The detection and documentation of trace wound patterns by use of an alternative light source

This article is a discussion of the use of narrow-band light sources coupled with cameras equipped with band-pass filters to document patterned injuries on human skin. Several case reports are included.     

Pollination-enhanced expression of a receptor-like protein kinase related gene in tobacco styles

We have isolated a putative serine/threonine receptor kinase gene with an expression pattern indicating that it may play a role in the stylar response to pollination. Differential display PCR was used to select tobacco mRNAs with increased accumulation following pollination. NTS16, a cDNA identified by this method, is homologous to a ca. 2.4 kb mRNA primarily expressed in pistil tissues. Levels of this mRNA increase during floral development and are further increased by pollination reaching maximal accumulation 12-18 hours after pollination and then declining. mRNA levels can also be increased by the application of ethylene to unpollinated flowers. A polypeptide encoded by the NTS 16 open reading frame has sequence similarity to the catalytic domain of several receptor protein kinases from plants including the S-receptor kinases implicated in the rejection of self-pollen in Brassica species and the Pto gene product of tomato which confers resistance to a bacterial pathogen.     

Ion implantation doping of OMCVD grown GaN

Doping by ion implantation using Si, O, Mg, and Ca has been studied in single crystal semi-insulating and n-type GaN grown on a-sapphire substrates. The n-and p-type dopants used in this study are Si and O; Mg and Ca, respectively. Room temperature activation of Si and O donors has been achieved after 1150°C annealing for 120 s. The activation of Mg and Ca acceptors is too low to measure at both room temperature and 300°C. Using higher doses to achieve a measurable p-type conduction increases the amount of damage created by the implantation. Rutherford back scattering measurements on this material indicate that the damage is still present even after the maximum possible heat treatment. Secondary ion mass spectrometry measurements have indicated a redistribution in the measured profiles of Mg due to annealing.     

Synteny mapping of four genes from the short arm of human chromosome 19 to bovine chromosome 7

Four genes on the short arm of human chromosome 19 (HSA 19p) were assigned to bovine chromosome 7 (BTA 7) using a bovine x rodent somatic hybrid cell panel. These four genes were cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), lymphoblastic leukemia derived sequence 1 (LYL1), lysosomal alpha-mannosidase (MANB), and RAS oncogene family member RAB3A. Bovine sequence tagged sites were developed for the four genes and used for screening a bovine x rodent somatic cell panel. All four genes were mapped to bovine synteny group U22 (BTA 7) with a correlation coefficient of 0.901-1.000. This study confirms that the centromeric region of BTA 7 is conserved with HSA 19p.     

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene polymorphism is a determinant of HDL cholesterol and of the lipoprotein response to a lipid-lowering diet in type 1 diabetes

The TaqIB cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) gene polymorphism (B1B2) is a determinant of HDL cholesterol in nondiabetic populations. Remarkably, this gene effect appears to be modified by environmental factors. We evaluated the effect of this polymorphism on HDL cholesterol levels and on the lipoprotein response to a linoleic acid-enriched, low-cholesterol diet in patients with type 1 diabetes. In 44 consecutive type 1 diabetic patients (35 men), CETP polymorphism, apolipoprotein (apo) E genotype, serum lipoproteins, serum CETP activity (measured with an exogenous substrate assay, n = 30), clinical variables, and a diet history were documented. The 1-year response to diet was assessed in 14 type 1 diabetic patients, including 6 B1B1 and 6 B1B2 individuals. HDL cholesterol was higher in 10 B2B2 than in 14 B1B1 homozygotes (1.63 +/- 0.38 vs. 1.24 +/- 0.23 mmol/l, P < 0.01). HDL cholesterol, adjusted for triglycerides and smoking, was 0.19 mmol/l higher for each B2 allele present. CETP activity levels were not significantly different between CETP genotypes. Multiple regression analysis showed that VLDL + LDL cholesterol was associated with dietary polyunsaturated:saturated fatty acids ratio (P < 0.02) and total fat intake (P < 0.05) in the B1B1 homozygotes only and tended to be related to the presence of the apo E4 allele (P < 0.10). In response to diet, VLDL + LDL cholesterol fell (P < 0.05) and HDL cholesterol remained unchanged in 6 B1B1 homozygotes. In contrast, VLDL + LDL cholesterol was unaltered and HDL cholesterol decreased (P < 0.05) in 6 B1B2 heterozygotes (P < 0.05 for difference in change in VLDL + LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio). This difference in response was unrelated to the apo E genotype. Thus, the TaqIB CETP gene polymorphism is a strong determinant of HDL cholesterol in type 1 diabetes. This gene effect is unlikely to be explained by a major influence on the serum level of CETP activity, as an indirect measure of CETP mass. Our preliminary data suggest that this polymorphism may be a marker of the lipoprotein response to dietary intervention.