Task-relevant late positive component in rats: is it related to hippocampal theta rhythm?

In the last 2 years (1994-95), two symposium volumes and three reviews have been published that were fully devoted to peptide antibiotics (antibacterial peptides or antimicrobial peptides). Since the field has been growing rapidly, this review is largely a follow-up of new results published in the last 2 years. Sequencing of the 16S RNA of the small ribosomal subunit indicate that the microbial world is much larger than generally appreciated. The importance of the natural flora is stressed and its effect on the evolution of peptide antibiotics and immunity in general is discussed.     

Some scientist-practitioners do.

Comments on the argument of L. T. Hoshmand and D. E. Polkinghorn (see record 1992-21300-001) that psychological practice should inform science to the same degree that science informs practice. Based on a survey of 121 faculty members in programs accredited by the American Psychological Association, 65% reported practice activity. The authors agree that the problem involves a much more complex integrative task that goes beyond simply recognizing knowledge gained in practice settings as valid. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Microfabricated Lamb wave device based on PZT sol-gel thin film formechanical transport of solid particles and liquids

The fabrication using silicon micromachining and characterization of an acoustic Lamb wave actuator is presented. The intended use of the device is for mass transport and sensor applications. The device consists of dual interdigitated transducers patterned on a thin-film composite membrane of silicon nitride, platinum, and a sol-gel-derived piezoelectric ceramic (PZT) thin film. The acoustic properties of the device are presented along with preliminary applications to mechanical transport and liquid delivery systems. Improved acoustic signals and improved mass transport are achieved with PZT over present Lamb wave devices utilizing ZnO or AlN as the piezoelectric transducer     

Early intervention for spelling problems: Teaching functional spelling units of varying size with a multiple-connections framework.

Poor spellers in 2nd grade (n?=?128) participated in 24 20-min sessions that included (a) direct instruction in the alphabet principle (most frequent phoneme-spelling connections); (b) modeling of different approaches, singly and in combination, for developing connections between spoken and written words for 48 words ordered by sound-spelling predictability; and (c) practice in composing. Results of this multilayered intervention showed that (a) more than 1 way of developing sound-spelling connections is effective in teaching spelling but that after training in the alphabet principle, combining whole word and onset-rime training is most effective in achieving transfer of the alphabet principle across word contexts; (b) functional spelling units of not only a single letter but also 2 or more letters are important in beginning spelling; and (c) training in spelling transfers to composition and word recognition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Successful pregnancies in the presence of spinal muscular atrophy: two case reports

We report two cases of successful pregnancy in women with chronic, infantile onset, or type II spinal muscular atrophy, both of whom delivered healthy, unaffected babies. The patients required concurrent management by a physiatrist, pulmonologist, and perinatologist throughout the pregnancy. Complications included recurrent urinary tract infections, dyspnea and worsening of pulmonary function, wheelchair seating and positioning problems, and musculoskeletal and low back pain. These problems resolved postpartum. One woman had vaginal delivery, the other had caesarean section, both of which were well-tolerated. Because of severe musculoskeletal deformity, pelvic assessment is necessary to determine the mode of delivery. The uterus has normal contractility and effective labor patterns can be established. Spinal/epidural anesthesia may be contraindicated because of spine deformity. The pregnancies had no deleterious effect on the progression of the disease in our patients, both of whom reported a positive experience with great personal fulfillment.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of myricetin-3-O-beta-D-glucuronide and related compounds

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: The anti-inflammatory effect of myricetinglucuronide (MGL) was investigated and structurally-related compounds were compared to examine the structure/activity-relationship in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. MATERIALS AND SUBJECTS: In vitro studies were performed using rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-1) cells, human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL), COX-1 from ram seminal vesicle, COX-2 from sheep placenta and human venous blood. For the in vivo tests male Wistar rats were used, for the ex vivo test perfused rabbit ears. TREATMENT: 1-300 microg/kg MGL or myricetinmethylglucuronate and 0.1-5 mg/kg other related compounds administered p.o. (carrageenan edema). 5, 50 and 150 microg/kg MGL p.o. for 14 days (Freund's adjuvant arthritis), 5 and 50 microg/kg p.o. for 6 days (ulceration). METHODS: Anti-inflammatory effects were measured in carrageenan edema and in adjuvant arthritis. Incidence of gastric lesions was tested in an ulcerogenicity model in vivo. Influence on COX was determined in the perfused rabbit ear, in PMNL and in a test assay using COX-1 and COX-2. 5-LOX activity was studied using PMNL and RBL-1. The influence on platelet aggregation was evaluated measuring light transmission. RESULTS: MGL exerted a marked and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect in acute (carrageenan edema, ED50 15 microg/kg, indomethacin ED50 10 mg/kg) and chronic (adjuvant arthritis, inhibition at 150 microg/kg 18.1 % left paw, 20.6% right paw, indomethacin 3 mg/kg 18.0% and 19.4%)) models of inflammation. In the perfused rabbit ear 1 microg MGL inhibited the release of PGI2, PGD2 and PGE2 to the same extent as 1 microg indomethacin. The inhibition of COX-1 in the intact cell system was IC50 = 0.5 microM, that of indomethacin 0.0038 microM. In the isolated enzyme preparations of COX-1 and COX-2 the IC50 was 10 microM and 8 microM, that of indomethacin 9.2 mM and 2.4 microM. In the RBL-1 and PMNL test assay the inhibition of 5-LOX was 0.1 microM and 2.2 microM. An orally administered dose of 50 microg/kg/day induced no gastric ulcers in rats treated for 6 days. The investigations on carrageenan edema showed a close relationship between the structure of MGL and the anti-inflammatory effect. CONCLUSIONS: MGL is a COX-1, COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibitor. In view of the moderate in vitro activity and the very potent in vivo activity an additive mechanism must be involved. Small changes in the molecular structure lead to the loss or reduction of the anti-inflammatory activity.     

Ultrastructural studies of the ileum neobladder

Of 101 women, 15-50 years of age, presenting with vaginal discharge, 34 had bacterial vaginosis and were randomly assigned to a seven-day course of oral treatment with either erythromycin (0.5 g b.i.d.) or metronidazole (0.4 g b.i.d.) in a single-blind, cross-over study. Treatment failure (> or = three clinical signs of bacterial vaginosis) occurred in 13 (81%) of 16 patients given erythromycin, as compared with three (17%) of 18 women treated with metronidazole (p < 0.001). Persistence of Gardnerella vaginalis, Mobiluncus species and/or Mycoplasma hominis was found in 14 of 16 patients treated with erythromycin, and in four of 16 patients treated with metronidazole. Treatment with metronidazole was successful (< or = two clinical signs of bacterial vaginosis) in eight of 10 cases of erythromycin treatment failure. Neither of two cases of metronidazole treatment failure was cured with erythromycin. At three-month follow-up of 31 women, persistence or recurrence of bacterial vaginosis was diagnosed in 11 cases (36%).