Article
Neurosciences
Chao Ding, Vishalini Emmenegger, Kim Schaffrath, Dirk Feldmeyer
Summary: In this study, a cluster analysis revealed four distinct clusters of L6 interneurons in rat mPFC, showing different morphological and physiological characteristics, suggesting differential roles in mPFC-associated functions.
Article
Neurosciences
Peter Y. Borden, Nathaniel C. Wright, Arthur E. Morrissette, Dieter Jaeger, Bilal Haider, Garrett B. Stanley
Summary: The thalamus plays a crucial role in sensory signal transmission and perception shaping. However, the dynamic thalamic gating and its consequences on cortical sensory representations in the awake brain have not been well investigated. In this study, we used optogenetic modulation to investigate the effect of thalamic activity on primary somatosensory cortex (S1) in awake mice. We found that thalamic hyperpolarization increased thalamic sensory-evoked bursting, but surprisingly, it did not amplify the cortical response. Instead, it improved timing precision, focused spatial activation, and increased synchronization of cortical inhibitory neurons.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Federico Scala, Dmitry Kobak, Matteo Bernabucci, Yves Bernaerts, Cathryn Rene Cadwell, Jesus Ramon Castro, Leonard Hartmanis, Xiaolong Jiang, Sophie Laturnus, Elanine Miranda, Shalaka Mulherkar, Zheng Huan Tan, Zizhen Yao, Hongkui Zeng, Rickard Sandberg, Philipp Berens, Andreas S. Tolias
Summary: The study combines single-cell transcriptomic, morphological, and electrophysiological characteristics to classify over 1,300 neurons from the mouse motor cortex, revealing extreme diversity in gene expression, morphology, and electrophysiology. While broad families of transcriptomic types exhibit distinct morpho-electric phenotypes, individual transcriptomic types within the same family show a continuum of variability in morphology and electrophysiology without clear boundaries between them, indicating that neuronal types in the neocortex do not always form discrete entities.
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Sung Eun Kwon
Summary: The study reveals a key cortical circuit in the brain for executing delayed motor responses following specific sensory inputs, shedding light on how the brain processes sensory information to produce motor outputs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kameron K. Clayton, Ross S. Williamson, Kenneth E. Hancock, Gen-Ichi Tasaka, Adi Mizrahi, Troy A. Hackett, Daniel B. Polley
Summary: Studies have shown that in mice engaged in an active listening task, L6 CT neurons in the primary auditory cortex become active prior to anticipated sounds, potentially being activated by extra-sensory inputs. Additionally, rabies tracing of monosynaptic inputs revealed a potential source of motor-related input to A1 L6 CT neurons.
Article
Biology
Filippo Ghezzi, Andre Marques-Smith, Paul G. Anastasiades, Daniel Lyngholm, Cristiana Vagnoni, Alexandra Rowett, Gokul Parameswaran, Anna Hoerder-Suabedissen, Yasushi Nakagawa, Zoltan Molnar, Simon J. B. Butt
Summary: Subplate neurons are heterogeneous in morphology and synaptic connectivity, with fusiform and pyramidal subtypes playing different roles in processing sensory information in the neocortex.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matias Mugnaini, Dhruv Mehrotra, Federico Davoine, Varun Sharma, Ana Rita Mendes, Ben Gerhardt, Miguel Concha-Miranda, Michael Brecht, Ann M. Clemens
Summary: Little is known about how mammals sense wind. However, recent research has shown that rats can detect airflow using their whiskers. By tracking the movement of whisker tips in rats, researchers discovered that increased airflow led to greater movement of the whiskers, particularly the long supra-orbital whisker. The unique biomechanical properties of this whisker, such as its position, bending, length, and diameter, contribute to its exceptional sensitivity to airflow. Micro-CT imaging also revealed specialized structures in wind-sensitive whiskers that facilitate omnidirectional sensing. The cortical representation of the supra-orbital whisker showed stronger responses to wind stimuli compared to other whisker representations. Trimming wind-responsive whiskers and targeting the follicles with lidocaine injections both resulted in diminished turning responses to airflow, highlighting the functional significance of these whiskers in airflow sensing.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiangshan Feng, Yuxiao Jiao, Hui Wang, Xuejie Zhu, Youming Sun, Minyong Du, Yuexian Cao, Dong Yang, Shengzhong (Frank) Liu
Summary: An efficient vacuum deposition approach for perovskite solar cells has been developed, enabling the fabrication of high-quality films on glass and flexible substrates. The optimization of in-vacuum annealing temperature can significantly improve the efficiency of PSCs to 21.32%, the highest value achieved through vacuum deposition, with excellent long-term stability in a solvent-free and air-free environment.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Lu Zhang, Ping Li, Xiaoman Zhang, Jinfeng Li
Summary: This paper reviews the progress of research on the morphology, physiology and molecular biology of distyly in plants, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the study of the mechanism of distyly formation in plants.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrew J. Miller-Hansen, S. Murray Sherman
Summary: Higher-order thalamic nuclei contribute to sensory processing by projecting to primary and higher cortical areas, and their synapses in cortex have divergent properties depending on the cortical area they project to. Furthermore, the inputs to higher-order thalamus come from layer 5 neurons in primary and higher cortical areas. These findings reveal a conserved organization in thalamocortical circuitry and suggest the existence of transthalamic pathways acting as drivers in the feedback direction.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Martha Canto-Bustos, F. Kathryn Friason, Constanza Bassi, Anne-Marie M. Oswald
Summary: Inhibitory microcircuits play a crucial role in regulating cortical responses to sensory stimuli and the formation of sensory representations. This study using optogenetic approach in mice identifies that VIP interneurons mediate a disinhibitory circuit that controls synaptic plasticity during the formation of olfactory representations.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juyeon Jo, Junsung Woo, Carlo D. Cristobal, Jong Min Choi, Chih-Yen Wang, Qi Ye, Joshua A. Smith, Kevin Ung, Gary Liu, Diego Cortes, Sung Yun Jung, Benjamin R. Arenkiel, Hyun Kyoung Lee
Summary: Loss of the formin protein Daam2 in astrocytes leads to increased morphological complexity in the cortex and olfactory bulb, but has opposing effects on astrocytic calcium dynamics. These differential physiological effects result in increased excitatory synaptic activity in the cortex and increased inhibitory synaptic activity in the olfactory bulb, altering olfactory behaviors. Proteomic profiling and immunoprecipitation experiments reveal Slc4a4 as a binding partner of Daam2 in the cortex, and deletion of both Daam2 and Slc4a4 restores the morphological alterations seen in Daam2 mutants.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yixuan Li, Zizhong Liu, Gui Luo, Haiyun Lan, Pu Chen, Ruikai Du, Gongchao Jing, Lu Liu, Xiaohan Cui, Yongzhi Li, Yanping Han, Jian Xu, Hongwei Zhu, Shukuan Ling, Yingxian Li
Summary: The 60-day experiment of 6 degrees head-down bed rest provided an opportunity to study the change of gut microbiota under simulated microgravity. Through sequencing and analysis, it was found that the composition, function, species diversity, and the presence of resistance and virulence genes in the gut microbiota of volunteers were significantly affected. This indicates that head-down bed rest can serve as a simulation of how spaceflight affects the human gut microbiota.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Sumudu Ruklani, Sumudu C. K. Rubasinghe, Gehan Jayasuriya
Summary: Sri Lanka, a tropical island highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, has a rich bryophyte flora that can be used as indicators of climate change and in developing climate change models. However, the taxonomic status of endemic taxa and the potential application of bryophytes in climate change mitigation have not been fully explored.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaojing Zhang, Yin Jia, Yang Liu, Duanfen Chen, Yibo Luo, Shance Niu
Summary: Self-incompatibility not only affects seed formation and species diversity, but also plays a role in the evolution of orchids. Recent studies have shown that self-incompatibility in orchids is mainly found in the subfamily Epidendroideae, with diverse phenotypes even within the same genus, potentially involving hormones and new gender determinants. This research provides a foundation for future studies on the evolution and molecular mechanisms of self-incompatibility in orchids.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Elise M. Bragg, Elizabeth A. Fairless, Shiyuan Liu, Farran Briggs
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2017)
Article
Neurosciences
Farran Briggs, Caitlin W. Kiley, Edward M. Callaway, W. Martin Usrey
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
J. Michael Hasse, Farran Briggs
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2017)
Article
Neurosciences
J. Michael Hasse, Elise M. Bragg, Allison J. Murphy, Farran Briggs
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
Vanessa L. Mock, Kimberly L. Luke, Jacqueline R. Hembrook-Short, Farran Briggs
JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Neurosciences
Farran Briggs, W. Martin Usrey
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2011)
Article
Neurosciences
Andre M. Bastos, Farran Briggs, Henry J. Alitto, George R. Mangun, W. Martin Usrey
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2014)
Review
Neurosciences
Farran Briggs, W. Martin Usrey
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2011)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Farran Briggs, George R. Mangun, W. Martin Usrey
Review
Neurosciences
Farran Briggs, W. Martin Usrey
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2010)
Article
Neurosciences
Vanessa L. Mock, Kimberly L. Luke, Jacqueline R. Hembrook-Short, Farran Briggs
JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
Jacqueline R. Hembrook-Short, Vanessa L. Mock, W. Martin Usrey, Farran Briggs
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jacqueline R. Hembrook-Short, Vanessa L. Mock, Farran Briggs
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Farran Briggs, W. Martin Usrey
FRONTIERS IN INTEGRATIVE NEUROSCIENCE
(2009)