Synaptic Cell Adhesion Proteins and Synaptogenesis in the Mammalian Central Nervous System

12   nerve cells with up to 10¹⁵ synapses. In principle, synaptogenesis takes place in two consecutive steps that are most likely mediated by cell adhesion molecules. First, an arriving axonal growth cone identifies its appropriate partner cell, creating an initial contact, and, second, specific axonal and dendritic protein components are recruited to this initial contact site, forming a functional synapse. Three cell adhesion systems have recently been shown to be specifically enriched at synaptic contacts: the cadherin/catenin system, the cadherinlike neuronal receptors, and the β-neurexin/neuroligin system. Components of all three cell adhesion systems have been localized to synaptic contacts using immunogold electron microscopy but are also present outside of synapses. The present short review discusses the possible role of these synaptic cell adhesion molecules in synaptogenesis.     

The electromotor system of Torpedo

The electric organ of Torpedo, besides providing abundant amounts of cholinoceptive post-synaptic membrane for the isolation of the acetylcholine receptor protein, is a rich source of cholinergic nerve terminals. Using perfused, innervated tissue blocks from which synaptic vesicles in different functional states can be isolated, much information can be obtained about synaptic-vesicle dynamics. So far this is consistent with the view that the synaptic vesicles are the source of transmitter released on stimulation and that uptake of newly synthesized transmitter by the vesicles is dependent on their having discharged their previous charge of transmitter in at least one cycle of exo- and endocytosis. Studies of the protein composition of the vesicle membrane, especially when combined with similar information about the external presynaptic membrane, purified samples of which are now available from synaptosome (T-sac) preparations, promise to throw new light on the molecular mechanism underlying vesicle exo-/endocytosis.     

不同季节秦皇岛近岸水体颗粒物粒径分布特征研究

颗粒物粒径分布(particle size distribution,PSD)代表颗粒物的数量浓度随粒径的变化特征,掌握PSD的分布信息对于理解海洋碳循环和量化生态系统的结构和功能具有重要意义。基于2017年夏季和秋季两个航次的现场实测数据,本文进行了参考粒径D0对PSD的影响研究,探讨了秦皇岛近岸水体不同季节PSD的分布特征。研究发现,大多数站位PSD的分布规律符合幂律模型,但是模型中参考粒径的取值对拟合精度和PSD斜率有较大的影响。夏季,参考粒径大于26.7μm;秋季,参考粒径大于61.2μm,此范围内平均绝对百分比误差值较小。在获取秦皇岛近岸水体粒径分布信息时,结合PSD斜率的变化研究,将43.9μm、85.2μm分别作为夏季和秋季的最佳参考粒径。在此基础上,得出夏季和秋季表层水体PSD斜率的变化范围分别为2.44～4.62和2.30～3.76,秋季水体颗粒物的平均粒径高于夏季水体。此外,本文还研究了PSD斜率与衰减光谱斜率γ之间的关系,两者呈现良好的线性关系,夏季和秋季的相关系数分别为0.63和0.68,该结论为利用遥感技术有效地监测海洋颗粒物的分布信息提供了良好的理论基础和技...     

Particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure season-dependently induces neuronal apoptosis and synaptic injuries

Epidemiological studies have shown that particulate matter 2.5 (PM_2.5) not only increases the incidence of cardiopulmonary illnesses but also relates to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Considering that PM_2.5 is highly heterogeneous with regional disparity and seasonal variation, we investigated whether PM_2.5 exposure induced neuronal apoptosis and synaptic injuries in a season-dependent manner. The results indicated that PM_2.5 altered the expression of apoptosis-related proteins (mainly bax and bcl-2), activated caspase-3 and caused neuronal apoptosis. Additionally, PM_2.5 decreased the levels of synaptic structural protein postsynaptic density (PSD-95) and synaptic functional protein N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit (NR2B) expression. These effects occurred in a season-dependent manner, and PM_2.5 collected from the winter showed the strongest changes. Furthermore, the effect was coupled with the inhibition of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) and phosphorylated cAMP-response element binding protein (p-CREB). Based on the findings, we analyzed the correlations between the chemical composition of PM_2.5 samples and the biological effects, and confirmed that winter PM_2.5 played a major role in causing neuronal apoptosis and synaptic injuries among different season samples.     

德国分散式污水处理系统微生物群落结构及功能

以德国分散式污水处理系统为研究对象,通过16S rRNA测序,研究2个反应器中微生物群落结构,利用PICRUSt软件对其功能进行推演.结果表明,冬季,污水厌氧膜生物反应器（AnMBR）内温度20℃,进水COD 712mg/L时,出水可获得52%的COD平均去除率,产气率为122L/kgCOD;固体废物厌氧反应器（PSD）内温度37℃,反应器内COD 3007mg/L时,可获得374L/kgVSS的产气率.2个反应器具有相似的微生物组成,对细菌,Synerigistaceae科的相对丰度最高（AnMBR：24.0%±10.0%;PSD：11.0%±3.1%）;对古菌,Methanobacteriaceae科的相对丰度最高（AnMBR：0.6%±0.3%;PSD：13.8%±1.8%）;2个反应器的功能基因组成也相似,产甲烷都以H₂还原CO₂的通路为主.PSD反应器中H₂还原CO₂通路相关基因、F420合成相关基因、辅酶M合成相关基因的相对丰度都高于AnMBR反应器.     

Development of catfish lateral line organs: electroreceptors require innervation,although mechanoreceptors do not

In amphibians the lateral line sense organs, i.e., mechanoreceptors (neuromasts) and electroreceptors, develop autonomously from placodal tissue, with no need for innervating nerve fibers. The present study deals with the question whether or not the mechano- and the (ampullary) electroreceptors develop in the same manner in teleosts. On the tail of larval catfish, Silurus, the first mechano- and electroreceptors appear several days after hatching in two longitudinal rows, one along the outgrowing main branch of the lateral line nerve and one along its ventral branch. Prevention of outgrowth of both nerve branches by repeated nerve sectioning, before the receptors form, shows (1) that the mechanoreceptors can develop without innervation as in amphibians, and (2) that the electroreceptors do not develop without innervation, unlike amphibian electroreceptors. These results are discussed with regard to the placodal origin and the phylogeny of the two sense organs.     

强化曝气对潜流人工湿地堵塞物分布规律的影响

构建曝气及未曝气潜流人工湿地小试实验系统,研究曝气对人工湿地堵塞物组分及分布规律的影响.结果表明:两系统中堵塞物组成均以无机物为主,曝气对堵塞物累积总量影响不大,但对堵塞物化学组分影响较大,使堵塞物中有机物组分比例降低.未曝气及曝气系统堵塞物平均累积量分别为5.18 mg·g~(-1)及5.21 mg·g~(-1),有机物所占比例分别为28.4%和15.6%.曝气对堵塞物在水平及深度方向的分布影响不大,两系统均表现为底层累积物含量略高于表层,出水端累积物含量略高于进水端.电镜及能谱分析结果显示,受溶解氧因素的影响,两系统中表层填料元素种类均较底层丰富,且曝气系统较未曝气系统丰富.     

乌兰布和沙漠不同灌丛土壤颗粒多重分形特征及其与有机碳分布的关系

w（SOC）（SOC为土壤有机碳,soil organic carbon）及其分布状况显著受到土壤PSD（particle-size distribution,粒径分布）和有机质相互胶结方式的差异影响,而w（SOC）可反映土壤结构优劣程度,表征土壤肥力状况及碳库饱和度.以乌兰布和沙漠沙冬青、花棒、猫头刺、白刺和梭梭灌丛下0~100 cm深度风沙土为研究对象,通过野外分层采样与室内测试,采用多重分形理论探讨土壤特性和w（SOC）分布特征及其相互关系,反映土壤结构及肥力状况.结果表明:① 不同灌丛下的土壤均具有良好的分形特征,并且灌丛可通过降低风速,使≤ 50 μm的优质颗粒在周围表层土壤沉降,而优质颗粒数量与w（SOC）、D₀（粒径分布范围）及D₁（分布均匀程度）极显著正相关（P < 0.01）,与D₁/D₀（分布离散程度）极显著负相关（P < 0.01）;② 各灌丛下w（SOC）的大小关系与D₁、D₀相似但与D₁/D₀完全相反,即w（SOC）可表征PSD状况进而反映土壤结构优劣程度,并且在沙冬青灌丛的>20~30、>60~80 cm土层出现两次峰值,分别为11.958、11.928 g/kg;③ 对D₀的扩大及D₁/D₀的降低程度以沙冬青灌丛最为明显,但对D₁的降低程度则以花棒灌丛最为明显.研究显示,多重分形理论可很好地描述乌兰布和沙漠风沙土性质,并且适生灌丛中沙冬青及花棒可更好地改善土壤颗粒及SOC特征,故可通过种植二者局部改良土壤及增加碳库饱和度.      

钝锥表面脉动压力风洞试验研究

目的获得钝锥在风洞实验连续变雷诺数过程中表面脉动压力的变化规律。方法基于利用超声速风洞,研究Ma=6、α=0°工况下,单位长度雷诺数从4.5×10⁷ m^-1连续变化为1.0×10⁷m^-1过程中钝锥表面脉动压力时域、频域的变化规律。结果在雷诺数从高到低变化过程中,钝锥表面测点脉动压力时域信号幅值出现了瞬间下降现象。基于自由来流动压归一化脉动压力时域信号显示,转捩过程中归一化脉动压力较层流、湍流状态更高。从频域特性上看,10kHz范围内,转捩过程中6k Hz附近能量优先增长,并且逐渐往整个低频段扩展,整个频段归一化功率谱密度较湍流状态更高。结论在给定的马赫数与攻角工况下,湍流状态钝锥表面脉动压力归一化功率谱密度特性与来流雷诺数无关。边界层转捩时,基于来流动压归一化脉动压力功率谱密度较湍流更高,归一化脉动压力均方根系数约为湍流状态的2倍。环境工程及结构设计工程师在开展再入环境研究以及结构设计时应该对再入过程中出现的转捩现象予以关注。     

不同构型人工湿地基质中土著菌的耐药性及整合子丰度调查

采用Kirby-Bauer纸片琼脂扩散法分析了夏、冬季节9个不同构型人工湿地中的葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus)、假单胞菌(Pseudomonas)两种土著菌对7种常用抗生素的耐药性,并通过荧光定量PCR检测人工湿地基质中Ⅰ型整合子(int1)的丰度.结果表明,共分离出的522株葡萄球菌和543株假单胞菌,约84%的菌株对所测试的抗生素具有耐药性,多重耐药率达到68%以上,MRI指数平均为0.22,与某些环境中人源或动物源细菌耐药水平相当,表明人工湿地基质土著菌具有较高水平的耐药性;两种土著菌对氨苄西林和复方新诺明的耐药率较高,四环素、庆大霉素和环丙沙星的耐药率均极低(3%),而对头孢他啶和氯霉素的耐药性呈现差别.湿地基质中int1基因的浓度为1.14×105~5.66×105copies·g-1,其相对丰度为0.54%~3.68%.季节和湿地工艺对细菌耐药和整合酶基因分布有较大影响.夏季2种细菌的抗生素耐药率、多重耐药指数和int1丰度均显著高于冬季;下行垂直流湿地中的抗生素耐药率、多重耐药指数(MRI)最高,而在水平潜流湿地中int1丰度最高.研究表明人工湿地基质的土著菌长期暴露在一定浓度抗生素和耐药肠道菌的生活污水环境下获得了耐药性,人工湿地中抗生素耐药菌和耐药基因的污染及环境风险不容忽视.     

2008~2012年上海黑碳浓度变化特征分析

采用上海市城市环境气象中心2008~2012年黑碳质量浓度小时平均资料,分析了上海市区黑碳质量浓度变化规律.结果表明,2008~2012年间上海黑碳平均质量浓度呈下降趋势,各年黑碳平均质量浓度从(4 045.3±3 375.4)ng·m-3降至(2 766.2±2 078.9)ng·m-3,观测期间的逐年变化率分别为2.3%、-6.5%、-18.7%和-12.1%.与其它大城市相比,黑碳平均质量浓度为中等偏低水平.从年平均变化看,11和12月的5年平均质量浓度最高,分别为5 426.6 ng·m-3和5 365.3ng·m-3,其次为1、6和10月,分别为4 402.5、3 763.3和3 412.7 ng·m-3.工作日和休息日的5年平均日变化均呈明显双峰结构,两峰分别出现在北京时间07:00~10:00和18:00~22:00,工作日第一峰高于第二峰,休息日则相反.5年间,工作日黑碳平均质量浓度较休息日高9%.此外,根据有效观测数据,通过回归整理,给出了一个5年平均黑碳质量浓度日变化的逐时经验函数,以方便估计和预测黑碳浓度水平.     

Elementary components of synaptic transmission

The analysis of chemical transmission at synapses, in particular at the neuromuscular junction, has proceeded from the cellular to the molecular level. Gradual refinements in electric recording technique have brought to light new features, first the quantal delivery of the transmitter substance, in multimolecular packets, from the nerve endings, and more recently the statistical elements of the postsynaptic potential change which arise from the molecular bombardment by acetylcholine and the transient opening of individual ion channels in the end-plate membrane     

Evolution of a new sense for wind in flying phasmids? Afferents and interneurons

The evolution of winged stick insects (phasmids) from secondarily wingless ancestors was proposed in recent studies. We explored the cuticle of flying phasmids for wind sensors that could be involved in their flight control, comparable to those known for locusts. Surprisingly, wind-sensitive hairs (wsH) occur on the palps of mouthparts and on the antennae of the winged phasmid Sipyloidea sipylus which can fly in tethered position only when air currents blow over the mouthparts. The present study describes the morphology and major functional properties of these “new” wsH with soft and bulging hair bases which are different from the beaker-like hair bases of the wsH on the cerci of phasmids and the wsH described in other insects. The most sensitive wsH of antennae and palps respond with phasic-tonic afferents to air currents exceeding 0.2 ms⁻¹. The fields of wsH on one side of the animal respond mainly to ventral, lateral, and frontal wind on the ipsilateral side of the head. Afferent inputs from the wsH converge but also diverge to a group of specific interneurons at their branches in the suboesophageal ganglion and can send their integrated input from wsH fields of the palps and antennae to the thoracic central nervous system. Response types of individual wsH-interneurons are either phasic or phasic-tonic to air puffs or constant air currents and also, the receptive fields of individual interneurons differ. We conclude that the “new” wsH system and its interneurons mainly serve to maintain flight activity in airborne phasmids and also, the “new” wsH must have emerged together with the integrating interneurons during the evolution from wingless to the recent winged forms of phasmids.     

A laboratory evaluation of a nitrogen dioxide personal sampling device

A series of chamber experiments was carried out to determine performance characteristics of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) personal sampling devices (PSDs) under varying climatic conditions. The impact of extreme temperature on NO₂ PSDs was evaluated on two performance modes: (1) PSDs as stationary sampling devices; and (2) PSDs as exposure measuring devices. Extremely low temperatures affect both the accuracy and precision of the PSD measurements. Under conventional mobility patterns, the extreme temperature impact does not affect the ability of PSDs to measure personal exposures to NO₂ accurately. NO₂ PSD is a simple, robust, lightweight, unobtrusive, and easy-to-use sampler that measures exposure to NO₂ with sensitivity and time resolution not previously available with other diffusion monitors.     

Study on particle size distributions of the fallout dust from the atmosphere of Qena,Egypt

The total number of particles, particle size and shape, as well as particle size distribution have been studied for the fallout dust in the atmosphere of Qena (upper Egypt). Dust particles were collected directly on slides for microscopic analysis at two collection sites. The frequency distribution of sizes is plotted against equal intervals of size. The results shwo that the highest percentage of particles have size < 5 μm and are of irregular shape. The high degree of similarly between the PSD results indicates a small variability in atmospheric conditions in Qena during the period of study. The effective mean particle diameters were calculated.     

微粒尺寸分布(PSD)在污水处理研究中的应用

介绍了污水中微粒的分类、尺寸分布(PSD)和检测PSD的方法。PSD与污水化学成分相关,不同来源的污水PSD各不相同,且PSD会随着污水处理流程变化。PSD可对污水进行表征,对传统方法进行辅助和补充。在生物处理中,微粒尺寸与BOD降解速率呈反比例关系,PSD可提供COD组分迁移变化的必要信息,直接影响着生物处理的效果。无论是对传统活性污泥法还是对生物膜法中的PSD进行研究,均可评估生物处理中碳源是否足够,分析去除机理,优化处理效果。PSD对痕量物质的去除和迁移具有重要意义,在深度过滤中,污水中PSD呈幂函数关系,PSD可研究雌激素等痕量物质的去除机理。PSD作为一个新型的研究工具,可以进一步深入应用于污水处理领域,对该领域的研究和技术升级具有重要意义。     

不同设障年限沙丘土壤粒径和有机碳分布特征

为探讨沙柳沙障对毛乌素沙地土壤粒径和SOC(土壤有机碳)的影响,选取流动沙丘、设障2和7 a的半固定和固定沙丘为研究对象,利用多重分形理论分析不同设障年限沙丘PSD(土壤粒径分布)(以φ计)和w(SOC)的分布特征. 结果表明:设置沙障后,φ(黏粒)、φ(粉粒)与φ(极细砂)增加,φ(细砂)与φ(中砂)下降;土壤粒径的多重分形参数D₁/D₀(D₁为PSD均匀性程度,D₀为PSD宽度)和~f()谱图可以反映沙丘土壤PSD的宽度与均匀性程度,随着设障年限延长,PSD的D₁/D₀均小于流动沙丘,土壤中细粒物质显著增多. D₀表现为设障7 a沙丘(1.01)>流动沙丘(1.00)>设障2 a沙丘(0.93),D₁表现为流动沙丘(0.91)>设障2 a沙丘(0.88)>设障7 a沙丘(0.65). w(SOC)随着设障年限的延长而显著增加,设障7 a沙丘与其他2类沙丘间w(SOC)差异显著;多重分形参数可以表征土壤养分状况与流沙防治状况,设障沙丘上部、下部的w(SOC)与PSD的D₁/D₀之间有明显的相关关系,设障沙丘上部、下部D₁/D₀间呈明显负相关,设障沙丘中部D₁/D₀之间则呈正相关,流动沙丘各部位w(SOC)与D₁/D₀间无显著相关关系.      

Ecophysiology of dorsal versus ventral cuticle in flattened sawfly larvae

Platycampus larvae are highly cryptic leaf feeders characterised by a dorso-ventrally flattened body, the dorsal integument resembling a shield. Dorsal and ventral cuticles from Platycampus luridiventris were compared by histology and gel electrophoresis. By Azan-staining, a red and a blue layer were distinguished in the dorsal cuticle, while the ventral cuticle showed one, almost uniform blue layer, as in both cuticles of control species. The two cuticles from P. luridiventris had similar amounts and sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis profiles of soluble proteins, but not insoluble proteins. One insoluble protein (MW ≈ 41 kDa) was visible as a large band in the ventral cuticle only. It is likely that this protein renders the cuticle elastic, and that the dorsal, red layer is the exocuticle, mainly composed of insoluble proteins. We discuss eco-physiological implications of the exocuticle in insects. Further, data from the literature indicate that the defence strategy in P. luridiventris larvae relies on being visually cryptic towards avian predators and tactically cryptic towards arthropod predators and parasitoids. Crypsis in both senses is favoured by the shield effect, itself based on an abnormally thick dorsal exocuticle. Although the larvae are external feeders, they may be considered as hidden from an ecological perspective.     

珠江口夏季有机碳的分布特征及其收支模拟研究

基于三维水质模型对珠江口夏季有机碳的分布特征及其收支进行了研究,量化了各动力学过程对有机碳分布的影响,这对于深入了解珠江口碳循环过程有重要意义.同时,采用2006年7—8月观测数据对模型进行了验证,结果显示模型模拟效果良好.研究表明,珠江口夏季有机碳呈明显的空间变化,其浓度总体上从口门向外海逐步降低,底层递减幅度大于表层;表层平均浓度为2.42 mg·L~(-1),底层平均浓度为1.91 mg·L~(-1).此外,有机碳在垂向上的分布与水体层化紧密相关,层化水域中的有机碳浓度随水深迅速下降,非层化水域上、下层的浓度差异不大.有机碳收支结果则表明,珠江口不同水域有机碳的物理、生化过程差异明显.在内伶仃洋,有机碳分布由物理过程主控,其主要来源与消耗分别为径流输送和沉降,两者分别约占该区域有机碳输入总量的83.80%、83.18%;在中伶仃洋,有机碳分布受物理和生化因素共同调控,其来源以生化产碳为主,动力输送为辅,主要耗碳项为沉降;在外伶仃洋,其西侧水域的有机碳主要来源与消耗分别为径流输送和沉降,有机碳分布受物理和生化过程共同调控,其中,物理过程占优势,而在其东侧水域,有机碳主要来源与消耗分别为生化产碳和生化耗碳,有机碳分布由生化过程主控.另外,捕食产碳和氧化耗碳分别是珠江口各生化过程中最重要的产、耗碳过程.