Serum pooling lowers cholesterol recovery

We report a fetus of 35 weeks gestation in which a continuous flow was detected in the lower portion of the right atrium with a peak velocity of 0.8 m/s. After delivery the echo-doppler study showed a dilated coronary sinus in the long axis parasternal view, and a bilateral superior vena cava in the short axis suprasternal notch view. Comments about the cause of this anomalous continuous flow are discussed.     

Genetic diversity of feline immunodeficiency virus: dual infection, recombination, and distinct evolutionary rates among envelope sequence clades

For the rapid genetic analysis of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), we developed a heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) that utilizes a PCR-amplified fragment of the FIV envelope gene spanning the third and fourth variable regions of the envelope surface protein coding sequence. Viral sequences were successfully amplified from blood specimens from 98 naturally infected cats from Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, South Africa, and the United States. Eighty were clearly assignable to the A or B envelope sequence subtypes. Three belonged to subtype C, one was dually infected with viruses harboring the A and B env subtypes, and several were categorized as outliers to any of the established subtypes or as probable intersubtype recombinants. Some geographic clustering was evident, with subtypes A and B found in greater frequency in the western and eastern regions of the United States, respectively. Subtypes A, B, and C were found on more than one continent, and countries with more than two samples analyzed contained at least two subtypes. The broadest representation of subtypes was found in Munich, Germany, where three subtypes and one virus that was not classifiable by HMA were found. Thirteen samples were selected for DNA sequence determination over the same region of env used for HMA. Analysis of all available FIV env sequences from this and previous studies revealed the existence of recombinant viruses generated from subtype A/B, B/D, and A/C envelope gene sequences. Subtype A env sequences were less diverse than subtype B sequences, although both groups had well-supported clusters. Furthermore, the mutational pattern giving rise to diversification in the two subtypes differed, with the subtype A viruses showing half as many synonymous site mutations compared to subtype B yet showing similar levels of nonsynonymous site changes. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that FIV-B is an older virus group and is possibly more host adapted than FIV-A.     

Variability of the planarity of the human aortic bifurcation

A programme to review the drug treatment of 215 adults with epilepsy and learning disabilities occurred in Leicestershire between 1982 and 1985. In 1997, a Leicestershire-wide study of epilepsy suffered by adults with learning disabilities was undertaken. The study sought information about many aspects of the epilepsy including the prescribing of medicines. One hundred and thirty-eight adults were common to both studies. A greater proportion was suffering active epilepsy in 1997 than in 1985. The deterioration in seizure control occurred despite an increase in polypharmacy, the introduction of new antiepileptic drugs and in some cases increases in dosage.     

Unspaced text interferes with both word identification and eye movement control

Subjects read either normal text, text in which the space information between words was absent (either spaces were removed filled with x), or text in which spaces were preserved but the words were flanked by x. In two experiments, reading rate decreased by approx. 50% when space information was not available, suggesting that reading unspaced text is relatively difficult. The removal of space information increased the effect of word frequency on the fixation times for selected target words, indicating that word identification was interfered with by the lack of spaces. In addition, removal of space information influenced the initial landing positions on words, indicating that eye movement control was affected by the absence of spaces. Further analyses were conducted that explored the relationship between these two effects.     

Late postirradiation occlusive vasculopathy in childhood medulloblastoma. Report of two cases

The kinetics of the interaction of Rab7 with REP-1 have been investigated using the fluorescence of GDP and GTP analogs at the active site of Rab7. The results show that REP-1 has higher affinity for the GDP bound form of Rab7 (Kd=1 nM) than for the GTP bound form (Kd=20 nM). Both affinities should still be sufficient for the formation of stable complexes in the cell. The association reaction proceeds in two steps for the GDP bound form. The initial step is fast (k+1 = ca. 10[7] M[-1] s[-1]) and concentration dependent while the second represents a slow equilibration (k+2 + k-2 = 3.5 s[-1]) which has little effect on the overall equilibrium. The difference in affinity of the two nucleotide bound forms arises from a difference in dissociation rates (0.012 s[-1] for Rab7 x GDP and 0.2 s[-1] for Rab7 x GTP).     

Tooth structure loss apical to preparations for fixed partial dentures when using self-limiting burs

BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms is a relatively new method, since only a few animal models and data are available. The present experimental study was performed in order to establish an appropriate aneurysm animal model, to determine the rate of permanent occlusion, and to correlate radiologic and morphologic findings. METHODS: End-to-side anastomoses of both common carotid arteries were performed microsurgically in 53 chinchilla rabbits. Venous pouches were adapted into the newly created bifurcation, resulting in berry-shaped aneurysms comparable to those in humans with regard to size and hemodynamics. Platinum and tungsten coils were used for endovascular embolization. The embolized aneurysms were investigated radiologically and morphologically. RESULTS: Twenty-three carotid bifurcation aneurysms remained for testing endovascular therapeutic approaches. The morphologic examinations of 13 embolized aneurysms revealed in no instance a complete obliteration, even in the three cases that were considered completely embolized according to angiographic criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The present animal model is an optimal tool for endovascular research. Analysis of the results of coil obliteration revealed a considerable discrepancy between radiologic and pathologic findings. The radiologic degree of aneurysm occlusion was overestimated.     

Over one-half billion years of head conservation? Expression of an ems class gene in Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa)

We report the isolation of an empty spiracles class homeodomain-containing gene, Cn-ems, from the hydrozoan Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus, the first gene of this class characterized in a lower metazoan. Cn-ems was found to be expressed in the head of gastrozooids, specifically in endodermal epithelial cells of the taeniolae of the hypostome. Cn-ems is not expressed in gonozooids, which lack taeniolae. Experimental conversion of the posterior region of the planula larva into head structures up-regulates expression of the gene. These findings establish that the association of ems-class genes with head structures preceded the evolution of bilateral symmetry.     

IgG antibodies and early intradermal reactions to hydrocortisone in patients with cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity to hydrocortisone

Seven of 25 patients with cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity to hydrocortisone had an immediate reaction following the intradermal injection of hydrocortisone sodium succinate. Using an ELISA method, we found that these patients had significantly increased levels of IgG antibodies to hydrocortisone when compared with normal blood donors (P < 0.005) and nickel-allergic patients (P < 0.05). We suggest that these patients are at risk of developing type III and possibly type I reactions following the systemic administration of hydrocortisone and that, if needed, an alternative systemic corticosteroid should be used, for example betamethasone or dexamethasone.