1: Independent inhibitory control mechanisms for aggressive motivation and action
Science of the Month - March 2024
Nat Neurosci.
Tomohito Minakuchi, Eartha Mae Guthman, Preeta Acharya, Justin Hinson, Weston Fleming,
Ilana B. Witten, Stefan N. Oline & Annegret L. Falkner
For most animals, including humans, interactions with other individuals of the same species—that is, social behavior—are a crucial key to survival and reproductive success. Examples of social behavior include sexual and parental care behaviors, but my research has focused specifically on aggressive behavior. In mice, instinctive aggressive behaviors, such as males biting or scratching other males, are often observed. However, whether or not this aggressive behavior occurs depends on social contexts, such as whether they are in their own territory. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the neural circuits that control the motivation for aggressive behavior in mice. First, to quantitatively assess the motivation for aggression, we designed an operant task where the opportunity to engage in aggressive behavior served as a reward. While the mice performed this task, we conducted calcium imaging or optogenetic stimulation to observe the activity of inhibitory neurons projecting to the dorsolateral part of the ventromedial hypothalamus, which is considered a center for aggressive behavior. The results revealed that input from the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus, in particular, inhibitorily controls the motivation for aggressive behavior. Furthermore, we found that the intensity of the aggressive action itself is independently controlled by a separate region.
(Tomohito Minakuchi, Doctoral Programs, Princeton Neuroscience Institute, 96th Class)
2: Cost-Effectiveness of Universal Asymptomatic Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 Polymerase Chain Reaction Screening: A Cost-Utility Analysis
Clin Infect Dis.
Shunsuke Uno, Rei Goto, Kimiko Honda, Sho Uchida, Yoshifumi Uwamino, Ho Nam koong, Ayumi Yoshifuji, Kei Mikita, Yaoko Takano, Morio Matsumoto, Yuko Kitagawa, Naoki Hasegawa
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of developing severe postoperative respiratory complications from surgery during the COVID-19 incubation period was reported, and preoperative PCR screening during the perioperative period was recommended. We conducted a study on the cost-effectiveness of preoperative PCR screening. In cost-effectiveness analysis, the incremental cost per unit of effect is calculated. For preoperative PCR screening, the incremental cost was ¥291,123,368 per QALY and ¥74,469,236 per death averted. This far exceeds the ¥5 million per QALY threshold commonly used in Japan to indicate good cost-effectiveness, showing poor cost-effectiveness. In the sensitivity analysis, cost-effectiveness was favorable when the test positivity rate exceeded 0.739%, but it was poor regardless of the test positivity rate when the incidence of postoperative respiratory complications was below 22%. After the results of this study were published, the guidelines of the Infectious Diseases Society of America were changed to no longer recommend preoperative asymptomatic PCR screening. Improving healthcare efficiency is a pressing issue in Japan, and we intend to continue conducting such cost-effectiveness research that can contribute to society. (Shunsuke Uno, Senior Assistant Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases, 87th Class)