The loss-grief reaction and coping behavior of a mother whose child died of a brain tumor

This is a study on the loss-grief reaction and coping behavior of a mother whose child died of brain tumor. The researcher used field methods to collect data and analyze observations of mother-nurse interaction. The results showed that this mother had self-blame depression, and guilt feelings and affected the whole family. With the help of nurses and various supportive resources the mother was finally able to go through the grieving process smoothly.     

Potent and selective bicyclic lactam inhibitors of thrombin: Part 2: P1 modifications

The synthesis and antithrombotic activity of a series of nonpeptide bicyclic thrombin inhibitors is described. We have explored the SAR with modifications to the P1 site. The introduction of arginine mimetics at the P1 site led to potent and selective thrombin inhibitors.     

Presence of Epstein-Barr virus in lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the middle ear

AIM: To examine the association of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with carcinoma of the ear. METHODS: Five non-keratinising squamous cell carcinomas and two undifferentiated carcinomas of the ear were examined. In situ hybridisation was used to localised EBV-encoded RNAs (EBER). Immunohistochemical methods to detect LMP-1 and EBNA2 were performed in the EBER positive cases. RESULTS: Two cases were EBER positive, including one non-keratinising and one undifferentiated carcinoma. Both showed identical morphology to those arising from the nasopharynx, with abundant lymphoid stroma. They were both negative for LMP-1 and EBNA2. CONCLUSIONS: EBV associated carcinoma with the morphology of lymphoepithelioma can also arise from the middle ear.     

Cloning and characterization of a symbiosis-related gene from an ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor

Point-to-point functional movements involve simultaneous shoulder and elbow joint rotations. In able-bodied subjects these movements are fully automatic, and feed-forward control ensures the synergistic activity of many muscles. Synergy between joint rotations was defined and described as a scaling between joint angular velocities [19]. Similarly, subjects who can control their shoulder movements may be assisted in reaching tasks by functional electrical stimulation (FES) of elbow extensor muscles. The synergistic control paradigm can be implemented in real-time by employing a hierarchically structured production-rules method. The use of production-rules necessitates the acquisition of knowledge and the assembly of a rule-base. A nonparametric technique was designed for the identification of the rules. The identification process was divided into two phases: determination of the scaling parameters, and determination of the stimulation parameters. The scaling parameters, needed for the coordination of movements, were determined in able-bodied subjects. Those depend exclusively on the initial and target positions of the hand. The number of scalings could be reduced by dividing the workspace into 12 zones. The stimulation parameters, needed for the execution of movements, were determined in subjects with paralyzed elbow extensor muscles by identifying triplets: elbow angular velocity, elbow angular acceleration (velocity increments), and the corresponding pulse durations for various classes of movements and loads attached to the hand.     

(R,R)-2,2'-[1,2-ethanediylbis[imino(1-methyl-2,1-ethanediyl)]]- bis[5-nitro-1H-benz[de]isoquinoline-1,3-(2H)-dione] dimethanesulfonate (DMP 840), a novel bis-naphthalimide with potent nonselective tumoricidal activity in vitro

(R,R)-2,2'-[1,2-ethanediylbis[imino(1-methyl-2,1-ethanediyl)]]- bis[5-nitro-1H-benz[de]isoquinoline-1,3-(2H)-dione] dimethanesulfonate (DMP 840), is a bis-naphthalimide anticancer tumoricidal agent currently in phase I clinical trials. DMP 840 exhibits curative activity in human tumor xenografts, where it shows selectivity for human solid tumors over murine leukemias. In contrast to the selectivity found for DMP 840 in vivo, DMP 840 exhibits potent antiproliferative activity in vitro against a variety of human and murine leukemia and solid tumor cell lines in culture, with inhibitory doses that reduce the number of treated cells to one half (IC50) values ranging from 2.3 to 53 nM. DMP 840 was growth inhibitory to three doxorubicin-resistant cell lines with IC50 values also in the nanomolar range. Clonogenic survival experiments showed that DMP 840 was equally cytotoxic to both exponentially growing and quiescent human clone A colon carcinoma cells. A 1-h incubation of DMP 840 (1.22-12 microM) caused 5-log cell kill in KB-3-1 human epidermoid carcinoma, clone A human colon carcinoma, and L1210 murine leukemia cell lines. The rapid cell killing by DMP 840 in clonogenic survival experiments and initial mechanism of action studies was consistent with a DNA-interactive mechanism for DMP 840 cytotoxicity. Mechanism of action studies in L1210 leukemia cells demonstrated that DMP 840 inhibited the incorporation of thymidine and uridine into DNA and RNA with IC50 values of 0.55 and 0.08 microM, respectively. DMP 840 produced DNA single-strand breaks in a dose-dependent manner. Double-strand breaks were not observed with DMP 840 treatment, even at higher concentrations of compound. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and P388 cells resistant to camptothecin and containing a mutant form of topoisomerase I were also used to evaluate whether DMP 840 was cross-resistant with agents active against topoisomerase I. While the CHOR line was 163-fold resistant to camptothecin, the CHOR line was only 1.7-fold resistant to DMP 840. In summary, DMP 840 is a DNA-interactive agent that demonstrates excellent antiproliferative activity in vitro against cultured tumor cells from both human and murine sources. Its mechanism of tumoricidal activity may be novel.     

Comparison of the frequency and enjoyability of pleasant events in cocaine abusers vs. non-abusers using a standardized behavioral inventory

AIMS: To examine whether cocaine abusers differ from non-abusers in their frequency and enjoyability of engaging in various "pleasant events", in order to approximate the density of positive reinforcement experienced in their natural environment. DESIGN: Comparisons of cocaine abusers to normative data and matched controls. SETTING: An outpatient substance abuse treatment center in Burlington, Vermont, USA. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects included 100 individuals enrolled in outpatient treatment for cocaine abuse or dependence and 50 community volunteers without histories of drug abuse or other major psychiatric illness and matched to cocaine-dependent patients on age, sex and SES. MEASUREMENTS: Diagnostic assessments were based upon clinical interviews using the DSM-III-R checklist. The primary focus of this study was the Pleasant Events Schedule (PES), a self-rated behavioral inventory of the frequency and enjoyability of engaging in "pleasant" activities. Cocaine use history, treatment outcome and other relevant variables were also assessed. FINDINGS: Cocaine abusers reliably reported lower frequency of non-social, introverted, passive outdoor and mood-related activities than controls. These differences remained after controlling for demographic and life-style differences between groups, with the exception of mood-related activities. Perceived enjoyability of the activities did not differ across groups. Intravenous cocaine use and prior treatment for cocaine abuse predicted particularly low frequency of pleasant activities. Greater frequency of non-social activities predicted better treatment outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Drug abuse is associated with low density of certain types of non-drug reinforcement. Systematic increases in these activities may improve treatment outcome.     

Phase identification of micro and macro bubbles at the interface of directly bonded GaAs on sapphire

Direct wafer bonding (DWB) of 3 GaAs and R-cut sapphire was performed in a microcleanroom using ultra pure water as cleaning agent. The initial bonding is mediated by Van der Waals forces and hydrogen bridges. The bond energy is released by subsequent heating up to temperatures of 500°C. During heating the formation of macroscopic bubbles at the interface was observed. Details of the interface structure were investigated by cross-sectional as well as plan-view transmission electron microscope (TEM) micrographs. The chemical composition of the elements at the interface was measured by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). A high density of micro bubbles in bonded areas, a network of micro channels in the transition region and macro bubbles in debonded areas could be distinguished. The macro bubbles are filled with a porous oxide. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) revealed the growth of textured -Ga2O3 and elemental arsenic. © 1998 Chapman & Hall     

Estimation of Width and Depth of the Wetted Soil Volume Under a Surface Emitter,Considering Root Water-Uptake and Evaporation

A cylindrical flow model that describes local infiltration from a surface point source, by incorporating evaporation and water extraction by roots, was used to obtain numerical results that were the base for the development and testing of an empirical method for determining the surface and vertical components of the wetting front. The implementation of the mathematical model took place against two of the twelve USDA soil classes, using three water application rates for each one. The empirical methodology consisted of two simple, time dependent empirical relationships: a power law for the stage of the infiltration, which was applied in both directions and a polynomial for the stage after the end of the irrigation, applied only for the vertical component, to account for percolation losses. The statistical criteria used for the evaluation of the method showed good agreement between the numerical results and the values calculated by the empirical relationships. Based on the limited availability of necessary experimental data for detailed analysis of multidimensional transient infiltration, the introduction of such an empirical model, as a design tool for trickle irrigation systems, may contribute to the selection of the optimum application rate and lateral spacing.     

Contribution of muscle proteinases to meat tenderization

The exact mechanisms involved in the postmortem meat tenderization process and the nature of changes associated with improvement in tenderness are complex and not fully understood. Based on the relevant evidence thus far obtained, the focus of this review is on clarifying the factors affecting meat tenderness, particularly the toughening and tenderness phases, possible endogenous proteinases involved in meat tenderization and how these proteinases contribute to meat tenderization. Of the different biochemical and ultrastructural changes occurring in the meat tenderization process, myofibril disruption at the Z-disk and contractile proteins are discussed in detail. This myofibril disruption can perhaps be ascribed to the synergistic action of calcium-dependent proteinases (both mu- and m-calpains) and lysosomal proteinases, especially the cathepsins B and L.