We report on generation of dopamine neurons from long-term cultures of human fetal mesencephalic precursor cells. These CNS precursor cells were successfully expanded in vitro using the mitogens epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). Incubation of these cultures in 3% atmospheric oxygen resulted in higher cellular yields than room air. Following incubation in differe

Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus is an established therapeutic strategy for patients with Parkinson's disease. Although the exact mechanisms of action remain unknown, it is noteworthy that dopaminergic medication can be markedly reduced after neurostimulation of the subthalamic nucleus. Previously, we have shown that deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus is followed by

A 70 year old woman presented with a 6 year history of medically refractory severe tardive dystonia. After informed consent, a bilateral stereotactic electrode placement targeting the ventral intermediate thalamic nucleus (VIM) and the globus pallidus internus (GPi) was performed. After bilateral stimulation of the GPi, the patient showed a clear and stable improvement of the painful dystonic synd

Promising therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease include replacement of lost striatal dopaminergic neurons by grafting of embryonic mesencephalic cells. However, the poor survival of the transplanted tissue still limits transplantation of these cells into the human brain in a larger number of patients. We addressed the question, if the diameter of the tra

Inhibition or ablation of the hyperactive subthalamic nucleus (STN) in Parkinson's disease (PD) does not only reverse motor deficits, silencing the glutamatergic output of the subthalamic nucleus, but has also been implicated to have neuroprotective effects on nigral neurons in animal models of Parkinson's disease. Ablation of the subthalamic nucleus has been shown to increase the number of tyrosi

Deep brain stimulation of the globus pallidus internus has been recently shown to alleviate parkinsonian symptoms and levodopa-induced dyskinesias. However, its exact mechanisms of action are unclear. Pallidal neurones are connected via various pathways to the dopaminergic nigrostriatal system. In the present study we investigated the hypothesis that deep brain stimulation of the entopeduncular nu

Wood is a major pool of organic carbon that is highly resistant to decay, owing largely to the presence of lignin. The only organisms capable of substantial lignin decay are white rot fungi in the Agaricomycetes, which also contains non–lignin-degrading brown rot and ectomycorrhizal species. Comparative analyses of 31 fungal genomes (12 generated for this study) suggest that lignin-degrading perox

High frequency stimulation (HFS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) can partially alleviate motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the mechanism of action of HFS is incompletely understood. We investigated the effect of HFS (130 Hz) and low frequency stimulation (LFS, 20 Hz) of the STN on striatal dopaminergic transmission and metabolism using in vivo microdialysis in ana

Sensory neurons of the embryonic mouse trigeminal ganglion are transiently supported by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT3), and NT4/5 during the earliest stages of target field innervation before they become dependent on nerve growth factor (NGF) for survival. To determine whether the switch from BDNF/NT3/NT4/5 dependence to NGF dependence occurs autonomously in these n

This article constructs new monetary aggregates for Ireland between 1840 and 1921.Three major findings are gleaned from the data. First, we find that the degreeof monetization on the eve of the Famine was comparatively high. Second, wefind an unprecedented monetary contraction during the Famine. Third, in contrastto previous research, we find that the failure of the Munster Bank in 1885 hadramification

This paper presents results from a project on the experiences of Palestinian refugee youth in Lebanon, taking part in NGO programs for facilitating university education. To what extent may such informal educational projects be instrumental in circumventing and counteracting social exclusion? And how do such initiatives interrelate with constructions of senses of “Palestinianess” among their young

This paper draws attention to the increasing prominence of religious symbolism in Turkish visual politics, focusing state sponsored expositions, cultural events and public celebrations, orchestrated by the Turkish AKP Government and municipalities. The appropriation of Islamic and neo-Ottoman symbols in such public events appears to have become an important strategy for forwarding religious values

This paper discusses the increasing prominence of religious, iconic symbolism in Turkish visual politics, by focusing state sponsored expositions, cultural-cum-pedagogic events and public celebrations, orchestrated by the Turkish AKP Government and affiliated municipalities. Such public, religio-cultural and populist orchestrations of Islamic symbolism, this paper argues, are aspects of a current This paper discusses the increasing prominence of religious, iconic symbolism in Turkish visual politics, by focusing state sponsored expositions, cultural-cum-pedagogic events and public celebrations, orchestrated by the Turkish AKP Government and affiliated municipalities. Such public, religio-cultural and populist orchestrations of Islamic symbolism, this paper argues, are aspects of a current

Though commonly used to calculate Q-factor and fractional bandwidth, the energy stored by radiating systems (antennas) is a subtle and challenging concept that has perplexed researchers for over half a century. Here, the obstacles in defining and calculating stored energy in general electromagnetic systems are presented from first principles as well as using demonstrative examples from electrostat

Educational reforms including community-based educational initiatives maintain crucial roles in the processes of democratization in the Middle East. The patterns of reform are diverse and reflect domestic factors as well as varying linkages to global forces. Among the factors driving and defining the effects of reform we find: 1. Socio-economic development;2. Growth of the civil society;3. New modEducational reforms including community-based educational initiatives maintain crucial roles in the processes of democratization in the Middle East. The patterns of reform are diverse and reflect domestic factors as well as varying linkages to global forces. Among the factors driving and defining the effects of reform we find: 1. Socio-economic development;2. Growth of the civil society;3. New mod