Particle-sounding of the spatial structure of kinetic Alfvén waves

Kinetic Alfvén waves (KAWs) are ubiquitous throughout the plasma universe. Although they are broadly believed to provide a potential approach for energy exchange between electromagnetic fields and plasma particles, neither the detail nor the efficiency of the interactions has been well-determined yet. The primary difficulty has been the paucity of knowledge of KAWs' spatial structure in observation. Here, we apply a particle-sounding technique to Magnetospheric Multiscale mission data to quantitatively determine the perpendicular wavelength of KAWs from ion gyrophase-distribution observations. Our results show that KAWs' perpendicular wavelength is statistically 2.4[Formula: see text] times proton thermal gyro-radius. This observation yields an upper bound of the energy the majority proton population can reach in coherent interactions with KAWs, that is, roughly 5.76 times proton perpendicular thermal energy. Therefore, the method and results shown here provide a basis for unraveling the effects of KAWs in dissipating energy and accelerating particles in a number of astrophysical systems, e.g., planetary magnetosphere, astrophysical shocks, stellar corona and wind, and the interstellar medium.

Clinical insights into cisplatin-induced arrhythmia in a patient with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a case report

OBJECTIVE

Cardiotoxicity is a common adverse effect of many antineoplastic agents, including anthracyclines and paclitaxel. However, it has not been defined as a causal side effect of cisplatin. Here we report on a patient with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer who developed a cardiotoxic event induced by cisplatin that manifested primarily as arrhythmia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Intensive cardiac monitoring through electrocardiogram was performed to estimate the severity degree and clinical condition of arrhythmia.

RESULTS

The frequency and severity of the arrhythmia had a strong temporal relationship with the administration of cisplatin, that made it likely that cisplatin was responsible for the cardiotoxicity observed.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present case report, we discuss the potential factors that may provide pivotal contributions to the patient's susceptibility to cardiotoxicity and review the published studies regarding the cardiotoxic influence of cisplatin. We also outline the critical points that oncologists should be aware of when dealing with such high-risk patients.

Free choice feeding of whole grains in meat-type pigeons: 1. effect on performance, carcass traits and organ development

The effects of 5 different feeding systems on the performance, carcass traits and organ development were studied in pigeon squabs. The 5 treatments were (1) whole grains of maize, pea and wheat plus concentrate feed; (2)whole grains of maize and wheat plus concentrate feed (CWC); (3) whole grains of maize and pea plus concentrate feed; (4)whole grain of maize plus concentrate feed (CC); and (5) compound feed (CF). Feed intake of parent pigeons increased significantly from 0 to 21 d and it was higher in the CF treatment. Body weight of squabs in the CWC treatment was the highest among the 5 treatments in 4 weeks. Body weight losses of parental pigeons during the rearing period were not significantly different among the 5 treatments. Protein intake in CC and CWC treatments was lower than that of the other three treatments. The CWC treatment had the highest daily weight gain and the lowest feed conversion ratio. Treatments were statistically similar in the relative weight of carcass, breast and thigh. CF had the lower relative weight of abdominal fat. Relative weight of gizzard in the CF treatment was significantly lower than that of CWC. It was concluded that the application of free choice feeding of whole grains of maize and wheat plus concentrate feed increased the body weight of 28-d-old pigeon squabs and decreased the feed conversion rate of parent pigeons. This feeding strategy could be commercially interesting in meat-type pigeon production.

Randomized clinical trial of chemoembolization plus radiofrequency ablation versus partial hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma within the Milan criteria

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare sequential treatment by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with partial hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within the Milan criteria.

METHODS

In a randomized clinical trial, patients with HCC within the Milan criteria were included and randomized 1 : 1 to the partial hepatectomy group or the TACE + RFA group. The primary outcome was overall survival and the secondary outcome was recurrence-free survival.

RESULTS

Two hundred patients were enrolled. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 97·0, 83·7 and 61·9 per cent for the partial hepatectomy group, and 96·0, 67·2 and 45·7 per cent for the TACE + RFA group (P = 0·007). The 1-, 3- and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 94·0, 68·2 and 48·4 per cent, and 83·0, 44·9 and 35·5 per cent respectively (P = 0·026). On Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, HBV-DNA (hazard ratio (HR) 1·76; P = 0·006), platelet count (HR 1·00; P = 0·017) and tumour size (HR 1·90; P < 0·001) were independent prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival, and HBV-DNA (HR 1·61; P = 0·036) was a risk factor for overall survival. The incidence of complications in the partial hepatectomy group was higher than in the TACE + RFA group (23·0 versus 11·0 per cent respectively; P = 0·024).

CONCLUSION

For patients with HCC within the Milan criteria, partial hepatectomy was associated with better overall and recurrence-free survival than sequential treatment with TACE and RFA.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

ACTRN12611000770965 (http://www.anzctr.org.au/).

Atorvastatin improves cardiac function of rats with chronic cardiac failure via inhibiting Rac1/P47phox/P67phox-mediated ROS release

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the protective mechanisms of atorvastatin treatment for isoproterenol (ISO)-induced chronic heart failure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal group (n = 15, age-matched normal adult rats), ISO group (n = 11, ISO induced heart failure) and atorvastatin group (n = 14, ISO induced lesion but received atorvastatin treatment). The cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography and hemodynamics analysis. In addition, the Rac1 activity in the myocardium and the expression levels of Rac1, p47phox and p67phox were measured by RT-PCR and western blot.

RESULTS

Rats in ISO group developed into heart failure with decreased cardiac function. The Rac1, p47phox and p67phox mRNA expressions and ROS release were increased in ISO group. Atorvastatin treatment improved cardiac function of rats with isoproterenol-induced chronic heart failure and decreased the Rac1, p47phox and p67phox mRNA expressions. Also, membrane protein expression of Rac1 and ROS release decreased significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

Atorvastatin may improve cardiac function of rats with heart failure via inhibiting Rac1/P47phox/P67phox-mediated ROS release.

Genetic characterization and authentication of Dimocarpus longan Lour. using an improved RAPD technique

Dimocarpus longan Lour. is an edible and traditional herb in China, commonly referred to as longon. An improved randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) protocol was here developed in order to determine the geographical origins of D. longan samples collected from 5 provinces in the southern and southwestern areas of China, including Sichuan, Hainan, Fujian, Guangdong, and Guangxi. Generally, the improved RAPD method generated good fingerprinting of the 5 samples using the selected 17 primers. In particular, primers SBS-A5, SBS-A13, SBS-I9, SBS-I20, SBS-M1, and SBS-Q12 produced distinguishable bands that clearly separated all 5 cultivars, suggesting that there are variations in RAPD genetic sites among the samples. The similarity index ranged from 0.69 to 0.76. The Sichuan and Hainan clades clustered together with a 0.73 similarity index. The Guangxi and Fujian clades clustered together with a 0.76 similarity index, and they formed the sister clade to the Sichuan/Hainan clade with a 0.71 similarity index. The Guangdong clade was in a basal polytomy with a 0.70 similarity index. Based on the abundant DNA polymorphisms, these longan accessions are distinguishable using our improved RAPD technique. Therefore, RAPD analysis is an effective technique in distinguishing the geographical origins of D. longan. Moreover, the improved method could also be employed for a variety of applications including genetic diversity and fingerprinting analyses.

Lignocellulolytic enzyme profiles of edible mushroom fungi

One of the most economically-viable processes for the bioconversion of many types of lignocellulosic wastes is represented by edible mushroom cultivation. Lentinula edodes, Volvariella volvacea and Pleurotus sajor-caju are three important commercially cultivated mushrooms which exhibit varying abilities to utilise different lignocellulosics as growth substrate. Examination of the lignocellulolytic enzyme profiles of the three species show this diversity to be reflected in qualitative variations in the major enzymic determinants (i.e. cellulases, ligninases) required for substrate bioconversion. For example, L. edodes, which is cultivated on highly lignified substrates such as wood or sawdust, produces two extracellular enzymes which have been associated with lignin depolymerisation in other fungi, (manganese peroxidase and laccase). Conversely, V. volvacea, which prefers high cellulose-, low lignin-containing substrates produces a family of cellulolytic enzymes including at least five endoglucanases, five cellobiohydrolases and two β-glucosidases, but none of the recognised lignin-degrading enzymes.

Observations of ionospheric electron beams in the plasma sheet

Electrons streaming along the magnetic field direction are frequently observed in the plasma sheet of Earth's geomagnetic tail. The impact of these field-aligned electrons on the dynamics of the geomagnetic tail is however not well understood. Here we report the first detection of field-aligned electrons with fluxes increasing at ~1 keV forming a "cool" beam just prior to the dissipation of energy in the current sheet. These field-aligned beams at ~15 R(E) in the plasma sheet are nearly identical to those commonly observed at auroral altitudes, suggesting the beams are auroral electrons accelerated upward by electric fields parallel (E([parallel])) to the geomagnetic field. The density of the beams relative to the ambient electron density is δn(b)/n(e)~5-13% and the current carried by the beams is ~10(-8)-10(-7) A m(-2). These beams in high β plasmas with large density and temperature gradients appear to satisfy the Bohm criteria to initiate current driven instabilities.

Entropy generation across Earth's collisionless bow shock

Earth's bow shock is a collisionless shock wave but entropy has never been directly measured across it. The plasma experiments on Cluster and Double Star measure 3D plasma distributions upstream and downstream of the bow shock allowing calculation of Boltzmann's entropy function H and his famous H theorem, dH/dt≤0. The collisionless Boltzmann (Vlasov) equation predicts that the total entropy does not change if the distribution function across the shock becomes nonthermal, but it allows changes in the entropy density. Here, we present the first direct measurements of entropy density changes across Earth's bow shock and show that the results generally support the model of the Vlasov analysis. These observations are a starting point for a more sophisticated analysis that includes 3D computer modeling of collisionless shocks with input from observed particles, waves, and turbulences.

Induced migration of dental pulp stem cells for in vivo pulp regeneration

Dental pulp has intrinsic capacity for self-repair. However, it is not clear whether dental pulp cells can be recruited endogenously for regenerating pulp tissues, including mineralizing into dentin. This work is based on a hypothesis that dental pulp stem/progenitor cells can be induced to migrate by chemotactic cytokines and act as endogenous cell sources for regeneration and mineralization. Dental stem cells (DSCs) were isolated from adult human tooth pulp and seeded on the surfaces of 3D collagen gel cylinders that were incubated in chemically defined media with stromal-derived factor-1α (SDF1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), or bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP7). Significantly more cells were recruited into collagen gel by SDF1 or bFGF than without cytokines in 7 days, whereas BMP7 had little effect on cell recruitment. BMP7, however, was highly effective, equally to dexamethasone, in orchestrating mineralization of cultured DSCs. Cell membrane receptors for SDF1, bFGF, and BMP7 were up-regulated in treated DSCs. Upon in vivo delivery, bFGF induced re-cellularization and re-vascularization in endodontically treated human teeth implanted into the dorsum of rats. Thus, endogenous dental pulp cells, including stem/progenitor cells, may be recruited and subsequently differentiated by chemotaxis of selective cytokines in the regeneration of dental pulp.

Effects of lignin-metal complexation on enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose

This study investigated the inhibition of enzymatic hydrolysis by unbound lignin (soluble and insoluble) with or without the addition of metal compounds. Sulfonated, Organosolv, and Kraft lignin were added in aqueous enzyme-cellulose systems at different concentrations before hydrolysis. The measured substrate enzymatic digestibility (SED) of cellulose was decreased by 15% when SL was added to a concentration of 0.1 g/L due to nonproductive adsorption of enzymes onto lignin. Cu(II) and Fe(III) were found to inhibit enzymatic cellulose hydrolysis in the presence of lignin. Ca(II) and Mg(II) were found to reduce or eliminate nonproductive enzyme adsorption by the formation of lignin-metal complex. The addition of Ca(II) or Mg(II) to a concentration of 10 mM can almost completely eliminate the reduction in SED caused by the nonproductive enzyme adsorption onto the lignins studied (SL, OL, or KL at concentration of 0.1 g/L). Ca(II) was also found to reduce the inhibitive effect of bound lignin in pretreated wood substrate, suggesting that Ca(II) can also form complex with bound lignin on pretreated solid lignocelluloses. Significant improvement in SED of about over 27% of a eucalyptus substrate produced by sulfite pretreatment to overcome recalcitrance of lignocellulose (SPORL) was achieved with the application of Ca(II).

Liver resection under total vascular exclusion with or without preceding Pringle manoeuvre

BACKGROUND

Adequate control of bleeding is crucial during liver resection. This study analysed the safety and efficacy of hepatectomy under total hepatic vascular exclusion (THVE) in patients with tumours encroaching or infiltrating the hepatic veins and/or the inferior vena cava (IVC).

METHODS

All patients undergoing liver resection with THVE between January 2000 and July 2006 were identified from a prospectively collected database containing 2400 patients. Data on patient demographics, surgical procedure and outcome were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 87 patients scheduled for liver resection under THVE were identified, 77 with malignant tumours and ten with benign disease. THVE could not be used in two patients (2 per cent) owing to haemodynamic intolerance during trial clamping. Seventeen patients received simultaneous clamping of the portal triad and vena cava, and 68 had portal triad clamping followed by concomitant portal and vena cava clamping. The mean(s.d.) duration of THVE was 28.3(7.5) and 18.7(5.2) min respectively. Overall postoperative complication and operative mortality rates were 53 and 2 per cent respectively. Mean(s.d.) hospital stay was 16.8(4.7) days.

CONCLUSION

Major hepatic resection for tumours encroaching on the hepatic veins or IVC can be carried out under THVE with reasonable morbidity and mortality.

The microorganism community of pentachlorophenol (PCP)-degrading coupled granules

Coupled granules are self-immobilized aggregates of microorganisms under micro aerobic conditions, which have the dissolved oxygen (DO) level of 0.6 mg.L(-1). The effects of DO concentration on pentachlorophenol (PCP) reduction and its microbial community were investigated in a coupled anaerobic and aerobic reactor. Both the diversity and the dynamicity of the Eubacteria and Archaea community, which were responsible for PCP degradation, were evaluated by means of amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and separation using the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) technique. The results demonstrated a major shift in the Eubacteria and Archaea community as the mixed aerobic and anaerobic seeding sludge (1:1 by volume) developed into coupled granules and finally acclimated with PCP throughout the experiment period within 60 days. The numbers of the Eubacteria population decreased from 20, 16 to 11; Shannon diversity index decreased from 2.75, 2.53 to 2.10. In contrast, the number of the Archaea population increased from 12, 14 to 18; and Shannon diversity index increased from 1.87, 1.88 to 2.43. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16SrDNA genes showed the dominance Sphingomonas, Desulfobulbus, Proteobacteria, Actinobacterium, Methanogenic and some uncultured bacteria in the PCP-degrading coupled granules. Microorganism community construction of coupled granules was also deduced.

SEMA3A regulates developing sensory projections in the chicken spinal cord

The present study explores the role of SEMA3A (collapsin-1) in the temporal and spatial regulation of developing sensory projections in the chick spinal cord. During development, SEMA3A mRNA (SEMA3A) is first expressed throughout the spinal gray matter, but disappears from the dorsal region when small caliber (trkA(+)) sensory axon collaterals first grow into the dorsal horn. In explant cultures of spinal cord segments with attached sensory ganglia, the spatial extent of SEMA3A expression varied in different explants, but in each case the growth of trkA(+) sensory collaterals was largely excluded from areas of SEMA3A expression. To test if SEMA3A had a direct effect on sensory axon growth, we injected recombinant protein into the explants before placing them in culture. Increased levels of SEMA3A substantially reduced the ingrowth of trkA(+) axons, whereas trkC(+) axon collaterals were not affected. Consistent with the insensitivity of trkC(+) collaterals to SEMA3A, these collaterals did not express neuropilin-1, a receptor for SEMA3A. The inhibitory effects of SEMA3A on trkA(+) axons within the spinal cord suggests that the fall in SEMA3A expression in the dorsal horn may contribute to the initiation of growth of these axons into gray matter. In addition, the observation that trkA(+) axons frequently grew close to but rarely over areas of SEMA3A expression suggests that semaphorin may act principally as a short-range guidance cue within the spinal cord.

alpha-actinin-2 is a new component of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex

The human skeletal muscle yeast two-hybrid cDNA library was screened with the carboxyl-terminal region (the last 200 amino acids) of dystrophin. Two interacting clones were identified corresponding to alpha-actinin-2 and actin. Interactions between alpha-actinin, actin, and dystrophin were confirmed by the ligand-blotting technique, by colocalization of dystrophin and alpha-actinin-2 to the isolated skeletal muscle sarcolemmal vesicles and to the plasma membranes isolated from C2C12 myoblasts, and by indirect immunolocalization of dystrophin and alpha-actinin-2 in skeletal muscle cells. This is the first identification of a direct interaction between alpha-actinin, actin, and the carboxyl-terminal region of dystrophin. We propose that dystrophin forms lateral, multicontact association with actin and that binding of alpha-actinin-2 to the carboxyl-terminus of dystrophin is the communication link between the integrins and the dystrophin/dystrophin-glycoprotein complex.

The cellular and molecular basis of peripheral nerve regeneration

Functional recovery from peripheral nerve injury and repair depends on a multitude of factors, both intrinsic and extrinsic to neurons. Neuronal survival after axotomy is a prerequisite for regeneration and is facilitated by an array of trophic factors from multiple sources, including neurotrophins, neuropoietic cytokines, insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), and glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factors (GDNFs). Axotomized neurons must switch from a transmitting mode to a growth mode and express growth-associated proteins, such as GAP-43, tubulin, and actin, as well as an array of novel neuropeptides and cytokines, all of which have the potential to promote axonal regeneration. Axonal sprouts must reach the distal nerve stump at a time when its growth support is optimal. Schwann cells in the distal stump undergo proliferation and phenotypical changes to prepare the local environment to be favorable for axonal regeneration. Schwann cells play an indispensable role in promoting regeneration by increasing their synthesis of surface cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), such as N-CAM, Ng-CAM/L1, N-cadherin, and L2/HNK-1, by elaborating basement membrane that contains many extracellular matrix proteins, such as laminin, fibronectin, and tenascin, and by producing many neurotrophic factors and their receptors. However, the growth support provided by the distal nerve stump and the capacity of the axotomized neurons to regenerate axons may not be sustained indefinitely. Axonal regenerations may be facilitated by new strategies that enhance the growth potential of neurons and optimize the growth support of the distal nerve stump in combination with prompt nerve repair.

Phosphorylation of the carboxyl-terminal region of dystrophin

Dystrophin is a protein product of the gene responsible for Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy. The protein is localized to the inner surface of sarcolemma and is associated with a group of membrane (glyco)proteins. Dystrophin links cytoskeletal actins via the dystrophin-associated protein complex to extracellular matrix protein, laminin. This structural organization implicates the role of dystrophin in stabilizing the sarcolemma of muscle fibers. Precisely how dystrophin functions is far from clear. The presence of an array of isoforms of the C-terminal region of dystrophin suggests that dystrophin may have functions other than structural. In agreement, many potential phosphorylation sites are found in the C-terminal region of dystrophin, and the C-terminal region of dystrophin is phosphorylated both in vitro and in vivo by many protein kinases, including MAP kinase, p34cdc2 kinase, CaM kinase, and casein kinase, and is dephosphorylated by calcineurin. The C-terminal domain of dystrophin is also a substrate for hierarchical phosphorylation by casein kinase-2 and GSK-3. These observations, in accordance with the finding that the cysteine-rich region binds to Ca2+, Zn2+, and calmodulin, suggest an active involvement of dystrophin in transducing signals across muscle sarcolemma. Phosphorylation-dephosphorylation of the C-terminal region of dystrophin may play a role in regulating dystrophin-protein interactions and (or) transducing signal from the extracellular matrix via the dystrophin molecule to the cytoskeleton.

Contributing factors to poor functional recovery after delayed nerve repair: prolonged denervation

The effects of prolonged denervation, independent from those of prolonged axotomy, on the recovery of muscle function were examined in a nerve cross-anastomosis paradigm. The tibialis anterior muscle was denervated for various durations by cutting the common peroneal nerve before a freshly cut tibial nerve was cross-sutured to its distal stump. Nerve regeneration and muscle reinnervation were quantified by means of electrophysiological and histochemical methods. Progressively fewer axons reinnervated the muscle with prolonged denervation; for example, beyond 6 months the mean (+/- SE) motor unit number was 15 +/- 4, which was far fewer than that after immediate nerve suture (137 +/- 21). The poor regeneration after prolonged denervation is not due to inability of the long-term denervated muscle to accept reinnervation because each regenerated axon reinnervated three- to fivefold more muscle fibers than normal. Rather, it is due to progressive deterioration of the intramuscular nerve sheaths because the effects of prolonged denervation were simulated by forcing regenerating axons to grow outside the sheaths. Fewer regenerated axons account for reinnervation of less than 50% of the muscle fibers in each muscle and contribute to the progressive decline in muscle force. Reinnervated muscle fibers failed to fully recover from denervation atrophy: muscle fiber cross-sectional area being 1171 +/- 84 microns2 as compared to 2700 +/- 47 microns2 after immediate nerve suture. Thus, the primary cause of the poor recovery after long-term denervation is a profound reduction in the number of axons that successfully regenerate through the deteriorating intramuscular nerve sheaths. Muscle force capacity is further compromised by the incomplete recovery of muscle fibers from denervation atrophy.

Contributing factors to poor functional recovery after delayed nerve repair: prolonged axotomy

The contribution of prolonged motoneuron axotomy to the poor functional recovery after delayed nerve repair was determined by means of a nerve cross-anastomosis paradigm in the rat. The tibial nerve was axotomized up to 12 months before it was cross-sutured to the distal stump of the freshly cut common peroneal nerve to innervate the freshly denervated tibialis anterior muscle. Three to 17 months later, muscle and motor unit (MU) forces were measured to quantify the number of axons that had successfully regenerated and reinnervated the muscle. The extent of axonal branching was estimated by the innervation ratio (IR) (i.e., the number of muscle fibers innervated by each axon), which was obtained directly by counting muscle fibers in a single glycogen-depleted MU in each muscle and indirectly by calculation. The total number of MUs in each muscle significantly decreased with progression of axotomy and was only 35% of the control when axotomy was prolonged more than 3 months. Concurrently, MU force and IR increased exponentially, with a mean increase of threefold when axotomy was more than 3 months, which largely compensated for the reduction in the number of axons that reinnervated the muscle. Consequently, muscles reinnervated by tibial motor axons that had been axotomized up to 12 months produced as much force as those reinnervated by freshly axotomized tibial motor axons. Muscle weight, size, and muscle fiber size were similar to those after immediate nerve suture. Although prolonged axotomy does not compromise the number of muscle fibers innervated by each axon, it does reduce the capacity of motor axons to regenerate and thus is an important contributing factor to the poor functional recovery in delayed nerve repair.

Characterization of the recombinant C-terminal domain of dystrophin: phosphorylation by calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and dephosphorylation by type 2B protein phosphatase

We report that the C-terminal domain of skeletal muscle dystrophin expressed as a fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase (designated GST-CT-1) is a substrate for Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. GST-CT-1 and GST-CT-1F (GST-CT-1 truncated by 20-25 residues) were phosphorylated by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II). The stoichiometries of phosphorylation by CaM kinase II were 1.65 mol of Pi/mol of GST-CT-1 and 0.39 mol of Pi/mol of GST-CT-1F, respectively, suggesting that the principal site(s) of phosphorylation is (are) located in the C-terminal 20-25 residues that are missing from GST-CT-1F. The GST-CT-1 fusion protein was phosphorylated on both serine and threonine residues, whereas GST-CT-1F was phosphorylated only on serine. CaM kinase II-phosphorylated GST-CT-1 and GST-CT-1F were efficiently dephosphorylated by calcineurin, a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase (type 2B protein phosphatase). Importantly, calcineurin was found to be associated with a purified sarcolemmal membrane preparation enriched in dystrophin. Type 2A protein phosphatase isolated from smooth muscle (SMP-I) and its catalytic subunit (SMP-ic) also dephosphorylated GST-CT-1, but were less active toward these substrates than was calcineurin. Type 2C phosphatase (SMP-II) and type 1 protein phosphatases [SMP-III, SMP-IV, and myosin-associated phosphatase (PP1M) of smooth muscle and skeletal muscle protein phosphatase 1c] were ineffective in dephosphorylating the C-terminal region of dystrophin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Weaning practices and growth in rural Sichuan infants: a positive deviance study

To understand some of the factors involved in weaning and growth faltering in rural China, a cross-sectional positive deviance study was undertaken among 389 rural 4-12-month-old infants from two townships of a county in Sichuan. The infants' mothers were interviewed about their child-feeding practices and other sociodemographic information, and anthropometric measurements were made on their infants. Positive deviant infants (those growing adequately in environments in which the majority of the children suffer from growth retardation and malnutrition) were identified from the Chinese WAZ-scores calculated from the anthropometric measurements. Feeding practices found to be associated with the better growth of the positive deviant infants included breastfeeding through age 12 months, feeding soybean milk, liver and pork blood products on a more than weekly basis during the ages of 7-9 months, not feeding rice flour (mifen) before age 7 months, and not giving supplements or tonics. Mothers' nutrition knowledge was also associated with positive deviance status. The relevance of the findings is discussed with respect to designing nutrition education interventions for rural Sichuan.