rdgE: a novel retinal degeneration mutation in Drosophila melanogaster

We report isolating the Drosophila retinal degeneration E (rdgE) mutation. The hypomorphic rdgE1 allele causes rapid photoreceptor degeneration in light and a slower rate of degeneration when the flies are raised in constant darkness. The rdgE1 flies exhibited an electrophysiological light response that decreased with age, coinciding with the degeneration. This suggests that degeneration caused the loss of the light response. We determined that the ninaE (rhodopsin) mutation, but not norpA [phospholipase C (PLC)], slowed the rdgE-dependent degeneration. This was consistent with the light-enhanced degeneration, but revealed that the degeneration is independent of the PLC-mediated phototransduction cascade. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that rdgE1 photoreceptors exhibited a number of vesicular transport defects including unpacking/vesiculation of rhabdomeres, endocytosis of novel vesicles by photoreceptors, a buildup of very large multivesicular bodies, and an increased amount of rough endoplasmic reticulum. We determined that the rdgE null phenotype is a late embryonic lethality. Therefore, rdgE+ is required in cells outside of the retina, quite possibly in a large number of neurons. Thus, rdgE may define a mutational class that exhibits both light-enhanced retinal degeneration and a recessive null lethality by perturbing neuronal membrane biosynthesis and/or recycling.     

Group B rotavirus associated with an outbreak of neonatal lamb diarrhea

A 66-year-old woman was admitted because of postmenopausal vaginal bleeding. Diagnostic workup revealed a poorly differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma. A total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was carried out (FIGO stage Ia, G3). One and a half years later she developed a solitary humeral metastasis which was treated by local radiotherapy and progesterone acetate. Because osseous metastases in endometrial adenocarcinoma are rare, the literature is reviewed. In analogy to the treatment of pulmonary metastases the option of disarticulation of the patient's arm is discussed.     

Potent and selective bicyclic lactam inhibitors of thrombin: Part 2: P1 modifications

The synthesis and antithrombotic activity of a series of nonpeptide bicyclic thrombin inhibitors is described. We have explored the SAR with modifications to the P1 site. The introduction of arginine mimetics at the P1 site led to potent and selective thrombin inhibitors.     

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis associated with radiation therapy

We reviewed 32 children with 41 radiation-therapy associated slipped capital femoral epiphyses (RTASCFE). Ten were from the authors' institutions and 22 from the literature. Gender distribution was equal. The age at diagnosis of the malignancy was 4.3 +/- 3.1 years; the amount of radiation was 4,240 +/- 1,445 rads. Children with RTASCFE presented younger (10.4 +/- 3.2 years) than a routine SCFE. The average symptom duration was 5 +/- 6 months. Children with RTASCFE are usually thin (median weight, 10th percentile) in contrast to children with typical SCFE, who are usually obese (<95th percentile). The majority (82%) of the slips were mild, compared to routine SCFEs (approximately 50%); 28% were bilateral. There was a positive linear relationship between the age at presentation of the SCFE and the age at diagnosis of the malignancy; there was a negative linear relationship between the age at presentation of the SCFE and the amount of radiation therapy.     

The effects of instructional match and content overlap on generalized reading performance

This study examined the effects of instructional match and content overlap on students' ability to generalize from passage reading instruction. Four students with mild disabilities served as participants. Using a multielement design, students were instructed with passages at two levels of text difficulty (instructionally matched vs. instructionally mismatched), and generalization was assessed with passages at two levels of similarity to those instructed (low vs. high content overlap). Results indicated that students' oral reading accuracy and fluency showed the greatest degree of generalization when instructional materials were matched to the students' skill level and assessment materials were similar to those used during instruction. Moreover, these results were maintained at 1-month follow-up. The implications of these findings for classroom reading instruction and the assessment of students' reading skills are discussed.     

Presence of immunocytes and sulfidopeptide leukotrienes in the inflamed guinea pig distal colon

This study examined whether the immunocyte recruitment associated with a mild inflammatory state induced by acetic acid would produce detectable sulfidopeptide leukotriene (LT) levels from colonic tissues or in dialysates. Histological examination and measurements of peroxidase activities of inflamed tissues indicated edema, hyperplasia and neutrophil infiltration. Significant elevated LTB4 and prostaglandin E2(PGE2) levels were found but only slight elevations in sulfidopeptide LTs occurred. A slight elevation in eosinophil peroxidase indicated that eosinophil infiltration also occurred. The increase in sulfidopeptide LT levels appeared insufficient by itself to alter secretory responses in the distal colon. However, combined with other immunocyte products such as PGs, the sulfidopeptide LTs may influence the symptomology of inflammatory bowel disease.     

Biomagnetic neurosensors. 2. Magnetically stimulated sensors

We report the generation of action potentials in crayfish neurons by magnetic pulses for analytical purposes. A copper wire toroid, containing a ferrite core, was placed around the nerve bundle, and square wave current pulses were sent through the wire to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field generated an action potential in the neuron that was detected downfield by a pickup microelectrode. The biosensor was used to detect local anesthetics by monitoring the time necessary for complete blockage of the action potential. Techniques for improving the efficiency and lifetimes of neural biosensors are discussed.     

FOLD: integrated analysis and display of protein secondary structure

FOLD, a computer program for the definition and analysis of protein secondary structure, is described. Algorithms implemented in the software are reviewed. These include methods for the identification of simple features such as hydrogen bonds, alpha helices, beta strands, beta bulges, and beta and psi turns. Techniques are also described for the definition and analysis of higher-order structures, such as beta hairpins, beta sheets and their topology, and beta barrels. In addition to considerable textual output the program supports visualization of protein secondary structure in either an atom-based display style or one reproducing the characteristics of a so-called ribbon drawing.