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El manejo de la enfermedad de Parkinson en la mujer en edad fértil nos plantea como principal reto el manejo de la enfermedad y los fármacos durante el embarazo y lactancia. El aumento de la edad gestacional de la mujer hace más probable que la incidencia de embarazos pueda incrementarse.

Muchas enfermedades que cursan con trastornos del movimiento hipercinético comienzan o afectan a mujeres en edad fértil. Es importante conocer los riesgos que tienen las mujeres con estas enfermedades durante el embarazo, así como los posibles efectos de los tratamientos sobre el feto.

Antecedentes El efecto del tratamiento primario de privación androgénica (TPA) en pacientes con cáncer de próstata (CP) localizado no está bien documentado. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar el resultado de los tumores tratados con TPA como terapia primaria en el Registro Español de Cáncer de Próstata (19,4% de la serie).

The seasonal and interannual variability of the Brazil Current (BC) at 22°S is examined using expendable bathythermograph (XBT) transect and satellite altimetry data from 1993 to 2017. The XBT‐based mean absolute geostrophic transport of the BC is estimated as 4.7 ± 1.9 Sv, with additional 0.9 ± 0.9 Sv along the shelf. The strong agreement between the absolute dynamic height and altimetric sea surface height is used in two methods to reconstruct a daily time series of the BC transport since 1993. The altimetry‐based methods can represent well the BC transport seasonal cycle, whereas the XBT‐based estimates are slightly aliased by the strong regional mesoscale variability. At interannual timescales, the BC transport is significantly correlated (r= 0.43) with the wind stress curl in the western half of the basin with a lag of 19 months, which is consistent with baroclinic adjustment timescales. Other sources of variability can be observed in a case study of the summer 2009/2010 event, which was characterized by strong sea surface temperature anomalies of approximately 3 °C. During the event, the BC reached 11 Sv for nearly 3 months, partly driven by an increased coastal upwelling from a cyclonic wind stress anomaly, a standing eddy along the section, and thermosteric anomalies that reached the offshore side of section in February. Heat anomalies were transported southward along the subtropical gyre following the BC path in a period of 2 months, which is consistent with advective timescales. Potential implications for extreme sea level and summer precipitation events in South America are discussed. Two methods were developed to create a 25‐yearlong time series of the Brazil Current (BC) volume transport across 22°S using expendable bathythermograph data and altimetry. The seasonal variability of the BC is out‐of‐phase with the wind stress curl across the basin, suggesting that wave adjustment and local winds control the seasonality. At interannual timescales, the wind stress curl in the western side of the basin and the regional upwelling control the BC variability. In the summer of 2009/2010, the BC transport was 3 times stronger than its mean. The event was characterized by a strong warm sea surface temperature anomaly propagating westward into the region and an associated anticyclonic wind stress anomaly. Results suggest that the BC strengthening was linked to a decreased near‐shore sea level of ~20 cm due to increased coastal upwelling, and an increased offshore sea level of 15 cm influenced by the warm anomaly. Seasonal variability of the BC is out‐of‐phase with the Sverdrup transport due to baroclinic adjustmentThe BC transport variability is associated to the wind stress curl in the western part of the basin and coastal upwellingIn the 2009/2010 event, anticyclonic winds lower the coastal sea level, and warm anomalies increase sea level offshore, strengthening the BC

Direct‐acting antivirals have proved to be highly efficacious and safe in monoinfected liver transplant (LT) recipients who experience recurrence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, there is a lack of data on effectiveness and tolerability of these regimens in HCV/HIV‐coinfected patients who experience recurrence of HCV infection after LT. In this prospective, multicenter cohort study, the outcomes of 47 HCV/HIV‐coinfected LT patients who received DAA therapy (with or without ribavirin [RBV]) were compared with those of a matched cohort of 148 HCV‐monoinfected LT recipients who received similar treatment. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. HCV/HIV‐coinfected patients had a median (IQR) CD4 T‐cell count of 366 (256‐467) cells/µL. HIV‐RNA was <50 copies/mL in 96% of patients. The DAA regimens administered were SOF + LDV ± RBV (34%), SOF + SMV ± RBV (31%), SOF + DCV ± RBV (27%), SMV + DCV ± RBV (5%), and 3D (3%), with no differences between the groups. Treatment was well tolerated in both groups. Rates of SVR (negative serum HCV‐RNA at 12 weeks after the end of treatment) were high and similar for coinfected and monoinfected patients (95% and 94%, respectively; P= .239). Albeit not significant, a trend toward lower SVR rates among patients with advanced fibrosis (P= .093) and genotype 4 (P= .088) was observed. In conclusion, interferon‐free regimens with DAAs for post‐LT recurrence of HCV infection in HIV‐infected individuals were highly effective and well tolerated, with results comparable to those of HCV‐monoinfected patients. Direct‐acting antivirals against HCV offer a very high and similar efficacy and safety in HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative liver transplant recipients.

El uso de antidepresivos está muy extendido en la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP), aunque existen pocos estudios de calidad que aclaren su eficacia.

Single atom catalysts (SACs) possess unique catalytic properties due to low-coordination and unsaturated active sites. However, the demonstrated performance of SACs is limited by low SAC loading, poor metal–support interactions, and nonstable performance. Herein, we report a macromolecule-assisted SAC synthesis approach that enabled us to demonstrate high-density Co single atoms (10.6 wt % Co SAC) in a pyridinic N-rich graphenic network. The highly porous carbon network (surface area of ∼186 m2g–1) with increased conjugation and vicinal Co site decoration in Co SACs significantly enhanced the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in 1 M KOH (η10at 351 mV; mass activity of 2209 mA mgCo–1at 1.65 V) with more than 300 h stability. Operando X-ray absorption near-edge structure demonstrates the formation of electron-deficient Co-O coordination intermediates, accelerating OER kinetics. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal the facile electron transfer from cobalt to oxygen species-accelerated OER.

A computer model was developed to study the stresses that develop within the oxide formed on the surface of reheated steel slabs. The model considers that the crust grows during reheating following temperature dependent parabolic rates, and, as result of its thickness and growth rate, it will be stressed. Removal of this crust takes place by the impingement of water from high pressure jets installed in descaling units, which are located prior to deformation to avoid oxide imprint on the steel surface. Removal of the oxide layer depends on the velocity and amount of the water, as well as the force of the impact. A criterion based on these parameters can be established to determine the feasibility for oxide removal.

Molecular simulations were performed to determine the structure and behavior of methane hydrate complexes in the interlayer of Na-rich montmorillonite and beidellite smectite. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations used NPT ensembles in a 4 × 4 × 1 supercell comprised of montmorillonite or beidellite with methane hydrate complexes in the interlayer. The simulations presented here are in agreement with experimental data that show a significantly expanded interlayer (Guggenheim and Koster van Groos 2003; Koster van Groos and Guggenheim 2009). The smectite 2:1 layer forms part of the coordination sphere enclosing methane molecules; the MD results show that water molecules close to the siloxane surface form mixed cages that enclose methane molecules between basal oxygen atoms of the silicate rings and water molecules from the hydrogen bonding network. However, the higher tetrahedral charge did not favor the formation of methane hydrate components in the interlayer. Thus, methane hydrate complexes can be formed in pure montmorillonite more easily than in beidellite.

Information regarding liver retransplantation in HIV‐infected patients is scant. Data from 14 HIV‐infected patients retransplanted between 2002 and 2011 in Spain (6% retransplantation rate) were analyzed and compared with those from 157 matched HIV‐negative retransplanted patients. In HIV‐infected patients, early (≤30 days) retransplantation was more frequently indicated (57% vs. 29%; p = 0.057), and retransplantation for HCV recurrence was less frequently indicated (7% vs. 37%; p = 0.036). Survival probability after retransplantation in HIV‐positive patients was lower than in HIV‐negative patients, 42% versus 64% at 3 years, although not significantly (p = 0.160). Among HIV‐infected patients, those with undetectable HCV RNA at retransplantation and those with late (>30 days) retransplantation showed better 3‐year survival probability (80% and 67%, respectively), similar to that in their respective HIV‐negative counterparts (72% and 70%). In HIV‐infected and HIV‐negative patients, 3‐year survival probability in those with positive HCV RNA at retransplantation was 22% versus 65% (p = 0.008); in those with early retransplantation, 3‐year survival probability was 25% versus 56% (p = 0.282). HIV infection was controlled with antiretroviral therapy after retransplantation. In conclusion, HIV‐infected patients taken as a whole have unsatisfactory survival after liver retransplantation, although patients with undetectable HCV RNA at retransplantation or undergoing late retransplantation show a more favorable outcome.

The correlation between personality traits and judge performance was studied. The 16-personality factors questionnaire of Cattell was applied to 200 participants. Judge performance was evaluated following a series of taste and odor tests. Judges were then asked to rank basic different taste solutions. Finally, judges discriminated between purified water and sweet solution (29 mM) using the triangle test. Participant's health habits (smoking and alcohol consumption) were reported. Results showed that, out of 200 recruited participants, 66 were found discriminators. No correlations between judge performance and health habits were found. Two personality traits were correlated to sensory discrimination ability: The serious type personality was correlated to discriminators, while the experimenting type personality correlated to non-discriminators. These results suggest the importance of using personality trait tests during sensory judge selection.Los rasgos de personalidad y la capacidad discriminatoria de 200 candidatos a jueces sensoriales fueron estudiados. Los rasgos de personalidad se evaluaron a traves del cuestionario de factores de personalidad de Catell y el desempeno de los jueces se evaluo con pruebas de reconocimiento de olor y de sabor, pruebas de ordenacion a diferentes niveles de dulzor y pruebas discriminatorias entre soluciones de sacarosa al 29 mM y agua purificada, usando la prueba triangular. Algunos habitos de salud de los participantes (fumar y consumo de alcohol) fueron reportados. Los resultados mostraron que de los 200 participantes, 66 resultaron ser discriminadores. No se observo correlacion entre los habitos de salud y la capacidad discriminatoria de los jueces. Dos rasgos de personalidad presentaron correlacion con la capacidad discriminatoria de los jueces: La personalidad 'seria' se correlaciono con jueces discriminatorios en las pruebas sensoriales, mientras que la personalidad 'experimentador' se correlaciono con candidatos sin capacidad discriminatoria. Estos resultados sugieren la importancia del uso de pruebas de personalidad en la seleccion de jueces sensoriales.Palabras clave: Rasgos de personalidad, seleccion de panel, evaluacion sensorial

Two new ascomycetes, Boerlagiomyces costaricensis(Pleosporales) and Scopinella musciformis(Sordariales sensu lato), from litter samples collected in rainforests of Costa Rica, are described and illustrated. Boerlagiomyces costaricensishas globose, ostiolate ascomata covered by numerous setae-like hairs; cylindrical, fissitunicate asci without apical structures; and large, fusiform, muriform, hyaline to pale brown ascospores. Scopinella musciformisis characterized by ostiolate ascomata with a few compact clusters of hypha-like hairs distributed on the peridial surface and a long neck; ovate to ellipsoidal unitunicate asci; and small quadrangular ascospores with diagonal germ slits.

The construction of organic−inorganic scaffolds based on γ-zirconium phosphate and polyethylenoxa diphosphonates is described. Microcrystalline materials with a controlled, low degree of pillaring are synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, solid-state NMR, and thermogravimetric analysis. The mechanism for the topotactic polyethylenoxa-pillaring reaction is proposed and confronted with previous ones suggested for the reaction of nonpolar organic diphosphonates. The affinity among the polyethylenoxa chains and the superficial acidic phosphates of the layered salt is thus clearly evidenced. The work shows how the inner structure of the pillared microcrystals may be easily modified by a second exchange of the remaining superficial phosphates by other phosphorus species as the low-polar hypophosphite. The rigidity of the layers and the wedge-like effect of intercalated amines at the edges of the microcrystals cause them to increase the interlayer distance, and hence porosity, in a flash fashion.

Cookeite occurs in low-grade, chloritoid-bearing metapelites of the Cameros Basin, northern Iberian Range, Spain, as thin coatings on poikiloblastic pyrite crystals <25 cm on edge. Textural relations imply formation via hydrothermal fluids in a syn- to late-regional metamorphic environment. Selectedarea electron diffraction patterns of cookeite display a wide range of stacking order-disorder, from patterns with streaking parallel to c* in k ≠ 3n reflections to sharply defined reflections having one-, two-, and greater than two-layer periodicities. Well-ordered polytypes in crystals up to 0.1 µm thick are of type Ia, as determined by powder X-ray diffraction. Coexisting chamosite likewise displays a range of order in polytypism from complete disorder to the well-ordered IIb polytype which is typical of low-grade metamorphism.

Pillared γ-zirconim phosphate at low level with a diphosphonic acid resulting from the addition of pentaethyleneglycol to diethyl vinyl phosphonate was prepared and used as a porous matrix to intercalate LnCl3 (Ln = Eu, Tb) and 2,2-bipyridyl (bpy). The uptake levels of both species in mild conditions were 0.35 and 0.10 equivalents per Zr, respectively. Strong interactions between the lanthanide ion and the polyethylenoxa chains were evidenced. Although powder XRD of the composite showed two interlayer distances (1.7 and 2.2 nm) indicating that the material was not homogeneous, excitation luminescence spectra confirmed strong lanthanide bpy-sensitized emission which was more than 50 times higher than that in nonpillared γ-zirconium phosphate.

Frictional effects on sharp indentation of strain hardening solids are examined in this paper. The results of finite element simulations in a wide range of solids allow us to derive two simplified equations, accounting for the influence of the friction coefficient on hardness. Comparisons between the simulations and instrumented micro-indentation experiments are undertaken to ensure the validity of the former to metallic materials. Quantitative estimates of the role of friction on the development of pileup and sinking-in around the contact boundary are also given in the paper. These results provide a physical insight into the plastic flow features of distinctly different solids brought into contact with sharp indenters. Overall, the investigation shows that the amount of pileup can be used to set the range of validity of the two hardness equations indicated above. Friction has the largest influence on the contact response of solids exhibiting considerable piling-up effects (whose parameter √ of α>1.12, see text for details), whereas materials developing moderate pileup or sinking-in are less sensitive to friction. Finally, a methodology is devised to assess the influence of the friction coefficient on mechanical properties extracted through indentation experiments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Identification of organic compounds from plants is of clinical significance because of the effect that they might have in patients with haematopoietic disorders. We studied the effect of the plant extract Justicia spicigera (Acanthaceae) in different haematopoietic cells: human leukaemic cell lines, umbilical cord blood cells, and mouse bone marrow cells. By examining colony formation and performing the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay it was shown that the plant extract of Justicia spicigera contains cytotoxic factors for leukaemic cells and has no proliferative activity on normal haematopoietic progenitor cells. Our results show that this plant extract induces apoptosis in the human leukaemia cell line TF-1, but not in the bcl-2 transfectant cell line TB-1. Similar results were obtained using a haemopoietic cell line 32D and 32DBcl2. The cultures of umbilical cord blood cells and mouse bone marrow that contain granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) do not proliferate or become terminally differentiated in the presence of the infusion of Justicia spicigera. GM-CSF that acts by abrogating programmed cell death is not sufficient to inhibit the apoptotic stimulus in TF-1 and 32D cells. Moreover mouse fibroblasts (3T3) and two cervical carcinoma cell lines CALO and INBL, undergo apoptosis in the presence of different concentrations of an infusion from the plant. Our data show that there is a strong correlation between the cytotoxic effect and cell proliferation. Together, these results indicate that the plant infusion of Justicia spicigera does not contain any haematopoietic activity, induces apoptosis inhibited by bcl-2 and is linked to cell proliferation. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Identification of organic compounds from plants is of clinical significance because of the effect that they might have in patients with haematopoietic disorders. We studied the effect of the plant extract Justicia spicigera(Acanthaceae) in different haematopoietic cells: human leukaemic cell lines, umbilical cord blood cells, and mouse bone marrow cells.

This paper presents a vision-based landmark recognition system for use in mobile robot navigation tasks.It is able to learn new landmarks with very little human intervention.The recognition system can read text inside landmarks, when present.The system uses genetic algorithms (GA) for both learning and recognition processes.Some of the landmarks learnt has been tested for indoor-outdoor topological navigation.The presented experimental illustrate the success of the proposed algorithm.The resulting localization system has been integrated in a complex navigation system onboard on a B21 mobile robot.

The evolution of texture, structure and chemical composition of chloritic clays in coeval pairs of metabasites and metapelites of a prograde sequence from the Bükk Mountains has been investigated using electron microscopy techniques. Samples are from the Bükkium (innermost Western Carpathians, Hungary) that underwent Alpine metamorphism, ranging from late diagenesis to epizone for pelites and from prehnite-pumpellyite to greenschist facies for the metabasites. Although bulk-rock compositions, textures and primary minerals are different, chlorite evolved at similar rates in coeval metabasites and metasediments, but along different paths. The principal similarities in the prograde sequence are a decrease in the percentage of interstratified material in both dioctahedral and trioctahedral phyllosilicates and increase in thicknesses of chlorite and illite crystallites. The principal difference is in the type of interstratification in chlorite, with berthierine in metapelites, and smectite (saponite) in metabasites, although smectitic mixed layers also occur in the former. The evolution of trioctahedral phyllosilicates is marked by a decrease in the number of mineral species with increasing grade, chlorite, sensu stricto, being the only trioctahedral mineral at higher grades. This is consistent with the trend in reaction progress where both metastable systems (metabasites and metapelites) tend toward the same end-member, thermodynamically stable chlorite, as well as texture (crystal size), and where all intermediate states are metastable, and determined by the Ostwald step rule.

A large body of work has proved that transcription by RNA polymerase II and pre‐mRNA processing are coordinated events within the cell nucleus. Capping, splicing and polyadenylation occur while transcription proceeds, suggesting that RNA polymerase II plays a role in the regulation of these events. The presence and degree of phosphorylation of the carboxy‐terminal domain of RNA polymerase II large subunit is important for functioning of the capping enzymes, the assembly of spliceosomes and the binding of the cleavage/polyadenylation complex. Nuclear architecture and gene promoter structure have also been shown to play key roles in coupling between transcription and splicing.

Abstract The reaction by which kaolinite transforms to I-S has been studied by SEM and lEM using core samples from the Salton Sea Scientific Drilling Project. Kaolinite is abundant from the surface to a depth of ~300 m (~115°C), decreasing in abundance and becoming undetectable at a depth of ~500 m (~160°C), with a concomitant increase in abundance of I-So In a 256-m deep sample, kaolinite occurs as large (~100 µm) detrital grains, in the fine-grained <1 µm) matrix, and as packets forming stacks in detrital biotite and muscovite. In sharp contrast, no kaolinite was detected in the sample from a depth of 477 m but illite and minor I-S occur in the matrix. Authigenic chlorite occurs as subhedral crystals in the matrix with subparallel illite crystals, and as muscovite-chlorite stacks. I-S occurs in three ways: (1) Interlayered within kaolinite as a few, curved layers with 10- and 20-Å periodicities with the characteristics of collapsed, dehydrated I-So Along-layer transitions with change in (001) d-value from 7 to 10 Å occur. (2) As coalescent, randomly oriented packets filling pore space in the matrix. (3) Interlayered with detrital muscovite. These observations show that RI I-S in Salton Sea-area sediments forms primarily through alteration of kaolinite and muscovite of detrital origin over a temperature interval of ~100 to < ~200 oe, with I-S serving as a precursor to illite. Reaction occurs both by direct layer-by-Iayer replacement of kaolinite and muscovite, and by dissolution, ion transport and crystallization in pore space. Both processes involve dissolution and crystallization, with only the scale of transport varying from that of along-layer interfaces to the dimensions of pore space. The pH value and activity of K+ in the hydrothermal brines play important roles in the alteration process and control the simultaneous transformation of both kaolinite and muscovite to I-So

BackgroundTumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and nitric oxide modulate damage in several experimental models of liver injury. We have previously shown that protection against D-galactosamine (D-GalN) induced liver injury by prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁) was accompanied by an increase in TNF-α and nitrite/nitrate in serum.AimsThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of TNF-α and nitric oxide during protection by PGE₁ of liver damage induced by D-GalN.MethodsLiver injury was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of 1 g/kg of D-GalN. PGE₁ was administered 30 minutes before D-GalN. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was inhibited by methylisothiourea (MT), and TNF-α concentration in serum was lowered by administration of anti-TNF-α antibodies. Liver injury was evaluated by alanine aminotransferase activity in serum, and histological examination and DNA fragmentation in liver. TNF-α and nitrite/nitrate concentrations were determined in serum. Expression of TNF-α and iNOS was also assessed in liver sections.ResultsPGE₁ decreased liver injury and increased TNF-α and nitrite/nitrate concentrations in serum of rats treated with D-GalN. PGE₁ protection was related to enhanced expression of TNF-α and iNOS in hepatocytes. Administration of anti-TNF-α antibodies or MT blocked the protection by PGE₁ of liver injury induced by D-GalN.ConclusionsThis study suggests that prior administration of PGE₁ to D-GalN treated animals enhanced expression of TNF-α and iNOS in hepatocytes, and that this was causally related to protection by PGE₁ against D-GalN induced liver injury.

Physiological changes during the ripening of whole and peeled bananas stored in chambers with automodified atmospheres were evaluated. Calcium carbide was applied to preclimacteric bananas for ripening initiation. Three different lots were placed into glass containers, which were maintained at 20 ± 0.5 °C. The treatments evaluated were: peeled bananas inside the glass container, whole (unpeeled) bananas inside the glass containers, and control, unpeeled bananas outside the chambers. Peeling of firm green fruits did not induce spoilage nor interfere with the normal ripening of the bananas when they were kept inside the automodified atmosphere. Under this storage, peeled ba nanas showed better qualities than whole bananas. The ripeness of peeled bananas in automodified atmospheres was similar to that of control fruits.

Mixed lineage kinases DLK (dual leucine zipper-bearing kinase) and MLK3 have been proposed to function as mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinases in pathways leading to stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase activation. Differences in primary protein structure place these MLK (mixed lineage kinase) enzymes in separate subfamilies and suggest that they perform distinct functional roles. Both DLK and MLK3 associated with, phosphorylated, and activated MKK7 in vitro. Unlike MLK3, however, DLK did not phosphorylate or activate recombinant MKK4 in vitro. In confirmatory experiments performed in vivo, DLK both associated with and activated MKK7. The relative localization of endogenous DLK, MLK3, MKK4, and MKK7 was determined in cells of the nervous system. Distinct from MLK3, which was identified in non-neuronal cells, DLK and MKK7 were detected predominantly in neurons in sections of adult rat cortex by immunocytochemistry. Subcellular fractionation experiments of cerebral cortex identified DLK and MKK7 in similar nuclear and extranuclear subcellular compartments. Concordant with biochemical experiments, however, MKK4 occupied compartments distinct from that of DLK and MKK7. That DLK and MKK7 occupied subcellular compartments distinct from MKK4 was confirmed by immunocytochemistry in primary neuronal culture. The dissimilar cellular specificity of DLK and MLK3 and the specific substrate utilization and subcellular compartmentation of DLK suggest that specific mixed lineage kinases participate in unique signal transduction events.

This study analyzed the coagulation changes in twenty patients after orthotopic liver transplantation. The pro-coagulant, anticoagulant, and fibrinolytic systems were studied during the first two postoperative weeks. Within the first postoperative day all extrinsic and intrinsic pathway factors became normal except factors IX, VII, and X, which recovered within the next 24 hr. Of interest are the changes in factor VIII, which reached a high concentration with an increase in its antigenic fraction during the study. However, coagulation inhibitors showed a different pattern. In fact, antithrombin III (AT-III) and protein C (PC) needed from 7 to 14 days to reach normal values. Total protein S (TPS) and free protein S (FPS) did not recover until day 7, whereas heparin cofactor II (HC-II) remained at subnormal levels throughout the study. Thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) values were strikingly elevated in the immediate postoperative period. Fibrinolysis parameters showed plasminogen (PL) levels in the normal range until day 4. Antiplasmin (AP) followed a curve parallel to that of plasminogen but its levels were higher during this observation period. Similarly the initial elevation in plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 endothelial type (PAI-1) levels remained high until days 4 and 7. In summary, it can be concluded that during the postoperative phase after OLT a hypercoagulable state is developed as a result of diminished anticoagulant and fibrinolytic activity. This coagulation might be a nontechnical factor contributing to the thrombotic vascular complications of some liver recipients.

Summary Neurofilaments in axons are highly phosphorylated at multiple sites on the 200 kDa neurofilament (neurofilament-H) and 160 kDa (neurofilament-M) subunit peptides. We used a panel of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against distinct neurofilament epitopes to study the distribution of these epitopes along the axons of large myelinated fibres in rat sciatic nerve using quantitative electron microscopic immunocytochemistry with colloidal gold. Antibodies specific for phosphorylated epitopes on neurofilament-H showed a 60% reduction in density of immunoreactivity at the node of Ranvier, compared to the internodal axon. Antibodies directed against neurofilament-M, which recognized phosphorylated epitopes preferentially, showed a 40% reduction in density of immunoreactivity at the node. Following dephosphorylation of the neurofilaments in tissue sections by alkaline phosphatase treatment, antibodies which recognized dephosphorylated forms of neurofilament-H showed no reduction in density of immunoreactivity at the node. Similarly, an antibody directed against the 70 kDa subunit (neurofilament-L), showed no reduction in density of immunoreactivity at the node.

Summary In order to elucidate the role of S100 proteinin vivo we used postembedding electron microscopical immunocytochemistry with commercially available antibodies to S100, and secondary antibodies conjugated to colloidal gold to determine the distribution of S100 protein in the sciatic nerve and the cervical sympathetic trunk of the rat. We found that S100 immunoreactivity in Schwann cells was differentially distributed. The amount of S100 immunoreactivity in myelinated fibres appeared to correlate directly with the thickness of the myelin sheath formed by the Schwann cell. Unmyelinated fibres were identical to the small myelinated fibres in S100 immunoreactivity. Within the Schwann cells, the immunoreactivity was seen in the nucleus and in the perikaryal cytoplasm, as well as in the Schmidt-Lanterman clefts and in the paranodal loops at the node of Ranvier, but not in the myelin itself. Using these antibodies we did not see reproducible or convincing intra-axonal immunoreactivity in normal nerve.

We used the oxalate-pyroantimonate technique to determine the ultrastructural distribution of Ca++ in neurons of the rat sciatic nerve. The content of the precipitate was confirmed by X-ray microanalysis and appropriate controls. In the cell bodies of the dorsal root ganglia, Ca++ precipitate was found in the Golgi, mitochondria, multivesicular bodies and large vesicles of the cytoplasm but not in lysosomes, and was prominently absent from regions of rough endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes. It was seen in the nucleus but not in the nuclear bodies or nucleolus.

The biochemistry and regulation of dual leucine zipper bearing kinase (DLK), a member of the mixed lineage kinase or MLK subfamily of protein kinases, was examined in the nervous system. DLK transcript expression in the nervous system was predominantly neuronal. DLK protein was present in synaptic terminals where it was associated with both plasma membrane and cytosol fractions. Within these two fractions, DLK had differing characteristics. Cytosolic DLK existed in both a phosphorylated and dephosphorylated state; DLK associated with plasma membrane existed in the dephosphorylated state only. On nonreducing SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, cytosolic DLK migrated at 130 kDa, while membrane associated DLK migrated with an apparent Mr >/= 260,000. Similarly, DLK transiently expressed in COS 7 cells autophosphorylated in vivo and migrated at approximately 260 kDa when separated by nonreducing SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In cotransfection experiments, FLAG-tagged DLK or a FLAG-tagged truncated DLK mutant (F-Delta520) was coimmunoprecipitated with Myc-tagged DLK and formed complexes under nonreducing conditions consistent with the conclusion that DLK formed covalently associated homodimers in overexpressing COS 7 cells. In aggregating neuronal-glial cultures, depolarization of plasma membrane lead to dephosphorylation of DLK. Treatment of aggregates with 5 nM or 200 nM okadaic acid lead to a shift in electrophoretic mobility consistent with phosphorylation of DLK. Treatment with cyclosporin A, a specific inhibitor of the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase 2B (calcineurin), had no effect on DLK phosphorylation under basal conditions. However, cyclosporin A completely inhibited DLK dephosphorylation upon membrane depolarization.

Ca++-ATPase plays an important role in regulation of the intracellular Ca++ concentration. Biochemical studies of brain have demonstrated that Ca++-ATPase co-purifies with synaptosomes, with synaptic plasma membrane and synaptic vesicle fractions. To better understand the role of this enzyme in normal brain function, we used an electron microscopic (EM) cytochemical method to determine the localization of Ca++-ATPase in rat brain. Reaction product occurred along cytoplasmic membranes. Specific areas of increased reaction product were seen at many but not all post-synaptic densities. Intracellular Ca++-ATPase reaction product was associated with all synaptic vesicles examined and with the Golgi and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER). Unlike the situation in peripheral nerve, Ca++-ATPase at the node of Ranvier in the CNS localized preferentially to the nodal axolemma. The localization of Ca++-ATPase at synaptic vesicles agrees with the biochemical evidence for its localization and with the cytochemical evidence for Ca++-ATPase sequestration in those vesicles. The restricted localization at postsynaptic densities suggests that it may be involved in extrusion of Ca++ at synapses where neurotransmitter release causes Ca++ influx.

A preterm black girl was born at 35 weeks of gestation to a healthy nonconsanguineous couple. She had a very short trunk with disproportionately long extremities, mild prognathism, low-set ears, thoracolumbar meningomyelocele, and imperforate anus. She died 45 min after birth. Roentgenograms revealed hemivertebrae, block vertebrae, severe thoracic lordosis, absent sacrum, posterior fusion of some ribs with greater distance among them in the anterior thorax, and relatively long extremities. Internal examination showed an intact meningomyelocele extending from the first thoracic vertebra to the lumbosacral region, containing 150 mL of clear fluid. The lungs were severely hypoplastic. Spondylocostal dysostosis encompasses a spectrum of vertebral abnormalities ranging from spina bifida occulta to large meningomyelocele and from mild to severe thoracic deformities that produce pulmonary hypoplasia and respiratory insufficiency. Our case is one of the most severe ever described.

Nitrite and nitrate levels of vacuum-packaged frankfurters from four commercial brands were tested over 145 days' storage at 3°C. The use of both curing salts KNO3and NaNO2, was indicated by only two manufacturers on the label. However, nitrate levels from 36 to 88 mg KNO3/kg were also found in those where only nitrite was mentioned among the ingredients. A good correlation between nitrite and nitrate levels and storage time was shown by multiple linear regression analysis. The results obtained were compared with those from frankfurters prepared in a pilot plant with different concentrations of NaNO2, alone or combined with 200 mg KNO3/kg.

Neuroblastoma x glioma NG108-15 hybrid cells exposed to N6, O2'-dibutyryladenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate for several days release [3H]acetylcholine in response to serotonin, prostaglandin F2alpha, KCl, or veratridine. NG108-15 cells grown in the absence of dibutyrul cyclic AMP do not respond to an excitatory stimulus by releasing [3H]acetylcholine but can be shifted to a responsive state by treatment with dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Thus, the reactions that are required for acetylcholine release can be regulated in NG108-15 cells, thereby regulating the ability of cells to form synapses and the efficiency of synaptic communication.

Adult white leghorn hens hyperimmunised with Brazilian snake venoms of the genus Bothropsand/or Crotalusproduced antibodies capable of recognising, combining with and neutralising the toxic and lethal components of the venoms. The antibodies were first detected by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay two weeks after starting the immunisation schedule, reached the highest titres by the third week and remained high for at least 24 weeks. These antibodies are transferred to the egg yolk from which they were isolated as enriched IgY preparations by a combination of methods using positive and negative precipitation with sodium sulphate and/or caprylic acid. The yolk‐derived IgY preparations contained antibodies which blocked the phospholipase A2‐dependent haemolytic activity of both venoms and the haemorrhagic activity of Bothropsvenom, and neutralised the toxic lethal activities of the venoms with good efficacy. The median effective dose (ED50) of the IgY anti‐Bothropsvenom was 592.5 μl/2LD50and, 1.0 ml neutralised 0.0675 mg of venom. The ED50of the IgY anti‐Crotalusvenom was 457.5 μl/3LD50and 1.0 ml neutralised 0.075 mg of venom.

A combined physical and genetic map of the chromosome of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis IL1403 was determined. We constructed a restriction map for the NotI, ApaI, and SmaI enzymes. The order of the restriction fragments was determined by using the randomly integrative plasmid pRL1 and by performing indirect end-labeling experiments. The strain IL1403 chromosome was found to be circular and 2,420 kb in size. A total of 24 chromosomal markers were mapped on the chromosome by performing hybridization experiments with gene probes for L. lactis and various other bacteria. Integration of pRC1-derived plasmids via homologous recombination allowed more precise location of some lactococcal genes and allowed us to determine the orientation of these genes on the chromosome. Recurrent sequences, such as insertion elements and rRNA gene (rrn) clusters, were also mapped. At least seven copies of IS1076 were present and were located on 50% of the chromosome. In contrast, no copy of ISS1RS was detected. Six ribosomal operons were found on the strain IL1403 chromosome; five were located on 16% of the chromosome and were transcribed in the same direction. A comparison of the physical maps of L. lactis subsp. lactis IL1403 and DL11 showed that these two strains are closely related and that the variable regions are located mainly near the rrn gene clusters. In contrast, despite major restriction pattern dissimilarities between L. lactis IL1403 and MG1363, the overall genetic organization of the genome seems to be conserved between these two strains.

In Escherichia coli HfrH 58, isolated by Shimada et al., a heat-inducible phage has been integrated in a secondary attachment site. We have characterized tha nature of the lambda integration. The exuR regulatory gene is inactivated by prophage integration. Genetic and biochemical analysis indicated a gene order: uxaA-uxaC-exuT-(exuR')-lambdaNRAJ (exuR''). By induction of HfrH 58, one class of deletions extending into the exu region was obtained. Analysis of these deletions confirms the exu region topography and the regulatory mechanism of the hexuronate system previously described. It has been possible to regenerate a functional exuR gene by prophage exision. Various lambda transducing particles plaque-forming and defective transducing phages carrying the left part or the right part of the exu region, have been derived from the secondary site lysogen HfrH 58. A phage carrying the entire exuR region was constructed by a cross between these two types of phage. The construction and characterization of these exu transducing phages are presented.