Potential role of oxidative exoenzymes of the extremophilic fungus Pestalotiopsis palmarum BM-04 in biotransformation of extra-heavy crude oil.

Large amount of drilling waste associated with the expansion of the Orinoco Oil Belt (OOB), the biggest proven reserve of extra-heavy crude oil (EHCO) worldwide, is usually impregnated with EHCO and highly salinized water-based drilling fluids. Oxidative exoenzymes (OE) of the lignin-degrading enzyme system (LDS) of fungi catalyse the oxidation of a wide range of toxic pollutants. However, very little evidences on fungal degradation or biotransformation of EHCO have been reported, which contain high amounts of asphaltenes and its biodegradation rate is very limited.

Cerebral hypoperfusion in multiple sclerosis is reversible and mediated by endothelin-1.

Decreased cerebral blood flow (CBF) may contribute to the pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS), but the underlying mechanism is unknown. We investigated whether the potent vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1) is involved. We found that, compared with controls, plasma ET-1 levels in patients with MS were significantly elevated in blood drawn from the internal jugular vein and a peripheral vein.

Nonsurgical treatment of pyomyoma in the postpartum period.

Background: Only 13 cases of pyomyoma related to pregnancy have been described since 1945. Treatment consists of hysterectomy, which exposes critically ill patients to operative risks and induces infertility.

Cases: Three cases of pyomyoma in the postpartum period are described.

Less frequent dosing of erythropoiesis stimulating agents in patients undergoing dialysis: a European multicentre cost study.

Objective: To calculate the variable costs involved with the process of delivering erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA) in European dialysis practices.

Methods: A conceptual model was developed to classify the processes and sub-processes followed in the pharmacy (ordering from supplier, receiving/storing/delivering ESA to the dialysis unit), dialysis unit (dose determination, ordering, receipt, registration, storage, administration, registration) and waste disposal unit. Time and material costs were recorded.

Identifying molecular markers associated with classification of genotypes by External Logistic Biplots.

Unlabelled: For characterization of genetic diversity in genotypes several molecular techniques, usually resulting in a binary data matrix, have been used. Despite the fact that in Cluster Analysis (CA) and Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) the interpretation of the variables responsible for grouping is not straightforward, these methods are commonly used to classify genotypes using DNA molecular markers. In this article, we present a novel algorithm that uses a combination of PCoA, CA and Logistic Regression (LR), as a better way to interpret the variables (alleles or bands) associated to the classification of genotypes.

Regression of warfarin-induced medial elastocalcinosis by high intake of vitamin K in rats.

Arterial calcification (AC) is generally regarded as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is a potent inhibitor of AC, and its activity depends on vitamin K (VK). In rats, inactivation of MGP by treatment with the vitamin K antagonist warfarin leads to rapid calcification of the arteries.

Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke extract impairs endothelium-dependent relaxation of chicken embryo pulmonary arteries.

Maternal smoking may increase the risk for various adverse neonatal outcomes including persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). We investigated whether chronic prenatal cigarette smoke extract (CSE) exposure could produce abnormal vasoreactivity in pulmonary arteries. Daily injections of CSE (diluted in phosphate buffered saline) or vehicle were added to the air cells of fertilized eggs starting on day 5 of the 21-day incubation period of the chicken embryo.

Alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes in rat aorta and mesenteric small arteries are preserved during left ventricular dysfunction post-myocardial infarction.

Objective: In heart failure, homologous downregulation of beta-adrenoceptors contributes to impaired adrenergic responsiveness of the myocardium. We evaluated alpha 1-adrenoceptors (alpha 1-AR) in a sparsely innervated and a densely innervated peripheral artery in an experimental model of left ventricular dysfunction post-myocardial infarction.

Methods: [3H]Prazosin binding was determined in arterial segments of Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY), and of Wistar rats 5 weeks after myocardial infarction (MI) or sham operation (SHAM).

Computers create new perspectives in radiotherapy.

In diagnostic radiology a revolution has taken place over the last decade with the development of computer-based imaging (CT, MR). Such technologies are now available routinely even in medium-sized radiology departments. In radiotherapy departments, however, computer applications have often been limited to calculation of dose distributions on CT images and administrative tasks.

Transbrachial approach for aortic and selective supraaortic vessel catheterization using a safe and easy technique to reform the Simmons II catheter tip.

A total of 286 patients (158 outpatients) were examined by intra-arterial DSA in the evaluation of cerebrovascular disease using a transbrachial approach. In all cases a 5F introducer sheath, a 5F pigtail catheter for aortic arch injection and a 5F Simmons II catheter for selective catheterization were used. Excellent demonstration of aortic arch and supraaortic arteries (including intracranial circulation) was obtained (92.

Properties of the 120,000- and 95,000-dalton actin-binding proteins from Dictyostelium discoideum and their possible functions in assembling the cytoplasmic matrix.

The cell cortex of Dictyostelium amebae contains an actin-rich cytoplasmic matrix. Changes in geometry of this matrix are believed to regulate protrusive activity and motility of the cell cortex. Two actin-binding proteins (120,000 and 95,000 daltons [120K and 95K]) are present in the cell cortex, and their properties, many of which are described here for the first time, suggest that they regulate growth and organization of cortical microfilaments.

Identification of the vasopressin-neurophysin producing neurons of the rat suprachiasmatic nuclei.

Immuno-enzyme histochemical investigations on the hypothalamus of the normal rat showed (1) that the suprachiasmatic nuclei produce vasopressin; (2) that it is highly probable that these nuclei do not produce oxytocin. From the present and previous investigations it may be concluded that the suprachiasmatic neurons produce a vasopressin-neurophysin complex.

Identification of the vasopressin-neurophysin II and the oxytocin-neurophysin I producing neurons in the bovine hypothalamus.

Immuno-enzyme histochemical investigations on the bovine hypothalamus showed that vasopressin and oxytocin are synthetized in separate neurons. Moreover, it was found that the vasopressin-producing neurons are identical with the neruophysin II-producing neurons, while the oxtocin producing neurons correspond with the neurophysin I-producing neurons. From this result it is concluded that, in the species studied, neurophysin I is the carrier protein of oxytocin and that neurophysin II is the carrier protein of vasopressin.