Tetracyclines and calcified tissues

Neuronal somata in the rat kidney are very often part of ganglionated plexus and contain nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Examining serial 100 microns slices of whole kidneys, we identified three subpopulations of neuronal somata by: (a) staining for NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry followed by the demonstration of dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) by immunoperoxidase, and (b) staining for DBH by immunofluorescence followed by the demonstration of NADPH-d histochemical activity. The largest subpopulation of neuronal somata displayed both DBH immunoreactivity and NADPH-d histochemical activity. The second largest group of somata showed NADPH-d activity only. A small group of neuronal somata showed only DBH immunoreactivity. The presence of catecholaminergic characteristics in NOS-containing neuronal somata is unusual and raises the question as to their origin. Their heterogeneity suggests different functions for the different subpopulations.     

Psychiatric morbidity among adults in The Netherlands: the NEMESIS-Study. I. Objectives, design and methods. Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence, incidence and course of psychiatric disorders in non-institutionalised Dutch adults. DESIGN: Prospective and cross-sectional. SETTING: Trimbos Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands. METHOD: A multistage, stratified random sampling procedure was used to obtain a sample of 7076 adults (18-64 years). Respondents were interviewed throughout 1996 in their homes. The main diagnostic instrument was the 'Composite international diagnostic interview' (CIDI), designed to assess lifetime prevalence of mental disorders according to Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 3rd revised edition (DSM-III-R). The diagnostic categories were: affective disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia and other non-affective psychoses, and substance use disorders (dependence and abuse). The sample was weighted towards national census data on sex, age, marital status and urbanicity. RESULTS: The results of the first measurement (1996) will be described in the next article (1997:2353-60). The response rate was 64.2%. There were no indications that the psychiatric morbidity of non-respondents differed from respondents. The same respondents will be interviewed again after 12 (1997) and after 36 months (1999).     

CONCENTRATED ACID CONVERSION OF PINE SOFTWOOD TO SUGARS. PART I: USE OF A TWIN-SCREW REACTOR FOR HYDROLYSIS PRETREATMENT

The first stage of a two-step concentrated sulfuric acid process that converts softwood sawdust to sugars has been explored. The research focuses on the ability of an in-house custom fabricated corotating twin-screw reactor (TSR) to effectively break down and solubilize crystalline cellulose into low molecular weight carbohydrates. Based on design of experiment (DOE) screening results, a four-level, two-factor experimental model building DOE was undertaken. Solid sawdust conversion to liquid, screw torque, and TSR exit pressure were measured or recorded at each experimental condition to yield percent conversion of solids, processed material viscosity, and material energy requirements. Thereafter, model quadratic equations were fitted to the experimental data and found to be statistically significant. Based on data obtained in the DOE the process was optimized to establish a base case operating condition. The acid-treated product made at base case twin-screw operating conditions showed a 38.2% conversion of dry sawdust solids to soluble liquids. The dry solids conversion reduced 73.8% of all hemicellulose and 44.4% of all cellulose to soluble monomers and oligosaccharides.     

Iron enhances generation of fibrin fibers in human blood: Implications for pathogenesis of stroke

Stroke is associated with the intracerebral formation of fibrin clots which may lead to irreversible brain damage. Thrombolytic therapies employ a variety of natural and/or recombinant plasminogen activators to initiate fibrinolytic degradation of cerebral thrombi. However, such therapies when installed beyond 4‐ to 6‐h window, may fail to achieve the expected outcome. This is due to the hydroxyl radical‐induced modification of fibrin(ogen) molecules rendering them refractory to fibrinolytic degradation, but no cause of the increased free radical generation in stroke was offered. Here, we show by means of electron microscopy that iron ions added to human blood dramatically enhances fibrin fibers formation with thrombin, and significantly delays fibrinolysis during spontaneous clotting of native blood. Iron ions caused the appearance dense matted fibrin deposits, similar, if not identical, to those observed in plasma of patients with stroke. These results may explain a known relationship between thrombotic diseases and the increased body concentrations of free iron and/or hemoglobin derivatives. We conclude that any action resulting in the inhibition of hemostatic abnormalities, as well as in the reduction of body free iron and scavenging of hydroxyl radicals (e.g., by polyphenols) can potentially prevent pathological reactions associated with consequences of stroke. Microsc. Res. Tech. 75:1185–1190, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

ModerateDrinking.Com and moderation management: Outcomes of a randomized clinical trial with non-dependent problem drinkers.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based protocol, ModerateDrinking.com (MD; www.moderatedrinking.com) combined with use of the online resources of Moderation Management (MM; www.moderation.org) as opposed to the use of the online resources of MM alone. Method: We randomly assigned 80 problem drinkers to either the experimental or control group with follow-ups at 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: Seventy-five participants (94%) had outcome data at 1 or more follow-up points, and 59 participants (73%) were assessed at all 3 follow-ups. Comparing baseline measures to the average outcomes at follow-ups indicated a significant overall reduction in both groups in alcohol-related problems and consumption variables. Compared with the control group, the experimental group had better outcomes on percent days abstinent. There was an interaction between intensity of drinking at baseline and treatment in determining outcomes assessing drinking. Less heavy drinkers in the experimental group had better outcomes on log mean blood alcohol content (BAC) per drinking day compared with the control group. Heavier drinkers did not differentially benefit from the MD program on this measure. Mixed model analyses in general corroborated these outcomes. Conclusion: The outcome data provide partial evidence for the effectiveness of the MD web application combined with MM, compared with the effectiveness of the resources available online at MM by themselves. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Progress on drawing systems

Architectural drawing systems are discussed, with emphasis on quality of user-interfaces and improvement offered by new computing technology. EdCAAD's STAG drawing system is described, demonstrating the benefits of newer technology.     

Modelling the effects of (green) antifungals, droplet size distribution and temperature on mould outgrowth in water-in-oil emulsions

Prevention of fungal spoilage is a key microbiological issue for the shelf life of fat spreads. Our aim was to assess and model the scope of (natural) antimicrobials for extending shelf life of spreads (water-in-oil emulsions). Production conditions were established to make 60% model fat spreads with reproducible droplet size distributions. The mould vulnerabilities ranged from 1 to 20 weeks. The system allowed feasibility testing of lytic enzymes (Novozym 234) and LMW compounds against Penicillium roqueforti, a key-spoilage mould. The action of Novozym 234, carvacrol, undecanol and dihydrocarveol was benchmarked against sorbate and preservative-free controls under ambient and chilled conditions. Novozym 234 was ineffective to prevent outgrowth of P. roqueforti. Carvacrol, undecanol and dihydrocarveol had limited effects on shelf-life extension compared to sorbate. Fungal growth boundaries of (un-)preserved spreads were modelled. The emulsion droplet size distribution (DSD) was first captured in a mechanistic parameter DSD-I (I = Influence). DSD-I was a move away from the mean droplet diameter D3,3 as sole quantitative droplet-size distribution parameter for mould susceptibility of emulsions. DSD-I is a combination of available water droplets and surface area to initiate and sustain fungal outgrowth. Followup experiments showed that modelling D3,3 and distribution width (e(sigma)) instead of DSD-I gave better results for emulsions with high e(sigma). Empirical predictive models were subsequently developed for the effects of D3,3, e(sigma) and undissociated sorbic acid (HSO) on the shelf life of emulsions.     

Comparative permeability of human vaginal and buccal mucosa to water

BACKGROUND: De Vega type suturing dosage plasty is the intervention most widely used for relative insufficiency of the tricuspid valve (TV). In fact, this operation may be considered as an equivalent of prosthetic reconstruction of the fibrotic ring, shaping a fixed orifice for passage. Intrapulmonary pressure normalized as early as during the first months after surgery in patients with the mitral-tricuspid cardiac valvular disease. Under such conditions a rigid suture (prosthesis of the anulus) at the interface of the right atrium and ventricle is not physiological. METHODS: We used Maxon CV 2-0 (D+G) suture absorbable for 6 months. Xenopericardial pads were fixed at the edge of the suture. The pads were prepared by enzymatic and chemical processing. RESULTS: Operations were performed in 7 patients, the results were followed for up to 28 months. The size of the TV fibrotic ring was measured by transesophageal ultrasonography (Hewlett-Packard SONOS 1500; OMNIPLANE) on the operating table and for 2 years postoperation. No signs af tricuspid insufficiency were detected.     

Laser Raman studies of α–bromoacrylamide reactive dyes and wool

The use of laser Raman spectroscopy in the investigation of interactions in α–bromoacrylamide reactive dye–wool fibre systems has been established. The spectra obtained (in particular using C. I. Reactive Red 84) provide some evidence to support the proposal that the dye reacts via addition at the double bond of the reactive group, followed by ring closure through nucleophilic substitution. Furthermore, preliminary studies of the effect of the commercial levelling assistant Albegal B on the aqueous dye environment have been made using C. I. Reactive Yellow 39. The results show that, whilst the primary interaction between the dye and auxiliary may be via the water–solubilising sulphonate groups of the dye, hydrophobic interactions are also important.     

Error correction techniques for high-performance differential A/Dconverters

Error correction techniques that overcome several error mechanism that can affect the accuracy of charge-redistribution analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) are described. A correction circuit and a self-calibration algorithm are used to improve the common-mode rejection of the differential ADC. A modified technique is used to self-calibrate the capacitor ratio errors and obtain higher linearity. The residual error of the ADC due to capacitor voltage dependence is minimized using a quadratic voltage coefficient (QVC) self-calibration scheme. A dual-comparator topology with digital error correction circuitry is used to avoid errors due to comparator threshold hysteresis. A fully differential charge-redistribution ADC implemented with these techniques was fabricated in a 5-V 1-μm CMOS process using metal-to-polysilicide capacitors. The successive-approximation converter achieves 16-b accuracy with more than 90 dB of common-mode rejection while converting at a 200-kHz rate