Persistence of cyclicity of the plasma dopamine metabolite, homovanillic acid, in neuroleptic treated schizophrenic patients

The dopamine metabolite, homovanillic acid, decreases in concentration in plasma between 8:30 A.M. and 12:30 P.M. In patients with schizophrenia this cyclic change is attenuated by chronic neuroleptic treatment; however, if the 8 A.M. dose of neuroleptic is omitted, the decrease in level occurs. Presuming that neuroleptics attenuate the decline through a receptor mediated compensatory increase in dopamine release, it would appear that receptors are not fully occupied by neuroleptics even at therapeutically effective doses. The usual morning decrease in plasma cortisol levels was unaffected by neuroleptics.     

NMR studies of L-dopa melanin-manganese(II) complex in water solution

The study of water relaxation rates of solutions of melanins with paramagnetic metal ions provides a powerful tool for investigating the binding sites and for obtaining useful structural and dynamic information. The measure of 1H- and 2H-longitudinal and transverse relaxation rates at a single, high-magnetic field for H2O/D2O (80:20) solutions allows the determination of tau c, tau R, tau e, tau M, r, q, and Z (the outer sphere contribution to the overall relaxation rate) for Mn(II)-L-Dopa melanin system.     

Changes in the amino acid sequence of hemagglutinin during sequential adaptation of human influenza virus A to replication in mice

The primary structure of hemagglutinin (HA) gene of Influenza virus A/USSR/90/77 (H1N1) variants after 3 and 11 passages has been determined. In the HA1 coding region of mice-adapted virus (11 passages) there are two amino acid substitutions: Thr 89----Ala and Asn 127----Asp. At the first stage of adaptation (3-rd passage) only a single mutation was detected: Asn 127----Asp. The adaptation is accompanied by the loss of specific carbohydrate attachment sites adjacent to the receptor-binding site located at HA1 subunit with a concomitant variation in antigenicity.     

The influence of starter cultures on the formation of volatile compounds in dry smoked sausages

The differences between the composition of volatile substances in two specimens of dry smoked sausages produced using a standard and experimental (a mixture of propionic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria) cultures were studied by capillary gas chromatography. It was found that the experimental starter culture intensified the flavor-formation processes as compared with the standard culture. The experimental specimen had richer qualitative and quantitative compositions and displayed more intensive aroma and flavor. The contents of lactones and volatile terpenoids in the experimental specimen were much higher than in the control. The organoleptic characteristics of experimental dry smoked sausage specimen were considerably better.     

Salt marsh harvest mouse demography and habitat use in the Suisun Marsh,California

We undertook a 2-year (2002–2004) mark–recapture study to investigate demographic performance and habitat use of salt marsh harvest mice (Reithrodontomys raviventris halicoetes) in the Suisun Marsh. We examined the effects of different wetland types and microhabitats on 3 demographic variables: density, reproductive potential, and persistence. Our results indicate that microhabitats dominated by mixed vegetation or pickleweed (Salicornia spp.) supported similar salt marsh harvest mouse densities, reproductive potential, and persistence throughout much of the year, whereas few salt marsh harvest mice inhabited upland grass-dominated microhabitats. We found that densities were higher in diked wetlands, whereas post-winter persistence was higher in tidal wetlands, and reproductive potential did not differ statistically between wetland types. Our results emphasize the importance of mixed vegetation for providing adequate salt marsh harvest mouse habitat and suggest that, despite their physiognomic and hydrological differences, both diked and tidal wetlands support salt marsh harvest mouse populations by promoting different demographic attributes. We recommend that habitat management, restoration, and enhancement efforts include areas containing mixed vegetation in addition to pickleweed in both diked and tidal wetlands. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.