Shear numbers of protein beta-barrels: definition refinements and statistics

The original definition of shear number for a beta-barrel is not unique if it contains one or more uneven beta-bulges. We define the shear number of a beta-barrel as the minimal change of residue numbers in the backbone direction for all closed paths on the beta-barrel. We also discuss how to overcome some computational difficulties. It is pointed out that some closed beta-sheets should not be considered as beta-barrels. The pertinent statistics obtained from a representative list of the Protein Data Bank entries are summarized. All beta-barrels have positive shear numbers, i.e. they are right-twisted. The shear numbers of most beta-barrels are even, but exceptions do exist. The sizes of beta-ladders in a beta-barrel vary significantly. Most beta-barrels contain uneven beta-bulges, which may have important biological functions.     

Diminished levels of insulin-like growth factor-I in lungs in streptozotocin-induced diabetes: relation to nutritional status and growth

It is yet unknown whether the impaired nutritional status of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats influences changes in levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in this experimental model of diabetes. To explore this possibility, simultaneous studies were undertaken of rats made diabetic by streptozotocin (75 mg/kg body wt, intraperitoneally) and undernourished control rats with similar somatic growth rate (determined by body weight gain), in comparison with normal controls. Serum IGF-I levels were diminished in the untreated diabetic and undernourished control animals, but more so in the diabetic group. Lung IGF-I levels (per lung and per lung DNA) and DNA contents were diminished to similar degrees in the untreated diabetic animals and the undernourished control group. Lung dry weights of the diabetic rats were greater than those of the undernourished control group, such that lung IGF-I/100 mg tissue dry wt in the former was significantly lower than in the latter group. Insulin treatment of the diabetic rats restored their body weights, serum and lung IGF-I levels, and DNA contents to normal control values. Lung IGF-I levels in the diabetic rats correlated strongly with serum glucose (r = .75) and body weight (r = .79), and moderately with lung weight (r = .43) and lung DNA (r = .58). These findings suggest that the diminished lung IGF-I levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetes may be related to the impaired nutritional status and/or somatic growth of the experimental animals, and that this relationship may be responsible, at least in part, for the diminished lung cellular proliferation observed in experimental diabetic animals.     

SIR-C data quality and calibration results

The SIR-C/X-SAR imaging radar took its first flight on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in April 1994 and flew for a second time in October 1994. This multifrequency radar has fully polarimetric capability at L- and C-band, and a single polarization at X-band (X-SAR). The Endeavour missions were designated the Space Radar Laboratory-1 (SRL-1) and -2 (SRL-2). Calibration of polarimetric L- and C-band data for all the different modes SIR-C offers is an especially complicated problem. The solution involves extensive analysis of pre-flight test data to come up with a model of the system, analysis of in-flight test data to determine the antenna pattern and gains of the system during operation, and analysis of data from over fourteen calibration sites distributed around the SIR-C/X-SAR orbit track. The SRL missions were the first time a multifrequency polarimetric imaging radar employing a phased array antenna has been flown in space. Calibration of SIR-C data products involved some unique technical problems given the complexity of the radar system. In this paper, the approach adopted for calibration of SIR-C data is described and the calibration performance of the data products is presented     

Economic analysis of tirilazad mesylate for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Economic evaluation of a phase III clinical trial in Europe and Australia

This study used data from a multinational phase III randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of tirilazad mesylate (Freedox) in the treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. In men, therapy with 6 mg/kg per day of tirilazad mesylate was associated with significantly increased survival, increased cost of care, and ratios of cost per death averted that compare favorably with the ratios of other life and death interventions. In women, it appeared to have no effects on costs or survival. Further clinical studies may provide additional information about the cost-effectiveness of this intervention.     

Applying nutrition and diabetes recommendations in the nurse practitioner setting

Medical nutrition therapy is essential for successful management in persons with diabetes. This article discusses implementation of the 1994 revised nutrition guidelines for persons with diabetes by the nonregistered dietitian professional, particularly in the nurse practitioner's setting. Major changes in the guidelines are addressed including the liberalization of sucrose, and basic nutrition assessment, referral guidelines, a sample nutrition history, and case studies to assist the nurse practitioner when a registered dietitian is unavailable.     

Occupational stress and dentistry: theory and practice. Part II. Assessment and control

Since dentistry has been identified as being a stressful profession, dentists, with the help of the members of the dental team, must attempt to achieve a relatively stress-free working environment. In addition to recognising potential occupational stressors it is important for dentists to be able to assess their emotional responses to the practice of dentistry and to arrange their daily working lives in such a way as to reduce occupational stress. This paper examines the means by which dentists may assess occupational stress as well as person-centred and/or situation-centred strategies of coping with and controlling occupational stress in general dental practice.     

MERLIN: a device diagnosis system based on analytic models

An approach to computer-aided interpretation of parametric test data for integrated circuit process-problem diagnosis is presented. In contrast to a conventional expert system, which reasons with a knowledge base consisting of rules acquired from human experts, the system presented centers its knowledge around analytic device equations. By using equations as the basis of the system knowledge, a more universal, well-organized, and concise level of knowledge is encoded. With the use of objects to present this knowledge, a great deal of useful information outside that described by only the symbolic expressions can be represented, and extension to qualitative or numeric models should be straightforward. The result is an expressive, well-organized, easily built, and easily maintained knowledge base. The authors describe the system's interactive graphical displays and the automatic data interpretation algorithms. Examples evaluating n-channel metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) parameter variations, interconnect parameter variations, and interconnect yields are used for illustration