Retention of maze performance inversely correlates with N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor number in hippocampus and frontal neocortex in the rat.

The N-methyl-{d}-aspartate (NMDA) receptor may play a critical role in learning and memory. In the present study, a significant correlation was found between the number of NMDA-displaceable,Na+-independent {l}-[–3H]glutamate binding sites in the hippocampus and neocortex of young rats and the mean number of errors during retention, but not acquisition, in a 14-unit T-maze. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

21—THE NATURE OF INTER-FIBRE FRICTIONAL EFFECTS IN WOVEN-FABRIC BENDING

Inter-fibre friction in woven-fabric bending is discussed in terms of the fibre and fabric characteristics that influence its effect on a fabric's bending resistance. A model of the contribution of inter-fibre friction to fabric bending is developed. This model is combined with an existing model of the contribution of fibre bending to produce a new three-element model of a woven fabric in bending. The behaviour of this model is compared with experimental measurements on real fabrics in cyclic bending.     

Effect of thrombolytic therapy on platelet expression and plasma concentration of PECAM-1 (CD31) in patients with acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE: Cholelithiasis is a common problem in hospitals of the Peruvian Andes; however, its prevalence in Andean communities is unknown. To estimate the prevalence of gallstone disease in this locale, we conducted a cross-sectional community study in three high-altitude Peruvian rural villages (i.e., > 3000 m above sea level). METHODS: We examined 911 volunteers > 15 yr of age from three villages for gallstone disease by history and ultrasonography. Risk factors for gallstone disease were examined in 382 volunteers from one village. RESULTS: The age-adjusted prevalence of gallstone disease ranged from 4-10% in men and from 18-20% in women. Women had significantly higher age-adjusted prevalence rates than did men. The prevalence of gallstone disease increased significantly with age and decreased significantly with alcohol consumption. Although not statistically significant, we found a positive association between gallstone disease and body mass index. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that gallstone disease, commonly perceived as a disease of the developed world, is also a common problem in high-altitude Peruvian communities.     

Developmentally regulated expression of persyn, a member of the synuclein family, in skin

Synucleins constitute a group of unique, evolutionarily conserved proteins that are expressed predominantly in neurons of the central and peripheral nervous system. Although the normal cellular functions of synucleins are not clear, these proteins have been implicated in various neurodegenerative conditions in humans. We found that persyn, a recently characterized member of the synuclein family, is expressed not only in the nervous system but also in the stratum granulosum of the epidermis of neonatal and adult mice. This finding together with our recent observations that persyn influences neurofilament network integrity in sensory neurons raises the possibility that persyn in skin could be involved in modulation of the keratin network.     

Identification of seven Treponema species in health- and disease-associated dental plaque by nested PCR

Species-specific nested PCR was used to detect Treponema amylovorum, Treponema denticola, Treponema maltophilum, Treponema medium, Treponema pectinovorum, Treponema socranskii, and Treponema vincentii in dental plaque. Subjects with periodontitis harbored all species, but T. pectinovorum and T. vincentii were not found in plaque from disease-free subjects.     

Generation of radiation-induced deletion complexes in the mouse genome using embryonic stem cells

As the genetic and physical mapping stage of the Human Genome Project nears completion, the focus is shifting toward the development of technologies for high-throughput analysis of gene function. Whereas DNA sequencing will enable the assignment of presumed function to a large number of genes in mice and humans, it is clear that the great majority of genes will have to be evaluated in vivo to accurately assess their role in a complex organism. While gene targeting in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells is the current method of choice for the characterization of gene function in mice, it remains relatively labor intensive and lacks the throughput required for analysis of genome function on a large scale. Alternative methods of efficient mutagenesis will clearly be required for this task. Chromosomal deletions are powerful tools in the genetic analysis of complex genomes, enabling the systematic identification and localization of functional units along defined chromosomal regions. Not only are deletions useful for the identification of genetic functions, but they serve as mapping reagents for existing mutations or traits. While their use has been an essential tool in Drosophila genetics, classical mutagenesis in mice has been logistically impractical for generating deletions. We have previously described an efficient method for generating radiation-induced deletion complexes at defined regions in the genome using ES cells. In this article, we detail the methodological aspects of this technology and describe the applications of chromosomal deletions for characterizing gene function in ways that make optimal use of the information generated by the first stage of the Genome Project.     

Resistance pattern of 2816 isolates isolated from 17631 blood cultures and etiology of bacteremia and fungemia in a single cancer institution

A phase III, open label randomized study was conducted in 50 patients comparing halothane and sevoflurane for paediatric day case surgery. A graded inhalational induction resulted in only slightly more rapid induction with sevoflurane (3.34 +/- 0.92 versus 3.85 +/- 1.02 minutes; P > 0.05). In children receiving sevoflurane, systolic blood pressure decreased to a lesser extent during induction (143 +/- 19.2 versus 26.9 +/- 10.9 percent decrease from resting values; P < 0.01) and heart rate was maintained. Respiratory events (coughing, breath-holding, bronchospasm, laryngospasm) were more common during induction with halothane, and excitement more common in children receiving sevoflurane. Emergence times were significantly more rapid in children who had received sevoflurane (21.4 +/- 10.9 versus 33.1 +/- 13.7 minutes; P < 0.01). Objective pain/discomfort scores were higher in patients receiving sevoflurane at 10, 20, 30 and 40 minutes after arrival in the recovery room, and the incidence of excitement during emergence was higher in this group. It is concluded that sevoflurane is well tolerated for inhalational induction and has an improved cardiovascular profile compared to halothane. Emergence was significantly more rapid following sevoflurane.     

Distribution of transposable elements in neotropical species of Drosophila

The phylogenetic distribution of transposable families, P, gypsy, hobo, I, and mariner has been analyzed in 33 species of 11 groups of neotropical Drosophila and a Drosophilidae species Zygotrica vittimaculosa, using squash blot and dot blot. Genomic DNA of almost all neotropical species tested hybridized with gypsy probe and some species showed a particularly strong hybridization signal, as D. gaucha, D. virilis, and species of flavopilosa group. The hobo element was restricted to melanogaster group and some strains of D. willistoni. Only D. simulans DNA showed hybridization to mariner probe in all species tested and D. simulans and D. melanogaster showed hybridization with I element probe. P element homologous sequence was present in D. melanogaster and all species and strains of the willistoni and saltans groups tested. The presence of at least one P-homologous sequence was detected in Drosophila mediopunctata. This one was the only P-bearing species of all six tested from the tripunctata group. Four different pairs of primers homologous to segments of the canonical sequence of D. melanogaster's P were used to amplify specific sequences from D. mediopunctata DNA, showing the occurrence of seemingly well-conserved P-homologous sequences.