Effects of Kv1.3 knockout on pyramidal neuron excitability and synaptic plasticity in piriform cortex of mice.

Kv1.3 belongs to the voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channel family, which is widely expressed in the central nervous system and associated with a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. Kv1.3 is highly expressed in the olfactory bulb and piriform cortex and involved in the process of odor perception and nutrient metabolism in animals. Previous studies have explored the function of Kv1.3 in olfactory bulb, while the role of Kv1.3 in piriform cortex was less known. In this study, we investigated the neuronal changes of piriform cortex and feeding behavior after smell stimulation, thus revealing a link between the olfactory sensation and body weight in Kv1.3 KO mice. Coronal slices including the anterior piriform cortex were prepared, whole-cell recording and Ca2+ imaging of pyramidal neurons were conducted. We showed that the firing frequency evoked by depolarization pulses and Ca2+ influx evoked by high K+ solution were significantly increased in pyramidal neurons of Kv1.3 knockout (KO) mice compared to WT mice. Western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses revealed that the downstream signaling molecules CaMKII and PKCα were activated in piriform cortex of Kv1.3 KO mice. Pyramidal neurons in Kv1.3 KO mice exhibited significantly reduced paired-pulse ratio and increased presynaptic Cav2.1 expression, proving that the presynaptic vesicle release might be elevated by Ca2+ influx. Using Golgi staining, we found significantly increased dendritic spine density of pyramidal neurons in Kv1.3 KO mice, supporting the stronger postsynaptic responses in these neurons. In olfactory recognition and feeding behavior tests, we showed that Kv1.3 conditional knockout or cannula injection of 5-(4-phenoxybutoxy) psoralen, a Kv1.3 channel blocker, in piriform cortex both elevated the olfactory recognition index and altered the feeding behavior in mice. In summary, Kv1.3 is a key molecule in regulating neuronal activity of the piriform cortex, which may lay a foundation for the treatment of diseases related to piriform cortex and olfactory detection.

Reporting of core items in hierarchical Bayesian analysis for aggregating N-of-1 trials to estimate population treatment effects is suboptimal.

OBJECTIVES: N-of-1 trials can be aggregated to estimate population treatment effects using hierarchical Bayesian models. It is very important to report core items in hierarchical Bayesian analysis. In this study, we assessed reporting of items in hierarchical Bayesian analysis for aggregating N-of-1 trials to estimate population treatment effects. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a systematic literature review of aggregating N-of-1 trials by hierarchical Bayesian models to estimate population treatment effects. A comprehensive search was performed to collect eligible articles. Pilot studies, formal N-of-1 trials and reports in which the data were reanalyzed using hierarchical Bayesian methods, were included. The information of reported items related with hierarchical Bayesian analysis was extracted by two independent reviewers. The guideline "ROBUST," developed for reporting Bayesian analysis of clinical studies, was published in Journal of Clinical Epidemiology in 2005. We assessed the included reports using ROBUST criteria and 18 other important items. RESULTS: After careful screening, 11 studies were identified to be eligible for inclusion. There were three pilot studies, four formal trials, and four reports in which the data were reanalyzed using hierarchical Bayesian methods. The number of reported items in ROBUST criteria ranged from six to seven, with a median number of six. Five of eleven included articles reported all items of the ROBUST criteria. But for justification and sensitivity analysis in prior distribution items, other items were reported in all of the included articles. Software and analysis data set items were reported the most frequently in additional items excluded from the ROBUST criteria. Less than half of the studies reported the other additional items. CONCLUSION: Reporting of core items in hierarchical Bayesian analysis for aggregating N-of-1 trials to estimate population treatment effects is suboptimal. A PRISMA-like guidance on reviews of Bayesian N-of-1 trials may be required in the future.

Identification and phylogenetic analysis of the mitogenome of Sarcocheilichthys parvus Nichols (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae).

In the present study, the complete mitogenome sequence of a Sarcocheilichthys parvus Nichols was sequenced and identified. It contained 22 tRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes and 2 non-coding regions. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the mitogenome sequence could be useful data in the field of systematics and conservation biology for S. parvus Nichols and other aquatic species.

Identification and analysis of the mitogenome of Sarcocheilichthys parvus (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae).

The complete mitogenome sequence of Sarcocheilichthys parvus was identified using polymerase chain reaction and sequenced with primer walking method. The complete mitogenome was 16,674 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and 2 non-coding regions. The gene arrangement and composition of S. parvus was similar to most other fishes.

Sequence identification and description of the mitochondrial genome of Abbottina rivularis (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae).

In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of Abbottina rivularis was determined; the phylogenetic analysis with other individuals and closely related species of the gudgeons was carried out. The complete mitogenome of A. rivularis was 16,597 bp in length, which consists of 22 tRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 2 non-coding regions: (D-loop and OL). The overall nucleotide composition of the A. rivularis mitogenome was A: 29.92%, T: 25.75%, G: 17.15% and C: 27.18%, respectively, with an A + T rich feature (57.1%). This study provides useful data to genetics, conservation and evolution study of the gudgeons.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Hemibarbus sp.090914 (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae).

Hemibarbus is a genus of cyprinid fishes distributed in eastern Asia. In the present study, we report here the complete mitochondrial genome of the Hemibarbus sp.090914 (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae). Our results show that the complete mitochondrial DNA of Hemibarbus sp.090914 is 16,610 bp in length, and predicted to encode all the 37 genes that are typical for the vertebrates.