Hippocampal CA1 homosynaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) is expressed specifically at activated synapses. Increased insertion of postsynaptic alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazole-4-propionic acid receptors (AMPARs) appears to be crucial for CA1 LTP. However, the mechanism underlying AMPAR insertion during LTP remains largely unknown. We now report that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is complexed with AMPARs at synapses and activated by selective stimulation of synaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Activation of the AMPAR-associated PI3K is required for the increased cell surface expression of AMPARs and LTP. Thus, our results strongly suggest that the AMPAR-PI3K complex may constitute a critical molecular signal responsible for AMPAR insertion at activated CA1 synapses during LTP, and consequently, this lipid kinase may serve to determine the polarity of NMDA receptor-dependent synaptic plasticity.

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Transparent, UV-filtered, anti-freezing, and moisture-retention organohydrogel-based sensors are prepared by incorporating ions/microparticles into a binary solvent system.

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Recently, ion-conducting hydrogels have received much attention in the preparation of noninvasive electronics. However, there have been few studies on the simultaneous integration of multiproperties of hydrogels to meet the actual needs of flexible electrodes. Herein, we prepared mussel-inspired proanthocyanins (PC)-coated cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) nanocomposites, which were dispersed in the guar gum (GG) and glycerol solution to prepare a PC-CNF-GG-glycerol hydrogel. This hydrogel exhibits great adhesion (7.9 KPa) and UV-blocking ability (82%). Moreover, the borax solution used as a cross-linker also imparts ion-conducting property to the hydrogel, and the strain sensor fabricated by the hydrogel exhibits low-weight detection ability (200 mg) and fast response speed (33 ms). The adhesive, conductive, and injectable PC-CNF-GG-glycerol hydrogel can also be used for preparing wearable, portable, and editable electrodes. The new electrode can accurately detect human electrophysiological signals. Interestingly, the hydrogel electrode also has advantages of reusability. In summary, this ion-conducting hydrogel has the potential to become a new generation of portable and biofriendly bioelectrodes, sensors, and dressings.

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BackgroundChitosan oligosaccharide (COS) is widely consumed as a functional food due to its multiple health effects, but few studies about COS supplement on placental antioxidant and nutrition transport capacity were reported. Taken pregnant sow as a model, we aimed to investigate the effects of dietary COS supplementation during late gestation on placental amino acids transport and antioxidant defense capacity of sows. From day (d) 85 of gestation to parturition, sixteen pregnant sows were divided into a control group (basal diet without COS supplementation) and a COS group (30 mg COS/kg basal diet). Plasma sample of sow was collected on d 110 of gestation, and placenta tissue was obtained during parturition. Then plasma antioxidant enzyme’s activities, the relative level of oxidant stress related genes, amino acids transport related genes and mTOR pathway molecules in placenta were determined.ResultsResults showed that maternal dietary supplementation with COS increased (P < 0.05) plasma total SOD, caused a downtrend in plasma MDA (0.05 < P < 0.10) on d 110 of gestation. Interestingly, the mRNA expression of some antioxidant genes in the placenta were increased (P < 0.05) and pro-inflammatory cytokines were reduced (P < 0.05) by COS supplement, whereas no significant difference was observed in the activities of placental total SOD and CAT between two groups. Additionally, further study demonstrated that COS feeding stimulated mTOR signaling pathway, increased amino acids transporters expression in placenta.ConclusionsThese observations suggested that COS supplement in sow’s diet during late gestation enhanced antioxidant defense capacity of sows, promoted placental amino acids transport, which may contribute to the health of sows and development of fetus during gestation.