Expanding the early intervention offer: A new care pathway for children's wellbeing practitioners in a south London child and adolescent mental health service

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) have been under recent increased demand, with increasingly limited resources, contributing to longer waiting lists, and a growing proportion of rejected referrals due to limited capacity and increasing thresholds. Child and Wellbeing Practitioners (CWPs) provide an opportunity to meet the needs of rejected referrals. We aimed to determine the feasibility of a new and direct referral route within a South London CAMHS. All referrals rejected to the local CAMHS in one year were assessed for inclusion to an embedded child and youth wellbeing in schools team (CYWS), and data collected on reasons for rejection, demographics and eligibility for the CYWS team. Of the 1,322 referrals made to CAMHS in this period, 317 were rejected. The most common reason for referral rejection was not meeting the severity threshold. One third of rejected referrals were judged to be eligible for inclusion to the CYWS team. Therefore, a significant number of children and young people (CYP) being rejected by CAMHS would be eligible for assessment and possible treatment under the CYWS team, making a new referral route potentially feasible, allowing more CYP to access mental health support and have a positive impact on waiting times.

The Long-Term Effects of Group-Based Psychological Interventions for Children With Tourette Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial examined the long-term effects of group-based psychological interventions on measures of tic severity, self-reported quality of life (QOL), and school attendance. Children (n = 28) with Tourette syndrome (TS) were assessed 12 months after completing a course of either group-based Habit Reversal Training (HRT) or Education. Both groups demonstrated long-term improvement in tic severity and QOL, which included significant continued improvement during the follow-up (FU) period. Both groups also showed significant posttreatment improvement in school attendance. Further research is required to explore potential therapeutic mechanisms, independent or mutual, which may underlie long-term symptom improvements.

Thyroid function of steatitis-affected Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus from a sub-tropical African reservoir

Thyroid function and nutritional indicators were measured in obese, steatitis-affected Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus from Loskop Reservoir (LR), South Africa. Plasma thyroid hormones (especially T3) and thyroid follicle histomorphology revealed high levels of activity in every aspect of the thyroid cascade measured in fish from LR compared to a reference population of steatitis-free fish. Concurrent measurements of nutritional state including plasma lipids, liver lipid content and hepatocyte size showed that fish from LR had significant energy stores indicative of abundant nutritional intake. There were distinct sex and seasonal differences, with the highest plasma lipids and T3 levels observed in steatitis-affected females during spring and summer. Positive correlations were observed between plasma lipids (especially cholesterol) and T3 concentrations in fish from both populations, indicating a link between lipid metabolism and thyroid function. There was no direct evidence of thyroid disruption, but this cannot be ruled out until further research determines the factors that underlie the homeostatic shift leading to elevated plasma and liver lipids and T3 levels in steatitis-affected tilapia.

Metal-Free CVD Graphene Synthesis on 200 mm Ge/Si(001) Substrates

Good quality, complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology compatible, 200 mm graphene was obtained on Ge(001)/Si(001) wafers in this work. Chemical vapor depositions were carried out at the deposition temperatures of 885 °C using CH₄ as carbon source on epitaxial Ge(100) layers, which were grown on Si(100), prior to the graphene synthesis. Graphene layer with the 2D/G ratio ∼3 and low D mode (i.e., low concentration of defects) was measured over the entire 200 mm wafer by Raman spectroscopy. A typical full-width-at-half-maximum value of 39 cm^-1 was extracted for the 2D mode, further indicating that graphene of good structural quality was produced. The study also revealed that the lack of interfacial oxide correlates with superior properties of graphene. In order to evaluate electrical properties of graphene, its 2 × 2 cm² pieces were transferred onto SiO₂/Si substrates from Ge/Si wafers. The extracted sheet resistance and mobility values of transferred graphene layers were ∼1500 ± 100 Ω/sq and μ ≈ 400 ± 20 cm²/V s, respectively. The transferred graphene was free of metallic contaminations or mechanical damage. On the basis of results of DFT calculations, we attribute the high structural quality of graphene grown by CVD on Ge to hydrogen-induced reduction of nucleation probability, explain the appearance of graphene-induced facets on Ge(001) as a kinetic effect caused by surface step pinning at linear graphene nuclei, and clarify the orientation of graphene domains on Ge(001) as resulting from good lattice matching between Ge(001) and graphene nucleated on such nuclei.

Understanding the growth mechanism of graphene on Ge/Si(001) surfaces

The practical difficulties to use graphene in microelectronics and optoelectronics is that the available methods to grow graphene are not easily integrated in the mainstream technologies. A growth method that could overcome at least some of these problems is chemical vapour deposition (CVD) of graphene directly on semiconducting (Si or Ge) substrates. Here we report on the comparison of the CVD and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth of graphene on the technologically relevant Ge(001)/Si(001) substrate from ethene (C₂H₄) precursor and describe the physical properties of the films as well as we discuss the surface reaction and diffusion processes that may be responsible for the observed behavior. Using nano angle resolved photoemission (nanoARPES) complemented by transport studies and Raman spectroscopy as well as density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we report the direct observation of massless Dirac particles in monolayer graphene, providing a comprehensive mapping of their low-hole doped Dirac electron bands. The micrometric graphene flakes are oriented along two predominant directions rotated by 30° with respect to each other. The growth mode is attributed to the mechanism when small graphene “molecules” nucleate on the Ge(001) surface and it is found that hydrogen plays a significant role in this process.

2,3-trans-3,4-trans-3,4-Dihydroxy-L-proline: An amino acid in toxic peptides of Amanita virosa mushrooms

Among the four possible stereoisomers of 3,4-dihydroxy-L-proline,2,3-trans-3,4-trans-3,4-dihydroxy-L-proline (IV) had not been found in nature previously. It has now been detected as a component of virotoxins, toxic peptides of Amanita virosa mushrooms. Because periodate failed to effect an oxidative glycol splitting reaction, the two hydroxyl groups in positions 3 and 4 were expected to be in a trans configuration. Furthermore, the formation of a 4-lactone on treatment with acids pointed to the carboxyl group and the hydroxyl group at position 4 being in a cis configuration. These results are in agreement with structure IV only. Final proof for structure IV was given by NMR spectroscopy and direct comparison with the 2,3-cis-3,4-trans-3,4-dihydroxy-L-proline isomer.

TEM determination of directions of (Ga,Mn)As nanowires grown by MBE on GaAs(001) substrates

The structure of GaMnAs nanowires (NW) with nominal Mn concentration of up to 7 at% was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The (Ga,Mn)As NW were grown on epiready GaAs(001) n-type wafers by molecular beam epitaxy. The crystal structure of the NW was determined to be zinc-blende. NW with Mn concentrations lower than 5 at% grow along the 111 direction. NW with higher Mn concentrations grow along the 110 direction and reveal a branching structure. The main nanowire and branches grow along the 110 directions belonging to only one {111} plane.

Über die Wirkung von Forskolin-Augentropfen auf den Augeninnendruck gesunder männlicher Personen

Suspensions of Forskolin in concentrations of 0.3; 0.6; and 1.0% decreased effectively the intraocular pressure of healthy subjects when instillated in the conjunctival sac. The suspensions were compared with placebo in double blind studies. The maximum effect was reached 3 hours after application of the 0.3% (22.8%) and 0.6% (27.8%) suspensions and 4 hours after the 1.0% (26.5%) suspension. The higher concentrations decreased the intraocular pressure to the same extent as the lowest concentration but the effect lasted longer: 4 hours after instillation of the 0.3% suspension, 5 hours after instillation of the 0.6% suspension and 7 hours after the 1.0% suspension. The suspensions were well tolerated. Subjective sensations like burning, itching and augmentated lacrimation were observed only in a minor amount and for a short period of time.

In the radiotherapy of prostate cancer, technique determines the doses to the penile structures

For 11 consecutive prostate cancer patients undergoing three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) in our institution, penile structures (PNS) were outlined in CT images obtained for treatment planning purposes. Dose-volume histograms (DVHs) were compared in order to study dose-volume relations for three techniques: 4FLD, an axial coplanar, four-field box technique; 6FLD, a six-field coplanar technique; and 4NAX, a coplanar but non-axial, four-field technique. All three techniques delivered equal doses to the planning target volumes (PTV). Our statistical analyses strongly indicate that the three techniques can be ranked as 6FLD better than 4FLD (and 4FLD better than 4NAX) as far as irradiating PNS volume during treatment of prostate cancer (PC) is concerned. For each technique, there is a "spread" owing to differences in patient anatomy and/or target size, position, and extent, but each technique has a similar "profile" or "shape" distinct from other techniques. Whether irradiating smaller volumes of PNS will influence the sexual potency outcome remains to be demonstrated. However, PNS should be considered as another critical structure in addition to rectum, bladder and femoral heads in the radiotherapy (RT) of PC, especially in 3DCRT dose escalation studies. Sexual potency outcomes can be correlated to dose-volume relations in the future and this will help refine radiotherapy techniques further.

A comparison of nine WAIS-R short forms in individuals with mild to severe traumatic brain injury

Scores from nine WAIS-R short forms were calculated for a sample of 75 adults with mild to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Although all nine of the short forms were significantly correlated with the WAIS-R Full Scale IQ, three of the short forms (Vocabulary-Block Design; Vocabulary-Block Design-Arithmetic-Similarities; Vocabulary-Arithmetic-Picture Arrangement-Block Design) significantly overestimated the WAIS-R IQ and thus may be inappropriate to use with this population. The remaining six short forms did not differ significantly from the WAIS-R Full Scale IQ. Among these six, Ward s seven-subtest short form appeared to exhibit the least variability in predicting the WAIS-R Full Scale IQ. Information is presented and discussed regarding the absolute difference scores between short form IQ estimates and the WAIS-R as well as the proportion of short forms which significantly under- and overestimate the Full Scale IQ.

Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes ricinus ticks (Acari, Ixodidae) in different Polish woodlands

In 1996-1998, a total of 2285 Ixodes ricinus ticks (1063 nymphs, 637 males, 585 females) were collected from vegetation from 25 different localities in the 8 Polish provinces throughout the country. Ticks inhabited all 25 collection sites. The average number of ticks per collection site was 91.4 +/- 13.7. All 2285 ticks were examined for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) presence, of which 1333 specimens from 3 provinces were tested by routine indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using polyclonal antibody PAB 1B29. The remaining 952 specimens from 5 provinces were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using FL6 and FL7 primers. The overall infection rate in ticks estimated by these 2 methods was 10. 2%. Nymphs showed lower positivity rate (6.2%) as compared to adult ticks (14.9% in females and 12.4% in males). The highest percentage of infected I. ricinus ticks (37.5%) was noted in the Katowice province while the lowest (4.1%) in the Bia ystok province. In particular collection sites, infection rates varied from 0-37.5%. The obtained results confirmed that B. burgdorferi s.l. is present throughout the distributional areas of I. ricinus in Poland and that a prevalence of spirochete-infected ticks may be high in some locations.

Conformational changes due to vicinal glycosylation: the branched alpha-L-Rhap(1-2)[beta-D-Galp(1-3)]-beta-D-Glc1-OMe trisaccharide compared with its parent disaccharides

Conformations of the alpha-L-Rhap(1-2)-beta-D-Glc1-OMe and beta-D-Galp(1-3)-beta-D-Glc1-OMe disaccharides and the branched title trisaccharide were examined in DMSO-d6 solution by 1H-nmr. The distance mapping procedure was based on rotating frame nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) constraints involving C- and O-linked protons, and hydrogen-bond constraints manifested by the splitting of the OH nmr signals for partially deuteriated samples. An "isotopomer-selected NOE" method for the unequivocal identification of mutually hydrogen-bonded hydroxyl groups was suggested. The length of hydrogen bonds thus detected is considered the only one motionally nonaveraged nmr-derived constraint. Molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics methods were used to model the conformational properties of the studied oligosaccharides. Complex conformational search, relying on a regular phi, psi-grid based scanning of the conformational space of the selected glycosidic linkage, combined with simultaneous modeling of different allowed orientations of the pendant groups and the third, neighboring sugar residue, has been carried out. Energy minimizations were performed for each member of the phi, psi grid generated set of conformations. Conformational clustering has been done to group the minimized conformations into families with similar values of glycosidic torsion angles. Several stable syn and anti conformations were found for the 1-->2 and 1-->3 bonds in the studied disaccharides. Vicinal glycosylation affected strongly the occupancy of conformational states in both branches of the title trisaccharide. The preferred conformational family of the trisaccharide (with average phi, psi values of 38 degrees, 17 degrees for the 1-->2 and 48 degrees, 1 degree for the 1-->3 bond, respectively) was shown by nmr to be stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the nonbonded Rha and Gal residues.

Secondary H/D isotope effect on hydrogen-bonded hydroxyl groups as a tool for recognizing distance constraints in conformational analysis of oligosaccharides

An 'isotopomer-selected NOE' (ISNOE) method for the unequivocal identification of mutually hydrogen-bond-linked hydroxyl groups is described. It relies on the fact that the OH group's signal patterns obtained for a partially deuterated sample originate from both isotopomers of the 'partner' hydroxyl, whereas a NOE for this group can originate from cross-relaxation with the protio isotopomer of this hydroxyl only. Hence, the isotopically shifted component of this group's signal does not appear in a ROE difference spectrum obtained with selective excitation of the 'partner' hydroxyl. This method is also applicable in those cases when only one of two mutually hydrogen-bonded groups exhibits resolvable isotope shifts. Furthermore, it is shown that isotope shifts may occur even for pairs of OH groups that are not mutually hydrogen-bonded, if these participate in hydrogen bonds with other hydroxyls and thereby affect conformational equilibria. The ISNOE experiment enables one to distinguish between these two sources of isotope shifts. Since the O[Symbol: see text][Symbol: see text][Symbol: see text]O distance for hydrogen-bonded hydroxyls in sugars is known to lie between 2.7 and 3.0 A , the hydrogen bonds established by ISNOE can be used in conformational analysis as reliable, motionally non-averaged distance constraints for the conformations containing these bonds.

Reinvestigation of the O-specific polysaccharides of Hafnia alvei lipopolysaccharides isolated from strains ATCC 13337 and 1187

The structure of the O-specific polysaccharides of the lipopolysaccharides produced by Hafnia alvei strains ATCC 13337 and 1187 was reinvestigated. The position of phosphate group in the repeating units of the polysaccharides was established with the aid of 1H detected, 31P edited NMR spectra. According to the results obtained, the polysaccharides are teichoic acid-like polymers with the repeating units of the following structure: [formula: see text] where Acyl = D-3-hydroxylbutyryl, and 3-O-acetylation was approximately 30%.

Structure of the O-specific polysaccharide, containing a glycerol phosphate substituent, of Hafnia alvei strain 1220 lipopolysaccharide

The O-specific polysaccharide of the lipopolysaccharide produced by Hafnia alvei strain 1220 contained D-glucose, D-galactose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, N-acetyl-L-fucosamine (2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-L-galactose), glycerol, and phosphate. It was proved by composition and methylation analyses, Smith degradation, dephosphorylation, and one- and two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy to be a teichoic acid-like polymer with a branched hexasaccharide repeating unit of the following structure. [sequence: see text]

Eye shielding for patients treated with total body irradiation

The incidence of cataracts in patients who have received total body irradiation (TBI) is about 20% and increases to 40% if the patient is treated for graft-versus-host disease. At our institution, all TBI patients are treated with two lateral opposed 24 MV photon fields. No attempt is usually made to shield the eyes during the TBI treatment because of the amount of lead required to adequately attenuate megavoltage photon beams, the difficulty in properly positioning an eye shield and the possibility of compromising the effectiveness of the treatment. However, we were asked to treat a TBI patient who is a professional pilot, and thus his livelihood is contingent upon maintaining perfect vision. A custom eye shield was constructed out of lead and ionization chamber and film measurements were performed under TBI conditions to determine the thickness and location of the eye block to optimize the competing effects of increased scatter and attenuation from the lead. Phantom data were also obtained for 6 MV irradiation for comparison with 24 MV. In-vivo patient and phantom measurements with thermoluminescent dosimeters showed that with visual positioning of the eye block the dose was reduced from 16 to 20% across the orbits of both eyes.

HIV antibodies in seafarers, fishermen and in other population groups in the Gdańsk Region (1993-1996)

In 1993-1996, serological tests for HIV were performed comprising seamen, fishermen, people travelling abroad, drug addicts, patients of National Health Service Hospitals, health workers and other groups of people from the Gdańsk Region. HIV-antibodies were determined by means of immunoezymatic method ELISA, using Abbot's test recombinant HIV1/HIV2 third generation. Positive results were verified with the aid of the specific confirmation test Western blot. All in all there were 34,911 tests made and in 40 patients (0.11%) HIV-antibodies were revealed. In the group of seafarers made of 26,988 people HIV-antibodies were detected in 14 men (0.05%): 11 seamen and 3 deep-sea fishermen. The group of people travelling abroad consisted of 4269 subjects, and out them 6 men (0.18%) and one woman (0.12%) were seropositive. Out of 137 people from the group of risk-drug addicts taking narcotics intravenously-8 men (8%) and one women (2.7%) were infected. In the group of 2442 National Health Service patients, HIV-antibodies were noted in 5 men (0.31%) and one women (0.12%). Out of 172 health service workers examined nobody was infected. The group defined as "other subjects", was composed of 703 men, out which 2 were seropositive (0.28%) and 200 women-2 of them had HIV-antibodies (1.0%). The majority of seropositive subjects were men, 35 of them; there were 5 seropositive women.

Structural elucidation of the biological repeating unit of O-specific polysaccharide from Citrobacter serotype O41

Sugar analysis of the O-specific polysaccharide produced by Citrobacter serotype O41 revealed the presence of a hexasaccharide repeating unit, which includes the unusual 3-amino-N-(D-3'-hydroxybutyryl)-3,6-dideoxy-D-galactosyl residue (Fuc3NAcyl). The structure of the repeating unit was determined by extensive use of homo- and heteronuclear two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, including the application of long-range 1H-13C correlation experiments and NOE studies to establish the sequence of sugar units. Indentification of the Glc beta 1-->2Fuc3NAcyl beta 1-->6GlcNAc alpha 1-->sequence at the non-reducing terminus establishes the biological repeating unit of this O-specific polysaccharide as: -->2Glc beta 1-->Fuc3NAcyl-beta 1-->6GlcNAc alpha 1-->(Glc alpha 1-->2) 4Gal beta 1-->3GalNAc beta 1-->. This structure is similar to that found for the O-specific polysaccharide isolated from Hafnia alvei strain 1211 [Katzenellenbogen, E., Romanowska, E., Dabrowski, U. & Dabrowski, J. (1991) Eur. J. Biochem. 200, 401-407], which differs in having an acetyl substituent at O4 of the Fuc3NAcyl residue and a branch point of GalNAc alpha substituted by Glc beta at O3; these differences are responsible for the only weak serological cross-reactivity of the two strains.

Lipopolysaccharide core region of Hafnia alvei: structure elucidation using chemical methods, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and NMR spectroscopy

Sugar and methylation analysis with the use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and 1H NMR spectroscopy proved that the core oligosaccharides isolated from lipopolysaccharides of eight Hafnia alvei strains have the identical hexasaccharide skeleton. However, 1H, 31P heterocorrelated spectra showed that the phosphorylation pattern is not the same. The branched heptose for the ATCC 13337, 1187, 2, 1191, 1196, 1220, and 481L strains is phosphorylated as in the following formula, where P = -O-P(O)(O-)2 and P-PEtN = [-O-P(O)(O-)]2-O(CH2)2NH3+ [formula: see text] A different phosphorylation pattern was found for the 1211 strain, where the branched heptose residue is 6-substituted by a monophosphorylethanolamine group, ...-->3(-->7)(PEtN-->6)-alpha-LD-Hepp-(1-->3)..., where PEtN = -O-P(O)(O-)-O(CH2)2NH3+.

3-Deoxy-octulosonic acid-containing trisaccharide fragment of an unusual core type of some Hafnia alvei lipopolysaccharides

The 3-deoxy-octulosonic acid-containing trisaccharide was isolated from the carbohydrate material obtained after the acid hydrolysis of lipopolysaccharides of Hafnia alvei strains 2 and 1211 using gel filtration. For purification the trisaccharide fraction was rechromatographed on a Bio-Gel P2 column. On the basis of sugar and methylation analyses and 1H NMR spectroscopy the trisaccharide was identified as 3-deoxy-7-O-(6-O-acetyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl)-4-O-(alpha-L-glycero-D - mannoheptopyranosyl)-D-manno-2-octulopyranosic acid. The occurrence of such bifurcate Kdo-containing structure has not been previously reported in Enterobacteriaceae.

Solution conformation of the tetrasaccharide glycoside Xyl beta 1-(Man alpha 1-3)2Man beta 1-4Glc beta 1R from the mollu-series glycosphingolipids

The conformation of Xyl beta 1-(Man alpha 1-3)2Man beta 1-4Glc beta 1-OCH2CH(N3)CH(OH) CH = CHC13H27 tetrasaccharide glycoside in Me2SO-d6 was investigated with use of a distance mapping procedure based on rotating-frame NOE and hydrogen bond constraints, and Molecular Mechanics calculations. The Man alpha 1-3Man beta linkage was found to be well defined in a single conformation, whereas some flexibility could be assumed for the remaining two glycosidic linkages. Similar conclusions, though based on a smaller number of constraints, were drawn for the title compound anchored in mixed D2O/dodecylphosphocholine-d38 micelles.

Structure of the O-specific polysaccharide containing pentitol phosphate, isolated from Hafnia alvei strain PCM 1191 lipopolysaccharide

The O-specific polysaccharide of the lipopolysaccharide produced by Hafnia alvei strain PCM 1191 was shown by composition and methylation analyses, periodate oxidation and one- and two-dimensional 1H- and 31P-NMR spectroscopy to be a polymer of a branched hexasaccharide repeating units having the structure: [formula: see text] where LAraol = L-arabitol The polysaccharide of 1191 strain has teichoic-acid-like character. Its peculiar feature is the presence of arabitol phosphate, a component observed for the first time in bacterial lipopolysaccharides.

Structure of the O-specific polysaccharide of Salmonella arizonae O45

The O-specific polysaccharide of Salmonella arizonae O45 (Arizona 11) is acidic and has a branched hexasaccharide repeating unit containing two residues of L-fucose, one residue each of D-galactose, D-ribose, D-glucuronic acid, and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, and an O-acetyl group. It was studied with the help of 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, including 1D selective spin-decoupling and homonuclear Hartmann-Hahn spectroscopy, 2D homonuclear and 13C-1H heteronuclear shift-correlated (COSY) and NOE (ROESY) spectroscopy, as well as by methylation analysis, and selective cleavages with anhydrous HF (or dilute HCl) and lithium in ethylenediamine to yield two different tetrasaccharide fragments. As a result, the following structure of the polysaccharide was established: [formula: see text] Anomalous 13C chemical shifts were observed in the spectrum of the trisaccharide fragment alpha-L-Fucp-(1-->2)-beta-D-Gal p-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glc pNAc, structurally related to the Le(d) blood-group determinant, and rationalised by inter-residue proton-proton interactions.

Solution conformations of GM3 gangliosides containing different sialic acid residues as revealed by NOE-based distance mapping, molecular mechanics, and molecular dynamics calculations

The conformation of the GM3 ganglioside, Neu5Ac alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1-1 Cer, and its analogs containing the Neu5Gc or Neu4Ac5Gc residues (Gc = glycolyl, CH2OHCO) was investigated in Me2SO-d6 solution with the aid of a distance-mapping procedure based on rotating-frame NOE contacts, with hydroxyl protons being used as long-range sensors defining the distance constraints. A pronounced flexibility found for both the Neu-Gal and Gal-Glc linkages was confirmed by 1000-ps molecular dynamics simulations. Similar results, although based on a smaller number of NOE constraints, were obtained for GM3 gangliosides anchored in mixed D2O/dodecylphosphocholine-d38 micelles and for the Neu5Ac-, Neu5Gc-, and Neu5,9Ac2-sialyllactoses dissolved in D2O. No noteworthy differences in conformational behavior of the glycan chains of the three gangliosides or sialyllactoses were observed in either of the media.

The structure of the O-specific polysaccharide chain of the lipopolysaccharide of Salmonella arizonae O61

The O-specific polysaccharide was obtained by mild degradation of the Salmonella arizonae O61 lipopolysaccharide with acid. It contained 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, 2-acetamidino-2,6-dideoxy-L-galactose (FucAm), and 7-acetamido-3,5,7,9-tetradeoxy-5-[(R)-3-hydroxybutyramido]-D- glycero-L-galacto-nonulosonic acid (Sug). On the basis of partial acid hydrolysis with 0.1 M HCl, solvolysis with anhydrous HF in methanol, and 1H- and 13C-NMR analysis (including 1H/13C inversely correlated spectroscopy for localisation of N-acyl substituents), it was concluded that the O-specific polysaccharide had the following structure. ----3)-alpha-L-FucAm-(1----3)-alpha-D-GlcNAc-(1----8)-beta-Sug+ ++-(2---- The O-antigen of S. arizonae O61 is structurally related to that of Pseudomonas aeruginosa O12, thus explaining the known serological cross-reactivity between these micro-organisms.

Carbohydrate structure of a thrombin-like serine protease from Agkistrodon rhodostoma. Structure elucidation of oligosaccharides by methylation analysis, liquid secondary-ion mass spectrometry and proton magnetic resonance

The carbohydrate side chains of the thrombin-like serine protease ancrod from the venom of the Malayan pit viper Agkistrodon rhodostoma were liberated from tryptic glycopeptides by treatment with peptide-N4-(N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminyl)asparagine amidase F and fractionated by high-performance liquid chromatography. Glycans obtained were characterized by digestion with exoglycosidases, methylation analysis and, in part, by liquid secondary-ion mass spectrometry and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The results reveal that this snake venom glycoprotein contains partially truncated di-, tri- and tetraantennary complex type N-glycans carrying Fuc(alpha 1-6) residues at the innermost N-acetylglucosamine and solely (alpha 2-3)-linked sialic acid substituents. As a characteristic feature, ancrod oligosaccharides comprise mainly sialylated Gal beta 3GlcNAc beta lactosamine antennae. Furthermore, a small proportion of the sugar chains were found to carry a NeuAc alpha 3GalNAc beta 4GlcNAc beta antenna exclusively linked to C-2 of Man(alpha 1-3) residues of the pentasaccharide core. Thus, many of the glycans found represent novel glycoprotein-N-glycan structures.

Prevalence of HIV-antibodies in maritime workers and in other selected population groups in Poland

The objective of the present work was to determine prevalence of HIV-antibodies in the following population groups: 1. Seamen, fishermen and dockers from region of Gdańsk and Szczecin 2. Travellers abroad. 3. Special risk groups (intravenous drug users, prostitutes, homosexuals, haemophiliacs) mostly from Gdańsk region. 4. Hospital patients, prisoners, other people. Abbott recombinant HIV 1/HIV 2 EIA was used for the detection of antibodies to HIV type 1 and/or type 2. In the period from 1987 to 1992, 70,297 examinations were made. HIV-antibodies were detected in 165 people (0.23%). Out of 35,084 subjects in the first group (926 women and 34,158 men). 20 men were found seropositive (0.06%). The majority of them--16 men were seamen, 3 were fishermen and one was a harbour worker. In the second group made of 27,403 people including 3,640 females, HIV-antibodies were revealed in 9 men (0.04%) and one woman. In the third group, there were 965 people including 482 women; among them there were 104 men and 19 women infected (12.8%). Out of the 349 prostitutes examined 2 were infected (0.05%). Among 79 homosexuals, 4 were found infected. In the sample of 14 haemophiliacs none demonstrated HIV-antibodies. In 6,845 subjects of the fourth group (5938 males and 907 females), 12 males were seropositive (0.18%). In that number 5 were prisoners, other 5 were hospital patients and 2 were known to have homosexual relationship with infected men. The majority of subjects with HIV-antibodies were men--145 (88%) of the total number of subjects infected, aged 20-40.

O-specific polysaccharide of Hafnia alvei lipopolysaccharide isolated from strain 1211. Structural study using chemical methods, gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy

The Hafnia alvei strain 1211 O-specific polysaccharide is composed of 3-amino-N-(D-3'-hydroxybutyryl)-3,6-dideoxy-D-galactose, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and D-glucose (1:1:2:2). On the basis of sugar and methylation analyses, Smith degradation, and one- and two-dimensional 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, the polysaccharide was shown to be an O-acetylated polymer of the repeating hexasaccharide unit, ----2D(4-OAc)Fucp3NAcyl beta 1----6DGlcpNAc alpha 1---- (DGlcp beta 1----3)4DGalpNAc alpha 1----3DGlcpNAc beta 1----2DGlcp beta 1----, where DFucp3NAcyl = 3-amino-N-(D-3'-hydroxybutyryl)-3,6-dideoxy-D- galactopyranose. The O-specific polysaccharide showed some microheterogeneity due to incomplete substitution by terminal glucose.

Structure of the O-specific, sialic acid containing polysaccharide chain and its linkage to the core region in lipopolysaccharide from Hafnia alvei strain 2 as elucidated by chemical methods, gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, and 1H NMR spectroscopy

Mild acid hydrolysis of Hafnia alvei strain 2 lipopolysaccharide released no O-specific polysaccharide but instead gave a monomeric octasaccharide repeating unit with N-acetylneuraminic acid as the reducing terminus. In addition, a dimer of the octasaccharide repeating unit, and also a decasaccharide composed of a fragment of the O-specific polysaccharide chain and the core region, were obtained in minute amounts. On the basis of the sugar and methylation analyses, periodate oxidation, and 1H NMR spectroscopy of the lipopolysaccharide hydrolytic products, the biological repeating unit of the O-specific polysaccharide was shown to be a branched octasaccharide: (Formula; see text) The linkage between the O-specific polysaccharide chain and core region has also been determined and has yield strong evidence that N-acetylneuraminic acid is an inherent lipopolysaccharide component. The lipopolysaccharide of H. alvei strain 2 is the first lipopolysaccharide reported to contain 4-substituted neuraminic acid in its O-specific polysaccharide region.

Core region of Citrobacter O23 lipopolysaccharide. Structure elucidation by chemical methods, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy at 500 MHz

A novel enterobacterial core region in Citrobacter O23 lipopolysaccharide is described. Its structure was determined by methylation analysis/mass spectrometry, chemical degradation and one- and two-dimensional 1H-NMR spectroscopy: [formula; see text] where PPEtN stands for diphosphorylethanolamine, and dOclA for 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid.

Solution conformation of Forssman antigen probed by NOE and exchange interactions

The conformation of Forssman glycolipid, GalNAc alpha 1-3GalNAc beta 1-3Gal alpha 1-4Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1-1ceramide, was analysed with the aid of the rotating frame NOE and Hartmann-Hahn spectroscopy. NOE contacts between C-, O-, and N-linked protons were used for distance mapping. The glycosidic bonds that are common to globotriaosylceramide and globoside showed a similar flexibility as found for these compounds [Poppe et al., (1990) Eur. J. Biochem. 189, 313-325; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 112, 7762-7771]. In contrast, the conformational mobility of the terminal GalNAc alpha 1-3GalNAc beta linkage appears to be restrained. A new approach, based on 2D exchange spectroscopy, was proposed for revealing of spatial proximities between exchangeable protons in Me2SO solution.

Novel phosphorus-containing glycosphingolipids from the blowfly Calliphora vicina Meigen. Structural analysis by 1H and 1H[31P]-edited NMR spectroscopy at 600 and 500 megahertz

Two novel phosphorus-containing neutral glycosphingolipids of the arthro series were isolated from the blowfly Calliphora vicina Meigen: GalNAc alpha 1----4GalNAc beta 1----(X---- 6)4GlcNAc beta 1----3Man beta 1----4Glc beta 1----1-ceramide and GalNAc beta 1----(X----6)4GlcNAc beta 1----3Man beta 1----4Glc beta 1----1- ceramide (X = -O-P(O)(O-)-OC-H2CH2NH3+). The primary structure of the ceramide pentasaccharide was elucidated de novo using two-dimensional 1H NMR correlation spectroscopy at 500 MHz and multistep relayed coherence transfer spectroscopy at 600 MHz. Localization of the 2'-aminoethyl phosphate substituent was established with the aid of 1H-detected, 31P-edited NMR spectroscopy at 500/202 MHz.