Effect of bakuchiol on leukocyte functions and some inflammatory responses in mice.

1996

Abstract The effects of bakuchiol, a meroterpenoid isolated from the leaves of Psoralea glandulosa L., on phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity from different sources, human neutrophil responses, zymosan air pouch and topical inflammation in mice, were investigated. This natural product was a weak inhibitor of secretory and intracellular PLA2 but dose-dependently reduced the formation of LTB4 and TXB2 by human neutrophils and platelet microsomes, respectively. In addition, bakuchiol inhibited degranulation in human neutrophils, whereas superoxide generation was not affected. In mice, bakuchiol decreased cell migration, myeloperoxidase activity and eicosanoid levels in the air pouch inflammation …

Efficient FDTD analysis of discontinuities in a square coaxial waveguide

1996

Small-angle neutron scattering from lecithin reverse micelles

1996

Abstract We report new results of small-angle neutron scattering from cyclohexane- d 12 /lecithin/water micellar solutions, performed as a function of the water content, w 0 , the temperature, T and the dispersed-phase volume fraction, ф. The data from dilute samples can be interpreted in terms of the existence of giant cylindrical reverse micelles, in good agreement with the current idea of an unlimited micellar growth with ф. In contrast, the appearance of a sharp interference maximum at high concentrations ( ф > 0.15 ) suggests that the current hypothesis of a gel structure interpreted as a random network of entangled micelles can be assumed to be incorrect, and that there must be some c…

Is cytokine expression responsible for differences between allergens and irritants?

1996

Abstract Irritant and allergic contact dermatitis are two very similar diseases, and differentiating between these two can be difficult clinically. Recently, cytokines have been identified as useful tools for differentiation. Thus, our laboratory has identified an early cytokine pattern in the induction phase of contact sensitivity that is specific for allergens and is not found after epicutaneous application of irritants or tolerogens. The upregulation of the Langerhans' cell—derived signal interleukin (IL)-1β early after allergen application especially seems to be highly specific for contact allergens. This cytokine was also found to be essential for the development of epicutaneous sensit…

Detection of canine parvovirus antigens with antibodies to synthetic peptides

1996

Antibodies produced in rabbits against an 18-amino acid peptide (peptide 1, NSLPQSEGATNFGDIGVP) of capsid protein VP2/residues 292-309 of canine parvovirus (CPV) or against an 18-amino acid peptide (peptide 2, GKRNTVLFHGPASTKGKS) of nonstructural protein NS1/residues 391-409 of CPV identified, in immunofluorescence analysis, viral antigens in canine A 72 cells infected with CPV. Antibodies to peptide 2 also identified viral antigens in bovine cells infected with bovine parvovirus. In western blot analysis, antibodies to peptide 1 and peptide 2 also detected viral antigens derived from blue fox parvovirus, feline parvovirus, mink enteritis virus and raccoon dog parvovirus. The peptide antibo…

Poincaré inequalities and Steiner symmetrization

1996

A complete geometric characterization for a general Steiner symmetric domain Ω ⊂ Rn to satisfy the Poincare inequality with exponent p > n−1 is obtained and it is shown that this range of exponents is best possible. In the case where the Steiner symmetric domain is determined by revolving the graph of a Lipschitz continuous function, it is shown that the preceding characterization works for all p > 1 and furthermore for such domains a geometric characterization for a more general Sobolev–Poincare inequality to hold is given. Although the operation of Steiner symmetrization need not always preserve a Poincare inequality, a general class of domains is given for which Poincare inequalities are…

Bounds on new Majoron models from the Heidelberg-Moscow experiment

1996

In recent years several new Majoron models were invented to avoid shortcomings of the classical models while leading to observable decay rates in double beta experiments. We give the first experimental half life bounds on double beta decays with new Majoron emission and derive bounds on the effective neutrino--Majoron couplings from the data of the $^{76}Ge$ HEIDELBERG--MOSCOW experiment. While stringent half life limits for all decay modes and the coupling constants of the classical models were obtained, small matrix elements and phase space integrals \cite{hir95,pae95} result in much weaker limits on the effective coupling constants of the new Majoron models.

Dielectric versus topographic contrast in near-field microscopy

1996

Using a fully vectorial three-dimensional numerical approach (generalized field propagator, based on Green's tensor technique), we investigate the near-field images produced by subwavelength objects buried in a dielectric surface. We study the influence of the object index, size, and depth on the near field. We emphasize the similarity between the near field spawned by an object buried in the surface (dielectric contrast) and that spawned by a protrusion on the surface (topographic contrast). We show that a buried object with a negative dielectric contrast (i.e., with a smaller index than its surrounding medium) produces a near-field image that is reversed from that of an object with a posi…

Physical mechanism of the linear beam-size effect at colliders

1996

We present qualitative but precise description of the linear beam-size effect predicted for the processes in which unstable but long--living particles collide with each other. We derive physically pronounced equation for the events rate which proves that the linear beam-size effect corresponds to the scattering of one beam of particles on the decay products of the other. We compare this linear beam-size effect with the known logarithmic beam-size effect measured in the experiments on a single bremsstrahlung at VEPP-4 and HERA.

Analysis of the p53 and MDM-2 gene in acute myeloid leukemia

1996

The MDM-2 (murine double minute 2) gene codes for a cellular protein that can bind to the p53 tumor suppressor gene product, thereby functioning as a negative regulator of p53. In order to define the role of the MDM-2 gene in the pathogenesis of human acute myeloid leukemia, the expression and the sequence of the MDM-2 gene were examined in samples of bone marrow and/or peripheral mononuclear cells of 38 patients by using immunostaining, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), single strand conformation polymorphism, and sequencing. Immunohistochemical staining detected a weak accumulation of the MDM-2 protein in AML patients of FAB classification M4 and M5. RT-PCR analysis revealed a heterogeneou…

Short synthetic CDR-peptides forming the antibody combining site of the monoclonal antibody against RNA bacteriophage fr neutralize the phage activit…

1996

The construction of a mouse hybridoma FRS2 secreting neutralizing monoclonal antibody specific for RNA bacteriophages fr, MS2 and GA is reported. The genes encoding the variable domains of the monoclonal antibody FRS2 heavy and light chains were cloned and sequenced and the corresponding complementarity determining region (CDR) peptides were chemically synthesized. The CDR-peptides were tested for their ability to neutralize the activity of RNA phage fr and related RNA phages MS2 and GA. The CDR-derived peptides H2, L2 and L3 interacted with the fr phage particles and neutralized fr phage activity. Two of these peptides-H2 and L3 also had the ability to neutralize partly the activity of rel…

A simple windows program for coding fast-changing events in observational situations divided into variable intervals

1996

Step-growth Polymerization ofBistriazolinediones with1,1-Diphenylethylene

1996

The reactions of 4-ethyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (ETD) (1) and 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (PhTD) (2) with 1,1-diphenylethylene (DPE) (3) were investigated at room temperature. The reactions are very fast and are completed in less than 4 min. These reactions lead to the formation of two 2 :1 adducts via double Diels-Alder and Diels-Alder-ene reactions in a ratio of 1.35 : 1. The structure of these adducts where R = Et were determined by X-ray analysis of a single crystal. These compounds were used as models for the polymerization reactions. The reaction of bistriazolinediones (1,6-bis-(3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazoline-4-yl)hexane and bis-(p-3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazoline-4-ylphenyl)methane…

Study of Morphology of Reactive Dissolution Interface Using Fractal Geometry

1996

J. Pharm. Sci. ISI Document Delivery No.: VF662 Times Cited: 7 Cited Reference Count: 15 Tromelin, A Gnanou, JC Andres, C Pourcelot, Y Chaillot, B; International audience; The determination of reactive fractal dimension was carried out using two forms of the Noyes-Whitney equation, -dQ/dt = K(Q/Q(0))(DR/3) and -d Q/dt = K' R(DR-3) using the Richardson plot on the basis of previous data obtained by dissolution of an orthoboric acid powder. The correlation of the results provided by the two ways of calculation allows proposal of the hypothesis that dissolution begins on a specific population of reactive sites and probably promotes the formation of microporous volumes or cracks.

Thermal and Light-Induced Spin Transition in [Fe(bpen)X2] (bpen = 1,6-Bis(2-pyridyl)-2,5-diazahexane, X = NCS-, NCSe-)

1996

The thermal and light-induced spin transitions in [Fe(bpen)(NCS)2] and [Fe(bpen)(NCSe)2] have been investigated by means of magnetic susceptibility and Mossbauer measurements. The HS → LS transition in [Fe(bpen)(NCS)2] is detected at temperatures below 120 K (T1/2 [when the fraction of high-spin species γHS = 0.5] = 68 K) with a residual HS fraction of 8% at 20 K. The transition is fairly abrupt and no hysteresis is observed, in contrast to earlier studies (ref. [8]). The generation of metastable HS states in [Fe(bpen)(NCS)2] is achieved by rapid cooling of the sample and by irradiating the compound at low temperatures with light of appropriate wavelengths (LIESST). The HS → LS relaxation o…

Heterovalent ion replacement in bi7Ti4NbO21: Some new compounds and phase transitions

1996

Abstract Simultaneous heterovalent substitutions at two cationic sites of the bismuth mixed-layered compound Bi7Ti4NbO21 have been made. Two new compounds: Bi2Pb⅓Ti(4/3)Mo⅓O7 and Bi(4/3)PbTiMo⅔O7, were obtained and identified by X-ray diffraction analysis. A model of possible mixed layer structure is discussed. Ferroelectric phase transitions at 510°C and 550°C have been studied by dielectric measurements.

Parents' Physical Activity, Socioeconomic Status and Education as Predictors of Physical Activity and Sport among Children and Youths - A 12-Year Fol…

1996

The purpose of this study was to examine parental influences on children's participation in sport and their later physical activity. The population for the study consisted of a random sample of 1881 9- to 15-year-old boys and girls who were exposed to the extensive research program called "Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns" in 1980. They and their parents have been followed up for twelve years at three-year intervals by means of a short questionnaire concerning physical activity and other factors. The results indicated that the fathers' physical activity in 1980 was related to their children's habitual physical activity in the same year, and gave in boys and girls a significant prediction…

Performance of a propeller embedded in the flowfield of a wing

1996

Application of the small-angle neutron scattering technique to the study of solubilization mechanisms of organic molecules by micellar systems

1996

Abstract We present the possible contribution of the small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) technique to the molecular interpretation of the solubilization phenomena in simple micellar systems. We show for a few ternary micellar systems, that an appropriate analysis of SANS experimental data can provide information on modifications induced on micellar dimension, shape, number of monomer, and charge and on the partition coefficient of the additive and its localization inside the micellar aggregate. The influence of n -alcohols on the thermodynamics and on the structure of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) aqueous solution has been extensively investigated, so the agreement between the results obt…

Identification of a novel Drosophila melanogaster gene, angel, a member of a nested gene cluster at locus 59F4,5.

1996

The identification of a novel Drosophila melanogaster gene, angel, is presented in this study. angel is located on the right arm of the second chromosome at locus 59F5, close to the nested genes l(2)tid, l(2)not, l(2)rot and l(2)dtl. We describe the genetic and molecular localization of angel and present its temporal expression in the wild-type. The deduced amino acid sequence of the ANG39 protein is characterized by a nuclear localization signal. Furthermore, the central part of the predicted ANG39 protein shows significant homology to the C-terminal portion of the yeast transcriptional effector CCR4.

A prospective study of adverse drug reactions as a cause of admission to a paediatric hospital

1996

1A total of 512 consecutive paediatric hospital admissions of children 2 years old or less were evaluated to assess the extent and pattern of admission caused by suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The proportion of suspected ADRs related to hospital admissions was 4.3%. 2The organ-systems most commonly implicated were the central nervous system (40.5%), digestive system (16.7%), and skin and appendages (14.3%). Together, they accounted for 71.5% of admissions attributed to ADRs. The most common clinical manifestations inducing admission were convulsions (4 cases), dizziness (4), vomiting (3), and tremor, fever, itching and apnoea (2 cases each). 3The four classes of drugs most frequen…

Novel pathogenic mechanism of microbial metalloproteinases: liberation of membrane-anchored molecules in biologically active form exemplified by stud…

1996

Certain membrane-anchored proteins, including several cytokines and cytokine receptors, can be released into cell supernatants through the action of endogenous membrane-bound metalloproteinases. The shed molecules are then able to fulfill various biological functions; for example, soluble interleukin-6 receptor (sIL-6R) can bind to bystander cells, rendering these cells sensitive to the action of IL-6. Using IL-6R as a model substrate, we report that the metalloproteinase from Serratia marcescens mimics the action of the endogenous shedding proteinase. Treatment of human monocytes with the bacterial protease led to a rapid release of sIL-6R into the supernatant. This effect was inhibitable …

Involvement of prostaglandins and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the contractile effect of platelet-activating factor in rat isolated gastric corpus

1996

Abstract The present study characterizes the nature of the response to the platelet-activating factor (PAF) in isolated gastric corpus with and without mucosa. PAF (10-8 M) induced contraction of rat isolated gastric corpus strips followed by desensitization of this tissue. Incubation of strips with the specific PAF-receptor antagonist WEB 2086 (5 × 10-8 − 5 × 10-5 M), the prostaglandin blocker indomethacin (10-6 M) and the 5-hydroxytryptamine antagonist methysergide (10-5 M) reduced significantly the contraction induced by PAF. Neither of the histamine H1/H2 antagonists diphenhydramine (10-6 M) or cimetidine (10-5 M) affected the contraction induced by PAF. In contrast with the whole gastr…

Cercospora beticola toxins. IX. Relationship between structure of beticolins, inhibition of plasma membrane H+ -ATPase and partition in lipid membran…

1996

Beticolins are yellow toxins produced by the fungus Cercospora beticola. The effect of one of them, beticolin-1, has been investigated on corn root plasma membrane H + -ATPase (EC 3.6.1.35) at different purification levels (plasma membrane fraction. partially, or highly purified enzyme). The results obtained demonstrated that (1) the purified proton pump was inhibited directly by low amounts of the toxin (I 50 =1.62 ± 0.18 μM), (2) the biological effects of beticolin-1 were similar to those of CBT (Cercospora beticola toxin). Furthermore, it was established that the efficiency of the different beticolins was clearly related to their ability to interact with the lipid bilayers, determined by…

Anatomic basis for the dorsal radial flap of the thumb: clinical applications

1996

The pattern of the dorsal arterial supply of the thumb was studied by the dissection of 25 thumbs of fresh cadavers. A constant vascular axis was found, originating at the radial a. and communicating at the level of the middle third of the proximal phalanx with the arterial palmar circuit. The constant presence of this vascular axis and its connection with the palmar circuit permits the mobilisation of a dorsal metacarpal skin flap, with a distal pedicle and a reversed flow, that can be used for covering dorsal and palmar losses of substance in the thumb.

The inheritance of organogenic response in melon

1996

Previous studies have demonstrated variation in organogenic competence among plants within a population ofCucumis melo. In order to determine if leaf explant response is under genetic control, we investigated the distribution of the shoot regeneration frequency in F1 and F2 generations from parents representing extreme values forin vitro organogenic response. Results suggest a genetic model with two genes, partial dominance, independent segregation and similar effects for both genes.

Análisis de la producción y el consumo de información en los artículos españoles sobre bibliometría

1996

We analyze Spanish production of papers on bibliometrics published in Spanish scientific journals and the use of information through the method of bibliographic reference analysis. Publications have been obtained from IME, ICYT and ISOC databases. The number of papers was 101 , with 1848 citations. The most important citations are to journal articles and Spanish publications, but <i>Scientometrics</i> is the most cited journal. Results seem to show that bibliometrics is a young discipline in our country, with an important role of classic authors. Difficulties of access to foreign bibliography produce a high use of Spanish publications. Medicine and Psychology are the most influe…

Small angle neutron scattering study of the quaternary structure of haemocyanin of Rapana thomasiana

1996

Abstract Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments were performed on a series of solutions of haemocyanin (Hc) of Rapana thomasiana . In a first series of solutions, by changing the external contrast a model of the molecule that is apparently in disagreement with electron microscopy (EM) measurements was obtained. The apparent disagreement was resolved by performing experiments on a series of variable protein concentration solutions in D 2 O. The physical parameters of the model, extrapolated to zero concentration, are in excellent agreement with the EM results obtained on samples more dilute than those examined with SANS.

Circulating endothelin-1 levels in type 2 diabetic patients with ischaemic heart disease.

1996

To investigate whether circulating endothelin-1 (Et-1) may be related to the increased incidence and severity of ischaemic heart disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus, we compared the concentrations in type 2 diabetic patients and in non-diabetic patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) angiographically documented. Plasma levels of Et-1 were determined in 34 type 2 diabetic patients with CAD (16 with stable angina, 6 with unstable angina, 12 with previous myocardial infarction) and in 19 nondiabetic patients with CAD (4 with stable angina, 5 with unstable angina, 10 with previous myocardial infarction). Fifteen diabetic patients without CAD and 9 healthy volunteers served as control subjec…

Item bias in self-reported functional ability among 75-year-old men and women in three Nordic localities.

1996

The purpose of this article is to analyse item bias in a measure of self-reported functional ability among 75-year-old people in three Nordic localities. The present item bias analysis examines whether the construction of a functional ability index from several variables results in bias in relation to geographical locality and gender. Information about self-reported functional ability was gathered from surveys on 75-year-old men and women in Glostrup (Denmark), Göteborg (Sweden) and Jyväskylä (Finland). The data were collected by structured home interviews about mobility and Physical activities of daily living (PADL) in relation to tiredness, reduced speed and dependency and combined into …

A multidimensional hydrodynamic code for structure evolution in cosmology

1996

A cosmological multidimensional hydrodynamic code is described and tested. This code is based on modern high-resolution shock-capturing techniques. It can make use of a linear or a parabolic cell reconstruction as well as an approximate Riemann solver. The code has been specifically designed for cosmological applications. Two tests including shocks have been considered: the first one is a standard shock tube and the second test involves a spherically symmetric shock. Various additional cosmological tests are also presented. In this way, the performance of the code is proved. The usefulness of the code is discussed; in particular, this powerful tool is expected to be useful in order to study…

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of the chiral iron(II) chain [Fe(bpym)(NCS)2]n (bpym = 2,2′-bipyrimidine)

1996

Abstract The iron(II) compound of formula [Fe(bpym)(NCS)2]n (bpym = 2,2′-bipyrimidine) has been synthesized and its crystal structure determined by X-ray diffraction methods. It crystallizes in the tetragonal P41 (No. 76) and P43 space groups, a = 8.849(2), c=16.486(3) A , V=1290.9(5) A 3 , Z=4, D c =1.699 g cm −3 , M r =330.2, F(000)=664, λ( Mo K α)=0.71073 A , μ( Mo K α)=14.8 cm −1 and T=295 K. A total of 2449 reflections was collected over the range 3≤2ϑ≤55°; of these, 1657 were unique and 1321 were considered as observed (13σ(I)) and used in the structural analysis. The final R and Rw residuals were 0.027 and 0.026, respectively. The structure is made up of chiral (Δ and Λ enantiomers c…

Altered cellular calcium responsiveness to insulin in normal and hypertensive pregnancy.

1996

Objective To investigate the glucose-independent calcium-related effects of insulin from subjects with normal and hypertensive pregnancies. Method We used lndo-l fluorescence spectroscopy to measure cytosolic free calcium levels (Cai) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) from 17 women (aged 20-40 years), six nonpregnant controls (NPC), five pregnant normotensive (PNT) women and six pregnant hypertensive (PHT) women, before and 5, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after in vitro incubation with 200 microU/ml insulin. Results Basal Cai levels were significantly higher in PHT women (175.2 +/- 18.8 nmol/l) than they were in NPC women (122.8 +/- 2.8 nmol/l) and PNT women (123.9 +/- 3.5 nmol/l). The…

The hemagglutinin of Staphylococcus saprophyticus is a major adhesin for uroepithelial cells.

1996

The 160-kDa hemagglutinin of Staphylococcus saprophyticus also serves as a fibronectin-binding protein, and the two activities may be present on different parts of the molecule. Bacteria expressing the 160-kDa hemagglutinin bound in large numbers to histological sections of human ureters, whereas nonhemagglutinating bacteria did not bind. Binding was decreased by an antiserum to the 160-kDa protein and by a preparation of sheep erythrocyte membranes. Fibronectin had no effect. We therefore conclude that binding of S. saprophyticus to uroepithelial cells is mediated by the hemagglutinating activity of the 160-kDa surface protein.

PCA and PLS methods applied to ecotoxicological data: Ecobalance project

1996

Within a case study ‘Ecobalance’, the fate and effects of various chlorinated and non-chlorinated organic compounds and some heavy metals discharged from pulp and paper mills into water, sediment and aquatic animals were studied in a recipient area of southern Lake Saimaa, SE Finland. The main aim of the project was to find an empirical link between chemical emission parameters and ecotoxicological effects expressed in the ecosystem. As part of the \‘Ecobalance’ project, principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) methods were used to interpret the data of the lake area. The PLS method was used to estimate the lake area affected by mill effluents and to calculate the …

Covalently attached polymer mono- and multilayers on silanized glass substrates

1996

Abstract Applying grazing incidence FTIR and ellipsometry, the reaction of poly [(1-methyl-vinyl isocyanate)-alt-(maleic anhydride)](IAP) with amino-silanized glass and silicon oxide surfaces has been investigated. A reactive surface containing isocyanate and anhydride groups was formed after the adsorption of the polymer. The layer could be further functionalized using 2-aminoethanol. Multilayers could be built up by adsorbing a second layer of IAP onto an already reacted first layer of IAP.