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Experimental Basis (experimental + basis)
Selected AbstractsAn integrated map of the murine hippocampal proteome based upon five mouse strainsELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 13 2006Daniela D. Pollak Abstract With the advent of proteomics technologies it is possible to simultaneously demonstrate the expression of hundreds of proteins. The information offered by proteomics provides context-based understanding of cellular protein networks and has been proven to be a valuable approach in neuroscience studies. The mouse hippocampus has been a major target of analysis in the search for molecular correlates to neuronal information storage. Although human and rat hippocampal samples have been successfully subjected to proteomic profiling, no elaborate analysis providing the fundamental experimental basis for protein-expression studies in the mouse hippocampus has been carried out as yet. This led us to construct a master map generated from the individual hippocampal proteomes of five different mouse strains. A proteomic approach, based upon 2-DE coupled to MS (MALDI-TOF/TOF) has been chosen in an attempt to establish a comprehensive reference database of proteins expressed in the mouse hippocampus. 469 individual proteins, represented by 1156 spots displaying various functional states of the respective gene products were identified. Proteomic profiling of the hippocampus, a brain region with a pivotal role for neuronal information processing and storage may provide insight into the characteristics of proteins serving this highly sophisticated function. [source] Particle beam radiotherapy for head and neck tumors: Radiobiological basis and clinical experienceHEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 8 2006Barbara Alicja Jereczek-Fossa MD Abstract Background. Head and neck tumors are often located near critical organs, making it impossible to deliver a dose of conventional radiotherapy high enough to eradicate the disease. Our aim was to review the potential benefits and available clinical experience of particle beam therapy (hadrontherapy) in the treatment of these tumors. Methods. A review of the literature was carried out through a MEDLINE search (publications between 1980 and 2005). Results. A review of the available clinical data shows that particle beam therapy can offer several radiobiological and physical advantages over conventional photon radiotherapy: improved dose distribution permits dose escalation within the target and optimal sparing of normal tissue. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that there may be benefits to using hadrontherapy for tumors characterized by poor radiosensitivity and critical location. At present, the most used hadrons are protons and, as yet on an experimental basis, carbon ions. It is now well accepted that there are certain indications for using proton therapy for skull base tumors (chordoma and chondrosarcoma), paranasal sinus carcinomas, selected nasopharyngeal tumors, and neutron/ion therapy for salivary gland carcinomas (in particular, adenoid cystic tumors). Its viability in other cases, such as locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, soft tissue sarcoma, and bone sarcoma, is still under investigation. Conclusions. Hadrontherapy can be beneficial in the treatment of tumors characterized by poor radiosensitivity and critical location. Further clinical and radiobiological studies are warranted for improved selection of patient population. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2006 [source] On optimal cell planning: Case study for a DCS 1800 systemINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Issue 9 2001Stavroula Bouzouki Abstract Micro and pico cell planning strategies are adopted in personal communication systems (PCS) in order to increase their capacity. The usage of the upper UHF band in combination with greater bandwidth is already proposed by telecom engineers in order to achieve the promised service quality and data rates. These strategies are characterized by an increased number of cells in specific geographical areas with the corresponding operating base transceiving stations (BTS) located at relatively low heights above the street level. In this case, the cell planning procedure in linear streets under line-of-sight (LOS) conditions needs further study concerning the technical characteristics of the PCS. In this paper, the propagation characteristics of a DCS 1800 system are investigated on a theoretical and experimental basis in a specific geographical area (center of Patras City in Northern Pelloponesse). An improved RF propagation model is proposed in order to determine the propagation path losses occurring under certain multipath fading conditions. Hence an optimum determination of a system's cellular area can be achieved. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Vascular fluid dynamics and vascular biology and diseaseMATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE APPLIED SCIENCES, Issue 17-18 2001C. G. Caro My tribute to James Lighthill, one of the world's great mathematical scientists, is offered with admiration and sadness,he was both colleague and friend. I met James in 1964, through an introduction by Sir Geoffrey (G.I.) Taylor. He was then Royal Society Research Professor at Imperial College and I was a lecturer in medicine at St. Thomas's Hospital, with a particular interest in cardiovascular and respiratory mechanics. Within a short while we began to collaborate and about a year later James proposed to Imperial College that it should take the then almost unique step of setting up an activity in physiological flow. The Physiological Flow Studies Unit was started at the College in 1966,on an experimental basis with a staff of one (the writer). Looking back over a period of more than 30 years, I have three outstanding, interrelated impressions. First, that the field of physiological fluid dynamics has grown hugely worldwide, attesting in no small measure to James Lighthill's prescience and contributions. Second, that close collaboration between life scientists and doctors and engineers and physical scientists, has led to great advances in the understanding of normal and disturbed biology and of the relevant fluid dynamics. Third, that recognition that mechanical stresses play a key role in cellular and molecular biology, has given a tremendous boost to physiological mechanics. My aim in this note is to describe some earlier and current work on vascular fluid dynamics and vascular biology and disease and, where appropriate, to trace its descent from early studies undertaken with James. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Is there an experimental basis for the development of ischaemic colitis as a result of 5-HT3 antagonist treatment?NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY & MOTILITY, Issue 2 2007M. Camilleri Abstract, 5-HT3 antagonists are effective treatments for chemotherapy-induced emesis and diarrhoea and urgency and pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Reports of ischaemic colitis led to restricted use of the approved drug, alosetron. This article briefly reviews the controversial information from epidemiology and adverse reaction reports and addresses the experimental basis for the development of ischaemic colitis as a result of 5-HT3 antagonist treatment. The author reviews the potential factors based involved in the ischaemic colitis and ways in which this class of compound may influence those factors based on experimental evidence, including the literature on any vascular effects of these agents. Finally, the article addresses the theoretical basis for the constipation as a predisposing factor for the development of ischaemic colitis. The evidence reviewed suggests that further studies are needed to explore the principles to prove or disprove the association. [source] Role of interleukin-17F in chronic inflammatory and allergic lung diseaseCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 9 2006N. Hizawa Summary IL-17 family members belong to a distinct category of cytokines that coordinate local tissue inflammation by inducing the release of pro-inflammatory and neutrophil-mobilizing cytokines. The importance of the IL-17 family in inflammatory and autoimmune disease is becoming increasingly apparent. IL-17F is a recently discovered member of the IL-17 family that has a number of biological activities through induction of various cytokines, chemokines, and mediators. IL-17A, the founding member of the IL-17 family, and IL-17F are produced by several inflammatory cells, including activated T cells, in response to infectious and antigenic stimuli. Overexpression of IL-17A or IL-17F in the lungs results in induction of CXC chemokines and neutrophil recruitment. In a case,control study of 1125 unrelated Japanese subjects, a His161 to Arg161 (H161R) substitution in the third exon of the IL17F gene was shown to be associated with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Functionally, this variant failed to induce cytokines and chemokines, and interestingly, was able to antagonize the activity of wild-type IL-17F. These results provide an experimental basis for the observed genetic association with chronic inflammatory lung diseases, and also suggest the potential therapeutic utility of this antagonistic variant of IL-17F. Given that asthma and COPD are complex diseases involving a number of genetic and environmental factors, the genetic impact of IL-17F H161R with regard to the development of chronic airway inflammation likely varies among individuals with different genetic backgrounds and environmental exposures. [source] | ||||||||||