Electron Paramagnetic Resonance of Tb3+ Ions in YBa2Cu3O6

The first observation of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) of Tb³⁺ doped into YBa₂Cu₃O₆ is reported. EPR is used to determine the local symmetry of the rare-earth ion and to study the effect of suppression of high-T _c superconductivity by doping. The distance between the lowest singlets of Tb³⁺ ion 7.1 GHz 0.24 cm^–1 and g-factor g 17.9 have been estimated from measurements. Both these parameters are in a good agreement with the corresponding calculated values. No evidence of Tb⁴⁺ ions was found.     

Localization of the gene for rapidly progressive autosomal dominant parkinsonism and dementia with pallido-ponto-nigral degeneration to chromosome 17q21

The distribution of calcyclin in some chicken tissues was studied by Western blotting using polyclonal antibodies raised against calcyclin purified from chicken gizzard. The protein was found in gizzard muscle and in a lesser amount in skeletal and cardiac muscle. No immunological reaction was observed in chicken liver. Immunohistochemical studies of chicken gizzard tissue revealed the presence of calcyclin only in muscle fibers. Ca(2+)-dependent interaction of chicken gizzard calcyclin with potential protein targets was also examined. By gel overlay method it was found that calcyclin bound to three proteins with molecular masses of approximately 35 kDa, 25 kDa and 15 kDa present in the cytosolic fraction derived from chicken gizzard muscle. The chicken gizzard calcyclin was also shown to interact with lysozyme.     

Sequencing of the alpha-synuclein gene in a large series of cases of familial Parkinson''s disease fails to reveal any further mutations. The European Consortium on Genetic Susceptibility in Parkinson''s Disease (GSPD)

PURPOSE: Tumor hypoxia may be an important factor predicting relapse following radiation therapy. This study was designed to determine the relationship between the oxygenation parameters measured using a polarographic oxygen electrode, prior to and during treatment in patients with cervix cancer, and to assess these results with regard to patient survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients had pretreatment oxygen assays performed and measurements repeated following external beam radiation to a median dose of 50 Gy (range 26-52 Gy). Stage distribution showed 15 patients in Stage IB, 17 in Stage II, and 11 in Stage III. The median tumor size was 5 cm (range 3-10 cm). RESULTS: The median proportion of pO2 values <5 mm Hg (the HP5) was 41% following radiation, and the median pO2 was 12 mm Hg. These results were not significantly different from the pretreatment HP5 or pO2 of 37% and 12 mm Hg, respectively. Disease-free survival at 2 years was 50% in patients with posttreatment HP5 < or =50%, compared to 60% when posttreatment HP5 was >50% (p = 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: Unlike pretreatment results, tumour oxygenation measured following external radiation does not appear to be a useful predictive assay in patients with cervical cancer.     

Spread of spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section in singleton and twin pregnancies

We have compared the spread of spinal anaesthesia in parturients with singleton and those with twin pregnancies. Fifty-five unpremedicated patients with uncomplicated pregnancy scheduled for Caesarean section were allocated to two groups: group I = 35 singleton mothers; group II = 20 with twin pregnancy. Both groups received spinal anaesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine 10 mg (2 ml of 0.5%). Mean birthweight was 3290 (SD 452) g and 5008 (495) g in groups I and II (combined birthweights), respectively. We found a statistically significant difference in onset and maximal cephalad spread of spinal anaesthesia (group I median T5, range T8-T4; group II T3, range T6-T2). The mechanisms of higher cephalad spread of spinal anaesthesia in parturients may be a decrease in cerebrospinal fluid volume secondary to shunting of blood from the obstructed inferior vena cava to the extradural venous plexus and increased nerve sensitivity to local anaesthetics because of increased concentrations of progesterone. The twin pregnancy group had heavier, larger uteri and greater daily production of progesterone.     

Thrombopoietin: a potential T-helper lymphocyte stimulator. Change in T-lymphocyte composition and blood cytokine levels in thrombopoietin cDNA transferred mice

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of thrombopoietin (TPO) on T lymphocyte in Balb/c mice delivered hTPO cDNA with plasmid vector. Both mature and immature T lymphocytes in central organs increased, but only the CD4+ subset was preferably proliferated in circulation. High serum IFN-gamma was coinciding with the declination of platelet counts, but TNF-alpha was positively associated with the platelet count, while high IL-2 level was similar to the course of TPO expression. Our data suggested that TPO is a stimulator for T lymphocytes, especially the CD4+ subset.