Comparative localization of two serotonin receptors and sensorin in the central nervous system of Aplysia californica

Aplysia californica is a powerful model for understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying modulation of neuronal plasticity and learning. In the central nervous system of Aplysia, serotonin is associated with various behaviors. For example, it induces short-, intermediate-, and long-term synaptic changes in sensory neurons during learning and inhibits the afterdischarge of the bag cells that initiate egg-laying behavior. Little is known about the nature and contribution of serotonin receptors involved in the numerous serotonin-mediated physiological responses in Aplysia. Recently, two G(i)-coupled serotonin receptors (5-HT(ap1) and 5-HT(ap2)) were cloned. We now report that, by using in situ hybridization to express the profile of these receptors, we are able to gain critical insight into their roles in the behavior of Aplysia. We compared their distribution to that of sensorin-A, a peptide specifically found in sensory neurons. We wished to determine their involvement in some simple forms of behavioral modifications. 5-HT(ap1) and 5-HT(ap2) mRNAs are expressed in all ganglia of the Aplysia central nervous system. Stronger signal was observed with the 5-HT(ap2) antisense probe than with the 5-HT(ap1) antisense probe. Notably, mRNA coding for the receptors was found in several identified neurons, in the bag cells, in characterized serotonergic neurons, and in neurons of the mechanosensory clusters that expressed sensorin. We also observed heterogeneity of receptor expression between R2 and LPl1 and among neurons of a single cluster of sensory neurons. These results suggest that 5-HT(ap1) and 5-HT(ap2) receptors may regulate the response to serotonin and/or its release in several neurons.     

Chemical adaptor immunotherapy: design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel integrin-targeting devices

A series of beta-diketone derivatives of RGD peptidomimetics that selectively bind to alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta5 integrins were synthesized and covalently docked to the reactive lysine residues of monoclonal aldolase antibody 38C2. The resulting targeting devices strongly and selectively bound to human cancer cells expressing integrins alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta5 as analyzed by flow cytometry. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed that these novel integrin-targeting devices efficiently inhibit tumor growth. Thus, the combination of beta-diketone derivatives of RGD peptidomimetics that target cell surface integrins alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta5 with monoclonal aldolase antibodies through formation of a covalent bond of defined stoichiometry holds promise as a new approach to cancer therapy.     

Reactive immunization: a unique approach to catalytic antibodies

The development of antibody catalysts and indeed natural antibody responses has in the past been based on non-covalent binding to antigens. In contrast to this, reactive immunization utilizes reactive immunogens that covalently react with antibodies during the course of their induction through a designed chemical transformation. The inducing chemical transformation is designed to become part of the catalytic mechanism when the antibody is subsequently challenged with substrate molecules. Reactive immunization has proven to be an efficient approach to generating highly proficient catalytic antibodies with unusually broad substrate scope. This review describes catalytic antibodies generated by reactive immunization, their features and applications, as well as in vitro selection of catalytic antibodies based on reactive compounds.     

Capillary electrophoresis determination of loratadine and related impurities

While HPLC has traditionally been the method of choice for purity determination of pharmaceutical substances, capillary electrophoresis (CE) offers a different selectivity and hence it is a complementary technique to HPLC. Loratadine, an antihistamine, could include in its raw material seven impurities that ought to be separated, identified and quantified for drug development and quality control. As a complementary tool for undoubtful identification, a CE method has been developed. The separation was carried out with an uncoated fused-silica capillary (57 cm x 50 microm ID) and was operated at 20 kV potential. Temperature was maintained at 25 degrees C. The final separation buffer was prepared with 100 mM H(3)PO(4) made up to pH 2.5 with NaOH and with 10% acetonitrile added (v/v). Impurities can be detected at the 0.1% level of the active and validation parameters for linearity accuracy and precision are adequate for all the analytes and that permits to consider the method reliable and suitable for application to long-term stability and purity studies.     

Physical Therapy and Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An Educational Tool for Enhancing Integration

In an outpatient rehabilitation setting, both patients’ use and therapists’ knowledge of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) varies widely. Based on this observation and a recognition of CAM as an emerging practice area for rehabilitation professionals, it was felt that a thorough and consistent approach to the education and orientation of physical therapists to the world of CAM and integrative care was needed. This special interest paper will describe one center’s approach, development, and use of a unique and comprehensive training manual designed to provide both a structured and standardized approach for educating physical therapists about CAM and related therapeutic modalities. This innovative teaching tool allows for multiple methods of content delivery within a multidisciplinary format and can be used for those who practice currently or desire to practice in an integrative care environment.     

A genome-wide allelotype study of primary and corresponding recurrent glioblastoma multiforme in one patient

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common type of primary malignant brain tumor. Although comprehensive therapeutic measures are available, recurrence is very frequent and the prognosis of GBM remains dismal. To date, little is known about the molecular pathogenesis associated with GBM recurrence. According to Knudson ' s two-hit hypothesis of tumor suppressor gene (TSG) inactivation,1 deletion of a chromosomal region, as revealed by loss of heterozygosity (LOH), is often indicative of the presence of a potential TSG. Allelotype studies involving a comprehensive LOH analysis of the whole genome can provide more detailed and thorough information for detecting genetic anomalies than traditional LOH analysis. The present study is designed to conduct a genome-wide allelotype analysis of one patient ' s primary and corresponding recurrent GBM tumors in an effort to reveal molecular genetic alterations associated with the recurrence of this malignancy.