Fibular shortening in poliomyelitis

We have determined the nucleotide and encoded amino acid sequences of the capsid, membrane precursor, membrane, envelope, and nonstructural NS1 protein genes of a dengue-2 virus (D2-04) isolated from a patient in Hainan, China. The sequenced region contains a gene organization similar to that of other flaviviruses. The overall amino acid sequence similarity between D2-04 and other dengue-2 viruses is greater than 92%, whereas that between D2-04 and members of the other dengue serotypes is about 65%.     

Treatment of malignant melanoma (clinical stages I and II) (author's transl)

The uncorrected cumulative five-year survival rate ("actuarial method") among 195 patients with infiltrative malignant melanoma of the skin was 58% (160 cases) in clinical stage I, 26% (35 cases) in clinical stage II. In addition to clinical staging, microstaging - i.e. the histologically determined depth of invasion of the primary tumour - is of great prognostic significance. In microstages 2 and 3 with the largest vertical tumour diameter below 0.76 mm, five-year survival rate was 100% while in microstage 3 with greater vertical tumour diameter it was 66% in microstage 4 55% and microstage 5 31%. Results of treatment can be reliably interpreted only if they are divided according to microstage. Propylactic dissection of the regional lymph-nodes (dissection in clinical stage I) need not be undertaken in microstages 2 and 3 with vertical tumours diameter below 0.76 mm. Whether prophylactic dissection was done in one or two sessions has apprarently no significant influence on survival rate. A single X-radiation dose to the primary tumour of 4 000 -6000 R immediately before excision of the tumour did not significantly increase the results. The results were particularly bad when the primary tumour was removed after inadequate manipulation.     

Preferential interactions of fluorescent probe Prodan with cholesterol

The fluorescent probe Prodan has been widely used as a probe of model and biological membranes. Its fluorescent maxima in phospholipid bilayers vary as a function of phase state, with maxima at 485 for the liquid crystal Lalpha, 435 nm for the gel L'beta, and 507 nm for the interdigitated gel LbetaI phase, with excitation at 359 nm. These spectral changes have been used for the detection of phase changes among these phases. In the present study, the fluorescent properties and partition coefficients of Prodan in model membranes of phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylethanols have been studied as a function of lipid phase state and cholesterol content. It is shown that the Prodan spectrum in the presence of cholesterol no longer reflects the known phase state of the lipid; in each phase state, the presence of cholesterol leads to a spectrum with the maximum at 435 nm, characteristic of the noninterdigitated gel phase. The partition coefficient of Prodan into these lipids also varies with the phase state, giving values of 0.35 x 10(4) in the interdigitated gel, 1.8 x 10(4) in the noninterdigitated gel, and 7. 6 x 10(4) in the liquid crystal phase. In the presence of cholesterol these partition coefficients are increased to 13 x 10(4) for the liquid crystal and the gel phase, and 5.1 x 10(4) in the presence of 100 mg/ml ethanol. These results suggest that Prodan has preferential interactions with cholesterol, and is thus not a randomly distributed fluorescent reporter probe in membranes containing cholesterol. These results suggest that Prodan should be used only with great caution in complex lipid mixtures, particularly biological membranes.     

The interaction of pulsed electric fields and texturizing ‐ antifreezing agents in quality retention of defrosted potato strips

The combination of pulsed electric fields (PEF) and texturizing and antifreeze agents on quality retention of defrosted potato strips were studied. Potato strips (10 mm thickness, 100 g) were placed in different solutions (1% w/v) of CaCl₂, glycerol, trehalose as well as NaCl and sucrose, treated with PEF (0.5 kV cm^?1, 100 pulses, 4 Hz). Then, all the samples were soaked in the same solutions for 10 min. After draining, samples were packed into polypropylene pouches and stored at ?18 °C for 12 h. Samples were thawed out at room temperature (20 °C) in 3 h. Untreated controls and PEF treated control samples were also frozen and thawed in similar conditions. To assess the potato strip quality, the thawed samples were analysed for moisture content, weight loss, firmness and colour attributes. The results indicate that PEF treatment by itself is not a suitable pre‐treatment method for frozen potato strips and should be assisted by CaCl₂ and trehalose treatment to prevent softening after defrosting. Firmness analyses determined that application of PEF alone results in 2.38 N. However, PEF in combination with CaCl₂ and trehalose result in 2.97 N and 2.99 N, respectively, which are both significantly firmer than the samples solely treated with PEF. CaCl₂ and trehalose were effective in not only maintaining the structural integrity of the cells, but also retaining colour attributes. The L* value was found to be higher (P < 0.05) in CaCl₂ and trehalose treated samples (58.95 and 57.21, respectively), as compared to PEF treated samples (53.97) denoting a darker colour. Application of CaCl₂ and trehalsoe in combination with PEF also resulted in significantly less weight loss after thawing.     

Development of enzyme biosensor based on trypsin and conductometric thin-film electrodes for protein and artificial substrates determination

ULTRA was established on the 1st April 1990, to consider applications made by registered medical practitioners seeking approval to transplant an organ between 2 living unrelated persons in the United Kingdom.     

Productivity of a breeding place of Aedes albopictus in an urban environment

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, patients presenting with uncomplicated dyspepsia have been managed using empiric antisecretory therapy, followed by endoscopy in the event of persistent symptoms or complication. Since Helicobacter pylori is now accepted as an important and potentially reversible cause of ulcer disease, it is important to reevaluate the management of dyspepsia. The goal of this study is to evaluate seven outpatient strategies for the management of dyspeptic patients using a cost-utility analysis. METHODS: The study design was that of a cost-utility analysis. The model assumes that an adult patient with signs of dyspepsia but no signs of complication presents to the outpatient office of a primary care physician. Seven strategies are modeled: empiric antisecretory therapy; empiric H pylori eradication using oral omeprazole (20 mg [corrected] twice daily), clarithromycin (500 mg twice daily), and amoxicillin (1000 mg twice daily); use of either upper endoscopy, an upper gastrointestinal barium study (an upper GI), or the serum titer for H pylori as a diagnostic test to identify patients for H pylori eradication; or use of an initial diagnostic test followed by the serum titer for H pylori. The primary outcome was the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) for each strategy for a 1-year period from presentation; secondary outcomes included the probability of symptomatic ulcer recurrence, cost per ulcer cure, and mortality. RESULTS: Three strategies were similarly cost-effective: empiric H pylori eradication ($1198 per QALY), use of a serum H pylori titer as an initial diagnostic test ($1214 per QALY), and empiric antisecretory therapy ($1288 per QALY). Empiric antisecretory therapy, however, was associated with significantly more symptomatic ulcer recurrences and deaths than any other strategy. CONCLUSIONS: This cost-utility analysis suggests that two strategies are reasonable for patients presenting with dyspepsia: (1) empiric H pylori eradication and (2) use of a serum H pylori titer to identify patients who might benefit from H pylori eradication. The latter strategy may be preferable because it is less likely to lead to antibiotic resistance. Strategies utilizing an upper GI or upper endoscopy (either with or without serum H pylori titer) or empiric antisecretory therapy do not improve outcomes and are associated with greater cost, morbidity, and/or mortality.     

Genetic changes in intraductal breast cancer detected by comparative genomic hybridization

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is considered a direct precursor of invasive ductal breast cancer (IDC). We combined tissue microdissection and comparative genomic hybridization to identify genetic changes in five DCIS lesions with no invasion and in two that were adjacent to IDC. Extensive genetic changes characterized pure DCIS cases with gains of 1q, 6q, 8q, and Xq as well as losses of 17p and chromosome 22 being most often involved. Except for the Xq gain, these changes are also common to IDC. Separate analysis of DCIS and IDC components in the same tumor revealed an almost identical pattern of genetic changes in one case, whereas substantial differences were found in another. We conclude that many of the common genetic changes in IDC may take place before development of invasive growth. However, a simple linear progression model may not always account for the DCIS-IDC transition.     

Identification of a specific binding site for the anabolic steroid stanozolol in male rat liver microsomes

Male rat liver microsomes contain a [3H]dexamethasone binding site, capable of binding glucocorticoids and progesterone. We have shown previously that the 17 alpha-alkylated androgen, stanozolol, can inhibit the [3H]dexamethasone binding to microsomes through a negative allosteric mechanism, which gives rise to the possibility of its interaction with a different binding site. In this study, the existence of a single-saturating binding site, capable of binding the radioactive steroid with a maximum number of the specific binding site of 49 +/- 2 pmol/mg of protein and a Kd of 37 +/- 1.3 nM was demonstrated by using [3H]stanozolol. In competition experiments, only stanozolol and danazol were able to compete with [3H]stanozolol for its binding to microsomes, among more than 60 steroids and other compounds tested. The binding of [3H]stanozolol was depressed after protease treatment of the microsomes, or after the administration of cycloheximide to adult male rats for 24 hr, which suggest its proteic nature. The [3H]stanozolol binding site was detected in many tissues of the rat, with the highest concentrations being found in the liver. It was detected from birth, increasing afterward in concentration and reaching a peak at 2 to 3 months of age. This is the first experimental verification of the existence in liver microsomes of a specific binding site for some 17 alpha-alkylate androgens, such as stanozolol and danazol, different from the androgen receptor or the [3H]dexamethasone binding site.