| 1. |
- Biro, T, et al.
(author)
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How best to fight that nasty itch - from new insights into the neuroimmunological, neuroendocrine, and neurophysiological bases of pruritus to novel therapeutic approaches
- 2005
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In: Experimental Dermatology. - : Wiley. - 0906-6705 .- 1600-0625. ; 14:3, s. 225-225
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- While the enormous clinical and psychosocial importance of pruritus in many areas of medicine and the detrimental effects of chronic 'itch' on the quality of life of an affected individual are widely appreciated, the complexity of this sensation is still often grossly underestimated. The current Controversies feature highlights this complexity by portraying pruritus as a truly interdisciplinary problem at the crossroads of neurophysiology, neuroimmunology, neuropharmacology, protease research, internal medicine, and dermatology, which is combated most successfully if one keeps the multilayered nature of 'itch' in mind and adopts a holistic treatment approach - beyond the customary, frequently frustrane monotherapy with histamine receptor antagonists. In view of the often unsatisfactory, unidimensional, and altogether rather crude standard instruments for pruritus management that we still tend to use in clinical practice today, an interdisciplinary team of pruritus experts here critically examines recent progress in pruritus research that future itch management must take into consideration. Focusing on new insights into the neuroimmunological, neuroendocrine, and neurophysiological bases of pruritus, and discussing available neuropharmacological tools, specific research avenues are highlighted, whose pursuit promises to lead to novel, and hopefully more effective, forms of pruritus management.
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| 2. |
- Stone, D., et al.
(author)
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A method of establishing a transect for biodiversity and ecosystem function monitoring across Europe
- 2016
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In: Applied Soil Ecology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0929-1393 .- 1873-0272. ; 97, s. 3-11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The establishment of the range of soil biodiversity found within European soils is needed to guide EU policy development regarding the protection of soil. Such a base-line should be collated from a wide-ranging sampling campaign to ensure that soil biodiversity from the majority of soil types, land-use or management systems, and European climatic (bio-geographical zones) were included. This paper reports the design and testing of a method to achieve the large scale sampling associated with the establishment of such a baseline, carried out within the remit of the EcoFINDERS project, and outlines points to consider when such a task is undertaken. Applying a GIS spatial selection process, a sampling campaign was undertaken by 13 EcoFINDERS partners across 11 countries providing data on the range of indicators of biodiversity and ecosystem functions including; micro and meso fauna biodiversity, extracellular enzyme activity, PLEA and community level physiological profiling (MicroResp (TM) and Biolog (TM)). Physical, chemical and bio-geographical parameters of the 81 sites sampled were used to determine whether the model predicted a wide enough range of sites to allow assessment of the biodiversity indicators tested. Discrimination between the major bio-geographical zones of Atlantic and Continental was possible for all land-use types. Boreal and Alpine zones only allowed discrimination in the most common land-use type for that area e.g. forestry and grassland sites, respectively, while the Mediterranean zone did not have enough sites sampled to draw conclusions across all land-use types. The method used allowed the inclusion of a range of land-uses in both the model prediction stage and the final sites sampled. The establishment of the range of soil biodiversity across Europe is possible, though a larger targeted campaign is recommended. The techniques applied within the EcoFINDERS sampling would be applicable to a larger campaign. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 3. |
- Bernhardt, J, et al.
(author)
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CASE Needs Analysis. Summary. Findings on Competencies for Sustainability-driven Entrepreneurship. Based on interviews with partners from sustainability-driven enterprises and universities.
- 2016
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The report represents the main outputs of the needs analysis of work package 1 (WP1) within the CASE project. The specific aim of the report and WP1 is to summarize concrete needs and necessary competencies for sustainability-driven entrepreneurship. For this purpose a qualitative research approach was chosen to bring together perspectives of enterprises and universities concerning a future collaboration as a possible starting-point for a long-lasting multistakeholder network. Furthermore an analysis of best practice examples was necessary in order to create synergies and use existing knowledge and good experiences of teaching towards sustainability-driven entrepreneurship. As the results show, both, companies and universities, are highly aware of the huge challenges for society, economy and natural environment on a global and regional level. That calls for integrated, holistic approaches and for comprehensive socio-economic transformation processes, involving various stakeholders from entrepreneurial, societal and educational contexts. As disciplinary analysis quickly reach their limits, research and practice for sustainability-driven entrepreneurship require comprehensive and integrated approaches. Multistakeholder networks could provide the right learning environments for complex sustainability issues.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Fryk, Emanuel, et al.
(author)
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Microdialysis and proteomics of subcutaneous interstitial fluid reveals increased galectin-1 in type 2 diabetes patients
- 2016
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In: Metabolism-Clinical and Experimental. - : Elsevier BV. - 0026-0495 .- 1532-8600. ; 65:7, s. 998-1006
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective. To identify a potential therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes by comparing the subcutaneous interstitial fluid from type 2 diabetes patients and healthy men. Methods. Proteomics was performed on the interstitial fluid of subcutaneous adipose tissue obtained by microdialysis from 7 type 2 diabetes patients and 8 healthy participants. 851 proteins were detected, of which 36 (including galectin-1) showed significantly altered expression in type 2 diabetes. We also measured galectin-1 expression in: (1) adipocytes isolated from adipose tissue biopsies from these participants; (2) subcutaneous adipose tissue of 24 obese participants before, during and after 16 weeks on a very low calorie diet (VLCD); and (3) adipocytes isolated from 6 healthy young participants after 4 weeks on a diet and lifestyle intervention to promote weight gain. We also determined the effect of galectin-1 on glucose uptake in human adipose tissue. Results. Galectin-1 protein levels were elevated in subcutaneous dialysates from type 2 diabetes compared with healthy controls (p < 0.05). In agreement, galectin-1 mRNA expression was increased in adipocytes from the type 2 diabetes patients (p < 0.05). Furthermore, galectin-1 mRNA expression was decreased in adipose tissue after VLCD (p < 0.05) and increased by overfeeding (p < 0.05). Co-incubation of isolated human adipocytes with galectin-1 reduced glucose uptake (p < 0.05) but this was independent of the insulin signal. Conclusion. Proteomics of the interstitial fluid in subcutaneous adipose tissue in vivo identified a novel adipokine, galectin-1, with a potential role in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Hilliges, M, et al.
(author)
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ATP responses in human C nociceptors
- 2002
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In: Pain. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0304-3959. ; 98:1-2, s. 59-68
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Jörum, E., et al.
(author)
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Catecholamine-induced excitation of nociceptors in sympathetically maintained pain
- 2007
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In: Pain. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0304-3959 .- 1872-6623. ; 127:3, s. 296-301
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sympathetically maintained pain could either be mediated by ephaptic interactions between sympathetic efferent and afferent nociceptive fibers or by catecholamine-induced activation of nociceptive nerve endings. We report here single fiber recordings from C nociceptors in a patient with sympathetically maintained pain, in whom sympathetic blockade had repeatedly eliminated the ongoing pain in both legs. We classified eight C-fibers as mechano-responsive and six as mechano-insensitive nociceptors according to their mechanical responsiveness and activity-dependent slowing of conduction velocity (latency increase of 0.5±1.1 vs. 7.1±2.0ms for 20 pulses at 0.125Hz). Two C-fibers were activated with a delay of several seconds following strong endogenous sympathetic bursts; they were also excited for about 3min following the injection of norepinephrine (10μl, 0.05%) into their innervation territory. In these two fibers, a prolonged activation by injection of low pH solution (phosphate buffer, pH 6.0, 10μl) and sensitization of their heat response following prostaglandin E2 injection were recorded, evidencing their afferent nature. Moreover, their activity-dependent slowing was typical for mechano-insensitive nociceptors. We conclude that sensitized mechano-insensitive nociceptors can be activated by endogenously released catecholamines and thereby may contribute to sympathetically maintained pain. No evidence for ephaptic interaction between sympathetic efferent and nociceptive afferent fibers was found.
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| 10. |
- Kern, S., et al.
(author)
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Reflection-enhanced gain in traveling-wave parametric amplifiers
- 2023
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In: Physical Review B. - 2469-9969 .- 2469-9950. ; 107:17
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The operating principle of traveling-wave parametric amplifiers is typically understood in terms of the standard coupled mode theory, which describes the evolution of forward propagating waves without any reflections, i.e., for perfect impedance matching. However, in practice, superconducting microwave amplifiers are unmatched nonlinear finite-length devices, where the reflecting waves undergo complex parametric processes, not described by the standard coupled mode theory. Here, we present an analytical solution for the TWPA gain, which includes the interaction of reflected waves. These reflections result in corrections to the well-known results of the standard coupled mode theory, which are obtained for both three-wave and four-wave mixing processes. Due to these reflections, the gain is enhanced and unwanted nonlinear phase modulations are suppressed. Predictions of the model are experimentally demonstrated on two types of unmatched TWPA, based on coplanar waveguides with a central wire consisting of (i) a high kinetic inductance superconductor, and (ii) an array of 2000 Josephson junctions.
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| 11. |
- Kist, Andreas M., et al.
(author)
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SCN10A Mutation in a Patient with Erythromelalgia Enhances C-Fiber Activity Dependent Slowing
- 2016
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In: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 11:9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Gain-of-function mutations in the tetrodotoxin (TTX) sensitive voltage-gated sodium channel (Nav) Nav1.7 have been identified as a key mechanism underlying chronic pain in inherited erythromelalgia. Mutations in TTX resistant channels, such as Nav1.8 or Nav1.9, were recently connected with inherited chronic pain syndromes. Here, we investigated the effects of the p.M650K mutation in Nav1.8 in a 53 year old patient with erythromelalgia by micro-neurography and patch-clamp techniques. Recordings of the patient's peripheral nerve fibers showed increased activity dependent slowing (ADS) in CMi and less spontaneous firing compared to a control group of erythromelalgia patients without Nav mutations. To evaluate the impact of the p. M650K mutation on neuronal firing and channel gating, we performed current and voltage-clamp recordings on transfected sensory neurons (DRGs) and neuroblastoma cells. The p. M650K mutation shifted steady-state fast inactivation of Nav1.8 to more hyperpolarized potentials and did not significantly alter any other tested gating behaviors. The AP half-width was significantly broader and the stimulated action potential firing rate was reduced for M650K transfected DRGs compared to WT. We discuss the potential link between enhanced steady state fast inactivation, broader action potential width and the potential physiological consequences.
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| 12. |
- Krege, Susanne, et al.
(author)
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European consensus conference on diagnosis and treatment of germ cell cancer: A report of the second meeting of the European Germ Cell Cancer Consensus Group (EGCCCG): Part I
- 2008
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In: European Urology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-7560 .- 0302-2838. ; 53:3, s. 478-496
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: The first consensus report presented by the European Germ Cell Cancer Consensus Group (EGCCCG) in the year 2004 has found widespread approval by many colleagues throughout the world. In November 2006, the group met a second time under the auspices of the Department of Urology of the Amsterdam Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Methods: Medical oncologists, urological surgeons, radiation oncologists as well as pathologists from several European countries reviewed and discussed the data that had emerged since the 2002 conference, and incorporated the new data into updated and revised guidelines. As for the first meeting, the methodology of evidence-based medicine (EBM) was applied. The results of the discussion were compiled by the writing committee. All participants have agreed to this final update. Results: The first part of the consensus paper describes the clinical presentation of the primary tumor, its treatment, the importance and treatment of testicular intraepithelial neoplasia (TIN), histological classification, staging and prognostic factors, and treatment of stage I seminoma and non-seminoma. Conclusions: Whereas the vast majority of the recommendations made in 2004 remain valid 3 yr later, refinements in the treatment of early- and advanced-stage testicular cancer have emerged from clinical trials. Despite technical improvements, expert clinical skills will continue to be one of the major determinants for the prognosis of patients with germ cell cancer. In addition, the particular needs of testicular cancer survivors have been acknowledged. (C) 2007 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 13. |
- Krege, Susanne, et al.
(author)
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European consensus conference on diagnosis and treatment of germ cell cancer: A report of the second meeting of the European Germ Cell Cancer Consensus Group (EGCCCG): Part II
- 2008
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In: European Urology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-7560 .- 0302-2838. ; 53:3, s. 497-513
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: The first consensus report that had been presented by the European Germ Cell Cancer Consensus Group (EGCCCG) in 2004 has found widespread approval by many colleagues throughout the world. In November 2006, the group met a second time under the auspices of the Department of Urology of the Amsterdam Medical Center, The Netherlands. Methods: Medical oncologists, urologic surgeons, radiation oncologists as well as pathologists from several European countries reviewed and discussed the data that had emerged since the 2002 conference and incorporated the new data into updated and revised guidelines. As for the first meeting the methodology of evidence-based medicine (EBM) was applied. The results of the discussion were compiled by the writing committee. All participants have agreed to this final update. Results: The second part of the consensus paper includes the treatment of metastasised disease, residual tumour resection, salvage therapy, follow-up, and late toxicities. Conclusions: Whereas the vast majority of the recommendations made in 2004 remain valid 3 yr later, refinements in the treatment of early-stage as well as of advanced-stage testicular cancer have emerged from clinical trials. Despite technical improvements, expert clinical skills will continue to be one of the major determinants for the prognosis of patients with germ cell cancer. in addition, the particular needs of testicular cancer survivors have been acknowledged. (C) 2007 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 14. |
- Magalhaes, W. F., et al.
(author)
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Segmented worms (Phylum Annelida): a celebration of twenty years of progress through Zootaxa and call for action on the taxonomic work that remains
- 2021
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In: Zootaxa. - : Magnolia Press. - 1175-5326 .- 1175-5334. ; 4979:1, s. 190-211
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Zootaxa has been the leading journal on invertebrate systematics especially within Annelida. Our current estimates indicate annelids include approximately 20,200 valid species of polychaetes, oligochaetes, leeches, sipunculans and echiurans. We include herein the impact of Zootaxa on the description of new annelid species in the last two decades. Since 2001, there have been over 1,300 new annelid taxa published in about 630 papers. The majority of these are polychaetes (921 new species and 40 new genera) followed by oligochaetes (308 new species and 10 new genera) and leeches (21 new species). The numerous papers dealing with new polychaete species have provided us a clear picture on which polychaete families have had the most taxonomic effort and which authors and countries have been the most prolific of descriptions of new taxa. An estimated additional 10,000+ species remain to be described in the phylum, thus we urge annelid workers to continue their efforts and aid in training a new generation of taxonomists focused on this ecologically important group.
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| 15. |
- Namer, B., et al.
(author)
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Differential sensitization of silent nociceptors to low pH stimulation by prostaglandin E2 in human volunteers
- 2015
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In: European Journal of Pain. - : Wiley. - 1090-3801 .- 1532-2149. ; 19:2, s. 159-166
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundInflammatory mediators activate and sensitize nociceptors. Tissue acidosis with low pH of 5.5 often accompanies inflammation and could enhance inflammatory pain and sensitization. MethodsAction potentials from single mechano-responsive (CM) and mechano-insensitive (CMi) C-nociceptors of cutaneous fascicles of the peroneal nerve in healthy volunteers were recorded by microneurography. Low pH solutions with and without prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were injected twice (with an interval of approximately 5min) into two spots of the receptive fields of C-fibres. Heat thresholds of the C-fibres were obtained before and after each injection. ResultsInjections of the low pH solutions immediately induced phasic responses in CM nociceptors, whereas CMi fibres responded after a delay of several seconds with a sustained response. More CMi fibres than CM fibres showed ongoing discharge after low pH injection, but the duration and intensity of the responses to the first low pH injection did not differ between them. Upon repetition, duration and intensity of the pH responses increased more than twofold in CMi fibres only. Furthermore, combined application of pH and PGE2 sensitized the response in CMi fibres only. In contrast, heat activation thresholds were sensitized by the combination of low pH and PGE2 in both fibre classes. ConclusionsOur results confirm nociceptor class independent heat sensitization by PGE2 which is probably mediated by transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 phosphorylation. However, prolonged and increased pain responses in humans upon low pH/PGE2 stimulation appear to be primarily dependent on CMi fibres, whereas CM nociceptors appear crucial for phasic responses.
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| 19. |
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| 23. |
- Coulson, S. J., et al.
(author)
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Introduction of invertebrates into the High Arctic via imported soils: the case of Barentsburg in the Svalbard
- 2013
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In: Biological Invasions. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1387-3547 .- 1573-1464. ; 15:1, s. 1-5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Forty six species of invertebrate were collected from the manure enriched imported soils below the abandoned cow sheds in the Russian mining town of Barentsburg, Svalbard. Of these, 11 (24 %) were new records for Svalbard, including Collembola, gamasid mites, Enchytraeidae and the first identified Lumbricidae. Many of the new records are species not frequently observed in the Arctic. It is hypothesized that these species arrived with the chernozem soils imported to Barentsburg for the greenhouses from central or southern European Russia, or with livestock. The observations presented here are the first records of human invertebrate introductions establishing in Svalbard outside of dwellings. It is not believed that the majority of new species records described present an immediate threat to the ecology of Svalbard but they may, especially Deuteraphorura variabilis, establish in the nutrient enriched floral communities beneath bird cliffs characteristic of Svalbard.
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| 24. |
- Coulson, S. J., et al.
(author)
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The invertebrate fauna of anthropogenic soils in the High-Arctic settlement of Barentsburg, Svalbard
- 2013
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In: Polar Research. - : Norwegian Polar Institute. - 0800-0395 .- 1751-8369. ; 32
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The terrestrial environment of the High Arctic consists of a mosaic of habitat types. In addition to the natural habitat diversity, various human-influenced types may occur. For the resident invertebrate fauna, these anthropogenic habitats may be either unusually favourable or detrimental. In the town of Barentsburg, Svalbard, soils were imported for the greenhouses from southern Russia. These soils were subsequently discarded outside the greenhouses and have become augmented with manure from the cowsheds. Both the greenhouse and the cowsheds are now derelict. This site represents an unusually nutrient-rich location with considerable development of organic soils, in stark contrast to the naturally forming organic soils in Svalbard, which are typically thin and nutrient poor. Few previous studies have examined the soil invertebrate communities of human-disturbed or -created habitats in the Arctic. In an often nutrient-poor terrestrial environment, it is unclear how the invertebrate fauna will react to such nutrient enhancement. In these soils, 46 species of invertebrates were determined. Eleven species have not been recorded from other habitats in Svalbard and are hence likely to have been introduced. The native species assemblage in the anthropogenic soils was not atypical for many natural sites in Svalbard. Despite the enriched organic soils and highly ameliorated winter temperature conditions, the soil invertebrate fauna biodiversity does not appear to be enhanced beyond the presence of certain probably introduced species.
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| 25. |
- Fransén, Erik, 1962-, et al.
(author)
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Computational modeling of activity dependent velocity changes in peripheral C-fibers
- 2011
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Initiation and propagation of action potentials along unmyelinated C-fibers are the first steps of the pain pathway. Propagation velocity and its fiber class-specific activity-dependent slowing (ADS) is intimately linked to fibre excitability. In chronic pain patients, ADS alterations have been suggested to reflect increased excitability, possibly underlying clinical pain. Due to their small diameter, peripheral axons of nociceptors in patients are not accessible for intraaxonal recordings of their ion channel properties. We have therefore constructed a model of a C-fibre to study the relationship between ion channel composition and velocity changes as well as excitability. Ion channels are modeled from data of DRG somata using a Hodgkin-Huxley formalism (Na currents: TTX-sensitive, Nav1.8, Nav1.9, K currents: Kdr, A-type, Kv7.3, non-specific cationic: HCN). Moreover, ion pumps (Na/K-ATPase) and concentrations of intra and extraaxonal sodium and potassium are also included. The geometry and temperature of the fibre represents a section of the superficial branch and the deeper parent and is represented by a multicompartmental structure where each compartment contains passive as well as ion channel and pump elements. Using parameter estimation techniques, we optimized ion channel and pump expression pattern such that basic electrophysiological characteristics of the action potential and its velocity matched the experimental data. Moreover, we have also replicated activity dependent slowing. In ongoing work, we extend optimization to also include recovery cycles. The model will be used to study hypothesis of the relationship between individual ion channel subtypes and axonal excitability related to pain, generating independent information on impact of selective neuronal targets.
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