Roles of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the acquisition and expression of fat-conditioned flavor preferences in rats.

Sugars and fats elicit innate and learned flavor preferences with the latter mediated by flavor-flavor (orosensory) and flavor-nutrient (post-ingestive) processes. Systemic dopamine (DA) D1 (SCH23390: SCH) and D2 (raclopride: RAC), but not opioid antagonists blocked the acquisition and expression of flavor-flavor preferences conditioned by sugars. In addition, systemic D1, but not D2 or opioid antagonists blocked the acquisition of flavor-nutrient preferences conditioned by intragastric (IG) sugar infusions.

Programmed cell death of keratinocytes in infliximab-treated plaque-type psoriasis.

Background: Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha blockade using infliximab, a chimeric anti-TNF-alpha antibody, is an effective treatment for plaque-type psoriasis, inducing remission in about 80% of patients.

Objectives: To examine infliximab-induced programmed cell death (PCD) of keratinocytes in psoriatic plaques on serial skin biopsy samples.

Methods: Five patients with moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis received infliximab infusions intravenously (5 mg kg(-1)) at weeks 0, 2 and 6.

Basement membrane distortions impair lung lobation and capillary organization in the mouse model for fraser syndrome.

Fras1 is a putative extracellular matrix protein that has been implicated in the structural adhesion of embryonic epidermis to dermis. Moreover, mutations in Fras1/FRAS1 have been associated with the mouse blebbed phenotype and the human rare genetic disorder Fraser syndrome, respectively. Here we report the mapping of Fras1 within the extracellular space and evaluate the effects of Fras1 deficiency on lung development in the mouse.

Fras1 deficiency results in cryptophthalmos, renal agenesis and blebbed phenotype in mice.

Loss of tight association between epidermis and dermis underlies several blistering disorders and is frequently caused by impaired function of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Here we describe a new protein in mouse, Fras1, that is specifically detected in a linear fashion underlying the epidermis and the basal surface of other epithelia in embryos. Loss of Fras1 function results in the formation of subepidermal hemorrhagic blisters as well as unilateral or bilateral renal agenesis during mouse embryogenesis.

Molecular and Supramolecular Architecture of the Salmo gairdneri Proteinaceous Eggshell during Development.

A detailed developmental study of eggshell architecture of the fish Salmo gairdneri (rainbow trout) was performed using transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Thioglycollic acid treatment and freeze-fracturing reveal that fibrils ca. 5-10 nm in diameter constitute each lamella of the helicoidal eggshell.