Transthyretin amyloidosis: a new mutation associated with dementia

NaCl-tolerant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains LC-10 (Lactobacillus casei) and LP-15 (Lact. plantarum) and NaCl were used as additives to sorghun (Sorghum bicolor). Numbers of LAB were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in all the additive-treated silages than in the control silage at an early stage of ensiling. During the fermentation process, addition of NaCl or LAB effectively inhibited the growth of aerobic bacteria and clostridia, but not yeasts. All the additive-treated silages had significantly (P < 0.05) lower pH, ammonia nitrogen content, dry matter loss and gas production but significantly (P < 0.05) higher lactic acid content and residual water soluble carbohydrates compared with the control silage. The improvement in silage quality was in the order: LAB > NaCl > control. Yeast counts were high in all additive-based silages and they increased during the exposure of the silages to air. As a result, these silages suffered aerobic deterioration, whereas the control silage was stable. The results confirmed that the NaCl or LAB improved fermentation quality but did not prevent aerobic deterioration of the silage.     

The functional block of TNF but not of IL-6 prevents bone loss in ovariectomized mice

BACKGROUND: In response to the increasing rate of skin cancer, particularly melanoma in the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Weather Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Association of Physicians for the Environment, and the American Academy of Dermatology, developed the Ultraviolet Index (UVI) to inform the public of the strength of the sun's rays and advise on methods for sun protection. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the extent to which television stations and newspapers reported the UVI and assess the public's response to it. METHODS: To evaluate the effect of this effort, we surveyed television weather forecasters at 185 stations and examined weather pages in 54 newspapers in 58 cities that received the UVI reports. We also conducted a population probability telephone survey of 700 white adults (18 years of age and older) in these 58 cities. RESULTS: Seventy-one percent of the 169 stations that provided survey data for both 1994 and 1995 broadcast the UVI; 61% of newspapers reported the UVI. Nearly 64% of the 700 respondents (n = 445) had heard of the UVI. Of these respondents, 38% (n = 170) stated that they or their family changed their sun protection practices as a result of the UVI. CONCLUSION: The majority of television weather forecasters and newspapers reported the UVI. Most of the public was aware of the UVI, causing some to change sun protection practices. Further evaluation is required to maximize the effect of the UVI on sun protection practices.     

Tramadol, M1 metabolite and enantiomer affinities for cloned human opioid receptors expressed in transfected HN9.10 neuroblastoma cells

Tramadol hydrochloride is a centrally acting synthetic analgesic in widespread clinical use. Despite different degrees of opioid-like characteristics in preclinical tests, it is characterized by lack of full naloxone reversibility or naloxone-precipitated withdrawal in humans. To investigate this apparent discrepancy, the present study measured the affinity of tramadol (and its enantiomers) and an active O-desmethyl metabolite (M1) (and its enantiomers) to cloned human opioid receptors of the mu, delta and kappa type stably expressed in HN9.10 neuroblastoma cells. At mu sites, the Ki values for tramadol, its (+) and (-) enantiomers, M1, and its (+) and (-) enantiomers were 17000, 15700, 28800, 3190, 153 and 9680 nM, respectively, compared to 7.1 nM for morphine. These results are consistent with the suggestion of a non-opioid contribution to the clinical profile of tramadol.     

Minors held by majors: the H13 minor histocompatibility locus defined as a peptide/MHC class I complex

The products of minor histocompatibility (H) loci are serious barriers to tissue transplantation even among major histocompatibility complex (MHC) identical individuals, frequently causing chronic graft rejection and graft versus host disease. Over 50 minor H loci map to mouse autosomal chromosomes but none are known at the molecular level. By expression cloning, we identified the H13 locus, a classical minor H locus first detected 30 years ago by the trait of graft rejection. The H13a allele is located on chromosome 2 and encodes a novel protein that yields the rare naturally processed nonapeptide SSVVGVWYL (SVL9) for presentation by the Db MHC class I molecule. The SVL9 peptide binds Db MHC despite the absence of the consensus binding motif, and a conservative methyl group substitution (Valine 4 <--> Isoleucine) explains why reciprocal T cell responses are elicited in H13a and H13b congenic strains.     

Clozapine reduces rehospitalization among schizophrenia patients

Diabetes mellitus positive for antibodies to glutamate decarboxylase is heterogeneous as far as the degree of impairment of endogenous insulin release, though antibodies to glutamate decarboxylase are the most useful marker for future insulin deficiency. To investigate what determines the prognosis of diabetes mellitus positive for antibodies to glutamate decarboxylase, we measured HLA-DRB1 alleles in three groups: 77 cases of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), 44 of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) with secondary failure of oral hypoglycemic therapy, and 22 of NIDDM well controlled by diet and/or sulfonylurea agents. The proportion of susceptible and resistant alleles to IDDM determined the degree of insulin deficiency, and comparison of IDDM to NIDDM well controlled by diet and/or sulfonylurea agents revealed significant differences in DRB1*0405 (P < 0.05; RR = 2.82 and RR = 0.89, respectively) and DRB1*1502 (P < 0.001; RR = 0.02 and RR = 2.19, respectively). This study revealed that HLA-DRB1 alleles contribute to determining the prognosis of Japanese diabetes mellitus positive for antibodies to glutamate decarboxylase.     

Interactions in the complement-mediated lysis of blood group AB erythrocytes sensitized simultaneously with anti-A and anti-B monoclonal antibodies

The lysis of group AB erythrocytes by human complement was studied by different anti-A and anti-B IgM monoclonal antibodies (mabs) in a 51Cr-release assay. The concentration of membrane-bound immunoglobulin was detected by ELISA, and the amount of C1q and C3 bound to sensitized red cells was measured by using purified, 125I-labelled molecules. We have demonstrated that there is an exponential relationship between the concentration of the sensitizing IgM mabs and C1q binding to the sensitized AB cell. The efficiency of binding was related to the number of antibodies bound; thus, anti-A sensitized cells bound 3-6 times more C1q than anti-B sensitized cells did. AB cells, on the other hand, bound similar amounts of C3 whether anti-A or anti-B was present. The lytic efficiencies of the various IgM mabs during short incubation times were different, suggesting that the complement activation rates vary widely with different antibodies on the AB cell membrane. The binding of C1q to an antibody-sensitized target activates a cascade, whose components may migrate away from the sensitizing antibody; interactions between the activation processes generated by the anti-A and anti-B antibodies may thus occur. Choosing appropriate pairs of anti-A and anti-B mabs for the simultaneous sensitization of AB cells has indeed resulted in stimulation in some and inhibition in other combinations of mabs. It is suggested that stimulation is observed when the activated intermediates are produced in excess, whereas inhibition occurs when a shortage of activated intermediates prevents mutual utilization.     

Full-arch implant framework casting accuracy: preliminary in vitro observation for in vivo testing

PURPOSE: Conventional techniques for implant metal framework fabrication produce error of a magnitude that is inconsistent with the passive-fit requirement for osseointegrated implants. To understand the correlation between prosthesis fit and the implant-tissue response, evaluation of the interface tissue reactions to customary levels of fit is required. The purpose of this study is to determine the accuracy of torch casting full arch frameworks using a high palladium alloy and a ringless phosphate-bonded investment technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three different variables were considered relative to casting accuracy effect. The first variable, completeness of mold-fill, compared cast specimens where the entire sprue system was filled as part of the casting and cast specimens without the sprue system filled. The second variable, phosphate-bonded investment special liquid concentrations, compared groups of castings produced from 0%, 12%, 25%, and 50% special liquid. The third variable, investment mold shape, compared casting produced from a conventional ringless mold shape with a modified ringless mold shape where the investment in the same horizontal plane as the pattern was equal in thickness at the internal and external surfaces. Horizontal and vertical distances on the wax pattern and resulting framework were measured using a machinists microscope to determine casting error. Combined vertical and horizontal error was used for comparison between groups (one-way analysis of variance). RESULTS: No significant differences existed among the three groups compared (P > 0.05). The mean error comparison between the complete and incomplete mold-fill groups showed no statistical difference, while the incomplete fill group was found to be more porous. The mean error of all groups (0.130 mm) exceeded the recommended level of fit needed to satisfy the passive fit requirement by more than 10-fold. CONCLUSIONS: These results verify clinical observation and suggest that the use of conventional lost wax casting technique to cast one-piece full arch implant frameworks is both imprecise and inaccurate as judged against the passive fit requirement. The consequences of screw-fastening misfitting prostheses to osseointegrated implants is currently under investigation.     

Long-term energy scenarios for Mexico: Policy options for carbon savings and main barriers

This paper shows that possibilities exist for maintaining current energy-related carbon emissions per capita in Mexico at almost constant levels in the long term. It is argued, however, that the identified carbon emissions reductions will not be achieved easily or rapidly, as they require a restructuring of Mexico's current technological base and an unusual degree of coordination among the government, lending institutions, equipment manufacturers, and final users. Such changes also will entail surmounting major institutional and financial barriers and creating a better international environment for technology transfer and capital lending.