Intrathecal orexin A increases sympathetic outflow and respiratory drive, enhances baroreflex sensitivity and blocks the somato-sympathetic reflex.

Background: Intrathecal (i.t.) injection of orexin A (OX-A) increases blood pressure and heart rate (HR), but the effects of OX-A on sympathetic and phrenic, nerve activity, and the baroreflex(es), somato-sympathetic and hypoxic chemoreflex(es) are unknown.

Serotonin 5-HT4 receptors in the nucleus accumbens are specifically involved in the appetite suppressant and not locomotor stimulant effects of MDMA ('ecstasy').

Rationale: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) abuse is a substantial problem in young adults. Due to a high focus on body image in this population, two main factors that may encourage MDMA use are the appetite suppressant and locomotor stimulant effects of this drug. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a brain region associated with the regulation of motivated and locomotor behaviours, and recent evidence suggests that NAc 5-HT4 receptors are likely to be involved in the appetite suppressant effect of MDMA.

Are species shade and drought tolerance reflected in leaf-level structural and functional differentiation in Northern Hemisphere temperate woody flora?

Leaf-level determinants of species environmental stress tolerance are still poorly understood. Here, we explored dependencies of species shade (T(shade)) and drought (T(drought)) tolerance scores on key leaf structural and functional traits in 339 Northern Hemisphere temperate woody species. In general, T(shade) was positively associated with leaf life-span (L(L)), and negatively with leaf dry mass (M(A)), nitrogen content (N(A)), and photosynthetic capacity (A(A)) per area, while opposite relationships were observed with drought tolerance.

Causes and consequences of variation in leaf mass per area (LMA): a meta-analysis.

Here, we analysed a wide range of literature data on the leaf dry mass per unit area (LMA). In nature, LMA varies more than 100-fold among species. Part of this variation (c.

Somatostatin 2A receptor-expressing presympathetic neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla maintain blood pressure.

Bulbospinal neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) are critical for the maintenance of sympathetic vasomotor tone and normal cardiovascular reflex function. So far, selectively eliminating/inhibiting distinct subpopulations of RVLM neurons has not significantly altered arterial pressure. Here we show that RVLM presympathetic neurons that express somatostatin 2A receptors are essential for maintaining and potentially generating sympathetic vasomotor tone.

Priming of abstract letter identities in the letter match task.

Previous studies of letter recognition have not found priming for abstract letter identities. We used a task that required participants to decide whether a target is the same or different from a reference letter presented in opposite case, which avoids the shortcomings of tasks used in previous studies. We found robust priming effects in this task, which were the same size for letter pairs that have similar visual features across case (e.

Tryptophan-derived ultraviolet filter compounds covalently bound to lens proteins are photosensitizers of oxidative damage.

The human eye is chronically exposed to light of wavelengths >300 nm. In the young human lens, light of wavelength 300-400 nm is predominantly absorbed by the free Trp derivatives kynurenine (Kyn), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3OHKyn), and 3-hydroxykynurenine-O-beta-D-glucoside (3OHKynG). These ultraviolet (UV) filter compounds are poor photosensitizers.

Effects of deslorelin implants on reproduction in the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula).

The present study investigated the effects of slow-release implants containing the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist deslorelin on reproduction in the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). Captive female brushtail possums were assigned to control (placebo implant), low dose (4.7 mg deslorelin) or high dose (9.

Characterization of phenoloxidase activity in Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata).

Phenoloxidase (PO) activity was studied in Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata). As in other molluscs, PO was found to exist as a pro-enzyme (proPO) in hemocytes. ProPO could be activated to PO by exogenous proteases (trypsin and chymotrypsin), exposure of hemocytes to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and by the detergents, Triton X-100 and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS).

Fluorescence amplification by electrochemically deposited silver nanowires with fractal architecture.

Electrochemically deposited silver structures with nanowires 50-100 nm in diameter show high fluorescence amplification and strongly reduced fluorescence lifetimes. Both quantities depend on the structure thickness. With increasing thickness the fluorescence amplification proportionally increases and the fluorescence lifetime decreases.

Fluoride-assisted regioselective conversion of functionalized furans to alpha-substituted gamma-hydroxybutenolides using singlet oxygen.

A facile synthesis of alpha-substituted gamma-hydroxybutenolides from 3-furfural was achieved using a Baylis-Hillman reaction followed by singlet oxygen oxidation. The regioselectivity of this conversion was controlled by using TBAF.

Base-assisted regio- and diastereoselective conversion of functionalized furans to butenolides using singlet oxygen.

A facile synthesis of beta-functionalized gamma-hydroxybutenolides was achieved using a Baylis-Hillman reaction followed by singlet oxygen oxidation. The conversion from 3-furfural was regio- and diastereoselective. [reaction: see text].

Long-term effects of deslorelin implants on reproduction in the female tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii).

The contraceptive and endocrine effects of long-term treatment with implants containing the GnRH agonist deslorelin were investigated in female tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii). Fertility was successfully inhibited for 515 +/- 87 days after treatment with a 5 mg deslorelin implant (n = 7), while control animals gave birth to their first young 159 +/- 47 days after placebo implant administration (n = 8). The duration of contraception was highly variable, ranging from 344 to 761 days.

Effect of deslorelin implants on follicular development, parturition and post-partum oestrus in the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii).

The effect of treatment with slow release implants containing the GnRH agonist, deslorelin, was investigated in female tammar wallabies. Pouch young were removed from 16 wallabies presumed to be carrying quiescent blastocysts. Eight received a 5 mg deslorelin implant and eight received a placebo implant.

Effects of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist implant on reproduction in a male marsupial, Macropus eugenii.

This study evaluated the potential of slow-release GnRH agonist (deslorelin) implants to inhibit reproductive function in the male tammar wallaby. The specific aim was to measure the effects of graded dosages of deslorelin on testes size and plasma LH and testosterone concentrations. Adult male tammar wallabies were assigned to four groups (n = 6 per group) and received the following treatment: control, placebo implant; low dose, 5 mg deslorelin; medium dose, 10 mg; high dose, 20 mg.

Expression in Escherichia coli and immunological characterization of three zona pellucida proteins (ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3) from a marsupial, the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula).

The brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) zona pellucida (ZP) is composed of three major glycoproteins, designated ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3 based on their size and homology with eutherian ZP proteins. These proteins are candidate antigens for the development of an immunocontraceptive vaccine to control the fertility of the brushtail possum in New Zealand, where it is an introduced pest. In order to further their immunological and functional characterization, recombinant possum ZP proteins were produced in Escherichia coli (E.

Troponin I phosphorylation enhances crossbridge kinetics during beta-adrenergic stimulation in rat cardiac tissue.

Inotropic agents that increase the intracellular levels of cAMP have been shown to increase crossbridge turnover kinetics in intact rat ventricular muscle, as measured by the parameter f(min) (the frequency at which dynamic stiffness is minimum). These agents are also known to increase the level of phosphorylation of two candidate myofibrillar proteins: myosin binding protein C (MyBPC) and Troponin I (TnI), but have no effect on myosin light chain 2 phosphorylation (MyLC2). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the phosphorylation of TnI and/or MyBPC was responsible for the increase in crossbridge cycling kinetics (as captured by f(min)) seen with the elevation of cAMP within cardiac tissue.

Cellulose-binding modules from extracellular matrix proteins of Dictyostelium discoideum stalk and sheath.

Cellulose-binding modules (CBMs) of two extracellular matrix proteins, St15 and ShD, from the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum were expressed in Escherichia coli. The expressed proteins were purified to > 98% purity by extracting inclusion bodies at pH 11.5 and refolding proteins at pH 7.

A gene encoding a novel multidomain beta-1,4-mannanase from Caldibacillus cellulovorans and action of the recombinant enzyme on kraft pulp.

Genomic walking PCR was used to obtained a 4,567-bp nucleotide sequence from Caldibacillus cellulovorans. Analysis of this sequence revealed that there were three open reading frames, designated ORF1, ORF2, and ORF3. Incomplete ORF1 encoded a putative C-terminal cellulose-binding domain (CBD) homologous to members of CBD family IIIb, while putative ORF3 encoded a protein of unknown function.

High-throughput mass spectrometric discovery of protein post-translational modifications.

The availability of genome sequences, affordable mass spectrometers and high-resolution two-dimensional gels has made possible the identification of hundreds of proteins from many organisms by peptide mass fingerprinting. However, little attention has been paid to how information generated by these means can be utilised for detailed protein characterisation. Here we present an approach for the systematic characterisation of proteins using mass spectrometry and a software tool FindMod.

Binding of carbohydrates to solid supports Part 3: Reaction of sugar hydrazones with polystyrene substituted with aromatic aldehydes.

The hydrazones of glucose and N-acetylglucosamine, as models for the residues at the reducing termini of glycans, were covalently and reversibly bound in good yield to hydroxybenzaldehydo ligands attached to a polymer support. The binding, by a sugar azine linkage, occurred within two hours at room temperature at neutral pH, and efficient recoveries of sugars from the beads were achieved by displacement with aqueous hydrazine hydrate, ethanolic benzaldehyde, or aqueous acetone. Enzyme modification of glycans was demonstrated by separation of the products of hydrolysis of lactose hydrazone with beta-galactosidase, using hydroxybenzaldehyde-derivatized polystyrene beads.

Lead exchange in teeth and bone--a pilot study using stable lead isotopes.

Stable lead isotopes and lead concentrations were measured in the enamel and dentine of permanent (n = 37) and deciduous teeth (n = 14) from 47 European immigrants to Australia to determine whether lead exchange occurs in teeth and how it relates to lead exchange in bone. Enamel exhibits no exchange of its European-origin lead with lead from the Australian environment. In contrast, dentine lead exchanges with Australian lead to the extent of approximately 1% per year.

Characterization of O-linked glycosylation motifs in the glycopeptide domain of bovine kappa-casein.

kappa-Casein is the major glycoprotein in bovine milk. It has a proteinase-sensitive (chymosin) site which cleaves the glycoprotein into two segments: N-terminal para-kappa-casein domain and the C-terminal kappa-casein macroglycopeptide domain which is highly heterogeneous in oligosaccharide content. We have identified six sites of O-glycosylation on the macroglycopeptide by solid-phase Edman degradation: Thr121, Thr131, Thr133, Thr136 (A variant only), Thr142 and Thr165.

Characterization of a single glycosylated asparagine site on a glycopeptide using solid-phase Edman degradation.

The characterization of site-specific glycosylation is traditionally dependent on the availability of suitable proteolytic cleavage sites between each glycosylated residue, so that peptides containing individual glycosylation sites are recovered. In the case of heavily glycosylated domains such as the O-glycosylated mucins, which have no available protease sites, this approach is not possible. Here we introduce a new method to gain site-specific compositional data on the oligosaccharides attached to a single amino acid.