Naloxone selectively blocks dopamine response of Br-type neuron in Helix pomatia L.

The present study demonstrates that the potent opiate antagonist, naloxone can selectively block the DA induced inhibition of the bursting activity pattern of the RPal or Br-type neuron. The dopamine inhibitory affect can also be blocked by haloperidol, a established dopamine receptor blocker.     

Early consolidation in human primary motor cortex.

Behavioural studies indicate that a newly acquired motor skill is rapidly consolidated from an initially unstable state to a more stable state, whereas neuroimaging studies demonstrate that the brain engages new regions for performance of the task as a result of this consolidation. However, it is not known where a new skill is retained and processed before it is firmly consolidated. Some early aspects of motor skill acquisition involve the primary motor cortex (M1), but the nature of that involvement is unclear. We tested the possibility that the human M1 is essential to early motor consolidation. We monitored changes in elementary motor behaviour while subjects practised fast finger movements that rapidly improved in movement acceleration and muscle force generation. Here we show that low-frequency, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of M1 but not other brain areas specifically disrupted the retention of the behavioural improvement, but did not affect basal motor behaviour, task performance, motor learning by subsequent practice, or recall of the newly acquired motor skill. These findings indicate that the human M1 is specifically engaged during the early stage of motor consolidation.     

Methionine enkephalin inhibits the bursting activity of the Br-type neuron in Helix pomatia L

The present study demonstrates that methionine enkephalin can inhibit the normal bursting activity pattern of the RPal or Br-type neuron and this inhibition can be blocked by prior treatment with naloxone, the selective opiate antagonist. The study demonstrates indirectly the presence of opiate-like receptors in Helix pomatia.     

A Process Model of Collaborative Management Research: The Study of Collective Creativity in the Luxury Industry

This article explores collaborative management research (CMR). As one of the streams within the action research family, CMR is one approach that has been identified as a potent method for advancing scientific knowledge and bringing about change in organizations. The article proposes a hybrid model of the CMR research process in organizations. Following a brief introduction of collaborative management research, we advance an emerging, inductively derived, hybrid process model of CMR. Three critical clusters for achieving the intended outcomes of collaborative management research include: (1) contextual factors, (2) quality of the collaboration, and (3) the development of the collaborative research process itself. Within each cluster, concepts, variables, and processes were identified and linked together to form a hybrid model of CMR process. An illustration of a collaborative management research project that focused on the study of collective creativity with an Italian fashion and design company is followed by a reflective analysis. The discussion provides directions for future research and implications for practice.     

SHARP1 suppresses breast cancer metastasis by promoting degradation of hypoxia-inducible factors

The molecular determinants of malignant cell behaviours in breast cancer remain only partially understood. Here we show that SHARP1 (also known as BHLHE41 or DEC2) is a crucial regulator of the invasive and metastatic phenotype in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), one of the most aggressive types of breast cancer. SHARP1 is regulated by the p63 metastasis suppressor and inhibits TNBC aggressiveness through inhibition of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and HIF-2α (HIFs). SHARP1 opposes HIF-dependent TNBC cell migration in vitro, and invasive or metastatic behaviours in vivo. SHARP1 is required, and sufficient, to limit expression of HIF-target genes. In primary TNBC, endogenous SHARP1 levels are inversely correlated with those of HIF targets. Mechanistically, SHARP1 binds to HIFs and promotes HIF proteasomal degradation by serving as the HIF-presenting factor to the proteasome. This process is independent of pVHL (von Hippel-Lindau tumour suppressor), hypoxia and the ubiquitination machinery. SHARP1 therefore determines the intrinsic instability of HIF proteins to act in parallel to, and cooperate with, oxygen levels. This work sheds light on the mechanisms and pathways by which TNBC acquires invasiveness and metastatic propensity.     

MethylTrans-monocyclofarnesate from the spongeHalichondria panicea

Riassunto L'estere metilico dell'acidotrans-monociclofarnesico (5) è stato ora isolato dalla spugnaHalichondria panicea. Il suo rinvenimento nello stesso organismo, dal quale erano state isolate precedentemente le paniceine. (1–3), supporta l'ipotesi che la parte sesquiterpenoidica di quest'ultime si origini biogeneticamente da un precursore monociclofarnesilico.     

Zonaroic acid from the brown seaweedDictyopteris undulata (=zonarioides)

Summary A sesquiterpene-substituted 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, zonaroic acid (5), is described from the brown seaweedDictyopteris undulata (=zonarioides). The absolute stereochemistry in the zonarol (1)-chromazonarol (2) and zonaroic acid (5) series has also been defined. The occurrence of5 along with zonarol (1), the corresponding sesquiterpene-substituted hydroquinone, suggests that 4-hydroxybenzoic acid is the ring precursor as in ubiquinone biogenesis.