Regular ingestion of tea does not inhibit in vivo lipid peroxidation in humans.

Prospective studies suggest that tea may protect against cardiovascular disease. A potential mechanism for such an effect involves inhibition of lipid peroxidation by polyphenolic antioxidants derived from tea. Our objective was to determine whether regular ingestion of tea could inhibit in vivo lipid peroxidation. Two controlled intervention studies assessed the effects of regular ingestion of tea on lipid peroxidation determined by measurement of urinary F(2)-isoprostane excretion. Study 1: The effects of 1000 mL/d of green tea and black tea were compared with hot water containing caffeine in 13 subjects with elevated blood pressure using a randomized 3-period (7 d each) crossover design. Study 2: The effects of 1250 mL/d of black tea were compared with hot water in 22 subjects with mildly raised serum total cholesterol concentrations using a randomized 2-period (4 wk each) crossover design. F(2)-isoprostane excretion was not altered after regular ingestion of green tea (273 +/- 48 pmol/mmol creatinine) or black tea (274 +/- 39 pmol/mmol creatinine) in comparison with hot water (263 +/- 47 pmol/mmol creatinine; Study 1), or by regular ingestion of black tea (334 +/- 71 pmol/mmol creatinine) in comparison with hot water (355 +/- 75 pmol/mmol creatinine; Study 2). These results do not support the suggestion that polyphenolic antioxidants derived from tea inhibit in vivo lipid peroxidation.     

Bereavement and remarriage for older adults

The purpose of this study was to assess differences in bereavement outcomes between surviving spouses aged 50 and over who remarried within 4-5 years and those who did not. Fifteen bereaved respondents out of 192 in a longitudinal prospective study who later remarried were compared with 15 other matched nonremarried respondents. Analyses of sociodemographic data, standardized measures of depression, life-satisfaction, resolution of grief, and self-perceived ratings of coping, stress, self-esteem, health and social support were performed with correlated t-tests. Statistically significant differences indicated that over time, the remarried subjects displayed more positive outcomes.     

Food intolerance: our practice

This paper describes the clinical presentation of food allergy and/or intolerance (F.A.I.). The role of a diagnostic dietary trial is reviewed. Finally dietary management is discussed.     

SPROUT,HIPPO and CAESA: Tools for de novo structure generation and estimation of synthetic accessibility

Summary Several components of a system for structure generation are now well developed. HIPPO is a program that characterises a receptor binding site for potential target sites within the cavity that can be used in de novo design. The target sites include simple and complex hydrogen bonds, covalent bonds and bonds to metal ions. The SPROUT program for structure generation consists of two main components: the first is skeleton generation, followed by atom substitution to convert the solution skeletons to molecules. A new method of skeleton generation is presented here, where part skeletons are grown outwards from each target site. The part skeletons are then connected together to form solution skeletons. Finally the CAESA program is described, that ranks the output from SPROUT according to ease of synthesis.     

Epidermal growth factor concentrations in pig tissues and body fluids measured using a homologous radioimmunoassay.

A homologous radioimmunoassay for the measurement of epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels in pig tissues and body fluids has been developed using an antiserum to recombinant porcine EGF. The assay is highly specific, showing no cross-reactivity with a variety of other polypeptides including the structurally related protein, transforming growth factor-alpha. Furthermore, < 1% cross-reactivity was observed with mouse EGF emphasizing the necessity for homologous assays for EGF measurement. Immunoreactive EGF was present in extracts of pig kidney and pancreas (3.44 +/- 0.43 and 0.76 +/- 0.13 (S.E.M.) pmol/g wet weight respectively), but was not detected in extracts of submaxillary gland or liver. Although immunoreactive EGF was not detectable in uterine, allantoic or ovarian follicular fluids, colostrum contained EGF at biologically active concentrations (0.84 +/- 0.15 nmol/l). Immunoreactive EGF was also present in pig urine, with similar concentrations in samples from male or female animals. In addition, pig urine inhibited the binding of 125I-labelled EGF to 3T3 fibroblasts and stimulated DNA synthesis in quiescent monolayers of these cells, indicating that the immunoreactive material in urine is biologically active. Quantitative comparisons of the data presented here with that published previously indicate considerable species variation in the EGF levels of various tissues and body fluids.     

Distribution and structure of identified tonic and phasic synapses between L-neurones in the locust ocellar tract.

The ultrastructures and distributions of the discrete anatomical synapses which constitute two distinct types of output connections made by individual ocellar L-neurons, L1-3, are described. Outputs to neurones L4-5 are excitatory and transmit tonically, whereas reciprocal connections among the three L1-3 neurones are inhibitory and incapable of transmission for longer than a few milliseconds. The tonically transmitting synapses are located in the lateral ocellar tract and are made between the axons of L1-3, which do not receive inputs, and short branches of L4-5, which make no outputs. Each excitatory connection is composed of a few hundred discrete anatomical synapses, each characterised by a bar-shaped presynaptic density which is 0.15-1.5 microns in length and associated with a large number of round synaptic vesicles. Two postsynaptic profiles are apposed to each presynaptic density. Associated with tonic synapses are abundant invaginations of the presynaptic membrane. Synapses of the reciprocal, inhibitory, phasic connections occur in the protocerebral arbors of L1-3, among numerous output synapses of these neurones. Each phasic connection is composed of a few tens of discrete anatomical synapses. Each bar-shaped presynaptic density is associated with two postsynaptic profiles, and is 0.1-1.0 microns long. Compared with the tonic, excitatory connection, there are fewer vesicles and fewer invaginations of the presynaptic membrane associated with each synapse.