Formoffa: An automated formant, moment, fundamental frequency, amplitude analysis of normal and disordered speech.

A system for semi-automatic, multi-parameter acoustic analysis is described. The system, called FORMOFFA (For = FORmants, Mo = MOments, FF = Fundamental Frequency, A = Amplitude), operates on a PC microcomputer by adaptations of commercially available software. Data displays include a deterministic time record of instantaneous values, and an ergodic time-compressed distribution.

Comparative study of the effects of MCPA, butylate, atrazine, and cyanazine on Selenastrum capricornutum.

The herbicides MCPA, butylate, atrazine and cyanazine are extensively used in Canadian agriculture and information regarding their effects on indigenous biota is scarce. Phytotoxicity assessments were conducted in the laboratory on the common green alga Selenastrum capricornutum using both the active ingredient of the herbicides and their formulated products (for MCPA and butylate). Endpoints determined after the 96 h exposure included algal population growth inhibition (IC50-cell counts), percent lethality (LC50-flow cytometry derived) and photosynthetic electron transport inhibition (EC50-fluorescence induction).

The new chemicals process at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): structure-activity relationships for hazard identification and risk assessment.

Section 5 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) does not require any toxicity testing as a prerequisite for submission of a Premanufacturing Notice (PMN) for a new chemical. In order to compensate for the lack of actual test data, a process involving structure-activity relationships (SAR) for assessing hazard potential was constructed. The hazard assessment is then coupled with an estimation of potential exposure to determine potential risk.

Factors associated with different responses to periodontal therapy.

In a study of the efficacy of modified Widman flap surgery and scaling and root planning accompanied by 1 of 4 systemic adjunctive agents, Augmentin, tetracycline, ibuprofen or placebo, it was observed that subjects differed in their response to therapy. The difference was only partially accounted for by the adjunctive agent employed. The purpose of the present investigation was to examine clinical and microbiological features in subjects who showed different levels of attachment change post-therapy.

Clinical and microbiological changes associated with the use of 4 adjunctive systemically administered agents in the treatment of periodontal infections.

The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the effects of periodontal surgery and 4 systemically administered agents, Augmentin, tetracycline, ibuprofen or a placebo on clinical and microbiological parameters of periodontal disease. 98 subjects were monitored at 2-month intervals at 6 sites per tooth for clinical parameters. Subgingival plaque samples were taken from the mesial surface of each tooth at each visit and evaluated for their content of 14 subgingival species using DNA probes and a colony lift method.

Spilled gallstones--complications of abdominal-wall abscesses. Case report and review of the literature.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the preferred method for removal of the diseased gallbladder. While its morbidity and mortality rates are lower than those of the open technique, it does have associated complications which may cause significant morbidity. The morbidity associated with spilled gallstones is not well studied and little can be found in the literature on this subject.

Dietary models for root caries.

A stepwise multiple logistic regression was computed to assess which of the nutritional variables differentiate the healthy and diseased group of participants in the Forsyth Specialized Caries Center (n = 275). Variables considered as candidates for the model included the consumption per week of sugars, starch, cheese, fruits and fruit juices, noncariogenic foods, and dairy products. Two variables--sugars and cheese--were statistically significant by the stepwise procedure.

Large-scale production and properties of immunoaffinity-purified human activated protein C concentrate.

Activated protein C (APC) is a highly specific serine proteinase which functions as an important naturally occurring antithrombotic enzyme. APC also has anti-inflammatory properties. We have developed a large-scale process for the production of APC for therapeutic use starting with cryoprecipitate-poor human plasma.

Molecular biology in the diagnosis and epidemiology of tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is the predominant infectious cause of mortality today, killing 3 million people annually. The cornerstones of diagnosis rest on microscopy of specimens using auramine and Ziehl-Neelsen stains followed by culture on Lowenstein-Jensen or alternative media. The long generation time of Mycobacterium tuberculosis means 2-8 weeks usually elapse before a result is available to the clinician.

The predominant cultivable flora of sound and carious human root surfaces.

Little detailed knowledge exists about the composition of the human root flora. Therefore, the predominant cultivable flora (PCF) was determined for samples of: (1) plaque from sound root surfaces (SRS) in eight subjects without root caries, (2) plaque from incipient root lesions (IRL) in eight subjects with root caries, and (3) carious material from advanced root lesions (ARL) in nine other subjects with root caries. Generally, one root surface was sampled per subject, and organisms-358, 512, and 389 for SRS, IRL, and ARL, respectively-were identified by standard methods.

Acute changes in myosin heavy chain synthesis rate in pressure versus volume overload.

The left ventricular hypertrophy that develops with the volume overload of mitral regurgitation is relatively less than that which develops with the pressure overload of aortic stenosis even when both lesions are severe. The hypertrophy that develops must be the sum of changes in the rate of myocardial protein synthesis and degradation. In the present canine study, we explored early changes in the synthesis rate of myosin heavy chain in response to severe acute pressure overload versus that of the severe acute volume overload of mitral regurgitation.

Gingival recession: intra-oral distribution and associated factors.

This study assesses the role of poor oral hygiene and forceful toothbrushing as risk factors for recession. As part of a cross-sectional root surface caries study, 298 subjects, 42 to 67 years of age, with at least one exposed root surface, were examined. Since 66% of the root surface exposure and practically all the abrasion was on buccal surfaces, the analyses focused only on the buccal surface.

Role of microtubules in contractile dysfunction of hypertrophied cardiocytes.

Cardiac hypertrophy in response to systolic pressure overloading frequently results in contractile dysfunction, the cause for which has been unknown. Since, in contrast, the same degree and duration of hypertrophy in response to systolic volume overloading does not result in contractile dysfunction, we postulated that the contractile dysfunction of pressure hypertrophied myocardium might result from a direct effect of stress as opposed to strain loading on an intracellular structure of the hypertrophied cardiocyte. The specific hypothesis tested here is that the microtubule component of the cytoskeleton is such an intracellular structure, which, forming in excess, impedes sarcomere motion.

Desktop publishing: a useful tool for scientists.

Desktop publishing offers features that are not available in word processing programs. The process yields an impressive and professional-looking document that is legible and attractive. It is a simple but effective tool to enhance the quality and appearance of your work and perhaps also increase your productivity.

Effect of antibody in gingival crevicular fluid on early colonization of exposed root surfaces by mutans streptococci.

The effect of antibody to Streptococcus mutans in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) on the recolonization of cleaned buccal root surface sites by indigenous mutans streptococci was studied. Seven subjects (mean age = 64 years) were selected from a population of 28 on the basis of the presence of appropriate sites with and without detectable immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody in GCF to formalin-killed S. mutans and adequate levels of mutans streptococci in saliva available for root surface recolonization.

Electrical stimulation of contractile activity accelerates growth of cultured neonatal cardiocytes.

An electrical stimulation system was designed to regulate synchronized contractile activity of neonatal rat cardiocytes and to examine the effects of mechanical contraction on cardiocyte growth. Continuous electrical stimulation at a pulse duration of 5 milliseconds and frequency of 3 Hz resulted in a time-dependent accumulation of cell protein that reached 34% above initial values, as measured by the protein-to-DNA ratio. The growth response did not occur using voltage amplitudes that were subthreshold for contraction and was independent of contraction frequencies set at > or = 0.

Systemic calciphylaxis.

Systemic calciphylaxis is a rare, poorly understood syndrome of progressive ischemic necrosis, usually associated with hyperparathyroidism. The combination of hyperparathyroidism, usually secondary or tertiary, and chronic renal failure seems to produce a particular biochemical environment conducive to the development of an unusual progressive form of ischemia. Early recognition and diagnosis, appropriate therapy including wound care, and expeditious parathyroidectomy often will halt the progression of the disease, minimize limb loss, and prevent subsequent sepsis and death.