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Online ISSN 2653-4983
REVIEW
Transcription of Fos family genes in nucleus accumbens: roles of AP-1, epigenetics and stochasticity
Henry C. Tuckwell
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We elaborate upon further details of the mechanisms involved in transcription of Fos family and other immediate early genes in brain. The AP-1 element on the cfos promoter is bound by homodimers of Jun family proteins and heterodimers of Jun family members with Fos family members including ∆FosB. The frequencies of combinations are discussed as well as their activities which may be activating or inhibiting. With acute stimulation by psychostimulants the mRNAs of cfos and fosB are induced within a few minutes to rise to maximum levels in about 30 minutes with a decline to basal levels in a few hours. The many possible mechanisms for the shut down are discussed. Epigenetic modifications are strongly implicated in the instigation and inhibition of transcription, particularly histone modifications which may decompactify DNA. Summaries of histone modifications have been related to a histone code. Various general schemes for the steps to transcription have been proposed and three of these are described, followed by more detailed dynamical pictures...
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Volume 4 Issue 1 (March 2025)
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
​Jonghoon Kang & Young S. Gwak​
The complexity of sensory and motor dysfunctions following spinal cord injury (SCI) necessitates identifying key physical parameters that contribute to these outcomes. This study examines the effects of critical parameters on behavioral and physiological outcomes after spinal contusion in periadolescent (7 weeks) and adult (30 weeks) male Sprague-Dawley rats. A standardized injury of 150-kilodyne force and 1-second dwell time was induced at thoracic level 10. Actual Force (152.6 ± 0.6 and 154.4 ± 1.2 kdyn) and Velocity (121 ± 0.4 and 120.7 ± 0.6 mm/s) were consistent between groups, although Displacement (981.5 ± 35.9 and 1048.6 ± 30.4 µm) varied. The periadolescent group showed more rapid body weight loss (POD 4 vs. POD 7) and quicker locomotion recovery (POD 16 vs. POD 22), while the adult group exhibited faster onset of bladder dysfunction. By 40 days post-injury, all groups developed mechanical allodynia (p < 0.05), with thermal hyperalgesia significantly elevated in the periadolescent group (p < 0.05). Analysis of displacement subsets revealed...
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Syed Taimoor Hussain Shah, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, Konstantinos Panagiotopoulos, Janet Pigueiras-del-Real, Kainat Qayyum, Syed Baqir Hussain Shah, Shahzad Ahmad Qureshi, Angelo Di Terlizzi, Giacomo Di Benedetto & Marco Agostino Deriu
Preterm neonates face significant neurological risks due to incomplete brain development at birth. The third trimester is critical for brain maturation, and premature birth disrupts essential developmental processes, leading to long-term cognitive, motor, and sensory impairments. Key vulnerabilities include cortical underdevelopment, white matter damage, and immature neurotransmission, contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders such as cerebral palsy, attention deficits, and learning difficulties. While advances in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) have improved survival rates, early detection and continuous monitoring of complications remain challenging. The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in neonatal care presents a transformative approach, enabling real-time physiological monitoring, predictive analytics, and automated alerts for timely interventions. IoT-driven neonatal monitoring systems enhance clinical decision-making, reduce caregiver burden, and improve patient outcomes. In parallel, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing neonatal healthcare by processing multimodal data, including clinical records, physiological signals, and imaging to provide real-time insights, predictive diagnostics,...
CLINICAL CASE REPORT
A case study of a patient diagnosed with acute cerebral infarction and myasthenia gravis
Wang Zhongyu, Zhang Sumei & Bai Jiangyan
A 78-year-old man was admitted to Taiyuan Central Hospital with speech impairment, intermittent drooping of the right eyelid, and occasional visual ghosting. These symptoms are indicative of semantic dementia with symptoms progressively worsening. The patient has a history of coronary heart disease and hypertension. Physical examination revealed decreased short-term memory and arithmetic ability; right upper eyelid ptosis covering the cornea; insufficient outward gaze in the left eye; diminished bilateral knee and ankle reflexes; no other abnormalities were noted. MRI indicated a cerebral infarction in the right temporal lobe. Based on the above findings, myasthenia gravis and paraneoplastic neurological syndromes were considered for differential diagnosis. Subsequent repetitive nerve stimulation and neostigmine tests supported the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. Clinically, the coexistence of acute cerebral infarction accompanied by myasthenia gravis is rare. Since their symptoms can overlap, a diagnosis should be based on a comprehensive evaluation of related symptoms and tests.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Pushpendra Singh, Saifullah Tipu, Sarika Katiyar, Shanthi Banishetty, Tanusree Dutta, Rupesh Ranjan,
Stuart Hameroff & Anirban Bandyopadhyay
Despite traditional EEG signals being affected by physical activities like hand movements or facial expressions, and even perspiration, they have been considered indicators of consciousness for over a century and a half. Low-frequency signals ranging from 1Hz to 40Hz are associated with human cognition, perception, and emotion. No one asks: if key ionic brain signals leak from the cortex, how does the brain carry out credible computation using ions? We challenge the 150-year belief that low-frequency neuron bursts are key to human consciousness; ions are diluted at 15 layers before reaching the EEG probe. We argue that MHz electromagnetic signals govern key computing in the brain. In our study of 40 patients undergoing anesthesia with propofol for gastroenteric conditions, we monitored transitions into and out of unconsciousness, comparing EEG signals with those from the DDG. MHz bursts are emitted from all over the brain's scalp only in unconscious states, as tracked by BIS, ...