Ontogeny of the complex sperm in the macrostomid flatworm Macrostomum lignano (Macrostomorpha, Rhabditophora).

Spermiogenesis in Macrostomum lignano (Macrostomorpha, Rhabditophora) is described using light- and electron microscopy of the successive stages in sperm development. Ovoid spermatids develop to highly complex, elongated sperm possessing an undulating distal (anterior) process (or "feeler"), bristles, and a proximal (posterior) brush. In particular, we present a detailed account of the morphology and ontogeny of the bristles, describing for the first time the formation of a highly specialized bristle complex consisting of several parts.

Polar organic marker compounds in PM2.5 aerosol from a mixed forest site in western Germany.

The molecular composition of PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 microm) aerosol samples collected during a very warm and dry 2003 summer period at a mixed forest site in Jülich, Germany, was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in an effort to evaluate photooxidation products of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) and other markers for aerosol source characterization.

Organosulfate formation in biogenic secondary organic aerosol.

Organosulfates of isoprene, alpha-pinene, and beta-pinene have recently been identified in both laboratory-generated and ambient secondary organic aerosol (SOA). In this study, the mechanism and ubiquity of organosulfate formation in biogenic SOA is investigated by a comprehensive series of laboratory photooxidation (i.e.

Quantification of aortic valve area with ECG-gated multi-detector spiral computed tomography in patients with aortic stenosis and comparison of two image analysis methods.

Thirty-three consecutive patients with aortic stenosis underwent a 16-row spiral CT scan. Aortic valve planimetry was performed using two methods: double-oblique reformation (DO) and 2D-curved multiplanar reconstruction using advanced vessel analysis software (VA). The mean aortic valve area determined by transthoracic echocardiography was 0.

Mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for folic acid in cardiovascular disease.

Folic acid (FA) is a member of the B-vitamin family with cardiovascular roles in homocysteine regulation and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity. Its interaction with eNOS is thought to be due to the enhancement of tetrahydrobiopterin bioavailability, helping maintain eNOS in its coupled state to favor the generation of nitric oxide rather than oxygen free radicals. FA also plays a role in the prevention of several cardiac and noncardiac malformations, has potent direct antioxidant and antithrombotic effects, and can interfere with the production of the endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factor.

High-dose folic acid pretreatment blunts cardiac dysfunction during ischemia coupled to maintenance of high-energy phosphates and reduces postreperfusion injury.

Background: The B vitamin folic acid (FA) is important to mitochondrial protein and nucleic acid synthesis, is an antioxidant, and enhances nitric oxide synthase activity. Here, we tested whether FA reduces myocardial ischemic dysfunction and postreperfusion injury.

Methods And Results: Wistar rats were pretreated with either FA (10 mg/d) or placebo for 1 week and then underwent in vivo transient left coronary artery occlusion for 30 minutes with or without 90 minutes of reperfusion (total n=131; subgroups used for various analyses).

Determination of isoprene and alpha-/beta-pinene oxidation products in boreal forest aerosols from Hyytiälä, Finland: diel variations and possible link with particle formation events.

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as isoprene and alpha-/beta-pinene, are photo-oxidized in the atmosphere to non-volatile species resulting in secondary organic aerosol (SOA). The goal of this study was to examine time trends and diel variations of oxidation products of isoprene and alpha-/beta-pinene in order to investigate whether they are linked with meteorological parameters or trace gases. Separate day-night aerosol samples (PM(1)) were collected in a Scots pine dominated forest in southern Finland during 28 July-11 August 2005 and analyzed with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

Evidence for the existence of organosulfates from beta-pinene ozonolysis in ambient secondary organic aerosol.

The formation of organosulfates from the gas-phase ozonolysis of beta-pinene in the presence of neutral or acidic sulfate particles was investigated in a series of indoor aerosol chamber experiments. The organosulfates were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to electrospray ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MS) in parallel to ion trap MS. Organosulfates were only found in secondary organic aerosol from beta-pinene ozonolysis in the presence of acidic sulfate seed particles.

Characterization of organosulfates from the photooxidation of isoprene and unsaturated fatty acids in ambient aerosol using liquid chromatography/(-) electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

In the present study, we have characterized in detail the MS(2) and MS(3) fragmentation behaviors, using electrospray ionization (ESI) in the negative ion mode, of previously identified sulfated isoprene secondary organic aerosol compounds, including 2-methyltetrols, 2-methylglyceric acid, 2-methyltetrol mononitrate derivatives, glyoxal and methylglyoxal. A major fragmentation pathway for the deprotonated molecules of the sulfate esters of 2-methyltetrols and 2-methylglyceric acid and of the sulfate derivatives of glyoxal and methylglyoxal is the formation of the bisulfate [HSO(4)](-) anion, while the deprotonated sulfate esters of 2-methyltetrol mononitrate derivatives preferentially fragment through loss of nitric acid. Rational interpretation of MS(2), MS(3) and accurate mass data led to the structural characterization of unknown polar compounds in K-puszta fine aerosol as organosulfate derivatives of photooxidation products of unsaturated fatty acids, i.

Reduction of blood loss with tranexamic acid in primary total hip replacement surgery.

Background: In this prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial, we investigated the effect of a single preoperative bolus dose of tranexamic acid (15 mg/kg) on perioperative blood losses and packed cell transfusion requirements in patients scheduled for primary unilateral total hip replacement surgery for degenerative osteoarthrosis.

Patients And Methods: 40 patients were randomized to receive either 15 mg/kg tranexamic acid (TA group) or an equal volume of saline (placebo group) given as a single slow intravenous bolus injection 15 minutes before incision. We recorded per- and postoperative blood losses and transfusion requirements up to 24 hours postoperatively.

Marker-free transgenic plants through genetically programmed auto-excision.

We present here a vector system to obtain homozygous marker-free transgenic plants without the need of extra handling and within the same time frame as compared to transformation methods in which the marker is not removed. By introducing a germline-specific auto-excision vector containing a cre recombinase gene under the control of a germline-specific promoter, transgenic plants become genetically programmed to lose the marker when its presence is no longer required (i.e.

TIMI risk score underestimates prognosis in unstable angina/non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Objectives: To determine the value of the TIMI risk score in the individual risk stratification of patients with unstable angina/non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI).

Background: TIMI risk score is a validated tool to identify groups of patients at high risk for major cardiac events. Its prognostic value in individual patients with current diagnostic tools and therapy is unknown.

Determination of saccharides in atmospheric aerosol using anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography and pulsed-amperometric detection.

An improved method is described for the quantification of primary sugars, sugar alcohols and anhydrosugars in atmospheric aerosols, making use of separation by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC) with pulsed amperometric detection (PAD). Quartz fibre filters from high-volume samplers were extracted with water and the extract injected directly. Repeatability is typically 4% RSD, for e.

Efficacy of atorvastatin after LDL-cholesterol-based dose selection in high risk dyslipidaemic patients: results of the target dose study.

Background: Hypercholesterolaemia is one of the major risk factors for the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). European guidelines emphasize the importance of reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels below 115 mg/dL (3.0 mmol/L) in patients with high CHD risk.

Hydroxydicarboxylic acids: markers for secondary organic aerosol from the photooxidation of alpha-pinene.

Detailed organic analysis of fine (PM2.5) rural aerosol collected during summer at K-puszta, Hungary from a mixed deciduous/coniferous forest site shows the presence of polar oxygenated compounds that are also formed in laboratory irradiated alpha-pinene/NOx/air mixtures. In the present work, two major photooxidation products of alpha-pinene were characterized as the hydroxydicarboxylic acids, 3-hydroxyglutaric acid, and 2-hydroxy-4-isopropyladipic acid, based on chemical, chromatographic, and mass spectral data.

Coronary microvascular dysfunction after myocardial infarction: increased coronary zero flow pressure both in the infarcted and in the remote myocardium is mainly related to left ventricular filling pressure.

Objective: To investigate the underlying mechanisms of a decreased coronary flow reserve after myocardial infarction (MI) by analysing the characteristics of the diastolic hyperaemic coronary pressure-flow relationship.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Tertiary care hospital.

Evidence for organosulfates in secondary organic aerosol.

Recent work has shown that particle-phase reactions contribute to the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA), with enhancements of SOA yields in the presence of acidic seed aerosol. In this study, the chemical composition of SOA from the photooxidations of alpha-pinene and isoprene, in the presence or absence of sulfate seed aerosol, is investigated through a series of controlled chamber experiments in two separate laboratories. By using electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry, sulfate esters in SOA produced in laboratory photooxidation experiments are identified for the first time.

Effect of folic acid on endothelial function following acute myocardial infarction.

The aim of this study was to test the influence of high-dose folic acid (10 mg/d) on endothelial function in patients referred for coronary intervention after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and determine its relation to homocysteine levels. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery was performed in 40 patients after AMI (16 with normal homocysteine levels and 24 patients with elevated levels [>11 micromol/L]). Subjects were randomized to receive first folic acid (10 mg/day; group A) or placebo (group B) for 6 weeks in a double-blind crossover trial with a 2-week washout.

Unruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm presenting as acute coronary syndrome.

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is an infrequent cardiac anomaly. In the United States, it accounts for only 0.15 to 1.

Characterization of 2-methylglyceric acid oligomers in secondary organic aerosol formed from the photooxidation of isoprene using trimethylsilylation and gas chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry.

In the present work, we have characterized in detail the chemical structures of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) components that were generated in a smog chamber and result from the photooxidation of isoprene under high-NO(x) conditions typical for a polluted atmosphere. Isoprene high-NO(x) SOA contains 2-methylglyceric acid (2-MG) and oligoester derivatives thereof. Trimethylsilylation, in combination with capillary gas chromatography (GC)/ion trap mass spectrometry (MS) and detailed interpretation of the MS data, allowed structural characterization the polar oxygenated compounds present in isoprene SOA up to 2-MG trimers.

Can measurement of the intima-media thickness of the carotid artery improve the diagnostic value of exercise stress tests?

Objective: The diagnostic value of the exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) for the detection of coronary artery disease is hampered by a high proportion of equivocal results, especially in asymptomatic patients. The intima-media thickness of the carotid artery correlates well with the degree of atherosclerosis, also in other vascular beds, such as the coronary arteries. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether measurements of intima-media thickness can improve the diagnostic value of stress ECG in the detection of coronary artery disease.

The comparative cellular architecture of the female gonoduct among tylenchoidea (nematoda: tylenchina).

The cellular architecture of the female gonoduct of 68 nematode populations representing 42 species belonging to Tylenchidae, Belonolaimidae, Hoplolaimidae and Meloinema is shown to have an overall similarity in cellular gonoduct structure. The oviduct consists of two rows of four cells; the spermatheca is comprised of 10 to 20 cells, and the uterus cells, except in the case of Psilenchus, are arranged in four (Tylenchidae) or three (Belonolaimidae, Hoplolaimidae and Meloinema) regular rows. Although the genus Meloinema is classified within Meloidogynidae, its spermatheca is clearly hoplolaimid-like and lacks the spherical shape with lobe-like protruding cells typical of Meloidogyne.

Chemical composition of secondary organic aerosol formed from the photooxidation of isoprene.

Recent work in our laboratory has shown that the photooxidation of isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, C(5)H(8)) leads to the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). In the current study, the chemical composition of SOA from the photooxidation of isoprene over the full range of NO(x) conditions is investigated through a series of controlled laboratory chamber experiments. SOA composition is studied using a wide range of experimental techniques: electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry, high-resolution mass spectrometry, online aerosol mass spectrometry, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and an iodometric-spectroscopic method.

Mimicking the atmospheric OH-radical-mediated photooxidation of isoprene: formation of cloud-condensation nuclei polyols monitored by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

Recently, it has been proposed (M. Claeys et al., Science 2004; 303: 1173) that the atmospheric OH-radical-mediated photooxidation of isoprene is a source of two major secondary organic aerosol (SOA) components, that is, 2-methylthreitol and 2-methylerythritol.