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Outermost Layer (outermost + layer)
Selected AbstractsElectrophysiological characterization of laminar synaptic inputs to the olfactory tubercle of the rat studied in vitro: modulation of glutamatergic transmission by cholinergic agents is pathway-specificEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 9 2001G. S. Owen Abstract We have exploited the complementary arrangement of afferents in a coronal slice (300,400 µm) of the rat olfactory tubercle (OT) maintained in vitro to investigate transmission in two separate synaptic pathways. We recorded extracellular responses within the OT dense cell layer in slices and stimulated either the outermost layer to activate primary olfactory fibres or deeper to activate secondary input. Superficial stimulation produced a synaptic potential with superimposed population spike. This interpretation was based on blockade by calcium removal from the bathing medium and the use of the glutamate antagonist DNQX (10 µm); the spike was found to be selectively suppressed by tetrodotoxin applied near the cells. The spike, but not the synaptic wave, was depressed by 12 mm Ca2+ and enhanced by 1 mm Ba2+ in the bathing medium. Deep stimulation to activate association and intrinsic fibres elicited a nerve volley followed by a later response, also blocked by Ca2+ removal or 10 µm DNQX. It was unaffected by high Ca2+ or Ba2+, hence resulting from synaptic and not action current flow. Removal of Mg2+ from the bathing medium revealed an NMDA component of synaptic transmission at both loci that was selectively blocked by D-AP-5. The deep synaptic response, only, was depressed by carbachol IC50 7 µm or muscarine IC50 13 µm. This depression was also induced by AChE inhibitors eserine or tacrine and was antagonized by 1 µm atropine or 5,10 µm clozapine. These results characterize transmission in the OT and demonstrate a role for muscarinic modulation of deeper synapses in the OT that is influenced by psychotherapeutic drugs. [source] On the vascularization and structure of the skin of a Korean bullhead Pseudobagrus brevicorpus (Bagridae, Teleostei) based on its entire body and appendagesJOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 1 2010J. Y. Park Summary To investigate the vascularization and structure of the skin and its relationship to cutaneous respiration in Pseudobagrus brevicorpus, a histological study by light microscopy was carried out on 15 regions of the skin, including eight body regions, six fins and the barbel. The skin consisted of the epidermis, dermis and subcutis in all regions, except for the barbel that had a relatively thin dermis and subcutis. The epidermis was composed of the outermost layer, the middle layer and the stratum germinativum. There were two kinds of gland cells: the unicellular mucus cells and large club cells. The middle layer had a small number of fine blood capillaries accompanied by dermal collagen in all regions; the mean number of blood capillaries ranged from 0.9 to 5.9. The mean diffusion distance between the capillary endothelial cells and the surface of the epidermis ranged from 50.6 to 126.8 ,m. Based on these intra-epithelial blood capillaries, the relative surface area of the respiratory epithelium ranged from 0.1 to a maximum value of 1.2%. The dermis lacking scales had collagen bundles arranged parallel to each other, but vertical fiber bundles around the dorso-lateral regions were seen at intervals. Sensory organs such as taste buds, pit organs and lateral canals were found whereby the taste buds in particular were more abundant in the epidermis of the barbel. The vascularization of the skin may be closely related to an additional respiratory system used to deal with an extreme hypoxic condition during dry seasons. [source] Disposition and pharmacokinetics of a lubricant contaminant, 2,6-di- tert -butyl 4-nitrophenol, in grafted human skinJOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, Issue 5 2006Lynn K. Pershing Abstract Disposition and uptake/elimination profiles of topical 2,6-di- t -butyl, 4-nitrophenol (DBNP), the nitrated metabolite of an antioxidant additive of lubricant and hydraulic fluids was quantified in human skin grafted on athymic mice after a single topical 75 µg dose in corn oil. DBNP was quantified throughout the stratum corneum (SC), epidermis (E) and dermis (D) in punch biopsies collected from treated skin 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24 h after application. SC samples were harvested from the treated skin with 20 adhesive discs. E and D were generated from the biopsy using a manual sectioning method. Detectable DBNP concentrations were measured in all skin compartments at all time points investigated. The Cmax of DBNP in SC was 1663 ± 602 µg cm,3, and ,30 and ,300 fold greater than the Cmax for E and D, respectively. Tmax occurred at 1.0, 0.5 and 1.0 in the SC, E and D, respectively. Over a 24 h interval (AUC0,24 h) there was 52 and 520 fold more DBNP in the SC than E and D, respectively. The elimination half-life of DBNP was 11 h from the SC and 9 h from both E and D. Thus, DBNP was quickly absorbed into the outermost layer of skin and established a steep concentration profile through human skin. The data are consistent with the vast majority of DBNP remaining on the surface (77%) or within human skin (15%) in vivo with only 0.2% of the DBNP dose quantified in the systemic blood circulation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The M5 muscarinic receptor as possible target for treatment of drug abuseJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 6 2009R. B. Raffa Summary Two reports published in the latter 1980s are generally given credit for being the first to announce the discovery of a new subtype of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR), designated m5 or M5, and now officially M5 (1). Both identifications were assigned using molecular biology techniques. Then , as now , no selective high-affinity ligands or toxins were available. In situ hybridization and reverse-transcriptase PCR have found M5 AChR expression in brain to be distinct from that of the four other G protein-coupled mAChR subtypes and primarily localized to the substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area, hippocampus (CA1 and CA2 subfields), cerebral cortex (outermost layer) and striatum (caudate putamen). M5 AChR brain region localization and involvement in the regulation of striatal dopamine release and in rewarding brain stimulation suggests a possible role for M5 AChR as a target for novel therapy to treat excess hedonic drive, including drug abuse. [source] p63 expression in normal human epidermis and epidermal appendages and their tumorsJOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2003Miki Tsujita-Kyutoku Background:, p63, a member of the p53 gene family, is expressed in basal cells of several different organs. Methods:, The immunoreactivity of p63 was examined in normal human epidermis and epidermal appendages and their tumors, and compared with proliferative activity as evaluated by Ki-67. Results:, In normal skin, p63 expression was seen in basal/suprabasal cells of the epidermis, outer root sheath and hair matrix cells of the hair follicle, seboblast situated in the outermost layer of sebaceous glands, and outer layer cells of the ductal portion and myoepithelial cells of the secretory portion of the sweat glands. p63 expression was confined to the cells forming a continuous basal rim along the normal epithelial structure. In tumors, p63 expression resembled that in normal tissue in that tumor components originating from p63-positive cells were constantly positive for p63. In normal and tumor tissues, not all p63-positive cells were positive for Ki-67. Conclusions:, p63 expression may be a marker of basal/progenitor cells in tumors of epidermis and epidermal appendages, and may be a diagnostic marker of these tumors. [source] Structure of the skin of an air-breathing mudskipper, Periophthalmus magnuspinnatusJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2002J. Y. Park The epidermis of the mudskipper Periophthalmus magnuspinnatus consisted of three layers: the outermost layer, middle layer and stratum germinativum. Extensive vascular capillary networks were present near the superficial layer of epidermis and outermost layer. The diffusion distance between the vascular capillaries and the surface of epidermis was c. 1.5 ± 0.9,m. The middle layer consisted of small or voluminous cells swollen by epidermal cells. Due to the swollen cells, the thickness of the epidermis increased and the epidermis appeared web-like. The swollen cells contained tonofilaments, lucent contents and desmosomes. Fine blood capillaries were also discernible in this layer. Well-developed lymphatic spaces containing lymphocytes existed in the stratum germinativum. Numerous blood capillaries were present under the basement membrane. The dermis consisted of a stratum laxum and stratum compactum, and there was a definite area with acid mucopolysaccharides and a small scale in the stratum laxum. The skin had an epidermal pigment cell, dendritic melanophores (-cytes) containing melanin granules within their cytoplasm, and two kinds of dermal pigment cells, melanophores and colourless pigments containing reflecting platelets. [source] Design of Ceramic Materials for Chemical Sensors: Effect of SmFeO3 Processing on Surface and Electrical PropertiesJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 2 2001Hiromichi Aono Perovskite-type SmFeO3 powders were prepared by the thermal decomposition of a heteronuclear complex, Sm(Fe(CN)6)·4H2O and by solid-state reaction between the corresponding single oxides, Sm2O3 and Fe2O3. The thermal decomposition behavior of the complex was studied by thermogravimetric analysis. X-ray diffractometry was used to investigate the structure of the products from the complex thermal decomposition and the formation of SmFeO3 from the oxide mixture. Powders prepared by both methods were used to deposit thick films onto alumina substrates with comb-type gold electrodes. The microstructure and chemical homogeneity of the film surfaces were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy. Thick SmFeO3 single-phase films having a homogeneous elemental distribution on the surface were obtained when powder prepared by thermal decomposition of the complex was used for deposition, even when the powder was fired at low temperature (800°C). Surface chemical analysis was performed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The O 1s XPS line was deconvoluted into two peaks, attributed to adsorbed oxygen (Oad) and oxygen in the lattice (Olattice). Quantitative analysis showed that the surface coverage of iron, expressed as Fe/(Fe + Sm), was larger for the films prepared using the solid-state reacted powder. Although the Olattice/(Fe + Sm) atomic ratio was not influenced by the processing procedures (and, thus, by iron surface coverage), the amount of Oad decreased with increasing iron surface coverage. A model of the SmFeO3 surface was used to determine that the outermost layer of the perovskite-type SmFeO3 prepared from the complex consisted mainly of samarium ions that could each bond four adsorbed oxygen ions. A single oxygen ion could adsorb onto an iron ion, and therefore, the content of adsorbed oxygen was lower for the film prepared from the solid-state reacted powders, which showed larger iron surface coverage. Electrical conductance measurements, performed with increasing temperature in different gaseous environments, confirmed these findings. Higher conductances and lower activation energies were observed for the films with larger samarium surface coverage. [source] Fabrication of Diverse Microcapsule Arrays of High Density and Good StabilityMACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 12 2010Jie Yang Abstract Microcapsule arrays attract a lot of interest due to their potential applications in sensing technology. A strategy for fabricating diverse microcapsule arrays through covalent linking is reported here. The self-assembly of microcapsules was directed by using a poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH)-patterned template, which was created via microcontact printing. The microcapsules with PAH as the outermost layer were treated with glutaraldehyde and then covalently immobilized on the PAH regions, resulting in ordered microcapsule arrays. The arrays had a high density of capsules and the aggregate number in a pattern could be well controlled by adjusting the area of the PAH pattern. A single microcapsule array could be obtained if the diameter of the PAH region was smaller than that of the microcapsules. These covalently assembled arrays could survive through successive incubation in solutions of high ionic strength and extreme pHs. Such good stability ensures further treatments, such as chemical reactions and loading of functional substances. [source] Root structure and cellular chloride, sodium and potassium distribution in salinized grapevinesPLANT CELL & ENVIRONMENT, Issue 6 2003R. STOREY ABSTRACT X-ray microanalysis was used to study the patterns of K+, Na+ and Cl, accumulation in salinized (25 mm NaCl) and non-salinized grapevine (Vitis) roots. The aim was to determine whether NaCl affects patterns of Cl, accumulation differentially in the roots of a Cl, -excluding genotype and a non-excluding genotype. Two regions of fibrous roots were analysed: (1) a region 2,3 mm basipetal to the root tip; and (2) a region of the root 10,12 mm basipetal to the root tip where the outermost layer is the hypodermis. The ion contents of the hypodermis, cortex, endodermis and pericycle vacuoles were analysed. Data were also collected from the cytoplasm of the endodermal and pericycle cells. The analyses showed that the ion profiles of the hypodermis and the endodermis were significantly different from those of the cortex and pericycle. The hypodermis and endodermis had higher K+ and lower Na+ and Cl, than surrounding cells. Some changes due to salinity such as increased K+ concentrations in the hypodermis were also noted. Chloride concentrations did not differ between the genotypes in the hypodermis, across the cortex or in the endodermis, but were higher in the pericycle of the excluder in comparison with the non-excluding genotype. However, K+/Na+ ratios of the cortex and endodermis were higher in the excluder. The pericycle cells exhibited the greatest ability to sequester Na+ and Cl, in vacuoles. Overall the data show cell-type-specific ion accumulation patterns and small but significant differences were found between genotypes. The possibility that these accumulation patterns arise from differences in uptake properties of cell types and/or result from the spatial distribution of the cell types along the competing symplastic and apoplastic ion transport pathways across the root is discussed. [source] Microwave-Assisted Covalent Sidewall Functionalization of Multiwalled Carbon NanotubesCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 14 2006Junxin Li Dr. Abstract Thermal cycloaddition of 1,3-dipolar azomethine ylides to the sidewalls of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) has been used to prepare MWNTs that contain 2-methylenethiol-4-(4-octadecyloxyphenyl) (4), N -octyl-2-(4-octadecyloxyphenyl) (5) or 2-(4-octadecyloxyphenyl)pyrrolidine (6) units. All these contain the 4-octadecyloxyphenyl substituent that acts as a solubilizing group. Microwave (MiW)-assisted heating was found to be highly efficient for soluble MWNTs, for which the amount of added groups after only 2 h of MiW heating at 200,°C, determined by using thermogravimetric analysis, was found to be in the same range as that obtained after 100,120 h of conventional heating of soluble and insoluble MWNTs. Solubility is a key feature for a successful MiW-heated reaction; MWNTs insoluble in the reaction medium yielded considerably less addends in the MiW-heated reactions than in the conventionally heated reaction. The location and even distribution of the pyrrolidine units over the outermost layer of the MWNTs was verified by transmission electron microscopy analysis of 4 that had been treated with gold nanoparticles and thoroughly washed to remove gold particles adsorbed on nonfunctionalized parts of the MWNTs. [source] Structural, Compositional and Electrochemical Characterization of Pt,Co Oxygen-Reduction CatalystsCHEMPHYSCHEM, Issue 7 2010S. Axnanda Abstract Pt,Co thin-film electrocatalysts have been characterized using low-energy ion-scattering spectroscopy (LEISS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and electrochemistry (EC). For comparative purposes, LEISS and EC were also carried out on a bulk Pt3Co(111) single crystal. The extensive experimental work resulted in the establishment of the surface phase diagram of the alloy film marked by a substantial divergence between the composition at the interface and that in the interior. When a dual-layer deposit of Pt and Co was annealed at high temperatures, alloy formation transpired in which the outermost layer became single-crystalline and enriched in Pt. The preferential surface segregation of Pt, however, was not sufficient to generate a platinum-only overlayer or "skin". Invariably, Co was found to co-exist with Pt, independent of the substrate [Mo(110) or Ru(0001)] employed; Pt3Co was the most favored composition. The same result, the absence of a Pt skin, was likewise indicated at the post-thermally-annealed surface of the bulk Pt3Co(111) monocrystal. For alloy-film surfaces more enriched in Pt than Pt3Co, the topmost layer was constituted primarily, but not exclusively, of Pt(111) domains. The proclivities of the alloys towards enhanced catalysis of the oxygen-reduction reaction were assessed in terms of their voltage efficiencies, as manifested by the open-circuit potential (OCP) in O2 -saturated sulfuric acid electrolyte. The Pt3Co surface, whether from the thin film or the bulk single crystal, exhibited the highest OCP, a significant improvement over pure Pt but still appreciably lower than the thermodynamic limit. The degradation of the Pt3Co thin-film surface was predominantly due to Co corrosion. A minimal amount was spontaneously dissolved upon simple immersion in solution; slightly higher dissolution occurred at potentials above the OCP. The fraction that was not immediately corroded proved to be stable even after prolonged periods at potentials more positive than the OCP. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||