Characterization of neuronal circuits processing specific sensory modalities in the spinal cord

Somatosensory information is first detected by specialized sensory neurons in the periphery and then transmitted to the central nervous system (CNS) where sensory perception is formed in order to generate appropriate behavioral responses. The projections of afferents in defined layers of the spinal cord provide access to distinct neuronal pathway in the CNS, where spinal interneurons represent the first relay station controlling the coding of sensory stimuli. Despite its importance, little is known about the organization of spinal circuits involved in the integration of distinct sensory information. Here, we took advantage of the ability of the rabies virus to move from sensory neurons in the anterograde direction to directly link sensory modalities with its output connectivity (Zampieri et al., 2014). We used mouse genetic to conditionally express histone-tagged GFP, TVA receptor and rabies glycoprotein G (Rosa-HTB: Yan Li et al., 2013) under the control of Cre-recombinase activity. As proof of principle we focused on proprioception using the PV::cre mouse line to target proprioceptive sensory neurons (Hippenmeyer et al., 2005) and we performed stereotactic rabies injections (RVDG-mCherry/EnvA) in the spinal cord of PV::cre +/- ; Rosa-HTB f/f mice. We successfully obtained highly reproducible distribution patterns of connected neurons consistent with the known trajectory and termination of proprioceptive afferents in the spinal cord. In addition, we used this method to trace from a different sensory modality, focusing on Trpv1::cre mouse line known to label nociceptive/thermosensitive sensory neurons (Mishra et al., 2011). Comparing those sensory modalities, we observed a distinct laminar distribution pattern of second order neurons involved in proprioception and nociception reflecting the specific termination pattern of the sensory afferents in the spinal cord.Somatosensorische Informationen werden in der Peripherie durch spezielle sensorische Nervenzellen wahrgenommen und an das zentrale Nervensystem (ZNS) weitergeleitet. Im ZNS werden diese Informationen zu einer bewussten sensorischen Wahrnehmung verarbeitet, die schließlich zur Generierung einer Verhaltensantwort führt. Die afferenten Nervenfasern projizieren zu spinalen Interneuronen in definierten Schichten des Rückenmarks, die den Zugang zu verschiedenen neuronalen Leitungsbahnen zum ZNS gewähren. Spinale Interneurone stellen damit die erste Relaisstation dar, die die Kodierung von sensorischen Reizen kontrollieren. Dennoch ist nur wenig über die Organisation von spinalen Netzwerken, die bei der Integration von verschiedenen sensorischen Informationen involviert sind, bekannt. Basierend auf der wissenschaftlichen Publikation von Zampieri et al., 2014 wurde in der vorliegenden Dissertation ein genetisch modifizierter Rabies Virus verwendet, das ermöglicht anterograd Nervenzellen zu visualisieren, die direkt mit spezifischen sensorischen Nervenzellen verbunden sind. Um die initiale sowie die transsynaptische Infektion des Rabies Virus zu realisieren, wurde eine Mauslinie verwendet, die konditional unter der Kontrolle der Cre-Rekombinase nukleäres-GFP, den TVA-Rezeptor sowie das Rabies Glykoprotein G (Rosa-HTB: Yan Li et al., 2013) exprimiert. Zur Etablierung und Validierung der Methode wurde zunächst eine PV::cre Mauslinie (Hippenmeyer et al., 2005) verwendet um spezifisch propriozeptive sensorische Nervenzellen zu transduzieren und deren direkt verbundenen Nervenzellen im Rückenmark zu detektieren. Hierfür wurden stereotaktische Rabies Virus (RVDG-mCherry/EnvA) Injektionen in das Rückenmark von PV::cre +/- ; Rosa-HTB f/f Mäusen durchgeführt. Die analysierten Verteilungsmuster von infizierten Neuronen im Rückenmark war hoch reproduzierbar und übereinstimmend mit den Projektionsmustern von propriozeptiven Afferenzen. Anschließend wurden die gleichen tracing Experimente mit der Trpv1::cre Mauslinie durchgeführt, die spezifisch thermosensitive/nozizeptive sensorische Neurone (Mishra et al., 2011) markiert. Beim Vergleich der Positionen der infizierten Neurone im Rückenmark, nach initialer Infektion der sensorischen Neurone beider Modalitäten, konnte eine differenzierte laminare Organisation, die ebenfalls den Projektionsmustern der Afferenzen beider Modalitäten im Rückenmark entspricht, nachgewiesen werden

Dealing with Suffering: A Comparison of Religious and Psychological Perspectives

One of the main tasks of psychologists is to help clients deal with suffering. In order to assist the client, a therapist needs to have an understanding of the client’s beliefs about suffering. Due to the importance of religion for much of the general population, and considering how beliefs influence clients when dealing with suffering, it is essential that psychologists be mindful and respectful of religious beliefs in order to provide competent service. In order to do this, therapists need to have knowledge about the religious doctrine that their client observes. Therapists also need to be aware of their own belief systems and the attitudes toward suffering and religion visible in the field of psychology in order to understand how these beliefs may influence treatment. This dissertation will: (a) explore literature which includes religious texts from Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism, as well as research and other scholarly works in order to distill different themes regarding suffering; (b) address how these themes are dealt with in the field of psychology; and (c) discuss how therapists can use this knowledge more effectively with their clients. The frame is social constructionist theory, which highlights the importance of culture and language in shaping how people view the world and suffering in particular

Restoration of an active MV distribution grid with a battery ESS: A real case study

In order to improve power system operation, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs) have been installed in high voltage/medium voltage stations by Distribution System Operators (DSOs) around the world. Support for restoration of MV distribution networks after a blackout or HV interruption is among the possible new functionalities of BESSs. With the aim to improve quality of service, the present paper investigates whether a BESS, installed in the HV/MV substation, can improve the restoration process indicators of a distribution grid. As a case study, an actual active distribution network of e-distribuzione, the main Italian DSO, has been explored. The existing network is located in central Italy. It supplies two municipalities of approximately 10,000 inhabitants and includes renewable generation plants. Several configurations are considered, based on: the state of the grid at blackout time; the BESS state of charge; and the involvement of Dispersed Generation (DG) in the restoration process. Three restoration plans (RPs) have been defined, involving the BESS alone, or in coordination with DG. A MATLAB®/Simulink® program has been designed to simulate the restoration process in each configuration and restoration plan. The results show that the BESS improves restoration process quality indicators in different simulated configurations, allowing the operation in controlled island mode of parts of distribution grids, during interruptions or blackout conditions. The defined restoration plans set the priority and the sequence of controlled island operations of parts of the grid to ensure a safe and better restoration. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that a BESS can be a valuable element towards an improved restoration procedure

Variation of the intraocular pressure in relation to time of death: Contribution to the determination of the true postmortem interval (PMI)

Introducción: La determinación del momento del fallecimiento, es un dato de singular importancia en Medicina Legal constituyendo por su complejidad en uno de los problemas que necesita evaluación objetiva en la Patología Forense. Material y Métodos: Se propone en el presente estudio utilizar un modelo vacuno para la toma de la presión intraocular sistematizada pre y post mortem y analizar su evolución en el tiempo como posible método incruento de aproximación al Verdadero Intervalo de Muerte (VIM). Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, observacional, descriptivo con 12 vacas. Para la toma de presión intraocular (PIO) se utilizó el tonómetro manual aplanático (Perkins) calibrado previamente para bovinos. Se midió la PIO a horas establecidas posmortem. Resultados: La PIO promedio a hora 0 en OD fue de 13,48 mm Hg y de 13,59 mm Hg en OS con mínima variación entre los diferentes casos y el promedio del valor final a las 30 hr fue de 6,41 y 6,45 mm Hg en OD y OS respectivamente. Se observa una disminución de la PIO según transcurre el tiempo de muerte, de manera regular, en todos los ojos. Discusión: El hecho de la uniformidad de la disminución de la PIO en función del tiempo permite que una PIO tomada horas después de la muerte se pueda extrapolar al momento de la muerte y poder considerar la toma de la Presión Intraocular como contribución a la aproximación del verdadero intervalo de muerte (VIM).Introduction: Postmortem Interval estiamtion is a measure of singular importance in Legal Medicine. Due to its complexity, it needs objective evaluation in Forensic Pathology. Methods: In this study we propose the use of a bovine model to sytematically measure premortem and postmortem Intra-Ocular Pressure (IOP) as well as analyze its evolution with time as a possible non-invasive method to estimate PMI. A prospective, descriptive, observational study was carried out, using 12 cows. For the determination of the IOP, the aplanatic manual Perkins tonometer calibrated for bovines was used. The measurement of the IOP was done at establisehd post-mortem intervals. Results: The mean IOP at hour 0 in OD was 13.48 mm Hg and 13.59 mm Hg in OS with minimal variation between groups; at hour 30 hr, the IOP was 6.41 and 6.45 mm Hg in OD and OS respectively. We observed a decrease of the IOP in al leyes, directly related to the elapsed time of death. Discussion. The uniformity of the IOP estimations in relation to postmortem interval allows us to consider it as a valuable parameter for postmortem interval even several hours after death.Fil: Gerometta, Rosana María del Rosario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Larroza, Gerardo Omar. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Pimpinella, Pascual. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Genero, Sebastian. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Medicina; Argentin

Rabies anterograde monosynaptic tracing reveals organization of spinal sensory circuits

Somatosensory neurons detect vital information about the environment and internal status of the body, such as temperature, touch, itch and proprioception. The circuit mechanisms controlling the coding of somatosensory information and the generation of appropriate behavioral responses are not clear yet. In order to address this issue, it is important to define the precise connectivity patterns between primary sensory afferents dedicated to the detection of different stimuli and recipient neurons in the central nervous system. In this study we used a rabies tracing approach for mapping spinal circuits receiving sensory input from distinct, genetically defined, modalities. We analyzed the anatomical organization of spinal circuits involved in coding of thermal and mechanical stimuli and showed that somatosensory information from distinct modalities is relayed to partially overlapping ensembles of interneurons displaying stereotyped laminar organization, thus highlighting the importance of positional features and population coding for the processing and integration of somatosensory information

The Role of Osteopathic Care in Gynaecology and Obstetrics: An Updated Systematic Review

Background: Many efforts are made to find safer and more feasible therapeutic strategies to improve gynaecological care. Non-pharmacological treatments, such as osteopathic interventions, could be used as complementary strategies to better manage different gynaecological conditions. This review aims to report the effectiveness of osteopathic treatment in the gynaecology and obstetrics field, updating the previous review published in 2016. The secondary aim was to elucidate the role of somatic dysfunction (SD) in osteopathic assessment and treatment procedures, as well as their health and economic implications. Methods: An electronic search was conducted in the following databases: Embase, MEDLINE (PubMed), and Science direct. All types of clinical studies published between May 2014 and December 2021 have been included: randomised controlled trial (RCT), controlled before/after, interrupted time series quasi RCT, case controls, case reports, case series, observational, clinical studies involving any type of osteopathic treatment, (standardised, semi-standardised or patients’ need-based treatment) performed alone or in combination with other treatments, were included). Results: A total of 76,750 were identified through database searching and other sources. After the removal of duplicates, 47,655 papers were screened based on title and abstract. A total of 131 full-text articles were consequently assessed for eligibility. Twenty-one new articles were included in the synthesis. A total of 2632 participants with a mean age of 28.9 ± 10.5 years were included in the review. Conclusions: Results showed an effectiveness of osteopathic care in gynaecology and obstetrics, but the studies were too heterogeneous to perform quantitative analysis and make clinical recommendations. Nevertheless, osteopathic care could be considered a safe complementary approach to traditional gynaecological care