Expression of heat-shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in the respiratory tract and lungs of fire victims

Immunohistochemical investigation of the respiratory tract and lungs of 63 fire victims revealed a statistically significant enhanced expression of heat-shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in the epiglottis, the trachea, and the main and the peripheral bronchi compared with a control group. In the fire victims, a strong expression of Hsp70 was discernible not only particularly in the vessels but also in seromucous secretory cells, ciliated epithelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and alveolar cells. The results suggest a vital or supravital reaction due to the inhalation of hot fire fumes.

179IMPORTANCE OF EMBRYO TRANSFERS IN TRANSGENIC MOUSE FACILITIES

With the increasing demand for and production of transgenic and mutant mice for biomedical research, embryo transfer plays a paramount role. The purpose of performing embryo transfer in this species is to generate transgenic mice via blastocyst injection of embryonic stem cells or pronuclear injection of DNA constructs, to revitalize cryopreserved sperm and embryos, and to generate mouse lines that meet specific pathogen-free health standards for breeding in barrier areas (rederivation). We present results from two years of carrying out embryo transfers for rederivation purposes in the large mouse breeding facility of the GSF—National Research Center for Environment and Health, Neuherberg, Germany. Pathogens to be eradicated from inbred transgenic (C57BL/6 background) and mutant (C3H background) mouse lines included mouse hepatitis virus, mouse minute virus, and mouse parvovirus. In vitro- and in vivo-produced two-cell embryos were washed 3 times in M2 medium. A total of 20 embryos each were transferred to the oviduct of 8- to 12-week-old specific pathogen-free pseudopregnant (Day 0.5) Swiss recipients under aseptic conditions. Mice were then kept singly in individually ventilated cages and manipulated in a Class II laminar flow hood. From each transfer to one to five recipients with embryos originating from the same mouse line, one recipient was tested for the presence of microorganisms 6 to 12 weeks after embryo transfer, i.e. at 0 to 6 weeks after weaning, according to the FELASA (Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations) Guidelines. A total of 290 embryo transfers were performed for revitalization of cryopreserved sperm from 52 mouse lines, cryopreserved two-cell embryos from 18 mouse lines and rederivation of 12 mouse lines using freshly collected two-cell embryos. From these 290 embryo transfers, 59 mouse lines were re-established (40 from cryopreserved sperm, 7 from cryopreserved embryos and 12 from in vivo-produced embryos). Health monitoring of 54 recipients showed that all mouse lines generated were free of all pathogens stated in the FELASA list. The results presented here show that all 12 (100%) mouse lines were re-established after transfer of freshly collected two-cell embryos whereas 77% and 39% success rates were observed for revitalization of cryopreserved sperm and embryos, respectively. The success of embryo transfer in eradicating pathogens depends on the inability of these pathogens to transverse the zona pellucida and enter and/or infect embryonic cells. In our mouse facility, embryo transfer provided an efficient method to successfully revitalize cells of the mouse germ line as well as to eradicate prevalent murine pathogens. Furthermore, the results demonstrate the efficiency of transferring embryos of different origins and thereby obtaining and maintaining specific pathogen-free health standards in our mouse colonies.

Genome-wide, large-scale production of mutant mice by ENU mutagenesis

In the post-genome era, the mouse will have a major role as a model system for functional genome analysis. This requires a large number of mutants similar to the collections available from other model organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans. Here we report on a systematic, genome-wide, mutagenesis screen in mice. As part of the German Human Genome Project, we have undertaken a large-scale ENU-mutagenesis screen for dominant mutations and a limited screen for recessive mutations. In screening over 14,000 mice for a large number of clinically relevant parameters, we recovered 182 mouse mutants for a variety of phenotypes. In addition, 247 variant mouse mutants are currently in genetic confirmation testing and will result in additional new mutant lines. This mutagenesis screen, along with the screen described in the accompanying paper, leads to a significant increase in the number of mouse models available to the scientific community. Our mutant lines are freely accessible to non-commercial users (for information, see http://www.gsf.de/ieg/groups/enu-mouse.html).

Identification of immunological relevant phenotypes in ENU mutagenized mice

The immunology screen focuses on the identification of novel gene products involved in the mammalian immune response and on the establishment of mouse models for immunological disorders. For this purpose, high throughput and semi-automated techniques were developed and optimized for low cost per sample and reproducibility. All assays are designed to be nonconsumptive and are based on peripheral blood or direct PCR amplification.

Characteristics and prognosis of myocardial infarction in patients with normal coronary arteries

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Myocardial infarction with angiographically normal coronary arteries (MINC) is a life-threatening event with many open questions for physicians and patients. There are little data concerning the prognosis for patients with MINC.

DESIGN

Retrospective follow-up study.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

Patients with MINC were investigated and compared to age- and sex-matched control subjects with myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease (CAD). The patients were examined clinically using stress exercise and hyperventilation tests. Migraine and Raynaud's symptoms were determined by means of a standardized questionnaire. Serum lipoproteins; the seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus, Helicobacter pylori, and Chlamydia pneumoniae infections; and the most frequent causes of thrombophilia were assessed.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

From > 4,300 angiographies that were performed between 1989 and 1996, 21 patients with MINC were identified. The mean +/- SD patient age at the time of myocardial infarction was 42 +/- 7.5 years. When compared to control subjects (n = 21), patients with MINC had fewer risk factors for CAD. In contrast, MINC patients had more frequent febrile reactions prior to myocardial infarction (six patients vs zero patients; p < 0.05), and the migraine score was significantly higher (7.1 +/- 6.3 vs 2.2 +/- 4.1; p < 0.01). The seroprevalence of antibodies against cytomegalovirus, C pneumoniae, and H pylori tended to be higher in patients with MINC and CAD as compared to matched healthy control subjects. Three patients with MINC vs none with CAD had coagulopathy. During follow-up (53 +/- 37 months), no major cardiac event occurred in the MINC group; no patients with MINC vs nine with CAD (p = 0.0001) underwent repeated angiography.

CONCLUSION

High migraine score and prior febrile infection together with a lower cardiovascular risk profile are compatible with an inflammatory and a vasomotor component in the pathophysiology of the acute coronary event in MINC patients. The prognosis for these patients is excellent.

Reliable recovery of inbred mouse lines using cryopreserved spermatozoa

Since the mouse has become the most detailed model system to investigate the genetics and pathogenesis of human diseases, large numbers of new mouse strains have and continue to be produced. In nearly all animal facilities, the maintenance of breeding colonies is limited and mouse strains have to be archived in an efficient way. This study was undertaken to test the reliability of recovering mouse lines by use of cryopreserved spermatozoa from individual male mice. In contrast to many studies, spermatozoa and oocytes were derived from the same genetic background. 30 C3HeB/FeJ males belonging to three different categories (wild-type, F1-generation of ENU-treated males, and defined mutants) were recovered by producing at least 20 offspring from each donor. Independent of the experimental group, every single male was successfully recovered. Archiving mouse strains by cryopreservation of spermatozoa may, therefore, offer a reliable way to preserve genetically valuable mouse strains and provides an efficient management strategy for animal facilities.

Cryopreservation of mouse spermatozoa: double your mouse space

Cryopreservation of mouse germplasm is an important tool to secure, archive and distribute mouse lines of different origin. While embryo freezing has been standard procedure for many years, major advantages in freezing spermatozoa have been made recently that open new opportunities for management of mouse colonies.

Unusual presentation of cutaneous metastatic malignant melanoma

This report describes an unusual presentation of cutaneous metastases suspected to have occurred through lymphatic spread in a patient with malignant melanoma. Punctate papular skin lesions correlated histologically with small tumor foci in the papillary dermis.