Function of the proximal stomach after Nissen fundoplication

A novel chitinase gene was isolated from Metarhizium anisopliae grown in a medium containing chitin as the sole carbon source. Comparisons of nucleotide sequence of the isolated gene with those of other fungal chitinase genes showed low sequence identity (24.4-36.4%) except for the active site of chitinase. In addition, molecular mass determination of the fused gene product separated on a gel showed that the fused chitinase seems to be about 70 kDa, while the molecular mass calculated from the deduced amino acid sequence can be about 58 kDa. These molecular masses were different from values of 33 kDa for an endochitinase and 110 kDa for an exochitinase (N-acetylglucosaminidase) from M. anisopliae published previously.     

Increasing irritability with sudden onset of flaccid weakness

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH), is a rare and potentially fatal condition that responds favorably to early surgical intervention and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal cord compression. There are few reported cases in children. We present a case of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma in an 18-month-old child and review the literature.     

Molecular cDNA cloning and tissue distribution of mRNA encoding a novel ATP-binding cassette (ABC) half-transporter

After feeding a commercial rodent chow for 8 weeks, tissues from male and female rats were collected and examined for selenium content, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities and selenoprotein W (Se-W) levels. There were no differences (P > 0.05) between plasma selenium content, plasma GPX activity, whole blood selenium content, or whole blood GPX activity between male and female rats. There was also no gender effect on selenium concentration in muscle, brain, spleen, and skin, but selenium concentration in liver was higher (P < 0.05) in female than in male rats. Western blots indicated that the tissue distribution of Se-W was similar in male and female rats. Se-W protein level was high in testes of male rats but very low in ovaries of female rats. Muscle and skin from female rats had significantly higher (P < 0.05) Se-W levels than from male rats. Consistent with Se-W content, the Se-W mRNA levels from female skins were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than from male rats. The expression of Se-W was different in various tissues and gender influenced this regulation in some tissues.     

Distinct biochemical and topological properties of the 31- and 27-kilodalton plasma membrane intrinsic protein subgroups from red beet

Plasma membrane vesicles from red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) storage tissue contain two prominent major intrinsic protein species of 31 and 27 kD (X. Qi, C.Y Tai, B.P. Wasserman [1995] Plant Physiol 108: 387-392). In this study affinity-purified antibodies were used to investigate their localization and biochemical properties. Both plasma membrane intrinsic protein (PMIP) subgroups partitioned identically in sucrose gradients; however, each exhibited distinct properties when probed for multimer formation, and by limited proteolysis. The tendency of each PMIP species to form disulfide-linked aggregates was studied by inclusion of various sulfhydryl agents during tissue homogenization and vesicle isolation. In the absence of dithiothreitol and sulfhydryl reagents, PMIP27 yielded a mixture of monomeric and aggregated species. In contrast, generation of a monomeric species of PMIP31 required the addition of dithiothreitol, iodoacetic acid, or N-ethylmaleimide. Mixed disulfide-linked heterodimers between the PMIP31 and PMIP27 subgroups were not detected. Based on vectorial proteolysis of right-side-out vesicles with trypsin and hydropathy analysis of the predicted amino acid sequence derived from the gene encoding PMIP27, a topological model for a PMIP27 was established. Two exposed tryptic cleavage sites were identified from proteolysis of PMIP27, and each was distinct from the single exposed site previously identified in surface loop C of a PMIP31. Although the PMIP31 and PMIP27 species both contain integral proteins that appear to occur within a single vesicle population, these results demonstrate that each PMIP subgroup responds differently to perturbations of the membrane.