Coffee's History

The first reported appearance of coffee is in the year 850 in the region of Kaffa (hence its name) of Ethiopia. Out of curiosity some person tasted the red fruits from an unknown tree. Gradually the people of this region began to eat this semi-toasted (by the sun) grains. Those who ate said they felt happy and awake. It is unknown how this plant arrived in Yemen in the fourteenth century. The old shepherds of Yemen discovered that when their goats chewed on the leaves and fruits from some tree the goats became agitated and couldn't sleep at night. The shepherds told this to some monks that lived nearby, who began to make a beverage with these grains. This drink helped them stay up longer. One day one of these monks started burning some branches of the plant and without him noticing, some of the grains fell on the fire. A delicious aroma arose from the fire. This smell attracted the other monks who withdrew the grains from the fire and grounded them to make a better tasting beverage from this powder.

In time this new beverage arrived at the Golden Horn, one of the richest zones in the Ottoman Empire. In Istanbul two merchants, Djems de Damasco and Hakim de Alepo opened the first two known coffee houses side by side. In the middle of the XVII century merchants from the east introduced the beverage to the city of Dogos in Venice. According to historians the first "bottega da caffe" was open on the "Plaza San Marco" in 1645. From Venice coffee went to London where the first establishment was manage by an Italian. It was inaugurated in 1652 near the Saint Michael Cornhill Church.

Anti-Human Growth Hormone

The major isoform of hGH is a polypeptide of 191 amino acids. Human GH1-43 is an amino terminal segment of hGH1-191 which comprises the first 43 amino acids. This peptide is a potent regulator of glucose homeostasis. To facilitate our understanding of the physiological regulation of hGH1-43 an assay to measure its levels in biological fluids and extracts is needed. This communication describes the development of anti-hGH1-43 monoclonal antibodies and their use in the development of an indirect competitive ELISA for the quantification of hGH1-43. Hybridomas were produced by the fusion of FOX-NY myeloma cells with spleen cells taken from a mouse immunized with hGH1-43. The hybridomas were screened for production of antibodies to hGH1-43 by antibody capture ELISA. Hybridomas which produced antibodies reactive to hGH1-43 were cloned by limiting dilution. Three monoclonal hybridomas, CCL-1, CCL-2, and CCL-3 were subsequently obtained. These hybridomas secreted antibodies that were highly reactive towards hGH1-43 but minimally reactive towards hGH1-191. The isotypes of the mAbs secreted by CCL-1, CCL-2 and CCL-3 were all IgG1 kappa as shown by isotype specific antibody capture analysis. An indirect competitive ELISA with a detection limit that ranged from 1 to 10 ng/ml was developed using mAbs from monoclonal hybridoma CCL-3. Dose-response curves for competing hGH1-191, hPRL, and hPL indicated minimal cross-reactivity of mAbs with these hormones and conversely, a high degree of specificity for hGH1-43. Dose-response curves for dilutions of human serum and pituitary extract were parallel to the standard. The availability of a sensitive assay for the measurement of hGH1-43 will help us answer questions regarding the biosynthesis, regulation of secretion, and role of hGH1-43 in the control of glucose homeostasis.

Case History

A 5-month-old infant presented with a history of fever, vomiting for 1 week, and convulsions for 3 days. On physical examination, the child was febrile (38.5°C), continuous convulsions were present, and the pupils were reactive. There was a progressive deterioration of consciousness, leading to coma. There was no significant finding in the cardiovascular system or respiratory system or by abdominal examination. A computed tomography scan showed mild effacement of the basal cisterns and a thin hypodense collection in bilateral frontal convexity, suggesting a possibility of subdural hygroma or subdural effusion.

Laboratory data included a total leukocyte count of 7,300/mm3, with 71% neutrophils, 26% lymphocytes, and 3% eosinophils. The hemoglobin concentration was 10.2 g/dl. No parasites were seen in the peripheral smear. The blood electrolyte picture showed sodium at 133 mmol/liter, potassium at 4.4 mmol/liter, chloride at 95 mmol/liter, bicarbonate at 18.6 mmol/liter, phosphorus at 4.7 mg/dl, blood urea nitrogen at 14 mg/dl, a serum calcium level of 9.2 mg%, and a random blood sugar level of 120 mg/dl.

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was cloudy and hemorrhagic; and analysis showed the presence of sugar at a concentration of 10 mg/dl, proteins at a concentration of 361 mg/dl, and a cell count of 130 cells/mm3, with 80% neutrophils and 20% lymphocytes. Gram staining showed numerous polymorphonuclear leukocytes but no bacteria. Examination of a wet mount showed actively motile trophozoites suggestive of PAM. A Giemsa-stained smear showed trophozoites.

CSF sediment culture on 1.5% nonnutrient agar preseeded with a lawn culture of Escherichia coli yielded oval, motile, flagellated forms of Naegleria fowleri (length, about 15 μm) after 48 h of incubation, as observed in a wet mount preparation

Next Generation Rocket Ejector

Redesigned iPod

Multitouch Technology

Staging Test Types in Cancer

The types of tests used for staging depend on the type of cancer. Tests include the following:

• Physical exams are used to gather information about the cancer. The doctor examines the body by looking, feeling, and listening for anything unusual. The physical exam may show the location and size of the tumor(s) and the spread of the cancer to the lymph nodes and/or to other organs.
  
  
• Imaging studies produce pictures of areas inside the body. These studies are important tools in determining stage. Procedures such as x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and positron emission tomography (PET) scans can show the location of the cancer, the size of the tumor, and whether the cancer has spread.
  
  
• Laboratory tests are studies of blood, urine, other fluids, and tissues taken from the body. For example, tests for liver function and tumor markers (substances sometimes found in increased amounts if cancer is present) can provide information about the cancer.
  
  
• Pathology reports may include information about the size of the tumor, the growth of the tumor into other tissues and organs, the type of cancer cells, and the grade of the tumor (how closely the cancer cells resemble normal tissue). A biopsy (the removal of cells or tissues for examination under a microscope) may be performed to provide information for the pathology report. Cytology reports also describe findings from the examination of cells in body fluids.
  
  
• Surgical reports tell what is found during surgery. These reports describe the size and appearance of the tumor and often include observations about lymph nodes and nearby organs.