A cDNA cassette system for the synthesis of recombinant procollagens. Variants of procollagen II lacking a D-period are secreted as triple-helical monomers

Currently there is a lack of experimental systems for defining the functional domains of the fibrillar collagens. Here we describe an experimental strategy that employs the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to create a series of cDNA cassettes coding for seven separate domains of procollagen II. The system was used to prepare novel recombinant procollagens II from which one of the four repetitive D-periods of the triple helix was deleted. Four constructs, each lacking a different D-period, were expressed in stably transfected mammalian cells (HT-1080). Truncated procollagens of the predicted size were recovered from the medium. All were triple-helical as assayed by circular dichroism. Therefore, deletion of a complete D-period containing 234 amino acids does not destabilize the triple helix of homotrimeric collagen II as much as some naturally occurring mutations in the heterotrimeric monomer of collagen I that delete shorter sequences or that convert obligate glycine residues to residues with bulkier side chains. Moreover, the results suggest that the strategy developed here can be used to map in detail the binding sites on fibrillar collagens for other components of the extracellular matrix and for the binding, spreading and signaling of cells.     

Long-term disease-free survival after isolated peritoneal metastasis from colonic cancer

We present the case of a 29-year-old female patient with an isolated peritoneal metastatic mass in the Douglas pouch, following ileocecal resection for a Dukes C2 colon cancer of the caecum. As initial treatment, four courses of continuous infusion with epiadriamycin were administered. The effect on the tumour size was marginal. Palliative radiotherapy (33 Gy) resulted in a reduction of the tumour size and subsequently a wide posterior exenteration could be performed. Five years after the initial diagnosis the patient is still in good health with no evidence of tumour recurrence. We sincerely believe that a maximum effort aiming for cure is warranted in selected patients with localized residual or metastatic peritoneal colon cancer, even if the initial prospects seem less favourable.     

基于知识的CAx集成的系统框架研究

在分析国内外CAx集成技术、PDM产品、PKM研究现状的基础上，提出了基于知识的CAD／CAE／CAPP／CAQ集成技术，基于知识的CAx集成理论；产品数据管理、产品知识管理与协同产品商务的融合技术，构建了协同产品知识管理框架，以此为平台，有效地实现了基于知识的CAD／CAE／CAPP／CAQ的集成。     

Alpha-tubulin missense mutations correlate with antimicrotubule drug resistance in Eleusine indica

The primary leaves of young barley seedlings contain two major, extracellular, acid-soluble proteins of ca. 22 and 23 kDa apparent molecular mass. These proteins disappeared from the intercellular washing fluid upon stress treatments that enhanced H2O2 levels and that induced resistance to subsequent challenge by the powdery mildew fungus Erysiphe graminis f. sp. hordei. A partial peptide sequence of the 22 kDa protein was determined, and a cDNA clone was isolated. The 22 kDa protein belongs the the group of germin-like proteins (GLPs) and was designated HvGLP1. Despite its similarity to germin, i.e. oxalate oxidase, no oxalate oxidase activity of HvGLP1 could be detected. The RNA and soluble protein of HvGLP1 was highly abundant in young leaves, less abundant in older leaves and absent in roots. HvGLP1 RNA oscillated with a circadian rhythm, the minimum and maximum of RNA abundance being at the end of the dark and light periods, respectively. Heat and H2O2 treatment as well as pathogen infection caused disappearance of HvGLP1 protein from the fraction of soluble proteins of the intercellular space. HvGLP1 protein could be re-solubilized from cell walls of heat- or H2O2-treated leaves by boiling in SDS suggesting non-covalent cross linking. Although a physiological role of HvGLP1 insolubilization is still open, the protein may serve as marker for oxidative stress in cereals.     

Effect of computer-based alerts on the treatment and outcomes of hospitalized patients

BACKGROUND: Hospital computing systems play an important part in the communication of clinical information to physicians. We sought to determine whether computer-based alerts for hospitalized patients can affect physicians' behavior and improve patients' outcomes. METHODS: We performed a prospective time-series study to determine whether computerized alerts to physicians about rising creatinine levels in hospitalized patients receiving nephrotoxic or renally excreted medications led to more rapid adjustment or discontinuation of those medications, and to determine whether such alerts protected renal function. RESULTS: Laboratory data were observed for 20,228 hospitalizations, with documentation of 1573 events (instances of rising creatinine levels during treatment with a nephrotoxic or renally excreted drug). During the intervention period, doses were adjusted or medications discontinued an average of 21.6 hours sooner after such an event (P < .0001). For patients receiving nephrotoxic medications during the intervention period, the relative risk of serious renal impairment was 0.45 (95% confidence interval, 0.22 to 0.94) as compared with the control period, and the mean serum creatinine level was 14.1 mumol/L (0.16 mg/dL) lower on day 3 (P < .01) and 25.6 mumol/L (0.29 mg/dL) lower on day 7 (P < .05) after an event. Forty-four percent of physicians who responded to a questionnaire said that the alerts had been helpful in the care of their patients, whereas 28% found them annoying. Sixty-five percent wished to continue receiving alerts. CONCLUSIONS: Computer-based alerts regarding patients with rising creatinine levels affect physician behavior, prevent serious renal impairment, preserve renal function, and are accepted by clinicians.