Radiation tolerance of transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous-free flaps used in immediate breast reconstruction.

The authors determine the effects of postoperative radiation therapy on flap and local control outcomes in patients who have undergone immediate transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM)-free flap reconstruction after modified radical mastectomy for locally advanced breast cancer. Details of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy for 21 patients who had undergone immediate TRAM-free flap reconstruction after modified radical mastectomy were gathered retrospectively. The outcomes examined were flap complications, overall cosmesis, and local recurrence rate.

Endothelium-specific expression of an E-selectin promoter recombinant adenoviral vector.

Background: E-selectin expression is very low in normal adult blood vessels, but is significantly elevated in newly formed tumor capillaries. We hypothesized that a viral vector which has transcriptional specificity for the tumor vasculature may be a tool for angiogenesis-targeted gene therapy. We therefore designed an adenoviral vector which would only be expressed in cells that transcribe the E-selectin gene.

Fast-atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry of cyclic nucleotide analogues used as site-selective activators of cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases.

The mass spectrometric behaviour of six cyclic nucleotide analogues which activate cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase was studied by positive-ion fast-atom bombardment (FAB) and collision-induced dissociation (CID) mass-analysed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) spectrometry. The compounds studied were 1,N6-ethenoadenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, (epsilon-cyclic AMP) and 2'-aza-1,N6-ethenoadenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, which each activate both isoforms of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and have similar affinity for both the 'fast' and the 'slow' regulatory site of each isoform, N6-phenyl-cyclic AMP, which is selective for the 'fast' regulatory site of each isoform, and 6-chloropurine riboside-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate and 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, which are each selective for the 'slow' regulatory site and preferentially activate isoform II. The FAB- and CID/MIKE spectra of the analogues are discussed in relation to their use in studies of the regulation of protein kinase activity by quantitative FAB mass spectrometry.

A ten-year longitudinal study of fixed prosthodontics: 1. Protocol and patient profile.

This article is the initial report of a 10-year study of all fixed prosthodontic treatment performed in a specialist prosthodontic practice between January 1983 and December 1992. A set management protocol was maintained throughout the study. Three hundred forty-four patients who underwent 411 treatment episodes involving 768 crowns and 346 fixed partial dentures (786 abutments, 599 pontics) were recalled between July and December 1993.

Kinetic analysis and multiple component monitoring of effectors of adenylyl cyclase activity by quantitative fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry.

The enzyme adenylyl cyclase catalyses the conversion of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) to adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP), and is an important pharmaceutical target. Quantitation of this enzyme's activity has been carried out by positive-ion fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometric analysis of the enzyme incubation mixture after the reaction has been terminated. The kinetic data obtained are in good agreement with those obtained by the conventional radiometric assay, and this mass spectrometry-based assay offers the facility to monitor the turnover of several components of the incubation simultaneously.

Estimation of cytidylyl cyclase activity and monitoring of side-product formation by fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry.

The enzyme cytidylyl cyclase catalyses the conversion of cytidine 5'-triphosphate into cytidine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, a third naturally occurring cyclic nucleotide currently under investigation to assign a biochemical function. Quantitation of the activity of this enzyme has been carried out by the positive-ion fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometric analysis of the enzyme incubation mixture after the reaction has been terminated. The data obtained are in good agreement with those obtained from the conventional radiometric and radioimmunoassays of the same enzyme preparations.

Effect of three variables on the accuracy and variability of electroplated copper dies.

This investigation compared the accuracy of electroplated copper and stone dies. Sixty copper die replicas of a stainless steel master die were fabricated using different current settings, plating times, and backing materials. Die accuracy was assessed by measuring the misfit of a stainless steel ring machined to fit the master die.

Release of iron from C-terminal monoferric transferrin to phosphate and pyrophosphate at pH 5.5 proceeds through two pathways.

Iron release fro C-terminal monoferric transferrin at pH 5.5 and 37 degrees C was studied as a function of chloride, phosphate, and pyrophosphate concentration. The rate constant for iron release depends linearly on chloride concentration, confirming that anion binding is mandatory for iron release, not only at pH 7.

Acute renal failure due to ofloxacin.

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics have rarely been associated with renal failure (1). However, temafloxacin, a member of this drug class, was voluntarily withdrawn from the U.S.

Assay of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-dependent protein kinase activity by quantitative fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry.

Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase is conventionally assayed by measuring the incorporation of radiolabeled phosphate into a histone substrate. Here the assay of the protein kinase is carried out by the positive-ion fast atom bombardment mass spectrometric analysis of the enzyme incubation mixture after the reaction has been terminated. The data obtained are in good agreement with those obtained from the conventional radiometric assay of the same kinase preparation.