Wide spectral range ultrafast pump-probe magneto-optical spectrometer at low temperature, high-magnetic and electric fields.

We developed a table-top setup to perform magneto-optical pump-probe measurements with the possibility to independently tune the photon-energy of both pump and probe beams in the 0.5 eV-3.5 eV range. Our apparatus relies on a commercial turn-key amplified laser system, able to generate light pulses with duration shorter than or comparable to 100 fs throughout the whole spectral range. The repetition rate of the source can be modified via the computer in the 1 kHz to 1 MHz range. A commercial balanced detector is connected to a high-frequency digitizer, allowing for a highly-sensitive detection scheme: rotations of the probe polarization as small as 70 µdeg can be measured. Additionally, a DC magnetic field as high as 9 T and voltages in the kV regime can be applied on the sample. A cryostat allows us to precisely set the temperature of the specimen in the 4 K-420 K interval. We prove the performance of our setup by measuring the ultrafast demagnetization of a cobalt crystal as a function of a wide variety of experimental parameters.

Ultrafast dynamics in unaligned MWCNTs decorated with metal nanoparticles.

The relaxation dynamics of unaligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes decorated with metallic nanoparticles have been studied by using transient optical measurements. The fast dynamics due to the short-lived free-charge carriers excited by the pump are not affected by the presence of nanoparticles. Conversely, a second long dynamics, absent in bare carbon nanotubes, appears only in the decorated samples. A combination of experiment and theory allows us to ascribe this long dynamics to relaxation channels involving electronic states localized at the tube-nanoparticle interface.

Behavioral effects of intra-nigral microinjections of manganese chloride: interaction with nitric oxide.

1. Microinjection of manganese chloride (MnCl2) into the rat substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) induces a neurodegenerative process manifested by apomorphine-induced rotational behavior. Manganese intoxication produces a parkinsonism-like phenotype in humans. 2. In addition to motor control the substantia nigra has also been proposed to be related to epilepsy and emotional behavior. 3. Although nitric oxide (NO) participation in neurodegenerative processes is still questioned, neurons stained for NAPDH-diaphorase, a marker of NO-producing cells, are spared in several experimental neuronal lesions. Additionally, NO has also been suggested to participate in motor control. 4. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of MnCl2-induced nigral degeneration in audiogenic seizure susceptibility, anxiety and motor activity. We also analyzed if NO synthesis inhibition (N(G)-nitro-L-arginine 25 mg/Kg twice a day for 4 days) modifies MnCl2-induced neurodegenerative process. 5. MnCl2 (50 microg) microinjection into the SNc caused a statistical significant higher number of apomorphine (0.75 mg/kg s.c.)-induced rotations. No sensitization to audiogenic seizure was found but the lesion induced an increase of open arm exploration in the elevated plus maze, suggesting an anxiolytic effect. 6. The MnCl2-nigral lesion was accompanied by an increased number of NADPH-d positive neurons in the ipsilateral SNc and striatum (both sides). NO synthesis inhibition potentiated the MnCl2-nigral lesion and reversed the NADPH-d cell number increase. 7. The present results show that MnCl2-nigral lesion can influence emotional behavior and suggest that NO may modify the progression of manganese-induced degenerative process.

[Neurobiology of parkinsonism. I. Neural substrates an neurochemistry of the basal ganglia]. / Neurobiologia do parkinsonismo. I. Substratos neurais e neuroquímica dos gânglios basais.

Movement disorders, in general, are characterized by a breakdown in the integrated coordination of posture and motion by multiple brain and muscular systems. In the expression of parkinsonism, in particular, critical and altered structures such as substantia nigra, appear to be related to the cortex-basal ganglia and thalamus-basal ganglia sub-circuits.

[Neurobiology of parkinsonism. II. Experimental models]. / Neurobiologia do parkinsonismo. II. Modelos experimentais.

The study of experimental models of parkinsonism has contributed to the knowledge of basal ganglia functions, as well as to the establishment of several hypothesis for the explanation of the cause and expression of central neurodegenerative disorders. In this review we present and discuss several models such as 6-hydroxydopamine, MPTP and manganese, all of them widely used to characterize the behavioral, cellular and molecular mechanisms of parkinsonism.