Ontogenetic alteration in peptidergic expression within a stable neuronal population in lobster stomatogastric nervous system

In the adult lobster, Homarus gammarus, the stomatogastric ganglion (STG) contains two well-defined motor pattern generating networks that receive numerous modulatory peptidergic inputs from anterior ganglia. We are studying the appearance of extrinsic peptidergic inputs to these networks during ontogenesis. Neuron counts indicate that as early as 20% of development (E20) the STG neuronal population is quantitatively established. By using immunocytochemical detection of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation, we found no immunopositive cells in the STG by E70. We concluded that the STG neuronal population remains quantitatively stable from mid-embryonic life until adulthood. We then investigated the ontogeny of FLRFamide- and proctolin-like peptides in the stomatogastric nervous system, from their first appearance until adulthood by using whole mount immunocytochemistry. Numerous FLRFamide-like-immunoreactive STG neuropilar ramifications were observable as early as E45 and remain thereafter. From E50 to the first larval stage, one to three STG somata stained, while somatic staining was not observed in larval stage II and subsequent stages. From E50 and thereafter, the STG neuropilar area was immunopositive for proctolin. One to two proctolinergic somata were detected in the STG of the three larval stages but were not seen in embryos, the post-larval stage or in adults. Thus, peptidergic inputs to the STG are present from mid-embryonic life. Moreover, whereas in the adult, STG neurons only contain glutamate or acetylcholine, some neurons transiently express peptidergic phenotypes during development. Although this system expresses an ontogenetic peptidergic plasticity, the STG neurons produce a single stable embryonic-larval motor output (Casasnovas and Meyrand [1995] J. Neurosci. 15:5703-5718).     

Copper(I)‐Catalyzed [3+2] Cycloaddition/Ring‐Opening Rearrangement/[4+2] Cycloaddition/Aromatization Cascade: An Unprecedented Chemo‐ and Stereoselective Three Component Coupling of Sulfonyl Azide,Alkyne and N‐Arylidenepyridin‐2‐ amine to Pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidin‐4‐imine

A novel synthetic protocol for the one‐pot chemo‐ and stereoselective construction of diversely functionalized pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidin‐4‐imines via copper(I)‐catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition/ring‐opening rearrangement/[4+2] cycloaddition/aromatization cascade of sulfonyl azides, alkynes and N‐arylidenepyridin‐2‐amines under mild reaction conditions is reported. In addition, the catalytic activity of copper(I)‐modified zeolite, a recyclable, heterogeneous catalyst is also investigated, which gives improved yield compared to its homogeneous equivalents.     

A study of the protein composition of the zona pellucida of mammalian oocytes and zygotes by a method of microelectrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel

It is known that drugs are not unlimitedly stable. Dilutions of the antineoplastic agent daunoblastin used in the clinic and experimental work, were examined, whether they could be stored for several days. By means of impulscytophotometry, spectral-photometric measurements, counting of surviving cells and estimation of DNA-synthesis after culturing pieces of tissue in the presence of daunoblastin it could be established that this drug, diluted even four days ago, still possesses sufficient activity.