MedWorm: Neuroscience Top 20

Neddylation positively regulates the ubiquitin E3 ligase activity of parkin

Journal of Neuroscience Research — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:06:45 +0100

AbstractMutations in the parkin gene underlie a familial form of Parkinson's disease known as autosomal recessive juvenile Parkinsonism (AR‐JP). Dysfunction of parkin, a ubiquitin E3 ligase, has been implicated in the accumulation of ubiquitin proteasome system‐destined substrates and eventually leads to cell death. However, regulation of parkin enzymatic activity is incompletely understood. Here we investigated whether the ubiquitin E3 ligase activity of parkin could be regulated by neddylation. We found that parkin could be a target of covalent modification with NEDD8, a ubiquitin‐like posttranslational modifier. In addition, NEDD8 attachment caused an increase of parkin activity through the increased binding affinity for ubiquitin‐conjugating E2 enzyme as well as the enhanced fo...

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A Time Course for Susceptibility to Staphylococcus aureus Respiratory Infection during Influenza in a Swine Model

Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:11:41 +0100

Bacterial superinfections following influenza A virus (IAV) are predominant causes of morbidity in humans. The recent emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and highly virulent IAV strains has reduced treatment options. Development of an appropriate animal model to study secondary S. aureus infections may provide important information regarding disease pathogenesis. Pigs are natural hosts to both IAV and S. aureus and have respiratory physiology and immune response comparable to humans. To establish a time course of susceptibility to S. aureus after IAV infection, nursery pigs infected intranasally with IAV were challenged with MRSA at different time points. Lung pathology scores and MRSA CFU were evaluated in dual-infected animals after IAV infection. Flow cytomet...

Inflammation and Immune Response of Intra-Articular Serotype 2 Adeno-Associated Virus or Adenovirus Vectors in a Large Animal Model

Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:11:41 +0100

Intra-articular gene therapy has potential for the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. To quantify in vitro relative gene transduction, equine chondrocytes and synovial cells were treated with adenovirus vectors (Ad), serotype 2 adeno-associated virus vectors (rAAV2), or self-complementary (sc) AAV2 vectors carrying green fluorescent protein (GFP). Using 6 horses, bilateral metacarpophalangeal joints were injected with Ad, rAAV2, or scAAV2 vectors carrying GFP genes to assess the in vivo joint inflammation and neutralizing antibody (NAb) titer in serum and joint fluid. In vitro, the greater transduction efficiency and sustained gene expression were achieved by scAAV2 compared to rAAV2 in equine chondrocytes and synovial cells. In vivo, AAV2 demonstrated less joint inflamm...

9. Atypical stimulus-sensitive myoclonus presenting abnormal sensory-motor integration in a case of congenital hemiatorophy of cerebellum

Clinical Neurophysiology — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:11:57 +0100

Background and aims: Some diseases with cerebellar pathology such as a celiac disease, are associated with stimulus-sensitive cortical reflex myoclonus. It has therefore been suggested that disordered output of the cerebellum may be one factor that increases the excitability of sensorimotor cortex leading to muscle jerks. Here we present a case of stimulus-sensitive myoclonus due to congenital cerebellar hemiatrophy. (Source: Clinical Neurophysiology)

13. Trigemino-cervical reflex: Clinical and neuroradiological links

Clinical Neurophysiology — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:11:57 +0100

Background: Trigemino-cervical reflex (TCR) is considered to be head protective reflex as well as head and neck postural responses. It is believed that TCR is mediated by polysynaptic brainstem neuronal pathways including trigeminal afferents, trigeminal nuclei and motor neurons of neck muscles. In an attempt to increase our knowledge about the mechanism and alteration of TCR, we studied the trigemino-cervical reflex and the conventional blink reflex (BR) in neurobehcet (NB), multiple sclerosis (MS), and ischemic stroke patients with brainstem involvement. We also recorded the blink reflex to study the association between two different trigeminal reflexes. (Source: Clinical Neurophysiology)

Asymmetry of Polarization Reversal and Current-Voltage Characteristics of Pt/PZT-Film/Pt:Ti/SiO2/Si-Substrate Structures

Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:11:41 +0100

The characterization of the asymmetries of bipolar charge-voltage and current-voltage loops of polarization reversal and unipolar current-voltage curves for Pt/PZT-film/Pt:Ti/SiO2/Si-substrate systems was performed in the dynamic mode. The asymmetry of local deformation-voltage loops was observed by piezoresponse force microscopy. The comparison of the dependences of introduced asymmetry factors for the bipolar charge-voltage and current-voltage loops and unipolar current-voltage curves on drive voltage indicates the interconnection of ferroelectric and electrical space charge transfer asymmetries. (Source: Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience)

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Do Parental Expectations Play a Role in Children's Sleep and Mothers' Distress? An Exploration of the Goodness of Fit Concept in 54 Mother-Child Dyads

Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:11:41 +0100

This study describes parental expectations for sleep-wake patterns in healthy kindergarten children and explores their relation to children’s sleep quality and parental distress. Data analysis of 54 mother-child dyads (age range of the children: 4–7 years) indicated that parental expectations for children’s sleep-wake patterns differ between scheduled and free days and depend on children’s chronotype. Mothers of children with late chronotype showed less adequate expectations for children’s sleep onset time than mothers of children with early chronotype (e.g., morning types). Furthermore, children of mothers with less adequate expectations for children’s sleep onset time on scheduled days had longer settling periods during which sleep rituals may take place (r=0.31, PȦ...

An Estrogen Model: The Relationship between Body Mass Index, Menopausal Status, Estrogen Replacement Therapy, and Breast Cancer Risk

Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:14:21 +0100

We present a mathematical model that lends support to the hypothesis that estrogen levels mediate the complex relationship between body mass index (BMI), menopausal status, estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and breast cancer risk. The model predicts a decrease in the relative risk of breast cancer of 3% per unit increase in BMI (kg/m2) for premenopausal women and an increase in the relative risk of 4% per unit increase in BMI for postmenopausal women who are not HRT users. When comparing postmenopausal women who use estrogen-only HRT to postmenopausal women who do not use HRT, the model predicts an increased risk of breast cancer associated with use of estrogen that diminishes with increasing BMI, with a relative risk of 1.6 for women with BMI of 18, 1.2 for women wi...

Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Restore Cell Surface Expression of the Coxsackie Adenovirus Receptor and Enhance CMV Promoter Activity in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Cells

Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:11:41 +0100

Adenoviral gene therapy using the death receptor ligand TRAIL as the therapeutic transgene can be safely administered via intraprostatic injection but has not been evaluated for efficacy in patients. Here we investigated the efficacy of adenoviral TRAIL gene therapy in a model of castration resistant prostate cancer and found that intratumoral injections can significantly delay tumor growth but cannot eliminate established lesions. We hypothesized that an underlying cause is inefficient adenoviral delivery. Using the LNCaP progression model of prostate cancer we show that surface CAR expression decreases with increasing tumorigenicity and that castration resistant C4-2b cells were more difficult to transduce with adenovirus than castration sensitive LNCaP cells. Many genes, including CAR, ...

2. The blink reflex: Long known, but still fascinating

Clinical Neurophysiology — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:42:16 +0100

The blink reflex is routinely used in clinical neurophysiology to characterize the functional integrity of the trigemino-facial reflex pathway covering supraorbital nerve, pons, medulla oblongata, and facial nerve. Recent findings of unconditioned blink reflex alterations, as well as changes in blink reflex modulation by subthreshold prepulse stimuli or suprathreshold double pulse stimulation, in patients with spinal cord injury or chronic pain syndromes, e.g. fibromyalgia, suggest plastic changes at the brainstem level in these conditions. The blink reflex and its modulation also serve to document acute pharmacological effects, e.g. following intrathecal bolus application of the GABA-ergic drug baclofen, thus concurring with an antispastic action of baclofen at the brainstem level. Finall...

Genetic inactivation of the p66 isoform of ShcA is neuroprotective in a murine model of multiple sclerosis

European Journal of Neuroscience — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractAlthough multiple sclerosis (MS) has traditionally been considered to be an inflammatory disease, recent evidence has brought neurodegeneration into the spotlight, suggesting that accumulated damage and loss of axons is critical to disease progression and the associated irreversible disability. Proposed mechanisms of axonal degeneration in MS posit cytosolic and subsequent mitochondrial Ca2+ overload, accumulation of pathologic reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial dysfunction leading to cell death. In this context, the role of the p66 isoform of ShcA protein (p66) may be significant. The ShcA isoform is uniquely targeted to the mitochondrial intermembrane space in response to elevated oxidative stress, and serves as a redox enzyme amplifying ROS generation in a positive...

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Experience of Initial Symptoms of Breast Cancer and Triggers for Action in Ethiopia

Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:25:10 +0100

Conclusion. Given the frequency with which lumps are the first symptom noticed, raising awareness among participants that lumps should trigger medical consultation could contribute significantly to more rapid medical advice-seeking among women in Ethiopia. Primary care sites should be trained and equipped to offer evaluation of lumps so that women can be referred appropriately for assessment if needed. (Source: Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience)

Meetings Calendar

Neuropeptides — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:01:33 +0100

(Source: Neuropeptides)

A Case of Prolonged Cholestatic Hepatitis Induced by Azithromycin in a Young Woman

Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:11:41 +0100

Azithromycin, a semisynthetic macrolides, is frequently prescribed for the treatment of middle ear and upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, and community-acquired pneumonia. This antibiotic is usually well tolerated, and a rapid resolving cholestatic hepatitis has been described up to now only in six patients all, except one, over 65 years of age. We here report the case of a prolonged cholestatic hepatitis after administration of azithromycin in a young woman with no history of liver disease. (Source: Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience)

Sendai virus vector‐mediated brain‐derived neurotrophic factor expression ameliorates memory deficits and synaptic degeneration in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Journal of Neuroscience Research — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:23:37 +0100

AbstractGrowing evidence suggests that decreased brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels are associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Therefore, BDNF gene therapy is considered to be a promising therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Sendai virus (SeV) is a type I parainfluenza virus that does not interact with host chromosomes because of its strict cytoplasmic life cycle. Although SeV is nonpathogenic in primates, including humans, its infectivity for neurons is strong. Here we demonstrate that SeV vectors effectively infected neurons, even though they were injected into subcortical white matter. Moreover, SeV vectors significantly induced BDNF expression, ameliorating synaptic degeneration and memory deficits in a transgenic mouse model of AD (Tg2576). This is the ...

Nicotine Contents in Some Commonly Used Toothpastes and Toothpowders: A Present Scenario

Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:11:41 +0100

The use of tobacco products as dentifrices is still prevalent in various parts of India. Tobacco use in dentifrices is a terrible scourge which motivates continued use despite its harmful effects. Indian legislation prohibits the use of nicotine in dentifrices. Nicotine is primarily injurious to people because it is responsible for tobacco addiction and is dependence forming. The present study was motivated by an interest in examining the presence of nicotine in these dentifrices. Our earlier report indicates the presence of nicotine in toothpowders. To further curb the menace of tobacco, our team again analysed the toothpowder brands of previous years and in toothpastes as well. Eight brands of commonly used toothpastes and toothpowders were evaluated by gas chromatography-mass spectrosco...

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23. Anti-CV2 associated cerebellar degeneration and polyneuropathy

Clinical Neurophysiology — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:42:18 +0100

Introduction: Paraneoplastic damage of the nervous system frequently precedes the detection of the malignancy. Tumors cells indicate the production of anti-CV2 antibodies; that presence is associated with cerebellar degeneration, polyneuropathy and uveitis. The symptoms may occur acutely or subacutely. (Source: Clinical Neurophysiology)

Neurobiology of Aging — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:14:34 +0100

(Source: Neurobiology of Aging)

A Fast and Reliable Hybrid Data Delivery Protocol for Large-Scale Heterogeneous Sensor Networks

Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:01:10 +0100

We propose a hybrid data delivery method for the large-scale heterogeneous sensor networks, which is a fast and reliable delivery protocol for the aggregated data from the sinks to the GW. We develop a new multicriteria-ranking algorithm which determines multiple forwarders for each hop by ranking neighbor nodes. To rank the nodes, we compute the fitness value using features for each node such as the received signal strength, nodal delay, and hop distance. We determine the time of sending among forwarders using the waiting time assignment algorithm. In the experimental section, we show that our method outperforms conventional data delivery protocols in terms of data delivery ratio and end-to-end delay. (Source: Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience)

Impulsive Perturbations of a Three-Species Food Chain System with the Beddington-DeAngelis Functional Response

Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:25:10 +0100

The dynamics of an impulsively controlled three-species food chain system with the Beddington-DeAngelis functional response are investigated using the Floquet theory and a comparison method. In the system, three species are prey, mid-predator, and top-predator. Under an integrated control strategy in sense of biological and chemical controls, the condition for extinction of the prey and the mid-predator is investigated. In addition, the condition for extinction of only the mid-predator is examined. We provide numerical simulations to substantiate the theoretical results. (Source: Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience)