Soma size distinguishes projection neurons from neurokinin 1 receptor-expressing interneurons in lamina I of the rat lumbar spinal dorsal horn

Lamina I of the spinal dorsal horn contains neurons that project to various brain regions, and ∼80% of these projection cells express the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1r), the main receptor for substance P. Two populations of NK1r-immunoreactive neurons have been identified in lamina I: small weakly immunoreactive cells and large cells with strong immunolabelling [Cheunsuang O and Morris R (2000) Neuroscience 97:335–345]. The main aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the large cells are projection neurons and that the small cells are interneurons. Projection neurons were identified by injection of tracers into the caudal ventrolateral medulla and lateral parabrachial area, and this was combined with immunostaining for NK1r. We found a bimodal size distribution for NK1r-immunoreactive neurons. The small cells (with somatic cross-sectional areas <200 μm2) showed weak immunoreactivity, while immunostaining intensity was variable among the large cells. Virtually all (99%) of the immunoreactive cells with soma areas >200 μm2 were retrogradely labelled, while only 10% of retrogradely labelled cells were smaller than this. Soma sizes of retrogradely labelled neurons that lacked NK1r did not differ from those of NK1r-expressing projection neurons. It has been suggested that a population of small pyramidal projection neurons that lack NK1r may correspond to cells activated by innocuous cooling, and we therefore assessed the morphology of retrogradely labelled cells that were not NK1r-immunoreactive. Fifteen percent of these were pyramidal, but these did not differ in size from pyramidal NK1r-immunoreactive projection neurons. These results confirm that large NK1r-immunoreactive lamina I neurons are projection cells, and suggest that the small cells are interneurons. Since almost all of the NK1r-immunoreactive cells with soma size >200 μm2 were retrogradely labelled, cells of this type can be identified as projection cells in anatomical studies

FollowMe: A Bigraphical Approach

In this paper we illustrate the use of modelling techniques using bigraphs to specify and refine elementary aspects of the FollowMe framework. This framework provides the seamless migration of bi-directional user interfaces for users as they navigate between zones within an intelligent environment

Towards FollowMe User Profiles for Macro Intelligent Environments

We envision an Ambient Intelligent Environment as an environment with technology embedded within the framework of that environment to help enhance an users experience in that environment. Existing implementations , while working effectively, are themselves an expensive and time consuming investment. Applying the same expertise to an environment on a monolithic scale is very inefficient, and thus, will require a different approach. In this paper, we present this problem, propose theoretical solutions that would solve this problem, with the guise of experimentally verifying and comparing these approaches, as well as a formal method to model the entire scenario

Fluorescence anisotropy of rhodamine 6G using incoherent laser light

A novel method for fluorescence anisotropy using incoherent laser light is presented. The incoherent upconversion technique to measure picosecond molecular motion of rhodamine 6G is investigated experimentally

High-mobility group box 1, an endogenous ligand of toll-like receptors 2 and 4, induces astroglial inflammation via nuclear factor kappa B pathway

Background: Neuroinflammation has a definitive role in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to its pathoge- nic ligands, toll-like receptors (TLRs) can be activated by damaged endogenous molecules that induce inflammatory signalling pathways such as high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1).  Materials and methods: Using an ex-vivo rat optic nerve (RON) model, we sought to determine the effects of lipopolysaccharides (LPS; TLR4 agonist), zymosan (TLR2 agonist) or HMGB1 — with or without TLR2/4 antagonists, on the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-ҡβ) for signalling pathway and astrocyte reactivity, using double immunohistochemistry; as well as on the modulation of the neurotoxicity. HMGB1-treated RON had significantly higher expression and co-localisation of GFAP and NF-ҡβ as compared to the un- treated control, which was a similar result to those treated with LPS and zymosan.  Results: Moreover, the HMGB1-induced inflammation was blocked by TLR2/4 antagonists (p = 0.05). However, the HMGB1-induced cell death was unblocked by TLR antagonists. Overall, HMGB1 endogenously mediates the signalling me- chanisms of neuroinflammation through TLR2/4.  Conclusions: Whereas, the neuronal death mechanism resulting from HMGB1 could be caused by a different signalling pathway. Gaining an understanding of these mechanisms may help researchers discover new therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases.

Antioxidant, hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic activities of Ziziphus spina-christi (L) Willd (Rhamnacae) leaf extract

Purpose: To investigate the antioxidant, hypoglycemic and antidiabetic activities as well as the phenolic composition of Ziziphus spina-christi (ZSC)Methods: Eighty percent methanol extract (ZSC-1), as well as ethyl acetate (ZSC-2), n-butanol (ZSC-3) and aqueous (ZSC-4) fractions were administered orally to mice at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg of body weight. The hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic activities of these fractions in the treated mice were evaluated after 7 and 15 days, using glibenclamide as a standard. Antioxidant activities in vitro were determined using stable free radical DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging techniques.Results: The strongest (p < 0.001) anti-diabetic activity (25.59 and 39.48 % after 7 and 15 days, respectively) was found following treatment with 500 mg/kg ZSC-3 fraction. Similarly, the highest (p > 0.001) hypoglycemic effect was achieved with 500 mg/kg ZSC-3 treatment (29.07 and 35.56 % after 7 and 15 days, respectively). ZSC-1 possessed the highest content of total flavonoids (36.2 mg/g) and total polyphenol (82.3 mg/g).Conclusion: Fraction ZSC-3 displayed potential hypoglycemic activity while ZSC-1, ZSC-2 and ZSC-3 possess remarkable DPPH scavenging ability equivalent to 89, 96 and 80.3 % of the activity of the standard drug respectively.Keywords: Ziziphus spina, Rhamnaceae, Hypoglycemic, Anti-diabetic, Flavonoids, Polypheno

Impact of Inventory Valuation Techniques on Time Series Behavior of Firms Earnings and Cash Flows

Business Administratio

Critical and Comparative Evaluation of the English Translations of the Near-Synonymous Divine Names in the Quran

Despite the fact that many problematic areas in the English translations of the Qurān have been thoroughly investigated, no substantial work has so far been devoted to critically evaluating the translation of the Divine Names, which pose paramount challenges for all translators. Critical and evaluative studies of Qurān translations seem to avoid investigating and assessing the Divine Names, which are the most sensitive and delicate Qurānic terms. This study critically and comparatively investigates how accurate and consistent are the English renderings of these Divine Names; al-Asmā al-Ḥusnā, The Most Beautiful Names (MBNs) which are recurring terms in the Qurānic text. The complexity of meanings and morphological features of these Divine Names is evidently reflected in so many cases of inaccuracy as well as inconsistency in their English translations, particularly in the renderings of the near-synonymous root-sharing Names. Translators of the Qurān have unjustifiably used different corresponding terms for the very same Divine Name when it appears on more than one occasion, and sometimes in similar Qurānic contexts. Most Qurān translators have also inaccurately used the very same English corresponding terms to translate two, if not three, near-synonymous Divine Names, whether they share the same linguistic root or otherwise. For the purpose of this evaluative study, hundreds of occurrences of the root-sharing Divine Names in five well-known English translations, namely Pickthall (1930), A. Y. Ali (1936/1986), Arberry (1955), Hilali-Khan (1985) and Abdel-Haleem (2004), have been collected, analysed and critically and comparatively evaluated. The comparative evaluation of the English renderings of the Divine Names has revealed that all the five translations not only fall short in their attempts to distinguish between the near-synonymous Names, particularly the root-sharing ones, but prove unsuccessful in rendering them accurately and consistently. The study has also revealed that the translation of Arberry shows much better quality, in terms of accuracy and consistency, in rendering the root-sharing Divine Names than other translations do. In addition to critically revealing shortcomings, inaccuracies and inconsistencies of the renderings of the Divine Names, the study suggests the use of translation technology solutions (or computer-assisted tools), such as translation memory and bilingual concordances, to improve the quality and consistency of future Qurān translations in general, and the renderings of the recurring Divine Names in particular

First Order Phase Transformation in Amorphous Ge25Se75 – xSbx Glasses

Non-isothermal Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique was used to study the kinetics of first order phase transformation in Ge25Se75 – xSbx glasses. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique was employed to investigate the amorphous and crystalline phases in Ge25Se75 – xSbx glasses. From the heating rate dependences of crystallization temperature; the activation energy for crystallization and other kinetics parameters were derived. The temperature difference (Tc – Tg) and Tc is highest for the samples with 6 % of Sb. Hence, Ge25Se69Sb6 glass is most stable. The enthalpy released is found to be less for Ge25Se69Sb6 glass which further confirms its maximum stability. The activation energy of crystallization (Ec) is found to vary with compositions indicating a structural change due to the addition of Sb. The crystallization data are interpreted in terms of recent analyses developed for non-isothermal conditions. The present investigation indicates that both the glass transition and the crystallization processes occur in a single stage. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/3101

Case report: breast cancer associated with contralateral tuberculosis of axillary lymph nodes

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer coexisting with tuberculous axillary lymph nodes is rare. CASE REPORT: We report a 69 years old Yemeni patient with a left breast invasive ductal carcinoma associated with contralateral tuberculous axillary lymph nodes containing microcalcifications mimicking malignancy. The patient had to be investigated for the possibility of bilateral breast cancer since she had no history of previous exposure to tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis involving lymph nodes can create a diagnostic dilemma in the presence of a malignant process. The presence of calcifications in lymph nodes should raise the possibility of tuberculosis even in the absence of contact history with tuberculosis