bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Description of a new species, Pintomyia dissimilis nov. sp., a phlebotomine fossil from Dominican Republic amber (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae)
Authors: Filho José Dilermando Andrade , Serra e Meira Paula Cavalcante Lamy , Sanguinette Cristiani de Castilho , Brazil Reginaldo Peçanha
Published: May 2009

Background

Phlebotomine sandflies are the vectors of etiological agents of leishmaniases in several areas of the world. In the Neotropical Region, the biodiversity of these insects is more than other regions, probably due the long evolutionary period of this group. Miocene amber from Dominican Republic, currently, has a record of 14 extinct species of Phlebotomine sandflies.

Results

This paper describes a new fossil species of phlebotomine sandfly from amber found in Dominican Republic. This new species is based on morphological characters of a male such as 5° palpomere longer than 3° + 4°, three well-developed spines in the gonostyle, lateral lobe longer than gonocoxite and permit inclusion of the new species in the genus Pintomyia, series serrana. The paramere, with a curvature in the ventral margin, of the middle of the structure, separates the new species from the others fossils or extant species.

Conclusion

The new species described in the present study named Pintomyia dissimilis nov. sp. is well differenciated from all known species in this genus.
Activator Protein-2 Impairs the Invasion of a Human Extravillous Trophoblast Cell Line
Authors: Kotani Tomomi , Iwase Akira , Ino Kazuhiko , Sumigama Seiji , Yamamoto Eiko , Hayakawa Hiromi , Nagasaka Tetsuo , Itakura Atsuo , Nomura Seiji , Kikkawa Fumitaka
Published: May 2009

The reduced migration/invasion of extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) is a key feature of the genesis of preeclampsia. We and others previously reported that transcriptional factors activator protein-2 (AP-2) α and AP-2γ act as suppressors of tumor invasion. The present study examined the expressions of AP-2α and AP-2γ in preeclamptic placenta vs. control placenta and investigated their effect on the function of EVTs. The expressions of AP-2α and AP-2γ were elevated in the preeclamptic placentas in comparison with the gestational age-matched control placentas. Their expressions also increased in EVTs of the preeclamptic placentas. Thereafter, we transfected AP-2α or AP-2γ into human EVT cell line, HTR-8/SVneo. The overexpression of AP-2α or AP-2γ decreased the migratory and invasive abilities in HTR-8/SVneo cells. This was followed by the reduction of protease activated receptor-1 and matrix metalloproteinases and a significant induction of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1. AP-2α and AP-2γ were weakly expressed in the cultured EVTs and HTR-8/SVneo cells, whereas they were induced by TNF-α, which increases in preeclamptic placenta and impairs trophoblast invasion. In the presence of TNF-α, the invasion of the HTR-8/SVneo cells was partially restored by a blocking of AP-2 induction using small interfering RNA of AP-2. The present data suggest that AP-2 may suppress trophoblast migration and invasion, thus leading to a shallow placentation in preeclampsia.
Regulation of the V-ATPase in kidney epithelial cells: dual role in acid–base homeostasis and vesicle trafficking
Authors: Brown Dennis , Paunescu Teodor G. , Breton Sylvie , Marshansky Vladimir
Published: May 2009

The proton-pumping V-ATPase is a complex, multi-subunit enzyme that is highly expressed in the plasma membranes of some epithelial cells in the kidney, including collecting duct intercalated cells. It is also located on the limiting membranes of intracellular organelles in the degradative and secretory pathways of all cells. Different isoforms of some V-ATPase subunits are involved in the targeting of the proton pump to its various intracellular locations, where it functions in transporting protons out of the cell across the plasma membrane or acidifying intracellular compartments. The former process plays a critical role in proton secretion by the kidney and regulates systemic acid–base status whereas the latter process is central to intracellular vesicle trafficking, membrane recycling and the degradative pathway in cells. We will focus our discussion on two cell types in the kidney: (1) intercalated cells, in which proton secretion is controlled by shuttling V-ATPase complexes back and forth between the plasma membrane and highly-specialized intracellular vesicles, and (2) proximal tubule cells, in which the endocytotic pathway that retrieves proteins from the glomerular ultrafiltrate requires V-ATPase-dependent acidification of post-endocytotic vesicles. The regulation of both of these activities depends upon the ability of cells to monitor the pH and/or bicarbonate content of their extracellular environment and intracellular compartments. Recent information about these pH-sensing mechanisms, which include the role of the V-ATPase itself as a pH sensor and the soluble adenylyl cyclase as a bicarbonate sensor, will be addressed in this review.
Carbonic anhydrase and acid–base regulation in fish
Authors: Gilmour K. M. , Perry S. F.
Published: May 2009

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is the zinc metalloenzyme that catalyses the reversible reactions of CO2 with water. CA plays a crucial role in systemic acid–base regulation in fish by providing acid–base equivalents for exchange with the environment. Unlike air-breathing vertebrates, which frequently utilize alterations of breathing (respiratory compensation) to regulate acid–base status, acid–base balance in fish relies almost entirely upon the direct exchange of acid–base equivalents with the environment (metabolic compensation). The gill is the critical site of metabolic compensation, with the kidney playing a supporting role. At the gill, cytosolic CA catalyses the hydration of CO2 to H+ and HCO3– for export to the water. In the kidney, cytosolic and membrane-bound CA isoforms have been implicated in HCO3– reabsorption and urine acidification. In this review, the CA isoforms that have been identified to date in fish will be discussed together with their tissue localizations and roles in systemic acid–base regulation.
Does a virtual audience influence rowing?
Authors: Wellner M , Sigrist R , von Zitzewitz J , Wolf P , Riener R
Published: May 2009

The performance of athletes is often influenced by the presence of an audience. This pressure situation, which is common for competition, cannot be trained for on available simulators. Therefore, a novel rowing simulator with virtual reality technology was developed and evaluated. Ten participants of different skill levels were rowing 3×1000m with positive, neutral, and negative virtual audience tribunes in blocks of random order. The analysis of movement variables, physiological response, questionnaires, and interviews was used to detect differences between audience blocks and adjoining non-audience blocks. Although some participants responded in part to the investigated movement and physiological variables, no reliable effect of any of the audience types could be shown. Interestingly, self-reported measures indicated in general a high degree of realism and presence in the scenario. The explanation for the low incidence of behavioural change is that the virtual audience did not create enough pressure on the participants, although no definite conclusion can be drawn owing to the small sample size.
Rating the Rankings
Authors: Espeland Wendy , Sauder Michael
Published: May 2009

In August it's the colleges, in April the graduate schools. The annual rankings of universities and their programs result in copies of U.S. News & World Report flying off the shelves, and great fanfare follows.

Local news outlets report the lists and the Internet goes all abuzz with discussions about the year's gains and losses in standing. Reactions within schools are also significant, ranging from champagne and bonuses to emergency meetings and fears of pink slips
A Matter of Degrees
Authors: Beaver William
Published: May 2009

Americans value few things more than college degrees. Right now, 29 percent of adults over age 25 have a bachelor's or higher. That figure has more than doubled since the 1970s, and many within the educational establishment argue it will have to increase significantly for the United States to remain globally competitive.
The role of MTOR in mouse uterus during embryo implantation
Authors: Chen Xuemei , He Junlin , Ding Yubin , Zeng Lan , Gao Rufei , Cheng Shuqun , Liu Xueqing , Wang Yingxiong
Published: May 2009

Mammalian target of rapamycin (MTOR) is a protein kinase that plays a central role in cell growth and proliferation. It is a part of the signaling network transmitting growth factor signaling to translational control. Previous studies have shown that MTOR is involved in embryo implantation, but its expression in the uterus and its role in implantation are unclear. Here, we have investigated the expression and role of MTOR in mouse uterus during early pregnancy. RT-FQ PCR showed that the mRNA levels of Mtor in endometria of pregnant mice were higher than those of nonpregnant mice. The mRNA levels in the pregnant mice gradually increased from D3 of pregnancy, reached maximum on D5, and then declined afterward. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis showed that the mRNA and protein of MTOR were mainly located in stromal cells. The levels of the expressed MTOR protein correlate with those of mRNA. The number of implantation sites was greatly decreased by the intrauterine injection with rapamycin in the early morning of D4 of the pregnancy. These findings suggest that MTOR may play an important role in embryo implantation in mice.
Home ECG monitoring of high-risk post myocardial infarction patients
Authors: Tomcsányi János , Bezzeg Péter
Published: May 2009

Az akut coronariaintervenció korában a myocardialis infarctust elszenvedő beteg nagyon gyorsan, néhány nap után haza vagy rehabilitációra kerül. A betegeknek a halálozása ugyanakkor az infarktust követő első hónapban a legmagasabb. Az elsősorban veszélyeztetettek a jelentős szívizomvesztést elszenvedő, csökkent szisztolés bal kamrai funkciójú betegek. Fontos lehet ezért ezen betegeknél – a telemedicina fejlődésével lehetőséget teremtő – új módszerek kidolgozása a ritmuszavarok otthoni monitorozására.
Célkitűzés:
Annak vizsgálata, hogy internetalapú folyamatos otthoni aritmiamonitorozás milyen biztonságossággal alkalmazható akut myocardialis infarctust elszenvedő, coronariaintervención átesett, csökkent balkamra-funkciójú betegeknél a hazabocsátás utáni első hónapban.
Módszer:
Számos transztelefonos EKG-monitor-rendszer működik, de a szerzők egy olyan új technológiával szerzett tapasztalataikat ismertetik, ahol a beteg aktivációjától független, folyamatos EKG-észlelés zajlik interneten keresztül. Az internettel nem rendelkező betegeknél kifejlesztésre került egy mobil internetre csatlakozó vevőegység is.
Eredmények:
Tíz, infarktus után otthonába távozó, 40% alatti ejekciós frakcióval rendelkező betegnél végeztünk monitorozást. A mérések kumulatív ideje összesen 170 nap volt. A teljesen zajmentes időszak 98% volt, hibamentes EKG 99% volt. Hatvanhat összes alarm átlagos nyugtázási ideje 27 szekundum volt. Az alarm/nap 0,39-nak adódott, és a riasztások pozitív prediktivitása 0,106 volt. Az összes alarmidő 29,8 percnek adódott, ami napi bontásban 10,5 szekundumot jelentett.
Következtetések:
Módszerünk alkalmasnak látszik a kórházból hazakerült betegek otthoni monitorozására úgy, hogy viszonylag nagy százalékban lehet hibamentes EKG-t regisztrálni a kifejlesztett mellpánt segítségével. Az alacsony riasztási idő azt jelenti, hogy sok beteg egyszerre történő monitorozása is kellő biztonsággal megoldható. A fenti módszert és eredményeinket azért tartjuk fontosnak bemutatni, mert ilyen „szoros” otthoni monitorozásról sem publikációt, sem terméket, illetve szolgáltatást nem találtunk.
New methods for road tunnel fire safety evaluation and upgrading
Authors: Khoury G. A. , Walley D. , McWilliams D.
Published: May 2009

A new tunnel fire safety evaluation and upgrading procedure was developed to replace the current seriously flawed ‘additive’ methodology. Such a procedure is necessary given the number of recent tunnel fires with serious consequences to human life, structure and the wider socio-economy. The procedure takes a holistic integrated approach and follows a critical path. The new methodology, called Upgrade, was tested for a hypothetical ‘basic’ example tunnel and showed its ability and flexibility in providing the risks and economic impacts for different upgrading options singly and in combination. The assessment shows clearly that it is not just safety features that are critical to results but also items such as the location of the fire and its size. The model is also applied to a ‘real’ alpine tunnel case to demonstrate that the smoke extraction system would have been justified by the holistic upgrading procedure. Both the development of Upgrade and the appraisal of socio-economic impact are key innovations of this work. Tunnel closure times were found to have a marked, even dominant, influence on human safety and especially the socio-economic impact. Closure times should therefore be reduced to a minimum by judicial selection of a combination of safety features that require night closures or part closure coupled with a reduced overall time for upgrading work. The work was carried out as part of the Uptun (Upgrading tunnels) 5th framework European Union (EU) project. The results of this work are aimed at assisting the EU develop a directive for road tunnel safety.
RAPD Markers Reveal Genetic Diversity inSalix purpureaL.
Authors: Sulima Paweł , Przyborowski Jerzy A. , Załuski Dariusz
Published: May 2009

The bark of purple osier willow (Salix purpureaL.) constitutes a particularly valuable raw material which is used for the production of natural aspirin. The content of salicylic glycosides in the bark is differential and depends on genotype, therefore continued selection is necessary to find high‐yielding crop varieties ofS. purpureawith a high salicylic glycoside content of the bark. The objective of this study was an evaluation of the genetic diversity of a collection ofS. purpureagenotypes and their hybrids with the use of RAPD markers. The experiment involved 39 of the 60 tested oligonucleotide primers generating polymorphic amplification products. The polymorphism index of RAPD markers was 88.8% in all studied genotypes and 75.5% inS. purpureagenotypes. The values of Nei's genetic identity statistics ranged from 0.443 to 0.928. Nei's genetic distance values were used to build a dendrogram using unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA). The considerable genetic diversity observed among the studied genotypes enabled us to identify parental forms suitable for crossing aimed at producing transgressive progeny, which would provide a basis for the selection of initial breeding materials. In addition, the determination of the genetic diversity of the collected genotypes may contribute to developing a mapping population, which would serve as a tool for the identification and localization of QTL corresponding to yield and salicylic glycoside content.
Sugarcane Postharvest Residue Management in a Temperate Climate
Authors: Viator Ryan P. , Johnson Richard M. , Boykin Deborah L. , Richard Edward P.
Published: May 2009

Full retention of sugarcane (interspecific hybrids of Saccharum spp.) postharvest residue may reduce ratoon crop yields. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different residue removal timings and methods on sugarcane yield. A two‐factor (timing and method) experiment was conducted on both clay and silt loam soils in southeastern Louisiana. Removal timings consisted of the following physiological stages: predormancy, complete dormancy, intermediate dormancy, and postdormancy. Removal methods consisted of partial removal from the row top by mechanical means, complete removal by burning, and no removal (control) applied to first, second, and third ratoons. Sugar yields following burning at predormancy (6800 kg ha−1), complete dormancy (6610 kg ha−1), and mechanical removal at predormancy (6500 kg ha−1) were greater than the control (6190 kg ha−1) for all ratoons. Burning at postdormancy decreased sugar yields by 440 kg ha−1 relative to the control. Ratoons responded similarly to the residue management practices evaluated, and effects were consistent on both clay and silt loam soils. Results show that the residue generated during the green‐cane harvesting of sugarcane in Louisiana should be removed from harvested fields as soon after harvest as possible to ensure optimum yields of subsequent ratoon crops.
Agronomic Management System and Precipitation Effects on Soybean Oil and Fatty Acid Profiles
Authors: Gao Juan , Hao Xinmei , Thelen Kurt D. , Robertson G. Phillip
Published: May 2009

This study investigated long‐term agronomic management systems and precipitation level effects on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] total oil content and fatty acid composition. Management systems evaluated included conventional (CT), no‐till (NT), low chemical input (LI), and zero chemical input (ORG). Total oil content and major fatty acids profiles were analyzed by accelerated solvent extractor (ASE 200) and gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (FID). The results showed these four management systems have limited influence on soybean grain total oil content and oleic acid (O) and linoleic acid (L) compositions. The NT management system significantly improved soybean oil yield on a land‐area basis as a result of higher annual grain yields. Soybeans grown under the NT management system had as high or higher palmitic acid (P) composition than the other three management systems; similarly, the CT treatments had as low or lower linolenic acid (LN) composition in soybean when compared with the other three management systems. The levels of stearic acid (S), O, L, and LN had a significant quadratic relationship (R2 = 0.64–0.75) with total (July–September) precipitation. The oil quality ratio of O/(L + LN) had a quadratic relation with precipitation.
Are extreme rainfall intensities more frequent? Analysis of trends in rainfall patterns relevant to urban drainage systems
Authors: De Toffol S. , Laghari A. N. , Rauch W.
Published: May 2009

The fact that climate change is affecting the intensity and frequency of rainfall is well accepted in the scientific community. This is backed by a multitude of reports on the basis of daily rainfall series analysis; however, little research is available for short duration intensities. Due to its significant influence on the behaviour of urban drainage, it is critical to investigate the changes in short duration rainfall intensities. In this study different intensities relevant for the urban drainage and the total rainfall per rain event are analysed. The trend is investigated using the Mann-Kendall test. The rainfall series analysed are from the alpine region Tyrol. The results present differences depending on the duration of the intensity and the series considered, however an increase in the number of extreme events is detectable for short durations for the most series.
Anaerobic treatment of coconut husk liquor for biogas production
Authors: Leitão R. C. , Araújo A. M. , Freitas-Neto M. A. , Rosa M. F. , Santaella S. T.
Published: May 2009

The market for coconut water causes environmental problems as it is one of the major agro-industrial solid wastes in some developing countries. With the aim of reusing the coconut husk, Embrapa developed a system for processing this raw material. During the dewatering stage Coconut Husk Liquor (CHL) is generated with chemical oxygen demand (COD) varying from 60 to 70 g/L due to high concentrations of sugars and tannins. The present study evaluated the feasibility of anaerobic treatment of CHL through Anaerobic Toxicity Assay and the operation of a lab-scale Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor. Results showed that CHL can be treated through a UASB reactor operating with an OLR that reaches up to 10 kg/m3·d and that is maintained stable during the whole operation. With this operational condition, the removal efficiency was higher than 80% for COD and approximately 78% for total tannins, and biogas production was 20 m3 of biogas or 130 KWh per m3 of CHL. Seventy-five percent of the biogas composition was methane and toxicity tests demonstrated that CHL was not toxic to the methanogenic consortia. Conversely, increasing the concentration of CHL leads to increased methanogenic activity.
Impact of snowmaking on alpine water resources management under present and climate change conditions
Authors: Vanham D. , Fleischhacker E. , Rauch W.
Published: May 2009

Owing to less natural snow reliability as a result of climate change on the one hand, and the demand of higher standards by winter tourists on the other hand, the production of artificial snow in ski resorts has increased substantially during the last 20 years and is likely to increase further in future. Little research has been conducted on the impact of snowmaking as a water demand stakeholder on a regional water balance. In this paper, a regional water balance (water demand-water resources) is analysed for the greater Kitzbueheler Region in the Austrian Alps, for the current situation and a future climate change scenario (2°C warming). For this temperature rise a significant reduction in natural snow cover duration and snow accumulation is predicted, an effect that increases with lower altitudes and differs between the winter months. Due to the shortening of the winter season, a change in seasonality of river flows and available water resources (ground and surface water) occurs. Both increase in winter, and decrease in spring. The water demand for improvement snowmaking increases, especially in the month of March. However, December proved to be the critical month due to the large amounts of water required for base snowmaking both now and in future. These results stress the necessity of reservoir storage for base snowmaking on a regional level. Water availability during other months but winter is sufficient to fill these reservoirs.
Families in Today's World—And Tomorrow's
Authors: Therborn Göran
Published: May 2009

The world's family systems derive from the great world religions and the cultural history of civilizations. On this basis, five fundamental family systems of the world can be identified—those of East, South, and West Asia (with North Africa), sub-Saharan Africa, and Europe—together with two important interstitial or hybrid systems—of Creole America and of Southeast Asia—each with significant subvariants. The comparative overview of these seven family systems looks at their internal power relations (patriarchy), their marriage patterns and regulation of sexuality, and their fertility. Changes tend to move in the same direction across the world, but without convergence.
Estrogen Agonists/Antagonists in Combination with Estrogen for Prevention and Treatment of Menopause-Associated Signs and Symptoms
Authors: Stovall Dale W , Pinkerton JoAnn V
Published: May 2009

For several decades, clinicians have been prescribing hormone therapy to postmenopausal women for approved indications, including the alleviation of vasomotor symptoms, relief of vaginal dryness and prevention of osteoporosis. Numerous publications have demonstrated that estrogen also induces favorable effects on lipids, the endothelium, cardiovascular outcomes, quality of life, cognition, skin and urinary incontinence. As a result of these findings, clinicians began adding each of these outcomes to their list of possible benefits of hormone therapy in postmenopausal women. Results from the Women's Health Initiative significantly changed this treatment paradigm and opened the door for new, innovative therapies for the prevention of clinical conditions encountered by women of menopausal age. One such treatment option is the estrogen agonist/antagonist. In this regard, investigators and clinicians alike seek a therapy that will act like estrogen in all the ‘right’ tissues and act as an estrogen antagonist in tissues in which estrogen action results in adverse events. This review describes the molecular actions of estrogen agonists/antagonists, discusses the current clinical data regarding the effect of these compounds on menopause-associated outcomes, and describes what is currently known about the effects of combining estrogen with an estrogen agonist/antagonist.
Operative Vaginal Delivery: Current Trends in Obstetrics
Authors: Goetzinger Katherine R , Macones George A
Published: May 2009

After centuries of use in obstetrics, have forceps and vacuum deliveries become a dying art? Contemporary trends in operative vaginal delivery show increasing numbers of vacuum deliveries and decreasing numbers of forceps deliveries worldwide. Primary drivers of such trends include concerns over neonatal and maternal safety as well as fewer clinicians skilled in forcep use. Current literature reports a comparable efficacy rate for the two instruments, as well as a decrease in maternal morbidity compared with cesarean section. It has also been suggested that the neonatal morbidity once associated with operative vaginal delivery may actually be a function of an abnormal labor process itself, rather than a consequence of an operative vaginal intervention. Both the American College and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists continue to support the use of both vacuum and forceps and strongly encourage residency programs to incorporate the teaching of these skills into their curricula.
Efficacy and safety of laser lithotripsy in fragmentation of urocystoliths and urethroliths for removal in dogs
Authors: Lulich Jody P. , Osborne Carl A. , Albasan Hasan , Monga Manoj , Bevan John M.
Published: May 2009

Objective—To characterize the efficacy and safety of laser lithotripsy in the fragmentation of urocystoliths and urethroliths for removal in dogs.

Design—Prospective case series.

Animals—100 dogs with naturally occurring urocystoliths and urethroliths.

Procedures—Via cystoscopy, laser lithotripsy was performed to fragment uroliths. Basket retrieval and voiding urohydropropulsion were used to remove fragments. Postprocedural contrast cystography was performed to assess efficacy and safety. In 40 dogs, midstream urine samples were collected just prior to laser lithotripsy (day 0) and on days 1, 3, and 11 after laser lithotripsy to assess inflammation.

Results—Urolith removal was complete in 82% of dogs (52/66 with only urocystoliths, 17/17 with only urethroliths, and 13/17 with urocystoliths and urethroliths). Urolith removal was incomplete in 18 dogs; of these dogs, 9, 6, and 3 had urolith fragments ≥ 3 mm, 1 to < 3 mm, and < 1 mm in diameter, respectively. Sex (female) was the most significant predictor for success. Median procedure time was 72 minutes. Two dogs developed urinary tract obstruction following laser lithotripsy. Hematuria was detected in 53% of dogs on day 0 and in 84%, 13%, and 3% of dogs on days 1, 3, and 11, respectively. Leukocyturia was detected in 13% of dogs on day 0 and in 47%, 0%, and 3% of dogs on days 1, 3, and 11, respectively.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that use of laser lithotripsy was a safe and effective alternative to surgical removal of urocystoliths and urethroliths in dogs.
Evaluation of salivary gland function in allergic rhinitis patients by [99mTc] pertechnetate salivary gland scintigraphy
Authors: Yoruk Ozgur , Seven Bedri , Varoglu Erhan , Ucuncu Harun , Sahin Ali , Ayan Arif , Sutbeyaz Yavuz , Tozoglu Sinan
Published: May 2009

The purpose of this study was to compare the quantitative parameters of salivary gland functions in patients with allergic rhinitis and healthy volunteers using [99mTc] pertechnetate salivary gland scintigraphy. Thirty-six patients with allergic rhinitis (14 males and 22 females, mean age 30.6 ± 5.2 years) and thirty-nine healthy controls (18 males and 21 females, mean age 32.2 ± 5.6 years) were evaluated. Dynamic salivary gland scintigraphy was performed after intravenous administration of 185 MBq (5 mCi) of [99mTc] pertechnetate for 25 minutes. Lemon juice was used to stimulate the salivary glands. On the basis of the time-activity curves, the following glandular function parameters were calculated for the parotid and submandibular salivary glands: uptake ratio, maximum accumulation, and ejection fraction. Statistically, all the functional parameters of the parotid and submandibular glands obtained for the allergic rhinitis patients were significantly lower than those of the healthy controls group (p < 0.05). This study demonstrated that there was a significant difference in salivary gland function between patients with allergic rhinitis and healthy controls, which can easily be evaluated by [99mTc] pertechnetate salivary gland scintigraphy.
Fate of Hydrophilic Nanoparticles in Biological Environments
Authors: Schütz Catherine A. , Schmitt Frederic , Juillerat-Jeanneret Lucienne , Wandrey Christine
Published: May 2009

The nanoparticles developed are based on chitosan, a biocompatible and biodegradable polysaccharide. The chitosan nanoparticles are formed in an entirely water-based process by electrostatic interactions with other biocompatible molecules. As a prerequisite to understand the fate of
such nanoparticles in cells, comprehensive characterization and stability studies serve to identify quantitatively the impact of the raw material characteristics and preparation conditions on the nanoparticlecharacteristics. Methods included 1H NMR spectroscopy, dilution viscometry,
particle size analysis and electron microscopy. Cytotoxicity and cell uptake experiments on RAW 264.7 murine macrophages and p23 murine endothelial cells were performed to investigate the correlation with nanoparticle characteristics and effect of surface decoration with alginate. Cytotoxicity
was assessed by the MTT survival test; cell uptake was monitored by fluorescent microscopy using labeled polymers.
Magnesium efficacy in a rat spinal cord injury model
Authors: Wiseman Diana Barrett , Dailey Andrew T. , Lundin David , Zhou Jiegang , Lipson Adam , Falicov Alexis , Shaffrey Christopher I.
Published: May 2009

Object

Magnesium has been shown to have neuroprotective properties in short-term spinal cord injury (SCI) studies. The authors evaluated the efficacy of magnesium, methylprednisolone, and magnesium plus methylprednisolone in a rat SCI model.

Methods

A moderate-to-severe SCI was produced at T9–10 in rats, which then received saline, magnesium, methylprednisolone, or magnesium plus methylprednisolone within 10 minutes of injury. The Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) motor score was evaluated weekly, beginning on postinjury Day 1. After 4 weeks, the rats' spinal cords were evaluated histologically to determine myelin index and gross white matter sparing. A second experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of delayed administration (8, 12, or 24 hours postinjury) of magnesium on recovery.

Results

The mean BBB scores at 4 weeks showed that rats in which magnesium was administered (BBB Score 6.9 ± 3.9) recovered better than controls (4.2 ± 2.0, p < 0.01). Insufficient numbers of animals receiving methylprednisolone were available for analysis because of severe weight loss. The rats given magnesium within 8 hours of injury had better motor recovery at 4 weeks than control animals (13.8 ± 3.7 vs 8.6 ± 5.1, p < 0.01) or animals in which magnesium was administered at 12 or 24 hours after injury (p < 0.01).

Steroids (30.2%), magnesium (32.3%), and a combination of these (42.3%) had a significant effect on white matter sparing (p < 0.05), but the effect was not synergistic (p > 0.8). Neither steroids nor magnesium had a significant effect on the myelin index (p > 0.1).

Conclusions

The rats receiving magnesium had significantly better BBB motor scores and white matter sparing 4 weeks after moderate-to-severe SCI than control animals. In addition, the groups given steroids only or magnesium and steroids had improved white matter sparing, although the limited numbers of animals reaching the study end point makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions about the utility of steroids in this model. The optimal timing of magnesium administration appears to be within 8 hours of injury.
Phytohormones as Important Biologically Active Molecules – Their Simple Simultaneous Detection
Authors: Diopan Vaclav , Adam Vojtech , Havel Ladislav , Kizek Rene
Published: May 2009

Phytohormones, their functions, synthesis and effects, are of great interest. To study them in plant tissues accurate and sensitive methods are required. In the present study we aimed at optimizing experimental conditions to separate and determine not only plant hormones but also their metabolites, by liquid chromatography coupled with a UV-VIS detector. The mixture we analyzed was composed of benzyladenine, kinetin, trans-zeatin, cis-zeatin, dihydrozeatin, meta-topolin, ortho-topolin, α-naphthalene acetic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, trans-zeatin-7-glucoside, trans-zeatin-O-glucoside, trans-zeatin-9-riboside, meta-topolin-9-riboside and ortho-topolin-9-riboside. We measured the calibration dependences and estimated limits of detection and quantification under the optimal chromatographic conditions (column: Polaris C18; mobile phase: gradient starting at 2:98 (methanol:0.001% TFA) and was increasing to 55:45 during twenty minutes, and then decreasing for 10 min to 35:65, flow rate: 200 µL·min-1, temperature: 50 °C, wavelength: 210 nm). The detection limits for the target molecules were estimated as tens of ng per mL. We also studied the effect of flax extracts on the phytohormones’ signals. Recovery of aliphatic and aromatic cytokinins, metabolites of cytokinins and auxinswere within the range from 87 to 105 %. The experimental conditions were tested on a mass selective detector. In addition we analysed a commercial product used for stimulation of roots formation in cuttings of poorly rooting plants. The determined content of α-naphthalene acetic acid was in good agreement with that declared by the manufacturer.
A Hybrid Stochastic Approach for Self-Location of Wireless Sensors in Indoor Environments
Authors: Lloret Jaime , Tomas Jesus , Garcia Miguel , Canovas Alejandro
Published: May 2009

Indoor location systems, especially those using wireless sensor networks, are used in many application areas. While the need for these systems is widely proven, there is a clear lack of accuracy. Many of the implemented applications have high errors in their location estimation because of the issues arising in the indoor environment. Two different approaches had been proposed using WLAN location systems: on the one hand, the so-called deductive methods take into account the physical properties of signal propagation. These systems require a propagation model, an environment map, and the position of the radio-stations. On the other hand, the so-called inductive methods require a previous training phase where the system learns the received signal strength (RSS) in each location. This phase can be very time consuming. This paper proposes a new stochastic approach which is based on a combination of deductive and inductive methods whereby wireless sensors could determine their positions using WLAN technology inside a floor of a building. Our goal is to reduce the training phase in an indoor environment, but, without an loss of precision. Finally, we compare the measurements taken using our proposed method in a real environment with the measurements taken by other developed systems. Comparisons between the proposed system and other hybrid methods are also provided.
High Serum Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein Determines the Subset of Patients with Early-Stage Rheumatoid Arthritis with High Serum C-Reactive Protein, Matrix Metalloproteinase-3, and MRI-Proven Bone Erosion
Authors: FUJIKAWA KEITA , KAWAKAMI ATSUSHI , TAMAI MAMI , UETANI MASATAKA , TAKAO SHOICHIRO , ARIMA KAZUHIKO , IWAMOTO NAOKI , ARAMAKI TOSHIYUKI , KAWASHIRI SHINYA , ICHINOSE KUNIHIRO , KAMACHI MAKOTO , NAKAMURA HIDEKI , ORIGUCHI TOMOKI , IDA HIROAKI , AOYAGI KIYOSHI , EGUCHI KATSUMI
Published: May 2009

Objective.

To identify the significance of serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), a marker of cartilage turnover, in patients with early-stage rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in relation to other serologic variables and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features.

Methods.

Ninety-eight patients with early-stage RA, whose disease duration from onset was less than 2 years, were enrolled. The objective measures at baseline were Disease Activity Score (DAS28), serum C-reactive protein (CRP), serum matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), serum antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), and MRI features of both wrist and finger joints. The MRI features included the number of sites scored positive for synovitis, bone edema, and bone erosion.

Results.

Serum COMP concentration was not different among groups identified with low, moderate, and high DAS28-CRP values. However, COMP values were statistically high in subjects positive for bone erosions on MRI compared with the subjects who were negative for bone erosions. A positive correlation of COMP with CRP and with MMP-3 values was also identified.

Conclusion.

Elevation of COMP may reflect joint damage that is dependent on the synovial inflammatory process in early-stage RA.
Media Education as a Development Project: Connecting Emancipatory Interests and Governance in India
Authors: Das Biswajit
Published: May 2009

The recent explosion of communication tools and services within last two decades has posed new questions that are beyond the comprehension of existing pedagogy in Indian Comm unication Studies. Indian society has witnessed a widespread proliferation of media technologies to such an extent that they have become ubiquitous in society. Media education, in In dia, however, remains an almost unexplored area of studies. This contribution puts forward the need for Media education far from a non-elitist point of view and proposes this Media education as a new pedagogy although its efficiency has not been proved convincingly yet.

La reciente explosión de las herramientas y servicios de comunicación, durante las últimas dos décadas, ha planteado nuevas preguntas más allá de la comprensión de la pedagogía actual en los estudios de comunicación en la India. La sociedad india ha sido testigo de una muy extensa proliferación de tecnologías mediáticas, a tal grado que se han vuelto ubicuas en el entorno social. Sin embargo, la educación en medios en India sigue siendo un área de estudios casi inexplo rada. Esta contribución plantea la necesidad de una educación mediática desde una perspectiva no elitista al mismo tiempo que propone su posicionamiento como una nueva pedagogía aun reconociendo que los resultados de la investigación sobre la efectividad de la educación mediática son prácticamente inexistentes.
Media Education beyond School
Authors: Camps-Cervera Victoria
Published: May 2009

Education in and for the media is doubtlessly necessary and is very slowly slipping into regular education, but not very satisfactorily. This work must be fleshed out by the media’s effort to take some responsibility for the educational work as well, not by educating directly, but by trying to match their broadcasts with the values that education is trying to convey. Audiovisual Councils can play a role in driving media education, helping the educational system to meet its responsibility to educate children to use properly the television, the Internet and other regular screens habitually surrounding them. At the same time, these Councils can help media professionals enforce and interpret legislation about audiovisual contents freely and responsibly, thereby facilitating self-regulation. The article contributes the experience garnered by the Audiovisual Council of Catalonia in promoting media literacy.

La educación en y para los medios de comunicación es una necesidad indudable que, muy lentamente y de forma poco satisfactoria, se está introduciendo en la educación reglada. Dicha labor, por otra parte, debería verse complementada por un esfuerzo de los medios audiovisuales de hacerse responsables también de la tarea educativa, no educando directamente, pero sí procurando que sus emisiones fueran coherentes con los valores que la educación procura transmitir. Los Consejos Audiovisuales pueden ejercer una función en el impulso de la educación en medios, propiciando que el sistema educativo asuma la responsabilidad de formar a los menores para el buen uso de la televisión, de Internet y del resto de «pantallas» que constituyen su entorno habitual. Al mismo tiempo dichos Consejos están en condiciones de ayudar a los profesionales de los medios a aplicar e interpretar la legislación relativa a los contenidos audiovisuales de una forma libre y responsable, facilitando de este modo la autorregulación. El artículo aporta las experiencias realizadas por el Consejo Audiovisual de Cataluña para promover la alfabetización mediática.
Indirect adaptive control of a class of marine vehicles
Authors: Morel Yannick , Leonessa Alexander
Published: May 2009

A nonlinear adaptive framework for bounded‐error tracking control of a class of non‐minimum phase marine vehicles is presented. The control algorithm relies on a special set of tracking errors to achieve satisfactory tracking performance while guaranteeing stable internal dynamics. First, the design of a model‐based nonlinear control law, guaranteeing asymptotic stability of the error dynamics, is presented. This control algorithm solves the tracking problem for the considered class of marine vehicles, assuming full knowledge of the system model. Then, the analysis of the zero‐dynamics is carried out, which illustrates the efficacy of the chosen set of tracking errors in stabilizing the internal dynamics. Finally, an indirect adaptive technique, relying on a partial state predictor, is used to address parametric uncertainties in the model. The resulting adaptive control algorithm guarantees Lyapunov stability of the errors and parameter estimates, as well as asymptotic convergence of the errors to zero. Numerical simulations illustrate the performance of the adaptive algorithm. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multicompartmental Microcylinders
Authors: Bhaskar Srijanani , Hitt Jonathon , Chang Sei‐Won Laura , Lahann Joerg
Published: May 2009

Farbenprächtige Säulen: Eine einfache und dabei skalierbare Methode zur Herstellung multikompartimentalisierter Mikrozylinder, bei denen innerer Aufbau, Seitenverhältnis und Oberfläche gezielt eingestellt werden können, nutzt elektrohydrodynamisches Spinnen und Mikroabtrennen. Die Kompartimente werden mithilfe verschiedenfarbiger Farbstoffe unterschieden (siehe CLSM‐Bilder; Maßstab: 10 μm).

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Facile Dissociation of [(LNiII)2E2] Dichalcogenides: Evidence for [LNiIIE2] Superselenides and Supertellurides in Solution
Authors: Yao Shenglai , Xiong Yun , Zhang Xinhao , Schlangen Maria , Schwarz Helmut , Milsmann Carsten , Driess Matthias
Published: May 2009

Kern‐Spaltung mit Spinwechsel: Die diamagnetischen schmetterlingsartigen Dichalkogen‐Komplexe 1 und 2 mit zweikernigem {NiII2E2}‐Gerüst dissoziieren in Lösung unter Spin‐Crossover und bilden die ungewöhnlichen einkernigen paramagnetischen Superselenid‐ 1′ bzw. Supertelluridspezies 2′ neben dem Nickel(I)‐Fragment [LNiI]; R=2,6‐Diisopropylphenyl.

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CH Hydroxylation Using a Heterocyclic Catalyst and Aqueous H2O2
Authors: Litvinas Nichole D. , Brodsky Benjamin H. , Du Bois J.
Published: May 2009

Substituierte Benzoxathiazine wirken als Katalysatoren für die selektive Hydroxylierung tertiärer C‐H‐Bindungen. Mechanistische Studien offenbaren eine unerwartete Abweichung zwischen der Reaktivität der Oxaziridine und ihrer katalytischen Aktivität und führten zur Entwicklung eines neuen Katalysators, der solche Reaktionen in wässrigem H2O2 vermittelt (siehe Schema).

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Multicompartmental Microcylinders
Authors: Bhaskar Srijanani , Hitt Jonathon , Chang Sei‐Won Laura , Lahann Joerg
Published: May 2009

Colorful columns: A simple yet scalable method that yields multicompartmental microcylinders with controllable internal architectures, aspect ratios, and controlled surface modification uses electrohydrodynamic co‐spinning followed by microsectioning. Compartments are discriminated by different colored dyes (see CLSM images; scale bars=10.0 μm).

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A novel guide catheter enabling intracranial placement
Authors: Hurley Michael C. , Sherma Arun K. , Surdell Daniel , Shaibani Ali , Bendok Bernard R.
Published: May 2009

We describe use of a novel guide, catheter with a soft and pliable, 6‐cm or 12‐cm distal segment that enables distal, including intracranial, placement—the Neuron guide catheter (Penumbra, San Leandro, CA)—in the treatment of 11 cases with a range of neuroendovascular lesions. We were able to advance the Neuron guide catheter to the intended level in each case and suffered no complications related to catheter spasm, dissection, thrombosis or thromboembolism. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Grueneberg ganglion olfactory subsystem employs a cGMP signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Cambrian Y. , Fraser Scott E. , Koos David S.
Published: May 2009

The mammalian olfactory sense employs several olfactory subsystems situated at characteristic locations in the nasal cavity to detect and report on different classes of odors. These olfactory subsystems use different neuronal signal transduction pathways, receptor expression repertoires, and axonal projection targets. The Grueneberg ganglion (GG) is a newly appreciated olfactory subsystem with receptor neurons located just inside of the nostrils that project axons to a unique domain of interconnected glomeruli in the caudal olfactory bulb. It is not well understood how the GG relates to other olfactory subsystems in contributing to the olfactory sense. Furthermore, the range of chemoreceptors and the signal transduction cascade utilized by the GG have remained mysterious. To resolve these unknowns, we explored the molecular relationship between the GG and the GC‐D neurons, another olfactory subsystem that innervates similarly interconnected glomeruli in the same bulbar region. We found that mouse GG neurons express the cGMP‐associated signaling proteins phosphodiesterase 2a, cGMP‐dependent kinase II, and cyclic nucleotide gated channel subunit A3 coupled to a chemoreceptor repertoire of cilia‐localized particulate guanylyl cyclases (pGC‐G and pGC‐A). The primary cGMP signaling pathway of the GG is shared with the GC‐D neurons, unifying their target glomeruli as a unique center of olfactory cGMP signal transduction. However, the distinct chemoreceptor repertoire in the GG suggests that the GG is an independent olfactory subsystem. This subsystem is well suited to detect a unique set of odors and to mediate behaviors that remained intact in previous olfactory perturbations. J. Comp. Neurol. 516:36–48, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.