Astrocytes are a neural cell type critically involved in maintaining brain energy homeostasis as well as signaling. Like neurons, astrocytes are a heterogeneous cell population. Cortical astrocytes show a complex morphology with a highly branched aborization and numerous fine processes ensheathing the synapses of neighboring neurons, and typically extend one process connecting to blood vessels. Recent studies employing genetically encoded fluorescent calcium (Ca) indicators have described 'spontaneous' localized Ca-transients in the astrocyte periphery that occur asynchronously, independently of signals in other parts of the cells, and that do not involve somatic Ca transients; however, neither it is known whether these Ca-microdomains occur at or near neuronal synapses nor have their molecular basis nor downstream effector(s) been identified. In addition to Ca microdomains, sodium (Na) transients occur in astrocyte subdomains, too, most likely as a consequence of Na co-transport with the neurotransmitter glutamate, which also regulates mitochondrial movements locally - as do cytoplasmic Ca levels. In this review, we cover various aspects of these local signaling events and discuss how structural and biophysical properties of astrocytes might foster such compartmentation. Astrocytes metabolically interact with neurons by providing energy substrates to active neurons. As a single astrocyte branch covers hundreds to thousands of synapses, it is tempting to speculate that these metabolic interactions could occur localized to specific subdomains of astrocytes, perhaps even at the level of small groups of synapses. We discuss how astrocytic metabolism might be regulated at this scale and which signals might contribute to its regulation. We speculate that the astrocytic structures that light up transiently as Ca-microdomains might be the functional units of astrocytes linking signaling and metabolic processes to adapt astrocytic function to local energy demands. The understanding of these local regulatory and metabolic interactions will be fundamental to fully appreciate the complexity of brain energy homeostasis as well as its failure in disease and may shed new light on the controversy about neuron-glia bi-directional signaling at the tripartite synapse.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2017.04.011 | DOI Listing |
Chem Commun (Camb)
December 2024
Energy Storage and Distributed Resources Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.
LiAlGe(PO) (LAGP) is a promising solid-state electrolyte (SSE) for solid-state batteries but suffers from side reactions with Li metal resulting in cracking and interfacial resistance rise which hinders its practical application. Herein, in operando Raman spectroscopy was performed to gain insights into local chemical and structural transformations of the Cu/LAGP interface during cathodic polarization.
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January 2025
State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
The response to climate change and air pollution control demonstrates strong synergy across scientific mechanisms, targets, strategies, and governance systems. This report, based on a monitoring indicator system for coordinated governance of air pollution and climate change, employs an interdisciplinary approach combining natural and social sciences. It establishes 20 indicators across five key areas: air pollution and climate change, governance systems and practices, structural transformation and technologies, atmospheric components and emission reduction pathways, and health impacts and co-benefits.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiabet Med
December 2024
Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK.
Aims: Acute hypoglycaemia promotes pro-inflammatory cytokine production, increasing the risk for cardiovascular events in diabetes. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is regulated by and influences the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We sought to examine the mechanistic role of AMPK in low glucose-induced changes in the pro-inflammatory cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), which is elevated in people with diabetes.
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December 2024
Key Laboratory for Special Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for High-efficiency Display and Lighting Technology, and School of Nanoscience and Materials Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
Electrochromic smart windows can realize intelligent photothermal regulation by applying a low potential, which is of great significance for energy-saving buildings and achieving low carbon emission. However, the dense structure of conventional metal oxide electrochromic materials limits ion transport efficiency, resulting in poor electrochromic properties. Here, we propose a surface crystal reconstruction strategy for cubic NiO through phosphorylation (P-NiO) to build energetic reactive interfaces and enhance the electrochromic performance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeurosci Biobehav Rev
December 2024
Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, Linacre College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, DK. Electronic address:
Turbulence is a universal principle for fast energy and information transfer. Moving beyond the turbulence of fluid dynamics, turbulence has recently been demonstrated in brain dynamics. Importantly, turbulence can be expressed as the rich variability across spacetime of the local levels of synchronisation of coupled brain signals.
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