bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chronic Spontaneous Activity Generated in the Somata of Primary Nociceptors Is Associated with Pain-Related Behavior after Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Bedi Supinder S. , Yang Qing , Crook Robyn J. , Du Junhui , Wu Zizhen , Fishman Harvey M. , Grill Raymond J. , Carlton Susan M. , Walters Edgar T.
Published: November 2010

Mechanisms underlying chronic pain that develops after spinal cord injury (SCI) are incompletely understood. Most research on SCI pain mechanisms has focused on neuronal alterations within pain pathways at spinal and supraspinal levels associated with inflammation and glial activation. These events might also impact central processes of primary sensory neurons, triggering in nociceptors a hyperexcitable state and spontaneous activity (SA) that drive behavioral hypersensitivity and pain. SCI can sensitize peripheral fibers of nociceptors and promote peripheral SA, but whether these effects are driven by extrinsic alterations in surrounding tissue or are intrinsic to the nociceptor, and whether similar SA occurs in nociceptorsin vivoare unknown. We show that small DRG neurons from rats (Rattus norvegicus) receiving thoracic spinal injury 3 d to 8 months earlier and recorded 1 d after dissociation exhibit an elevated incidence of SA coupled with soma hyperexcitability compared with untreated and sham-treated groups. SA incidence was greatest in lumbar DRG neurons (57%) and least in cervical neurons (28%), and failed to decline over 8 months. Many sampled SA neurons were capsaicin sensitive and/or bound the nociceptive marker, isolectin B4. This intrinsic SA state was correlated with increased behavioral responsiveness to mechanical and thermal stimulation of sites below and above the injury level. Recordings from C- and Aδ-fibers revealed SCI-induced SA generated in or near the somata of the neuronsin vivo. SCI promotes the entry of primary nociceptors into a chronic hyperexcitable-SA state that may provide a useful therapeutic target in some forms of persistent pain.
Primary Afferent Depolarization and Frequency Processing in Auditory Afferents
Authors: Baden Tom , Hedwig Berthold
Published: November 2010

Presynaptic inhibition is a widespread mechanism modulating the efficiency of synaptic transmission and in sensory pathways is coupled to primary afferent depolarizations. Axonal terminals of bush-cricket auditory afferents received 2–5 mV graded depolarizing inputs, which reduced the amplitude of invading spikes and indicated presynaptic inhibition. These inputs were linked to a picrotoxin-sensitive increase of Ca2+in the terminals. Electrophysiological recordings and optical imaging showed that in individual afferents the sound frequency tuning based on spike rates was different from the tuning of the graded primary afferent depolarizations. The auditory neuropil of the bush-cricketMecopoda elongatais tonotopically organized, with low frequencies represented anteriorly and high frequencies represented posteriorly. In contrast graded depolarizing inputs were tuned to high-frequencies anteriorly and to low-frequencies posteriorly. Furthermore anterior and posterior axonal branches of individual afferents received different levels of primary afferent depolarization depending on sound frequency. The presence of primary afferent depolarization in the afferent terminals indicates that presynaptic inhibition may shape the synaptic transmission of frequency-specific activity to auditory interneurons.
Dynamic Plasticity of Axons within a Cutaneous Milieu
Authors: Cheng Chu , Guo Gui Fang , Martinez Jose A. , Singh Vandana , Zochodne Douglas W.
Published: November 2010

The skin is a repository of sensory axons immersed within the turnover of epidermal, follicular, and dermal cellular constituents. We show that epidermal and perifollicular axons within intact hairy skin of mice possess a remarkable dynamic plasticity linked to their microenvironment. For example, the majority of epidermal axons express the growth protein GAP43. Unexpectedly, we induced new cutaneous axogenesis by simple and noninvasive hair clipping, a response linked to a series of changes in their cutaneous neighbors. In thy-1 YFP transgenic mice with fluorescent axons, superficial epidermal and perifollicular cells newly acquired YFP, indicating diffuse activation by clipping despite the absence of skin injury. At 48 h after clipping, this activation was accompanied by a rise in the number of epidermal cells, transient rises in mRNA of Sox2, a marker of follicular stem cells, and a rise in mRNA of glial fibrillary acidic protein, a marker of glial cells. Axons responded with rises in their numbers in the epidermis and around dermal hair follicles. Linking these responses were early, large, and selective rises in hepatic growth factor (HGF) mRNA, with its protein identified in epidermal cells, perifollicular cells, and sensory axons. Moreover, these elements also expressed the HGF receptor c-Met, especially in small caliber sensory neurons. Finally, we identified concurrent rises in Rac1 activation, a downstream target of ligated c-Met. Together, these results confirm critical linkages between sensory axons and their cutaneous milieu. We believe that the plasticity is provoked by follicular-originating cutaneous activation with HGF and Rac1 signaling, allowing cross talk and axonal remodeling.
MINK and TNIK Differentially Act on Rap2-Mediated Signal Transduction to Regulate Neuronal Structure and AMPA Receptor Function
Authors: Hussain Natasha K. , Hsin Honor , Huganir Richard L. , Sheng Morgan
Published: November 2010

Misshapen/NIKs (Nck-interacting kinases)-related kinase (MINK) and closely related TRAF2/Nck-interacting kinase (TNIK) are proteins that specifically bind to activated Rap2 and are thus hypothesized to relay its downstream signal transduction. Activated Rap2 has been found to stimulate dendritic pruning, reduce synaptic density and cause removal of synaptic AMPA receptors (AMPA-Rs) (Zhu et al., 2005; Fu et al., 2007). Here we report that MINK and TNIK are postsynaptically enriched proteins whose clustering within dendrites is bidirectionally regulated by the activation state of Rap2. Expression of MINK and TNIK in neurons is required for normal dendritic arborization and surface expression of AMPA receptors. Overexpression of a truncated MINK mutant unable to interact with Rap2 leads to reduced dendritic branching and this MINK-mediated effect on neuronal morphology is dependent upon Rap2 activation. While similarly truncated TNIK also reduces neuronal complexity, its effect does not require Rap2 activity. Furthermore, Rap2-mediated removal of surface AMPA-Rs from spines is entirely abrogated by coexpression of MINK, but not TNIK. Thus, although both MINK and TNIK bind GTP-bound Rap2, these kinases employ distinct mechanisms to modulate Rap2-mediated signaling. MINK appears to antagonize Rap2 signal transduction by binding to activated Rap2. We suggest that MINK interaction with Rap2 plays a critical role in maintaining the morphological integrity of dendrites and synaptic transmission.
A Shared Resource between Declarative Memory and Motor Memory
Authors: Keisler Aysha , Shadmehr Reza
Published: November 2010

The neural systems that support motor adaptation in humans are thought to be distinct from those that support the declarative system. Yet, during motor adaptation changes in motor commands are supported by a fast adaptive process that has important properties (rapid learning, fast decay) that are usually associated with the declarative system. The fast process can be contrasted to a slow adaptive process that also supports motor memory, but learns gradually and shows resistance to forgetting. Here we show that after people stop performing a motor task, the fast motor memory can be disrupted by a task that engages declarative memory, but the slow motor memory is immune from this interference. Furthermore, we find that the fast/declarative component plays a major role in the consolidation of the slow motor memory. Because of the competitive nature of declarative and nondeclarative memory during consolidation, impairment of the fast/declarative component leads to improvements in the slow/nondeclarative component. Therefore, the fast process that supports formation of motor memory is not only neurally distinct from the slow process, but it shares critical resources with the declarative memory system.
A Serotonin and Melanocortin Circuit Mediates d-Fenfluramine Anorexia
Authors: Xu Yong , Jones Juli E. , Lauzon Danielle A. , Anderson Jason G. , Balthasar Nina , Heisler Lora K. , Zinn Andrew R. , Lowell Bradford B. , Elmquist Joel K.
Published: November 2010

d-Fenfluramine (d-Fen) increases serotonin (5-HT) content in the synaptic cleft and exerts anorexigenic effects in animals and humans. However, the neural circuits that mediate these effects are not fully identified. To address this issue, we assessed the efficacy ofd-Fen-induced hypophagia in mouse models with manipulations of several genes in selective populations of neurons. Expectedly, we found that global deletion of 5-HT 2C receptors (5-HT2CRs) significantly attenuatedd-Fen-induced anorexia. These anorexigenic effects were restored in mice with 5-HT2CRs expressed only in pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons. Further, we found that deletion of melanocortin 4 receptors (MC4Rs), a downstream target of POMC neurons, abolished anorexigenic effects ofd-Fen. Reexpression of MC4Rs only in SIM1 neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and neurons in the amygdala was sufficient to restore the hypophagic property ofd-Fen. Thus, our results identify a neurochemically defined neural circuit through whichd-Fen influences appetite and thereby indicate that this 5-HT2CR/POMC-MC4R/SIM1 circuit may yield a more refined target to exploit for weight loss.
Effects of omega-3 and -6 polyunsaturated fatty acids on ovine follicular cell steroidogenesis, embryo development and molecular markers of fatty acid metabolism
Authors: Hughes Jaime , Kwong Wing Yee , Li Dongfang , Salter Andrew M , Lea Richard G , Sinclair Kevin D
Published: November 2010

We previously reported increased follicular fluid progesterone (P4) concentrations in ewes fed an n-3 compared to an n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-enriched diet, but detected no differential effect of n-3 and n-6 PUFA-enriched high-density lipoproteins (HDL) on granulosa cell (GC) steroidogenesisin vitro. Moreover, net n-6 PUFA-enriched HDL reduced early embryo development, but in the absence of a net uptake of FA. Consequently, we hypothesised that a) effects of n-3 PUFA on ovarian steroidogenesis are mediated by theca rather than GCs and b) during embryo culture lipids are acquired solely from the albumin fraction of serum, so that albumin-delivered n-3 and n-6 PUFA exert a greater differential effect on embryo development than either low-density lipoprotein (LDL)- or HDL-delivered PUFA. Data confirmed that n-3 PUFA increases P4production solely in theca cells and that this is associated with an increase inSTARtranscript expression. Furthermore, LDL- and HDL-delivered n-3 PUFA are equally efficacious in this regard during the first 96 h of culture, but thereafter only HDL-delivered n-3 PUFA induces this effect in partially luteinised theca cells. We also demonstrate that albumin is the sole serum fraction that leads to a net uptake of FA during embryo culture. PUFA-enriched serum and albumin increased the yield of morphologically poorer quality blastocysts with increased transcript expression for the antioxidant enzymeSOD1. Important differential effects of n-3 and n-6 PUFA on ovarian steroidogenesis acting solely on theca cells are identified, but differential effects of PUFA on embryo development are less apparent.
Determination of Florfenicol Dose Rate in Feed for Control of Mortality in Nile Tilapia Infected with Streptococcus iniae
Authors: Gaunt Patricia S. , Endris Richard , McGinnis Anissa , Baumgartner Wes , Camus Alvin , Steadman James , Sweeney Diane , Sun Fangshi
Published: November 2010

A dose titration study was conducted to determine the dosage of florfenicol (FFC) in feed to control Streptococcus iniae-associated mortality in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Six tanks were assigned to each of five treatments: (1) not challenged with S. iniae and fed unmedicated feed; (2) challenged with S. iniae by injection and fed unmedicated feed; (3) challenged with S. iniae and given FFC at 5 mg/kg of body weight (bw) in medicated feed; (4) challenged with S. iniae and given 10 mg FFC/kg bw; and (5) challenged with S. iniae and given 15 mg FFC/kg bw. Treatment was initiated the day after inoculation, and feed was administered for 10 d. Cumulative mortality was 0% in the unchallenged, untreated group; 35.8 ± 4.4% (mean ± SE) in the challenged, unmedicated group; 19.2 ± 2.7% in the 5-mg/kg treated group, 12.5 ± 3.8% in the 10-mg/kg group, and 2.5 ± 1.1% in the 15-mg/kg group. The cumulative mortality was significantly less in each challenged, FFC-treated group than in the challenged, unmedicated controls (5 mg/kg: P = 0.0156; 10 mg/kg: P = 0.0007; 15 mg/kg: P < 0.0001). The efficacy of the 10- and 15-mg/kg FFC dosages was studied in a separate dose confirmation study. Fish in all tanks were injected with S. iniae. At 4 h postinoculation, 10 tanks were assigned to each of three feed treatments: (1) unmedicated feed; (2) 10 mg FFC/kg bw; and (3) 15 mg FFC/kg bw. Cumulative mortality was 20.5 ± 2.0% in the challenged, unmedicated group; 11.0 ± 2.1% in the 10-mg/kg group; and 5.5 ± 2.4% in the 15-mg/kg group. Mortality was significantly less in the medicated groups than in the challenged, unmedicated control group (10 mg/kg: P = 0.0270; 15 mg/kg: P = 0.0007). Fish in both studies were necropsied, cultured for bacteria, and examined for gross lesions. The minimum inhibitory concentration of FFC against S. iniae in both studies ranged from 0.5 to 1.0 μg/mL. Florfenicol was palatable, safe, and efficacious for control of Nile tilapia mortality due to S. iniae infection.
Serum Electrolyte and Nonelectrolyte Status in Freshwater Juvenile Persian Sturgeon Acipenser persicus
Authors: Asadi Farzad , Hallajian Ali , Shahriari Ali , Asadian Peyman , Pourkabir Malihe
Published: November 2010

Status of serum electrolyte and nonelectrolyte variables can be used for managing sturgeon species cultured in freshwater or living in seawater. The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum biochemical variables in clinically healthy juvenile Persian sturgeon Acipenser persicus cultured in freshwater. Serum samples from 11 females and 10 males were analyzed, and levels (mean ± SD) of the following variables were compared between sexes: glucose (Glc; 5.58 ± 1.25 mmol/L for females and 8.56 ± 1.80 mmol/L for males), total cholesterol (TC; 2.50 ± 0.45 and 2.40 ± 0.65 mmol/L), triglyceride (TG; 7.13 ± 2.68 and 5.14 ± 1.27 mmol/L), blood urea nitrogen (BUN; 1.28 ± 0.2 and 1.01 ± 0.2 mmol/L), total protein (TOP; 55.84 ± 8.77 and 41.44 ± 8.62 g/L), inorganic phosphate (Pi; 6.19 ± 1.02 and 5.23 ± 0.49 mmol/L), calcium (Ca; 2.80 ± 0.43 and 2.63 ± 0.32 mmol/L), magnesium (Mg; 0.9 ± 0.23 and 0.99 ± 0.22 mmol/L), sodium (Na; 152.80 ± 13.81 and 156.38 ± 12.67 mmol/L), potassium (K; 2.64 ± 0.58 and 2.27 ± 0.39 mmol/L), and chloride (Cl; 143 ± 13.85 and 151.67 ± 21.08 mmol/L). There were no differences in TC, Ca, Mg, Na, K, or Cl between sexes. The Glc value was lower in female Persian sturgeon than in males, whereas the values of TG, BUN, TOP, and Pi were higher in females than in males. Freshwater adaptation may affect serum ion concentrations in juvenile Persian sturgeon.
Parasites of the Pleasure Oyster Crassostrea corteziensis Cultured in Nayarit, Mexico
Authors: Cáceres-Martínez Jorge , Vásquez-Yeomans Rebeca , Padilla-Lardizábal Gloria
Published: November 2010

The pleasure oyster Crassostrea corteziensis is collected and cultured in Nayarit on the Pacific coast of Mexico, and the improvement and promotion of its culture are seen as a possible source for the economic development of coastal populations. However, information about the parasite fauna of the pleasure oyster is almost completely lacking. A histopathological survey carried out in two estuaries, Boca del Camichín and Pozo Chino, revealed the presence of hypertrophied gametes, rickettsiales-like prokaryotes (RLPs), the protozoan Perkinsus marinus, a protozoan Nematopsis sp., Ancistrocoma-like ciliates (ALCs), Sphenophrya-like ciliates, a turbellarian Urastoma sp., and encysted crustaceans. In general, prevalence and intensity of parasites were similar in both localities except that ALCs and encysted crustaceans were more prevalent in Pozo Chino than in Boca del Camichín. Perkinsus marinus and RLPs seem to represent a more significant risk for the health of pleasure oysters than do the other parasites, and surveillance and control of these parasites are needed for the development of pleasure oyster culture.
Pathogenicity of different rabies virus isolates and protection test in vaccinated mice
Authors: Cunha Elenice M.S. , Nassar Alessandra F.C. , Lara Maria do Carmo C.S.H. , Villalobos Eliana C.M. , Sato Go , Kobayashi Yuki , Shoji Youko , Itou Takuya , Sakai Takeo , Ito Fumio H.
Published: November 2010

This study was aimed to evaluate and compare the pathogenicity of rabies virus isolated from bats and dogs, and to verify the efficacy of a commercial rabies vaccine against these isolates. For evaluation of pathogenicity, mice were inoculated by the intramuscular route (IM) with 500MICLD50/0.03mL of the viruses. The cross-protection test was performed by vaccinating groups of mice by the subcutaneous route and challenged through the intracerebral (IC) route. Isolates were fully pathogenic when inoculated by the IC route. When inoculated intramuscularly, the pathogenicity observed showed different death rates: 60.0% for the Desmodus rotundus isolate; 50.0% for dog and Nyctinomops laticaudatus isolates; 40.0% for Artibeus lituratus isolate; 9.5% Molossus molossus isolate; and 5.2% for the Eptesicus furinalis isolate. Mice receiving two doses of the vaccine and challenged by the IC route with the isolates were fully protected. Mice receiving only one dose of vaccine were partially protected against the dog isolate. The isolates from bats were pathogenic by the IC route in mice. However, when inoculated through the intramuscular route, the same isolates were found with different degrees of pathogenicity. The results of this work suggest that a commercial vaccine protects mice from infection with bat rabies virus isolates, in addition to a canine rabies virus isolate.
Syndromic surveillance: etiologic study of acute febrile illness in dengue suspicious cases with negative serology. Brazil, Federal District, 2008
Authors: Silva Ailton Domicio da , Evangelista Maria do Socorro Nantua
Published: November 2010

With the aim of identifying the etiology of acute febrile illness in patients suspected of having dengue, yet with non reagent serum, a descriptive study was conducted with 144 people using secondary serum samples collected during convalescence. The study was conducted between January and May of 2008. All the exams were re-tested for dengue, which was confirmed in 11.8% (n = 17); the samples that remained negative for dengue (n = 127) were tested for rubella, with 3.9% (n = 5) positive results. Among those non reactive for rubella (n = 122), tests were made for leptospirosis and hantavirus. Positive tests for leptospirosis were 13.9% (n = 17) and none for hantavirus. Non reactive results (70.8%) were considered as Indefinite Febrile Illness (IFI). Low schooling was statistically associated with dengue, rubella and leptospirosis (p = 0.009), dyspnea was statistically associated with dengue and leptospirosis (p = 0.012), and exanthem/petechia with dengue and rubella (p = 0.001). Among those with leptospirosis, activities in empty or vacant lots showed statistical association with the disease (p = 0.013). Syndromic surveillance was shown to be an important tool in the etiologic identification of IFI in the Federal District of Brazil.
Cambrothyra ampulliformis, an unusual coeloscleritophoran from the Lower Cambrian of Shaanxi Province, China
Authors: Moore John L. , Porter Susannah M. , Steiner Michael , Li Guoxiang
Published: November 2010

Cambrothyra ampulliformisQian and Zhang, 1983, is a jar- or vase-shaped fossil known from the Lower Cambrian of Shaanxi and Hubei provinces, China. It has been interpreted as a protistan test or cyst or a metazoan sclerite. A large collection of specimens from the Xihaoping Member of the Dengying Formation in southern Shaanxi Province permits its detailed redescription. These fossils are highly variable in shape but this variation is continuous and does not support the current recognition of multiple species for this material. They were originally hollow with a restricted basal foramen and a calcareous wall probably composed of fibrous aragonite. All of these features support the identification ofCambrothyraas sclerites of a coeloscleritophoran, a problematic group of Cambrian scleritome-bearing metazoans. Furthermore, the walls ofCambrothyrasclerites contain numerous pores, a feature shared with other coeloscleritophorans.Cambrothyraresembles chancelloriids in particular due to the shared presence of a verruculose texture around the foramen and the absence of mirror-image pairs of asymmetric sclerites. However, unlike chancelloriids, which have rosette-like compound sclerites, the scleritome ofCambrothyrawas dominated by isolated sclerites, with only a few pairs and clusters of sclerites and twin sclerites. Consequently, we hypothesize thatCambrothyraforms a clade with other chancelloriids, but represents a basal lineage that plesiomorphically retained isolated sclerites. The morphology ofCambrothyrasclerites, which shares features with both chancelloriids and halkieriids, thus supports the hypothesis that all coeloscleritophorans form a natural group.
Cassiavellia galtarae, new species, new genus: a new Permian bivalve and its significance for pterioidean systematics
Authors: Tëmkin Ilya , Pojeta John
Published: November 2010

An exceptionally well-preserved silicified bivalve from the Upper Permian of Texas is described and assigned to a new genus and species,Cassiavellia galtarae, placed in the family Bakevelliidae. The species represents one of the earliest and best characterized unequivocal occurrences of the multivincular ligament in the superfamily Pterioidea. The silicified material provides a wealth of information on the morphology of inadequately known Paleozoic pterioideans, including hitherto undescribed aspects of the larval shell, auricular sulcus, muscle scars, and dental ontogeny. The discovery of the condyle-fossa complex on the anteroventral shell margin, a feature previously undescibed in Bivalvia, raises the question of the homology and taxonomic significance of the problematic subumbonal ridge-like structures in Pterioidea. In life,C. galtaraewas probably an epifaunal right-pleurothetic bivalve, byssally attached to hard or raised flexible substrata. In addition toC. galtarae, another new species,C. nadkevnae, is placed inCassiavellia.
Deseadan Archaeohyracidae (Notoungulata) from Quebrada Fiera (Mendoza, Argentina) in the paleobiogeographic context of the South American late Oligocene
Authors: Cerdeño E. , Reguero M. , Vera B.
Published: November 2010

Recent field work at the Deseadan (late Oligocene) locality of Quebrada Fiera (Mendoza Province, Argentina) has provided new fossil remains that greatly increased the faunal assemblage of this site. A good number of specimens correspond to the Family Archaeohyracidae (Notoungulata) and are presented in this paper. Most of them are recognized as a unique taxon, corresponding to the genus Archaeohyrax, characterized by the presence of a strong, shallow, wide sulcus on the labial side of the talonid of m3. At specific level, it is identified with the species A. suniensis previously recognized at Salla (Bolivia). Specimens with different tooth wear degree show an intraspecific variation in occlusal morphology comparable to that observed among the Bolivian material. In addition to A. suniensis, an isolated p2 is tentatively related to Archaeotypotherium, due to their hypsodont but rooted condition and larger size. Two other isolated lower molars from this site had been previously related to this genus but they are comparable to the new specimens ascribed to Archaeohyrax. The identification of Archaeotypotherium is not well supported at present, but if later confirmed, it would increase the temporal distribution of the genus, so far recorded in Tinguirirican (early Oligocene) localities of Chile and Argentina. The recognition of A. suniensis in Quebrada Fiera establishes a greater affinity with the lower latitude Deseadan fauna of Salla than with that from Patagonia, where the genus is represented by A. patagonicus. Other faunal elements from Quebrada Fiera, however, do not support this affinity with Bolivia. Xenarthrans or some marsupials are equivalent to those from Patagonia, while other taxa such as the recently described notohippid or a rare, tiny metatheria are at present exclusive for Mendoza. The increasing knowledge of the Quebrada Fiera assemblage contributes to a better understanding of the paleogeographic scenario of Southern South America during late Oligocene.
Mobilization of lead-zinc rich particles from mine tailings in northern Tunisia by aeolian and run-off processes
Authors: Boussen Salma , Sebei Abdelaziz , Soubrand-Colin Marilyne , Bril Hubert , Chaabani Fredj , Abdeljaouad Saadi
Published: November 2010

Dispersion of metal rich particles from mine tailings is an important hazard for the environment. Specially, in Mediterranean context, this is potentially more risky because of the violence of climatic events. Northern Tunisia includes about 50 mining districts with an ore mineralogy consisting mainly of galena, iron sulphides and subordinate sphalerite embedded in a calcitic and baritic gangue. A century of mining exploitation left waste rich in potentially toxic elements (PTE) with values up to 46900 mg/kg for Pb and 49501 mg/kg for Zn, stored in uncontrolled and untreated deposits. The PTE contents observed in the surrounding soils generally devoted to agricultural activities are as high as 12488 mg/kg for Pb, 3485 mg/kg for Zn and 15 mg/kg for Cd. The contents in sediments downstream are also high, in the range of 47800 mg/kg for Pb, 5767 mg/kg for Zn and 36 mg/kg for Cd. PTE-bearing phases are mainly sulphides, carbonates and iron oxyhydroxydes. Because of the lack of vegetation and the presence of fine particles in the mining wastes, PTE were dispersed to nearby areas, resulting in the contamination of agricultural soils and river sediments.

Under the Mediterranean climate which includes a long dry summer with windy episodes and heavy rainfall in the winter, mine tailings are exposed to two types of erosion: hydraulic erosion with transport during heavy rainfall events and aeolian erosion inducing fine particle dispersion. Dispersion of the PTE from mine tailings in northern Tunisia presents a risk of environmental contamination and of toxicity by inhalation for the habitants near the former mining districts. Furthermore these PTE can be transferred from agricultural soils surrounding the tailings to the cultivated plants (mainly cereals).
The Spaces of Early Canada
Authors: Harris Cole
Published: November 2010

Abstract:

This article considers the relationship between the increasingly humanized spaces of early Canada and the patches of settlement that, at Confederation, were assembled into a country. It suggests that Harold Innis correctly identified some of the essential spaces of early Canada as, in his American way, did Frederick Jackson Turner. Both, however, offer limited perspectives: Innis because his analysis ill fit the areas of agricultural settlement where most people lived, Turner because of the imprecisions of his analysis and also because, in early Canada, the bounded nature of agricultural settlement severely constricted the westward expansion on which his analysis turned. But Innis was right about staple trades in non-agricultural areas, and Turner was right that areas of recent agricultural settlement were loci of particularly rapid cultural change. Both analyses can be filled in, and that, particularly with regard to Turner, this article attempts to do. In so doing, it considers the extent to which the early rural societies in Canada, the loci of most lives, can be considered to have been ideologically liberal. It also considers the particular patterns of secondary migration in and beyond bounded settlements, and their relationship to the construction and maintenance of social and cultural difference. Overall, the article suggests that the receptacles within which countries develop are important, that the Canadian and American receptacles were strikingly different, and that the spaces of early Canadian life have their continuing legacies in an ongoing engagement with sparsely settled land and with very different ways of being.
THREE ISSUES IN LEGAL ETHICS
Authors: Markovits Daniel
Published: November 2010

A court – which is the name given the institution charged with resolving legal disputes at retail – is comprised of three elements: an umpire (judge or jury), disputants, and advocates. The court's structural purpose is legitimate (which is not the same thing as just) dispute resolution. No part of the court can stand in for the whole; each is only a part. In order for the court to achieve legitimacy, each of its components must pursue partial aims: the umpire must seek truth and justice, the parties must be free to seek advantage, and lawyers must pursue partisan loyalty.

Lawyerly partisanship thus stands against truth and justice – the court's legitimacy requires this. Although rules of legal ethics might constrain hyper-zeal, the legitimacy of the court requires that lawyers' ethics avoid imposing general duties to truth and justice as this would conflate advocate and umpire. This requirement of legitimation is a direct consequence of the familiar fact of moral pluralism. There simply exist no regulative principles – including principles of justice – on which all sides of moral and political disputes can agree. Legitimacy depends on affective engagement with a process; it cannot be sustained by argument. Adjudication is part of this process; and adjudication requires partisan lawyers.

Partisanship is thus ineliminable from the lawyer's life. Legal ethics must take such partisanship into account. To do so, it must take up problems associated with the lawyer's integrity. Such questions are not mere navel-gazing but are instead entirely appropriate for a profession whose place in the political division of labour renders conflicts between professional obligations and ordinary moral ambitions particularly clear and stark.

Legal ethics thus cannot – for reasons that apply to ethics quite generally – ever be reduced to generic moral or political theory. And in this sense, taking the lawyer's point of view in legal ethics is not a sop to local interest but an inevitable part of any serious engagement with the legal facts and moral circumstances of the lawyer's life.
Espaces politiques, espaces rituels : les bois sacrés de l'Ouest-Cameroun
Authors: Salpeteur Matthieu
Published: November 2010

L’article présente les principales caractéristiques des bois sacrés de l’Ouest-Cameroun, ainsi que les enjeux qui émergent aujourd’hui autour de ces sites. Après avoir décrit les principaux types de bois sacrés que l’on trouve dans cette région, étudié leurs fonctions et le lien qu’ils entretiennent avec l’histoire locale, nous analysons les modes de gestion mis en œuvre autour de ces sites, les problèmes posés autour de l’exploitation de leurs ressources et les initiatives de protection menées aujourd’hui dans certaines chefferies.
Bouteilles et sachets en plastique.
Authors: Valentin Manuel
Published: November 2010

Boire de l’eau en bouteille ou en sachet en plastique est devenu en quelques années un acte banal, parfaitement intégré aux pratiques alimentaires au Sénégal, principalement dans les grandes villes et leurs périphéries. La bouteille, pas plus que le sachet, ne se substitue à des modes plus basiques ou plus traditionnels de consommation d’eau. Ces deux modes de conditionnement participent de l’évolution de la société sénégalaise, sur fond d’urbanisation croissante, de développement touristique et de montée d’une classe moyenne. Si la bouteille procède d’un modèle de consommation européen, le sachet se pose davantage comme une réponse plus adaptée à la réalité sociale plus large, mais pour tout deux, la question de leurs impacts sur l’environnement se pose avec acuité.
Quand le dominant vient d'ailleurs et l'étranger d'ici : l'accès aux soins en Guyane au prisme de la double altérité
Authors: Carde Estelle
Published: November 2010

Cet article analyse l’identité que des professionnels de l’accès aux soins attribuent à certains de leurs usagers. Il explore la façon dont cette définition identitaire interfère sur les pratiques de ces professionnels, notamment en les conduisant à ne pas respecter la réglementation qu’ils sont censés appliquer. L’enquête se déroule en Guyane, où ce processus de définition identitaire prend une figure singulière : face à des usagers que la réglementation voudrait exclure de la protection sociale parce qu’ils ne satisfont pas à la condition de résidence en France, exercent des professionnels qui, eux-mêmes, en tant que Métropolitains, ont conscience de leur propre extériorité vis-à-vis de cette société d’outre-mer. C’est à l’aune de cette double altérité – la leur (qu’ils perçoivent) et celles de leurs usagers (qualifiée par la loi) – que ces professionnels interprètent la réglementation, afin de finalement décider d’intégrer ou non ces individus dans le système de soins.
Quand « le cheveu fait l'homme »
Authors: de Suremain Charles-Édouard
Published: November 2010

Rite de passage s’il en est, la cérémonie de la première coupe de cheveux chez les paysans quechuaphones d’Amazonie bolivienne accomplit l’achèvement d’acquisitions motrices et sociales fondamentales dans les représentations locales du développement du « petit enfant » et marque les débuts de son intégration à l’« enfance ». La construction sociale du sexe, l’élargissement de l’entourage de l’enfant et des parents – à travers le choix d’un parrain ou d’une marraine « de cheveux » – et l’insertion de l’enfant dans les flux monétaires avec l’argent qui s’opèrent à cette occasion témoignent de l’évolution de son statut social et de l’affirmation de son identité (sociale, sexuelle, spirituelle). Plus largement, le traitement des cheveux est l’un des « marqueurs d’état » de la personne qui jalonnent le cycle de vie depuis la naissance jusqu’à la mort.
Homogenous nucleation of sulfuric acid and water at atmospherically relevant conditions
Authors: Brus D. , Neitola K. , Petäjä T. , Vanhanen J. , Hyvärinen A.-P. , Sipilä M. , Paasonen P. , Lihavainen H. , Kulmala M.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. In this study the homogeneous nucleation rates of sulfuric acid and water were measured by using a flow tube technique. The goal was to directly compare particle formation rates obtained from atmospheric measurements with nucleation rates of freshly nucleated particles measured with particle size magnifier (PSM) which has detection efficiency of unity for particles having mobility diameter of 1.5 nm. The gas phase sulfuric acid concentration in this study was measured with the chemical ionization mass spectrometer (CIMS), commonly used in field measurements. The wall losses of sulfuric acid were estimated from measured concentration profiles along the flow tube. The initial concentrations of sulfuric acid estimated from loss measurements ranged from 108 to 3×109 molecules cm−3. The nucleation rates obtained in this study cover about three orders of magnitude from 10−1 to 102 cm3 s−1 for commercial ultrafine condensation particle counter (UCPC) TSI model 3025A and from 101 to 104 cm3 s−1 for PSM. The nucleation rates and the slopes (dlnJ/dln[H2SO4]) show satisfactory agreement when compared to empirical kinetic and activation models and the latest atmospheric nucleation data.
Eddy covariance flux measurements of ammonia by electron transfer reaction-mass spectrometry
Authors: Sintermann J. , Spirig C. , Jordan A. , Kuhn U. , Ammann C. , Neftel A.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. A system for fast ammonia (NH3) measurements based on a commercial Proton Transfer Reaction-Mass Spectrometer is presented. It uses electron transfer reaction (eTR) as ionisation pathway and features a drift tube of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and silica-coated steel. Heating the instrumental inlet and the drift tube to 180° C enabled an effective time resolution of ~1 s and made it possible to apply the eTR-MS for eddy covariance (EC) measurements. EC fluxes of NH3 were measured over two agricultural fields in Oensingen, Switzerland, following fertilisations with cattle slurry. Air was aspirated close to a sonic anemometer at a flow of 100 STP L min−1 and was directed through a 23 m long 1/2" PFA tube heated to 150°C to an air-conditioned trailer where the eTR-MS sub-sampled from the large bypass stream. This setup minimised damping of fast NH3 concentration changes between the sampling point and the actual measurement. High-frequency attenuation loss of the NH3 fluxes of 20 to 40% was quantified and corrected for using an empirical ogive method. The instrumental NH3 background signal showed a minor interference with H2O which was characterised in the laboratory. The resulting correction of the NH3 flux after slurry spreading was less than 1‰. The flux detection limit of the EC system was about 5 ng m−2 s−1 while the accuracy of individual flux measurements was estimated 16% for the high-flux regime during these experiments. The NH3 emissions after broad spreading of the slurry showed an initial maximum of 150 μg m2 s−1 with a fast decline in the following hours.
On accuracy of upper quantiles estimation
Authors: Markiewicz I. , Strupczewski W. G. , Kochanek K.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. Flood frequency analysis (FFA) entails the estimation of the upper tail of a probability density function (PDF) of annual peak flows obtained from either the annual maximum series or partial duration series. In hydrological practice, the properties of various methods of upper quantiles estimation are identified with the case of known population distribution function. In reality, the assumed hypothetical model differs from the true one and one cannot assess the magnitude of error caused by model misspecification in respect to any estimated statistics. The opinion about the accuracy of the methods of upper quantiles estimation formed from the case of known population distribution function is upheld. The above-mentioned issue is the subject of the paper. The accuracy of large quantile assessments obtained from the four estimation methods is compared to two-parameter log-normal and log-Gumbel distributions and their three-parameter counterparts, i.e., three-parameter log-normal and GEV distributions. The cases of true and false hypothetical models are considered. The accuracy of flood quantile estimates depends on the sample size, the distribution type (both true and hypothetical), and strongly depends on the estimation method. In particular, the maximum likelihood method loses its advantageous properties in case of model misspecification.
Investigation of a Cholera Outbreak in Ethiopia's Oromiya Region
Authors: Bartels Susan A. , Greenough P. Gregg , Tamar M. , VanRooyen Michael J.
Published: November 2010

Objectives: In late June 2006, Ethiopia's Oromiya Region was affected by an outbreak of acute watery diarrhea, subsequently confirmed to be caused by Vibrio cholerae O1, a pathogen not known to be endemic to this area. Despite initial control efforts, the outbreak quickly spread to neighboring zones and regions. The Oromiya Health Bureau required public health assistance to investigate the outbreak, determine potential causes, and assess the adequacy of the response, particularly given the concern that the number of cases being reported by health care personnel might represent only a fraction of what actually existed in the community.

Methods: A physician-epidemiologist–led team assessed the Guji, Bale, and East Shewa zones from September 15 to October 9, 2006. By using a purposive sample, we surveyed health bureau staff and cholera treatment center (CTC) staff and community members, assessed CTC sites, and interviewed key personnel of the various organizations responding to the outbreak.

Results: The cholera cases mapped along the Ganale River. The individual attack rates were low (ranging from ~ 0.03% to ~ 4.12%), as was the overall attack rate for all 3 zones (almost 0.50%). The individual CTC case fatality rates ranged from 0% to 6.4%, and the overall case fatality rate was 1.11%. There was a trend toward men being disproportionately affected. This outbreak resulted primarily from poor sanitation and insufficient access to clean water. In Oromiya, the outbreak was addressed by a prompt and effective response, which included village chairmen at the community level. The use of community-based workers was successful and likely contributed significantly to control of the outbreak.

Conclusion: Future epidemics will undoubtedly occur unless basic water and sanitation deficiencies are properly addressed. This outbreak prompts the need for increased local public health capacity to apply prevention strategies and establish ongoing surveillance. Signatories to the World Health Organization International Health Regulations must report outbreaks of nonendemic diseases.

(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2010;4:312-317)
Morphometric Analysis in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Authors: Milatovic Dejan , Montine Thomas J. , Zaja‐Milatovic Snjezana , Madison Jennifer L. , Bowman Aaron B. , Aschner Michael
Published: November 2010

Golgi impregnation has been commonly used for neuronal morphometry in a number of neurological diseases and brain‐disorder studies. Introduced more than a century ago, it is still the standard and state‐of‐the‐art technique for visualization of neuronal architecture. We successfully applied the Golgi method to mouse, rat, monkey, and human brain tissues for studying both the normal and abnormal morphology of neurons. We were able to discover subtle morphological alterations in neuronal dendrites and dendritic spines in different brain areas. Although Golgi preparations can be examined by electronic microscopy, we used light microscopy and reconstruction using Neurolucida software to quantitatively explore the relationship between total dendritic length and spine density in different types of neurons. This unit summarizes the methodology used to quantify neuronal abnormalities and discusses the utility of these techniques in different models of neurodegeneration. Curr. Protoc. Toxicol. 46:12.16.1‐12.16.14. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Isolation of Neural Stem Cells from Neural Tissues Using the Neurosphere Technique
Authors: Ferrari Daniela , Binda Elena , Filippis Lidia De , Vescovi Angelo Luigi
Published: November 2010

This unit describes protocols for the derivation, characterization, and expansion of neural stem cell (NSC) lines from the adult mouse subvetricular zone (mNSCs), embryonic mouse brain and from the human fetal brain (hNSCs). NSCs can be isolated by enzymatic digestion of specific regions (NSCs niches) of the central nervous system (CNS) and grown in suspension. By using this methodology, NSCs form spherical clusters called neuropsheres, which are mechanically dissociated to a single‐cell suspension and replated in the selective culture medium. Removal of growth factors and plating cells on an adherent substrate allows cells to differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, the main cell type of the CNS. Correct culturing of NSCs, according to this methodology, will allow cells to expand over 100 passages without alteration of cell karyotype, growth ability, and differentiation potential. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 15:2D.6.1‐2D.6.18. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Simulation of thermophysical flow in axisymmetric nozzle with expansion chamber
Authors: Yamamoto Satoru , Matsuzawa Ryo , Furusawa Takashi
Published: November 2010

Axisymmetric nozzle flows with a free‐jet expansion are simulated considering several substances and several flow conditions, and the thermophysical properties in the nozzle and the free‐jet region are predicted. The present numerical method is based on the preconditioning method developed by Yamamoto and the mathematical models of thermophysical properties of the substances. As numerical examples show, gas flows of carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen under a subcritical pressure condition are first calculated. Calculated distances to the Mach disk are compared with the experimental results, and also the density distributions are compared among these three substances. Second, carbon dioxide flows while changing the pressure from subcritical to supercritical values are calculated and the effect of pressure on the flow field is investigated. Third, flows of water vapor with and without nonequilibrium condensation are calculated and the effect of condensation on the flow field is investigated. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011
The relationship between intestinal histology and function as shown by compensatory enlargement of remnant villi after midgut resection in chickens
Authors: Yamauchi Koh‐En , Incharoen Tossaporn , Yamauchi Koun
Published: November 2010

To demonstrate the relationship between intestinal histology and function, we investigated the possibility that compensatory enlargement of villi in the chickens' remnant intestine can be induced after 50% or 80% jejunal resection as well as after 50% jejunal plus 70% ileal resection. Compared with intact control chickens, operated chickens showed an almost similar body weight, nitrogen retention, and ether extract digestibility, an improved dry matter digestibility, and a much greater absorption of protein and ether extract by the remnant jejunum and ileum. This suggests an enhanced absorptive function of the remnant intestine. In these chickens, increased value of most light microscopic parameters, increased frequency of anastomosing of each villus, and increased number of protuberated epithelial cells appeared with an increase in the intestinal resection area. This suggests that intestinal villi and epithelial cells are hypertrophied in the remnant jejunum and ileum, and that intestinal villi adapt to activated intestinal absorptive function not by increasing their numbers, but by fusing together into larger villi. These findings demonstrate that intestinal histology is intimately related to intestinal function. Anat Rec, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.