Neuroplasticity and Multilevel System of Connections Determine the Integrative Role of Nucleus Accumbens in the Brain Reward System

A growing body of evidence suggests that nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays a significant role not only in the physiological processes associated with reward and satisfaction but also in many diseases of the central nervous system. Summary of the current state of knowledge on the morphological and functional basis of such a diverse function of this structure may be a good starting point for further basic and clinical research. The NAc is a part of the brain reward system (BRS) characterized by multilevel organization, extensive connections, and several neurotransmitter systems. The unique role of NAc in the BRS is a result of: (1) hierarchical connections with the other brain areas, (2) a well-developed morphological and functional plasticity regulating short- and long-term synaptic potentiation and signalling pathways, (3) cooperation among several neurotransmitter systems, and (4) a supportive role of neuroglia involved in both physiological and pathological processes. Understanding the complex function of NAc is possible by combining the results of morphological studies with molecular, genetic, and behavioral data. In this review, we present the current views on the NAc function in physiological conditions, emphasizing the role of its connections, neuroplasticity processes, and neurotransmitter systems.     

Effects of dimethoate on spiders from metal pollution gradient

In this study, an attempt has been made to assess whether a chronic exposure to metals in habitats under a strong industrial pressure might have equipped spiders with biochemical defensive mechanisms enabling them to survive an additional chemical stress. To check this, non-web-building wolf spiders Pardosa lugubris (Lycosidae) and funnel web Agelena labyrinthica (Agelenidae) were collected at five variously polluted meadows and, under laboratory conditions, intoxicated with either single or multiple dose of dimethoate (OP pesticide). Then the activities of detoxifying (carboxylesterase: CarE, glutathione S-transferase: GST), antioxidative (selene-dependent and selene-independent glutathione peroxidases: GPOX and GSTPx) enzymes as well as acetylcholinesterase as a biomarker of exposure to OP pesticides were measured. In web-building A. labyrinthica, even a single application of the pesticide caused the inhibition of CarE, GSTPx and GPOX in individuals from less polluted sites and AChE and GST in specimens pre-exposed to high metal concentrations. Multiple intoxication, irrespectively of the site, caused significant, in comparison to controls, decrease in CarE, AChE and GSTPx activities. Actively hunting P. lugubris seem more resistant to acute pesticide intoxication, since the spiders from each site had a constant level of GST and AChE. In individuals of this species from heavily polluted sites, the inhibition caused by multiple intoxication with dimethoate was stated only for glutathione peroxidases.     

Single and Double Polymer Layer Arrangements of Acid Groups Containing Cellulose and Basic Groups Containing Polyethyleneimine on Steel

This paper presents the first results of a project aimed at investigating the arrangement of polyelectrolyte layers on unalloyed steel. We studied the structure of double and single polymer layers consisting of cellulose phosphate (HP‐PP‐C) and polyethyleneimine (PEI). Layers were characterized by variable angle ellipsometry, AFM and XPS. In particular, XPS indicated the incorporation of iron ions into cellulose phosphate layers, but, in contrast, these ions could not be observed in PEI layers. Results indicated that the homogeneity and qualitative corrosion performance of double layers (HP‐PP‐C/PEI) on unalloyed steel depend on the deposition of cellulose phosphate at the interface with steel.

     

Mass spectrometric identification of covalently bound cell wall proteins from the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The cell wall of Schizosaccharomyces pombe is bilayered, consisting of an inner layer of mainly polysaccharides and an outer layer of galactomannoproteins. We present a detailed analysis of the cell wall proteome. Six covalently-bound cell wall proteins (CWPs) were identified using tandem mass spectrometry, including four predicted GPI-dependent CWPs (Gas1p, Gas5p, Ecm33p and Pwp1p) and two alkali-sensitive CWPs (Psu1p and Asl1p). Gas1p and Gas5p belong to glycoside hydrolase family 72, and are believed to be involved in 1,3-beta-glucan elongation. Ecm33p belongs to a ubiquitous fungal protein family with an unknown but crucial function in cell wall integrity. Pwp1p is an abundant protein with an unknown but probably non-enzymatic function. All four CWPs were present in HF-pyridine extracts, indicating that they are linked via a phosphodiester bridge to the glucan network. Psu1p is a homologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sun family, whereas Asl1p has no homologues in S. cerevisiae but is related to Aspergillus fumigatus and Ustilago maydis proteins. Finally, although the protein content of Sz. pombe cell walls is only slightly less than in S. cerevisiae and Candida albicans, the amount of carbohydrate added to the proteins was found to be two- to three-fold decreased, consistent with earlier reported differences in outer chain N-glycosylation.     

Fluorescence and structure of methyl red-clay nanocomposites

Two types of clay minerals-montmorillonite and vermiculite have been chosen as a host matrix for the intercalation of methyl red (MR) in order to investigate a possible fluorescence tuning via dye-clay interactions. The effect of silicate layer charge on the structure and fluorescence of dye-clay intercalated hybrid nanostructures was investigated using combination of molecular modeling with experiment. Structure of both intercalates MR-vermiculite (MR-VER) and MR-montmorillonite (MR-MMT) exhibits high degree of structural disorder resulting in broaden emission band. The fluorescence wavelength range of MR intercalated in clays is shifted to lower wavelengths compared with the pristine MR polycrystalline sample (800 nm). Results showed the strong dependence of fluorescence band maximum on the silicate layer charge, lambda(max) = 565 nm for MR-MMT, 645 nm for MR-VER and 800 nm for the methyl red fine crystalline powder, whereas the structural disorder in the arrangement of dye molecules affects the emission band broadening.     

How Can We Improve the Vaccination Response in Older People? Part II: Targeting Immunosenescence of Adaptive Immunity Cells

The number of people that are 65 years old or older has been increasing due to the improvement in medicine and public health. However, this trend is not accompanied by an increase in quality of life, and this population is vulnerable to most illnesses, especially to infectious diseases. Vaccination is the best strategy to prevent this fact, but older people present a less efficient response, as their immune system is weaker due mainly to a phenomenon known as immunosenescence. The adaptive immune system is constituted by two types of lymphocytes, T and B cells, and the function and fitness of these cell populations are affected during ageing. Here, we review the impact of ageing on T and B cells and discuss the approaches that have been described or proposed to modulate and reverse the decline of the ageing adaptive immune system.     

Chemical Recycling of Polyolefinic Waste to Light Olefins by Catalytic Pyrolysis

Catalytic pyrolysis of post-industrial and post-consumer waste is studied in an auger-type reactor at pilot scale by applying two different zeolites and an amorphous silica-alumina catalyst in-situ at 400–550 °C. Contrary to thermal pyrolysis, of polyolefin-rich waste, high gaseous pyrolysis product yields of approx. 85 wt % are achieved with C₂–C₄ olefin contents of up to 67 wt %. After deactivation by coke deposition catalyst regeneration is proved feasible for maintaining the gaseous product yield and composition. Waste feedstocks with significant nitrogen and halogen heteroatom content are not suitable for in-situ catalytic pyrolysis.