Search

[structure: see text]. A practical, chromotography-free asymmetric synthesis was developed for the large scale preparation of an endothelin receptor antagonist 2. This synthesis includes a new efficient process for the preparation of 6-bromo-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran, a stereoselective conjugate addition of an aryllithium followed by stereospecific addition of the Grignard reagent of the top aryl bromide, and an aminophosphate-mediated sterospecific intramolecular enolate alkylation, which led to the formation of the five-membered ring bearing three contiguous asymmetric centers.

We recently required an efficient synthesis of 2-halo- and 2-alkylamino-4-pyridinecarboxaldehydes. Several routes to these compounds were investigated resulting in efficient and practical procedures from readily available and inexpensive starting materials.

A certain discussion of the traditional formulations in the non-linear finite element analysis is presented in relation to the well-known monograph of Bathe [Finite Element Procedures, Prentice Hall, 1996]. The authors derived formulas for the tangent stiffness matrix, concurrently, following the principle of virtual work and the weighted residual formulation. The observations were illustrated by an example of the 2D Timoshenko beam element. The implementation of the element, directly following the equations discussed, appeared to be very simple. The procedure can easily be applied to more complex structures.

Trichomonaden, wie Pentatrichomonas (P.) hominis, sind Protozoen, die obligat auf einen Wirt angewiesen sind und im Darmoder Urogenitaltrakt vieler Wirbeltiere vorkommen konnen (18). Bei der Katze wurde in jungerer Zeit Tritrichomonas foetus als Verursacher von Dickdarmdurchfallen beschrieben (2, 5, 6, 11, 13, 18). Dagegen gilt P. hominis als apathogener Kommensale (9, 13). Fallberichte uber Trichomonas-assoziierte Durchfallerkrankungen beim Hund sind selten und meist wird postuliert, dass die Trichomonaden dabei als pportunistische Erreger auftreten (1, 3, 8, 10, 12, 14–16). Mittels molekularbiologischer Methoden konnte gezeigt werden, dass beim Hund Pentatrichomonas hominis mit Durchfallen assoziiert ist (8, 10, 12), doch ist die genaue klinische Bedeutung dieser Erkenntnisse noch unklar.

The mixing characteristics of a production gas-turbine combustor premixer have been investigated using a planar Mie-scattering imaging technique. SpeciŽ cally, the effects of introducing controlled inlet grid turbulence (intensity and scale) and varying premixer length on large-scale mixing were independently studied. Baseline data acquired for a particular swirler conŽ guration indicated a strong fuel concentration gradient in the annulus, with a maximum at the centerbody and decreasing outward. The measured fuel concentration, or equivalence ratio, also varied circumferentially, by as much as 45% over the entire premixer exit plane. The circumferential fuel concentration proŽ les showed that improvedmixingwith increased turbulence intensity was realized for most angularlocations.Premixer length extensionsof 2.5and5.0 cm, corresponding to 0.53and1.06hydraulicdiameters, respectively, resulted in a considerable improvement in mixing, accompanied by signiŽ cant structural changes in the scalar Ž eld. The circumferential variations were reduced up to 30% for the 5.0-cm extension case. Radial fuel concentration gradients were also reduced by 50%. Overall, increased residence time was a signiŽ cantly more effective means of mixing enhancement than introducing moderate levels of freestream turbulence.

Insect hosts can survive infection by parasitoids using the encapsulation phenomenon. In Drosophila melanogaster the abilities to encapsulate the wasp species Leptopilina boulardi and Asobara tabida each involve one major gene. Both resistance genes have been precisely localized on the second chromosome, 35 centimorgans apart. This result clearly demonstrates the involvement of at least two separate genetic systems in Drosophila resistance to parasitoid wasps. The resistance genes to L. boulardi and A. tabida are not clustered as opposed to many plant resistance genes to pathogens cloned to date.

The present paper reports the results of a vignette- and questionnaire-based research project investigating the influence of Moral Intensity (MI) on decision making in a New Zealand business context. The use of a relatively sensitive research design yielded results showing that – in contrast to previous research – objective manipulations, as well as subjective perceptions, of three of the six MI components were of particular importance in accounting for a comparatively large proportion of the variation in four outcome variables. There were no interactions of appreciable magnitude between MI components, or variations across scenarios. Also, no support was found for a reliable multi-dimensional structure of perceptions of Moral Intensity. Implications of the findings are discussed.

An efficient, practical, asymmetric synthesis of the endothelin receptor antagonist 1 is reported. The key pyridine-fused cyclopentane ring bearing three consecutive chiral centers was constructed ...

Drosophila melanogaster larvae usually react against eggs of the parasitoid wasp Leptopilina boulardi by surrounding them with a multicellular melanotic capsule. The genetic determinism of this response has been studied previously using susceptible (non-capsule-forming) and resistant (capsule-forming) strains. The results suggest that differences in their encapsulation response involve a single gene, resistance to Leptopilina boulardi(Rlb), with two alleles, the resistant one being dominant.Rlb confers specific protection against Leptopilina boulardi and is thus probably involved in parasitoid recognition. Recent studies have localized this gene on the right arm of the second chromosome and our aim was to precisely determine its genetic and molecular location. Using strains bearing deletions, we demonstrated that resistance to Leptopilina boulardi is conferred by the55C; 55F3 region and that the 55E2–E6; F3 region is particularly involved. A physical map of the 55C;56A region was then constructed, based on a set of overlapping cosmid and P1 phage clones. Using single and double digests, cross hybridization of restriction fragments, and location of genetically mapped genes and STSs, a complete, five-enzyme restriction map of this 830-kb region was obtained.

Two distinct synthetic approaches to the biologically active and structurally unique endothelin antagonist J-104132 (1) have been developed Each synthesis involves a highly selective intramolecular cyclization of a late stage intermediate (bottom to top vs top to bottom) produced from a common early intermediate. Both routes initially yielded multi-gram quantities of the desired product, with the former ultimately developed to pilot scale readiness. Several novel reactions have been developed throughout the course of our studies. These involve a mild bromination of a pyridone to form a bromopyridine, a mild and efficient TEMPO catalyzed oxidation of an alcohol to give a carboxylic acid, as well as a novel stereoselective samarium iodide mediated deoxygenation reaction. These reactions have proved to be quite general and have been applied to a wide variety of substrates.

BACKGROUND Pain secondary to unresectable pancreatic cancer is frequently severe and extremely difficult to control with traditional methods of analgesia. This retrospective study reports the analgesic effects of intrathecal morphine sulfate by implanted infusion pumps in nine patients with unresectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. METHODS Nine patients were implanted over a 2-year period. Preoperative morphine IV equivalents were a mean of 81.51 mg/day, with a range of 20–140 mg/day. Patients were hospitalized for a trial dose of 1–2 mg of intrathecal Duramorph, 1 mg/ml, via lumbar puncture to assess whether adequate pain relief could be achieved and whether there would be drug-related side effects. RESULTS All patients who received a trial dose experienced excellent pain relief, and subsequently underwent implantation of a lumbar subarachnoid catheter and infusion pump during the same hospitalization. The mean number of days from diagnosis to pump implant was 119, with a range of 3–587 days. The mean maximum daily dose was 21.28 mg, with a range of 3–73.10 mg. No patient experienced respiratory depression or excess sedation which prevented achievement of pain control. Minor supplemental narcotic use was documented in three of the nine patients. Assessment of pain control was made by the level of activity and the analog pain scale, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable. All of the patients experienced good to excellent relief of pain. The mean duration of intrathecal morphine sulfate use until death was 137.3 days, with a range of 52–354 days. CONCLUSIONS This series of nine patients indicates that long-term administration of intrathecal morphine via implanted infusion pump in patients with pancreatic cancer is both efficacious and safe. All patients and their families reported an improved quality of life with an increased level of activity.

A highly enantioselective and practical synthesis of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor efavirenz (1) is described. The synthesis proceeds in 62% overall yield in seven steps from 4-chloroaniline (6) to give efavirenz (1) in excellent chemical and optical purity. A novel, enantioselective addition of Li-cyclopropyl acetylide (4a) to p-methoxybenzyl-protected ketoaniline 3a mediated by (1R,2S)-N-pyrrolidinylnorephedrine lithium alkoxide (5a) establishes the stereogenic center in the target with a remarkable level of stereocontrol.

Encapsulation has evolved as an efficient mechanism whereby an insect host can survive infection by parasitoids This ability is controlled by a major gene in Drosophila melanogaster hosts. The parasitoid Leptopilina boulardi (Hymenoptera Eucoilidae) can suppress the Drosophila immune reaction by injecting viruslike particles. Analysis of Mendelian crosses between strains of L. boulardi of opposite immune suppressive abilities indicated that the trait is controlled by a single chromosomal factor with semidominant effect. We developed a method to test the monogenic hypothesis. The range of possible genotypic values in back-crosses was studied using various progeny that were genotypically homogenous. These could be obtained because of the arrhenotokous mode of reproduction. The progeny groups were divided into two clusters according to the major gene classification and the hypothesis of another unlinked genetic factor was rejected. Lastly, there was a residual progeny effect within the major groups, indicating that minor genes are also present. This study rules out the polygenic effect for a trait governing the interaction between the insect and parasitoid. It demonstrates that the gene-for-gene model commonly found in plant-parasite interactions may also explain natural variations in insect-parasitoid traits.

The epidemiological situation of strongyle infections in adult horses in Switzerland is characterized by a strong dominance of small strongyles (Cyathostominae) and an overall low level of egg shedding in the faeces. The prevailing attitude towards anthelmintic therapy considers neither husbandry conditions nor pasture hygiene measures. Instead, calendar-based routine medication, comprising usually 3 to 4 annual treatments, is the typical strategy. Such an approach, however, often results in an excessive administration of anthelmintics. With respect to the continuous spread of drug resistant cyathostomins a change of strategy seems inevitable. A consensus has been agreed on between equine parasitologists and clinicians of the Vetsuisse Faculty in Zurich and Berne to focus on the concept of a selective control approach, based on individual faecal egg counts as the central element. It is now recommended that clinically healthy horses (4 y) are treated only when their strongyle egg count is equal to or higher than 200 eggs per gram of faeces. A regular analysis of the strongyle population based on larval cultures, the control of drug efficacy, and quarantine measures for incoming horses are mandatory components of the concept. Recent experiences in several pilot farms have indicated that only 4 % of the McMaster analyses resulted in a deworming treatment. For horses that did not receive any nematicidal anthelmintic during the current season, a "safety" treatment is recommended at the end of the grazing period.Die epidemiologische Situation der Strongyliden-Infektionen beim adulten Pferd in der Schweiz ist geprägt von einer starken Dominanz kleiner Strongyliden (Cyathostominae) und einem mehrheitlich geringen Ausscheidungsniveau von Parasiteneiern im Kot. Da die Haltungsbedingungen der Pferde und weidehygienische Massnahmen bei der Planung der Kontrollmassnahmen mehrheitlich unberücksichtigt bleiben, resultiert die kalenderbasierte Routine-Medikation mit 3 bis 4 Behandlungen pro Jahr häufig in einem über dem Bedarf liegenden Einsatz von Anthelminthika. Angesichts der sich kontinuierlich ausbreitenden Populationen Anthelminthika-resistenter Cyathostominen ist ein Strategiewechsel bei der Helminthenkontrolle notwendig. Bei dem von Parasitologen und Klinikern beider Vetsuisse-Standorte propagierten selektiven Kontrollansatz werden klinisch gesunde Pferde (4 Jahre) nur noch dann anthelminthisch behandelt, wenn die Ausscheidung von Strongylideneiern einen Wert von 200 pro Gramm Kot überschreitet. Eine regelmässige Differenzierung der Strongylidenpopulation, Wirksamkeitskontrollen der Anthelminthika und Quarantänemassnahmen bei Neuzugängen sind notwendige Komponenten des Konzeptes. Bisherige Erfahrungen mit dieser Strategie in mehreren Pilotbetrieben zeigen, dass nur 4 % der Kotuntersuchungen einen Anthelminthika-Einsatz zur Folge haben. Für die Pferde, die während der Saison kein Anthelminthikum erhielten, wird eine Sicherheitsbehandlung zum Saisonende empfohlen.En Suisse, la situation épidémiologique des infestations des chevaux adultes par les strongylidés est caractérisée par une nette dominance des petits strongles (Cyathostominae) et par un faible niveau d'excrétion des œufs de parasites dans les selles. Cars les conditions de détention des chevaux et les mesures relatives à l'hygiène des pâtures ne sont que rarement prises en compte dans la planification des mesures de contrôle des parasitoses, il en résulte un schéma de traitement de routine basé sur 3 à 4 traitements par année, ce qui représente un usage d'anthelminthiques souvent supérieur à la nécessité. Vu le développement continu de populations de cyatostomes résistants aux anthelminthiques, un changement de stratégie dans le contrôle des helminthes est nécessaire. Le contrôle sélectif propagé par les parasitologues et les cliniciens des deux sites de la faculté Vetsuisse propose de seulement traiter les chevaux sains adultes (de 4 ans) si l'excrétion des œufs de strongles dépasse 200 œufs par gramme de selles. Une différentiation régulière des populations de strongles, le contrôle de l'efficacité des anthelminthiques et des mesures de quarantaines chez les nouveaux venus sont des composants indispensables de ce concept. Les expériences faites jusqu'à présent avec cette stratégie dans plusieurs exploitations-pilotes montrent que seulement 4 % des analyses coprologiques sont suivies par une application d'anthelminthiques. Pour les chevaux qui n'ont pas été vermifugés pendant toute la saison, un traitement de sécurité à la fin de la saison de pâturage est recommandé.La situazione epidemiologica delle infezioni di strongili nei cavalli adulti in Svizzera è marcata da una forte dominanza di piccoli strongili (ciathostomi) e da un'escrezione ridotta di uova di parassiti nelle feci. Dal momento che le condizioni di allevamento dei cavalli e le disposizioni igieniche dei pascoli non vengono necessariamente prese in considerazione nella pianificazione delle misure di controllo, ne risulta che la somministrazione di routine basata su 3 – 4 trattamenti annuali è spesso eccessiva rispetto l'uso effettivamente necessario di vermifugi. Dato che le popolazioni di ciathostomi resistenti agli antielmintici sono in continua espansione, è necessario un cambiamento di strategia nel controllo degli elminti. Secondo i criteri per un controllo selettivo, sostenuto da parassitologi e clinici di entrambe le sedi di Vetsuisse, i cavalli adulti (4 anni) clinicamente sani sono trattati con vermifugi unicamente quando l'escrezione di uova di strongili supera il valore di 200 per grammo di feci. Punti essenziali di questo concetto sono la differenziazione regolare della popolazione di strongili, il controllo dell'efficacia degli antielmintici e le misure di quarantena per i nuovi arrivi. Le esperienze fatte finora in varie aziende pilota con questa strategia mostrano che solo il 4 % delle analisi delle feci hanno condotto all'effettivo trattamento con antielmintici. Per i cavalli che durante la stagione non hanno ricevuto alcun trattamento vermifugo si consiglia un trattamento di sicurezza alla fine della stagione di pascolo.

A newly constructed energy dispersive multichannel electron momentum spectrometer has been used to image the electron density of the outer valence orbitals of CO with high precision. Binding energy spectra are obtained at a coincidence energy resolution of 1.2 eV fwhm. The measured electron density profiles in momentum space for the outer valence orbitals of CO are compared with cross sections calculated using SCF wavefunctions with basis sets of varying complexity up to near-Hartree-Fock limit in quality. The effects of correlation and electronic relaxation on the calculated momentum profiles are investigated using large MRSD-CI calculations of the full ion-neutral overlap distributions, as well as large basis set DFT calculations with local and non-local (gradient corrected) functionals.

Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, based on review of the literature, conveys little, if any, measurable benefit over the standard operation with regard to nutrition and metabolism. Some of the benefits attributed to pylorus preservation by Traverso may be due instead to his use of a duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis which preserves pancreatic function. Comparisons of the standard and pylorus-preserving operation in regard to metabolic, nutritional, and postgstrectomy syndromes are hindered by a lack of uniformity from one report to another regarding the type of pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis performed, the amount of stomach resected, whether vagotomy was or was not performed, and whether a Billroth I or II gastrojejunostomy or duodenojejunostomy was performed. Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy can be used safely in the management of about 85% of patients with pancreatic and distal common bile duct cancer and in 95% of those with ampullary cancer. The standard operation should be used in the presence of any sign of tumor infiltration of the duodenal bulb or peripyloric lymph nodes. Japanese surgeons have emphasized the utility of employing the Billroth I rather than Billroth II anastomosis after pancreaticoduodenectomy, as it provides access to visualize endoscopically the pancreaticojejunostomy and choledochojejunostomy anastomosis.

Although surgical procedures that improve pancreatic drainage alleviate abdominal pain in the vast majority of patients with chronic pancreatitis, postoperative absorption and nutritional status are less predictable. The present study was designed to determine the efficacy of pancreatic enzyme supplementation in maintaining postoperative digestion and nutrition in patients who had received the local resection-longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy (LR-LPJ) procedure for chronic pancreatitis. We evaluated nutritional status and intestinal absorption in 11 patients who had undergone LR-LPJ. The efficacy of postoperative pancreatic enzyme supplementation was studied by measurements of intestinal absorption and nutritional status at baseline, after 4 weeks of individualized daily dosage of pancreatin (Creon), and after an additional 4 weeks of randomization to receive another 4 weeks of pancreatin or placebo. All patients demonstrated abnormal digestion of fat, protein, and total energy at baseline 3 weeks after surgery. Pancreatin supplementation significantly improved the coefficients of absorption of dietary fat and total energy over the next 4 weeks. Between 4 and 8 weeks, pancreatin significantly improved protein absorption and nitrogen balance, whereas placebo substitution worsened the absorption of dietary fat and total energy. Nutritional status was not significantly altered over the 8-week study period, although four patients receiving pancreatin gained more than 3.6 kg body weight. The data suggest that long-term postoperative pancreatic enzyme supplementation is both efficacious and necessary in chronic pancreatitis patients after LR-LPJ.

Calculations using an extended basis set and the Becke 3-parameter exchange functional and Perdew 86 correlation functional are used to predict the geometry and isotropic hyperfine coupling constants for Mgn+ clusters (n⩽6). The Mg3+ results agree with our previous MRSDCI results and disagree with another recent DFT calculation. For n=4 and 5, our results agree with previous work. For n=6, we obtain a trapezoid-based bipyramid that was not considered in any previous papers. Based on these calculations, we are able to rationalize the experimental hyperfine couplings.

Switzerland is officially free from bovine Tritrichomonas foetus. While bulls used for artificial insemination (AI) are routinely examined for this pathogen, bulls engaged in natural mating, as well as aborted fetuses, are only very sporadically investigated, indicating that the disease awareness for bovine tritrichomoniasis is low. Natural mating in cattle is becoming increasingly popular in Switzerland. Accordingly, a re-introduction/re-occurrence of T. foetus in cattle seems possible either via resurgence from a yet unknown bovine reservoir, or via importation of infected cattle. The low disease awareness for bovine tritrichomoniasis might favor an unnoticed re-establishment of T. foetus in the Swiss cattle population. The aim of our study was thus to search for the parasite, and if found, to assess the prevalence of bovine T. foetus in Switzerland. We included (1) bulls over two years of age used in natural mating and sent to slaughter, (2) bulls used for natural service in herds with or without fertility problems and (3) aborted fetuses. Furthermore, the routinely examined bulls used for AI (4) were included in this study. In total, 1362 preputial samples from bulls and 60 abomasal fluid samples of aborted fetuses were analyzed for the presence of T. foetus by both in vitro cultivation and molecular analyses. The parasite could not be detected in any of the samples, indicating that the maximal prevalence possibly missed was about 0.3% (95% confidence). Interestingly, in preputial samples of three bulls of category 1, apathogenic Tetratrichomonas sp. was identified, documenting a proof-of-principle for the methodology used in this study.

9 páginas, 2 tablas, 6 figuras., Bovine besnoitiosis caused by Besnoitia besnoiti is a chronic and debilitating disease. The most characteristic clinical signs of chronic besnoitiosis are visible tissue cysts in the sclera] conjunctiva and the vagina, thickened skin and a generally poor body condition. However, many seropositive animals remain subclinically infected, and the role that these animals may play in spreading the disease is not known. The aim of the present study was to assess the intra-organ parasite distribution, the parasite load and the parasite-associated lesions in seropositive but subclinically infected animals. These animals were seropositive at the time of several consecutive samplings, had visible tissue cysts in the past and, at time of slaughter, had detectable specific anti-Besnoitia spp. antibody levels, but they did not show evident clinical signs at culling. Thus, histopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular analyses of several samples from the respiratory tract, reproductive tract, other internal organs and skin from six cows were performed. The tissue cysts were located primarily in the upper respiratory tract, i.e., in the rhinarium and larynx/pharynx (four cows), followed by the distal genital tract (vulva/vagina) and the skin of the neck (three and two cows, respectively, out of the four cows with cysts in the respiratory tract). We were unable to detect any parasites in the two remaining cows. Cysts were associated with a significant non-purulent inflammatory infiltrate consisting predominantly of T lymphocytes and activated monocytes/macrophages in two cows. The parasite burden, estimated by quantitative real-time PCR, was very low. It is noteworthy that the only animal that showed a recent increase in the antibody titre had the highest parasite burden and the most conspicuous inflammatory reaction against the cysts. In conclusion, although these cows no longer displayed any visible signs of besnoitiosis, they remained infected. Therefore, cows without visible signs of disease may still be able to transmit the parasite., This work was financially supported by the Ministe-rio de Economia y Competitividad (M.I.N.E.C.O.) (grant No.AGL-2010-20561/GAN). Caroline Frey was supported bya fellowship from the Swiss National Science Foundation(Grant No. PBBEP3 141435). Julio Benavides was sup-ported by CSIC through the JAE-Doc programme, financedin part by the European Social Fund (ESF). We also wishto acknowledge Vanessa Navarro and Alicia García fromSALUVET research group, the staff of La GarcipolleraResearch Farm (J. Ferrer, J. Uriarte, C. Marín and J.A.Rodríguez Sánchez from CITA-Aragón; Research funded byINIA RZP2009-005 and European Regional DevelopmentFund) and the manager and veterinary services from FibrinS.A. slaughter house (Huesca, Spain) for their technical sup-port.

Drosophila larvae infested by endoparasitoids can survive the infestation by an immune reaction leading to the encapsulation and destruction of parasitoid eggs. Conversely, parasitoids can escape the encapsulation by inhibiting this immune reaction. These processes could be influenced by exposure to pesticides, so an experiment was designed to investigate this possibility. Two strains of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen were tested, one with a high capacity for encapsulation (reactive strain) and the other with a very low capacity for encapsulation (nonreactive strain). We compared their immune reaction capacity after infestation when reared on a medium containing or not containing an LD30 of insecticide. Six different insecticides were tested. Two appeared to modify the effectiveness of the immune reaction. When the reactive strain was tested, dieldrin decreased the success of the immune reaction by 25%, and endosulfan, by 23%. Endosulfan also decreased the encapsulation rate of this strain by 26%. With the nonreactive strain no effect was observed regardless of insecticide. The possible causes of these weakening of encapsulation ability and their consequences on the evolution of these species are discussed.

SUMMARYThe Eucoilid parasitoid Leptopilina boulardi is able to suppress its host Drosophila melanogaster immune reaction. Some strains, however, are non-immune suppressive to that host. Virus-like particles (VLPs) responsible for the immune suppressive ability were investigated in different strains of L, boulardi with histochemical and ultrastructural techniques. Membrane-bound particles containing vesicles were observed in the reservoir of the long gland and also in the egg canal of the ovipositor. These particles are homologous with the immune suppressive VLPs already described in the reservoir of L. heterotoma. Similarities were also observed with the L2 particles described previously around the chorion of the parasitoid egg after infestation. A weak positive DNA specific histochemical reaction was observed inside the reservoir and at the ultrastructural level. Feulgen-derived techniques demonstrated that the reaction was localized inside the particles. The morphology of the particles as well as the immune suppressive ability varied between strains. Two morphotypes of VLPs are described; the ‘Is’ morphotype (always observed in immune suppressive or Is strains) and the ‘NIs’ morphotype (observed in the non-immune suppressive or NIs strain). The hybrids between Is and NIs strains produce a third type of particle, the ‘His’morphotype with half-immune suppressive ability and intermediate morphology. The origin of the particles' immune suppressive activity against D. melanogaster is discussed within the scope of host specificity.

SUMMARYEggs of an immune suppressive strain ( = virulent) of the parasitoid Leptopilina boulardi are encapsulated neither in resistant nor in susceptible strains of Drosophila melanogaster but are encapsulated in Drosophila yakuba. Eggs of a non-immune suppressive strain ( = avirulent) of the same parasitoid are encapsulated in a resistant strain of D. melanogaster and in D. yakuba but are not encapsulated in a susceptible strain of D. melanogaster. Egg chorion in the 2 parasitoid strains showed the same morphology and the same modifications after egg laying whatever the host strain. When a capsule is built, a small dotted dense layer was first spread on the chorion, followed by accumulation layers of cells (plasmatocytes and lamellocytes) and lastly necrosis of the inner haemocytes. The encapsulated eggs darken only at the time of necrosis of haemocytes. In susceptible hosts, neither the tiny dense layer nor haemocyte accumulation occured. We concluded that (1) this tiny dense layer was present before the deposition of the first haemocytes, (2) inhibition of deposition of this dense layer was the initial event of the induced immunosupression, (3) haemocytes other than lamellocytes were engaged in caspsule formation, (4) the immunosupressive factors did not target only the lamellocytes but also the plasmatocytes, (5) darkening of the encapsulated eggs was due to cell necrosis rather than to extracellular melanin deposition.

Local resection of the head of the pancreas combined with longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy is an effective surgical procedure for patients with chronic pancreatitis. It is simple to perform, and ca

Peer Led Team Learning (PLTL) is a collaborative learning technique that has been used on many college campuses, particularly in large lecture classes in departments of chemistry. Several studies have shown that PLTL results in improved learning (Gafney and Varma-Nelson, Peer-Led team learning: Evaluation, dissemination, and institutionalization of a college level initiative. Dordrecht, the Netherlands, Springer, 2008; Hockings et al., J Chem Educ 85(7):990–996 2008; Tien et al., J Res Sci Teach 39(7):606–632, 2002). However, researchers have not investigated the discourses practices used by peer leaders and students, and among students themselves, that give rise to this enhanced understanding of chemistry content. To better understand the interactional mechanisms that make PLTL effective, three PLTL sessions for each of 15 veteran peer leaders were videotaped over the course of one semester. The dataset presented here contains transcripts of two PLTL groups as they solved the same problem.

To better understand the interactional mechanisms that make PLTL effective, we closely examined videotapes of two PLTL groups as they both solved the same chemistry problem. In one group, students engaged in group knowledge building: intellectual conversations where they asked each other questions, provided procedural and conceptual explanations, and closely monitored each others’ understanding of the problem. This led to an increasingly accurate understanding of the problem. In the contrasting group, their conversations focused on rote application of formulas as they worked to calculate a “correct” solution. Our analyses help us to understand what effective collaborative discourse looks like, and have practical implications for how peer leaders are trained and for how peer groups are organized.

A single crystal of Al4(Cr,Fe) grown by the Czochralski method has been investigated using X-ray and also neutron diffraction. The average structure of this crystal with a composition of Al79.1Cr17.8Fe3.1 was found to be body-centered orthorhombic with the space group Immm. Using neutrons it was possible to distinguish the Fe and Cr positions within the structure. However, the diffraction patterns of both, X-ray as well as neutrons, showed additional reflections beyond the Bragg reflections violating the body-centering and reducing the space group symmetry to Pmm2. A renewed structure analysis taking also these additional reflections into account exhibits significant changes of about 30 % of the atomic positions. Features related to extra diffraction phenomena beyond the Bragg reflections are discussed in some detail.

BackgroundCats are definitive hosts of Toxoplasma gondii and play an essential role in the epidemiology of this parasite. The study aims at clarifying whether cats are able to develop specific antibodies against different clonal types of T. gondii and to determine by serotyping the T. gondii clonal types prevailing in cats as intermediate hosts in Germany.MethodologyTo establish a peptide-microarray serotyping test, we identified 24 suitable peptides using serological T. gondii positive (n=21) and negative cat sera (n=52). To determine the clonal type-specific antibody response of cats in Germany, 86 field sera from T. gondii seropositive naturally infected cats were tested. In addition, we analyzed the antibody response in cats experimentally infected with non-canonical T. gondii types (n=7).FindingsPositive cat reference sera reacted predominantly with peptides harbouring amino acid sequences specific for the clonal T. gondii type the cats were infected with. When the array was applied to field sera from Germany, 98.8% (85/86) of naturally-infected cats recognized similar peptide patterns as T. gondii type II reference sera and showed the strongest reaction intensities with clonal type II-specific peptides. In addition, naturally infected cats recognized type II-specific peptides significantly more frequently than peptides of other type-specificities. Cats infected with non-canonical types showed the strongest reactivity with peptides presenting amino-acid sequences specific for both, type I and type III.ConclusionsCats are able to mount a clonal type-specific antibody response against T. gondii. Serotyping revealed for most seropositive field sera patterns resembling those observed after clonal type II-T. gondii infection. This finding is in accord with our previous results on the occurrence of T. gondii clonal types in oocysts shed by cats in Germany.

In 2011 and 2012, outbreaks of clinical canine babesiosis were observed in 2 areas of the Swiss Midlands that had no history of this disease so far. In one area, cases of canine babesiosis occurred over 2 consecutive tick seasons. The outbreaks involved 29 dogs, 4 of which died. All dogs were infected with large Babesia sp. as diagnosed in Giemsa-stained blood smears and/or PCR. These were identified as B. canis (formerly known as B. canis canis) by subsequent partial sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene of Babesia sp. Interestingly, the sequence indicated either a genotype with heterogeneity in the ssrRNA gene copies or double infection with different B. canis isolates. None of the dogs had a recent travel history, but one had frequently travelled to Hungary and had suffered twice from clinical babesiosis 18 and 24 months prior to the outbreak in autumn 2011. Retrospective sequencing of a stored blood DNA sample of this dog revealed B. canis, with an identical sequence to the Babesia involved in the outbreaks.For the first time in Switzerland, the partial 18S rRNA gene of B. canis could be amplified from DNA isolated from 19 out of 23 adult Dermacentor reticulatus ticks flagged in the same area. The sequence was identical to that found in the dogs. Furthermore, one affected dog carried a female D. reticulatus tick harbouring B. canis DNA. Our findings illustrate that, under favourable biogeographic and climatic conditions, the life-cycle of B. canis can relatively rapidly establish itself in previously non-endemic areas. Canine babesiosis should therefore always be a differential diagnosis when dogs with typical clinical signs are presented, regardless of known endemic areas., NM and CFF are both supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (grants nos. PBBEP3_139398 and PBBEP3_141435, respectively).

This paper describes the development and validation of the PULSE Vision & Change Rubrics, version 1.0, a reliable tool for measuring departmental change. It was found that liberal arts institutions are farther along in implementing the recommendations of Vision and Change and that institutions overall earned the highest scores on the Curriculum rubric and the lowest scores on the Assessment rubric., The PULSE Vision & Change Rubrics, version 1.0, assess life sciences departments’ progress toward implementation of the principles of the Vision and Change report. This paper reports on the development of the rubrics, their validation, and their reliability in measuring departmental change aligned with the Vision and Change recommendations. The rubrics assess 66 different criteria across five areas: Curriculum Alignment, Assessment, Faculty Practice/Faculty Support, Infrastructure, and Climate for Change. The results from this work demonstrate the rubrics can be used to evaluate departmental transformation equitably across institution types and represent baseline data about the adoption of the Vision and Change recommendations by life sciences programs across the United States. While all institution types have made progress, liberal arts institutions are farther along in implementing these recommendations. Generally, institutions earned the highest scores on the Curriculum Alignment rubric and the lowest scores on the Assessment rubric. The results of this study clearly indicate that the Vision & Change Rubrics, version 1.0, are valid and equitable and can track long-term progress of the transformation of life sciences departments. In addition, four of the five rubrics have broad applicability and can be used to evaluate departmental transformation by other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines.

The incidence of concussive injuries is highest in the college age population due to the active lifestyles students maintain. While most students recover from a concussion in a relatively short period of time, the sequelae are potentially disruptive to academic careers. A concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) often leaves students confused and concerned about physical symptoms and adjustment issues. Strategies are discussed to educate students and adjustment issues. Strategies are discussed to educate students and professionals about the prevention and treatment of concussive injury and specific interventions are outlines that address the physical, behavioral, and cognitive/affective symptoms associated with MTBI.

A new crystalline approximant of the Al-Pd-type decagonal quasicrystal with composition Al75Pd13Ru12 has been discovered and studied by means of X-ray single-crystal and powder diffraction techniques. The phase has a base-centred orthorhombic unit cell with lattice parameters a = 2.3889(3) nm, b = 3.2802(3) nm and c = 1.6692(1)nm. The diffraction patterns show that fivefold rotational twinning occurs frequently in the samples. The twin mechanics is explained by a tiling model of the Al75Pd13Ru12 phase, which is composed of hexagonal and crown-shaped tiles.

Gas electron diffraction (GED) data were recorded at about 510 K for , N -acetyl N′ -methyl alanine amide (ALA) and analysed using the Molecular Orbital Constrained Electron Diffraction procedure. The HF/6-31G * geometries of seven conformations were optimized (C 7 eq ( 1 ), C 5 ( 2 ), β 2 ( 3 ), C 7 ax ( 4 ), α R ( 5 ), α L ( 6 ), and α′ ( 7 ) and used as constraints of the GED data analysis. HF/6-31G * force constants were determined for each conformation and used to calculate mean amplitudes of vibration and shrinkage corrections. It is found that, in the case of ALA, the customarily applied linear approximation for calculating shrinkages yields values which are unacceptably large. Therefore data analyses were performed both without shrinkage and with shrinkages calculated at a lower temperature. Subject to the selected constraints our interpretation of the GED data supports the following conclusions for vapors of ALA at about 500 K: ( 1 ) the compound exists in a conformational equilibrium with several significantly populated states; ( 2 ) the C 5 form is not less populated than the global energy minimum, C 7 eq : ( 3 ) the helical form, α R , is not a significantly populated conformer.

General aspects of disorder diffuse scattering are discussed. Diffuse scattering of crystals is due to deviations in space and/or time from an average structure of strict long-range order, where long-range order refers to three-dimensional translational periodicity. The iodine chain compound E 2 PI 1.6 serves as an example where the one-dimensional iodine substructure was studied by a quantitative analysis of extended diffuse layers. With this example general problems of a structure analysis by means of diffuse data are discussed. In urea inclusion compounds complicated order/disorder processes and subsequent phase transitions are related to longitudinal and lateral ordering within and between the urea host and the n-paraffin guest substructure. Combined X-ray and neutron methods help to clarify the static/dynamic origin of the diffuse scattering viz. disorder phenomena. Zirconia, ZrO 2 doped with various metal oxides, exhibits defect structures which decisively determine material properties. The defect structure can be interpreted by a quantitative analysis of diffuse data in the frame of a model of correlated microdomains. Diffuse scattering of quasicrystals (q.c.) is due to breaking of translational periodicity in N-dimensional space (N > 3), including fluctuations of sizes and shapes of (N-3)-dimensional 'hyperatoms'. Diffuse scattering of the (q.c.) decagonal phase AlNiCo indicates disorder with respect to one-dimensional translational and two-dimensional q.c. order. In particular, super-ordering and disordering within the q.c. arrangement are due to periodically ordered segments. Future trends of disorder diffuse scattering work are outlined.

The structure of decagonal Al65Cu20Co15, which was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction method (Steurer, Kuo, 1990a, b), has been re-examined. By eliminating the weak peaks in the electron density maps, which are likely only artifacts in the Fourier transformation, we propose an ideal model of decagonal Al65Cu20Co15. The structure is composed of two quasiperiodic layers stacked periodically along the unique tenfold axis. These layers can be characterized as two-color Penrose tiling and the 105 screw axis is achieved by consecutive stacking two layers with 36° rotation between them. Therefore the structure of decagonal Al65Cu20Co15 is assumed to be associated with a color quasilattice.

A high-dimensional description has been applied to a new structural model of decagonal A1-Mn, which is constructed on the basis of the structure of the A13Mn phase [Li (1995). Acta Cryst. B51, 265-270]. The structure of the A1-Mn decagonal quasicrystal consists of a sequence of six layers, involving two types of layers. Acceptance domains in a five-dimensional structure description are proposed for the structures of the layers. An ideal quasilattice of the A1-Mn decagonal quasicrystal can be referred to as a periodic stack of two-colour Penrose patterns in the sequence TTTT .... in which 7" is T in reverse colour.

Structural models of the high-order crystalline approximants of the Al-Mn-Pd decagonal quasicrystal are proposed. It is considered that the crystalline approximants are composed of the same kinds of subunits as those of the Al-Mn-Pd decagonal quasicrystal. The subunits, constructed hierarchically by a kind of atomic cluster, are confirmed by experimental results of a high-resolution electron microscopy study and a single-crystal X-ray analysis. The structural models of the high-order approximants are constructed by periodically packing the subunits in unique ways. As an example, one of the high-order approximants is discussed in detail.