Stimulation of monokine production by lipoteichoic acids

1991

Lipoteichoic acids (LTAs) isolated from bacterial species, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes A, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Listeria monocytogenes, were tested for their ability to stimulate the production of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha in cultured human monocytes. LTAs from S. aureus and S. pneumoniae failed to induce monokine production when applied in the concentration range of 0.05 to 5.0 micrograms/ml. However, LTAs from several enterococcal species (0.5 to 5 micrograms/ml) induced the release of all three monokines at levels similar to those observed after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. The kinet…

The reliability of the SADS-LA in a family study setting

1991

The joint-rater and test-retest reliability study of two translated versions of the SADS-LA (Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia--Lifetime version--modified for the study of anxiety disorders), one in French and the other in German, have been tested in family study settings, in a sample of patients and first-degree relatives. The test-retest reliability study demonstrated that identification of major affective disorders and schizophrenia was performed with sufficient reliability; however, diagnoses of subtypes of major disorders (e.g. bipolar II disorder) and identification of minor disorders was less reliable. The implications of these findings in phenotype identification du…

Intra-populational and intra-individual mosaicisms of Uranoscopus scaber L. (Perciformes, Uranoscopidae)

1991

Intra-populational and intra-individual mosaicisms of Uranoscopus scaber L. (Perciformes, Uranoscopidae)

Relationship of eye muscle antibodies with HLA phenotypes and thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins in endocrine orbitopathy.

1991

The relationship between endocrine orbitopathy and Graves' hyperthyroidism is still not clairified. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the incidence of eye muscle antibodies and the relationship with HLA phenotypes and thyroid antibodies in 65 patients with endocrine orbitopathy classes 1–5. Both bovine and abdominal muscles were used as antigens in ELISA systems in which IgG and IgM antibodies were assayed. Before starting the immunosuppressant therapy, 46/65 patients (71%) showed a positive result for eye muscle antibodies. Those patients with an active disease had such antibodies more frequently. Where the ophthalmopathy was of recent onset IgM antibodies were found, whereas pati…

Correlation of Clinical and Immunologic Parameters of the Inflammatory Activity of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

1991

The evaluation of activation markers such as T4/T8 ratio and HLA-DR expression of lymphocytes of bronchoalveolar lavage (L-BAL) is an important clinical approach for the staging of sarcoidosis. However, it is not known to what extent this is paralleled by an exaggerated lymphocyte function. We investigated the dependence of L-BAL activation markers on the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) by L-BAL and on the soluble IL-2 receptor serum level (sIL-2R) in 116 patients with sarcoidosis. In none of the combinations tested was a correlation between the two groups of parameters found; r less than 0.5, upper 90% confidence limit of r less than 0.8. Interestingly, IL-2 production is independent of…

A temporary endoscopic solution that significantly improves the prognosis of Bouveret’s syndrome

1991

We report the case of a 73-year-old woman who was hospitalized for mild abdominal pain after her referral following a diagnostic assessment of acute lithiasic cholecystitis. After the spontaneus regression of her painful symptoms and fever and several days of well-being, her clinically acute abdominal features suddenly showed an obstruction of the upper gastrointestinal tract. An emergency esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) confirmed that a large gallstone completely obstructed the pylorus as previously demonstrated by an ultrasound examination of the gallbladder. During the course of endoscopy, removal of the gallstone from the duodenum was achieved by pulling it into the stomach; the patie…

Barry Eichengreen: Elusive stability. Essays in the history of international finance, 1919–1939, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1990, 335 pág…

1991

Solid-Phase Extraction Techniques for Assay of Diuretics in Human Urine Samples

1991

Abstract Solid-phase extraction techniques were evaluated for the treatment of urine samples in the analysis of diuretics before injection into an HP-Hypersyl ODS-C18 column. Six different reversed-phase extraction columns were tested, and the results obtained are compared with those obtained in a classical liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. The solid-phase extraction procedures are the best overall choice for all the diuretics tested, due to their versatility, the minor time-consuming, and the good recovery percentages obtained. C18 and C8 packings give the highest recoveries for a majority of the diuretics studied. However, CH or PH columns, due to their greater selectivity, can…

Cytochrome P450 enzymes as human autoantigens

1991

Sample–tip coupling efficiencies of the photon-scanning tunneling microscope

1991

The photon-scanning tunneling microscope is the photon analog to the electron-scanning tunneling microscope. It uses the evanescent field due to the total internal reflection of a light beam in a prism, modulated by a sample attached to the prism. The exponential decay of the evanescent field is characterized by the penetration depth dp and depends on the angle of incidence θ, the wavelength, and the polarization of the incident beam. The 1/e decay lengths range from 150 to 265 nm as deduced from the expression of the electric-field intensity in the rarer medium for θ = π/2. If we place another optically transparent medium near the surface, frustrated total reflection occurs. It is shown th…

High pancuronium sensitivity of axonal nicotinic-acetylcholine receptors in humans during organophosphate intoxication.

1991

The effect of low-dose pancuronium on neuromuscular transmission was studied in 2 patients during the early and late stages of severe organophosphate intoxication. Single evoked compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) were followed by repetitive discharges and a decrement-increment (D-I) phenomenon with 10-, 20-, and 50-Hz supramaximal nerve stimulation. Intravenous pancuronium, 1 mg, abolished the D-I phenomenon, while the repetitive discharges of the CMAP were only partially reduced. It is postulated, that the disappearance of the D-I phenomenon with persistence of the CMAP repetitive discharges results from blockade of nicotinic-acetylcholine receptors located on the terminal axon respo…

Solid state ionics and optical materials technology for energy efficiency, solar energy conversion, and environment control

1991

The fundamental electronic properties (including optical) of a solid are determined by the character of the interaction between its ionic and electronic subsystems. The state of the ionic subsystem can be changed persistently and reversibly by an external stimulus (current, light). The pertinent ion-controlled phenomena in the solids (solid electrolytes or mixed conductors) causes the ions to be inserted, extracted, transferred, or absorbed or transforms the states of the ions by redox reactions in the bulk or on the surface of the solid or on the interface of a (laminar or planar) solid ionic heterosystem. Several functions can be accomplished: (1) the optical response function of the soli…

NG-monomethyl-L-arginine and NG-nitro-L-arginine inhibit endothelium-dependent relaxations in human isolated omental arteries.

1991

Abstract The L-arginine analogues NG-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA, 10−4  m) and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 10−4  m), which specifically inhibit the synthesis of nitric oxide from l-arginine, significantly reduced acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxations in rings of human omental arteries. The inhibitory potency of l-NMMA and l-NAME was similar. Addition of l-NMMA or l-NAME to the organ bath did not induce any significant changes in the resting tension of the tissues. The effects of l-NMMA were reversed by l-arginine (3 × 10−4  m). The l-NMMA enantiomer, d-NMMA (10−4  m), did not influence either the basal tone of the preparation or the relaxing effects of acet…

A microplate version of the SOS/umu-test for rapid detection of genotoxins and genotoxic potentials of environmental samples

1991

Abstract The umu-microtest is a miniaturized automated short-term test version proposed for screening of umuC-dependent mutagenic potentials of chemicals relevant to environmental pollution, river water and industrial waste water. The test is based on the SOS/umu-test and has been modified in order to allow extensive testing of environmental samples. Genetically engineered Salmonella typhimurium (TA1535/pSK1002) are incubated on a microplate rotor in a sloping position for 2 h with the test samples, followed by addition of fresh culture medium to reach a 10-fold dilution of the incubation medium. 2 h later, the activity of the β-galactosidase, which reflects umuC induction, is determined co…

Semi-leptonic charm baryon decays in the relativistic spectator quark model

1991

We calculate the exclusive semi-leptonic charm baryon decays of the lowest lying charm baryon states into the ground state strangeness baryons using the covariant spectator quark model approach. We present results on rates,q 2- andE l -spectra as well as on the angular decay distribution in the cascade decay $$\Omega _c \to \Omega ( \to \Xi \pi ,\Lambda {\rm K})$$ .

A methodology for obtaining the crop temperature from NOAA-9 AVHRR data

1991

Abstract In this paper a methodology for obtaining the crop temperature from NOAA-9 AVHRR data has been developed, which is based on a theoretical model that permits interpreting the remote sensing temperature measurement in heterogeneous and rough surfaces. This procedure determines the crop temperature by evaluating prsviously: (1) the temperature difference between crop and ground, (2) the atmospheric and emissivity corrections, (3) the ground and vegetation emissi-vities in the AVHRR bands 4 (10-3-11-3 μm) and 5 (11 -5-12-5 μm), and (4) the proportion of ground in each pixel. We have applied this method to obtain a map of orange-tree temperatures for the Valencian region and satisfactor…

Spezifische Anforderungen an das Monitoring bei Low-flow-Anästhesie

1991

Hyperfine structure constants of the CaII states 4s 2 S 1/2 and 4p 2 P 1/2, 3/2 and the nuclear quadrupole moment of43Ca

1991

The hyperfine structure splittings of the 4s 2 S 1/2 → 4p 2 P 1/2, 3/2 transitions in43CaII have been measured by fast ion beam collinear laser spectroscopy. The resonant laser interaction was observed using non-optical detection based on optical ground state depopulation pumping, state selective neutralization and charge state separated particle counting. The extracted magnetic dipole hyperfine structure constants for43CaA(2 S 1/2)=−805(2) MHz,A(2 P 1/2)=−145.5(1.0) MHz andA(2 P 3/2)=−31.9(0.2) MHz are in excellent agreement with relativistic many body perturbation theory predictions available for this alkali-like ion. The combined results are used to evaluate the semi-empirical analysis m…

Glial ion transport and volume control.

1991

K(+)-induced glial swelling results from an intricate interaction of transport and diffusion processes and metabolic stimulation, with many open questions remaining. Our concept of the major mechanisms involved can be summarized as follows: high extracellular K+ causes a burst-like stimulation of Na+/K+ ATPase and, hence, increases the metabolic demands. Lactate is produced; the cell is slightly acidified. To maintain a normal intracellular pH, the Na+/K+ antiporter extrudes protons and supplies Na+ for further Na+/K+ exchange. In addition, K+ ions enter the cell via membrane channels or furosemide-inhibitable transport. K+, Cl-, and lactate- ions accumulate as the osmotic basis for cell sw…

Ernesta Foldāta vēstule Edgaram Vimbam 1991. gada 27. novembrī

1991

Ernesta Foldāta vēstule Edgaram Vimbam, kurā viņš raksta par gatavību palīdzēt tajos izaicinājumos, kas radušies, Latvijai atgūstot neatkarību, par latviešiem Venecuēlā, par neraksturīgi mitro klimatu pēdējā mēneša laikā, savām pārdomām par pavalstniecības maiņu uz latviešu un ar to saistīto pensijas zaudēšanu. Vēstules beigās sveicieni Ziemassvētkos un Jaunaja gadā un paraksts. Vēstule rokrakstā uz Venecuēlas Botāniskā kongresa blociņa 3 lapām. Glabājas Latvijas Universitātes Muzeja Botānikas un mikoloģijas kolekciju krājumā.

The N-glycan processing in HT-29 cells is a function of their state of enterocytic differentiation. Evidence for an atypical traffic associated with …

1991

International audience; When the human colon cancer cells HT-29 undergo enterocytic differentiation, they correctly process their N-glycans, whereas their undifferentiated counterpart are unable to process Man9-8-GlcNAc2 species, the natural substrate of alpha-mannosidase I. As this enzyme is fully active in both HT-29 cell populations, we hypothesize that N-glycoproteins are unable to reach the cis Golgi, the site where alpha-mannosidase I has been localized. We have demonstrated this point by using 1-deoxymannojirimycin, leupeptin, and monensin. In the presence of 1-deoxymannojirimycin, a specific inhibitor of alpha-mannosidase I, differentiated HT-29 cells, as expected, accumulate Man9-8…

Asymptotic structure factor and power-law tails for phase ordering in systems with continuous symmetry.

1991

We compute the asymptotic structure factor ${\mathit{S}}_{\mathbf{k}}$(t) [=L(t${)}^{\mathit{d}}$g(kL(t)), where L(t) is a time-dependent characteristic length scale and d is the dimensionality] for a system with a nonconserved n-component vector order parameter quenched into the ordered phase. The well-known Ohta-Jasnow-Kawasaki-Yalabik-Gunton result is recovered for n=1. The scaling function g(x) has the large-x behavior g(x)\ensuremath{\sim}${\mathit{x}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}(\mathit{d}+\mathit{n})}$, which includes Porod's law (for n=1) as a special case.

Differential electrophysiologic and inotropic effects of phenylephrine in atrial and ventricular heart muscle preparations from rats.

1991

Stimulation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors evokes a different pattern of inotropic responses in atrial and ventricular heart muscle preparations from rats. The inotropic effects are accompanied by different changes in membrane potential. In an attempt to clarify the question whether or to which extent these events are causally related, the effects of phenylephrine on force of contraction, transmembrane potential, Ca2+ current (ICa) and K+ currents were comparatively studied in either tissue. In atrial preparations, phenylephrine 10 mumol/l caused an increase in force of contraction, a marked prolongation of the action potential duration and a depolarization of the membrane at rest. In the ventric…

The bidual of a distinguished Fr�chet space need not be distinguished

1991

The Penile Plication Procedure: An Alternative Method for Straightening Penile Deviation

1991

AbstractThe number of reported cases of congenital and acquired penile deviation is evidently increasing. We describe our experience with the penile plication procedure, which we used to treat 40 patients with penile deviation. Postoperatively, all patients regained the ability for sexual intercourse, with potency remaining unimpaired. Of the patients 96% were completely satisfied with the result of the operation. Sustained complications have not been observed. To avoid major trauma the surgical intervention should not include removal of ellipsoids from the penile tunica albuginea as proposed by Nesbit. Since the penile plication method produces equally good results in terms of performance …

Significance and Current Status of Wastewater Reuse in Sicily

1991

In Sicily wastewater is being regarded as a supplemental source of water, especially for agricultural use, which represents the greatest demand at present and in the future. That is because water demand is already approaching total usable resources, and severe shortage is experienced almost everywhere and in every sector. To help overcome possible implementation problems due to high salinity and pollutant concentrations, lack in monitoring capabilities, and emotional public perception of possible health risks, major field research programs have been undertaken, including an experimental station with a pilot plant and a series of field plots.

Muscle strength in male athletes aged 70-81 years and a population sample.

1991

Muscle strength characteristics of different muscle groups were studied in active male strength-trained (ST, n = 14), speed-trained (SP, n = 16), and endurance-trained (EN, n = 67) athletes aged between 70 and 81 years. A population sample of similar age (n = 42) served as a control group. The isometric forces for hand grip, arm flexion, knee extension, trunk extension, and trunk flexion were higher for the athletes than the controls and higher for the ST than EN group. The SP athletes showed higher values in knee extension and trunk flexion than the EN group. When the isometric muscle forces were related to lean body mass, significant differences still existed between the athletes and cont…

Continuous-flow tristimulus colorimetry: a new approach for gradient scanning techniques

1991

Abstract A flow-injection gradient scanning technique for colour evaluation by means of tristimulus colorimetry is described. Equipment and data acquisition requirements are discussed. The program CHROMA.FIA data the treatment and comparative chromatic analysis is presented. The chemical and flow conditions were optimized. Comparative studies using metallochromic indicators with both the flow-injection and the conventional batch procedures were made. The continuous-flow procedure provides good results and is more than fifteen times faster than the manual titrimetric procedure.

Rapid construction of algebraic axioms from samples

1991

Abstract An axiom is called reliable if it is confirmed in several places in a given sample of algebra. A very effective algorithm for enumerating such axioms is described.

Morphological changes in adherent cells induced by Clostridium difficile toxins.

1991

Crossluminescence in some fluoride and chloride crystals with intrinsic and extrinsic defects

1991

Abstract The term “crossluminescence” (CRL) was originaly proposed for emission due to electronic transitions from valence band states to cation core band states. Analogous transitions involving cation core states are observed at defect centers.

Buildup of Ultrathin Multilayer Films by a Self-Assembly Process: II. Consecutive Adsorption of Anionic and Cationic Bipolar Amphiphiles and Polyelec…

1991

We have recently reported on the consecutive physisorption of anionic and cationic bipolar amphiphiles onto charged surfaces, adsorbed out of aqueous solutions [1]. Here, we extend our previous concept to multipolar compounds such as polyelectrolytes. In contrast to the bipolar amphiphile system, it is not necessary to separate single charges by a rigid unit, when the polyelectrolyte is adsorbed from sufficiently concentrated solutions. In this case the physisorbed layer does not bind with all ionic groups to the surface and exposes free ionic groups at the new film/solution interface. Therefore a polyelectrolyte layer can replace a layer of bipolar amphiphiles in the consecutive buildup of…

Avarol restores the altered prostaglandin and leukotriene metabolism in monocytes infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1

1991

Abstract Infection of monocytes with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) (strain Ada-M) caused increased levels of leukotriene B 4 (LTB 4 ) and prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) in vitro. These two products result from the activities of the two enzymes cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase. The addition of the sesquiterpenoid hydroquinone Avarol, an HIV inhibitor, strongly reduced the levels of LTB 4 and PGE 2 via inhibition of both cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase in monocytes. The 50% inhibition concentrations (IC 50 ) for the enzymes were determined to be 2.26 μM (cyclooxygenase) and 1.97 μM (lipoxygenase). A 50% reduction of the extent of PGE 2 and LTB 4 production in HIV-infected monocytes…

Hepatitis C virus replication in ‘autoimmune’ chronic hepatitis

1991

Abstract Both high and low anti-hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) prevalence has been reported in autoimmune chronic active hepatitis. Therefore, we studied 15 consecutive HBsAg-negative, ELISA anti-HCV-positive, autoantibody-positive patients with biopsy proven chronic active hepatitis in order to confirm ELISA specificity by immunoblot test (RIBA-HCV), and to evaluate HCV replication by serum HCV-RNA. Nine patients were anti-nuclear, three type 1 anti-liver-kidney microsomal and three anti-smooth muscle antibody positive. None had associated autoimmune disease. All cases showed mild clinical disease and only moderate necroinflammatory activity. Response to prednisone was poor. RIBA-HC…

The Phase Behaviour of Amphiphilic Monolayers

1991

Amphiphilic monolayers display a wealth of condensed phases. It is only recently that these have been widely recognised as being distinct, but they are in fact quite analogous to the well-known lamellar gel phases of bulk lyotropic and thermotropic mesogens. An understanding of these phases has proved to be important for controlling the defect structure of the monolayers used in the fabrication of Langmuir-Blodgett films. This understanding is being achieved by developments in a number of techniques, including X-ray diffraction and isotherm miscibility. The phase diagrams of the materials studied so far are all very closely related, lending new credibility to the principle of corresponding …

Classical-spin approach to a magnetic comb-like chain: application to the two-sublattice chain compound MnMn(CDTA)·7H2O

1991

Abstract We report on the magnetic properties of the two-sublattice manganese chain MnMn(CDTA)·7H 2 O. In view of the structural features, this compound may give rise to a novel type of one-dimensional magnetic network formed by a chain of exchange coupled triangles. A classical-spin model that considers two magnetic sites coupled through two different and isotropic exchange interactions is developed and used in order to analyze the magnetic properties of this compound. The possibility of having a spinfrustration is also examined.