Attenuation coefficient estimation using experimental diffraction corrections with multiple interface reflections.

The ultrasonic attenuation coefficient of a fluid or solid is an acoustic parameter routinely estimated for the purpose of materials characterization and defect/disease detection. This paper describes a broadband attenuation coefficient estimation technique that combines two established estimation approaches. The key elements of these two approaches are: (1) the use of magnitude spectrum ratios of front surface, first back surface, and second back surface reflections from interfaces of materials with plate-like geometries, and (2) the use of an experimental diffraction correction approach to avoid diffraction losses.

Drosophila soluble guanylyl cyclase mutants exhibit increased foraging locomotion: behavioral and genomic investigations.

Genetic variation in the gene foraging (for) is associated with a natural behavioral dimorphism in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Some larvae, called 'rovers', have increased foraging locomotion compared to others, called 'sitters', and this difference is directly related to for-encoded cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) activity. Here we report that larvae with mutations in the gene dgcalpha1, which encodes a soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) subunit, have increases in both PKG activity and foraging locomotion.

Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) to save water and improve Sauvignon Blanc quality?

With a fast change of land use in Marlborough from extensive pastoral farming to intensive irrigated viticulture, a need has risen to investigate the sustainable use of the available water. In 2001 a 5 ha irrigation research project was installed in a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc vineyard. Irrigation treatments installed were control (compensate 100% for crop evapotranspiration (ET(O)), 80%, 70% and 60% of ET(O).

Dietetic guidelines: diet in secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (first update, June 2003).

Aim: To update dietetic guidelines summarizing the systematic review evidence on dietary advice to prevent further events in people with existing cardiovascular disease (CVD) (secondary prevention).

Methods: The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and EMBASE were comprehensively searched to November 2002 for systematic reviews on aspects of diet and heart health. Reviews were included if they searched systematically for randomised controlled trials relating to diet and secondary prevention of CVD.

Clinical risk management in obstetrics: eclampsia drills.

Problem: Infrequent presentation of patients with eclampsia, leading to staff inexperienced in the condition and untested emergency systems.

Design: "Fire drill" programme using on-site simulation of patients with eclampsia.

Setting: Tertiary referral obstetric unit.

Clinical risk management in obstetrics: eclampsia drills.

Problem: Infrequent presentation of patients with eclampsia, leading to staff inexperienced in the condition and untested emergency systems.

Design: "Fire drill" programme using on-site simulation of patients with eclampsia.

Setting: Tertiary referral obstetric unit.

Construction of a cDNA-based microarray for Drosophila melanogaster: a comparison of gene transcription profiles from SL2 and Kc167 cells.

We have constructed a DNA microarray that represents approximately 6900 of the estimated 13,598 genes in the Drosophila melanogaster genome. The microarray contains 5756 target cDNAs from the Berkeley Drosophila Genome Project, 1078 cDNAs from the National Institutes of Health Drosophila testis cDNA library, and 546 gene fragments that were amplified from genomic DNA. The methods for DNA amplification and microarray manufacture are presented.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of two biphasic defibrillator waveforms for the conversion of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm.

The overall efficacy of transthoracic biphasic shocks delivered for conversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been demonstrated. We compared 2 different energy waveforms, either the biphasic rectilinear (BRL) waveform or the biphasic truncated exponential (BTE) waveform, in the conversion of AF to sinus rhythm. The relation between energy required for the conversion of AF, the type of biphasic waveform, and patient characteristics were examined.

Rapid and accurate calculation of protein 1H, 13C and 15N chemical shifts.

A computer program (SHIFTX) is described which rapidly and accurately calculates the diamagnetic 1H, 13C and 15N chemical shifts of both backbone and sidechain atoms in proteins. The program uses a hybrid predictive approach that employs pre-calculated, empirically derived chemical shift hypersurfaces in combination with classical or semi-classical equations (for ring current, electric field, hydrogen bond and solvent effects) to calculate 1H, 13C and 15N chemical shifts from atomic coordinates. The chemical shift hypersurfaces capture dihedral angle, sidechain orientation, secondary structure and nearest neighbor effects that cannot easily be translated to analytical formulae or predicted via classical means.

RefDB: a database of uniformly referenced protein chemical shifts.

RefDB is a secondary database of reference-corrected protein chemical shifts derived from the BioMagResBank (BMRB). The database was assembled by using a recently developed program (SHIFTX) to predict protein (1)H, (13)C and (15)N chemical shifts from X-ray or NMR coordinate data of previously assigned proteins. The predicted shifts were then compared with the corresponding observed shifts and a variety of statistical evaluations performed.

Multiclonal increase in ciprofloxacin-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Thailand, 1998-1999.

Background: isolates exhibiting clinically significant resistance to fluoroquinolones have been isolated most frequently in Asian and western Pacific countries, including Thailand. In Bangkok, Thailand, ciprofloxacin has been used to treat gonorrhea since 1987.

Goal: Our goal was to determine the prevalence of isolates of that exhibit resistance to ciprofloxacin in Bangkok and to characterize these strains with regard to ciprofloxacin MICs, auxotype/serovar (A/S) classification, A and C mutations responsible for ciprofloxacin resistance, and outer membrane lipoprotein (Lip) subtype analysis.

Examination of the relationship between the estrogen receptor gene and reproductive traits in swine.

The relationship between estrogen receptor (ESR) genotype and reproductive traits in a population of Yorkshire, Large White, and crossbred animals was studied. Reproductive tract and litter data were analyzed for associations with ESR genotype, parity, and breed. Forty-six Yorkshire, 31 Large White, and 70 crossbred females from the above population were mated to Hampshire boars and slaughtered at 75 d of gestation.

Serum-derived IgG1-mediated immune exclusion as a mechanism of protection against H. pylori infection.

The induction of protective immunity against Helicobacter challenge in a murine model was found to correlate with the magnitude of IgG (serum and gastric lavage) responsiveness to intra-nasal (i.n.) immunisation.

Smoking cessation in a homeless population: there is a will, but is there a way?

This cross-sectional study sought to determine the prevalence of smoking, readiness to quit, and preferences for smoking cessation treatments among a sample of 236 homeless adults attending 9 sites serving homeless persons (mean age 41.8 years; 73% male). Two thirds (69%) were current smokers, of whom 37% reported readiness to quit smoking within the next 6 months.

Genotypic variation in the Bordetella pertussis virulence factors pertactin and pertussis toxin in historical and recent clinical isolates in the United Kingdom.

The reemergence of pertussis has been reported in several countries despite high vaccination coverage. Studies in The Netherlands and Finland have investigated polymorphism in the genes coding for two important virulence factors of Bordetella pertussis, pertactin and pertussis toxin, and identified the emergence and subsequent dominance in circulating strains of pertactin and toxin variants not found in the whole-cell vaccine (WCV). The study described here investigated whether such variation had occurred in the United Kingdom, which presently has low levels of pertussis.

Molecular epidemiology of Neisseria gonorrhoeae exhibiting decreased susceptibility and resistance to ciprofloxacin in Hawaii, 1991-1999.

Background: Clinically significant resistance to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-recommended doses of fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin) has been reported for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In Hawaii, fluoroquinolone-resistant gonococcal isolates were first identified in 1991.

Goal: To assess the diversity, based on phenotypic and genotypic characterization, of gonococcal isolates exhibiting decreased susceptibility (CipI; MICs = 0.

Decreased cortisol levels in adolescent girls with conduct disorder.

Background: Female adolescent antisocial behavior is increasing, but little is known about the neuroendocrinologic aspects of this disorder. On the basis of reports of decreased cortisol levels in antisocial males, we investigated morning plasma cortisol levels in adolescent girls with conduct disorder (CD).

Methods: Three plasma samples for cortisol levels were taken every 20 minutes between 8 and 9 AM in 47 adolescent girls with CD (mean +/- SD age, 16.

Histaminoid reactions associated with rocuronium.

We describe three histaminoid reactions occurring on induction of anaesthesia. The patients were all resuscitated successfully and subsequent skin testing suggested sensitivity to rocuronium. In this hospital, the incidence of such reactions is of the order of 1 in 3000.

A role for the bacterial outer membrane in the pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Helicobacter pylori infection in humans is associated with diverse of clinical outcomes which are partly attributed to bacterial strain differences. Secreted bacterial products are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis caused by this non-invasive bacterium. Electron microscopy of gastric biopsies from infected individuals revealed blebbing of the H.

Intercity spread of gonococci with decreased susceptibility to fluoroquinolones: a unique focus in the United States.

Patients and gonococcal isolates (n = 783) from five sexually transmitted disease clinics in Ohio and western Pennsylvania were studied to investigate the spread of gonococci with decreased fluoroquinolone susceptibility. Among patients with gonorrhea, rates of infection with strains with decreased fluoroquinolone susceptibility (MIC of 0.125-0.