The human cerebral cortex represents the evolutionary outcome of a need for increased interconnec... more The human cerebral cortex represents the evolutionary outcome of a need for increased interconnectivity among distinct neuronal subtypes capable of processing complex cognitive demands. Notable among cerebral cortex neurons are the excitatory pyramidal neurons (PNs). These cells are diverse and are mainly found in the forebrain. In the normal brain, synchronized activity of populations of PNs plays a critical role in neural circuit function underlying cognition. Because neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders are known to disrupt circuits supporting cognitive ability, unraveling the developmental mechanisms governing changes of PNs in these conditions will lay the foundation for understanding the functional and pathological significance of these changes. In this chapter, we discuss the ontogenesis and functional anatomy of PNs in the cerebral cortex. We also explore the role of PNs in neural circuitry reorganization in response to pathological influences during critical pe...
Purpose / Context - With the development of urban economy, the number of tall and supertall build... more Purpose / Context - With the development of urban economy, the number of tall and supertall buildings is increasing because of high population density, high land prices and getting iconic buildings. Small residential units of less than 30 m2 with an open kitchen are constructed in tall residential buildings. Apart from open kitchen, glass partition is also common because of the constraint from architectural design. Fire hazards in such tall residential buildings have raised public concern. In order to provide better protection of lives and properties in case of fire, provision of residential sprinkler system should be considered as it is not a mandatory requirement for residential premises in many countries. This paper presents the results of experimental tests about the physical characteristics of some residential sprinklers. By conducting a series of tests, including the tests in wind tunnel, tests of spray patterns and tests under controlled fires, valuable information and data w...
Matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP9) are enzymes involved in regulating neuroplasticity in the hipp... more Matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP9) are enzymes involved in regulating neuroplasticity in the hippocampus. This, combined with evidence for disrupted hippocampal structure and function in schizophrenia, has prompted our current investigation into the relationship between MMP9 and hippocampal volumes in schizophrenia. 34 healthy individuals (mean age = 32.50, male = 21, female = 13) and 30 subjects with schizophrenia (mean age = 33.07, male = 19, female = 11) underwent a blood draw and T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. The hippocampus was automatically segmented utilizing FreeSurfer. MMP9 plasma levels were measured with ELISA. ANCOVAs were conducted to compare MMP9 plasma levels (corrected for age and sex) and hippocampal volumes between groups (corrected for age, sex, total intracranial volume). Spearman correlations were utilized to investigate the relationship between symptoms, medication, duration of illness, number of episodes, and MMP9 plasma levels in patients. Last, we explored the correlation between MMP9 levels and hippocampal volumes in patients and healthy individuals separately. Patients displayed higher MMP9 plasma levels than healthy individuals (F(1, 60) = 21.19, p < 0.0001). MMP9 levels correlated with negative symptoms in patients (R = 0.39, p = 0.035), but not with medication, duration of illness, or the number of episodes. Further, patients had smaller left (F(1,59) = 9.12, p = 0.0040) and right (F(1,59) = 6.49, p = 0.013) hippocampal volumes. Finally, left (R = −0.39, p = 0.034) and right (R = −0.37, p = 0.046) hippocampal volumes correlated negatively with MMP9 plasma levels in patients. We observe higher MMP9 plasma levels in SCZ, associated with lower hippocampal volumes, suggesting involvement of MMP9 in the pathology of SCZ. Future studies are needed to investigate how MMP9 influences the pathology of SCZ over the lifespan, whether the observed associations are specific for schizophrenia, and if a therapeutic modulation of MMP9 promotes neuroprotective effects in SCZ.
Background Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe and chronic brain disorder that affects about 1% of th... more Background Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe and chronic brain disorder that affects about 1% of the world population. It is among the most burdensome illnesses with a serious impact on patients, their families and society. To this day, a lot remains unknown about the neuropathological cause and etiology of SCZ. The prominent two-hit theory postulates that early neurodevelopmental abnormalities interact with a later “second hit” which occurs around symptom onset. Recent research points towards the role of inflammation in pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was recently suggested as a potential key player in both first and second “hit” in the pathology of SCZ. It is considered to not only regulate brain development and synaptic plasticity, but to also mediate neuroinflammation. A point of interest for interaction with neuroinflammatory pathways is the Choroid Plexus (ChP). MMP-9 has been reported to be upregulated in ChP in SCZ. Since ChP regulates CSF ...
PurposeRecent evidence points to a critical role of redox dysregulation induced oxidative stress ... more PurposeRecent evidence points to a critical role of redox dysregulation induced oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of early phases of schizophrenia. An add-on trial with n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) led to a reduction in negative symptoms in chronic schizophrenia patients. Aim of this study was to explore impact of addition of NAC to standard treatment in early psychosis (EP) patients.MethodsDouble-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of addition of NAC, 2700 mg daily, to antipsychotic treatment over 6 months. Monthly assessment of PANSS, GAF, SOFAS and antipsychotics treatment; quantification of brain glutathione levels (GSHmPFC) by 1H-magnetic-resonance-spectroscopy and of blood cells glutathione (GSHBC) and glutathione peroxidase activity (GPxBC) as marker of oxidation status at the beginning and end of treatment.ResultsOverall, 63 patients were included. Spectroscopy data showed that GSHmPFC increased by +23% in the NAC group, while it tended to decrease by −5% in the pla...
A 19-residue polypeptide with the sequence: H-Trp-Asn-His-Ala-Ala-Ala-Thn-Ser-Gin-Ala-Pro-Arg-Val... more A 19-residue polypeptide with the sequence: H-Trp-Asn-His-Ala-Ala-Ala-Thn-Ser-Gin-Ala-Pro-Arg-Val-lie-lie-Glu-Glu-Asn-Asp-OH has been synthesized using Merrifield’s solid phase approach, purified by preparative reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), tested for purity in several HPLC systems and characterized by analysis of its amino acid composition and sequence.
The human cerebral cortex represents the evolutionary outcome of a need for increased interconnec... more The human cerebral cortex represents the evolutionary outcome of a need for increased interconnectivity among distinct neuronal subtypes capable of processing complex cognitive demands. Notable among cerebral cortex neurons are the excitatory pyramidal neurons (PNs). These cells are diverse and are mainly found in the forebrain. In the normal brain, synchronized activity of populations of PNs plays a critical role in neural circuit function underlying cognition. Because neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders are known to disrupt circuits supporting cognitive ability, unraveling the developmental mechanisms governing changes of PNs in these conditions will lay the foundation for understanding the functional and pathological significance of these changes. In this chapter, we discuss the ontogenesis and functional anatomy of PNs in the cerebral cortex. We also explore the role of PNs in neural circuitry reorganization in response to pathological influences during critical pe...
Purpose / Context - With the development of urban economy, the number of tall and supertall build... more Purpose / Context - With the development of urban economy, the number of tall and supertall buildings is increasing because of high population density, high land prices and getting iconic buildings. Small residential units of less than 30 m2 with an open kitchen are constructed in tall residential buildings. Apart from open kitchen, glass partition is also common because of the constraint from architectural design. Fire hazards in such tall residential buildings have raised public concern. In order to provide better protection of lives and properties in case of fire, provision of residential sprinkler system should be considered as it is not a mandatory requirement for residential premises in many countries. This paper presents the results of experimental tests about the physical characteristics of some residential sprinklers. By conducting a series of tests, including the tests in wind tunnel, tests of spray patterns and tests under controlled fires, valuable information and data w...
Matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP9) are enzymes involved in regulating neuroplasticity in the hipp... more Matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP9) are enzymes involved in regulating neuroplasticity in the hippocampus. This, combined with evidence for disrupted hippocampal structure and function in schizophrenia, has prompted our current investigation into the relationship between MMP9 and hippocampal volumes in schizophrenia. 34 healthy individuals (mean age = 32.50, male = 21, female = 13) and 30 subjects with schizophrenia (mean age = 33.07, male = 19, female = 11) underwent a blood draw and T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. The hippocampus was automatically segmented utilizing FreeSurfer. MMP9 plasma levels were measured with ELISA. ANCOVAs were conducted to compare MMP9 plasma levels (corrected for age and sex) and hippocampal volumes between groups (corrected for age, sex, total intracranial volume). Spearman correlations were utilized to investigate the relationship between symptoms, medication, duration of illness, number of episodes, and MMP9 plasma levels in patients. Last, we explored the correlation between MMP9 levels and hippocampal volumes in patients and healthy individuals separately. Patients displayed higher MMP9 plasma levels than healthy individuals (F(1, 60) = 21.19, p < 0.0001). MMP9 levels correlated with negative symptoms in patients (R = 0.39, p = 0.035), but not with medication, duration of illness, or the number of episodes. Further, patients had smaller left (F(1,59) = 9.12, p = 0.0040) and right (F(1,59) = 6.49, p = 0.013) hippocampal volumes. Finally, left (R = −0.39, p = 0.034) and right (R = −0.37, p = 0.046) hippocampal volumes correlated negatively with MMP9 plasma levels in patients. We observe higher MMP9 plasma levels in SCZ, associated with lower hippocampal volumes, suggesting involvement of MMP9 in the pathology of SCZ. Future studies are needed to investigate how MMP9 influences the pathology of SCZ over the lifespan, whether the observed associations are specific for schizophrenia, and if a therapeutic modulation of MMP9 promotes neuroprotective effects in SCZ.
Background Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe and chronic brain disorder that affects about 1% of th... more Background Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe and chronic brain disorder that affects about 1% of the world population. It is among the most burdensome illnesses with a serious impact on patients, their families and society. To this day, a lot remains unknown about the neuropathological cause and etiology of SCZ. The prominent two-hit theory postulates that early neurodevelopmental abnormalities interact with a later “second hit” which occurs around symptom onset. Recent research points towards the role of inflammation in pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was recently suggested as a potential key player in both first and second “hit” in the pathology of SCZ. It is considered to not only regulate brain development and synaptic plasticity, but to also mediate neuroinflammation. A point of interest for interaction with neuroinflammatory pathways is the Choroid Plexus (ChP). MMP-9 has been reported to be upregulated in ChP in SCZ. Since ChP regulates CSF ...
PurposeRecent evidence points to a critical role of redox dysregulation induced oxidative stress ... more PurposeRecent evidence points to a critical role of redox dysregulation induced oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of early phases of schizophrenia. An add-on trial with n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) led to a reduction in negative symptoms in chronic schizophrenia patients. Aim of this study was to explore impact of addition of NAC to standard treatment in early psychosis (EP) patients.MethodsDouble-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of addition of NAC, 2700 mg daily, to antipsychotic treatment over 6 months. Monthly assessment of PANSS, GAF, SOFAS and antipsychotics treatment; quantification of brain glutathione levels (GSHmPFC) by 1H-magnetic-resonance-spectroscopy and of blood cells glutathione (GSHBC) and glutathione peroxidase activity (GPxBC) as marker of oxidation status at the beginning and end of treatment.ResultsOverall, 63 patients were included. Spectroscopy data showed that GSHmPFC increased by +23% in the NAC group, while it tended to decrease by −5% in the pla...
A 19-residue polypeptide with the sequence: H-Trp-Asn-His-Ala-Ala-Ala-Thn-Ser-Gin-Ala-Pro-Arg-Val... more A 19-residue polypeptide with the sequence: H-Trp-Asn-His-Ala-Ala-Ala-Thn-Ser-Gin-Ala-Pro-Arg-Val-lie-lie-Glu-Glu-Asn-Asp-OH has been synthesized using Merrifield’s solid phase approach, purified by preparative reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), tested for purity in several HPLC systems and characterized by analysis of its amino acid composition and sequence.
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