Morphology of amorphous layers ballistically deposited on a planar substrate

Identification of a specific biomolecular target appropriately sensitive to a wide array of anesthetics has been elusive. At concentrations close to their respective ED50's for anesthesia in man or other species, 18 compounds, differing in potencies up to 66,000 fold, inhibited cytochrome P450 mediated metabolism of aminopyrine, a synthetic substrate, and arachidonic acid (AA), an endogenous substrate, in isolated liver microsomes. There was a highly significant correlation for both substrates between the absolute concentrations required for anesthesia (EC50) and for inhibition of P450 activity (Ki or IC50). The mean Ki/EC50 ratio was 0.97 for inhibition of aminopyrine demethylase. The mean IC50/EC50 ratios were 0.42 and 0.64 for inhibition of two AA-derived products and 2.8 for a third; a mean ratio of 1.4 for inhibition of overall AA metabolism suggests interaction of general anesthetics with a composite of P450 isozymes. The universal cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, in conjunction with other lipid oxygenases (cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases) participate in the second messenger AA cascade. In nerve cells the sensitivity of these enzymes to hydrophobic neurodepressant drugs may underlie the state of general anesthesia: reversible disruption of intracellular and intercellular signalling without impairment of enzymes vital to cell respiration.     

False aneurysm of the left ventricle and coronary aneurysms in Beh?et disease

A false left ventricular aneurysm and coronary artery aneurysm were discovered in a 29 year old patient with Beh?et's syndrome. The operation under cardiopulmonary bypass consisted of closing the neck of the false aneurysm by an endo-aneurysmal approach with a Gore-Tex patch. The coronary artery aneurysms were respected. There were no postoperative complications. Cardiac involvement is rare in Beh?et's syndrome (6%). The originality of this case is the association of two aneurysmal pathologies: the coronary and ventricular aneurysms due to the angiitis and the myocardial fragility induced by ischaemia.     

Porphyromonas-like gram-negative rods in naturally occurring periodontitis in dogs

A total of 259 Gram-negative Porphyromonas-like rods isolated from subgingival plaque samples of 16 family-owned dogs with naturally occurring periodontitis were characterized phenotypically by biochemical reactions, metabolic end products and enzymatic activities (API-ZYMTM, RoscoTM). Four distinct groups were found. Group A isolates (63) were asaccharolytic, lipase negative, trypsin positive and produced phenylacetic acid (PAA) from peptone-yeast extract glucose broth. Unlike P. gingivalis strains they were catalase positive. Group B isolates (42) differed from those of group A by a positive lipase reaction and from those of group D by failing to ferment sugars. Group C isolates (88) were asaccharolytic and did not produce PAA. They were alpha-fucosidase, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (beta-NAG) and trypsin negative, resembling P. endodontalis, but unlike human isolates, they were catalase positive. Subgroup C.1 isolates (6) differed from those of parent group C by producing minor amounts of PAA, and subgroup C.2 isolates (12) were beta-NAG positive. Group D isolates (46) were weakly fermentative, lipase, catalase and trypsin positive, and produced PAA. They resembled the B (P.) salivosus type strain which, in our hands, fermented weakly glucose, lactose and mannose. Two isolates could not be assigned to any of the previous groups.     

Fodrin is a constituent of the cortical lattice in outer hair cells of the guinea pig cochlea: immunocytochemical evidence

Localization of fodrin, a membrane skeletal protein, in the outer hair cell of the guinea pig cochlea was examined by immunocytochemical techniques. By immunofluorescence microscopy, fodrin was observed in the cuticular plate, in the infracuticular network and along the lateral wall. By immunoelectron microscopy of ultrathin cryosections, labeling for fodrin along the lateral wall was localized between the cell membrane and the outermost layer of the subsurface cisternae. Furthermore, pre-embedding immunoelectron microscopy of permeabilized specimens showed that most immunogolds for fodrin were on the thin cross-linking component of the cortical lattice. The results indicate that fodrin is a constituent of the cortical lattice which is thought to play an important role in outer hair cell motility.     

Transvaginal multifetal pregnancy reduction: Which? When? How many?

This report contains the experience of our centre, using the transvaginally guided puncture procedure, to reduce the number of fetuses in a multifetal pregnancy to a lower number. The aim of the procedure was to improve perinatal outcome and/or to meet the personal desires of patients and their families. We surveyed 148 multifetal pregnancy reductions. The fetus or fetuses overlying the internal os was most commonly reduced. The total uncorrected loss of the entire pregnancy was 13.4%. The corrected pregnancy loss was 11%. Of the 63 twins left after the reduction, 33 delivered preterm. Of the 36 singletons, two delivered preterm. Our conclusion was that multifetal pregnancy reduction is a safe procedure for the mother and has an acceptable loss rate of the entire pregnancy. The reduction of a fetus overlying the internal os by the transvaginal puncture procedure seems to yield results at least as good as the transabdominally performed puncture procedures for multifetal pregnancy reduction.     

A major isoform of the maize plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase: characterization and induction by auxin in coleoptiles

The plasma membrane (PM) H(+)-ATPase has been proposed to play important transport and regulatory roles in plant physiology, including its participation in auxin-induced acidification in coleoptile segments. This enzyme is encoded by a family of genes differing in tissue distribution, regulation, and expression level. A major expressed isoform of the maize PM H(+)-ATPase (MHA2) has been characterized. RNA gel blot analysis indicated that MHA2 is expressed in all maize organs, with highest levels being in the roots. In situ hybridization of sections from maize seedlings indicated enriched expression of MHA2 in stomatal guard cells, phloem cells, and root epidermal cells. MHA2 mRNA was induced threefold when nonvascular parts of the coleoptile segments were treated with auxin. This induction correlates with auxin-triggered proton extrusion by the same part of the segments. The PM H(+)-ATPase in the vascular bundies does not contribute significantly to auxin-induced acidification, is not regulated by auxin, and masks the auxin effect in extracts of whole coleoptile segments. We conclude that auxin-induced acidification in coleoptile segments most often occurs in the nonvascular tissue and is mediated, at least in part, by increased levels of MHA2.     

Detection of human papillomavirus in routinely processed biopsy specimens from laryngeal papillomas: evaluation of reproducibility of polymerase chain reaction and DNA in situ hybridization procedures

The frequency of human papillomavirus (HPV) in laryngeal papillomas varies largely among different studies. DNA in situ hybridization (ISH) has been the most widely used method for detection of HPV. The aim of this study was to compare the reproducibility and sensitivity of ISH with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 35 specimens of laryngeal papillomas routinely fixed in buffered or unbuffered formalin. Out of 12 specimens fixed in buffered formalin, 10 were positive for HPV 6/11 using ISH. The procedure was repeated three times and three specimens were positive only twice. Nine biopsies were positive for HPV using PCR with consensus primers (My 09/11) on dewaxed tissue without extracting DNA. In three repeated PCRs, the results were inconsistent in three samples. After DNA extraction, all 12 samples were positive with PCR. Of the 23 specimens fixed in unbuffered formalin, 14 were HPV-positive with ISH, while only one was positive with PCR. We concluded that PCR with My 09/11 consensus primers is a highly sensitive method for detection of HPV in laryngeal papillomas fixed in buffered formalin, but useless for samples fixed in unbuffered formalin. When DNA was extracted from the former type of fixed tissue, the results were highly reproducible. In contrast to PCR, ISH appeared to be less influenced by fixation procedure, but it was not as reproducible and sensitive as PCR. Negative results did not necessarily mean absence of HPV.     

The spinal muscular atrophy gene region at 5q13.1 has a paralogous chromosomal region at 6p21.3

We have examined acetaminophen (paracetamol) dosing for outpatient management of posttonsillectomy pain in children. Forty children, 5-15 years of age, undergoing tonsillectomy and their parents were randomly assigned to use a scheduled administration of acetaminophen in weight appropriate doses, 60 mg.kg-1.24h-1 orally, 90 mg.kg-1.24h-1 rectally, or to use acetaminophen 'as needed' according to present standards (control group). Postoperative pain was assessed by the child using the poker chip tool for the first three days after discharge. The prevalence of pain amongst all the children was high. The second day after discharge 22%-64% of the children in the study group and 36%-73% of the children in the control group rated severe pain. Recommended dose ranges of acetaminophen do not provide sufficient pain relief in children following tonsillectomy. Further studies are required to determine, whether higher doses of acetaminophen or analgesics with different analgesic properties will lead to improved analgesia in children following tonsillectomy.