Learning-induced modulation of oscillatory activities in the mammalian olfactory system: The role of the centrifugal fibres

In the mammalian olfactory system, oscillations related to odour representation have been described in field potential activities. Previous results showed that in olfactory bulb (OB) of awake rats engaged in an olfactory learning, odour presentation produced a decrease of oscillations in gamma frequency range (60-90 Hz) associated with a power increase in beta frequency range (15-40 Hz). This response pattern was strongly amplified in trained animals. The aim of this work was twofold: whether learning also induces similar changes in OB target structures and whether such OB response depends on its centrifugal inputs. Local field potentials (LFPs) were recorded through chronically implanted electrodes in the OB, piriform and enthorhinal cortices of freely moving rats performing an olfactory discrimination. Oscillatory activities characteristics (amplitude, frequency and time-course) were extracted in beta and gamma range by a wavelet analysis. First, we found that odour induced beta oscillatory activity was present not only in the OB, but also in the other olfactory structures. In each recording site, characteristics of the beta oscillatory responses were dependent of odour, structure and learning level. Unilateral section of the olfactory peduncle was made before training, and LFPs were symmetrically recorded in the two bulbs all along the acquisition of the learning task. Data showed that deprivation of centrifugal feedback led to an increase of spontaneous gamma activity. Moreover, under this condition olfactory learning was no longer associated with the typical large beta band. As a whole, learning modulation of the beta oscillatory response in olfactory structures may reflect activity of a distributed functional network involved in odour representation.     

Consequences of liming and gypsum top-dressing on nitrogen and carbon dynamics in acid forest soils with different humus forms

The aim of this study was to understand the effects of lime and gypsum on nitrogen and carbon turnover of the soil. A pot experiment was conducted in parallel with a field experiment which was set up in 1989 in a declining forest of the French Ardennes. A dystric cambisol, associated with a moder and mull humus separately, was used to study changes in the soil chemistry as a result of added lime and gypsum top-dressing.The lime was applied to the surface of an acid mull humus of an oak (Quercus petraea) stand and of a moder humus of a spruce (Picea abies) stand. A quantity of 2.8 t ha^-1 equivalent CaO was supplied as CaCO₃, CaCO₃+MgO and CaSO₄.2H₂O. The experiment was installed in an open-air nursery for 20 months, during which the organic carbon and nitrogen in the solution were analysed monthly. They were analysed in the solid phase after 20 months. At the end of this period the changes in the soil and leachate depended mainly on the type of the material added.The leachate was enriched with nitrogen from the third month of the experiment under lime treatments and in the control. The same pattern was found under the two humus types but the magnitude was higher in soil with a mull humus. The nitrogen was mostly leached as NO₃ ^--N in the carbonate treatments and in the control, whereas it was predominantly NH₄ ⁺-N under gypsum. The NO₃ ^--N was 50% higher than NH₄ ⁺-N in the control and CaCO₃, CaCO₃+MgO treatments. In the CaSO₄ treatment this phenomenon was reversed. The leaching of organic carbon was greater under gypsum than under the other treatments whatever the humus.In the solid phase of the soil (organic layers) the organic carbon and nitrogen concentration decreased significantly after liming, especially in the mull humus. Consequently it induced a decrease in C:N ratio of about 18% with respect to the control.     

Relationship between Watershed Infarcts and Recent Intra Plaque Haemorrhage in Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque

Objective

Watershed infarcts (WSI) are thought to result from hemodynamic mechanism, but studies have suggested that microemboli from unstable carotid plaques may distribute preferentially in watershed areas, i.e., between two cerebral arterial territories. Intraplaque haemorrhage (IPH) is an emerging marker of plaque instability and microembolic activity. We assessed the association between WSI and IPH in patients with recently symptomatic moderate carotid stenosis.

Methods and Results

We selected 65 patients with symptomatic moderate (median NASCET degree of stenosis = 31%) carotid stenosis and brain infarct on Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI) on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) from a multicentre prospective study. Fourteen (22%) had WSI (cortical, n = 8; internal, n = 4; cortical and internal, n = 2). Patients with WSI were more likely to have IPH than those without WSI although the difference was not significant (50% vs. 31%, OR = 2.19; 95% CI, 0.66–7.29; P = 0.20). After adjustment for degree of stenosis, age and gender, the results remained unchanged.

Conclusion

About one in fifth of brain infarcts occurring in patients with moderate carotid stenosis were distributed in watershed areas. Albeit not significant, an association between IPH - more generally plaque component - and WSI, still remains possible.     

Transient Neuronal Populations Are Required to Guide Callosal Axons: A Role for Semaphorin 3C

The corpus callosum (CC) is the main pathway responsible for interhemispheric communication. CC agenesis is associated with numerous human pathologies, suggesting that a range of developmental defects can result in abnormalities in this structure. Midline glial cells are known to play a role in CC development, but we here show that two transient populations of midline neurons also make major contributions to the formation of this commissure. We report that these two neuronal populations enter the CC midline prior to the arrival of callosal pioneer axons. Using a combination of mutant analysis and in vitro assays, we demonstrate that CC neurons are necessary for normal callosal axon navigation. They exert an attractive influence on callosal axons, in part via Semaphorin 3C and its receptor Neuropilin-1. By revealing a novel and essential role for these neuronal populations in the pathfinding of a major cerebral commissure, our study brings new perspectives to pathophysiological mechanisms altering CC formation.     

Development of Composite Indices to Measure the Adoption of Pro-Environmental Behaviours across Canadian Provinces

Objective

The adoption of pro-environmental behaviours reduces anthropogenic environmental impacts and subsequent human health effects. This study developed composite indices measuring adoption of pro-environmental behaviours at the household level in Canada.

Methods

The 2007 Households and the Environment Survey conducted by Statistics Canada collected data on Canadian environmental behaviours at households'' level. A subset of 55 retained questions from this survey was analyzed by Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) to develop the index. Weights attributed by MCA were used to compute scores for each Canadian province as well as for socio-demographic strata. Scores were classified into four categories reflecting different levels of adoption of pro-environmental behaviours.

Results

Two indices were finally created: one based on 23 questions related to behaviours done inside the dwelling and a second based on 16 questions measuring behaviours done outside of the dwelling. British Columbia, Quebec, Prince-Edward-Island and Nova-Scotia appeared in one of the two top categories of adoption of pro-environmental behaviours for both indices. Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Newfoundland-and-Labrador were classified in one of the two last categories of pro-environmental behaviours adoption for both indices. Households with a higher income, educational attainment, or greater number of persons adopted more indoor pro-environmental behaviours, while on the outdoor index, they adopted fewer such behaviours. Households with low-income fared better on the adoption of outdoors pro-environmental behaviours.

Conclusion

MCA was successfully applied in creating Indoor and Outdoor composite Indices of pro-environmental behaviours. The Indices cover a good range of environmental themes and the analysis could be applied to similar surveys worldwide (as baseline weights) enabling temporal trend comparison for recurring themes. Much more than voluntary measures, the study shows that existing regulations, dwelling type, households composition and income as well as climate are the major factors determining pro-environmental behaviours.