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Canine distemper virus (CDV) is the cause of canine distemper (CD) which is a severe and highly contagious disease in dogs. In the present study, a duplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was developed for the detection and differentiation of wild-type and vaccine strains of CDV. Four primers were designed to detect and discriminate the two viruses by generating 638- and 781-bp cDNA products, respectively. Furthermore, the duplex RT-PCR method was used to detect 67 field samples suspected of CD from Guangdong province in China. Results showed that, 33 samples were to be wild-type-like. The duplex RT-PCR method exhibited high specificity and sensitivity which could be used to effectively detect and differentiate wild-type and vaccine CDV, indicating its use for clinical detection and epidemiological surveillance.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was common in the elderly, but its prognostic significance in older old population remained unclear. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the survival impact of MetS among older men aged 75 and over in Taiwan.From 2008, residents aged 75 years and older of Banciao Veterans Home were invited for study and were followed for 3 years. All participants received history taking, physical examinations, and laboratory tests. Mortality was determined by Veteran Affairs Death Registry, which was linked to the National Death Registry.Overall, 680 men (mean age: 82.5±4.7 years) were enrolled for study and the prevalence of MetS was 31.6%. During the follow-up period, 140 (20.6%) participants died, and the causes of death included infectious diseases (62, 9.1%), cardiovascular disease (37, 5.4%), cancer (20, 2.9%), and others (21, 3.1%). MetS subjects had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and having higher body mass index, waist circumferences, systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, serum triglyceride and lower HDL-C level than non-MetS subjects. However, MetS subjects were less likely to die during study period (16.3% vs. 22.6%, P=0.059). Multivariate logistic regression showed that older age (OR:1.04, 95% C.I.: 1.00-1.08, P=0.04), diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.34-3.30, P=0.001) were independent risk factors for mortality; and serum total cholesterol and triglyceride were protective factors (OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.99-1.00, P=0.037 for cholesterol; OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.99-1.00, P=0.013 for triglyceride). Adjusted for age, diabetes mellitus, serum levels of total cholesterol, and triglyceride, MetS played a potential trend of survival benefits among study subjects (HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.45-1.12, P=0.144).The prevalence of MetS among men aged 75 years and over was 31.6%, and the 3-year mortality rate was 20.6%. Older age, diabetes mellitus, lower serum cholesterol and lower serum triglyceride were independent risk factors for mortality. Further investigation is needed to clarify the prognostic impact of MetS in older adults.

The problem of the delay-dependent nonfragile H∞ observer-based control for a class of neutral systems with time delays is investigated. The additive gain variations under consideration are contained in both the controller gain and the observer gain. Novel delay-dependent criteria are derived to guarantee the stability of the nonfragile H∞ observer-based control system using the Lyapunov function approach combined with linear matrix inequalities (LMI). The controller and observer gains are given from the LMI feasible solutions. Based on the result of this paper, the constraint of matrix equality is not necessary for designing a nonfragile H∞ observer-based control. The computer software Matlab can be applied to solve the proposed problems. Finally, a numerical example is given illustrating the design of the nonfragile H∞ observer-based control.

Using RFLP studies, the disease locus in two X-linked retinitis pigmentosa families was found to be centromeric to DXS7 in one family and telomeric to DXS7 in another, suggesting non-allelic heterogeneity.

In this paper, the robust H∞ control problem of output dynamic observer-based control for a class of uncertain neutral systems is considered. The linear matrix inequality optimization approach is used to design the new H∞ output dynamic controls. Three classes of H∞ observer-based controls are proposed. The minimal H∞-norm bound and the maximal perturbed bound are given. Based on the result of this paper, the constraint of matrix equality is not necessary for designing the H∞ observer-based controls. A numerical example is given to stress the usefulness of the proposed results.

The design of a robust mixed H2/H∞ controller for a class of uncertain neutral systems with discrete, distributed, and input time-varying delays is considered. More precisely, the proposed robust mixed H2/H∞ controller minimizes an upper bound of the H2 performance measure, while guaranteeing an H∞ norm bound constraint. Based on the Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional theory, a delay-dependent criterion is derived for the existence of a desired mixed H2/H∞ controller, which can be constructed easily via feasible linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Furthermore, a convex optimization problem satisfying some LMI constraints is formulated to obtain a suboptimal robust mixed H2/H∞ controller achieving the minimization of an upper bound of the closed-loop H2 performance measure. Finally, a numerical example is illustrated to show the usefulness of the obtained design method.

Robust stabilization and robust H∞ control problems for a class of uncertain neutral system with state and input delays are considered. By choosing a Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, an alternative delay-dependent sufficient condition for the existence of a controller is derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Furthermore, a convex optimization problem can be formulated to obtain an H∞ controller which minimizes an upper H∞ norm bound of the closed-loop state-input delayed system.

Summary Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a newly emerged disease caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV), which spread globally in early 2003, affecting over 30 countries. We have used molecular epidemiology to define the patterns of spread of the virus in Hong Kong and beyond. Methods The case definition of SARS was based on that recommended by WHO. We genetically sequenced the gene for the S1 unit of the viral spike protein of viruses from patients with SARS in Hong Kong (138) and Guangdong (three) in February to April, 2003. We undertook phylogenetic comparisons with 27 other sequences available from public databases (Genbank). Findings Most of the Hong Kong viruses (139/142), including those from a large outbreak in an apartment block, clustered closely together with the isolate from a single index case (HKU-33) who came from Guangdong to Hong Kong in late February. Three other isolates were genetically distinct from HKU-33 in Hong Kong during February, but none of these contributed substantially to the subsequent local outbreak. Viruses identified in Guangdong and Beijing were genetically more diverse. Interpretation The molecular epidemiological evidence suggests that most SARS-CoV from the outbreak in Hong Kong, as well as the viruses from Canada, Vietnam, and Singapore, are genetically closely linked. Three viruses found in Hong Kong in February were phylogenetically distinct from the major cluster, which suggests that several introductions of the virus had occurred, but that only one was associated with the subsequent outbreak in Hong Kong, which in turn spread globally.

Correspondance: Molecular Ecology Resources Primer Development Consortium, E-mail: editorial.office@molecol.com; International audience; This article documents the addition of 396 microsatellite marker loci to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Anthocidaris crassispina, Aphis glycines, Argyrosomus regius, Astrocaryum sciophilum, Dasypus novemcinctus, Delomys sublineatus, Dermatemys mawii, Fundulus heteroclitus,Homalaspis plana, Jumellea rossii, Khaya senegalensis, Mugil cephalus, Neoceratitis cyanescens, Phalacrocorax aristotelis, Phytophthora infestans, Piper cordulatum, Pterocarpus indicus, Rana dalmatina, Rosa pulverulenta, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Scomber colias, Semecarpus kathalekanensis, Stichopus monotuberculatus, Striga hermonthica, Tarentola boettgeri and Thermophis baileyi. These loci were cross-tested on the following species: Aphis gossypii, Sooretamys angouya, Euryoryzomys russatus, Fundulus notatus, Fundulus olivaceus, Fundulus catenatus, Fundulus majalis, Jumellea fragrans, Jumellea triquetra Jumellea recta, Jumellea stenophylla, Liza richardsonii, Piper marginatum, Piper aequale, Piper darienensis, Piper dilatatum, Rana temporaria, Rana iberica, Rana pyrenaica, Semecarpus anacardium, Semecarpus auriculata, Semecarpus travancorica, Spondias acuminata, Holigarna grahamii, Holigarna beddomii, Mangifera indica, Anacardium occidentale, Tarentola delalandii, Tarentola caboverdianus and Thermophis zhaoermii

Beam commissioning of the SuperKEKB collider began in 2016. The Beam Exorcism for A STable experiment II (BEAST II) project is particularly designed to measure the beam backgrounds around the interaction point of the SuperKEKB collider for the Belle II experiment. We develop a system using bismuth germanium oxide (BGO) crystals with optical fibers connecting to a multianode photomultiplier tube (MAPMT) and a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) embedded readout board for monitoring the real-time beam backgrounds in BEAST II. The overall radiation sensitivity of this system is estimated to be $(2.20\pm0.26)\times10^{-12}$ Gy/ADU (analog-to-digital unit) with the standard 10 m fibers for transmission and the MAPMT operating at 700 V. Our $\gamma$-ray irradiation study of the BGO system shows that the exposure of BGO crystals to $^{60}$Co $\gamma$-ray doses of 1 krad has led to immediate light output reductions of 25--40%, and the light outputs further drop by 30--45% after the crystals receive doses of 2--4 krad. Our findings agree with those of the previous studies on the radiation hard (RH) BGO crystals grown by the low thermal gradient Czochralski (LTG Cz) technology. The absolute dose from the BGO system is also consistent with the simulation, and is estimated to be about 1.18 times the equivalent dose. These results prove that the BGO system is able to monitor the background dose rate in real time under extreme high radiation conditions. This study concludes that the BGO system is reliable for the beam background study in BEAST II.

In this study, two antioxidative substances, a homogeneous polysaccharide [abalone shell polysaccharide (ASP-1), corresponding to the first peak by size exclusion chromatography] and a non-polysaccharide compound [abalone shell compound (ACS-2), corresponding to the second peak by size exclusion chromatography], were extracted from the abalone (Haliotis discus hannai Ino) shell. We primarily focused on the investigation of ASP-1. As a heteropolysaccharide, ASP-1 is comprised of 9.3% uronic acid and 86.4% saccharide, the latter including mannose, ribose, rhamnose, glucose, galactose, arabinose, and two unknown monosaccharides, NO1 and NO2, with a mass ratio of 9.5:10.1:2.2:18.2:21.8:5.5:16.5:16.2. The antioxidant activity assays indicated that 5.0 mg/mL ASP-1 has significant scavenging effects on superoxide radicals (86.2%) compared to the positive control of ascorbic acid (95.6%).

The significance of physical activity for fitness is that it may change risk factors for chronic disease and improve functional and psychological status. Rational nutrition and scientific training are prerequisites for safe and useful exercise. Even mild iron deficiency anemia can affect physical capacity. Intensive exercise has been found to increase serum and erythrocyte lipid peroxide levels. Moderate exercise decreases the blood lipid peroxides and increases free radical elimination enzyme (SOD, GSH-Px, CAT) activities. Elite athletes have significantly lower Malonic dialdehyde (MDA) levels and higher SOD and GSH-Px activities. Zinc deficiency not only leads to an increase in free radical generation and lipid peroxidation and a depression of SOD activity, but also is harmful to immune function. Exercise can exacerbate the damage induced by iron deficiency or zinc deficiency. Long term diet restriction by gymnasts to control weight showed detrimental effects including growth retardation, menstrual disturbances, malnutrition, mental stress and muscle weakness. Comprehensive nutrition promotes growth rate and corrects malnutrition without a body fat increase in athletes. Exercise benefits the growth and development of bone and muscle and enhances muscle strength. The prevention of obesity is particularly important during periods of rapid growth. The establishment of an exercise life style during childhood will favor the best health.

Parallel computing has been the main approach for solving large-size computational problems as in computational fluid dynamics, electromagnetics, structural mechanics, computational chemistry, etc. Due to the rapid advance of networking technology and wide availability of workstations in many institutions, networked heterogeneous workstations become attractive for parallel computations. One inherent problem for parallel computing on networked heterogeneous workstations is load balancing. Since parallel processes exchange information periodically, fast processes frequently wait for needed information from slow processes. Therefore, the slowest process among all parallel computation processes dictates the computation time of the whole program execution. The main task of load balancing is to reduce the processing time for the slowest process and to reduce the communication time among processes. It is not very difficult to find a reasonably good optimization algorithm for load balancing. However, the...

Chromosome-specific gene regulation is known thus far only as a mechanism to equalize the transcriptional activity of the single male X chromosome with that of the two female X chromosomes. In Drosophila melanogaster , a complex including the five Male-Specific Lethal (MSL) proteins, “paints” the male X chromosome, mediating its hypertranscription. Here, with the molecular cloning of Painting of fourth ( Pof ), we describe a previously uncharacterized gene encoding a chromosome-specific protein in Drosophila . Unlike the MSL proteins, POF paints an autosome, the fourth chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster . Chromosome translocation analysis shows that the binding depends on an initiation site in the proximal region of chromosome 4 and spreads in cis to involve the entire chromosome. The spreading depends on sequences or structures specific to chromosome 4 and cannot extend to parts of other chromosomes translocated to the fourth. Spreading can also occur in trans to a paired homologue that lacks the initiation region. In the related species Drosophila busckii , POF paints the entire X chromosome exclusively in males, suggesting relationships between the fourth chromosome and the X and between POF complexes and dosage-compensation complexes.

Recombinant transformation vectors (ZPβypGH and ZpβrtGH) consisting of fish growth hormone cDNA, and a reporter geneβ-galactosidase driven by fish promoter (Zp) were constructed. Freshly fertilized eggs of zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio) were electroporated at optimum conditions (0.07 kV voltage; 25 μF capacitance; 8 ohm resistance and 2 pulses) in the presence of one of these transformation vectors (100 μg circular DNNml). In either cases 72% of the electroporated eggs successfully hatched, in comparison to the 85% hatchability of the control eggs. Genomic DNA extracted from fins of randomly chosenF 0 individuals was screened (by Southern blot hybridization); the transgenes were retained in the host genome of all the randomly chosen adult transformants. Fin-positive presumptive founder parents were crossed with control counterparts and the DNA of randomly chosenF 1 progenies was screened for germline transformation. Southern analysis of chosenF 1 progenies revealed the persistence of ZPβypGH or ZpβrtGH in 53% of theF 1 progenies. Southern analyses of chosenF 1 progenies and the frequency (53% ofF 1 ZpβrtGH and 53% ofF 1 ZP{β}ypGH) of transmission revealed the degree of mosaicism inF 0 transformants. Expression was confirmed from the 3–4 times elevated levels of activity of the reporter gene and 30–40% accelerated growth of transgenicF 0 andF 1 progenies.

The effect of load on the tribological behaviour of three different two-dimensional carbon-carbon composites, including polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibre-pitch matrix, PAN fibre-chemical vapour infiltrated (CVI) matrix, and pitch fibre-resin/CVI hybrid matrix composites has been compared. Results indicated that friction and wear rate variations with slide distance depended on load and the type of composite. The worn surface morphology was categorized into three types (I, II and III). The friction coefficient, wear rate and temperature all increased sharply when the transition from type I to type II occurred. When the powdery type II debris was compacted to form the lubricative type III debris, the friction coefficient and wear rate declined, although never approached their initial type I levels. For all composites, a higher load can accelerate the transition from type I to type II, but impedes the transition from type II to type III. Under 2.4 MPa, the type II morphology was never observed to transform into type III morphology in this study.

Hemolysis is a major symptom of diseased eels infected by Edwardsiella tarda. The hemolysin gene of E. tarda strain ET16 was cloned into plasmid pSK and expressed in Escherichia coli. The mol. mass of the functional beta-hemolysin was estimated to be approximately 34 kDa by gel filtration and by SDS-PAGE followed by in situ hemolysin activity analysis. The cloned fragment containing the beta-hemolysin locus from E. tarda strain ET16 expressed in E. coli was estimated to be 5.3 kb in length; the deduced gene product was identical in mol. mass and properties to the extracellular products of E. tarda strain ET16. The presence of EcoRI and XbaI sites within the beta-hemolysin gene of E. tarda was determined from the loss of hemolytic activity in subclones. Analysis of the DNA sequence of a 2,436-bp HaeIII-HindIII fragment that included EcoRI and XbaI sites revealed three ORFs organized as an operon that encoded three predicted polypeptides of 15,874, 7,055, and 34,804 Da. A 34-kDa polypeptide expressing hemolytic activity in cell lysates of the clone DH5 alpha(pETH3E) is very likely the beta-hemolysin encoded by the third ORF. The observation that hemolytic activity appeared in the culture medium of E. tarda, but not in that of E. coli strain DH5 alpha(pETH3E) indicates the existence of a mechanism for transporting the hemolysin across the cell envelope in E. tarda that is different from that of E. coli.

The iron contents in the hair and blood samples of 37 juvenile athletes who were supplemented with 0, 8 and 16 mg Fe/day, respectively, in the food of ferrous gluconatecontaining chocolate for 3 months were determined before and after the supplementation by INAA, SRXRF and blood analysis. The experimental results showed that after supplementation of the iron-fortified food, the normal ferritin level in the blood of the male athletes was attained and the iron content in the hair was increased with supplementation, but both are not in the positive proportion. Most of the female athletes had similar results. It is suggested that supplementation of 8 mg iron/day to juvenile athletes may be desirable.

A study has been carried out to determine the levels of radioisotopes in five Canadian grains from pre-(1985) and post-Chernobyl (1986) crop years. In addition, the radioisotope levels were determined in grains from the 1988 crop year consisting of wheats, oats, barley, corn and oil seeds which included flax, sunflower and canola. The grain and oil-seed samples were ashed to reduce their volume, and the gammaemitters137Cs and40K were determined using a high-purity germanium detector and a high-purity germanium well detector. The90Sr activity measurements required further ashing of the samples followed by chemical separations and β-counting of the separated daughter90Y. The results for the 1985, 1986 and 1988 crop years are discussed and compared with results from grain crops obtained during years of atmospheric bomb tests in the 1950's.

The present study compares low energy tribological behavior among five different carbon-carbon composites designated “E” (2D PAN/CVI), “A” (2D pitch/resin/CVI), “TH” (high density 2D PAN/pitch), “TL” (low density 2D PAN/pitch) and “T3D” (3D PAN/pitch). Results indicate that all composites had steady-state friction coefficients close to 0.2, except for “TL” which had a much larger initial friction peak (up to 0.6) and higher average friction coefficient (nearly 0.3). Unlike the other four composites, which had quite constant friction coefficients after the initial peaks, the friction coefficient of “TH” continued to increase up to 66 meters of sliding. Weight losses of “TL” were an order of magnitude higher than those of the other four composites, due to the high wear rate during the first few minutes of sliding. After thirtysome meters of sliding the wear rate of “TL” decreased to a level comparable to those of the other four composites. Among “E,” “A,” “TH,” and “T3D,” the composite “T3D” had the largest weight loss, whereas “A” had the smallest. The composites “E” and “TH” had nearly identical weight losses up to 66 meters. For all composites, a flat and smooth self-lubricative debris film was generated on the worn surfaces after sliding for a few meters. Compared to the other composites, the debris film covering the “TH” surface was developed at a lower rate. For the present carbon-carbon composites, the development of a steady-state friction coefficient value generally occurred earlier than the development of a steady-state wear rate.

The study reports the effect of sliding speed on the tribological behavior of a two-dimensional polyacrylonitrile fiber-reinforced pitch matrix carbon-carbon composite. When the composite was slid at 800 and 1100 rpm, no transition of any kind was observed. A thin, smooth lubricative film was formed on the worn surfaces, and both friction (0.1–0.2) and wear (0.10 mg cm−2) were low throughout all tests. At speeds of 1400 rpm and higher, the composite experienced concurrent transitions in friction, wear and surface morphology. The higher the speed, the shorter the sliding distance at which the transitions occurred. In the pre-transitional period, a smooth film was formed and the friction and wear were as low as those observed at lower speeds. When the transition took place, a thick powdery debris layer was quickly generated and the friction and wear rose abruptly (the friction coefficients rose to 0.6–0.7). This powdery debris was subsequently transformed into a smooth, lubricative film, causing the friction to decline to 0.4–0.5. At 800 and 1100 rpm, the temperatures induced in the friction and wear process were roughly 100 °C at all times. When a frictional transition occurred, the temperatures rose abruptly. At 2300 rpm, the temperature rose to as high as 900 °C at the conclusion of 66 m of sliding.

Resonant properties in 18Ne relevant to the stellar reaction of 14O(α,p)17F have been investigated through a resonant elastic scattering of 17F+p. The 17F RI beam was produced via a projectile-fragmentation reaction, and subsequently separated and purified by a Radioactive Ion beam Line in Lanzhou (RIBLL). After a series of energy degradation, a 4.21 AMeV 17F beam bombarded a thick (CH2)n target at T2 terminal. Energy and angle of the recoiled protons were measured by two sets of ΔE-E silicon telescope at θlab ≈ 0°, 14° respectively. Several resonances in 18Ne were observed, and their resonant parameters including energy, spin-parity and decay width have been determined by an R-Matrix analysis of the experimental excitation function.

Spent ion-exchange resins are produced in the purification of coolant and moderator systems during the normal operation of CANDU (Canada deuterium uranium) nuclear reactors. Carbon-14 is a radionuclide of concern in disposal of ion-exchange resins because of its relatively long half-life, its potential high mobility and its ability to be easily incorporated into organisms. Only limited data are presently available on the14C concentrations of spent from CANDU reactors. To establish a more comprehensive datahase for this radionuclide, concentrations of14C were determined for two moderator resins from Bruce Nuclear Generating Station A. Mixed bed resins were separated into anion and cation fractions using a sugar solution, and the14C concentrations were determined for each fraction. Carbon-14-was located predominantly on the anion beads. Samples of anion resin were found to undergo an 81% loss in the14C concentration over a period of 160 d following the sugar separation procedure. Some evidence is given to suggest this loss in14C may result from microbial activity. Concentrations and distributions of other predominant radionuclides, such as60Co and153Gd, are discussed as well.

The authors have developed the analytical geometry of face-gear drives, proposed the method for localization of bearing contact, developed computerized simulation of meshing and bearing contact, investigated the influence of gear misalignment on the shift of bearing contact and transmission errors. Application for design is discussed. The obtained results are illustrated with numerical examples.

The simian virus 40 (SV40) large tumor antigen (T antigen) under its natural regulatory elements induces choroid plexus papillomas in transgenic mice. Because these tumors develop focally after several months, it has been suggested that secondary cellular alterations are required to induce a tumor in this tissue. In contrast to SV40, the related lymphotropic papovavirus early region induces rapid nonfocal choroid plexus neoplasia in transgenic mice. Here, using hybrid gene constructs, we showed that T antigen from either virus in in fact sufficient to induce these tumors. Their abilities to induce proliferative abnormalities in other tissues, such as kidney and thymus, were also indistinguishable. Differences in the rate of choroid plexus tumorigenesis reflected differences in the control regions of the two viruses, rather than differences in T antigen per se. Under SV40 regulation, expression was limited to a fraction of the choroid plexus cells prior to the formation of focal tumors. When SV40 T antigen was placed under lymphotropic papovavirus control, in contrast, expression was generally uniform in the choroid plexus and rapid expansion of the tissue ensued. We found a direct relationship between T-antigen expression, morphological transformation, and proliferation of the choroid plexus epithelial cells. Analysis of mosaic transgenic mice indicated further that T antigen exerts its mitogenic effect cell autonomously. These studies form the foundation for elucidating the role of various T-antigen subactivities in tumorigenesis.

To use the equilibrium established by creatine kinase (CK) to determine hepatic free ADP levels, the transcriptional control elements of the transthyretin gene were used to direct expression of the CK B isozyme to the livers of transgenic mice. Activities of CK ranging from 80-250 mumol per min per g (wet weight) were detected in liver extracts from five founder mice. The CK activity was stably transmitted to subsequent generations. Isozyme gels and immunoblots confirmed that the activity detected in extracts was due to the B isozyme of CK. Immunohistology indicated that the protein was expressed uniformly throughout the liver and was localized primarily to the cytoplasm. 31P NMR spectroscopy was used to detect the metabolic product of the CK reaction, phosphocreatine, demonstrating that the enzyme was active in vivo. The phosphocreatine level fell rapidly during anoxia (t1/2 = 1 min), indicating that the CK reaction was integrated into hepatic energy metabolism. The equilibrium established by CK was used to calculate a hepatic free ADP level of 0.059 +/- 0.004 mumol/g (wet weight). In vivo NMR studies of these mice will be valuable for studying the role of free ADP in regulating liver metabolism.

Multilocus linkage analysis of 62 family pedigrees with X chromosome-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) was undertaken to determine the presence of possible multiple disease loci and to reliably estimate their map location. Multilocus homogeneity tests furnished convincing evidence for the presence of two XLRP loci, the likelihood ratio being 6.4 x 10(9):1 in favor of two versus a single XLRP locus and gave accurate estimates for their map location. In 60-75% of the families, location of an XLRP gene was estimated at 1 centimorgan distal to OTC, and in 25-40% of the families, an XLRP locus was located halfway between DXS14 (p58-1) and DXZ1 (Xcen), with an estimated recombination fraction of 25% between the two XLRP loci. There is also good evidence for a third XLRP locus, midway between DXS28 (C7) and DXS164 (pERT87), supported by a likelihood ratio of 293:1 for three versus two XLRP loci.

Two micelle-templated materials with Si/Al ratio = 2.5, exchanged at 43% with Li + ions and at 82% with Na + ions, respectively, have been characterized by means of CO 2 adsorption followed by FT-IR spectroscopy and microcalorimetry, their texture and acidic properties having been studied in a previous paper [B. Bonelli, B. Onida, J.D. Chen, A. Galarneau, F. Di Renzo, F. Fajula, E. Garrone, Micropor. Mesopor. Mater. 67 (2004) 95]. CO 2 adsorption shows that no strong basic sites (oxygen anions able to form carbonate-like species) occur at the surface, in contrast to findings with zeolites of comparable composition. CO 2 interacts instead in a linear form with Lewis acidic sites, and reveals that only a part of Na or Li sites are accessible to the probe. The amorphous nature of the walls allows exchangeable alkali-cations to be partially “sunk” among surrounding oxygen anions: the majority of Na + ions are not accessible to CO 2 , whereas only about one half of Li + ions are so. A dramatic decrease in the differential heats of adsorption with coverage indicates that interaction with the CO 2 ligand probably implies some extraction of the cations from the amorphous matrix. Na cations only form 1:1 adducts with CO 2 , whereas Li cations may form 1:2 species.

Two approaches to the antibody-directed targeting of toxic or cytolytic activity and augmentation of cellular immune responses have been explored for tumour immunotherapy, but so far success has been limited. Obstacles facing immunotherapy are the limited accessibility of antibodies or antibody conjugates to solid tumours and the difficulty in obtaining tumour-specific cytotoxic lymphocytes. Here we generate a new class of tumour-specific killer cells by genetically modifying lymphocytes to produce and secrete a targeted toxin against an oncoprotein overexpressed on breast and other tumour cells. The transduced lymphocytes were shown to have potent and selective cytotoxicity to tumours in culture and nude mouse models. The potent in vivo antitumour activity is probably a result of the migration of the lymphocytes to tumours as a targeted toxin carrier, and production and accumulation of the targeted toxins inside tumours as a producer. Our approach, which has features of both antibody-directed and cell-mediated immunotherapy, may have application in a gene therapy context.

A micelle-templated material with Si/Al=2.5 has been synthesised, then either calcined to provide the H form of the sample or partially exchanged with Li+ and Na+ ions. After surfactant removal, all samples were microporous, with average diameter around 18 A. In the H form, sizeable formation of octahedral and pentacoordinated Al was found, whereas, with Na sample, 27Al NMR spectra showed minimal occurrence of octahedral Al, so indicating that Na+ cations, in contrast with protons, do compensate tetrahedral Al in the silicate structure. All samples have been characterised via FT-IR spectroscopy of surface hydroxyl species and adsorbed probe molecules acting as Lewis bases (carbon monoxide, ammonia, propene). Although the Si/Al ratio is close to that of Y zeolites, these systems showed definitely weaker acidity, similar to that of amorphous silica–aluminas of low Al content. With H sample, no zeolite-like Bronsted site has been observed, the more acidic hydroxyls being those absorbing at 3660 cm−1, ascribed to SiOAl(OH)OSi groups, able to transfer a proton to ammonia, but not to propene, and undergoing with CO a shift of about 220 cm−1. With Na sample, the nearly complete exchange caused the disappearance of more acidic hydroxyls and of Al3+ Lewis sites; a fraction of Na+ cations resulted not accessible to probe molecules, being probably buried into the thick walls. With Li sample, some AlOH species and Al3+ Lewis sites are at the surface, as a consequence of the lower degree of exchange.

HMS materials with Si/Al ratio = 2.5 have been synthesised and characterized. 27 A1 NMR spectra showed minimal occurrence of octahedral phase after template removal. FT-IR and microcalorimetric results showed that, though having the same chemical composition of Y zeolites, such materials exhibit drastically different acidic/basic properties.