Induction of mesoderm by a viral oncogene in early Xenopus embryos

During frog embryogenesis, mesoderm is specified in the equatorial region of the early embryo by a signal from the vegetal hemisphere. Prospective ectodermal cells dissected from the animal hemisphere can be respecified to form mesodermal tissues by recombination with vegetal tissue or by treatment with any of several polypeptide growth factors or growth factor-like molecules. Together with the discovery that several developmental mutations in Drosophila are in genes with significant homology to mammalian mitogens and oncogenes, these observations suggest that early developmental signals may use similar transduction pathways to mitogenic signals characterized in cultured mammalian cells. Whether mesoderm can be induced by activation of intracellular signal transduction pathways implicated in mitogenesis and oncogenesis has been investigated with the viral oncogene polyoma middle T. Microinjection of middle T messenger RNA into early embryos results in the respecification of isolated prospective ectodermal tissue to form characteristic mesodermal structures. Middle T in frog blastomeres appears to associate with cellular activities similar to those observed in polyoma-transformed mouse cells, and transformation-defective middle T mutants fail to induce mesoderm. These results suggest that early inductive signals and mitogenic and oncogenic stimuli may share common signal transduction pathways.     

Development. Hear, hear, for the inner ear

Although the development of the inner ear has been a favorite subject for biologists to study, it is not yet clear exactly which molecules are involved in the induction of the otic placode, the plug of embryonic ectoderm that will become the inner ear. In his Perspective, Graham takes us on an inner ear odyssey, explaining how the signaling molecules FGF-19 and Wnt-8c cooperate to induce formation of the otic placode (Ladher et al.).     

Auditory system of noctuid moths

Insect-eating bats find their aerial food by sonar, through emitting ultrasonic chirps and locating sources of echoes. Certain moths have ears sensitive to these chirps and can detect bats well beyond the range of the bats' sonar. On hearing a distant bat, many moths turn and fly directly away from the source of ultrasound. Only one sense cell in each ear of a moth provides the primary nervous information for this response. This article describes my initial attempts to find out how a moth's central nervous system processes the train of chirps reaching its two ears. The ear of a restrained moth is exposed to a sequence of artifically generated ultrasonic pulses that approximates the cries made by a bat. This stimulus can be varied with respect to ultrasonic frequency (pitch), pulse intensity, pulse duration, the interval between pulses, and pulse-train duration. The more sensitive acoustic sense cell responds to all frequencies between about 15,000 and 80,000 cycles per second, but the signal that it transmits to the moth's central nervous system contains no measure of frequency within this range. However, this nerve signal reports variations in the other parameters of the stimulus. The acoustic fiber connects, in the central nervous system, with various nerve cells that transform the signal farther. The signal from a pulse-marker neuron contains no measures of pulse intensity or pulse duration, reporting only changes in interpulse interval and pulse-train duration. A train-marker neuron reports only the duration of the pulse train. The stimulus parameters may be likened to keys, each of which is necessary to gain admittance through a given door but becomes superfluous once this door has been passed. This analogy suggests one of the ways in which a signal is transformed in its passage through the nervous system, and how its specificity is assured in eliciting a given response. In addition to undergoing this kind of transformation, neural signals generated in the two directionally sensitive ears must be combined if a flying moth is to steer a course away from a distant bat. Neurons have been discovered in the central ganglia which summate signals from the right and left ears. Other neurons are inhibited in their activity by stimulation of one ear. The moth may combine signals from these neurons with motor-nerve information on the attitude of its own wings, which act as oscillating baffles modifying its directional acoustic sensitivity 20 to 40 times a second as it flaps an erratic path through the darkness.     

Self-representation in nervous systems

The brain's earliest self-representational capacities arose as evolution found neural network solutions for coordinating and regulating inner-body signals, thereby improving behavioral strategies. Additional flexibility in organizing coherent behavioral options emerges from neural models that represent some of the brain's inner states as states of its body, while representing other signals as perceptions of the external world. Brains manipulate inner models to predict the distinct consequences in the external world of distinct behavioral options. The self thus turns out to be identifiable not with a nonphysical soul, but rather with a set of representational capacities of the physical brain.     

Cognitive control signals for neural prosthetics

Recent development of neural prosthetics for assisting paralyzed patients has focused on decoding intended hand trajectories from motor cortical neurons and using this signal to control external devices. In this study, higher level signals related to the goals of movements were decoded from three monkeys and used to position cursors on a computer screen without the animals emitting any behavior. Their performance in this task improved over a period of weeks. Expected value signals related to fluid preference, the expected magnitude, or probability of reward were decoded simultaneously with the intended goal. For neural prosthetic applications, the goal signals can be used to operate computers, robots, and vehicles, whereas the expected value signals can be used to continuously monitor a paralyzed patient's preferences and motivation.     

Brain evolution triggers increased diversification of electric fishes

Communication can contribute to the evolution of biodiversity by promoting speciation and reinforcing reproductive isolation between existing species. The evolution of species-specific signals depends on the ability of individuals to detect signal variation, which in turn relies on the capability of the brain to process signal information. Here, we show that evolutionary change in a region of the brain devoted to the analysis of communication signals in mormyrid electric fishes improved detection of subtle signal variation and resulted in enhanced rates of signal evolution and species diversification. These results show that neural innovations can drive the diversification of signals and promote speciation.     

Neural correlates of a magnetic sense

Many animals rely on Earth's magnetic field for spatial orientation and navigation. However, how the brain receives and interprets magnetic field information is unknown. Support for the existence of magnetic receptors in the vertebrate retina, beak, nose, and inner ear has been proposed, and immediate gene expression markers have identified several brain regions activated by magnetic stimulation, but the central neural mechanisms underlying magnetoreception remain unknown. Here we describe neuronal responses in the pigeon's brainstem that show how single cells encode magnetic field direction, intensity, and polarity; qualities that are necessary to derive an internal model representing directional heading and geosurface location. Our findings demonstrate that there is a neural substrate for a vertebrate magnetic sense.     

Matlab在昆虫声信号研究中的应用

Matlab是一种功能强大的工程计算及数值分析软件。本文以水稻害虫褐飞虱雄虫求偶鸣声信号为例,利用Matlab信号处理工具箱中的函数对该信号进行时频分析,并进一步探讨了小波分析工具箱、高阶谱工具箱以及神经网络工具箱在昆虫声信号研究中应用的可能性。     

Shark pit organs: enhancement of mechanosensitivity by potassium ions

The mandibular pit organs of pelagic sharks, which respond sensitively to monovalent cations, often show neural discharges synchronized with respiratory gill movement. The mechanosensitivity of the organs is remarkably enhanced by application of potassium ions on the same end organ, respiratory movement remaining constant. In view of their michanosensitivity to an incr-ease of potassium ions in the cell environment, as well as their chemosensitivity,the pit organs of sarks, rather than the canal organs which have no chemosensitivity, may be designated as a better model of the inner ear of higher animals.     

Region-specific neural induction of an engrailed protein by anterior notochord in Xenopus

Anterior-specific neural induction can be assayed by means of an antibody that recognizes the Xenopus homeobox-containing protein En-2. The En-2 antigen is an excellent early marker, since it is present as a discrete band in the anterior neural plate of neurula embryos. Regional induction was assayed by combining dorsal mesoderm with competent ectoderm. Anterior notochord from the early neurula induced En-2 frequently, while posterior notochord induced En-2 less frequently. Presumptive somitic mesoderm and presumptive head mesoderm, though they induced neural tissue, were not strong inducers of En-2. Thus, anterior notochord may be the primary mesodermal tissue responsible for the patterning of the anterior neural plate.     

基于CC2541的生猪光电式心率测量方法研究

[目的]研制一款基于光电容积脉搏波(Photoplethysmographic,PPG)原理的生猪心率测量耳标,实现生猪心率的在线监测.[方法]依据PPG原理,采用SoC芯片CC2541、光电式心率传感器、MPU6050等研制一款基于CC2541蓝牙4.0的生猪心率测量耳标,分析生猪心率信号的运动干扰来源,同时采集人体模拟生猪运动下的心率信号,导入MATLAB软件,以快速傅里叶变换(Fast Fourier transform,FFT)处理分析PPG信号、运动信号的频域特征及低频采样对心率数据提取结果的影响,并将FFT移植到CC2541中直接提取心率数据.[结果]猪耳与传感器间的相对运动是生猪心率信号干扰的主要因素.当猪耳与心率传感器间的夹持压力在0.6~1.5 N时,传感器能输出完整的PPG信号波形,在生猪安静状态下能准确获取心率数据,在生猪运动状态下通过FFT算法也可有效提取心率数据.在CC2541的RAM容量限制下,采样数为128点,能满足FFT算法提取心率数据.通过CC2541中FFT处理得到的心跳频率为2.813 Hz,生猪心率=2.813 Hz×60 s=168.78次/min,生猪安静状态下人工测量的心率为160.00次/min,二者基本相符.[结论]基于CC2541蓝牙4.0的生猪心率测量耳标具有体积小、抗运动干扰强、功耗低的特点,适合对生猪进行长期动态的心率监测,为开展生猪健康预警、动物福利、行为建模等研究提供一种新手段.     

细菌群体感应系统的研究进展

群体感应是细菌监控自身群体密度的环境信号感受系统。细菌在繁殖过程中分泌一些特定的化学信号分子,这种信号分子从胞内扩散到胞外,当这种信号分子达到一定的阈值时,细菌感受到自身的细胞密度,启动某些基因的表达,这一过程称为群体感应(quorum-sensing)。目前,已在许多革兰氏阳性菌和阴性菌中发现了群体感应系统,调控许多基因的表达。笔者综述了细菌的群体感应系统的最新进展及群体感应的作用,并阐述了其在生物技术领域的应用前景。     

多层螺旋CT诊断先天性外耳道闭锁的价值

目的探讨多层螺旋CT（MSCT）对先天性外耳道闭锁（CAA）的诊断价值。方法 21例CAA患者采用MSCT扫描,将原始数据进行三维重组。结果 21例患者中共有23耳闭锁,其中骨性闭锁21耳,膜性闭锁2耳;伴外耳道畸形4耳,鼓室发育异常19耳,听小骨畸形9耳,内耳畸形3耳,耳廓结构异常20耳。结论 MSCT可明确显示外耳、中耳、内耳畸形,有助于CAA的临床分型、手术适应证的确定及术式选择。     

鼓室碘附应用对豚鼠内耳Mg^2＋ATPase活性研究

在豚鼠鼓宝应用碘附以探讨外用消毒药物对内耳损伤的发病机理,实验表明:用药后能致血管纹、柯替氏器毛细胞Mg~(2+)ATPase活性下降。Mg~(2+)ATPase即镁泵,属糖蛋白,定位于线粒体及细胞膜上,反映细胞线粒体需能供能代谢情况。碘附对内耳毒性作用是I~+透入内耳卤化蛋白质,使Mg~(2+)ATPase失活,可引起听功能障碍。     

桃果实生长素结合蛋白ABP1的组织定位及蛋白表达分析

【目的】生长素几乎参与调控植物发育的各个方面。生长素信号转导存在由ABP1（auxin binding protein 1）介导的途径,ABP1作为一种生长素快速响应蛋白参与调控果实发育等生理过程,其主要存在于正在发育的胚及胚的周围组织中。本文旨在研究ABP1是否参与桃果实发育过程,探讨其分布与表达特点,为进一步研究桃果实发育机制奠定理论基础。【方法】以‘24号’桃果实为研究对象,测定其生长曲线以确定果实发育的3个典型时期。分离不同发育时期的中果皮、内果皮和种子,切块后,一部分样品放入EDAC溶液抽真空后进行戊二醛和多聚甲醛固定,固定后的样品经脱水和浸蜡处理后用于石蜡切片;另一部分样品液氮速冻后-80℃保存提取蛋白。制备效价较高的ABP1兔源多克隆抗体,应用免疫组织化学定位技术对自然发育状态下不同发育时期桃果实种子和中果皮中ABP1进行定位分析;应用Western blot技术分析桃果实中果皮、内果皮和种子中ABP1的表达情况。【结果】根据桃果实生长曲线,将发育时期分为3个时期,即第一次快速生长期、硬核期和第二次快速生长期。免疫组织化学定位结果表明,同一发育时期ABP1在种子的不同部位都有分布,且分布信号差异不明显。在种子发育的各时期,ABP1在种子的不同部位都有分布,主要分布在种子的内外种皮细胞以及种皮内维管组织周围的细胞中,且在观测的发育时期内,ABP1的信号强弱没有明显变化。在种子内、外种皮之间的细胞层中会出现零散的、呈带状分布的ABP1信号。而在中果皮发育的整个时期,ABP1只在硬核期维管组织周围的细胞中有明显分布。Western blot结果表明,中果皮中ABP1的表达在果实第一次快速生长期开始（盛花后41 d）及第二次快速生长期开始（盛花后76 d）时的表达量最高,在盛花后39 d的表达量最低。种子中ABP1的表达量要高于中果皮与内果皮。【结论】ABP1在果实内的分布与表达水平存在组织和发育时期的差异性,ABP1因子参与了生长素对桃果实发育的调控过程。     

Mesodermal control of neural cell identity: floor plate induction by the notochord

The floor plate is a specialized group of midline neuroepithelial cells that appears to regulate cell differentiation and axonal growth in the developing vertebrate nervous system. A floor plate-specific chemoattractant was used as a marker to examine the role of the notochord in avian floor plate development. Expression of this chemoattractant in lateral cells of the neural plate and neural tube was induced by an ectopic notochord, and midline neural tube cells did not express the chemoattractant after removal of the notochord early in development. These results provide evidence that a local signal from the notochord induces the functional properties of the floor plate.     

Role of the isthmus and FGFs in resolving the paradox of neural crest plasticity and prepatterning

Cranial neural crest cells generate the distinctive bone and connective tissues in the vertebrate head. Classical models of craniofacial development argue that the neural crest is prepatterned or preprogrammed to make specific head structures before its migration from the neural tube. In contrast, recent studies in several vertebrates have provided evidence for plasticity in patterning neural crest populations. Using tissue transposition and molecular analyses in avian embryos, we reconcile these findings by demonstrating that classical manipulation experiments, which form the basis of the prepatterning model, involved transplantation of a local signaling center, the isthmic organizer. FGF8 signaling from the isthmus alters Hoxa2 expression and consequently branchial arch patterning, demonstrating that neural crest cells are patterned by environmental signals.     

基于深度神经网络及隐马尔科夫模型的生猪状态音频识别

针对传统音频识别方法在生猪音频信号识别中识别率较低的问题,将深度神经网络及隐马尔可夫模型理论作为生猪音频信号识别依据,以长白猪的吃饭声、发情声、嚎叫声、哼叫声和生病长白猪的喘气声为识别对象,利用卡尔曼滤波和改进的EMD-TEO倒谱距离端点检测算法对生猪音频信号进行预处理,把提取的39维的梅尔频率倒谱系数(Mel-frequency cepstral coefficient,MFCC)作为网络学习和识别的数据集,构建基于深度神经网络及隐马尔科夫模型的生猪状态音频识别模型。试验结果表明:1)隐马尔可夫隐状态数设置为5,深度神经网络隐藏层设置为3层,每层128个节点的深度神经网络-隐马尔可夫模型(Deep neural network-hidden Markov model,DNN-HMM),对5种生猪状态音频,即吃饭声、嚎叫声、哼叫声、发情声和病猪喘气声的识别率为70%、95%、75%、80%和95%,总体识别率83%;2)相较于传统的高斯混合模型-隐马尔可夫模型(Gaussian mixture model-hidden Markov model,GMM-HMM),DNN-HMM对相应音频的识别率分别提高了5%、5%、15%、30%、30%,总体识别率提高了17%;3)DNN-HMM模型对于5种不同类型的生猪音频信号均呈现出较好的识别效果。基于DNN-HMM生猪音频识别模型,对生猪不同状态下音频的识别具有较高正确率,且更为可靠。     

A mouse macrophage factor induces head structures and organizes a body axis in Xenopus

Soluble peptide factors have been implicated as the agents responsible for embryonic inductions in vertebrates. Here, a protein (PIF) secreted by a mouse macrophage cell line is shown to change the developmental fate of Xenopus embryonic cells. Exposure to PIF causes presumptive ectodermal explants to form anterior neural and mesodermal tissues, including brain and eye, instead of ciliated epidermis. In addition, the induced tissues are organized into a rudimentary embryonic axis. These results suggest that PIF or a closely related molecule is involved in inducing anterior structures and organizing the frog body plan.     

植物氮磷营养的长距离信号转导

植物应对土壤多变的营养环境需整合和协调地上部和根系的养分感知信息，通过精细而复杂的信号转导机制，调控植物养分应答和生长发育进程。长距离信号转导机制的实现需经由维管系统进行信号分子的长距离运输(故称长距离信号)。在众多矿质营养元素中，氮和磷是限制植物生产力的主要元素。研究表明，蛋白质、小肽和microRNAs等多种分子均可作为长距离信号分子参与调控系统性氮磷信号转导。本文总结了目前鉴定到的氮磷营养长距离信号分子及相关信号转导机制，概述了光对氮磷长距离信号转导的影响，并对长距离信号未来研究方向进行了展望。