Classification of Variable Objects for Search for GRB Candidates on Bamberg Photographic Plates

We report on an ongoing study based on blink-comparison of more than 5000 Bamberg Observatory Southern Sky Patrol Plates performed within a continuation of a student high school project (Jugend Forscht). After a detailed analyses and classification, 6 non-classified objects were identified as emulsion defects, 19 as asteroids, 37 as variable stars, and 6 as real OT-GRB candidates

Classification of Variable Objects for Search for GRB Candidates on Bamberg Photographic Plates

We report on an ongoing study based on blink-comparison of more than 5000 Bamberg Observatory Southern Sky Patrol Plates performed within a continuation of a student high school project (Jugend Forscht). After a detailed analyses and classification, 6 non-classified objects were identified as emulsion defects, 19 as asteroids, 37 as variable stars, and 6 as real OT-GRB candidates

The Optical Transient Search in the Bamberg Plate Archive

A substantial fraction of gamma‐ray bursts is related to objects emitting temporarily optical light, i.e. optical afterglows and optical transients. So far, these phenomena (optical transients) were detected only after related gamma‐ray satellite detection. However, taking into account their optical magnitudes at maximum light, these objects should be detectable in various historical and recent optical surveys, including photographic sky patrol. Here we report on an extended study based on blink‐comparison of 5004 Bamberg Observatory Southern Sky Patrol Plates performed within a student project (Jugend Forscht)

The Novel Analogue of Modafinil CE-158 Protects Social Memory against Interference and Triggers the Release of Dopamine in the Nucleus Accumbens of Mice

Previous studies have shown that atypical dopamine-transporter-inhibitors such as modafinil and its analogues modify behavioral and cognitive functions in rodents. Here, we tested potential promnestic effects of the novel, more dopamine-transporter selective modafinil analogue CE-158 in the social discrimination memory task in male mice. Systemic administration of CE-158 1 h before the social learning event prevented the impairment of social-recognition memory following retroactive interference 3 h after the learning session of a juvenile conspecific. This effect was dose-dependent, as mice treated with 10 mg/kg, but not with 1 mg/kg CE-158, were able to discriminate between the novel and familiar conspecific despite the presentation of an interference stimulus, both 3 h and 6 h post learning. However, when 10 mg/kg of the drug was administered after learning, CE-158 failed to prevent social memory from interference. Paralleling these behavioral effects, the systemic administration of 10 mg/kg CE-158 caused a rapid and sustained elevation of extracellular dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, a brain area where dopaminergic signaling plays a key role in learning and memory function, of freely moving mice, while 1 mg/kg was not sufficient for altering dopamine levels. Taken together, our findings suggest promnestic effects of the novel dopamine-transporter-inhibitor CE-158 in a social recognition memory test that may be in part mediated via increased dopamine-neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens. Thus, selective-dopamine-transporter-inhibitors such as CE-158 may represent interesting drug candidates for the treatment of memory complaints observed in humans with cognitive impairments and dementia

Potential in vivo roles of nucleic acid triple-helices

The ability of double-stranded DNA to form a triple-helical structure by hydrogen bonding with a third strand is well established, but the biological functions of these structures remain largely unknown. There is considerable albeit circumstantial evidence for the existence of nucleic triplexes in vivo and their potential participation in a variety of biological processes including chromatin organization, DNA repair, transcriptional regulation and RNA processing has been investigated in a number of studies to date. There is also a range of possible mechanisms to regulate triplex formation through differential expression of triplex-forming RNAs, alteration of chromatin accessibility, sequence unwinding and nucleotide modifications. With the advent of next generation sequencing technology combined with targeted approaches to isolate triplexes, it is now possible to survey triplex formation with respect to their genomic context, abundance and dynamical changes during differentiation and development, which may open up new vistas in understanding genome biology and gene regulation