Vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) is a potent mitogen and permogen that increases in the plasma and decreases in the alveolar space in respiratory diseases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This observation has led to controversy over the role of this potent molecule in lung physiology and disease. We hypothesized that some of the VEGF previously detected in normal lung may be of the anti-angiogenic family (VEGFxxxb) with significant potential effects on VEGF bioactivity. VEGFxxxb protein expression was assessed by indirect immunohistochemistry in normal and ARDS tissue. Expression of VEGFxxxb was also detected by immunoblotting in normal lung tissue, primary human alveolar type II (ATII) cells, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in normal subjects and by ELISA in normal, “at risk,” and ARDS subjects. The effect of VEGF165 and VEGF165b on both human primary endothelial cells and alveolar epithelial cell proliferation was assessed by [3H]thymidine uptake. We found that VEGF165b was widely expressed in normal healthy lung tissue but is reduced in ARDS lung. VEGF121b and VEGF165b were present in whole lung, BAL, and ATII lysate. The proliferative effect of VEGF165 on both human primary endothelial cells and human alveolar epithelial cells was significantly inhibited by VEGF165b (P < 0.01). These data demonstrate that the novel VEGFxxxb family members are expressed in normal lung and are reduced in ARDS. A specific functional effect on primary human endothelial and alveolar epithelial cells has also been shown. These data suggest that the VEGFxxxb family may have a role in repair after lung injury.

The complement of enzyme activities of a selection of commercial protease preparations were determined using fluorogenic substrates. Alcalase was used in combination with other commercial enzyme preparations to produce cod muscle (Gadus morhua) hydrolysates. Each muscle hydrolysate was characterized with respect to the percentage degree of hydrolysis (DH %), peptide molecular weight range, and free amino acid content. The enzyme preparations containing predominantly protease or endopeptidase activities achieved high DH % and produced significant amounts of peptides below a molecular weight of 3000. Alcalase combined with exopeptidase-rich preparations produced hydrolysates rich in low-molecular-weight peptides. Selecting combinations of enzyme preparations with complementary activity profiles could be used to manipulate the peptide molecular weight profile of hydrolysates.

The present study investigated empirically whether individuals with thin boundaries as determined by high scores on the Hartmann Boundary Ques tionnaire (HBQ) [1] demonstrated heightened access to imagistic stimuli than thick boundary individuals. Two independent samples, visual art students and Wall Street brokers, were administered the Rorschach, a sleep and dreaming questionnaire, and a subliminal perception task which involved the presenta tion of both a subliminal and supraliminal stimulus. As expected, the majority of the visual artists scored thin boundaried and the majority of Wall Street brokers scored thick boundaried on the HBQ. Boundary thinness on the HBQ was positively correlated with Rorschach boundary disruption, higher dream recall, greater reported dream salience, and increased access to subliminal activation. These data are consistent with previous data [2] and support the contention that boundaries are a useful variable in conceptualizing how indi viduals process imagistically-based emotionally-toned information.Hartmann describes the concept of thick and thin boundaries as a broad dimen sion of personality and as an aspect of an overall organization of the mind [1]. Hartmann, Elkin, and Garg broadly define the concept of thick vs. thin 25

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Upgrading of ®sh protein through limited proteolysis of by-products and surplus of the food industry generates peptides of interest to food formulation, the animal feed industry and aquaculture. The hydrolysis process has been studied in order to investigate the role of the limiting parameters. Hydrolysates obtained under varying conditions of temperature, pH, time and enzyme concentration were tested on ®broblastic cell cultures and in gastrin radioimmunoassays. Several fractions were shown to contain biologically active peptides such as growth factors or secretagogues (gastrin and cholecystokinin). Under optimum conditions we obtained 160% stimulation of cell growth with only 25 mg ml À1 hydrolysates, and about 0.25 pg gastrin-like peptides mg À1 sample. The process of hydrolysis plays a key factor by extending the time of protein degradation in generating these molecules.

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Aim: To determine the accuracy of undilated binocular autorefraction using the PlusOptix S04 autorefractor, as compared with cycloplegic refraction performed by an ophthalmologist. Methods: A retrospective search of orthoptic notes in Sligo General Hospital revealed 42 children (22 male, 20 female) who had a cycloplegic refraction performed by an ophthalmologist within 8 weeks of a PlusOptix S04 binocular autorefraction between March 2006 and July 2008. All children were under 8 years of age and had a deviation measurement of <10 D. A local standard for an acceptable difference was set in conjunction with the consultant paediatric ophthalmologist. The completed data were sent to the clinical audit support team for collation and analysis. Results: The standard for an acceptable spherical difference was only achieved in 67% of cases. The standard for an acceptable difference in anisometropia and astigmatism was achieved in 88% of cases. Conclusion: The PlusOptix S04 binocular autorefractor was found to agree with a cycloplegic refraction performed by an ophthalmologist in 88% of anisometropic and astigmatic refractions. However, the spherical results were less reliable at only 67%. An underestimation of hypermetropia was shown. Therefore cycloplegic refraction performed by an ophthalmologist is still necessary and not replaceable by an autorefractor.