers have conducted studies to understand the characteristics and therapeutic effects of EPCs in vascular disease models. Nevertheless, the electrophysiological properties of EPCs have yet to be clearly elucidated. The inward rectifier potassium channel (Kir) performs a major role in controlling the membrane potential and cellular events.