[Fomecin B as a cytotoxic metabolite from the basidiomycete Tricholomopsis rutilans (Schaeff. ex. Fr.) Sing].
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BACKGROUND: Patients who undergo gynecological laparoscopic surgery often begin to eat and ambulate soon after surgery. However, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) can postpone recovery. METHODS: We prospectively investigated the incidence of PONV, along with oral intake and ambulation in patients who received an epidural infusion following gynecological laparoscopic surgery with combined epidural and general anesthesia. Forty patients were randomly and equally divided into 2 groups: group R, who received patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) with 0.2% ropivacaine, and group FR, who received a continuous epidural infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine with fentanyl (CEA). PONV and pain were scored during the early (0-6 hours) and late (6-24 hours) postoperative periods. RESULTS: PONV incidence and scores were significantly lower in group R (5.3%) than group FR (70.6%) during the late period. Further, patients in group R ate significantly more than group FR at both lunch and dinner, and 2 patients could not ambulate the day after surgery in the FR group. There was no significant difference in analgesia requested between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: We found that PCEA with ropivacaine alone resulted in a significantly lower incidence of PONV and did not disturb eating and ambulation following gynecological laparoscopic surgery, as compared to patients who received CEA.
Dynamic shear properties of excised rabbit lungs were studied by measuring creep deformation after application of a step indentation force to the pleural surfaces by a rigid cylindrical punch. The punch diameter was 9.5 mm, and punch forces were 2,4, and 6 g. Measurements were made at lung volumes of 40, 60, and 90% of the total lung capacity before and after lavage with 3-dimethyl siloxane, which provided a constant surface tension of 16 dyn/cm at the alveolar surfaces. A power-law model was fitted to creep data and then transformed into the frequency (f) domain by using Laplace transforms. The optimum model parameters were used to calculate shear elastance (E mu), shear resistance (R mu), and shear hysteresivity (2 pi fR mu/E mu) between 0.01 and 2.0 Hz. It was found that E mu slightly increased and R mu decreased nearly hyperbolically with increasing f, both decreased with increasing indentation force, and both increased with increasing mean lung volume. Shear hysteresivity decreased sharply from 0.01 to 0.25 Hz and then assumed a nearly steady value that was an order of magnitude lower than the value reported previously for uniformly oscillated lungs. Changes in E mu and R mu after lavage were correlated with changes in transpulmonary pressure and not with changes in surface film properties. These results suggest that in the breathing range of frequencies 1) the energy loss of lung parenchyma is a much smaller fraction of the stored elastic energy in shear than in uniformly oscillated lungs and 2) transpulmonary pressure, not dynamic properties of surface film, is the primary determinant of lung dynamic properties in shear.
BACKGROUND: Currently, amnioinfusion fluids used in operative fetoscopy usually are preheated to body temperature. As the complexity of procedures increases, purposed designed devices should be designed that allow control of pressure and temperature during amnioinfusion or amnioexchange. In the current study, a prototype amnio-irrigator and fluid heater were evaluated. METHODS: The medical fluid heater heats fluid by conduction up to 37 degrees C. The maximum irrigation pressure and flow rates can be preset. Actual irrigation pressure (0 to 30 mm Hg) and flow rate (0 to 300 mL/min) can be read on the front panel. A series of ex vivo experiments were set up to determine the relationship between the flow rate (FR) and lumen of the instruments as well as the maximum flow rate (MFR) with and without the pressure control. Further, the relationship between FR and the irrigation pressure (IP) was determined. In an artificial pseudoamniotic sac the relationship between FR and change in temperature was measured, with and without the use of the medical fluid heater. RESULTS: When the IP was limited to 24 mm Hg, FR and pressure were correlated (r = 0.34; P <.001). The larger the functional lumen of the fetoscopic instrumentation, the higher the flow (r = 0.43; P <.001) and the lower the increase in IP (r = -0.47; P <.001). A quadratic relation between flow and temperature was observed both for preheated fluid as when using the fluid heater (r(2) = 0.71 and r(2) = 0.88; P <.001). However, at low flow rates, a thermal decrease of over 3 degrees C was observed when the fluid heater was not used. CONCLUSIONS: The current study quantifies an expected relationship between the diameter of the irrigation channel and achievable flow rates. It also shows that a medical fluid heater is needed when strict control of temperature would be desired.
The reaction of the rice mutant HEBIBA differs from that of wild-type rice in that the mutant responds inversely to red light and is defective in the light-triggered biosynthesis of jasmonic acid (JA). Using the wild type and the HEBIBA mutant of rice in a differential display screen, we attempted to identify genes that act in or near the convergence point of light and JA signalling. We isolated specifically regulated DNA fragments from approximately 10 000 displayed bands, and identified a new early light- and JA-induced gene. This gene encodes an enzyme containing a GDSL motif, showing 38 % identity at the amino acid level to lipase Arab-1 in Arabidopsis thaliana. The GDSL CONTAINING ENZYME RICE 1 gene (GER1) is rapidly induced by both red (R) and far-red (FR) light and by JA. The results are discussed with respect to a possible role for GER1 as a negative regulator of coleoptile elongation in the context of recent findings on the impact of JA on light signalling.
The HFR1, a basic helix-loop-helix protein, is required for a subset of phytochrome A-mediated photoresponses in Arabidopsis. Here, we show that overexpression of the HFR1-deltaN105 mutant, which lacks the N-terminal 105 amino acids, confers exaggerated photoresponses even in darkness. Physiological analysis implied that overexpression of HFR1-deltaN105 activated constitutively a branch pathway of light signaling that mediates a subset of photomorphogenic responses, including germination, de-etiolation, gravitropic hypocotyl growth, blocking of greening, and expression of some light-regulated genes such as CAB, DRT112, PSAE, PSBL, PORA, and XTR7, without affecting the light-responsiveness of anthocyanin accumulation and expression of other light-regulated genes such as CHS and PSBS. Although the end-of-day far-red light response and petiole elongation were suppressed in the HFR1-deltaN105-overexpressing plants, flowering time was not affected by HFR1-deltaN105. In addition, the HFR1-deltaN105-overexpressing plants showed hypersensitive photoresponses in the inhibition of hypocotyl elongation, dependently on phytochrome A, FHY1, and FHY3 under FR light or phyB under R light, respectively. Moreover, our double mutant analysis suggested that the hypersensitive photoresponse is due to functional cooperation between HFR1-deltaN105 and other light-signaling components including HY5, a basic leucine zipper protein. Taken together, our results of gain-of-function approach with HFR1-deltaN105 suggest the existence of a complex and important basic helix-loop-helix protein-mediated transcriptional network controlling a branch pathway of light signaling and provide a useful framework for further genetic dissection of light-signaling network in Arabidopsis.
Regular diet monitoring requires a tool validated in the target population. A 73-item, semiquantitative, self-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), was adapted in French and English from the Block National Cancer Institute Health Habits and History Questionnaire. The FFQ was used to capture usual long-term food consumption among adults living in Quebec. A representative sample of adults aged 18 to 82 (57% female) was recruited by random digit dialling in the Montreal region. Approximately 64% of recruits completed and returned the instrument by mail (n=248). The FFQ was validated in a subsample (n=94, 61% female) using four nonconsecutive food records (FRs). Median energy intakes (in kcal) for men and women, respectively, were FFQ (total sample) 2,112 and 1,823, FFQ (subsample) 2,137 and 1,752, and FR (subsample) 2,510 and 1,830. Spearman correlation analyses between FFQ and FR nutrients were positive (with r ranging from 0.32 for folate to 0.58 for saturated fatty acids) and statistically significant (p<0.001), with better results among women. On average, cross-classification of energy and 24 nutrients from the FFQ and means of four FRs placed 39% into identical quartiles and 78% into identical and contiguous quartiles, with only 4% frankly misclassified. These results suggest that the FFQ is a relatively valid instrument for determining usual diet in Quebec adults.
Phytochromes are regulatory photoreceptors which primarily absorb red (R) and far-red (FR) light. A great deal is known about the spectroscopic properties, primary structure, gene regulation and gross structure of phytochromes, and about the set of developmental changes which they control, but the early steps in signal transduction from phytochrome which result in these changes are still mysterious. In angiosperms, phytochromes are encoded by a small gene family, and as a result of recent work with mutants and transgenic overexpressors it is possible to assign distinct functions to some of the individual types of phytochrome. For two of these, phytochrome A and phytochrome B, overexpression of chimeras has revealed that the determinants for their photosensory specificity and the light-promoted degradation of phytochrome A reside on the amino-terminal halves of the molecules. The interchangeability of the C-terminal halves suggests that they may share a common signal transduction mechanism. These results also invite a reappraisal of the various models that have been proposed over the years to explain the complexity of phytochrome sensitivity to various light regimes.
Eight-day-old barley seedlings (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Wintex) were pretreated with a single 24-hour daylight fluorescent photoperiod that was supplemented with sufficient far-red energy (FR) to produce a relative red (R)/FR ratio of 0.5. These plants undergo floral initiation about a week after they are returned to 12-hour daylight fluorescent photoperiods (R/FR ratio, 5.5), but floral development does not begin for an additional 2 weeks. Addition of FR light to a subsequent 12-hour photoperiod decreases the lag period between initiation and development by 10 days without affecting the rate of development. Extending the photoperiod to 24 hours has the same effect on the lag period, but this treatment also increases the rate of development. FR present during the second half of this 24-hour photoperiod only further increases the rate of development. Thus, the presence of FR during the first half of the photoperiod appears to affect the time of onset of floral development, while its presence during the second half of the photoperiod affects the rate of this development.When a 6-hour pulse of FR was given at various times during a 72- to 96-hour continuous daylight fluorescent period, the response varied rhythmically and was maximal during the second half of each 24-hour cycle. When one 6-hour FR pulse, given at a point of maximal response, is followed by a second 6-hour FR pulse at various times relative to the first, the phase of this rhythm is advanced by about 12 hours. This suggests that FR has two separate but concomitant effects. It causes (a) earlier and/or more rapid flowering and (b) it alters the phase of the endogenous circadian rhythm that regulates the ability of the plant to respond.
By the means of spectral analysis, dependency of heart rate variability (HRV) on average R--R-intervals (R--Rav, sec) is explored at controlled (forced) breathing. According to our findings, the dependency of the peak frequency at a spectral density graph for source series of R--R-intervals upon the RRav may be presented by the following formula: fp 1.0 = fr: RRav, where fp 1.0--peak frequency when R--Rav = 1.0 sec, fp--peak frequency at current R--Rav. For correcting (standardization) the frequency domain borders of spectral power (fd) of sources series of the R--Rav-intervals it is possible to use the formula: fd = fd 1.0 R--Rav, where fd 1.0--frequency domain border at R--Rav = 1.0 sec. The correction (standardization) of frequency domain borders of spectral power (fd), frequency peaks (fp 1.0) of sources series of the R--Rav-intervals as compared to current R--Rav allows to compare different series of the R--Rav-intervals without using the transformation to the discrete event series (DES).
Lycopersicon esculentum seeds germinate after rehydration in complete darkness. This response was inhibited by a far-red light (FR) pulse, and the inhibition was reversed by a red light (R) pulse. Comparison of germination in phytochrome-deficient mutants (phyA, phyB1, phyB2, phyAB1, phyB1B2 and phyAB1B2) showed that phytochrome B2 (PhyB2) mediates both responses. The germination was inhibited by strong continuous R (38 micromol m(-2) s(-1)), whereas weak R (28 nmol m(-2) s(-1)) stimulated seed germination. Hourly applied R pulses of the same photon fluence partially replaced the effect of strong continuous R. This response was called 'antagonistic' because it counteracts the low fluence response (LFR) induced by a single R pulse. This antagonistic response might be an adaptation to a situation where the seeds sit on the soil surface in full sunlight (adverse for germination), while weak R might reflect that situation under a layer of soil. Unexpectedly, the effects of continuous R or repeated R pulses were mediated by phytochrome A (PhyA). We therefore suggest that low levels of PhyA in its FR-absorbing form (Pfr) cause inhibition of seed germination produced either by extended R irradiation (by degradation of PhyA-Pfr) or by extended FR irradiation [keeping a low Pfr/R-absorbing form (Pr) ratio].
OBJECTIVE: To establish the concurrent validity of our new balance instrument, functional reach (FR = maximal safe standing forward reach), as a marker of physical frailty compared with other clinical measures of physical performance. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 45 community-dwelling persons age 66-104 were evaluated at one point in time using (1) FR (yardstick method), (2) Physical and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (PADL, IADL), (3) Life Space, a 3-point measure of social mobility, (4) 10-item hierarchical mobility skills protocol, (5) 10-foot walking speed, (6) one-footed standing, and (7) tandem walking. Data analysis employed Spearman correlations. Partial r's were also calculated after controlling for age. RESULTS: The FR performance range was broad (4.3-16.5 inches, mean 10.9, SD 3.1). Except for PADL, the association of FR with the other physical performance measures was strong, with r's ranging from 0.64-0.71; the association of FR with PADL was 0.48. After controlling for age in the regression analysis, partial r's ranged from 0.52-0.63. The association of FR with age was -0.50. CONCLUSIONS: Based on cross-sectional data, FR is a practical instrument that correlates with physical frailty even more than with age.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the time course of breathing pattern and respiratory mechanics in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A study was conducted on 25 out of 38 eligible ALS patients. Neurological status, arterial blood gases (ABGs), spirometry, breathing pattern (minute ventilation (V'E), tidal volume (VT), respiratory frequency (fR), duty cycle (duration of inspiration/duration of total breathing cycle (tI/ttot)), respiratory drive (P0.1)), respiratory mechanics (oesophageal pressure (Ppl), dynamic compliance (CL,dyn), pressure time product (PTP) and index (PTI), work of breathing (WOB)), and respiratory muscle (RM) strength as assessed by maximal oesophageal pressure (Ppl,max) were evaluated at presentation (to) in all patients and after 6 months (t6) in 11 patients. At to, the mean values of the degree of neurological impairment were 60+/-20 and 103+/-30 as assessed by the Norris scale and Medical Research Council (MRC) score, respectively. From the time of the first neurological symptom, survival time ranged 7-50 months. Diurnal ABGs were normal. A mild restrictive pattern was observed, a forced vital capacity (FVC) <70% of predicted being present in 45% of patients, only FVC % pred (r=0.59; p<0.05), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) % pred (r=0.53; p<0.05) and survival (r=0.64; p<0.05) showing a significant correlation with the Norris scale. A Ppl,max <30 cmH2O was associated with a significantly greater mortality, Ppl,max being correlated with survival (r=0.79, p<0.05). At t6, fR, fR/VT, P0.1/Ppl,max, were significantly increased in comparison to to, while FVC % pred, vital capacity (VC) % pred, FEV1 % pred, VT and Ppl,max were significantly reduced. These results suggest a progressive deterioration in breathing pattern and in respiratory muscle strength with progression of disease.
Sphingomonas sp. strain TTNP3 has been previously described as a bacterium that is capable of degrading the technical mixture of nonylphenol (NP) isomers and also the 4(3',5'-dimethyl-3'-heptyl)-phenol single isomer of NP. Until recently, 3,5-dimethyl-3-heptanol was the only reported metabolite of 4(3',5'-dimethyl-3'-heptyl)-phenol. A short time ago, the detection of an intracellular metabolite resulting from the oxidation of 4(3',5'-dimethyl-3'-heptyl)-phenol which was identified as 2(3,5-dimethyl-3-heptyl)-benzenediol has been reported. A decisive element for this identification was the occurrence of some slight differences with the two most probable metabolites i.e. 4(3',5'-dimethyl-3'-heptyl)-resorcinol and 4(3',5'-dimethyl-3'-heptyl)-catechol. These facts led us to hypothesise some NIH shift mechanisms explaining the formation of 2(3',5'-dimethyl-3'-heptyl)-benzenediol. In the present work, we describe the steps that led to the detection of these metabolites in the intracellular fraction of Sphingomonas sp. strain TTNP3. The formation of analogous intracellular metabolites resulting from the degradation of the technical mixture of NP is reported. To further elucidate these degradation products, studies were carried out with cells grown with 4(3',5'-dimethyl-3'-heptyl)-phenol as sole carbon source. The description of the syntheses of reference compounds, i.e. 4(3',5'-dimethyl-3'-heptyl)-resorcinol and 4(3',5'-dimethyl-3'-heptyl)-catechol and their comparative analyses with the intermediates of the degradation of 4(3',5'-dimethyl-3'-heptyl)-phenol are presented.
Dynamic hyperinflation contributes to exertional breathlessness and reduced exercise tolerance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. This study examined whether oxygen supplementation results in a dose-dependent decrease in hyperinflation associated with functional and symptomatic improvement. Ten severe COPD patients without clinically significant oxygen (O2) desaturation during exercise, and seven healthy subjects, performed five exercise tests at 75% of maximally tolerated work rate. Inspired oxygen fraction (FI,O2) was varied (0.21, 0.3, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0) among tests in a randomized order. Ventilation (V'E) was measured, and end-inspiratory (EILV) and end-expiratory (EELV) lung volume changes were assessed from inspiratory capacity manoeuvres. In the patients, compared to room air, endurance time increased with FI,O2=0.3 (mean+/-SEM 92+/-20%) and increased further with FI,O2=0.5 (157+/-30%). At isotime, compared to room air, there were significant reductions in dyspnoea score, EELV, EILV, V'E and respiratory frequency (fR) with FI,O2=0.3. Improved endurance time negatively correlated with change in EELV (r=0.48, p=0.002) and EILV (r=0.43, p=0.005). The dyspnoea rating decrease correlated with fR decrease. In healthy subjects, smaller V'E and fR decreases were observed at FI,O2=0.5, accompanied by more modestly increased endurance. Oxygen supplementation during exercise induced dose-dependent improvement in endurance and symptom perception in nonhypoxaemic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, which may be partly related to decreased hyperinflation and slower breathing pattern. This effect is maximized at an inspired oxygen fraction of 0.5.
Two brief red (R) irradiations, separated by 24 hours, given to Kalanchoë blossfeldiana Poelln. cv Feuerblüte seeds, made secondarily dormant by a prolonged dark incubation period on water and transferred to GA(3), induce very low germination. Some effect of these irradiations is preserved, however, during a long dark interval in fully imbibed seeds and greatly increases the germination induced by another brief R exposure. This long-lasting light effect is, at 20 degrees C, only lost after a dark interval of about 1 month. It can also be induced by two brief far-red (FR) exposures. Its preservation is temperature-dependent, low temperatures being favorable. Light-induced changes in the ATP-content were demonstrated during preservation and expression of the long-lasting light effect, indicating a long-lasting metabolic change. In seeds with primary dormancy sown on GA(3), an analogous long-lasting light effect is induced by one or two brief R or FR irradiations, even when they are given before germination can take place. The presence of GA(3), which was shown to induce a very low fluence germination response in Kalanchoë seeds, is required for the occurrence of the long-lasting light effect. The data suggest long-term preservation of some effect(s) of Pfr rather than persistent presence of Pfr itself.
Folate targeted drug delivery has emerged as an alternative therapy for the treatment and imaging of many cancers and inflammatory diseases. Due to its small molecular size and high binding affinity for cell surface folate receptors (FR), folate conjugates have the ability to deliver a variety of molecular complexes to pathologic cells without causing harm to normal tissues. Complexes that have been successfully delivered to FR expressing cells, to date, include protein toxins, immune stimulants, chemotherapeutic agents, liposomes, nanoparticles, and imaging agents. This review will summarize the applications of folic acid as a targeting ligand and highlight the various methods being developed for delivery of therapeutic and imaging agents to FR-expressing cells.
Flow-cytometric DNA analysis of human tumors using paraffin-embedded tissue samples is becoming an increasingly popular method of determining ploidy and proliferative rate. Particularly with hematopoietic/lymphoid proliferations, little is known about how these data compare with data from fresh suspension studies, or how B5-fixed tissues compare with those fixed in formalin. For these reasons, flow-cytometric DNA ploidy and cell cycle analysis was performed on 16 hyperplastic tonsils and 28 lymphoid/hematopoietic neoplasms using fresh (or fresh-frozen) cell suspensions (FR), B5-fixed paraffin-embedded (B5), and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FO) tissue. Ploidy analysis showed all tonsil specimens to be diploid regardless of preparative method; however, for the neoplastic cases the FO and B5 preparations agreed with the FR preparations in 50% and 61% of the cases, respectively. Complete agreement between all three tissue preparation methods was present in only 36% of the neoplastic cases. Percent S or S + G2M phase fractions showed relatively poor correlation between the three preparative methods, with the best correlations found between the FR and B5 samples (S phase, r = 0.44; S + G2M, r = 0.43). In conclusion, while potentially useful data can be obtained from flow-cytometric DNA analysis of fixed, paraffin-embedded lymphoid/hematopoietic tissues, the specific limitations of such analyses must be recognized. Ploidy and proliferative phase data from fixed tissue preparations are not equivalent to information obtained from fresh suspension studies. B5-fixed tissue provides an acceptable alternative to formalin-fixed tissue for such analyses.