Effects of chronic stress on the brain – the evidence from morphological examinations of hippocampus in a chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) model in rats

Sekita-Krzak Joanna, Żebrowska-Łupina Iwona, Łupina Tomasz, Czajkowski Leszek, Cichacz-Kwiatkowska Beata, Robaczewska Joanna. Effects of chronic stress on the brain – the evidence from morphological examinations of hippocampus in a chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) model in rats. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2016;6(12):384-399. eISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.203269 http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/johs/article/view/4068 The journal has had 7 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education parametric evaluation. Part B item 754 (09.12.2016). 754 Journal of Education, Health and Sport eISSN 2391-8306 7 © The Author (s) 2016; This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Received: 01.12.2016. Revised 12.12.2016. Accepted: 14.12.2016. Effects of chronic stress on the brain – the evidence from morphological examinations of hippocampus in a chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) model in rats Joanna Sekita-Krzak1, Iwona Żebrowska-Łupina2, Tomasz Łupina3, Leszek Czajkowski2, Beata Cichacz-Kwiatkowska1, Joanna Robaczewska4 1 Department of Histology and Embryology with the Lab of Experimental Cytology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland 2 Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland 3 Department of Pulmonology, Oncology and Allergology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland 4 Department of Public Health, Collegium Medicum UMK, Poland Abstract Background. Chronic stress exposure deteriorates memory and increases the risk of psychiatric disorders, including depression. Objectives. The objective of this study was to perform morphological studies in experimental model of neuropsychiatric disorder and to assess histologically the effect of chronic unpredictable stress procedure (CUS) influence on hippocampus. Material and methods. Chronic unpredictable stress procedure (CUS) was applied for 8 weeks in rats by the modified method described by Katz et al. Experimental model of neuropsychiatric disorder was used based on morphological studies of hippocampal formation. Results. Stress-induced alterations were observed in the hippocampus. Nerve cell changes included neuron shrinkage and dendritic remodeling. The most vulnerable hippocampal cells to chronic stress were CA3 and CA4 pyramidal neurons. In dentate gyrus chronic stress led to granule neuron shrinkage and slight exacerbation of apoptosis in the polygonal cell layer. CUS led to statistically significant changes in quantitative characteristics of the CA3 and CA4 neuron size and nuclei diameter. Conclusions. Chronic stress induces degeneration of hippocampal neurons. The observed neuronal changes indicate the damage of the neurons did not involve neither apoptosis nor necrosis Similarity between histological changes obtained in 8-week long CUS procedure applied in our research and morphological changes described in depressed patients confirms the usefulness of the applied stress procedure as the experimental model of depression. Key words: stress, depression, hippocampus, chronic unpredictable stress procedure (CUS), animal model, morphology

Improving patient involvement in the lifecycle of medicines : insights from the EUPATI BE survey

EUPATI Belgium (EUPATI.be) is an informal gathering of local partners who are interested in improving patient involvement in healthcare innovation and medicines research and development. EUPATI.be brings together various stakeholders from different areas related to healthcare including patients, academia and industry. In doing so, we create an innovative collaborative approach where actors from different backgrounds work toward improving patient involvement in medical research, and putting the patient at the center of the Belgian healthcare system. Previously, we performed in-depth interviews with a small group of stakeholders on patient involvement. Here, we elaborate on our previous findings by using a nation-wide survey to inquire into Belgian stakeholders' perception on patient involvement. To this end, an electronic survey was available in French, Dutch and English, and accessible for 11 months. Twelve questions were asked, including 11 multiple choice questions and 1 open question. The latter was thematically analyzed according to the framework method. A total of 117 responses were registered and descriptive statistics were performed. The majority of respondents could be categorized into patient, academia and industry, whereas policy makers, payers, and healthcare professionals were underrepresented. We identified several barriers that hamper patient involvement, which were sometimes more reported by specific stakeholder groups. Next, we found that various stakeholders still consider patient involvement as a passive role, i.e., medical subject in a clinical trial. Respondents also reported that the role of the various stakeholders needed more clarification; this was also confirmed by the level of trust amongst the various stakeholders. Existing and the wish for more collaboration with the various stakeholders was reported by almost all respondents. Based on this survey, we can define the potential of involving patients in the medical research and development in the Belgian landscape. Our results will help to understand and tackle the various barriers that currently hamper patient involvement, whilst highlighting the need for a collaborative landscape from the multi-stakeholder perspective

Applying open innovation strategies in the context of a regional innovation ecosystem: The case of Janssen Pharmaceuticals

Open innovation strategies in large firms have been changing considerably during the last 15 years. Some multinationals are now taking a long-term, strategic approach to Open innovation, thereby actively developing a regionally bounded innovation ecosystem. This approach goes beyond the tradition of open innovation, which emphasized the opening of firms’ boundaries for inbound and outbound knowledge flows. In the new approach, multinationals actively shape their innovation environment to better exploit external talent and expertise, share public infrastructure, raise funds and influence public policies - the key enablers for establishing a vibrant, world-class research and development (R&D) environment. We examine one such regionally embedded innovation ecosystem set up by Janssen Pharmaceuticals at its global R&D centre in Beerse, Belgium.We develop a conceptual framework by integrating Open innovation, Innovation Ecosystems and Regional Economics literature streams. This combination of the three distinct theoretical approaches is required to explain the benefits and working of Janssen Pharmaceuticals’ regionally embedded innovation ecosystem.•Some multinationals are taking strategic approach to Open Innovation (OI) by shaping the regional innovation ecosystem.•Regional innovation ecosystem strategy brings together key enablers for developing R&D environment conductive to innovation.•Benefits and working of regionally-embedded innovation ecosystem at Janssen Pharmaceuticals are explained in this study.•Open Innovation theory alone is not enough to understand the structure and functioning of such OI ecosystems.•We propose a framework based on contributions from Open Innovation, Innovation Ecosystems and Regional Economics