Recruiting future neuroscientists: what asking the recruits can teach us.

Many different strategies are used to recruit students into scientific research careers, including neuroscience research. These strategies are rarely based on knowledge about students; instead, activities are selected based on their ease of implementation. The goal of the LEARN Project is to encourage high school students into mental health science research using the theme of learning and memory. One intervention the authors developed is five Web-based biographies introducing students to contemporary neuroscientist role models studying learning and memory. To guide the design of this intervention, the authors created a survey to determine where students obtain career information and who and what influences their career selection. In a convenience sample of 124 students, the authors found that almost all students use the Internet for information about careers, in addition to consulting family members and teachers. Students' career selections are influenced most by family members, teachers, and people already in the field. The most important factors students look for in their future career are money, fun, and a good match between current interests and future careers. The data affirm the value of outreach efforts that go beyond students to include a broader audience of parents and teachers who play a critical role in career selection.     

Dual effects of spinally delivered 8-bromo-cyclic guanosine mono-phosphate (8-bromo-cGMP) in formalin-induced nociception in rats

Interactions are known to occur in the brain between serotonin (5-HT) and substance P (SP). To investigate whether SP can directly influence serotonergic neurons, double immunohistochemical labelings were performed on rat brain sections with NK1 or NK3 affinity-purified antibodies and a 5-HT monoclonal antibody. It was found that the vast majority of serotonergic cell bodies do not colocalize NK1 or NK3 labeling. Only in the central linear nucleus and ventral part of the dorsal raphe nucleus were a few serotonergic neurons double-labeled for NK1 receptors (15 and 0.8% of serotonergic neurons, respectively). It is suggested that serotonergic neurons are not major direct targets for SP in the rat brain.     

Dodecon,das lösliche Hämagglutinin bei allen Adenoviren der Untergruppe II

Zusammenfassung Die Sedimentationsraten der kompletten löslichen Hämagglutinine der Adenoviren wurden bei 16 Prototypen der Untergruppe II im Saccharose-Gradienten bestimmt. Die Werte waren für alle Viren ähnlich (65±10S). Dies bedeutet, daß die strukturellen Komponenten ebenfalls identisch sein dürften, also Dodecon (1).

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Dodecon, the soluble hemagglutinin present in all adenovirus types of subgroup II

Summary The sedimentation rate of the soluble complete hemagglutinins of 16 prototype adenoviruses of subgroup II were determined by means of sucrose gradient centrifugation. The rates were similar for all types (65±10S), thus indicating that the structural components may also be identicali.e. dodecon (1).

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Durchgeführt mit Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Flow cytometric analysis of cell proliferation dynamics in the B cell compartment of the mouse

Using a method which allows simultaneous flow cytometric detectionof cell surface markers and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation,the distribution and proliferative behavior of B lineage subpopulationswas studied in intact adult mice. In the bone marrow we coulddefine two subsets of B cells on the basis of differential expressionof the pan-B cell marker B220 and of membrane-associated µand immunoglobulin heavy chains. B220^dullµ^+– Bcells were found to emerge from rapidly dividing cells and probablyrepresent B cells recently generated from B220^dullµ^–pie-B cells. In contrast, oniy few, If any, of the B220^brightµ⁺⁺B cells were labeled with BrdU after a period of 8 days, suggestingthat these cells represent long-lived B cells residing in thebone marrow. Analysis of BrdU-Incorporation into splenic B cellsshowed that only 20% of these cells had gone through cell divisionduring the preceding 8 days. Almost none of the B cells in theperitoneum, a large fraction of which belongs to the Ly1 B subset,were labeled with BrdU over a period of 7 days in 8-month-oldanimals.     

Enhanced cellular immune response and reduced CD8(+) lymphocyte apoptosis in acutely SIV-infected Rhesus macaques after short-term antiretroviral treatment

Losing the decisive virus-specific functions of both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes in the first weeks after immunodeficiency virus infection ultimately leads to AIDS. The SIV/rhesus monkey model for AIDS was used to demonstrate that a 4-week chemotherapeutic reduction of viral load during acute SIV infection of macaques allowed the development of a competent immune response able to control virus replication after discontinuation of treatment in two of five monkeys. Increasing SIV-specific CD4(+) T-helper-cell proliferation was found in all macaques several weeks after treatment, independent of their viral load. However, only macaques with low viral loads showed persistent T-cell reactivity of lymph node cells. In contrast to animals with higher viral loads, T-helper-cell counts and memory T-helper cells did not decline in the two macaques controlling viral replication. Lymphocyte apoptosis was consistently low in all treated macaques. In contrast, high CD8(+) lymphocyte death but only slightly increased CD4(+) lymphocyte apoptosis were observed during the first weeks after infection in untreated control animals, indicating that early apoptotic death of virus-specific CTL could be an important factor for disease development. Antiretroviral treatment early after infection obviously retained virus-specific and competent T lymphocytes, whereby a virus-specific immune response could develop in two animals able to control the viral replication after cessation of treatment.     

Dosimetric characteristics of a new unshielded silicon diode and its application in clinical photon and electron beams

Shielded p-silicon diodes, frequently applied in general photon-beam dosimetry, show certain imperfections when applied in the small photon fields occurring in stereotactic or intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), in electron beams and in the buildup region of photon beam dose distributions. Using as a study object the shielded p-silicon diode PTW 60008, well known for its reliable performance in general photon dosimetry, we have identified these imperfections as effects of electron scattering at the metallic parts of the shielding. In order to overcome these difficulties a new, unshielded diode PTW 60012 has been designed and manufactured by PTW Freiburg. By comparison with reference detectors, such as thimble and plane-parallel ionization chambers and a diamond detector, we could show the absence of these imperfections. An excellent performance of the new unshielded diode for the special dosimetric tasks in small photon fields, electron beams and build-up regions of photon beams has been observed. The new diode also has an improved angular response. However, due to its over-response to low-energy scattered photons, its recommended range of use does not include output factor measurements in large photon fields, although this effect can be compensated by a thin auxiliary lead shield.     

Protection against ischemic damage by adenosine amine congener, a potent and selective adenosine A1 receptor agonist

Although the selectivity and potency of adenosine amine congener (ADAC) at adenosine A1 receptors are similar to other highly selective agonists at this receptor type, the chemical structure of the N6 substituent is completely different. We now demonstrate that the characteristics of the therapeutic profile of ADAC are distinct from those observed during our previous studies of adenosine A1 receptor agonist-mediated neuroprotection. Most significantly, chronic treatment with low microgram doses of ADAC (25-100 microg/kg) protects against both mortality and neuronal damage induced by 10 min bilateral carotid occlusion in gerbils. At higher chronic doses, the statistical significance of the protective effect is lost. Acute preischemic administration of the drug at 75-200 microg/kg also results in a statistically significant reduction of postischemic mortality and morbidity. These data indicate that, contrary to other adenosine A1 receptor agonists whose chronic administration enhances postocclusive brain damage, ADAC may be a promising agent in treatment of both acute (e.g., cerebral ischemia) and chronic (seizures) disorders of the central nervous system in which adenosine A receptors appear to be involved.