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Background Current methods for murine brain microvasculature isolation requires the pooling of brain cortices while disregarding the rest of the CNS, making the analysis of single individuals non feasible. New method Efficient isolation of brain microvessels requires the elimination of meninges, vessels of high caliber vessels and choroid plexus, commonly done by rolling the over filter paper, but can’t be done on other CNS regions. We overcome this hurdle by using a double-pronged pick, as well as elution and filtration through cell strainers after centrifugation. Results We were able to develop a region-specific murine CNS microvessels isolation, that allows for the comparison of the neurovascular unit from these regions both within the same individual and between multiple individuals and/or treatment groups without pooling. Additionally, we were able to adapt this method to macaque CNS tissue. Comparison with existing method(s) Although similar to a previously published method that requires no enzymatic dissociation and no ultracentrifugation, it does differ in its ability to isolate from a single experimental animal and from non-cortical tissues. However, it relies heavily on the researcher dissecting skills and careful elution and filtration of re-suspended samples. Conclusions CNS region-specific microvessels comparison can inform of molecular and/or cellular differences that would otherwise be obscured by excluding non-cortical tissue. Additionally, it allows for the unmasking of variations between individuals that remained hidden when pooling of multiple samples is the norm. Lastly, isolation of region-specific microvessels for non-human primate CNS allows for more translationally relevant studies of the BBB.

In this paper recent results on monitoring and control of plasma ion assisted deposition (PIAD) processes are presented. An industrial PIAD system equipped with diagnostics for deposition rate and optical thickness was augmented by active plasma resonance spectroscopy to access electron density near the substrate. A series of experiments implementing different schemes to control the level of plasma assistance, while depositing a model 5-layer quarterwave stack SiO2/TiO2, were conducted. Data on in situ spectral transmission of the coatings was used to reconstruct optical properties and the thickness of each layer. Conventional control of anode voltage of the assist source Advanced Plasma Source (APS) was found to exhibit remarkable variations of electron density as drifts during deposition and shifts between separate runs. We demonstrate that measuring the electron density and using that signal in the feedback loop control of the APS greatly improves the layer-to-layer repeatability and run-to-run reproducibility of coating performance. Best results were obtained combining electron density control with optical monitoring for endpoint detection.

We studied the effects of potassium (K) and its interactions with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and harvest time on the productivity, water use efficiency (WUE) and radiation use efficiency (RUE) of cassava under rain-fed conditions. A field experiment was conducted during two consecutive years on K-deficient soils in Djakakope and on relatively K-rich soils in Sevekpota in Southern Togo, West Africa. Fifteen fertiliser combinations involving K and N rates of 0, 50 and 100 kg ha−1 each, and P rates of 0, 20 and 40 kg ha[sbnd]1 were tested. Monthly measurements of leaf area index from 3 to 11 months after planting and daily weather data were used to estimate light interception, RUE, potential water transpiration and WUE of cassava. Overall WUE was 3.22 g dry matter kg−1 water transpired and RUE was 1.16 g dry matter MJ−1 intercepted photosynthetic active radiation (PAR). On the K-deficient soils, application of K increased WUE and RUE by 36–41% compared with 2.81 g dry matter kg−1 water transpired and 0.92 g dry matter MJ−1 intercepted PAR achieved without K, respectively. However, the effect of K on cassava growth depended on N availability. Applications of N had relatively weak effects on RUE and WUE, but induced a positive correlation between RUE/WUE and K mass fractions in the plant, and increased the cumulative amount of light intercepted by 11–51%, and the cumulative amount of water transpired through increased leaf area by 13–61%. No significant effect of P on WUE and RUE was observed. Increased cassava yields could be achieved under rain-fed conditions in West Africa through enhanced K management to increase RUE and WUE, along with sufficient N supply for improved light interception and water transpiration by the crop.

The results are presented of a project to promote integrated Striga control (ISC) technologies to farmers in the Guinea savanna of northern Nigeria. Extension agents used a participatory research and extension approach (PREA) to encourage farmers to test and adopt ISC technologies. Over a 2-year period, the performance of the technologies was compared with the common farmers’ practice with respect to crop yields, Striga seedbank, Striga damage and economics, as well as the adoption and adaptation of ISC technologies among lead farmers and others. ISC improved crop productivity on average by 88%. In the farmers’ practice, Striga seedbank increased by 46% in 2 years, while in plots under ISC it was reduced by a similar percentage. ISC resulted in higher margins than the farmers’ practice, but increased labour requirements were found to be a limitation for the expansion of the recommended technologies. Improved seed varieties, however, were rapidly adopted by farmers, but often used at lower plant populations than recommended and in mixed cropping systems. It was estimated that the participation of each extension agent resulted in the transfer of knowledge and seed to an average of 240 farmers. In addition, the PREA had improved community, group, and farmer–extension agent relationships. Ongoing demand by Government and NGOs for training in PREA, extension material and improved seed suggested that scaling-up has continued beyond the lifespan of the project.

Intestinal metaplasia in Barrett's esophagus (BIM) is a precancerous condition, whereas the carcinogenic potential of intestinal metaplasia of the cardia (CIM) is uncertain. Although clinically important, histological distinction between both conditions by endoscopic biopsies is considered problematic. In the present study, 4-mm samples of BIM (n=31) and CIM (n=9) were selected from esophagectomy specimens that had been resected for esophageal cancer. Slides were coded and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), cytokeratins (CK) 7 and 20, and CD10, which labels the intestinal brush border. The predictive value of these stains for the recognition of BIM and CIM was evaluated independently by two senior pathologists. With the use of H&E-stained slides exclusively, BIM samples were categorized correctly in 93.5% and 83.9% of cases (pathologists 1 and 2, respectively), and CIM samples, in 100% and 88.9% of cases. Alcian blue-PAS-positive goblet cells were identified by both investigators in all BIM and CIM samples. BIM-typical CK 7 and 20 immunostaining pattern was identified in 90.3%/83.9% of BIM but only in 11.1%/11.1% of CIM. CD10-positive brush border was present in 32.3%/25.8% of BIM and in 88.9%/88.9% of CIM. When HE-stained slides and immunohistologically stained slides were used together for tissue recognition, BIM were categorized correctly in 90.3%/80.6% of cases, and CIM, in 88.9%/88.9% of cases. In conclusion, BIM and CIM can be usually distinguished on the basis of HE sections. CK 7 and CK 20 expression pattern analysis discriminates correctly between BIM and CIM in the majority of cases. CD10-positive intestinal brush border is present in the majority of CIM but only in a minority of BIM. However, immunohistochemical investigations could not improve the diagnostic accuracy of HE histology alone.

As assembly process planning fulfils the main function of connecting product design to production simulation and thus, the production system itself, a feasible software solution is needed to support this process. Thus, a novel concept is presented that aims at improving the integration of digital product design and assembly planning by introducing a consistent data structuring. This approach helps to reduce redundant tasks and supports the continuous data exchange. It is based on the use of assembly features, i.e. pre-defined geometry elements that contain additional technological information. The prototypical implementation of the concept focuses on the use of commercially available software tools, expanding them with additional functionality for the application of assembly features. The feature-based concept has been tested with a scenario from the automotive supplier industry. For the considered assembly, a comparison between the conventional and the feature-based planning approach is presented in the paper. It points out that the major advantages of the developed concept can be seen in an improved data consistency as well as a higher level of efficiency within the planning activities.

BACKGROUND Plant sterol esters reduce cholesterol absorption and lower circulating blood cholesterol concentrations when incorporated into the habitual diet. OBJECTIVE This randomized, double-blind, 3-group parallel, controlled study evaluated the influence of esterified plant sterols on serum lipid concentrations in adults with mild-to-moderate primary hypercholesterolemia. DESIGN Subjects incorporated a conventional 50%-fat spread into a National Cholesterol Education Program Step I diet for a 4-wk lead-in period, followed by a 5-wk intervention period of the diet plus either a control reduced-fat spread (40% fat; n = 92) or a reduced-fat spread enriched with plant sterol esters to achieve intakes of 1.1 g/d (n = 92; low-sterol group) or 2.2 g/d (n = 40; high-sterol group). RESULTS Subjects in the low- and high-sterol groups who consumed > or = 80% of the scheduled servings (per-protocol analyses) had total cholesterol values that were 5.2% and 6.6% lower, LDL-cholesterol values that were 7.6% and 8.1% lower, apolipoprotein B values that were 6.2% and 8.4% lower, and ratios of total to HDL cholesterol that were 5.9% and 8.1% lower, respectively, than values for the control group (P < 0.001 for all). Additionally, triacylglycerol concentrations decreased by 10.4% in the high-sterol group. Serum concentrations of fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoids were generally within reference ranges at baseline and postintervention. Serum plant sterol concentrations increased from baseline (0.48% of total sterol by wt) to 0.64% and 0.71% by wt for the low- and high-sterol groups, respectively (P < 0.05 compared with control). CONCLUSION A reduced-fat spread containing plant sterol esters incorporated into a low-fat diet is a beneficial adjunct in the dietary management of hypercholesterolemia.

Recombinant gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA(A)) receptor channels containing alpha1beta2gamma2-subunits were transiently expressed in HEK293 cells. Modulation by diazepam (DZ) was investigated using the patch-clamp technique with a device for ultra-fast solution exchange. GABA activated Cl(-)-currents were potentiated when DZ > 0.1 microM was added to non-saturating concentrations of GABA (< 0.1 mM GABA). Maximal potentiation of the peak current amplitude by a factor of 2.5 was observed when 1 microM DZ was added to the test-solution. Deactivation of GABA-activated currents after the end of GABA pulses was best fitted with two time constants. After application of DZ + GABA, increase of time constants of deactivation was measured. It was independent on GABA concentration. We conclude that prolongation of deactivation after application of GABA + DZ may be an important mechanism of the modulatory action of DZ at GABA(A) receptor channels.

This paper describes a technique to analyse and to enrich the fluorescent dyes uranine (Acid Yellow 73) and sulphorhodamine B (Acid Red 52) from leakage water. A solid-phase extraction (SPE) using C18 material was developed for the pretreatment and the extraction of the dyes. ENV + ®, a highly crosslinked polystyrene divinylbenzene polymer, was a suitable sorbent for uranine but not for sulphorhodarnine B. Additionally, the samples were purified from interferences and natural background substances. The optimum pH value was 3 for the extraction, because the molecules were then uncharged and retained by the sorbent. A methanol/aqueous buffer solution (pH 10) was required for eluting the dyes from the sorbent, since the molecules were then negatively charged and soluble in methanol/water. After extraction the samples were pure enough to be analysed by HPLC with the fluorescence detector. Using HPLC analysis the tracers could be measured simultaneously under constant conditions. The tracer enrichment was 500-fold by SPE, so much lower amounts of tracers can be applied in the natural environment. Therefore, the cost of tracer experiments could be reduced. The dyes could be applied in combined tracer experiments, since both tracers could be determined by the same analytical procedure.

The sorption capacities of sewage sludges were tested with a set of organic substances. The influence of test conditions on the results was investigated. It could be shown that the sorption capacity as related to the organic carbon content of sludges (Koc-values) is comparable to those of agricultural top soils. Necessary and useful modifications of the OECD TG 106 adsorption - desorption in soils are described to adapt the guideline for testing of sludges.

The inhibitory effect of d,l-aminoglutethimide (AG) on the synthesis of progesterone and estradiol in early human pregnancy (8th-12th week of gestation) was investigated in volunteers; control group (n = 11), AG group [1000 mg AG orally at test begin (n = 6)]. Venous blood samples were taken at the beginning of the test and 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24 h thereafter. In controls, no significant changes in serum progesterone and estradiol could be observed during 24 h. In the AG group, a decrease in progesterone and estradiol could be observed within 1 h after the test began; lowest serum steroid concentrations were reached after 4 h. Relative to the initial values taken as 100%, the greatest decrease in progesterone ranged between 37 and 83%, 62 +/- 15% (means +/- SD)(n = 6); the greatest decrease in estradiol ranged between 32 and 78%, 51 +/- 17% (means +/- SD)(n = 6). Twenty four hours after AG treatment, both steroids reached similar concentrations to those found at test begin. No clinical signs (e.g. uterine bleeding, contractions) for the abortifacient action of AG were observed. In conclusion, a single dose of AG (1000 mg given orally) cannot induce a therapeutic abortion in early pregnancy. In accordance with in vitro studies, the inhibitory effect of AG on placental progesterone formation is due to an inhibition of mitochondrial cholesterol side chain cleavage. The decrease in estradiol is thought to be related to an inhibition of placental aromatase.

Optical transitions into empty surface states of Ag(111) and Ag(100) electrodes were studied for various electrolytes by electroreflectance (ER) spectroscopy, in order to establish the influence of specific adsorption on surface states. Depending on the strength of interactions, anion adsorptions can cause energy shifts as well as attenuation or even complete quenching of the optical transition. In some cases, halide adsorption caused new potential-dependent transitions to appear in the ER spectra which were tentatively assigned to charge-transfer transitions within a Ag-halide surface-complex. It is shown that different surface states react quite differently with one and the same adsorbate. The role of surface states in bond formation is briefly discussed.

Image-potential-induced surface states have been detected by electroreflectance spectroscopy at the Ag(111)-aqueous electrolyte interface. A strong optical transition between the occupied “crystal-induced” surface state A and an empty image-potential-induced surface state, both of which occur for Ag(111) at the Λ point of the surface Brillouin zone, is found at hω = 3.50 ± 0.05 eV. Assuming an absolute electrode potential of 4.7 eV for the normal hydrogen electrode, a binding energy of 0.4 eV is derived for the (n = 1) image-potential-induced surface state in 0.5M NaClO4.