STUDIES OF ADHESION OF METAL PARTICLES TO SILICA PARTICLES BASED ON ZETA POTENTIAL MEASUREMENTS

The zeta-potentials of silica, copper, platinum and gold particles have been measured as a function of pH. The isoelectric points were found to be at pH 3.0, 5.8, 3.0 and 3.5, respectively. In the pH range 3.0 to 5.8 copper and silica particles are oppositely charged and accordingly the coating of silica with copper particles could be demonstrated. In the case of gold and platinum the sign of the charge is such that direct adhesion to silica particles cannot be expected and this was also demonstrated in the case of platinum.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-arachidonoyl glycine,an abundant endogenous lipid,potently drives directed cellular migration through GPR18, the putative abnormal cannabidiol receptor

Background  

Microglia provide continuous immune surveillance of the CNS and upon activation rapidly change phenotype to express receptors that respond to chemoattractants during CNS damage or infection. These activated microglia undergo directed migration towards affected tissue. Importantly, the molecular species of chemoattractant encountered determines if microglia respond with pro- or anti-inflammatory behaviour, yet the signaling molecules that trigger migration remain poorly understood. The endogenous cannabinoid system regulates microglial migration via CB₂ receptors and an as yet unidentified GPCR termed the 'abnormal cannabidiol' (Abn-CBD) receptor. Abn-CBD is a synthetic isomer of the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) and is inactive at CB₁ or CB₂ receptors, but functions as a selective agonist at this G_i/o-coupled GPCR. N-arachidonoyl glycine (NAGly) is an endogenous metabolite of the endocannabinoid anandamide and acts as an efficacious agonist at GPR18. Here, we investigate the relationship between NAGly, Abn-CBD, the unidentified 'Abn-CBD' receptor, GPR18, and BV-2 microglial migration.     

Hot electron photoluminescence in GaAs crystals

The spectrum and the linear polarization of photoluminescence of hot electrons in GaAs crystals were investigated. Oscillations in the hot photoluminescence (HPL) spectrum due to the subsequent emission of LO-phonons were observed. The study of HPL depolarization in an external magnetic field yielded the scattering time due to the emission of a LO-phonon by a hot electron in the Γ-valley (τ_?0 = 1 × 10^?13 sec) as well as the Γ?L intervalley scattering time. The radiative recombination of hot electrons created in the central Γ-valley via the subsidiary L-valley was observed. The distribution function of hot electrons in a wide energy range was evaluated from the spectra.     

NMR studies in the relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of multiple sclerosis in the strain 13 guinea pig

Juvenile strain 13 guinea pigs sensitized with an emulsion of whole isologous central nervous system (CNS) tissue in complete Freund's adjuvant in the first two weeks of life develop a relapsing-remitting form of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) which resembles multiple sclerosis (MS) both clinically and pathologically. In order to determine if this experimental model could be used to identify the tissue factors which contribute to the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detected lesions in MS, we measured T1 and T2 relaxation times, tissue specific gravity and histology throughout the entire CNS in vitro in eighteen animals during the acute phase (first attack), and twenty-one animals during further periods of clinical worsening (relapses) and recovery (remissions). The neuropathological findings of spinal cord meningeal inflammation, perivascular and parenchymal infiltration (myelitis and encephalitis) and demyelination were more marked during periods of clinical worsening than when the animal had recovered clinically. Even though the histological changes of EAE were present in all experimental animals, NMR relaxation times and tissue specific gravity could not distinguish experimental (first attack, subsequent relapses and remissions) from control animals due to a wide range of values for each of these parameters. Although relapsing EAE in the strain 13 guinea pig has been an instructive model of MS, we have found that in vitro NMR relaxometry cannot be used to predict the presence or degree of pathological change in the nervous system of these experimental animals.