corporating the mechanisms by which KNDy neuropeptides modulate the reproductive axis (see [1] and the cover of this issue). The second article, by Goodman et al. [2] , reviews the roles of kisspeptin, NKB and Dyn in GnRH pulse generation as gathered from a comprehensive series of excellent studies in sheep from their laboratory as well as from equally detailed and incisive experiments in goats...

Regional and global relationships of lung function and structure were studied using hyperpolarized ³He MRI in a rat elastase-induced model of emphysema (n = 4) and healthy controls (n = 5). Fractional ventilation (r) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of ³He were measured at a submillimeter planar resolution in ventral, middle, and dorsal slices 6 mo after model induction. Pulmonary funct...

This study compared the volumetric shrinkage (VS), flexural strength (FS) and flexural modulus (FM) properties of the low-shrinkage resin composite Aelite LS (Bisco) to those of Filtek LS (3M ESPE) and two regular dimethacrylate-based resin composites, the microfilled Heliomolar (Ivoclar Vivadent) and the microhybrid Aelite Universal (Bisco). The composites (n = 5) were placed on the Teflon ped...

We consider the problem of distributed multi-robot team formation including the dynamic reconfiguration of robot teams after encountering obstacles. We describe a distributed robot team reconfiguration algorithm, DYN-REFORM, that uses a game-theoretic technique of team formation called weighted voting games(WVGs) along with a flocking-based formation control mechanism. DYNREFORM works without e...

Transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS) treatment was given for 30 min to 37 patients divided into 3 groups of 10 patients and 1 group of 7 patients. Two groups received low-frequency (2 Hz) and the other 2 groups high-frequency (100 Hz) stimulation. A diagnostic lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample was obtained immediately before and after stimulation. The CSF samples were subjected to anal...

Accumulating evidence suggests that the arcuate nucleus (ARC) kisspeptin/neurokinin B (NKB)/dynorphin (KNDy) neurons play a role in estrogen negative feedback action on pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)/luteinizing hormone (LH) release. The present study aimed to determine if dynorphin (Dyn) is involved in estrogen negative feedback on pulsatile GnRH/LH release. The effect of the ...

In the dorsal striatum, there are two major populations of medium spiny projection neurons. One population is positive for dynorphin mRNA (DYN+), and these cells project preferentially to the substantia nigra, forming the so-called 'direct pathway'. A second population is positive for enkephalin mRNA (ENK+), and these cells influence the substantia nigra indirectly, via the globus pallidus and ...

background: socioeconomic status (ses) is a major determinant of health inequality in children and adolescents. the aim of this study was to evaluate the association of ses of family and living region with self-rated health (srh) and life satisfaction (ls) among children and adolescents.   methods: this study was a part of the fourth survey of a national surveillance program, which was conducte...