Different output properties of perisomatic region-targeting interneurons in the basal amygdala

Perisomatic region of principal neurons in the cortical regions is innervated by three types of GABAergic interneurons, including parvalbumi n - containing basket cells (PVBCs) and axo - axonic cells (AACs), as well as cholecystokinin and type 1 cannabinoid receptor - expressing basket cells (CCK/CB1BCs). These perisomatic inhibitory cell types can also be found in the basal nucleus of the amygdala, however, their output properties are largely unknown. Here, we performed whole - cell recordings in morphologically identified interneurons in slices prepared from transgenic mice, in which the GABAergic cells could be selectively targeted. By investigating the passive and active membrane properties of interneurons located within the bas al amygdala , w e observed that the three interneuron types had distinct single - cell properties . For instance, the input resistance, spike rate, accommodation in discharge rate , or after - hyperpolarization width at the half maximal amplitude separated the three interneuron types . Furthermore , we performed paired recordings from interneurons and principal neurons to uncover the basic features of unitary inhibitory postsynaptic curr ents (uIPSCs). We found that, although there was no difference in the magnitude of responses measured in the principal neurons , the uIPSCs originated from the distinct interneuron types differed in the rise time, failure rate, latency and short - term dynami cs. Moreover, the asynchronous transmitter release induced by a train of action potentials was typical for the output synapses of CCK/CB1BCs. Our results suggest that , although the three perisomatic inhibitory cell types give rise to uIPSCs with similar ma gnitude, their distinct spiking characteristics may help to accomplish specific function in amygdala operation

Expression of VjbR under Nutrient Limitation Conditions Is Regulated at the Post-Transcriptional Level by Specific Acidic pH Values and Urocanic Acid

VjbR is a LuxR homolog that regulates transcription of many genes including important virulence determinants of the facultative intracellular pathogen Brucella abortus. This transcription factor belongs to a family of regulators that participate in a cell-cell communication process called quorum sensing, which enables bacteria to respond to changes in cell population density by monitoring concentration of self produced autoinducer molecules. Unlike almost all other LuxR-type proteins, VjbR binds to DNA and activates transcription in the absence of any autoinducer signal. To investigate the mechanisms by which Brucella induces VjbR-mediated transcriptional activation, and to determine how inappropriate spatio-temporal expression of the VjbR target genes is prevented, we focused on the study of expression of vjbR itself. By assaying different parameters related to the intracellular lifestyle of Brucella, we identified a restricted set of conditions that triggers VjbR protein expression. Such conditions required the convergence of two signals of different nature: a specific pH value of 5.5 and the presence of urocanic acid, a metabolite involved in the connection between virulence and metabolism of Brucella. In addition, we also observed an urocanic acid, pH-dependent expression of RibH2 and VirB7, two additional intracellular survival-related proteins of Brucella. Analysis of promoter activities and determination of mRNA levels demonstrated that the urocanic acid-dependent mechanisms that induced expression of VjbR, RibH2, and VirB7 act at the post-transcriptional level. Taken together, our findings support a model whereby Brucella induces VjbR-mediated transcription by modulating expression of VjbR in response to specific signals related to the changing environment encountered within the host

PAS-positive lymphocyte vacuoles can be used as diagnostic screening test for Pompe disease

Screening of blood films for the presence of periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive lymphocyte vacuoles is sometimes used to support the diagnosis of Pompe disease, but the actual diagnostic value is still unknown. We collected peripheral blood films from 65 untreated Pompe patients and 51 controls. Lymphocyte vacuolization was quantified using three methods: percentage vacuolated lymphocytes, percentage PAS-positive lymphocytes, and a PAS score depending on staining intensity. Diagnostic accuracy of the tests was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. All three methods fully discerned classic infantile patients from controls. The mean values of patients with milder forms of Pompe disease were significantly higher than those of controls, but full separation was not obtained. The area under the ROC curve was 0.98 for the percentage vacuolated lymphocytes (optimal cutoff value 3; sensitivity 91%, specificity 96%) and 0.99 for the percentage PAS-positive lymphocytes and PAS score (optimal cutoff value 9; sensitivity 100%, specificity 98%). Our data indicate that PAS-stained blood films can be used as a reliable screening tool to support a diagnosis of Pompe disease. The percentage of PAS-positive lymphocytes is convenient for use in clinical practice but should always be interpreted in combination with other clinical and laboratory parameters

LISS panel - Hypothetical Choice Experiment - Main study

The survey is about job attributes. Respondents are asked to choose between two jobs. One of the jobs is similar to their own (or previous) job, whereas the job attributes of the other job are drawn randomly

Brain glucose metabolism in postanoxic syndrome due to cardiac arrest

Using positron emission tomography (PET), thirteen studies of regional brain glucose utilization were performed in 12 patients with postanoxic syndrome due to cardiac arrest. Investigations were carried out at least one month after brain anoxia. Seven subjects were in a persistent vegetative state. The others had regained normal consciousness with various residual neurological signs. When compared with normal values obtained in 16 normal, age-matched subjects, mean cerebral glucose metabolism was drastically decreased (+/- 50%) in vegetative cases, and to a lesser degree (+/- 25%) in conscious subjects. The most consistent regional alterations were observed in the parieto-occipital cortex (9 cases), the frontier between vertebral and carotid arterial territories. Other selective anomalies were found in the frontomesial junction (5 cases), the striatum (3 cases with dystonia), and the visual cortex (2 cases with cortical blindness). This study suggests that cerebral anoxia results in a global brain hypometabolism, which appears related to the vigilance state, as well as in regional disturbances preferentially located in arterial border zones. Although our findings remain to be confirmed in larger series, they suggest that PET provides a useful index of residual brain tissue function after anoxia and may assist in the monitoring of postanoxic encephalopathies

LISS panel - Hypothetical Choice Experiment - Pilot study

The survey is about job attributes. Respondents are asked to choose between two jobs. One of the jobs is similar to their own (or previous) job, whereas the job attributes of the other job are drawn randomly. This study is a pilot study