[Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) method applied to anticoagulation of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation].

Objectives: To contribute to the improvement of the process of anticoagulation in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) through awareness and training activities for Primary Care Physicians.

Materials And Methods: A total of 38 focus groups, sequenced according to an adaptation of the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) method. Each meeting was driven by «brainstorming» methodology.

No clinical predictors of intraepithelial neoplasia in HIV-positive patients with external condilomata acuminata.

To identify clinical parameters in association with human papilloma virus (HPV) genotypes and histopathology diagnosis in HIV-positive patients with external condylomata acuminata (ECA), 400 Chilean HIV-positive patients were included in the study. Forty-seven patients presented ECA. Clinical parameters and socio demographic data were recorded.

Initial human feasibility study of DC ablation as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia: 6 month follow-up data.

Direct current (DC) ablation is a novel non-thermal technology that causes focused coagulative necrosis in the lateral lobes of the prostate to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The necrosis is caused by a zone of non-physiologic pH which is created in a predictable pattern around each electrode in which a direct current is applied during treatment. The objective of this study was to optimize treatment parameters and assess treatment tolerability using transurethral DC ablation as an office-based treatment for BPH.

Targeting of proConA to the plant vacuole depends on its nine amino-acid C-terminal propeptide.

Concanavalin A (ConA) is a well characterized and extensively used lectin accumulated in the protein bodies of jack bean cotyledons. ConA is synthesized as an inactive precursor proConA. The maturation of inactive proConA into biologically active ConA is a complex process including the removal of an internal glycopeptide and a C-terminal propeptide (CTPP), followed by a head-to-tail ligation of the two largest polypeptides.

Natural Infection of Canavalia ensiformis with Tobacco mosaic virus in Venezuela.

Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) is a valuable green manure and cover-crop species. In late summer of 2002, jack bean plants showing severe stunting, leaf mosaic, mottling, distortion, and general yellowing were observed in fields located in Maracay, Aragua State, Venezuela. Sap from symptomatic leaves was used to mechanically inoculate healthy jack bean, and field symptoms were successfully reproduced.

[Identification and genetic variability of annatto genotypes (Bixa orellana L.) by means of hydrosoluble proteins and isoenzymes].

In order to identify and to determine the genetic variability of 36 annatto genotypes (Bixa orellana L.) collected in five Venezuelan regions (Oriente, Centro, Llanos, Andes and Amazonas) and in Brazil, hydrosoluble protein patterns as well as specific isozyme patterns (alpha-esterase, beta-esterase and peroxidase) were studied using extracts of germinated annatto seeds with radicles of 10 to 15 mm long. Each electrophoretic system allowed genotype discrimination by means of unique banding patterns: both the hydrosoluble protein and the electrophoretic system of beta-esterase with nine banding patterns each; whilst alpha-esterase and peroxidase discriminated eight and three genotypes, respectively.

[Morphological characterization of annatto fruits 9bixa orellana L.) and its correspondence with protein and isoenzym patterns].

A group of 32 annatto genotypes collected in five Venezuelan regions (Oriente, Centro, Llanos, Andes and Amazonas) and in Brazil were used for morphological studies. The fruit variables with the greatest discriminatory power in the formation of groups were capsule size, spinosity and seed size. On the other hand, an association group among the variables spinosity, spine length, dehiscence and apex shape were formed, also a proportional association between capsule and seed size, and between dehiscent capsule and brown coloured seeds.

Deglycosylation is necessary but not sufficient for activation of proconcanavalin A.

Concanavalin A (ConA), one of the most studied plant lectins, is formed in jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) seeds. ConA is synthesized as an inactive glycoprotein precursor proConA. Different processing events such as endoproteolytic cleavages, ligation of peptides and deglycosylation of the precursor are required to generate the different polypeptides constitutive of mature ConA.

Preparing physicians for careers in primary care internal medicine: 17 years of residency experience.

The objective of this survey was to demonstrate whether a primary care track internal medicine residency program emphasizing community-based health care of the urban sick poor trains physicians who will continue to practice in general internal medicine or similar fields. Thirty-five primary care residents (100% of graduates) who trained from 1976 through 1993 in the Adult Primary Care Track of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at St. Vincent's Hospital, New York were used as participants.

Histaminergic drugs in the rat caudate nucleus: effects on learned helplessness.

The effect of pharmacological manipulation of histaminergic receptors in the caudate nucleus (CN) has been examined in rats previously submitted to inescapable electric shock to produce learned helplessness (LH). Histamine H1 agonist 2-tiazolylethyl amine (TEA) microinjection produced protective effects, preventing the activity and cognitive loss typical in LH. Injection of the H1 antagonist astemizole (AZ) produced effects symmetrical to those produced by TEA, further reducing activity and impairing cognitive functions.

A new precise microcomputer based rotometer.

The rotometer described here consists of a data acquisition system made of several reed relays which are activated by a small moving magnet when the animal performs rotations. The apparatus has an angular discrimination which is dependent on the number of reed relays used. A simple interface is used to normalize the pulses produced when the reed relay contacts are closed.

Characterization of bone PG II cDNA and its relationship to PG II mRNA from other connective tissues.

Two cDNA clones encoding the small proteoglycan II (PG II) of bone were isolated from a lambda gt11 expression library. These clones expressed recombinant protein which was cross-reactive with polyclonal and monoclonal antisera to PG II molecules from several connective tissues. The longest clone, lambda Pg 20 was studied in detail.

Osteonectin mRNA: distribution in normal and transformed cells.

Overlapping cDNA clones encoding bovine osteonectin were isolated from a lambda gt11 expression library constructed from bovine bone cell mRNA. The longest clone, lambda On 17 (insert size 2.0 kb) was studied in detail.