Spatial surface-pattern analyses and boundary detection techniques applied in forest ecology

[EN] We review methods for uni- and multivariate surface pattern analysis and boundary detection used in forest ecology. A continuous surface pattern is defined as the locations of points (trees) in the space and the associated variable or variables. We illustrate useful methods to describe spatial patterns and infer the generating processes. We show the statistical basis and applied examples of univariate methods for binary (join counts) and quantitative variables (Moran and Geary correlograms, semivariograms, fractal dimension). We explain the calculus and interpretation of multivariate methods to describe surface patterns (Mantel test and correlogram) and their relationships with ordination methods. Finally, we show examples of techniques for boundary detection. Most analysed patterns corresponded to Pinus uncinata forests from the upper altitudinal limit in the Pyrenees or from a relict population. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each methodology and their applications in forest ecology.[ES] En este trabajo se revisan los métodos de análisis univariable y multivariable de los patrones de superficies y de detección de fronteras más utilizados en ecología forestal. El patrón de superficies es un patrón espacial continuo definido por las posiciones de los puntos (árboles) en el espacio y una o varias variables asociadas a cada punto. Se ilustran métodos útiles para describir patrones espaciales e inferir los procesos que los generaron. Se muestra el fundamento estadístico y ejemplos aplicados de métodos de análisis univariables para variables binarias (conteo contiguo) y cuantitativas (correlogramas de Moran y Geary, semivariogramas, dimensión fractal). Se detalla el cálculo e interpretación de métodos multivariables para la descripción de patrones de superficies (correlograma y test de Mantel) y su relación con los métodos de ordenación. Finalmente, se muestran ejemplos de métodos para la detección de fronteras. La mayor parte de los patrones reales analizados provienen de bosques de Pinus uncinata del límite altitudinal superior en los Pirineos o bien de una población relíctica. Se discuten las ventajas y desventajas de cada metodología y sus aplicaciones en ecología forestal.Los datos de Vinuesa se obtuvieron en el proyecto AMB95-0160 (CICyT).Peer reviewe

Elevated reticulocyte count – a clue to the diagnosis of haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS) associated with gemcitabine therapy for metastatic duodenal papillary carcinoma: a case report

In adults, the haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS) is associated with probable causative factors in the minority of all cases. Cytotoxic drugs are one of these potential causative agents. Although metastatic cancer by itself is a recognized risk-factor for the development of HUS, therapy with mitomycin-C, with cis-platinum, and with bleomycin carries a significant, albeit extremely small, risk for the development of HUS, compared with all other cytotoxic drugs. Gemcitabine is a novel cytotoxic drug with promising activity against pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We are reporting on one patient with metastatic duodenal papillary carcinoma developing HUS while on weekly gemcitabine therapy. The presenting features in this patient were non-cardiac pulmonary oedema, renal failure, thrombocytopenia and haemolytic anaemia. The diagnosis of HUS was made on the day of admission of the patient to this institution. Upon aggressive therapy, including one single haemodialysis and five plasmaphereses, the patient recovered uneventfully, with modestly elevated creatinine-values as a remnant of the acute illness. Re-exposure to gemcitabine 6 months after the episode of HUS instituted for progressive carcinoma, thus far has not caused another episode of HUS. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

COMP-Angiopoietin-1 Recovers Molecular Biomarkers of Neuropathy and Improves Vascularisation in Sciatic Nerve of ob/ob Mice

mice. mice displayed regeneration of small-diameter endoneural microvessels. Effects of COMP-Ang-1 corresponded to increased phosphorylation of Akt and p38 MAPK upon Tie-2 receptor. mice suggesting COMP-Ang-1 as novel treatment option to improve morphologic and protein expression changes associated with diabetic neuropathy

Система управления персоналом в Управлении железнодорожного транспорта Алмалыкского Горно-Металлургического комбината

Целью выпускной квалификационной работы является разработка направлений по совершенствованию системы управления персоналом в управлении железнодорожного транспорта АО "АГМК". В результате исследования были разработаны мероприятия по повышению уровня управления персоналом в управлении железнодорожного транспорта АО "АГМК" Степень внедрения: одно из разработанных предложений планируется на внедрение в управлении персоналом железнодорожного транспорта АО "АГМК". Область применения: разработанные мероприятия по управлению персоналом предприятия, может быть использован на предприятии, в организации, фирме любой отрасли.Научная новизна работы заключается в обосновании необходимости формирования новой концепции управления персоналом на предприятии, в обобщении основных методов управления персонThe goal of the final qualifying work is to develop directions for improving the personnel management system in the management of the railway transport of JSC "AGMK". As a result of the research, measures were developed to improve the level of personnel management in the management of the railway transport of JSC "AGMK" Degree of implementation: one of the developed proposals is planned for implementation in the management of railway transport personnel of JSC "AGMK". Scope: developed measures for the management of the company's personnel, can be used at the enterprise, in the organization, the firm of any industry. The scientific novelty of the work is to justify the need to formulate a new concept of personnel management at the enterprise, to generalize the basic methods of personnel ma

Incomplete functional differentiation of HL-60 leukemic cells by synthetic lipopeptides. Partial inhibition by pertussis toxin of enhanced superoxide formation

In human neutrophils, the synthetic lipopeptide, N-palmitoyl-S-[2,3- bis(palmitoyloxy-(2RS)-propyl]-(R)-cysteinyl-(S)-seryl-(S)-lysyl-( S)-lysyl-(S) -lysyl-(S)-lysine [Pam3CysSer(Lys)4], activates NADPH-oxidase catalyzed superoxide (O2-) formation through pertussis-toxin-sensitive and pertussis-toxin-insensitive mechanisms (Seifert, R., Schultz, G., Richter-Freund, M., Metzger, J., Wiesmüller, K.-H., Jung, G., Bessler, W. G. & Hauschildt, S. (1990) Biochem. J. 267, 795-802). We studied the effects of lipopeptides on differentiation of HL-60 leukemic cells. Pam3CysSer(Lys)4 enhanced phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-induced O2- formation (presumably through the expression of components of NADPH oxidase) in a concentration-dependent manner with a half-maximal effect at 100 ng/ml and a maximum at 1 microgram/ml. The effect of the lipopeptide was evident after 24 h and reached a plateau after 48 h. (2S,6S)-2-Palmitoylamino-6,7- bis(palmitoyloxy)heptanoyl-(S)-seryl-(S)-lysyl-(S)-lysyl-(S) -lysyl-(S)-lysine enhanced O2- formation as well. The effects of Pam3CysSer(Lys)4 were potentiated by dibutyryl cAMP, dimethyl sulfoxide, retinoic acid, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, interferon-gamma and tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha. Pertussis toxin, but not its B-oligomer, partially inhibited enhanced O2- formation induced by Pam3CysSer(Lys)4. O2- formation induced by arachidonic acid and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane were more sensitive to inhibition by pertussis toxin than O2- formation induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Enhanced O2- formation induced by dibutyryl cAMP was not affected by pertussis toxin. Unlike ATP, histamine, prostaglandin E1 and the beta-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol, Pam3CysSer(Lys)4 did not increase cytosolic Ca2+ [( Ca2+]i) in undifferentiated HL-60 cells. Histamine but not lipopeptides stimulated high-affinity GTPase of guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins in membranes of undifferentiated HL-60 cells. In Pam3CysSer(Lys)4-differentiated HL-60 cells, the responsiveness to the [Ca2+]i-increasing agonists, N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine, C5a and leukotriene B4, was increased, whilst the responsiveness to prostaglandin E1 and isoproterenol was decreased. Pam3CysSer(Lys)4 did not inhibit proliferation of HL-60 cells but decreased transferrin receptor expression and increased C3bi receptor expression. Pertussis toxin did not affect proliferation and expression of transferrin and C3bi receptors. Dibutyryl cAMP was considerably more effective than Pam3CysSer(Lys)4 at inducing alterations in the above parameters. Our results suggest that (a) Pam3CysSer(Lys)4 induces incomplete functional differentiation of HL-60 cells through a mechanism which does not depend on a rise in [Ca2+]i and is different from that of other differentiation-inducing substances and (b) the mechanism by which Pam3CysSer(Lys)4 induces differentiation involves pertussis-toxin-sensitive and pertussis-toxin-insensitive mechanisms

An in vitro based investigation of the cytotoxic effect of water extracts of the Chinese herbal remedy LD on cancer cells

BACKGROUND: Long Dan Xie Gan Wan (LD), a Chinese herbal remedy formulation, is traditionally used to treat a range of conditions, including gall bladder diseases, hepatitis, hyperthyroidism, migraines but it is not used for the management or treatment of cancer. However some of its herbal constituents, specifically Radix bupleuri, Radix scutellariae and Rhizoma alismatis have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Thus, the aim of the study was to investigate the impact of LD on cancer cells in vitro. METHODS: HL60 and HT29 cancer cell lines were exposed to water extracts of LD (1:10, 1:50, 1:100 and/or 1:1000 prepared from a 3 mg/30 ml stock) and for both cell lines growth, apoptotic induction, alterations in cell cycle characteristics and genotoxicity were investigated. The specificity of the action of LD on these cancer cell lines was also investigated by determining its effect on human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Preliminary chemical analysis was carried out to identify cytotoxic constituents of LD using HPLC and LCMS. RESULTS: LD was significantly cytotoxic to, and induced apoptosis in, both cell lines. Apoptotic induction appeared to be cell cycle independent at all concentrations of LD used (1:10, 1:50 and 1:100) for the HL60 cell lines and at 1:10 for the HT29 cell line. At 1:50 and 1:100 apoptotic induction by LD appeared to be cell cycle dependent. LD caused significant genotoxic damage to both cell lines compared to their respective controls. The specificity study showed that LD exerted a moderate cytotoxic action against non-proliferating and proliferating blood lymphocytes but not apoptosis. Chemical analysis showed that a number of fractions were found to exert a significant growth inhibitory effect. However, the molecular weights of compounds within these fractions did not correspond to those from the herbal constituents of LD. CONCLUSION: It is possible that LD may have some chemotherapeutic potential. However, further studies are required to determine its cytotoxic constituents