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The author discusses the optimistic outlook of the fashion industry for 2012 with fashion retailers allowed to do their best in trading despite the economic downturn. He agrees that the Easter season is the best time for traders along with Mother's Day and the Olympics. Also discussed are opportunities for increased sales among innovators, technologically advanced retailers and strong brands.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues about the publication's 2010 Drapers Awards.

The role of peroxisomal processes in the maintenance of neurons has not been thoroughly investigated. We propose using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism for studying the molecular basis underlying neurodegeneration in certain human peroxisomal disorders, e.g. Zellweger syndrome, since the nematode neural network is well characterized and relatively simple in function. Here we have identified C. elegans PEX-5 (C34C6.6) representing the receptor for peroxisomal targeting signal type 1 (PTS1), defective in patients with such disorders. PEX-5 interacted strongly in a two-hybrid assay with Gal4p–SKL, and a screen using PEX-5 identified interaction partners that were predominantly terminated with PTS1 or its variants. A list of C. elegans proteins with similarities to well-characterized yeast β-oxidation enzymes was compiled by homology probing. The possible subcellular localization of these orthologues was predicted using an algorithm based on trafficking signals. Examining the C termini of selected nematode proteins for PTS1 function substantiated predictions made regarding the proteins' peroxisomal location. It is concluded that the eukaryotic PEX5-dependent route for importing PTS1-containing proteins into peroxisomes is conserved in nematodes. C. elegans might emerge as an attractive model system for studying the importance of peroxisomes and affiliated processes in neurodegeneration, and also for studying a β-oxidation process that is potentially compartmentalized in both mitochondria and peroxisomes.

The role of peroxisomal processes in the maintenance of neurons has not been thoroughly investigated. We propose using Caenorhabditis elegansas a model organism for studying the molecular basis underlying neurodegeneration in certain human peroxisomal disorders, e.g. Zellweger syndrome, since the nematode neural network is well characterized and relatively simple in function. Here we have identified C. elegansPEX-5 (C34C6.6) representing the receptor for peroxisomal targeting signal type 1 (PTS1), defective in patients with such disorders. PEX-5 interacted strongly in a two-hybrid assay with Gal4p–SKL, and a screen using PEX-5 identified interaction partners that were predominantly terminated with PTS1 or its variants. A list of C. elegansproteins with similarities to well-characterized yeast β-oxidation enzymes was compiled by homology probing. The possible subcellular localization of these orthologues was predicted using an algorithm based on trafficking signals. Examining the C termini of selected nematode proteins for PTS1 function substantiated predictions made regarding the proteins' peroxisomal location. It is concluded that the eukaryotic PEX5-dependent route for importing PTS1-containing proteins into peroxisomes is conserved in nematodes. C. elegansmight emerge as an attractive model system for studying the importance of peroxisomes and affiliated processes in neurodegeneration, and also for studying a β-oxidation process that is potentially compartmentalized in both mitochondria and peroxisomes.

Virtually all pre-mRNA introns begin with the sequence / GU and end with AG/ (where / indicates a border between an exon and an Intron). We have previously shown that the G residues at the first and last positions of the yeast act In Intron Interact during the second step of splicing. In this work, we ask If other highly conserved Intron nucleotides also take part In this / G - G/ interaction. Of special interest is the penultimate Intron nucleotlde (AGl), which Is important for the second step of splicing and is In proximity to other conserved intron nucleotides. Therefore, we tested interactions of the penultimate intron nucleotide with the second intron nucleotide (/GU) and with the branch site nucleotide. We also tested two models that predict Interactions between sets of three conserved Intron nucleotides. In addition, we used random mutagenesls and genetic selection to search for Interactions between nucleotides In the pre-mRNA. We find no evidence for other Interactions between intron nucleotides besides the interaction between the first and last intron nucleotides.

From specific heat measurements we have determined the free energy behaviour of A2BX4 organic compounds (A=N(CH3)4; B=Co, Zn, Cu and × = Cl) in the 50-330K temperatures range.The complex phase transition sequence observed in these compounds is well described by the use of a phenomenological model for phase transitions1. The good agreement found with the experimental data have allowed to specify the numerical values of the phenomenological coefficients which account not only for the stability of the phases in a wide temperature range, but also for a good description of the wave vector and for the order parameter in the incommensurate phases2.The gradual disappearance of the ferroelectric phase in Co and Zn compounds by the influence of the pressure3 as well as the presence of two different incommensurate phases in the Co compound is also studied by a suitable pressure dependence of the phenomenological parameters. This method suggests a simple general procedure in order to determine the pressure-temperature phase diagrams.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

The problem of bacterial contamination of clinical and operating equipment is well recognized [ CLAYMAN et J. Cataract Refract. Surg. 12, 158–161 (1986); MAGNUssON et al., J. Hosp. Infect. 7, 86–90 (1986)] and appropriate methods are available for ensuring adequate cleanliness. Operating theatre equipment may contain complex electro-mechanical technology which requires substantial ‘down time’ for maintenance and cleaning. Often this is not built into operating theatre schedules and problems can occur. Opportunistic bacteria may colonize surfaces in semi- sealed parts of equipment where, since these areas are not normally subject to cleaning procedures, their growth may go undetected. This could have serious clinical consequences. While the risk to patients is obvious [ et al., J. Hyg., Camb. 83,41–57 (1979)] theatre and maintenance staff may also be at risk, particularly if they have well controlled chronic disease which could predispose them to opportunistic infection. We describe bacterial contamination in the pump unit and exhaust of a combined electro surgical/suction/fibre light unit commonly used in operating theatres throughout the U.K. A method of ensuring acceptable freedom from bacterial contamination is discussed.

An image sensor for a consumer camera should be inexpensive and small. Although the frame transfer organisation requires separate image and storage sections, our results show that a very compact design is possible, high resolution and high sensitivity being obtained with a chip area of 90 mm2for 3.6 µm design rules.

The article presents the poem "Hawaii, the Beautiful," by Toni Ruis.