Nubian Complex strategies in the Egyptian high desert

Systematic survey by the Abydos Survey for Paleolithic Sites project has recorded Nubian Complex artifact density, distribution, typology, and technology across the high desert landscape west of the Nile Valley in Middle Egypt. Our work contrasts with previous investigations of Nubian Complex settlement systems in Egypt, which focused on a small number of sites in the terraces of the Nile Valley, the desert oases, and the Red Sea Mountains. Earlier research interpreted the Nubian Complex, in particular, as a radiating settlement system that incorporated a specialized point production. Our high desert data, however, indicate that the Nubian Complex associated with early modern humans in this region of the high desert reflects a circulating, rather than a radiating, settlement system, and that point production has been over-emphasized. Data available from our work, as well as sites investigated by others, do not conclusively identify Nubian Complex behavioral strategies as modern. These data, however, do contribute to the understanding of landscape use by early modern human populations living along the Nile Valley Corridor route out of Africa.     

Deletion of the glutamate carboxypeptidase II gene in mice reveals a second enzyme activity that hydrolyzes N-acetylaspartylglutamate

Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII, EC 3.14.17.21) is a membrane-bound enzyme found on the extracellular face ofglia. The gene for this enzyme is designated FOLH1 in humans and Folh1 in mice. This enzyme has been proposed to be responsible for inactivation of the neurotransmitter N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) following synaptic release. Mice harboring a disruption of the gene for GCPII/Folh1 were generated by inserting into the genome a targeting cassette in which the intron-exon boundary sequences of exons 1 and 2 were removed and stop codons were inserted in exons 1 and 2. Messenger RNA for GCPII was not detected by northern blotting or RT-PCR analysis of RNA from the brains of -/- mutant mice nor was GCPII protein detected on western blots of this tissue. These GCPII null mutant mice developed normally to adulthood and exhibited a normal range of neurologic responses and behaviors including mating, open field activity and retention of position in rotorod tests. No significant differences were observed among responses of wild type, heterozygous mutant and homozygous mutant mice on tail flick and hot plate latency tests. Glutamate, NAAG and mRNA for metabotropic glutamate receptor type 3 levels were not significantly altered in response to the deletion of glutamate carboxypeptidase II. A novel membrane-bound NAAG peptidase activity was discovered in brain, spinal cord and kidney of the GCPII knock out mice. The kinetic values for brain NAAG peptidase activity in the wild type and GCPII nullmutant were Vmax = 45 and 3 pmol/mg/min and Km = 2650 nm and 2494 nm, respectively. With the exception of magnesium and copper, this novel peptidase activity had a similar requirement for metal ions as GCPII. Two potent inhibitors of GCPII, 4,4'-phosphinicobis-(butane-1,3 dicarboxilic acid) (FN6) and 2-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid (2-PMPA) inhibited the residual activity. The IC50 value for 2-PMPA was about 1 nm for wild-type brain membrane NAAG peptidase activity consistent with its activity against cloned ratand human GCPII, and 88 nm for the activity in brain membranes of the null mutants.     

Opioids affect acquisition of LiCl-induced conditioned taste aversion: involvement of OT and VP systems

Aversive properties of lithium chloride (LiCl) are mediated via pathways comprising neurons of the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) cells in the hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei. Because opioids act on brain regions that mediate effects of LiCl, we evaluated whether administration of opioids shortly before LiCl in rats influences 1) development of conditioned taste aversion (CTA) and 2) activation of NTS neurons and OT/VP cells. Neuronal activation was assessed by applying c-Fos immunohistochemical staining. Three opioids were used: morphine (MOR), a mu-agonist, butorphanol tartrate (BT), a mixed mu/kappa-agonist, and nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), which binds to an ORL1 receptor. BT and N/OFQ completely blocked acquisition of CTA. MOR alleviated but did not eliminate the aversive effects. Each of the opioids decreased LiCl-induced activation of NTS neurons as well as OT and VP cells in the PVN and SON. We conclude that opioids antagonize aversive properties of LiCl, presumably by suppressing activation of pathways that encompass OT and VP cells and NTS neurons.     

Enhanced glucan formation of filamentous fungi by effective mixing,oxygen limitation and fed-batch processing

Summary Glucan formation ofSchizophyllum commune andSclerotium glucanicum were investigated. Process data obtained during batch cultivation are presented. Glucan release can be improved by oxygen limitation. Thus, growth and glucan release are influenced by oxygen in opposite ways. Possible pathways of this oxygen-dependent regulation are discussed. A draft-tube/propeller system, rushtonturbine-, fan- and helicon-ribbon-impeller as well as a fundaspi and intermig agitator were tested. The 4-bladed fan impeller withd ^*=0.64 yielded the best results, since effective bulk mixing is much more important than bubble break up (micromixing) with regard to this system. Fed-batch cultivation always resulted in higher rates of glucan formation than the batch process.     

The glucose tolerance, insulin response and pancreatic exocrine function in patients after acute pancreatitis

In 25 patients having a history of acute pancreatitis (AP) in anamnesis one year ago and in 12 control subjects the insulin response to oral glucose was investigated and in some cases the exocrine function of pancreas was evaluated. The disturbances in glucose tolerance occurred in about 30% of the patients and were associated with impairment of insulin response and deterioration of exocrine pancreatic function. The double cortisone and glucose load did not influence the glucose tolerance in the patients. In persons investigated during AP and one year later only slight improvement of insulin response was noted. The results support the significance of follow-up studies of carbohydrate tolerance and insulin response in patients after AP for the evaluation of the diabetic risk in such cases.     

The lymphatic system in body homeostasis: physiological conditions

The lymphatic system is an organized network composed of functionally interrelated lymphoid tissue, and transportation pathways of tissue fluid/lymph and lymphoid cells. Its main components are 1. migrating dendritic cells, macrophages and lymphocytes, organized lymphoid tissue such as lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, bone marrow, and lymphoid tissue in gut and lungs, liver lymphoid cells, and the dendritic cell network of nonlymphoid organs; 2. vessels (intercellular space, lymphatics, and perivascular spaces); 3. fluids (tissue fluid and lymph). The lymphatic system can be divided into the following compartments: peripheral (from the interstitial space to and within the nearest lymph node), and central (efferent lymphatics, cysterna chyli, and thoracic duct, all lymphoid organs). Organs and tissues with the most active afferent arm of the lymphatic system are skin, gut, and lungs. These are the body structures exposed to the external environment. All other nonlymphoid bodily tissues are also percolated by tissue fluid/lymph, and contain a network of dendritic cells and macrophages. Data obtained from normal human subjects on lymph composition and flow are presented. Future trends in lymphatic research are outlined.