The failure current density of the single gold nanowire as a function of diameter was determined and the failure mechanism was also discussed. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3656733]“
“The roles of
E-cadherin and alpha-catenin were evaluated in the development of varicocele-induced infertility. Analysis of the association between the expression of E-cadherin/alpha-catenin and clinical/pathological parameters was performed. Thirty 10-week-old male rats (experimental group) were used for the experiments; the left renal vein was ligated to form a varicocele. The abdomen was incised in 30 rats (control group) and no procedure was performed on 10 rats (baseline group). The weights of the left testis, serum reactive oxygen species (ROS), testosterone, PXD101 Epigenetics inhibitor luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules after 4 and 8 weeks
were recorded. The expression of E-cadherin and alpha-catenin was evaluated by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and Western blot analysis. The ROS increased in the 8-week experimental group, compared with the baseline and control groups (P < 0.001 for both). Additionally, FSH significantly increased in the 4-and 8-week experimental group compared with the control groups (P=0.013 and P=0.032, respectively). The ratio of degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules of the experimental groups increased. The IHC staining showed that the expression of E-cadherin and alpha-catenin decreased in the 4-and 8-week this website experimental groups. Similar click here to the IHC staining, the experimental group had decreased reactivity on Western blot analysis. The expression of E-cadherin and alpha-catenin was significantly associated with the ROS and degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules. The results of this study suggest that damage to the blood-testis barrier (BTB) is associated with
varicocele-induced male infertility, and that ROS may cause damage to the BTB. Asian Journal of Andrology (2011) 13, 470-475; doi:10.1038/aja.2010.94; published online 14 March 2011″
“The invasive, non-native herb, giant knotweed (Polygonum sachalinense), is becoming increasingly common in riparian corridors throughout North America and Europe. Despite its prevalence, there has been limited study of its ecological impacts. We investigated the effects of knotweed invasion on the abundance and diversity of forest understory plants, and the quantity and nutrient quality of leaf-litter inputs, in riparian forests in western Washington, USA. Among 39 sampling locations, knotweed stem density ranged from 0 to 8.8 m(-2). Richness and abundance (cover or density) of native herbs, shrubs, and juvenile trees (<= 3 m tall) were negatively correlated with knotweed density.