Characterization of allergoids from ovalbumin in vitro and in vivo

Several in vivo and in vitro methods for monitoring immunological properties of two allergoids obtained by formaldehyde treatment of ovalbumin (OA) were developed. The calculated molecular weight of allergoids was 80 kD (OA-F1) and 165 kD (OA-F2), respectively. The allergenic activity in vitro of allergoids in mast-cell histamine release assay was 1000 times lower than of OA. Both allergoids showed reduced ability to induce passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in the Sprague-Dawley rats or systemic anaphylaxis in Dunkin-Harley guinea-pigs. The ability of OA and allergoids to bind to the OA-specific IgE antibodies was measured in vivo by the inhibition of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA-inhibition). Allergoid binding to IgE was 51-66% lower than the native allergen. Moreover, the avidity of OA-specific IgG antibodies, measured by ELISA-inhibition, for allergoids and allergen was of the same order. Allergoids induced a different pattern of humoral immune response from that, induced by the native allergen. Thus, after immunization of BALB/c mouse, both allergoids induced a higher production of IgG and a lower production of IgE than OA, only OA-F2 induced a lower production of IgG1. The differences in the IgA response to the immunogens was not significant. Delayed hypersensitivity studies in the BALB/c mouse showed that allergoids were 5- to 12-times less effective in inducing a cell-mediated immune response than OA. The present study provides a battery of immunological methods for preclinical testing of modified allergens.     

Surfactant replacement therapy in acute respiratory distress syndrome from viral pneumonia

A modified natural surfactant was administered to a patient with life-threatening adult respiratory distress syndrome caused by viral pneumonia. Subsequently, there was a marked improvement in gas exchange. In order to assess the mechanism for improved oxygenation, computed tomography of the lungs was done. Quantitative analysis of the scans taken before and after surfactant administration indicates that improvement in gas exchange was largely due to the expansion of underinflated and collapsed lung areas. Although this is a single case report, it provides insight into the possible beneficial effect of instilled surfactant in severe respiratory distress from viral pneumonia.     

Predictive equation for acquisition of hepatitis B in hospital workers in a general hospital

A cross-sectional study was performed to obtain risk factors for hepatitis B disease, HBsAg carriers and immunised personnel, among 2470 workers in a general hospital in Madrid, Spain. The data obtained were analyzed with multiple logistic regression to obtain beta coefficients for variables. The results of the analysis show that being a nurse or being regularly exposed to blood are the most important risk factors for hepatitis B acquisition. The length of time working at the same job activity was also a risk factor. The resulting beta coefficients allow the construction for a hepatitis non-immunised, HBsAg carrier and immunised HBV status, which can select subjects for a hepatitis B vaccination program.     

Examination of chemical irritation and textural influence on food preferences in two age cohorts using complex food systems

The changes to the chemical senses of taste and smell that accompany ageing are widely documented, and there has been some evidence that these changes may influence food preferences of the older consumer. However, little is known about the loss of function of the residual senses of texture and chemical irritant perception and how such losses influence food preferences. A consumer panel comprising a young (20–35 years) and an older (>65 years) age cohort was recruited and sensory tests were conducted to determine perceived intensity, preferences and the possibility of cross modal interaction between the sensory modalities of chemical irritation and texture. Liquid, semi-solid and solid food systems were studied to enable comparisons to be drawn. Older consumers were less capable of discriminating between chemical irritation and texture stimuli, indicating loss of sensory function, but there was indication that higher levels of chemical irritation were preferred among older consumers in some texture types.     

Generation of Technology-Independent Retargetable Analog Blocks

This paper introduces a complete methodology for retargeting of analog cells to different sets of specifications. This methodology is technology-independent, thus allowing the migration, from one technology to another, of the circuit under retargeting. Careful integration of the device sizing and layout generation tasks via the incorporation of layout constraints during the sizing process allows to generate fully functional designs in a few minutes. The methodology is illustrated via the retargeting of a fully-differential Miller-compensated two-stage operational amplifier for a new set of specifications and two different technological processes.An erratum to this article can be found at     

Preparation, Characterisation and Catalytic Behaviour of a New TeVMoO Crystalline Phase

TeM_xMo_1.7O mixed oxides (M = V and/or Nb; x = 0-1.7) have been prepared by calcination of the corresponding salts at 600 °C in an atmosphere of N₂. A new crystalline phase, with a Te/V/Mo atomic ratio of 1/0.2-1.5/1.7, has been isolated and characterised by XRD and IR spectroscopy. This phase is observed in the TeVMo or TeVNbMo mixed oxide but not in the TeNbMo mixed oxide. The new crystalline phase shows an XRD pattern similar to Sb₄Mo₁₀O₃₁ and probably corresponds to the M1 phase recently proposed by Aouine et al. (Chem. Commun. 1180, 2001) to be present in the active and selective MoVTeNbO catalysts. Although these catalysts present a very low activity in the propane oxidation, they are active and selective in the oxidation of propene to acrolein and/or acrylic acid. However, the product distribution depends on the catalyst composition. Acrolein or acrylic acid can be selectively obtained from propene on Nb-free or Nb-containing TeVMo catalysts, respectively. The presence of both V and Nb, in addition to Mo and Te, appears to be important in the formation of acrylic acid from propene.     

Expectations about counseling in Yucatán, Mexico: Toward a "Mexican psychology."

Conducted a study of client expectations of psychological services in Yucatán, Mexico, under the sponsorship of a grant from the Organization of American States. The Expectations about Counseling–Brief form (EAC-B) questionnaire was translated and administered to 488 subjects across age, sex, and experience with psychological services. Subsequent analyses supported the reliability and robustness of the Spanish EAC-B, with factor structure similar to the EAC-B in English. Some relation was found among age, sex, prior counseling experience, and expectations about counseling. Implications of these data for future research and comparison with U.S. subjects are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

TMAOase Activity of European Hake (Merluccius merluccius) Organs: Influence of Biological Condition and Season

ABSTRACT: Trimethylamine N-oxide demethylase (TMAOase) activity of several internal organs of hake were studied for 2 consecutive y. The correlation between enzymatic activity and season of year, sex, weight, and length were analyzed. While kidney and spleen showed the highest activities, liver, heart, bile, and gall bladder activities were much lower, and in some cases they were below the detection limit. A correlation between TMAOase activity of kidney and season was found. During winter and spring (February to May), the months matching the spawning peak, high activities were detected, while in summer months the activity level was lower. TMAOase activity in the rest of the organs did not seem to have a seasonal influence. Keywords: TMAOase, season, biological condition, hake, soluble protein     

Influence diagnostics in multiple discriminant analysis

Various influence diagnostics in Multiple Discriminant Analysis can be found in the literature. Almost all of them are based on the overall probability of misclassification. Two case-deletion diagnostics which evaluate the effect of the omission on the linear functions which determine Fisher’s Linear Discriminant Rule are proposed in this paper. Both measures are based on the L ₂-norm: The first diagnostic is calculated from the data set and the second diagnostic is calculated in the minimum hypercube which covers it.