Cortical disinhibitory circuits: cell types, connectivity and function.

The concept of a dynamic excitation/inhibition balance tuned by circuit disinhibition, which can shape information flow during complex behavioral tasks, has arisen as an important and conserved information-processing motif. In cortical circuits, different subtypes of GABAergic inhibitory interneurons are connected to each other, offering an anatomical foundation for disinhibitory processes. Moreover, a subpopulation of GABAergic cells that express vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) preferentially innervates inhibitory interneurons, highlighting their central role in disinhibitory modulation.

Collaborative governance in the Quebec Cancer Network: a realist evaluation of emerging mechanisms of institutionalization, multi-level governance, and value creation using a longitudinal multiple case study design.

Background: People living with and beyond cancer (PLC) receive various forms of specialty care at different locations and many interventions concurrently or over time. They are affected by the operation of professional and organizational silos. This results in undue delays in access, unmet needs, sub-optimal care experiences and clinical outcomes, and human and financial costs for PLCs and healthcare systems.

Directing hMSCs fate through geometrical cues and mimetics peptides.

The native microenvironment of mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs)-the extracellular matrix (ECM), is a complex and heterogenous environment structured at different scales. The present study aims at mimicking the hierarchical microorganization of proteins or growth factors within the ECM using the photolithography technique. Polyethylene terephthalate substrates were used as a model material to geometrically defined regions of RGD + BMP-2 or RDG + OGP mimetic peptides.

The gliotransmitter ACBP controls feeding and energy homeostasis via the melanocortin system.

Glial cells have emerged as key players in the central control of energy balance and etiology of obesity. Astrocytes play a central role in neural communication via the release of gliotransmitters. Acyl-CoA binding protein (ACBP)-derived endozepines are secreted peptides that modulate the GABAA receptor.

Single or Mixed Tethered Peptides To Promote hMSC Differentiation toward Osteoblastic Lineage.

The commitment and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are guided by bioactive molecules within the extracellular matrix. Among the various approaches to design biomaterials, the functionalization of biomaterial surfaces with peptides from the sequence of proteins from the extracellular matrix is quite common. The purpose of this functionalization is to recruit hMSCs and promote their differentiation into the appropriate lineage.

Availability, Quality, and Relevance of Toxicogenomics Data for Human Health Risk Assessment: A Scoping Review of the Literature on Trihalomethanes.

Human health risk assessment (HHRA) must be adapted to the challenges of the 21st century, and the use of toxicogenomics data in HHRA is among the changes that regulatory agencies worldwide are trying to implement. However, the use of toxicogenomics data in HHRA is still limited. The purpose of this study was to explore the availability, quality, and relevance to HHRA of toxicogenomics publications as potential barriers to their use in HHRA.

A computationally driven analysis of the polyphenol-protein interactome.

Polyphenol-rich foods are part of many nutritional interventions aimed at improving health and preventing cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs). Polyphenols have oxidative, inflammatory, and/or metabolic effects. Research into the chemistry and biology of polyphenol bioactives is prolific but knowledge of their molecular interactions with proteins is limited.

Decisional conflict in asthma patients: a cross sectional study.

Objective: This study aimed at determining the level of decisional conflict in asthmatic individuals facing recommendation-based decisions provided to improve asthma control.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study performed on a convenience sample of 50 adults aged between 18 and 65 years with a diagnosis of asthma. They completed a decisional conflict scale (possible range of 0-100%), asthma knowledge and control questionnaires (both 0% and 100%), and a general questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics.

Induction of serpinb1a by PACAP or NGF is required for PC12 cells survival after serum withdrawal.

PC12 cells are used to study the signaling mechanisms underlying the neurotrophic and neuroprotective activities of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and nerve growth factor (NGF). Previous microarray experiments indicated that serpinb1a was the most induced gene after 6 h of treatment with PACAP or NGF. This study confirmed that serpinb1a is strongly activated by PACAP and NGF in a time-dependent manner with a maximum induction (~ 50-fold over control) observed after 6 h of treatment.

Clinical validity of karyotyping for the diagnosis of chromosomal imbalance following array comparative genomic hybridisation.

Background: Array comparative genomic hybridisation (aCGH) represents a major advance in the ability to detect chromosomal imbalances (CI). A recent meta-analysis recommended aCGH for replacing karyotyping for patients with unexplained disabilities. However, favouring aCGH over karyotyping must be based on solid evidence due to the major implications of selecting a preferential diagnostic tool.

Prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes with low-dose ASA in early pregnancy: new perspectives for future randomized trials.

Recent evidence suggests that treatment with low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) started early in pregnancy could prevent preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), two complications involving placental dysfunction. Preterm birth could also potentially be prevented, suggesting that it could share mechanisms of disease with preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. Because there is new evidence that placental dysfunction can be predicted as early as in the first trimester, we argue that there is a need for randomized controlled trials of low-dose ASA for the prevention of preeclampsia, IUGR, and possibly preterm birth among nulliparous women with early indicators of placental dysfunction.

Evaluating professional society guidelines on vaginal birth after cesarean.

The objective was to compare national guidelines regarding vaginal birth after cesarean. Along with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists practice bulletin, guidelines from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada were reviewed and compared. Although the 3 organizations agree on most of the risk factors for uterine rupture and failed vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), there were some variances in the recommendations to women with 2 previous cesareans and those who required oxytocin augmentation.

[Measurement of the lower uterine segment: are we ready for a clinical application?].

The measurement of the lower uterine segment (LUS) seems to be the best technique available to estimate the risk of uterine rupture, but there is a great heterogeneity in the techniques used. It appears necessary to standardize the interventions and their teaching prior to extending the use of the LUS measurement to clinical settings beyond well-defined research purposes.

Sonographic lower uterine segment thickness and risk of uterine scar defect: a systematic review.

Objective: To study the diagnostic accuracy of sonographic measurements of the lower uterine segment (LUS) thickness near term in predicting uterine scar defects in women with prior Caesarean section (CS).

Data Sources: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library (1965-2009).

Methods Of Study Selection: Studies of populations of women with previous low transverse CS who underwent third-trimester evaluation of LUS thickness were selected.

Keratin 8/18 modulation of protein kinase C-mediated integrin-dependent adhesion and migration of liver epithelial cells.

Keratins are intermediate filament (IF) proteins of epithelial cells, expressed as pairs in a lineage/differentiation manner. Hepatocyte and hepatoma cell IFs are made solely of keratins 8/18 (K8/K18), the hallmark of all simple epithelia. Cell attachment/spreading (adhesion) and migration involve the formation of focal adhesions at sites of integrin interactions with extracellular matrix, actin adaptors such as talin and vinculin, and signaling molecules such as focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and member(s) of the protein kinase C (PKC) family.

A GATA4/WT1 cooperation regulates transcription of genes required for mammalian sex determination and differentiation.

Background: In mammals, sex determination is genetically controlled. The SRY gene, located on Y chromosome, functions as the dominant genetic switch for testis development. The SRY gene is specifically expressed in a subpopulation of somatic cells (pre-Sertoli cells) of the developing urogenital ridge for a brief period during gonadal differentiation.