Subchronic oral hepatotoxicity of turmeric in mice--histopathological and ultrastructural studies

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of flutamide in patients with physical and/or mental disorders consulting for urinary symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: 50 patients with BPH in whom surgical treatment was contraindicated due to their physical and/or mental condition were treated with flutamide 250 mg/day. Four patients presented with urinary retention and 46 patients had prostatic symptomatology. Patients were evaluated using the symptoms score (I-PSS) and quality of life (QL). Prostate volume was measured by transabdominal US; the maximum flow rate at spontaneous micturition and residual urine were determined. RESULTS: At 12 months, the I-PSS and QL scores decreased by a mean of 7 and 3 points, respectively. The US demonstrated that treatment had reduced prostatic volume by a mean of 10 gms. The maximum flow rate at spontaneous micturition increased 3 ml/sec and residual urine decreased by 15 ml. CONCLUSION: Flutamide is another alternative to surgery in specific patients with BPH.     

BCR-ABL induces neurite-like structures and BCR lacking the SH2-binding domain induces cell rounding in PC12 cells

The activated tyrosine kinase oncoprotein BCR-ABL is responsible for pathogenesis of Philadelphia chromosome-positive human leukemias. Because BCR carries a GAP (GTPase-activating protein) activity toward cytoskeleton-related small GTP-binding proteins, we utilized a neuronal PC12 cell system to test morphogenic potentials of BCR-ABL or BCR. We report here unique morphological phenotypes of PC12 cells expressing either BCR-ABL or a BCR mutant which lacks the SH2-binding domain (BCR Delta162-413). Although MAP kinase was not activated in PC12 cells expressing BCR-ABL, they showed incomplete neurite extensions even in the absence of the nerve growth factor (NGF). Overproduction of BCR Delta162-413 in PC12 cells, on the other hand, induced cell rounding in the absence of NGF. Interestingly, those cells could hardly make terminal differentiation in the presence of NGF and continued to grow without changing their round shape, although NGF receptor as well as MAP kinase appeared to be activated. Interestingly, the botulinum C3 toxin induced neurite-like structures in PC12 cells overexpressing BCR Delta162-413 without NGF.     

Integrated Wavelength-Insensitive Differential Laser Doppler Velocimeter Using Planar Lightwave Circuit

In this paper, a design of an integrated wavelength-insensitive laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) has been proposed using planar lightwave circuit (PLC). The proposed LDV uses arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) that can be fabricated using PLC technology. Its characteristics are simulated using a design model based on grating equations for AWGs. The simulation results indicate that wavelength-insensitive operation can be almost obtained by optimizing the design parameters of the proposed structure without assembly of bulk diffractive gratings or other optical elements.     

Biodiesel compatibility with carbon steel and HDPE parts

Compatibility of the new environmentally-friendly alternative of diesel engine fuels, biodiesel, with storage and engine part materials, is still an open issue. In this work, the interaction between three fuels (petroleum diesel and two types of biodiesel — soybean and sunflower) and two materials (carbon steel and high density polyethylene) used in storage and automotive tanks, is analyzed in detail. A wide set of characterization techniques was used to evaluate the changes in both solid and fluid materials, as weight change measurement, optical, scanning electron and atomic force (AFM) microscopies, Raman and FTIR spectroscopies, and differential scanning calorimetry. The AFM technique allowed detecting surface roughness and morphology changes in the metallic material following the trends in the weight losses. In the case of polymeric material, weight gain by fluid absorption occurred, being detected by the spectroscopic techniques. The biodiesel fuels underwent some ageing however this phenomenon did not affect the interaction between the biodiesel fuels and the substrates. The petrodiesel, which did not age, caused more significant degradation of the substrates.     

湖南地区新农村住宅改造设计研究与实践——以湖南黄兴、柏加两镇为例

本文通过对长沙黄兴柏加两镇“新农村住宅改造”设计,阐明了在当前中国国情下,新农村建设应该从实际出发,农村住宅中的“改造”成为新农村建设的主要手段之一。我们总结了农村住宅改造的发展规律,并结合当地实际情况进行准确定位,按照定位制定相应的设计原则、操作模式。     

浅谈体验式商业建筑空间——以"青岛·十五街"为例

当前商业空间正在日益强劲地朝着体验式商业模式的方向发展,它从顾客的情感体验出发,通过人性化开放式空间的设计,打造一种融文化,娱乐、休闲等为一体的互动式综合性街区.文章以"青岛·十五街"的商业规划和设计理念为例,结合实际调研,解析了体验式商业建筑空间的内涵.     

光影舞曲

光是构成宇宙的基本要素之一。从古典主义至文艺复兴,再到现代建筑,光影变幻与夸张的效果给建筑空间带来了令人叹为观止的精神力量,建筑师们不断采用不同的手法让光更随意地参与到建筑空间中,成为构筑空间与实体的特殊“材质”。本文从理论和实践两方面,对光影进行重新解读。     

RNA Dynamics by NMR Spectroscopy

An ever-increasing number of functional RNAs require a mechanistic understanding. RNA function relies on changes in its structure, so-called dynamics. To reveal dynamic processes and higher energy structures, new NMR methods have been developed to elucidate these dynamics in RNA with atomic resolution. In this Review, we provide an introduction to dynamics novices and an overview of methods that access most dynamic timescales, from picoseconds to hours. Examples are provided as well as insight into theory, data acquisition and analysis for these different methods. Using this broad spectrum of methodology, unprecedented detail and invisible structures have been obtained and are reviewed here. RNA, though often more complicated and therefore neglected, also provides a great system to study structural changes, as these RNA structural changes are more easily defined—Lego like—than in proteins, hence the numerous revelations of RNA excited states.     

Effect of lubricant viscosity grade on mechanical vibration of roller bearings

This work aims to characterize vibration behavior of roller bearings as a function of lubricant viscosity. Experimental tests were performed in NU205 roller bearings, lubricated with mineral oil of three different viscosity grades (ISO 10, 32 and 68). The mechanical vibration was determined through the processing and analysis of bearing radial vibration data, obtained from each of the lubrication conditions, during 2 h of test run for temperature stabilization and under several bearing shaft speeds. The applied radial load was 10% of the bearing nominal load. Through root mean square (RMS) analysis of the vibration signals, it was possible to identify specific frequency bands modulated by the change in lubricant viscosity, which was related to change in oil film thickness.     

自由生长的西藏传统建筑——西藏传统建筑布局与空间形态初探

西藏传统建筑特点很多,就其分布而言,主要有两种方式:一、河谷平原分布,二、依山而建.西藏建筑在这两种分布方式下均呈现出自由生长的态势,一方面与其独特的地形地貌和人文精神有关,另一方面也直接影响着西藏传统建筑在空间布局与立面造型上表现出灵活、不对称特征.在现代建筑设计中我们应该借鉴西藏传统建筑内部空间组织与外部形态特点,创造出符合藏式建筑空间神韵的建筑.