Serum copper and zinc values compared with serum iron,total iron-binding capacity,and transferrin saturation in sickle cell trait

Reliable data for the trace element values of the biological systems in some diseases are still very rare. Sickle cell trait is one of them. For this purpose, serum iron, zinc, and copper values, together with the total iron binding capacity and saturation percent, were determined in cases with sickle cell trait, eliminating all the sources contributing to deviations from the normal values by choosing a control group from the relatives of the cases. In this study, the values of two groups were compared on the basis of the difference in hemoglobin type, which was the only parameter affecting the trace element analysis.     

Theoretical modeling and experimental studies on N-n-Decyl-2-oxo-5-nitro-1-benzylidene-methylamine

The Schiff base compound, N-n-Decyl-2-oxo-5-nitro-1-benzylidene-methylamine, has been -synthesized and characterized by IR, electronic spectroscopy, and X-ray single-crystal determination. Molecular geometry from X-ray experiment of the title compound in the ground state have been compared using the Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional method (B3LYP) with 6-31G(d) basis set. Calculated results show that density functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP/6-31G(d) level can well reproduce the structure of the title compound. To investigate the solvent effect for the atomic charge distributions of the title compound, self-consistent reaction field theory with Onsager reaction field model was used. In addition, DFT calculations of the title compound, molecular electrostatic potential and thermodynamic properties were performed at B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory.     

Reduced respiratory-related evoked activity in subjects with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Midlatency respiratory-related evoked potentials were measured during wakefulness by using a 60-electrode array placed over the cortical region of the scalp. We studied the responses evoked by 200-ms pressure pulses at -5 and -10 cmH(2)O applied at inspiratory onset and during control tests (no pressure applied) in 14 subjects with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and 18 normal subjects. Wavelet decomposition was used to smooth and dissect the respiratory-related evoked potentials in frequency and time in 8 frequency bands. After denoising, selected wavelet scales were used to reconstruct the respiratory-related evoked potentials, which were quantified by using global field power estimates. The time course of the global field power activity in OSAS subjects compared with normal subjects was significantly depressed in the period 55-70 ms poststimulus onset, a time when afferent traffic from upper airway receptors arrives in normal subjects. The reduced evoked response in subjects with OSAS suggests that these subjects receive less afferent input from upper airway mechanoreceptors. This may reflect reduced sensitivity of mechanoreceptors or reduced mechanoreceptor stimulation due to decreased upper airway compliance during wakefulness in OSAS.