Morphological, chemical, and antigenic organization of mammalian C-type viruses

New features in the architecture of mammalian type C viruses, in particular knoblike surface projections and hexagonally arranged subunits on the core shell could be demonstrated by electron microscopy, taking advantage of newly developed preparation techniques. As examples, murine leukemia viruses (MuLVs) and newly isolated porcine and bovine C viruses are presented. The major proteins of a MuLV were isolated and partially characterized in chemical terms and with respect to their serological and other biological activities, such as interfering and hemagglutinating (HA) capacity. Most of the characterized proteins could be localized in particular substructures of the virion either by selective removal or isolation of electron microscopically identifiable constituents. The information obtained allowed the design of a more detailed model of mammalian C viruses. Special attention was devoted to the further characterization of interspecies antigens of mammalian C viruses. Different antigenic determinants were revealed. Their distribution allows further subgrouping of mammalian C viruses.

Direkte allosterische Wechselwirkung von Sauerstoff und Bicarbonat: N-Acetyl-Ala-Ser-Phe, die N-terminale Sequenz der β-Ketten der Hämoglobine des Nilkrokodils (Crocodylus niloticus) und des Mississippi­ krokodils (Alligator mississippiensis) / Direct Allosteric Interaction of Oxygen and Bicarbonate: N-Acetyl-alanyl-seryl-phenylalanine, N-Terminal Sequence of the β-Chains of the Haemoglobins of Nil Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) and Mississippi Crocodile (Alligator mississippiensis)

To elucidate the molecular mechanism of the direct allosteric exchange of oxygen and hydrogen carbonate in the hemoglobins of crocodiles, the N-terminal sequence of the β-chains of the crocodiles of the Nile (Crocodylus niloticus) and of the Mississippi (Alligator mississippiensis) was studied. The N-terminal end of the peptide is blocked. By mass spectrometry the N-terminal sequences of both species were found to be N-acetyl-alanyl-seryl-phenyl-alanine. These data explain the absence of hemoglobin-phojphate interaction, the data are in good agreement with the stereochemistry postulated for allosteric exchange of oxygen and hydrogen carbonate in crocodilian hemo­ globins.

Notizen: Spontane Leukämie der AKR-Mäuse. Erfolgreiche passive Immunisierung mit Ziegen- Antikörper gegen isoliertes Glykoprotein gp71 des Friend-Leukämie-Virus /Spontaneous Leukemia of AKR Mice. Successful Passive Im m unization with Goat Anti­ bodies against Isolated Glycoprotein gp71 of Friend Leukemia Virus

The occurrence of fatal spontaneous leukemia in AKR mice could be drastically reduced by passive immunization with goat antibody against isolated murine Friend virus glycoprotein gp71, possessing high group specific reactivity. The success depended on the time of antibody application. The best results were achieved when mothers and babies were inoculated.

[Psammomatous melanotic schwannoma as indicator of a Carney complex]

Within a few months a 31-year-old female patient was diagnosed with a psammomatous melanotic schwannoma, an atrial myxoma and microfollicular adenomas in both thyroid lobes. Therefore, sufficient diagnostic criteria of a Carney complex were fulfilled. The Carney complex is an inherited autosomal dominant disorder with highly variable phenotypes, which was initially described by Carney in 1985 as a complex of myxomas, spotty skin pigmentation and endocrine overactivity. Pathologists should consider this differential diagnosis in reports when confronted with a psammomatous melanotic schwannoma.

Use of myocardial perfusion imaging and estimation of associated radiation doses in Germany from 2005 to 2012

PURPOSE

For several years the Working Group Cardiovascular Nuclear Medicine of the German Society of Nuclear Medicine has been performing a regular survey to obtain information on technique, utilization and development of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS). Currently, data of six surveys from 2005 to 2012 are available. The aim of this paper is to deliver a general and comprehensive overview of all surveys documenting the course of patient doses over time and the development of the method.

METHODS

A one-page questionnaire with number of MPS patients, number of stress and rest MPS, referral structure and several technical issues was sent to all centres performing MPS in Germany and evaluated. With the data on protocol utilization, effective MPS patient doses were estimated.

RESULTS

MPS per million population (pmp) varied between 2,380 and 2,770. In 2012, MPS pmp showed a slight increase for the first time. From 2005 to 2009 the angiography to MPS ratio increased from 3.4 to 4.4, and the revascularization to MPS ratio decreased from 0.66 to 0.53. In 2012, both indices demonstrated an opposite trend for the first time (4.1 and 0.55). A total of 108 centres participated in all surveys. They showed an increase in MPS patients of 4.0 % over the reporting period. In 2012, more than 50 % of the centres experienced no change or an increase in MPS numbers. The leading single competitor was MRI, followed by angiography and stress echocardiography. (201)Tl studies have decreased since 2005 from 20 to 5 %. (99m)Tc MPS studies showed a mild increase in 2-day protocols. In 2012, the average effective dose per patient was estimated at 7.4 mSv. Due to the decreasing use of (201)Tl, a mild decline over the observation period can be documented. Dynamic exercise stress was the most common stress test and adenosine the leading pharmacological stress agent, with a growing percentage. In 2012, the regadenoson percentage was 9 %. Gated single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) noted an increasing acceptance with >70 % in 2012. The segmental scoring of perfusion studies had a low acceptance. Ambulatory care cardiologists represented the major referral group.

CONCLUSION

Germany has a moderate to moderate-high MPS utilization rate. Nevertheless, coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosis and disease management are dominated by angiography. The survey data reveal a positive trend in MPS and a decrease in average patient dose reflecting good practice with guideline adherence, the implementation of technical improvements and success in training.

[Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy 2008 in Germany - results of the fourth query]

AIM

The working group Cardiovascular Nuclear Medicine of the German Society of Nuclear Medicine in cooperation with the working group Nuclear Cardiology of the German Cardiac Society herewith present the results of the 4th survey on myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) of the year 2008.

METHOD

310 questionnaires (191 private practices (PP), 93 hospitals (HO), 31 university hospitals (UH)) were evaluated.

RESULTS

MPS of 98947 patients were reported. 15% of them were younger than 50 y, 57% between 50 and 70 y and 28% older than 70 y. 88% [2007: 83%] of all were studied with Tc-99m perfusion tracers. The patient radiation exposure of a stress and rest protocol considering German standard recommended doses was 8.5 mSv, of a stress-only protocol 1.9 mSv. 77% [2007: 76%] of the MPS were performed in PP, 15% [2007: 15%] in HO and 8% [2007: 9%] in UH. From 2005 to 2008 there was a mild increase in the MPS numbers by 1.2% (PP +7.1%, HO -5.5%, UH -31.4%). The type of stress was pharmacological in 30% [2007: 27%]; 68% adenosine (of these 22% with exercise), 29% dipyridamole (of these 64% with exercise), and <1% dobutamine. Gated SPECT was performed in 46% [2007: 47%] of all rest and in 42% [2007: 44%] of all stress MPS. 62% [2007: 61%] of all institutions did not use perfusion scores.

CONCLUSION

The MPS numbers from 2005 to 2008 in Germany can be regarded as stable. However, there are considerable shifts from HO and UH to PP. The well known potential of MPS considering risk stratification and functional analysis has not been tapped so far. Both gated SPECT and a quantitative perfusion analysis should be performed routinely in every patient.

[Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy 2007 in Germany--results of the query and current status]

AIM

This third survey of the working group Cardiovascular Nuclear Medicine of the German Society of Nuclear Medicine in cooperation with the working group Nuclear Cardiology of the German Cardiac Society was to deliver information on the procedures and in particular on the development of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) from 2005 to 2007.

METHOD

370 questionnaires (222 private practices (PP), 117 hospitals (HO), 31 university hospitals (UH)) were evaluated.

RESULTS

MPS of 114,374 patients were reported, 83% were investigated with 99mTc-perfusion tracers. 76% [2006=74%] were performed in PP, 15% [2006=17%] in HO and 9% [2006=9%] in UH. Diabetics represented 21% of all MPS patients in 2007. Data of 215 institutions which participated all from 2005 to 2007 showed an increase in MPS of 2.3% (PP +6.8%, HO -4.5%, UH -18.2%). The type of stress was pharmacological in 27% [2006 = 27%]; 67% adenosine (of these 25% with exercise), 31% dipyridamole (of these 55% with exercise), and 2% dobutamine. Gated SPECT was performed in 47% [2006 = 42%] of all rest and in 44% [2006 = 39%] of all stress MPS. 61% [2006 = 83%] of all institutions did not apply perfusion scores. 20% [2006 = 24%] of the institutions reported changes in the use of MPS by competing methods.

CONCLUSION

There is a small increase of MPS between 2005 and 2007 despite competing methods. Gated SPECT has experienced more acceptance, but is still underrepresented. As compared to the European average and general standards of MPS a considerable backlog accounts to pharmacological stress tests, gated SPECT and perfusion scores.