31P-NMR spectroscopy of phosphate compartmentation during ischaemia in hearts protected by cardioplegic treatment.

Four tissue compartments, differing in proton and inorganic phosphate concentration, were resolved by 31P-NMR spectroscopy in samples from dog hearts after cardioplegic treatment with HTK solution. Inversion of the physiological cytoplasmic-mitochondrial pH gradient was observed. The considerable ensuing acidosis of the matrix is discussed with regard to a possible delocalisation of ferrous ions

Centrifuge rolling test for ore liquefaction analysis

To study the development of liquefaction in ore cargo, a new Rolling Test has been designed to support similar stresses than those observed in a vessel. It can be used in an 80×g macrogravity field in the 5.5m radius Ifsttar geo-centrifuge. Its main characteristics are presented

SFTA2 - a novel secretory peptide highly expressed in the lung - is modulated by lipopolysaccharide but not hyperoxia

Tissue-specific transcripts are likely to be of importance for the corresponding organ. While attempting to define the specific transcriptome of the human lung, we identified the transcript of a yet uncharacterized protein, SFTA2. In silico analyses, biochemical methods, fluorescence imaging and animal challenge experiments were employed to characterize SFTA2. Human SFTA2 is located on Chr. 6p21.33, a disease-susceptibility locus for diffuse panbronchiolitis. RT-PCR verified the abundance of SFTA2-specific transcripts in human and mouse lung. SFTA2 is synthesized as a hydrophilic precursor releasing a 59 amino acid mature peptide after cleavage of an N-terminal secretory signal. SFTA2 has no recognizable homology to other proteins while orthologues are present in all mammals. SFTA2 is a glycosylated protein and specifically expressed in nonciliated bronchiolar epithelium and type II pneumocytes. In accordance with other hydrophilic surfactant proteins, SFTA2 did not colocalize with lamellar bodies but colocalized with golgin97 and clathrin-labelled vesicles, suggesting a classical secretory pathway for its expression and secretion. In the mouse lung, Sfta2 was significantly downregulated after induction of an inflammatory reaction by intratracheal lipopolysaccharides paralleling surfactant proteins B and C but not D. Hyperoxia, however, did not alter SFTA2 mRNA levels. We have characterized SFTA2 and present it as a novel unique secretory peptide highly expressed in the lung

Diffractometer‐Control Software For Bragg‐Rod Measurements

We present Generalized Diffractometer Control (gdc), a diffractometer‐control software package developed specifically for high‐precision measurements of Bragg rods; we discuss its features and analyze its performance in data collection. gdc, implemented at several APS beamlines, controls a six‐circle diffractometer in either Eulerian or kappa geometry, yet does not assume a mechanically ideal diffractometer; instead, the measured directions of the diffractometer axes (and the direction of the incident beam) are input parameters. The Labview‐based program features a graphical interface, making it straightforward to find all the commands and operations. Other features include optimized scans along Bragg rods, straightforward background subtraction, and extensive sets of pseudomotors. © 2004 American Institute of PhysicsPeer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87660/2/1221_1.pd

Prevalence of pelvic floor disorders in women with suspected gynecological malignancy: a survey-based study

Understanding of pelvic floor disorders among women with gynecological cancer is limited. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of pelvic floor disorders in women with suspected gynecological malignancy before surgery

Establishing spin-network topologies by repeated projective measurements

It has been recently shown that in quantum systems, the complex time evolution typical of many-bodied coupled networks can be transformed into a simple, relaxation-like dynamics, by relying on periodic dephasings of the off-diagonal density matrix elements. This represents a case of "quantum Zeno effects", where unitary evolutions are inhibited by projective measurements. We present here a novel exploitation of these effects, by showing that a relaxation-like behaviour is endowed to the polarization transfers occurring within a N-spin coupled network. Experimental implementations and coupling constant determinations for complex spin-coupling topologies, are thus demonstrated within the field of liquid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).Comment: 4+ pages, 3 figure

Tracheal agenesis: approach towards this severe diagnosis. Case report and review of the literature

Tracheal agenesis (TA) is a severe congenital disorder with often an unexpected emergency presentation. There is complete or partial absence of the trachea below the larynx, with presence or absence of a tracheoesophageal fistula (TOF). A neonate with TA is described, and another 48 cases found in literature are reviewed. Due to absence of a TOF, five cases were diagnosed prenatally because of congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS). When a TOF is present, polyhydramnion and several other congenital malformations seen on the ultrasound examination should alert clinicians of potential tracheal problems. Prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may provide a definitive diagnosis. Postnatal diagnosis is based on recognition of specific clinical signs in the newborn with TA: respiratory distress with breathing movement without appropriate air entry, no audible cry, and failed endotracheal intubation. Despite progress in surgical interventions, mortality remains high. Prenatal diagnosis of TA is possible, but only if a TOF is absent resulting in CHAOS. Prenatal diagnosis of polyhydramnion and other congenital malformation should alert clinicians of potential tracheal problems. Prenatal MRI may provide a definitive diagnosis

Bistability in the actin cortex

Multi-color fluorescence imaging experiments of wave forming Dictyostelium cells have revealed that actin waves separate two domains of the cell cortex that differ in their actin structure and phosphoinositide composition. We propose a bistable model of actin dynamics to account for these experimental observation. The model is based on the simplifying assumption that the actin cytoskeleton is composed of two distinct network types, a dendritic and a bundled network. The two structurally different states that were observed in experiments correspond to the stable fixed points in the bistable regime of this model. Each fixed point is dominated by one of the two network types. The experimentally observed actin waves can be considered as trigger waves that propagate transitions between the two stable fixed points