bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interruptions: Levinas
Authors: Kunz George
Published: November 2006

This article is a continuation of the challenge begun by early phenomenologists of the reductionistic scientism of Natural Science Psychology. Inspired by five distinctions of Emmanuel Levinas, it seeks to bring a deeper interruption of the seemingly unalterable force of mainstream psychology to model itself after the hard sciences. Levinas distinguishes the experience of totality from infinity, need from desire, freedom as self-initiated and self-directed from freedom as invested by and for the Other, active agency from radical passivity, and the said from saying. Five commonly accepted characteristics of science, objective, empirical, causal, reducible, and value neutral, are used to compare three approaches to psychology: Natural Science, Phenomenology (psychology as a human science), and Psychology for the Other. Using the definition of science, “knowing the phenomenon as it shows itself,” this paper argue that Natural Science Psychology is the least “scientific,” Phenomenological Psychology is more scientific, and Psychology for the Other is the most “scientific” with its ethical command to allow the Other to reveal her/himself. This extravagant but compelling claim is illustrated with descriptions of research and therapy.
The Anthropology of Chinese Kinship. A Critical Overview
Authors: Santos Gonçalo Duro Dos
Published: November 2006

This is a critical overview of the anthropology of Chinese kinship focusing on the twentieth-century Euro-American literature. I first deal with the less well-known early literature of the period before the foundation and closure of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949. I then show how the thematic and theoretical heterogeneity of this early literature was superseded during the 1960s and 1970s by a powerful but reductive paradigmatic lineage model of Chinese kinship and society, largely derived from documentary-based studies of lineage organisation in the late imperial period and consolidated through field research in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Inspired by earlier critics of this lineage-model, tuned in to new anthropological trends in the field of kinship studies and triggered by the post-Mao opening of the PRC, the 1990s marked the beginning of a very heterogeneous cycle of renovation generated by new field research. Seen as a whole, this current cycle of renovation has been undertaking a revision of the older descent-centred comparative view of Chinese kinship and is giving important insights to current anthropological debates about the nature of human kinship.
Shanghai and the Experience of War: The Fate of Refugees
Authors: Henriot Christian
Published: November 2006

In 1937, bitter and brutal fighting raged for three months in and around the city, with intense bombardment from ships and planes. Within weeks, hundred of thousands of residents were thrown on to the streets and made homeless. This paper is concerned with the massive and sudden transformation of Shanghai residents into refugees and the consequences on the resources and management of the city. In the first part, I argue that 1937 created an entirely new situation no authority was prepared to meet because of the scope of the population exodus and to the actual blockade of the city. The second part is devoted to the refugee population, in both quantitative and qualitative terms. It examines who the refugees were—those who found refuge in camps—and why they did not reflect the normal structure of the local population. The last part is concerned with the challenges refugee camps had to face in maintaining a huge destitute population with limited resources in war-torn overcrowded urban space. War caused tremendous suffering among the civilian population, especially children, despite the fairly successful organisation of support by the authorities and private organisations.
The International Seabed Authority and Article 82 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
Authors: Lodge Michael
Published: November 2006

Since the entry into force in 1994 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (the LOSC), a great deal of attention has been focused on the implementation of Article 76 of the Convention, which establishes the juridical definition of the continental shelf. In comparison, very little attention has been given to Article 82, which provides that payments or contributions in kind are to be made by coastal states in respect of the exploitation of the non-living resources of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles. Those payments or contributions in kind are to be distributed by the International Seabed Authority to developing states, "particularly the least developed and the land-locked amongst them". The Convention provides little guidance as to how Article 82 might be implemented in practice. The basic idea behind the provision is quite straightforward. But the text suffers from a lack of precision and raises numerous questions of interpretation. In this presentation, the author illustrates some of the difficult issues of principle and of practice that Article 82 raises. There is a strong possibility that the first source of revenue for the international community from the resources of the deep sea-bed is likely to be the payments or contributions made through Article 82. For that reason, it is important that the difficulties associated with Article 82 are resolved sooner rather than later in order to avoid potential future disputes over the interpretation and application of the Article as well as to provide certainty to industry anxious to promote activities on the continental shelf.
Article 76 of the LOSC on the Definition of the Continental Shelf: Questions concerning its Interpretation from a Legal Perspective
Authors: Oude Elferink Alex
Published: November 2006

The establishment of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles under Article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOSC) is a complex process, which requires a coastal state to dedicate significant resources. To understand the reasons for the inclusion of this complex provision in the LOSC, this article first looks at the origins of Article 76. Subsequently, a number of provisions of Article 76 are considered to illustrate the questions which exist in connection with its application and interpretation. It is concluded that Article 76 fulfills the mandate that had been given to the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea in respect of the definition of the limits of national jurisdiction, notwithstanding the complexity of the issue and the interests involved. Before the Third Conference started there was no certainty about the extent of the continental shelf. Article 76 provides a procedure to arrive at precisely defined outer limits. Once Article 76 will have been implemented by all the present states parties to the Convention, most of the outer limits of the continental shelf vis-à-vis the Area will be defined in precise terms.
No Promoter Left Behind: Global Circadian Gene Expression in Cyanobacteria
Authors: Woelfle Mark A. , Johnson Carl Hirschie
Published: November 2006

Prokaryotic cyanobacteria express robust circadian (daily) rhythms under the control of a clock system that appears to be similar to those of eukaryotes in many ways. On the other hand, the KaiABC-based core cyanobacterial clockwork is clearly different from the transcription-translation feedback loop model of eukaryotic clocks in that the cyanobacterial clock system regulates gene expression patterns globally, and specific clock gene promoters are not essential in mediating the circadian feedback loop. A novel model, the oscilloid model, proposes that the KaiABC oscillator ultimately mediates rhythmic changes in the status of the cyanobacterial chromosome, and these topological changes underlie the global rhythms of transcription. The authors suggest that this model represents one of several possible modes of regulating gene expression by circadian clocks, even those of eukaryotes.
Gene expression patterns in blood leukocytes discriminate patients with acute infections
Authors: Ramilo Octavio , Allman Windy , Chung Wendy , Mejias Asuncion , Ardura Monica , Glaser Casey , Wittkowski Knut M. , Piqueras Bernard , Banchereau Jacques , Palucka A. Karolina , Chaussabel Damien
Published: November 2006

Each infectious agent represents a unique combination of pathogen-associated molecular patterns that interact with specific pattern-recognition receptors expressed on immune cells. Therefore, we surmised that the blood immune cells of individuals with different infections might bear discriminative transcriptional signatures. Gene expression profiles were obtained for 131 peripheral blood samples from pediatric patients with acute infections caused by influenza A virus, Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) or Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae) bacteria. Thirty-five genes were identified that best discriminate patients with influenza A virus infection from patients with either E coli or S pneumoniae infection. These genes classified with 95% accuracy (35 of 37 samples) an independent set of patients with either influenza A, E coli, or S pneumoniae infection. A different signature discriminated patients with E coli versus S aureus infections with 85% accuracy (34 of 40). Furthermore, distinctive gene expression patterns were observed in patients presenting with respiratory infections of different etiologies. Thus, microarray analyses of patient peripheral blood leukocytes might assist in the differential diagnosis of infectious diseases.
Distinct roles of Mdm2 and Mdm4 in red cell production
Authors: Maetens Marion , Doumont Gilles , Clercq Sarah De , Francoz Sarah , Froment Pascal , Bellefroid Eric , Klingmuller Ursula , Lozano Guillermina , Marine Jean-Christophe
Published: November 2006

Mdm2 and Mdm4 are critical negative regulators of the p53 tumor suppressor. Mdm4-null mutants are severely anemic and exhibit impaired proliferation of the fetal liver erythroid lineage cells. This phenotype may indicate a cell-intrinsic function of Mdm4 in erythropoiesis. In contrast, red blood cell count was nearly normal in mice engineered to express low levels of Mdm2, suggesting that Mdm2 might be dispensable for red cell production. Here, we further explore the tissue-specific functions of Mdm2 and Mdm4 in the erythroid lineage by intercrossing conditional Mdm4 and Mdm2 alleles to an erythroid-specific Cre (Er-GFP-Cre) knock-in allele. Our data show that Mdm2 is required for rescuing erythroid progenitors from p53-mediated apoptosis during primitive erythropoiesis. In contrast, Mdm4 is only required for the high erythropoietic rate during embryonic definitive erythropoiesis. Thus, in this particular cellular context, Mdm4 only contributes to p53 regulation at a specific phase of the differentiation program.
Opposite Regulation of Cocaine‐Induced Intracellular Signaling and Gene Expression by Dopamine D1 and D3 Receptors
Authors: ZHANG JIANHUA , XU MING
Published: November 2006

Abstract:  Repeated exposure to cocaine induces persistent neuroadaptations that involve alterations in cellular signaling and gene expression mediated by dopamine (DA) receptors in the brain. Both dopamine D1 and D3 receptors mediate cocaine‐induced behaviors and they are also coexpressed in the same neurons in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and caudoputamen (CPu). We have investigated whether these two receptors coordinately regulate intracellular signaling and gene expression after acute and repeated cocaine administration. We found that extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) activation and c‐fos induction in the CPu following an acute cocaine administration is mediated by the D1 receptor and inhibited by the D3 receptor. ERK activation is necessary for acute cocaine‐induced expression of fos family genes that include c‐fos, fosB, and fra2. Furthermore, potential target genes of cAMP response element‐binding (CREB) protein and/or AP‐1 transcription complex, including dynorphin, neogenin, and synaptotagmin VII, are also oppositely regulated by D1 and D3 receptors after repeated cocaine injections. Lastly, such regulation requires proper ERK activation. These results suggest that D1 and D3 receptors oppositely regulate target gene expression by regulating ERK activation after cocaine administration.
Calcitriol Protects against the Dopamine‐ and Serotonin‐Depleting Effects of Neurotoxic Doses of Methamphetamine
Authors: CASS WAYNE A. , SMITH MICHAEL P. , PETERS LAURA E.
Published: November 2006

Abstract:  Repeated methamphetamine (METH) administration to animals can result in long‐lasting decreases in brain dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5‐HT) content. Calcitriol, the active metabolite of vitamin D, has potent effects on brain cells, both in vitro and in vivo, including the ability to upregulate trophic factors and protect against various lesions. The present experiments were designed to examine the ability of calcitriol to protect against METH‐induced reductions in striatal and nucleus accumbens levels of DA and 5‐HT. Male Fischer‐344 rats were administered vehicle or calcitriol (1μg/kg, s.c.) once a day for eight consecutive days. After the seventh day of treatment the animals were given METH (5 mg/kg, s.c.) or saline four times in 1 day at 2‐h intervals. Seven days later the striata and accumbens were harvested from the animals for high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of monoamines and metabolites. In animals treated with vehicle and METH, there were significant reductions in DA, 5‐HT, and their metabolites in both the striatum and accumbens. In animals treated with calcitriol and METH, the magnitude of the METH‐induced reductions in DA, 5‐HT, and metabolites was substantially and significantly attenuated. The calcitriol treatments did not reduce the hyperthermia associated with multiple injections of METH, indicating that the neuroprotective effects of calcitriol are not due to the prevention of increases in body temperature. These results suggest that calcitriol can provide significant protection against the DA‐ and 5‐HT‐depleting effects of neurotoxic doses of METH.
Inclusion Dynamics in PC12 is Comparable Between Amphetamines and MPTP
Authors: GESI MARCO , LAZZERI GLORIA , FERRUCCI MICHELA , PELLEGRINI ANTONIO , LENZI PAOLA , RUGGIERI STEFANO , FORNAI FRANCESCO , PAPARELLI ANTONIO
Published: November 2006

Abstract:  In previous studies it was demonstrated that amphetamine derivatives and 1‐methyl article‐4‐phenylpyridinium produce neuronal cell bodies. In the present work, we compared the fine ultrastructure of the intracellular inclusions induced by these different neurotoxic treatments. In particular, we compared the dynamical changes occurring when a mild toxic stimulus acts for different time intervals. For this purpose, we exposed catecholamine‐synthesizing PC12 cells to different amphetamine derivatives (methamphetamine and 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine), or 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium ion, which represents the active metabolite of the neurotoxin 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,3,4,6‐tetrahydropyridine. Despite inclusions that are elicited by different mechanisms depending on the specific neurotoxin, their ultrastructural features are similar and there is a high parallelism in their temporal evolution. This suggests that formation of inclusions is a multi‐step process that might be elicited by different stimuli and, once triggered, leads to the same final effect.
AMPA and NMDA Receptors in P2 Fractions of Cocaine and Cocaine–Prazosin‐Treated Rats
Authors: ORTIZ J.G. , GONZÁLEZ‐CABRERA S. , RUBIO‐DÁVILA M. , TIRADO‐COSTACAMPS A. , VÁZQUEZ‐TORRES R. , BERRÍOS‐CARTAGENA N. , SILVA W.I. , JIMÉNEZ‐RIVERA C.A.
Published: November 2006

Abstract:  Cocaine sensitization results in the development of increased locomotion and stereotypy. It is accompanied by changes in glutamatergic trasmission that appear to be region‐specific. The purpose of this article was to determine the effect(s) of cocaine and prazosin plus cocaine treatments on ionotropic glutamate receptors in rat cerebral cortex (CTX) and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Cocaine‐sensitized rats (15 mg/kg, i.p. once for 5 days), withdrawn (7 days) and later challenged with a single cocaine dose, showed region‐specific in NMDA‐2A and Glu‐R2 in the CTX and PFC membranes in cocaine‐ and prazosin‐treated rats when compared to the saline controls. Co‐administration of prazosin inhibits sensitization and changes in NMDA 2A and Glu‐R2. Furthermore, prazosin inhibits the effect of cocaine in CTX and PFC on [3H]FW (AMPA agonist) binding when compared to controls. In cortex, cocaine treatment causes a marked increase in total binding, while in PFC there is a significant decrease. In both regions, cocaine–prazosin treatment attenuates the effects of cocaine. These results suggest that cocaine affects ionotropic glutamate receptors (NMDA and AMPA) and that prazosin inhibits such effects in a region‐specific form in rat brain.
Expression of NR1/NR2B N‐Methyl‐d‐Aspartate Receptors Enhances Heroin Toxicity in HEK293 Cells
Authors: DOMINGUES ANTÓNIO , CUNHA OLIVEIRA TERESA , LAÇO MÁRIO L. N. , MACEDO TICE R. A. , OLIVEIRA CATARINA R. , REGO A. CRISTINA
Published: November 2006

Abstract:  Repeated use of drugs of abuse, namely opiates, has been shown to affect glutamate‐releasing neurons. Moreover, blockade of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NMDAR) prevents cell death by apoptosis induced by morphine, a heroin metabolite. Thus, in this article we investigated the involvement of different NMDAR subunits in heroin cytotoxicity. Human embryonic kidney (HEK293)
cells, which do not express native NMDAR, were transfected with NR1/NR2A or NR1/NR2B subunits. As a control, cells were transfected with NR1 alone, which does not form functional channels. Incubation with heroin for 24 h induced a dose‐dependent decrease in cell viability both in NR1‐transfected and nontransfected cells. The loss of membrane integrity induced by heroin was more evident in cells transfected with NR1/NR2B than in cells transfected with NR1 alone or NR1/NR2A. This decrease in cell viability was blocked by MK‐801, a selective and noncompetitive antagonist of NMDAR. Nevertheless, no significant changes in intracellular adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP) were observed in cells treated with heroin. These data implicate NR2B‐composed NMDAR as important mediators of heroin neurotoxicity.
A Potent Serotonin‐Modulating Compound AP‐267 Attenuates Morphine Withdrawal‐Induced Blood–Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Rats
Authors: SHARMA HARI S. , LUNDSTEDT TORBJÖRN , BOMAN ARNE , LEK PER , SEIFERT ELISABETH , WIKLUND LARS , ALI SYED F.
Published: November 2006

Abstract:  The possibility that a serotonin 5‐HT2c receptor‐modulating compound, AP‐267, will influence spontaneous morphine withdrawal symptoms and the alterations in the brain fluid microenvironment was examined in a rat model. Daily administration of morphine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) for 10 days resulted in dependence of rats as seen by loss of analgesic response. On the 11th day, no morphine administration was given. This resulted in profound withdrawal symptoms 24 h after morphine withdrawal. The magnitude and severity of these symptoms were increased further 48 h after withdrawal. Measurement of the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) permeability, a measure of perturbed brain fluid microenvironment showed leakage of Evans blue and radioiodine tracers in several parts of the brain in rats showing withdrawal symptoms. Whereas, rats treated with AP‐267 either on the 1st day or 2nd day morphine withdrawal showed much less symptoms and leakage of the BBB. Taken together, these observations suggest that (a) stress associated with the withdrawal symptoms are sufficient enough to induce breakdown of the BBB function, and (b) modulation of serotonin 5‐HT2c receptors may have some protective influence on the stress symptoms and the BBB disruption.
Peri‐Response Pharmacokinetics of Remifentanil during a Self‐Administration Session Indicates That Neither Blood nor Brain Levels Are Titrated
Authors: CRESPO JOSE A. , PANLILIO LEIGH V. , SCHINDLER CHARLES W. , STURM KATJA , SARIA ALOIS , ZERNIG GERALD
Published: November 2006

Abstract:  An individual's drug abuse pattern is determined by a multitude of factors. Among these, simple pharmacological determinants of within‐binge drug consumption are sorely underinvestigated. We therefore determined if within‐session operant responsing to the ultra‐short‐acting mu opioid agonist remifentanil (RMF) was determined by blood or brain RMF levels or changes thereof. Our peri‐response analysis did not detect any “threshold” RMF level, either in blood or in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core as a deep brain region that might determine a rat's “decision” to re‐emit a response during a multiple‐injection drug self‐administration session. The peri‐response analysis also failed to find any peak RMF level, either in blood or in the NAc core, which could serve as a “ceiling” level. Thus, our findings strongly suggest that titration of blood or brain RMF levels does not determine a rat's intra‐session operant response.
Nicotine Alters Nicotinic Receptor Subunit Levels Differently in Developing Mammalian Sympathetic Neurons
Authors: SRIVATSAN MALATHI , TREECE JONATHAN , SHOTTS EZEKIEL E.
Published: November 2006

Abstract:  The subunit specific expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) undergo changes in the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion (SCG) of rat pups during neonatal growth. Since nAChRs play a significant role in sympathetic transmission, and the effect of nicotine on the expression of nAChR subunits in neurons of neonatal SCG is not known, we determined the effects of nicotine on receptor profiles using primary cultures of SCG neurons of 1‐day‐old rat pups. Neurons in culture were exposed to 1 and 10 μM of nicotine in the presence and absence of nerve growth factor (NGF). After 24 h, protein from the control and experimental neuron cultures was analyzed for the presence of nAChR containing α7 and α3 subunits using subunit specific antibodies. Exposure to 1 μM of nicotine marginally increased α7 subunits only in the absence of NGF. However it increased the level of α3 subunits significantly by 18% and 33.6% in the presence and absence of NGF, respectively. Exposure to 10 μM of nicotine did not alter the levels of either of the subunits. Interestingly, when the neurons were pre‐exposed to α‐bungarotoxin (antagonist of α7 nAChR), exposure to 10 μM of nicotine resulted in significant increases not only in α7 nAChR (25.5%) but also in α3 nAChR (32.2%). These results show that exposure to nicotine alters the nAChR levels differently in the neonatal sympathetic neurons in a subunit specific manner and suggest that the level of α7 as well as α3 nAChR is linked to the functional status of α7 nAChR in these neurons.
Effects of Postnatal Exposure to Methamphetamine on the Development of the Rat Retina
Authors: RODRIGUES LORENA G. , MELO PEDRO , SILVA M. CAROLINA , TAVARES MARIA AMÉLIA
Published: November 2006

Abstract:  Since the development of different cell types in the retina occurs at different rates, it is possible that exposure to an exogenous substance may produce effects during one time period, but not during another. This study aims to analyze the effects of methamphetamine (METH) in the growth pattern of an experimental model as well as neurochemical and immunohistochemical parameters of the dopaminergic system of the rat retina. The three development stages chosen in this study are key markers in rat eye development. Rats were given 15 mg/kg body weight per day of METH as subcutaneous injections in 0.9% saline (3 mL/kg weight/day) from the day after birth PND 1 to PND 6, PND 13, and PND 29. Each daily dose was split into two. The control group was injected subcutaneously with saline. Both the schedule and volume for injecting saline in the control group were the same as for the METH‐treated group. There were no significant differences in the total number of offspring per litter among treatment groups. All offspring had similar body weight at birth. Analysis of body weight on PND 1, showed that animals treated with METH had similar body weights to control‐treated animals and females had smaller weights than males. For growth evolution, only litters with a sex ratio of four males and four females were used. Animals treated with METH had smaller body weights than the control‐treated animals for all ages studied (PND 7, 14, and 30). Within the control group at PND 30, a significant difference was found in the body weight of females, which was lower when compared with males. For the postnatal model, 7 deaths occurred for the METH‐exposed group. No deaths occurred in the control group in a total of 16 saline‐injected litters comprising 186 pups. Although the levels of dopamine (DA) was within normal values for the postnatally exposed METH group when compared with its respective control group at PND 7 and 30, at PND 14 this was not the case: in this experimental group, the level of DA was lower than in the control group for both females and males. Support for this result was not evident from the TH immunoreactivity studies, probably because the methodology lacks the sensitivity to distinguish any mild effects, such as that observed in the postnatal model at PND 14. The level of the DA metabolite 3, 4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) remained unaffected at all ages studied, for both females and males. The results obtained in this study support the view that, during the critical periods in which the catecholamines can influence the development of neurones, METH transiently affects the pattern of the dopaminergic system in the developing retina.
Mechanism‐Based Approaches for the Reversal of Drug Neurobehavioral Teratogenicity
Authors: YANAI JOSEPH , BEN‐SHAANAN TAMAR L. , HAIMOVITCH HANA , KATZ SOPHIA , KAZMA MEITAL
Published: November 2006

Abstract:  Understanding the mechanism of neurobehavioral teratogenicity is the primary prerequisite for reversal of the defect. Progress in such studies can be best achieved if the investigation focuses on behaviors related to a specific brain region and innervation. Our model focused on teratogen‐induced deficits in hippocampus‐related eight‐arm and Morris maze behaviors. Different “cholinergic” teratogens, mainly heroin, induced both pre‐ and postsynaptic hyperactivity in the hippocampal cholinergic innervation that terminated in desensitization of Protein Kinase C (PKC) isoforms to cholinergic receptor stimulation
. Understanding this mechanism enabled its reversal with a pharmacological therapy—nicotine infusion. Studies by others provided similar findings by targeting the deficits respective to the model investigated. Consistently, destruction of the A10‐septal dopaminergic pathways that downregulate the septohippocampal cholinergic innervation ameliorated maze performance. Grafting of embryonic differentiated cholinergic cells or neural progenitors similarly reversed the biochemical/molecular alterations and the resulting deficits. Reversal therapies offer a model for the understanding of neurobehavioral teratogenicity and, clinically, offer a model for potential treatment of these deficits. Whereas neural progenitor grafting appears to be the most effective treatment, pharmacological reversal with nicotine infusion seems to possess the most feasible and immediate therapy for neurobehavioral birth defects produced by various teratogens, including drugs. This is true even though the effect of pharmacological therapies is diffuse, affecting multiple areas of the brain.

“Everybody is talking about the weather but nobody does anything about it.”

(Mark Twain)
Sphingosylphosphorylcholine induces differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells into smooth-muscle-like cells through a TGF-β-dependent mechanism
Authors: Jeon Eun Su , Moon Hyun Jung , Lee Mi Jeong , Song Hae Young , Kim Young Mi , Bae Yong Chan , Jung Jin Sup , Kim Jae Ho
Published: November 2006

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into diverse cell types including adipogenic, osteogenic, chondrogenic and myogenic lineages. In the present study, we demonstrated for the first time that sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) induces differentiation of human adipose-tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hATSCs) to smooth-muscle-like cell types. SPC increased the expression levels of several smooth-muscle-specific genes, such as those for α-smooth-muscle actin (α-SMA), h1-calponin and SM22α, as effectively as transforming growth factor β (TGF-β1) and TGF-β3. SPC elicited delayed phosphorylation of Smad2 after 24 hours exposure, in contrast to rapid phosphorylation of Smad2 induced by TGF-β treatment for 10 minutes. Pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin or U0126, an MEK inhibitor, markedly attenuated the SPC-induced expression of β-SMA and delayed phosphorylation of Smad2, suggesting that the Gi/o-ERK pathway is involved in the increased expression of α-SMA through induction of delayed Smad2 activation. In addition, SPC increased secretion of TGF-β1 through an ERK-dependent pathway, and the SPC-induced expression of α-SMA and delayed phosphorylation of Smad2 were blocked by SB-431542, a TGF-β type I receptor kinase inhibitor, or anti-TGF-β1 neutralizing antibody. Silencing of Smad2 expression with small interfering RNA (siRNA) abrogated the SPC-induced expression of α-SMA. These results suggest that SPC-stimulated secretion of TGF-β1 plays a crucial role in SPC-induced smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation through a Smad2-dependent pathway. Both SPC and TGF-β increased the expression levels of serum-response factor (SRF) and myocardin, transcription factors involved in smooth muscle differentiation. siRNA-mediated depletion of SRF or myocardin abolished the α-SMA expression induced by SPC or TGF-β. These results suggest that SPC induces differentiation of hATSCs to smooth-muscle-like cell types through Gi/o-ERK-dependent autocrine secretion of TGF-β, which activates a Smad2-SRF/myocardin-dependent pathway.
Crystal Structure of 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium Iodide
Authors: Nakakoshi Masamichi , Shiro Motoo , Fujimoto Takashi , Machinami Tomoya , Seki Hiroko , Tashiro Mitsuru , Nishikawa Keiko
Published: November 2006

A crystal of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide [bmim]I, a prototype ionic liquid, has been prepared and its crystal structure has been determined at the space group P212121. The butyl-chain has gauche and trans configurations, and only one H atom of cation is linked to the iodide anion through a hydrogen bond. The weak hydrogen-bonded network involving the iodide anion is a characteristic feature of [bmim]I, which could be related to the observation that crystallization was accomplished under 233 K.
Synthesis and Characterization of CeO2–TiO2–Pr6O11 Solid Solutions for Environmentally Benign Nontoxic Red Pigments
Authors: George Giable , Rao Padala Prabhakar , Reddy Mundlapudi Lakshmipathi
Published: November 2006

New inorganic pigments Ce1−(x+y)TixPryO2 (x ranges from 0.05 to 0.195 and y ranges from 0.005 to 0.15) based on CeO2–TiO2–Pr6O11 solid solutions have been synthesized by solid-state route with a goal of preparing environmentally secure red colorants. Characterizations using XRD, UV–vis spectroscopy and CIE 1976 color coordinates assessment reveals the formation of pigments displaying colors ranging from brick red to dark brown. The coloring mechanism is based on the introduction of additional electronic level of energy in the cerianite forbidden band from the unpaired 4f electron of lanthanide ion.
Revision stapes surgery with and without laser: A comparison
Authors: Silverstein Herbert , Bendet Erez , Rosenberg Seth , Nichols Mark
Published: November 2006

In this study, the results of 76 revision stapes surgeries performed from 1974 to 1992 were reviewed. Either the KTP or the argon laser was used in 40 operations. Prosthesis problems were the most common cause for revision (63%) followed by eroded/ necrotic incus (29%) and adhesions (29%). Overall “success” in air‐bone gap closure (air‐bone gap ≤ 10 dB) was 46% for first revisions and 33% for second or greater revisions. The “improvement” rate (air‐bone gap ≤ 20 dB) was 65% for first revisions and 53% for second or greater revisions. There was no statistically significant difference in hearing results between laser surgery and conventional technique. However, an absence of adhesions was noted when the laser had been used in the primary procedure.
Nasal cavity area in term infants determined by acoustic rhinometry
Authors: Buenting John E. , Dalston Rodger M. , Drake Amelia F.
Published: November 2006

The present study was undertaken to determine whether a modification to commercially available acoustic rhinometry (AR) instrumentation might allow equipment designed for use in adults to determine accurately the nasal cavity configuration of infants and children. The standard wave tube was replaced with a version having a narrow (0.312‐cm2) internal diameter (ID). Before use with neonates, the accuracy of this instrument was evaluated using the nasal cavity of a full‐term infant cadaver. Acoustic nasal area curves were compared to area measurements of polyvinylsiloxane nasal casts and direct volume measurements of the specimen. AR correlated well with nasal cast data (r = .88) for total nasal cavity area. The acoustic method underestimated the total area at the nasal valve by only 1.8 mm2 (22.1 mm2 vs. 23.9 mm2) and overestimated choanal area by 10 mm2 (56.9 mm2 vs. 46.9 mm2). In addition, AR measured total nasal volume to within 5.2% of the value obtained by direct measurement. In a cohort of 10 normal, term infants, the mean acoustic value for total nasal valve area was 19.2 ± 0.05 mm2 and for total nasal volume was 1.76 ± 0.53 cm3. This, the first report of nasal area and volume information in live infants, suggests that the modified AR device has utility both in airway research and as a nasal patency screening tool in the pediatric population.
A review of Polylekithum Arnold, 1934 and its familial affinities using morphological and molecular data, with description of Polylekithum catahoulensis sp. nov.
Authors: Curran Stephen , Tkach Vasyl , Overstreet Robin
Published: November 2006

The type material of Polylekithum ictaluri, P. halli, and Maculifer chandleri was examined from the United States National Parasite Museum, and we determined that the material was conspecific, making P. halli and M. chandleri junior subjective synonyms of P. ictaluri. Polylekithum catahoulensis sp. nov. was described from material collected from catfishes at the Catahoula Wildlife Refuge, LaSalle Parish, Louisiana, USA, and compared with P. ictaluri collected from catfishes in Reelfoot Lake, Obion County, Tennessee, USA, and the Pearl River, Hancock County, Mississippi, USA. Polylekithum catahoulensis had smaller eggs (77–88 μm long by 51–63 μm wide vs. 94–108 μm by 52–76 μm) and a longer forebody (35–41% of overall body length vs. 29–34%). Comparison of more than 2,400 bp long fragments of nuclear ribosomal DNA (complete ITS and partial 28S regions) strongly supported the status of P. catahoulensis as a new species. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of 28S rDNA gene sequences from Polylekithum as well as representative species from Allocreadiidae, Atractotrematidae, Brachycoeliidae, Callodistomidae, Dicrocoeliidae, Encyclometridae, Gorgoderidae, Haploporidae, Opecoelidae, Plagiorchiidae, and Telorchiidae rooted by Monorchiidae and Lissorchiidae demonstrated that of the families tested, Polylekithum was most closely related to Encyclometridae as a gorgoderoid and not to Allocreadiidae as previously reported. Morphological features of three South American allocreadiids, Allocreadium patagonicum, P. percai, and A. pichi were inconsistent with generic diagnoses of Allocreadium and Polylekithum, so we suggested they belonged in a single unnamed genus similar to Creptotrema. Polylekithum catlai from India was assessed from the description and failed to conform to the generic diagnosis of Polylekithum. Morphology of Caudouterina suggested a close relationship with Polylekithum and not Allocreadiidae.
Ultrastructure of spermiogenesis and mature spermatozoon of Angularella beema (Clerc, 1906) (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea, Dilepididae)
Authors: Yoneva Aneta , Miquel Jordi , Świderski Zdzisław , Georgieva Katia , Mizinska Yana , Georgiev Boyko
Published: November 2006

The ultrastructure of the spermiogenesis of a dilepidid cestode species is described for the first time. The spermiogenesis of Angularella beema is characterised by absence of both flagellar rotation and proximodistal fusion. The differentiation zone is surrounded by cortical microtubules and is delimited by a ring of arching membranes. It contains two centrioles, one of which develops the axoneme that grows directly into the elongating cytoplasmic protrusion. This pattern of spermiogenesis was described as the Type IV spermiogenesis of cestodes. Among cestodes, similar pattern of spermiogenesis is known in the family Hymenolepididae and in some representatives of the family Anoplocephalidae. The mature spermatozoon of A. beema consists of five regions differing in their ultrastructural characteristics. It is characterised by the presence of cortical microtubules (spirally arranged at angle of 30–40° to the spermatozoon axis) and a single crested body. There is a periaxonemal sheath in certain parts of the spermatozoon as well as glycogen-like granules between the periaxonemal sheath and the cortical microtubules. The comparisons of the mature spermatozoon of A. beema with those of other two dilepidid species (Dilepis undula and Molluscotaenia crassiscolex) demonstrate some variation within the family: presence of periaxonemal sheath in A. beema and D. undula and its absence in M. crassiscolex; presence of electron-dense rods in D. undula and their absence in A. beema.
New data on the morphology of Nilonema senticosum (Nematoda, Philometridae), a parasite of Arapaima gigas (Pisces), with notes on another philometrid, Alinema amazonicum, in Peru
Authors: Moravec František , Scholz Tomáš , Kuchta Roman , Dyková Iva , Posel Petr
Published: November 2006

Female specimens of a little-known philometrid nematode, Nilonema senticosum (Baylis, 1927), were collected from the swimbladder of the arapaima, Arapaima gigas, from the Amazon River basin (Iquitos, Loreto District) in Peru. Scanning electron microscopical (SEM) examination, used for the first time in this species, made it possible to reveal some taxonomically important, previously unreported features of N. senticosum, such as the presence of minute cephalic papillae (10 papillae in 2 circles) and amphids surrounding the small oral aperture, and to confirm the absence of an anal opening in this species. Males and females of another philometrid, Alinema amazonicum (Travassos, 1960), were recovered from the body cavity of the pimelodid catfishes Calophysus macropterus and Brachyplatystoma juruense (a new host record) from the Amazon River basin (fish market in Iquitos, Loreto District) in Peru. SEM examination, not previously used in the male of A. amazonicum, enabled to study in detail the male cephalic and caudal structures.
Reconfigurable optical multiplexer based on liquid crystals for polymer optical fiber networks
Authors: Lallana P. , Vázquez C. , Pena J. , Vergaz R.
Published: November 2006

In this work, different novel 3×1 multiplexer structures for being used in polymer optical fiber networks are proposed. Designs are compact, scalable, and of low consumption, capable of operating in a large wavelength range simultaneously 660, 850, and 1300 nm, due to the use of nematic liquid crystal cells. Light that comes from each input port is handled independently and eight operation modes are possible.

Control electronics has been made using a programmable integrated circuit. Electronic system makes available the managing of the optical stage using a computer. An additional four optical sensors have been included for allowing the optical status checking.

Finally, a polarization independent multiplexer has been implemented and tested. Insertion losses less than 4 dB and isolation better than 23 dB have been measured. In addition, 30-ms and 15-ms setup and rise times have been obtained. The proposed multiplexer can be used in any polymer optical fiber network, even in perfluorinated graded index one, and it can be specially useful in optical sensor networks, or in coarse wavelength division multiplexing networks.
Tunable properties of light propagation in photonic liquid crystal fibers
Authors: Szaniawska K. , Nasilowski T. , Woliński T. , Thienpont H.
Published: November 2006

Tunable properties of light propagation in photonic crystal fibers filled with liquid crystals, called photonic liquid crystal fibers (PLCFs) are presented. The propagation properties of PLCFs strongly depend on contrast between refractive indices of the solid core (pure silica glass) and liquid crystals (LCs) filing the holes of the fiber. Due to relatively strong thermo-optical effect, we can change the refractive index of the LC by changing its temperature. Numerical analysis of light propagation in PLCF, based on two simulation methods, such as finite difference (FD) and multipole method (MM) is presented. The numerical results obtained are in good agreement with our earlier experimental results presented elsewhere [1].
Entanglement May Enhance Channel Capacity in Arbitrary Dimensions
Authors: Karpov E. , Daems D. , Cerf N. J.
Published: November 2006

We consider explicitly two examples of d-dimensional quantum channels with correlated noise and show that, in agreement with previous results on Pauli qubit channels, there are situations where maximally entangled input states achieve higher values of the output mutual information than product states. We obtain a strong dependence of this effect on the nature of the noise correlations as well as on the parity of the space dimension, and conjecture that when entanglement gives an advantage in terms of mutual information, maximally entangled states achieve the channel capacity.
Spatial Decoherence in QED
Authors: Bellomo B. , Compagno G. , Petruccione F.
Published: November 2006

We consider the dynamics of a charged free particle, initially described by a coherent wave packet, interacting with an electromagnetic field characterized by the temperature T, considered as the environment. We have used dipole approximation neglecting the potential vector quadratic term in the minimal coupling Hamiltonian. This leads to the loss of coherence in the momentum representation, described by the decay of the off diagonal elements of the particle reduced density matrix, while the populations remain constant. Here we extend the analysis to the coordinate representation. We compute the particle reduced density matrix in this basis, analyzing in particular the mixing of various effects, such as free spreading, vacuum dressing and vacuum and thermal decoherence, in the wave packet width and coherence length evolution.
Mechanism of the odor‐adsorption effect of zinc ricinoleate. A molecular dynamics computer simulation
Authors: Kuhn H. , Müller F. , Peggau J. , Zekorn R.
Published: November 2006

Zinc ricinoleate [Zn(Ri)2] is widely used in surfactant and detergent mixtures for the adsorption of odor‐active compounds. The mechanism of this process is not known. In this initial study, we discuss the results of molecular dynamics computer simulations that were performed to get more information and detailed insights into the interaction mechanism between Zn(Ri)2 and odor‐active substances. The calculations, based on simple molecular mechanics approximations, simulated the dynamic features of the molecular structures of Zn(Ri)2 in vacuum, in the oil phase, and in aqueous solution. We determined actual molecular conformations and simulated an adduct of ammonia with Zn(Ri)2. On close inspection, in the vacuum and oil phase structures, the Zn2+ ion is almost completely shielded by the oxygen ligands. Calculated structural transitions caused by the interaction of Zn(Ri)2 with water‐solvent molecules resulted in a weakening of the electrostatic shield. Nucleophilic attack of odor‐active compounds to the relatively unprotected Zn2+ atom is easy to achieve in aqueous solution. Simulation of the addition product of Zn(Ri)2 with ammonia revealed an elementary structural change, resulting in an increase of the solubility and adsorption activity of Zn(Ri)2. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the results coincide with experimental observations.
Polymer‐Induced incompatibility in the mixed micelle formation of cationic surfactants with bulky polar head groups
Authors: Bakshi Mandeep Singh
Published: November 2006

The conductances of tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB)+tetradecyl triphenylphosphonium bromide (TTPB) mixtures over the entire mole fraction range were measured in aqueous poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) containing 1 to 10 wt% of PVP at 30°C. Each conductivity (κ) curve showed a single break corresponding to the mixed micelle formation in the presence of PVP over the whole mole fraction range. From the conductivity data, various micellar parameters in the presence of PVP were computed and discussed in terms of micelle‐polymer interactions. The mixing behavior of TTAB+TTPB in pure water was close to ideal, whereas in the presence of PVP a significant degree of nonideality was sobserved that was evaluated by computing the mole fraction of TTAB in the mixed micelle state (x1) and the interanction parameter (β) by using the regular solution approach. The former is less than the value in the ideal state, and the latter is much greater, indicating the enhancement in the antagonistic mixing behavior of TTAB+TTPB in the presence of PVP. The results have been explained on the basis of an increase in the incompatibility between the monomers of TTAB and TTPB in the mixed state due to the steric hindrances created by the PVP upon adsorption at the micelle‐solution interface. The results have also been further supported by comparing with those of structurally similar cationic binary combinations in the presence of PVP.
Aggregated assemblies of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide and phospholipids at the interface and in the bulk solution
Authors: Sehgal Pankaj , Doe Hidekazu , Bakshi Mandeep Singh
Published: November 2006

Interactions between hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HTAB) and l‐α‐phosphatidylcholine (PC), 1,2‐didecanoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (DPC), and 1,2‐dipalmitoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (PPC) at the air/water interface and in the bulk solution were evaluated using interfacial tension, fluorescence, and conductivity measurements to study the aggregation processes of HTAB in fixed concentrations of aqueous lipid solutions containing 7–36 μM of each lipid. The interfacial and fluorescence measurements showed the occurrence of two kinds of aggregation processes in HTAB‐PC and HTAB‐DPC systems, which were identified by the three breaks at low lipid concentrations, i.e., 7–14μM. The first aggregation process, C1, involved the incorporation of HTAB monomers into the lipid vesicles and the subsequent disruption of the vesicular structure leading to the formation of mixed micelles. The second aggregation process, C2, which started at the second break, indicated the completion of the mixed micelles and the initiation of independent micelle formation process which was completed at the third break. At higher PC or DPC concentration, i.e., 14–22 μM, the first break, which indicated the initiation of the first aggregation process, was not observed; only the second and third breaks were visible. This is ascribed to the presence of comparatively large vesicles, which were able to accommodate HTAB monomers initially without any drastic change in their architecture. In the presence of PPC, the aggregation process of HTAB was similar to that in pure water as studied from the interfacial tension measurements, whereas the bulk behavior indicated the presence of strong structure transitions upon incorporation of HTAB monomers in the PPC vesicles. A difference between the aggregation behaviors of HTAB with PPC was explained on the basis of the stronger hydrophobicity of PPC over PC and DPC.