Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interrelationships of Energy Metabolism to Oxidative Damage and Neurodegeneration

The restoration of glutathione in astroglia-rich primary cultures derived from the brains of newborn rats was used to indicate metabolic properties of astroglial cells. At a culture age of 14–21 days these cultures contain an average total glutathione content of 32.8 B 3.2 nmol/mg protein and a cytosolic volume, estimated with the 3-O-methylglucose method, of 4.1 B 0.1 Ìl/mg protein. Therefore, cells of astroglial cultures have a cytosolic glutathione concentration of about 8 mM. In order to investigate glutathione synthesis in astroglial cultures the cellular glutathione content was reduced by starvation in a minimal medium lacking glucose and amino acids. Resynthesis of glutathione depended on the presence of glucose and the three constituent amino acids glutamate, cysteine and glycine. Absence of glucose reduced the amount of net glutathione restoration found after 4 h of incubation by about 50%. Of known substrates of astroglial energy metabolism, mannose could fully and fructose, lactate, pyruvate or sorbitol could partially replace glucose during glutathione restoration. In contrast to these compounds, galactose, 5-thioglucose and 2deoxyglucose failed to substitute for glucose during glutathione restoration. Astroglial cells are able to use as precursors for the three constituent amino acids of glutathione a variety of amino acids and dipeptides. The results presented demonstrate that glutathione restoration can be used as an indicator for amino acid as well as energy metabolism of astroglial cells. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Received: December 8, 1997 Accepted: February 24, 1998 Dr. Ralf Dringen Physiologisch-chemisches Institut der Universität Hoppe-Seyler-Strasse 4 D–72076 Tübingen (Germany) Tel. +49 7071 2973334, Fax +49 7071 295360, E-Mail ralf.dringen@uni-tuebingen.de ABC Fax + 41 61 306 12 34 E-Mail karger@karger.ch www.karger. com © 1998 S. Karger AG, Basel 0378–5866/98/0205–0401$15.00/0 Accessible online at: http://BioMedNet.com/karger Introduction The tripeptide glutathione (Á-glutamylcysteinylglycine) is the most important cellular antioxidant, is involved in the detoxification of xenobiotics and serves as a cofactor in isomerization reactions [Meister and Anderson, 1983]. Very recently, overviews have been published about the function and metabolism of glutathione in brain and neural cells [Cooper, 1997; Cooper and Kristal, 1997]. Astroglial cells play an important role in the defense of the brain against reactive oxygen species and apparently support other brain cells in this respect. In culture, astroglial cells protect dopaminergic neurons [Langeveld et al., 1995; Desagher et al., 1996] and oligoden-
Gene Therapy and Therapeutic Interventions

Deafness, with loss of sensory (hair) cells, results in progressive pathophysiological changes ending in the degeneration of most auditory nerve neurons. It is now possible to consider these events in the broader context of anti-apoptotic survival factors in the peripheral and central nervous system. One consequence of deafferentation of a neuron is the loss of neurotrophins that can lead to a change in oxidative state (formation of free radicals), changes in intracellular Ca2+, and an up-regulation of apoptotic genes. Interventions that can modify availability of neurotrophins, [Ca]I, and/or free radical formation or their destructive effects, may preserve the auditory nerve. Some interventions (neurotrophins) may also lead to a regrowth of neurites. Studies in this area are of basic value and also of immediate clinical interest for the application of the cochlear prosthesis to the severe and profoundly deaf, since the benefits of this prosthesis are directly dependent on auditory nerve survival and the proximity of stimulating electrode to neuron. We, and others, have found that auditory nerve degeneration can be prevented by chronic electrical stimulation. We have demonstrated in vivo that this effect can be blocked by tetrodotoxin, thus indicating that propagated action potentials are a necessary condition, and by verapamil (Ca2+ channel blocker), supporting in vitro studies by others, indicating that L-type Ca2+ channels are necessary for stimulation-induced rescue of the deafferented auditory nerve. The intensities of electrical stimulation required for rescue are at levels sufficient to express the intermediate-early gene c-fos which can initiate transcription of anti-apoptotic genes and pathways, and up-regulate expression of neurotrophins that may act in an autocrine manner to protect the nerve from death. We, and others, have found that chronic local delivery (osmotic pump and microcannulation of the inner ear fluid spaces) of individual neurotrophins and cocktails of factors can also enhance survival of the deafferented nerve, and some can also initiate a regrowth of degenerated peripheral processes of the nerve into the region of the destroyed sensory epitheliae. Recently, we have shown that this rescue can occur with delayed intervention, after degeneration of some neurons has begun, more closely mimicking the human clinical situation. Finally, we have shown that interventions with antioxidants may also be effective in preventing
Equilibrium and Fixed‐Bed Adsorption of n‐Hexane on Activated Carbon

Equilibrium and fixed‐bed adsorption of n‐hexane on pelletized activated carbon (SLG‐2PS) was studied between 298.15°K and 318.15°K. Equilibrium data was obtained in a gravimetric method. Adsorption isotherms were predicted by various model equations. Based on a comprehensive comparison of various single component isotherm models, the Langmuir–Freundlich isotherm was found to provide the best fit overall for the adsorption of the adsorbates on activated carbon. Their results could also be used to simulate the adsorption and temperature experimental data. A simple mathematical model was developed to calculate the concentration and temperature curves for the fixed bed adsorber. Model parameters were estimated from experiments and from correlations available in the literature. The mathematical model provides a good representation of the experimentally observed behavior of the breakthrough curves and temperature curves for n‐hexane on activated carbon.
Effects of Ghrelin

Ghrelin is a 28-amino-acid peptide, with an essential noctanoyl modification at Ser3, that elicits growth-hormone (GH) secretion in rats and humans. At present, the mechanisms of ghrelin action and its interactions with other systems controlling GH secretion remain poorly characterized. In this context, the present study was undertaken to obtain information about ontogeny and possible gender differences in the GH-releasing activity of ghrelin, and to delineate its primary site(s) of action at the hypothalamus and/or pituitary. In addition, the interactions between ghrelin and other relevant signals in the control of GH secretion, such as excitatory amino acids (EAAs), nitric oxide (NO) and serotonin, were assessed. Experiments were carried out in infantile-prepubertal animals, when GH pulsatility is not yet established. Systemic administration of ghrelin (25 nmol/rat, i.p.) to 5-, 10and 23-day-old male and female rats increased plasma GH levels from day 10 onwards. This action was NO dependent, since it disappeared in 23-day-old males after pretreatment with an inhibitor of NO synthase (NAME). Similarly, central infusion of ghrelin (3 nmol/rat, i.c.v.) elicited GH responses in 10and 23-day-old animals significantly higher than after systemic administration. By contrast, in vitro challenge of pituitary tissue with increasing doses of ghrelin (10–9–10–7 M) failed to enhance GH release into the incubation medium, whereas stimulation with GH-releasing hormone (GHRH; 10–7 M) or GHRP-6 (10–7 M) was effective. Finally, effects of ghrelin were blocked by pretreatment with MK-801 and NBQX antagonists of EAA ionotropic receptors and after manipulation of endogenous serotoninergic tone. In addition, the potent releasing activity of EAA agonists NMDA and AMPA was blunted by pretreatment with DLys3-GHRP-6, a selective antagonist of the cognate ghrelin receptor, i.e. the GH-secretagogue receptor. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that GH-releasing activity of ghrelin appears early in the infantile period, is NO dependent and involves a primary hypothalamic site of action. The data also demonstrate for the first time the existence of a cross-talk between ghrelin and other neurotransmitter systems, such as EAAs and serotonin, in precise control of GH secretion. Copyright © 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel
Comparison of Concurrent Liquid-Based Tests and Cervical Biopsies on 782 Women with Previously Abnormal Pap Smears

The rate of agreement between diagnoses of SIL by TP and CIN by biopsy was 74.7%. ASC-US accounted for 16.0% of TP diagnoses. ASC-US had biopsy diagnoses of CIN 1 in 60% and CIN 2/3 in 12.8% of cases. For TP diagnosis of low grade SIL, biopsy diagnoses of CIN 2/3 were found in 13.5% of cases. For TP diagnoses of ASC-US and higher, the proportions of TP and cervical biopsies in comparable diagnostic categories were statistically significant (p < 0.001), with TP having sensitivity of 89.4% and positive predictive value of 89.7% for the detection of CIN. The false positive rate for TP was 8.1%, but rescreening confirmed the presence of abnormal cells in 51 of 63 (81.0%) cases of ASCUS or higher having negative biopsies. TP had a false negative rate of 8.3% and negative predictive value of 61.3%. Rescreening showed that most (77.6%) of the false negative TP specimens failed to have abnormal cells on the slides. Among women who have previously detected cervical abnormalities, concurrent liquid-based cervical cytology performs very well diagnostically and can contribute potentially to better patient care. Accuracy of Liquid-Based Pap Tests
Performance of Density Functionals for Calculating Barrier Heights of Chemical Reactions Relevant to Astrophysics

The performance of 39 different LDA, GGA, meta-GGA, and hybrid density functionals has been evaluated, for calculating forward and reverse barrier heights of 10 gas-phase reactions involving hydrogen. The reactions are all relevant to astrochemistry. Special focus is put on the applicability of DFT for calculating the rates of corresponding surface hydrogenation reactions that are relevant to the chemistry of ice-coated interstellar grains. General trends in the performance of the density functionals for reactions involving H atoms, H2, and OH are discussed. The OH+CO reaction is shown to be a very problematic case for DFT. The best overall performance is found for the hybrid density functionals, such as MPW1K, B97-1, B97-2, and B1B95. For several reactions, the HCTH GGA functionals and the VS98 and OLAP3 meta-GGA functionals also give results that are almost as good as those of the hybrid functionals.
Transition-metal ion dimers formed in CeO2: an EPR study

MeCeO oxides (Me = Cu2+, Mn2+, V4+, Mo5+), with an atomic ratio Me/Ce = 0.1, have been prepared by impregnation of ceria (CeO2) with the corresponding Me salt. Subsequently, the solids were oxidized or reduced at given temperatures. An EPR study evidenced the presence of dimers in the solids. A fine structure was obtained for CuCeO and MoCeO oxides. The signal at half magnetic field intensity (Δms=±2), characteristic of dimers, was present in all the MeCeO oxides with a hyperfine structure for Cu2+, Mn2+ or V4+ ions. From the relative intensity of the half-field and the normal-field signals characterizing the dimer spectrum, the distance between the Me ions has been calculated. For CuCeO and MoCeO oxides, monomer ions have been evidenced as precursors of the dimers. The dimer spectrum of Mo5+ ions has been observed only at 77 K and not at room temperature. In all cases, the dimers are located in oxygen vacancies near Ce3+ ions, present in the solid before the introduction of transition-metal ions.
Genome in Development and Cloning

ABC Fax + 41 61 306 12 34 E-mail karger@karger.ch www.karger. com © 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel 0301–0171/04/1054–0235$21.00/0 Accessible online at: www.karger. com/cgr Abstract. Culture, transfection and immortalization of mouse germ line stem cells, germ cell transplantation and grafting of testicular tissue are milestones of recent biotechnological breakthroughs. Alone and in combination they offer new pathways to explore the cellular mechanisms responsible for pluripotency and the requirements of cells to enter the germ line. Efficient markers, isolation and culture systems as well as transfection approaches are developed to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms leading to the development of male germ line cells. Here, we describe the localization pattern of c-kit, Notch-1 and GFR·-1 in postnatal, immature and adult testes. All three proteins are potentially useful markers for spermatogonial characterization and enrichment. First attempts and various future perspectives to use spermatogonial stem cells as pathway for the introduction of transgenes are discussed.
The kinetic modelling of a steam distillation unit for the extraction of aniseed (Pimpinella anisum) essential oil

A simplified model that considered the oil constituents as one constituent, anethole, the major component, was used to describe the mass transfer of steam extraction of aniseed essential oil. The model can be used to optimise and control the process. Depending on the oil content, two mass transfer regimes were identified (i) the first one corresponds to an unsaturated surface extraction and (ii) the second corresponds to the slower transfer of oil from the deeper parts of the material to the surface, which may be due to concentration gradients and chemical bonding. The model was validated by experimental data obtained from a pilot-plant system. Solid-steam mass transfer coefficients were determined and a critical oil content was found to limit the two mass transfer regimes. The value for this critical oil concentration (xB) was found to be 0.011 (g oil g−1 solid). In addition, an optimal operating pressure of 200 kPa was found to give maximum extraction yield. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Controllable oxygenic functional groups of metal-free cathodes for high performance lithium ion batteries

The poriferous reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with abundant oxygen-containing functional groups synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method was successfully employed as a high performance cathode in lithium-ion batteries. The electrochemical results show that the rGO exhibits a remarkable lithium storage capacity (up to 270 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles). Further analysis shows that the rGO can exhibit a significantly high rate capacity, good reversibility, and excellent cycling stability, which clearly reveals the potential use of the rGO as the cathode material to boost both energy and power densities of LIBs. Furthermore, by controlling the oxygenic functional groups of the rGO, it was demonstrated that the capacity of rGO increased with the increase of the number of oxygenic functional groups, which illustrates that the excellent electrochemical performance of rGO could be attributed to its specific poriferous structure and the oxygen-containing functional groups.
Quantitative Trait Loci and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism

er-assisted selection (Lande and Thompson, 1990; van der Beek and van Arendonk, 1996), and the results might contribute to increases in the products or improvements in health. Although QTL mapping had been impossible for a long time, development of DNA markers such as microsatellites and computer technology have made it possible to map QTLs since the first half of the 1990s (Haley and Knott, 1992; Knott and Haley, 1992; Andersson et al., 1994). In chickens, the earliest QTL reports were made in 1998 (Vallejo et al., 1998; van Kaam et al., 1998). Information on QTLs affecting body weight, growth, and carcass composition traits, egg quality and egg production traits, and disease susceptibility (resistance) or immune response trait had been accumulated by 2004 (summarized by Hocking, 2005). Abstract. We performed a quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis to map QTLs controlling shank length, body weight, and carcass weight in a resource family of 245 F 2 birds developed from a cross of the large-sized, native, Japanese cockfighting breed, Oh-Shamo (Japanese Large Game), and the White Leghorn breed of chickens. Interval mapping revealed three significant QTLs for shank length on chromosomes 1, 4 and 24 at the experiment-wise 5% level, and a suggestive shank length QTL on chromosome 27 at the experiment-wise 10% level. For body weight two QTLs, one significant and the other suggestive, were identified on chromosomes 4 and 24, respectively. As expected, QTLs for carcass weight, which was highly correlated with body weight ( r = 0.95), were detected at the same chromosomal
Ordered Whiskerlike Polyaniline Grown on the Surface of Mesoporous Carbon and Its Electrochemical Capacitance Performance

cyclic voltammetry (CV) and charge–discharge tests. The used electrolyte was 1 M H 2 SO 4 solution. The experiments were carried out using a three-electrode cell, in which platinum and the saturated calo-mel electrode (SCE, 0.242 V vs. the normal hydrogen electrode (NHE)) are used as counter and reference electrodes. The experiments were performed using a Solartron Instrument Model 1287 electrochemical interface controlled by a computer.
The impact of cooling on cell temperature and the practical solar concentration limits for photovoltaics

The solar concentration limit for densely packed, high‐concentrated photovoltaic (HCPV) cells was analyzed for a novel two‐phase cooling design. Eight working fluids were examined in the two‐phase cooling analysis: R134a, R11, R113, R114, R123, R141b, water, and ammonia. In addition, the study investigated the concentration limit for mass flow rates ranging from 10−3 to 1 kg s−1. Results from this analysis showed that the limits neared 2000 suns for the six organic fluids examined, whereas for water and ammonia, the practical concentration limit reached about 4000 and 6000 suns, respectively. It was concluded that water and ammonia exhibited greater limits of concentration because they possess greater values of sensible and latent heats compared with the organic fluids examined. The results using this two‐phase cooling design were then compared with computational and experimental reference data from other HCPV studies conducted that used cooling mechanisms, such as impinging jets, liquid immersion, and microchannel cooling. Together, the data was compiled and compared with a simplified, one‐dimensional, theoretical model using a generic, hypothetical cooling mechanism for densely packed HCPV cells. The general, practical solar concentration limit was predicted to be approximately 10 000 effective suns for a cooling device with a heat transfer coefficient on the order of 106 W m−2 K−1. At this limit, it was determined that the cells' conductive resistance, rather than the external cooling mechanism, becomes the controlling factor for heat removal. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Topic shifts in spontaneous interaction of speakers with schizophrenia: Cohesion and thematic structures

This study investigates the linguistic patterning that created shifts in the topic of spontaneous interactions of speakers with schizophrenia. The psychiatric category of disorganized speech in schizophrenia may be manifested in language across (derailment) or within (incoherence) clauses through unexpected topic shifts. Topic switching was examined for cohesion and thematic structures, within the framework of systemic functional linguistics (SFL). Three patients diagnosed with schizophrenia conversed individually with a psychiatrist who elicited information on various topics, e.g., background information, hobbies, etc. The interviewswere videotaped, and audio-recorded. The recordingswere transcribed by the researcher and divided into clauses, which were analyzed and coded for consistency of field, cohesion and thematic structures. The findings revealed that speakers did not make use of linguistic features simultaneously to initiate topics. Topic shifts were marked by moving fields with atypical reference, intertwining of participant chains, and lexical items appearing out of context. The speakers created discontinuous participant chains across Themes and departed from the main thematic sequences of linear progression and Theme iteration. The specific linguistic findings correspond to the clinical description of schizophrenia.
Biological treatment of dairy plant wastewater 1

Abstract The influent and effluent wastewaters of a Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) wastewater treatment system used by a dairy processing plant were evaluated over a two‐month period. Pollution parameters measured were biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), total solids (TS), and pH. Viable biomass of the samples was determined by adenosine triphosphate (ATP), measured in Relative Light Units (RLU) and heterotrophic plate count (HPC). The following average overall reduction of pollution parameters was achieved by the SBR system: BOD, 97%; COD, 93%; TSS, 97%; and TS, 76%. Biochemical oxygen demand was highly correlated with COD, TS, TSS, HPC, and ATP in the effluent. A significant correlation was also observed between ATP and HPC. The pH of the influent and effluent ranged from 7 to 8. The average daily effluent flow rate of the waste disposal system was approximately 94,625 liters with an average BOD of 8mg/l, COD of 72mg/l, TSS of 15mg/l, TS of 728mg/.
Physical properties of biopolymers containing natamycin and rosemary extract

Summary Antifungal biopolymers were prepared by incorporating natamycin (NA) and NA + rosemary extract (RE) into wheat gluten (WG) and methyl cellulose (MC) films. Interaction between antimicrobial agents and biopolymers was determined with mid-infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Water vapour permeability and mechanical properties of these films were also measured. Mid-infrared spectroscopy did not indicate any interaction. SEM observations showed that NA crystallises at high concentrations in biopolymers. There were no significant changes in water vapour permeabilities of biopolymers containing active agents at P < 0.05. While NA incorporation did not result in any changes in mechanical properties of WG films a reduction in tensile strength was observed for MC films containing high concentration of NA. In general, active agent incorporation into WG and MC films did not result in any considerable changes in their physical properties that could affect their application.
The legacies of Marx and Lenin in Vietnam: a historical and regional perspective

Abstract In conversation with other essays in this collection but with a focus on Vietnam within a regional East Asian perspective, this essay explores the great significance of Marxist and Leninist legacies by reviewing the historical contexts in which Marxist and Leninist movements emerged as contenders in national politics, and the creation and evolution of socialist institutions where communists took power. Those institutions helped communist regimes dominate their societies for decades and remain important today. Yet how long these regimes can survive in the face of rapidly growing demands for political freedom is an open question.