Governance in the implementation of the UN sustainable development goals in higher education: global trends

Governance is a key component for implementing sustainable development (SD) initiatives in university teaching, research, and projects. This line of thinking also applies to implementing the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs). Despite the role of governance in guiding processes related to the SDGs, few studies have examined these relations in an integrative manner in higher education. To bridge this knowledge gap, this study assesses the connections between governance and implementing the SDGs at higher education institutions (HEIs). Specifically, it relies on two main methods. The first is a bibliometric analysis, where the literature on the topic has been analyzed. The second method uses case studies from a sample of universities. The combined dual approach has identified the extent to which governance issues influence how these organizations perceive and handle the SDGs. The study provides valuable recommendations that may assist HEIs in implementing the SDGs with a due emphasis on governance.

Analysis of Risk Factors for a Low Immune Response to Messenger RNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Kidney Transplant Recipients and Differences Between Second and Third Dose

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of the response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in kidney transplant recipients is low. The aim of our study was to evaluate the risk factors correlated with the low antibody response and whether there was an improvement between the second and the third dose.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted on 176 kidney transplant recipients who received the second and the third dose of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Comirnaty vaccine. We evaluated the seroconversion process after administration of the second and the third dose and assessed a possible correlation with age, time between transplant and vaccination, and type of immunosuppressive therapy.

RESULTS

A total of 98 of the 176 patients (55.7%) responded positively after the inoculation of the second dose and according to the multivariable logistic regression analysis the lack of seroconversion was independently associated with patient age ≥60 (P = .025; odds ratio [OR], 2.094), time since transplant of 1 to 3 months (P = .032; OR, 2.118), and triple therapy (P = .044; OR, 2.327). After the vaccine third dose, the seroconversion increased to 62.5%, and it was negatively influenced by calcineurin inhibitor use (12/21, 57.1% vs 71/78, 91.0%, P = .0006) and triple therapy (13/21, 61.9% vs 72/78, 92.3%, P = .0014). The median of antispike antibody response significantly increased from 18.5 IU/mL after the second dose to 316.9 IU after the third dose (P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated a correlation between older age and shorter distance from the transplant and triple immunosuppressive therapy with the lack of seroconversion. We noticed a significant improvement in antibody response by a third dose of messenger RNA vaccine.

COVID-19: the impact of a global crisis on sustainable development teaching

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global crisis, one which also influences the ways sustainability is being taught at universities. This paper undertakes an analysis of the extent to which COVID-19 as a whole and the lockdown it triggered in particular, which has led to the suspension of presence-based teaching in universities worldwide and influenced teaching on matters related to sustainable development. By means of a worldwide survey involving higher education institutions across all continents, the study has identified a number of patterns, trends and problems. The results from the study show that the epidemic has significantly affected teaching practices. The lockdowns have led to a surge in the use of on-line communication tools as a partial replacement to normal lessons. In addition, many faculty teaching sustainability in higher education have strong competencies in digital literacy. The sampled higher education educations have-as a whole-adequate infrastructure to continue to teach during the lockdowns. Finally, the majority of the sample revealed that they miss the interactions via direct face-to-face student engagement, which is deemed as necessary for the effective teaching of sustainability content. The implications of this paper are two-fold. Firstly, it describes how sustainability teaching on sustainable development has been affected by the lockdown. Secondly, it describes some of the solutions deployed to overcome the problem. Finally, the paper outlines the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic may serve the purpose of showing how university teaching on sustainability may be improved in the future, taking more advantage of modern information technologies.

Gender, lifestyles, illness perception and stress in stable atrial fibrillation

AIMS

The study is aimed at investigating if perceived stress in Stable Atrial Fibrillation (AF) has any gender-associated feature and relationships with lifestyle indicators and education level, and which relationship self efficacy, anxiety and depression and illness perception have, if any.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

88 consecutive patients referred for stable AF are studied by Psychological Stress Measure (PSM) test, Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R), Generalized Self-Efficacy scale (GSE) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Mediterranean diet, physical activity increase and smoking withdrawal counseling were provided.

RESULTS

AF patients have higher PSM associated with gender (women), older age, anxiety and depression. Higher GSE, greater Adherence to Mediterranean Diet profile and coffee habits (greater coffee users) are associated with a reduced hazard of perceived stress. By multiple linear regression, PSM is explained by Anxiety and IPQr (statistically significant are emotional representation and illness coherence subscales), which account for 92.2% of the variance (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Our results outline that psychological stress is greater in women in comparison with men. Illness perceptions are important in the context of perceived stress in AF. This effect appears to be modulated by greater self-efficacy and by Adherence to Mediterranean Diet profile, that when higher, are associated with a reduced hazard of perceived stress. We suggest that therapeutic interventions on illness perceptions can be warranted in order to achieve a lower psychological distress in AF patients.

Stress, abdominal obesity and intrarenal resistive index in essential hypertension

AIM

Although it is commonly believed that a strong causal link exists between psychological stress and hypertension, as well with other factors, such as obesity, just what kind of empirical evidence supports this assumption is still controversial. The aim of the study is to investigate if perceived stress have any interference with intrarenal resistance and hence with mechanisms related to Essential Hypertension (EH) and if Anxiety, Depression, Self efficacy and Illness Perception can account for perceived stress.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Obesity, insulin resistance (HOMA), Doppler Renal Resistive Index (RRI) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are studied along with Psychological Stress Measure (PSM), Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R), Generalized Self-Efficacy scale (GSE) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in 119 hypertensive patients referred for stable lasting EH, and 150 normal controls. Lower salt/lower calories Mediterranean diet, physical activity increase and smoking withdrawal counseling were provided.

RESULTS

By Odds Ratios, higher risk of EH is associated with greater perceived stress, older age, lower GFR, obesity, greater RRI and insulin resistance. By Multiple Linear Regression the most significant variable that accounts for higher RRI are abdominal obesity and arterial pulse pressure; the only significant independent psychological variable that accounts for abdominal obesity are PSM and identity IPQ subscale. Self-Efficacy anxiety and Illness perception subscales (IPQr), accounts significantly for 62.0% of the variance to PSM, with possible effects on RRI and on the pathophysiological hypertension cascade.

CONCLUSION

Worst identity and treatment control perceptions of EH, and a lower self-efficacy are the main psychological factors accounting for a greater stress. Interventions aimed to reduce perceived stress can be warranted in EH.

Model for the exceptional reactivity of peroxiredoxins 2 and 3 with hydrogen peroxide: a kinetic and computational study

Peroxiredoxins (Prx) are thiol peroxidases that exhibit exceptionally high reactivity toward peroxides, but the chemical basis for this is not well understood. We present strong experimental evidence that two highly conserved arginine residues play a vital role in this activity of human Prx2 and Prx3. Point mutation of either ArgI or ArgII (in Prx3 Arg-123 and Arg-146, which are ∼3-4 Å or ∼6-7 Å away from the active site peroxidative cysteine (C(p)), respectively) in each case resulted in a 5 orders of magnitude loss in reactivity. A further 2 orders of magnitude decrease in the second-order rate constant was observed for the double arginine mutants of both isoforms, suggesting a cooperative function for these residues. Detailed ab initio theoretical calculations carried out with the high level G4 procedure suggest strong catalytic effects of H-bond-donating functional groups to the C(p) sulfur and the reactive and leaving oxygens of the peroxide in a cooperative manner. Using a guanidinium cation in the calculations to mimic the functional group of arginine, we were able to locate two transition structures that indicate rate enhancements consistent with our experimentally observed rate constants. Our results provide strong evidence for a vital role of ArgI in activating the peroxide that also involves H-bonding to ArgII. This mechanism could explain the exceptional reactivity of peroxiredoxins toward H(2)O(2) and may have wider implications for protein thiol reactivity toward peroxides.

Ku70 corrupts DNA repair in the absence of the Fanconi anemia pathway

A conserved DNA repair response is defective in the human genetic illness Fanconi anemia (FA). Mutation of some FA genes impairs homologous recombination and error-prone DNA repair, rendering FA cells sensitive to DNA cross-linking agents. We found a genetic interaction between the FA gene FANCC and the nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) factor Ku70. Disruption of both FANCC and Ku70 suppresses sensitivity to cross-linking agents, diminishes chromosome breaks, and reverses defective homologous recombination. Ku70 binds directly to free DNA ends, committing them to NHEJ repair. We show that purified FANCD2, a downstream effector of the FA pathway, might antagonize Ku70 activity by modifying such DNA substrates. These results reveal a function for the FA pathway in processing DNA ends, thereby diverting double-strand break repair away from abortive NHEJ and toward homologous recombination.

Pain assessment in fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis: influence of physical activity and illness perception

OBJECTIVE

Pain visual analog scales (VAS) have been validated for clinical use in fibromyalgia (FM) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. There are potential limitations, however, not only considering their use as a continuous measurement, but also with regard to the influence of personal illness perceptions, habitual physical activity and other life-style features. The aim of the study was to ascertain whether different illness perception, physical activity and clinical and laboratory characteristics can predict the severity of perceived pain assessed by VAS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is an observational comparative study of forty consecutive out-patients, 20 of them with fibromyalgia and 20 with rheumatoid arthritis, treated by medical and physical therapy. Patients were assessed also by Pain VAS, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) disability index, Ritchie index, Baecke questionnaire for physical activity, Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQr) and SF36.

RESULTS

Pain VAS is explained differently by some of the studied variables: in the total group HAQ and Ritchie index explain 29.8% of the variance; in the RA patients number of joints with pain and Ritchie index explain 52.7% of the variance; in FM patients total SF36 score and IPQr personal control dimension explains 44.7% of the variance. No definite role of anxiety and/or depression was found as predictor of perceived pain and disability.

CONCLUSION

Pain perception and complaint are explained by belief in FM patients: This seems to suggest the need for a more articulated cognitive approach; addressing both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to anxiety/depression issues is not supported by our results.

Evaluation of a primary care-oriented brief counselling intervention for obesity with and without orlistat

OBJECTIVE

There is a significant need for an obesity treatment model suitable for the primary care environment. We examined the effectiveness of a brief counselling intervention alone, in combination with orlistat, and drug-alone in a 12-month randomized-clinical trial at a medical school obesity centre.

METHODS

Participants (N = 250) with body mass index (BMI) >or=27 were randomized. Changes in body weight, lipids, blood pressure and serum glucose were examined. Drug adherence and attendance were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Completers analysis was conducted on 136 participants with data at baseline, 6 and 12 months and intention-to-treat analyses (ITT) for the total sample. Amongst completers, participants in the drug only (P = 0.012) and drug + brief counselling (P = 0.001) groups lost more weight (mean +/- SD: -3.8 +/- 5.8 kg and -4.8 +/- 4.4 kg, respectively) than participants in the brief counselling only group at 6 months (-1.7 +/- 3.3 kg), but there were no significant group differences at 12 months. ITT model results were similar to completers at 6 months and remained significant at 12 months, but the weight losses were more modest (<3 kg) for both groups receiving orlistat. For brief counselling alone, participants gained weight (1.7 +/- 4.2 kg). Cardiovascular disease (CVD) parameter changes were negligible.

CONCLUSIONS

Pharmacotherapy alone or combined with brief counselling resulted in modest weight losses that had minimal impact on cardiovascular parameters, but were greater than brief counselling alone. Whilst brief interventions and primary pharmacotherapy have been suggested as viable treatments for implementation in primary care settings, our study suggests that such minimal interventions provide minimal benefits.

Weight loss with meal replacement and meal replacement plus snacks: a randomized trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether snacking would improve weight loss and weight maintenance in overweight individuals within the context of a structured meal replacement (MR) weight loss program.

DESIGN

A prospective 24 week, 2 (snacking vs nonsnacking) x 2 (MR vs meal replacement augmented with snacks (MRPS)) randomized trial. Participants were instructed to limit their total daily intake to 1200 (women) or 1500 (men) kcals. Those receiving the MR program were instructed not to snack while those in the MRPS program were told to snack three times per day.

SUBJECTS

A total of 100 participants were block-randomized, based on prestudy snacking status (high vs low), to receive a standard meal replacement program (MR) or MRPS.

MEASUREMENTS

Weight, height, blood pressure, lipid fractions, glucose, and insulin were assessed at the baseline, 12-, and 24 weeks.

RESULTS

Completers analysis at 24 weeks demonstrated a significant time effect (F(1,46)=44.6, P<0.001), indicating that all participants lost significant amounts of weight regardless of group assignment. An intention-to-treat model resulted in similar results. By week 24, the average weight loss across groups was 4.6 kg. There also were significant improvements across all groups among completers for systolic blood pressure (P=0.047), cholesterol (P=0.001), LDL (P=0.001), glucose (P=0.004), and insulin (P=0.001) at week 12, and glucose (P=0.001) and insulin at week 24 (P=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that a participant's preferences for snacking did not affect their response to treatment. Snackers and nonsnackers responded equally well whether they received a standard meal replacement program or one augmented with snacks.

Analysis of changes in optical fibers during arc-fusion splicing by use of quantitative phase imaging

A non-interferometric imaging technique in conjunction with Abel inversion is used to directly and quantitatively examine the changes in optical fibers due to the heating produced during arc-fusion splicing as a function of fusion arc parameters. Phase images in the vicinity of a fusion splice are obtained using Quantitative Phase Microscopy, allowing the refractive-index change to be reconstructed with high spatial resolution. This simple, nondestructive method confirms that, for a fixed arc current, while the fusion time increases, the refractive-index of both fiber cores within the fusion region decreases in magnitude, the core region broadens, and the axial gradient decreases.

The vertebrate Hef ortholog is a component of the Fanconi anemia tumor-suppressor pathway

The helicase-associated endonuclease for fork-structured DNA (Hef) is an archaeabacterial protein that processes blocked replication forks. Here we have isolated the vertebrate Hef ortholog and investigated its molecular function. Disruption of this gene in chicken DT40 cells results in genomic instability and sensitivity to DNA cross-links. The similarity of this phenotype to that of cells lacking the Fanconi anemia-related (FA) tumor-suppressor genes led us to investigate whether Hef functions in this pathway. Indeed, we found a genetic interaction between the FANCC and Hef genes. In addition, Hef is a component of the FA nuclear protein complex that facilitates its DNA damage-inducible chromatin localization and the monoubiquitination of the FA protein FANCD2. Notably, Hef interacts directly with DNA structures that are intermediates in DNA replication. This discovery sheds light on the origins, regulation and molecular function of the FA tumor-suppressor pathway in the maintenance of genome stability.

The Fanconi anaemia gene FANCC promotes homologous recombination and error-prone DNA repair

The Fanconi anemia (FA) protein FANCC is essential for chromosome stability in vertebrate cells, a feature underscored by the extreme sensitivity of FANCC-deficient cells to agents that crosslink DNA. However, it is not known how this FA protein facilitates the repair of both endogenously acquired and mutagen-induced DNA damage. Here, we use the model vertebrate cell line DT40 to address this question. We discover that apart from functioning in homologous recombination, FANCC also promotes the mutational repair of endogenously generated abasic sites. Moreover in these vertebrate cells, the efficient repair of crosslinks requires the combined functions of FANCC, translesion synthesis, and homologous recombination. These studies reveal that the FA proteins cooperate with key mutagenesis and repair processes that enable replication of damaged DNA.

Gliotoxin is a dual inhibitor of farnesyltransferase and geranylgeranyltransferase I with antitumor activity against breast cancer in vivo

Gliotoxin is a natural mycotoxin with immunosuppressive and antimicrobial activity. Inhibition of farnesyltransferase (IC50 80 microM) and geranylgeranyltransferase I (IC50 17 microM) stimulated interest in the potential antitumor activity of this epidithiodioxopiperazine. Gliotoxin inhibited proliferation of six breast cancer cell lines in culture with mean +/- SD IC50 289 +/- 328 microM (range 38-985 microM); intracellular farnesylation of Lamin B and geranylgeranylation of Rap1A were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. In randomized controlled studies using the N-methyl-N-nitrosourea rat mammary carcinoma model, gliotoxin had pronounced antitumor activity in vitro and little systemic toxicity when administered to 10 animals at 10 mg/kg by subcutaneous injection weekly for 4 wk compared with 10 controls. Single doses up to 25 mg/kg were well tolerated. The present studies confirm that gliotoxin is a dual inhibitor of farnesyltransferase and geranylgeranyltransferase I with pronounced antitumor activity and favorable toxicity profile against breast cancer in vitro and in vivo.

Refractive index profiles of Ge-doped optical fibers with nanometer spatial resolution using atomic force microscopy

We show a quantitative connection between Refractive Index Profiles (RIP) and measurements made by an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). Germanium doped fibers were chemically etched in hydrofluoric acid solution (HF) and the wet etching characteristics of germanium were studied using an AFM. The AFM profiles were compared to both a concentration profile of the preform determined using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and a RIP of the fiber measured using a commercial profiling instrument, and were found to be in excellent agreement. It is now possible to calculate the RIP of a germanium doped fiber directly from an AFM profile.

BRCA1-independent ubiquitination of FANCD2

Monoubiquitination of the FANCD2 protein is a key step in the Fanconi anemia (FA) tumor suppressor pathway, coinciding with this molecule's accumulation at sites of genome damage. Strong circumstantial evidence points to a requirement for the BRCA1 gene product in this step. Here, we show that the purified BRCA1/BARD1 complex, together with E1 and UbcH5a, is sufficient to reconstitute the monoubiquitination of FANCD2 in vitro. Although siRNA-mediated knockdown of BRCA1 in human cells results in defective targeting of FANCD2 to sites of DNA damage, it does not lead to a defect in FANCD2 ubiquitination. Furthermore, ablation of the RING finger domains of either BRCA1 or BARD1 in the chicken B cell line DT40 also leaves FANCD2 modification intact. Consequently, while BRCA1 affects the accumulation of FANCD2 at sites of DNA damage, BRCA1/BARD1 E3 ligase activity is not essential for the monoubiquitination of FANCD2.

FANCE: the link between Fanconi anaemia complex assembly and activity

The Fanconi anaemia (FA) nuclear complex (composed of the FA proteins A, C, G and F) is essential for protection against chromosome breakage. It activates the downstream protein FANCD2 by monoubiquitylation; this then forges an association with the BRCA1 protein at sites of DNA damage. Here we show that the recently identified FANCE protein is part of this nuclear complex, binding both FANCC and FANCD2. Indeed, FANCE is required for the nuclear accumulation of FANCC and provides a critical bridge between the FA complex and FANCD2. Disease-associated FANCC mutants do not bind to FANCE, cannot accumulate in the nucleus and are unable to prevent chromosome breakage.

Human estrogen receptor beta binds DNA in a manner similar to and dimerizes with estrogen receptor alpha

The cloning of a novel estrogen receptor beta (denoted ERbeta) has recently been described (Kuiper, G. G. J. M., Enmark, E., Pelto-Huikko, M., Nilsson, S., and Gustafsson, J-A. (1996) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 93, 5925-5930 and Mosselman, S., Polman, J. , and Dijkema, R. (1996) FEBS Lett. 392, 49-53). ERbeta is highly homologous to the "classical" estrogen receptor alpha (here referred to as ERalpha), has been shown to bind estrogens with an affinity similar to that of ERalpha, and activates expression of reporter genes containing estrogen response elements in an estrogen-dependent manner. Here we describe functional studies comparing the DNA binding abilities of human ERalpha and beta in gel shift assays. We show that DNA binding by ERalpha and beta are similarly affected by elevated temperature in the absence of ligand or in the presence of 17beta-estradiol and the partial estrogen agonist 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen. In the absence of ligand, DNA binding by ERalpha and beta is rapidly lost at 37 degrees C, while in the presence of 17beta-estradiol and 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen, the loss in DNA binding at elevated temperature is much more gradual. We show that the loss in DNA binding is not due to degradation of the receptor proteins. However, while the complete antagonist ICI 182, 780 does not "protect" human ERalpha (hERalpha) from loss of DNA binding at elevated temperature in vitro, it does appear to protect human ERbeta (hERbeta), suggestive of differences in the way ICI 182, 780 acts on hERalpha and beta. We further report that ERalpha and beta can dimerize with each other, the DNA binding domain of hERalpha being sufficient for dimerization with hERbeta. Cell and promoter-specific transcription activation by ERalpha has been shown to be dependent on the differential action of the N- and C-terminal transcription activation functions AF-1 and AF-2, respectively. The existence of a second estrogen receptor gene and the dimerization of ERalpha and beta add greater levels of complexity to transcription activation in response to estrogens.

Idoxifene is equipotent to tamoxifen in inhibiting mammary carcinogenesis but forms lower levels of hepatic DNA adducts

Tamoxifen is an effective agent preventing mammary carcinogenesis in rats but causing liver tumours. Idoxifene is a more potent antioestrogen and is effective in patients with advanced breast cancer. We therefore compared the effects of idoxifene with tamoxifen on mammary carcinogenesis and hepatic DNA adduct formation. To do this, we undertook a study designed to compare tamoxifen with idoxifene as a chemopreventive agent in rats inoculated with N-methylnitrosourea (MNU) and also measured hepatic adduct formation. We examined the time to mammary tumour development in 272 female Ludwig/Wistar/Olac rats treated with MNU followed by tamoxifen (5 mg kg(-1)), equimolar idoxifene or vehicle three times a week for up to 24 weeks. To determine duration of effect, a second study was carried out whereby all of the 129 animals surviving at the end of treatment were entered into a surveillance programme for 27 weeks after the end of the administration period. Hepatic DNA adduct formation was examined by 32P-postlabelling in a group of rats after 24 weeks' treatment. In the first study, both idoxifene and tamoxifen were effective in preventing tumour growth as only 2 out of 21 (10%) MNU and vehicle-treated animals were alive and tumour free after 24 weeks compared with 13 out of 22 (59%) animals receiving MNU followed by idoxifene or tamoxifen (P < 0.001). The second study showed that, in both idoxifene- and tamoxifen-treated animals, a progressive regrowth of tumours occurred after cessation of therapy, as by the end of the observation period only four idoxifene-treated animals and one tamoxifen-treated animal were free from disease. In the subset of animals tested, tamoxifen-treated animals had approximately 100 times higher levels of DNA hepatic adducts than idoxifene-treated animals. Adducts were not seen in the control group. These results indicate that idoxifene is as effective a chemopreventive agent as tamoxifen in the rat while causing only very low levels of DNA adducts in liver tissue and suggest that idoxifene may be a well-tolerated chemopreventive agent in women who are at increased risk of breast cancer.

High-energy hybrid Raman optical parametric amplifier eye safe laser source

A high-energy eye safe laser source at 1.54 µm is demonstrated experimentally by using a hybrid system of stimulated Raman scattering and optical parametric amplification pumped by a single 1.06-µm Nd:YAG laser source. This system overcomes some of the technical problems that occur in conventional eye safe lasers, such as optical breakdown and thermal blooming in the Raman laser, and thermal conduction problems in the erbium-doped glass solid-state laser that limit the repetition rate when high-energy output is sought. Thus this hybrid design provides a simple system that could provide a high pulse energy output (> 50 mJ) at a repetition rate of greater than 10 Hz.

Influence of Planter Type and Seeding Rate on Yield and Disease Incidence in Peanut1

Variability of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seedling spacing, and yield were compared for a conventional and a vacuum-type planter in field studies conducted in 1991 and 1992. Vacuum-type planters have an improved seed metering system and are considered to be more precise. This added precision may serve to compensate for lower than normal seeding rates. Seeding rates evaluated decreased in a step-wise manner from the normal range of 123 to 101 kg/ha, to a minimum of 34 kg/ha. Spacing between individual seedlings was measured after emergence. The occurrence of tomato spotted wilt (TSWV) and southern stem rot were also determined. In 1991 and across all seeding rates, variability in seedling spacing (i.e. standard deviation) was identical between the two planters. In 1992, at 3 of the five seeding rates (34,56, and 101 kg/ha) standard deviation was less with the vacuum planter. In both years yield and disease occurrence was influenced only by seeding rate, and was independent of planter type. TSWV was inversely related to seeding rate, the opposite relationship occurred with southern stem rot. Maximum yield was achieved with a seeding rate of 101 kg/ha.

Correction of a lysosomal deficiency by contact-mediated enzyme transfer after bone marrow transplantation

The effectiveness of bone marrow transplantation for treating lysosomal deficiency diseases relies on the ability of bone marrow cells to provide the missing enzyme to various tissues of the recipient. This has been shown to occur in vitro by endocytosis of enzyme secreted by bone marrow-derived cells and also by direct cell-to-cell-contact. To investigate the mechanism of enzyme replacement therapy in vivo we have used, as enzyme donors, bone marrow cells from coat color mouse mutants that secrete very low or very high levels of a lysosomal enzyme, beta-glucuronidase. Our results show that the level of beta-glucuronidase activity acquired by the tissues of recipient, enzyme-deficient mice is not related to the ability of the donor bone marrow-derived cells to secrete the missing enzyme. This finding suggests that cell-to-cell transfer of lysosomal enzymes may play an important role in the correction of lysosomal diseases by bone marrow transplantation.

Depression and neuropsychological performance in asymptomatic HIV infection

OBJECTIVE

The authors examined the effect of depression on neuropsychological performance in HIV-infected men. Previous studies have suggested that depression may account for the neuropsychological abnormalities observed in some patients with HIV infection, but few studies have specifically examined this question.

METHOD

An extensive neuropsychological test battery was administered to 121 HIV-seropositive asymptomatic men and 42 HIV-seronegative comparison subjects. The seropositive subjects were grouped into depressed and non-depressed groups on the basis of scores on the Beck Depression Inventory, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R.

RESULTS

Statistical comparisons revealed very few measures on which the depressed seropositive subjects scored significantly worse than either of the nondepressed comparison groups. The nondepressed seropositive group differed consistently from the seronegative comparison subjects on measures of verbal memory and dexterity.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that the subtle neuropsychological abnormalities observed in some asymptomatic HIV-seropositive subjects cannot be attributed to depression. These data also indicate the advantages of a multifaceted approach to assessment of depression.

A cross sectional epidemiological survey of shipyard workers exposed to hand-arm vibration

The hand-arm vibration syndrome, widely known as vibration white finger, is a disorder of nerves and blood vessels that occurs in workers exposed to segmental vibration. A cross sectional symptom survey was performed on a sample of workers employed by a large shipyard in the north eastern United States. Random samples were drawn from departments composed of full time dedicated pneumatic grinders, workers with part time exposure to vibration, and other workers not exposed to vibratory tools. Of the 375 workers sampled, 79% responded. The prevalence of white finger symptoms was 71%, 33%, and 6% among the three exposure groups respectively. Similarly, the prevalence of numbness and tingling in the hands and fingers in the three exposure groups was 84%, 50%, and 17%. Workers were classified according to the Stockholm Workshop staging systems for vascular and sensorineural symptom severity. Exposure-response analyses of both vascular and sensorineural stage showed monotonically increasing prevalence of higher disease stages with increasing duration of exposure. Logistic regression analysis, performed to control for potential confounding factors including age and current smoking state, produced highly significant (p less than 0.001) associations between cumulative duration of exposure and prevalence of symptoms. In these analyses smoking state was significantly related to vascular and sensorineural symptoms and age was not. Average latency to onset of symptoms was less than five years of full time equivalent work with vibratory tools. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the effect of use of particular work practices on reported symptoms. Further study of this workforce with objective, quantitative measures of peripheral neurological and vascular function is required to characterise the clinical and subclinical effects of vibration exposure.

Long-term effects of bone marrow transplantation on lysosomal enzyme replacement in beta-glucuronidase-deficient mice

This study uses bone marrow transplantation (BMT) between congenic strains of mice as an experimental model to examine enzyme replacement therapy of lysosomal storage diseases. Bone marrow cells from donor mice which have normal levels of the lysosomal enzyme beta-glucuronidase (Gus), which is heat-stable, rapidly repopulated the haematopoietic compartment of irradiated recipient mice which have only low levels of a thermolabile form of this enzyme. Gus activity was found to increase progressively in the tissues of the recipients, including the liver, heart and skeletal muscle. Elevated levels were also observed in the kidney and brain. The increase in enzyme activity in the host tissues was not due to the presence of contaminating blood cells, but rather to the acquisition of new, heat-stable enzyme from the donor bone marrow cells. High levels of Gus activity persisted for at least 72 weeks, showing the potential therapeutic value of BMT for enzyme deficiency diseases.

Detailed clinical assessment of neurological function in symptomatic shipyard workers

Forty eight patients with extensive occupational exposure to pneumatic grinding tools were evaluated at a university sponsored occupational health clinic. All patients were interviewed and examined by a physician and assessed neurologically with standard clinical, functional motor, quantitative vibrotactile, and electrodiagnostic tests. Sensorineural symptoms were nearly universal; 47 patients (98%) reported numbness and tingling of the hands and fingers. Among clinical tests, two point discrimination and 30 Hz vibration perception were most frequently abnormal. In order to evaluate associations between quantitative test results and sensorineural symptoms, patients were stratified into two groups of symptom severity according to a consensus sensorineural staging system. The tests that discriminated best between the groups of more and less symptomatic patients were hand strength dynamometry, and vibrotactile thresholds. Age standardised 120 Hz vibrotactile thresholds were significantly raised in digit II in 41% of hand measurements. Nerve conduction studies were neither significantly different between more and less symptomatic groups nor correlated with clinical and quantitative sensory tests. Twenty five per cent of the patients had slowing of sensory conduction velocities in the median nerve at the wrist (less than 48 m/s). Of this subset of patients only two showed abnormal slowing of the median nerve distal to the wrist, but half also showed ulnar nerve slowing (less than 47 m/s). This observation highlights the difficulty of differentiating median nerve entrapment from diffuse distal neuropathy in workers exposed to vibration and points to the need for concomitant quantitative sensory and functional motor assessment.

[6 new cases of spasmus nutans]

Six new born presenting an acquired nystagmus, associated with rhythmic head movements, have been explored clinically, electrophysiologically and neuroradiologically. Etiopathogenic hypotheses and experimental models are proposed. A twenty last years literature review is mentioned. It seemed interesting to authors to practice head scanners to find an organic lesion. The ethnic incidence is not negligible.

Evidence that aldosterone influences transport in target tissues by dissimilar mechanisms

The present study was performed to answer the question: Is the action of aldosterone on electrolyte transport and electrical properties similar in all target tissues? Studies were performed in vivo in control animals and rats with secondary hyperaldosteronism, caused by a sodium-free diet, to compare the effects of hyperaldosteronism on distal colon with hormone-induced changes in proximal colon. In distal colon aldosterone increased net sodium absorption and potassium secretion approximately threefold. Transmural potential difference increased from -15 +/- 2 to -83 +/- 3 mV (lumen negative) and ISC rose from 167 +/- 26 to 1,023 +/- 17 microA X cm-2. These aldosterone-induced responses were completely inhibited by 0.1 mM amiloride. In contrast, in proximal colon potential difference was unchanged or increased slightly in experimental animals and ISC increased only 28% above control, although increases in net sodium and potassium transport were similar to changes observed in distal colon. Amiloride did not reduce sodium absorption in proximal colon of animals with hyperaldosteronism; ISC was decreased by 43%. These studies demonstrate that rat proximal colon is an aldosterone-sensitive tissue, but that the mechanism by which aldosterone influences sodium transport is not identical in distal and proximal portions of colon.

[20 years (1960-1980) of bacterial meningitis in childhood. I. Epidemiological and clinical data]

One hundred forty six children having suffered bacterial meningitis at any age have been collected and retrospectively studied over a period of a twenty year survey (1960 to 1980). In our series we can confirm the prominent epidemiologic and clinical features emerging from the literature. It is notewborty to outline the great percentage of cases lacking any bacterial identification due to previous antimicrobial treatment for parameningeal foci. This raises some major problems about early diagnosis, validity and signification of lumbar punctures, and usefulness of starting treatment with large spectrum antibiotics.

[20 years (1960-1980) of bacterial meningitis in childhood. II. Therapy and diagnosis]

In this article we review the global therapy for purulent meningitis in childhood and present personal data derived from a twenty year survey study (1960 to 1980). We recommend the prompt use of adequate antibiotics at correct doses largely following the intravenous pathway in order to achieve active antimicrobial levels in the cerebrospinal fluid. On the basis of our experience we favour a more large use of either systemic chloramphenicol or intrathecal even in the neonatal period. Moreover, we think glucose infusions should be employed with great caution due to worsening of metabolism (lactate accumulation) and perfusion in the cerebral tissue.

[Neuropathology of the Turner syndrome]

We report the neuropathologic examination of a neonatal case of Turner's syndrome (45,XO). We have found some mild irregularities in the cortical organization, notably in frontal and hippocampal regions. In the frontal cortex such anomalies affected particularly the more superficial layers essentially sparing the migrating process which was largely achieved in its fundamental phases. The hippocampal dentate gyrus appeared abnormally infolded. The cerebellum was hypoplasic and contained three types of abnormalities, at least: abundant paradentate matrix cell nests, a large mass of dysplastic cerebellar gyri along the ventral wall of the 4th ventricle and, finally, multiple voluminous heterotopias of macroneurons (possibly, Purkinje cells) in the subcortical white matter. In addition, there were two small olivary heterotopias in the medulla oblongata. The correct identification of all neuropathologic anomalies has been possible for having employed the method of whole brain serial sectioning. We have correlated such cortical, cerebellar and truncal abnormalities to those encountered in similar conditions as lissencephaly, Zellweger's disease and chromosomal trisomies. The pathogenetic mechanisms triggered by the absence of an X chromosome can affect the neuronal migration, but only after the cortical hemispheric one has been almost completely ended. This could explain why cerebellar and olivary neuronal migration are exclusively affected, being there the migration process chronologically slowed down during the normal neurogenesis. There means we might date after the 4th fetal months the neuronal migration trouble. Finally, we would suggest the soft cortical changes in such crucial regions as the frontal and hippocampal cortex to be possibly responsible for the degree of mental retardation seen in these patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Congenital hydrocephalus: clinico-pathological picture]

The authors review the main pathologic causes of congenital hydrocephalus from ischemic-vascular injuries, embryofoetal infections and dysraphisms to genetic ones. Abundant illustrations of each condition are furnished and particular attention is paid to each situation, discussing the available pathogenetic mechanisms and hypothesis. Genetic "sine causa" hydrocephalus and X-linked hydrocephalus are mainly stressed, presenting some personal data. The clinic aspects of the varying forms of hydrocephalus are continuously kept in mind and a terminal paragraph details the clinical and neuroradiological means determinant in differential diagnosis versus similar conditions such as hydranencephaly, porencephaly, aracnoid cysts, holoprosencephaly and agenesis of corpus callosum.

Increased release of beta thromboglobulin during acute myocardial infarction

Beta thromboglobulin (betaTG) is a platelet-specific protein released during platelet aggregation. To classify the role of platelet aggregation in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), betaTG levels were measured by means of a specific and highly sensitive radioimmunoassay in patients admitted to the Coronary Care Unit for the evaluation of acute chest pain. These levels were compared to creatine phosphokinase (CPK) values and the percentage of myocardial fraction (MB), as well as electrocardiographic criteria for AMI. Beta thromboglobulin was considered elevated when it was greater than 132 micro/1. The CPK and MB fraction were considered to indicate AMI if there was an increase of MB fraction greater than 5% of the total CPK and a progressive increase of the total CPK and MB fraction during the course of the disease. Ten patients were compared to 28 control subjects. Seven patients had electrocardiographic evidence of AMI in addition to CPK and MB criteria. Six of these patients also had elevated betaTG values, whereas one did not. This patient was admitted late during his clinical course, as evidenced by the CPK-MB curve. Of the three patients without clinical evidence of AMI, two had normal betaTG levels, whereas the third patient had one normal betaTG level and one mildly elevated level. This study implicates the role of platelet aggregation in AMI and suggests its potential usefulness as a diagnostic aid in evaluating acute chest pain.

Clinical valutation of late results of surgical therapy for protruded lumbar intervertebral disc

After examining various clinical reports and investigations on 107 patients operated on for hernia of the lumbar disc and having compared them with the surgical pathological and anatomical picture, the authors evaluate late results which in 83% are excellent. In 16% of the cases there was a return of sciatic pain and the results of reoperation are noted.