The visualization of water transport through hydrophobic polymer coatings applied to building sandstones by broad line magnetic resonance imaging

It is shown that broad line gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging is an ideal tool with which to study the ingress of hydrophobic polymer surface treatments into porous building materials, specifically in this case sandstone. It is further shown that the method can be used to quantitatively visualize the movement of water into and through the treated material, both from the surface and bulk, as a function of time. The influence of treatment cure time, cure temperature and substrate hydration on the subsequent water transport have been investigated. For the first time direct evidence of water pumping through a treated surface is presented.     

Association of the glycogen synthase locus on 19q13 with NIDDM in Pima Indians

Skeletal muscle glycogen synthase (encoded by GYS1 on chromosome 19q13.3) is the rate-limiting enzyme in insulin-mediated non-oxidative glucose disposal. Our previous studies have demonstrated an impairment of insulin-stimulated GYS1 activities in insulin-resistant Pima Indians, and associations of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) with the GYS1 locus were reported recently in Finnish and Japanese populations. We have performed linkage and association analyses of GYS1 and seven additional DNA markers on 19q with NIDDM, and with parameters of insulin action in the Pima Indians. We have found a significant association of NIDDM with GYS1 genotypes (p = 0.009), and with common GYS1 alleles (p = 0.022) in the Pima Indians. We have performed a detailed comparative analysis of the GYS1 gene, mRNA, and protein product in insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant Pima Indians. No mutations in GYS1 coding sequences were detected; nor did we find alterations of GYS1 mRNA expression or of its basal enzymatic activity in insulin-resistant Pima Indians. These results contrasted with a 25% reduction of immunoreactive protein in insulin-resistant subjects as detected by Western blotting with an antibody specific for the C-terminal end of GYS1 (t-test p = 0.024; Wilcoxon's rank-sum test, p = 0.04). Because no mutations were detected in the DNA encoding this epitope, the difference in immunoreactivity may reflect post-translational modification(s) of the protein rather than a difference in the gene itself, or it could have occurred by chance. We conclude that our data do not indicate alterations in the GYS1 gene as the cause for the observed association, and that a different locus near GYS1 may be the contributing genetic element.     

Applying nutrition and diabetes recommendations in the nurse practitioner setting

Medical nutrition therapy is essential for successful management in persons with diabetes. This article discusses implementation of the 1994 revised nutrition guidelines for persons with diabetes by the nonregistered dietitian professional, particularly in the nurse practitioner's setting. Major changes in the guidelines are addressed including the liberalization of sucrose, and basic nutrition assessment, referral guidelines, a sample nutrition history, and case studies to assist the nurse practitioner when a registered dietitian is unavailable.     

The syntaxin Tlg1p mediates trafficking of chitin synthase III to polarized growth sites in yeast

Tlg1p and Tlg2p, members of the syntaxin family of SNAREs in yeast, have been implicated in both endocytosis and the retention of late Golgi markers. We have investigated the functions of these and the other endocytic syntaxins Pep12p and Vam3p. Remarkably, growth is possible in the absence of all four proteins. In the absence of the others, Pep12p and Tlg1p can each create endosomes accessible to the endocytic tracer dye FM4-64. However, although Pep12p is required for the ligand-induced internalization of the alpha factor receptor and its passage via Pep12p-containing membranes to the vacuole, Tlg1p is not. In contrast, Tlg1p is required for the efficient localization of the catalytic subunit of chitin synthase III (Chs3p) to the bud neck, a process that involves endocytosis and polarized delivery of Chs3p. In wild-type cells, internalized Chs3p cofractionates with Tlg1p and Tlg2p, and in a strain lacking the other endocytic syntaxins, either Tlg1p or Tlg2p is sufficient for correct localization of the enzyme. Pep12p is neither necessary nor sufficient for this process. We conclude that there are two endocytic routes in yeast that can operate independently and that Tlg1p is located at the junction of one of these with the polarized exocytic pathway.