Amino acid sequence and structural properties of protein p12, an African swine fever virus attachment protein

The gene encoding the African swine fever virus protein p12, which is involved in virus attachment to the host cell, has been mapped and sequenced in the genome of the Vero-adapted virus strain BA71V. The determination of the N-terminal amino acid sequence and the hybridization of oligonucleotide probes derived from this sequence to cloned restriction fragments allowed the mapping of the gene in fragment EcoRI-O, located in the central region of the viral genome. The DNA sequence of an EcoRI-XbaI fragment showed an open reading frame which is predicted to encode a polypeptide of 61 amino acids. The expression of this open reading frame in rabbit reticulocyte lysates and in Escherichia coli gave rise to a 12-kDa polypeptide that was immunoprecipitated with a monoclonal antibody specific for protein p12. The hydrophilicity profile indicated the existence of a stretch of 22 hydrophobic residues in the central part that may anchor the protein in the virus envelope. Three forms of the protein with apparent molecular masses of 17, 12, and 10 kDa in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis have been observed, depending on the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol and alkylation with 4-vinylpyridine, indicating that disulfide bonds are responsible for the multimerization of the protein. This result was in agreement with the existence of a cysteine-rich domain in the C-terminal region of the predicted amino acid sequence. The protein was synthesized at late times of infection, and no posttranslational modifications such as glycosylation, phosphorylation, or fatty acid acylation were detected.

Morphology of the rat cochlear primary afferents during prenatal development: a Cajal's reduced silver and rapid Golgi study

In this study, we analyse the process of spatial organisation of the cochlear root related to the morphological and topographical changes in the CN during the prenatal development of Wistar rats, placing special emphasis on aspects of the latero-medial distribution of the cochlear afferents. A total of 35 embryos from 8 Wistar rats was employed, corresponding to embryonic days 14, 16, 18 and 20. Twenty of these embryos were studied by the Cajal's reduced silver stain and 15 by the rapid Golgi method (osmium dichromate method). The otocyst, the vestibulo-cochlear ganglion and vestibulo-cochlear nerve were first observed at embryonic Day 14 (E14). At E16, a sharp separation between the cochlear and vestibular roots was distinguished. The final position of the primary afferents and their main branches (anterior and posterior) in the CN was observed at E18 and E20, when the total number of cochlear turns had been formed. The cochlear afferents coming from the apical coil, the last to be incorporated into the cochlear root, project their posterior branches at the bifurcation towards more medial portions of the PVCN and their anterior branches towards the more lateral regions of the AVCN.

Retroperitoneal sacrocolpopexy for correction of prolapse of vaginal vault

The problem of prolapse of vaginal vault has a clearly defined anatomic basis and so does it surgical restoration. Herein, we present our experience with a technique that is a modification of the abdominal sacrocolpopexy of Randall and Nichols. Our procedure is characterized by the use of a segment of Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene) vascular prosthesis placed in the retroperitoneum at the sacral concavity to fasten the vaginal vault to the promontory. We have obtained excellent results with its application in 18 patients, who had a return to normal sexual activity and no recurrences during a follow-up period of 36 months.

The occurrence of salmonellae in kitchens of care institutions

Sporadic cases of salmonellosis always by the same serotypes occurred in two different care institutions. In the first institution the cases had been caused by S. binza and S. eimsbuettel, in the second by S. mons and S. braenderup. The cases of salmonellosis prompted studies into the occurrence of these Salmonella serotypes in the kitchens of the relevant institutions, as well as into the occurrence of salmonellas in kitchens of care institutions in general. Using Moore's swabs the relevant Salmonella serotypes could be demonstrated in the kitchens of the institutions with sporadic cases of salmonellosis, while in kitchens of 15 other arbitrary chosen institutions Salmonella could not be detected at all. This demonstrated that the occurrence of sporadic cases of salmonellosis was related to the occurrence of salmonellas in the kitchens. Then investigations were started to establish the origin of the salmonellas. There was a mice plague in one institution. Mouse-dung was found positive for the relevant Salmonella serotype(s). Cases of salmonellas did not occur any more when the mice had been eradicated. It was concluded that the sporadic cases of salmonellosis in that institution were strongly associated with the presence of mice. In the other institution it appeared that disinfection was inadequate and that salmonellae were spread all over the kitchen environment during cleaning, leading to recontamination. After thorough disinfection and adaptation of cleaning and disinfection procedures sporadic cases of salmonellosis did not occur anymore. Results of these investigations demonstrated the important role of vermin and proper cleaning and disinfection in food hygiene. Moreover, the sporadic cases of salmonellosis came to light because gastro-enteritis was a reason for examination of faecal specimens of patients. This is not usual in many care institutions. However, in this way problems in hygiene can be traced, especially in the kitchen. For this reason it is recommended strongly to examine faecal specimens in cases of gastro-enteritis, even in sporadic cases.