Serotonin limits generation of chromaffin cells during adrenal organ development

Adrenal glands are the major organs releasing catecholamines and regulating our stress response. The mechanisms balancing generation of adrenergic chromaffin cells and protecting against neuroblastoma tumors are still enigmatic. Here we revealed that serotonin (5HT) controls the numbers of chromaffin cells by acting upon their immediate progenitor "bridge" cells via 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 3A (HTR3A), and the aggressive HTR3A(high) human neuroblastoma cell lines reduce proliferation in response to HTR3A-specific agonists. In embryos (in vivo), the physiological increase of 5HT caused a prolongation of the cell cycle in "bridge" progenitors leading to a smaller chromaffin population and changing the balance of hormones and behavioral patterns in adulthood. These behavioral effects and smaller adrenals were mirrored in the progeny of pregnant female mice subjected to experimental stress, suggesting a maternal-fetal link that controls developmental adaptations. Finally, these results corresponded to a size-distribution of adrenals found in wild rodents with different coping strategies

Molecular and ionic diffusion in ion exchange membranes and biological systems (Cells and proteins) studied by NMR

The results of NMR, and especially pulsed field gradient NMR (PFG NMR) investigations, are summarized. Pulsed field gradient NMR technique makes it possible to investigate directly the partial self-diffusion processes in spatial scales from tenth micron to millimeters. Modern NMR spectrometer diffusive units enable to measure self-diffusion coefficients from 10−13 m2 /s to 10−8 m2 /s in different materials on1 H,2 H,7 Li,13 C,19 F,23 Na,31 P,133 Cs nuclei. PFG NMR became the method of choice for reveals of transport mechanism in polymeric electrolytes for lithium batteries and fuel cells. Second wide field of application this technique is the exchange processes and lateral diffusion in biological cells as well as molecular association of proteins. In this case a permeability, cell size, and associate lifetime could be estimated. The authors have presented the review of their research carried out in Karpov Institute of Physical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia; Institute of Problems of Chemical Physics RAS, Chernogolovka, Russia; Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia; Korea University, Seoul, South Korea; Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Japan. The results of water molecule and Li+, Na+, Cs+ cation self-diffusion in Nafion membranes and membranes based on sulfonated polystyrene, water (and water soluble) fullerene derivative permeability in RBC, casein molecule association have being discussed

Hyperfine splitting and isotope shift in the atomic D2D_2 line of 22,23^{22,23}Na and the quadrupole moment of 22^{22}Na

The hyperfine structure of the $D_2$ optical line in $^{22}$Na and $^{23}$Na has been investigated using high resolution laser spectroscopy of a well-collimated atomic beam. The hyperfine splitting constants $A$ and $B$ for the excited $3p$ $^2P_{3/2}$ level for both investigated sodium isotopes have been obtained. They are as follows: $A(22) = 7.31(4)$ MHz, $B(22) = 4.71(28)$ MHz, $A(23) = 18.572(24)$ MHz, $B(23) = 2.723(55)$ MHz. With this data, using the high precision MCHF calculations for the electric field gradient at the nucleus, the electric quadrupole moment of $^{22}$Na has been deduced: $Q_s(22) = + 0.185(11)$ b. The sign of $Q_s(22)$, determined for the first time, indicates a prolate nuclear deformation. A precise value of the isotope shift $^{22,23}$Na in the $D_2$ line has also been obtained

Production of biomedical cell products: Requirements for the quality of donor material and excipients of animal origin (review)

Donor biological materials and excipients of animal origin are important components in the production of biomedical cell products (BMCPs). Their quality ensures the stability, safety, effectiveness and purity of the final product. This review discusses quality requirements for biological excipients intended for the production of biomedical cell products, in terms of the necessary information that should be included in the BMCP registration dossier during state registration and is subject to expert assessment during quality control. Considering that there is currently no production of biomedical cell products in the Russian Federation, the authors considered international approaches to ensuring the safety of donor material and excipients for the manufacturing of human cell- and tissue-based products (BMCP analogues). This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry