Modelling ligand depletion for simultaneous affinity and binding site quantification on cells and tissue.

The quantification of the number of targets in biological systems is an important parameter to assess the suitability of surface markers as targets for drugs, drug delivery and medical imaging. Likewise, quantifying the interaction with the target in terms of affinity and binding kinetics is essential during drug development. Commonly used approaches to quantify membrane antigens on live cells are based on manual saturation techniques that are labour-intensive, require careful calibration of the generated signal and do not quantify the binding rates.

Contribution of mesolimbic dopamine and kappa opioid systems to the transition from acute to chronic pain.

Decreased dopaminergic activity and increased kappa opioid activity in the mesolimbic system underlie the negative emotional states related to chronic pain. However, it is not known whether these changes are just consequence of chronic pain or contribute to the sensorial changes associated with chronic pain. In this study, we asked whether the mesolimbic dopamine and kappa opioid systems contribute to the development and maintenance of chronic hyperalgesia, one of the most common sensorial changes related to chronic pain.

Chlorpyrifos induces anxiety-like behavior in offspring rats exposed during pregnancy.

Chlorpyrifos is a pesticide, member of the organophosphate class, widely used in several countries to manage insect pests on many agricultural crops. Currently, chlorpyrifos health risks are being reevaluated due to possible adverse effects, especially on the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible action of this pesticide on the behaviors related to anxiety and depression of offspring rats exposed during pregnancy.

Fluctuations in Trypanosoma cruzi discrete typing unit composition in two naturally infected triatomines: Mepraia gajardoi and M. spinolai after laboratory feeding.

Mepraia species are hematophagous insects and the most important wild vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease in southeastern South America. Because the domestic Triatoma infestans is already controlled, the transmission of different T. cruzi discrete typing units (DTUs) by Mepraia species deserves attention.

The Nav1.2 channel is regulated by GSK3.

Background: Phosphorylation plays an essential role in regulating voltage-gated sodium (Na(v)) channels and excitability. Yet, a surprisingly limited number of kinases have been identified as regulators of Na(v) channels. We posited that glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3), a critical kinase found associated with numerous brain disorders, might directly regulate neuronal Na(v) channels.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Mepraia gajardoi and Mepraia spinolai: the effect of feeding nymphs from the field.

We evaluated Trypanosoma cruzi infection rates by means of minicircle DNA-based polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) in 70 starved Mepraia gajardoi from northern Chile and 65 M. spinolai from central Chile after feeding. Immediately after collection in the field, 20% of M.

Trypanosoma cruzi genotypes in Mepraia gajardoi from wild ecotopes in northern Chile.

We evaluated Trypanosoma cruzi infection in 397 wild Mepraia gajardoi specimens from five coastal localities in northern Chile by detection of minicircle DNA by polymerase chain reaction. The wild capture sites were classified into two ecotopes: a fully wild ecotope (ecotope 1) and a wild ecotope near human dwellings (ecotope 2). Infection rates varied between 11% and 27%.