Pulmonary platelet accumulation induced by catecholamines: Its involvement in lipopolysaccharide-induced anaphylaxis-like shock.

Intravenously injected lipopolysaccharides (LPS) rapidly induce pulmonary platelet accumulation (PPA) and anaphylaxis-like shock (ALS) in mice. Macrophages reportedly release catecholamines rapidly upon stimulation with LPS. Here, we examined the involvement of macrophage-derived catecholamines in LPS-induced PPA and ALS.

Influence of a long-term powdered diet on the social interaction test and dopaminergic systems in mice.

It is well known that the characteristics of mastication are important for the maintenance of our physical well-being. In this study, to assess the importance of the effects of food hardness during mastication, we investigated whether a long-term powdered diet might cause changes in emotional behavior tests, including spontaneous locomotor activity and social interaction (SI) tests, and the dopaminergic system of the frontal cortex and hippocampus in mice. Mice fed a powdered diet for 17 weeks from weaning were compared with mice fed a standard diet (control).

Effects of atomoxetine on levels of monoamines and related substances in discrete brain regions in mice intermittently deprived of rapid eye movement sleep.

An imbalance between noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems is implicated in hyperactivity disorders, such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We previously showed that the explosive jumping behavior elicited by intermittent rapid eye movement sleep deprivation (REMSD) may serve as a useful model of ADHD (see [Biogenic Amines, 20, 99-111]). Here, we investigated whether intermittent REMSD might cause changes in monoamine turnover in the mouse forebrain.

Behavioral and neurochemical characterization of mice deficient in the N-type Ca2+ channel alpha1B subunit.

N-type voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs) play an important role in neurotransmission, synaptic plasticity, and brain development. They are composed of several subunits named alpha(1), alpha(2), delta, beta and gamma. The alpha(1) subunit is essential for channel functions and determines fundamental channel properties.

An improved method for assaying phosphatidylcholine in mouse tissue.

Introduction: To measure levels of phosphatidylcholine (PtdCh) in various mouse tissues, we developed a rapid and precise method using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection (ECD) and an immobilized enzyme column. To generate an example data set, the effect of methoxamine (an alpha1-adrenergic agonist) on the PtdCh levels was examined by this method in the artery and the submandibular gland of the mouse in vivo.

Methods: Under our modifications of the method of Zapata et al.

Identification of another surface protein antigen I/II gene, paaB, and a putative transcriptional regulator gene, par, from Streptococcus cricetus.

The flanking region of the antigen I/II gene, paaA, in Streptococcus cricetus was examined using the gene-walking technique. In the region downstream of the paaA gene, another antigen I/II gene designated as paaB was found. The paaB gene was disrupted at the alanine-rich region (A region) by a novel insertion sequence element, ISScr1.