The Connotation and Clinical Significance of “Spleen Governs Time” based on the Zangxiang （藏象） Time-space View / 中医杂志

There are different views on the theory of “spleen governs time”， which is still a hot spot in the study of Zangxiang （藏象） theory. Based on Zangxiang time-space view， it is found that the thinking mode of the spleen governing time theory follows space-time logic. It is believed that the different time views of the spleen governing time are all formed based on the space view that the spleen belongs to earth and resides in the center， and the zang time theory is developed with the unified time and space logic. Guided by Zangxiang time-space view， the origin of the spleen belonging to earth and residing in the center is traced， and the theoretical connotation and its clinical application of spleen governing time under different time-space logic are explored with reference to the four season and five zang theory， five season and five zang theory， six season and six zang theory， and eight season and eight zang theory.

Advances in neural circuits of innate fear defense behavior / 浙江大学学报·医学版

Fear, a negative emotion triggered by dangerous stimuli, can lead to psychiatric disorders such as phobias, anxiety disorders, and depression. Investigating the neural circuitry underlying congenital fear can offer insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of related psychiatric conditions. Research on innate fear primarily centers on the response mechanisms to various sensory signals, including olfactory, visual and auditory stimuli. Different types of fear signal inputs are regulated by distinct neural circuits. The neural circuits of the main and accessory olfactory systems receive and process olfactory stimuli, mediating defensive responses like freezing. Escape behaviors elicited by visual stimuli are primarily regulated through the superior colliculus and hypothalamic projection circuits. Auditory stimuli-induced responses, including escape, are mainly mediated through auditory cortex projection circuits. In this article, we review the research progress on neural circuits of innate fear defensive behaviors in animals. We further discuss the different sensory systems, especially the projection circuits of olfactory, visual and auditory systems, to provide references for the mechanistic study of related mental disorders.

Whole-brain Optical Imaging: A Powerful Tool for Precise Brain Mapping at the Mesoscopic Level / 神经科学通报·英文版

The mammalian brain is a highly complex network that consists of millions to billions of densely-interconnected neurons. Precise dissection of neural circuits at the mesoscopic level can provide important structural information for understanding the brain. Optical approaches can achieve submicron lateral resolution and achieve "optical sectioning" by a variety of means, which has the natural advantage of allowing the observation of neural circuits at the mesoscopic level. Automated whole-brain optical imaging methods based on tissue clearing or histological sectioning surpass the limitation of optical imaging depth in biological tissues and can provide delicate structural information in a large volume of tissues. Combined with various fluorescent labeling techniques, whole-brain optical imaging methods have shown great potential in the brain-wide quantitative profiling of cells, circuits, and blood vessels. In this review, we summarize the principles and implementations of various whole-brain optical imaging methods and provide some concepts regarding their future development.

Recent advances in bacterial therapeutics based on sense and response

Intelligent drug delivery is a promising strategy for cancer therapies. In recent years, with the rapid development of synthetic biology, some properties of bacteria, such as gene operability, excellent tumor colonization ability, and host-independent structure, make them ideal intelligent drug carriers and have attracted extensive attention. By implanting condition-responsive elements or gene circuits into bacteria, they can synthesize or release drugs by sensing stimuli. Therefore, compared with traditional drug delivery, the usage of bacteria for drug loading has better targeting ability and controllability, and can cope with the complex delivery environment of the body to achieve the intelligent delivery of drugs. This review mainly introduces the development of bacterial-based drug delivery carriers, including mechanisms of bacterial targeting to tumor colonization, gene deletions or mutations, environment-responsive elements, and gene circuits. Meanwhile, we summarize the challenges and prospects faced by bacteria in clinical research, and hope to provide ideas for clinical translation.

CIRCUITS, WAVES, AND PIPES-A BIOPHYSICAL PERSPECTIVE FOR IMPARTING CONCEPTS IN CARDIOVASCULAR AND PULMONARY PHYSIOLOGY TO UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS

Imparting concepts in ?ow dynamics of cardiovascular and respiratory physiology can be intimidating to the beginners in medical schools. We have tried to simplify the approach in effective transfer of these concepts using biophysical concepts and principles pertaining to functioning of these systems which help in easy understanding of the two vital systems in human body. Beginners in medical education ?nd it easy to relate to these concepts.

Chemical genetics technology regulates the activity of GLP-1 neurons and its effect on appetite / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:To conduct a glucagon like peptide-1(GLP-1)controllability model rat by chemical genetics, and observe the impact of GLP-1 neuron excitability on appetite.Methods:Fifteen rats were evenly divided into Green fluorescent protein(GFP)group, HM3D group, and HM4D group. Various combinations of adeno-associated virus(rAAV)were injected into the nucleus tractus solitarius(NTS). rAAV-GLP-1-cre and rAAV-GFP-dio were administered in rats of GFP group. The rats of HM3D group were injected with rAAV-GLP-1-cre and rAAV-HM3D-mCherry-dio while rAAV-GLP-1-cre and rAAV-HM4D-mCherry-dio were injected in rats of HM4D group . The optimal dose of clozapine N-oxide(CNO)was selected based on feeding behavior and body weight changes of rats after intraperitoneal injection of different doses of CNO. The controllability of GLP-1 neurons was confirmed by comparing with intraperitoneal injection of saline. The number of activated GLP-1 neurons in the NTS area and the expression of POMC neurons in the hypothalamus were detected 30 minutes after CNO injection.Results:GLP-1 neurons in the NTS area of rats were successfully labeled. The rat of HM3D group revealed a decrease in food intake( P=0.021)while the rat of HM4D group showed an increase( P=0.002), when given 1 mg/kg of CNO, no changes at the dose of 0.5 mg/kg and 3.0 mg/kg. Immunofluorescence showed that the activity of GLP-1 neurons in NTS of GFP group was lower than that of HM3D group( P=0.022), and higher compared with that of the HM4D group( P=0.049). The expression of GLP-1 neurons in NTS and POMC neurons in the hypothalamus of the HM3D group after intraperitoneal injection of CNO was also higher than that in the HM4D group( P=0.003). Conclusion:Using chemical genetics technology, GLP-1 controllability model rat could be successfully established via injecting varying combinations of rAAV into the NTS area of rat. Injection of 1 mg/kg CNO can effectively activate or inhibit the neuron to regulate appetite.

Dissecting the Neural Circuitry for Pain Modulation and Chronic Pain: Insights from Optogenetics / 神经科学通报·英文版

Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage. The processing of pain involves complicated modulation at the levels of the periphery, spinal cord, and brain. The pathogenesis of chronic pain is still not fully understood, which makes the clinical treatment challenging. Optogenetics, which combines optical and genetic technologies, can precisely intervene in the activity of specific groups of neurons and elements of the related circuits. Taking advantage of optogenetics, researchers have achieved a body of new findings that shed light on the cellular and circuit mechanisms of pain transmission, pain modulation, and chronic pain both in the periphery and the central nervous system. In this review, we summarize recent findings in pain research using optogenetic approaches and discuss their significance in understanding the pathogenesis of chronic pain.

Design and Realization of Contrast Medium Biphasic Hyperbaric Injector / 中国医疗器械杂志

A biphasic hyperbaric injector based on BLDC is designed for alternate and mixed injection of contrast medium and normal saline in the process of contrast medium injection in hospital. The driver hardware and algorithm are optimized especially for high-pressure and high-speed injection requirements. The interface APP is designed with parameter-input and real-time pressure-plotting of injector's ports as two main functions. The whole device can realize the preset function and has high stability after testing.

Therapeutic cell engineering: designing programmable synthetic genetic circuits in mammalian cells

Cell therapy approaches that employ engineered mammalian cells for on-demand production of therapeutic agents in the patient's body are moving beyond proof-of-concept in translational medicine. The therapeutic cells can be customized to sense user-defined signals, process them, and respond in a programmable and predictable way. In this paper, we introduce the available tools and strategies employed to design therapeutic cells. Then, various approaches to control cell behaviors, including open-loop and closed-loop systems, are discussed. We also highlight therapeutic applications of engineered cells for early diagnosis and treatment of various diseases in the clinic and in experimental disease models. Finally, we consider emerging technologies such as digital devices and their potential for incorporation into future cell-based therapies.

Disposición infrecuente de la arteria digital palmar propia radial del índice / Uncommon disposition of the index radial properpalmar digital artery

RESUMEN: Se presentan 3 casos de variación de origen de la arteria digital palmar propia radial del índice, dos de los cuales tienen su origen en la rama palmar superficial de la arteria radial, no detalladas previamente en la literatura, junto a variaciones vasculares en uno de ellos, mientras que en el tercero, su origen en la arteria digital palmar propia ulnar del pulgar, es fuente de controversia. Esto es discutida en la presente comunicación. Se describen anastomosis vasculares entre la arteria ulnar superficial, la rama palmar superficial de la arteria radial, la primera arteria interósea dorsal y la arteria digital palmar propia radial del índice, como circuitos anastomóticos alternativos.

SUMMARY: We present 3 cases of variation of origin of the index radial proper palmar digital artery, two of which have their origin in the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery, not previously detailed in the literature, together with vascular variations in one of them, while in the third, its origin in the palmar proper ulnar digital artery of thumb, is a source of controversy. This is discussed in this communication. Vascular anastomoses between the superficial ulnar artery, the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery, the first dorsal interosseous artery, and the radial index palmar digital artery are described as alternative anastomotic circuits.

Research progress on relationship between medial prefrontal cortex and neuropsychiatric diseases / 中国药理学通报

The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) received input from multiple cortical and subcortical areas, and integrated relevant information to other cortical and subcortical areas. mPFC play an important role in neuropsychiatric events such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, as well as in neuropsychiatric processes such as cognitive, social, and reward behaviors. This article reviews the role and molecular mechanism of the neural circuitry in the medial prefrontal cortex in neuropsychiatric diseases, especially the recent research progress.

Regulation of REM sleep: Basic mechanisms and clinical drugs / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

To explore the mechanism of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep regulation and the drugs that affect it. This article summarizes the relevant nucleuses regulating REM sleep in the pontine, medulla, and hypothalamus starting from the neural circuit that regulates REM sleep. Drugs that affect REM sleep, such as selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) reuptake inhibitors, etc. The mechanism of action can be summarized as reducing the degradation of norepinephrine and 5-HT of synaptic sites, prolonging the action time of neurotransmitters, reducing the reuptake of presynaptic membrane, prolonging the action time of transmitters in the synaptic space, and relatively increasing norepinephrine and 5-HT neurons excitement.

Mechanism of dopaminergic neurotransmission on morphine addiction and stress depression / 中国药理学通报

Morphine addiction causes the disturbance in the dopaminergic transmission. The activity of dopaminergic neurons in patients with stress depression is reduced. These studies indicate a strong correlation between morphine addiction and stress depression, which involvement of one or more common neurobiological mechanisms. The dysfunction of dopaminergic neurotransmission from the ventral tegmental area(VTA) to the nucleus accumbens (NAc), prefrontal cortex (mPFC), amygdala (Amy), hippocampus (Hip), and striatum (ST) plays an important role in regulating morphine addiction and stress depression. This article summarizes the mechanism of the dopaminergic transmission regulating morphine addiction and stress depression.

Short food supply chain: characteristics of a family farm / Short food supply chain: características na agricultura familiar

ABSTRACT: Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs) provide a dependable substitute for conventional supply chains, as their food reflects the characteristics of "local", "natural", "healthy" and "reliable". For the family farmer, the short chains constitute anexcellent way of diversifying their produce, gaining higher added value and thus warranting steadier revenues. This paper thus aims to discern the distinguishing features that the short chains offer, in general, to the family farm. To accomplish this, a literature review was performed to study the works done and approaches conducted on the short chains in the academy, in terms of family farm, and identify their specifications. Positive characteristics related to family farmers were recognizable in comparison with short chains. This article emphasized the significance and need for future research, as well as the necessity for a more extensive exploration of the subject of short chains, focusing attention on this sector, and pinpointing the determinants to be developed in the market.

RESUMO: As Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs) surgem como alternativa às cadeias convencionais de suprimentos e associam seus alimentos aos conceitos de local, natural, saudável e confiável. No que se refere ao agricultor familiar, as cadeias curtas representam uma oportunidade atrativa para diversificação da produção, captura de maior valor agregado e garantia de rendas mais estáveis. Assim, o objetivo do presente artigo é identificar as características das cadeias curtas atribuídas à agricultura familiar em geral. Para tanto, procedeu-se a uma revisão de literatura com o objetivo de conhecer os estudos e abordagens realizadas sobre as cadeias curtas na academia, em específico da agricultura familiar, para então, identificar suas características. Foi possível identificar características positivas associadas ao agricultor familiar frente às cadeias curtas. Este artigo ressalta a importância de que pesquisas futuras sejam realizadas com um maior aprofundamento do estudo das cadeias curtas com foco direto neste segmento, identificando fatores determinantes para o seu desenvolvimento nos mercados.

Neuropsiquiatría de los trastornos del movimiento / Neuropsychiatry Of Movement Disorders

Resumen Los trastornos del movimiento pueden definirse como síndromes neurológicos en los que puede haber un exceso o enlentecimiento de movimientos automáticos o voluntarios sin relación con debilidad o espasticidad. Tanto la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) como la de Huntington (EH) son condiciones paradigmáticas de estos trastornos. La alta prevalencia de síntomas psiquiátricos comórbidos, como depresión, ansiedad, síntomas obsesivo-compulsivos, alucinaciones, delirios, impulsividad, trastornos del sueño, apatía y deterioro cognoscitivo, obliga a abordar estas enfermedades como entidades neuropsiquiatricas. En el presente artículo, se realiza una révision de los aspectos neuroanatómicos (estructurales y funcionales), neuropsicológicos y psicopatológicos de la EP y la EH. Se hace especial énfasis en el papel de los circuitos frontosubcorticales no motores para la comprensión del espectro clínico de ambas entidades, sin excluir la influencia de aspectos genéticos, psicológicos y psicosociales. Por último, se realiza una breve revisión sobre los principales abordajes psicofarmacológicos en cada entidad.

Abstract Movement disorders can be defined as neurological syndromes presenting with excessive or diminished automatic or voluntary movements not related to weakness or spasticity. Both Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington's disease (HD) are well-known examples of these syndromes. The high prevalence of comorbid psychiatric symptoms like depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, hallucinations, delusions, impulsivity, sleep disorders, apathy and cognitive impairment mean that these conditions must be regarded as neuropsychiatric diseases. In this article, we review neuroanatomical (structural and functional), psychopathological and neuropsychological aspects of PD and HD. The role of fronto-subcortical loops in non-motor functions is particularly emphasised in order to understand the clinical spectrum of both diseases, together with the influence of genetic, psychological and psychosocial aspects. A brief description of the main psychopharmacological approaches for both diseases is also included.

Signaling network-based functional cell design / 生物工程学报

Cellular signaling networks act as the central processor to deal with environmental signals and regulate cell function, and determine cell fate. Using synthetic biology approach to engineer cell signaling networks is crucial for ultimately constructing man-made "cell machines". Cellular signaling networks can encode sophisticated cell information by processing quantitatively signaling dynamics, which enables multi-dimensional regulation of functional sub-circuits. Here, we first review the research progresses on the signaling coding mechanisms; and then elaborate the methodologies and applications of cells signaling engineering; finally, we envision that signaling-based cell engineering are important for the increasingly-complicated next generation synthetic biology.

Research progress of mammalian synthetic biology in biomedical field / 生物工程学报

Although still in its infant stage, synthetic biology has achieved remarkable development and progress during the past decade. Synthetic biology applies engineering principles to design and construct gene circuits uploaded into living cells or organisms to perform novel or improved functions, and it has been widely used in many fields. In this review, we describe the recent advances of mammalian synthetic biology for the treatment of diseases. We introduce common tools and design principles of synthetic gene circuits, and then we demonstrate open-loop gene circuits induced by different trigger molecules used in disease diagnosis and close-loop gene circuits used for biomedical applications. Finally, we discuss the perspectives and potential challenges of synthetic biology for clinical applications.

Smart therapeutics based on synthetic gene circuits / 生物工程学报

Synthetic biology has an important impact on biology research since its birth. Applying the thought and methods that reference from electrical engineering, synthetic biology uncovers many regulatory mechanisms of life systems, transforms and expands a series of biological components. Therefore, it brings a wide range of biomedical applications, including providing new ideas for disease diagnosis and treatment. This review describes the latest advances in the field of disease diagnosis and therapy based on mammalian cell or bacterial synthetic gene circuits, and provides new ideas for future smart therapy design.

Applications of synthetic biology in materials science / 生物工程学报

Materials are the basis for human being survival and social development. To keep abreast with the increasing needs from all aspects of human society, there are huge needs in the development of advanced materials as well as high-efficiency but low-cost manufacturing strategies that are both sustainable and tunable. Synthetic biology, a new engineering principle taking gene regulation and engineering design as the core, greatly promotes the development of life sciences. This discipline has also contributed to the development of material sciences and will continuously bring new ideas to future new material design. In this paper, we review recent advances in applications of synthetic biology in material sciences, with the focus on how synthetic biology could enable synthesis of new polymeric biomaterials and inorganic materials, phage display and directed evolution of proteins relevant to materials development, living functional materials, engineered bacteria-regulated artificial photosynthesis system as well as applications of gene circuits for material sciences.

Change of Histone Acetylation Homeostasis of Central Cholinergic Circuits in Mice with Post-stroke Cognitive Impairment / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective To observe the change of histone acetylation homeostasis of the central cholinergic circuits in mice with post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). Methods The male ICR mice were divided into sham group (n=60) and PSCI group (n=60). The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was established. The Morris water maze test was used to test the cognitive function, and the changes of function and the histone acetylation homeostasis of the central cholinergic circuits of unaffected side were detected by molec-ular biology methods. Results Compared with the sham group, the scores of Morris water maze test decreased in PSCI group (t>29.412, P26.227, P28.593, P24.126, P25.634, P24.704, P<0.05). Conclusion Transient MCAO could cause PSCI. The function of the central cholinergic circuits was impaired, especially the his-tone acetylation homeostasis of the central cholinergic circuits, such as the acetylated histone level of ChAT promoter decreased. All of that might be related with the decline of p-CREB and CBP level in the corresponding brain regions induced by stroke.