Central Kisspeptin Does Not Affect ERK1/2 or p38 Phosphorylation in Oxytocin Neurons of Late-Pregnant Rats

Oxytocin is secreted by hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) oxytocin neurons to induce uterine contractions during parturition. Increased activation of oxytocin neurons at parturition involves a network of afferent inputs that increase oxytocin neuron excitability. Kisspeptin fibre density increases around oxytocin neurons during pregnancy, and central kisspeptin administration excites oxytocin neurons only in late pregnancy. Kisspeptin signals via extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38. Therefore, to determine whether kisspeptin excites oxytocin neurons via ERK1/2-p38 signalling in late-pregnant rats, we performed immunohistochemistry for phosphorylated ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) and phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) in oxytocin neurons of non-pregnant and late-pregnant rats. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) kisspeptin administration (2 µg) did not affect pERK1/2 or p-p38 expression in SON and PVN oxytocin neurons of non-pregnant or late-pregnant rats. Furthermore, ICV kisspeptin did not affect pERK1/2 or p-p38 expression in brain areas with major projections to the SON and PVN: the nucleus tractus solitarius, rostral ventrolateral medulla, locus coeruleus, dorsal raphe nucleus, organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis, median preoptic nucleus, subfornical organ, anteroventral periventricular nucleus, periventricular nucleus and arcuate nucleus. Hence, kisspeptin-induced excitation of oxytocin neurons in late pregnancy does not appear to involve ERK1/2 or p38 activation in oxytocin neurons or their afferent inputs.     

Rock mass quality and preliminary analysis of the stability of ancient rock-cut Theban tombs at Sheikh ‘Abd el-Qurna,Egypt

Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment - The ancient Theban tombs at the hillside cemetery of Sheikh ‘Abd el-Qurna (SAQ), west of Luxor, Egypt, were excavated mainly in the...     

Phenomenological model of diffuse global and regional atrophy using finite-element methods

The main goal of this work is the generation of ground-truth data for the validation of atrophy measurement techniques, commonly used in the study of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. Several techniques have been used to measure atrophy in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, but it is extremely difficult to compare their performance since they have been applied to different patient populations. Furthermore, assessment of performance based on phantom measurements or simple scaled images overestimates these techniques' ability to capture the complexity of neurodegeneration of the human brain. We propose a method for atrophy simulation in structural magnetic resonance (MR) images based on finite-element methods. The method produces cohorts of brain images with known change that is physically and clinically plausible, providing data for objective evaluation of atrophy measurement techniques. Atrophy is simulated in different tissue compartments or in different neuroanatomical structures with a phenomenological model. This model of diffuse global and regional atrophy is based on volumetric measurements such as the brain or the hippocampus, from patients with known disease and guided by clinical knowledge of the relative pathological involvement of regions and tissues. The consequent biomechanical readjustment of structures is modelled using conventional physics-based techniques based on biomechanical tissue properties and simulating plausible tissue deformations with finite-element methods. A thermoelastic model of tissue deformation is employed, controlling the rate of progression of atrophy by means of a set of thermal coefficients, each one corresponding to a different type of tissue. Tissue characterization is performed by means of the meshing of a labelled brain atlas, creating a reference volumetric mesh that will be introduced to a finite-element solver to create the simulated deformations. Preliminary work on the simulation of acquisition artefacts is also presented. Cross-sectional and longitudinal sets of simulated data are shown and a visual classification protocol has been used by experts to rate real and simulated scans according to their degree of atrophy. Results confirm the potential of the proposed methodology.     

Antibacterial effects of silver-doped hydroxyapatite thin films sputter deposited on titanium

Since many orthopedic implants fail as a result of loosening, wear, and inflammation caused by repeated loading on the joints, coatings such as hydroxyapatite (HAp) on titanium with a unique topography have been shown to improve the interface between the implant and the natural tissue. Another serious problem with long-term or ideally permanent implants is infection. It is important to prevent initial bacterial colonization as existing colonies have the potential to become encased in an extracellular matrix polymer (biofilm) that is resistant to antibacterial agents. In this study, plasma-based ion implantation was used to examine the effects of pre-etching on plain titanium. Topographical changes to the titanium samples were examined and compared via scanning electron microscopy. Hydroxyapatite and silver-doped hydroxyapatite thin films were then sputter deposited on titanium substrates etched at ? 700 eV. For silver-doped films, two concentrations of silver (~ 0.5 wt.% and ~ 1.5 wt.%) were used. Silver concentrations in the film were determined using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Hydroxyapatite film thicknesses were determined by measuring the surface profile using contact profilometry. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa adhesion studies were performed on plain titanium, titanium coated with hydroxyapatite, titanium coated with ~ 0.5 wt.% silver-doped hydroxyapatite, and titanium coated with ~ 1.5 wt.% silver-doped hydroxyapatite. Results indicate that less bacteria adhered to surfaces containing hydroxyapatite and silver; further, as the hydroxyapatite films delaminated, silver ions were released which killed bacteria in suspension.     

Are physical activity and symptoms correlates of functional limitations and disability in multiple sclerosis?

Objective: This study examined physical activity and symptoms as correlates of functional limitations and disability among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The authors hypothesized that physical activity and symptoms would be interrelated and that physical activity would be indirectly associated with disability through a pathway that involved functional limitations, whereas symptoms would be directly associated with both functional limitations and disability. Methods: Individuals with MS (N=133) who were recruited through a community organization wore an accelerometer for a 7-day period and completed a paper-and-pencil survey containing the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (G. Godin & R. J. Shephard, 1985), Symptom Inventory (C. E. Schwartz, T. Vollmer, & H. Lee, 1999), MS-Related Symptom Checklist (E. E. Gulick, 1989), and abbreviated Late-Life Function and Disability Inventory (E. McAuley, J. F. Konopack, R. W. Motl, K. Rosengren, & K. S. Morris, 2005). The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling in AMOS 6.0. Results: The standardized coefficients indicated that (a) physical activity and symptoms were negatively correlated (Φ=-.59); (b) those who were more physically active had better function (γ=.40); (c) those with fewer symptoms had better function (γ=-.46) and less disability (γ=-.29); and (d) those with better function had less disability (β=.63). Conclusion: Findings indicate that physical activity is associated with reduced disability through a pathway that is consistent with S. Z. Nagi's disablement model in individuals with MS. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Online Dispute Resolution: Review of Initiatives Worldwide

E-commerce has grown over recent years in a manner unparalleled in any other industry sector. In the UK, 19% of Web users have made purchases online; this figure represents a 100% increase in the number of UK users shopping online since 1998. Similarly, use of the Internet for Business-to-Business transactions has increased dramatically both in the UK and globally. Thirty seven percent of companies in the UK now have Web sites; this is representative of the growing number of organizations that choose to conduct business online.     

Rhamnose Glycoconjugates for the Recruitment of Endogenous Anti‐Carbohydrate Antibodies to Tumor Cells

Immunotherapy is a promising strategy for targeting tumors. One emerging approach is to harness the immune effector functions of natural antibodies to destroy tumor cells. Dinitrophenyl (DNP) and the galactose‐α‐1,3‐galactose (αGal) epitope are two haptens that bind endogenous antibodies. One potential alternative is the deoxysugar L ‐rhamnose. We compared these candidates by using a biosensor assay to evaluate human sera for endogenous antibody concentration, antibody isotype distribution, and longevity of antibody–hapten interactions. Antibodies recognizing α‐rhamnose are of equal or greater abundance and affinity as those recognizing αGal. Moreover, both rhamnose and αGal epitopes are more effective than DNP at recruiting the IgG antibody subtype. Exposure of tumor cells to rhamnose‐bearing glycolipids and human serum promotes complement‐mediated cytotoxicity. These data highlight the utility of α‐rhamnose‐containing glycoconjugates to direct the immune system to target cells.     

The role of positive emotion in the therapeutic process of family therapy.

Historically, the role of positive emotions has been somewhat obscured in family therapy by focus on relational processes, behavioral sequences, and interactional patterns. Despite increasing interest in the role of positive emotions in the field of psychology, little attention has been given to these issues in family therapy. As a result, the specific role of positive emotions is neither theoretically nor clinically well understood. The authors analyze the role of positive emotions in Functional Family Therapy, a model in which positive emotions serve as a key element in the proximal and distal outcomes of the phase-based systematic change process. The authors suggest that the important question is not if but how positive emotions are important. It is apparent that positive emotions play a vital role in family therapy. However, the authors are only beginning to uncover the abundant complexities tied to the therapeutic role of positive emotions within the relational patterns of families. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)