Somatic cell cloned transgenic bovine neurons for transplantation in parkinsonian rats

OBJECTIVE: To identify consistent relevant mechanisms of small intestinal dysfunction in cats with experimentally induced feline immunodeficiency virus infection (FIV) that developed chronic diarrhea during the time they were being used in studies of pathogenicity and transmission of FIV. ANIMALS: 10 cats. PROCEDURE: The following investigative tests and techniques were performed on each of the cats: routine hematologic and serum biochemical analyses; urinalysis; fecal parasitologic and microbiologic examinations; breath hydrogen lactulose (BH2LT) and xylose (BH2XT) tests; intestinal permeability test; endoscopic examination of the intestinal mucosa; bacteriologic culture of endoscopically collected small intestinal juice; and histologic examination of endoscopically obtained intestinal biopsy specimens. RESULTS: Neutrophilia was evident in 3 cats, and lymphopenia was detected in 2 cats. Serum biochemical abnormalities were not observed. Urinalysis results were unremarkable. Fecal bacteriologic and parasitologic results were normal, except for isolation of Campylobacter sp from 1 cat. Abnormal BH2XT values suggestive of D-xylose malabsorption were identified in 2 cats, and BH2LT values indicated evidence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in 1 cat. Finally, permeability test results, quantitation of bacterial flora from the proximal part of the small intestine and histologic examination of biopsy specimens did not reveal any abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Enteric pathogens did not account for the development of diarrhea in cats with experimentally induced FIV infection, and consistent relevant mechanisms of small intestinal dysfunction were not identified.     

Mitochondrial DNA Fragmentation as a Molecular Tool to Monitor Thermal Processing of Plant‐Derived,Low‐Acid Foods,and Biomaterials

Cycle threshold (Ct) increase, quantifying plant‐derived DNA fragmentation, was evaluated for its utility as a time‐temperature integrator. This novel approach to monitoring thermal processing of fresh, plant‐based foods represents a paradigm shift. Instead of using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to detect pathogens, identify adulterants, or authenticate ingredients, this rapid technique was used to quantify the fragmentation of an intrinsic plant mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene over time‐temperature treatments. Universal primers were developed which amplified a mitochondrial gene common to plants (atp1). These consensus primers produced a robust qPCR signal in 10 vegetables, 6 fruits, 3 types of nuts, and a biofuel precursor. Using sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) puree as a model low‐acid product and simple linear regression, Ct value was highly correlated to time‐temperature treatment (R² = 0.87); the logarithmic reduction (log CFU/mL) of the spore‐forming Clostridium botulinum surrogate, Geobacillus stearothermophilus (R² = 0.87); and cumulative F‐value (min) in a canned retort process (R² = 0.88), all comparisons conducted at 121 °C. D₁₂₁ and z‐values were determined for G. stearothermophilus ATCC 7953 and were 2.71 min and 11.0 °C, respectively. D₁₂₁ and z‐values for a 174‐bp universal plant amplicon were 11.3 min and 9.17 °C, respectively, for mtDNA from sweet potato puree. We present these data as proof‐of‐concept for a molecular tool that can be used as a rapid, presumptive method for monitoring thermal processing in low‐acid plant products.     

Cerebrospinal fluid findings in asymptomatic patients with reactive serum fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption tests

It is common to examine the cerebrospinal fluid in untreated or inadequately treated asymptomatic patients with a reactive serum fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test before initiating antibiotic therapy for syphilis. This prospective study evaluated the usefulness of such examination. Four hundred thirty-two patients over 40 years old, reporting for annual physical examination, had a serum FTA-ABS test. Thirty-seven (8.6%) patients and 2 of 4 spouses were reactive repeatedly. Of the 39 patients with reactive tests, 7 had a history of penicillin therapy for syphilis, 5 had received heavy metal therapy, and 27 had no history of syphilis. These 39 patients had a neurological examination, serum VDRL, Treponema pallidum immobilization (TPI), and repeat FTA-ABS tests by two other laboratories. The TPI test was reactive in 30 (77%). Four had nonspecific neurological signs. Routine CSF examination (cells, total protein, VDRL, glucose, IgG%) on 30 patients with a history of inadequate treatment had a low diagnostic yield. Two patients had an unexplained total protein elevation (57 and 61 mg/dl) and 1 had a mildly increased IgG% (15%). All cell counts, VDRL tests, and glucose levels were normal. Agarose electrophoresis demonstrated one or more CSF immunoglobulin bands in 10 (36%) of 28 patients, possibly representing an immunological marker of past or latent central nervous system infection.     

An index for paresis and defective healing--an easily applied method for objectively determining therapeutic results in facial paresis (author's transl)

Residuals of facial paralysis consist of a great variety of cosmetic and functional anomalies which differ in quality and/or quantity. An internationally standardized evaluation of such defects is mandatory for the assessment of the results of different therapeutic procedures. In the present study, a system has been developed to record the results of facial paralysis following therapy. Such a system does not require specialized training, instrumentation or require significant time for completion. A clearly-defined "Yes-No" evaluation criteria is established which creates a high interscorer reliability. The usefulness of this scoring system was tested by three examiners on 42 patients following facial nerve surgery, with an obtained interscorer reliability of 93%.     

Human stress protein hsp70: overexpression in E coli, purification and characterization

The gene encoding the stress-inducible member of human heat shock protein hsp70, was expressed in E. coli using the bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase-based gene expression system. Recombinant hsp70 (R-hsp70) was purified from inclusion bodies after solubilization and refolding, using a combination of ATP-agarose affinity chromatography and ion-exchange chromatography. R-hsp70 was shown to be monomeric and free of its structurally similar E. coli counterpart, DnaK. In addition, R-hsp70 is functional as demonstrated by its ability to bind to peptides and to ATP. The availability of pure, correctly folded R-hsp70 in sufficient quantity will assist in the structural and functional characterization of hsp70. Furthermore, an understanding of the cytoprotective function of hsp70 and its role in immune responses during infections will be facilitated by the availability of pure R-hsp70.     

Early restenosis following percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty for the treatment of the superior vena caval syndrome due to pacemaker-induced stenosis

OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that the outcome of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is not influenced by condylar position, asymmetry, angle or structural bone changes. METHODS: Eighty consecutive patients (60 women, 20 men) with an age range of 6-81 years, referred to the Department of Stomatognathic Physiology, were included in the study. The patients were clinically and radiologically examined before and at least 1 year after treatment. RESULTS: The most common clinical diagnoses among the patients were TMD with a neuromuscular background in 35% and osteoarthritis in 21%. Seventy-two per cent of the patients were symptom-free or better, 24% unchanged and 1% worse 1 year or more after treatment. After treatment the bone structure of the TMJ was unchanged in 83% of the patients, in 12% erosions healed and in 5% erosions developed. Almost all patients had some degree of condylar displacement on tomography before treatment. In the majority the condylar position was unchanged after treatment. CONCLUSION: No single radiographic finding was found to be related to the treatment outcome and therefore plain radiography has a minor role in the management of TMD.     

Acute asthma, salbutamol and hyperglycaemia

The effects of frequent high-dose nebulized salbutamol on plasma glucose concentrations were studied in 12 children (mean age 60 months) with acute severe asthma. There was a significant difference between mean initial glucose levels and peak levels. We conclude that hyperglycaemia can be produced in children as a result of nebulized salbutamol.     

'Sheltered disruption' of Neurospora crassa MOM22, an essential component of the mitochondrial protein import complex

MOM22 is a component of the protein import complex of the mitochondrial outer membrane of Neurospora crassa. Using the newly developed procedure of 'sheltered disruption', we created a heterokaryotic strain harboring two nuclei, one with a null allele of the mom-22 gene and the other with a wild-type allele. Homokaryons bearing the mom-22 disruption could not be isolated, suggesting that mom-22 is an essential gene. The mutant nucleus can be forced to predominate in the heterokaryon through the use of specific nutritional and inhibitor resistance markers. Cultivation of the heterokaryon under conditions favoring the mutant nucleus resulted in selective depletion of MOM22. MOM22-depleted cells did not grow and contained mitochondria with an altered morphology and protein composition. Protein import into isolated, MOM22-depleted mitochondria was abolished for most precursor proteins destined for all subcompartments. In contrast, precursors of MOM19, MOM22 and MOM72 became inserted normally into the outer membrane, defining a novel MOM22-independent import pathway which remained intact in mutant mitochondria. Furthermore, the specific binding of the ADP/ATP carrier to the outer membrane was unaffected, but subsequent transport across the outer membrane did not occur. Our data show that MOM22 is an essential component of Neurospora cells specifically required for the biogenesis of mitochondria.