Tectal-derived interneurons contribute to phasic and tonic inhibition in the visual thalamus

The release of GABA from local interneurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN-INs) provides inhibitory control during visual processing within the thalamus. It is commonly assumed that this important class of interneurons originates from within the thalamic complex, but we now show that during early postnatal development Sox14/Otx2-expressing precursor cells migrate from the dorsal midbrain to generate dLGN-INs. The unexpected extra-diencephalic origin of dLGN-INs sets them apart from GABAergic neurons of the reticular thalamic nucleus. Using optogenetics we show that at increased firing rates tectal-derived dLGN-INs generate a powerful form of tonic inhibition that regulates the gain of thalamic relay neurons through recruitment of extrasynaptic high-affinity GABA(A) receptors. Therefore, by revising the conventional view of thalamic interneuron ontogeny we demonstrate how a previously unappreciated mesencephalic population controls thalamic relay neuron excitability.Peer reviewe

The complexity of distribution strategy leverage in export marketing

Distribucije v raziskavi ne obravnavamo zgolj kot ene od sestavin trženjskega spleta podjetja, temveč kot strateško razsežnost razvoja tržne pozicije na izbranih tujih trgih, katere cilj ni zagotoviti zgolj prodajo izdelkov podjetja, temveč ustvariti distribucijski sistem, ki bo podjetju zagotavljal rast prodaje in krepil konkurenčne prednosti na trgu. Na izbranem vzorcu slovenskih proizvodnih podjetij smo preverjali povezanost med izvozno tržno naravnanostjo podjetja, inovativnostjo, odnosi z odjemalci na tujih trgih, blagovno znamko proizvajalca in trgovsko znamko ter strategijo prodajnih poti. Raziskava potrjuje pozitivno povezavo navedenih razsežnosti trženjskega procesa z razvojem uspešne strategije prodajnih poti proizvodnega podjetja v procesu gradnje trajnejših partnerskih odnosov z neodvisnimi distributerji na tujih trgih.Research doesnʼt treat distribution only as a marketing mix component, but also as a strategic dimension of market position development in foreign markets, which aim is not only to ensure the sale of a companyʼs products, but also to create a distribution system that will provide sales growth and strengthen a firmʼs competitive advantage in the marketplace. Based on a sample of Slovenian manufacturing firms, this paper examines the relationship between a firmʼs export market orientation, innovation, relationships with customers in foreign markets, manufacturer brand and retailer brand respectively and its sales channel strategy. The study confirms a positive link of these dimensions of the marketing process with the creation of a manufacturerʼs successful sales channel strategy in a process of building lasting partnership with independent distributors on foreign markets

Circadian factor BMAL1 in histaminergic neurons regulates sleep architecture

Circadian clocks allow anticipation of daily environmental changes. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) houses the master clock, but clocks are also widely expressed elsewhere in the body. Although some peripheral clocks have established roles, it is unclear what local brain clocks do. We tested the contribution of one putative local clock in mouse histaminergic neurons in the tuberomamillary nucleus to the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle. Histaminergic neurons are silent during sleep, and start firing after wake onset; the released histamine, made by the enzyme histidine decarboxylase (HDC), enhances wakefulness. We found that hdc gene expression varies with time of day. Selectively deleting the Bmal1 (also known as Arntl or Mop3) clock gene from histaminergic cells removes this variation, producing higher HDC expression and brain histamine levels during the day. The consequences include more fragmented sleep, prolonged wake at night, shallower sleep depth (lower nonrapid eye movement [NREM] δ power), increased NREM-to-REM transitions, hindered recovery sleep after sleep deprivation, and impaired memory. Removing BMAL1 from histaminergic neurons does not, however, affect circadian rhythms. We propose that for mammals with polyphasic/nonwake consolidating sleep, the local BMAL1-dependent clock directs appropriately timed declines and increases in histamine biosynthesis to produce an appropriate balance of wake and sleep within the overall daily cycle of rest and activity specified by the SCN

Sodobne usmeritve kazenskega materialnega prava

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