bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Konstruktionen und Paradigmen
Authors: Diewald Gabriele
Published: March 2010

The notion of constructions—as the basic semiotic units of language varying in complexity, size and degree of abstraction—has proved to be useful in diachronic research in general and in grammaticalization studies in particular. Grammaticalization scenarios have been modelled as a unidirectional succession of specific types of constructions, thus providing a means for depicting the interdependence of pragmatic and contextual feature on the one hand and language internal features on the other. However, the endpoint of grammaticalization processes, i.e. the integration of formerly autonomous signs into tightly organized paradigmatic structures (grammatical paradigms), so far has not been in the scope of constructional approaches. It is argued that existing models of grammaticalization scenarios should be expanded by a fourth stage, the stage of paradigmatic integration. It is suggested that a grammatical paradigm represents a particular type of construction. Thus, the stage of paradigmatic integration represents the formation of a fourth type of construction.
Konzessive Konstruktionen. Ein Verfahren zur Rekonstruktion von Konzessionen
Authors: Rezat Sara
Published: March 2010

This paper is concerned with the concession-relation on epistemic-level, herein after referred to as ‘concession’. It is shown that there is a spectrum of means to encode concessions in German: the forms vary from rather “idiomatic” constructions to less specified constructions, from lexico-grammatical constructions up to hardly encoded forms, which have to be inferred from discourse context. Furthermore, a method is demonstrated to reconstruct hardly encoded forms of concessions.
Konstruktionsvererbung, Valenzvererbung und die Reichweite von Konstruktionen
Authors: Welke Klaus
Published: March 2010

Shifts in a word's valency (such as increases or reductions, e.g. of a verb) are alterations to a core valency. One precondition of valency shift is that the verb provides semantic and conceptual opportunities for this shift. Another precondition is that, in a given language, constructions have already evolved in which these shifts can be actualized. Valency shift is construction inheritance: a given verb inherits a construction for which it had not previously been licensed from another verb that is licensed for this construction. Valency inheritance is the inheritance of a verb's valency by a noun construction. Valency theory and construction grammar are therefore complementary. Our concept of shift and inheritance of valencies and constructions is prototypical and analogical. In this context, the paper discusses identity, polysemy and homonymy of constructions, using the nominative-accusative construction as an example.
Bedeutung und Gebrauch in der Konstruktionsgrammatik. Wie kompositionell sind modale Infinitive im Deutschen?
Authors: Stefanowitsch Anatol
Published: March 2010

Theories of grammar typically have some way of accommodating fixed or semi-fixed idiomatic expressions in addition to expressions derived compositionally by general abstract rules. Construction Grammar differs from most other theories in that it takes such idiomatic expressions as a model for the grammar of natural languages as a whole. Linguistic structures at all levels of complexity and schematicity are uniformly modeled as “constructions”, i.e. form-meaning pairs with unpredictable formal or semantic properties. This view of grammar is plausible only to the extent that abstract and complex linguistic structures can be shown to constitute such form-meaning pairs. In this paper, I present an analysis of the so-called “modal infinitives” in German (structures consisting of haben ‘have’ or sein ‘be’ and an infinitive with zu ‘to’). I argue that German modal infinitives can be described adequatlyadequately only if we assume that they are constructions in the sense of Construction Grammar. While their general function of encoding possibility and obligation can be predicted from the meaning of haben/sein and the infinitival verb phrase, at least one of their more specific conventionalized meanings, “obligation without alternatives”, is more specific than anything that could be derived compositionally from these component parts. Since modal infinitives are part of the “core grammar” of German, this analysis strengthens the case for an analysis of natural language grammars in terms of constructions.
Dact1 Is a Postsynaptic Protein Required for Dendrite, Spine, and Excitatory Synapse Development in the Mouse Forebrain
Authors: Okerlund Nathan D. , Kivimäe Saul , Tong Cheuk Ka , Peng I-Feng , Ullian Erik M. , Cheyette Benjamin N. R.
Published: March 2010

Dact1 (Dapper/Frodo), an intracellular phosphoprotein that binds Dishevelled, catenins, and other signaling proteins, is expressed in the developing and mature mammalian CNS, but its function there is unknown. Dact1 colocalized with synaptic markers and partitioned to postsynaptic fractions from cultured mouse forebrain neurons. Hippocampal neurons fromDact1knock-out mice had simpler dendritic arbors and fewer spines than hippocampal neurons from wild-type littermates. This correlated with reductions in excitatory synapses and miniature EPSCs, whereas inhibitory synapses were not affected. Loss of Dact1 resulted in a decrease in activated Rac, and recombinant expression of either Dact1 or constitutively active Rac, but not Rho or Cdc42, rescued dendrite and spine phenotypes inDact1mutant neurons. Our findings suggest that, during neuronal differentiation, Dact1 plays a critical role in a molecular pathway promoting Rac activity underlying the elaboration of dendrites and the establishment of spines and excitatory synapses.
Histamine Influences Body Temperature by Acting at H1and H3 Receptors on Distinct Populations of Preoptic Neurons
Authors: Lundius Ebba Gregorsson , Sanchez-Alavez Manuel , Ghochani Yasmin , Klaus Joseph , Tabarean Iustin V.
Published: March 2010

The preoptic area/anterior hypothalamus, a region that contains neurons that control thermoregulation, is the main locus at which histamine affects body temperature. Here we report that histamine reduced the spontaneous firing rate of GABAergic preoptic neurons by activating H3 subtype histamine receptors. This effect involved a decrease in the level of phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase and was not dependent on synaptic activity. Furthermore, a population of non-GABAergic neurons was depolarized, and their firing rate was enhanced by histamine acting at H1 subtype receptors. In our experiments, activation of the H1R receptors was linked to the PLC pathway and Ca2+release from intracellular stores. This depolarization persisted in TTX or when fast synaptic potentials were blocked, indicating that it represents a postsynaptic effect. Single-cell reverse transcription-PCR analysis revealed expression of H3 receptors in a population of GABAergic neurons, while H1 receptors were expressed in non-GABAergic cells. Histamine applied in the median preoptic nucleus induced a robust, long-lasting hyperthermia effect that was mimicked by either H1 or H3 histamine receptor subtype-specific agonists. Our data indicate that histamine modulates the core body temperature by acting at two distinct populations of preoptic neurons that express H1 and H3 receptor subtypes, respectively.
Asymmetric Transfer of Visuomotor Learning between Discrete and Rhythmic Movements
Authors: Ikegami Tsuyoshi , Hirashima Masaya , Taga Gentaro , Nozaki Daichi
Published: March 2010

As long as we only focus on kinematics, rhythmic movement appears to be a concatenation of discrete movements or discrete movement appears to be a truncated rhythmic movement. However, whether or not the neural control processes of discrete and rhythmic movements are distinct has not yet been clearly understood. Here, we address this issue by examining the motor learning transfer between these two types of movements testing the hypothesis that distinct neural control processes should lead to distinct motor learning and transfer. First, we found that the adaptation to an altered visuomotor condition was almost fully transferred from the discrete out-and-back movements to the rhythmic out-and-back movements; however, the transfer from the rhythmic to discrete movements was very small. Second, every time a new set of rhythmic movements was started, a considerable amount of movement error reappeared in the first and the following several cycles although the error converged to a small level by the end of each set. Last, we observed that when the discrete movement training was performed with intertrial intervals longer than 4 s, a significantly larger error appeared, specifically for the second and third cycles of the subsequent rhythmic movements, despite a seemingly full transfer to the first cycle. These results provide strong behavioral evidence that different neuronal control processes are involved in the two types of movements and that discrete control processes contribute to the generation of the first cycle of the rhythmic movement.
Reconsolidation of a Cocaine-Associated Stimulus Requires Amygdalar Protein Kinase A
Authors: Sanchez Hayde , Quinn Jennifer J. , Torregrossa Mary M. , Taylor Jane R.
Published: March 2010

Drug addiction is a chronic disorder associated with recurrent craving and relapse often precipitated by the presence of drug-associated stimuli. Pharmacological and behavioral treatments that disrupt drug-associated stimulus memories could be beneficial in the treatment of addictive disorders. Memory restabilization (or reconsolidation) following retrieval of drug-paired stimuli depends upon the amygdala. Here we assessed whether amygdalar PKA is required for the reconsolidation of an appetitive, cocaine-paired stimulus. Rats were trained to lever press for intravenous cocaine infusions paired with a light/tone conditioned stimulus. After 12 d of acquisition, rats either underwent lever extinction (8–12 d) followed by light/tone reactivation and subsequent cue-induced and cocaine-induced (15 mg/kg, i.p.) reinstatement testing or were subsequently tested to assess the ability of the light/tone stimulus to serve as a conditioned reinforcer in the acquisition of a new instrumental response (nose poking). Bilateral intra-amygdalar infusions of the PKA inhibitor Rp-cAMPS (18 μg per side) given immediately following light/tone stimulus reactivation decreased subsequent cue-induced reinstatement and responding with a conditioned reinforcer, while having no effect on cocaine-induced reinstatement. Intra-amygdalar infusions of Rp-cAMPS made 3 h following reactivation or immediately following no stimulus reactivation had no effect on subsequent cue-induced reinstatement. These data show that memory reconsolidation for a cocaine-paired stimulus is retrieval dependent and time limited and critically depends upon amygdalar PKA.
Demonstration of a Neural Circuit Critical for Imprinting Behavior in Chicks
Authors: Nakamori Tomoharu , Sato Katsushige , Atoji Yasuro , Kanamatsu Tomoyuki , Tanaka Kohichi , Ohki-Hamazaki Hiroko
Published: March 2010

Imprinting behavior in birds is elicited by visual and/or auditory cues. It has been demonstrated previously that visual cues are recognized and processed in the visual Wulst (VW), and imprinting memory is stored in the intermediate medial mesopallium (IMM) of the telencephalon. Alteration of neural responses in these two regions according to imprinting has been reported, yet direct evidence of the neural circuit linking these two regions is lacking. Thus, it remains unclear how memory is formed and expressed in this circuit. Here, we present anatomical as well as physiological evidence of the neural circuit connecting the VW and IMM and show that imprinting training during the critical period strengthens and refines this circuit. A functional connection established by imprint training resulted in an imprinting behavior. After the closure of the critical period, training could not activate this circuit nor induce the imprinting behavior. Glutamatergic neurons in the ventroposterior region of the VW, the core region of the hyperpallium densocellulare (HDCo), sent their axons to the periventricular part of the HD, just dorsal and afferent to the IMM. We found that the HDCo is important in imprinting behavior. The refinement and/or enhancement of this neural circuit are attributed to increased activity of HDCo cells, and the activity depended on NR2B-containing NMDA receptors. These findings show a neural connection in the telencephalon in Aves and demonstrate that NR2B function is indispensable for the plasticity of HDCo cells, which are key mediators of imprinting.
TASK Channels Contribute to the K+-Dominated Leak Current Regulating Respiratory Rhythm GenerationIn Vitro
Authors: Koizumi Hidehiko , Smerin Stanley E. , Yamanishi Tadashi , Moorjani Bindiya R. , Zhang Ruli , Smith Jeffrey C.
Published: March 2010

Leak channels regulate neuronal activity and excitability. Determining which leak channels exist in neurons and how they control electrophysiological behavior is fundamental. Here we investigated TASK channels, members of the two-pore domain K+channel family, as a component of the K+-dominated leak conductance that controls and modulates rhythm generation at cellular and network levels in the mammalian pre-Bötzinger complex (pre-BötC), an excitatory network of neurons in the medulla critically involved in respiratory rhythmogenesis. By voltage-clamp analyses of pre-BötC neuronal current–voltage (I-V) relations in neonatal rat medullary slicesin vitro, we demonstrated that pre-BötC inspiratory neurons have a weakly outward-rectifying total leak conductance with reversal potential that was depolarized by ∼4 mV from the K+equilibrium potential, indicating that background K+channels are dominant contributors to leak. This K+channel component had I-V relations described by constant field theory, and the conductance was reduced by acid and was augmented by the volatile anesthetic halothane, which are all hallmarks of TASK. We established by single-cell RT-PCR that pre-BötC inspiratory neurons express TASK-1 and in some cases also TASK-3 mRNA. Furthermore, acid depolarized and augmented bursting frequency of pre-BötC inspiratory neurons with intrinsic bursting properties. Microinfusion of acidified solutions into the rhythmically active pre-BötC network increased network bursting frequency, halothane decreased bursting frequency, and acid reversed the depressant effects of halothane, consistent with modulation of network activity by TASK channels. We conclude that TASK-like channels play a major functional role in chemosensory modulation of respiratory rhythm generation in the pre-Bötzinger complexin vitro.
Physiological Basis of Tingling Paresthesia Evokedby Hydroxy-α-Sanshool
Authors: Lennertz Richard C. , Tsunozaki Makoto , Bautista Diana M. , Stucky Cheryl L.
Published: March 2010

Hydroxy-α-sanshool, the active ingredient in plants of the prickly ash plant family, induces robust tingling paresthesia by activating a subset of somatosensory neurons. However, the subtypes and physiological function of sanshool-sensitive neurons remain unknown. Here we use theex vivoskin–nerve preparation to examine the pattern and intensity with which the sensory terminals of cutaneous neurons respond to hydroxy-α-sanshool. We found that sanshool excites virtually all D-hair afferents, a distinct subset of ultrasensitive light-touch receptors in the skin and targets novel populations of Aβ and C fiber nerve afferents. Thus, sanshool provides a novel pharmacological tool for discriminating functional subtypes of cutaneous mechanoreceptors. The identification of sanshool-sensitive fibers represents an essential first step in identifying the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying tingling paresthesia that accompanies peripheral neuropathy and injury.
A Novel Role for Protein Synthesis in Long-Term Neuronal Plasticity: Maintaining Reduced Postburst Afterhyperpolarization
Authors: Cohen-Matsliah Sivan Ida , Motanis Helen , Rosenblum Kobi , Barkai Edi
Published: March 2010

Memory consolidation, the process of transformation of short-term to long-term memory, has been shown to be protein synthesis dependent in a variety of different learning paradigms, brain structures, and species. At the cellular level, protein synthesis was shown to be crucial for induction of long-term synaptic plasticity; application of protein synthesis inhibitors prevents the transformation of early long-term potentiation (LTP) to late LTP. Thus, protein synthesis has been traditionally thought to affect long-term memory consolidation by stabilizing synaptic transmission. However, long-term memory is not supported only by modulation of synaptic strength; modifications in intrinsic neuronal properties also subserve learning-related behavioral changes. Learning-induced reduction in the postburst afterhyperpolarization (AHP), which results with enhanced neuronal excitability and decreased spike frequency adaptation, is apparent in hippocampal and cortical pyramidal neurons. Such postburst AHP reduction lasts for days after training completion and is implicated in maintaining learned skills. Short-term modulation of intrinsic neuronal excitability can be also inducedin vitro. Intense synaptic activation induces AHP reduction and enhanced neuronal excitability in hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Here, we show that synaptic activation-induced short-term postburst AHP reduction can be transformed to long-term AHP reduction, such that persists for prolonged time periods. This long-lasting AHP reduction is protein synthesis dependent for up to 1 h after induction. We suggest that, much like synaptic plasticity, activity-induced long-lasting modulation of intrinsic neuronal excitability requires molecular consolidation. It would appear that both synaptic and intrinsic modifications and maintenance are activated jointly to enable long-lasting memories.
Astrocytes Prevent Abnormal Neuronal Development in the Fragile X Mouse
Authors: Jacobs Shelley , Doering Laurie C.
Published: March 2010

Astrocytes are now distinguished as major regulators of neuronal growth and synaptic development. Recently, they have been identified as key players in the progression of a number of developmental disorders; however, in fragile X syndrome (FXS), the role of astrocytes is not known. Using a coculture design, we found that hippocampal neurons exhibited abnormal dendritic morphology and a decreased number of presynaptic and postsynaptic protein aggregates when they were grown on astrocytes from a fragile X mouse. Moreover, we found that normal astrocytes could prevent the development of abnormal dendrite morphology and preclude the reduction of presynaptic and postsynaptic protein clusters in neurons from a fragile X mouse. These experiments are the first to establish a role for astrocytes in the altered neurobiology of FXS. Our results support the notion that astrocytes contribute to abnormal dendrite morphology and the dysregulated synapse development in FXS.
Scaling of Neural Responses to Visual and Auditory Motion in the Human Cerebellum
Authors: Baumann Oliver , Mattingley Jason B.
Published: March 2010

The human cerebellum contains approximately half of all the neurons within the cerebrum, yet most experimental work in human neuroscience over the last century has focused exclusively on the structure and functions of the forebrain. The cerebellum has an undisputed role in a range of motor functions (Thach et al., 1992), but its potential contributions to sensory and cognitive processes are widely debated (Stoodley and Schmahmann, 2009). Here we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to test the hypothesis that the human cerebellum is involved in the acquisition of auditory and visual sensory data. We monitored neural activity within the cerebellum while participants engaged in a task that required them to discriminate the direction of a visual or auditory motion signal in noise. We identified a distinct set of cerebellar regions that were differentially activated for visual stimuli (vermal lobule VI and right-hemispheric lobule X) and auditory stimuli (right-hemispheric lobules VIIIA and VIIIB and hemispheric lobule VI bilaterally). In addition, we identified a region in left crus I in which activity correlated significantly with increases in the perceptual demands of the task (i.e., with decreasing signal strength), for both auditory and visual stimuli. Our results support suggestions of a role for the cerebellum in the processing of auditory and visual motion and suggest that parts of cerebellar cortex are concerned with tracking movements of objects around the animal, rather than with controlling movements of the animal itself (Paulin, 1993).
Preferential Localization of Muscarinic M1Receptor on Dendritic Shaft and Spine of Cortical Pyramidal Cells and Its Anatomical Evidence for Volume Transmission
Authors: Yamasaki Miwako , Matsui Minoru , Watanabe Masahiko
Published: March 2010

Acetylcholine (ACh) plays important roles for higher brain functions, including arousal, attention, and cognition. These effects are mediated largely by muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs). However, it remains inconclusive whether the mode of ACh-mAChR signaling is synaptic, so-called “wired,” transmission mediated by ACh released into the synaptic cleft, or nonsynaptic, so-called “volume,” transmission by ambient ACh. To address this issue, we examined cellular and subcellular distribution of M1, the most predominant mAChR subtype in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and pursued its anatomical relationship with cholinergic varicosities in these regions of adult mice. M1was highly expressed in glutamatergic pyramidal neurons, whereas it was low or undetectable in various GABAergic interneuron subtypes. M1was preferentially distributed on the extrasynaptic membrane of pyramidal cell dendrites and spines. Cholinergic varicosities often made direct contact to pyramidal cell dendrites and synapses. At such contact sites, however, synapse-like specialization was infrequent, and no particular accumulation was found at around contact sites for both M1and presynpatic active zone protein Bassoon. These features contrasted with those of the glutamatergic system, in which AMPA receptor GluA2 and metabotropic receptor mGluR5 were recruited to the synaptic or perisynaptic membrane, respectively, and Bassoon was highly accumulated in the presynaptic terminals. These results suggest that M1is so positioned to sense ambient ACh released from cholinergic varicosities at variable distances, and to enhance the synaptic efficacy and excitability of pyramidal cells. These molecular–anatomical arrangements will provide the evidence for volume transmission, at least in M1-mediated cortical cholinergic signaling.
Opioid-Induced Long-Term Potentiation in the Spinal Cord Is a Presynaptic Event
Authors: Zhou Hong-Yi , Chen Shao-Rui , Chen Hong , Pan Hui-Lin
Published: March 2010

Opioids remain the mainstay of treatment for severe pain, but the associated hyperalgesia and tolerance are significant impediments to achieving adequate pain relief with opioids. Here we show that in the spinal cord, brief application of the μ-opioid receptor agonist (D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly-ol5)-enkephalin (DAMGO) at 1 μm, but not at 1–10 nm, caused an initial decrease followed by a large and long-lasting increase in the amplitude of monosynaptic EPSCs evoked from the dorsal root in ∼50% of lamina I and II neurons. However, postsynaptic dialysis of the G-protein inhibitor had no effect on DAMGO-induced initial inhibition and long-term potentiation (LTP) in either lamina I or II neurons. DAMGO-induced LTP was associated with an increase in the paired-pulse depression ratio. Furthermore, DAMGO application and washout induced an initial decrease followed by a persistent increase in the frequency of miniature EPSCs. Bath application, but not postsynaptic dialysis, of an NMDA receptor antagonist or a calcium chelator abolished DAMGO-induced LTP. Strikingly, ablation of TRPV1-expressing primary afferents not only eliminated DAMGO-induced LTP but also prolonged DAMGO-induced inhibition of the miniature and evoked EPSCs (i.e., long-term depression). Thus, our study strongly suggests that TRPV1-expressing primary afferents play a prominent role in opioid-induced presynaptic LTP, which challenges a previous report suggesting the postsynaptic nature of this opioid-induced LTP. This excitatory effect of opioids on primary afferents can counteract the inhibitory effect of opioids on synaptic transmission at the spinal level and is likely involved in opioid-induced hyperalgesia and tolerance.
Oscillatory Correlates of Vibrotactile Frequency Processing in Human Working Memory
Authors: Spitzer Bernhard , Wacker Evelin , Blankenburg Felix
Published: March 2010

Previous animal research has revealed neuronal activity underlying short-term retention of vibrotactile stimuli, providing evidence for a parametric representation of stimulus frequency in primate tactile working memory (Romo et al., 1999). Here, we investigated the neural correlates of vibrotactile frequency processing in human working memory, using noninvasive electroencephalography (EEG). Participants judged the frequencies of vibrotactile stimuli delivered to the fingertip in a delayed match-to-sample frequency discrimination task. As expected, vibrotactile stimulation elicited pronounced steady-state evoked potentials, which were source-localized in primary somatosensory cortex. Furthermore, parametric analysis of induced EEG responses revealed that the frequency of stimulation was reflected by systematic modulations of synchronized oscillatory activity in nonprimary cortical areas. Stimulus processing was accompanied by frequency-dependent alpha-band responses (8–12 Hz) over dorsal occipital cortex. The critical new finding was that, throughout the retention interval, the stimulus frequency held in working memory was systematically represented by a modulation in prefrontal beta activity (20–25 Hz), which was source-localized to the inferior frontal gyrus. This modulation in oscillatory activity during stimulus retention was related to successful frequency discrimination, thus reflecting behaviorally relevant information. Together, the results complement previous findings of parametric working memory correlates in nonhuman primates and suggest that the quantitative representation of vibrotactile frequency in sensory memory entails systematic modulations of synchronized neural activity in human prefrontal cortex.
Cortical Networks Produce Three Distinct 7–12 Hz Rhythms during Single Sensory Responses in the Awake Rat
Authors: Tort Adriano B. L. , Fontanini Alfredo , Kramer Mark A. , Jones-Lush Lauren M. , Kopell Nancy J. , Katz Donald B.
Published: March 2010

Cortical rhythms in the α/μ frequency range (7–12 Hz) have been variously related to “idling,” anticipation, seizure, and short-term or working memory. This overabundance of interpretations suggests that sensory cortex may be able to produce more than one (and even more than two) distinct α/μ rhythms. Here we describe simultaneous local field potential and single-neuron recordings made from primary sensory (gustatory) cortex of awake rats and reveal three distinct 7–12 Hzde novonetwork rhythms within single sessions: an “early,” taste-induced ∼11 Hz rhythm, the first peak of which was a short-latency gustatory evoked potential; a “late,” significantly lower-frequency (∼7 Hz) rhythm that replaced this first rhythm at ∼750–850 ms after stimulus onset (consistently timed with a previously described shift in taste temporal codes); and a “spontaneous” spike-and-wave rhythm of intermediate peak frequency (∼9 Hz) that appeared late in the session, as part of a oft-described reduction in arousal/attention. These rhythms proved dissociable on many grounds: in addition to having different peak frequencies, amplitudes, and shapes and appearing at different time points (although often within single 3 s snippets of activity), the early and late rhythms proved to have completely uncorrelated session-to-session variability, and the spontaneous rhythm affected the early rhythm only (having no impact on the late rhythm). Analysis of spike-to-wave coupling suggested that the early and late rhythms are a unified part of discriminative taste process: the identity of phase-coupled single-neuron ensembles differed from taste to taste, and coupling typically lasted across the change in frequency. These data reveal that even rhythms confined to a narrow frequency band may still have distinct properties.
Endogenous Purinergic Control of Bladder Activity via Presynaptic P2X3and P2X2/3Receptors in the Spinal Cord
Authors: Kaan Timothy K. Y. , Yip Ping K. , Grist John , Cefalu Joseph S. , Nunn Philip A. , Ford Anthony P. D. W. , Zhong Yu , McMahon Stephen B.
Published: March 2010

P2X3and P2X2/3receptors are localized on sensory afferents both peripherally and centrally and have been implicated in various sensory functions. However, the physiological role of these receptors expressed presynaptically in the spinal cord in regulating sensory transmission remains to be elucidated. Here, a novel selective P2X3and P2X2/3antagonist, AF-792 [5-(5-ethynyl-2-isopropyl-4-methoxy-phenoxy)-pyrimidine-2,4-diamine, previously known as RO-5], in addition to less selective purinoceptor ligands, was applied intrathecallyin vivo. Cystometry recordings were made to assess changes in the micturition reflex contractions after drug treatments. We found that AF-792 inhibited micturition reflex activity significantly (300 nmol; from baseline contraction intervals of 1.18 ± 0.07 to 9.33 ± 2.50 min). Furthermore, inhibition of P2X3and P2X2/3receptors in the spinal cord significantly attenuated spinal activation of extracellular-signal regulated kinases induced by acute peripheral stimulation of the bladder with 1% acetic acid by 46.4 ± 12.0% on average. Hence, the data suggest that afferent signals originating from the bladder are regulated by spinal P2X3and P2X2/3receptors and establish directly an endogenous central presynaptic purinergic mechanism to regulate visceral sensory transmission. Identification of this spinal purinergic control in visceral activities may help the development of P2X3and P2X2/3antagonist to treat urological dysfunction, such as overactive bladder, and possibly other debilitating sensory disorders, including chronic pain states.
Mitofusin 2 Is Necessary for Transport of Axonal Mitochondria and Interacts with the Miro/Milton Complex
Authors: Misko Albert , Jiang Sirui , Wegorzewska Iga , Milbrandt Jeffrey , Baloh Robert H.
Published: March 2010

Mitofusins (Mfn1 and Mfn2) are outer mitochondrial membrane proteins involved in regulating mitochondrial dynamics. Mutations in Mfn2 cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) type 2A, an inherited disease characterized by degeneration of long peripheral axons, but the nature of this tissue selectivity remains unknown. Here, we present evidence that Mfn2 is directly involved in and required for axonal mitochondrial transport, distinct from its role in mitochondrial fusion. Live imaging of neurons cultured from Mfn2 knock-out mice or neurons expressing Mfn2 disease mutants shows that axonal mitochondria spend more time paused and undergo slower anterograde and retrograde movements, indicating an alteration in attachment to microtubule-based transport systems. Furthermore, Mfn2 disruption altered mitochondrial movement selectively, leaving transport of other organelles intact. Importantly, both Mfn1 and Mfn2 interact with mammalian Miro (Miro1/Miro2) and Milton (OIP106/GRIF1) proteins, members of the molecular complex that links mitochondria to kinesin motors. Knockdown of Miro2 in cultured neurons produced transport deficits identical to loss of Mfn2, indicating that both proteins must be present at the outer membrane to mediate axonal mitochondrial transport. In contrast, disruption of mitochondrial fusion via knockdown of the inner mitochondrial membrane protein Opa1 had no effect on mitochondrial motility, indicating that loss of fusion does not inherently alter mitochondrial transport. These experiments identify a role for mitofusins in directly regulating mitochondrial transport and offer important insight into the cell type specificity and molecular mechanisms of axonal degeneration in CMT2A and dominant optic atrophy.
Calcitonin screening and pentagastrin testing: predictive value for the diagnosis of medullary carcinoma in nodular thyroid disease
Authors: Herrmann B L , Schmid K W , Goerges R , Kemen M , Mann K
Published: March 2010

Context

Serum calcitonin (hCT) measurement may be useful for detecting medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), but the routine use of hCT after pentagastrin stimulation to screen patients with nodular thyroid disease remains controversial.

Patients

A total of 1007 patients (567 females and 440 males) with nodular thyroid disease and a mean age of 55±14 (mean±s.d.) years were included in the study. All patients did not have impaired renal function, bacterial infection, alcohol and drug abuse, pseudohypoparathyroidism, or proton-pump inhibitor therapy. Individuals referred with known elevation of hCT, Graves' disease, or autoimmune thyroid disease were not considered or included in this investigation.

Methods

Serum hCT levels were determined under basal conditions, and when basal values were ≥10 and <100 pg/ml, testing was repeated after pentagastrin stimulation. Patients with basal or stimulated levels >100 pg/ml were referred for surgery.

Results

hCT levels >10 pg/ml were increased in 17 patients (1.7%). One patient had a basal hCT level of 4400 pg/ml with a histological confirmation of a MTC. In this patient, pentagastrin test was not performed. Sixteen patients with basal hCT between 10 and 100 pg/ml underwent pentagastrin-stimulated hCT measurement. Of 16 patients, 4 had stimulated hCT>100 pg/ml. Of 17 patients with hCT>10 pg/ml, 2 had MTC, and of 17 patients, 3 had C-cell hyperplasia. In total, two patients (0.20%) had a histologically verified MTC.

Conclusions

Basal hCT measurement together with pentagastrin-stimulated hCT measurement in cases of basal hCT>10 pg/ml detects MTC in 0.20% of patients with nodular thyroid disease. Whether this high incidence of MTC has major implications or not has to be discussed, but it should be considered as a useful and recommended tool for early detection of MTC and to save patients' life.
Guillain-Barré syndrome in children: clinic, laboratorial and epidemiologic study of 61 patients
Authors: Linden Vanessa van der , Paz José Albino da , Casella Erasmo Barbante , Marques-Dias Maria Joaquina
Published: March 2010

The aim of the study was to analyze the epidemiologic, clinical, laboratory and development profile of Guillain-Barré syndrome series studied at the Child Institute, between 1989 and 2000. From the 61 patients that fulfilled the selection criteria, aged between 7 months and 13 years old, no sexual or seasonal variation was observed. Clinical events prior to neurological symptoms (with an average time gap of 20.7 days) were observed in 62.3%, 55% had cranial nerve disturbances, 27.9% dysautonomic symptoms, and 27.9% respiratory dysfunction. Installation time varied from 2-40 days, plateau from 0-28 days and recuperation from 30-480 days; 94% of patients had a complete clinical recuperation. Electrophysiology in 20 patients disclosed an abnormal demyelination pattern in 15, an exclusively motor axonal pattern in 4 and a mixed pattern in 1 patient. The results obtained did not differ from those in the literature but it was observed that boys and older children had a longer recuperation time. It was not possible to correlate electroneurography with clinical abnormalities and evolution due to the reduced number of patients.
Assessment of functional capacity in elderly residents of an outlying area in the hinterland of Bahia/Northeast Brazil
Authors: Torres Gilson de Vasconcelos , Reis Luciana Araújo dos , Reis Luana Araújo dos
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE: To assess the functional capacity and to determine the difference between the means of functional capacity (basic and instrumental activities of daily living) and the age groups of elderly residents in an outlying area in the hinterland of Bahia/Northeast of Brazil. METHOD: Analytical study with cross-sectional design and a sample of 150 elderly individuals enrolled in four Health Units in the municipality of Jequié, Bahia, Brazil. The instrument consisted of sociodemographic and health data, the Barthel Index and the Lawton scale. RESULTS: In all, 78.00% of the elderly were classified as dependent in the basic activities and 65.33% in the instrumental activities of daily living. Using the Kruskal-Wallis test, we found a statistically significant difference between the means of instrumental activities and the age groups (p=0.011). CONCLUSION: An elevated number of elderly were classified as dependent in terms of functional capacity and increased age is related to greater impairment in the execution of instrumental activities of daily living.
Validation of the Santa Casa evaluation of spasticity scale
Authors: Pavan Karina , Marangoni Bruna Eriko Matsuda , Shimizu William Akira Lima , Mattos Sheila Evangelista , Ferrari Paula Pereira , Martins Silvia Regina Gomes , Lianza Sergio
Published: March 2010

Spasticity is a clinical condition that has negative repercussions on function. A scale capable of quantifying the severity and impact of an injury is fundamental to the rehabilitation process. The objective of this study was to retest and validate the Santa Casa evaluation of spasticity scale, a descriptive assessment of activities of daily living, transfers and locomotion. We analyzed spasticity and functional status in 97 hemiparetic patients. With statistical significance (p<0.05), this new scale demonstrated reliability in assessing clinical-functional conditions and reproducibility as a daily assessment scale for use during rehabilitation.
Carpal tunnel syndrome in the elderly: nerve conduction parameters
Authors: Naves Thiago Guimarães , Kouyoumdjian João Aris
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE: To establish nerve conduction parameters for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) electrodiagnosis in the elderly. METHOD: Thirty healthy subjects (65-86 years), 9 male and 21 female, were studied. Routine median and ulnar sensory and motor nerve conduction studies, median mixed palmar latency, comparative latency techniques median to ulnar (sensory, mixed and motor lumbrical-interossei), median to radial (sensory), and combined sensory index (CSI) were performed in both hands. RESULTS: The upper limits of normality (97.5%) were: median sensory distal latency 3.80 ms (14 cm); median motor distal latency 4.30 ms (8 cm); median palmar latency 2.45 ms (8 cm); lumbrical-interossei latency difference 0.60 ms (8 cm); comparative median to radial 0.95 ms (10 cm); comparative median to ulnar 0.95 ms (14 cm); comparative palmar median to ulnar 0.50 ms (8 cm); and CSI 2.20 ms. Sensory and mixed latencies were measured at peak. CONCLUSION: Our results establish new nerve conduction parameters for mild CTS electrodiagnosis in the elderly and will be helpful to reduce the number of false positive cases in this age.
Carpal tunnel syndrome: treatment with small transverse incision
Authors: Kaleff Paulo Roland , Lima Marcelo Senna Xavier de , Fernandes Yvens Barbosa , Honorato Danylo José Palma , Vargas Antonio Augusto Roth , Honorato Donizeti César
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application of a limited transverse incision technique to treat the carpal tunnel syndrome, with concern to its safety and efficacy in the opening of the flexor retinaculum (FR). METHOD: A prospective analysis of thirty FR release procedures performed on twenty-eight patients subjected to the proposed incision technique. Safety and total opening of the FR were evaluated through a questionnaire and an endoscopic inspection respectively. RESULTS: No major complications were observed. Two cases presented small local hematoma. One patient presented with transient neuropraxia of digital branch. In two of the first five cases, incomplete FR opening was identified during endoscopic revision with need of complementary opening. All patients reported relief of paresthesias and nocturnal pain symptoms. CONCLUSION: The technique was safely performed on the prospection group, no major complications were detected and the opening of FR was observed in the majority of the patients.
Central nervous system abnormalities in patients with oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum (Goldenhar syndrome)
Authors: Rosa Rafael Fabiano Machado , Graziadio Carla , Lenhardt Rene , Alves Ronnie Peterson Marcondes , Paskulin Giorgio Adriano , Zen Paulo Ricardo Gazzola
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE: To describe the central nervous system (CNS) alterations present in a sample of oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum (OAVS) patients, trying to correlate them with other clinical features. METHOD: Seventeen patients with diagnosis of OAVS were evaluated. All presented radiological evaluation of the CNS, normal GTG-Banding karyotype and clinical features involving at least two from the four following areas: oro-cranio-facial, ocular, auricular and vertebral. RESULTS: CNS alterations were verified in eight from seventeen patients (47%). Diffuse cerebral hypoplasia, dilated lateral cerebral ventricles (asymptomatic hydrocephalus), corpus callosum dysgenesis and frontal hypodensities were the most frequent abnormalities. Presence of ophthalmologic abnormalities was the only clinical association observed, being significantly more frequent among patients with cerebral alterations (63% versus 11%). CONCLUSION: CNS abnormalities are frequent in patients with OAVS, especially in carriers of ophthalmologic alterations. However, the absence of detectable cerebral abnormalities did not exclude the possibility that these subjects will subsequently present neurological symptoms.
Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in people with epilepsy: diagnosis and implications to the treatment
Authors: Koneski Julio A.S. , Casella Erasmo B.
Published: March 2010

The association between attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and epilepsy can cause significant impact on the social life of affected individuals and their families. Clinical studies suggest that 30-40% of people with epilepsy also have ADHD. There are no studies which demonstrate that short or long-term treatment with methylphenidate increases the risk of seizures. Some studies attempt to relate drug interactions between methylphenidate and antiepileptic drugs, but adverse effects of methylphenidate have not been shown clearly. This review presents some neurobiological and physiopathogenic aspects, common to ADHD and epilepsy, from recent research studies, related to pharmacology, neuroimaging and electroencephalography. Possible risk of occurrence of seizures associated with the use of methylphenidate are also discussed.
The clip-wrap technique in the treatment of intracranial unclippable aneurysms
Authors: Figueiredo Eberval Gadelha , Foroni Luciano , Monaco Bernardo Assumpção de , Gomes Marcos Q.T. , Sterman Neto Hugo , Teixeira Manoel Jacobsen
Published: March 2010

Fusiform and dolichoectatic aneurysms are challenging lesions to treat with direct clipping. Treatment of these aneurysms often requires alternative surgical strategies, including extracranial-intracranial bypass, wrapping, or clip-wrap techniques. Nonetheless, these alternatives methods of treatment have been underused and frequently overlooked. OBJECTIVE: To report a series of nine cases of otherwise untreatable aneurysms managed using the clip-wrap technique and discuss its surgical nuances. METHOD: In the last four years, 9 cases of ruptured aneurysms treated by the clip-wrap techniques were identified in the Division of Neurological Surgery, University of São Paulo, School of Medicine. RESULTS: The aneurysms were located at middle cerebral artery (2), anterior choroidal artery (1), anterior communicating artery (1), carotid ophthalmic (3), posterior cerebral artery (1) and posterior-inferior cerebellar artery (1). Three were dolichoectatic, 4 were unsuitable to complete surgical clipping because parent or efferent vessels arises from the aneurysm sac (1 MCA, 1 AcomA, 1 CO, 1 PICA aneurysms) and two, although ruptured aneurysms, were too small (<2mm) to be directly clipped. No early or late rebleeding was observed after 2 years mean follow-up. One patient deceased due to pulmonary tromboembolism. CONCLUSION: Clip-wrap techniques for the treatment of fusiform and otherwise unclippable aneurysms seem to be safe and it can be associated with a low rate of acute or delayed postoperative complications. It can prevent rebleeding and represents an improvement when compared with the natural history.
Sistema Único de Saúde e a graduação em enfermagem no Paraná
Authors: Silva Rosiele Pinho Gonzaga da , Rodrigues Rosa Maria
Published: March 2010

Pesquisa objetivou analisar currículos de escolas paranaenses de graduação em enfermagem identificando se tem ocorrido a reorientação da formação para o Sistema Único de Saúde. Evidenciou-se que há proposição de formação que supere o modelo hospitalocêntrico, voltada aos aspectos preventivos e coletivos e demandas do mercado de trabalho. Constatou-se distribuição equivalente da carga horária das disciplinas biológicas e disciplinas que abordam tanto conteúdos das ciências biológicas quanto da saúde coletiva. Destacou-se a reduzida carga horária da saúde coletiva aparecendo tardiamente; o estágio curricular supervisionado surge como momento que permite estreitar os conhecimentos aprendidos com situações reais da vida profissional. Conclui-se que há sinalização para reorientação da formação, mas ainda é processo lento, em fase de construção, exigindo problematização.
Compreensão das mães sobre a produção do cuidado pela equipe de saúde de um hospital infantil
Authors: Gomes Ilvana Lima Verde , Caetano Rosângela , Jorge Maria Salete Bessa
Published: March 2010

Objetivou-se apreender como as acompanhantes, de um hospital infantil, percebem o cuidado dispensado à sua criança. Pesquisa qualitativa, cujos dados foram obtidos por meio de entrevistas semi-estruturadas. Foram realizadas sete entrevistas com acompanhantes de crianças internadas num hospital público, em Fortaleza, CE, no ano de 2006. Para a análise dos dados usou-se referencial relativo aos temas elaborados. Surgiram cinco temáticas: Cuidar no sentido de executar procedimentos; Identificando o profissional cuidador; O profissional e o cuidado especializado e/ou doloroso; O cuidado à noite e Dificuldades no relacionamento acompanhante x profissional. Concluímos que o cuidado em saúde ainda está bastante restrito à parte técnica, há ainda uma lacuna referente à importância e ao significado de um cuidado humanizado, integral ao ser humano.
Ensino de educação nos cursos de graduação em enfermagem
Authors: Almeida Alva Helena de , Soares Cássia Baldini
Published: March 2010

O estudo analisou a produção bibliográfica sobre a temática educação em saúde e as repercussões sobre o ensino na graduação em enfermagem. Utilizou-se descritores selecionados nas bases LILACS, PERIENF e BDENF. Classificou-se as referências em quatro categorias: ensino, assistência, produção científica e acadêmica stricto sensu. Os resultados revelaram: a importância da temática educativa na prática social da enfermagem, para o que se evidencia não só a preocupação com a formação do educando, mas inclusive a do docente; apesar do esforço na graduação para o preparo do enfermeiro para as ações educativas, este é avaliado como inadequado; as práticas educativas, tanto em estudos classificados na categoria ensino quanto na assistencial, se mostraram referenciados na abordagem biomédica, com enfoque nos aspectos preventivos.