The genome is carried by the complete linear sequence of DNA nucleotides packaged into all the chromosomes. During interphase, the chromosomes are extended and much of their chromatin exist as long threads while also maintaining specific three-dimensional architectures in the nuclear space. These interphase chromosomes are organized into multiscale three-dimensional structures, including chromosome territories, A/B compartments, topologically associating domains, and chromatin loops, that extend over a wide range of genomic distances, providing connections, for instance, between enhancers and promoters. This hierarchically organized genomic architecture is crucial for the regulation of gene transcription, which in turn is essential for the development and maintenance of various biological processes. This article reviews various aspects of spatial genome organization and their functions in gene expression and neural development. Furthermore, dysregulation of spatial genome organization in disease states, and the growing interest in new technologies to manipulate chromatin architecture are also discussed.

This study compared interpretation of irregular and/or linear opacities (IR) among experts and beginners who learned the International Classification of High-Resolution Computed Tomography for Occupational and Environmental Respiratory Diseases. The accuracy of interpretation of results among beginners was consistent compared to that of experts after training. It is important to further improve and develop training methods and materials for inexperienced physicians.

Background: Major depression (MD) is the most prevalent mood disorder worldwide. Electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) is a highly effective treatment in psychiatry and shows efficacy in patients who were resistant to pharmacotherapy. Recent retrospective cohort studies have shown that ECT is highly effective in ameliorating depressive symptoms. Similar ECT efficacy has been established also in various rodent models of MD. To establish further efficacy of ECT in rodent depression models, we investigated the effect of ECT on depressive-like behaviour induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats. Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups, namely, control, LPS, sham ECT, and LPS + ECT. The SD rats received intraperitoneal injection of LPS or sterile saline, followed by ECT or sham treatment for 7 consecutive days. Subsequently, the forced swimming test (FST) and Y-maze test were performed. Results: The FST showed that the immobility time in the LPS group (169.73 ± 15.46 s) was significantly longer than that in the control group (63.16 ± 4.48 s). However, ECT administration to LPS-injected rats significantly shortened the prolonged immobility. The Y-maze test showed a significant decrease in % spontaneous alternation behaviour (SAB) in the LPS group compared to the control group. ECT administration to LPS-injected rats significantly restored such a decrease in % SAB. Conclusions: Our results suggest that repeated ECT ameliorated LPS-induced depressive-like behaviour in SD rats. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the molecular mechanism of such therapeutic effects of ECT.