Soluble-insoluble transition in binary heterogeneous nucleation.

In this Letter, we report the first experimental study of binary heterogeneous gas-liquid nucleation. Onset activities were obtained for nucleation of various n-propanol-water vapor mixtures on 6.9 nm NaCl particles soluble in water and practically insoluble in n-propanol.

Activation of Kupffer cells during the course of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury and fibrosis in rats.

Kupffer cells are involved in the pathogenesis of chemically mediated liver injury through release of biologically active mediators that promote the pathogenic process. The purpose of this study was to elucidate specific biochemical and molecular changes occurring in Kupffer cells throughout a time course of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-mediated liver injury and fibrosis. Rats were administered 1 ml/kg of CCl(4) (10% v/v olive oil) twice weekly for up to 6 weeks.

Metabolism of 4-hydroxynonenal by rat Kupffer cells.

Kupffer cells are known to participate in the early events of liver injury involving lipid peroxidation. 4-Hydroxy-2,3-(E)-nonenal (4-HNE), a major aldehydic product of lipid peroxidation, has been shown to modulate numerous cellular systems and is implicated in the pathogenesis of chemically induced liver damage. The purpose of this study was to characterize the metabolic ability of Kupffer cells to detoxify 4-HNE through oxidative (aldehyde dehydrogenase; ALDH), reductive (alcohol dehydrogenase; ADH), and conjugative (glutathione S-transferase; GST) pathways.

Plunging into preload and afterload.

Tools for teaching new nurses surround you in the intensive care unit. This article presents a simple exercise using readily available supplies to help nurses gain a solid understanding of preload and afterload.

Novel mutations identified using a comprehensive CCR5-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis assay.

Background: Most mutations detected for the gene for CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) are either relatively specific to different population groups or rarely observed in Africans.

Objectives: To develop a comprehensive mutation detection assay for the entire coding region of CCR5 and to identify novel mutations that may play a role in genetic susceptibility to HIV-1 infection, within the diverse South African population.

Design: The study cohort consisted of 103 HIV-seropositive patients and 146 HIV-seronegative controls of predominantly African descent.

Role of aldehyde dehydrogenases in endogenous and xenobiotic metabolism.

Aldehydes are highly reactive molecules that are intermediates or products involved in a broad spectrum of physiologic, biologic and pharmacologic processes. Aldehydes are generated from chemically diverse endogenous and exogenous precursors and aldehyde-mediated effects vary from homeostatic and therapeutic to cytotoxic, and genotoxic. One of the most important pathways for aldehyde metabolism is their oxidation to carboxylic acids by aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs).

Magnetic resonance imaging volumes of the hippocampus and the amygdala in women with borderline personality disorder and early traumatization.

Background: Based on findings of stress-induced neural disturbances in animals and smaller hippocampal volumes in humans with posttraumatic stress disorder), we hypothesized that patients with borderline personality disorders (BPD), who often are victims of early traumatization, have smaller volumes of the hippocampus and the amygdala. We assumed that volumes of these brain regions are negatively correlated with traumatic experiences and with neuropsychological deficits.

Methods: We studied 21 female patients with BPD and a similar group of healthy controls.

Characterization of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal metabolism in stellate cell lines derived from normal and cirrhotic rat liver.

During oxidative stress, reactive aldehydes, including trans-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), are generated by peroxidation of membrane lipids and purportedly stimulate hepatic stellate cells to produce excessive extracellular matrix, including type I collagen. An important question concerning the ability of 4-HNE to modulate collagen production by stellate cells is the potential of these specialized cells to detoxify 4-HNE. The objective of the present study was to characterize the ability of stellate cell lines, derived from normal (NFSC) and cirrhotic (CFSC) rat livers, to metabolize 4-HNE by oxidative, reductive and conjugative pathways.

Identification of osteoblast/osteocyte factor 45 (OF45), a bone-specific cDNA encoding an RGD-containing protein that is highly expressed in osteoblasts and osteocytes.

We describe the cloning and characterization of a novel bone-specific cDNA predicted to encode an extracellular matrix protein. This cDNA was identified by subtractive hybridization based upon its high expression in bone marrow-derived osteoblasts. By Northern blot analysis, we detected a single 2-kilobase mRNA transcript in bone, whereas no expression was detected in other tissues.

IL-3 increases production of B lymphoid progenitors from human CD34+CD38- cells.

The effect of IL-3 on the B lymphoid potential of human hemopoietic stem cells is controversial. Murine studies suggest that B cell differentiation from uncommitted progenitors is completely prevented after short-term exposure to IL-3. We studied B lymphopoiesis after IL-3 stimulation of uncommitted human CD34+CD38- cells, using the stromal cell line S17 to assay the B lymphoid potential of stimulated cells.

Vive la difference! The international symposium, "Society and Individual Predisposition for Successful Pregnancy Outcome".

A gathering of clinician and epidemiologist researchers from three continents assembled in Paris on September 24, 1998, to contribute to a symposium honoring Professor Emile Papiernik, Chef de Service de Gynecologie et Obstetrique, Maternite Port Royal. The theme was society and individual predisposition for successful pregnancy outcome, and each presenter was asked to respond to a provocative question posed by Dr. Louis Keith, who presided over the symposium.

Involvement of p65 in the regulation of NF-kappaB in rat hepatic stellate cells during cirrhosis.

We have examined the NF-kappaB binding and functional activities in two stellate cell lines derived from normal (NFSC) and cirrhotic (CFSC) rat liver. Gel mobility shift assays revealed two bands in NFSC nuclear extracts that correspond to p65/p50 heterodimers and p50/p50 homodimers. In contrast, a single and more intense band that migrates faster was detected in CFSC nuclear extracts.

Correlates of figure-ground segregation in fMRI.

We investigated which correlates of figure-ground-segregation can be detected by means of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Five subjects were scanned with a Siemens Vision 1.5 T system.

Competitive cytokeratin 19 RT-PCR for quantification of breast cancer cells in blood cell suspensions.

Detection of residual tumor cells in BM and PBPC products has been correlated with worse outcome of breast cancer patients. Still, there is a considerable demand for studies investigating the influence of the actual tumor cell number on prognosis, as quantification routinely has been cumbersome and time consuming and, thus, was evaded. We developed and evaluated a competitive RT-PCR-ELISA assay for cytokeratin 19 (CK19) with standard curve quantification that allows quantification of multiple samples within a working day; mRNA isolation, RT-PCR reaction, and automated ELISA detection were carried out using commercial kits.

Optical coherence microscopy. A technology for rapid, in vivo, non-destructive visualization of plants and plant cells.

We describe the development and utilization of a new imaging technology for plant biology, optical coherence microscopy (OCM), which allows true in vivo visualization of plants and plant cells. This novel technology allows the direct, in situ (e.g.

Formation of malondialdehyde adducts in livers of rats exposed to ethanol: role in ethanol-mediated inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase.

Background: Previous studies in our laboratory demonstrated that short-term ethanol consumption by maternal rats increased the hepatic levels of 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) in both the adult and the fetus. Additionally, HNE inhibited cytochrome c oxidase (COX) by forming adducts with the enzyme subunits. The present study examined modification of COX by another major aldehydic lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde (MDA), and its role in COX inhibition by ethanol.

An optical coherence microscope for 3-dimensional imaging in developmental biology.

An optical coherence microscope (OCM) has been designed and constructed to acquire 3-dimensional images of highly scattering biological tissue. Volume-rendering software is used to enhance 3-D visualization of the data sets. Lateral resolution of the OCM is 5 mm (FWHM), and the depth resolution is 10 mm (FWHM) in tissue.

Child health benefits packages: lessons from Minnesota for State Children's Health Insurance Programs.

The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) provides state maternal and child health (MCH) programs an opportunity to assure comprehensive health services are available to children through the selection of an appropriate benefits package. Minnesota had this chance in 1994 when the state was considering development of a universal standard benefits set. While the Minnesota MCH program was not at the policy table, they worked through a process that increased their influence on decisions by responding to a legislative call for a definition of "appropriate and necessary" care.

Characterization of hepatic iron overload following dietary administration of dicyclopentadienyl iron (Ferrocene) to mice: cellular, biochemical, and molecular aspects.

A unique organic form of iron (dicyclopentadienyl iron; ferrocene) has been used to further elucidate specific hepatic histopathologic, biochemical, and molecular parameters associated with dietary iron overload. Male C57BL/6Ibg mice fed a diet containing 0.04-0.

Primary central nervous system lymphoma: from clinical presentation to diagnosis.

Immunocompetent patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) present with a median age of 55 years, immunosuppressed patients with a median age of 40 years. They show a broad range of signs and symptoms. Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure and personality change are most frequent, followed in frequency by ataxia and hemiparesis.

4-Hydroxynonenal and malondialdehyde hepatic protein adducts in rats treated with carbon tetrachloride: immunochemical detection and lobular localization.

The metabolism of CCl(4) initiates the peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids producing alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes, such as 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and malondialdehyde (MDA). The facile reactivity of these electrophilic aldehydic products suggests they play a role in the toxicity of compounds like CCl(4). To determine the rate at which CCl(4)-initiated lipid peroxidation results in the formation of 4-HNE and/or MDA hepatic protein adducts, rats were given an intragastric dose of CCl(4) (1.

A tool to organize instructions at discharge after treatment of asthmatic children in an emergency department.

Asthma exacerbations continue to be a major cause of visits to emergency departments (ED). Comprehensive care in the outpatient setting, with planning for early intervention for exacerbations, can reduce emergency visits. Thus, a major goal of ED intervention is to establish a link between the patient and the provider of ongoing asthma care, where complete education can be achieved and reinforced over time.

3D spiral CT imaging of bone anomalies in a case of diastematomyelia.

The case of a 48-year-old woman, suffering from a diastematomyelia, is presented. This case and the diagnostic findings are used to demonstrate the demands on imaging methods with respect to a new classification of split cord malformations (SCMs) recently published. Although MRI is the method of choice for imaging of the spinal cord generally, only X-ray methods and especially conventional computer tomography provide the information necessary for correct classification of SCMs.