Intracellular chloride concentration influences the GABAA receptor subunit composition

GABAA receptors (GABAARs) exist as different subtype variants showing unique functional properties and defined spatio-temporal expression pattern. The molecular mechanisms underlying the developmental expression of different GABAAR are largely unknown. The intracellular concentration of chloride ([Cl−]i), the main ion permeating through GABAARs, also undergoes considerable changes during maturation, being higher at early neuronal stages with respect to adult neurons. Here we investigate the possibility that [Cl−]i could modulate the sequential expression of specific GABAARs subtypes in primary cerebellar neurons. We show that [Cl−]i regulates the expression of α3-1 and δ-containing GABAA receptors, responsible for phasic and tonic inhibition, respectively. Our findings highlight the role of [Cl−]i in tuning the strength of GABAergic responses by acting as an intracellular messenger

Altered time structure of neuro-endocrine-immune system function in lung cancer patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The onset and the development of neoplastic disease may be influenced by many physiological, biological and immunological factors. The nervous, endocrine and immune system might act as an integrated unit to mantain body defense against this pathological process and reciprocal influences have been evidenced among hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pineal gland and immune system. In this study we evaluated differences among healthy subjects and subjects suffering from lung cancer in the 24-hour secretory profile of melatonin, cortisol, TRH, TSH, FT4, GH, IGF-1 and IL-2 and circadian variations of lymphocyte subpopulations. </p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In ten healthy male volunteers (age range 45-66) and ten male patients with untreated non small cell lung cancer (age range 46-65) we measured melatonin, cortisol, TRH, TSH, FT4, GH, IGF-1 and IL-2 serum levels and percentages of lymphocyte subpopulations on blood samples collected every four hours for 24 hours. One-way ANOVA between the timepoints for each variable and each group was performed to look for a time-effect, the presence of circadian rhythmicity was evaluated, MESOR, amplitude and acrophase values, mean diurnal levels and mean nocturnal levels were compared.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A clear circadian rhythm was validated in the control group for hormone serum level and for lymphocyte subsets variation. Melatonin, TRH, TSH, GH, CD3, CD4, HLA-DR, CD20 and CD25 expressing cells presented circadian rhythmicity with acrophase during the night. Cortisol, CD8, CD8^bright, CD8^dim, CD16, TcRδ1 and δTcS1 presented circadian rhythmicity with acrophase in the morning/at noon. FT4, IGF-1 and IL-2 variation did not show circadian rhythmicity. In lung cancer patients cortisol, TRH, TSH and GH serum level and all the lymphocyte subsubsets variation (except for CD4) showed loss of circadian rhythmicity. MESOR of cortisol, TRH, GH, IL-2 and CD16 was increased, whereas MESOR of TSH, IGF-1, CD8, CD8^bright, TcRδ1 and δTcS1 was decreased in cancer patients. The melatonin/cortisol mean nocturnal level ratio was decreased in cancer patients.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The altered secretion and loss of circadian rhythmicity of many studied factors observed in the subjects suffering from neoplastic disease may be expression of gradual alteration of the integrated function of the neuro-immune-endocrine system</p

Short-Lived Trace Gases in the Surface Ocean and the Atmosphere

The two-way exchange of trace gases between the ocean and the atmosphere is important for both the chemistry and physics of the atmosphere and the biogeochemistry of the oceans, including the global cycling of elements. Here we review these exchanges and their importance for a range of gases whose lifetimes are generally short compared to the main greenhouse gases and which are, in most cases, more reactive than them. Gases considered include sulphur and related compounds, organohalogens, non-methane hydrocarbons, ozone, ammonia and related compounds, hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Finally, we stress the interactivity of the system, the importance of process understanding for modeling, the need for more extensive field measurements and their better seasonal coverage, the importance of inter-calibration exercises and finally the need to show the importance of air-sea exchanges for global cycling and how the field fits into the broader context of Earth System Science

Innovative design of amorphous/crystalline silicon heterojunction solar cell

In this work we show how the heterostructure technology can have a chance in the challenge of interdigitated back contact solar cell. We present an innovative rear junction, backside contact design in which both the emitter and the back surface field are formed by amorphous/crystalline silicon heterostructure, and the grid-less front surface is passivated by a double layer of amorphous silicon and silicon nitride, which also provides a good anti-reflection coating. The technological processes are performed at temperature below 300 °C with the aid of one metallic mask to create the interdigitated pattern. The initials results, on a p-type monocrystalline silicon wafer; are really promising, a V oc of 687 mV has been reached. We show that the uniformity of the deposited amorphous silicon layers is not influenced by the mask-assisted deposition process and that the alignment is feasible. On the other hand several technological aspects that strongly limit the fill factor (50%) and the short circuit current density (30 mA/cm 2) have to be optimized. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Évaluation des politiques de lutte contre le tabagisme en France : résultats de la première vague de l’enquête ITC France,

International audienceLe fardeau de la maladie Le tabac est aujourd’hui dans le monde la cause de mortalité la plus évitable. Cette année, le tabac tuera plus de 5 millions de personnes – plus que la tuberculose, le VIH/sida et la malaria combinés. De nos jours, la moitié des fumeurs, soit environ 650 millions, mourront éventuellement de leur tabagisme. La consommation de tabac est un facteur de risque pour six des huit causes majeures de mortalité dans le monde (figure). A moins de prendre d’urgence des mesures, plus d’un milliard de personnes pourraient être victimes du tabac au cours de ce siècle. L’usage du tabac cause également des préjudices économiques aux familles et aux pays : perte de salaire, diminution de la productivité et augmentation du coût des soins médicaux