Saturation dynamics in FEL and optical-klystron FEL devices

In this note we present an analysis of FEL saturation mechanisms, with particular attention to the case of optical-klystron (O.K.) devices operating with low energy e-beam in the single-passage configuration. We discuss the range of validity of already introduced FEL gain versus intensity saturation formulae and show that O.K. FEL saturation occurs in two distinct steps. In the first, the dispersive section is “turned-off,” in the second, saturation in the conventional sense is reached     

Role of thromboxane A2, endothelin-1 and endothelin-3 in rat nephrotoxic serum nephritis

To clarify the role of thromboxane A2 (TxA2), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin-3 (ET-3) in the progression of glomerular injury in accelerated nephrotoxic serum nephritis (NTN) in the rat, we studied the expression of ET-1 and ET-3 at the kidney by immunohistochemical method and examined the effect of a novel TxA2 receptor antagonist, S-1452. The S-1452-treated group showed significantly lowered 24-hr proteinuria and milder glomerular cell proliferation and lobulation than the non-treated group (NT group) on experimental day 10. There was no significant difference in the glomerular polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) exudation between the 2 groups. Immunofluorescent findings revealed that ET-1 and ET-3 were seen along the glomerular capillary wall and partly in the mesangial area in all rats of the NTN group. The degree and positive rate of ET-1 and ET-3 staining were significantly higher in the NTN group than in the S-1452 group. These findings suggest that TxA2 may be an important mediator in the development of NTN, and that TxA2 receptor antagonist may be useful for the reduction of glomerular injury in this type of nephritis. In addition, local production of ET may contribute to the development of this nephritis.     

Bioimpedance monitoring of rehydration in cholera

Measurement of bioimpedance (BI) is a simple non-invasive technique that relies on the different conductivity of tissues to define body composition and can be easily adapted to automated monitoring. We assessed the accuracy of BI in monitoring rehydration and acute fluid fluxes in 35 Peruvian cholera patients. Patients were monitored throughout the acute phase of diarrhoea and followed up at 3 and 10 days. BI was compared with other objective measures of dehydration including packed cell volume, serum protein, and calculated fluid balance. BI rapidly detected inadequate treatment and acute fluid flux, correlating highly with intravascular hydration as measured by serum protein and packed cell volume. BI values during dehydration were significantly raised compared with 10-day convalescent values and age-matched controls (p < 0.05). We also encountered an unexpected difference in the bioelectrical response to dehydration and rehydration between sexes. We conclude that BI has uses in monitoring dehydrated patients, in oral rehydration trials, and in physiological studies.     

Large-scale use of liquid-phase blocking sandwich ELISA for the evaluation of protective immunity against aphthovirus in cattle vaccinated with oil-adjuvanted vaccines in Argentina

Specific serum activity levels against four reference strains of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) were evaluated from 1634 animals vaccinated with commercial quadrivalent oil vaccines and from 746 unvaccinated, naive animals, using the liquid-phase blocking sandwich ELISA (lpELISA) test. Cows from the FMDV-free area of Argentina were tested for the absence of specific FMDV antibodies (sp FMDV Abs) and those showing lpELISA titres < 1.0 were grouped in lots of 16 animals. They were vaccinated and challenged at 90 days postvaccination (DPV) with one of four virus strains used for vaccine production and control (prototype strains). Serum samples from vaccinated and control cattle were collected 60 and 90 DPV and the level of sp FMDV Abs was determined by lpELISA. Animals were examined for clinical signs of disease. Results show that serum lpELISA titre levels directly correlate with the percentage of protected animals. It was seen that 100, 98, 93 and 87% of the vaccinated cattle with antibody titre levels > or = 2.1 were protected against challenge with serotypes C85, A87,01 Cas and A79, respectively. Evidence is also presented of seroconversion in a sample of 3-5-month-old calves vaccinated in the field, showing lpELISA titres compatible with protection against the four vaccine viruses as long as 150 DPV. Results reported in this paper strongly support the use of the lpELISA test for a rapid and reliable evaluation of the efficacy of FMDV commercial vaccines as well as for the assessment of the immunological status of cattle in FMDV-free and enzootic regions of South America.     

Graf-type theorem for Laguerre and Legendre functions

In this paper, we discuss Graf-type series for Laguerre and Legendre functions. Within this context, we indicate the existence of two-variable, one-index generalized functions and discuss their properties. This class of special functions represents a useful tool for dealing with a large number of physical problems, from that relevant to multilevel system dynamics to the study of incommensurate structures.     

Identification of active compounds in vegetal extracts based on correlation between activity and HPLC–MS data

We propose a method identifying candidates for active compounds in vegetal extracts. From a collection of samples, the method requires, for each sample, a HPLC–MS analysis and a measurement of the activity. By applying a correlation analysis between the activity and the chromatographic area for each interval of elution time and m/z ratio, the peaks corresponding to candidates for active compounds can be identified. Additionally, when peaks are identified, a model can be estimated to predict the activity in new samples. Both methods are evaluated in one experiment involving the phenolic extract (PE) from 22 samples of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) where the activity is a cytotoxicity index against JIMT-1 breast cancer cells. In this experiment, the samples were separated into two disjunct partitions: one was used for training (identification of candidates and estimation of prediction model), while the other was used for validation (by comparing the predicted and the measured activities). Three compounds were identified as candidates to be responsible for the cytotoxicity of the EVOO-PE against JIMT-1 cells. The prediction model provided an accurate estimation of the activity.     

Native carotenoids composition of some tropical fruits

Many tropical fruits can be considered a reservoir of bioactive substances with a special interest due to their possible health-promoting properties. The interest in carotenoids from a nutritional standpoint has recently greatly increased, because of their important health benefits. Here we report the native carotenoids composition in six tropical fruits from Panama, which is considered a region of great biodiversity. The native carotenoid composition was directly investigated by an HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS methodology, for the first time. In Corozo 32 different carotenoids were detected, including a high content of β-carotene and lycopene. Sastra showed the highest content of zeaxanthin among the fruit investigated. In Sapote 22 different carotenoids were detected, including β-carotene and 10 different zeaxanthin-di-esters. Frutita showed a very high content of the apo-carotenoid β-citraurin, and of a number of its esters. In Maracuyà chino 14 carotenoids were detected, including a high amounts of mono-esterified lauric acid with β-cryptoxanthin and with cryptocapsin. Mamey rojo was characterised by ketocarotenoids with κ rings, both hydroxylated and not hydroxylated.     

Enhancement of fmax in InP/InGaAs HBTs by selectiveMOCVD growth of heavily-doped extrinsic base regions

InP/InGaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBT's) with selectively grown heavily-doped extrinsic base layers have been fabricated. A new selective metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method using a very high-speed rotating susceptor, which can attain high selectivity even at low growth temperature, is employed for the extrinsic-base regrowth. The maximum f_max of the HBT with the selectively grown extrinsic-base layer is 141 GHz, which is more than 50% larger than that of a HBT without the selective growth. The base resistances are estimated by a small-signal equivalent-circuit analysis and transmission line model measurements, and we find that the resistance is reduced to be about a half by the selective regrowth. This significant reduction is achieved by the decrease of base contact resistance as well as the low regrowth-interface resistance. We also discuss Zn redistribution during the extrinsic base regrowth     

A tobacco soluble protoporphyrinogen-oxidizing enzyme similar to plant peroxidases in their amino acid sequences and immunochemical reactivity

Partial amino acid sequences of a soluble protoporphyrinogen-oxidizing enzyme (PPO) purified from tobacco cultured cells were identified. The sequences of two regions of the soluble PPO corresponded to the acid/base catalysis and heme binding regions of plant peroxidases. Anti-soluble PPO IgG cross-reacted with these plant peroxidases. Thus, the soluble PPO seems to be a kind of peroxidase.     

Trigeminal neuralgia associated with venous angioma--case report

BACKGROUND: Colposcopy and related therapeutic modalities are taught in many family practice residency programs. The role of the following two factors in a family practice residency program's decision to teach these procedures was evaluated: 1) the coexistence of an obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) residency program at the affiliated hospital and 2) the perceived attitude of community obstetrician-gynecologists toward family physicians performing the procedures. METHODS: In 1993, all 399 accredited family practice residency programs were surveyed, with a response rate of 86.5%. RESULTS: Ninety-three percent of responding programs taught colposcopy. All programs that rated community obstetrician-gynecologists' attitudes as positive taught colposcopy, and 91% taught cryotherapy. In programs rating local obstetrician-gynecologists' attitudes as negative, 85.5% taught colposcopy, and 71% taught cryotherapy. A co-located OB-GYN program did not influence a family practice program's likelihood of teaching colposcopy or treatment modalities. CONCLUSION: A perception that community obstetrician-gynecologists have negative attitudes about family physicians performing colposcopy may dissuade some family practice programs from teaching colposcopy and related treatment modalities. This influence was not seen in programs with a co-located OB-GYN residency.