showing 36 of ~574560 from 574555 documents
Stochastic linearization of MDOF systems under parametric excitations
1992
Abstract The stochastic linearization approach is examined for non-linear systems subjected to parametric type excitations. It is shown that, for these systems too, stochastic linearization and Gaussian closure are two equivalent approaches if the former is applied to the coefficients of the Ito differential rule. A critical review of other stochastic linearization approaches is also presented and discussed by means of simple examples.
EnzymesIn Vitro as indicators for pesticides: An examination
1992
Pesticides—a serious problem especially for drinking water quality—frequently are potent inhibitors of enzymes in their target organisms. As the established chemical analyses of pesticides are time-consuming, complicated, and expensive, so-called screening methods are urgently needed. For this purpose the sensitivity of 13 different enzymes was tested in vitro by inhibiting their kinetic rates and/or substrate conversions by 16 pesticides (herbicides and fungicides). Because of the stabilization and resulting low sensitivity of enzymes commercially available—especially in test kits—it was necessary to vary the test conditions and to develop special methods for detecting enzymatic inhibition…
Effects of low temperature and pharmacological interventions on the responses of the isolated guinea-pig trachea
1992
Cooling the guinea-pig isolated trachea from 37°C to 20°C virtually abolished the response to CaCl2 (in K+-depolarized tissues) and depressed that to histamine (about 75% reduction), KCl and 5-hydroxytryptamine (around 50% inhibition) while the response to acetylcholine remained unaffected. A further cooling to 10°C was necessary to inhibit acetylcholine-induced contractions. Hyporesponsiveness to spasmogens by cooling was not associated with subsensitivity (increased EC50) except for 5-hydroxytryptamine. Contractile responses to KCl (50 mmol/l), histamine (1 mmol/l) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (0.1 mmol/l) in a Ca2+-free EGTA (0.1 mmol/l)-containing solution were inhibited by cooling to 20°C b…
Exhaustive physical exercise causes oxidation of glutathione status in blood: Prevention by antioxidant administration
1992
We have studied the effect of exhaustive concentric physical exercise on glutathione redox status and the possible relationship between blood glutathione oxidation and blood lactate and pyruvate levels. Levels of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in blood increase after exhaustive concentric physical exercise in trained humans. GSSG levels were 72% higher immediately after exercise than at rest. They returned to normal values 1 h after exercise. Blood reduced glutathione (GSH) levels did not change significantly after the exercise. We have found a linear relationship between GSSG-to-GSH and lactate-to-pyruvate ratios in human blood before, during, and after exhaustive exercise. In rats, physical…
Ergasilid copepods as parasites of perch Perca fluviatilis and roach Rutilus rutilus in Central Finland: seasonality, maturity and environmental infl…
1992
A total of 1255 roach Rutilus rutilus (L.) and 866 perch Perca fluviatilis (L.) from four interconnected lakes in Central Finland differing in trophic status and pollution level were studied for parasitic ergasilid copepods between August 1985 and December 1988. In addition, 109 whitefish (Coregonus sp.) were studied from one of the lakes. Four ergasilid species were found: (the prevalence and intensity/fish, respectively, for the whole material are given in parentheses) Ergasilus briani (16·9%, 0·5), Neoergasilus japonicus (15·6%, 0·4) and Paraergasilus longidigitus (2·1%, 0·02) on the roach and Ergasilus sieboldi (9·9%, 0·1) and P. longidigitus (4·9%, 0·05) on the perch. Logit analysis wa…
The pterygoid reflex in man and its clinical application
1992
A technique for eliciting and recording the stretch reflex (R) of the medial pterygoid muscle (Pter) is described. The latency was 6.9 ± 0.43 ms in 23 healthy volunteers (mean age 23.7 years) showing a side-to-side difference of 0.29 ± 0.21 ms. The PterR latencies were little shorter and side-to-side difference little greater than of the masseter reflex. Observations in 5 selected patients with small brainstem lesions suggest that the neurons of the PterR afferents form a cluster within the caudal portion of the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus. Testing the masseter and pterygoid reflexes provides a more precise localization of small ponto-mesencephalic lesions. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, In…
Correlative histologic and arthroscopic evaluation in rheumatoid knee joints.
1992
The correlation between arthroscopic observations and histologic changes in rheumatoid arthritis is still controversial. Synovial samples of 21 knee joints in rheumatoid arthritis patients were comparatively investigated by endoscopy and histology. Biopsies were scored by an endoscopist and subsequently dissected. Different histochemical and immunocytochemical staining techniques were used to define inflammatory activity. Arthroscopic and histological values were compared by rating scales and variance analysis. Our study indicates that synovial biopsy is of diagnostic value in rheumatoid arthritis. However, its usefulness depends on the histochemical methods used. The results revealed highl…
In vitro induction of cecropin genes — an immune response in a Drosophila blood cell line
1992
The Drosophila melanogaster cell line mbn-2 was explored as a model system to study insect immune responses in vitro. This cell line is of blood cell origin, derived from larval hemocytes of the mutant lethal (2) malignant blood neoplasm (1(2)mbn). The mbn-2 cells respond to microbial substances by the activation of cecropin genes, coding for bactericidal peptides. The response is stronger than that previously described for SL2 cells, and four other tested Drosophila cell lines were totally unresponsive. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide, algal laminarin (a beta-1,3-glucan), and bacterial flagellin were strong inducers, bacterial peptidoglycan fragments gave a weaker response, whereas a formyl-m…
Production of 6-pentyl-?-pyrone byTrichoderma harzianum from 18?n fatty acid methyl esters
1992
Biosynthesis of 6-pentyl-α-pyrone byTrichoderma harzianum in two different media was evaluated. Best yields were found in nitrogen deficient medium (C/N=60). Limited growth seems to favour the production of this lactone. When fungal cells, precultured in low nitrogen medium, were incubated on methyl ricinoleate (10 g/l, C/N=60) an increase in 6-pentyl-α-pyrone production was observed in comparison with the media containing methyl oleate or methyl linoleate.
A novel monoclonal antibody to a distinct subset of cutaneous dendritic cells.
1992
A monoclonal antibody was generated by immunizing rats with Langerhans cell (LC)–enriched epidermal cells obtained from BALB/c mouse earskin after epicutaneous application of the contact sensitizer 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). The antibody 4F7 detects in normal mouse skin, few dermal cells showing the morphologic, phenotypic, and functional properties of accessory dendritic cells, but lacking Birbeck granules. The capacity to stimulate allogenic T cells in the mixed leucocyte reaction resembles that of freshly isolated LCs. After DNFB application, an increased number of 4F7+ dendritic cells are found in the dermis and, in addition, some labeled dendritic cells occur in the epidermis. So…
Total photofission cross section for 238U as a substitute for the photon absorption cross section in the energy range of the first baryon resonances
1992
Abstract The total photofission cross section σγ, F for 238U has been measured as a substitute for the total photon absorption cross section σtot in the energy range of the first baryon resonances (50⩽Eγ⩽800 MeV). The experiments were performed at the tagging facility of the new 855 MeV Mainz Microton MAMI B using monochromatic photons and a sophisticated 4π-arrangement of position sensitive fragment detectors. The measured cross section agrees in the Δ-resonance region with previous results and the so-called universal curve αtot/A. In the energy region of the D13-resonance near 710 MeV resonancelike structure could be observed as is seen for the free proton.
Prevention of the acute neurotoxic effects of phenytoin on rat peripheral nerve by H7, an inhibitor of protein kinase C.
1992
Abstract The neurotoxic effects of a single dose of phenytoin (150 mg/kg body weight) alone or 30 min after H7 (a protein kinase C inhibitor) injection (20 mg/kg body weight) were investigated in terms of peripheral neuromuscular function and Na + ,K + -ATPase activity of the sciatic nerve. This intraperitoneal injection of phenytoin induced complete blockade of muscle action potentials in the dorsal segmental muscles of the rat tail evoked by electric stimulation of the caudal nerve and a 40% decrease in the Na + ,K + -ATPase activity of the rat sciatic nerve when compared with control values, measured as the difference between total and ouabain-insensitive ATPase activity. Prior administr…
Characterization of (3H) acifluorfen binding to purified pea etioplasts, and evidence that protoporphyrinogen oxidase specifically binds acifluorfen
1992
It is now generally accepted that protoporphyrinogen oxidase is the target-enzyme for diphenylether-type herbicides. Recent studies [Camadro, J-M., Matringe, M., Scalla, R. & Labbe, P. (1991) Biochem. J. 277, 17–21] have revealed that in maize, diphenyl ethers competitively inhibit protoporphyrinogen oxidase with respect to its substrate, protoporphyrinogen IX. In this study, we show that, in purified pea etioplast, [3H]acifluorfen specifically binds to a single class of high-affinity binding sites with an apparent dissociation constant of 6.2 ± 1.3 nM and a maximum density of 29 ± 5 nmol/g protein. [3H]Acifluorfen binding reaches equilibrium in about 1 min at 30°C. Half dissociation occurs…
Divisible designs and groups
1992
We study (s, k, λ1, λ2)-translation divisible designs with λ1≠0 in the singular and semi-regular case. Precisely, we describe singular (s, k, λ1, λ2)-TDD's by quasi-partitions of suitable quotient groups or subgroups of their translation groups. For semi-regular (s, k, λ1, λ2)-TDD's (and, more general, for the case λ2>λ1) we prove that their translation groups are either Frobenius groups or p-groups of exponent p. Some examples are given for the singular, semi-regular and regular case.
Changes in pattern induced flicker colors are mediated by the blue-yellow opponent process.
1992
The colors of Benham's Top [pattern induced flicker colors (PIFCs)] were matched with color stimuli provided by a computer aided color mixer. Subjects viewed a series of specifically modified black and white disks and matched the resulting subjective color with a comparison field containing the color generated by additive mixing. Different phase relations between the apparently colored ring and the surround were tested. The color loci of all PIFCs were found to lie on a plane in receptor three-space which is given by the axis of the shortwave receptor excitation and a vector given by combining the middle and long wave receptor excitation directions in a fixed ratio of nearly 1:1. From the o…
18-hydroxylation in the Y-1 adrenal cell line: response to ACTH and to culture conditions.
1992
The 18-hydroxylation of deoxycorticosterone in the Y-1 adrenal cell line was studied under various incubation and cell culture conditions and compared to 11 beta-hydroxylation. Repeated incubation of the substrate increased both 18- and 11 beta-hydroxylation in the Y-1 cells. Furthermore, both 18- and 11 beta-hydroxylation were increased with increased serum concentration and prolonged incubation time. While the increase in 11 beta-hydroxylation seemed to be independent of the type of serum, 18-hydroxylation was much more important in cells cultured in fetal or newborn calf serum supplemented medium than in those cultured in horse serum supplemented medium. As expected, ACTH treatment incre…
Differential uptake of systemic fluorochrome Hoechst 33342 in lung and liver metastasis of B16 melanoma.
1992
The growth and vascularization patterns of B16 melanoma colonies in the liver and lungs were measured and compared by histological techniques and dye diffusion patterns after injection of the fluorochrome Hoechst 33342. In the liver, the fluorescent pattern of dye diffusion revealed that uninodular tumours measuring up to 146 microns in diameter were not functionally vascularized. However, when the nodules fused to give rise to multinodular tumours measuring between 256 and 366 microns in diameter, a reticular dye diffusion pattern revealed functional tumour vascularization. In the lungs, subpleural, parenchymal and peritubular (i.e. surrounding blood vessels and airways) tumours were obser…
Determination of lectin-cell-binding parameters by a new agglutination technique.
1992
We applied a recently described technique which is based on a light transmission/scattering method to determine the association characteristics of the Geodia lectin to sheep erythrocytes. The agglutination assays were performed in a total volume of 3 ml with 5.4 x 10(6) erythrocytes/ml. At a concentration of 360 ng/ml 50% of the lectin molecules were bound to the cells within the first 10 s of incubation. Scatchard analyses revealed an association constant (K(a)) of 0.9 +/- 0.1 x 10(8) M-1 and a number of 3.8 +/- 0.6 x 10(6) lectin binding sites on one erythrocyte. The method was also successfully applied to determine quantitatively the inhibitory potential of sugars competing with cell sur…
First-order phase transitions investigated by use of a Monte Carlo interface method
1992
We investigate first-order phase transitions on unfrustrated antiferromagnetic Potts models in two and three dimensions by estimating the interface free energy by use of a Monte Carlo method. Even for strong first-order transitions the occurrence of hysteresis is circumvented and our method allows for an accurate determination of ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ by locating a \ensuremath{\delta}-function-shaped peak in the energy difference between configurations with and without an interface.
Volume estimate for a cone with a submanifold as vertex
1992
We give some estimates for the volume of a cone with vertex a submanifold P of a Riemannian or Kaehler manifold M. The estimates are functions of bounds of the mean curvature of P and the sectional curvature of M. They are sharp on cones having a basis which is contained in a tubular hypersurface about P in a space form or in a complex space form.
Stability and decay of nuclei at the end of the periodic system
1992
Abstract Recent studies of nuclear mass models show that it is essential to account for the Coulomb redistribution energy when calculating the nuclear potential energy in the heavy-element region. Results obtained by use of a mass model that includes Coulomb redistribution effects are analyzed. Q -values for α- and β-decay are calculated. Half-lives for α-decay are estimated by use of the Viola-Seaborg systematics. For EC, β + decay and β − decay, half-lives are calculated in a microsciopic QRPA model. Calculated single-particle level structures in the heavy-element region are presented. These indicate possible regions of isomers that would be unusually stable with respect to spontaneous fi…
Dopamine Autoreceptor Agonists in the Treatment of Schizophrenia and Major Depression*
1992
Dopamine autoreceptor agonists reduce the firing rate, synthesis, and release of dopamine in dopaminergic neurons by means of a negative feedback mechanism via stimulation of autoreceptors. Moreover, dopamine autoreceptor agonists are able to stimulate supersensitive but not normosensitive postsynaptic receptors. For dopamine autoreceptor agonists, therapeutic effects by readjustment of excessive or deficient dopaminergic function have been postulated for positive and negative schizophrenic symptomatology as well as for subtypes of depressive disorders. Investigations on the therapeutic effects of autoreceptor-nonselective dopamine agonists in schizophrenia or depression have yielded incons…
Existence of a common fixed point for a family of mappings of non‐expansive type on a metric space
1992
Existence of a common fixed point for a family of mappings of non‐expansive type on a metric space with a closure operator is proved.
Sequence of a novel cytochrome CYP2B cDNA coding for a protein which is expressed in a sebaceous gland, but not in the liver
1992
The major phenobarbital-inducible rat hepatic cytochromes P-450, CYP2B1 and CYP2B2, are the paradigmatic members of a cytochrome P-450 gene subfamily that contains at least seven additional members. Specific oligonucleotide probes for these genomic members of the CYP2B subfamily were used to assess their tissue-specific expression. In Northern-blot analysis a probe specific to gene 4 (which is designated now as CYP2B12) hybridized to a single mRNA present in the preputial gland, an organ which is used as a model for sebaceous glands, but did not hybridize to mRNA isolated from the liver or from five other tissues of untreated or Aroclor 1254-treated rats. The cDNA sequence for the CYP2B12 R…
Analysis of the Essential Oil of the So-called“Mentha mirennae”Bruno by GC and GC/MS
1992
ABSTRACT The essential oil of “Mentha mirennae” Bruno was analyzed by a combination of GC, GC/MS and 13C-NMR. It was found to contain more than 50 components of which about 40 (96%) were identified. The major compounds were linalool (70%), linalyl acetate (9.8%) and limonene (1.5%). From a comparison with the main constituents found in different Mentha oils, we presume that “M. mirennae” must be the hybrid M. citrata Ehrl. However, according to botanical and chemical data the possibility that “M. mirennae” is, in fact, M. spicata L. cannot be excluded.
Dating of late Proterozoic ophiolites in Egypt and the Sudan using the single grain zircon evaporation technique
1992
Abstract Zircons from gabbro and plagiogranite in late Proterozoic ophiolites of the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS) in Egypt and the Sudan, as well as post-ophiolite granites have been dated using the stepwise evaporation method. Zircons from a plagiogranite in the Wadi Ghadir ophiolite, Eastern Desert of Egypt, yielded a mean 207Pb/206Pb age of 746±19 Ma, while a gabbro and diorite associated with the Abu Swayel ophiolite nappe ∼ 250 km southwest of Wadi Ghadir provided zircon 207Pb/206Pb ages of 729±17 and 736±11 Ma, respectively. Zircons from layered gabbro along the western margin of the Jabal Gerf ophiolite just north of 22°N were dated at 741±21 Ma, indistinguishable from the Wadi Ghadir…
Idebenone in senile dementia of Alzheimer type: A multicentre study
1992
Idebenone is a new cerebro-active drug, effective in dementia disorders, particularly indicated in primary degenerative dementias, i.e. Alzheimer's disease. This new molecule acts as an electron trapper and a free radical scavenger protecting mitochondrial membranes from lipid peroxidation. A multicentric, double-blind trial of idebenone (45 mg twice daily orally) vs. placebo was carried out on 102 elderly patients affected by Alzheimer-type dementia of mild or moderate severity. Idebenone was administered for 4 consecutive months, 45 mg twice daily. Clinical evaluations were performed at the time of enrollment (t0) and monthly thereafter (t30, t60, t90 and t120) and at follow-up (t150 ). T…
Effect of culture parameters on the production of styrene (vinyl benzene) and 1-octene-3-ol by Penicillium caseicolum
1992
SummaryPenicillium caseicolum has been shown to completely synthesize styrene. A medium was developed to test the capacity of different strains for this synthesis. In a synthetic medium, styrene production began only after the glucose was entirely consumed. This production depended on storage temperature and occurred simultaneously with 1-octene-3-ol formation.
Characterization of a cDNA clone encoding a glycine-rich cuticular protein of Tenebrio molitor: developmental expression and effect of a juvenile hor…
1992
0962-1075 (Print) Journal Article; The complete sequence of a cDNA clone, isolated from epidermal mRNA of Tenebrio molitor using a monoclonal antibody raised against an adult-specific cuticular antigen only present in the hard cuticle, was obtained after primer extension at the 5' end. From this cDNA sequence, the deduced protein encompasses 199 amino acids (including a signal peptide) with a total molecular weight of 20.7 kDa. The protein exhibits a bipartite structure: glycine-rich region located in its NH2-terminal part and a carboxy-terminal domain sharing homologies with other cuticular proteins of Orthoptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera. In-situ hybridization analysis shows that the corre…
Laser spectroscopy — Recent results and prospects for lighter nuclei
1992
Atomic physics methods have provided important information about the electromagnetic properties of the nuclear ground states. In recent years the experimental effort has been directed towards optical high resolution spectroscopy of very high sensitivity, giving access to short-lived nuclides very far from stability. A few of these new techniques based on collinear laser spectroscopy are presented with their latest results. They are suitable for an extension of the experiments to the region of lighter nuclei.
Meßfehlerschätzung bei der MR-tomographischen Volumetrie des linken Ventrikels mit Mehrschicht-Technik
1992
A multi-slice technique for MRT measurements of the left ventricular volume is much faster than the use of single-slice methods and is therefore better tolerated, leaving time for additional measurements. The end-diastolic left ventricular volume can be reliably measured by this method (123.3 +/- 13.5 ml vs. 124.1 +/- ml). The end-systolic volume is consistently overestimated by 23.7 +/- 18.3% compared with the reference value obtained by single slice measurements (47.9 +/- 8.9 ml vs 39.1 +/- 7.9 ml). Correspondingly, stroke volume and ejection fraction is underestimated on average by 10.6 +/- 9.7% and 10.6 +/- 7.6% respectively).
An Assessment of Radiologic Discrepancies in Patients with Paranasal Sinus Disease
1992
The importance of computerized tomographic (CT) imaging of the paranasal sinuses in patients with chronic or recurring sinusitis is well documented. Nevertheless, the accuracy and reliability of this examination is not absolute. In this study of 80 cases, a considerable percentage of CT scans (57.5%) failed to detail accurately the extent of pathology in the sinus cavities. In 39 cases the extent of disease was underestimated using CT, and in seven cases it was overestimated. Discrepancies in pathology were encountered most commonly in the posterior ethmoid sinus. In our opinion, the primary role of CT in the assessment of patients with paranasal sinus disease is to detail precisely the co…
Affinities of European Upper Palaeolithic Homo sapiens and later human evolution
1992
Abstract We investigate the evolutionary affinities of European Upper Palaeolithic populations, using cranial measurements and multivariate techniques. Results indicate that cranial morphology of these populations accords with long-term phyletic trends within Pleistocene hominids. The data indicate an interpretation of differential velocities of change, and results do not support the view that Neanderthals contributed to recent populations.
Serum hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA and response to alpha-interferon in anti-HCV positive chronic hepatitis
1992
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication was assessed before and during alpha-interferon (IFN) treatment in 22 anti-HCV positive patients with posttransfusion or sporadic chronic hepatitis (CH). Eleven patients were “responders” and 11 patients “non-responders” to IFN. Thirteen anti-HCV negative healthy subjects and five anti-HCV negative patients with autoimmune CH served as controls. Serum HCV-RNA was detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in all untreated anti-HCV positive patients but in none of the anti-HCV negative subjects. PCR primers from the 5′-non-coding (NC) region were more sensitive than primers from a non-structural (NS5) region in detecting HCV-RNA (21/22, 95% vs. 7/22, …
Characterization of a new member of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus hsp70 gene family and its expression
1992
We have sequenced a second gene of the hsp70 family derived from a genomic clone of the sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus. The structure of this gene, named hsp70IV gene, is interrupted by one intron and differs from the previously analyzed sea urchin hsp70II gene, which contains several introns. Two open reading frames of hsp70IV gene encode a predicted protein of 639 amino acids with an M(r) of 69,672. The 5' flanking region of the gene contains a putative TATA element, three heat-shock elements made up of some arrays of the 5-bp units, NGAAN and NTTCN (N = A,C,G or T), a canonic consensus sequence for binding of the regulatory activating transcription factor (ATF), and a purine box. The …
Left ventricular function response to exercise in normotensive obese subjects: influence of degree and duration of obesity
1992
This study has been designed to evaluate whether duration and severity of obesity can influence left ventricular function response to exercise in obese subjects without other known cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes or hyperlipoproteinemia. A total of 29 obese subjects were included and they were divided, according to their body mass index and to Garrow's criteria as follows: Overweight or mildly obese subjects: body mass index from 25 to 30 kg/m2; moderately obese subjects: body mass index30 and40 kg/m2. Both obese groups were further subdivided according to their duration of obesity evaluated by accurate anamnesis in subgroup A (duration of obesity less than 120 mo…