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Background:Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a complication that can affect infants with congenital heart disease (CHD). The objective of this study is to determine whether breast milk, which is associated with decreased incidence of NEC in preterm infants, is protective in infants with CHD. Methods:Retrospective case–control study of infants ≥ 33 weeks gestational age with CHD who underwent cardiac surgery during their admission to the Infant Cardiac Unit from 2008 to 2017. Cases were defined as infants with modified Bell's stage ≥ II NEC. Controls were matched by date of birth, gestational age, and pre- or postcardiac surgery feed initiation. Results:A total of 926 infants with gestational age ≥ 33 weeks and CHD were admitted; 18 cases of NEC were identified and compared with 84 controls. Breast milk intake was higher in controls, but this difference was not statistically significant. Single ventricle (SV) physiology was identified as an independent risk factor for NEC by multivariable analysis. Analysis of infants with SV physiology demonstrated that median age at time of surgery was 9 days (interquartile range [IQR], 7-12) in NEC cases and 5 days (IQR, 4-9) in controls (P= .02). Conclusions:While this study is inconclusive with regard to feeding composition and risk of NEC in infants with CHD, the trend toward greater intake of breast milk in the control group suggests that breast milk may be protective for these infants. Infants with SV physiology are at high risk for NEC. Earlier time to stage I palliation may be a modifiable risk factor for NEC.

This brief paper on the inclusion of students with disabilities summarizes the history, terms, and legal requirements. The relevant section of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is cited followed by a brief review of the mainstreaming movement of the 1970s and the regular education initiative in the mid-1980s. Regulations governing inclusion are reviewed with emphasis on the following principles: (1) continuum of alternative placements; (2) determining the appropriate placement for a student; (3) considerations about inclusion; and (4) the Oberti test for placement decision making. Specific steps the principal can take to prepare staff for inclusion include ensuring staff awareness of legal requirements and terms and ensuring that large numbers of students with disabilities are not assigned to a single regular class teacher. Emphasized is the principal's role in fostering inclusion through careful use of time, staff development, and commitment. (DB)

A MINOR CHORUS: A Novel by Billy-Ray Belcourt W.W. Norton. 176 pages, $14.95 Billy-Ray Belcourt's position as a writer, poet, and academic from the Driftpile Cree Nation informs his debut [...]

Quinine has been used in Western medicine since the 16th century, and far longer in South America. It has gained an undeserved reputation as an effective treatment for leg cramps and continues to be widely used in the United Kingdom and elsewhere despite warnings from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The effects in overdose are outlined and a personal perspective of scientific investigation of treatments at one time advocated provided.

The accounting community has been slow in taking advantage of the benefits of the information technology. Unlike other organizations, accounting professionals and academics are not exploiting the electronic highway to improve their public image and offer better customer service. To maximize the benefits they can gain from the information economy, accountants and academics should learn how to become knowledge workers and communicate the contributions they can make as knowledge workers.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and its association with illicit drug use for mothers being delivered of infants at an inner-city municipal hospital. Methods: We anonymously tested the umbilical cord blood for HIV-1 antibody of 98.1% (2971/3028) of singleton infants with birth weight greater than 500 g born during 1989 and linked the results to a maternal-infant database from which all identifying information had been removed. Results: Overall, HIV-1 seroprevalence was 3.3% (99/ 2971). Among HIV-1--seropositive mothers, 79% (78/ 99) gave no history of ever using injected drugs. Seropositivity for HIV-1 was independently associated with history of maternal cocaine use during pregnancy (odds ratio, 3.4m; 95% confidence interval, 2.18, 5.78), history of ever using injected drugs (odds ratio, 6.02; 95% confidence interval, 3.14, 11.6), positive serologic test result for syphilis during pregnancy (odds ratio, 3.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.94, 5.88), and increasing maternal age per year (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.00, 1.09). Voluntary testing programs failed to identify 71% (70/99) of all HIV-1--infected women. Infants placed into foster care were eight times more likely to be HIV-1 seropositive than those discharged to their mothers. Conclusions: Most HIV-1--infected mothers seem to have acquired the infection via heterosexual transmission rather than via injected drug use. Associations of maternal HIV-1 infection with cocaine use, syphilis, and increasing age probably operate through behaviors that increase maternal risk of exposure to an HIV-1--infected sexual partner or, in the case of syphilis, also through biologic factors that may predispose to HIV-1 transmission. The failure of voluntary testing to identify most HIV-1--infected mothers provides a strong rationale for routine HIV-1 testing during pregnancy and in the newborn period., Most HIV-1-infected mothers giving birth at a Harlem hospital acquired their infection through heterosexual sex. Ninety-eight percent of the 3028 liveborn infants weighing over 500 grams born during 1989 were tested. Of them, 3.3% were HIV-positive. Among positive mothers, 79% had no history of using injected drugs. Mothers with an HIV-infected newborn were 3.5 times more likely to have used cocaine, 6 times more likely to have injected drugs, 3.4 times more likely to test positive for syphilis, and were likely to be older than mothers of HIV-negative infants. The association with maternal cocaine use and syphilis and suggests sexual transmission as the major infection route. Voluntary testing failed to identify 71% of the infected mothers. Routine HIV testing in pregnancy and in newborns is recommended.

Objective: To determine the maternal risk factors and infant outcome for unattended out-of-hospital deliveries brought to an inner-city public hospital. Methods: We compared 59 infants born alive out of hospital during 1989 with 151 randomly selected in-hospital live births, all with birth weight greater than 500 g. Results: History of cocaine use during pregnancy (odds ratio [OR], 4.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.68 to 10.5) and lack of Medicaid or other health insurance (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.04 to 4.45) were independently associated with out-of-hospital delivery. Out-of-hospital delivery was associated with hypothermia (defined as admission axillary temperature 0.65 at age [greater than or equal to] 6 hours) occurred in 14% (eight of 59) of out-of-hospital births. The increased neonatal mortality rate for infants born out of hospital (20.3 vs 7.3 per 1000 live births; OR, 2.82; 95% CI, 1.23 to 6.47) was due to an excess of infants weighing 500 to 999 g. Conclusions: Unattended out-of-hospital births result in increased neonatal morbidity that may be partly preventable by simple interventions used routinely at in-hospital deliveries., Maternal risk factors including illegal drug use, a lack of health insurance, and inadequate prenatal care may be associated with non-hospital delivery of newborns. Reducing these risk factors may decrease the rate of non-hospital births and subsequently improve the health of newborns. During 1989, researchers studied 151 infants born in Harlem Hospital and 59 babies delivered in a non-hospital setting who were then admitted to Harlem Hospital. Maternal characteristics independently associated with non-hospital delivery included cocaine use during pregnancy and a lack of health insurance. Inadequate prenatal care, HIV infection, prior pregnancy, syphilis infection, and illegal drug use during pregnancy were more common in women with non-hospital delivery. Babies born outside the hospital tended to have lower body temperature, blood sugar, and birth weights than their hospital-born counterparts.

Objective: To compare the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) based on the 1988 Vermont Oxford Network (VON) criteria, National Institutes of Health (NIH) 2001 definition, and NIH 2018 definition. Methods: BPD incidence by each definition was compared in premature infants born at a single center between 2016 and 2018. Comorbidities were compared between those with and without BPD according to the newest definition. Results: Among 352 survivors, BPD incidence was significantly different at 9%, 28% and 34% according to VON, NIH 2001 and NIH 2018 definitions, respectively (p< 0.05). According to the newest definition, any grade of BPD was associated with more co-morbidities than those without BPD (P< 0.001). Conclusion: At a center that emphasizes use of early noninvasive respiratory support, the incidence of BPD was significantly higher according to the NIH 2018 definition compared to other two definitions. The relationship between BPD diagnosis and long-term clinical outcomes remains unclear.

Objective: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an inflammatory bowel disease of preterm infants marked by an absolute monocyte count (AMC) drop in peripheral blood. Our objective was to determine whether the degree of AMC drop at illness onset correlates with eventual severity of disease. Study design: The percentage change in AMC was retrospectively calculated for each of 29 rule-out NEC and 76 NEC cases from baseline to illness onset, and then compared across stages. Results: Median AMC changes of +0.5% (p= 0.56) were found in rule-out NEC, compared with −44.5% (p< 0.0001) in Stage 2 and −81.9% (p< 0.0001) in Stage 3. An AMC change cutoff of −75% distinguishes Stages 2 and 3. Conclusions: The severity of NEC correlated with the extent of AMC change in a dose-response fashion. Percent AMC change may be a useful marker for identifying NEC at onset and prognosticating disease severity.

The article informs about the importance of principals for building a range of knowledge to navigate and deliver special education. Topics discussed include Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and objectives. Despite this, no changes were made to his educational program and placement; cursory knowledge of the various laws relating to special education; and educating students eligible for special education is complicated.

The purpose of this article is to examine the free appropriate public education (FAPE) requirements of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The authors first briefly examine the definition of FAPE in the IDEA. Second, they delve into the U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions in Board of Education v. Rowleyand Endrew F. v. Douglasand how these decisions have affected the definition of FAPE. They next address the procedural, substantive, and implementation errors school district personnel often make when developing students’ special education programs. They offer suggestions on how faculty members can prepare their preservice teachers to understand and avoid these errors and develop educationally meaningful and legally correct special education programs that confer a FAPE.

More and more residential and light commercial air conditioning equipment is being built with HFC-410A instead of HCFC-22. The refrigerant is being made by several manufacturers under different brand names. [...]

BackgroundProlonged storage of transfused red blood cells (RBCs) is associated with hemolysis in healthy adults and inflammation in animal models. We aimed to determine whether storage duration affects markers of hemolysis (e.g., serum bilirubin, iron, and non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI)) and inflammation (e.g., interleukin (IL)-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1) in transfused very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.MethodsBlood samples from 23 independent transfusion events were collected by heel stick before and 2–6 h after transfusion.ResultsSerum iron, total bilirubin, NTBI, and MCP-1 levels were significantly increased after transfusion of RBCs (P<0.05 for each comparison). The storage age of transfused RBCs positively correlated with increases in NTBI following transfusion (P<0.001; R2=0.44). No associations between storage duration and changes in the other analytes were observed.ConclusionTransfusion of RBCs into VLBW infants is associated with increased markers of hemolysis and the inflammatory chemokine MCP-1. RBC-storage duration only correlated with increases in NTBI levels following transfusion. NTBI was only observed in healthy adults following 35 days of storage; however, this study suggests that VLBW infants are potentially more susceptible to produce this pathological form of iron, with increased levels observed after transfusion of only 20-day-old RBCs.

Background:Subtle changes in vital signs and their interactions occur in preterm infants prior to overt deterioration from late-onset septicemia (LOS) or necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Optimizing predictive algorithms may lead to earlier treatment.Methods:For 1,065 very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants in two neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), mean, SD, and cross-correlation of respiratory rate, heart rate (HR), and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were analyzed hourly (131 infant-years’ data). Cross-correlation (cotrending) between two vital signs was measured allowing a lag of ± 30 s. Cases of LOS and NEC were identified retrospectively (n = 186) and vital sign models were evaluated for ability to predict illness diagnosed in the ensuing 24 h.Results:The best single illness predictor within and between institutions was cross-correlation of HR-SpO2. The best combined model (mean SpO2, SDHR, and cross-correlation of HR-SpO2,) trained at one site with ROC area 0.695 had external ROC area of 0.754 at the other site, and provided additive value to an established HR characteristics index for illness prediction (Net Reclassification Improvement: 0.205; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.113, 0.328).Conclusion:Despite minor inter-institutional differences in vital sign patterns of VLBW infants, cross-correlation of HR-SpO2and a 3-variable vital sign model performed well at both centers for preclinical detection of sepsis or NEC.

Background:We evaluated the potential utility of elevated urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (UNGAL) concentration as a screening test for early identification of acute kidney injury (AKI) in very low birth weight (VLBW) newborns.Methods:Urine for UNGAL analysis was collected prospectively daily until 32 wk postmenstrual age in 91 VLBW newborns, yielding 2,899 specimens. UNGAL values > 50 ng/ml were considered elevated. AKI was defined as two or more consecutive elevations in s[Cr] above the 95thpercentile adjusted for gestational age and chronological age within a 48 h period. We compared UNGAL values taken during the 5 d prior to AKI onset (pre-AKI) to values taken during non-AKI days.Results:Overall, 15 episodes of AKI were identified in 13 infants. UNGAL was available in 44 pre-AKI days and 969 non-AKI days. UNGAL > 50 ng/ml occurred more often in pre-AKI days than in non-AKI days (risk ratio 3.48 (1.89, 6.40)). Positive and negative likelihood ratios were 1.92 (1.52, 2.41) and 0.52 (0.34, 0.78), respectively.Conclusion:Although UNGAL elevation > 50 ng/ml discriminates between pre-AKI and non-AKI days, high false positive and false negative rates limit utility as a screening test in VLBW newborns.

Introduction: Infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome are at risk for growth failure, particularly after stage 1 procedures. The effect of continuous enteral feedings on weight gain has not been previously investigated.Methods: A randomized controlled trial was performed in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and single ventricle variants after stage 1 procedures. Eligible infants were randomized to a continuous and intermittent feeding regimen or an exclusive intermittent feeding regimen after stage 1 procedures and continued until hospital discharge. Anthropometric measures and markers of nutritional status were assessed throughout hospitalization.Results: Twenty-six infants completed the study. There were no significant differences in weight gain, growth, or nutritional status. Weight gain on full enteral feedings was 24.3 versus 23.6 g/d (P= .88) for the combination (continuous and intermittent) versus intermittent feeding groups. Weight-for-age Zscores at discharge were −1.37 versus −1.2 (P= .59) for the combination versus intermittent groups.Conclusions: No significant differences in weight gain, growth, or nutritional status were observed at hospital discharge between the two feeding strategies. Despite both groups achieving target daily weight gain after attaining full feeds, growth failure continued to be a problem after stage 1 procedures. Further strategies to improve growth during initial hospitalization are needed.

Blue: The Derek Jarman Poems by Keith Garebian; edited by John Barton Signature Editions. 96 pages, $12.95 (paper) Graced by degrees of subtle citation, Canadian poet Keith Garebian's recent collection [...]

El Minya white cement plant For many years, Helwan Portland Cement Co (HPCC) has been making white cement at its Helwan plant just south of Cairo with a capacity of [...]

Background:To assess the ability of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (UNGAL) to discriminate between culture-positive vs. culture-negative late-onset sepsis evaluations.Methods:This is a prospective observational study of 136 neonates who underwent =1 sepsis evaluation at >72?h of age. Urine was obtained at the time of sepsis evaluation to measure UNGAL concentration. Using generalized estimating equations controlling for gender, gestational and postnatal age, acute kidney injury, and within-patient correlations, pair-wise contrasts between mean log UNGAL concentrations of infants with negative sepsis evaluations vs. culture-positive sepsis and presumed sepsis were assessed. Discrimination characteristics at several UNGAL cutoff concentrations were assessed using receiver-operating characteristic curves.Results:The predicted mean log UNGAL values of culture-positive sepsis and presumed sepsis vs. negative sepsis evaluations differed significantly (P < 0.001 and P = 0.02, respectively). At a cutoff = 50?ng/ml, UNGAL discriminated between culture-positive sepsis and culture-negative sepsis evaluations with sensitivity = 86%, specificity = 56%, positive predictive value = 41%, negative predictive value = 92%, and number needed to treat = 3.Conclusion:UNGAL is a noninvasive biomarker with high negative predictive value at the time of late-onset sepsis evaluation in neonates and could be a useful adjunct to traditional components of sepsis evaluations.

Background:Serum creatinine (s[Cr]) reference ranges for very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants must account for physiologic changes in the first months of life.Methods:We retrospectively identified a sample of 218 appropriate-for-gestational age (GA) VLBW infants without risk factors for renal impairment, and classified into one of three GA groups: 25–27, 28–29, and 30–33?wk. We observed three phases of s[Cr] change (initial, decline, and equilibrium), whose characteristics varied by GA group. We used mixed-effects regression models to estimate mean and upper 95th prediction interval of s[Cr] for each GA group from birth to 34–36?wk post menstrual age (PMA).Results:In phase I, s[Cr] increased after birth, then returned slowly to baseline. The duration of phase I and the magnitude of s[Cr] rise decreased with increasing GA. In phase II, s[Cr] declined abruptly at a rate that increased with GA. A gradual transition to phase III, a steady-state equilibrium with similar s[Cr] among GA groups, began at approximately 34–36?wk PMA. We constructed GA group-specific nomograms depicting s[Cr] behaviour across the three phases.Conclusion:The reference ranges derived from a sample of infants without risk factors for renal impairment provide a context for quantitative interpretation of s[Cr] trends in VLBW infants.

Pulse oximetry has become ubiquitous and is used routinely during neonatal care. Emerging evidence highlights the continued uncertainty regarding definition of the optimal range to target pulse oximetry oxygen saturation levels in very low birth weight infants. Furthermore, maintaining optimal oxygen saturation targets is a demanding and tedious task because of the frequency with which oxygenation changes, especially in these small infants receiving prolonged respiratory support. This article addresses the historical perspective, basic physiologic principles behind pulse oximetry operation, and the use of pulse oximetry in targeting different oxygen ranges at various time-points throughout the neonatal period.

The unusual genetic properties of the non-chromosomal genetic elements [URE3] and [PSI+] led to them being identified as prions (infectious proteins) of Ure2p and Sup35p respectively. Ure2p and Sup35p, and now several other proteins, can form amyloid, a linear ordered polymer of protein monomers, with a part of each molecule, the prion domain, forming the core of this ß-sheet structure. Amyloid filaments passed to a new cell seed the conversion of the normal form of the protein into the same amyloid form. The cell's phenotype is affected, usually from the deficiency of the normal form of the protein. Solid-state NMR studies indicate that the yeast prion amyloids are in-register parallel ß-sheet structures, in which each residue (e.g. Asn35) forms a row along the filament long axis. The favourable interactions possible for aligned identical hydrophilic and hydrophobic residues are believed to be the mechanism for propagation of amyloid conformation. Thus, just as DNA mediates inheritance by templating its own sequence, these proteins act as genes by templating their conformation. Distinct isolates of a given prion have different biological properties, presumably determined by differences between the amyloid structures. Many lines of evidence indicate that the Saccharomyces cerevisiae prions are pathological disease agents, although the example of the [Het-s] prion of Podospora anserina shows that a prion can have beneficial aspects.

Many refrigeration equipment manufacturers have been issuing guidelines recommending that refrigeration contractors should change the equipment's lubricants from mineral oil to alkylbenzene when retrofitting systems away from chlorofluorocarbons to alternative refrigerants. Since some compressors already use alkylbenzene as a lubricant, contractors should rely on compressor manufacturer manuals for guidance during the retrofit. Use of the proper oil lubricant facilitates oil return in compressors enabling successful refrigeration equipment operation., Wilmington, Del. -- The production of all CFCs, including R-12 and R-502, ended on December 31, 1995, in the United States and in other developed countries. As a result, R-12 [...]

'The Boychoir of Lesbos: Between the Folds/From Throat to Shining Throat' uses queer theory to examine the performative effect of lesbian sexuality and gender as they intersect in the vocal performance work of The Boychoir of Lesbos. With citations to Wayne Koestenbaum's formative work on opera and homosexuality, the author provides a historical overview of the singing performance troupe and their holistic, somewhat 'environmental' approach to the formulation of the choir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transthyretin (TTR) is a largely β-sheet serum protein responsible for transporting thyroxine and vitamin A. TTR is found in amyloid deposits of patients with senile systemic amyloidosis. TTR mutants lead to familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy and familial amyloid cardiomyopathy, with an earlier age of onset. Studies of amyloid fibrils of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy mutant TTR suggest a structure similar to the native state with only a simple opening of a β-strand-loop-strand region exposing the two main β-sheets of the protein for fibril elongation. However, we find that the wild-type TTR sequence forms amyloid fibrils that are considerably different from the previously suggested amyloid structure. Using protease digestion with mass spectrometry, we observe the amyloid core to be primarily composed of the C-terminal region, starting around residue 50. Solid-state NMR measurements prove that TTR differs from other pathological amyloids in not having an in-register parallel β-sheet architecture. We also find that the TTR amyloid is incapable of binding thyroxine as monitored by either isothermal calorimetry or 1,8-anilinonaphthalene sulfonate competition. Taken together, our experiments are consistent with a significantly different configuration of the β-sheets compared to the previously suggested structure.

The yeast prions [URE3] and [PSI] are not found in wild strains, suggesting they are not an advantage. Prion-forming ability is not conserved, even within Saccharomyces, suggesting it is a disease. Prion domains have non-prion functions, explaining some conservation of sequence. However, in spite of the sequence being constrained in evolution by these non-prion functions, the prion domains vary more rapidly than the remainder of the molecule, and these changes produce a transmission barrier, suggesting that these changes were selected to block prion infection. Yeast prions [PSI] and [URE3] induce a cellular stress response (Hsp104 and Hsp70 induction), suggesting the cells are not happy about being infected. Recently, we showed that the array of [PSI] and [URE3] prions includes a majority of lethal or very toxic variants, a result not expected if either prion were an adaptive cellular response to stress.

Prions are infectious proteins, without the need for an accompanying nucleic acid. Nonetheless, there are connections of prions with translation and RNA, which we explore here. Most prions are based on self‐propagating amyloids. The yeast [PSI+] prion is an amyloid of Sup35p, a subunit of the translation termination factor. The normal function of the Sup35p prion domain is in shortening the 3′ polyA of mRNAs and thus in mRNA turnover. The [ISP+] prion is so named because it produces antisuppression, the opposite of the effect of [PSI+]. Another connection of prions with translation is the influence on prion propagation and generation of ribosome‐associated chaperones, the Ssbs, and a chaperone activity intrinsic to the 60S ribosomal subunits. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Need for the early identification of sepsis in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants has led to the search for reliable biomarkers. This study aims to determine whether urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) rises in culture-positive sepsis and, if so, is elevated at the time sepsis is suspected. This is a prospective study of 91 VLBW infants whose urine was collected daily for uNGAL analysis. In 65 episodes of suspected sepsis, four groups were identified: a) culture-positive sepsis; b) single culture positive for Staphylococcus epidermidis; c) and d) negative culture with antibiotic treatment for =7 d and <7 d, respectively. Daily means of uNGAL of each group were estimated for comparison. Mean uNGAL in group A (179 ng/mL) was significantly elevated on the day blood culture was drawn (day 0) compared with the mean of healthy VLBW infants (6.5 ng/mL), and to the means in groups B, C, and D (p < 0.05). In group A, mean uNGAL was significantly elevated on day 0 and daily for 5 days when compared with that of the day before culture (p < 0.05 to <0.005). uNGAL shows promise as an early marker for culture-positive sepsis in VLBW infants.

In very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, acute renal impairment (ARI) is common, but there is no consensus about criteria for its diagnosis. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is an early and sensitive indicator of renal impairment in experimental animals, children, and adults. Urinary NGAL (UNGAL) is detectable in VLBW infants; however, there is no reference range in this population. The objective of this study is to define the reference range for UNGAL in VLBW infants with no risk factors for acute renal impairment. UNGAL concentration was determined in urine samples collected from day of life (DOL) 4 through DOL 30 in 50 newborns with uncomplicated clinical courses, selected from a total of 145 prospectively enrolled appropriate for gestational age inborn VLBW premature infants. The birth weight and gestational age ranges were 790-1490 g and 26–33 wk, respectively. The median, 95th and 99th percentiles, and range of pooled UNGAL values were 5 ng/mL, 50 ng/mL, 120 ng/mL, and 2–150 ng/mL, respectively. Greater variability and higher quantile levels of UNGAL were observed in females versus males. In conclusion, a reference range for UNGAL in VLBW infants, similar to that in children and adults, has been established.

Aβ42 has been found to associate rapidly to neuronal cells and is the primary constituent of senile plaques. In this study we monitored the aggregation of Aβ42 with living PC12 cells. Using photobleaching Förster resonance energy transfer, we observed one set of aggregates that displayed colocalization and another that displayed energy transfer. Cell surface aggregates were found to become resistant to potassium iodide (KI)-induced quenching. Exposed Aβ42 regions were probed with three monoclonal antibodies directed against the N-terminus, an internal sequence, and the C-terminus of Aβ42. Two populations of aggregates were revealed: one that bound all three antibodies, and one that bound all but the C-terminus antibody. Of interest, using fluorescent recovery after photobleaching, we observed no Aβ42 exchange within either type of aggregate. These findings offer what we believe is new insight into the conformations of Aβ42 that accumulate on the surface of living cells. One conformation is incapable of energy transfer, is sensitive to KI, and binds C-terminus-specific antibodies. The other conformation increases in number over time, is capable of energy transfer, is quencher-resistant, and has a sequestered C-terminus. With further studies to characterize Aβaggregation on live cells, the underlying mechanisms leading to Alzheimer's disease may be revealed.

Focuses on the queerness of the performance art in Canada. Definition of the conflicted term queer as word often associated with sexuality; Impact on the application of the word 'queer' to performance art; Triumphs of queer solo artist in the High Performance Rodeo festival in the country; Identification of shows which displayed a vivid manifestation of queerness in its theme.

Abstract: Patients with semantic dementia can show superior immediate recall of words that they still understand relatively well, as compared with more semantically degraded words, suggesting that conceptual knowledge makes a major contribution to phonological short-term memory. However, a number of studies have failed to show such a recall difference, challenging this view. We examined the effect of several methodological factors on the recall of known and degraded words in 4 patients with semantic dementia, in order to investigate possible reasons for this discrepancy. In general, our patients did exhibit poorer recall of the degraded words and made more phonological errors on these items. In addition, set size affected the magnitude of the recall advantage for known words. This finding suggests that semantic degradation influenced the rate of learning in the immediate recall task when the same items were presented repeatedly. The methods used to select known and degraded items also impacted on the recall difference. List length, however, did not affect the advantage for known words. The coherence of items in phonological short-term memory was affected by their semantic status, but not by the length of the material to be retained. The implications of these findings for the role of semantic and phonological representations in verbal short-term memory are discussed.

The Alzheimer amyloid peptides are the main constituent of the diagnostic hallmark of Alzheimer disease, the senile plaque. A halo of neurodegeneration surrounds the senile plaques observed in the brains of Alzheimer patients. Significant efforts are under way to determine whether the Alzheimer peptides are the causal agents of this neurodegeneration. We review the developments in identifying the putative interaction sites of Alzheimer amyloid peptides on cells and intact brain tissue. We focus on the specificity of this interaction and on the molecular nature of potential receptors. These studies form the bases for developing therapeutics that target potential interaction sites and inhibit Alzheimer amyloid peptide deposition. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci), 2004