In examining the theory and practice of international relations in Asia, this Handbook concentrates on the countries that are pivotal to understanding Asia’s role in global and regional politics, as ...well as the processes that are responsible for the region’s particular characteristics. The Handbook begins with an investigation of the ways in which various theoretical approaches to international relations can elucidate Asia’s empirical realities. Individual chapters then examine the foreign relations and policies of specific countries or sets of countries; their political, economic, and security relations both within the Asian region as well as with the rest of the world; and the key thematic issues that draw states and peoples into particular institutions and networks. A concluding part examines Asia’s future prospects. The geographical scope of the Handbook covers Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Central Asia.
Two-photon-excitation fluorescence lifetime imaging (2P-FLIM) was used to investigate the association of protein kinase C alpha (PKCalpha) with caveolin in CHO cells. PKCalpha is found widely in the ...cytoplasm and nucleus in most cells. Upon activation, as a result of increased intracellular Ca2+ and production of DAG, through G-protein coupled-phospholipase C signalling, PKC translocates to a variety of regions in the cell where it phosphorylates and interacts with many signalling pathways. Due to its wide distribution, discerning a particular interaction from others within the cell is extremely difficult.
Fluorescence energy transfer (FRET), between GFP-PKCalpha and DsRed-caveolin, was used to investigate the interaction between caveolin and PKC, an aspect of signalling that is poorly understood. Using 2P-FLIM measurements, the lifetime of GFP was found to decrease (quench) in certain regions of the cell from approximately 2.2 ns to approximately 1.5 ns when the GFP and DsRed were sufficiently close for FRET to occur. This only occurred when intracellular Ca2+ increased or in the presence of phorbol ester, and was an indication of PKC and caveolin co-localisation under these conditions. In the case of phorbol ester stimulated PKC translocation, as commonly used to model PKC activation, three PKC areas could be delineated. These included PKCalpha that was not associated with caveolin in the nucleus and cytoplasm, PKCalpha associated with caveolin in the cytoplasm/perinuclear regions and probably in endosomes, and PKC in the peripheral regions of the cell, possibly indirectly interacting with caveolin.
Based on the extent of lifetime quenching observed, the results are consistent with a direct interaction between PKCalpha and caveolin in the endosomes, and possibly an indirect interaction in the peripheral regions of the cell. The results show that 2P-FLIM-FRET imaging offers an approach that can provide information not only confirming the occurrence of specific protein-protein interactions but where they occur within the cell.
During intense physical exercise, the cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) pathway is upregulated which contributes to soreness. The aim of this study was to determine if there was a clinical affect of ...deracoxib (COX-2 selective antagonist) on dogs engaged in intense rehabilitation following tibial plateau levelling osteotomy for cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Our hypothesis was that dogs receiving deracoxib would demonstrate less lameness, better range-of-motion (ROM), and faster muscle mass recovery than the control dogs. Thirty dogs were randomised to the treatment (deracoxib at 1-2 mg/kg once daily by mouth) or control (no treatment) group. Outcomes including gait analysis, thigh circumference, and goniometry, were measured by one investigator, who was masked to group preoperatively, and at the end of each intense rehabilitation week (3, 5, and 7 weeks postoperatively). The only difference between groups for any outcome measure at any time point was a greater preoperative stifle ROM in the group receiving deracoxib (p = 0.04). This study showed that treatment with deracoxib did not provide better outcomes when dogs were subjected to intense rehabilitation after tibial plateau levelling osteotomy. Each patient should be evaluated individually to determine if administration of deracoxib is appropriate.
We present a velocity dispersion-based mass calibration of the South Pole
Telescope Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect survey (SPT-SZ) galaxy cluster sample.
Using a homogeneously selected sample of 100 ...cluster candidates from 720 deg2
of the survey along with 63 velocity dispersion ($\sigma_v$) and 16 X-ray Yx
measurements of sample clusters, we simultaneously calibrate the
mass-observable relation and constrain cosmological parameters. The
calibrations using $\sigma_v$ and Yx are consistent at the $0.6\sigma$ level,
with the $\sigma_v$ calibration preferring ~16% higher masses. We use the full
cluster dataset to measure $\sigma_8(\Omega_ m/0.27)^{0.3}=0.809\pm0.036$. The
SPT cluster abundance is lower than preferred by either the WMAP9 or
Planck+WMAP9 polarization (WP) data, but assuming the sum of the neutrino
masses is $\sum m_\nu=0.06$ eV, we find the datasets to be consistent at the
1.0$\sigma$ level for WMAP9 and 1.5$\sigma$ for Planck+WP. Allowing for larger
$\sum m_\nu$ further reconciles the results. When we combine the cluster and
Planck+WP datasets with BAO and SNIa, the preferred cluster masses are
$1.9\sigma$ higher than the Yx calibration and $0.8\sigma$ higher than the
$\sigma_v$ calibration. Given the scale of these shifts (~44% and ~23% in mass,
respectively), we execute a goodness of fit test; it reveals no tension,
indicating that the best-fit model provides an adequate description of the
data. Using the multi-probe dataset, we measure $\Omega_ m=0.299\pm0.009$ and
$\sigma_8=0.829\pm0.011$. Within a $\nu$CDM model we find $\sum m_\nu =
0.148\pm0.081$ eV. We present a consistency test of the cosmic growth rate.
Allowing both the growth index $\gamma$ and the dark energy equation of state
parameter $w$ to vary, we find $\gamma=0.73\pm0.28$ and $w=-1.007\pm0.065$,
demonstrating that the expansion and the growth histories are consistent with a
LCDM model ($\gamma=0.55; \,w=-1$).
The fluorescence lifetime of the membrane fluorophore 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene has been analyzed according to the distributional approach in a number of lipid bilayer systems. The systems ...included vesicles of 16:0/18:1-phosphatidylcholine (POPC), egg phosphatidylcholine (EYPC), microsomal phospholipids, and also intact microsomal membranes. With increasing complexity of composition, an increasingly broader width was found in the major component of a bimodal Lorentzian fluorescence lifetime distribution. In order to explain these findings, we propose a model based on environmental heterogeneity and environmental sampling, where the environment is defined as the lipid molecules immediately surrounding the fluorophore. Environmental heterogeneity is thought of as arising from organizational, compositional, and solvent factors. Environmental sampling pertains to the ability of a fluorophore to detect environments in a system and is a function of the fluorophore lifetime and the lipid dynamics. If the fluorescence lifetime is sufficiently short, the fluorophore will only sample a particular environment, and great compositional complexity will mean that each fluorophore in an ensemble will decay to the ground state with a different time. This appears to explain why in our results with DPH a narrow width is obtained for POPC, where vesicles are composed of a single phospholipid molecular species, compared to EYPC and microsomal phospholipid vesicles having complex molecular species composition. This model should serve as a basis for understanding the interrelationships of environmental complexity and lipid dynamics in membranes.
Objective—To compare the accuracy of reduction, biomechanical characteristics, and mode of failure of two methods of acetabular osteotomy repair.
Study Design—Acetabular osteotomies were created in ...16 paired hemipelves and stabilized with a screw/wire/polymethylmethacrylate composite fixation technique (SWP) or a 2‐mm veterinary acetabular plate (VAP). Eight intact hemipelves were used as controls.
Sample Population—Twelve canine cadavers.
Methods—Accuracy of osteotomy reduction was evaluated grossly and by measurement of articular incongruencies formed in polyvinylsiloxane impression casts. Acetabula were loaded in modified bending until failure using a universal testing machine. Data from load‐deformation curves were used to determine the biomechanical characteristics of the repaired and intact acetabula. Mode of failure was evaluated grossly and radiographically.
Results—Osteotomy reduction was superior in acetabula stabilized with SWP. Mean values ± standard deviation for load at failure and stiffness of the intact acetabula were 2,796 ± 152.9 N and 267.5 ±61.9 N/mm. Corresponding values for SWP and VAP were 1,192 ± 202.7 N and 136.3 ± 76.5 N/mm, and 1,100.5 ± 331.6 N and 110.0 ± 51.3 N/mm, respectively. The mean load at failure and stiffness of intact acetabula was significantly greater than acetabula stabilized with SWP or VAP. There was no significant difference between SWP and VAP for load at failure or stiffness. Failure of acetabula stabilized with SWP occurred by fracture of the polymethylmethacrylate and ventrolateral bending of the wires. Acetabula stabilized with VAP failed by ventrolateral twisting of the plate and bending of the caudal screws.
Conclusions—SWP and VAP provide comparable rigidity, however, the SWP facilitates more accurate osteotomy reduction.
Clinical Relevance—These findings support the use of the SWP technique as an alternative method of acetabular fracture repair.
The pharmacodynamic interaction between mizolastine, a new H1 antihistamine, and ethanol was assessed in a randomized, double-blind, three-way crossover, placebo-controlled study. Eighteen healthy ...young male volunteers received mizolastine 10 mg, or cetirizine 10 mg or placebo once daily for 7 days with a 1-week wash-out interval. An oral dose of ethanol or ethanol placebo, given 2 h after dosing on days 5 or 7 of each treatment period, was administered to achieve a peak blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.7 g/l then maintained for 1 h by two further doses of ethanol. Driving ability and psychomotor performance were evaluated using actual and simulated driving tests, critical flicker fusion threshold (CFF), adaptive tracking and divided attention (DAT) tasks. Ethanol produced a significant decrement in all tasks up to 5.5 h after administration: an increase in steering movements of 4.6, in lateral deviation of 0.45 m, in braking reaction time of 80 ms, in driving test and DAT performance of + 3.2; and a decrease in CFF and in tracking speed of 2.6 m.s-1. Neither mizolastine nor cetirizine significantly impaired driving ability or arousal (CFF) compared with the placebo. However, both drugs significantly impaired DAT performance 6:00 h post-dose (increase of + 2.1 for mizolastine and + 2.4 for cetirizine). The tracking speed was significantly decreased 7:50 h after mizolastine administration (-1.3 m.s-1) and more consistently from 1:30 to 7:50 h after cetirizine administration (-1.4 m.s-1). No significant adverse interaction, i.e. potentiation, occurred between ethanol and either antihistamine.
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