Genetic Demonstration of a Role for Stathmin in Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis, Spinogenesis, and NMDA Receptor-Dependent Memory.

Neurogenesis and memory formation are essential features of the dentate gyrus (DG) area of the hippocampus, but to what extent the mechanisms responsible for both processes overlap remains poorly understood. Stathmin protein, whose tubulin-binding and microtubule-destabilizing activity is negatively regulated by its phosphorylation, is prominently expressed in the DG. We show here that stathmin is involved in neurogenesis, spinogenesis, and memory formation in the DG. tTA/tetO-regulated bitransgenic mice, expressing the unphosphorylatable constitutively active Stathmin4A mutant (Stat4A), exhibit impaired adult hippocampal neurogenesis and reduced spine density in the DG granule neurons. Although Stat4A mice display deficient NMDA receptor-dependent memory in contextual discrimination learning, which is dependent on hippocampal neurogenesis, their NMDA receptor-independent memory is normal. Confirming NMDA receptor involvement in the memory deficits, Stat4A mutant mice have a decrease in the level of synaptic NMDA receptors and a reduction in learning-dependent CREB-mediated gene transcription. The deficits in neurogenesis, spinogenesis, and memory in Stat4A mice are not present in mice in which tTA/tetO-dependent transgene transcription is blocked by doxycycline through their life. The memory deficits are also rescued within 3 d by intrahippocampal infusion of doxycycline, further indicating a role for stathmin expressed in the DG in contextual memory. Our findings therefore point to stathmin and microtubules as a mechanistic link between neurogenesis, spinogenesis, and NMDA receptor-dependent memory formation in the DG. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: In the present study, we aimed to clarify the role of stathmin in neuronal and behavioral functions. We characterized the neurogenic, behavioral, and molecular consequences of the gain-of-function stathmin mutation using a bitransgenic mouse expressing a constitutively active form of stathmin. We found that stathmin plays an important role in adult hippocampal neurogenesis and spinogenesis. In addition, stathmin mutation led to impaired NMDA receptor-dependent and neurogenesis-associated memory and did not affect NMDA receptor-independent memory. Moreover, biochemical analysis suggested that stathmin regulates the synaptic transport of NMDA receptors, which in turn influence CREB-mediated gene transcription machinery. Overall, these data suggest that stathmin is an important molecule for neurogenesis, spinogenesis, and NMDA receptor-dependent learning and memory.

Experience-Regulated Neuronal Signaling in Maternal Behavior.

Maternal behavior is shaped and challenged by the changing developmental needs of offspring and a broad range of environmental factors, with evidence indicating that the maternal brain exhibits a high degree of plasticity. This plasticity is displayed within cellular and molecular systems, including both intra- and intercellular signaling processes as well as transcriptional profiles. This experience-associated plasticity may have significant overlap with the mechanisms controlling memory processes, in particular those that are activity-dependent. While a significant body of work has identified various molecules and intracellular processes regulating maternal care, the role of activity- and experience-dependent processes remains unclear. We discuss recent progress in studying activity-dependent changes occurring at the synapse, in the nucleus, and during the transport between these two structures in relation to maternal behavior. Several pre- and postsynaptic molecules as well as transcription factors have been found to be critical in these processes. This role reflects the principal importance of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of memory formation to maternal and other behavioral adaptations.

Congenital Right Coronary Artery Fistula Causing an Aortic Steal: A Rare Anatomic Abnormality and a Review of the Literature.

Coronary artery fistulas are an uncommon anatomic anomaly with variable presentations. We present an asymptomatic seven-month-old black male with a large coronary artery fistula draining into the right ventricle, causing an aortic backflow on diastole. Despite this prominent alternative drainage pathway, coronary fistulas are commonly an incidental finding and, as in this case, may not require intervention. Through an assessment of previous literature, we recommend providers maintain an elevated index of suspicion for coronary artery fistulas in young persons who present with signs of heart failure, and that the decision to treat should be determined based on the patient's symptoms, age at presentation, and imaging finding severity.

Low compliance to pharmacological treatment is linked to cognitive impairment in euthymic phase of bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment and low compliance to pharmacological treatment are frequent complications in bipolar disorder. Moreover, low compliance in patients with bipolar disorder is one of the main reasons for relapse. This in turn, is associated with an increase in neurocognitive symptoms. The current study aimed to determine whether attention, memory, and executive function are related to the level of compliance to pharmacological treatment in individuals with bipolar disorder in euthymic phase. METHOD: We examined 34 patients with bipolar disorder (12 with low compliance to the treatment and 22 with high compliance to the treatment) according to the DSM-IV criteria, in the range of 18-55 years. All patients were assessed through a neuropsychological battery in one single session. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to compare neuropsychological test scores between low and high compliance patients. Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics were included as covariates in the study. RESULTS: Patients with low level of compliance performed significantly worse than high treatment compliance on verbal memory immediate free recall (F (1)=12.14, p=.002), verbal memory immediate cued recall (F (1)=10.45, p=.003), verbal memory delayed free recall (F (1)=5.52, p=.027), and verbal memory delayed cued recall (F (1)=6.11, p=.021). Covariates such as number of manic episodes, history of psychosis and years of education were found significant for executive functions and processing speed. CONCLUSION: We found that low compliance to pharmacological treatment is consistently linked to immediate and delayed verbal memory. In addition, executive function and processing speed were associated with clinical and demographic characteristics. Limitations of this study include the small sample size, a cross-sectional design that cannot address causality, and inability to account for pharmacologic effects.

Intervención educativa sobre salud bucal en maestros de enseñanza primaria / Educative intervention on oral health in primary school teachers

El objetivo fundamental de la salud en Cuba es el desarrollo de la medicina comunitaria, que tiene como fin promover salud y prevenir enfermedades. Uno de los temas fundamentales y relacionado específicamente con la salud bucal es la caries dental. Teniendo en cuenta la alta prevalencia de esta enfermedad, las autoras se propusieron realizar una estrategia de intervención educativa con el objetivo de c apacitar a maestros de primero y segundo grado de la enseñanza primaria en diversos temas, para que puedan llevar a cabo actividades de promoción de salud. La muestra de esta investigación fue seleccionada no probabilística, y la constituyeron 82 maestros. Al finalizar la intervención educativa, el 75,6 por ciento de los encuestados alcanzaron calificaciones de excelente, elevándose la capacitación de estos docentes en relación con temas de salud bucal, logrando conocimientos superiores en los niños de los grados iniciales de la enseñanza primaria.

The main health objective in Cuba is developing the communitarian medicine aimed to health promotion and diseases prevention. One of the main topics, specifically related with oral health, is dental caries. Considering the high prevalence of this disease, the authors planned to develop an strategy of educative intervention aimed to prepare primary school first and second grade teachers in various topics for them the develop health promotion activities. The sample was not probabilistically selected, and was formed by 82 teachers. At the end of the educative intervention, 75,6 percent of the enquired persons were qualified as outstanding, raising knowledge of these teachers in relation with oral health topics, and reaching higher knowledge in children beginning the primary school.

Intervención educativa sobre salud bucal en maestros de enseñanza primaria / Educative intervention on oral health in primary school teachers

El objetivo fundamental de la salud en Cuba es el desarrollo de la medicina comunitaria, que tiene como fin promover salud y prevenir enfermedades. Uno de los temas fundamentales y relacionado específicamente con la salud bucal es la caries dental. Teniendo en cuenta la alta prevalencia de esta enfermedad, las autoras se propusieron realizar una estrategia de intervención educativa con el objetivo de capacitar a maestros de primero y segundo grado de la enseñanza primaria en diversos temas, para que puedan llevar a cabo actividades de promoción de salud. La muestra de esta investigación fue seleccionada no probabilística, y la constituyeron 82 maestros. Al finalizar la intervención educativa, el 75,6 por ciento de los encuestados alcanzaron calificaciones de excelente, elevándose la capacitación de estos docentes en relación con temas de salud bucal, logrando conocimientos superiores en los niños de los grados iniciales de la enseñanza primaria(AU)

The main health objective in Cuba is developing the communitarian medicine aimed to health promotion and diseases prevention. One of the main topics, specifically related with oral health, is dental caries. Considering the high prevalence of this disease, the authors planned to develop an strategy of educative intervention aimed to prepare primary school first and second grade teachers in various topics for them the develop health promotion activities. The sample was not probabilistically selected, and was formed by 82 teachers. At the end of the educative intervention, 75,6 per cent of the enquired persons were qualified as outstanding, raising knowledge of these teachers in relation with oral health topics, and reaching higher knowledge in children beginning the primary school(AU)