Physical interpretation of information entropy: Numerical evidence of the Collins conjecture

The effect of altering the dietary Ca:P ratio during critical points of growth (based on reproductive and skeletal age) on kidney calcification in female rats was investigated. Groups of weanling animals were fed one of three nutritionally complete but calcium-altered diets (0.25, 0.5 or 1.0 g Ca/100 g diet) from 4 to 12 wk of age (Phase 1). Phosphorus concentration remained constant at 0.4 g/100 g diet resulting in Ca:P molar ratios of 0.48, 0.96 and 1.92, respectively. During Phase 2, the same animals within each diet group were then rerandomized into one of the above diets and fed for an additional 25 wk. Each group contained five rats. The data from the nine treatment groups were analyzed statistically using a two-way ANOVA (Phase 1 dietary Ca level by Phase 2 dietary Ca level). The level of dietary Ca during Phase 1 only exerted a significant influence on kidney Ca accumulation. Rats fed the two lower dietary Ca levels, and hence lower dietary Ca:P molar ratios, during Phase 1 had two- to threefold greater kidney Ca concentration and kidney ash Ca concentration than rats fed the diet with the highest dietary Ca level (1.92 Ca:P molar ratio) during Phase 1, regardless of the Ca intake during Phase 2. In contrast, the dietary Ca:P molar ratio during Phase 2 had little effect either positively or negatively on the kidney Ca concentration that had been established during Phase 1. The results indicate that dietary-induced nephrocalcinosis in female rats is irreversible and is induced primarily before the completion of adolescence (approximately 12 wk of age) in Sprague-Dawley female rats.     

Identification and localization of type IV collagen chains in the inner ear cochlea

The expressions of cysteine dioxygenase (CDO) gene in the liver, lung, skeletal muscle, and kidney were studied by in situ hybridization with a cDNA probe from rat liver CDO under normal conditions. Significant expression of the CDO gene was detected in the liver, lung, and kidney, but not skeletal muscle. In the liver, the signal was confined to the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes. Furthermore, the signal was stronger in the periportal than that in the perivenous areas. In the lung, an intensive signal was found in the bronchiolar epithelium. As to the kidney, an intensive signal was observed in the distal convoluted tubules, while no signal was found in the proximal convultions.     

Assessing the role of the biomaterial Aquavene in patient reactions to Landmark midline catheters

Generators of early cortical somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) still remain to be precisely localised. This gap in knowledge has often resulted in unclear and contrasting SEPs localisation in patients with focal hemispheric lesions. We recorded SEPs to median nerve stimulation in a patient with right frontal astrocytoma, using a 19-channel recording technique. After stimulation of the left median nerve, N20 amplitude was normal when recorded by the parietal electrode contralateral to the stimulation, while it was abnormally enhanced in traces obtained by the contralateral central electrode. The amplitude of the frontal P20 response was within normal limits. This finding suggests that two dipolar sources, tangential and radial to the scalp surface, respectively, contribute concomitantly to N20 generation. The possible location of the N20 radial source in area 3a is discussed. The P22 potential was also recorded with increased amplitude by the central electrode contralateral to the stimulation, while N30 amplitude was normal in frontal and central traces. We propose that the radial dipolar source of P22 response is independent from both N20 and N30 generators and can be located either in 3a or in area 4. This report illustrates the usefulness of multichannel recordings in diagnosing dysfunction of the sensorimotor cortex in focal cortical lesions.     

Diagnosis of malaria--an overview

PURPOSE: To examine the anterior optic nerve vasomotor effects of nonselective and relatively beta-1-selective beta-adrenergic antagonists in rabbits, because different influences on optic nerve blood flow with these medications have been suggested. METHODS: After topical therapy for 30 days with either timolol maleate 0.5% (six rabbits), betaxolol hydrochloride 0.5% (six rabbits), or placebo (two rabbits), the microvasculature of the optic nerve was examined with an intraluminal microvascular corrosion casting technique. The investigators were masked to both the medication group and the treated eye. The constriction, in percent of the downstream vessel caliber, was measured at the vascular branching point of arterioles supplying the anterior optic nerve. An average constriction was calculated and compared between the medication groups and between the treated and the contralateral, untreated eyes. RESULTS: Constriction values from a total of 218 arterioles supplying the anterior optic nerve were obtained for the 14 rabbits. The means of the average constriction on the treated side were comparable between the groups treated with timolol maleate, betaxolol hydrochloride, and placebo (one-way analysis of variance, P = .64), as well as between the treated and untreated eyes (two-tailed t-test for paired variables, P = .68 for timolol maleate and P = .42 for betaxolol hydrochloride). The statistical power to find a difference of 5% or more average constriction was at least 90%. CONCLUSIONS: Both relatively selective and nonselective beta-adrenergic antagonists produce no observable optic nerve vasomotor effects in the rabbit eye.     

Identification of a graft versus host disease-associated human minor histocompatibility antigen

Minor histocompatibility antigen disparities between human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched bone marrow donors and recipients are a major risk factor for graft versus host disease (GVHD). An HLA-A2.1-restricted cytotoxic T cell clone that recognized the minor histocompatibility antigen HA-2 was previously isolated from a patient with severe GVHD after HLA-identical bone marrow transplantation. The HLA-A2.1-bound peptide representing HA-2 has now been identified. This peptide appears to originate from a member of the non-filament-forming class I myosin family. Because HA-2 has a phenotype frequency of 95 percent in the HLA-A2.1-positive population, it is a candidate for immunotherapeutic intervention in bone marrow transplantation.     

Inducing malolactic fermentation in Chardonnay musts and wines using different strains of Oenococcus oeni

Malolactic fermentations (MLF) were induced in a commercially prepared Washington State Chardonnay must to evaluate the influence of timing of inoculation and pre-culture conditions of Oenococcus oeni strains MCW, EQ-54, and WS-8. The must (pH 3.62, 21.5°Brix) was divided into lots and inoculated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain CY3079. Strains of O. oeni were pre-cultured by growing in diluted juice or by re-hydration of freeze-dried strains. Bacteria were inoculated into the musts before (Day 0) or after completion of the alcoholic fermentation (Day 22). Yeast populations exceeded 10⁷cfu/mL in all fermentations that proceeded to dryness. However, the viability of most strains of O. oeni quickly declined after inoculation regardless of the timing of inoculation or the strain used. MLF was induced in the wines inoculated with strains EQ-54 and WS-8 but not with MCW, and the rate depended on the time of inoculation. The method used to prepare bacterial starter cultures had no apparent influence on the completion of MLF. Values for volatile acidity were slightly higher (P< 0.05) in wines inoculated with O. oeni before alcoholic fermentation compared with those inoculated after alcoholic fermentation.