bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Studying motor cortex function using the rodent vibrissal system
Authors: Chakrabarti S. , Schwarz C. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
The function of the mammalian motor cortex was one of the first problems studied in neuroscience. But until today, the major principles of the workings of the motor cortex have remained conjectural. It is clear that mo­tor cortex holds a topographic map of body parts. But does that mean that the motor cortex itself is undertaking the challenging task of converting motor plans (i.e., intended trajectories and effects of actions) into low level motor commands appropriate to drive the muscles? Work of many decades on motor function has revealed the existence of dedicated networks, the so-called central pattern generators (CPGs). Many, if not all of these CPGs, are located subcortically and are likely to be involved in the translation of motor plans into actual muscle contractions. Unfortunately the detailed circuitry and cellu­lar elements of CPGs are only vaguely known. More recent work has elucidated continuous as well as discontinuous (discrete) mapping of the motor cortex to movement. For the quest of understanding motor cortex-CPG interactions, discontinuities are important because they allow us to dissect how neigh­boring motor cortex sites connect to different CPGs for different purposes-but driving the very same muscles. The rodent whisker motor system is a decidedly modular system. Neighboring cortical areas drive very distinct whisker movements used by the animals in different contexts. We argue that the modularity of the whisker system together with its great accessibility is promising to establish a model system for the interactions of the mo­tor cortex and CPGs on the cellular and net­work levels and, thus, will also be of high value in understanding the more complex and continuously organized motor cortex of the arm/hand/finger system in primates.
New insights into the role of GABAergic inhibition during functional reorganization of the visual cortex post-lesion
Authors: Mittmann T. , Imbrosci B. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
Cortical injuries are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The first weeks post-lesion are usually crucial to predict the final outcome of patients. While most of them experience a spontaneous, at least partial, restoration of function, in some the clinical picture is complicated due to the development of epileptic seizures. A substantial number of studies suggest that these phenomena may be triggered by complex functional alterations in intracortical inhibition, often observed in perilesional cortical areas. Pathophysiological changes in GABAergic transmission are indeed likely to alter plasticity, excitability, and function of cortical circuits. The development of more efficient therapeutic strategies may, therefore, require a deep understanding into lesion-induced changes in inhibition at both the cellular and neuronal network levels. In this review, we gather together information from recent studies which have focused on dissecting alterations at inhibitory synapses as well as in the function of different subclasses of interneurons following cortical lesions.
How light traverses the inverted vertebrate retina
Authors: Reichenbach A. , Agte S. , Francke M. , Franze K. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
In our eyes, as in the eyes of all vertebrates, images of the environment are projected on­to an inverted retina, where photons must pass through most of the retinal layers before being captured by the light-sensitive cells. Light scattering in these retinal layers must decrease the signal-to-noise ratio of the im­ages and thus interfere with clear vision. Sur­prisingly however, our eyes display splendid visual abilities. This apparent contradiction could be resolved if intraretinal light scatter­ing were to be minimized by built-in opti­cal elements that facilitate light transmission through the tissue. Indeed, we were able to show that one function of radial glial (Mül­ler) cells is to act as effective optical fibers in the living retina, bypassing the light-scatter­ing structures in front of the light-sensitive cells. Each Müller cell serves as a ‘private’ light cable, providing one individual cone photo­receptor cell with its appropriate pixel of the environmental image, thus optimizing spe­cial resolution and visual acuity.
The human brain project: neuroscience perspectives and German contributions
Authors: Amunts K. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
Studying the human brain remains one of the greatest scientific challenges. A comprehensive understanding of the structural and functional organization of the brain is not only of great importance for basic science, but also for the development of new approaches that improve diagnosis and the treatment of neurological and psychiatric diseases. Thus, the Human Brain Project (HBP) was start­ed in October 2013. The immense complexity of the brain, with its approximately 86 bi­llion nerve cells, makes it essential to include modeling and simulation approaches, combined with methods of high performance computing (HPC), in order to analyze the organizational principles of the brain. Con­versely, the understanding of neural mecha­nisms might inspire new advancements for HPC. The project will be funded with approximately € 1.19 billion, with 75% of funding from the EU, and the rest provided by partner countries and their institutions. The HBP currently involves about 80 institutions from 22 countries and has a duration of 10 years, thus, making it one of the world’s largest re­search initiatives. This article is designed to give a brief overview of the HBP organization, and to illustrate the German neuroscientific contributions to the HBP and indicate the relationship to other projects within the HBP.
Mechanisms and genes in Drosophila hearing
Authors: Kittelmann M. , Göpfert M.C. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster com­municates acoustically and hears with its an­tennae. Fundamental aspects of hearing can be studied in these antennal ears, the audi­tory sensory cells of which are evolutionarily related to vertebrate hair cells and are spec­ified developmentally by homologous tran­scription factors. Like vertebrate hair cells, Drosophila auditory sensory cells are also mo­tile and actively amplify the mechanical vi­brations they transduce. The transduction and amplification mechanisms rely on the in­terplay between mechanically activated ion channels and motor proteins, whose move­ment impacts upon the macroscopic perfor­mance of the ear. The first molecular trans­ducer components have been identified and various auditory system-relevant proteins have been described. Several of these pro­teins are conserved components of cilia, sug­gesting the fly’s ear as a model for human cil­iopathies. The evolution of sensory signaling cascades can also be studied using the fly’s ear, as the fly employs key chemo- and pho­toreceptor proteins to hear. Evidence is al­so accumulating that the fly’s ear is a multi­functional sensory organ, which, in addition to mediating hearing, serves to detect wind, gravity and presumably temperature.
Modulation of AMPA receptor function by auxiliary subunits
Authors: Monyer Hannah , Engelhardt Jakob von 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
AMPA receptors are ionotropic glutamate receptors that mediate the majority of fast excitatory transmission in the central nervous system. Their function depends not only on the composition of the subunits GluA1-4, but also on the interaction with auxiliary subunits. Several auxiliary subunits have been identified in proteomic analyses over the last years and we are beginning to understand the complex control of these proteins on physiological properties and membrane- transport of AMPA receptors. Auxiliary subunits such as TARPs, cornichons, and CK-AMP44 influence receptor localization on the cell membrane, modulate receptor gating, and play a role for synaptic short-term and long-term plasticity.
Diversity of synaptic astrocyte–neuron signaling
Authors: Henneberger Christian , Petzold Gabor C. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
Fast signal exchange between neurons and astrocytes at the synaptic level has attracted considerable attention. Astrocytes often respond with Ca2+ transients to widely different neuronal synaptic activity. At the same time, astrocyte Ca2+ elevations trigger profound and diverse changes of both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission. Here, we briefly review examples of the heterogeneity of Ca2+-dependent astrocyte-neuron communication in the rodent hippocampus and discuss mechanisms that could maintain specificity of synaptic astrocyte-neuron signaling in the face of its diversity.
Form follows function: actin-binding proteins as critical regulators of excitatory synapses
Authors: Rust M.B , Michaelsen-Preusse K. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
Actin filaments (F-actin) are the major structural component of excitatory synapses. In excitatory synapses, F-actin is enriched in presynaptic terminals and in dendritic spines, and actin dynamics-the spatio-temporally controlled assembly and disassembly of F-actin-have been implicated in pre- and postsynaptic physiology. Hence, actin-binding proteins that control actin dynamics emerged as important regulators of excitatory synapses linking synaptic function and structure, and therefore they are of vital importance for behavior. By the analyses of gene-targeted mice and by loss- and gain-of-function approaches in acute brain slices or dissociated neuronal cultures, studies from the last decade, including studies from our own labs, unraveled the versatile synaptic functions for members of two important families of actin dynamics regulating proteins, namely ADF/cofilin and profilin. After a short introduction into chemical synapses and actin dynamics, we will summarize and discuss recent findings on the synaptic functions of ADF/cofilin and profilin in this review article, and we will outline future directions and perspectives in the field.
The blood–brain barrier and its regulation by NF-κB
Authors: Wenzel J. , Schwaninger M. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
The brain is protected by a tight barrier between the blood and parenchyma. This so-called blood-brain barrier protects the brain from invading pathogens, infiltrating immune cells, and the extravasation of serum proteins. Beside pericytes and astrocytes mainly endothelial cells form this barrier.
Inflammation leads to an increase in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. NF-κB is activated during inflammation and is a key regulator of inflammatory processes. In brain endothelial cells NF-κB protects the blood-brain barrier. Loss of the NF-κB activating protein NEMO in brain endothelial cells leads to endothelial cell death, increased permeability, and epilepsy inmice as well as in humans with the hereditary disease incontinentia pigmenti. Therefore, inflammatory mediators are able to disturb but also to protect the blood-brain barrier.
Connectomics at cellular precision
Authors: Helmstaedter Moritz 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
The complete mapping of neuronal circuits in at least parts of brains has received substantial attention recently. Methodological breakthroughs have made the imaging of ever larger tissue blocks realistic using 3-dimensional electron microscopy. Analysis of such data, however, is still limiting the neuroscientific insights obtainable from cellular connectomics data. What is the state of this scientific field, which insights have been obtained, which are in reach? This brief overview summarizes the current knowledge in cellular connectomics.
Betaine treatment decreased serum glucose and lipid levels, hepatic and renal oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Evran Betül , Aydın Abdurrahman Fatih , Uğuralp Buse , Sar Mehmet , Doğru-Abbasoğlu Semra , Uysal Müjdat 
Published: April 2017

Abstract

Objective
The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of betaine (BET) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) in rats. Additionally, the efficiency of BET was compared with metformin (MET), a standard oral antidiabetic drug.

Methods
STZ (55 mg/kg body weight; i.p.) was injected to male Wistar rats. Rats with DM were treated with BET (1 g/kg body weight/day;) or MET (500 mg/kg body weight/day;) for 4 weeks. Blood glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum glucose, lipids, hepatic and renal function tests and urinary protein levels were examined. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) levels, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were also determined in liver and kidney.

Results
Glucose, HbA1c, and serum lipids increased and liver and kidney function tests were impaired in diabetic rats. Hepatic and renal ROS formation and MDA levels were elevated, hepatic, but not renal GSH and FRAP levels were decreased. BET decreased blood HbA1c, serum glucose and lipid levels and urine protein levels. BET diminished hepatic and renal prooxidant status.

Conclusion
Our results indicate that BET may be effective in decreasing STZ-induced high levels of blood HbA1c, and serum glucose and lipid levels and prooxidant status in liver and kidney tissues.
Re-theorising mobility and the formation of culture and language among the Corded Ware Culture in Europe
Authors: Kristiansen Kristian , Allentoft Morten E. , Frei Karin M. , Iversen Rune , Johannsen Niels N. , Kroonen Guus , Pospieszny Łukasz , Price T. Douglas , Rasmussen Simon , Sjögren Karl-Göran , Sikora Martin , Willerslev Eske 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
Long-Term Predictive and Feedback Encoding of Motor Signals in the Simple Spike Discharge of Purkinje Cells
Authors: Popa Laurentiu S. , Streng Martha L. , Ebner Timothy J. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMost hypotheses of cerebellar function emphasize a role in real-time control of movements. However, the cerebellum’s use of current information to adjust future movements and its involvement in sequencing, working memory, and attention argues for predicting and maintaining information over extended time windows. The present study examines the time course of Purkinje cell discharge modulation in the monkey (Macaca mulatta) during manual, pseudo-random tracking. Analysis of the simple spike firing from 183 Purkinje cells during tracking reveals modulation up to 2 s before and after kinematics and position error. Modulation significance was assessed against trial shuffled firing, which decoupled simple spike activity from behavior and abolished long-range encoding while preserving data statistics. Position, velocity, and position errors have the most frequent and strongest long-range feedforward and feedback modulations, with less common, weaker long-term correlations for speed and radial error. Position, velocity, and position errors can be decoded from the population simple spike firing with considerable accuracy for even the longest predictive (-2000 to -1500 ms) and feedback (1500 to 2000 ms) epochs. Separate analysis of the simple spike firing in the initial hold period preceding tracking shows similar long-range feedforward encoding of the upcoming movement and in the final hold period feedback encoding of the just completed movement, respectively. Complex spike analysis reveals little long-term modulation with behavior. We conclude that Purkinje cell simple spike discharge includes short- and long-range representations of both upcoming and preceding behavior that could underlie cerebellar involvement in error correction, working memory, and sequencing.
Deafferented Adult Rod Bipolar Cells Create New Synapses with Photoreceptors to Restore Vision
Authors: Beier Corinne , Hovhannisyan Anahit , Weiser Sydney , Kung Jennifer , Lee Seungjun , Lee Dae Yeong , Huie Philip , Dalal Roopa , Palanker Daniel , Sher Alexander 
Published: April 2017

Upon degeneration of photoreceptors in the adult retina, interneurons, including bipolar cells, exhibit a plastic response leading to their aberrant rewiring. Photoreceptor reintroduction has been suggested as a potential approach to sight restoration, but the ability of deafferented bipolar cells to establish functional synapses with photoreceptors is poorly understood. Here we use photocoagulation to selectively destroy photoreceptors in adult rabbits while preserving the inner retina. We find that rods and cones shift into the ablation zone over several weeks, reducing the blind spot at scotopic and photopic luminances. During recovery, rod and cone bipolar cells exhibit markedly different responses to deafferentation. Rod bipolar cells extend their dendrites to form new synapses with healthy photoreceptors outside the lesion, thereby restoring visual function in the deafferented retina. Secretagogin-positive cone bipolar cells did not exhibit such obvious dendritic restructuring. These findings are encouraging to the idea of photoreceptor reintroduction for vision restoration in patients blinded by retinal degeneration. At the same time, they draw attention to the postsynaptic side of photoreceptor reintroduction; various bipolar cell types, representing different visual pathways, vary in their response to the photoreceptor loss and in their consequent dendritic restructuring.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTLoss of photoreceptors during retinal degeneration results in permanent visual impairment. Strategies for vision restoration based on the reintroduction of photoreceptors inherently rely on the ability of the remaining retinal neurons to correctly synapse with new photoreceptors. We show that deafferented bipolar cells in the adult mammalian retina can reconnect to rods and cones and restore retinal sensitivity at scotopic and photopic luminances. Rod bipolar cells extend their dendrites to form new synapses with healthy rod photoreceptors. These findings support the idea that bipolar cells might be able to synapse with reintroduced photoreceptors, thereby restoring vision in patients blinded by retinal degeneration.
A new sub‐pathway of long‐patch base excision repair involving 5′ gap formation
Authors: Woodrick Jordan , Gupta Suhani , Camacho Sharon , Parvathaneni Swetha , Choudhury Sujata , Cheema Amrita , Bai Yi , Khatkar Pooja , Erkizan Hayriye Verda , Sami Furqan , Su Yan , Schärer Orlando D , Sharma Sudha , Roy Rabindra 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBase excision repair (BER) is one of the most frequently used cellular DNA repair mechanisms and modulates many human pathophysiological conditions related to DNA damage. Through live cell and in vitro reconstitution experiments, we have discovered a major sub‐pathway of conventional long‐patch BER that involves formation of a 9‐nucleotide gap 5′ to the lesion. This new sub‐pathway is mediated by RECQ1 DNA helicase and ERCC1‐XPF endonuclease in cooperation with PARP1 poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase and RPA. The novel gap formation step is employed during repair of a variety of DNA lesions, including oxidative and alkylation damage. Moreover, RECQ1 regulates PARP1 auto‐(ADP‐ribosyl)ation and the choice between long‐patch and single‐nucleotide BER, thereby modulating cellular sensitivity to DNA damage. Based on these results, we propose a revised model of long‐patch BER and a new key regulation point for pathway choice in BER.
El Enfoque de cadenas productivas y la planificación estratégica como herramientas para el desarrollo sostenible en Cuba.
Authors: Antúnez Saiz Vivian Isabel , Ferrer Castañedo Marta 
Published: April 2017

Cuba transita por un proceso de actualización de su modelo económico por lo que se están llevando a cabo profundas transformaciones en todos los sectores de la economía. En esta dirección se ha puesto especial énfasis en la articulación agroindustrial y en desarrollar la producción agroalimentaria, mediante nuevos modelos de gestión, efectivas relaciones entre actores económicos para lograr la satisfacción de las demandas de la población por la entrega de productos de calidad y mediante mecanismos más ágiles. Un elemento esencial en las transformaciones a llevar a vías de hecho, parte de la necesidad de que los directivos de las organizaciones tengan claridad para analizar e identificar las potencialidades del enfoque de cadenas de producción y de la planificación estratégica para el logro de un desarrollo sustentable. El trabajo se orienta a establecer el marco teórico referencial acerca de las formas de articulación productiva. Se presenta la modelación de las principales categorías logrando su representación mediante un mapa conceptual. Se presenta una metodología de análisis y desarrollo de cadenas de producción así como algunos aspectos a tener en cuenta para la planificación estratégica en función del logro del desarrollo sostenible. Cuba is going through a process of updating of the economic model. That is why there have been profound changes taking place in all sectors of the economy. In this direction, the state has placed special emphasis in the development of productive chains through new management models, effective relationships between economic actors to achieve the satisfaction of the populations demands by delivering quality products through efficient mechanisms. The work aims at establishing the theoretical framework for productive forms of articulation. The main results of this research are the modeling of the conceptual categories; the critical assessment of the main methodologies for analyzing supply chains that formed the basis for the methodological design is provided. Also the article proposes several aspects for the strategic planning for the sustainable development in Cuba.
KAJIAN DAMPAK KEBIJAKAN UNITED STATES GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCE (US-GSP) 2015 TERHADAP EKSPOR PRODUK PERIKANAN INDONESIA KE USA
Authors: Rahadian Rikrik , Tajerin Tajerin , Nasution Zahri 
Published: April 2017

Sejak pertamakali diperkenalkan pada tahun 1970-an, Generalized System of Preference (GSP) telah diterapkan oleh negara-negara maju seperti United States of America (USA), Jepang dan European Union (EU). Meskipun bertujuan serupa, yaitu mendorong serta memfasilitasi perdagangan bagi negara-negara berkembang, namun pada penerapannya di masing-masing negara terdapat perbedaan pengaturan GSP – terutama terkait perihal daftar beneficiaries serta produk yang memperoleh fasilitas GSP. Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji kebijakan US-GSP 2015 serta menganalisis besaran dampak kebijakan tersebut terhadap ekspor produk Kelautan dan Perikanan (KP) Indonesia di pasar ekspor USA. Untuk memperoleh informasi tersebut, maka dipergunakan model SMART yang dikembangkan oleh World Integrated Trade Solutions (WITS) untuk mengolah data perdagangan di USA pada tahun 2014, yang diperoleh dari database TRAIN-UNCTAD. Hasil simulasi menunjukkan bahwa rejim terkini GSP di USA (2015), jika dimanfaatkan, akan dapat mendorong peningkatan ekspor produk perikanan Indonesia ke USA, terutama untuk komoditas olahan. Ever since it was introduced in the 70’s, the Generalized System of Preference (GSP) has been adopted and implemented by the developed countries such as United States of America (USA), Japan and the European Union (EU). Despite its similar purpose, which is to encourage as well as facilitate trade for the developing countries, its implementations in each adopting country have been very customized – especially concerning the beneficiary list and GSP product list. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impacts of US-GSP 2015 implementation towards Indonesian Fisheries Export to the USA. The research was conducted using a SMART model – an economic model developed by the World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) – to simulate the impacts of the trade policy using the TRAIN-UNCTAD database. The simulation showed that the latest US-GSP regime, if completely utilized by the Indonesian Exporters, could actually boost Indonesian Fisheries Exports to the USA, especially for the fish processing products.