KV7/KCNQ Channels Are Functionally Expressed in Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells

Background: KV7/KCNQ channels are widely expressed in neurons and they have multiple important functions, including control of excitability, spike afterpotentials, adaptation, and theta resonance. Mutations in KCNQ genes have been demonstrated to associate with human neurological pathologies. However, little is known about whether K V7/KCNQ channels are expressed in oligodendrocyte lineage cells (OLCs) and what their functions in OLCs. Methods and Findings: In this study, we characterized KV7/KCNQ channels expression in rat primary cultured OLCs by RT-PCR, immunostaining and electrophysiology. KCNQ2-5 mRNAs existed in all three developmental stages of rat primary cultured OLCs. K V7/KCNQ proteins were also detected in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs, early developmental stages of OLCs) of rat primary cultures and cortex slices. Voltage-clamp recording revealed that the IM antagonist XE991 significantly reduced KV7/KCNQ channel current (IK(Q)) in OPCs but not in differentiated oligodendrocytes. In addition, inhibition of K V7/KCNQ channels promoted OPCs motility in vitro. Conclusions: These findings showed that K V7/KCNQ channels were functionally expressed in rat primary cultured OLCs an

Spatial analysis for stratification of priority malaria control areas, Mato Grosso State, Brazil Análise espacial na estratificação de áreas prioritárias para o controle da malária no Estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil

The goal of this study was to stratify priority areas for malaria control in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil, based on spatial analysis. The variables used were: Annual Parasite Index (API), Plasmodium falciparum/Plasmodium vivax ratio, population variation, number of families settled, and percent of deforested area. The Moran's I and Local Moran Test were applied, visualized with the Box Map and Moran Map, for 1986- 1991, 1992-1997, and 1998-2003. Box Map identified areas with high, low, and intermediate priority for control, and Moran Map identified municipalities with significant autocorrelation. In the high priority area, located in the North of Mato Grosso, malaria incidence decreased drastically despite the increase in the number of municipalities from the first to the last period. Other municipalities were added to the lower priority area, from the Southeast, Southwest, and Central-South of the State. The intermediate priority area was located along the border with neighboring States and municipalities classified as high and low priority. Spatial analysis showed the importance of the neighboring phenomenon between municipalities in defining priority areas, thus highlighting the technique's advantages for use in malaria control and surveillance.<br>Pautado em técnicas de análise espacial, analisou-se a estratificação de áreas prioritárias para controle da malária no Estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil. Trabalhou-se Incidência Parasitária Anual, relação Plasmodium falciparum/Plasmodium vivax, variação populacional, número de famílias assentadas e percentuais da área desmatada. Foram utilizados os testes de I de Moran e Moran Local, visualizadas pelo Box Map e Moran Map, nos períodos de: 1986 a 1991, 1992 a 1997 e 1998 a 2003. Pelo Box Map identificaram-se áreas de prioridade maior, menor e intermediária, e pelo Moran Map localizaram-se municípios com autocorrelação estatisticamente significante. Na área de maior prioridade, localizada na região norte mato-grossense, a incidência reduziu drasticamente apesar do aumento do número de municípios de primeiro a último período. A área de menor prioridade agregou municípios da região sudeste, sudoeste e centro-sul. A área de prioridade intermediária localizou-se na fronteira com estados vizinhos e entre os municípios de maior e menor prioridade. A análise espacial apontou a importância da vizinhança na determinação de áreas de prioridade, constituindo em importante ferramenta para a vigilância e controle de malária