Elevated intracellular chloride level in albino visual cortex neurons is mediated by Na-K-Cl co-transporter

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>During development the switch from a depolarizing to a hyperpolarizing action of GABA is a consequence of a decrease of the Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl^-co-transporter (NKCC1, Cl^--uptake) and increase of the K⁺-Cl^-co-transporter (KCC2, Cl^--extrusion) expression. However albino visual cortex neurons don't show a corresponding decrease in intracellular chloride concentration during development of the visual system as compared to pigmented animals.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our study revealed that more cells express NKCC1 in albinos compared to pigmented rat visual cortex neurons whereas KCC2 is expressed in all cells in both strains. We determined a positive relationship between the presence of NKCC1 and an inhibitory deficit in single neurons of the albino visual cortex. After pharmacological blockade of NKCC1 function with its specific inhibitor, bumetanide, the reversal potential of electrically evoked GABAA receptor-mediated postsynaptic currents and, as a consequence, [Cl-]_iin albino visual cortex neurons shifted to the pigmented rat brain value. In conclusion, our pharmacological experiments and subsequent single cell real time PCR analysis of the co-transporter mRNA demonstrated that the inhibitory deficit present in the albino visual cortical network is almost exclusively mediated by NKCC1.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our findings suggest that blocking of NKCC1 in albino visual cortex neurons could improve processing in visual cortex and therefore might be beneficial for vision in albinos.</p

Sensitivity of the Goldfish Motion Detection System Revealed by Incoherent Random Dot Stimuli: Comparison of Behavioural and Neuronal Data

Global motion detection is one of the most important abilities in the animal kingdom to navigate through a 3-dimensional environment. In the visual system of teleost fish direction-selective neurons in the pretectal area (APT) are most important for global motion detection. As in all other vertebrates these neurons are involved in the control of slow phase eye movements during gaze stabilization. In contrast to mammals cortical pathways that might influence motion detection abilities of the optokinetic system are missing in teleost fish.To test global motion detection in goldfish we first measured the coherence threshold of random dot patterns to elicit horizontal slow phase eye movements. In addition, the coherence threshold of the optomotor response was determined by the same random dot patterns. In a second approach the coherence threshold to elicit a direction selective response in neurons of the APT was assessed from a neurometric function. Behavioural thresholds and neuronal thresholds to elicit slow phase eye movements were very similar, and ranged between 10% and 20% coherence. In contrast to these low thresholds for the optokinetic reaction and APT neurons the optomotor response could only be elicited by random dot patterns with coherences above 40%.Our findings suggest a high sensitivity for global motion in the goldfish optokinetic system. Comparison of neuronal and behavioural thresholds implies a nearly one-to-one transformation of visual neuron performance to the visuo-motor output. In addition, we assume that the optomotor response is not mediated by the optokinetic system, but instead by other motion detection systems with higher coherence thresholds

Automated determination of peripheral nerve stimulation parameters to achieve desired effector response – a procedural routine, preliminary studies and proposal of improvements

BACKGROUND: The feasibility of selectively stimulating fascicles and fibers within peripheral nerves has been demonstrated by a number of groups. Although various multi-contact electrodes have been developed for this purpose, the lack of procedures for fast determination of stimulation parameters to produce the desired effector activity hampers the clinical application of these techniques. In this paper, we propose an automated search routine that may facilitate the determination of stimulation parameters. To verify the routine's performance, we also developed an another routine that performs systematic stimulus–response mapping (the mapping routine). METHOD: The mapping routine performs systematic mapping of all possible combinations of the allowed stimulation parameters (i.e. combinations of electrode contacts used to provide the stimulus and sets of stimulus parameters values) and the observed displacements. The proposed automated search routine, similarly to the mapping routine, maps stimulation parameters to muscle responses, but it first investigates stimuli of the low charge and during the mapping process it compares the recorded responses with the desired one. Depending on the result of that comparison, it decides whether the use of a particular combination of electrode contacts should be further investigated or skipped. Both approaches were implemented on a custom-made closed-loop FES platform and preliminary experiments were performed on a rat model. The rat's sciatic nerve was stimulated with a 12-contact cuff electrode and the resulting displacement of the rat's paw was determined using a MEMS accelerometer. RESULTS: The automated search routine was faster than the mapping routine; however, it failed to find correct stimulation parameters in one out of three searches. This could be due to unexpectedly high variability in the responses to a constant stimulus. CONCLUSION: Our initial tests have proven that the proposed method determines the desired stimulation parameters much more quickly than systematic stimulus–response mapping. However, the factors influencing the variability of responses to constant stimuli should be identified, and their influence diminished; the remaining essential variability can then be identified. Thereafter, the criteria influencing the search process should be investigated and refined. Further improvements to the search routine are also proposed

Impact of UVA exposure on psychological parameters and circulating serotonin and melatonin

BACKGROUND: People tend to feel better after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This study was performed to investigate the impact of UVA exposure on psychological and neuroendocrine parameters. METHODS: Fifty-three volunteers were separated into 42 individuals who had UVA exposure and 11 individuals who had no UVA exposure. The UVA-exposed volunteers had irradiation sessions six times in a three-week period. All volunteers completed two questionnaires at baseline (T1) and at the end of the study (T3). For the determination of serotonin and melatonin serum levels of all volunteers blood samples were collected at baseline (T1), after the first UVA exposure (T2), and at the end of the study after the sixth exposure (T3). RESULTS: UVA-exposed volunteers felt significantly more balanced, less nervous, more strengthened, and more satisfied with their appearance at T3. By contrast, the controls did not show significant changes of psychological parameters. In comparison to T1 and T3, serum serotonin was significantly higher and the serum melatonin was significantly lower for the volunteers exposed to UVA at T2. Both, for exposed and non-exposed volunteers serotonin and melatonin levels did not significantly differ at T1 and T3. CONCLUSIONS: It remains obscure, whether the exposure to UVA or other components of the treatment were responsible for the psychological benefits observed. The changes of circulating neuroendocrine mediators found after UVA exposure at T2 may be due to an UVA-induced effect via a cutaneous pathway. Nevertheless, the positive psychological effects observed in our study cannot be attributed to circulating serotonin or melatonin

The co-evolution of total density profiles and central dark matter fractions in simulated early-type galaxies

We present evidence from cosmological hydrodynamical simulations for a co-evolution of the slope of the total (dark and stellar) mass density profile, gamma (tot), and the dark matter fraction within the half-mass radius, f(DM), in early-type galaxies. The relation can be described as gamma(tot) = A f(DM) + B for all systems at all redshifts. The trend is set by the decreasing importance of gas dissipation towards lower redshifts and for more massive systems. Early-type galaxies are smaller, more concentrated, have lower f(DM) and steeper gamma(tot) at high redshifts and at lower masses for a given redshift; f(DM) and gamma(tot) are good indicators for growth by 'dry' merging. The values for A and B change distinctively for different feedback models, and this relation can be used as a test for such models. A similar correlation exists between gamma(tot) and the stellar mass surface density Sigma(*). A model with weak stellar feedback and feedback from black holes is in best agreement with observations. All simulations, independent of the assumed feedback model, predict steeper gamma(tot) and lower f(DM) at higher redshifts. While the latter is in agreement with the observed trends, the former is in conflict with lensing observations, which indicate constant or decreasing gamma(tot). This discrepancy is shown to be artificial: the observed trends can be reproduced from the simulations using observational methodology to calculate the total density slopes.Peer reviewe

Protection against ultraviolet radiation by commercial summer clothing: need for standardised testing and labelling

BACKGROUND: The use of clothing as a means of sun protection has been recommended in recent education campaigns. Contrary to popular opinion, however, some fabrics provide insufficient ultraviolet (UV) protection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We investigated 236 apparel textiles of the spring/summer collections 2000 and 2001. In accordance with the forthcoming European standard the UV protection factor (UPF) of the fabrics was determined spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: Seventy-eight (33%) fabrics had UPF < 15, 45 (19%) had UPF = or > 15 and < 30, and 113 (48%) had UPF = or > 30 (30+). More than 70% of the wool, polyester, and fabric blends, and only less than 30% of the cotton, linen, and viscose fabrics had UPF values of 30+. Fabrics with black, navy-blue, white, green, or beige colours provided most frequently UPF values of 30+. CONCLUSIONS: It is difficult for the sun-aware consumer to choose the 'right' garment, with a third of summer clothing providing insufficient UV protection and only half of the fabrics having UPF 30+, the UPF recommended by the European standard. Therefore, apparel summer fabrics should be measured and labelled in accordance with a standard document

Chromatic sensitivity of neurones in area MT of the anaesthetised macaque monkey compared to human motion perception

Abstract We recorded activity from neurones in cortical motion-processing areas, middle temporal area (MT) and middle posterior superior temporal sulcus (MST), of anaesthetised and paralysed macaque monkeys in response to moving sinewave gratings modulated in luminance and chrominance. The activity of MT and MST neurones was highly dependent on luminance contrast. In three of four animals isoluminant chromatic modulations failed to activate MT/MST neurones significantly. At low luminance contrast a systematic dependence on chromaticity was revealed, attributable mostly to residual activity of the magnocellular pathway. Additionally, we found indications for a weak Scone input, but rod intrusion could also have made a contribution. In contrast to the activity of MT and MST neurones, speed judgments and onset amplitude of evoked optokinetic eye movements in human subjects confronted with equivalent visual stimuli were largely independent of luminance modulation. Motion of every grating (including isoluminant) was readily visible for all but one observer. Similarity with the activity of MT/ MST cells was found only for motion-nulling equivalent luminance contrast judgments at isoluminance. Our results suggest that areas MT and MST may not be involved in the processing of chromatic motion, but effects of central anaesthesia and/or the existence of intra-and inter-species differences must also be considered

Synthesis and characterization of Al-Mg powder materials

In this paper presents the results of studies of Al-Mg alloy depending on the time of mechanical activation in a planetary mill. It is shown that the increase in mechanical activation time more than 7 hours leads to the appearance of agglomerates of powder particles

Оптимизация системы навигации мобильного приложения под ОС Android

Работа заключается в реконструкции навигации мобильного приложения с последующим внедрением в базовый унифицированный модуль для двух независимых клиентов. Использование навигации из базового унифицированного модуля способствует ее абстрагированию от конкретного приложения. При таких условиях клиент не имплементирует базовые части, а задействует их напрямую из данного модуля. Это приводит к снижению необходимого времени тестирования, а также улучшению стабильности.The aim of that work is in reconstruction of mobile application's navigation with next introduction into base unified module for two independent client applications. Use of navigation from the base unified module promotes its abstraction from the specific application. According to that conditions client application doesn't implement base parts, but use them from that module. It leads to decreased necessity of time for testing and improved stability