Application of the recommendation architecture to telecommunications network management.

The recommendation architecture has been proposed as a system architecture which can enable a system to learn to perform a complex combination of interrelated functions. The capability of a system with the recommendation architecture to learn to manage complex telecommunication backbone networks has been investigated. A network model with a number of nodes and links and carrying realistic but randomly generated traffic was used as the target for the management system. Traffic data taken from the model was used as input to the recommendation architecture system. The traffic data was organized into inputs once every 5 minutes, and the management system organized these inputs into a hierarchy of repetition similarity. It was demonstrated that the outputs of this hierarchy provided information on the condition of the network. This output information was a compressed version of the inputs which correlated with major network conditions.

Construction and molecular analysis of gene transfer systems derived from bovine immunodeficiency virus.

Because lentiviruses are able to infect nondividing cells, these viruses might be utilized in gene therapy applications where the target cell does not divide. However, it has been suggested that the introduction of primate lentivirus sequences, particularly those of human immunodeficiency virus, into human cells may pose a health risk for the patient. To avoid this concern, we have constructed gene transfer systems based on a nonprimate lentivirus, bovine immunodeficiency virus. A panel of vectors and packaging constructs was generated and analyzed in a transient expression system for virion production and maturation, vector expression and encapsidation, and envelope protein pseudotyping. Virion preparations were also analyzed for transduction efficiency in a panel of human and nonhuman primary cells and immortalized cell lines. The virion preparations transduced most of the target cell types, with efficiencies up to 90% and with titers of unconcentrated virus up to 5 x 10(5) infectious doses/ml. In addition, infection of nondividing human cells, including unstimulated hematopoietic stem cells and irradiated endothelial cells, was observed.

Differing functional recovery of donor-derived immune cells after purified haploidentical and fully mismatched hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in mice.

Functional recovery of the immune system is critical for long-term survival in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. In this study, two donor-recipient allogeneic transplant settings (haploidentical and fully mismatched) are used to investigate the functional activity of donor-derived B and T cells in animals grafted with purified c-kit(+), Thy 1.1(lo), Lin(-/lo), and Sca-1(+) hematopoietic stem cells (KTLS HSC).Ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin G, polyclonal immunoglobulin isotypes, and B- and T-cell proliferation were examined on the recipients who received haploidentical or fully mismatched HSC.A severe deficiency of antigen-specific immunoglobulin response occurs in fully engrafted mice that received KTLS HSC from fully mismatched, but not haploidentical, donors. This lack of B-cell-specific immunity is not due to a deficiency of polyclonal immunoglobulins in serum. B cells from both fully mismatched and haploidentical recipients proliferate normally after stimulation with anti-mu and the percentage of mature B cells is normal. The T-cell response to anti-CD3 in fully mismatched recipients was much weaker than that of their untransplanted controls. However, T cells from haploidentical recipients respond normally to anti-CD3. This study demonstrates that numerical recovery of donor-derived cells in the periphery of recipients does not represent a functional reconstitution, particularly in animals that receive fully mismatched transplants. Defects of specific B-cell immunity and T-cell proliferation are observed in fully mismatched, purified HSC transplant recipients with a quantitative recovery within the normal range of donor-derived lymphocytes.

Phyto-oestrogens: where are we now?

Phyto-oestrogens have emerged from their esoteric role in animal husbandry following the hypothesis that the human Western diet is relatively deficient in these substances compared with societies where large amounts of plant foods and legumes are eaten. Evidence is beginning to accrue that they may begin to offer protection against a wide range of human conditions, including breast, bowel, prostate and other cancers, cardiovascular disease, brain function, alcohol abuse, osteoporosis and menopausal symptoms. Of the two main classes of these weak oestrogens, the isoflavones are under intensive investigation due to their high levels in soyabean. Like the 'anti-oestrogen' Tamoxifen, these seem to have oestrogenic effects in human subjects in the cardiovascular system and bone. Although previously only available from food, isoflavones are now being marketed in health-food supplements or drinks, and tablets may soon be available over the counter as 'natural' hormone-replacement therapy. In cancer, anti-oestrogenic effects are thought to be important, although genistein especially has been shown to induce wide-ranging anti-cancer effects in cell lines independent of any hormone-related influence. There are few indications of harmful effects at present, although possible proliferative effects have been reported. In infants, the effects of high levels in soya milk formulas are uncertain. The second group, lignans, have been less investigated despite their known antioestrogenic effects and more widespread occurrence in foods. Investigation of the possible benefits of phyto-oestrogens is hampered by lack of analytical standards and, hence, inadequate methods for the measurement of low levels in most foods. This problem may prove to be a major dilemma for regulatory authorities, clinicians and others wishing to advise the general public on whether these compounds really do have the health benefits attributed to them.

Emigration of mature T cells from the thymus is inhibited by the imidazole-based compound 2-acetyl-4-tetrahydroxybutylimidazole.

The primary role of the thymus is to provide mature T cells for the peripheral immune system. The mechanisms involved in the cellular export processes are as yet unknown. In this study, we examined the ability of 2-acetyl-4-tetrahydroxybutylimidazole (THI), an agent widely used as a component of ammonia caramel food colouring, to inhibit T-cell export from the thymus. BALB/c mice were maintained on drinking water containing THI for 5 days. The mice showed a twofold increase in the total number of mature medullary thymocytes (CD4+CD8- and CD4-CD8+) as well as a slight decrease in the total number of immature double-positive cells (CD4+CD8+). The mature single-positive thymocytes were found to express high levels of the homing molecule L-selectin, suggesting that these potential emigrants were prevented from leaving the thymus. To confirm this, THI-treated mice were injected intrathymically with fluorescein isothiocyanate and the number of labelled T cells appearing in the lymph nodes and spleen was determined 16 hr later. A 10-fold decrease in the number of CD4+ and CD8+ recent thymic emigrants in the lymph nodes and spleen of THI-treated mice was observed. Previous studies have shown that THI does not affect other aspects of thymocyte development, such as proliferation and differentiation. Taken together, these results suggest that the immunosuppressive effects of THI may be due, in part, to preventing of the final step of T-cell export out of the thymus.

[Comparative analysis of body composition assessment methods in healthy adult men]. / Análisis comparativo de métodos de evaluación de la composición corporal en varones adultos sanos.

BACKGROUND: The degree of agreement between different methods to assess total body composition is not well known. AIM: To determine the level of agreement for total body fat mass measurement by dual-photon absorptiometry (DEXA), bioelectrical impedance (BIA) and anthropometry using the deuterium dilution method as the gold-standard technique, in normal male volunteers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Total body fat mass was measured by DEXA, BIA, anthropometry and deuterium dilution in thirty one healthy men, aged 41.9 +/- 8.6 years old. RESULTS: Mean differences in percentage of total body fat compared with deuterium dilution were 0.3% +/- 2.2, 1.3% +/- 3.4 and 1.8 +/- 2.3% for DEXA1 BIA and anthropometry respectively. DEXA had the lower difference with deuterium dilution and the confidence intervals for this difference (+/- DS) showed that, at the individual level, the maximum difference was 4.4%. CONCLUSIONS: All the methods evaluated gave similar average measurements for total body fat mass, but with different individual variability. In this group of healthy male subjects, DEXA was the best method in terms of agreement with the gold-standard.

Energy expenditure variations in soldiers performing military activities under cold and hot climate conditions.

This study assessed the energetic status of soldiers exposed to intense physical activities in cold and warm weather. Thirty subjects participated in a two-phase study group A (n = 18) in the winter phase and group B (n = 12) in the summer phase. Energy expenditure (EE) was measured by the doubly labeled water technique; after a single, oral dosing of 2H(2)18O, daily urine samples were collected for 12 successive days. Energy intake (EI) was assessed from detailed food records analyzed by computerized food charts. Energy balance was calculated as the difference between EI and EE for each subject. Mean (+/- SE) daily EE was 4,281 +/- 170 and 3,937 +/- 159 kcal/day for the winter and summer groups, respectively. Daily EI was 2,792 +/- 124 kcal/day in group A and almost identical in group B. A negative energy balance of 1,422 +/- 163 kcal/day and 924 +/- 232 kcal/day (not significant) was calculated for groups A and B, respectively. Energy expenditure is primarily determined by the level of activity rather than by climate conditions; EI is insufficient to offset the high energy requirements under these conditions.

Determination of total body water by a simple and rapid mass spectrometric method.

A rapid and inexpensive method was developed to determine deuterium enrichment in body fluids. This is achieved by converting water into acetylene. To vacutainer tubes a small amount of calcium carbide is added. The tubes are evacuated and 25 microliters of sample are injected through the stopper. The reaction takes place spontaneously at room temperature in a few seconds. Enrichment at mass 27 compared with mass 26 can be determined by continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry without any interference from the carrier gas helium. A series of D2O samples diluted with increasing amounts of H2O is prepared at the time of measurement of the biological samples and the measured ratios are used to calculate the isotope dilution of the unknown. The relative error of the method is 1.6% when a dose of 25 ml kg-1 is administered to the patient. The method was compared with two different methods in use in other laboratories, by a published method The means of the differences were -0.1 and 0.08 1, respectively, with standard deviations of 0.63 and 3.0.

Total energy expenditure in intravenously fed patients measured by the doubly labeled water technique.

The potential clinical use of the doubly labeled water (DLW) technique to measure total energy expenditure (TEE) in intravenously fed patients was assessed by applying the technique to 13 stable patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). TEE was compared with resting energy expenditure (REE), which was measured using a ventilated hood (n = 13), and with 24-hour energy expenditure (24h EE) measured in a whole-body calorimeter (n = 6). Daily measurements of urinary enrichment in 2H and 18O showed predominantly small and covariant fluctuations in elimination rates of these two tracers. The standard error of the estimate (SEFCO2) for the CO2 production rate (FCO2), which includes additional errors due to variability in isotopic fractionation, was calculated to be 2.65% +/- 0.70% of FCO2. TPN-related changes in background isotopic enrichment in subjects who were not dosed with isotope virtually ceased 10 days after starting intravenous feeding. TEE (4.99 +/- 1.10 kJ/min), TEE/REE (1.21 +/- 0.16 kJ/min), TEE/basal metabolic rate (]BMR] 1.31 +/- 0.16 kJ/min), and TEE (isotopic)/24h EE (calorimetric; 1.07 +/- 0.18 kJ/min) showed wide variability. This study provides some evidence for the validity of the DLW method in selected patients receiving TPN, since significant deviations from the assumptions of the method were not found in the subjects studied. The error associated with 2H sequestration during fatty acid synthesis is likely to be small, but could not be accurately measured. The contributions of activity and thermogenesis to TEE varied greatly, but overlapped with those reported in normal subjects.

A necropsy technique for cattle to eliminate contamination of lymph nodes by mycobacteria.

A field necropsy technique for cattle is described which avoids contamination by environmental mycobacteria of tissues intended for bacteriological examination. Settling the dust by hosing on and around the carcase, using sterile instruments for the collection of each tissue, excising lymph nodes without incising the capsule and submitting the nodes to the laboratory intact in saturated tetraborate solution resulted in uncontaminated samples even under adverse field conditions. The procedure is recommended for future investigations into the role of mycobacteria other than Mycobacterium bovis in the sensitisation of cattle to the intradermal test for tuberculosis.