bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The decade of Moldovan art and literature in Moscow in 1960: the success of Doina choir chapel
Authors: Blindu Natalia
Published: December 2023

This article deals with the performance of the Doina Choir Chapel within the Decade of Moldovan Art and Literature in Moscow from May 27 to June 7, 1960, as the first wide recognition of the collective. The work on the preparation of the concert programs is considered, reports and reviews are given in the Union press about the high level of the performances of the chapel, which took place on various stage venues in Moscow. It is concluded that the participation of the Choir in such a significant cultural event of all-Union level was a key event in the formation and development of the collective as the leading performer of choral academic music in the MSSR, and also that these performances testified to the international recognition of the Doina Choir Chapel.
The trend of the film industry in the Republic of Moldova during the 30 years of independence
Authors: Margineanu Virgiliu
Published: December 2023

In the 90s, with the collapse of the Soviet Empire, the systems by which certain artistic fields functioned were also ruined. Heavy names of Moldovan cinema became legends. The few new names seemed devoid of the prospect of a bright future, and the film, as the seventh art, turned off the light and drew the curtain. By taking a look at the past, on the one hand, Moldovan cinematography has a path with high-impact achievements, with a rich history, but at the same time, it is the least developed field, if we relate it to the rise which other arts have experienced since our independence.
Voorkomen is beter dan genezen
Authors: Verhey L.F.M. , Groen L.C.
Published: December 2023

Voorkomen is beter dan genezen. De betekenis van constitutionele advisering door de Raad van State in het wetgevingsproces

Het ‘ter hand nemen’ van constitutionele, rechterlijke toetsing door de regering roept de vraag op wat dit betekent voor de constitutionele beoordeling van wetsvoorstellen door de Afdeling advisering van de Raad van State. Aan de hand van voorbeelden schetsen de auteurs hoe de constitutionele advisering door de (Afdeling advisering van de) Raad van State zich in de loop der jaren heeft ontwikkeld en wat de functie ervan is. De auteurs betogen dat de constitutionele beoordeling van wetgeving ex ante en constitutionele, rechterlijke toetsing elkaar kunnen versterken.
De rechter als wetgever-plaatsvervanger
Authors: van Gestel R.A.J.
Published: December 2023

De rechter als wetgever-plaatsvervanger

In algemeenbelangacties treedt de rechter soms op als wetgever-plaatsvervanger. Dat roept legitimiteitsvragen op. Mag hij dat wel en kan hij het wel? Rechtsvergelijkend onderzoek toont dat rechters verschillend aankijken tegen wie een ‘public interest’-zaak mag brengen en hoe de representativiteit van bijvoorbeeld belangenorganisaties die opkomen voor publieke belangen beoordeeld dient te worden. Bovendien bestaan er internationaal uiteenlopende visies over de uitspraakbevoegdheden waarover rechters kunnen beschikken. Waar in Nederland tamelijk krampachtig lijkt te worden omgesprongen met rechterlijke bevelen die opdrachten bevatten voor de wetgever, bestaan elders wetgevingsbevelen die juist een constitutionele dialoog beogen te bewerkstelligen tussen rechter, bestuur en wetgever.
ATP-sensitive K+ transport in adrenal chromaffin granules
Authors: Szewczyk A , Lobanov N A , Kicińska A , Wójcik G , Nałecz M J
Published: December 2023

In the present study the influx of 86Rb+, a K+ analogue, was studied in mitochondria, microsomes and chromaffin granules prepared from adrenal gland medulla. The most active electrogenic 86Rb+ transport was found in the membrane fraction identified as chromaffin granules by marker enzyme estimation. The transport was found to be sensitive to ATP, ATP-gamma-S, ADP and to the triazine dyes, but not to AMP and cAMP. The inhibition induced by ATP was observed in the absence of externally added Mg2+, suggesting that a free nucleotide, rather than the ATP-Mg complex, was required for inhibition. Furthermore, the 86Rb+ influx was found to be inhibited by Mg2+ alone, but not by Ca2+ and antidiabetic sulfonylureas. The 86Rb+ influx was not stimulated by potassium channel openers. In conclusion, our results indicate that an electrogenic, ATP-sensitive potassium transport system operates in the chromaffin granule membrane.
Effects of light and darkness on cell deaths in damaged retinal ganglion cells of the carp retina
Authors: Dezawa M , Mo X , Oshitari T , Takano M , Meyer-Rochow V B , Sawada H , Eguchi E
Published: December 2023

Effects of light and darkness on the apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in young carp were measured by TUNEL method after transection of the optic nerve. Following the operation, the fish were kept under one of four regimens; constant darkness (DD), constant light (LL), 12 hr light and 12 hr dark (LD) and 3 hr of flickering light followed by 21 hr in the dark (FL). On day 3, the highest ratio of apoptotic RGCs was seen under conditions of DD, followed by LL, LD, and FL. On day 6, the percentages of apoptotic RGCs were lower under every experimental condition than what they had been earlier on day 3, but the same ranking order was maintained. Immunohistochemically it could be shown that phosphorylated ERKs were more intensively localized in FL rather than DD retinas. The results suggest that illumination regimens, and in particular cyclic diurnal light/dark changes, have an influence on the degree of apoptosis of damaged RGCs, and that inhibition of apoptosis is correlated with the higher expression of phosphorylated ERKs.
Tetanic depression: a phenomenon influencing the production of tension in fast-twitch motor units in rat medial gastrocnemius
Authors: Celichowski J
Published: December 2023

The influence of an increase or a decrease in the stimulation frequency on tension development during a tetanus was studied in motor units of the rat medial gastrocnemius muscle. These effects were tested in one tetanus evoked at two frequencies of stimulation, a lower immediately followed by a higher one or the reverse. For all fast motor units it was observed that after the first part of a tetanus at a lower frequency of stimulation the tension of the following part, of the better fused contraction, was depressed. This effect was called a tetanic depression. When the lower stimulation frequency was followed by the higher one, the depression was visible in some motor units only whereas in the remaining units a potentiation of the second part of the tetanus was visible. The tetanic depression was larger in fast resistant than in fast fatigable motor units. In slow motor units tetanic depression was not observed. The tetanic depression is a phenomenon which can influence the production of contractile tension by fast motor units.
Conscious control of movements: increase of temporal precision in voluntarily delayed actions
Authors: Szelaģ E , Rymarczyk K , Pöppel E
Published: December 2023

The variability of simple actions with response to auditory stimuli was studied under different delay conditions. Subjects reacted as fast as possible or with a defined time delay (from 250 to 750 ms) to a tone switching off by pressing a response-key with the left index finger (controlled by the right hemisphere) or with the right one (left hemisphere). For short delays (requested response times below 350 ms) variability of responses was much larger then for longer delays (above 350 ms), especially for the right hand. Thus, precise temporal control on consciously mediated actions sets only in after a rather long delay (in some cases after half a second). Neuronal mechanisms underlying conscious temporal control of actions appear to be different for the two hemispheres.
Memory effects of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and [7-9] fragment of its peptide chain in rats
Authors: Klimkiewicz T
Published: December 2023

The effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and [7-9]-vasopressin on different memory types was examined in tests of active avoidance, passive avoidance and water maze after both intraventricular and subcutaneous injections. Results were compared with AVP and [7-9]AVP effects in open field and holeboard tests. Significant latency time elongation was observed after both icv and sc injections of AVP but not [7-9]AVP in the passive avoidance test. This effect was blocked by [beta-Mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentanometyleno1-propionylo1-O-Et-Tyr2,Val4,Arg8]-vasopressin, an antagonist of V1 receptors. Injections of both peptides did not improve the performance in other performed tests including the open field test and the holeboard test. Therefore the results confirmed that AVP improves memory only in the passive avoidance test. This effect is probably mediated by central V1 receptors and is not induced by exploratory and locomotor activity impairment. Considering the above results together with the literature data, it
seems that the most important fragment of AVP is [4-6] AVP.
Perception of facial affect in chronic schizophrenia and right brain damage
Authors: Kucharska-Pietura Katarzyna , Klimkowski Marceli
Published: December 2023

This study was designed to compare the performance of 50 chronic schizophrenics (CS) to that of 30 right brain-damaged patients (R), and 50 healthy controls (N) on several facial perception measures: Emotion Labelling and Recognition, and the Benton Facial Recognition Test. CSs were diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria and their psychiatric state was assessed using the PANSS scale. All subjects were right handed. Their cognitive state was assessed using the MMSE. Subjects rated their current mood on a visual analogue scale. The results showed that the CSs and Rs were significantly impaired compared to Ns for the emotional tasks but did not differ from each other. Moreover, the patient groups were significantly less accurate in recognising emotionally neutral facial stimuli. Each subject group had more difficulty processing negative relative to positive affect. The deficit in schizophrenia was found to be stable, which may reflect a trait-like, rather than a state-dependent, characteristic. Moreover, some support is provided for the notion that facial affect perception in chronic schizophrenia is associated with right hemisphere dysfunction.
Hypoxic damage of the cerebellum in 7-day-old rats Ultrastructural and histochemical study
Authors: Dambska Maria , Gajkowska Barbara
Published: December 2023

The damaging influence of hypoxia on the cerebellum in immature rats, which is still discussed, was investigated. Using material obtained in a modified Levine model for combined hypoxic-ischemic damage in 7-day-old
rats, we examined changes in cerebellum submitted to hypoxia only. The results demonstrated classic features of hypoxic nervous tissue damage and calcium accumulation in mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. This was investigated using electron microscopy combined with the oxalate-pyroantimonate method. We propose that Ca2+ increases in endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial Ca2+ pools may be involved in damage-mediated mechanisms. These results support a role of calcium as a mechanism of cerebellar cell loss after this form of injury.
Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Authors: Will Robert George
Published: December 2023

Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is caused by the transmission of bovine spongiform encephalopathy to humans. The clinical and investigative features of variant CJD are relatively distinct from sporadic CJD. The number of cases of vCJD are increasing with time in the UK, but the total future number of cases of vCJD is uncertain.
FK506 attenuates 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium- and 3-nitropropionic acid-evoked inhibition of kynurenic acid synthesis in rat cortical slices
Authors: Luchowska Elzbieta , Luchowski Piotr , Wielosz Marian , Turski Waldemar , Urbanska Ewa
Published: December 2023

Kynurenic acid (KYNA), the only known endogenous glutamate antagonist, is produced in the brain by kynurenine aminotransferases (KATs) I and II. Mitochondrial toxins, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) and 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA), were previously shown to reduce KYNA synthesis via interference with KAT I and II. Data presented here demonstrate that immunophilin ligand, FK506 (10-130 µM), but not CsA (1-50 µM), or ryanodine receptor blocker, dantrolene (1-100 µM), enhances the formation of KYNA in cortical slices. FK506, but not CsA or dantrolene, abolished the inhibition of KYNA synthesis evoked by MPP+ and 3-NPA. None of studied compounds influenced the activity of KAT I and KAT II. FK506 is the first among currently used drugs that might stimulate KYNA synthesis. This effect does not seem to arise from the interference with KATs or calcineurin activity.
Plasma homocysteine level and the course of ischemic stroke
Authors: Pniewski Jarosław , Chodakowska-Żebrowska Małgorzata , Wożniak Radosław , Stępień Krystyna , Stafiej Aleksandra
Published: December 2023

Increased level of homocysteine (Hcy) in blood seems to influence negatively the course of ischemic stroke (IS), the possible mechanism of this action could be acceleration of oxidative stress. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of Hcy level in patients with IS on the prognosis 3 months after the stroke onset. 75 patients aged 68.27 ± 12.62 years, with the diagnosis of first ever IS were examined. Patients with the symptoms corresponding with TACS at the beginning of stroke and with diminished level of consciousness were not included. The level of Hcy over 15 µmol/l was assessed as mild hiperhomocysteinemia (MHcy). 74 (98.7%) patients were assessed 3 months after IS onset in the Rankin scale. Recovery was assessed, according to Rankin Scale: good recovery (GR) 0-2, bad recovery (BR) 3-5 and death. MHcy was seen in 9 (14.5%) with GR and in 8 (66.7%) with BR (P=0.0005). MHcy increases the risk of BR 11.78 times (95%CI 2.93-47.42).
A surface antigen delineating a subset of neurons in the primary somatosensory cortex of the mouse
Authors: Nowicka Dorota , Liguz-Lecznar Monika , Skangiel-Kramska Jolanta
Published: December 2023

Synapsins are a family of proteins associated with synaptic vesicles that are widely used as markers of synaptic terminals. We decided to investigate synapsin I expression in the mouse primary somatosensory cortex (SI). Immunostaining experiments using a polyclonal antibody against C-terminal domain of synapsin Ia/b (anti-SynI-C) showed an unusual pattern in the SI cortex compared to other regions of the neocortex. The staining delineated the cells located in barrel hollows. The immunoreactive product was located on the perikarya and proximal dendrites of gabaergic neurons found in layer IV and VI of the SI cortex. Other anti-synapsin antibodies did not reveal this pattern within the SI cortex, although in the hippocampus all antibodies examined produced a similar pattern of immunostaining. Deglycosylation of sections resulted in complete loss of immunodecoration on the cell perikarya. We suggest that the anti-SynI-C recognizes a saccharide surface epitope, possibly an element of perineuronal nets that is specific for the primary somatosensory cortex.
On the translation of some stimulus features to response force
Authors: Jaśkowski Piotr , Werner Iwona , Verleger Rolf
Published: December 2023

Romaiguère et al. (1993 reported an stimulus-response (S-R) experiment in which the participants had to respond to bright or dim stimuli by pressing a key strongly or weakly. Reaction time (RT) for a compatible S-R assignment (bright-strong; dim-weak) was substantially shorter than for an incompatible S-R assignment (dim-strong; bright-weak). This effect was explained as a direct translation of stimulus intensity to response force (RF). In the present study, we looked for other stimulus features that could be directly transferred to RF. We investigated stimulus size (large/small), vertical location (above/below), and brightness (bright/dim). Delays of RT for incompatible trials were found in case of brightness and size, but not location. In a second experiment, we tested whether such a direct translation might even cause changes of spontaneous RF. Without being instructed about RF, participants made simple reactions to stimuli which differed either in location, size or brightness. Indeed, stimulus size affected RF: larger stimuli were associated with stronger responses. In contrast, brightness had no effect. Thus, we replicated and extended Romaiguère et al.’s (1993) finding. However, the direct-translation account for RF variations received only partial support from our data.
Evaluation of new MMN parameters in schizophrenia
Authors: Korostenskaja Milena , Dapsys Kastytis , Maciulis Valentinas , Ruksenas Osvaldas
Published: December 2023

ERPs could be helpful in the objectification of many psychological measures. In the last few decades one of the most commonly used ERPs has been the mismatch negativity (MMN) potential. It may be used to detect cognitive dysfunction in patients suffering from schizophrenia, dementia, depression, and can also be successfully applied in treatment monitoring. Nevertheless, changes of MMN parameters (prolongation of latency or reduction of amplitude) are not sufficiently specific to help to diagnose particular diseases. In this study we looked for more strict and specific MMN characteristics selective for schizophrenia. Fifteen healthy human subjects and twelve suffering from schizophrenia spectrum disorders were studied. Two new parameters were considered: the speed of ascending part of MMN slope (SAS) and the half area of the MMN wave. These two measures could differentiate the early stages of cognitive processing disturbances in schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
Tau phosphorylation and assembly
Authors: Gómez-Ramos Alberto , Smith Mark , Perry George , Avila Jesús
Published: December 2023

Neurofibrillary tangles, one of the aberrant structures found in the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients are mainly composed of tau in hyperphosphorylated form.Thus, a possible relation between phosphorylation and assembly of tau proteins has been analysed. By doing in vitro studies we have observed that in certain conditions, where compounds from oxidative stress are present, the capacity of tau for self assembly increases upon phosphorylation.
Neurodegenerative aspects of protein aggregation
Authors: Trześniewska Katarzyna , Brzyska Maria , Elbaum Danek
Published: December 2023

Protein aggregation and amyloid fibril deposits are characteristic features of more than twenty pathologic conditions characterized by plaque deposition in the central nervous system. Recent studies point out relationships between protein misfolding and numerous serious diseases. Despite different origins (sporadic, familial or transmissible), they are sometimes called conformational diseases to emphasize aberrant conformations as the putative cause of deposits that precede or accompany the clinical manifestation of the disease. Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Prion disorders (PrD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD) are the most typical examples of protein-based dementias, characterized by protein conformational transitions (α-helix/random coil to β-sheet) that cause aggregation followed by fibrillization. Although it is very tempting to postulate a common mechanism of toxicity based on conformational and structural analogies, it should be noted that the factors responsible for conformational transition, oligomerization, aggregation, and plaque formation, are still subject of speculation and additional data is required to test the amyloid fibril hypothesis.
Age-related changes in fear behavior and regional brain monoamines distribution in rats
Authors: Koprowska Milena , Krotewicz Maria , Romaniuk Andrzej , Strzelczuk Magdalena
Published: December 2023

Differences in fear level assessment based on the time of motionless in the illuminated compartment, time spent in light compartment, number of head dipping from dark to the illuminated compartment and number of returns from dark to the illuminated compartment registered in light/dark transitions test and brain monoamines (NA, DA, 5-HT) and their metabolites (MHPG, DOPAC, 5-HIAA) in the hypothalamus, midbrain, amygdala, hippocampus and pons were examined in 3, 12 and 24 months old Wistar rats. The lowest level of fear was registered in 12 months old rats, a slightly higher level in 3 months old rats and the highest in 24 months old rats. Locomotion activity showed a decreasing tendency within age according to a linear dependence in 3, 12 and 24 months old rats. Neurochemical data showed the decreased activity of NA system and increased activity of DA system in most structures already occurred in 12 months old rats. It remained at the same level in aged rats. The correlation analysis between the behavioral markers of fear level and distribution of monoamines in young, mature and aged rats showed diversified data, only some of them being consistent with the "serotonergic hypothesis" of fear/anxiety. Therefore, we cannot conclude what neurochemical background of fear is.
Response time as an index for selective auditory cognitive deficits
Authors: Nilipour Reza , Clarke Stephanie , Noudoost Behrad , Saber Golbarg , Najlerahim Abdolrahman
Published: December 2023

The full or partial recovery of cognitive functions following brain lesions is believed to rely on the recruitment of alternative neural networks. This has been shown anatomically for selective auditory cognitive functions (Adriani et al. 2003b). We investigate here behavioral correlates that may accompany the use of alternative processing networks and in particular the resulting increase in response times. The performance of 5 patients with right or left unilateral hemispheric infarction and 6 normal control subjects in sound identification, asemantic sound recognition, sound localization, and sound motion perception was evaluated by the number of correct replies and response times for correct and wrong replies. Performance and response times were compared across patients and normal control subjects. Two patients with left lesions were deficient in sound identification and sound motion perception and normal in sound localization and asemantic sound recognition; one patient with right lesion was deficient in sound localization and sound motion perception and normal in sound identification and asemantic sound recognition; deficient performance was associated with increased response times. The remaining 2 patients (1 with left, 1 with right lesion) had normal performance in all 4 tasks but had significantly longer response times in some (but not all) tasks. Patients with normal or deficient performance tended more often than normal subjects to give faster correct than wrong replies. We propose that increased response time is an indication of processing within an alternative network.
Olfactometry in fMRI studies: odor presentation using nasal continuous positive airway pressure
Authors: Popp Roland , Sommer Monika , Müller Jürgen , Hajak Göran
Published: December 2023

We describe a method for generating and presenting olfactory stimuli in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies for humans. The olfactometer is based on principles of air dilution olfactometry and consists of a nasal mask and a nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device, both normally used for patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The system allows online monitoring and recording of the subject's breathing pattern. Switching between different olfactory conditions can easily be synchronized with the inhalation phase and be controlled by a computer. Besides, switching occurs rapidly and without any optical, acoustic, thermal, or tactile cues for the subject. As an example of implementation we present a fMRI trial of olfaction using pleasant and unpleasant odor stimuli to induce different affective states in healthy subjects. The relatively inexpensive olfactometer is reliable and permits constant odor concentrations during the inherently prolonged imaging studies.
Serotonin and neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of adult mammals
Authors: Djavadian Rouzanna
Published: December 2023

It is well documented that in mammals new neurons are generated in the dentate gyrus (DG) and integrated into hippocampal circuits throughout their life. However, functions of these newly generated cells are still hotly debated. One of the important factors that may influence the rate of DG neurogenesis is serotonin. Apart from being a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator it plays many other roles in the central nervous system, including the role of a trophic factor influencing functional state of neurons. In this review I discuss the changing views on adult hippocampal neurogenesis then briefly describe the anatomy and function of the hippocampus, focusing on its serotonergic innervation and receptors. Further, the possible role of serotonin and the newly generated DG neurons in hippocampus-dependent memory is discussed. Finally mechanisms by which serotonin and its receptors influence neurogenesis in the adult DG are summarized and hypotheses linking the decreased rate of DG neurogenesis with mechanisms of depression are discussed.
The neural correlates of cognitive time management: a review
Authors: Rubia Katya , Smith Anna
Published: December 2023

Cognitive time management is an important aspect of human behaviour and cognition that has so far been understudied. Functional imaging studies in recent years have tried to identify the neural correlates of several timing functions, ranging from simple motor tapping to higher cognitive time estimation functions. Several regions of the frontal lobes, in particular dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), inferior prefrontal cortex (IFC), anterior cingulate gyrus (ACG) and the supplementary motor area (SMA), alongside non-frontal brain regions such as the inferior parietal lobes, the cerebellum and the basal ganglia have been found to be involved in tasks of motor timing and time estimation. In this paper we review and discuss the involvement of these brain regions in different tasks of cognitive time management, illustrating it with own findings on motor timing and time perception tasks using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The review shows that the same brain regions are involved in both motor timing and time estimation, suggesting that both functions are probably inseparable and mediated by common neural networks.
Time and language – critical remarks on diagnosis and training methods of temporal-order judgment
Authors: Wittmann Marc , Fink Martina
Published: December 2023

A lively discussion concerning the causal relation between auditory temporal processing and phoneme identification has evolved over the last decades. Subjects with language impairments not only show deficits in the identification of stop-consonant vowel syllables, but also have problems detecting the temporal order of acoustic stimuli. Recently published studies claim that an improvement in phoneme discrimination can be achieved through the training of temporal-processing abilities. Critical assessment of these studies often reveals the following weaknesses: first, the diagnostic and training methods vary between studies, which makes comparisons difficult. Second, usually only mean differences between groups or before/after treatment are presented. The success in diagnosis and training of individuals or subgroups is not documented. Third, only few diagnostic measures employed have been tested for reliability. Furthermore, the tests have not been designed according to modern psychometric methods. Fourth, several training modules are used in parallel. The effects of temporal-processing training cannot be isolated. Possible approaches for detecting the possible causal relation between the time and the language domain are discussed.
Time perception depends on accurate clock mechanisms as well as unimpaired attention and memory processes
Authors: Pouthas Viviane , Perbal Séverine
Published: December 2023

We report a series of studies aimed at characterizing the relationships between duration judgments and slowing down of the internal clock, attention and memory deficits. Different groups of participants (elderly people, patients with Parkinson's disease, patients with severe traumatic brain injury, and patients with temporal lobe lesions) performed a duration reproduction task and a duration production task in two conditions: a control counting condition and a concurrent reading condition. Participants were also administered reaction time tasks, tapping tasks, and a battery of attention and memory tests. The results allow us to characterize the relationships between cognitive deficits and impaired duration reproductions and productions in each group. Moreover, results as a whole clarify the respective weight of processing speed, attention and memory in both tasks, and allow better insight into the theoretical models of psychological time.
Reproduction of auditory and visual standards in monochannel cochlear implant users
Authors: Kanabus Magdalena , Szelag Elzbieta , Kolodziejczyk Iwona , Szuchnik Joanna
Published: December 2023

The temporal reproduction of standard durations ranging from 1 to 9 seconds was investigated in monochannel cochlear implant (CI) users and in normally hearing subjects for the auditory and visual modality. The results showed that the pattern of performance in patients depended on their level of auditory comprehension. Results for CI users, who displayed relatively good auditory comprehension, did not differ from that of normally hearing subjects for both modalities. Patients with poor auditory comprehension significantly overestimated shorter auditory standards (1, 1.5 and 2.5 s), compared to both patients with good comprehension and controls. For the visual modality the between-group comparisons were not significant. These deficits in the reproduction of auditory standards were explained in accordance with both the attentional-gate model and the role of working memory in prospective time judgment. The impairments described above can influence the functioning of the temporal integration mechanism that is crucial for auditory speech comprehension on the level of words and phrases. We postulate that the deficits in time reproduction of short standards may be one of the possible reasons for poor speech understanding in monochannel CI users.
Visual perception in space and time – mapping the visual field of temporal resolution
Authors: Poggel Dorothe , Strasburger Hans
Published: December 2023

To characterize temporal aspects of information processing in the human visual field, we studied the topographical distribution of temporal and non-temporal performance parameters in 95 normally sighted subjects. Visual field maps of double-pulse resolution thresholds (DPR) (the minimum detectable temporal gap between two light stimuli) and simple visual reaction times (RT) (measuring the speed of reaction to a light stimulus) were compared to maps of luminance thresholds determined by standard perimetry. Thus, for the first time, the topography of a visual variable without temporal constraints (perimetry) could be compared to visual variables in the temporal domain, with (RT) and without (DPR) motor reaction. The goal of the study was to obtain and to describe the pattern of co-variation of performance indicators. In all three measures, performance was best in the central visual field and dropped significantly towards the periphery. Although the correlation between DPR and RT was significant, shared variance was low, and we observed large topographical differences between these two temporal-performance variables. In contrast, DPR and perimetric thresholds correlated more substantially, and visual field maps were similar. The Gestalt of DPR maps shares characteristics of basic visual processing (e.g., light sensitivity), but it also reflects top-down influences, i.e., from spatial attention. Although the correlation between DPR and RT suggests common characteristics between these two temporal variables, the topographic distributions reveal significant differences, indicating separate underlying processing mechanisms.
Analysis of calcium binding protein immunoreactivity in the claustrum and the endopiriform nucleus of the rabbit
Authors: Wójcik Sławomir , Dziewiątkowski Jerzy , Spodnik Edyta , Ludkiewicz Beata , Domaradzka-Pytel Beata , Kowiański Przemysław , Moryś Janusz
Published: December 2023

The present paper describes parvalbumin, calbindin-D28k and calretinin immunoreactivity in the claustrum and endopiriform nucleus of adult rabbits. Studied neuronal populations are characterized by morphological heterogeneity. Four types were identified in each subpopulation of cells containing calcium binding proteins on the basis of the number of processes and their branching pattern. There were no spatial differences in the distribution of cells containing either parvalbumin or calbindin-D28k in the claustrum and endopiriform nucleus. Well documented presence of the various projective zones in the rabbit claustrum did not reflect the specific distribution of neurons containing calcium binding proteins, except those containing calretinin. Their localization may correspond with the limbic zone. We have found that the rabbit claustrum and endopiriform nucleus have different pattern of parvalbumin and calretinin immunoreactivity. The former was more intense in the claustrum and the distribution of cell types was significantly different from that in the endopiriform nucleus. Calretinin-positive cells were observed in the claustrum, while in the endopiriform nucleus they were scarce. The distribution of neither calbindin-D28k-ir neurons nor fibers allowed differentiation of claustrum and endopiriform nucleus. Significant differences between the claustrum and endopiriform nucleus observed in the rabbit might be related with ontogenetic as well as other (functional) factors.
Visual and auditory attentional capture are both sluggish in children with developmental dyslexia
Authors: Facoetti Andrea , Lorusso Maria , Cattaneo Carmen , Galli Raffaella , Molteni Massimo
Published: December 2023

Automatic multimodal spatial attention was studied in 12 dyslexic children (SRD), 18 chronological age matched (CA) and 9 reading level matched (RL) normally reading children by measuring reaction times (RTs) to lateralized visual and auditory stimuli in cued detection tasks. The results show a slower time course of focused multimodal attention (FMA) in SRD children than in both CA and RL controls. Specifically, no cueing effect (i.e., RTs difference between cued–uncued) was found in SRD children at 100 ms cue-target delay, while it was present at 250 ms cue-target delay. In contrast, in both CA and RL controls, a cueing effect was found at the shorter cue-target delay but it disappeared at the longer cue-target delay, as predicted by theories of automatic capture of attention. Our results suggest that FMA may be crucial for learning to read, and we propose a possible causal explanation of how a FMA deficit leads to specific reading disability, suggesting that sluggish FMA in dyslexic children could be caused by a specific parietal dysfunction.
The structure and dynamics of normal language processing: Insights from neuroimaging
Authors: Heim Stefan
Published: December 2023

This paper reviews current psycholinguistic and neuroimaging evidence on language processing with particular focus on the relationship between production and comprehension. In the first part, different methods of psycholinguistic research are introduced and examples for psycholinguistic models (production: Levelt et al. 1999; comprehension: Friederici 2002) are sketched. In the second part, the neural correlates of semantic, phonological, and syntactic processing are reviewed. For semantics and phonology there seem to be different fronto-temporal networks which are shared in production and comprehension. The results for the processing of syntactic information are not entirely conclusive. Yet the data reveal that phonological strategies may be used in syntactic tasks. This finding opens the discussion of alternative, phonology-based strategies for language processing. Such strategies are accounted for by dual-route models featuring one direct and one indirect route which often involves phonological processing. This insight leads to some tentative conclusions about remediation strategies in dyslexics with selective (e.g., phonological) deficits.
Effects of sensory learning on intracortical synaptic transmission in the barrel cortex of mice
Authors: Urban-Ciecko Joanna , Kossut Malgorzata , Hess Grzegorz
Published: December 2023

Pairing tactile stimulation of a row of whiskers with a tail shock results in an expansion of the functional representation of the stimulated whiskers within the primary somatosensory cortex of mice. Using the same paradigm, the present study examined field potentials evoked in ex vivo slices of the barrel cortex. The amplitude of responses, evoked by single and repetitive stimuli in layer IV–layer II/III pathway contained within the barrel column corresponding to the whisker stimulated during training, was unchanged. In contrast, in a transcolumnar pathway from the “trained” barrel to layer II/III of the neighboring, “untrained” column, the amplitude of responses was reduced and responses to trains of stimuli applied at 40 Hz, but not at lower frequencies, depressed faster. These data are suggestive of a selective weakening of excitatory transmission and/or enhancement of inhibitory transmission in transcolumnar pathways, which accompany associative learning-induced cortical plasticity.
Acoustic startle response in the opossum Monodelphis domestica in comparison with the Wistar albino rat
Authors: Błaszczyk Janusz , Turlejski Kris
Published: December 2023

The acoustic startle response (ASR) was studied in 20 gray short-tailed opossums (Monodelphis domestica) and its characteristics were compared with those obtained from responses of 20 Wistar albino rats. The animals were exposed to 10 ms, 110 dB white noise acoustic pulses in the Coulbourn apparatus. Amplitude of ASR was normalized to the weight of animals and then analyzed. The results show that probability of a freezing response is much higher in the opossums that generally respond with lower startle amplitudes in comparison to rats. These differences may reflect different emotional characteristics of the two species, different reactions to fear in opossum and/or different ecological specializations of the two species.
Activation of tachykinin system in the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus suppresses hippocampal theta rhythm in urethaneanesthetized rats
Authors: Leszkowicz Emilia , Trojniar Weronika
Published: December 2023

he pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPN) is one of the reticular generators of the hippocampal theta rhythm. The PPN neuronal circuitry related to theta generation involves its cholinergic, GABA-ergic and glutamatergic components. Here we provide data indicating that the PPN tachykinin system may also be a part of this circuitry. In the experimental model of the tail-pinch elicited hippocampal theta in urethane-anesthetized rats (implanted with bilateral recording electrodes in the stratum moleculare of the upper blade of the dentate gyrus and with injection cannula unilaterally inserted into the PPN) it was found that intra-PPN microinjection of Substance P (SP) and [d-Pro2, d-Phe7, d-Trp9]-Substance P (DPDPDT) caused suppression of the theta and enhancement of the delta activity in the hippocampal EEG. Accordingly, there was approximately a 50% (SP) -70% (DPDPDT) decline of the peak power in the theta frequency range and a decrease by 0.4 Hz in the corresponding peak frequency (DPDPDT only) in both hippocampi. The circuitry through which SP exerts its effect in the PPN can be only hypothetical at present. We suggest SP-evoked activation (either direct or indirect through the glutamatergic inputs) of the GABA interneurons which may tonically inhibit PPN outputs to the other theta-relevant structures.
Prosodic pitch accents in language comprehension and production: ERP data and acoustic analyses
Authors: Heim Stefan , Alter Kai
Published: December 2023

We used event-related potentials (ERPs) and acoustic analyses to investigate the processing of prosodic pitch accents as a function of their position in a sentence. Accents in sentence-medial positions were characterized by a higher fundamental frequency (F0) and an increased duration. They elicited two different negative ERP components around 400 ms, depending on the predictability of the accent. When the accent was predictable, the negativity was fronto-laterally distributed and identified as the previously known Expectancy Negativity. Unpredictable accents elicited a more broadly distributed N400 with a central maximum, reflecting difficulties in semantic processing. For sentence-initial pitch accents, words had a higher F0 but of the same duration as sentence-initial words without pitch accents. These pitch accents elicited a P200 but no negativity in a 400 ms time window. The P200 was modulated by the onset latency of the F0 peak rather than its magnitude. We discuss the possibility of a delayed processing of sentence-initial accents when the actual occurrence of an F0 peak can be identified by comparing the F0 of the sentence-initial word to a reduced F0 of a word occurring later in the sentence.
Cachexia-induced cerebellar degeneration: Involvement of serum TNF and MCP-1 in the course of experimental neoplastic disease
Authors: Michalak Slawomir , Wender Mieczyslaw , Michalowska-Wender And
Published: December 2023

Cerebellar degeneration may be recognized as a remote effect of a growing tumor. We have analysed serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-alpha), macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), thyroxine and insulin to elucidate the pathomechanism which may be of importance for the development of central degeneration in cachectic Morris hepatoma bearing rats. Serum TNF-alpha and MCP-1 levels were evaluated by means of the ELISA system, while thyroxine and insulin were estimated by radioimmunoassay. Microscopic examination using hematoxylin-eosin, Nissl and Klüver-Barrera staining revealed an atrophy in the cerebellum, homogenization changes of Purkinje cells and decreased cell density of the granular layer. In the Morris hepatoma bearing animals serum MCP-1 content was elevated while TNF-alpha, thyroxine and insulin concentrations were decreased. This study has demonstrated that circulating TNF-alpha and MCP-1, together with decreased levels of insulin and thyroxine accompany and may produce a milieu of factors involved in mechanisms of the development of cerebellar degeneration in cachectic hepatoma bearing rats.The correspondence should be addressed to S. Michalak, Email: slamic@yahoo.com
Development and plasticity of the retina in the opossum Monodelphis domestica
Authors: Djavadian Rouzanna , Bisti Silvia , Maccarone Rita , Bartkowska Katarzyna , Turlejski And
Published: December 2023

We investigated the rate of cell proliferation and death in the retina of the Monodelphis opossum during its postnatal development and the influence of early monocular enucleation on these processes. Our results show that in the opossum, as in other marsupials, the peak of the retinal cells divisions occurs postnatally and that generation of retinal cells continues till the time of eye opening (P34), except of the marginal rim, where it continued till P60. Ganglion and amacrine cells are generated between postnatal days (P) P4 and P9, while bipolar cells and photoreceptors are generated simultaneously between P14 and P25. The peak of ganglion cell death as detected by the TUNEL method occurs around P14-19 in the center of retina. The second peak of apoptosis appears in the inner nuclear layer (INL) at P19-25. Gliogenesis takes place between P25 and P34. We also found that monocular enucleation performed during the early period of retinal development (P0-P7) did not influence proliferation, developmental apoptosis or other developmental processes in the retina of the remaining eye.
Propagation of EEG activity during finger movement and its imagination
Authors: Kus Rafal , Ginter Jozef , Blinowska And
Published: December 2023

We investigated the pattern of EEG activity propagation in the beta and gamma band during a finger movement experiment and imagination of that task. The data were analyzed by means of a short-time directed transfer function (SDTF) based on a multivariate autoregressive model. The signals from the right (or left) hemisphere were processed simultaneously (not pairwise), which is crucial for obtaining a correct picture of EEG activity transmissions. The pattern of propagation in the beta band involved for both tasks a decrease of the propagation from the motor areas during the execution of the movement ? less pronounced in the case of imagination. The performance of the motion was mainly connected with a short outburst of gamma activity from the hand sensorimotor areas. In case of imagination the gamma outflow lasted longer and concerned larger brain areas.
Proteomics of experimental stroke in mice
Authors: Föcking Melanie , Besselmann Michael , Trapp And
Published: December 2023

Multi-Western blots of more than 400 proteins were performed from brain extracts of mice submitted to transient focal ischemia induced by 1 h middle cerebral artery (MCA) thread occlusion. Measurements were carried out in groups of six animals in sham-operated controls, at the end of 1 h ischemia, and after 3 and 12 h recirculation. After MCA occlusion up to 45% of proteins were up- or downregulated in the ipsilateral hemisphere by a factor of 1.5 or more, as compared to sham-operated controls. The temporal regulation of several proteins in the ischemia-affected hemisphere after 1 h MCA thread occlusion is described. In the non-ischemic hemisphere the number of regulated proteins was close to 50%, indicating a hitherto unrecognized involvement of the opposite side. The proteomic approach of brain injury analysis goes beyond previous screenings of gene expression at the transcriptional level and although our study provides further evidence for the complexity of multiinjury pathways in the evolution of ischemic brain damage it may help to identify key mediators of ischemic injury.
Correspondence should be addressed to Th. Trapp, Email: trapp@itz.uni-duesseldorf.de
Excitotoxic neuronal injury in chronic homocysteine neurotoxicity studied in vitro: The role of NMDA and group I metabotropic glutamate receptors
Authors: Zieminska Elzbieta , Lazarewicz Jerzy
Published: December 2023

Elevated homocysteine is a risk factor in cardiovascular diseases and neurodegeneration. Among the putative mechanisms of homocysteineevoked neurotoxicity, disturbances in methylation processes and NMDA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity have been suggested. Our previous studies demonstrated that group I metabotropic glutamate receptors along with NMDA receptors participate in acute homocysteine-induced neuronal damage. In this study, using propidium iodide staining, we tested whether the same mechanism may mediate chronic homocysteine neurotoxicity. Our results confirmed that the application of D,L-homocysteine in micromolar concentrations for 3 days induces neurodegeneration in primary cultures of cerebellar granule neurons. Uncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK801, and mGlu1 or mGlu5 receptor antagonists (LY367385 and MPEP, respectively), given alone provided very limited neuroprotection. However, simultaneous application of the NMDA receptor antagonists MK-801, memantine or amantadine and MPEP almost completely prevented chronic homocysteine neurotoxicity. These findings suggest a novel therapeutic strategy to combat neurodegeneration induced by hyperhomocysteinemia comprising a combination of antagonists of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors and NMDA receptors.
Correspondence should be addressed to J.W. Lazarewicz, Email: jerzyl@cmdik.pan.pl