Although snake body temperature was found to vary based on several variables treated independently, two separate three-way interactions among variables were significant. We believe our results support the notion that P. c. sayi thermoconforms to environmental conditions in the upper Midwest, but more research on the topic is necessary. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors containing the alpha4 and beta2 subunits constitute the most abundant high-affinity binding site of nicotine in the brain and are critical for the addictive qualities of nicotine. 5-HT neurotransmission is thought to be an important contributor to nicotine addiction. Therefore
in this study it was examined how alpha4-containing receptors are positioned to modulate the function of 5-HT neurons using ultrastructural analysis of immunolabeling for the alpha4 receptor subunit in the dorsal raphe nucleus Pifithrin-�� datasheet (DR), a primary source of forebrain 5-HT in the rat. Of 150 profiles labeled for the alpha4 subunit, 140 or 93% consisted of either soma or dendrites, these were often small-caliber (distal) dendrites <11.5 mu m in diameter (63/150 or 42%). The majority (107/150 or 71%) of profiles containing labeling for alpha4 were dually labeled for the synthetic enzyme for 5-HT, tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH). Within dendrites immunogold labeling for alpha4
was present on the plasma membrane or near postsynaptic densities. However, labeling for alpha4 was commonly localized to the cytoplasmic compartment
often associated with smooth endoplasmic Liver X Receptor agonist reticulum, plausibly representing receptors in transit to or from the plasma membrane. Previous studies have suggested that nicotine presynaptically regulates activity onto 5-HT neurons, however alpha4 immunolabeling was detected Akt inhibitor in only 10 axons in the DR or 7% of profiles sampled. This finding suggest that alpha4 containing receptors are minor contributors to presynaptic regulation of synaptic activity onto 5-HT neurons, but rather alpha4 containing receptors are positioned to influence 5-HT neurons directly at postsynaptic sites. (C) 2008 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“1. Lipid peroxidation in the interscapular brown adipose tissue (iBAT) and liver was studied in rats acclimated to room (23 +/- 1 degrees C) and low temperature (5 +/- 1 degrees C, 42 days), as well as in animals exposed to 5 +/- 1 degrees C for 24 h; in addition, the tissue metallothionein (MT) and iron were determined.
2. The short- and long-term cold exposure did not affect lipid peroxidation in the iBAT, but increased the process in the liver.
3. The tissue MT analysis showed that the protein might protect iBAT but not liver against oxidative damage, especially during short-term cold exposure.
4. The tissue iron analysis revealed that there was no direct relationship of the total tissue Fe to lipid peroxidation during cold exposure. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.