The malleable brain: plasticity of neural circuits and behavior: A review from students to students

One of the most intriguing features of the brain is its ability to be malleable, allowing it to adapt continually to changes in the environment. Specific neuronal activity patterns drive long-lasting increases or decreases in the strength of synaptic connections, referred to as long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) respectively. Such phenomena have been described in a variety of model organisms, which are used to study molecular, structural, and functional aspects of synaptic plasticity. This review originated from the first International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) and Journal of Neurochemistry (JNC) Flagship School held in Alpbach, Austria (Sep 2016), and will use its curriculum and discussions as a framework to review some of the current knowledge in the field of synaptic plasticity. First, we describe the role of plasticity during development and the persistent changes of neural circuitry occurring when sensory input is altered during critical developmental stages. We then outline the signaling cascades resulting in the synthesis of new plasticity-related proteins, which ultimately enable sustained changes in synaptic strength. Going beyond the traditional understanding of synaptic plasticity conceptualized by LTP and LTD, we discuss system-wide modifications and recently unveiled homeostatic mechanisms, such as synaptic scaling. Finally, we describe the neural circuits and synaptic plasticity mechanisms driving associative memory and motor learning. Evidence summarized in this review provides a current view of synaptic plasticity in its various forms, offers new insights into the underlying mechanisms and behavioral relevance, and provides directions for future research in the field of synaptic plasticity.Fil: Schaefer, Natascha. University of Wuerzburg; AlemaniaFil: Rotermund, Carola. University of Tuebingen; AlemaniaFil: Blumrich, Eva Maria. Universitat Bremen; AlemaniaFil: Lourenco, Mychael V.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Joshi, Pooja. Robert Debre Hospital; FranciaFil: Hegemann, Regina U.. University of Otago; Nueva ZelandaFil: Jamwal, Sumit. ISF College of Pharmacy; IndiaFil: Ali, Nilufar. Augusta University; Estados UnidosFil: García Romero, Ezra Michelet. Universidad Veracruzana; MéxicoFil: Sharma, Sorabh. Birla Institute of Technology and Science; IndiaFil: Ghosh, Shampa. Indian Council of Medical Research; IndiaFil: Sinha, Jitendra K.. Indian Council of Medical Research; IndiaFil: Loke, Hannah. Hudson Institute of Medical Research; AustraliaFil: Jain, Vishal. Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences; IndiaFil: Lepeta, Katarzyna. Polish Academy of Sciences; ArgentinaFil: Salamian, Ahmad. Polish Academy of Sciences; ArgentinaFil: Sharma, Mahima. Polish Academy of Sciences; ArgentinaFil: Golpich, Mojtaba. University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre; MalasiaFil: Nawrotek, Katarzyna. University Of Lodz; ArgentinaFil: Paid, Ramesh K.. Indian Institute of Chemical Biology; IndiaFil: Shahidzadeh, Sheila M.. Syracuse University; Estados UnidosFil: Piermartiri, Tetsade. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; BrasilFil: Amini, Elham. University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre; MalasiaFil: Pastor, Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia ; ArgentinaFil: Wilson, Yvette. University of Melbourne; AustraliaFil: Adeniyi, Philip A.. Afe Babalola University; NigeriaFil: Datusalia, Ashok K.. National Brain Research Centre; IndiaFil: Vafadari, Benham. Polish Academy of Sciences; ArgentinaFil: Saini, Vedangana. University of Nebraska; Estados UnidosFil: Suárez Pozos, Edna. Instituto Politécnico Nacional; MéxicoFil: Kushwah, Neetu. Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences; IndiaFil: Fontanet, Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia ; ArgentinaFil: Turner, Anthony J.. University of Leeds; Reino Unid

An identification and assessment of discrepancies areas in the production of aluminum frames using the FMEA method

Głównym celem artykułu jest identyfikacja i ocena obszarów niezgodności ram luminiowych. W artykule wykorzystano metodę zarządzania jakością, jaką jest analiza FMEA. W wyniku przeprowadzonych badań określono priorytetowe dla badanego produktu niezgodności. Kolejnym etapem było wskazanie działań korygujących. Zastosowanie analizy FMEA pomogło określić przyczyny oraz skutki potencjalnych niezgodności. Wykorzystana metoda pozwoliła zbadać główne błędy występujące podczas produkcji ram aluminiowych.The main purpose of the article is to identify and assess areas of discrepancies of the aluminum framework. The article uses the method of quality management, which is the FMEA analysis. As a result of the tests carried out using the FMEA method, the noncompliances priority for the tested product was determined. The next stage was the indication of corrective actions. The use of FMEA analysis helped to determine the causes and effects of potential nonconformities. The method also allowed to examine the main errors occurring the production of aluminum frames

Integracja wiedzy pomiędzy inżynierią środowiska a inżynierią biomedyczną

The development of science, which has been observed in recent years, shows that engineering knowledge and activity are becoming more and more interdisciplinary. Up to the late 80-ties of the previous century, the experience and interest of engineers covered mainly hard sciences that directly followed their education. After this period, the engineering knowledge and solutions proposed in one discipline started to be applied successfully in other domains. This tendency can be seen especially in Biomedical Engineering, which development is based on achievements made in the rest of hard sciences, even if they seem to be as distant as Environmental Engineering.Rozwój nauki, który obserwuje się w ostatnich latach, wymaga czerpania i integracji wiedzy z różnych jej dziedzin. Do końca lat 80. ubiegłego wieku zainteresowania i praca inżyniera były ściśle związane ze zdobytą przez niego wiedzą i obejmowały głównie nauki ścisłe. Po tym okresie wiedza techniczna oraz rozwiązania zaproponowane w jednej dziedzinie nauki zaczęły być z powodzeniem stosowane w innych. Tendencję tę widać szczególnie w Inżynierii Biomedycznej, której rozwój opiera się na osiągnięciach dokonanych w pozostałych naukach ścisłych, nawet, jeśli wydają się one być tak odległe, jak Inżynierii Środowiska

Active agent release from hydrogels - diffusion and diffusion-desorption models

Przedstawiono dwa modele uwalniania środków aktywnych z hydrożeli znany model dyfuzyjny oraz opracowany nowy model dyfuzyjno-desorpcyjny. Model ten uwzględnia procesy desorpcji z powierzchni fazy stałej matrycy oraz procesy dyfuzyjne zachodzące w porach matrycy. Kinetykę uwalniania opisano za pomocą współczynnika dyfuzji środka aktywnego v cieczy wypełniającej pory oraz współczynnika wnikania masy, który odpowiada szybkości desorpcji składnika aktywnego z powierzchni porów, przykładową symulację dla surowiczej albuminy wołowej (BSA) wykonano w programie MATLAB metodą różnic skończonych.The paper presents two models of release of active agents from hydrogels: the known diffusion model and a developed new diffusion-desorption model. The later model takes into account desorption processes from the surface of solid phase matrix and diffusion processes taking place in the matrix pores. The release kinetics is described by means of the diffusion coefficient of active agent in liquid filling the pores, and the mass transfer coefficient which corresponds to the desorption rate of active ingredient from the surface of pores. An exemplary simulation for bovine serum albumin (BSA) was performed in MATLAB using the finite differences method

Adsorption processes in forming of hybrid structures for controlled release of pharmaceuticals

Przedstawiono możliwości wytwarzania układów hybrydowych do kontrolowanego uwalniania środków farmakologicznych przy wykorzystaniu nośników hydrożelowych i struktury w skali mikro i nano. Szczególną uwagę zwrócono na wytwarzanie takich układów w procesie adsorpcji, korzystając z nośnika chitozanowego. Przedstawiono modele opisujące stan równowagi oraz kinetykę w procesie sorpcji substancji modelowych.Possibilities of formation of hybrid systems for controlled drug release from hydrogel carriers and structures in micro- and nanoscale are discussed in the study. Attention is focussed on the formation of such systems in the adsorption process from a chitosan carrier. Models which describe the equilibrium state and sorption kinetics of model substances are presented

Detection of enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus spp. strains, isolated from cows with mastitis, using multiplex-PCR

Celem podjętych badań była identyfikacja oraz analiza molekularna 35 szczepów Staphylococcus spp., wyizolowanych z mleka krów z kliniczną postacią mastitis, pod kątem ich potencjalnej zdolności do wytwarzania enterotoksyn gronkowcowych (SEs), najczęściej wywołujących zatrucia pokarmowe ludzi (SEA-SEE).Wytypowane szczepy scharakteryzowano wstępnie na podstawie wzrostu kolonii bakteryjnych na chromogennym podłożu CHROMagar Staph. aureus. Następnie wszystkie izolaty analizowano z użyciem gatunkowo specyficznej reakcji PCR, ukierunkowanej na wykrycie dwóch markerów molekularnych: nuc – specyficznego dla gatunku S. aureus i gehM – specyficznego dla S. xylosus. Dodatkowo oznaczano enterotoksynogenność wykrytych szczepów (obecność genów sea-see, w tym secv), z użyciem metody multipleks PCR. Spośród 35 analizowanych izolatów aż 18 szczepów (51,4%) stanowiło gronkowce koagulazoujemne (CNS) z gatunku S. xylosus, a tylko dwa izolaty (5,7%) należały do koagulazododatnich szczepów S. Aureus. W przypadku siedmiu szczepów S. xylosus (20%) wykryto metodą multipleks PCR geny enterotoksyn (se) zidentyfikowane jako: sea (71,4%), secv (14,3%) oraz sed (14,3%). Ponadto, w DNA pięciu spośród tych szczepów (71,4%), uzyskano amplikony specyficzne dla innych, bliżej nieokreślonych genów se lub ich wariantów, które na podstawie analizy in silico oznaczono jako: seg, seh, sei lub selu. Uzyskane wyniki wskazują na konieczność uwzględniania w diagnostyce gronkowców koagulazoujemnych ich właściwości toksynogennych, ponieważ mogą one stanowić ważną grupę mikroorganizmów obecnych w żywności. Przyczyniły się także do podkreślenia znaczącej roli enterotoksynogennych szczepów S. xylosus w etiologii mastitis.Wykonane badania potwierdziły przydatność metod molekularnych do wykrywania potencjalnie enterotoksycznych szczepów Staphylococcus spp. izolowanych od zwierząt.The aim of the study was the identification and molecular analysis of 35 Staphylococcus spp. strains, isolated from milk of cows with clinical form of mastitis, regarding to its potential ability to produce enterotoxins (SEA-SEE). All examined strains were first characterized on the basis of the image analysis of the bacterial colony growth on chromogenic medium CHROMagar Staph. aureus. In the next step all strains were analyzed using the species-specific PCR, based on detection of two molecular markers: nuc – specific for S. aureus and gehM – specific for S. xylosus. Additionally, enterotoxigenicity of identified strains (presence of seasee genes, including secv), in the multiplex-PCR was performed.Atotal of 35 isolates from milk samples of bovine clinical mastitis cases were analyzed and 18 strains (51.4%) classified as S. xylosus (CNS), where only two strains (5.7%) were coagulase-positive S. aureus. Seven isolates of S. xylosus (20%) were positive for enterotoxin genes (se), as detected by multiplex-polymerase chain reaction, with sea (71.4%), secv (14.3%) and sed (14.3%). In addition, in the case of five strains (71.4%), amplicons specific for others, indefinable se genes or their variants were detected, which on the basis of in silico analysis were identified as: seg, seh, sei or selu. The data showed that the toxigenic properties of CNS should not be ignored and further investigation of this group of microorganisms in food could be very important.Moreover the research contributed to emphasize the meaning of enterotoxigenic S. xylosus strains in the etiology of cows’ mastitis. The study also confirmed the usefulness of molecular methods in detection of potentially enterotoxic Staphylococcus spp. strains, isolated from animals

Preliminary study on the influence of UV-C irradiation on microorganism viability and polyphenol compounds content during winemaking of ‘Regent’ red grape cultivar

In this study, UV-C light was tested as an alternative method to inactivate microorganisms in the must of ‘Regent’ red grape cultivar. The control sample containing the microorganism diluted in a physiological NaCl solution was prepared to take into consideration different conditions of liquids, such as turbidity and colour. Additionally, the changes in the composition of polyphenol compounds in the ‘Regent’ must after UV-C exposure were evaluated. The viability of yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and bacteria (Oenococcus oeni) significantly decreased with time; however, the highest decline was noted after the first hour of exposure. The polyphenol compound content was significantly lower after UV-C treatment and this was mainly the result of anthocyanin decomposition. The total content of flavan-3-ols and hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives increased after irradiation

Mechanism for the catastrophe-promoting activity of the microtubule destabilizer Op18/stathmin

Regulation of microtubule dynamic instability is crucial for cellular processes, ranging from mitosis to membrane transport. Stathmin (also known as oncoprotein 18/Op18) is a prominent microtubule destabilizer that acts preferentially on microtubule minus ends. Stathmin has been studied intensively because of its association with multiple types of cancer, but its mechanism of action remains controversial. Two models have been proposed. One model is that stathmin promotes microtubule catastrophe indirectly, and does so by sequestering tubulin; the other holds that stathmin alters microtubule dynamics by directly destabilizing growing microtubules. Stathmin’s sequestration activity is well established, but the mechanism of any direct action is mysterious because stathmin binds to microtubules very weakly. To address these issues, we have studied interactions between stathmin and varied tubulin polymers. We show that stathmin binds tightly to Dolastatin-10 tubulin rings, which mimic curved tubulin protofilaments, and that stathmin depolymerizes stabilized protofilament-rich polymers. These observations lead us to propose that stathmin promotes catastrophe by binding to and acting upon protofilaments exposed at the tips of growing microtubules. Moreover, we suggest that stathmin's minus-end preference results from interactions between stathmin's N terminus and the surface of α-tubulin that is exposed only at the minus end. Using computational modeling of microtubule dynamics, we show that these mechanisms could account for stathmin's observed activities in vitro, but that both the direct and sequestering activities are likely to be relevant in a cellular context. Taken together, our results suggest that stathmin can promote catastrophe by direct action on protofilament structure and interactions