Y1 receptors are critical for the proliferation of adult mouse precursor cells in the olfactory neuroepithelium

While the regenerative capacity of the olfactory neuroepithelium has been well studied less is known about the molecular events controlling precursor cell activity. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is expressed at high levels in the olfactory system, and NPY has been shown to play a role in neuroregeneration of the brain. In this study, we show that the numbers of olfactory neurospheres derived from NPY, NPY/peptide YY, and Y1 receptor knockout mice are decreased compared with wild type (WT) controls. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis of isolated horizontal basal cells, globose basal cells, and glandular cells showed that only glandular cells derived from WT mice, but not from NPY and Y1 receptor knockout mice, formed secondary neurospheres suggesting a critical role for NPY signaling in this process. Interestingly, olfactory function tests revealed that olfaction in Y1 knockout mice is impaired compared with those of WT mice, probably because of the reduced number of olfactory neurons formed. Together these results indicate that NPY and the Y1 receptor are required for the normal proliferation of adult olfactory precursors and olfactory function.     

TAP score: torsion angle propensity normalization applied to local protein structure evaluation

Background  

Experimentally determined protein structures may contain errors and require validation. Conformational criteria based on the Ramachandran plot are mainly used to distinguish bet ween distorted and adequately refined models. While the readily available criteria are sufficient to detect totally wrong structures, establishing the more subtle differences between plausible structures remains more challenging.     

Genetic differentiation of Macrognathus siamensis within the Mekong River between Laos and Cambodia

This study investigated the genetic variation in the Mastacembelidae fish Macrognathus siamensis by sequencing 1047 bp of the mitochondrial ND2 gene of 48 fish samples collected in the Mekong River. They were divided into 15 mtDNA haplotypes. The haplotype network and Bayesian tree revealed striking genetic differences between the Laos and Cambodian samples. The high pairwise F statistic values (0.93–0.97) also confirmed this genetic differentiation. Analysis of the molecular clock indicated that these two samples separated approximately four million years ago. Most likely, the genetic variation was influenced by immigration and isolation events as well as by environmental factors. Furthermore, the present study results could be valuable in identifying the conservation and resource management units of this species.     

Biological treatment of indoor air for VOC removal: potential and challenges

There is nowadays no single fully satisfactory method for VOC removal from indoor air due to the difficulties linked to the very low concentration (microg m(-3) range), diversity, and variability at which VOCs are typically found in the indoor environment. Although biological methods have shown a certain potential for this purpose, the specific characteristic of indoor air and the indoor air environment brings numerous challenges. In particular, new methods must be developed to inoculate, express, and maintain a suitable and diverse catabolic ability under conditions of trace substrate concentration which might not sustain microbial growth. In addition, the biological treatment of indoor air must be able to purify large amounts of air in confined environments with minimal nuisances and release of microorganisms. This requires technical innovations, the development of specific testing protocols and a deep understanding of microbial activities and the mechanisms of substrate uptake at trace concentrations.     

Long lasting recurrent familiar transient global amnesia after betablocker treatment withdrawal: case report

The etiology of Transient Global Amnesia (TGA) is not yet clear. A small part of TGA has a familiar occurrence. We report a case of recurrent, long-lasting familiar amnesia occurring after betablocker treatment withdrawal in a migrainous patient. We suggest that familiar TGA could be caused by the mechanism of vasospasm rather than venous congestion and that the abnormal cerebral vasomotor control could be the hereditary substrate in this condition.