Arousal and Locomotion Differently Modulate Activity of Somatostatin Neurons across Cortex.

Arousal powerfully influences cortical activity, in part by modulating local inhibitory circuits. Somatostatin (SOM)-expressing inhibitory interneurons are particularly well situated to shape local population activity in response to shifts in arousal, yet the relationship between arousal state and SOM activity has not been characterized outside of sensory cortex. To determine whether SOM activity is similarly modulated by behavioral state across different levels of the cortical processing hierarchy, we compared the behavioral modulation of SOM-expressing neurons in auditory cortex (AC), a primary sensory region, and posterior parietal cortex (PPC), an association-level region of cortex, in mice. Behavioral state modulated activity differently in AC and PPC. In PPC, transitions to high arousal were accompanied by large increases in activity across the full PPC neural population, especially in SOM neurons. In AC, arousal transitions led to more subtle changes in overall activity, as individual SOM and Non-SOM neurons could be either positively or negatively modulated during transitions to high arousal states. The coding of sensory information in population activity was enhanced during periods of high arousal in AC, but not in PPC. Our findings suggest unique relationships between activity in local circuits and arousal across cortex, which may be tailored to the roles of specific cortical regions in sensory processing or the control of behavior.

The spatial scale of somatostatin subnetworks increases from sensory to association cortex.

Incoming signals interact with rich, ongoing population activity dynamics in cortical circuits. These intrinsic dynamics are the consequence of interactions among local excitatory and inhibitory neurons and affect inter-region communication and information coding. It is unclear whether specializations in the patterns of interactions among excitatory and inhibitory neurons underlie systematic differences in activity dynamics across the cortex. Here, in mice, we compare the functional interactions among somatostatin (SOM)-expressing inhibitory interneurons and the rest of the neural population in auditory cortex (AC), a sensory region of the cortex, and posterior parietal cortex (PPC), an association region. The spatial structure of shared variability among SOM and non-SOM neurons differs across regions: correlations decay rapidly with distance in AC but not in PPC. However, in both regions, activity of SOM neurons is more highly correlated than non-SOM neurons' activity. Our results imply both generalization and specialization in the functional structure of inhibitory subnetworks across the cortex.

Inverse Association Between the Mediterranean Diet and COVID-19 Risk in Lebanon: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Since 2019, the world is confronting the COVID-19 public health crisis that deeply impacted all aspects of life, from the health sector to economy. Despite the advancement of research targeting pandemic containment measures, more strategies are still needed to alleviate the burden caused by this novel disease. In particular, optimal nutrition was proposed as a possible mitigating factor in the context of COVID-19. Indeed, the light is shed on balanced diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, which present the finest nutritional quality to support the immune system and other physiologic functions. In contrast, less varied diets that lack the needed nutrients and favor inflammation have been correlated with adverse health effects, including a hindered immune response, such as the western diet. Methods: This observational case control study aimed at exploring the possible associations between the different dietary patterns present among a sample of the Lebanese population and the COVID-19 occurrence and outcomes. An online survey collected information about the sociodemographic characteristics, health status, lifestyle, and dietary habits through the Mediterranean diet questionnaire and a semi-quantitative fod frequency questionnaire, and the COVID-19 infection and its burden. The sample consisted of 399 respondents divided into the case and control groups (37.6 and 62.4%, respectively) on the basis of the presence or absence of a COVID-19 infection history. Results: The participants in the case and control groups had average adherence to the Mediterranean diet and their dietary intake was closer to the western diet. However, the cases had a lower mean of the MedDiet score (p = 0.009). Food groups consumption analysis showed that this significant difference within the overall similar dietary patterns was due to a higher consumption of poultry and a trend toward decreased consumption of olive oil and increased read meat and alcohol intake among the cases. Additionally, gender influenced the levels of different foods' consumption. Nonetheless, the dietary intake did not impact the COVID-19 burden. Conclusion: It is recommended to adopt healthy food choices within the different dietary patterns for a better protection against COVID-19. These findings should be validated in larger-scale studies.

Monolithic CAD/CAM Complete Overdentures for a Pedodontic Patient with Dentinogenesis Imperfecta and Limited Prosthetic Space: A Clinical Report.

Children affected by dentinogenesis imperfecta (DI) require restorative techniques or prosthodontic management to minimize the functional and psychosocial impacts of the condition. In cases of excessive wear of the deciduous dentition and moderate cooperation from the child, removable complete overdenture prostheses are the most suitable treatment option. However, limited restorative space is a technical challenge for the placement of such prostheses. Advances in digital technologies can help assist in the fabrication of monolithic prostheses with reduced thickness. The present clinical report describes the management of a moderately cooperative 7-year-old patient suffering from DI with severe tooth wear, reduced restorative space, and a high smile line. The design and fabrication of complete overdentures were performed using a digital workflow. This innovative monochromatic monolithic approach combined with the use of gingiva-shade composite resin respected the available restorative space while obtaining a natural esthetic appearance. Such a strategy requires regular denture replacement according to the child's growth and loss of deciduous dentition. An additional aim is to obtain the cooperation needed for a future global fixed rehabilitation over time.

Interdisciplinary Care for a Patient with Amelogenesis Imperfecta: A Clinical Report.

This manuscript describes an interdisciplinary approach over a period of 8 years combining surgical and prosthodontic treatment of a young patient diagnosed with hypocalcified-type amelogenesis imperfecta and anterior open bite. The treatment procedures included transitional restorations, orthodontic treatment, and maxillofacial surgery with a one-piece Le Fort I osteotomy, bilateral mandibular osteotomy, and genioplasty. The definitive prosthetic rehabilitation consisted of 28 zirconia-based ceramic single crowns restoring both esthetics and function. Photographs and radiographs associated with clinical evaluation were used in the maintenance period. Two-year follow-up revealed satisfactory results and no deterioration in the restorations.