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The article shares advice on pest management and good greenhouse hygiene, particularly in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia, including the importance of cleaning and sanitizing, setting up a sanitation plan, and adopting a flexible approach to the plan's implementation.

Interaction between Astramol poly(propylene imine) dendrimers of five generations, DAB-dendr-(NH2)x (where x is equal to 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64) and linear poly(sodium acrylate), poly(acrylic) acid, poly(sodium styrenesulfonate), or native DNA was studied in salt-free solutions by means of potentiometric, argentometric, and turbidimetric titrations. In addition to x outer primary amine groups the dendrimer molecule contains x − 2 inner tertiary amine groups. It is found that the pH-controlled interpolyelectrolyte coupling reaction resulting in formation of the corresponding interpolyelectrolyte complexes occurs on mixing of the dendrimer and the polyanion solutions. A peculiar finding was that all dendrimer amine groups being protonated can form ion pairs with carboxylate or sulfonate groups of the polyanions. In other words DAB-dendr-(NH2)x molecules are fully penetrable for rather flexible oppositely charged polyelectrolyte chains. However, this is not the case for rigid negatively charged DNA double helixes which apparently bind only to the dendrimer shell. The complexes of dendrimers, with polyanions containing equal amounts of cationic and anionic groups mostly ion-paired (stoichiometric complexes), are insoluble in water. At the same time water soluble nonstoichiometric interpolyelectrolyte complexes can be obtained if the dendrimer is a deficient component of the complex species. This behavior is similar to that of complexes formed by oppositely charged linear polyions.

Objectives. To compare the efficacy and safety of Pygeum africanum extract, 50 mg twice daily and 100 mg once daily. Methods. Patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) entered a 2-month randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, comparative phase (group A, 50 mg twice daily; group B, 100 mg once daily), followed by a 10-month, open phase (100 mg once daily). Main efficacy assessment parameters included International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax). Results. Two hundred nine patients completed the comparative phase in compliance with the protocol; 174 were included in the open phase. Both treatments had similar efficacy. IPSS (baseline 17 in both groups) improved by 38% in group A and 35% in group B. QOL improved by 28% in both groups. Qmax increased by 1.63 mL/s (16%) in group A and 2.02 mL/s (19%) in group B. After 12 months, the IPSS fell from 16 (baseline) to 9 (−46%). Half of the patients had an IPSS below 8. Mean Qmax increased by 1.65 mL/s (15%). The safety profile was similar between groups and study phases. Conclusions. P. africanum extract at 50 mg twice daily and 100 mg once daily proved equally effective and safe at 2 months. Further improvements in efficacy with a satisfactory safety profile were documented after 12 months.

The growth-modulating effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3[1,25-(OH)2D3] were studied on three mouse embryo fibroblast cell lines. Concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 100 nM inhibited dose-dependently proliferation in the non-tumorigenic C3H/10T1/2 Cl 8 (10T1/2) and the chemically transformed C3H/10T1/2 Cl 16 (Cl 16) cells. The hormone had a biphasic effect on the transformed cell line C3H/10T1/2 TPA 482 (TPA 482) in which growth was stimulated by low concentrations. Exposure to 10 nM 1,25-(OH)2D3for 5 days resulted in a 90% growth inhibition of 10T1/2 cells, and the hormone was 10 and 100 times less potent in Cl 16 and TPA 482 cells, respectively. The inhibition of cell replication was fully reversible on removal of the hormone. Treatment of 10T1/2 and Cl 16 cells with 10 nM 1,25-(OH)2D3reduced the saturation density to 30 and 37% that of controls, respectively, suggesting an enhancement of cell-cell contact mediated growth inhibition. 1,25-(OH)2D3inhibited cytokinesis in 10T1/2 cells, inducing the formation of binucleated cells. Flow cytometric studies showed that 1,25-(OH)2D3-treated cells accumulated in the G0/G1phase while the number of cells in S phase decreased. This in vitromodel syste, seems to be useful for studies of the molecular mechanisms of the growth modulating effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3.

Teicoplanin pharmacokinetics were evaluated after multiple-dose intravenous administration to healthy male volunteers by using a randomized, double-blind, parallel design. Doses of 3, 12, or 30 mg of teicoplanin per kg of body weight were administered every 24 h for 14 days as 60-min constant-rate intravenous infusions. Blood and urine samples were collected over 21 days and analyzed by a microbiological assay. Twenty-three subjects were included in the pharmacokinetic analysis. The median pharmacokinetic parameters upon multiple-dose intravenous administration of 3, 12, and 30 mg/kg included steady-state volumes of distribution of 0.94, 0.77, and 0.68 liter/kg; total clearances of 11.9, 12.0, and 13.2 ml/h/kg; and terminal disposition half-lives of 143, 166, and 96 h, respectively. Renal clearance accounted for approximately 95% of total clearance. No dose-related differences existed for teicoplanin total or renal clearance. The steady-state volume of distribution decreased significantly with increasing doses. As a result of the decrease in the volume of distribution, the terminal disposition half-life at 30 mg/kg was significantly decreased. However, the decreases in the volume of distribution and terminal disposition half-life are of limited clinical importance, since steady-state trough concentrations in serum increase in proportion to dose. Combined results of all multiple-dose studies with similar durations of sample collection indicate no dose-related differences for any pharmacokinetic parameters from 3 to 12 mg/kg. As observed in the present study, no dose-related differences exist for teicoplanin total and renal clearances from 3 to 30 mg/kg. However, at 30 mg/kg, a significant decrease in the steady-state volume of distribution is observed. As a consequence of the reduction in the volume of distribution at 30 mg/kg with no change in clearance, the terminal disposition half-life is decreased.

The film former is in mass percentage the main component in most glass fibre sizes. Its influence on the fibre-matrix adhesion and the compound properties is studied in two thermoplastic matrices, i.e. polypropylene (PP) and rubber-modified styrene-co-maleic anhydride. The composition of the size is varied by changing the chemical nature and molecular mass of the film former and by leaving out the silane. The size's morphology on the glass fibres is studied with scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The effect on fibre-matrix adhesion is inferred from 0° bending and interlaminar shear strength measurements of unidirectional, continuous fibre reinforced composites. The possible effect of the film former on matrix crystallinity in PP is studied with differential scanning calorimetry and polarized-light microscopy. The same sizes are also tested in injection moulded, short fibre reinforced compounds by measuring their mechanical properties. In addition, the diffusion of the size into the matrix is studied by confocal scanning laser microscopy. The main conclusion of this study is that the film former plays a crucial role in the level of fibre-matrix adhesion because it does not diffuse away from the fibre-matrix interface into the matrix. Its effect may be larger than that of the silane. In addition, most mechanical properties of short fibre reinforced compounds improve with increasing fibre-matrix adhesion.

Small-angle neutron scattering has been applied for structural investigations of amine-terminated poly(propylene imine) dendrimer (Astramol) solutions in D2O as a function of concentration and acidity. The forward scattering, dΣ/dΩ(Q = 0), decreases progressively by increasing dendrimer concentration due to interdendrimer interference, giving rise to a well-defined interference peak. Upon increasing dendrimer concentration, a shift is observed in the peak position, Qmax, with the empirical scaling relation Qmax ~ φ^0.55±0.05, which is significantly larger than that of a simple packing argument Qmax ~ φ^1/3. At high Q values, all data sets collapse to a single curve, indicating that the internal structure of the dendrimers are unaffected by interactions between neighboring molecules. Upon addition of acid, the dendrimers become charged, giving rise to a pronounced interference peak. These Coulomb interactions can be screened by addition of either excess acid or salts.

The molecular characteristics of the first five generations of poly(propyleneimine) dendrimers with two different types of end groups have been investigated using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), viscosimetry, and molecular dynamics simulations. The dimension of the poly(propyleneimine) dendrimers, as measured by both SANS and viscosimetry, increases linearly with the generation number and roughly as M^1/3, where M is the molar mass of the dendrimer. This relationship proves to be independent of the character of the end group and the solvent used and is indicative of a compact (space-filling) structure with a fractal dimensionality of approximately 3. The distinct maximum in the Kratky representation of the scattering data and the observed relation (i.e., Rη ≃ %@mt;sys@%%@rl;;@%%@fn;(;vis;full;auto@%5/3%@fnx;);vis;full@%%@ital@%R%@rsf@%%@sb@%g%@sbx@%%@rlx@%%@mx@% ) between the hydrodynamic radius Rη and the radius of gyration Rg are consistent with such a structure. Molecular dynamics simulations for two different solvent qualities are in good accordance with the acquired experimental results. The probability distributions of the amine end groups, based on these simulations, exhibit a substantial degree of backfolding. The corresponding radial density distributions show a constant density plateau and a monotonic decrease of the density toward the exterior of the molecule. The above results indicate that the poly(propyleneimine) dendrimers can be considered as flexible molecules with a relatively homogeneous radial density distribution. This view clearly deviates from both the dense shell and dense core models.

We compared the central and renal haemodynamic effects of tertatolol, a new non-cardioselective β-adrenergic blocking drug without partial agonist activity, with those of an equipotent dosage of propranolol in two groups of 10 patients each with acute cerebral injury who had developed systemic hypertension. After tertatolol, 5 mg orally, mean arterial pressure was unchanged, heart rate decreased by 22 (P< 0.01) and cardiac index by 24 (P< 0.01), while renal blood flow remained unchanged (-5, NS). After 160 mg propranolol orally, mean arterial pressure was unchanged, heart rate decreased by 12 (P< 0.01), cardiac index by 16 (P< 0.01) and renal blood flow by 17 (P< 0.01). There was a moderate rise in norepinephrine levels after tertatolol only. Thus in this particular model of acute hypertension, tertatolol acted as a potent β-blocking agent but differed from propranolol by preserving renal perfusion.

TO THE EDITOR. —We read with interest the article by Oseï et al1 in the October 1986 issue of the Archives. The authors performed an open study on 13 hypertensive diabetic patients to assess the effects of a 24-week administration of indapamide on blood pressure, glucose, and lipid metabolism. Their results led them to conclude that indapamide may give rise to unfavorable glucose and lipid tolerance in such patients. However, a review of the article raises several questions concerning its methodology.First, of concern is the population included in the study. The small number of patients studied, together with the widely varying characteristics of their diabetes, make the group quite heterogeneous as regards the possible effects of any drugs. For example, the duration of diabetes ranged from 0 to 19 years, fasting serum glucose from 4.5 to 15.6 mmol/L,1 and HbA1 from 5% to 15.7%. In addition,

1,25‐Dihydroxyvitamin D3[1,25‐(OH)2D3] induces monocytic differentiation of the HL‐60 leukemic cell line. The present study investigated whether and to what extent this differentiation resembles the normal maturation of monocytic cells in the bone marrow. Multidimensional flow cytometry was used to identify changes in antigen expression that occur in normal bone marrow cells at distinct stages of monocytic and granulocytic maturation. HL‐60 cells were analyzed in the same manner after exposure to 1,25‐(OH)2D3to determine whether the hormone induces a similar sequence of phenotypic changes. In the leukemic cells, monocytic features were sequentially induced and several maturational steps could be resolved. CD14, CD32, CD53, CD15, CDw65, CD29, CD16, and CD66b were modulated in 1,25‐(OH)2D3‐induced HL‐60 cells as in the normal monocytic maturational pathway. Differences were observed for CD15s and CDw17. The expression pattern of CD44 during differentiation of HL‐60 cells resembled that in granulocytic cells. The results therefore suggest that 1,25‐(OH)2D3induces a differentiation program in HL‐60 cells that in many ways resembles that of normal monocytic cells in the bone marrow but also carries elements of the granulocytic pathway.

In sheep, the oxytocin gene is highly up-regulated in the ovarian corpus luteum as well as in the hypothalamus. This expression is already elevated on Day 2 of the oestrous cycle, representing 1% of all transcripts in this tissue, and it declines thereafter to low levels after Day 6 of the cycle. In order to study the mechanisms involved in luteal oxytocin gene expression, we have cloned and sequenced the oxytocin gene from the sheep. This gene is closely homologous to other known mammalian oxytocin genes, especially the bovine one, and comparison of the gene promoter regions highlights several blocks of putative control elements.

The hormone 1,25-(OH)2D3 has been shown to modulate cell proliferation and induce differentiation in several normal and malignant cell lines.In this work, we examined the effect of the hormone on the neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cell line.The steroid did not influence cell growth and cell cycle distribution, while retinoic acid inhibited proliferation and induced an accumulation of the cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle.1,25-(OH)2D3 did not alter cell morphology.The activities of the 1-alpha- and 24-hydro aylases were low and not regulated by the hormone.The level of the total 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor was low.We conclude that the lack of effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on the SK-N-SH cell line is related to the low level of the 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor.

Presents the journal entries from Pat Brack and her ten-year-old son Ben, on their feelings about Pat's diagnosis of breast cancer, her mastectomy, chemotherapy, maintaining a normal family life, and recovery.

Photo essay, with text, of singer-songwriter Carly Simon's home on Martha's Vineyard, off the Massachusetts coast. Personal life and background of Carly Simon; Reasons attracted to Martha's Vineyard; Renovations and expansion of home; Furnishings; Decor; Influence of former husband, James Taylor, on the home.

Surrogate neutralization assays for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that can be done without biosafety level 3 containment and in multiple species are desirable. We evaluate a recently developed surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) in comparison to 90% plaque reduction neutralization tests (PRNT90) in human, canine, cat, and hamster sera. With PRNT90as the reference, sVNT had sensitivity of 98.9% and specificity of 98.8%. Using a panel of immune sera corresponding to other coronaviruses, we confirm the lack of cross-reactivity to other coronaviruses in SARS-CoV-2 sVNT and PRNT90, except for cross-reactivity to SARS-CoV-1 in sVNT.

The article discusses the use of planning and design processes to develop the skills of staff in an organization. It states that the involvement of staff in an organization's professional development training allows them to take ownership of the final product. It mentions that in developing a design, it is important to choose a designer who is eager to involve the team and is a strong communicator.

Introduction: Venetoclax (VEN), an orally bioavailable selective BCL-2 inhibitor, was granted accelerated approval by the FDA for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in combination with a hypomethylating agent (HMA) or low-dose cytarabine (LDAC). The objective of this analysis was to characterize the exposure-efficacy and exposure-safety relationships using data from the nonrandomized Phase 1/2 studies and the confirmatory Phase 3 studies in subjects with treatment-naïve AML who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy.

First published in October, 1991, the Nation of Islam's anonymously authored The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews has spawned a veritable cottage industry of scholarship addressing its central claim that Jewish merchants “dominated” the Atlantic slave trade.1. See, for example, David Brion Davis, “Jews in the Slave Trade,” Culturefront, 1 (Fall, 1992): 42–45; Davis, “The Slave Trade and the Jews,” New York Review, 41 (December 22, 1994): 14–16; Seymour Drescher, “The Role of Jews in the Transatlantic Slave Trade,” Immigrants and Minorities, 12 (1993): 113–125; Harold Brackman, Ministry of Lies: The Truth Behind The Nation of Islam's “The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews” (New York: Four Walls Eight Windows, 1994); Saul S. Friedman, Jews and the American Slave Trade (New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 1998). One can only wonder whether, someday soon, there may be an essay or book refuting the Farrakhanites' tract for every Jew who ever traded a slave.

Pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and local tolerance (at the site of intramuscular administration) of a new formulation of teicoplanin (400 mg/3 mL) were investigated in 24 normal, healthy, male volunteers. A single dose of 6 mg/kg was administered intravenously and intramuscularly using a randomized crossover design. Volunteers and investigator were blinded as to the route of administration; placebo was administered by the other route. Blood and urine samples were collected for 21 days and were analyzed for microbiological activity. The median (range) pharmacokinetic parameters of teicoplanin following single-dose iv administration were as follows: steady-state volume of distribution of 1.6 (1.2-2.8) L/kg; total clearance of 10.2 (8.6-15.1) ml_/h/kg; renal clearance of 10.0 (7.9-13.8) mL/h/kg; and terminal disposition half-life of 168 (111–278) h. Following single-dose im administration, significantly more subjects complained of pain following administration of teicoplanin (58%) compared with placebo (4%). Teicoplanin was completely absorbed with a median (range) peak serum concentration of 12.3 (6.6-37.5) /xg/mL occurring at a median (range) time of 4.1 (0.7-6.1) h. Since the 90% confidence interval for the ratio of areas under the serum concentration- time curve falls within the range of 80 to 120%, the extent of systemic absorption of teicoplanin following im administration is equivalent to that following iv administration.

The article focuses on implementation of practical sanitation plan and greenhouse hygiene during the growing season and offers suggestions for the planning which include removing debris and physical organic matter, using a sanitizing agent or an herbicide and using methods that are quick to set.

The article offers the author's insight on the American Conifer Society (ACS) seed exchange and how he got involved with conifers, sharing the influence of his father's interest with rhododendrons and hybridizing and provides information on the 2017 Seed Exchange of the ACS.

Standard broth microdilution (with and without bovine serum albumin [BSA] supplementation), tube dilution, and agar dilution susceptibility tests were compared for determining ramoplanin MICs. With a data base of 246 clinical isolates of gram-positive bacteria from 33 U.S. sites, it was shown that (i) agar and tube dilution susceptibility tests gave essentially the same results (93.9% of the test results were within 1 doubling dilution of equivalence), (ii) broth microdilution susceptibility tests gave results up to 5 doubling dilutions higher than agar or tube assays, and (iii) this data skewing could be reversed by BSA supplementation (final concentration, 0.02%) of the broth microdilution test medium.

The V Nordic Conference of IFPS, Sweden January 23-24,1993Activities of The Postgraduate Psychoanalytic Society October 1992-June 1993

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards agar dilution, tube dilution, and broth microdilution susceptibility tests for the measurement of teicoplanin MICs. The three standardized tests gave equivalent (within a twofold dilution) results with 98.8 to 99.0% of the 508 gram-positive clinical isolates tested, indicating that either method may be used for teicoplanin MIC determination.

The in vitro activity of the semisynthetic glycopeptide amide MDL 63,246 against 293 U.S. clinical isolates of gram-positive cocci was determined by the broth microdilution method. When compared with teicoplanin, MDL 63,246 had improved activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis (MICs that inhibited 90% strains tested [MIC90s], 0.25 versus 8 micrograms/ml, respectively). Staphylococcus haemolyticus (MIC90s, 1 versus 32 micrograms/ml, respectively), and VanA Enterococcus faecium (MIC90s, 32 versus > or = 1,024 micrograms/ml, respectively).

Presents two activities which will help reinforce the concept of similarity and difference among young children. Comparison of fingerprints; Alteration of familiar nursery rhymes.

The article offers the author' insights on his aspiration to revive the American Conifer Society (ACS) seed exchange program and his invitation for seed donations from ACS members, native seed collectors, and arboretums.

Suggests a classroom activity to aid children in exploring friendship and color. Materials; Steps.