Cloning and sequencing of the para-type sodium channel gene from susceptible and kdr-resistant German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) and house fly (Musca domestica)

This paper presents the results of viscosity determinations on aqueous solutions of bovine serum albumin (BSA) at a wide range of concentrations and at temperatures ranging from 5 degrees C to 45 degrees C. On the basis of these measurements a general formula connecting the relative viscosity eta r with temperature T and concentration c of the dissolved proteins was established: [formula: see text] The quantities alpha, beta, B, D and delta E are described in the text below. A simple substantiation of the formula was also given. This relation gives immediately the Mooney approximation and allows the prediction of the values of the parameter S and a self-crowding factor K in this approximation. By applying an asymptotic form of the formula such rheological quantities as the intrinsic viscosity and Huggins coefficient were calculated.     

Alteration of the CD34+ Tf-1 beta cell line profile in response to long-term exposure to IL-15

Interleukin 15 (IL-15) is a cytokine with many functional characteristics that are similar to IL-2. Most of the functional activities that IL-2 and IL-15 support have been evaluated in short-term assays. It was our intention, then, to determine the long-term effects of IL-15 in comparison to IL-2. These studies were performed using the growth factor-dependent myelomonocytic cell line, Tf-1, which has been well characterized with regard to morphology, CD marker expression, responses to certain growth factors and cytokines (GM-CSF, IL-4, erythropoietin), and can differentiate through the myeloid and erythroid lineages. In order to study IL-2 and IL-15 responses, Tf-1 cells were retrovirally infected with the IL-2R beta chain gene as a means to confer IL-2 responsiveness to this cell type. The results of this study demonstrate that retroviral infection of Tf-1 successfully generated a stable IL-2 responsive cell line, Tf-1 beta, without interfering with the original characteristics of the Tf-1 cell. Tf-1 beta cells respond functionally to both IL-2 and IL-15. When Tf-1 beta cells are grown for 8 weeks in IL-2 (Tf-1 beta 2), rather than GM-CSF, the original morphology, CD marker expression, esterase activity and proliferative response is unaltered in comparison to that of the original Tf-1 beta line maintained in GM-CSF. However, long-term growth of Tf-1 beta in IL-15 (Tf-1 beta 15) results in morphological alterations, downregulation of CD33, CD38, and HLA-DR, and a decreased response to IL-15 in comparison to Tf-1 beta 2. These studies support the concept that retroviral infection, even when it confers new functions upon a cell, does not necessarily alter all other functions, as assessed by evaluation of its phenotypic profile. Furthermore, the production of the Tf-1 beta 2 and Tf-1 beta 15 sublines demonstrates that IL-2 and IL-15 can support long-term cell growth. However, this long-term growth in IL-15 leads to subtle alterations in the cell profile that are not seen with IL-2, suggesting that distinctions in IL-2 and IL-15 function do exist. Further study of the Tf-1 beta 15 cell line will be useful to clarify these functional distinctions between IL-2 and IL-15.     

Importance of structural tuning in manganites

Properties of substituted La-manganites are known to be very sensitive to La site substitution. The critical parameters appear to be (a) the charge and concentration of the substituted ions, which determine the Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ ratio, (b) the average ionic radius at theA site and (c) the tolerance factor,t. The latter two parameters determine the distortion and structural tuning of the perovskite structure. Here we report the influence of minor variations in the above parameters on the magnetotransport of compounds around the basic composition La_0·6M_0·07Ca_0·33MnO₃ (M=Er, Yb and Bi). The influence of the method of synthesis on different properties is also discussed. The ionic radii of Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ and Bi³⁺ ions are 1·00, 0·985 and 1·11 Å, respectively, compared to 1·32 Å for La³⁺ and this provides a systematic variation for the investigation of the effects ofA site substitution. The zero field resistivity data are essentially similar above the maxima which corresponds, at least approximately, to the Curie temperature as determined by magnetization measurements. However, there are variations below the transition temperature, where there is magnetic ordering, and large variations are often seen in the magnetic data between samples which are very similar in composition. Substantial similarities between field dependent magnetization and resistivity measurements appear to be related to domain wall displacement and rotation. These results will be discussed in the framework of structural tuning which has a strong influence on exchange parameters such as the Mn-O-Mn bond length and angle.     

Low-cycle fatigue behavior of ULTIMET® alloy

The low-cycle fatigue behavior of ULTIMET®, a wrought cobalt-based alloy, was studied at the temperatures of 294, 873, and 1,173 K under isothermal conditions. A constant strain rate of 3.0×10^?3 s^?1 was used with fully reversed strain ranges between 0.4 and 2.5 pct. Observations on the strain vs fatigue-life curves, cyclic stress-strain responses, and fatigue fracture modes were obtained. The microstructure evolution of the ULTIMET alloy was characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning-electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission-electron microscopy (TEM). For fatigue tests performed at 294 and 873 K, plastic-strain-induced, fcc-to-hcp phase transformations were observed. Twinning and carbide precipitation were found to contribute to the significant cyclic hardening observed at 1,173 K.     

Dynamic regulation of calcium influx by G-proteins, action potential waveform, and neuronal firing frequency

The time course of Ca2+ channel activation and the amplitude and rate of change of Ca2+ influx are primarily controlled by membrane voltage. G-protein-coupled signaling pathways, however, modulate the efficacy of membrane voltage on channel gating. To study the interactions of membrane potential and G-proteins on Ca2+ influx in a physiological context, we have measured N-type Ca2+ currents evoked by action potential waveforms in voltage-clamped chick dorsal root ganglion neurons. We have quantified the effect of varying action potential waveforms and frequency on the shape of Ca2+ current in the presence and absence of transmitters (GABA or norepinephrine) that inhibit N current. Our results demonstrate that both the profile of Ca2+ entry and the time course and magnitude of its transmitter-induced inhibition are sensitive functions of action potential waveform and frequency. Increases in action potential duration enhance total Ca2+ entry, but they also prolong and blunt Ca2+ signals by slowing influx rate and reducing peak amplitude. Transmitter-mediated inhibition of Ca2+ entry is most robust with short-duration action potentials and decreases exponentially with increasing duration. Increases in action potential frequency promote a voltage-dependent inactivation of Ca2+ influx. In channels exposed to GABA or norepinephrine, however, this inactivation is counteracted by a time- and frequency-dependent relief of modulation. Thus, multiple stimuli are integrated by Ca2+ channels, tuning the profile of influx in a changing physiological environment. Such variations are likely to be significant for the control of Ca2+-dependent cellular responses in all tissues.     

Osmotic regulation of the Na+/myo-inositol cotransporter and postinduction normalization

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms underlying the vascular effects of propofol are not fully understood. Vasopressin, a potent vasoactive peptide, stimulates the arachidonate cascade and the synthesis of prostacyclin (PGI2; the main metabolite of the cascade in vascular smooth muscle cells). Arachidonic acid (AA) release by phospholipases is the rate-limiting step in the cascade. We investigated the mechanisms underlying vasopressin-induced AA release and the effect of propofol on PGI2 synthesis in a rat aortic smooth muscle cell line: A10 cells. METHODS: In cultured A10 cells pretreated with propofol, the stimulation by vasopressin of AA release and PGI2 synthesis was evaluated by measuring [3H]AA and 6-keto PGF1alpha, respectively, in the culture medium. The effects of propofol on vasopressin-induced activation of phosphoinositide-hydrolyzing phospholipase C and phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D were evaluated by measuring inositol phosphate formation and choline formation, respectively. RESULTS: A phospholipase C inhibitor and a phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase inhibitor both attenuated vasopressin-induced AA release and PGI2 synthesis, as did a phospholipase A2 inhibitor. Propofol inhibited vasopressin-induced activation of phosphoinositide-hydrolyzing phospholipase C and phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D, but this effect of propofol was significant only at supraclinical concentration (0.1 mM). Propofol reduced vasopressin-induced PGI2 synthesis. The inhibitory effect was observed at concentrations (10 microM-0.1 mM) higher than those used clinically. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol suppresses the arachidonate cascade caused by vasopressin at least partly by inhibiting phosphoinositide-hydrolyzing phospholipase C and phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D, resulting in the inhibition of PGI2 synthesis. Propofol-mediated inhibition of vasopressin-stimulated synthesis of PGI2 may reduce the vasorelaxation by propofol.     

An efficient HBT/RTD oscillator for wireless applications

In this paper, we introduce a novel HBT/RTD oscillator suitable for monolithic integration and efficient low power/battery-operated applications. Implementation of a circuit prototype was accomplished by configuring an InP-based monolithic HBT/RTD chip with a gold wire bond inductor in a hybrid microwave package. For an output frequency of 5.8 GHz, the circuit draws a current of 15.5 mA from a 1.5 V supply and generates an output power of +3.13 dBm, for an efficiency of 8.84%     

Knee position error detection in closed and open kinetic chain tasks during concurrent cognitive distraction

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the number of breast cancer deaths induced by low dose radiation in breast cancer screening programmes compared with numbers prevented. METHODS: A computer simulation model on the natural history of breast cancer was combined with a model from BEIR-V on induced breast cancer mortality from low levels of radiation. The improvement in prognosis resulting from screening was based on the results of the Swedish overview of the randomised screening trials for breast cancer and the performance of screening in the Netherlands. Different scenarios (ages and intervals) were used to explore the objectives. Sensitivity analyses were carried out for latency period, dose of mammography, sensitivity of the screening test, early detection by screening of induced breast tumours, and new 1996 risk estimates by Howe and McLaughlin. RESULTS: For a screening programme, age group 50-69, two year interval, 2 mGy per view, the balance between the number of deaths induced versus those prevented was favourable: 1:242. When screening is expanded to the age group 40-49 with a one or two year interval the results may be less favourable, that is, 1:66 and 1:97. According to these scenarios and with the Dutch scenario as reference, one breast cancer death from radiation may be expected to occur to save eight extra deaths from breast cancer. If screening was equally effective in young women as in women aged 50-69, the marginal value was 1:+/- 30. Assuming detection of induced cancers by screening could influence the ratios by about 30%, but did not substantially change the conclusions. The new risk estimates by Howe and McLaughlin resulted in five times to eight times favourable ratios breast cancer deaths induced to prevented. Besides age group of screening, dose of mammography is the other determinant of risk. CONCLUSIONS: For screening under the age of 50, the balance between the number of breast cancer deaths prevented by screening compared with the number induced by radiation seem less favourable. Credibility intervals were however wide, because of many uncertainties of radiation risk at very low doses.