SLITRK1-mediated noradrenergic projection suppression in the neonatal prefrontal cortex

SLITRK1 is an obsessive-compulsive disorder spectrum-disorders-ssociated gene that encodes a neuronal transmembrane protein. Here we show that SLITRK1 suppresses noradrenergic projections in the neonatal prefrontal cortex, and SLITRK1 functions are impaired by SLITRK1 mutations in patients with schizophrenia (S330A, a revertant of Homo sapiensspecific residue) and bipolar disorder (A444S). Slitrk1-KO newborns exhibit abnormal vocalizations, and their prefrontal cortices show excessive noradrenergic neurites and reduced Semaphorin3A expression, which suppresses noradrenergic neurite outgrowth in vitro. Slitrk1 can bind Dynamin1 and L1 family proteins (Neurofascin and L1CAM), as well as suppress Semaphorin3A-induced endocytosis. Neurofascin-binding kinetics is altered in S330A and A444S mutations. Consistent with the increased obsessive-compulsive disorder prevalence in males in childhood, the prefrontal cortex of male Slitrk1-KO newborns show increased noradrenaline levels, and serotonergic varicosity size. This study further elucidates the role of noradrenaline in controlling the development of the obsessive-compulsive disorder-related neural circuit

Combined abnormal muscle activity and pain-related factors affect disability in patients with chronic low back pain: An association rule analysis.

ObjectivesIn patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP), reduced lumbar flexion-relaxation and reduced variability of muscle activity distribution are reported as abnormal muscle activity. It is not known how abnormal muscle activity and pain-related factors are related to CLBP-based disability. Here, we performed an association rule analysis to investigated how CLBP disability, muscle activity, and pain-related factors in CLBP patients are related.MethodsSurface electromyographic signals were recorded from over the bilateral lumbar erector spinae muscle with four-channel electrodes from 24 CLBP patients while they performed a trunk flexion re-extension task. We calculated the average value of muscle activities of all channels and then calculated the flexion relaxation ratio (FRR) and the spatial variability of muscle activities. We also assessed the pain-related factors and CLBP disability by a questionnaire method. A clustering association rules analysis was performed to determine the relationships among pain-related factors, the FRR, and the variability of muscle activity distribution.ResultsThe association rules of severe CLBP disability were divisible into five classes, including 'low FRR-related rules.' The rules of the mild CLBP disability were divisible into four classes, including 'high FRR-related rules' and 'high muscle variability-related rules.' When we combined pain-related factors with the FRR and muscle variability, the relationship between abnormal FRR/muscle variability and CLBP disability became stronger.DiscussionOur findings thus highlight the importance of focusing on not only the patients' pain-related factors but also the abnormal motor control associated with CLBP, which causes CLBP disability

The Pain Intensity/Quality and Pain Site Association with Muscle Activity and Muscle Activity Distribution in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: Using a Generalized Linear Mixed Model Analysis

Background. Pain can alter muscle activity, although it is not clear how pain intensity and site location affect muscle activity. This study aimed to reveal the complex associations among the pain site, pain intensity/quality, muscle activity, and muscle activity distribution. Methods. Electromyographic signals were recorded from above a bilateral lumbar erector spinae muscle with a four-channel electrode in 23 patients with chronic low back pain while they performed a lumbar bending and returning task. We calculated the average value of muscle activity during the extension phase (agonist activity) and the centroid of muscle activity, as well as the distance between the centroid of muscle activity and pain site. We also assessed the pain site and pain intensity/quality by the interview and questionnaire method. A generalized linear mixed model analysis was performed to determine the relationships among pain intensity/quality, pain site, and muscle activity. Results. The results showed that muscle activity during the extension phase was significantly negatively associated with neuropathic pain and “pain caused by light touch.” In addition, the distance between the centroid of muscle activity and pain site during the extension phase was significantly positively associated with intermittent pain, “throbbing pain,” “splitting pain,” “punishing-cruel,” and “pain caused by light touch.” Conclusions. Our findings suggest the existence of a motor adaptation that suppresses muscle activity near the painful area as the pain intensity increases. Furthermore, the present study indicates that the presence or absence of this motor adaptation depended on the pain quality

Study on High-Strain-Rate Deformation of Magnesium Alloy Using Underwater Shock Waves Generated by High-Voltage Electric Discharge of Thin Wire

Magnesium is an abundant material with high specific strength, and its use as a structural metal is increasing. However, its properties cause difficulty in its formation at room temperature. Therefore, the objective of this study was to form a magnesium alloy at room temperature using an underwater shock wave generated by the discharge of an aluminum wire. Forming was conducted using an auxiliary plate composed of aluminum instead of magnesium alloy alone. In addition, hyperbolic and parabolic pressure vessels were employed. Numerical simulations were performed to measure the pressure values, propagation of underwater shock waves, and deformation of the magnesium alloy. Large deformation was observed when an auxiliary aluminum plate was placed on the upper surface of an AZ31 magnesium alloy plate inside the hyperbolic pressure vessel

Study on High-Strain-Rate Deformation of Magnesium Alloy Using Underwater Shock Waves Generated by High-Voltage Electric Discharge of Thin Wire

Magnesium is an abundant material with high specific strength, and its use as a structural metal is increasing. However, its properties cause difficulty in its formation at room temperature. Therefore, the objective of this study was to form a magnesium alloy at room temperature using an underwater shock wave generated by the discharge of an aluminum wire. Forming was conducted using an auxiliary plate composed of aluminum instead of magnesium alloy alone. In addition, hyperbolic and parabolic pressure vessels were employed. Numerical simulations were performed to measure the pressure values, propagation of underwater shock waves, and deformation of the magnesium alloy. Large deformation was observed when an auxiliary aluminum plate was placed on the upper surface of an AZ31 magnesium alloy plate inside the hyperbolic pressure vessel

Seasonal characteristics of crime: an empirical investigation of the temporal fluctuation of the different types of crime in London

Abstract Most types of crimes show seasonal fluctuations but the difference and similarity of the periodicity between different crimes are understudied. Interpreting the seasonality of different crime types and formulating clusters of crimes that share similar seasonal characteristics would help identify the common underlying factors and revise the patterns of patrolling and monitoring to enable sustained management of the control strategies. This study proposes a new methodological framework for measuring similarities and differences in the timing of peaks and troughs, as well as the waveforms of different crimes. The method combines a Poisson state-space model with cluster analysis and multi-dimensional scaling. A case study using twelve types of crimes in London (2013–2020) demonstrated that the amplitude of the seasonal fluctuation identified by this method explained 95.2% of the similarity in their waveforms, while the timing of the peaks covered 87.5% of the variance in their seasonal fluctuation. The high predictability of the seasonal patterns of crimes as well as the stable categorisation of crimes with similar seasonal characteristics enable sustainable and measured planning of police resource allocation and, thereby, facilitates a more efficient management of the urban environment

Combinational vocal usage for emotional expression in common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).

Contrary to the thorough understanding of birdsong studies, understanding of vocal communication in primate still fall behind in the experimental investigations. Wild common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) have thirteen call repertoires described by using configuration of spectrogram and observation of behavioral context (e.g., Egg call associated with vigilance behavior), suggesting their depending on rich vocal communications (Bezerra and Souto 2008). Studies using captive marmosets reported that Tsik calls were induced when they faced predator of fearful object (e.g., Clara et al. 2008). These previous studies described vocal repertoires based on mono-categorical syllables. However, we found that multi-syllabic elements, compounds of Tsik and Egg calls (named Twiggy), were vocalized when marmosets were isolated in a novel, isolated cage without predatory context. Twiggy was commonly observed from all marmosets tested, and clearly distinguished from Tsik by spectrum analysis. These suggest the separate usage of combinational element (i.e., Twiggy) and solitary element (i.e., Tsik) for different contexts. In this study, we aimed to experimentally differentiate the vocal usages by presentation of visual stimuli. We presented neutral or predatory photographs to six subjects to test they respond with different vocalizations. Tsik vocalizations significantly increased during the predatory stimuli than neutral stimuli (Generalized Linear Mixed Model, vocalizations = stimuli (neutoral or predator), cluster = subject, family = poisson, p < 0.001*). Twiggy was also vocalized, however the numbers of which were not significantly different between the stimulus contexts (Generalized Linear Mixed Model, vocalizations = stimuli (neutral or predator), cluster = subject, family = poisson, p = 0.53). Tsik were vocalized specifically in the predatory context, whereas Twiggy was used in both of the contexts. To identify the physiological background of Twiggy, we measured vocalizations under pharmacologically induced anxiety state by injecting FG-7142, a partial inverse agonist of the benzodiazepine receptor. FG-7142 is considered as anxiogenic drug, since it increased anxiety behavior in rodents and primates (Belzung and Griebel 2001, Carey et. al. 1991). Through the habituation to the isolated cage, the marmosets decrease their Twiggy vocalization. However, injection of FG-7142 reincreased Twiggy calls. Our results suggested that Twiggy is associated with anxiety rather than fear. Although the functional difference between the Tsik and Twiggy has to be tested by comparison of reactions to these calls, these experimental investigations would illuminate the understanding for semantic difference expressed by combination of multiple elements.Evolang

Vocalization pattern analysis as a method for classification of emotional states in the common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

In order to classify emotional states of animals, common marmosets may be useful subjects. It is well known that there is strong correlation between the patterns of vocalization and the specific behavior in the common marmosets (e.g., \u27chatter\u27 call corresponds aggressive behavior). This suggests that the vocalization patterns of marmosets may be useful to classify emotional states of the animals. Here, we collected vocalization patterns of the marmoset in the isolated environment and tried to map their corresponding emotional states. Two adult common marmosets were used in this study. Each animal was isolated in the novel cage, and habituated for 5 sessions of 60 min long. The vocalization patterns in the first 30 min in each session were analyzed based on producing sonogram. The number of patterns of vocalization decreased as the session progressed, so that they vocalized mainly \u27phee\u27 call, which corresponds \u27calling partners\u27, after habituation. They often vocalized with specific pattern, \u27tsikegg\u27 call (one\u27tsik\u27call followed by a few\u27egg\u27calls) at the first habituation trial. As the sessions of habituation progressed, the number of \u27tsikegg\u27 call declined significantly. This suggests that \u27tsikegg\u27 call reflects anxiety evoked by the novel environment. We applied this vocalization pattern analysis to a methamphetamine (METH) test in the same environment. The number of \u27tsikegg\u27 calls in 30 min significantly increased with METH (2mg/kg) treatment in comparison with the saline treatment, suggesting that METH makes marmoset anxiety. Taken together, vocalization patterns of marmosets may allow us to identify their emotional states with higher validity.Neuroscience 2010, SfN\u27s 40th annual meetin

Road Junction Configurations and the Severity of Traffic Accidents in Japan

In many countries, 40&ndash;60% of the traffic accidents occur at junctions, making the reduction of junction accidents paramount to achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals. In Japan, the road safety guidelines specify the proximity between junctions and non-perpendicular angles at junctions as the two main risk factors behind junction accidents, yet their impact remains understudied. Using binomial logistic regression models, this study investigates the impact of junction intervals and junction angles on the severity of traffic accidents. The study found that, in general, (1) shorter intervals between adjacent junctions helps reduce the risk of serious accidents, which is the opposite of the current road safety guidelines in Japan, and (2) results from the junction angle analysis were mixed but there was no evidence that the roads should meet at a right angle to reduce traffic accidents. Some types of accidents also returned a non-linear curve, e.g., vehicle-to-vehicle collisions at four-armed junctions involving a driver aged 65 years and over have the highest risk of fatal/serious accidents when adjacent junctions were 32 m apart, and the risk reduces at a shorter or longer interval. These results suggest that the current road safety guidelines require updating to improve road safety around junctions

Vocalization pattern analysis as a method for classfication of emotional states in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

第33回日本神経科学大会（Neuro2010