Effects of body posture and tidal volume on inter- and intraregional ventilation distribution in healthy men.

The influences of body posture and tidal volume (VT) on inter- and intraregional ventilation inhomogeneity were assessed by normalized phase III slope (Sn(III)) analysis of multiple-breath washout recordings of SF(6) and He in 11 healthy men. Washouts with target VT of 750, 1,000, and 1,250 ml were performed standing and supine. A linear-fit method was used to establish the contributions of convection-dependent (interregional) (cdi) and diffusion-convection interaction-dependent (intraregional) inhomogeneity (dcdi). Overall inhomogeneity was defined as the sum of cdi and dcdi. The difference in first-breath Sn(III) for SF(6) vs. He, the (SF(6) - He)Sn(III), served as an index of intra-acinar inhomogeneity. Multiple-regression analysis revealed greater cdi supine vs. standing (P < 0.001) but no significant effects of posture on dcdi or overall inhomogeneity. Larger VT were associated with greater cdi (P < 0.001), particularly when supine, but reduced dcdi (P < 0.001), overall inhomogeneity (P < 0.001), and (SF(6) - He)Sn(III) (P = 0.031). In conclusion, during resting breathing overall and intraregional ventilation inhomogeneities remain unchanged when the supine posture is assumed and improve with larger VT, but supine posture and larger breaths result in greater interregional inhomogeneities.     

Hypercycles versus parasites in the origin of life: model dependence in spatial hypercycle systems

Spatial hypercycle systems can be modelled by means of cellular automata or partial differential equations. In either model, two dimensional spirals or clusters can be formed. Different models give rise to slightly different spatial structures, but the response to parasites is fundamentally different: In cellular automata the hypercycle is resistant to parasites that are fatal in a partial differential equations model. In three dimensions scroll rings correspond to the two dimensional spirals. Numerical simulations on a partial differential equations model indicate that the scroll rings are unstable: The contract by a power law and disappear. Therefore, in three dimensions clusters seem to be the best candidate for the hypercycle resistant to parasites.     

Integrative analytical approach by capillary electrophoresis and kinetics under high pressure optimized for deciphering intrinsic and extrinsic cofactors that modulate activity and stability of human paraoxonase (PON1)

Paraoxonase (PON1) is working in vivo in a particular dynamic environment including HDL particles and associated molecules. To decipher the respective and/or concomitant role of the different cofactors involved in this molecular organization, an approach using multiple experimental techniques based on capillary electrophoresis and classical kinetics or kinetics under high pressure was implemented. The effects of calcium and phosphate as protein or plasma cofactor, of human phosphate binding protein (HPBP) as enzyme chaperone, and of a PON1 inhibitor as an active site stabilizer, on the catalytic activities and functional oligomerization of PON1 were scrutinized. PON1 displays two distinct catalytic behaviors, one against esters and lactones, the other against organophosphorus compounds; its functional states and catalytic activities against these substrates are differently modulated by the molecular environment; PON1 exists under several active multimeric forms; the binding of HPBP amends the size of the oligomeric states and exerts a stabilizing effect on the activities of PON1; PON1 functional properties are modulated by HPBP, calcium and phosphate. This integrative approach using several optimized analytical techniques allowed performing comparison of catalytic properties and oligomeric states of functional PON1 in different enzyme preparations. Relevance of these data to understand in vivo physiological PON1 functioning is mandatory.     

Effect of Delayed Peripheral Nerve Repair on Nerve Regeneration,Schwann Cell Function and Target Muscle Recovery

Despite advances in surgical techniques for peripheral nerve repair, functional restitution remains incomplete. The timing of surgery is one factor influencing the extent of recovery but it is not yet clearly defined how long a delay may be tolerated before repair becomes futile. In this study, rats underwent sciatic nerve transection before immediate (0) or 1, 3, or 6 months delayed repair with a nerve graft. Regeneration of spinal motoneurons, 13 weeks after nerve repair, was assessed using retrograde labeling. Nerve tissue was also collected from the proximal and distal stumps and from the nerve graft, together with the medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscles. A dramatic decline in the number of regenerating motoneurons and myelinated axons in the distal nerve stump was observed in the 3- and 6-months delayed groups. After 3 months delay, the axonal number in the proximal stump increased 2–3 folds, accompanied by a smaller axonal area. RT-PCR of distal nerve segments revealed a decline in Schwann cells (SC) markers, most notably in the 3 and 6 month delayed repair samples. There was also a progressive increase in fibrosis and proteoglycan scar markers in the distal nerve with increased delayed repair time. The yield of SC isolated from the distal nerve segments progressively fell with increased delay in repair time but cultured SC from all groups proliferated at similar rates. MG muscle at 3- and 6-months delay repair showed a significant decline in weight (61% and 27% compared with contra-lateral side). Muscle fiber atrophy and changes to neuromuscular junctions were observed with increased delayed repair time suggestive of progressively impaired reinnervation. This study demonstrates that one of the main limiting factors for nerve regeneration after delayed repair is the distal stump. The critical time point after which the outcome of regeneration becomes too poor appears to be 3-months.     

A new species of Lepidagathis (Acanthaceae) from central Somalia and the demise of Lindauea

Lepidaguthis villosa is described from central Somalia. Its relation to other species in the genus and to Lindaueu is discussed. Linduuea speciosa is transferred to Lepidagathis .