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Active Field (active + field)
Selected AbstractsProtein folding in the post-genomic eraJOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE, Issue 3 2002Jeannine M. Yon Abstract Protein folding is a topic of fundamental interest since it concerns the mechanisms by which the genetic message is translated into the three-dimensional and functional structure of proteins. In these post-genomic times, the knowledge of the fundamental principles are required in the exploitation of the information contained in the increasing number of sequenced genomes. Protein folding also has practical applications in the understanding of different pathologies and the development of novel therapeutics to prevent diseases associated with protein misfolding and aggregation. Significant advances have been made ranging from the Anfinsen postulate to the "new view" which describes the folding process in terms of an energy landscape. These new insights arise from both theoretical and experimental studies. The problem of folding in the cellular environment is briefly discussed. The modern view of misfolding and aggregation processes that are involved in several pathologies such as prion and Alzheimer diseases. Several approaches of structure prediction, which is a very active field of research, are described. [source] Tip-Enhanced Raman SpectroscopyJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 10 2009V. Deckert Abstract This special issue of the Journal of Raman Spectroscopy deals with the advances of Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (TERS) since its experimental verification about 10 years ago. The contributed papers reflect a snapshot of current research related to experimental, theoretical and, last but not least, application-oriented advances in this field. The contributions highlight the fact that TERS is a very active field of research and, while the rewards with respect to lateral resolution and detection limits are intriguing, great care is necessary to avoid the pitfalls related either to the experimental design or to the interpretation of data. This special issue intends to provide the basis for a further step towards a standardised approach to TERS. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Immune-stimulating and Gut Health-promoting Properties of Short-chain Fructo-oligosaccharidesNUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 10 2002Francis R.J. Bornet M.D., Ph.D. Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides are a group of linear fructose oligomers w ith a degree of polymerization ranging from one up to five (oligosaccharides). Recent observations in animal models demonstrate that prebiotics and probiotics may exert beneficial effects on gut health by enhancing gut-associated lymphoid tissue responses either directly or indirectly through the production of short-chain fatty acids and the enhanced growth of lactic bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Demonstration of the potential health benefits of short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides on colon cancer risk is an active field of research in animal and human nutrition. [source] Why should addiction medicine be an attractive field for young physicians?ADDICTION, Issue 2 2009Michael Soyka ABSTRACT Aims The clinical practice and science of addiction are increasingly active fields, which are attracting professionals from diverse disciplines such as psychology and neurobiology. Our scientific knowledge of the pathophysiology of addiction is rapidly growing, along with the variety of effective treatments available to clinicians. Yet, we believe that the medical specialties of addiction medicine/psychiatry are not attracting the interest and enthusiasm of young physicians. What can be done? Methods We offer the opinions of two experience addiction psychiatrists. Results In the US, there has been a decline in the number of psychiatrists seeking training or board certification in addiction psychiatry; about one-third of graduates with such training are not practicing in an addiction psychiatry setting. There is widespread neglect of addiction medicine/psychiatry among the medical profession, academia and national health authorities. This neglect is unfortunate, given the enormous societal costs of addiction (3,5% of the gross domestic product in some developed countries), the substantial unmet need for addiction treatment, and the highly favourable benefit to cost yield (at least 7:1) from treatment. Conclusions We believe that addiction medicine/psychiatry can be made more attractive for young physicians. Helpful steps include widening acceptance as a medical specialty or subspecialty, reducing the social stigma against people with substance use disorders, expanding insurance coverage and increasing the low rates of reimbursement for physicians. These steps would be easier to take with broader societal (and political) recognition of substance use disorders as a major cause of premature death, morbidity and economic burden. [source] Soil fertility evolution and landscape dynamics in a Mediterranean area: a case study in the Sant Llorenç Natural Park (Barcelona, NE Spain)AREA, Issue 2 2009Jordi Nadal The cartography of land covers was used to study fertility and soil evolution in a mountainous Mediterranean area during the anthropocene period (Crutzen P J 2002 Geology of mankind Nature 415 23). The aim was to determine changes in fertility as agricultural lands were abandoned in the 14 000 hectare area that constitutes Sant Llorenç del Munt Natural Park in a pre-coastal Catalan mountain range (north-eastern Iberian Peninsula). The analysis of land covers using vegetation maps, orthorectified images and aerial photography has allowed us to differentiate six vegetation groups: holm-oak wood, pine grove, oak wood, scrub, active agricultural fields and abandoned agricultural fields. The anthropic covers over the past 100 years were subdivided into five categories: active fields and those abandoned over four time periods. Study variables include field shape (concave, convex, flat), orientation (north, south) and slope (ranging from 12º to 24º). The parameters used for the physical-chemical soil analysis included organic material, phosphorous and potassium; fertility was classified based on groups, types and classes. The results indicate that even when the visual appearance of certain landscapes is similar, the edaphic characteristics may be very different. Changes induced by human disturbance share this phenomenon. Therefore, land management should be considered globally, taking into account vegetation, soils and water as interdependent factors, since it is their interaction that produces landscape and most affects its evolution over time. [source] | ||||||||||