Structural changes in layers of lipid mixtures at low surface tensions

Layers of pulmonary lipids on an aqueous substrate at non-equilibrium conditions can decrease the surface tension of water to quite low values. This is connected with different relaxation processes occurring at the interface and the associated changes in the surface layer structure. Results of measurements by the combination of methods like surface rheology, ellipsometry, Brewster angle microscopy, and IRRAS for spread layers of lipid mixtures open a possibility to specify the dynamics of structural changes at conditions close to the physiological state. At sufficiently low surface tension values (below 5 mN/m) significant changes in the ellipsometric signal were observed for pure DPPC layers, which can be related to a transition from 2D to 3D structures caused by the layer folding. The addition of other lipids can accelerate the relaxation processes connected with squeezing-out of molecules or multilayer stacks formation hampering thereby a decrease of surface tension down to low values corresponding to the folding of the monolayer.

Reimagining the IR Workflow for a Better Work-Life Balance

Several workflow changes were implemented in a large academic interventional radiology practice, including separation of inpatient and outpatient services, early start times, and using an adaptive learning system to predict case length tailored to individual physicians. Metrics including procedural volume, on-time start, accuracy at predicting case length, and room shutdown time were assessed before and after the intervention. Considerable improvements were seen in accuracy of first case start times, predicting block times, and last case encounter ending times. It is proposed that with improved role clarity, interventional radiologists can regain control over their schedules, utilize work hours more efficiently, and improve work-life balance.

Chiral Incommensurate Helical Phase in a Smectic of Achiral Bent-Core Mesogens

An achiral, bent-core mesogen forms several tilted smectic liquid crystal phases, including a nonpolar, achiral de Vries smectic A which transitions to a chiral, ferroelectric state in applied electric fields above a threshold. At lower temperature, a chiral, ferrielectric phase with a periodic, supermolecular modulation of the tilt azimuth, indicated by a Bragg peak in carbon-edge resonant soft x-ray scattering, is observed. The absence of a corresponding resonant umklapp peak identifies the superlayer structure as a twist-bend-like helix that is only weakly modulated by the smectic layering.

Diagnostic exome sequencing in children: A survey of parental understanding, experience and psychological impact

Clinical exome sequencing (CES) is increasingly being used as an effective diagnostic tool in the field of pediatric genetics. We sought to evaluate the parental experience, understanding and psychological impact of CES by conducting a survey study of English-speaking parents of children who had diagnostic CES. Parents of 192 unique patients participated. The parent's interpretation of the child's result agreed with the clinician's interpretation in 79% of cases, with more frequent discordance when the clinician's interpretation was uncertain. The majority (79%) reported no regret with the decision to have CES. Most (65%) reported complete satisfaction with the genetic counseling experience, and satisfaction was positively associated with years of genetic counselor (GC) experience. The psychological impact of CES was greatest for parents of children with positive results and for parents with anxiety or depression. The results of this study are important for helping clinicians to prepare families for the possible results and variable psychological impact of CES. The frequency of parental misinterpretation of test results indicates the need for additional clarity in the communication of results. Finally, while the majority of patients were satisfied with their genetic counseling, satisfaction was lower for new GCs, suggesting a need for targeted GC training for genomic testing.

Modified vaccinia virus Ankara-based vaccine vectors induce apoptosis in dendritic cells draining from the skin via both the extrinsic and intrinsic caspase pathways, preventing efficient antigen presentation

Dendritic cells (DC) are potent antigen-presenting cells and central to the induction of immune responses following infection or vaccination. The collection of DC migrating from peripheral tissues by cannulation of the afferent lymphatic vessels provides DC which can be used directly ex vivo without extensive in vitro manipulations. We have previously used bovine migrating DC to show that recombinant human adenovirus 5 vectors efficiently transduce afferent lymph migrating DEC-205(+) CD11c(+) CD8(-) DC (ALDC). We have also shown that recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) infects ALDC in vitro, causing downregulation of costimulatory molecules, apoptosis, and cell death. We now show that in the bovine system, modified vaccinia virus Ankara-induced apoptosis in DC draining from the skin occurs soon after virus binding via the caspase 8 pathway and is not associated with viral gene expression. We also show that after virus entry, the caspase 9 pathway cascade is initiated. The magnitude of T cell responses to mycobacterial antigen 85A (Ag85A) expressed by recombinant MVA-infected ALDC is increased by blocking caspase-induced apoptosis. Apoptotic bodies generated by recombinant MVA (rMVA)-Ag85A-infected ALDC and containing Ag85A were phagocytosed by noninfected migrating ALDC expressing SIRPα via actin-dependent phagocytosis, and these ALDC in turn presented antigen. However, the addition of fresh ALDC to MVA-infected cultures did not improve on the magnitude of the T cell responses; in contrast, these noninfected DC showed downregulation of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II), CD40, CD80, and CD86. We also observed that MVA-infected ALDC promoted migration of DEC-205(+) SIRPα(+) CD21(+) DC as well as CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells independently of caspase activation. These in vitro studies show that induction of apoptosis in DC by MVA vectors is detrimental to the subsequent induction of T cell responses.

Resolution of ST-segment elevation after streptokinase therapy in anterior versus inferior wall myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Resolution of ST-segment elevation is the best bedside predictor of myocardial reperfusion.

HYPOTHESIS

This study was conducted to examine the resolution of ST-segment elevation after streptokinase therapy in anterior versus inferior acute myocardial infarction (MI) and to corroborate it with echocardiographic and coronary angiographic data.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 70 patients, 35 each in the anterior and inferior MI groups. The electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded before, on completion of, and on Days 1 and 2 post streptokinase therapy. The resolution of ST segment determined from post-streptokinase ECGs was compared between the two groups and correlated with echocardiographic and coronary angiographic data.

RESULTS

On completion of and on Day 1 post streptokinase therapy, ST-segment resolution in both groups was not significantly different. On Day 2 post streptokinase therapy, resolution of the ST segment per lead was significantly lower in anterior than that in inferior MI (61 +/- 21% anterior vs. 77 +/- 21% inferior, p 0.003). The number of patients with akinesis of infarct-related ventricular wall was significantly higher (17 anterior vs. 7 inferior, p 0.02), and left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly lower in anterior MI (39 +/- 7% anterior vs. 48 +/- 8% inferior, p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in coronary angiographic data. One patient in each group demonstrated normal coronary arteries.

CONCLUSIONS

The resolution of ST-segment elevation on the completion of and on Day 1 post streptokinase therapy was comparable between anterior and inferior MI. The significantly less frequent resolution of ST-segment elevation in anterior MI on Day 2 post streptokinase could be due to more akinesis, larger infarct size, and worse systolic function rather than due to failure to open the infarct-related vessel.

Molecular characterization of the rotavirus NSP4 enterotoxin homologue from group B rotavirus

The RNA segment (Gene 10) from a human group B rotavirus which encodes the homologue of the rotavirus enterotoxin (NSP4) has been cloned and sequenced. The gene is of the same length (751 nucleotides) as its better-characterized group A rotavirus counterpart but shows minimal homology (approximately 10%) to it at the primary sequence level. Despite this low level of sequence homology, secondary structure predictions for the group B protein (ADRV-NSP4) showed a close similarity of structural features with the group A protein. Full-length ADRV-NSP4 was expressed in Escherichia coli with an amino terminal 6xHis tag that was used to purify it to homogeneity. The cytotoxicity of the purified protein was examined in a rapid dye-uptake assay that assesses membrane permeability and was found to be comparable to its group A counterpart.

A rapid and accurate assay for assessing the cytotoxicity of viral proteins

A fluorescence-based assay is presented for measuring the cytoxicity of viral proteins added exogenously to cells. The assay is based on the use of two fluorescent dyes, calcein-AM and ethidium homodimer (EtD-1) to specifically stain living and dead cells respectively and employs fluorescence activated cells sorting (FACS) to achieve a rapid and accurate measurement of the cytotoxic capacity of a potential viral toxin. The assay has been developed using the group B homologue (ADRV-NSP4) of the NSP4 enterotoxin encoded by Group A rotaviruses but should be applicable to assaying any viral protein exhibiting cytotoxic activity.

[Multidisciplinary approach of the obese child to the dietary residency of "Clairs Vallons"]

The pediatric obesity has become a real problem for the public health. One estimates that about 16% of the Belgian pediatric population and up to 33% of the Americans are concerned by this problematic. 70% of the teenagers will remain obese once adult if no treatment is proposed during the childhood. Because of that evolution, some journalists wrote: "that the old continent would be able to catch up with the new world in the next ten years". The malnutrition is not however the only factor at the origin of the obesity. The sedentary lifestyle (lack of exercise, TV, Internet, video games) the domestic organization, the "various emotional stress "are to be blamed. It is without taking into consideration the paradox of our consumption society that while extolling the cult of the slim, young and dynamic body, etc., pushes us to consume more, encouraging in some social and cultural surroundings to go for the immediate pleasure to the detriment of the knowledge - understanding - of our own body. Which places the obese child in an existential paradox. If on top of it there is a domestic predisposition to the plumpness, the kilograms in excess are threatening the unsecured child and new sufferings stand out on the horizon : relational unrests, isolation, social dismissal, reduction of the esteem of selfesteem as well as lack of confidence, less freedom, depression, etc. Not only are they victims of mockeries, aggressiveness and exclusion, the children put their health in danger. On those children we can notice an increase of the impact of cardiovascular pathologies, diabetes, cancers of the intestines, etc. In "Clairs Vallons" we put the hypothesis that the children and the teenagers who come here in custody could suffer from a lack of presence as well as people listening to them and that therefore to would search for comfort in eating. We consider that all interventions based solely on the interdiction of the symptom have no result, causes more suffering and a displacement of the symptom. The therapeutic work to the Dietary Residency of "Clairs Vallons" consists therefore in a global approach of the child within a multidisciplinary team (pediatrician, dietitian, psychologist, physiotherapist, social assistant, orthofenist, educator and teacher) all united around the concept "to eat happy".

Mad dogs, Englishmen and apoptosis: the role of cell death in UV-induced skin cancer

Apoptosis plays a critical role in the development and progression of ultraviolet-induced skin cancers. In particular, Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) interactions are known to control the development of "sunburn cells" or apoptotic keratinocytes in the UV-exposed epidermis. In the absence of functional Fas/FasL signaling, UV-induced apoptosis is diminished and mutations rapidly accumulate. UV-induced suppression of host immunity, a process regulating skin cancer outgrowth, is also controlled through Fas/FasL interactions. Other death receptors, such as the receptor for tumor necrosis factor, may also contribute to UV-induced carcinogenesis and progression. Understanding the involvement of cell death in cancers caused by exposure to sunlight may provide novel approaches for prevention and therapy of these ever-increasing malignancies.

The role of the cytoskeleton in capacitative calcium entry in myenteric glia

Capacitative calcium entry (CCE) is the process by which intracellular calcium is replenished from the external milieu upon depletion of intracellular stores. CCE is thought to participate in chemotaxis, proliferation and cell signalling. A physical interaction between intracellular stores and the plasma membrane is postulated to regulate CCE. We hypothesized that cytoskeletal disruption alters this interaction, inhibiting CCE in enteric glia. Cultured myenteric glia from neonatal guinea-pigs were treated with cytochalasin D (10 micro mol L-1), a microfilament disrupting agent, nocodazole (20 micro mol L-1), a microtubule disrupting agent, or vehicle (dimethyl sulphoxide). Intracellular calcium changes were measured using fura-2 microfluorimetry. To evaluate the rate of cation re-entry, barium was substituted for calcium because barium is not sequestered internally. Cytochalasin D-treated glia had diminished CCE responses (57 +/- 3 nmol L-1) compared with controls (97 +/- 7 nmol L-1) as did nocodazole-treated glia (30 +/- 2 nmol L-1) vs controls (77 +/- 6 nmol L-1). The proportion of cells demonstrating CCE abolition was greater in the cytochalasin (50 +/- 8%) and nocodazole-treated (89 +/- 2%) groups compared with controls (21 +/- 2%, 40 +/- 9%, respectively). Cytochalasin D and nocodazole treatment diminished the rate of cation re-entry based on diminished barium entry in treated vs control cells. From this study, we conclude that disruption of cytoskeletal elements diminishes calcium influx essential to calcium store repletion in myenteric glia.

HGT-DB: a database of putative horizontally transferred genes in prokaryotic complete genomes

The Horizontal Gene Transfer DataBase (HGT-DB) is a genomic database that includes statistical parameters such as G+C content, codon and amino-acid usage, as well as information about which genes deviate in these parameters for prokaryotic complete genomes. Under the hypothesis that genes from distantly related species have different nucleotide compositions, these deviated genes may have been acquired by horizontal gene transfer. The current version of the database contains 88 bacterial and archaeal complete genomes, including multiple chromosomes and strains. For each genome, the database provides statistical parameters for all the genes, as well as averages and standard deviations of G+C content, codon usage, relative synonymous codon usage and amino-acid content. It also provides information about correspondence analyses of the codon usage, plus lists of extraneous group of genes in terms of G+C content and lists of putatively acquired genes. With this information, researchers can explore the G+C content and codon usage of a gene when they find incongruities in sequence-based phylogenetic trees. A search engine that allows searches for gene names or keywords for a specific organism is also available. HGT-DB is freely accessible at http://www.fut.es/~debb/HGT.

Design and implementation of a measuring campaign to model pesticide impacts in an Ecuadorian watershed

The first important issue in pesticide assessment for a watershed is the availability of soil and water quality information in the form of charts, maps or records. However, developing countries generally do not have enough historical data. Thus, sampling programs are crucial for the success of the evaluation, although in developing countries they always represent a controversial task between limited available budget and a precise assessment. This paper shows the steps taken to generate soil and water data to be used in a pesticide assessment project for a 34,000 ha watershed in Ecuador, South America. Sampling campaigns are still being run, so the methodology and the first results are shown here.

Chromatin-dependent cooperativity between constitutive and inducible activation domains in CREB

The cyclic AMP (cAMP)-responsive factor CREB induces target gene expression via constitutive (Q2) and inducible (KID, for kinase-inducible domain) activation domains that function synergistically in response to cellular signals. KID stimulates transcription via a phospho (Ser133)-dependent interaction with the coactivator paralogs CREB binding protein and p300, whereas Q2 recruits the TFIID complex via a direct association with hTAF(II)130. Here we investigate the mechanism underlying cooperativity between the Q2 domain and KID in CREB by in vitro transcription assay with naked DNA and chromatin templates containing the cAMP-responsive somatostatin promoter. The Q2 domain was highly active on a naked DNA template, and Ser133 phosphorylation had no additional effect on transcriptional initiation in crude extracts. Q2 activity was repressed on a chromatin template, however, and this repression was relieved by the phospho (Ser133) KID-dependent recruitment of p300 histone acetyltransferase activity to the promoter. In chromatin immunoprecipitation assays of NIH 3T3 cells, cAMP-dependent recruitment of p300 to the somatostatin promoter stimulated acetylation of histone H4. Correspondingly, overexpression of hTAFII130 potentiated CREB activity in cells exposed to cAMP, but had no effect on reporter gene expression in unstimulated cells. We propose that cooperativity between the KID and Q2 domains proceeds via a chromatin-dependent mechanism in which recruitment of p300 facilitates subsequent interaction of CREB with TFIID.

Nephrogenic adenofibroma in a young child

Nephrogenic adenofibroma is a benign renal tumor in children and young adults described by Hennigar and Beckwith in 1992. Seven cases have been described, and we report the first case in an 11-month-old child, in good health, revealed by a macroscopic hematuria. Nephrogenic adenofibroma is an unusual tumor, which was difficult to distinguish from nephroblastoma and mesoblastic nephroma. Beckwith makes a distinction between this principal differential diagnosis in child renal tumors based upon morphologic and immunohistochemical patterns. In our observation, the diagnosis remained difficult and needed several reviews of our case. Beckwith proposed the final diagnosis: nephrogenic adenofibroma with stromal predominance. The prognosis is excellent and no treatment is indicated. A FISH analysis of the tumor cells found a trisomy 11. Trisomy 11 has been reported in mesoblastic nephroma as the most frequent chromosomal abnormality. This finding in tumor cells provides an argument for excluding the diagnosis of nephroblastoma but can not clarify the difference between nephrogenic adenofibroma and mesoblastic nephroma.

Use of cotton rats for preclinical evaluation of measles vaccines

The continued prevalence and medical impact of measles worldwide has created interest in the development of new generations of measles vaccines. Monkeys can be used for preclinical testing of these vaccines. However, a more practical and less expensive animal model is highly desirable, particularly for initial vaccine development and evaluation. Cotton rats have been shown to support the replication of different strains of measles virus (MV), and thus may be useful for these purposes. To test this concept, the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of two standard (Moraten and trivalent measles, mumps, rubella) and four experimental (two recombinant ALVAC, one ISCOM subunit and live attenuated Edmonston-Zagreb) MV vaccines were evaluated in naïve cotton rats, and cotton rats with passively acquired MV-specific neutralizing serum antibodies. All of the test vaccines were immunogenic and protected naíve animals from pulmonary infection and viral dissemination. However, under the conditions utilized, only the Edmonston-Zagreb vaccine provided such protection to animals with significant levels of passively acquired MV-specific neutralizing antibodies. The results of these tests and the potential of using cotton rats as an animal model for preliminary testing of MV vaccines are discussed.

Use of cotton rats to evaluate the efficacy of antivirals in treatment of measles virus infections

No practical animal models for the testing of chemotherapeutic or biologic agents identified in cell culture assays as being active against measles virus (MV) are currently available. Cotton rats may serve this purpose. To evaluate this possibility, 5-ethynyl-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylimidazole-4-carboxamide (EICAR) and poly(acrylamidomethyl propanesulfonate) (PAMPS), two compounds that have been reported to inhibit MV in vitro, and ribavirin, an established antiviral drug with MV-inhibitory activity, were evaluated for their antiviral activities against MV and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in tissue culture and in hispid cotton rats. A single administration of PAMPS markedly inhibited pulmonary RSV or MV replication (>3 log(10) reduction in pulmonary titer compared to that for controls), but only if this compound was administered intranasally at about the time of virus inoculation. Both EICAR and ribavirin exhibited therapeutic activity against RSV and MV in cotton rats when they were administered parenterally. However, both of these compounds were less effective against MV. On the basis of the pulmonary virus titers on day 4 after virus inoculation, the minimal efficacious dose of EICAR against MV (120 mg/kg of body weight/day when delivered intraperitoneally twice daily) appeared to be three times lower against this virus than that of ribavirin delivered at a similar dose (i.e., 360 mg/kg/day). These findings correlated with those obtained in vitro. The data obtained suggest that cotton rats may indeed be useful for the initial evaluation of the activities of antiviral agents against MV.

[Fibrous splenic hamartoma: imaging features]

Splenoma or splenic hamartoma is a rare primary splenic tumor most often incidentally discovered. The authors report the case of a splenic hamartoma, developed in an asymptomatic man and imaged by US, CT and MRI. This tumor which measured 7 cm in diameter, was hypoechoic with posterior hardening of the ultrasound beam, and not much vascularized as demonstrated by Duplex and color Doppler examination. The tumor MR imaging showed hyperintensity on T1-weighted and hypointensity on T2-weighted. The final diagnosis was not established until the histologic examination of the splenectomy specimen was performed. Histopathologically, the tumor corresponded to a fibrous type of splenic hamartoma. The atypical imaging features which led to splenectomy were probably related to the fibrous component of the hamartoma.

Gallbladder rupture during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: does it have an effect on postoperative morbidity?

Gallbladder rupture during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a common event that may lead to increased postoperative morbidity. To evaluate this event, we reviewed 300 cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Duration of surgery and hospitalization, postoperative symptoms, wound infection, and late complications were analyzed by comparing two groups of patients, one without gallbladder rupture (A) and one with rupture (B). Gallbladder rupture was found in 40 cases (13.9%). Duration of surgery averaged 81 min for group A and 96.5 min for group B. Postoperative symptoms in the first 24 hours were present in approximately 10% of patients in both groups. Within the first 24 hours, 92.3% of patients in group A were discharged compared with 85% in group B. One patient (0.4%) in group A developed wound infection compared with 2 patients (5%) in group B (p = 0.05). To date, no patients have developed late abdominal complications associated with the procedure. Although this was a retrospective and uncontrolled study, gallbladder rupture during laparoscopic cholecystectomy was found to be associated with increased wound infections. No other significant effects on postoperative morbidity were detected.

Neutrophil F-actin and myosin but not microtubules functionally regulate transepithelial migration induced by interleukin 8 across a cultured intestinal epithelial monolayer

The role of the polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) cytoskeleton during the transmigration across colonic epithelial cells is not very well understood. In order to study the role of different components of the PMN cytoskeleton during transepithelial migration across a colonic epithelial cell monolayer (T84), PMN were preincubated with drugs affecting either the actin cytoskeleton (cytochalasin B, iota toxin of Clostridium perfringens, and phalloidin) or the microtubules (colchicine and taxol). The role of PMN myosin during transepithelial migration was investigated using the inhibitor 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM) and DC3B toxin. PMN intracellular Ca2+, during neutrophil adhesion and translocation across the epithelium, was assessed by the Ca2+ chelator 1, 2bis-(2-aminophenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N', N'-tetra-acetic acid tetrakis (acetoxymethyl) ester (BAPTA-AM). Transmigration of PMN was initiated by applying either interleukin-8 or formyl-met-leu-phe (fMLP). While colchicine and taxol preexposure did not influence PMN transepithelial migration, treatment with cytochalasin B, iota toxin, phalloidin, BDM, DC3B toxin and BAPTA-AM greatly diminished migration of PMN across T84 monolayers. Similarly, cell-cell contacts established between PMN and epithelial cells during the transmigration were diminished after treatment of PMN with iota toxin or cytochalasin B. These data show that the neutrophil actin cytokeleton and myosin, but not the microtubules, evoke a Ca2+ -dependent motility that facilitates migration across the colonic epithelial barrier.

The nucleotide sequence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome V

Here we report the sequence of 569,202 base pairs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome V. Analysis of the sequence revealed a centromere, two telomeres and 271 open reading frames (ORFs) plus 13 tRNAs and four small nuclear RNAs. There are two Tyl transposable elements, each of which contains an ORF (included in the count of 271). Of the ORFs, 78 (29%) are new, 81 (30%) have potential homologues in the public databases, and 112 (41%) are previously characterized yeast genes.

Subcellular Location of O-Acetylserine Sulfhydrylase Isoenzymes in Cell Cultures and Plant Tissues of Datura innoxia Mill

O-Acetylserine sulfhydrylase (OASS; EC 4.2.99.8) catalyzes the formation of L-cysteine from O-acetylserine and inorganic sulfide. Three OASS isoenzymes that differ in molecular mass and subunit structure are present in shoot and root tissues and in cadmium-resistant and cadmium-susceptible cell cultures of Datura innoxia Mill. Different OASS forms predominate in leaves, roots, and suspension-cell cultures. To determine the subcellular location of the OASS isoenzymes, purified mitochondria, chloroplasts, and cytosolic fractions from protoplasts were obtained. The isoenzymes are compartmentalized in D. innoxia cells, with a different isoenzyme predominant in the chloroplast, cytosol, and mitochondria, suggesting that they serve different functions in the plant cell. The chloroplast form is most abundant in green leaves and leaf protoplasts. The cytosolic form is most abundant in roots and cell cultures. A mitochondrial form is abundant in cell cultures, but is a minor form in leaves or roots. Cadmium-tolerant cell cultures contain 1.8 times as much constitutive OASS activity as the wild-type cell line, and 2.9 times more than the cadmium-hypersensitive cell line. This may facilitate rapid production of glutathione and metal-binding phytochelatins when these cultures are exposed to cadmium.

Nutritive value evaluated on rats of new cultivars of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) released in Chile

Five new cultivars of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) recently released were analyzed for their proximate chemical composition and protein biological quality. The crude protein content in these cultivars ranged from 21.9 percent in cultivar Arroz 3 to 26.9 percent in cultivar Tórtola Diana (dry matter basis). Rats fed cultivar Tórtola INIA gained more weight, had a higher protein intake and registered higher PER and NPR than Tórtola corriente. On the other hand, rats consuming cultivars Arroz 3 and Fleetwood had lower weight gain, lower protein intake and lower PER and NPR than cultivar Coscorrón corriente. However, all these cultivars have a relatively good protein value as compared to other plant protein sources.

Purification and partial characterization of transglutaminase from Physarum polycephalum

An intracellular form of calcium ion-dependent transglutaminase (R-glutaminylpeptide:amine gamma-glutaminyltransferase, EC 2.3.2.13) was purified 818-fold to apparent homogeneity from acetone powder preparations of spherules of the acellular slime mold Physarum polycephalum. The enzyme was purified by combined methods of precipitation with 15% (wt/vol) polyethylene glycol, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, and isoelectric focusing in a pH 5 to 7 gradient. The isoelectric point of the enzyme was 6.1. The molecular mass of the denatured enzyme was estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to be 39.6 kDa. A molecular weight of 77,000 was found by gel filtration of the native enzyme on a Superose 12 fast protein liquid chromatography column, indicating that the native functional protein is a dimer. The purified transglutaminase catalyzed the incorporation of [14C]putrescine into protein substrates including casein, N,N'-dimethylcasein, actin purified from P. polycephalum, and actin purified from bovine muscle. Actin was the preferred substrate for the enzyme, both as a purified protein and in crude extracts prepared from P. polycephalum. With N,N'-dimethylcasein as the amine acceptor substrate, [14C]putrescine, [14C]spermidine, and [14C]spermine were all effective amine donor substrates with Km values of 49, 21.4, and 31.7 microM, respectively. All three of these polyamines demonstrated strong substrate inhibition of the enzyme activity between 100 and 200 microM. Upon starvation induced by depletion of a carbon source for growth, the specific activity of this enzyme increased sixfold during the differentiation of P. polycephalum microplasmodia to spherules. This suggests a role for transglutaminase in the construction of spherules, which have the capacity to survive starvation and dessication.

Intrauterine resuscitation in the severely distressed fetal dog

Severe fetal distress was produced in 16 fetal dogs by successive and/or prolonged occlusion of the maternal abdominal aorta in an acute surgical preparation, and was characterized in fetal arterial blood of 7.06 for pH, 10 mm Hg for O2, 127 mm Hg for CO2, and fetal heart rate decelerations. Five fetuses recovered spontaneously in utero and delivered normally; 3 needed maternal oxygenation before delivery; 3 suddenly died in utero; 5 fetuses were delivered while still alive in utero when the tpH reached 6.85, and eventually expired. Intrauterine recovery and resuscitation was effective in some fetuses.

Value of a screening fetal heart rate tracing in the latent phase of labor

We studied the value of a screening fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing obtained on 405 women in the latent phase of labor on presentation to the labor-and-delivery suite. All pregnancies were at term and had a cephalic presentation. Thirty-two women in the sample studied underwent a cesarean section for fetal distress. Using that end point, a screening FHR tracing in the admitting room had a sensitivity of 57%, specificity of 98%, positive predictive value of 75% and overall efficiency of 95%. One- and five-minute Apgar scores and thick meconium staining of the amniotic fluid were also examined. While no statistically significant differences were found (P less than .2 for Apgar score and less than .06 for meconium), there was a trend that might have been significant if more women had been studied. A screening FHR tracing on all women at term in the latent phase of labor will identify the majority of those who will develop fetal distress in labor. Women with an abnormal screening tracing should be admitted to the hospital and the fetal status evaluated further.

A quantitative analysis of placental vasculature in the third-trimester fetus with autosomal trisomy

Growth disturbance in the trisomic fetus is believed to be primarily fetal in origin. There has been only sparse description of placental pathology in the third trimester in these fetuses, and therefore the placental role in their growth and development remains unexplored. We performed quantitative morphometric analysis on the placentas of 18 fetuses with trisomy and ten normal control fetuses. Doppler umbilical artery analysis was performed on ten abnormal fetuses and all controls. The placentas of trisomic fetuses exhibited a significant reduction in small muscular artery count and small muscular artery/villus ratio. Abnormal Doppler waveforms correlated closely with reduced small muscular artery counts. Undervascularization and increased vascular resistance of the placenta of trisomic fetuses may contribute to diminished fetal growth. The placenta appears to be another fetal organ whose structure and function are affected adversely by abnormal karyotype.

Pregnancy surveillance with Doppler velocimetry of uterine and umbilical arteries

Previous studies with Doppler velocimetry have demonstrated a strong correlation between abnormal waveforms and fetal-maternal disease. This study was designed to evaluate the potential role of Doppler velocimetry as a screening test in routine prenatal care. Two hundred fifty-five pregnant women had routine monthly Doppler (systolic/end-diastolic ratio) studies on the uterine and umbilical arteries starting in the twentieth week of gestation. When a cutoff value of 3 was used at 30 weeks for the umbilical arteries, there were 35 (13%) positive tests. In 20 of these values fell to less than 3 in the ensuing weeks and were considered false positive. The remaining 15 babies demonstrated positive clinical pathologic correlates. When a value of 2.6 was used at 26 weeks for uterine arteries, there were nine positive results, seven of which had clinical pathologic correlates. This study suggested an overall positivity rate of 7%; therefore it provides encouragement for a larger venture in which screening and impact on decision making are evaluated.

Advances and new concepts in the designing of peritoneovenous shunts for the treatment of refractory ascites

From August 1984 to December 1987, 10 patients received the Minnesota peritoneovenous shunt at our institution. Four of these patients previously had received seven Denver catheters with clinical and/or radiologic evidence of malfunction. Eight patients had the diagnosis of benign intractable ascites and two malignant ascites. In two hypercoagulable patients re-exploration of the intravascular limbs was necessary for fibrin plugging, but in no case have we seen catheter tip blood clot thrombosis. One shunt failed to work properly because of adhesions. At present, six of these patients are alive with a functioning shunt and four have died of nonshunt-related complications. The longest period of continuous function with a Minnesota shunt was 100 weeks. Data from this trial are compared retrospectively with data from patients who received LeVeen (n = 8) or Denver shunts (n = 7) at the University of Minnesota Hospitals during the same time period. Performance of the Minnesota shunt was comparable to the commercially available LeVeen and Denver shunts in most respects and appeared to offer advantages in longer functional life and reduction of intensive care unit admissions.

Uterine and umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry in postterm pregnancy

Uterine and umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry was carried out on 149 women whose pregnancies went to 41 weeks or beyond. Flow velocity was not altered even in the presence of other signs suggestive of fetal compromise. It appears that the postdate syndrome is not associated with significant alterations in the maternal or umbilical blood flow prior to the onset of labor.

Prenatal surveillance using nonstress testing and Doppler velocimetry

One hundred forty pregnant women referred to our prenatal testing laboratory for conventional nonstress testing (NST) also had a Doppler study of the umbilical arteries. The outcomes of 88 women with abnormal testing (NST or Doppler) were compared with the outcomes of 52 women who had normal results on both tests. The results demonstrated that 50% of the fetuses with decreased flow velocity who later developed an abnormal NST were growth-retarded, 75% required a cesarean section, and 63% were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Development of an abnormal NST in the presence of normal velocimetry studies occurred most frequently in the postdates pregnancy; 32% required cesarean section for fetal distress. Knowledge of the umbilical circulation through Doppler studies may be of benefit when selecting patients for NST and when interpreting results.

Uterine artery Doppler velocimetry: the significance of divergent systolic/diastolic ratios

Continuous wave Doppler studies were carried out on both uterine arteries in 71 pregnant women from the twentieth week of gestation onward. Analysis of the waveform included the systolic/diastolic ratio and the presence or absence of a diastolic notch. In the current study, these ratios from 31 women with left/right systolic/diastolic difference, (between left and right uterine arteries) were compared with those of women having normal ratios. A normal left/right systolic/diastolic ratio difference of 0.3 with SD of 0.3 was found. When the left/right difference was plotted against the left/right averaged systolic/diastolic ratio, a correlation coefficient of 0.7 was noted (p less than 0.001). Significant outcome differences were noted between normal and abnormal left/right difference systolic/diastolic ratios in the perinatal parameters of gestational age at delivery, fetal weight, pregnancy-induced hypertension, proteinuria, and intrauterine growth retardation. Divergent uterine artery ratio findings are a result of one artery being the dominant supplier to the placenta. The majority of women with an elevated systolic/diastolic ratio seem to have divergent uterine blood supply to the uterus and placenta. These data suggest that errors in placentation site contribute to the development of preeclampsia and growth retardation in the fetus.

A classification of hypertension in pregnancy based on Doppler velocimetry

We studied 136 pregnant women with hypertension with Doppler velocimetry of the uterine and umbilical arteries. The patients were classified into four groups according to the values of the systolic/diastolic ratios. The first group had normal ratios in both the umbilical and uterine arteries. The second group had elevated umbilical ratios and normal ratios in the uterine arteries. The third group had elevated uterine artery systolic/diastolic ratios with normal umbilical artery values, and the fourth group had elevated systolic/diastolic ratios in both vessels. Women in the group with normal ratios in both the umbilical and uterine arteries were delivered of infants with a birth weight (mean +/- SD) of 3261 +/- 522 gm and gestational age of 39 +/- 2 weeks. The values for the three groups with abnormal velocimetry were: those with elevated umbilical ratios and normal ratios in the uterine arteries: body weight = 2098 +/- 811 gm, gestational age = 35.7 +/- 3.2 weeks; those with elevated uterine artery ratios with normal umbilical artery values: 2464 +/- 722 gm, gestational age = 36.3 +/- 3 weeks; and those with elevated systolic/diastolic ratios in both vessels: body weight = 1627 +/- 697 gm, gestational age = 33.3 +/- 2.7 weeks (p less than 0.01; p less than 0.001). There were 27 small for gestational age infants delivered during this study. Doppler velocimetry studies were abnormal in 26 of them (96%). Results show that Doppler-derived vascular patterns correlate well with normal and adverse perinatal outcome. A description of the uterine and umbilical systolic/diastolic ratios should be part of the clinical evaluation of all pregnant women with hypertension. This should lead to better treatment protocols and improved clinical outcome.