Generation of ten-cycle pulses from an ytterbium fiber laser with cubic phase compensation.

We demonstrate the use of a prism-grating sequence to reduce third-order dispersion inside a mode-locked Yb fiber laser. This laser generates pulses as short as 33 fs with extremely clean temporal and spectral profiles. Nanojoule pulse energies are possible.

Assessing response profiles from incomplete longitudinal clinical trial data under regulatory considerations.

Treatment effects are often evaluated by comparing change over time in outcome measures. However, valid analyses of longitudinal data can be problematic, particularly when some data are missing for reasons related to the outcome. In choosing the primary analysis for confirmatory clinical trials, regulatory agencies have for decades favored the last observation carried forward (LOCF) approach for imputing missing values. Many advances in statistical methodology, and also in our ability to implement those methods, have been made in recent years. The characteristics of data from acute phase clinical trials can be exploited to develop an appropriate analysis for assessing response profiles in a regulatory setting. These data characteristics and regulatory considerations will be reviewed. Approaches for handling missing data are compared along with options for modeling time effects and correlations between repeated measurements. Theory and empirical evidence are utilized to support the proposal that likelihood-based mixed-effects model repeated measures (MMRM) approaches, based on the missing at random assumption, provide superior control of Type I and Type II errors when compared with the traditional LOCF approach, which is based on the more restrictive missing completely at random assumption. It is further reasoned that in acute phase clinical trials, unstructured modeling of time trends and within-subject error correlations may be preferred.

Fiber delivery of femtosecond pulses from a Ti:sapphire laser.

We propose a way to deliver nanojoule-energy, 100-fs pulses at 800 nm through a few meters of standard optical fiber. Pulses from a mode-locked laser are compressed temporally, and then spectrally, to produce the desired pulses at the end of the fiber. Initial experiments agree well with calculations and demonstrate the benefits of this technique: For an energy of ~0.5 nJ , the delivered pulses are ~5 times shorter than those delivered by other techniques. The issues that must be addressed to scale the technique up to delivered pulse energies of 5 nJ are identified, and the apparatus employs only readily available components. Thus we expect it to find use in the many applications that would benefit from fiber delivery of femtosecond pulses.

Investigating reading disabilities using the rauding diagnostic system.

Should a measure of intelligence be replaced by a measure of listening in discrepancy definitions of reading disability? This question was answered using a newly developed diagnostic system, which is based on "rauding" theory and a causal model of reading achievement. In Study 1, diagnostic results were analyzed from 122 students in Grades 3 through 7 who took, via computer, a battery of tests called the computer Assisted Reading Diagnosis (CARD). In Study 2, 44 university students were given the CARD. In Study 3, the CARD was administered to 128 students in reading improvement classes at a suburban community college. From the results, it was concluded that the rauding diagnostic system consistently diagnoses disabilities in listening, decoding, and naming speed when they are theoretically needed to explain accuracy and rate disabilities of children and adults who are poor readers. It was recommended that (a) general intelligence, fluid intelligence, or IQ not be used to measure potential or to diagnose reading disabilities; (b) listening not be used to measure potential; (c) verbal knowledge aptitude, pronunciation aptitude, and cognitive speed aptitude be used to measure potential; and (d) the new rauding diagnostic system replace the system of diagnosing dyslexics, hyperlexics, and garden-variety poor readers.

The role of divalent cations in structure and function of murine adenosine deaminase.

For murine adenosine deaminase, we have determined that a single zinc or cobalt cofactor bound in a high affinity site is required for catalytic function while metal ions bound at an additional site(s) inhibit the enzyme. A catalytically inactive apoenzyme of murine adenosine deaminase was produced by dialysis in the presence of specific zinc chelators in an acidic buffer. This represents the first production of the apoenzyme and demonstrates a rigorous method for removing the occult cofactor. Restoration to the holoenzyme is achieved with stoichiometric amounts of either Zn2+ or Co2+ yielding at least 95% of initial activity. Far UV CD and fluorescence spectra are the same for both the apo- and holoenzyme, providing evidence that removal of the cofactor does not alter secondary or tertiary structure. The substrate binding site remains functional as determined by similar quenching measured by tryptophan fluorescence of apo- or holoenzyme upon mixing with the transition state analog, deoxycoformycin. Excess levels of adenosine or N6- methyladenosine incubated with the apoenzyme prior to the addition of metal prevent restoration, suggesting that the cofactor adds through the substrate binding cleft. The cations Ca2+, Cd2+, Cr2+, Cu+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Pb2+, or Mg2+ did not restore adenosine deaminase activity to the apoenzyme. Mn2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ were found to be competitive inhibitors of the holoenzyme with respect to substrate and Cd2+ and Co2+ were noncompetitive inhibitors. Weak inhibition (Ki > or = 1000 microM) was noted for Ca2+, Fe2+, and Fe3+.

Expression of collagen and matrix metalloproteinases in ruptured human anterior cruciate ligament: an in situ hybridization study.

The biological basis for failure of the human anterior cruciate ligament to heal after rupture is unknown. Since this failure could be influenced by abnormalities in matrix protein production or degradation, or both, several diverse matrix protein markers were utilized to survey the state of these extracellular proteins in intrinsic anterior cruciate ligament fibroblasts. Matrix gene expression was visualized by in situ hybridization 9 to 365 days after rupture using probes for type-I collagen, collagenase, 72kDa-gelatinase, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase. Remnants of anterior cruciate ligament were biopsied arthroscopically from 20 patients at reconstruction, fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, and processed with cDNA probes for the aforementioned mRNAs. mRNA expression of type-I collagen was detected in all specimens, was equally distributed throughout the remnants, and remained evident even at 1 year after injury. Neither of the matrix-degrading enzymes nor their inhibitor (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase) was expressed at substantial levels at any time point. Collagen expression within the anterior cruciate ligament confirmed the viability of the ligament remnants for as long as 1 year after rupture. The lack of significant expression of the two matrix-degrading metalloproteinases by the fibroblasts is not consistent with an autodegradation of the remaining ruptured ligament tissue, and whether the lack of matrix remodelling may account, at least in part, for the poor healing response of the anterior cruciate ligament remains to be determined. This initial investigation by in situ hybridization techniques provides a descriptive profile of matrix gene expression in the damaged human anterior cruciate ligament.

The reliability and validity of two structured diagnostic interviews for personality disorders.

BACKGROUND: The reliability and validity of Axis II diagnoses were investigated in a sample of 108 patients with nonpsychotic Axis I disorders. METHODS: Patients were assessed for personality disorders (PDs) with either the Personality Disorder Examination (PDE) or the Structured Interview for DSM-III-R Personality (SIDP-R). Validity was examined by comparing interview diagnoses with "best-estimate" consensus diagnoses assigned by a panel of judges. RESULTS: Interrater reliabilities were excellent when using continuous data (eg, total or cluster scores; intra-class correlation coefficients, .82 to .92); they were lower with categorical diagnoses (eg, any PD vs no PD; kappa = 0.55 and 0.58 with the two interviews). Validity coefficients (ie, kappa values reflecting agreement between the interviews and the consensus diagnosis) for the decision of any PD vs no PD were 0.18 (56% agreement) with the PDE and 0.37 (75% agreement) with the SIDP-R; validity coefficients for identifying cases of "marked" PD were 0.21 (62% agreement) with the PDE and 0.24 (60% agreement) with the SIDP-R. CONCLUSIONS: There have been important advances in the development of structured interviews for Axis II diagnoses, but the findings suggest a continued need to be thoughtful about their strengths and weaknesses before accepting their results as definitive diagnostic tests. The findings also demonstrated some of the advantages of continuous vs categorical data.

Beta-centractin: characterization and distribution of a new member of the centractin family of actin-related proteins.

An examination of human-expressed sequence tags indicated the existence of an isoform of centractin, an actin-related protein localized to microtubule-associated structures. Using one of these tags, we isolated and determined the nucleotide sequence of a full-length cDNA clone. The protein encoded represents the first example of multiple isoforms of an actin-related protein in a single organism. Northern analysis using centractin-specific probes revealed three species of mRNA in HeLa cells that could encode centractin isoforms. One mRNA encodes the previously-identified centractin (now referred to as alpha-centractin). The full-length cDNA clone isolated using the expressed sequence tag encodes a new member of the centractin family, beta-centractin. A probe specific for alpha-centractin hybridized to the third species of mRNA observed (referred to as gamma-centractin). Comparisons of Northern blots of human tissues indicated that alpha-centractin and beta-centractin mRNAs are equally distributed in all populations of mRNA examined, whereas the expression of gamma-centractin appears to be tissue specific. The amino acid sequence of beta-centractin, deduced from the cDNA, indicates a 91% identity with alpha-centractin, increasing to 96% similarity when conservative amino acid changes are taken into account. As antibodies previously raised against alpha-centractin reacted only poorly with beta-centractin, new antibodies were produced and combined with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to discriminate the two isoforms. Using this system, the subcellular distribution of the alpha- and beta-isoforms were determined. Both isoforms were found predominantly in the cytosolic fraction as a part of a previously identified 20S complex (referred to as the dynactin complex) with no evidence for a free pool of either isoform. The isoforms were found in a constant ratio of approximately 15:1 (alpha:beta) in the dynactin complex.

ACT3: a putative centractin homologue in S. cerevisiae is required for proper orientation of the mitotic spindle.

As part of our ongoing efforts to understand the functional role of vertebrate centractins, we have identified a new member of the actin-related family of proteins in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae using a PCR-based approach. Consistent with the current nomenclature for actin-related proteins in yeast, we propose to denote this locus ACT3. The primary amino acid sequence of Act3p is most similar to canine and human alpha-centractin (73% similarity/54% identity). The sequence of a genomic clone indicates ACT3 lies adjacent to and is transcribed convergently with respect to FUR1 on chromosome VIII. Molecular genetic analysis indicates ACT3 is represented by a single gene from which the corresponding mRNA is expressed at a low level compared to ACT1. Tetrad analysis of heterozygotes harboring a TRP1 replacement of the ACT3-coding region indicates ACT3 is nonessential for growth under normal conditions and at extremes of temperature and osmolarity. However, growth at 14 degrees C indicates a spindle orientation defect similar to phenotypes recently described for yeast harboring mutations in actin, tubulin, or cytoplasmic dynein. Taken together, our data suggest that ACT3 is the S. cerevisiae homologue of vertebrate centractins.

Centractin is an actin homologue associated with the centrosome.

Actin is one of the most ubiquitous, abundant and well-conserved proteins of eukaryotes, participating in many crucial cellular processes including the maintenance of cell shape, motility and cell division. Actins from the most divergent sources still share amino-acid identities in excess of 70% (ref. 3). This may well explain why low-abundance homologues of actin have been difficult to isolate. Genes encoding distant relatives of actin in budding and fisson yeast have now been cloned. We report here the discovery of a vertebrate actin-like protein, which we name centractin. A full-length complementary DNA clone was isolated whose sequence reveals amino-acid identities with actin of over 50%, increasing to more than 70% when conservative amino-acid changes are considered. Northern analysis and western blotting indicate a ubiquitous tissue and species distribution. Morphological and biochemical criteria show that centractin is associated with centrosomes.

Isolation and Characterization of Mutants of Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 Deficient in Acetoacetyl-Coenzyme A:Acetate/Butyrate:Coenzyme A-Transferase (EC 2.8.3.9) and in Other Solvent Pathway Enzymes.

Mutants of Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 exhibiting resistance to 2-bromobutyrate or rifampin were isolated after nitrosoguanidine treatment. Mutants were screened for solvent production by using an automated alcohol test system. Isolates were analyzed for levels of butanol, ethanol, acetone, butyrate, acetate, and acetoin in stationary-phase batch cultures. The specific activities of NADH- and NADPH-dependent butanol dehydrogenase and butyraldehyde dehydrogenase as well as those of acetoacetyl-coenzyme A:acetate/butyrate:coenzyme A-transferase (butyrate-acetoacetate coenzyme A-transferase [EC 2.8.3.9]) (CoA-transferase), butyrate kinase, and phosphotransbutyrylase were measured at the onset of stationary phase. Rifampin-resistant strain D10 and 2-bromobutyrate mutant R were found to be deficient in only CoA-transferase, while several other mutants exhibited reduced butyraldehyde dehydrogenase and butanol dehydrogenase activities as well. The colony morphology of 2-bromobutyrate mutant R was similar to that of the parent on RCM medium; however, it had about 1/10 the level of CoA-transferase and increased levels of butanol dehydrogenase and butyraldehyde dehydrogenase. A nonsporulating, spontaneously derived degenerated strain exhibited reduced levels of butyraldehyde dehydrogenase, butanol, dehydrogenase, and CoA-transferase compared with those of the original strain. When C. acetobutylicum ATCC 824 was grown on medium containing low levels of 2-bromobutyrate, an altered colony morphology was observed. Not all strains resistant to 2-bromobutyrate (12 mM) were non-solvent-producing strains.

Premarital rubella vaccination program.

A two-year Vermont program identified 494 (7 per cent) of 6,982 premarital female serologies that were seronegative (less than 1:8) to rubella by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titer. All 494 susceptible patients and their physicians were notified of their results by letter. The State Health Department received reports that a total of 194 (39 per cent) of the susceptible patients had received rubella vaccinations as a result of their notifications. Intensive follow-up of susceptibles appears to be important factor in the success of premarital rubella screening programs.

Virus-specific, early appearing neutralizing activity and interferon in tears of patients with acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis.

Virus-specific, early appearing neutralizing activities (ENA) and interferon (IFN) were detected in tears collected from patients during epidemics of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC). In one study, ENA that neutralized enterovirus type 70 (EV70) was detected in tears collected from 114 of 130 AHC patients in Florida. In another study, ENA against coxsackievirus type A24 (CA24) was detected in tears collected from 39 of 57 patients in Singapore with AHC caused by CA24. No tear samples contained ENAs to both EV70 and CA24. Tear samples from uninfected eyes did not contain ENA to EV70 or CA24. ENA to EV70 was detected in 6 of 11 patients 1-6h before the onset of AHC. In addition, tears of 68% of patients seen on the day of onset produced tears that contained ENA to EV70. Thus, ENA to EV70 may be detected less than 24h after infection (based on 24h incubation period). IFN beta was detected in 30% of tear samples collected from patients on the day of onset of AHC caused by EV70. This finding suggested that ENA and IFN could act together to inhibit primary infections of AHC. It was found that the combination of ENA and IFN inhibited virus replication synergistically (greater than or equal to 300 fold reduction) in preinfected cells. Our findings suggest that ENA represents a previously unreported early defense mechanism of the eye, that endogenous ENA and endogenous IFN could inhibit viruses synergistically in vivo, and that ENA in tears could be useful in identifying the agent causing AHC.

Clinical findings and results of treatment in an outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis in southern Florida.

An epidemic of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis in Miami, Florida, involved approximately 800 documented cases and more than 2,500 suspected cases. This epidemic was caused by an enterovirus 70 infection affecting primarily young black people residing within a high-risk area. Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis is characterized by the rapid onset of swollen eyelids, foreign-body sensation, burning, watery discharge, and, usually, bilateral ocular involvement. Signs include distinctive bulbar conjunctival hemorrhages and a follicular conjunctival reaction with only mild and infrequent corneal involvement. This infection is short in duration, self-limited, and free of significant ocular sequelae. Symptomatic treatment appears to be as effective as various topical medical regimens for relief of symptoms. Secondary bacterial infections (occurring in individuals who used urine as an eyewash) and one case of a transient acute Bell's palsy were the only complications associated with this acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis epidemic.

Syphilitic retinal detachment and uveal effusion.

A 32-year-old man developed a recurrent nonrhegmatogenous retinal detachment, uveal effusion, and visual loss as a result of latent secondary syphilis. Treponemes were found in the subretinal fluid and the Treponema pallidum hemagglutination test demonstrated substantially higher titers in the subretinal fluid than in the serum (1: 2,569 vs 1: 16). Despite scleral dissection and a scleral implant and treatment with penicillin, the patient's visual loss persisted and the last examination showed a thickened choroid, a flat nonrhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and reaccumulation of subretinal fluid.