Study of the ground multiplet of Kramers rare earth ions in solid matrices by multifrequency electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy: Nd3+ in PbWO4 single-crystals

A multifrequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) investigation of Nd(3+) impurities in PbWO(4) single-crystals at the conventional microwave frequency (MF) 9.43 GHz, and at the 95, 190, and 285 GHz high frequencies was carried out. The resulting spectra are well described at all frequencies by an axial spin-Hamiltonian corresponding to an effective electron spin of one-half and to a tetragonal symmetry. For the magnetic field along the tetragonal axis, the g(parallel)-factor and the hyperfine constant A(parallel) of the lowest doublet of the ground multiplet decreases with frequency increase. For the magnetic field perpendicular to the tetragonal axis, the g(perpendicular)-factor exhibits a small azimuthal angular dependence that increases with increasing the frequency due to the S(4) site symmetry. The azimuthal angular dependence allows to clearly distinguish between different local axial symmetries. These properties are interpreted as high field/frequency (HF) effects associated with the mixing by the large Zeeman interaction of some of the upper-lying doublets of the ground multiplet into the lowest-lying doublet states. We show that from the combined analysis of the multifrequency MF- and HF-EPR spectra and of the optical data, an accurate description of the ground multiplet of the Kramers rare earth ions in solid matrices can be derived.

In-depth investigation of EPR spectra of Mn(2+) ions in ZnS single crystals with pure cubic structure

The X (9.8 GHz)-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) properties of substitutional Mn(2+) ions in high quality cubic ZnS single crystals grown from PbCl(2) flux have been thoroughly investigated. Accurate spin Hamiltonian (SH) parameters: g = 2.002 25 ± 0.000 06; a = (7.987 ± 0.008) × 10(-4) cm(-1) and A = -(63.88 ± 0.02) × 10(-4) cm(-1) were obtained by simulation and fitting to the experimentally allowed transitions recorded for the magnetic field aligned within ± 0.25° along the main crystal axes. The normally forbidden hyperfine [Formula: see text], Δm = ± 1 transitions were also observed. Their position was found to be in agreement, within the experimental accuracy of ΔH = ± 0.01 mT, with calculations using the same SH parameters. The angular variation of the ratios of the intensities of the central forbidden to the allowed transitions could be accounted for only by including an additional constant contribution. The observed line broadening of the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] fine structure transitions and their line width variation in a (110) plane have been quantitatively described by considering a random distribution of lattice strains at the Mn(2+) impurity ions. The influence of the forbidden transitions and line broadening on the EPR spectra line shape of the Mn(2+) ions in cubic ZnS crystalline powders is also examined.

Hormonal and metabolic defects in a prader-willi syndrome mouse model with neonatal failure to thrive

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) has a biphasic clinical phenotype with failure to thrive in the neonatal period followed by hyperphagia and severe obesity commencing in childhood among other endocrinological and neurobehavioral abnormalities. The syndrome results from loss of function of several clustered, paternally expressed genes in chromosome 15q11-q13. PWS is assumed to result from a hypothalamic defect, but the pathophysiological basis of the disorder is unknown. We hypothesize that a fetal developmental abnormality in PWS leads to the neonatal phenotype, whereas the adult phenotype results from a failure in compensatory mechanisms. To address this hypothesis and better characterize the neonatal failure to thrive phenotype during postnatal life, we studied a transgenic deletion PWS (TgPWS) mouse model that shares similarities with the first stage of the human syndrome. TgPWS mice have fetal and neonatal growth retardation associated with profoundly reduced insulin and glucagon levels. Consistent with growth retardation, TgPWS mice have deregulated liver expression of IGF system components, as revealed by quantitative gene expression studies. Lethality in TgPWS mice appears to result from severe hypoglycemia after postnatal d 2 after depletion of liver glycogen stores. Consistent with hypoglycemia, TgPWS mice appear to have increased fat oxidation. Ghrelin levels increase in TgPWS reciprocally with the falling glucose levels, suggesting that the rise in ghrelin reported in PWS patients may be secondary to a perceived energy deficiency. Together, the data reveal defects in endocrine pancreatic function as well as glucose and hepatic energy metabolism that may underlie the neonatal phenotype of PWS.

[Diclofenac 75mg. and 30 mg. orfenadine (Neodolpasse) versus placebo and piroxicam in postoperative analgesia after arthroscopy]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

Arthroscopy is often performed in an out-patient department or as one-day surgery. Opioids often used as postoperative analgesics may have unwanted side effects that may postpone the patient's discharge from hospital. This study was designed to evaluate a substitute for the most frequently used opioid pethidine. For pain relief, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs are recommended, but they offer a limited choice for parenteral administration. We used a new agent (Neodolpasse) based on diclophenac and orphenadine, and compared its efficacy with piroxicam and placebo.

METHODS

A total of 119 patients scheduled for knee joint arthroscopy were included in this prospective study. In a randomized, double-blind manner, they received piroxicam (P), Neodolpasse (combining 75 mg diclophenac and 30 mg orphenadine; N) or placebo (C). The number of patients in groups P, N and C were 44, 35 and 40, respectively. The effect of therapy was evaluated on the basis of the following criteria: duration of post-operative analgesia until a request for another analgesic, pain intensity (0-10 VAS), side effects and the patient's satisfaction with analgesia. The efficacy was evaluated for 24 hours after arthroscopy; premedication and analgesia induction and administration followed the same anesthetic protocol in all groups. The ethic committee approved the study and patients gave their informed consent. The results were statistically evaluated using the ANOVA analysis of variance completed by a multiple comparison of levels of significance according to Bonferroni. The presence of side and unwanted effects was analyzed by the chi-square of Fisher's exact test. A p value les than 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in the number of patients not requiring further analgesic medication after arthroscopy (P 52.3% vs. C (11.7%) p < 0.05, N (68.6%) vs. C p < 0.001), lower average postoperative pain (0 to 10-point scale, P 2.4 vs. C 2.9 p < 0.05, N 1.5 vs. C p < 0.05) and fewer side effects (N vs. both P and C, p < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

The combination of diclophenac with orphenadine for intravenous application has only recently been available in the Czech Republic. The addition of a central muscle relaxant to a peripheral analgesic has a better effect than diclophenac alone. This may also account for a longer duration of analgesia in comparison with piroxicam reported to have significantly longer analgesic effects. The new medication also had fewer side effects. It was interesting to record that even the patients who had more pain and shorter postoperative analgesia were satisfied with the therapy provided.

CONCLUSIONS

The main result of this study is the finding that Neodolpasse significantly reduces the intensity of postoperative pain and increases the duration of postoperative analgesia after knee joint arthroscopy.

A multistep process for the dispersal of a Y chromosomal lineage in the Mediterranean area

In this work we focus on a microsatellite-defined Y-chromosomal lineage (network 1.2) identified by us and reported in previous studies, whose geographic distribution and antiquity appear to be compatible with the Neolithic spread of farmers. Here, we set network 1.2 in the Y-chromosomal phylogenetic tree, date it with respect to other lineages associated with the same movements by other authors, examine its diversity by means of tri- and tetranucleotide loci and discuss the implications in reconstructing the spread of this group of chromosomes in the Mediterranean area. Our results define a tripartite phylogeny within HG 9 (Rosser et al. 2000), with the deepest branching defined by alleles T (Haplogroup Eu10) or G (Haplogroup Eu9) at M172 (Semino et al. 2000), and a subsequent branching within Eu9 defined by network 1.2. Population distributions of HG 9 and network 1.2 show that their occurrence in the surveyed area is not due to the spread of people from a single parental population but, rather, to a process punctuated by at least two phases. Our data identify the wide area of the Balkans, Aegean and Anatolia as the possible homeland harbouring the largest variation within network 1.2. The use of recently proposed tests based on the stepwise mutation model suggests that its spread was associated to a population expansion, with a high rate of male gene flow in the Turkish-Greek area.

Src homology 2-containing inositol 5-phosphatase 1 binds to the multifunctional docking site of c-Met and potentiates hepatocyte growth factor-induced branching tubulogenesis

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/scatter factor is a multifunctional cytokine that induces mitogenesis, motility, and morphogenesis in epithelial, endothelial, and neuronal cells. The receptor for HGF/scatter factor was identified as c-Met tyrosine kinase, and activation of the receptor induces multiple signaling cascades. To gain further insight into c-Met-mediated multiple events at a molecular level, we isolated several signaling molecules including a novel binding partner of c-Met, SH2 domain-containing inositol 5-phosphatase 1 (SHIP-1). Western blot analysis revealed that SHIP-1 is expressed in the epithelial cell line, Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. SHIP-1 binds at phosphotyrosine 1356 at the multifunctional docking site. Because a number of signaling molecules such as Grb2, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and Gab1 bind to the multifunctional docking site, we further performed an in vitro competition study using glutathione S-transferase- or His-tagged signaling molecules with c-Met tyrosine kinase. Our binding study revealed that SHIP-1, Grb2, and Gab1 bound preferentially over phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Surprisingly, MDCK cells that overexpress SHIP-1 demonstrated branching tubulogenesis within 2 days after HGF treatment, whereas wild-type MDCK cells showed tubulogenesis only after 6 days following treatment without altering cell scattering or cell growth potency. Furthermore, overexpression of a mutant SHIP-1 lacking catalytic activity impaired HGF-mediated branching tubulogenesis.

Y chromosome analysis reveals a sharp genetic boundary in the Carpathian region

Nine single nucleotide (SNP) or indel binary polymorphisms were used to determine the frequencies and phylogenetic relationships of 12 Y chromosomal haplogroups in 289 males from Romania and the Republic of Moldova. Our data indicated a low but not null rate of the homoplasic appearance of the DYZ3 (-) allelic state. All other markers confirmed the previously proposed phylogeny. Based on the affinities between populations in terms of haplogroup frequencies, this work identified the geographical region of the Carpathians as a break point in the gene geography of Eastern Central Europe, providing a finer definition of one of the possible sharp genetic changes between Western and Eastern Europe.

Interferometric sensor for detection of surface-bound bioreactions

An integrated optical interferometer for direct detection of affinity reactions is presented. A modern version of a Young's interferometer is built with a waveguide structure as beam splitter and as sensing element. Resistive waveguides were produced by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of silicon oxinitride. At the output of this device a fringe pattern is detected by a CCD line camera. The adsorption of molecules on top of the waveguides is observed with a detection limit of 750 fg/mm(2). The resolvable variation of effective refractive index is 9 x 10(-8).

The direct association of the multiple PDZ domain containing proteins (MUPP-1) with the human c-Kit C-terminus is regulated by tyrosine kinase activity

We have identified the multiple PDZ domain containing protein (MUPP-1 or MPDZ) as a novel binding partner of the human c-Kit. c-Kit binds specifically to the 10th PDZ domain of MUPP-1 via its C-terminal sequence. Furthermore, a kinase negative-mutant receptor interacted more strongly with MUPP-1 than the wild-type c-Kit. Strikingly, a constitutively activated c-Kit (D816V-Kit) did not bind to MUPP-1, although this oncogenic form retains the PDZ binding motif 'HDDV' at the C-terminal end. Deletion of V967 of c-Kit abolished binding to MUPP-1 and drastically reduced its tyrosine kinase activity, suggesting that the structure of the C-terminal tail of c-Kit influences its enzymatic activity.

Patterns of male-specific inter-population divergence in Europe, West Asia and North Africa

We typed 1801 males from 55 locations for the Y-specific binary markers YAP, DYZ3, SRY10831 and the (CA)n microsatellites YCAII and DYS413. Phylogenetic relationships of chromosomes with the same binary haplotype were condensed in seven large one-step networks, which accounted for 95% of all chromosomes. Their coalescence ages were estimated based on microsatellite diversity. The three largest and oldest networks undergo sharp frequency changes in three areas. The more recent network 3.1A clearly discriminates between Western and Eastern European populations. Pairwise Fst showed an overall increment with increasing geographic distance but with a slope greatly reduced when compared to previous reports. By sectioning the entire data set according to geographic and linguistic criteria, we found higher Fst-on-distance slopes within Europe than in West Asia or across the two continents.

Direct interaction of nerve growth factor receptor, TrkA, with non-receptor tyrosine kinase, c-Abl, through the activation loop

The nerve growth factor receptor, TrkA, is essential for the survival and differentiation of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems. To understand the molecular principles underlying this differentiation step, we employed a yeast two-hybrid screening protocol using human TrkA as bait. We isolated c-Abl as a TrkA-interacting protein, in addition to known proteins such as phospholipase Cgamma and SH2-B. This interaction was confirmed by an in vitro binding assay using glutathione S-tranferase-Abl fusion protein. Furthermore, we show here that c-Abl binds to phosphotyrosine residue(s) in the kinase activation loop of TrkA.

The binding of Violamycin BI to poly-C

The binding constant Kst of Violamycin BI (VBI) to poly-C at small and medium values of the concentration ratio p (0-12) is determined using the procedure of Schwarz under two different conditions: at constant C(VBIo) and variable C(po), and at p = C(po)/C(VBIo) = const. The average value obtained for Kst is 3.3 +/- 0.1 x 10(4) M-1, whereas the cooperativity parameter q of 13 characterizes a moderate cooperative interaction between adjacent bound ligands. In contrast, at large values of p (12-355) the formation of isolated bound dimers on the poly-C chain is observed. At pH 7, VBI dimerizes in solution with a dimerization constant strongly dependent on ionic strength: Kd = 732 +/- 20 M-1 and (9.3 +/- 0.2) x 10(3) M-1 at I = 0.02 M and 0.2 M respectively. The lower and upper boundaries for the binding constant of the dimer to the polynucleotide at large values of p are 1.0 x 10(-5) M-1 and 6.25 x 10(-6) M-1 respectively.

Biochemical and cytogenetical study of the mycoplasmal antigen and of the cyclophosphamide action in mammalians, in vivo. The action of some immunomodulatory antioxidants

It was proved spectrophotometrically that Mycoplasma agalactiae antigen inoculated in vivo in sheep modifies the corresponding erythrocyte lysates reactivity toward methylene blue and neutral red and induces several types of chromosomal rearrangements. The treatment in vivo of sheep with an original preparation obtained from the Phaseolus vulgaris pods restores the erythrocyte lysates reactivity toward the two redox dyes and reduces the chromosomal abnormalities frequency induced by the mycoplasmal antigen. It was also demonstrated by optical and electronical microscopy that the Smise line mouse meiocytes exhibit chromosomal abnormalities induced by the cyclophosphamide treatment in vivo. In the case of concomitant treatment with the cyclophosphamide and C vitamin the same frequency of abnormalities was recorded as in the simple treatment with the drug.

Pedal polydactyly: an overview with case report

Polydactyly is a fairly common congenital condition of the foot, and is characterized by supernumerary digits and/or metatarsals. It may be an isolated condition or part of a congenital syndrome. Polydactyly is generally classified into three major groups: medial ray (preaxial), central ray, and lateral ray (postaxial). A review of polydactyly and an unusual case report of central ray involvement and its surgical correction are presented.

Proliferating trichilemmal cyst. Report of four cases, two with nondiploid DNA content and increased proliferation index

Proliferating trichilemmal cyst (PTC) is an uncommon tumor that usually arises on the scalp of elderly women. Its biologic nature is that of a benign lesion with occasional local recurrences. PTC can be confused both grossly and microscopically with squamous cell carcinoma and malignant PTC. Distinction between these lesions has historically been made on a histologic basis. We present four cases of PTC. Histologically, the lesions consisted of lobules of basaloid cells admixed with larger pale-staining cells with abrupt trichilemmal type of keratinization and peripheral palisading embedded in a fibrous stroma. Flow cytometry performed on nuclear extracts of the lesions revealed two of the four lesions to have nondiploid DNA content. Proliferation index, measured by immunohistochemical staining with Ki-67 monoclonal antibody along with mitotic rate count, was higher in the two nondiploid lesions as compared with their diploid counterparts. The results raise the question of the significance of aneuploidy and increased proliferation indices in otherwise benign PTC.

[Verification of the usefulness of Estrophan inj. Spofa in the control of reproductive parameters in sows after weaning of piglets]

Cloprostenol, a prostaglandin F2-alpha analogue, used in the Czechoslovak preparation Oestrophan ing. Spofa was tested by a new nontraditional use. The effect of cloprostenol use on reproductive parameters of sows after piglet weaning was followed in a set of 456 experimental and 434 control sows. The effect of single intramuscular instillation of cloprostenol was tested in five partial observations: to multiparous sows at a dose of 175 micrograms on the day of weaning (experimental group no. 1), on day 1 after weaning (group no. 2), 500 micrograms on day 1 after weaning (group no.3), to primiparous sows at a dose of 500 microgram on day 1 after weaning (group no. 4). The treatment used in group no. 4 was also applied to 42 primiparous sows kept on a farm with regular occurrence of post-weaning anoestria of sows (experimental group no. 5). These parameters were evaluated: dynamics of oestrus onset within five, and/or ten, days after weaning, average length of the weaning--first insemination interval, conception rate after the first insemination in dependence on terminated deliveries and parameters of piglet litter. Cloprostenol application did not have a statistically significant effect on the evaluated reproductive parameters. The percentage of multiparous, and/or primiparous, sows in which the oestrus onset was not detected by the 10th day after weaning, did not show any large differences in the various experimental and control groups (17.09 vs. 16.55%, 23.53 vs. 32.56%, 13.66 vs. 18.13%, 29.54 vs. 30.30%; P > 0.05). On the farm with regular occurrence of post-weaning anoestria there were 73.81% of primiparous sows with oestrus onset after cloprostenol instillation and 71.43% primiparous sows without treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Fertilizing capability of breeding boars by evaluation of the early pregnancy factor in test sows]

The fertilizing ability of breeding boars was evaluated on the basis of an early pregnancy factor (EPF) determined in the blood serum of test sows by the method of rosette inhibition. The fertilizing ability was tested in ten boars on an insemination farm: the fertilizing potency of 41 ejaculates was evaluated from the percent conception of 105 test sows. The percent conception of test sows was evaluated from the EPF positive findings in the blood serum of these sows in the average range of 8.02 +/- 1.70 days (the range of 2 to 11 days) after insemination and from the recorded deliveries. The evaluation of the fertilizing of boars on the basis of EPF in test sows revealed in most cases the higher fertilization rate than could be found on the basis of the recorded deliveries of test sows. There was an exception to this trend: one breeding boar with a paradoxical finding of the somewhat higher percentage of deliveries recorder in test sows, in comparison with the fertilization ability according to the results of EPF. Identical results of the two criteria of fertilizing ability were recorder in another boar with a small number of tested ejaculates and test sows. The average fertilization of the whole set of the breeding boars, expressed by the average percent conception of all test sows, reached 86.67% on the basis of the EPF positive findings in 2 to 11 days after insemination, and 67.31% on the basis of recorded deliveries. These differences in fertilization are likely to be related to the share of dams and can be ascribed to embryonic mortality.