Rate-specific synchrony: using noisy oscillations to detect equally active neurons

Although gamma frequency oscillations are common in the brain, their functional contributions to neural computation are not understood. Here we report in vitro electrophysiological recordings to evaluate how noisy gamma frequency oscillatory input interacts with the overall activation level of a neuron to determine the precise timing of its action potentials. The experiments were designed to evaluate spike synchrony in a neural circuit architecture in which a population of neurons receives a common noisy gamma oscillatory synaptic drive while the firing rate of each individual neuron is determined by a slowly varying independent input. We demonstrate that similarity of firing rate is a major determinant of synchrony under common noisy oscillatory input: Near coincidence of spikes at similar rates gives way to substantial desynchronization at larger firing rate differences. Analysis of this rate-specific synchrony phenomenon reveals distinct spike timing "fingerprints" at different firing rates that emerge through a combination of phase shifting and abrupt changes in spike patterns. We further demonstrate that rate-specific synchrony permits robust detection of rate similarity in a population of neurons through synchronous activation of a postsynaptic neuron, supporting the biological plausibility of a Many Are Equal computation. Our results reveal that spatially coherent noisy oscillations, which are common throughout the brain, can generate previously unknown relationships among neural rate codes, noisy interspike intervals, and precise spike synchrony codes. All of these can coexist in a self-consistent manner because of rate-specific synchrony.     

蒿甲醚对感染小鼠体内埃及血吸虫皮层的损害

目的 评价蒿甲醚对小鼠体内埃及血吸虫皮层的损害作用。 方法 8只小鼠于感染埃及血吸虫尾蚴后81 d，用单剂蒿甲醚400 mg/kg口服治疗。治疗后1、3、7和14 d各剖杀2只小鼠，用灌注法收集血吸虫，并按常规方法固定和处置虫体，作扫描电镜观察。从另2只未作治疗的感染小鼠取虫作对照。 结果 用蒿甲醚治疗后24 h，雄虫的皮层结节肿大、破溃或从皮层上剥落; 在雄虫和雌虫的体表可查见有局灶性或广泛的皮层肿胀、融合、空泡变化、糜烂和剥落，以及感觉结构的破坏。治疗后3 d，雌、雄虫的皮层损害加重，最严重的损害为口吸盘肿胀和破溃，并查见皮层褶嵴有广泛和严重的肿胀、糜烂和剥落，以及雌虫盘状感觉结构的破坏。治疗后7至14 d，有些虫仍示有中或重度皮层损害，而有些仍存活的虫则示其大部分皮层已有明显恢复。 结论 蒿甲醚对埃及血吸虫的皮层具有广泛和严重的损害作用。     

Mitochondrial COI sequences in mites: evidence for variations in base composition

Studies of mitochondrial DNA sequences in a variety of animals have shown important differences between phyla, including differences in the genetic codes used, and varying constraints on base composition. In that respect, little is known of mites, an important and diversified group. We sequenced a portion (340 nt) of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) encoding gene in twenty species of phytophagous mites belonging to nine genera of the two families Tetranychidae and Tenuipalpidae. The mitochondrial genetic code used in mites appeared to be the same as in insects. As is generally also the case in insects, the mite sequences were very rich in A + T (75% on average), especially at the third codon position (94%). However, important variations of base composition were observed among mite species, one of them showing as little as 69% A + T. Variations of base composition occur mostly through synonymous transitions, and do not have detectable effects on polypeptide evolution in this group.     

插入四环素操纵子对恶性疟原虫血型糖蛋白结合蛋白130基因启动子活性的影响

目的　构建四环素操纵子 (TetO)修饰的恶性疟原虫血型糖蛋白结合蛋白 13 0基因 (GBP13 0 )启动子 ,并探讨TetO插入后对启动子活性影响的位置效应。　方法　将 7个拷贝的TetO ( 7cot)序列分别克隆入GBP13 0启动子转录起始点附近的 4个位点 ,上、下游各两个 ,产生 4个衍生质粒pG/ 7T( -5 ) ,pG/ 7T( -2 ) ,pG/ 7T( +2 )和pG/ 7T( +5 )。瞬时转染后通过CATELISA检测和分析pGBPCATΔ2和 4个衍生质粒中CAT报告基因的表达水平。　结果　限制性酶切、PCR扩增和DNA测序证明质粒构建成功。转染和CAT检测表明 ,7cot插入到GBP13 0启动子的 4个位点中均可提高启动子的活性 ,并且定位于启动子下游比定位于上游具有更高的活性 ,其中于 +5位点启动子活性最高。　结论　在疟原虫四环素诱导性转基因表达系统中质粒pG/ 7T( +5 )可作为反应质粒加以应用。     

Is the legal framework by itself enough for successful WHO code implementation? A case study from Ethiopia

Since 2016, Ethiopia has passed several proclamations and directives to regulate the promotion of commercial breastmilk substitute (BMS). Ethiopia's market potential will undoubtedly be the gravitating point for international infant formula companies due to growing urbanization, purchasing power, population, and the relatively low use of BMS to‐date. The aim of this review is to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the existing laws, standards, and monitoring documents used to regulate the marketing of BMSs in Ethiopia and make future recommendations. The study findings highlighted that the regulation on marketing are comprehensive and strong to limit the promotion of infant formula. On the other hand, the regulation on marketing of follow‐up formulas, complementary foods, and growing‐up milk by manufacturers and distributors, media houses, and communication and advertisement agencies are underregulated, especially with regards to the international 69.9 regulation. The monitoring and enforcement of the existing marketing regulations remain limited in the absence of a formal coordination mechanism. Several violations of the national BMS regulations were observed. Forty‐one percent of mothers reported observing the BMS advertising and logos were detected in 36% of health facilities assessed. In 100% of cases, the infant formula labels contained violations. As the lead national authority mandated to regulate food safety, the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority needs to update its regulations related to the marketing of BMS to fill the loopholes and revise the national law in line with the international code of marketing of BMSs to protect breastfeeding.     

A large population-based study on the prevalence of electrocardiographic abnormalities: A result of Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerotic disorder cohort study

Background

Twelve-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is a common and inexpensive tool for the diagnostic workup of patients with suspected cardiovascular disease, both in clinical and epidemiological settings. The present study was designed to evaluate ECG abnormalities in Mashhad population.

Methods

ECGs were taken as part of MASHAD cohort study (phase1) and were coded according to the Minnesota coding criteria. Data were analyzed using SPSS.

Results

Total 9035 ECGs were available for final analysis including 3615 (40.0%) male and 5420 (60.0%) female. Among ECG abnormalities precordial Q wave, major T-wave abnormalities, inferior Q wave, sinus bradycardia, and left axis deviation were the most prevalent abnormalities. The frequency of precordial and inferior Q wave, inferior QS pattern, major and minor ST abnormalities, major and minor T abnormalities, Wolff-Parkinson-White and Brugada pattern, sinus bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, left axis deviation, ST elevation, and tall T wave were significantly different between two genders. Moreover, the frequency of Q wave in precordial and aVL leads, QS pattern in precordial and inferior leads, major and minor T-wave abnormalities, Wolff-Parkinson-White, atrial fibrillation, sinus bradycardia, left axis deviation, and ST elevation were significantly different in different age groups. A comparison of the heart rate, P-wave duration, and QRS duration between men and women indicated that there was a significant difference.

Conclusions

Our finding indicated that the prevalence ECG abnormalities are different between men and women and also it varied in different age groups.     

新疆和田地区775例维吾尔族老年人心电图明尼苏达编码分析

目的 观察维吾尔族老人心电图异常编码的分布及其相关特点。方法 采用ＷＨＯ推荐的明尼苏达心电图编码分类法,对新疆和田地区非选择性的连续检查了７７５例维吾尔族老年人的静息状态心电图并行编码分析。结果 Ｑ／ＱＳ型检出率为４．８％,电轴左偏在－３以左为９．９％,左室最检出率为１８．１％,ＳＴ－Ｔ改变为１４．５％,束支传导阻滞为１０．７％,心律失常检出率为１１．１％,心电图符合冠心病和可颖冠心病的占１５．     

高血压患者心电图异常与脉压的关系

目的　研究高血压病人心电图异常和心电图左心室肥厚与脉压的关系。方法　在中美心血管病流行病学合作研究队列南方人群 1993～ 1994年随访复查资料中 ,选择血压和心电图资料齐全的高血压患者 114 3(男 6 2 6 ,女5 17)例进行分析。血压采用国际标准化测压方法测定 ,收缩压与舒张压取 3次测压平均值 ,心电图描记和编码使用明尼苏达编码方法。以平均动脉压的中位数 (10 9mmHg)为界值分为两组 ,再以脉压的四分位数法按≤ 4 8mmHg、4 9～5 8mmHg、5 9～ 6 8mmHg、>6 8mmHg分为 4个亚组 ,分析在不同的平均动脉压和脉压组心电图主要异常码、次要异常码和左心室肥厚编码率的变化。数据分析使用SAS软件。结果　①随着脉压增加 ,心电图异常、左心室肥厚均逐渐增加 ,P <0 0 5。Logistic回归分析证明 ,脉压增大会使心电图异常和左心室肥厚的危险增加 (P <0 0 0 1)。②BMI与心电图异常、左心室肥厚无关 ,P >0 0 5。舒张压与心电图异常码的发生率无相关关系。结论　脉压与心电图异常、左心室肥厚呈正相关关系 ,在降压治疗的同时 ,应缩小增大的脉压