Oscillatory burst discharge generated through conditional backpropagation of dendritic spikes.

Gamma frequencies of burst discharge (>40 Hz) have become recognized in select cortical and non-cortical regions as being important in feature extraction, neural synchrony and oscillatory discharge. Pyramidal cells of the electrosensory lateral line lobe (ELL) of Apteronotus leptorhynchus generate burst discharge in relation to specific features of sensory input in vivo that resemble those recognized as gamma frequency discharge when examined in vitro. We have shown that these bursts are generated by an entirely novel mechanism termed conditional backpropagation that involves an intermittent failure of dendritic Na+ spike conduction. Conditional backpropagation arises from a frequency-dependent broadening of dendritic spikes during repetitive discharge, and a mismatch between the refractory periods of somatic and dendritic spikes. A high threshold class of K+ channel, AptKv3.3, is expressed at high levels and distributed over the entire soma-dendritic axis of pyramidal cells. AptKv3.3 channels are shown to contribute to the repolarization of both somatic and dendritic spikes, with pharmacological blockade of dendritic Kv3 channels revealing an important role in controlling the threshold for burst discharge. The entire process of conditional back-propagation and burst output is successfully simulated using a new compartmental model of pyramidal cells that incorporates a cumulative inactivation of dendritic K+ channels during repetitive discharge. This work is important in demonstrating how the success of spike backpropagation can control the output of a principle sensory neuron, and how this process is regulated by the distribution and properties of voltage-dependent K+ channels.     

Whole-genome sequences of two Borrelia afzelii and two Borrelia garinii Lyme disease agent isolates

Human Lyme disease is commonly caused by several species of spirochetes in the Borrelia genus. In Eurasia these species are largely Borrelia afzelii, B. garinii, B. burgdorferi, and B. bavariensis sp. nov. Whole-genome sequencing is an excellent tool for investigating and understanding the influence of bacterial diversity on the pathogenesis and etiology of Lyme disease. We report here the whole-genome sequences of four isolates from two of the Borrelia species that cause human Lyme disease, B. afzelii isolates ACA-1 and PKo and B. garinii isolates PBr and Far04.     

Differentiation Effects of Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor on Human Neuroblastoma Cells

Abstract: In the human neuroblastoma cell line LA-N-2, recombinant rat ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) induced neurite growth and cholinergic differentiation that were both half-maximally saturated at <100 p M of the neurokine, but was not required for cell survival in serum-free conditions over a 13-day period. CNTF markedly stimulated choline acetyltransferase activity and acetylcholine synthesis, whereas high-affinity choline transport was only slightly enhanced and acetylcholinesterase activity was unchanged. Leukemia inhibitory factor had effects identical to CNTF on neurite growth and choline acetyltransferase activity, but interleukin 6 had no effect. Radioiodinated CNTF binding and affinity cross-linking studies were consistent with tripartite receptor activation as a mediator of the observed biological effects.     

Long-term in vitro function of adult hepatocytes in a collagen sandwich configuration.

In an effort to reconstruct the cellular polarity normally found in the liver, adult rat hepatocytes were sandwiched between two layers of hydrated rat tail tendon collagen matrix. Functionally, sandwiched hepatocytes maintained the secretion of albumin, transferrin, fibrinogen, bile acids, and urea for at least 6 weeks, whereas cells cultured on a single layer of collagen gel ceased such secretion in 1-2 weeks. After 1 week of culture on a single layer of collagen gel, hepatocytes could still recover these lost functions when a second layer of collagen gel was applied. The exact nature of the substrate for constructing the sandwich system appeared to be unimportant as long as it allowed cellular attachment. Hepatocytes cultured in the sandwich system appeared to maintain a distribution of actin filaments similar to the in vivo state, whereas cells cultured on a single layer of collagen gel showed abnormal formation of stress fibers. These studies suggest that simple manipulations of the configuration of extracellular elements can dramatically alter the behavior of cultured hepatocytes.     

Effect of thyroidectomy on rhythmic gonadotropin release.

Nonstress blood samples were obtained from intact and thyroidectomized (TE) male rats at 3-hr intervals over a 24-hr period via rapid decapitation. The animals were thyroidectomized when 40 days old and used 6 weeks later. Intact animals showed periodicity in serum LH (P less than 0.01) and prolactin (P less than 0.01). Both gonadotropins began increasing after 8 PM and peak levels occurred at 11 PM. In contrast, 24-hr periodicity was not observed in serum FSH. Corticosterone levels in these same serum samples showed the expected circadian periodicity. After TE, the 24-hr pattern in all gonadotropins was altered significantly. Serum LH increased (P less than 0.01) and circadian periodicity appeared to be absent. FSH and prolactin levels were increased and decreased, respectively (P less than 0.01), with serum prolactin showing a 9-hr phase shift. Prolactin began increasing at 2 AM and reached a peak at 8 AM. Corticosterone in TE animals showed a 24-hr rhythm similar to that of intact rats. These findings confirm our previous observations that nonstress serum LH and prolactin levels fluctuate with a 24-hr periodicity and suggest that the level of, and the phase angle betweeen, these rhythms is markedly influenced by pituitary-thyroid activity.     

Sterilization of plastic containers using electron beam irradiation directed through the opening

AIMS: Studies were performed to demonstrate the efficacy of a novel electron beam irradiation system for the on-line sterilization of polymeric containers using energetic electrons directed through the container opening. METHODS AND RESULTS: The distribution of dosage delivered during conveyance beneath the electron beam treatment system was determined for two sizes (8 or 16 ounces) of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) blow-moulded bottles. The biological effects of treatment were then determined using Bacillus pumilus ATCC 27142 spores inoculated as 10 microl droplets dried (i) onto the surface of flat coupons of the high-density polyethylene bottle material, and (ii) onto the region of lowest delivered dose (the bottom side wall) within each bottle. The inactivation obtained was determined by examining the level of survival after swab recovery of the inoculated spores, with reference to the level recovered from untreated control samples. CONCLUSIONS: The inactivation of B. pumilus spores during treatment was reproducible and proportional to the applied dose. In each instance, the logarithm of the surviving fraction of spores was well fitted by linear regression models and in good general agreement with values reported for inactivation of the same organism using gamma irradiation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results of this work demonstrate the potential of a new physical method capable of high throughput for in-line sterilization of polymeric containers. The ability of the process to eliminate the washing step involved with traditional chemical sterilants, such as hydrogen peroxide, greatly reduces the size and environmental impact of these systems.     

Assessing penguin colony size and distribution using digital mapping and satellite remote sensing

Changes in penguin abundance and distribution can be used to understand the response of species to climate change and fisheries pressures, and as a gauge of ecosystem health. Traditionally, population estimates have involved direct counts, but remote sensing and digital mapping methodologies can provide us with alternative techniques for assessing the size and distribution of penguin populations. Here, we demonstrate the use of a field-based digital mapping system (DMS), combining a handheld geographic information system with integrated geographical positioning system as a method for: (a) assessing penguin colony area and (b) ground-truthing colony area as derived from satellite imagery. Work took place at Signy Island, South Orkneys, where colonies of the three congeneric pygoscelid penguins: Adélie Pygoscelis adeliae, chinstrap P. antarctica and gentoo P. papua were surveyed. Colony areas were derived by mapping colony boundaries using the DMS with visual counts of the number of nesting birds made concurrently. Area was found to be a good predictor for number of nests for all three species of penguin. Using a maximum likelihood multivariate classification of remotely sensed satellite imagery (QuickBird2, 18 January 2010; Digital Globe ID: 01001000B90AD00), we were able to identify penguin colonies from the spectral signature of guano and differentiate between colonies of Adélie and chinstrap penguins. The area classified (all species combined) from satellite imagery versus area from DMS data was closely related (R ² = 0.88). Combining these techniques gives a simple and transferrable methodology for examining penguin distribution and abundance at local and regional scales.     

Some red cell antigens in the Hausa population of northern Nigeria

The A, B, O, D, Du, C, c, E, e, M, N, S, s, Kell and Duffy antigens were determined on 190 blood samples from Hausas in the north of Nigeria. The highest gene frequencies in the rhesus system were cDe (0.648) and cde (0.176). Su gene frequency was 0.270. The great majority of subjects were Kell negative (98.9%) and Duffy negative (98.8%). As the MNSs group determinants are carried by glycophorins, which are also receptor sites for Plasmodium falciparum, and the Duffy antigen marks the receptor for P. vivax, the present study provides data of interest in the epidemiology and genetics of malaria.     

Influence of oxygen on the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in continuous culture

Baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was investigated for the combined influence of dissolved oxygen and glucose concentration in continuous culture. A reactor was operated at a range of dilution rates (0.1, 0.2, 0.25, 0.27, and 3.0 h(-1)), above and below the critical value that separates the oxidative and fermentation regions. For each dilution rate (D), steady states were established at each of five to ten different dissolved oxygen concentrations (DO) in the range of 0.01-5 mg/L. The use of on-line mass spectrometry facilitated the measurement of gaseous and dissolved O(2), CO(2), and ethanol. Intracellular carbohydrate, protein, RNA, DNA, lipid, and cytochrome concentrations were measured. Cell size measurements were reduced to specific surface areas. Cytochrome content showed up to 100% variation during a 20-day period of adaptation at D = 0.2 h(-1) to low DO. Eventually, the culture behaved the same at DO = 0.05 mg/L as it did initially at 3 mg/L. At D = 0.2, 0.25, and 0.27 h(-1), the transition between oxidation and fermentation was characterized by a critical DO which decreased with decreasing D. The X-D curves were shifted such that the critical D value was reduced with decreasing DO. Specific oxygen update rates varied with DO according to the saturation kinetics. Specific cell surface areas increased with decreasing DO. Cytochrome content generally decreased with decreasing DO, and Q(O(2) ) could be linearly related to the total cytochrome content, which exhibited a maximum at D = 0.27 h(-1).