Normative data for the Wechsler Memory Scale—Revised: 25- to 34-year olds.

The normative data provided in the Wechsler Memory Scale—Revised (WMS—R) manual for individuals aged 25–34 yrs were estimated statistically by interpolation. As an empirical check of this procedure, a representative stratified sample in this age range was selected to match the 1980 US Census data on relevant demographic characteristics. Prorated Full Scale IQs for the group were normally distributed, having a mean of 101.3 (SD?=?14.58, range?=?72–231). Differences between the empirically derived and published index scores appeared to be clinically significant. Substantial intra-individual differences were common when Visual–Verbal or General–Attention/Concentration indexes were compared. Normative data for the WMS—R subtests, indexes, and distribution of differences between indexes is provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development of a Hypersensitive Periodate‐Cleavable Amino Acid that is Methionine‐ and Disulfide‐Compatible and its Application in MHC Exchange Reagents for T Cell Characterisation

Incorporation of cleavable linkers into peptides and proteins is of particular value in the study of biological processes. Here we describe the synthesis of a cleavable linker that is hypersensitive to oxidative cleavage as the result of the periodate reactivity of a vicinal amino alcohol moiety. Two strategies directed towards the synthesis of a building block suitable for solid‐phase peptide synthesis were developed: a chemoenzymatic route, involving L ‐threonine aldolase, and an enantioselective chemical route; these led to α,γ‐diamino‐β‐hydroxybutanoic acids in diastereoisomerically mixed and enantiopure forms, respectively. Incorporation of the 1,2‐amino alcohol linker into the backbone of a peptide generated a conditional peptide that was rapidly cleaved at very low concentrations of sodium periodate. This cleavable peptide ligand was applied in the generation of MHC exchange reagents for the detection of antigen‐specific T cells in peripheral blood cells. The extremely low concentration of periodate required to trigger MHC peptide exchange allowed the co‐oxidation of methionine and disulfide residues to be avoided. Conditional MHC reagents hypersensitive to periodate can now be applied without limitations when UV irradiation is undesired or less practical.     

Identifying Candidate Protein Markers of Acute Kidney Injury in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

One-quarter of patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) experience acute kidney injury (AKI)—an abrupt reduction or loss of kidney function associated with increased long-term mortality. There is a critical need to identify early and real-time markers of AKI in ADHF; however, to date, no protein biomarkers have exhibited sufficient diagnostic or prognostic performance for widespread clinical uptake. We aimed to identify novel protein biomarkers of AKI associated with ADHF by quantifying changes in protein abundance in the kidneys that occur during ADHF development and recovery in an ovine model. Relative quantitative protein profiling was performed using sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion spectra–mass spectrometry (SWATH–MS) in kidney cortices from control sheep (n = 5), sheep with established rapid-pacing-induced ADHF (n = 8), and sheep after ~4 weeks recovery from ADHF (n = 7). Of the 790 proteins quantified, we identified 17 candidate kidney injury markers in ADHF, 1 potential kidney marker of ADHF recovery, and 2 potential markers of long-term renal impairment (differential abundance between groups of 1.2–2.6-fold, adjusted p < 0.05). Among these 20 candidate protein markers of kidney injury were 6 candidates supported by existing evidence and 14 novel candidates not previously implicated in AKI. Proteins of differential abundance were enriched in pro-inflammatory signalling pathways: glycoprotein VI (activated during ADHF development; adjusted p < 0.01) and acute phase response (repressed during recovery from ADHF; adjusted p < 0.01). New biomarkers for the early detection of AKI in ADHF may help us to evaluate effective treatment strategies to prevent mortality and improve outcomes for patients.     

Coherence and fragmentation of landscape patterns as characterized by correlograms: A case study of Estonia

The homogenization and fragmentation of landscapes caused by intensive management is an increasing problem worldwide. Therefore, there is need for development of methods that help to improve sustainable management and maintain the identity of landscapes. We proposed that landscape coherence is the similarity between soil pattern (potential landscape) and land use intensity (actual landscape), which may be investigated by means of correlograms. We studied the spatial autocorrelation (Moran's I) of raster format soil maps and land use maps (1:10,000; 10 m pixel size) in 35 study areas representing all landscape regions in Estonia. Various soil characteristics were taken into consideration in compiling the scale of contrast of 17 soil groups, whereas 19 land use types were ordered according to the intensity of human influence. We use a simple characteristic based on correlograms: a half-value distance lag, h_I = 0.5, a distance where Moran's I equals 0.5. According to the value of h_I = 0.5, in till-covered areas, the landscape structure is more fragmented in uplands than in lowlands. We found two study areas where the soil pattern was coherent with land use intensity, and detected a tendency that human influence makes the landscape pattern in uplands more homogeneous and in lowlands more heterogeneous, whereas the similarity between landscape patterns in lowlands and uplands is increasing due to human influence. This concept of coherence helps planners and decision makers to determine the optimal land use in landscapes by either reducing or increasing the fragmentation of the landscape pattern.     

Microbiological evaluation of ready-to-eat foods manufactured by small Costa Rican industries

Ready-to-eat (RTE) foods are processed foodstuffs which have gained popularity in recent times because they can be ingested without further thermic treatments. In this work, the microbiological quality and safety of 90 samples of RTE foods manufactured by small Costa Rican industries was determined to evaluate whether they represent a Public Health risk. Twenty-six samples of pickled vegetables, 18 dips, 18 salads, and 12 sweet treats were studied. Each sample was analyzed with regard to its pH, the presence of culturable microbiological quality indicators and recognized foodborne pathogens (Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes. Clostridium perfringens, C. botulinum, and Bacillus cereus) Selected genes encoding toxins of C. botulinum and C. perfringens were screened by PCR. Thirty-seven percent of the samples had a level of acidity that could allow the growth and proliferation of bacterial pathogens (pH > or = 4.5). The shelf-life indicators were acceptable but only if the RTE foods are kept at adequate conditions of temperature and humidity. Sixty-four percent of the RTE foods had total coliforms values that evidence inadequate hygiene practices during its elaboration (MPN/g >1000). This result was confirmed by the finding of fecal coliforms in 56% of the samples, which, by the way, are inacceptable for human consumption. All cultures for pathogens were negative, except for 4 samples that contained B. cereus. Toxins of C. botulinum were not detected and one single sample was positive for the PCR for C. perfringens. The elevated degree of fecal contamination detected in the RTE could be prevented by means of good manufacturing practices, better hygiene measures and a deeper attention to critical control points.     

Tuning the redox properties of Co-N4 macrocyclic complexes for the catalytic electrooxidation of glucose

Graphite electrodes modified with four different cobalt N4 macrocyclics, namely Co tetrapentapyridinophthalocyanine, (CoTPenPyrPc), Co tetrapyridinoporphyrazine (CoTPyPz), Co octa(hydroxyethylthio)phthalocyanine (CoOEHTPc) and Co tetranitrophthalocyanine (CoTNPc) exhibit catalytic activity for the oxidation of glucose in alkaline media. The purpose of this work is to establish correlations between the catalytic activity of these complexes and their redox potential. The activity of the different modified electrodes was tested by linear voltammetry under hydrodynamic conditions using the rotating disk technique. Tafel plots constructed from mass-transport corrected currents give slopes ranging from 0.080 to 0.160 V/decade for the different catalysts which suggests that a first one-electron step is rate controlling with the symmetry of the energy barrier depending on the nature of the ligand of the Co complex. A plot of log I versus the Co(II)/(I) formal potential gives a volcano curve that also includes catalysts studied previously. This illustrates the concept that the formal potential of the catalyst needs to be tuned to a certain value for achieving maximum activity. A theoretical interpretation of these results is given in terms of Langmuir isotherms for the adsorption of glucose on the Co sites of the surface-confined metal complexes.