ERCP and CT findings of ectopic drainage of the common bile duct into the duodenal bulb

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate ERCP and CT findings of ectopic drainage of the common bile duct into the duodenal bulb. CONCLUSION: Although rare, the diagnosis of ectopic drainage of the common bile duct into the duodenal bulb is important to prevent inadvertent damage during biliary tract or gastric surgery and to clarify the cause of chronic peptic ulcers.     

Phacoemulsification with a bevel-down phaco tip: phaco-drill

We present a technique for in situ lens nucleus emulsification using low phaco power and high vacuum, a continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, and hydrodelineation. Emulsification is done with the phaco tip slanted down 30 or 45 degrees. Cutting and aspiration do not cause an undesirable energy loss. This technique can be combined with the nuclear chopping or divide and conquer methods because of its ability to drill and hold the nucleus. Posterior capsular rupture is prevented because the separated epinucleus acts as a barrier between the nucleus and the cortex. The low power used minimizes the energy transfer to the corneal endothelium. This technique is particularly useful in eyes with brunescent cataract.     

Role of conserved Asn-Tyr-Asp-Tyr sequence in bacterial copper/2,4, 5-trihydroxyphenylalanyl quinone-containing histamine oxidase

Copper amine oxidase contains a covalently bound quinonoid cofactor, 2,4,5-trihydroxyphenylalanyl quinone (TPQ), which is synthesized by post-translational modification of a specific tyrosyl residue occurring in the highly conserved sequence, Asn-Tyr-(Asp/Glu)-Tyr. To elucidate the role(s) of the conserved sequence in the biogenesis of TPQ, each of the corresponding residues at positions 401-404 in the recombinant histamine oxidase from Arthrobacter globiformis has been replaced with other amino acids by site-directed mutagenesis. When Asn-401 was changed to Asp or Gln, the rate of TPQ formation by copper-dependent self-processing was 10(3)- to 10(4)-fold slower than in the wild-type enzyme. When Tyr-402 was replaced by Phe, TPQ was not formed at all, showing that Tyr-402 is essential as the precursor to TPQ. In contrast, Asp-403 could be replaced by Glu without changes in the rate of TPQ formation, whereas its replacement by Asn led to a marked decrease. Furthermore, when Tyr-404 was changed to Phe, TPQ was formed swiftly on incubation with copper ions, but the TPQ enzyme exhibited very low activity with altered substrate specificity. These results collectively indicate that a very rigorous structural motif is required for efficient formation of TPQ and for the catalytic activity in the active site of copper amine oxidases.     

Responses of somatostatin, beta-endorphin and dynorphin A to a glucose load in two groups of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Since the late 1980s, the eight-component model of the comprehensive school health program (CSHP), has been adopted widely in the United States and internationally. While it is acknowledged that the eight program elements should be delivered in a coordinated, interactive manner, numerous issues regarding how this integration best can be achieved, including who at the school level should have this responsibility and how the eight components relate conceptually and logistically, have not been addressed adequately. In essence, a CSHP transforms several solo performers into an orchestra. This article proposes the school health coordinator as an essential element in the eight-component model of the CSHP--the maestro, without whom there can be no symphony. The coordinator's principal responsibilities include administration, integration of personnel and programs, evaluation, and direct intervention. Three program elements--staff wellness, healthy environment, and community/family involvement--are subsumed within the coordinator's role, effectively reducing the number of program elements from eight to five. Potential benefits in addition to issues regarding feasibility of the SHC, are discussed and studies examining the effectiveness of the SHC model are recommended.     

Ahch, the mouse homologue of DAX1: cloning, characterization and synteny with GyK, the glycerol kinase locus

We cloned the murine full-length cDNA encoding Ahch, the mouse homologue of DAX1 (DSS-AHC Region on Human X Chromosome, Gene1) which is the gene responsible for human X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH). Sequence analysis revealed that the murine and human cDNAs have 65% aa identity and 75% aa similarity overall. The cysteine residues in the putative DNA binding domain, which may interact with Zn2+ ions to form zinc fingers, are 100% conserved between the two species, indicating that the novel zinc-finger structures in DAX1 may be functional. In addition, mouse interspecific backcrosses show that the Ahch gene is closely linked to the glycerol kinase locus, GyK, on the mouse X chromosome, indicating that the order of the loci is conserved in this syntenic region between mouse and human.     

Steroidal glycosides of the 14,15-seco-18-nor-pregnane series from Cynanchum ascyrifolium

Three new steroidal glycosides named cynascyrosides A-C were isolated from the roots of Cynanchum ascyrifolium. The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical evidence as cynajapogenin A 3-O-alpha-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-L-cymaropyranosyl -(1-->4)-beta-D- digitoxopyranoside; cynajapogenin A 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-cymaropyranosyl- (1-->4)-beta-L-cymaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-L-cymaropyranoside+ ++; cynajapogenin A 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-cymaropyranosyl- (1-->4)-beta-D-digitoxopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-L-cymaropyranosid e.