Influence of leptin on neurotransmitter overflow from the rat brain in vitro.

The 16-kDa polypeptide hormone, leptin along with the neurotransmitters noradrenaline and serotonin (5-HT) have important physiological roles in the regulation of a number of neuroendocrine actions particularly feeding. Leptin receptor mRNA and immunoreactivity has been reported in various brain regions, while recent studies suggest that leptin is released from the human brain. This study investigated the interactions between leptinergic and neurotransmitter systems of the rat brain in vitro. Techniques were established to simultaneously monitor the release of endogenous noradrenaline and its metabolite 3,4 dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG), and 5-HT and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) from the rat brain. The neuromodulatory action of leptin (0.2 and 3 nM) on the overflow of noradrenaline and DHPG from the medulla and hypothalamus was examined. The effect of leptin on 5-HT and 5-HIAA overflow from the hypothalamus was also investigated. Administration of 0.2 and 3 nM leptin significantly increased medullary noradrenaline overflow to 172% and 174% of basal levels, respectively. Leptin had no significant effect on hypothalamic noradrenaline overflow, while leptin perfusion induced a significant increase in 5-HIAA overflow from the hypothalamus. This study lends support to the notion of a complex interaction of the leptinergic and brain neurotransmitters involved in the control of feeding and energy metabolism.     

Acyloxyalkyl ester prodrugs of FR900098 with improved in vivo anti-malarial activity

FR900098 represents an improved derivative of the new antimalarial drug fosmidomycin and acts through inhibition of the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate (DOXP) reductoisomerase, an essential enzyme of the mevalonate independent pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis. Prodrugs with increased activity after oral administration were obtained by chemical modification of the phosphonate moiety to yield acyloxyalkyl esters. The most successful compound demonstrated 2-fold increased activity in mice infected with the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium vinckei.     

Upper Pleistocene cold-water corals from the Inner Sea of the Maldives: taphonomy and environment

Cold-water corals of the Late Pleistocene (21,400–22,500 BP) are recorded from the sea-bottom of two inter-atoll channels (Kardiva Channel at 457-m depth and Malé Vaadhoo Channel at 443-m depth) of the eastern row of the Maldives archipelago. Coral assemblages are composed mainly by Lophelia pertusa and secondarily by Madrepora oculata and Enallopsammia rostrata. These cold-water coral patches are places where the benthic life, mainly sessile, is concentrated, which is clearly absent off-rubble patches. The main epibionts are tube-dwelling polychaetes (mainly Spirorbis and Serpula), bryozoans, siliceous sponges, barnacles, gorgonids, solitary corals, encrusting foraminifera, and microbial mats. The analysis of epibionts assemblages shows different biocoenoses between both studied sites as well as a dependency of the epibiont coverage with regard to the coral genus. Some living benthic organisms such as brachiopods, bivalves, gastropods, barnacles, and ophiuroids find refuge among coral branches. The common record of juvenile specimens of vagile organisms such as small ophiuroids, is probably related to the nursery function of the cold-water corals in spite they are fossils. Environmental requirements of Recent cold-water corals (Lophelia, Madrepora and Enallopsammia) differ of conditions at both sampling sites with sensibly lower oxygenation degree and density of waters than needed for cold-water corals. Therefore, it is proposed that the present-day oxygen and density conditions are the factors which inhibit modern cold-water coral growth in the inter-atoll channels.     

Exposure to a combination of heat and hyperoxia during cycling at submaximal intensity does not alter thermoregulatory responses

In this study, we tested the hypothesis that breathing hyperoxic air (F_inO₂ = 0.40) while exercising in a hot environment exerts negative effects on the total tissue level of haemoglobin concentration (tHb); core (T_core) and skin (T_skin) temperatures; muscle activity; heart rate; blood concentration of lactate; pH; partial pressure of oxygen (P_aO₂) and carbon dioxide; arterial oxygen saturation (S_aO₂); and perceptual responses. Ten well-trained male athletes cycled at submaximal intensity at 21°C or 33°C in randomized order: first for 20 min while breathing normal air (F_inO₂ = 0.21) and then 10 min with F_inO₂ = 0.40 (HOX). At both temperatures, S_aO₂ and P_aO₂, but not tHb, were increased by HOX. Tskin and perception of exertion and thermal discomfort were higher at 33°C than 21°C (p < 0.01), but independent of F_inO₂. T_core and muscle activity were the same under all conditions (p > 0.07). Blood lactate and heart rate were higher at 33°C than 21°C. In conclusion, during 30 min of submaximal cycling at 21°C or 33°C, T_core, T_skin and T_body, tHb, muscle activity and ratings of perceived exertion and thermal discomfort were the same under normoxic and hyperoxic conditions. Accordingly, breathing hyperoxic air (F_inO₂ = 0.40) did not affect thermoregulation under these conditions.     

Intrinsic oxygen affinity of hemoglobins: the hemoglobin of bisons (Bison bonasus,Bovidae)

The hemoglobin from a European Bison (Bison bonasus) was analysed and the complete primary structures of the alpha I-, alpha II-and beta-chains have been determined. The alpha I- and alpha II-chains differ only at position alpha 19 (Asp----Gly). The beta-chains are homogeneous. The sequences are compared with the globin chains of Bison bison and bovine and the polymorphism of the alpha-chains is discussed. On the basis of the primary structure it may be concluded that the hemoglobin of Bison bonasus belongs to the group of hemoglobins with intrinsically low oxygen affinity.     

An evolutionary conserved early replicating segment on the sex chromosomes of man and the great apes

Replication studies on prometaphase chromosomes of man, the chimpanzee, the pygmy chimpanzee, the gorilla, and the orangutan reveal great interspecific homologies between the autosomes. The early replicating X chromosomes clearly show a high degree of conservation of both the pattern and the time course of replication. An early replicating segment on the short arm of the X chromosomes of man (Xp22.3) which escapes inactivation can be found on the X chromosomes of the great apes as well. Furthermore, the most early replicating segment on the Y chromosomes of all species tested appears to be homologous to this segment on the X chromosomes. Therefore, these early replicating segments in the great apes may correspond to the pseudoautosomal segment proposed to exist in man. From further cytogenetic characterization of the Y chromosomes it is evident that structural alterations have resulted in an extreme divergence in both the euchromatic and heterochromatic parts. It is assumed, therefore, that, in contrast to the X chromosomes, the Y chromosomes have undergone a rapid evolution within the higher primates.