009, p=0 926) As for its latency, we found no significant main e

009, p=0.926). As for its latency, we found no significant main effects of the illuminance (F(1,20)=0.031, p=0.861) and color–temperature (F(1,20)=0.226, p=0.639). There was no significant interaction between these factors in regard to the P2 latency

(F(1,20)=0.377, p=0.546). The N2 amplitude was not significantly modulated by the illuminance (F(1,20)=0.927, p=0.347) and color–temperature (F(1,20)=0.119, p=0.734). There was no significant interaction between these factors in regard to the N2 amplitude (F(1,20)=2.532, p=0.127). As for its latency, we observed no significant main effects of the illuminance (F(1,20)=3.371, p=0.081) and color–temperature (F(1,20)=3.681, p=0.069). There was no significant interaction between selleck screening library these factors in regard to the N2 Ixazomib latency (F(1,20)=0.534, p=0.473). Furthermore, we observed a tonic alpha activity around the parietal region, during the sustained attention (Fig. 2), and the mean value of prestimulus parietal EEG alpha power was significantly modulated by the illuminance (F(1,20)=16.300, p<0.005; bright: 3.974 μV2, dark: 4.748 μV2) and color–temperature factors (F(1,20)=4.727, p<0.05; warm:

4.583 μV2, cool: 4.139 μV2). These effects in power were still valid without adjustment for individual alpha frequency (IAF). These results imply that the higher condition may be more influential to yield significantly lower parietal ALOX15 EEG alpha power than the color–temperature

condition. Although the parietal alpha activity was most reduced under the higher color–temperature and higher illumination condition ( Figs. 1L and 2), there was no significant interaction between the color–temperature and the illuminance (F(1,20)=2.610, p=0.122). We found that both ERP components and EEG alpha activity were significantly modulated, depending on the illumination condition during the sustained attention task. Since we observed the illuminance affecting the early ERP component N1, the degree of brightness seems to be an influential factor in the early information processing, as compared with the color–temperature. Although previous studies proposed a significant relation between attention and P1/N1 components (Luck et al., 1990), at least under the present sustained attention task, we observed the dissociative modulation between P1 and N1 by the illumination factor. In addition, the late ERP components such as P2 and N2 showed no significant changes in relation to the background lighting conditions. Since the early ERP components are more influenced by bottom–up sensory factors than are the later ERP components, which reflect rather top-down cognitive processing (Skrandies, 1984 and Zani and Proverbio, 1995), the illuminance appears to be much closer to a physical factor modulating our early visual processing.

Water, bile, enzymes, and mucous contribute to the change in cons

Water, bile, enzymes, and mucous contribute to the change in consistency. Once the nutrients have been absorbed and the leftover-food residue liquid has passed through the small intestine, it then moves onto the large intestine for expulsion. Lastly bile toxicity has been related to apoptosis and necrosis, not bacteria infection which has been demonstrated in several studies. The absence of buy EPZ015666 evidence of disease transmission to other reef organisms is promising for field testing.

The doses of oxbile required to kill A. planci, concentration 4 g l−1 at 10 ml volume (single injection) are very low compared to doses used when injecting sodium bisulfate, 140 g l−1 concentration at 60 ml volumes (multiple injections) ( Kayal etal., 2011). The amount of oxbile Atezolizumab injected is only 0.04 mg/sea star which is distributed in A. planci tissues and it will be attacked, englobed and partially degraded by the sea star immune cells and expelled through the water vascular system as part of the regular functions of the immune system. More importantly, many bacteria are capable of transforming and degrading bile in the digestive tract and in the environment ( Hofmann

and Hagey, 2008 and Bodo, 2011). Bacterial bile salt transformation and degradation is of high ecological relevance and also essential for the biotechnological production of steroid drugs (Bodo, 2011). Thus, A. planci remains containing bile salts will be constantly degraded by different mechanisms. Normally, considerable amount of bile salts is released into the environment Carbohydrate with faeces and urine of

vertebrates. Bile salts cholate, glycocholate, deoxycholate and glycodeoxycholate are also produced and degraded by marine bacteria ( Bode et al., 2003, Maneerat et al., 2005 and Kim et al., 2007). Moreover, aerobic bacteria are able to grow with bile salts as sole source of carbon and energy. For energy conservation, these bacteria oxidase steroid compounds completely to CO2. In the water column, petromyzonol sulfate which is the major bile salt in sea lampreys is subject to microbial degradation ( Hagey et al., 2010). On the GBR, eradication of outbreaks populations of A. planci are predicted to reverse the current trend of declining coral cover ( De’ath et al., 2012). The low doses (concentration and volume) and limited risk of unintended casualties make oxbile and oxgall good candidates for field testing as a novel control method for A. planci. This new approach, coupled with strategic measures to improve water quality, could mitigate the effects of A. planci on coral communities and enable gradual recovery of coral assemblages and reef ecosystems. “
“The authors wish to correct the accidental omission of three of the author names from their poster abstract printed in J Am Med Dir Assoc 2013;14:B17-B18. The Author line should be corrected to: “Author(s): Renee M.

For this last reason, the energy efficiencies of these processes

For this last reason, the energy efficiencies of these processes (RH and rH) are always greater than the corresponding quantum yields (ΦH and qH), that is, normally RH > ΦH and rH > qH. To calculate the energy efficiencies of heat production (RH and rH), we used the efficiencies, calculated earlier,

of the other two accompanying processes, i.e. chlorophyll a fluorescence (Rfl and rfl) and photosynthesis (Rph and rph) and the budget (13), (14), (15) and (16) given in the Introduction. In order to characterize the different quantum yields and energy efficiencies of all three processes in which the excited states of phytoplankton pigment molecules are deactivated, the

vertical profiles of these yields/efficiencies were modelled in sea waters of 11 trophic types (see Annex 2), in three climatic Selleckchem AZD8055 zones (tropical, temperate, polar) and in two seasons of the year (June – summer in the northern hemisphere and January – winter in the northern hemisphere). The model calculations of these yields/efficiencies were limited to oceanic Case 1 waters, according to the optical classification of Morel & Prieur (1977), which applies to more than 90% of the volume of the World Ocean. The three climatic zones of the ocean were represented by Epacadostat mouse waters adjoining the relevant latitudes in the northern hemisphere: tropical (0–10°N), temperate Tryptophan synthase (ca 40°N) and polar (ca 60°N). The input data for these

model calculations made for different depths in the sea z (representing the fundamental variable) were: • surface concentration of chlorophyll a Ca(0), expressed in [mg chla m− 3], The surface layer temperatures temp and surface irradiances PAR(0) were based on the geographical distributions and seasonal variations of these parameters, as given by Timofeyev (1983) and Gershanovich & Muromtsev (1982). The surface irradiances PAR(0), expressed as the surface density of a stream of light quanta in [μEin m− 2 s− 1], were calculated from the overall daily doses, given by those authors, of the energy of downward solar irradiance at the sea surface < ηday > month and the day length td  2. The specifications of these data are given in Table 2. The values of the optical depth in the sea τ(z) [dimensionless], which were used directly to calculate the PAR(z) irradiance and the yields/efficiencies of the three processes, were determined on the basis of the algorithm presented in Woźniak et al. (2003). They were worked out from a statistical model of the vertical distributions of chlorophyll a concentrations at particular depths in the sea Ca(z) in stratified oceanic basins ( Woźniak et al. 1992).

The increase in g with every next developmental stage is not obse

The increase in g with every next developmental stage is not observed, and g assumes the highest values for the younger copepodids (C1–C3). The increase in g with temperature in the 5–15°C range is explicit. But for temperatures above 15°C, there is a slight decrease in g according to the parabolic threshold function ft2. In the present work,

the calculated gmax of T. longicornisKB for three stages (naupliar, early and older copepodid) were 0.128, 0.22 and 0.172 day−1 at 5°C, 0.192, 0.332 and 0.259 day−1 at 10°C, 0.291, 0.512 and 0.392 day−1 at 15°C, and 0.271, 0.468 and 0.365 day−1 at 20°C respectively. The growth rate rose with increasing food concentration for all periods of development. For example, in the larger copepodid stages (C3–C5) at 12.5°C, the computed g of T. longicornisKB was 0.094 day−1 PLX4032 datasheet at Food = 25 mgC m−3, 0.122 day−1 at Food = 50 mgC m−3, 0.169 day−1 at Food = 100 mgC m−3, 0.293 day−1 at Food = 200 mgC m−3 and 0.378 day−1

at Food = 500 mgC m−3. However, for Food < 250 mgC m−3, the influence of temperature on growth rate at all stages declined with decreasing food concentration. The changes in the growth rate with variations in temperature and food concentration were more pronounced at high temperatures (> 10°C) and lower food Ku-0059436 mw levels (< 250 mgC m−3). The curves ran almost parallel, and the differences between the curves at low food levels (< 50 mgC m−3) were only slight. The growth rates of T. longicornisH for three developmental stages and the regression equations for these data were obtained using the results given by Harris & Paffenhöfer (1976a) at 12.5°C in the 25–200 mgC m−3 range of food concentration (see Figure 4b). The increase in g with rising food concentration was explicit but was not observed with increasing developmental Dichloromethane dehalogenase stage. The value of gmax (for Food = 200 mgC m−3) of T. longicornisH for the younger copepodids was the highest (0.43 day−1) and it was around twice

as high as that for nauplii, ca 1.3 times as high as that for the older copepodids and ca four times as high as that for adults. However, the value of gmax (for Food = 200 mgC m−3) of T. longicornisKB for the younger copepodids was also the highest (0.374 day−1) and it was ca 1.71 as high as that for nauplii, ca 1.33 times as high as that for the older copepodids. The differences in g of T. longicornisH between the stages increased with declining food level, unlike T. longicornisKB for which this drop was considerable. Several interactions of broad biological and ecological significance were found in the present study. The authors have made an attempt to formulate some general statements about growth processes in Temora longicornis by integrating the experimental data of Klein Breteler et al., 1982 and Klein Breteler and Gonzalez, 1986 with those in papers of Harris and Paffenhöfer, 1976a and Harris and Paffenhöfer, 1976b. The values of D computed here for T.

7 g/100 g; moisture: 12 5 g/100 g) was used as the film-forming c

7 g/100 g; moisture: 12.5 g/100 g) was used as the film-forming component to provide a continuous

matrix of films. Glycerol (Synth, Brazil) and natural -Na montmorillonite clay (commercial product Argel T, used as received, without purification, Bentonit União, Brazil) were used as plasticizer and reinforcement filler, respectively. Cinnamon essential oil (Ferquima, Brazil) with 82.5 g/100 g of cinnamaldehyde and clove essential oil (Ferquima, Brazil) with 75.0 g/100 g of eugenol were used as antimicrobial agents. Sucrose ester of fatty acids was used as emulsifier, specific for oil/water emulsion, in order to incorporate the cinnamon essential oil into the films (commercial name: SP70, Sisterna, Brazil). Buparlisib ic50 Distilled water and ethanol (Synth, Brazil) were used as solvents of the filmogenic solutions. Penicillium commune and Eurotium amstelodami were obtained in a lyophilized form (André Tosello Foundation, Brazil). All growth experiments were carried out on a medium for fungi prepared with Czapek Dox (Difco, USA) and agar Nivolumab in vivo (Synth, Brazil). The films were produced by casting

technique, using the methodology and optimum contents of cassava starch, glycerol and clay nanoparticles proposed by Souza et al. (2012). The filmogenic solution was prepared according to the following procedure: firstly, 0.1 g of clay nanoparticles were suspended in 25 g of distilled water for 1 h, under stirring (500 rpm), and, after rest for 24 h, they were blended with a suspension of 5.0 g of starch and

70 g Org 27569 of distilled water. After that, cinnamon essential oil (0.40 g, 0.60 g or 0.80 g) was mixed with emulsifier (0.010 g, 0.015 g or 0.020 g), correspondent to 0.025 for emulsifier content/essential oil content proportion; and glycerol (0.75 g, 1.13 g or 1.50 g) at (38 ± 2) °C, correspondent to 1.88 for glycerol content/essential oil content proportion, using a magnetic stirrer (200 rpm). Both mixtures prepared were then homogenized and heated in a domestic microwave oven (Panasonic, model Family Plus, Brazil) until starch gelatinization, which occurs at (69 ± 2) °C. After cooling, the filmogenic solution was diluted with 14.25 g of ethanol, and, for each formulation, a specific content of filmogenic solution was poured onto rectangular plates (97.5 cm2 of area) of polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon®) to obtain a constant thickness of (100 ± 10) μm, followed by drying at (35 ± 2) °C for approximately (18–24) h, in a conventional chamber dryer with forced air circulation (Nova Ética, series N480, Brazil). The quantities of glycerol, emulsifier and cinnamon essential oil were defined according preliminary tests and based on previous work (Souza et al., 2012), taking into account the maximum levels of cinnamon essential oil which could be incorporated into the matrix without oil phase separation during film drying.

This feature may be effective because it facilitates communicatio

This feature may be effective because it facilitates communication and overcomes some language, culture and literacy barriers due to its graphic nature [52]. As mentioned earlier, DSME interventions have proven to be generally effective; however, the proportion of intervention studies that report positive effects for HbA1c, anthropometrics, physical activity, and diet was less than one-third in our review. Perhaps the features used in these interventions are somewhat traditional that worked well in mainstream population, which may not benefit women from high-risk ethnic groups living with DM. For instance, selleck products intervention features that address broader community issues (e.g., cultural

group cohesion and social support) may be more beneficial on outcomes than the more traditional features (e.g., written educational resources, didactic teaching styles). Cultural appropriateness of an intervention is advanced when “surface structures” such as language tailoring Selleck Ku 0059436 of brochures

is supplemented with “deep structures” such as addressing cultural history, values, and norms [53]. Intervention data available for this review largely focuses on these aforementioned “surface structures” and only some data were available on “deep structure” features (i.e., individualized assessment, needs assessment, cultural tailoring). Future research needs to assess the effectiveness of both surface and deeper structures within DSME programming for women from high-risk ethnic groups living with DM. Research on gender differences within ethno-cultural populations is important given the potential impact of gender roles, cultural norms, beliefs and values on women and their health management. not We advocate that future program evaluations include a gender-based analysis, which will provide valuable information to better tailor and deliver services to a growing population of individuals at greater risk for diabetes and its complications. The heterogeneity

in study populations, interventions, and measurements of health outcomes limited our ability to conduct a meta-analysis. Thus our calculation is based on rate differences and not the effect size. The handful of studies (n = 13) that fit our criteria limited our ability to stratify our analysis by cultural group. Generally, searching for gender-specific information was challenging, as most DSME interventions are delivered and evaluated for both men and women without a gender-based analysis or stratification. We acknowledge that the populations we aggregated have different cultural values, beliefs, and experiences. However, these groups of women living with diabetes may have some parallel self-management experiences, given that they may share social similarities because of their gender and ethno-cultural experiences, which may influence the self-management processes.

During the 1990s, ultrasound image guidance and computer treatmen

During the 1990s, ultrasound image guidance and computer treatment planning technology evolved, clinical experience find more accumulated, and outcomes of HDR prostate brachytherapy began to be reported. The clinical rationale for HDR monotherapy for prostate cancer was derived from organ-specific treatments such as radical prostatectomy and permanent seed monotherapy. Recognition of the technical capabilities of HDR to reliably treat the prostate (and seminal vesicles) with a margin of surrounding tissue and to simultaneously control the dose to adjacent normal tissues led to the development of HDR prostate monotherapy clinical trials, which were initiated in the mid-1990s at WBH and CET for

low- and intermediate-risk

groups, and in Osaka, Japan for all risk groups [9], [10] and [11]. HDR brachytherapy and improvements in EBRT evolved simultaneously. Conformal EBRT and intensity modulated radiation therapy are two technologies, which allow physicians to deliver higher total doses and achieve better tumor control rates. However, three major drawbacks of conformal EBRT or intensity modulated radiation therapy are day-to-day variations in internal anatomy secondary to organ motion (interfraction motion), organ deformation and other variations in internal anatomy during radiation therapy delivery (intrafraction motion), and daily setup inaccuracies (setup errors). To overcome these limitations, Torin 1 molecular weight HDR brachytherapy was identified as a potentially advantageous vehicle for dose-escalation. HDR technology combines a number of favorable qualities of brachytherapy with the sophisticated treatment planning developed for EBRT. HDR brachytherapy procedures are performed under general or spinal anesthesia, are usually done through a perineal template guide, Erastin cell line and use ultrasound guidance

similar to low-dose-rate (LDR) permanent seed implants. Organ motion and setup inaccuracies are not an issue with HDR either because they do not occur, or because they can be corrected with interactive online dosimetry during the procedure, or modified during simulation and treatment planning before dose delivery. There is no need to add treatment volume (margins) beyond the intended target to account for patient motion or variations in beam delivery. Common problems associated with permanent seeds implants such as discrepancy between planned and actual seeds distribution, inability to correct seeds position or to optimize the dose delivered once the seeds are in place, and operator dependency are relatively low in HDR brachytherapy, particularly with the introduction of intraoperative online HDR treatment planning and delivery [12] and [13]. 1. HDR catheters are relatively easy to visualize with transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), and they can be safely implanted outside the prostate capsule and into the seminal vesicles without the risk of seed migration.

In a previous study, we constructed a Tn5-tagged PXO99A mutant li

In a previous study, we constructed a Tn5-tagged PXO99A mutant library, consisting of 24,192 Xoo transformants (clones), with a six times coverage of the PXO99A genome [11]. In an attempt to identify major virulence genes in PXO99A, we screened the library and isolated mutants with reduced virulence. Here, we reported the isolation and characterization of a hrcQ-Tn5-insertion mutant PXM69 with

no virulence in host rice and no ability to elicit HR in non-host tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana). We found that reintroduction of the hrcQ gene could only partially complement the loss of pathogenic function in PXM69. Xoo strains used in this study were PXO99A (wild-type) and its

mutants such as PXM69. Escherichia coli strain DH5α was used www.selleckchem.com/products/17-AAG(Geldanamycin).html in constructing plasmids for marker exchange mutagenesis. Xoo strains were grown at 28 °C on TSA ABT-263 molecular weight medium (tryptone, 10 g L− 1; sucrose, 10 g L− 1; glutamic acid, 1 g L− 1; and agar, 15 g L− 1; pH 6.8–7.0) or NB medium (peptone, 5 g L− 1; yeast extract, 1 g L− 1; sucrose, 10 g L− 1; and beef extract, 3 g L− 1; pH 6.8 − 7.0). The E. coli strain was grown at 37 °C in Lutia − Bertani medium (tryptone, 10 g L− 1; yeast extract, 5 g L− 1; and sodium chloride, 10 g L− 1; pH 6.8–7.0). The broad host-range vector pHM1 was used to produce complementary constructs. Antibiotics used in the study were ampicillin (Amp) 100 μg mL− 1, kanamycin (Km) 50 μg mL− 1, spectinomycin (Sp) 100 μg mL− 1, and rifampicin (Rf) 50 μg mL− 1. The indica rice cultivar JG30, highly susceptible to PXO99A, was planted

in the field or in a greenhouse reaching 28–32 °C in daylight hours. Inoculations were performed on the plants at the maximum tillering stage (40 to 50 days old) by the leaf-clipping method [12]. N. benthamiana Protein kinase N1 plants were grown in a growth cabinet under standard conditions (day and night temperatures of 25 °C and 20 °C, respectively), with 16 h light (30 to 40 μmol s− 1 m− 2) and 50%–60% humidity. Expanded leaves of 5- to 7-week-old plants were inoculated using a needleless syringe [10]. The pathogenicity of all Xoo strains was evaluated using the leaf-cutting method [12]. In the first round of screening for Tn5-insertion mutants, saturated cultures of Xoo strains grown in TSA medium were pelleted down and re-suspended in sterile distilled water (SDW) at an optical density of 1.0 at 600 nm (OD600 1.0). Scissors dipped in the inocula were used to clip fully expanded leaves of JG30. Disease symptoms were recorded two weeks after inoculation.

252++ln1+1−16ς0 52−2arctan(1−16ς0 25)+π4, equation(5o) ψh=2ln1+1−

252++ln1+1−16ς0.52−2arctan(1−16ς0.25)+π4, equation(5o) ψh=2ln1+1−16ς0.52. The conservation equation for heat reads: equation(6) ∂ρcpT∂t+W∂ρcpT∂z=∂∂zμeffρσeffT∂ρcpT∂z+Γsum+Γh, where T and cp are the temperature of sea water and the heat capacity (4200 J Kg− 1 K− 1), respectively, σeffT the turbulent Prandtl number Gefitinib cell line (set equal to one in the present version of the model), and Γsum and Γh the respective source terms associated with solar radiation in- and outflows. The source terms Γsum and Γh are given by equation(7a) Γsum=Fsw1−η1e−βD−z, equation(7b) Γh=ρcpQinTinΔVin−QoutToutΔVout, where Fws is the short-wave radiation through

the water surface, η1(= 0.4) the infrared fraction of short-wave radiation trapped in the surface

layer, β the bulk absorption coefficient of the water (0.3 m− 1), D the total depth, Tin and Tout the respective temperatures of the in- and outflowing water, and ΔVin and ΔVout the respective volumes of the grid cells at the in- and outflow levels. The Cyclopamine boundary condition at the surface for heat reads: equation(8a) Fnet=μeffρσeffT∂ρCpT∂z, equation(8b) Fnet=Fh+Fe+Fl+δFsw, where Fh is the sensible heat flux, Fe the latent heat flux, Fl the net longwave radiation and δFWs the short-wave radiation part absorbed in the surface layer. The conservation equation for salinity reads: equation(9a) ∂S∂t+W∂S∂z=∂∂zμeffρσeffS∂S∂z+ΓS, equation(9b) ΓS=QinSinΔVin−QoutSoutΔVout−QfSsurΔVsur, where ΓS is the source term associated with in- and outflows, σeffS the turbulent Schmidt number (equal to one), Qf the river discharge to the basin, Sin and Sout the salinity of the in- and outflowing water respectively, Ssur f the sea surface salinity, and ΔVsur the volume of the upper surface grid

cell. The boundary conditions at the surface for salinity (S) read: equation(10a) μeffρσeffS∂S∂z=Fsalt, equation(10 b) Fsalt=Ss(P−E),Fsalt=SsP−E, Teicoplanin where Fsalt is the salt flux associated with net precipitation, Ss the surface salinity and P the precipitation rate (calculated from given values). Evaporation (E) is calculated by the model as equation(10c) E=FeLeρo, where Fe is the latent heat flux, Le the latent heat of evaporation, and ρo the reference density of sea water (i.e. 103 kg m− 3). It should be noted that equation (10a) connects the water and heat balances. The vertical turbulent transports in the surface boundary layer are calculated using the well-known k-ε model (e.g. Burchard & Petersen 1999), a two-equation model of turbulence in which transport equations for the turbulent kinetic energy k and its dissipation rate ε are calculated. The transport equations for k and ε read: equation(11) ∂k∂t+W∂k∂z=∂∂zμeffρσk∂k∂z+Ps+Pb−ε, equation(12) ∂ε∂t+W∂ε∂z=∂∂zμeffρσε∂ε∂z+εkcε1Ps+cε3Pb−cε2ε, where Ps and Pb are the production/destruction due to shear and stratification respectively, σk (= 1) the Schmidt number for k, and σε (= 1.11) the Schmidt number for ε.

1A, B, D

and E) and confirmed by both BMD values (Fig  1J

1A, B, D

and E) and confirmed by both BMD values (Fig. 1J) and obtained structural histomorphometrical data (Table 1). Statistically significant differences were found between Sham and OVX groups for all structural parameters except for trabecular thickness, which was nevertheless GKT137831 clinical trial higher in that group. Eldecalcitol successfully rescued the bone loss seen after ovariectomy (Figs. 1C, F), with the treatment group showing histomorphometrical values similar to those of the Sham group (Table 1). Interestingly, there was no obvious difference among the groups with regards to ALP activity as evaluated by immunohistochemistry (Figs. 1G, H, and I). Osteoblastic and bone formation parameters were enhanced in the OVX group accompanied by increased bone resorption parameters (Table 1). However, femoral BMD increased after eldecalcitol treatment in OVX animals,

reaching values similar to those obtained from the Sham group (Fig. 1J). Histological analysis of semithin epoxy sections from eldecalcitol-treated specimens showed an ubiquitous presence of bone “buds” or “boutons” (Figs. 2A–C). The images unveiled a “budding” or “bouton” bone formation pattern characteristic of minimodeling, which is seen when new bone is deposited on previously quiescent selleck surfaces and therefore features smooth cement lines (Figs. 2A–C). Eldecalcitol-treated specimens revealed various bone buds labeled with continuous lines of tetracycline and calcein (Fig. 2A), covered by mature osteoblasts (Fig. 2C). Despite this uncommon pattern of bone formation characterized by the presence of smooth cement lines, assessment of mineralization by von Kossa’s staining ruled out the possibility of defects in mineralization (data not shown). Moreover, TEM imaging permitted

the visualization of mature osteoblasts lying on the bone “boutons” (Fig. 2D). Immunohistochemistry for ALP and PCNA demonstrated that preosteoblasts were proliferating less actively in the eldecalcitol group, when compared PLEKHM2 to the OVX group (Figs. 2E–G; OVX, 10.06 ± 3.84; Eldecalcitol, 3.59 ± 2.48; p < 0.005). Therefore, eldecalcitol appears to inhibit preosteoblastic proliferation, which may force osteoblast maturation. TRAP staining allowed for the identification of a higher number of osteoclasts in OVX samples when compared to Sham specimens (Figs. 3A–B). After eldecalcitol administration, there were less TRAP-positive osteoclasts (Fig. 3C), a finding verified by histomorphometrical analysis (Table 1). Highly magnified light microscopy images showed that eldecalcitol-treated specimens feature osteoclasts that appear to have an inactive, flattened morphology (compare Fig. 3D to E). TEM imaging consistently showed large active osteoclasts with well-developed ruffled borders in OVX specimens (Fig. 3F), while flattened, inactive osteoclasts with poorly developed ruffled borders were a regular finding in samples from eldecalcitol-treated rats (Fig. 3G).