Crystal Structures and Optical Properties of Cyanine Dyes Depending on Various Counter Anions.

In this study, cyanine cations with various counter anions were prepared as examples of ionic materials constructed using charged π-conjugated systems. A series of ion pairs was obtained by anion exchange reactions using iodide salts of carbocyanine dyes. The optical properties were measured by UV/vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy; measurements performed in CHCl (less-polar solvent) were altered by the influence of the counter anions.

Stimulation of toll-like receptor 4 downregulates the expression of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors via histone deacetylase in rodent microglia.

Microglia have both protective and degenerative roles in the central nervous system. The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is crucial in the regulation of the neuroprotective role in microglia. Recent studies have demonstrated decreased expression of α7 nAChR in brain in response to neuroinflammation, but the mechanism mediating the downregulation of the α7 nAChR has yet to be elaborated.