Low bcl-2 expression and increased spontaneous apoptosis in T-lymphocytes from newly-diagnosed IDDM patients.

1995

The bcl-2 gene product has been shown to regulate apoptotic cell death, and its dysregulation has been shown to induce several abnormalities in the immune system. No data exist regarding bcl-2 expression in autoimmune diseases, such as human insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). We investigated bcl-2 protein expression by testing T lymphocytes from 15 newly-diagnosed (3 weeks) IDDM patients in comparison to 10 age-matched control subjects. The expression of bcl-2 on CD3+ lymphocyte subsets was investigated after membrane permeabilization by two- or three-colour immunofluorescence. When the percentage and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of bcl-2+/CD3+ cells from normal individuals an…

The paramount power of selection: From Darwin to Kauffman

1995

For approximately two decades now, the Darwinian interpretation of evolution has now been challenged in many ways. Modern criticisms make it difficult, even for the staunchest Darwinians, not to take a distance from Darwin’s bold phrases on the “power” of natural selection. Let me remind you of some famous declarations of Darwin on the subject: “It may be said that natural selection is daily and hourly scrutinising, throughout the world, every variation, even the slightest; rejecting that which is bad, preserving and adding up all that is good; silently and insensibly working, whenever and wherever opportunity offers, at the improvement of each organic being in relation to its organic and i…

O2-sensing and O2-dependent gene regulation in facultatively anaerobic bacteria.

1995

Availability of O2 is one of the most important regulatory signals in facultatively anaerobic bacteria. Various two- or one-component sensor/regulator systems control the expression of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism in response to O2. Most of the sensor proteins contain heme or Fe as cofactors that interact with O2 either by binding or by a redox reaction. The ArcA/ArcB regulator of aerobic metabolism in Escherichia coli may use a different sensory mechanism. In two-component regulators, the sensor is located in the cytoplasmic membrane, whereas one-component regulators are located in the cytoplasm. Under most conditions, O2 can readily reach the cytoplasm and could provide the signal in …

Cerebral protection against ischemia by locomotor activity in gerbils. Underlying mechanisms.

1995

Background and Purpose A previous communication of this laboratory demonstrated reduced mortality and neuronal damage by spontaneous locomotor activity preceding forebrain ischemia in Mongolian gerbils. The present experiments seek to elucidate potential mechanisms of protection by measurement of cerebral blood flow, cerebral tissue conductance as an indicator of ischemic cell swelling, and the cerebral release of eicosanoids. Methods Gerbils were maintained either in conventional cages (nonrunners) or with free access to running wheels (runners) for 2 weeks preceding 15 minutes of forebrain ischemia. During ischemia and 2.5 hours of reperfusion, cerebral tissue conductance was determined …

Damage to the urinary tract secondary to irradiation.

1995

During the past two decades, highly effective multimodality therapy with surgery, chemotherapy and irradiation has been developed through consecutive national and international study protocols for childhood genitourinary cancers, the model being Wilms' tumor. These studies represent a landmark achievement in the history of pediatric oncology and mark the success of multi-institutional efforts. Now that excellent survival rates have been established, current interest is now directed primarily at examination of survivors for long-term treatment complications and minimizing the side effects while preserving treatment efficacy. Treatment sequelae may not become evident until many years after th…

LEUKOTRIENE RECEPTORS ON HUMAN PULMONARY VASCULAR ENDOTHELIUM

1995

1. Cysteinyl-leukotrienes cause contractions and/or relaxations of human isolated pulmonary vascular preparations. Although, the localization and nature of the receptors through which these effects are mediated have not been fully characterized, some effects are indirect and not mediated via the well-described LT1 receptor. 2. In human pulmonary veins (HPV) with an intact endothelium, leukotriene D4 (LTD4) induced contraction above basal tone. This response was observed at lower concentrations of LTD4 in the presence of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG). Contractions (in the absence and presence of L-NOARG) were partially blocked by the LT1 antagonists (MK 5…

Effect of tetrahydrofuran on the conductance and ion-pairing of hydrogen chloride in wet and dry methanol mixtures

1995

The molar conductance of dilute solutions of HCl in wet (68.5% methanol + 31.5% tetrahydrofurane mixtures at 25°C have been measured. The data were analyzed using the Fuoss-Hsia equation to calculate the infinite dilution molar conductances and association constants. The trend of the limiting conductances in these mixtures as a function of the water content shows, once more, the peculiar minimum due to the anomalous proton conductance mechanism. From these data the limiting molar conductance in the anhydrous binary solvent system was evaluated. The percentage excess proton mobility with respect to potassium ion has also been determined. All these data are compared to those found in a binary…

Bedeutung der Erstdefibrillation durch Rettungsassistenten

1995

Catalytic cracking of alkanes on MCM-22 zeolite. Comparison with ZSM-5 and beta zeolite and its possibility as an FCC cracking additive

1995

Abstract N-heptane cracking has been carried out on MCM-22, and its kinetic and decay behaviour is compared with that of ZSM-5 and Beta zeolites. In the case of MCM-22 cracking occurs in the 10-member ring channel system, as well as in the large cavities formed by 12-member rings. Product selectivities show that MCM-22, while presenting features which indicate structural similarities with ZSM-5, it also presents characteristics corresponding to pores or cavities larger than ZSM-5. The selectivities to the individual products together with C1 + C2/iC4, C3/C4, C5/C2, iC4/total C4, and alkane/alkene ratios indicate that MCM-22 has good properties to be used as an FCC octane booster additive sp…

Contact sensitizers modulate mechanisms of receptor-mediated endocytosis but not fluid-phase endocytosis in murine epidermal Langerhans cells.

1995

In order to define the influence of contact allergens on the fluid-phase endocytosis (FPE) of soluble molecules of murine epidermal Langerhans cells (LC), we studied the internalization of FITC-labeled bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA), TRITC-labeled dextrane (TRITC-DEX) as well as horseradish peroxidase by LC. A 3-parameter flow-cytometric technique was performed for quantification of internalized FITC-BSA in LC using quantum red-labeled reagents for detection of la-antigen expression by LC and propidium iodide for exclusion of dead cells from analysis. A temperature-dependent rapid accumulation of FITC-BSA was noticed in time-course studies reaching a plateau between 1 and 2 h of in vitro c…

An autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa family with close linkage to D7S480 on 7q.

1995

Retinitis pigmentosa is the most prevalent inherited disorder of the retina. It can be autosomal dominant (adRP), autosomal recessive (arRP) or X-linked (XLRP). A form of adRP mapping to chromosome 7q was reported in a large Spanish pedigree. We have typed DNA from the members of another Spanish family for polymorphic markers from the known candidate genes. Positive lod scores were obtained only for the markers located on 7q31-35, giving a maximum lod score of 2.98 (3.01 by multipoint analysis) at theta = 0.00 for D7S480. A brief clinical evaluation is given.

Vinorelbine plus cisplatin in recurrent or previously untreated unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

1995

Despite considerable progress achieved in the management of head and neck carcinomas (HNC) in the last decade, the prognosis of patients with advanced squamous cell HNC is still dismal. On the basis of the reported good activity of a new vinca alkaloid derivative, i.e., vinorelbine (VNR), we tested the combination of cisplatin and VNR in a series of patients with recurrent or previously untreated unresectable squamous cell HNC. Thirty-five patients with recurrent or previously untreated unresectable squamous cell HNC were treated with a combination of cisplatin 80 mg/m2 on day 1, plus vinorelbine 25 mg/m2 i.v. push on days 1 and 8. This cycle was repeated every 3 weeks. Analysis of response…

Intraoperative monitoring of cerebral blood flow during ventricular shunting in hydrocephalic pediatric patients.

1995

Several studies have demonstrated lowered cerebral blood flow (CBF) in patients with hydrocephalus and symptoms of raised intracranial pressure. Ventricular shunting in such cases permits a sudden increase in CBF. The pathophysiology of functional brain deficit secondary to hydrocephalus is little understood. Improvement of the patient's clinical status after drainage of CSF suggests that cerebral dysfunction is not necessarily due to permanent brain damage. In fact, it improves rapidly after ventricular taps. In view of this it would be helpful to monitor cerebral perfusion. The transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography technique allows real-time monitoring of the intracranial circulation…

Effect of priming with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids combined with whole-cell pertussis vaccine or with acellular pertussis vaccine on the safety an…

1995

Objective: To evaluate the safety and the immunogenicity of a booster dose of recombinant acellular pertussis vaccine combined with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (DTaP, Biocine SpA) in 15- to 21-month-old children primed in infancy with either whole-cell diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTwP) vaccine or DTaP vaccine. Design: Open-label second phase of a double-masked, controlled trail, with masked analysis of serum samples. Participants and setting: Three hundred fifty children, 15 to 21 months of age, who had been primed at 2, 4, and 6 months of age with either three doses of DTaP vaccine (n = 173) or DTwP vaccine (n = 177). The children were enrolled in eight vaccination centers in Italy. I…

Gender differences in the effects of haloperidol on avoidance conditioning in mice

1995

Abstract Gender differences in the effects of haloperidol (0.07S mg/kg per day for 5 days) on avoidance conditioning were evaluated. We also studied performance of the subjects free of the drug and the acute effects of haloperidol in animals trained without drug 48 h after the last haloperidol administration. Latencies of escape and avoidance responses, number of nonresponses, escapes, avoidances, crossings during the adaptation period, crossings during intertrial intervals, and total crossings per minute were analyzed. This dosage impaired conditioning of the male animals but did not attain the same effects on females. Haloperidol did not deteriorate performance of the task when it had bee…

Spontaneous periodic and bursting current oscillations in iron corrosion by dichromate: a useful study for simulating biological systems

1995

Abstract Studies on chemical and electrochemical oscillating systems are very useful in understanding more complex biological systems. Spontaneous periodic and bursting current oscillations were found in iron/dichromate systems coupled with graphite or zinc electrodes. In this paper, we study some phenomenological features of the two systems: their typical oscillation profiles and the influence of external resistance. The results are explained by the Franck-Fitzhugh model using the mixed potential theory.

Dental state and functional capacity in 75-year-olds in three Nordic localities

1995

summary The aims of the study were to compare dental state in three Nordic 75-year-old populations and to evaluate dental state as a marker of functional ageing. The study is part of a Nordic comparative study of 75-year-olds in Glostrup, Goteborg and Jyvaskyla. In the dental studies, 411 subjects in Denmark, 308 in Sweden and 310 in Finland participated. Odontological history was obtained from interviews. Other methods, which are described elsewhere, were used to measure various functional parameters. In Goteborg, 23% of the 75-year-olds reported they were edentulous and 27% that they had more than 20 of their own teeth. The corresponding figures in Glostrup were 45% and 15% and in Jyvasky…

Advantages of immediate two-dimensional echocardiography in patients with acute cardiac ischemic events

1995

Abstract We hypothesized that the assessment of kinetic alterations on two dimensional echocardiogram (2DE) would provide greater diagnostic information than clinical symptoms and ECG changes only. The study was aimed to determine sensitivity of 2DE in patients with cardiac ischemic events and to improve the indications to thrombolysis. Three-hundred ninety-one patients (87 F; 304 M) hospitalized for suspected acute myocardial infarction (AMI), first episode, within 4 h from the onset of symptoms, suitable for thrombolysis Killip class I–II and with unstable angina (UA), were admitted in the study. Patients had to show ECG changes and alterations of segmentary motion on 2DE performed at ent…

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: orbital MRI

1995

The case is reported of a patient with idiopathic intracranial hypertension examined with magnetic resonance imaging. Marked enhancement of the optic nerve heads was found, which might be related to blood-retinal barrier breakdown related to a sudden rise in intracranial cerebrospinal fluid pressure.

Cloning and sequencing of the chicken egg-white avidin-encoding gene and its relationship with the avidin-related genes Avrl-Avr5

1995

Abstract The gene encoding chicken egg-white avidin (Avd) was amplified from chromosomal DNA, cloned and sequenced. The entire coding region of preavidin (pre-Avd) containing four exons was identified by comparing the Avd gene (1119 bp) with the cDNA. It had a high identity percentage (91–95%) with the previously isolated Avd-related genes 1–5 (Avrl–Avr5) . Interestingly, comparison of Avd with the Avr genes showed that the introns were better conserved (on average 97%) than the exons (90%). The Avd gene, as well as the cDNA, encodes a Gln residue at position 53 of the mature protein, which is in contrast to the previously determined amino-acid sequence.

Determination of Amino Acids by Micellar High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Pre-column Derivatization withO-Phthalaldehyde and N-Acetyl-L-cys…

1995

Abstract Micellar liquid chromatography of proteic primary amino acids with pre-column derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) and N-acetyl-L-cysteine was studied, using mobile phases containing a short-chain alcohol. The modification of pH gave a large variation of the retention as a result of the protonation of the carboxylate group of amino acids. Maximum resolution and adequate retentions were achieved with a 0.05 M sodium dodecyl sulphate/3% propanol mobile phase at pH 3. The reproducibility was lower than 1.0% at a 1 × 10−4 M concentration level and between 0.6 and 2.2% for 1 × 10−6 M. The determination of glycine, lysine, methionine and threonine in pharmaceutical formulations gav…

Activation of phenotypically heterogeneous murine T cell receptor gamma delta + dendritic epidermal T cells by self-antigen(s).

1995

Adult murine epidermis contains a population of Thy-1+, CD45+, CD3+, CD4- and CD8- in situ primarily T cell receptor (TCR) V gamma 3+/V delta 1+ dendritic epidermal T cells (DETC). In the present study, cell surface phenotypes as well as functional properties of DETC were characterized by using in vitro mitogen-stimulated short-term- (10 days) and cloned long-term-cultured (1 year) DETC lines. Phenotypic characterization revealed that80% of the short-term-cultured cells were routinely TCR gamma delta +, CD4-, CD8-. The majority expressed the V gamma 3 TCR. Seventy-five percent of the lines contained detectable numbers of V gamma 2+ (5-7%) and V gamma 2-3- cells (2-3%). Four different types …

Fiber bridging in DCB specimens and its effects on R-curves of a glass/epoxy composite

1995

International audience

Factors affecting perceptions of CASE effectiveness

1995

CASE (Computer Aided Software/Systems Engineering) tools are claimed to increase the productivity of systems development and the quality of developed systems. Existing empirical research on CASE effectiveness is entirely based on subjective, perceptual data. In order to interpret the existing evidence, it is useful to understand factors affecting these perceptions. This paper studies the impact of demographic variables such as education and experience, CASE adoption process variables such as training and participation, and CASE product variables such as perceived trialability, perceived complexity, perceived demonstrability and perceived compatibility on CASE effectiveness perceptions such …

On the flexural vibrations of sandwich plates

1995

A simplified approach to sandwich plate free vibrations, based on the superposition method, can provide approximations to the lowest modes for various boundary conditions, showing a characteristic influence of the bending-shear stiffness ratio.

Electrochemical and chemical reduction of niobocene dichlorides in the presence of carbon dioxide

1995

Abstract The chemical and electrochemical reduction of the niobocene dichlorides [Nb(η5-C5H4SiMe3)2Cl2]1, [Nb(η5-C5Me5)2Cl2] 2 and [Nb(η5-C5Me4Et)2Cl2] 3, in the presence of carbon dioxide has been investigated. Formation of compounds of the type [Cp2Nb(CO2)] and [Cp2(∗)NbCl(CO2))] 1 has been established by means of IR, ESR and/or NMR spectroscopy. They contain a labile η2-CO2. The order of stability increases with the degree of substitution the Cp. Less stable intermediates in the reduction of the system [Cp2NbCl2]/CO2 are discussed on the basis of cyclovoltammetric and coulometric data.

Ondansetron versus granisetron in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

1995

Reaction of 2H-1-benzothiete with diazo compounds in the presence of rhodium(II) acetate

1995

2,3-Dihydrobenzo[b]thiophenes (7a-e) were prepared by the Rh2+ catalyzed reaction of 2H-1-benzothiete (1) and diazo compounds (3a-e). α,β-Unsaturated diazo esters (3b,e) and diazo ketones (3d,e) yielded additionally 4,5-dihydro-1-benzothiepins (11b,c) and 5H-4,1-benzoxathiepins (12d,e), respectively.

Surgery in rhabdomyosarcoma of the bladder, prostate and vagina

1995

The treatment of bladder and prostate rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is highly controversial. Aside from chemotherapy, treatment modalities include conservative surgery, radical surgery, and pre-, intra-, or postoperative irradiation. Between 1968 and 1993, 78 children with RMS were treated at our institution. In all, 22 tumors were located in the urogenital tract (bladder/prostate, 13; paratesticular, 5; vaginal, 2; others, 2). Altogether, 6 patients had stage II disease; 7, stage III disease; and 2, stage IV disease. All 15 patients with RMS of the bladder, prostate, or vagina received chemotherapy, and 4 had additional radiotherapy. Surgery was also done in 10 patients; parents refused an operat…

Null Effect of Set Size in Lexical Decision

1995

The effect of set size indicates that recall of a word is greater when its cue is associated with fewer words. This study was designed to replicate this result with lexical decisions of 18 students. In spite of obtaining the set-size effect with cue recall, it was not observed with lexical decision.

Influence of the Microgeometry on the Cylindrical Fit Characteristics

1995

International audience

Secretion and antigenicity of hepatitis B virus small envelope proteins lacking cysteines in the major antigenic region.

1995

Abstract Disulfide bonds are of crucial importance for the structure and antigenic properties of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope. We have evaluated the role of the eight highly conserved cysteines of the major antigenic region for assembly, secretion, and antigenicity of the envelope proteins. Mutants carrying single or multiple substitutions of alanine for cysteine were analyzed using epitope tagging and transient expression in COS-7 cells. The only single cysteines found to be indispensable for efficient secretion were Cys-107 and Cys-138, but double mutation of Cys-137 and Cys-139 also created a block to secretion. Poorly secreted mutants formed aberrant oligomeric structures. The a…

Expression of Staphylococcus saprophyticus surface properties is modulated by composition of the atmosphere.

1995

Expression of two major surface proteins of Staphylococcus saprophyticus, the haemagglutinin and the Staphylococcus saprophyticus surface-associated protein (Ssp), requires carefully defined culture conditions. The Ssp is produced when bacteria are grown on agar, whereas expression of the haemagglutinin requires growth in broth. We sought to identify the environmental signals that are responsible for this modulation. Varying the pH, the osmolarity of the growth medium or the temperature did not influence expression of the proteins. In contrast, growth in an anaerobic atmosphere increased haemagglutination titres and fibronectin binding (both mediated by the haemagglutinin) but suppressed pr…

Malignant peripheral neuroectodermal tumors in urology.

1995

During the past few years, a new tumor type has emerged in the pediatric and adolescent group of cancer patients, which has been designated malignant peripheral neuroectodermal tumor (MPNT). This tumor has some clinical and pathological signs in common with either soft-tissue sarcomas or classic Ewing's sarcoma, but is defined as a distinct entity because of its immunohistological characteristics. The tumor expresses neuronal markers, but the pattern varies: chromogranin, neuron-specific enolase, synaptophysin, protein S-100 and others. MPNT can occur in the urogenital region. The differential diagnosis on clinical grounds must include Ewing's and soft tissue sarcomas, and also Wilms' tumor…

Autoimmune hepatitis following hepatitis A virus infection.

1995

A 7-year-old patient is reported who suffered from fatigue and jaundice due to chronic hepatitis. He had acquired hepatitis A virus infection in his community and communicated the disease to his German family 4 weeks later. While the other family members recovered from acute viral hepatitis A, the patient presented 10 weeks after the onset of hyperbilirubinemia (12 mg/dl) with the histology of chronic hepatitis, absence of markers for viral persistence, presence of autoantibodies against smooth muscle (1:320) and the asialoglycoprotein receptor (1:600), and marked hypergammaglobulinemia (3700 mg/dl), leading to the diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis. The patient received immunosuppressive th…

Role of accessory cells in cytokine production by T cells in chronic B- cell lymphocytic leukemia

1995

Abstract We investigated the production of cytokines by highly purified T helper cells from B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) patients stimulated by different activation pathways, and we studied the influence of various accessory cell populations on the pattern of the secretion of cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, interferon- gamma (IFN-gamma), and IL-10. Neither a qualitative nor a quantitative difference in cytokine production and proliferative capacity was observed in CLL-derived purified T cells compared with normal individuals, when T cells were stimulated by different pathways, including CD3, CD2, and costimulation with CD28. Addition of autologous accessory cel…