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In this paper, multi-layer feed forward neural networks are used to predict the lower heating value of gas (LHV), lower heating value of gasification products including tars and entrained char (LHVp) and syngas yield during gasification of municipal solid waste (MSW) during gasification in a fluidized bed reactor. These artificial neural networks (ANNs) with different architectures are trained using the Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) back-propagation algorithm and a cross validation is also performed to ensure that the results generalise to other unseen datasets. A rigorous study is carried out on optimally choosing the number of hidden layers, number of neurons in the hidden layer and activation function in a network using multiple Monte Carlo runs. Nine input and three output parameters are used to train and test various neural network architectures in both multiple output and single output prediction paradigms using the available experimental datasets. The model selection procedure is carried out to ascertain the best network architecture in terms of predictive accuracy. The simulation results show that the ANN based methodology is a viable alternative which can be used to predict the performance of a fluidized bed gasifier.

III-V nanowires gained general interest due to their unique properties such as high mobility, direct band gap and wide coverage of the solar spectrum. They provided advances in the fields of optoelectronics, nanoelectronics and energy applications. Recently, the focus has been shifted towards the self-catalyzed growth of these nanowires on silicon since gold produces detrimental mid-gap states in silicon. However, the lattice mismatch and the presence of native oxide hinders the growth of vertical and uniform nanowires arrays on silicon (Si). In this context, different surface preparation methods have been developed in order to remove the native oxide present on the Si(111) substrates. Chemical treatment with HydroFluoric acid (HF), in situ H2 Plasma, and in situ high temperature annealing are considered.

The level 2 aerosol backscatter and extinction profiles from the NASA Micropulse Lidar Network (MPLNET) at Kanpur, India, have been studied from May 2009 to September 2010. Monthly averaged extinction profiles from MPLNET shows high extinction values near the surface during October–March. Higher extinction values at altitudes of 2–4 km are observed from April to June, a period marked by frequent dust episodes. Version 3 level 2 Cloud–Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) aerosol profile products have been compared with corresponding data from MPLNET over Kanpur for the above-mentioned period. Out of the available backscatter profiles, the16 profiles used in this study have time differences less than 3 h and distances less than 130 km. Among these profiles, four cases show good comparison above 400 m with R2 greater than 0.7. Comparison with AERONET data shows that the aerosol type is properly identified by the CALIOP algorithm. Cloud contamination is a possible source of error in the remaining cases of poor comparison. Another source of error is the improper backscatter-to-extinction ratio, which further affects the accuracy of extinction coefficient retrieval.

Tobacco chewing is a widespread habit which leads to DNA damage. We are reporting a case of a tobacco chewer in which chromosomal aberrations, DNA breakage, buccal micronuclei and urinary thioether excretion level were studied. The study was carried out on a 28 year old male subject who is polio affected since his childhood. He has been chewing tobacco since the last 17 yrs @ 4 g, 08 times per day. The medical report of the subject indicates no abnormalities except post-polio paralysis in both lower limbs. He has no family history of any genetic disorder. He is not occupationally exposed to tobacco. The findings of the present investigation indicate increased incidence of chromosomal aberration % and micronuclei in buccal epithelial cells than the control values obtained from a subject of similar age and socioeconomic condition but not addicted to tobacco chewing. However, the urinary thioether values of the subject were lower than control values indicating a depression of the detoxification pathway.

Complications of spinal cord injury in males include losing brainstem control of pudendal nerve–innervated perineal muscles involved in erection and ejaculation. We previously described, in adult male rats, a bulbospinal pathway originating in a discrete area within the medullary gigantocellularis (GiA/Gi), and lateral paragigantocellularis (LPGi) nuclei, which when electrically microstimulated unilaterally, produces a bilateral inhibition of pudendal motoneuron reflex circuitry after crossing to the contralateral spinal cord below T8. Microstimulation following a long-term lateral hemisection, however, revealed reflex inhibition from both sides of the medulla, suggesting the development or unmasking of an injury-induced bulbospinal pathway crossing the midline cranial to the spinal lesion. In the present study, we investigated this pathway anatomically using the transsynaptic neuronal tracer pseudorabies virus (PRV) injected unilaterally into the bulbospongiosus muscle in uninjured controls, and ipsilateral to a chronic (1–2 months) unilateral lesion of the lateral funiculus. At 4.75 days post-injection, PRV-labeled cells were found bilaterally in the GiA/Gi/LPGi with equal side-to-side labeling in uninjured controls, and with significantly greater labeling contralateral to the lesion/injection in lesioned animals. The finding of PRV-labeled neurons on both sides of the medulla after removing the mid-thoracic spinal pathway on one side provides anatomical evidence for the bilaterality in both the brainstem origin and the lumbosacral pudendal circuit termination of the spared lateral funicular bulbospinal pathway. This also suggests that this bilaterality may contribute to the quick functional recovery of bladder and sexual functions observed in animals and humans with lateral hemisection injury.

Plant proteins in the form of flour, grits etc. are not in the palatable form as such due to lack of meat like texture, flavour and appearance. Thus the present need exists to prepare a palatable inexpensive vegetable based high protein foods. The extrusion cooking process converts the protein in its amorphous defatted flour form to fibrous structures. An extruded snack from Bengal gram brokens-sorghum blends was prepared by using Wenger X-5 extruder. The properties of the extrudates were studied at three different moisture levels (15, 20 and 25% w.b.) and three levels of barrel temperature (80, 90 and 100°C) with 5 levels of blending ratio of Bengal gram brokens-sorghum blends (10, 15, 20, 25 and 30%). All the physical parameters were optimized to have the best quality extrudates by RSM. The best quality extruded snack was obtained at 80°C barrel temperature, 15% moisture content of feed and 10% blending ratio followed by 15% moisture content of feed and 10% blending ratio at 100°C barrel temperature. Texture analysis of the optimized extrudate was also done for crispiness test and hardness test to have an idea of the resistance that the snack may offer on first bite to the consumer. The maximum value of crispness and minimum hardness was obtained at 15% moisture content, 100°C temperature. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jfstn.v7i0.10607 J. Food Sci. Technol. Nepal, Vol. 7 (61-63), 2012

Five blends of millets and legume pieces (viz. 12, 16, 20, 24, 28% legume pieces) at varying moisture contents (12, 15, 18, 21, 24%, wet basis [w.b.]) were subjected to extrusion cooking in a single-screw laboratory extruder Brabender DA47055. The extruder was operated at different die head temperatures (160–200C), barrel temperatures (100–140C) and screw speeds (100–140 rpm). Designed experiments were conducted based on central composite rotatable design to determine the optimum processing condition for extruded products. The processing parameters were optimized with the help of response surface methodology to obtain product with maximum crispness and with minimum hardness and cutting strength. The optimum processing conditions obtained were moisture content 24%, w.b.; blend ratio 18.7% legume pieces; die head temperature 171.2C; barrel temperature 140C; and screw speed 103.8 rpm. The corresponding textural properties of the extrudates in terms of crispness, hardness and cutting strength were 50, 48.2 N and 79.7 N, respectively. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This process allows the preparation of ready-to-eat snack foods made from millet and legume pieces. Millets are rich in fibers and legumes are rich in proteins and other vitamins. Thus, the product shall have high nutritive value. Limitations of soil and irrigation facility make millets a very popular crop among the farmers of Bundelkhand region of India; however, poor commercial market for millets yields less return. The legume milling process yields a sizeable amount of legume pieces. These legume pieces are listed as losses, generally disposed of cheaply, only to be used as animal feed or to act as raw material for manufacture of other products. Popularizing a millet- and legume pieces-based snack food shall be beneficial for the farmers, as well as making good use of the legume milling by-product.

This study aimed to understand the non-exhaust (NE) emission of particles from wear of summer tire and concrete pavement, especially for two wheelers and small cars. A fully enclosed laboratory-scale model was fabricated to simulate road tire interaction with a facility to collect particles in different sizes. A road was cast using the M-45 concrete mixture and the centrifugal casting method. It was observed that emission of large particle non exhaust emission (LPNE) as well as PM10 and PM2.5 increased with increasing load. The LPNE was 3.5 mg tire−1 km−1 for a two wheeler and 6.4 mg tire−1 km−1 for a small car. The LPNE can lead to water pollution through water run-off from the roads. The contribution of the PM10 and PM2.5 was smaller compared to the LPNE particles (less than 0.1%). About 32 percent of particle mass of PM10 was present below 1 μm. The number as well as mass size distribution for PM10 was observed to be bi-modal with peaks at 0.3 μm and 4–5 μm. The NE emissions did not show any significant trend with change in tire pressure.

Pharmacological and behavioral studies suggest that spinal delta- and kappa-opioid antinociceptive systems are functionally associated with ovarian sex steroids. These interactions can be demonstrated specifically during pregnancy or hormone-simulated pregnancy (HSP). The analgesia associated with both conditions can be abolished by blockade of either spinal kappa-opioid receptors or delta-opioid receptors (DOR). Furthermore, both dynorphin (DYN) release (J Pharmacol Exp Ther 298:1213-1220, 2001) and the processing of the DYN precursor (J Neurochem 65:1374-1380, 1995) are significantly increased in the spinal cord during HSP. We undertook the current study to determine whether DYN, DOR, and estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) share anatomical relationships that permit their direct interaction. Coexpression of DOR or ERalpha by DYN neurons was assessed using fluorescence immunohistochemistry and a synaptosomal release assay. Findings show that ERalpha and DYN are coexpressed. Moreover, in the spinal cord of HSP animals, there were significant increases in the number of DYN-immunoreactive (DYN-ir) cells, ERalpha-ir cells, cells double-labeled for DYN-ir and ERalpha-ir and the proportion of DYN-ir cells coexpressing ERalpha. Some varicose fibers in the spinal cord dorsal horn and intermediate gray matter that expressed DYN-ir also expressed DOR-ir. Activation of DORs located on DYN terminals was sufficient to inhibit K(+)-evoked DYN release. These data define, at least in part, the anatomical substrates that may be relevant to the antinociception of gestation and its hormonal simulation. Furthermore, they provide a framework for understanding sex-based nociception and antinociception and suggest novel strategies for treating pain.

Inactivation of dystrophin gene is the primary cause of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in humans and mdx mice. However, the underpinning mechanisms, which govern the pathogenesis of dystrophin-deficient skeletal muscle, remain poorly understood. We have previously reported activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB), and phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathways in diaphragm muscle of mdx mice. In this study, using a protein-DNA array-based approach, we have investigated the activation of 345 transcription factors in diaphragm muscle of 6-week old normal and dystrophin-deficient mdx mice. Our data demonstrate increased activation of a number nuclear transcription factors including AP1, HFH-3, PPARalpha, c.myb BP, ETF, Fra-1/JUN, kBF-A, N-rasBP, lactoferrin BP, Myb(2), EBP40_45, EKLF(1), p53(2), TFEB, Myc-Max; c-Rel; E2, ISRE; NF-kB; Stat1 p84/p91, Antioxidant RE, EVI-1, Stat3, AP3, p53, Stat4, AP4, HFH-1, FAST-1, Pax-5, and Beta-RE in the diaphragm muscle of mdx mice compared to corresponding normal mice. The level of activation for p53 was highest among all the transcription factors studied. Furthermore, higher activation of p53 in diaphragm muscle of mdx mice was associated with its increased phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. Collectively, our data suggest that the primary deficiency of dystrophin leads to the aberrant activation of nuclear transcription factors which might further contribute to muscle pathogenesis in mdx mice.

Several recent studies have found changes in the expression of genes functionally related to myelination and oligodendrocyte homeostasis in schizophrenia. These studies utilized microarrays and quantitative PCR (QPCR), methodologies which do not permit direct, unamplified examination of mRNA expression. In addition, these studies generally only examined transcript expression in homogenates of gray matter. In the present study, we examined the expression of myelination-related genes previously implicated in schizophrenia by microarray or QPCR. Using in situ hybridization, we measured transcript expression of 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase (CNP), myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), transferrin (TF), quaking (QKI), gelsolin, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, v-erb-b2 erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 3, erbb2 interacting protein, motility-related protein-1, SRY-box containing gene 10, oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2, peripheral myelin protein 22, and claudin-11 in both gray and white matter of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in subjects with schizophrenia (n = 41) and a comparison group (n = 34). We found decreased expression of MAG, QKI, TF, and CNP transcripts in white matter. We did not find any differences in expression of these transcripts between medicated (n = 31) and unmedicated (n = 10) schizophrenics, suggesting that these changes are not secondary to treatment with antipsychotics. Finally, we found significant positive correlations between QKI and MAG or CNP mRNA expression, suggesting that the transcription factor QKI regulates MAG and CNP expression. Our results support the hypothesis that myelination and oligodendrocyte function are impaired in schizophrenia.

Gas-liquid jet reactors are widely used in commercial applications such as condensing jets for direct contact feedwater heaters and steam jet pumps, because of their efficient heat- and mass-transfer characteristics. These are also used for the blowdown of primary nuclear boiler systems into a water bath, without releasing fissionable materials into the atmosphere. Reacting jets are of major interest in metal processing and thermal energy sources that involve submerged injection of an oxidizer into a liquid metal bath. The design of gas-liquid jet reactors is strongly dependent on the plume dimensions and the flow pattern in the liquid phase. In the present review paper, a critical analysis of the published literature on the fluid dynamics and heat transfer for gas-liquid jet reactors has been performed. The analysis has been extended for the empirical, semiempirical, and analytical attempts for the correlations of experimental observations. The published works on the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations have also been critically analyzed. A comprehensive discussion has been presented and an attempt has been made to arrive at a coherent theme that clearly describes the present status of the published literature. Furthermore, recommendations have been made that are expected to be useful for the design engineers as well as researchers, to improve the reliability in the design of this important class of reactors.

Metals in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) have been associated with various adverse health effects. Different factors contributing to the characterization and distribution of atmospheric metals in urban environments lead to uncertainty of the understanding of their impact on public health. However, few studies have provided a comprehensive picture of the spatial and seasonal variability of metal concentration, solubility and size distribution, all of which have important roles in their contribution to health effects. This study presents an experimental investigation on the characteristics of metals in PM2.5 and coarse PM in two seasons from four urban sites in Hong Kong. The PM samples were extracted separately with aqua regia and water, and a total of sixteen elements were analyzed using ICP-MS and ICP-OES to determine the size segregated concentration and solubility of metals. The concentrations of major metals were distributed in similar patterns with the same order of magnitude among different urban sites. Source apportionment using Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) indicated that three sources namely road dust, vehicular exhaust and ship emission are major contributors to the urban atmospheric metal concentrations in Hong Kong with distinctly different profiles between coarse PM and PM2.5 fractions. The individual metals were assigned to different sources, consistent with literature documentation, except potassium emerging with substantial contribution from vehicle exhaust emission. Literature data from past studies on both local and other cities were compared to the results from the present study to investigate the impact of different emission sources and control policies on metal distribution in urban atmosphere. A large variation of solubility among the metals reflected that the majority of metals in PM2.5 were more soluble than those in coarse PM indicating size dependent chemical states of metals. The data from this study provides a rich dataset of metals in urban atmosphere and can be useful for targeted emission control to mitigate the adverse impact of metallic pollution on public health.

The concomitant activation of spinal kappa- and delta-opioid systems is a prerequisite for the antinociception of gestation and its hormonal simulation [via 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone administration; hormone-simulated pregnancy (HSP)]. However, it is not known whether the release of kappa- and delta-opioids is also concomitantly regulated. This study investigates whether the release of methionine-enkephalin and modulation thereof is altered during HSP, as has been reported for dynorphin. K+-stimulated release of spinal methionine-enkephalin from lumbar spinal tissue obtained from control animals is negatively modulated by nociceptin (orphanin FQ; N/OFQ) in a dose-dependent manner, but not by opioids. Conversely, selective blockade of spinal N/OFQ, but not opioid receptors, augments the K+-induced increase in methionine-enkephalin release, indicating that endogenous N/OFQ also functions as a negative modulator of methionine-enkephalin release. The magnitude of K+-evoked methionine-enkephalin release from spinal tissue obtained from ovarian steroid-treated animals remains unchanged, consistent with the insensitivity of its modulation by N/OFQ to the ovarian sex steroid milieu. These characteristics of methionine-enkephalin release stand in sharp contrast to those previously reported for the evoked release of spinal dynorphin. Dynorphin release is subject to negative modulation by opioid (predominantly delta) as well as N/OFQ, both of which are offset during HSP, resulting in an approximately 2-fold increase in the magnitude of its release. These observations reveal that regulation of spinal dynorphin/kappa- and methionine-enkephalin/delta-spinal opioid antinociceptive systems is independent, divergent, and not symmetrical and support the formulation that spinal methionine-enkephalin/delta-opioid tone acts in a permissive/facilitative capacity to accentuate spinal dynorphin/kappa-activity.

The processing of time intervals in the sub- to supra-second range by the brain is critical for the interaction of primates with their surroundings in activities, such as foraging and hunting. For an accurate processing of time intervals by the brain, representation of physical time within neuronal circuits is necessary. I propose that time dimension of the physical surrounding is represented in the brain by different types of neuronal oscillators, generating spikes or spike bursts at regular intervals. The proposed oscillators include the pacemaker neurons, tonic inputs, and synchronized excitation and inhibition of inter-connected neurons. Oscillators, which are built inside various circuits of brain, help to form modular clocks, processing time intervals or other temporal characteristics specific to functions of a circuit. Relative or absolute duration is represented within neuronal oscillators by “neural temporal unit,” defined as the interval between regularly occurring spikes or spike bursts. Oscillator output is processed to produce changes in activities of neurons, named frequency modulator neuron, wired within a separate module, represented by the rate of change in frequency, and frequency of activities, proposed to encode time intervals. Inbuilt oscillators are calibrated by (a) feedback processes, (b) input of time intervals resulting from rhythmic external sensory stimulation, and (c) synchronous effects of feedback processes and evoked sensory activity. A single active clock is proposed per circuit, which is calibrated by one or more mechanisms. Multiple calibration mechanisms, inbuilt oscillators, and the presence of modular connections prevent a complete loss of interval timing functions of the brain.

Despite common comorbidity of sexual and urinary dysfunctions, the interrelationships between the neural control of these functions are poorly understood. The medullary reticular formation (MRF) contributes to both mating/arousal functions and micturition, making it a good site to test circuitry interactions. Urethane-anesthetized adult Wistar rats were used to examine the impact of electrically stimulating different nerve targets [dorsal nerve of the penis (DNP) or clitoris (DNC); L6/S1 trunk] on responses of individual extracellularly recorded MRF neurons. The effect of bladder filling on MRF neurons was also examined, as was stimulation of DNP on bladder reflexes via cystometry. In total, 236 MRF neurons responded to neurostimulation: 102 to DNP stimulation (12 males), 64 to DNC stimulation (12 females), and 70 to L6/S1 trunk stimulation (12 males). Amplitude thresholds were significantly different at DNP (15.0 ± 0.6 μA), DNC (10.5 ± 0.7 μA), and L6/S1 trunk (54.2 ± 4.6 μA), whereas similar frequency responses were found (max responses near 30–40 Hz). In five males, filling/voiding cycles were lengthened with DNP stimulation (11.0 ± 0.9 μA), with a maximal effective frequency plateau beginning at 30 Hz. Bladder effects lasted ∼2 min after DNP stimulus offset. Many MRF neurons receiving DNP/DNC input responded to bladder filling (35.0% and 68.3%, respectively), either just before (43%) or simultaneously with (57%) the voiding reflex. Taken together, MRF-evoked responses with neurostimulation of multiple nerve targets along with different responses to bladder infusion have implications for the role of MRF in multiple aspects of urogenital functions.

International audience; Here we report on the influence of anisotropic microstructure on the performances of magnetically soft micro-patterns intended to integrate microfluidic systems. These micro-patterns are made of a composite obtained by mixing carbonyl iron particles with polydimethylsiloxane, which offers practical integration advantages. We investigated a wide range of magnetic particle loadings, from 10wt% to 83wt%, reaching magnetization as high as 630 kA/m. A homogeneous field was applied during the polymer's cross-linking phase so that to obtain a 1D arrangement of the particles in the solidified polymer, along the field direction. Here we present the results obtained for square-based micro-pillars prepared under a magnetic field applied along one of its diagonal. We assessed the magnetic anisotropy owing to the particles' spatial arrangement by comparing the magnetization processes along the two diagonals of the micro-pillar's base. The magnetic susceptibilities along the two directions differ from a factor greater than three. The results can be described in terms of high aspect ratio and porous magnetic agglomerates. C 2016 Author(s). All article content, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. [http://dx.

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005, Uttar Pradesh, India E-mail : dspbhu@bhu.ac.in Fax: 91-542-2368174 Manuscript received 02 March 2012, accepted 09 March 2012 One pot synthesis of 4-(1H-benzimidazole-2-yl)-benzonitrile (1) under mild reaction conditions and metal-organic hybrid of 4-CN-BIBH with CoII salt have been reported for the first time. In the metal-organic hybrid [Co(NO3)2.4H2O, (4-CN-BIBH)] (3), there is no interaction between the metal and 4-CN-BIBH through dative bonds. 4-CN-BIBH afforded solvated species 4-CN-BIBH. DMSO, (2) in dimethylsulfoxide and reacted with CuII , ZnII, CdII and NiII nitrates to form [(4-CN-BIBH2).NO3] (4) and M(OH)(NO3).(H2O)x-1· Formation of [(4-CN-BIBH2).NO3] has been supported by theoretical studies. &nbsp

Carbonaceous species, meteorological parameters, trace gases, and fogwater chemistry were measured during winter in the Indian city of Kanpur to study secondary organic aerosol (SOA) during foggy and clear (nonfoggy) days. Enhanced SOA production was observed during fog episodes. It is hypothesized that aqueous phase chemistry in fog drops is responsible for increasing SOA production. SOA concentrations on foggy days exceeded those on clear days at all times of day; peak foggy day SOA concentrations were observed in the evening vs peak clear day SOA concentrations which occurred in the afternoon. Changes in biomass burning emissions on foggy days were examined because of their potential to confound estimates of SOA production based on analysis of organic to elemental carbon (OC/EC) ratios. No evidence of biomass burning influence on SOA during foggy days was found. Enhanced oxidation of SO(2) to sulfate during foggy days was observed, possibly causing the regional aerosol to become more acidic. No evidence was found in this study, either, for effects of temperature or relative humidity on SOA production. In addition to SOA production, fogs can also play an important role in cleaning the atmosphere of carbonaceous aerosols. Preferential scavenging of water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) by fog droplets was observed. OC was found to be enriched in smaller droplets, limiting the rate of OC deposition by droplet sedimentation. Lower EC concentrations were observed on foggy days, despite greater stagnation and lower mixing heights, suggesting fog scavenging and removal of EC was active as well.

Processing parameters of feed including moisture content of feed (12, 15, 18, 21 and 24%), soy flour-rice blend ratio (10:90, 14:86, 18:82, 22:78 and 26:74), operational parameters of extruder like barrel temperature (100, 110, 120, 130 and 140 °C), die head temperature (160, 170, 180, 190 and 200 °C) and screw speed (100, 110, 120, 130 and 140 rpm) were optimized for physical and textural properties of soy-rice blend extrudates. The minimum value of longitudinal expansion index lied near 185 °C die head temperature at about 120 rpm. The minimum value of bulk density was observed in between 18:82 blend ratio and 115 °C barrel temperature.

Various phenolic C-glycosides were evaluated for their in vitro and in vivo antihyperglycemic activity employing glucose uptake by rat muscle cell lines (L-6) and low dosed-streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, respectively. Some of phenolic C-glycosides were isolated from Pterocarpus marsupium and Ulmus wallichiana and other were synthesized by unprotected sugar and phloroacetophenone using Sc(OTf)(3) in aqueous ethanol. Eight among tested compounds showed significant lowering of blood glucose level on low dosed-streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The compound 24 lowered the blood glucose levels by 34.9% and 33.6% during 0-5h and 0-24h, respectively, at the dose of 25mg/kg body weight which is comparable to standard antidiabetic drug metformin.

The development of central neuropathic pain varies among patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). The factors contributing to the development and perpetuation of segmental pain (at-level allodynia) has been the focus of ongoing experiments in our laboratory. One such factor is hormonal status. We have shown previously, using a male rat model of SCI, that a severe contusion injury is necessary for the development of allodynia in trunk regions at and just above the level of a T8 injury. In this study, we examined at-level sensitivity for SCI ovariectomized (ovx) and cycling female rats as well as for SCI males implanted with either a placebo pellet or one that slowly releases 17beta-estradiol. The proportion of ovx SCI female rats and placebo-treated SCI males displaying pain-like behaviors to touch/pressure of at-level dermatomes up to 6 weeks post-injury (67% and 75%, respectively) was similar to our previous studies on SCI males (69%). In contrast, significantly fewer cycling SCI female rats and 17beta-estradiol treated SCI male rats showed sensitivity to touch at-level (26% and 30%, respectively). These results implicate 17beta-estradiol as a potential target that can readily be modulated to prevent segmental pain following SCI.

A great deal of work has been done on the synthesis of oxazolones. We have obtained 5(4H)-oxazolones by condensing anthracene-10-carbaldehyde & furan-2- carbaldehyde with a number of substituted benzoyl glycines, and tried to design new and effective anti-bacterial agents.

Approximately 70% of male rats receiving severe T8 spinal contusions develop allodynia in T5-7 dermatomes (at-level) beginning 2 weeks after injury. In contrast, rats having either complete transections or dorsal hemisections do not develop allodynia at-level after chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). In the present study, incomplete laceration and contusion injuries were made to test for neuroanatomical correlates between areas of white matter damage/sparing at the lesion epicenter and the presence/absence of allodynia. After incomplete laceration lesions and 6 weeks of behavioral testing, histological reconstruction and analysis of the lesion epicenters revealed a significant difference (P.001) in the amount of ventrolateral funiculus (VLF) asymmetry between rats showing pain-like responses evoked by touch (74.5% +/- 8.4% side-to-side difference in VLF damage) versus those not responding to touch (11.3% +/- 4.4% side-to-side difference in VLF damage). A 5-week mean allodynia score for each rat that incorporates a full range of forces that are all innocuous in intact controls revealed that the degree of hypersensitivity at level is related to the extent of VLF asymmetry after SCI. No other damaged spinal white matter or gray matter area was correlated with sensitivity to touch. Similar findings were obtained for rats receiving T8 contusions, a more clinically relevant injury. These data suggest that different extents of damage/sparing between the 2 sides of VLF probably are a requisite for the development of allodynia after SCI.A side-to-side lesion asymmetry after chronic SCI in a rodent model was found to be highly correlated with the presence and degree of allodynia. Greater insight of key factors contributing to the development and maintenance of chronic neuropathic pain is important for improving quality of life.

Destruction of skeletal muscle extracellular matrix is an important pathological consequence of many diseases involving muscle wasting. However, the underlying mechanisms leading to extracellular matrix breakdown in skeletal muscle tissues remain unknown. Using a microarray approach, we investigated the effect of tumor necrosis factor-related weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), a recently identified muscle-wasting cytokine, on the expression of extracellular proteases in skeletal muscle. Among several other matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), we found that the expression of MMP-9, a type IV collagenase, was drastically increased in myotubes in response to TWEAK. The level of MMP-9 was also higher in myofibers of TWEAK transgenic mice. TWEAK increased the activation of both classical and alternative nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling pathways. Inhibition of NF-kappaB activity blocked the TWEAK-induced production of MMP-9 in myotubes. TWEAK also increased the activation of AP-1, and its inhibition attenuated the TWEAK-induced MMP-9 production. Overexpression of a kinase-dead mutant of NF-kappaB-inducing kinase or IkappaB kinase-beta but not IkappaB kinase-alpha significantly inhibited the TWEAK-induced activation of MMP-9 promoter. The activation of MMP-9 also involved upstream recruitment of TRAF2 and cIAP2 proteins. TWEAK increased the activity of ERK1/2, JNK1, and p38 MAPK. However, the inhibition of only p38 MAPK blocked the TWEAK-induced expression of MMP-9 in myotubes. Furthermore the loss of body and skeletal muscle weights, inflammation, fiber necrosis, and degradation of basement membrane around muscle fibers were significantly attenuated in Mmp9 knock-out mice on chronic administration of TWEAK protein. The study unveils a novel mechanism of skeletal muscle tissue destruction in pathological conditions.

Lifestyle diseases such as obesity have been neglected in developing countries partly due to a more urgent focus on infectious diseases in these countries. The incidence of obesity is on the increase in developing countries, with a marked rise in childhood obesity. A health promotion activity employing service-learning principles required final year pharmacy students to prepare a pilot-tested computer-based quiz, using a pre- and post-intervention test design, along with other learning material, for participants at the 2007 Sasol National Festival of Science and Technology (SciFest). Interactive models, posters and information leaflets were used in explaining the prevention and control of obesity to learners. The results showed that the pre-existing knowledge of the participants was good. There was a further improvement after the educational intervention. Activities such as this are important in heightening awareness of obesity in learners as it is likely to reduce the incidence of obesity later in life. Furthermore, the activity also served to increase awareness of the role of pharmacists in the prevention of lifestyle diseases such as obesity. Leefwysesiektes soos obesiteit word verwaarloos in ontwikkelende lande weens die fokus op aansteeklike siektes. Voorvalle van obesiteit het verdriedubbel in ontwikkelende lande, met 'n skerp styging in kinderobesiteit. Die huidige gesondheidsprogram bied 'n indiensopleidingskursus aan, waar finalejaar-aptekerstudente 'n loodsprogram aanbied met behulp van 'n rekenaar vasvraprogram waar 'n voor- en na-toets saam met ander leermateriaal gebruik word vir bywoners van die 2007 Sasol Nasionale Wetenskapfees. Interaktiewe modelle, plakkate en inligtingspamflette is as hulpmiddels gebruik om die voorkoming en beheer van obesiteit aan leerders te illustreer. Die resultate het gewys dat die kennis van die deelnemers goed was. Dit het ná opvoedkundige raadgewing verder verbeter. Projekte soos hierdie is belangrik om leerders van obesiteit bewus te maak, aangesien dit baie moontlik die voorkoms van obesiteit later in deelnemers se lewens kan verminder. Die projek poog verder om bewustheid oor die rol wat aptekers in die voorkoming van leefwysesiektes soos obesiteit kan speel, te verhoog.

Glutamate cycling is critically important for neurotransmission, and may be altered in schizophrenia. The excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) facilitate the reuptake of glutamate from the synaptic cleft and have a key role in glutamate cycling. We hypothesized that expression of the EAATs and the EAAT regulating proteins ARHGEF11, JWA, G-protein suppressor pathway 1 (GPS1), and KIAA0302 are altered in the brain in schizophrenia. To test this, we measured expression of EAAT1, EAAT2, EAAT3, and EAAT interacting proteins in postmortem tissue from the dorsolateral prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortex of patients with schizophrenia and a comparison group using in situ hybridization and Western blot analysis. We found increased EAAT1 transcripts and decreased protein expression, increased EAAT3 transcripts and protein, and elevated protein expression of both GPS1 and KIAA0302 protein. We did not find any changes in expression of EAAT2. These data indicate that proteins involved in glutamate reuptake and cycling are altered in the cortex in schizophrenia, and may provide potential targets for future treatment strategies.

Let G be a group with a BN-pair and Γ its Dynkin diagram. Let P be a partially ordered set and λ:P→2Γ be a map from P into the induced subgraphs of Γ. We say that the map λ is transitive if for any a,b,c∈P with a

We investigated the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum in schizophrenia. mGluRs modulate the release and reuptake of synaptic glutamate and mediate some molecular correlates of neuroplasticity, including long-term potentiation. The mGluRs are expressed widely in the PFC and striatum, regions often implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Thus, we hypothesized that abnormal expression of mGluRs might contribute to glutamatergic dysfunction observed in the PFC and striatum in schizophrenia. Accordingly, we measured the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in Brodmann areas 9, 11, 32, and 46 in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the caudate, putamen, and nucleus accumbens in schizophrenia (16 cases, 9 controls) by Western blot analysis. We found an increase in the expression of mGluR1a and mGluR2/3 immunoreactivity in the PFC in schizophrenia, while no changes in the expression of mGluR4a or mGluR5 were detected in this region. In the striatum we found no changes in the expression of any of the mGluRs studied. These results suggest that alterations of mGluR1a and mGluR2/3 expression in the PFC may contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, and support targeting these receptors for the generation of novel treatment modalities for this disabling illness.