Human Neuroepithelial Cells Express NMDA Receptors

L-glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter, binds to both ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors. In certain parts of the brain the BBB contains two normally impermeable barriers: 1) cerebral endothelial barrier and 2) cerebral epithelial barrier. Human cerebral endothelial cells express NMDA receptors; however, to date, human cerebral epithelial cells (neuroepithelial cells) have not been shown to express NMDA receptor message or protein. In this study, human hypothalamic sections were examined for NMDA receptors (NMDAR) expression via immunohistochemistry and murine neuroepithelial cell line (V1) were examined for NMDAR via RT-PCR and Western analysis. We found that human cerebral epithelium express protein and cultured mouse neuroepithelial cells express both mRNA and protein for the NMDA receptor. These findings may have important consequences for neuroepithelial responses during excitotoxicity and in disease.     

Experimental study of high pressure phase equilibrium of (CO2 + NO2/N2O4) mixtures

Experimental bubble pressure, as well as liquid density of (CO₂ + NO₂/N₂O₄) mixtures are reported at temperatures ranging from (298 to 328.45) K. Experiments were carried out using a SITEC high-pressure variable volume cell. Transition pressures were obtained by the synthetic method and liquid density was deduced from measurement of the cell volume. Correlation of experimental results was carried out without considering chemical equilibrium of NO₂/N₂O₄ system. (Liquid + vapour) equilibrium was found to be accurately modelled using the Peng–Robinson equation of state with classical quadratic mixing rules and with a binary interaction coefficient k_ij equal to zero. Nevertheless, modelling of liquid density values was unsatisfactory with this approach.