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Objective The objective was to examine the relationship between patient uncertainty at the time of emergency department (ED) discharge as measured by the "Uncertainty Scale" (U-Scale) and 30-day return ED visits. We hypothesized that a higher score on the U-Scale predicts a higher likelihood of a 30-day return ED visit. Methods This was a cross-sectional single-site pilot study performed with adult patients discharged from an urban academic ED to assess the relationship of U-Scale total and subscale scores with 30-day return ED visits. We collected demographic and U-Scale scores at the time of ED discharge and subsequent 30-day ED utilization data by follow-up telephone call. Results No association was found between the total U-Scale score and subsequent ED utilization. Patients with higher uncertainty on the Treatment Quality subscale of the U-Scale had higher odds of a 30-day return ED visit (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.16), while patients with lower uncertainty on the Decision to Seek Care subscale had higher odds of a 30-day return ED visit (AOR = 0.68). Conclusion Patient uncertainty as measured by the U-Scale total score was not predictive of subsequent ED utilization. However, uncertainty related to treatment quality and the decision to seek care as measured by the U-Scale subscales may be important in predicting repeat ED utilization. Unlike individual patient factors such as age and race that have been associated with frequent ED visits in prior studies, these domains of uncertainty are potentially modifiable. Providers and health systems may successfully prevent recurrent acute care encounters through implementation of interventions designed to address patient uncertainty. Further work is needed to refine the U-Scale and test its predictive utility among a larger patient cohort.

This research examined soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) and aboveground phytomass carbon(PhC) stocks in two areas of the Taymyr Peninsula, northern Siberia.We combined field sampling, ...

Summary Permafrost degradation may cause strong feedbacks of arctic ecosystems to global warming, but this will depend on if, and to what extent, organic matter (OM) is protected against biodegradation by mechanisms other than freezing and anoxia. Here, we report on the amount, chemical composition and bioavailability of particulate (POM) and mineral-associated OM (MOM) in permafrost soils of the East Siberian Arctic. The average total organic carbon (OC) stock across all soils was 24.0 ± 6.7 kg m−2 within 100 cm soil depth. Density fractionation (density cut-off 1.6 g cm−3) revealed that 54 ± 16% of the total soil OC and 64 ± 18% of OC in subsoil horizons was bound to minerals. As well as sorption of OM to clay-sized minerals (R2 = 0.80; P < 0.01), co-precipitation of OM with hydrolyzable metals may also transfer carbon into the mineral-bound fraction. Carbon:nitrogen ratios, stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes, 13C-NMR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that OM is transformed in permafrost soils, which is a prerequisite for the formation of mineral-organic associations. Mineral-associated OM in deeper soil was enriched in 13C and 15N, and had narrow C:N and large alkyl C:(O-/N-alkyl C) ratios, indicating an advanced stage of decomposition. Despite being up to several thousands of years old, when incubated under favourable conditions (60% water-holding capacity, 15°C, adequate nutrients, 90 days), only 1.5–5% of the mineral-associated OC was released as CO2. In the topsoils, POM had the largest mineralization but was even less bioavailable than the MOM in subsoil horizons. Our results suggest that the formation of mineral-organic associations acts as an important additional factor in the stabilization of OM in permafrost soils. Although the majority of MOM was not prone to decomposition under favourable conditions, mineral-organic associations host a readily accessible carbon fraction, which may actively participate in ecosystem carbon exchange.

Rotarix(TM) vaccine was introduced into the National Program of Immunization of Morocco in October 2010, reaching quickly 87% of the target population of children nationally. The incidence of rotavirus gastroenteritis and the prevalence of circulating rotavirus strains has been monitored in three sentinel hospitals since June 2006. The average percentage of rotavirus positive cases among all children under 5 years old hospitalized for gastroenteritis during the pre-vaccine period (2006-2010) was 44%. This percentage dropped to 29%, 15% and 24% in the 3 years post vaccine introduction (2011, 2012 and 2013), which is a decline of 34%, 66%, and 45%, respectively. Declines in prevalence were greatest among children 0-1 years of age (53%) and were most prominent during the winter and autumn rotavirus season. The prevalence of the G2P[4] and G9P[8] genotype sharply increased in the post vaccine period (2011-2013) compared to the previous seasons (2006-2010). Rotavirus vaccines have reduced greatly the number of children hospitalized due to rotavirus infection at the three sentinel hospitals; it is however unclear if the predominance of G2P[4] and G9P[8] genotypes is related to the vaccine introduction, or if this is attributable to normal genotype fluctuations. Continued surveillance will be pivotal to answer this question in the future.

Field measurements of photosynthetic carbon isotope discrimination ((13)Δ) of Fagus sylvatica, conducted with branch bags and laser spectrometry, revealed a high variability of (13)Δ, both on diurnal and day-to-day timescales. We tested the prediction capability of three versions of a commonly used model for (13)Δ [called here comprehensive ((13)(Δcomp)), simplified ((13) Δsimple) and revised ((13)(Δrevised)) versions]. A Bayesian approach was used to calibrate major model parameters. Constrained estimates were found for the fractionation during CO(2) fixation in (13)(Δcomp), but not in (13)(Δsimple), and partially for the mesophyll conductance for CO(2)(gi). No constrained estimates were found for fractionations during mitochondrial and photorespiration, and for a diurnally variable apparent fractionation between current assimilates and mitochondrial respiration, specific to (13)(Δrevised). A quantification of parameter estimation uncertainties and interdependencies further helped explore model structure and behaviour. We found that (13)(Δcomp) usually outperformed (13)(Δsimple) because of the explicit consideration of gi and the photorespiratory fractionation in (13)(Δcomp) that enabled a better description of the large observed diurnal variation (≈9‰) of (13)Δ. Flux-weighted daily means of (13)Δ were also better predicted with (13)(Δcomp) than with (13)(Δsimple).

In this study the emergence of rotavirus A genotype G12 in children

Recent (13) CO(2) canopy pulse chase labeling studies revealed that photosynthesis influences the carbon isotopic composition of soil respired CO(2) (δ(13) C(SR)) even on a diel timescale. However, the driving mechanisms underlying these short-term responses remain unclear, in particular under drought conditions. The gas exchange of CO(2) isotopes of canopy and soil was monitored in drought/nondrought-stressed beech (Fagus sylvatica) saplings after (13) CO(2) canopy pulse labeling. A combined canopy/soil chamber system with gas-tight separated soil and canopy compartments was coupled to a laser spectrometer measuring mixing ratios and isotopic composition of CO(2) in air at high temporal resolution. The measured δ(13) C(SR) signal was then explained and substantiated by a mechanistic carbon allocation model. Leaf metabolism had a strong imprint on diel cycles in control plants, as a result of an alternating substrate supply switching between sugar and transient starch. By contrast, diel cycles in drought-stressed plants were determined by the relative contributions of autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration throughout the day. Drought reduced the speed of the link between photosynthesis and soil respiration by a factor of c. 2.5, depending on the photosynthetic rate. Drought slows the coupling between photosynthesis and soil respiration and alters the underlying mechanism causing diel variations of δ(13) C(SR).

Circular migration between Mexico and the United States historically has been very common. For most Mexicans, migration north of the border was not a once-in-a-lifetime event, but a mobility strategy repeated multiple times over the course of a migratory career, with trips for wage labor abroad being interspersed with stays at home. As a result, Mexican migrants accumulate U.S. experience across a number of different trips and, potentially, in a variety of different legal statuses. Although some migrants may hold the same legal status on each trip, others shift documentation over time. For example, a migrant might initially cross the border without documents to work without authorization, return home, and then reenter later with a temporary work visa, only to return home again to marry someone who can sponsor them for permanent resident status, and then come back again as a legal permanent resident. Indeed, given the proximity of Mexico to the United States and the long history of migration between the two countries, the typical Mexican immigrant is likely to have made multiple trips and accumulated different amounts of U.S. experience in several legal statuses. We began this work seeking to determine whether U.S. labor market experience accumulated in undocumented versus temporary or permanent legal status had long-term implications for the jobs attained and wages earned by legal Mexican migrants. We hypothesized that time accumulated in undocumented or temporary status might not carry the same benefits and returns as time accumulated in permanent resident status. Compared with documented migrants, those without documents and those holding temporary work visas are constrained in the sorts of jobs they can obtain and are in a poor position to bargain for wages. Undocumented migrants are generally confined to the lowest rungs of the secondary labor market and have no effective labor rights. Likewise, temporary work visas are issued to employers rather than workers, thus constraining job mobility, skill formation, and wages and giving them very limited labor rights. In order to consider whether experience accumulated under legal auspices had long term consequences for immigrant earnings, we turned to data from the Mexican Migration Project, which contains complete migratory histories for all household heads with U.S. migratory experience. Using these data, we selected all migrants who had achieved legal status by the time of their last U.S. trip and then identified the different pathways to legalization the migrants had followed (the sequences of statuses held prior to adjustment) and computed the cumulative time spent in different legal statuses. We then matched the pathways and accumulated times with information on wages earned on the most recent U.S. trip. Analyzing these data, we found that, other things equal, the specific pathway a migrant followed to legalization had no effect on wages earned or occupations held after legal status was achieved. When we examined differences by legal status in the economic returns to U.S. experience, however, we found complex interactions with period of migration and discovered a sharp break in how human capital of all kinds was rewarded before and after 1996. Before that date, migrants with more education, greater English language ability, and higher levels of U.S. experience were more likely to attain a skilled occupation, whether the experience was in undocumented or temporary status. Afterward, the positive effect of education declined, English language lost its effect on occupational attainment, undocumented experience declined to insignificance, and experience accumulated with a temporary visa came to have a negative effect on the odds of getting a skilled job. In terms of wages, we observed similar differences in the returns to education, English language ability, and U.S. experience before and after 1996. We argue here that major shifts in U.S. immigration and border policies during the mid-1990s undermined the labor market position of Mexican immigrants to the United States, even those with legal documents, the group we focus on here. We present data documenting the dramatic nature of American policy shifts and consider their likely influence on immigrant labor markets. We then estimate regression equations to predict occupational and wage attainments before and after 1996 to reveal a very clear deterioration in the labor market position of legal immigrants who, in theory, but apparently not in practice, enjoy full labor rights in the United States.

A total of 1,591 fecal specimens were collected in 1993–1996 and 2004–2007 from adolescents and adults with acute gastroenteritis in Pune, India for detection and characterization of rotavirus. At the two time points, group A rotavirus was detected in 8.6% and 16.2% of the adolescents and 5.2% and 17.2% of the adults, respectively. Reverse transcription‐PCR with consensus primers followed by multiplex genotyping PCR detected common strains G1P[8], G2P[4], G3P[8], and G4P[8] in a total of 53.1% of the samples from 1993 to 1996, while the only prevalent strain identified in 2004–2007 was G2P[4] (23.5% of total). Uncommon rotavirus strains (G1P[4], G2P[8] G9P[6]/P[4]) increased from 7.8% (1993–1996) to 41.2% (2004–2007), while the prevalence of mixed rotavirus infections was high (39%/35%) at both time points. Mixed infections detected by multiplex PCR were confirmed by sequencing two or more individual genotype‐specific PCR products of the VP7 and VP4 genes from the same sample. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences showed circulation of a heterogeneous rotavirus strain population comprising genotypes G1 (lineages I and IIb), G2 (lineages I and IIb), G4 (lineage Ia), P[4] (lineages P[4]‐5 and P[4]‐1), P[8] (lineages P[8]‐II and P[8]‐III), and P[6] (M37‐like lineage). The VP6 gene sequences of the nontypeable strains were most homologous to animal strains. This study documents the molecular epidemiology of rotavirus strains in adolescents and adults in India, and suggests that it may be important to monitor these strains over time for the potential impact on rotavirus vaccines under development for use in the Indian population. J. Med. Virol. 82:519–527, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Bimodal fiber meshes with fiber diameters differing by one order of magnitude, are electrospun in a simple one-step process, using a standard single syringe electrospin setup. The nano- and microfiber meshes combine the benefits of nanofibers (cell adhesion, proliferation) with those of microfibers (open structure, large pore size) and are therefore interesting as scaffolds for cellular infiltration.

The role of group C rotaviruses as a cause of diarrhea was examined among children

Intracellular calcium responses are a characteristic of glial activation upon neuronal activity. In acutely isolated preparations of the guinea pig retina, Müller glial cells displayed cytosolic calcium rises in response to repetitive light stimulation. The calcium rises consisted of two components, a slowly developing immediate response that occurred simultaneously over the whole length of all Müller cell fibers and a delayed fast response that originated in the ganglion cell layer and spread as a wave through the bodies of some Müller cells toward the outer processes in the photoreceptor layer. The slow calcium response was evoked by photoreceptor-to-glia signaling, resulting in a glutamate transporter- and zinc-mediated alteration in the membrane potential and an influx of calcium from the extracellular space. The fast calcium response was evoked by a release of calcium from intracellular stores, probably after activation of purinergic receptors. The data suggest that light stimulation of the retina causes glial activation by alterations in both the membrane potential and receptor-mediated mechanisms. The former may be implicated in glial support of the neuronal signal transfer from photoreceptors to ganglion cells (glial forward signaling), whereas the latter may constitute a glial feedback signaling from ganglion cells to photoreceptors.

The circulation of the unusual P[9]G12 strains was previously reported in suburban Buenos Aires, Argentina and in Far Eastern Asian countries. To examine genetic relationships of these strains the genes coding VP7, VP4, and NSP1 from two Argentine, one Japanese and one Korean P[9]G12 isolates were sequenced and their overall genome relatedness was determined by liquid hybridization. In addition, liquid hybridization was used to compare this group of strains to the previous G12 isolates L26 and Se585, and prototype Wa, DS-1, and AU-1 strains. The genomes of the Argentinean, Japanese and Korean strains were virtually indistinguishable by hybridization assays, suggesting very high sequence relatedness for all 11 segments. Hybridization assays also demonstrated that these four strains belong to the AU-1 genogroup and that their genetic relationship with rotaviruses L26 and Se585 is limited to the VP7 gene. The VP7, VP4, and NSP1 genes of the Argentinean, Japanese and Korean strains were highly homologous to each other and to Thai strain T152 (∼99% identity). These results together with the report of a similar strain detected during 2003 in Brazil are consistent with a recent importation and dissemination of the G12 strains from Far Eastern countries into South America. Increasing reports from several regions of the world demonstrating a variety of different G12 reassortant strains suggests that routine surveillance for this serotype should be conducted to determine its potential for global emergence. J. Med. Virol. 81:371–381, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Group A rotaviruses are the main cause of acute dehydrating diarrhea in children, responsible for high mortality in developing countries and a significant socio-economic burden associated with treating the disease in developed countries. Two rotavirus vaccine candidates predicated on either homotypic or heterotypic protection have undergone clinical trials recently and await licensure for routine use. In anticipation of a future vaccination campaign in Hungary, the diversity of rotaviruses collected from Budapest between 2000 and 2003 were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of the viral genome and by serotyping and genotyping of the outer capsid genes, VP7 and VP4. Among 2,763 rotavirus positive specimens available for analysis, we were able to determine the electropherotype of 2,227, and, of these, 1,517 (68.1%) were subjected to G typing and 1,173 (52.7%) were subjected to P typing. We successfully G typed 1,481 (97.6%) and P typed 1,130 (96.3%) strains, respectively. A total of six G types (G1, 50.2%; G2, 2.2%; G3, 1.7%; G4, 5.8%; G6, 0.6%; and G9, 34.4%) and four P types (P[4], 3.0%; P[6], 0.7%; P[8], 89.9%; and P[9], 1.7%) were identified in nine individual combinations (P[8],G1; P[4],G2; P[8],G3; P[8],G4; P[8],G9; P[6],G4; P[4],G1; P[9],G3; and P[9],G6). The prevalence of VP7 and VP4 specificities varied from year to year. In this regard, a shift in serotype predominance from G1 in 2000–2001 (61.8%) and 2001–2002 (69.7%) to G9 in 2002–2003 (51.3%) was an intriguing observation that has been reported recently in some other countries, as well. The emergence of serotype G9 rotaviruses in Hungary and other parts of the world may have implications for future vaccine development and use, particularly, if current vaccine candidates cannot confer adequate homotypic or heterotypic protection against these strains. J. Med. Virol. 76:414–423, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Vaccination is the current strategy for control and prevention of severe rotavirus infections, a major cause of acute, dehydrating diarrhoea in young children worldwide. Public health interventions aimed at improving water, food and sanitation are unlikely adequately to control the disease. The development of vaccines against severe rotavirus diarrhoea is based upon homotypic or heterotypic protection provided against either a single common G serotype (monovalent vaccines) or against multiple serotypes (multivalent vaccines). Rotavirus strain surveillance has a high priority in disease control programmes worldwide. The continued identification of the most common G and P serotypes for inclusion in vaccines is an important priority. And subsequent to the introduction of a vaccine candidate, not only monitoring of circulating strains is recommended, but also surveillance of potential reassortment of animal rotavirus genes from the vaccine into human rotavirus strains is critical. Conventional methods used in the characterisation of rotavirus strains, such as enzyme immunoassay serotyping and reverse-transcription PCR-based genotyping often fail to identify uncommon and newly appearing strains. The application of newer molecular approaches, including sequencing and oligonucleotide microarray hybridisation, may be required to characterise such strains. The present paper presents a brief overview of the variety of standard methods available, followed by suggestions for a systematic approach for routine rotavirus strain surveillance as well as for characterisation of incompletely typed rotavirus strains. Improved detection and characterisation of incompletely typed strains will help to develop a comprehensive strain surveillance that may be required for tailoring effective rotavirus vaccines.

Rotavirus serotype G6 has been demonstrated to be a rare cause of gastroenteritis in man. To date, only a few well characterized strains have been described from Italy, Australia, and the United States. Nucleotide sequencing of G6 VP7 genes shows that these strains belong to two distinct G6 lineages, one for strains of serotype P11[14],G6 (PA169-like strains) and one for strains of serotype P3[9],G6 (PA151-like strains). In this study, we sequenced the VP7 genes and VP8* gene fragments of human rotavirus G6 strains detected in Hungary. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the VP7 genes of Hungarian G6 strains fell into three lineages, represented by a single PA169-like strain, three PA151-like strains, and two novel G6 strains, respectively. The amino acid sequence identity of VP7 was 97.2–100% within each lineage and 92–93.9% between any two lineages. The sequence analysis of VP8* revealed that the single PA169-like Hungarian G6 strain belonged to genotype P[14] and was phylogenetically closely related to P11[14],G6 strains characterized previously. In contrast, the VP8* of PA151-like Hungarian G6 strains clustered in accordance with their VP7 genes representing genetically distinguishable variants of genotype P[9]. This finding raises the possibility that Hungarian genotype P[9],G6 strains might have been generated through independent reassortment events. Serotype G6-specific primers for each human G6 lineage were also developed. The use of these primers in reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction genotyping may help determine the epidemiological role of G6 strains in humans. J. Med. Virol. 71:124–134, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

A test set-up is presented which is able to measure the arc voltage of vacuum interrupters after breakdown with currents in the lower kHz-range. Arc voltage measurements from this set-up are presented. The obtained dynamic voltage/current characteristics are discussed and compared to the known voltage current characteristic of a power frequency arc in vacuum. A simple vacuum arc model is presented describing the voltage current characteristic. The model is applied to assess the energy dissipation in the arc.

During a study aimed at generating a bispecific molecule between BN antagonist (D-Trp(6),Leu(13)-psi[CH(2)NH]-Phe(14))BN(6-14) (Antag1) and mAb22 (anti-FcgammaRI), we attempted to cross-link the two molecules by introducing a thiol group into Antag1 via 2-iminothiolane (2-IT, Traut's reagent). We found that reaction of Antag1 with 2-IT, when observed using HPLC, affords two products, but that the later eluting peptide is rapidly transformed into the earlier eluting peptide. To understand what was occurring we synthesized a model peptide, D-Trp-Gln-Trp-NH(2) (TP1), the N-terminal tripeptide of Antag1. Reaction of TP1 with 2-IT for 5 min gave products 1a and 3a; the concentration of 1a decreased with reaction time, whereas that of 3a increased. Thiol 1a, the expected Traut product, was identified by collecting it in a vial containing N-methylmaleimide and then isolating the resultant Michael addition product 2a, which was confirmed by mass spectrometry. Thiol 1a is stable at acidic pH, but is unstable at pH 7.8, cyclizes and loses NH3 to give N-TP1-2-iminothiolane (3a), ES-MS (m/z) [602.1 (M+H)(+)], as well as regenerating TP1. Repeat reaction with Antag1 and 2-IT allowed us to isolate N-Antag1-2-iminothiolane (3b), FAB-MS (m/z) [1212.8 (M+H)(+)] and trap the normal Traut product 1b as its N-methylmaleimide Michael addition product 2b, ES-MS (m/z) [1340.8 (M+H)(+)]. Thiol 1b is also stable at acidic pH, but when neutralized is unstable and cyclizes, forming 3b and Antag1.

High resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was applied to quantify alterations in thymus and adrenal volumes, as well as body fat in genetically engineered corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-overexpressing mice. When compared to the organs in age-matched wild-type animals, the adrenals in CRF-overexpressing male mice were significantly enlarged and the thymus volume in females was significantly smaller. The fat content was significantly larger in CRF-overexpressing mice. The anatomical alterations observed in the MRI studies were in perfect line with post-mortem data (weights of organs). Furthermore, the observed interstrain differences are in agreement with recently published data on (i) the effect of continuous, intraventricular infusion of CRF in rats and (ii) the presence of atrophic adrenals in CRF-knockout mice. The present studies demonstrate that MRI can provide reliable measures of relatively small structures such as the adrenal glands and the thymus in mice. This makes MRI an attractive, non-terminal tool to monitor in laboratory animals, including transgenic mice, the consequence of continuous stress on relevant organs.

One hundred rotavirus strains detected in children with acute diarrhea in Blantyre, Malawi, between July 1997 and January 1998 were characterized for G (VP7) and P (VP4) types by using multiplex, heminested, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. A novel P[6]G8 rotavirus strain was identified in 42% of the specimens. The remaining strains comprised P[8]G3 (20%), P[6]G3 (10%), P[4]G8 (9%), P[6]G9 (3%), P[8]G4 (2%), P[6]G4 (2%), and P[4]G3 (1%). Rotavirus strains with mixed G or P types were identified in 2% of the specimens. Nine percent of the strains were nontypeable with the primers used. The P[6] genotype was identified in 57% of strains overall. This first description of serotype G8 rotavirus as a predominant strain has important implications for vaccine development in Africa. The finding of novel P/G combinations (P[6]G8 and P[4]G8) highlights the extraordinary diversity of rotaviruses in some countries.

The first rotavirus vaccine was licensed in the United States on 31 August 1998 for the prevention of severe rotavirus diarrhea in children. Despite this landmark in new vaccines, many pediatricians and public health professionals in Europe are uncertain of the need for this vaccine for the routine immunization of infants. In Europe, ample evidence suggests that rotavirus is the most common cause of hospitalizations for severe diarrhea among children, but proper studies documenting the disease burden of rotavirus or the cost-effectiveness of a rotavirus immunization program have only been conducted in the United Kingdom following epidemiologic models used in the United States. All children are infected with rotavirus during their first few years of life, 30-50% of diarrheal hospitalizations among children

The rotavirus nonstructural glycoprotein NSP4 may represent the first identified viral enterotoxin. We have sequenced reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-generated fragments of 16 NSP4 genes of human rotavirus (HRV) strains from six different countries, representing seven different G and P type combinations. Based on the amount of sequence divergence between these and 11 previously sequenced NSP4 genes of human and animal rotaviruses, three distinct genetic groups could be recognized. Most strains within a group were closely related to each other at the nucleotide (nt) and amino acid (aa) levels (usually

The Component Process Model hypothesizes that appraisal--the mechanism that elicits and differentiates emotion--is processed sequentially. It predicts that the goal conduciveness check (motivational valence evaluation) is evaluated before the power check (evaluation of the degree of power to act on events). To test this prediction, we recorded event-related potentials (ERPs) during a gambling task in response to feedback that simultaneously presented the goal conduciveness (outcome: win, loss, or break-even) and the power check (options to act on the outcome) information. In line with the sequence hypothesis, mean amplitudes of subsequent ERPs were differentially modulated by the appraisal information. The feedback-related negativity was sensitive to the goal conduciveness check, and the P300 yielded main effects of both appraisal checks. Results suggest that neural evaluative processes associated with appraisal processing are sequential.

The molecular epidemiology of a large, multi-state outbreak of oyster-associated gastroenteritis [Kohn et al. (1995): Journal of the American Medical Association 273:466–471. Dowell et al. (1995): Journal of Infectious Diseases 171:1497–1503.] was examined using new methods to detect small round structured viruses (SRSVs) by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and to characterize strains by Southern hybridization and nucleotide sequencing of 81-bp of a PCR product amplified from the RNA polymerase gene. Of 37 stool specimens examined from patients in eight clusters of the multi-state outbreak, 32 (86%) gave RT-PCR products specific for SRSVs of PI-A phylogenetic group. Nineteen PCR products from the eight clusters were confirmed to have the identical sequence, indicating that this large outbreak was attributed to a single strain of SRSV. In one of the eight clusters, five (63%) of eight patients had a mixed infection with a second SRSV strain that belonged to P2-B phylogenetic group. Of 12 specimens from patients in five other outbreaks and one sporadic case which occurred at the same time as the multistate outbreak, 10 (83%) gave products specific for SRSVs representing four phylogenetic groups (PI-A, PI-B, P2-A, and P2- B). The sequences of the PI-A products from two outbreaks and that of the P2-B product from another outbreak were identical to the P1-A sequence from the eight clusters and the P2–6 sequence from the one cluster of the multistate outbreak, respectively. These results demonstrate the first application of these methods to enhance our understanding of the molecular epidemiology of SRSVs and provide answers of public health interest that could not have been obtained using classical epidemiologic methods alone. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, lnc.1

Summary: Oxcarbazepine (OCBZ, Trileptal) and its main human monohydroxy metabolite (MHD) protected mice and rats against generalized tonic-clonic seizures induced by electroshock with ED50 values between 13.5 and 20.5 mg/kg p.o. No tolerance toward this anticonvulsant effect was observed when rats were treated with OCBZ or MHD daily for 4 weeks. The therapeutic indices were 4 (OCBZ) and >6 (MHD) for sedation (observation test, mice and rats) and 8 (MHD) or 10 (OCBZ) for motor impairment (rotorod test, mice). Both compounds were less potent in suppressing chemically induced seizures and did not significantly influence rat kindling development. At doses of 50 mg/kg p.o. and 20 mg/kg i.m. and higher, OCBZ and, to a lesser extent, MHD protected Rhesus monkeys from aluminum-induced chronically recurring partial seizures. In vitro, OCBZ and MHD suppressed sustained high-frequency repetitive firing of sodium-dependent action potentials in mouse neurons in cell culture with equal potency (medium effective concentration 5 × 10-8M/L). This effect is probably due in part to a direct effect on sodium channels. Patch-clamp studies on rat dorsal root ganglia cells revealed that up to a concentration of 3 × 10-4M, MHD did not significantly interact with L-type calcium currents, whereas OCBZ diminished them by about 30% at the concentration of 3 × 10-4M. In biochemical investigations, no brain neurotransmitter or modulator receptor site responsible for the anticonvulsant mechanism of action of OCBZ and MHD was identified. MHD and both of its enantiomers were of equal anticonvulsant profile and potency in rodent screening tests, with ED50 values ranging from 13 to 34 and 32 to 46 mg/kg p.o. in the electroshock and pentylenetetrazol test in mice, respectively. In addition, all three compounds showed a very similar profile of unwanted side effects. In vitro, they inhibited penicillin-induced epileptic-like discharges in the CA3 area of rat hippocampal slices with equal potency and efficacy at concentrations of 100–500 nm. This effect was attenuated when the potassium-channel blocker 4-aminopyridine was added to the bath fluid, thus indicating that potassium channels may also contribute to the antiepileptic activity of OCBZ.

Direct rotavirus serotyping (VP7, G type) in stool specimens was carried out by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction amplification (RT-PCR) and compared to serotyping by enzyme immunoassay with monoclonal antibodies (EIA-MAb). The methods used for double-stranded (ds) RNA extraction, RT-PCR amplification, and the primers used were modified from previous reports [Gouvea et al.: Journal of Clinical Microbiology 29:519–523, 1990; Gentsch et al.: Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 1992]. For samples that were positive by both methods, the serotypes obtained were identical, however RT-PCR typing was found to be considerably more sensitive (70.4% samples serotyped) than EIA-MAb (35.6% of samples serotyped). The overall sensitivities for detection of rotavirus in stool samples by latex agglutination, enzyme immunoassay, electron microscopy, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and RT-PCR were essentially the same. The results confirm that RT-PCR typing (genotyping) is extremely valuable for G typing of samples which cannot be typed by EIA-MAb. We also developed a PCR confirmation technique for serotypes 1, 2, and 4. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Deuteriumionen mit hoher Energie bis 30 ke V stosen auf mit Deuterium gesattigtes PdAg23 als Target. 1st die Ionenenergie > 25 ke V, beginnt ein mesbarer Neutronenstrom. Der Neutronenstrom ist proportional zum Ionenstrom. Mitgeteilt werden Ergebnisse bei einem Ionenstrom von 2 μA und 27 ke V. Das PdAg ausgefuhrt als einseitig geschlossenes Rohr ist Kathode in einer Elektrolysezelle. Die offene Seite ist mit einer Vakuumapparatur verbunden. Von dieser Seite ragt eine koaxial angeordnete, hochspannungsisolierte Elektronenstos-Ionenkanone in das Rohr. Sie erzeugt Ionen aus dem eindiffundierenden Gas, die in dem starken elektrischen Feld im Vakuumspalt zwischen Ionenkanone und Metallrohr beschleunigt, mit hoher Energie gegen den Diffusionsstrom ins Metall eindringen. Die Fusionsrate ist um Faktor 100 groser als an einem reinen Gastarget.