Synaptic morphology and differences in sensitivity

A relation between synaptic morphology and physiology was observed in an in vitro preparation of a sense organ (the ampulla of Lorenzini), in which activity was monitored from the primary afferent neurons before electron microscopic examination of the afferent synapses. The depth of the postsynaptic trough decreased as prefixation sensitivity of the sense organ decreased. This relation and other ultrastructural differences suggest that physiological properties of synapses are influenced by morphological features. Thus, synapses might be morphologically dynamic to modulate synaptic efficacy in relatively long-term phenomena.     

Long-term potentiation of neuron-glia synapses mediated by Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors

Interactions between neurons and glial cells in the brain may serve important functions in the development, maintenance, and plasticity of neural circuits. Fast neuron-glia synaptic transmission has been found between hippocampal neurons and NG2 cells, a distinct population of macroglia-like cells widely distributed in the brain. We report that these neuron-glia synapses undergo activity-dependent modifications analogous to long-term potentiation (LTP) at excitatory synapses, a hallmark of neuronal plasticity. However, unlike the induction of LTP at many neuron-neuron synapses, both induction and expression of LTP at neuron-NG2 synapses involve Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors on NG2 cells.     

Driving AMPA receptors into synapses by LTP and CaMKII: requirement for GluR1 and PDZ domain interaction

To elucidate mechanisms that control and execute activity-dependent synaptic plasticity, alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate receptors (AMPA-Rs) with an electrophysiological tag were expressed in rat hippocampal neurons. Long-term potentiation (LTP) or increased activity of the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) induced delivery of tagged AMPA-Rs into synapses. This effect was not diminished by mutating the CaMKII phosphorylation site on the GluR1 AMPA-R subunit, but was blocked by mutating a predicted PDZ domain interaction site. These results show that LTP and CaMKII activity drive AMPA-Rs to synapses by a mechanism that requires the association between GluR1 and a PDZ domain protein.     

厚胶合板弹性模量预测模型

为了预测厚胶合板弹性模量,通过简化层合板理论,该文建立了胶合板弹性模量预测模型,并以单板条、经过涂胶热压处理的单板条和相同工艺条件下的单板层积材的弹性模量,采用4种不同铺层方式的19层桉树胶合板对模型进行了验证。结果表明:3种预测值与实测值的趋势一致,相关系数R2顺纹在0.86以上,横纹在0.88以上,但是精度不同。采用单板条弹性模量预测的胶合板弹性模量比实测值偏低;采用经过涂胶热压处理后的单板条弹性模量预测的胶合板弹性模量比实测值偏高;采用相同工艺条件下的单板层积材弹性模量预测的胶合板弹性模量与实测值偏差较小,顺纹平均误差为4.64%,横纹平均误差10.94%。因此,采用相同工艺条件下的单板层积材的弹性模量来预测胶合板的弹性模量是可行的。      

Venice: sea-lagoon exchange in a modified tide regime

Salinity and tide heights recorded for a month at P(0), a point in the northern section of the Venetian lagoon, are the basic experimental data used to construct a numerical model which describes the salinity variations at P(0) as a function of the tides measured at the Lido entrance. The time variation of the salinity pattern iss interpreted in terms of a lagoon system in which a freshwater source of constant intensity is in a quasi-steady equilibrium with a tide-modulated sink. The mean residence time of a contaminant in this simulated lagoon is predicted from the change in the salinity pattern due to a reduction in the entrance size.     

The predicted structure of immunoglobulin D1.3 and its comparison with the crystal structure

Predictions of the structures of the antigen-binding domains of an antibody, recorded before its experimental structure determination and tested subsequently, were based on comparative analysis of known antibody structures or on conformational energy calculations. The framework, the relative positions of the hypervariable regions, and the folds of four of the hypervariable loops were predicted correctly. This portion includes all residues in contact with the antigen, in this case hen egg white lysozyme, implying that the main chain conformation of the antibody combining site does not change upon ligation. The conformations of three residues in each of the other two hypervariable loops are different in the predicted models and the experimental structure.     

T cell receptor signaling precedes immunological synapse formation

The area of contact between a T cell and an antigen-presenting cell (APC) is known as the immunological synapse. Although its exact function is unknown, one model suggests that it allows for T cell receptor (TCR) clustering and for sustained signaling in T cells for many hours. Here we demonstrate that TCR-mediated tyrosine kinase signaling in na?ve T cells occurred primarily at the periphery of the synapse and was largely abated before mature immunological synapses had formed. These data suggest that many hours of TCR signaling are not required for T cell activation. These observations challenge current ideas about the role of immunological synapses in T cell activation.     

花后弱光逆境对弱筋小麦产量构成因素和籽粒品质影响的模拟模型

【目的】建立花后弱光逆境对弱筋小麦产量构成因素和籽粒品质影响的模拟模型,为弱光天气事件对优质弱筋小麦生产的灾损评估提供模型工具。【方法】以弱筋小麦品种扬麦15号为试材,通过设定花后3个光照强度（光照强度分别为自然光强的50%、34%和16%）和4个弱光持续时间（2 d、4 d、6 d和8 d）的遮阴处理试验,模拟连阴雨天气诱发的弱光逆境对弱筋小麦产量构成因素和籽粒品质的影响。在定量分析弱光逆境对弱筋小麦产量构成因素和氮素累积影响的基础上,确定其与籽粒品质指标的函数关系,将这些函数关系与笔者前期建立的弱光对小麦干物质生产影响模拟模型相结合,建立花后弱光逆境对弱筋小麦产量构成因素和籽粒品质影响的模拟模型,并使用独立试验数据对模型进行检验。【结果】确定了花后对弱筋小麦每穗结实粒数和籽粒氮含量产生显著影响的临界弱光阈值和持续时间。模型检验结果表明,模型对每穗结实粒数、千粒重、籽粒容重、面粉降落数值、籽粒粗蛋白含量和面粉湿面筋含量的模拟值与实测值基于1﹕1线的决定系数（R2）分别为0.89、0.75、0.72、0.73、0.93、0.84,相对均方根差（rRMSE）分别为2.86%、3.41%、1.01%、2.50%、2.64%、5.05%。【结论】本研究建立的模型能够较为准确地模拟花后不同强度和持续时间弱光逆境对弱筋小麦产量构成因素和籽粒品质的影响,模型的建立为评估全球气候变化背景下弱光天气事件对优质弱筋小麦生产的不利影响提供了模型工具。     

Extracellular potassium ions mediate specific neuronal interaction

The giant interneurons from the nerve system of the cockroach Periplaneta americana exhibit a peculiar reciprocal synaptic interaction. The synaptic potentials are not blocked by addition of 5 millimolar cobalt chloride and have an extrapolated reversal potential close to 0 millivolt. Hyperpolarizing current injected into one cell does not spread to the other. Intracellular injection of tetraethylammonium ions into one giant interneuron increases the duration of the action potential of the injected cell to 30 milliseconds and reduces the rise time and amplitude of the postsynaptic response recorded in the other giant interneuron. These results indicate that the interaction between the interneurons is not mediated by conventional chemical or electrotonic synapses.. All evidence points to generation of the potentials by localized increases in extracellular potassium concentrations as a consequence of firing of one neuron.     

利用增长量分配模型的杉木林分生长预测建模

以Richards方程为林分生长预测方程, 结合林分的少量实测和经验数据, 采用最小二乘法求得Richards方程的各个参数重构方程, 根据重构的Richards方程预测林分的整体生长, 然后根据预测量得到平均增长量, 基于"强者越强, 弱者越弱"原则的增长量分配模型, 将增长量合理地分配到每株林木上。在预测林分生长时, 提出一种全林分生长模型到单木生长模型转换的新算法, 即全林分生长模型采用Richards方程预测林分某个生长因子整体的平均增长量, 然后根据增长量分配模型将整体增长量合理分派到每株林木, 实现由整体到个体的转换。采用湖南省攸县黄丰桥林场1块杉木Cunninghamia lanceolata林分样地的实验数据并对其模拟建模。结果表明:该方法可使林分预测建模简便快速, 且建立的生长模型真实度较高。     

The cholinergic synapse and the site of memory

A simple hypothesis can explain the results obtained to date if we disregard those results when we wait 30 minutes after original learning to inject. The hypothesis is that, as a result of learning, the postsynaptic endings at a specific set of synapses become more sensitive to transmitter. This sensitivity increases with time after initial learning and then declines. The rate at which such sensitivity increases depends on the amount of initial learning. If the curve of transmission plotted against time is displaced upward with anticholinesterases then the very low portions will show facilitation, and the high portions will cause block (Fig. 8). The middle portions will appear unaffected (unless special experimental tests are made). If the curve of transmission is displaced down with anticholinergics, then the middle portion will appear unaffected and only the very early or late components will show block. The results are evidence that synaptic conductance is altered as a result of learning. So far it seems (i) that cholinergic synapses are modified as a result of learning and that it probably is the postsynaptic membrane that becomes increasingly more sensitive to acetylcholine with time after learning, up to a certain point. (ii) After this point, sensitivity declines, leading to the phenomenon of forgetting. (iii) There is also good evidence that there is an initial phase of declining sensitivity to cholinesterase or increasing sensitivity to anticholinergics. This could reflect the existence of a parallel set of synapses with fast decay that serve as a shortterm store. (iv) Increasing the amount of learning leads to an increase in conductance in each of a set of synapses without an increase in their number. (v) Both original learning and extinction are subserved by cholinergic synapses.     

Evidence for ectopic neurotransmission at a neuronal synapse

Neurotransmitter release is well known to occur at specialized synaptic regions that include presynaptic active zones and postsynaptic densities. At cholinergic synapses in the chick ciliary ganglion, however, membrane formations and physiological measurements suggest that release distant from postsynaptic densities can activate the predominantly extrasynaptic alpha7 nicotinic receptor subtype. We explored such ectopic neurotransmission with a novel model synapse that combines Monte Carlo simulations with high-resolution serial electron microscopic tomography. Simulated synaptic activity is consistent with experimental recordings of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents only when ectopic transmission is included in the model, broadening the possibilities for mechanisms of neuronal communication.     

Activity-dependent long-term depression of electrical synapses

Use-dependent forms of synaptic plasticity have been extensively characterized at chemical synapses, but a relationship between natural activity and strength at electrical synapses remains elusive. The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN), a brain area rich in gap-junctional (electrical) synapses, regulates cortical attention to the sensory surround and participates in shifts between arousal states; plasticity of electrical synapses may be a key mechanism underlying these processes. We observed long-term depression resulting from coordinated burst firing in pairs of coupled TRN neurons. Changes in gap-junctional communication were asymmetrical, indicating that regulation of connectivity depends on the direction of use. Modification of electrical synapses resulting from activity in coupled neurons is likely to be a widespread and powerful mechanism for dynamic reorganization of electrically coupled neuronal networks.     

Diversity and dynamics of dendritic signaling

Communication between neurons in the brain occurs primarily through synapses made onto elaborate treelike structures called dendrites. New electrical and optical recording techniques have led to tremendous advances in our understanding of how dendrites contribute to neuronal computation in the mammalian brain. The varied morphology and electrical and chemical properties of dendrites enable a spectrum of local and long-range signaling, defining the input-output relationship of neurons and the rules for induction of synaptic plasticity. In this way, diversity in dendritic signaling allows individual neurons to carry out specialized functions within their respective networks.     

Divergent immunoglobulin g subclass activity through selective Fc receptor binding

Subclasses of immunoglobulin G (IgG) display substantial differences in their ability to mediate effector responses, contributing to variable activity of antibodies against microbes and tumors. We demonstrate that the mechanism underlying this long-standing observation of subclass dominance in function is provided by the differential affinities of IgG subclasses for specific activating IgG Fc receptors compared with their affinities for the inhibitory IgG Fc receptor. The significant differences in the ratios of activating-to-inhibitory receptor binding predicted the in vivo activity. We suggest that these highly predictable functions assigned by Fc binding will be an important consideration in the design of therapeutic antibodies and vaccines.     

豆类丝核菌次级代谢产物对小鼠行为致畸学研究

研究了豆类丝核菌次级代谢产物对小鼠后代的行为致畸作用.将5组孕鼠分为空白对照组、豆类丝核菌次级代谢产物低剂量组、中剂量组、高剂量组及阳性对照组,分别灌胃给予生理盐水、低剂量（SW含量3.54 mg/kg）、中剂量（SW含量14.15 mg/kg）、高剂量（SW含量56.62 mg/kg）豆类丝核菌次级代谢产物及10 mg/kg环磷酰铵（CP）,待其自然分娩后,观察其后代生长发育及行为状态.结果表明,豆类丝核菌次级代谢产物3个剂量组在反射能力、协调运动能力、学习记忆能力及自主活动能力各方面指标与空白对照组相比差异均不显著（P＞0.05）,而与阳性对照组相比差异极显著（P＜0.01）.在本实验的剂量和条件下,豆类丝核菌次级代谢产物对小鼠后代不具有行为致畸作用.     

A physiological basis for a theory of synapse modification

The functional organization of the cerebral cortex is modified dramatically by sensory experience during early postnatal life. The basis for these modifications is a type of synaptic plasticity that may also contribute to some forms of adult learning. The question of how synapses modify according to experience has been approached by determining theoretically what is required of a modification mechanism to account for the available experimental data in the developing visual cortex. The resulting theory states precisely how certain variables might influence synaptic modifications. This insight has led to the development of a biologically plausible molecular model for synapse modification in the cerebral cortex.     

Grain separation loss monitoring system in combine harvester

Based on laboratory experimental results obtained with an axial threshing test-rig with tangential feeding, cumulative distribution functions of separated grain in axial and radial directions of threshing rotor were built. Based on the analysis of the relationship between grain separation loss and grain separation flux in an area under the concave, an indirect grain separation loss monitoring method is presented in this paper.Piezo-electric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film was selected as sensitive material to design a grain flux sensor. While grain and material-other-than-grain (MOG) separated in the monitoring area impact on piezo-electric PVDF films, different electric charges are generated. After signal progressing with a charge amplifier, frequency discrimination and wave shaping, the number of grain can be counted by a microcontroller (MCU) and the grain separation loss of combine harvester can be measured in real-time.Field test results indicated that the measurement errors of grain separation loss recorded by the monitoring system relative to the loss checked manually were less than 12%.     

Optimization of Enzyme-assisted Extraction Technology for Tartary Buckwheat Shell Procyanidins with Response Surface Methodology

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cellulase dosage, enzymolysis time, pH and enzymolysis temperature on procyanidin extraction rate by single factor experiment, with tartary buckwheat shell as an experimental material.Main process parameters were optimized to obtain a regression model by response surface methodology. The results of variance analysis indicated that the regression model reflected the relationship between buckwheat shell procyanidin extraction rate with enzyme dosage, enzymolysis time, pH and enzymolysis temperature; and the optimal process parameters were enzyme dosage of 6.5 mg/g, enzymolysis time of 1.5 h, pH at 4.7 and enzymolysis temperature at 46 ℃. Three parallel experiments were conducted under these process parameters. In practice, the highest procyanidin extraction rate was 6.78 g/100 g. The relative error between the predicted value of regression model and the actual value was 1.3%. The regression equation fitted the real situation better.     

Activity-induced potentiation of developing neuromuscular synapses

Electrical activity plays a critical role in shaping the structure and function of synaptic connections in the nervous system. In Xenopus nerve-muscle cultures, a brief burst of action potentials in the presynaptic neuron induced a persistent potentiation of neuromuscular synapses that exhibit immature synaptic functions. Induction of potentiation required an elevation of postsynaptic Ca2+ and expression of potentiation appeared to involve an increased probability of transmitter secretion from the presynaptic nerve terminal. Thus, activity-dependent persistent synaptic enhancement may reflect properties characteristic of immature synaptic connections, and bursting activity in developing spinal neurons may promote functional maturation of the neuromuscular synapse.