Expressed gene sequence and bioactivity of the IFNgamma-response chemokine CXCL11 of swine and cattle.

This report describes the cloning and characterization of expressed gene sequences of the swine and bovine interferon-gamma inducible chemokine CXCL11, or I-TAC, associated with type 1 T-helper immune responses, and affirmation of bioactivity of their yeast-expressed protein products. The coding regions of both cDNA sequences were 303 nucleotides in length; each is coded for four exons in the genome. The bovine coding region shared 82% and 70% homology with human and mouse CXCL11, respectively, and the swine coding region 84% and 72% homology, respectively.

Nucleation of antiferromagnetically coupled chromium dihalides: from small clusters to the solid state.

The nucleation of chromium dihalide clusters is investigated by studying clusters of the form Cr(n)X(2n) (n View Article and Find Full Text PDF

(1R,6R,13R,18R)-(Z,Z)-1,18-Bis[(4R)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]-3,16-dimethyl-ene-8,20-diaza-dispiro-[5.6.5.6]tetra-cosa-7,19-diene.

The crystal structure of the title compound, C(34)H(54)N(2)O(4), has been solved in order to prove the relative and absolute chirality of the newly-formed stereocentres which were established using an asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction at an earlier stage in the synthesis. This unprecedented stable dialdimine contains a 14-membered ring and was obtained as the minor diastereoisomer in the Diels-Alder reaction. The absolute stereochemistry of the stereocentres of the acetal functionality was known to be R based on the use of a chiral (R)-tris-ubstituted dienophile derived from enanti-opure (S)-glyceraldehyde.

Deciphering diatom biochemical pathways via whole-cell proteomics.

Diatoms play a critical role in the oceans' carbon and silicon cycles; however, a mechanistic understanding of the biochemical processes that contribute to their ecological success remains elusive. Completion of the Thalassiosira pseudonana genome provided 'blueprints' for the potential biochemical machinery of diatoms, but offers only a limited insight into their biology under various environmental conditions. Using high-throughput shotgun proteomics, we identified a total of 1928 proteins expressed by T.

Ambient air pollution and risk of congenital anomalies in England, 1991-1999.

Objectives: To investigate whether there is an association between risk of congenital anomaly and annual ward level exposure to air pollution in England during the 1990s.

Methods: A geographical study was conducted across four regions of England using population-based congenital anomaly registers, 1991-1999. Exposure was measured as 1996 annual mean background sulphur dioxide (SO(2)), nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) and particulate matter (PM(10)) concentrations at census ward level (n=1474).

Esophageal cancer in Indigenous Australians in Far North Queensland.

Background And Aims: There is very little information known about esophageal cancer in Indigenous persons. In this retrospective study, we investigated the epidemiological and clinical features of Indigenous Australians with esophageal cancer.

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians diagnosed with esophageal cancer at Cairns Base Hospital during the period 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2006.

Duodenal atresia: associated anomalies, prenatal diagnosis and outcome.

Background: The diagnosis of duodenal atresia is commonly made prenatally, either as an isolated lesion or due to its association with other chromosomal abnormalities (Robertson et al. in Semin Perinatol 18:182-195, 1994; Hemming and Rankin in J Prenat Diagn 27:1205-1211, 2007). The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of associated anomalies, prenatal diagnostic accuracy and survival of cases of congenital duodenal atresia in our institution.

Iron(II) tris-[N4-substituted-3,5-di(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole] complexes: structural, magnetic, NMR, and density functional theory studies.

Eight mononuclear iron(II) complexes of N(4)-3,5-di(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (Rdpt) ligands have been prepared and characterized. In all cases the iron(II)/ligand ratio used is 1:3, giving red complexes of the general formula [Fe(II)(Rdpt)(3)](BF(4))(2) x solvents, in 55-89% yield. The ligands differ only in the nature of the N(4)-substituent (amino, pyrrolyl, iso-butyl, methyl, phenyl, para-tolyl, 3,5-dichlorophenyl, and 4-pyridyl; for ligands adpt, pldpt, ibdpt, medpt, phdpt, ptdpt, Cldpt, and pydpt, respectively) allowing substituent effects on the properties of the resulting iron(II) complexes to be probed.

Congenital hydrocephalus--prevalence, prenatal diagnosis and outcome of pregnancy in four European regions.

Objective: To describe prevalence, prenatal diagnosis and outcome for fetuses and infants with congenital hydrocephalus.

Methods: Data were taken from four European registries of congenital malformations (EUROCAT). The registries included are based on multiple sources of information and include information about livebirths, fetal deaths with GA > or = 20 weeks and terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly (TOPFA).

Comparison of loudness adjustments by MCL and maplaw in users of the MED-EL COMBI 40/40+ cochlear implant system.

The programming of a CI speech processor involves measurement of electrical threshold and 'most comfortable loudness' (MCL) levels on each electrode. However, when the derived 'map' is activated the resultant percept is often too loud or too soft. In this situation, adjustments of MCL settings are usually made in order to achieve a comfortable percept.

Validity and reliability of devices that assess body temperature during indoor exercise in the heat.

Context: When assessing exercise hyperthermia outdoors, the validity of certain commonly used body temperature measuring devices has been questioned. A controlled laboratory environment is generally less influenced by environmental factors (eg, ambient temperature, solar radiation, wind) than an outdoor setting. The validity of these temperature measuring devices in a controlled environment may be more acceptable.

Amalgam dental fillings and hearing loss.

In this study we investigated the effects of amalgam dental fillings on auditory thresholds. Participants (n=39) were non-smoking women age 40 to 45. Regression and correlation analyses were performed between auditory thresholds, measured from 0.

Applicability of multigene family-specific antibodies toward studies of the subtilases in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Polyclonal antibodies were made to two synthetic peptides with sequences patterned after conserved regions in a multigene family of 56 subtilisin-related proteolytic enzymes in Arabidopsis thaliana. GST-fusion proteins encompassing full-length or partial cDNAs bearing putative epitope regions were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Immunoblots showed that the antibodies bound 12 of 13 fusion proteins tested.

Investigations into electrically evoked stapedius reflex measures and subjective loudness percepts in the MED-EL COMBI 40+ cochlear implant.

For several years there has been interest in using objective measures to set channel-specific upper programming limits when programming the speech processor of cochlear implant users. The present study aims to add to previous reports by examining correlations between electrically evoked stapedius reflex threshold (ESRT) and a range of psychophysical loudness estimates in a group of 22 adult users of the MED-EL COMBI 40+ system. Thirteen of the 15 subjects (87%) had recordable stapedius reflexes.

Women's accounts of the physical sensation of chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis: expectations and experience.

Objective: to understand women's expectations and experience of discomfort during chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis, and relate them to aspects of clinical practice.

Design: thematic analysis of narrative interviews. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, coded and analysed using computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software.

Cholestatic hepatitis as a possible new side-effect of oxycodone: a case report.

Introduction: Oxycodone is a widely-used semisynthetic opioid analgesic that has been used for over eighty years. Oxycodone is known to cause side effects such as nausea, pruritus, dizziness, constipation and somnolence. As far as we are aware cholestatic hepatitis as a result of oxycodone use has not been reported so far in the world literature.

Postnatal outcome of antenatally diagnosed intra-abdominal cysts.

The aim of this study is to establish the postnatal diagnosis and outcome of all abdominal cystic lesions diagnosed antenatally over a 13-year period. All prenatally suspected and postnatally confirmed intra-abdominal cysts seen and delivered between 1991 and 2004 were identified. Antenatal diagnosis, gestational age at delivery, sex and postnatal diagnosis and outcome were recorded.

Survey of prenatal screening policies in Europe for structural malformations and chromosome anomalies, and their impact on detection and termination rates for neural tube defects and Down's syndrome.

Objective: To 'map' the current (2004) state of prenatal screening in Europe.

Design: (i) Survey of country policies and (ii) analysis of data from EUROCAT (European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies) population-based congenital anomaly registers.

Setting: Europe.

Porphyrin complexes containing coordinated BOB groups: synthesis, chemical reactivity and the structure of [BOB(tpClpp)]2+.

The reactions of boron halides with free base porphyrins under conditions where partial hydrolysis of the boron halides can occur give diboron porphyrin complexes containing BOB moieties in which each boron is bonded to two porphyrin nitrogen atoms. BF(3).OEt(2) with H(2)(por) gives B(2)OF(2)(por) (por = tpp, ttp, tpClpp, oep) which has an asymmetric structure in which one boron lies in the porphyrin plane (B(ip)) while the other lies above it (B(oop)).

Chlorination disinfection by-products and risk of congenital anomalies in England and Wales.

Background: Increased risk of various congenital anomalies has been reported to be associated with trihalomethane (THM) exposure in the water supply.

Objectives: We conducted a registry-based study to determine the relationship between THM concentrations and the risk of congenital anomalies in England and Wales.

Methods: We obtained congenital anomaly data from the National Congenital Anomalies System, regional registries, and the national terminations registry; THM data were obtained from water companies.

Comment on "The Southern Ocean biological response to aeolian iron deposition".

Cassar et al. (Reports, 24 August 2007, p. 1067) proposed that aerosol-iron input enhances Southern Ocean export production.