Dynamic interplay between sortilin and syndecan-1 contributes to prostate cancer progression

Prostate cancer (PCa) development and progression relies on the programming of glucose and lipid metabolism, and this involves alterations in androgen receptor expression and signalling. Defining the molecular mechanism that underpins this metabolic programming will have direct significance for patients with PCa who have a poor prognosis. Here we show that there is a dynamic balance between sortilin and syndecan-1, that reports on different metabolic phenotypes. Using tissue microarrays, we demonstrated by immunohistochemistry that sortilin was highly expressed in low-grade cancer, while syndecan-1 was upregulated in high-grade disease. Mechanistic studies in prostate cell lines revealed that in androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells, sortilin enhanced glucose metabolism by regulating GLUT1 and GLUT4, while binding progranulin and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) to limit lipid metabolism. In contrast, in androgen-insensitive PC3 cells, syndecan-1 was upregulated, interacted with LPL and colocalised with β3 integrin to promote lipid metabolism. In addition, androgen-deprived LNCaP cells had decreased expression of sortilin and reduced glucose-metabolism, but increased syndecan-1 expression, facilitating interactions with LPL and possibly β3 integrin. We report a hitherto unappreciated molecular mechanism for PCa, which may have significance for disease progression and how androgen-deprivation therapy might promote castration-resistant PCa.

Mechanical pre-treatment of source-collected municipal biowaste prior to energy recovery by anaerobic digestion

Pre-treatments are usually necessary to prepare biowaste to anaerobic digestion. The major objectives are (i) to remove undesirable materials such as plastics and metals, which may contaminate the biowaste even if separated source-collection systems are implemented, and (ii) to extract the most readily biodegradable organic fractions from the waste stream. In this study, two wet mechanical pre-treatments, namely air-compressed press and worm screw press, were investigated on urban household biowaste. Two liquid to solid ratios were tested in each pre-treatment. Anaerobic digestion of pre-treated biowaste was studied by measuring their biomethane potentials and by controlled experiments in a continuously stirred-tank reactor with a feed load of 3.5 gVS.L^-1.d^-1. It was observed that increasing liquid to solid ratio in the pre-treatments allowed to increase the proportion of biodegradable organic matter extracted from the biowaste, up to 949 gCOD.kgTS^-1 from household biowaste. The biomethane potentials of pre-treated waste were very high (up 525 LCH₄.kgVS^-1) and COD (949 gCOD.kg^-1TS) from household biowaste. Anaerobic digestion in continuously stirred-tank reactor showed a very strong conversion of COD load (81%) and a high methane production up to 345 LCH₄.kgVS^-1.

Mechanical pretreatment of municipal biowaste to produce an aqueous slurry dedicated to anaerobic digestion

The present study investigated a wet mechanical pretreatment to improve methane production by anaerobic digestion from biowaste material by separating a biodegradable aqueous slurry fraction (ASF) from a more recalcitrant particulate fraction (PF). Four source-sorted municipal biowastes were studied, namely household (HBW), supermarket (SBW), restaurant (RBW), and green biowaste (GBW). The treatment consisted in soaking the waste in water and then pressing the slurry through a grid with 3-mm openings to separate the two fractions. Methane production of ASF and PF obtained from the four biowastes were measured using the BMP protocol and compared to the potential of the respective untreated biowaste. Results were very different for GBW as compared to the other three BWs. With GBW, which was the most lignocellulosic of the BW studied, only 17% of the initial methane potential was recovered in the ASF. The extraction was much better on the other biowastes and increased in the following order: HBW (58%) ≃ RBW (57%) < SBW (67%). The ASF from these biowastes exhibited low total solid contents and high BMPs (416, 408, and 423 NL_CH4.g^-1_vs for HBW, RBW, and SBW respectively). The experimental results obtained in this study therefore showed that wet pressing separation was an efficient pretreatment to improve and facilitate methane production by anaerobic digestion of biowaste such as HBW, RBW, and SBW.

The ecological momentary assessment approach and the use of big data to analyse possible effects of urbanisation on mental health

Introduction

Smart healthcare monitoring allows detecting health conditions using Big Data, namely aggregated data concerning physiological and behavioral parameters. The continuous collection of data from smart-devices performed by the Ecological Momentary Assessment approach represents a promising application of Big Data.

Objectives

This preliminary study was aimed at developing a research protocol focused on the use of Big Data in evaluating the impact of urban environment, affected by a variety of potentially damaging anthropogenic actions, on illness relapses in Bipolar Disorders (BD).

Methods

This pilot study was designed by researchers from Departments of Psychiatry and Engineering (CIRIAF), University of Perugia. Environmental, physiological, and behavioral parameters and smart-devices aimed at collecting Big Data were identified. Subjects aged 18-65, affected by BD in current euthymic state referring to the University/General Hospital of Perugia will be recruited.

Results

Subjects will undergo a baseline visit and three monitoring visits during one year. Wearable devices will be provided for collecting data about environmental and physiological parameters. Behavioral data will be collected through smartphone accelerometers, GPS, and overall smartphone use. Big data will be stored into an online platform that will provide real-time feedback concerning the recorded variables. Clinical information concerning BD relapses will be collected. Machine learning techniques, integrated to deterministic analysis of urban environmental conditions, will be used to create possible predictive models for BD relapses.

Conclusions

The present project could allow the creation of a new operative platform for a better health management system correlating real-time Big Data to specific clinical features of BD.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Perinatal Arterial Ischemic Stroke in Fetal Vascular Malperfusion: A Case Series and Literature Review

Fetal vascular malperfusion includes a continuum of placental histologic abnormalities increasingly associated with perinatal brain injury, namely arterial ischemic stroke. Here, we describe the clinical-neuroimaging features of 5 neonates with arterial ischemic stroke and histologically proved fetal vascular malperfusion. All infarcts involved the anterior territories and were multiple in 2 patients. In 2 neonates, there were additional signs of marked dural sinus congestion, thrombosis, or both. A mixed pattern of chronic hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and acute infarcts was noted in 1 patient at birth. Systemic cardiac or thrombotic complications were present in 2 patients. These peculiar clinical-radiologic patterns may suggest fetal vascular malperfusion and should raise the suspicion of this rare, underdiagnosed condition carrying important implications in patient management, medicolegal actions, and future pregnancy counseling.

Characterization of municipal biowaste categories for their capacity to be converted into a feedstock aqueous slurry to produce methane by anaerobic digestion

Biowaste material is a good candidate for the production of energy in urban territories. The presence of undesirable or constituents mixed with the biowaste collected by municipalities makes it difficult to recycle organic matter of sufficient quality for agricultural uses. Methane production is particularly attractive for energy recovery notably because this energy vector can be distributed using the grid already in place for natural gas in many cities. Depending on the origin and biochemical composition of biowaste, methane can be produced using thermochemical (gasification then syngas methanation) or biological processes (anaerobic digestion). The objective of this work was to characterize the ability of biowaste to be used as a feedstock for anaerobic digestion. Based on considerations such as the quantities produced and the availability, four categories of biowaste produced in the city of Lyon were identified as potential key resources: Garden biowaste (GBW), restauration biowaste (RBW), household biowaste (HBW) and supermarkets biowaste (SMBW). Representative samples were taken from the sites of production and analyzed for parameters including biomethane potential (BMP). Each sample was then fractioned by leaching and the distribution of the BMP between the particulate fraction and the readily soluble fraction was assessed. GBW organic matter exhibited high hemicellulose content (over 81% of VS) and a low BMP which was very poorly distributed into its soluble fraction (2 NL·kg_TS^-1). RBW, HBW and SMBW showed a much higher BMP with a strong distribution in the soluble fraction (100 NL·kg_TS^-1). Plastic materials were found to account for up to 40% of the mass of SMBW sample. Altogether, GBW was identified as non-favorable for anaerobic digestion and recommended rather for thermochemical conversion. HBW, RBW and SMBW revealed adapted to anaerobic. Pulping was shown to be applicable in order to convert the 3 biowaste materials into a pumpable slurry with high biomethane potential.

Air pollutants and daily number of admissions to psychiatric emergency services: evidence for detrimental mental health effects of ozone

AIMS

Aim of the current study is to investigate the associations between daily levels of air pollutants (particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide) and daily admissions for mental disorders to the emergency department of two general hospitals in Umbria region (Italy).

METHODS

We collected data about daily admissions to psychiatric emergency services of two general hospitals, air pollutants' levels and meteorological data for the time period 1 January 2015 until 31 December 2016. We assessed the impact of an increase in air pollutants on the number of daily admissions using a time-series econometric framework.

RESULTS

A total of 1860 emergency department admissions for mental disorders were identified. We observed a statistically significant impact of ozone levels on daily admissions. The estimated coefficient of O3 is statistically significant at the 1% level. All other pollutants were not significantly associated with the number of daily admissions.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term exposure to ozone may be associated with increased psychiatric emergency services admissions. Findings add to previous literature on existing evidence for air pollution to have an impact on mental health. Ozone may be considered a potential environmental risk factor for impaired mental health.

Dynamic modeling of nitrogen removal for a three-stage integrated fixed-film activated sludge process treating municipal wastewater

The integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) process is being increasingly used to enhance nitrogen removal for former activated sludge systems. The aim of this work is to evaluate a numerical model of a new nitrifying/denitrifying IFAS configuration. It consists of two carrier-free reactors (anoxic and aerobic) and one IFAS reactor with a filling ratio of 43% of carriers, followed by a clarifier. Simulations were carried out with GPS-X involving the nitrification reaction combined with a 1D heterogeneous biofilm model, including attachment/detachment processes. An original iterative calibration protocol was created comprising four steps and nine actions. Experimental campaigns were carried out to collect data on the pilot in operation, specifically for modelling purpose. The model used was able to predict properly the variations of the activated sludge (bulk) and the biofilm masses, the nitrification rates of both the activated sludge and the biofilm, and the nitrogen concentration in the effluent for short (4-10 days) and long (300 days) simulation runs. A calibrated parameter set is proposed (biokinetics, detachment, diffusion) related to the activated sludge, the biofilm and the effluent variables to enhance the model prediction on hourly and daily data sets.

Not the same old madness: Evaluating the clinical profile of the “schizophrenia spectrum” disorders

Introduction

The “schizophrenia spectrum” concept allowed better identifying the psychopathology underpinning disorders including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder (SZA) and cluster A personality disorders (PD).

Aims

To compare the clinical portrait of the schizophrenia spectrum disorders, focusing on the impact of the affective dimension.

Methods

Inpatients at the acute psychiatric ward of Perugia (Umbria-Italy) were evaluated with the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV Axis I and Axis II disorders and diagnosed with a “schizophrenia spectrum” disorder according to DSM-IV-TR. The clinical evaluation was conducted using the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). Pearson correlations of the different subscales in the three groups and between the negative scales with the affective symptom “depression” were conducted.

Results

The sample consisted of 72 inpatients (schizophrenia 55.6%, SZA 20% and cluster A PD 19.4%). The negative and the general psychopathology scales directly correlated at different degrees in the three groups (schizophrenia: r = 0.750; P < 0.001; SZA: r = 0.625, P = 0.006; cluster A PD: r = 0.541, P = 0.046). The symptom “depression” directly correlated with 5 out of 7 negative symptoms: blunted affect (r = 0.616, P < 0.001), emotional withdrawal (r = 0.643, P < 0.001), poor rapport (r = 0.389, P = 0.001), passive/apathetic social withdrawal (r = 0.538, P < 0.001), lack of spontaneity & flow of conversation (r = 0.399, P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Our study confirmed the existence of the “schizophrenia spectrum” with combined different disorders lying on a continuum in which negative symptoms mainly correlated with the psychopathological functioning. Noteworthy, the symptoms of the negative scale strongly correlated with the “depression” symptom, underlying the impact of the affective symptoms on the severity of the “schizophrenia spectrum” disorders.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Nucleated erythrocytes in blood smears of dogs undergoing chemotherapy

The frequency of normoblastemia in dogs receiving chemotherapy is unknown. To provide this information, we calculated the percentage and number of nucleated erythrocytes (nRBCs) in blood of dogs treated for lymphoma (n = 284), mast cell tumour (n = 40) or carcinoma (n = 46). Relative normoblastemia (>1 or >5%) and absolute normoblastemia (>0.1 or >0.4 × 10³  µL^-1 ) were found after administration of vincristine (49.3, 20.5, 42.5, 19.2%, respectively), carboplatin (37.0, 2.2, 34.8, 13.0%), cyclophosphamide (30.8, 7.7, 23.1, 7.7%), doxorubicin (25.0, 8.3, 21.7, 6.7%), vinblastine and prednisone (25.0; 5.0; 22.5; 7.5%). Absolute normoblastemia was very severe (>1.0 × 10³ nRBC µL^-1 ) after administration of vincristine (9.6%), doxorubicin (3.3%), vinblastine and prednisone (2.5%). Absolute normoblastemia negatively correlated with RBC counts (P < 0.001) and positively (P < 0.001) with reticulocyte and WBC counts, but correlation coefficients were low (-0.19, 0.37, 0.15). Vincristine, doxorubicin or vinblastine and prednisone may induce severe normoblastemia. This may increase WBC counts and mask neutropenia associated with chemotherapy.

Understanding the contribution of biofilm in an integrated fixed-film-activated sludge system (IFAS) designed for nitrogen removal

The objective of this study is to improve knowledge on the integrated fixed-film-activated sludge (IFAS) system designed for nitrogen removal. Biofilm growth and its contribution to nitrification were monitored under various operating conditions in a semi-industrial pilot-scale plant. Nitrification rates were observed in biofilms developed on free-floating media and in activated sludge operated under a low sludge retention time (4 days) and at an ammonia loading rate of 45-70 gNH4-N/kgMLVSS/d. Operational conditions, i.e. oxygen concentration, redox potential, suspended solids concentration, ammonium and nitrates, were monitored continuously in the reactors. High removal efficiencies were observed for carbon and ammonium at high-loading rate. The contribution of biofilm to nitrification was determined as 40-70% of total NOx-N production under the operating conditions tested. Optimal conditions to optimize process compacity were determined. The tested configuration responds especially well to winter and summer nitrification conditions. These results help provide a deeper understanding of how autotrophic biomass evolves through environmental and operational conditions in IFAS systems.

[Efficacy of aripiprazole on cognitive and behavioral changes in a young woman with systemic lupus erythematosus]

This paper describes the use of aripiprazole for the management of cognitive deficits and behavioral disorders in a young female patient suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Cognitive impairment, although often transient, is reported up to 75% of patients with SLE. The behavioral changes and, more generally, clear psychotic episodes have an incidence of 5% but they lead to considerable difficulties in clinical and therapeutic management. In cases with psychiatric manifestations of SLE, it is often necessary to introduce psychopharmacological therapy. The choice of aripiprazole has been made especially in light of low liability to cause weight gain and metabolic side effects. In fact aripiprazole is characterized by an original mechanism of action: it combines partial agonist activity on D(2), D(3) and 5-HT(1A) receptor with antagonistic activity on 5-HT(2A) and D(2). Aripiprazole has demonstrated efficacy in the management of behavioral disturbances and has improved some of impaired cognitive functions. Aripiprazole, therefore, could be a great tool in young patients with SLE.

Sialic acid and sialyltransferase activity in serum and tissues of dogs with mammary tumors

In humans, the glycosylation pattern of serum and of membrane glycoproteins is associated with invasiveness of tumors: specifically, α2,6-sialylation and α2,3-sialylation are associated with metastasizing and nonmetastasizing tumors, respectively. In turn, the type of sialylation depends on the activity of α2,6 or α2,3 sialyltransferase (ST) enzymes. Because of the high prevalence of metastasizing tumors with biological behavior similar to the human counterpart, female dogs with metastasizing neoplasms could provide a good animal model for investigating the potential roles of sialic acid (Sia) and ST enzymes in the pathogenesis of metastatic tumors. The aims of this study were (1) to validate a solid-phase method based on lectin staining of serum and tissue homogenates to investigate sialylation and ST activity and (2) to compare the results obtained with this method and with lectin staining and to collect preliminary information on sialylation and ST activity in dogs with (n = 8) and without (n = 8) mammary tumors. The data recorded in healthy dogs revealed that serum and tissue glycoproteins are prevalently characterized by a α2,6 sialylation, but ST-α2,3 seems to be the most active enzyme in both samples. Sia-α2,3 and ST-α2,3 activity decreases in serum and tissues of dogs with tumors, especially in a dog with metastasis, suggesting that the equilibrium between ST-α2,6 and ST-α2,3 activity shifts toward the former, as reported in humans.

How nanoparticles encapsulating fluorophores allow a double detection of biomolecules by localized surface plasmon resonance and luminescence

The paper shows how polysiloxane particles encapsulating fluorophores can be successfully used to detect biotin-streptavidin binding by two types of technique. After functionalization of the particles by streptavidin, the fixation of the biomolecule can indeed be detected by a shift of the localized surface plasmon resonance of the biotinylated gold dots used as substrate and by the luminescence of the fluorophores evidenced by scanning near-field optical microscopy. The development of particles allowing such a double detection opens a route for increasing the reliability of biological detection and for multi-labelling strategies crossing both detection principles.

Prediction of the separation number of capillary columns in programmed temperature gas chromatographic analysis

The efficiency of capillary columns in programmed temperature analysis can be evaluated by calculation of the separation number ("Trennzahl"). A procedure for the prediction of this parameter at various initial temperatures, carrier gas pressures and heating rates, by using as the starting data the retention times and the peak widths obtained in some isobaric and isothermal runs is described. An equation is proposed that permits to obtain the values of the peak width at half height in any isothermal and linearly programmed temperature gas chromatographic run and therefore to calculate the separation number value. The effect on this parameter of the column polarity was investigated by using polar and non-polar compounds (n-alkanes and 1-alcohols).

Room-temperature continuous-wave operation of Ti:sapphire buried channel-waveguide lasers fabricated via proton implantation

Fabrication and laser operation of proton-implanted Ti:sapphire buried channel waveguides is reported for the first time to our knowledge. Without any postimplantation annealing of the structures, continuous laser operation near 780 nm was demonstrated at room temperature at an absorbed pump power threshold of 230 mW. Single-transverse-mode laser emission was observed with measured beam propagation factors M(2)(x) and M(2)(y) of 1.5 and 1.2, respectively. An output power of 12.4 mW for 1 W pump power was obtained with an output coupler of 4.6% transmission at the signal wavelength. Higher output powers were measured in waveguides with larger cross sections exhibiting multimode laser emission.

Factors affecting dropout in outpatient eating disorder treatment

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the incidence and effects of factors potentially influencing eating disordered patients' dropping out of outpatient cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT).

METHOD

Sixty-seven (64 female, 3 male) patients with eating disorders participated in the study. All patients followed a multidisciplinary team approach for a median period of 9 months. Several factors potentially affecting dropout were retrospectively assessed prior to treatment.

RESULTS

The dropout rate was significantly higher in patients with purging anorexia nervosa (AN) compared to those with restrictive AN, bulimia nervosa and eating disorder not otherwise specified (33% vs. 27%, 25% or 21%, respectively, p<0.05). Among several factors influencing dropout, there was a significant association of patient low cooperativeness, purging episodes, restrictive eating, use of several weight control practices and psychiatric co-morbidity in patients who dropped out compared to completers (all p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In outpatient eating disorder treatment, non-compliance and premature interruption of therapy are affected primarily by factors which are related to patients' attitude and behaviour. These factors should be carefully addressed in patients with eating disorders to improve outcome.

Prediction of theoretical plate number in isothermal gas chromatographic analysis on capillary columns

A method for the prediction of the efficiency of gas chromatographic analysis in isothermal conditions by using experimental data of 1-alcohols and n-alkanes measured on capillary columns filled with polar and non-polar stationary phases in isothermal and isobaric conditions is described. The theoretical plate height trend indicates the change of separation efficiency as a function of inlet pressure and column temperature. By evaluating the variation of the diffusion coefficients of the analysed compounds into the mobile and stationary phase it is possible to predict the column efficiency and the number of theoretical plates at any temperature.

Cerebral folate deficiency with developmental delay, autism, and response to folinic acid

The authors describe a 6-year-old girl with developmental delay, psychomotor regression, seizures, mental retardation, and autistic features associated with low CSF levels of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, the biologically active form of folates in CSF and blood. Folate and B12 levels were normal in peripheral tissues, suggesting cerebral folate deficiency. Treatment with folinic acid corrected CSF abnormalities and improved motor skills.

Classification and comparison of capillary columns by determination of the solution enthalpy of polar and non polar probes

The behaviour and separation characteristics of capillary columns containing different stationary phases (bonded methyl- and methylphenylsiloxanes and polyglycols, and carbon layer and porous polymer) were classified and compared by measuring the values of the solution enthalpy DeltaHs of n-alkanes and 1-alcohols at various temperatures. The difference in DeltaHs values between straight-chain 1-alcohols and n-alkanes with the same number of carbon atom (DeltaDeltaHs) does not change with changing temperature when gas-liquid partition stationary phases are used, but depends on the column composition and polarity and therefore permits to evaluate the influence of polarity on the solute-solvent interaction. The trend of the DeltaDeltaHs values is correlated with that of the DeltaC parameter and with the McReynolds' polarity constants.

Effect of injected sample amount on the shape of chromatographic peaks under condition of linear partition isotherm

In a previous paper a model function was tested in order to approximate the peak shape obtained on non-polar column by injecting different compounds. The simulation of the symmetrical or non-symmetrical shape of gas chromatographic peaks was satisfactory. In this paper, the influence of the amount of injected substance was investigated at different values of inlet pressure and carrier gas velocity, in order to evaluate the relative contribution to the total peak area and shape of the symmetrical distribution due to partition phenomena and of the non-symmetrical and tailing distribution due to adsorption-desorption kinetics. The effect of the molecular mass and of the chain length of compounds belonging to the homologous series of 1-alcohols and n-alkanes on the adsorption phenomena was evaluated.

Prediction of retention times in linear gradient temperature and pressure programmed analysis on capillary columns

The simultaneous temperature and inlet pressure programming (TPP) in gas chromatographic analysis decreases the retention time and the maximum value of temperature required for the elution of high boiling substances. Therefore, compounds sensitive to thermal degradation can be better analysed and column ageing is reduced. However, the empirical choice of proper analysis conditions requires many preliminary runs; this paper describes a procedure for the theoretical prediction of retention times in TPP using few preliminary runs carried out in isobaric and isothermal conditions. The used program permits the prediction of the retention times of the compounds analysed with any different TPP run carried out within the temperature and pressure ranges investigated with the preliminary runs. The influence of various analytical parameters on the accuracy of the prediction values was investigated. The proposed model also predicts the relative position in the chromatogram of closely eluting peaks and the possible coincidence of retention times or inversion of the elution order with changing temperature. It is also possible to foresee the analytical conditions, which offer a baseline separation of all of the peaks of the sample.

Prediction of retention times and efficiency in linear gradient programmed pressure analysis on capillary columns

A method for the prediction of the retention time and the resolution of chromatographic peaks in different experimental conditions by starting from few experimental data measured in isothermal and isobaric analyses was published previously. In this paper, the same mathematical model was implemented for calculating the retention times and the column efficiency in programmed pressure runs. Some models originated from the Golay equation and reported in the literature are compared, and a new modified equation for the calculation of the peak width at half height is proposed. The procedure for the prediction of the retention time and the peak width at half height at programmed pressure of the carrier gas and different column temperature and linear gradient by using retention data of different compounds obtained in few isobaric runs is described. The prediction of the retention time and the separation efficiency of compounds with different polarity gave good results for the programmed pressure runs with linear gradient. The effect of the variation of the initial parameters of the experimental analyses and of the mathematical model on the accuracy of the prediction has been evaluated.

Evaluation and prediction of the shape of gas chromatographic peaks

The evaluation and prediction of the shape of asymmetric gas chromatographic peaks is important as the knowledge of the amount of tailing permits to foresee the resolution between closely eluting peaks and to select the best analytical conditions for an efficient and rapid separation. A model function was tested in order to approximate the true peak shape obtained on non-polar column by injecting different compounds. The trend of the parameters involved in the used equation has been investigated as a function of column temperature and inlet pressure. The reproduction of the symmetrical or asymmetrical shape of gas chromatographic peaks is satisfactory and the method also permits to predict the shape of peaks obtained in different conditions of temperature and pressure.

Novel insertional presenilin 1 mutation causing Alzheimer disease with spastic paraparesis

A four-generation pedigree exhibiting early-onset autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease (AD) with spastic paraplegia, dystonia, and dysarthria due to a novel 6-nucleotide insertional mutation in exon 3 of the presenilin 1 gene (PS1) is described. Serial examinations, PET scans, and autopsy revealed that the mutation in this highly conserved portion of PS1 causes an aggressive dementia that maintains the usual regional hierarchy of disease pathology while extending abnormalities into more widespread brain areas than typically seen in AD.

Prediction of the resolution of capillary columns in different conditions of inlet pressure and temperature

A procedure previously described for the prediction of the plate height of capillary columns operated at different inlet pressure of the carrier gas and at various column temperatures by using few retention data measured under isobaric conditions was modified and improved in order to permit the prediction of the retention times and of the peak widths at various heights. It is therefore possible to calculate the ratio, delta, between the peak width at different heights and the peak width at half height, whose value is used to predict the resolution at different height of two closely eluting peaks. It was found that the delta values do not depend on temperature and inlet pressure and are a characteristic of the used column; they can therefore be used in order to calculate the resolution in any temperature and inlet pressure condition. The method was used to predict the retention time, the peak width and the resolution of polar and non-polar compounds (alkanes, alkenes, chloroalkanes, alcohols, ketones) on capillary columns of different length and polarity by using as the starting data retention and width values measured in three isobaric runs only.