For further testing therefore 0.5 mu g i.c.v. was used. Propranolol and atropine fully blocked the NmU-induced anxiolytic action, while haloperidol, phenoxybenzamine and nitro-L-arginine were ineffective. The results suggest that beta-adrenergic and cholinergic mechanisms are involved in the anxiolytic action of NmU. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Background: Granulosa cells play a key role in folliculogenesis

and female reproduction. Our previous study demonstrated that water channel aquaporin- 8 (AQP8) is expressed in mouse follicular granulosa cells and is an important determinant of granulosa cell apoptosis and follicular maturation. More roles of AQP8 in folliculogenesis remain to be determined.

Findings: The present study reports the increased occurrence Verubecestat manufacturer of multi-oocyte follicles (MOFs) in ovaries of AQP8 knockout mice.

The MOFs in AQP8-deficient ovaries contained two or three oocytes, and distributed at various follicle stages including primary (12.5%), secondary (50%), antral (18.8%) and atretic PF-02341066 in vitro (18.8%) follicles in 5-week ovaries. The MOF is occasionally seen in wild-type ovary only in primary and secondary follicles. The number of MOFs in AQP8-deficient ovary reduced with age (26.7 +/- 5.2 per ovary at 5 weeks old, 14 +/- 5.5 at 10 weeks old, and 3.3 +/- 5.1 at 20 weeks old). mRNA expression of AQP5, AQP7, AQP8, AQP11 and AQP12 was detected in neonatal mouse ovaries and in granulosa cells in 4 week old mouse ovaries. The expression of AQP7, AQP11 and AQP12 mRNAs are decreased significantly in neonatal AQP8-deficient ovaries, whereas AQP5 mRNA expression remains unchanged.

Conclusions: The emergence of MOFs is associated with AQP8 deficiency. The study suggested the involvement of AQP8 in the formation of follicles and provided new AG-120 insight into the molecular mechanisms of folliculogenesis.”
“The role of specific gut microbes in shaping body composition remains unclear. We transplanted fecal microbiota

from adult female twin pairs discordant for obesity into germ-free mice fed low-fat mouse chow, as well as diets representing different levels of saturated fat and fruit and vegetable consumption typical of the U.S. diet. Increased total body and fat mass, as well as obesity-associated metabolic phenotypes, were transmissible with uncultured fecal communities and with their corresponding fecal bacterial culture collections. Cohousing mice harboring an obese twin’s microbiota (Ob) with mice containing the lean co-twin’s microbiota (Ln) prevented the development of increased body mass and obesity-associated metabolic phenotypes in Ob cage mates. Rescue correlated with invasion of specific members of Bacteroidetes from the Ln microbiota into Ob microbiota and was diet-dependent. These findings reveal transmissible, rapid, and modifiable effects of diet-by-microbiota interactions.

“
“Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is uniquely characterized by the existence of subsets of cases with quasi-identical, ‘stereotyped’ B-cell receptors (BCRs). Herein we investigate this stereotypy in 2662 patients with CLL, the largest series yet, using purpose-built bioinformatics methods based on sequence pattern discovery. Idasanutlin molecular weight Besides improving the identification of ‘stereotyped’ cases, we demonstrate that CLL actually consists of two

different categories, based on the BCR repertoire, with important biological and ontogenetic differences. The first (similar to 30% of cases) shows a very restricted repertoire and is characterized by BCR stereotypy (clustered cases), whereas the second includes cases with heterogeneous BCRs (nonclustered

cases). Eleven major CLL clusters were identified with antigen-binding sites defined by just a few critically positioned residues, regardless of the actual immunoglobulin (IG) variable gene used. This situation is closely reminiscent of the receptors expressed by cells participating in innate immune responses. On these grounds, we argue that whereas CLL cases with heterogeneous BCRs likely derive from the conventional B-cell pool, cases with stereotyped BCRs could derive from progenitor cells evolutionarily adapted to particular antigenic challenges, perhaps intermediate between a true innate immune selleck chemical system and the conventional adaptive B-cell immune system, functionally similar to what has been suggested previously for mouse B1 cells. Leukemia (2010) 24, 125-132; doi:10.1038/leu.2009.186; published online 17 September

2009″
“In the CNS, lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS) is predominantly a non-neuronal enzyme responsible for the production of PGD(2), an endogenous sleep promoting substance. We have previously demonstrated that estradiol differentially regulates L-PGDS transcript levels in the rodent brain. In hypothalamic nuclei, estradiol increases L-PGDS transcript expression, whereas in the ventrolateral preoptic area L-PGDS gene expression is reduced after estradiol treatment. In the present study, we Oxygenase have used an immortalized glioma cell line transfected with a L-PGDS reporter construct and estrogen receptor (ER) alpha and EB beta expression plasmids to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying estradiol regulation of L-PGDS gene expression. We found that physiologically relevant concentrations of estradiol evoked an inverted U response in cells expressing ER alpha. The most effective concentration of estradiol (10(-11) M) increased the promoter activity 3-fold over baseline. Expression of ER beta did not increase activity over control and when ER beta was co-expressed with ER alpha there was a significant attenuation of the promoter activity. While ER alpha significantly increased L-PGDS promoter activity, our previous in vivo studies demonstrate a greater magnitude of change in L-PGDS gene expression in the presences of estradiol.

Temporally, the BV-enhanced LIP could be further

incremented by antagonism of mGluR1 with CPCCOEt perfusion when plateau LTP was well established. However, the BV-enhanced LTP was significantly suppressed by antagonism of mGluR5 with MPEP. Neither Cell Cycle inhibitor of the two drugs affected magnitude of LTP in rats treated by i.pl. saline. Taken together with our previous results, it is suggested that mGluR1 be involved in tonic inhibition of EC-HIP synaptic enhancement, while mGluR5 be involved in maintenance of persistent inflammatory pain-associated EC-HIP synaptic enhancement that is largely based upon activation of ionic glutamate receptors. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Studies in humans have indicated that the anterior superior temporal sulcus has an important role in the processing of information about human voices, especially the identification of talkers CBL0137 supplier from their voice. A new study using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with macaques provides strong evidence that anterior auditory fields, part of the auditory

‘what’ pathway, preferentially respond to changes in the identity of conspecifics, rather than specific vocalizations from the same individual.”
“A gene encoding a cellobiohydrolase (CBHI) was isolated from Fusicoccum sp. (BCC4124), an endophytic fungus belongs in phylum Ascomycota, using 5′ and 3′ rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE) technique. This CBHI gene contains 1395 nucleotides and encodes a 465-amino acid protein with a molecular weight of approximately 50 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence showed significant similarity to those of other fungal CBHI belonging to family 7 of glycosyl hydrolase. Interestingly, the result from the amino acid alignment revealed that this CBHI does not contain the cellulose binding domain nor the linker region. The CBHI gene was successfully expressed in Pichia pastoris KM71. The purified recombinant CBHI has ability

to hydrolyze Avicel, filter paper and 4-methylumbelliferyl P-D-cellobioside (MUC) but not carboxymethylcellulose ZD1839 order (CMC). It showed an optimal working condition at 40 degrees C, pH 5 with K, and V-max toward MUC of 0.57 mM and 3.086 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively. The purified enzyme was stable at pH range of 3-11. The enzyme retained approximately 50% of its maximal activity after incubating at 70-90 degrees C for 30 min. Due to its stability through wide range of pH, and moderately stable at high temperature, this enzyme has potential in various biotechnology applications. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Quantitative PCR (qPCR) for detection of fusion transcripts and overexpressed genes is a promising tool for following minimal residual disease (MRD) in patients with hematological malignancies.

Now, we summarize the data of soluble tumor necrosis factor-like

weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK), a new cardiovascular biomarker identified by proteomic analysis. Decreased sTWEAK concentrations have been shown in patients with carotid atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, peripheral artery disease, or chronic kidney disease (CKD). sTWEAK predicted adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure, myocardial infarction, and CKD. Finally, different drug regimens were able to modify sTWEAK plasma levels in patients with CKD. Although sTWEAK seems so far to fulfill the requisites in the development of a new biomarker, more large-scale studies are warranted to consolidate its usefulness.”
“Spinal cord ischemia is a potentially devastating complication after thoracic endovascular aorta repair (TEVAR). Patients with spinal cord ischemia after TEVAR often selleck chemicals develop paraplegia, which is considered irreversible, and have significant increased postoperative morbidity and mortality. We report the case of a patient with unusual late complete neurologic recovery of acute-onset paraplegia after TEVAR for an infected thoracic aortic aneurysm. (J Vasc Surg 2013;57:521-4.)”
“Purpose: CFTRinh-172 purchase We have investigated the use of human urine as a non-invasive medium to screen for

molecular biomarkers of carcinomas of the upper gastrointestinal (uGI) tract using SELDI-TOF-MS.

Experimental design: A total of 120 urine specimens from 60 control and 60 uGI cancer patients were analysed to Pitavastatin purchase establish a potential biomarker fingerprint for the weak cation exchanger CM10 chip surface, which was validated by blind testing using a further 59 samples from 33 control and 26 uGI cancer patients.

Results: Using Biomarker Pattern software, we established a model with a sensitivity of 98% and specificity of 95% for the learning sample set, and a sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 72% for the validation

data set. Model variable importance included six peptides with m/z of 10 230, 10 436, 10 574, 10 311, 10 467, and 1 0118 of which the 10 230 molecular species was the main decider (sensitivity 86% and specificity 80%). Initial protein database searching identified 10 230 as S100-A6, 10 436 as S100-P, 10 467 as S100-A9, and 10 574 as S100-A12 of which S100-A6 and S100-A9 were confirmed by Western blotting.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: We have demonstrated that SELDI-TOF-MS as a screening tool is a rapid and valid methodology in the search for urinary cancer biomarkers, and is potentially useful in defining and consolidating biomarker patterns for uGI cancer screening.”
“Background: An increasing number of abdominal aortic aneurysms with unfavorable proximal neck anatomy are treated with standard endograft devices. Skepticism exists with regard to the safety and efficacy of this practice.

For WNV, this substitution also modulated infectivity and antibody-induced phagocytosis of infected cells. Analysis of a mutant lacking all three conserved N-linked glycosylation sites revealed an independent requirement of N-linked glycans for secretion but not for plasma membrane expression of WNV NS1. Collectively, our experiments define the requirements for cellular targeting of NS1, with implications for the protective host responses, immune

antagonism, and association with the host cell sorting machinery. These studies also suggest a link between the effects of NS1 on viral replication and the levels of secreted or cell surface NS1.”
“There is compelling evidence that adverse neurobehavioral effects are associated with occupational check details organophosphorous pesticide (OP) exposure in humans. Behavioral studies of pesticide applicators, greenhouse workers, agricultural workers and farm residents exposed repeatedly over months or years to low levels of OPs reveal a relatively consistent pattern of neurobehavioral deficits. However, only two studies have demonstrated

a link between neurobehavioral performance and current biomarkers of OP exposure including blood selleck chemical cholinesterase (ChE) activity and urinary levels of OP metabolites. A variety of reasons may explain why so few studies have reported such correlations, including differing individual and group exposure histories, differing methodologies for assessing behavior and exposure, and lack of a reliable index of exposure. Alternatively, these data may suggest that current biomarkers (ChE, urine metabolites) are neither predictive nor diagnostic of the neurobehavioral effects of chronic OP pesticide exposures. This review focuses on the evidence that neurobehavioral performance deficits are associated with occupational OP pesticide exposure and concludes that research needs to return to the basics and rigorously test the relationships

between neurobehavioral performance and both current (ChE and urine metabolites) and novel (e.g., inflammation and oxidative stress) biomarkers using human and animal models. The results of such studies are critically important because OP pesticides are widely and extensively used throughout the world, GKT137831 nmr including situations where exposure controls and personal protective equipment are not routinely used. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“The respiratory epithelium plays a central role in innate immunity by secreting networks of inflammatory mediators in response to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Previous proteomic studies focusing on the host cellular response to RSV indicated the existence of a nuclear heat shock response and cytoplasmic depletion of antioxidant proteins in model type II-like airway epithelial cells.

“
“Background An antithrombotic drug is needed that safely reduces cardiovascular events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We therefore assessed buy Sotrastaurin the tolerability and safety of SCH 530348-an oral platelet protease-activated receptor-1 antagonist.

Methods We randomly assigned patients aged 45 years or older and undergoing non-urgent PCI or Coronary angiography with planned PCI to an oral loading dose of SCH 530348 (10 mg, 20 mg, or 40 mg) or matching placebo in a 3:1 ratio in a multicentre international study. Those in the SCH 530348 group who subsequently

underwent PCI (primary PCI cohort) continued taking an oral maintenance dose (0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, or 2.5 mg per day), and patients in the placebo group continued placebo for 60 days. The primary endpoint was the incidence of clinically significant major or minor bleeding according

to the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) scale. Both investigators and patients were unaware of treatment allocation. Analysis was by intention to treat. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00132912.

Findings 257 patients were assigned to placebo and 773 to SCH 530348. The primary endpoint occurred in 2 (2%) of 129, 3 (3%) ICG-001 chemical structure of 120, and 7 (4%) of 173 patients, respectively, in the SCH 530348 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg groups compared with 5 (3%) of 151 patients in the placebo group (p=0.5786). TIMI major plus minor bleeding occurred in 3 (2%) of 136, eFT-508 concentration 5 (4%) of 139, and 4 (3%) of 138 patients given SCH 530348 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, and 2.5 mg once per day, respectively (p=0.7561).

Interpretation Oral SCH 530348 was generally well tolerated and did not cause increased TIMI bleeding, even when administered concomitantly with aspirin and clopidogrel. Further testing in phase III trials to accurately define the safety and efficacy of SCH 530348 is warranted.”
“Background The first and second EUROASPIRE surveys showed high rates of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in patients with coronary heart disease. The third EUROASPIRE survey was done in 2006-07 in 22 countries to see whether preventive cardiology had improved and if the joint European Societies’ recommendations on cardiovascular

disease prevention are being followed in clinical practice.

Methods EUROASPIRE I, II, and III were designed as cross-sectional studies and included the same selected geographical areas and hospitals in the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, and Slovenia. Consecutive patients (men and women <= 70 years) were identified after coronary artery bypass graft or percutaneous coronary intervention, or a hospital admission with acute myocardial infarction or ischaemia, and were interviewed at least 6 months later.

Findings 3180 patients were interviewed in the first survey, 2975 in the second, and 2392 in the third. Overall, the proportion of patients who smoke has remained nearly the same (20.3% in EUROASPIRE I, 21.

We do demonstrate, however, that IL-2 stimulation and p12 expression significantly increased the rate of syncytium formation, revealing a novel role for IL-2 signaling and Jak activation in HTLV-1 virus transmission.”
“Persistent blockade of NMDA receptor function by repeated phencyclidine dosing produces

pathophysiological changes that model deficits observed in schizophrenia. The present study investigates the effects of subchronic phencyclidine administration (PCP; 2 or 5 mg/kg bi-daily for 7 days followed by a drug-free period) on sucrose choice, a measure of anhedonia. Sucrose preference in a two-bottle sucrose-water choice test was assessed 1 and 2 weeks after PCP. Results showed no differences in sucrose intake between PCP rats and controls, nor a difference in water intake or total volume of liquid consumed at either time-point. Six weeks post-PCP, buy Torin 1 analysis

of brains showed a reduction in expression of parvalbumin immunoreactive neurons in the hippocampus With significant Bromosporine mw reductions localised to the CA1 and CA2/3 regions. These results demonstrate that while subchronic PCP may not be a valid model for the negative symptom of anhedonia observed in schizophrenia, it induces pathology in the brain in hippocampal subregions that are reminiscent of changes observed in schizophrenia. Crown Copyright (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved”
“Cidofovir (CDV) is one of the most effective antiorthopoxvirus drugs, and it is widely accepted that viral DNA replication is the main target of its activity. In the present study, we report a detailed analysis of CDV effects on the replicative cycles of distinct vaccinia virus (VACV) strains:

Cantagalo virus, VACV-IOC, and VACV-WR. We show that despite the approximately 90% inhibition of production of virus progeny, virus DNA accumulation Taselisib was reduced only 30%, and late gene expression and genome resolution were unaltered. The level of proteolytic cleavage of the major core proteins was diminished in CDV-treated cells. Electron microscopic analysis of virus-infected cells in the presence of CDV revealed reductions as great as 3.5-fold in the number of mature forms of virus particles, along with a 3.2-fold increase in the number of spherical immature particles. A detailed analysis of purified virions recovered from CDV-treated cells demonstrated the accumulation of unprocessed p4a and p4b and nearly 67% inhibition of DNA encapsidation. However, these effects of CDV on virus morphogenesis resulted from a primary effect on virus DNA synthesis, which led to later defects in genome encapsidation and virus assembly. Analysis of virus DNA by atomic force microscopy revealed that viral cytoplasmic DNA synthesized in the presence of CDV had an altered structure, forming aggregates with increased strand overlapping not observed in the absence of the drug.

To examine inconsistent findings in the research literature, a latent trajectory class analysis this website was performed.

Results. Multidimensional overall health trajectories showed three heterogeneous latent classes (maintaining,

persistently high, and deteriorating), and profiles of ascribed and achieved socioeconomic characteristics of multidimensional health trajectory classes showed a significant social and racial/ethnic stratification in late older years.

Discussion. Past adverse socioeconomic circumstances, including childhood and adulthood adversity, are potential sources of unobserved heterogeneity of multidimensional health trajectories even in late older years. The identification of members of latent trajectory health classes and the associated antecedents linked to health class membership are consistent with a life-course conceptual framework. Thus, multidimensional health capturing the full range of health problems needs to be investigated for proper examination of socioeconomic correlates of health. This facilitates the understanding of the associations between life-course experiences and health in late old age that ZD1839 ultimately have implications for prevention and intervention.”
“Saposin (Sap) C is a small lysosomal disulfide bridge-containing glycoprotein required for glucosylceramide (GC) hydrolysis by glucosylceramidase (GCase). Sap C deficiency causes a

variant form of Gaucher disease (GD), a rare genetic disorder characterized by GC accumulation in lysosomes of monocyte/macrophage lineage. Efforts to develop fast and efficient methodologies to express and purify Sap C have been made in the last years. Here, human Sap C was expressed in a bacterial strain that greatly enhances disulfide bond formation, and the recombinant protein was purified

in a single chromatographic step using an affinity tag-based protein purification system. Mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated that disulfide bridges required for Sap C stability and functionality were retained. Consistently, the recombinant protein was shown to interact with anionic phospholipids-containing vesicles, and reconstitute GCase activity in vitro. Recombinant Sap C was www.selleck.cn/products/yap-tead-inhibitor-1-peptide-17.html efficiently endocytosed by Sap C-deficient fibroblasts, and targeted to lysosomes. These findings document that the bacterially purified Sap C exerts biological properties functionally equivalent to those observed for the native protein, indicating its potential use in the development of therapeutic intervention. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Though working-age immigrants exhibit lower mortality compared with those domestic-born immigrants, consequences of immigration for mental health remain unclear. We examine whether older immigrants exhibit a mental advantage and whether factors believed to underlie immigrant vulnerability explain disparities.

The sample includes 12,247 noninstitutionalized men more than 50 years in 11 European countries.

However, while HA bound with high avidity to a broad range of alpha 2,3-linked sialylated glycans, M41 S1 recognized only one particular alpha Palbociclib solubility dmso 2,3-linked disialoside

in a glycan array. When comparing the binding of recombinant IBV S1 proteins derived from IBV strains with known differences in tissue tropism and pathogenicity, we observed that while M41 S1 displayed binding to cilia and goblet cells of the chicken respiratory tract, S1 derived from the vaccine strain H120 or the nonvirulent Beaudette strain had reduced or no binding to chicken tissues, respectively, in agreement with the reduced abilities of these viruses to replicate in vivo. While the S1 protein derived from the nephropathogenic IBV strain B1648 also hardly displayed binding to respiratory tract cells, distinct binding to kidney cells was observed, but only after the removal of sialic acid from S1. In conclusion, see more our data demonstrate that the attachment patterns of the IBV S proteins correlate

with the tropisms and pathogenicities of the corresponding viruses.”
“Background

Several trials evaluating the effect of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing on prostate-cancer mortality have shown conflicting results. We updated prostate-cancer mortality in the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer with 2 additional years of follow-up.

Methods

The study involved 182,160 men between the ages of 50 and 74 years at entry, with a predefined core age group of 162,388 men 55 to 69 years of age. The trial was conducted in eight European countries. Men who were randomly assigned to the screening group were

offered PSA-based screening, whereas those in the control group were not offered such screening. The primary outcome was mortality from prostate cancer.

Results

After a median follow-up of 11 years in the core age group, the relative reduction in the risk of death from prostate cancer in the screening group was 21% (rate ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68 to 0.91; P = 0.001), and 29% Avapritinib in vivo after adjustment for noncompliance. The absolute reduction in mortality in the screening group was 0.10 deaths per 1000 person-years or 1.07 deaths per 1000 men who underwent randomization. The rate ratio for death from prostate cancer during follow-up years 10 and 11 was 0.62 (95% CI, 0.45 to 0.85; P = 0.003). To prevent one death from prostate cancer at 11 years of follow-up, 1055 men would need to be invited for screening and 37 cancers would need to be detected. There was no significant between-group difference in all-cause mortality.

Conclusions

Analyses after 2 additional years of follow-up consolidated our previous finding that PSA-based screening significantly reduced mortality from prostate cancer but did not affect all-cause mortality. (Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN49127736.

A non-significant trend was also evident for greater prevalence of reported severe maternal antipathy amongst those with psychosis. Associations with maternal neglect and childhood sexual abuse disappeared after adjusting for maternal physical abuse and antipathy. Paternal maltreatment and other forms of adversity were not associated with psychosis

nor was there evidence of a dose-response check details effect.

Conclusions. These findings suggest that only specific adverse childhood experiences are associated with psychotic disorders and only in a minority of cases. If replicated, this greater precision will ensure that research into the mechanisms underlying the pathway from childhood adversity to psychosis is more fruitful.”
“Background: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) General Thoracic Surgery Database (GTSD) is the largest clinical thoracic surgical database in the United States. The purpose

of the present study was to determine whether the GTSD esophagectomy outcomes are representative of nationwide outcomes by comparing them with other national clinical and administrative databases.

Methods: From 2002 to 2008, esophageal cancer resection outcomes Gemcitabine nmr from the GTSD were compared with those from the National Surgery Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) and Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). The observed differences in patient characteristics and postoperative events were also analyzed.

Results: Annual esophageal resection volumes have increased over

time. However, as of 2008, the GTSD and NSQIP only capture a small proportion of resections performed Ganetespib cost nationally (36% and 11%, respectively). The median patient age and female gender were similar in all 3 databases. Mortality was significantly lower within the GTSD (3.2%) and NSQIP (2.6%) compared with the NIS (6.1%, P<.001). The median length of stay was lower in the GTSD (10 days) than in either the NSQIP (12 days) and NIS (12 days, P<.001).

Conclusions: The STS GTSD reports outstanding mortality results and hospital length of stay for esophageal cancer resection. However, the surgical outcomes from the STS GTSD are not representative of the national results from programs not participating in the database. These results establish a reference for future esophagectomy comparisons and highlight the importance of increased participation and use of the STS GTSD. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2012;144:1152-9)”
“Quantitative MRI techniques based on morphology and tissue microstructure dependent contrast provide a unique window on brain development in the neonatal period. The dramatic changes in morphology and MRI contrast that occur during this period have the potential to be used to identify normal and abnormal developmental trajectories that predict neurodevelopmental outcome in at risk populations. Here, we review these technologies focussing on two broad categories: gross morphological analysis and tissue microstructure assessment.