Genetically determined susceptibility to organophosphorus insecticides and nerve agents: developing a mouse model for the human PON1 polymorphism

Thin-layer chromatographic (TLC)-UV densitometric and gas-chromatographic-mass spectrometric detection (GC-MSD) methods were developed for simultaneous quantification of morphine and codeine in poppy capsules (Papaver somniferum). Morphine and codeine were isolated by extraction with chloroform: isopropanol (3:1, v/v) at pH = 8.5 and by solid-phase extraction on Snap-Cap cartridges at pH = 8.5. The TLC-UV densitometric quantification was performed by external standard method on silica gel plates using ethyl acetate: toluene: methanol: ammonia (68:17:10:5, v/v) as developing solvent and UV detection at 275 nm. For the GC-MSD analysis, the drugs were derivatized with acetic anhydride: pyridine (1:1, v/v) and separated on a 30 m HP5 capillary column. The quantification was performed using nalorphine as internal standard.     

Confusion surrounds piecemeal changes in nurses' roles

There has been a rapid increase in the number of so-called new roles in nursing. These have tended to develop in a random way. Consequently, titles are not a good indicator of what the role entails. The qualifications required to undertake a particular role are not clear and tend to be locally defined. This paper discusses the implications of this situation. Two subsequent articles will examine issues around patient consent, care provided by nurses in new roles and legality and accountability.     

Construction of biosensors using a gold-binding polypeptide and a miniature integrated surface plasmon resonance sensor

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors were constructed on miniature integrated sensors. Recognition elements were attached to the sensor surface using a gold-binding repeating polypeptide. Biosensors with fluorescyl groups attached to their surfaces were functional for at least 1 month of daily use with little decrease in response to the binding of an anti-fluorescyl monoclonal antibody. The coupling of protein A to the gold-binding polypeptide on the sensor surface enabled the biosensor to detect the binding of antibodies to the protein A and provided a sensor with convertible specificity. The system described herein provides a simple and rapid approach for the fabrication of highly specific, durable, portable and low cost SPR-based biosensors.     

用电子色散补偿增加10Gbps光链路的距离

当前的长距离和城域SONET OC-192（10Gbps）光链路采用单模光纤（SMF）能达到的距离大约只有80km，主要原因在于光纤内的瑕疵。在数据中心和大楼骨干链路也有类似的情况，10G比特以太网（GbE）链路采用传统的多模光纤（MMF，OM1型）时，由于在如此高速率下出现的信号色散效应，长度也限制在不足26m。     

Identification of genes regulated by interleukin-1beta in human endometrial stromal cells

Interleukin-1beta (IL-1b) is an important immune regulatory factor that in human endometrium plays a role in both menstruation and implantation in the event of pregnancy. It promotes inflammatory-like processes and also stimulates tissue remodelling. We present a cDNA microarray study documenting the major effects of IL-1beta on gene expression in stromal cells from human endometrium. Endometrial stromal cells from five normal healthy women at the mid secretory phase were cultured with or without IL-1beta at 50 and 500 pg/ml for 48 h. cDNA microarrays were used to compare the levels of gene expression in total RNA isolated from cells stimulated with IL-1beta. These cDNA arrays were produced containing 15 164 sequence-verified clones, which included genes known to be important in angiogenesis, immune modulators, apoptosis, cell signalling, extra-cellular matrix (ECM) remodelling and cell cycle regulation. Genes which were regulated by IL-1beta were identified by analysis of the microarray data using the Significance Analysis of Microarrays software package. Upregulated (n = 23) and downregulated (n = 6) different genes were observed, which changed at least 3-fold, at a false discovery rate of less than 2% (P < 0.02). Our results have identified genes regulated by IL-1beta, which are involved in leukocyte recruitment, ECM remodelling and other cellular functions. Changes in three genes, IL-8, colony-stimulating factor 2 and aldoketo reductase family 1 member 1, which were upregulated by IL-1beta, were verified using real-time PCR. Novel functions regulated by IL-1beta in endometrium, including genes involved in free radical protection, and fatty acid metabolism were also identified. These results also provide new insights into the role of IL-1beta in disorders of the endometrium, especially in implantation-related infertility and endometriosis, in which this cytokine plays a major role.     

The role of prefrontal cortex in predictive fear learning.

Pavlovian fear conditioning depends on prediction error, or the discrepancy between actual and expected outcomes. We used immunohistochemistry, neuronal tract tracing, and reversible inactivation to study the role of prefrontal cortex and thalamocortical pathways in predictive fear learning. Unexpected, but not expected, conditioned stimulus (CS)–unconditioned stimulus (US) presentations caused increased c-Fos expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), midline thalamus, lateral amygdala, as well as retrograde labeled midline thalamic afferents to PFC. Reversible inactivation of dorsomedial PFC, but not infralimbic PFC, prevented the associative blocking of fear learning. These results suggest a role for dorsomedial PFC (dmPFC), and a thalamic → dmPFC pathway, in signaling whether or not aversive events are expected or unexpected and so whether they are to be learned about. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)