Robustness of neural codes and its implication on natural image processing

In this study, based on the view of statistical inference, we investigate the robustness of neural codes, i.e., the sensitivity of neural responses to noise, and its implication on the construction of neural coding. We first identify the key factors that influence the sensitivity of neural responses, and find that the overlap between neural receptive fields plays a critical role. We then construct a robust coding scheme, which enforces the neural responses not only to encode external inputs well, but also to have small variability. Based on this scheme, we find that the optimal basis functions for encoding natural images resemble the receptive fields of simple cells in the striate cortex. We also apply this scheme to identify the important features in the representation of face images and Chinese characters.

Short-term effects of a "health-at-every-size" approach on eating behaviors and appetite ratings

Objective: To assess the effects of a “Health‐At‐Every‐Size” (HAES) intervention on eating behaviors and appetite ratings in 144 premenopausal overweight women. Research Methods and Procedures: Women were randomly assigned to one of the 3 groups: HAES group, social support (SS) group, and control group (N = 48 in each group). Interventions were conducted over a 4‐month period, and measurements were taken before and after this period. Eating behaviors (cognitive dietary restraint, disinhibition, and susceptibility to hunger) were evaluated by the Three‐Factor Eating Questionnaire. Appetite ratings (desire to eat, hunger, fullness, and prospective food consumption) were assessed by visual analogue scales before and after a standardized breakfast. Results: More important decreases in susceptibility to hunger and external hunger were observed in the HAES group when compared with the SS group (p = 0.05, for susceptibility to hunger) and the control group (p = 0.02 and p = 0.005, for susceptibility to hunger and external hunger, respectively). In addition, women from the HAES group had more important decreases in postprandial area under the curve for desire to eat (p = 0.02) and hunger (p = 0.04) when compared with the control group. The change in the desire to eat noted in the HAES group was also different from the one observed in SS group (p = 0.02). Women from the HAES group experienced significant weight loss at 4 months (?1.6 ± 2.5 kg, p < 0.0001), which did not differ significantly from the SS and control groups (p = 0.09). An increase in flexible restraint was significantly related to a greater weight loss in both HAES and SS groups (r = ?0.39, p < 0.01; and r = ?0.37, p < 0.05, respectively). A decrease in habitual susceptibility to disinhibition was also associated with a greater weight loss in HAES and control groups (r = 0.31, p < 0.05; and r = 0.44, p < 0.05, respectively). Discussion: These results suggest that a HAES intervention could have significant effects on eating behaviors and appetite ratings in premenopausal overweight women, when compared with an SS intervention or a control group.     

应用因子分析法研究茎瘤芥(榨菜)性状间的关系

应用因子分析法可把23份茎瘤芥品种资源的15个数量性状集约在5个主因子上,采用正交因子和斜交因子模型分析了性状间的遗传作用关系,并探讨了各因子间的关系及其生物学意义。     

CCR5 interactions with the variable 3 loop of gp120

The G-protein coupled receptor CCR5 functions pathologically as the primary co-receptor for macrophage tropic (R5) strains of HIV-1. The interactions responsible for co-receptor activity are unknown. Molecular-dynamics simulations of the extracellular and adjacent transmembrane domains of CCR5 were performed with explicit solvation utilizing a rhodopsin-based homology model. The functional unit of co-receptor binding was constructed via docking and molecular-dynamics simulation of CCR5 and the variable 3 loop of gp120, which is a dominant determinant of co-receptor utilization. The variable 3 loop was demonstrated to interact primarily with the amino terminus and the second extracellular loop of CCR5, providing novel structural information regarding the co-receptor-binding site. Alanine mutants that alter chemokine binding and co-receptor activity were examined. Molecular-dynamics simulations with and without the variable 3 loop of gp120 were able to rationalize the activities of these mutants successfully, providing support for the proposed model. Based on these results, the global complex of CCR5, gp120 including the V3 loop and CD4, was investigated. The utilization of computational analysis, in combination with molecular biological data, provides a powerful approach for understanding the use of CCR5 as a co-receptor by HIV-1.     

纳布啡鞘内注射对糖尿病神经痛模型大鼠行为能力及背根神经节TRPV1表达的影响

摘要 目的：探讨纳布啡鞘内注射对糖尿病神经痛（diabetic neuropathic pain, DNP）模型大鼠行为能力及背根神经节瞬时受体电位V1（transient receptor potential V1,TRPV1）表达的影响。方法：将糖尿病神经痛模型大鼠（n=48）随机平方为三组-模型组、纳布啡1组与纳布啡2组,每组16只。纳布啡1组与纳布啡2组分别给予纳布啡鞘内注射0.5 μg/10 μL与1.0 μg/10 μL,模型组给予注射等剂量的0.9 %氯化钠溶液,每天1次。分别于治疗第7 d、第14 d,采用血糖仪测定与记录空腹血糖（fasting blood glucose,FBG）水平并进行机械痛阈检测;治疗第14 d、第28 d,采用酶联免疫法检测血清IL-6与TNF-α含量,采用免疫印迹法检测背根神经节TRPV1蛋白的相对表达。结果：模型组、纳布啡1组与纳布啡2组治疗第7 d、第14 d的空腹血糖水平都高于20.00 mmol/L,组内与组间对比差异不具有统计学意义（P>0.05）。纳布啡1组与纳布啡2组治疗第7 d、第14 d的机械痛阈高于模型组（P<0.05）,也高于治疗前（P<0.05）,纳布啡2组与纳布啡1组差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。纳布啡1组与纳布啡2组治疗第14 d、第28 d的血清白细胞介素（Interleukin,IL）-6与肿瘤坏死因子（Tumor necrosis factor,TNF）-α含量明显低于模型组（P<0.05）,纳布啡2组明显低于纳布啡1组（P<0.05）。纳布啡1组与纳布啡2组治疗第14 d、第28 d的背根神经节TRPV1相对表达水平明显低于模型组（P<0.05）,纳布啡2组明显低于纳布啡1组（P<0.05）。结论：纳布啡鞘内注射在糖尿病神经痛模型大鼠的应用能改善行为能力,抑制背根神经节TRPV1的表达,还可抑制血清IL-6与TNF-α的释放,从而发挥镇痛治疗效用。     

Electrophysiological characterization of Tityus obscurus β toxin 1 (To1) on Na+-channel isoforms

To1, previously named Tc49b, is a peptide neurotoxin isolated from venom of the scorpion Tityus obscurus that is responsible for lethal human poisoning cases in the Brazilian Amazonian region. Previously, To1 was shown to be lethal to mice and to change Na⁺ permeation in cerebellum granular neurons from rat brain. In addition, To1 did not affect Shaker B K⁺ channels. Based on sequence similarities, To1 was described as a β-toxin. In the present work, To1 was purified from T. obscurus venom and submitted to an electrophysiological characterization in human and invertebrate Na_V channels. The analysis of the electrophysiological experiments reveal that To1 enhances the open probability at more negative potentials of human Na_V 1.3 and 1.6, of the insect channel BgNa_V1 and of arachnid VdNa_V1 channel. In addition, To1 reduces the peak of Na⁺ currents in some of the Na_Vs tested. These results support the classification of the To1 as a β-toxin. A structure and functional comparison to other β-toxins that share sequence similarity to To1 is also presented.     

Galectin-1 attenuates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy through splice-variant specific modulation of CaV1.2 calcium channel

Pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy occurs in response to chronic blood pressure increase, and dysfunction of Ca_V1.2 calcium channel involves in cardiac hypertrophic processes by perturbing intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) and calcium-dependent signaling. As a carbohydrate-binding protein, galectin-1 (Gal-1) is found to bind with Ca_V1.2 channel, which regulates vascular Ca_V1.2 channel functions and blood pressure. However, the potential roles of Gal-1 in cardiac Ca_V1.2 channel (Ca_V1.2_CM) and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy remain elusive. By whole-cell patch clamp, we find Gal-1 decreases the I_Ca,L with or without isoproterenol (ISO) application by reducing the channel membrane expression in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs). Moreover, Gal-1 could inhibit the current densities of Ca_V1.2_CM by an alternative exon 9*-dependent manner in heterologously expressed HEK293 cells. Of significance, overexpression of Gal-1 diminishes ISO or KCl-induced [Ca²⁺]_i elevation and attenuates ISO-induced hypertrophy in NRVMs. Mechanistically, Gal-1 decreases the ISO or Bay K8644-induced phosphorylation of intracellular calcium-dependent signaling proteins δCaMKII and HDAC4, and inhibits ISO-triggered translocation of HDAC4 in NRVMs. Pathologically, we observe that the expressions of Gal-1 and Ca_V1.2_E9* channels are synchronously increased in rat hypertrophic cardiomyocytes and hearts. Taken together, our study indicates that Gal-1 reduces the channel membrane expression to inhibit the currents of Ca_V1.2_CM in a splice-variant specific manner, which diminishes [Ca²⁺]_i elevation, and attenuates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by inhibiting the phosphorylation of δCaMKII and HDAC4. Furthermore, our work suggests that dysregulated Gal-1 and Ca_V1.2 alternative exon 9* might be attributed to the pathological processes of cardiac hypertrophy, and provides a potential anti-hypertrophic target in the heart.