Encoding of social novelty by sparse GABAergic neural ensembles in the prelimbic cortex.

Although the prelimbic (PrL) area is associated with social behaviors, the neural ensembles that regulate social preference toward novelty or familiarity remain unknown. Using miniature two-photon microscopy (mTPM) to visualize social behavior-associated neuronal activity within the PrL in freely behaving mice, we found that the Ca2+ transients of GABAergic neurons were more highly correlated with social behaviors than those of glutamatergic neurons. Chemogenetic suppression of social behavior-activated GABAergic neurons in the PrL disrupts social novelty behaviors. Restoring the MeCP2 level in PrL GABAergic neurons in MECP2 transgenic (MECP2-TG) mice rescues the social novelty deficits. Moreover, we identified and characterized sparsely distributed NewPNs and OldPNs of GABAergic interneurons in the PrL preferentially responsible for new and old mouse exploration, respectively. Together, we propose that social novelty information may be encoded by the responses of NewPNs and OldPNs in the PrL area, possibly via synergistic actions on both sides of the seesaw.

Determination of inhibitory activity of Salvia miltiorrhiza extracts on xanthine oxidase with a paper-based analytical device.

A novel paper-based analytical device (PAD) was prepared and applied to determine the xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibitory activity of Salvia miltiorrhiza extracts (SME). First, polycaprolactone was 3D printed on filter paper and heated to form hydrophobic barriers. Then the modified paper was cut according to the specific design. Necessary reagents including XOD for the colorimetric assay were immobilized on two separate pieces of paper. By simply adding phosphate buffer, the reaction was performed on the double-layer PAD. Quantitative results were obtained by analyzing the color intensity with the specialized device system (consisting of a smartphone, a detection box and sandwich plates). The 3D-printed detection box was small, with a size of 9.0 cm × 7.0 cm × 11.5 cm. Color component G performed well in terms of linearity and detection limits and thus was identified as the index. The reaction conditions were optimized using a definitive screening design. Moreover, a 10% glycerol solution was found to be a suitable stabilizer. When the stabilizer was added, the activity of XOD could be maintained for at least 15 days under 4 °C or -20 °C storage conditions. The inhibitory activity of SME was investigated and compared to that of allopurinol. The results obtained with the PAD showed agreement with those obtained with the microplate method. In conclusion, the proposed PAD method is simple, accurate and has a potential for point-of-care testing. It also holds promise for use in rapid quality testing of medicinal herbs, intermediate products, and preparations of traditional Chinese medicines.

Rack1 is essential for corticogenesis by preventing p21-dependent senescence in neural stem cells.

Normal neurodevelopment relies on intricate signaling pathways that balance neural stem cell (NSC) self-renewal, maturation, and survival. Disruptions lead to neurodevelopmental disorders, including microcephaly. Here, we implicate the inhibition of NSC senescence as a mechanism underlying neurogenesis and corticogenesis. We report that the receptor for activated C kinase (Rack1), a family member of WD40-repeat (WDR) proteins, is highly enriched in NSCs. Deletion of Rack1 in developing cortical progenitors leads to a microcephaly phenotype. Strikingly, the absence of Rack1 decreases neurogenesis and promotes a cellular senescence phenotype in NSCs. Mechanistically, the senescence-related p21 signaling pathway is dramatically activated in Rack1 null NSCs, and removal of p21 significantly rescues the Rack1-knockout phenotype in vivo. Finally, Rack1 directly interacts with Smad3 to suppress the activation of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß/Smad signaling pathway, which plays a critical role in p21-mediated senescence. Our data implicate Rack1-driven inhibition of p21-induced NSC senescence as a critical mechanism behind normal cortical development.

Disruption of rack1 suppresses SHH-type medulloblastoma formation in mice.

INTRODUCTION: Medulloblastoma (MB) is a malignant pediatric brain tumor that arises in the cerebellar granular neurons. Sonic Hedgehog subtype of MB (SHH-MB) is one of the major subtypes of MB in the clinic. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying MB tumorigenesis are still not fully understood. AIMS: Our previous work demonstrated that the receptor for activated C kinase 1 (Rack1) is essential for SHH signaling activation in granule neuron progenitors (GNPs) during cerebellar development. To investigate the potential role of Rack1 in MB development, human MB tissue array and SHH-MB genetic mouse model were used to study the expression of function of Rack1 in MB pathogenesis. RESULTS: We found that the expression of Rack1 was significantly upregulated in the majority of human cerebellar MB tumors. Genetic ablation of Rack1 expression in SHH-MB tumor mice could significantly inhibit MB proliferation, reduce the tumor size, and prolong the survival of tumor rescue mice. Interestingly, neither apoptosis nor autophagy levels were affected in Rack1-deletion rescue mice compared to WT mice, but the expression of Gli1 and HDAC2 was significantly decreased suggesting the inactivation of SHH signaling pathway in rescue mice. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that Rack1 may serve as a potential candidate for the diagnostic marker and therapeutic target of MB, including SHH-MB.

Determination of inhibitory activity of Salvia miltiorrhiza extracts on xanthine oxidase with a paper-based analytical device / 药物分析学报

A novel paper-based analytical device(PAD)was prepared and applied to determine the xanthine oxi-dase(XOD)inhibitory activity of Salvia miltiorrhiza extracts(SME).First,polycaprolactone was 3D printed on filter paper and heated to form hydrophobic barriers.Then the modified paper was cut according to the specific design.Necessary reagents including XOD for the colorimetric assay were immobilized on two separate pieces of paper.By simply adding phosphate buffer,the reaction was performed on the double-layer PAD.Quantitative results were obtained by analyzing the color intensity with the specialized device system(consisting of a smartphone,a detection box and sandwich plates).The 3D-printed detection box was small,with a size of 9.0 cm x 7.0 cm x 11.5 cm.Color component G performed well in terms of linearity and detection limits and thus was identified as the index.The reaction con-ditions were optimized using a definitive screening design.Moreover,a 10％glycerol solution was found to be a suitable stabilizer.When the stabilizer was added,the activity of XOD could be maintained for at least 15 days under 4℃or-20℃storage conditions.The inhibitory activity of SME was investigated and compared to that of allopurinol.The results obtained with the PAD showed agreement with those ob-tained with the microplate method.In conclusion,the proposed PAD method is simple,accurate and has a potential for point-of-care testing.It also holds promise for use in rapid quality testing of medicinal herbs,intermediate products,and preparations of traditional Chinese medicines.

Global Importance of Hydroxymethanesulfonate in Ambient Particulate Matter: Implications for Air Quality.

Sulfur compounds are an important constituent of particulate matter, with impacts on climate and public health. While most sulfur observed in particulate matter has been assumed to be sulfate, laboratory experiments reveal that hydroxymethanesulfonate (HMS), an adduct formed by aqueous phase chemical reaction of dissolved HCHO and SO2, may be easily misinterpreted in measurements as sulfate. Here we present observational and modeling evidence for a ubiquitous global presence of HMS. We find that filter samples collected in Shijiazhuang, China, and examined with ion chromatography within 9 days show as much as 7.6 µg m-3 of HMS, while samples from Singapore examined 9-18 months after collection reveal ~0.6 µg m-3 of HMS. The Shijiazhuang samples show only minor traces of HMS 4 months later, suggesting that HMS had decomposed over time during sample storage. In contrast, the Singapore samples do not clearly show a decline in HMS concentration over 2 months of monitoring. Measurements from over 150 sites, primarily derived from the IMPROVE network across the United States, suggest the ubiquitous presence of HMS in at least trace amounts as much as 60 days after collection. The degree of possible HMS decomposition in the IMPROVE observations is unknown. Using the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model, we estimate that HMS may account for 10% of global particulate sulfur in continental surface air and over 25% in many polluted regions. Our results suggest that reducing emissions of HCHO and other volatile organic compounds may have a co-benefit of decreasing particulate sulfur.

Loss of O-GlcNAc transferase in neural stem cells impairs corticogenesis.

The proper development of the cerebral cortex is essential for brain formation and functioning. O-GlcNAcylation, an important posttranslational modification, regulates the pathways critical for neuronal health and the survival of the cerebral cortex in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the role of O-GlcNAcylation in regulating cerebral cortical development at the embryonic and early postnatal (0-21 days) stages is still largely unknown. Here we report that the selective deletion of O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) in neural stem cells (NSCs) in mice led to a series of severe brain developmental deficits, including dramatic shrinkage of cortical and hippocampal histoarchitecture, widespread neuronal apoptosis, decrease in cell proliferation, induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and inhibition of neuronal dendritic and axonal differentiation. The pathology of corticogenesis deficits caused by OGT deletion may largely rely on complicated biological processes, such as proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation. Our results suggest that dysfunctional O-GlcNAcylation in NSCs may be an important contributor to neurodevelopmental diseases.

Critical pharmaceutical process identification considering chemical composition, biological activity, and batch-to-batch consistency: A case study of notoginseng total saponins.

Objective: Critical pharmaceutical process identification (CPPI) is an important step in the implementation of quality by design concept to traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). Risk assessment methods are usually used in CPPI. However, risk evaluation is usually subjective. The purpose of this work is to present a more objective CPPI method. Methods: A CPPI method considering chemical composition, biological activity, and batch-to-batch consistency was presented in this work. The manufacturing process of notoginseng total saponins (NTS) was investigated as an example. The changes of chemical composition, biological activity, and chemical composition consistency after main processes were measured and compared. A significant change of them indicated a critical process. Results: After extraction process and chromatography process, saponin purity and chemical composition similarity remarkably increased, and saponin content variations decreased. Thrombin inhibitory activity was remarkably decreased after chromatography process. Because of the large influences on NTS quality, extraction process and chromatography process were identified to be critical processes of NTS. Conclusion: Based on a comprehensive and objective examination of the role of each process, critical pharmaceutical processes can be identified. A similar method can also be applied to other TCM processes.

Critical process parameter identification of manufacturing processes of Astragali Radix extract with a weighted determination coefficient method.

Objective: Critical process parameters (CPPs) identification is an important step of the implementation of quality by design (QbD) concept. There are many CPP identification methods, such as risk analysis method, sensitivity analysis method, multiple linear regression method, standard partial regression coefficient (SPRC) method, and so on. The SPRC method can consider multiple process critical quality attributes (CQAs) simultaneously, but the determination of CPP number is subjective. Therefore, new CPP identification method is still required. Methods: The manufacturing process of Astragali Radix extract, which contained water reflux extraction, concentration, and ethanol precipitation, was used as an example. First, the multiple process CQAs were determined to be the yield of pigment, dry matter, sugars, and active ingredients. Second, the potential CPPs were determined by a knowledge organization method. Plackett-Burman designed experiments were then performed. A weighted determination coefficient ( R w 2 ) method was presented to identify CPPs. In this method, the importance of different CQAs was considered. Process parameters were removed one-by-one according to their importance index. The decrease in R w 2 was used to characterize the importance of the removed parameter. If the decrease of R w 2 was less than a preset threshold, the removed parameter was not a CPP. Results: During the manufacturing process of Astragali Radix extract, the potential CPPs determined by the knowledge organization method were water consumption, reflux extraction time, extraction frequency, ethanol content, ethanol consumption, and concentration endpoint. Reflux extraction time, the first ethanol consumption, the second ethanol consumption, and the second ethanol precipitation refrigeration temperature were found to be CPPs using the weighted determination coefficient method with the threshold of 10%. Conclusion: Using the weighted determination coefficient method, CPPs can be determined with all the CQAs considered based on their importance. The determination of CPP number is more objective compared with the SPRC method.

[Quantitative chromatographic fingerprint analysis of Sanye Tangzhiqing Decoction based on quality by design concept].

In this work,a high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet( HPLC-UV) detection technology was used to establish fingerprint analysis method for Sanye Tangzhiqing Decoction following an analytical quality by design( AQb D) approach. Firstly,column temperature,flow rate,and gradient elution conditions were determined as the method parameters needing to be optimized. Then according to the results of definitive screening design,three critical method attributes( CMAs) were identified,including peak number,the percentage of common peak area to total peak area,and retention time of the last peak. A stepwise regression method was used then to build quantitative models between CMAs and method parameters. Probability-based design space was calculated and successfully verified using the experimental error simulation method. After the analysis conditions were optimized,the contents of six components,namely chlorogenic acid,paeoniflorin,rutin,hyperoside,quercetin-3-O-ß-D-glucuronide,and salvianolic acid B were simultaneously determined. There were 19 common peaks in the fingerprint and their common peak area accounted for 96% of the total peak area. Both fingerprint and quantitative analysis methods were validated applicable in methodology study,and they can be applied to determine new samples.

The development of an herbal material quality control strategy considering the effects of manufacturing processes.

BACKGROUND: Quality by design (QbD) is an advanced drug quality control concept that has been gradually implemented in the optimization of manufacturing processes of Chinese medicines. However, the variation of Chinese medicinal material quality has rarely been considered in published works. Because manufacturing processes may lower the variation introduced through different batches of materials, a material quality control strategy should be developed considering the influences of manufacturing processes. METHODS: In this work, the processes of extraction, concentration, water precipitation, and chromatography for notoginseng total saponin (NTS) production were investigated while considering Panax notoginseng quality variation as a sample. Ten process parameters were studied simultaneously using a definitive screening design. After the process critical quality attributes (CQAs) were determined, critical process parameters (CPPs) and critical material attributes (CMAs) were identified simultaneously. Then, models utilizing the CMAs, CPPs, and process CQAs were developed. The design space was then calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation method with an acceptable probability of 0.90. A material quality control strategy considering the influences of manufacturing processes was proposed. RESULTS: The ginsenoside Rd purity and total saponin purity in the eluate were identified as process CQAs. The ethanol solution concentration used for extraction, the ethanol solution concentration used for elution, and elution time were identified as CPPs. The extractable dry matter content of Panax notoginseng was one of the CMAs. The extractable contents of notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Rb1, and ginsenoside Rd were the other CMAs. The inequalities implemented to discriminate the high quality and low quality of Panax notoginseng were developed according to the NTS standard of the Xuesaitong injection. Low quality Panax notoginseng should not be released for NTS production. High quality Panax notoginseng can be treated with feasible manufacturing processing parameters. Verification experiments were carried out successfully for 2 batches of high quality Panax notoginseng. CONCLUSIONS: In this work, a quality control strategy for herbal materials was developed considering the matching of process characteristics and material quality attributes. This strategy is promising for application to other Chinese medicines.

Paper-based analytical devices prepared with polycaprolactone printing and their application in the activity determination of mulberry extracts.

A new method for preparing paper-based analytical devices (PADs) with the assistance of 3D printing technology was presented. Polycaprolactone was used as the 3D printing material to form hydrophobic barriers. First, polycaprolactone was 3D printed on filter paper. The polycaprolactone-modified paper was then prepared by heating. Experiments on α-glucosidase inhibition activity were carried out in the hydrophilic circles on the modified paper. Color data were read with a smartphone. After comparison of the multiple color indices, component Y was selected because of its low detection limit. The analytical parameters were optimized with the data collected from the definitive screening designed experiments. Finally, the activity of mulberry extracts in the inhibition of α-glucosidase was determined, and the results obtained using the PADs were compared with the results obtained using microplates. No significant differences were observed between the results obtained using these two methods. The activity of α-glucosidase can be retained with the addition of bovine serum albumin as a stabilizer without significantly influencing the color of the reaction results. Bioassays of traditional Chinese medicines using PADs are accurate, convenient, and less expensive.

[Comparison of two algorithms for development of design space-overlapping method and probability-based method].

In this work, two algorithms (overlapping method and the probability-based method) for design space calculation were compared by using the data collected from extraction process of Codonopsis Radix as an example. In the probability-based method, experimental error was simulated to calculate the probability of reaching the standard. The effects of several parameters on the calculated design space were studied, including simulation number, step length, and the acceptable probability threshold. For the extraction process of Codonopsis Radix, 10 000 times of simulation and 0.02 for the calculation step length can lead to a satisfactory design space. In general, the overlapping method is easy to understand, and can be realized by several kinds of commercial software without coding programs, but the reliability of the process evaluation indexes when operating in the design space is not indicated. Probability-based method is complex in calculation, but can provide the reliability to ensure that the process indexes can reach the standard within the acceptable probability threshold. In addition, there is no probability mutation in the edge of design space by probability-based method. Therefore, probability-based method is recommended for design space calculation.

A novel quality by design approach for developing an HPLC method to analyze herbal extracts: A case study of sugar content analysis.

The aim of this study was to present a novel analytical quality by design (AQbD) approach for developing an HPLC method to analyze herbal extracts. In this approach, critical method attributes (CMAs) and critical method parameters (CMPs) of the analytical method were determined using the same data collected from screening experiments. The HPLC-ELSD method for separation and quantification of sugars in Codonopsis Radix extract (CRE) samples and Astragali Radix extract (ARE) samples was developed as an example method with a novel AQbD approach. Potential CMAs and potential CMPs were found with Analytical Target Profile. After the screening experiments, the retention time of the D-glucose peak of CRE samples, the signal-to-noise ratio of the D-glucose peak of CRE samples, and retention time of the sucrose peak in ARE samples were considered CMAs. The initial and final composition of the mobile phase, flow rate, and column temperature were found to be CMPs using a standard partial regression coefficient method. The probability-based design space was calculated using a Monte-Carlo simulation method and verified by experiments. The optimized method was validated to be accurate and precise, and then it was applied in the analysis of CRE and ARE samples. The present AQbD approach is efficient and suitable for analysis objects with complex compositions.

[Detection of antioxidant activity of Danhong injection and its intermediate with a paper-based analytical device].

The paper-based analytical device (PAD) was applied in this study to analyze the antioxidant activity of Danhong injection and its intermediates. First polycaprolactone was printed on the surface of a filter paper with a 3D printing device. The modified filter paper was then prepared using polycaprolactone and solid paraffin as the modifiers. The PAD was prepared after adding DPPH ethanol solution to the modified filter paper. Ascorbic acid solutions with different concentrations were used as the positive drug on PAD. After the occurrence of color reactions, the PAD was dried, and the data of color were collected by a cell phone. The color component G and grayscale were selected as the potential indices for measurement according to the values of determination coefficients, detection limits, and effective number of digits. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of Danhong injection and the concentrate of aqueous extract were realized with the PAD. Because no significant differences were observed between the results obtained using the two potential indices, the average values of these two were used for analysis, and the antioxidant activity of Danhong injection and the concentrate of aqueous extract was equivalent to ascorbic acid solutions of 3.7, 46 g·L⁻¹, respectively. The PAD method presented in this work can be a simple method to determine biological activities of Chinese medicines and their intermediates.

Sources and Processes Affecting Fine Particulate Matter Pollution over North China: An Adjoint Analysis of the Beijing APEC Period.

The stringent emission controls during the APEC 2014 (the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit; November 5-11, 2014) offer a unique opportunity to quantify factors affecting fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution over North China. Here we apply a four-dimensional variational data assimilation system using the adjoint model of GEOS-Chem to address this issue. Hourly surface measurements of PM2.5 and SO2 for October 15-November 14, 2014 are assimilated into the model to optimize daily aerosol primary and precursor emissions over North China. Measured PM2.5 concentrations in Beijing average 50.3 µg m(-3) during APEC, 43% lower than the mean concentration (88.2 µg m(-3)) for the whole period including APEC. Model results attribute about half of the reduction to meteorology due to active cold surge occurrences during APEC. Assimilation of surface measurements largely reduces the model biases and estimates 6%-30% lower aerosol emissions in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region during APEC than in late October. We further demonstrate that high PM2.5 events in Beijing during this period can be occasionally contributed by natural mineral dust, but more events show large sensitivities to inorganic aerosol sources, particularly emissions of ammonia (NH3) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) reflecting strong formation of aerosol nitrate in the fall season.