Cytokines and Neurodegeneration in Epileptogenesis

Epilepsy is a common brain disorder characterized by a heterogenous etiology. Its main features are recurrent seizures. Despite many clinical studies, about 30% of cases are refractory to treatment. Recent studies suggested the important role of immune-system elements in its pathogenesis. It was suggested that a deregulated inflammatory process may lead to aberrant neural connectivity and the hyperexcitability of the neuronal network. The aim of our study was the analysis of the expression of inflammatory mediators in a mouse model of epilepsy and their impact on the neurodegeneration process located in the brain. We used the KA-induced model of epilepsy in SJL/J mice and performed the analysis of gene expression and protein levels. We observed the upregulation of IL1β and CXCL12 in the early phase of KA-induced epilepsy and elevated levels of CCL5 at a later time point, compared with control animals. The most important result obtained in our study is the elevation of CXCL2 expression at both studied time points and its correlation with the neurodegeneration observed in mouse brain. Increasing experimental and clinical data suggest the influence of peripheral inflammation on epileptogenesis. Thus, studies focused on the molecular markers of neuroinflammation are of great value and may help deepen our knowledge about epilepsy, leading to the discovery of new drugs

Interactive Gradebook: The Missing (Hyper)Link

This paper introduces the notion of the "interactive gradebook," a new niche where intelligent and interactive technologies can help educators teach and students learn. 1.1 Keywords Web-based, education, gradebook, interactivity 2. INTRODUCTION As we move our classrooms to cyberspace, we find ourselves redefining many of the core concepts in education. Even the fundamental notion of "course" needs to be reexamined. Roger Schank notes that the length of time and amount of material covered in a "course" is completely arbitrary and need not be reflected in Webbased versions [11]. Computer-based testing (CBT) promises to further stretch many traditional concepts, such as "exam"' and "homework." And rightly so. New technologies can release many of our old notions from their past constraints of time and space. This paper introduces the "interactive gradebook," a technological variation on an old theme. Before examining the idea of an interactive gradebook, let us first consider the ..

Number of genes in the given range of SNPs.

<p>Number of genes in the given range of SNPs.</p

Distribution and types of SNPs in rice gene families.

<p>Distribution and types of SNPs in rice gene families.</p

Dataset and statistics of genotypes used in this study.

<p>Dataset and statistics of genotypes used in this study.</p

Analysis of all rice SNPs in genes with respect to their GO-terms descriptions.

<p>Analysis of all rice SNPs in genes with respect to their GO-terms descriptions.</p

Distribution of SNPs and InDels on rice chromosomes.

<p>Distribution of SNPs and InDels on rice chromosomes.</p