G-CSF protects motoneurons against axotomy-induced apoptotic death in neonatal mice

Background  

Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a growth factor essential for generation of neutrophilic granulocytes. Apart from this hematopoietic function, we have recently uncovered potent neuroprotective and regenerative properties of G-CSF in the central nervous system (CNS). The G-CSF receptor and G-CSF itself are expressed in α motoneurons, G-CSF protects motoneurons, and improves outcome in the SOD1(G93A) transgenic mouse model for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In vitro, G-CSF acts anti-apoptotically on motoneuronal cells. Due to the pleiotrophic effects of G-CSF and the complexity of the SOD1 transgenic ALS models it was however not possible to clearly distinguish between directly mediated anti-apoptotic and indirectly protective effects on motoneurons. Here we studied whether G-CSF is able to protect motoneurons from purely apoptotic cell death induced by a monocausal paradigm, neonatal sciatic nerve axotomy.     

Antifilarial activity in vitro of polycarpol and 3-O-acetyl aleuritolic acid from cameroonian medicinal plants against Onchocerca gutturosa

Previous results have revealed the antifilarial activities of crude extracts and pure compounds from some Cameroonian medicinal plants against Onchocerca volvulus and Onchocerca gutturosa. In our efforts to find new filaricidal agents against adult male O. gutturosa worms, we have isolated and screened three compounds: polycarpol and polyveoline from Polyalthia suaveolens (Annonaceae) and 3-O-acetyl aleuritolic acid from Discoglypremna caloneura (Euphorbiaceae). Only polycarpol and 3-O-acetyl aleuritolic acid exhibited significant inhibitory activities on the vitality of adult male worms of O. gutturosa using Amocarzine as positive control compound. The motility reduction values were 28.6 and 57.1%, and the inhibition of MTT reduction values 80.0 and 64.8% respectively.     

Local pressure-induced metallization of a semiconducting carbon nanotube in a crossed junction

The electronic and vibrational density of states of a semiconducting carbon nanotube in a crossed junction was investigated by elastic and inelastic scanning tunneling spectroscopy. The strong radial compression of the nanotube at the junction induces local metallization spatially confined to a few nanometers. The local electronic modifications are correlated with the observed changes in the radial breathing and G band phonon modes, which react very sensitively to local mechanical deformation. In addition, the experiments reveal the crucial contribution of the image charges to the contact potential at nanotube-metal interfaces.     

Remote photoacoustic imaging on solid material using a two-wave mixing interferometer

We report on remote and contactless photoacoustic imaging (PAI) for the inspection of solid materials using a two-wave mixing interferometer. In this Letter, a semitransparent sample was excited with picosecond laser pulses. The local absorption of the electromagnetic radiation led to generation of broadband ultrasonic waves inside the sample. Ultrasonic waves arriving at the sample surface were detected utilizing a two-wave mixing interferometer. After data acquisition, the initial pressure distribution was reconstructed using a Fourier space synthetic aperture technique algorithm. We show the potential of PAI for the inspection of semitransparent solid materials.     

Kinetics of adhesive contact formation between thermoplastic melts and solid surfaces: Effect on bond strength

Formation of an adhesive contact between a polymer melt (or solution) and reinforcing fibers is considered from the viewpoint of kinetics. A two-stage model of this process has been proposed, and an expression for the interfacial bond strength as a function of time and temperature is derived. Experimental data on bond strength in adhesive joints between thermoplastic polymers and reinforcing fibers formed under various conditions were obtained, and the concept of activation energy was used to analyze them. Since the process is controlled by the stage having the larger activation energy, the adhesive contact formation between fibers and polymer solutions is governed by the rate of adhesive bonding, whereas that between fibers and polymer melts is governed by the rate of the melt spreading.     

Simulating symbolic interaction*

We describe a program for simulating symbolic interaction. The program processes verbal inputs using empirically‐based equations and a cybernetic theoretical model, while making reference to dictionaries of culture measurements. Results are verbal outputs suggesting what behaviors, emotions, attributions, and labelings will occur in the given situation. The program's structure is described by means of a picto‐graphic algorithm. An illustrative application uses the program with its U.S.A. and German dictionaries to analyze some problems of role directives within multi‐national corporations.     

Mathematical modelling of a first order sigma-delta modulator

In this paper an exact model for a basic, first order sigma-delta modulator is derived by means of a difference equation with discontinuous nonlinearity. An explicit solution is given in terms of the greatest integer function under certain boundedness and initial conditions of the input signal. Assumptions are made under which the explicit formula remains a solution of the difference equation although the suppositions of the main theorem are violated.