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Mer
Terms modified by Mer Selected AbstractsEtoposide and merbarone are clastogenic and aneugenic in the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test complemented by fluorescence in situ hybridization with the mouse minor satellite DNA probeENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS, Issue 2 2003S.M. Attia Abstract The topoisomerase II (topo II) inhibitors etoposide (VP-16) and merbarone (MER) were investigated with the in vivo micronucleus test (MN test) combined with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using the mouse minor satellite DNA probe to discriminate MN of clastogenic and aneugenic origin. All experiments were performed with male (102/ElxC3H/El) F1 mice bred in the mouse colony of the GSF Research Center. The sample size per experimental group was five animals and 2,000 polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) were scored per animal from coded slides in the conventional MN test. A separate set of coded slides was used for the FISH analysis. All treatments consisted of single intraperitoneal injections. Colchicine (COL, 3 mg/kg) and mitomycin (MMC, 1 mg/kg) were used as a positive control aneugen and clastogen, respectively, and these compounds produced the expected responses. A dose of 1 mg/kg VP-16 induced 3.44% MNPCE (compared to the concurrent solvent control of 0.37%, P < 0.001) and of these 39.9% (1.4% MNPCE) showed one or more fluorescent signals. MER (7.5,60 mg/kg) increased the MNPCE frequencies in a dose-dependent manner, with 15 mg/kg being the lowest positive dose. At the highest dose of 60 mg/kg of MER, a total of 4.26% MNPCE were found (compared to 0.31% in the concurrent solvent control, P < 0.001) and of these 46.2% (2.0% MNPCE) contained one or more fluorescent signals. The data demonstrate that VP-16 and MER induced both clastogenic and aneugenic events despite their different modes of topo II inhibition. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 41:99,103, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Prior pallidotomy reduces and modifies neuronal activity in the subthalamic nucleus of Parkinson's disease patientsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 2 2008A. Zaidel Abstract Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with prior radio-frequency lesions in the internal segment of the globus pallidus (GPi, pallidotomy), whose symptoms have deteriorated, may be candidates for further invasive treatment such as subthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN DBS). Six patients with prior pallidotomy (five unilaterally; one bilaterally) underwent bilateral STN DBS. The microelectrode recordings (MERs, used intraoperatively for STN verification), ipsilateral and contralateral to pallidotomy, and MERs from 11 matched PD patients who underwent bilateral STN DBS without prior pallidotomy were compared. For each trajectory, average, variance and mean successive difference (MSD, a measure of irregularity) of the root mean square (RMS) of the STN MER were calculated. The RMS in trajectories ipsilateral to pallidotomy showed significant reduction of the mean average and MSD of STN activity when compared with trajectories from patients without prior pallidotomy. The RMS parameters contralateral to pallidotomy tend to lie between those ipsilateral to pallidotomy and those without prior pallidotomy. The average STN power spectral density of oscillatory activity was notably lower ipsilateral to pallidotomy than contralateral, or without prior pallidotomy. The finding that pallidotomy reduces STN activity and changes firing characteristics, in conjunction with the effectiveness of STN DBS despite prior pallidotomy, calls for reappraisal and modification of the current model of the basal ganglia (BG) cortical network. It highlights the critical role of direct projections from the BG to brain-stem structures and suggests a possible GPi,STN reciprocal positive-feedback mechanism. [source] Expression of NUP98/TOP1, but not of TOP1/NUP98, in a treatment-related myelodysplastic syndrome with t(10;20;11)(q24;q11;p15)GENES, CHROMOSOMES AND CANCER, Issue 2 2002Ioannis Panagopoulos The t(11;20)(p15;q11) is a rare but recurrent translocation that so far has been described in only four acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs), two treatment-related myelodysplastic syndromes (t-MDSs), and one case of polycythemia vera. Recently, the t(11;20) was shown to result in a fusion of the NUP98 and TOP1 genes, with expression of the NUP98/TOP1 chimera encoded by the der(11)t(11;20), but not of the reciprocal TOP1/NUP98 on the der(20)t(11;20). The genomic breakpoints were subsequently mapped to introns 13 and 7 of NUP98 and TOP1, respectively. We present here a t-MDS with a three-way variant translocation, t(10;20;11)(q24;q11;p15), that generates a der(11)t(11;20) but not a der(20)t(11;20), strongly suggesting that the der(11) harbors the critical genetic rearrangement. Reverse transcriptase,polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed a NUP98/TOP1 fusion in which exon 13 of NUP98 was fused in-frame with exon 8 of TOP1. Extra long (XL) genomic PCR and subsequent sequence analyses showed that the breakpoint in NUP98 occurred at nucleotide (nt) 3461 of intron 13, close to a MER (medium reiteration frequency interspersed repetitive element) repeat, and that the breakpoint in TOP1 was at nt 1436 of intron 7, downstream of a MIR (mammalian-wide interspersed repeats) repetitive element. Genomic XL PCR did not amplify the reciprocal TOP1/NUP98, nor was this chimera expressed, as expected from the cytogenetic finding. The present results provide further support for the involvement of the NUP98/TOP1 transcript, but not of the reciprocal one, in the development of MDS/AML. Furthermore, the three cases genomically characterized to date have all been treatment-related and have all harbored breakpoints in intron 13 of NUP98 and intron 7 of TOP1, suggesting that these introns are susceptible to chemotherapy-induced breakage. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Forage production and plant diversity in two managed rangelands in the Main Ethiopian RiftAFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Ali Seid Mohammed Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the floristic diversity and productivity of managed rangelands in the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER). The relationships between forage production and plant diversity among four native range sites (i.e. Alagae hay-field, Alagae woodland, Neteli hay-field and Neteli woodland) that were different in range condition were examined. The major variables studied include floristic diversity, herbaceous biomass production and range condition assessment. A total of 213 species, representing 143 genera and 40 families, were identified from the study sites. The range conditions ranked from poor to good. Herbaceous biomass production followed a quadratic relationship with range condition. The humpback model was tested and found to be applicable to the MER rangelands. The study results reflect on the need for optimizing productivity and biodiversity conservation and put emphasis on the need for integrating agricultural production and biodiversity conservation interests for the sustainable utilization of rangelands. Résumé L'objectif de cette étude était d'étudier la diversité floristique et la productivité de pâturages gérés dans le Rift éthiopien principal (REP). La relation entre la production de fourrage et la diversité de plantes dans quatre sites indigènes dont les conditions étaient différentes (à savoir : prairie à faucher d'Alagae, forêt d'Alagae, prairie de Neteli et forêt de Neteli) ont été examinées. Les principales variables étudiées comprennent la diversité floristique, la production de biomasse herbacée et l'évaluation des conditions de la région. Un total de 213 espèces appartenant à 143 genres et à 40 familles ont été identifiées sur les sites de l'étude. Les conditions de la région variaient de médiocre à bonne. La production de biomasse herbacée suivait une relation quadratique avec les conditions de la région. Le modèle « épaulard » (Humpback model) a été testé et l'on a trouvé qu'il pouvait s'appliquer aux pâturages REP. Les résultats de l'étude se reflètent dans le besoin d'optimiser la productivité et la conservation de la biodiversité, et mettent l'accent sur la nécessité d'intégrer les intérêts de la production agricole et de la conservation de la biodiversité pour arriver à une utilisation durable des pâturages. [source] Targeted driving using visual tracking on Mars: From research to flightJOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 3 2009Won S. Kim This paper presents the development, validation, and deployment of the visual target tracking capability onto the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission. Visual target tracking enables targeted driving, in which the rover approaches a designated target in a closed visual feedback loop, increasing the target position accuracy by an order of magnitude and resulting in fewer ground-in-the-loop cycles. As a result of an extensive validation, we developed a reliable normalized cross-correlation visual tracker. To enable tracking with the limited computational resources of a planetary rover, the tracker uses the vehicle motion estimation to scale and roll the template image, compensating for large image changes between rover steps. The validation showed that a designated target can be reliably tracked within several pixels or a few centimeters of accuracy over a 10-m traverse using a rover step size of 10% of the target distance in any direction. It also showed that the target is not required to have conspicuous features and can be selected anywhere on natural rock surfaces excluding rock boundary and shadowed regions. The tracker was successfully executed on the Opportunity rover near Victoria Crater on four distinct runs, including a single-sol instrument placement. We present the flight experiment data of the tracking performance and execution time. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Decisional autonomy of planetary roversJOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 7 2007Félix Ingrand To achieve the ever increasing demand for science return, planetary exploration rovers require more autonomy to successfully perform their missions. Indeed, the communication delays are such that teleoperation is unrealistic. Although the current rovers (such as MER) demonstrate a limited navigation autonomy, and mostly rely on ground mission planning, the next generation (e.g., NASA Mars Science Laboratory and ESA Exomars) will have to regularly achieve long range autonomous navigation tasks. However, fully autonomous long range navigation in partially known planetary-like terrains is still an open challenge for robotics. Navigating hundreds of meters without any human intervention requires the robot to be able to build adequate representations of its environment, to plan and execute trajectories according to the kind of terrain traversed, to control its motions, and to localize itself as it moves. All these activities have to be planned, scheduled, and performed according to the rover context, and controlled so that the mission is correctly fulfilled. To achieve these objectives, we have developed a temporal planner and an execution controller, which exhibit plan repair and replanning capabilities. The planner is in charge of producing plans composed of actions for navigation, science activities (moving and operating instruments), communication with Earth and with an orbiter or a lander, while managing resources (power, memory, etc.) and respecting temporal constraints (communication visibility windows, rendezvous, etc.). High level actions also need to be refined and their execution temporally and logically controlled. Finally, in such critical applications, we believe it is important to deploy a component that protects the system against dangerous or even fatal situations resulting from unexpected interactions between subsystems (e.g., move the robot while the robot arm is unstowed) and/or software components (e.g., take and store a picture in a buffer while the previous one is still being processed). In this article we review the aforementioned capabilities, which have been developed, tested, and evaluated on board our rovers (Lama and Dala). After an overview of the architecture design principle adopted, we summarize the perception, localization, and motion generation functions required by autonomous navigation, and their integration and concurrent operation in a global architecture. We then detail the decisional components: a high level temporal planner that produces the robot activity plan on board, and temporal and procedural execution controllers. We show how some failures or execution delays are being taken care of with online local repair, or replanning. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Oasis: Onboard autonomous science investigation system for opportunistic rover scienceJOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 5 2007Rebecca Castano The Onboard Autonomous Science Investigation System has been developed to enable a rover to identify and react to serendipitous science opportunities. Using the FIDO rover in the Mars Yard at JPL, we have successfully demonstrated a fully autonomous opportunistic science system. The closed loop system tests included the rover acquiring image data, finding rocks in the image, analyzing rock properties and identifying rocks that merit further investigation. When the system on the rover alerts the rover to take additional measurements of interesting rocks, the planning and scheduling component determines if there are enough resources to meet this additional science data request. The rover is then instructed to either turn toward the rock, or to actually move closer to the rock to take an additional, close-up image. Prototype dust devil and cloud detection algorithms were delivered to an infusion task which refined the algorithms specifically for Mars Exploration Rovers (MER). These algorithms have been integrated into the MER flight software and were recently uploaded to the rovers on Mars. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Two years of Visual Odometry on the Mars Exploration RoversJOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 3 2007Mark Maimone NASA's two Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) have successfully demonstrated a robotic Visual Odometry capability on another world for the first time. This provides each rover with accurate knowledge of its position, allowing it to autonomously detect and compensate for any unforeseen slip encountered during a drive. It has enabled the rovers to drive safely and more effectively in highly sloped and sandy terrains and has resulted in increased mission science return by reducing the number of days required to drive into interesting areas. The MER Visual Odometry system comprises onboard software for comparing stereo pairs taken by the pointable mast-mounted 45 deg FOV Navigation cameras (NAVCAMs). The system computes an update to the 6 degree of freedom rover pose (x, y, z, roll, pitch, yaw) by tracking the motion of autonomously selected terrain features between two pairs of 256×256 stereo images. It has demonstrated good performance with high rates of successful convergence (97% on Spirit, 95% on Opportunity), successfully detected slip ratios as high as 125%, and measured changes as small as 2 mm, even while driving on slopes as high as 31 deg. Visual Odometry was used over 14% of the first 10.7 km driven by both rovers. During the first 2 years of operations, Visual Odometry evolved from an "extra credit" capability into a critical vehicle safety system. In this paper we describe our Visual Odometry algorithm, discuss several driving strategies that rely on it (including Slip Checks, Keep-out Zones, and Wheel Dragging), and summarize its results from the first 2 years of operations on Mars. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Dexmedetomidine and arousal affect subthalamic neurons,MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 9 2008William Jeffrey Elias MD Abstract Stereotactic neurosurgeons hesitate to employ sedation in cases requiring microelectrode recording (MER). We report our experience with dexmedetomidine during MER of subthalamic nucleus (STN). Eleven Parkinsonian patients received dexmedetomidine during deep brain stimulation surgery. Seven received continuous IV infusions during MER in the STN. The bispectral index (BIS) was used to estimate the level of consciousness. The quality of MER was evaluated as a function of BIS, clinical arousal, and dexmedetomidine dose. MER during wakefulness (BIS > 80; 0.1 to 0.4 mcg/kg/hr dexmedetomidine) was similar to the unmedicated state. Subthalamic MER was reduced when the patient was asleep or unarousable (BIS < 80). Anxiolysis persisted for hours. Arousal affects STN neurons. Dexmedetomidine "cooperative sedation," from which the patient is easily aroused, provides interpretable STN MER and prolonged anxiolysis. We suggest dexmedetomidine infusions without a loading dose, a relatively low infusion rate, and discontinuation after completion of the bur holes. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society [source] Improvement in a quantitative measure of bradykinesia after microelectrode recording in patients with Parkinson's disease during deep brain stimulation surgeryMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 5 2006Mandy Miller Koop MS Abstract It is widely accepted that patients with Parkinson's disease experience immediate but temporary improvement in motor signs after surgical implantation of subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulating electrodes before the electrodes are activated, although this has never been formally studied. Based on anecdotal observations that limb mobility improved just after microelectrode recording (MER) during deep brain stimulation (DBS) procedures, we designed a prospective study to measure upper extremity bradykinesia using a quantitative measure of angular velocity. Measurements were made pre- and post-MER and during intraoperative DBS. Analysis of 98 STN DBS procedures performed on 61 patients showed that MER did not create adverse clinical symptoms despite concerns that MER increases morbidity. Quantitative upper extremity bradykinesia improved after MER alone, and further improvement was seen during intraoperative DBS. Electrophysiological data from each case were then compared to the improvement in bradykinesia post-MER alone and a significant correlation was found between the improvement in arm bradykinesia, the number of passes through the STN with somatosensory driving, and also with the number of arm cells with somatosensory driving in the STN, but not with total number of passes, total number of passes through the STN, or total number of cells with somatosensory driving in the STN. This study demonstrates that there is a significant improvement in upper extremity bradykinesia just after MER, before inserting or activating the DBS electrode in patients with Parkinson's disease who undergo STN DBS. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society [source] Non-enzymatic developmental functions of acetylcholinesterase , the question of redundancyFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 20 2008Glynis Johnson Despite in vitro demonstrations of non-enzymatic morphogenetic functions in acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the AChE knockout phenotype is milder than might be expected, casting doubt upon the relevance of such functions in vivo. Functional redundancy is a possible explanation. Using in vitro findings that AChE is able to bind to laminin-111, together with detailed information about the interaction sites, as well as an epitope analysis of adhesion-inhibiting anti-AChE mAbs, we have used molecular docking and bioinformatics techniques to explore this idea, investigating structurally similar molecules that have a comparable spatiotemporal expression pattern in the embryonic nervous system. On this basis, molecules with which AChE could be redundant are the syndecans, glypicans, perlecan, the receptor tyrosine kinase Mer, and the low-density lipoprotein receptor. It is also highly likely that AChE may be redundant with the homologous neuroligins, although there is no evidence that the latter are expressed before synaptogenesis. AChE was observed to dock with Gas6, the ligand for Mer, as well as with apolipoprotein E3 (but not apolipoprotein E4), both at the same site as the laminin interaction. These findings suggest that AChE may show direct functional redundancy with one or more of these molecules; it is also possible that it may itself have a unique function in the stabilization of the basement membrane. As basement membrane molecules are characterized by multiple molecular interactions, each contributing cumulatively to the construction and stability of the network, this may account for AChE's apparently promiscuous interactions, and also for the survival of the knockout. [source] Gas6 and protein SFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 23 2006Vitamin K-dependent ligands for the Axl receptor tyrosine kinase subfamily Gas6 and protein S are two homologous secreted proteins that depend on vitamin K for their execution of a range of biological functions. A discrete subset of these functions is mediated through their binding to and activation of the receptor tyrosine kinases Axl, Sky and Mer. Furthermore, a hallmark of the Gas6,Axl system is the unique ability of Gas6 and protein S to tether their non receptor-binding regions to the negatively charged membranes of apoptotic cells. Numerous studies have shown the Gas6,Axl system to regulate cell survival, proliferation, migration, adhesion and phagocytosis. Consequently, altered activity/expression of its components has been detected in a variety of pathologies such as cancer and vascular, autoimmune and kidney disorders. Moreover, Axl overactivation can equally occur without ligand binding, which has implications for tumorigenesis. Further knowledge of this exquisite ligand,receptor system and the circumstances of its activation should provide the basis for development of novel therapies for the above diseases. [source] High incidence of distal vaginal atresia in mice lacking Tyro3 RTK subfamilyMOLECULAR REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 12 2008Hui Wu Abstract Vaginal atresia is a congenital abnormality of the female genitourinary system, and the specific molecular mechanism leading to failure of vaginal development remains to be elucidated. Here, we report that the female mice lacking Tyro3 RTK subfamily (Tyro3, Axl, and Mer) exhibit a high incidence of distal vaginal atresia. The ratios of the vaginal atresia in Tyro3 RTKs mutant female mice are as follows: 2.5% for Mer,/, mice, 4.0% for Axl,/,Mer,/,, 3.7% for Mer,/,Tyro3,/,, 16.06% for Tyro,/,Axl,/,Mer,/, mice. We did not find the vaginal atresia in Axl,/,, Tyro3,/,, Axl,/, Tyro,/,, and wild-type mice. These observations suggest that Tyro3 RTKs play roles collaboratively in vaginal development, and Mer is more critical, Axl and Tyro3 support the function of Mer. The phenotype of mice with the vaginal atresia was characterized in this study. Tyro3 RTKs mutant mouse could be a useful model to study the mechanism of vaginal atresia formation. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 1775,1782, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Tibolone Rapidly Attenuates the GABAB Response in Hypothalamic NeuronesJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 12 2008J. Qiu Tibolone is primarily used for the treatment of climacteric symptoms. Tibolone is rapidly converted into three major metabolites: 3,- and 3,-hydroxy (OH)-tibolone, which have oestrogenic effects, and the ,4-isomer (,4-tibolone), which has progestogenic and androgenic effects. Because tibolone is effective in treating climacteric symptoms, the effects on the brain may be explained by the oestrogenic activity of tibolone. Using whole-cell patch clamp recording, we found previously that 17,-oestradiol (E2) rapidly altered ,-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission in hypothalamic neurones through a membrane oestrogen receptor (mER). E2 reduced the potency of the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen to activate G-protein-coupled, inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK) channels in hypothalamic neurones. Therefore, we hypothesised that tibolone may have some rapid effects through the mER and sought to elucidate the signalling pathway of tibolone's action using selective inhibitors and whole cell recording in ovariectomised female guinea pigs and mice. A sub-population of neurones was identified post hoc as pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurones by immunocytochemical staining. Similar to E2, we have found that tibolone and its active metabolite 3,OH-tibolone rapidly reduced the potency of the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen to activate GIRK channels in POMC neurones. The effects were blocked by the ER antagonist ICI 182 780. Other metabolites of tibolone (3,OH-tibolone and ,4-tibolone) had no effect. Furthermore, tibolone (and 3,OH-tibolone) was fully efficacious in ER, knockout (KO) and ER,KO mice to attenuate GABAB responses. The effects of tibolone were blocked by phospholipase C inhibitor U73122. However, in contrast to E2, the effects of tibolone were not blocked by protein kinase C inhibitors or protein kinase A inhibitors. It appears that tibolone (and 3,OH-tibolone) activates phospholipase C leading to phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate metabolism and direct alteration of GIRK channel function. Therefore, tibolone may enhance synaptic efficacy through the Gq signalling pathways of mER in brain circuits that are critical for maintaining homeostatic functions. [source] An actin-stabilizing peptide conjugate deduced from the major outer sheath protein of the bacterium Treponema denticolaCYTOSKELETON, Issue 9 2007Mohsen Amin Abstract A synthetic peptide conjugated to bovine serum albumin, P34BSA, based on a 10-mer in the deduced amino acid sequence of the major outer sheath protein of Treponema denticola, was found to stabilize actin filaments of fibroblasts. Pretreatment of cells with P34BSA inhibited the actin disruption induced by cytochalasin D and latrunculin B. P34BSA was taken up by the cells and localized among actin filaments. P34BSA bound actin from fibroblast lysates, and cell exposure to P34BSA led to the activation of RhoA, a key regulator of actin filament assembly in fibroblasts. Exposure of fibroblasts to P34BSA retarded their migration on a collagen substratum. P34BSA also inhibited chemotaxis of murine neutrophils. Our findings with a novel peptide conjugate imply that bacterial proteins known to perturb the cytoskeleton represent a rich source of molecular models upon which to design synthetic reagents for modulating actin-dependent cellular functions. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Coarse Grained Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Electromechanically-Gated DNA Modified Conical NanoporesELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 3 2008Lajos Höfler Abstract Nanopore-based devices are emerging as tools for single molecule manipulation, characterization and chemical analysis. Single or random arrays of chemically modified nanopores have been established as platforms for selective chemical and biosensing. However, it is little known about the orientation and behavior of surface tethered species in the nanopore environment as function of applied transpore voltages. In this study we report on coarse grained modeling of short (5-, 15-mer) DNA modified conical gold nanopores subjected to electrical field gradients of 5 and 50,mV/nm. An electromechanical gating effect in the single stranded DNA modified conical nanopores is predicted, which is due to the obstruction of the tip entrance by DNA strands oriented by the external electrical field. The magnitude of the rectification effect increases with increasing DNA length and decreasing tip diameter of the conical nanopore. The direction of on/off switching was found to be dependent on the location of the immobilized DNAs on the membrane supporting the nanopore. [source] Interleukin-10-secreting T cells define a suppressive subset within the HIV-1-specific T-cell populationEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 5 2009Eirik A. Torheim Abstract Recent studies have indicated that Treg contribute to the HIV type 1 (HIV-1)-related immune pathogenesis. However, it is not clear whether T cells with suppressive properties reside within the HIV-1-specific T-cell population. Here, PBMC from HIV-1-infected individuals were stimulated with a 15-mer Gag peptide pool, and HIV-1-specific T cells were enriched by virtue of their secretion of IL-10 or IFN-, using immunomagnetic cell-sorting. Neither the IL-10-secreting cells nor the IFN-,-secreting cells expressed the Treg marker FOXP3, yet the IL-10-secreting cells potently suppressed anti-CD3/CD28-induced CD4+ as well as CD8+ T-cell proliferative responses. As shown by intracellular cytokine staining, IL-10- and IFN-,-producing T cells represent distinct subsets of the HIV-1-specific T cells. Our data collectively suggest that functionally defined HIV-1-specific T-cell subsets harbor potent immunoregulatory properties that may contribute to HIV-1-associated T-cell dysfunction. [source] Cyanoimide-Bridged, Bi- and Trinuclear, Heterometallic Complexes with an NCN,Mo,NCN Phosphinic CoreEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 26 2009Sónia M. P. R. M. Cunha Abstract The heterometallic dinuclear complexes of the types trans -[Mo(NCN)(dppe)2(,-NCN)M] [M = WCl4(PPh3), ReOCl3(PPh3) or mer -ReCl(N2)(PMePh2)3; dppe = Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2] and [Mo(NCN)(dppe)2(,-NCN)M][BF4]Br [M = trans -Fe(NCC6H4NO2 -4)(depe)2; depe = Et2PCH2CH2PEt2] and the trinuclear ones [Mo(dppe)2{(,-NCN)M}2] [M = VCl3(thf) or PtCl2(PEt3)] were prepared by reaction of the bis(cyanoimido)molybdenum complex trans -[Mo(NCN)2(dppe)2] with the corresponding transition-metal Lewis acid (M) precursors, particularly [VCl3(thf)3], [WCl4(PPh3)2], [ReOCl3(PPh3)2], trans -[ReCl(N2)(PMePh2)4], trans -[FeBr(NCC6H4NO2 -4)(depe)2][BF4] and [Pt2Cl4(PEt3)2]. These adducts were characterized by FTIR, 1H, 13C and 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and cyclic voltammetry. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009) [source] Cytotoxic Rhodium(III) Polypyridyl Complexes Containing the Tris(pyrazolyl)methane Coligand: Synthesis, DNA Binding Properties and Structure,Activity RelationshipsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 25 2009Ruth Bieda Abstract The RhIII complexes of the type [RhCl(pp)(tpm)]2+ [pp = bpy, bpm, phen, tap, dpq, dppz] 4,9 have been prepared by stepwise treatment of RhCl3·3H2O or mer,cis -[RhCl3(DMSO-,S)2(DMSO-,O)] with the appropriate polypyridyl ligand (pp) followed by the tripodal ligand tris(pyrazolyl)methane (tpm). Intermediates of the type [RhCl3(CH3OH)(pp)] 1,3 with pp = bpy, phen, dpq were also characterized but exhibit either low (3) or no (1, 2) cytotoxicity. X-ray structural analyses of [RhCl(bpy)(tpm)][PF6]24 and [RhCl(phen)(tpm)][PF6]26 were performed, and the interaction of complexes 4,9 with DNA was investigated by CD and UV/Vis spectroscopy and by gel electrophoresis. CD and viscosity studies confirm strong intercalation of dppz complex 9 into DNA. Complexes 8 and particularly 9 (IC50 = 0.43, 0.37 ,M) are potent cytotoxic agents towards the human cancer cell lines MCF-7 and HT-29, whereas respectively little (complex 6) or no activity (complexes 4, 5, 7) is observed for the other members of the series. Our findings indicate that the cytotoxicity is dependent on the hydrophobicity of both the polypyridyl and the facial coligand in these and other half-sandwich RhIII complexes. Irradiation of bpy compound 4 in the presence of plasmid pBR322 for 30 min at 311 nm at a molar ratio of r = 0.1 leads to total conversion of the supercoiled form into the nicked version. Although dppz complex 9 also functions as a photonuclease under these conditions, the degree of cleavage is much lower. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009) [source] Diastereopure Cationic NCN-Pincer Palladium Complexes with Square Planar ,4 - N,C,N,O CoordinationEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 22 2006Silvia Gosiewska Abstract Neutral NCN-pincer palladium bromide complex 2 containing the monoanionic, enantiopure pincer ligand 2,6-bis{[(S)-2-hydroxymethyl-1-pyrrolidinyl]methyl}phenyl bromide (1) with bis- ortho -(S)-prolinol substituents was synthesized and isolated as a mixture of three stereoisomers [(SN,SN,SC,SC), (RN,SN,SC,SC), and (RN,RN,SC,SC)] in a 1:1:1 ratio. Upon abstraction of the bromide ion from the unresolved mixture of 2, single diastereoisomers of the cationic complexes [3]BF4 and [3]PF6, respectively, were formed with a unique,4 - N,C,N,O coordination mode of ligand 1. X-ray crystal structure determination established the intramolecular,4 - N,C,N,O coordination of 1 to palladium where the typical mer -,3 - N,C,N pincer coordination is accompanied by coordination of one of the hydroxy groups of the (S)-prolinol moieties. The water molecule that was cocrystallized in the crystal structure of [3]PF6 does not coordinate to palladium, but instead is involved in a hydrogen bonding network. The catalytic potential of both cationic complexes, [3]BF4 and [3]PF6, was tested in an aldol reaction of aldehydes with methyl isocyanoacetate to yield the oxazoline products as racemic mixtures.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006) [source] Synthesis and Characterization of MoOI2(PMe3)3 and Use of MoOX2(PMe3)3 (X = Cl, I) in Controlled Radical PolymerizationEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 13 2006José A. Mata Abstract Complex MoOCl2(PMe3)3 smoothly reacts with NaI in acetone to produce MoOI2(PMe3)3 in good yields. The geometry of the compound is mer - cis octahedral, that is, identical to that of the dichloride precursor, as shown by NMR spectroscopy and by an X-ray crystallographic study. Electrochemical investigations of MoOX2(PMe3)3 show irreversible oxidation waves at Ep,a = +0.18 and +0.39 V for X = Cl and I, respectively. A study of the halide exchange between MoOCl2(PMe3)3 and NaI, or between MoOI2(PMe3)3 and Bu4NCl, shows two equilibrated isomers for the mixed halide intermediate MoOICl(PMe3)3. The diiodide complex rapidly exchanges the iodo ligands with chloride upon dissolution in chloroform at room temperature, and with bromide from (1-bromoethyl)benzene (BEB) under more forcing conditions. The equilibrium favors the softer halide (I) on C and the harder one (Cl or Br) on MoIV. Both oxido compounds catalyze the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene in combination with the BEB initiator, yielding polymers with quite narrow molecular weight distributions (down to 1.11). The apparent polymerization rate constant is approximately doubled in the presence of 1 equiv. of the Al(OiPr)3 cocatalyst. On the other hand, the system is not capable of efficiently controlling the radical chain growth for methyl acrylate polymerization. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006) [source] Characterization by NMR Spectroscopy, X-ray Analysis and Cytotoxic Activity of the Ruthenium(II) Compounds [RuL3](PF6)2(L = 2-Phenylazopyridine or o -Tolylazopyridine) and [RuL'2L"](PF6)2(L', L" = 2-Phenylazopyridine, 2,2'-Bipyridine)EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 13 2005Anna C. G. Hotze Abstract Tris(ligand) complexes [RuL3](PF6)2 (L = 2-phenylazopyridine or o -tolylazopyridine) and mixed ligand [RuL'2L"](PF6)2 (L' and L" are 2-phenylazopyridine or 2,2'-bipyridine) have been synthesized, structurally characterized and investigated for cytotoxic activity. These complexes are important to study the hypothesis that the compound ,-[Ru(azpy)2Cl2] (azpy = 2-phenylazopyridine) exhibits a high cytotoxicity due to its two cis chloride ligands, which might be exchanged for biological targets as DNA. Molecular structures of mer -[Ru(azpy)3](PF6)2 (1) and mer -[Ru(tazpy)3](PF6)2 (5) (tazpy = o -tolylazopyridine) have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Series of complexes [RuL3](PF6)2 and [RuL'2L"](PF6)2 show interesting NMR spectroscopic data; e.g. the spectrum of mer -[Ru(azpy)3](PF6)2 (1) shows extremely broadened resonances at room temp. but sharpened resonances at low temperature. In the 1H NMR spectra of compounds [Ru(azpy)2(bpy)]2+ and [Ru(bpy)2(azpy)]2+ (bpy = 2,2-bipyridine), respectively, less broadened (room temp.) or completely sharp resonances (room temp.) occur in comparison to 1 (under same conditions). By selecting the right temperature and/or concentration, NMR spectra of these series of compounds have been resolved using 2D COSY and NOESY NMR spectroscopy. Remarkably, the cytotoxicity data against a series of human tumor cell lines (A498, EVSA-T, H226, IGROV, M19, MCF-7 and WIDR) show a moderate cytotoxicity for these series of tris(ligand) complexes. So, even though no chloride ligands are present in these tris(ligand) complexes, a considerable cytotoxic activity is observed. This would imply that the 2-phenylazopyridine ruthenium(II) complexes act by a completely different mechanism than the well-known cisplatin. This finding is important, because an anticancer compound acting via a different mechanism is a prerequisite in designing new anticancer drugs. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005) [source] Nitrosyl Ruthenium Diolato ComplexesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 7 2005Michael Barth Abstract [mer -(dien)(NO)Ru(AnErytH,2)]BPh4·2,H2O (1), [mer -(dien)(NO)Ru(R,R -ChxdH,2)]BPh4 (2), [mer -(dien)(NO)Ru(EthdH,2)]BPh4 (3), and [mer -(dien)(NO)Ru(Me-,- D -Ribf2,3H,2)]BPh4·5.5,H2O (4) have been synthesized in the form of light pink crystals by the reaction of [mer -(dien)(NO)RuCl2]X with the respective diol in aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (dien = diethylenetriamine, AnEryt = anhydroerythritol, Chxd = cyclohexane-1,2-diol, Ethd = ethanediol, Rib = ribose; X = BPh4 or PF6). The nitrosyl ligand exhibits a strong trans influence which causes the trans -bonded oxygen atom of the diolato ligand to form a shorter bond with the Ru centre. Mean values are 2.038 for cis and 1.946 Å for transO -binding. Back donation is strongly supported by the diolato ligand resulting in low energies for the N,O stretch which can be observed as low as 1805 cm,1. trans -Oxygen atoms do not act as hydrogen-bond acceptors in any of the cases. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005) [source] Regiospecific Cyclometalation of Diphenyl(2-substituted phenyl)phosphane with Methyltetrakis(trimethylphosphane)cobalt(I)EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2003Hans-Friedrich Klein Abstract The pre-chelate molecules 2-(diphenylphosphanyl)- N,N -dimethylaniline, [2-(diphenylphosphanyl)benzyl]dimethylamine, 1-(diphenylphosphanyl)-2-ethylbenzene, 1-(diphenylphosphanyl)-2-isopropylbenzene, and 2-(diphenylphosphanyl)benzonitrile, in a reaction with [CoMe(PMe3)4], eliminate methane to afford the selectively 6- ortho -metalated complexes 1,5 that contain four-membered metallacycles. The molecular structure of 3 shows a tbp-coordinated cobalt atom, with axial C and PMe3 donor groups. Metalation in the aliphatic side-chain occurs with 2-(diphenylphosphanyl)toluene, giving complex 6 that contains a five-membered metallacycle. Benzyldiphenylphosphane is selectively ortho -metalated in the benzyl group, affording 7. As shown by the molecular structures, complex 7 is a true ligand isomer of 6. Substitution of a trimethylphosphane group in compounds 4 and 6 by ethene gives the pentacoordinate complexes 8 and 9, respectively. The ethene ligand is ,-coordinated in the equatorial plane of a trigonal bipyramid. Under 1 bar of CO, complex 6 forms monocarbonyl complex 10. Carbonylation of complexes 3 and 4 proceeds by insertion of CO into the Co,C bond under ring expansion, affording the aroylcobalt complexes 11 and 12, respectively. Complex 6 reacts with iodomethane in an oxidative substitution reaction yielding a structurally characterized octahedral complex mer - 13, which eliminates a methyl group in THF at 20 °C to form a pentacoordinate cobalt(II) complex 14. Complex 3 oxidatively adds iodomethane in a stereoselective cis addition to give the cobalt(III) complex mer - 15, which retains its four-membered metallacycle and the CoCH3 group. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003) [source] Native and subunit molecular mass and quarternary structure of the hemoglobin from the primitive branchiopod crustacean Triops cancriformisFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 17 2006Morgane Rousselot Many branchiopod crustaceans are endowed with extracellular, high-molecular-weight hemoglobins whose exact structural characteristics have remained a matter of conjecture. By using a broad spectrum of techniques, we provide precise and coherent information on the hemoglobin of one of the phylogenetically ,oldest' extant branchiopods, the tadpole shrimp Triops cancriformis. The hemoglobin dissociated under reducing conditions into two subunits, designated TcHbA and TcHbB, with masses of 35 775 ± 4 and 36 055 ± 4 Da, respectively, determined by ESI-MS. Nonreducing conditions showed only two disulfide-bridged dimers, a homodimer of TcHbA, designated D1 (71 548 ± 5 Da), and the heterodimer D2 (71 828 ± 5 Da). Carbamidomethylation of free SH groups revealed the presence of three cysteines per subunit and indicated one intrasubunit and one intersubunit disulfide bridge. Ultracentrifugation and light-scattering experiments under nondenaturating conditions yielded mass estimates that suggested an uneven number of 17 subunits forming the native hemoglobin. This unrealistic number resulted from the presence of two size classes (16-mer and 18-mer), which were recognized by native PAGE and Ferguson plot analysis. ESI-MS revealed three hemoglobin isoforms with masses of 588.1 kDa, 662.0 kDa, and 665.0 kDa. The 16-mer and the smaller 18-mer species are supposed to be composed of TcHbA only, given the dominance of this subunit type in SDS/PAGE. Transmission electron microscopy of negatively stained specimens showed a population of compact molecules with geometrical extensions of 14, 16 and 9 nm. The proposed stoichiometric model of quarternary structure provides the missing link to achieve a mechanistic understanding of the structure,function relationships among the multimeric arthropodan hemoglobins. [source] The polypeptide chain release factor eRF1 specifically contacts the s4UGA stop codon located in the A site of eukaryotic ribosomesFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 10 2001Laurent Chavatte It has been shown previously [Brown, C.M. & Tate, W.P. (1994) J. Biol. Chem.269, 33164,33170.] that the polypeptide chain release factor RF2 involved in translation termination in prokaryotes was able to photocrossreact with mini-messenger RNAs containing stop signals in which U was replaced by 4-thiouridine (s4U). Here, using the same strategy we have monitored photocrosslinking to eukaryotic ribosomal components of 14-mer mRNA in the presence of , and 42-mer mRNA in the presence of tRNAAsp (tRNAAsp gene transcript). We show that: (a) both 14-mer and 42-mer mRNAs crossreact with ribosomal RNA and ribosomal proteins. The patterns of the crosslinked ribosomal proteins are similar with both mRNAs and sensitive to ionic conditions; (b) the crosslinking patterns obtained with 42-mer mRNAs show characteristic modification upon addition of tRNAAsp providing evidence for appropriate mRNA phasing onto the ribosome. Similar changes are not detected with the 14-mer pairs; (c) when eukaryotic polypeptide chain release factor 1 (eRF1) is added to the ribosome·tRNAAsp complex it crossreacts with the 42-mer mRNA containing the s4UGA stop codon located in the A site, but not with the s4UCA sense codon; this crosslink involves the N-terminal and middle domains of eRF1 but not the C domain which interacts with eukaryotic polypeptide chain release factor 3 (eRF3); (d) addition of eRF3 has no effect on the yield of eRF1,42-mer mRNA crosslinking and eRF3 does not crossreact with 42-mer mRNA. These experiments delineate the in vitro conditions allowing optimal phasing of mRNA on the eukaryotic ribosome and demonstrate a direct and specific contact of ,core' eRF1 and s4UGA stop codon within the ribosomal A site. [source] Precise/ Small Sample Size Determinations of Lithium Isotopic Compositions of Geological Reference Materials and Modern Seawater by MC-ICP-MSGEOSTANDARDS & GEOANALYTICAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2004Alistair B. Jeffcoate composition isotopique de Li; matériaux de référence silicates; eau de mer; MC-ICP-MS; Li standard The Li isotope ratios of four international rock reference materials, USGS BHVO-2, GSJ JB-2, JG-2, JA-1 and modern seawater (Mediterranean, Pacific and North Atlantic) were determined using multi-collector inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). These reference materials of natural samples were chosen to span a considerable range in Li isotope ratios and cover several different matrices in order to provide a useful benchmark for future studies. Our new analytical technique achieves significantly higher precision and reproducibility (< ± O.3%o 2s) than previous methods, with the additional advantage of requiring very low sample masses of ca. 2 ng of Li. Les rapports isotopiques du Li de 4 matériaux de référence, de provenance Internationale, BHVO-2, JB-2, JG-2, JA-1 et d'eau de mer (Méditerranée, Pacifique et Atlantique Nord) ont été déterminés par MC-ICP-MS (spectrométrie de masse avec source à plasma induit à multicollection). Ces matériaux de référence naturels ont été choisis car ils balaient un large champ des rapports isotopiques du Lithium et couvrent différentes matrices afin de fournir un point de repère utile pour les études futures. Notre nouvelle technique analytique permet d'atteindre une précision et une reproductibilité (< ± 0.3%. 2s) nettement supérieures à celles des méthodes précédemment utilisées et présente I'avantage de pouvoir travailler avec des échantillons de petite masse, , 2 ng de Li. [source] Calcium Isotopic Composition of Various Reference Materials and SeawaterGEOSTANDARDS & GEOANALYTICAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2003Dorothee Hippler composition isotopique du calcium; eau de mer; paléocéanographie; NIST SRM 915a A compilation of ,44/40Ca (,44/40Ca) data sets of different calcium reference materials is presented, based on measurements in three different laboratories (Institute of Geological Sciences, Bern; Centre de Géochimie de la Surface, Strasbourg; GEOMAR, Kiel) to support the establishment of a calcium isotope reference standard. Samples include a series of international and internal Ca reference materials, including NIST SRM 915a, seawater, two calcium carbonates and a CaF2 reference sample. The deviations in ,44/40Ca for selected pairs of reference samples have been defined and are consistent within statistical uncertainties in all three laboratories. Emphasis has been placed on characterising both NIST SRM 915a as an internationally available high purity Ca reference sample and seawater as representative of an important and widely available geological reservoir. The difference between ,44/40Ca of NIST SRM 915a and seawater is defined as -1.88 O.O4%o (,44/42CaNISTSRM915a/Sw= -0.94 0.07%o). The conversion of values referenced to NIST SRM 915a to seawater can be described by the simplified equation ,44/40CaSa/Sw=,44/40CaSa/NIST SRM 915a - 1.88 (,44/42CaSa/Sw=,44/42CaSa/NIST SRM 915a - 0.94). We propose the use of NIST SRM 915a as general Ca isotope reference standard, with seawater being defined as the major reservoir with respect to oceanographic studies. On présente ici une compilation de données de ,44/40Ca (,44/42Ca) obtenues sur différents matériaux de référence, à partir d'analyses effectuées dans trois laboratoires (Institute of Geological Sciences, Berne; Centre de Géochimie de la Surface, Strasbourg; GEOMAR, Kiel) dans le but de définir des matériaux standards de référence pour isotopie du calcium. Les échantillons comprenaient une série de matériaux standards, internes et internationaux, de référence pour le calcium, avec NIST SRM 915a, l'eau de mer, deux carbonates de calcium, et un échantillon de CaF2 de référence. Les déviations en ,44/40Ca pour des paires sélectionnées d'échantillons de référence ont été définies et sont en accord, compte tenu des incertitudes statistiques, entre les trois laboratoires. L'accent a été mis sur la nécessité de caractériser à la fois NIST SRM 915a, en tant que matériau de référence très pur, internationalement disponible, et l'eau de mer comme représentant d'un réservoir géologique très important et disponible partout. La différence entre les ,44/40Ca de NIST SRM 915a et de l'eau de mer est définie comme étant de -1.88 0.04%0,44/42CaNIST SRM 915a/Sw= -0.94 0.07%0). La conversion des données référencées par rapport à NIST SRM 915a à la référence -eau de mer- se fait selon l'équation simplifiée équation ,44/40CaSa/Sw=,44/40CaSa/NIST SRM 915a - 1.88 (,44/42Ca Sa/Sw=,44/42CaSa/NIST SRM 915a - 0.94). Nous proposons l'utilisation de NIST SRM 915a comme matériau standard de référence pour les isotopes de Ca, avec l'eau de mer comme réservoir majeur adapté aux études océanographiques. [source] Identification and prevalence of CD8+ T-cell responses directed against Epstein-Barr virus-encoded latent membrane protein 1 and latent membrane protein 2INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 1 2002Pauline Meij Abstract Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with several human malignancies that each show different viral gene expression profiles. In malignancies such as Hodgkin's disease and nasopharyngeal carcinoma only Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) and varying levels of latent membrane proteins 1 and 2 (LMP1 and -2) are expressed. Since endogenously expressed EBNA1 is protected from CTL recognition, LMP1 and LMP2 are the most likely target antigens for anti-tumor immunotherapy. Therefore, we sought to identify in a systematic way CD8+ T-cell responses directed against eptitopes derived from LMP1 and LMP2. Using IFN,-ELISPOT assays of interferon-, release, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy donors were screened with peptide panels (15 mer overlapping by 10) spanning the LMP1 and LMP2 sequences of the prototype EBV strain B95.8. When positive responses were found, CD4+ or CD8+ T cells were depleted from donor PBMC to determine the origin of the responder population. We detected CD8+ T-cell responses to LMP1 in 9/50(18%) donors and to LMP2 in 15/28 (54%) donors. In addition to the already described epitopes, 3 new LMP1- and 5 new LMP2-derived CD8+ epitopes were identified. In most donors LMP1- and LMP2-specific CD8+ precursor frequencies were low compared with precursors against immunodominant EBV epitopes from latent (EBNA3A, -3B and -3C) and lytic cycle antigens. These results demonstrate that CD8+ memory T cell responses to LMP1 and especially to LMP2 do exist in Caucasians, albeit at low levels and could potentially be exploited for therapeutic use. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] ,People Is All That Is Left to Privatize': Water Supply Privatization, Globalization and Social Justice in Belize City, BelizeINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF URBAN AND REGIONAL RESEARCH, Issue 3 2009DAANISH MUSTAFA Abstract This article presents the findings of an extensive survey on public and policy level perceptions of the failed water supply and sanitation system privatization in Belize City. Drawing upon the burgeoning critical geographical literature on the commodification and privatization of water, we formulate a conceptual framework for analyzing the ethnographic data on perceptions and experience of privatization by Belize City water users. The experience of water supply privatization was largely negative. Residents complained bitterly about an increase in water tariffs and excessive disconnection rates by the privatized Belize Water Supply Limited (BWSL). Many policy makers also accused BWSL of front-loading profits and not making strategic investments in infrastructure. But the symbolic significance of water privatization for the residents of a small Caribbean country like Belize exceeded its practical implications. We argue that the major themes to emerge from the ethnographic data collected for the study can be synthesized into three ,popular privatization narratives' (PPNs). The first was based on the perception that poor governance led to privatization; the second on a preference for national- over global-scale politics, so that objections to privatization were based on nationalism; the third on angst about losing control to the systemic compulsions of neoliberal globalization. Overall the privatization process not only had important (largely negative) material consequences for Belizeans but, given their historical and cultural geography, profound discursive and symbolic consequences for their sense of identity in a condition of neoliberal globalization. Résumé Cet article présente les résultats d'une vaste enquête sur les impressions, de la population et des acteurs des politiques publiques, concernant l'échec de la privatisation du réseau d'approvisionnement en eau et d'assainissement de Belize City. Utilisant les publications géographiques critiques qui se multiplient sur la marchandisation et la privatisation de l'eau, un cadre conceptuel est formulé pour analyser les données ethnographiques sur les impressions et l'expérience de la privatisation émanant des usagers de l'eau de Belize City. L'expérience de cette privatisation a été en grande partie négative. Les habitants se plaignent amèrement de l'augmentation des tarifs et de taux de coupures excessifs par la société privée Belize Water Supply Limited (BWSL). De nombreux décideurs politiques ont également accusé BWSL de prélever les bénéfices sans effectuer d'investissements stratégiques d'infrastructure. Toutefois, la place symbolique de la privatisation de l'eau pour les habitants d'un petit pays de la mer des Antilles comme Belize dépasse les incidences pratiques. Les principaux thèmes dessinés par les données ethnographiques collectées peuvent se résumer en trois ,récits populaires de la privatization'. Le premier repose sur l'impression que la faiblesse de la gouvernance a conduit à la privatisation; le deuxième sur une préférence pour une politique à l'échelon national plutôt que mondial, de sorte que les objections à la privatisation étaient liées au nationalisme; le troisième sur l'angoisse de perdre la maîtrise des pressions systémiques exercées par la mondialisation néolibérale. En général, le processus de privatisation a eu des conséquences matérielles importantes (en grande partie négatives) pour les Béliziens mais aussi, étant donnée la géographie historique et culturelle nationale, de profondes implications discursives et symboliques sur leur sens de l'identité dans un contexte de mondialisation néolibérale. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||