Double-scale roughness and superhydrophobicity on metalized Toray carbon fiber paper.

A simple, inexpensive route for the fabrication of a superhydrophobic metal surface is described. Carbon-carbon composite paper (Toray TGP-H) is electroplated with copper. The copper layer is made hydrophobic by self-assembling a monolayer of dodecanethiol. The surface topography required to induce superhydrophobic behavior is achieved by varying the plating bath composition (Cl-, PEG, and SPS additives) and the time of deposition (effective thickness of the Cu layer). The surface morphology created by the original arrangement of the carbon fibers in the Toray paper (diameter 8 microm, spacing 30 microm) does not produce superhydrophobic behavior. This is true for both continuous and incomplete copper coatings. Truly superhydrophobic behavior (large contact angles, 160-165 degrees, and very small contact angle hysteresis, 2 to 3 degrees) is achieved when a continuous copper layer is deposited on the carbon fibers and also a second micrometer-range roughness is developed as a result of the formation of small copper crystallites (size approximately 1 microm).

Cria alpaca body weight and perinatal survival in relation to age of the dam.

The present study with alpacas determined effect of dam's age on body weight and survival of cria during the first week of life. Pregnant dams (n=424) and their crias were used in the study. Cria body weight (kg) was determined at time of placenta expulsion. Placenta weight and larger width were measured immediately after expulsion. Crias were monitored for the first week and a necropsy was performed if death occurred. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance. The body weight of crias at birth, the weight, and the largest width of placenta increased with age of the dam (P<0.05), reaching a peak at 9 years and then declined progressively. Placental efficiency also increased with the dam's age, and showed a bimodal shape, peaking at 6- and 11-year-old dams (P<0.05). Altogether, 398 crias survived and 26 died; of those 6 died of starvation, 5 of hypothermia, 4 were stillborn and the rest from other miscellaneous causes. More crias died from 2-year-old dams than from dams of any other age (P<0.05). In addition, dead crias had lesser body weights (6.4kg) than those of crias that survived (7.8kg, P<0.05). The weight and width of the placenta was similar for live and dead crias.

Cortisol concentrations in the perinatal and weaning periods of alpacas.

Cortisol concentrations were determined during the perinatal and weaning periods in alpacas. Fifty males and 50 females were chosen at random (25 at each period) for blood collection on day of parturition, 3 and 5 days after birth. For the weaning period, blood samples were collected 2 days before, on the day of weaning (0), and at days 3 and 5 after weaning. Cortisol was determined using an ELISA protocol validated for the alpaca. There was no difference (P>0.05) in cortisol concentrations in both periods, perinatal and weaning between male and female crias. Cortisol was elevated at day of parturition (125.8 ng/ml) and then decreased to 27.2 ng/ml at 3 days after birth (P<0.05). Conversely, cortisol was 32.5 ng/ml 2 days before weaning and then increased at day 3 to 64.7 ng/ml (P<0.05), but then decreased to 29.4 ng/ml at day 5 after weaning. Cortisol is elevated in new-born alpacas and then decreases at the third and fifth after birth. Concentrations of cortisol are also increased after weaning and then decreased 5 days after weaning.

The effect of enzymes on semen viscosity in Llamas and Alpacas.

The effect of four enzymes: collagenase, fibrinolysin, hyalurodinase, and trypsin were recorded on the viscosity, motility, percent live spermatozoa and acrosome integrity of Llama and Alpaca semen. Semen samples were collected using a modified artificial vagina for each of the five llamas and five alpacas. A 25% solution of the of enzyme at a concentration of 1mg/ml was added to the ejaculate. Analysis of variance was used to determine differences in eliminating viscosity and alterations in motility, percent live spermatozoa and the acrosomal integrity at 0 (time of semen collection), 2 and 5min. In Llama and Alpaca semen, collagenase eliminated viscosity in 100 and 99% of the samples, respectively. Correspondingly, fibrinolysin in 89 and 59%; hyalurodinase in 88 and 36%; and trypsin in 55 and 68% of the samples (p<0.05). In the Llama sperm, motility decreased (p<0.05) with the addition of fibrinolysin (28%), trypsin (13%), hyalurodinase (12%), and collagenase (4%). In Alpaca semen, the enzymes used had no effect on sperm motility. Percent live spermatozoa variably decreased after the addition of fibrinolysin, hyalurodinase and trypsin. There was no significant difference in the acrosome integrity in Llama and Alpaca makes following the addition of the enzymes. Overall, collagenase had little or no influence in decreasing motility, percent live spermatozoa and acrosome integrity, whereas, it was effective in eliminating semen viscosity.

Acetylation of the HIV-1 Tat protein by p300 is important for its transcriptional activity.

The human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) Tat protein activates transcriptional elongation by recruiting the positive transcription elongation factor (pTEFb) complex to the TAR RNA element, which is located at the 5' extremity of all viral transcripts [1-3]. Tat also associates in vitro and in vivo with the transcriptional coactivator p300/CBP [4-6]. This association has been proposed to recruit the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity of p300 to the integrated HIV-1 promoter. We have observed that the purified p300 HAT domain acetylates recombinant Tat proteins in vitro and that Tat is acetylated in vivo. The major targets of acetylation by p300 are lysine residues (Lys50 and Lys51) in the arginine-rich motif (ARM) used by Tat to bind RNA and for nuclear import. Mutation of these residues in full-length recombinant Tat blocked its acetylation in vitro. Furthermore, mutation of these lysine residues to arginine markedly decreased the synergistic activation of he HIV promoter by Tat and p300 or by Tat and cyclin T1. These results demonstrate that acetylation of Tat by p300/CBP is important for its transcriptional activation of the HIV promoter.

Differences in erythrocyte membrane cholesterol to phospholipids ratio in postmenopausal women with and without hormone replacement.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the changes in the cholesterol:phospholipids (C/PL) ratio of erythrocyte membrane in post-menopausal women with and without hormone replacement therapy (HRT). STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study including 83 patients divided into three groups according to HRT (group 1, no HRT (n = 52); group 2, combined HRT (n = 16); and group 3, estrogen-only therapy (n = 15)). RESULTS: The C/PL ratio was lower in group 2 with respect to group 1 and group 3 (P = 0.03). No difference was found in erythrocyte membrane cholesterol between the three groups; however, the phospholipid concentration was higher in group 2 with respect to the other groups (P < 0.05). In the control group, C/PL values correlated positively with plasma LDL levels (P < 0.005) and negatively with HDL levels (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: From our data the addition of progestogens in HRT appears to decrease the C/PL of the erythrocyte membrane possibly resulting in a beneficial effect on rheological properties of erythrocyte membrane. The results of our study thus suggest additional benefits from supplementation of progestogens in HRT, in addition to prevention of estrogen dependent endometrial hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma.

Collection of semen and artificial insemination of alpacas.

Semen collection and artificial insemination have not yet been fully developed in the alpaca. Thus, we collected semen from 7 males using a modified artificial vagina placed inside a dummy. Forty adult female alpacas, previously induced to ovulate with hCG, were artificially inseminated with fresh undiluted semen by laparoscopy or by cervix. The Chisquare test was used to determine differences in the fertility rate of the 2 insemination methods. The mean duration of copulation, semen volume, sperm concentration and the percentages of live spermatozoa and normal spermatozoa were 21.6 min, 1.9 ml. 147,500/mm(3), 69.6% and 75.9%, respectively. There were 6.7% abnormal heads, 12.3% abnormal tails and 3.8% cytoplasmic droplets. The consistency of semen was viscous and formed a coagulum. The pH was 7.2, and the semen was milky white in color. The duration of copulation was comparable to natural copulation, and semen characteristics reflected those of the natural ejaculate. The percentage of pregnancy was 68%, with no differences due to method of semen deposition (laparoscopy, 67%; cervix, 73%).

Induction of parturition in alpacas and subsequent survival of neonates.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate use of fluprostenol, dexamethasone, and oxytocin for induction of parturition in alpacas, and to determine viability of the newborn crias. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. ANIMALS: 36 pregnant alpacas within 10 days of parturition. PROCEDURE: Animals were randomly assigned to treatment groups. Plasma progesterone and plasma and urine estrone sulfate concentrations were measured for 5 days after treatment. Clinical signs of the neonates were determined. RESULTS: Time between treatment and parturition was significantly shorter for animals that received fluprostenol than for animals in any other group. The highest dose of dexamethasone (0.5 mg) caused fetal death. None of the other treatments induced early parturition. Time between birth and first suckling, body weight, rectal temperature, pulse rate, and respiratory rate at birth and serum IgG concentration 24 hours after birth were not different between crias born after fluprostenol treatment and crias born to control alpacas. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Fluprostenol was effective at inducing parturition in these alpacas, but dexamethasone and oxytocin were not. Crias born after fluprostenol treatment were similar to crias born to control alpacas.

A comparison of the shake test, optical density, L/S ratio (planimetric and stechiometric) and PG for the assessment of fetal lung maturity.

Our aim was to determine the diagnostic accuracy and reliability of four tests for the assessment of fetal lung maturity (FLM): shake test, optical density at 650 nm (OD650), lecithin to sphingomyelin ratio (L/S) by planimetry and stechiometry, and presence of phosphatydylglycerol. Amniotic fluid was obtained from 74 patients at various gestational ages. The shake test and the OD650 were performed according to published methods L/S was determined by TLC (thin-layer chromatography) and the ratio assessed by planimetry and stechiometrically by measurement of organic phosphorus from the chromatographic spots. PG was assessed similarly by TLC. When correlated with gestational age at amniocentesis, all tests correlated positively: shake test (r = 0.46, p < 0.005); OD650 (r = 0.31, p < 0.005); planimetric L/S (r = 0.77, p < 0.005); stechiometric L/S (r = 0.52, p < 0.005) and PG (r = 0.54, p < 0.005). The diagnostic accuracy of each test was as follows: the shake test and the OD650 had a sensitivity of 50%, while the steciometric L/S had a sensitivity of 75%, the planimetric L/S and the presence of PG were 100%. All four tests demonstrated a specificity greater than 64%, the highest for the PG presence being (83%) and the shake test (86%). Predictive negative values for lung maturity were > 93% for all tests, with the highest for the planimetric L/S and presence of PG being (100%). The study confirms that the determination of L/S ratio is still superior to other tests in terms of overall diagnostic accuracy. In addition, it was found that presence of PG was highly associated with the absence of respiratory complications in the newborn.

Pregnancy in adolescents. A case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: to investigate pregnancy outcome and incidence of pregnancy-related disorders in the adolescent. DESIGN: a matched control retrospective study. SUBJECTS: pregnant adolescents aged 14 to 19 years admitted to the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology--Policlinico Umberto I, between the years 1984 and 1993; a comparable number of pregnancies aged 20 to 24 years was considered as a control group. RESULTS: In the 10 yrs. period a total of 304 pregnancies in adolescents were considered. Preterm deliveries were 9.5% in the adolescent group vs 5.9% in control (P > 0.05). A higher incidence was found in number of cesarean section (P < 0.001), spontaneous abortion (P = 0.003), intrauterine growth retardation (P = 0.04) and fetal distress (P = 0.04) in the adolescent group vs matched controls. Also mean birth weight was significantly lower in the adolescent group when compared with normal group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: we found a higher incidence of obstetric complications, such as IUGR, acute fetal distress in labor and lower birth weight, in the adolescent group, resulting in a higher number of cesarean sections. We hypothesise that the relative state of "hypoarterialisation" characteristic of the adolescent uterus may be involved in the afore-mentioned complications.

Clinical and ultrasonographic implications of uterine leiomyomatosis in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To study the complications related to leiomyomatosis in pregnancy by clinical and ultrasonographic assessment. DESIGN: A retrospective study. SUBJECTS: All pregnancies admitted to the 2nd Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Policlinico Umberto I, in the period between January 1992 to December 1993 were surveyed. RESULTS: Gestational age at the time of ultrasonographic neoplasm diagnosis was 25.1 +/- 13.4 weeks, 'we found no correlation between maternal age or parity affecting pregnancy outcome, Leiomyomatosis complicated pregnancy rate was 1.68%. Myomatosis was diagnosed clinically in 25 of 67 cases (37.3%). Regarding the location of the neoplasm, 59% was located in the corpus-uteri, 21% was considered a diffuse neoplasm and the 14% was located in the fundus. Threatened abortion was the most frequent complication (20%), abortion was the second (16.4%). We observed an increased abortion threat rate (p < 0.001) in those cases where the leiomyoma was in relation with the placenta. We had a surgery rate of 76% in pregnancies complicated by myomatosis, and the indication for surgery was given either primarily or exclusively by the presence of myomatous formation in 19 cases (50%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that location of the leiomyoma in relation to the placenta is a higher risk factor than its size, and that there is a higher risk for threats of abortion and abortion rates in pregnancies complicated by leiomyomatosis. We recommend that every pregnant woman with a suspected myoma should be ultrasonographically scanned.

The cholesterol to phospholipids ratio (C/PL) of the erythrocyte membrane in normotensive, hypertensive pregnant and in cord blood as assessed by a simple enzymatic method.

The study described was conducted to evaluate a simple enzymatic method for the study of the cholesterol/phospholipids ratio in erythrocyte membrane (C/PL) in a group of normal pregnant, of hypertensive pregnant, in non-pregnant controls and in cord blood. Subjects consisted of 28 normotensive pregnant women (NT), 14 women with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), 10 non-pregnant normotensive women (Non-Preg) and 14 samples obtained from umbilical cord (C) at delivery from normotensive pregnant. Red blood cells were isolated from heparinated blood samples. Lipids were extracted from erythrocytes by isopropanol/chloroform, without preparation of cell ghosts. Cholesterol content was evaluated by cholesterol oxidase and phospholipids were estimated as organic phosphorus in the total lipid extract. We found a significant difference of C/PL between the PIH group and the NT group (1.01, SD 0.11 vs. 0.76, SD 0.10, 95% CI 0.74-0.78; p < 0.001) and the Non-Preg group (0.83, SD 0.11, 95% CI 0.80-0.86; p < 0.001). Cord blood C/PL was significantly elevated with respect to NT (1.25, SD 0.13 vs. 0.76, SD 0.10; p < 0.001). The method was proven to be fast, reliable and of value for the study of the pathophysiology of the alteration of the lipid composition, i.e., the increased cholesterol content, of the red cell membrane found in hypertensive pregnant patients.

Hyperkalemic distal renal tubular acidosis in salt-losing congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Functional indices of distal urinary acidification were assessed in two male infants, aged 1 and 3 months, with salt-losing congenital adrenal hyperplasia. In both cases the diagnosis was sustained by the presence of elevated plasma levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis and increased plasma renin activity. Both patients were unable to lower urinary pH below 5.9 either during acute ammonium chloride-induced acidosis or after i.v. administration of furosemide. One patient also failed to decrease urine pH below 5.5 and to increase urinary potassium excretion during sodium sulfate infusion. Oral sodium bicarbonate loading was given to both patients but failed to induce a significant increase in the urine minus blood PCO2 gradient. This gradient remained low also after neutral phosphate administration. Repeated studies after acute administration of fludrocortisone in one case or after prolonged administration of hydrocortisone in the other resulted in complete normalization of all functional studies. We conclude that salt-losing congenital adrenal hyperplasia can lead to hyperkalemic distal renal tubular acidosis in early infancy. The defective renal secretion of hydrogen ion and potassium is probably related to the abolishment of the negative potential difference in the cortical collecting tubule induced by the impaired reabsorption of sodium.