An enhancer-AAV toolbox to target and manipulate distinct interneuron subtypes.

In recent years, we and others have identified a number of enhancers that, when incorporated into rAAV vectors, can restrict the transgene expression to particular neuronal populations. Yet, viral tools to access and manipulate fine neuronal subtypes are still limited. Here, we performed systematic analysis of single cell genomic data to identify enhancer candidates for each of the cortical interneuron subtypes. We established a set of enhancer-AAV tools that are highly specific for distinct cortical interneuron populations and striatal cholinergic neurons. These enhancers, when used in the context of different effectors, can target (fluorescent proteins), observe activity (GCaMP) and manipulate (opto- or chemo-genetics) specific neuronal subtypes. We also validated our enhancer-AAV tools across species. Thus, we provide the field with a powerful set of tools to study neural circuits and functions and to develop precise and targeted therapy.

The effects of physical activity timing and complexity on episodic memory: A randomized controlled trial.

The role of two types of acute physical activity (PA) bouts were assessed on young adults' free-recall and recognition memory in two experiments, which differed in the temporal relation of PA and word encoding. Before or following training on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Task, participants performed a simple two-step dance, a complex four-step dance, or remained seated. Hypotheses proposed that PA prior to encoding and complex PA would enhance PA's mnemonic benefits. Memory assessed post-PA, 24 h, and 7 days after training indicated that timing and complexity of PA did not impact free-recall or recognition memory. Findings differ from a previous study showing complex PA benefited motor learning more than simple PA (Tomporowski & Pendleton, 2018). The inconsistency may be due to different working memory processes underlying consolidation and retrieval of procedural or episodic information. Theory-based explanations regarding memory storage and retrieval are proposed to elucidate this selective process.

Cognitive-Motor Dual Task Interference Effects on Declarative Memory: A Theory-Based Review.

Bouts of exercise performed either prior to or immediately following study periods enhance encoding and learning. Empirical evidence supporting the benefits of interventions that simultaneously pair physical activity with material to be learned is not conclusive, however. A narrative, theory-based review of dual-task experiments evaluated studies in terms of arousal theories, attention theories, cognitive-energetic theories, and entrainment theories. The pattern of the results of these studies suggests that cognitive-motor interference can either impair or enhance memory of semantic information and the manner in which physical activity impacts working memory within executive processing appears to explain disparate outcomes. The integration and timing of physical movements in concert with the type of information to be encoded and remembered appears to be a critical requirement for learning. These observations have implications for the role of physical activity in education, rehabilitation, and gerontological settings.

Amiodarone-induced diffuse alveolar haemorrhage: a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of a commonly prescribed medication.

Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic agent that is used commonly in clinical practice. It is associated with many side effects, the most common being pulmonary manifestations. Interstitial pneumonitis is one of the most common complications, however rarely amiodarone can cause diffuse alveolar haemorrhage (DAH) too. We describe the case of a 73-year-old woman who presented with shortness of breath and haemoptysis 4 days after starting amiodarone. She was diagnosed with amiodarone-induced DAH based on imaging and bronchoalveolar lavage. She was treated with intravenous and then oral steroids, and amiodarone was discontinued. The patient made a significant clinical and radiological recovery. She was discharged 10 days after her presentation. This case highlights a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of a commonly used medication.

Human cytomegalovirus pneumonia in an immunocompetent patient: a very uncommon but treatable condition.

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a double-stranded DNA virus that can cause widespread severe infection in immunocompromised individuals but is more typically a subclinical infection in immunocompetent individuals. Rarely, it can cause a serious infection in immunocompetent individuals. Here, we describe a 36-year-old otherwise healthy male who presented with fever, cough and malaise who was diagnosed with CMV pneumonia. He made a rapid recovery after initiation of ganciclovir and has been doing well on follow-up visits. We performed a comprehensive review of CMV pneumonia in immunocompetent individuals and have summarised the prior 16 reported cases of CMV pneumonia in immunocompetent patients. This article highlights the importance of considering CMV as a cause of pneumonia even in immunocompetent individuals, especially when the more common causes have been excluded. Early diagnosis allows prompt treatment and potentially complete recovery.

Severe Neutropenia Complicated with Necrotizing Fasciitis Unveils a Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Report.

Felty syndrome, a rare extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), usually affects patients with long-standing disease. Patients with this syndrome typically present with neutropenia, splenomegaly, in addition to erosive RA. The development of unexplained neutropenia in healthy patients should prompt the work up for Felty syndrome, especially in patients with suggestive demographics, signs, and symptoms. Differentiation between large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia and Felty syndrome is necessary as both can present with neutropenia, and are associated with RA. Immunosuppressive therapy has improved the prognosis of patients with Felty syndrome given the decreasing rates of splenectomies done in those patients over the last decades.

Effects of Musa sapientum stem extract on experimental models of anxiety.

OBJECTIVE: The Musa sapientum (banana) plant extract has shown antioxidant activity in previous studies. Oxidative stress is one of the important factors implicated in the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders. The present study aimed to evaluate the anxiolytic activity of aqueous extract of M. sapientum stem (MSSE) in experimental models in mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Elevated Plus Maze method and locomotor monitoring by photoactometer were used. Animals were divided into five different groups (n=6/group). The vehicle, standard and the experimental groups were given distilled water (10 ml/kg), diazepam (1 mg /kg intraperitoneally) and incremental doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg of MSSE, respectively, prior to the experiment. The standard group received diazepam. RESULTS: The number of open arm entries and the duration of time spent in the open arms in the MSSE-treated groups increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner as compared to that of control group. The duration of time spent in closed arms in the MSSE-treated groups decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner as compared to that of the control group. MSSE also decreased the locomotor activity significantly at all three test doses. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest an anxiolytic activity for MSSE, which make it a potential natural compound for treatment of anxiety disorders.