"Flocculus neonatorum": a self-resolving benign nodular flocculus of the iris in the newborn

A severely resorbed maxilla was reconstructed utilizing a combined surgical technique that included the placement of a horseshoe-shaped bicortical calvarium onlay graft, fixed by six endosseous implants. Two more implants were placed in the pterygoid process to support and stabilize the prosthesis. The dentition was rehabilitated with a fixed implant-supported hybrid prosthesis.     

Cloning, sequencing, and expression of the structural genes for the cytochrome and flavoprotein subunits of p-cresol methylhydroxylase from two strains of Pseudomonas putida

The structural genes for the flavoprotein subunit and cytochrome c subunit of p-cresol (4-methylphenol) methylhydroxylase (PCMH) from Pseudomonas putida NCIMB 9869 (National Collection of Industrial and Marine Bacteria, Aberdeen, Scotland) and P. putida NCIMB 9866 were cloned and sequenced. The genes from P.putida NCIMB 9869 were for the plasmid-encoded A form of PCMH, and the genes from P.putida NCIMB 9866 were also plasmid encoded. The nucleotide sequences of the two flavoprotein genes from P.putida NCIMB 9869 and P.putida NCIMB 9866 (pchF69A and pchF66, respectively) were the same except for 5 bases out of 1,584, and the translated amino acid sequences were identical. The nucleotide sequences of the genes for the cytochrome subunits of PCMH from the two bacteria (pchC69A and pchC66) varied by a single nucleotide in their 303-base sequences, and the translated amino acid sequences differed by a single residue at position 41 (Asp in PchC69A and Ala in PchC66). Both cytochromes had 21-residue signal sequences, as expected for periplasmic proteins, and these sequences were identical. On the other hand, no signal sequences were found for the flavoproteins.pchF69A and pchC69A were expressed, separately or together, in Escherichia coli JM109 and P.putida RA4007, with active PCMH produced in both bacteria. The E. coli-expressed flavocytochrome was purified. Our studies indicated that the E.coli-expressed subunits were identical to the subunits expressed in P.putida NCIMB 9869: molecular weights, isoelectric points, UV-visible spectra, and steady-state kinetic parameters were the same for the two sets of proteins. The subunits readily associated upon mixing two crude extracts of E.coli, one extract containing PchC69A and the other containing PchF69A. The courses of association of PchC69A and PchF69A were essentially identical for pure E. coli-expressed subunits and pure P. putida 9869-expressed subunits. E. coli-expressed PchC69A and PchF69A contained covalently bound heme and covalently bound flavin adenine dinucleotide, respectively, as the proteins expressed in nature.     

The E3-11.6-kDa adenovirus death protein (ADP) is required for efficient cell death: characterization of cells infected with adp mutants

We have reported that an 11,600-Da nuclear membrane glycoprotein named adenovirus death protein (ADP), encoded by the E3 region, is required for the efficient death (lysis) of adenovirus (Ad)-infected cells. We postulated that ADP mediates the release of virions from cells at the conclusion of replication. Here we provide further characterization of cells infected by adp+ and adp- Ads. Using virus mutants with deletions in the individual E3 genes, we show that only mutants that lack ADP have small plaques that are slow to develop. Mutants in the adp gene replicated as well as wild-type Ad, but the cells lysed much more slowly. Cell lysis and viability were determined by plaque size, cell morphology, trypan blue exclusion, the release of lactate dehydrogenase, and the MTT assay for mitochondrial activity. ADP is required for efficient lysis of human A549, KB, 293, and MCF-7 cells. A549 cells infected with adp+ Ads began to die at 2-3 days postinfection and were dead by 6 days. With adp mutants, > 80% of cells remained viable for 5-6 days; when the medium was changed, > 80% of cells were viable after 7 days and 10-20% after 14 days. When the MTT assay was used, there was an increase in mitochondrial activity, suggesting that Ad infection stimulates respiratory metabolism. Nearly all nuclei from wild-type Adinfected cells lacked DAPI-stained DNA by 7 days, whereas with an adp mutant nearly all nuclei stained brightly after 15 days. Nuclei from adp mutant-infected cells were extremely swollen and full of virus, and appeared to have an intact nuclear membrane. Cells infected with wild-type Ad had many vacuoles and perhaps a disrupted nuclear membrane; they did not display features typical of apoptosis.     

Overweight schoolchildren in New York State: prevalence and characteristics

OBJECTIVES: Childhood overweight is an increasing public health concern. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of overweight in elementary school children in New York State and to identify characteristics associated with child fatness. METHODS: Weight, height, triceps skinfold, midarm circumference, and a 24-hour dietary recall were taken on 1797 second- and fifth-grade students from 51 randomly selected schools in New York State outside of New York City. Parents completed a brief questionnaire. RESULTS: In comparison with 1974 and 1980 national reference data, up to twice the expected percentages of children had values above the 85th, 90th, and 95th percentiles for body mass index, triceps skinfold, and arm fat area. Regression analyses suggested that children who tended to be fatter were members of low socioeconomic status, two-parent (but not single-parent) households; those with few or no siblings; those who ate school lunch; and those who skipped breakfast. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that overweight is a problem among many elementary school children in New York State and that sociodemographic characteristics may be useful for targeting preventive efforts.     

2005年德国纽伦堡石材暨技术展会推出金刚石绳锯—一种重新被发现的技术?

近来，人们对生产塑料涂覆金刚石绳锯的兴趣明显地增加。当然，这种利用金刚石串珠绳装置从岩石七切割石材荒料，本身就是一种早已使用的方法。金刚石绳锯也用于建筑业来切断楼房或桥梁。金刚石绳锯同样也可用在锯机上切割图案，比如在石料上切出一家公司的名称。金刚石绳锯甚至可用于对古教堂或古城堡的修复上，比如从一面墙上割下一整块浮雕而既不损坏浮雕也不损坏墙壁。多绳锯机（带有许多根切割绳锯机）甚至正被越来越多地用于辅助多刀头圆盘锯将大型的石材荒料切割成板材，从而使锯切深度以及加_[的板材尺寸不再受锯片半径的局限。     

Relationship of natural incidence and radiosensitivity for bone cancer in dogs

A comparison of the risk coefficients for 239Pu- or 226Ra-induced bone cancer in two canine breeds, one with a relatively low (beagle) and the other with a very high (St. Bernard) natural incidence, indicated only slightly higher risk in the giant breed. The differences in risk for skeletal malignancy in 239Pu and 226Ra dogs were nonsignificant (p > 0.05). Likewise, the values of the 239Pu:226Ra "toxicity ratios" for these respective breeds, using bone cancer as the endpoint, were not significantly different at the 0.05 level. The anatomical distribution of the radiation-induced bone tumors tended to be a function of both the bone mass and the skeletal distribution of the radionuclide, not the site of predilection for naturally occurring bone neoplasia. Although the etiology of the higher natural incidence of bone cancer in the St. Bernard was not determined, several possible factors, including a higher osteoblastic activity level in the St. Bernards, are presented. These data suggest that making extrapolations of radiation-induced bone cancer risk from animals to humans is valid.     

Geometry-induced fluorescence resonances in small lossy capillaries

We report the first experimental demonstration of cavity-induced resonances that occur without total internal reflection. We obtained these resonances by observing the fluorescence spectrum from the molecules enclosed within a small, lossy capillary of the type used for capillary zone electrophoresis. Even with weak reflections from the capillary inner walls, enough feedback exists to superimpose resonances on the otherwise smooth fluorescence spectrum. These resonances, commonly called morphologydependent resonances or whispering-gallery modes, have typically been observed only in cavities in which total internal reflection is present.     

Raising the curtain on cancer. Is the puzzle finally becoming clear?

Looking back at the long history of cancer, we can still relate to that POSTGRADUATE MEDICINE editorial written 50 years ago: "None of the basic problems of cancer has been solved. The death rate is constantly mounting. Small wonder that many doctors face cancer with a pessimism bordering on resignation." The temptation is still to prepare for the worst. Nonetheless, cautious optimism is evident among cancer researchers. As Eugenie Kleinerman, a pediatric oncologist at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, recently explained, "We're running a marathon, not a sprint. What's important is not how fast we run the first two miles but when we cross the finish line." In many ways, cancer is still a derogatory word used figuratively in reference to uncontrolled evil. But progress against this common disease is real, as evidenced by the growing population of long-term survivors. New discoveries are expanding therapeutic options every year. The challenge continues to be educating health professionals and patients alike about environmental risks and warning signs, recognizing cancer early, and finding more effective and less toxic therapies. In addition, we need to learn about the prevention, detection, and treatment of late effects of long-term survivors. The curtain is rising on a new era of cancer management, and we all have fron-row seats.     

Effects of human oviductal cell coculture on various functional parameters of human spermatozoa

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of human oviductal cells on various sperm functions in vitro. DESIGN: Controlled experimental laboratory study. SETTING: University gynecology unit. PATIENT(S): Women undergoing tubal ligation or hysterectomy and men who were visiting our subfertility clinics. INTERVENTION(S): Coculture of oviductal cells with human spermatozoa in vitro; sperm functions were determined after coculture. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Capacitation, acrosome reaction, zona binding, and oocyte fusion. RESULT(S): Oviductal cells and conditioned medium induced more spermatozoa to capacitate than did control medium. Although there was no difference in the spontaneous acrosome reaction between any of the groups, the coculture group had a lower percentage of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa after calcium ionophore challenge than did the control and conditioned medium groups. Coculture and conditioned medium treatment reduced the number of spermatozoa bound to the zona pellucida. The penetration rate and penetration index of the control spermatozoa in the zona-free hamster oocyte penetration test were significantly higher than that of the cocultured or conditioned medium-treated spermatozoa. CONCLUSION(S): Human oviductal cells promoted capacitation, stabilized the acrosome, and suppressed binding to the zona pellucida and fusion with the oocyte in vitro.     

Buprenorphine dose self-selection: Effects of an alternative reinforcer, behavioral economic analysis of demand, and examination of subjective drug effects.

Buprenorphine (BUP)-maintained patients were first exposed to various BUP doses and then chose between BUP doses and money. In the choice phase, they had 10 units exchangeable for units of BUP (constant at 3 mg/unit) or money (varied from $0.30 to $20/unit). They chose BUP exclusively (30 mg) when the money alternative was low. As available money increased, they selected lower daily BUP doses (down to 3 mg). An economic analysis indicated demand for BUP was inelastic; changes in drug intake were proportionally lower than changes in price. Subjective reports of agonist and withdrawal effects increased >200% when high and low BUP doses, respectively, were given during the exposure phase. In the choice phase, subjective drug effects were constant regardless of the BUP dose selected. Thus, BUP dose selection varies with the magnitude of alternative reinforcers, and subjective drug effects depend on whether doses are self- or experimenter-selected. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)