Differential inhibition of postnatal brain,spinal cord and body growth by a growth hormone antagonist

Background  

Growth hormone (GH) plays an incompletely understood role in the development of the central nervous system (CNS). In this study, we use transgenic mice expressing a growth hormone antagonist (GHA) to explore the role of GH in regulating postnatal brain, spinal cord and body growth into adulthood. The GHA transgene encodes a protein that inhibits the binding of GH to its receptor, specifically antagonizing the trophic effects of endogenous GH.     

Aromatic nucleophilic substitution in nonionic alkylglucoside micelles

The kinetics and mechanism of the aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) with OH- in nonionic sugar-derived micelles were investigated and compared with those for reaction in polyoxyethylene glycol surfactants. Hydroxyl groups on the sugar headgroups of micellized n-nonyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (C9G1), n-dodecyl beta-D-maltoside (C12G2), and n-dodecyl beta-D-maltotrioside (C12G3) are partially deprotonated by OH- and the alkoxide ions react with DNCB, forming an arene ether. Observation of more than one isosbestic point indicates that more than one intermediate ether is formed, largely at C3 or C4 with micellar stereocontrol. Over time the ethers react with OH- giving 2,4-dinitrophenoxide ion.     

Fusion around the barrier for 7Li+12C

Fusion cross-sections for the ⁷Li + ¹²C reaction have been measured at energies above the Coulomb barrier by the direct detection of evaporation residues. The heavy evaporation residues with energies below 3 MeV could not be separated out from the α-particles in the spectrum and hence their contribution was estimated using statistical model calculations. The present work indicates that suppression of fusion cross-sections due to the breakup of ⁷Li may not be significant for ⁷Li + ¹²C reaction at energies around the barrier.     

Surfactant diffusion through bicontinuous micellar networks: a case study of the C9G1/C10G1/H2O mixed surfactant system

Self-diffusion coefficients were obtained by means of NMR diffusometry for differing ratios of n-decyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (C10G1) and n-nonyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (C9G1) surfactant mixtures, along dilution lines through the micellar region of the ternary C9G1/C10G1/H2O phase diagram. Networks of bicontinuous micelles have been suggested to exist throughout the micellar regions of the phase diagram. A phase separation into two coexisting liquid solutions is observed in the dilute, C10G1-rich regions of the phase diagram. The fact that the dilution curves follow scaling relations pertaining to surfactant diffusion in a network for mixtures rich in C10G1 indicates that the phase separation is due to differences in the networks in different micellar regions of the phase diagram; networks remain largely intact despite dilution down to the phase separation in the C10G1-rich region, whereas networks with scissions are predicted to exist in the C9G1-rich regions of the micellar phase.     

Detection of human and rodent 5-HT3B receptor subunits by anti-peptide polyclonal antibodies

Background  

The 5-HT₃ receptor is a member of a neurotransmitter-gated ion channel family which includes nicotinic acetylcholine, GABA_A, and glycine receptors. While antibodies specific for the 5-HT_3A receptor subunit are plentiful, and have revealed a wealth of structural and functional information, few antisera exist for the detection of 5-HT_3B receptor subunits. Here we describe the generation and characterisation of a rabbit polyclonal antiserum that specifically recognises 5-HT_3B receptor subunits     

Dibenzyl Structuresin a Macromolecular Chain. III. Dibenzyldiisocyanates Reactivity

The reactivity of the 2,2′-, 2,4′-, 4,4′-dibenzyldiisocyanate (2,2′-, 2,4′-, 4,4′-DBDI) with n-butanol in benzene has been studied. The concentrations of all species were monitored by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The reactivity of 4,4′-DBDI is similar to that of 4,4′-diphenylmethanediisocyanate (4,4′-MDI). Very strong intramolecular catalytic effects were noticed in the case of 2,2′-DBDI, probably due to the variable molecular geometry. These effects are responsible for the whole reaction pattern. The 2,4′-DBDI NCO ortho and para groups reactivities are different and comparable to that of 2,4-toluylenediisocyanate (2,4-TDI).     

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.