Methods

A wide variety of cell types, including immune cells, have been observed to frequently interact via transient, long-distance membrane connections [1–17]. However, considerable heterogeneity in their structure, mode of formation and functional properties has emerged, suggesting the existence of distinct subclasses [18–21]. Open-ended tunneling nanotubes allow for the trafficking of cytoplasmic material, e.g. endocytic vesicles, or the transmission of calcium

Spray drying techniques have been applied to improve the solubility and dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble salicylic acid. Spray drying of the acid dispersed in acacia solutions resulted in as much as a 50% improvement in the solubility of the product. Solubility improvement was closely related not only to the concentration of acacia but also the amount of amorphous material in the spray-dried products. The heat of solution was inversely related to these parameters. The dissolution rate of spray-dried product was almost instantaneous being about 60 times faster than that of the original powder. A great improvement in the wettability of the spray-dried material seemed to be mainly responsible for the increase of dissolution rate.

Design traffic volumes, vehicle emission factors and meterological data are used to assess the impact of a suburban limited-access highway segment. Mesoscale effects are determined by emission inventory techniques. Microscale effects are determined using a pollutant dispersion model developed by the California Division of Highways. The air pollution impact of the highway segment is small, and should not be considered a significant criteria for decisions concerning construction of the highway.

The objectives of the National Survey of American Life (NSAL) are to investigate the nature, severity, and impairment of mental disorders among national samples of the black and non-Hispanic white (n = 1,006) populations in the US. Special emphasis in the study is given to the nature of race and ethnicity within the black population by selecting and interviewing national samples of African-American (N = 3,570), and Afro-Caribbean (N = 1,623) immigrant and second and older generation populations. National multi-stage probability methods were used in generating the samples and race/ethnic matching of interviewers and respondents were used in the largely face-to-face interview, which lasted on average 2 hours and 20 minutes. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) IV World Mental Health Composite Interview (WHO-CIDI) was used to assess a wide range of serious mental disorders, potential risk and resilience factors, and help seeking and service use patterns. This paper provides an overview of the design of the NSAL, sample selection procedures, recruitment and training of the national interviewing team, and some of the special problems faced in interviewing ethnically and racially diverse national samples. Unique features of sample design, including special screening and listing procedures, interviewer training and supervision, and response rate outcomes are described. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd.

SYNOPSIS. An age-autolyzed culture of Chroomonas salina, grown under cool-white light with glycerol, produced waxy lipid constituting about 44% of total matter harvested. This lipid was composed of 87% wax ester, 9% triglyceride, 3% polar lipid and 1% hydrocarbon. The major wax ester species were identified by total carbon number as C26(28%), C28(35%), C30(15%). The main fatty acid components of the wax esters were 12:0 (39%), 14:0 (30%), 16:0 (14%), while the main alcohols were 14:0 (53%) and 16:0 (40%). The hydrocarbon fraction showed saturated paraffins ranging from C17 to C33, with odd-numbered chain components predominating. No polyunsaturated components were detected in the wax ester or hydrocarbon fractions. This is the first record of wax ester production by a cryptomonad or a marine phytoplankter.

Identification of components present in biological complexes requires their purification to near homogeneity. Methods of purification vary from protein to protein, making it impossible to design a general purification strategy valid for all cases. We have devel-oped the tandem affinity purification (TAP) method as a tool that allows rapid purification under native conditions of complexes, even when expressed at their natural level. Prior knowledge of complex composition or function is not required. The TAP method requires fusion of the TAP tag, either N- or C-terminally, to the target protein of interest. Starting from a relatively small number of cells, active macromolecular complexes can be isolated and used for multiple applications. Variations of the method to specifi-cally purify complexes containing two given components or to subtract undesired complexes can easily be implemented. The TAP method was initially developed in yeast but can be successfully

Objective The evaluation of oxygen consumption (VO2) and oxygen delivery (DO2) has gained increasing importance in the monitoring of critically ill patients. They can be obtained from either direct measurements or by indirect calculations based on the Fick principle. However the choice between these two approaches remains controversial. The aim of the study was to investigate whether these 2 methods provide similar results, and if not, to define the best one in terms of reproducibility. Design Oxygen delivery and oxygen consumption were prospectively analyzed in 171 consecutive critically ill patients. Metabolic data were obtained simultaneously. Setting The study was completed in the intensive care unit as part of the management of the patients studied. Patients A first “group” of 279 evaluations was carried out in 73 consecutive critically ill patients. The results were subsequently validated by 423 observations performed in the 98 following patients. Interventions Before and during each evaluation, the patients were kept in stable hemodynamic and metabolic conditions. All were mechanically ventilated. Measurements and results VO2 was evaluated by calculation (Fick principle) and direct measurement using indirect calorimetry. Cardiac output was both measured by the thermodilution technique and calculated (Fick principle) and the data were used for the evaluation of the directly measured and indirectly calculated DO2. For both VO2 and DO2 the agreement between direct and indirect evaluations was not satisfactory. Differences as great as 55 ml/min·m2 and 267 ml/min·m2 between simultaneously measured and calculated VO2 and DO2 respectively may be expected. Finally, the indirect calculated methods were less reproducible than the measured ones. These observations resulted mainly from the cumulative effects of the random errors in the metabolic data entering into the calculation of VO2 and DO2. Conclusions Our data suggested that the indirect calculation (Fick equation) and the direct measurement (indirect calorimetry, thermodilution) of both VO2 and DO2 did not provide similar results. Direct measurements are more reproducible methods and must be preferred.

Many disorders of the parotid gland require treatment by subtotal or total parotidectomy. In such situations functional and esthetic complications may arise due to the location of the incisions or from permanent or temporary injuries to the facial nerve. This report describes a modified revision that gives good esthetic and functional results. A review of a similar series of cases treated surgically by the same surgeons using Yoel and Bilesio's technique showed no differences in morbility associated with parotidectomy performed using the proposed incision.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate 5-year and 10-year disease-free survival, urinary dysfunction, and sexual activity after nerve-sparing radical surgery, including lumboaortic lymphadenectomy for rectosigmoid cancer. METHODS: Since 1980 to 1992, 302 consecutive patients affected with rectal (188) or sigmoid (114) resectable cancer underwent radical surgery. Lumboaortic lymphadenectomy was routinely performed and total mesorectal dissection was always accomplished in rectal cancer. Splanchnic nerves, superior hypogastric plexus, hypogastric nerves, and sacral parasympathetic nerves were sought, identified, and preserved or, when necessary, unilaterally sacrificed. Fifty-three (17.6 percent) patients were classified Dukes A, 145 (48.0 percent) B, 46 (15.2 percent) C1, and 17 (5.6 percent) C2. Thirtynine (12.9 percent) patients were Dukes D. In 85 rectal cancer patients, tumor was located at the lower third. Eighty-six of 210 Dukes B and C patients were submitted to systemic chemotherapy and/or high-dose pelvic radiotherapy. RESULTS: The actuarial 5-year disease-free survival was 58.5 percent in rectal and 65.7 percent in sigmoid cancer patients, median follow-up time was 47 months. During the follow-up, each patient was interviewed about sexual activity and urinary dysfunction and a questionnaire was filled out. Urinary dysfunction was not frequently observed, while a definitive sexual impotence was reported in 27.6 percent of the patients. The age under 60 years and sphincter-saving surgery were demonstrated as significantly contributing to retaining a satisfactory sexual activity. CONCLUSIONS: Unexpectedly high disease-free survival was observed in the Dukes C2 subgroup. It allows us to hypothesize that lumboaortic lymphadenectomy could remove neoplastic microfoci present at this level in those patients, enhancing surgical chances of cure. The majority of male patients under 60 years old can retain a satisfactory sexual activity after undergoing a nerve-sparing sphincter-saving cancer surgery.