Giant extraordinary transmission of acoustic waves through a nanowire.

Wave concentration beyond the diffraction limit by transmission through subwavelength structures has proved to be a milestone in high-resolution imaging. Here, we show that a sound wave incident inside a solid over a diameter of 110 nm can be squeezed through a resonant meta-atom consisting of a nanowire with a diameter of 5 nm equal to λ/23, where λ is the incident acoustic wavelength, corresponding to a transmission efficiency of 500 or an energy densification of ~14,000. This remarkable level of extraordinary acoustic transmission is achieved in the absence of ultrasonic attenuation by connecting a tungsten nanowire between two tungsten blocks, the block on the input side being furnished with concentric grooves. We also demonstrate that these "solid organ pipes" exhibit Rayleigh end corrections to their effective longitudinal resonant lengths notably larger than their in-air analogs. Grooves on the output side lead to in-solid directed acoustic beams, important for nanosensing.

Interactions between CB(1) receptors and TRPV1 channels mediated by 12-HPETE are cytotoxic to mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSES: We recently proposed the existence of neurotoxic interactions between the cannabinoid type 1 (CB(1)) receptor and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channels in rat mesencephalic cultures. This study seeks evidence for the mediator(s) and mechanisms underlying the neurotoxic interactions between CB(1) receptors and TRPV1 in vitro and in vivo. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The mediator(s) and mechanism(s) for the interactions between CB(1) receptors and TRPV1 were evaluated by cell viability assays, immunocytochemistry, Fura-2 calcium imaging, mitochondrial morphology assay, ELISA and Western blot assay in vitro in neuron-enriched mesencephalic cultures. Injections into the substantia nigra and subsequent cell counts were also used to confirm these interactions in vivo. KEY RESULTS: The neurotoxic interactions were mediated by 12(S)-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)-HPETE), an endogenous TRPV1 agonist. CB(1) receptor agonists (HU210 and WIN55,212-2) increased the level of 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)-HETE), a downstream metabolite of 12(S)-HPETE, which stimulates TRPV1-mediated death of mesencephalic neurons, both in vitro and in vivo. The neurotoxicity was mediated by increased intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) through TRPV1, consequently leading to mitochondrial damage and was attenuated by baicalein, a 12-lipoxygenase inhibitor. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Activation of CB(1) receptors in rat mesencephalic neurons was associated with biosynthesis of 12(S)-HPETE, which in turn stimulated TRPV1 activity, leading to increased [Ca(2+)](i), mitochondrial damage and neuronal death.

Roles of transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 and cannabinoid type 1 receptors in the brain: neuroprotection versus neurotoxicity.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1), also known as vanilloid receptor 1 (VR1), is a nonselective cation channel that is activated by a variety of ligands, such as exogenous capsaicin (CAP) or endogenous anandamide (AEA), as well as products of lipoxygenases. Cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily and is activated by cannabinoids such as AEA and exogenous Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). TRPV1 and CB1 receptors are widely expressed in the brain and play many significant roles in various brain regions; however, the issue of whether TRPV1 or CB1 receptors mediate neuroprotection or neurotoxicity remains controversial. Furthermore, functional crosstalk between these two receptors has been recently reported. It is therefore timely to review current knowledge regarding the functions of these two receptors and to consider new directions of investigation on their roles in the brain.

[Use of affinity immunoelectrophoresis in the presence of concanavalin A for characterization of neurospecific protein D2]. / Ispol'zovanie affinnogo immunoélektroforeza v prisutstvii konkanavalina A dlia kharakteristiki neirospetsificheskogo belka D2.

The affinity immunoelectrophoresis method in the presence of ConA was used to determine the dissociation constant of the human neurospecific protein D2 complex with lectin. Preliminarily protein D2 from the triton extract of the human embryo brain membrane fraction was partly purified by chromatography on phenyl-sepharose and was identified by the method of rocket-line immunoelectrophoresis with antiserum against neurospecific antigen D2 of the rat brain.

Venous involvement in islet cell tumors of the pancreas.

Peripancreatic venous abnormalities were demonstrated angiographically in 10 patients with islet cell tumor: six nonfunctioning, two gastrin-producing, one glucagon-producing, and one pancreatic polypeptide-producing. Venous involvement recognized included venous occlusion, venous encasement, and intraportal tumor growth. Seven patients had islet cell carcinoma with hepatic metastases while the other three had benign tumors. Three patients had arteriographic evidence of intraportal tumor growth with the "thread and streaks" sign, similar to that of portal venous extension of hepatocellular carcinoma.