Increased susceptibility of microcytic red blood cells to in vitro oxidative stress.

1995

Oxidative damage to erythrocytes in thalassaemia has been related to generation of free radicals by an excess of denaturated alpha- or beta-globin chains, intracellular iron overload and low concentration of normal haemoglobin (HGB). Two good indicators of such oxidative damage are the high red blood cell (RBC) malonyldialdehyde (MDA) production detected following exogenous oxidant stress and the decrease of pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase (P5N), the most sensitive enzyme to SH-group damage in vivo. Conflicting data, however, have so far accumulated in the literature concerning differences in oxidative damage between the different forms of thalassaemia and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). In the p…

New ferrocene-containing copolyesters

1995

We have synthesized four new ferrocene monomers (three diols and one diester). The redox potential of these ferrocene derivatives varies between 0 mV and 230 mV due to different degrees of ring alkylation. Amorphous and liquid crystalline copolyesters were prepared with these monomers in the polymer main chain. Cyclovoltammetric measurements show that the redox potential of the ferrocene units is increased by about 40 mV upon polymer formation (esterification). Since the ester group is 4 to 6 σ-bonds away from the ferrocene unit this increase is probably caused by some charge-transfer interaction through space. First rheological measurements show an unusual rubber-like behaviour of the ferr…

H-Point standard additions method for resolution of binary mixtures with simultaneous addition of both analytes

1995

Abstract The basis of the H-point standard additions method, HPSAM, with simultaneous addition of both analytes is proposed for the resolution of binary mixtures. It is a modification of the previously described H-point standard additions method that permits the resolution of both species from a unique calibration set by making the simultaneous addition of the two analytes. The method uses as analytical signals the absorbances at pairs of wavelengths where each species shows the same absorbance. The required data to apply the method are the absorbance values at the previously selected wavelengths for the sample alone and spiked with both species at known concentrations. Linear relations bet…

Topical Review: The Neuronal Ceroid-Lipofuscinoses

1995

The neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses, a group of progressive neurodegenerative diseases in children and in adults, have now been recognized for some 90 years, and the childhood forms represent one of the largest groups of progressive neurodegenerative diseases in children. Apart from a core group of major clinical forms—the infantile, the late-infantile, the juvenile, and the adult forms—numerous atypical patients afflicted with neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis have now been identified, constituting 10% to 20% of all patients with neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis. These "atypical" patients have, over the past 10 years, prompted the suggestion of 15 atypical variants or minor syndromes, many of th…

Retailers' professional and professio-ethical dilemmas: The case of Finnish retailing business

1995

The main purpose of this paper is to put forth the concept of ethics, present ethical theories and, finally, consider some business ethics issues in the context of retailing practices. In the first part of this paper we seek to motivate the research task. The importance of conducting ethical analysis is stressed. In the second part of the paper several ethical theories: utilitarianism, deontology and virtue ethics are presented. This part serves as a basis for research interviews, e.g. it is possible to examine retailers' opinions about their professional virtues, and try to position these opinions in relation with utilitarianism and deontology. In the third part the empirical findings abou…

Analysis of13C NMR substituent chemical shifts in some (aryl)(2-nitrobenzo [b]thiophen-3-yl)amines: A new class of compounds with analgesic, anti-exu…

1995

The 13C NMR chemical shift values of (aryl)(2-nitrobenzo[b]thiophen-3-yl)amines were measured in DMSO-d6 solutions, suggesting the occurrence of an alternate charge polarization at C-3, C-2, C-3a, C-7a, C-4 and C-5. A dual substituent parameter analysis of the experimental data indicates a large or a low resonance contribution for aryl para or meta substituents, respectively, while the inductive component remains constant throughout.

Diltiazem for Prevention of Acoustical Trauma during Otologic Surgery

1995

100 patients were tested in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study to assess the perioperative efficacy of a calcium channel blocker (diltiazem) in preventing acoustical trauma during otologic surgery. The patients were randomly divided into a therapy group (diltiazem) and a control group (placebo). Bone conduction hearing thresholds were examined preoperatively and again 1 day and 3 months postoperatively. Frequency-dependent changes in postoperative bone conduction and the number of patients with various degrees of postoperative hearing loss in both groups were statistically analyzed. The results indicated only a small postoperative hearing loss after ear surgery in both groups. …

Assessment of myometrial infiltration and preoperative staging by transvaginal ultrasound in patients with endometrial carcinoma

1995

In recent years, the incidence of carcinoma of the endometrium has shown an upward trend, such that it is currently the most frequently encountered malignant tumor of the female genital tract. An accurate preoperative diagnosis of the extent and spread of such carcinomas is of crucial importance for the selection of a therapeutic approach appropriate to the stage and infiltration of each particular tumor. In a prospective study of 80 patients with a carcinoma of the endometrium, performed at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Mainz, we compared the preoperative findings of transvaginal sonography with the postoperative histological results with respect to the f…

Role of the D 13 and S 11 Resonances in Deuteron Photodisintegration

1995

The influence of the N(1520) and N(1535) isobar resonances in deuteron photodisintegration is investigated. The isobar configurations are treated in impulse approximation using one-pion exchange for the transition potentials. Isobar admixtures are included in scattering waves as well as in the deuteron. Their influence on the total and differential cross section and various polarization observables, e.g., nucleon polarization and photon asymmetry is small in the Δ resonance region, but not any longer negligible at higher energies.

Gadolinium-DTPA (Magnevist®) als Kontrastmittel für die Galaktographie

1995

Evaluation of a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia on chromosome 6p by multipoint affected sib-pair linkage analysis

1995

The influence of genetic factors in schizophrenia has been convincingly demonstrated by family, twin and adoption studies, but the mode of transmission remains uncertain. The reported pattern of recurrence risks suggests a set of interacting loci. Based on prior evidence for linkage on chromosome 6p (K. Kendler, pers. comm.), we have scanned the short arm of chromosome 6 in 54 families for loci predisposing to schizophrenia, using 25 microsatellite markers spanning 60 centiMorgans (cM). Allele sharing identity by descent was examined in affected sib-pairs from these families, followed by multipoint sib-pair linkage analysis. Positive lod scores were obtained over a wide region (D6S470 to D6…

Low self-control as a precursor to crime and accidents in a Finnish longitudinal study

1995

1206 Comparison of granisetron vs ondansetron vs tropisetron in the prophylaxis of acute nausea and vomiting induced by highly emetogenic chemotherap…

1995

A two-centre prospective randomized open cross-over study to compare granisetron (Gra) vs ondansetron (Ond) vs tropisetron (Tro) in the prevention of high-dose cisplatin-induced nausea and vomiting was carried out. The notable characteristics of our study were: all patients were very homogeneous for tumor site (head and neck cancer), all were treated with high-dose (80 to 100 mg/sqm) cisplatin on day 1 and all were chemotherapy-naive. 141 patients for a total number of 541 chemotherapy cycles containing high-dose cisplatin were randomized to receive 24 mg of Ond intravenously (i.v.) or 3 mg of Gra i.v. or 5 mg of Tro i.v. for the control of acute nausea and emesis. In the Gra group in 138 o…

A new deer from the lower Turolian of Spain

1995

A new genus and species of deer,Lucentia iberica, is described from the lower Turolian (MN 11) locality of Crevillente 2 (Alicante province, Spain).Eostyloceros pierensisThomas, 1951 from Piera (Barcelona province) is also included in the new genus. The two-tinedLucentiais not a representative of Muntiacinae. From the emplacement on the cranial cavity and moderate backward inclination of the pedicles, and from the monopodial construction of the antlers,Lucentiais probably the sister group of the clade Cervinae + Odocoileinae. The hypothesis thatLucentiais most closely related to Cervinae is poorly supported by dental features. The Cervinae-Odocoileinae split must have occurred during the la…

Coordination behavior of sulfathiazole. Crystal structure of [Cu (sulfathiazole) (py)3Cl] superoxide dismutase activity

1995

Abstract The preparation, spectroscopic, magnetic properties, and crystal structure of [Cu(stzxpy) 3 Cl] (stz − stands for the deprotonated form of sulfathiazole, 4-amino-N-2-thiazolylbencenosulfonamide) are reported. Crystals are orthorhombic, space group Pbca, with cell constants a = 15.834(2), b = 17.512(4), and c = 18.79(2) A, and Z = 8. The structure was solved and refined to R = 0.041 (R W = 0.040). The structure consists of mononuclear units linked via hydrogen bonds to form the tridimensional pyramid. The geometry of CuN3N*NCl chromophore is distorted square-pyramid. The superoxide-dismutase mimetic activity of the compound is measured and compared with those of the SOD enzyme, the …

Two-photon laser dynamics.

1995

Degenerate as well as nondegenerate three-level two-photon laser (TPL) models are derived. In the limit of equal cavity losses for both fields, it is shown that the nondegenerate model reduces to the degenerate one. We also demonstrate the isomorphism existing between our degenerate TPL model and that of a dressed-state TPL. All these models contain ac-Stark and population-induced shifts at difference from effective Hamiltonian models. The influence of the parameters that control these shifts on the nonlinear dynamics of a TPL is investigated. In particular, the stability of the periodic orbits that arise at the Hopf bifurcation of the system and the extension of the self-pulsing domains of…

Evaluation of regional haemodynamics and alterations of vascular wall of the lower limbs in hypertensive subjects

1995

This study was designed to analyse the relationship between arterial hypertension and changes in arterial blood flow and vascular wall damage of the lower limbs in hypertensive patients with various degrees of hypertension. Six hundred and fifty-four hypertensive patients (421 males and 233 females) aged 35 to 70 years and 88 healthy subjects (63 males and 25 females) aged 39 to 60 years were studied. Strain-gauge plethysmography of the lower limbs was used to calculate arterial calf blood flow (RF), arterial calf blood flow after post-ischaemic hyperaemia (PF), basal and minimal vascular resistances (BVR and MVR), time to reach peak flow (tPF), time until 50% reduction of peak flow (tT1/2)…

Non-Gaussian Approach for Stochastic Analysis of Offshore Structures

1995

An approach that is able to obtain the stochastic characteristics in terms of, stochastic momen.ts of a SDOF system excited by loads due to a fluid-structure mteraction is presented. In This approach the fluid horizontal velocity is considered as a filtered white noise, and the actual load expression is replaced by a Thirddegree polynomial of this velocity. The tools needed to p.romptly obtain the filters parameters and the equations governing the response moments are also presented; in particular, if the structure is sufficiently stiff, It is shown that these equations do not need any closure scheme III order to be solved. © ASCE.

Ascorbic Acid Stability in Ground Asparagus Samples and in Oxalic Acid Extracts

1995

To establish the storage conditions for asparagus preparation before ascorbic acid determination, samples were ground, the mass was divided into three aliquots that were, respectively, stored at 4°C, – 18°C, or extracted with 1% oxalic acid. The extract was further split into aliquots and stored at 25°, 4°, –18° and -75°C. Ascorbic acid content was measured at different times of storage by a polarographic method. The rate of degradation increased with storage temperature; the degradation rate was higher in ground samples than in extracts; no significant changes in ascorbic acid content were observed in extracts stored for 7 days at -18° or for 90 days at -75°C.

Comparison theorems for the volume of a geodesic ball with a product of space forms as a model

1995

We prove two comparison theorems for the volume of a geodesic ball in a Riemannian manifold taking as a model a geodesic ball in a product of two space forms.

Projective mappings between projective lattice geometries

1995

The concept of projective lattice geometry generalizes the classical synthetic concept of projective geometry, including projective geometry of modules.

QUASI *-ALGEBRAS OF OPERATORS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

1995

The main facts of the theory of quasi*-algebras of operators acting in a rigged Hilbert space are reviewed. The particular case where the rigged Hilbert space is generated by a self-adjoint operator in Hilbert space is examined in more details. A series of applications to quantum theories are discussed.

Measurement of Pharyngeal Pressure in Patients using Nasal CPAP

1995

In patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) prevents pharyngeal collapse by applying positive pressure transnasally. Currently there are not objective criteria to determine whether surgical improvement of nasal resistance is necessary in patients undergoing nCPAP treatment. In 16 patients with documented OSAS, inspiratory and expiratory pressures in the pharynx were measured during nCPAP with pressures ranging from 5 to 20 mbar. Identical studies were performed in 12 patients with severe nasal obstruction without OSAS and in eight normal patients. The results of each group were compared to the nasal resistance as measured by a…

Pharmacological screening of the methanol and dichloromethanol extracts ofGenista patens

1995

The pharmacological effects of the dichloromethanol and methanol extracts obtained from leaves and stems of Genista patens DC were analysed in in vitro and in vivo models. Both extracts showed low acute toxicity (LD 50 >3 g/kg), CNS depressor and antiinflammatory activity, and similar analgesic effect in models of chemical and thermal stimulation. Furthermore, the dichloromethanol extract (1-20 mg/kg) induced a pronounced dose-dependent decrease on blood pressure. On isolated organs, the dichloromethanol extract (1, 10, 100 μg/mL) shifted the concentration-effect curve to the right for ACh and reduced the E max induced by histamine without modifying responses induced by noradrenaline and se…

Analgosedierung mit Fentanyl/Midazolam nach Korrektur angeborener Herzfehler

1995

Abstract There is no standard therapy in the management of postoperative pain control following corrective cardiac surgery of congenital heart disease. Assessment in the preverbal age is difficult. In a randomized study we compared a combined treatment of fentanyl and midazolam, given as continuous infusion versus single dose application. A pain assessment score was used to measure the effectiveness of analgosedation in addition to recording nurseries observations. Fentanyl and midazolam are an appropriate combination for postoperative pain treatment. Continuous application is considered to be more effective concerning basic anxiety, cumulative dosage and to avoid volume overload in infants…

Branch Points of Algebraic Functions and the Beginnings of Modern Knot Theory

1995

Many of the key ideas which formed modern topology grew out of “normal research” in one of the mainstream fields of 19th-century mathematical thinking, the theory of complex algebraic functions. These ideas were eventually divorced from their original context. The present study discusses an example illustrating this process. During the years 1895-1905, the Austrian mathematician, Wilhelm Wirtinger, tried to generalize Felix Klein's view of algebraic functions to the case of several variables. An investigation of the monodromy behavior of such functions in the neighborhood of singular points led to the first computation of a knot group. Modern knot theory was then formed after a shift in mat…

Polyunsaturated n-3 and n-6 fatty acids at a low level in the diet alter mitochondrial outer membrane parameters in Wistar rat liver

1995

Abstract This study was designed to examine whether n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) at a very low level in the diet (about 0.2%) may alter the fatty acid composition of mitochondrial outer membranes and the characteristics of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPTI) activity in the liver of normal Wistar rats. The animals were fed diets containing different oil mixtures (5% wt/wt) with the same ratio of n-6 n-3 fatty acids supplied either as fish oil or arachidonic acid concentrate. The cholesterol content of the mitochondrial outer membranes from liver was similar for all diets, while the percentage of 22:6n-3 and 20:4n-6 in phospholipids was enhanced with the diets containin…

Tributyltin affects phagocytic activity of Ciona intestinalis hemocytes

1995

Organotin compounds have been used in marine anti-fouling paints as biocides. Because tunicates are vulnerable to these compounds in their natural habitats, we used Ciona intestinalis to establish an assay for phagocytosis in vitro of yeast by hemocytes after exposure to different concentrations (0.0015, 0.015, 0.15 and 1.5 microM) of four organotin compounds: tributyltin (TBT), triphenyltin (TPT), dibutyltin (DBT) and diphenyltin (DPT). To evaluate the phagocytic activity, we used a method based on fluorescence excitation of yeast pre-treated with eosin-Y. The percentage of phagocytosis decreased from 45.1 +/- 3.49 to 22.4 +/- 5.14 at 1.5 microM of TBT (P0.001); it was significantly reduce…

Leçon littéraire sur Dans la jungle des villes de Bertolt Brecht

1995

National audience

Organometallic complexes with biological molecules: V.In vivo cytotoxicity of diorganotin(IV)-amoxicillin derivatives in mitotic chromosomes ofrutilu…

1995

In order to test in vivo cytotoxicity of diorganotin(IV)-amoxicillin (amox) derivatives, mitotic chromosomes of Rutilus rubilio (Pisces, Cyprinidae) have been analyzed using two different chromosome-staining techniques. Results gathered after exposure of fish to the free amox.3H 2 O, R 2 SnClamox.2H 2 O, and R 2 Snamox 2 .2H 2 O (R = methyl, butyl and phenyl ; amox - = 6-[D(-)-β-amino-p-hydroxyphenylacetamido]penicillinate) suggest that methyl derivatives seem to exert a lower cytotoxicity than butyl and phenyl ones and that R 2 Snamox 2 .2H 2 O derivatives are more toxic than R 2 Snclamox.2H 2 O at both 10 -5 and 10 -7 mol dm -3 concentrations. The following structural lesions have been id…

Correlation of virus replication, cytokine (TNF-? and IL-1) producing cells, neuronal necrosis and inflammation after intranasal infection of mice wi…

1995

The number of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta producing cells was investigated during the acute replication phase of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in trigeminal ganglia after intranasal infection with strains of different virulence. The highly virulent strain WAL replicated strongly and induced many cytokine producing cells early in the ganglia. The low virulent strain HFEM replicated less, only few cytokine producing cells were detected late. The thymidine-kinase negative (TK-) virus 1301 did not replicate but produced some lymphocytic inflammation. The higher the virulence of strains of HSV-1 or -2 was, the stronger was the extent of histopathological lesions; moreover, a dissociation in time betwee…

Morphomechanics of the humero-ulnar joint: I. Joint space width and contact areas as a function of load and flexion angle

1995

BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that the trochlear notch is deeper than necessary for an exact fit with the humerus. However, humero-ulnar joint space width and contact areas have so far not been quantified for variations in the load and angle of flexion. METHODS Six fresh cadaveric specimens were investigated at 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, and 120 degrees of flexion and at loads of 25 and 500 N, simulating resisted elbow extension. The joint space width and contact were determined, using polyether casting material. RESULTS At 25 N all joints made contact in the ventral and dorsal aspects of the articular surfaces, whereas in the depth of the trochlear notch the joint space w…

Simultaneity between strategic variables: Production, innovation, and product differentiation

1995

This paper aims to analyze the existence of simultaneous effects among the variables production, product differentiation, and innovation. Microeconomic data from a sample of 2,160 firms are used as a base. Empirical results show that a positive correlation exists from innovation to product differentiation, thus showing that it is in the process of production itself, through technical improvements, where product differentiation is determined. On the other hand, no positive effect exists from product differentiation to innovation, i.e., once technical improvements have been established, firms exchange the barriers to entry created by brand image for the real barriers established by innovation…

Morphology and properties of blends of polyethylene with a semiflexible liquid crystalline polymer

1995

Blends of three polyethylene (PE) samples (two HDPE grades and LLDPE) with an experimental sample of a semiflexible liquid crystalline polymer (SBH 1 :1 :2 by Eniricerche) have been prepared in a Brabender compounder. The processing-aid effect of the LCP has been demonstrated by the decreased energy required for extruding the blends, as compared to that needed for neat PE. The thermal properties, as studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), have shown that the two components of the blends are immiscible. However, the dispersed SBH phase has been found to act as a nucleating agent for the crystallization of LLDPE, whereas no such effect was observed for HDPE. This has been taken as…

Evidence for specific, high-affinity binding sites for a proteinaceous elicitor in tobacco plasma membrane

1995

Abstract Binding of cryptogein, a proteinaceous elicitor, was studied on tobacco plasma membrane. The binding of the [125I]cryptogein was saturable, reversible and specific with an apparent Kd of 2 nM. A single class of cryptogein binding sites was found with a sharp optimum pH for binding at about pH 7.0. The high-affinity correlates with cryptogein concentrations required for biological activity in vivo.

Conceptual and Paradigmatic Foundations of ISD

1995