Shelf-life of Sterile Yellow-eyed Mullet (Aldrichetta forsteri) at 4°C

The relative effects of microbial and nonmicrobial spoilage on the shelf-life of yellow-eyed mullet were studied. Results of sensory and chemical analyses of sterile flesh stored at 4°C were compared with fillets which had either spoiled naturally while held at 4°C or frozen fillets held at ?18°C. Inosine was produced rapidly in both treatments at 4°C, followed in sterile flesh by a slower breakdown to hypoxan-thine. Hypoxanthine production from inosine was rapid in the presence of bacteria. Within 6 days sensory changes were observed in the frozen flesh and after 69 days, it was considered unacceptable. The development of off-odors and off-flavors in the absence of bacteria was not sufficiently slow to result in a significant extension in shelf-life for this species.     

Effect of adenosine analogues on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors from human dermal fibroblasts

The effect of the cytostatic and antiviral adenosine analogues 3-deazaadenosine (c3Ado) and 3-deaza-(+/-)-aristeromycin (c3Ari) on human skin fibroblasts was studied. Variables examined were cell morphology, viability, DNA fragmentation, expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors (TIMPs). None of these variables were changed when cells were exposed to c3Ari concentrations ranging from 10(-5) to 10(-3) M or 10(-5) M c3Ado. However, large changes in cell morphology, viability and expression of MMPs and MMP inhibitors occurred when fibroblasts were treated with 10(-4) or 10(-3) M c3Ado. Cells rounded up, shrank in volume, some detached and viability was lost without any detectable fragmentation of DNA. These changes in morphology and viability were associated with a differentiated expression of MMPs and MMP inhibitors. A large increase in collagenase activity occurred, and depending on the concentration of the adenosine analogue and the length of treatment, this change in activity could be shown to be due to one or a combination of the following factors: an increased synthesis of the collagenase protein, a decreased production of TIMP-1 or an increased activity of the collagenase superactivator, stromelysin. In contrast to this, treatment with c3Ado resulted in a decreased gelatinase activity, which in part could be attributed to an increased production of an inhibitor that seemed to affect gelatinase but not collagenase. The cellular changes induced by c3Ado seemed to reflect some of the alteration in the metabolic machinery that appears during a drug-induced or programmed/controlled death of a dermal cell. The different effects exerted by these two adenosine analogues on dermal fibroblasts can at least in part explain why c3Ado have previously been shown to be more toxic than c3Ari in animal models.     

Computer-based smoking cessation interventions in adolescents: description, feasibility, and six-month follow-up findings

The impact of adolescent smoking cessation clinics has been disappointing due to low participation rates, high attrition, and low quit rates. This paper describes two computerized self-help adolescent smoking cessation intervention programs: 1) a program utilizing the expert system which is based on the transtheoretical model of change and 2) a popular action-oriented smoking cessation clinic program for teens which was modified for computer presentation. High participation rates in the program among 132 smokers demonstrate the high feasibility and acceptability of the programs. Quit rates of up to 20% were observed during the intervention, and an additional 30% made unsuccessful quit attempt(s). The 6-month follow-up findings indicated that adolescents were poorly prepared to maintain abstinence.     

Chemotactic migration of leucocytes through corneal layers: an in vitro study

The ability of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) to migrate into the different corneal layers in the presence or absence of a chemotactic stimulus was investigated in rabbits. The epithelial and/or endothelial surfaces were damaged in some corneas and in others they were intact. One side of the cornea was kept in contact with a viable population of rabbit PMNs and the other side with a chemotactic agent (zymosan activated human serum). The migration of PMNs into the cornea was traced histologically. The PMNs could not penetrate intact epithelium and Descemet's membrane even under the influence of a chemotactic stimulus. The stroma allowed PMN migration only when the chemotactic agent was present. The endothelium offered no resistance to PMN invasion whether the chemotactic stimulus was present or not.     

Maintenance of remission in adult acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia using intermittent courses of cytosine arabinoside (NSC-63878) and 6-thioguanine (NSC-752)

In seven of 30 consecutive patients with the adult respiratory distress syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) developed. Increasing respiratory dysfunction characterized by decreased effective static compliance and increased hypoxemia coincided with the development of DIC. Patients in whom DIC developed were characterized by a high incidence of bleeding, gangrene of the extremities, renal dysfunction, mortality and autopsy evidence of fibrin microthrombi in the lungs, kidney and skin. In 12 of 23 patients who did not meet the criteria for DIC, the platelet count decreased by at least 50 per cent of the initial values at some time during their illness. Fibrin microthrombi were found in the lungs in the majority of the patients subjected to autopsy. These data support the concept that depostion of platelet on damaged pulmonary capillary endothelium may be more common in the adult respiratory distress syndrome than the DIC syndrome.     

Suicide by fire: a contemporary method of political protest

Suicide by fire (self-incineration)for the purpose of political protest has appeared in several countries during the previous decade. In this paper, the history of this form of suicide has been explored. The authors examined all cases of suicide by fire reported in the London Times and New York Times between 1790 and 1972. Seventy-one per cent of these reported suicides occurred during the most recent decade, 1963 to 1972, with all cases of political self-incineration occurring during this period. The socio-cultural context in which this form of protest may occur, and the psychological factors in individuals who choose this method of suicide are both discussed. It is suggested that the occurrence of self-incineration as a means of political protest may be yielding to more aggressive acts of terrorism as popular methods of forcing political change.