GFAP analysis in aluminium chloride-treated rat brain regions

The neurotoxicity of aluminium chloride was assessed in maleWistar albino rats. Rats were treated with aluminium chloride dissolved in distilled water at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight daily by oral gavage (1 ml) for 45 days. Controls were treated with distilled water only. Animals were sacrificed and different brain regions were dissected. GFAP analysis was carried out by Western blotting using mouse anti-GFAP monoclonal antibody (Pharmingen: 60311D) at 1:1000. Blots were developed with HRP-linked goat anti-mouse secondary antibody and quantified by densitometry.

Expression of heterologous aquaporins for functional analysis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In this study the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is a genetically tractable model for analysis of osmoregulation, has been used for analysis of heterologous aquaporins. Aquaporin water channels play important roles in the control of water homeostasis in individual cells and multicellular organisms. We have investigated the effects of functional expression of the mammalian aquaporins AQP1 and AQP5 and the aquaglyceroporins AQP3 and AQP9. Expression of aquaporins caused moderate growth inhibition under hyperosmotic stress, while expression of aquaglyceroporins mediated strong growth inhibition due to glycerol loss. Water transport was monitored in protoplasts, where the kinetics of bursting was influenced by presence of aquaporins but not aquaglyceroporins. We observed glycerol transport through aquaglyceroporins, but not aquaporins, in a yeast strain deficient in glycerol production, whose growth depends on glycerol inflow. In addition, a gene reporter assay allowed to indirectly monitor the effect of AQP9-mediated enhanced glycerol loss on osmoadaptation. Transport activity of certain aqua(glycero)porins was diminished by low pH or CuSO 4, suggesting that yeast can potentially be used for screening of putative aquaporin inhibitors. We conclude that yeast is a versatile system for functional studies of aquaporins, and it can be developed to screen for compounds of potential pharmacological use. © Springer-Verlag 2006.

Using QFD for e-business planning and analysis in a micro-sized enterprise

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to show how QFD can be used as part of a structured planning and analysis framework for micro-sized enterprises to build-up their e-business capabilities. Design/methodology/approach - This case study has been produced using a new framework which integrates the balanced scorecard, value chain and quality function deployment techniques into an integrated framework known as the E-Business Planning and Analysis Framework (E-PAF). It has been produced using an action research approach. Findings - A new framework with a supporting case study is provided. This case study has demonstrated that the framework can be applied successfully to micro-sized enterprises (those with less than ten employees) to successfully plan new strategic and technical developments. This will enhance the online service that the company is able to provide. Research limitations/implications - This paper presents a single case study. The technical recommendations are currently being implemented. Originality/value - Such analytical techniques are most commonly associated with large organisations, and are not specifically associated with e-business planning. This paper provides a new framework that will be of general applicability to other similarly sized enterprises that are looking to improve e-business capabilities. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Time series analysis in the assessment of ICT impact at the aggregate level – lessons and implications for the new economy

The major role of information and communication technology (ICT) in the new economy is well documented: countries worldwide are pouring resources into their ICT infrastructure despite the widely acknowledged “productivity paradox”. Evaluating the contribution of ICT investments has become an elusive but important goal of IS researchers and economists. But this area of research is fraught with complexity and we have used Solow's Residual together with time-series analysis tools to overcome some methodological inadequacies of previous studies. Using this approach, we conduct a study of 20 countries to determine if there was empirical evidence to support claims that ICT investments are worthwhile. The results show that ICT contributes to economic growth in many developed countries and newly industrialized economies (NIEs), but not in developing countries. We finally suggest ICT-complementary factors, in an attempt to rectify possible flaws in ICT policies as a contribution towards improvement in global productivity.

The usefulness of spatial pattern analysis in understanding the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, with particular reference to plaque formation in Alzheimer's disease

Discrete, microscopic lesions are developed in the brain in a number of neurodegenerative diseases. These lesions may not be randomly distributed in the tissue but exhibit a spatial pattern, i.e., a departure from randomness towards regularlity or clustering. The spatial pattern of a lesion may reflect its development in relation to other brain lesions or to neuroanatomical structures. Hence, a study of spatial pattern may help to elucidate the pathogenesis of a lesion. A number of statistical methods can be used to study the spatial patterns of brain lesions. They range from simple tests of whether the distribution of a lesion departs from random to more complex methods which can detect clustering and the size, distribution and spacing of clusters. This paper reviews the uses and limitations of these methods as applied to neurodegenerative disorders, and in particular to senile plaque formation in Alzheimer's disease.