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Long-lasting negative affections dampen enthusiasm for life, and dealing with negative affective states is essential for individual survival. The parabrachial nucleus (PBN) and thalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVT) are critical for modulating affective states in mice. However, the functional roles of PBN-PVT projections in modulating affective states remain elusive. Here, we show that PBN neurons send dense projection fibers to the PVT and form direct excitatory synapses with PVT neurons. Activation of the PBN-PVT pathway induces robust behaviors associated with negative affective states without affecting nociceptive behaviors. Inhibition of the PBN-PVT pathway reduces aversion-like and fear-like behaviors. Furthermore, the PVT neurons innervated by the PBN are activated by aversive stimulation, and activation of PBN-PVT projections enhances the neuronal activity of PVT neurons in response to the aversive stimulus. Consistently, activation of PVT neurons that received PBN-PVT projections induces anxiety-like behaviors. Thus, our study indicates that PBN-PVT projections modulate negative affective states in mice.

Spinal gastrin-releasing peptide receptor-expressing (GRPR+) neurons play an essential role in itch signal processing. However, the circuit mechanisms underlying the modulation of spinal GRPR+ neurons by direct local and long-range inhibitory inputs remain elusive. Using viral tracing and electrophysiological approaches, we dissected the neural circuits underlying the inhibitory control of spinal GRPR+ neurons. We found that spinal galanin+ GABAergic neurons form inhibitory synapses with GRPR+ neurons in the spinal cord and play an important role in gating the GRPR+ neuron-dependent itch signaling pathway. Spinal GRPR+ neurons also receive inhibitory inputs from local neurons expressing neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). Moreover, spinal GRPR+ neurons are gated by strong inhibitory inputs from the rostral ventromedial medulla. Thus, both local and long-range inhibitory inputs could play important roles in gating itch processing in the spinal cord by directly modulating the activity of spinal GRPR+ neurons.

Plant extracts with sedative effects have a long history of clinical use for treating insomnia and epilepsy. Geraniol (GE), a plant-derived acyclic monoterpene, reduces locomotion and prolongs barbiturate-induced anesthesia in rats. However, the mechanisms of GE in sedation remain elusive.This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of GE in sedation in mice.GE was administered systemically by nebulization and intraperitoneal injection. Open field tests, acute seizure tests, and electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were performed to examine the sedative effects of GE in mice. The time of loss of the righting reflex and return of the righting reflex were recorded in anesthesia experiments to examine the effect of GE on anesthesia. In vitro c-Fos staining and in vivo fiber photometry recordings were performed to detect the activity change of the paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT). Microinjection of GE into PVT and related behavioral tests were performed to confirm that PVT was a critical target for GE. Whole-cell recordings were performed to dissect the effects of GE on PVT neurons via GABAWe found that GE reduced locomotion, relieved acute seizures, altered the EEG, and facilitated general anesthesia in mice. Next, we found that GE decreased c-Fos expression and suppressed the calcium activity in PVT. Microinjection of GE into PVT reduced locomotion and facilitated anesthesia. Furthermore, electrophysiology results showed that GE induced dramatic membrane hyperpolarization and suppressed the activity of PVT neurons, mainly by prolonging spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents and inducing tonic inhibitory currents. Molecular docking results indicated that the β3 subunit might be a potential target for GE.By combined using behavioral tests, immunohistochemistry, calcium recording, and electrophysiology, we systematically revealed that GE inhibits PVT and induces sedation in mice. Essential oils have long been considered part of traditional medicine, and they are playing a critical role in aromatherapy. Since GE has a comparatively ideal safety property and multiple delivery methods, GE has great application potential in aromatherapy. Our study also provides a potential candidate for further development of sedatives and anaesthetics.

Geraniol (GE), a plant-derived acyclic monoterpene, shows a wide variety of beneficial effects. Notably, recent studies have reported the potential sedative effects of GE in fish and rats. However, the mechanisms of GE in sedation remain elusive. Here, we found that GE reduced locomotion, relieved pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures, altered the electroencephalogram (EEG), and facilitated general anesthesia in mice. Meanwhile, GE decreased c-Fos expression and suppressed the calcium activity in the paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT). Microinjection of GE into the PVT reduced locomotion and facilitated propofol-induced anesthesia. Furthermore, the electrophysiology results showed that GE-induced dramatic membrane hyperpolarization and suppressed the neuronal activity of PVT neurons, mainly by prolonging spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents and inducing tonic inhibitory currents via GABAA receptors. Our study revealed that GE enhances inhibitory inputs to PVT neurons and induces sedation in mice. These findings provide a potential candidate for further development of sedatives and anesthetics.Graphic Summary

Long-lasting negative affections dampen enthusiasm for life, and dealing with negative affective states is essential for individual survival. The parabrachial nucleus (PBN) and the thalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVT) are critical for modulating affective states in mice. However, the functional role of the PBN-PVT projection in modulating affective states remains elusive. Here, we show that the PBN neurons send dense projection fibers to the PVT and form direct excitatory synapses with the PVT neurons. Activation of the PBN-PVT projection or PVT-projecting PBN neurons induces robust anxiety-like, aversion-like, and fear-like behaviors without affecting nociceptive behaviors. Inhibition of the PBN-PVT projection or PVT-projecting PBN neurons reduces fear-like and aversion-like behaviors. Furthermore, the PVT neurons innervated by the PBN are activated by aversive stimulation, and activation of PBN-PVT projection enhances the neuronal activity of PVT neurons in response to the aversive stimulus. Activation of these downstream PVT neurons induces anxiety-like behavior behaviors. Thus, our study indicates that the PBN-PVT projection modulates negative affective states in mice.

Summary Norepinephrine (NE) neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) play key roles in modulating sleep and wakefulness. Recent studies have revealed that the paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT) is a critical wakefulness-controlling nucleus in mice. However, the effects of NE on PVT neurons remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the mechanisms of NE modulating wakefulness in the PVT by using viral tracing, behavioral tests, slice electrophysiology, and optogenetics techniques. We found that the PVT-projecting LC neurons had few collateral projections to other brain nuclei. Behavioral tests showed that specific activation of the LC-PVT projections or microinjection of NE into the PVT accelerated emergence from general anesthesia and enhanced locomotion activity. Moreover, brain slice recording results indicated that NE increased the activity of the PVT neurons mainly by increasing the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents via α1 adrenoceptors. Thus, our results demonstrate that NE modulates wakefulness via α1 adrenoceptors in the PVT., Graphical abstract, Highlights • The PVT-projecting LC NE+ neurons had few collateral projections to other brain nuclei • NE in the PVT accelerated emergence from anesthesia and enhanced locomotion activity • NE increased the activity of the PVT neurons via α1 adrenoceptors, Biological sciences; Neuroscience; Behavioral neuroscience; Cellular neuroscience

It is well known that affective and pleasant touch promotes individual well-being and facilitates affiliative social communication, although the neural circuit that mediates this process is largely unknown. Here, we show that social-touch-like tactile stimulation (ST) enhances firing of oxytocin neurons in the mouse paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH) and promotes social interactions and positively reinforcing place preference. These results link pleasant somatosensory stimulation to increased social interactions and positive affective valence. We further show that tachykinin 1 (Tac1

Background The pathological diagnosis of sudden cardiac death caused by myocardial ischemia is a difficult problem. Relevant evidence shows that the expression of Egr-1 and c-fos undergo changes in the early stage of myocardial ischemia, but the detailed temporal variation of them is not clear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to observe the temporal changes in mRNA and protein expression of Egr-1 and c-fos in ischemic myocardium in rats. Methods Sixty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the control group, the early myocardial ischemia (EMI) group, the sham operated group and the allergy group. The EMI rats were further divided into eight subgroups according to the different time points (30 min and 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h) after modeling. The mRNA and protein of Egr-1 and c-fos of each group were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results In the EMI group, Egr-1 mRNA in ischemic myocardium rose 30 min after ischemia and peaked at 2 h; the plateau was maintained up to 8 h after ischemia, and then returned to the baseline level at 12 h. The c-fos mRNA in ischemic myocardium demonstrated a consistent changing curve with that of Egr-1. The mRNA of Egr-1 and c-fos showed no significant changes in the control group, the sham operated group and the allergy group. Immunohistochemistry showed that Egr-1 protein in the myocardial ischemic area was slightly positive 30 min after ischemia, and then strongly positive at 4 and 8 h, decreased at 12 h, and was negative at 24 h. The changing trends of c-fos protein were almost the same as that of Egr-1. Immunohistochemistry of Egr-1 and c-fos protein were all negative in the control group, the sham operated group and the allergy group. Conclusions The mRNA and protein expression of Egr-1 and c-fos presented rapid and temporal changes after myocardial ischemia, and this may be helpful in distinguishing sudden death induced by myocardial ischemia from that of allergy.

Spinal gastrin-releasing peptide receptor-expressing (GRPR(+)) neurons play an essential role in itch signal processing. However, the circuit mechanisms underlying the modulation of spinal GRPR(+) neurons by direct local and long-range inhibitory inputs remain elusive. Using viral tracing and electrophysiological approaches, we dissected the neural circuits underlying the inhibitory control of spinal GRPR(+) neurons. We found that spinal galanin(+) GABAergic neurons form inhibitory synapses with GRPR(+) neurons in the spinal cord and play an important role in gating the GRPR(+) neuron-dependent itch signaling pathway. Spinal GRPR(+) neurons also receive inhibitory inputs from local neurons expressing neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). Moreover, spinal GRPR(+) neurons are gated by strong inhibitory inputs from the rostral ventromedial medulla. Thus, both local and long-range inhibitory inputs could play important roles in gating itch processing in the spinal cord by directly modulating the activity of spinal GRPR(+) neurons.

Caleosin are a class of calcium-binding proteins embedded in the phospholipid monolayer of lipid droplets. In addition to maintaining the structure of lipid droplets, caleosin proteins are involved in dormancy and lipid signaling, and are associated with the stress response via their histidine-dependent peroxygenase activity. To date, caleosins have been studied in Arabidopsis thaliana . However, little is known about these genes in legumes, including the most cultivated oilseed crop, soybean. In this paper, 20 caleosin genes in soybean, common bean and barrel medic were studied. Among these, 13 caleosin genes, including 3 in Glycine max , 5 in Phaseolus vulgaris and 5 in Medicago truncatula , are identified for the first time. The structures, characteristics and evolution of the 20 caleosin proteins are analyzed. Expansion patterns show that tandem duplication was the main reason for the caleosin family expansion in the legume. Expression profiles indicate that L-caleosin in soybean and common bean are more important than H-caleosin, which is just the opposite in Arabidopsis thaliana . GmaCLO2 , PvuCLO1 , PvuCLO3 and MtrCLO3 may play important roles, while GmaCLO6 , GmaCLO10 and MtrCLO4 may lose their function in the examined tissues. In addition, according to the results of cis -element analyses, we propose potential functions for the more important caleosin genes in leguminous plants. Our work provides helpful information for further evolution and function analyses of the caleosin gene family in soybean, common bean and barrel medic. Key words: Caleosin; evolution; expression; function; legume Received: September 16, 2015; Revised: December 29, 2015; Accepted: December 29, 2015; Published online: April 27, 2016

In the field of oil and gas pipeline transportation, it becomes more and more important to use the automation system to realize the process parameters monitoring in the operation of the whole line. It is directly related to the safety and stability of pipeline transmission. In the paper, researching on the PLC control system in oil and gas pipelines, with the single station control system as the research object, describe the system architecture and software design.

Local inhomogeneity in totally asymmetric simple exclusion processes (TASEPs) with different hopping rates was studied. Many biological and chemical phenomena can be described by these non-equilibrium processes. A simple approximate theory and extensive Monte Carlo computer simulations were used to calculate the steady-state phase diagrams and bulk densities. It is found that the phase diagram for local inhomogeneity in TASEP with different hopping rates p is qualitatively similar to homogeneous models. Interestingly, there is a saturation point pair (α*, β*) for the system, which is decided by parameters p and q. There are three stationary phases in the system, when parameter p is fixed (i.e., p=0.8), with the increase of the parameter q, the region of LD/LD and HD/HD phase increases and the HD/LD is the only phase which the region shrinks. The analytical results are in good agreement with simulations.

Climate changes seriously affect people's daily life. Temperature and precipitation have been the focus of many studies dealing with regional climate changes in recent decades. In this study, the climatic trends in Xinjiang, northwest of China during 1961–2008 are analysed in detail on the basis of several parameters: annual and seasonal mean precipitation, and annual mean, minimum, and maximum temperatures. The results show a significant increasing trend of 7.40 mm decade−1 in the annual mean precipitation and a relatively minimal upward trend of 1.45 mm decade−1 in winter in Xinjiang. The annual mean temperature increases significantly in Xinjiang with an increasing trend of 0.30 °C decade−1. There is an increasing trend of 0.25 °C decade−1 in the annual maximum temperature and an increasing trend of 0.52 °C decade−1 in the annual minimum temperature.

Uncontrollable itch-scratching cycles lead to serious skin damage in patients with chronic itch. However, the neural mechanism promoting the itch-scratching cycle remains elusive. Here, we report that tachykinin 1 (Tac1)-expressing glutamatergic neurons in the lateral and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (l/vlPAG) facilitate the itch-scratching cycle. We found that l/vlPAG neurons exhibited scratching-behavior-related neural activity and that itch-evoked scratching behavior was impaired after suppressing the activity of l/vlPAG neurons. Furthermore, we showed that the activity of Tac1-expressing glutamatergic neurons in the l/vlPAG was elevated during itch-induced scratching behavior and that ablating or suppressing the activity of these neurons decreased itch-induced scratching behavior. Importantly, activation of Tac1-expressing neurons induced robust spontaneous scratching and grooming behaviors. The scratching behavior evoked by Tac1-expressing neuron activation was suppressed by ablation of spinal neurons expressing gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR), the key relay neurons for itch. These results suggest that Tac1-expressing neurons in the l/vlPAG promote itch-scratching cycles.

Caleosins are a class of Ca(2+) binding proteins that appear to be ubiquitous in plants. Some of the main proteins embedded in the lipid monolayer of lipid droplets, caleosins, play critical roles in the degradation of storage lipids during germination and in lipid trafficking. Some of them have been shown to have histidine-dependent peroxygenase activity, which is believed to participate in stress responses in Arabidopsis. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, caleosins have been examined extensively. However, little is known on a genome-wide scale about these proteins in other members of the Brassicaceae. In this study, 51 caleosins in Brassica plants and Arabidopsis lyrata were investigated and analyzed in silico. Among them, 31 caleosins, including 7 in A. lyrata, 11 in Brassica oleracea and 13 in Brassica napus, are herein identified for the first time. Segmental duplication was the main form of gene expansion. Alignment, motif and phylogenetic analyses showed that Brassica caleosins belong to either the H-family or the L-family with different motif structures and physicochemical properties. Our findings strongly suggest that L-caleosins are evolved from H-caleosins. Predicted phosphorylation sites were differentially conserved in H-caleosin and L-caleosins, respectively. 'RY-repeat' elements and phytohormone-related cis-elements were identified in different caleosins, which suggest diverse physiological functions. Gene structure analysis indicated that most caleosins (38 out of 44) contained six exons and five introns and their intron phases were highly conserved. Structurally integrated caleosins, such as BrCLO3-3 and BrCLO4-2, showed high expression levels and may have important roles. Some caleosins, such as BrCLO2 and BoCLO8-2, lost motifs of the calcium binding domain, proline knot, potential phosphorylation sites and haem-binding sites. Combined with their low expression, it is suggested that these caleosins may have lost function.