Measuring Neural and Behavioral Activity During Ongoing Computerized Social Interactions: An Examination of Event-Related Brain Potentials

Social exclusion is a complex social phenomenon with powerful negative consequences. Given the impact of social exclusion on mental and emotional health, an understanding of how perceptions of social exclusion develop over the course of a social interaction is important for advancing treatments aimed at lessening the harmful costs of being excluded. To date, most scientific examinations of social exclusion have looked at exclusion after a social interaction has been completed. While this has been very helpful in developing an understanding of what happens to a person following exclusion, it has not helped to clarify the moment-to-moment dynamics of the process of social exclusion. Accordingly, the current protocol was developed to obtain an improved understanding of social exclusion by examining the patterns of event-related brain activation that are present during social interactions. This protocol allows greater precision and sensitivity in detailing the social processes that lead people to feel as though they have been excluded from a social interaction. Importantly, the current protocol can be adapted to include research projects that vary the nature of exclusionary social interactions by altering how frequently participants are included, how long the periods of exclusion will last in each interaction, and when exclusion will take place during the social interactions. Further, the current protocol can be used to examine variables and constructs beyond those related to social exclusion. This capability to address a variety of applications across psychology by obtaining both neural and behavioral data during ongoing social interactions suggests the present protocol could be at the core of a developing area of scientific inquiry related to social interactions.     

Using an Automated 3D-tracking System to Record Individual and Shoals of Adult Zebrafish

Like many aquatic animals, zebrafish (Danio rerio) moves in a 3D space. It is thus preferable to use a 3D recording system to study its behavior. The presented automatic video tracking system accomplishes this by using a mirror system and a calibration procedure that corrects for the considerable error introduced by the transition of light from water to air. With this system it is possible to record both single and groups of adult zebrafish. Before use, the system has to be calibrated. The system consists of three modules: Recording, Path Reconstruction, and Data Processing. The step-by-step protocols for calibration and using the three modules are presented. Depending on the experimental setup, the system can be used for testing neophobia, white aversion, social cohesion, motor impairments, novel object exploration etc. It is especially promising as a first-step tool to study the effects of drugs or mutations on basic behavioral patterns. The system provides information about vertical and horizontal distribution of the zebrafish, about the xyz-components of kinematic parameters (such as locomotion, velocity, acceleration, and turning angle) and it provides the data necessary to calculate parameters for social cohesions when testing shoals.     

3D non porous and thermally labile nickel(II) and manganese(II) complexes with hetero donor ligands: Synthesis, X-ray single crystal structure, thermal and luminescent study

Three coordination complexes of formula [Ni(L₁)₂(H₂O)₄].4H₂O (1), [Mn(L₂)₂(H₂O)₄] (2) and [Mn(L₂)₂(H₂O)₂]_n (3) [L₁H = 6-methylpyridine-3-carboxylic acid, L₂H = 3-(3-pyridyl)acrylic acid] have been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray single crystal analysis. A 3D network is achieved through H-bonding in 1 and 2, while crystal packing of complex 3 shows a 3D supramolecular coordination polymer. Thermal properties have been investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. Luminescence study features the presence of LMCT and metal purterbed ligand centered emission bands.     

Partial Purification of Intra- and Extra-cellular Cellulases from Pyricularia oryzae: with Reference to Optimum pH at Alkaline Side

In order to elucidate the relation between the difference in cellulase activity among various strains of P. oryzae and the optimum pH at alkaline side, and also to know the relation between the intra- and extra-cellulases, the elution patterns of the enzymes from the Sephadex G–100 column were compared and the occurrence of the enzyme fractions showing the optimum pH at alkaline side was investigated.

The elution patterns of the intracellular cellulases were shown to be relatively constant, but those of the extracellular enzymes did not. The peak e appeared comparatively constant, but the peak c was considered to undergo some change during the excretion into the medium.

The optimum pH at alkaline side was shown to occur in the peak e among five peaks on Sephadex G–100 of the partially purified intra- and extra-cellular cellulases. The peak seems to be significant for P. oryzae.     

ANXA2 Facilitates Enterovirus 71 Infection by Interacting with 3D Polymerase and PI4KB to Assist the Assembly of Replication Organelles

Virologica Sinica - Similar to that of other enteroviruses, the replication of enterovirus 71 (EV71) occurs on rearranged membranous structures called replication organelles (ROs)....     

2-Aminoquinazolin-4(3H)-one based plasmepsin inhibitors with improved hydrophilicity and selectivity

2-Aminoquinazolin-4(3H)-ones were previously discovered as perspective leads for antimalarial drug development targeting the plasmepsins. Here we report the lead optimization studies with the aim to reduce inhibitor lipophilicity and increase selectivity versus the human aspartic protease Cathepsin D. Exploiting the solvent exposed area of the enzyme provides an option to install polar groups (R¹) the 5-position of 2-aminoquinazolin-4(3H)-one to inhibitors such as carboxylic acid without scarifying enzymatic potency. Moreover, introduction of R¹ substituents increased selectivity factors of compounds in this series up to 100-fold for Plm II, IV vs CatD inhibition. The introduction of flap pocket substituent (R²) at 7-postion of 2-aminoquinazolin-4(3H)-one allows to remove Ph group from THF ring without notably impairing Plm inhibitory potency. Based on these findings, inhibitors were developed, which show Plm II and IV inhibitory potency in low nanomolar range and remarkable selectivity against Cathepsin D along with decreased lipophilicity and increased solubility.     

Structure and stability of RNA/RNA kissing complex: with application to HIV dimerization initiation signal

We develop a statistical mechanical model to predict the structure and folding stability of the RNA/RNA kissing-loop complex. One of the key ingredients of the theory is the conformational entropy for the RNA/RNA kissing complex. We employ the recently developed virtual bond-based RNA folding model (Vfold model) to evaluate the entropy parameters for the different types of kissing loops. A benchmark test against experiments suggests that the entropy calculation is reliable. As an application of the model, we apply the model to investigate the structure and folding thermodynamics for the kissing complex of the HIV-1 dimerization initiation signal. With the physics-based energetic parameters, we compute the free energy landscape for the HIV-1 dimer. From the energy landscape, we identify two minimal free energy structures, which correspond to the kissing-loop dimer and the extended-duplex dimer, respectively. The results support the two-step dimerization process for the HIV-1 replication cycle. Furthermore, based on the Vfold model and energy minimization, the theory can predict the native structure as well as the local minima in the free energy landscape. The root-mean-square deviations (RMSDs) for the predicted kissing-loop dimer and extended-duplex dimer are ∼3.0 Å. The method developed here provides a new method to study the RNA/RNA kissing complex.     

Cytochromes in Chloroflexus aurantiacus grown with and without oxygen

Experiments measuring the initial uptake of commercial (³H) tetracycline exhibit two distinct kinetic phases: a rapid phase followed by a slow phase. (³H) tetracycline purified by chromatography on a Dowex 50WX2 column exhibited only monophasic rapid uptake when tested with susceptible Escherichia coli cells. Cyanide inhibited the uptake of purified (³H) tetracycline only partially while transport of proline and maltose was entirely abolished. Energy independent accumulation of tetracycline may be accounted for by binding to cellular constituents. Uptake of tetracycline-as measured by inhibition of -galactosidase synthesis-was strongly affected by a shift in temperature from 37°C to 21°C while carrier-mediated transport systems revealed only minor reductions. Taken together with the non-saturability of tetracycline uptake and the evidence for diffusion of tetracycline through phospholipid bilayers [Argast and Beck (1984) Antimicrob Agents Chemother 26:263–265] these data support the hypothesis that tetracycline enters the cytoplasm by diffusion.Abbreviations CCCP carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone - EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - IPTG isopropyl--d-thiogalactopyranoside - NB nutrient broth - ONPG O-nitrophenyl--d-galactopyranoside     

A new model to account for the order in which enantiomers of alkylarylcarbinols elute from a Pirkle chiral HPLC column: preparation, absolute stereochemistry, and chromatographic properties of (+)-1,2-benzocyclononen-3-ol and (+)-1,2-benzocyclodecen-3-ol

Samples enriched in (-)- and (+)-1,2-benzocyclononen-3-ol were prepared by microbially mediated reactions. An enriched sample of (+)-1,2-benzocyclodecen-3-ol was prepared by fractional crystallization of the diastereoisomeric camphanates, followed by hydrolysis. The absolute stereochemistry of both alcohols was established by chemical transformations. The elution order of their enantiomers from a chiral Pirkle HPLC column [(R)-N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)phenyl glycine ionically bound to gamma-aminopropyl silanized silica] was determined. The information in conjunction with other data was used to formulate a rule to predict the configuration of an enantiomer of an alkylarylcarbinol from its elution order from this column.     

甲亢孕妇血清25-羟维生素D水平对42 天婴儿骨密度影响的研究

目的：探讨甲状腺功能亢进（甲亢）孕妇经治疗后,其体内25- 羟维生素D（25-(OH)D3）水平对42 天婴儿胫骨声波的传导速 度（speed of sound, SOS）值、骨代谢生化指标的影响。方法：选取我院门诊及住院确诊的甲亢孕妇40 例为甲亢组（T 组）,随机抽取 健康孕妇40 例作为对照组（C 组）,甲亢组给予丙硫氧嘧啶治疗后,监测两组孕妇25-(OH)D3水平与生后42 天婴儿的胫骨SOS 值、骨代谢生化指标,并进行对比观察、统计分析。结果：甲亢组孕妇在产后42 天体内25-(OH)D3的水平比其在产后第1 天升高 （P<0.05）,甲亢组孕妇在产后42 天体内25-(OH)D3水平接近对照组（P >0.05）,在产后42 天婴儿的胫骨SOS 值接近对照组（P >0. 05）,甲亢组产后42 天婴儿的血清钙(Ca) 及血清碱性磷酸酶（AKP）接近对照组（P >0.05）。结论：甲亢组孕妇给予丙硫氧嘧啶治疗 后,甲状腺功能恢复正常,其体内25-(OH)D3水平升高,所产42 天婴儿的骨密度也随着升高。     

1H NMR studies of drugs with achiral and chiral lanthanide shift reagents: Applications to the anticonvulsant pheneturide

The anticonvulsant pheneturide, PNT, has been studied by 300 MHz ¹H NMR in CDCl₃ at ambient temperatures with the achiral lanthanide shift reagent (LSR) Eu(FOD)₃, and with the chiral LSR, Eu(HFC)₃. Both LSRs produced spectral simplification of the aryl proton signal region, and substantial lanthanide‐induced shifts (LIS). With added Eu(HFC)₃, enantiomeric shift differences (ΔΔδ) were induced for most nuclei of PNT, indicating substantial potential for direct determination of enantiomeric excess. Valley heights between corresponding signals in the PNT enantiomers as low as 3.6% were achieved for the meta resonance. Least squares line‐fitting was applied to the variation of chemical shift vs. [LSR]/[PNT] molar ratios for both LSRs. Tentative assignments were made for the NH absorptions based on two‐dimensional NMR (COSY45), as well as their relative magnitudes of LIS, ΔΔδ, and lanthanide‐induced line broadening. The PNT conformation reported in the crystal is believed to be retained in solution with added LSR. The relative senses of magnetic nonequivalence were found to be the same among the three sets of aryl protons, and among the three kinds of protons in the ethyl moiety, with high levels of added chiral LSR, using 2D NMR. Chirality 11:529–535, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉患者血清OPN、BAFF、25-（OH）D3的变化及对息肉组织分型的鉴别价值探讨

摘要 目的：探讨慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉（CRSwNP）患者血清骨桥蛋白（OPN）、B细胞活化因子（BAFF）、25羟基维生素D3[25-（OH）D3]水平及其对息肉组织分型的鉴别价值。方法：选取2019年6月-2021年6月于延安大学附属医院治疗的87例CRSwNP患者为CRSwNP组,根据息肉组织嗜酸粒细胞浸润程度将其分为嗜酸性CRSwNP患者（ECRSwNP组,n=41）和非嗜酸性CRSwNP患者（nECRSwNP组,n=46）。选取同期于延安大学附属医院治疗的慢性鼻窦炎不伴鼻息肉患者（CRSsNP组,n=60）和健康体检者（对照组,n=60）。比较CRSwNP组、CRSsNP组和对照组患者血清OPN、BAFF、25-（OH）D3水平。采用多因素Logistic回归分析ECRSwNP发生的影响因素,采用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线评估各指标对CRSwNP息肉组织分型的鉴别价值。结果：CRSwNP组、CRSsNP组血清OPN、BAFF水平高于对照组,25-（OH）D3水平低于对照组,且CRSwNP组血清OPN、BAFF水平高于CRSsNP组,25-（OH）D3水平低于CRSsNP组（P<0.05）。ECRSwNP组变应性鼻炎史、哮喘病史患者占比、外周血嗜酸粒细胞数量及比例、血清总IgE浓度、血清OPN及BAFF水平高于nECRSwNP组（P<0.05）,而血清25-（OH）D3水平低于nECRSwNP组（P<0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示：外周血嗜酸粒细胞数量及比例、血清总IgE浓度、血清OPN及BAFF水平升高是ECRSwNP发生的危险因素（P<0.05）,25-（OH）D3水平升高是ECRSwNP的保护因素（P<0.05）。血清OPN、BAFF、25-（OH）D3对CRSwNP息肉组织分型单独检测的ROC曲线下面积（AUC）分别为：0.789、0.800、0.817,联合检测鉴别CRSwNP患者息肉组织分型的AUC为0.900,灵敏度、特异度分别为0.860、0.827,联合检测鉴别价值更高（P＜0.05）。结论：血清OPN、BAFF和25-（OH）D3水平在不同息肉组织分型中具有差异性,CRSwNP患者血清OPN和BAFF水平升高是ECRSwNP发生的危险因素,25-（OH）D3水平升高是保护因素,联合检测辅助临床鉴别CRSwNP息肉组织类型的价值更高。     

25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 serum concentration and breast tissue expression of 1alpha-hydroxylase, 24-hydroxylase and Vitamin D receptor in women with and without breast cancer

1,25(OH)2D3 is an antiproliferative agent that may inhibit proliferation of breast cancer (BC) cells in vitro and BC development in animals. Epidemiological studies have shown a high incidence of BC in people less exposed to solar rays. To unravel the role of Vitamin D3 in BC patients, we have investigated serum levels of 25(OH)D3 and its active form 1,25(OH)2D3 as well as tissue expression of 1alpha-hydroxylase, 24-hydroxylase, and Vitamin D-receptor (VDR), determined by semiquantitative RT-PCR, in 88 Brazilian BC patients and 35 women without cancer (submitted to mammoplasties or resection of benign lesions). Median age of women with and without cancer was 51 and 46 years, respectively, and the majority of BC patients were classified as clinical stage II (67%). Although no differences in 25(OH)D3 serum concentration were found, 1,25(OH)2D3 (40+/-21 pg/ml) levels in BC patients were lower than in women without cancer (53+/-23). Our results indicate that 24-hydroxylase, VDR and 1alpha-hydroxylase mRNA tissue expression is similar in both groups and no correlation between 24-hydroxylase, 1alpha-hydroxylase, and VDR expression in breast tumors was found. A low 1,25(OH)2D3 serum concentration seems to be associated to breast cancer, however, the mechanism involved in this regulation is still unclear.     

Acclimation to ozone affects host/pathogen interaction and competitiveness for nitrogen in juvenile Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies trees infected with Phytophthora citricola

In a two-year phytotron study, juvenile trees of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) were grown in mixture under ambient and twice ambient ozone (O3) and infected with the root pathogen Phytophthora citricola. We investigated the influence of O3 on the trees' susceptibility to the root pathogen and assessed, through a 15N-labelling experiment, the impact of both treatments (O3 exposure and infection) on belowground competitiveness. The hypotheses tested were that: (1) both P. citricola and O3 reduce the belowground competitiveness (in view of N acquisition), and (2) that susceptibility to P. citricola infection is reduced through acclimation to enhanced O3 exposure. Belowground competitiveness was quantified via cost/benefit relationships, i.e., the ratio of structural investment in roots relative to their uptake of 15N. Beech had a lower biomass acquisition and captured less 15N under enhanced O3 and P. citricola infection alone than spruce, whereas the latter species appeared to profit from the lower resource acquisition of beech in these treatments. Nevertheless, in the combined treatment, susceptibility to P. citricola of spruce was increased, while beech growth and 15N uptake were not further reduced below the levels found under the single treatments. Potential trade-offs between stress defence, growth performance, and associated nitrogen status are discussed for trees affected through O3 and/or pathogen infection. With respect to growth performance, it is concluded that O3 enhances susceptibility to the pathogen in spruce, but apparently raises the defence capacity in beech..     

Surgical Injury to the Mouse Pancreas through Ligation of the Pancreatic Duct as a Model for Endocrine and Exocrine Reprogramming and Proliferation

Expansion of pancreatic beta cells in vivo or ex vivo, or generation of beta cells by differentiation from an embryonic or adult stem cell, can provide new expandable sources of beta cells to alleviate the donor scarcity in human islet transplantation as therapy for diabetes. Although recent advances have been made towards this aim, mechanisms that regulate beta cell expansion and differentiation from a stem/progenitor cell remain to be characterized. Here, we describe a protocol for an injury model in the adult mouse pancreas that can function as a tool to study mechanisms of tissue remodeling and beta cell proliferation and differentiation. Partial duct ligation (PDL) is an experimentally induced injury of the rodent pancreas involving surgical ligation of the main pancreatic duct resulting in an obstruction of drainage of exocrine products out of the tail region of the pancreas. The inflicted damage induces acinar atrophy, immune cell infiltration and severe tissue remodeling. We have previously reported the activation of Neurogenin (Ngn) 3 expressing endogenous progenitor-like cells and an increase in beta cell proliferation after PDL. Therefore, PDL provides a basis to study signals involved in beta cell dynamics and the properties of an endocrine progenitor in adult pancreas. Since, it still remains largely unclear, which factors and pathways contribute to beta cell neogenesis and proliferation in PDL, a standardized protocol for PDL will allow for comparison across laboratories.