Acid-sensing ion channel 1A (ASIC1A) is abundant in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a region known for its role in addiction. Because ASIC1A has been previously suggested to promote associative learning, we hypothesized that disrupting ASIC1A in the NAc would reduce drug-associated learning and memory. However, contrary to this hypothesis, we found that disrupting ASIC1A in the NAc increased cocaine-conditioned place preference, suggesting an unexpected role for ASIC1A in addiction-related behavior. Moreover, overexpressing ASIC1A in rat NAc reduced cocaine self-administration. Investigating the underlying mechanisms, we identified a novel postsynaptic current during neurotransmission mediated by ASIC1A and ASIC2 and thus well-positioned to regulate synapse structure and function. Consistent with this possibility, disrupting ASIC1A altered dendritic spine density and glutamate receptor function, and increased cocaine-evoked plasticity in AMPA-to-NMDA ratio, all resembling changes previously associated with cocaine-induced behavior. Together, these data suggest ASIC1A inhibits plasticity underlying addiction-related behavior, and raise the possibility of therapies for drug addiction by targeting ASIC-dependent neurotransmission.

Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) inhalation lowers brain pH and induces anxiety, fear, and panic responses in humans. In mice, CO 2 produces freezing and avoidance behavior that has been suggested to depend on the amygdala. However, a recent study in humans with bilateral amygdala lesions revealed that CO 2 can trigger fear and panic even in the absence of amygdalae, suggesting the importance of extraamygdalar brain structures. Because the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) contributes to fear-and anxiety-related behaviors and expresses acid-sensing ion channel-1A (ASIC1A), we hypothesized that the BNST plays an important role in CO 2 -evoked fear-related behaviors in mice. We found that BNST lesions decreased both CO 2 -evoked freezing and CO 2 -conditioned place avoidance. In addition, we found that CO 2 inhalation caused BNST acidosis and that acidosis was sufficient to depolarize BNST neurons and induce freezing behavior; both responses depended on ASIC1A. Finally, disrupting Asic1a specifically in the BNST reduced CO 2 -evoked freezing, whereas virus-vector-mediated expression of ASIC1A in the BNST of Asic1a Ϫ/Ϫ and Asic1a ϩ/ϩ mice increased CO 2 -evoked freezing. Together, these findings identify the BNST as an extra-amygdalar fear circuit structure important in CO 2 -evoked fear-related behavior.

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A divergent synthesis of thioether-functionalized trifluoromethyl-alkynes, 1,3-dienes and allenes viaregioselective nucleophilic addition of sulfur nucleophiles to 2-trifluoromethyl-1,3-conjugated enynes was developed.

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Since the RMB exchange rate regime has reformed for several decades, the exchange rate has been unilaterally increasing steadily and significantly. For long time, Euro zone is one of China's most important trade partners, as a result, import and export between two areas has increased a lot. During this period, the manufacturing import and export accounts a large share. This paper investigates whether the exchange rate between two currencies impact on the manufacturing trade between two countries. According to the situation analysis of the data and empirical analysis on trade econometric model, we find when RMB appreciates, the export from China to Euro market increases significantly, but the import from Euro market back to China shrinks a lot. Therefore, in order to improve trade environment in China, we need to appropriately use the financial instruments, to fully consider the role of euro currency, to change to increasing trade approach, and to improve the production structure.