SurA assists the folding of Escherichia coli outer membrane proteins

Many proteins require enzymatic assistance in order to achieve a functional conformation. One rate-limiting step in protein folding is the cis-trans isomerization of prolyl residues, a reaction catalyzed by prolyl isomerases. SurA, a periplasmic protein of Escherichia coli, has sequence similarity with the prolyl isomerase parvulin. We tested whether SurA was involved in folding periplasmic and outer membrane proteins by using trypsin sensitivity as an assay for protein conformation. We determined that the efficient folding of three outer membrane proteins (OmpA, OmpF, and LamB) requires SurA in vivo, while the folding of four periplasmic proteins was independent of SurA. We conclude that SurA assists in the folding of certain secreted proteins.     

Nerve conduction velocity and H-reflex recovery in bipolar illness

Bipolar illness may be characterized by dysregulation and dysfunction of biologically active ions and ion pumps, respectively. In an effort to examine whether purported physiologic abnormalities may have functional counterparts, nerve conduction velocities (NCVs) and H-reflex recovery were examined in 7 acutely manic, 11 euthymic bipolar, 13 remitted schizophrenic, and 6 normal control individuals. All electrophysiologic tests were clinically normal. However, euthymic bipolar patients had significantly slower NCVs than either manic or normal individuals. Percent decrement of H-reflex recovery was nonsignificantly increased in manic versus euthymic bipolar subjects. Data analysis suggests lithium was not responsible for these changes. These data indicate that different mood states in bipolar illness are associated with alterations in electroneurophysiologic function.     

Studies on lymphocyte subpopulations and the effect of age on immune competence in turkeys

We characterized the lymphocyte subpopulations and investigated the effect of age on cellular and humoral immunity, development of lymphoid organs, and the relative proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in turkeys. The mitogenic responses of peripheral T cells were poorly developed at hatch but developed rapidly after hatch and reached adult levels by 2 weeks-of-age. The average percentage of CD4+ cells was 45, 29.8, and 26.3 in the thymi, peripheral blood, and spleens, respectively, in turkeys. The mean percentage of CD8+ cells in the thymi, peripheral blood, and spleens of turkeys was 53.8, 13.6, and 15.5, respectively. Age did not influence the relative proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the spleens and peripheral blood of turkeys. The mean percentages of IgM+ cells in the bursae and spleens were 78.5 and 26.8, respectively. Day-old turkeys did not develop detectable antibodies to either thymus dependent or independent antigens. However, 2 week or older turkeys showed good humoral responses. Inoculation of BSA at hatch induced tolerance, whereas injection of SRBC did not. Analysis of relative organ weights of turkey lymphoid organs showed that spleens and thymi developed rapidly during the first week-of-age.     

激光对望远系统损伤的研究

本文对激光光束通过望远系统后光束的变化进行了分析，并对６倍望远镜进行了激光损伤和破坏的实验研究，实验结果表明，激光对望远系统的损伤破坏主要是热效应所致，损伤破坏的情况与激光的能量，波长，脉冲宽度和望远系统的结构有关。     

Bone mineralisation, body fat and anthropometric measurement in mothers delivering preterm

Twenty mothers of preterm babies who had survived to 1 year old, were matched for age and parity of the mother and time of birth of the baby, with 20 mothers delivering fullterm. Bone mineral, body composition and anthropometric measurements were obtained for each mother and analysed using paired t-tests. The only significant difference (P < 0.01) between the groups was a lower fat-free mass in the preterm mothers calculated from skinfold thickness measurements.     

高精度合成地震记录制作技术研究

制作高精度的合成地震记录是精细储层描述的基础，本文在分析合成地震记录原理的基础上，从地震剖面的极性判断、平均速度的选取，反射系数的准确提取，子波的精确估算等方面对制作合成记录的要点进行了分析，通过提高以上四方面的精度，提高了制作合成地震记录的精度，并提出了一套可行的合成地震记录的检查方法。     

Culture and characterization of sinusoidal endothelial cells isolated from human liver

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic data concerning skin diseases in many rural areas in sub-Saharan Africa are not available. Little is known about the effect of regular treatment schedules by paramedical staff (especially community health workers) in the primary healthcare system on the severity and prevalence of dermatoses. METHODS: 5780 school and pre-school children from 13 primary schools in four sublocations in rural western Kenya (Kisumu District) were examined for dermatoses by the author, together with community health workers in 1993. On-the-spot training and weekend seminars about important and common dermatoses were also given. In 1994 a dermatology program was started within the primary healthcare system. Twelve trained community health workers carried out regular school visits once a week and diagnosed and treated pupils with dermatoses. Treatment was performed with gentian violet 1% solution for bacterial skin infections, Whitfield's ointment for dermatophytoses, benzylbenzoate emulsion 25% for scabies, and hydrocortisone acetate 1% cream for eczemas. All schools were visited again in 1995 to evaluate the long-term effects of the program. RESULTS: In 1993, the prevalence rate for dermatoses was 32.4%. Most of the skin diseases found were of infective origin (27.1% were caused by bacteria, 21.6% by fungi, and 17.6% by arthropods, mainly scabies mites). Dermatitis accounted for 3.5%. In 1995, the prevalence of dermatoses declined to 29.6% (p<0.05), and this reduction was most strongly observed for tropical ulcers and tinea capitis. Additionally, there was an improvement in the extent and severity of skin diseases. CONCLUSIONS: This study defines, for the first time, the number and extent of skin diseases in children in rural Kisumu District; most dermatoses were of infective origin. The study demonstrates that community health workers in the primary healthcare system are capable of dealing successfully with the most common dermatoses in children following a short training period.     

A prospective study of the efficacy of the physician order form for life-sustaining treatment

OBJECTIVES: The Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST), a comprehensive, one-page order form, was developed to convey preferences for life-sustaining treatments during transfer from one care site to another. This study examined the extent to which the POLST form ensured that nursing home residents' wishes were honored for Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) and requests for transfer only if comfort measures fail. DESIGN: The study used chart record data to follow prospectively a sample of nursing home residents with the POLST. SETTING: Eight geographically diverse, long-term, adult-care facilities in Oregon in which the POLST was in use. PARTICIPANTS: Nursing home residents (n = 180), who had a POLST recording DNR designation and who indicated a desire for transfer only if comfort measures failed, were followed for 1 year. MEASUREMENTS: For all subjects: treatment and disposition after significant health status changes; orders for narcotics and for provision or limitation of aggressive interventions. For hospitalized subjects: diagnosis, medical interventions, and DNR orders. For those who died: cause and location of death, life-sustaining treatments attempted, and comfort measures provided. RESULTS: No study subject received CPR, ICU care, or ventilator support, and only 2% were hospitalized to extend life. Of the 38 subjects who died during the study year, 63% had an order for narcotics, and only two (5%) died in an acute care hospital. A total of 24 subjects (13%) were hospitalized during the year. Hospitalized subjects' mean length of stay was 4.9 days, and the mean rate of hospitalizations for all subjects was 174 per 1000 resident years. In 85% of all hospitalizations, patients were transferred because the nursing home could not control suffering. In 15% of hospitalizations (n = 4), the transfer was to extend life, overriding POLST orders. CONCLUSIONS: POLST orders regarding CPR in nursing home residents in this study were universally respected. Study subjects received remarkably high levels of comfort care and low rates of transfer for aggressive life-extending treatments.     

Perioperative specific management of blood volume loss in craniosynostosis surgery

Accurate assessment and replacement of blood loss and fluid-electrolyte deficit during craniosynostosis repair is difficult owing to patient size and the diversity of surgical technique. Forty-three patients undergoing primary craniosynostosis repair over a 10-year period were studied retrospectively to determine blood loss and fluid deficit and to assess blood transfusion practices during both intraoperative and postoperative periods. Blood loss was calculated on the basis of estimated red cell mass (ERCM) and fluid-electrolyte imbalance was investigated with blood samplings. Blood transfusion was considered appropriate if the postoperative or posttransfusion ERCM was within 12% of the preoperative value. Estimated fluid requirement (EFR) was used in 4 ml kg(-1) h(-1) except for neonates. Intraoperatively, 80% of all patients were appropriately managed with respect to blood transfusion and EFR. Postoperatively only 20% of the patients receiving transfusions were transfused appropriately. In 23.3% of these patients (10/43) unexpected respiratory distress developed immediately after their recovery from the anesthesia. With the measurement of estimated blood volume and allowable blood loss, appropriate transfusion could be achieved for the successful treatment of the primary craniosynostosis.