Bronchoscopic evaluation of pulmonary infiltrates following bone marrow transplantation

Mutants of human prothymosin alpha with impaired ability to inhibit yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. cerevisiae cell growth were characterized. Two types of prothymosin alpha-inactivating mutations were observed. Mutations that belong to the first type compromised the nuclear entry of prothymosin alpha by affecting its nuclear localization signal. Analysis of subcellular distribution of GFP-prothymosin alpha fusions revealed a bipartite nuclear localization signal that is both necessary and sufficient for nuclear import of the protein in human cells. Mutations of the second type abrogated the inhibitory action of prothymosin alpha through an unknown mechanism, without influencing the nuclear import of the protein.     

Production and recovery of poly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate from Methylobacterium sp V49

Bacterial polyesters have shown potential as biodegradable plastics. Microorganisms capable of producing these polyesters from cheaper carbon sources and methods for their efficient recovery are widely studied worldwide. Methylobacterium sp V49, an environmental isolate, was cultivated on a mineral salts medium containing different carbon sources. Maximum accumulation of poly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB) within the bacterial cell was observed with glucose as the carbon source. Methanol and sugars such as sucrose and lactose also induced PHB accumulation. The effect of C:N ratio on polymer accumulation was studied. Different strategies for the extraction and recovery of the polymer from the cells were compared. A non‐solvent‐based method using a high‐pressure homogenizer in the presence of SDS was found to be the most satisfactory. Maximum recovery of 98% was achieved by homogenizing the cells at 400 kgcm^?2 in 5% SDS solution. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Interfacial reactions in aluminosilicate short fiber-reinforced aluminum matrix composites

Aluminosilicate short fibers are one of the less expensive reinforcements used for the fabrication of metal matrix composites (MMCs). The present investigation evaluates the interfacial characteristics of Al-7Si-0.4Mg (356) alloy reinforced with 10 wt pct aluminosilicate short fibers using optical microscopy, electron microscopy, and X-ray analysis. The fibers used are standard- and zirconiagrade aluminosilicate short fibers. The interfacial analysis has shown the formation of MgAl₂O₄ and Si in both grades of fibers. In addition, ZrAl₃ formation is observed in the zirconia-grade fiber because of the interaction between the matrix and the dispersoid. The zirconia-grade fiber is more susceptible to interfacial reaction than the standard-grade fiber because of the presence of the highly reactive ZrO₂ phase and a lower amount of the Al₂O₃ phase, which provides resistance to the reaction.     

Hearing loss from combined exposures among petroleum refinery workers

Seventy-three consecutive cases of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) diagnosed and managed in Queen Mary Hospital over a 10-year period from 1985 to 1994 were retrospectively analysed for their presenting features and treatment outcome. The 48 boys and 25 girls ranged in age from 0.4 to 14.2 years (median: 4.3 years). Bone and joint pain was a relatively common presenting feature besides fever, hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy. Immunophenotyping of blast cells showed: 51 B-cell precursor ALL, one B-ALL, 10 T-ALL and three myeloid-antigen positive ALL. Eight cases were unclassified since immunophenotyping had not been performed. Out of the 73 patients, treatment outcome was analysed in 20 cases treated with UKALL-VIII regimen and 28 cases treated with either the UKALL-XI regimen or the Hong Kong Children Cancer Study Group (HKCCSG) protocol which was modelled upon UKALL-XI. Although complete remission rates were similar between the two groups, patients treated with the former regimen that was less intensified suffered more relapses than the latter (56 per cent versus 21 per cent, P = 0.04). There were, however, no significant differences both in event-free survival (38.2 +/- 11.2 per cent versus 71.3 +/- 9.3 per cent, P = 0.12) and overall survival (70.0 +/- 10.2 per cent versus 79.6 +/- 8.3 per cent, P = 0.41) between the two groups at 3 years by long-rank test. With the use of risk-directed therapy and improved supportive care, two-thirds of our patients are able to enjoy long-term event-free survival.     

Analytical formulation of small signal stability analysis of power systems with nonlinear loads

The online version of the original article can be found at     

An analysis of automatic teller machine usage by older adults: a structured interview approach

Sex differences in the activity of aromatase cytochrome P450 (CYP19) in the rat brain have been reported during pre- and postnatal development. It is unclear, however, whether these differences are reflected by corresponding differences in specific mRNA levels. To address this question, we have examined aromatase mRNA levels in specific regions of male and female rat brains by means of in situ hybridization (ISH). At prenatal stages of development, i.e. at gestational day 18 (GD18) and GD20, aromatase mRNA was detected in several preoptic, hypothalamic and limbic brain regions. Semiquantitative analysis of aromatase mRNA did not reveal sex differences in any of these regions. In contrast, clear-cut sex differences were determined at postnatal day (PN) 2; male animals expressed significantly more aromatase mRNA in the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BST) and the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN). Smaller but still significant differences (females > males) were obtained in the medial preoptic area (MPO). At PN6, sex differences of aromatase mRNA signals (males > females) were still present in the BST, but were no longer detectable in the SDN and the MPO. At PN15 and in adult animals, aromatase mRNA levels were similar in BST and medical amygdaloid nucleus of male and female rats. Since aromatase mRNA expression decreases during postnatal development, no ISH signals could be detected anymore in MPO, SDN and ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus. Our results are consistent with the concept that differential regulation of aromatase mRNA expression might be important for the establishment of different neuronal circuitry in male and female animals.     

Trajectory approximations for direct energy methods that usesustained faults with detailed power system models

The authors address the effects of fast dynamics on direct energy methods that use a sustained fault trajectory to approximate critically cleared trajectories and the corresponding critical energies. Integral manifold concepts are used to explain why fast dynamics can destroy such an approximation. Methods to remedy this problem are given and illustrated with a ten-machine example     

Use of 2'-fluoro-5-methyl-beta-L-arabinofuranosyluracil as a novel antiviral agent for hepatitis B virus and Epstein-Barr virus

A novel anti-hepatitis B virus (anti-HBV) agent, 2'-fluoro-5-methyl-beta-L-arabinofuranosyluracil (L-FMAU), was synthesized and found to be a potent anti-HBV and anti-Epstein-Barr virus agent. Its in vitro potency was evaluated in 2.2.15 and H1 cells for anti-HBV and anti-Epstein-Barr virus activities, respectively. In vitro cytotoxicity in MT2, CEM, 2.2.15, and H1 cells was also assessed, and the results indicated high antiviral selectivities of L-FMAU in these cells.