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L4
Selected AbstractsMixed Aza-Thioether Crowns Containing a 1,10-Phenanthroline Sub-Unit as Neutral Ionophores for Silver IonELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 24 2002Mojtaba Shamsipur Abstract Three different recently synthesized aza-thioether crowns containing a 1,10-phenanthroline sub-unit (L1,L3) and a corresponding acyclic ligand (L4) were studied to characterize their abilities as silver ion ionophores in PVC-membrane electrodes. Novel conventional silver-selective electrodes with internal reference solution (CONISE) and coated graphite-solid contact electrodes (SCISE) were prepared based on one of the 15-membered crowns containing two donating S atoms and two phenanthroline-N atoms (L1). The electrodes reveal a Nernstian behavior over wide Ag+ ion concentration ranges (1.0×10,5,1.0×10,1,M for CONISE and 5.0×10,8,4.0×10,2,M for SCISE) and very low limits of detection (8.0×10,6,M for CONISE and 3.0×10,8,M for SCISE). The potentiometric response is independent from pH of the solution in the pH range 3.0,8.0. The electrodes manifest advantages of low resistance, very fast response and, most importantly, good selectivities relative to a wide variety of other cations. The electrodes can be used for at least 2 months (for CONISE) and 4 months for (SCISE) without any appreciable divergence in potentials. The electrodes were used as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of Ag+ ion and in the determination of silver in photographic emulsions and in radiographic and photographic films. [source] Effects of crowding on populations of Aedes albifasciatus larvae under laboratory conditionsENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA, Issue 2 2000Raquel M. Gleiser Abstract Aedes (Ochlerotatus) albifasciatus (Macquart 1838) (Diptera: Culicidae) is a neotropical flood water mosquito, incriminated as the main vector of the western equine encephalitis virus, and which affects beef and milk production in central Argentina. The short time required to hatch and develop from egg to adult, usually in temporary pools, suggests a strategy which allows for exploitation of transient pools, thus evading predation and interspecific competition. Under these conditions intra specific competition could represent a major density-dependent source of larval mortality, but the relative importance of density-dependent regulation of mosquito populations has generated controversy. Therefore we examined the effects of larval density on basic population characteristics of Ae. albifasciatus in the laboratory. Larvae were obtained by synchronous hatching of eggs laid by field-trapped females. Emerging larvae (L1) were used to build cohorts of different initial densities, kept in plastic trays with 400 ml of distilled water, and food supplied daily during the first 10 days (0.1 g per larvae day,1). Age-specific development time and specific and relative mortality were estimated, and their relation to initial larval density was assessed through linear and non-linear regressions and correlation analysis. First hatching was registered 3 h after flooding the eggs. Higher levels of pre-adult mortality were detected in groups with higher densities. Specific mortality and average time to enter a stage of L1 to L3 could directly be related to initial larval density, but no significant relations were found for L4 and pupae. Results suggest that crowding could be a factor capable of regulating the density of natural populations of Ae. albifasciatus. [source] Pseudo-Octahedral Schiff Base Nickel(II) Complexes: Does Single Oxidation Always Lead to the Nickel(III) Valence Tautomer?EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 27 2008Olaf Rotthaus Abstract With the aim of establishing correlations between the ligand structure and the oxidation site in nickel complexes from Schiff base ligands, five ligands and their nickel complexes have been synthesized. The prototypical asymmetric Schiff base ligand HL1 contains both phenol and pyridine pendant arms with a pivotal imine nitrogen atom. Ligands HL2,5 differ from HL1 by either their phenolate para substituent, the hybridization of the pivotal nitrogen atom, and/or the N-donor properties of the pyridine moiety. The five complexes [Ni(L1,5)2] are obtained by treating the corresponding ligands with 0.5 equiv. of Ni(OAc)2·4H2O in the presence of NEt3. X-ray crystal-structure diffraction studies as well as DFT calculations reveal that [Ni(L1,5)2] involves a high-spin nickel(II) ion within a pseudo-octahedral geometry. The two ligands are arranged in a meridional fashion when the pivotal nitrogen atom is an imine {as in [Ni(L1,2)2] and [Ni(L4,5)2]}, while the fac isomer is preferred in [Ni(L3)2] (amino pivotal nitrogen atom). [Ni(L1)2] is characterized by an oxidation potential at ,0.17 V vs. Fc+/Fc. The one-electron-oxidized species [Ni(L1)2]+ exhibits an EPR signal at g = 2.21 attributed to a phenoxyl radical that is antiferromagnetically coupled to a high-spin NiII ion. [Ni(L2)2] differs from [Ni(L1)2] by the phenolate para substituent (a tert -butyl instead of the methoxyl group) and exhibits an oxidation potential that is ca. 0.16 V higher. Compared to [Ni(L1)2]+ the cation [Ni(L2)2]+ exhibits a SOMO that is more localized on the metal atom. The EPR and electrochemical signatures of [Ni(L3)2]+ are similar to those of [Ni(L1)2]+, thus showing that an imino to amino substitution compensates for a methoxy to tert -butyl one. Replacement of the pyridine by a quinoline group in [Ni(L4,5)2] makes the complexes slightly harder to oxidize. The EPR signatures of the cations [Ni(L4,5)2]+ are roughly similar to those of the pyridine analogs [Ni(L1,2)2]+. The oxidation site is thus not significantly affected by changes in the N-donor properties of the terminal imino nitrogen atom.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008) [source] Tagging (Arene)ruthenium(II) Anticancer Complexes with Fluorescent LabelsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 18 2007Fabio Zobi Abstract Fluorescent (arene)ruthenium(II) complexes have been prepared by tagging a small fluorogenic reporter onto the chelating ligand of complexes of the type [(,6 -arene)RuCl(Z)]+ (Z = chelating ligand). Complexes [(,6 - p -cym)RuCl(NNO)](Cl) (2), [(,6 - p -cym)RuCl(L3)](Cl) (3) and [(,6 - p -cym)RuCl(L4)](Cl) (4) {p -cym = p- cymene, NNO = 2-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]ethanol, L3 = 2-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]ethyl-2-(methylamino)benzoate and L4 = N -{2-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]ethyl}-2-(methylamino)benzamide} were obtained in good yield from the reaction of the Ru dimer [(,6 - p -cym)RuCl2]2 (1) and the corresponding ligand. The compounds have been fully characterized and their X-ray crystal structures are reported. Compounds 3 and 4 show a photoluminescence response centered at 435 nm with partial fluorescence quenching of the fluorogenic reporters L3 and L4 upon coordination to the metal center. Species 2,4 show good solubility both in water and organic solvents. In water, 2,4 readily hydrolyze to form the aqua complexes. These are stable at acidic pH forming 10,15,% of the corresponding hydroxido complexes in buffered solution (25 mM HEPES) as the pH is raised to a physiological value (pH = 7.44). Under these conditions, 4 (but not 2 or 3) undergoes a fast pH-dependent reversible intramolecular rearrangement. Experimental data and semiempirical calculations indicate that the major species arising from this transformation is a complex with a tridentate chelating ligand following deprotonation at the nitrogen atom of the amide group. Esterase-catalyzed hydrolysis of 3 liberates isatoic acid (MIAH) and generates 2 indicating that the complex is a substrate for the enzyme. Complexes similar to 3 may have potential for esterase-activated Ru-based prodrug delivery systems.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007) [source] Highly Symmetrical Tetranuclear Cluster Complexes Supported by p - tert -Butylsulfonylcalix[4]arene as a Cluster-Forming LigandEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 9 2006Takashi Kajiwara Abstract Square-planar tetranuclear clusters [M4(L)(AcO)4(,4 -OH)], (M = MnII, CoII, and NiII) are synthesized using tetra-anionic p - tert -butylsulfonylcalix[4]arene (L4,) as a cluster-forming ligand. Three complexes are crystallographically isostructural, being crystallized in the triclinic crystal system with space group P. The calix[4]arene acts as a tetrakis fac -tridentate ligand through four phenoxo and four sulfonyl oxygen atoms to form square arrangement of four metal ions, which are further bridged by four chelating acetate ions and one hydroxo ion in a ,4 manner to complete the hexacoordination of each metal center. Although the whole molecule of each complex is crystallographically independent, the molecule is highly symmetrical with a pseudo-four-fold axis lying on the ,4 -OH, group. The tetranuclear clusters are stable enough to maintain the core structures even in highly dilute solution (,10 ,M), which was confirmed by mass spectroscopic study, however, bridging acetates were easily exchanged by other carboxylate chelates to form derivatives such as [M4(L)(BzO)4(OH)],. Metal,metal interactions were investigated by means of magnetic susceptibility, and it was revealed that both ferro- and antiferromagnetic interactions occur in the NiII complex depending on the bridging angles of Ni,O,Ni. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006) [source] Tellurated Schiff Bases Formed from {2-[(4-Methoxyphenyl)telluro]ethyl}amine and Bis(2-aminoethyl) Telluride with o -Hydroxyacetophenone: Synthesis and Complexation Reactions with HgII, PdII and RuII , Crystal Structures of the Ligands, [Ru(p -cymene)Cl{H2NCH2CH2TeC6H4 -4-OCH3}]Cl·H2O and [RuCl{4-MeOC6H4TeCH2CH2NHCH(CH3)C6H4 -2-O,}]EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2004Raghavendra Kumar P. Abstract {2-[(4-Methoxyphenyl)telluro]ethyl}amine and bis(2-aminoethyl) telluride on treatment with o -hydroxyacetophenone gave the Schiff bases 4-MeOC6H4TeCH2CH2N=C(CH3)C6H4 -2-OH (L1) and 2-HOC6H4(CH3)C=NCH2CH2TeCH2CH2N=C(CH3)C6H4 -2-OH (L3), respectively. The reduction of L1 and L3 with NaBH4 resulted in 4-MeOC6H4TeCH2CH2NHCH(CH3)C6H4 -2-OH (L2) and 2-HOC6H4(CH3)CHNHCH2CH2TeCH2CH2NHCH(CH3)C6H4 -2-OH (L4), respectively, which have 1 or 2 chiral centers. The 1H and 13C NMR spectra of L1 to L4 were found to be characteristic. Treatment of L1 with [Ru(p -cymene)Cl2]2 resulted in [Ru(p -cymene)(4-MeOC6H4TeCH2CH2NH2)Cl]Cl·H2O (1) whereas in the reaction of L2 with [Ru(p -cymene)Cl2]2, the p -cymene ligand is lost resulting in [RuCl(L2 -H)] (4). The reactions of L1, L3 and L4 with HgBr2 resulted in complexes of the type [HgBr2·(L)2] while Na2PdCl4 reacted with L1 to give [PdCl(L1 -H)]. The solid-state structures of L1, L3, 1 and 4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The very swift formation of the tellurated amine from a tellurated Schiff base (L1) by hydrolysis has been observed for the first time and has resulted in 1. The Ru,N and Ru,Te bond lengths in 1 are 2.142(3) and 2.6371 (4) Å, respectively. The replacement of the p -cymene ligand with a hybrid organotellurium ligand (L2 -H), resulting in 4, is also a first example of its kind. The Ru center in 4 has a square-planar geometry, with the Ru,N, Ru,Te, Ru,O and Ru,Cl bond lengths being 2.041(6), 2.4983(8), 2.058(5) and 2.308(2) Å, respectively. In the crystals of 4 there are secondary intermolecular Te···Cl interactions and intermolecular N,H···O hydrogen bonds. This is the first example in which coordinated Te in a complex is engaged in two intermolecular secondary interactions. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004) [source] A postnatal switch in GABAergic control of spinal cutaneous reflexesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 1 2006Gareth Hathway Abstract GABAergic signalling exerts powerful inhibitory control over spinal tactile and nociceptive processing, but during development GABA can be depolarizing and the functional consequences of this upon neonatal pain processing is unknown. Here we show a postnatal switch in tonic GABAA receptor (GABAAR) modulation of cutaneous tactile and nociceptive reflexes from excitation to inhibition, but only in the intact spinal cord. Neonatal and 21-day-old (P21) rats were intrathecally treated with one of the GABAAR antagonists bicuculline and gabazine, with both compounds dose-dependently decreasing hindpaw mechanical and thermal withdrawal thresholds in P21 rats but increasing them in P3 neonates. Intrathecal gabazine also produced an increase in the cutaneous evoked electromyography (EMG) response of the biceps femoris in P21 rates but lowering the response in neonates. Injections of 3H-gabazine in the L4,L5 region at P3 confirmed that gabazine binding was restricted to the lumbar spinal cord. Spinalization of P3 neonates at the upper thoracic level prior to drug application reversed the behavioural and EMG responses to GABA antagonists so that they resembled those of P21 rats. The effects of spinalization were consistent with gabazine facilitation of ventral root potentials observed in isolated neonatal spinal cord. These data show a marked postnatal developmental switch in GABAergic control of neonatal nociception that is mediated by supraspinal structures and illustrate the importance of studying developmental circuits in the intact nervous system. [source] Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro antimicrobial activities of organotin(IV) complexes of Schiff bases with ONO-type donor atomsHETEROATOM CHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2010Gülgün Yeni, ehirli A new series of diorganotin complexes of the type R2SnL (L1: N -(2-hydroxy-5-chlorophenyl)- 3-ethoxysalicylideneimine, R = Me, (Me2SnL1), R = n -Bu, (n -Bu2SnL1), R = Ph, (Ph2SnL1), L2: N -(2-hydroxy-4-nitro-5-chlorophenyl)-3-ethoxysalicylideneimine, R = Ph, Ph2SnL2, L3: N -(2-hydroxy-4-nitrophenyl)-3-methoxysalicylideneimine, R = Me, (Me2SnL3), R = n -Bu, (n -Bu2SnL3), L4: N -(2-hydroxy-4-nitrophenyl)-3-ethoxysalicylideneimine, R = Me, (Me2SnL4), R = n -Bu, (n -Bu2SnL4)) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR), 1H, and 13C NMR mass spectroscopic techniques, and electrochemical measurements. Ph2SnL1 and Ph2SnL2 were also characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis and were found to show a fivefold C2NO2 coordination geometry nearly halfway between a trigonal bipyramidal and distorted square pyramidal arrangement. The CSnC angles in the complexes were calculated using Lockhart's equations with the 1J(117/119Sn- 13C) and 2J(117/119Sn- 1H) values from the 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra. Biocidal activity tests against several micro-organisms and some fungi indicate that all the complexes are mildly active against Gram (+) bacteria and the fungi, A. niger and inactive against Gram (,) bacteria. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 21:373,385, 2010; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/hc.20628 [source] Low bone mineral density in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease: A population-based study from Western SwedenINFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 12 2009Susanne Schmidt MD Abstract Background: Low bone mineral density (BMD) has been recognized as a potential problem in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of the study was to investigate BMD in Swedish children and adolescents with IBD and to evaluate possible factors affecting BMD. Methods: To evaluate BMD, all patients (n = 144) underwent a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the whole body and the spine. BMD values were expressed as Z-scores using normative pediatric data from Lunar (GE Medical Systems). Results: In this population-based study, the lowest BMD values were found in the lumbar spine. The entire IBD group showed significantly lower BMD Z-scores of the lumbar spine (L2,L4) in comparison to healthy references (,0.8 standard deviation [SD], range ,5.9 to 3.7 SD, P < 0.001). Decreased BMD with a Z-score < ,1 SD occurred in 46.7% of the individuals with Crohn's disease (CD) and in 47.0% of those with ulcerative colitis (UC). Low BMD with a Z-score , ,2 SD was present in 26.7% of the patients with CD and in 24.1% of the UC patients. In a multiple regression model with BMD lumbar spine as the depending variable, possible factors associated with lower BMD were male gender, low body mass index (BMI), and treatment with azathioprine. Conclusions: Low BMD is prevalent in Swedish pediatric patients with IBD. Possible risk factors for lower BMD are male gender, low BMI, and treatment with azathioprine, as a probable marker of disease course severity. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2009) [source] Prevalence of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women in Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional community studyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES, Issue 3 2007Sarath LEKAMWASAM Abstract Objective:, This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women selected from seven provinces in Sri Lanka. Method:, The study was a community-based cross-sectional survey of a group of 1642 community-dwelling postmenopausal women in seven provinces, except the North and East, in Sri Lanka. Phalangeal bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in all subjects using an AccuDEXA. In a subgroup of 150 women BMDs in the spine from L2,L4 and proximal femur were measured using a Norland Eclipse central DXA machine. In this subgroup, the diagnosis of osteoporosis was made according to the WHO criteria based on T-scores of the spine or femoral neck. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of different phalangeal BMD levels were examined and the prevalence of osteoporosis was calculated using the most acceptable cut-off value. Results:, A sharp decline in phalangeal BMD (0.006 g/cm2/year) was seen during the postmenopausal period. Phalangeal T-score of ,2.00, which had sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 78%, 85%, 91% and 68% respectively, was selected as the most suitable value to predict osteoporosis: 357 women had phalangeal T-scores either equal to or lower than ,2.00. When the positive predictive value and negative predictive value of this cut-off value were applied, 736 women (44.9%) in our sample were likely to have osteoporosis. Conclusions:, Osteoporosis is a prevalent disease among postmenopausal women in Sri Lanka. Similar prevalence figures have been reported from other Asian countries. [source] Evaluation of Serangium n. sp. (Col., Coccinellidae), a predator of Bemisia tabaci (Hom., Aleyrodidae) on cassavaJOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2007P. Asiimwe Abstract, The potential of a new, previously unidentified Serangium species (Col., Coccinellidae) to control the high Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hom., Aleyrodidae) populations on cassava was evaluated. Field and laboratory studies were carried out to determine the abundance and feeding capacity of this Serangium species feeding on B. tabaci on cassava. Serangium nymphs and adults were most abundant in cassava fields late in the season, rising sharply from 5 months after planting (MAP) to a peak at 7,8 MAP. Pre-imaginal development averaged 21.2 days and was longest in eggs and shortest in the L1 instar. Mean total prey consumption of immature Serangium increased with the stage of development with the lowest consumption in the L1 instar and highest in the L4 instar. Mean daily consumption was lowest on the first day after hatching in the L1 instar and rose to a peak on the 13th day after hatching in the L4 instar. Each Serangium larva consumed a mean of over 1000 nymphs during its entire development. These results have demonstrated the potential of this Serangium species to control B. tabaci populations on cassava. [source] Monitoring Teriparatide-Associated Changes in Vertebral Microstructure by High-Resolution CT In Vivo: Results From the EUROFORS Study,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 9 2007Christian Graeff Dipl-Ing Abstract We introduce a method for microstructural analysis of vertebral trabecular bone in vivo based on HRCT. When applied to monitor teriparatide treatment, changes in structural variables exceeded and were partially independent of changes in volumetric BMD. Introduction: Monitoring of osteoporosis therapy based solely on bone densitometry is insufficient to assess anti-fracture efficacy. Assessing bone microstructure in vivo is therefore of importance. We studied whether it is possible to monitor effects of teriparatide on vertebral trabecular microstructure independent of BMD by high-resolution CT (HRCT). Materials and Methods: In a subset of 65 postmenopausal women with established osteoporosis who participated in the EUROFORS study, HRCT scans of T12, quantitative CT of L1,L3, and DXA of L1,L4 were performed after 0, 6, and 12 mo of teriparatide treatment (20 ,g/d). We compared BMD and 3D microstructural variables in three groups of women, based on prior antiresorptive treatment: treatment-naïve; pretreated; and pretreated women showing inadequate response to treatment. Results: We found statistically highly significant increases in most microstructural variables and BMD 6 mo after starting teriparatide. After 12 mo, apparent bone volume fraction (app. BV/TV) increased by 30.6 ± 4.4% (SE), and apparent trabecular number (app. Tb.N.) increased by 19.0 ± 3.2% compared with 6.4 ± 0.7% for areal and 19.3 ± 2.6% for volumetric BMD. The structural changes were partially independent of BMD as shown by a significantly larger standardized increase and a standardized long-term precision at least as good as DXA. Patients who had shown inadequate response to prior osteoporosis treatment did show improvements in BMD and structural measures comparable to treatment-naïve patients. Conclusions: HRCT is a feasible method for longitudinal microstructural analysis of human vertebrae in vivo, offers information beyond BMD, and is sufficiently precise to show profound effects of teriparatide after 12 mo. [source] A Detailed Assessment of Alterations in Bone Turnover, Calcium Homeostasis, and Bone Density in Normal PregnancyJOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 3 2000A. J. Black Abstract The effects of pregnancy on bone turnover and the potential risk of developing an osteoporotic fracture in pregnancy are controversial. Utilizing biochemical markers of bone formation and resorption and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), bone turnover before, during, and after pregnancy was studied in detail. Ten women (mean age 30 years; range 23,40) were recruited. Prepregnancy data were obtained and then a review was performed at 2-week intervals, once pregnancy was confirmed, until 14 weeks of gestation and thereafter monthly until term. Bone mineral density (BMD) was estimated by DEXA scanning of hip, spine, and forearm preconception and postpartum. In addition, BMD of the forearm at 14 weeks and 28 weeks gestation was obtained. All pregnancies had a successful outcome. Urinary free pyridinium cross-links, free pyridinoline (fPyr) and free deoxypyridinoline (fDPyr), were normal prepregnancy (mean [±SD]) 14.6 nmol/mmol (1.8) and 5.0 nmol/mmol (1.0) creat, respectively. By 14 weeks, they had increased to 20.8 nmol/mmol (4.3) and 6.1 nmol mmol (1.4) (both p < 0.02) and by 28 weeks to 26.3 nmol/mmol (5.6) and 7.4 nmol/mmol (1.6) (both p < 0.01). The ratio of fPyr to fDPyr remained constant. A similar significant increase was observed in N-telopeptide (NTx). Bone formation was assessed by measurement of carboxy-terminal propeptide of type 1 collagen (P1CP) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP). Neither were altered significantly before 28 weeks, but subsequently mean P1CP increased from 110 ,g/liter (23) to 235 ,g/liter (84) at 38 weeks and mean BSAP increased from 11.1 U/liter (5.0) to 28.6 U/liter (11.1) (p < 0.01 for both variables). Lumbar spine (L1,L4) BMD decreased from a prepregnancy mean of 1.075 g/cm (0.115) to 1.054 g/cm2 (0.150) postpartum (p < 0.05). Total hip BMD decreased from a prepregnancy mean of 0.976 g/cm2 (0.089) to 0.941 g/cm2 (0.097) (p < 0.05). Forearm BMD at midradius, one-third distal and ultradistal decreased but did not reach statistical significance. As assessed by these bone markers, in the first 2 trimesters of pregnancy, bone remodeling is uncoupled with a marked increase in bone resorption. A corresponding increase in formation markers is not observed until the third trimester. Spinal BMD exhibits a significant decrease from prepregnancy to the immediate postpartum period with a mean reduction in BMD of 3.5% in 9 months. [source] Effectiveness of raloxifene on bone mineral density and serum lipid levels in post-menopausal women with low BMD after discontinuation of hormone replacement therapyJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 5 2006E. K. Song MS Summary Objective:, To evaluate the effect of raloxifene on bone mineral density (BMD) and serum lipid levels in post-menopausal women who had discontinued hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Methods:, Thirty-four post-menopausal women with low BMD who had taken 60 mg of raloxifene daily for 12 months after discontinuing HRT were evaluated retrospectively. Information about their demographics, fracture history, BMD, lipid profiles and adverse events were collected from medical records and intranet database. The outcome measures were changes in the spine (L2,L4) and femur BMD, serum lipid concentrations, fracture rate and tolerability. Results:, The post-menopausal women had a significant increase in their spine (L2,L4) and femur BMD from their baseline BMD [spine, 2·9 ± 4·6% (P < 0·001); femur, 3·0 ± 6·6% (P = 0·01)]. Serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was significantly reduced by 22·6% below baseline after 12 months (P = 0·007). No fractures were observed during therapy. Raloxifene was well tolerated. The most common adverse event was hot flash, which was generally mild. Conclusions:, Raloxifene increases BMD at important skeletal sites, and lowers LDL cholesterol with tolerable adverse events. [source] Fitness, fatness and activity as predictors of bone mineral density in older personsJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2002K. J. Stewart Abstract. Stewart KJ, DeRegis JR, Turner KL, Bacher AC, Sung J, Hees PS, Tayback M, Ouyang P (Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA). Fitness, fatness, and activity as predictors of bone mineral density in older persons. J Intern Med 2002; 252: 381,388. Objectives. To determine relationships of bone mineral density (BMD) with fitness, physical activity, and body composition and fat distribution. Design. Cross-sectional. Setting. General Clinical Research Center, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland. Subjects. Men (n = 38) and women (n = 46), aged 55,75 years with high normal blood pressure or mild hypertension but otherwise healthy. Methods. Aerobic fitness (oxygen uptake) on a treadmill, muscle strength by one-repetition maximum, activity by questionnaire, abdominal obesity by magnetic resonance imaging; anthropometrics, and body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) which measured total fat and lean mass, and BMD for the total skeleton, lumbar spine (L1,L4) and total hip. Results. Aerobic fitness did not correlate with BMD. Using multivariate analysis to ascertain independent contributions to the variance in BMD, in women, with adjustment for hormone replacement therapy (HRT), total skeleton BMD was independently related to muscle strength and abdominal total fat; total hip BMD to body weight; lumbar spine BMD to abdominal total fat. HRT also influenced BMD in the lumbar spine. In men, lumbar spine BMD was independently related to abdominal total fat physical activity and total hip BMD related to lower body strength. P < 0.05 for all of these correlations. Conclusions. Abdominal obesity and muscle strength emerge as predominant correlates of BMD in older persons with stronger relationships seen in women. Body weight and HRT also explained portions of the variance in BMD in women. Whether abdominal obesity is simply a marker for general obesity or has independent protective effects on bone is yet to be determined. [source] A pyrazolylamine-phosphonate monoester chelator for the fac -[M(CO)3]+ core (M = Re, 99mTc): synthesis, coordination properties and biological assessmentJOURNAL OF LABELLED COMPOUNDS AND RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS, Issue 13 2007Elisa Palma Abstract Aiming to develop new strategies for the labeling of hydroxyl-containing biomolecules with the organometallic core fac -[99mTc(CO)3]+, we have prepared a new model bifunctional chelator, L4 (ethyl hydrogen (2-{[2-(3,5-dimethyl-1H -pyrazol-1-yl)ethyl]amino}ethyl)phosphonate), combining a pyrazolyl-amine chelating group and a monophosphonate ethyl ester function (,P(O)OHOEt). The phosphonate group allows metal stabilization, and, simultaneously, can be considered as a potential attachment site for a biomolecule. Reaction of L4 with the precursor [99mTc(H2O)3(CO)3]+ gave the model radiocomplex [99mTc(CO)3(k3 -L4)] (6a). This radiocomplex was identified by comparing its chromatographic profile with that of the corresponding Re analog (6) under the same conditions, also prepared and fully characterized by the usual analytical techniques. Radiocomplex 6a is moderately lipophilic (log Po/w = 1.07), presenting high stability in vitro without any measurable decomposition or ligand exchange, even in the presence of strong competing chelators such as histidine and cysteine (37°C, 24 h). Biodistribution studies of the complex in CD-1 mice indicated a rapid blood clearance, and a rapid clearance from main organs, occurring primarily through the hepatobiliary pathway. Complex 6a presents also a high robustness in vivo, demonstrated by its resistance to metabolic degradation in blood, and intact excretion into the urine, after RP-HPLC analysis of blood and urine samples. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Increased CNS uptake and enhanced antinociception of morphine-6-glucuronide in rats after inhibition of P-glycoproteinJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2002Jörn Lötsch Abstract Morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G) is a substrate of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which forms an outward transporter at the blood,brain barrier. Inhibition of P-gp may therefore be expected to cause increased CNS uptake of M6G. We directly assessed the spinal concentrations of M6G and its antinociceptive effects in rats following pharmacological inhibition of P-gp. Spinal cord tissue concentrations of M6G were assessed by microdialysis with probes transversally implanted through the dorsal horns of the spinal cord at level L4. Ten rats received M6G intravenously (0.018 mg/kg loading dose plus 0.00115 mg/kg/min for an 8-h infusion), five of them together with PSC833 to inhibit P-gp (32-h infusion, starting 24 h before the addition of M6G). Antinociceptive effects were explored by means of formalin tests. After having obtained evidence for enhanced CNS uptake and antinociception of M6G in the presence of PSC833, additional behavioural experiments were performed in another 32 rats to assess the dose dependency of the antinociceptive effects of M6G either with or without PSC833 in comparison with both PSC833 alone and placebo. Inhibition of P-gp increased the M6G concentrations in the spinal cord approximately three-fold whereas the plasma concentrations were increased only by a factor of 1.4, which resulted in a more than doubled spinal cord/plasma concentration ratio (from 0.08 ± 0.03 for M6G alone to 0.17 ± 0.08 for M6G plus PSC833). Antinociceptive effects of M6G were significantly enhanced by inhibition of P-gp. Inhibition of P-gp alters the transport of M6G across the blood,brain barrier, resulting in enhanced spinal cord uptake and enhanced antinociception. [source] Vitamin K2 treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis in IndonesiaJOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 2 2006Yuditiya Purwosunu Abstract Aim: To investigate the effect of vitamin K2 (menatetrenone) treatment on bone mineral density (BMD) and a bone metabolic marker (osteocalcin) in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis living in Indonesia. Methods: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study of 63 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The vitamin K2 group (n = 33) received 45 mg menatetrenone and 1500 mg calcium carbonate per day and the control group (n = 30) received placebo and 1500 mg calcium carbonate per day for 48 weeks. BMD of lumbal spine (L2,L4), osteocalcin (OC) and undercarboxylated OC were measured before, 24 and 48 weeks after initiation of the treatment. Results: After 48 weeks of treatment, the mean percentage change of lumbar BMD in the vitamin K2 group was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of the control group. The undercarboxylated OC level decreased by 55.9% in the menatetrenone group and 9.3% in the control group compared with the baseline level. The difference between the two groups was significant (P < 0.01). The adverse events were three minor gastrointestinal cases, which subsided after temporary cessation of therapy. Conclusions: Treatment with 45 mg vitamin K2 with 1500 mg calcium per day for postmenopausal women with osteoporosis for 48 weeks resulted in a significant increase in lumbar BMD and a significant decrease in undercarboxylated OC levels. [source] Enhancement of posterolateral lumbar spine fusion using low-dose rhBMP-2 and cultured marrow stromal cellsJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 3 2009Tsai-Sheng Fu Abstract We tested the hypothesis that the dose of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) required to induce spine fusion can be reduced by combination with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Twenty-four adult rabbits underwent posterolateral intertransverse fusion at the L4,L5 level. The animals were divided into four groups based on the implant material: autologous iliac graft, Alginate-MSCs composite, Alginate-BMP-2-MSCs composite, and Alginate-BMP-2 composite. After 16 weeks, the rabbits were euthanized for radiographic examination, manual palpation, biomechanical testing, and histology. Radiographic union of 12 intertransverse fusion areas for the autogenous iliac graft, Alginate-MSCs, Alginate-BMP-2-MSCs, and Alginate-BMP-2 groups was 11, 8, 11, and 0, respectively. Moreover, manual palpation of six fusion segments in each subgroup found solid union to be 6, 1, 5, and 0, respectively. The average torques at failure of the first three groups were 2278,±,135, 1943,±,140, and 2334,±,187 N-mm, respectively. The failure torque did not differ significantly between the autograft and Alginate-BMP-2-MSCs groups; both groups were significantly higher than the Alginate-MSCs group. The results indicate that MSCs delivered with in vitro cellular doses of rhBMP-2 are more osteoinductive than MSCs without rhBMP-2. In combination with MSCs, a low dose (2.5 µg) of rh-BMP-2 could enhance bone formation and posterolateral spine fusion success in the rabbit model. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27:380,384, 2009 [source] Spinal somatosensory evoked potential evaluation of acute nerve-root injury associated with pedicle-screw placement procedures: An experimental studyJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 2 2003I-Ming Jou Pedicle screws for spinal fixation risk neural damage because of the proximity between screw and nerve root. We assessed whether spinal somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) could selectively detect pedicle-screw-related acute isolated nerve injury. Because pedicle screws are too large for a rat's spine, we inserted a K-wire close to the pedicle in 32 rats, intending not to injure the nerve root in eight (controls), and to injure the L4 or L5 root in 24. We used sciatic-nerve-elicited SSEP pre- and postinsertion. Radiologic, histologic, and postmortem observations confirmed the level and degree of root injury. Sciatic (SFI), tibial (TFI), and peroneal function indices (PFI) were calculated and correlated with changes in potential. Although not specific for injuries to different roots, amplitude reduction immediately postinsertion was significant in the experimental groups. Animals with the offending wire left in place for one hour showed a further non-significant deterioration of amplitude. Electrophysiologic changes correlated with SFI and histologic findings in all groups. SSEP monitoring provided reliable, useful diagnostic and intraoperative information about the functional integrity of single nerve-root injury. These findings are clinically relevant to acute nerve-root injury and pedicle-screw insertion. If a nerve-root irritant remains in place, a considerable neurologic deficit will occur. © 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. [source] Epidural sufentanil provides better analgesia from 24 h after surgery compared with epidural fentanyl in childrenACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 10 2008J. E. CHO Background: Studies comparing epidural fentanyl and sufentanil in adults reported a similar analgesic effect with variable side effects. We hypothesized that epidural fentanyl and sufentanil will have a similar analgesic effect in children undergoing urological surgery. Methods: Sixty-four children undergoing urological surgery were randomized into two groups: fentanyl in ropivacaine (fentanyl group, n=32) and sufentanil in ropivacaine (sufentanil group, n=32). After anaesthesia, an epidural catheter was inserted at the L2,3, L3,4 or L4,5 interspace. For post-operative pain relief, a solution consisting of fentanyl 0.1 mcg/kg/ml or sufentanil 0.015 mcg/kg/ml in 1.5 mg/ml ropivacaine was infused at a rate of 2 ml/h. To assess post-operative pain, the faces pain scale and the face, legs, activity, cry, consolability score were recorded at 1, 6, 24, 48 and 72 h after surgery. The incidence of adverse effects such as hypoxia, sedation, pruritus, nausea and/or vomiting was also evaluated. Results: Pain scores demonstrated no significant difference between the groups. The need for rescue analgesia during 24,72 h was higher in the fentanyl group than in the sufentanil group (6/32 vs. 0/32, P=0.012). The incidence of pruritus was higher in the sufentanil group compared with that in the fentanyl group (5/32 vs. 0/32). Conclusions: Epidural sufentanil provides better analgesia from 24 h after surgery compared with epidural fentanyl in infants and children undergoing urological surgery. The incidence of pruritus in the sufentanil group was higher than that in the fentanyl group. [source] Low Bone Mineral Density and Impaired Bone Metabolism in Young Alcoholic Patients Without Liver Cirrhosis: A Cross-Sectional StudyALCOHOLISM, Issue 2 2009Peter Malik Background:, Osteoporosis is regularly mentioned as a consequence of alcoholism. Ethanol,s direct effect on bone-modeling cells as well as alcoholism-related "life-style factors" such as malnutrition, lack of exercise, hormonal changes, and liver cirrhosis are discussed as potential causative factors. Methods:, In a cross-sectional study, we have examined 57 noncirrhotic alcoholic patients (37 male, 20 female) aged 27 to 50 years. Patients suffering from comorbid somatic diseases and with co-medication known to have an influence on bone mineral density (e.g., glucocorticoids, heparin, anticonvulsant agents, oral contraceptives) were excluded. We determined bone mineral density (BMD) by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in the lumbar spine (L1,L4) and the proximal right femur (femoral neck, total hip) as well as parameters of bone metabolism. Results:, In males but not females, BMD was significantly reduced in the lumbar region, as well as in the proximal femur (femoral neck, total hip). Nine male patients (24.3% of men) and 1 female patient (5% of women) had low BMD (defined as Z -score , ,2.0). As expected, there was a positive correlation between body mass index (BMI) and BMD. Alcohol-related factors (e.g., duration of abuse, consumed amount of alcohol per day) as well as smoking were not associated with a significant effect on BMD. All of the 20 women examined showed elevated estradiol levels, which may have served as a protective factor. In this study, 75.7% of the men and 90% of the women had vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency (plasma levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D < 30 ng/ml). Conclusions:, Our study indicates that younger alcoholic patients without other diseases may suffer from an increased risk to develop low BMD and a disturbance of vitamin D metabolism. Nutritional factors or less exposure to sunlight may play an important role in bone loss in young alcoholic patients. BMD measurement and assessment of bone metabolism should be considered in all patients with chronic alcoholism. [source] Susceptibility loci reported in genome-wide association studies are associated with Crohn's disease in Canadian childrenALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 11 2010D. K. AMRE Aliment Pharmacol Ther,31, 1186,1191 Summary Background, Recent genome-wide association studies based on adult and paediatric populations have implicated >30 genes/loci as susceptibility loci for Crohn's disease (CD). Aims, To investigate whether reported genes/loci were also associated with CD in Canadian children. Design and Methods, A case-control design was implemented at three paediatric gastroenterology clinics in Canada. Children ,18 years of age with a confirmed diagnosis of CD were recruited along with controls. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in five genome-wide association studies reported genes/loci were genotyped. Associations between individual SNPs and CD were examined. Results, A total of 406 cases and 415 controls were studied. The mean (±s.d.) age of the cases was 12.3 (±3.2) years. Most cases were male (56.6%), had ileo-colonic disease (L3 ± L4, 52.0%) and inflammatory behaviour (B1 ± p, 86.9%) at diagnosis. Allelic association analysis (two-tailed) showed that three of the five targeted SNPs were significantly associated with overall susceptibility for CD (ZNF365, r10995271, P = 0.001; PTPN2, rs1893217, P = 0.005; STAT3, rs744166, P = 0.01). Associations with SNP rs4613763 in the PTGER4 locus were marginally nonsignificant (P = 0.07). The ZNF365 and STAT3 SNPs were predominantly associated with ileal disease with or without colonic involvement. Conclusion, The identified susceptibility genes/loci for adult-onset CD also confer risk for paediatric-onset CD. [source] Synthesis of rhodium(III) complexes with tris/tetrakis-benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles,quick identification of cyclometallation by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopyMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN CHEMISTRY, Issue 8 2009N. Chandrashekhar Abstract Reactions of rhodium(III) halides with multidentate N,S -heterocycles, (LH3) 1,3,5-tris(benzimidazolyl)benzene (L1H3; 1), 1,3,5-tris(N -methylbenzimidazolyl) benzene (L2H3; 2) and 1,3,5-tris(benzothiazolyl)benzene (L3H3; 3), in the molar ratio 1:1 in methanol,chloroform produced mononuclear cyclometallated products of the composition [RhX2(LH2)(H2O)] (X = Cl, Br, I; LH2 = L1H2, L2H2, L3H2). When the metal to ligand (1,3 or 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(benzothiazolyl)benzene [L4H2; 4]) molar ratio was 2:1, the reactions yielded binuclear complexes of the compositions [Rh2Cl5(LH2)(H2O)3] (LH2 = L1H2, L2H2, L3H2) and [Rh2X4(L4)(H2O)2] (X = Cl, Br, I). Elemental analysis, IR and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts supported the binuclear nature of the complexes. Cyclometallation was detected by conventional 13C NMR spectra that showed a doublet around ,190 ppm. Cyclometallation was also detected by gradient-enhanced heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (g-HMBC) experiment that showed cross-peaks between the cyclometallated carbon and the central benzene ring protons of 1,3. Cyclometallation was substantiated by two-dimensional 1H1H correlated experiments (gradiant-correlation spectroscopy and rotating frame Overhauser effect spectroscopy) and 1H13C single bond correlated two-dimensional NMR experiments (gradient-enhanced heteronuclear single quantum coherence). The 1H15N g-HMBC experiment suggested the coordination of the heterocycles to the metal ion via tertiary nitrogen. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The properties of Jovian Trojan asteroids listed in SDSS Moving Object Catalogue 3MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 4 2007Gy. M. Szabó ABSTRACT We analyse 1187 observations of about 860 unique candidate Jovian Trojan asteroids listed in the 3rd release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Moving Object Catalogue. The sample is complete at the faint end to r= 21.2 mag (apparent brightness) and H= 13.8 (absolute brightness, approximately corresponding to 10 km diameter). A subset of 297 detections of previously known Trojans were used to design and optimize a selection method based on observed angular velocity that resulted in the remaining objects. Using a sample of objects with known orbits, we estimate that the candidate sample contamination is about 3 per cent. The well-controlled selection effects, the sample size, depth and accurate five-band UV,IR photometry enabled several new findings and the placement of older results on a firmer statistical footing. We find that there are significantly more asteroids in the leading swarm (L4) than in the trailing swarm (L5): N(L4)/N(L5) = 1.6 ± 0.1, independently of limiting object's size. The overall counts normalization suggests that there are about as many Jovians Trojans as there are main-belt asteroids down to the same size limit, in agreement with earlier estimates. We find that Trojan asteroids have a remarkably narrow colour distribution (root mean scatter of only ,0.05 mag) that is significantly different from the colour distribution of the main-belt asteroids. The colour of Trojan asteroids is correlated with their orbital inclination, in a similar way for both swarms, but appears uncorrelated with the object's size. We extrapolate the results presented here and estimate that the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope will determine orbits, accurate colours and measure light curves in six photometric bandpasses for about 100 000 Jovian Trojan asteroids. [source] Genetic resistance to Teladorsagia circumcincta: IgA and parameters at slaughter in Churra sheepPARASITE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 6 2005M. MARTÍNEZ-VALLADARES SUMMARY Previous experiments have shown that genetic resistance to infection by Teladorsagia circumcincta in sheep can be measured by the level of IgA in gastric mucus, jointly with other parameters. The aim of this study has been to observe the influence of IgA on adult worms. The experiment was carried out with Churra sheep experimentally infected with T. circumcincta. At slaughter, gastric content, gastric mucus, blood samples and faeces were recovered to determine the number of eggs in utero, length of adult females, worm burden, number of L4, titre of serum pepsinogen, peripheral eosinophilia and eggs per gram (epg). IgA activity in gastric mucus, serum, nasal secretions and saliva were tested against somatic antigen from fourth-stage larvae (L4), somatic antigen from the adult stage and excretory,secretory (E/S) antigen from the adult stage. The results showed a significant correlation between serum IgA and gastric mucus (P < 0·01) as well as in nasal secretions (P < 0·01). We found negative correlations between IgA activity in gastric mucus with the eggs in utero and with adult female length. Furthermore there were also strong relationships between the peripheral eosinophilia with serum (P < 0·01) and gastric mucus IgA activity (P < 0·01). Moreover serum pepsinogen and the number of L4 at slaughter were related (P < 0·01). [source] An Unusual Cutaneous Lesion as the Presenting Sign of Spinal Dysraphism in a Preterm InfantPEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2004M. Mansur Tatli M.D. Our clinical diagnosis was probable twin nevus, with a blanched nevus adjacent to a telangiectatic nevus, later complicated by ulceration. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral region revealed that her conus medullaris level was at L4 and the spinal cord was tethered by an intraspinal lipoma, without evidence of a hemangioma. We could not find any literature reporting the association of twin nevus with spinal dysraphism. [source] Insulin resistance of puberty in African-American children: lack of a compensatory increase in insulin secretionPEDIATRIC DIABETES, Issue 1 2002Rola J. Saad Abtract: Type 2 diabetes has been increasing in children, mostly affecting minority populations at around the age of puberty. Despite a multitude of studies demonstrating pubertal insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia in white children, data are almost non-existent in African-American children. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of puberty on glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity and secretion in African-American children. Twenty prepubertal and 16 pubertal African-American subjects participated. All underwent a 3-h hyperinsulinemic (40 mU/m2/min) euglycemic clamp to determine insulin-stimulated glucose disposal, and a 2-h hyperglycemic (12.5 mmol/L) clamp to assess first- and second-phase insulin secretion. Body composition was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and visceral and subcutaneous abdominal adiposity with computed tomography (CT) scan at L4,L5. Total glucose disposal, glucose oxidation and non-oxidative glucose disposal were significantly lower in the pubertal group compared with the prepubertal one (53.8 ± 3.9 vs. 72.2 ± 5.0 µmol/kg/min, p = 0.009; 23.3 ± 1.1 vs. 31.6 ± 1.7 µmol/kg/min, p = 0.001; and 30.0 ± 3.3 vs. 40.5 ± 3.9 µmol/kg/min, p = 0.049, respectively). Insulin sensitivity was ,30% lower in the adolescents compared with the prepubertal children. However, first- and second-phase insulin secretions were not different between the two groups (971.4 ± 180.6 vs. 1044.0 ± 191.4 pmol/L and 999.6 ± 159.6 vs. 955.8 ± 142.2 pmol/L, respectively). In conclusion, despite ,30% lower insulin sensitivity in African-American adolescents compared with prepubertal children, insulin secretion is not higher. This is in contrast to published findings in white children in whom insulin secretion is higher during puberty. These racial differences in physiologic adaptation to puberty could play a role in the higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes in African-American children at the time of puberty. [source] Fusarium head blight resistance derived from Lophopyrum elongatum chromosome 7E and its augmentation with Fhb1 in wheatPLANT BREEDING, Issue 5 2006X. Shen Abstract The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance derived from wheatgrass Lophopyrum elongatum chromosome 7E and to determine whether this resistance can augment resistance in combination with other FHB resistance quantitative trait loci (QTL) or genes in wheat. The ,Chinese Spring',Lophopyrum elongatum disomic substitution line 7E(7B) was crossed to three wheat lines: ,Ning 7840', L3, and L4. F2 populations were evaluated for type II resistance with the single-floret inoculation method in the greenhouse. Simple sequence repeat markers associated with Fhb1 in ,Ning 7840' and L4 and markers located on chromosome 7E were genotyped in each population. Marker,trait association was analysed with one-way or two-way analysis of variance. The research showed that, in the three populations, the average number of diseased spikelets (NDS) in plants with chromosome 7E is 1.2, 3.1 and 3.2, vs. NDS of 3.3, 7.2 and 9.1 in plants without 7E, a reduction in NDS of 2.1, 4.1 and 5.9 in the respective populations. The QTL on 7E and the Fhb1 gene augment disease resistance when combined. The effect of the QTL on 7E was greater than that on 3BS in this experiment. Data also suggest that the FHB resistance gene derived from L. elongatum is located on the long arm of 7E. [source] Morphology and function of the lumbar spine of the Kebara 2 NeandertalAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 4 2010Ella Been Abstract The morphology of the lumbar spine is crucial for upright posture and bipedal walking in hominids. The excellent preservation of the lumbar spine of Kebara 2 provides us a rare opportunity to observe a complete spine and explore its functionally relevant morphology. The lumbar spine of Kebara 2 is analyzed and compared with the lumbar spines of modern humans and late Pleistocene hominids. Although no size differences between the vertebral bodies and pedicles of Kebara 2 and modern humans are found, significant differences in the size and orientation of the transverse processes (L1 -L4), and the laminae (L5, S1) are demonstrated. The similarity in the size of the vertebral bodies and pedicles of Kebara 2 and modern humans suggests similarity in axial load transmission along the lumbar spine. The laterally projected (L2 -L4) and the cranially oriented (L1, L3) transverse processes of Kebara 2 show an advantage for lateral flexion of the lumbar spine compared with modern humans. The characteristic morphology of the lumbar spine of Kebara 2 might be related to the wide span of its pelvic bones. Am J Phys Anthropol 142:549,557, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||