Purification and characterization of a novel peptidase (IImes) from mesquite (Prosopis velutina) pollen

Although the mesquite plant (Prosopis velutina) is not as widely distributed as some other allergenic species, its pollen can induce serious pollinosis in areas where it is localized. We previously isolated and characterized a peptidase from mesquite pollen with trypsin-like specificity (peptidase Imes) (Matheson, N., Schmidt, J., and Travis, J. (1995) Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol. 12, 441-448). Now we have characterized a second enzyme with specificity for hydrophobic residues (mesquite pollen peptidase IImes). This enzyme has a molecular mass near 92 kDa and activity that was not affected by reducing or chelating agents but was inhibited by specific synthetic serine proteinase inhibitors and the aminopeptidase inhibitor bestatin. However, it was not inhibited by human plasma proteinase inhibitors, nor did it inactivate any of those tested. The enzyme possessed amidolytic activity against p-nitroanilide substrates most effectively after alanine residues and also displayed aminopeptidase activity against non-p-nitroanilide peptides with a preference for phenylalanine. This specificity for hydrophobic amino acid residues was corroborated by inhibition studies with chloromethyl ketone and organophosphonate inhibitors. More interesting from a physiological point of view is that the bioactive peptides, angiotensins I and II and vasoactive intestinal peptide, were also hydrolyzed rapidly, indicating an ability of peptidase IImes to act also as an oligopeptidase. Because these bioactive peptides play a role in the inflammatory responses in allergic asthma, our data suggest that the purified mesquite pollen peptidase IImes may be involved in the degradation of neuro- and vasoactive peptides during pollen-initiated allergic reactions.     

Paul E. Meehl (1920-2003).

Presents the obituary for Paul E. Meehl (1920-2003), one of the most eminent psychologists of the 20th century, who helped to shape psychology in a career that spanned more than 60 years. Dr. Meehl's intellectual contributions ranged over many areas, including clinical versus actuarial judgment, research on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, learning theory, psychoanalysis, and the genetic basis of schizophrenia. Dr. Meehl received considerable recognition for his contributions to academic and applied psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Multiyear Temporal Changes in Chlorinated Solvent Concentrations at 23 Monitored Natural Attenuation Sites

Long-term (e.g., 5–15 years) groundwater concentration versus time records were compiled from 47 near-source zone monitoring wells at 23 chlorinated solvent sites (52 total records). Chlorinated volatile organic compound (CVOC) concentrations decreased significantly in most of the 52 temporal records, with a median reduction in concentration of 74%. A statistical method based on a Mann–Kendall analysis also showed that most sites had statistically significant decreasing concentration trends over time. Median point decay rate constants (kpoint) values were calculated for nine sites containing tetrachloroethene (PCE); 13 sites containing trichloroethene (TCE); two sites containing cis-1,2-dichloroethene (DCE); and six sites containing 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA). The TCA sites had the highest kpoint values (0.34/year) followed by PCE, DCE, and TCE (0.23/year, 0.16/year, and 0.11/year, respectively) (equal to decay half-lives of 2.0, 3.0, 4.3, and 6.1 years, respectively). If the median point decay rates from these sites are maintained over a 20 year period, the resulting reduction in concentration will be similar to the reported reduction in source zone concentrations achieved by active in situ source remediation technologies (typical project length: 1–2 years).     

Correlates of pain interference in multiple sclerosis.

Objectives: To describe pain interference and explore its associations with several indexes of health and psychosocial functioning among veterans with multiple sclerosis (MS). Study Design: Cohort study linking computerized medical records and survey questionnaire. Participants: Four hundred fifty-one veterans with MS. Outcome Measures: Pain Effects Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, Modified Social Support Survey, items from the Short Form Health Survey and the North American Research Consortium on MS Registry Survey (NARCOMS) Performance Scales. Results: Participants reported a moderate level of overall pain interference. Increased fatigue, poorer general health, and greater depression symptom severity each were significantly associated with higher levels of pain interference. Conclusions: Pain interference in MS is associated with a variety of other clinically meaningful indexes of functioning. Pain in MS should be treated aggressively to minimize functional impairment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Human intake of arsenic and iodine from seaweed-based food supplements and health foods available in the UK

A number of seaweed-based products were analysed for total and 'reducible' arsenic and total iodine. Maximum potential intakes of the two elements were estimated using the manufacturers' recommended does. The levels of reducible arsenic found were generally low and, with one exception, ingestion of the products is unlikely to lead to the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) Tolerable Daily Intake being exceeded. Iodine levels varied widely even between different samples of the same product. In a number of these cases the potential iodine intake is very high.     

Intravenous preparations for self-administration of drugs by animals.

Describes the construction of the 5 components of iv drug self-administration preparations: (a) a chronically implanted venous catheter; (b) a harness worn by the animal; (c) a flexible leash, providing catheter protection, which is at tached at either end to the harness and to the cage wall; (d) a swivel joint in the leash allowing the animal to turn in the cage; and (e) an infusion pump. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Multivariable control of ill-conditioned distillation columns utilizing process knowledge

In distillation, a reliable model of the column is generally considered as a prerequisite for the design of efficient two-product control by multivariable methods. However, such models are often very hard to obtain. In fact, even very small identification errors may introduce features which are in conflict with physical knowledge, and which make the model useless. Instead of focusing on the development of consistent models, this work is concerned with the utilization of physical process knowledge directly for multivariable control, even if a reliable input-output model is lacking. Such knowledge is, for example, the sign of the RGA-values and an estimate of the input-directionality. It is shown that such structural information of the process can form an entity of control-relevant knowledge that is sufficiently rich for the design of a multivariable SVD controller.