Differences in the concentration of various synovial fluid constituents between the distal interphalangeal joint, the metacarpophalangeal joint and the navicular bursa in normal horses

As a prerequisite for the identification of navicular disease markers, the concentrations of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), total glycosaminoglycans (GAG), hyaluronan, metalloproteinases (MMP) 2 and 9 and total protein were measured in synovial fluid samples obtained from the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP), the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) and the navicular bursa of 24 horses. Mean GAG, COMP and total protein levels were significantly higher in the DIP joint and in the navicular bursa compared to the MCP joint. Hyaluronan content was lower. MMP -2 activity was present in all fluids measured and had similar levels in different joints. MMP -9 was present in 42 per cent of MCP joint samples and 58 per cent of DIP joint samples and of navicular bursal samples. In relation to the constituents measured, the composition of navicular bursal fluid was similar to the articular synovial fluids, in particular that obtained from the DIP joint. Correlation between the constituents of DIP joint fluid and navicular bursal fluid obtained from the same legs was statistically significant for all the parameters measured.

Solid-phase synthesis and biological screening of N-alpha-mercaptoamide template-based matrix metalloprotease inhibitors

A series of N-alpha-mercaptoacetyl containing dipeptides have been prepared on solid-phase supports as putative matrix metalloprotease (MMP) inhibitors. Inhibitor design was based on a positional scanning approach of the amino acids present within a template molecule, previously shown to be an MMP inhibitor with good pharmacological characteristics. This study is the first step in a unique programme, designed to expand the repertoire of molecular templates which can be chosen as starting points for the development of more focused parallel and/or combinatorial libraries of MMP inhibitors as a means to accelerate the lead discovery process. This paper reports the success of such an approach in the development of agents with activity against a number of pathologically important MMPs. After screening of these positional scanning libraries, we have obtained important SAR information, in particular, pharmacophores with the ability to impart selectivity for particular MMP species.

Evidence for early hematopoietic progenitor cell involvement in acute promyelocytic leukemia

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) represents a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia with characteristic morphologic, molecular, and immunophenotypic features. Previous immunophenotypic analyses have shown that leukemic cells in APL typically express the myeloid markers CD33 and CD13 but lack expression of the early hematopoietic progenitor cell antigens CD34 and HLA-DR. We analyzed selected immunophenotypic features of APL by flow cytometry and showed that 7 (41%) of 17 cases contained significant subsets of CD34+ leukemic cells: CD34+ myeloid cells predominated in 2 APL cases. By using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter-fluorescence in situ hybridization approach, we confirmed that the CD34+ cells harbored the t(15;17) translocation characteristic of APL. By using the same experimental approach, CD34+ populations were stratified into primitive CD34+ CD38- and committed CD34+ CD38+ progenitor cell subpopulations; cells in both subsets contained the t(15;17) translocation. The knowledge that APL may be partly or largely CD34+ is important for proper diagnosis. Furthermore, identification of the t(15;17) translocation in CD34+ CD38- blasts indicates that, in at least some cases, the leukemogenic mutation in APL occurs within primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells.

First Report of a Bean-Infecting Begomovirus from Macroptilium lathyroides in Puerto Rico That Is Distinct from Bean Golden Mosaic Virus

Bean golden mosaic begomovirus (BGMV) was long suspected to cause bright yellow mosaic symptoms in Macroptilium lathyroides (L.), a weed common to Puerto Rico. M. lathyroides plants exhibiting bright yellow mosaic symptoms were collected from Puerto Rico during 1994 to 1999, and the biotic and molecular characteristics of the suspect begomovirus were determined. Symptoms in M. lathyroides, indistinguishable from those observed in field-infected plants, were reproducible by whitefly transmission (Bemisia tabaci type B) and biolistic inoculation of leaf extracts (1). In bean, Phaseolus vulgaris (L.) 'Topcrop,' the M. lathyroides virus caused green-yellow mosaic foliar symptoms and stunting, reminiscent of symptoms caused by BGMV from Puerto Rico (BGMV-PR). However, biolistic- or whitefly-mediated inoculation of M. lathyroides with BGMV-PR resulted in no discernible infection. Sequence analysis (2) of the coat protein (CP) gene (AF176092) and common region of the A (CR-A) (AF176093) and B (CR-B) (AF176094) components of the virus from M. lathyroides indicated that these sequences shared only 77.3 to 79.3% and 62.4 to 68.8% identity, respectively, with BGMV from the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Guatemala, Jamaica (JAM), and PR. Alignment of the M. lathyroides virus CP sequence with other well-studied begomoviruses indicate its closest relative is BGMV-PR (82%) and that it shares less than 73% identity with partial CP sequences of Macroptilium golden mosaic virus-JAM (AF089839, AF089840). The directly repeated CR sequences of the M. lathyroides virus, putatively involved in AC1 binding, are TGGTGACTGGTG and are distinct from TGGAGACTGGAG, the analogous direct repeat in BGMV-PR. We provisionally designate the new, previously undescribed begomovirus species from M. lathyroides, Macroptilium mosaic virus (MaMV). Results indicate MaMV-PR and BGMV are distinct, bean-infecting begomoviruses from the Caribbean and that MaMV-PR may pose a new threat to bean production, particularly where the type B vector is established. References: (1) J. K. Brown and R. Ryan. Phytopathology 81:1217, 1991; (2) A. M. Idris and J. K. Brown. Phytopathology 88:648, 1998.

The effect of an inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases on colonic inflammation in a trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid rat model of inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Recent publications have reported that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are expressed in colonic tissue taken from ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients.

AIM

To evaluate the effects of a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor, marimastat, on colonic inflammation in experimental colitis induced by trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS)-ethanol in the rat.

METHODS

Rats were dosed (by mouth) for 7 days (b.d.) with either sulphasalazine (50 mg/kg), marimastat (40 mg/kg) or vehicle. TNBS-ethanol was administered rectally on the 4th day of dosing. On the last day of dosing, colons were removed and assessed for inflammation using myeloperoxidase activity, production of soluble TNFalpha (tumour necrosis factor alpha), clinical score and histological assessment. In addition, the bioavailability and effect of marimastat on a range of MMPs were assessed in-vitro.

RESULTS

In this study we have confirmed that marimastat is a broad spectrum MMPI with a bioavailability of 5%. TNBS rats dosed with sulphasalazine had a significantly lower (P < 0.05) myeloperoxidase activity, TNFalpha production and a markedly lower clinical score. Similarly, rats dosed with marimastat had a significantly lower (P < 0.05) myeloperoxidase activity and clinical score, but the TNFalpha production was not significantly reduced.

CONCLUSIONS

Dosing rats with TNBS-induced colitis using sulphasalazine or marimastat produced a significant reduction in tissue injury and inflammation.

Manipulative management of post-Colles' fracture weakness and diminished active range of motion

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the management of a patient with wrist weakness and a diminution in active range of motion resulting from Colles' fracture.

CLINICAL FEATURES

A 58-year-old woman complained of persistent loss of grip strength and mobility in her right wrist. These complaints were from Colles' fracture occurring 19 months before initiation of care. Dynamometer and goniometric testing revealed significant loss of grip strength and range of motion compared with the uninvolved, nondominant wrist.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME

Specific joint manipulation for improvement in mobility and grip strength of the wrist was performed. The patient's right wrist was evaluated for grip strength and active range of motion over a 3-week period, providing a baseline of function before treatment. After 4 visits of baseline measurements, a series of 4 treatments and 4 reevaluations was performed. The patient exhibited a significant increase in grip strength and active range of motion.

CONCLUSION

Appropriate intervention of chiropractic manipulation and examination procedures culminated in a successful resolution of this case. When such cases are recognized, appropriate management may occur conservatively with judicious application of joint manipulation and reevaluation procedures.

Multiply-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: failure of spread in community-based elderly care facilities

Thirty-eight patients colonized with multiply-resistant, plasmid-mediated, expanded-spectrum beta-lactamase (SHV-2) producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (MRK), were discharged from hospital to 22 nursing or residential homes during a hospital-based outbreak, in the Grampian region of north-east Scotland. MRK colonized the urinary tract in 74%, stool in 58%, respiratory tract in 29% and wounds in 11%. Mean length of colonization was 160 days (range 7-548). Mean length of stay in the homes after aquisition of MRK was 298 days. Compared with a control group of MRK-negative residents, MRK-positive residents had histories of more hospital admissions, underlying disease and complete immobility. Evaluation of these homes showed high standards of care and good facilities. Despite prolonged carriage of MRK by the index cases there was no evidence of spread to the other 886 residents who were screened, and there was evidence of only minor environmental contamination. Given the available evidence, patients colonized with MRK can be accommodated in good-quality nursing and residential homes, on discharge from hospital, with little fear of spread to other residents.

Heat resistance of Salmonella weltevreden in low-moisture environments

The heat resistance of Salmonella weltevreden inoculated into flour and heated in hot air was determined for (a) an initial water activity (aw) range of 0.20 to 0.60 prior to heating, (b) a range of storage relative humidities of 6.0 to 35.5% prior to heating, and (c) temperatures of 57 to 77 degrees C. The death curves obtained were biphasic, demonstrating an initial rapid decline in the numbers of survivors (1.0- to 1.5-log reductions) during the first 5 to 10 min of heating for all the temperature-water activity combinations tested. Following this initial rapid decline in the number of cells, a linear survivor curve was obtained where inactivation occurred at a slower rate. The initial decline in survivors coincided with a rapid decrease in the water activity of all the samples tested. Irrespective of the initial water activity level in the samples prior to heating, the aw decreased to < 0.2 during the first 5 to 10 min of heating. The D values obtained for these experimental parameters ranged from a D60-62 of 875 min at an initial aw of 0.4 to a D63-65 of 29 min at an initial aw of 0.5. The results demonstrated that, for any temperature, as the initial water activity of the sample prior to heating decreased, the heat resistance of the cells increased. The z values obtained from these data ranged from 15.2 to 53.9 degrees C. The relative humidity during storage prior to heating did not appear to have a significant effect on the heat resistance of S. weltevreden in flour. These results demonstrate that the amount of available water in foods that are considered to be "dry" (i.e., with a water activity less than 0.60) will significantly influence the effectiveness of the heat processing of foods and, in addition to the temperature, the aw prior to heating is a critical controlling factor during these processes.

Luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin decrease type 2 5 alpha-reductase and androgen receptor protein levels in women's skin

The present study tested the hypothesis that LH/hCG may regulate the type 2 5 alpha-reductase and androgen receptor protein levels in skin. The skin samples obtained from women undergoing abdominal laparotomy or abdominoplasty were incubated in the presence or absence of hCG. Western blotting was then performed to determine the response of type 2 5 alpha-reductase and androgen receptors. The results demonstrated that treatment with hCG resulted in a significant time- and dose-dependent, although modest, decrease in 5 alpha-reductase and androgen receptor levels compared to the controls. These effects were mimicked by LH, but not by other hormones in the glycoprotein hormone family, including alpha- and beta-subunits of hCG. Although the biological and clinical importance of this regulation remains to be determined, these findings reaffirm that human skin is among the nongonadal tissues that respond to LH and hCG treatment.

Dung-derived biological agents associated with reduced numbers of infective larvae of equine strongyles in faecal cultures

Two sets of dung-derived organisms from soil routinely fertilized with manure (MA) and soil chemically fertilized (CH) were cultured separately in the laboratory. Baermannized organisms from these cultures were added to 20 g of faeces from strongyle-infected horses to form three treatment groups: (i) no soil organisms; (ii) low inoculum of soil organisms containing all organisms present in a suspension of approximately 100 adult female free-living nematodes; and (iii) high inoculum containing those soil organisms present with approximately 1000 adult female free-living nematodes. Three studies were conducted using MA cultures and faeces containing 50 stronglye epg, CH cultures and faeces containing 1500 strongyle epg, and a mixture of soil organisms from the two cultures (MC) and faeces containing 600 strongyle epg. Within each study, five control cultures and 15 each of low and high inoculum cultures were prepared and incubated at 24 degrees C and 95% humidity in a climate chamber for 15 days. Parasitic and free-living nematodes were then recovered by the Baermann technique and counted. The numbers of third stage larvae were significantly lower in the high inoculum group compared to controls. The percent reductions in the number of third stage larvae for the low and high inoculum groups were 63.6% and 90.9%, 85.1% and 97.1%, 84.5% and 98.4% for MA, CH, and MC studies, respectively, indicating that mortality increased with the number of soil organisms added to cultures. Examination of the source cultures detected the presence of two species of nematophagous fungi and three genera of free-living nematodes reported to be predacious.

Distribution of the Lake Eacham Rainbowfish in the Wet Tropics Region, North Queensland

The Lake Eacham rainbowfish, Melanotaenia eachamensisAllen & Cross, 1982, was thought to be extinct in the wild until recentresearch demonstrated the presence of wild populations in a few tributaries ofthe upper Johnstone River and the upper Barron River, north Queensland, byusing the technique of DNA sequencing. We present the results of amultivariate analysis of a range of morphological and meristic characters ofrainbowfish collected from rivers of the Wet Tropics region, particularly theJohnstone River, that demonstrate that M. eachamensis iswidespread in the upper and lower reaches of the North and South Johnstonerivers and tributaries of the upper Tully River.M. eachamensis was most often the dominant species inthose locations where sympatry withM. splendida splendida was observed.M. eachamensis should be considered a stream-dwellingspecies rather than a lacustrine species although a significant lacustrinepopulation (Koombooloomba Dam) was detected.

Perceptions and satisfaction with emergency department care

A telephone questionnaire examining perceived quality of and satisfaction with Emergency Department (ED) care was administered to randomly selected patients within 60 days of their visit to a university hospital ED over a 13-month period. Patients, or the persons who accompanied them to the ED, rated overall service, nursing technical performance, physician technical performance, nursing bedside manner, physician bedside manner, and registration clerk service on a 5-point rating scale (5 = excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = good, 2 = fair, 1 = poor). Patients were also asked if they felt the care was delivered in a timely manner. A total of 618 interviews were conducted (1333 attempts to contact, 12 people declined to be interviewed). The results suggest that patient perceptions of the technical quality of care are more important than perceived timeliness of care or bedside manner in determining patient satisfaction with ED care.

Effects of anxiety arousal and mental stress on the vestibulo-ocular reflex

Although the subjective reports of patients suggest that anxiety may aggravate vertigo and imbalance, there has been little research into how anxiety might directly affect balance system functioning. We conducted two studies to examine the effect of anxiety and arousal on the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). In the first study, pre-lest fear ratings were obtained from 20 normal subjects and 36 anxious subjects immediately prior to rotation and caloric testing. Fear ratings were significantly correlated with the maximum slow-phase velocity (SPV) of nystagmus induced by caloric testing. In the second study, we assessed the VOR response to rotation of 36 normal subjects under 3 task conditions: a) minimal alerting (counting backwards during rotation), b) physical arousal (induced by exertion prior to rotation); c) mental arousal (induced by performance of stressful mental tasks during rotation). Both the physical and mental tasks induced a significant increase in heart rate compared with the alerting condition. The maximum SPV of the nystagmus induced by rotation was significantly greater during performance of the mental task than in the other two conditions. These combined results indicate that anxiety may influence the gain of the VOR.

Characterization and distribution of esterase electromorphs in the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Esterase profiles were examined for over 40 populations of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, obtained from native and cultivated plant hosts worldwide. Twelve unique electromorphs were identified from distinct populations concentrated largely in Central America, Africa, and India. One electromorph, type B, has recently been proposed as a separated species, Bemisia argentifolii, and has recently spread throughout much of the world. When considered with evidence from mating studies and the ability to induce phytotoxic disorders (squash silverleaf disorder), our data suggest that the single taxon Bemisia tabaci may actually represent a species complex.

Relationship between balance system function and agoraphobic avoidance

There is a striking similarity between the situations avoided by people with agoraphobia and the environments which provoke disorientation in people with organic balance disorders. This study investigated the possibility that agoraphobia might be linked to balance system dysfunction by comparing the results of balance system tests in 36 people with symptoms of panic and agoraphobia and 20 normal controls. A traditional battery of audiovestibular tests was supplemented with moving platform posturography, which assesses the postural instability induced by disorienting perceptual conditions. Subjects also completed questionnaire measures of somatic symptoms of dizziness and anxiety, agoraphobic cognitions, avoidance behaviour and state anxiety. Over 60% of the Ss with symptoms of panic and agoraphobia were destabilised by the disorienting perceptual conditions, compared with just 10% of the normal controls. Postural instability was strongly related to reported agoraphobic avoidance (r = 0.63, P < 0.01), even after controlling for symptoms, anxiety and agoraphobic cognitions. In our discussion we consider alternative interpretations of these findings, future directions for research, and implications for therapy.

Phonological awareness and literacy development in children with expressive phonological impairments

This study investigated the link between expressive phonological impairments, phonological awareness, and literacy. Previous investigations of literacy skills in children with speech impairments have given mixed results; here we considered whether presence of additional language impairments or severity of the speech impairment was an important prognostic factor. Thirty-one children with expressive phonological impairments were compared with control children matched on age and nonverbal ability on three occasions, at mean ages of 70, 79, and 91 months. On each occasion they were given three tests of phonological awareness: one involved rime-matching and two involved onset-matching. At assessments 2 and 3 literacy skills were assessed. Children with phonological impairments scored well below their controls on phonological awareness and literacy, independent of whether or not they had other language problems. Although many of them knew letter sounds, they were poor at reading and writing nonwords as well as real words. It is suggested that both the speech impairment and the literacy problems arise from a failure to analyze syllables into smaller phonological units. The severity of the phonological problems in relation to age is an important determinant of literacy outcome; children who have severe expressive phonological impairments at the time they start school are at particular risk for reading and spelling problems.

In vitro assessment of two species of nematophagous fungi (Arthrobotrys oligospora and Arthrobotrys flagrans) to control the development of infective cyathostome larvae from naturally infected horses

The ability of two species of nematophagous fungi, Arthrobotrys oligospora and Arthrobotrys flagrans (syn. Trichothecium flagrans, Duddingtonia flagrans), to control the development of infective larvae in feces from naturally infected horses was assessed in vitro. The horses were from a farm where it had been previously established that cyathostomes accounted for 100% of the strongyle egg output. The feces from these naturally infected horses were mixed with spores of each fungal species at four concentrations: 0 (control), 1, 10, and 100 spores per egg. Five replicates for each group were incubated for 8 days. Infective larvae were harvested using a Baermann technique and counted. The percentage reduction in infective cyathostome larvae was calculated for each fungal concentration compared to controls. A fungal concentration of 1 spore per egg resulted in 40.5% and 32.1% reduction for A. oligospora and A. flagrans, respectively. A concentration of 10 spores per egg resulted in 87.4% and 90.5% reduction, while 100 spores per egg resulted in 95.8% and 93.9% reduction for A. oligospora and A. flagrans, respectively.

Synthesis of novel N-phosphonoalkyl dipeptide inhibitors of human collagenase

The synthesis of a series of N-phosphonalkyl dipeptides 6 is described. Syntheses were devised that allowed the preparation of single diastereoisomers and the assignment of stereochemistry. The compounds were evaluated in vitro for their ability to inhibit the degradation of radiolabeled collagen by purified human lung fibroblast collagenase. Several of the compounds were potent collagenase inhibitors and were at least 10-fold more potent than their corresponding N-carboxyalkyl analogues. Activity was lost when the phosphonic acid group P(O)(OH)2 was replaced by the phosphinic acid groups P(O)(H)(OH) and P(O)(Me)(OH). At the P1 position, (R)- or (S)-alkyl groups, especially ethyl and methyl (e.g., 12a,b, 52a,b, and 53a,b), or an (R)-phenethyl moiety (55a) conferred high potency (IC50 values in the range 0.23-0.47 microM). (S)-Stereochemistry was preferred for the P1' isobutyl side chain. Structure-activity relationships were also investigated at the P2' site, and interestingly, compounds with basic side chains, such as the guanidine 57a, were equipotent with more lipophilic compounds, such as 52a. As with other series of collagenase inhibitors, potency was enhanced by introducing bicyclic aromatic P2' substituents. The most potent phosphonic acid of the series was the bicyclic aromatic P2' tryptophan analogue 59a (IC50 0.05 microM).