Human neutrophil antigen-1, -3, -4, and -5 allele and genotype frequencies in the Croatian blood donor population and their clinical significance.

Objectives: Human neutrophil antigens (HNAs) and antibodies play an important role in allo- and autoimmunity associated with immune neutropenia and transfusion reactions. The aim of this study was to determine the HNA-1, -3, -4 and -5 allele and genotype frequencies in the Croatian blood donor population to assess the role of HNA-1, -3, -4, and -5 alleles in the development of neonatal alloimmune neutropenia and antibody-mediated transfusion-related acute lung injury.

Material And Methods: A total of 371 blood samples from unselected healthy blood donors were analyzed.

Transient pseudothrombocytopenia (PTCP) in the neonate due to the mother.

Thrombocytopenia with platelet count <50×10/L is common laboratory finding in a severely ill newborn in neonatal intensive care units (ICU). Neonates with severe thrombocytopenia are at risk of bleeding. Most dangerous is intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) frequently leading to death or lifelong neurological sequels.

Presynaptic (Type III) cells in mouse taste buds sense sour (acid) taste.

Taste buds contain two types of cells that directly participate in taste transduction - receptor (Type II) cells and presynaptic (Type III) cells. Receptor cells respond to sweet, bitter and umami taste stimulation but until recently the identity of cells that respond directly to sour (acid) tastants has only been inferred from recordings in situ, from behavioural studies, and from immunostaining for putative sour transduction molecules. Using calcium imaging on single isolated taste cells and with biosensor cells to identify neurotransmitter release, we show that presynaptic (Type III) cells specifically respond to acid taste stimulation and release serotonin.

Mechanism of the Na,K-ATPase inhibition by MCS derivatives.

The previously reported class of potent inorganic inhibitors of Na,K-ATPase, named MCS factors, was shown to inhibit not only Na,K-ATPase but several P-type ATPases with high potency in the sub-micromolar range. These MCS factors were found to bind to the intracellular side of the Na, K-ATPase. The inhibition is not competitive with ouabain binding, thus excluding its role as cardiac-steroid-like inhibitor of the Na,K-ATPase.

Characterization of the macrocyclic carbon suboxide factors as potent Na,K-ATPase and SR Ca-ATPase inhibitors.

Recently discovered macrocyclic carbon suboxide (MCS) factors with the general formula (C(3)O(2))(n) were found to strongly inhibit rabbit and rat Na,K-ATPase as well as SR Ca-ATPase. Highly active MCS factors were obtained by a base/acid treatment of their lipophilic precursor isolated from plants. In the ESI-MS spectra, the dominant molar mass ion of 431 Da corresponds to a 1:1 complex of the carbon suboxide hexamer (n=6; M(r)=408 Da) with a Na(+) ion.

Netrin-1 promotes thalamic axon growth and is required for proper development of the thalamocortical projection.

The thalamocortical axon (TCA) projection originates in dorsal thalamus, conveys sensory input to the neocortex, and has a critical role in cortical development. We show that the secreted axon guidance molecule netrin-1 acts in vitro as an attractant and growth promoter for dorsal thalamic axons and is required for the proper development of the TCA projection in vivo. As TCAs approach the hypothalamus, they turn laterally into the ventral telencephalon and extend toward the cortex through a population of netrin-1-expressing cells.

Determination of C1-C4 alkanes by ion mobility spectrometry.

Flight instrumentation for the analyses of extraterrestrial environments must often perform under severely restricted conditions. Often, the detection and identification of a multitude of chemical species is required to fulfill the scientific objectives of the mission. It is therefore important that the analytical instrumentation have universal response.