A unique PDZ ligand in PKCalpha confers induction of cerebellar long-term synaptic depression

Induction of cerebellar long-term depression (LTD) requires a postsynaptic cascade involving activation of mGluR1 and protein kinase C (PKC). Our understanding of this process has been limited by the fact that PKC is a large family of molecules, many isoforms of which are expressed in the relevant postsynaptic compartment, the cerebellar Purkinje cell. Here, we report that LTD is absent in Purkinje cells in which the alpha isoform of PKC has been reduced by targeted RNA interference or in cells derived from PKCalpha null mice. In both of these cases, LTD could be rescued by expression of PKCalpha but not other PKC isoforms. The special role of PKCalpha in cerebellar LTD is likely to derive from its unique PDZ ligand (QSAV). When this motif is mutated, PKCalpha no longer supports LTD. Conversely, when this PDZ ligand is inserted in a nonpermissive isoform, PKCgamma, it confers the capacity for LTD induction.     

Kineziographic research of patients with cross bite

The paper describes the use of an objective method for the quantitative analysis of the relationship between the posterior cross-bite and the occurrence of occlusive interferences and damages to the mandible muscle elevator. Two groups of subjects were selected for the analysis: 10 patients with unilateral cross-bite and 10 students without any symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). By means of the Robert Jenkelson K5A kinesiograph we measured maximal opening velocity of the mandible (mm/s), maximal-closing velocity (mm/s), first tooth contact velocity and displacement in the vertical plane at the maximal intercuspidation (mm). The following values were obtained: maximal-opening velocity in the first group was 349 mm/s and 380 mm/s in the control group. This difference was incidental. The maximal closing velocity in the study group was 204.9 and 345.2 in the control group (p < 0.05). The first tooth contact velocity in the study group was 75.93 and 325 in the control group (p < 0.01). Displacements in the vertical plane at the maximal intercuspidation in the investigated group was 0.24 +/- 0.01 mm, while in control group that value was 0.12 +/- 0.012 mm.     

Hybrid swarm as a result of hybridization between two alien and two native water frog species (genus Pelophylax) in Central Croatia: Crna Mlaka fishpond acting as a species melting pot?

Biological Invasions - Spreading of alien water frog species (genus Pelophylax) has been reported across Europe, posing a severe risk for the replacement or genetic swamping of indigenous species....     

Evaluation of the eye lens method for age determination in roe deer<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capreolus capreolus</Emphasis>

Eye lens weight curves were obtained from a sample of 522 male and 171 female free-living roe deerCapreolus capreolus (Linnaeus, 1758), collected during the regular annual harvest 1998/99–2005/06 (May–January) in 12 different field hunting grounds in Vojvodina (North part of Serbia). We found no significant differences in eye lens weight between males and females within the same age class (except age class 1). Thus, the eye lens weight data for both sexes within the same age class were pooled for further analyses. The rate of increase in eye lens weight declined at a relatively early age, but lenses continued to increase in weight through age class 9. However, there was a considerable overlap in ranges of eye lens weights within all age classes, which restricted the usefulness of this method. The estimate precision of the eye lens method in determining age was evaluated by the comparison of “known age” (cementum layer technique) and predicted age (eye lens weight technique). We examined model validity on 78 roe deer not used previously to construct the regression line. The lack of correspondence between the two techniques was evident among individuals within older age classes. The percentage of correctly determined age rapidly declined already from age class 4 (<30%).     

Fungal neuroinfections: rare disease but unacceptably high mortality

Within last 25 years we have observed 20 cases of fungal meningitis and/or cerebral abscesses. Commonest etiologic agens was Candida spp. (C. albicans 9 of 20). Molds were responsible for 4 cases of brain abscess. Mortality was 50% what seems to be very high. Extremely high mortality is caused by delayed onset of therapy, severe underlying disease and multiresistant fungal organisms such as Mucorales, Fusarium solani and Aureobasidium.     

Is combination therapy with betalactam plus aminoglycoside (AGL) improving the outcome of nosocomial meningitis in children?

We have been unable to document a benefit of a combination of aminoglycosides with betalactam or carbapenem antibiotics in nosocomial meningitis. This was similar to the cases of sepsis, where survival of patients did not improve with combination therapy. Combination therapy did not increase the chance of appropriateness of the therapy. 30% of those on combination therapy were considered as inappropriately treated in comparison to 2.8% of those on monotherapy (p<0.01).     

Erectile dysfunction after myocardial infarction--myth or a real problem?

Erectile dysfunction is a common problem whose relation to cardiovascular diseases has scientifically been proved, but it has not been studied sufficiently in patients recovering from myocardial infarction. The objective of this study was to establish the frequency of erectile dysfunction in patients recovering from myocardial infarction. We examined 89 patients (aged 30 to 75 years) included in the program of cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction. The results were compared with 91 healthy examinees of the same age. Even 82% of the patients who recovered from myocardial infarction have problems with erectile dysfunction, compared to 42.9% of healthy examinees. The prevalence of erectile dysfunction increases with the age in both groups. In the group of patients recovering from myocardial infarction aged 30 do 39 years, the erectile dysfunction decreased after 6 months, while in other age subgroups and between controls, there were no significant changes in erectile dysfunction prevalence during the analysed time period. We concluded that erectile dysfunction is a significant problem in patients recovering from myocardial infarction. It should be recognized on time in order to provide a better life quality for the patient with a multidisciplinary approach.     

Influence of the Lower Jaw Position on the Running Pattern

Introduction

The effects of manipulated dental occlusion on body posture has been investigated quite often and discussed controversially in the literature. Far less attention has been paid to the influence of dental occlusion position on human movement. If human movement was analysed, it was mostly while walking and not while running. This study was therefore designed to identify the effect of lower jaw positions on running behaviour according to different dental occlusion positions.

Methods

Twenty healthy young recreational runners (mean age = 33.9±5.8 years) participated in this study. Kinematic data were collected using an eight-camera Vicon motion capture system (VICON Motion Systems, Oxford, UK). Subjects were consecutively prepared with four different dental occlusion conditions in random order and performed five running trials per test condition on a level walkway with their preferred running shoes. Vector based pattern recognition methods, in particular cluster analysis and support vector machines (SVM) were used for movement pattern identification.

Results

Subjects exhibited unique movement patterns leading to 18 clusters for the 20 subjects. No overall classification of the splint condition could be observed. Within individual subjects different running patterns could be identified for the four splint conditions. The splint conditions lead to a more symmetrical running pattern than the control condition.

Discussion

The influence of an occlusal splint on running pattern can be confirmed in this study. Wearing a splint increases the symmetry of the running pattern. A more symmetrical running pattern might help to reduce the risk of injuries or help in performance. The change of the movement pattern between the neutral condition and any of the three splint conditions was significant within subjects but not across subjects. Therefore the dental splint has a measureable influence on the running pattern of subjects, however subjects individuality has to be considered when choosing the optimal splint condition for a specific subject.