Tyrosine hydroxylase expression in primary cultures of olfactory bulb: role of L-type calcium channels

Sensory activity mediates regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the first enzyme in the dopamine biosynthetic pathway, in the rodent olfactory bulb. The current studies established for the first time primary cultures of neonatal mouse olfactory bulb expressing TH and tested whether L-type calcium channels mediate the activity-dependent regulation of the dopamine phenotype. After 1 d in vitro (DIV), a small population of TH-immunostained neurons that lacked extensive processes could be demonstrated. After an additional 2 DIV in serum-free medium, the number of TH neurons had doubled, and they exhibited long interdigitating processes. Membrane depolarization for 48 hr with 50 mM KCl produced a further 2.4-fold increase in the number of TH-immunoreactive neurons compared with control cultures. Increased TH neuron number required at least 36 hr of exposure to KCl. Forskolin, which increases intracellular cAMP levels, induced a 1.5- to 1.6-fold increase in the number of TH-immunostained neurons. Combined treatment with KCl and forskolin was not additive. Nifedipine, an L-type calcium channel blocker, completely prevented the depolarization-mediated increase in TH expression but did not block the response to forskolin. Treatment with Bay K8644, an L-type calcium channel agonist, also significantly increased the number of TH-expressing neurons. Depolarization also induced alterations in neuritic outgrowth, resulting in a stellate versus an elongate morphology that, in contrast, was not prevented by nifedipine. These results are the first demonstration that in vitro, as in vivo, depolarization increases TH expression in olfactory bulb and that L-type calcium channels mediate this activity-dependent regulation of the dopamine phenotype.     

Intracellular magnesium and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor: molecular mechanisms of interaction, physiology and pharmacology

Mass media--friend or foe? Radio, television, and/or the printed word regularly enter most of the world's households. With a better understanding between health workers and those who produce what we hear, see and read, positive messages could do much to change the habits the jeopardize health. Clear, accurate information is the first step towards improvement.     

Specific increase of L-dopa levels in plasma upon infusion of tyrosinase containing liposomes

1. The present paper reports the effects of liposome-entrapped tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1. L-Tyrosine, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine: oxygen oxidoreductase) infusion on the catecholamine contents of rat plasma. The actions of liposomes and free tyrosinase have also been investigated. 2. From the experiments, evidence has been obtained that liposome-entrapped tyrosinase is able to affect specifically L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) levels which increase dramatically. 3. The possible use of liposome-entrapped tyrosinase to raise L-DOPA levels in catecholamine related disorders is discussed. 4. Liposomes without tyrosinase provoke no significant changes of catecholamine or L-DOPA levels while free tyrosinase does induce a change but in a less constant fashion than the liposome-entrapped enzyme.     

High Throughput Screening of Low Temperature SCR and SCD De-NOx Catalysts in Scanning Mass Spectrometer

High-throughput synthesis and screening methods have been developed for the discovery of highly active lead compounds for the selective catalytic reduction as well as direct decomposition of NO in the temperature range 200–300 °C. The discovery libraries for primary screening consisted of 16 × 16 catalyst arrays on 4in. square quartz wafers. Catalysts were prepared by robotic liquid dispensing techniques and screened for catalytic activity in Symyx' scanning mass spectrometer. The scanning mass spectrometer is a fast serial screening tool that uses flat wafer catalyst surfaces, local laser heating, a scanning/sniffing nozzle and a quadrupolar mass spectrometer to compare relative catalytic activities. The feed consisted of NO/NH₃ mixtures with optional O₂ cofeed and Kr as the internal standard in Ar carrier gas. QMS detection allowed for tracking of H₂O, N₂, NO, O₂, N₂O and Kr. Screening protocols for catalytic materials encompassed metal precursors and carriers for supported vanadia systems, extensive doping of V₂O₅/TiO₂, and broad screening of mixed redox metal oxides and supported base and noble metal systems. More than 500 samples could be screened in a single day. Active hits (high NO consumption accompanied by corresponding N₂ production) identified in discovery libraries were re-synthesized as focus libraries for lead confirmation and further optimization. These libraries used shallower compositional gradients, for example 56 points (compositions) per ternary, with four 56-point ternaries per 4in. wafer. Broad screening ternaries were generally 8 or 15 points. The focus libraries more clearly reveal the trends and provide guidelines for secondary screening and scale-up. High conversions were achieved in scanning mass spectrometer so the scalability risk is small for the short contact time reactions.     

Novel poly(etheraroyl-co-terephthal) hydrazides with liquid crystalline behaviour

Novel poly(etheraroyl-co-terephthal)hydrazides with liquid crystalline (LC) behaviour, synthesized by solution polycondensation followed by non-solvent coagulation in water, have been characterized by means of Fourier Transform infrared (FT-i.r.), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) techniques. DSC thermograms and WAXS intensity profiles of as polymerized and coagulated homo- and copolymers are strongly dependent upon the molecular structure and constitution of the polymers: the poly(etheraroyl-hydrazide) homopolymer shows an LC behaviour and such a characteristic is maintained in copolymers with low content of terephthaloyldichloride comonomer, while a further increase in comonomer content attenuates this LC attitude. Annealing treatments on as polymerized and coagulated copolymers are able to transform the LC phase metastable at room temperature into crystalline and/or amorphous phases.     

Foam injection molding of poly(lactic acid) with environmentally friendly physical blowing agents

Biodegradable polymers present a very narrow processing window, with the suitable processing temperatures close to the degradation conditions. The aim of this work was to analyze the foamability of a biodegradable polymer, namely the poly(lactic acid), PLA. Foam injection molding was conducted by using a blowing agent under high pressure and temperature to produce parts having a cellular core and a compact solid skin (the so-called “structural foam”). The effect of a physical blowing agent (PBA) on density and morphology of foamed parts was characterized. A masterbatch of PLA and talc was prepared and adopted to obtain a compound containing 3% of talc. On adding this percentage of talc to PLA it was possible to obtain foamed parts with a much better morphology.     

3D geometry reconstruction from orthographic views: A method based on 3D image processing and data fitting

Industrial esthetic designers typically produce hand-drawn sketches in the form of orthographic projections. A subsequent translation from 2D-drawings to 3D-models is usually necessary. This involves a considerably time consuming process, so that some automation is advisable.     

Boundary and internal conditions for adjoint fluid-flow problems

The ever-increasing robustness and reliability of flow-simulation methods have consolidated CFD as a major tool in virtually all branches of fluid mechanics. Traditionally, those methods have played a crucial role in the analysis of flow physics. In more recent years, though, the subject has broadened considerably, with the development of optimization and inverse design applications. Since then, the search for efficient ways to evaluate flow-sensitivity gradients has received the attention of numerous researchers. In this scenario, the adjoint method has emerged as, quite possibly, the most powerful tool for the job, which heightens the need for a clear understanding of its conceptual basis. Yet, some of its underlying aspects are still subject to debate in the literature, despite all the research that has been carried out on the method. Such is the case with the adjoint boundary and internal conditions, in particular. The present work aims to shed more light on that topic, with emphasis on the need for an internal shock condition. By following the path of previous authors, the quasi-1D Euler problem is used as a vehicle to explore those concepts. The results clearly indicate that the behavior of the adjoint solution through a shock wave ultimately depends upon the nature of the objective functional.     

Blends of biodegradable polyesters by reactive blending: preparation, characterisation and properties

Blends of poly--caproIactone (PCL) and poly--hydroxybutyrate (PHB) were prepared by mixing the two polymers in the presence of dicumylperoxide (DCPO) in solution of chlorobenzene. Similarly blends were obtained by mixing the two polymers with no peroxide added. The blends were prepared in a break of composition, from 85% wt PHB/15% wt PCL to 15% wt PHB/85% wt PCL, respectively. Also pure polymers were reacted with DCPO in the same way of the blends. Thermal (DSC), spectroscopic, mechanical (tensile tests) and morphological SEM)analyses were performed on the blends and on the pure polymers. Significant differences were found in the chemical-physical characteristics of the blends with and without peroxide.