Identification and characterization of the Arabidopsis PHO1 gene involved in phosphate loading to the xylem.

The Arabidopsis mutant pho1 is deficient in the transfer of Pi from root epidermal and cortical cells to the xylem. The PHO1 gene was identified by a map-based cloning strategy. The N-terminal half of PHO1 is mainly hydrophilic, whereas the C-terminal half has six potential membrane-spanning domains. PHO1 shows no homology with any characterized solute transporter, including the family of H(+)-Pi cotransporters identified in plants and fungi. PHO1 shows highest homology with the Rcm1 mammalian receptor for xenotropic murine leukemia retroviruses and with the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Syg1 protein involved in the mating pheromone signal transduction pathway. PHO1 is expressed predominantly in the roots and is upregulated weakly under Pi stress. Studies with PHO1 promoter-beta-glucuronidase constructs reveal predominant expression of the PHO1 promoter in the stelar cells of the root and the lower part of the hypocotyl. There also is beta-glucuronidase staining of endodermal cells that are adjacent to the protoxylem vessels. The Arabidopsis genome contains 10 additional genes showing homology with PHO1. Thus, PHO1 defines a novel class of proteins involved in ion transport in plants.

Comparing deep sclerectomy with collagen implant to the new method of very deep sclerectomy with collagen implant: a single-masked randomized controlled trial.

AIM: To prospectively study the intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effect and safety of the new method of very deep sclerectomy with collagen implant (VDSCI) compared with standard deep sclerectomy with collagen implant (DSCI). METHODS: The trial involved 50 eyes of 48 patients with medically uncontrolled primary and secondary open-angle glaucoma, randomized to undergo either VDSCI procedure (25 eyes) or DSCI procedure (25 eyes). Follow-up examinations were performed before surgery and after surgery at day 1, at week 1, at months 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months. Ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed at 3 and 12 months. RESULTS: Mean follow-up period was 18.6+/-5.9 (VDSCI) and 18.9+/-3.6 (DSCI) months (P=NS). Mean preoperative IOP was 22.4+/-7.4 mm Hg for VDSCI and 20.4+/-4.4 mm Hg for DSCI eyes (P=NS). Mean postoperative IOP was 3.9+/-2.3 (VDSCI) and 6.3+/-4.3 (DSCI) (P<0.05) at day 1, and 12.2+/-3.9 (VDSCI) and 13.3+/-3.4 (DSCI) (P=NS) at month 24. At the last visit, the complete success rate (defined as an IOP of < or =18 mm Hg and a percentage drop of at least 20%, achieved without medication) was 57% in VDSCI and 62% in DSCI eyes (P=NS) ultrasound biomicroscopy at 12 months showed a mean volume of the subconjunctival filtering bleb of 3.9+/-4.2 mm3 (VDSCI) and 6.8+/-7.5 mm3 (DSCI) (P=0.426) and 5.2+/-3.6 mm3 (VDSCI) and 5.4+/-2.9 mm3 (DSCI) (P=0.902) for the intrascleral space. CONCLUSIONS: Very deep sclerectomy seems to provide stable and good control of IOP at 2 years of follow-up with few postoperative complications similar to standard deep sclerectomy with the collagen implant.

Cerebrospinal fluid in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis: a consensus report.

The Committee of the European Concerted Action for Multiple Sclerosis (Charcot Foundation) organised five workshops to discuss CSF analytical standards in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. This consensus report from 12 European countries summarises the results of those workshops. It is hoped that neurologists will confer with their colleagues in clinical chemistry to arrange the best possible local practice. The most sensitive method for the detection of oligoclonal immunoglobulin bands is isoelectric focusing. The same amounts of IgG in parallel CSF and serum samples are used and oligoclonal bands are revealed with IgG specific antibody staining. All laboratories performing isoelectric focusing should check their technique at least annually using "blind" standards for the five different CSF and serum patterns. Quantitative measurements of IgG production in the CNS are less sensitive than isoelectric focusing. The preferred method for detection of blood-CSF barrier dysfunction is the albumin quotient. The CSF albumin or total protein concentrations are less satisfactory. These results must be interpreted with reference to the age of the patient and the local method of determination. Cells should be counted. The normal value is no more than 4 cells/microliters. Among evolving optional tests, measurement of the combined local synthesis of antibodies against measles, rubella, and/or varicella zoster could represent a significant advance if it offers higher specificity (not sensitivity) for identifying chronic rather than acute inflammation. Other tests that may have useful correlations with clinical indices include those for oligoclonal free light chains, IgM, IgA, or myelin basic protein concentrations.

Gestion des rendez-vous au cabinet en pédiatrie libérale

Introduction¦La gestion des rendez-vous (RDV) et des flux des consultations en médecine libérale sont¦primordiaux. Il n'existe actuellement que peu de données à ce sujet et chaque médecin gère ses RDV¦selon sa convenance. Le but de cette étude est de décrire de manière analytique et prospective la¦gestion des RDV chez un groupe de pédiatres généralistes installés en cabinet. Ainsi elle pourrait¦servir de base pour des formations post graduées, des cours sur la pratique libérale de médecine de¦premier recours ou encore lors d'ouvertures de cabinets médicaux.¦Méthode¦Tous les pédiatres généralistes avec activité de premier recours du canton de Neuchâtel ont été¦invités à participer à l'étude. Leurs parcours professionnels ont été recensés. Pour chaque¦consultation, le délai entre l'heure d'appel téléphonique par les parents et celle du RDV obtenu le jour¦même (RDV «du jour», RDVdJ), le temps d'attente au cabinet, sa durée, l'âge, le sexe et la nationalité du patient, les diagnostics et les traitements ont été consignés. Le nombre et la durée des¦consultations téléphoniques par les pédiatres ont été enregistrés. La période d'enquête a porté du¦lundi 7 au vendredi 11 février 2011. Parallèlement, l'activité pédiatrique aux urgences de l'Hôpital¦neuchâtelois (HNE) a été recensée du 7 au 14 février 2011, nuits et week-end inclus.¦Cette étude a été acceptée par la Commission cantonale vaudoise d'éthique de la recherche sur l'être¦humain.¦Résultats¦Sur les 24 pédiatres praticiens avec activité de premier recours installés dans le canton de Neuchâtel,¦18 ont accepté de collaborer. 1645 consultations ont été réalisées dans les cabinets, 271 au sein de¦l'HNE et 500 chez les pédiatres n'ayant pas participé à l'étude. Ainsi 2416 consultations pédiatriques¦ont été effectuées pendant les 7 jours d'analyse dans les principales structures neuchâteloises de¦soins pédiatriques.¦Sur 1645 consultations, 697 étaient des RDVdJ (médiane 42%, extrêmes 26%-57%), 880 (54%, 42%-¦69%) avaient un RDV prévu (RDVP), c'est-à dire fixé avant le jour de la consultation, 61 (4%, 0%-¦16%) étaient des RDV pressants (RDVpress), ce qui signifie que le patient s'était présenté¦directement au cabinet sans RDV préalable. 902/1645 consultations (55%) concerne des enfants de¦moins de 6 ans. Le recours parental à des RDVdJ ne dépendait pas de l'âge du patient. La plupart¦des consultations était due à un syndrome infectieux aigu (42%).¦La couverture par les pédiatres praticiens était très variable (5-14 actifs simultanément par ½¦journée), l'HNE permettant certainement d'assurer les prises en charge pédiatriques en l'absence des¦praticiens.¦Ce travail a montré une grande variabilité des différents paramètres d'activité entre les pédiatres. Il¦donne une image synthétique, quoi que partielle puisque le volet diagnostic et traitement n'ont pas été abordés, des soins pédiatriques ambulatoires dans un canton romand. Il n'a pas permis de définir un style univoque de gestion des RDV.

Informe de las condiciones oceanográficas superficiales entre Chicama y Cabo Blanco. Crucero BAP Ocoña 9510. Del 16 al 23 de Octubre de 1995

Presenta un monitoreo oceanográfico pesquero del 16 al 24 de Octubre de 1995 abarcando las zonas entre Puerto Salaverry y el norte de Cabo Blanco, a fin de analizar la variación horizontal de la temperatura y salinidad del mar.

Obesity-related phenotypes are associated to parental longevity in a Swiss population-based study

PURPOSE. Longevity has been attributed to decreased cardiovascular mortality. Subjects with long-lived parents may represent a valuable group to study cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) associated with longevity, possibly leading to new ways of preventing cardiovascular disease. Purpose: Longevity has been attributed to decreased cardiovascular mortality. Subjects with long-lived parents may represent a valuable group to study cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) associated with longevity, possibly leading to new ways of preventing cardiovascular disease. Methods: We analyzed data from a population-based sample of 2561 participants (1163 men and 1398 women) aged 55--75 years from the city of Lausanne, Switzerland (CoLaus study). Participants were stratified by the number of parents (0, 1, 2) who survived to 85 years or more. Trend across these strata was assessed using a non-parametric kmean test. The associations of parental age (independent covariate used as a proxy for longevity) with fasting blood glucose, blood pressures, blood lipids, body mass index (BMI), weight, height or liver enzymes (continuous dependent variables) were analyzed using multiple linear regressions. Models were adjusted for age, sex, alcohol consumption, smoking and educational level, and BMI for liver enzymes. Results: For subjects with 0 (N=1298), 1 (N=991) and 2 (N=272) long-lived parents, median BMI (interquartile range) was 25.4 (6.5), 24.9 (6.1) and 23.7 (4.8) kg/m2 in women (P<0.001), and 27.3 (4.8), 27.0 (4.5) and 25.9 (4.9) kg/m2 in men (P=0.04), respectively; median weight was 66.5 (16.1), 65.0 (16.4) and 63.4 (13.7) kg in women (P=0.003), and 81.5 (17.0), 81.4 (16.4) and 80.3 (17.1) kg in men (P=0.36). Median height was 161 (8), 162 (9) and 163 (8) cm in women (P=0.005), and 173 (9), 174 (9) and 174 (11) cm in men (P=0.09). The corresponding medians for AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) were 31 (13), 29 (11) and 28 (10) U/L (P=0.002), and 28 (17), 27 (14) and 26 (19) U/L for ALT (Alanin Aminotransferase, P=0.053) in men. In multivariable analyses, greater parental longevity was associated with lower BMI, lower weight and taller stature in women (P<0.01) and lower AST in men (P=0.011). No significant associations were observed for the other variables analyzed. Sensitivity analyses restricted to subjects whose parents were dead (N=1844) led to similar results, with even stronger associations of parental longevity with liver enzymes in men. Conclusion: In women, increased parental longevity was associated with smaller BMI, attributable to lower weight and taller stature. In men, the association of increased parental longevity with lower liver enzymes, independently of BMI, suggests that parental longevity may be associated with decreased nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

In vivo characterization of sunitinib eluting beads

Purpose: To study the pharmacokinetics and potential toxicity of sunitinib eluting beads in an animal modelMaterials: Healthy New-Zealand white rabbits were used. 8 animals received 0.2ml of DC Beads loaded with 6mg of sunitinb intra arterially in the hepatic artery (group 1) and 4 animals received 6mg of sunitinib administered orally (group 2). In group 1, animals were sacrificed 6 hours (n=4) and 24 hours (n=4) after embolization. In group 2, animals were sacrificed 6 hours (n=2) and 24 hours (n=2) after oral administration of sunitinib. Liver enzymes were measured at 0, 6 and 24 hours in both groups. Plasmatic sunitinib concentration was measured by LC MS/MS tandem mass spectroscopy at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 24 hours. At sacrifice, the livers were harvested and sunitinib concentration in liver tissue was assessed by LC MS/MS tandem mass spectroscopy.Results: After embolization we observed an expected elevation of AST and ALT. Serial plasmatic measurments after embolization showed a very low sunitinib concentration (<50ng/ml). Measurment of sunitinib in the embolized liver tissue showed a very high concentration at 6 hours (3870ng/ml) and 24 hours (4741.7ng/ml).Conclusions: Sunitinib eluting beads are well tolerated by rabbits when administered intra-arterially in the hepatic artery. No unexpected toxicity was observed. Very high drug concentration canbe obtained at the site of embolization with minimal systemic passage.

Comportamiento de la red de arrastre Pelágica 124/1800 en el estudio de recursos pelágicos. Crucero BIC José Olaya Balandra 9902-03

Los resultados del Crucero 9902-03 de Evaluación Hidroacústica de los Recursos Pelágicos: anchoveta (Engraulis ringens), sardina (Sardinops sagax sagax), jurel (Trachurus picturatus murphyi), caballa (Scomber japonicus) y samasa (Anchoa nasus), a bordo del BIC José Olaya Balandra, entre Zorritos (Tumbes) y Los Palos (Tacna), del 10 de febrero al 1 de abril 1999, muestran que la red de arrastre pelágica 124/1800 tuvo una buena eficiencia y comportamiento en 168 lances de comprobación. Se obtuvo una captura total de 57.032,55 kg; correspondieron a la anchoveta 36.902,6 kg; sardina 302,6 kg; jurel 43,9 kg; caballa 1.256,3 kg; samasa 3.160,8 kg y otros recursos 15.366,35 kg. El índice de captura total (CPUE) fue de 1.035,07 kg/h ejerciendo mayor esfuerzo en la anchoveta con 669,74 kg/h. Se determinó que el mayor porcentaje de mezcla de los 153 lances con recursos pelágicos correspondió a la anchoveta con otros recursos a 5 mn de distancia de la costa. Se determinó el área de la boca de la red y el volumen de agua filtrada en una milla náutica de arrastre. Los datos de comportamiento de la red: abertura horizontal de la boca, abertura vertical, profundidad de la red y distancia entre la relinga inferior al fondo, etc., se obtuvieron en forma directa por medio de una net sonda RX 400 SCANMAR interconectada a un sistema de post-procesamiento.

On the role of non-equilibrium focal points as coordination devices

Considering a pure coordination game with a large number of equivalentequilibria, we argue, first, that a focal point that is itself not a Nash equilibriumand is Pareto dominated by all Nash equilibria, may attract the players'choices. Second, we argue that such a non-equilibrium focal point may act asan equilibrium selection device that the players use to coordinate on a closelyrelated small subset of Nash equilibria. We present theoretical as well asexperimental support for these two new roles of focal points as coordinationdevices.

[Illustrations de Contes de Boccace] / Rogier, dess. ; Jean Boccace, aut. du texte; Lefebvre, grav.

Comprend : [Tome I. Frontispice :] Le mari confesseur. [Cote : Y2 10745/Microfilm R 122453] ; [Tome I. Pl. en reg. p.89 :] L'amant généreux. [Cote : Y2 10745/Microfilm R 122453] ; [Tome I. Pl. en reg. p.145 :] Les amants éconduits. [Cote : Y2 10745/Microfilm R 122453] ; [Tome I. Pl. en reg. p.257 :] Renaud d'Ast. [Cote : Y2 10745/Microfilm R 122453] ; [Tome I. Pl. en reg. p.369 :] Le repas de gélinottes. [Cote : Y2 10745/Microfilm R 122453] ; [Tome I. Pl. en reg. p.409 :] Jean de Procida. [Cote : Y2 10745/Microfilm R 122453] ; [Tome I. Pl. en reg. p.433 :] A femme avare, galant escroc. [Cote : Y2 10745/Microfilm R 122453] ; [Tome I. Pl. en reg. p.473 :] La feinte par amour. [Cote : Y2 10745/Microfilm R 122453] ; [Tome I. Pl. en reg. p.481 :] Le valet joueur. [Cote : Y2 10745/Microfilm R 122453] ; [Tome I. Pl. en reg. p.497 :] Le calendrier des vieillards. [Cote : Y2 10745/Microfilm R 122453]

Assessment of bioaerosols and inhalable dust exposure in Swiss sawmills

An assessment of wood workers' exposure to airborne cultivable bacteria, fungi, inhalable endotoxins and inhalable organic dust was performed at 12 sawmills that process mainly coniferous wood species. In each plant, samples were collected at four or five different work sites (debarking, sawing, sorting, planing and sawing cockpit) and the efficiency of sampling devices (impinger or filter) for determining endotoxins levels was evaluated. Results show that fungi are present in very high concentrations (up to 35 000 CFU m(-3)) in all sawmills. We also find that there are more bioaerosols at the sorting work site (mean +/- SD: 7723 +/- 9919 CFU m(-3) for total bacteria, 614 +/- 902 CFU m(-3) for Gram-negative, 19 438 +/- 14 246 CFU m(-3) for fungi, 7.0 +/- 9.0 EU m(-3) for endotoxin and 2.9 +/- 4.8 g m(-3) for dust) than at the sawing station (mean +/- SD: 1938 +/- 2478 CFU m(-3) for total bacteria, 141 +/- 206 CFU m(-3) for Gram-negative, 12 207 +/- 10 008 CFU m(-3) for fungi, 2.1 +/- 1.9 EU m(-3) for endotoxin and 0.75 +/- 0.49 mg m(-3) for dust). At the same time, the species composition and concentration of airborne Gram-negative bacteria were studied. Penicillinium sp. were the predominant fungi, while Bacillus sp. and the Pseudomonadacea family were the predominant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria encountered, respectively. [Authors]