Recent studies implicating dendritic protein synthesis in synaptic plasticity have focused attention on identifying components of the molecular machinery involved in processing dendritic RNA. Although Translin was originally identified as a protein capable of binding single-stranded DNA, subsequent studies have demonstrated that it also binds RNA in vitro. Because previous studies indicated that Translin-containing RNA/singlestranded DNA binding complexes are highly enriched in brain, we and others have proposed that it may be involved in dendritic RNA processing. To assess this possibility, we have conducted studies aimed at defining the localization of Translin and its partner protein, Trax, in brain. In situ hybridization studies demonstrated that both Translin and Trax are expressed in neurons with prominent staining apparent in cerebellar Purkinje cells and neuronal layers of the hippocampus. Subcellular fractionation studies demonstrated that both Translin and Trax are highly enriched in the cytoplasmic fraction compared with nuclear extracts. Furthermore, immunohistochemical studies with Translin antibodies revealed prominent staining in Purkinje neuron cell bodies that extends into proximal and distal dendrites. A similar pattern of somatodendritic localization was observed in hippocampal and neocortical pyramidal neurons. These findings demonstrate that Translin is expressed in neuronal dendrites and therefore support the hypothesis that the Translin/Trax complex may be involved in dendritic RNA processing. Key Words: Dendritic protein synthesisPurkinje cells-Synaptic plasticity-GS1 complex-Pyramidal neurons.
Objectives: This paper presents the results of a qualitative study aimed at elucidating how well the goals of the OMNI-BUS curriculum implemented in Korea as a medical humanities curriculum were achieved, from the student perspective. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study to elicit perspectives of students who participated in all 12 weeks of the OMNIBUS curriculum. Eighteen fourth-year medical students participated in two focus group interviews. Openended questions were prepared to guide the interviews. The interviews were audio-taped and transcribed. All data from the interviews were analyzed, using an inductive approach to identify themes.
Results:The main themes were "characteristics of a good doctor", "various careers in medicine", and "the need for changes in assessment methods". Seven subthemes that emerged were specifically related to "characteristics of a good doctor", including "variety of perspectives on the human condition", "feel empathy with patients from diverse backgrounds", "communicate effectively with patients", "clarify values", "roles as a leader in society", "give back to the community", and "satisfaction of being physicians and importance of physician self-care".
Conclusion:The themes identified in this study demonstrated that the OMNIBUS curriculum achieved its goals, from the student perspective. In the interviews, students also identified other strengths and areas for improvement of the curriculum.
The delivery of transgenes to the central nervous system (CNS) can be a valuable tool to treat CNS diseases. Various systems for the delivery to the CNS have been developed; vascular delivery of viral vectors being most recent. Here, we investigated gene transfer to the CNS by intravenous injection of recombinant adenoviral vectors, containing green fluorescence protein (GFP) as a reporter gene. Expression of GFP was first observed 6 days after the gene transfer, peaked at 14 days, and almost diminished after 28 days. The observed expression of GFP in the CNS was highly localized to hippocampal CA regions of cerebral neocortex, inferior colliculus of midbrain, and granular cell and Purkinje cell layers of cerebellum. It is concluded that intravenous delivery of adenoviral vectors can be used for gene delivery to the CNS, and hence the technique could be beneficial to gene therapy.
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