Emergent Dynamics and Spatio Temporal Patterns on Multiplex Neuronal Networks

We present a study on the emergence of a variety of spatio temporal patterns among neurons that are connected in a multiplex framework, with neurons on two layers with different functional couplings. With the Hindmarsh-Rose model for the dynamics of single neurons, we analyze the possible patterns of dynamics in each layer separately and report emergent patterns of activity like in-phase synchronized oscillations and amplitude death (AD) for excitatory coupling and anti-phase mixed-mode oscillations (MMO) in multi-clusters with phase regularities when the connections are inhibitory. When they are multiplexed, with neurons of one layer coupled with excitatory synaptic coupling and neurons of the other layer coupled with inhibitory synaptic coupling, we observe the transfer or selection of interesting patterns of collective behavior between the layers. While the revival of oscillations occurs in the layer with excitatory coupling, the transition from anti-phase to in-phase and vice versa is observed in the other layer with inhibitory synaptic coupling. We also discuss how the selection of these spatio temporal patterns can be controlled by tuning the intralayer or interlayer coupling strengths or increasing the range of non-local coupling. With one layer having electrical coupling while the other synaptic coupling of excitatory(inhibitory)type, we find in-phase(anti-phase) synchronized patterns of activity among neurons in both layers.

Chemogenetic inactivation reveals the inhibitory control function of the prefronto-striatal pathway in the macaque brain

The lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) has a strong monosynaptic connection with the caudate nucleus (CdN) of the striatum. Previous human MRI studies have suggested that this LPFC-CdN pathway plays an important role in inhibitory control and working memory. We aimed to validate the function of this pathway at a causal level by pathway-selective manipulation of neural activity in non-human primates. To this end, we trained macaque monkeys on a delayed oculomotor response task with reward asymmetry and expressed an inhibitory type of chemogenetic receptors selectively to LPFC neurons that project to the CdN. Ligand administration reduced the inhibitory control of impulsive behavior, as well as the task-related neuronal responses observed in the local field potentials from the LPFC and CdN. These results show that we successfully suppressed pathway-selective neural activity in the macaque brain, and the resulting behavioral changes suggest that the LPFC-CdN pathway is involved in inhibitory control.

Targeting human Plasmacytoid dendritic cells through BDCA2 prevents inflammation and fibrosis in xenotransplant mouse model of Scleroderma

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Scleroderma (SSc) through their ability to infiltrate the skin and secrete interferons (IFN) and proinflammatory chemokines. Blood Dendritic Cells Antigen 2 (BDCA2) is an inhibitory type II C-type lectin expressed by human pDC. Here we determined the effects of BDCA2 internalisation on pDC mediated skin inflammation and fibrosis in human preclinical models of skin inflammation and fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. BDCA2 targeting reversed TLR-signalling induced transcriptome and differentiation of pDC and suppressed their ability to induce IFN response in organotypic 3D human skin cultures in vitro. In vivo, xenotransplantation of human pDC into immunocompromised mice (XenoSCID) significantly increased IFN induced responses to topical TLR7/9 agonist and separately enhanced the fibrotic response to bleomycin. Targeting of BDCA2 strongly suppressed both of these pathological responses ameliorating skin inflammation and fibrosis. Together, these preclinical data strongly support the notion that human pDC play a key role in immune driven skin fibrosis, which can be effectively blocked by targeting BDCA2.

Inhibitory Processes and Fluid Intelligence: a Performance at Early Years of Schooling

Inhibition constitutes one of the main executive functions and it is important to more complex skills such as fluid intelligence. Actually, there is an agreement on distinguishing three inhibitory types: perceptual, cognitive and response inhibition. Several studies show the differential engagement of these inhibitory types in different skills. However, there is no registered evidence about the differential relation of inhibitory types with fluid intelligence. This inquiry is especially important during the first school years, since in this stage, inhibitory processes would already be differentiated, and inhibitory processes and fluid intelligence are linked to the performance of children in the school setting. For these reasons, the goal of this work is to study the relation and contribution of perceptual, cognitive, and response inhibition with fluid intelligence, in children in the first years of primary school. For that purpose, a sample of children from six to eight years old (N = 178) was tested with a perceptual inhibition task (perception of similarities and differences task); a cognitive inhibition task (proactive interference task); a response inhibition task (stop signal task); and a fluid intelligence task (progressive matrices task). We observed significant correlations between perceptual and response inhibition and fluid intelligence (controlling for age), but only perceptual inhibition explains significantly part of the performance in the fluid intelligence task. This study provides data about the specific contribution, during childhood, of an inhibitory type to fluid intelligence and contributes empirical evidence in support of the non-unitary approach of inhibition.

Pharmacological correction of amnesticdisorders in mammalians(evolutionary aspects of investigation)

The present work is devoted to the study of the peptides bioregulators of new generation (Cortexin, Semax, Selank) in the compensation of the disturbed Higher Nervous Functions ih the ascending row of mammls (insectivores, rodents, primates). The new data have been established that at the early stage of mammals (in insectivores) Cortexin, Semax and Selank induced the more significant and long lasted effect on inherent forms of behaviour. Their effects on the compensation of the disturbed Higher Nervous Functions have nonspecific, facilatory short time lasted character. Contrary to insectivores, rodents have a clear tendency to compesation for Higher Nervous Function disturbances. At the Semax and Selank background, the delayed conditional reflexes were restored. It has been established that the cerebroprotective effects of Selank exerted more significant influences upon the brain function disturbances in neurotic rats. Contrary to the results found in lower mammals, the application of Cortexin, Semax and Selank to neurotic monkeys exerted differnt effects upon the Higher Nervous Functions disturbances. The compensatory effects of drugs are dose dependant in nature being more effective with intranasal administration and having different effects on the various types of neurosis. The long duration compensation of the mental disturbances (the EEG homeostatic parameters of memory processes) took place during the Selank (30 mkg/ kg) administration. The cerebroprotective effects of Semax are especially significant on the operative memory. Cortexin antiamnestic and cerebroprotective effects especially significant at the inhibitory type of neurosis. The data collected on the compensatory Cortexin, Semax and Selank influeces on the disturbed memory processes and cognitive deficit of monkey’s may serve as neurophysiological basis for the more intensive and specific role of these drugs in the neurological clibic.

Kinetic modelling for removal of m-cresol from wastewater using mixed microbial culture in batch reactor

An indigenous mixed microbial culture isolated from an effluent treatment section of a coke oven plant has been studied for its m-cresol biodegradation capacity under aerobic batch reactor operation. The culture, after acclimatization could biodegrade up to 700 mg/L of m-cresol. The m-cresol concentration in the present study was at 50 mg/L and then ranged from 100 to 700 mg/L with step up concentration of 100 mg/L. Both biodegradation kinetics and microorganism growth kinetics were studied and kinetic parameters were estimated. The result showed that m-cresol was an inhibitory-type substrate and the inhibition effect became predominant after 200 mg/L of initial m-cresol. The specific growth rate of microorganisms increased up to 200 mg/L of m-cresol as sole carbon source, and then started decreasing. The kinetic data obtained in this study have been fitted to different substrate inhibition models (Haldane, Han-Levenspiel, Edward, Luong, Aiba, Teissier, Yano-Koga). Among all models, Han-Levenspiel and Luong were best fitted for this study (root mean square error = 0.001349). In addition, the variation of observed yield coefficient Yx/s with initial m-cresol concentration was investigated. The values of kinetic constants estimated by the models proved that the mixed culture used in the study had good potential for m-cresol degradation.

Kinetic Study on the Biodegradation of Nonylphenol by Rhodotorula sp.

In this work, the biodegradation of nonylphenol by Rhodotorula sp. in batch culture was investigated over a wide concentration range (11~160 mg/l). Experimentally nonylphenol was an inhibitory type substrate to Rhodotorula sp.. Five kinetic models (Haldane, Webb, Yano, Aiba, and Teissier) were fit for the experimental growth kinetic data. It was found that the Haldane model was the most suitable one to predict the degradation of nonylphenol. The kinetic analysis demonstrated that bacterial growth and nonylphenol degradation of Rhodotorula sp. were based on a substrate concentration inhibition model. Analysis of growth factors indicated the highest specific growth rate (μ) of 0.127 h-1 was obtained at the initial nonylphenol concentration of 12.76 mg/l.

Study the Effect of Enterocin produced by Enterococcus faecalisU36 Against Some Food Borne Pathogenic Bacteria

Enterocin U36 (ENT U36), is a bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus faecalisU36, strain isolated from urine samples have collected from patients suffering from urinary tract infections. The Bacteriocin is an antimicrobial proteins or peptides that inhibit growth of bacteria closely related to the producing organism. The results has been shown that ENT U36 active against Enterococcus faecalis S10 Lactococcuslactis,Lactobacillusfermentumand few other food borne gram positive pathogens bacteria including Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus auraus,Bacillussubtilis and Streptococcusspp . The inhibitory type and mode of action of purified ENT U36 were tested against some isolates test bacteria which includedL.monocytogenes and E.coli It was observed that purified ENT U36 have bacteriostatic effect when the numbers of inhibited test bacteria increased in parallel with the increased activity of ENT U36 (unit/ml) . The treatment period also has its effect on reducing the numbers of test bacteria. The results showed that 400 unit/ml was enough to kill L.monocytogenes viable count of in 3.1 x105 cell/ml in 2 hours when treated with ENT U36, and E.coli in 3.7x105 cell/ml in 24 hour'. And when lytic activity of purified ENT U36 studied, it was observed that its mode of action was on cell membrane and did not show any lytic activity on the isolated cell walls of test bacteria or any lytic activity on DNA. This beneficial trait has led to utilization of purified enterocinas as food additives.