The Predominant Protective Effect of Tianeptine Over Other Antidepressants in Models of Neuronal Apoptosis: The Effect Blocked by Inhibitors of MAPK/ERK1/2 and PI3-K/Akt Pathways

Tianeptine (Tian) possesses neuroprotective potential, however, little is known about the effect of this drug in models of neuronal apoptosis. In the present study, we aimed (1) to compare the neuroprotective capacities of some antidepressants (ADs) in the models of staurosporine (St)- and doxorubicin (Dox)-evoked cell death, activating the intracellular and the extracellular apoptotic pathway, respectively; (2) to identify the Tian-modulated steps underlying its neuroprotective action; (3) to test the effect of various ADs against Dox-evoked cell damage in glia cells. Primary neuronal and glia cell cultures and retinoic acid-differentiated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y (RA-SH-SY5Y) cells were co-treated with imipramine, fluoxetine, citalopram, reboxetine, mirtazapine or Tian and St or Dox. The data showed the predominant neuroprotective effect of Tian over other tested ADs against St- and Dox-induced cell damage in primary neurons and in RA-SH-SY5Y cells. This effect was shown to be caspase-3-independent but connected with attenuation of DNA fragmentation. Moreover, neuroprotection elicited by Tian was blocked by pharmacological inhibitors of MAPK/ERK1/2 and PI3-K/Akt signaling pathways as well by inhibitor of necroptosis, necrostatin-1. Interestingly, the protective effects of all tested ADs were demonstrated in primary glia cells against the Dox-evoked cell damage. The obtained data suggests the glial cells as a common target for protective action of various ADs whereas in relation to neuronal cells only Tian possesses such properties, at least against St- and Dox-induced cell damage. Moreover, this neuroprotective effect of Tian is caspase-3-independent and engages the regulation of survival pathways (MAPK/ERK1/2 and PI3-K/Akt). ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12640-013-9430-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Influence of nonmagnetic dielectric spacers on the spin wave response of one-dimensional planar magnonic crystals

The one-dimensional planar magnonic crystals are usually fabricated as a sequence of stripes intentionally or accidentally separated by non-magnetic spacers. The influence of spacers on shaping the spin wave spectra is complex and still not completely clarified. We performed the detailed numerical studies of the one-dimensional single- and bi-component magnonic crystals comprised of a periodic array of thin ferromagnetic stripes separated by non-magnetic spacers. We showed that the dynamic dipolar interactions between the stripes mediated by non-magnetic spacer, even ultra-narrow, significantly shift up the frequency of the ferromagnetic resonance and simultaneously reduce the spin wave group velocity, which is manifested by the flattening of the magnonic band. We attributed these changes in the spectra to the modifications of dipolar pinning and shape anisotropy both dependent on the width of the spacers and the thickness of the stripes, as well as to the dynamical magnetic volume charges formed due to inhomogeneous spin wave amplitude

Analysis of the Genome and Mobilome of a Dissimilatory Arsenate Reducing Aeromonas sp. O23A Reveals Multiple Mechanisms for Heavy Metal Resistance and Metabolism

Aeromonas spp. are among the most ubiquitous microorganisms, as they have been isolated from different environmental niches including waters, soil, as well as wounds and digestive tracts of poikilothermic animals and humans. Although much attention has been paid to the pathogenicity of Aeromonads, the role of these bacteria in environmentally important processes, such as transformation of heavy metals, remains to be discovered. Therefore, the aim of this study was a detailed genomic characterization of Aeromonas sp. O23A, the first representative of this genus capable of dissimilatory arsenate reduction. The strain was isolated from microbial mats from the Zloty Stok mine (SW Poland), an environment strongly contaminated with arsenic. Previous physiological studies indicated that O23A may be involved in both mobilization and immobilization of this metalloid in the environment. To discover the molecular basis of the mechanisms behind the observed abilities, the genome of O23A (∼5.0 Mbp) was sequenced and annotated, and genes for arsenic respiration, heavy metal resistance (hmr) and other phenotypic traits, including siderophore production, were identified. The functionality of the indicated gene modules was assessed in a series of minimal inhibitory concentration analyses for various metals and metalloids, as well as mineral dissolution experiments. Interestingly, comparative analyses revealed that O23A is related to a fish pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida A449 which, however, does not carry genes for arsenic respiration. This indicates that the dissimilatory arsenate reduction ability may have been lost during genome reduction in pathogenic strains, or acquired through horizontal gene transfer. Therefore, particular emphasis was placed upon the mobilome of O23A, consisting of four plasmids, a phage, and numerous transposable elements, which may play a role in the dissemination of hmr and arsenic metabolism genes in the environment. The obtained results indicate that Aeromonas sp. O23A is well-adapted to the extreme environmental conditions occurring in the Zloty Stok mine. The analysis of genome encoded traits allowed for a better understanding of the mechanisms of adaptation of the strain, also with respect to its presumable role in colonization and remediation of arsenic-contaminated waters, which may never have been discovered based on physiological analyses alone

Outcome from Spontaneous CP Violation for B Decays

In the aspon model solution of the strong $CP$ problem, there is a gauged $U(1)$ symmetry, spontaneously broken by the same vacuum expectation value which breaks $CP$, whose massive gauge boson provides an additional mechanism of weak $CP$ violation. We calculate the $CP$ asymmetries in $B$ decays for the aspon model and show that they are typically smaller than those predicted from the standard model. A linear relation between the $CP$ asymmetries of different decay processes is obtained.Comment: REVTEX, 9 pages, IFP-486-UNC, NSF-PT-94-1, and UDHEP-01-9