Identification and properties of the 1La and 1Lb states of pyranine.

The spectroscopic locations of the 1La and 1Lb electronic states of pyranine (1-hydroxy-3,6,8-pyrenetrisulfonic acid, commonly referred to as HPTS), as well as several related compounds, are found using magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy as well as absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. These electronic states have been discussed in connection with the photoacid properties of HPTS. Polarization selective fluorescence spectroscopy is used to identify the transition dipole directions of the electronic states of the compounds studied. The issue of the origin for the changes in vibronic structure of HPTS in different solvents is addressed. It is demonstrated that a Brownian oscillator model, in which the strength of the coupling of the electronic states to the solvent changes with solvent, is sufficient to reproduce the trends in the shapes of the vibronic structure.

Onychomycosis associated with Onychocola canadensis: ten case reports and a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Onychocola canadensis is a nondermatophyte mold associated with onychomycosis particularly in temperate climates (eg, Canada, New Zealand, and France). The slow growth rate of O canadensis and lack of resemblance to any other known nail-infecting fungus may have delayed its discovery. We are aware of 23 mycologically confirmed cases of O canadensis in the literature. OBJECTIVE: We describe 10 previously unreported Canadian patients, specimens from whom grew O canadensis. We also review the literature on infections associated with this organism. METHODS: Cases of O canadensis onychomycosis were diagnosed on the basis of (1) the finding of compatible filaments on direct microscopy of nail and (2) consistent culture from repeated specimens. All patients from whom O canadensis was isolated were followed up, but those in whom outgrowth was not consistent were not accepted as having "authentic" infections. RESULTS: In 10 patients O canadensis was found to be associated with distal lateral subungual onychomycosis (6 patients), white superficial onychomycosis (1 patient), and as an insignificant contaminant in the nails of 3 patients. Less commonly the organism may cause tinea manuum or tinea pedis interdigitalis. O canadensis appears to be more frequent in the elderly, especially females. It is not unusual for a patient with onychomycosis caused by O canadensis to be a gardener or farmer, suggesting that the infectious inoculum may originate from the soil. The optimal therapy for onychomycosis caused by this organism remains unclear. CONCLUSION: O canadensis may be the etiologic agent of distal and lateral subungual or white superficial onychomycosis; however, it may sometimes be present in an abnormal-appearing nail as an insignificant finding, not acting as a pathogen.

Confirmation of K11 and K17 as alleles in the Kell blood group system.

Tests of three new unrelated K:-11 people and their relatives confirm that K11 is allelic to K17 (Wka) and belongs to the Kell system.