A new, simple myelin stain

A new and convenient myelin stain is described. Paraformaldehyde fixed tissue is serially immersed in a nitroblue tetrazolium solution and then in a diaminobenzidine solution. The result is distinct blue staining of myelinated fiber tracts. This technique has advantages over presently used myelin stains.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/29768/1/0000106.pd

Quisqualate- and NMDA-sensitive [ 3 H]glutamate binding in primate brain

Excitatory amino acids (EAA) such as glutamate and aspartate are probably the neurotransmitters of a majority of mammalian neurons. Only a few previous studies have been concerned with the distribution of the subtypes of EAA receptor binding in the primate brain. We examined NMDA- and quisqualate-sensitive [ 3 H]glutamate binding using quantitative autoradiography in monkey brain (Macaca fascicularis) . The two types of binding were differentially distributed. NMDA-sensitive binding was most dense in dentate gyrus of hippocampus, stratum pyramidale of hippocampus, and outer layers of cerebral cortex. Quisqualate-sensitive binding was most dense in dentate gyrus of hippocampus, inner and outer layers of cerebral cortex, and molecular layer of cerebellum. In caudate nucleus and putamen, quisqualate- and NMDA-sensitive binding sites were nearly equal in density. However, in globus pallidus, substantia nigra, and subthalamic nucleus, quisqualate-sensitive binding was several-fold greater than NMDA-sensitive binding. In thalamus, [ 3 H]glutamate binding was generally low for both subtypes of binding except for the anterior ventral, lateral dorsal, and pulvinar nuclei. In the brainstem, low levels of binding were found, and strikingly the red nucleus and pons, which are thought to receive glutamatergic projections, had approximately 1/20 the binding observed in cerebral cortex. These results demonstrate that NMDA- and quisqualate-sensitive [ 3 H]glutamate binding are observed in all regions of primate brain, but that in some regions one subtype predominates over the other. In addition, certain areas thought to receive glutamatergic projections have low levels of both types of binding.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/50225/1/490270412_ftp.pd

Aerial dissemination of Clostridium difficile spores

Background: Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD) is a frequently occurring healthcare-associated infection, which is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality amongst elderly patients in healthcare facilities. Environmental contamination is known to play an important contributory role in the spread of CDAD and it is suspected that contamination might be occurring as a result of aerial dissemination of C. difficile spores. However previous studies have failed to isolate C. difficile from air in hospitals. In an attempt to clarify this issue we undertook a short controlled pilot study in an elderly care ward with the aim of culturing C. difficile from the air. Methods: In a survey undertaken during February (two days) 2006 and March (two days) 2007, air samples were collected using a portable cyclone sampler and surface samples collected using contact plates in a UK hospital. Sampling took place in a six bedded elderly care bay (Study) during February 2006 and in March 2007 both the study bay and a four bedded orthopaedic bay (Control). Particulate material from the air was collected in Ringer's solution, alcohol shocked and plated out in triplicate onto Brazier's CCEY agar without egg yolk, but supplemented with 5 mg/L of lysozyme. After incubation, the identity of isolates was confirmed by standard techniques. Ribotyping and REP-PCR fingerprinting were used to further characterise isolates. Results: On both days in February 2006, C. difficile was cultured from the air with 23 samples yielding the bacterium (mean counts 53 – 426 cfu/m3 of air). One representative isolate from each of these was characterized further. Of the 23 isolates, 22 were ribotype 001 and were indistinguishable on REP-PCR typing. C. difficile was not cultured from the air or surfaces of either hospital bay during the two days in March 2007. Conclusion: This pilot study produced clear evidence of sporadic aerial dissemination of spores of a clone of C. difficile, a finding which may help to explain why CDAD is so persistent within hospitals and difficult to eradicate. Although preliminary, the findings reinforce concerns that current C. difficile control measures may be inadequate and suggest that improved ward ventilation may help to reduce the spread of CDAD in healthcare facilities

Augustine's Contra epistulam fundamenti: a study of the Epistula fundamenti, Augustine's knowledge of Manichaean cosmogony and his response to this Epistula, with commentary

Typescript.Thesis (PhD)--Macquarie University (Division of Humanities, Department of Ancient History), 2003.Bibliography: p. 307-330.Introduction -- The mystery of the Epistula fundamenti -- Augustine's knowledge of Manichaean cosmogony -- Augustine's response (1): use of scripture -- Augustine's response (2): the ascent -- Conclusions -- Commentary.Augustine’s Contra epistulam quam uocant Fundamenti (Contra ep.fund.), written in 396 soon after he became bishop, is a little-studied work. It is, in effect, two works in one:the Manichaean Epistula Fundamenti {Ep. fund.) and Augustine’s response to this letter. Therefore the dissertation was broken up into two parts, followed by a commentary: the first (Chapters Two and Three) examines what the Ep.fund. might have been, followed by an analysis of Augustine’s knowledge of Manichaean cosmogony, from his own words. The second half of the dissertation (Chapters Four and Five) examines Augustine’s response to the Ep. fund. Chapter Two is a detailed analysis of what the Ep. fund, might be. While the Epistula Fundamenti has been the object of two studies, there has been no detailed investigation of what this work might have been. It was determined that, as the title suggests, it was a letter from the hand of Mani, the founder of Manichaeism. Following from this, the dissertation then examines how the Ep. fund, can be used to show what kind of Manichaean Augustine really was (Chapter Three). It was determined that while Augustine was knowledgeable about Manichaean cosmogony, it was only after he had become a bishop that this particular knowledge grew, aided mostly by the Epistula Fundamenti. Unlike the Ep. fund, itself, Augustine’s response to this particular letter has never been studied. Thus the second part of the dissertation deals with Augustine’s response. This was broken up into two parts. First, Augustine’s use of scripture against the Manichaeans was examined (Chapter Four). Second, Augustine’s response to the Ep. fund. (Chapter Five) was investigated. It was found that this response was primarily a philosophical one, guided by the idea o f an ascent of the soul. It was shown that Augustine was using this ascent to teach the Manichaeans both the correct way to think about matter and therefore the correct way to think about God. A commentary on the Latin text of the Contra ep. fund. completes the dissertation.Mode of access: World wide web1 online resource (ix, 330 p., bound

Immune Network Optimization of Composite SaaS for Cloud Computing

Serving the needs efficiently for a wide gamut of cloud users is a challenge. One way to address this challenge is to decompose SaaS (Software as a Service) into application components and then consider them as loosely coupled processes that achieve higher functionality. Optimization occurs in efficiently pairing virtual machines to application components in order to lower operating costs for cloud service providers and to lower subscription costs for customers. This thesis explores utilizing an immune network algorithm that mimics antibody activation and antigen and antibody suppression for resource optimization. Experiments are conducted with a series of SaaS configurations, application components placed with virtual machines. Results generated by the proposed algorithm are compared with a previously proposed grouping genetic algorithm. This data reveals that the immune network algorithm outperforms the grouping genetic algorithm in time taken to calculate a resource distribution strategy

What did Augsutine really know about Manichaean cosmogony?

In putting together the material for my dissertation on Augustine and the "Epistula Fundamenti", I have noticed that there are two main groups of scholars who believe either that Augustine had a very good grasp of Manichaean beleifs or that what he knew, he knew well, but that does not mean he knew everything about the religion. In studying his "Against the Fundamental Epistle", a pattern begins to emerge which suggests that Augustine did not know as much about the 'fundamentals' of Manichaean thought that he and other scholars have led us to believe, and here we will only be discussing Manichaean cosmogony.12 page(s

Acta Archelai (the acts of Archelaus)

177 page(s

Chronic Intrastriatal Dialytic Administration of Quinolinic Acid Produces Selective Neural Degeneration

The excitotoxic hypothesis of Huntington's disease pathogenesis suggests that selective striatal neuronal loss results from excessive activation of striatal excitatory amino acid receptors. Using a microdialysis probe mated to an Alzet 2002 mini-osmotic pump three different concentrations of quinolinic acid or vehicle were administered to the striata of rats over a 3-week period. Animals that received a total of 3.3 [mu]mol of quinolinic acid had significant striatal atrophy that could be attributed to two distinct areas of neuronal loss. First, an area of necrosis surrounding the probe was marked by inflammatory infiltrate and a lack of neurons. In the second region, surrounding the necrotic area, there was a significant reduction in nissl-stained cells, with relative sparing of NADPH-diaphorase-staining neurons. In addition, there was a reduction in cytochrome oxidase staining throughout both of the areas of cell loss. Beyond the area of cell loss, the striatum appeared normal in all respects. The striata of animals that received 880 nmol quinolinic acid appeared identical to those that received vehicle. The striata of animals that received 8.8 [mu]mol quinolinic acid showed severe nonselective atrophy of the striatum and some surrounding structures. We conclude that dialytic delivery of 3.3 [mu]mol quinolinic acid produces an area of neuronal destruction that resembles the selective neuronal loss seen in Huntington's disease. This selective neurodegeneration produced by chronic exposure to quinolinic acid simulates more closely the course of Huntington's disease than previously described methods.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/30865/1/0000528.pd

Extracorporeal photopheresis for the treatment of refractory Crohn's disease: results of an open-label pilot study

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is effective in immune-mediated disorders. A prospective, uncontrolled pilot study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ECP in patients with active Crohn's disease (CD) who were refractory to or intolerant of immunosuppressants and/or anti-TNF therapies. Patients with moderate-to-severely active CD (Crohn's Disease Activity Index [CDAI] 220-450 points) underwent 12 weeks of ECP treatment (Weeks 1-4: twice weekly, every week; Weeks 5-12: twice weekly, every other week). Clinical response was defined as a decrease in the CDAI of >or=100 points or remission (CDAI <150 points) at Week 12. Patients who responded at Week 12 could receive an additional 12 weeks of ECP treatment (twice weekly, every other week) in an extension study. Twenty-eight patients were enrolled with a mean baseline CDAI score of 314 (range 207-457). At Week 12, 14 patients (50%) responded; 13 patients responded within 6 weeks. Seven patients (25%) attained remission by Week 12. Three of 5 patients with open fistulae at baseline had fistula closure. Response was similar among patients naïve to anti-TNF agents and patients who had previously been refractory or intolerant to anti-TNF agents. Of the 12 patients who entered the extension study, 9 (75%) maintained their response at Week 24. In patients with moderate-to-severely active CD who were refractory to or intolerant of immunosuppressants and/or anti-TNF agents, ECP was well tolerated and induced clinical response (50%) and remission (25%) in patients. Most patients were able to maintain a response with continued treatments