News

• Due to the amazing efforts of Ed Cross, Louise Gorringe, Susanne Schmitt, Christian Schmitz, Ulrika Smrekova and Tim Stassines, ISN has a completely new website . The renovation is not just a visual facelift. Over the last 6 months, this team has completed quite a bit of work “under the car hood” to generate a new and highly functional ISN database and secure ISN website able to handle multiple types of transactions. As we continue to phase in new features, we will likely hit some bumps. Please be patient, but to help us improve our website, please do not hesitate to inform us (at secretariat@neurochemistry.org ) of any issues/problems encountered. Discover our new web presence on www.neurochemistry.org/ !
• ISN council has just made membership much more valuable . As of this July, only ISN members will be eligible for all of ISN's many awards grants, funding for conferences. Applications for ISN membership can be made at the time of application for ISN funded awards & grants.
• On July 9th, ISN launched its survey of the ISN membership, ISN meeting attendees and recipients of ISN awards & grants . This survey is aimed at gathering information to help ISN officers and council identify and implement benefits valued by ISN members. This survey has been closed on August 10th. A summary of survey results will be posted on the ISN webpage after the annual business meeting.

     

NEWS AND ISN

• Register now for the ISN/ASN Biennial Meeting ( http://www.isn-asncancun2013.org ) in Cancun, Mexico! Fees include conference materials, free WiFi at the conference site, lunch and refreshments, as well as a closing fiesta.The list of speakers includes among others Huda Y. Zoghbi, Robin Franklin, Nancy Yuk‐Yu IP, Martin Cammarota, and Hideyuki Okano. Posters will be available for two full days, ensuring that attendees will be able to see the presentations that interest them and that their work will be seen by all of our colleagues. Register now! Further information about the meeting and links for registration may be found on the official website: http://www.isn-asncancun2013.org
• During the ISN/ASN meeting in Cancun, ISN President Phil Beart, who has provided an outstanding contribution to the ISN over the last 8 years will also hand over the role to the new incoming President, Alois Saria.
• NEW in 2013: 2‐year membership of the ISN is now discounted to $95USD – renew today and save $25USD, or renew your annual membership for $60USD: www.neurochemistry.org/membership/renewmembership.html
• Membership and global outreach of the ISN continue: Since the last Biennial meeting in Athens in 2011, the ISN has 552 new members (as of December 2012), of which 317 are students. Welcome to the Society!
• Registration of the ISN was moved from the UK (ISN (Ltd)) to the USA (ISN Inc) to ease accounting, which went smoothly thanks to joint efforts and close collaboration of all parties involved.
• The 5th ISN Special Conference on ‘Synapses and dendritic spines in health and disease’, held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, has been a great success. A mini review series summarizing major relevant topics covered was solicited, scheduled for publication in early 2013.
• New! ISN CAEN “Return Home Grant” aimed at funding research and set‐up supplies (up to $10,000USD) for an applicant who is moving to a country with limited research financial support after a postdoctoral fellowship in a developed country. Please see www.neurochemistry.org/grants-awards/committee-for-aid-and-education-in-neurochemistry-caen.html for additional application details.
• New reduced open access fees for JNC publications available only for ISN members ISN members in good standing ($1,000USD).

     

Dissociation of changes in apparent myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity and twitch relaxation induced by adrenergic and cholinergic stimulation in isolated ferret cardiac muscle

In isolated, aequorin-injected ferret cardiac muscle we measured the apparent myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity and its relationship to twitch relaxation time in the presence of autonomic perturbations. The Ca2+-tension relation was determined from the peak aequorin luminescence and peak twitch tension measured in muscles across a broad range of bathing [Ca2+] in the presence and absence of acetylcholine (ACh) (1 microM) or isoproterenol (ISN) (1 microM), or both drugs. ACh shifted the relationship of peak tension to (peak) aequorin light leftward, which suggests an increase in myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity, but it did not alter relaxation, which was measured as the time for peak tension to decay by 50% (t 1/2 R). ISN produced its previously documented effects, i.e., a rightward shift of the relationship of peak tension to peak aequorin light and a decrease in t1/2R. ACh abolished the ISN effect on the peak tension-aequorin light relationship but did not reverse the effect of ISN to decrease t1/2R. The effects of ACh and ISN of modulating the apparent myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity in intact muscles, corroborate findings of previous studies in isolated myofibrillar preparations. However, these perturbations of myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity in the intact muscle do not relate to twitch relaxation, measured as t1/2R, since (a) ACh affects the former but not the later and (b) the effect of ISN on the Ca2+-tension relationship is abolished by ACh, while the relaxant effect persists.     

睾丸去神经对大鼠半去势诱导的睾酮代偿性分泌的影响

在成年大鼠,半去势可以在促性腺激素没有明显改变的情况下导致睾丸静脉血液中睾酮浓度代偿性增加,其机理尚不明了。本研究以成年大鼠为实验动物,检验睾酮的代偿性增加是否受到睾丸去神经的影响。睾丸去神经（ｉｎｆｅｒｉｏｒ ｓｐｅｍａｔｉｃ ｎｅｒｖｅｓ,ＩＳＮ或ＩＳＮ ｐｌｕｓ ｓｕｐｅｒｉｏｒ ｓｐｅｒｍａｔｉｃ ｎｅｒｖｅｓ,ＩＳＮ－ＳＳＮ）手术２周后开始半去势实验,半去势之前和半去势之后６和２４ｈ,     

Drosophila Ten-m and filamin affect motor neuron growth cone guidance

The Drosophila Ten-m (also called Tenascin-major, or odd Oz (odz)) gene has been associated with a pair-rule phenotype. We identified and characterized new alleles of Drosophila Ten-m to establish that this gene is not responsible for segmentation defects but rather causes defects in motor neuron axon routing. In Ten-m mutants the inter-segmental nerve (ISN) often crosses segment boundaries and fasciculates with the ISN in the adjacent segment. Ten-m is expressed in the central nervous system and epidermal stripes during the stages when the growth cones of the neurons that form the ISN navigate to their targets. Over-expression of Ten-m in epidermal cells also leads to ISN misrouting. We also found that Filamin, an actin binding protein, physically interacts with the Ten-m protein. Mutations in cheerio, which encodes Filamin, cause defects in motor neuron axon routing like those of Ten-m. During embryonic development, the expression of Filamin and Ten-m partially overlap in ectodermal cells. These results suggest that Ten-m and Filamin in epidermal cells might together influence growth cone progression.     

Uptake of Exogenous DNA by Brassica napus Dry Seed Embryos via Cellular Permeabilization and Transient Expression of NPTII Activity

A simple method of exogenous DNA uptake by dry seed embryos has been examined which is evaluated. by transient gene expression. The uptake and expression of foreign DNA was tested employing a plasmid containing nptil gene and assaying, later, the enzyme activity. To facilitate the uptake of foreign DNA by dry seed embryos of Brassica napus ISN706, various permeabilizing agents, like dimethylsulphoxlde, toluene, Triton X-100 and saponin, were tested for their effectiveness in transiently permeabilizing the plasma membranes in the concerned tissues. The treatment of dry seed embryos with 1.0 mg/ml saponin for 45 min was found to be the most effective for uptake of plasmid DNA without adversely affecting embryo viability. The method was tested also with several other cultivars and also species, namely B. napus ISN 129, B. napus ISN 106, B. napus ISN 128, B. napus ISN 706, B. napus 8054, B. carinata, B. juncea, and B. oleracea. Transient gene expression was seen in all cases, indicating that the method may be relatively free of genotypic constraints for its wider application.     

Intraspinal serotonergic signaling suppresses locomotor activity in larval zebrafish

Serotonin (5HT) is a modulator of many vital processes in the spinal cord (SC), such as production of locomotion. In the larval zebrafish, intraspinal serotonergic neurons (ISNs) are a source of spinal 5HT that, despite the availability of numerous genetic and optical tools, has not yet been directly shown to affect the spinal locomotor network. In order to better understand the functions of ISNs, we used a combination of strategies to investigate ISN development, morphology, and function. ISNs were optically isolated from one another by photoconverting Kaede fluorescent protein in individual cells, permitting morphometric analysis as they developed in vivo. ISN neurite lengths and projection distances exhibited the greatest amount of change between 3 and 4 days post‐fertilization (dpf) and appeared to stabilize by 5 dpf. Overall ISN innervation patterns were similar between cells and between SC regions. ISNs possessed rostrally‐extending neurites resembling dendrites and a caudally‐extending neurite resembling an axon, which terminated with an enlarged growth cone‐like structure. Interestingly, these enlargements remained even after neurite extension had ceased. Functionally, application of exogenous 5HT reduced spinally‐produced motor nerve bursting. A selective 5HT reuptake inhibitor and ISN activation with channelrhodopsin‐2 each produced similar effects to 5HT, indicating that spinally‐intrinsic 5HT originating from the ISNs has an inhibitory effect on the spinal locomotor network. Taken together this suggests that the ISNs are morphologically mature by 5 dpf and supports their involvement in modulating the activity of the spinal locomotor network. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2018     

A History of the Origin and Development of Japanese Society for Neurochemistry: International Cooperation to Overcome Dementia and Mental Illness

“Neurochemistry” in Japan was established by intensive cooperation between psychiatrists and their collaborators, biochemists, who have sought to investigate the etiology of mental illness to establish treatments. It was a completely different direction from the flow of modern biochemistry that was born using microorganisms or eukaryotic cells as research materials. Neurochemists aimed to elucidate the physiological or pathological functions of the brain through chemical analysis of the morphologically and functionally unique complexity and characteristics of brain. I here describe some of the origin and history of neurochemistry in Japan how researchers estabIished Japanese Society for Neurochemistry in1958 Yasuzo Tsukada as a president in collaboration with Isamu Sano, Genkichiro Takagaki and Masanori Kurokawa. The formation of research groups with the support of MEXT played a major role in promoting neurochemistry. Many international conferences held in Japan promoted the activity of neurochemistry: The International Society of Physiology (Tokyo) in 1965, and the Japan-US Neurochemistry Conference (Oiso) in 1965, and in 1967 the International Conference on Biochemistry (Tokyo). These meetings offered excitements to younger researchers by close interaction with the world top class researchers. Government established Brain Research Institutes in several national universities. The Asia–Pacific Society for Neurochemistry (APSN) was established in 1991 subsequent to an initiative by JSN. APSN presidents: Yasuzo Tsukada, Kazuhiro Ikenaka, and Akio Wanaka contributed to promote neurochemistry. The 4th ISN meeting was organized at Tokyo (Yasuzo Tsukada, president) in 1973 and the 15th ISN meeting at Kyoto (Kinya Kuriyama, president) in 1995. Kunihiko Suzuki and Kazuhiro Ikenaka as ISN Presidents greatly contributed in promoting the activity of ISN.

     

Predictive modelling—or is it?

The Editors of Letters in Applied Microbiology will, at their discretion, publish invited and submitted 'Opinions' on subjects in the general area of Applied Microbiology. They will not be subjected to the normal refereeing procedures and reprints will not be provided. The 'Opinions' will not necessarily represent the views of the Society for Applied Bacteriology or of the Editors. The Editors may invite or readers may submit 'Responses' to published 'Opinions' provided that they are not merely polemics, and these will also be published at the discretion of the Editors. 'Responses' will be treated precisely like 'Opinions' . They should clearly indicate, in their first sentence, the 'Opinions' to which they are a response.     

The investigation of food poisoning

The Editors of Letters in Applied Microbiology will, at their discretion, publish invited and submitted 'Opinions' on subjects in the general area of Applied Microbiology. They will not be subjected to the normal refereeing procedures and reprints will not be provided. The 'Opinions' will not necessarily represent the views of the Society for Applied Bacteriology or of the Editors. The Editors may invite or readers may submit 'Responses' to published 'Opinions' , provided that they are not merely polemics, and these will also be published at the discretion of the Editors. 'Responses' will be treated precisely like 'Opinions'. They should clearly indicate, in their first sentence, the 'Opinion' to which they are a response.     

Opinion

The Editors of Letters in Applied Microbiology will, at their discretion, publish invited and submitted 'Opinions' on subjects in the general area of Applied Microbiology. They will not be subjected to the normal refereeing procedures and reprints will not be provided. The 'Opinions' will not necessarily represent the views of the Society for Applied Bacteriology or of the Editors. The Editors may invite or readers may submit 'Responses' to published 'Opinions' , provided that they are not merely polemics, and these will also be published at the discretion of the Editors. 'Responses' will be treated precisely like 'Opinions'. They should clearly indicate, in their first sentence, the 'Opinion' to which they are a response.     

Salmonella control in poultry: the need for the satisfactory evaluation of probiotics for this purpose

The Editors of Letters in Applied Microbiology will, at their discretion, publish invited and submitted 'Opinions' on subjects in the general area of Applied Microbiology. They will not be subjected to the normal refereeing procedures and reprints will not be provided. The 'Opinions' will not necessarily represent the views of the Society for Applied Bacteriology or of the Editors. The Editors may invite or readers may submit 'Responses' to published 'Opinions' , provided that they are not merely polemics, and these will also be published at the discretion of the Editors. 'Responses' will be treated precisely like 'Opinions' . They should clearly indicate, in their first sentence, the 'Opinion' to which they are a response.     

Gene transfer in staphylococci: stimulation and suppression by antibacterial agents

The Editors of Letters in Applied Microbiology will, at their discretion, publish invited and submitted 'Opinions' on subjects in the general area of Applied Microbiology. They will not be subjected to the normal refereeing procedures and reprints will not be provided. The 'Opinions' will not necessarily represent the views of the Society for Applied Bacteriology or of the Editors. The Editors may invite or readers may submit 'Responses' to published 'Opinions' , provided that they are not merely polemics, and these will also be published at the discretion of the Editors. 'Responses' will be treated precisely like 'Opinions' . They should clearly indicate, in their first sentence, the 'Opinion' to which they are a response.     

Opinion

The Editors of Letters in Applied Microbiology will, at their discretion, publish invited and submitted 'Opinions' on subjects in the general area of Applied Microbiology. They will not be subjected to the normal refereeing procedures and reprints will not be provided. The 'Opinions' will not necessarily represent the views of the Society for Applied Bacteriology or of the Editors. The Editors may invite or readers may submit 'Responses' to published 'Opinions' , provided that they are not merely polemics, and these will also be published at the discretion of the Editors. 'Responses' will be treated precisely like 'Opinions' . They should clearly indicate, in their first sentence, the 'Opinion' to which they are a response.     

Pathfinding by sensory axons in Drosophila: substrates and choice points in early lch5 axon outgrowth

We have examined the pattern of axon growth from the lateral chordotonal (lch5) neurons in the body wall of the Drosophila embryo and identified cellular substrates and choice points involved in early axon pathfinding by these sensory neurons. At the first choice point (TP1), the lch5 growth cones contact the most distal cells of the spiracular branch (SB) of the trachea. The SB provides a substrate along which the axons extend internally to the level of the intersegmental nerve (ISN). In the absence of the SB, the lch5 axons often stall near TP1 or follow aberrant routes towards the CNS. At the second choice point (TP2), the lch5 growth cones make their first contact with other axons and turn ventrally toward the CNS, fasciculating specifically with the motor axons of the ISN.     

Opinion

The Editors of Letters in Applied Microbiology will, at their discretion, publish invited and submitted 'Opinions' on subjects in the general area of Applied Microbiology. They will not be subjected to the normal refereeing procedures and reprints will not be provided. The 'Opinions' will not necessarily represent the views of the Society for Applied Bacteriology or of the Editors. The Editors may invite or readers may submit 'Responses' to published 'Opinions' , provided that they are not merely polemics, and these will also be published at the discretion of the Editors. 'Responses' will be treated precisely like 'Opinions'. They should clearly indicate, in their first sentence, the 'Opinion' to which they are a response.     

Predictive modelling

The Editors of Letters in Applied Microbiology will, at their discretion, publish invited and submitted 'Opinions' on subjects in the general area of Applied Microbiology. They will not be subjected to the normal refereeing procedures and reprints will not be provided. The 'Opinions' will not necessarily represent the views of the Society for Applied Bacteriology or of the Editors. The Editors may invite or readers may submit 'Responses' to published 'Opinions' , provided that they are not merely polemics, and these will also be published at the discretion of the Editors. 'Responses' will be treated precisely like 'Opinions' . They should clearly indicate, in their first sentence, the 'Opinion' to which they are a response.     

Experience of the use of probiotics for Salmonellae control in poultry

The Editors of Letters in Applied Microbiology will, at their discretion, publish invited and submitted 'Opinions' on subjects in the general area of Applied Microbiology. They will not be subjected to the normal refereeing procedures and reprints will not be provided. The 'Opinions' will not necessarily represent the views of the Society of Applied Bacteriology or of the Editors. The Editors may invite or readers may submit 'Responses' to published 'Opinions' , provided that they are not merely polemics, and these will also be published at the discretion of the Editors. 'Responses' will be treated precisely like 'Opinions' . They should clearly indicate, in their first sentence, the 'Opinion' to which they are a response.     

Opinion

The Editors of Letters in Applied Microbiology will, at their discretion, publish invited and submitted ' Opinions ' on subjects in the general area of Applied Microbiology. They will not be subjected to the normal refereeing procedures and reprints will not be provided. The ' Opinions ' will not necessarily represent the views of the Society for Applied Bacteriology or of the Editors. The Editors may invite or readers may submit ' Responses ' to published ' Opinions ', provided that they are not merely polemics, and these will also be published at the discretion of the Editors. ' Responses ' will be treated precisely like ' Opinions '. They should clearly indicate, in their first sentence, the ' Opinion ' to which they are a response.