Precision Measurement of Vibrational Quanta in Tritium Hydride.

Saturated absorption measurements of transitions in the (2-0) band of radioactive tritium hydride are performed with the ultrasensitive noise-immune cavity-enhanced optical-heterodyne molecular spectroscopy intracavity absorption technique in the range 1460-1510 nm. The hyperfine structure of rovibrational transitions of tritium hydride, in contrast to that of hydrogen deuteride, exhibits a single isolated hyperfine component, allowing for the accurate determination of hyperfineless rovibrational transition frequencies, resulting in R(0)=203 396 426 692(22) kHz and R(1)=205 380 033 644(21) kHz. This corresponds to an accuracy 3 orders of magnitude better than previous measurements in tritiated hydrogen molecules. Observation of an isolated component in P(1) with reversed signal amplitude contradicts models for line shapes in hydrogen deuteride based on crossover resonances.

Precision measurement of the fundamental vibrational frequencies of tritium-bearing hydrogen molecules: T2, DT, HT.

High-resolution coherent Raman spectroscopic measurements of all three tritium-containing molecular hydrogen isotopologues T2, DT and HT were performed to determine the ground electronic state fundamental Q-branch (v = 0 → 1, ΔJ = 0) transition frequencies at accuracies of 0.0005 cm-1. An over hundred-fold improvement in accuracy over previous experiments allows the comparison with the latest ab initio calculations in the framework of non-adiabatic perturbation theory including nonrelativisitic, relativisitic and QED contributions. Excellent agreement is found between experiment and theory, thus providing a verification of the validity of the NAPT-framework for these tritiated species. While the transition frequencies were corrected for ac-Stark shifts, the contributions of non-resonant background as well as quantum interference effects between resonant features in the nonlinear spectroscopy were quantitatively investigated, also leading to corrections to the transition frequencies. Methods of saturated CARS with the observation of Lamb dips, as well as the use of continuous-wave radiation for the Stokes frequency were explored, that might pave the way for future higher-accuracy CARS measurements.

Current Status of Fusarium oxysporum Formae Speciales and Races.

The Fusarium oxysporum species complex includes both plant pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains, which are commonly found in soils. F. oxysporum has received considerable attention from plant pathologists for more than a century owing to its broad host range and the economic losses it causes. The narrow host specificity of pathogenic strains has led to the concept of formae speciales, each forma specialis grouping strains with the same host range. Initially restricted to one plant species, this host range was later found to be broader for many formae speciales. In addition, races were identified in some formae speciales, generally with cultivar-level specialization. In 1981, Armstrong and Armstrong listed 79 F. oxysporum formae speciales and mentioned races in 16 of them. Since then, the known host range of F. oxysporum has considerably increased, and many new formae speciales and races have been identified. We carried out a comprehensive search of the literature to propose this review of F. oxysporum formae speciales and races. We recorded 106 well-characterized formae speciales, together with 37 insufficiently documented ones, and updated knowledge on races and host ranges. We also recorded 58 plant species/genera susceptible to F. oxysporum but for which a forma specialis has not been characterized yet. This review raises issues regarding the nomenclature and the description of F. oxysporum formae speciales and races.

[Correlation between urogenital prolapse and detrusor overactivity]. / Correlación entre los prolapsos urogenitales y la presencia de detrusor hiperactivo.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the urodynamic characteristics of a series of women with stress urinary incontinence presenting various rates of vaginal prolapse. METHODS: 92 female patients were included in this study, mean age was 48 years (range 29-75). All patients underwent urogynecologic physical examination (vaginal prolapse was graded) and complete urodynamic study in order to detect the presence of detrusor overactivity. Urodynamic terminology and measurements comply with the ICS (International Continence Society) standards. Statistical significance was established below 0.05. RESULTS: 65 women (70.6%) presented anterior vaginal prolapse and 31 (33.6%) posterior vaginal prolapse. Involuntary contractions of the detrusor muscle appeared in 13 patients (20%) who had an anterior vaginal prolapse and 6 women (19.3%) who had a posterior vaginal prolapse. The existence of involuntary contractions was not associated with the diagnosis of vaginal prolapse. CONCLUSION: Our study did not show any correlation between existence of vaginal prolapse and detrusor overactivity.

Correlación entre los prolapsos urogenitales y la presencia de detrusor hiperactivo / correlation between urogenital prolapse and detrusor overactivity

Objetivo: Evaluar la relación entre el prolapso urogenital y la presencia de hiperactividad del detrusor en mujeres con incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo. Materiales y Métodos: Se evaluaron en forma prospectiva, desde enero 1999 a septiembre 2001, en el ambulatorio de Uroginecología de la Universidad Estatal de Campinas (UNICAMP), 92 mujeres con diagnóstico clínico de incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo que fueron sometidas a estudio urodinámico. La edad varió entre 29 y 75 años, con una media de 48 ± 10 años. Se analizó la relación entre la presencia de prolapsos urogenitales, sus diferentes grados, y la ocurrencia de hiperactividad del detrusor. Resultados: De acuerdo con el examen clínico y el estudio urodinámico se observaron los siguientes resultados: prolapso anterior en 65 (70,6 %) de las mujeres y prolapso posterior en 31 (33,6 %). La hiperactividad del detrusor estaba presente en 13 de los prolapsos anteriores (20 %) y 6 de los prolapsos posteriores(19,3%). No se observó diferencia significativa en ninguno de los prolapsos examinados en relación a la presencia de hiperactividad del detrusor: anterior (p=0,1639) y posterior (p=0,1849). Conclusión: Los prolapsos urogenitales, en sus diferentes grados, no se relacionan con la incidencia de hiperactividad del detrusor en mujeres con incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo (AU)

Purpose: To evaluate the urodynamic characteristics of a series of women with stress urinary incontinence presenting various rates of vaginal prolapse. Methods: 92 female patients were included in this study, mean age was 48 years (range 29-75). All patients underwent urogynecologic physical examination (vaginal prolapse was graded) and complete urodynamic study in order to detect the presence of detrusor overactivity. Urodynamic terminology and measurements comply with the ICS (International Continence Society) standards. Statistical significance was established below 0.05. Results: 65 women (70.6%) presented anterior vaginal prolapse and 31 (33.6%) posterior vaginal prolapse. Involuntary contractions of the detrusor muscle appeared in 13 patients (20%) who had an anterior vaginal prolapse and 6 women (19.3%) who had a posterior vaginal prolapse. The existence of involuntary contractions was not associated with the diagnosis of vaginal prolapse. Conclusion: Our study did not show any correlation between existence of vaginal prolapse and detrusor overactivity (AU)

Vagus-mediated activation of mucosal mast cells in the stomach: effect of ketotifen on gastric mucosal lesion formation and acid secretion induced by a high dose of intracisternal TRH analogue.

TRH analogue, RX 77368, injected intracisternally (i.c.) at high dose (3 microg/rat) produces gastric mucosal lesion formation through vagal-dependent pathway. The gastric mucosal hyperemia induced by i.c. RX 77368 was shown to be mediated by muscarinic vagal efferent fibres and mast cells. Furthermore, electrical vagal stimulation was observed to induce gastric mucosal mast cell degranulation. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of ketotifen, a mast cell stabilizer, on RX 77368-induced gastric lesion formation and gastric acid secretion. RX 77368 (3 microg, i.c.) or vehicle (10 microL, i.c.) was delivered 240 min prior to the sacrifice of the animals. Ketotifen or vehicle (0.9% NaCl, 0.5 mL) was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) at a dose of 10 mg x kg(-1) 30 min before RX 77368 injection. The extent of mucosal damage was planimetrically measured by a video image analyzer (ASK Ltd., Budapest) device. In the gastric acid secretion studies, the rats were pretreated with ketotifen (10 mg x kg(-1), i.p.) or vehicle (0.9% NaCl, 0.5 mL, i.p.), 30 min later pylorus-ligation was performed and RX 77368 (3 microg, i.c.) or vehicle (0.9% NaCl, 10 microL, i.c.) was injected. The rats were killed 240 min after i.c. injection, and the gastric acid secretion was measured through the titration of gastric contents with 0.1 N NaOH to pH 7.0. RX 77368 (3 microg, i.c.) resulted in a gastric mucosal lesion formation involving 8.2% of the corpus mucosa (n = 7). Ketotifen elicited an 85% inhibition on the development of mucosal lesions (n = 7, P < 0.001) whereas ketotifen alone had no effect on the lesion formation in the mucosa (n = 7). The RX 77368 induced increase of gastric acid secretion was not influenced by ketotifen pretreatment in 4-h pylorus-ligated animals. Central vagal activation induced mucosal lesion formation is mediated by the activation of mucosal mast cells in the stomach. Mast cell inhibition by ketotifen does not influence gastric acid secretion induced by i.c. TRH analogue in 4-h pylorus-ligated rats.

Isolation, characterization and biological properties of two kinin-like peptides (peptide-S and peptide-r) from Scaptocosa raptoria venom.

Two peptides with kinin-like biological properties were isolated by chromatography on a Sephadex G-10 column followed by high-performance liquid chromatography, from the venom of the spider Scaptocosa raptoria. The isolated peptides (peptide-S and peptide-R) were shown to cause contraction on the isolated guinea-pig ileum at amounts equivalent to those shown by bradykinin. Both peptides relaxed the isolated rat duodenum, increased the capillary permeability, caused decreasing and biphasic effect of the arterial blood pressure in conscious rats and induced oedema in the rat paw. The peptides had activity and structural similarities to other peptides (kinin-like) isolated from venoms. The complete amino acid analysis gave peptide-S a structure with 36 amino acid residues and peptide-R 22 amino acid residues. The mol. wts were estimated to be in the range of 4000 and 2870, respectively.

Cloning and sequence analysis of a Bothrops jararaca cDNA encoding a precursor of seven bradykinin-potentiating peptides and a C-type natriuretic peptide.

A 1.8-kb cDNA clone was isolated from a Bothrops jararaca venom gland cDNA library that encodes a 256-aa precursor for bradykinin-potentiating peptides (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) and a C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP). The seven bradykinin-potentiating peptides are aligned tandemly after the hydrophobic signal peptide sequence, followed by a putative intervening sequence and a CNP at the C terminus. Northern blot analysis indicated the predominant expression of a 1.8-kb mRNA in the venom glands as well as in the spleen and the brain. Two lower intensity mRNA bands of 3.5 kb and 5.7 kb also hybridized to the cDNA clone. Radioimmunoassay for the CNP was performed using the antiserum against rat CNP. The presence of CNP immunoreactivity was detected in the low molecular weight fraction of the Bothrops jararaca venom.

Effect of vitamin E-deficiency on the activity of some lysosomal and non-lysosomal proteases in rabbit muscles.

The activity of different cathepsins and neutral proteinases was measured in normal and vitamin E-deficient rabbit muscles using specific substrates. Among the changes of enzyme activities in dystrophy caused by vitamin E-deficiency the increase in the activity of cathepsin B is the most striking. The activity of cathepsin H, both in the fast and slow muscles and that of MMP-ase in the slow muscle remains practically unchanged. Activities of other proteases significantly increase. The change in the activity of proteolytic enzymes in striated muscle of vitamin E-deficient rabbits seems to be selective. As a rule the increase in the activity is higher in fast than in slow muscles.

[Indoor hockey: injuries and prevention]. / Hallenhockey: Verletzungen und Prävention.

Frequency and mechanisms of injuries in women's indoor-hockey are evaluated in a retrospective study of 89 players. Each athlete sustains 1.1 injury per season on the average. The goalkeeper's risk is about three times as high as that of the outfield players. The risk during match exceeds the risk during practice by a factor of 20. The most common site of injury is the lower limb (55%), 39% are related to the upper limb, 5% to head and trunk. Half of the lesions are caused by ball and stick, they involve especially hands and fingers. The facts allow to draw conclusions concerning preventive measures. The players must be protected by better equipment, special exercises and further development of the rules.

[Molecular mechanisms of muscle contraction]. / Az izomkontrakció molekuláris mechanizmusa.

Studying the mechanism of muscular contraction not even in one of the cases deriving from 50 sources could be obtained a myosin preparation free of phosphate. Therefore the aim of the authors was to elaborate methods which provided means for producing preparations of an endogenous P content that approached the P content of myosins of live sources. The phosphoryl groups of myosin may be released by incubating these preparations with F-actin. The actin attaches to the interaction domain of myosin and upon its effect P migrates within the myosin molecule from the site of phosphorylation to the interaction domain. At the interaction the myosin attaches to the actin through the phosphoryl group subsequently the myosin head turns from 90 degrees to 45 degrees consequently the actin-filament moves to a 12 mm distance towards the center of the sarcomer. When the myosin-actin-phosphoryl bridge ceases to be the P attaches transiently to the actin and the anorganic phosphate releases from the actin. The active center of myosin is filled again with the gamma phosphoryl group of ATP and the head returns simultaneously to the resting position of 90 degrees.

Heterogeneity, distribution and endogenous phosphate content of KCl-myosins prepared from different parts of human brain.

Myosin concentrations and their endogenous phosphate (P) content as well as some of their properties were investigated in different parts of the central nervous system (CNS). Myosin concentration in hemispherial part is in the average 40 mg/100 g fresh mince, but it varies between 5 mg and 30 mg myosin depending on the mental activity or accidental brain diseases. This refers to the other parts of CNS, too. A myosin may be isolated with a single and sharp peak as far as the gel filtration profile is concerned in spite of the high lipid content of the brain. Working with minimal lipid and RNA content requires a careful procedure by an experienced person. In spite of any careful isolation procedure, purified KCl-myosin preparations are composed of at least two isomyosins each formed from different heavy chains. Myosins are localized in different parts of the cell, mitochondrial, synaptosomal and neuroplasmic, respectively. Brain myosins have higher endogeneous P concentrations than other cell-myosins. In hemispherial myosins the P-concentrations are high. Subjects trained in mental activities have the highest myosin and P concentration. We suggest that the role of myosin may directly be connected with cytokinetic motions even in case of the higher functions of brain cells like thinking, paying attention and memory, respectively.

Comparative investigation on the extractibility of acetylcholinesterase from normal and dystrophic muscles.

Following combined administration of nonionic detergent and collagenase considerable differences were observed in extractibility of acetylcholinesterase activity from normal and from dystrophic rabbit muscles. The results obtained in the experiments carried out on vitamin-E deficient rats corroborated the authors' previous experiences obtained in vitamin-E deficient rabbits. However, as to the effect of the detergent, considerable differences were observed between the two species. If one compares the activities referred to 1 g muscle or to the total tissue mass it is clear that primarily the concentration of acetylcholinesterase was increased. The activity measured in the presence of butyrylthiocholine increased only to small extent in vitamin-E deficient dystrophy.

Presence of phospho-tyrosine in alkaline hydrolysate of pig skeletal muscle myosin.

A small part of the P-containing fraction of myosin hydrolysate which could be eluted with basic solvent (triethylamine) buffer was accumulated on chromatographic column. On the basis of the elution profile, P- and tyrosine content determination, moreover the thin layer chromatographic separation and specific Tyr reaction, this fraction is suggested to be phosphotyrosine. The concentration of P-Tyr is about 2 mol in pig muscle myosin calculated for 500 kDa protein. As the higher P-containing myosins also have an approx. 2 mol P-Tyr, it is thought that this concentration had been present in myosins already before alkaline hydrolysis.

Long-term implantation of a system of electrical stimulation of paralyzed laryngeal muscles in dogs.

Electrical stimulation of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle, synchronized with inspiration, was achieved in dogs utilizing a radio frequency stimulus triggered by a chest wall expansion transducer. This system brings about abduction of the paralyzed vocal cord for the entire duration of inspiration, which allows a normal flow of air through the larynx. The implantable part of that system was tested successfully in chronic experiments (up to 11 months) in dogs with experimental paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. We feel that the system may be suitable for pacing the paralyzed human larynx.

The effect of terbutaline upon myosin preparations of the human uterus.

It has been perceived that the phosphate (P) content of the human uterus myosin was considerably lower (half or less) in patients treated with terbutaline before delivery than that of untreated patients. Therefore the in vitro effect of terbutaline was investigated upon uterine myosin. The results showed that the presence of terbutaline in the incubation medium without ATP decreased the performed (endogenous) P content of myosin slightly, whereas in the presence of ATP terbutaline facilitated release of the phosphoryl groups from myosin parallel with the increase of terbutaline concentration. Although at low concentrations of terbutaline (in the micromolar range) a few phosphoryl groups are still incorporated in myosin, the time reaching the maximum of P incorporation was prolonged.

A new concept in the molecular process of muscle contraction: functional role of phosphorylated amino acids in myosin.

In this report a summary is given of our experiments concerning the in vivo endogenous phosphate (P) content of myosin. It was found that besides the ester type phosphates of myosin there was a considerable amount of N-P type energy-rich phosphoryl groups bond to the basic amino acids of peptide chains. The endogenous P concentration of myosin depends on the source of the preparation. The concentration of P is much higher in myosin preparations of well-trained animals and human subjects compared to those found in the control muscles. As the P binding sites of fresh purified myosin are only partially saturated, the preparations can incorporate P up to a definite saturation only. The phosphorylating ability of myosins disappears after prolonged storage as a consequence of an alteration in structure of the myosin molecule. The P groups are moving inside the myosin molecule. It is supposed that the inorganic P release promoted by actin is connected with the thin filament movements towards the centre of the sarcomere, furthermore P replenishment, P linking and movement involve N3-trimethyl-lysine, 3-methylhistidine, P-Arg and two conformers of P-His. The two net negative charges of P group form electric monopoles of a minor battery (myosin head). They help to force generation at head rotation (90 degrees-45 degrees angle) and produce free energy changes that can be calculated from the number of N-P bonds.