Optical properties of cobalt xanthate films on different substrates

Cobalt isopropyl xanthate thin films (CXTFs) were deposited via chemical bath deposition onto different substrates: commercial glass (CG), indium tin oxide (ITO), and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMM). Isopropyl xanthate was synthesized according to a method described in the literature. The cobalt nitrate and isopropyl xanthate were mixed in a beaker, which allowed the thin films to be deposited via a simple ion-ion mechanism. The transmission, reflectivity, refractive index, dielectric constant, and optical conductivity were investigated for various thin films coated onto different substrates. An ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer was used to measure the optical properties of the thin films. The lowest value of the transmission and the highest value of the refractive index were observed for the thin films deposited onto PMM. The structure of the cobalt xanthate was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, which was measured using a Perkin-Elmer Spectrum 400 spectrometer. The stretching vibration of the Co-S bonds was observed at 359 cm-1 in the FTIR spectrum of the CXTFs.     

mTORC1 in the Paneth cell niche couples intestinal stem-cell function to calorie intake

How adult tissue stem and niche cells respond to the nutritional state of an organism is not well understood. Here we find that Paneth cells, a key constituent of the mammalian intestinal stem-cell (ISC) niche, augment stem-cell function in response to calorie restriction. Calorie restriction acts by reducing mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signalling in Paneth cells, and the ISC-enhancing effects of calorie restriction can be mimicked by rapamycin. Calorie intake regulates mTORC1 in Paneth cells, but not ISCs, and forced activation of mTORC1 in Paneth cells during calorie restriction abolishes the ISC-augmenting effects of the niche. Finally, increased expression of bone stromal antigen 1 (Bst1) in Paneth cells—an ectoenzyme that produces the paracrine factor cyclic ADP ribose—mediates the effects of calorie restriction and rapamycin on ISC function. Our findings establish that mTORC1 non-cell-autonomously regulates stem-cell self-renewal, and highlight a significant role of the mammalian intestinal niche in coupling stem-cell function to organismal physiology.     

Prolactin surge on the afternoon of pro-oestrus in the rat and its blockade by pentobarbitone

Résumé La teneur et la concentration de la prolactine dans le lobe antérieur de l'hypophyse ont été déterminées aux temps variés de l'oestrus chez la ratte. Dans l'aprèsmidi du jour du pro-oestrus, la teneur et la concentration dans la glande s'abaissent. Ce changement a été bloqué par le pentobarbitrate de sodium injecté par voie i.p. á 13.30 h au jour du pro-oestrus.

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We are greatful to Drs.K. Kuretani, H. Nagasawa andR. Yanai, for allowing us to use the microdensitometer (Canalco, Model E) in the Pharmacology Division, The National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo.     

Release of labile cyclo-oxygenase products of arachidonic acid from kidney by endotoxin

Summary The possible release of prostaglandin (PG)-like substances was studied in isolated perfused kidneys from intact and from intrarenal endotoxin (Lipopolysaccharide-LPS)-injected rabbits, using the venous outflow superflow superfuse assay organ technique. Injection of LPS into the renal artery of an LPS-pretreated kidney caused a release of thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂) and prostacyclin (PGI₂)-like materials into the venous effluent as verified by the responses of the specific assay organs. No detectable release of these substances was found in the venous outflow of LPS-injected intact kidney. The possible role of labile cyclo-oxygenase products of arachidonic acid in the Shwartzman reaction is discussed.The authors are indepted to Upjohn, Klamazoo (USA) for the generous gift of PGI₂ and to Squibb, New Jersey (USA) for SQ 80338.     

Dscam diversity is essential for neuronal wiring and self-recognition

Neurons are thought to use diverse families of cell-surface molecules for cell recognition during circuit assembly. In Drosophila, alternative splicing of the Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (Dscam) gene potentially generates 38,016 closely related transmembrane proteins of the immunoglobulin superfamily, each comprising one of 19,008 alternative ectodomains linked to one of two alternative transmembrane segments. These ectodomains show isoform-specific homophilic binding, leading to speculation that Dscam proteins mediate cell recognition. Genetic studies have established that Dscam is required for neural circuit assembly, but the extent to which isoform diversity contributes to this process is not known. Here we provide conclusive evidence that Dscam diversity is essential for circuit assembly. Using homologous recombination, we reduced the entire repertoire of Dscam ectodomains to just a single isoform. Neural circuits in these mutants are severely disorganized. Furthermore, we show that it is crucial for neighbouring neurons to express distinct isoforms, but that the specific identity of the isoforms expressed in an individual neuron is unimportant. We conclude that Dscam diversity provides each neuron with a unique identity by which it can distinguish its own processes from those of other neurons, and that this self-recognition is essential for wiring the Drosophila brain.     

NHE3 phosphorylation via PKCη marks the polarity and orientation of directionally migrating cells

Endogenous electric fields (EF) may provide an overriding cue for directional cell migration during wound closure. Perceiving a constant direction requires active sodium-hydrogen exchanger (pNHE3) at the leading edge of HEK 293 cells but its activation mechanism is not yet fully understood. Because protein kinase C (PKC) is required in electrotaxis, we asked whether NHE3 is activated by PKC during wound healing. Using pharmacological (pseudosubstrate and edelfosine) inhibition, we showed that inhibition of PKCη isoform impairs directional cell migration in HEK 293 cells in the presence of a persistent directional cue (0.25–0.3 V/mm of EF for 2 h). Further, we found that pNHE3 forms complexes with both PKCη and ?-tubulin, suggesting that these molecules may regulate the microtubule-organizing center. In addition, cellular pNHE3 content was reduced significantly when PKCη was inhibited during directional cell migration. Taken together, these data suggest that PKCη-dependent phosphorylation of NHE3 and the formation of pNHE3/PKCη/?-tubulin complexes at the leading edge of the cell are required for directional cell migration in an EF.     

Galanin – 25 years with a multitalented neuropeptide

The pathophysiology of depression remains unclear, but involves disturbances in brain monoaminergic transmission. Current antidepressant drugs, which act by enhancing this type of transmission, have limited therapeutic efficacy in a number of patients, and not rarely serious side-effects. Increasing evidence suggests that neuropeptides, including galanin, can be of relevance in mood disorders. Galanin is coexpressed with and modulates noradrenaline and serotonin systems, both implicated in depression. Pharmacological and genetic studies have suggested a role for galanin in depression-like behaviour in rodents, whereby the receptor subtype involved appears to play an important role. Thus, stimulation of GalR1 and/or GalR3 receptors results in depression-like phenotype, while activation of the GalR2 receptor attenuates depression-like behaviour. These findings suggest that galanin receptor subtypes represent targets for development of novel antidepressant drugs.     

Can forecasting performance be improved by considering the steady state? An application to Swedish inflation and interest rate

This paper investigates whether the forecasting performance of Bayesian autoregressive and vector autoregressive models can be improved by incorporating prior beliefs on the steady state of the time series in the system. Traditional methodology is compared to the new framework—in which a mean‐adjusted form of the models is employed—by estimating the models on Swedish inflation and interest rate data from 1980 to 2004. Results show that the out‐of‐sample forecasting ability of the models is practically unchanged for inflation but significantly improved for the interest rate when informative prior distributions on the steady state are provided. The findings in this paper imply that this new methodology could be useful since it allows us to sharpen our forecasts in the presence of potential pitfalls such as near unit root processes and structural breaks, in particular when relying on small samples. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the electrophoretic properties of a purified enterogastrone preparation

Zusammenfassung 1. Es wird ein Extrakt von Schweinedarm (Enterogastron), der die durch Histamin erzeugte Magensekretion herabsetzt, elektrophoretisch untersucht.2. Die aktive Enterogastronfraktion scheint keine elektrophoretische Beweglichkeit zu besitzen.3. Enterogastron ist wahrscheinlich keine proteinähnliche Substanz.4. Die Resultate werden besprochen und zu früheren Untersuchungen über die Chemie des Enterogastrons in Beziehung gesetzt.     

Uncovering benefits and risks of integrated product service offerings — Using a case of technology encapsulation

The objective of this article is to uncover benefits and risks of Integrated Product Service Offering （IPSO） in a systematic manner. To do so, it adopts an explorative longitudinal in-depth case study （development of an IPSO based on a new technology） and adds insights to the existing literature. The article first proposes a theoretical and generic framework termed the PCP （Provider - Customer - Product） triangle with associated information flow and uncertainty. Second, various types of benefits and risks are presented based on the framework. Among others, the benefit of keeping IPR （Intellectual Property Rights） with the provider and the risk of regulation change are new findings from the case study. In addition, the case study reveals that IPSO is regarded as a positive contributor to innovation. Applying the framework and classification of benefits and risks as norms to other cases has yet to be done for verification. However, the framework contributes scientifically to a better understanding of the benefits and risks of IPSO. In addition, this framework is advantageous with its easiness to understand, which contributes practically to the dissemination of IPS0 insight to industry.