A 50,000-year record of Late Pleistocene tropical vegetation and human impact in lowland Borneo.

There has been considerable uncertainty about the nature of Pleistocene environments colonised by the first modern humans in Island SE Asia, and about the vegetation of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) in the region. Here, the palynology from a series of exposures in the Great Cave of Niah, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, spanning a period from ca. 52,000 to 5000 BP is described. Vegetation during this period was climate-driven and often highly unstable. Interstadials are marked by lowland forest, sometimes rather dry and at times by mangroves. Stadials are indicated by taxa characteristic of open environments or, as at the LGM, by highly disturbed rather open forest. Stadials are also characterised by taxa now restricted to 1000-1600 m above sea level, suggesting temperature declines of ca 7-9 C relative to present, by comparison with modern lapse rates. The practice of biomass burning appears associated with the earliest human activity in the cave.

Corticosteroids and peritonsillar abscess formation in infectious mononucleosis

Peritonsillar abscess formation is an uncommon complication of infectious mononucleosis (IM). Early case reports implicated corticosteroids in the development of such abscesses, however, subsequent studies suggested that these drugs do not promote the formation of abscesses at several sites outside the central nervous system. It has recently been demonstrated that zwitterionic polysaccharides, in bacterial capsules, form complexes with CD4(+) T lymphocytes leading to abscess formation. A patient is presented who developed peritonsillar abscess a few days after initiation of corticosteroid therapy for IM; the medical literature was reviewed in respect of this subject. It appears that the occurrence of these abscesses in IM is not strongly linked to corticosteroid treatment. The authors, therefore, recommend that steroids should not be withheld from patients with severe IM on the basis that they may precipitate the development of peritonsillar abscess.

Synthesis, thermal characterization and rheological properties of a homologous series of polymethacrylate-based side-chain liquid crystal polymers

A new homologous series of side-chain liquid crystal polymers, the poly[omega-(4-cyanoazobenzene-4'-oxy)alkyl methacrylate]s, have been prepared in which the length of the flexible alkyl spacer is varied from 3 to 12 methylene units. All the polymers exhibit liquid crystalline behaviour; specifically, crystal E, smectic A and nematic phases are observed. The glass transition temperatures decrease on increasing spacer length before reaching a limiting value at ca. 30 degrees C. The clearing temperatures exhibit an odd-even effect on varying the length and parity of the spacer. This is attributed to the change in the average shape of the side chain as the parity of the spacer is varied. This rationalization also accounts for the observed alternation in the entropy change associated with the clearing transition. A weak relaxation is observed theologically for several members of this polymer series at temperatures above their respective glass transition temperatures. This is attributed either to specific motions of the smectic layers or to 180 degrees reorientational jumps of the long axis of the mesogenic unit about the polymer backbone. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cystic Fibrosis from Laboratory to Bedside: The Role of A20 in NF-κB-Mediated Inflammation

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a lifelong, inflammatory multi-organ disease and the most common lethal, genetic condition in Caucasian populations, with a median survival rate of 41.5 years. Pulmonary disease, characterized by infective exacerbations, bronchiectasis and increasing airway insufficiency is the most serious manifestation of this disease process, currently responsible for over 80% of CF deaths. Chronic dysregulation of the innate immune and host inflammatory response has been proposed as a mechanism central to this genetic condition, primarily driven by the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway. Chronic activation of this transcription factor complex leads to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators such as IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α. A20 has been described as a central and inducible negative regulator of NF-κB. This intracellular molecule negatively regulates NF-κB-driven pro-inflammatory signalling upon toll-like receptor activation at the level of TRAF6 activation. Silencing of A20 increases cellular levels of p65 and induces a pro-inflammatory state. We have previously shown that A20 expression positively correlates with lung function (FEV1%) in CF. Despite improvement in survival rates in recent years, advancements in available therapies have been incremental. We demonstrate that the experimental use of naturally occurring plant diterpenes such as gibberellin on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cell lines reduces IL-8 release in an A20-dependent manner. We discuss how the use of a novel bio-informatics gene expression connectivity-mapping technique to identify small molecule compounds that similarly mimic the action of A20 may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches capable of reducing chronic airway inflammation in CF. 

Autre exemplaire de la relation contenue dans le ms. français 5094. Cet exemplaire est dédié à Charles de Bourbon, celui qui devait bientôt être nommé connétable de France par le roi François Ier. La dédicace est en 12 vers. Premier vers (fol. C. v°).

Même ornementation, mêmes armoiries que dans le ms. français 5094. « Très noble duc de Bourbon et d'Auvergne,... ».

Resolución N° 212 del 10 de septiembre de 2007 ¿Cuáles son los presupuestos sobre los que se basa la Cámara de Comercio para el registro de providencias judiciales?

Servicios registrales

Cayo Valerio Catulo : su vida y sus obras

UANL

Développement de tensioactifs à base d’acides biliaires pegylés pour des applications pharmaceutiques

Les acides biliaires sont reconnus comme des tensioactifs d’origine biologique potentiellement applicables dans le domaine pharmaceutique. Leurs structures en font une plateforme idéale pour l’obtention de nouvelles architectures polymères. Des composés synthétisés par polymérisation anionique de dérivés d’oxirane comme l’oxyde d’éthylène, offre des dérivés amphiphiles pegylés démontrant des propriétés d’agrégation intéressantes en vue d’une amélioration de la biocompatibilité et de la capacité d’encapsulation médicamenteuse. Une large gamme d’acides biliaires pegylés (BA(EGn)x) a été préparée avec comme objectif premier leurs applications dans la formulation de principes actifs problématiques. Pour cela, une caractérisation rigoureuse du comportement de ces dérivés (modulation de la longueur (2 < n < 19) et du nombre de bras (2 < x < 4) de PEG) en solution a été réalisée. Dans le but d’améliorer la biodisponibilité de principes actifs lipophiles (cas de l’itraconazole), des nanoémulsions spontanées, composées de BA(EGn)x et d’acide oléique, ont été développées. L’évaluation in vitro, de la toxicité (cellulaire), et de la capacité de solubilisation des systèmes BA(EGn)x, ainsi que les paramètres pharmacocinétiques in vivo (chez le rat), suggèrent une livraison contrôlée par nos systèmes auto-assemblés lors de l’administration orale et intraveineuse. Aussi, la synthèse de copolymères en blocs en étoile à base d’acide cholique pegylés a été effectuée par polymérisation anionique par addition d’un second bloc au caractère hydrophobe de poly(éther d’allyle et de glycidyle) (CA(EGn-b-AGEm)4). Selon le ratio de blocs hydrophiles-hydrophobes CA(EGn-b-AGEm)4, des réponses thermiques en solution (LCST) ont été observées par un point de trouble (Cp) entre 8 oC et 37 oC. Un mécanisme de formation d’agrégats en plusieurs étapes est suggéré. La thiolation des allyles des PAGE permet une fonctionnalisation terminale à haute densité, comparable aux dendrimères. Les caractérisations physico-chimiques des CA(EGn-b-AGEm-NH2)4 et CA(EGn-b-AGEm-COOH)4 indiquent la formation de structures auto-assemblées en solution, sensibles à la température ou au pH. Cette fonctionnalisation élargie le domaine d’application des dérivés d’acides biliaires pegylés en étoile vers la transfection d’ADN, la livraison de siRNA thérapeutiques ou encore à une sélectivité de livraison médicamenteux (ex. sensibilité au pH, greffage ligands).

Einfluss von Erhitzung und Gefriertrocknung auf die Lutein- und Zeaxanthin-Konzentrationen in Eigelb

Veränderungen der Matrixbindung und der molekularen Struktur der antioxidativ wirkenden Carotinoide können die Bioakzessibilität dieser Substanzen beeinflussen. Die vorliegende Studie untersuchte die Einflüsse von Erhitzung und Gefriertrocknung auf die Massenkonzentrationen der all-E- und 13-Z-Isomere von Lutein und Zeaxanthin in Eigelb und dessen Fraktionen Plasma und Granula. Dabei wurden die Strukturveränderungen der Lipoproteine, mit deren Lipiden die Eigelb-Xanthophylle assoziiert sind, betrachtet. Die Strukturentfaltungen der Low-Density und High-Density Lipoproteine (LDL und HDL) erhöhten die Extrahierbarkeit sowie Z-Isomerisierungen und oxidative Degradationen der Xanthophylle, die der Temperatureinfluss und Reaktanten katalysierten. Die Extrahierbarkeit, Z-Isomerisierungen und oxidative Degradationen der Xanthophylle waren durch den Aufschluss, die Gelbildung, die Oberflächenvergrößerung und die Erhöhung des Trockenmassegehalts der Matrix beeinflusst. Die Strukturentfaltung der in hohen Mengen in Plasma enthaltenen LDL findet bei geringeren Temperaturen (ca. 65 - 76 °C) als die der in Granula dominanten HDL (ca. 75 - 84 °C) statt. Zudem schien die gefriertrocknungsinduzierte Strukturentfaltung der LDL im Gegensatz zu HDL und Granula durch Rehydratation nicht vollständig reversibel zu sein. Daher wies Plasma eine geringere Stabilität bei der Erhitzung und Gefriertrocknung als Eigelb und Granula auf. Die Entfaltung von Lipoproteinstrukturen und die thermisch katalysierte Z-Isomerisierung sind wahrscheinlich für die signifikante 13-Z-Lutein-Zunahme nach Erhitzung von Plasma und Granula bei 82 und 87 °C sowie von Granula bei 77 °C verantwortlich. Der signifikante Verlust der all-E-Isomere der bei 87 °C erhitzten Proben von Eigelb und Granula war vermutlich durch 13-Z-Isomerisierungen und oxidative Degradationen der Xanthophylle bedingt. Marginale Veränderungen der Xanthophylle basierten vermutlich darauf, dass die multifaktoriellen Einflüsse bei der Erhitzung einander kompensierten. Die Erhitzung bei 67 °C bedingte zudem aufgrund der weitgehenden Erhaltung der Lipoproteine ähnliche Xanthophyll-Gehalte wie bei den unerhitzten Proben. Bei der Gefriertrocknung führten die Strukturentfaltung der Lipoproteine unter Abspaltung der Lipide und die abtrocknungsbedingte Oberflächenvergrößerung zu signifikanten Zunahmen der Xanthophylle bei Plasma und Granula. Dies bestätigte sich für gefriergetrocknetes Eigelb vermutlich aufgrund von oxidativen Degradationen und Aggregationen der Xanthophylle nicht. Unterschiedliche Massenkonzentrationsänderungen der Xanthophylle im Vergleich der beiden Chargen wurden mit unterschiedlichen Anteilen an ungesättigten Fettsäuren erklärt. Die charakteristischen Anteile an Proteinen und Lipoproteinen, deren Gelbildungseigenschaften und die Lipidkomposition der Lipoproteine sowie die methodisch bedingte Verdünnung von Plasma waren vermutlich für die bei Granula, Plasma und Eigelb differierenden Massenkonzentrationsänderungen der Xanthophylle verantwortlich. Die Ergebnisse ließen eine höhere 13-Z-Isomerisierungsneigung von all-E-Lutein im Vergleich zu all-E-Zeaxanthin vermuten.

La ceràmica d'engalba blanca: Una nova aportació a l'estudi del període baix-republicà (segles II-I a.C.) al nord-est del Principat

La ceràmica d'engalba és una de les produccions indígenes més personals dels dos darrers segles abans de l'era vulgar. La seva distribució queda limitada, bàsicament, a les comarques costaneres de Girona i la seva tipologia de formes s'especialitza en urnes i gerres, molts de cops de dimensions considerables, esveltes. El centre de producció cal cercar-lo a “Emporiae”, i el seu estudi pot ajudar a aprofundir en el coneixement de la primera etapa de la romanització a casa nostra

Forest Policy Scenario Analysis: Sensitivity of Songbird Community to Changes in Forest Cover Amount and Configuration

Changes in mature forest cover amount, composition, and configuration can be of significant consequence to wildlife populations. The response of wildlife to forest patterns is of concern to forest managers because it lies at the heart of such competing approaches to forest planning as aggregated vs. dispersed harvest block layouts. In this study, we developed a species assessment framework to evaluate the outcomes of forest management scenarios on biodiversity conservation objectives. Scenarios were assessed in the context of a broad range of forest structures and patterns that would be expected to occur under natural disturbance and succession processes. Spatial habitat models were used to predict the effects of varying degrees of mature forest cover amount, composition, and configuration on habitat occupancy for a set of 13 focal songbird species. We used a spatially explicit harvest scheduling program to model forest management options and simulate future forest conditions resulting from alternative forest management scenarios, and used a process-based fire-simulation model to simulate future forest conditions resulting from natural wildfire disturbance. Spatial pattern signatures were derived for both habitat occupancy and forest conditions, and these were placed in the context of the simulated range of natural variation. Strategic policy analyses were set in the context of current Ontario forest management policies. This included use of sequential time-restricted harvest blocks (created for Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus) conservation) and delayed harvest areas (created for American marten (Martes americana atrata) conservation). This approach increased the realism of the analysis, but reduced the generality of interpretations. We found that forest management options that create linear strips of old forest deviate the most from simulated natural patterns, and had the greatest negative effects on habitat occupancy, whereas policy options that specify deferment and timing of harvest for large blocks helped ensure the stable presence of an intact mature forest matrix over time. The management scenario that focused on maintaining compositional targets best supported biodiversity objectives by providing the composition patterns required by the 13 focal species, but this scenario may be improved by adding some broad-scale spatial objectives to better maintain large blocks of interior forest habitat through time.

Feeding–Danger Trade-Offs Underlie Stopover Site Selection by Migrants

To migrate successfully, birds need to store adequate fat reserves to fuel each leg of the journey. Migrants acquire their fuel reserves at stopover sites; this often entails exposure to predators. Therefore, the safety attributes of sites may be as important as the feeding opportunities. Furthermore, site choice might depend on fuel load, with lean birds more willing to accept danger to obtain good feeding. Here, we evaluate the factors underlying stopover-site usage by migrant Western Sandpipers (Calidris mauri) on a landscape scale. We measured the food and danger attributes of 17 potential stopover sites in the Strait of Georgia and Puget Sound region. We used logistic regression models to test whether food, safety, or both were best able to predict usage of these sites by Western Sandpipers. Eight of the 17 sites were used by sandpipers on migration. Generally, sites that were high in food and safety were used, whereas sites that were low in food and safety were not. However, dangerous sites were used if there was ample food abundance, and sites with low food abundance were used if they were safe. The model including both food and safety best-predicted site usage by sandpipers. Furthermore, lean sandpipers used the most dangerous sites, whereas heavier birds (which do not need to risk feeding in dangerous locations) used safer sites. This study demonstrates that both food and danger attributes are considered by migrant birds when selecting stopover sites, thus both these attributes should be considered to prioritize and manage stopover sites for conservation.