The role of the t-SNARE SNAP-25 in action potential-dependent calcium signaling and expression in GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons

Background  

The soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex, comprised of SNAP-25, syntaxin 1A, and VAMP-2, has been shown to be responsible for action potential (AP)-dependent, calcium-triggered release of several neurotransmitters. However, this basic fusogenic protein complex may be further specialized to suit the requirements for different neurotransmitter systems, as exemplified by neurons and neuroendocrine cells. In this study, we investigate the effects of SNAP-25 ablation on spontaneous neuronal activity and the expression of functionally distinct isoforms of this t-SNARE in GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons of the adult brain.     

Dipolar cross-relaxation modulates signal amplitudes in the (1)H NMR spectrum of hyperpolarized [(13)C]formate

The asymmetry in the doublet of a spin coupled to hyperpolarized (13)C has been used previously to measure the initial polarization of (13)C. We tested the hypothesis that a single observation of the (1)H NMR spectrum of hyperpolarized (13)C formate monitors (13)C polarization. Depending on the microwave frequency during the polarization process, in-phase or out-of-phase doublets were observed in the (1)H NMR spectrum. Even in this simple two-spin system, (13)C polarization was not reflected in the relative area of the J(CH) doublet components due to strong heteronuclear cross-relaxation. The Solomon equations were used to model the proton signal as a function of time after polarization and to estimate (13)C polarization from the (1)H NMR spectra.     

Measuring the Physiologic Properties of Oral Lesions Receiving Fractionated Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can treat superficial, early‐stage disease with minimal damage to underlying tissues and without cumulative dose‐limiting toxicity. Treatment efficacy is affected by disease physiologic properties, but these properties are not routinely measured. We assessed diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) for the noninvasive, contact measurement of tissue hemoglobin oxygen saturation (S_tO₂) and total hemoglobin concentration ([tHb]) in the premalignant or superficial microinvasive oral lesions of patients treated with 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA)‐PDT. Patients were enrolled on a Phase 1 study of ALA‐PDT that evaluated fluences of 50, 100, 150 or 200 J cm^?2 delivered at 100 mW cm^?2. To test the feasibility of incorporating DRS measurements within the illumination period, studies were performed in patients who received fractionated (two‐part) illumination that included a dark interval of 90–180 s. Using DRS, tissue oxygenation at different depths within the lesion could also be assessed. DRS could be performed concurrently with contact measurements of photosensitizer levels by fluorescence spectroscopy, but a separate noncontact fluorescence spectroscopy system provided continuous assessment of photobleaching during illumination to greater tissue depths. Results establish that the integration of DRS into PDT of early‐stage oral disease is feasible, and motivates further studies to evaluate its predictive and dosimetric value.     

Simple organofluorine compounds giving field-dependent 13C and 19F NMR spectra with complex patterns: higher order effects and cross-correlated relaxation

The CF(3) signals in the (13)C{(1)H} spectrum of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropyl alcohol and the (CF(3))(2) CH signals in the corresponding triflate exhibit much greater complexity than might first be expected. The same holds for the (13)C satellites in the (19)F spectra. Complex patterns appear because of higher order effects resulting from the combination of a relatively large four-bond (19)F-(19)F J coupling in the ((13)CF(3))(12)CH((12)CF(3))-containing isotopomer and a typical large one-bond (13)C/(12)C isotope effect on the (19)F chemical shift. This complexity cannot be eliminated at very high magnetic field strengths. The triflate (CF(3))(2)CH-O-SO(2)CF(3) presents still additional complexity because of the presence of two different types of CF(3) groups exhibiting (6)J(FF) in any of the isotopomers and the chemical shift differences in hertz between the various (19)F signals in the two different (13)CF(3)-containing isotopomers. In addition, the presence of a small (5)J(CF) in the ((13)CF(3))((12)CF(3))(12)CH-O-SO(2) (12)CF(3) isotopomer is revealed only through simulations. The hexafluoroisopropyl CF(3) groups in the alcohol and triflate and the SO(2)CF(3) group in the triflate apparently provide the first examples of cross-correlated relaxation in (13)CF(3) groups. An analysis of the spectra in the context of previously reported work highlights the novel aspects of our findings. In particular, for each part of the complex hexafluoroisopropyl CF(3) quartet, peak height and linewidth variations resulting from cross-correlated relaxation are observed. These variations within a group of (13)C signals reflect different spin-lattice and spin-spin relaxation rates for the transitions within that group arising from higher order coupling effects.     

Neither in vivo MRI nor behavioural assessment indicate therapeutic efficacy for a novel 5HT1A agonist in rat models of ischaemic stroke

Background  

5HT_1A agonists have previously been shown to promote recovery in animal models of stroke using ex vivo outcome measures which have raised the hopes for a potential clinical implementation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential neuroprotective properties of a novel 5HT_1A agonist DU123015 in 2 different models of transient focal ischaemic stroke of varying severities using both in vivo neuroimaging and behavioural techniques as primary outcome measures. For these studies, the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 was also utilized as a positive control to further assess the effectiveness of the stroke models and techniques used.