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Determination of x-ray spectra and of the scattered component up to 300 kV.

Several x-ray spectra, including those of the ISO reference radiations, were measured by 2-hp Ge detectors. Measurements were carried out in different experimental conditions with regard to detector size, beam collimation, and SDD. A stripping procedure to improve the spectrum analysis was developed on the basis of a detailed evaluation (by means of a Monte Carlo method) of the detector's spurious effects. These effects include K-photon escape, Compton photon escape, electron escape, and collimation effect. The stripping procedure also allows us to determine directly the spectra of possible scattered radiation reaching the detector in addition to the primary beam. When the primary beam is heavily filtered, the leakage radiation from the x-ray tube housing scattered onto the detector may not be negligible even when the x-ray tube is provided with appreciable shielding. Possible practical consequence of these effects are discussed. The results obtained on the ISO x-ray spectra are in agreement with previous determinations. The advantage of the present procedure is its more immediate applicability to Ge detectors of any size and with different beam collimation conditions.

Mathematics↗

A new miniature x-ray device for interstitial radiosurgery: dosimetry.

A miniature, battery operated 40 kV x-ray device has been developed for the interstitial treatment of small tumors ( < 3 cm diam) in humans. X rays are emitted from the tip of a 10 cm long, 3 mm diameter probe that is stereotactically inserted into the tumor. The beam, characterized by half-value layer (HVL), spectrum analysis, and isodose contours, behaves essentially as a point isotropic source with an effective energy of 20 keV at a depth of 10 mm in water. The absolute output from the device was measured using a parallel plate ionization chamber, modified with a platinum aperture. The dose rate in water determined from these chamber measurements was found to be nominally 150 cGy/min at a distance of 10 mm for a beam current of 40 microA and voltage of 40 kV. The dose in water falls off approximately as the third power of the distance. To date, 14 patients have been treated with this device in a phase I clinical trial.

Biophysical Phenomena↗

A comparison of the physical imaging properties of Fuji ST-V, ST-VA, and ST-VN computed radiography image plates.

The physical imaging performance of ST-V, ST-VA, and ST-VN computed radiography image plates, read with a Philips AC3 acquisition system, was investigated at 70 kVp with 0.5 mm of copper beam filtration for four different entrance air kerma values: 0.5, 2.6, 26, and 260 micro Gy. Measurements included characteristic response, presampling-modulation transfer function, and Wiener spectrum analysis for (18 x 24) cm2 image plates, sampled at 10 pixels/mm. These results were used to calculate DQE spectral descriptions of system performance. ST-VN image plates exhibited a slightly superior DQE performance for the two lower entrance air kerma values investigated.

Quantum Theory↗

Spectrum effects of subglottal pressure variation in professional baritone singers.

The audio signal from five professional baritones was analyzed by means of spectrum analysis. Each subject sang syllables [pae] and [pa] from loudest to softest phonation at fundamental frequencies representing 25%, 50%, and 75% of his total range. Ten subglottal pressures, equidistantly spaced between highest and lowest, were selected for analysis along with the corresponding production of the vowels. The levels of the first formant and singer's formant were measured as a function of subglottal pressure. Averaged across subjects, vowels, and F0, a 10-dB increase at 600 Hz was accompanied by a 16-dB increase at 3 kHz.

Adult↗

Simultaneous measurement of acoustic and streaming velocities in a standing wave using laser Doppler anemometry.

Laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) with burst spectrum analysis (BSA) is used to study the acoustic streaming generated in a cylindrical standing-wave resonator filled with air. The air column is driven sinusoidally at a frequency of approximately 310 Hz and the resultant acoustic-velocity amplitudes are less than 1.3 m/s at the velocity antinodes. The axial component of fluid velocity is measured along the resonator axis, across the diameter, and as a function of acoustic amplitude. The velocity signals are postprocessed using the Fourier averaging method [Sonnenberger et al., Exp. Fluids 28, 217-224 (2000)]. Equations are derived for determining the uncertainties in the resultant Fourier coefficients. The time-averaged velocity-signal components are seen to be contaminated by significant errors due to the LDA/BSA system. In order to avoid these errors, the Lagrangian streaming velocities are determined using the time-harmonic signal components and the arrival times of the velocity samples. The observed Lagrangian streaming velocities are consistent with Rott's theory [N. Rott, Z. Angew. Math. Phys. 25, 417-421 (1974)], indicating that the dependence of viscosity on temperature is important. The onset of streaming is observed to occur within approximately 5 s after switching on the acoustic field.

Journal Article↗

Loud speech over noise: some spectral attributes, with gender differences.

In seeking an acoustic description of overloaded voice, simulated environmental noise was used to elicit loud speech. A total of 23 adults, 12 females and 11 males, read six passages of 90 s duration, over realistic noise presented over loudspeakers. The noise was canceled out, exposing the speech signal to analysis. Spectrum balance (SB) was defined as the level of the 2-6 kHz band relative to the 0.1-1 kHz band. SB averaged across many similar vowel segments became less negative with increasing sound pressure level (SPL), as described in the literature, but only at moderate SPL. At high SPL, SB exhibited a personal "saturation" point, above which the high-band level no longer increased faster than the overall SPL, or even stopped increasing altogether, on average at 90.3 dB (@30 cm) for females and 95.5 dB for males. Saturation occurred 6-8 dB below the personal maximum SPL, regardless of gender. The loudest productions were often characterized by a relative increase in low-frequency energy, apparently in a sharpened first formant. This suggests a change of vocal strategy when the high spectrum can rise no further. The progression of SB with SPL was characteristically different for individual subjects.

Adult↗

Evidence for a novel K(+) channel modulated by alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors in cardiac myocytes.

Accumulating evidence suggests that steady-state K(+) currents modulate excitability and action potential duration, particularly in cardiac cell types with relatively abbreviated action potential plateau phases. Despite representing potential drug targets, at present these currents and their modulation are comparatively poorly characterized. Therefore, we investigated the effects of phenylephrine [PE; an alpha(1)-adrenoceptor (alpha(1)-AR) agonist] on a sustained outward K(+) current in rat ventricular myocytes. Under K(+) current-selective conditions at 35 degrees C and whole-cell patch clamp, membrane depolarization elicited transient (I(t)) and steady-state (I(ss)) outward current components. PE (10 microM) significantly decreased I(ss) amplitude, without significant effect on I(t). Preferential modulation of I(ss) by PE was confirmed by intracellular application of the voltage-gated K(+) channel blocker tetraethylammonium, which largely inhibited I(t) without affecting the PE-sensitive current (I(ss,PE)). I(ss,PE) had the properties of an outwardly rectifying steady-state K(+)-selective conductance. Acidification of the external solution or externally applied BaCl(2) or quinidine strongly inhibited I(ss,PE). However, I(ss,PE) was not abolished by anandamide, ruthenium red, or zinc, inhibitors of TASK acid-sensitive background K(+) channels. Furthermore, the PE-sensitive current was partially inhibited by external administration of high concentrations of tetraethylammonium and 4-aminopyridine, which are voltage-gated K(+) channel-blockers. Power spectrum analysis of I(ss,PE) yielded a large unitary conductance of 78 pS. I(ss,PE) resulted from PE activation of the alpha(1A)-AR subtype, involved a pertussis toxin-insensitive G-protein, and was independent of cytosolic Ca(2+). These results collectively demonstrate that alpha(1A)-AR activation results in the inhibition of an outwardly rectifying steady-state K(+) current with properties distinct from previously characterized cardiac K(+) channels.

Acidosis↗

Strontianite in coral skeletal aragonite.

An x-ray spectroscopic study of scleractinian coral skeletons indicated that, although some strontium substitutes for calcium in the aragonite structure, at concentrations of about 7500 parts per million, as much as 40 percent of the strontium resides in strontianite (SrCO3). A doublet peak in the Fourier transform of the extended x-ray absorption fine structure of the coral corresponded to six metal and 13 oxygen neighbors surrounding strontium at about 4.05 angstroms in strontium-substituted aragonite and at about 4.21 angstroms in strontianite. Thus, the mechanism of the temperature-sensitive partitioning of strontium between seawater and coral skeleton used for paleothermometry is unexpectedly complex.

Animals↗

Spectroscopic determination of the water pair potential.

A polarizable water pair potential was determined by fitting a potential form to microwave, terahertz, and mid-infrared (D2O)2 spectra through a rigorous calculation of the water dimer eigenstates. It accurately reproduces most ground state vibration-rotation-tunneling spectra and yields excellent second viral coefficients. The calculated dimer structure and dipole moment are very close to those determined from microwave spectroscopy and high-level ab initio calculations. The dimer binding energy and acceptor switching and donor-acceptor interchange tunneling barriers are in excellent agreement with recent ab initio theory, as are cyclic water trimer and tetramer structures and binding energies.

Algorithms↗

Bioconversion of cinnamic Acid to acetophenone by a pseudomonad: microbial production of a natural flavor compound.

A mutant derivative of a novel pseudomonad isolated from the soil accumulated acetophenone when supplied with cinnamic acid. The microorganism has been identified as an unclassified Pseudomonas sp., similar to Pseudomonas acidovorans. Mass spectrum analysis of the product acetophenone derived from catabolism of cinnamic acid in the presence of O(2) or H(2)O supported the conclusion that cinnamic acid degradation is initiated by addition of water to the double bond of the side chain, followed by dehydrogenation to generate 3-keto-3-phenylpropionic acid. The intermediate 3-keto-3-phenylpropionic acid is accumulated in cultures of the mutant during active cinnamic acid catabolism. However, this intermediate is unstable so a portion of it spontaneously decarboxylates to form acetophenone. Neither 3-keto-3-phenylpropionic acid nor acetophenone is a precedented intermediate in cinnamic acid degradation. Isolation of the novel strain and mutant provide the rudiments for a process to produce natural acetophenone by biotransformation of natural cinnamic acid.

Journal Article↗

Identification of residues in domain III of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac toxin that affect binding and toxicity.

Alanine substitution mutations in the Cry1Ac domain III region, from amino acid residues 503 to 525, were constructed to study the functional role of domain III in the toxicity and receptor binding of the protein to Lymantria dispar, Manduca sexta, and Heliothis virescens. Five sets of alanine block mutants were generated at the residues (503)SS(504), (506)NNI(508), (509)QNR(511), (522)ST(523), and (524)ST(525). Single alanine substitutions were made at the residues (509)Q, (510)N, (511)R, and (513)Y. All mutant proteins produced stable toxic fragments as judged by trypsin digestion, midgut enzyme digestion, and circular dichroism spectrum analysis. The mutations, (503)SS(504)-AA, (506)NNI(508)-AAA, (522)ST(523)-AA, (524)ST(525)-AA, and (510)N-A affected neither the protein's toxicity nor its binding to brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) prepared from these insects. Toward L. dispar and M. sexta, the (509)QNR(511)-AAA, (509)Q-A, (511)R-A, and (513)Y-A mutant toxins showed 4- to 10-fold reductions in binding affinities to BBMV, with 2- to 3-fold reductions in toxicity. Toward H. virescens, the (509)QNR(511)-AAA, (509)Q-A, (511)R-A, and (513)Y-mutant toxins showed 8- to 22-fold reductions in binding affinities, but only (509)QNR(511)-AAA and (511)R-A mutant toxins reduced toxicity by approximately three to four times. In the present study, greater loss in binding affinity relative to toxicity has been observed. These data suggest that the residues (509)Q, (511)R, and (513)Y in domain III might be only involved in initial binding to the receptor and that the initial binding step becomes rate limiting only when it is reduced more than fivefold.

Animals↗

Identification of fluoropyrogallols as new intermediates in biotransformation of monofluorophenols in Rhodococcus opacus 1cp.

The transformation of monofluorophenols by whole cells of Rhodococcus opacus 1cp was investigated, with special emphasis on the nature of hydroxylated intermediates formed. Thin-layer chromatography, mass spectrum analysis, and (19)F nuclear magnetic resonance demonstrated the formation of fluorocatechol and trihydroxyfluorobenzene derivatives from each of three monofluorophenols. The (19)F chemical shifts and proton-coupled splitting patterns of the fluorine resonances of the trihydroxyfluorobenzene products established that the trihydroxylated aromatic metabolites contained hydroxyl substituents on three adjacent carbon atoms. Thus, formation of 1,2, 3-trihydroxy-4-fluorobenzene (4-fluoropyrogallol) from 2-fluorophenol and formation of 1,2,3-trihydroxy-5-fluorobenzene (5-fluoropyrogallol) from 3-fluorophenol and 4-fluorophenol were observed. These results indicate the involvement of fluoropyrogallols as previously unidentified metabolites in the biotransformation of monofluorophenols in R. opacus 1cp.

Biotransformation↗

Leukotriene and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid generation elicited by low doses of Escherichia coli hemolysin in rabbit lungs.

Low doses of Escherichia coli hemolysin cause thromboxane-mediated hypertension and vascular leakage in blood-free perfused rabbit lungs (W. Seeger, H. Walter, N. Suttorp, M. Muhly, and S. Bhakdi, J. Clin. Invest. 84:220-227, 1989). The recirculating buffer medium and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from lungs exposed to hemolysin (2.5 hemolytic units per ml) in the presence of cyclooxygenase inhibitor were analyzed for leukotrienes (LTs) and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs) by reverse-phase and straight-phase high-pressure liquid chromatographic techniques combined with UV spectrum analysis and post-high-pressure liquid chromatography radioimmunoassay. A rapid release of large amounts of cysteinyl-LTs and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) into the intravascular space was noted (total sum, approximately 4 to 5 micrograms). Similar quantities have hitherto been elicited only by high concentrations of the artificial calcium ionophore A 23187. Moreover, a marked liberation of 5-HETE and 12-hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid into the buffer medium occurred, whereas LTB4 represented the predominant compound in the lavage fluid. The hemolysin-induced burst of LT and HETE generation preceded the onset of vascular leakage. The outstanding capacity of E. coli hemolysin to produce the liberation of potent lipid mediators is probably relevant to the pathways of vascular injury and amplification of inflammatory events during severe infection with hemolytic E. coli strains.

Animals↗

Comparison of the biochemistry and rates of synthesis of mesosomal and peripheral membranes in Bacillus subtilis.

The membrane vesicle (beaded chain) portion of the mesosomes and peripheral (ghost) membrane of Bacillus subtilis were obtained by protoplast lysis and separated by differential and sucrose gradient centrifugation. Electron microscopy revealed that both fractions were satisfactorily homogeneous. Comparison of the two membrane preparations showed that they were similar with respect to total protein, total phosphorus, and lipid-soluble phosphorus content. Their protein patterns on acrylamide gel electrophreograms did not differ significantly. A possible point of distinction was revealed by a difference spectrum analysis of their cytochromes. The two preparations showed clear quantitative differences in all five of the enzyme activities assayed. Acrylamide gel electrophreograms of peripheral membrane stained for malate dehydrogenase showed four weak isozyme bands, whereas electrophreograms of mesosome membranes exhibited a single strong peak. (A survey of published data on enzymes in mesosome fractions shows a marked lack of correspondence between different species of bacteria.) Comparison of (3)H-acetate incorporation into the two membrane fractions showed that both were labeled at the same rate. Similarly, (35)SO(4) was taken up by both fractions at a comparable rate and was chased from both comparably. Lipid and protein labeling thus indicates that mesosome vesicle membrane is not a precursor or special growing point of peripheral membrane.

Acetates↗

CDP-2,3-Di-O-geranylgeranyl-sn-glycerol:L-serine O-archaetidyltransferase (archaetidylserine synthase) in the methanogenic archaeon Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus.

CDP-2,3-di-O-geranylgeranyl-sn-glycerol:L-serine O-archaetidyltransferase (archaetidylserine synthase) activity in cell extracts of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus cells was characterized. The enzyme catalyzed the formation of unsaturated archaetidylserine from CDP-unsaturated archaeol and L-serine. The identity of the reaction products was confirmed by thin-layer chromatography, fast atom bombardment-mass spectrum analysis, and chemical degradation. The enzyme showed maximal activity in the presence of 10 mM Mn2+ and 1% Triton X-100. Among various synthetic substrate analogs, both enantiomers of CDP-unsaturated archaeols with ether-linked geranylgeranyl chains and CDP-saturated archaeol with ether-linked phytanyl chains were similarly active toward the archaetidylserine synthase. The activity on the ester analog of the substrate was two to three times higher than that on the corresponding ether-type substrate. The activity of D-serine with the enzyme was 30% of that observed for L-serine. A trace amount of an acid-labile, unsaturated archaetidylserine intermediate was detected in the cells by a pulse-labeling experiment. A gene (MT1027) in M. thermautotrophicus genome annotated as the gene encoding phosphatidylserine synthase was found to be homologous to Bacillus subtilis pssA but not to Escherichia coli pssA. The substrate specificity of phosphatidylserine synthase from B. subtilis was quite similar to that observed for the M. thermautotrophicus archaetidylserine synthase, while the E. coli enzyme had a strong preference for CDP-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol. It was concluded that M. thermautotrophicus archaetidylserine synthase belongs to subclass II phosphatidylserine synthase (B. subtilis type) on the basis of not only homology but also substrate specificity and some enzymatic properties. The possibility that a gene encoding the subclass II phosphatidylserine synthase might be transferred from a bacterium to an ancestor of methanogens is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Sequential interactions of structural proteins in phage phi 29 procapsid assembly.

The mechanism of viral capsid assembly is an intriguing problem because of its fundamental importance to research on synthetic viral particle vaccines, gene delivery systems, antiviral drugs, chimeric viruses displaying antigens or ligands, and the study of macromolecular interactions. The genes coding for the scaffolding (gp7), capsid (gp8), and portal vertex (gp10) proteins of the procapsid of bacteriophage phi 29 of Bacillus subtilis were expressed in Escherichia coli individually or in combination to study the mechanism of phi 29 procapsid assembly. When expressed alone, gp7 existed as a soluble monomer, gp8 aggregated into inclusion bodies, and gp10 formed the portal vertex. Circular dichroisin spectrum analysis indicated that gp7 is mainly composed of alpha helices. When two of the proteins were coexpressed, gp7 and gp8 assembled into procapsid-like particles with variable sizes and shapes, gp7 and gp10 formed unstable complexes, and gp8 and gp10 did not interact. These results suggested that gp7 served as a bridge for gp8 and gp10. When gp7, gp8, and gp10 were coexpressed, active procapsids were produced. Complementation of extracts containing one or two structural components could not produce active procapsids, indicating that no stable intermediates were formed. A dimeric gp7 concatemer promoted the solubility of gp8 but was inactive in the assembly of procapsid or procapsid-like particles. Mutation at the C terminus of gp7 prevented it from interacting with gp8, indicating that this part of gp7 may be important for interaction with gp8. Coexpression of the portal protein (gp20) of phage T4 with phi 29 gp7 and gp8 revealed the lack of interaction between T4 gp20 and phi 29 gp7 and/or gp8. Perturbing the ratio of the three structural proteins by duplicating one or another gene did not reduce the yield of potentially infectious particles. Changing of the order of gene arrangement in plasmids did not affect the formation of active procapsids significantly. These results indicate that phi 29 procapsid assembly deviated from the single-assembly pathway and that coexistence of all three components with a threshold concentration was required for procapsid assembly. The trimolecular interaction was so rapid that no true intermediates could be isolated. This finding is in accord with the result of capsid assembly obtained by the equilibrium model proposed by A. Zlotnick (J. Mol. Biol. 241:59-67, 1994).

Bacillus Phages↗

Efficient virus extinction by combinations of a mutagen and antiviral inhibitors.

The effect of combinations of the mutagenic base analog 5-fluorouracil (FU) and the antiviral inhibitors guanidine hydrochloride (G) and heparin (H) on the infectivity of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in cell culture has been investigated. Related FMDV clones differing up to 10(6)-fold in relative fitness in BHK-21 cells have been compared. Systematic extinction of intermediate fitness virus was attained with a combination of FU and G but not with the mutagen or the inhibitor alone. Systematic extinction of high-fitness FMDV required the combination of FU, G, and H. FMDV showing high relative fitness in BHK-21 cells but decreased replicative ability in CHO cells behaved as a low-fitness virus with regard to extinction mutagenesis in CHO cells. This confirms that relative fitness, rather than a specific genomic sequence, determines the FMDV response to enhanced mutagenesis. Mutant spectrum analysis of several genomic regions from a preextinction population showed a statistically significant increase in the number of mutations compared with virus passaged in parallel in the absence of FU and inhibitors. Also, in a preextinction population the types of mutations that can be attributed to the mutagenic action of FU were significantly more frequent than other mutation types. The results suggest that combinations of mutagenic agents and antiviral inhibitors can effectively drive high-fitness virus into extinction.

Animals↗

Myoelectrical activity of the Billroth II gastric remnant.

This study was undertaken to investigate the extent to which gastric electrical control activity and phasic contractile activity are preserved after Billroth II resection and to assess the relation between these activities and postprandial symptoms in patients who have undergone Billroth II resection. Thirty three patients were studied after Billroth II resection without vagotomy. Gastric electrical activity was recorded from surface electrodes and intraluminal pressure was recorded simultaneously. The electrogastrographic signals were analysed by Running Spectrum Analysis. In addition, three dogs with a Billroth II stomach and implanted serosal electrodes were studied. Phasic gastric pressure waves were observed in most patients. Electrogastrographic signals recorded from 82% of the Billroth II patients contained a mean (SD) peak at 3.1 (0.2) cycles per minute (cpm). Fasting and postprandial frequencies correlated significantly (p less than 0.02) with the score for nausea and vomiting. In 61% of the patients, the electrogastrographic signal contained a stable component with a frequency of 10.5 (0.6) cpm that was not caused by respiration. We suggest that this activity is of intestinal origin. In all three dogs studied, retrograde conduction of jejunal electrical control activity (16 cpm) into the distal part of the gastric remnant was observed. In the Billroth II patients, the presence of a 10 cpm component correlated negatively with symptoms.

Adult↗