Hemorheologic profile of hyperlipidemic patients treated with gemfibrozil

1996

Abstract We measured the plasma lipid levels and the macrorheologic (whole-blood, plasma, and serum viscosity levels; fibrinogen; hematocrit; mean erythrocyte aggregation; and whole-blood filterability) and microrheologic (erythrocyte membrane fluidity and red cell membrane protein lateral mobility) determinants in a group of 19 hyperlipidemic patients (Fredrickson's classification phenotype IIa, 12 patients; phenotype IV, 4; phenotype IIb, 3) at baseline and after 45 and 90 days of treatment with gemfibrozil (900 mg orally once a day). At baseline we noted statistically significant increases in plasma viscosity level, fibrinogen, and mean erythrocyte aggregation, as well as a statistically…

Isolation and Characterization of the Kininogen-binding Protein p33 from Endothelial Cells

1996

Abstract Kininogens, the precursor proteins of the vasoactive kinins, bind specifically, reversibly, and saturably to platelets, neutrophils, and endothelial cells. Two domains of the kininogens expose major cell binding sites: domain D3 that is shared by H- and L-kininogen and domain D5H that is exclusively present in H-kininogen. Previously we have mapped the kininogen cell binding sites to 27 residues of D3 (“LDC27”) and 20 residues of D5H (“HKH20”), respectively (Herwald, H., Hasan, A. A. K., Godovac-Zimmermann, J., Schmaier, A. H., and Muller-Esterl, W. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 14634-14642; Hasan, A. A. K., Cines, D. B., Herwald, H., Schmaier, A. H., and Muller-Esterl, W. (1995) J. B…

Magnetic circular and linear dichroism in VUV-photoemission from thin iron films on W(110)

1996

Abstract We report on two different photoemission techniques for ferromagnetic surfaces: the phenomena of magnetic circular and linear dichroism in the angular distribution of photoelectrons MCDAD and MLDAD. MCDAD had already been studied in detail for different systems. Now we are able to compare our MCDAD results from thin iron films on W(110) to new data from magnetic linear dichroism MLDAD. Both effects (MCDAD and MLDAD) have been studied in the identical photon energy region (up to hv = 36 eV). The results will be discussed with respect to a bandstructure calculation.

Experimental study on the influence of paper and pulp mill effluent on the gill parasite communities of roach (Rutilus rutilus)

1996

SUMMARYRoach (n= 81) caught on 23 May, 1992 from oligotrophic, unpolluted Lake Peurunka were kept in cages over a 2-week period before moving half of the fish to nearby Lake Vatia, which is influenced by pulp mill effluents. Before moving the fish gill parasites were examined from 9 fish; 5Dactylogyrusspecies,Gyrodactylussp. andParadiplozoon homoionwere found, the main components of the infracommunities being dactylogyrids. Afterwards, 5 fish from each lake were studied weekly between 1 July and 17 August. Metazoan parasites were recorded from gill arches divided into 4 sections along the dorso-ventral axis.D. crucifer, D. nanus, D. micracanthusandD. suecicusoccurred in both lakes throughou…

Space charge and induced dipole relaxation in solid electrolytes

1996

The space charge relaxation and induced dipole relaxation in solid electrolytes is discussed. The di-electric responses of these relaxations gives a satisfactory fit to the universal conductivity behaviours in the frequency range from DC to infrared.

Multiple levels of MHC class I down-regulation by ras oncogenes.

1996

A number of tumours and oncogene transformed cells displayed reduced MHC class I surface expression which seemed to enable their escape from immune surveillance. To test whether oncogenic activation is directly involved in suppressing MHC class I expression, a model of inducible oncogene expression was chosen. Mouse fibroblasts transfected with different oncogenes expressed under the control of the dexamethasone-inducible MMTV promoter were analysed in the presence and absence of hormone for the mRNA and protein expression of MHC class I molecules as well as the respective oncogenes. Immunofluorescence analyses demonstrated an inverse association of MHC class I and oncogene expression after…

Domains of the E1 Protein of Human Papillomavirus Type 33 Involved in Binding to the E2 Protein

1996

Papillomavirus E1 and E2 proteins are essential for the initiation of viral DNA replication. We have now analyzed the interaction of E1 and E2 of human papillomavirus type 33, which is associated with cervical carcinoma. When synthesized in insect cells using the baculovirus expression system, the E1 and E2 proteins interacted efficiently at 4 degree. A monoclonal antibody recognizing E1 amino acids 584--600 inhibited the binding of E2 and vice versa, indicating that these amino acids are involved in E2 binding. To confirm this result, a mutational analysis of E1 was performed. The E2 binding activity of E1 deletion and point mutant proteins was assayed using glutathione S-transferase E1 fu…

The effect of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on hepatitis B vaccination in haemodialysis patients.

1996

Haemodialysis patients often fail to respond to hepatitis B vaccination. In this pilot study, 15 patients previously non-responsive to at least three 40 micrograms doses of hepatitis B vaccine were given 0.5, 5 or 10 micrograms kg-1 granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) subcutaneously 24 h prior to booster vaccination with a hepatitis B vaccine. Seven of the 15 patients developed antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAb) (35-7240 IU L-1) upon initial vaccination with GM-CSF and two of four individuals responded with low HBsAb titres of 15 and 60 IU L-1 when revaccinated with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and twice the dose of GM-CSF. The application of GM-CSF…

82. Determinants of plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen in subjects attending a metabolic ward

1996

Near-field optics theories

1996

The development of near-field optics theory is reviewed. We first recall that near-field optics is not limited to near-field microscopy. Broadly speaking, it concerns phenomena involving evanescent electromagnetic waves. The importance of such waves was ignored for a long time in optical and surface physics until the emergence of scanning near-field optical microscopes. Taking evanescent waves into account prevents the use of any simple approximation in the set of Maxwell's equations. The various theoretical approaches of near-field optics are discussed from the point of view of their ability to assess evanescent electromagnetic waves. We discuss the main results of the application of the v…

A major cysteine proteinase, EPB, in germinating barley seeds: structure of two intronless genes and regulation of expression

1996

The barley cysteine proteinase B (EPB) is the main protease responsible for the degradation of endosperm storage proteins providing nitrogenous nutrients to support the growth of young seedlings. The expression of this enzyme is induced in the germinating seeds by the phytohormone, gibberellin, and suppressed by another phytohormone, abscisic acid. In situ hybridization experiments indicate that EPB is expressed in the scutellar epithelium within 24 h of seed germination, but the aleurone tissue surrounding the starchy endosperm eventually becomes the main tissue expressing this enzyme. The EPB gene family of barley consists of two very similar genes, EPB1 and EPB2, both of which have been …

Adenylate storage, metabolism and utilization in coelomic cells of the polychaeteNereis virens (Annelida, polychaeta)

1996

Eleocytes are specialized coelomic cells in nereid annelids which assume a central role during germ cell development. They may contain extremely high concentrations of both adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) (each >10 μmol/ml of cell vol.), whereas the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content is comparatively low (0.8 μmol/ml cell vol.).31P nuclear magnetic, resonance (NMR) studies of living eleocytes suggest the compartmentalization of both AMP and ADP in the large acidic vacuole characteristic for this cell type. Eleocytes are thus capable of storing high concentrations of ADP and AMP without inhibiting energy metabolism, by sequestering these compounds in a separat…

Magnetic field analysis and leakage inductance calculation in current transformers by means of 3-D integral methods

1996

This paper presents 3D integral approach to power current transformer magnetic field and inductance calculations. A minimization of the kernel norm has been carried out for the integral equation governing the field. The software package TRACAL3, based on the integral methods for field and inductance calculations, has been developed and implemented for personal computers. The application of the 3D mathematical models has been made for the leakage field in a current transformer. The results of calculations were compared with measurement data. The comparison yields good agreement.

On the use of PET-LCP copolymers as compatibilizers for PET/LCP blends

1996

Copolyesters of poly[ethylene terephthalate) (PET) with a liquid crystalline polymer (LCP), SBH 1:1:2, have been synthesized by the polycondensation, carried out in the melt at temperatures up to 300 degrees C of sebacic acid (S), 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl (B), and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (H) in the presence of PET. The PET-SBH copolyesters have been characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, etc., and the relationships between properties and preparation conditions are discussed. The copolyesters show a biphasic nature, which is more evident for the products synthesized with a thermal profile comprising relatively lower temperatures (220-…

Gradual angioplasty and stent implantation to treat complete superior vena cava occlusion after Mustard procedure

1996

A 16-year-old male was admitted with complete occlusion of the superior vena cava pathway 14 years after Mustard procedure for transposition of the great arteries. From a left subclavian vein approach, the atretic vein segment was perforated using a straight guidewire, and was followed by sequential balloon dilation. Implantation of a 30 mm Palmaz-stent through a femoral vein approach resulted in a widely patent channel of the vena cava superior into the systemic venous atrium. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Hochauflösende Computertomographie der Lunge bei neutropenischen Patienten mit Fieber

1996

Purpose To determine the sensitivity and clinical impact of high-resolution CT (HRCT) of the lung in febrile neutropenic patients under antibiotic therapy. Material and methods Chest X-ray and HRCT were prospectively performed to exclude pneumonia in 34 patients (53 examinations) suffering from febrile neutropenia following antitumor therapy. Diagnosis was confirmed by bronchoalveolar lavage or sputum cultures. Results Chest X-ray showed pneumonia in 13/53 examinations, in 12/13 a micro-organism was found. HRCT demonstrated pneumonia in 39/53, in 31/39 a micro-organism was found. All cases with positive cultures showed suspicious HRCT findings. Changes in antibiotic treatment resulted in fi…

Synthesis and protonation behaviour of the macrocycle 2,6,10,13,17,21-hexaaza[22]metacyclophane. Thermodynamic and NMR studies on the interaction of …

1996

Abstract The novel cyclophane receptor 2,6,10,13,17,21-hexaaza[22]metacyclophane (L) has been synthesised and characterised. The acid-base behaviour and interaction with ATP, ADP and AMP have been studied by potentiometry in 0.15 mol dm−3 at 298.1 K and multinuclear NMR. L presents in its protonated forms a molecular organization which enables its multipoint binding with nucleotides. Salt-bridge formation occur between the polyammonium sites of L and the phosphate chain of the nucleotides while π-stacking between the meta-phenylene subunit incorporated in the receptor and the adenine ring of the nucleotides.

Microrefrigeration by NIS tunnel junctions

1996

By using a normal metal-insulator-superconductor (NIS) tunnel junction one can manipulate the Fermi-Dirac distribution of the electrons in the normal electrode. If the junction is biased close to the superconducting gap, Δ, only “hot electrons” above Fermi level can tunnel from the normal electrode to the superconductor. Thus, due to the decoupling of the conduction electrons from the lattice at low temperatures, there exists a possibility to decrease the electronic temperature by this method. Because of the symmetry with bias voltage, two NIS tunnel junctions in series can form an efficient microrefrigerator. Temperature can be measured with two additional junctions by considering the vari…

Improvement of the nitrogen uptake induced by titanium (iv) leaf supply in nitrogen‐stressed pepper seedlings

1996

Abstract The beneficial effect of titanium (Ti) on plant metabolism can result in more profitable use of fertilizer applied to a crop. A crop chamber experiment with paprika pepper (Capsicum annuum L., cv. Bunejo) seedlings under differential nitrogen (N) concentration levels in a nutrient solution (100% N, 75% N, 50% N, and 25% N) was performed. A third of the seedlings growing under each N support level remained Ti‐untreated and were used as the reference. Another third of the seedling received one and two 0.042 mM Ti(TV) ascorbate, pH 6.0, leaf spray treatments, respectively. The biomass production of the Ti‐untreated plants was only affected by the N supply of 50% or less. The Ti(IV) le…

Monte Carlo simulation studies of the interfaces between polymeric and other solids as models for fiber-matrix interactions in advanced composite mat…

1996

As a coarse-grained model for dense amorphous polymer systems interacting with solid walls (i.e., the fiber surface in a composite), the bond fluctuation model of flexible polymer chains confined between two repulsive surfaces is studied by extensive Monte Carlo simulations. Choosing a potential for the length of an effective bond that favors rather long bonds, the full temperature region from ordinary polymer melts down to the glass transition is accessible. It is shown that in the supercooled state near the glass transition an “interphase” forms near the walls, where the structure of the melt is influenced by the surface. This “interphase” already shows up in static properties, but also h…

Phylogenetic analysis of the isopenicillin-N-synthetase horizontal gene transfer.

1996

A phylogenetic study of the isopenicillin-N-synthetase (IPNS) gene sequence from prokaryotic and lower eukaryotic producers of beta-lactam antibiotics by means of a maximum-likelihood approach has been carried out. After performing an extensive search, rather than invoking a global molecular clock, the results obtained are best explained by a model with three rates of evolution. Grouped in decreasing order, these correspond to A. nidulans and then to the rest of the eukaryotes and prokaryotes, respectively. The estimated branching date between prokaryotic and fungal IPNS sequences (852 +/- 106 MY) strongly supports the hypothesis that the IPNS gene was horizontally transferred from bacteria…

Computertomographische Funktionsuntersuchung der Lunge nach einseitiger Lungentransplantation mit axialer und koronarer Akquisition

1996

After single-lung transplantation in a patient suffering from obstructive emphysema lung function parameters worsened during follow-up. To complement the routine high-resolution CT (HRCT) scans acquired in inspiration, additional scans were obtained to evaluate regional lung function. The comparison of HRCT scans acquired in inspiration and in expiration revealed different ventilation conditions of both lungs, continuous acquisition in a single slice (dynamic multiscan acquisition) in the axial and coronal plane demonstrated mediastinal shifting and the movement of the diaphragm during the whole breathing cycle. Both modalities can provide important information concerning regional differenc…

Weak K-amplitudes in the chiral and 1/Nc-expansions

1996

7 páginas, 2 figuras.-- arXiv:hep-ph/9511465v1

Simultaneous Kinetic Determination of Carbamate Pesticides after Derivatization withp-Aminophenol by Using Partial Least Squares

1996

Abstract A method has been developed for the fast spectrophotometric determination of propoxur, carbaryl, and ethiofencarb in water samples using injection analysis in the stopped-flow mode. The method is based on the reaction between p -aminophenol and the phenolic compounds obtained from the pesticides, after a previous hydrolysis with 0.05 M NaOH at room temperature for 15 min. The partial least-squares treatment of the spectrophotometry kinetic data provides a simultaneous determination of the three carbamate pesticides assayed with a relative accuracy error lower than 5% in complex mixtures also containing formetanate, which is only partially hydrolyzed under the experimental condition…

A hierarchical analysis of genetic structure and variability in patchily distributed coexisting Chiastocheta species (Diptera:Anthomyiidae)

1996

The pattern of genetic variation in four coexisting fly species of the genus Chiastocheta was studied by allozyme electrophoresis. The fly species are confined to patches of one plant, Trollius europaeus, and thus experience very similar habitat fluctuations. Collection sites were chosen in a hierarchical fashion and F-statistics were estimated at three levels: intraregion, inter-region and total population. Population characteristic genetic parameters were compared within and among species and were related to the hierarchical level. The species were used as replicate experiments for inference of habitat history, and the hierarchical levels were used as inference for specific gene flow patt…

Synthesis of AB and ABA block copolymers as compatibilizers in nylon 6/polycarbonate blends

1996

Nylon 6 (Ny6) and Bisphenol A polycarbonate (PC) are immiscible and form biphasic blends. To improve the compatibility of Ny6 and PC several ABA and AB Ny6/PC block copolymers were synthesized, and their compatibilizing behavior on the blends were tested. Block copolymers were prepared by reacting monoamino- or diamino-terminated Ny6 homopolymers with high molecular weight PC at 130°C in anhydrous DMSO. The reaction of diamino- and monoamino-terminated Ny6 with polycarbonate produces block copolymers of the type PC-Ny6-PC (ABA) and PC-Ny6 (AB), respectively, plus a certain amount of unconverted PC degradated to lower molecular weights. To separate the block copolymer from the unconverted PC…

Mycoplasma fermentans-derived lipid inhibits class II major histocompatibility complex expression without mediation by interleukin-6, interleukin-10,…

1996

Mycoplasma cause several diseases in man and animals. Some strains can chronically infect humans, leading to fever or inflammatory syndromes such as arthritis, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. A set of pathogenicity factors shared by many mollicutes may be membrane components that activate macrophages to secrete cytokines and other inflammatory mediators. Mycoplasma-derived high molecular weight material (MDHM) is a macrophage-activating amphiphilic lipid which was purified from Mycoplasma fermentans. We studied the influence of MDHM on the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules by mouse resident peritoneal macrophages with an ELISA. Highly purifie…

Adenine nucleotide metabolism during anoxia and postanoxic recovery in insects

1996

Severe hypoxia (anoxia), if maintained for more than a few minutes, causes irreversible damage in humans and other mammals. Why mammals are so vulnerable to anoxia is not fully understood. It is therefore of interest to study animals that are more tolerant of anoxia in order to identify physiological and metabolic properties that are correlated with a high tolerance of anoxia. Insects have high metabolic rates and their energy metabolism is dependent on aerobic ATP production. In insects, as in mammals, anoxia causes a rapid breakdown of physiological function, resulting in a state similar to rigor mortis. This is accompanied by a precipitous decrease in metabolic rate. In contrast to mamma…

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae zinc finger proteins Msn2p and Msn4p are required for transcriptional induction through the stress response element (STR…

1996

The MSN2 and MSN4 genes encode homologous and functionally redundant Cys2His2 zinc finger proteins. A disruption of both MSN2 and MSN4 genes results in a higher sensitivity to different stresses, including carbon source starvation, heat shock and severe osmotic and oxidative stresses. We show that MSN2 and MSN4 are required for activation of several yeast genes such as CTT1, DDR2 and HSP12, whose induction is mediated through stress-response elements (STREs). Msn2p and Msn4p are important factors for the stress-induced activation of STRE dependent promoters and bind specifically to STRE-containing oligonucleotides. Our results suggest that MSN2 and MSN4 encode a DNA-binding component of the…

Long-term interferon-α treatment of children with chronic hepatitis delta: A multicentre study

1996

We assessed the efficacy of prolonged interferon-alpha (IFN) therapy in children with chronic hepatitis caused by hepatitis delta virus (HDV) by treating 26 paediatric cases with IFN-alpha 2b (5 MU m-2, then 3 MU m-2 three times weekly for 12 (medium-term group MTG) or 24 months (long-term group, LTG). Compliance and tolerability were acceptable. At the end of therapy a complete biochemical response [normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT)] occurred in 12 children (5/13 in MTG and 7/13 in LTG). A relapse occurred after stopping IFN in 10 cases (five in MTG and five in LTG). Two patients from the LTG had normal liver function tests during 12 months of follow-up. Six of the eight hepa…

Forschung und Ethik in der Notfallmedizin Empfehlungen eines Workshops

1996

Notfallmedizinische Prinzipien der Diagnostik und Therapie bedurfen wie jedes andere vergleichbare Verfahren auch einer adaquaten Validierung. Notfallmedizinische Diagnostik und notfallmedizinischeTherapie leiden jedoch daran, das aussagefahige Studienergebnisse zu ihrer Relevanz und Effektivitat kaum vorliegen. Diese Feststellung wird z.B. durch die Ergebnisse der Utstein-Konferenz mit dem daraus resultierenden Dokumentations- und Studienprotokoll verdeutlicht oder fur den Bereich der Traumatologie durch eine kurzliche Publikation von Spaite [7] und eine etwas altere von Jones [2], die beide zu der Feststellung kommen, das wegen Mangeln im Studiendesign, Stichprobenumfang etc. alle bisheri…

Influence of vessel dilatation on restenosis after successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

1996

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of vessel dilation on restenosis after successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) on the basis of quantitative angiographic analysis. To have the best comparison possible, we restrospectively studied a homogenous series of patients from the early 1980s treated according to a standardized PTCA procedure. The study group consisted of 86 patients with stable angina pectoris and single-vessel disease, all of whom underwent successful PTCA for a short concentric lesion in proximal vessel parts. The overall restenosis rate was 27%. Angiographically measured balloon size remained below specifications. The size of the inflate…

Diverse cell surface protein ectodomains are shed by a system sensitive to metalloprotease inhibitors.

1996

The extracellular domains of a diverse group of membrane proteins are shed in response to protein kinase C activators such as phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). The lack of sequence similarity in the cleavage sites suggests the involvement of many proteases of diverse specificity in this process. However, a mutant Chinese hamster ovary cell line recently isolated for being defective in PMA-activated shedding of the membrane-anchored growth factor transforming growth factor alpha precursor (proTGF-alpha) is concomitantly defective in the shedding of many other unrelated membrane proteins. Here we show that independent mutagenesis and selection experiments yield shedding mutants having th…

Chemical kinetics of solids. ByHermann Schmalzried, VCH, Weinheim 1995, XVI, 433 pp., hardcover, DM 298.00, ISBN 3-527-29094-X

1996

A Microassay for Measuring Glycogen in 96-Well-Cultured Cells

1996

Abstract This study describes a rapid, sensitive, and automated spectrophotometric enzymatic microassay that measures the intracellular glycogen of primary cultured hepatocytes and other cultured cells in 96-well plates and can be adapted for other samples that are transferred to these plates. The procedure involves in situ disruption of cells, followed by hydrolysis of glycogen into glucosyl units by fungal glucoamylase (exo-1,4-α- D -glucosidase, EC 3.2.1.3), and glucose determination with the glucose oxidase colorimetric method. The color intensity can be measured in conventional ELISA readers, and the data can be fed to an on-line computer for rapid processing. The advantages of this me…

Kirsi Saarikangas, Model Houses for Model Families: Gender, Ideology and the Modern Dwelling. The Type-Planned Houses of the 1940s in Finland. Helsin…

1996