Galanin microinjection into the dorsal periaqueductal gray matter produces paradigm-dependent anxiolytic effects

Publication date: Available online 2 January 2016
Source:Brain Research Bulletin
Author(s): F.R.C. Soares, G.P. Silote, A.F. Almeida-Santos, D.C. Aguiar, L.C. Schenberg, V. Beijamini
Galanin is a peptide that is present in the central nervous system in mammals, including rodents and humans. The actions of galanin are mediated by three types of metabotropic receptors: GAL1, GAL2, and GAL3. GAL1 and GAL3 increase K⁺ efflux, and GAL2 increases intracellular Ca²⁺ levels. The distribution of galanin and its receptors suggests its involvement in fear and/or anxiety. The periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) is a key mediator of defensive behaviors that is both targeted by galaninergic projections and supplied with GAL1 receptors and, less markedly, GAL2 receptors. We examined the effects of galanin microinjections in the dorsal PAG (dPAG) on the performance of rats in different models of anxiety. Male Wistar rats (n=7–12) were implanted with guide cannulae in the dPAG. They received microinjections of either galanin (0.3, 1.0, and 3.0nmol) or vehicle and were tested in the Vogel conflict test (VCT), elevated plus maze (EPM), and elevated T-maze (ETM). Rats that were tested in the ETM were further evaluated for exploratory activity in the open field test (OFT). Galanin microinjections had no effects on anxiety-like behavior in the EPM or VCT or exploratory activity in the EPM or OFT. In the ETM, however, microinjections of 3nmol galanin impaired learned anxiety (i.e., avoidance of the open arms) without changing unconditioned fear (i.e., escape from the open arms). The present data suggest that galanin transmission in the dPAG inhibits the acquisition of anxiety-like responses in the ETM.



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Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Activities of Anthraquinone-2-Carboxylic Acid

Anthraquinone compounds are one of the abundant polyphenols found in fruits, vegetables, and herbs. However, the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity and molecular mechanisms of anthraquinones have not been fully elucidated. We investigated the activity of anthraquinones using acute inflammatory and nociceptive experimental conditions. Anthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid (9,10-dihydro-9,10-dioxo-2-anthracenecarboxylic acid, AQCA), one of the major anthraquinones identified from Brazilian taheebo, ameliorated various inflammatory and algesic symptoms in EtOH/HCl- and acetylsalicylic acid- (ASA-) induced gastritis, arachidonic acid-induced edema, and acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing without displaying toxic profiles in body and organ weight, gastric irritation, or serum parameters. In addition, AQCA suppressed the expression of inflammatory genes such as cyclooxygenase- (COX-) 2 in stomach tissues and lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) treated RAW264.7 cells. According to reporter gene assay and immunoblotting analyses, AQCA inhibited activation of the nuclear factor- (NF-) κB and activator protein- (AP-) 1 pathways by suppression of upstream signaling involving interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK1), p38, Src, and spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk). Our data strongly suggest that anthraquinones such as AQCA act as potent anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive components in vivo, thus contributing to the immune regulatory role of fruits and herbs.

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Software Design Challenges in Time Series Prediction Systems Using Parallel Implementation of Artificial Neural Networks

Software development life cycle has been characterized by destructive disconnects between activities like planning, analysis, design, and programming. Particularly software developed with prediction based results is always a big challenge for designers. Time series data forecasting like currency exchange, stock prices, and weather report are some of the areas where an extensive research is going on for the last three decades. In the initial days, the problems with financial analysis and prediction were solved by statistical models and methods. For the last two decades, a large number of Artificial Neural Networks based learning models have been proposed to solve the problems of financial data and get accurate results in prediction of the future trends and prices. This paper addressed some architectural design related issues for performance improvement through vectorising the strengths of multivariate econometric time series models and Artificial Neural Networks. It provides an adaptive approach for predicting exchange rates and it can be called hybrid methodology for predicting exchange rates. This framework is tested for finding the accuracy and performance of parallel algorithms used.

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Erratum to “Need for Scientific Rigor in the Evaluation of Minimally Invasive Alternative Procedures”

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Post-traumatic bilateral epidural hygroma of posterior cranial fossa: case report and brief review of literature.

Post-traumatic bilateral epidural hygroma of posterior cranial fossa: case report and brief review of literature.

World Neurosurg. 2015 Dec 23;

Authors: Kumar J, Harsh V, Strickland BA, Sahay CB, Kumar A

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic posterior fossa epidural hygroma is a rare entity without a clear management established in the medical literature. We present one such case and review the literature relevant to this unusual entity. An attempt to outline the mechanism of formation and management of posterior cranial fossa epidural hygroma is also made.
CASE DESCRIPTION: Two-year old child presents after a rooftop fall injury with symptoms of headache, drowsiness, vomiting, and brief loss of consciousness. The left occipital region demonstrated swelling, found to have epidural hygroma via CT scan. After failing conservative management, surgical repair of the dura was performed. The child was discharged post-operative day eleven in stable condition with marked improvement in occipital swelling.
CONCLUSIONS: It is imperative to consider epidural hygroma in very small children presenting with occipital injury. Owing to loose adhesion of dura and internal cranial lamina layers in younger pediatric population, potential epidural space may be easily created due to injury and small breaches in meningeal integrity near the cisterna magna may favor CSF leak. During operation if water-tight repair of visible dural tear is performed, duro-periosteal hitching or vacuum drain placement may not be required.

PMID: 26723294 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Influence of the paraflocculus on normal and abnormal spontaneous firing rates in the inferior colliculus.

Influence of the paraflocculus on normal and abnormal spontaneous firing rates in the inferior colliculus.

Hear Res. 2015 Dec 24;

Authors: Vogler DP, Robertson D, Mulders WH

Abstract
Spontaneous firing rates of neurons in the central auditory pathway, such as in the inferior colliculus, are known to be increased after cochlear trauma. This so-called hyperactivity is thought to be involved in the generation of tinnitus, a phantom auditory perception. Recent research in an animal model suggests behavioural signs of tinnitus can be significantly reduced by silencing or removal of the paraflocculus (PF) of the cerebellum. The current study investigated the effects of acute PF removal on spontaneous firing rates recorded from single neurons in the right inferior colliculus of guinea pigs with normal hearing (which did not receive acoustic trauma) or with hearing loss caused by acoustic trauma. Spontaneous firing rates were obtained at either 2 or 13 weeks after initial surgery on the left side. In half of the animals in each group the left PF was removed immediately prior to the spontaneous firing rates recordings. In the acoustic trauma groups, spontaneous firing rates in the inferior colliculus were higher when the PF was removed compared to animals with an intact PF. This effect of PF removal was not observed in animals that did not receive acoustic trauma. These results suggest that the PF has a tonic inhibitory effect on hyperactivity in the inferior colliculus in animals with hearing loss, but not on normal spontaneous firing rates in normal hearing animals.

PMID: 26724754 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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ESWT is a force to be reckoned with.

ESWT is a force to be reckoned with.

Int J Surg. 2015 Dec;24(Pt B):113-114

Authors: Raveendran K

PMID: 26723524 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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