A Coarse-Grained Model Describing the Critical Micelle Concentration of Perfluoroalkyl Surfactants in Ionic Aqueous Phase.

In this study, dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations were employed to determine the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in ionic aqueous solutions. This approach provides precise CMC data for PFAS surfactants in the presence of various ionic species, thereby addressing a gap in the current literature. Additionally, this study contributes to the development of open-source molecular force fields for charged perfluorinated compounds, which are currently limited.

Comparison of Methods Used to Investigate Coalescence in Emulsions.

We present a study of moderately stable dilute emulsions. These emulsions are models for water contaminated by traces of oil encountered in many water treatment situations. The purification of water and the elimination of oil rely on the emulsion stability.

Nxnl2 splicing results in dual functions in neuronal cell survival and maintenance of cell integrity.

The rod-derived cone viability factors, RdCVF and RdCVF2, have potential therapeutical interests for the treatment of inherited photoreceptor degenerations. In the mouse lacking Nxnl2, the gene encoding RdCVF2, the progressive decline of the visual performance of the cones in parallel with their degeneration, arises due to the loss of trophic support from RdCVF2. In contrary, the progressive loss of rod visual function of the Nxnl2-/- mouse results from a decrease in outer segment length, mediated by a cell autonomous mechanism involving the putative thioredoxin protein RdCVF2L, the second spliced product of the Nxnl2 gene.

Somatostatin contributes to in vivo gamma oscillation modulation and odor discrimination in the olfactory bulb.

Neuropeptides are systematically encountered in local interneurons, but their functional contribution in neural networks is poorly documented. In the mouse main olfactory bulb (MOB), somatostatin is mainly concentrated in local GABAergic interneurons restricted to the external plexiform layer (EPL). Immunohistochemical experiments revealed that the sst2 receptor, the major somatostatin receptor subtype in the telencephalon, is expressed by mitral cells, the MOB principal cells.

Converging action of alcohol consumption and cannabinoid receptor activation on adult hippocampal neurogenesis.

Alcoholism is characterized by successive periods of abstinence and relapse, resulting from long-lasting changes in various circuits of the central nervous system. Accumulating evidence points to the endocannabinoid system as one of the most relevant biochemical systems mediating alcohol addiction. The endocannabinoid system regulates adult neurogenesis, a form of long-lasting adult plasticity that occurs in a few areas of the brain, including the dentate gyrus.

Turnover of newborn olfactory bulb neurons optimizes olfaction.

Postdevelopmental neurogenesis occurs in the olfactory bulb (OB), to which new interneurons are continuously recruited. However, only a subset of the adult-generated interneurons survives, as many undergo programmed cell death. As part of homeostatic processes, the removal of new neurons is required alongside the addition of new ones, to ensure a stable neuron number.

Centrifugal drive onto local inhibitory interneurons of the olfactory bulb.

The olfactory bulb is known to receive signals from sensory neurons and to convey them to higher processing centers. However, in addition to relaying sensory information to the cortex, the olfactory bulb is actively involved in sensory information processing. Hence, olfactory sensory inputs generate a reproducible spatial pattern of restricted activation in the glomerular layer that is subsequently transformed into highly distributed patterns by lateral interactions between output relay neurons and diverse types of local interneurons.

Learning and survival of newly generated neurons: when time matters.

New interneurons are continually added to the olfactory bulb (OB), the first central relay for processing olfactory information, throughout life. It remains unknown how these adult-generated interneurons integrate into preexisting networks or die. We used immunohistochemical approaches to quantify adult neurogenesis in mice subjected to olfactory training.