Quantum-like behavior without quantum physics II. A quantum-like model of neural network dynamics

In earlier work, we laid out the foundation for explaining the quantum-like behavior of neural systems in the basic kinematic case of clusters of neuron-like units. Here we extend this approach to networks and begin developing a dynamical theory for them. Our approach provides a novel mathematical foundation for neural dynamics and computation which abstracts away from lower-level biophysical details in favor of information-processing features of neural activity. The theory makes predictions concerning such pathologies as schizophrenia, dementias, and epilepsy, for which some evidence has accrued. It also suggests a model of memory retrieval mechanisms. As further proof of principle, we analyze certain energy-like eigenstates of the 13 three-neuron motif classes according to our theory and argue that their quantum-like superpositional nature has a bearing on their observed structural integrity.     

Identification of a Novel Universal Potential Epitope on the Cytoplasmic Tail of H7N9 Virus Hemagglutinin

<正>Dear Editor,H7 N9 is a recently identified subtype of influenza A virus that caused a major outbreak in humans in China in 2013.According to the latest data provided by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention(http://www.moh.gov.cn/zwgk/yqbb3/ejlist.shtml, updated on October 31, 2018),the mortality rate of H7 N9 infections in China amounts to     

The effect of light fluence rate in photodynamic therapy of normal rat brain.

This paper reports the effect of incident light fluence rate on the depth to which necrotic lesions are produced by photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the brains of normal Fisher rats. The rats were injected intraperitoneally with Photofrin (12.5 mg kg-1) 48 h prior to PDT with a fixed incident fluence of 35 J cm-2. The treatment was performed at 10, 50, 100, and 200 mW cm-2 and also in a periodic manner (30 s "on" at 100 mW cm-2, 30 s "off"). The depth to which necrosis occurred was determined 24 h after treatment by microscopic examination of tissue sections. No differences were found in the depth to which necrosis was produced by any of the five irradiation schedules. This finding is discussed in the context of other published dose-rate experiments.     

The role of Ca2+/Calcineurin/NFAT signalling pathway in osteoblastogenesis

The bone remodelling process is closely related to bone health. Osteoblasts and osteoclasts participate in the bone remodelling process under the regulation of various factors inside and outside. Excessive activation of osteoclasts or lack of function of osteoblasts will cause occurrence and development of multiple bone‐related diseases. Ca²⁺/Calcineurin/NFAT signalling pathway regulates the growth and development of many types of cells, such as cardiomyocyte differentiation, angiogenesis, chondrogenesis, myogenesis, bone development and regeneration, etc. Some evidences indicate that this signalling pathway plays an extremely important role in bone formation and bone pathophysiologic changes. This review discusses the role of Ca²⁺/Calcineurin/NFAT signalling pathway in the process of osteogenic differentiation, as well as the influence of regulating each component in this signalling pathway on the differentiation and function of osteoblasts, whereby the relationship between Ca²⁺/Calcineurin/NFAT signalling pathway and osteoblastogenesis could be deeper understood.     

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis of β-thalassemia using real-time polymerase chain reaction with fluorescence resonance energy transfer hybridization probes

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is employed increasingly to allow transfer of embryos to the uterus in assisted reproduction procedures. There are three stages of biopsy: polar bodies, one or two blastomeres from the cleavage-stage embryos, and trophectoderm cells (∼5 cells) from the blastocyst-stage embryos. Validation of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays are challenging because only limited genetic material can be obtained for PGD. In the current study, we modified a valid single-cell PCR protocol for PGD using real-time PCR assay with fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) hybridization probes followed by melting curve analysis. We optimized and clinically applied the protocol, permitting molecular genetic analysis to amplify a specific region on the beta-globin (HBB) gene for a couple, carriers of two mutations: c.-78A>G and c.52A>T. Among a total of eight embryos obtained after ovarian stimulation, a single blastomere per embryo at the six- to eight-cell stage was biopsied. This PGD method showed that four embryos were unaffected, two embryos were selected for transfer, and one pregnancy was achieved. Finally, a healthy male baby was delivered at 38 weeks’ gestation. The results obtained using the new method, FRET hybridization probes, were compared with findings using an existing method, primer extension minisequencing.     

Three-dimensional reconstruction of brain surface anatomy based on magnetic resonance imaging diffusion-weighted imaging: A new approach

Fifty normal noninfarct patients and 12 cases with infarcts of the cerebrum were examined with routine magnetic resonance imaging and echo-planar diffusion-weighted imaging. The diffusion-weighted three-dimensional images were reconstructed with volume-rendering processing on workstation. Precentral gyrus, post-central gyrus, superior parietal lobule, superior frontal gyrus, precentral sulcus, central sulcus, postcentral sulcus, intraparietal sulcus and superior frontal sulcus were best shown of all structures with an arbitrary score of 2.61–2.77. Supramarginal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus and lateral sulcus were clearly shown in the majority of the cerebra with average scores of 2.0–2.49; angular gyrus, inferior frontal sulcus and superior temporal gyrus were not demonstrated satisfactorily and their average scores were 1.67–1.89. Middle temporal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus, superior temporal sulcus and inferior temporal sulcus were difficult to identify, and thus had average scores of 0.87–1.26. Brain surface structures were better displayed in the older group of individuals than in the younger group. The structures in the 12 cases with acute or chronic cerebrum infarcts were also satisfactorily demonstrated with this new technique.     

Expression Profiling and Validation of Potential Reference Genes During <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys olivaceus</Emphasis> Embryogenesis

Differential expression of genes is crucial to embryogenesis. The analysis of gene expression requires appropriate references that should be minimally regulated during the embryonic development. To select the most stable genes for gene normalization, the expression profiles of eight commonly used reference genes (ACTB, GAPDH, rpL17, α-Tub, EF1-α, UbcE, B2M, and 18S rRNA) were examined during Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) embryonic development using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. It was found that all seven mRNA genes appeared to be developmentally regulated and exhibited significant variation of expression. However, further analyses revealed the stage-specific expression stability. Hence when normalization using these mRNA genes, the differential and stage-related expression should be considered. 18S rRNA gene, on the other hand, showed the most stable expression and could be recommended as a suitable reference gene during all embryonic developmental stages in P. olivaceus. In summary, our results provided not only the appropriate reference gene for embryonic development research in P. olivaceus, but also possible guidance to reference gene selection for embryonic gene expression analyses in other fish species.     

Requirement for the second coding exon of Tat in the optimal replication of macrophage-tropic HIV-1

HIV-1 Tat is essential for virus replication and is a potent transactivator of viral gene expression. Evidence suggests that Tat also influences virus infectivity and cytopathicity. Here, we find that the second coding exon of Tat contributes a novel function for the replication/infectivity of macrophage-tropic HIV-1. We show that macrophage-tropic HIV-1 which expresses the full-length two-exon form of Tat replicates better in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) than an otherwise isogenic virus which expresses only the one-exon form of Tat. Similarly, two-exon Tat expressing HIV-1 also replicates better than one-exon Tat expressing HIV-1 in two different models of human cells/tissue reconstituted SCID mice.     

Cdc5 influences phosphorylation of Net1 and disassembly of the RENT complex

Background  

In S. cerevisiae, the mitotic exit network (MEN) proteins, including the Polo-like protein kinase Cdc5 and the protein phosphatase Cdc14, are required for exit from mitosis. In pre-anaphase cells, Cdc14 is sequestered to the nucleolus by Net1 as a part of the RENT complex. When cells are primed to exit mitosis, the RENT complex is disassembled and Cdc14 is released from the nucleolus.