Histochemical evaluation of placental dipeptidyl peptidase IV (CD26) in pre-eclampsia: enzyme activity in villous trophoblast indicates an enhanced likelihood of gestational hypertensive disorders

Nitric oxide (NO) acts as a modulator of neuronal transmission in mature neuronal systems, including the retina. Recently, NO has also been suggested to have a trophic function during development. We examined immunocytochemically the distribution of NO-producing cells in developing and transplanted rabbit retinas. An antibody detecting the neuronal isoform of its biosynthetic enzyme, nitric oxide synthase (NOS), was used on normal developing retinas [starting at embryonic day (E) 15] and on rabbit retinal transplants after various survival times (1-139 days after surgery). Weakly stained cell bodies were first observed in the proximal margin of the neuroblastic layer at E 29. Stained processes projecting towards a developing inner plexiform layer were also visible at this time point. Immunoreactive cells were located at later stages in the innermost part of the inner nuclear layer and in the ganglion cell layer, and are likely to correspond mainly to amacrine cells. NOS-labelled cells were also found in retinal transplants. The first NOS-labelled cells appeared, as in normal developing retinas, in ages corresponding to E 29 and were still detected in transplants corresponding to postnatal day 123. NOS-labelled cells were seen in areas between rosettes, where amacrine cells are located. NOS-labelled processes were at times seen to project for long distances, forming very distinct plexuses. NOS-containing amacrine cells thus appear both in the transplants and in developing retinas in the embryonic stages, long before synaptic function involving these cells can be expected, suggesting a role for NO not only in neuromodulation but also in retinal development.     

Decoding and comprehension skills in Turkish and English: Effects of the regularity of grapheme-phoneme correspondences.

Assesses decoding and comprehension skills for Turkish and American 1st and 3rd graders. 20 Ss in each group were tested on a pseudoword vocalization task and on a paragraph comprehension task. Latency and accuracy data indexed decoding proficiency and percentage correct comprehension skill. Turkish Ss were faster and more accurate on the decoding task than Americans at the 1st-grade level and equally accurate but faster at the 3rd-grade level. In 1st but not 3rd grade, Turkish Ss were superior to Americans on the comprehension task. Significant relationships between decoding and comprehension were found for all but American 3rd graders. Data suggest that languages with more regular letter–sound correspondences lead to faster acquisition of decoding skills. Findings also support a decreased relationship between decoding and comprehension once learners are beyond initial reading. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Optimization of reagent dosages with the use of response surface methodology and evaluation of test results with upgrading curves in graphite flotation

The aim of this study is to reduce reagent consumptions in graphite flotation with the addition of Aero 3477 promoter to the flotation stage. A three-level Box–Behnken design is used for optimization and modeling of flotation stages. For this purpose, the flotation experiments are performed in two steps. The maximum weight recovery and the minimum ash content values of the rougher concentrate are calculated as 21.41 and 32.49% using diesel oil dosage (714.24?g/t), methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) dosage (212.81?g/t), and sodium silicate (Na₂SiO₃) dosage (1451.189?g/t), respectively, in the preliminary experiment tests. Subsequently, keeping the Na₂SiO₃ dosage constant, Aero 3477 promoter is added to the flotation stage to provide reduction at reagent consumptions. As a result, the reagent consumptions of diesel oil dosage (162.10?g/t), MIBC dosage (129.58?g/t), and Aero 3477 promoter dosage (168.96?g/t) are supplied to reach the approximate weight recovery and the ash content as in primary experimental results. Considerable dosage decreases in both diesel oil and MIBC are achieved using promoter. Moreover, experimental studies are also evaluated using upgrading curves.