Difficulties in senior center life: group behaviors

In the past, the literature regarding senior centers has generally directed itself towards environmental or ecological issues. This article, however, looks at problem behaviors which reportedly occur in senior centers. A review of some possible causes and examples of these behaviors, is presented, along with some suggestions for change. The authors feel that individual problem behaviors can best by changed by setting group goals in which all program participants may be acknowledged and rewarded.     

A controlled study of the indications for and the results of femoral osteotomy in Perthes' disease.

We have considered the reasons for securing containment of the femoral head in Perthes' disease and have reviewed briefly the methods used. The present investigation describes the outcome in a controlled series of forty-eight hips treated by containment by femoral varus-rotation osteotomy in selected patients. In assessing the results we have emphasised that controls are essential, and for this purpose we have used two comparable groups, one untreated and the other treated by methods other than containment. The same factors were considered in assessment--namely age, duration, group, and the presence or absence of "at risk" signs. The results were graded similarly as good, fair and poor in all groups. We have concluded that containment by femoral osteotomy is the treatment of choice in patients with "at risk" signs provided that severe deformity has not already occurred. There is no evidence that treatment of any kind favourably influences the course of the disorder in the remainder. Although this is predominantly a radiological study some clinical features are discussed.     

Genetic distances for the study of infectious disease epidemiology

Molecular epidemiologic studies of infectious pathogens 1) generate genetic patterns from a collection of microorganisms, 2) compare the degree of similarity among these patterns, and 3) infer from these similarities infectious disease transmission patterns. The authors propose a quantitative approach using genetic distances to study the degree of similarity between patterns. Benefits of such genetic distance calculations are illustrated by an analysis of standard DNA fingerprints of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in San Francisco collected during the period 1991-1997. Graphical representation of genetic distances can assist in determining if the disappearance of a specific pattern in a community is due to interruption of transmission or ongoing evolution of the microorganism's fingerprint. Genetic distances can also compensate for varying information content derived by DNA fingerprints of contrasting pattern complexity. To study demographic and clinical correlates of transmission, the authors calculated the smallest genetic distance from each patient sample to all other samples. With correlation of genetic distances and nearest genetic distances with previously understood notions of the epidemiology of M. tuberculosis in San Francisco, factors influencing transmission are investigated.     

The Use of Brewer’s Spent Grain after Beer Production for Energy Purposes

The aim of this study was to assess the possibilities to use brewer’s spent grains (BSGs) left over from beer production for energy purposes, and to determine its calorific value and chemical composition. The research materials were samples of wet spent grain from a brewery in Poland. Three samples, that are different in ingredient composition, were examined. The examined samples of BSGs were characterised by humidity that is typical for this product (approx. 77–80%). Convective drying of the spent grain contributed to a reduction in the water content in the biomass to below 10%. Samples of dry spent grain that were examined contained a similar amount of ash (3.8–4.1% d.m.) and organic matter (91.0–91.9% d.m.). All the examined spent grain samples demonstrated similar volatile matter content—approx. 77.8–78.7% d.m. and calorific value—approx. 15.6–15.9 MJ/kg. The estimated calorific value for wet samples (approx. 1.4–2.0 MJ/kg) indicated that it is necessary to lower water content in the biomass in order to improve its energy properties.     

平贝碱乙的分离和鉴定

本文报道了自东北平贝母(Fritillaria ussuriensis Maxim)中分得一种新的甾体生物碱,经光谱(IR,MS,¹HNMR及¹³CNMR)解析和衍生物制备,推定其结构为5α,17β,22α-cevanine-3 β,6α,12α,14α,16β,20β-hexol,定名为平贝碱乙。     

单克隆抗体博来霉素A6偶联物对白血病细胞特异性结合与内化

抗CCT2单克隆抗体博来霉素A6偶联物可吸附胶体金颗粒(McAb-A6-Au)。电镜观察表明,在4℃,1h,表面有McAb-A6-Au颗粒的CEM细胞最高达78%;在37℃,4h,内化McAb-A6-Au颗粒的CEM细胞高达72%。而抗原性无关的U937细胞仅为14%。并且McAb-A6-Au颗粒能直接穿过细胞膜、核膜进入细胞浆和细胞核。37℃,1h已有10～18%的CEM细胞核内有McAb-A 6-Au颗粒。实验结果提示了单抗与博来霉素A6的偶联物与选择性地结合靶细胞,而且进入细胞速度快、穿透力强,有可能成为治疗白血病药物。