Some possible codes for encrypting data in DNA

Three codes are reported for storing written information in DNA. We refer to these codes as the Huffman code, the comma code and the alternating code. The Huffman code was devised using Huffman's algorithm for constructing economical codes. The comma code uses a single base to punctuate the message, creating an automatic reading frame and DNA which is obviously artificial. The alternating code comprises an alternating sequence of purines and pyrimidines, again creating DNA that is clearly artificial. The Huffman code would be useful for routine, short-term storage purposes, supposing – not unrealistically – that very fast methods for assembling and sequencing large pieces of DNA can be developed. The other two codes would be better suited to archiving data over long periods of time (hundreds to thousands of years).     

The role of oxidative stress in diabetic vascular and neural disease

This review will focus on the impact of hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress in the development of diabetes-induced vascular and neural dysfunction. Oxidative stress occurs when the balance between the production of oxidation products and the ability of antioxidant mechanisms to neutralize these products is tilted in the favor of the former. The production of reactive oxygen species has been shown to be increased in patients with diabetes. The possible sources for the overproduction of reactive oxygen species is widespread and include enzymatic pathways, autoxidation of glucose and the mitochondria. Increase in oxidative stress has clearly been shown to contribute to the pathology of vascular disease not only in diabetes but also in hypertension, stroke and ischemia. Since the etiology of diabetic neuropathy is considered to have a large vascular component, prevention of oxidative stress in diabetes is considered by many investigators to be a primary defense against the development of diabetic vascular disease. Potential therapies for preventing increased oxidative stress in diabetes and the neural vasculature will be discussed.     

Investigation on light-addressable potentiometric sensor as a possible cell-semiconductor hybrid

This article reports an investigation on light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) to be used as a possible biological cell-semiconductor hybrid that will enable us to make an interface between the physical and biological system. To increase the surface potential sensitivity, we used a LAPS structure with single insulator (SiO2) coated with poly-L-ornithine and laminin (PLOL) on Si. Efficient culturing of PC-12 and nerve cells of Lymnaea stagnalis on PLOL-coated Si3N4 and SiO2 was achieved. The thickness of the PLOL layer was found to be about 4 nm by the atomic force microscope (AFM) measurement. Using the advantage of this thin layer of PLOL, we compared the performance of a novel structure to the previously reported "PLOL-coated Si3N4/SiO2/Si" structure. Due to high insulating capacitance, the photocurrent response of the novel LAPS was found to be very steep. As a result, higher sensitivity was achieved. This steepness did not degrade during 10 days when the sensor surface was kept in contact with the cell culture medium and environment. The thickness of PLOL layer, its ability to improve the biological cell adhesion, enhanced sensitivity, and experiment with simulated neural action potential (AP) applied to the novel LAPS show a good promise for LAPS to be a biological cell-semiconductor hybrid.     

Alcohol exposure alters the expression pattern of neural cell adhesion molecules during brain development

Neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAMs) play critical roles during development of the nervous system. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible effect of ethanol exposure on the pattern of expression and sialylation of NCAM isoforms during postnatal rat brain development because alterations in NCAM content and distribution have been associated with defects in cell migration, synapse formation, and memory consolidation, and deficits in these processes have been observed after in utero alcohol exposure. The expression of NCAM isoforms in the developing cerebral cortex of pups from control and alcohol-fed mothers was assessed by western blotting, ribonuclease protection assay, and immunocytochemistry. The highly sialylated form of NCAM [polysialic acid (PSA)-NCAM] is mainly expressed during the neonatal period and then is down-regulated in parallel with the appearance of NCAM 180 and NCAM 140. Ethanol exposure increases PSA-NCAM levels during the neonatal period, delays the loss of PSA-NCAM, decreases the amount of NCAM 180 and NCAM 140 isoforms, and reduces sialyltransferase activity during postnatal brain development. Neuraminidase treatment of ethanol-exposed neonatal brains leads to more intense band degradation products, suggesting a higher content of NCAM polypeptides carrying PSA in these samples. However, NCAM mRNA levels are not changed by ethanol. Immunocytochemical analysis demonstrates that ethanol triggers an increase in PSA-NCAM immunolabeling in the cytoplasm of astroglial cells, accompanied by a decrease in immunogold particles over the plasma membrane. These findings indicate that ethanol exposure during brain development alters the pattern of NCAM expression and suggest that modification of NCAM could affect neuronal-glial interactions that might contribute to the brain defects observed after in utero alcohol exposure.     

A synthetic peptide ligand of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) IgI domain prevents NCAM internalization and disrupts passive avoidance learning

The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) mediates cell adhesion and signal transduction through trans-homophilic- and/or cis-heterophilic-binding mechanisms. Intraventricular infusions of anti-NCAM have revealed a functional requirement of NCAM for the consolidation of memory in rats and chicks in a specific interval 6-8 h after training. We have now extended these studies to a synthetic peptide ligand of NCAM (C3) with an affinity for the IgI domain and the capability of inhibiting NCAM-mediated neurite outgrowth in vitro. Intraventricular administration of a single 5 microg bolus of C3 strongly inhibited recall of a passive avoidance response in adult rats, when given during training or in the 6-8-h posttraining period. The effect of C3 on memory consolidation was similar to that obtained with anti-NCAM as the amnesia was not observed until the 48-h recall time. The unique amnesic action of C3 during training could be related to disrupted NCAM internalization following training. In the 3-4-h posttraining period NCAM 180, the synapse-associated isoform, was down-regulated in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. This effect was mediated by ubiquitination and was prevented by C3 administration during training. These findings indicate NCAM to be involved in both the acquisition and consolidation of a passive avoidance response in the rat. Moreover, the study provides the first in vivo evidence for NCAM internalization in learning and identifies a synthetic NCAM ligand capable of modulating memory processes in vivo.     

The carp homeobox gene Ovx1 shows early expression during gastrulation and subsequently in the vagal lobe, the facial lobe and the ventral telencephalon

 The homeobox gene Carp-Ovx1 shows similarity to vertebrate and invertebrate Ovx genes and to Drosophila unplugged. Its expression pattern was studied by in situ hybridization in carp embryos and juveniles. During segmentation, expression becomes gradually limited to the neural tube. In juveniles up to 9 weeks old, cells in the ventral telencephalon, the facial lobe and the vagal lobe show Ovx1 expression, confining expression to parts with chemosensory projections. Received: 29 October 1997 / Accepted: 12 November 1997     

鸟类呼吸与发声的神经调控

鸟类的发声产生于呼吸过程的呼气相;呼吸与发声中枢控制通路间具有复杂的纤维联系,构成“发声通讯复合体”;前脑的ＲＡ是鸣禽协调呼吸与发声的高位中枢;脑干部的ＤＭ、ｎＲＡｍ、ＰＢｖｌ、ＩＯＳ、ＲＶＬ及Ⅻｔｓ等核团参与呼吸肌及鸣肌活动的调节,使呼吸与发声的配合准确、协调。