Gamma-irradiated corn samples in the range 0.1-2.0 kGy dose range were studied by the EPR technique. The signal consists of one structureless line with a width of 0.82 +/- 0.02 mT and a g-factor of 2.004 +/- 0.002. The intensity of this line shows a linear dependence in this dose range. The corn samples were ground prior to irradiation. Before grinding the samples did not show any EPR signal. After grinding they present a free radical EPR line with the same characteristics as that produced by the gamma rays. The stability of these centers as a function of the temperature and time after irradiation was investigated. Analysis of these results suggest the presence of only one type of radical produced by both the mechanical and irradiation processes.

Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The covalent interaction of C3 with IgG immune complexes.

Antigens (Ags) are converted into immune complexes (antigen-antibody complexes, IC) as soon as they encounter their specific antibodies (Abs). In fluids containing complement, the process of IC formation and fixation of complement components occur simultaneously. Hence, the formation of Ag-Ab-complement complexes is the normal way of eliminating Ags from a host. C3b-C3b-IgG covalent complexes are immediately formed on interaction of serum C3 with IgG-IC. These C3b-C3b dimers constitute the core for the assembly of C3/C5-convertase on the IC, which are subsequently converted into iC3b-iC3b-IgG by the complement regulators. These complexes are detected on SDS-PAGE by two bands of molecular composition, C3alpha65-C3alpha43 (band A) and C3alpha65-heavy chain of the Ab (band B), which correspond to C3b-C3b and C3b-IgG covalent interaction respectively, and that identify opsonized IC (C3b-IC). C3b can attach to Fab and Fc regions of the Ab molecule with similar efficiency. The presence of multiple C3b binding regions on IgG is considered an advantageous characteristic that facilitates the elimination of Ags in the form of C3b(n)-IC. Ab molecules on the IC recognize the Ag, and also serve as a very good acceptor for C3b binding. In this way, Ags, even if they have no acceptor sites for C3b, can be efficiently processed and removed. When C3 is activated in serum by IC or other activators, secondary C3b-IgG covalent complexes are generated, with bystander monomeric circulating IgG, and thus constitute, physiological products of complement activation. These complexes gain importance when IgG concentration is extremely high as in cases of infusion of intravenous IgG (IVIG) in several pathologies. The covalent attachment of activated complement C3 (C3b, iC3b, C3 d,g) to Ags or IC links innate and adaptative immunity by targeting Ags to different cells of the immune system (follicular dendritic cells, phagocytes, B cells). Hence C3b marks Ags definitively, from the earliest contact with the innate immune system until their complete elimination from the host.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of irradiation dose, storage time and temperature on the ESR signal in irradiated oat, corn and wheat.

Results obtained for electron-irradiated oat, corn and wheat kernels are discussed. The applied irradiation doses were up to 160 kGy. For doses up to approx. 50 kGy the number of free radicals produced by the irradiation is linear with the absorbed dose; moreover, the decay at room temperature in the dark or in the presence of light is quite similar. These facts point to the possible use of these kernels as dosimeters. An analysis of the free radical decay as a function of time and temperature shows the contribution of at least three types of radicals, whose half-lifes, radiochemical yields and activation energies are given.

Avena↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Immunohistochemical modifications of "B cells" in experimentally-induced pancreatic cancer--correlation with serum insulin values.

In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma induced in the Syrian hamster by N-nitrosobis (2-oxopropyl) amine (Bop) B cells persisted with focal dispersion in the tumor zone. The localization of these varied depending on whether the animals had initial or long standing tumors. In the animals with initial tumors, immunohistochemical techniques indicated the B cells formed part of the tumoral glands and/or were intimately related to the cells of the walls of the tumor glands or present in the stroma. Insulin values were high in these animals. In the longer-developed tumors, insulin levels tended to be lower and although B cells were seen forming part of the tumor glands, those in the tumoral stroma were predominant.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Modifications in CA 19-9 serum levels in BOP receiving hamsters treated with nicotinamide.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Social perception of biotechnology: a new tool for decision making].

The increase in critical opinions of scientific and technological development in advanced societies has led to the development of studies examining the links between science, technology and society. Among these studies are those on public perception, a particularly topical issue being the perception of biotechnology. There has been considerable European activity in this area of reflection and research, as evidenced by the wide range of initiatives at European Union and member state level. Some special instruments, such as the consensus conferences which began in Scandinavian countries, are now being applied in various EU countries. In Spain several public bodies and foundations are involved in a growing number of activities in this field. Biotechnology has become a particularly interesting research area for promoting new conditions for analysis of the social and economic repercussions of advances in science and technology. The study of the social perception of biotechnology is a crucial instrument for policy design and management and hence a methodological review is warranted.

Biotechnology↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Hematoma of the anterior rectus abdominis muscle as the first manifestation of lymphoproliferative disease after renal transplantation].

Rectus sheath hematoma results from the rupture of rectus muscle vessels by trauma, coagulation disorders or anticoagulant therapy, but it can occur spontaneously too. Its prognosis is good. On the other hand, posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) are serious and potentially fatal complications in transplant recipients. Patients with PTLD have a mononucleosis-like syndrome or develop extranodal masses which involve various organs. We report the case of a renal transplant recipient who develop a rectus sheath hematoma as the first clinical feature of PTLD.

Hematoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Factors associated with reported vaccination coverage in early infancy: results of a telephone survey].

BACKGROUND: Barcelona's Continuing Immunization Plan affords the possibility Of monitoring the immunization coverage of the population by means of the voluntary family postal notification system. Prior studies have revealed that some families fail to provide notification while being correctly vaccinated, which can lead to actual coverage being underestimated. The objectives of this study are to estimate the early childhood immunization coverage of the population and to ascertain the factors associated with failure to provide notification of immunization. METHODS: A phone survey was conducted on a sample of 500 children regarding whom there was no record of any notification of the first three childhood vaccine doses (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and oral polio), in addition to a sample of 500 children who were on record as having been immunized. To estimate the actual immunization coverage, all children were considered to have been properly immunized when their family members did provide notification. As regards those who failed to reply, it was considered in the worst of cases that these were cases of children who had not be immunized. In the best of cases scenario, a coverage similar to those of the responses was assumed. RESULTS: The response to the questionnaire was higher among those who had previously provided notification of immunization by way of the postal notification system (79.1%) than among those who had failed to provide notification of immunization (67%). The leading factors associated with failure to report immunization status were the size of the families, the use of private health care services and the place of birth of the parents. Solely six (6) cases of those who had failed to report immunization admitted to not having immunized their children, totaling 1.9% of the responses. The immunization coverage of the population in question would total 99.7% in the best of cases and 93.7% in the worst of cases scenario. CONCLUSIONS: Immunization coverage of the population in question is quite high. The results underline the importance of promoting immunization notification among health care professionals, especially in the private sector.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[An in vitro study of the mechanism by which captopril attenuates myocardial reperfusion damage].

The purpose of this study was to establish the molecular mechanism whereby captopril prevents the formation of active oxygen species, since many studies have provided evidence that postischemic myocardial dysfunction is mediated, at least in part, by the generation of these agents. Results indicate that captopril is a potent inhibitor of certain reactions mediated by O2-. However, this interference of captopril was not understood as an scavenging activity against the free radicals generated. The data could be explained by considering a direct interaction of captopril with the metal ions present that catalyse the formation of O2-. This mechanism could be of biological relevance.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Electron paramagnetic resonance of the mitochondrial respiratory chain in the presence of phenazine methosulfate.

The EPR spectra of phenazine methosulfate (PMS) generated under different conditions, as reduction or excitation with light were studied. In addition, results show the EPR spectra of reduced-submitochondrial particles and reduced-submitochondrial particles in the presence of PMS. Combined systems of this last type have been repeatedly utilized in EPR studies. This work proves that such systems give rise to characteristic signals around g = 2, which behaviour reflects the presence of particular prosthetic groups of the respiratory chain combined with the reduced dye. The consequences of these findings are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Follow-up of infants with birth weight under 1,500 g].

A prospective study of 199 children with birth weight less than 1,500 g was done. 86 boys and 113 girls, 141 (71%) adequate for gestational age and 58 (29%) small for gestational age. At follow-up 43 (21.6%) infants were lost to control, 17 (7%) moved to other places and 7 (3.5%) died in the first year of life. In the first year of life, infants whose birthweights were adequate for gestational age had been hospitalized more frequently and the small for dates showed higher percentage of undernutrition. After the second year of life, it was possible to know the impairment. It was found 7.4% of cerebral palsy, 2.9% of hipoacusia and 2.2% of retinopathy of prematurity, these diagnosis were most frequent in children that were adequate for gestational age. We concluded that small for dates infants are at risk of undernutrition and that those adequate for gestational age are at risk of permanent sequelae.

Birth Weight↗

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[Neurologic development in children with birth weight under 1,000 grams].

A follow up study of 27 children with birth weight less than 1,000 g was done. Their mean birth weight was 881.2 g +/- 102.2 g and gestational age 27.2 +/- 1.8 weeks. One child died at four months of age and four children were lost to follow up. Twenty two patients were followed for 43.6 months, range 2 to 6 years. At follow up seven children (31.8%) showed evidence of neurologic sequelae, six with spastic signs and one with cicatricial retrolental fibroplasia. All children with neurological sequelae had evidence of intracranial hemorrhage. Fifteen of 22 children under effective follow up are apparently normal.

Birth Weight↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hospital costs by clinical parameters for peripheral vascular surgical DRGs.

Health care in America has entered a new era. Administrators and U.S. physicians have begun to examine cost more extensively than before. Our study strived to examine whether clinical parameters existed by which we could predict cost per DRG for peripheral vascular surgery patients. We examined all peripheral vascular surgical admissions (N = 1,169) to our academic medical center from 1/1/85-12/31/86. Patients were separated within DRGs by four clinical variables as follows: emergency room admission, surgical intensive care unit admission (ICU), infusion of plasma product or blood transfusion of a patient. The four clinical variables predicted differences per patient in hospital cost per DRG, a poorer outcome and also potential financial risk to the medical center. Within each DRG, each of these variables (either alone or in combination) predicted higher patient cost. For the ICU identifier, 88.6% of the patients who had a positive identifier had higher costs than patients in the same DRG who were not ICU admissions, for emergency admission, 81.4% of patients, and for both the transfusion (infusion of blood) and the plasma products identifier (infusion of blood products), 100% of patients. We believe that peripheral vascular surgical DRGs may be stratified by cost and outcome by these clinical variables during the patient's hospitalization. Surgeons and administrators may be able to use this methodology to segment those higher cost patients and concentrate efforts of cost containment for these groups.

Blood Transfusion↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Experimental pancreatic adenocarcinoma: an immunohistochemical study for CA 19-9 and its correlation with serum levels.

Experimental pancreatic carcinoma induced in Golden Syrian Hamsters by subcutaneous injections of N-nitrosobis-(2-oxopropyl) amine (BOP) was studied during the different phases of its development by determination of serum CA 19-9 levels and tissue labeling with CA 19-9 TM. Significant differences were observed in the CA 19-9 values between the controls and animals with carcinoma (p less than 0.01) and between the latter and animals with cystic or cystic papillary lesions (p less than 0.01). Distribution of the deposits of CA 19-9 TM was different in the initial tumoral lesions and in the longer-developed tumors. An important correlation was observed between tissue deposits and serum levels of this tumor marker.

Adenocarcinoma↗