Lipocalin 2 contributes to brain iron dysregulation but does not affect cognition, plaque load, and glial activation in the J20 Alzheimer mouse model

BackgroundLipocalin 2 (Lcn2) is an acute-phase protein implicated in multiple neurodegenerative conditions. Interestingly, both neuroprotective and neurodegenerative effects have been described for Lcn2. Increased Lcn2 levels were found in human post-mortem Alzheimer (AD) brain tissue, and in vitro studies indicated that Lcn2 aggravates amyloid--induced toxicity. However, the role of Lcn2 has not been studied in an in vivo AD model. Therefore, in the current study, the effects of Lcn2 were studied in the J20 mouse model of AD.MethodsJ20 mice and Lcn2-deficient J20 (J20xLcn2 KO) mice were compared at the behavioral and neuropathological level.ResultsJ20xLcn2 KO and J20 mice presented equally strong AD-like behavioral changes, cognitive impairment, plaque load, and glial activation. Interestingly, hippocampal iron accumulation was significantly decreased in J20xLcn2 KO mice as compared to J20 mice.ConclusionsLcn2 contributes to AD-like brain iron dysregulation, and future research should further explore the importance of Lcn2 in AD

Exploring data provenance in handwritten text recognition infrastructure:Sharing and reusing ground truth data, referencing models, and acknowledging contributions. Starting the conversation on how we could get it done

This paper discusses best practices for sharing and reusing Ground Truth in Handwritten Text Recognition infrastructures, and ways to reference and acknowledge contributions to the creation and enrichment of data within these Machine Learning systems. We discuss how one can publish Ground Truth data in a repository and, subsequently, inform others. Furthermore, we suggest appropriate citation methods for HTR data, models, and contributions made by volunteers. Moreover, when using digitised sources (digital facsimiles), it becomes increasingly important to distinguish between the physical object and the digital collection. These topics all relate to the proper acknowledgement of labour put into digitising, transcribing, and sharing Ground Truth HTR data. This also points to broader issues surrounding the use of Machine Learning in archival and library contexts, and how the community should begin toacknowledge and record both contributions and data provenance

Treatment strategies in colorectal cancer patients with initially unresectable liver-only metastases, a study protocol of the randomised phase 3 CAIRO5 study of the Dutch Colorectal Cancer Group (DCCG)

Background: Colorectal cancer patients with unresectable liver-only metastases may be cured after downsizing of metastases by neoadjuvant systemic therapy

Repetitive stimulation of adenosine A1 receptors in vivo:Changes in receptor numbers, G-proteins and A1 receptor agonist-induced hypothermia

Adenosine is an important neuromodulator and neuroprotective molecule, which is produced in the brain as a function of neuronal activity, coupling energy expenditure to energy supply. Under conditions of increased need and reduced availability of energy, including hypoxia and prolonged wakefulness, there is an increase in adenosine turnover and adenosine receptor stimulation. The aim of the present study was to examine how repetitive adenosine receptor stimulation affects receptor function and adenosinergic signaling in the brain. Adult male Wistar rats received daily intraperitoneal injections of the adenosine A1 receptor agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA; 0.25 mg/kg; once per day) and effects on adenosine signaling were established with receptor and G-protein autoradiography. Injections of CPA for 5 consecutive days caused a significant decrease in adenosine A1 receptor numbers in the hippocampus and somatosensory cortex. In contrast, while the amount of adenosine A1 receptor-activated G-proteins was not affected in most regions, a significant increase was found in the somatosensory cortex. On the level of physiological output, CPA-induced hypothermia was significantly attenuated, suggesting a functional desensitization of the A1 receptor system. Taken together, the present findings suggest that repetitive stimulation of the A1 receptors can affect elements of the adenosinergic signaling cascade in the rat brain in a region-specific manner.