Alternative generation of CNS neural stem cells and PNS derivatives from neural crest-derived peripheral stem cells

Neural crest-derived stem cells (NCSCs) from the embryonic peripheral nervous system (PNS) can be reprogrammed in neurosphere (NS) culture to rNCSCs that produce central nervous system (CNS) progeny, including myelinating oligodendrocytes. Using global gene expression analysis we now demonstrate that rNCSCs completely lose their previous PNS characteristics and acquire the identity of neural stem cells derived from embryonic spinal cord. Reprogramming proceeds rapidly and results in a homogenous population of Olig2-, Sox3-, and Lex-positive CNS stem cells. Low-level expression of pluripotency inducing genes Oct4, Nanog, and Klf4 argues against a transient pluripotent state during reprogramming. The acquisition of CNS properties is prevented in the presence of BMP4 (BMP NCSCs) as shown by marker gene expression and the potential to produce PNS neurons and glia. In addition, genes characteristic for mesenchymal and perivascular progenitors are expressed, which suggests that BMP NCSCs are directed toward a pericyte progenitor/mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) fate. Adult NCSCs from mouse palate, an easily accessible source of adult NCSCs, display strikingly similar properties. They do not generate cells with CNS characteristics but lose the neural crest markers Sox10 and p75 and produce MSC-like cells. These findings show that embryonic NCSCs acquire a full CNS identity in NS culture. In contrast, MSC-like cells are generated from BMP NCSCs and pNCSCs, which reveals that postmigratory NCSCs are a source for MSC-like cells up to the adult stage.

Potential for Cell-Transplant Therapy with Human Neuronal Precursors to Treat Neuropathic Pain in Models of PNS and CNS Injury: Comparison of hNT2.17 and hNT2.19 Cell Lines

Effective treatment of sensory neuropathies in peripheral neuropathies and spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most difficult problems in modern clinical practice. Cell therapy to release antinociceptive agents near the injured spinal cord is a logical next step in the development of treatment modalities. But few clinical trials, especially for chronic pain, have tested the potential of transplant of cells to treat chronic pain. Cell lines derived from the human neuronal NT2 cell line parentage, the hNT2.17 and hNT2.19 lines, which synthesize and release the neurotransmitters gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin (5HT), respectively, have been used to evaluate the potential of cell-based release of antinociceptive agents near the lumbar dorsal (horn) spinal sensory cell centers to relieve neuropathic pain after PNS (partial nerve and diabetes-related injury) and CNS (spinal cord injury) damage in rat models. Both cell lines transplants potently and permanently reverse behavioral hypersensitivity without inducing tumors or other complications after grafting. Functioning as cellular minipumps for antinociception, human neuronal precursors, like these NT2-derived cell lines, would likely provide a useful adjuvant or replacement for current pharmacological treatments for neuropathic pain.

A pilot study exploring Australian general practice nurses roles, responsibilities and professional development needs in well and sick child care

Aim Explore practice nurses' (PNs) role in child health and development, and advising parents about child health issues. Background Introduction of the four-year-old child health check into general practice in 2008 placed additional responsibilities on PNs in child health and wellness. This study explores their readiness to expand their practice into this area. Design Integrated mixed method design, self-report survey. Method A purpose-developed questionnaire explored demographics, child health roles and responsibilities, difficulties encountered, professional development needs, barriers and facilitators, and professional development activities undertaken in the past year. Surveys were posted to 218 PNs in one rural Division of General Practice (DGP) in Queensland, Australia; 29 responded. Results PNs reported a significant role in well and sick child care (93.1%) though few had a paediatric/child health background (14.3%). Roles included immunisations (92.3%), child health checks (65.4%), general child health and development (26.9%), asthma (23.1%), feeding (15.4%), fever (11.5%), settling/sleeping (11.5%). PNs were interested in learning more about (81.5%) and incorporating more child health into their practice (81.5%). Professional development in childhood growth and development (80.0%), health and illness (60.0%) and advising new mothers (20.0%) was needed. Conclusions PNs play a substantial role in child health, are unprepared for the complexities of this role and have preferred methods for undertaking professional development to address knowledge deficits. Implications for practice PNs are unprepared for an advanced role in child health and wellness. Significant gaps in their knowledge to support this role were identified. This ever-expanding role requires close monitoring to ensure knowledge precedes expectations to practice.

Ei oo kahta samanlaista siskoo: Yksilöllisyys Suomessa asuvien musliminaisten pukeutumisessa

Tutkimuksessa etsittiin vastauksia kysymyksiin, mistä yksilöllisyys muodostuu ja miten se ilmenee musliminaisten pukeutumisessa. Vastauksia tutkimuskysymyksiin haettiin teorian ja aineiston vuoropuheluun perustuvalla fenomenologisesti orientoituneella sisällönanalyysilla. Analysoitava aineisto on hankittu haastattelemalla yhdeksää Suomessa asuvaa musliminaista. Tutkimuksessa yksilöllisyyttä pukeutumisessa on tarkasteltu prosessina. Prosessiin vaikuttavina tekijöinä on tarkasteltu yksilön olemusta, personallisuutta, minuutta, identiteettejä, uskontoa, kulttuuria ja sosiaalisia suhteita. Prosessissa keskeistä aineiston perusteella oli positiivisen minuuden kokemuksen tavoittelu, joka tarkoitti naisille intuitiivista oman itsensä tunnistamista ja tyytyväisyyttä peilin heijastamaan kuvaan. Yksilöllisen pukeutumisen voikin sanoa olevan seurausta positiivisen minuuden kokemuksen tavoittelusta, koska jokaiselle naiselle erilainen pukeutuminen antoi tunteen sopivuudesta itselle. Esimerkiksi uskonnolliselle musliminaisille pään peittäminen merkitsee oman minuuden toteutumista, koska hän kokee tuon pukeutumisen olevan uskon mukainen pukeutumistapa. Toiselle musliminaiselle pään peittäminen voi merkitä positiivisen minuuden kokemuksen menettämistä. Yksilöllisyys pukeutumisessa ilmeni monin tavoin. Osa naisista peittää julkisuudessa koko päänsä ja vartalonsa, osa ei peitä päätään ja jotkut pukeutuvat jopa tiukkoihin tai paljastaviin vaatteisiin. Suomessa on myös kasvonsa peittäviä musliminaisia, joita ei kuitenkaan ole mukana tässä tutkimuksessa. Yksilöllisyyttä ilmeni kuitenkin myös samalla tavalla pukeutuvien musliminaisten ryhmässä. Yksilöllisyys pukeutumisessa ilmeni erilaisina vaatekappaleina, hiustyyleinä, valintoina, yksityiskohtina ja väreinä. Yksilöllisyydessä ei kuitenkaan ole kyse vain havaittavasta pukeutumisen erilaisuudesta, vaan siitä, miten kukin musliminainen kuuluu tähän maailmaan ja toteuttaa omaa minuuttaan pukeutumisella. Tämä tarkoittaa sitä, että tutkimuksessa yksilöllisenä pukeutumisena voidaan pitää sitäkin, mikä monen suomalaisen mielestä ei näytä yksilölliseltä. Avainsanat: Yksilöllisyys, minuus, pukeutuminen, islam, naiset, prosessi, kokemus

Lipids of nervous tissue: composition and metabolism

As indicated in the Introduction, the many significant developments in the recent past in our knowledge of the lipids of the nervous system have been collated in this article. That there is a sustained interest in this field is evident from the rather long bibliography which is itself selective. Obviously, it is not possible to summarize a review in which the chemistry, distribution and metabolism of a great variety of lipids have been discussed. However, from the progress of research, some general conclusions may be drawn. The period of discovery of new lipids in the nervous system appears to be over. All the major lipid components have been discovered and a great deal is now known about their structure and metabolism. Analytical data on the lipid composition of the CNS are available for a number of species and such data on the major areas of the brain are also at hand but information on the various subregions is meagre. Such investigations may yet provide clues to the role of lipids in brain function. Compared to CNS, information on PNS is less adequate. Further research on PNS would be worthwhile as it is amenable for experimental manipulation and complex mechanisms such as myelination can be investigated in this tissue. There are reports correlating lipid constituents with the increased complexity in the organization of the nervous system during evolution. This line of investigation may prove useful. The basic aim of research on the lipids of the nervous tissue is to unravel their functional significance.

The integrity of sperm chromatin in young tropical composite bulls

Sperm chromatin fragmentation is associated with subfertility, but its relationship with age progression in young bulls is poorly understood. The objective was to assess sperm chromatin fragmentation during the early post-pubertal development of 20 tropical composite bulls, using a sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) and sperm-bos-halomax (SBH). Bulls were subjected to bull breeding soundness evaluation (BBSE) at mean ages of 13, 18, and 24 mo. Traits measured included liveweight (WT), body condition score (BCS) and scrotal circumference (SC). Semen samples were collected by electroejaculation and assessed for mass activity (MA), motility (Mot), concentration (conc), sperm morphology and chromatin fragmentation. Concentration (r = 0.34, P = 0.0076), Mot (r = 0.36, P = 0.0041) and percentage of morphologic normal sperm (percent normal sperm (PNS); r = 0.31, P = 0.0132) were positively correlated with age. The percentage of sperm with proximal droplets (PD) was negatively correlated with age (r = -0.28, P = 0.0348), whereas neither SCSA nor SBH results were significantly correlated with age. The percentage of sperm with chromatin fragmentation using SCSA was correlated with PNS (r = -0.53, P < 0.0001), the percentage of sperm with head abnormalities (r = 0.68, P < 0.0001) and the percentage of intact sperm (Int) with SBH (r = -0.26, P = 0.0456). In summary, for assessment of sperm chromatin fragmentation, samples could be equally collected at 13, 18 or 24 mo of age, as results did not vary with age. (c) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Understanding data flow and security requirements in wireless Body Area Networks for healthcare

The Body Area Network (BAN) is an emerging technology that focuses on monitoring physiological data in, on and around the human body. BAN technology permits wearable and implanted sensors to collect vital data about the human body and transmit it to other nodes via low-energy communication. In this paper, we investigate interactions in terms of data flows between parties involved in BANs under four different scenarios targeting outdoor and indoor medical environments: hospital, home, emergency and open areas. Based on these scenarios, we identify data flow requirements between BAN elements such as sensors and control units (CUs) and parties involved in BANs such as the patient, doctors, nurses and relatives. Identified requirements are used to generate BAN data flow models. Petri Nets (PNs) are used as the formal modelling language. We check the validity of the models and compare them with the existing related work. Finally, using the models, we identify communication and security requirements based on the most common active and passive attack scenarios.

扩散抛物化Navier-Stokes方程数值解法评述

20世纪60年代末期在边界层理论基础上发展起来的各种简化Navier-Stokes(N-S)方程(统称为扩散抛物化N-S方程)及其算法,较为彻底地解决了无黏流及黏流的相互干扰问题,并为高雷诺数大型复杂黏性流场的数值模拟开辟了新的途径.本文将系统地评述这一领域的主要成果,包括各种简化N-S模型的优缺点;数学奇性及正则化方法;代表性的数值解法以及最近几年的新进展.

摄动有限差分方法研究进展

摄动有限差分(PFD)方法,既离散微商项也离散非微商项(包括微商系数)，在微商用直接差分近似的前提下提高差分格式的精度和分辨率。PFD方法包括局部线化微分方程的摄动精确数 值解(PENS)方法和摄动数值解(PNS)方法以及考虑非线性近似的摄动高精度差分(PHD)方法。论述了这些方法的基本思想、具体技巧、若干方程(对流扩散方程、对流扩散反应方程、双 曲方程、抛物方程和KdV方程)的PENS、PNS和PHD格式，它们的性质及数值实验。并与有关的数值方法作了必要的比较。最后提出值得进一步研究的一些课题。

三维简化Navier-Stokes方程的最优形式

<正> 引言 最近十多年,简化NS方程(以下记为SNS)的研究和计算有长足进展。由于在NS方程组中对粘性项的取舍不同,因而有几种不同的简化NS方程组,究竟哪种形式更合理,是需进一步探讨的一个问题。文献[1]利用原始NS方程及三种不同的简化NS方程组,对球的超音速绕流数值试验表明,其效果是不一样的。文献[3]也指出,如果SNS方程组的形式选择不当,会带来不可忽略的误差。从二维研究不难看出,目前广泛采用的三维SNS方程即粘性激波层方程组(VSL)及抛物化NS方程组(PNS),都不是最合理的简化形式。本文提出三维NS方程组的一种最好形式,称为修正的PNS方程组(记为MPNS),并论证它的合理性及精确度。

流体力学数值模拟

本书介绍了采用差分方法求解流体力学方程、数值模拟各种绕流流场的工作及不同类型的分离流流场的计算结果.

目录

植物对光环境的适应性研究—富贵草对模拟光斑的光合响应——银衫对不同光环境的适应性——大叶黄杨叶片内部光能利用梯度

本文研究了富贵草对模拟光斑的光合响应、银杉对光的适应性以及大叶黄杨叶片内部光能利用梯度三个方面的问题。 1)研制了用于林内光环境调查和研究的光量子计组件。 关键词：光量子计，A/D板 2)以亚热带常绿阔叶林下一种常见的灌木富贵草为研究对象，利用气体交换和叶绿素荧光技术研究了其对模拟光斑的光合响应。在同样辐射通量（非光抑制）的情况下，光合诱导过程中光斑可以提高富贵草对光斑的利用能力（光斑诱导的碳同化量可高出对照48%）。叶绿素荧光测量结果表明：1）光斑与光斑之间的暗期发生了qN弛豫过程;2）暗期之后的光期光化学能量转换效率提高。强光光斑簇可以诱导富贵草光抑制的产生，但程度较连续光低。 关键词：模拟光斑， 叶绿素荧光， 光诱导过程 3)用高效液相色谱(HPLC)和77K低温荧光发射光谱技术来研究快速诱导组分发生的时间内光斑所导致NPQ (qN)降低的生理原因。在非光抑制条件下，光斑造成的NPQ (qN)降低的生理原因包括叶黄素循环的变化及LHCIIs聚集态的变化;此外低温荧光数据还显示光斑导致的PSII/PSI荧光产量比率要高于连续光，说明光斑导致植物对于光的利用增加。以上结果说明模拟光斑诱导了富贵草内囊体膜较低水平的能态。 关键词：模拟光斑，叶黄素，聚集态 4)用气体交换等技术测定了部分银杉幼树的生理生态指标，用鱼眼镜头测定了所测叶片的林冠开度(OP)。研究了沿林冠开度梯度的银杉幼树对光的适应性。银杉幼树在林窗边缘表现出较好的适应性，包括高的ISG（综合地上部分茎生长），高的HG（当年生树高生长速率），较高的LMA（单位叶片面积干物质重），较高的Pns（单位叶片干物质水平的净光合速率），高的单位叶片的碳同化速率，较高的截获光的单位叶片的叶面积等等，可以初步确定银杉属于Gap树种：在所测定的范围内（0. 00139%-0. 0109%）TN（土壤总氮量）明显不如OP对银杉幼树生长的影响大;综合的生态可塑性指标必须考虑具体的实验地情况、选取合适的形态学和生理学的因子、并结合多个相似生长环境下的树种来进行考虑。 关键词：林冠开度，生理生态指标，生态可塑性 5)分析了湖南八面山的银杉的某些光合特性，并比较了极郁闭（ OP<4%）情况下银杉当年生叶片与大树顶端枝条(OP>30%)当年生叶片之间光合特性上的差异。极郁闭情况下银杉叶片生长出现黄化现象，但银杉幼苗又不耐强光。银杉幼苗一天的光合动态变化表明，银杉最大光合速率在早晨8:00左右，当光照超过光饱和点时，净光合速率迅速下降，其后略有回升，呈不太典型的双峰模式。气孔关闭与净光合速率的下降有密切的关系。早晨8:00到11:00间叶黄素循环运转，对光合系统起到一定保护作用。 关键词： 银杉，色素分析，光合作用 6)采用一种新方法来测量大叶黄杨叶片内部的绝对光能利用效率梯度的曲线。该方法基于光声光谱的深度分析(Depth-Analysis)理论，并结合了光纤微探测器的叶片光梯度测量结果。日本小檗(Berberis thunbergii DC.)叶片的光声光谱扫描显示了深度分析的精确性。实验结果表明：叶片内部利用光能效率最低处在栅栏组织和海棉组织之间（入射光能的0.026%-660nm红光）;越靠近叶片的上表皮和下表皮，趋势显示叶片组织利用光能效率有上升的趋势(分别为0.092%，0.036%)。因此，不同叶肉组织绝对光能利用效率是不同的，该实验结果直接证实了Han &Vogelmann 1999b所提出的假设。 关键词： PA深度分析 叶片内部的光梯度 光化学损失 光吸收梯度

三七总皂苷对海马CA1区长时程增强效应的影响

三七总皂苷(Panax notoginseng saponins,PNS)是从传统中药三七的根中提取的主要有效成分,具有改善血液循环、耐缺氧、改善记忆力、抗衰老等多方面的生理活性.本研究采用"盲法"全细胞膜片钳技术观察PNS对大鼠海马CA1区锥体神经元长时程增强效应(LTP)的影响,以分析其增强学习记忆功能的神经电生理机制.以断头法分离Wistar大鼠(3～4 周)海马半脑,用切片机切出400 μm厚度的海马脑片,以全细胞电压钳制方式记录CA1区锥体细胞的兴奋性突触后电流(EPSCs),给予高频刺激HFS(100 Hz)诱导LTP,分析PNS对大鼠海马CA1区EPSCs和LTP的影响.结果表明,PNS(0.1～0.4 g·L-1)能显著抑制EPSCs(P＜0.05),且对海马CA1区LTP无易化作用;但PNS(0.04～0.05 g·L-1)不影响CA1区的EPSCs基础突触传递(P＞0.05),却可以增强HFS诱发的LTP(P＜0.05).上述结果提示,PNS(0.04～0.05 g·L-1)能易化海马CA1区锥体神经元的长时程增强效应,该作用应是其增进学习记忆力的神经电生理机制.

三七总皂苷对大鼠海马CA1区突触传递的作用及机制

下载PDF阅读器目的 研究三七总皂苷(Panax notoginseng saponins,PNS)对大鼠海马脑片CA1区锥体神经元兴奋性和抑制性突触传递的作用.方法 断头法分离3～4周雄性Wistar大鼠海马半脑,用切片机切出400μm厚度的海马脑片,对CA1区锥体细胞采用"盲法"全细胞膜片钳技术记录,分别检测和分析PNS(0.05～0.4 g/L)对刺激CA1传人纤维引出的兴奋性突触后电流(EPSCs)和抑制性突触后电流(IPSCs)的影响,继而以脉冲间隔为50 ms的配对刺激代替单刺激,通过EPSC2/EPSC1(P2/P1)值的变化观察PNS对双脉冲易化(paired-pulse facilitation,PPF)的影响.结果 0.1～0.4 g/L PNS显著抑制EPSCs(P＜0.05),且PNS在抑制P1、P2的同时明显升高P2/P1值(P＜0.05),加强了双脉冲易化,但PNS对IPSCs无显著影响(P＞0.05).结论 PNS 显著减小大鼠海马CA1区锥体神经元的EPSCs而不影响IPSCs,说明PNS不是通过强化抑制性中间神经元的功能间接地抑制兴奋性神经元,而是对兴奋性突触传递直接产生抑制;PNS明显升高P2/p1值,说明 PNS是通过突触前机制抑制CA1区兴奋性突触传递.

薯蓣提取物、三七皂甙和灯盏花素的伍用及抗凝作用的研究

外实验表明，薯蓣提取物(DE)、三七皂甙(PNS)和灯盏素(EBF)3种物质中，除了DE与 EBF的伍用对复钙时间和Tr有明显的延长作用外(PPNS：EBF：DE=O．75： 0．75：0．25。对PI．影响最大的因素是EBF，而APIT的是PNS。