Genes associated with cognitive performance in the Morris water maze: an RNA-seq study.

Learning and memory are among higher-order cognitive functions that are based on numerous molecular processes including changes in the expression of genes. To identify genes associated with learning and memory formation, here, we used the RNA-seq (high-throughput mRNA sequencing) technology to compare hippocampal transcriptomes between mice with high and low Morris water maze (MWM) cognitive performance. We identified 88 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 24 differentially alternatively spliced transcripts between the high- and low-MWM-performance mice.

Ternary AOT/water/hexane systems as "micellar sieves" for cyanine dye J-aggregates.

We investigate the behavior of J-aggregates of a cyanine dye, 3,3(')-di-(gamma-sulfopropyl)-4,5,4('),5(')-dibenzo-9-ethylthiacarbocyanine betaine pyridinium salt, in AOT/water/hexane reverse micelles (W=2-50), both during the course of rapid microemulsion formation and then after stabilization of the microemulsions at thermodynamic equilibrium. We suggest a new mechanism for J-aggregate formation in reverse micelle solutions. According to this model J-aggregates are formed in the aqueous phase prior to formation of a stable microemulsion, rather than in the process of intermicellar exchange.