Obesity prevention in defined (high school) populations.

BACKGROUND: A challenge for the widespread dissemination of Internet-based programs designed to produce weight maintenance/loss in defined (high school) populations is to adapt them to local needs and interests, whereas demonstrating effectiveness and salience for both universal and targeted populations. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to examine the feasibility of providing an inexpensive, Internet-based universal (healthy weight regulation) and targeted (weight maintenance/loss) health program to all ninth-grade students in a high school serving a lower socioecnomic status, diverse population. DESIGN: A total of 118 normal-weight and 64 overweight/obese students in the same ninth-grade class completed a baseline screen and were allocated to a healthy weight regulation program or a weight-loss maintenance program. Both groups simultaneously received a 10-week Internet-based intervention. Program implementation required minimal teacher time. Measurement included self-reported fruit, vegetable and high-fat/-calorie food consumption, self-reported change in body mass index (BMI), weight and shape concerns, as well as program engagement. RESULTS: The program was successfully implemented in nine classes, with minimal help from the investigators. There was a significant increase in self-reported consumption of fruits and vegetables (P=0.001). There was a significant reduction in self-reported BMI in the overweight/obese group (P=0.001). Students found the program helpful and engaging. There was a significant reduction in weight and shape concerns in the high-risk female students, consistent with a reduced risk for the development of an eating disorder. Providing a universal and targeted online healthy weight regulation program to ninth-grade students is feasible and inexpensive. The results suggest the program can serve as 'core' for future studies using adaptive, continuous quality-improvement designs.

Studies on the redox characteristics of ferrioxamine E.

Thermodynamic parameters for the reduction of ferrioxamine E as calculated from redox potentials determined at four different temperatures were found to be DeltaH( not equal)=7.1+/-3.4 kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS( not equal)=-146 J mol(-1) K(-1). The negative entropy value is large, because the decrease in the charge at the metal center and an increase in its ionic radius force the structure of the complex to become less rigid and resemble the desferrisiderophore. The hydrophilic groups of the system are now (relatively more) available for solvent interaction. Thus, a large negative entropy change accompanies the reduction of the complex. Kinetics of reduction of ferrioxamine by V(II), Cr(II), Eu(II), and dithionite were measured at different temperatures and by dithionite at different pH values. The Cr(II) and Eu(II) reactions proceed by an inner-sphere mechanism and have second-order rate constants at 25 degrees of 1.37x10(4) and 1.23x10(5) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. For the V(II) reduction, the corresponding rate constant was 1.89x10(3) M(-1) s(-1). The activation parameters for the V(II) reduction were DeltaH( not equal) = 8.3 kJ mol(-1); DeltaS( not equal) =-154 J mol(-1) K(-1). These values are indicative of an outer-sphere mechanism for V(II) reduction. The reduction by dithionite is half order in dithionite concentration indicating that SO(2)(-*) is the sole reducing species. log of reduction rate constants of different trihydroxamates by this reductant were correlated with their respective redox potentials, and the variation was found to be in approximate correspondence with the expectations of Marcus relationship.

Irinotecan-associated pulmonary toxicity.

We present the circumstances surrounding a 57-year-old Caucasian man with advanced colorectal cancer who developed relapsing interstitial lung disease following a single exposure to irinotecan (CPT-11). Progressive pulmonary insufficiency and death were reported in the initial Japanese studies, despite institution of empiric steroid therapy for a syndrome similar to that which our patient experienced. As a result, patients with compromised pulmonary function were generally excluded from US clinical trials. Notwithstanding this, cough and dyspnea were reported in approximately 20% of patients in the US studies. As the clinical indications for the use of this agent expand, we describe irinotecan-associated interstitial pneumonitis as a serious potential adverse effect. Patients with pre-existing pulmonary disease may be at higher risk for this complication and clinicians should be alert to this possibility.

Investigations of kinase substrate specificity with aqua Rh(III) complexes of adenosine 5'-triphosphate.

In this paper the substrate activities and binding affinities of the stereoisomers of the beta,gamma-bidentate Rh(H2O)4ATP and alpha,beta, gamma-tridentate Rh(H2O)3ATP complexes toward selected members of the kinase family of enzymes are reported. Hexokinase and glycerokinase were found to be specific for the delta beta, gamma-bidentate Rh(H2O)4ATP isomer as substrate while adenylate kinase was found to specifically catalyze the reaction of the delta beta,gamma-bidentate Rh(H2O)4ATP isomer. Pyruvate kinase recognized both the delta beta,gamma-bidentate Rh(H2O)4ATP isomer and the delta beta-P, exo alpha-P alpha,beta,gamma-tridentate Rh(H2O)3ATP isomer as substrates in the catalyzed phosphorylation of the alternate substrate, glycolate. 31P NMR analysis of the respective product complexes showed that alpha-P phosphoryl ligand exchange had not preceded or followed catalysis. Creatine kinase was found to be specific for the delta beta-P, exo alpha-P alpha,beta,gamma-tridentate Rh(H2O)3ATP isomer. Discrimination of the Rh(H2O)nATP isomers via preferential binding of the substrate-active isomer was observed for hexokinase and adenylate kinase but not for glycerokinase, fructose-6 phosphate kinase, creatine kinase, arginine kinase, or acetate kinase.

The importance of surface charge in the optimization of antigen-adjuvant interactions.

The adsorptive behavior of the recombinant malarial antigens R32tet32, R32NS181 and NS181V20 to aluminum hydroxide and aluminum phosphate gels was studied as a function of pH and buffer ions. The Plasmodium falciparum antigen, R32NS181, and the P. vivax antigen, NS181V20, with isoelectric points (pI) of 5.9 and 5.5, respectively, adsorbed readily to the positively charged boehmite form of aluminum hydroxide gel. These two antigens displayed reversible, linear adsorption behavior in the pH range 5-9, with maximal adsorption observed at the lowest pH studied. The addition of acetate buffer ions had little effect on adsorption, while the presence of phosphate decreased adsorption for R32NS181 and NS181V20 by 25 and 40% respectively. The adsorptive behavior of these two antigens with the negatively charged adjuvant, aluminum phosphate, was markedly decreased. The converse situation was observed with the R32tet32 antigen, whose pI is estimated to be 12.8. There was minimal interaction of this antigen with aluminum hydroxide gel except in the presence of phosphate counter ions and significant, nonreversible adsorption with aluminum phosphate gel. Enhanced adsorption of R32tet32 to aluminum hydroxide gel in the presence of phosphate is suggested to be the result of a covalent bond between a surface aluminum and a phosphate anion that modifies the surface charge of the aluminum hydroxide gel. These results indicate that the role of complementary surface charges, both for the ionization state of the protein and for the aluminum adjuvants, is the key in optimizing conditions for significant antigen-adjuvant interactions.

Limitations on the parallel guidance of visual search: color x color and orientation x orientation conjunctions.

In visual search for a conjunction it is much more difficult to search for the conjunction of 2 colors or 2 orientations than for Color x Orientation or Color x Shape conjunctions. The result is not limited to particular colors or shapes. Two colors cannot occupy the same spatial location in Color x Color searches. However, Experiments 6 and 7 show that Color x Shape searches remain efficient even if the color and shape are spatially separated. Our guided search model suggests that in searches for Color x Shape, a parallel color module can guide attention toward the correct color, whereas the shape module guides attention toward the correct shape. Together these 2 sources of guidance lead attention to the target. However, if a target is red and green among red-blue and green-blue distractors, it is not possible to guide search independently toward red items and green items or away from all blue items.

Reductive inactivation of soybean lipoxygenase 1 by catechols: a possible mechanism for regulation of lipoxygenase activity.

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), one of the most efficient inhibitors of lipoxygenases, is shown, by electron paramagnetic resonance, circular dichroism, and fluorescence studies, to reduce the catalytically active ferric soybean lipoxygenase 1 (Eox) to the inactive ferrous form (Ered). In decreasing order of reactivity, the following also reduce Eox: catechol greater than hydroquinone greater than 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol greater than esculetin greater than caffeic acid approximately equal to alpha-tocopherol greater than norepinephrine greater than dithiothreitol. The reduction of Eox by NDGA (kappa = 8.1 X 10(6) M-1 S-1, pH 9.0, 25 degrees C) is almost as fast as the Eox-catalyzed conversion of linoleate (LH) to 13(S)-hydroperoxy-9(Z), 11(E)-octadecadienoate (LOOH) and the oxidation of Ered by LOOH to give Eox. Thus, NDGA can efficiently inhibit the Eox-catalyzed conversion of LH to LOOH by reducing Eox to the inactive Ered, thereby diminishing the turnover rate. Lipoxygenase catalyzes the oxidation of NDGA by LOOH at a rate that is consistent with the independently determined rate constant for the reduction of Eox by NDGA. All four reducing equivalents from the two catechol groups in NDGA can be utilized in the reduction of Eox, leading to the consumption of 4 mol of LOOH/mol of NDGA initially present. Because the catalytically inactive Ered is oxidized by fatty acid hydroperoxides (e.g., LOOH) to give the active Eox, reducing agents such as NDGA are most effective as lipoxygenase inhibitors at low hydroperoxide concentrations. Our results suggest that in vivo, where lipid hydroperoxides are maintained at low steady-state levels, reduction of lipoxygenase from the ferric to ferrous state may be important in the regulation of lipoxygenase activity and hence leukotriene biosynthesis.

Structural and biochemical properties of bidentate tetraaquarhodium(III) complexes of inorganic pyrophosphate and adenosine 5'-diphosphate.

The structural and biochemical properties of the alpha,beta-bidentate tetraaquarhodium(III) complexes of inorganic pyrophosphate [Rh(H2O)4PP] and adenosine diphosphate [Rh(H2O)4ADP] are examined. These Rh(III) complexes are exchange-inert analogues of the corresponding physiologically important MgIIPP and MgIIADP complexes. The crystal structure of [Rh(H2O)4H2P2O7]+Cl- shows that the six-membered chelate ring adopts a twist-boat conformation with an unusually high puckering amplitude of 0.756 (3) A. The Rh coordination distances average 2.02 (1) A, while the bridge P-O bonds are virtually equal in length. All 10 protons of the complex participate in hydrogen bonding. There are two intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the phosphate oxygen atoms and the axially coordinated water molecules. The Rh(H2O)4PP complex was found to be a substrate for yeast inorganic pyrophosphatase, with Ki = 0.063 (7) mM and Vm = 500 (100) min-1. The two screw sense isomers of Rh(H2O)4ADP were prepared from (Rp)-[alpha-16O,18O]ADP and assigned configuration on the basis of the magnitude of their 31P NMR isotopic chemical shifts. The Rh(H2O)4ADP complex binds a number of kinases as tightly as MgADP. Arginine kinase and creatine kinase were shown to bind the delta Rh(H2O)4ADP isomer 7 and 45 times tighter, respectively, than the lambda isomer. The reactivity of Rh(H2O)4PP with pyrophosphatase is comparable to that of Cr(H2O)4PP, and the binding affinities of the Rh(H2O)4ADP screw sense isomers for kinases are also comparable to those observed for the corresponding Cr(H2O)4ADP screw sense isomers.

Is the vacuum sign in the sacro-iliac joint a useful radiological sign of chondrocalcinosis?

To test the contention that intra-articular gas is a radiological finding in chondrocalcinosis (CPPD), the prevalence of the sign was assessed in 44 patients with the disorder and compared to a control group of 272. We conclude that sacro-iliac gas is an inconstant finding occurring no more frequently in those with CPPD than in controls of the same age and sex. Consequently, this radiological finding is of limited clinical value.