A major barrier to wider access to these products is the need for

A major barrier to wider access to these products is the need for human or animal plasma donors. New manufacturing practices and technologies to produce large quantities of “cocktails” of selected monoclonal antibodies may provide an alternative in the near future, expanding their availability throughout the world ALK inhibitor clinical trial (Bakker et al., 2008, de Kruif et al., 2007, Gogtay et al., 2012, Goudsmit et al., 2006, Muller et al., 2009 and Smith et al., 2011). In addition to ensuring the availability of rabies biologics, there is also an urgent need to establish laboratory capacity and national risk assessment

systems in regions where surveillance is limited or non-existent (Banyard et al., 2013 and Briggs, 2012). Diagnostic and surveillance systems will provide the Proteasome inhibitor critical information to facilitate decision making regarding the need for PEP in cases of exposure to potentially rabid animals. Policy makers and health care professionals will also make use of reliable epidemiological data to design and implement the most appropriate and cost-efficient preventive measures for their situations (Fig. 1). The elimination

of canine rabies is the most cost-effective long-term intervention to prevent the disease in humans. A combination of parenteral vaccination and population management of free-ranging dogs, through surgical or chemical sterilization or capture and euthanasia, can successfully prevent rabies, provided the vaccination coverage approaches 70% and the dog population stabilizes

or decreases (Lembo and Partners for Rabies, 2012, Morters et al., 2013 and Totton et al., 2010). Unfortunately, in many parts of the Orotidine 5′-phosphate decarboxylase world, overpopulation is handled by culling, which is unethical and has only a transient impact (Jackman and Rowan, 2010 and Morters et al., 2013). Because of their intrinsic interconnections, public health, environmental protection and animal welfare are all improved by canine rabies vaccination and mass sterilization programs. The development of techniques to efficiently deliver rabies prevention and population control on a broad scale, with minimal technical requirements and low costs, is therefore imperative. Multiple single-injection methods for simplified population control in males, females or both genders are currently being evaluated. For example, Gonazon® is a contraceptive that contains the active substance azagly-nafarelin; if used as an implant in female or male dogs, it prevents gonadal function via long-term blockage of gonadotrophin synthesis (Goericke-Pesch et al., 2010 and Ludwig et al., 2009).

Generally, beach violations during a swim season were below 15% o

Generally, beach violations during a swim season were below 15% of all samples collected until 1990 and then violations began increasing to approximately 20%. Wastewater and stormwater infrastructure changes, precipitation and lake Anti-cancer Compound high throughput screening levels were likely associated with these trends and further analyses are warranted. Human health in relation to the LSC water quality is possibly one of the most pressing issues that demands better understanding of the linkages in the CHANS framework. Generally, LSC was and still is considered to have high water quality (David et al., 2009, Herdendorf et al., 1993, Leach, 1972, Leach, 1991 and Vanderploeg et al.,

2002) because of the large input (98%) of Lake Huron water via the St. Clair River which has low nutrient concentrations. For example, the mean total phosphorus concentration was 9.10 μg L− 1 (± 0.51 std. err, n = 85) Ku-0059436 order and the mean total Kjeldahl nitrogen concentration was 183.5 μg L− 1 (± 8.0 std. err, n = 85) from samples collected near the mouth of St. Clair River between 1998 and 2008 (data source: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality). Any future changes to Lake Huron will have a direct impact on LSC (Leach, 1972). Runoff from agricultural activity in the LSC watershed, especially from the eastern and western rivers (e.g. Clinton, Sydenham, and Thames) is the

major source of nutrients into the lake and the longer resident time of the southeastern water mass compared to the northwestern promotes higher biological production (Leach, 1972, Leach, 1973 and Leach, 1991). Past studies indicate four rivers, the Thames and Sydenham Rivers in Ontario

and the Clinton and Black rivers in Michigan contributed PAK5 significantly to the non-point source nutrient pollution (Lang et al., 1988 and Upper Great Lakes Connecting Channel Management Committee, 1988). A model analysis of average total phosphorus loads to LSC indicated that the average phosphorus load inputs equaled the outputs during their 1975–1980 period and suggested that the lake was not acting as a sink for phosphorus (Lang et al., 1988). An updated analysis is needed for the current contributions of point and nonpoint phosphorus loading into and out of LSC. PCBs, organochlorine insecticides, DDT, and mercury were released from historic chemical–industrial sources located on the major tributaries, such as St. Clair River that drain to LSC (Fimreite et al., 1971, Gewurtz et al., 2007 and Leach, 1991). The LSC fishery closed from 1970 to 1980 when high levels of mercury were discovered in fish tissues and the low economic returns prevented a rebound in the commercial fishery (Leach, 1991). In the early 1980s lead, cadmium, and octachlorostyrene were found in clams that were downstream from the St. Clair River suggesting it was a primary source of these contaminants (Great Lakes Institute, 1986, Leach, 1991 and Pugsley et al., 1985). The Clinton River was also found to be a source of PCBs in clams during this study.

The remaining 30 animals (n = 5/each) were used to evaluate the a

The remaining 30 animals (n = 5/each) were used to evaluate the activity of antioxidant enzymes, GSH/GSSG ratio and RNS. 24 h after administration of paraquat or saline, the animals were sedated [diazepam (1 mg/kg, ip), anaesthetised [thiopental sodium (20 mg/kg, ip)], tracheotomised, paralysed (vecuronium Small molecule library research buy bromide, 0.005 mg/kg, iv), and ventilated with a constant flow ventilator (Samay VR15; Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay) with the following parameters: respiratory frequency of 100 breaths min−1, tidal volume (VT) of 0.2 mL, and fraction

of inspired oxygen of 0.21. During spontaneous breathing, the level of anaesthesia was assessed by evaluating the size and position of the pupil, its response to light, the position of the nictitating membrane, and the tone of jaw muscles.

After muscle relaxation, adequate depth of anaesthesia was assessed by evaluating pupil size and light reactivity ( Correa et al., selleck kinase inhibitor 2001). A positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 2 cmH2O was applied and the anterior chest wall was surgically removed. After a 10-min ventilation period, lung static elastance (Est,L), resistive (ΔP1,L) and viscoelastic (ΔP2,L) pressures were measured by the end-inflation occlusion method (Bates et al., 1985). All data were analysed using the ANADAT data analysis software (RHT-InfoData, Inc., Montreal, Quebec, Canada). The duration of the lung mechanics data collection was 30 min per animal. A laparotomy was done immediately after determination of lung mechanics, and heparin (1000 IU) was injected check details intravenously in the vena cava. The trachea was clamped at end expiration, and the abdominal aorta and vena cava were sectioned, yielding a massive haemorrhage that quickly killed the animals. The right lung was fixed with 10% buffered formaldehyde solution and paraffin embedded. Four-micrometre-thick slices (3/lung) were cut

and stained with haematoxylin-eosin. Lung morphometric analysis was performed using an integrating eyepiece with a coherent system consisting of a grid with 100 points and 50 lines (known length) coupled to a conventional light microscope (Olympus BX51, Olympus Latin America-Inc., Brazil). The volume fraction of the lung occupied by collapsed alveoli (alveoli with rough or plicate walls) or normal pulmonary areas, and the amount of polymorpho- and mononuclear cells and pulmonary tissue were determined by the point-counting technique (Weibel, 1990), made across 10 random non-coincident microscopic fields at a magnification of 200× and 1000×, respectively. Four animals in each group were used for determination of cytokine mRNA expression by using ribonuclease protection assay (RPA).

However, by the 1600s a number of northern European nations (e g

However, by the 1600s a number of northern European nations (e.g., England, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, and later Russia) created an innovative, more efficient managerial Atezolizumab colonial institution – the chartered, joint-stock trading company (Richards, 2003:89–90). Granted state charters by homeland governments, joint-stock trading companies obtained

monopolies for undertaking trade and economic development in “peripheral” regions of the world. Each company had its own board of directors who managed the colonial enterprise for the profit of its investors and stockholders. Other critical participants in these European colonies were private investors who financed the creation of plantations for growing commodities, such as sugar, tobacco, and cotton, which could be shipped to European markets and around the world. Christian religions also played a significant role in the establishment of European colonies across the globe. Various Protestant denominations, Roman Catholic orders, and the Russian Orthodox Church supported missionary outposts, often with the financial backing of homeland governments, where indigenous populations could be taught Christian faiths, European life ways, food ways, and crafts under the watchful see more eyes of missionaries. While the policies and practices of missions

varied widely across denominations, as well as space and time, the basic goal of most mission colonies concerned the two “Cs” – conversion and civilization of the native peoples (Lightfoot, 2005:6–7). When European core-states began expanding their territories into North America and the Caribbean, the seeds for British settler colonies in New England and the American South were planted. But the initial colonization effort was primarily

driven by colonial agents who worked on behalf of a diverse assortment of managerial and mission colonies. Some worked in the creation of plantations to grow cash crops. Although some experimentation initially took place with tobacco and other crops in the Caribbean islands, sugar soon dominated. Financial investors, merchants, and owner-operated planters provided much of the funding for the establishment of sugar plantations in the West Indies Tenoxicam that relied initially on native laborers, and later African slaves to produce and process their cash crop (Farnsworth, 2002 and Richards, 2003:412–454). In the American South, a small class of Euro-American owners and managers oversaw the development of tobacco and cotton plantations worked initially by indentured servants, and then primarily by slave laborers (Merchant, 2002:39–58). Colonial agents representing joint-stock companies and smaller corporations founded fur trade outposts that soon dotted the North American landscape (Lightfoot, 2005:7; Wolf, 1982:172–194).

Pectinase is an enzyme able to degrade pectic substances by hydro

Pectinase is an enzyme able to degrade pectic substances by hydrolyzing the ester bond between galacturonic acid and methanol or by cleaving the glycosidic bonds of specific

polymers [22]. Indeed, Jin et al [17] used pectinase to hydrolyze ginsenosides and found that compound K is more readily absorbed from HGE compared to non-HGE in human individuals. Compound K has received increasing attention because various pharmacologic actions including anticancer [25], anti-inflammation [26], and antidiabetes [27] were shown to be mediated by this compound. Using pectinase-hydrolyzed ginseng extract, Ramesh et al [28] found an improved antioxidant status and minimized occurrence of oxidative stress-related disorders in aged rats. Moreover, Yuan et al [29] and [30] reported that pectinase-processed ginseng radix had antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effects in high selleck chemicals fat diet-fed ICR mice. Taken together, pectinase seems to be an effective tool to transform ginsenosides into deglycosylated ginsenosides, thereby enhancing the bioavailability and functionality of ginseng. Our data demonstrate that 8 wk of HGE supplementation causes a significant reduction in FPG (p = 0.017)

and PPG60min (p = 0.01) in IFG individuals. Such reductions may be due to one or a combination of different mechanisms, including intestinal glucose absorption [31] and [32], insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells Dolutegravir supplier [33], or peripheral glucose utilization [34]. After the supplementation of HGE, noticeable but not significant difference was found in the glucose level at an earlier time point (PPG30min, p = 0.059) during OGTT. This result suggests that HGE slows the absorption of glucose in the intestinal lumen. Also, our findings of significant decreases in FPG and PPG60min suggest one additional possibility, in which HGE improves glucose intolerance through increasing

the insulin action on the target tissues responsible for glucose uptake. Moreover, FPI (p = 0.063) and PPI60min (p = 0.077) showed a tendency to improve in the HGE group compared to the placebo group. In supporting this possibility, ginsenosides CK and Rg1 have been reported to enhance insulin-mediated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, which is related to the increased this website GLUT4 translocation [27] and [35]. Similarly, administration of HGE improves glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance state (or glucose and lipid parameters) in high fat diet-fed mice via activation of AMP-dependent protein kinase in muscle tissue [29] and [30]. In this study, however, there was no significant difference in HOMA-β, suggesting no effect on insulin secretion. In contrast to our results, studies reveal that ginseng significantly stimulates insulin release from pancreatic β-cells [36] and [37]. These discrepancies could be due to the differences in designs (human studies vs. animal studies) and materials (hydrolyzed ginseng vs. nonhydrolyzed ginseng) used in the studies.

More large cobbles and boulders are present at Site 3, although t

More large cobbles and boulders are present at Site 3, although the authors sampled mostly sand from the lee of a ∼2 m diameter boulder. Although more detailed sediment grain size analysis was not done, all samples were predominantly sand with small fractions of silt (included in analysis) and gravel (discarded, as described in Methods). Each sample also had consistent down-core sediment size, as

each core was visually analyzed and cataloged before analysis. The authors sampled sediment from within-channel areas where potential sediment depositional areas are, such as pools, at baseflow conditions. We obtained samples between May 27 and July 11, 2011, and there were no flood events on the Rockaway River (as measured by the USGS gage #01380500 just downstream of Site 3) between sampling dates. There was a flooding event (May 20) one week prior to the beginning of sampling but sampling was completed before the find more large flooding event form Hurricane Irene in August/September 2011. The land use for Site 1 was predominantly forested (78%) in 2006 (the most recent National

Land use Cover Database (NLCD) available) with 17% urbanized (Table 1). However, most of this urbanized land use was low-density residential development (13%). Sites 2 and 3 had more urbanized land (25%) and also much more highly-developed land (7%) than Site 1 (Table 1). This highly-developed land is classified as having less than DAPT 20% vegetation

with the rest constructed land cover. At each site we hammered a Φ = 5.5 cm (2 in.) Resveratrol wide PVC pipe into the river bed to collect a sediment core approximately 10–15 cm in length. We then segmented cores into either 1 cm or 2 cm slices, increasing with depth, in the field and individually stored in clean polyethylene sample bags. We removed grains larger than coarse sand (∼2 mm), dried the samples at 40 °C for 24 h or longer to a constant weight, and ground each in a crucible. We then weighed and sealed approximately 50 g of the dried samples in a plastic sample jar for a minimum of three weeks before the sample was counted for 222Rn (t½ = 3.82 d), to reach a secular equilibrium with 226Ra (t½ = 1600 y). We used identical sample jars to minimize distortions from different geometries. After the three weeks, radionuclide (7Be, 137Cs and 210Pb) activities were measured with a Canberra Model BE2020 Broad Energy Germanium Detector equipped with Model 747 Canberra Lead Shield housed in the Montclair State University Geochemistry Laboratory ( Olsen et al., 1986, Cochran et al., 1998, Feng, 1997 and Whiting et al., 2005). The authors ran each sample for ∼24–48 h to ensure sufficient accuracy and precision. We determined the 7Be, 137Cs and 210Pb from the gamma emission at 477.6 keV, 662 keV and 46.5 keV, respectively, and measured the supported 210Pb (226Ra) activity via 214Pb gamma emissions at 352 keV.

The conversion factor was the calculated as

the ratio of

The conversion factor was the calculated as

the ratio of weight (kg) to volume (m3) for each core ( Fig. 8 and Table selleck 2). These values were imported into ArcGIS and gridded using the nearest-neighbor-gridding algorithm to provide a surface for a spatially integrated volume–weight calculation. Additional correction factors were taken into consideration: (1) core compaction (Cc), which was recorded during coring, and (2) inorganic sediment fraction (Co), which was determined from the LOI analysis. The methodology of applying correction factors is outlined in Fig. 8 with values for each core shown in Table 2. Interpolated and gridded values were multiplied as raster layers in ArcGIS and generated an estimate of dry sediment weight for the pond. An envelope of inferred minimum and maximum values for sediment weight in the pond was provided by using uniform values for the conversion and correction

factors based on min/max values of the empirical data, respectively. The resulting weight estimates serve as bounding values for internal error assessment. Regardless of C-factors used and resulting min/max pixel values the USLE model of the Lily Pond watershed shows erosion-rate variations that mimic LS-factor variations; this is particularly noticeable along the find more steep pond-proximal slopes ( Fig. 4). C-factor values of 0.001 and 0.42 provide an envelope of erosion estimates representing end-members of forested land-cover types described in the literature ( Table 1). Each metric was used as a constant C-value in repeated model runs. Using a C-factor of 0.001 produced an estimated total soil loss from 1974 to 2012 of 1087 kg while a C-factor of 0.42 yielded a total of 456,368 kg over the same time duration; the highest value possible for the C-factor ( Wischmeier and Smith, 1965) is 1 for bare soil; running the model using this C-factor generated an estimated total soil loss of 1,086,590 kg ( Table 3). The USLE models show that 60% of the estimated erosion is focused on the steep slopes

surrounding the pond, which make up only ∼10% of the watershed extent ( Fig. 1). The high-gradient hillslopes surrounding the pond to the north have the highest R-values while the more gently sloping terrain has values approximating PFKL ‘0’ ( Table 3 and Fig. 4F). Collected pond cores range in length from 14 to 46 cm with compaction averaging ∼30% (Table 2). Depths to bedrock or till with respect to pond level were checked during the coring process and found in agreement with the 1974 excavation-survey maps, which detail a 1.5-m uniform pond depth and 2:1 aspect ratio along the sides (Fig. 7A). Sediment cores all contain low percentages of organic matter with near-surface intervals containing slightly higher weight percentages; organic-matter contributions to the sediment budget rarely exceed 2% in weight percent and are always below 5.5% (Table 2).

long enough (>100 years) then the radionuclide activity could hav

long enough (>100 years) then the radionuclide activity could have decreased below detectable levels. The immediate

land use around Site 1 (Fig. 1) is a rural, forested area, with little observed river channel erosion (e.g., extensive tree falls or cut banks). This suggests that the steeper hillslopes on the upper part of the watershed are producing much of the sediment. Similarly, the low level of these radionuclide activities at Site 3 (Fig. 2) implies that the sediments have not been exposed at the surface for decades. At this site a particularly interesting feature was a large, active hillslope failure that most likely attributed to the low level Volasertib solubility dmso activity of excess 210Pb. The Rockaway River (Fig. 1) is presently eroding a large (∼20 m high) unstable Wisconsin age till deposit that is contributing sediment to the river with very low or no 210Pb and 137Cs activities. These mass wasting events on Site 3 were evident after the flooding caused by heavy rainfall from Hurricane Irene in 2011. The river actively eroded large sections of the channel just downstream to Site 3 (Fig. 1), including one section that eroded one lane of and temporarily closed a local interstate

highway. Although Irene dramatically illustrated these hillslope processes, this event was 2–3 months after the river sediment was sampled and so did not affect our results. It does, however, indicate GSK1120212 nmr the possibility of episodic pulses of sediment being delivered to the watershed, as discussed in the core from Site 2. Feng et al. (2012) found that excess 210Pb activity in upland surficial (<20 cm) soils only in the urban and agricultural watersheds were 39.6 ± 8.9 Bq kg−1 and 46.7 ± 7.4 Bq kg−1, respectively (Table 2). Site 2 (Fig. 1) sediments showed the highest levels of excess 210Pb and 137Cs activities of the three sampled sites (Fig. 2). The magnitude of excess 210Pb activity on Site 2 is comparable to

that in the upland of both urban and agricultural watersheds (Table 2, Fig. 2). Therefore, surficial sediment sources are contributing relatively more sediment to this site, as indicated by the higher levels of excess 210Pb and presence of measurable 137Cs. The interpretations from Site 2 are corroborated by previous research in the area. Feng et al. (2012) sampled river sediment from two watersheds with varying land use and determined their radionuclide activity. The rural, predominantly forested and agricultural watershed had lower activity for excess 210Pb and 137Cs than the more urban watershed. The urban area’s increased impervious surfaces likely generated higher amounts of runoff and produce increased surficial erosion. Urban land use (e.g., construction, landscaping, etc.) also disturbs soil surfaces and these sediments may quickly travel to rivers bypassing sediment sinks storing legacy sediment.

The Kinh were mainly involved in administration, tourism, and edu

The Kinh were mainly involved in administration, tourism, and education and settled in the district’s capital, while AZD6244 most of the other ethnic groups practiced different types of subsistence agriculture mostly in the form of shifting

cultivation (Tugault-Lafleur, 2007). Apart from the shifting cultivation, ethnic minorities also used to cultivate opium and collect forest products for their survival (Michaud and Turner, 2000, Sowerwine, 2004b and Turner, 2012), which could have contributed to past forest clearance. Today, the ethnic groups cultivate water rice on permanent terraced paddy fields; maize and other crops on upland fields (Leisz et al., 2004 and Turner, 2011). Terraced paddy fields were first introduced by the Hmong and Yao who migrated from southern China to northern Vietnam during the late 19th and early

20th centuries (Michaud, 1997). Additionally, many households cultivate cardamom (Amomum aromaticum) under forest cover as a substitute cash crop, after the ban on opium in 1992 ( Tugault-Lafleur and Turner, 2009 and Turner, 2011). Because of its scenic landscape and presence of five ethnic groups with their traditional way of living, Sa Pa is considered as one of the most attractive tourism areas in Vietnam. The Hoang Lien Mountains selleckchem comprise probably the last remnants of native forest of the northern Vietnamese highlands. It became one of the first areas recognized as a ‘special use forest’ in Vietnam, and it was converted into the Hoang Lien National Park (HLNP) in July 2002 following the Prime Minister’s Decision 90/2002/QD-TTg to protect biodiversity by preserving the subtropical and temperate forest ecosystems (Le, 2004 and Jadin et al., 2013). Already under the French Regime (1887–1940), Sa Pa district was a well-known holiday and relaxation resort (Michaud and Turner, 2006). Northern Vietnam suffered a lot under Progesterone the first Indochina war (1945–1954). The town sunk into oblivion, as a large part of the population of Sa Pa town fled

away from the hostilities. In the early 1960s, in the framework of the New Economic Zones Policy, migration schemes were designed by the new socialist regime that stimulated the Vietnamese Kinh from the lowlands to populate the northern Vietnamese Highlands (Hardy, 2005). The decision of the national government to open Sa Pa district for international tourism in 1993 had a large impact on daily life in Sa Pa town and its surrounding communities. The number of domestic and international visitors increased exponentially from 16,100 in 1995 to 405,000 in 2009 (GSO, 1995 and GSO, 2010) (Fig. 1). Tourism is now the most important economic activity in the area, and it generated 58% of Sa Pa district’s GDP in 2010 (GSO, 2010). The poverty rate in Sa Pa district decreased gradually from 36% in 2000 to 21% in 2009 (GSO, 2000 and GSO, 2010).

All drugs were applied via bath perfusion We are grateful to Pie

All drugs were applied via bath perfusion. We are grateful to Pierre Apostolides and Drs. Hai Huang, Haining Zhong, and Craig Jahr for helpful discussions and to Elizabeth Brodeen-Kuo and Drs. Kevin Bender and John Williams for advice and suggestions on the manuscript. We thank Dr. Sascha du Lac for providing GIN and GlyT2-EGFP mice. This work was supported by NIH grants RO1DC004450 (L.O.T.) and F31DC010120

(S.P.K.). “
“During biogenesis most ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors undergo regulated assembly prior to insertion into the plasma membrane. In prokaryotes many Roxadustat concentration ion channels function as homo-oligomers, which for individual subtypes range in size from dimers to hexamers, while in eukaryotes, as a consequence JQ1 supplier of gene duplication, appropriate members of a diverse subunit pool must be selected to form hetero-oligomeric assemblies of restricted stoichiometry and composition. The glutamate receptor ion channels (iGluRs) which mediate excitatory synaptic transmission are important examples of the biological diversity which arose from gene duplication, and these receptors play key roles in brain development,

synaptic plasticity, motor function, information processing, and memory formation. In mammals, the diverse functional roles of iGluRs are mediated by a family of 18 genes, several of which undergo alternative splicing and mRNA editing (Traynelis et al., 2010). Genetic, biochemical, and functional studies have established that individual iGluR subunits will coassemble with members of the same functional family, but not with other subtypes, to

generate the large and diverse receptor population required for normal brain activity (Ayalon et al., 2005, Ayalon and Stern-Bach, 2001, Brose et al., 1994, Burnashev et al., 1992, Leuschner and Hoch, 1999 and Partin et al., 1993). A fundamental problem in biology is to understand the mechanisms controlling this selective assembly. The major families of iGluRs Protein kinase N1 were identified by classical pre-genetic techniques, using selective ligands and functional assays, leading to identification of AMPA, kainate and NMDA receptor subtypes (Watkins and Evans, 1981). For kainate and NMDA receptors, the native receptor assemblies in vivo contain subunits encoded by two or three different gene families, several of which do not generate functional ion channels when expressed as homomeric proteins. For example, GluR5, GluR6, and GluR7 (also called GluK1, GluK2, and GluK3) can form functional homomeric ion channels in heterologous expression systems (Egebjerg et al., 1991 and Schiffer et al., 1997), but in vivo they coassemble with the KA1 and KA2 subunits from a second gene family (also called GluK4 and GluK5), which also bind glutamate, but which are functionally inactive when expressed as homomeric proteins (Herb et al., 1992 and Werner et al., 1991).