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Obvious Differences (obvious + difference)
Selected AbstractsBasaloid in contrast to nonbasaloid head and neck squamous cell carcinomas display aberrations especially in cell cycle control genesHEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 11 2003Micaela Poetsch PhD Abstract Background. At present, the differences between head and neck basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) and nonbasaloid squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are mostly on the basis of histologic and immunohistologic findings. Methods. In this study, we investigated 8 BSCCs and 59 SCCs for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at chromosomes 5q, 9p, 9q, 10q, 11q, 13p, 17p, and 18q. In addition, we analyzed p16, PTEN, and CCND1 (cyclin D1) and investigated the HPV status. Immunohistochemically, the expression of MIB-1, p16, p53, and cyclin D1 was determined. Results. Aberrations in the BSCCs were especially frequent at 9p and in the CCND1 gene. In contrast, alterations at 10q occurred almost exclusively in conventional SCCs. Obvious differences could be determined concerning the HPV status: HPV-DNA was detected in all BSCCs but only in 17% of conventional SCCs. Conclusions. Although the number of investigated BSCCs is rather low and did not allow statistical conclusions, our results focus on certain differences between the molecular pathogenesis of BSCCs and SCCs. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head and Neck 25: 000,000, 2003 [source] Anti-Predator Strategies and Grouping Patterns in White-Tailed Deer and Mule DeerETHOLOGY, Issue 4 2001Susan Lingle White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (O. hemionus) are closely related species of similar size that differ in their anti-predator behavior. White-tails flee from coyotes (Canis latrans), whereas mule deer typically stand their ground and attack this predator. I used observations of coyotes hunting deer to identify: (i) changes in group structure made in response to coyotes; and (ii) the relationship between group structure and the risk of predation for each species. In response to coyotes, groups of mule deer merged with other groups and individuals bunched together. Predation attempts were more likely to escalate when groups split and individuals failed to bunch. Coyotes typically attacked mule deer that were in outlying positions, and these deer had to move to central positions to end attacks. Due to the high frequency of attacks on small groups as well as to the level of dilution of risk, individuals in small mule deer groups were at high risk of being attacked compared with those in larger groups. In contrast to mule deer, white-tails made no consistent changes in group size or formation, and coyotes attacked individuals in central as well as in outlying positions. Variation in aspects of group cohesion was not related to the vulnerability of white-tails, and there was no obvious difference in the risk of attack facing individuals in groups of different size. These results suggest that coyote predation selects for relatively large, cohesive groups in mule deer, apparently because this type of group improves their ability to deter coyotes. Coyote predation does not have similar effects on groups formed by white-tails, which use flight rather than deterrence to avoid predation. The benefits of responding cohesively, occupying certain positions within groups, and forming groups of a certain size can vary widely depending on the anti-predator strategies used by an animal. [source] Detection of IgM and IgG antibodies to Cryptococcus neoformans proteins in blood donors and HIV patients with active cryptococcosisMYCOSES, Issue 2 2009H. C. Chai Summary The serological responses to Cryptococcus neoformans proteins of blood donors and HIV patients with active cryptococcosis from a tropical region were investigated in this study. Exposure to C. neoformans, an organism ubiquitous in the environment, contributes to the antibody responses observed in the blood donors. IgG responses to cryptococcal proteins were stronger than IgM responses in most sera tested in this study. A 53-kDa cryptococcal protein fragment was identified as the most immunoreactive protein on the IgM immunoblots of both blood donors and patients. Overall, there was no obvious difference in IgG responses of patients when compared with blood donors. Some immunogenic protein fragments (27.5, 76, 78 and 91.5 kDa) were detected at least two times more frequently on IgM immunoblots of patients compared with those of blood donors. It is yet to be investigated whether the proteins identified in this study may have any potential to be used as biomarker for cryptococcosis. [source] Preinvasive and invasive cervical cancer: an ex vivo proton magic angle spinning magnetic resonance spectroscopy studyNMR IN BIOMEDICINE, Issue 3 2004Marrita M. Mahon Abstract The aim of this study was to obtain 1H MR spectra using magic angle spinning (MAS) techniques from punch biopsies (<20,mg) of preinvasive and invasive cervical disease and to correlate the spectral profiles with sample classification on the basis of histopathology. Tissue samples were obtained at colposcopic examination, during local treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or at hysterectomy. 1H MAS MRS was performed at 25°C while spinning the sample at 4.5,kHz. After measurement, the tissue was immersed in formalin and the pathology determined. Histological examination after 1H MAS MRS defined 27 samples with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 12 with CIN and 39 with only normal tissue. The standardized integrals of the lipid, choline and creatine regions of the spectra were significantly higher in SCC than in normal or CIN tissue. There was no obvious difference in the standardized integral of the region 4.15,3.5,ppm. The acyl fatty acid side-chain length was longer or less unsaturated in SCC than in normal tissue. Normal tissue from patients with SCC showed significantly higher triglycerides than normal tissue from patients with benign uterine disease but significantly lower triglycerides than SCC tissue. 1H MAS MRS of the uterine cervix ex vivo may be used to differentiate non-invasive from invasive cervical lesions, increase interpretation of in vivo MRS and provide insights into tumor biology. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] On the structural diversity of Shiga toxin glycosphingolipid receptors in lymphoid and myeloid cells determined by nanoelectrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometryRAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, Issue 15 2010Petra Hoffmann Shiga toxin (Stx, synonymous to verotoxin, VT) binds with high and low affinity to the globo-series neutral glycosphingolipids (GSLs), globotriaosylceramide (Gb3Cer or Gal,4Gal,4Glc,1Cer, also known as CD77) and globotetraosylceramide (Gb4Cer or GalNAc,3Gal,4Gal,4Glc,1Cer), respectively, which represent the targets of Stxs on many different cell types. B-cell-derived Raji cells and THP-1 cells of monocytic origin are widely used for the investigation of Stx-mediated cellular response, because Stx is known to cause cell death in both cell lines. Despite their functional importance, the Stx receptors of Raji and THP-1 cells have so far not been investigated. This prompted us to explore the structures of their GSL receptors in detail by means of nanoelectrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (nanoESI-QTOF-MS) with collision-induced dissociation (CID) in conjunction with Stx1 as well as anti-Gb3Cer and anti-Gb4Cer antibodies. Using the combination of a thin-layer chromatography (TLC) overlay assay and MS1 and MS2 analysis we identified Gb3Cer (d18:1, C24:1/C24:0) as the prevalent Stx1-receptor accompanied by less abundant Gb3Cer (d18:1, C16:0) in the neutral GSL fraction of Raji cells. The same Gb3Cer species but with almost equal proportions of the C24:1/C24:0 and C16:0 variants were found in THP-1 cells. In addition, unusual hydroxylated Gb3Cer (d18:1, C24:1/C24:0) and Gb3Cer (d18:1, C26:1) could be identified in trace quantities in both cell lines. As the most obvious difference between Raji and THP-1 cells we observed the expression of Gb4Cer in THP-1 cells, whereas Raji cells failed to express this elongation product of Gb3Cer. Both short- and long-chain fatty acid carrying Gb4Cer (d18:1, C16:0) and Gb4Cer (d18:1, C24:1/C24:0), respectively, were the prevalent Gb4Cer variants. This first report on the differential expression of Gb3Cer and Gb4Cer and their structural diversity in lymphoid and myeloid cell lines supports the hypothesis that such heterogeneities might play a functional role in the molecular assembly of GSLs in membrane organization and cellular signaling of Stx-susceptible cells. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] S -(4-Nitrophenyl) 4-nitrobenzenethiosulfonateACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION C, Issue 9 2010Iván Brito The title compound, C12H8N2O6S2, (I), is a positional isomer of S -(2-nitrophenyl) 2-nitrobenzenethiosulfonate [Glidewell, Low & Wardell (2000). Acta Cryst. B56, 893,905], (II). The most obvious difference between the two isomers is the rotation of the nitro groups with respect to the planes of the adjacent aryl rings. In (I), the nitro groups are only slightly rotated out of the plane of the adjacent aryl ring [2.4,(6) and 6.7,(7)°], while in (II) the nitro groups are rotated by between 37 and 52°, in every case associated with S,S,C,C torsion angles close to 90°. Other important differences between the isomers are the C,S,S(O2),C torsion angle [78.39,(2)° for (I) and 69.8,(3)° for (II) (mean)] and the dihedral angles between the aromatic rings [12.3,(3)° for (I) and 28.6,(3)° for (II) (mean)]. There are two types of C,H...O hydrogen bond in the structure [C...O = 3.262,(7),Ĺ and C,H...O = 144°; C...O = 3.447,(7),Ĺ and C,H...O = 166°] and these link the molecules into a two-dimensional framework. The hydrogen-bond-acceptor properties differ between the two isomers. [source] The genetic rescue of the Florida pantherANIMAL CONSERVATION, Issue 2 2006S. L. Pimm Abstract We examine the consequences of panthers introduced from Texas into south Florida, an area housing a small, isolated, inbred and distinct subspecies (Puma concolor coryi). Once part of a continuous, widespread population, panthers became isolated in south Florida more than a century ago. Numbers declined and the occurrence of genetic defects increased. Hoping to reverse the genetic damage, managers introduced eight female panthers from Texas into south Florida in the mid-1990s. This action was highly controversial and we explain the arguments for and against the intervention. We synthesized data systematically collected on the Florida panthers from before, during and after this management intervention. These data include information on movements, breeding, mortality, survivorship and range. There is no evidence that purebred Florida females produce fewer kittens at a later age or less often than do hybrid cats (i.e. those with a Texas ancestor). Hybrid kittens have about a three times higher chance of becoming adults as do purebred ones. Hybrid adult females survive better than purebred females; there is no obvious difference between the males. Males die younger than females, are more often killed by other males and are more likely to disperse longer distances into habitats that are dangerous to them. Hybrids are expanding the known range of habitats panthers occupy and use. [source] Formation of zinc protoporphyrin IX in Parma-like ham without nitrate or nitriteANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2009Jun-ichi WAKAMATSU ABSTRACT Zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZPP) is a characteristic red pigment in meat products that are manufactured without the addition of a curing agent such as nitrate or nitrite. To examine the effects of impurities such as mineral components in sea salt on the formation of ZPP, we manufactured Parmatype dry-cured hams that were salted with refined salt or sea salt and examined the involvement of oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in the formation of ZPP. The content of ZPP was increased drastically after 40 weeks. Microscopic observation showed strong fluorescence caused by ZPP muscle fiber after 40 weeks. Conversely, heme content varied considerably during processing. ORP increased during processing. However, there was no obvious difference between ham salted with refined salt and that salted with sea salt. Therefore, it was concluded that impurities in sea salt were not involved in the formation of ZPP. [source] Meat characteristics of Qinghai yak and semi-wild yakANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2006Xiao Lin LUO ABSTRACT Six domestic yaks aged 6 years, comprising three culling male and three culling female yaks, from the Qinghai Lake area and three male semi-wild yaks aged 6 months from Datong Yak Farm were used to detect the levels of amino acids, mineral elements, residual heavy metals and pesticides in yak meat. The results showed that there was little difference in amino acid levels for different types of yak by age and sex. The meat of the adult male yak was 7.35 mg/kg higher in calcium (P < 0.05) and 124 mg/kg higher in phosphorus (P < 0.01) than that of the adult female yak. There was an obvious difference in zinc content, and there was also a significant difference for copper and sulfur between adult male and female yaks (P < 0.01). Iron was 8.85 mg/kg higher in semi-wild yaks than in domestic yaks, but there were no differences for other minerals. The levels of residual heavy metals and residual pesticides were well within those allowed by the National Standard of China. Furthermore, the data showed that introducing wild yak's blood did not result in a quality change in the domestic yak meat. Yak meat from Qinghai Plateau has the characteristics of being non-polluted and rich in amino acids in comparison with local yellow cattle meat. [source] Topical tacrolimus suppresses the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and insulin-like growth factor-1 in late anagenCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 8 2009Y. Wang Summary Tacrolimus has shown promising results in the treatment of various dermatological diseases, including hair loss. The direct effect of tacrolimus on hair follicles and its underlying mechanisms have rarely been investigated. In this study, we investigated the effects of topical tacrolimus on anagen in the hair cycle and on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) mRNAs in mouse skin. Topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment was applied to one side of the skin of depilated C57BL/6 mice. Skin samples from both sides were taken during the study. Vegf and Igf-1 mRNA were determined by quantitative RT-PCR. No obvious difference in skin colour, hair cycling or histological features was found between the treated and untreated skin, but the levels of Vegf mRNA and Igf-1 mRNA were markedly decreased in the treated skin in late anagen, compared with those in untreated skin. [source] Effect of metanotal secretion ingestion on oviposition in a tree cricket, Truljalia hibinonis (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)ENTOMOLOGICAL SCIENCE, Issue 1 2004Tomohiro ONO Abstract The female Truljalia hibinonis ingests metanotal secretions of the male during copulation. The effect of ingestion on oviposition behavior was compared between three female groups: females that copulated once with an intact male (a male that had not been manipulated; M group); females that copulated once with a male from which most of the metanotal secretion had been removed (NO group); and females that copulated once with an intact male followed by being artificially supplied with metanotal secretion three times (MS group). There were no obvious differences in female fecundity across the three groups. However, within the MS group, intake of an optimal amount of metanotal secretion increased the number of eggs laid. This effect appeared quickly after ingestion and was most effective on the first bout (eggs laid during the first few days after copulation) after ingestion of the metanotal secretion. In contrast, the number of eggs laid had a negative correlation with the amount of metanotal secretion ingested when the amount exceeded the optimal in this experimental arrangement. [source] A dual symbiosis shared by two mussel species, Bathymodiolus azoricus and Bathymodiolus puteoserpentis (Bivalvia: Mytilidae), from hydrothermal vents along the northern Mid-Atlantic RidgeENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 8 2006Sébastien Duperron Summary Bathymodiolus azoricus and Bathymodiolus puteoserpentis are symbiont-bearing mussels that dominate hydrothermal vent sites along the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). Both species live in symbiosis with two physiologically and phylogenetically distinct Gammaproteobacteria: a sulfur-oxidizing chemoautotroph and a methane-oxidizer. A detailed analysis of mussels collected from four MAR vent sites (Menez Gwen, Lucky Strike, Rainbow, and Logatchev) using comparative 16S rRNA sequence analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) showed that the two mussel species share highly similar to identical symbiont phylotypes. FISH observations of symbiont distribution and relative abundances showed no obvious differences between the two host species. In contrast, distinct differences in relative symbiont abundances were observed between mussels from different sites, indicating that vent chemistry may influence the relative abundance of thiotrophs and methanotrophs in these dual symbioses. [source] ARE PINNIPEDS FUNCTIONALLY DIFFERENT FROM FISSIPED CARNIVORES?EVOLUTION, Issue 3 2000THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYLOGENETIC COMPARATIVE ANALYSES Abstract., It is widely assumed that adaptations to an aquatic lifestyle are so profound as to produce only obvious differences between pinnipeds and the remaining, largely terrestrial carnivore species ("fissipeds"). Thus, comparative studies of the order Carnivora routinely examine these groups independently. This approach is invalid for two reasons. First, fissipeds are a paraphyletic assemblage, which raises the general issue of when it is appropriate to ignore monophyly as a criterion for inclusion in comparative studies. Second, the claim that most functional characters (beyond a few undoubted characteristic features) are different in pinnipeds and fissipeds has never been quantitatively examined, nor with phylogenetic comparative methods. We test for possible differences between these two groups in relation to 20 morphological, life-history, physiological, and ecological variables. Comparisons employed the method of independent contrasts based on a complete and dated species-level phylogeny of the extant Carnivora. Pinnipeds differ from fissipeds only through evolutionary grade shifts in a limited number of life-history traits: litter weight (vs. gestation length), birth weight, and age of eyes opening (both vs. size). Otherwise, pinnipeds display the same rate of evolution as phylogenetically equivalent fissiped taxa for all variables. Overall functional differences between pinnipeds and fissipeds appear to have been overstated and may be no greater than those among major fissiped groups. Recognition of this fact should lead to a more complete understanding of carnivore biology as a whole through more unified comparative tests. Comparative studies that do not include monophyletic groups for phylogenetically based comparative tests should be reconsidered. [source] Morphometrics of two morphs of sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus L., in the middle course of the Danube River (Serbia)JOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 2 2008D. Ognjanovi Summary Two morphs of the sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus, were clearly recorded in two samplings from the middle course of the Danube River in Serbia. The pooled samples comprised 47.9% pointed-snout morphs and 52.1% blunt-snout morphs. The most obvious differences were snout shape and length, mainly the differences in the snout area in front of the barbels. In addition to this snout difference, the two morphs also differed with regard to head lengths and the pre-ocular, pre-dorsal and post-dorsal areas. The determination of morphs is not exclusively related to either location or body size as sources of this mode of variability, although it seems that it is easier to detect these in larger size sterlet. [source] Phylogenetic analysis of intestinal bacteria in the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2007K. Li Abstract Aims:, To identify the dominant intestinal bacteria in the Chinese mitten crab, and to investigate the differences in the intestinal bacteria between pond-raised and wild crabs. Methods and Results:, The diversity of intestinal bacteria in the Chinese mitten crabs was investigated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprinting, 16S rRNA gene clone library analysis and real-time quantitative PCR. The principal component analysis of DGGE profiles indicated that substantial intersubject variations existed in intestinal bacteria in pond-raised crab. The sequencing of 16S rRNA genes revealed that 90,95% of the phylotypes in the clone libraries were affiliated with Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Some genera were identified as unique in wild crabs and in pond-raised crabs, whereas Bacteroidetes was found to be common in all sampled crab groups. Real-time quantitative PCR indicated that the abundance of Bacteroides and the total bacterial load were approximately four-to-10 times higher in pond-raised crabs than in wild crabs. A significant portion of the phylotypes shared low similarity with previously sequenced organisms, indicating that the bacteria in the gut of Chinese mitten crabs are yet to be described. Conclusions:, The intestinal bacteria of pond-raised crabs showed higher intersubject variation, total diversity and abundance than that observed in wild crabs. The high proportion of the clones of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes in the clone library is an indication that these bacteria may be the dominant population in the gut of the Chinese mitten crab. Significance and Impact of the Study:, This study demonstrated obvious differences in the intestinal bacterial composition of pond-raised crabs and wild crabs. This knowledge will increase our understanding of the effects of aquaculture operations on bacterial community composition in the crab gut and provide necessary data for the development of probiotic products for crab cultivation. [source] pH-sensitive alginate/soy protein microspheres as drug transporterJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 2 2007Hua Zheng Abstract The complex microspheres based on alginate (AL) and soy protein isolate (SPI) were prepared by solution blending and then Ca2+ crosslinking, and their function as drug carrier was explored as well. The effects of composition on the structures of microspheres were studied, and the XRD results proved the miscibility between components. Meanwhile, FTIR results suggested that such miscibility was driven by strong hydrogen bonding. Especially, the complex microsphere with equal content of AL and SPI had the best miscibility by morphological analysis, shown as a smooth and uniform surface of SEM images. The controlled release function of the complex microspheres was verified using theophylline as a drug model, that is, the swelling and drug release were affected by pH conditions and showed obvious differences under given pH of stomach, intestine, and colon. Moreover, the intestine and colon may be optimal site for prompt release of drugs. Except for the attribution of AL component to pH sensitivity, the complex microspheres also inherited the bioactivity of SPI component, which may lower irritants of drug to the tissues in body. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007 [source] Systematic review: clinical efficacy of chelator agents and zinc in the initial treatment of Wilson diseaseALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 9 2009M. WIGGELINKHUIZEN Summary Background, No consensus is available on the optimal initial treatment in Wilson disease. Aim, To assess systematically the available literature of treatment in newly presenting patients with a presymptomatic, hepatic or neurological presentation of Wilson disease. Methods, A systematic literature search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE and COCHRANE databases was performed. Original studies on clinical efficacy of d -penicillamine, trientine, tetrathiomolybdate or zinc monotherapy as initial treatment in Wilson disease were included. A descriptive analysis of the relevant published data was performed. Results, One randomized trial and 12 observational studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies were quite heterogeneous and generally of low validity. Nevertheless, according to currently available data, patients with hepatic presentation of Wilson disease are probably most effectively treated by d -penicillamine. Zinc seems to be preferred above d -penicillamine for treatment of presymptomatic and neurological patients, as in these subgroups, the tolerance profile is in favour of zinc, while no obvious differences in clinical efficacy could be observed. Conclusions, There is lack of high-quality evidence to estimate the relative treatment effects of the available drugs in Wilson disease. Therefore, multicentre prospective randomized controlled comparative trials are necessary. [source] Amplification of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene in glioblastoma: An analysis of the relationship between genotype and phenotype by CISH methodNEUROPATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2008Tomomi Miyanaga We examined epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression and EGFR gene amplification using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) in 109 glioblastomas, including 98 primary glioblastomas and 11 secondary glioblastomas. EGFR overexpression and EGFR gene amplification were found in 33% and 24% of glioblastoma, respectively, and all of those cases were primary glioblastoma. Large ischemic necrosis was significantly more frequent in primary glioblastomas than in secondary glioblastomas (54% vs. 18%), but pseudopalisading necrosis was not (65% vs. 54%). EGFR gene amplification was detected significantly more frequently in cases with both types of necrosis. Although glioblastomas with EGFR gene amplification invariably exhibited EGFR overexpression at the level of the whole tumor, tumor cells with EGFR gene amplification did not always show EGFR overexpression at the level of individual tumor cells. Cases of "strong" EGFR overexpression on IHC could be regarded as having EGFR gene amplification, and cases without EGFR overexpression could not. Cases of "weak" EGFR overexpression should be tested with CISH to confirm the presence of EGFR gene amplification. We found that 54% of glioblastomas with EGFR gene amplification were composed of areas with and without EGFR gene amplification; however, there were no obvious differences in morphology between tumor cells with and without EGFR gene amplification. Although small cell architecture might be associated with EGFR gene amplification at the level of the whole tumor, it did not always suggest amplification of the EGFR gene at the level of individual tumor cells. In one case, it seemed to suggest that a clone with EGFR gene amplification may arise in pre-existing tumor tissue and extend into the surrounding area. In cases of overall EGFR amplification, CISH would be a useful tool to decide the tumor border in areas infiltrated by tumor cells. [source] The Effects of Ginseng, Ephedrine, and Caffeine on Cognitive Performance, Mood and EnergyNUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 4 2001Harris R. Lieberman Ph.D. A variety of claims regarding the purported energy-enhancing properties of nutritional supplements and food constituents have recently been made. It appears that the supplements most frequently associated with such assertions are ginseng, ephedrine, and caffeine. Claims of increased energy are difficult to evaluate objectively because their meaning is not usually defined or specified. Often it is not clear whether the claims refer to physical or mental energy or both. Furthermore, an agreed upon scientific definition of either physical or mental energy enhancement does not exist. In spite of obvious differences in what the term physical energy, as opposed to mental energy implies, there is no clear scientific consensus on whether there is a difference between the two types of energy. Because the substances in question have been anecdotally associated with improvements in both physical and mental performance, their effects on both functions will be discussed, but with an emphasis placed on cognitive function and mood. Of the three substances discussed, caffeine's effects on cognitive and physical function, mood, and energy are best understood. It is clear that this food/drug enhances these functions when administered in moderate doses. Ephedrine may also enhance certain physical and mental functions related to "energy," but the evidence that ginseng has such properties is exceedingly weak. [source] Habitat-dependent foraging in a classic predator,prey system: a fable from snowshoe haresOIKOS, Issue 2 2005Douglas W. Morris Current research contrasting prey habitat use has documented, with virtual unanimity, habitat differences in predation risk. Relatively few studies have considered, either in theory or in practice, simultaneous patterns in prey density. Linear predator,prey models predict that prey habitat preferences should switch toward the safer habitat with increasing prey and predator densities. The density-dependent preference can be revealed by regression of prey density in safe habitat versus that in the riskier one (the isodar). But at this scale, the predation risk can be revealed only with simultaneous estimates of the number of predators, or with their experimental removal. Theories of optimal foraging demonstrate that we can measure predation risk by giving-up densities of resource in foraging patches. The foraging theory cannot yet predict the expected pattern as predator and prey populations covary. Both problems are solved by measuring isodars and giving-up densities in the same predator,prey system. I applied the two approaches to the classic predator,prey dynamics of snowshoe hares in northwestern Ontario, Canada. Hares occupied regenerating cutovers and adjacent mature-forest habitat equally, and in a manner consistent with density-dependent habitat selection. Independent measures of predation risk based on experimental, as well as natural, giving-up densities agreed generally with the equal preference between habitats revealed by the isodar. There was no apparent difference in predation risk between habitats despite obvious differences in physical structure. Complementary studies contrasting a pair of habitats with more extreme differences confirmed that hares do alter their giving-up densities when one habitat is clearly superior to another. The results are thereby consistent with theories of adaptive behaviour. But the results also demonstrate, when evaluating differences in habitat, that it is crucial to let the organisms we study define their own habitat preference. [source] Acute Juvenile Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris: A Superantigen Mediated Disease?PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2001Isabel Betlloch M.D. Juvenile acute pityriasis rubra pilaris (JAPRP) is a form of pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) with particular clinical characteristics and course. It is usually preceded by an infectious condition. We report a boy, initially thought to have Kawasaki disease, and subsequently diagnosed as having JAPRP, who made a satisfactory recovery. In this case, prior antibiotic treatment made it impossible to show the presence of any microorganism. However, the clinical characteristics of these patients and the similarities with other disorders involving the skin that are mediated by superantigens led us to think that these antigens may be involved in the development of this disease. Also, in view of the obvious differences between JAPRP and the other PRP, we suggest that, in the future this disorder may be considered a separate entity as a reactive exanthem. [source] Moments of phonon density of states spectra and characteristic phonon temperatures of wide band gap materialsPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (B) BASIC SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 12 2006Roland Pässler Abstract We have re-digitized a variety of phonon density of states (PDOS) spectra, that have been published by different researchers for the wide band gap materials diamond, SiC, BN, AlN, GaN, ZnO, ZnS, and ZnSe, including calculations of the respective first- and second-order moments. Notwithstanding the obvious differences in concrete shapes of spectra presented for one and the same material by different authors, the respective magnitudes of estimated moments have been found in most cases to be nearly the same (to within uncertainties of some few%). Anticipated differences between phonon temperatures, ,eff, that are effective in controlling the observable temperature dependences of fundamental energy gaps and the respective average phonon temperatures, ,P, are seen to be throughout smaller than ±10%. The estimated high-temperature limits of Debye temperatures, ,D(,), are found to be significantly higher (by factors of order 1.4) than ,P. As a remarkable heuristic finding revealed by our numerical and analytical studies we can further state that, for SiC, AlN, GaN, ZnO, ZnS, and ZnSe, the individual ,D(,) values are nearly equal (within ±5%) to the respective average optical (LO/TO) phonon temperatures pertaining to the upper sections of the corresponding PDOS spectra. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Comparative analysis of the chemical profile of wild and cultivated populations of Corydalis saxicola by high-performance liquid chromatographyPHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS, Issue 5 2007Hui-liang Li Abstract Studies on the simultaneous determination and chemical fingerprinting of alkaloids in Corydalis saxicola Bunting. (Yanhuanglian) were performed for authentication purposes. Ninety samples prepared from different parts of C. saxicola, including whole plants, roots, stems, leaves and flowers, from wild and cultivated populations, were submitted to quantitative determination and fingerprint analysis. Five major alkaloids, namely, tetradehydroscoulerine, dehydroapocavidine, dehydroisoapocavidine, coptisine and dehydrocavidine, were quantitatively analysed by reversed-phase HPLC with acceptable recoveries (>98.2%). Chemical fingerprinting of C. saxicola was established and involved 11 markers. The results indicated that there were no obvious differences between the chemical profiles of wild and of cultivated C. saxicola populations, and that the mean alkaloid contents of the five marker compounds in cultivated populations were significantly higher than those of the wild plants. The highest content of total alkaloids (up to 28.8 mg/g) was found in roots of C. saxicola. The total alkaloids of the leaves were approximately 50% of those of roots, suggesting that the leaves may be employed as an alternative source of alkaloids. Chemical fingerprints and quantitative HPLC analysis will have a positive impact on the conservation and cultivation of this medicinal plant. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Identification of metastasis candidate proteins among HCC cell lines by comparative proteome and biological function analysis of S100A4 in metastasis in vitroPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 22 2006Jie Feng Cui Abstract Widespread metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma,(HCC) was a complex cascade of events, which is still beyond full appreciation. Screening key proteins, which play a critical role in metastasis, using high-throughput proteomics approach help discover valuable biomarkers and elucidate the mechanism of metastasis. This study was to find out some metastasis candidate proteins among HCC cell lines with various metastatic potential by comparative proteomics, and then further validate the biological function of these proteins in metastasis in,vitro. The protein profiles of metastatic HCC cell lines (MHCC97H and MHCC97L) displayed obvious differences compared with nonmetastatic ones (Hep3B). Twenty-six metastasis candidate proteins, which were identified by on-line LC-ESI-MS/MS, such as S100 calcium-binding protein,A4 (S100A4), annexin,1, etc., might have much application in diagnostic procedures and prognosis evaluation. S100A4, as a leading different metastasis candidate protein, which overexpressed only in the metastatic cells, was selected for further investigation. A series of assays related to invasion and metastasis in,vitro, including cell motility, invasion, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) secretion, were performed in MHCC97H/antisense recombinant plasmid to S100A4 (pcDNA3.1(+) AS S100A4) and the mock controls. All the data in the present study suggested that S100A4 might contribute to HCC invasion and metastasis through two paths of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP9) secretion regulation and strengthened motility and invasion properties. [source] Neuroproteomics and its applications in research on nicotine and other drugs of abusePROTEOMICS - CLINICAL APPLICATIONS, Issue 11 2007Ming D. Li Dr. Abstract The rapidly growing field of neuroproteomics is able to track changes in protein expression and protein modifications underlying various physiological conditions, including the neural diseases related to drug addiction. Thus, it presents great promise in characterizing protein function, biochemical pathways, and networks to understand the mechanisms underlying drug dependence. In this article, we first provide an overview of proteomics technologies and bioinformatics tools available to analyze proteomics data. Then we summarize the recent applications of proteomics to profile the protein expression pattern in animal or human brain tissues after the administration of nicotine, alcohol, amphetamine, butorphanol, cocaine, and morphine. By comparing the protein expression profiles in response to chronic nicotine exposure with those appearing in response to treatment with other drugs of abuse, we identified three biological processes that appears to be regulated by multiple drugs of abuse: energy metabolism, oxidative stress response, and protein degradation and modification. Such similarity indicates that despite the obvious differences among their chemical properties and the receptors with which they interact, different substances of abuse may cause some similar changes in cellular activities and biological processes in neurons. [source] Study of human neutrophil peptides in saliva by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometryRAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, Issue 19 2009Ming-Hui Yang Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry is used to rapidly characterize the human neutrophil peptides , HNP 1, 2, and 3 , in saliva. The saliva excreted from the parotid and sublingual/submandibular glands of 70 individuals were collected and examined using MALDI-TOF. The MALDI approach requires no sample pretreatment other than mixing the saliva-absorbing material with the matrix and drying under ambient conditions. Tissue paper was the best material for collecting the saliva samples because of its strong texture and high absorbance, and sinapinic acid was the best MALDI matrix for the analysis of the HNPs. HNPs were detected in almost all the samples collected from the parotid glands, with no obvious differences among age or gender. In contrast, the distribution of the HNPs in the samples collected from the sublingual/submandibular glands was age-dependent: no HNPs were detected for those collected from individuals younger than 30, but the HNPs were present in all of the samples collected from those older than 60 years. The increased probability of detecting saliva HNPs with age suggests that HNPs may function as a biomarker for aging. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Efficacy and safety of modified sequential three-step empirical therapy for chronic coughRESPIROLOGY, Issue 5 2010Weili WEI ABSTRACT Background and objective: Sequential three-step empirical therapy is useful for the management of chronic cough. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of modified sequential three-step empirical therapy. Methods: Consecutive patients (n = 240) with chronic cough were recruited and randomly assigned to receive modified (modified group) or primary (primary group) sequential three-step empirical therapy. The primary end-point was the overall rate of control of chronic cough. Secondary end-points were the rate of control of chronic cough at each step of therapy, the duration of treatment required, changes in cough symptom score, health-related quality of life and possible adverse effects. Results: The study was completed by 106 patients in the modified group and 108 patients in the primary group. The overall rate of control of chronic cough was 88.7% in the modified group and 91.7% in the primary group (,2 = 0.54, P > 0.05). There were no obvious differences in the rate of control of cough at each step of therapy, the duration of treatment required, patterns of cough symptom scores or improvements in the health-related quality of life between the modified and primary groups. However, the incidence of drowsiness was significantly lower in the modified group than in the primary group (11.7% vs 21.7%, ,2 = 4.32, P = 0.04). Conclusions: Modified three-step empirical therapy was as efficacious as primary three-step therapy for chronic cough, but was preferable because it had fewer side-effects. [source] Regenerated synapses in lamprey spinal cord are sparse and small even after functional recovery from injuryTHE JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY, Issue 14 2010Paul A. Oliphint Abstract Despite the potential importance that synapse regeneration plays in restoring neuronal function after spinal cord injury (SCI), even the most basic questions about the morphology of regenerated synapses remain unanswered. Therefore, we set out to gain a better understanding of central synapse regeneration by examining the number, distribution, molecular composition, and ultrastructure of regenerated synapses under conditions in which behavioral recovery from SCI was robust. To do so, we used the giant reticulospinal (RS) neurons of lamprey spinal cord because they readily regenerate, are easily identifiable, and contain large synapses that serve as a classic model for vertebrate excitatory neurotransmission. Using a combination of light and electron microscopy, we found that regenerated giant RS synapses regained the basic structures and presynaptic organization observed at control giant RS synapses at a time when behavioral recovery was nearly complete. However, several obvious differences remained. Most strikingly, regenerated giant RS axons produced very few synapses. In addition, presynaptic sites within regenerated axons were less complex, had fewer vesicles, and had smaller active zones than normal. In contrast, the densities of presynapses and docked vesicles were nearly restored to control values. Thus, robust functional recovery from SCI can occur even when the structures of regenerated synapses are sparse and small, suggesting that functional recovery is due to a more complex set of compensatory changes throughout the spinal network. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:2854,2872, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Mapping pro- and antiangiogenic factors on the surface of prostasomes of normal and malignant cell originTHE PROSTATE, Issue 8 2010Adil A. Babiker Abstract BACKGROUND Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels by capillary sprouting from pre-existing vessels. Tumor growth is angiogenesis-dependent and the formation of new blood vessels is associated with the increased expression of angiogenic factors. Prostasomes are secretory granules produced, stored and released by the glandular epithelial cells of the prostate. We investigated the expression of selected angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors on the surface of prostasomes of different origins as well as the direct effect of prostasomes on angiogenesis. METHODS VEGF, endothelin-1, endostatin, and thrombospondin-1 were determined on prostasomes from seminal fluid and human prostate cancer cell lines (DU145,PC-3,LNCaP) using different immunochemical techniques. Human dermal microvascular endothelial cells were incubated with seminal and DU145 cell-prostasomes and with radioactive thymidine. The effect of prostasomes on angiogenesis was judged by measuring the uptake of labeled thymidine. The presence of any deleterious effects of prostasomes on the endothelial cells was investigated using thymidine assay and confocal laser microscopy. RESULTS VEGF and endothelin-1 were determined on malignant cell-prostasomes (no difference between cell lines) but not determined on seminal prostasomes. The same applies for the expression of endostatin but with much higher expression on malignant cell-prostasomes with obvious differences between them. Seminal and DU145 cell-prostasomes were found to have anti-angiogenic effect which was more expressed by DU145 cell-prostasomes. No deleterious effect of prostasomes on endothelial function was detected using either thymidine assay or microscopy. CONCLUSIONS Prostasomes contain pro- and anti-angiogenic factors that function to counteract each other unless the impact from one side exceeds the other to bring about dysequilibrium. Prostate 70: 834,847, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Changes in histone modification upon activation of dormant mouse blastocystsANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 6 2007Tamako MATSUHASHI ABSTRACT Gene expression in the implanting blastocyst is altered by stimulation with estrogen secreted from maternal ovaries. In the present study, to understand the mechanism regulating the changes in gene expression, diverse histone modifications in blastocysts were studied using a delayed implantation model, in which embryos were kept in a dormant state in the uterus by maternal ovariectomy and progesterone treatment, and then activated by injection with estrogen. Total transcriptional activity increased markedly in activated embryos, and immunocytochemistry with antibodies recognizing specific histone modifications revealed differential modification of several histones in the trophectoderm (TE) and inner cell mass (ICM) of dormant and activated embryos. High levels of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) dimethylation, which suppresses gene expression, were observed in the ICM, but not in the TE, of dormant embryos, and the levels decreased when the embryos were activated, consistent with changes in transcriptional activity. Substitution of histone H3.3, a variant of H3, for dominant H3.1 increased in activated embryos, suggesting that histone substitution is involved in inducing gene expression associated with activation. In the nucleus, H3.3 was mainly localized in the nucleoli of activated embryos but not in those of dormant ones. In contrast, there were no obvious differences in the trimethylation of histone H3K9 or the acetylation of histones H3K9, H3K18 and H4K12 between dormant and activated embryos. These results suggest that a decrease in H3K9 dimethylation contributes to the acquisition of implantation competence by releasing genes from suppression. In addition, histone H3.3 substitution seems to be involved in global gene activation and facilitates the prompt recovery of dormant blastocysts to the active state by inducing rRNA synthesis, resulting in an increase in translational activity. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||