Effectiveness of olanzapine in neurosyphilis related organic psychosis: a case report.

The clinicians usually do not consider syphilis in the differential diagnosis for patients with acute and chronic psychiatric symptoms. To familiarize clinicians particularly with neurosyphilis (NS) and to discuss the atypical antipsychotic alternatives, we wish to present a case with agitated, resistant psychotic symptoms related to neurosyphilis. The case was a 55-year-old male who has had anxiety, irritability, auditory hallucinations, ataxia, dysarthric speech, paranoid and persecutory delusions and agitated behaviour.

Solar photocatalytic degradation of reactive blue 4 using a Fresnel lens.

The heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of reactive blue 4 dye (RB4) solutions under Fenton reagent and TiO(2) assisted by concentrated solar light irradiation using a Fresnel lens has been studied. Multivariate experimental design was applied to study the kinetic process. The efficiency of photocatalytic degradation was determined from the analysis of color and total organic carbon (TOC) removal.

Occurrence of bacterial indicators and bacteriophages infecting enteric bacteria in groundwater in different geographical areas.

Aims: The aim of this research was to determine the suitability of coliphages (bacteriophages) for assessing the microbial quality of groundwater.

Methods And Results: The number of several bacterial indicators (faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, enterococci and spores of sulfite-reducing clostridia) and bacteriophages (somatic coliphages, F-specific RNA bacteriophages and bacteriophages infecting Bacteroides fragilis) were determined in groundwater of aquifers in various geographical areas. Results show that the relative abundance, determined as percentages of positive detections, of the bacterial indicators and bacteriophages varies depending on the aquifer.

MET-IDEA: data extraction tool for mass spectrometry-based metabolomics.

A current and significant limitation to metabolomics is the large-scale, high-throughput conversion of raw chromatographically coupled mass spectrometry datasets into organized data matrices necessary for further statistical processing and data visualization. This article describes a new data extraction tool, MET-IDEA (Metabolomics Ion-based Data Extraction Algorithm) which surmounts this void. MET-IDEA is compatible with a diversity of chromatographically coupled mass spectrometry systems, generates an output similar to traditional quantification methods, utilizes the sensitivity and selectivity associated with selected ion quantification, and greatly reduces the time and effort necessary to obtain large-scale organized datasets by several orders of magnitude.

A sequential injection electronic tongue employing the transient response from potentiometric sensors for anion multidetermination.

Intelligent and automatic systems based on arrays of non-specific-response chemical sensors were recently developed in our laboratory. For multidetermination applications, the normal choice is an array of potentiometric sensors to generate the signal, and an artificial neural network (ANN) correctly trained to obtain the calibration model. As a great amount of information is required for the proper modelling, we proposed its automated generation by using the sequential injection analysis (SIA) technique.

Fresnel lens to concentrate solar energy for the photocatalytic decoloration and mineralization of orange II in aqueous solution.

The decoloration and mineralization of the azo dye orange II under conditions of artificial ultraviolet light and solar energy concentrated by a Fresnel lens in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and TiO(2)-P25 was studied. A comparative study to demonstrate the viability of this solar installation was done to establish if the concentration reached in the focus of the Fresnel lens was enough to improve the photocatalytic degradation reaction. The degradation efficiency was higher when the photolysis was carried out under concentrated solar energy irradiation as compared to UV light source in the presence of an electron acceptor such us H(2)O(2) and the catalyst TiO(2).

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the right side of the aortic valve in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus).

This study describes the coronary artery distribution patterns associated with the anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the right side of the aortic valve in Syrian hamsters. The hearts of 15 affected animals were examined by means of a corrosion-cast technique, histology and scanning electron microscopy. The hamsters belonged to a laboratory inbred colony with a high incidence of coronary artery anomalies and bicuspid aortic valves.

Nursing education as an intervention to decrease fatigue perception in oncology patients.

People with cancer have identified fatigue as a major obstacle to normal functioning and a good quality of life. It is a nearly universal symptom for patients undergoing primary antineoplasic therapy or treatment with biologic response modifiers (BRM) and is extremely common in patients with persistent or advanced disease. The aim of the study was to determine whether nursing education decreased the perception of fatigue in patients with colon or gastric cancer.

The Schizosaccharomyces pombe cfr1+ gene participates in mating through a new pathway that is independent of fus1+.

Conjugation is a complex event directed to ensure the transfer of genetic material, which is achieved by the union of two cells. In fungi, success of this relevant process requires digestion of the cell wall at the point where both cells have agglutinated and, later, the union of the plasma membranes and nuclei from the mating partners. In order to gain information about cell fusion, we have cloned and disrupted the cfr1+ gene from the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

Prevention of mother to child HIV transmission.

We describe the impact of strategies to reduce HIV-1 vertical transmission on a cohort of pregnant women and evaluate toxicity related to antiretroviral (ARV) therapy and prevalence of birth defects. In this observational, retrospective, longitudinal and descriptive study, we have reviewed the data base and clinical charts from a cohort of 351 pregnant women with HIV infection admitted to a public hospital in Buenos Aires from April 1994 to August 2003. Eighty percent of women were infected by sexual transmission.

The RIM101 pathway contributes to yeast cell wall assembly and its function becomes essential in the absence of mitogen-activated protein kinase Slt2p.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae ynl294cDelta (rim21Delta) mutant was identified in our lab owing to its moderate resistance to calcofluor, although it also displayed all of the phenotypic traits associated with its function as the putative sensor (Rim21p) of the RIM101 pathway. rim21Delta also showed moderate hypersensitivity to sodium dodecyl sulfate, caffeine, and zymolyase, and the cell wall compensatory response in this mutant was very poor, as indicated by the almost complete absence of Slt2 phosphorylation and the modest increase in chitin synthesis after calcofluor treatment. However, the cell integrity pathway appeared functional after caffeine treatment or thermal stress.

Mature-onset obesity and insulin resistance in mice deficient in the signaling adapter p62.

Signaling cascades that control adipogenesis are essential in the regulation of body weight and obesity. The adaptor p62 controls pathways that modulate cell differentiation. We report here that p62(-/-) mice develop mature-onset obesity, leptin resistance, as well as impaired glucose and insulin intolerance.

Left ventricular-based cardiac stimulation post AV nodal ablation evaluation (the PAVE study).

Background: Chronic right ventricular pacing has been reported to promote cardiac dyssynchrony. The PAVE trial prospectively compared chronic biventricular pacing to right ventricular pacing in patients undergoing ablation of the AV node for management of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rates.

Methods And Results: One hundred and eighty-four patients requiring AV node ablation were randomized to receive a biventricular pacing system (n = 103) or a right ventricular pacing system (n = 81).

Solitary coronary ostium in the aorta in Syrian hamsters. A morphological study of 130 cases.

Background: Solitary coronary ostium in the aorta (SCOA) is a rare anomaly, the pathogenesis of which remains uncertain. The lack of an animal model is one of the reasons why little understanding of this question has been gained. The aim was to examine the coronary distribution patterns associated with SCOA in laboratory inbred Syrian hamsters.

Cell integrity signaling activation in response to hyperosmotic shock in yeast.

Current progress highlights the role of the yeast cell wall as a highly dynamic structure that responds to many environmental stresses. Here, we show that hyperosmotic shock transiently activates the PKC signaling pathway, a response that requires previous activation of the HOG pathway. Phosphorylation of Slt2p under such conditions is related to changes in the glycerol turnover and is mostly Mid2p dependent, suggesting that changes in cell turgor, mediated by intracellular accumulation of glycerol, are sensed by PKC sensors to promote the cell integrity response.

Intermittent catheterisation with hydrophilic-coated catheters (SpeediCath) reduces the risk of clinical urinary tract infection in spinal cord injured patients: a prospective randomised parallel comparative trial.

Objectives: To compare the performance of SpeediCath hydrophilic-coated catheters versus uncoated polyvinyl chloride (PVC) catheters, in traumatic spinal cord injured patients presenting with functional neurogenic bladder-sphincter disorders.

Methods: A 1-year, prospective, open, parallel, comparative, randomised, multi centre study included 123 male patients, > or =16 y and injured within the last 6 months. Primary endpoints were occurrence of symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) and hematuria.

Candida albicans strains deficient in CHS7, a key regulator of chitin synthase III, exhibit morphogenetic alterations and attenuated virulence.

Chitin is a structural polysaccharide present in most fungal cell walls, whose synthesis depends on a family of enzymic activities named chitin synthases (CSs). The specific role of each of them, as well as of their regulatory proteins, in cell morphogenesis and virulence is not well understood. Here, it is shown that most chitin synthesis in Candida albicans, one of the fungi most commonly isolated from opportunistic mycoses and infections, depends on CHS7.

Photo-Fenton-assisted ozonation of p-Coumaric acid in aqueous solution.

The degradation of p-Coumaric acid present in olive oil mill wastewater was investigated as a pretreatment stage to obtain more easily biodegradable molecules, with lower toxicity that facilitates subsequent anaerobic digestion. Thus, photo-Fenton-assisted ozonation has been studied and compared with ozonation at alkaline pH and conventional single ultraviolet (UV) and acid ozonation treatments. In the combined process, the overall kinetic rate constant was split into various components: direct oxidation by UV light, direct oxidation by ozone and oxidation by hydroxyl radicals.

Biomarker metabolites capturing the metabolite variance present in a rice plant developmental period.

Background: This study analyzes metabolomic data from a rice tillering (branching) developmental profile to define a set of biomarker metabolites that reliably captures the metabolite variance of this plant developmental event, and which has potential as a basis for rapid comparative screening of metabolite profiles in relation to change in development, environment, or genotype. Changes in metabolism, and in metabolite profile, occur as a part of, and in response to, developmental events. These changes are influenced by the developmental program, as well as external factors impinging on it.

Formation of cartilage in congenital bicuspid aortic valves of Syrian hamsters (mesocricetus auratus).

The formation, topographical location and calcification of cartilage in congenital bicuspid aortic valves of 235 Syrian hamsters aged 0--173 days were studied by histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. In all animals the aortic valve was bicuspid; it had two leaflets, ventral and dorsal, each supported by its own aortic sinus. In 141 valves, a more or less developed raphe was located in the ventral sinus.

Tumour-suppression activity of the proapoptotic regulator Par4.

The proapoptotic protein encoded by Par4 (prostate apoptosis response 4) has been implicated in tumour suppression, particularly in the prostate. We report here that Par4-null mice are prone to develop tumours, both spontaneously and on carcinogenic treatment. The endometrium and prostate of Par4-null mice were particularly sensitive to the development of proliferative lesions.

Pulmonary embolism in a patient with severe congenital deficiency for factor V during treatment with fresh frozen plasma.

Thrombosis is a rare complication in patients with congenital clotting factor deficiencies. In most cases, it is related to inherited procoagulant factors, use of central venous catheters or administration of coagulation factor concentrates. There are only a few case reports about thrombotic events during treatment with fresh frozen plasma (FFP).

Numerical study of size-structured population models: a case of Gambussia affinis.

We study, from a numerical point of view, some properties of a model which describes the evolution of a population of Gambussia affinis. Our model includes sufficiently smooth vital functions. First we select, among four numerical methods of second order, the most appropriate in terms of adaptation to the problem.

The alpha-glucanase Agn1p is required for cell separation in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

Background Information: In animal cells, cytokinesis occurs by constriction of an actomyosin ring. In fission yeast, ring constriction is followed by deposition of a multilayered division septum that must be cleaved to release the two daughter cells. Although many studies have focused on the actomyosin ring and septum assembly, little is known about the later steps involving the cleavage of the cell wall.

Informant consensus factor and antibacterial activity of the medicinal plants used by the people of San Rafael Coxcatlán, Puebla, México.

Using ethnobotanical techniques, the medicinal flora used by the inhabitants of San Rafael Coxcatlán, Puebla was determined. During the field work, two types of interviews were applied (free listing and semi-structured) to 60 informants, who supplied consistent information concerning the use of 46 species of medicinal plants. Further analysis showed 13 categories of different medicinal use.