By the Wolff's cluster Monte Carlo simulations and numerical minimization within a mean field approach, we study the low temperature phase diagram of water, adopting a cell model that reproduces the ...known properties of water in its fluid phases. Both methods allows us to study the water thermodynamic behavior at temperatures where other numerical approaches --both Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics-- are seriously hampered by the large increase of the correlation times. The cluster algorithm also allows us to emphasize that the liquid--liquid phase transition corresponds to the percolation transition of tetrahedrally ordered water molecules.
We have shown previously that infection of mononuclear cells derived from neonatal cord (CBMC) or adult peripheral (PBMC) blood with HTLV-1 can be controlled in vitro by treatment with interferon ...(IFN) alpha, beta or gamma. The activity of IFNs was mainly related to the induction of an active antiviral competence in host's immune effector cells. The antiviral activity of IFN-boosted CBMC could be ascribed both to a positive regulation of cell-mediated immunity and to inhibition of viral infection. Data described herein provide further information on the mechanisms of the antiviral activity of IFNs and compare the activity of each type of IFN with the association of alpha + beta, alpha + gamma and beta + gamma IFNs, at a concentration of 100 or 1000 IU/ml. When added at the onset of the co-culture of CBMC with lethally irradiated, virus-donor MT-2 cells, IFNs could protect host CBMC by inhibiting HTLV-1 infection in terms of reduced proviral integration and a lower percentage of virus-positive cells, until 4 weeks of culture. Infection of CBMC was inhibited at a comparable extent by either individual or combined IFN treatments. However, a clearcut inhibition of HTLV-I transcription was found only when alpha 100 + beta 1000 IU/ml and especially alpha 1000 + gamma 100 IU/ml combined treatments were tested. When the chronically infected, virus-producing MT-2 cells were treated with IFNs, a remarkable inhibition of HTLV-I transcription was found only after multiple treatments. However, MT-2 cells became resistant to the antiviral activity of IFN gamma, but not to that of IFN alpha or beta. These data provide further information on the control of HTLV-I replication mediated by IFNs at different steps of the viral life cycle, being therefore relevant to the clinical use of combined IFNs in the treatment of acute infection. Moreover, IFNs could be used to prevent the establishment of a persistent infection, which is a prerequisite for developing adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and/or virus-associated myelopathy.
The present report focuses on some aspects of the intra-erythrocytic cation metabolism (e.g. the maximal velocity of the Na+-Li+ countertransport and Na+/K+/Cl- cotransport) in uraemic patients on ...different dialysis treatments. Patients undergoing dialysis treatment continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) or haemodialysis (HD) overall showed higher Na+-Li+ countertransport than controls. With regard to Na+/K+/Cl- cotransport, CAPD patients and controls did not differ and both showed, on average, higher values than HD patients. A subgroup of HD patients was studied before and after dialysis. No significant overall changes were detected as a result of the dialysis process with regard to Na+/K+/Cl- cotransport. Na+-Li+ countertransport was significantly reduced by dialysis and a distinctly different response to dialysis was evident according to predialysis values. Patients with high values of Na+-Li+ countertransport showed a significant reduction in this parameter while patients with normal values showed no effect. No distinct association was detected between alteration in either Na+-Li+ countertransport or Na+/K+/Cl- cotransport and the clinical characteristics of the patients. It is concluded that uraemia and/or dialysis influences the maximal velocity of the parameters under investigation. The effect on Na+-Li+ countertransport seems to be similar for both CAPD and HD, while Na+/K+/Cl- cotransport is not altered in CAPD patients.
Since premature thelarche (PT) can be a first sign of precocious puberty (PP), the aim of our study was to identify simple items in the course of the first 6 months of follow-up that could help ...predict if PT would evolve to PP. Thirty-two girls with PT were studied. First evaluation included bone age (BA), basal estradiol, FSH, LH and prolactin. GnRH was performed in 15 subjects and BA was checked at 6 month intervals in 30. Based on clinical outcome after a mean follow-up of 33.4 +/- 16.5 (SD) months, patients were divided into 2 groups: Group I (G-I) included subjects whose breast development either remained unchanged, increased or regressed; Group II (G-II) included subjects who progressed to PP. The multivariate combination of the items which was able to best discriminate between the two groups was chosen in predicting the evolution of PT. The items considered included four variables available at the time of diagnosis chronological (CA) at onset less than 3 years, basal FSH, basal LH and BA/CA ratio and two additional variables after a 6-month follow-up (delta BA/delta CA and growth velocity); 88% of G-I and 14% of G-II had CA less than 3 yr. Basal FSH levels were elevated in both G-I (7.6 +/- 3.0 mIU/ml) and G-II (12.1 +/- 4.1) with respect to controls (2.6 +/- 1.2); however, approximately 20% of G-I had low FSH levels. Basal LH levels were consistently higher in G-II (8.0 +/- 1.3 mIU/ml) than in G-I (2.9 +/- 1.5) or controls (2.8 +/- 1.2). Although initial BA was advanced (greater than 2SD) in 21% of G-I and in all of G-II, an acceleration of BA was seen only in G-II. The mean growth velocity of G-I (44.1 +/- 31.5%) was significantly less than G-II (92 +/- 32%; p less than 0.0025). With the help of the discriminant equations derived from data obtained at diagnosis and during the first 6 months of follow-up, all subjects with isolated premature thelarche could be sharply distinguished from those who subsequently progressed to precocious puberty.
Cases of diabetes mellitus associated with Turner syndrome are noninsulin-dependent. We report a case of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) with Turner syndrome.
An 11 year-old girl with ...Turner syndrome was investigated for glucose tolerance that was normal with glycosylated hemoglobin at 5.1%. The patient was then given growth hormone plus oxandrolone until the age of 15 yr 3 mo; estrogen replacement was initiated at 15 yr 9 mo and progesterone 6 months later. At the age of 16.5 yrs, the patient developed manifestations of diabetes mellitus with polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss. Blood glucose concentration was 415 mg/dl with ketoacidosis. She was given insulin; at that time, blood insulin level was 7 mU/ml, C-peptide 0.8 ng/ml and glycosylated hemoglobin Alc 8.2%. Islet cell auto-antibodies were positive (1/80) and histocompatibility antigens were A1, A2, B14, B18, CW7, DR7, DR11, DQ7. After 6 months of treatment, blood insulin and C-peptide after IV glucagon were nil. There was no familial case of IDDM.
This case of IDDM seems to be the first reported in Turner syndrome. This IDDM could be a manifestation of autoimmunity.
Rectangular to coplanar waveguide hermetic transitions are frequently used in satellite payloads, to interconnect rectangular waveguides toward antennas with internal active circuits, often realized ...in MMIC technology. The effects of manufacturing tolerances on this kind of transition are analyzed both in qualitative terms and in quantitative ones using a Monte Carlo method applied to FEM electromagnetic simulations. Results are compared with measures on a W-band prototype.
Mental retardation and personality disorders are commonly described among the symptoms of myotonic dystrophy. Nevertheless, this tendency is not supported by systematic studies performed on large ...samples, whose results are controversial. We studied the cognitive functions and personalities of a group of 28 patients, in whom myotonic dystrophy had commenced in juvenile or adult life. The severity of the disease was variable, but all subjects were self-sufficient. Only 7.1% of subjects showed low intelligence with deterioration of perceptual-motor functions. This was not correlated with the severity of their disease. Women had a substantially lower mean Wechsler-Bellevue score than men. The personality function study of the entire group showed no change of psychiatric relevance but did present a depressive attitude with marked somatic concern and difficulties in establishing relationships in social life.
We report a girl with Niemann-Pick disease type B in whom short stature was recorded over a long period. Association of short stature with the presence of a polyglandular involvement in this patient ...is discussed.
