PersistentCB 1 cannabinoidreceptoractivitylimitsneurotransmitterreleaseatvarioussynapsesthroughoutthebrain.However,itisnotfullyunderstood how constitutively active CB 1 receptors, tonic endocannabinoid signaling, and its regulation by multiple serine hydrolases contribute to the synapsespecific calibration of neurotransmitter release probability. To address this question at perisomatic and dendritic GABAergic synapses in the mouse hippocampus,weusedacombinationofpairedwhole-cellpatch-clamprecording,liquidchromatography/tandemmassspectrometry,stochasticoptical reconstruction microscopy super-resolution imaging, and immunogold electron microscopy. Significance StatementTonic cannabinoid signaling plays a critical role in the regulation of synaptic transmission. However, the mechanistic details of how persistent CB 1 cannabinoid receptor activity inhibits neurotransmitter release have remained elusive. Therefore, electrophysiological recordings, lipid measurements, and super-resolution imaging were combined to elucidate those signaling molecules and mechanisms that underlie tonic cannabinoid signaling. The findings indicate that constitutive CB 1 activity has pivotal function in the tonic control of hippocampal GABA release. Moreover, the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is continuously generated postsynaptically, but its synaptic effect is regulated strictly by presynaptic monoacylglycerol lipase activity. Finally, anandamide signaling antagonizes tonic 2-AG signaling via activation of postsynaptic transient receptor potential vanilloid TRPV1 receptors. This unexpected mechanistic diversity may be necessary to fine-tune GABA release probability under various physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

A versatile approach for the preparation of photoswitchable molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) is proposed where the selective recognition and the photoresponsive function are assumed by two different monomers. As a proof of concept, MIP microspheres were synthesized by precipitation polymerization for recognizing terbutylazine, a triazine-type herbicide. Formation of the selective binding sites was based upon H-bonding interactions between the template and the functional monomer methacrylic acid, whereas a polymerizable spiropyran unit was incorporated into the polymer matrix to provide light-controllable characteristics. A trifunctional monomer, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, was used as a cross-linker. The imprinted particles exhibited considerable morphological differences compared to their nonimprinted counterparts as observed by scanning electron microscopy. The imprinting effect was confirmed by equilibrium rebinding studies. The photoresponsiveness of the polymer particles was visualized by fluorescence microscopy and further characterized by spectroscopy. The template binding behavior could be regulated by alternating UV and visible light illumination when analyte release and uptake was observed, respectively. Binding isotherms fitted by the Freundlich model revealed the photomodulation of the number of binding sites and their average affinity. This facile synthetic approach may give an attractive starting point to endow currently existing highly selective MIPs with photoswitchable properties, thereby extending the scope of spiropyran-based photoresponsive smart materials.

Highly crosslinked polymer microparticles have been prepared by precipitation polymerization using high monomer loadings (≥25 v/v %) which generally would lead to bulk monoliths. The microparticle format was achieved by the use of non-solvating diluents either alone or in combination with co-solvents. Two distinct morphologies were observed. Monodisperse smooth microspheres were obtained using a thermodynamically good co-solvent whereas segmented irregular particles were formed with poorer co-solvents. It has been found that during polymerization the forming polymer particles were enriched in the co-solvent and this effect was more pronounced when good co-solvents were used. The type of functional monomer, crosslinker and co-solvent, and the non-solvent/co-solvent ratio were identified as influential parameters on the microparticle morphology. With the proposed methodology molecularly imprinted microparticles have been prepared successfully for three different templates, naproxen, diclofenac and toltrazuril using various functional monomers, crosslinkers and polymerization solvent mixtures.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were synthesized in 24-well glass fiber membrane filter plates to obtain a novel type of solid phase extraction device for the cleanup of propranolol. Sample processing parameters like residence time during sample loading, sample volume, pH, sample solvent, type and amount of washing and elution solvents were investigated and optimized. Important differences from the traditional molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction (MISPE) cartridges have been identified. The MIP modified composite membrane suits well for the sample preparation of low volume biological samples. A protocol has been elaborated for the quantitation of propranolol from urine and plasma samples in the clinically relevant concentration ranges. Preliminary validation results indicate that the composite MIP membrane filter plates offer a viable alternative to existing MISPE cartridges and at the same time have advantages like much easier and faster synthesis method and high-throughput analysis.

Extreme halophilic Archaea are a yet unexploited source of natural carotenoids. At elevated salinities, however, material corrosivity issues occur and the performance of analytical methods is strongly affected. 2The goal of this study was to develop a method for identification and downstream processing of potentially valuable bioproducts produced by Archaea. To circumvent extreme salinities during analysis, a direct sample preparation method was established to selectively extract both the polar and the non-polar lipid contents of extreme halophiles with hexane, acetone and the mixture of MeOH/MTBE/water, respectively.Halogenated solvents, as used in conventional extraction methods, were omitted due to environmental considerations and potential process scale-up. This study demonstrates the importance of sample preparation and the applicability of HPLC-MS/MS methods on real samples from extreme halophilic strains. Furthermore, from a biotechnological point-of-view, this study would like to reveal the relevance of using controlled and defined bioreactor cultivations instead of shake flask cultures in the early stage of potential bioproduct profiling.