Computational learning reveals coiled coil-like motifs in histidine kinase linker domains

The recent rapid growth of protein sequence databases is outpacing the capacity of researchers to biochemically and structurally characterize new proteins. Accordingly, new methods for recognition of motifs and homologies in protein primary sequences may be useful in determining how these proteins might function. We have applied such a method, an iterative learning algorithm, to analyze possible coiled coil domains in histidine kinase receptors. The potential coiled coils have not yet been structurally characterized in any histidine kinase, and they appear outside previously noted kinase homology regions. The learning algorithm uses a combination of established sequence patterns in known coiled coil proteins and histidine kinase sequence data to learn to recognize efficiently this coiled coil-like motif in the histidine kinases. The common appearance of the structural motif in a functionally important part of the receptors suggests hypotheses for kinase regulation and signal transduction.     

Thyroid papillary carcinoma and its variants

The authors discuss the histological features of classical thyroid papillary carcinoma, with special emphasis on pathologic indicators related to prognosis. Its different variants are described, including: microcarcinoma, encapsulated variant, pure follicular variant, solid/trabecular variant, diffuse sclerosing and the cytologic variants of tall, columnar and oncocytic cell.     

Beanspruchungsverhalten von PVD-CrN Beschichtungen auf Leichtmetallwerkstoffen

Behaviour of light metals with PVD-CrN coatings using different test methods The application of thin hard coatings on machining tools, e.g. drilling tools is state of the art. The increase of lifetime of coated Tools compared to uncoated tools is well known. [1]. In this context ?separation of functions”? is an often used phrase, by meaning the separation of functions of the volume and the surface of materials. Going one step forward, from the point of view of tribology or corrosion this means, you have ?only”? to protect the surface by using a ?good”? coating without looking at the material underneath. In the past the influence of substrate materials or the optimization of the system (substrate-coating) was not the main aim of PVD development. Looking at substrate and coating as a system is especially necessary, if the differences of the properties of substrate and coating are large (e.g. hard coating – light metals). This paper shows different aspect of the tribological and electrochemical characterization of PVD coated light metals (CrN coating).     

Serum hepatitis G virus (HGV) RNA in multitransfused thalassemics from eastern Sicily

To evaluate the efficacy of continuous administration of 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen for reducing pain during flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy 32 children aged 3-60 months were randomly assigned to an experimental or a control group. Indications for endoscopy included persistent atelectasis (6), wheezing (10) cystic fibrosis (2) pneumonia (11) persistent cough (3). All patients received Midazolam (0.3 mg/kg) atropine (20 mcg/kg) intra rectaly 20 minutes before the procedure. The flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope (Olympus BF3C4) was inserted transnasally through a face mask. Topical anesthesia with 1% lidocaine hydrochloride (3 mg/kg) was applied to the nose, larynx, trachea and bronchial tree over 15 minutes through the suction chanel of the bronchoscope. All patients were monitored with a pulse oximeter and a cardiac monitor. The experimental group (n = 16) received 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen prior (3 minutes) and during flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy, the control group (n = 16) received only oxygen. We measured pain of the children by a behavioral observation scale (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale: CHEOPS) at each phase of topical anesthesia during bronchoscopy in the two groups. At the end of bronchoscopy physician's satisfaction was scored by a visual analogue scale (VAS 0-100) in which 0 corresponded to absence of satisfaction. Nitrous oxide was associated with lesser pain scores than those with oxygen. Physician significantly preferred these procedure compared with oxygen. No complication occurred during procedure. Combined with local anesthesia midazolam and atropin the administration of 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen seems a better choice for flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy in children and should be used routinely.     

Interleukin-6-associated inflammatory processes in Alzheimer's disease: new therapeutic options

The cytokine interleukin-6 is consistently detected in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients but not in the brains of nondemented elderly persons. Until recently it was unclear whether an interleukin-6-associated inflammatory mechanism is an early or late event in the pathological cascade of Alzheimer's disease. We investigated whether interleukin-6 could be detected in plaques of Alzheimer's disease patients prior to the onset of neuritic degeneration. We found interleukin-6 mostly in plaques where neuritic pathology has not yet developed. This indicates that the appearance of interleukin-6 may precede neuritic changes and is not just a consequence of neuritic degeneration. Therefore, one may hypothesize that activation of inflammatory mechanisms may cause neuritic degeneration in plaques. A suppression of interleukin-6 synthesis could, therefore, be of therapeutic value. Upon screening a number of substances, we found that a small number of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, including tenidap, were able to inhibit interleukin-6 synthesis in cultured human astrocytoma cells. These substances may be therapeutically useful in Alzheimer's disease and should be evaluated in clinical studies.     

Amylase: creatinine clearance ratio and urinary excretion of lysozyme in acute pancreatitis and acute duodenal perforation

The amylase:creatinine clearance ratio in patients suffering from acute pancreatitis or acute duodenal perforation was higher than normal in both groups of patients. These findings cast doubt on the value of this parameter as a specific index of acute pancreatitis. The mechanism or mechanisms underlying the increased amylase excretion have not been determined. However, the markedly elevated urinary excretion of lysozyme observed in some patients suggests, by analogy, that diminished tubular reabsorption of amylase may contribute towards the elevated amylase:creatinine ratio.     

Mode-locking of an atmospheric pressure cross-excited electrically pulsed CO2laser

Self-mode-locking of a cross-excited electrically pulsed CO2laser has been observed and studied as a function of cavity length and operating pressure. The best results are obtained at a pressure of 450 torr with cavity lengths on the order of 1m. Two-ns duration pulses have been measured, the shortest pulses observed to date at 10.6-μ wavelength. With longer cavities more axial modes are locked, resulting in a longer dead time between pulses; however, the pulsewidths increase with increasing cavity length. Mode-locking was not improved by the use of the bleachable absorber SF6.     

Berechnung der Schmiedeguttemperaturen beim Reckschmieden

Aufteilung des Schmiedevorgangs in Abkühl- und Umformvorgänge. Wärmebilanzen für den Abkühl- und den Umformvorgang. Numerisches Lösungsverfahren. Auswertungen.     

Zweistufige Oxydation unter Verwendung von radioactiv markierten Oxydationsmitteln

Two-stage oxidation using tracers of the oxidizing medium The mechanism of scaling can be determined using a two stage oxidation method; according to this method an isotope is added to the oxidizing medium in the second stage of the oxidation. If the isotope is radioactive, the result is evaluated by autoradiography (e. g. S, Cl, Br), otherwise mass spectroscopy is used (e. g. oxygen). Depending on the nature of the diffusion processes – diffusion of metal through the scale to the surface, or diffusion of the attacking medium through the scale to the core metal – one obtains typical concentration gradients of the isotope within the scale layer; beyond that, information is obtained concerning diffusion paths (pores, lattice defects). Experiments described include sulfidation of Ni, CuZn, Ag.