Differential contribution of angiotensinergic and cholinergic receptors in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus to osmotically induced AVP release

We studied the involvement of periventricular and hypothalamic angiotensinergic and cholinergic pathways in osmotically induced arginine vasopressin (AVP) release into the blood. In conscious Wistar rats, i.c.v. injections of 0.2, 0.3 and 0.6 M hyperosmolar saline (5 microl) resulted in concentration-dependent increases in AVP release (5.2 +/- 1.5, 10.6 +/- 2.2 and 18.0 +/- 2.2 pg/ml, respectively, vs. 2.0 +/- 0.1 in controls). The two lower saline concentrations did not affect arterial blood pressure (non-pressure-associated AVP release), whereas 0.6 M saline induced increase in blood pressure (pressure-associated AVP release). In the first set of experiments, periventricular angiotensin AT1, muscarinic or nicotinic receptors were blocked by i.c.v. administration of losartan (10 nmol), atropine (100 nmol) or hexamethonium (100 nmol), respectively, before i.c.v. hyperosmolar saline injections. Losartan significantly reduced the 0.2 M and 0.3 M, but not the 0.6 M, saline-induced increase in AVP release. The 0. 3 M saline-induced AVP release was blocked by atropine and hexamethonium, whereas the 0.6 M saline-induced AVP release was blocked by atropine only. In the second set of experiments, losartan (4 nmol), atropine (200 nmol) or hexamethonium (200 nmol) was injected bilaterally into the paraventricular nucleus before i.c.v. hyperosmolar saline injections. Losartan reduced 0.3 M and potentiated 0.6 M saline-induced AVP release. On the other hand, atropine and hexamethonium significantly reduced both 0.3 and 0.6 M saline-induced AVP release. We conclude that afferents arising from periventricular osmosensitive neurons to the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, which are involved in non-pressure-associated osmotically induced AVP release, are both angiotensinergic and cholinergic, whereas those mediating pressure-associated AVP release are cholinergic in nature.     

Predicting pilot error: Testing a new methodology and a multi-methods and analysts approach

The Human Error Template (HET) is a recently developed methodology for predicting design-induced pilot error. This article describes a validation study undertaken to compare the performance of HET against three contemporary Human Error Identification (HEI) approaches when used to predict pilot errors for an approach and landing task and also to compare analyst error predictions to an approach to enhancing error prediction sensitivity: the multiple analysts and methods approach, whereby multiple analyst predictions using a range of HEI techniques are pooled. The findings indicate that, of the four methodologies used in isolation, analysts using the HET methodology offered the most accurate error predictions, and also that the multiple analysts and methods approach was more successful overall in terms of error prediction sensitivity than the three other methods but not the HET approach. The results suggest that when predicting design-induced error, it is appropriate to use a toolkit of different HEI approaches and multiple analysts in order to heighten error prediction sensitivity.     

Positional Scanning Synthesis of a Peptoid Library Yields New Inducers of Apoptosis that Target Karyopherins and Tubulin

We describe the synthesis of a library of 11 638 N‐alkylglycine peptoid trimers in a positional scanning format with adjustment of reaction conditions to account for different reactivities of the monomer building blocks. Evaluation of the library by high‐content phenotypic screening for modulators of the cytoskeleton and mitosis resulted in the identification of two apoptosis‐inducing peptoids, which, despite their structural similarity, target different proteins and cellular mechanisms. Whereas one peptoid binds to karyopherins, which mediate nuclear transport, the other N‐alkylglycine trimer binds tubulin at the vinca alkaloid binding site.     

Die Kontrolle des Umsetzungsgrades des Zugangs- und Zugriffsschutzes

Rechtlich verpflichtende Datenschutzkontrollen im Cloud-Umfeld stellen den Cloud-Nutzer vor eine große Herausforderung. Zusammen mit der Verantwortlichkeit für die in der Cloud verarbeiteten Daten und den immer noch weitverbreiteten Datenschutzbedenken gegen Cloud-Dienste, stellen diese einen Hemmschuh für die Nutzung von Cloud-Diensten dar. Teilautomatisierte Datenschutzkontrollen, die dem Cloud-Nutzer im laufenden Betrieb den Umsetzungsgrad von Datenschutzzielen anzeigen, können dieser Barriere begegnen. Dieser Beitrag schlägt ein Vorgehen für eine teilautomatisierte Messung der Datenschutzziele des Zugangs- und Zugriffsschutzes vor.     

TeraPro, a system for processing large biomedical images

Image analysis plays an important role both in medical diagnostics and in biology. The main reasons that prevent the creation of objective and reliable methods of analysis of biomedical images are the high variability and heterogeneity of the biological material, distortion introduced by the experimental procedures, and the large size of the images. This paper presents preliminary results on creating a system called Ter-aPro, which combines a platform for image processing (ProStack) and a raster data storage system (rasdaman). This integrated system can be used in a cloud environment, providing access to the methods of visualization, analysis, and processing of a large amount of images through the Internet. Such an approach increases the speed and quality of image understanding and softens the limitations imposed by other systems. The system allows us to view uploaded images in the browser without having to install additional software on any device connected to the Internet, such as tablet computers and smartphones. This paper presents the preliminary results of processing biomedical images.     

Ultrastable nanostructured polymer glasses

Owing to the kinetic nature of the glass transition, the ability to significantly alter the properties of amorphous solids by the typical routes to the vitreous state is restricted. For instance, an order of magnitude change in the cooling rate merely modifies the value of the glass transition temperature (T(g)) by a few degrees. Here we show that matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) can be used to form ultrastable and nanostructured glassy polymer films which, relative to the standard poly(methyl methacrylate) glass formed on cooling at standard rates, are 40% less dense, have a 40 K higher T(g), and exhibit a two orders of magnitude enhancement in kinetic stability at high temperatures. The unique set of properties of MAPLE-deposited glasses may make them attractive in technologies where weight and stability are central design issues.     

Implementation of the Rodewisch Theses in East Germany--attempted analysis from the current viewpoint]

We present 3 cases of hemiageusia due to focal ischemic lesions in the brainstem. Clinical presentation with discrete localization of these lesions suggests that the central taste pathway in humans projects ipsilaterally from the solitary nucleus up to the level of the upper pontine or lower midbrain before decussation. Associated partial sensory disturbance of the face or limb with lack of evidence of medial lemniscus decussation at the upper brainstem suggests that the medial lemniscus may not directly convey taste sensation.