Conditioned taste aversion memory extinction temporally induces insular cortical BDNF release and inhibits neuronal apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Memory extinction has been reported to be related to psychiatric disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Secretion and synthesis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have been shown to temporally regulate various memory processes via activation of tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) receptors. However, whether memory extinction induces the synthesis and secretion of BDNF on the basis of its localization is not understood. In this study, we aim to investigate activity-dependent BDNF secretion and synthesis in the insular cortex (IC) in the setting of conditioned taste aversion (CTA) memory extinction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were subjected to CTA memory extinction and BDNF antibody (or the equal volume of vehicle) was microinjected into the IC immediately after the extinction testing. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization were used to detect the gene expression of BDNF, NGF and NT4. The protein levels of BDNF were determined through the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, the levels of phosphorylated TrkB normalized to total TrkB were evaluated using immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting. c-Fos, total extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk), phosphorylated Erk, and apoptosis-related protein (caspase-3), were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: We found that blocking BDNF signaling within the IC disrupts CTA extinction, suggesting that BDNF signaling in the IC is necessary for CTA extinction. Increased expression levels of c-Fos indicate the induced neuronal activity in the IC during CTA extinction. In addition, temporal changes in the gene expression and protein levels of BDNF in the IC were noted during extinction. Moreover, we found that phosphorylation of TrkB increased prior to the enhanced BDNF expression, suggesting that CTA extinction induces rapid activity-dependent BDNF secretion in the IC. Finally, we found decreased expression of caspase-3 in the IC after CTA extinction. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that CTA memory extinction temporally induces the release and synthesis of BDNF in the IC and inhibits neuronal apoptosis.

A Study on Environmental Factors for Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip and/or Palate.

The aim of the study was to investigate the association between environmental factors and nonsyndromic cleft of the lip and/or palate (NSCL/P) in Yantai District, China. A retrospective case-control study was carried out. A total of 236 NSCL/P children were selected from Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Yantai Stomatological Hospital between September 2013 and December 2016 as cases; 209 controls were chosen from other diagnosis in the same department during the same period. The 2 groups matched age and sex. The parents of participants were inquired regarding the risk factors, and the answers were filled in a questionnaire by physicians. Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analysis the data. There was significantly increased NSCL/P risk with high maternal age (P =0.002), family history (P = 0.001), abortion history (P = 0.033), poor parental education level (P = 0.008), maternal smoking (P = 0.044), maternal alcohol (P = 0.039), common cold or fever (P = 0.035), drug use (P = 0.006), and maternal stress (P = 0.049). Reduced NSCL/P risk was found with folic acid supplementation (P = 0.005), adequate maternal age (P = 0.002), and high parental education (P = 0.001). The proper amount of folic acid, the appropriate age of childbearing, and the high education were the protective factors of NSCL/P, whereas family history, abortion history, drug use during pregnancy, maternal tobacco and alcohol, and maternal stress were the risk factors for NSCL/P in Yantai District, China.

[Wetlands of priority restoration in Northeast China based on spatial analysis].

By using GIS/RS technology, and from the aspects of landscape structure, river- and road densities, wetness index, geomorphology, and cultivated land productivity, a spatial analysis was made on the potentiality of wetland restoration in Northeast China, with the regions of priority and secondary priority restoration wetlands determined. Then, by using the coordinated development index of crop production and wetland as well as the landscape indices, the wetland restoration effect was verified. In Northeast China, the wetland area of priority restoration was 1.78 x 10(6) hm2, among which, farmland and grassland were the main types for restoration, accounting for 96.7% of the total, and mainly located in the Sanjiang Plain in the northeastern part and the Songnen Plain in the central part of Northeast China. The wetland area of secondary priority restoration was 1.03 x 10(6) hm2. After the restoration of the wetlands, the wetland area in Northeast China would be increased by 37.4%, compared with the present wetland area, and the value of the coordinated development index of crop production and wetland would increase from 0.539 before restoration to 0.733 after restoration. The landscape pattern would be more benefit to the performance of the ecological functions of the wetlands. This study revealed that the restoration scheme of the wetlands in Northeast China based on spatial analysis was practicable, which could provide data support for the implement of wetland restoration and the improvement of ecological environment in Northeast China.

Neuroprotective effects of anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha antibody on apoptosis following subarachnoid hemorrhage in a rat model.

Recent studies have emphasized the importance of apoptosis in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and the subsequent early brain injury. However, the apoptotic pathways induced by SAH in different brain regions are not fully understood. We investigated gene expression levels of classical apoptosis-related molecules (caspase-3, bax, and bcl-2) following SAH in the hippocampus of male Wistar rats. Temporally specific changes were found in caspase-3 and bax messenger RNA only. Interestingly, we found increased expression of bax, but not caspase-3, in the prefrontal cortex, which indicates different molecular mechanisms of apoptosis in distinct brain regions. Most important, changes in expression were reversed by functional blockade of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, which has a critical role in brain injury. In addition, we found that apoptosis induced by SAH may be associated with a relative elevation of pro-brain derived neurotrophic factor.

[Research on hyperspectral remote sensing in monitoring snow contamination concentration].

Contaminants in the snow can be used to reflect regional and global environmental pollution caused by human activities. However, so far, the research on space-time monitoring of snow contamination concentration for a wide range or areas difficult for human to reach is very scarce. In the present paper, based on the simulated atmospheric deposition experiments, the spectroscopy technique method was applied to analyze the effect of different contamination concentration on the snow reflectance spectra. Then an evaluation of snow contamination concentration (SCC) retrieval methods was conducted using characteristic index method (SDI), principal component analysis (PCA), BP neural network and RBF neural network method, and the estimate effects of four methods were compared. The results showed that the neural network model combined with hyperspectral remote sensing data could estimate the SCC well.

[Comparison of methods for estimating soybean chlorophyll content based on visual/near infrared reflection spectra].

The estimation of crop chlorophyll content could provide technical support for precision agriculture. Canopy spectral reflectance was simulated for different chlorophyll levels using radiative transfer models. Then with multiperiod measured hyperspectral data and corresponding chlorophyll content, after extracting six wavelet energy coefficients from the responded bands, an evaluation of soybean chlorophyll content retrieval methods was conducted using multiple linear regression, BP neural network, RBF neural network and PLS method. The estimate effects of the three methods were compared afterwards. The result showed that the three methods based on wavelet analysis have an ideal effect on the chlorophyll content estimation. R2 of validated model of multiple linear regression, BP neural network, RBF neural network and PLS method were 0. 634, 0. 715, 0. 873 and 0.776, respectively. PLS based on Gaussian kernel function and RBF NN methods were better with higher precision, which could estimate chlorophyll content stably.

[Light absorption by suspended particulate matter in Chagan Lake, Jilin].

Spectral characteristics and the magnitudes of light absorption by suspended particulate matter were determined by spectrophotometry in this optically complex Lake Chagan waters for the purpose of surveying the natural variability of the absorption coefficients to parameterize the bio-optical models for converting satellite or in-situ water reflectance signatures into water quality information. Experiments were carried out on seasonal frozen Lake Chagan, one representative inland case-2 water body in Northeast of China. Particulate absorption properties analyzed using the field data on July 15th and October 12th 2009 were measured using the quantitative filter technique to produce absorption spectra containing several fractions that could be attributed to two main optical active constituents (OACs) phytoplankton pigments and non-algal particulates (mineral sediments, and organic detritus). Results suggested that the suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentration was higher while phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll-a concentration) was lower in July and that in October. The spectral shape of total suspended particulate matter resembled that of non-algal particulates which contributed greater than phytoplankton in total particulate absorption during both periods. An obvious absorption peak occurring at around 440 nm exhibited an increase in phytoplankton contribution in October. Non-algal particulate absorption at 440 nm (a(NAP) (440)) had better correlation with total suspended particulate matter concentration than that with chlorophyll-a over the two periods. Light absorption by phytoplankton pigments in the Chagan lake region was generally lower than that of non-algal components. Chl. a dominating phytoplankton pigment composition functioned exponentially with its absorption coefficients at 440 and 675 nm specifically, the average values of which in July were 0.146 8 m2 x mg(-1) and 0.050 3 respectively while in October they were 0.153 3 and 0.013 2 m2 x mg(-1) varying regionally and seasonally due to the changes in specific composition, light and nutrient conditions.

[Spatial characteristics of soil organic carbon and nitrogen storages in Songnen Plain maize belt].

By using the data of 382 typical soil profiles from the second soil survey at national and county levels, and in combining with 1:500000 digital soil maps, a spatial database of soil profiles was established. Based on this, the one meter depth soil organic carbon and nitrogen storage in Songnen Plain maize belt of China was estimated, with the spatial characteristics of the soil organic carbon and nitrogen densities as well as the relationships between the soil organic carbon and nitrogen densities and the soil types and land use types analyzed. The soil organic carbon and nitrogen storage in the maize belt was (163.12 +/- 26.48) Tg and (9.53 +/- 1.75) Tg, respectively, mainly concentrated in meadow soil, chernozem, and black soil. The soil organic carbon and nitrogen densities were 5.51-25.25 and 0.37-0.80 kg x m(-2), respectively, and the C/N ratio was about 7.90 -12.67. The eastern and northern parts of the belt had much higher carbon and nitrogen densities than the other parts of the belt, and upland soils had the highest organic carbon density [(19.07 +/- 2.44) kg x m(-2)], forest soils had the highest nitrogen density [(0.82 +/- 0.25) kg x m(-2)], while lowland soils had the lower organic carbon and nitrogen densities.

[Black soil organic matter content prediction based on reflectance simulation models].

The hyperspectral reflectance characteristics of black soil in Heilongjiang province were analyzed quantitatively, and then the main characteristic controlling points of reflectance were determined and used to build soil reflectance prediction models; the relationship between organic matter content and reflectance and the coefficients of simulating models were studied, Black soil organic matter content spectral prediction models were built, and the feasibility of hyperspectral reflectance simulatiib method was discussed. The results are as follows (1) Organic matter content is the determining factor of black soil reflectance characteristics in the range less than 1000 nm. When the content is low, the covering effect of organic matter on the black soil parent matrix reflectance characteristics is very weak, there are two absorption vales at 500 and 640 rim; when the content reaches a certain content (about 5%), the reflectance characteristics of black soil parent matrix are totally covered by organic matter, and there is only one large absorption vale in the region caused by organic matter. (2) The spectral characteristic controlling points of black soil hyperspectral reflectance in the range of 450-930 om are located at 450, 500, 590, 660 and 930 nrn, and divide the black soil reflectance into four parts. (3) Simulation models (linear, quadratic) rightly describe the characteristics of black soil hyperspectral reflectance, and the linear piecewise model shows a better performance. (4) The organic matter content prediction models with the coefficients of reflectance simulation models as independent variables are more precise than that based on soil reflectance and its derivate, which indicates that the characteristic controlling points for reflectance simulation models are selected reasonably and representatively, and the simulation models partly solve the data redundancy problem of soil hyperspectral reflectance, and improve the precision of black soil organic matter content prediction models with remote sensing methods. Reflectance simulating method can be used for data simplification and compression, data redundancy removal, organic matter and other soil pararneters remote sensing studies.

[Comparison of methods for estimating soybean leaf area index].

Leaf area index (LAI) is an important biophysical parameter, and is the critical variable in many ecology models, productivity models and carbon circulation study. Based on the field experiment data, an evaluation of soybean LAI retrieval methods was conducted using NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) and RVI (ratio vegetation index), principle component analysis (PCA) and neural network (NN) methods, and the estimate effects of three methods were compared. The results showed that the three methods have an ideal effect on the LAI estimation. R2 of validated model of vegetation indices, PCA, NN were 0.753 (NDVI), 0.758 (RVI), 0.883, 0.899. PCA and NN methods were better with higher precision, and PCA method was the best, as its RMSE (0.202) was slower than the two vegetation indices (RMSEs of NDVI and RVI were 0.594 and 0.616) and NN (RMSE was 0.413) method. While the LAI was small, vegetation indices were obvious for removing the noise from soil and atmospheric effect and obtained the good evaluation result. PCA showed better effect for all LAI. LAI affected the estimating result of NN method moderately. As for the NN method, modeled LAI value and measured LAI regression formula slope was the nearest to 1 with R2 of 0.949, which showed a great potential for LAI estimating. As a whole, PCA and NN methods were the prior selection for LAI estimation, which should be attributed to the application of hyperspectral information of many bands.