Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
XiTin Lian, Qin Xu, YuLin Wang, GuLeYuan Gu, Qian Yu, WeiHui Shao, HaiXiang Ma, Yue Shen, Lu Liu, JiaXuan Gu, HongHai Zhang
Summary: Seizure-induced respiratory arrest (S-IRA) has been recognized as a main cause of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), but the involvement of other factors such as cardiac arrhythmias cannot be excluded. This study found that the locus coeruleus (LC) and peripheral noradrenergic neurotransmission play a role in S-IRA, and the protective effect of atomoxetine in reducing S-IRA and SUDEP can be reversed by esmolol hydrochloride. Moreover, the connectivity between the LC and heart was investigated, suggesting the regulation of SUDEP occurrence through b1-adrenergic receptors on cardiomyocytes by noradrenergic neurons in the LC.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Florian Pernin, Julia Xiao Xuan Luo, Qiao-Ling Cui, Manon Blain, Milton G. F. Fernandes, Moein Yaqubi, Myriam Srour, Jeff Hall, Roy Dudley, Helene Jamann, Catherine Larochelle, Stephanie E. J. Zandee, Alexandre Prat, Jo Anne Stratton, Timothy E. Kennedy, Jack P. Antel
Summary: The early lesions of multiple sclerosis involve the degeneration of myelinating processes of oligodendrocytes, while the cell bodies of these cells are relatively preserved. As the disease progresses, there is loss of oligodendrocytes. The injury mediators that contribute to this process include metabolic stress, pro-inflammatory mediators, and excitotoxins. It is important to understand the specific effects of these mediators on human oligodendrocytes in order to develop effective neuroprotective therapies for multiple sclerosis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiaofan Jiang, Zihe Xu, Talha Soorma, Ambreen Tariq, Taha Bhatti, Alexander J. Baneke, Nikolas Pontikos, Shaun M. Leo, Andrew R. Webster, Katie M. Williams, Christopher J. Hammond, Pirro G. Hysi, Omar A. Mahroo
Summary: This study found an association between myopia and a genetic variant near the GJD2 gene, suggesting a potential role for altered signaling in cone-driven pathways in the development of myopia.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Florence P. Varodayan, Reesha R. Patel, Alessandra Matzeu, Sarah A. Wolfe, Dallece E. Curley, Sophia Khom, Pauravi J. Gandhi, Larry Rodriguez, Michal Bajo, Shannon D'Ambrosio, Hui Sun, Tony M. Kerr, Rueben A. Gonzales, Lorenzo Leggio, Luis A. Natividad, Carolina L. Haass-Koffler, Remi Martin-Fardon, Marisa Roberto
Summary: This study sheds light on the crucial role of adrenergic receptors in the central amygdala (CeA) in alcohol use disorder (AUD) and uncovers the mechanisms underlying the association between specific adrenergic receptors and AUD. These findings are significant for the development of novel medications for the treatment of AUD.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Muhammad Shehzad, Zhongli Zhou, Allah Ditta, Majid Khan, Xiaoyan Cai, Yanchao Xu, Amir Maqbool, Ahlam Khalofah, Muhammad Shaban, Muhammad Naeem, Mohammad Javed Ansari, Kunbo Wang, Fang Liu
Summary: This study investigated the genetic mechanism of segregation distortion in wild cotton species and their hybrids, identifying key genes related to salt-tolerant gene families and transcription factors. This may provide a foundation for further research and utilization of these genes in biotechnological improvements in the future.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Philip Kohlmeier, Jean-Christophe Billeter
Summary: This review discusses the genetic mechanisms that regulate neuronal sensitivity and behavior, providing a comprehensive list of already identified genes and mechanisms that impact behavior through changes in neuronal sensitivity to help interpret omics data.
Article
Physiology
Leandro A. Oliveira, Taciana R. S. Pollo, Elineia A. Rosa, Josiane O. Duarte, Carlos H. Xavier, Carlos C. Crestani
Summary: The study investigates the role of adrenoceptors in the medial prefrontal cortex subareas in cardiovascular responses during emotional stress. Microinjection of selective adrenoceptor antagonists reduced the pressor response and tachycardia during restraint stress. Noradrenergic neurotransmission in both PL and IL mediates cardiovascular responses to aversive threats.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joanna Zajdel, Johan Skold, Maarit Jaarola, Anand Kumar Singh, David Engblom
Summary: The study found that mice lacking alpha CGRP, the main form of CGRP in the brain, showed similar danger-related responses compared to wildtype mice, suggesting that alpha CGRP may not be necessary for threat-related behaviors mediated by CGRP neurons in the parabrachial nucleus.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
F. Rodovalho-Callegari, I Rodrigues-Santos, A. B. Lucion, G. Rodovalho, C. M. Leite, B. B. De Paula, N. Pestana-Oliveira, J. A. Anselmo-Franci
Summary: The stress experienced during rape may induce ovulation, leading to higher pregnancy rates in raped women than from consensual intercourse. Acute stresses mimic the conditions of rape, releasing adrenal progesterone and central norepinephrine, which can anticipate the LH surge and facilitate conception. The study found that acute stress applied to female rats in a proestrus state increased progesterone levels and activated noradrenergic neurons, resulting in an earlier and enhanced LH surge.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
M. E. Maheu, S. Sharma, G. King, S. A. Maddox, A. Wingo, A. Lori, V. Michopoulos, R. Richardson, K. J. Ressler
Summary: The study indicates that doublecortin plays a significant role in fear learning and suggests that Cdk14 may serve as a predictive biomarker of trauma response.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juan Hernandez-Goenaga, Julio Lopez-Aban, Adrian Blanco-Gomez, Belen Vicente, Francisco Javier Burguillo, Jesus Perez-Losada, Antonio Muro
Summary: The genetic basis of susceptibility to schistosomiasis and the location of chromosomal regions involved were investigated using a backcross strategy. 19 new quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with parasite burden, liver lesions, white blood cell populations, and antibody responses were identified.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Dan Liu, De-hui Zhao, Jian-qi Zeng, Rabiu Sani Shawai, Jing-yang Tong, Ming Li, Fa-ji Li, Shuo Zhou, Wen-li Hu, Xian-chun Xia, Yu-bing Tian, Qian Zhu, Chun-ping Wang, De-sen Wang, Zhong-hu He, Jin-dong Liu, Yong Zhang
Summary: The identification of stable QTLs and molecular markers linked to yield-related traits is crucial for improving wheat grain yield. This study mapped 53 QTLs for six yield-related traits on different chromosomes and identified potential candidate genes for these traits, providing valuable information for high-yield wheat breeding.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Dermatology
Qilin Zhang, Peidian Shi, Zhenzhen Wang, Lele Sun, Wenchao Li, Qing Zhao, Tingting Liu, Qing Pan, Yuanhang Sun, Fengming Jia, Wenjie Chen, Xi'an Fu, Gongqi Yu, Fangfang Bao, Zihao Mi, Chuan Wang, Yonghu Sun, Bingqing Li, Jianjun Liu, Hong Liu, Heng Gu, Furen Zhang
Summary: The study identified genetic variants in the IL36RN and HLA-C*06:02 genes associated with generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), as well as the BTN3A3 gene through gene burden testing. Functional analysis revealed the role of BTN3A3 in regulating cell proliferation and inflammatory balance in GPP, and its disruption of the IL-1/IL-36 inflammatory axis and enhancement of the TNF-a pathway. These findings expand our understanding of the genetic basis of GPP.
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Mihaela Rosca, Gabriela Mihalache, Vasile Stoleru
Summary: Tomato is a critical crop for human food worldwide, and researchers have focused on studying its behavior under saline conditions. Salinity significantly affects tomato growth, and more research is needed to improve its tolerance to salt stress.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Ayane Nakamura, Yoshikage Muroi, Toshiaki Ishii
Summary: Stress-coping strategies are linked to depression. Hormonal stress has an impact on depressive symptoms and higher prevalence during the postpartum period in women. However, the neuronal mechanisms of stress coping in postpartum women have not been fully understood.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Martin J. MacKinnon, Bruce A. Berkowitz, Yen-Yu Ian Shih
Summary: The study investigated the contribution of superoxide free radicals to the QUEST metric by measuring superoxide spin-lattice relaxivity (r1) in phantoms. Results showed a superoxide r1 value of 0.29 mM(-1) s(-1), suggesting detection sensitivity of QUEST MRI within the reported level of free radical production during oxidative stress in vivo. Further studies on other common free radicals are needed.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Esteban A. Oyarzabal, Barbara Seuferling, Shaweta Babbar, Shannon Lawton-O'Boyle, Shilpa Babbar
Summary: Mind-body therapies such as yoga and tai chi have shown significant benefits in reducing maternal stress and other pregnancy-related conditions. These techniques have proven to be effective in alleviating pain, high blood pressure, stress, anxiety, and postpartum mood disturbances. Due to their ease of implementation, cost-effectiveness, and safety during pregnancy, they should be considered as alternative interventions for pregnant women and postpartum care.
CLINICAL OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Shilpa Babbar, Alejandro J. Oyarzabal, Esteban A. Oyarzabal
Summary: Mindfulness practices during pregnancy are beneficial in reducing anxiety, depression, and stress, with potential positive effects extending into the postpartum period. While there is limited evidence on the benefits of mindfulness and meditation for other aspects of pregnancy, the low-risk nature of these techniques supports encouraging all women to engage in mindfulness practices during pregnancy.
CLINICAL OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Qing Cheng, Patricia Lamb, Korey Stevanovic, Briana J. Bernstein, Sydney A. Fry, Jesse D. Cushman, Jerrel L. Yakel
Summary: The study compared the responses of dentate granule cells and GABAergic interneurons to α7 nAChR agonists, revealing differential effects on intracellular signaling pathways possibly due to variations in Ca2+ regulation in different cell types. Additionally, in vivo observations showed enhanced neuronal activity in dentate granule cells but not in GABAergic neurons after nicotine administration, indicating a cell type-specific mechanism for α7 nAChR-mediated increase of neuronal activity.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Manasmita Das, Esteban A. Oyarzabal, Lars Chen, Sung-Ho Lee, Neal Shah, Gabby Gerlach, Weiting Zhang, Tzu-Hao Harry Chao, Nathalie Van den Berge, Carolyn Liu, Carrie Donley, Stephanie A. Montgomery, Yen-Yu Ian Shih
Summary: Superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles are effective contrast agents for CBV-MRI applications, with potential for a wide range of functional and structural MRI studies. By developing a simple, cost-effective synthesis method for CION nanoparticles and characterizing their conjugations, this work aims to make CBV-MRI more accessible and affordable for various research applications. The utility of CION in in vivo experiments demonstrates its potential for functional and structural MRI studies, providing a valuable cross-modality research platform for concurrent optical and MRI measurements of CBV.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Esteban A. Oyarzabal, Li-Ming Hsu, Manasmita Das, Tzu-Hao Harry Chao, Jingheng Zhou, Sheng Song, Weiting Zhang, Kathleen G. Smith, Natale R. Sciolino, Irina Y. Evsyukova, Hong Yuan, Sung-Ho Lee, Guohong Cui, Patricia Jensen, Yen-Yu Ian Shih
Summary: This study reveals the selective neuromodulatory effect of norepinephrine-releasing neurons in the locus coeruleus on the default mode network of the brain. The activation of these neurons alters neuronal activity coupling and cerebral blood volume within the frontal DMN, strengthens functional connectivity within the frontal DMN, and is mediated by reduced modulatory inputs from retrosplenial and hippocampal regions.
Article
Neurosciences
Barry D. Waterhouse, Haven K. Predale, Nicholas W. Plummer, Patricia Jensen, Daniel J. Chandler
Summary: The brainstem nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) is a source of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE) and sends projections to various regions of the brain. Recent studies have revealed that LC is modular in design, with segregated output channels, allowing for differential release and action of NE. However, little is known about the relationship between the LC-NE system and CNS motor control centers. This study aims to investigate the efferent connectivity and physiological attributes of mouse LC-motor network projection neurons using an intersectional recombinase-based viral-genetic strategy and ex vivo electrophysiological assays, to gain a better understanding of the role of the LC-NE system in motor control.
FRONTIERS IN NEURAL CIRCUITS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Natale R. Sciolino, Madeline Hsiang, Christopher M. Mazzone, Leslie R. Wilson, Nicholas W. Plummer, Jaisal Amin, Kathleen G. Smith, Christopher A. McGee, Sydney A. Fry, Cindy X. Yang, Jeanne M. Powell, Michael R. Bruchas, Alexxai Kravitz, Jesse D. Cushman, Michael J. Krashes, Guohong Cui, Patricia Jensen
Summary: Noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus (LC-NE) modulate feeding behavior by integrating external and internal stimuli. LC-NE activity is suppressed during food consumption, and activation of the LC to the lateral hypothalamus pathway suppresses feeding and enhances avoidance and anxiety-like responding.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Brittany M. Katz, Lindsay R. Walton, Kaiulani M. Houston, Domenic H. Cerri, Yen-Yu Ian Shih
Summary: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is used to monitor brain-wide activity. The relationship between neuronal and hemodynamic activity is now believed to be influenced by heterogeneous cell types and neurochemical signaling. The impact of neurochemical influences on hemodynamics in largely GABAergic brain regions like the caudate putamen (CPu) is relatively unknown. Understanding CPu hemodynamics could have broad impacts on fMRI studies. This review discusses neurochemical contributions to hemodynamics in the CPu and their origins from various cell types and circuits.
JOURNAL OF CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tzu-Hao Harry Chao, Byeongwook Lee, Li -Ming Hsu, Domenic Hayden Cerri, Wei -Ting Zhang, Tzu-Wen Winnie Wang, Srikanth Ryali, Vinod Menon, Yen-Yu Ian Shih
Summary: This study combines fiber photometry with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and computational modeling to investigate the neurophysiological properties and interactions of the rat default mode network (DMN) and the anterior insular cortex (AI) of the salience network. The findings reveal the neuronal activity changes preceding fMRI-derived DMN activations and cyclical transitions between brain network states. Additionally, salient stimuli are found to suppress the DMN and enhance AI neuronal activity, with the AI causally inhibiting a prominent DMN node.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Wei-Ting Zhang, Tzu-Hao Harry Chao, Yue Yang, Tzu-Wen Wang, Sung-Ho Lee, Esteban A. Oyarzabal, Jingheng Zhou, Randy Nonneman, Nicolas C. Pegard, Hongtu Zhu, Guohong Cui, Yen-Yu Ian Shih
Summary: Fiber photometry is a promising technique for recording brain activity, but hemoglobin absorption artifacts may affect the accuracy of the data. This study presents a method using spectral photometry and computational approaches to quantify photon absorption effects and correct fluorescence signals.
CELL REPORTS METHODS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Alexander Gomez-A, Carol A. Dannenhoffer, Amanda Elton, Sung-Ho Lee, Woomi Ban, Yen-Yu Ian Shih, Charlotte A. Boettiger, Donita L. Robinson
Summary: Adolescent alcohol exposure can have significant impacts on behavioral flexibility and brain functional connectivity in adult animals, leading to impairments in attentional set reversals and decreased connectivity among key brain regions supporting flexible behavior. The study demonstrates a crucial link between reduced brain functional connectivity resulting from alcohol exposure during adolescence and deficits in behavioral flexibility.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)