Haloperidol and apomorphine differentially affect neuropeptidase activity

The effects of lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant vitamin E contained in LDL isolated from control plasma (LDL--) and from plasma preincubated with 0.5 mmol/ml alpha-tocopherol (LDL+) on the proliferation of estrogen-receptor positive (ER+ : ZR-75, T-47-D, MCF-7) and negative (ER--: HBL-100, MDA-MB-231) human breast cancer cells were studied. Human skin fibroblasts served as controls. Incubation of plasma with 0.5 mmol/ml alpha-tocopherol resulted in a 3-fold increase of its content and a significant reduction in lipid hydroperoxides and conjugated dienes in LDL. Incubation of fibroblasts or ER+ tumor cells with LDL- or LDL+ had an effect on neither cell proliferation nor on the cellular levels of peroxidation products as compared to control incubations in the absence of LDL. In ER- cells, however, LDL+ stimulated the proliferation, whereas LDL- yielded a cytotoxic effect. Moreover, LDL- supplementation resulted in an increase in the content of hydroperoxides and conjugated dienes. LDL+ supplemented cells exhibited hydroperoxide levels in these tumor cells comparable to the basal levels measured in the absence of LDL. Our data suggested that peroxidation products in LDL are cytotoxic to estrogen-receptor negative breast tumor cells and vitamin E counteracts this effect.     

Postauricular chondrocutaneous flap in auricular reconstruction

We report an unusual case of a 1 cm papillary renal cell carcinoma arising from the outer surface of the free wall of a radiographically simple renal cyst. Most malignancies arising from the wall of a renal cyst are present along the inner surface, usually adjacent to underlying renal parenchyma. While this is a rare occurrence, it does reinforce the need to explore even small solid renal masses.     

Comparative severity of respiratory lesions of sialodacryoadenitis virus and Sendai virus infections in LEW and F344 rats

In several chronic diseases, lesions are more severe in LEW rats than in F344 rats. To determine whether or not acute viral diseases also are more severe in LEW rats than in F344 rats, we inoculated 6-7-week-old LEW and F344 rats with 10(7.2) cell culture infective units of sialodacryoadenitis virus or 10(4.7) infective units of Sendai virus. Twenty-four rats of each strain were given each virus. Lesions in nasal passages, tracheas, intrapulmonary airways, and pulmonary alveoli in 6 or 12 rats inoculated with each virus were assessed by scoring 5, 10, and 14 days after inoculation. Both viruses caused typical patchy necrotizing rhinitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, and bronchiolitis, with multifocal pneumonitis, in rats of both strains. Mean lesion indices for LEW rats given sialodacryoadenitis virus were significantly different from those for F344 rats for nasal passages on days 10 (0.999 vs. 0.680) and 14 (0.736 vs. 0.278), bronchi on day 5 (0.479 vs. 0.361), and alveoli on day 5 (0.677 vs. 0.275). Lesion indices for LEW rats given Sendai virus were significantly different from those for F344 rats for nasal passages on days 10 (1.000 vs. 0.611) and 14 (0.778 vs. 0.583); trachea on day 10 (0.625 vs. 0.028); bronchi on days 5 (0.476 vs. 0.331), 10 (0.123 vs. 0.013), and 14 (0.038 vs. 0); and alveoli on days 5 (0.413 vs. 0.114) and 10 (0.185 vs. 0.020). Thus, at the tested doses, both viruses caused more severe respiratory tract lesions in LEW rats than in F344 rats.     

III-V nitrides for electronic and optoelectronic applications

Recent developments in III-V nitride thin-film materials for electronic and optoelectronic applications are reviewed. The problems that are limiting the development of these materials and devices made from them are discussed. The properties of cubic boron nitride, aluminum nitride, gallium nitride, AlN/GaN solid solutions and heterostructures, and indium nitride are discussed. It is pointed out that the lack of a suitable substrate, with the possible exception of SiC for AlN, is a problem of considerable magnitude. This is compounded by the presence of shallow donor bands in GaN and InN which are apparently caused by N vacancies. The question of whether these vacancies occur (if they do) as a result of intrinsic or extrinsic (as a result of deposition) nonstoichiometry has not been answered. However, the recent advances in the fabrication of p-type GaN and a p-n junction light emitting diode via the electron beam stimulation of the Mg dopant are very encouraging and may considerably advance the technology of this material. This would indicate that self-compensation effects, similar to those observed in ZnO and ZnSe, may not be present in the III-V nitrides, since cubic BN (cBN) AlN and now GaN have been reportedly doped both n- and p-type     

Segmented force plate (SFP) software package for clinical use

A gait analysis system is described. It is designed for clinical use as well as research purposes. The system is simple to operate and can be used by non-computer specialist. The design philosophy is straightforward and allows for easy adaptation to other systems. Samples of the output are presented.     

Empirical assessment of a threshold model for sylvatic plague.

Plague surveillance programmes established in Kazakhstan, Central Asia, during the previous century, have generated large plague archives that have been used to parameterize an abundance threshold model for sylvatic plague in great gerbil (Rhombomys opimus) populations. Here, we assess the model using additional data from the same archives. Throughout the focus, population levels above the threshold were a necessary condition for an epizootic to occur. However, there were large numbers of occasions when an epizootic was not observed even though great gerbils were, and had been, abundant. We examine six hypotheses that could explain the resulting false positive predictions, namely (i) including end-of-outbreak data erroneously lowers the estimated threshold, (ii) too few gerbils were tested, (iii) plague becomes locally extinct, (iv) the abundance of fleas was too low, (v) the climate was unfavourable, and (vi) a high proportion of gerbils were resistant. Of these, separate thresholds, fleas and climate received some support but accounted for few false positives and can be disregarded as serious omissions from the model. Small sample size and local extinction received strong support and can account for most of the false positives. Host resistance received no support here but should be subject to more direct experimental testing.     

Polyamide-6/vegetal fiber composite prepared by extrusion and injection molding

The interest for the use of vegetal fibers as polymers reinforcement has recently increased because of their unique environmental and technological advantages. This work evaluated the use of Curauá fibers in polyamide-6 composites aiming at glass fiber replacement. Fiber content of 20, 30 or 40 wt% and fiber lengths of 0.1 or 10 mm were studied. Fibers were treated with N₂ plasma or washed with NaOH solution, to improve their adhesion to PA-6. Samples with 20 wt% of short or long fibers, with or without pre-treatment, were compounded in two different co-rotating intermeshing twin-screw extruders. These samples were submitted to mechanical and thermal tests. In conclusion, non-dried raw materials improved fiber/matrix interfacial adhesion. Tensile and flexural properties of this composite are better than unfilled, but lower than glass fiber reinforced polyamide-6. However, its impact resistance and heat deflection temperature are similar to the glass fiber reinforced polyamide-6 and its lower density, enable it to replace this latter in specific non-critical applications.