Seizures invite seizures. At the initial stage of epilepsy, seizures intensify with each episode; however, the mechanisms underlying this exacerbation remain to be solved. Astrocytes have a strong control over neuronal excitability and the mode of information processing. This control is accomplished by adjusting the levels of various ions in the extracellular space. The network of astrocytes connected via gap junctions allows a wider or more confined distribution of these ions depending on the open probability of the gap junctions. K 1 clearance relies on the K 1 uptake by astrocytes and the subsequent diffusion of K 1 through the astrocyte network. When astrocytes become uncoupled, K 1 clearance becomes hindered. Accumulation of extracellular K 1 leads to hyperexcitability of neurons. Here, using acute hippocampal slices from mice, we uncovered that brief periods of epileptiform activity result in gap junction uncoupling. In slices that experienced short-term epileptiform activity, extracellular K 1 transients in response to glutamate became prolonged. Na 1 imaging with a fluorescent indicator indicated that intercellular diffusion of small cations in the astrocytic syncytium via gap junctions became rapidly restricted after epileptiform activity. Using a transgenic mouse with astrocyte-specific expression of a pH sensor (Lck-E 2 GFP), we confirmed that astrocytes react to epileptiform activity with intracellular alkalization. Application of Na 1 /HCO 3 cotransporter blocker led to the suppression of intracellular alkalization of astrocytes and to the prevention of astrocyte uncoupling and hyperactivity intensification both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, the inhibition of astrocyte alkalization could become a promising therapeutic strategy for countering epilepsy development.

Ladybird beetles in the tribe Epilachnini include notorious crop pests and model species studied intensively in various fields of evolutionary biology. From a combined dataset of mitochondrial (ND2) and nuclear (28S) DNA sequences, we reconstructed the phylogeny of 46 species of Epilachnini from Asia, Africa, America, and the Australian region: 16 species in Epilachna, 24 species in Henosepilachna, and one species each in Adira, Afidenta, Afidentula, Afissula, Chnootriba, and Epiverta. In our phylogenetic trees, both Epilachna and Henosepilachna were reciprocally polyphyletic. Asian Epilachna species were monophyletic, except for the inclusion of Afissula sp. Asian and Australian Henosepilachna species likewise formed a monophyletic group, excluding H. boisduvali. African Epilachna and Henosepilachna species did not group with their respective Asian and American congeners, but were paraphyletic to other clades (Epilachna species) or formed a separate monophyletic group (Henosepilachna species) together with Chnootriba similis. The American Epilachna species were monophyletic and formed a clade with American Adira clarkii and Asian Afidentula manderstjernae bielawskii; this clade was the sister group to Asian and Australian Henosepilachna, but was distant from Asian Epilachna. Chnootriba was embedded in the African Henosepilachna clade, and Afissula in the Asian Epilachna clade. Epiverta, which is morphologically unique, was the sister group to Asian Epilachna, although with weak support. From reconstructions of biogeographical distribution and host-plant utilization at ancestral nodes, we inferred an African origin for the common ancestor of the species studied, and found the frequency of host shifts to differ greatly between the two major lineages of Epilachnini examined.

The genus Holopsis Broun, 1883 from Japan is revised. Five species including two newly recorded species and one new species are described: H. punctipennis (Matthews, 1899), H. kirejtshuki Bowestead, 2003 (new record), H. kurilensis Bowestead, 2003 (new record), H. lewisei Bowestead, 2003, and H. ryukyuensis sp. n. Males of H. punctipennis and H. lewisei are described for the first time.

This paper discllsscs a m 孟 cro dynalnic sensing sy stem by using an ink jet and a high − speed calnera ， so that we can observe dynaIllic behavior of 111icro 1〕iomedical tisslle ． Micr wate 夏 ・ droplets discharged by the ink jet Illake colhsion with a target object ， Detectillg the deforIllation at the mQment of ｛ he colhsi n by the high−speed camera ， we cst 主 mate dynamic charaGteristics of the object ． " 「 e show a pr () t type experimental system

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