An experimental model for canine visceral leishmaniasis

Seven mixed-breed dogs were challenged with either promastigotes or amastigotes of Leishmania donovani infantum strains recently isolated from naturally infected dogs. Different routes and numbers of parasites were utilized and each dog was monitored for at least 1 year post-infection. Anti-parasite specific antibody levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbence, immunofluorescence, crossed-immune electrophoresis and Western blotting on crude antigen. Western blotting on two pure parasite proteins, dp72 and gp70-2, was also done. Mitogenic and antigen-specific stimulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes was monitored; and the haematological, clinical and parasitological parameters measured. Dogs challenged with amastigotes exhibited a more pronounced humoral response to leishmanial antigens. Only in one case was strong antigen-specific proliferation detected. Clinical signs of disease, including hypergammaglobulinaemia, enlarged lymph nodes and the presence of parasites, were also more apparent in the dogs challenged with amastigotes. None of the seven dogs died. Serum antibodies to leishmanial antigens were apparent between 1.5 to 3 months following challenge and correlated with the appearance of enlarged lymph nodes, hypergammaglobulinaemia and the presence of parasites in tissue biopsies. Serum antibodies remained chronically high in these dogs throughout the period of the study. Only one dog (1/3) challenged intravenously with promastigotes and the dog challenged intradermally with amastigotes produced transient antibody responses to leishmanial antigen.     

运用模糊数学建立全脂乳粉卫生质量评价模型

本文运用模糊数学原理，对东台市１９９３年７月份市面上的全脂乳粉抽查监测结果进行卫生质量综合评价，结果令人满意，从而为乳粉卫生质量评比建立了客观有效的评价模型。     

多复指数模型及其在EEG数据分析中的应用

由头皮上电极所记录下的EEG信号是大脑中各种电活动,尤其是神经元电活动,互相耦合而产生的电位变化的整体反映。有一种看法认为,表面看来随机、无规则的EEG信号,实际上它的变化只是由少量几个动力学参量控制着的非线性过程。根据这个假定,我们提出使用多复指数(MCE)模型来描述EEG信号的想法。文中首先简要地介绍了用来估计时序信号MCE模型参数的非调和Fourier展开算法(NHFE)的基本思想。然后,对一个叠加有白噪声、具有4个频率成分的模拟信号,用NHFE算法估计出其MCE模型参数,并把所得的结果与用经典的周期图谱分析方法、AR模型谱分析方法所得到的信号频谱作了比较。结果表明,在SNR高的条件下,NHFE算法所估计出的模型参数能更客观地反映信号的固有特性。基于目前的有关EEG形成的假设,应用MCE模型来描述EEG将更能反映出其特征。因此,我们对MCE模型及其参数在EEG数据分析中的几种可能应用作了初步尝试。这些应用包括:EEG信号段(或一段诱发电位,或一段事件关联电位)的特征参数的提取,这些特征参数包括优势频率值、独立的频率成分个数、幅度值、正负衰减指数的个数、频带宽度与幅度乘积(能量);EEG的频率调制特性的粗略描述等。从而看到了用通常信号分析方法所看不到的EEG信号中所反映的大脑活动的变化。由于用MCE模型及其参数来描述EEG的方法更符合目前关于大脑非线性动力学行为的假设,所以这一方法将是表示EEG信号的有效途径之一。另外,MCE模型方法在EEG信号的模拟研究与数据压缩等方面也将是有用的。文中还讨论了NHFE算法应用中的一些问题。     

Head Start Teaching Center: Differential Training Effects for Head Start Personnel

Driven by research findings regarding the positive relationship between training and enhancement of services, as well as literature on adult learning, the New England Head Start Teaching Center (NEHSTC) was created in 1992 to test the efficacy of participatory, hands-on training. The purpose of this paper is to examine the outcome evaluation results from 4 years of training at the NEHSTC, 1 of 14 federally funded sites, as well as to discuss the implications for delivering this type of participatory training throughout Head Start. Findings suggest that the NEHSTC was successful in implementing high quality, participatory training within the context of an ongoing Head Start program. Head Start staff who participated in the NEHSTC trainings demonstrated gains in knowledge, skills, and expertise compared to similar Head Start employees who did not receive training. Results also reveal a sustained effect of training over time, with NEHSTC participants continuing to demonstrate enhanced knowledge and skills 6 months after training. Similar positive outcomes of training were found for staff with varying levels of experience and holding different Head Start positions. Thus the participatory, hands-on training implemented by the NEHSTC was found to produce positive and lasting outcomes for diverse Head Start staff. An effective and cost efficient model of training Head Start personnel is particularly relevant and timely as Head Start strives to establish universal quality and expansion of services in the 21st Century. The findings are also relevant for improving the quality of all early care and education programs.     

Turbulent stress measurements downstream of three bileaflet heart valve designs in pigs

Objective: Mechanical heart valves can cause thromboembolic complications, possibly due to abnormal flow patterns that produce turbulence downstream of the valve. The objective of this study was to investigate whether three different bileaflet valve designs would exhibit clinically relevant differences in downstream turbulent stresses. Methods: Three bileaflet mechanical heart valves (Medtronic Advantage^®, CarboMedics© Orbis™ Universal and St. Jude Medical^® Standard) were implanted into 19 female 90 kg pigs. Blood velocity was measured during open chest conditions in the cross sectional area downstream of the valves with 10 MHz ultrasonic probes connected to a modified Alfred^® Pulsed Doppler equipment. As a measure of turbulence, Reynolds normal stress (RNS) was calculated at three different cardiac output ranges (3–4, 4.5–5.5, 6–7 L/min). Results: Data from 12 animals were obtained. RNS correlated with increasing cardiac outputs. The highest instantaneous RNS observed in these experiments was 47 N/m², and the mean RNS taken spatially over the cross sectional area of the aorta during systole was between 3 N/m² and 15 N/m². In none of the cardiac output ranges RNS values exceeded the lower critical limit for erythrocyte or thrombocyte damage for any of the valve designs. Conclusions: Reynolds normal stress values were below 100 N/m² for all three valve designs and the difference in design was not reflected in generation of turbulence. Hence, it is unlikely that any of the valve designs causes flow induced damage to platelets or erythrocytes.     

Joint capsule matrix turnover in a rabbit model of chronic joint contractures: Correlation with human contractures.

To evaluate changes in matrix molecules of the joint capsule, the right knees of 24 skeletally mature female NZW rabbits were immobilized while the contralateral limb served as an unoperated control. The immobilization was discontinued at 8 weeks and the rabbits were divided among four groups (n = 6) based on the number of weeks the right knees were remobilized: 0, 8, 16, or 32. Three rabbits (six knees) that did not have operations provided normal control joint capsules. The mRNA levels for collagen types I, II, and III, and MMP-1 and -13 were significantly increased in the joint capsules of the contracture knees in all groups when compared to normal and contralateral limb joint capsules. In contrast, the mRNA levels for TIMP-1, -2, and -3 were decreased in the joint capsules of the contracture knees in all groups when compared to normal and contralateral limb joint capsules. The mRNA levels for lumican and decorin were increased in the joint capsules of the contracture knees in all groups when compared to normal capsules. Many of the changes observed in this animal model are similar to those observed in human joint capsules from posttraumatic elbow contractures, supporting the value of this rabbit model.     

用AHP模型综合评估学生体质健康

目的：综合评价学生体质健康状况。方法：利用现代计算机技术提供的手段用AHP模型以人一机对话的方式对我国各省市学生体质与健康水平和学生体质状况进行了综合评估。结果：得到了学生体质健康排序权值。结论：这种方法具有定性分析与定量分析相结合的特点，能够充分考虑到人在体质与健康综合评估中的主观能动作用，是一种十分有效的评价方法。     

大鼠体外循环模型的建立与应用

由于操作简便、节省人力物力，大鼠体外循环模型的应用愈加广泛。大鼠在小型呼吸机辅助下，应用颈静脉插管入右心房引流血液至贮血瓶，在蠕动移液泵作用下，经膜式氧合器氧合、变温器变温，通过股动脉或尾动脉插管注入动脉系统，建立体外循环回路。有血预充、减少总预充量和维持足够的转流流量是建立大鼠体外循环模型的关键。     

Proteasome inhibitor model of Parkinson's disease in mice is confounded by neurotoxicity of the ethanol vehicle.

Defects in the ubiquitin-proteasome system have been implicated in Parkinson's Disease (PD). Recently, a rat model of PD was developed using a synthetic proteasome inhibitor (PSI), (Z-lle-Glu(OtBu)-Ala-Leu-al). We attempted to transfer this model to mouse studies, where genetics can be more readily investigated due to the availability of genetically modified mice. We treated C57BL/6 (B6) mice with six intraperitoneal injections of 6 mg/kg PSI in 50 mul of 70% ethanol over a 2-week-period. We found significant decreases in nigrostriatal dopamine in PSI-treated mice compared with saline-treated mice. However, we observed similar decreases in the ethanol-treated vehicle control group. Administration of ethanol alone led to significant long-term alterations in dopamine levels. Ethanol significantly eclipses the effects of PSI in the dopamine system, and therefore is a confounding vehicle for this model.