Glucagon-like peptide-1 facilitates cerebellar parallel fiber glutamate release through PKA signaling in mice in vitro.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is mainly secreted by preproglucagon neurons; it plays important roles in modulating neuronal activity and synaptic transmission through its receptors. In the present study, we investigated the effects of GLP-1 on parallel fiber-Purkinje cell (PF-PC) synaptic transmission in mouse cerebellar slices using whole-cell patch-clamp recording and pharmacology methods. In the presence of a γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor antagonist, bath application of GLP-1 (100 nM) enhanced PF-PC synaptic transmission, with an increased amplitude of evoked excitatory postsynaptic synaptic currents (EPSCs) and a decreased paired-pulse ratio.

GLP-1 enhances hyperpolarization-activated currents of mouse cerebellar Purkinje cell .

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is mainly secreted by preglucagonergic neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarius, which plays critical roles in regulation of neuronal activity in the central nervous system through its receptor. In the cerebellar cortex, GLP-1 receptor is abundantly expressed in the molecular layer, Purkinje cell (PC) layer and granular layer, indicating that GLP-1 may modulate the cerebellar neuronal activity. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which GLP1 modulates mouse cerebellar PC activity .

Nicotine Facilitates Facial Stimulation-Evoked Mossy Fiber-Granule Cell Long-Term Potentiation in Mice.

Nicotine is a psychoactive component of tobacco that plays critical roles in the regulation of neuronal circuit function and neuroplasticity and contributes to the improvement of working memory performance and motor learning function nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Under conditions, nicotine enhances facial stimulation-evoked mossy fiber-granule cell (MF-GrC) synaptic transmission, which suggests that nicotine regulates MF-GrC synaptic plasticity in the mouse cerebellar cortex. In this study, we investigated the effects of nicotine on facial stimulation-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) of MF-GrC synaptic transmission in urethane-anesthetized mice.

Temporal-spacial relationships between facial stimulation-evoked filed potential responses in mouse cerebellar granular layer and molecular layer.

The cerebellum receives sensory inputs from mossy fiber-granule cell or climbing fiber pathways, and generates motor-related outputs. However, the temporal and special mechanism of the sensory information processing in cerebellar cortex is still unclear. Therefore, we here investigated the temporal-spacial mechanism between the facial stimulation-evoked field potential responses in granular layer (GL) and molecular layer (ML), by duo-electrophysiological recording technique and pharmacological methods in urethane-anesthetized mice.

Propofol Inhibits Cerebellar Parallel Fiber-Purkinje Cell Synaptic Transmission via Activation of Presynaptic GABA Receptors in Mice.

Propofol is a widely used intravenous sedative-hypnotic agent, which causes rapid and reliable loss of consciousness via activation of γ -aminobutyric acid A (GABA) receptors. We previously found that propofol inhibited cerebellar Purkinje cells (PC) activity via both GABA and glycine receptors in mice. We here examined the effect of propofol on the cerebellar parallel fiber (PF)-PC synaptic transmission in mouse cerebellar slices by whole-cell recording technique and pharmacological methods.

Chitinase from a novel strain of Serratia marcescens JPP1 for biocontrol of aflatoxin: molecular characterization and production optimization using response surface methodology.

Chitinase is one of the most important mycolytic enzymes with industrial significance, and produced by a number of organisms. A chitinase producing isolate Serratia marcescens JPP1 was obtained from peanut hulls in Jiangsu Province, China, and exhibited antagonistic activity against aflatoxins. In this study, we describe the optimization of medium composition with increased production of chitinase for the selected bacteria using statistical methods: Plackett-Burman design was applied to find the key ingredients, and central composite design of response surface methodology was used to optimize the levels of key ingredients for the best yield of chitinase.

Efficient purification of antiproliferative polysaccharides from Hypsizigus marmoreus with radial flow chromatography.

The increasing commercial significance of natural polysaccharides for use in medicinal products is stimulating the development of efficient and easy scale-up techniques for polysaccharide purification. In this research, the crude polysaccharides from submerged cultivation broth of Hypsizigus marmoreus were purified using radial flow chromatography (RFC), and the antiproliferative activity of the purified fractions was evaluated in vitro. DEAE Sepharose CL-6B was selected to be packed in the RFC column based on its good resolution, physical stability, and low cost.

Potential of chitinolytic Serratia marcescens strain JPP1 for biological control of Aspergillus parasiticus and aflatoxin.

Serratia marcescens strain JPP1 was isolated from peanut hulls in Huai'an city, Jiangsu Province, China. Its potential to inhibit the mycelial growth of Aspergillus parasiticus and the subsequent aflatoxin production was evaluated. The strain JPP1 could produce chitinase to degrade fungal cell walls, which was the main mechanism of strain JPP1 for biocontrol.

Biodegradation of crude oil using an efficient microbial consortium in a simulated marine environment.

Ochrobactrum sp. N1, Brevibacillus parabrevis N2, B. parabrevis N3 and B.

Acetylene hydrogenation on anatase TiO2(101) supported Pd4 cluster: oxygen deficiency effect.

Acetylene hydrogenation on both the perfect and oxygen defective anatase TiO(2)(101) surfaces supported Pd(4) cluster has been studied using density functional theory calculations with a Hubbard U correction (DFT + U). The adsorbed Pd(4) cluster on the perfect surface prefers to form a tetrahedral structure, while it likely moves to the oxygen defective site to form a distorted tetrahedral structure by removing a bridging oxygen atom. For the defective surface, it exhibits a stronger ability to capture Pd(4) cluster as charge transfer is significantly performed due to the oxygen deficiency.

A novel polyoxochromium borophosphate with new 6-membered ring crown-shaped clusters.

A novel chromium borophosphate with anionic clusters has been synthesized using boric acid as flux. X-ray diffraction analysis on a single crystal reveals that its structure comprises of crown-shaped 6-membered ring clusters [NaCr(8)B(4)P(12)O(60)H(8)](15-), which are built from [Cr(4)O(18)] groups, [BP(2)O(10)] anions and PO(4) tetrahedra with Na(+) cations encapsulated in the clusters. Magnetic investigation showed strong antiferromagnetic interactions between Cr(3+)-Cr(3+) dimers at low temperature.

[Synthesis and photoluminescent properties of core/shell structure ZnS : Mn/SiO2 nanocrystals].

Mn-doped ZnS nanopatricles synthesized by solvothermal method were successfully coated with SiO2 shells of various thicknesses by hydrolysis reaction of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy images (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and the room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra. When the ZnS : Mn nanoparticles were coated with SiO2 shells, an obvious increase in particle size and a clear shell of SiO2 can be observed.

[Preparation and spectrum properties of ZnS : Ag nanocrystals].

In the present paper, ZnS : Ag nanoparticles were prepared with simple chemicals by hydrothermal method. XRD patterns indicated that the products have cubic zinc blende crystal structure. The particle diameters were calculated using the Scherer's formula, and the particle size showed a nonlinear increase with the rise of reaction temperature.

[Preparation and luminescence properties of core-shell ZnS : Cu/ZnS nano-particles].

Core-shell structured ZnS : Cu/ZnS nano-particles and Cu2+ -doped ZnS nano-particles without any shell were prepared, and the effect of ZnS shell on the luminescence properties of ZnS : Cu2+ nano-particles was studied. The observed emission peak at 450 nm was assigned to the recombination of an electron from the shallow delocalized donor levels at the t2 level of Cu2+. The ZnS shell did enhance the luminescence at 450 nm, which resulted from the reduction of nonradiative recombination sites.

[Optical properties of core-shell ZnS :Mn nanoparticles].

Mn(2+)-doped ZnS nanoparticles were prepared in reverse micelles and were coated by a shell of ZnS. The optical properties of the coated Mn(2+)-doped ZnS nanoparticles were studied and compared with those of the uncoated ones. The results indicate that Mn2+ ions emission at 580 nm in the coated nanoparticles was much stronger than that in the uncoated ones.