Growth inhibitory effect of juvenile hormone analogues on epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi

Several compounds, structurally related to the insect growth regulator Fenoxycarb, exhibited interesting inhibition action to control proliferation of Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite responsible for Chagas' disease. Some of these drugs were shown to be potent growth inhibitors of this parasite. All of these drugs had previously presented juvenoid activity on several non-related bug species such as Tenebrio molitor, Galleria mellonella, Dysdercus cingulatos, and Pyrrhocoris apterus.     

Investigation of the biogenetic reaction sequence of cholesterol in rat tissues,through inhibition with AY-9944

An inhibitor of Δ⁷-reductase, AY-9944 (trans-1,4-bis(2-dichlorobenzylaminomethyl cyclohexane dihydrochloride), was used to investigate the last steps of cholesterol formation in brain and liver of adult and newborn rats. The accumulation of different sterols in the two tissues of the same animals was observed. Δ^5,7-Cholestadien-3β-ol, Δ^7,24-cholestadien-3β-ol and Δ^5,7,24-cholestatrien-3β-ol, which are not present in detectable amounts in control brains, were identified in brains of growing rats treated with AY-9944. An accumulation of Δ^5,7-cholestadien-3β-ol only was found in adult rat tissues. These differences in sterol accumulation are discussed in relation with the possible in vivo pathways of cholesterol biosynthesis.     

Cell-protection mechanism through autophagy in HGFs/<Emphasis Type="Italic">S. mitis</Emphasis> co-culture treated with Chitlac-nAg

Silver-based products have been proven to be effective in retarding and preventing bacterial growth since ancient times. In the field of restorative dentistry, the use of silver ions/nanoparticles has been explored to counteract bacterial infections, as silver can destroy bacterial cell walls by reacting with membrane proteins. However, it is also cytotoxic towards eukaryotic cells, which are capable of internalizing nanoparticles. In this work, we investigated the biological effects of Chitlac-nAg, a colloidal system based on a modified chitosan (Chitlac), administered for 24–48?h to a co-culture of primary human gingival fibroblasts and Streptococcus mitis in the presence of saliva, developed to mimic the microenvironment of the oral cavity. We sought to determine its efficiency to combat oral hygiene-related diseases without affecting eukaryotic cells. Cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species production, apoptosis induction, nanoparticles uptake, and lysosome and autophagosome metabolism were evaluated. In vitro results show that Chitlac-nAg does not exert cytotoxic effects on human gingival fibroblasts, which seem to survive through a homoeostasis mechanism involving autophagy. That suggests that the novel biomaterial Chitlac-nAg could be a promising tool in the field of dentistry.     

Quick and easy molecular weight determination with Macintosh computers and public domain image analysis software

The program "molecular weights" allows a fast and easy estimation of molecular weights (M(r)), isoelectric point (pI) values and band intensities directly from scanned, polyacrylamide gels, two-dimensional protein patterns and DNA gel images. The image coordinates of M(r) and pI reference standards enable the program to calculate M(r) and pI values in a real time manner for any cursor position. The program requires NIH-Image for Macintosh computers and includes automatic band detection coupled with a densitometric evaluation.     

Prerequisites for offering ultrasound services in general practice]

In the course of the past few years, sonography has become firmly established in clinical practice. The accuracy of the investigations does not only depend on the quality of the equipment used but also to a considerable degree on the standards of investigator training. To reduce the discrepancy between the number and quality of the investigations in the German Federal Republic, the "Kassen?rztliche Vereinigung" has released guidelines requiring the users of sonographic equipment to undergo theoretical and practical training. These guidelines are reviewed and commented.     

Vacuum retrofits: the process, benefits, and risks

Older circuit breakers have had an excellent reliability for the period of time intended. These circuit breakers have performed satisfactorily for at least 10 to 15 years, and most, 20 to 30 years, with a certain level of preventive maintenance performed. Unfortunately, normal age, deterioration, and wear have brought: many of these circuit breakers to the end of their useful life, from a reliability and maintainability standpoint. We address reliability and maintainability of the existing circuit breakers, as well as the improvements gained by the vacuum retrofit process. Retrofit design factors, which affect reliability and maintainability of the final product, are also addressed; as well as alternatives and cost considerations, applications, specification recommendations, and associated switchgear improvements. The gains achieved in equipment life extension are self evident. A detailed review is also provided concerning the safety interlocks, which must be properly incorporated into a retrofit     

A comparison between classical robust stability conditions

The paper is focused on the comparison between some classical robust stability conditions for continuous‐time linear time‐invariant systems. Such conditions are given as lemmas in the paper, since their statements include some generalizations, needed in order to better compare (and use) them. The analysis is carried out by comparing pairwise the families of systems whose stabilization through a given compensator is guaranteed by each of the considered robust stability conditions. Some properties of the families are formally derived and stated, and some very simple examples arc exhibited in order to illustrate the presented properties and comparisons. A theorem, representing an extension of one of the considered conditions, is proposed in order to overcome some difficulties arising in the use of the classical result. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antitumor effect of plant lectins

BACKGROUND: Staff development experts in a tertiary-care hospital were searching for a holistic approach to facilitating improved outcomes. METHOD: Staff development experts, clinical nurse specialists, and clinical managers developed a model that provides a framework for educators to integrate their energies with those of other leaders in order to create a holistic approach to the goal of achieving excellence. RESULTS: The model that is proposed links strategies for change with outcome evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: The model provides a conceptual lens that helps nurse leaders focus on organizational assessment, strategies to improve the work environment, and the evaluation of outcomes. The model is useful for guiding practice as well as research.     

Physico-chemical characterisation of the inhalable particulate matter (PM10) in an urban area: an analysis of the seasonal trend

Between October 1998 and February 2000, 11 particulate samplings were conducted in an urban area of Rome to evaluate the seasonal trend of PM10 characteristics: seven samplings were made at ground-level and four 30 m above ground level. The samples were analysed by scanning electron microscopy equipped with an EDS X-ray attachment and by transmission electron microscopy and an electron energy-loss spectrometer. The airborne particulate matter was characterised from a physico-chemical point of view to provide information on the particle composition and on the compounds carried on their surface. The data sets, consisting of the atomic concentrations of the constituent chemical elements of the fine (PM3.3) and of the coarse (PM10-3.3) particulate, were subjected to cluster analysis to determine the principal components of PM10. In the particulate matter, the statistical analysis methods allowed us to identify seven groups (clusters) of particles: C-rich particles; carbonates; silica; silicates; sulfates; Fe-rich particles; and metals. Carbonaceous and silicate particles with a surface coating containing S were observed. This sulfur-enriched coating turned out to be a PM3.3 feature strongly dependent upon season.     

Integrated approach between pulsed thermography,near-infrared reflectography and sandwich holography for wooden panel paintings advanced monitoring

The durability of an exterior finish is affected by the characteristics of the wood. Satisfactory finish life is usually more difficult to achieve on woods of higher density. All wood shrinks as it loses moisture and swells as it absorbs moisture, but some species are more stable than others. Species that shrink and swell the most cause more stress on paint films than woods that are more stable [1]. To this end, let us recall that a painting on wood can be considered as a layered structure: The wood support is coated with a number of superposed priming layers made from mixtures of gesso and glue. A frequent fault resulting from such a system is the formation of detached regions inside the layered structure caused by the shrinkage process of the wood support [2]. Obviously, wood deteriorates more rapidly in warm, humid regions with respect to cool or dry places [3]. The influence of wood conditions on surface coatings is a critical point that should be monitored and that depends on environmental parameters such as microclimate. To prevent and control the effects, keeping costs down, a non-destructive monitoring of wood support behavior under thermal stress is needed. In this work, an integrated approach based on traditional and innovative (HI, PT and NIR) techniques was conducted on a primed support of poplar wood with a complex-shape surface containing areas of artificial defects at several depths due to the influence of the support on the various layers. The obtained results could be arranged, if integrated into a multidisciplinary approach, in order to define and design the conservation of the wooden artifacts.