A distinct spectrum of SLC26A4 mutations in patients with enlarged vestibular aqueduct in China

There is a worldwide interest in studying SLC26A4 mutations that are responsible for enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) in different ethnic background and populations. The spectrum of SLC26A4 mutations in Chinese population is yet to be fully characterized. In this study, all the 21 exons of SLC26A4 were screened in 107 Chinese patients with hearing loss associated with EVA or both EVA and Mondini dysplasia (MD), taken from six multiplex and 95 simplex families. The two types of control populations consisted of 84 normal-hearing subjects and 46 sensorineural hearing loss subjects without inner ear malformations. Biallelic mutations were found in 12 patients from multiplex families and 84 patients (88.4%) from the simplex families. In addition, monoallelic variant was detected in nine patients in the remaining 11 simplex families. Overall, up to 97.9% patients were found having at least one possible pathogenic variant in SLC26A4, with most having biallelic variants consistent with recessive inheritance of this disorder. A total of 40 mutations including 25 novel mutations were identified in the Chinese patients but were not detected in all the controls except for one normal subject. For the Chinese mutation spectrum of SLC26A4 gene, IVS 7-2A>G mutation was the most common form accounting for 57.63% (102/177) of all the mutant alleles.

Got pure blood in fetal rats?

Have you felt frustration when fetal blood is needed for your studies in rats, or have you been concerned about fetal rat "blood" collected from decapitation? The traditional approach has been to collect fetal blood from decapitation of fetuses. The new method of collecting fetal blood is from the fetal heart, and makes it possible to obtain pure fetal blood at near-term in rodents for fetal studies. This study also demonstrated a significant difference of fetal blood oxygen levels between the traditional and new methods of blood collection.

Peripheral administration of a novel diketopiperazine, NNZ 2591, prevents brain injury and improves somatosensory-motor function following hypoxia-ischemia in adult rats

The current study describes the neuroprotective effects of an endogenous diketopiperazine, cyclo-glycyl-proline (cyclic GP), in rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury and the pre-clinical development of an analogue, cyclo-L-glycyl-L-2-allylproline (NNZ 2591), modified for improved bioavailability. The compounds were given either intracerebroventricularly or subcutaneously 2h after hypoxia-ischemia. Histology, immunohistochemistry and behavior were used to evaluate treatment effects. The central uptake of NNZ 2591 was also examined in normal and hypoxic-ischemic injured rats by HPLC-mass spectrometry. Central administration of cyclic GP or NNZ 2591 reduced the extent of brain damage in the lateral cortex, the hippocampus and the striatum (p<0.001), with NNZ 2591 being more potent. NNZ 2591 was stable in the plasma and crossed the blood-brain barrier independent of hypoxic-ischemic injury. The level of NNZ 2591 in the CSF was maintained for 2 h after a single subcutaneous dose, and modest neuroprotection was seen after a bolus subcutaneous administration (overall p<0.001). Treatment with NNZ 2591 for 5 d subcutaneously improved somatosensory-motor function (p<0.05) and long-term histological outcome (overall p<0.0001). NNZ 2591 treatment not only reduced both caspase-3 mediated apoptosis and microglial activation but also enhanced astrocytic reactivity, which may mediate its protective effect. The pharmacokinetic profile and potent long-term protective effects of NNZ 2591 suggests its utility for the treatment of ischemic brain injury and other neurological conditions requiring chronic intervention.

Optimization and comparison of three methods for extraction of volatile compounds from Cyperus rotundus evaluated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

The essential oil of Cyperus rotundus has multiple pharmacological activities. Therefore, the extraction with high yield and quality is very important for preparation of essential oil of C. rotundus. In this paper, three methods, namely hydrodistillation (HD), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), for extraction of volatile compounds from C. rotundus were optimized and compared by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Among eight identified compounds in C. rotundus, five components including alpha-copaene, cyperene, beta-selinene, beta-cyperone and alpha-cyperone were quantitatively determined or estimated using alpha-cyperone as standard, which showed that PLE had the highest extraction efficiency, while SFE had the best selectivity for extraction of beta-cyperone and alpha-cyperone. The contents of ingredients from C. rotundus extracted with HD, PLE and SFE are significantly different, which suggest that comparison of chemical components and pharmacological activities of different extracts is helpful to elucidate the active components in C. rotundus and control its quality.

Countermeasures against space radiation induced oxidative stress in mice

Of particular concern for the health of astronauts during space travel is radiation from protons and high atomic number (Z), high energy particles (HZE particles). Space radiation is known to induce oxidative stress in astronauts after extended space flight. In the present study, the total antioxidant status was used as a biomarker to evaluate oxidative stress induced by proton and HZE particle radiation in the plasma of CBA mice and the protective effect of dietary supplement agents. The results indicate that exposure to proton and HZE particle radiation significantly decreased the plasma level of total antioxidants in the irradiated CBA mice. Dietary supplementation with L: -selenomethionine (SeM) or a combination of selected antioxidant agents (which included SeM) could partially or completely prevent the decrease in the total antioxidant status in the plasma of animals exposed to proton or HZE particle radiation. These findings suggest that exposure to space radiation may compromise the capacity of the host antioxidant defense system; this adverse biological effect can be prevented at least partially by dietary supplementation with agents expected to have effects on antioxidant activities.

A rapid method for the simultaneous determination of 11 saponins in Panax notoginseng using ultra performance liquid chromatography

A rapid ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with photo diode array detection method (UPLC-PDA) was developed for the simultaneous determination of 11 saponins, namely notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rg2, Rc, Rb2, Rb3, Rd and Rg3 in Panax notoginseng. The analysis was performed on Acquity UPLC system with Acquity UPLC BEH C(18) column and gradient elution of water and acetonitrile in 12 min. The high correlation coefficient (r(2)>0.9968) values indicated good correlations between the investigated compounds' concentrations and their peak areas within the test ranges. The LOQ and LOD were lower to 0.2-2.4 and 0.1-1.8 ng on column, respectively. The overall intra- and inter-day variations (R.S.D.) of 11 saponins were lower than 3.1%. The developed method was successfully used for the analysis of saponins in P. notoginseng with overall recovery of 93.0-101.6% for the analytes. The results show that UPLC is a powerful tool for analysis of components in Chinese medicines.

Influence of Temperature on Survival and Conjugative Transfer of Multiple Antibiotic-Resistant Plasmids in Chicken Manure and Compost Microcosms

The aim of this study was to determine if mobile plasmids carrying antibiotic-resistant genes could survive and be transferred in chicken manure maintained under conditions similar to those found in commercial cage layer operations and during composting. Escherichia coli J5 harboring a self-transmissible plasmid (RP4) and E. coli C600 harboring a mobile plasmid (pIE723) were used as plasmid donors; E. coli CV601 was used as a plasmid recipient. At 23 degrees C both plasmids were transferred to E. coli CV601 in chicken manure and in compost microcosms that consisted of a mixture of chicken manure and peat. The transfer frequencies ranged from 8.1 x 10(-5) to 2.4 x 10(-3) per donor cell in manure and from 2.4 x 10(-5) to 5.5 x 10(-4) per donor cell in compost microcosms. After 45 d of incubation at 23 degrees C, RP4, but not pIE723, was recovered by an exogenous isolation method although their E. coli hosts were not cultured from the microcosms. However, when the temperatures of the compost microcosms were elevated to 50 degrees C or above, neither the plasmids nor their E. coli hosts could be detected. The results suggested that composting of chicken manure at high temperatures could help prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant genes via plasmids in the environment.

Induced cerebral hypothermia reduces post-hypoxic loss of phenotypic striatal neurons in preterm fetal sheep

Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic injury of the basal ganglia is a significant cause of disability in premature infants. Prolonged, moderate cerebral hypothermia has been shown to be neuroprotective after experimental hypoxia-ischemia; however, it has not been tested in the preterm brain. We therefore examined the effects of severe hypoxia and the potential neuroprotective effects of delayed hypothermia on phenotypic striatal neurons. Preterm (0.7 gestation) fetal sheep received complete umbilical cord occlusion for 25 min followed by cerebral hypothermia (fetal extradural temperature reduced from 39.4+/-0.3 degrees C to 29.5+/-2.6 degrees C) from 90 min to 70 h after the end of occlusion. Hypothermia was associated with a significant overall reduction in striatal neuronal loss compared with normothermia-occlusion fetuses (mean+/-SEM, 5.5+/-1.2% vs. 38.1+/-6.5%, P<0.01). Immunohistochemical studies showed that occlusion resulted in a significant loss of calbindin-28 kd, glutamic acid decarboxylase isoform 67 and neuronal nitric oxide synthase-immunopositive neurons (n=7, P<0.05), but not choline acetyltransferase-positive neurons, compared with sham controls (n=7). Hypothermia (n=7) significantly reduced the loss of calbindin-28 kd and neuronal nitric oxide synthase, but not glutamic acid decarboxylase-immunopositive neurons. In conclusion, delayed, prolonged moderate head cooling was associated with selective protection of particular phenotypic striatal projection neurons after severe hypoxia in the preterm fetus. These findings suggest that head cooling may help reduce basal ganglia injury in some premature babies.

In Vitro Study of Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium Definitive Type 104: Survival in Egg Albumen and Penetration through the Vitelline Membrane

Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium definitive type 104 (DT104) have been detected in the chicken oviduct, and their survival in egg albumen at the chicken body temperature of 42 degrees C may be important in oviductal and transovarian contamination of intact shell eggs. Eight S. enteritidis and 24 S. typhimurium DT104 strains were tested for their in vitro survival in egg albumen. The concentration of the organisms declined more rapidly when incubated at 42 degrees C than at 37 degrees C and dropped to nondetectable levels within 96 h at the higher, but not at the lower, temperature. In another experiment, 3 S. enteritidis and 3 S. typhimurium DT104 strains were randomly selected, and dosages of 20 and 200 cells of each strain were inoculated onto the vitelline membranes of egg yolks, which were then submerged in the original albumen and incubated for 24 h at 42 degrees C. Under these conditions, the organisms survived in albumen but did not penetrate the vitelline membrane. However, in a similar experiment, penetration did occur when the specimens were incubated at 30 degrees C for 72 h. The results suggest that low numbers of S. enteritidis and S. typhimurium DT104 can be expected to survive in egg albumen during the 24-h period of egg formation in the oviduct but would be unlikely to invade the yolk.before oviposition. However, depending on storage conditions following oviposition, S. enteritidis, as well as S. typhimurium DT104, could survive longer and may eventually invade the egg yolks.

AUNX1, a novel locus responsible for X linked recessive auditory and peripheral neuropathy, maps to Xq23-27.3

BACKGROUND

We report here the genetic characterisation of a large five generation Chinese family with the phenotypic features of auditory neuropathy and progressive peripheral sensory neuropathy, and the genetic feature of X linked recessive inheritance. Disease onset was at adolescence (at an average age of 13 years for six affected subjects). The degree of hearing impairment varied from mild to severe, with decreased otoacoustic emissions; auditory brainstem responses were lacking from onset.

METHODS

Two-point and multipoint model based linkage analysis using the MILNK and LINKMAP programs of the FASTLINK software package produced maximum two-point and multipoint LOD scores of 2.41 and 2.41, respectively.

RESULTS

These findings define a novel X linked auditory neuropathy locus/region (AUNX1, Xq23-q27.3). This region is 42.09 cM long and contains a 28.07 Mb region with flanking markers DXS1220 and DXS8084, according to the Rutgers Combined Linkage-Physical Map, build 35. However, mutation screen of the candidate gene SLC6A14 within the region did not identify the causative genetic determinant for this large Chinese family.

Effects of rapid cooling on articular cartilage

In order to improve the technique and protocols of cryopreservation of articular cartilage, a study was carried out to assess the effects of rapid cooling on the intact articular cartilage. Cartilage slices with a thickness ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 mm taken from bovine metacarpal-phalangeal joints were subjected to rapid cooling by immersing them in liquid nitrogen with and without treatment of the VS55 cryoprotective agent (CPA). The ultrastructure, chondrocyte viability, swelling property, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content were then examined before and after cryopreservation to give qualitative and quantitative evaluation on the functional state of both chondrocytes and extracellular matrix. The transmission electron microscopy study demonstrated that damage to chondrocytes without CPA was far more pronounced than those with VS55 protection while the structure of the extracellular matrix altered little in either group. The cell viability assay showed that although the exposure to VS55 led to about 36% chondrocytes losing membrane integrity, the VS55 could provide protection to chondrocytes during rapid cooling and thawing, with approximately 51% of the cells having survived rapid cooling compared to fewer than 5% in the absence of CPA. There were no significant differences in degrees of swelling or the GAG contents of cartilage slices after cryopreservation indicating rapid freezing caused little damage to the matrix. Future research activities include searching improved CPA formulation, optimising the treatment protocol and investigating the long-term effects of rapid cooling on articular cartilage.

Involvement of hypoxia-inducible factor-1-alpha in multidrug resistance induced by hypoxia in HepG2 cells

Aim of the study was to explore the influence of hypoxia on multidrug resistance related genes and the potential role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1-alpha (HIF-1alpha) in formation of multidrug resistance in HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. HepG2 cells were subjected to hypoxia in a cohort of exposed time. A cell model stably expressing HIF-1alpha was established by liposome-mediated transfection of plasmid pcDNA3/HIF-1alpha into HepG2 cells. Apoptosis of HepG2 cells exposed to hypoxia or transfected by plasmid pcDNA3/HIF-1alpha was detected by Flow Cytometry after administration of chemotherapeutic drug (5-Fu). Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western-blot technique were used to analyze the expressions of multidrug resistance related genes mdr1, MRP1 and LRP at mRNA and protein level, respectively. Apoptosis Index of HepG2 cells exposed to hypoxia stepped down as exposed time extended after administration of 5-Fu. The expression of mdr1, MRP1 and LRP gene and protein revealed a hypoxic time-dependent induction and was synchronous with the alterations of HIF-1alpha in HepG2 cells exposed to hypoxia. The expressions of these multidrug resistance related genes were remarkably increased in HIF-1alpha transfected HepG2 cells as compared to empty vector transfected cells. Apoptosis index of HIF-1alpha transfected cells was obviously less than that of control cells when they were simultaneously exposed to 5-Fu for 24hrs. In conclusion, ambient hypoxia might be one of the causes for the formation of multidrug resistance in HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. Hypoxia-elicited multidrug resistance related protein expression might be a pathway for resistance of HepG2 cells to chemotherapeutics and HIF-1alpha might be involved in this process.

Central penetration and stability of N-terminal tripeptide of insulin-like growth factor-I, glycine-proline-glutamate in adult rat

Insulin-like growth factor-I is a neurotrophic factor and can prevent neurons from ischemic brain injury. However, the large molecular weight and metabolic effects can be problematic in its central delivery. Glycine-proline-glutamate (GPE) is the N-terminal tripeptide of insulin-like growth factor-I, which is naturally cleaved in the plasma and brain tissues. GPE reduces neuronal loss from hypoxic-ischemic brain injury following central administration. Central penetration and the stability of GPE in the plasma and central nervous system were examined in rats using radioimmunoassay and HPLC. GPE was rapidly metabolised in the plasma (8 min) after intraperitoneal administration. Despite having a short half-life in plasma, GPE was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid up to 40 min after intraperitoneal administration. With present of peptidase inhibitors, GPE existed in the brain tissue up to 3 h after intracerebroventricular administration, suggesting a role for peptolysis in its stability. The endopeptidase inhibitors 4- (2-aminoethyl) benzenesulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride (AEBSF) reduced GPE metabolism in the brain tissue while acid peptidase inhibitor pepstatin-A decreased GPE metabolism in the plasma. GPE reduced neuronal loss in the CA1-2 sub-region of the hippocampus given (intraperitoneally) after 30 min of hypoxic-ischemic injury in adult rats, further suggested the effectiveness of GPE central uptake. These results indicated that GPE crosses the blood-CSF and the functional CSF-brain barriers. The longer half-life of GPE in the CNS may be due to its unique enzymatic stability.

Polyethylene glycol but not mifepristone prevents intestinal lymphocyte loss following treadmill exercise in mice

Circulating lymphocyte numbers decrease following intense physical activity, possibly due to exercise-induced apoptosis. Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glucocorticoids (GC) following exercise contribute to lymphocyte apoptosis. Intestinal lymphocyte (IL) numbers also decrease following exercise.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of GC to exercise-induced IL loss.

METHODS

Female C57BL/6 mice (n = 178) were randomized to five drug conditions: (1) single injection of the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone (MIF) solubilized in polyethylene glycol (PEG); (2) three injections of MIF (repeated MIF) PEG; (3) single injection of PEG (PEG); (4) three injections of PEG (repeated PEG); or (5) repeated injections of saline (SAL). Within each drug group mice were further randomized to exercise conditions: (1) control condition (non-exercised); (2) treadmill running with sacrifice immediately following the exercise; or (3) treadmill running with sacrifice 24 h after completion of the exercise.

RESULTS

There was a significant exercise effect, across all T lymphocyte subsets, in SAL (P < 0.01), PEG (P < 0.01) and MIF (P < 0.01) treated mice but not in mice given repeated PEG or repeated MIF exposure. The exercise effect was due to reduced IL numbers 24 h post-exercise compared with non-exercised controls.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that GC are not directly responsible for IL cell loss following exercise. Repeated exposure to PEG may confer protection in the gastrointestinal tract from exercise-induced lymphocyte depletion. Because PEG inhibits ROS generation in experimental cell injury, the mechanisms for IL loss after exercise may involve oxidative stress.

Neuroprotective effects of the N-terminal tripeptide of insulin-like growth factor-1, glycine-proline-glutamate (GPE) following intravenous infusion in hypoxic-ischemic adult rats

The N-terminal tripeptide of insulin-like growth factor-1, GPE is neuroprotective when given intracerebroventricularly 2 h after hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury in rats. We have now examined whether GPE can cross the blood-brain barrier and exert neuroprotective actions following intravenous administration. Following a single bolus intravenous injection, GPE was rapidly metabolized and cleared from the circulation. The short half-life (<2 min) in blood was subsequently associated with modest and inconsistent neuroprotection. In contrast, potent neuroprotection of GPE was consistently observed in all brain regions examined following 4 h intravenous infusion (12 mg/kg). The neuroprotective effects of GPE after infusion showed a broad effective dose range (1.2-120 mg/kg) and an extended window of treatment to 7-11 h after injury. The central penetration of GPE after intravenous infusion was injury-dependent. GPE also improved long-term somatofunction with a comparable neuronal outcome. GPE reduced both caspase-3-dependent and -independent apoptosis in the hippocampus. Treatment with GPE also inhibited microglial proliferation and prevented the injury-induced loss of astrocytes. In conclusion, the neuroprotective actions of GPE infusion were global, robust and displayed a broad effective dose range and treatment window. GPE's activity included the prevention of neuronal apoptosis, promotion of astrocyte survival and inhibition of microglial proliferation. With injury specific central penetration, GPE has considerable promise as a systemic neuroprotective treatment after acute encephalopathies.

Adrenalectomy in mice does not prevent loss of intestinal lymphocytes after exercise

Exhaustive exercise is associated with an increase in circulating glucocorticoids (GCs), lymphocyte apoptosis, and a reduction in intestinal lymphocyte number. The present study examined the role of GCs on the numerical changes seen in intestinal lymphocytes after exercise. Female C57BL/6 mice were bilaterally adrenalectomized (ADX; n = 18) or given sham surgery (Sham; n = 18) and assigned to one of three exercise conditions: treadmill running (28 m/min, 90 min, 2 degrees slope) and killed immediately or after 24 h recovery, or not exercised and killed immediately after 90-min exposure to the treadmill environment. Lymphocytes were isolated from the intestines with CD45(+) cells collected by positive selection using magnetic bead separation columns, and lymphocyte subpopulations were analyzed by flow cytometry for CD45(+), CD3alphabeta(+), CD3gammadelta(+), CD8beta(+), CD8alpha(+), CD4(+), and NK(+) phenotypic markers. ADX mice had significantly more intestinal CD45(+) leukocytes (P < 0.05) and CD3alphabeta(+) (P < 0.05), CD3gammadelta(+) (P < 0.01), CD8alpha(+) (P < 0.001), and NK(+) (P < 0.05) intestinal lymphocytes than Sham mice. There was a significant effect of exercise condition on total intestinal CD45(+) leukocytes (P < 0.01) and CD3alphabeta(+) (P < 0.05), CD8alpha(+) (P < 0.001), and CD4(+) (P < 0.05) intestinal lymphocytes, with fewer cells at 24 h postexercise compared with the other treatment conditions. There were no surgical x exercise interaction effects on the CD3 and CD8 phenotype numbers. Plasma corticosterone was virtually nil in ADX mice regardless of exercise condition but was significantly elevated in Sham mice immediately postexercise (P < 0.001). The data indicate that ADX does not prevent the loss of lymphocytes from the intestinal mucosa 24 h after strenuous exercise and GCs are not directly causal in the leukopenia of exercise.

Treatment in animal models

It is now well established that neurons and other cell types may die many hours or even days after hypoxic-ischemic injury due to activation of programmed cell death (apoptotic) pathways. The potent anti-apoptotic factor IGF-1 and its binding proteins and receptors are intensely induced within damaged brain regions following brain injury suggesting a possible a role for IGF-1 in endogenous brain recovery. Exogenous administration of IGF-1 within a few hours after brain injury has now been shown to be protective in both grey and white matter, and leads to improved long-term neurological function. The limited window of opportunity for treatment with IGF-1 can be extended by spontaneous mild post-hypoxic hypothermia, probably due to delayed evolution of apoptotic processes. The efficacy of IGF-1 is specific to particular cellular phenotypes and brain regions, and its neuroprotective effects are mediated by IGF-1 receptors and binding proteins. Intriguingly its naturally cleaved N-terminal tripeptide (glycine-proline-glutamate, GPE) has been demonstrated to be neuroprotective after both central and peripheral administration. Peripheral administration of GPE also prevents the loss of dopamine neurons and improves long-term functional recovery following 6-OHDA lesion. However, GPE is unlikely to contribute significantly to the direct effects of IGF-1.

Evidence for an S-phase checkpoint regulating DNA replication after heat shock: a review

Exposure of cells to heat inhibits a number of nuclear activities associated with semi-conservative replication of DNA including the incorporation of radiolabelled precursors into acid-insoluble DNA, the initiation of new replicons, the elongation of the DNA fibre at the replication fork, the synthesis and deposition of new histones into chromatin and the reorganization of nascent DNA into mature chromatin. These effects are likely to underlie the heat sensitivity of S-phase cells and may contribute to the radiosensitization observed in this phase of the cell cycle. While some of these effects may be explained as 'passive' consequences of heat-induced damage on chromatin structures experiments reviewed here point to the activation of a checkpoint as a contributing factor to the observed inhibition of DNA replication. Activation of a heat responsive S-phase checkpoint targets the activity of RPA via interaction with nucleolin. Nucleolin, a major nucleolar protein, is found normally sequestered in the nucleolus. Exposure of cells to heat causes a rapid translocation of nucleolin from the nucleolus into the nucleoplasm that enables RPA/nucleolin interaction. This interaction inhibits functions of RPA associated with the initiation of DNA replication and contributes to the immediate inhibition of DNA synthesis observed after heat shock. The results suggest that the nucleolus serves as a sequestration centre for the temporary inactivation of regulatory molecules, such as nucleolin, capable of regulating essential cellular functions after heat shock. It is speculated that this regulatory process is integrated in the network of responses that determine cell sensitivity to heat and that it may be involved in heat radiosensitization to killing as well.

N-terminal tripeptide of IGF-1 improves functional deficits after 6-OHDA lesion in rats

Central administration of N-terminal tripeptide of IGF-1 (GPE) prevents the loss of dopamine neurons. We now examine effects of GPE administered peripherally, on long-term functional recovery after 6-OHDA lesion in rats. GPE treatment (3 mg/kg, i.p.), 3 days after the lesion reduced the number of rotations (p<0.005) and the time over meter (p<0.005) compared to vehicle treatment. Step length and number of adjusting steps were increased in the GPE group (p<0.005), particularly at 12 weeks post lesion. However, GPE treatment did not prevent the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase in the substantia nigra pars compacta and the striatum. The study suggests that peripheral administration of GPE after onset of nigrostriatal dopamine depletion improves long-term Parkinsonian motor deficits, independent of neuronal outcome.

Optimal reconstruction of historical water supply to a distribution system: B. Applications

In a recently completed case-control epidemiological study, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) with support from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) documented an association between prenatal exposure to a specific contaminated community water source and leukaemia in female children. An important and necessary step in the epidemiological study was the reconstruction of the historical water supply strategy of the water distribution system serving the Dover Township area, New Jersey. The sensitivity of solutions to: (1) pressure and pattern factor constraints, (2) allowable operational extremes of water levels in the storage tanks, and (3) the non-uniqueness of the water supply solution are analysed in detail. The computational results show that the proposed approach yields satisfactory results for the complete set of monthly simulations and sensitivity analyses, providing a consistent approach for identifying the historical water supply strategy of the water distribution system. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the alternative strategy obtained from the revised objective function and the variation of constraints did not yield significantly different water supply characteristics. The overall analysis demonstrates that the progressive optimality genetic algorithm (POGA) developed to solve the optimization problem is an effective and efficient algorithm for the reconstruction of water supply strategies in water distribution systems.