An approach to use an unusual adenosine transporter to selectively deliver polyamine analogues to trypanosomes

In this paper we describe an approach to selectively deliver compounds to trypanosomes using an adenosine transporter which is unique to the trypanosome. Various polyamine analogues have been attached to known substrates of this adenosine transporter. The compounds prepared interact specifically with the adenosine transporter, some with a similar efficiency to berenil, a known substrate.     

Integration of SiOC air gaps in copper interconnects

The formation of air gaps by means of a non-conformal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on patterned wafers was successfully demonstrated using SiOC (K=2.9) as inter-level metal dielectric. This paper presents the results on physical characterization and electrical performance evaluation of integrated SiOC air gaps in a three-metal level Cu/SiOC interconnect module. The influence of the air gaps shape on parasitic coupling capacitance between copper lines was also discussed in accordance with mask design rules and processing steps.     

Determination of anti-Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulin G avidity: adaptation to the Vidas system (bioMérieux)

Blood glucose control is challenged frequently for patients with diabetes mellitus. Illness, stress, and unplanned life events often make glycemic control unstable, which puts the patient at risk for hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. These acute complications may be mild and managed independently by the patient, or they may be severe, thus threatening life and requiring intensive monitoring. Outcomes are improved with timely recognition of the patient at risk, their symptoms, and appropriate intervention.     

An ion-channel-containing model membrane: structural determination by magnetic contrast neutron reflectometry

To many biophysical characterisation techniques, biological membranes appear as two-dimensional structures with details of their third dimension hidden within a 5 nm profile. Probing this structure requires methods able to discriminate multiple layers a few ?ngstr?ms thick. Given sufficient resolution, neutron methods can provide the required discrimination between different biochemical components, especially when selective deuteration is employed. We have used state-of-the-art neutron reflection methods, with resolution enhancement via magnetic contrast variation to study an oriented model membrane system. The model is based on the Escherichia coli outer membrane protein OmpF fixed to a gold surface via an engineered cysteine residue. Below the gold is buried a magnetic metal layer which, in a magnetic field, displays different scattering strengths to spin-up and spin-down neutrons. This provides two independent datasets from a single biological sample. Simultaneous fitting of the two datasets significantly refines the resulting model. A β-mercaptoethanol (βME) passivating surface, applied to the gold to prevent protein denaturation, is resolved for the first time as an 8.2 ± 0.6 ? thick layer, demonstrating the improved resolution and confirming that this layer remains after OmpF assembly. The thiolipid monolayer (35.3 ± 0.5 ?), assembled around the OmpF is determined and finally a fluid DMPC layer is added (total lipid thickness 58.7 ± 0.9 ?). The dimensions of trimeric OmpF in isolation (53.6 ± 2.5 ?), after assembly of lipid monolayer (57.5 ± 0.9 ?) and lipid bilayer (58.7 ± 0.9 ?), are precisely determined and show little variation.     

Pharmacokinetics of melarsoprol in uninfected vervet monkeys

Early diagnosis is an significantly relevant factor in the prognosis of oral cavity carcinomas. Knowledge of the clinical and oral manifestations of pre-cancerous lesions in general dentistry is of paramount importance. The initial treatment, follow-up schedule and reference timing are given in a decision chart. Special attention is given to the timing of biopsies in the treatment plan.     

Comparison of two serological methods and a polymerase chain reaction-enzyme immunoassay for the diagnosis of acute respiratory infections with Chlamydia pneumoniae in adults

Chlamydia pneumoniae is a common respiratory tract pathogen. Serological methods currently used for the diagnosis of C. pneumoniae infection lack specificity, give ambiguous results from a single serum sample and often provide only a retrospective diagnosis. A prospective study was undertaken to assess whether PCR could be a useful addition to the serological techniques routinely practised for diagnosis. This study investigated 68 adult patients with a diagnosis of acute respiratory infection. Acute and convalescent serological determination of antibodies to C. pneumoniae were performed by means of an rELISA test and a micro-immunofluorescence (MIF) test. Nasopharyngeal aspirates or bronchoalveolar lavage specimens and bronchial aspirates obtained from the 68 patients were evaluated by PCR-enzyme immunoassay (PCR-EIA) for the presence of C. pneumoniae and by immunofluorescence assay and cell culture for virus identification. Mycoplasma pneumoniae serology was also performed. Eight patients (11.8%) were positive by either rELISA or PCR-EIA, or both, with an infection rate of 5 (18.5%) of 27 in patients with community-acquired pneumonia, 2 (9%) of 22 in asthmatic patients and 1 (5%) of 19 in patients with an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Serological evidence of acute infection was found in four of these patients with the rELISA test and in three others with the MIF test. PCR-EIA detected C. pneumoniae DNA in four specimens, but there were concordant results with both rELISA and PCR-EIA in only one patient A positive PCR-EIA was also obtained in a patient who did not show an antibody response in acute serum. The discrepancy between serological and PCR-EIA results reflects the difficulties in routine laboratory diagnosis of C. pneumoniae infection and the necessity for further studies with optimised techniques.     

Neuropsychological indexes of a partial frontal syndrome in patients with nonfrontal gliomas.

33 brain tumor patients (aged 26–74 yrs) were investigated with quantitative and qualitative neuropsychological assessments, systematic behavioral observations, and recordings of regional cerebral blood (rCBF). Ss with supratentorial highly malignant gliomas showed severe disturbances of attention, lack of control over premotor and executive functions, distractibility, a deficient abstract attitude, a loss of speech initiative, and diminished speech production. Such impairments are associated with functions of the frontal lobe system and may be related to frontal functional cortical changes as mirrored by rCBF. Signs of frontal dysfunction were seen in Ss with nonfrontal tumors and may suggest frontal lobe diaschisis in patients with Grade III–IV astrocytomas. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dye-doped sol–gel materials for two-photon absorption induced fluorescence

Two-photon absorption (TPA) and subsequent fluorescence properties of laser dyes are retained when doped into solid state sol–gel materials. These properties were demonstrated to be applicable in true 3D displays.     

Theoretical and experimental investigations of small-signal gainfor a diode-pumped Q-switched Cr:LiSAF laser

We present a theoretical model proving that up-conversion and thermal quenching of fluorescence strongly limit small-signal gain in a CW pumped Cr:LiSAF laser. We have a good agreement with experimental measurements of small-signal gain obtained with a new simple method. We have then optimized the gain in a Cr:LiSAF laser pumped by two 400-mW red diodes. The highest gain, 1.11 at 600 mW of absorbed pump power, is obtained if the pump spot is circularized inside the crystal and if the Cr:LiSAF is pumped on both sides. In Q-switched operation, this laser produces tunable pulses (up to 6.5 μJ at 10 kHz) between 800 and 900 nm