Effects of the Temperature and Ethanol on the Kinetics of Proanthocyanidin Adsorption in Model Wine Systems.

The kinetics and quantitative and qualitative effects of grape proanthocyanidin (PA) adsorption to grape skin-derived cell wall material (CWM) were investigated in five different temperature-ethanol conditions. Progress curves for each condition were constructed by monitoring the decrease in concentration of PA solutions after exposure to CWM over 720 min. Adsorption isotherms were constructed for each condition, and a Langmuir equation model was applied to each via regression analysis. Compositional changes in the PA solutions after exposure to CWM were determined using phloroglucinolysis and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). A negative correlation between PA adsorption and both the temperature and ethanol concentration was found. Progress curves suggested that both the temperature and ethanol affect the equilibration rate of the adsorption reactions. Additionally, equilibration rates for lower temperature and ethanol concentration conditions were found to be much longer than previously reported, taking up to 720 min. Phloroglucinolysis results showed no discernible correlation between the temperature or ethanol concentration and percent galloylation or percent gallo units of adsorbed compounds. Analyses by phloroglucinolysis and GPC indicate a preferential adsorption of larger molecular weight PAs under all conditions, although no discernible impact on PA composition was detected. Additionally, findings suggest that both the temperature and ethanol concentration impact the percent reduction in molar mass of the PA solution. Data from this study were ultimately utilized to develop a computational model for predicting phenolic extraction during red wine fermentations.

Ureaplasma parvum causes hyperammonemia in a pharmacologically immunocompromised murine model.

A relationship between hyperammonemia and Ureaplasma infection has been shown in lung transplant recipients. We have demonstrated that Ureaplasma urealyticum causes hyperammonemia in a novel immunocompromised murine model. Herein, we determined whether Ureaplasma parvum can do the same. Male C3H mice were given mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, and prednisone for 7 days, and then challenged with U. parvum intratracheally (IT) and/or intraperitoneally (IP), while continuing immunosuppression over 6 days. Plasma ammonia concentrations were determined and compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Plasma ammonia concentrations of immunosuppressed mice challenged IT/IP with spent broth (median, 188 µmol/L; range, 102-340 µmol/L) were similar to those of normal (median, 226 µmol/L; range, 154-284 µmol/L, p > 0.05), uninfected immunosuppressed (median, 231 µmol/L; range, 122-340 µmol/L, p > 0.05), and U. parvum IT/IP challenged immunocompetent (median, 226 µmol/L; range, 130-330 µmol/L, p > 0.05) mice. Immunosuppressed mice challenged with U. parvum IT/IP (median 343 µmol/L; range 136-1,000 µmol/L) or IP (median 307 µmol/L; range 132-692 µmol/L) had higher plasma ammonia concentrations than those challenged IT/IP with spent broth (p < 0.001). U. parvum can cause hyperammonemia in pharmacologically immunocompromised mice.

Network analysis of three-dimensional complex plasma clusters in a rotating electric field.

Network analysis was used to study the structure and time evolution of driven three-dimensional complex plasma clusters. The clusters were created by suspending micron-size particles in a glass box placed on top of the rf electrode in a capacitively coupled discharge. The particles were highly charged and manipulated by an external electric field that had a constant magnitude and uniformly rotated in the horizontal plane. Depending on the frequency of the applied electric field, the clusters rotated in the direction of the electric field or remained stationary. The positions of all particles were measured using stereoscopic digital in-line holography. The network analysis revealed the interplay between two competing symmetries in the cluster. The rotating cluster was shown to be more cylindrical than the nonrotating cluster. The emergence of vertical strings of particles was also confirmed.

Os acromiale, a cause of shoulder pain, not to be overlooked.

INTRODUCTION: Os acromiale is a failure of fusion of the acromial process. It is usually asymptomatic and discovered by chance. When it is painful a differential diagnosis must be made in relation to the subacromial impingement syndrome. HYPOTHESIS: Unstable os acromiale is the cause of atypical scapulalgias. Stabilization by tension band wiring and an embedded slot shaped graft achieves union and relieves pain. PATIENTS ET METHODS: This series includes 10 patients mean age 43 years old presenting with shoulder pain resistant to a mean 15 months of conservative treatment. Pain followed trauma in three cases. Three patients had a history of acromioplasty, which had not relieved pain. All had pain during palpation of the superior aspect of the acromion. The diagnosis was confirmed in eight patients by positive results to local injection of the os acromiale. The mean preoperative Constant score was 53.4. The procedure included open reduction and fixation of the acromion by tension band wiring and pinning associated with an embedded iliac crest graft without acromioplasty. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 48 months. Pain was relieved in seven cases and all patients had improved and were satisfied. Union of os acromiale was confirmed on CT scan in all patients. The mean Constant score was 82.2. DISCUSSION: The role of os acromiale in the origination of pain is confirmed by the efficacy of preoperative injection of the os acromiale and pain relief after achieving union. Moreover, our technique is reliable and always resulted in union of the os acromiale. Internal fixation by tension banding favors minimal upward migration of the os acromiale and union. In case of subacromial impingement syndrome an os acromiale should be looked for, as this condition could deteriorate with simple acromioplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV retrospective observational study.

High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T for detection of subtle abnormalities of cardiac phenotype in a general population of elderly individuals.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between circulating cardiac biomarkers and minor abnormalities in cardiac phenotype [left ventricular (LV) mass and midwall fractional shortening (MFS)] in elderly individuals in a general population sample. DESIGN AND SETTING: We examined the relationship between plasma concentrations of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) or N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and elevated LV mass (LV mass/body surface area >95 g m(-2) for women and 115 g m(-2) for men), reduced MFS (<15%) or isolated LV diastolic dysfunction in 1973 elderly subjects (mean age 73 ± 5 years, range 65-84) resident in the Lazio region of Italy and enrolled in the PREDICTOR study. RESULTS: Overall, 24.8% of subjects had elevated LV mass, and 30.4% had reduced MFS. Median [quartile 1-3] plasma concentrations of hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP were higher in individuals with elevated than those with normal LV mass: 6.6 [3.5-11.6] and 147 [64-296] ng L(-1) vs. 4.6 [3.0-8.1] and 79 [41-151] ng L(-1) respectively (P < 0.001). There was a graded increase in median hs-cTnT concentrations across clinical categories of LV hypertrophy: 4.6 [3.0-8.1], 5.8 [3.1-10.2], 7.6 [3.8-13.7] and 8.4 [3.8-17.6] ng L(-1) for subjects with normal LV mass and mild, moderate or severe LV hypertrophy respectively (P < 0.0001); hs-cTnT also increased with increasing quartiles of MFS or grades of isolated LV diastolic dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Within an extremely low range of concentrations, increased hs-cTnT amongst community-dwelling elderly subjects is associated with subtle alterations in cardiac phenotype, suggesting that minor injury to cardiac myocytes and subsequent release of troponin reflect subclinical pathophysiological LV deterioration in this population.

Probability of metastable configurations in spherical three-dimensional Yukawa crystals.

Recently the occurrence probabilities of ground and metastable states of three-dimensional Yukawa clusters with 27 and 31 particles have been analyzed in dusty plasma experiments [D. Block, Phys. Plasmas 15, 040701 (2008)]. There it was found that, in many cases, the ground state appeared substantially less frequently than excited states. Here we analyze this question theoretically by means of molecular dynamics (MD) and Monte Carlo simulations and an analytical method based on the canonical partition function. We confirm that metastable states can occur with a significantly higher probability than the ground state. The results strongly depend on the screening parameter of the Yukawa interaction and the damping coefficient used in the MD simulations. The analytical method allows one to gain insight into the mechanisms being responsible for the occurrence probabilities of metastable states in strongly correlated finite systems.

Use of heart rate variability analysis to determine the risk of cardiac ischaemia in high-risk patients undergoing general anaesthesia.

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of pre-operative heart rate variability analysis to predict postoperative cardiac events (identified by 24 h Holter-ECG recording and an increase of creatine kinase MB) in high-risk cardiac patients. Length of hospital stay, the incidence of postoperative cardiac ischaemia and cardiac events after discharge were recorded. Fifty patients were assigned by the presence of cardiac events and the heart rate variability in 17 patients with an event was compared with 33 patients without. Total power was identified as a predictive parameter. The usefulness of this test was assessed in a second group of 50 patients. The incidence of cardiac events detected by Holter-ECG recording or an increased creatine kinase MB was greater and the duration of hospital stay longer in the 26 patients with total power < 400 ms(2).Hz(-1) compared with those with total power > 400 ms(2).Hz(-1) (eight and four patients and 10 (7) days (mean (SD)), vs 1 (p < 0.05) and 0 (p < 0.05) patients and 6 (2) days (p < 0.05), respectively). The total power of high-risk cardiac patients predicted postoperative cardiac events and extended length of hospital stay.

Relationship between vaccine vial monitors and cold chain infrastructure in a rural district of India.

INTRODUCTION: The potency of oral polio vaccine (OPV), a heat-labile vaccine, is preserved by the cold chain. The Vaccine Vial Monitor, a heat-sensitive label, is critical to the monitoring and maintenance of the cold chain. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the adequacy of cold chain infrastructure and the proper use of Vaccine Vial Monitor in a rural district of India. METHODS: Forty-six health centers in a rural district were included in our evaluation of the cold chain equipment and the Vaccine Vial Monitors. Cold chain equipment and vaccine vials within each health center were evaluated for adherence to WHO cold chain maintenance protocols and the Vaccine Vial Monitor stage, respectively. RESULTS: Among the 46 health centers, Vaccine Vial Monitor stage I was found at 58% of the health centers, 33% of the health centers reported stage II and 9% reported a stage III, indicating weaknesses in the cold chain mechanism CONCLUSION: Cold chain for the OPV was not adequately maintained at primary and sub-health centers in this rural district. Well maintained ice packs and vaccine carriers will help ensure delivery and availability of a safe and potent vaccine to children in rural areas of India.

An almost head-on collision as the origin of two off-centre rings in the Andromeda galaxy.

The unusual morphology of the Andromeda galaxy (Messier 31, the closest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way) has long been an enigma. Although regarded for decades as showing little evidence of a violent history, M31 has a well-known outer ring of star formation at a radius of ten kiloparsecs whose centre is offset from the galaxy nucleus. In addition, the outer galaxy disk is warped, as seen at both optical and radio wavelengths. The halo contains numerous loops and ripples. Here we report the presence of a second, inner dust ring with projected dimensions of 1.5 x 1 kiloparsecs and offset by about half a kiloparsec from the centre of the galaxy (based upon an analysis of previously-obtained data). The two rings appear to be density waves propagating in the disk. Numerical simulations indicate that both rings result from a companion galaxy plunging through the centre of the disk of M31. The most likely interloper is M32. Head-on collisions between galaxies are rare, but it appears nonetheless that one took place 210 million years ago in our Local Group of galaxies.

Structural properties of screened Coulomb balls.

Small three-dimensional strongly coupled charged particles in a spherical confinement potential arrange themselves in a nested shell structure. By means of experiments, computer simulations, and theoretical analysis, the sensitivity of their structural properties to the type of interparticle forces is explored. While the normalized shell radii are found to be independent of shielding, the shell occupation numbers are sensitive to screening and are quantitatively explained by an isotropic Yukawa model.

Ground state of a confined Yukawa plasma.

The ground state of an externally confined one-component Yukawa plasma is derived analytically. In particular, the radial density profile is computed. The results agree very well with computer simulations of three-dimensional spherical Coulomb crystals. We conclude in presenting an exact equation for the density distribution for a confinement potential of arbitrary geometry.

Genquire: genome annotation browser/editor.

UNLABELLED: We present a software package, Genquire, that allows visualization, querying, hand editing, and de novo markup of complete or partially annotated genomes. The system is written in Perl/Tk and uses, where possible, existing BioPerl data models and methods for representation and manipulation of the sequence and annotation objects. An adaptor API is provided to allow Genquire to display a wide range of databases and flat files, and a plugins API provides an interface to other sequence analysis software. AVAILABILITY: Genquire v3.03 is open-source software. The code is available for download and/or contribution at http://www.bioinformatics.org/Genquire

New concepts in systemic autoimmunity testing.

Diagnosis of systemic autoimmune diseases is highly complex, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to make assumptions about the functional roles and diagnostic significance of autoantibodies. The latter is mainly due to the fact that results from different assay systems are not interchangeable. A laboratory "gold standard" which helps the clinician to differentiate irrelevant autoimmune phenomena from significant autoimmune diseases at an early stage, is clearly missed. To meet this challenge, a rheuma entrance screening (RES) assay toolbox is proposed based on fully-automated enzyme immunoassay (EIA) technology on one system for the clinical and routine laboratory. The RES concept is intended to cover the most important syndromes of systemic rheumatic diseases, i.e. collagenosis, early rheumatoid arthritis, early osteoarthritis, anti-phospholipid syndrome and inflammation. The serological part of diagnosis of these diseases comprises testing for anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA), rheumatoid factor (RF), low levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), and disease-specific anti-phospholipid antibodies, e.g. anti-beta-2 glycoprotein I (anti-beta2 GPI). To eliminate the known problems of varying assay systems in this field, a novel, objective, rapid and reproducible approach to screen for such analytes in patient serum or plasma more efficiently is the application of EIAs on the fully-automated immunoassay analyser COBAS CORE (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim, Germany). The combined use of the RES (COBAS CORE HEp2 ANA EIA, COBAS CORE RF EIA Quant, COBAS CORE CRP EIA Quant and COBAS CORE Anti-beta2 GPI EIA) is intended for patients sent to the laboratory with the primary suspicion of harbouring a systemic rheumatic disease.

Toxicity of fipronil and its degradation products to Procambarus sp.: field and laboratory studies.

Fipronil is a phenylpyrazole insecticide that is the active ingredient in the pesticide Icon 6.2 FS which is applied to rice seeds targeting the rice water weevil. An arthropod-selective insecticide, fipronil blocks the GABA-gated chloride channel and is unique in that several of its degradation products have been indicated to be equal or more potent than fipronil. After application of rice seeds (2-3 days postplant) to flooded rice fields, water is typically pumped from the rice fields and can be used for the culture of crayfish (Procambarus sp.). Because fipronil is selective for arthropods, is transported via organic sediment, and crayfish consume organic sediment, 96-h LC(50) experiments were conducted with fipronil and three of its environmental derivatives in crayfish under conditions without carrier solvents in water of similar pH, alkalinity, and hardness as observed in south Louisiana crayfish culture ponds. Measured LC(50)s for fipronil to red swamp (Procambarus clarkii) and white river (Procambarus zonangulus) crayfish were 14.3 (95% CI; 5.1-23.4) and 19.5 (95% CI; 11.1-27.9) microg/L, respectively. LC(50)s of fipronil sulfone (11.2; 9.2-13.2 microg/L), fipronil sulfide (15.5; 13-18 microg/L); and the photoproduct, desulfinyl fipronil (68.6; 46-95.2 microg/L) displayed very high toxicity in crayfish. In situ toxicity studies using caged crayfish in culturing ponds receiving effluent from drained rice fields indicated that effluent from rice fields planted with Icon-treated seed was significantly more toxic compared to untreated surface water (40% survival compared to 83% survival). Hazard quotient comparisons using measured water concentrations in the field and laboratory-based LC(50)s indicated that fipronil and its metabolites in water resulting from Icon-treated rice seed planting poses a significant risk to crayfish survival.

Characterizing the production of a wild-type and benomyl-resistant Fusarium lateritium for biocontrol of Eutypa lata on grapevine.

Benomyl-resistant (BR) and wild-type (WT) strains of Fusarium lateritium were examined for their tolerance to benomyl on potato dextrose agar (PDA) containing benomyl and control of the Eutypa lata in grapevine bioassays. The WT strain grew on PDA containing 1 microg/ml benomyl at 13, 26 and 29 degrees C. The BR strain grew on PDA containing 10 microg/ml benomyl at 4 degrees C, on PDA containing 100 microg/ml benomyl at 29 degrees C, and on PDA containing 1,000 microg/ml benomyl at 13 degrees C and 26 degrees C. The BR strain was also able to colonize grapevine segments and control E. lata in the presence of 1,000 microg/ml benomyl. Both strains were amenable to production via liquid fermentation and both achieved 100% control of E. lata in grapevine bioassays. Neither the duration of fermentation nor incubation temperature during grapevine bioassays influenced the efficacy of either strain against E. lata. The results suggest that application of BR F. lateritium alone or in combination with benomyl may provide good control of E. lata.

Technology-enhanced distance education: from experimentation to concerted action.

Despite the rush to embrace technology-enhanced learning (TEL), descriptions of how schools of nursing move toward systemwide implementation of this type of teaching are scarce. There is a wide gap between sporadic dabbling by individual instructors in specific courses and adoption and implementation of TEL throughout a program. This article describes the experiences of a group of nursing faculty who helped move one school of nursing from experimentation with TEL in distance education to concerted action toward a strategic schoolwide plan. J Prof Nurs 17:135-140, 2001.

Synchronization of drift waves.

Based on a thorough experimental study of the equilibrium plasma state and the description of coherent drift modes in the framework of a linear, nonlocal model, the response of drift modes to different external driver signal is reported. Purely temporal perturbations as well as corotating and counter-rotating electric fields of various mode numbers are applied to the system. Drift mode synchronization and periodic pulling, typical for driven nonlinear oscillator systems, are investigated in detail. The full spatio-temporal behavior of periodic pulling is observed with multiprobe arrays.