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A sorter that is activated by the resistance pulses of a Coulter orifice (volume detector) has been developed. The problem arising from the distortion of the volume signals produced by the electric droplet forming and charging voltages are avoided by special shielding and grounding of the volume detector. Experiments with beads and leukocytes are described. The maximal processing rate at this time is 2000 cells/sec, the purity of sorted fractions is better than 97%, and the viability of sorted cells is better than 80%.

Measurement of mammalian sperm deoxyribonucleic acid content is of importance in several areas of biomedical research. When measured in flow systems with orthogonal axes of illumination, flow and detection, an unexpected, distorted distribution consisting of a narrow peak with a lateral extension to the right is observed. Several lines of evidence lead to the conclusion that this effect is an optical-geometric artifact attributable to the flat shape and high index of refraction of mammalian sperm heads. This artifact disappears when an epiillumination flow system is used in which the optic axes for illumination and detection and the flow axis are all coincident. Other approaches also eliminate the artifact. The resulting coefficients of variation observed after acriflavine-Feulgen staining are 4-5%, short of the goal of 1.5% required to distinguish between human sperm bearing X and Y chromosomes and to develop a mutagen test system using mice.

A new flow through instrument that simultaneously measures cell volume (resistance pulse technique) and cell fluorescence in the same orifice will be described. The fluorescence pulses of the hydrodynamically focussed cells are picked up by the optics via the axial direction (principle of Dittrich and Goehde, Z Naturforsch 24b:360, 1969). There is no coordination problem between the fluorescence and the resistance pulses to be observed because a new type of transducer is used. The electronic system provides gating of one or two parameter histograms. Function tests are performed with the incorporated two-parameter test spectrum generator. Different examples of using the instrument in practice are shown. The volume that may be measured with an orifice of 70 micron diameter ranges between 4 and 1400 micron3 (1:350). Coefficients of variation of the fluorescence below 2% are measured.

Recently, it was shown that the lateral orientation of sperm cells disturbs the deoxyribonucleic acid distribution measured by fluorescence in a laterally laser-illuminated flow system. The present results show how flat particles may be influenced to assume a uniform lateral orientation. This was achieved by choosing the geometrical dimensions of the hydrodynamic focusing flow path. High speed photographs of fixed chicken erythrocytes oriented in experimental chambers are presented.

Simultaneous flow cytometric DNA and volume analysis of normal rat bone marrow cells shows three populations of nucleated cells with different mean volume. Each of these populations proliferates in a distinct cell cycle (alpha, beta, gamma). Normally the alpha-cell cycle has the highest amplitude, the beta-cell cycle is intermediate, and the gamma-cell cycle is low. The alpha-cell cycle was very significantly depressed and the beta + gamma-cell cycle was increased in three different rat leukemias (L5222, Shay, BNML), growing on three different rat strains (BDIX, Holtzmann, Brown Norway). The two parameter analysis further revealed that cells of the beta + gamma-cell cycle were slightly hyperdiploid and hypertetraploid in leukemic animals. The decrease of the alpha-cell cycle and the hyperploidies were more sensitive indicators for the abnormal proliferation pattern than the analysis of one parameter DNA distributions which remained within normal limits in all three leukemias.

In an international multicenter trial infants with clinical and radiological signs of severe RDS (age 2-15 h, birthweight 700-2,000 g, mechanical ventilation, FiO2 ≧ 0.6, no complicating disease) were randomized to receive either a single dose (n = 176) or up to three subsequent doses (n = 167) of a natural porcine surfactant (Curosurf). Using a logistic regression model, the effects of therapy, birthweight, sex, hospital and other clinical factors on survival and various outcome parameters were evaluated. Mortality (13 vs. 21 %, p < 0.05) and the incidence of pneumothorax (9 vs. 18%, p < 0.01) were significantly lower in the multiple-dose group. Low birthweight, hospital allocation, low Apgar score and initial disease severity were associated with an increased mortality. Low birthweight, hypothermia (admission temperature < 36°C) and acidosis (pH < 7.25) prior to surfactant treatment could be identified as risk factors for the development of intracranial hemorrhage.

A comparison was done between neonates requiring veno-arterial (VA) ECMO (too small jugular vein, inability to insert a 12 Fr double lumen catheter or cardio-circulatory instability) and neonates treated with veno-venous (VV) ECMO in the same period of time. From 1991-1995 ECMO was done in 48 neonates after failure of maximum conventional treatments, NO-inhalation and HFOV. 30/48 babies were treated with VV-ECMO, with a switch to VA-ECMO later on in 3 of them. In 18 infants VA-ECMO was installed primarily. Differences between the VA- and VV-ECMO group were: the 01 was higher in the VV-treated babies (62±20 vs. 48±13, p < 0.03), as were birth weight (3385±570 vs. 2963±653 g, p< 0.04), gestational age (39.7 ± 1.6 vs. 37.9 ± 2.7 weeks, p< 0.01) and MAP (18.7 ± 2.2 vs. 17.1 ± 2.4 cm H2O, p< 0.05). Severe ICH's occurred more frequently in the VA-treated babies (29 vs. 7%, p< 0.05), the rate of other complications was equal. The mortality rates were 43% (VA) and 15% (VV), p< 0.05. About one third of neonatal ECMO candidates will be treated with VA-ECMO, even if the VV-ECMO technique is available. Need for VA-ECMO implies - due to a higher number of preterm babies and a greater severity of illness before ECMO - a higher incidence of ICH's and a higher mortality rate.

One hundred and seventy-seven term or near-term neonates were referred to an ECMO center for severe PPHN-associated diseases. In 2 time periods from 1987 to 1991 and from 1992 to April 1995 alternative treatment modes were tried in an attempt to obviate ECMO. During the first time period patients underwent trial high-frequency oscillatory ventilation before ECMO. In the second time period patients first received inhaled NO followed by HFOV in a non-responders. If this also failed HFOV was combined with I NO. In both time periods about 40% of the patients were spared ECMO treatment by these alternative treatment modalities. I NO only benefited 15% of the ECMO candidates who apparently had fared just as well on HFOV alone in the preceding time period. While patients who were improved by I NO were spared HFOV with its potential severe complications, i.e. air leaks and cardiocirculatory instability, more extended long-term studies will have to show which of these 2 treatment modalities (INO or HFOV) should be given first priority in an attempt to avoid ECMO in neonates with severe respiratory failure.

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is associated with significant pulmonary toxicity; however, the mechanism of toxicity is unknown. An in vitro endothelial model of injury was developed to assess the direct toxic effects of CP, CP derivatives and CP metabolites on cultured endothelial cells. Injury to 51Cr-labeled bovine artery pulmonary endothelial (BPAE) cells was quantified by the release of 51Cr from BPAE cells incubated for 18 h with injury expressed as a cytotoxic index. Because CP activation and metabolism occurs primarily in liver, assays assessing CP effects were conducted in the presence of an hepatic microsomal enzyme system. Upon activation, CP produces 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide, acrolein (ACR) and the alkylating metabolite, phosphoramide mustard. Nonactivated CP demonstrated no toxicity to BPAE cells within 18 h; whereas, activated CP induced significant BPAE cell injury in a concentration-dependent manner. Specific metabolites of CP 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide and ACR were markedly more toxic to BPAE cells than phosphoramide mustard. Sulfhydryl-rich compounds, S-2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethylphosphoric acid (WR-2721) and N-acetylcysteine, significantly reduced 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide- and ACR-induced injury but had no significant protective effect against phosphoramide mustard-induced toxicity. These studies suggest 1) CP is not metabolized within pulmonary artery endothelial cells, 2) ACR may be the principal CP metabolite involved in mediating direct injury to pulmonary artery endothelial cells and 3) sulfhydryl-rich agents may be effective in reducing CP-induced damage to critical endothelial cell barriers.

The regulation of the negative surface charge density of human monocytes was investigated with the help of the synthetic glycolipid analogue BAY R 1005. This compound is incorporated into the outer membrane of isolated monocytes during 24 hours of incubation. After this time the electrophoretic mobility (EM) of monocytes is unchanged at 0.95 × 10-4 (cm2 V-1 s-1) and remains unchanged even under conditions where non-treated monocytes increase their EM up to 1.1 × 10-4 (cm2 V-1 s-1). In addition BAY R 1005 stops differentiation of monocytes to macrophages, it triggers monokine production and abolishes monocyte suppressor activity and spreading capability. The results show that BAY R 1005 affects intracellular features. In connection with earlier investigations of the regulation of the negative surface charge density of human monocytes (1,2) the study suggests that monokine production and maintenance of the EM of monocytes are linked.

The prognostic significance of immunophenotype and other features including sex, age, anaemia, WBC, FAB type, and PAS staining were analysed in a group of 389 children newly diagnosed as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and treated according to the BFM 1981/1983 protocol. The CR rate was higher (82-94%) in immunophenotypic subgroups defined as 'non-B' compared with B-ALL (54%). The probability of being in CCR at the end of follow up was 0.68 (median, observation, 3 years). Using the stepwise Cox regression analysis the following independent factors predictive of duration of CCR were selected (relative risk in brackets): 1. WBC(>25G/1: <25G/1 = 2.0, P = 0.0008), 2. age(> 10y:2-10y = 1.3, P = 0.04), 3. CALLA positivity (neg.:posit. = 2.4, P = 0.04), 4. CALLA within B-cell progenitor ALL (pre;preB, Calla- :Calla+ = 1.7, P = 0.007). T-ALL appeared to have a worse prognosis than U-ALL and B-progenitor derived ALL but it did not retain independent prognostic significance in multivariate analysis.

Normal human serum markedly stimulated aldosterone production from rat adrenal glomerulosa cells incubated in Krebs Ringer bicarbonate medium (KRBGA). The effect was dose-related. In [K+] 3.6 mmKRBGA medium, serum stimulated aldosterone output to higher levels than those produced by maximal doses of serotonin (5 HT), angiotensin II (AII) or high [K+] (8.4 mm).Cells maximally stimulated by high [K+], 5 HT or AII in KRBGA medium were further stimulated by serum. The angiotensin analogue, [Sar1, Ala8]-AII abolished the effect of AII but not that of high [K+] or serum.Basal and ACTH-stimulated corticosterone outputs of rat fasciculata cells were not significantly affected by sera known to stimulate glomerulosa cells.Aldosterone stimulating activity of serum was dialysable and fully recovered in a serum ultrafiltrate.The serotonin blockers methysergide and metergoline abolished the aldosterone stimulating activity of serum but also depressed basal aldosterone output and methysergide reduced K+-stimulated output.Chymotrypsin digestion abolished the aldosterone stimulating activity of AII but not that of serotonin or serum.5 HT concentration of sera was measured and found to be near the threshold for aldosterone stimulation.Sodium loading and depletion of 4 normal subjects did not consistently modify the aldosterone stimulating activity of their sera.In a supplemented medium (RPMI 1640), basal and K+-stimulated aldosterone outputs were higher than in KRBGA medium. Under these conditions serum stimulated aldosterone output in normal [K+] medium but only marginally in high [K+] medium. In RPMI medium, serum did not further stimulate cells maximally stimulated with serotonin.Serum appears to stimulate aldosterone production from glomerulsoa cells by two different mechanisms: One is probably due to a serotonin-like substance. A separate effect of serum, seen only in KRBGA medium, is to enhance aldosterone output of glomerulosa cells maximally stimulated by K+, 5 HT or AII.

Effective lung repair requires optimal replication of critical cell populations in the lung. Endogenous polyamines such as putrescine, spermidine and spermine play important roles in cell proliferation and differentiation, and may arise due to intracellular synthesis or transport into the cell. To determine the mechanism of polyamine transport in lung endothelial cells, the uptake of putrescine in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells was examined. Putrescine (7 nM) uptake into the cells approached equilibrium at 1 hr and was inhibited by methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone). Kinetic studies revealed that uptake occurred via both a high- and low-affinity system. The effect of several amines (700 microM) on the 15-min uptake of putrescine was examined and a rank order of inhibition was determined: methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) > putrescine > spermine > spermidine > gentamicin > mepiperphenidol. alpha-Aminoisobutyric acid, a prototype system A amino acid, and tetraethylammonium, an organic cation, had no effect. N-ethylmaleimide inhibited transport 71%, whereas dinitrophenol did not. A reduction in temperature from 37 degrees C to 5 degrees C resulted in a 42% decrease in putrescine transport. Additionally, removing fetal bovine serum from the uptake medium reduced transport 38%. These data indicate that human pulmonary artery endothelial cells possess a specific transport system for polyamines. An improved understanding of this pathway in pulmonary endothelial cells may permit development of strategies to facilitate growth and repair of this critical cell population.

Amiodarone is a potent antidysrhythmic drug that is associated with severe pulmonary toxicity. The mechanism of amiodarone pulmonary toxicity is poorly understood. To investigate the possible involvement of oxygen-derived metabolites in amiodarone-induced injury, 51Cr-labeled human pulmonary artery endothelial (HPAE) cells were incubated with amiodarone for 18 hr in the presence of various antioxidants and in hypoxic and hyperoxic conditions with cell injury quantified by 51Cr release, expressed as cytotoxic index. Amiodarone (10-50 microM) directly injured HPAE cells in a concentration-dependent manner, but the injury was not modulated by altering ambient oxygen concentrations. Furthermore, amiodarone-induced injury (30 microM) was not reduced by the following antioxidants: catalase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbic acid, dimethyl sulfoxide and ethanol. In contrast, toxicity from 30 microM amiodarone was significantly reduced by alpha-tocopherol (alpha-TOC) at 10, 20 and 40 microM from a cytotoxic index of 41.6 +/- 3.5 to 25.5 +/- 7.9, 10.61 +/- 5.4 and 3.1 +/- 2.8, respectively. As revealed by phase microscopy, alpha-TOC (40 microM) prevented any evidence of toxicity to the amiodarone-treated cells. Amiodarone concentrations in the HPAE cells incubated in the presence and absence of alpha-TOC were not significantly different, indicating that alpha-TOC did not interfere with the uptake of the drug by the cells. Similarly, amiodarone did not interfere with the uptake of alpha-TOC by the HPAE cells. Although the specific mechanism of action remains unclear, alpha-TOC affords nearly complete protection in vitro from the cellular injury induced by amiodarone.

A thermoregulatory model of the human skin is described, which allows quantitative measurements of moisture transfer through textile layers and its thermal effect on the heat loss of the human body. The influence of various finishes on the moisture-transfer properties of cotton fabrics was investigated with multiple-layer combinations. Finish ing processes which fundamentally change the behavior of fibers with respect to moisture were used. Cross-linking of. the cotton produces no decline in moisture transfer. Water-repellent finishing reduces the moisture transfer substantially, since the wettabil ity of the fibers is a parameter of the capillary conductivity of yarns and fabrics., To clarify this, measurements were carried out on viscose fabrics (extremely high-absorptive fiber) and on glass-fiber fabrics (of high wettability). The water-vapor permeability, according to the control-dish method was also investigated for comparison.Controlled wear tests to estimate the significance of these laboratory measurements are also described. They show that cross-linking of cotton improves the body-comfort prop erties of fabrics and garments.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

• Congenital indifference to pain with anhydrosis (CIPA) is a well-defined entity among a group of sensory deficiency syndromes. Children with this genetic disease are insensitive to pain and temperature and do not sweat and suffer from psychomotor retardation. Self-inflicted trauma may be severe and lead to insoluble orthopedic problems. To date, 11 cases have been reported. We have reviewed the literature and are describing two girls with CIPA, born to consanguine Jewish parents of Moroccan origin. Immunoglobulin deficiency has been reported in CIPA but an immunologic investigation on one of our cases showed only an early and transient deficiency of IgA. The presence in the family of a brother with ataxia telangiectasia and complete absence of IgA would seem to be irrelevant and it seems probable that the parents are heterozygotic for two disparate autosomal recessive syndromes.(Am J Dis Child 133:1153-1155, 1979)

From temperature-dependent X-ray photoemission (XPS) spectra between 300 and 10 K of Sr doped La2CuO4 and “123” compounds (YBa2Cu3O7-d) we deduce the absence of the Cu3d8(Cu3+) configuration in the ground state of these Mott insulators. The metallic character of these samples and involving those Cu atoms which are relevant for the superconducting properties arises from a(d9p6)+ß(d10p5) valence fluctuations, while the superconducting transition is indicated to be closely related to an incipient oxygen dimerization which is best detected upon cooling far belowTc.

The article focuses on particular attributes within the physical, mental, and tactical domains that can be used to indicate tennis potential among children. It presents several activities that can be implemented in assessing tennis potentials among young ones. It discusses the importance of finding and developing talent early on children with potentials for the sport, as well as the roles of the attributes in attaining success in tennis.

No Abstract.

Controlling magnetic order on ultrashort timescales is crucial for engineering the next-generation magnetic devices that combine ultrafast data processing with ultrahigh-density data storage. An appealing scenario in this context is the use of femtosecond (fs) laser pulses as an ultrafast, external stimulus to fully set the orientation and the magnetization magnitude of a spin ensemble. Achieving such control on ultrashort timescales, e.g., comparable to the excitation event itself, remains however a challenge due to the lack of understanding the dynamical behavior of the key parameters governing magnetism: The elemental magnetic moments and the exchange interaction. Here, we investigate the fs laser-induced spin dynamics in a variety of multi-component alloys and reveal a dissimilar dynamics of the constituent magnetic moments on ultrashort timescales. Moreover, we show that such distinct dynamics is a general phenomenon that can be exploited to engineer new magnetic media with tailor-made, optimized dynamic properties. Using phenomenological considerations, atomistic modeling and time-resolved X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD), we demonstrate demagnetization of the constituent sub-lattices on significantly different timescales that depend on their magnetic moments and the sign of the exchange interaction. These results can be used as a “recipe” for manipulation and control of magnetization dynamics in a large class of magnetic materials.

2,2,7-Trimethyloct-6-en-3-one is formed by decomposition of two tetrahydropyran derivatives derived from cineole. A rational synthesis of this ketone from 3,3-dimethylbutan-2-one and 1-bromo-3-methylbut-2- ene is also reported.

The article focuses on the emergence of clay tennis court facilities in Australia. It notes that players tend to use clay courts when developing their game. Scott Draper, National Academy manager at Tennis Australia, states that young players training on clay courts earn development lessons such as point structure, variety and movement. It discusses the work done by the Clay Court Research Centre in Sydney, New South Wales in the monitor and maintenance of various types of clay courts.

A letter to the editor is presented commenting on a chance meeting with Chris Maida of "American Iron Magazine" during Daytona Bike Week 2012.

A letter to the editor is presented recalling a reunion trip with a friend and reminiscing about the pleasurable days of riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

A letter to the editor is presented about the first Harley-Davidson motorcycle of an enthusiast which is a 2009 Dyna Super Glide.