Long-term intraocular pressure control after cataract extraction with trabeculectomy: phacoemulsification versus extracapsular technique

Mutations of the p53 gene are associated with a number of non-lymphoid cancers of the dog. The present study investigates the p53 gene status within canine patients treated for primary and secondary lymphoma. Three out of eight patients exhibited p53 gene mutations. These included one patient with a germ line mutation and two patients with de novo p53 mutations associated with the secondary lymphoma. Allelic loss of the p53 gene was also observed within primary and secondary tumours of the three canine patients. The results indicate that germ line p53 mutations exist in dogs and may be involved in the known predisposition of some breeds to cancer. The presence of therapy-related p53 point mutations was found to be associated with chemoresistant secondary lymphomas. A causative role for DNA-damaging chemotherapy in de novo mutation of the p53 gene is discussed. Characterization of p53 inactivation in canine tumorigenesis may provide a valuable clinical model for assessing the efficacy and optimal therapeutic regimens of anti-cancer agents.     

Metabolism of monoterpene alcohol, linalool, by a soil pseudomonad

A microorganism of the genus Pseudomonas has been isolated from the soil by enrichment culture techniques with linalool(I) as the sole source of carbon and energy. The organism is also capable of utilizing limonene, citronellol, and geraniol as substrates but fails to grow on citral, critranellal, and 1,8-cineole. Fermentation of linalool by this bacterium in a mineral salt medium results in the formation of 10-hydroxylinalool(II), oleuropeic acid (IX), 2-vinyl-2-methyl-5-hydroxyisopropyl-tetraphydrofuran)linalool oxide, V), 2-vinyl-2-methyl-tetrahydrofuran-5-one(unsaturated lactone, VI), and few unidentified minor metabolities. Probable pathways for the biodegradation of linalool are presented.     

Prevalence of high-risk egg-preparation practices in restaurants that prepare breakfast egg entrées: an EHS-Net study

Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis (SE) is a common cause of foodborne illness in the United States. Foods prepared with raw shell eggs have often been associated with SE outbreaks. The federal government published the Egg Safety Action Plan in December 1999 that called for reduction of egg-preparation practices that may contribute to the survival and proliferation of SE. In seven states, an interview and brief site evaluation of 153 restaurants that prepare eggs during all hours of operation was conducted by the Environmental Health Specialists Network to determine the prevalence of such practices. Fifty-four percent (83 of 153) of restaurants pooled raw shell eggs not intended for immediate service. These pooled eggs were held a median of 4 h for scrambled eggs, 5.5 h for omelets, and 6 h for pancakes and French toast. Nearly 26% (39 of 152) of restaurants reported storing eggs at room temperature, and 5% (7 of 152) stored eggs on ice or in cold-water baths before cooking. Generally, eggs were cooked to 72 to 83 degrees C, which is above the recommended final cook temperature of 63 to 68 degrees C. Employees reported sanitizing utensils used to prepare eggs less than once every 4 h in 42% (57 of 136) of restaurants. Several areas were identified in which further emphasis might reduce egg-associated SE infections in accordance with Healthy People 2010 goals.     

Harnessing the sun for an evergreen revolution: a study of solar-powered irrigation in Bihar,India

In 2012, the government of Bihar revived 34 non-functioning public tubewells using solar panels. The performance of 16 of these wells over 12 months was tracked and analyzed using data from tubewell operators and 240 farmers. Access to affordable irrigation from solar pumps led to a 9–10% increase in productivity of rice and wheat. Furthermore, in a severe drought, farmers could grow paddy in the entire area irrigated by solar pumps, when nearly 40% of other land was left fallow. Solar pumps can help increase crop productivity, reduce the cost of irrigation, and make agriculture more resilient to climate change.     

Civil engineering records of underground structures

This report notes that good civil engineering records can assist in monitoring the development of underground structures; programming preventive maintenance and repair work; and reducing costs of supplementary investigations. Six recommendations for establishing and keeping such records are included. An appendix lists the suggested documents that should be included in civil engineering records for tunnels and underground structures.