Evaluation of polychlorinated biphenyl bioaccumulation patterns in white sea urchins (Lytechinus pictus) using multiple approaches.

The bioaccumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from three amended field-contaminated sediments (with total PCB concentrations of approximately 4, 10, and 100 microg/g dry wt) by white sea urchins (Lytechinus pictus) was evaluated using multiple statistical and theoretical approaches. Similarity analysis of the PCB bioaccumulation patterns, based on the concept of ecological communities, showed that the PCB patterns in the sea urchins and source sediments were essentially identical for all three sediment concentrations. However, affinity analysis did show some preference for bioaccumulation of higher-molecular-weight and more hydrophobic congeners by the urchins.

Oxidative injury to endothelial cells due to Epstein-Barr virus-induced autoantibodies against manganese superoxide dismutase.

During the course of acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, there is a rise of oxygen radical production. As a consequence, the production of the oxygen radical scavenger manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is increased. Patients with acute EBV infections regularly develop autoantibodies against MnSOD that are able to inhibit the enzyme activity in vitro.

An in situ study of the effect of nitrate on the reduction of trichloroethylene by granular iron.

The effect of nitrate on the reduction of TCE by commercial granular iron was investigated in column experiments designed to allow for the in situ monitoring of the iron surface film with Raman spectroscopy. Three column experiments were conducted; one with an influent solution of 100 mg/l nitrate+1.5 mg/l TCE, and two control columns, one saturated directly with 100 mg/l nitrate solution, the other pre-treated with Millipore water prior to the introduction of a 100 mg/l nitrate solution.

Association between subjective and objective measures of lip form and function: an exploratory analysis.

Objective: In patients with cleft lip and palate, the aims of this study were to generate objective measures of different attributes of lip movement and to explore the utility of these objective measures by examining the association between examiners' subjective assessments with the objective measures.

Patients And Participants: Thirteen patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate with varying degrees of cleft scar severity were selected. All patients had a previously repaired complete unilateral cleft lip and palate.

Toxic effects of polychlorinated biphenyl bioaccumulation in sea urchins exposed to contaminated sediments.

The uptake patterns and toxicity of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in the white sea urchin, Lytechinus pictus, on exposure to contaminated sediments were investigated. First-order modeling of uptake of the 10 most abundant PCB congeners or domains (containing more than one coeluting congener) by L. pictus indicated that a 35-d exposure was insufficient to reach steady state.

Old wine in new bottles? Stability and plasticity of the contents of schizophrenic delusions.

A number of recent case reports published during the last 20 years described a quick inclusion of new technologies and cultural innovations into schizophrenic delusions which led many of the authors to the conclusion that the 'Zeitgeist' is creating new delusional contents. On the other hand, long-term comparisons and comparative transcultural studies on delusions showed, despite a certain degree of variability, a stability of delusional themes over longer periods of time. Combining anthropological and historical theories of the development of societies with a differentiated psychopathological approach (Klosterkötter's three-stage model of the formation of schizophrenic delusions), we were able to resolve the problem of the ostensibly divergent results: there are only a few themes of extraordinary anthropological importance for the organization of human relationships which can be found in every epoch and in different cultures (persecution, grandiosity, guilt, religion, hypochondria, jealousy, and love).

In vitro cell free synthesis of human manganese superoxide dismutase with the RTS 500 system.

Reduced activity of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is the basis of several pathologic features and complications occurring in the course of infectious mononucleosis. In order to supply future research with easily accessible enzyme, an in vitro protocol was developed based on the RTS 500 system and an overexpression vector. Translation of MnSOD monomers could be detected by SDS-PAGE, and assembly of the active homotetramer by native PAGE.

Comparison of beach bacterial water quality indicator measurement methods.

Three methods (membrane filtration, multiple tube fermentation, and chromogenic substrate technology kits manufactured by IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.) are routinely used to measure indicator bacteria for beach water quality. To assess comparability of these methods, quantify within-laboratory variability for each method, and place that variability into context of variability among laboratories using the same method, 22 southern California laboratories participated in a series of intercalibration exercises.

Molecular diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus.

Molecular techniques have become an important tool in Epstein-Barr virus diagnostics. In recent years novel real-time PCR formats and in situ techniques have been developed that offer increased time efficiency, reduced cross-contamination, high reproducibility, high sensitivity and allow determination of viral loads. In the near future, widespread clinical application of these diagnostic modalities may provide increased knowledge of the pathophysiology of Epstein-Barr virus infection and may optimize treatment or even explore novel Epstein-Barr virus-related diseases.

Homocysteine and risk of open-angle glaucoma.

Homocysteine levels and the frequency of heterozygous methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T mutation are increased in open-angle glaucoma. Since homocysteine can induce vascular injury, alterations in extracellular matrix remodelling, and neuronal cell death, these findings may have important implications for understanding glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

Validity of subjective evaluations for the assessment of lip scarring and impairment.

Objective: In patients with cleft lip and palate, the aim of the study was (1) to determine and compare the level of agreement among examiners' subjective evaluations of static and dynamic lip form; (2) assess possible bias of examiners' subjective evaluations; and (3) determine the impact of lip scarring on an examiner's subjective assessment of dynamic lip form.

Setting: Patients and subjects were recruited from the University of North Carolina Cleft Lip and Palate Center and School of Dentistry.

Patients, Participants: Thirteen patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate and varying degrees of cleft scar severity were selected and one subject without cleft who wore artificial scars of varying severity.

Neurological complications of acute and persistent Epstein-Barr virus infection in paediatric patients.

Neurological complications of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) have been reported almost exclusively in the course of acute primary infections. The role of EBV in paediatric neurological disease was investigated prospectively over a 2-year period, searching for acute primary, chronic, and reactivated EBV infections. Active EBV infections were diagnosed in 10/48 patients, including two with acute primary EBV infections (cranial neuritis and cerebellitis), one with chronic active infection (T/NK cell lymphoma with cranial neuritis), and seven with reactivated infections.

Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines containing an extended 3-substituent as potent inhibitors of Lck -- a selectivity insight.

A series of para-substituted 3-phenyl pyrazolopyrimidines was synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of lck. The nature of the substitution affected enzyme selectivity and potency for lck, src, kdr, and tie-2. The para-phenoxyphenyl analogue 2 is an orally active lck inhibitor with a bioavailability of 69% and exhibits an extended duration of action in animal models of T cell inhibition.

An in situ study of the role of surface films on granular iron in the permeable iron wall technology.

Permeable walls of granular iron are a new technology developed for the treatment of groundwater contaminated with dissolved chlorinated solvents. Degradation ofthe chlorinated solvents involves a charge transfer process in which they are reductively dechlorinated, and the iron is oxidized. The iron used in the walls is an impure commercial material that is covered with a passive layer of Fe2O3, formed as a result of a high-temperature oxidation process used in the production of iron.

Are we witnessing the disappearance of catatonic schizophrenia?

The decrease in the frequency of diagnosed catatonic subtypes among schizophrenic disorders as a whole during the last 50 years has long been regarded as an established fact. Until now the factors responsible for this development have been under discussion. As it is not clear if there is a true decrease or an ostensible one due to other factors such as changed diagnostic habits or neuroleptic treatment, we examined 174 consecutively admitted schizophrenic patients from three different psychiatric institutions diagnosed according to DSM-IV and Leonhard's criteria.

Cloning and expression of the human single copy homologue of the mouse zinc finger protein zfr.

A human homologue of the murine zinc finger protein zfr is transcriptionally induced in the Epstein-Barr virus-positive Burkitt lymphoma cell line Raji upon treatment with the granulocyte/macrophage lineage ganglioside IV(3)NeuAc-nLcOse(4)Cer. The gene was cloned by a rapid amplification of cDNA ends approach based on a cDNA clone. The resulting hzfr sequence is 3393 base pairs in length coding for a protein of 1057 amino acids.

[Early rehabilitation in Baden-Wurttemberg--a study of all Baden-Wurrtemberg early rehabilitation centers].

Over a period of 12 months, all persons among the 10.4 million inhabitants of the state of Baden-Württemberg were included in the study who had suffered severe brain damage and were treated in special early rehab units, comprising 147 beds for adults and 43 for children. With 830 patients admitted, the incidence of severe brain damage was 7.

Differentiation in murine mastocytoma induced by macrophage gangliosides.

In the membrane of mouse macrophages two gangliosides were detected which inhibit the division of murine mastocytoma P815 tumor cells. The two gangliosides were incorporated into the cytoplasmatic membrane of mastocytoma cells. The concentration necessary to achieve a complete inhibition of P815 tumor cell division is about 1 microM for both effective gangliosides.