A new p21waf1/cip1 isoform is an early event of cell response to oxidative stress

BACKGROUND: A population-based hemochromatosis screening program that uses serum transferrin saturation has been proposed, but few data exist on the number of U.S. adults that such a program would identify for further testing. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of an initially elevated serum transferrin saturation and the prevalence of concurrently elevated serum transferrin saturation and serum ferritin levels in the adult population of the United States. DESIGN: Nationally representative cross-sectional survey of the noninstitutionalized U.S. civilian population. PARTICIPANTS: 15 839 men and nonpregnant women 20 years of age and older who were examined in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994). MEASUREMENTS: Single measurements of serum transferrin saturations and serum ferritin levels. Cut-off values used to define elevated serum transferrin saturation ranged from greater than 45% to greater than 62%. RESULTS: The prevalence of initially elevated serum transferrin saturation ranged from 1% to 6%. Approximately 11% to 22% of those with elevated serum transferrin saturation had concurrently elevated serum ferritin levels. The prevalence of elevated serum transferrin saturation was lower in women than in men when the same cut-off value was used to define elevated serum transferrin saturation. The prevalence of elevated serum transferrin saturation in non-Hispanic black persons and Mexican-Americans was similar to or slightly less than that in non-Hispanic white persons. The prevalence of elevated serum transferrin saturation in persons 20 to 49 years of age was as high as or higher than that in older adults. CONCLUSIONS: A hemochromatosis screening program that uses a cut-off value of greater than 60% to define elevated serum transferrin saturation would identify an estimated 1.4 to 2.5 million U.S. adults for further testing.     

The trials and tribulations of a robotic screening core

It is well recognized within the pharmaceutical industry that high throughput screening is a valuable and rapid tool to identify novel chemical compounds that may lead to tomorrow''s drugs. High throughput screening involves testing as many chemical compounds as quickly as possible against a defined molecular or cellular ‘target’ (for example an enzyme) in the hope that interacting compounds may provide significant therapeutic benefits.At Wyeth-Ayerst Research, a Robotics and Automation Research Core Group has been established which serves as the in-house resource for high throughput screening. The robotics group has three missions: (1) develop and perform high throughput screens for customers in all therapeutic departments in the company; (2) educate customers in issues related to screen design; and (3) help customers to bring automated workstations into their laboratories. The mission, therefore, requires the effective use of automation, as well as building a strong collaboration with customers.The challenges that have been faced fall into two categories: technology limiting and customer relations. Technological challenges arise because it is necessary to develop and implement assays with very different formats and biochemical endpoints within extremely shortened time frames. The primary means to meet these challenges is with flexible robotics and flexible people. Challenges in the area of customer relations include setting realistic expectations, maintaining a sense of collaboration (and not merely service), educating investigators as to how to deal with the huge amount of data generated and seeking feedback. Effective and frequent communication, and an awareness of each individual''s perspective, are essential to provide the most appropriate service.     

Microsystems Interprocessor Communication for Multi-Microcomputer Systems

Since the announcement of the first commercial microprocessor in 1971, integrated CPU's have evolved from mere laboratory curiosities to ubiquitous fundamental system building blocks. Moreover, rapid advances in LSI technology during the early 1970' s have resulted in ever larger RAMs and ROMs–RAMs containing 4096 bits on a single chip are already being delivered in quantity and chips containing 16,384 bits are becoming readily available.     

Catalyzed traps for diesel soot abatement: In situ processing and deposition of perovskite catalyst

The present paper deals with the preparation of catalytic filters for Diesel particulate removal by developing an in situ solution combustion synthesis method. Lanthanum chromite perovskite catalyst has been deposited on silicon carbide and cordierite honeycombs with the aim to investigate the influence of the starting solution containing catalyst precursors on the coating characteristics. SEM, XRD and EDX analyses have been carried out in order to evaluate the homogeneity and the thickness of the catalyst layer. In particular, using concentrated solutions, a single combustion synthesis step was found to be sufficient to obtain a continuous catalyst film on the support.

Pressure drop evaluations and adhesion tests have also been performed thus verifying the possibility to insert this kind of catalyzed traps on the diesel exhaust gas lines. The homogeneity and the high adherence of the deposited catalyst layer, as well as the simplicity and the rapidity of the method, prove its suitability for immediate technological applications.     

Influence of olive cultivars and period of harvest on the contents of Cu,Cd, Pb,and Zn in virgin olive oils

Levels of four of the major pollutant heavy metals were assessed by ICP-OES in virgin olive oil monocultivar samples. The data showed high variability within cultivars for lead and zinc, whereas, for cadmium and copper, no statistical difference was observed. The influence of the cultivar and the stage of ripening of olives on heavy metal content was assessed; zinc was the only metal with a great variability within the first and the second harvest. All olive samples were processed with the same milling apparatus.     

Bilateral aneurysms of the popliteal artery

INTRODUCTION: Popliteal artery aneurysms are the most common of peripheral arterial aneurysms. Popliteal aneurysms are bilateral in 42% of patients. Atherosclerosis and bacterial invasion of the arterial wall are the predominant etiologic factors of popliteal artery aneurysms. CLINICAL CASE: A male of 67 years old was referred to our institution for bilateral claudication and 150 m. free interval. The angiogram showed a partial occluded aneurysm of the right popliteal artery and a complete thrombosis of the left popliteal artery aneurysms. The left aneurysm was resected and a femoral popliteal by-pass was performed, using the inverted saphenous vein graft, associated with left lumbar sympathectomy. Six months later the contralateral aneurysm was excised and a Dacron femoro-popliteal by-pass graft was performed. Two years later Arteriographic and Doppler examination showed patent by-pass bilaterally. CONCLUSION: Popliteal artery aneurysms can be a threaten for the lower limbs, because of thromboembolic phenomena and occasional rupture. Surgery is the best treatment before the appearance of an acute complication and a by-pass with an autogenous vein graft or a Dacron graft are the most common surgical procedures performed. Thrombolytic therapy offers good results where an acute complication appears.