Search results for "plastic"

Interactions between cholinergic and fibroblast growth factor receptors in brain trophism and plasticity

2014

Acetylcholine, acting on both nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) and muscarinic receptors (mAChRs), plays a role in the regulation of synaptic plasticity, being involved in the regulation of cellular processes and cognitive functions, such as learning, memory and attention. Recently, G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), including mAChRs, have been reported to transactivate tyrosine-kinase receptors (RTK), such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and initiate their intracellular signaling. In this minireview we have first analysed the RTK transactivation mechanisms, involving cholinergic receptors, and thereafter the interplay between AChR and neurotrophic factor systems built up by FGF2 a…

Ionizing radiation-induced E-selectin gene expression and tumor cell adhesion is inhibited by lovastatin and all-trans retinoic acid

2004

E-selectin mediated tumor cell adhesion plays an important role in metastasis. Here we show that ionizing radiation (IR) induces E-selectin gene and protein expression in human endothelial cells at therapeutically relevant dose level. E-selectin expression is accompanied by an increase in the adhesion of human colon carcinoma cells to primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor lovastatin impairs IR-stimulated E-selectin expression as analyzed at the level of the protein, mRNA and promoter. Inactivation of Rho GTPases either by use of Clostridium difficile toxin A or by co-expression of dominant-negative Rho blocked IR-induced E-selectin gene indu…

Proteomic profiling of Trastuzumab (Herceptin(R))-sensitive and -resistant SKBR-3 breast cancer cells.

2013

BACKGROUND: The Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER-2), overexpressed in 25-30% of breast carcinomas (BC), is the therapeutic target for trastuzumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody. The initial response to trastuzumab is often followed by drug-insensitivity within one year. Several hypotheses have been raised to explain this event, but the mechanisms behind the responses to trastuzumab are still unclear. Aim: To study the effects of short and prolonged trastuzumab treatment on the proteomic profiles of HER-2-overexpressing SKBR-3 BC cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cells were treated with trastuzumab to obtain sensitive and resistant clones. The drug effects were evaluat…

Preliminary studies on the use of Trichoderma sp. in the process of decomposition of biodegradable packaging

2015

Modeling of neuron-astrocyte interaction : application to signal and image processing

2022

The introduction of the tripartite synapse and the discovery of calcium wave propagation motivated our research to explore the potential of astrocytes as active components in brain circuits. For decades, astrocytes have been considered passive cells whose primary function is metabolic and structural support to neurons; however, recent physiological measurements suggest that astrocytes modulate neural communication, strengthen synaptic efficacy, enhance synchronization, and promote homeostasis. Inspired by these biological functions, this research aimed to implement astrocytes in artificial spiking networks for deep learning applications. First, we modeled the biological interaction between …

Synthesis of 5H-pyrido[3,2-b]pyrrolizin-5-one tripentone analogs with antitumor activity

2018

Abstract Pyrrolizinones represent an interesting class of compounds with varied degrees of structural complexity and pharmacological activity. Among these, 9H-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrrolizin-9-one, tripentone analogs, recently reported by us, showed significant antiproliferative activity against human tumor cell lines, inducing apoptosis and not affecting viability of Caco-2 differentiated in normal intestinal-like cells. Considering their interesting biological activity, their 5H-pyrido[3,2-b]pyrrolizin-5-one analogs were efficiently synthesized in good to excellent yields (61–91%). All tripentone derivatives were tested to assess their cytotoxicity against two human tumor cell lines, HCT-116 (hum…

Darstellung einiger oligomerer Cyclo{oligo[(2-hydroxy-1,3-phenylen)methylen]}e. Spektroskopische Untersuchung ihrer Pseudorotation

1978

Es wird die Darstellung von Cyclo{tris[(2-hydroxy-5-methyl-1,3-phenylen)methylen]-(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-1,3-phenylen)methylen} (4a), Cyclo{bis[(2-hydroxy-5-methyl-1,3-phenylen)methylen]-bis[(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-1,3-phenylen)methylen]}(4b) und Cyclo-{pentakis[(2-hydroxy-5-methyl-1,3-phenylen)methylen]} (4c) beschrieben. Die IR-Spektren zeigen, das die phenolischen Hydroxygruppen der Vierringverbindungen 4a und 4b intramolekulare, vom Losungs(CCl4)- oder Zerteilungsmittel (KBr) weitgehend unabhangige Wasserstoffbrucken bilden, die bei der pentameren Ringverbindung 4c schwacher sind. Anhand der 1H-NMR-Spektren last sich bei diesen Verbindungen eine Pseudorotation nachweisen. Die Massenspe…

Life-history trade-offs in a generalist digenean from cetaceans: the role of host specificity and environmental factors

2015

Background Adults and larvae of generalist parasites are exposed to diverse hosts and local environmental conditions throughout their life cycles, thus local adaptation is expected to occur through phenotypic plasticity and/or natural selection. We investigated how the combined effect of cryptic host specificity and local selective pressures could shape reproductive traits of a putative generalist parasite in the oceanic realm. Methods The LSU rDNA, ITS2 and the mt-COI of individuals of the digenean Pholeter gastrophilus (Kossack, 1910) Odhner, 1914 (Heterophyidae Leiper, 1909) from oceanic striped dolphins, Stenella coeruleoalba Meyen, and coastal bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus Mo…

BDNF-induced nitric oxide signals in cultured rat hippocampal neurons: time course, mechanism of generation, and effect on neurotrophin secretion

2014

BDNF and nitric oxide signaling both contribute to plasticity at glutamatergic synapses. However, the role of combined signaling of both pathways at the same synapse is largely unknown. Using NO imaging with diaminofluoresceine in cultured hippocampal neurons we analyzed the time course of neurotrophin-induced NO signals. Application of exogenous BDNF, NT-4, and NT-3 (but not NGF) induced NO signals in the soma and in proximal dendrites of hippocampal neurons that were sensitive to NO synthase activity, TrkB signaling, and intracellular calcium elevation. The effect of NO signaling on neurotrophin secretion was analyzed in BDNF-GFP, and NT-3-GFP transfected hippocampal neurons. Exogenous ap…

Comments on Guimarães & Sawaya. Pretending to be venomous: is a snake's head shape a trustworthy signal to a predator?

2011

Several species of non-venomous snake are known to flatten their heads when disturbed, and this behaviour has been suggested to be a mimicry of vipers (Arnold & Ovenden 2002, Hailey & Davies 1986, Young et al. 1999). Using plasticine models, Guimaraes & Sawaya (2011) tested the antipredatory function of a triangular head shape in snakes. Their article presents the first published empirical experiment testing the adaptive significance of vipers’ triangular head shape. Guimaraes & Sawaya (2011) found no support for the viper mimicry hypothesis. Accordingly, they concluded that ‘the shape of [the] head seemed not to confer advantage itself’. Although the use of plasticine models is a generally…