Pieces of Iowa’s Past, May 1, 2013

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, published by the Iowa State Capitol Tour Guides weekly during the legislative session, features historical facts about Iowa, the Capitol, and the early workings of state government. All historical publications are reproduced here with the actual spelling, punctuation, and grammar retained THIS WEEK: Steamboating on the Rivers in Iowa BACKGROUND: Built at Wheeling, Virginia, in 1819, the steamboat Virginia was a small stern-wheeler of 109-132 tons, and was owned by Redick McKee, James Pemberton, and seven others. She was 118 feet long, 18 feet 10 inches beam, and her depth was 5 feet 2 inches. She had a cabin on deck but no pilot house, being guided by a tiller at the stern.

Determination of picogram levels of midazolam, and 1- and 4-hydroxymidazolam in human plasma by gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization-mass spectrometry.

Midazolam is a widely accepted probe for phenotyping cytochrome P4503A. A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-negative chemical ionization method is presented which allows measuring very low levels of midazolam (MID), 1-OH midazolam (1OHMID) and 4-OH midazolam (4OHMID), in plasma, after derivatization with the reagent N-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-N-methyltrifluoroacetamide. The standard curves were linear over a working range of 20 pg/ml to 5 ng/ml for the three compounds, with the mean coefficients of correlation of the calibration curves (n = 6) being 0.999 for MID and 1OHMID, and 1.0 for 4OHMID. The mean recoveries measured at 100 pg/ml, 500 pg/ml, and 2 ng/ml, ranged from 76 to 87% for MID, from 76 to 99% for 1OHMID, from 68 to 84% for 4OHMID, and from 82 to 109% for N-ethyloxazepam (internal standard). Intra- (n = 7) and inter-day (n = 8) coefficients of variation determined at three concentrations ranged from 1 to 8% for MID, from 2 to 13% for 1OHMID and from 1 to 14% for 4OHMID. The percent theoretical concentrations (accuracy) were within +/-8% for MID and 1OHMID, within +/-9% for 4OHMID at 500 pg/ml and 2 ng/ml, and within +/-28% for 4OHMID at 100 pg/ml. The limits of quantitation were found to be 10 pg/ml for the three compounds. This method can be used for phenotyping cytochrome P4503A in humans following the administration of a very low oral dose of midazolam (75 microg), without central nervous system side-effects.

Post-partum persistence of abnormal circadian pattern of blood pressure after preeclampsia [109-POS]

OBJECTIVES: Blunted nocturnal dip of blood pressure (BP) and reversed circadian rhythm have been described in preeclampsia (PE). Non-dipper status and preeclampsia are both associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. Complete recovery of BP in PE is reported to occur over a variable period of time. Twenty-four hours-ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) in the post-partum follow-up after a PE has not been described. The aim of this study was to assess 24h-ambulatory blood pressure pattern after a PE and to determine the prevalence of non-dipper status, nocturnal hypertension, white coat hypertension and masked hypertension. METHODS: This is an observational, prospective study on women who suffered from a preeclampsia. A 24h-ABPM was done 6 weeks post-partum at the Hypertension Unit of the University Hospitals of Geneva, concomitantly with a clinical and biological evaluation. RESULTS: Forty-five women were included in a preliminary analysis. Mean age was 33±6years, 57.3% were Caucasian, mean BMI before pregnancy was 24±5kg/m(2). Office and ambulatory BP are shown in Table 1. Prevalence of nocturnal hypertension was high and half of the women had no nocturnal dipping. The diagnosis of hypertension based on office BP was discordant with the diagnosis based on ABPM in 25% of women. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of increased nighttime BP and abnormal BP pattern is high at 6weeks post-partum in preeclamptic women. Early assessment of BP with ABPM after preeclampsia allows an early identification of women with persistent circadian abnormalities who might be at increased risk. It also provides a more accurate assessment than office BP. DISCLOSURES: A. Ditisheim: None. B. Ponte: None. G. Wuerzner: None. M. Burnier: None. M. Boulvain: None. A. Pechère-Bertschi: None.

Genetic and phenotypic characterization of isolates of Pyricularia grisea from the rice cultivars epagri 108 and 109 in the State of Tocantins

An epidemic of rice (Oryza sativa) blast occurred on cultivars Epagri 108 and 109 in the municipalities of Lagoa da Confusão and Duerê in the State of Tocantins, during the rice-growing season 1998-99. DNA fingerprinting and virulence phenotype analysis were utilized to determine the diversity of Pyricularia grisea isolates collected from these cultivars in one epidemic year. Rep-PCR analysis of isolates was done by using two primer sequences from Pot2. Two distinct fingerprint groups or lineages were identified among 53 isolates collected from nine different commercial fields. The virulence pattern of isolates retrieved from these two cultivars was analyzed in artificial inoculation tests utilizing 32 genotypes in the greenhouse. A dendrogram constructed from virulence phenotype data showed a single group considering 77% similarity level. The predominant pathotype IB-45 was represented by 47 of the 53 isolates corresponding to 83%. Four other pathotypes (IB-1, IB-9, IB-13 and IB-41) were identified at random among the isolates from these cultivars. There was no relation between rep-PCR grouping and pathotypes. The results showed that the isolates of P. grisea recovered from cultivars Epagri108 and 109 in farmers' fields had narrow phenotypic and genetic diversity. The blast outbreak on these two cultivars one year after their introduction could be attributed to the new pathotype IB-45 or its increase, which was hitherto existing in low frequency.

MMP-1/PAR-1 signal transduction axis and its prognostic impact in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

The matrix metalloprotease-1 (MMP-1)/protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) signal transduction axis plays an important role in tumorigenesis. To explore the expression and prognostic value of MMP-1 and PAR-1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), we evaluated the expression of two proteins in resected specimens from 85 patients with ESCC by immunohistochemistry. Sixty-two (72.9%) and 58 (68.2%) tumors were MMP-1- and PAR-1-positive, respectively, while no significant staining was observed in normal esophageal squamous epithelium. MMP-1 and PAR-1 overexpression was significantly associated with tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage and regional lymph node involvement. Patients with MMP-1- and PAR-1-positive tumors, respectively, had poorer disease-free survival (DFS) than those with negative ESCC (P = 0.002 and 0.003, respectively). Univariate analysis showed a significant relationship between TNM stage [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.836, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.866-4.308], regional lymph node involvement (HR = 2.955, 95%CI = 1.713-5.068), MMP-1 expression (HR = 2.669, 95%CI = 1.229-6.127), and PAR-1 expression (HR = 1.762, 95%CI = 1.156-2.883) and DFS. Multivariate analysis including the above four parameters identified TNM stage (HR = 2.035, 95%CI = 1.167-3.681), MMP-1 expression (HR = 2.109, 95%CI = 1.293-3.279), and PAR-1 expression (HR = 1.967, 95%CI = 1.256-2.881) as independent and significant prognostic factors for DFS. Our data suggest for the first time that MMP-1 and PAR-1 were both overexpressed in ESCC and are novel predictors of poor patient prognosis after curative resection. The MMP-1/PAR-1 signal transduction axis might be a new therapeutic target for future therapies tailored against ESCC.

Sedulius, Carmen paschale (1-40v), Hymni (41-44). - Juvencus, Historia evangelica (44v-108v).

Ligature rt caractéristique du scriptorium de Saint-Bertin (B. Bischoff).

Registre des expéditions faites par GUILLAUME BOCHETEL, conseiller du roi et secrétaire de ses finances, de 1546 à 1550, portant au feuillet 1 la signature de Bochetel.

Les feuillets 96 et 97, introduits dans le présent registre longtemps après sa clôture, contiennent un « Extraict de l'estat des sommes que doibvent payer les greffes et propriettaires des places de clercs et autres officiers domainiaux, pour jouir des gages à eulx attribués par eedict du moys de mars dernier 1625 », et un acte, daté du 2 juillet 1625, dressé en conséquence par le Sr « Saulger,... huissier, sergent à cheval au chastellet de Paris », contre « Nicollas Boursier, propriettaire du greffe du bailliage et siège presidial de Bloys et prevosté reunie, places de clercs, parisis et presentations ».

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of amaryllidaceae alkaloids and their C-1 analogues : symmetry based approach to total synthesis of thebaine

Described herein is the chemoenzymatic total synthesis of several Amaryllidaceae constituents and their unnatural C-I analogues. A new approach to pancratistatin and related compounds will be discussed along with the completed total synthesis of 7 -deoxypancratistatin and trans-dihydrolycoricidine. Evaluation of all new C-l analogues as cancer cell growth inhibitory agents is described. The enzymatic oxidation of dibromobenzenes by Escherichia coli 1M 109 (pDTG60 1) is presented along with conversion of their metabolites to (-)-conduritol E. Investigation into the steric and functional factors governing the enzymatic dihydroxylation of various benzoates by the same organism is also discussed. The synthetic utility of these metabolites is demonstrated through their conversion to pseudo-sugars, aminocyclitols, and complex bicyclic ring systems. The current work on the total synthesis of some morphine alkaloids is also presented. Highlighted will be the synthesis of several model systems related to the efficient total synthesis of thebaine.

General Price List, Ontario, 1 January 1924

A general price list from the year 1924 for the province of Ontario. The cover of the list reads: "Ontario Government Dispensaries Conducted Under Direction of Board of License Commissioners for Ontario By Authority of The Ontario Temperance Act. General Price List, Dispensaries sell liquor for medicinal, sacramental, scientific and manufacturing purposes only. The sale of liquor for beverage purposes in the Province of Ontario is prohibited by The Ontario Temperance Act. Dispensaries: No.1-154 Wellington Street West, Toronto; No.2-1271 Dundas Street West, Toronto; No.3-29 Charles Street, Hamilton; No.4-425 Talbot Street, London; No.5-30 Sandwich Street West, Windsor; No.6-Golden Lion Block, Kingston; No.7-92 Kent Street, Ottawa; No.8-109 Simpson Street, Fort William."

Análisis del efecto de engranaje generado por la entrada en vigor del Tratado de Lisboa el 1 de diciembre de 2009 en el marco de la Política Común de Seguridad y Defensa (PCSD) en la Unión Europea

El proceso de integración en Unión Europea se caracteriza por la incorporación de los asuntos de seguridad exterior y defensa, tras el Tratado de Lisboa se enmarcaron en la PCSD. Dicha política por un proceso de integración progresiva, Spillover, ha tenido periodos de reactivación y de letargos.

Matemáticas en lo improbable 1 parte. Porque incluso a los demonios les gustan las sorpresas.

Se presenta una propuesta de trabajo en el aula a partir de la lectura de el libro El teorema, de Adam Fawer. Así se estudian conceptos como las probabilidades, la criptografía o los juegos de azar, mediante problemas a resolver en las clases.

Funny phonics and silly spelling : key stage 1 : age 6-7.

Un mago y sus amigos ayudan a los niños a aprender y practicar los conocimientos básicos de inglés, requeridos en la etapa clave uno (Key Stage 1). Diseñadas para captar la imaginación del estudiante, las actividades están divididas en secciones, cada una centrada en una competencia básica de fonética y ortografía. En la última página incluye un Certificado de Excelencia donde cada niño puede pegar una estrella dorada como recompensa por los logros alcanzados en cada actividad.

Mujeres latinoamericanas : representaciones descentradas en los manuales de ELE Gente 1 y Gente 2.

Memoria de máster (Universidad Antonio de Nebrija, 2009). Resumen basado en el de la publicación

Formación de las virgenes cristianas del siglo 1 al VI y su influencia educativa.

Estudiar como la virginidad en los siglos del l al VI se orienta hacia la vida cenobítica y cuál es su influencia educativa. Es imposible dilucidar unas cifras exactas, o llegar a afirmaciones objetivas acerca del ámbito influencial de las vírgenes, por carecer de datos. La mujer durante los primeros siglos carente de personalidad propia, si bien su influjo indirecto fue eficaz y grande, deja pocas huellas por las que se puedan seguir sus pasos. Se conservan pocos testimonios escritos, en los que nos hablen mujeres ilustres. Sabemos bien poco lo que hicieron las primeras figuras femeninas en categoría política o social. No es extraño que se de esta pobreza de datos precisos de los que vivieron y realizaron las vírgenes cristianas. La literatura acerca de ellas, o mejor de la virtud en general es sin embargo abundantísima, por lo que se deduce su importancia dentro de la sociedad. Su existencia era primordial dentro de la vida de la Iglesia como nos manifiesta la preocupación de los concilios y de los escritores cristianos (Osio, San Leandro y más tarde San Isidoro y San Fructuoso). Dentro de la desorientación y desequilibrio de una sociedad en crisis política, social, económica y especialmente moral, la virginidad dda pasos firmes y seguros, puesto que conoce el fin de su vida y sabe el camino que ha de seguir para alcanzarlo: al entrar en el claustro se decide a recorrerlo. El fuerte espiritualismo, la profunda religiosidad que le capacitan para dar orientaciones claras y precisas en los problemas del confusionismo humano, constituyen la enorme fuerza atractiva que sobre la humanidad ha ejercido el monacato.