0000000000248535
AUTHOR
U. Schmitt
Characterization of thin superconducting YBaCuO-films by Raman-spectroscopy
We have investigated thin sputtered films of the high Tc material YBa2Cu3O7 by means of Raman spectroscopy at different stages of the preparation process. We find that the films are amorphous after sputtering. The Raman spectra indicate that random polycrystalline layers, as well as crystalline layers with preferred orientation, are obtained by an additional thermal treatment.
Behavioural Consequences of P-Glycoprotein Deficiency in Mice, with Special Focus on Stress-Related Mechanisms
P-glycoprotein (P-gp), an efflux transporter localised in the blood-brain barrier, limits the access of multiple xenobiotics to the central nervous system. Whether it is also implemented in the transport of the endogenous glucocorticoid corticosterone is a matter of debate. The P-gp knockout mouse model [abcb1a/b (-/-)] has been shown to differ in the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. In the present study, we investigated the behaviour of abcb1a/b (-/-) and wild-type mice with respect to stress-related tests and the effects of corticosterone. Behavioural activities were assessed in the open field (OF) test for 4 days, and in the forced swimming test (FST) and tai…
Spatial learning and expression patterns of PP1 mRNA in mouse hippocampus.
<i>Background:</i> Synaptic plasticity is believed to be the major cellular basis for learning and memory. Protein phosphorylation is a key process involved in changes in the efficacy of neurotransmission. In long-term changes synaptic plasticity is followed by structural plasticity and protein de novo synthesis. Such mechanisms are believed to build the basis of hippocampal learning and memory investigated in the Morris water maze (MWM) task. To examine the role of dephosphorylation during that model for spatial learning, we analyzed protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) expression in the hippocampus of mice at various stages of the task and in two groups with different learning abilitie…
High-resolution spectroscopy of the ν3 band of WF6 and ReF6 in a supersonic jet
We have recorded the Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum of the ν3 fundamental band of WF6 in a continuous supersonic jet expansion with an instrumental bandwidth of 0.0024 cm−1 (FWHM, full width at half maximum, unapodized), using a Bomem DA.002 spectrometer. Some parts of this band have also been recorded with 0.0007 cm−1 bandwidth using a diode laser spectrometer combined with a pulsed slit jet expansion. A multiple-pass arrangement has been used for the slit jet to observe low-intensity lines. In each case, we have used a WF6:He mixture with a seeding ratio 1:3 leading to a rotational temperature of ca. 50 K. This work extends the previous investigation of Takami and Kuze [J. Che…
Detection of behavioral alterations and learning deficits in mice lacking synaptophysin.
The integral membrane protein synaptophysin is one of the most abundant polypeptide components of synaptic vesicles. It is not essential for neurotransmission despite its abundance but is believed to modulate the efficiency of the synaptic vesicle cycle. Detailed behavioral analyses were therefore performed on synaptophysin knockout mice to test whether synaptophysin affects higher brain functions. We find that these animals are more exploratory than their wild type counterparts examining novel objects more closely and intensely in an enriched open field arena. We also detect impairments in learning and memory, most notably reduced object novelty recognition and reduced spatial learning. Th…