A method for isolation of sequences missing in one of two related genomes

We describe a novel technique for isolation of sequences that are present in one genome (tracer), but absent in another (driver). Tracer DNA, cleaved with Sau 3A and capped with a single stranded PCR adapter, is allowed to hybridize with an excess of sheared biotinylated driver; biotinylated DNA and its hybrids with the tracer are removed by phenol/chloroform extraction after incubation with streptavidin. After several rounds of subtraction the ends of self-annealed tracer molecules from the nonextractable fraction are filled-in with Tag polymerase and amplified, using the single stranded PCR adapter as a primer. The method has been applied to purification of fragments from a 2.9 kb plasmid added to E. coli DNA at equimolar quantity. Plasmid derived fragments (250-1000 bp), initially comprising 1/1400th part of tracer DNA, were purified to homogeneity after two rounds of subtraction followed by PCR.     

Combined costimulation blockade plus rapamycin but not cyclosporine produces permanent engraftment

BACKGROUND: Combined treatment of allograft recipients with anti-CD40 ligand and CTLA-4Ig (costimulation blockade) is a powerful promising albeit not consistently tolerizing therapy. It would be desirable to use an effective conventional immunosuppressive regimen in low doses or for a short course as an adjunct; however, cyclosporine treatment drastically blunts the ability of costimulation blockade to produce long-term engraftment. METHODS: Short courses of cyclosporine or rapamycin were compared as adjuncts to costimulation blockade in the murine BALB/c to C3H/He heterotopic cardiac allograft model. RESULTS: Although cyclosporine therapy blocked the capacity of costimulation blockade to produce permanent engraftment, combined rapamycin and costimulation blockade treatment produced permanent engraftment. CONCLUSION: A theoretical basis for the differing effects of cyclosporine and rapamycin upon the outcome of costimulation blockade is forwarded. Combined use of costimulation blockade and rapamycin may provide a means to bring costimulation blockade into the clinic.     

The mammalian homologue of mago nashi encodes a serum-inducible protein

OBJECTIVE: We prospectively compared the ability of two techniques--bone scintigraphy with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of the chest and CT of the chest--to reveal potential osteosarcoma metastases of the lung. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Our study included 27 patients with osteosarcoma who prospectively underwent both bone scintigraphy with SPECT of the chest and CT of the chest. The imaging results were compared with outcome or pathologic analysis of any lung lesions found. RESULTS: Eight (30%) of the 27 patients had pulmonary metastases. Four of these eight patients had positive results on both CT studies and bone SPECT studies, with additional lesions detected with bone SPECT in two of these four patients. The other four patients with pulmonary metastases had positive results on CT studies, whereas the results of bone SPECT studies remained negative. The results of bone SPECT studies were negative in the 19 patients without pulmonary metastases. CT, however, showed abnormalities in seven (37%) of the 19 patients, which were eventually attributed to benign conditions. CONCLUSION: Negative results on a bone SPECT study of the chest should not be used to exclude the possibility of lung metastases. However, if the results are positive, a bone SPECT study can be used to confirm abnormalities seen on CT scans and may also reveal subtle lesions missed on CT scans.     

Clinical evaluation of bioactive glass in the treatment of periodontal osseous defects in humans

The purpose of this study was to compare the use of bioactive glass to demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) in the treatment of human periodontal osseous defects. Fifteen systemically healthy patients (6 males and 9 females, aged 30 to 63) with moderate to advanced adult periodontitis were selected for the study. All patients underwent initial therapy, which included scaling and root planing, oral hygiene instruction, and an occlusal adjustment when indicated, followed by re-evaluation 4 to 6 weeks later. Paired osseous defects in each subject were randomly selected to receive grafts of bioactive glass or DFDBA. Both soft and hard tissue measurements were taken the day of surgery (baseline) and at the 6-month re-entry surgery. The clinical examiner was calibrated and blinded to the surgical procedures, while the surgeon was masked to the clinical measurements. Statistical analysis was performed by using the paired Student's t test. The results indicated that probing depths were reduced by 3.07 +/- 0.80 mm with the bioactive glass and 2.60 +/- 1.40 mm with DFDBA. Sites grafted with bioactive glass resulted in 2.27 +/- 0.88 mm attachment level gain, while sites grafted with DFDBA had a 1.93 +/- 1.33 mm gain in attachment. Bioactive glass sites displayed 0.53 +/- 0.64 mm of crestal resorption and 2.73 mm bone fill. DFDBA-grafted sites experienced 0.80 +/- 0.56 mm of crestal resorption and 2.80 mm defect fill. The use of bioactive glass resulted in 61.8% bone fill and 73.33% defect resolution. DFDBA-grafted defects showed similar results, with 62.5% bone fill and 80.87% defect resolution. Both treatments provided soft and hard tissue improvements when compared to baseline (P < or = 0.0001). No statistical difference was found when comparing bioactive glass to DFDBA; however, studies with larger sample sizes may reveal true differences between the materials. This study suggests that bioactive glass is capable of producing results in the short term (6 months) similar to that of DFDBA when used in moderate to deep intrabony periodontal defects.     

Sodium oxacillin in the horse: serum, synovial fluid, peritoneal fluid, and urine concentrations after single-dose intramuscular administration

Six healthy adult mares were given a single dose (25 mg/kg of body weight) of sodium oxacillin IM. Oxacillin concentrations in serum, synovial fluid, peritoneal fluid, and urine were measured serially over a 48-hour period. The mean peak serum oxacillin concentration was 9.75 microgram/ml at 0.5 hour after injection. Mean peak oxacillin concentrations in synovial and peritoneal fluids were 1.45 microgram/ml and 2.60 microgram/ml at 1 hour and 2 hours, respectively. These concentrations decreased in parallel with serum values and were not measurable at 48 hours. Urine concentrations of oxacillin were high, with a mean peak concentration of 2,790.2 microgram/ml at 0.5 hour.     

Immunoglobulin A antibodies to Helicobacter pylori

Serological testing for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to Helicobacter pylori has proven useful in supporting the diagnosis of infection with this organism, but the clinical value of IgA antibodies in H. pylori-related gastritis remains controversial. The purpose of our study was to determine the frequency of IgA-positive IgG-negative patients with symptoms of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, thus assessing the clinical utility of IgA testing for H. pylori-related gastritis. It was found previously that the frequency of infected individuals in this category (IgA positive and IgG negative) is about 2%, but a large number of IgG-negative patients with GI disorders suggestive of H. pylori infection have not been investigated until now.