If you have ever wondered why that one particular faculty in your field/dept/school behaves the way he/she does...

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This is the first study that details the exact nature of GI dysfunction in an established RTT model, and it paves the path forward for testing interventions to improve GI function in RTT patients. (fin)

Why This Matters!
Understanding these mechanisms is the first step toward real treatments for RTT-associated GI distress. We reason that VIPergic and Cartpt dysregulation may explain not just slow transit, but also other systemic effects seen on RTT patients (7/n)

This means MeCP2 loss hits the gut in multiple ways—partly through BDNF-TrkB signaling and partly through other direct pathways (6/n)

We tested whether loss of BDNF-TrkB signaling in gut alters VIPergic signaling and expression of Cartpt. Using a transgenic mouse model of reduced TrkB expression in ENS, we found that reduced BDNF-TrkB signaling explains loss of VIP but not of Cartpt in ENS (5/n)

While there is no overall loss of #neurons in the gut, this RTT mouse model also shows an additional change in the signaling pathway between the neuropeptide #VIP and its receptors and in expression of #Cartpt (4/n)

In the CNS, MeCP2 loss is linked to lower levels of an important neurotrophin - Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (#BDNF). We find that this is mimicked in the brain in the gut, loss of Mecp2 causes significant reduction in expression of #BDNF while the exp of its receptor #TrkB remains same (3/n)

We found that MeCP2 is expressed in the murine #EntericNervousSystem (#ENS), and the loss of of this gene doesnt cause GI issues at birth. Just like the effects on CNS, GI motility in this RTT mouse model doesn't start bad—it regresses - simulating the GI issues faced by RTT patients (2/n)

Ever wondered why 90% of #Rett Syndrome (RTT) patients suffer from severe #GI issues like chronic #constipation? A new study from our lab digs into this using an Mecp2 KO mouse model.

(1/n)

a woman with long black hair is smiling and making a face . ALT: a woman with long black hair is smiling and making a face .

It's all relative man

“Cease normalising AI hype (…) The technologies do not have the advertised capacities & their adoption puts students and academics at risk of violating ethical, legal, scholarly, and scientific standards of reliability, sustainability, & safety.” openletter.earth/open-letter-... cc @olivia.science

THIS
Be kind to others and to your self

All hail the AI revolution

losing contact with the earth for 40 minutes sounds nice

A species capable of great good and great evil

Healthspan stops at 'Not Discussed'

Explains the lack of relevant expertise and a mismatch of grants and study section members' expertise at many current study sections now

Cool story, congrats!

Goodness Gracious Me was 'Prophet'ic, eh?
@richardsever.bsky.social

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tw7...

Wow! Neanderthals were in soft money positions in academia for millenia...

Yeah right

#Fallout seems less like a dystopian fiction and more like a documentary set in the near future

Marc Andreessen is the perfect middle manager.
Zero introspection.
Zero constructive thoughts.
Zero ability to work on feedback.
Zero humanity

'Humanity' checks will fail for most academics and other folks

The Bay Area Considers the Unthinkable: Life Without BART

What the article doesnt mention is the challenge to BART from Waymo and other road-driving vehicles

Bay Area folks have a history of taking decisions that will make their lives worse....so wont be surprised if killing off BART is one of them

You dont get it, do you

Scientific Freedom is 'Freedom from Scientific Expertise'

Get on with the program, man!

What's My JND? Find your Just Noticeable Difference in colour perception. How small a colour difference can you actually see?

Not bad for a color blind person

What's My JND? 0.0049
Can you beat it? www.keithcirkel.co.uk/whats-my-jnd...

In a world where journals don't make transformative decisions.. Biology Open has the courage to walk the talk

a man wearing a black jacket and a white ruffled tie ALT: a man wearing a black jacket and a white ruffled tie

Unfortunately not as much debate and introspection as it should...

The unfortunate saga underlined one important thing for most scientists...don't rock the boat, don't upset the applecart, don't derail the gravy train..for you will pay severe consequences if you do.