Investigation of the `switch-epitope' concept with random peptide libraries displayed as thioredoxin loop fusions

The `FLITRX' random peptide library, consisting of dodecamerloop peptides displayed on a thioredoxin-flagellin scaffoldon Escherichia coli, was used to select peptide sequences withaffinity for a monoclonal antibody. These peptides were furtherscreened for pH- and metal-sensitive antibody binding. Severalzinc-sensitive peptides were identified, termed `switch epitopes'.A soluble, monomeric thioredoxin loop (`Trxloop') insertionanalog of a FLITRX switch epitope was constructed and its antibodybinding properties were characterized by Western blots. Zinc-dependentantibody recognition was maintained in the Trxloop protein althoughthe apparent antibody affinity was lower. This Trxloop proteinbound to an immobilized metal affinity chromatography matrix,similar to a `histidine-patch' thioredoxin variant, and wasreversibly precipitated by 1 mM Zn²⁺ or Cu²⁺ ions. Residuesimportant for zinc and antibody binding were determined by site-directedmutagenesis. The Trxloop antibody affinity was increased bysaturation mutagenesis. Biotinylated Trxloop (`Biotrxloop')variants of the original and improved affinity Trxloop proteinswere constructed and characterized by surface plasmon resonancemeasurements. Increased antibody affinity was partially dueto a slower antibody desorption rate, although the relativeadsorption rates were dependent on the amount of immobilizedBiotrxloop protein, indicating an influence of avidity on theapparent affinity.     

Musical auditory hallucinosis from Listeria rhombencephalitis

We present the unusual case of a 27-year-old Japanese woman who exhibited recurrences of metastatic tumors from uterine leiomyosarcoma after five operations. Chemotherapy with cisplatin, pirarubicin, and cyclophosphamide was ineffective. Substituting ifosfamide for cyclophosphamide, we obtained a complete response. The Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) in the United States has recognized the efficacy of ifosfamide and mesna in the treatment of patients with advanced or recurrent uterine sarcomas. Here we report on the efficacy of ifosfamide in addition to cisplatin and pirarubicin.     

Review of The mental hospital in the 21st century.

Reviews the book, The mental hospital in the 21st century by Emmanuel Persad, Shane S. Kazarian, and Llewellyn W. Joseph (1992). The authors not only review past endeavors in the delivery of mental health services but speculate as to the role the mental hospital may take in the years to come. The starting point for this book is a conference entitled "The Role of the Mental Hospital in the 21st Century" sponsored by the London Psychiatric Hospital in October 1990. The book features 20 brief chapters regrouped in three sections. In all, 29 contributors mainly from Canada, bring forth varying perspectives on the role of the mental hospital. The real contribution of this book is that it puts into perspective the magnitude of the challenge that confronts the major stakeholders in developing a comprehensive and balanced system of mental health services. The present book could serve as a starting point for some serious debate among the stakeholders about the way the mentally ill are treated and to determine how the role of the mental hospital should change. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dry deposition and heavy acid loading in the vicinity of Masaya Volcano, a major sulfur and chlorine source in Nicaragua

Certain volcanoes constitute the world's largest sources of SO2, HCl, and HF emissions and contribute significantly to regional acid deposition. However, the impact of volcanic acid emissions to nearby ecosystems remain poorly documented. In this paper, the spatial pattern of acid dry depositions was monitored within 44 km of Masaya Volcano, Nicaragua, with a network of sulfation plates. Measured SO2 deposition rates were <2-791 mg m(-2) day(-1). The plates also collected the dry deposition of HCI at rates of <1-297 mg m(-2) day(-1). A similar deposition velocity Vd (gas transfer) of 1.6 +/- 0.8 cm/s was calculated for SO2 and HCl above the plate surfaces. Quantities of SO2 and HCI deposited daily within the area surveyed amounted to 1.5 x 10(8) g and 5.7 x 10(7) g, respectively, which correspond to about 10% of the total SO2 and HCl released by the volcano. These depositions may generate an equivalent hydrogen flux ranging from <1 to 30 mg m(-2) day(-1). Our results demonstrate that volcano emissions can dramatically affect acid deposition downwind and in turn cause extreme acid loading of the local ecosystems. This study opens exciting prospects for investigating the sensivity of volcanic ash soils to acid inputs.     

Experiments and simulations on the effect of channeling on the ranges of 1 keV deuterons in silicon

Simple extrapolation of the Lindhard analytic theory of channeling predicts very wide channeling angles ( 10°) at low keV energies; however, the effect is highly sensitive to the exact atomic interaction potential chosen, as shown by computer simulations. Amorphous, polycrystalline, and single-crystalline 110, 111 and 100 silicon samples have been implanted with 1 keV deuterons in channeled and random directions. The ranges are measured by the ERD biE × biB (elastic recoil detection) ion beam technique and compared to simulations with the codes MARLOWE, TRIM and BABOUM. Some significant conclusions are that the channeling angle is approximately 10° in the 110 direction, and that polycrystalline material gives significant “accidental” channeling.     

Injuries as a result of California earthquakes in the past decade

The devastating effects of earthquakes have been demonstrated repeatedly in the past decade, through moderate and major earthquakes such as the October 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake (5.9 on the Richter scale), the October 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake (7.1) and the January 1994 Northridge earthquake (6.7). While 'official' tallies of injuries and deaths are reported for each event, the numbers vary from report to report. For Northridge, the number of injuries vary between 8,000 and 12,000; the number of deaths from 33 to 73 (Peek-Asa et al., 1997; Durkin, 1996). While official estimates are commonly reported following disasters, the study of actual numbers, types and causes of casualties has not developed. In this paper, we identify the numbers and risk factors for injuries within community-based samples across three earthquakes in urban California. We first report the numbers and types of injuries in each earthquake and then identify risk factors specifically associated with the Northridge earthquake.     

Validation de l'échelle d'assertion pour adultes de Gay, Hollandsworth et Galassi.

A French version of the Adult Self-Expression Scale was validated on a sample of 327 French-speaking Ss. The norms obtained are similar to those obtained with an American population. Males obtained significantly higher scores than did females. (5 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)