Cortical Zone Research Articles

Automatic Algorithm of Magnetic Resonance Morphometry in the Diagnosis of Focal Cortical Dysplasia

The purpose of the study — to create an original algorithm of MR-morphometry for identifying FCD zones. Based on the use of the ANTs and FSL programs, an algorithm for MR morphometry was developed. It was used to generate maps of the z-index of the blur of the transition of gray and white matter and the thickness of the crust (Junction and thickness maps).An algorithm for automatic detection of focal cortical dysplasia zones has been developed. The MRI morphometry method is a promising technique for additional assessment of pathological changes in focal cortical dysplasia.

Depression with Mixed Features (for DSM-5): Distinguishing Indicators Imaginary Coherence EEG Rest

Background: The neuronal correlates of depression with mixed traits (according to DSM-5) at rest have not been studied. Objective: to determine the indicators of imaginary coherence of EEG-rest, which distinguish patients with depression with mixed features (according to DSM-5) from patients with depression without mixed features and healthy subjects, and also to trace the dependence of the identified neurophysiological characteristics on the diagnostic belonging of the symptom complex to bipolar II type or recurrent depressive disorder. Patients and methods: on a background free from drug therapy, 80 patients with depression with mixed features (XD; n = 40 — with bipolar II disorder (XB) and n = 40 — with recurrent depressive disorder (XR)), 80 patients with depression without mixed traits (TD; n = 40 — for bipolar II type (TB) and n = 40 — for recurrent depressive disorder (TR), as well as 80 healthy subjects (N). The study groups were matched by sex and age. The study used clinical-psychopathological, psychometric, neurophysiological and statistical research methods. According to the Kruskal–Wallis criterion for independent samples the parameters of imaginary coherence (modulo) of standard frequency ranges (delta (δ) — 0.5–4 Hz, theta (θ) — 4–8 Hz, alpha (α) — 8–13 Hz, beta-1 (β1) — 13–20 Hz, beta-2 (β2) — 20–30 Hz, gamma (γ) — 30–45 Hz) between pairs of 14 cutaneous standard EEG derivations (according to the “10–20” system) in three (XD, TD and N), and then in five (XB, XR, TB, TR and N) comparison groups. Post-hoc analysis was performed using the U-test. The significance level was adjusted according to the Bonferroni correction. Results: three indicators were identified: α-ICoh(C3–P4), β1-ICoh(C3–P3) and β2-ICoh(F3–C4). For all three parameters, the H-test values for the “Group” factor (n = 3 and n = 5) were highly significant. In this case, α-ICoh(C3– P4) — XD = TD, XD < N, TD < N; β1-ICoh(C3–P3) — XD < TD, XD < N; TD < N; β2-ICoh(F3–C4) — XD > TD; XD > N, TD > N. The groups of patients with XD within the framework of recurrent depressive and bipolar II disorders significantly differed in terms of β1- ICoh(C3–P3) — XR > XB. At the level of statistical trends, in type II bipolar disorder — XB > TB according to α-ICoh(C3–P4), and in recurrent depressive disorder — XR > TR according to β2-ICoh(F3–C4). Conclusion. Thus, depression with mixed features can be considered in terms of dysfunctional interactions of the left frontal, bilateral central and parietal cortical zones, depending on the diagnostic affiliation of the depressive symptom complex and reflecting violations of automatic and voluntary regulation of affect, cognitive and behavioral changes.

Development of microglia in fetal and postnatal neocortex of the pig, the European wild boar (Sus scrofa).

Knowledge on cortical development is based mainly on rodents besides primates and carnivores, all being altricial. Here, we analyzed a precocial animal, the pig, looking at dorsoparietal cortex from E45 to P90. At E45, most ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1-positive (Iba1+) cells had a macrophage-like morphology and resided in meninges and choroid plexus. Only a few cells were scattered in the ventricular and subventricular zone (VZ and SVZ). At E60/E70, all laminar compartments displayed microglia cells at a low-to-moderate density, being highest in VZ and SVZ followed by intermediate zone/white matter (IZ/WM). The cortical plate and marginal zone displayed only a few Iba1+ cells. Cells were intensely labeled, but still had poorly arborized somata and many resembled ameboid, macrophage-like microglia. Concurrent with a massive increase in cortical volume, microglia cell density increased until E85, and further until E100/E110 (birth at E114) to densities that resemble those seen postnatally. A fraction of microglia colabeled with Ki67 suggesting proliferation in all laminar compartments. Cell-to-cell distance decreased substantially during this time, and the fraction of microglia to all nuclei and to neurons increases in the laminar compartments. Eventually, of all cortical DAPI+ nuclei 7-12% were Iba1+ microglia. From E70 onwards, more and more cells with ramified processes were present in MZ down to IZ/WM, showing, for instance, a close association with NeuN+, NPY+, and GAD65/67+ somata and axon initial segments. These results suggested that the development of microglia cell density and morphology proceeds rapidly from mid-gestation onwards reaching near-adult status already before birth.

Vitinellopsis nov. gen., a new calcareous alga (Chlorophyta, Bryopsidales) from the Silurian of Gotland (Sweden), and the tribe Vitinelleae nov. nom

The algal genus Vitinellopsis nov. gen. is well represented in the Silurian limestones of Gotland (Sweden). This new taxon is interpreted as a calcified codiacean alga (Chlorophyta, Bryopsidales). In the studied material, the calcareous wall of sparry calcite, probably originally aragonitic, appears well preserved. The subcylindrical thallus, with rounded ends, rarely bifurcated, measures up to 27 mm long and 2.5 mm wide. The medullar zone exhibits 4–6 longitudinal, subtly undulating siphons; the subcortical zone shows inflated, vesiculiform radial siphons, and the cortical zone displays small, relatively short acrophorous siphons. The status of the tribe Vitinelleae nomen novum, formerly Bothryelleae, is discussed. Given its abundance, ease of identification, and short stratigraphic range, Vitinellopsis gotlandica nov. gen., nov. sp. may prove useful for regional correlations, facies and paleobiogeographic studies.

Lipomatosis of axillary lymph nodes in a cynomolgus monkey (<i>Macaca fascicularis</i>)

Lipomatosis of lymph nodes is defined as the replacement of the lymphatic parenchyma by adipose tissue which grows in the node from the hilus toward the cortical zone. In humans, it is considered as part of the normal aging process and is common in obese patients, but there are no reports in non-human primates. In this report, we describe the first case of lymph node lipomatosis in the bilateral axillary lymph nodes of a young adult cynomolgus monkey. Macroscopically, there were no apparent abnormalities in the axillary lymph nodes on either side, and their volumes were unchanged. At the cut surface, pale yellow fat-like tissue was observed in the medullary area. Histopathologically, well differentiated adipocytes replaced a large part of the lymphatic parenchyma in the area from the hilus to the medulla without any malignant findings. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with lipomatosis of the lymph nodes.

Optimal BR signalling is required for adequate cell wall orientation in the Arabidopsis root meristem.

ABSTRACTPlant brassinosteroid hormones (BRs) regulate growth in part through altering the properties of the cell wall, the extracellular matrix of plant cells. Conversely, feedback signalling from the wall connects the state of cell wall homeostasis to the BR receptor complex and modulates BR activity. Here, we report that both pectin-triggered cell wall signalling and impaired BR signalling result in altered cell wall orientation in the Arabidopsis root meristem. Furthermore, both depletion of endogenous BRs and exogenous supply of BRs triggered these defects. Cell wall signalling-induced alterations in the orientation of newly placed walls appear to occur late during cytokinesis, after initial positioning of the cortical division zone. Tissue-specific perturbations of BR signalling revealed that the cellular malfunction is unrelated to previously described whole organ growth defects. Thus, tissue type separates the pleiotropic effects of cell wall/BR signals and highlights their importance during cell wall placement.

Glomerular Size in Transplanted Kidneys: Does Size Matter?

Glomerular Size in Transplanted Kidneys: Does Size Matter?

AKAP9 supports spermatogenesis through its effects on microtubule and actin cytoskeletons in the rat testis.

In mammalian testes, extensive remodeling of the microtubule (MT) and actin cytoskeletons takes place in Sertoli cells across the seminiferous epithelium to support spermatogenesis. However, the mechanism(s) involving regulatory and signaling proteins remains poorly understood. Herein, A-kinase anchoring protein 9 (AKAP9, a member of the AKAP multivalent scaffold protein family) was shown to be one of these crucial regulatory proteins in the rat testis. Earlier studies have shown that AKAP9 serves as a signaling platform by recruiting multiple signaling and regulatory proteins to create a large protein complex that binds to the Golgi and centrosome to facilitate the assembly of the MT-nucleating γ-tubulin ring complex to initiate MT polymerization. We further expanded our earlier studies based on a Sertoli cell-specific AKAP9 knockout mouse model to probe the function of AKAP9 by using the techniques of immunofluorescence analysis, RNA interference (RNAi), and biochemical assays on an in vitro primary Sertoli cell culture model, and an adjudin-based animal model. AKAP9 robustly expressed across the seminiferous epithelium in adult rat testes, colocalizing with MT-based tracks, and laid perpendicular across the seminiferous epithelium, and prominently expressed at the Sertoli-spermatid cell-cell anchoring junction (called apical ectoplasmic specialization [ES]) and at the Sertoli cell-cell interface (called basal ES, which together with tight junction [TJ] created the blood-testis barrier [BTB]) stage specifically. AKAP9 knockdown in Sertoli cells by RNAi was found to perturb the TJ-permeability barrier through disruptive changes in the distribution of BTB-associated proteins at the Sertoli cell cortical zone, mediated by a considerable loss of ability to induce both MT polymerization and actin filament bundling. A considerable decline in AKAP9 expression and a disruptive distribution of AKAP9 across the seminiferous tubules was also noted during adjudin-induced germ cell (GC) exfoliation in this animal model, illustrating AKAP9 is essential to maintain the homeostasis of cytoskeletons to maintain Sertoli and GC adhesion in the testis.

Greater Number of Microglia in Telencephalic Proliferative Zones of Human and Nonhuman Primate Compared with Other Vertebrate Species.

Microglial cells, the innate immune cells of the brain, are derived from yolk sac precursor cells, begin to colonize the telencephalon at the onset of cortical neurogenesis, and occupy specific layers including the telencephalic proliferative zones. Microglia are an intrinsic component of cortical germinal zones, establish extensive contacts with neural precursor cells (NPCs) and developing cortical vessels, and regulate the size of the NPC pool through mechanisms that include phagocytosis. Microglia exhibit notable differences in number and distribution in the prenatal neocortex between rat and old world nonhuman primate telencephalon, suggesting that microglia possess distinct properties across vertebrate species. To begin addressing this subject, we quantified the number of microglia and NPCs in proliferative zones of the fetal human, rhesus monkey, ferret, and rat, and the prehatch chick and turtle telencephalon. We show that the ratio of NPCs to microglia varies significantly across species. Few microglia populate the prehatch chick telencephalon, but the number of microglia approaches that of NPCs in fetal human and nonhuman primate telencephalon. These data demonstrate that microglia are in a position to perform important functions in a number of vertebrate species but more heavily colonize proliferative zones of fetal human and rhesus monkey telencephalon.

The role of cortical zone level and prosthetic platform angle in dental implant mechanical response: A 3D finite element analysis

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of three different dental implant neck geometries, under a combined compressive/shear load using finite element analysis (FEA). The implant neck was positioned in D2 quality bone at the crestal level or 2 mm below. MethodsOne dental implant (4.2 × 9 mm) was digitized by reverse engineering techniques using micro CT and imported into Computer Aided Design (CAD) software. Non-uniform rational B-spline surfaces were reconstructed, generating a 3D volumetric model similar to the digitized implant. Three different models were generated with different implant neck configurations, namely 0°, 10° and 20°. D2 quality bone, composed of cortical and trabecular structure, was modeled using data from CT scans. The implants were included in the bone model using a Boolean operation. Two different fixture insertion depths were simulated for each implant: 2 mm below the crestal bone and exactly at the level of the crestal bone. The obtained models were imported to FEA software in STEP format. Von Mises equivalent strains were analyzed for the peri-implant D2 bone type, considering the magnitude and volume of the affected surrounding cortical and trabecular bone. The highest strain values in both cortical and trabecular tissue at the peri-implant bone interface were extracted and compared. ResultsAll implant models were able to distribute the load at the bone-implant contact (BIC) with a similar strain pattern between the models. At the cervical region, however, differences were observed: the models with 10° and 20° implant neck configurations (Model B and C), showed a lower strain magnitude when compared to the straight neck (Model A). These values were significantly lower when the implants were situated at crestal bone levels. In the apical area, no differences in strain values were observed. SignificanceThe implant neck configuration influenced the strain distribution and magnitude in the cortical bone and cancellous bone tissues. To reduce the strain values and improve the load dissipation in the bone tissue, implants with 10° and 20 neck configuration should be preferred instead of straight implant platforms.

Regulation of Parvalbumin Interactome in the Perilesional Cortex after Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes 10–20% of structural epilepsy, with seizures typically originating in the cortex. Alterations in the neuronal microcircuits in the cortical epileptogenic zone, however, are poorly understood. Here, we assessed TBI-induced changes in perisomatic gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic innervation in the perilesional cortex. We hypothesized that TBI will damage parvalbumin (PV)-immunoreactive inhibitory neurons and induce regulation of the associated GABAergic molecular interactome. TBI was induced in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats by lateral fluid-percussion injury. At 1-month post-TBI, the number of PV-positive somata was plotted on unfolded cortical maps and the distribution and density of immunopositive terminals analyzed. Qualitative analysis revealed either patchy microlesions of several hundred micrometers in diameter or diffuse neuronal loss. Quantitative analysis demonstrated a reduction in the number of PV-positive interneurons in patches down to 0% of that in sham-operated controls in the perilesional cortex. In the majority of patches, the cell numbers ranged from 71% to 90% that of the controls. The loss of PV-positive somata was accompanied by decreased axonal labeling. In situ hybridization revealed downregulated PV mRNA expression in the perilesional cortex. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis indicated a robustly downregulated expression profile of PV-related genes, which was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Specifically, we found that genes encoding postsynaptic GABA-A receptor genes, Gabrg2 and Gabrd, were downregulated in TBI animals compared with controls. Our data suggests that patchy reduction in PV-positive perisomatic inhibitory innervation contributes to the development of focal cortical inhibitory deficit after TBI.

Dielectric response to thermal denaturation of lenses in healthy and diabetic rabbits

The relative permittivity and conductivity of healthy and alloxane-induced diabetic rabbits lenses were measured over a frequency range of 500 Hz to 100 kHz in an electric field and at temperatures from 25 to 150 °C. The dielectric spectra for both tissues showed two separate relaxations with a characteristic frequency of around 4 and 25 kHz assigned to the cortical and nuclear zones, respectively. These two dispersions are due to the interfacial polarization at the surface of the α-crystallin molecules. The denaturation temperature for the non-diabetic lens and the diabetic lens is approximately 70 and 80 °C, respectively. Moreover, the relative permittivity and conductivity values are higher in the diabetic lens than in the non-diabetic tissue at the same temperature and frequency. Our dielectric studies provide a better understanding of the thermal stability of crystallin-water complexes in normal and diseased human lenses.

Pharmacognostical evaluation of the stem and root of Rhynchosia beddomei - An endemic plant of Andhra Pradesh

Rhynchosia beddomei (Fabaceae) is an endemic plant to the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, India. The plant is widely used by Yanadi and Chenchu tribes for the treatment of rheumatic pains, wound healing, cuts, boils, sprains, and also as an antidote for insect bites. For the worldwide acceptance of the traditional system of medicine, documentation and standardization of the raw materials used for the preparation of herbal medicine is of primary concern. Pharmacognostical studies play an important role in the identification of plants. Standardization of plant materials is mainly done by detailed microscopic evaluation. The present study aims to evaluate and establish the various pharmacognostical approaches like macroscopical, microscopical (cell structure and their arrangement), physicochemical (including different ash values, loss on drying and extractive values), fluorescence, preliminary phytochemical profiles of the stem and root parts. The microscopical studies of stem revealed the presence of prominent tanniniferrous circular idioblasts in the phloem region and prismatic, rectangular, and cuboidal-shaped calcium oxalate crystals in the pith, cortex, and phloem parenchyma regions. In the roots, thin and thick roots were studied. The thin root has a wide fissured periderm and a narrow cortex with a discontinuous layer of sclerenchyma elements inner with periderm. The thick root has a wider, fissured superficial periderm followed by a cortical zone where parenchyma cells and sclereids are mixed at random. The current research report on pharmacognostical evaluation provides an important diagnostic tool for the correct identification and documentation of the endemic plant material of R. beddomei in dried form.

Development of pharmacognostic parameters for the leaf of Bridelia scandens (Roxb.) Willd

Background: Pharmacognostic study of medicinal plants is an important parameter for standardization and authentication of plants, with the help of which adulteration and substitution can be prevented. The present study deals with pharmacognostic profile of leaf of Bridelia scandens (Roxb).Willd. an important traditional plant, belonging to family Euphorbiaceae used to treat various ailments. Methods: The present study includes macroscopic and microscopic studies, quantitative microscopy, and physiochemical characters such as ash value, extractive values, fluorescence analysis, and total phenol and flavonoid content. Results: Macroscopically, the leaves are B. scandens are elliptic –oblong or obavate, dark green above, pale green below lateral veins. Microscopically, leaf consists of thick semicircular midrib and the lamina, cortical zone ending with thick continuous cylinder of sclerenchyma cells. Sclerenchyma cylinder completely enclosed the vascular cylinder of the midrib, consists of only continuous thick layer of phloem. Xylem cylinder consists of numerous short or long radial chains of vessels. The lateral vein is flat on the adaxial side and prominently projecting hemispherical body on the adaxial side. Powder microscopy of leaf revealed the presence of spiral xylem vessels, rosette and prismatic calcium oxalate crystals and trichomes. A Physiochemical characteristic was also determined. Conclusion: Existing literature revealed that so far, no Pharmacognostic study has been reported on the leaf of B. scandens. Findings from this investigation can be used for its identification and determination of quality and purity of medicinally important plant. Thus exploring the usefulness of pharmacognostic evaluation to validate and authenticate drug.

Intraoperative seizures occurrence in cortical mapping of eloquent areas

The effect of structural epilepsy on the frequency of intraoperative convulsive seizures is assessed when mapping functionally significant areas of the cerebral cortex during resection of intracerebral neoplasms. The work is based on the analysis of the results of intraoperative neurophysiological studies at the Polenov Neurosurgical Institute. For the period 20192020 87 intraoperative mappings of eloquent cortex were carried out during resections of intracerebral neoplasms: 79 mappings of the motor cortex and 16 mappings of auditory-speech areas during operations with awakening. When mapping the motor zones of the cortex, the frequency of seizures was 5.1%, while mapping the auditory-speech zones with awakening 18.75%. The division of cases of intraoperative convulsive seizures into two groups: seizures arising from motor mapping and seizures associated with the mapping of auditory zones reflects differences in factors that affect the excitability of the cerebral cortex. In motor mapping, stimulation occurs against the background of general anesthesia, unlike waking operations. The intensity of stimulation in auditory mapping is higher than in motor mapping in motor mapping. Formally, the current used in motor mapping is significantly higher than in mapping auditory zones. In general, with the development of intraoperative convulsive seizures, the current intensity of cortical stimulation does not exceed the average values required to stimulate functionally significant cortical zones. The presence of epileptic syndrome in patients with intracerebral tumors cannot be considered as a predictor of intraoperative seizure development when performing motor mapping under general anesthesia as well as during surgery with awakening for mapping of motor or auditory verbal zones.

Transitory and Vestigial Structures of the Developing Human Nervous System

As with many body organs, the human central nervous system contains many structures and cavities that may have had functions in embryonic and fetal life but are vestigial or atrophic at maturity. Examples are the septum pellucidum, remnants of the lamina terminalis, Cajal-Retzius neurons, induseum griseum, habenula, and accessory olfactory bulb. Other structures are transitory in fetal or early postnatal life, disappearing from the mature brain. Examples are the neural crest, subpial granular glial layer of Brun over cerebral cortex, radial glial cells, and subplate zone of cerebral cortex. At times persistent fetal structures that do not regress may cause neurological problems or indicate a pathologic condition, such as Blake pouch cyst. Transitory structures thus can become vestigial. Examples are an excessively wide cavum septi pellucidi, suprapineal recess of the third ventricle, trigeminal artery of the posterior fossa circulation, and hyaloid ocular artery. Arrested maturation might be considered another aspect of vestigial structure. An example is the persistent microcolumnar cortical architecture in focal cortical dysplasia type Ia, in cortical zones of chronic fetal ischemia, and in some metabolic/genetic congenital encephalopathies. Some transitory structures in human brain are normal adult structures in lower vertebrates. Recognition of transitory and vestigial structures by fetal or postnatal neuroimaging and neuropathologically enables better understanding of cerebral ontogenesis and avoids misinterpretations.

Possibility of determining injury duration based on changes in histomorphometric characteristics of the thymus

Background: Lymphoid tissue is the first to react to stress, which manifests as characteristic morphological manifestations, based on which it is possible to study the duration of damage. Aims: Study of the dynamics of changes in the histomorphometric characteristics of the rat thymus during regeneration of the musculocutaneous tissue during mechanical thigh trauma. Material and methods: In total, 84 sexually mature rats were enrolled. These were divided into two groups (experiment and control), which were further classified into four subgroups depending on the time elapsed since the injury (1, 3, 15, and 25 days). Mechanical damage was simulated using a setup that transferred kinetic energy (comparable to a 5.6-mm rifle bullet) to tissues. Subsequently, the animals were removed from the experiment by decapitation; their thymus was removed and microscopically examined. In arbitrary units, the total area of the lobules as well as the area of the cortical and cerebral zones was determined. Results: Our research results indicate different phases of changes in the histomorphometric characteristics of the thymus, which correspond to the course of the wound and can be used in forensic practice to determine the duration of the injury. Conclusions: Mechanical trauma, considered as a stress reaction, causes involutive changes in the thymus and is characterized by changes in the area of the thymus cortex and medulla as well as regular dynamics of changes in the thymic lobules at different stages of wound regeneration.

Neurophysiological Subtypes of Depressive Disorders

Background: the clinical polymorphism of depressive disorders, together with the available data on the different responses of patients to treatment, motivate modern neuroscience to search for models that can explain such heterogeneity.Objective: to identify neurophysiological subtypes of depressive disorders.Patients and methods: 189 patients with moderate depression in the structure of a depressive episode (n = 42), recurrent depressive (n = 102) and bipolar affective disorders (n = 45); 56 healthy subjects. Clinical-psychopathological, psychometric, neurophysiological and statistical research methods were used in the work.The results: with the help of coherent EEG analysis, it is possible to identify at least 6 subtypes of the disorder, which characterize various branches of the pathogenesis of affective pathology, which go beyond the currently accepted nomenclature. The selected subtypes were determined by the profi les of dysfunctional interaction of various cortical zones in the alpha, beta and gamma ranges of the EEG. Subtype 1 was characterized by a decrease relative to the norm of imaginary alpha-coherence between the right parietal and left central, right parietal and left anterior temporal, as well as the right parietal and right anterior temporal EEG leads (P4-C3, P4-F7, P4-F8) and explained part of depressions, in the pathogenesis of which the leading role was played by violations of the promotion of positive and suppression of negative affect. Subtype 2 — an increase in beta-2-imaginary-coherence between the frontal leads of the left and right hemispheres, between the left frontal and right central cortex (F3-F4; F3-C4) and its decrease between the central cortical zones (C4-C3), in clinical terms this subtype was characterized by a persistent hedonic response and was associated with the clinical picture of atypical depression. Subtype 3 — an increase in imaginary alpha-coherence between the frontal (F4-F3) and its decrease between the central leads of the left and right hemisphere (C4-C3), correlated with the severity of depressive rumination. Subtype 4 — a decrease in imaginary alpha-coherence between the anterior temporal and frontal, as well as the anterior temporal and central cortex of the right hemisphere (F8-F4 and F8-C4), explained part of the depressions that developed against the background of avoidance personality disorder. Subtype 5 — a decrease in imaginary gamma coherence between the frontal and parietal, as well as the central and occipital cortical zones of the left hemisphere (F3-P3 and C3-O1), was associated with an outwardly oriented utilitarian style of thinking (alexithymia). Subtype 6 — a decrease in imaginary beta-1 coherence between the left central and right anterior temporal cortex (C3-F8), explained part of the depression with phobic and hypochondriacal disorders in the structure of recurrent depressive disorder. Such a clinical and biological typology seems new and promising in terms of searching for specifi c neurophysiological disorders in different types of depression and, accordingly, reaching differentiated therapeutic recommendations.

Loss of CC2D1A in Glutamatergic Neurons Results in Autistic-Like Features in Mice.

Biallelic loss-of-function mutations in Coiled-coil and C2 domain containing 1A (CC2D1A) cause autosomal recessive intellectual disability, sometimes comorbid with other neurodevelopmental disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and seizures. We recently reported that conditional deletion of Cc2d1a in glutamatergic neurons of the postnatal mouse forebrain leads to impaired hippocampal synaptic plasticity and cognitive function. However, the pathogenic origin of the autistic features of CC2D1A deficiency remains elusive. Here, we confirmed that CC2D1A is highly expressed in the cortical zones during embryonic development. Taking advantage of Cre-LoxP-mediated gene deletion strategy, we generated a novel line of Cc2d1a conditional knockout (cKO) mice by crossing floxed Cc2d1a mice with Emx1-Cre mice, in which CC2D1A is ablated specifically in glutamatergic neurons throughout all embryonic and adult stages. We found that CC2D1A deletion leads to a trend toward decreased number of cortical progenitor cells at embryonic day 12.5 and alters the cortical thickness on postnatal day 10. In addition, male Cc2d1a cKO mice display autistic-like phenotypes including self-injurious repetitive grooming and aberrant social interactions. Loss of CC2D1A also results in decreased complexity of apical dendritic arbors of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) layer V pyramidal neurons and increased synaptic excitation/inhibition (E/I) ratio in the mPFC. Notably, chronic treatment with minocycline rescues behavioral and morphological abnormalities, as well as E/I changes, in male Cc2d1a cKO mice. Together, these findings indicate that male Cc2d1a cKO mice recapitulate autistic-like phenotypes of human disorder and suggest that minocycline has both structural and functional benefits in treating ASD.

IQ67 DOMAIN proteins facilitate preprophase band formation and division-plane orientation.

Spatiotemporal control of cell division is essential for the growth and development of multicellular organisms. In plant cells, proper cell plate insertion during cytokinesis relies on the premitotic establishment of the division plane at the cell cortex. Two plant-specific cytoskeleton arrays, the preprophase band (PPB) and the phragmoplast, play important roles in division-plane orientation and cell plate formation, respectively1. Microtubule organization and dynamics and their communication with membranes at the cortex and cell plate are coordinated by multiple, mostly distinct microtubule-associated proteins2. How division-plane selection and establishment are linked, however, is still unknown. Here, we report members of the Arabidopsis IQ67 DOMAIN (IQD) family3 as microtubule-targeted proteins that localize to the PPB and phragmoplast and additionally reside at the cell plate and a polarized cortical region including the cortical division zone (CDZ). IQDs physically interact with PHRAGMOPLAST ORIENTING KINESIN (POK) proteins4,5 and PLECKSTRIN HOMOLOGY GTPase ACTIVATING (PHGAP) proteins6, which are core components of the CDZ1. The loss of IQD function impairs PPB formation and affects CDZ recruitment of POKs and PHGAPs, resulting in division-plane positioning defects. We propose that IQDs act as cellular scaffolds that facilitate PPB formation and CDZ set-up during symmetric cell division.