Influence of lead on metabolism of vitamins B group in alimentary iron deficient rats

Gamma delta T-Cells represent a minor subpopulation of T-lymphocytes in man and their role in normal and diseased human skin is unknown. This article is a comprehensive review of T-lymphocytes bearing the gamma delta T-cell receptor in normal and pathological human skin. Firstly, we have documented the occurrence of gamma delta T-cells in normal skin and in a range of reactive and malignant skin conditions. We have then discussed the experimental findings regarding the repertoire used by gamma delta T-cells in normal human skin and in cutaneous disorders with an increased percentage of gamma delta T-cells.     

Mediastinal pseudotumor

A case of mediastinum vascular abnormality is presented consisting in the right side location of the aortic crutch and descending aorta. Besides an abnormality of brachiocephalic trunk issue and position is described. The possible diagnosis errors are discussed.     

Protective effects of green tea extracts (polyphenon E and EGCG) on human cervical lesions

We investigated clinical efficacy of green tea extracts (polyphenon E; poly E and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate [EGCG]) delivered in a form of ointment or capsule in patients with human papilloma virus (HPV) infected cervical lesions. Fifty-one patients with cervical lesions (chronic cervicitis, mild dysplasia, moderate dysplasia and severe dysplasia) were divided into four groups, as compared with 39 untreated patients as a control. Poly E ointment was applied locally to 27 patients twice a week. For oral delivery, a 200 mg of poly E or EGCG capsule was taken orally every day for eight to 12 weeks. In the study, 20 out of 27 patients (74%) under poly E ointment therapy showed a response. Six out of eight patients under poly E ointment plus poly E capsule therapy (75%) showed a response, and three out of six patients (50%) under poly E capsule therapy showed a response. Six out of 10 patients (60%) under EGCG capsule therapy showed a response. Overall, a 69% response rate (35/51) was noted for treatment with green tea extracts, as compared with a 10% response rate (4/39) in untreated controls (P<0.05). Thus, the data collected here demonstrated that green tea extracts in a form of ointment and capsule are effective for treating cervical lesions, suggesting that green tea extracts can be a potential therapy regimen for patients with HPV infected cervical lesions.     

Artefacts due to static electricity in a dental school

The diagnostic usefulness of radiographs is diminished by errors of film handling, and retakes mean increased radiation doses. Avoiding artefacts due to static electricity is part of a quality assurance programme. The number of types of artefacts originating from static electricity in the Department of Radiology, School of Dentistry, Copenhagen, were recorded over a five-week period with low temperatures and low air humidity. During the period 3137 intra-oral and 638 extra-oral films were processed by seven assistants and a number of trainees. A total of 48 artefacts on 47 extra-oral films was observed. The artefacts were classified into four types. Only one case of classical 'lightning' was found, while nine were of a hitherto undescribed type ('animals' or 'cactus flowers'). The most common type appeared as dots arranged in straight lines; their origin was obscure, but it was suspected that they were caused by the processing machine. The one typical 'lightning' case occurred on a Status-X film, consistent with the theory that friction may be a causative factor. Although individual frequencies varied, all the radiography assistants and trainees were associated with the artefacts recorded.     

The effects of phosphorylation of cardiac troponin-I on its interactions with actin and cardiac troponin-C

It is known that the phosphorylation of two serine residues on the NH2-terminal extension specific to cardiac troponin-I (Tn-I) modulates the calcium-dependent activation of the myofilaments. The process by which this occurs remains an unsolved puzzle. We have applied a dissective approach to study the effect of this phosphorylation on the interactions between Tn-I and its partner proteins, actin and troponin-C (Tn-C). Using N-[14C]ethylmaleimide-labelled Tn-I in sedimentation assays with F-actin, we found that the dephosphorylated Tn-I binds to F-actin with pronounced positive cooperativity, both in the absence and the presence of tropomyosin. Phosphorylation of the protein slightly weakens the interaction in the absence of tropomyosin, but the cooperativity remained. In the presence of tropomyosin, phosphorylation of the Tn-I also appeared to slightly weaken the interaction as well but, more significantly, the cooperativity was eliminated. These data can only be explained simply by a cooperative interaction between the monomer units in the actin filament. The interactions between cardiac Tn-I and Tn-C were studied by labelling the Tn-C with the fluorescent probe dansyl aziridine. As expected, the binding of the dephosphorylated Tn-I to Tn-C was strengthened by over 20-fold upon the addition of calcium to the assay. Phosphorylation of the protein, however, had a dramatic effect on the interaction in that it appeared to desensitise the complex to the effect of calcium: the Ka values obtained for both interactions (+/- Ca2+) were almost identical. These results clearly indicate that the phosphorylation of Tn-I in the cardiac system has dramatic effects on the isolated inter-protein interactions. We also discuss the possible significance of such an effect on the interactions of the isolated proteins in their roles within the intact cardiac regulatory complex.     

Better to be Lucky Than Good

This paper describes various factors that are to be considered in selecting a variable speed drive and a steam turbine for any process equipment. To better illustrate the process of selecting a drive from both VFD and turbine options, two example cases were created that represented actual applications already installed and operating. The specific applications are a boiler feedwater pump (BFW) and an FD fan. It is necessary to consider and include all the costs for either type of drive system. The VFD and motor costs were obvious but the existing surplus distribution and transformer capacity, had it not been available, would have altered the economics considerably. Similarly, the cost of steam piping and lube oil supply, cooling, and filtration, which was available at the BFW pump but not at the FD fan, was not discussed but could have had significant cost impact.     

Outcome of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis following autologous stem cell transplantation for hematologic malignancy

Based on successful results in animal models, it has been proposed that high-dose myeloablative therapy followed by autologous bone marrow or stem cell transplantation (ABMT/ASCT) may cure autoimmune disease. The coexistence of autoimmune disease and hematologic malignancy provides an opportunity to examine the response of autoimmune disease to ABMT or ASCT. We describe 4 patients with autoimmune disease (3 with psoriasis and 1 with rheumatoid arthritis) and hematologic malignancy. In each patient, the autoimmune disease remitted posttransplantation, but, in 4 patients with long-term followup, it recurred at 8-24 months. The earliest relapse occurred in a patient treated with interferon-alpha. Our experience suggests that a single autograft with unpurged stem cells is unlikely to cure autoimmune disease, but that other strategies building on this approach are worthy of investigation.     

A distributed location system for the active office

Distributed systems for locating people and equipment will be at the heart of tomorrow's active offices. Computer and communications systems continue to proliferate in the office and home. Systems are varied and complex, involving wireless networks and mobile computers. However, systems are underused because the choices of control mechanisms and application interfaces are too diverse. It is therefore pertinent to consider which mechanisms might allow the user to manipulate systems in simple and ubiquitous ways, and how computers can be made more aware of the facilities in their surroundings. Knowledge of the location of people and equipment within an organization is such a mechanism. Annotating a resource database with location information allows location-based heuristics for control and interaction to be constructed. This approach is particularly attractive because location techniques can be devised that are physically unobtrusive and do not rely on explicit user action. The article describes the technology of a system for locating people and equipment, and the design of a distributed system service supporting access to that information. The application interfaces made possible by or that benefit from this facility are presented