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The sensitivity of posturographic parameters to acquisition settings.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of posturographic parameters (PP) to changes in acquisition settings. A group of eight young adults underwent a set of typical orthostatic posture trials, and selected PP were then calculated from a set of centre of pressure (CoP) displacement time series obtained by applying different cut-off frequencies to the same set of raw data. Four PP out of 11 showed significant changes with respect to cut-off frequency. Statistical mechanics parameters exhibited smaller sensitivity than summary measures. On the basis of the results obtained, a proposal for a standard cut-off frequency and a sampling rate value is embodied in the paper together with some suggestions on measurement settings, with a view to standardized use of instrumentation for quantitative analysis in orthostatic posturography.

Acceleration↗

Clinical and electrophysiologic effects of calcium channel blockers in patients receiving ibutilide.

BACKGROUND: Ibutilide is indicated for the acute termination of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Recent work concludes that ibutilide activates a late inward sodium current that is blocked by nifedipine. Because calcium channel blockers are commonly used in patients with atrial fibrillation, it is important to exclude an antagonistic effect on ibutilide in the clinical setting. METHODS: We performed a retrospective electrocardiographic (ECG) review of patients enrolled in 3 clinical trials of ibutilide (2 atrial fibrillation conversion protocols and 1 ventricular tachycardia suppression protocol) to determine clinical efficacy and ECG effects of ibutilide in patients receiving and not receiving calcium channel blockers. Calcium channel blockers were administered as clinically indicated. A meta-analysis of the effects of calcium channel blockers on the conversion efficacy of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter by ibutilide was also performed for studies in the literature. RESULTS: One hundred thirty patients were included in the ECG analysis (106 from atrial fibrillation protocols and 24 from the ventricular tachycardia protocol). Sixty-eight of the 130 patients were taking calcium channel blockers at the time of ibutilide administration. There were no differences in the QT or QTc intervals, conversion rate for atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, or suppression of ventricular tachycardia between patients taking and not taking calcium channel blockers. In the meta-analysis of 4 studies, there was no difference in the conversion rates between patients taking (52%, n = 221) and not taking (45%, n = 402) calcium channel blockers (P =.09). CONCLUSIONS: In the clinical setting, the concomitant use of calcium channel blockers does not alter the ECG effects or efficacy of ibutilide for the treatment of atrial or ventricular arrhythmias.

Aged↗

Peristalsis of the pyeloureter in pigs measured by videodensitometry.

The peristaltic activity of the upper urinary tract was investigated by means of a simple videodensitometric system. Through a transparenchymally placed catheter contrast medium was infused into the renal pelvis with perfusion rates increasing from 1 to 15 ml/min. Sequences of 3-5 min were recorded by means of a Siemens image amplifier on videotape for later analysis. Photodiodes were placed on the screen over the calyces, renal pelvis and ureter at a distance of 5 cm. An amplifying system and a UV recorder were used for registration. Peristaltic frequency, transmission velocity and average bolus volume were measurable in 8 out of 10 pyeloureteral units. Additionally, calyceal activity was detectable in one case. The tracings obtained by videodensitometry were reproducible and easy to analyse. Conversion of videorecordings to analogue signals for analysis might be a possible future clinical diagnostic method.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Effect of n-scCO(2) on crystalline to amorphous conversion of carbamazepine.

A number of studies have been carried out to investigate the crystalline to amorphous conversion of carbamazepine (CBZ) using solid dispersion techniques. In this study we have tried to achieve conversion using a novel technique combining near-supercritical carbon dioxide (n-scCO(2)) and pharmaceutically acceptable polymers (Na CMC and PVP) of varying molecular weights. Physical mixtures were prepared in two identical sets, one exposed to n-scCO(2) treatment and other was untreated. The treated physical mixtures were compared to untreated using PXRD, DSC and USP in vitro dissolution techniques. Routinely used PXRD analysis involves qualitative estimation of the amorphous conversion of a drug. In this work a previously developed mathematical parameter, ratio of ratios (ROR), was utilized to better quantify the crystalline to amorphous conversion of CBZ. The findings from the three methods indicated that only the lowest molecular weight PVP, PVP10k, facilitated significant crystalline to amorphous conversion of CBZ. In vitro dissolution, which is considered as an estimate of bioavailability demonstrated an initial dissolution of CBZ significantly greater in the treated physical mixtures of PVP10k:CBZ than the initial dissolution of the corresponding untreated physical mixtures and pure untreated CBZ.

Anticonvulsants↗

Kinetic analysis of hyaluronidase activity using a bioactive MRI contrast agent.

One of the attractions of molecular imaging using 'smart' bioactive contrast agents is the ability to provide non-invasive data on the spatial and temporal changes in the distribution and expression patterns of specific enzymes. The tools developed for that aim could potentially also be developed for functional imaging of enzyme activity itself, through quantitative analysis of the rapid dynamics of enzymatic conversion of these contrast agents. High molecular weight hyaluronan, the natural substrate of hyaluronidase, is a major antiangiogenic constituent of the extracellular matrix. Degradation by hyaluronidase yields low molecular weight fragments, which are proangiogenic. A novel contrast material, HA-GdDTPA-beads, was designed to provide a substrate analog of hyaluronidase in which relaxivity changes are induced by enzymatic degradation. We show here a first-order kinetic analysis of the time-dependent increase in R(2) as a result of hyaluronidase activity. The changes in R(2) and the measured relaxivity of intact HA-GdDTPA-beads (r(2B)) and HA-GdDTPA fragments (r(2D)) were utilized for derivation of the temporal drop in concentration of GdDTPA in HA-GdDTPA-beads as the consequence of the release of HA-GdDTPA fragments. The rate of dissociation of HA-GdDTPA from the beads showed typical bell-shaped temperature dependence between 7 and 36 degrees C with peak activity at 25 degrees C. The tools developed here for quantitative dynamic analysis of hyaluronidase activity by MRI would allow the use of activation of HA-GdDTPA-beads for the determination of the role of hyaluronidase in altering the angiogenic microenvironment of tumor micro metastases.

Animals↗

Is the loss of pRb essential for the mouse skin carcinogenesis?

The pRb pathway is inactivated in most, if not all, human and mouse tumors, including skin tumors. However, a relatively low frequency of Rb gene alterations is found. The embryonic lethality of pRb-deficient animals restricts the analysis of these mice to midgestation and precludes the analysis of the roles of pRb in mouse cancer models. To solve this problem, we used the Cre/LoxP technology to induce the tissue-specific deletion of pRb. In epidermis, pRb deletion leads to altered proliferation and differentiation but these alterations do not induce the development of spontaneous skin tumors. To gain insight in the possible roles of pRb in mouse skin carcinogenesis, we have performed chemical tumorigenesis experiments in mice bearing epidermal-specific inactivation of Rb gene. Unexpectedly, these mice develop fewer and smaller tumors than control animals, but showing increased malignant conversion to squamous cell carcinomas. Detailed biochemical analysis demonstrates that, in the absence of pRb, multiple pathways are activated leading to increased tumor apoptosis. In particular, we characterized the aberrant p53 activation mediated by E2F/p19(ARF) and other transduction pathways. This may generate a selective pressure in the tumor leading to premature p53 loss of function, which ultimately results in increased malignancy. Overall, these data highlights the role of pRb during the malignant conversion in the mouse skin carcinogenesis, and the intimate relationships between pRb and multiple tumor suppressor networks in this system.

Animals↗

A rapid analytical technique for the determination of energy expenditure by the doubly labelled water method.

The doubly labelled water method involves the administration of water enriched in 2H and 18O followed by determination of the turnover rates of these isotopes. Since 18O is eliminated from the body as both CO2 and water, while 2H leaves only as water, the difference between the two turnover rates provides a measure of CO2 production and hence energy expenditure. Isotopic analysis by conventional stable isotope ratio analysis (SIRA) is labour intensive and time consuming, as it requires off-line conversion of water samples to gases (H2 and CO2) followed by sequential analysis for each of the two isotopes using the mass spectrometer. Lack of suitable automated instrumentation with the ability to process large numbers of samples has prevented routine application of the method. We describe here an automated technique in which body water samples (urine, saliva, breath water or milk) are analysed simultaneously for 2H and 18O. The single bench system comprises two mass spectrometer analysers, one for measuring 2H from H2 gas, the other for measuring 18O from the water vapour (masses 18, 20). Both analysers share a common heated inlet system into which microlitre quantities of the body fluids are injected from an autosampler (102 samples). The water vapour flows both directly to one analyser for 18O measurement and into a uranium reduction furnace for conversion to H2, prior to 2H measurement by the second analyser. Both analysers also share vacuum and electronic components, enabling savings in both space and cost. In this paper we present results illustrating performance characteristics and procedures for routine application to human subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Chemical Phenomena↗

The suitability of [11C]-alpha-methyl-L-tryptophan as a tracer for serotonin synthesis: studies with dual administration of [11C] and [14C] labeled tracer.

The tracer [11C]-alpha-methyl-L-tryptophan (alphaMTP) has been used to measure brain serotonin synthesis rates with positron emission tomography (PET). To address questions about the accuracy of the kinetic model, [14C]alphaMTP was used to directly measure conversion to [14C]-alpha-methyl-serotonin (alphaM5HT) in monkeys that had been previously studied with PET and [11C]alphaMTP. Four male, fasted, isoflurane-anesthetized rhesus monkeys were studied with [11C]alphaMTP and PET. Immediately after the initial 3-hour scan, a second dose of [11C]alphaMTP was coinjected with 1 mCi of [14C]alphaMTP, and additional PET data were collected. Approximately 90 minutes after the second alphaMTP administration, the animals were killed with an overdose of phenobarbital, and brain samples from 21 regions were taken and analyzed by HPLC. Minimal conversion of alphaMTP to alphaM5HT occurred; HPLC analysis of 14C radioactivity showed that greater than 96% of the total counts were in fractions corresponding to the alphaMTP peak. Brain concentrations of serotonin, tryptophan, 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid, and alphaMTP also were determined fluorometrically using external quantification. Patlak plots generated from PET images acquired over 3 hours showed no time period of linear increase, and final slopes were not significantly different from zero, consistent with the finding of minimal conversion to [14C]alphaM5HT. These data indicate that in the 3-hour period after injection, [11C]alphaMTP is acting predominantly as a tracer of tryptophan uptake, not serotonin synthesis.

Animals↗

Characterization of the room-temperature phase of Tl2MoO4: crystal structure, symmetry mode analysis and second-harmonic generation measurements.

The crystal structure of the glaserite-related compound dithallium(I)-molybdate(VI), which at 293 K crystallizes monoclinic, space group C121 with lattice parameters a = 10.565 (3), b = 6.418 (1), c = 8.039 (2) A, beta = 91.05 (4) degrees, has been determined. The structure was refined as an inversion twin to a final R(F(all)) value of 0.0611 for 1006 unique reflections [R(F(obs)) = 0.0285 for 644 observed reflections]. Second-harmonic generation measurements led to a value of d(eff) = 5.5 +/- 0.5 pm V(-1) as an estimation of the second-harmonic conversion efficiency at phase matching. Symmetry mode analysis shows that, in general, primary modes have the highest amplitudes, yet surprisingly some of the secondary modes assume amplitudes of comparable magnitude. A comparison of the phase at 293 K with that at 350 K (space group P3m1) shows that the main change can be described as a rotation of the molybdate tetrahedra around the trigonal a(b) axis. The molybdate tetrahedra as well as the octahedra around one of the symmetry-independent Tl atoms are more strongly distorted in the monoclinic phase. The coordination number for the other two Tl atoms is decreased from 12 and 10 in the high-symmetry phase to 10 and 9 in the monoclinic phase. Furthermore, the number of common edges between the Tl and Mo coordination polyhedra is reduced and the common face which is observed between them in the high-temperature phase is changed to a common edge in the low-temperature phase. The contribution of the primary symmetry modes leads exactly to this change in the coordination spheres of the atoms.

Journal Article↗

The impact of Blue Cross conversions on health spending and the uninsured.

Using statewide data on health spending and uninsurance rates, we investigate the impact of Blue Cross conversions on health care costs and coverage. We find mixed results, with some conversion states improving their performance on either or both measures relative to the national average and others experiencing a decline. A multivariate analysis suggests that overall, the impact of Blue Cross conversion may be to reduce hospital and total spending, but whether this effect endures depends in part on how "conversion" is defined. State policymakers and regulators might find these results useful in considering future Blue Cross conversions.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Plans↗

WbpO, a UDP-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotype O6.

WbpO is associated with B-band lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotype O6. This protein is thought to catalyze the enzymatic conversion of UDP-N-acetyl-d-galactosamine (UDP-GalNAc) to UDP-N-acetyl-d-galactosaminuronic acid (UDP-GalNAcA). WbpO was overexpressed with a C-terminal hexahistidine tag. The soluble form of expressed WbpO (WbpO(Sol)) exhibited a secondary structure with 29.2% alpha-helix and 20.1% beta-strand. However, no enzymatic activity could be detected using either high performance anion exchange chromatography or capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry analysis. An insoluble form of expressed WbpO was purified in the presence of guanidine hydrochloride by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography. After refolding, this preparation of WbpO (designated as WbpO(Rf)) exhibited stable secondary structure at pH 7.5 to 8.2, and it was enzymatically active. Capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry analysis showed that WbpO(Rf) catalyzed the conversion of UDP-GalNAc to UDP-GalNAcA. 26 and 22% of the substrate could be converted to UDP-GalNAcA in the presence of NAD(+) and NADP(+) as the cofactors, respectively. The K(m) values of WbpO(Rf) for UDP-GalNAc, NAD(+), and NADP(+) were 7.79, 0.65, and 0.44 mm, respectively. WbpO(Rf) can also catalyze the conversion of UDP-GlcNAc to UDP-GlcNAcA. In conclusion, this is the first report of the overexpression, purification, and biochemical characterization of an NAD(+)/NADP(+)-dependent UDP-GalNAc dehydrogenase. Our results also complete the biosynthetic pathway for GalNAcA that is part of the O-antigen of P. aeruginosa serotype O6 lipopolysaccharide.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Non-traditional Alu evolution and primate genomic diversity.

Alu elements belonging to the previously identified "young" subfamilies are thought to have inserted in the human genome after the divergence of humans from non-human primates and therefore should not be present in non-human primate genomes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based screening of over 500 Alu insertion loci resulted in the recovery of a few "young" Alu elements that also resided at orthologous positions in non-human primate genomes. Sequence analysis demonstrated these "young" Alu insertions represented gene conversion events of pre-existing ancient Alu elements or independent parallel insertions of older Alu elements in the same genomic region. The level of gene conversion between Alu elements suggests that it may have a significant influence on the single nucleotide diversity within the genome. All the instances of multiple independent Alu insertions within the same small genomic regions were recovered from the owl monkey genome, indicating a higher Alu amplification rate in owl monkeys relative to many other primates. This study suggests that the majority of Alu insertions in primate genomes are the products of unique evolutionary events.

Alu Elements↗

A gene conversion located 5' to the A gamma gene in linkage disequilibrium with the Bantu haplotype in sickle cell anemia.

Cloning and sequencing of the gamma-globin gene of a sickle cell anemia patient homozygous for the Bantu haplotype has revealed a gene conversion that involves the replacement of an A gamma sequence by a G gamma sequence in the promoter area of the A gamma gene. This event is similar to another gene conversion believed to be responsible for the very high homology between gamma-globin genes, suggesting that the promoter area of these genes is prone to this type of genetic rearrangement. Further analysis demonstrated that the chromosome bearing this gene conversion has a very high frequency among Bantu chromosomes and a very low or nil frequency in other haplotypes linked to the beta s gene. No correlation was found between the G gamma/A gamma ratio and the presence of the gene conversion among Bantu haplotype patients, thus excluding a portion of the gamma gene sequence in the determination of this ratio.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗

[An evaluation of the span and direction of spread of the concept "now" (Japanese ima): using both the dual scaling and factor analysis methods].

The purpose of this study was to obtain information about both the span and direction of spread of the concept "now" (Japanese ima) used in short sentences such as "I am--a student." 583 subjects were presented with 55 sentences, and were required first to rate on a 5-point scale the degree of spread of the concept used in each sentence, and then to express its span and direction in terms of seconds, minutes, ... years, decades, or centuries in both a past- and a future-orientation. The latter data were analysed using the Dual Scaling method which revealed three major solutions: "span", "direction", and "interrelation between the previous two". The former data were analysed using the Factor Analysis method which revealed six factors: "moment", "conversion", "limitlessness", "absorption", "limitation" and "hopelessness". Furthermore, second-order analyses were carried out using these six factors, revealing three further factors: "duration", "change" and "timelessness". It was concluded that these latter three factors were identical with the three solutions obtained by Dual Scaling.

Adult↗

Sequence requirements for proinsulin processing at the B-chain/C-peptide junction.

Proinsulin is converted into insulin by the action of two endoproteases. Type I (PC1/PC3) is thought to cleave between the B-chain and the connecting peptide (C-peptide) and type II (PC2) between the C-peptide and the A-chain. An acidic region immediately C-terminal to the point of cleavage at the B-chain/C-peptide junction is well conserved throughout evolution and has been suggested to be important for proinsulin conversion [Gross, Villa-Komaroff, Kahn, Weir and Halban (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 21486-21490]. We have here compared the precise role of this region as a whole and just the first acidic residue C-terminal to the point of cleavage in processing of proinsulin by PC3. To this end, several mutations were introduced in this region of human proinsulin (native sequence, B-chain RREAEDL C-peptide): RRPAEDL (C1Pro mutant); RRLAEDL (C1Leu mutant); RRL (C1-C4del mutant); RRE (del-C1Glu mutant). Mutant and native cDNAs were stably transfected into AtT20 (pituitary corticotroph) cells, in which PC3 is known to be the major conversion endoprotease, and kinetics of proinsulin conversion were studied (pulse-chase/HPLC analysis of proinsulin-related peptides). The results show that the acidic region following the B-chain/C-peptide junction is indeed important for PC3 cleavage at this site, and that the reduced cleavage observed for the C1-C4del mutant proinsulin can be partially overcome by replacing the acidic region with a single acidic residue (del-C1Glu mutant). Replacing only the first residue of the acidic region with leucine (C1Leu mutant) has no impact on conversion, whereas its replacement with proline (C1Pro mutant) almost completely abolishes cleavage at the B-chain/C-peptide junction without affecting that at the C-peptide/A-chain junction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Incidence and risk factors of late rupture, conversion, and death after endovascular repair of infrarenal aortic aneurysms: the EUROSTAR experience. European Collaborators on Stent/graft techniques for aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: The EUROSTAR (European Collaborators on Stent/graft techniques for aortic aneurysm repair) Registry was established in 1996 to collect data on the outcome of treatment of patients with infrarenal aortic aneurysms with endovascular repair. To date, 88 European centers of vascular surgery have contributed. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the results of this treatment in the medium term (up to 4 years) according to the analysis of "hard" or primary end points of rupture, late conversion, and death. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with aortic aneurysms suitable for endovascular aneurysm repair were notified to the EUROSTAR Data Registry Centre before treatment to eliminate bias due to selective reporting. The following information was collected on all patients: (1) demographic details and the anatomic characteristics of their aneurysms, (2) details of the endovascular device used, (3) complications encountered during the procedure and the immediate outcome, (4) results of contrast enhanced computed tomographic imaging at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after operation and at yearly intervals thereafter, and (5) all adverse events. Life table analysis was performed to determine the cumulative rates of (1) death from all causes, (2) rupture, and (3) late conversion to open repair. Risk factors for rupture and late conversion were identified through regression analysis. RESULTS: By March 2000, 2464 patients had been registered, and their mean duration of follow-up was 12.19 months (SD, 12.3 months). There were 14 patients with confirmed rupture of their aneurysms. The cumulative rate (risk) of rupture was approximately 1% per year. Emergency surgery was undertaken in 12 (86%) patients, of whom five (41.6%) survived. Two patients who were not treated surgically also died, which resulted in an overall death rate of 64.5% (9/14) of the patients. Significant risk factors for rupture were proximal type I endoleak (P =.001), midgraft (type III) endoleak (P =.001), graft migration (P =.001), and postoperative kinking of the endograft (P =.001). Forty-one patients underwent late conversion to open repair with a perioperative mortality rate of 24.4% (10/41). The cumulative rate (risk) of late conversion was approximately 2.1% per year. Risk factors (indications) for late conversion were proximal type I endoleak (P =. 001), midgraft (type III) endoleak (P =.001), type II endoleak (P =. 003), graft migration (P =.001), graft kinking (P =.001), and distal type I endoleak (P =.001). CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular repair of infrarenal aortic aneurysms with the first- and second-generation devices that predominated in this study was associated with a risk of late failure, according to an analysis of observed hard end points of 3% per year. Action taken to address the risk factors identified by the study may improve results in the future.

Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal↗

The G-250A promoter polymorphism of the hepatic lipase gene predicts the conversion from impaired glucose tolerance to type 2 diabetes mellitus: the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study.

In population-based studies, dyslipidemia related to insulin resistance (high triglyceride level and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level) is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Therefore, variants in genes regulating lipid and lipoprotein metabolism are potential candidate genes for diabetes. We investigated whether the G-250A polymorphism of the hepatic lipase gene (LIPC) predicts the conversion from impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) to type 2 diabetes in the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study. This study randomized subjects to either the intervention group (lifestyle modification aimed at weight loss, such as changes in diet and increased physical exercise) or the control group. Genotyping at position -250 of the LIPC gene was performed with PCR amplification, DraI enzyme digestion, and gel electrophoresis in 490 subjects with IGT whose DNA was available. In the entire study population, the conversion rate to type 2 diabetes was 17.8% among subjects with the G-250G genotype and 10.7% among subjects with the -250A allele (P = 0.032). In univariate analysis, the odds ratio for the G-250G genotype to predict the conversion from IGT to type 2 diabetes was 1.80 (95% confidence interval, 1.05-3.10; P = 0.034). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the G-250G genotype predicted the conversion to diabetes independently of the study group (control or intervention), gender, weight, waist circumference at baseline, and change in weight and waist circumference. In the intervention group, 13.0% of subjects with the G-250G genotype and 1.0% of the subjects with the -250A allele converted to diabetes (P = 0.001). We conclude that the G-250G genotype of the LIPC gene is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Therefore, genes regulating lipid and lipoprotein metabolism may be potential candidate genes for type 2 diabetes.

Alleles↗

Screening, identification and kinetic characterization of a bacterium for Mn(II) uptake and oxidation.

Following sample collection and screening at a number of Mn-associated mine sites in Northern Australia, a microbial strain was selected for its enhanced rate of Mn uptake. The strain was identified by phylogenetic analysis as a Rhizobium sp. Kinetic studies of Mn(II) uptake and oxidation by this strain in glucose-based media established that the uptake of Mn(II) was much greater than the conversion of Mn(II) to Mn oxide. Chemical analysis and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the production of significant amounts of polysaccharides by this strain. These polysaccharides may play a role both in enhancing Mn(II) accumulation and in minimizing Mn oxide production.

Cell Division↗