Distribution of serotonergic and dopaminergic nerve fibers in the salivary gland complex of the cockroach Periplaneta americana

BACKGROUND: The cockroach salivary gland consists of secretory acini with peripheral ion-transporting cells and central protein-producing cells, an extensive duct system, and a pair of reservoirs. Salivation is controled by serotonergic and dopaminergic innervation. Serotonin stimulates the secretion of a protein-rich saliva, dopamine causes the production of a saliva without proteins. These findings suggest a model in which serotonin acts on the central cells and possibly other cell types, and dopamine acts selectively on the ion-transporting cells. To examine this model, we have analyzed the spatial relationship of dopaminergic and serotonergic nerve fibers to the various cell types. RESULTS: The acinar tissue is entangled in a meshwork of serotonergic and dopaminergic varicose fibers. Dopaminergic fibers reside only at the surface of the acini next to the peripheral cells. Serotonergic fibers invade the acini and form a dense network between central cells. Salivary duct segments close to the acini are locally associated with dopaminergic and serotonergic fibers, whereas duct segments further downstream have only dopaminergic fibers on their surface and within the epithelium. In addition, the reservoirs have both a dopaminergic and a serotonergic innervation. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that dopamine is released on the acinar surface, close to peripheral cells, and along the entire duct system. Serotonin is probably released close to peripheral and central cells, and at initial segments of the duct system. Moreover, the presence of serotonergic and dopaminergic fiber terminals on the reservoir indicates that the functions of this structure are also regulated by dopamine and serotonin

Incidence and Risk Factors of Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw in Multiple Myeloma Patients Having Undergone Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation

Background: Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a severe complication of bisphosphonate therapy. Due to their long survival and subsequently high cumulative doses of bisphosphonates, multiple myeloma patients have the highest risk of developing BRONJ of all patients treated with bisphosphonates. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for BRONJ in multiple myeloma patients after high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 120 multiple myeloma patients after high-dose chemotherapy and ASCT treated with bisphosphonates and assessed the incidence and risk factors of BRONJ. Results: Of the 120 patients, 23 (19%) developed BRONJ. 6 patients suffered several BRONJ events, resulting in a total incidence of 23%. The risk for BRONJ was significantly higher for patients with rheumatism and recent dental manipulations. Furthermore, the number of previous bisphosphonate rotations, the duration of bisphosphonate therapy, and the type and cumulative dose of bisphosphonate used were associated with the incidence of BRONJ. Conclusion: Our study is the first to determine the risk of BRONJ in a homogeneous group of multiple myeloma patients treated with high-dose chemotherapy and ASCT

Telemedicine in Space Flight - Summary of a NASA Workshop

The Exploration Medical Capability Element of the Human Research Program at NASA Johnson Space Center hosted the Telemedicine Workshop in January 2011 to discuss the medical operational concept for a crewed mission to a near-Earth asteroid (NEA) and to identify areas for future work and collaboration. With the increased likelihood of a medical incident on a long duration exploration mission to a near-Earth asteroid, as well as the fact that there will likely be limited medical capabilities and resources available to diagnose and treat medical conditions, it is anticipated that a more structured use of telemedicine will become highly desirable. The workshop was convened to solicit expert opinion on current telemedicine practices and on medical care in remote environments. Workshop Objectives: The workshop brought together leaders in telemedicine and remote medicine from The University of Texas Medical Branch, Henry Ford Hospital, Ontario Telemedicine Network, U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, University of Miami, American Telemedicine Association, Doctors Without Borders, and the Pan American Health Organization. The primary objectives of the workshop were to document the medical operations concept for a crewed mission to a NEA, to determine gaps between current capabilities and the capabilities outlined in the operations concept, to identify research required to close these gaps, and to discuss potential collaborations with external-to-NASA organizations with similar challenges. Summary of Discussions and Conclusions: The discussions held during the workshop and the conclusions reached by the workshop participants were grouped into seven categories: Crew Medical Officers, Patient Area in Spacecraft, Training, Electronic Medical Records, Intelligent Care Systems, Consultation Protocols, Prophylactic Surgical Procedures, and Data Prioritization. The key points discussed under each category will be presented

Experimental evaluation of the effectiveness of water mist automated fire extinguishing systems for oil transportation

Experimental investigation of regularities of carryover of water mist droplets (radius of 50 - 500 [mu]m) by high temperature (500 - 1800 K) products of combustion of typical petroleum products (oil, gasoline, kerosene, etc.) was carried out. The panoramic optical methods and high-speed hardware and software systems were used. Speeds of droplets after mixing with oncoming high temperature gases were determined. Conditions of continuation of droplets movement through combustion products with preservation of initial trajectory in spite of intensive evaporation and braking were found. The predictive evaluation of effectiveness of water mist use for extinguishing of fires involving oil and typical petroleum products

Spain - The right to be forgotten. The right to privacy and the initiative facing the new challenges of the information society

This article aims to show the current situation surrounding the right to privacy in the Spanish legal system. First of all, we look at the regulations governing the right to privacy and at the characteristics of the Spanish protection of privacy. In the second part of the paper, we consider the current regulations on personal data protection as the grounds for new ways of protecting privacy. Finally, the paper shows how two new rights have emerged from the legal discourse on privacy and, overall, from the regulation of the protection of personal data: informative self-determination and the right to be forgotten. This study focuses on the latter, due to the prominent role of Spanish judges in shaping the incipient right to be forgotten via inter-action with the European Court of Justice in 2014

Повышение конкурентоспособности предприятия как фактор экономического роста промышленности России на примере нефтяного комплекса

Объектом исследования является: конкурентоспособность АО "Сибирская Сервисная Компания". Предметом исследования являются: факторы и условия конкурентоспособности предприятия, влияющие на экономический рост промышленности. Цель работы – разработка мероприятий по повышению конкурентоспособности АО "Сибирская Сервисная Компания". В результате исследования: разработаны мероприятия по повышению конкурентоспособности АО "Сибирская Сервисная Компания". Практическое значение: на основе оценки эндогенных и экзогенных факторов разработаны сводные мероприятия, дана оценка эффективности от внедрения организационных и технико–технологических мероприятий по повышению конкурентоспособности предприятия.The object of study is: the competitiveness of JSC "Siberian Service Company". The subject of the study are: factors and conditions of enterprise competitiveness, affecting the economic growth of industry. The purpose of the work is the development of measures to increase the competitiveness of Siberian Service Company JSC. As a result of the study: measures were developed to increase the competitiveness of Siberian Service Company JSC. Practical value: based on the assessment of endogenous and exogenous factors, summary measures have been developed, an assessment of the effectiveness of the introduction of organizational, technical and technological measures to increase the competitiveness of the enterprise has been given

Wnt secretion and gradient formation.

Concentration gradients formed by the lipid-modified morphogens of the Wnt family are known for their pivotal roles during embryogenesis and adult tissue homeostasis. Wnt morphogens are also implicated in a variety of human diseases, especially cancer. Therefore, the signaling cascades triggered by Wnts have received considerable attention during recent decades. However, how Wnts are secreted and how concentration gradients are formed remains poorly understood. The use of model organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster has provided important advances in this area. For instance, we have previously shown that the lipid raft-associated reggie/flotillin proteins influence Wnt secretion and spreading in Drosophila. Our work supports the notion that producing cells secrete Wnt molecules in at least two pools: a poorly diffusible one and a reggie/flotillin-dependent highly diffusible pool which allows morphogen spreading over long distances away from its source of production. Here we revise the current views of Wnt secretion and spreading, and propose two models for the role of the reggie/flotillin proteins in these processes: (i) reggies/flotillins regulate the basolateral endocytosis of the poorly diffusible, membrane-bound Wnt pool, which is then sorted and secreted to apical compartments for long-range diffusion, and (ii) lipid rafts organized by reggies/flotillins serve as "dating points" where extracellular Wnt transiently interacts with lipoprotein receptors to allow its capture and further spreading via lipoprotein particles. We further discuss these processes in the context of human breast cancer. A better understanding of these phenomena may be relevant for identification of novel drug targets and therapeutic strategies