Euclidization in the Almagestum parvum.

The Almagestum parvum, a summary of Ptolemy's Almagest written around the year 1200, provided a new stylistic framework for the content of theAlmagest's first six books. The author of the Almagestum parvum used a narrower range of types of mathematical writing and supplied his work with principles, which were listed at the beginning of each book and which were followed by propositions and demonstrations. Specific values were to a large extent replaced by general quantities, which would stand for a class of particulars.

Analytical performance determination and clinical validation of the novel Roche RealTime Ready Influenza A/H1N1 Detection Set.

The emergence of a novel pandemic human strain of influenza A (H1N1/09) virus in April 2009 has demonstrated the need for well-validated diagnostic tests that are broadly applicable, rapid, sensitive, and specific. The analytical performance and clinical validity of results generated with the novel Roche RealTime Ready Influenza A/H1N1 Detection Set using the LightCycler 2.0 instrument were characterized.

Identification of influenza A pandemic (H1N1) 2009 variants during the first 2009 influenza outbreak in Mexico City.

Background: In March 2009, public health surveillance detected increased numbers of influenza-like illness presenting to hospitals in Mexico City. The aetiological agent was subsequently determined to be a novel influenza A (H1N1) triple reassortant, which has spread worldwide. As a consequence the World Health Organisation has declared the first Influenza pandemic of the 21st century.

Library of prefabricated locked nucleic acid hydrolysis probes facilitates rapid development of reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR assays for detection of novel influenza A/H1N1/09 virus.

Background: The emergence of a novel pandemic human strain of influenza A (H1N1/09) has clearly demonstrated the need for flexible tools enabling the rapid development of new diagnostic methods.

Methods: We designed a set of reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) assays based on the Universal ProbeLibrary (UPL)--a collection of 165 presynthesized, fluorescence-labeled locked nucleic acid (LNA) hydrolysis probes--specifically to detect the novel influenza A virus. We evaluated candidate primer/UPL-probe pairs with 28 novel influenza A/H1N1/09 patient samples of European and Mexican origin.

Gross and histopathological observations of long-term catheterized vessels in experimental sheep.

Chronic indwelling central vessel catheters provide vascular access for compartmental infusion or sampling. However, complications with catheter patency during the postoperative and/or experimental period often arise. In order to identify physiological occurrences common with such complications, 10 multicatheterized sheep (61.

Levels and enterotoxigenicity of Clostridium perfringens in pozole, tamales, and birria.

A quantitative survey of Clostridium perfringens in typical foods served at local restaurants was conducted for 18 months in Guadalajara, Mexico. A total of 151 samples, including goat's birria (50), pozole (50), and beef tamales (51), were collected from small restaurants in Guadalajara. Samples were tested for C.

Cap-independent translation of maize Hsp101.

Maize embryonic axes contain stored mRNAs, some of which are able to undergo cap-independent translation initiation during germination. The Hsp101 mRNA, encoding a heat shock protein, is essential for thermo-tolerance induction and is present among the stored transcripts. This research aimed to investigate whether the Hsp101 transcript is IRES-driven regulated upon heat stress.

The toxicosis of Embellisia fungi from locoweed (Oxytropis lambertii) is similar to locoweed toxicosis in rats.

Locoweeds cause significant livestock poisoning and economic loss in the western United States. The toxicity of Embellisia sp. fungi isolated from locoweed was compared with locoweed toxicity using the rat as a model.

Isolation of Arcobacter spp. from retail meats and cytotoxic effects of isolates against vero cells.

A survey of Arcobacter spp. was conducted over a 12-month period in Guadalajara, Mexico. A total of 135 samples (45 lean ground beef samples, 45 lean ground pork samples, and 45 chicken samples, including drumsticks, gizzards, and ground or chopped breast) were collected from local butcheries.

Production by Clostridium spiroforme of an iotalike toxin that possesses mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferase activity: identification of a novel class of ADP-ribosyltransferases.

Clostridium spiroforme iotalike toxin produced time- and concentration-dependent incorporation of ADP-ribose into homo-poly-L-arginine. Polyasparagine, polyglutamic acid, polylysine, and agmatine were poor substrates. Enzyme activity was associated with the light-chain polypeptide of the toxin.

Actions of the Clostridium botulinum binary toxin on the structure and function of Y-1 adrenal cells.

The binary toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, also known as type C2 toxin, was examined for its ability to alter the structure and function of Y-1 cells, a murine adrenocortical tumor line. The toxin produced time- and concentration-dependent changes in morphology, characterized by retraction of cell extensions and by rounding of the cell body. These changes were not accompanied by increases or decreases in tissue levels of c-AMP or c-GMP, although there was an increase in the release of total steroids.

Partial characterization of the enzymatic activity associated with the binary toxin (type C2) produced by Clostridium botulinum.

Clostridium botulinum produces a binary toxin that possesses a heavy chain (approximately 100,000 daltons) and a light chain (approximately 50,000 daltons). The heavy chain is a binding component that directs the toxin to vulnerable cells, and the light chain is an enzyme that has mono(ADP-ribosyl)ating activity. A number of experiments have been done to help characterize the enzymatic activity of the toxin.

Gyroxin, a toxin from the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus, is a thrombin-like enzyme.

We report a simple method for the isolation of gyroxin, a protein from the venom of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus. The intravenous injection of gyroxin into mice produces temporary episodes characterized by opisthotonos and rotations around the long axis of the animal. We found gyroxin to be a glycoprotein with thrombin-like and esterase activities.

Molecular basis for the pathological actions of Clostridium perfringens iota toxin.

Clostridium perfringens type E iota toxin is composed of two separate and independent polypeptide chains that act synergistically in mouse lethal assays. The light chain is an enzyme that mono(ADP-ribosyl)ates certain amino acids. The enzyme displays substantial activity when homopoly-L-arginine is used as a substrate, but it shows little activity when polyasparagine, polylysine or polyglutamic acid are used.

Monoclonal antibodies to Mojave toxin and use for isolation of cross-reacting proteins in Crotalus venoms.

Hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies against Mojave toxin were established. The antibodies were used for identifying cross-reacting proteins in individual C. s.

Isolation of two phospholipases A2 from Mojave rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus) venom and variation of immunologically related venom proteins in different populations.

Two phospholipases A2 of mol. wt 14,500 (P1) and 14,400 (P2) and pI 9.2 and 7.

Electrophoretic variants of Mojave rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus) venoms and migration differences of Mojave toxin.

Mojave toxin was found in comparable quantities in venoms from Mojave rattlesnakes captured in the Big Bend region of Texas and southeastern Arizona. Toxicities in mice were also comparable. Electrophoretic profiles of venom differed significantly between the two groups, suggesting two genetic divergent groups.