MAINZ CONGENITAL BIRTH DEFECT MONITORING SYSTEM

1994

The two most important aims of tho Mainz Congenital Birth Defect Monitoring Syitem wore to find “incidence” rates and to took for etiological causes of congenital malformations. All babies born in Mainz underwent a standardized physical and sonographic examination. Anamnestic data of family history, enviromental factors, drug exposure etc. were collected. Using case controll studies we looked for special correlations between morphologic defects and anamnestic data as factors of risk. The relative risk was calculated as odds ratio. Results: In 1990 and 1991 we examinated 8430 newborns. 656 (7,8%) children had major and 2609 (31,1%) minor malformations. Systemic localisation of major defects:…

Failure to detect genomic viral sequences in pancreatic tissues from two children with acute-onset diabetes mellitus.

1994

Two cases of fatal, acute-onset, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in children were diagnosed. Epidemiologic and serologic studies, as well as histologic analysis of pancreatic tissue in fatal viral infections, support the contention that a viral infection could cause beta cell destruction, leading to IDDM. The presence of nucleic acid sequences from viral agents considered to be potentially diabetogenic, specifically, cytomegalovirus and mumps, rubella, and coxsackie viruses, were investigated in the pancreatic tissues by reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Southern blot hybridization. Total pancreatic RNAs extracted from five children who died…

Long-term Results of Combined Cataract, IOL and Glaucoma Surgery

1994

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term intraocular pressure (IOP) control in patients that had undergone combined extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE), lens implant and glaucoma surgery and compare the results obtained by the longer and shorter follow-up groups. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of postoperative results with a minimum follow-up of one year, maximum of 10 years and a mean of 33.1 months. SETTING: Department of Opthalmology, ‘La Fe’ University Hospital. Department of Surgery of Valencia School of Medicine, Valencia, Spain. PATIENTS: Ninety-five eyes examined of 72 patients presenting coexisting cataract and glaucoma who underwent combined surgery in the last 11 years. MAIN…

Modification of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes in rat fed naturally occurring allyl sulphides

1994

1. The effects of feeding allyl sulphides to rat (2000 ppm of the diet for 15 days) were investigated on various microsomal hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes by their immunochemical detection and catalytic activity. 2. Allyl sulphides provoked a temporary dietary restriction, which enhanced the microsomal level of P450 and the activities of NADH-cytochrome c reductase and p-hydroxybiphenyl UDP-glucuronyltransferase (UDPGT 2), and lowered the activities of p-nitrophenol hydroxylase (PNPH), N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase (NDMAD), laurate omega-hydroxylase (LAH) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Therefore, pair-fed animals were used as a more relevant control for the dietary effects of …

Quasielastic proton knockout from 16O.

1994

The spectral function of the $^{16}\mathrm{O}$(e,e'p${)}^{15}$N reaction has been measured in quasielastic parallel kinematics. Momentum distributions are extracted for transitions to several discrete states, with emphasis on the low-lying positive parity states of $^{15}\mathrm{N}$. Spectroscopic factors and bound state wave functions are deduced from a DWIA analysis employing five different optical potentials. Coupled channels effects are investigated for the first four states of $^{15}\mathrm{N}$ and are found to be minimal. The spectroscopic results of the 1/${2}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ ground state and the first 3/${2}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ excited state indicate a 28%\ifmmode\…

Relationship between trophic state and plankton community structure in 21 Sicilian dam reservoirs

1994

The relationship between the trophic state of 21 Sicilian dam reservoirs and their taxonomic community structure of phytoplankton (87 taxa) as well as zooplankton (45 taxa) have been examined by means of cluster analysis performed using annual average biomass values. The phytoplankton community structure was closely connected with the trophic state of the reservoirs, whereas the zooplankton community structure was related to hydrological regimes peculiar to the individual water bodies and not to the trophic state. © 1994 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Age-dependence of bone material quality shown by the measurement of frequency of resonance in the ulna

1994

In women before and after the age of peak bone mass, identical values of bone mineral density (BMD) can be obtained. However, there is a much higher incidence of osteoporotic fractures in older women. We investigated whether a deterioration of bone material quality with increasing age might contribute to this phenomenon. Material properties of bone tissue can be characterized by the modulus of elasticity, which is correlated to the square of sound transmission velocity. In this study, sound transmission velocity was determined in cortical bone by measuring the frequency of resonance in the ulna in the direction of the bone's longitudinal axis and correcting the values by multiplying by ulna…

Patterns of differentiation in extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma cells. An in vitro study.

1994

BACKGROUND In vitro, tissue culture-associated differentiation assays have facilitated the identification of multiple tumor-cell types. METHODS We have investigated the capability of differentiation of three extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma cell lines toward a neural and muscular direction by in vitro stimulation with dibutyryl cyclic adenosine-monophosphate (db cAMP) and 5-azacytidine, respectively. RESULTS Elongation of cytoplasmic processes and increase of neural markers chromogranin, S-100 protein, and glial fibrillary acidic protein were observed after db cAMP treatment of these lines and neurosecretory granules as well as myelin figures were demonstrated ultrastructurally. These results s…

Computation of anthropogenic sulphate aerosol forcing using radiative perturbation theory

1994

The radiative forcing of the climate by anthropogenic aerosols has been a matter of some concern for many years now, especially in the northern hemisphere. Recently in these pages, Charlson et al. attempted to quantify this forcing. However, that calculation involved relatively crude optical and radiative transfer models. In this paper, we use a far more detailed sulphate optical model, and employ radiative perturbation theory (a technique ideally suited to answering questions of this sort) to repeat this radiation calculation. We obtain results which are similar to Charlson et al., provided that proper allowance is made for the effects of humidity. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0889.1994.00003.x

T cells involved in psoriasis vulgaris belong to the Th1 subset

1994

Although the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris is still unknown, several characteristics point to an immunologically mediated process. Epidermal psoriatic lesions are characterized by a hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and an infiltration of T lymphocytes and granulocytes. Because the former may be mediated in part by lymphokines secreted by T cells, we have focused our interest on the in vivo and in vitro cytokine secretion patterns of T lymphocytes from psoriatic lesions. In five patients T lymphocytes were obtained from epidermal specimens. The cells were propagated with lectin and irradiated feeder cells and subsequently cloned by limiting dilution. The resulting T-cell clones were …

false

1994

The synthesis of linear carbohydrate modified polysiloxanes has been successfully performed by hydrosilation of functionalized and protected carbohydrate derivates. The functionalization (allyl glycosilation) may be applied to a wide variety of reducing carbohydrates. In this study, mono-, di- and oligosaccharides were converted by a simple two-step reaction (β-acetylation and allyl glycosilation) into active compounds, allowing the polymer analogous addition to random poly[dimethyl-co-hydromethyl]siloxanes (hydrosilation). By variation of the Si–H amount in the starting polymers, polysiloxanes with 1.5% to 56% (by weight) carbohydrate content were prepared. At small degrees of substitution…

An experimental model for the exposure of human ciliated cells to sulfur dioxide at different concentrations

1994

Mucociliary transport is an important nonimmunological defense mechanism of the respiratory tract. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sulfur dioxide (SO2) at different concentrations on ciliary beat frequency (CBF). Ciliated cells were obtained from 12 volunteers by nose brush. CBF was quantified using video-interference microscopy. The cells were placed on a polycarbonate membrane in contact with the surface of a reservoir filled with RPMI 1640 (bicarbonate buffered) or Ringer's (electrolyte) solution, allowing the cells to be supplied by capillarity. In an exposure chamber the cells were exposed for 30 min to SO2 2.5-12.5 ppm at 37 degrees C and 100% air humidity. SO2 …

Rotation correlation time as a measure of microviscosity of excited state isomerization reactions of three cyanine dyes in n-alcohol solutions

1994

Abstract Rotation correlation times of three chemically similar cyanine dyes of different sizes in n -alcohol solutions have been recorded at several temperatures by using polarized picosecond spectroscopy. For all three dyes the linear temperature dependencies of τ or on η/ T were observed to be independent of solvent up to viscosities of about 60 cP. The rotational motion of the dyes proceeds at much slower rates than the excited state isomerization in viscous solutions of the same fluidity. Isomerization seems to depend on special solvent-induced changes of the force field of the reactant and clearly proceeds faster, especially for the two larger dyes, than predicted by Kramers' theory a…

false

1994

Deficient pulsatile thyrotropin secretion in the low-thyroid-hormone state of severe non-thyroidal illness

1994

Custro N, Scafidi V, Gallo S, Notarbartolo A. Deficient pulsatile thyrotropin secretion in the low-thyroid-hormone state of severe non-thyroidal illness. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:132–6. ISSN 0804–4643. Twenty-four-hour thyrotropin (TSH) profiles in eight severely ill patients were compared with those of six healthy subjects. The profiles were assessed using the cosinor method to evaluate circadian variations and using the Pulsar algorithm to analyze episodic secretion. In the normal subjects, the typical periodicity of TSH secretion showed a mean level in the rhythm (mesor) of 2.03 mU/l, The amplitude (half the extent of rhythmic change in the cycle) was 0.58 mU/l; the acrophase (the delay…

Raman scattering studies of ultrathin-layer YBa2Cu3O7/PrBa2Cu3O7 superlattices

1994

We present Raman scattering studies ofc-oriented ultrathin-layer superconducting (YBa2Cu3O7) m /(PrBa2Cu3O7) n superlattices. For the superlattice with (m=2,n=1) sequence, Raman spectra reveal a new line in the spectral region around 320 cm−1. It is interpreted as a mode representing a combination of IR optical phonons of the Y-sublayers with an admixture of aB1g type Raman active vibration in the Pr sublayers. This new line, which is similar to those from the interior of the Brillouin zone of the original lattice, does not exhibit superconductivity-induced self-energy effects, although its counterpart in the pure substance does. No additional line is found in the (m=1,n=2) superlattice in …

Mitomycin 'C' and vinorelbine as second line chemotherapy for metastatic breast carcinoma

1994

Aims and background Patients with metastatic breast carcinoma resistant to first line chemotherapy may require further treatment. Results o second line chemotherapy are still largerly unsatisfactory. For this reason a phase II study on the combination of mitomycin C and vinorelbine was carried out. Methods Forty patients with anthracycline pretreated metastatic breast cancer were treated with a combination of mitomycin C 10 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1, and vinorelbine 25 mg/m2 i.v. on days 1 and 8. This cycle was repeated every 28 days. Responses were evaluated according to the WHO criteria. Results A major objective response was recorded in 16 cases (40%; 95% confidence limits 32%-48%), with 2 pat…

First Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance signals of very highly charged atomic ions

1994

We report on the first application of Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry to the very highly charged ions produced in the high-energy electron beam ion trap (SuperEBIT) at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Initial results are described, and spectra are presented from ions as highly charged as Cs53+.

Drug-metabolizing enzyme activities in freshly isolated oval cells and in an established oval cell line from carcinogen-fed rats

1994

The activities of several different phase I and phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes were measured in freshly isolated oval cells from rats fed a choline-deficient/DL-ethionine-supplemented diet for 6 weeks and also in vitro in the established oval cell line OC/CDE 6. No cytochrome P450 was spectrophotometrically measurable in both preparations and two cytochrome P450-dependent monoxygenase activities, aminopyrine N-demethylase and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase, could not be detected in the oval cells of both sources. However, cytosolic glutathione transferase, microsomal epoxide hydrolase and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities were clearly measurable in oval cells. Similar enzyme activiti…

Dynamical zeros in neutrino-electron elastic scattering at leading order

1994

We show the existence of dynamical zeros in the helicity amplitudes for neutrino-electron elastic scattering at lowest order in the standard theory. In particular, the $\lambda=1/2$ non-flip electron helicity amplitude in the electron antineutrino process vanishes for an incident neutrino energy $E_{\nu}=m_{e}/(4sin^{2}\theta_{W})$ and forward electrons (maximum recoil energy). The rest of helicity amplitudes show kinematical zeros in this configuration and therefore the cross section vanishes. Prospects to search for neutrino magnetic moment are discussed.

Theophylline suppresses the release of tumour necrosis factor-alpha by blood monocytes and alveolar macrophages.

1994

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of theophylline on tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) release by human blood monocytes (BMo), and rat BMo and alveolar macrophages (AM). BMo and AM were incubated in the absence or presence of theophylline, and the cell-free supernatants were harvested and tested for TNF-alpha activity by bioassay. Theophylline dose-dependently reduced TNF-alpha release by human BMo: significant inhibition was observed at 100 microns (41 +/- 5.9% of controls) and at 50 microns (59 +/- 4.8% of controls), while the inhibitory activity of theophylline at 10 microns (71 +/- 8.9% of controls) was not statistically significant. This activity was maximal a…

Invasion of thehobo transposable element studied byin situ hybridization on polytene chromosomes ofDrosophila melanogaster

1994

The invasion kinetics of hobo transposable element in the Drosophila melanogaster genome was studied by in situ hybridization on the polytene chromosomes. Six independent lines of Drosophila melanogaster flies that had been previously transformed by microinjection of the pHFL1 plasmid containing a complete hobo element were followed over 50 generations. We observed that hobo elements were scattered on each of the chromosome arms, with more insertion sites on the 3R arm. The total number of insertion sites remains quite small, between four and six, at generation 52. On the 2R arm, a short inversion appeared once at generation 52. Most of the integration sites reported here were already descr…

A polymeric two-dimensional mixed-metal network. Crystal structure and magnetic properties of {[P(Ph)4][MnCr(ox)3]}

1994

Abstract The mixed-metal ferromagnet {[P(Ph) 4 ][MnCr(ox) 3 ]} n , where Ph is phenyl and ox is oxalate, has been prepared and a two-dimensional network structure, extended by Mn(II)-ox-Cr(III) bridges, has been determined from single crystal X-ray data. Crystal data: space group R 3 c , a = b =18.783(3), c =57.283(24) A, α=β=90, γ=120°, Z =24 (C 30 H 20 O 12 PCrMn). The magnetic susceptibility data obey the Curie-Weiss law in the temperature range 260–20 K with a positive Weiss constant of 10.5 K. The temperature dependence of the molar magnetization exhibits a magnetic phase transition at T c =5.9 K. The structure is discussed in relation to the strategy for preparing molecular based ferr…

Differential effects of IL-10 on proliferation and cytokine production of human gamma/delta and alpha/beta T cells.

1994

Gamma/delta TCR bearing T lymphocytes represent a T-cell subset whose functional relevance remains unclear. Nevertheless these T cells may play a role in the early immune response against bacteria. Until now the regulatory mechanisms on this response have not been investigated. The study described here evaluated the immunoregulatory effects of Interleukin-10 on gamma/delta and alpha/beta TCR-positive T-cell clones and freshly isolated peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). IL-10 has been shown previously to inhibit lectin and antigen-induced proliferation and cytokine production by alpha/beta T cells. The results outlined below show that rhIL-10 strongly inhibits lectin-induced producti…

Crystal structure, magnetic and spectroscopic properties of the bis(dimethyl sulfoxide) adduct of tetra-μ-formato-dicopper(II), a new tetracarboxylat…

1994

The crystal and molecular structure of a new tetracarboxylato-bridged copper(II) dimer, the bis(dimethyl sulfoxide)tetrakis(μ-formato)dicopper(II) has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. It crystatlizes in the tetragonal space group I41/a, with Z=8 in a cell of dimensions a=17.688(2), c=10.408(1) Å. The structure is built up of centrosymmetric neutral dimers [Cu2(HCOO)4(dmso)2], where four bidentate carboxylate anions form syn-syn bridges between the metal atoms which are in a 4 + 1 environment. Magnetic susceptibility data show that the copper atoms are strongly antiferromagnetically coupled with J=-434 cm-1. The obtained triplet-singlet energy gap is compared with those reported…

Sorting of a secretory protein (gp80) to the apical surface of Caco-2 cells

1994

We have investigated the synthesis and polarized secretion of the exogenous gp80 glycoprotein complex in the human epithelial adenocarcinoma cell line, Caco-2. gp80 is secreted at the apical surface of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells and should, therefore, display the signal(s) required for sorting into the apical exocytic pathway. In Caco-2 cells, no bona fide secretory protein released preferentially at the apical surface has been described so far. To address the question of whether Caco-2 cells possess a machinery capable of delivery of secretory proteins at the apical surface, we stably transfected the cells with a recombinant gene coding for the gp80 glycoprotein complex. Pulse-…

Phase diagram of a model anticlustering binary mixture in two dimensions: A semi-grand-canonical Monte Carlo study

1994

The temperature-density phase diagram of a model binary mixture in two dimensions is investigated using a semi-grand-canonical Monte Carlo simulation scheme which allows for exchange between the two species while keeping the total number of atoms fixed. The gas-liquid and the gas-solid regions of the phase diagram are mapped out using the efficient block analysis method incorporating finite-size scaling of the various coexisting densities. An ordered square lattice structure is seen to be stable at low temperatures. Interesting short-range ordering phenomena resulting in a ``disorder line'' in the fluid phase are also analyzed and compared with results from liquid-state integral equation th…

Dracoside, a New Steroidal Saponin fromHelleborus purpurascens

1994

Abstract A new steroidal saponin, 1-O-[6-O-acetyl-β-D-galactopyranosyl]-24-O-[β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→3)-4-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl]-dracogenin, was isolated from the roots of Helleborus purpurascens and named dracoside. Structure elucidation was performed by chemical transformations and various spectroscopic methods, mainly 2D NMR techniques (COSY, HMQC, HMBC).

Isolation of a Putative Hydroxyacyl Enzyme Intermediate of an Epoxide Hydrolase

1994

A putative covalent, alpha-hydroxyacyl intermediate was isolated by the brief exposure of murine soluble epoxide hydrolase to its substrate. The reaction was reversed by time and blocked by competitive inhibitors. The formation of the intermediate was dependent upon the concentration of the enzyme and was increased by incubation under acidic conditions. The structure of the intermediate was supported by microchemical methods.

In-beam spectroscopy at the proton-drip line. First observation of excited states in 106Sb and 107Sb

1994

Neutron deficient nuclei close to Sn-100 have been investigated in-beam using the NORDBALL detector array. A target of Fe-54 was bombarded with a beam of Ni-58 at 270 MeV. Evaporation residues were identified by detecting protons and alpha particles in a 4 pi charged particle multi-detector set-up and neutrons in a 1 pi neutron detector wall in coincidence with gamma rays. Excited states of the proton drip line nucleus Sb-106 and of Sb-107 were identified for the first time. The yrast level schemes constructed from gamma-gamma-particle coincidence and gamma-gamma angular correlation analysis are presented and discussed within the framework of the nuclear shell model.

Serum hormones and strength development during strength training in middle-aged and elderly males and females.

1994

Effects of a 12-week progressive strength training period on serum concentrations of testosterone, cortisol and sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) as well as on strength development of the leg extensor muscles were investigated in nine middle-aged males (M50; range 44-57 years) and in nine middle-aged females (F50; range 43-54 years) as well as in 10 elderly males (M70; range 64-73 years) and in 11 elderly females (F70; range 66-73 years). Substantial increases took place in maximal isometric strength during the 12-week training period both in M50 (from 2834 +/- 452 to 3941 +/- 772 N; P < 0.001) and in F50 (from 2627 +/- 725 to 3488 +/- 1017 N; P < 0.001) as well as in M70 (from 2591 +/- 7…

15N NMR: Substituent effect analysis inpara-andmeta-substituted phenylhydrazines

1994

15N NMR spectra of phenylhydrazine and of 14 para- and meta-substituted phenylhydrazines were measured at natural isotope abundance in DMSO-d6 solution. The substituent present exerts a larger influence on the chemical shift of the nitrogen atom directly bound to the aromatic ring (N-1) than on the second one (N-2), which shows an attenuated and inverted trend. The chemical shifts of N-1 and N-2 give a good cross correlation in both series of compounds if p-NO2 and m-F derivatives are excluded from the correlations of para- and meta-substituted phenylhydrazines, respectively. Moreover, N-1 SCS values show good linear correlations with Hammett substituent constants, with SCSs of directly bou…

Role of iron, capsule, and toxins in the pathogenicity of Vibrio vulnificus biotype 2 for mice

1994

The virulence mechanisms of Vibrio vulnificus biotype 2 have been studied and compared with those of biotype 1 in mice as the experimental animals. Biotype 2 isolates from European eels were as virulent for mice as biotype 1 strains (50% lethal dose, about 10(5) CFU per mouse); a septicemic infection developed in less than 24 h. These strains had several properties in common with biotype 1 organisms including capsule expression, uptake of various iron sources, and production of exoproteins, whose role in mouse virulence has been demonstrated. We also discuss the implication of biotype 2 strains in human infections.

Effect of sulfur dioxide on mucociliary activity and ciliary beat frequency in guinea pig trachea

1994

The effects of 30 min exposure to sulfur dioxide on mucociliary activity (MCA) and ciliary beat frequency (CBF) were studied in 31 guinea pig tracheas. MCA was measured by recording the light reflected from ciliated mucous membranes using an infrared bar code reader. CBF of single ciliated cells obtained by brushing was measured with phase-contrast microscopy. Each tracheal sample was exposed to SO2 at concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 12.5 ppm, or to air for control purposes. MCA and CBF were measured before and immediately after gas exposure. A reduction in mean MCA of 63% (P = 0.0007) and statistically insignificant changes in CBF (P > 0.05) were recorded at concentrations of 2.5 PPM SO…

Hepatitis C Viremia in Chronic Liver Disease: Relationship to Interferon-α or Corticosteroid Treatment

1994

We assessed the pattern of hepatitis C viremia in chronic liver disease by studying 100 hepatitis C virus antibody–positive patients: 48 with chronic hepatitis, 21 with cirrhosis and 31 with hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis. Serum hepatitis C virus RNA was detected by means of both the conventional nested polymerase chain reaction and a newly developed assay based on branched DNA that can also quantify viremia. Hepatitis C virus RNA was found in 94 of 100 patients with polymerase chain reaction and in 71 of 100 patients with branched-DNA (p < 0.001). Mean viremia level (× 103 genome equivalents/ml ± S.D.), as assessed with the branched-DNA test, was 5,700 ± 7,618 in the 48 patients wi…

X-Ray diffraction diagram evolution of a BaTiO3ceramic under an electric field

1994

Abstract The X-ray diffraction diagrams of a coarse grained pure BaTiO3 ceramic have been recorded as a function of the applied electric D.C. field. This field was perpendicular to the X-ray incoming surface. The experimental device used allows to record diffraction diagrams while the electric field step by step increases. The intensity ratio of the 002 line over the 200 line increases with the applied electric field. The evolution of the X-ray diffraction line intensities is in correlation with the first polarization curve of the ferroelectric ceramic. These results evidence a contribution of the 90° ferroelectric domains pattern to the X-ray diffraction diagram of BaTiO3.