Intravenous BQ-123 and phosphoramidon reduce ventricular ectopic beats and myocardial infarct size in dogs submitted to coronary occlusion and reperfusion.

The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of endothelin on myocardial ischemia and reperfusion in anaesthetized dogs. Animals were submitted to left thoracotomy and 120 min of left anterior descending coronary occlusion, followed by 180 min of reperfusion. Arterial blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded in order to analyze heart rate (HR)-pressure product and production of ectopic beats.

MR imaging of bone lesions of the ankle and foot.

MR imaging is frequently used to evaluate patients with ankle and foot pain, with or without a relationship to trauma or other known clinical outcomes. Abnormal signal intensity of the bone marrow is the common denominator of all entities described in this article, including bone contusion, fractures, osteonecrosis, transient osteoporosis, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Specific MR imaging features in association with the available clinical and radiographic findings can be helpful not only to supply an accurate diagnosis but also to provide valuable information for staging and proper management of the condition.

Interferon alpha2b gene delivery using adenoviral vector causes inhibition of tumor growth in xenograft models from a variety of cancers.

A recombinant adenovirus expressing human interferon alpha2b driven by the cytomegalovirus promoter, IACB, was shown to produce and secrete biologically active protein in vitro and in vivo. Intravenous administration of IACB in Buffalo rats resulted in circulating levels of biologically active human interferon at 70,000 international units/mL for up to 15 days. Distribution of interferon protein after IACB administration was different from that seen with the subcutaneous delivery of interferon protein.

Up-regulation of genes encoding novel extracellular proteins during fruit set in pea.

The transition from the carpel of the flower to a developing fruit is a poorly characterized process despite its agricultural importance. We have identified two genes, GIC19 and GIC4, which are expressed after induction of pea (Pisum sativum L.) fruit set either by exogenous gibberellins or by pollination.

Simultaneous determination of Cd(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) in surface waters by solid phase extraction and flow injection analysis with spectrophotometric detection.

A method for heavy metal monitoring using spectrophotometric detection is presented. Traces of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) at the low microg l(-1) level can be determined simultaneously after both selective removal of metal interferences and preconcentration using 'extraction chromatographic resins'. Lewatit TP807'84, which contains di(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid as active component, was used as solid adsorbent.

The effects of ascorbic acid, taurine, carnosine and rosemary powder on colour and lipid stability of beef patties packaged in modified atmosphere.

This research was aimed at evaluating the inhibition of oxidative changes of beef patties packaged in modified atmosphere (70% O(2)+20% CO(2)+10% N(2)) by natural antioxidants: ascorbic acid (500 ppm), taurine (50 mM), carnosine (50 mM), rosemary powder (1000 ppm) and their combinations with the first. Beef patties stored at 2±1°C for 20 days were evaluated for colour (L*, a*, b*, C* and H*), TBARS, metmyoglobin formation (% of total myoglobin), psychrotrophic microbial counts and sensory odour and discolouration. Rosemary, either alone or with ascorbic acid, was highly effective in inhibiting both metmyoglobin formation and lipid oxidation; sensory analysis was in agreement with these results.

Enhanced apoptotic activity of a p53 variant in tumors resistant to wild-type p53 treatment.

TP53 is the most commonly altered tumor-suppressor gene in cancer and is currently being tested in Phase II/III gene replacement trials. Many tumors contain wild-type TP53 sequence with elevated MDM2 protein levels, targeting p53 for degradation. These tumors are more refractory to treatment with exogenous wild-type p53.

Determination of the dissociation constants of sulfonated azo dyes by capillary zone electrophoresis and spectrophotometry methods.

The dissociation constants of 10 sulfonated azo dyes, six of the most common food colours used as additives (Food Yellow 4, Food Yellow 3, Food Red 9, Food Red 7, Food Red 17 and Food Blue 5), and four commonly used as textile dyes (Acid Orange 7, Acid Orange 12, Acid Red 26 and Acid Red 88), have been determined by two different systems, one by using capillary electrophoresis (CE) with diode array detection and the other by using UV-visible absorption spectrophotometry, which has been used as reference method to obtain the pKa values. The pKa values obtained by CE were determined in two ways, first on the basis of the electrophoretic mobilities (calculated from the migration times), and after we propose a new methodology, in which the dissociation constants are determined from the spectra corresponding to the maxima of electrophoretic peaks. The pKa values obtained by using these CE methods have been compared with those obtained by using the spectrophotometric method.

Nerve Entrapment.

Entrapment and compressive neuropathies are frequent clinical conditions occurring about the elbow. In most instances clinical and electromyograhic evaluation are adequate for patient management, but in some cases further evaluation with imaging techniques is required. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been shown to be useful in the evaluation of these conditions, especially to detect space occupying lesions.

MRI of Normal Variants and Interpretation Pitfalls of the Elbow.

One of the fundamental principles of MR imaging interpretation is the ability to distinguish normal anatomical landmarks from true disease. The radiologist is thus compelled to accumulate a comprehensive knowledge of normal structures, variants, and potential MRI diagnostic pitfalls.1-5 In this article we will focus on a number of normal bony, ligamentous, and tendinous structures that can simulate disease at the elbow.

Analysis of PEAM4, the pea AP1 functional homologue, supports a model for AP1-like genes controlling both floral meristem and floral organ identity in different plant species.

APETALA1 (AP1) and its homologue SQUAMOSA (SQUA) are key regulatory genes specifying floral meristem identity in the model plants Arabidopsis and Antirrhinum. Despite many similarities in their sequence, expression and functions, only AP1 appears to have the additional role of specifying sepal and petal identity. No true AP1/SQUA-functional homologues from any other plant species have been functionally studied in detail, therefore the question of how the different functions of AP1-like genes are conserved between species has not been addressed.

Preservation of the proteolytic activity of a bovine spleen lysosomal-enriched extract using various freezing conditions.

The preservation of the proteolytic activity of a bovine spleen lysosomal-enriched (BSLE) extract was investigated. The BSLE extract (pH = 5.8), was subjected to storage under different conditions: refrigeration at 0 degrees C for 60 days; freezing at -20 degrees C -either directly or previously frozen in liquid nitrogen-, -80 degrees C and in liquid nitrogen; freeze-drying and stored at 0 degrees C; and freezing at -20 degrees C or in liquid nitrogen in the presence of glycerol and sorbitol as cryoprotectants.

Lack of changes in serum prolactin, FSH, TSH, and estradiol after melatonin treatment in doses that improve sleep and reduce benzodiazepine consumption in sleep-disturbed, middle-aged, and elderly patients.

An open pilot study on the safety and efficacy of melatonin in the treatment of insomniac patients was conducted in 22 subjects (16 females), mean +/- S.D. age 60.

From the RSNA Refresher Courses. Radiological Society of North America. MR imaging of the ankle and foot.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has opened new horizons in the diagnosis and treatment of many musculoskeletal diseases of the ankle and foot. It demonstrates abnormalities in the bones and soft tissues before they become evident at other imaging modalities. The exquisite soft-tissue contrast resolution, noninvasive nature, and multiplanar capabilities of MR imaging make it especially valuable for the detection and assessment of a variety of soft-tissue disorders of the ligaments (eg, sprain), tendons (tendinosis, peritendinosis, tenosynovitis, entrapment, rupture, dislocation), and other soft-tissue structures (eg, anterolateral impingement syndrome, sinus tarsi syndrome, compressive neuropathies [eg, tarsal tunnel syndrome, Morton neuroma], synovial disorders).

Traumatic musculotendinous injuries of the knee: diagnosis with MR imaging.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is the imaging modality of choice for evaluation of acute traumatic musculotendinous injuries of the knee. Three discrete categories of acute injuries to the musculotendinous unit can be defined: muscle contusion, myotendinous strain, and tendon avulsion. Among the quadriceps muscles, the rectus femoris is the most susceptible to injury at the myotendinous junction due to its superficial location, predominance of type II fibers, eccentric muscle action, and extension across two joints.

Determination of naphthalenesulfonates in water by on-line ion-pair solid-phase extraction and ion-pair liquid chromatography with fast-scanning fluorescence detection.

A fast analytical method for quantifying a mixture of 12 naphthalenesulfonates and naphthalenedisulfonates has been developed. This method consists of on-line ion-pair solid-phase extraction with PLRP-s sorbent and ion-pair liquid-chromatography using fast-scanning fluorescence spectrometer as a detection system and multivariate calibration. As complete separation is unnecessary, the compounds were analysed in isocratic conditions and the chromatographic analysis took only 25 min.

L-arginine reduces liver and biliary tract damage after liver transplantation from non-heart-beating donor pigs.

Background: To evaluate whether L-arginine reduces liver and biliary tract damage after transplantation from non heart-beating donor pigs.

Methods: Twenty-five animals received an allograft from non-heart-beating donors. After 40 min of cardiac arrest, normothermic recirculation was run for 30 min.

Morton's neuroma: is it always symptomatic?

Objective: We determined the prevalence of clinically silent Morton's neuroma and searched for distinguishing MR imaging features of Morton's neuroma in patients with clinical complaints related to this entity and in patients with clinically silent lesions.

Materials And Methods: One radiologist who was unaware of clinical findings retrospectively reviewed 85 consecutive foot MR examinations. MR imaging criteria for Morton's neuroma included a low- to intermediate-signal-intensity soft-tissue mass in the intermetatarsal space.

Solid-phase microextraction in pesticide residue analysis.

The applications of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) for sample preparation in pesticide residue analysis are reviewed in this paper taking into account the different approaches of this technique coupled mainly to gas chromatography but also to high-performance liquid chromatography. A complete revision of the existing literature has been made considering the different applications divided according to the pesticide families (organochlorine, organophosphorus, triazines, thiocarbamates, substituted uracils, urea derivatives and dinitroanilines among others) and the sample matrices analysed which included environmental samples (water and soil), food samples and biological fluids. Details on the analytical characteristics of the procedures described in the reviewed papers are given, and new trends in the applications of SPME in this field are discussed.

Beef shelf life in low O(2) and high CO(2) atmospheres containing different low CO concentrations.

The use of atmospheres with low concentrations of CO (0.1 to 1%), in combination with O(2) (24%), high CO(2) (50%) and N(2) (25 to 25.9%), for preserving chilled beef steaks was investigated.

Determination of sulfonated azo dyes in river water samples by capillary zone electrophoresis.

A method based on capillary zone electrophoresis coupled with photodiode-array detection has been developed to determine several sulfonated dyes, including a sulfonated dye (acid yellow 1), and the sulfonated azo dyes acid orange 7, acid orange 12, acid orange 52, acid red 26, acid red 27 and acid red 88. A CElect-FS75 CE column is used. The electrophoresis buffer contains a 1:5 dilution of 10 mM phosphoric acid and tetrabutylammonium hydroxide buffer (pH 11.

Evaluation of ischemic injury during liver procurement from non-heart-beating donors.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to assess liver viability after different periods of cardiac arrest and the predictive value of two markers of ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Methods: A pig liver transplantation model of non-heart-beating donors was studied. Four donor groups were designed; three groups were submitted to different periods of cardiac arrest (20, 30 and 40 min), and the fourth group served as the control group (without cardiac arrest).

Use of solid-phase microextraction for the quantitative determination of herbicides in soil and water samples.

An in-depth study of SPME optimization and application has been made, considering not only aqueous (surface water and groundwater samples) but also the more complex soil samples. Seven herbicides widely used in the area of study have been selected including five triazine herbicides (atrazine, simazine, terbumeton, terbuthylazine, terbutryn), molinate, and bromacil. linearity range was between 0.

[Treatment of generalized peroxisomal disorders with docosahexaenoic acid ethyl ether].

Introduction: We found that patients with the Zellweger syndrome and other generalized peroxisomal disorders have a dramatic decrease of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) in the blood, brain, retina and other tissues. DHA is believed to play an important role in the brain and retina.

Development: Patients with the Zellweger syndrome and its variants have severe cerebral and retinal defects that could be related to their DHA deficiency.