Comparison of Protein Precipitation Ability of Structurally Diverse Procyanidin-Rich Condensed Tannins in Two Buffer Systems.

The protein precipitation (PP) of bovine serum albumin (BSA), lysozyme (LYS), and alfalfa leaf protein (ALF) by four procyanidin-rich condensed tannin (CT) samples in both 2-[N-morpholino]ethanesulfonic acid (MES) and a modified Goering-Van Soest (GVS) buffer is described. Purified CT samples examined included Vitis vinifera seed (mean degree of polymerization [mDP] 4.1, 16.5% galloylated), Tilia sp. flowers (B-type linkages, mDP 5.9), Vaccinium macrocarpon berries (mDP 8.7, 31.7% A-type linkages). and Trifolium pratense flowers (B-type linkages, mDP 12.3) and were characterized by 2D NMR (>90% purity). In general, CTs precipitated ALF > LYS ≥ BSA. PP in GVS buffer was 1 to 2.25 times greater than that in MES buffer (25 °C). The GVS buffer system better reflects the results/conclusions from the literature on the impacts mDP, galloylation, and A-type linkages have on PP. Determinations of PP using the MES buffer at 37 °C indicated that some of these differences may be attributed to the temperature at which GVS buffer determinations are conducted. In vitro PP studies using the GVS buffer may offer better guidance when selecting CT-containing forages and amendments for ruminant feeding studies.

Relationships between Structures of Condensed Tannins from Texas Legumes and Methane Production During In Vitro Rumen Digestion.

Previous studies showed that a series of purified condensed tannins (CTs) from warm-season perennial legumes exhibited high variability in their modulation of methane production during in vitro rumen digestion. The molecular weight differences between these CTs did not provide correlation with either the in vitro CH4 production or the ability to precipitate bovine serum albumin. In an effort to delineate other structure-activity relationships from these methane abatement experiments, the structures of purified CTs from these legumes were assessed with a combination of methanolysis, quantitative thiolysis, ¹H-13C HSQC NMR spectroscopy and ultrahigh-resolution MALDI-TOF MS. The composition of these CTs is very diverse: procyanidin/prodelphinidin (PC/PD) ratios ranged from 98/2 to 2/98; cis/trans ratios ranged from 98/2 to 34/66; mean degrees of polymerization ranged from 6 to 39; and % galloylation ranged from 0 to 75%. No strong correlation was observed between methane production and the protein precipitation capabilities of the CT towards three different proteins (BSA, lysozyme, and alfalfa leaf protein) at ruminal pH. However, a strong non-linear correlation was observed for the inhibition of methane production versus the antioxidant activity in plant sample containing typical PC- and PD-type CTs. The modulation of methane production could not be correlated to the CT structure (PC/PD or cis/trans ratios and extent of galloylation). The most active plant in methane abatement was Acacia angustissima, which contained CT, presenting an unusual challenge as it was resistant to standard thiolytic degradation conditions and exhibited an atypical set of cross-peak signals in the 2D NMR. The MALDI analysis supported a 5-deoxy flavan-3-ol-based structure for the CT from this plant.

Overview and Preliminary Evidence for a Social Skills and Self-Care Curriculum for Adolescent Females with Autism: The Girls Night Out Model.

A majority of social skills research in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and interventions target school age males and no published studies target adolescent females with ASD or related disabilities. Females with ASD are at risk for internalizing symptoms, and experience greater challenges in socialization and communication as social demands become increasingly complex in adolescence. This paper provides a thorough description of a social skills and self-care program designed to address the specific needs of adolescent females with ASD. The approach is peer mediated and occurs within natural or community settings to facilitate generalization. Findings from program evaluation data collected across 4 years illustrate significant improvements in perceived social competence, self-perception, and quality of life and suggests the approach is feasible and social valid.

Examining social competence, self-perception, quality of life, and internalizing and externalizing symptoms in adolescent females with and without autism spectrum disorder: a quantitative design including between-groups and correlational analyses.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent females with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are an understudied population, yet are also quite vulnerable, due to the increased complexities of social interaction and increased risk for internalizing symptoms in adolescence. Most research literature currently focuses on males with ASD, limiting our understanding of social experiences for females with ASD, and thus the potential to better inform supports and intervention to promote social-emotional functioning. This study examined similarities and differences in selected indicators of social-emotional health (social competence, self-perception, quality of life) and problematic behaviors such as externalizing and internalizing symptoms for adolescent females with and without ASD. METHODS: This study employed a quantitative design utilizing correlational analysis as well as t test comparisons to examine selected indicators of social-emotional health and problematic symptoms using the Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS), Youth Quality of Life Instrument (YQOL), and the Self-Perceptions Profile for Adolescents (SPPA) for adolescent females with ASD in relation to their typically developing peers. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between females with and without ASD in terms of their self-ratings of social-emotional health and problematic behaviors. The no-ASD group rated themselves higher across all areas of social-emotional health. Findings also suggest strong relationships between these constructs, especially for females without ASD. Parent reports of autism symptoms and social-emotional health indicated that as symptoms of autism are more severe, so too was the impact on individuals' social competence. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent females with ASD perceive themselves as having lower social competence, self-worth, and quality of life and higher levels of internalizing and externalizing symptoms as compared to their typically developing peers. Parent ratings indicate that higher levels of autism symptoms relate to lower levels of social competence. These findings lend support to the postulate that adolescent females with ASD are more vulnerable than their typically developing counterparts due to the compounded impact of ASD symptoms on social-emotional health and the higher risk for internalizing disorders for adolescent girls. Limitations and implications for further research and intervention are discussed.

Brief report: use of interactive television in identifying autism in young children: methodology and preliminary data.

Children living in rural and underserved areas experience decreased access to health care services and are often diagnosed with autism at a later age compared to those living in urban or suburban areas. This study examines the utility and validity of an ASD assessment protocol conducted via video conferencing (VC). Participants (n = 17) included families with young children (2.5-6 years) requesting an evaluation for ASD in an interdisciplinary clinic. We randomly assigned families to complete an additional evaluation either in-person or via VC prior to their clinic appointment and compared diagnostic impressions to their interdisciplinary clinic evaluation. Results demonstrate excellent inter-rater agreement on diagnoses between clinicians in the VC setting and the interdisciplinary team, which suggests VC may be a viable method to increase access to autism diagnostic services, and ultimately early intervention, for families in rural and underserved areas.

Evidence for alterations in stimulatory G proteins and oxytocin levels in children with autism.

The neurotransmitter oxytocin plays an important role in social affiliation. Low oxytocin levels and defects in the oxytocin receptor have been reported in childhood autism. However, little is known about oxytocin's post-receptor signaling pathways in autism. Oxytocin signals via stimulatory and inhibitory G proteins. c-fos mRNA expression has been used as a marker of OT signaling as well as of G protein signaling. Herein, we hypothesized that oxytocin and its signaling pathways would be altered in children with autism. We measured plasma oxytocin levels by ELISA, G-protein and c-fos mRNA by PCR, and G proteins by immunoblot in cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in children with autism and in age-matched controls. Males with autism displayed elevated oxytocin levels compared to controls (p<0.05). Children with autism displayed significantly higher mRNA for stimulatory G proteins compared to controls (p<0.05). Oxytocin levels correlated strongly positively with c-fos mRNA levels, but only in control participants (p<0.01). Oxytocin, G-protein, and c-fos mRNA levels correlated inversely with measures of social and emotional behaviors, but only in control participants. These data suggest that children with autism may exhibit a dysregulation in oxytocin and/or its signaling pathways.

The sharing of eggs by infertile women who are trying to conceive themselves with an egg recipient for financial advantages does not jeopardize the donor's chance of conceiving.

PURPOSE: To determine if the sharing of oocytes by an infertile woman with an egg recipient for financial advantages has any negative impact on the success rate for the donor. METHODS: A matched controlled study was performed comparing pregnancy outcome of women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) but sharing half of their eggs with a recipient vs women undergoing IVF-ET but not sharing oocytes. RESULTS: Even though more women sharing oocytes deferred fresh transfer and cryopreserved the embryos because of a greater likelihood of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, there was no difference in pregnancy rates between the two groups after their first embryo transfer whether it was with fresh or frozen-thawed embryos. CONCLUSIONS: Sharing of oocytes by a woman undergoing IVF-ET does not jeopardize her chance of a successful outcome following embryo transfer.

Evaluation of the importance of late follicular phase endometrial echo patterns and pregnancy outcome following embryo transfer by evaluating infertile donor/recipient pairs.

PURPOSE: To investigate if the late follicular phase echo pattern is associated with pregnancy outcome in donors vs recipients. METHODS: Infertile donors sharing eggs with recipients were retrospectively evaluated. The endometrial echo pattern was evaluated on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin injection in donors and on the day before progesterone was given to recipients. RESULTS: Almost twice as many donors conceived when the triple-line pattern was found compared to isoechogenic (IE) (51.5% or 52/101 vs 27.3% or 6/22) but there were inadequate numbers in the IE group to show a significant difference. There was not even a trend for a difference in recipients (55.2%, 37/67 vs 53.8%, 14/26). CONCLUSIONS: The trend in this study for higher pregnancy rates in COH cycles with triple-line isoechogenic pattern in the late follicular phase will prompt a study of a larger group of patients undergoing IVF-ET in the modern era. If confirmed one treatment option would be to freeze and defer transfer to an estrogen/progesterone cycle.

A novel method to assess the effect of uterine senescence by comparing pregnancy outcome in younger donors vs older recipients who are sharing a common pool of oocytes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate uterine senescence by comparing pregnancy rates in older recipients vs their younger donors who were actually trying to conceive themselves. METHODS: A retrospective analysis comparing clinical and delivered pregnancy rates in all infertile donors < or = age 35 sharing their eggs with a recipient age > or = 40 over a 6-year time span. These parameters were also evaluated in the first frozen embryo transfer from these couples (if they had one). RESULTS: The clinical and delivered pregnancy rates were similar in younger donors vs older recipients following fresh embryo transfer. There was a non-significant trend for lower implantation rates in the younger donors. No differences were found when comparing frozen embryo transfers. CONCLUSIONS: These data support conclusions that the uterus of women > or = 40 does not inhibit embryo implantation.

Dispersion management for randomly varying optical fibers.

An asymptotic theory for optical pulse propagation in a dispersion-managed (DM) fiber with random dispersion is presented. The validity of the theory is verified with direct numerical simulation. The equations that describe the slow evolution of initial pulses have special solutions that, for fibers with moderate noise in the dispersion profile, perform much better than ideal DM solitons optimized for the unperturbed fiber.

FR901464: total synthesis, proof of structure, and evaluation of synthetic analogues.

The natural product FR901464 (1) was isolated by the Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co. and shown to have intriguing biological properties including impressive antitumor activity. In this paper we describe the first total synthesis of 1 in full detail. A chiral building block synthetic strategy was used to assemble the target: optically active components were generated using asymmetric catalytic reactions, and these fragments were coupled together at a late stage in a convergent synthesis. In particular, a versatile, asymmetric hetero-Diels-Alder (HDA) reaction was developed in the context of this synthesis and used with great effectiveness for the preparation of the two densely functionalized pyran rings. The flexible nature of the synthetic route also allowed us to prepare a series of analogues of 1. These compounds were used to prove the relative stereochemistry of the natural product as well as to probe the importance of certain structural features of FR901464 with regard to biological activity.

Combinatorial libraries of transition-metal complexes, catalysts and materials.

The design, synthesis and evaluation of transition metal containing combinatorial libraries has received much attention in the past few years. As a result, a variety of synthetic techniques have been developed, and rapid assays for metal ion binding have yielded new ligand classes displaying high affinity and selectivity. Research in catalysis has centered around lead optimization using much smaller parallel libraries because of the lack of a truly efficient reaction screening method. Materials science applications have also focused on spatially addressed libraries and have employed a variety of techniques to identify compounds with desired physical properties. Nonetheless, high-throughput characterization and reaction product detection methods must still be developed in order to realize the full potential of combinatorial chemistry for the discovery of novel metal-containing compounds.

Understanding and controlling the cell cycle with natural products.

Small molecule natural products have aided in the discovery and characterization of many proteins critical to the progression and maintenance of the cell cycle. Identification of the direct target of a natural product gives scientists a tool to control a specific aspect of the cell cycle, thus facilitating the study of the cell-cycle machinery.

Effect of the short follicular phase on subsequent conception.

The present study was designed to evaluate whether there is a lower pregnancy rate in women with short follicular phases, as defined by attaining the peak estradiol level before day 11 of the cycle. Thirty-two early ovulators with mature follicles were matched with 32 women being treated for similar infertility problems, who ovulated between days 12-20. Pregnancies were achieved by 9 (28.1%) of the early ovulators compared to 19 (59.4%) of the controls. The mean number of cycles required to achieve a pregnancy was 8.6 in the early ovulators compared to 6.4 in the controls. Using the clinical life table method, the 12-month pregnancy rate was estimated to be 31.4% for early ovulators as compared to 66.3% for controls. Whether lengthening the follicular phase by drug treatment will improve pregnancy rates remains to be seen.

Marketing: a necessary art under DRGS.

Saint Michael's Medical Center, like most healthcare facilities in the country, didn't realize the need for marketing until 1982. At that time, the loss of the surrounding community and a trend toward becoming only a tertiary care facility prompted the parent corporation to look at marketing as a solution to the occupancy and fiscal problems. During the process of development and implementation of the marketing plan, the following issues were identified as needing an immediate answer: 1) What does the hospital stand for? 2) What do we wish to achieve with our marketing plan? 3) How can we identify the hospital's deficiencies? 4) What kind of patient mix is desired? 5) On what type of care should we focus? The marketing plan was based on a full participation of the hospital staff in answering these questions and the developing of a plan of action tailored to the answers. Implementation proved successful. The number of admissions increased by 12% between 1982 to 1984. In addition, the hospital realized a 3% increase in admissions in 1985. Originally, occupancy raised to 92%, but in 1985, one of the goals was to lower the length of stay. At the end of 1985, the occupancy rate fell to 82.5%. But, the number of emergency room visits increased by 3%.

Inhibition of lordosis behavior in the female rat by intraventricular infusion of prolactin and by chronic hyperprolactinemia.

The role of prolactin (PRL) in the control of the lordosis reflex of female rats was investigated. In the initial series of experiments, the normal high level of sexual receptivity observed in the ovariectomized, estrogen-progesterone (E-P) primed female rat was suppressed by intraventricular infusion of 100 ng PRL. Mating behavior remained suppressed 2, 3, and 5 hours following a single infusion of PRL into the third ventricle. In contrast, infusions of either an equal volume of the solvent vehicle (saline) or 100 ng of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were ineffective in modulating the level of mating behavior in hormone-primed female rats. In a second series of experiments, chronic hyperprolactinemia was induced by pituitary transplants under the renal capsule in intact, normal cycle diestrus rats (N=12). A significant decrement in E-P induced mating behavior was observed at 12 and 14 weeks posttransplantation but not at 4 weeks. Sham-operated animals (N=12) displayed the characteristic pattern of behavior normally observed under exogenous E-P therapy. In summary, transient exposure as well as chronic exposure to high levels of PRL can suppress mating behavior, thus suggesting a possible role for PRL in the mediation of reproductive behavior in the female rat.