Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux: incidence and precipitating factors

The incidence and precipitating factors associated with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux were evaluated by a questionnaire in 446 hospitalized and 558 nonhospitalized subjects. Of 385 control subjects 7% experienced heartburn daily, 14% noted heartburn weekly, and 15% experienced it once a month, giving a total of 36% of subjects having heartburn at least monthly. Daily heartburn occurred at a significantly greater (P less than 0.05) rate for 246 medical inpatients (14%) and for 121 patients seen in outpatient gastroenterological clinic (15%). Pregnant women seen in uncomplicated obstetrical clinic had symptoms of significantly greater (P less than 0.01) incidence: daily (25%) and at least once monthly (52%). Age, sex, or hospitalization did not significantly affect incidence. Fried foods, "spicy" foods, and alcohol were the most common precipitating factors.     

Synthesis and properties of a new polyether ketone

Summary A new polyether ketone has been synthesized (via addition polymerization) by reacting N,N-bispropargyl-4,4-diaminobenzophenone and Bisphenol A. The polymer is soluble in both polar and ketonic solvents. The inherent viscosity data indicates the molecular weight of the polymer to be low and thermogravimetric analysis suggests it to be a fairly thermostable polymer.     

H13钢芯棒过热断裂特征

H13钢芯棒毛坯在调质热处理后的校正工序中发生断裂,宏观断裂面出现萘状断口。采用断口宏、微观检测、材料力学性能测试和其组织结构分析等方法对H13钢芯棒的断裂原因进行了分析。结果表明,芯棒因过热并在校正外力作用下发生断裂。阐述了H13钢芯棒材过热的基本特征,便于在生产过程中严格规范和控制H13钢芯棒热加工工艺,防止过热现象的发生,稳定和提高产品的制造质量。     

某混凝土拱坝地震响应的有限元分析研究

采用软件建立某混凝土拱坝三维有限元模型,分析了该混凝土拱坝在空库、满库下的自振特性,采用振型分解反应谱法对拱坝在地震工况下的响应进行了计算。计算结果表明,拱坝设计方案坝体位移不大,应力分布合理,为工程设计提供了可靠依据。     

Stereocontrolled Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of Azetidine‐2,3‐Dicarboxylic Acids at NMDA Receptors

The four stereoisomers of azetidine‐2,3‐dicaroxylic acid (L ‐trans‐ADC, L ‐cis‐ADC, D ‐trans‐ADC, and D ‐cis‐ADC) were synthesized in a stereocontrolled fashion following two distinct strategies: one providing the two cis‐ADC enantiomers and one giving access to the two trans‐ADC enantiomers. The four azetidinic amino acids were characterized in a radioligand binding assay ([³H]CGP39653) at native NMDA receptors: L ‐trans‐ADC showed the highest affinity (K_i=10 μM ) followed by the D ‐cis‐ADC stereoisomer (21 μM ). In contrast, the two analogues L ‐cis‐ADC and D ‐trans‐ADC were low‐affinity ligands (>100 and 90 μM , respectively). Electrophysiological characterization of the ADC compounds at the four NMDA receptor subtypes NR1/NR2A, NR1/NR2B, NR1/NR2C, and NR1/NR2D expressed in Xenopus oocytes showed that L ‐trans‐ADC displayed the highest agonist potency at NR1/NR2D (EC₅₀=50 μM ), which was 9.4‐, 3.4‐, and 1.9‐fold higher than the respective potencies at NR1/NR2A–C. D ‐cis‐ADC was shown to be a partial agonist at NR1/NR2C and NR1/NR2D with medium‐range micromolar potencies (EC₅₀=720 and 230 μM , respectively). A subsequent in silico ligand–protein docking study suggested an unusual binding mode for these amino acids in the agonist binding site.     

EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM STORAGE OF FOODS ON QUALITY OF PROCESSED FOODS II.

The effects of long-term storage at 4.4, 21.1, and 37.8°C on physicochemical characteristics, nutritional and organoleptic qualities of freeze-dehydrated ration items from Packet Long Range Patrol were studied. The items included beef hash, beef stew, chicken stew, spaghetti with meat sauce, chili con carne with beans, chicken and rice, pork with escalloped potato, and beef and rice. The freeze-dehy drated foods were stable in quality during storage at 4.4, 21.1, and 37.8°C. After 44 months of storage all freeze-dehy drated ration items were in acceptable condition.     

Molecular Recognition of Two 2,4‐syn‐Functionalized (S)‐Glutamate Analogues by the Kainate Receptor GluK3 Ligand Binding Domain

The kainate receptors are the least studied subfamily of ionotropic glutamate receptors. These receptors are thought to have a neuromodulatory role and have been associated with a variety of disorders in the central nervous system. This makes kainate receptors interesting potential drug targets. Today, structures of the ligand binding domain (LBD) of the kainate receptor GluK3 are only known in complex with the endogenous agonist glutamate, the natural product kainate, and two synthetic agonists. Herein we report structures of GluK3 LBD in complex with two 2,4‐syn‐functionalized (S)‐glutamate analogues to investigate their structural potential as chemical scaffolds. Similar binding affinities at GluK3 were determined for the 2‐(methylcarbamoyl)ethyl analogue (K_i=4.0 μM ) and the 2‐(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl analogue (K_i=1.7 μM ), in agreement with the similar positioning of the compounds within the binding pocket. As the binding affinity is similar to that of glutamate, this type of Cγ substituent could be used as a scaffold for introduction of even larger substituents reaching into unexplored binding site regions to achieve subtype selectivity.     

Neuropsychometric changes in patients after carotid endarterectomy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: One hundred twelve patients undergoing elective carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis were enrolled in a prospective study to evaluate the incidence of change in postoperative cerebral function. METHODS: Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively before hospital discharge and at follow-up 1 and 5 months later with a battery of neuropsychometric tests. The results were analyzed by both event-rate and group-rate analyses. For event-rate analysis, change was defined as either a decline or improvement in postoperative neuropsychometric performance by 25% or more compared with a preoperative baseline. RESULTS: Approximately 80% of patients showed decline in one or more test scores, and 60% had one or more improved test scores at the first follow-up examination. The percentage of declined test scores decreased and the percentage of improved test scores increased with subsequent follow-up examinations. Group-rate analysis was similar for group performance on individual tests. However, a decline in performance was seen most commonly on verbal memory tests, and improved performance was seen most commonly on executive and motor tests. CONCLUSIONS: Neuropsychometric evaluation of patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy for significant carotid artery stenosis demonstrates both declines and improvements in neuropsychometric performance. The test changes that showed decreased performance may be associated with ischemia from global hypoperfusion or embolic phenomena, and the improvement seen may be related to increased cerebral blood flow from removal of stenosis.