Specific fluorogenic substrates for neprilysin (neutral endopeptidase, EC 3.4.24.11) which are highly resistant to serine- and metalloproteases

Two intramolecularly quenched fluorogenic peptides containing o-aminobenzoyl (Abz) and ethylenediamine 2,4-dinitrophenyl (EDDnp) groups at amino- and carboxyl-terminal amino acid residues, Abz-DArg-Arg-Leu-EDDnp (Abz-DRRL-EDDnp) and Abz-DArg-Arg-Phe-EDDnp (Abz-DRRF-EDDnp), were selectively hydrolyzed by neutral endopeptidase (NEP, enkephalinase, neprilysin, EC 3.4.24.11) at the Arg-Leu and Arg-Phe bonds, respectively. The kinetic parameters for the NEP-catalyzed hydrolysis of Abz-DRRL-EDDnp and Abz-DRRF-EDDnp were Km = 2.8 µM, kcat = 5.3 min-1, kcat/Km = 2 min-1 µM-1 and Km = 5.0 µM, kcat = 7.0 min-1, kcat/Km = 1.4 min-1 µM-1, respectively. The high specificity of these substrates was demonstrated by their resistance to hydrolysis by metalloproteases [thermolysin (EC 3.4.24.2), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE; EC 3.4.24.15)], serineproteases [trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4), a-chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.21.1)] and proteases present in tissue homogenates from kidney, lung, brain and testis. The blocked amino- and carboxyl-terminal amino acids protected these substrates against the action of aminopeptidases, carboxypeptidases and ACE. Furthermore, DR amino acids ensured total protection of Abz-DRRL-EDDnp and Abz-DRRF-EDDnp against the action of thermolysin and trypsin. Leu-EDDnp and Phe-EDDnp were resistant to hydrolysis by a-chymotrypsin. The high specifity of these substrates suggests their use for specific NEP assays in crude enzyme preparations

Narrow-band 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 16 and 24 cycles/360º angular frequency filters

We measured human frequency response functions for seven angular frequency filters whose test frequencies were centered at 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 16 or 24 cycles/360º using a supra-threshold summation method. The seven functions of 17 experimental conditions each were measured nine times for five observers. For the arbitrarily selected filter phases, the maximum summation effect occurred at test frequency for filters at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 cycles/360º. For both 16 and 24 cycles/360º test frequencies, maximum summation occurred at the lower harmonics. These results allow us to conclude that there are narrow-band angular frequency filters operating somehow in the human visual system either through summation or inhibition of specific frequency ranges. Furthermore, as a general result, it appears that addition of higher angular frequencies to lower ones disturbs low angular frequency perception (i.e., 1, 2, 3 and 4 cycles/360º), whereas addition of lower harmonics to higher ones seems to improve detection of high angular frequency harmonics (i.e., 8, 16 and 24 cycles/360º). Finally, we discuss the possible involvement of coupled radial and angular frequency filters in face perception using an example where narrow-band low angular frequency filters could have a major role.

Relation of cervical length at 22-24 weeks of gestation to demographic characteristics and obstetric history

Preterm delivery is the main cause of neonatal death and ultrasonographic cervical assessment has been shown to be more accurate than digital examination in recognizing a short cervix. This is a cross-sectional study, involving 1131 women at 22-24 weeks of pregnancy, designed to determine the distribution of cervical length and to examine which variables of demographic characteristics and obstetric history increase the risk of a short cervix (15 mm or less). The distribution of maternal demographic and obstetric history characteristics among patients with cervical length £15 mm was analyzed and compared to the findings for the general population. Risk ratios (RR) between subgroups were generated from this comparison. Median cervical length was 37 mm and in 1.5% of cases it was 15 mm or less. The proportion of women with a short cervix (<=15 mm) was significantly higher among patients with a low body mass index (RR = 3.5) and in those with previous fetal losses between 16-23 weeks (RR = 33.1) or spontaneous preterm deliveries between 24-32 weeks (RR = 14.1). We suggest that transvaginal sonographic measurement of cervical length be performed as part of a routine midtrimester ultrasound evaluation. There are specific variables of demographic characteristics and obstetric history which increase the risk of detecting a short cervix at 22-24 weeks.

Valtatien 24 kehittäminen Päijät-Hämeessä : Lahti, Hollola, Asikkala, Padasjoki

Valtatie 24 on Lahden ja Jämsän välinen tieyhteys, joka yhdistää Päijät-Hämeen ja läntisen Keski-Suomen. Päijät-Hämeen puolella tie sijaitsee neljän kunnan alueella noin 67 kilometrin matkalla. Valtatien 24 eteläisin jakso Lahdesta Vääksyyn on tärkeä työmatkaliikenteen reitti. Kokonaisuutena tie välittää enimmäkseen seudullista ja maakunnallista liikennettä. Kuljetus-ten ja matkailuliikenteen kannalta tie täydentää valtakunnallista päätieverkkoa. Yhteysvälille on asetettu käyttäjälähtöiset palvelutasotavoitteet: • Liikenneturvallisuuden parantaminen Lahdesta Padasjoelle ja hyvän tason säilyttäminen Padasjoelta pohjoiseen. • Henkilöautoliikenteen ja kuljetusten hyvä toiminnallinen palvelutaso koko yhteysvälillä. • Kävelyn ja pyöräilyn hyvä palvelutaso Lahden ja Vääksyn välillä, muualla tyydyttävä. • Joukkoliikenteen hyvä palvelutaso Lahden ja Vääksyn välillä, muualla tyydyttävä. Suurin osa yhteysvälille esitettävistä toimenpiteistä kohdistuu jaksolle 1 Lahti–Vääksy, jolla on selvästi eniten liikennettä. Hankkeen vaikutuksesta liikenneturvallisuus paranee, vaikka liikennemäärät kasvaisivat ennustetusti. Henkilöautoliikenteen ja kuljetusten toimivuus pääsuunnalla paranee ja liittyminen sivusuunnilta valtatielle helpottuu. Toisaalta yhteysvälin eteläpäässä liittymien valo-ohjaus lisää kiihdytyksiä ja jarrutuksia sekä pääsuunnan viivytyksiä yhteenkytkennästä huolimatta. Polkupyö-rien liityntäpysäköintimahdollisuudet ja paikoin kehitettävät pysäkkiyhteydet lisäävät joukkoliikenteen houkuttelevuutta. Kävelyn ja pyöräilyn palvelutaso paranee, kun verkkoa täydennetään Lahdessa, Hollolassa ja Asikkalassa.

Meditationes sancti evangelii 24

Arkit: A-B4.

Meditationes sanctarum epistolarum 24

Arkit: A-B4. - S. [2] tyhjä.

Chronicon episcoporum Finlandensium 24

Arkit: 1 arkintunnukseton lehti, 3A-3B4.

De justificatione hominis peccatoris coram Deo, ad amussim aphorismi apostolici Rom: 3:24.25

Variantti B.

Correlation between sodium and potassium excretion in 24- and 12-h urine samples

Low-sodium and high-potassium diets have been recommended as an adjunct to prevention and treatment of hypertension. Analysis of these nutrients in 24-h urine has been considered the reference method to estimate daily intake of these minerals. However, 24-h urine collection is difficult in epidemiological studies, since urine must be collected and stored in job environments. Therefore, strategies for shorter durations of urine collection at home have been proposed. We have previously reported that collecting urine during a 12-h period (overnight) is more feasible and that creatinine clearance correlated strongly with that detected in 24-h samples. In the present study, we collected urine for 24 h divided into two 12-h periods (from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am next day). A sample of 109 apparently healthy volunteers aged 30 to 74 years of both genders working in a University institution was investigated. Subjects with previous myocardial infarction, stroke, renal insufficiency, and pregnant women were not included. Significant (P < 0.001) Spearman correlation coefficients (r s) were found between the total amount of sodium and potassium excreted in the urine collected at night and in the 24-h period (r s = 0.76 and 0.74, respectively). Additionally, the 12-h sodium and potassium excretions (means ± SD, 95% confidence interval) corresponded to 47.3 ± 11.2%, 95%CI = 45.3-49.3, and 39.3 ± 4.6%, 95%CI = 37.3-41.3, respectively, of the 24-h excretion of these ions. Therefore, these findings support the assumption that 12-h urine collected at night can be used as a reliable tool to estimate 24-h intake/excretion of sodium and potassium.

Eversio Sodomae & Gomorrhae, ductu versuum 23. & 24. cap. 19. Gen

Invokaatio: B''B.

Relationship between salt consumption measured by 24-h urine collection and blood pressure in the adult population of Vitória (Brazil)

High salt intake is related to an increase in blood pressure and development of hypertension. However, currently, there are no national representative data in Brazil using the gold standard method of 24-h urine collection to measure sodium consumption. This study aimed to determine salt intake based on 24-h urine collection in a sample of 272 adults of both genders and to correlate it with blood pressure levels. We used a rigorous protocol to assure an empty bladder prior to initiating urine collection. We excluded subjects with a urine volume <500 mL, collection period outside of an interval of 23-25 h, and subjects with creatinine excretion that was not within the range of 14.4-33.6 mg/kg (men) and 10.8-25.2 mg/kg (women). The mean salt intake was 10.4±4.1 g/day (d), and 94% of the participants (98% of men and 90% of women) ingested more than the recommended level of 5 g/d. We found a positive association between salt and body mass index (BMI) categories, as well as with salt and blood pressure, independent of age and BMI. The difference in systolic blood pressure reached 13 mmHg between subjects consuming less than 6 g/d of salt and those ingesting more than 18 g/d. Subjects with hypertension had a higher estimated salt intake than normotensive subjects (11.4±5.0 vs 9.8±3.6 g/d, P<0.01), regardless of whether they were under treatment. Our data indicate the need for interventions to reduce sodium intake, as well the need for ongoing, appropriate monitoring of salt consumption in the general population.

De lege ceremoniali ad Christum paedagogo, Gal. III. 24

Invokaatio: Q.F.F.Q.S.

De consilio divino, ex psalmo LXXIII: 24

Variantti B.