A Spacetime Odyssey of Neural Progenitors to Generate Neuronal Diversity / 神经科学通报·英文版

To understand how the nervous system develops from a small pool of progenitors during early embryonic development, it is fundamentally important to identify the diversity of neuronal subtypes, decode the origin of neuronal diversity, and uncover the principles governing neuronal specification across different regions. Recent single-cell analyses have systematically identified neuronal diversity at unprecedented scale and speed, leaving the deconstruction of spatiotemporal mechanisms for generating neuronal diversity an imperative and paramount challenge. In this review, we highlight three distinct strategies deployed by neural progenitors to produce diverse neuronal subtypes, including predetermined, stochastic, and cascade diversifying models, and elaborate how these strategies are implemented in distinct regions such as the neocortex, spinal cord, retina, and hypothalamus. Importantly, the identity of neural progenitors is defined by their spatial position and temporal patterning factors, and each type of progenitor cell gives rise to distinguishable cohorts of neuronal subtypes. Microenvironmental cues, spontaneous activity, and connectional pattern further reshape and diversify the fate of unspecialized neurons in particular regions. The illumination of how neuronal diversity is generated will pave the way for producing specific brain organoids to model human disease and desired neuronal subtypes for cell therapy, as well as understanding the organization of functional neural circuits and the evolution of the nervous system.

El ideal de cuerpo delgado y la formación del sujeto neoliberal: un estudio de caso / O ideal do corpo magro e a formação do sujeito neoliberal: um estudo de caso / The thin body ideal and the constitution of the neoliberal subject: a case study

El objetivo de este artículo es mostrar mediante un estudio de caso único, cómo la discrepancia entre la imagen corporal del ideal delgado y la real puede estimular los procesos de formación del sujeto neoliberal. El instrumento de recogida de información fue la entrevista cualitativa, abierta y semiestructurada. Los resultados muestran cómo la imagen corporal del ideal delgado puede funcionar como una tecnología de poder, al exhibir un cuerpo normalizado y homogéneo que estimula los procesos reflexivos críticos sobre uno mismo, procesos que pueden abocar en prácticas de transformación del propio cuerpo, contribuyendo a la construcción de sujetos sensibles al impulso neoliberal. Finalmente, aportamos algunas implicaciones pedagógicas para el desarrollo de tecnologías del yo liberadoras orientadas al autoconocimiento y al aumento de la consciencia crítica.

O objetivo deste artigo é mostrar, através de um único estudo de caso, como a discrepância entre a imagem corporal do magro ideal e o real pode estimular os processos de formação do sujeito neoliberal. O instrumento de coleta de informações foi a entrevista qualitativa, aberta e semi-estruturada. Os resultados mostram como a imagem corporal do ideal magro pode funcionar como uma tecnologia de potência, exibindo um corpo ideal normalizado e homogêneo que estimula processos reflexivos críticos sobre si mesmo, processos que podem levar a práticas de transformação do próprio corpo, contribuindo para a construção do corpo, contribuído para a construção de sujeitos sensíveis ao impulso neoliberal. Por fim, fornecemos algumas implicações pedagógicas para o desenvolvimento de tecnologias libertadoras de si voltadas para o autoconhecimento e o aumento da consciência crítica.

As a single case study, this paper shows how the discrepancy between the thin-ideal body image and the real body can drive processes that form the neoliberal subject. Data were collected through qualitative, open and semi-structured interviews. The results show how the thin-ideal body image can function as a power technology by exhibiting a normalized and homogeneous ideal body that stimulates critical reflective processes about oneself, which can lead to practices of transformation of the body itself, contributing to form subjects that are receptive to the neoliberal impulse. Finally, we point out some pedagogical implications for the development of liberating technologies of the self, aimed at self-knowledge and increasing critical awareness.

Bilateral Segmental Neurofibromatosis with Lentiginosis Showing a Checkerboard Pattern / 대한피부과학회지

Segmental neurofibromatosis, a subtype of neurofibromatosis type 1, is characterized by neurofibromas and/or café-au-lait spots limited to an area or segment of the body. Checkerboard pattern is a rare type of cutaneous mosaic manifestation, characterized by squares or broad ribbons of affected skin with sharp demarcation at the midline. Herein, we report the case of a patient with bilateral segmental neurofibromatosis with lentiginosis showing a checkerboard pattern. Our patient had multiple hyperpigmented macules on her entire body in a checkerboard pattern since birth. Several café-au-lait patches were observed on the left buttock and right axilla. A neurofibroma was incidentally found beneath the café-au-lait patch by histological examination, which showed ill-defined spindle cells with elongated nuclei at the deep dermis that stained positive for S-100. Based on the clinical presentation and histopathologic results, the patient was diagnosed with bilateral segmental neurofibromatosis with lentiginosis showing a checkerboard pattern.

Expression of ?-smooth muscle actin in benign and malignant salivary gland tumors: An immunohistochemical study

Background and Objectives: Myoepithelial cells (ME) are known to contribute in the patterning of salivary gland neoplasms (SGN) and possess cytoplasmic smooth muscle actin (SMA) revealed by alpha SMA (?-SMA). The present study aimed to assess the expression of ?-SMA in selected benign and malignant SGN (pleomorphic adenoma printarticle.asp?issn=0377-4929;year=2018;volume=61;issue=4;spage=479;epage=484;aulast=Ravi, mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA). Materials and Methods: The intensity and pattern of expression of ?-SMA were studied in 25 cases of SGN's ACC (n = 7), MEC (n = 8), PA (n = 8), and PLGA (n = 2), and correlated with the histological patterns. Results: Maximum expression of ?-SMA in the epithelial compartment was seen in ACC, followed by PA, whereas MEC and PLGA showed completely negative staining. The connective tissue expression was mild in ACC and MEC. The myxoid stroma of PA with “melting” pattern was weakly positive for ?-SMA. The stroma in PLGA showed complete negativity. In ACC, ?-SMA-positive cells were lining the cribriform spaces, small islands, and dispersed within large islands. Small nests showed complete positivity for ?-SMA. Interpretation and Conclusion: In ACC, ?-SMA expression supports the involvement of ME in epithelial organization explaining the histological patterns seen. In PA, the expression correlates with the predominantly secretory nature of ME. The absence of epithelial positivity in MEC and PLGA suggest that ME has less role to play in their histogenesis. The weak stromal positivity observed in MEC and ACC may be attributed to the positive immunoreactivity of myofibroblasts playing a role in modulating the course of SGN's.

Nfic regulates tooth root patterning and growth / 대한해부학회지

Molecular interactions between epithelium and mesenchyme are important for root formation. Nuclear factor I-C (Nfic) has been identified as a key regulator of root formation. However, the mechanisms of root formation and their interactions between Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS) and mesenchyme remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of Nfic in root patterning and growth during molar root development. The molars of Nfic knockout mice exhibited an enlarged pulp chamber and apical displacement of the pulpal floor, characteristic features of taurodontism, due to delayed furcation formation. In developing molar roots of mutant mice at P14, BrdU positive cells decreased in the apical mesenchyme of the elongation region whereas those cells increased in the dental papilla of the furcation region. Whereas cytokeratin 14 and laminin were localized in HERS cells of mutant molars, Smoothened (Smo) and Gli1 were downregulated in preodontoblasts. In contrast, cytokeratin 14 and Smo were localized in the cells of the furcation region of mutant molars. These results indicate that Nfic regulates cell proliferation in the dental mesenchyme and affects the fate of HERS cells in a site-specific manner. From the results, it is suggested that Nfic is required for root patterning and growth during root morphogenesis.

Preparation and Experimental Study on Dielectrophoresis- Based Microfluidic Chip for Cell Patterning / 分析化学

Adielectrophoresis-basedmicrofluidicchipappliedtocellspatterningisdesignedandfabricated, and it demonstrates non-contact and batch manipulation of cells. The microfluidic chip employs a PDMS microchannel and two ITO electrodes, which are designed as astep shape. The distribution of electric field caused by the microelectrodes is simulated by finite element simulation software, COMSOL. The position of the maximum intensity of electric field is also determined. The ITO microelectrodes and the PDMS microchannel are fabricated using MEMS fabrication process. After oxygen plasma surface treatment, the PDMS microchannel and glass substrate with the ITO microelectrodes are aligned and bonded to form experimental microfluidic chip. Through DEP experiment with the varying frequencies, DEP response of yeast cells is examined, and the electric field frequency of the both positive and negative DEP responses are confirmed. The results showed that yeast cells in solution conductivity of 60 μS/cm had negative DEP movement at the frequency of 1 kHz to 10 kHz, positive DEP movement at the 500 kHz to 10 MHz, and no DEP movement at the 50 kHz. Under the condition of the sinusoidal potential of 8Vp-p and the electric field frequency of 5 MHz, the yeast cells were aligned into chains along the step edge of microelectrodes.

Patrón de actividad física, composición corporal y distribución de la adiposidad en adolescentes venezolanos / Physical activity pattern, body composition and fat patterning in venezuelan adolescents

La composición corporal y la distribución de la adiposidad son indicadores útiles para el diagnóstico temprano de factores de riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares. Se evaluó composición corporal, distribución de adiposidad y relación con actividad física en 300 adolescentes venezolanos (2006-2007), mediante el índice de masa corporal (IMC), áreas grasa (AG) y muscular (AM), distribución tronco/extremidad y actividad física (Test Krece Plus) y técnicas multivariantes. Se encontró: IMC: déficit 6,7% y exceso 11,7%. AG: 3,3% déficit y 12,7% exceso. AM 11,3% déficit y 19% exceso, 56% presentó nivel de actividad física malo, 33% regular y 11% bueno. En los adolescentes con sobrepeso la actividad física fue mala o regular. El primer clúster agrupó individuos de 13 años, normales y actividad física regular a buena; hombres 5,5 h mujeres 2,3h. El 2do clúster agrupó el déficit, y 3ro y 4to normales y exceso. Los varones practicaron más actividad física que las niñas (6,6-3,4)-(4,1-2,3). La edad caracterizó comportamiento en los clúster y se relacionó con la distribución de grasa. El test de actividad física contribuyó muy poco en la construcción de los ejes factoriales y fue débil su asociación con composición y distribución de grasa. Los jóvenes practican poca actividad física que se asocia a una distribución central y/o periférica de la adiposidad, ambos considerados factores de riesgo negativos para la salud de los adolescentes. La poca actividad física y las alteraciones en el patrón de distribución, pueden ser factores de riesgo modificables como parte de una política de atención integral al adolescente(AU)

Body composition and fat patterning are considered as predictor tools for an early diagnosis of risk of cardiovascular diseases. A study was conducted in 300 male and female Venezuelan adolescents (2006-2007) to explore body composition, and fat patterning, related to physical activity. Subjects were categorized based on body mass index (BMI), arm fat area (AFA), arm muscle area (AMA), central and peripheral distribution of fat and physical activity by Krece Plus questionnaire. Multivariante techniques were applied. According to BMI categories 6.7% were categorized as low and 11.7% as high; AFA classified 12.7% as high and 3.3% as low. AMA found 11.3% as low and 19% as high, 56% of adolescents did not archive a moderate or good physical activity. Overweight adolescents showed poor physical activity. The first cluster grouped most of the normal subjects, average age 13 years, and moderate and intense physical activity (5.5 /2.3 hours for males and females). The second cluster depicted subjects with deficit, normal and high ones were located on the third and four clusters. Boys were more active (6.6-3.3) than girls (4.1-2.3). Age was a variable that characterized the profile of the clusters and was related to body fat distribution. The physical test was not strong enough to the conformation of the factorial axes and was weakly associated with body composition and its distribution. The youngest were more sedentary linked to centralized and peripheral body fat distribution, both components recognized as contributing factors to a number of medical conditions, even during adolescence. A poor physical activity level and impairment of fat distribution could be considered modifiable risks factors as elements of integral policies for adolescents(AU)

Simple and Novel Three Dimensional Neuronal Cell Culture Using a Micro Mesh Scaffold

Conventional method of cell culture studies has been performed on two-dimensional substrates. Recently, three-dimensional (3D) cell culture platforms have been a subject of interest as cells in 3D has significant differences in cell differentiation and behavior. Here we report a novel approach of 3D cell culture using a nylon micro mesh (NMM) as a cell culture scaffold. NMM is commonly used in cell culture laboratory, which eliminates the requirement of special technicality for biological laboratories. Furthermore, it is made of a micro-meter thick nylon fibers, which was adequate to engineer in cellular scales. We demonstrate the feasibility of the NMM as a 3D scaffold using E18 rat hippocampal neurons. NMM could be coated with cell adhesive coatings (polylysine or polyelectrolyte) and neurons showed good viability. Cells were also encapsulated in an agarose hydrogel and cultured in 3D using NMM. In addition, the 3D pattern of NMM could be used as a guidance cue for neurite outgrowth. The flexible and elastic properties of NMMs made it easier to handle the scaffold and also readily applicable for large-scale tissue engineering applications.

Exploration of administration system for scientific research funds based on computer network / 中华医学科研管理杂志

With the aid of scientific research management information system, we established an in-formation management for the scientific research funds. The structure,function and application of the system were introduced in this paper.

Erk and retinoic acid signaling participate in the segregation and patterning of first arch derived maxilla and mandible

Micropatterning of endothelial cells on poly-dimethylsiloxane flow channel bottom / 第三军医大学学报

Objective To simulate the blood flow features of the susceptible sites of atherosclerosis in vitro.The cell micro-patterning is to be obtained on the bottom of channel for the information about single cell or cell groups.Methods Poly-dimethylsiloxane(PDMS) flow channel and PDMS stamp were fabricated by soft lithography.Fibronectin pattern was formed on chamber bottom by micro-contact printing method and cells selectively attached on fibronectin pattern.Results The PDMS-patterned chamber that possessed favorable optical property and the PDMS stamps with different sizes were obtained.Cells attached on fibronectin pattern presented square array.Conclusion The fabricated methods are quick and simple.The chamber could be used for the advanced real-time investigation of cell mechanical behavior in vitro.

Clinical study on Rainbow Therapy of brain injury syndrome and cerebral palsy in children / 中国康复理论与实践

@#ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of Rainbow Therapy on brain injury syndrome and cerebral palsy in children.Methods115 children with brain injury syndrome and cerebral palsy were treated by Point Massage Motorpathy (PMM)and patterning. ResultsCompared with control groups,the neurological development quotient (NDQ)of cerebral-palsied children increased by 28.2 in the group A (P<0.01),16.0 in the group B(P<0.01) and 18.7 in the group C(P<0.01) after 6 months therapy.The group A was significantly higher than that of the gruop B and C (P<0.01). Conclusions The Rainbow Therapy is effective for brain injury syndrome and cerebral palsy in children.It is important that the treatment should be started as early as possible.It is a convenient method that can be carried out at home.

Immunoneutralization of insulin partially modifies dorsoventral patterning in developing frog embryos.

Determination of anteroposterior and dorsoventral axes is an important early event in the development of vertebrates involving extensive cellular interactions including inductive events. Recently we showed that insulin plays an essential role in prepancreatic development of the frog Microhyla ornata. In the present study we have investigated the effects of immunoneutralization of endogenous insulin on the process of pattern formation. Treatment of neurulating embryos with antiserum to insulin caused abnormal pattern formation. The defects included loss of normal architecture of the neural tube, reduction in the size of the neural tube and, most conspicuously, rotation of the dorsoventral axis of the neural tube, notochord and adjoining mesodermal elements. The effects could be alleviated partially by pretreatment of embryos with exogenous insulin. This supports our belief that insulin plays an important role in induction and pattern formation of the amphibian nervous system. In addition, using 2-deoxy-α-D-glucose, an inhibitor of glucose metabolism, it is shown that the stimulatory effects of exogenous insulin on developing frog embryos are, at least partially, through the glucose metabolism pathway.