The Plasma Interaction Experiment (PIX) description and test program

The plasma interaction experiment (PIX) is a battery powered preprogrammed auxiliary payload on the LANDSAT-C launch. This experiment is part of a larger program to investigate space plasma interactions with spacecraft surfaces and components. The varying plasma densities encountered during available telemetry coverage periods are deemed sufficient to determine first order interactions between the space plasma environment and the biased experimental surfaces. The specific objectives of the PIX flight experiment are to measure the plasma coupling current and the negative voltage breakdown characteristics of a solar array segment and a gold plated steel disk. Measurements will be made over a range of surface voltages up to plus or minus kilovolt. The orbital environment will provide a range of plasma densities. The experimental surfaces will be voltage biased in a preprogrammed step sequence to optimize the data returned for each plasma region and for the available telemetry coverage

Gene duplication in an African cichlid adaptive radiation

Background Gene duplication is a source of evolutionary innovation and can contribute to the divergence of lineages; however, the relative importance of this process remains to be determined. The explosive divergence of the African cichlid adaptive radiations provides both a model for studying the general role of gene duplication in the divergence of lineages and also an exciting foray into the identification of genomic features that underlie the dramatic phenotypic and ecological diversification in this particular lineage. We present the first genome-wide study of gene duplication in African cichlid fishes, identifying gene duplicates in three species belonging to the Lake Malawi adaptive radiation (Metriaclima estherae, Protomelas similis, Rhamphochromis “chilingali”) and one closely related species from a non-radiated riverine lineage (Astatotilapia tweddlei). Results Using Astatotilapia burtoni as reference, microarray comparative genomic hybridization analysis of 5689 genes reveals 134 duplicated genes among the four cichlid species tested. Between 51 and 55 genes were identified as duplicated in each of the three species from the Lake Malawi radiation, representing a 38%–49% increase in number of duplicated genes relative to the non-radiated lineage (37 genes). Duplicated genes include several that are involved in immune response, ATP metabolism and detoxification. Conclusions These results contribute to our understanding of the abundance and type of gene duplicates present in cichlid fish lineages. The duplicated genes identified in this study provide candidates for the analysis of functional relevance with regard to phenotype and divergence. Comparative sequence analysis of gene duplicates can address the role of positive selection and adaptive evolution by gene duplication, while further study across the phylogenetic range of cichlid radiations (and more generally in other adaptive radiations) will determine whether the patterns of gene duplication seen in this study consistently accompany rapid radiation

Comparative American and Japanese tobacco smoke uptake parameters after overnight tobacco deprivation

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109819/1/cptclpt2004281.pd

DNA metabarcoding reveals the dietary profiles of a benthic marine crustacean,Nephrops norvegicus

Norwegian lobster, Nephrops norvegicus, are a generalist scavenger and predator capable of short foraging excursions but can also suspension feed. Existing knowledge about their diet relies on a combination of methods including morphology-based stomach content analysis and stable isotopes, which often lack the resolution to distinguish prey items to species level particularly in species that thoroughly masticate their prey. DNA metabarcoding overcomes many of the challenges associated with traditional methods and it is an attractive approach to study the dietary profiles of animals. Here, we present the diet of the commercially valuable Nephrops norvegicus using DNA metabarcoding of gut contents. Despite difficulties associated with host amplification, our cytochrome oxidase I (COI) molecular assay successfully achieves higher resolution information than traditional approaches. We detected taxa that were likely consumed during different feeding strategies. Dinoflagellata, Chlorophyta and Bacillariophyta accounted for almost 50% of the prey items consumed, and are associated with suspension feeding, while fish with high fisheries discard rates were detected which are linked to active foraging. In addition, we were able to characterise biodiversity patterns by considering Nephrops as natural samplers, as well as detecting parasitic dinoflagellates (e.g., Hematodinium sp.), which are known to influence burrow related behaviour in infected individuals in over 50% of the samples. The metabarcoding data presented here greatly enhances a better understanding of a species’ ecological role and could be applied as a routine procedure in future studies for proper consideration in the management and decision-making of fisheries

Effects of dark chocolate in a population of Normal Weight Obese women: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Normal weight obese (NWO) syndrome is defined as an excessive body fat associated with a normal body mass index and characterized by a higher risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent studies have demonstrated that dark chocolate (DC) has beneficial effects in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of DC consumption on lipid profile, inflammatory markers, biochemical parameters, and blood pressure, in NWO women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 15 women affected by NWO syndrome, aged 20-40 years, were included in the study. After a DC-free washout period, subjects received DC (100 g/die) containing 70% cocoa for 7-days. Body composition by Dual energy-X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was performed at baseline. Blood pressure, anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters and plasma levels of some cytokines were measured before and after DC consumption. RESULTS: After DC consumption, we observed a significant increase in the HDL cholesterol level (Delta% = +10.41±13,53; p ≤ 0.05), a significant decrease of total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio (Delta %= -11.45±7.03; p ≤ 0.05), LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio (Delta % = -11.70±8.91; p ≤ 0.05), and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) (Delta % = -32.99±3.84; p ≤ 0.05). In addition, a reduction in abdomen circumference was observed. We also found a positive correlation between changes in atherogenic indices, and IL-1Ra, abdomen reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that regular consumption of DC could be useful in maintaining a good atherogenic profile, due to the favourable effects on HDL cholesterol, lipoprotein ratios and inflammation markers

Effects of iproniazid and tranylcypromine on the half-life of N,N-dimethyltryptamine in rat brain and liver

The time course of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) levels in brain and liver of adult male Holtzman rats was determined with and without pretreatment with the monoamine oxidase inhibitors iproniazid (32 mg/kg) and tranylcypromine (10 mg/kg) given i.p. DMT was given in doses of 1.0, 3.2 and 10.0 mg/kg i.p. DMT was assayed spectrophotofluorometrically and in some instances by a radioisotopic method. The results show that the half-life of DMT varied with different doses in the brain but not in the liver. Pretreatment with the monoamine oxidase inhibitors prolonged the total period during which DMT was found. A linear relationship exists between the mean time required to reach minimal DMT concentrations and the mean duration of suppression of FR4 barpressing behavior in rats trained for a milk reward. The results suggest a direct involvement of DMT in inducing behavioral toxicity.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/21745/1/0000138.pd

Effect of photic stimulation on acetylcholine release from cat cerebral cortex

Cortical release of acetylcholine was assayed using the leech muscle preparation in cats with transected brainstems. Both spontaneous and elicited somatosensory and visual cortical release of acetylcholine were measured, photic stimuli being directed into both eyes of midpontine-pretrigeminal and prepontine preparations. Animals with midpontine transections had a higher spontaneous release of acetylcholine from the visual cortex than did prepontine animals, but photic stimulation did not increase acetylcholine release. The prepontine cats tended to show an increase in cortical release of acetylcholine to photic stimulation which was not statistically significant. After injections or topical application of scopolamine, spontaneous and elicited release of acetylcholine was markedly increased. Thus, photic stimulation of the retinae did not markedly increase acetylcholine release, either with or without scopolamine treatment, and the evoked release of acetylcholine from the visual cortex was similar to that from the sensorimotor cortex. Differences in acetylcholine release between cats with "activated" and "synchronized" EEGs were demonstrated before and after scopolamine. The content of acetylcholine in the motorsensory, somatosensory, auditory and visual cortices varied, with the lowest in the somatosensory and the highest in the visual area. In contrast, the release of acetylcholine was higher in the somatosensory than in the visual area, suggesting that the former has a higher turnover rate of acetylcholine. The data suggest that acetylcholine is not released from primary visual afferent fibers, but rather from neurons involved in a diffuse brainstem activating system.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/34195/1/0000484.pd

Continuity of medication management in Medicaid patients with chronic comorbid conditions: An examination by mental health status

Patients with serious mental illness (SMI) often have comorbid cardiometabolic conditions (CMCs) that may increase the number of prescribers involved in treatment. This study examined whether patients with SMI (depression and schizophrenia) and comorbid CMCs experience greater discontinuity of prescribing than patients with CMCs alone

Effect of lithium on RBC water permeability

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/26221/1/0000301.pd