Clinical comparison of an enhanced-sensitivity branched-DNA assay and reverse transcription-PCR for quantitation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA in plasma

We investigated whether inhibition of the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase by the CGP57418B compound would render chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) cells susceptible to Fas (CD95, Apo-1)-mediated cell death. Only two (AR230 and SD1) out of 10 BCR-ABL positive cell lines were found to express the CD95 protein. No change in Fas expression was observed in any of the 10 cell lines after 48 h exposure to CGP57418B. AR230 cells were resistant and SD1 cells were partially resistant to Fas-mediated apoptosis induced by ligation of the Fas receptor to an anti-Fas IgM antibody. Pre-incubation with 1 microM CGP57418B did not change the susceptibility of these cell lines to Fas-mediated cell death. Similar results were observed in experiments with CD34+ cells from CML patients and from normal individuals. The data suggest that, in contrast to some cytotoxic drugs, the CGP57148B tyrosine kinase inhibitor utilizes a pathway other than the CD95 system in order to induce apoptosis in CML cells.     

'98 Escherichia coli SWISS-2DPAGE database update

The combination of two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE), computer image analysis and several protein identification techniques allowed the Escherichia coli SWISS-2DPAGE database to be established. This is part of the ExPASy molecular biology server accessible through the WWW at the URL address http://www.expasy.ch/ch2d/ch2d-top.html . Here we report recent progress in the development of the E. coli SWISS-2DPAGE database. Proteins were separated with immobilized pH gradients in the first dimension and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the second dimension. To increase the resolution of the separation and thus the number of identified proteins, a variety of wide and narrow range immobilized pH gradients were used in the first dimension. Micropreparative gels were electroblotted onto polyvinylidene difluoride membranes and spots were visualized by amido black staining. Protein identification techniques such as amino acid composition analysis, gel comparison and microsequencing were used, as well as a recently described Edman "sequence tag" approach. Some of the above identification techniques were coupled with database searching tools. Currently 231 polypeptides are identified on the E. coli SWISS-2DPAGE map: 64 have been identified by N-terminal microsequencing, 39 by amino acid composition, and 82 by sequence tag. Of 153 proteins putatively identified by gel comparison, 65 have been confirmed. Many proteins have been identified using more than one technique. Faster progress in the E. coli proteome project will now be possible with advances in biochemical methodology and with the completion of the entire E. coli genome.     

Analysis of patients referred to the gastroenterology service of a VA medical center

We recorded clinical information over a 12-month period on consecutive consultations to the gastroenterology service of the Durham VA Medical Center. Of 902 consultations, 789 were prospectively collected. Eighty-five percent of the patients were between 40 and 70 years old. Seventy-five percent of the referrals were from the internal medicine service. The most frequent reasons for consultation were abdominal pain (19%), GI bleeding (active, 16%; occult, 9%), abnormal results of liver tests (18%), and request for a procedure (11%). Diseases of the liver (32%) and "peptic diseases" (30%) were the most common diagnoses. One or more procedures were done in 71% of consultations. When these data are compared with those of a practicing gastroenterologist, using an identical instrument, it is apparent that trainees' experience with structurally identifiable gastroenterologic disease and with a variety of procedures was similar in scope. There were, however, differences in that the physicians at the VA saw substantially fewer patients with so-called "functional" illness. If these data are applicable to other VA Medical Centers, then the training of physicians in gastroenterology at a VA Medical Center should probably be broadened.     

Diagnosis and epidural hematoma by brain scan and perfusion study: case report

By using the arterial and venous phases of an anterior cerebral perfusion study, which showed downward displacement of the sagittal sinus, and the finding of a "rim" on the delayed scans, the specific diagnosis of epidural hematoma was established.     

An educational strategy for occupational therapy community service

In response to the increasing trend toward community health care, a model of training that prepares students for community practice was incorporated into the occupational therapy curriculum at the University of Southern California. During academic training students are placed in a part-time community assignment where no occupational therapy services are offered. Training students for the role of community health specialist produces a dilemma for curriculum design. A balance must be achieved between providing traditional clinical content and providing the knowledge and expertise necessary for community practice. However, this training is considered necessary for maintaining the viability of the profession in a changing health system. Significantly, during the four-year period using this model, many graduates have sought employment in "nontraditional" community roles.     

Impact of the Cd2+ treatment on the electrical properties of Cu2ZnSnSe4 and Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells

The present contribution aims at determining the impact of modifying the properties of the absorber/buffer layer interface on the electrical performance of Cu₂ZnSnSe₄ (CZTSe) thin‐film solar cells, by using a Cd²⁺ partial electrolyte (Cd PE) treatment of the absorber before the buffer layer deposition. In this work, CZTSe/CdS solar cells with and without Cd PE treatment were compared with their respective Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ (CIGSe)/CdS references. The Cd PE treatment was performed in a chemical bath for 7 min at 70 °C using a basic solution of cadmium acetate. X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy measurements have revealed the presence of Cd at the absorber surface after the treatment. The solar cells were characterized using current density–voltage (J–V), external quantum efficiency, and drive‐level capacitance profiling measurements. For the CZTSe‐based devices, the fill factor increased from 57.7% to 64.0% when using the Cd PE treatment, leading to the improvement of the efficiency (η) from 8.3% to 9.0% for the best solar cells. Similar observations were made on the CIGSe solar cell reference. This effect comes from a considerable reduction of the series resistance (R_S) of the dark and light J–V, as determined using the one‐diode model. The crossover effect between dark and light J–V curves is also significantly reduced by Cd PE treatment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A high-resolution map of genes, microsatellite markers, and new dinucleotide repeats from UBE1 to the GATA locus in the region Xp11.23

Several new genes and markers have recently been identified on the proximal short arm of the human X chromosome in the area of Xp11.23. We had previously generated a YAC contig in this region extending from UBE1 to the OATL1 locus. In this report two polymorphic dinucleotide repeats, DXS6949 and DXS6950, were isolated and characterized from the OATL1 locus. A panel of YAC deletion derivatives from the distal portion of the contig was used in conjunction with the rest of the YAC map to position the new microsatellites and order other markers localizing to this interval. The marker order was determined to be DXS1367-ZNF81-DXS6849-ZNF21-DXS6616-DXS 6950-DXS6949. In the proximal region below OATL1, we have isolated a pair of YACs from the GATA locus, B1026 and C01160. Mapping within these YACs indicates the orientation of DXS1126 and DXS1240, while a cosmid near the OATL1 region reveals the overlap between the YAC contigs from the two loci. This cosmid contains the gene responsible for Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) and localizes the disease gene between OATL1 and GATA. These data enable the expansion of the present physical map of the X chromosome from UBE1 to the GATA locus, covering a large portion of the Xp11.23 region. Genetic cross-overs in Xp11.23 support the marker orientation and the position of WAS, contrary to previous reports. With the integration of both physical and genetic maps we have predicted the following marker order: Xpter-UBE1-SYN1/ARAF1/ TIMP1-DXS1367-ZNF81-DXS.6849-ZNF21-DXSy6616++ +-(OATL1, DXS6950-DXS6949)- WAS-(GATA, DXS1126)-DXS1240-Xcen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Neurite outgrowth stimulated by L1 requires calcium influx into neurons but is not associated with changes in steady state levels of calcium in growth cones

L1, NCAM and N-cadherin are cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), present on neuronal growth cones, which promote cell-contact dependent axonal growth by activating a second messenger pathway in neurons that requires calcium influx through L- and N-type calcium channels. In the present study we show that two of these CAMs, (L1 and N-cadherin) can stimulate neurite regeneration from axotomised adult dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons cultured in vitro and that this response can be fully inhibited by agents that block or negate the effect of calcium influx into the neurons. However although the response required calcium influx into neurons, it was not associated with an increase in the steady state levels of calcium in neuronal growth cones. These results suggest that small localised changes, or increases in the rate of calcium cycling, in growth cones and/or filopodia, are more important for regulating axonal growth than changes in the steady-state level of calcium.