Expression changes of cytoskeletal associated proteins in proteomic profiling of neuroblastoma cells infected with different strains of rabies virus

Rabies virus invades the nervous system, induces neuronal dysfunction and causes death of the host. The disruption of the cytoskeletal integrity and synaptic structures of the neurons by rabies virus has been postulated as a possible basis for neuronal dysfunction. In the present study, a two‐dimensional electrophoresis/mass spectrometry proteomics analysis of neuroblastoma cells revealed a significant effect of a virulent strain of rabies virus on the host cytoskeleton related proteins which was quite different from that of an attenuated strain. Vimentin, actin cytoplasmic 1 isoform, profilin I, and Rho‐GDP dissociation inhibitor were host cell cytoskeletal related proteins changed by the virulent strain. The proteomics data indicated that the virulent strain of rabies virus induces significant expression changes in the vimentin and actin cytoskeleton networks of neurons which could be a strong clue for the relation of cytoskeletal integrity distraction and rabies virus pathogenesis. In addition, the expression alteration of other host proteins, particularly some structural and regulatory proteins may have potential roles in rabies virus pathogenesis. J. Med. Virol. 85:336–347, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Collective action for a common service platform for independent living services

ObjectiveThe paper aims to explain how and why organizations, providing assistive devices and related web services for elderly independent living services, might be willing to collaborate and to share their resources and data on a common service platform.MethodA theoretical framework from literature on collective action theory, platform and business ecosystem concepts was developed to explain what factors influence inter-organizational collective action for a common service platform. The framework was tested in a case study of collaborative platform project for independent living services in Finland. Semi-structured interviews with the project managers and the decision makers of involved organizations were the primary source of data collection.ResultStrikingly, interdependency among the organizations was not found to be important for collaboration in this case. Instead, we found that a central organization can play an important role in initiating, facilitating and encouraging collaboration among different parties. Moreover, we found more willingness for collaboration when the platform is aimed to be open to third-parties to complement the platform with additional services.ConclusionsStrategies of the platform leader and openness of the platform towards third parties are the most important drivers for collective action between organizations offering independent living services. Establishing common service platforms for independent living services requires explicit attention to these inter-organizational issues.     

The complementary role of high sensitivity C-reactive protein in the diagnosis and severity assessment of autism

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a beneficial diagnostic test for the evaluation of inflammatory response. Extremely low levels of CRP can be detected using high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) test. A considerable body of evidence has demonstrated that inflammatory response has an important role in the pathophysiology of autism. In this study, we evaluated and compared hs-CRP levels between autistic and intellectually normal individuals. Clinical data of 39 autistic and 30 age-matched intellectually normal individuals (control group) were recorded. Patients were divided into two groups (mild-to-moderate and severe) according to childhood autism rating scale. Then serum hs-CRP concentrations were measured and compared between two groups. Also, the correlation between hs-CRP concentration and the severity of autism was determined. The mean concentration of hs-CRP in children with autism (540.1 ± 1125.5 ng/ml) was significantly (P < 0.0001) higher than control group (1.3 ± 1.0 ng/ml). In severe autism, the mean level of hs-CRP (985.1 ± 1432.1 ng/ml) was significantly (P = 0.008) higher than the mean level of hs-CRP in patients with mild-to-moderate autism (147.1 ± 60.4 ng/ml). There was a positive correlation between hs-CRP concentration and autism severity (r = 0.34; P = 0.039). These findings affirm the role of inflammation in autism.     

Alexithymia influences craving through facets of emotion regulation in alcoholic patients

There is evidence that alexithymia is related to alcohol problems. However, no study has been conducted to show whether emotion regulation (ER) subscales such as reappraisal and suppression mediate the relationship between alexithymia and craving. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ER subscales (i.e., reappraisal and suppression) as mediators on the relationships between alexithymia and subscales of craving (i.e., obsessive and compulsive subscales). A total of 205 alcoholic outpatients completed the Farsi version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (FTAS-20), the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Results revealed that alexithymia indirectly influenced obsessive and compulsive cravings through both paths of ER decreased reappraisal and increased suppression subscales. Also, the relations of alexithymia to obsessive and compulsive cravings through the mediation pathway of decreased reappraisal were stronger than the path of suppression. It was concluded that low reappraisal and high suppression seem to be important in predicting obsessive and compulsive cravings for alcoholics with alexithymia. This suggests that the efforts based on increasing reappraisal and decreasing suppression may be important in reducing craving in alcoholic patients.     

Central administration of GPR55 receptor agonist and antagonist modulates anxiety‐related behaviors in rats

G‐protein‐coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) has been proposed as an atypical cannabinoid receptor, which is activated by lysophosphatidylinositols and some synthetic or endogenous cannabinoid molecules. The exact role of GPR55 receptors in the central nervous system especially in anxiety needs to be evaluated. In this study, the effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of agonist and antagonist of GPR55 receptor on anxiety‐related behaviors in rats were investigated. Here, O‐1602 (GPR55 agonist) at the doses of 0.2, 1, and 5 μg/rat increased %OAT and %OAE but not the locomotor activity, showing an anxiolytic response, whereas i.c.v. injection of ML193 (GPR55 antagonist) at the doses of 0.1 and 1 μg/rat increased anxiety‐like behaviors while causing locomotor impairment. The antagonistic effect of ML193 on the anxiolytic‐like effect of O‐1602 was also evaluated. The results showed that ML193 decreased the anxiolytic‐like effect of O‐1602. Based on these results, it may be concluded that central GPR55 may have a role in modulation of anxiety‐like behaviors in rats. Further experiments are needed to elucidate the exact role of these receptors in anxiety.     

Does platelet-rich fibrin increase the stability of implants in the posterior of the maxilla? A split-mouth randomized clinical trial

The effect of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on bone healing around dental implants in areas of poor bone quality has not been studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stability of implants placed in the posterior maxilla, with or without the use of PRF, during the healing period. A split-mouth randomized clinical trial was performed. Twenty patients with missing teeth in the molar region of the maxilla, requiring bilateral implants, were included. PRF was used on one side (group 1); no PRF was used on the other (group 2). Implant stability was assessed by resonance frequency analysis (RFA) at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after placement. At 2 weeks, the mean ISQ was 60.60 ± 3.42 in group 1 and 58.25 ± 3.64 in group 2; at 4 weeks it was 70.30 ± 3.36 in group 1 and 67.15 ± 4.33 in group 2; at 6 weeks it was 78.45 ± 3.36 in group 1 and 76.15 ± 2.94 in group 2. Significant differences in RFA were found between the groups at 2 weeks (P = 0.04), 4 weeks (P = 0.014), and 6 weeks (P = 0.027) after placement. The study results suggest that the use of PRF may enhance the post-insertion stability of dental implants placed in the posterior maxilla during the healing period.