Terris Todd, a former teacher and school administrator in the Battle Creek, Mich., schools, is the ethnic vice chair of the Michigan Republican Party.

Yasmin L. Hurd
Oct 16, 2019; 39:8250-8258
Symposium and Mini-Symposium

Krista L. Hyde
Mar 11, 2009; 29:3019-3025
Development Plasticity Repair

Reelin, a secreted glycoprotein, plays a crucial role in guiding neocortical neuronal migration, dendritic outgrowth and arborization, and synaptic plasticity in the adult brain. Reelin primarily operates through the canonical lipoprotein receptors apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (Apoer2) and very low-density lipoprotein receptor (Vldlr). Reelin also engages with noncanonical receptors and unidentified coreceptors; however, the effects of which are less understood. Using high-throughput tandem mass tag (TMT) liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based proteomics and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), we identified both shared and unique intracellular pathways activated by Reelin through its canonical and noncanonical signaling in primary murine neurons of either sex during dendritic growth and arborization. We observed pathway cross talk related to regulation of cytoskeleton, neuron projection development, protein transport, and actin filament-based process. We also found enriched gene sets exclusively by the noncanonical Reelin pathway including protein translation, mRNA metabolic process, and ribonucleoprotein complex biogenesis suggesting Reelin fine-tunes neuronal structure through distinct signaling pathways. A key discovery is the identification of aldolase A, a glycolytic enzyme and actin-binding protein, as a novel effector of Reelin signaling. Reelin induced de novo translation and mobilization of aldolase A from the actin cytoskeleton. We demonstrated that aldolase A is necessary for Reelin-mediated dendrite growth and arborization in primary murine neurons and mouse brain cortical neurons. Interestingly, the function of aldolase A in dendrite development is independent of its known role in glycolysis. Altogether, our findings provide new insights into the Reelin-dependent signaling pathways and effector proteins that are crucial for dendritic development.

Impaired inhibitory synapse development is suggested to drive neuronal hyperactivity in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and epilepsy. We propose a novel mechanism by which astrocytes control the development of parvalbumin (PV)-specific inhibitory synapses in the hippocampus, implicating ephrin-B/EphB signaling. Here, we utilize genetic approaches to assess functional and structural connectivity between PV and pyramidal cells (PCs) through whole-cell patch–clamp electrophysiology, optogenetics, immunohistochemical analysis, and behaviors in male and female mice. While inhibitory synapse development is adversely affected by PV-specific expression of EphB2, a strong candidate ASD risk gene, astrocytic ephrin-B1 facilitates PV->PC connectivity through a mechanism involving EphB signaling in PV boutons. In contrast, the loss of astrocytic ephrin-B1 reduces PV->PC connectivity and inhibition, resulting in increased seizure susceptibility and an ASD-like phenotype. Our findings underscore the crucial role of astrocytes in regulating inhibitory circuit development and discover a new role of EphB2 receptors in PV-specific inhibitory synapse development.

Experience- and activity-dependent transcription is a candidate mechanism to mediate development and refinement of specific cortical circuits. Here, we demonstrate that the activity-dependent transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) is required in both presynaptic layer (L) 4 and postsynaptic L2/3 mouse (male and female) somatosensory (S1) cortical neurons for development of this specific synaptic connection. While postsynaptic deletion of Mef2c weakens L4 synaptic inputs, it has no effect on inputs from local L2/3, contralateral S1, or the ipsilateral frontal/motor cortex. Similarly, homozygous or heterozygous deletion of Mef2c in presynaptic L4 neurons weakens L4 to L2/3 excitatory synaptic inputs by decreasing presynaptic release probability. Postsynaptic MEF2C is specifically required during an early postnatal, experience-dependent, period for L4 to L2/3 synapse function, and expression of transcriptionally active MEF2C (MEF2C-VP16) rescues weak L4 to L2/3 synaptic strength in sensory-deprived mice. Together, these results suggest that experience- and/or activity-dependent transcriptional activation of MEF2C promotes development of L4 to L2/3 synapses. Additionally, MEF2C regulates the expression of many pre- and postsynaptic genes in postnatal cortical neurons. Interestingly, MEF2C was necessary for activity-dependent expression of many presynaptic genes, including those that function in transsynaptic adhesion and neurotransmitter release. This work provides mechanistic insight into the experience-dependent development of specific cortical circuits.

The first in a series of Conference side events, the high-level panel on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) was held on Saturday. The aim of this event was to present [...]

Bogotá- Latin America and the Caribbean is at a decisive juncture in its history. Thanks to its advancements in social, economic, and production-based terms, the region is on its way to [...]

The shy and timid Tasmanian devil gained its reputation for fierceness in part from its ferocious-looking yawn when cornered or frightened

On September 2, 1935, Florida was hit by the most intense hurricane ever recorded—a category 5. Despite early warnings by the weather authorities, a calamitous loss of life shocked the nation

The photographer talks about what he aims for in his shots of industrial scars on the American landscape. Read more at http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/Devastation-From-Above.html.

John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton shared the award for their work on artificial neural networks and machine learning

Amid rapid global advances and deployment of artificial intelligence technologies, the federal government has invested millions to combine the minds of three existing institutes into one that can keep an eye on potential dangers ahead.

A Sudbury pharmacy technician has come up with a better way to do her job, while also improving patient safety. Now her method is being used at Sudbury's hospital, and is getting interest from others.

A building that was once among the grandest theatres in Hamilton has deteriorated beyond repair, is full of hazardous substances and must be demolished, says the developer who owns it.

More than 14 months after flooding caused by heavy rainfall forced the Ottawa Birth and Wellness Centre to shut down its birthing unit, it's once again welcoming expecting families.

Anautogenous female mosquitoes, which ingest a blood meal from warm-blooded vertebrates to produce eggs, have become a valuable model organism for investigating signaling pathways and physiological processes that occur during egg development. Different molecular pathways tightly regulate the initiation of egg development and are governed by a balance among different insect hormones. Gravid (mature egg-carrying) females deposit fully developed eggs at the end of each gonotrophic cycle, which is defined as the time interval between the ingestion of a blood meal to oviposition. An intact eggshell protects the oocyte and embryo inside from external factors such as desiccation, physical damage, etc., and the various eggshell proteins are spatially and temporary deposited during oogenesis. Additionally, follicle resorption (oosorption) during blood meal–induced mosquito ovarian follicle development is an adapted physiological process that optimizes reproductive fitness. Mosquito oocytes grow and mature synchronously throughout oogenesis; however, during the later stages of oogenesis, some oocytes may undergo oosorption if sufficient nutrients are unavailable. This introduction highlights how mosquito egg development can be used to investigate follicular resorption and identify proteins involved in eggshell formation in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Pioneering Technology Allows Surgeons to Cut Precisely and Control Bleeding Without Causing Heat Damage to Tissue

3D mechanical design and design analysis software speed time to market, grow revenues; 3D PartStream.NET boosts company's online catalog sales

Customized valve and cylinder maker sees 420 percent increase in online transactions in the first three months

Leading UK pneumatic product maker is deploying SolidWorks Office Professional to help automate such vital business processes as billing, scheduling

Leading assembly automation and testing company to standardize on SolidWorks Office Professional, securely manage design data with PDMWorks

'EFAB Access' fuels development of miniaturized mechanical structures

Geographically dispersed workgroups can now access, store, change, and approve

U.K. consultancy streamlines product design with 3D CAD and analysis software

Software donation to help fuel engineering enthusiasm for students solving real-world challenges

COSMOS enables engineers to catch and correct errors early in the design process, encouraging innovation and better product design

U.K. firm cuts design time for products used by BP, ExxonMobil, and Chevron

SOLIDWORKS Solution Partner develops lifelike, detailed 3D models of human body used in biomedical research, entertainment

UK consultancy reduces design cycles by weeks, cuts prototyping costs, and designs better products for global clients like Virgin Mobile and Hasbro

Longtime SOLIDWORKS and COSMOS customer reduces costs and time to market

3D CAD software lets U.K. firm compete with engineering departments 50 times its size to develop air brake systems for John Deere, Massey Ferguson, and Case

Swedish knife manufacturer reduces new product design time and costs

U.K.

Monarch250 to bring affordable cancer treatment option to more cancer centers

Designed and Tested in SOLIDWORKS and SOLIDWORKS Simulation, Each Reee Chair Made of Plastic From Nine Recycled Game Consoles

SOLIDWORKS Helps Companies Automate Documentation, Analysis, and Data Management for Compliance

U.K. Company Designs Adjustable Eyeglasses to Solve Vision Problems

The third round of developer betas for iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 have arrived, alongside the second round builds of tvOS 18.2, and watchOS 11.2.

The third developer beta of iOS 18.2 is now available for all compatible iPhone models, as Apple Intelligence testing continues. Here's everything you need to know about the update.

The developer of an app dropped from the App Store in China has filed a lawsuit that challenges Apple's overall practices, as well as damages of $420,000.

One day after most of the other developer betas get new builds, visionOS 2.2 turns up for testers using the Apple Vision Pro.

OM intentionally disciples Cambodian staff so that they, in turn, can disciple others.

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recently spoke at Council of the Great City Schools annual legislative and policy conference in Washington, D.C. Here are some of her remarks.

The answer is unclear but "the threat is real," English-language-learner advocacy groups say. The advocates say the Education Department has evaded their questions about the future of the office of English-language acquisition.

As expected, the Education Department has delayed a rule that would require states to take a standardized approach in evaluating districts for minority bias in special education.

The selection of Lorena Orozco McElwain as director of the office of English language acquisition shakes up a long-standing tradition.

Innovations that schools developed during their rapid transition to online instruction could inspire them to "rethink education," U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said at a web conference with reporters.

In response to one school district's commitment to professional development, research explores teacher PD best practices and reviews the district's offerings.