Polymorphism of bacteriophage T7

For viruses made of nucleic acid and protein, the structure of the protein outer shell has, in the past, been found to be uniquely determined by the viral genome. However, here, non-denaturing agarose gel electrophoresis of bacteriophage T7 reveals two states of the mature T7 capsid; the conditions of growth are found to alter the population by T7 of these two electrophoretically defined states. Both states have been previously observed for a genetically altered T7 and they are observed here for wild-type T7. The average electrical surface charge density of a bacteriophage particle (delta) determines its state; the delta of particles in both states is negative. For a given condition of growth, the population of these two states is influenced by the extent to which the major T7 outer shell protein, p10A, is accompanied by its minor readthrough variant, p10B. Comparison of the two electrophoretic states reveals the following. (1) No difference in radius is present in the outer shell (+/-2%). (2) As the pH of electrophoresis is either increased or decreased from neutrality, the state becomes more highly populated for which delta is greater in magnitude (state 1). By changing the pH, some T7 particles are made to change state. (3) Particles in state 1 adsorb less quickly to host cells than do the particles in the alternative state (state 2). This latter observation suggests the hypothesis that state 1 evolved to reduce the probability of re-initiating an infection when conditions are not favorable for growth. This hypothesis is supported by the observation that, as conditions of growth become apparently more unfavorable, progeny increasingly populate state 1.     

Caudascopic experiences and a new patho-anatomic concept for treatment of sciatica

Osteotomy has been used in treatment of unstable intertrochanteric hip fractures in an attempt to increase the stability of the fracture fragments. We have assessed this stability in a randomised prospective study on 138 patients, all having been fixed by dynamic hip screen, comparing anatomical reduction with medialisation osteotomy. The groups were similar in terms of age, gender and fracture configuration. There was no difference in final results in both groups except that operation time was longer in osteotomy group and the blood loss was more. We found no clear benefit from osteotomy and therefore recommend anatomical reduction and fixation by a sliding hip screw in most cases. Rarely, a fracture configuration which does not allow anatomical reduction may benefit from an osteotomy.     

Net transport of cholesterol from cells of the human EA.hy 926 endothelial cell line to high density lipoproteins

EA.hy 926 cells, a human endothelial cell line, show characteristics of differentiated endothelial cells. The cells express saturable binding of apo E-free 125I-high density lipoprotein3 (HDL3). Bmax increased from 71 to 226 ng HDL3 bound/mg cell protein after cholesterol loading of the confluent endothelial cells with cationized low density lipoprotein (LDL). The affinity did not change after cholesterol enrichment (Kd was 37 micrograms HDL3 protein/ml for control cells and 31 micrograms/ml for loaded cells). Incubation of cholesterol-loaded EA.hy 926 cells with native HDL and LDL had different effects on cellular cholesterol levels. Incubation with HDL decreased both esterified and unesterified cellular cholesterol, but LDL did not change total cellular cholesterol. However, LDL tended to increase cellular cholesteryl esters, with a concomitant decrease of unesterified cellular cholesterol. Incubation of endothelial cells with both HDL and LDL also resulted in decreased total cellular cholesterol levels. These data show that cationized LDL-loaded human endothelial EA.hy 926 cells can be used to study the net transport of cellular cholesterol to HDL, the first step in reverse cholesterol transport.     

Localization of interferon-gamma and Ia-antigen in T cell line-mediated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

This study reports the cellular localization of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and MHC class II antigen (Ia) in the spinal cord of rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis induced by adoptive transfer of myelin basic protein-specific T cells. Numerous IFN-gamma-positive cells, stained with two different monoclonal antibodies against IFN-gamma, were present from days 3 to 7 after cell transfer. Their number was greatly reduced on day 10. A subpopulation of T cells was IFN-gamma positive. Moreover, a large number of ED1-positive macrophages contained IFN-gamma immunoreactivity. The transient presence of immune cells containing IFN-gamma immunoreactivity in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis suggests a pathogenic role of this cytokine in immune-mediated demyelination of the central nervous system.     

The percutaneous endoscopic treatment of staghorn nephrolithiasis

Hyperferremia is shown to affect antioxidant system of the body, oxidation-reduction reactions in the cells seen as shifts in lymphocyte chemiluminescence. Dynamic changes in lymphocyte chemiluminescence reflect the level of hyperferremia.     

Direct finite element design optimisation of the cagelessreluctance synchronous machine

The finite element analysis method is used directly in optimisation algorithms to optimise in multidimensions the design of the cageless reluctance synchronous machine. Two optimisation methods are evaluated to minimise or maximise the function value. These are the direction set method of Powell and the quasi-Newton algorithm. Both methods proved to be successful, with some advantages and disadvantages. Using these methods at a power level below 10 kW, results are given of structures of the reluctance synchronous machine which have been optimised according to specific criteria. Calculated and measured results show that the maximum torque optimum designed reluctance synchronous machine has the advantages of high power density and high efficiency     

Processing attitude statements from in-group and out-group members: Effects of within-group and within-person inconsistencies on reading times.

The authors examined reading times of attitude statements made by group members as a function of consistency of statements with stereotypic expectancies (between-member) and consistency of statements with other statements from the same member (within-member). Stereotype-inconsistent statements were studied longer than consistent statements only when the target group was an outgroup or when subjects were instructed to focus on the group as a whole. Results suggested that the out-group was perceived as a single homogeneous whole regardless of experimental instructions. Inconsistencies within individual group members instigated the longest reading times. This effect was stronger for inconsistencies within out-group members than within in-group members, suggesting that subjects not only expected more within-group variability in in-groups than in out-groups, but they also expected more within-person variability. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Tetracyclines and calcified tissues

Neuronal somata in the rat kidney are very often part of ganglionated plexus and contain nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Examining serial 100 microns slices of whole kidneys, we identified three subpopulations of neuronal somata by: (a) staining for NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry followed by the demonstration of dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) by immunoperoxidase, and (b) staining for DBH by immunofluorescence followed by the demonstration of NADPH-d histochemical activity. The largest subpopulation of neuronal somata displayed both DBH immunoreactivity and NADPH-d histochemical activity. The second largest group of somata showed NADPH-d activity only. A small group of neuronal somata showed only DBH immunoreactivity. The presence of catecholaminergic characteristics in NOS-containing neuronal somata is unusual and raises the question as to their origin. Their heterogeneity suggests different functions for the different subpopulations.     

Utility of scintigraphic methods in patients with fever of unknown origin

BACKGROUND: We assessed the utility of scintigraphy with indium 111-labeled polyclonal human IgG scintigraphy in patients with fever of unknown origin that fulfilled the criteria of temperature of 38.3 degrees C or more for at least 3 weeks and no diagnosis during 1 week of hospital admission. We compared the utility of this technique with results of scintigraphic techniques reported in the literature. METHODS: Data for all patients seen at our university hospital in whom 111In-IgG scanning was performed were analyzed and checked for the criteria for fever of unknown origin. The literature on the utility of scintigraphic techniques in patients with fever of unknown origin was reviewed. RESULTS: We studied 24 patients with fever of unknown origin. In 13 patients, focal 111In-IgG accumulation was observed. In nine (38%) of those, the positive 111In-IgG scintigram led to the final diagnosis; in the other four patients (17%), the scintigraphic findings were not helpful. In the 11 patients with negative 111In-IgG scans, extensive diagnostic workup produced no infection as the final diagnosis in nine patients (38%), one had an abscess in a renal cyst that was detected several months later, and in the other the cause of fever was an infected intravenous line. The overall sensitivity and specificity of 111In-IgG scintigraphy were 81% and 69%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 69% and the negative predictive value was 82%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that 111In-IgG scintigraphy significantly contributed to the diagnostic process in patients with fever of unknown origin. A positive scan increased the likelihood of finding the cause of the fever, and a negative scan ruled out an inflammatory component with a high degree of certainty. These data compare favorably with data in the literature concerning other radiopharmaceuticals; a larger prospective evaluation of this technique is indicated.