Dynamic representation of appetitive and aversive stimuli in nucleus accumbens shell D1- and D2-medium spiny neurons.

The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a key brain region for motivated behaviors, yet how distinct neuronal populations encode appetitive or aversive stimuli remains undetermined. Using microendoscopic calcium imaging in mice, we tracked NAc shell D1- or D2-medium spiny neurons' (MSNs) activity during exposure to stimuli of opposing valence and associative learning. Despite drift in individual neurons' coding, both D1- and D2-population activity was sufficient to discriminate opposing valence unconditioned stimuli, but not predictive cues.

Fluoride Dose-Response and Anticaries Effect of Herbal Antibacterial Agents and (Nano-)Hydroxyapatite on Dentin Caries: An In Vitro Study.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the caries-preventive effect of fluoride-free toothpastes, containing either herbal agents or (nano-)hydroxyapatite.

Methods: Bovine dentin specimens each having a sound [ST], and a demineralized area [DT]) were prepared and randomly allocated to eleven groups (n=187). Treatments during pH-cycling (28 days;6x120min demineralization/day) were brushing 2x/day with: 0ppm F- [NaF0], 500ppm F- [NaF500], 1,100ppm F- [NaF1100], grape seed extract [GSE], (nano-)hydroxyapatite [nHA, HA], melaleuca oil [MO1, MO2, MO-CU] and propolis + myrrh [PM1, PM2] containing dentifrices.

Paving the way for the use of Statherin-Derived Peptide (StN15) to control caries through acquired pellicle and biofilm microbiome engineering: Proof-of-concept in vitro/in vivo studies.

Objective: This proof-of-concept sequence of in vivo/in vitro studies aimed to unveil the role of acquired enamel pellicle (AEP) engineering with statherin-derived peptide (StN15) on the AEP protein profile, enamel biofilm microbiome in vivo and on enamel demineralization in vitro.

Design: In vivo studies, 10 volunteers, in 2 independent experiments (2 days each), rinsed (10 mL,1 min) with: deionized water (negative control) or 1.88 × 10 M StN15.

Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia Revealed by Diffusion-Tensor MRI.

Objectives: Detecting premalignant lesions for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, mainly pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), is critical for early diagnosis and for understanding PanIN biology. Based on PanIN's histology, we hypothesized that diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and T2* could detect PanIN.

Materials And Methods: DTI was explored for the detection and characterization of PanIN in genetically engineered mice (KC, KPC).