On the Possibility of Excitation of Oscillations in a Schumann Resonator on Mars

Plasma Physics Reports - The possibility of excitation of oscillations in a Schumann resonator in the atmosphere of Mars is discussed. On Earth, the main source of energy in the resonator cavity...     

The study of structure-antiarrhythmic activity relationship of N-phenylacetamide derivatives and aromatic carbonic acid amides

Using the SARD-21 (Structure Activity Relationship & Design) computer system, structural features of high- and low-effective antiarrhythmic agents have been recognized and the influence of these features on the antiarrhythmic properties has been evaluated. This information has been used for generation of the model to predict antiarrhythmic effectiveness of pharmaceutical preparations at the recognition level of 82% by means of two different approaches. The recognized structural parameters may be successfully used to design new highly effective antiarrhythmic drugs, and also to modify structures of the already-existing anti-arrhythmic drugs in order to increase the effectiveness of their antiarrhythmic action.     

Effects of α-latrotoxin on synaptic transmission between identified neurons in the snail central nervous system

The effects of -latrotoxin — a component of black widow spider venom — on an identified monosynaptic peptidergic synapse were investigated in the central nervous system ofHelix pomatia. Extracellular and intracellular application of the toxin was found to increase and block postsynaptic current respectively. Current induced by intracellular injection of cAMP which imitates postsynaptic current was inhibited, irrespective of the mode of toxin application. It was concluded on the basis of the experiments performed that -latrotoxin manifests its reinforcing effect, acting on the transmitter release system in the presynaptic neuron. It can also induce an inhibitory effect, however, operating on the postsynaptic cell direct — an effect which may be mediated by the cAMP system.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Kiev. A. A. Bogomolets Medical Institute of Biochemistry, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 24, No. 4, pp. 430–437, July–August, 1992.     

nNOS–CAPON interaction mediates amyloid‐β‐induced neurotoxicity,especially in the early stages

In neurons, increased protein–protein interactions between neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and its carboxy‐terminal PDZ ligand (CAPON) contribute to excitotoxicity and abnormal dendritic spine development, both of which are involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease. In models of Alzheimer's disease, increased nNOS–CAPON interaction was detected after treatment with amyloid‐β in vitro, and a similar change was found in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice (a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease), compared with age‐matched background mice in vivo. After blocking the nNOS–CAPON interaction, memory was rescued in 4‐month‐old APP/PS1 mice, and dendritic impairments were ameliorated both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we demonstrated that S‐nitrosylation of Dexras1 and inhibition of the ERK–CREB–BDNF pathway might be downstream of the nNOS–CAPON interaction.