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Acid-Sensing Ion Channels

The Oxford Handbook of Neuronal Ion Channels ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190669164.013.12 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Stefan Gründer

Keyword(s):

Nervous System ◽

Ion Channels ◽

Excitatory Synapses ◽

Detailed Characterization ◽

High Affinity ◽

Acid Sensing Ion Channels ◽

Long Time ◽

Pathological Pain

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proton-gated Na+ channels. Being almost ubiquitously present in neurons of the vertebrate nervous system, their precise function remained obscure for a long time. Various animal toxins that bind to ASICs with high affinity and specificity have been tremendously helpful in uncovering the role of ASICs. We now know that they contribute to synaptic transmission at excitatory synapses as well as to sensing metabolic acidosis and nociception. Moreover, detailed characterization of mouse models uncovered an unanticipated role of ASICs in disorders of the nervous system like stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pathological pain. This review provides an overview on the expression, structure, and pharmacology of ASICs plus a summary of what is known and what is still unknown about their physiological functions and their roles in diseases.

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USG and CT scan evaluation of patients of acute and chronic pancreatitis- a cross-sectional, comparative study

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences ◽

10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20173591 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (8) ◽

pp. 3713 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Aastha Bhatt ◽

Awdhut Tiparse ◽

Arpita Patel ◽

Birwa Gandhi

Keyword(s):

Ct Scan ◽

Structural Changes ◽

Radiation Hazard ◽

Government Medical College ◽

Detailed Characterization ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical College ◽

Adjacent Structures

Background: Pancreatitis is a condition of inflammation of pancreas with high rate of morbidity and mortality. USG provides the initial radiological assessment of the organ, clue of the extent of involvement and an opportunity to evaluate other abdominal organs. CT scan provides a cross-sectional anatomy of the organ, its internal structure, focal or diffuse involvement and involvement of adjacent structures. This study is done to evaluate the role of USG and CT scan in patients of pancreatitis admitted to Sir Takhtsinhji hospital, government medical college, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India. Aim was to understand the role of CT and USG in determination of diagnosis of pancreatitis and to highlight and evaluate the cases in which USG failed to diagnose the cases which were helped through by CT.Methods: This study was done in department of radio diagnosis at Sir Takhtsinhji hospital, government medical college, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India, over a period of one year from June 2015 to June 2016. Each patient was studied taking into consideration relevant clinical and laboratory factors. USG of patients was done using My Lab 40 or My Lab 20 plus machine. CT scan was done using GE 16 Slice CT scan machine.Results: Ultrasound by non-invasiveness, lack of radiation hazard and by ability to demonstrate structural changes in organ is first investigation of choice in pancreatitis. However, USG fails imaging in conditions with excess of bowel gas or fatty patient. It lacks in detailed characterization of the inflammatory process and does not delineate extent of necrosis of the gland. CT is superior to ultrasound for precise detection of size, parenchyma, MPD, calcification, pseudocyst, ascites, pleural effusion, necrosis and peri pancreatic region and hence helps to determine exact extent of inflammation of the organ, multi-system involvement and prognosis.Conclusions: Ultrasound by non-invasiveness, easy availability, cost parameters, lack of radiation hazard and by ability to demonstrate structural changes in organ is first investigation of choice in pancreatitis. However, ultrasonography lacks in detailed characterization of the extent of involvement of the organ and adjacent structures. CT is superior to ultrasound for precise detection and extension of the pancreatitis and it has better sensitivity and specificity than ultrasonography.

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Activation and activity of glycosylated KLKs 3, 4 and 11

Biological Chemistry ◽

10.1515/hsz-2018-0148 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 399 (9) ◽

pp. 1009-1022 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Shihui Guo ◽

Peter Briza ◽

Viktor Magdolen ◽

Hans Brandstetter ◽

Peter Goettig

Keyword(s):

Physiological Function ◽

Periodic Acid ◽

Hek293 Cells ◽

Secretory Expression ◽

Detailed Characterization ◽

Periodic Acid Schiff ◽

Clinical Biomarkers ◽

Schiff Reaction

Abstract Human kallikrein-related peptidases 3, 4, 11, and KLK2, the activator of KLK3/PSA, belong to the prostatic group of the KLKs, whose major physiological function is semen liquefaction during the fertilization process. Notably, these KLKs are upregulated in prostate cancer and are used as clinical biomarkers or have been proposed as therapeutic targets. However, this potential awaits a detailed characterization of these proteases. In order to study glycosylated prostatic KLKs resembling the natural proteases, we used Leishmania (LEXSY) and HEK293 cells for secretory expression. Both systems allowed the subsequent purification of soluble pro-KLK zymogens with correct propeptides and of the mature forms. Periodic acid-Schiff reaction, enzymatic deglycosylation assays, and mass spectrometry confirmed the glycosylation of these KLKs. Activation of glycosylated pro-KLKs 4 and 11 turned out to be most efficient by glycosylated KLK2 and KLK4, respectively. By comparing the glycosylated prostatic KLKs with their non-glycosylated counterparts from Escherichia coli, it was observed that the N-glycans stabilize the KLK proteases and change their activation profiles and their enzymatic activity to some extent. The functional role of glycosylation in prostate-specific KLKs could pave the way to a deeper understanding of their biology and to medical applications.

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Detailed characterization of the endocannabinoid system in human macrophages and foam cells, and anti-inflammatory role of type-2 cannabinoid receptor

Atherosclerosis ◽

10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2013.12.042 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 233 (1) ◽

pp. 55-63 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Valerio Chiurchiù ◽

Mirko Lanuti ◽

Giuseppina Catanzaro ◽

Filomena Fezza ◽

Cinzia Rapino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cannabinoid Receptor ◽

Endocannabinoid System ◽

Foam Cells ◽

Detailed Characterization ◽

Human Macrophages ◽

Anti Inflammatory

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Attributing Minds to Triangles: Kinematics and Observer-Animator Kinematic Similarity predict Mental State Attribution in the Animations Task

10.21203/rs.3.rs-208776/v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bianca A. Schuster ◽

Dagmar S. Fraser ◽

Jasper J. F. van den Bosch ◽

Sophie Sowden ◽

Andrew S. Gordon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental State ◽

Mental States ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Correct Identification ◽

Mental State Attribution ◽

Key Factor ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

Clinical Conditions ◽

Clinical Populations

Abstract The ability to ascribe mental states, such as beliefs or desires to oneself and other individuals forms an integral part of everyday social interaction. One task that has been extensively used to test mental state attribution in a variety of clinical populations is the animations task, where participants are asked to infer mental states from short videos of interacting triangles. In this task, individuals with clinical conditions such as autism spectrum disorders typically offer fewer and less appropriate mental state descriptions than controls, however little is currently known about why they show these difficulties. Previous studies have hinted at the similarity between an observer’s and the triangles’ movements as a key factor for the successful interpretation of these animations. In this study we present a novel adaptation of the animations task, suitable to track and compare animation generator and -observer kinematics. Using this task and a population-derived stimulus database, we demonstrate that an animation’s kinematics and kinematic similarity between observer and generator are integral for the correct identification of that animation. Our results shed light on why some clinical populations show difficulties in this task and highlight the role of participants’ own movement and specific perceptual properties of the stimuli.

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6. Mental State Decoding in Dysphoric Individuals: The Role of Motivation

Inquiry@Queen's Undergraduate Research Conference Proceedings ◽

10.24908/iqurcp.7545 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Brooke Sinclair

Keyword(s):

Theory Of Mind ◽

Mental State ◽

Social Activity ◽

Social Motivation ◽

Underlying Mechanism ◽

Mental States ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Clinical Conditions ◽

Decoding Ability

Depression is associated with pervasive impairments in social and interpersonal functioning. Research demonstrates that individuals with depression have difficulty interacting with peers and show lower levels of social activity than do nondepressed individuals (Levendosky, Okun, & Parker, 1995). In addition, depressed individuals report that their social interactions are less supportive and less rewarding than those of non‐depressed individuals (Nezlek, Hamptom, & Shean, 2000). This reduced social competence may cause depressed individuals to disengage from social interaction, which may in turn exacerbate their state of depression (Rippere, 1980). It is thus important to understand and identify the mechanisms beneath these deficits. Researchers commonly use the theory of mind framework to understand impaired social functioning in clinical conditions. Theory of mind refers to the ability to make judgments about others’ mental states to understand and predict their social behaviour. Research has found a relationship between theory of mind and dysphoria (i.e., elevated scores on a measure of depression symptoms, but not necessarily a diagnosis of clinical depression). Specifically, dysphoric individuals demonstrate enhanced mental state judgments (Harkness, Sabbagh, Jacobson, Chowdrey, & Chen, 2005). My research investigates social motivation as an underlying mechanism for dysphoric individuals’ enhanced decoding ability. A sample of undergraduates will participate in a theory of mind decoding task following social, monetary or no motivation. I hypothesize that dysphoric individuals will make significantly more accurate judgments than non‐dysphoric individuals. Further, I predict that social motivation will enhance non‐dysphoric individuals’ sensitivity to others’ mental states.

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Intersecting Factors Lead to Absolute Pitch Acquisition That is Maintained in a “Fixed do” Environment

Music Perception An Interdisciplinary Journal ◽

10.1525/mp.2012.29.3.285 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 285-296 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Sarah J. Wilson ◽

Dean Lusher ◽

Catherine L. Martin ◽

Genevieve Rayner ◽

Neil McLachlan

Keyword(s):

Auditory Processing ◽

Environmental Influences ◽

Absolute Pitch ◽

The Novel ◽

Detailed Characterization ◽

Behavioral Level ◽

Complex Relationships

the skill of absolute pitch (ap) has been proposed as an ideal paradigm for investigating the complex relationships that exist between the genome and its expression at a cognitive and behavioral level (the phenotype). Yet despite this, we still have limited understanding of the early conditions that might be necessary or sufficient for development of this skill, and the influence of the current music environment has not been explored. To investigate these issues we undertook a detailed characterization of the early and current music environment of 160 musicians, and then identified factors predictive of varying extent of AP ability. The results demonstrate a similar contribution of past and present environmental influences, with a combination of factors (rather than any given factor) most salient in AP musicians. The novel finding for the role of the current environment suggests that auditory processing models emphasizing plasticity effects are relevant to AP ability.

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Attributing Minds to Triangles: Kinematics and Observer-Animator Kinematic Similarity predict Mental State Attribution in the Animations Task

10.21203/rs.3.rs-208776/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Bianca A. Schuster ◽

Dagmar S. Fraser ◽

Jasper J. F. van den Bosch ◽

Sophie Sowden ◽

Andrew S. Gordon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental State ◽

Mental States ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Correct Identification ◽

Mental State Attribution ◽

Key Factor ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

Clinical Conditions ◽

Clinical Populations

Abstract The ability to ascribe mental states, such as beliefs or desires to oneself and other individuals forms an integral part of everyday social interaction. One task that has been extensively used to test mental state attribution in a variety of clinical populations is the animations task, where participants are asked to infer mental states from short videos of interacting triangles. In this task, individuals with clinical conditions such as autism spectrum disorders typically offer fewer and less appropriate mental state descriptions than controls, however little is currently known about why they show these difficulties. Previous studies have hinted at the similarity between an observer’s and the triangles’ movements as a key factor for the successful interpretation of these animations. In this study we present a novel adaptation of the animations task, suitable to track and compare animation generator and -observer kinematics. Using this task and a population-derived stimulus database, we demonstrate that an animation’s kinematics and kinematic similarity between observer and generator are integral for the correct identification of that animation. Our results shed light on why some clinical populations show difficulties in this task and highlight the role of participants’ own movement and specific perceptual properties of the stimuli.

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The Unity of Perception

10.1093/oso/9780198827702.001.0001 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Susanna Schellenberg

Keyword(s):

Phenomenal Character ◽

Mental Representations ◽

Mental States ◽

Perceptual System ◽

Perceptual Content ◽

Sound Waves ◽

The Third ◽

Invariant Features ◽

The World

Perception is our key to the world. It plays at least three different roles in our lives. It justifies beliefs and provides us with knowledge of our environment. It brings about conscious mental states. It converts informational input, such as light and sound waves, into representations of invariant features in our environment. Corresponding to these three roles, there are at least three fundamental questions that have motivated the study of perception. How does perception justify beliefs and yield knowledge of our environment? How does perception bring about conscious mental states? How does a perceptual system accomplish the feat of converting varying informational input into mental representations of invariant features in our environment? This book develops a unified account of the phenomenological and epistemological role of perception that is informed by empirical research. So it develops an account of perception that provides an answer to the first two questions, while being sensitive to scientific accounts that address the third question. The key idea is that perception is constituted by employing perceptual capacities—for example the capacity to discriminate instances of red from instances of blue. Perceptual content, consciousness, and evidence are each analyzed in terms of this basic property of perception. Employing perceptual capacities constitutes phenomenal character as well as perceptual content. The primacy of employing perceptual capacities in perception over their derivative employment in hallucination and illusion grounds the epistemic force of perceptual experience. In this way, the book provides a unified account of perceptual content, consciousness, and evidence.

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Comorbidity between depression and anxiety: assessing the role of bridge mental states in dynamic psychological networks

BMC Medicine ◽

10.1186/s12916-020-01738-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Robin N. Groen ◽

Oisín Ryan ◽

Johanna T. W. Wigman ◽

Harriëtte Riese ◽

Brenda W. J. H. Penninx ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental State ◽

Mental States ◽

Symptom Clusters ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Comorbid Depression ◽

Vector Autoregressive ◽

Credible Intervals ◽

The Difference ◽

First Time

Abstract Background Comorbidity between depressive and anxiety disorders is common. A hypothesis of the network perspective on psychopathology is that comorbidity arises due to the interplay of symptoms shared by both disorders, with overlapping symptoms acting as so-called bridges, funneling symptom activation between symptom clusters of each disorder. This study investigated this hypothesis by testing whether (i) two overlapping mental states “worrying” and “feeling irritated” functioned as bridges in dynamic mental state networks of individuals with both depression and anxiety as compared to individuals with either disorder alone, and (ii) overlapping or non-overlapping mental states functioned as stronger bridges. Methods Data come from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA). A total of 143 participants met criteria for comorbid depression and anxiety (65%), 40 participants for depression-only (18.2%), and 37 for anxiety-only (16.8%) during any NESDA wave. Participants completed momentary assessments of symptoms (i.e., mental states) of depression and anxiety, five times a day, for 2 weeks (14,185 assessments). First, dynamics between mental states were modeled with a multilevel vector autoregressive model, using Bayesian estimation. Summed average lagged indirect effects through the hypothesized bridge mental states were compared between groups. Second, we evaluated the role of all mental states as potential bridge mental states. Results While the summed indirect effect for the bridge mental state “worrying” was larger in the comorbid group compared to the single disorder groups, differences between groups were not statistically significant. The difference between groups became more pronounced when only examining individuals with recent diagnoses (< 6 months). However, the credible intervals of the difference scores remained wide. In the second analysis, a non-overlapping item (“feeling down”) acted as the strongest bridge mental state in both the comorbid and anxiety-only groups. Conclusions This study empirically examined a prominent network-approach hypothesis for the first time using longitudinal data. No support was found for overlapping mental states “worrying” and “feeling irritable” functioning as bridge mental states in individuals vulnerable for comorbid depression and anxiety. Potentially, bridge mental state activity can only be observed during acute symptomatology. If so, these may present as interesting targets in treatment, but not prevention. This requires further investigation.

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