Plasma immunoglobulins in patients with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

By histochemical and immunohistochemical methods, the presence of cholinergic-like molecules has previously been demonstrated in Paramecium primaurelia, and their functional role in mating-cell pairing was suggested. In this work, both true acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activities were electrophoretically investigated, and the presence of molecules immunologically related to BuChE was checked by immunoblotting. The AChE activity, shown in the membrane protein fraction of mating-competent cells and in the cytoplasmic fraction of immature cells, is due to a 260-kDa molecular form, similar to the membrane-bound tetrameric form present in human erythrocytes. This AChE activity does not appear in either the cytoplasmic fraction of mating-competent cells or in the membrane protein fraction of immature cells. No evidence was found for the presence or the activity of BuChE-like molecules. The role of AChE in P. primaurelia developmental cycle is discussed.     

In vivo degradation of semi-rigid polymeric films made of alginate and polyethylene glycol

Alginate-based biomaterials can form naturally derived polymeric hydrogels with sufficient structural integrity to readily be used in many clinical applications. However, ionically cross-linked alginate gels do not always possess structural properties suitable for application as erodable polymeric films for controlled release of drugs and growth factors. In this study, semi-rigid polymeric films were constructed of sodium alginate and polyethylene glycol (PEG) by means of a rehydration cross-linking technique. The films were assembled by dehydrating a solution of alginate and PEG and cross-linking the alginate during its rehydration with a solution of calcium chloride. The product is a highly dense polymeric network that prevents in vivo cellular infiltration and disassembles primarily by surface erosion. By implanting the PEG-alginate films into the subcutis of rats, the mechanism of polymer degradation was demonstrated to occur via inflammation-mediated erosion of the material rather than by means of cellular infiltration. There were extensive areas of foamy macrophages at the site of the implant, indicating a likely mechanism of removal and disposal of the disassembled PEG and alginate polymer. The eroded fragments of the film that remained after six weeks did not exhibit signs of a cellular infiltrate but rather stayed intact, appearing as small, dense fragments of polymer. Our observations that nearly all the PEG-alginate material was cleared from the implantation site by the sixth postoperative week highlight the potential exploitation of these films as bioresorbable wound dressings with prospective utilization as a drug delivery device. Moreover, the employment of polymeric films made of functionalized PEG, which enables covalent attachment of biological molecules, potentiates their use for growth factor delivery applications.     

Visual correlation of network alerts

The VisAlert visual correlation tool facilitates situational awareness in complex network environments by providing a holistic view of network security to help detect malicious activities. Information visualization techniques and methods in many applications have effectively increased operators' situational awareness, letting them more effectively detect, diagnose, and treat anomalous conditions. Visualization elevates information comprehension by fostering rapid correlation and perceived associations. Our visualization technique integrates the information in log and alert files into an intuitive, flexible, extensible, and scalable visualization tool - VisAlert - that presents critical information concerning network activity in an integrated manner, increasing the user's situational awareness.     

Short-Scan Fan-Beam Algorithms for Cr

Several short-scan reconstruction algorithms of the convolution type for fan-beam projections are presented and discussed. Their derivation fran new, exact integral representation formulas is outlined, and the performance of same of these algorithms is demonstrated with the aid of simulation results.     

Double axis, two-crystal x-ray spectrometer

A two-crystal double axis x-ray spectrometer, capable of goniometric accuracy on the order of 0.1", has been developed. Some of its unique design features are presented. These include (1) a modified commercial thrust bearing which furnishes a precise, full circle theta:2theta coupling, (2) a new tangent drive system design in which a considerable reduction of the lead screw effective pitch is achieved, and (3) an automatic step scanning control which eliminates most of the mechanical deficiencies of the tangent drive by directly reading the tangent arm displacement.