A computational model of how cholinergic interneurons protect striatal-dependent learning

Abstract ■ An essential component of skill acquisition is learning the environmental conditions in which that skill is relevant. This article proposes and tests a neurobiologically detailed theory of how such learning is mediated. The theory assumes that a key component of this learning is provided by the cholinergic interneurons in the striatum known as tonically active neurons (TANs). The TANs are assumed to exert a tonic inhibitory influence over cortical inputs to the striatum that prevents the execution of any striatal-dependent actions. The TANs learn to pause in rewarding environments, and this pause releases the striatal output neurons from this inhibitory effect, thereby facilitating the learning and expression of striataldependent behaviors. When rewards are no longer available, the TANs cease to pause, which protects striatal learning from decay. A computational version of this theory accounts for a variety of single-cell recording data and some classic behavioral phenomena, including fast reacquisition after extinction.

Resting state fMRI based multilayer network configuration in patients with schizophrenia.

Novel methods for measuring large-scale dynamic brain organisation are needed to provide new biomarkers of schizophrenia. Using a method for modelling dynamic modular organisation (Mucha et al., 2010), evidence suggests higher 'flexibility' (switching between multilayer network communities) to be a feature of schizophrenia (Braun et al., 2016). The current study compared flexibility between 55 patients with schizophrenia and 72 controls (the COBRE Dataset). In addition, novel methods of 'between resting state network synchronisation' (BRSNS) and the probability of transition from one community to another were used to further describe group differences in dynamic community structure. There was significantly higher schizophrenia group flexibility scores in cerebellar (F (1124) = 9.33, p (FDR) = 0.017), subcortical (F (1124) = 13.14, p (FDR) = 0.005), and fronto-parietal task control (F (1124) = 7.19, p (FDR) = 0.033) resting state networks (RSNs), as well as in the left thalamus (MNI XYZ: -2, -13, 12; F(1, 124) = 17.1, p (FDR) < 0.001) and the right crus I (MNI XYZ: 35, -67, -34; F (1, 124) = 19.65, p (FDR) < 0.001). Flexibility in the left thalamus reflected transitions between communities covering default mode and sensory-somatomotor RSNs. BRSNS scores suggested altered dynamic inter-RSN modular configuration in schizophrenia. This study suggests less stable community structure in a schizophrenia group at an RSN and node level and provides novel methods of exploring dynamic community structure. Mediation of group differences by mean time window correlation did however suggest flexibility to be no better as a schizophrenia biomarker than simpler measures and a range of methodological choices affected results

Are hip biomechanics during running associated with symptom severity or cam morphology size in male football players with FAI syndrome?

Background: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome is considered a motion-related condition. Little is known about the influence of symptom severity and cam morphology on hip biomechanics for individuals with FAI syndrome. Research question: Are hip biomechanics during running associated with symptom severity or cam morphology size in male football players with FAI syndrome? Methods: Forty-nine male, sub-elite football (soccer or Australian football) players (mean age= 26 years) with FAI syndrome completed the International Hip Outcome Tool-33 (iHOT-33) and Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) and underwent radiographic evaluation. Biomechanical data were collected during overground running (3–3.5 m∙s−1) using three-dimensional motion capture technology and an embedded force plate. Various discrete hip angles and impulses of joint moments were analysed during the stance phase. Linear regression models investigated associations between running biomechanics data (dependent variables) and iHOT-33 and HAGOS scores and cam morphology size (independent variables). Results: Hip joint angles during running were not associated with symptom severity in football players with FAI syndrome. A positive association was found between the impulse of the hip external rotation moment and HAGOS-Sport scores, such that a smaller impulse magnitude occurred with a lower HAGOS-Sport score (0.026 *10−2 [95%CI &lt;0.001 *10−2 to 0.051 *10−2], P = 0.048). Larger cam morphology was associated with a greater peak hip adduction angle at midstance (0.073 [95%CI 0.002–0.145], P = 0.045). Significance: Hip biomechanics during running did not display strong associations with symptom severity or cam morphology size in male football players with FAI syndrome who were still participating in training and match play. Future studies might consider investigating associations during tasks that utilise end range hip joint motion or require greater muscle forces.</p

Does hip muscle strength and functional performance differ between football players with and without hip dysplasia?

Objective: To compare hip muscle strength and functional performance in football players with and without hip dysplasia and investigate if the relationships were modified by sex. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: This study compared football players with hip dysplasia (HD group) and without hip dysplasia (control group). Hip muscle strength (Nm/kg) and functional task performance were assessed in both groups. Linear regression with generalized estimating equations were used to assess differences between groups. Sex was assessed as a potential effect modifier. Results: 101 football players were included (HD group, n = 50, control group, n = 87). There was no difference in hip muscle strength or functional performance between the HD group and the control group. Results ranged from hip extension strength (Estimate −0.13.95%CI: 0.29 to 0.02, P = 0.087) to hip external rotation strength (Estimate 0.00.95%CI: 0.05 to 0.05, P = 0.918). No relationships were modified by sex or age. Conclusions: Similar levels of hip muscle strength and functional performance were found in active football players with and without hip dysplasia. These findings differ from other studies. This may be due to our cohort having less advanced hip dysplasia than the surgical populations that have been previously investigated, or due to a beneficial effect of football participation on muscle strength and functional performance in people with hip dysplasia.</p

Integrated metastate functional connectivity networks predict change in symptom severity in clinical high risk for psychosis

The ability to identify biomarkers of psychosis risk is essential in defining effective preventive measures to potentially circumvent the transition to psychosis. Using samples of people at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR) and Healthy controls (HC) who were administered a task fMRI paradigm, we used a framework for labelling time windows of fMRI scans as ‘integrated’ FC networks to provide a granular representation of functional connectivity (FC). Periods of integration were defined using the ‘cartographic profile’ of time windows and k‐means clustering, and sub‐network discovery was carried out using Network Based Statistics (NBS). There were no network differences between CHR and HC groups. Within the CHR group, using integrated FC networks, we identified a sub‐network negatively associated with longitudinal changes in the severity of psychotic symptoms. This sub‐network comprised brain areas implicated in bottom‐up sensory processing and in integration with motor control, suggesting it may be related to the demands of the fMRI task. These data suggest that extracting integrated FC networks may be useful in the investigation of biomarkers of psychosis risk

Sheep Updates 2005 - Part 5

This session covers eleven papers from different authors; MARKET INFORMATION 1. Crystal Spring - Crystal clear and consistant, Geoff Duddy, Livestock Officer (Sheep & Wool) Yanco, NSW, Brent McLoud, (Product Development Officer) Cowra, NSW, John Sullivan, J.J Dresser and Co (Agent), Woodstock, NSW 2. An overview of Recent Developments in Dark and Medullated Fibre Testing, T.J. Mahar, A. Balasingam, AWTA Ltd 3. Opportunities and Implications for Wool Producers of the TEAM3 Prediction Equations, J.H. Stanton12 K.M.S. Curtis1 , 1Department of Agriculture Western Australia, 2 Curtin University, WA 4. Premiums and Discounts for Fibre Properties in Superfine Wool, Now and in the Future?, K.M.S. Curtis1, P.R. Lamb2, 1 Department of Agriculture Western Australia, 2Lambshift Consulting, Geelong VIC FEEDLOTTING 5. Manure in sheep feedlots: problem or opportunity?, Eliza Dowling, Ned Crossley Department of Agriculture , Western Australia, Surrender Mann, Chemistry Centre (WA), East Perth WA, 6. The State of Lamb Confinement Feeding in WA, Ned Crossley, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia 7. Finishing lambs in a feed lot - Is it profitable?, Lucy Anderton, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia 8. Repeated live weights can mardinally improve prediction of compliance to markey specifications, Mattew Kelly, Andrew Swan, CSIRO livestock industries, Ian McFarland, Department of Agriculture Western Australia. WELFARE 9. Mulesing accreditation - to be or not to be? Di Evans, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia. 10. The Economic and Research Implications of managing Merino Sheep with out Mulesing, K. Bell, Sheep Management and Production Consultants, North Fremantle WA, D. Sackett, Homes Sackett and Associates, Wagga Wagga NSW 11. How do lambs fare during curfew, Dr Robin Jacob, Department of Agriculture, Western Australi

“PMA Sounds Fun”: Negotiating Drug Discourses Online

In 2007, a young woman, Annabel Catt, died after consuming a capsule sold as “ecstasy” that contained para-methoxyamphetamine. In this paper, we describe how this death was depicted in online drug-user communities and illustrate how the meanings of drug use are negotiated in online settings. News articles, public online discussions, and online fieldwork formed the data. This paper demonstrates how dominant drug discourses may be resisted by drug users, drawing on theories of health resistance and Kane Race’s concept of counter public health. Online environments may offer ways of engaging people who use drugs that acknowledge both pleasure and safety. The study’s limitations are noted

Novel Structural Components of the Ventral Disc and Lateral Crest in Giardia intestinalis

Giardia intestinalis is a ubiquitous parasitic protist that is the causative agent of giardiasis, one of the most common protozoan diarrheal diseases in the world. Giardia trophozoites attach to the intestinal epithelium using a specialized and elaborate microtubule structure, the ventral disc. Surrounding the ventral disc is a less characterized putatively contractile structure, the lateral crest, which forms a continuous perimeter seal with the substrate. A better understanding of ventral disc and lateral crest structure, conformational dynamics, and biogenesis is critical for understanding the mechanism of giardial attachment to the host. To determine the components comprising the ventral disc and lateral crest, we used shotgun proteomics to identify proteins in a preparation of isolated ventral discs. Candidate disc-associated proteins, or DAPs, were GFP-tagged using a ligation-independent high-throughput cloning method. Based on disc localization, we identified eighteen novel DAPs, which more than doubles the number of known disc-associated proteins. Ten of the novel DAPs are associated with the lateral crest or outer edge of the disc, and are the first confirmed components of this structure. Using Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) with representative novel DAP::GFP strains we found that the newly identified DAPs tested did not recover after photobleaching and are therefore structural components of the ventral disc or lateral crest. Functional analyses of the novel DAPs will be central toward understanding the mechanism of ventral disc-mediated attachment and the mechanism of disc biogenesis during cell division. Since attachment of Giardia to the intestine via the ventral disc is essential for pathogenesis, it is possible that some proteins comprising the disc could be potential drug targets if their loss or disruption interfered with disc biogenesis or function, preventing attachment

Patient-reported outcome measures for hip-related pain: A review of the available evidence and a consensus statement from the International Hip-related Pain Research Network, Zurich 2018

Hip-related pain is a well-recognised complaint among active young and middle-aged active adults. People experiencing hip-related disorders commonly report pain and reduced functional capacity, including difficulties in executing activities of daily living. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are essential to accurately examine and compare the effects of different treatments on disability in those with hip pain. In November 2018, 38 researchers and clinicians working in the field of hip-related pain met in Zurich, Switzerland for the first International Hip-related Pain Research Network meeting. Prior to the meeting, evidence summaries were developed relating to four prioritised themes. This paper discusses the available evidence and consensus process from which recommendations were made regarding the appropriate use of PROMs to assess disability in young and middle-aged active adults with hip-related pain. Our process to gain consensus had five steps: (1) systematic review of systematic reviews; (2) preliminary discussion within the working group; (3) update of the more recent high-quality systematic review and examination of the psychometric properties of PROMs according to established guidelines; (4) formulation of the recommendations considering the limitations of the PROMs derived from the examination of their quality; and (5