Intensification of amphetamine-induced excitation by methysergide,a serotonergic receptor blocker

Summary Methysergide, a serotonergic receptor blocker, was studied to determine its effects against d-amphetamine-induced excitation as measured by convulsions elicited by handling in mice. Significant intensification (p<0.01) of the action of d-amphetamine was observed in mice. These results indicate that reduction in serotonergic activity in the central nervous system enhances excitation induced by d-amphetamine.This work was supported by the Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Association Starter Grant, No. 5 S01 RR 05654-06 and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research Grant. The authors are grateful to Ben Wiggins, Michael Wallace, Maria Salazar, and Sanford Futterman for their technical assistance. The authors are also grateful to Dr Boris Tabakoff for supplying the formula of the CSF used in this experiment and we are indebted to San Antonio College for the use of their computer facilities. Dr Blum is a Career Teacher in drug addiction sponsored by NIDA, grant No. 1-T01-DA00290-01.     

Some observations on the Rohon-Beard cell perikaryon

Summary During the hatching period, the Rohon-Beard cells of Salmo gairdneri showed definite structural maturity of their perikarya, which is in contrast to the amphibian species investigated, where neuronal maturation of the Rohon-Beard cells is finished only in later — posthatching — developmental stages.     

Role of acoustic stress on the development of polyoma tumors in immunized golden hamsters]

An acoustic stress increases the metastatic spread of polyoma virus-induced tumors in syrian Hamsters. To try to elucidate the mechanism of this action, we studied the effect of stress on the protection afforded by the virus against tumour challenge. Exposure to ultrasonics during the immunization period markedly decreased the protective effect of the virus.     

Einwirkung einiger Carbonylreagentien auf das Virus der Maul- und Klauenseuche (MKS)

Summary The virus of foot and mouth disease is inactivated by hydroxylamine, hydrazine and semicarbazide. Such inactivated virus does not differ serologically from intact virus, and represents an interesting antigen for purposes of immunization.

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Herrn Dr.G. A. Moosbrugger, Leiter des Eidg. Vakzine-Instituts in Basel, danken wir, dass er uns die Durchführung dieser Untersuchungen ermöglicht hat.     

A propos du mode d'action de l'iproniazide,inhibiteur de la mono-amino-oxydase

Zusammenfassung Der Einfluss von Iproniazid auf das phosphorylase-aktivierende System kennzeichnet sich durch eine Erhöhung der Adrenalin- und eine Verminderung der Glucagon-Wirkung. Es ist möglich, dass die Katalyse der Ringbildung aus ATP in Gegenwart bestimmter Aminogruppen durch Iproniazid begünstigt wird.     

Growth dynamics of pentacene thin films

The recent demonstration of single-crystal organic optoelectronic devices has received widespread attention. But practical applications of such devices require the use of inexpensive organic films deposited on a wide variety of substrates. Unfortunately, the physical properties of these organic thin films do not compare favourably to those of single-crystal materials. Moreover, the basic physical principles governing organic thin-film growth and crystallization are not well understood. Here we report an in situ study of the evolution of pentacene thin films, utilizing the real-time imaging capabilities of photoelectron emission microscopy. By a combination of careful substrate preparation and surface energy control, we succeed in growing thin films with single-crystal grain sizes approaching 0.1 millimetre (a factor of 20-100 larger than previously achieved), which are large enough to fully contain a complete device. We find that organic thin-film growth closely mimics epitaxial growth of inorganic materials, and we expect that strategies and concepts developed for these inorganic systems will provide guidance for the further development and optimization of molecular thin-film devices.     

The AAA ATPase Cdc48/p97 and its partners transport proteins from the ER into the cytosol.

In eukaryotic cells, incorrectly folded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are exported into the cytosol and degraded by the proteasome. This pathway is co-opted by some viruses. For example, the US11 protein of the human cytomegalovirus targets the major histocompatibility complex class I heavy chain for cytosolic degradation. How proteins are extracted from the ER membrane is unknown. In bacteria and mitochondria, members of the AAA ATPase family are involved in extracting and degrading membrane proteins. Here we demonstrate that another member of this family, Cdc48 in yeast and p97 in mammals, is required for the export of ER proteins into the cytosol. Whereas Cdc48/p97 was previously known to function in a complex with the cofactor p47 (ref. 5) in membrane fusion, we demonstrate that its role in ER protein export requires the interacting partners Ufd1 and Npl4. The AAA ATPase interacts with substrates at the ER membrane and is needed to release them as polyubiquitinated species into the cytosol. We propose that the Cdc48/p97-Ufd1-Npl4 complex extracts proteins from the ER membrane for cytosolic degradation.     

Distribution, abundance, and genetic population structure of Wood River sculpin, Cottus leiopomus

The Wood River sculpin Cottus leiopomus is endemic to the Wood River Basin in central Idaho and is a nongame species of concern because of its limited distribution. However, status and genetic population structure, 2 factors often central to the conservation and management of species of concern, have not been assessed for this species. We used backpack electrofishers to survey streams that were small enough (i.e., a priori to contain, possibly contain, or not contain the sculpin, respectively. Native redband trout Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri were present at 21 study sites, including 18 of the 20 sites that contained Wood River sculpin. Sixty-one study sites (60%) were dry or had too little water to contain any fish. We estimated that a minimum of 1.36 million Wood River sculpin (≥20 mm total length) currently reside in the basin. The presence of Wood River sculpin was positively associated with stream width:depth ratio and percent cobble/boulder substrate and negatively associated with stream gradient. Mitochondrial DNA haplotype differences were observed between and within the 3 major river subbasins supporting sculpin, with the most striking differences observed between populations in the Camas Creek subbasin and the other 2 subbasins, among which no haplotypes were shared, suggesting relatively long-term isolation. Our results suggest that the Wood River sculpin remains relatively widespread and abundant within its endemic range, despite obvious changes in historical stream connectivity caused by irrigation diversions and other chronic habitat alterations.     

On the role of the Agulhas system in ocean circulation and climate

The Atlantic Ocean receives warm, saline water from the Indo-Pacific Ocean through Agulhas leakage around the southern tip of Africa. Recent findings suggest that Agulhas leakage is a crucial component of the climate system and that ongoing increases in leakage under anthropogenic warming could strengthen the Atlantic overturning circulation at a time when warming and accelerated meltwater input in the North Atlantic is predicted to weaken it. Yet in comparison with processes in the North Atlantic, the overall Agulhas system is largely overlooked as a potential climate trigger or feedback mechanism. Detailed modelling experiments--backed by palaeoceanographic and sustained modern observations--are required to establish firmly the role of the Agulhas system in a warming climate.