Autism spectrum disorder causes, mechanisms, and treatments: focus on neuronal synapses

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of developmental disabilities characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication and restricted and repetitive interests/behaviors. Advances in human genomics have identified a large number of genetic variations associated with ASD. These associations are being rapidly verified by a growing number of studies using a variety of approaches, including mouse genetics. These studies have also identified key mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of ASD, many of which involve synaptic dysfunctions, and have investigated novel, mechanism-based therapeutic strategies. This review will try to integrate these three key aspects of ASD research: human genetics, animal models, and potential treatments. Continued efforts in this direction should ultimately reveal core mechanisms that account for a larger fraction of ASD cases and identify neural mechanisms associated with specific ASD symptoms, providing important clues to efficient ASD treatment.158631scopu

SALM4 suppresses excitatory synapse development by cis-inhibiting trans-synaptic SALM3-LAR adhesion

Synaptic adhesion molecules regulate various aspects of synapse development, function and plasticity. These functions mainly involve trans-synaptic interactions and positive regulations, whereas cis-interactions and negative regulation are less understood. Here we report that SALM4, a member of the SALM/Lrfn family of synaptic adhesion molecules, suppresses excitatory synapse development through cis inhibition of SALM3, another SALM family protein with synaptogenic activity. Salm4-mutant (Salm4) mice show increased excitatory synapse numbers in the hippocampus. SALM4 cis-interacts with SALM3, inhibits trans-synaptic SALM3 interaction with presynaptic LAR family receptor tyrosine phosphatases and suppresses SALM3-dependent presynaptic differentiation. Importantly, deletion of Salm3 in Salm4 mice (Salm3, Salm4) normalizes the increased excitatory synapse number. These results suggest that SALM4 negatively regulates excitatory synapses via cis inhibition of the trans-synaptic SALM3-LAR adhesion. © The Author(s) 2016110101sciescopu

Autism spectrum disorder causes, mechanisms, and treatments: focus on neuronal synapses

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of developmental disabilities characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication and restricted and repetitive interests/behaviors. Advances in human genomics have identified a large number of genetic variations associated with ASD. These associations are being rapidly verified by a growing number of studies using a variety of approaches, including mouse genetics. These studies have also identified key mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of ASD, many of which involve synaptic dysfunctions, and have investigated novel, mechanism-based therapeutic strategies. This review will try to integrate these three key aspects of ASD research: human genetics, animal models, and potential treatments. Continued efforts in this direction should ultimately reveal core mechanisms that account for a larger fraction of ASD cases and identify neural mechanisms associated with specific ASD symptoms, providing important clues to efficient ASD treatment

Enhancement of the Synaptic Performance of Phosphorus-Enriched, Electric Double-Layer, Thin-Film Transistors

The primary objective of neuromorphic electronic devices is the implementation of neural networks that replicate the memory and learning functions of biological synapses. To exploit the advantages of electrolyte gate synaptic transistors operating like biological synapses, we engineered electric double-layer transistors (EDLTs) using phosphorus-doped silicate glass (PSG). To investigate the effects of phosphorus on the EDL and synaptic behavior, undoped silicate spin-on-glass-based transistors were fabricated as a control group. Initially, we measured the frequency-dependent capacitance and double-sweep transfer curves for the metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitors and MOS field-effect transistors. Subsequently, we analyzed the excitatory post-synaptic currents (EPSCs), including pre-synaptic single spikes, double spikes, and frequency variations. The capacitance and hysteresis window characteristics of the PSG for synaptic operations were verified. To assess the specific synaptic operational characteristics of PSG-EDLTs, we examined EPSCs based on the spike number and established synaptic weights in potentiation and depression (P/D) in relation to pre-synaptic variables. Normalizing the P/D results, we extracted the parameter values for the nonlinearity factor, asymmetric ratio, and dynamic range based on the pre-synaptic variables, revealing the trade-off relationships among them. Finally, based on artificial neural network simulations, we verified the high-recognition rate of PSG-EDLTs for handwritten digits. These results suggest that phosphorus-based EDLTs are beneficial for implementing high-performance artificial synaptic hardware

Three-dimensional relationship between the critical contact angle and the torque angle

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between the critical contact angle and the torque angle in an orthodontic bracket and archwire assembly in 3 dimensions. Three-dimensional mathematical models were created with geometric bracket-archwire parameters that included 2 slot sizes, 3 bracket widths, and 3 to 4 wire sizes. From this, 3-dimensional mathematical equations (3DMEs) for the critical contact angle and the maximum torque that result in critical contact angles of 0 were derived and calculated. To evaluate the effects of archwire-bracket parameters on critical contact angles, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed at the significance level of P ≤ .05. For all bracket-archwire combinations, the critical contact angle decreased as bracket width, torque angle, and wire size increased. Therefore, all bracket-archwire parameters except slot height had an effect on the critical contact angle. Results of the critical contact angle produced from our 3DMEs were the same as those produced by 3D computer-aided design (SolidWorks Corp, Concord, Mass), thus confirming the validity of our derived equations. In addition, the effect of a beveled edge was investigated in some archwires. Furthermore, torsional play angles were calculated and found to be similar to those in previous reports. The results of this study provide theoretic and experimental bases for clinical orthodontic practice and indicate that torque angles should be included in the evaluation of the critical contact angle. (Am J. Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2003;123:64-73

Determinants of successful chincup therapy in skeletal Class III malocclusion

The purpose of this study was to investigate skeletal characteristics that determine successful chincup therapy in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusions by using longitudinal follow-up data of 40 patients (18 male, 22 female). Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken before chincup therapy (T0), after chincup therapy (T1), and after fixed orthodontic treatment and retention (T2). From the measurements at T2, the patients were classified into group 1, showing good retention results (n = 21; 9 male, 12 female), or group 2, showing poor results (n = 19; 9 male, 10 female). The differences at each stage and during T0 to T1 and T1 to T2 between the 2 groups were compared by t tests. The major effect of chincup therapy was backward rotation of the mandible in both groups; however, the amount of rotation was greater in group 2. After retention, group 2 showed more forward rotation and forward growth of the mandible than group 1. Cephalometric measurements that showed significant differences in skeletal and dental morphology between the 2 groups at T0 were L1 to occlusal plane (P < .001), upper gonial angle, AB to occlusal plane angle, AB to mandibular plane angle, ANB, anteroposterior dysplasia indicator, Wits appraisal (P < .01), articular angle, gonial angle, facial convexity angle, AB to facial plane angle, and L1 to A-Pog (P < .05). These factors apparently contributed to the difference of long-term results in the 2 groups. It is necessary to evaluate these items in the diagnosis and treatment planning of skeletal Class III malocclusion in growing patients when chincup therapy is being considered

First or second premolar extraction effects on facial vertical dimension.

If the concept of mesial movement of molars to reduce the wedge effect and decrease facial vertical dimension (FVD) is valid, it is important to investigate the effect of first (P1) and second premolar (P2) extraction on FVD. This study compares the mesial movement of molars and changes in FVD between P1 and P2 extraction groups in Class I malocclusion with a hyperdivergent facial type. We compared 27 cases with maxillary and mandibular P1 extractions (group 1) and 27 cases with maxillary and mandibular P2 extractions (group 2). To determine FVD changes due to treatment and to compare differences between two groups, paired t-test and independent t-test were performed, respectively. Group 2 showed more mesial movement of the maxillary and mandibular first molars and less retraction of the maxillary and mandibular central incisors than group 1 (P < .05). Both groups showed increased anterior facial height (P < .05), but there were no statistically significant differences in angular and proportional measurements between pre- and posttreatment. There was no significant difference in the amount of FVD change between groups 1 and 2 except in the maxillomandibular plane angle and SN to palatal plane angle (P < .05). These results suggest that there is no decrease in FVD regardless of the maxillary and mandibular P1 or P2 extraction. Therefore, the hypothesis that P2 extraction in hyperdivergent facial types will result in mesial molar movement and decrease FVD by reducing the wedge effect is invalid

A Study on the Standard of Optician National Licensing Examination by Job Analysis

This study shows the optician&apos;s job analysis, some questionaire and their analysis. Job description drafed, the standard of questionaire was fixed. Job description is establised on the results of the job analysis by DACUM(Developing A Curriculum Method). The job description formed above 2.15 referred to the results of survey of the importance and perfomance frequency of the job. These elements made a draft of drawing up standard of the Optician National Licensing Examination by Job Analysis