The Transatlantic Trade in African Ancestors: Mijikenda Memorial Statues (Vigango) and the Ethics of Collecting and Curating Non-Western Cultural Property

This article details obstacles to deterrence of the global trade in non-Western cultural properties and examines the ethics of Western collecting and curating of such property. We focus on the theft and global marketing of memorial statues (vigango) erected by the Mijikenda peoples of East Africa, relating an unusually well-documented case study, tracing two statues from their theft to their appearance in U.S. museums. We describe the large-scale extraction of such statues from Kenya and its impact on the Mijikenda, their quantity and distribution in U.S. museums, and local deterrence efforts. We call for greater activism by Western museum staffs, anthropologists, and other scholars to curb the trade in non-Western cultural properties. We recommend (1) tightening legal loopholes, (2) strengthening observance of international agreements and the U.S. and international museums' codes of ethics, (3) stepping up field efforts to deter theft, and (4) educating the public about this growing trade. [Keywords: East Africa, Mijikenda peoples, international trade in African cultural property, museum ethics]     

Frequencies of the four major Amerindian mtDNA haplogroups in the population of Montevideo, Uruguay

mtDNA Amerindian polymorphisms were studied in 108 inhabitants of Montevideo, Uruguay, using PCR RFLP analysis. Amerindian haplogroups were found in 20.4% of the sample. The frequency of Amerindian polymorphisms in Montevideo differed significantly from that observed in Tacuarembó, a city about 400 km away, indicating the high level of variation within Uruguay. Results for mitochondrial markers indicate that admixture occurred primarily as a result of Amerindian females mating with European males.     

Activation of the Transcription Factor FosB/Activating Protein-1 (AP-1) Is a Prominent Downstream Signal of the Extracellular Nucleotide Receptor P2RX7 in Monocytic and Osteoblastic Cells

Activation of the ionotropic P2RX7 nucleotide receptor by extracellular ATP has been implicated in modulating inflammatory disease progression. Continuous exposure of P2RX7 to ligand can result in apoptosis in many cell types, including monocytic cells, whereas transient activation of P2RX7 is linked to inflammatory mediator production and the promotion of cell growth. Given the rapid hydrolysis of ATP in the circulation and interstitial space, transient activation of P2RX7 appears critically important for its action, yet its effects on gene expression are unclear. The present study demonstrates that short-term stimulation of human and mouse monocytic cells as well as mouse osteoblasts with P2RX7 agonists substantially induces the expression of several activating protein-1 (AP-1) members, particularly FosB. The potent activation of FosB after P2RX7 stimulation is especially noteworthy considering that little is known concerning the role of FosB in immunological regulation. Interestingly, the magnitude of FosB activation induced by P2RX7 stimulation appears greater than that observed with other known inducers of FosB expression. In addition, we have identified a previously unrecognized role for FosB in osteoblasts with respect to nucleotide-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which is the rate-limiting enzyme in prostaglandin biosynthesis from arachidonic acid and is critical for osteoblastic differentiation and immune behavior. The present studies are the first to link P2RX7 action to FosB/AP-1 regulation in multiple cell types, including a role in nucleotide-induced COX-2 expression, and support a role for FosB in the control of immune and osteogenic function by P2RX7.     

Soil fungal cellobiohydrolase I gene (cbhI) composition and expression in a loblolly pine plantation under conditions of elevated atmospheric CO2 and nitrogen fertilization

The simultaneous increase of atmospheric CO(2) and nitrogen (N) deposition to terrestrial ecosystems is predicted to alter plant productivity and, consequently, to change the amount and quality of above- and belowground carbon entering forest soils. It is not known how such changes will impact the composition and function of soil fungal communities that play a key role in degrading complex carbon. We sequenced the fungal cellobiohydrolase I gene (cbhI) from soil DNA and cDNA to compare the richness and composition of resident and expressed cbhI genes at a U.S. Department of Energy free air-carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) site (NC), which had been exposed to elevated atmospheric CO(2) and/or N fertilization treatment for several years. Our results provide evidence that the richness and composition of the cellulolytic fungi surveyed in this study were distinct in the DNA- and cDNA-based gene surveys and were dominated by Basidiomycota that have low or no representation in public databases. The surveys did not detect differences in richness or phylum-level composition of cbhI-containing, cellulolytic fungi that correlated with elevated CO(2) or N fertilization at the time of sampling.     

Design,synthesis and antimicrobial properties of non-hemolytic cationic α-cyclopeptoids

The synthesis and screening of neutral and cationic, linear and cyclic peptoids (N-alkylglycine peptidomimetics) is described. Structure–activity relationship studies show that the in vitro activities of the tested peptoids depend on both cyclization and decoration with cationic groups. The most powerful N-lysine cyclopeptoid derivatives showed good antifungal activity against Candida albicans (ATCC90029 and L21) and Candida famata (SA550, Amph B-resistant) and low hemolytic activity. The effects of the cyclic peptoids on membrane permeabilization were evaluated by the propidium iodide exclusion assay.     

Periosteum derived stem cells for regenerative medicine proposals: boosting current knowledge

Periosteum is a thin fibrous layer that covers most bones. It resides in a dynamic mechanically loaded environment and provides a niche for pluripotent cells and a source for molecular factors that modulate cell behaviour. Elucidating periosteum regenerative poten-tial has become a hot topic in orthopaedics. This review discusses the state of the art of osteochondral tissue engineering rested on periosteum derived progenitor cells(PDPCs) and suggests upcoming research direc-tions. Periosteal cells isolation, characterization and migration in the site of injury, as well as their differen-tiation, are analysed. Moreover, the role of cell mecha-nosensing and its contribution to matrix organization, bone microarchitecture and bone stenght is examined. In this regard the role of periostin and its upregulation under mechanical stress in order to preserve PDPC sur-vival and bone tissue integrity is contemplated. The re-view also summarized the role of the periosteum in the field of dentistry and maxillofacial reconstruction. The involvement of microRNAs in osteoblast differentiation and in endogenous tissue repair is explored as well. Fi-nally the novel concept of a guided bone regenerationbased on the use of periosteum itself as a smart mate-rial and the realization of constructs able to mimic the extracellular matrix features is talked out. Additionally, since periosteum can differentiate into insulin produc-ing cells it could be a suitable source in allogenic trans-plantations. That innovative applications would takeadvantage from investigations aimed to assess PDPCimmune privilege.     

Quantitative determination of the macrolide antibiotic tulathromycin in plasma and broncho-alveolar cells of foals using tandem mass spectrometry

The long-acting antibiotic tulathromycin is on the marked for treatment of pulmonary infection of cattle, swine and horses. To measure disposition and distribution of tulathromycin in foals, a high throughput method was developed for horse plasma (calibration range: 0.006-0.8 microg/mL) and broncho-alveolar cells (calibration range: 0.1-4.0 microg/10(9)cells) using tandem mass spectrometry. Tulathromycin was extracted from plasma and broncho-alveolar fluid using cation exchange cartridges with acetonitrile/ammonia (95:5, v/v). The chromatography was performed isocratically with a mobile phase consisting of 5 mM ammonium formiate buffer/acetonitrile (30:70, v/v). The mass spectrometer operated in selected ion mode with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization to monitor the respective MH+ ions m/z 577.3 for tulathromycin and m/z 679.3 for the internal standard roxithromycin. All quality parameters fulfilled the international criteria for bioanalytical method validation and were successfully applied to the determination of tulathromycin in plasma of foals and broncho-alveolar cells. In foals, tulathromycin after intramuscular administration was rapidly absorbed, widely distributed and slowly eliminated. It cumulated manifold in broncho-alveolar cells.