Interleukin-1-β and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Increase Peripheral-Type Benzodiazepine Binding Sites in Cultured Polygonal Astrocytes

Peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding sites (PTBBS) are markedly increased in the injured CNS. Astrocytes appear to be the primary cell type which express increased PTBBS. Because certain cytokines within the injured CNS are potent mitogens for astrocytes, we examined the effects of two such cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), on PTBBS in cultured astrocytes using [3H]Ro 5-4864 as the specific ligand. Purified cultures of either polygonal or process-bearing astrocytes were prepared from neonatal rat cerebral hemispheres. At a concentration of 1.8 nM, specific binding of the radioactive ligand to polygonal astrocytes reached equilibrium within 60 min and was half-maximal by 5-10 min. By contrast, specific binding to process-bearing astrocytes barely exceeded background levels. IL-1 and TNF increased PTBBS within polygonal astrocytes in both dose- and time-dependent manners. At 10-50 ng/ml, IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha elevated [3H]Ro 5-4864 binding in polygonal astrocyte cultures 65 and 87%, respectively, above the level in control cultures. However, no changes in PTBBS were seen within polygonal astrocytes after IL-2 treatment. Scatchard analysis of saturation binding experiments suggested that the increase in PTBBS promoted by TNF was due to an increased number of binding sites present in polygonal astrocytes and not due to an increase in receptor affinity. Binding data suggested that PTBBS within cultures of process-bearing astrocytes were virtually absent irrespective of the treatment. These in vitro data suggest that certain cytokines found in the injured brain may be involved in up-regulating PTBBS within a particular subtype of astrocyte.     

Alpha-Glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (insoluble) and lactic dehydrogenase activities in the skeletal muscles of two insects.

The flight muscle preparations of the dragonfly Pantala flavescens and the aquatic beetle Cybister confusus showed extremely low levels of lactic dehydrogenase activity and high levels of alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (insoluble) activity. The activities of these two enzymes in the leg muscle of the beetle were approximately the same (1:1), but lactic dehydrogenase activity was several times higher than that in the flight muscles of both Insects. These results have been interpreted as indicating the high energy-yielding demands of the flight muscles during continuous sustained activity, while the leg muscles of the beetle which are involved in swimming activity derive their energy predominantly through anaerobic glycolysis.     

Alkaliphilic anaerobic community at pH 10

Relict or ancient microbial communities in extreme environment might be analogous to the centers of origin of bacterial diversity. A bacterial community of an alkaline lake was investigated, and the diversity of bacteria found there indicates that both conditions of autonomy and phylogenetic variety are fulfilled for anaerobic bacteria developing at pH 10±0.2. Major functional groups in the trophic network were present. Representatives of proteolytic, bacteriolytic, cellulolytic, saccharolytic, dissipotrophic, acetogenic, sulfate-reducing, methanogenic bacteria were isolated.     

Black and Hispanic Men Perceived to Be Large Are at Increased Risk for Police Frisk,Search, and Force

Social justice issues remain some of the most pressing problems in the United States. One aspect of social justice involves the differential treatment of demographic groups in the criminal justice system. While data consistently show that Blacks and Hispanics are often treated differently than Whites, one understudied aspect of these disparities is how police officers'' assessments of suspects'' size affects their decisions. Using over 3 million cases from the New York Police Department (NYPD) Stop, Question, and Frisk (SQF) Database, 2006–2013, this study is the first to explore suspects'' race, perceived size, and police treatment. Results indicate that tall and heavy black and Hispanic men are at the greatest risk for frisk or search. Tall and heavy suspects are at increased risk for experiencing police force, with black and Hispanic men being more likely to experience force than white men across size categories.     

Continuous-flow NMR culture system for mammalian cells

A continuous-flow NMR culture system for mammalian cells has been developed on which ³¹P-NMR experiments under complete and strictly physiologic conditions have been performed. Observations on the response of the cellular metabolism to stresses such as starvation, low temperature and changes in environmental pH monitored by ³¹P-NMR are reported. The response of the intracellular pH relative to the external pH of the growth medium is studied. We find that under the experimental conditions used there exists a ΔpH varying between less than 0.2 and more than 0.6 pH units. These results are compatible with those obtained using other techniques.