Steroid receptor expression in the fish inner earvaries with sex,social status,and reproductive state

Background  

Gonadal and stress-related steroid hormones are known to influence auditory function across vertebrates but the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for steroid-mediated auditory plasticity at the level of the inner ear remain unknown. The presence of steroid receptors in the ear suggests a direct pathway for hormones to act on the peripheral auditory system, but little is known about which receptors are expressed in the ear or whether their expression levels change with internal physiological state or external social cues. We used qRT-PCR to measure mRNA expression levels of multiple steroid receptor subtypes (estrogen receptors: ERα, ERβa, ERβb; androgen receptors: ARα, ARβ; corticosteroid receptors: GR2, GR1a/b, MR) and aromatase in the main hearing organ of the inner ear (saccule) in the highly social African cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni, and tested whether these receptor levels were correlated with circulating steroid concentrations.     

Insights into the binding modes of human β<Subscript>3</Subscript>-adrenergic receptor agonists with ligand-based and receptor-based methods

Agonists of β₃-adrenergic receptor (AR) have been thought as potential drugs for the treatment of obesity, type II diabetes, and overactive bladder. In order to clarify the essential structure–activity relationship and the detailed binding modes of β₃-AR agonists as well as to identify new lead compounds activating β₃-AR, ligand-based and receptor-based methods were applied. The pharmacophore models were developed based on 144 β₃-AR agonists. Meanwhile, the homology model of the β₃-AR was built based on the crystal structure of β₂-AR. The pharmacophore model and the homology model mapped with each other very well, and some important information was obtained from the docking result. For example, agonists formed similar hydrogen-bonding interactions with residues Asp117, Arg315, and Asn332, π–π stacking interaction with residues Phe308, and hydrophobic interactions with residues Val118, Val121, Ala197, Phe198, Ala199, Phe309, and Phe328 of β₃-AR. And the major difference about binding mode from the crystal structures of β₁- and β₂-ARs is the hydrogen-bonding interaction with the residue Arg315, which corresponds to the residue Asn313 of β₁-AR and the residue His296 of β₂-AR, respectively. Our findings may be crucial for the design and development of novel selective and potent β₃-AR agonists.     

Production,installation and test of Nb-sputtered QWRs for ALPI

Eight cryostats, each housing 4 sputtered Nb/Cu, 160 MHz, quarter wave resonators (QWR), are now in operation in ALPI[1]. Two of them house high β cavities; the others are equipped with medium β resonators. Another medium β cryostat is ready and will be installed in the early 2002. Pb/Cu medium β accelerating cavities are now present only in four cryostats and they will have their Pb superconducting (SC) layer replaced by sputtered Nb soon. The substitution of the Pb SC layer in ALPI medium β resonators did not interfere with ALPI operation; the upgrading of resonators went on parallel to the cryostat maintenance programme. The average accelerating field of these resonators, at the design power of 7 W, overcomes 4 MV/m, whereas, when Pb electroplated, their average value was 2.7 MV/m. The sputtered resonator combines the good SC characteristics of Nb with the higher thermal conductivity and better stability to change of He bath pressure, which is typical of copper resonators. This leads to a very high reliability, as routinely experienced during beam acceleration.     

Theoretical investigations of rotational phenomena and dielectric properties in a nematic liquid crystal

The molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, based on a realistic atom-atom interaction potential, was performed on 4-n-pentyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl (5CB) in the nematic phase. The rotational viscosity coefficients (RVCs) γ _i, (i = 1, 2) and the ratio of the RVCs λ = - γ ₂/γ ₁ were investigated. Furthermore, static and frequency-dependent dielectric constants and ε were calculated using parameters obtained from the MD simulation. Time correlation functions were computed and used to determine the rotational diffusion coefficient, D _⊥. The RVCs and λ were evaluated using the existing statistical-mechanical approach (SMA), based on a rotational diffusion model. The SMA rests on a model in which it is assumed that the reorientation of an individual molecule is a stochastic Brownian motion in a certain potential of mean torque. According to the SMA, γ _i are dependent on the orientational order and rotational diffusion coefficients. The former was characterized using: i) orientational distribution function (ODF), and ii) a set of order parameters, both derived from analyses of the MD trajectory. A reasonable agreement between the calculated and experimental values of γ _i and λ was obtained. Received 22 March 2000 and Received in final form 8 October 2000     

The Largest Eigenvalue of Real Symmetric,Hermitian and Hermitian Self-dual Random Matrix Models with Rank One External Source,Part I

We consider the limiting location and limiting distribution of the largest eigenvalue in real symmetric (β=1), Hermitian (β=2), and Hermitian self-dual (β=4) random matrix models with rank 1 external source. They are analyzed in a uniform way by a contour integral representation of the joint probability density function of eigenvalues. Assuming the “one-band” condition and certain regularities of the potential function, we obtain the limiting location of the largest eigenvalue when the nonzero eigenvalue of the external source matrix is not the critical value, and further obtain the limiting distribution of the largest eigenvalue when the nonzero eigenvalue of the external source matrix is greater than the critical value. When the nonzero eigenvalue of the external source matrix is less than or equal to the critical value, the limiting distribution of the largest eigenvalue will be analyzed in a subsequent paper. In this paper we also give a definition of the external source model for all β>0.     

Photon,quantum and collective,effects from rydberg atoms in cavities

I review some theories of the interaction ofN Rydberg atoms interacting collectively with radiation in microwave cavities. The radiation may be incoherent (black body) radiation or it may be coherent. In the former case theories of the steady state inversion and of the superradiance from initially inverted atoms in low-Q cavities agree well with experimental observations. In the latter case in low-Q cavities ‘phase transitions’ of both first and second order types are predicted and should be observable by monitoring the output of an atomic beam by an atomic ionisation detector. The first order transition which occurs at opposite detunings of the cavity and atoms from the frequency of the coherent driving field is of “optically” bistable type but hysteresis is suppressed by quantum fluctuations which can be large in the cavity field close to the transition. I also review a theory of the spectra from single atoms in cavities ofarbitrary Q containing a few microwave photons. A transition from a single peaked Lorentzian spectrum at low-Q to a double-peaked spectrum forQ≃10⁶ is predicted and peaks representing one or more photon transitions of the Jaynes-Cummings model are also expected to be observable at these or largerQ values. The collective theories are all based onN atom Dicke type models driven by the coherent or incoherent field. Substantial squeezing of the fluorescent radiation field from these Dicke models is also predicted and may be observable with Rydberg atoms.     

The partial L1 level width related to the Coster-Kronig L1?L3M5 transition in W, Re, Os, Ir, and Pt atoms

For the elements W, Re, Os, Ir, and Pt, we experimentally studied the relative intensities of the Lβ₂ and Lβ₃ lines, I(β₂)/I(β₃), in the x-ray emission L spectrum, as well as the relative intensities of the multiple-ionization satellites of the Lβ₂ line, I(β_2s )/I(β_2+s ). Based on the data obtained, we determined the partial L ₁ level width related to the Coster-Kronig (CK) L ₁−L ₃ M ₅ transition (Γ_13M ). We found that the width Γ_13M in the series W, Re, Os, Ir, and Pt monotonically increases, remaining (with the exception of Ir) a factor of 2.3–1.3 smaller than that predicted by a calculation performed in the approximation of “frozen” orbitals. We discuss the possible causes of this discrepancy. The derived widths Γ_13M were used to improve the published total L ₁ level widths Γ(L ₁), CK yields f ₁₂ and f ₁₃, and fluorescence yields ω₁. __________ Translated from Optika i Spektroskopiya, Vol. 95, No. 4, 2003, pp. 566–570. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2003 by Borovoĭ, Ishchenko, Shiyanovskiĭ.     

Chronologically overlapping occurrences of nicotine-induced anxiety- and depression-related behavioral symptoms: effects of anxiolytic and cannabinoid drugs

Background  

Anxiety and depression are among the most frequently-observed psychiatric symptoms associated with nicotine (NC). In addition to the similarity to other addictive drugs, these NC-induced symptoms are characteristic in that the opposite behavioral effects, i.e. anxiolytic and antidepressant effects, which may reinforce the habitual use of NC, have also been reported. In the present study, the time course of anxiety- and depression-related behavioral alterations was examined in mice. Furthermore, based on the reported similarity in the mechanisms responsible for NC-induced anxiety- and depression-related symptoms, as well as the contribution of brain cannabinoid (CB) receptors to these behavioral symptoms, the effects of anxiolytics and CB receptor ligands (CBs) against these behavioral symptoms were investigated.     

Immunocytochemical evidence for co-expression of Type III IP3 receptor with signaling components of bitter taste transduction

Background  

Taste receptor cells are responsible for transducing chemical stimuli into electrical signals that lead to the sense of taste. An important second messenger in taste transduction is IP₃, which is involved in both bitter and sweet transduction pathways. Several components of the bitter transduction pathway have been identified, including the T2R/TRB taste receptors, phospholipase C β2, and the G protein subunits α-gustducin, β3, and γ13. However, the identity of the IP₃ receptor subtype in this pathway is not known. In the present study we used immunocytochemistry on rodent taste tissue to identify the IP₃ receptors expressed in taste cells and to examine taste bud expression patterns for IP₃R3.     

Nuclear deformation and the two-neutrino double- β decay in <Superscript>124, 126</Superscript>Xe , <Superscript>128, 130</Superscript>Te , <Superscript>130, 132</Superscript>Ba and <Superscript>150</Superscript>Nd isotopes

The two-neutrino double-beta decay of ^{124, 126}Xe , ^{128, 130}Te , ^{130, 132}Ba and ¹⁵⁰Nd isotopes is studied in the Projected Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (PHFB) model. Theoretical 2ν β^-β^- half-lives of ^{128, 130}Te , and ¹⁵⁰Nd isotopes, and 2ν β⁺β⁺ , 2ν β⁺ EC and 2ν ECEC for ^{124, 126}Xe and ^{130, 132}Ba nuclei are presented. Calculated quadrupolar transition probabilities B(E2 : 0⁺ → 2⁺) , static quadrupole moments and g -factors in the parent and daughter nuclei reproduce the experimental information, validating the reliability of the model wave functions. The anticorrelation between nuclear deformation and the nuclear transition matrix element M _2ν is confirmed.     

Guest Charges in an Electrolyte: Renormalized Charge, Long- and Short-Distance Behavior of the Electric Potential and Density Profiles

We complement a recent exact study by L. Šamaj on the properties of a guest charge Q immersed in a two-dimensional electrolyte with charges +1/−1. In particular, we are interested in the behavior of the density profiles and electric potential created by the charge and the electrolyte, and in the determination of the renormalized charge which is obtained from the long-distance asymptotics of the electric potential. In Šamaj’s previous work, exact results for arbitrary coulombic coupling β were obtained for a system where all the charges are points, provided β Q < 2 and β < 2. Here, we first focus on the mean field situation which we believe describes correctly the limit β→ 0 but β Q large. In this limit we can study the case when the guest charge is a hard disk and its charge is above the collapse value β Q > 2. We compare our results for the renormalized charge with the exact predictions and we test on a solid ground some conjectures of the previous study. Our study shows that the exact formulas obtained by Šamaj for the renormalized charge are not valid for β Q > 2, contrary to a hypothesis put forward by Šamaj. We also determine the short-distance asymptotics of the density profiles of the coions and counterions near the guest charge, for arbitrary coulombic coupling. We show that the coion density profile exhibit a change of behavior if the guest charge becomes large enough (β Q≥ 2−β). This is interpreted as a first step of the counterion condensation (for large coulombic coupling), the second step taking place at the usual Manning–Oosawa threshold β Q = 2.     

Nuclear responses for double-beta decays by hadron, photon, and neutrino probes and MOON experiment

Neutrino-less double-beta decays (0νββ) with the mass sensitivities of the solar and atmospheric ν masses are of great interest for studying the Majorana nature of neutrinos and the absolute mass spectrum as suggested by recent ν oscillation experiments. Here nuclear responses (nuclear matrix elements) for 0νββ are crucial. They are well studied experimentally by using charge-exchange, photo-nuclear and neutrino reactions. MOON(Mo Observatory Of Neutrinos) is a high sensitivity 0νβ β experiment with the mass sensitivity of an order of 30 meV. Experimental studies of the nuclear responses and the present status of MOON are briefly discussed. Presented by the author at the Workshop on calculation of double-beta-decay matrix elements (MEDEX’05), Corfu, Greece, September 26–29, 2005.     

HPLC-based activity profiling for GABA<Subscript>A</Subscript> receptor modulators from the traditional Chinese herbal drug Kushen (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sophora flavescens</Emphasis> root)

An EtOAc extract from the roots of Sophora flavescens (Kushen) potentiated γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-induced chloride influx in Xenopus oocytes transiently expressing GABA_A receptors with subunit composition, α ₁ β ₂ γ _2S. HPLC-based activity profiling of the extract led to the identification of 8-lavandulyl flavonoids, kushenol I, sophoraflavanone G, (−)-kurarinone, and kuraridine as GABA_A receptor modulators. In addition, a series of inactive structurally related flavonoids were characterized. Among these, kushenol Y (4) was identified as a new natural product. The 8-lavandulyl flavonoids are first representatives of a novel scaffold for the target.     

Connecting the X (5)? β 2, X (5)? β 4, and X (3) models to the shape/phase transition region of the interacting boson model

The parameter-independent (up to overall scale factors) predictions of the X(5)−β ²,X(5)−β ⁴, and X(3) models, which are variants of the X(5) critical point symmetry developed within the framework of the geometric collective model, are compared to two-parameter calculations in the framework of the interacting boson approximation (IBA) model. The results show that these geometricmodels coincide with IBA parameters consistentwith the phase/shape transition region of the IBA for boson numbers of physical interest (close to 10). ¹⁸⁶Pt and ¹⁷²Os are identified as good examples of X(3), while ¹⁴⁶Ce, ¹⁷⁴Os, and ¹⁵⁸Er, ¹⁷⁶Os are identified as good examples of X(5)−β ₂ and X(5)−β ⁴ behavior, respectively The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

A New Kind of Bipartite Entangled State and Some of Its Applications

Using the technique of integration within an ordered product (IWOP) of operators we derive a new kind of bipartite entangled state |β ₁,β ₂〉, which is perfectly different from the preceding entangled states in construction. We also present main properties, generation scheme of |β ₁,β ₂〉, superposition of |β ₁,β ₂〉, Wigner function and some applications of |β ₁,β ₂〉 in quantum optics.     

向列相液晶$lt;i$gt;n$lt;/i$gt;CB(4-$lt;i$gt;n$lt;/i$gt;-alkyl-4′-cyanobiphenyls, $lt;i$gt;n$lt;/i$gt;=5—8)的旋转黏度及其奇偶效应的分子动力学模拟

在全原子力场模型的基础上,对向列液晶nCB（4-n-alkyl-4′-cyanobiphenyls, n=5—8）进行了等压等温NPT系综下的分子动力学（MD）模拟.对MD的轨迹分析得到了二阶和四阶序参数以及描述液晶分子翻转运动的取向时间相关函数（TCF）,并通过一个近似的单指函数对TCF拟合得到了相关时间.在此基础上,计算了nCB（n=5—8）的旋转扩散系数（Rotational diffusion coefficient, RDC）.利用基于统计力学模型的Nemtsov-Zakharov方法和Fialkowski方法,分别计算了它们的旋转黏度系数（rotational viscosity coefficient, RVC）,进而分别讨论了RVC,RDC和相关时间的奇偶效应.与文献中的实验结果比较表明,该方法得到了合理的计算结果和一致的奇偶效应. 关键词： 旋转黏度 奇偶效应 分子动力学模拟 向列相液晶     

On bound state computations in three- and four-electron atomic systems

A variational approach is developed for bound state calculations in three- and four-electron atomic systems. This approach can be applied to determine, in principle, an arbitrary bound state in three- and four-electron ions and atoms. Our variational wave functions are constructed from four- and five-body Gaussoids that respectively depend on six (r ₁₂, r ₁₃, r ₁₄, r ₂₃, r ₂₄, r ₃₄) and ten (r ₁₂, r ₁₃, r ₁₄, r ₁₅, r ₂₃, r ₂₄, r ₂₅, r ₃₄, r ₃₅ and r ₄₅) relative coordinates. The approach allows operating with the more than one electron spin functions. In particular, the trial wave functions for the ¹ S states in four-electron atomic systems include the two independent spin functions χ₁ = αβαβ + βαβα − βααβ − αββα and χ₂ = 2ααββ + 2ββαα − βααβ − αββα − βαβα − αβαβ. We also discuss the construction of variational wave functions for the excited 2³ S states in four- electron atomic systems.     

On the mechanism of phase transformation in Ag2Se

A differential thermal analysis ΔT _y (T) in vacuum has been performed, and the temperature gradient ΔT _x (T) along the Ag₂Se sample during the transition α → β has been studied. It has been shown that the transitions α → α′ and β′ → β are displacive transitions and that the transition α′ → β′ is a reconstructive transition. It has been found that the temperature gradient along the sample during the transition α′ → β′ passes through a deep minimum due to a strong increase in the specific heat capacity.     

Reaction between alkyl isocyanides and isopropylidene Meldrum’s acid in the presence of bidentate nucleophiles

Summary The reaction between alkyl isocyanides and isopropylidene Meldrum’s acid in the presence of 1,2-ethanediol leads to N ¹-(alkyl)-2-(5,7-dioxo-1,4-dioxepane-6-yl)-2-methylpropanamides. 1,3-Propanediol or 1,4-butanediol produce hydroxyalkyl 1-(tert-butyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2,5-dioxo-3-pyrrolidinecarboxylates. When the reaction was performed in the presence of catechol, bis(2-hydroxyphenyl) 2-[2-(tert-butylamino)-1,1-dimethyl-2-oxoethyl]malonate was obtained. 2-Aminophenols react with alkyl isocyanides in the presence of isopropylidene Meldrum’s acid to produce 1-alkyl-N ³-(2-hydroxyaryl)-4,4-dimethyl-2,5-dioxo-3-pyrrolidinecarboxamides in good yields.