Oncogene rearrangement in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with a 14q+ chromosome of unknown origin

Southern blot analysis was performed with a panel of DNA probes to detect rearrangements of c-myc, bcl-1, bcl-2 and bcl-3 in 14 cases of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) with a clonal cytogenetic rearrangement involving the chromosome 14q32 locus and no known donor chromosome [t(14;?)(q32;?)]. In our experience, 21% of all chromosomal abnormalities involving the 14q32 locus in B-cell NHL are of this type. We found oncogene rearrangements in five of the 14 cases: bcl-1 rearrangement on one mantle zone lymphoma, bcl-2 rearrangements in two follicular lymphomas, and c-myc rearrangements in two small noncleaved cell lymphomas. We conclude that a 14q32+ abnormality of unknown origin is a relatively frequent karyotypic finding in B-cell NHL. In one third of the cases, known oncogenes that have been previously described in reciprocal translocations involving the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus were shown to be involved in the 14q32+ abnormality. The translocations in the other cases are likely to have involved one of the above oncogenes with breakpoints not revealed by the probes employed, other known oncogenes, or oncogenes that have not yet been identified.     

Risk stratification using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Program

In an era of progressive cost containment and public scrutiny, the wisdom of aggressive surgical therapy for high-risk candidates has been questioned. At our center in the previous 24 months, 728 patients with coronary artery disease were entered into The Society of Thoracic Surgeons national database, and the hospital outcomes plus length of stay were analyzed. Patients were separated according to the predicted mortality based on the groupings in The Society of Thoracic Surgeons database: 0 to 5% (453 patients); 5% to 10% (126 patients); 10% to 20% (96 patients); 20% to 30% (17 patients); and 30% and greater (36 patients). There was a close correlation with the predicted rates of mortality. Importantly, the preoperative risk stratification demonstrated a strong correlation with the significant morbidity and excessive length of stay in the highest-risk groups (predicted risk of 20% to > or = 30%). The incidences of the most common complications in the group with the highest predicted risk (> or = 30%) were 28%, renal failure; 33%, ventilator dependence; and 17%, cardiac arrest. In addition, at short-term follow-up (6 to 8 months), a 24.3% mortality was identified in patients with a predicted mortality that exceeded 20%. These data quantify the risks and morbidities associated with the care of seriously ill patients with coronary artery disease and demonstrate the need for professional and public discussions focusing on the association of a high preoperative risk status and the consumption of resources.     

Excess Gibbs free energy and excess enthalpy for mixtures of benzene and 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane

The rapid measurement of static vapour pressures of binary liquid mixtures as a function of composition by a new continuous-dilution apparatus is described. These measurements, together with the computed excess Gibbs free energies, are reported for mixtures of benzene and 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane at 283.30, 287.83, 293.21, 298.21, 303.06 and 308.15 K over the full composition range, and are compared with the results of Linford and Hildebrand. The excess enthalpies were measured directly at 303.15 K using a batch calorimeter. The equimolar excess enthalpy is + 754 J mol^?1, which is close to the value, + 727 J mol^?1, calculated from the temperature dependence of the computed equimolar excess Gibbs free energies.     

Modelling and analysis of bacterial tracks suggest an active reorientation mechanism in Rhodobacter sphaeroides

Most free-swimming bacteria move in approximately straight lines, interspersed with random reorientation phases. A key open question concerns varying mechanisms by which reorientation occurs. We combine mathematical modelling with analysis of a large tracking dataset to study the poorly understood reorientation mechanism in the monoflagellate species Rhodobacter sphaeroides. The flagellum on this species rotates counterclockwise to propel the bacterium, periodically ceasing rotation to enable reorientation. When rotation restarts the cell body usually points in a new direction. It has been assumed that the new direction is simply the result of Brownian rotation. We consider three variants of a self-propelled particle model of bacterial motility. The first considers rotational diffusion only, corresponding to a non-chemotactic mutant strain. Two further models incorporate stochastic reorientations, describing ‘run-and-tumble’ motility. We derive expressions for key summary statistics and simulate each model using a stochastic computational algorithm. We also discuss the effect of cell geometry on rotational diffusion. Working with a previously published tracking dataset, we compare predictions of the models with data on individual stopping events in R. sphaeroides. This provides strong evidence that this species undergoes some form of active reorientation rather than simple reorientation by Brownian rotation.     

Vodou Material Culture in the Museum: Reflections on the complexities of demonstrating material culture of assemblage and accumulation in a traditional museum environment

Abstract

Through experiences of two different museum spaces the nature of material objects of Vodou are considered. How can the complexities of ritual deposits, assemblage, and continued interaction that are present within a religious space, such as the Vodou altar, be demonstrated to outsiders via a curated space? The materiality of these objects and accumulations is considered and the question is posed as to their importance in the understanding of the nature of Vodou worship. Can a traditional museum setting that favours manufactured objects over the spontaneous ritual deposit and repurposed object convey the intricacy of the material culture of Vodou if it negates the inclusion of these artefacts?     

Effects of implementation intentions on the self-reported frequency of drivers' compliance with speed limits.

This study tested the efficacy of implementation intentions in the context of drivers' speeding behavior. Participants (N = 300) completed self-report measures of goal intention and behavior, and they were randomly assigned to an experimental condition, which required them to specify an implementation intention, or a control condition. One month postbaseline, self-reported compliance with speed limits significantly increased for experimental participants but not for control participants. The effects of specifying an implementation intention on behavior increased with the strength of drivers' goal intentions. Finally, analysis of participants' implementation intentions revealed that specifying more behavioral strategies increased the frequency with which participants reported complying with the speed limit. Implications of the findings are discussed in relation to enhancing road safety interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Characterization of ZnS grown by metal-organic chemical vapour deposition on GaAs(100) using t-butyl mercaptan and dimethylzinc

ZnS has been grown on GaAs(100) substrates by atmospheric pressure metal–organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) using dimethylzinc (DMZn) and t-butyl mercaptan (t-BuSH). The effects of the reactant gas phase molar ratio and the growth temperature on the characteristics of the material grown have been investigated. The structural quality of the layer is demonstrated by X-ray rocking curve half-widths of less than 300 arcsec for the epilayers. There is little significant pre-reaction and the layers are of excellent surface morphology and layer uniformity.     

Efficacy of a brief worksite intervention to reduce smoking: The roles of behavioral and implementation intentions.

The effectiveness of worksite interventions to reduce smoking needs to be enhanced because randomized controlled trials to date have produced mixed findings. The present study tested the ability of social-cognitive variables to mediate the past behavior-future behavior relationship and the effectiveness of implementation intentions to break the past behavior-future behavior relationship in a brief theory-based worksite intervention designed to reduce smoking. Smoking behavior and psychosocial orientation to quit (operationalized by theory of planned behavior variables and temptations) were measured at baseline; participants (N=90) randomized to the experimental condition were also asked to form an implementation intention in their place of work. Identical measures taken 2 months postbaseline revealed that intention was a potent mediator of the past behavior-future behavior relationship. More important, significantly more people quit smoking in the experimental condition than in the control condition. Decomposition of these effects showed that implementation intentions worked best for individuals who were more motivated to quit at baseline and suggest that harnessing both motivational and volitional processes might enhance the effectiveness of worksite smoking cessation programs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Study of dissolved silicon and nitrate dynamics in a freshwater stream.

Dissolved reactive silicon and nitrate were measured at weekly intervals over a 3 year period (1991-94) on a 1.2km reach of a gauged Dorset Mill Stream. In addition, dissolved nitrite was measured over a 8 month period from the spring to late autumn in 1992. Two intensive studies with sampling at 2h intervals were also completed in low and high riverflow conditions. The results were analysed using a mass-balance approach with the loss and gains in nutrients dissolved in the water expressed in terms of areal rates. Losses of both nutrients occurred during periods of low streamflow in spring and summer. Losses of silicon are attributed to growth of epilithic diatoms whereas nitrate losses are consistent with a number of processes including the growth of aquatic plants, the development of epilithic biofilms and nitrogen transformations, such as denitrification, in bed-sediments. Stream water gained dissolved nitrite during its passage through the section. Silicon losses from the stream amounted to between 52 and 63 mmol m(-2) d(-1) (expressed per area of bed-sediment) for the spring periods in 1992-94. Nitrate losses were more variable with overall rates between 24 and 89 mmol m(-2) d(-1) for the summer periods in 1991-93.     

A volitional help sheet to encourage smoking cessation: A randomized exploratory trial.

Objective: The volitional help sheet draws on Gollwitzer's (1993) concept of implementation intentions by encouraging smokers to link temptations to smoke with appropriate behavioral responses derived from Prochaska and DiClemente's (1983) transtheoretical model. Design: There were 193 smokers who were randomly allocated to receive questionnaires, planning instruction, and a volitional help sheet or one of three control conditions: Questionnaire-only; questionnaire plus planning instruction; or questionnaire, planning instruction plus volitional help sheet without the explicit instruction to link temptations to smoke with appropriate behavioral responses. Main Outcome Measures: Nicotine dependence, number of cigarettes smoked and quit status. Results: Findings revealed significant decreases in nicotine dependence, number of cigarettes smoked, and increases in quitting in the volitional help sheet condition, relative to the control conditions, Fs(3, 189) = 7.48 to 10.78, ps ps = .11 to .15. This pattern of findings did not hold for social?cognitive variables, with few differences between the volitional help sheet (standard instructions) group and the other conditions. Conclusion: The findings provide support for the use of implementation intentions to protect against health risk behaviors and are congruent with laboratory research showing that implementation intentions are a case of strategic automaticity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)