Neuronal and Astrocytic Regulations in Schizophrenia: A Computational Modelling Study.

According to the tripartite synapse model, astrocytes have a modulatory effect on neuronal signal transmission. More recently, astrocyte malfunction has been associated with psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia. Several hypotheses have been proposed on the pathological mechanisms of astrocytes in schizophrenia.

Effects of nitrogen mustard on potassium transport systems and membrane structure of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.

By Ehrlich ascites tumor cells 86Rb+ has been shown to be a suitable tracer for K+-transport. Sixty percent of the total 86Rb-uptake into these cells is ouabain-inhibitable, 30% is sensitive to furosemide and 10% enters the cells by ouabain and furosemide-insensitive systems. N-Mustard inhibits both the ouabain-sensitive and the furosemide-inhibitable systems.

Synthesis of analogs and oligomers of N-(2-aminoethyl)glycine and their gastrointestinal absorption in the rat.

The synthesis of a series of analogs and oligomers of N-(2-aminoethyl)glycine (Aeg) are described. The gastrointestinal absorption of these compounds was determined after intragastric administration. Analogs of Aeg bearing a substituent at the amino or carboxyl functions were absorbed to a lesser extent than the parent compound.

Inhibition of tumor growth by an alkylation of the plasma membrane.

The effect of nitrogen mustard (2-chloro-N-2-chloroethyl-N-methylethanamine), Trenimon (2,3,5-trisethyleneiminobenzoquinone-1,4), chlorambucil (4-[p-(bis[2-chloroethyl]amino)-phenyl]butyric acid) and phosphamide mustard (N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)-diamidophosphoric acid) on Na+/K+-ATPase, membrane fluidity and cell multiplication was studied. With the exception of chlorambucil which does not affect Na+/K+-ATPase all concentrations of the other alkylating agents which inhibit cell multiplication of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells depress the activity of the Na+/K+-ATPase. All alkylating agents--including chlorambucil--caused an increase in the apparent degree of fluorescence polarization after labelling of the plasma membrane with 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH).