Human discrimination of the implicit orientation of simple symmetrical patterns

A hydraulic calcium phosphate cement made of beta-tricalcium phosphate [beta-Ca3(PO4)2], monocalcium phosphate monohydrate [Ca(H2PO4)2-H2O], and water was used as a delivery system for the antibiotic gentamicin sulfate (GS). GS, added as powder or as aqueous solution, was very beneficial to the physicochemical properties of the cement. The setting time increased from 2 to 4.5 min with 3% (w/w) GS and then slowly decreased to 3.75 min with 16% (w/w) GS. The tensile strength increased from 0.4 to 1.6 MPa with 16% (w/w) GS. These effects were attributed to the presence of sulfate ions in GS. The release of GS from the cement was measured in a pH 7.4 phosphate-buffered saline solution at 37 degrees C by USP paddle method. Factors such as cement porosity, GS content and presence of sulfate ions or polymeric additives were investigated. The amount of GS released was roughly proportional to the square root of time up to approximately 50% release. Afterwards, the release rate markedly slowed down to zero. In all but two cement formulations, the total dose of GS was released within 7 days, indicating that no irreversible binding occurred between the cement paste and the antibiotic. When small amounts of hydroxypropylcellulose or poly(acrylic acid) were added to the cement, the maximum fraction released was a few percent lower than the total GS dose, suggesting some binding between the polymer and GS. The GS release rate was strongly influenced by the presence of sulfate ions in the cement paste and by the cement porosity. The higher the sulfate ion content of the cement paste, the lowe the GS release rate. This influence was attributed to the finer cement micro-structure induced by the presence of sulfate ions. Furthermore, when the initial cement porosity was increased from 38 to 69%, the release rate almost tripled (0.16 to 0.45 h-1/2). Finally, the biological activity of GS in the cement was maintained, as measured by assaying the release medium.     

Biochemical alterations of the tunica albuginea in impotence

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were to quantify the immunohistochemical stainings of collagen types I, III and IV, and investigate the value of glycohistochemical staining with 3 lectin types specific to a particular glycan structure, Arachis hypogaea, Triticum vulgare and concanavalin A, as a method of defining possible changes in the collagen structure of the tunica albuginea in potent and impotent patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 4 normal men, 4 with pure venous leakage and 4 with pure arterial disease. Collagen types I, III and IV, and lectins Arachis hypogaea, Triticum vulgare and concanavalin A were studied using a cell image processor. The labeling index relates to the percentage of staining and mean optical density relates to the staining intensity. RESULTS: Mean labeling index values for the 3 types of collagen and lectins were similar (p > 0.05). Mean optical density value relating to collagen type I was significantly higher in the arteriogenic group than in the other groups (p < 0.05), while mean optical density value of collagen type IV was significantly higher in the venogenic group than in the 2 other groups (p < 0.05). Mean optical density values relating to the 3 lectin types were similar in the 3 clinical groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: An alteration in the distribution and structure of the various collagen types and lectins in the tunica albuginea of impotent patients has been shown that may interfere with normal function and lead to impotence.     

Constitutive expression in gal7 mutants of Kluyveromyces lactis is due to internal production of galactose as an inducer of the Gal/Lac regulon

The induction process of the galactose regulon has been intensively studied, but until now the nature of the inducer has remained unknown. We have analyzed a delta gal7 mutant of the yeast Kluyveromyces lactis, which lacks the galactotransferase activity and is able to express the genes of the Gal/Lac regulon also in the absence of galactose. We found that this expression is semiconstitutive and undergoes a strong induction during the stationary phase. The gal1-209 mutant, which has a reduced kinase activity but retains its positive regulatory function, also shows a constitutive expression of beta-galactosidase, suggesting that galactose is the inducer. A gal10 deletion in delta gal7 or gal1-209 mutants reduces the expression to under wild-type levels. The presence of the inducer could be demonstrated in both delta gal7 crude extracts and culture medium by means of a bioassay using the induction in gal1-209 cells. A mutation in the transporter gene LAC12 decreases the level of induction in gal7 cells, indicating that galactose is partly released into the medium and then retransported into the cells. Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of crude extracts from delta gal7 cells revealed the presence of 50 microM galactose. We conclude that galactose is the inducer of the Gal/Lac regulon and is produced via UDP-galactose through a yet-unknown pathway.     

Should the same glucose values be targeted for type 1 as for type 2 diabetics in pregnancy?

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether the same maternal glycemic control is necessary to achieve similar perinatal outcomes for type 1 as for type 2 diabetics. STUDY DESIGN: The subjects were all women with pregestational diabetes mellitus delivered of live-born singletons. Glycemic control was achieved with diet and insulin. Self-monitoring of blood glucose was performed before meals and at bedtime. Target glucose values were 60 to 90 mg/dl fasting and 60 to 105 mg/dl at other times. RESULTS: Of 60,628 deliveries, 46 type 1 and 113 type 2 diabetic women met inclusion criteria. Respective differences were found between type 1 and type 2 diabetics in average daily glucose levels (112 mg/dl vs 97 mg/dl, p < 0.001), percent of values within target ranges (35% vs 57%, p < 0.001), and mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (48.1 mg/dl vs 24.9 mg/dl, p < 0.001). At least one daily glucose value was < 50 mg/dl during 19% of observation days for type 1 vs 2% of observation days for type 2 pregnancies (p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetic pregnancies in neonatal macrosomia (30% vs 34%), proportion of cesarean deliveries during labor for arrest disorders (67% vs 69%), shoulder dystocia (2% vs 6%), and neonatal hypoglycemia (18% vs 26%). CONCLUSIONS: Less stringent maternal glycemic control may permit comparable maternal and neonatal outcomes for type 1 compared with type 2 diabetics. Higher target values for type 1 diabetics may decrease the frequency of maternal hypoglycemic episodes.     

Synthesis and characterization of molybdenum disulphide formed from ammonium tetrathiomolybdate

An investigation has been carried out into the possibility of in situ formation of MoS2 within porous anodic films on aluminium, to improve subsequent tribological behaviour, by re-anodizing in thiomolybdate electrolyte. Acidification of thiomolybdate was employed to simulate the conditions for formation of the sulphide at the anodic film/electrolyte interface, followed by appropriate vacuum heat treatments to study possible temperature effects on the sulphide due to either friction or Joule heating during anodizing. The products of both acidification and heat treatment, characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, were compared with those formed by direct thermal decomposition of ammonium tetrathiomolybdate crystals. The precipitate formed by acidification was mainly amorphous molybdenum trisulphide (MoS3), which on heat treatment at 450 and 850°C yielded 3R-MoS2. 3R-MoS2 also formed by the thermal decomposition of thiomolybdate crystals. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses showed that the decomposition of MoS3 to MoS2 occurred in the range 220–370°C and revealed the sequence of reaction steps. The findings suggest that mainly amorphous MoS3 is formed as a consequence of changes in the pH of the film/electrolyte interface during re-anodizing but the product is relatively easily transformed to crystalline MoS2 on moderate heating which may occur during wear processes.     

Real and virtual borders in the Poggendorff illusion

The strength of the Poggendorff illusion has been determined by a nulling method for the classical as well as other configurations of the central inducing region. Compared to a uniform field, an inducing rectangle with very low contrast produces a marked illusion, which saturates at a Michelson contrast of about 0.1. With virtual borders of the Kanizsa type there is a weak illusion and this effect is attenuated when the 'pacman' sectors are occluded. Texture borders without luminance contrast induce a stronger illusion. These results are discussed in relation to earlier data for contrast dependence of Vernier acuity and for the orientation discrimination and tilt illusion with real and virtual borders.     

Optimal techniques for arterial gene transfer

Cardiovascular gene therapy is becoming a clinical reality due to improved vectors, delivery systems and careful experimental validation studies. Nearly all cardiovascular diseases are amenable to gene therapy, but the optimal combination of vector, delivery system and therapeutic gene is likely to be unique to each application. Currently, the most efficient vectors available are replication-defective adenoviral vectors, but transgene expression is limited in time due to a strong immune response. Conversely, non-viral vectors or plasmid DNA may be used safely but have very limited efficiency. Percutaneous, catheter-based delivery is feasible for most applications. The ultimate issues that will decide of the future of gene therapy are safety of the transfer and delivery techniques as well as cost/effectiveness comparisons with alternative therapies, including local delivery of drugs, proteins and/or mechanical devices.     

Pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence study of two gemfibrozil preparations

A comparative pharmacokinetic study has been performed in 19 healthy male volunteers in a single-dose, randomized, two way cross-over design with two preparations of gemfibrozil (CAS 25812-30-0) capsules each of them containing 300 mg active ingredient. The test preparation was Innogem 300 mg capsule. The plasma concentration of gemfibrozil was determined by a validated HPLC-UV analytical method. The statistical comparison of individual pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC0-16, AUC0-oc Cmax, tmax) of the two capsule preparations was performed by three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Wilcoxon's, Westlake's, Schuirmann's and Hanck-Anderson's method as well as by the calculation of confidence intervals on the ratio of test/reference. The relative bioavailability of the test preparation with respect to the reference preparation in terms of the AUC0-oc was 104.06 +/- 21.61%. No statistically significant difference was found between the pharmacokinetic parameters, calculated from plasma concentration-time curves, indicating that the two preparations were bioequivalent.     

Subcutaneous soft tissue tumours at the site of implanted microchips in mice

An experiment using 4279 CBA/J mice of two generations was carried out to investigate the influence of parental preconceptual exposure to X-ray radiation or to chemical carcinogens. Microchips were implanted subcutaneously in the dorsolateral back for unique identification of each animal. The animals were kept for lifespan under standard laboratory conditions. In 36 mice a circumscribed neoplasm occurred in the area of the implanted microchip. Females were significantly more frequently affected than male mice. An influence of age or different treatment on the s.c. tumour incidence in two mice generations could not be observed. Macroscopically, firm, pale white nodules up to 25 mm in diameter with the microchip in its center were found. Microscopically, soft tissue tumours such as fibrosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma were detected.