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Epstein-Barr virus-infected B lymphoblastoid cell lines: dynamics of interferon and 2'5'-oligoadenylate synthetase activity.

Levels of 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (2'-5'OAS) activity measured in cell-free extracts of 23 Epstein-Barr virus transformed beta lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) were measured. Enzyme activity was low during stationary or log phase growth, and rapidly rose to peak values during log phase. Peak levels of 2'-5'OAS activity were characteristic for each LCL, and were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in lines derived from patients with infectious mononucleosis (IM) than in lines from healthy individuals. Peak 2'-5'OAS activity correlated with maximal titers of endogenous human interferon-alpha (HuIFN-alpha); (r = 0.80). Enzyme activity levels could be increased by treating LCLs with exogenous HuIFN-alpha, or decreased by neutralization of endogenous interferon with antibody to HuIFN-alpha. 2'-5'OAS activity always peaked during log-phase growth, even in cultures depleted of interferon by antibody and in cultures which did not produce interferon. Thus, although peak levels of 2'-5'OAS activity in a given LCL correlated with maximal interferon titers, the growth phase associated variations in enzyme activity were independent of interferon. We conclude that regulation of constitutive levels of 2'-5'OAS in LCLs is partially independent of interferon.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗

Self-inflicted burns: a sporadic phenomenon.

Self-inflicted burns are a regular cause of admission to burn units. Historically, a full moon has been associated with mental instability. Circadian rhythms and seasonal changes are known to influence human affect. Such cosmic effects, however, have not yet been studied for self-inflicted burns. In this regard, the results of a retrospective analysis of 184 self-inflicted burns admitted during a 20-year period to the Birmingham Burns Centre are presented. The analysis fails to show a connection between the timing of self-inflicted burns and cosmic events. Such incidents are random, not influenced by the day of the week, first or second half of the month, seasonal variation or phase of the lunar cycle.

Adolescent↗

Modeling of biodynamic responses distributed at the fingers and the palm of the human hand-arm system.

The objective of this study is to develop analytical models for simulating driving-point biodynamic responses distributed at the fingers and palm of the hand under vibration along the forearm direction (z(h)-axis). Two different clamp-like model structures are formulated to analyze the distributed responses at the fingers-handle and palm-handle interfaces, as opposed to the single driving point invariably considered in the reported models. The parameters of the proposed four- and five degrees-of-freedom models are identified through minimization of an rms error function of the model and measured responses under different hand actions, namely, fingers pull, push only, grip only, and combined push and grip. The results show that the responses predicted from both models agree reasonably well with the measured data in terms of distributed as well total impedance magnitude and phase. The variations in the identified model parameters under different hand actions are further discussed in view of the biological system behavior. The proposed models are considered to serve as useful tools for design and assessment of vibration isolation methods, and for developing a hand-arm simulator for vibration analysis of power tools.

Arm↗

Impact of social environment on female chimpanzee reproductive cycles.

The socio-sexual environment of a female is known to affect ovarian function. Increased male contact can enhance menstrual cycle regularity. Conversely, social deprivation constitutes a form of stress that often alters cyclicity and the secretion of reproductive hormones. The present study was carried out on captive female chimpanzees to examine possible interactions among housing conditions, menstrual cycle length, morphological changes in secondary sexual character expression and endocrine release patterns related to follicular and luteal function. Animals were housed over a period of 2 years either with a male conspecific or singly. Blood samples were collected over three cycles, and anogenital swelling changes registered to define menstrual cycle phases. Fecal sampling techniques were used to monitor cortisol as a measure of stress-load. Male presence seemed to affect female cyclicity. Females housed with a male had shorter and more regular cycles than singly housed females. Prolactin, gonadotropins and estradiol levels were generally higher in paired females during specific cycle phases. Group variation was not always significant. No differences were found in progesterone. Sexually cohabited females tended to have lower fecal cortisol metabolites immediately before and after maximum tumescence. We suggest that the close behavioral, physical and olfactory contact with a male conspecific can act as a sort of zeitgeber to modulate ovarian function by stabilizing the female cycle and, perhaps, enhancing folliculogenesis and ovulation.

Analysis of Variance↗

Metabolism of estrone sulfate in endometriotic tissue and in uterine endometrium in proliferative and secretory cycle phase.

The metabolism of [3H]estrone sulfate (E1S) into [3H]estrone (E1) and [3H]estradiol-17 beta (E2) was studied in samples of endometriotic tissue and uterine endometrium obtained simultaneously from 13 patients, 7 in the proliferative and 5 in the secretory cycle phase, and 1 menstruating. E1S was efficiently converted into E1 and E2 by both types of tissue. Total hydrolysis (formation of E1 + E2), as well as the specific formation of E2, was higher in uterine endometrium than in endometriotic tissue, especially in the proliferative phase. Cycle phase associated variations in E2 formation occurred in both tissues, but were statistically significant only for uterine endometrium. E2 formation and total hydrolysis were correlated in endometriotic tissue, but not in uterine endometrium, indicating certain differences in the regulation of estrogen metabolism.

Endometriosis↗

A one-dimensional model for the propagation of transient pressure waves through the lung.

The propagation of pressure waves in the lung has been investigated by many authors concerned with respiratory physiology, ultrasound medical techniques or thoracic impact injuries. In most of the theoretical studies, the lung has been modeled as an isotropic and homogeneous medium, and by using Hooke's constitutive law (see e.g. Ganesan et al. Respir. Physiol. 110 (1997) 19; Jahed et al. J. Appl. Physiol. 66 (1989) 2675; Grimal et al. C.R. Acad. Sci., Paris 329 (IIb) (2001) 655-662), or more elaborated material laws (see, e.g. Bush and Challener (Proceedings of the International Research Council on Biokinetics Impacts (IRCOBI), Bergish-gladbach, 1988); Stuhmiller et al. J. Trauma 28 (1988) S132; Yang and Wang, Finite element modeling of the human thorax. Web page: http://wwwils.nlm.nih.gov/research/visible/vhpconf98/AUTHORS/YANG/YANG.HTM.). The hypothesis of homogeneous medium may be inappropriate for certain problems. Because of its foam-like structure, the behavior of the lung-even if the air and the soft tissue are assumed to behave like linearly elastic materials-is susceptible to be frequency dependent. In the present study, the lung is viewed as a one-dimensional stack of air and soft tissue layers; wave propagation in such a stack can be investigated in an equivalent mass-spring chain (El-Raheb (J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 94 (1993) 172; Int. J. Solids Struct. 34 (1997) 2969), where the masses and springs, respectively, represent the alveolar walls and alveolar gas. Results are presented in the time and frequency domains. The frequency dependence (cutoff frequency, variations in phase velocity) of the lung model is found to be highly dependent on the mean alveolar size. We found that short pulses induced by high velocity impacts (bullet stopped by a bulletproof jacket) can be highly distorted during the propagation. The pressure differential between two alveoli is discussed as a possible injury criterion.

Computer Simulation↗

Ultrasonic tissue characterization with integrated backscatter during inotropic stimulation.

Ultrasonic tissue characterization with integrated backscatter is an objective method to quantitatively define the physical state of the myocardium. To determine if backscatter imaging during inotropic stimulation could be used objectively to determine the myocardial viability and ischemia in patients with ischemic heart disease, the backscatter changes were examined in 23 patients with myocardial infarction during dobutamine stress two-dimensional (2-D) echocardiography. Coronary angiography was performed within 1 to 2 days after the stress test. The results of this study demonstrated that changes in backscatter variability correlated significantly with the wall motion changes in stress echocardiography during dobutamine infusion (p < 0.0001). In addition, it was shown that the backscatter changes were significantly different in various types of myocardial tissue. In 23 healthy control segments, the ultrasonic backscatter variability was preserved and unchanged during inotropic stimulation (p = NS). In 15 viable infarct zones, restoration or an increase in backscatter variability during low-dose dobutamine infusion was noted, this being lost when ischemia developing during high-dose dobutamine infusion (p < 0.01). In 9 nonviable infarct zones, the phase-weighted variation was usually < or = 0 and did not change significantly during inotropic stimulation, regardless of the patency of the infarct-related arteries. In 15 remote ischemic myocardial zones, the backscatter variability was preserved at the baseline level, did not change during low-dose dobutamine infusion, but decreased significantly during high-dose dobutamine stress (p < 0.01). In conclusion, dobutamine stress tissue characterization could offer an objective approach for the detection of myocardial viability and ischemia, and might be a useful adjunct to the conventional stress echocardiography.

Cardiotonic Agents↗

Propagation of femtosecond light pulses through near-field optical aperture probes.

The propagation of femtosecond light pulses through near-field optical fiber tips has been modelled numerically in three spatial dimensions by means of the finite integration technique. Ideally conducting as well as real metallic coatings of the tip have been considered, and the influence of surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) on shape, spectrum, and amplitude of the light pulse in the near and far fields of the tip have been investigated in this way. Special attention has been devoted to the superluminal tunneling of light through the fiber tip. The variation of phase and group velocities along the fiber axis has been characterized for a number of real metals and for different tip angles. A maximum of both velocities in the near field of the tip is characteristic for coatings of finite conductivity. For some tip angles negative values of the phase and/or group velocities are observed, which are caused by the propagation of SPP on the outer surface of the coating and their conversion into photons. It is shown, that the excitation of SPP on the metallic coating leads to strongly altered spatial emission characteristics of the tip.

Journal Article↗

[Sleep polygraphy with recording of intracranial pressure and measure of cerebral blood volume in hydrocephalic infants (author's transl)].

This study was carried with the intention of explaining the causes of modifications in intracranial pressure (ICP) during paradoxical sleep (PS) in normal and hydrocephalic infants, and establishing relationships between these modifications and cerebral blood volume (CBV). All tests (conventional sleep polygraphy, ICP measured by a transducer on the fontanel, CBV measured by isotopic labelling of red blood cells in vivo) were carried out without use of surgical procedures. During paradoxical sleep there was a sustained wave of increased intracranial pressure lasting from 10 to 20 minutes, as well as phase-type variations lasting no longer than 1 minute. Increased ICP was also observed in the normal subjects. Recordings show that there is well-defined correlation between the sustained wave of high intracranial pressure and an increase in CBV.

Blood Volume↗

Novel non-acidic formulations of haloperidol complexed with beta-cyclodextrin derivatives.

Haloperidol (Hal), a highly hydrophobic drug, was complexed with two beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) derivatives. Hal solubility was increased 20-fold in the presence of a 10-fold excess of methyl beta-CD (Me beta-CD) and 12-fold in the presence of a 10-fold excess of 2-hydroxypropyl beta-CD (HP beta-CD). The stoichiometries and stability constants of Hal-Me beta-CD (1:1 and 2345 M-1 at 27 degrees C) and Hal-HP beta-CD (1:1 and 2112 M-1 at 27 degrees C) complexes were calculated by the continuous variation and phase solubility methods respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry and 1H-NMR were used to confirm the formation of inclusion complexes. Moreover, the enthalpy and entropy of the complexation process were calculated for both complexes in order to obtain such information as the main 'driving force' and whether or not complex formation is thermodynamically favoured. This was achieved by monitoring the isothermic solubility lines at various temperatures.

Anti-Dyskinesia Agents↗

Amino acid-derived heterocycles as combinatorial library targets: bicyclic aminal lactones.

The incorporation of alpha-amino acids into heterocyclic structures is an effective strategy for generating peptidomimetics and combinatorial library scaffolds. This report describes the synthesis of novel bicyclic aminal lactones 3 by base-catalyzed cyclization of N-(2-oxoalkyl)-dipeptide esters 8. Assembly of the acyclic precursor 8 can be carried out on solid phase, with variation at four positions; cyclative release ensures high product purity in the final step. Cyclization affords the exo isomer stereospecifically when one chiral center is present in the precursor, or when both amino acids have the same configuration.

Alkylation↗

Comparison of experimental methods for measuring infinite dilution volatilities of aroma compounds in water/ethanol mixtures.

Several experimental methodologies exist for measuring volatilities; however, results show great dispersion and sometimes lack of agreement between different methods. The aim of our study was to compare the performance of three static headspace methods (vapor phase calibration, VPC; phase ratio variation, PRV; and liquid calibration static headspace, LC-SH) for determining gas/liquid partition coefficients of two aroma compounds in hydroalcoholic multicomponent solutions at infinite dilution. Comparison with literature data based on static and dynamic methods showed that PRV is simpler than VPC and LC-SH and that VPC and PRV are more accurate than LC-SH, which presented a significant bias (50% lower values).

Alcoholic Beverages↗

Molecular dynamics simulations of the melting of aluminum nanoparticles.

Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to determine the melting points of aluminum nanoparticles of 55-1000 atoms with the Streitz-Mintmire [Phys. Rev. B 1994, 50, 11996] variable-charge electrostatic plus potential. The melting of the nanoparticles is characterized by studying the temperature dependence of the potential energy and Lindemann index. Nanoparticles with less than 850 atoms show bistability between the solid and liquid phases over temperature ranges below the point of complete melting. The potential energy of a nanoparticle in the bistable region alternates between values corresponding to the solid and liquid phases. This bistability is characteristic of dynamic coexistence melting. At higher temperatures, only the liquid state is stable. Nanoparticles with more than 850 atoms undergo a sharp solid-liquid-phase transition characteristic of the bulk solid phase. The variation of the melting point with the effective nanoparticle radius is also determined.

Journal Article↗

Synthesis of peapods using substrate-grown SWNTs and DWNTs: an enabling step toward peapod devices.

We report the successful synthesis of nanoscale peapods from single-walled and double-walled nanotubes grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on substrates with windows etched into free-standing silicon nitride membranes. CVD-grown nanotubes were oxidized in air, then filled with C(60) molecules from the vapor phase. Observed variation in nanotube oxidation and C(60) packing with nanotube diameter agreed with theoretical expectations. Windowed samples provide several important advantages for property measurements of peapods and other nanomaterials. Individual nanostructures can be followed through processing steps, and a single nanostructure can be inspected by high-resolution TEM and subsequently contacted with nanoscale electrodes using electron beam lithography.

Journal Article↗

Temporal and photoregulated expression of five tomato phytochrome genes.

Quantitative measurements of the absolute amounts of mRNAs transcribed from each of five phytochrome genes (PHYA, PHYB1, PHYB2, PHYE, PHYF) throughout the life cycle of a tomato plant and in response to changes in ambient light conditions are reported here. From their lowest level in unimbibed seed, all five transcripts increase by from 10- to 1000-fold during the first 24 h following the onset of imbibition, both in continuous darkness and in a greenhouse. In a greenhouse and on a whole-plant basis, all continue to increase throughout day 6, after which all but PHYE decline over the next week to a plateau at about one-half of the maximal value. PHYE mRNA differs in that in continues to increase in abundance during the first 2-3 weeks and thereafter remains at that maximal level. In adult plants, on a whole-plant basis and in decreasing order of abundance, PHYA, PHYB1, PHYE, PHYB2, and PHYF transcripts were present at approximately 120, 40, 40, 15, and 8 mumol microgram-1 of poly(A)(+)-enriched RNA, respectively. The data are consistent with the demonstrated roles of phytochromes A and B1 during seedling development and lead to the suggestion that phytochrome E might have a more important role in mature plants. Somewhat unexpectedly, PHYA and PHYB2 expression patterns are very similar. In seedlings, PHYA and PHYB2 exhibit the greatest increase in expression following a light-to-dark transition, as well as the greatest decrease following a dark-to-light transition. PHYA and PHYB2 are also similar in that both exhibit comparable variation on a natural diurnal cycle, while PHYB1 also exhibits variation but with a markedly different phase. The diurnal variation in expression of PHYA, PHYB1 and PHYB2 is consistent with the possibility that one or more of the phytochromes they encode is important with respect not only to photoperiodic behavior but also to the regulation of other events whose photosensitivity varies during a diurnal cycle.

Animals↗

Minor long-term changes in weight have beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function in obese subjects.

AIM: To evaluate the long-term effect of changes in body composition induced by weight loss on insulin sensitivity (SI), non-insulin mediated glucose disposal, glucose effectiveness (SG)and beta-cell function. DESIGN: Glucose metabolism was evaluated before and after participation in a two-year weight loss trial of Orlistat vs. placebo, combined with an energy and fat restricted diet. SUBJECTS: Twelve obese patients (11 women, 1 man), age 45.8 +/- 10.5 years, body weight (BW) 99.7 +/- 13.3 kg, BMI 35.3 +/- 2.8 kg/m(2). MEASUREMENTS: At inclusion and 2 years later an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT) were performed. Body composition was estimated by a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) whole body scanning. RESULTS: The patients obtained varying changes in BW ranging from a weight loss of 17.8 kg to a weight gain of 6.0 kg. Corresponding changes in fat mass (FM) varied from a 40% reduction to a19% increase. A significant decrease in both fasting (p = 0.038) and 2 h (p = 0.047) blood glucose at OGTT was found. The improvement in insulin sensitivity (SI) estimated by means of Bergmans Minimal Model, was significantly and linearly correlated to change in total FM (r = - 0.83,p = 0.0026). A multiple regression analysis showed that changes in truncal FM was the strongest predictor of change in S(I) explaining 67% of the variation. First phase insulin response (AIRg)remained unchanged whereas insulin disposition index increased significantly (p = 0.044). At inclusion five patients had impaired glucose tolerance of which four, who lost weight, were normalized at the retest 2 years later. CONCLUSION: In obese subjects long-term minimal or moderate changes in weight were found to be linearly associated with changes in insulin sensitivity. In obese subjects with impaired glucose tolerance even a minor weight loss was able to normalize glucose tolerance.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

[Nocturnal cardiac arrhythmias in the sleep apnea syndrome].

A day vs. night comparison of type and frequency of cardiac arrhythmias documented by long-term ECG was done in 30 patients with nocturnal respiratory disorders in the form of the sleep apnoea syndrome. The commonest nocturnal arrhythmia was pronounced sinus arrhythmia during the apnoeic phases with variations of cardiac frequency between 40 and 120/min. Supraventricular and ventricular extrasystoles occurred significantly more frequently during the night than during the day. In three patients bradycardiac arrhythmias presenting as sinoauricular and atrioventricular blockades of the 3rd degree with node or ventricular substitute rhythm were seen during the sleep apnoea which could not be demonstrated during the day. Predominantly nightly occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias should lead to differential diagnostic consideration of the sleep apnoea syndrome.

Adult↗

Statistical mechanical theory for the structure of steady state systems: application to a Lennard-Jones fluid with applied temperature gradient.

The constrained entropy and probability distribution are given for the structure that develops in response to an applied thermodynamic gradient, as occurs in driven steady state systems. The theory is linear but is applicable to gradients with arbitrary spatial variation. The phase space probability distribution is also given, and it is surprisingly simple with a straightforward physical interpretation. With it, all of the known methods of equilibrium statistical mechanics for inhomogeneous systems may now be applied to determining the structure of nonequilibrium steady state systems. The theory is illustrated by performing Monte Carlo simulations on a Lennard-Jones fluid with externally imposed temperature and chemical potential gradients. The induced energy and density moments are obtained, as well as the moment susceptibilities that give the rate of change of these with imposed gradient and which also give the fluctuations in the moments. It is shown that these moment susceptibilities can be written in terms of bulk susceptibilities and also that the Soret coefficient can be expressed in terms of them.

Journal Article↗