N2-(1-carboxyethyl)methionine. A ''pseudo-opine'' in octopine-type crown-gall tumours.

A novel methionine-containing plasmid-determined compound, N2-(1-carboxyethyl)methionine (NCEM) has been identified in crown-gall tumours induced by octopine-type strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. NCEM is probably synthesized by octopine synthase. Cell-free preparations from octopine-type strains of A. tumefaciens can degrade NCEM; however, the bacterium cannot transport the compound into the cell, although these strains can take up and degrade the octopine family of opines.     

In vitro properties of a recombinant flavonol synthase from Arabidopsis thaliana

cDNA corresponding to a flavonol synthase gene from Arabidopsis thaliana was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein was purified to near-homogeneity and the catalytic properties of the enzyme were studied in vitro. Together with kaempferol and apigenin the recombinant protein synthesised the (2R,3S)-cis- and (2S,3S)-trans-isomers of dihydrokaempferol from the (2S)- and (2R)-isomers of naringenin, respectively. Flavanones and dihydroflavanols differing in degree of A- or B-ring hydroxylation were also accepted as substrates.     

Morphodynamics of flow through sinuous curvatures of the heart

Through cardiac looping during embryonic development, human and other vertebrate hearts adopt sinuous curvatures with marked changes in direction of flow at atrial, ventricular and arterial levels. We used magnetic resonance phase velocity mapping to study flow through the hearts of resting volunteers, and Doppler ultrasound to record changes with exercise. We found asymmetric recirculation of blood during filling phases of all four heart cavities, with blood redirected appropriately for onward passage to the next cavity. Doppler traces showed that biphasic ventricular filling became rapid and monophasic on strenuous exercise. We propose that looped curvatures of the heart have fluidic and dynamic advantages. Intra-cavity flow appears to be asymmetric in a manner that preserves stability, and allows momentum of inflowing streams to be redirected towards rather than away from the next cavity. Direction-change at ventricular level is such that recoil away from ejected blood is in a direction that can enhance rather than inhibit ventriculo-atrial coupling. These factors may combine to allow a reciprocating, sling-like, 'morphodynamic' mode of action become effective when heart rate and output increase with exercise. Dynamic efficiency of the looped heart may have favoured evolution of large, complex, active species characteristic of the vertebrate line.     

The influence of inflow boundary conditions on intra left ventricle flow predictions

The combination of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers a promising tool that enables the prediction of blood flow patterns in subject-specific cardiovascular models. The influence of the model geometry on the accuracy of the simulation is well recognized. This paper addresses the impact of different boundary conditions on subject-specific simulations of left ventricular (LV) flow. A novel hybrid method for prescribing effective inflow boundary conditions in the mitral valve plane has been developed. The detailed quantitative results highlight the strengths as well as the potential pitfalls of the approach.     

The Day-Hospital of the University Hospital,Bobo Dioulasso: An Example of Optimized HIV Management in Southern Burkina Faso

ObjectivesTo evaluate the epidemiological evolution of patients with HIV (PtHIV), between 2002 and 2012, in a day-hospital that became an HIV reference centre for south-west Burkina Faso.ResultsA total of 7320 patients have been treated at the centre since 2002; the active file of patients increased from 147 in 2002 to 3684 patients in 2012. Mean age was stable at 38.4 years and the majority were female (71%). The delay to initiation of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment after HIV diagnosis decreased from 12.9 months in 2002 to 7.2 months in 2012. The percentage of PtHIV lost to follow-up, untreated for HIV and deaths all decreased after 2005. Voluntary anonymous screening and/or an evocative clinical picture were the main reasons for HIV diagnosis, usually at a late stage (41.1% at WHO stage 3). Virological success increased due to a decrease in time to initiation of ARV treatment and an increase in percentage of patients treated (90.5% in 2012, mainly with 1^st line drugs). However, there was also a slight increase in the rate of therapeutic failures and the percentage of patients who progressed to 2^nd or 3^rd line-ARVs.ConclusionOur day-hospital is a good example of the implementation of a specialist centre for the management of PtHIV in a resource-limited country (Burkina Faso).     

Twelve Months of Routine HIV Screening in 6 Emergency Departments in the Paris Area: Results from the ANRS URDEP Study

Objective

In October 2009 the French National Authority for Health recommended that HIV testing be proposed at least once to all persons aged 15 to 70 years in all healthcare settings. We examined whether routine HIV screening with a rapid test in emergency departments (EDs) was feasible without dedicated staff, and whether newly diagnosed persons could be linked to care.

Methods

This one-year study started in December 2009 in 6 EDs in the Paris area, using the INSTI™ test. Eligible individuals were persons 18 to 70 years old who did not present for a vital emergency, for blood or sexual HIV exposure, or for HIV screening. Written informed consent was required.

Results

Among 183 957 eligible persons, 11 401 were offered HIV testing (6.2%), of whom 7936 accepted (69.6%) and 7215 (90.9%) were tested (overall screening rate 3.9%); 1857 non eligible persons were also tested. Fifty-five new diagnoses of HIV infection were confirmed by Western blot (0.61% (95% CI 0.46–0.79). There was one false-positive rapid test result. Among the newly diagnosed persons, 48 (87%) were linked to care, of whom 36 were not lost to follow-up at month 6 (75%); median CD4 cell count was 241/mm³ (IQR: 52–423/mm³).

Conclusions

Screening rates were similar to those reported in opt-in studies with no dedicated staff. The rate of new diagnoses was similar to that observed in free anonymous test centres in the Paris area, and well above the prevalence (0.1%) at which testing has been shown to be cost-effective.     

Effect of Growth Medium and Method of Application of Fusarium oxysporum on Infestation of Sorghum by Striga hermonthica in Burkina Faso

A 2-year (1997–1998) study was conducted at Kouaré, Burkina Faso, to investigate effect of growth medium and application method of Fusarium oxysporum isolate 4-3-B to control Striga hermonthica. In 1997, growth medium and isolate 4-3-B delayed striga emergence by 9 days. Isolate 4-3-B reduced emerged striga number by 33% compared to treatments without Fusarium. In 1998, striga emergence was delayed by 13 days by growth medium and Fusarium. The fungus reduced the number of emerged striga by 27% and, as a result, sorghum straw and grain yields were significantly improved by 10 and 38%, respectively.     

Lipid synthesis in vivo by tissues of the maternal and foetal guinea pig.

The rate of lipid biosynthesis in vivo was determined in pregnant guinea pigs after maternal and foetal injections of 3H2O. Synthesis in the maternal tissues was low and in the foetal liver and adipose tissues relatively high. In the foetal liver it reached a peak at about two-thirds of gestation, whereas that in the foetal adipose tissue occurred later. These results were used to support the view that lipid synthesis in the foetal guinea-pig liver at two-thirds of gestation is largely from short-chain fatty acids, whereas in foetal adipose tissue glucose is probably the major substrate.