Isolated vibrational wavepackets in D-2(+): Defining superposition conditions and wavepacket distinguishability

Tunnel ionization of room-temperature D-2 in an ultrashort (12 femtosecond) near infrared (800 nm) pump laser pulse excites a vibrational wavepacket in the D-2(+) ions; a rotational wavepacket is also excited in residual D-2 molecules. Both wavepacket types are collapsed a variable time later by an ultrashort probe pulse. We isolate the vibrational wavepacket and quantify its evolution dynamics through theoretical comparison. Requirements for quantum computation (initial coherence and quantum state retrieval) are studied using this well-defined (small number of initial states at room temperature, initial wavepacket spatially localized) single-electron molecular prototype by temporally stretching the pump and probe pulses.

Helokinestatin: a new bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist decapeptide from lizard venom.

Synthetic bradykinin antagonist peptides/peptoids have been powerful tools for delineating the roles of kinins in both normal physiology and in pathological states. Here, we report the identification of a novel, naturally occurring bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist peptide, helokinestatin, isolated and structurally characterized from the venoms of helodermatid lizards—the Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) and the Mexican beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum). The primary structure of the peptide was established by a combination of microsequencing and mass spectroscopy as Gly-Pro-Pro-Tyr-Gln-Pro-Leu-Val-Pro-Arg (Mr 1122.62). A synthetic replicate of helokinestatin was found to inhibit bradykinin-induced vasorelaxation of phenylephrine pre-constricted rat tail artery smooth muscle, mediated by the B2 receptor sub-type, in a dose-dependent manner. Natural selection, that generates functional optimization of predatory reptile venom peptides, can potentially provide new insights for drug lead design or for normal physiological or pathophysiological processes.

Cholinergic-induced Ca2+ signaling in interstitial cells of Cajal from the guinea pig bladder.

Acetylcholine released from parasympathetic excitatory nerves activates contraction in detrusor smooth muscle. Immunohistochemical labeling of guinea pig detrusor with anti-c-Kit and anti-VAChT demonstrated a close structural relationship between interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and cholinergic nerves. The ability of guinea pig bladder detrusor ICC to respond to the acetylcholine analog, carbachol, was investigated in enzymatically dissociated cells, loaded with the Ca(2+) indicator fluo 4AM. ICC fired Ca(2+) transients in response to stimulation by carbachol (1/10 microM). Their pharmacology was consistent with carbachol-induced contractions in strips of detrusor which were inhibited by 4-DAMP (1 microM), an M(3) receptor antagonist, but not by the M(2) receptor antagonist methoctramine (1 microM). The source of Ca(2+) underlying the carbachol transients in isolated ICC was investigated using agents to interfere with influx or release from intracellular stores. Nifedipine (1 microM) or Ni(2+) (30-100 microM) to block Ca(2+) channels or the removal of external Ca(2+) reduced the amplitude of the carbachol transients. Application of ryanodine (30 microM) or tetracaine (100 microM) abolished the transients. The phospholipase C inhibitor, U-73122 (2.5 microM), significantly reduced the responses. 2-Aminoethoxydiethylborate (30 microM) caused a significant reduction and Xestospongin C (1 microM) was more effective, almost abolishing the responses. Intact in situ preparations of guinea pig bladder loaded with a Ca(2+) indicator showed distinctively different patterns of spontaneous Ca(2+) events in smooth muscle cells and ICC. Both cell types responded to carbachol by an increase in frequency of these events. In conclusion, guinea pig bladder detrusor ICC, both as isolated cells and within whole tissue preparations, respond to cholinergic stimulation by firing Ca(2+) transients. PMID: 18171995 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Electrical activity induced by nitric oxide in canine colonic circular muscle.

Nitric oxide generates slow electrical oscillations (SEOs) in cells near the myenteric edge of the circular muscle layer, which resemble slow waves generated by interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) at the submucosal edge of this muscle. The properties of SEOs were studied to determine whether these events are similar to slow waves. Rapid frequency membrane potential oscillations (MPOs; 16 +/- 1 cycles/min and 9.6 +/- 0.2 mV) were recorded from control muscles near the myenteric edge. Sodium nitroprusside (0.3 microM) reduced MPOs and initiated SEOs (1.3 +/- 0.3 cycles/min and 13.4 +/- 1.4 mV amplitude). SEOs were abolished by the guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]-quinoxaline-1-one (10 microM). MPOs were abolished by nifedipine (1 microM), whereas SEO frequency increased and the amount of depolarization decreased. BAY K 8644 (1 microM) prolonged SEOs and reduced their frequency. SEOs were abolished by Ni(2+) (0.5 mM), low Ca(2+) solution (0.1 mM Ca(2+)), cyclopiazonic acid (10 microM), and the mitochondrial uncouplers antimycin (10 microM) and carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (1 microM). Oligomycin (10 microM) was without effect. These effects are similar to those described for colonic slow waves. Our results suggest that nitric oxide-induced SEOs are similar in mechanism to slow waves, an activity not previously thought to be generated by myenteric pacemakers.

Development of an ELISA screening test for nitroimidazoles in egg and chicken muscle

An antibody was generated that can bind metronidazole (MNZ), a nitroimidazole drug used in veterinary medicine to treat poultry for coccidiosis and histomoniasis. A direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) is described. It was used to characterise binding of this antibody to a number of nitroimidazole drugs. It displayed cross-reactivity with dimetridazole (DMZ), ronidazole (RNZ), hydroxydimetridazole (DMZOH), and ipronidazole (IPZ).

Screening for the coccidiostats halofuginone and nicarbazin in egg and chicken muscle: development of an ELISA

Nicarbazin and halofuginone have been widely used as coccidiostats for the prevention and treatment of coccidiosis in poultry. It has been shown that accidental cross-contamination of feed can lead to residues of these compounds in eggs and/or muscle. This paper describes a direct competitive assay for detecting halofuginone and nicarbazin, developed as qualitative screening assay. In an optimized competitive ELISA, antibodies showed 50% binding inhibition at approximately 0.08 ng ml(-1) for halofuginone and 2.5 ng ml(-1) for dinitrocarbanilide (marker residue for nicarbazin). Extraction from the matrix was carried out with acetonitrile followed by a wash with hexane. The assay's detection capability (CCbeta) for halofuginone was

Optimisation of trench isolated bipolar transistors on SOI substrates by 3D electro-thermal simulations

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of thermal resistance of trench isolated bipolar transistors on SOI substrates based on 3D electro-thermal simulations calibrated to experimental data. The impact of emitter length, width, spacing and number of emitter fingers on thermal resistance is analysed in detail. The results are used to design and optimise transistors with minimum thermal resistance and minimum transistor area. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Neuroactive substances and associated major muscle systems in Bucephaloides gracilescens (Trematoda : Digenea) metacercaria and adult

Cholinergic, serotoninergic and neuropeptidergic components of the nervous system were examined and compared in the progenetic metacercaria and adult gasterostome trematode, Bucephaloides gracilescens in order to provide baseline information on neuronal control of the musculature involved in egg-assembly. Enzyme cytochemistry and indirect immunocytochemical techniques interfaced with confocal scanning laser microscopy demonstrated all three classes of neuroactive substance throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems. A comparable orthogonal arrangement of the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral array of nerve plexuses was observed in both metacercaria and adult. Staining patterns for cholinergic and peptidergic substances showed significant overlap, while the serotoninergic system was confined to a separate set of neurons. Immunostaining for FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs) was strong in the CNS and peripheral innervation to the attachment apparatus of metacercaria and adult but was only found in the innervation of the ootype in ovigerous adults, implicating FaRPs in neuronal control of the muscle of the female reproductive tract during egg-assembly.