Investigation of iron borate on the submillimeter waves

Antiferromagnetic resonance (AFMR) in iron borate at the frequency of 300 GHz at the room temperature in weak (down to 0.1T) external magnetic fieldH has been studied. The loss in AFMR line increased or decreased depending on the direction and magnitude ofH. Such properties ofFeBO ₃ monocrystals allows to design undirectional and modulation devices.     

Corrigendum for `Constraint-based automatic test data generation'by R.A. DeMillo and A.J. Offutt

In reference to the above-titled paper by R.A. DeMillo and A.J. Offutt (see ibid., vol.17, no.9, p.900-10, Sept. 1991), the commenter rates that he and M.R. Woodward (1985) implemented a system for FORTRAN-77 programs that integrates weak mutation and data flow analysis. He reports here that experiments have been carried out by them (1986), using the system to compare the error exposing ability of weak mutation, data flow, and control flow testing strategies     

Challenges in the human genome project

The purpose and scope of the human genome project are discussed. Basic biological concepts underlying the project are reviewed. The two processes-logic and experimentation-used to understand DNA sequences are compared, and the process of obtaining the sequence is described. Two problem areas in this collaboration between biologists and computer scientists are examined. They arise from differences in training that can make communication difficult, and nomenclature problems     

Diagnostic results and their clinical interpretation--or: what you never wanted to know about diagnosis

OBJECTIVE: To analyze HLA-DR4 alleles in New Zealand Polynesians with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Thirty Polynesians and 30 Caucasians with RA, as well as 65 Polynesian and 60 Caucasian healthy blood donors, were DR4 subtyped using the polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes. RESULTS: The frequency of DR4 (DRB1*04) was increased in both Polynesian (P < 0.001) and Caucasian (P < 0.005) RA patients compared with race-matched controls. Dw4 (DRB1*0401) was detected in 15 of 30 Caucasian patients but only 2 of 30 Polynesian patients (P < 0.001). In Polynesians, RA was associated with Dw15 (DRB1*0405), which was present in 11 of 30 patients and 3 of 65 controls (P < 0.001). Dw13 (DRB1*0403) was the most frequent DR4 allele in healthy Polynesians, but was not significantly associated with RA. CONCLUSION: The predominance of the Dw13 subtype in Polynesians may explain in part the low prevalence of RA in this population. The association of Dw15 with RA in Polynesians supports the hypothesis that the third hypervariable region of DR beta determines susceptibility to RA.     

Anesthetic considerations in the child with Gaucher disease

Alpidem, an imidazopyridine that acts at the gamma-aminobutyric acid/benzodiazepine receptor complex, has been reported to be an effective anxiolytic with a more favorable side effect profile than benzodiazepines. The effect of alpidem was investigated in an 8-week, open, clinical trial in 13 patients with panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia. Three patients were responders (much improved or very much improved), five patients were nonresponders, and five patients dropped out after less than 6 weeks of treatment. Significant improvement was seen in the sample as a whole for spontaneous panic attacks, phobic avoidance, and anticipatory anxiety. Most improvement occurred during the first 4 weeks of treatment, and responders had milder panic disorder at baseline. Adverse effects were generally mild. After 8 weeks of treatment, taper of medication over 2 weeks occurred without significant worsening of panic disorder symptoms. The efficacy of alpidem in the treatment of panic disorder remains uncertain and requires assessment in a controlled trial.     

False aneurysm of the left ventricle and coronary aneurysms in Beh?et disease

A false left ventricular aneurysm and coronary artery aneurysm were discovered in a 29 year old patient with Beh?et's syndrome. The operation under cardiopulmonary bypass consisted of closing the neck of the false aneurysm by an endo-aneurysmal approach with a Gore-Tex patch. The coronary artery aneurysms were respected. There were no postoperative complications. Cardiac involvement is rare in Beh?et's syndrome (6%). The originality of this case is the association of two aneurysmal pathologies: the coronary and ventricular aneurysms due to the angiitis and the myocardial fragility induced by ischaemia.     

Beta-COP is essential for biosynthetic membrane transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi complex in vivo

Experimental glomerulonephritis was induced in rats to investigate the consequence of the antigen-antibody interaction on the surface of glomerular endothelial cells (GENs). A lectin, Lens culinaris hemoagglutinin (LCH), was first planted in the left kidney by isolated perfusion of a left kidney, and then the circulation was reestablished. Rabbit anti-LCH antibodies were injected from the tail vein 3 minutes after the recirculation of the left kidney, and acute glomerulonephritis ensued. Fifteen minutes after the injection, rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG), rat C3, and LCH were observed exclusively on the surface of GENs. Accumulation of platelets was prominent. Three hours later, the immune deposits were seen in the subendothelial space, and the polymorphonuclear cells were the dominant infiltrate in the glomeruli. Up to the seventh day, immune deposits were seen in the subendothelial space, and the widening of this area was increasingly observed. Fourteen days later, immune deposits containing rat IgG were observed in the subepithelial area, but they were only occasionally seen in the subendothelial space and in the mesangial area. No crescent formation was seen at day 14, but the mesangial area was expanded, with an increased number of cells. The number of nuclei in the cross-section of a glomerulus increased after the induction of glomerulonephritis, but the number of leukocyte common antigen-positive cells (infiltrating cells) decreased gradually from day 4 to day 14. The staining of Thy-1.1, a marker of mesangial cell, was markedly enlarged in the glomerulus at day 14. These data suggest that mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis can be induced by the antigen-antibody interaction on the surface of GENs.     

Tramadol, M1 metabolite and enantiomer affinities for cloned human opioid receptors expressed in transfected HN9.10 neuroblastoma cells

Tramadol hydrochloride is a centrally acting synthetic analgesic in widespread clinical use. Despite different degrees of opioid-like characteristics in preclinical tests, it is characterized by lack of full naloxone reversibility or naloxone-precipitated withdrawal in humans. To investigate this apparent discrepancy, the present study measured the affinity of tramadol (and its enantiomers) and an active O-desmethyl metabolite (M1) (and its enantiomers) to cloned human opioid receptors of the mu, delta and kappa type stably expressed in HN9.10 neuroblastoma cells. At mu sites, the Ki values for tramadol, its (+) and (-) enantiomers, M1, and its (+) and (-) enantiomers were 17000, 15700, 28800, 3190, 153 and 9680 nM, respectively, compared to 7.1 nM for morphine. These results are consistent with the suggestion of a non-opioid contribution to the clinical profile of tramadol.     

A major isoform of the maize plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase: characterization and induction by auxin in coleoptiles

The plasma membrane (PM) H(+)-ATPase has been proposed to play important transport and regulatory roles in plant physiology, including its participation in auxin-induced acidification in coleoptile segments. This enzyme is encoded by a family of genes differing in tissue distribution, regulation, and expression level. A major expressed isoform of the maize PM H(+)-ATPase (MHA2) has been characterized. RNA gel blot analysis indicated that MHA2 is expressed in all maize organs, with highest levels being in the roots. In situ hybridization of sections from maize seedlings indicated enriched expression of MHA2 in stomatal guard cells, phloem cells, and root epidermal cells. MHA2 mRNA was induced threefold when nonvascular parts of the coleoptile segments were treated with auxin. This induction correlates with auxin-triggered proton extrusion by the same part of the segments. The PM H(+)-ATPase in the vascular bundies does not contribute significantly to auxin-induced acidification, is not regulated by auxin, and masks the auxin effect in extracts of whole coleoptile segments. We conclude that auxin-induced acidification in coleoptile segments most often occurs in the nonvascular tissue and is mediated, at least in part, by increased levels of MHA2.