Device characteristics of (Al,Ga)As lasers with Ga(As,Sb) active layers

Device characteristics of double heterostructure lasers with Al0.4Ga0.6As confinement layers and GaAs0.99Sb0.01active layers are presented. Average emission wavelengths have been increased from 0.87 μm for undoped active layers to 0.88 μm for2 times 10^{17}cm^-3Ge doped active layers with a "wash" melt preceding the growth of the active layer and to 0.89 μ for1 times 10^{18}cm^-3Mg doped active layers grown following a "wash" melt. Threshold currents for lasers from 21 wafers are examined for several growth conditions and compared with Al0.08Ga0.92As active layer devices. Device resistance, external quantum efficiency, device degradation, and pulsed and CW threshold currents as a function of temperature are also discussed.     

Tremorogenic effects of intracaudate d-amphetamine and their suppression by dopamine

Pronounced tremors were produced in unanesthetized cats following intracaudate (I.C.) injections of either d-amphetamine (15 mug), dl-methamphetamine (20 mug), l-amphetamine (48 mug) or 3-methoxytyramine (68-120 mug). Yet, a series of other chemically and pharmacologically related phenylethylamines, including dopamine (90 mug), were not tremorogenic even at substantially higher doses. The d-amphetamine tremors developed rapidly, failed to exhibit tachyphylaxis to repeated challenging doses (15 mug) and were not influenced by pretreatment with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine. They also developed independently of local acetylcholine activity as evidenced by the inability of cholinergic antagonists (scopolamine and hemicholinium) to interfere with the tremors. Significant qualitative differences were found between the I.C. effects of d-amphetamine (15 mug) and dopamine (15-90 mug): d-amphetamine further increased the intensity of ongoing tremors induced by physostigmine (111 mug I.C.), whereas, dopamine readily inhibited the latter. When superimposed, I.C. dopamine was equally effective in suppressing d-amphetamine tremor activity. The results emphasize the selective tremorogenic actions of d-amphetamine and call attention to the contrasting stabilizing role of dopamine. This would suggest that two types of adrenergic receptor sites are operative in the caudate in neuroregulation of involuntary movements.     

Histamine H1- and H2-receptor vasodilation of canine intestinal circulation

Studies were conducted in anesthetized dogs to determine whether the mesenteric vasodilator response to histamine is mediated by H1 receptors alone or whether H2 receptors are also involved in the response. Evidence favoring a role for both receptors included: 1) the vasodilator response to histamine was inhibited by either the H1-receptor antagonist, tripelennamine, or the H2-receptor antagonist, metiamide; 2) both the H1 agonist, 2-methylhistamine, and the H2 agonist, 4-methylhistamine, induced dilator responses in the mesenteric circulation; and 3) two temporal patterns of vasodilation could be distinguished, namely a transient spike and subsequent fade of blood flow (seen with either the H1 agonist or with histamine after H2-receptor blockade) and a sustained and stable increase in flow (seen with either the H2 agonist or with histamine after H1 blockade). Metiamide appeared to be a potent inhibitor of the mesenteric vasodilator response to histamine at least equal to tripelennamine.     

Cytokine profiles of stimulated blood lymphocytes in asthmatic and healthy adolescents across the school year

T cell cytokines play an important role in mediating airway inflammation in asthma. The predominance of a Th2 cytokine profile, particularly interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5, is associated with the pathogenesis and course of asthma. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that a stressful life event alters the pattern of cytokine release in asthmatic individuals. Thirteen healthy controls and 21 asthmatic adolescents gave blood samples three times over a semester: midsemester, during the week of final examinations, and 2-3 weeks after examinations. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), IL-2, IL-4, and IL-5 were measured from supernatants of cells stimulated with PHA/PMA for 24 h. Cells from asthmatic subjects released significantly more IL-5 during the examination and postexamination periods, whereas cells from healthy controls released significantly more IL-2 during the midsemester and examination periods, thereby indicating a bias for a Th2-like pattern in asthmatics and a Th1-like pattern in healthy controls. IL-4 and IL-5 production showed a marked decrease during and after examinations in healthy controls, whereas this decline was absent in asthmatics. The ratios of IFN-gamma:IL-4 and IFN-gamma:IL-5 also revealed significant changes in the profile of cytokine release across the semester. These results indicate differential cytokine responses in asthmatics that may become pronounced during periods of cellular activation.     

Role of miRNA in Melanoma Development and Progression

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive and progressive skin cancers. It develops from normal pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes, so it is important to know the mechanism behind such transformations. The study of metastasis mechanisms is crucial for a better understanding the biology of neoplastic cells. Metastasis of melanoma, or any type of cancer, is a multi-stage process in which the neoplastic cells leave the primary tumour, travel through the blood and/or lymphatic vessels, settle in distant organs and create secondary tumours. MicroRNA (miRNA) can participate in several steps of the metastatic process. This review presents the role of miRNA molecules in the development and progression as well as the immune response to melanoma.     

Large scale identification of genes involved in cell surface biosynthesis and architecture in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The sequenced yeast genome offers a unique resource for the analysis of eukaryotic cell function and enables genome-wide screens for genes involved in cellular processes. We have identified genes involved in cell surface assembly by screening transposon-mutagenized cells for altered sensitivity to calcofluor white, followed by supplementary screens to further characterize mutant phenotypes. The mutated genes were directly retrieved from genomic DNA and then matched uniquely to a gene in the yeast genome database. Eighty-two genes with apparent perturbation of the cell surface were identified, with mutations in 65 of them displaying at least one further cell surface phenotype in addition to their modified sensitivity to calcofluor. Fifty of these genes were previously known, 17 encoded proteins whose function could be anticipated through sequence homology or previously recognized phenotypes and 15 genes had no previously known phenotype.