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Myocardial reperfusion injury (MRI) accounts for up to 50% of the final size in acute myocardial infarction and other conditions associated with ischemia‐reperfusion. Currently, there is still no therapy to prevent MRI, but it is well known that oxidative stress has a key role in its mechanism. We previously reduced MRI in rats through a combined antioxidant therapy (CAT) of ascorbic acid, N‐acetylcysteine, and deferoxamine. This study determines the safety and pharmacokinetics of CAT in a Phase I clinical trial. Healthy subjects (n = 18) were randomized 2:1 to CAT or placebo (NaCl 0.9% i.v.). Two different doses/infusion rates of CATs were tested in a single 90‐minute intravenous infusion. Blood samples were collected at specific times for 180 minutes to measure plasma drug concentrations (ascorbic acid, N‐acetylcysteine, and deferoxamine) and oxidative stress biomarkers. Adverse events were registered during infusion and followed for 30 days. Both CAT1 and CAT2 significantly increased the CAT drug concentrations compared to placebo (P <.05). Most of the pharmacokinetic parameters were similar between CAT1 and CAT2. In total, 6 adverse events were reported, all nonserious and observed in CAT1. The ferric‐reducing ability of plasma (an antioxidant biomarker) increased in both CAT groups compared to placebo (P <.001). The CAT is safe in humans and a potential treatment for patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing reperfusion therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we examine the existing governance of the Amazon and the potential for more robust collaborative governance involving the countries of the Amazon region and other stakeholders. Our focus is the metagovernance of the (multilevel and fragmented) national governance systems that have proven incapable of controlling the environmental and social harms affecting the region. We focus our transnational analysis on the Amazon Cooperation Treaty (ACT) and the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) and our intranational analysis on Brazil (which has sovereignty over the greatest part of the Amazon). We explore the governance challenges, and point to possible ways to address them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We investigate the potentials of open plasmonic resonators (meta‐atoms) with different shapes in the context of light trapping. Consistent with the theory of Silveirinha (2014), it is found that in some conditions complex‐shaped dielectric cavities may support discrete light states screened by volume plasmons that in the limit of vanishing material loss have an infinite lifetime. The embedded eigenstates can be efficiently pumped with a plane wave excitation when the meta‐atom core has a nonlinear response, such that the trapped light energy is precisely quantized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphology of the antennae of the female workers of the ponerine ant Dinoponera lucida was examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. In several antennomers, we found secretory gland cells of class I and III. Class III gland cells release their secretion through single pores in the antennal surface, whereas class I secretory cells are seen as tall epidermal cells close to the cuticle. Both gland types have weak reaction for total proteins and neutral polysaccharides. Six distinct sensilla types were observed: trichodea, chaetica, campaniform, basiconica, placodea, and coeloconica. The possible sensory functions of these sensilla and the gland functions are discussed. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]