Interaction of the mu-opioid receptor with GPR177 (Wntless) inhibits Wnt secretion: potential implications for opioid dependence

Background  

Opioid agonist drugs produce analgesia. However, long-term exposure to opioid agonists may lead to opioid dependence. The analgesic and addictive properties of opioid agonist drugs are mediated primarily via the mu-opioid receptor (MOR). Opioid agonists appear to alter neuronal morphology in key brain regions implicated in the development of opioid dependence. However, the precise role of the MOR in the development of these neuronal alterations remains elusive. We hypothesize that identifying and characterizing novel MOR interacting proteins (MORIPs) may help to elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved in the development of opioid dependence.     

On the R-Matrix Realization of Yangians and their Representations

We study the Yangians associated with the simple Lie algebras of type B, C or D. The algebra can be regarded as a quotient of the extended Yangian whose defining relations are written in an R-matrix form. In this paper we are concerned with the algebraic structure and representations of the algebra . We prove an analog of the Poincaré–Birkhoff–Witt theorem for and show that the Yangian can be realized as a subalgebra of . Furthermore, we give an independent proof of the classification theorem for the finite-dimensional irreducible representations of which implies the corresponding theorem of Drinfeld for the Yangians . We also give explicit constructions for all fundamental representation of the Yangians. Communicated by Petr Kulish Dedicated to Daniel Arnaudon Submitted: November 22, 2005; Accepted: February 1, 2006     

Conformational arm-wrestling: battles for stereochemical control in benzamides bearing matched and mismatched chiral 2- and 6-substituents

The orientation of a tertiary amide group adjacent to an aromatic ring may be governed by the stereochemistry of an adjacent chiral substituent. With a chiral substituent in both ortho positions, matched/mismatched pairs of isomers result. Evidence for matched stereochemistry is provided by the clean NMR spectra of single conformers, while mismatching gives poor or unexpected selectivities in the formation of chiral substituents, or mixtures of amide conformers. Attempts to use the match-mismatch effect to select for racemic pairs of enantiomeric substituents, and hence develop a "racemate-sequestering" reagent, are described, along with the use of "matching" to scavenge a single enantiomer of a diamine from material of incomplete enantiomeric purity.     

Aryl trihydroxyborates: easily isolated discrete species convenient for direct application in coupling reactions

A conceptually and practically simple alternative approach to the use of arylboron species as the organometallic component in cross-coupling processes is described whereby trihydroxyborate salts are isolated and directly employed. The protocol derives practical benefit from the ease and convenience of the isolation and subsequent use of the discrete borate salts, eliminates the need for additional base, and aids the use of correct reaction stoichiometry.     

Determination of fluoroquinolones in chicken tissues by LC-coupled electrospray ionisation and atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation

The aim of this work was to develop a method for determining seven quinolones (ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, enrofloxacin, sarafloxacin, difloxacin, oxolinic acid and flumequine) in chicken muscle by LC coupled to MS. Two ionisation techniques, ESI and atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI) were compared using standard solutions. LOD and LOQwere determined under the optimised conditions for the two sources. The ESI was found the best for the purpose. The optimised method (LC-ESI-MS) was validated for the simultaneous analysis of the quinolones regulated by European Community in spiked chicken tissues, using norfloxacin as internal standard. Recoveries obtained varied in the range 60-109%. This method was compared with LC-UV method established previously.     

Functional MRI and multivariate autoregressive models

Connectivity refers to the relationships that exist between different regions of the brain. In the context of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), it implies a quantifiable relationship between hemodynamic signals from different regions. One aspect of this relationship is the existence of small timing differences in the signals in different regions. Delays of 100 ms or less may be measured with fMRI, and these may reflect important aspects of the manner in which brain circuits respond as well as the overall functional organization of the brain. The multivariate autoregressive time series model has features to recommend it for measuring these delays and is straightforward to apply to hemodynamic data. In this review, we describe the current usage of the multivariate autoregressive model for fMRI, discuss the issues that arise when it is applied to hemodynamic time series and consider several extensions. Connectivity measures like Granger causality that are based on the autoregressive model do not always reflect true neuronal connectivity; however, we conclude that careful experimental design could make this methodology quite useful in extending the information obtainable using fMRI.     

New Regioselective Intercalation Reactions

Abstract

The ordered layered double hydroxide, [LiA1₂(OH)₆]CI. 2H₂O exhibits shape-selective ion-exchange intercalation of dicarboxylate anions. Specific isomeric preferences can be controlled by varying the reaction temperatures. The intercalated guests can be quantitatively recovered from the host lattice with concomitant regeneration of the host offering a novel approach in separation science. To illustrate the potential of this new material in separation science, we describe the isolation of pure 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate and 2, 6-naphthalenedicarboxylate from mixtures of their isomers. The neutral organic acids are both monomers in the synthesis of a range of important polyesters.     

Orders in rings without identity

G. Lallement [5] proved that every idem potent congruence class of a regular semigroup contains an idem potent. P. Edwards [4] generalized this property of congruences to eventually regular semigroups. Using the natural partial order of the semigroup (see [6]) a weakened version of this result will be proved for the more general class of E-inversive semigroups. But for particular congruences the original result of Lallement still holds for every E-inversive semigroup. Finally, conditions for a congruence on a general semigroup (with E(S) a subsemigroup, resp.) are given, which ensure that Lallement's result holds.