Application of the Search Conference methodology to planning in higher education

An adaptation of a First-World planning method was successfully used to help solve the problematic situation confronted by a Third-World higher education institution. The Search Conference is a method which enables the necessary conditions for a set of individuals to engage into a comprehensive process of reflection and design over a specific social system or domain. While preserving its essential characteristics, the Search Conference has been adapted to respond to a Third-World organizational environment. The realization of a “massive” conference in a Mexican public university triggered a participative strategic planning process of long-lasting consequences. The university community designed a desired future for the institution which became the guiding force to mobilize it in the agreed-upon direction. They also learned how to plan and carry on projects participatively. Some tangible results are the identification of students' regional demand, with the consequent creation of four new bachelors degrees and two masters degrees; the creation of a program to support those faculty members who would be willing to undertake masters and doctoral studies in outside prestigious universities; the increase in enrollment as a result of combined actions; and the opening of two extension centers off campus to improve the external community's involvement. In conclusion, a change of attitude emerged from the conference, which has been instrumental for the continuing involvement of the internal community in the creation of a new university agreeable to all.     

Inhibition of virus multiplication and alteration of cyclic AMP level in cell cultures by flavonoids

Summary The inhibitory effect of four flavonoid compounds on virus multiplication and their influence on the intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) level were studied in cell cultures. Quercetin and quercitrin reduced the yields ofHuman (alpha) herpesvirus 1 (HSV-1) andSuid (alpha) herpesvirus 1 (pseudorabies virus), but hesperidin and rutin had no effect. Further, quercetin and quercitrin elevated the intracellular level of cAMP, whereas hesperidin and rutin did not alter the cAMP level. Both antiviral activity and cAMP-enhancing effect were dependent on the concentrations of the flavonoids, and these effects turned out to be parallel.This study suggests that a relation exists between the antiviral effect and the cAMP-enhancing activity of flavonoids.     

Internalization of triiodothyronine-bovine serum albumin-colloidal gold complexes in human peripheral leukocytes

Complexes of triiodothyronine-bovine serum albumin-colloidal gold were specifically internalized in human peripheral leukocytes after 5 min of incubation. The specificity was partially lost after a longer incubation.     

Effect of glucose administration on bilirubin excretion in the rabbit

The effect of i.v. infusion of glucose on the hepatic handling of bilirubin was examined in rabbits. A significant increase in the excretion of conjugated bilirubin into the bile was observed, accompanied by a decrease in bilirubinemia. Hepatic bilirubin concentrations were lowered and the UDP-glucose concentrations and liver UDP-glucuronosyl and UDP-glucosyl transferase activities increased.     

Lysozyme activity in female genital tissues of normal and genetically lysozyme-deficient rabbits

The internal genitalia of female normal rabbits and mutant lysozyme-deficient rabbits, which lack genetically the leukocytic isozyme of lysozyme, were assayed for lysozyme activity. The ovaries, uteri, and vaginas of the lysozyme-deficient rabbits had less than 20% of the lysozyme activity of normals. The oviducts, and in particular the caudal portions of the oviducts, had lysozyme activities up to 71% of the levels in normals. These observations suggest that the lysozymes of oviduct and leukocytes of rabbits are under the control of different genes.     

A 'molten-globule' membrane-insertion intermediate of the pore-forming domain of colicin A

The 'molten' globular conformation of a protein is compact with a native secondary structure but a poorly defined tertiary structure. Molten globular states are intermediates in protein folding and unfolding and they may be involved in the translocation or insertion of proteins into membranes. Here we investigate the membrane insertion of the pore-forming domain of colicin A, a bacteriocin that depolarizes the cytoplasmic membrane of sensitive cells. We find that this pore-forming domain, the insertion of which depends on pH, undergoes a native to molten globule transition at acidic pH. The variation of the kinetic constant of membrane insertion of the protein into negatively charged lipid vesicles as a function of the interfacial pH correlates with the appearance of the acidic molten globular state, indicating that this state could be an intermediate formed during the insertion of colicin A into membranes.     

Metabolic implications in the elevation of serum activity of intestinal alkaline phosphatase in chronic renal failure

The activity of intestinal isoenzyme of serum alkaline phosphatase was evaluated in 21 non-dialyzed patients with advanced renal failure and in 52 patients on regular hemodialysis. In patients without hepatopathy, a significant inverse correlation was found between the enzyme activity and serum calcium levels. Hepatopathy was the most significant variable influencing the enzyme activity in patients on dialysis. Secondary hyperparathyroidism and a decreased rate in enzyme elimination should be assessed for the above-normal activities of intestinal ALP in serum in chronic renal failure.     

Time course study of the changes in blood glutathione induced by acute ethanol intoxication in the rat

Acute ethanol treatment of rats (5 g/kg) has a biphasic effect on the glutathione content of the erythrocyte. After 3 h of intoxication there is a diminution in total GSH equivalents, followed by a recovery to basal values 6 h after treatment. The decrease of total GSH equivalents is mainly due to a diminution of the oxidized form of the tripeptide. Concomitantly a marked increase in the plasma level of glutathione was found at 3 h, followed by a diminution to values obtained at time zero.     

Enzyme activities of a cold-resistant L cell variant

Summary Resistance of mouse L cells to cold increased the activity of nonspecific esterase, acid phosphatase and adenosine triphosphatase, but did not influence the activity of succinate dehydrogenase.     

Depression of experimental gastric ulcers and acute pancreatitis in rats treated by 5-azacytosine, 5-azacytidine and their N-methyl derivatives

Summary 5-Azacytosine, 1-methyl-5-azacytosine and 5-azacytidine administered to rats with a ligated pylorus block gastric secretion, gastric acidity, the extent of hemorrhage and the number and size of gastric defects. The same drugs also depress the development of experimental acute pancreatitis mediated in rats by interstitial administration of 7.5% natrium cholate into the pancreas in vivo. The drugs affected the amount of abdominal fluid and 6 h after the treatment the pathological changes were significantly decreased.