An offline auditory P300 brain-computer interface using principal and independent component analysis techniques for functional electrical stimulation application.

A brain-computer interface (BCI) provides technology that allows communication and control for people who are unable to interact with their environment. A P300 BCI exploits the fact that external or internal stimuli may provide a recognition response in the brain's electrical activity which may be recorded by an electroencephalogram (EEG) to act as a control signal. Additionally an auditory BCI does not require the user to avert their visual attention away from the task at hand and is thus more practical in a real environment than other visual stimulus BCIs.

Quantification of murine endothelial cell adhesion molecules in solid tumors.

Coordinated adhesive interactions between lymphocyte receptors and endothelial cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are a prerequisite for effector cell entry into tumor stroma. Whereas the diminished leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions observed in tumor microvessels have been attributed to a reduced expression of endothelial CAMs, there is no quantitative data bearing on this issue. The dual-radiolabeled monoclonal antibody technique was used to quantify constitutive and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), ICAM-2, P-selectin, E-selectin, and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1) in different vascular beds of normal (C57Bl/6) and RM-1 tumor-bearing mice. When corrected for endothelial surface area, the constitutive expression of selectins in tumor vessels was higher than that observed in other vascular beds. Both constitutive and induced expression of endothelial CAMs in peripheral vascular beds did not differ between normal and tumor-bearing mice. Within the tumor, the magnitude of the upregulation of P-selectin, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 after TNF-alpha was similar to that within other vascular beds. E-selectin expression in tumors was refractory to TNF-alpha, whereas PECAM-1 and ICAM-2 expression were significantly reduced. Our findings suggest that the presence of a solid tumor does not influence endothelial CAM expression in other vascular beds and that the higher density of selectins in nonstimulated tumor vessels may promote the recruitment of rolling leukocytes in this tissue.

A checklist of helminths from the respiratory system and gastrointestinal tracts of African Anatidae.

A literature survey revealed that 72 helminth species, including 14 known only to the generic level, had been reported from the digestive or respiratory tracts of 28 species of Anatidae in Africa. Most of the digeneans and nematodes reported, were cosmopolitan species that occur in a range of hosts. However, two groups of cestodes, one consisting of cosmopolitan or Eurasian species and the other consisting of species restricted mainly to sub-Saharan Africa, were apparent. A host-parasite list and a detailed parasite-host list provide the synyonomies related to African records, the host and geographical distribution of each species, and the authority and country of origin for each record.

Fimbriasacculus africanensis n. gen., n. sp. (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae) from Anas capensis, Anas undulata, and Anas erythrorhyncha (Anatidae) in South Africa.

Fimbriasacculus africanensis n. gen., n. sp., occurred in Anas capensis (50%), Anas erythrorhyncha (5%), and Anas undulata (12%) collected in the vicinity of the Barberspan Ornithological Research Station, Republic of South Africa. The new genus differs from others in the subfamily Fimbriariinae (Fimbriaria, Fimbriarioides, Fimbriariella, and Profimbriaria) in having 2 testes per proglottid rather than 3, an accessory sac, and a preovarian instead of postovarian vitelline gland. Fimbriasacculus africanensis n. sp. is described as the only known species in the genus. An emended diagnosis of the subfamily Fimbriariinae is provided.

Three beta-tubulin cDNAs from the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus.

Experimental evidence indicates that tubulin is the site of action of the anthelmintic benzimidazoles. Furthermore, certain residues of beta-tubulin seem to be critical for this mechanism. Although the benzimidazoles selectively affect nematode vs. mammalian beta-tubulin, the molecular basis for this differential action is not known. To enhance our understanding of this phenomenon, and to provide the basis for investigating benzimidazole resistance in parasitic nematodes, we undertook the cloning of beta-tubulin cDNAs from the ruminant parasite, Haemonchus contortus. We have cloned and sequenced three beta-tubulin cDNAs from this organism, beta 12-16, beta 12-164, and beta 8-9. The first 2 differ at only 23 nucleotides, which give rise to 4 amino acid changes. beta 8-9 represents a different isotype class from the other two, since it differs extensively in the carboxyterminus. By comparing the sequences of these and other nematode beta-tubulins with mammalian beta-tubulins, several regions of consistent difference can be recognized; the functional significance of these regional differences has not been defined. Sequences very similar or identical to beta 8-9 and beta 12-16 are present in both benzimidazole-sensitive and benzimidazole-resistant populations of H. contortus. However, it appears that drug-resistant organisms may differ in the presence of a gene product which is closely related to beta 8-9.

Chromosomal organization and localization of the human urokinase inhibitor gene: perfect structural conservation with ovalbumin.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor 2 (PAI-2) plays an essential role in the regulation of localized extracellular proteolysis by its inactivation of urokinase. Using probes derived from a cDNA we isolated from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human peripheral blood monocytes, we have mapped, isolated, and determined the molecular organization of the gene for PAI-2 (PLANH2). In situ hybridization of the cDNA to normal metaphase chromosomes has confirmed our prior assignment of the gene for PAI-2 to chromosome 18 and further localized it to the long arm at 18q21.2-18q22. We have isolated nine independent genomic clones, two of which were found to contain the entire PAI-2 transcriptional unit of approximately 16.4 kilobase pairs (kbp). Analysis of the gene organization by restriction enzyme mapping, Southern blotting, and DNA sequencing revealed that the cDNA sequence is divided among eight exons interrupted by seven introns, the junctions of which all conform to the "GT-AG" consensus rule. In common with the arrangement found throughout, the serpin superfamily, of which PAI-2 is a member, the first intron is located just 5' to the initiator methionine residue, and the 3' untranslated region (UTR) is not interrupted by a splice junction. Determination of the transcription initiation site by primer extension analysis of monocytic mRNA indicated that our PAI-2 cDNA was, at most, only three nucleotides short of full length, yielding a primary PAI-2 transcript with a 66-bp first exon. A promoter "TATAAAbox" is located 30 bp upstream of the "cap" site.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Sodium salicylate: alternate mechanism of central antipyretic action in the rat.

Infusion of sodium salicylate (50.0 or 100.0 micrograms/microliters) into the ventral septal area (VSA) of the rat brain suppressed Prostaglandin-E1-induced hyperthermia. Infusion of artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) or 10.0 micrograms doses of salicylate did not. The suppression of intracerebroventricularly-induced (icv) Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) hyperthermia was not due to a hypothermic action of salicylate since salicylate infusions given during cold exposure (10.0 degrees C) did not lower core body temperatures. A possible interaction between salicylate and endogenous arginine vasopressin (AVP) was investigated. Infusion of both salicylate (50.0 micrograms/microliters) and either AVP antiserum or AVP antagonist into the VSA resulted in PGE hyperthermias occurring at levels which were not different from control levels as opposed to enhanced hyperthermia (antiserum or antagonist alone) or suppressed hyperthermia (salicylate alone). These results are consistent with the notion that sodium salicylate infusions within the VSA enhance AVP action and thus bring about the attenuation of PGE-induced hyperthermia.

Human monocyte Arg-Serpin cDNA. Sequence, chromosomal assignment, and homology to plasminogen activator-inhibitor.

An LPS-stimulated, human monocyte cDNA library was screened for stimulation-specific clones. One clone (pcD-1214) contained a 1.9-kb pair insert that hybridized to a 2,000-nucleotide mRNA expressed by peripheral blood monocytes, the histiocytic lymphoma cell line U937, and umbilical cord endothelial cells. The 415-amino-acid precursor polypeptide predicted from the cDNA (46,596 molecular weight) has a putative 22-residue signal peptide and approximately 35% homology with members of the serine protease inhibitor (Serpin) superfamily. On the basis of amino acid homology and alignment of COOH-terminal residues within the Serpin-reactive center, the clone pcD-1214 was identified as coding for an Arg-Serpin. Southern blot analysis of human-mouse somatic cell hybrid DNA locates the Arg-Serpin gene on human chromosome 18. A perfect match between amino acid residues 347-376 in this Arg-Serpin and the published sequence of a 30-residue, tryptic peptide from the COOH-terminus of a monocyte plasminogen activator-inhibitor (PAI-2), strongly suggests that the Arg-Serpin encoded by pcD-1214 is PAI-2.

Blockade of prostaglandin E1 hyperthermia by sodium salicylate given into the ventral septal area of the rat brain.

1. Sodium salicylate (30.0 micrograms microliter-1) or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) was infused bilaterally into the ventral septal area (v.s.a.) of the unrestrained rat for 1 h before and 1 h after the injection of prostaglandin E1 at a concentration of 20.0 ng microliter-1 into a lateral cerebral ventricle. 2. During control (ACSF) infusions, 200.0 ng of prostaglandin E1 evoked a hyperthermic response (0.95 +/- 0.16 degrees C). During sodium salicylate infusions, the prostaglandin E1-evoked hyperthermia was significantly reduced (P less than 0.025) to 0.31 +/- 0.16 degrees C. 3. The fever index (degrees C h for 1.0 h) during the infusion of sodium salicylate was reduced 66% below that of control infusions (P less than 0.01). 4. These data indicate that sodium salicylate infused in the v.s.a. of rats can antagonize a prostaglandin E-evoked hyperthermia. This suggests that there may be an additional mechanism of action for sodium salicylate antipyresis other than inhibition of prostaglandin E synthesis.

Haemorrheological effects of prostaglandin E1 infusion in Raynaud's syndrome.

Eighteen patients with severe Raynaud's syndrome had impaired deformability of erythrocytes, as measured by filtration through 5 micron diameter pores, compared with 19 healthy controls. The patients were given prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) or placebo by intravenous infusion for 72 h to assess the haemorrheological action of PGE1. Contrary to a previous report, PGE1 did not improve erythrocyte filterability. Infusion of PGE1 did, however, evoke an acute phase response with hyperproteinaemia and a leucocytosis and is a potentially important mediator of this stress response in patients with vascular disease.

Transitional cell carcinoma of the prostate: response to treatment with cisplatinum and cyclophosphamide.

We observed a remarkable clinical response to cisplatinum and cyclophosphamide in a patient with widespread metastatic transitional cell cancer of the prostate after hormonal therapy proved ineffective. Combination chemotherapy has the potential for an impressive response in these patients.

Quinidine-induced agranulocytosis.

A case of agranulocytosis in an 86-year-old man after 8 weeks treatment with quinidine sulfate is described. Acute phase serum from the patient demonstrated antineutrophil activity by the microgranulocytotoxicity assay. Review of the literature reveals that more than one mechanism could cause this idiosyncratic immune-mediated agranulocytosis.

Squamous cell carcinoma in chronic hydradenitis suppurativa: a case report.

A case of squamous cell carcinoma arising in hydradenitis suppurativa of over 20 years duration is described. Only 6 other cases are reported in the literature. Multiple sites of origin of malignancy is suspected in this case. Wide-spread bone metastases resulted in severe hypercalcemia. Palliation was obtained for a short period following chemotherapy and Adriamycin and Bleomycin. Autopsy studies showed metastatic tumor in almost all the organs of the body.

Clinical experience with naproxen in rheumatoid arthritis.

A total of 42 patients participated in three controlled clinical trials, each of different design, to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of naproxen in the treatment of rheumatodi arthritis. First, a double-blind comparison of aspirin and naproxen was made in 24 patients. As judged by objective and subjective measurements of disease activity, naproxen was at least as effective as aspirin and the incidence of severity of side effects were less with naproxen than with aspirin. Second, the safety and efficacy of naproxen administration was followed in 42 patients for up to two years. Third, the continued efficacy of naproxen during these two years was tested by interspersing a short period of double-blind placebo administration for some patients. The observations made in this clinical study suggest that naproxen is an effective and well-tolerated drug in the long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.