Co-seeded Er3+:Yb3+ single frequency fiber amplifier with 60 W output power and over 90% TEM(00) content.

We report on the design and fabrication of an Er(3+):Yb(3+) triple clad fiber and on the power scaling of a single frequency fiber amplifier at 1.5 µm based on that fiber. In addition, we report on mode content measurements in order to reveal the overlap of the amplifier output with the TEM(00) mode. The triple clad design was used to enable high output power levels, a good slope efficiency and an excellent beam quality. A maximum single frequency output power of 61 W at 1.5 µm could be achieved with the aid of the co-seeding method, which was used to suppress parasitic processes at 1.0 µm. With a scanning ring cavity the mode content of the amplifier output was analyzed with respect to the TEM modes. For all output power levels the TEM(00) content was above 90%.

Antioxidant activity of oak (Quercus) leaves infusions against free radicals and their cardioprotective potential.

The aim of present study was to evaluate antioxidant capacity and cardioprotective potential of leaves infusions and partially purified fractions of Quercus sideroxyla and Q. eduardii (red oaks) and Q. resinosa (white oak). Consumption of polyphenol-rich beverages derived from plants, such as oak may represent a beneficial diet in terms of cardiovascular protection. Infusions from Oak leaves were obtained and probed for total phenolics by Folin-Ciocalteu, DPPH and hydroxyl radicals scavenging by DPPH test and Deoxy-D-ribose method, the antioxidant capacity was evaluated by FRAP and ORAC tests, inhibitions of Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) oxidation and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) activity were measured. A HPLC analysis was performed by HPLC-MS. Bioactive polyphenols such as gallic and ellagic acids, catechin, quercetin and derivatives: naringenin and naringin were detected in Quercus infusions. A distinctive HPLC profile was observed among the red and white oak samples. Q. resinosa infusions have exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in comparison with the other species, although in the inhibition of LDL oxidation no differences were observed. In the inhibition of the ACE, Q. resinosa was more effective (IC50, 18 ppm) than Q. sideroxyla, showing same effect as the control Captopril. From the results it is possible to postulate that not only chelating activity is important in these infusions, especially in Q. resinosa.

Unilateral transverse sinus stenting of patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The pathophysiology of IIH remains unknown. TS stenoses have been observed in a high proportion of these patients. Stent placement to remove this potential obstruction to venous outflow has been proposed as a treatment option for patients with IIH refractory to medical treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of patients with refractory IIH evaluated for venous sinus stent placement at a tertiary care center was retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Thirteen female patients with IIH were evaluated for sinovenous stent placement. Moderate sinus stenoses with normal intrasinus pressures were found in 3 patients and therefore stent placement was not performed. Ten patients had elevated intrasinus pressures (pressure gradient across stenosis, 11-50 mm Hg), which decreased following unilateral TS stent placement. Headaches improved or resolved in all stented patients. Papilledema resolved completely or almost completely in 8 patients and significantly improved in 2 patients. One patient developed optic atrophy. There were no major periprocedural complications. CONCLUSIONS: In this small case series, restoring the patency of stenotic venous sinuses with a stent in patients with refractory IIH resulted in symptomatic improvement in all treated patients. The safety and efficacy of this procedure should be evaluated in a randomized controlled study to determine its role within the armamentarium of therapeutic options for patients with IIH.

Transfection of rhabdomyosarcoma cells with connexin43 induces myogenic differentiation.

Normal cell physiological processes rely heavily on cues from the extracellular environment to coordinate the proper functioning of cellular activities. The intercellular communication that takes place through gap junctions in neighboring cells has been implicated in growth control and embryonic differentiation. Indeed, many tumorigenic cells induced to overexpress gap junction proteins exhibit increased differentiation and decreased cell proliferation. Although absent in mature skeletal muscle, studies have demonstrated that gap junctions are present during the early stages of myogenesis, indicating their possible role in muscle development. In our present study, we have attempted to induce a more differentiated phenotype in communication-deficient rhabdomyosarcoma cells. These tumorigenic human cells were transfected with cDNA encoding the gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43) such that clones of varying expression were isolated. Intercellular communication as measured with dye passage assays was directly proportional to the level of Cx43 expressed, and in those cells expressing Cx43 at high levels, a marked increase in cell membrane fusion and myosin expression was observed. Furthermore, clones expressing Cx43 at high levels exhibited a significant reduction in growth rate when grown under nonadhesive conditions, an indication that their tumorigenicity had been reduced. This apparent increase in myogenic differentiation lends further evidence to the possible role of gap junctional coupling during developmental processes.

Blocking gap junctional intercellular communication in myoblasts inhibits myogenin and MRF4 expression.

Cells rely heavily on cues from their extracellular environment and other cells to coordinate normal physiological processes, and the exchange of molecules via gap junctions has been suggested as on important avenue for cell-cell communication. Gap junctions are found in virtually all mammalian tissues with the notable exception of adult skeletal muscle. However, since functional gap junctions have been detected during the early stages of muscle development, gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) may play on important role in myogenesis. In this study, GJIC in normal 16 myoblasts was inhibited using the known blockers l-octanol and beta-glycyrrhetinic acid (beta-GA). Under differentiation promoting conditions, 16 cells fused to form multinucleated myotubes, but when treated with either octanol or beta-GA, no fusion was observed. The expression of two muscle regulatory factors (MRFs), myogenin and MRF4, was examined in both the blocked and control cells. As expected, the activation of both the myogenin and MRF4 genes coincided with the onset of differentiation in the control 16 cells. Neither of these genes were turned on in the blocked cells, even when grown under low serum conditions. This inhibition of differentiation by octanol and beta-GA was reversible, since the activation of both MRF genes as well as myoblast fusion were observed when the blocking medium was replaced with normal differentiating medium. These results suggest that intercellular communication via gap junctions plays an important role in skeletal muscle development and perhaps in the cell signaling events that trigger the activation of muscle-specific MRF genes.

A kit for labelling erythrocytes or leukocytes with technetium-99m.

A pretinning method for labelling erythrocytes with technetium-99m (99mTc) in vitro has been developed using a kit which contains stannous chloride stabilized with gentisic acid. Labelling efficiency was 97.3% (SD 1.4%) for 80 patients. The method requires less time than the Brookhaven kit and results in a smaller volume for reinjection but provides equivalent clinical results. We have previously shown that leukocytes labelled with 99mTc using the same gentisic acid kit are clinically equivalent to those labelled with HMPAO; thus, the kit is versatile and cost-effective.

In vitro comparison of HMPAO and gentisic acid for labelling leukocytes with 99mTc.

Leukocytes can be labelled with 99mTc using HMPAO and gentisic acid methods. We compared the two methods with respect to labelling efficiency on mixed leukocytes and isolated polymorphonuclear (PMN) and mononuclear (MN) cells, and the in vitro stability of the label. HMPAO produced approximately 70% labelling efficiency on mixed or PMN cells and the label was stable in saline or plasma. Labelling efficiency on MN was only 14% and was less stable. Gentisic acid produced a labelling efficiency of 52% on PMN and 35% on MN; both were stable in saline but less stable in plasma. In conclusion, HMPAO produces higher labelling efficiency and the label shows greater in vitro stability in plasma. However, gentisic acid is much less expensive to use, allows labelling of MN cells, and should result in more favourable microdosimetry. Preliminary clinical results suggest that gentisic acid is equivalent to HMPAO but has the advantage of being much cheaper.

[Diagnosis of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infections using antigen detection and cell culture]. / Dépistage des infections génitales à Chlamydia trachomatis par la détection antigénique et la culture cellulaire.

The purpose of this study is: 1. comparing the immuno-enzymatic method (E.L.I.S.A. Abbott) and the cellular culture in the screening of the chlamydial genital infections; 2. evaluating these two tests in post-treatment control. During a 3 month period, 825 patients of our S.T.D. Clinic are considered a risk group and 144 have a positive culture. The E.L.I.S.A. method presents a sensitivity of 70.8% and a specificity of 98.5%. On the other hand, the sensitivity rises up to 80.9% if we retain only the primary culture. Interesting fact: if the reading on the spectrophotometer (E.L.I.S.A. Quantum) is greater than 0.7, the culture is always positive. Being a sexual contact of an infected person, having more than one partner or an history of a S.T.D. in the past, all these factors increase the risk of a chlamydial positivity, but in female only. We observe that 76.5% of patients suffering from gonorrhea have also a chlamydial infection proven by culture. Following a post-treatment control of one week, 5 cases remain positive, that is 3 by E.L.I.S.A. and 2 by culture, while three weeks later all cases are negative. The E.L.I.S.A. method has a good correlation with culture, is highly specific and the reading of optic density seems useful in predicting a positive culture. Risk factors are not the same in male and female. The post-treatment controls by both methods are not always similar if they are performed after one or three weeks.

Routine determination of radiochemical purity of 99mTc-MIBI.

The manufacturer recommends that the radiochemical purity of 99mTc-MIBI be determined with alumina TLC plates developed in ethanol, but for routine use this is slow and requires care. After comparing a variety of systems, we obtained equivalent results using ITLC-SG strips developed with saline to determine [99mTc]pertechnetate and with acetone to determine 99mTc colloid; % 99mTc-MIBI was determined by difference from 100%. These separations are the opposite of those obtained with the routine polar 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals. Equivalent results were obtained even more rapidly by extracting 99mTc-MIBI from water into chloroform.

Nucleic acid splicing events occur frequently during macronuclear development in the protozoan Oxytricha nova and involve the elimination of unique DNA.

During its life cycle, the hypotrichous ciliated protozoan Oxytricha nova transforms a copy of its chromosomal micronucleus into a transcriptionally active macronucleus which contains exclusively linear, gene-sized DNA molecules with an average size of about 2.2 kilobase pairs (kbp). The micronuclear precursors of two macronuclear DNA molecules have been examined. Each was found to contain at least five blocks of DNA sequences that are absent in the mature macronuclear DNA molecule. These blocks of sequences, referred to as internal eliminated sequences (IESs), must be removed by a nucleic acid breakage and joining process during development. The data obtained to date indicate that IESs are common and suggest that greater than 60,000 IES removal events occur during macronuclear development. Additional analyses indicate that IESs represent a portion of the unique micronuclear DNA sequences known to be eliminated during development. Comparisons of the sequences of IESs revealed common organizational features and some limited primary sequence homologies that suggest models for their developmental excision.

Oral lecithin and linoleic acid in Friedreich's ataxia: II. Clinical results.

Twenty-two patients with Friedreich's Ataxia and ten normal controls were followed for one year and assessed as to their clinical performance after two successive six-month periods of lecithin or safflower oil. Results demonstrated no significant difference in performance scores according to group assignation, neither in patients nor in controls. According to stages, two patients in stage I and to a lesser degree, one patient in stage IV showed better scores for muscle strength and some motor accuracy and coordination tests with lecithin. Controls as groups maintained positive scores in all tests. Patients as groups showed negative mean values in nine out of eleven tests. Again as groups, patients receiving safflower oil demonstrated a mean 8% less deterioration than patients receiving lecithin. This study demonstrates that objective clinical tests and the participation of normal controls are a must in a therapeutic trial implicating patients with a progressive disorder such as Friedreich's Ataxia. The possible role of linoleic acid as the active factor from which clinical improvement proceeded in some specific patients and with early functional stages of the disease, has to be considered and reevaluated in the near future.

Dissociation between clinical and exercise responsiveness to beta-blockade in angina.

Twenty outpatients with mild angina were prescribed placebo tablets b.i.d. for 7 weeks followed by acebutolol, a cardioselective beta-blocker, 200 mg b.i.d. for 21 weeks under single-blind conditions. One graded multistage treadmill test was carried out after each treatment period and an angina diary was filled daily for the 6 months of the trial. Attack frequency declined by 71% from 2.59 per week on placebo to 0.76 per week on acebutolol (p less than 0.05). Exercise duration on the treadmill increased by 56%, from 5.95 minutes on placebo to 9.32 minutes on acebutolol (p less than 0.001). A satisfactory clinical response (50% or greater decline in attack frequency per week) occurred in 15 out of 19 patients (79%; a 100% or greater increase in exercise duration on the treadmill was observed in 10 out of 19 cases (53%). Exercise responsiveness was well predicted by exercise duration on placebo (r = 0.91, p less than 0.0005), patients with the least initial tolerance being the most improved. Clinical responsiveness was not well predicted by initial exercise tolerance (r = 0.38, N;S.) or by the improvement in exercise tolerance (r = 0.33, N.S.). It is concluded that acebutolol substantially reduces anginal attack frequency even in patients in whom exercise tolerance is not significantly improved, at the dose of 400 mg/day.

[Is coronarography justified in unstable angina? Experience of 130 cases]. / La coronarographie est-elle justifiée dans l'angine instable? Expérience de 130 cas

The many important features of selective cine-coronary-arteriography to show the coronary arterial tree are demonstrated in the study of 130 such investigations carried out in patients with unstable angina. Cine-coronary-arteriography shows up the extent and location of obstructive atherosclerotic lesions. Ventriculography, together with measurement of ventricular pressures, gives information about the function and kinetic status of the left ventricle. These two investigations which do not, in our opinion, carry a greater risk in these cases than in cases with chronic angina, allow a precise diagnosis to be made. The early discovery of major lesions before infarction has occurred allow conclusions to be drawn about the prognosis and the appropriate treatment.

Properties of acebutolol in twenty patients with cardiac arrhythmias.

Acebutolol (M & B 17,803 A), a new cardioselective beta-adrenergic blocking agent, was given intravenously to 20 selected patients with various cardiac arrhythmias. Cumulative doses ranging from 12.5 to 50 mg were moderately or highly effective in 4 out of 4 patients with sinus tachycardia, 2 out of 3 patients with premature atrial beats, 3 out of 4 patients with premature ventricular beats, 3 out of 5 patients with atrial fibrillation (one was converted to sinus rhythm) and in 2 out of 3 patients with atrial flutter. The drug was ineffective in one patient with atrial tachycardia. Mild systolic hypotension occured in two patients with recent myocardial infarction and there was some aggravation of a preexisting bronchospasm in a patient with congestive heart failure secondary to hyper-thyroidism. It was concluded that acebutolol is a cardioselective beta-blocker which by intravenous route may be useful in the treatment of selected cardiac arrhythmias.

Comparative bioavailability of two oral preparations of digoxin in healthy volunteers.

The serum levels of digoxin resulting from the oral administration of 0.25 mg. of Lanoxin and Rougoxin preparations were studied in 12 healthy volunteers by means of a double-blind crossover design. No differences between the two brands could be demonstrated with respect to disintegration time, content uniformity, peak serum levels and cumulative areas under the curve for an eight-hour period.