25th annual computational neuroscience meeting: CNS-2016

The same neuron may play different functional roles in the neural circuits to which it belongs. For example, neurons in the Tritonia pedal ganglia may participate in variable phases of the swim motor rhythms [1]. While such neuronal functional variability is likely to play a major role the delivery of the functionality of neural systems, it is difficult to study it in most nervous systems. We work on the pyloric rhythm network of the crustacean stomatogastric ganglion (STG) [2]. Typically network models of the STG treat neurons of the same functional type as a single model neuron (e.g. PD neurons), assuming the same conductance parameters for these neurons and implying their synchronous firing [3, 4]. However, simultaneous recording of PD neurons shows differences between the timings of spikes of these neurons. This may indicate functional variability of these neurons. Here we modelled separately the two PD neurons of the STG in a multi-neuron model of the pyloric network. Our neuron models comply with known correlations between conductance parameters of ionic currents. Our results reproduce the experimental finding of increasing spike time distance between spikes originating from the two model PD neurons during their synchronised burst phase. The PD neuron with the larger calcium conductance generates its spikes before the other PD neuron. Larger potassium conductance values in the follower neuron imply longer delays between spikes, see Fig. 17.Neuromodulators change the conductance parameters of neurons and maintain the ratios of these parameters [5]. Our results show that such changes may shift the individual contribution of two PD neurons to the PD-phase of the pyloric rhythm altering their functionality within this rhythm. Our work paves the way towards an accessible experimental and computational framework for the analysis of the mechanisms and impact of functional variability of neurons within the neural circuits to which they belong

Psychological factors involved in the operation of mental illness stigma: Implications for practice and *policy.

The perceived stigma of serious mental illness (SMI) has often been found to negatively influence individuals with SMI. Previous stigma research, however, has provided limited practical directions about how to minimize the negative affects of stigma. The goal of this dissertation research was to expand knowledge of possible interventions by identifying psychological mechanisms involved in the influence of MI stigma, with specific focuses on self-stigma. In order to achieve this goal, this study examined psychological processes involved in self-stigma and its influence through structural equation modeling (SEM), to test a hypothesized framework that reconstructs the Modified Labeling Theory using attitude literature. Specifically, this dissertation research aimed to accomplish three goals. The first was to describe the characteristics of both community-living consumers and community-based psychosocial rehabilitation agencies serving those consumers. The second was to study factors predicting consumers' self-attitudes with specific focus on the predictors of psychological characteristics. The third was to examine whether self-attitudes mediate the relationships between consumers' psychological characteristics and behavioral tendencies. To achieve these aims, 461 community-living individuals with SMI in southeast Michigan were recruited from 25 public mental health psychosocial rehabilitation agencies, such as supported education, consumer drop-in centers, or clubhouse programs. The participants responded in a semi-structured small group format or individual interviews to questions about their background characteristics (demographic, mental health, evaluation of agency, and rejection-experience due to MI), psychological characteristics (affects and beliefs), self-attitudes (self-worth and self-deprecation), and behavioral tendencies (withdrawal-tendency and secrecy-tendency). The results indicated that consumers' background and psychological characteristics are significantly associated with their self-attitudes and behavioral tendencies. The findings further indicated that consumers have positive and negative self-attitudes and that they are associated with differing psychological predictors and behavioral consequences. The two dimensions of self-attitudes also presented different roles in mediating the relationships between psychological characteristics and behavioral consequences. In summary, the findings of the study indicate that psychological factors play critical roles in the operation of stigma. This study also suggests that the structure of stigma is multifaceted and that multi-level interventions are necessary. Study limitations and implications for social work research and interventions are discussed.Ph.D.Health and Environmental SciencesMental healthPsychologySocial SciencesSocial psychologySocial workUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/123208/2/3068897.pd

Mental health system at the community level in Korea: development, recent reforms and challenges

Abstract Since the introduction of the Mental Health Act (MHA) in 1995, mental health services have expanded at the community level in Korea. While community facilities for mental health have grown considerably, large numbers of people with mental disorders are accommodated as before in private mental hospitals. Korea needs to reduce the level of dependence on long-term treatments in hospitals and expand coverage of services for the people with mental illness (PMI) to all in local communities. To achieve this objective, the significant legislative changes were made through the amendment of the MHA. The completely revised act indicates that the Korean government seeks a harmonized balance between inpatient care and outpatient care by declaring the necessity of various welfare services to ensure human rights of the PMI. Particularly, mental health system furthers to provide comprehensive services for the majority of community population to monitor risk factors of mental disorders as well as for the PMI. In this sense, the Korean government could refer to the British case of “Improving Access to Psychological Therapies” as suggested by an OECD investigation team. Achieving the goal calls for both a deliberate realignment of existing services and additional resources in line with legislative reforms. Further public efforts should be made in collaboration with medical institutions and private service providers to realize the valuable goals pursued by the amended act

Proteomic Characterization of Plasmid pLA1 for Biodegradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Marine Bacterium, <i>Novosphingobium pentaromativorans</i> US6-1

<div><p><i>Novosphingobium pentaromativorans</i> US6-1 is a halophilic marine bacterium able to degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Genome sequence analysis revealed that the large plasmid pLA1 present in <i>N. pentaromativorans</i> US6-1 consists of 199 ORFs and possess putative biodegradation genes that may be involved in PAH degradation. 1-DE/LC-MS/MS analysis of <i>N. pentaromativorans</i> US6-1 cultured in the presence of different PAHs and monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs) identified approximately 1,000 and 1,400 proteins, respectively. Up-regulated biodegradation enzymes, including those belonging to pLA1, were quantitatively compared. Among the PAHs, phenanthrene induced the strongest up-regulation of extradiol cleavage pathway enzymes such as ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase, putative biphenyl-2,3-diol 1,2-dioxygenase, and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase in pLA1. These enzymes lead the initial step of the lower catabolic pathway of aromatic hydrocarbons through the extradiol cleavage pathway and participate in the attack of PAH ring cleavage, respectively. However, <i>N. pentaromativorans</i> US6-1 cultured with <i>p</i>-hydroxybenzoate induced activation of another extradiol cleavage pathway, the protocatechuate 4,5-dioxygenase pathway, that originated from chromosomal genes. These results suggest that <i>N. pentaromativorans</i> US6-1 utilizes two different extradiol pathways and plasmid pLA1 might play a key role in the biodegradation of PAH in <i>N. pentaromativorans</i> US6-1.</p></div

Induction of biodegradation genes of plasmid pLA1 according to different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

a<p>Prediction of cellular location by CELLO v.2.5: <a href="http://cello.life.nctu.edu.tw/" target="_blank">http://cello.life.nctu.edu.tw/</a>.</p>b<p>Prediction of the no. of transmembrane regions by TMHMM Server v. 2.0: <a href="http://www.cbs.dtu.dk/services/TMHMM/" target="_blank">http://www.cbs.dtu.dk/services/TMHMM/</a>.</p>c<p>Log2 ratio calculated according to emPAI values.</p><p>Abbreviations MB: marine broth, BaP: Benzo(a)pyren, Phen: phenanthrene, Pyr: pyren.</p

Induction of two extradiol dioxygenases (catechol 2,3-dioxygenase and protocatechuate 4,5-dioxygenase) in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon or monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon cultivation.

<p>MB; Marine broth, BaP; Benzo(a)pyren, Pyr; Pyren, Phen; Phenanthrene, Ben; Benzoate, PHB; <i>p</i>-Hydroxybenzoate.</p

Cluster analysis of the proteomes of <i>N. pentaromativorans</i> US6-1 induced in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

<p>Proteome datasets were obtained from stain US6-1 cultured from four conditions (MB; Marine broth, BaP; Benzo(a)pyren, Pyr; Pyren, Phen; Phenanthrene) and were hierarchically clustered. Up-regulated or down-regulated proteins were indicated as red or green, respectively. Identified proteins were categorized into six groups (C1∼C6) according to differential induction in PAHs. Each group was divided by COG function (<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0090812#pone.0090812.s004" target="_blank">Table S2</a>). Subgroup C ∼ V in COG function were defined as follows; [C] Energy production and conversion, [D] Cell cycle control, cell division, chromosome partitioning, [E] Amino acid transport and metabolism, [F] Nucleotide transport and metabolism, [G] Carbohydrate transport and metabolism, [H] Coenzyme transport and metabolism, [I] Lipid transport and metabolism, [J] Translation, ribosomal structure and biogenesis, [K] Transcription, [L] Replication, recombination and repair, [M] Cell wall/membrane/envelope biogenesis, [N] Cell motility, [O] Posttranslational modification, protein turnover, chaperones, [P] Inorganic ion transport and metabolism, [Q] Secondary metabolites biosynthesis, transport and catabolism, [R] General function prediction only, [S] Function unknown, [T] Signal transduction mechanisms, [U] Intracellular trafficking, secretion, and vesicular transport, [V] Defense mechanisms.</p

Purification of Plasmid pLA1 of <i>N. pentaromativorans</i> US6-1.

<p>Open circled plasmid was indicated by an arrow. Lane 1; ProMega-Markers Lambda Ladders, lane 2; DNA size standards 8∼48 kb, lane 3; plasmid from <i>N. pentaromativorans</i> US6-1 cultured in LB broth, lane 4; plasmid from <i>N. pentaromativorans</i> US6-1 cultured in <i>p</i>-hydroxybenzoate media.</p