Neuroscience
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Embryonic stem (ES) cells secrete some soluble factors which may affect the differentiation potential of adult stem cells toward different lineages. In the present study, we evaluated neural differentiation of mouse adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) following coculture with ES cells. For this purpose, ADSCs were induced in a medium supplemented with a synthetic serum replacement and various concentrations of retinoic acid (RA). ⋯ Treatment of the cocultured ADSCs with RA diminished the expression of neural maturation markers. Coculture with the ES cells efficiently improves neural differentiation of the ADSCs. Non-contact coculture with the ES cells may be used as an efficient strategy to improve differentiation potential of adult stem cells for developmental studies and regenerative medicine.
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Mindfulness is the state of being attentive to and aware of what is taking place in the present, which is beneficial for reducing stress-related symptoms and improving mental and physical health. Previous studies have demonstrated that meditation practice can improve individuals' mindfulness through modifying functions and structures of multiple brain regions, including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), insula, fronto-limbic network, posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), and temporal-parietal junction. ⋯ We found that individuals who were more mindful of the present had greater GM volume in the right hippocampus/amygdala and bilateral ACC, but less GM volume in bilateral PCC and the left orbitofrontal cortex. These results suggest that trait mindfulness is associated with brain regions involved in executive attention, emotion regulation, and self-referential processing, through which mindfulness may exert its beneficial effects on psychological and physical well-being.
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Type A behavior pattern (TABP) is characterized by competitiveness and hostility, time urgency and impatience. These traits can have a significant impact on physical and mental health. We have not found studies focusing on brain structure or functional connectivity correlates associated with individual differences in TABP. ⋯ In addition, TABP was positively correlated with the strength of rsFC between the left ventral striatum and areas in the left ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and the right rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC). These regions are associated with achievement striving related to impatience, aggressiveness, and worry under time pressure. In summary, the combination of morphometric results (increased rGMV of the left sgACC) and functional connectivity findings (increased rsFC between the left ventral caudate and the left vmPFC/right rACC in the fronto-striatal network) may provide a valuable basis for a comprehensive understanding of the neural circuitry underlying individual differences in TABP.
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The endogenous neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone (ALLO) has previously been shown to induce reinstatement of ethanol seeking in rodents. ALLO is a positive allosteric modulator at both synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAA receptors. The contribution of each class of GABAA receptors in mediating reinstatement of ethanol seeking is unknown. ⋯ The results of this study suggest that direct activation of extrasynaptic GABAA receptors at the GABA site is not sufficient to induce ethanol seeking in the reinstatement procedure. Future studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms and brain areas by which differences in the pharmacological activity of GAN and THIP at the GABAA receptor contribute to the dissimilarity in their effect on the reinstatement of ethanol seeking. Nonetheless, based on the increased use of these drugs in clinical trials across multiple disease states, the effects of GAN or THIP on alcohol seeking may be an important consideration if these drugs are to be used clinically in a population with a co-occurring alcohol use disorder.
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Humans have been consistently shown to be bad at making decisions, especially in disadvantageous situations. In this study, we designed a task that simulates real-life non-strategic gambling to examine the effect of win-lose balance situations (WIN, LOSS, TIE) on decision-making. In behavioral performances, participants showed shorter response time (RT) in LOSS than in WIN and TIE conditions. ⋯ Positive correlation was found between brain activation in IFG and RT in LOSS. Overall, we concluded that, in disadvantageous conditions, participants are frustrated by their negative results and tend to make a random selection without full consideration. In advantageous conditions, participants' motivations to gamble are elicited and they tend to engage in more endeavors in making decisions.