Phosphorus appetite in sheep: Dissociating taste from postingestive effects1,2

We hypothesized that lambs discriminate the postingestive effects of P and associate those effects with feed flavor to modify feed choices. Three predictions were tested based on this hypothesis: 1) lambs will modify preference for arbitrary flavors eaten during intraruminal infusions of NaH2PO4, 2) changes in preferences are more specific than changes in osmotic load induced by salts of Na; and 3) preference for P is inversely related to the concentration of inorganic P in blood. Thirty lambs were depleted of P by the offer of a P-deficient diet, allocated to 3 groups (10 lambs/group), and conditioned during 3 periods as follows: During conditioning period 1, lambs in each of 3 groups ate a poorly nutritious feed (grape pomace), flavored differently for each group, while water was infused into the rumen. During conditioning periods 2 and 3, lambs again ate grape pomace, with 2 new flavors now paired with infusion of an aqueous solution (126 mmol) of NaCl (conditioning period 2) or NaH2PO4 (conditioning period 3), rather than with water. After conditioning, all lambs were offered a choice of the 3 flavors during preference tests immediately after conditioning (period 1) and every 3 wk thereafter (periods 2, 3, and 4). During period 1, when serum inorganic P levels were greatest, lambs preferred flavors paired with water > NaCl > NaH2PO4 (P < 0.05). During periods 2 and 3, as inorganic P concentrations decreased in serum, lambs preferred flavors paired with NaH2PO4 > NaCl (period 2, P = 0.10; period 3, P = 0.05). Lambs preferred flavors paired with water > NaH2PO4 in period 2 (P < 0.001), but those differences disappeared in periods 3 and 4 (P > 0.05). During period 4, lambs preferred flavors paired with NaCl > NaH2PO4 (P < 0.10). The estimate of the slope for the linear relationship between intake of flavors paired with NaH2PO4 and serum inorganic P was negative (P < 0.0001), whereas estimates of the slopes for the relationships between intake of flavors paired with NaCl or water and serum inorganic P were not different from 0. Thus, preference for P was inversely related to the concentration of serum inorganic P. Our results suggest lambs discriminated among the postingestive effects of NaH2PO4, NaCl, and water and associated those effects with specific flavors. Lambs avoided flavors paired with NaH2PO4 during periods of P replenishment, and they increased preference for those flavors during periods of P need.

A phase I/II study to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics (PK) of intravenous (IV) infusion of MB07133 in subjects with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

2054

Background: MB07133 is a novel cytarabine (araC) prodrug that uses the HepDirect technology to target production of the active form of araC, araC triphosphate (araCTP), to the liver. The study objectives were to determine the maximum tolerated dose, toxicity profile (NCI-CTC 2.0), PK & antitumor activity of MB07133 in patients (pts) with unresectable HCC. MB07133 was given as a continuous IV infusion at escalating doses during the first 7 days of a 28-day cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred. To date, 22 pts with Child-Pugh Class A liver function have been enrolled in 4 cohorts (300, 600, 1200, 1800 mg/m2/d, D1–7), with 3–6 pts/cohort. Enrolled pts had a median age of 57 yrs (range 20–67) & consisted of 21 males, 1 female, 19 Asians & 3 Caucasians. A total of 66 cycles have been administered (maximum 10 cycles in 1 pt) with no dose-limiting toxicities associated with therapy. Most drug-related toxicities (67%) were mild to moderate (gr 1–2 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia & increased ALT). There was 1 gr 3 ascites unrelated to study drug and no gr 4 toxicity. Six pts experienced 10 serious adverse events, all unrelated or unlikely related to study drug. The very low araC concentrations in the plasma (see table ) were consistent with previous animal studies, which demonstrated MB07133 to target araCTP production in the liver. 36% of pts who had ≥ 2 cycles of MB07133 had disease stabilization. Conclusions: MB07133 is well tolerated at doses up to 1800 mg/m2/d in pts with unresectable HCC. Enrollment of a 2400 mg/m2 cohort is ongoing. The disease stabilization observed in this study, although preliminary, warrants further investigation in Phase 2.

[Table: see text]

[Table: see text]

Impaired Transport as a Mechanism of Resistance to Thiopurines in Human T-Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells

In order to better understand the mechanisms of resistance to thiopurines, we studied two sublines of the MOLT4 T-lymphoblastic leukemia cell line, resistant to 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and 6-thioguanine (6-TG). We found that the underlying mechanism of resistance in both resistant cell lines was a markedly reduction in initial transport of 6-MP (3- and 5-fold, respectively, in 6-MP- and 6-TG-resistant cells). No significant alteration of activities of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase, thiopurine methyltransferase or inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, the key enzymes involved in the metabolism of thiopurines was detected. We conclude that defected initial transport of thiopurines by cells may very well explain their resistance to these drugs.

Measurement of two- and three-nucleon short-range correlation probabilities in nuclei

The ratios of inclusive electron scattering cross sections of 4He, 12C, and 56Fe to 3He have been measured at 1 < xB <. At Q2 > 1.4 GeV2, the ratios exhibit two separate plateaus, at 1.5 < xB < 2 and at xB > 2.25. This pattern is predicted by models that include 2- and 3-nucleon short-range correlations (SRC). Relative to A = 3, the per-nucleon probabilities of 3-nucleon SRC are 2.3, 3.1, and 4.4 times larger for A = 4, 12, and 56. This is the first measurement of 3-nucleon SRC probabilities in nuclei.

Circadian function in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

This study aimed to evaluate whether patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer experience disrupted rest–activity daily rhythms, poor sleep quality, weakness, and maintain attributes that are linked to circadian function such as fatigue. This report describes the rest–activity patterns of 33 non-small-cell lung cancer patients who participated in a randomised clinical trial evaluating the benefits of melatonin. Data are reported on circadian function, health-related quality of life (QoL), subjective sleep quality, and anxiety/depression levels prior to randomisation and treatment. Actigraphy data, an objective measure of circadian function, demonstrated that patients' rest–activity circadian function differs significantly from control subjects. Our patients reported poor sleep quality and high levels of fatigue. Ferrans and Powers QoL Index instrument found a high level of dissatisfaction with health-related QoL. Data from the European Organization for Research and Treatment for Cancer reported poor capacity to fulfil the activities of daily living. Patients studied in the hospital during or near chemotherapy had significantly more abnormal circadian function than those studied in the ambulatory setting. Our data indicate that measurement of circadian sleep/activity dynamics should be accomplished in the outpatient/home setting for a minimum of 4–7 circadian cycles to assure that they are most representative of the patients' true condition. We conclude that the daily sleep/activity patterns of patients with advanced lung cancer are disturbed. These are accompanied by marked disruption of QoL and function. These data argue for investigating how much of this poor functioning and QoL are actually caused by this circadian disruption, and, whether behavioural, light-based, and or pharmacologic strategies to correct the circadian/sleep activity patterns can improve function and QoL.

Medical students' perceptions of sexual health issues prior to a curriculum enhancement

The objectives were to compare first, second and third year medical students on self-perceived sexual health knowledge, comfort in addressing sexual health problems, and attitudes towards the importance of addressing sexual health issues with patients as part of a sexual health medical curriculum enhancement project. A paper-and-pencil questionnaire survey was designed and administered to first and second year medical students at the start of the fall semester, resulting in high participation rates for both years (98% and 86%, respectively). Third year students were surveyed through an on-line version of the questionnaire yielding a lower response rate (52%). Multivariate statistical analyses were used to compare knowledge, comfort and attitudes by year in medical school. Results were as follows: As might be expected, sexual health knowledge and comfort in addressing sexual health problems increased linearly from first to third year (P<0.01) for all questions. Unexpectedly, second year students had significantly higher scores on questions assessing attitudes towards the importance of addressing sexual health issues than either first or third year students (P<0.001). Female medical students reported that addressing sexual health issues with patients was significantly more important than did male medical students; however, male students reported higher levels of self-reported knowledge and comforting related to sexual health issues than did female students in a number of areas. In conclusion, knowledge gained from this survey was used to finalize the design of an enhanced, integrated curriculum on sexual health for medical students. Further investigation of gender differences related to training medical students in this area is suggested.

Nasal challenges with recombinant derivatives of the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 induce fewer symptoms and lower mediator release than rBet v 1 wild-type in patients with allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND

Genetic engineering of the major birch pollen allergen (Bet v 1) has led to the generation of recombinant Bet v 1 derivatives with markedly reduced IgE-binding capacity, but with retained T cell activating ability.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the mucosal reactivity to rBet v 1 derivatives with rBet v 1 wild-type as basis for new therapeutic strategies for birch pollen allergy based on mucosal tolerance induction.

METHODS

Outside the pollen season, 10 patients with birch pollen allergic rhinitis and mild asthma underwent four nasal challenge-sessions in a randomized, double-blind, and cross-over design, employing increasing doses of rBet v 1 fragment mix, rBet v 1 trimer, rBet v 1 wild-type and diluent (albumin). Nasal lavage fluids (NAL) were collected before the challenge-series as well as 10 min, 4 and 24 h thereafter. Nasal lavage fluid levels of tryptase as well as EPO and ECP were measured as indices of mast cell and eosinophil activity, respectively.

RESULTS

All 10 patients tolerated the highest accumulated dose, 8.124 microg, when challenged with rBet v 1 trimer, eight with rBet v 1 fragments compared to one when challenged with rBet v 1 wild-type. No late phase reactions were observed. The change in tryptase levels (pre-challenge vs. 10 min) was significantly lower after challenges with rBet v 1 trimer and rBet v 1 fragments than with rBet v 1 wild-type. The change in EPO/ECP concentration pre-challenge versus 4 h post-challenge was lower for rBet v 1 trimer and the change was significantly lower when pre-challenge versus 24 h post-challenge to rBet v 1 fragments and rBet v 1 wild-type was examined.

CONCLUSION

The derivatives induced significantly fewer symptoms and lower mast cell and eosinophil activation than rBet v 1 wild-type upon application to the nasal mucosa. They could in the future be candidates for immunotherapy based on mucosal tolerance induction.

Detecting genotype x age interaction

This paper explores several extensions to the variance component method, which incorporate genotype x age interaction effects. We evaluate the performance of these methods for detecting genotype x age interaction in quantitative genetic analyses of a quantitative trait (Q4), contrasting this with false positive detection rates obtained from a phenotype influenced by the same genes but without genotype x age interaction effects (Q3). We then assess the impact on linkage power and false positive rate of allowing a QTL-specific genotype x age interaction in linkage analysis of these same traits.

The landing of the NEAR-Shoemaker spacecraft on asteroid 433 Eros

The NEAR-Shoemaker spacecraft was designed to provide a comprehensive characterization of the S-type asteroid 433 Eros (refs 1,2,3), an irregularly shaped body with approximate dimensions of 34 x 13 x 13 km. Following the completion of its year-long investigation, the mission was terminated with a controlled descent to its surface, in order to provide extremely high resolution images. Here we report the results of the descent on 12 February 2001, during which 70 images were obtained. The landing area is marked by a paucity of small craters and an abundance of 'ejecta blocks'. The properties and distribution of ejecta blocks are discussed in a companion paper. The last sequence of images reveals a transition from the blocky surface to a smooth area, which we interpret as a 'pond'. Properties of the 'ponds' are discussed in a second companion paper. The closest image, from an altitude of 129 m, shows the interior of a 100-m-diameter crater at 1-cm resolution.

Improving standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation with an inspiratory impedance threshold valve in a porcine model of cardiac arrest

To improve the efficiency of standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), we evaluated the potential value of impeding respiratory gas exchange selectively during the decompression phase of standard CPR in a porcine model of ventricular fibrillation. After 6 min of untreated cardiac arrest, anesthetized farm pigs weighing 30 kg were randomized to be treated with either standard CPR with a sham valve (n = 11) or standard CPR plus a functional inspiratory impedance threshold valve (ITV(TM)) (n = 11). Coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) (diastolic aortic minus right atrial pressure) was the primary endpoint. Vital organ blood flow was assessed with radiolabeled microspheres after 6 min of CPR, and defibrillation was attempted 11 min after starting CPR. After 2 min of CPR, mean +/- SEM CPP was 14 +/- 2 mm Hg with the sham valve versus 20 +/- 2 mm Hg in the ITV group (P < 0.006). Significantly higher CPPs were maintained throughout the study when the ITV was used. After 6 min of CPR, mean +/- SEM left ventricular and global cerebral blood flows were 0.10 +/- 0.03 and 0.19 +/- 0.03 mL. min(-1). g(-1) in the Control group versus 0.19 +/- 0.03 and 0.26 +/- 0.03 mL. min(-1). g(-1) in the ITV group, respectively (P < 0.05). Fifteen minutes after successful defibrillation, 2 of 11 animals were alive in the Control group versus 6 of 11 in the ITV group (not significant). In conclusion, use of an inspiratory impedance valve during standard CPR resulted in a marked increase in CPP and vital organ blood flow after 6 min of cardiac arrest.

Topological properties of citation and metabolic networks

Topological properties of "scale-free" networks are investigated by determining their spectral dimensions d(S), which reflect a diffusion process in the corresponding graphs. Data bases for citation networks and metabolic networks together with simulation results from the growing network model [A.-L. Barabasi and R. Albert, Science 286, 509 (1999)] are probed. For completeness and comparisons lattice, random and small-world models are also investigated. We find that d(S) is around 3 for citation and metabolic networks, which is significantly different from the growing network model, for which d(S) is approximately 7.5. This signals a substantial difference in network topology despite the observed similarities in vertex-order distributions. In addition, the diffusion analysis indicates that the citation networks are treelike in structure, whereas the metabolic networks contain many loops.