THE SURVIVAL OF VARIETIES OF TYPHUS VIRUS IN MOUSE PASSAGE, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE VIRUS OF BRILL'S DISEASE

The experiments above described have confirmed the observations of Laigret and Jadin that the European human typhus virus cannot be maintained for more than two generations in mice by brain-peritoneum passage; whereas the murine Mexican variety can be carried on by this method in mice through at least eleven passage generations. The fact that within eleven passages there is no attenuation of the murine virus renders it likely that this agent can continue in mice, in an inapparent form, without material modification. Brill's disease virus from three different isolations has behaved like the European type, a fact which strengthens the opinion previously expressed from this laboratory that Brill's disease represents an imported European strain of the classical European infection.

[Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: an unresolved issue]

INTRODUCTION

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is the most prevalent neurological complication of cancer treatment, affecting a third of all patients who undergo chemotherapy. CIPN impairs functional capacity, compromises the quality of life and results in dose reduction or cessation of chemotherapy, representing a dose-limiting side effect of many antineoplastic drugs. In addition to classic, novel agents, bortezomib and oxaliplatin have been shown to have a significant risk of CIPN.

METHODS

By reviewing literature, this article analyses relevant issues and recent advances regarding the pathogenesis, incidence, risk factors, diagnosis, characteristics and management of CIPN.

RESULTS

Research into the pathophysiology and identification of risk factors for individual patients is growing. A future avenue of investigation includes the identification of patients at lower or higher risk based on their genotype. Best tools for CIPN assessment are not defined. Many agents have been claimed to be neuroprotectors without showing significant results in large randomised clinical trials.

CONCLUSIONS

Early recognition and subsequent dose reduction/discontinuation of the offending agent is the only way to minimise the development of this potentially debilitating complication. Due to the lack of effective prophylactic or symptomatic treatments up to now, neurological monitoring should be recommended in patient candidates to be treated with neurotoxic antineoplastic agents, mainly when they present baseline neuropathy. Development of reliable methods for CIPN assessment is essential.

Safety and quality of ready-to-eat dry fermented sausages subjected to E-beam radiation

The inactivation kinetics in the death of Listeriainnocua NTC 11288 (more radioresistant than five different strains of Listeriamonocytogenes) and Salmonella Enterica serovar Enteritidis and S. enterica serovar Typhimurium by E-beam irradiation has been studied in two types of vacuum-packed RTE dry fermented sausages ("salchichon" and "chorizo") in order to optimize the sanitation treatment of these products. A treatment of 1.29kGy was calculated to reach the food safety objective (FSO) according to the "zero tolerance" criterion for the three strains. No irradiation treatment was necessary to meet the 10(2)c.f.u./g microbiological criterion for L. monocytogenes. Dry fermented sausages treated with ⩽2kGy had negligible sensory (appearance, odour and taste) modifications. Therefore, this treatment produces safe dry fermented sausages with similar sensory properties to the non-irradiated product.

Sensory-motor polyradiculoneuropathy as the first manifestation of sternum bone plasmacytoma only revealed by bone scintigraphy

Bone plasmacytoma is a rare plasma cell neoplasm that can present with a polyradiculoneuropathy. A 57-year-old man presented with 2-month history of progressive weakness and numbness of both legs. Neurological examination showed symmetric distal weakness, reduced vibration senses in limbs and areflexia. CSF had high protein content. Electrophysiological evaluation revealed a demyelinating sensory-motor polyneuropathy. IgG-lambda paraprotein was present in serum. Full skeletal survey, spinal MRI and body CT-scan were normal. 99mTc-methylene-dyphosphonate scintigraphy (99mTc-MDP) revealed a solitary accumulation in the sternum. Biopsy of the lesion demonstrated a plasmacytoma. We emphasize that 99mTc-MDP scintigraphy can be a useful screening procedure for patients with polyradiculoneuropathy and occult bone plasmacytoma.

[Sexual intercourse as a trigger of transient global amnesia]

INTRODUCTION

Transient global amnesia (TGA) is characterised by impairment of anterograde memory and, to a certain extent, retrograde memory, which is associated with mild temporal and spatial disorientation that is completely re-established after a few hours. There are different hypotheses about its pathogenesis, including theories about a possible epileptic, migrainous or ischaemic foundation or its being due to venous congestion in the hippocampuses, although the cause remains unknown. In the same way, many precipitating factors have been related to this disorder, including pain, anxiety, changes in temperature, exercise, Valsalva manoeuvres, diagnostic testing, interventionism and long-distance flights. Sexual intercourse has also been related to this condition, although how it can exert an influence is not known and few cases have been reported in the literature to date.

CASE REPORTS

Six patients who suffered from signs and symptoms of TGA that were clearly related to a sexual relationship, in whom both the neurological examination and the complementary tests that were performed were completely normal. We also gather the evidence in favour and against the association between intercourse and this condition.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the pathophysiological mechanisms that link sexual intercourse with TGA are unknown, the relation between them appears increasingly more often in the literature. We draw attention to the need to take sexual activity into account as a possible precipitating factor in patients suffering from this disorder.

[Cerebral vasoreactivity in high-altitude cerebral edema]

INTRODUCTION

High-altitude cerebral edema is a potentially fatal neurologic syndrome that develops in subjects exposed to high-altitude. It may appear associated to other forms of altitude illnesses as acute mountain sickness or high-altitude pulmonary edema. The exact pathophysiology of high-altitude cerebral edema is still unknown and there is not consensus about the primarily type of edema: vasogenic or cytotoxic. We present a patient who suffered high-altitude cerebral edema and the clinical, neuroimaging and ultrasonographic findings at first and during the follow up.

CLINICAL CASE

A 49 year old man, mountain climber, at altitude of 5,400 m presented altered mental status and ataxia with progressive neurologic deterioration, associated to pulmonary edema. After being introduced at hyperbaric chamber, patient was descended to hospital. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed increased T2 signal in the white matter, especially in the splenium of the corpus callosum. Corticosteroids and acetazolamide were administered and patient was transferred to our hospital. Transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD-A) using acetazolamide showed an impaired cerebral vasoreactivity. Clinical improvement of the patient was fast. MRI performed 14 days after clinical onset showed partial resolution of corpus callosum lesion. MRI and TCD-A performed six months after were normal.

CONCLUSIONS

TCD-A in our patient show a diminished cerebral vasoreactivity related to high-altitude cerebral edema. These findings suggest that impairment of cerebral autoregulation might play a role in high-altitude cerebral edema pathogenesis. Reversible clinical and neuroimaging changes indicate a predominant vasogenic edema.

Construction and characterization of BAC libraries from major grapevine cultivars

Genome projects were initiated on grapevine (Vitis vinifera L., 2n=38, genome size 475 Mb) through the successful construction of four bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) libraries from three major cultivars, Cabernet Sauvignon (Cabernet S), Syrah and two different clones of Pinot Noir (Pinot N). Depending on the library, the genome coverage represented 4.5-14.8 genome equivalents with clones having a mean insert size of 93-158 kb. BAC pools suitable for PCR screening were constructed for two of these BAC libraries [Cabernet S and Pinot N clone (cl) 115] and subsequently used to confirm the genome coverage of both libraries by PCR anchoring of 74 genetic markers sampled from the 19 linkage groups. For ten of these markers, two bands on separate BAC pools were differentiated that could correspond either to different alleles or to a duplication of the locus being studied. Finally, a preliminary assessment of the correspondence between genetic and physical distances was made through the anchoring of all the markers mapped along linkage group 1 of the V. vinifera genetic map. A pair of markers, 2.1 cM apart, anchored the same BAC clones, which allowed us to estimate that 1 cM corresponded in this particular region to a maximum length of 130 kb.

Comparative analysis of expressed sequence tags from different organs of Vitis vinifera L

Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) are providing a valuable approach to sampling organism-expressed genomes, especially when studying large genomes such as those of many plants. We report on the comparison of 8,647 ESTs generated from six different grape (Vitis vinifera L.) organs: berry, root, leaf, bud, shoot and inflorescence. Clustering and assembly of these ESTs resulted in 4,203 unique sequences and revealed that at this level of EST sampling, each organ shares a low percentage of transcripts with the others. To define organ relationships based on EST counts, we calculated a distance matrix of pairwise correlation coefficients between the libraries which indicated bud, inflorescence and shoot as a group distinct from the other organs considered in this study. A putative function was identified for about 85% of the unique sequences. By assigning them to specific functional classes, we were able to highlight strong differences between organs in the metabolism, protein biosynthesis and photosynthesis categories. This grape EST collection has also proven to be a valuable source for the development of 'functional' simple sequence repeats (SSRs) markers: a total of 405 SSRs have been identified. EST sequences and annotation results have been organised in the IASMA-grape database, freely available at the address http://genomics.iasma.it.

Cloning and linkage mapping of resistance gene homologues in apple

Apple ( Malus x domestica Borkh.) sequences sharing homology with known resistance genes were cloned using a PCR-based approach with degenerate oligonucleotide primers designed on conserved regions of the nucleotide-binding site (NBS). Sequence analysis of the amplified fragments indicated the presence of at least 27 families of NBS-containing genes in apple, each composed of several very similar or nearly identical sequences. The NBS-leucine-rich repeat homologues appeared to include members of the two major groups that have been described in dicot plants: one possessing a toll-interleukin receptor element and one lacking such a domain. Genetic mapping of the cloned sequences was achieved through the development of CAPS and SSCP markers using a segregating population of a cross between the two apple cultivars Fiesta and Discovery. Several of the apple resistance gene homologues mapped in the vicinity, or at least on the same linkage group, of known loci controlling resistance to various pathogens. The utility of resistance gene-homologue sequences as molecular markers for breeding purposes and for gene cloning is discussed.

Molecular linkage maps of Vitis vinifera L. and Vitis riparia Mchx

Two linkage maps for grape (Vitis spp.) have been developed based on 81 F(1) plants derived from an interspecific cross between the wine cultivar Moscato bianco (Vitis vinifera L.) and a Vitis riparia Mchx. accession, a donor of pathogen resistance traits. The double pseudotest-cross mapping strategy was applied using three types of molecular markers. The efficiency of SSRs to anchor homologous linkage groups from different Vitis maps and the usefulness of AFLPs in saturating molecular linkage maps were evaluated. Moreover, the SSCP technique was developed based on sequence information in public databases concerning genes involved in flavonoid and stilbene biosynthesis. For the maternal genetic map a total of 338 markers were assembled in 20 linkage groups covering 1,639 cM, whereas 429 loci defined the 19 linkage groups of the paternal map which covers 1,518 cM. The identification of 14 linkage groups common to both maps was possible based on 21 SSR and 19 AFLP loci. The position of SSR loci in the maps presented here was consistent with other published mapping experiments in Vitis.

[Nocturnal oxymetry in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: role in predicting survival]

Death is the most important end point along the course of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It is commonly attributed to a respiratory failure in relation with a restrictive respiratory disorder. However, in clinical practice, it is frequent to observe that death has not direct relation with the values of the respiratory function, at least measured with vital capacity. It is also frequent that relatives report sudden death during nocturnal sleep. All these features raised the question of the possible relation between death and nocturnal oxymetry in ALS patients. In a prospective study, we studied 69 ALS patients. We recorded demographic data, clinical parameters as manual muscle testing and functional scales, various parameters of oxymetry measured by pulse oxymetry recorded during night, slow vital capacity and survival time. There is a strong correlation between survival time measured by Kaplan Meier curves and log rank and the mean nocturnal saturation. We determined 93 mmHg as a threshold value. Below this threshold, mean survival time was 7.5+/-1.6 months and above it was equal to 18.5+/-1.5; relative risk was 3.31. These data confirm the importance of nocturnal oxymetry on survival in ALS patients both in clinical practice and in view of therapeutic trials.

Serum-ionized calcium in mexican protein-energy malnourished children

BACKGROUND

Hypocalcemia occurring in children with severe primary protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) has previously been shown to merely reflect a reduction in the protein-bound fraction of serum calcium. On the other hand, ultrafilterable, i.e., nonprotein bound calcium (Ca(U)), remains unaffected. The aim of the present investigation was to test the hypothesis that in infantile PEM, ionized calcium, which represents the major and physiologically most important component of Ca(U), is also kept within a normal concentration, whatever the total serum calcium levels.

METHODS

Three milliliters of peripheral venous blood were obtained on admission and periodically afterward from 18 fasting marasmic infants and 6 children with the edematous form of PEM (kwashiorkor). Ionized calcium was determined in 125 microL aliquots of blood serum with ion-selective electrodes. The measurement of related elements and molecules was carried out with customary laboratory procedures.

RESULTS

On admission, as well as during the ensuing stages of nutritional recovery, ionized serum calcium exhibited a normal concentration, with the exception of two initial samples. Total calcium, total protein, albumin, and inorganic phosphate concentrations were decreased in a variable degree according to the clinical type, ascending to normal levels during recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Ionized calcium serum concentration remains within normal limits in severe infantile PEM.

Acute and subchronic effects of pimozide on isolation-induced aggression in male mice

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of pimozide (0.25-1.25 mg/kg), administered acutely or subchronically for 10 days, on agonistic behavior elicited by isolation in male mice. Individually housed mice were exposed to anosmic "standard opponents" 90 min after pimozide injections, and the encounters were videotaped and evaluated using an ethologically based analysis. 3. After acute treatment pimozide did not affect significantly aggression and immobility. However, mice treated subchronically with pimozide (0.75 and 1.25 mg/kg) showed a significant reduction in offensive behaviors (threat and attack) and an increase of immobility (1.25 mg/kg). The antiaggressive and motor actions of pimozide were more marked after subchronic treatment than after acute treatment. It might reflect an accumulation of the drug over time, an effect also described with other neuroleptics such as amisulpride.

Gene structure and expression analysis of the drought- and abscisic acid-responsive CDeT11-24 gene family from the resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum Hochst

In order to understand the molecular mechanisms which are responsible for desiccation tolerance in the resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum Hochst. a thorough analysis of the CDeT11-24 gene family was performed. CDeT11-24 comprises a small gene family whose genes are expressed in response to dehydration, salt stress and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment in leaves. The gene products are constitutively expressed in roots and disappear only when the plants are transferred to water. It is therefore suggested that the proteins are involved in sensing water status. The predicted proteins are very hydrophilic; they share some features with late-embryogenesis-abundant proteins, and sequence similarities were found with two ABA- and drought-regulated Arabidopsis genes. The analysis of beta-glucuronidase reporter genes driven by the CDeT11-24 promoter showed high activity in mature seeds in both transgenic Arabidopsis and tobacco. In vegetative tissues the promoter activity in response to ABA was restricted to young Arabidosis seedlings. The responsiveness to ABA during later developmental stages was regained in the presence of the Arabidopsis gene product ABI3. Dehydration-induced promoter activity was only observed in Arabidopsis leaves at a particular developmental stage. This analysis indicates that some components in the signal transduction pathway of the resurrection plant are not active in tobacco or Arabidopsis.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis: a long-term follow-up study after open reduction of the femoral head combined with subcapital wedge resection

Sixty-six hips of 65 patients with moderate to severe slipped capital femoral epiphysis were treated by open reduction of the femoral head. In 60 hips this procedure was combined with a cuneiform subcapital wedge resection of the femoral neck according to the technique described by Dunn (14). Avascular necrosis occurred in seven cases, and chondrolysis was evident in eight hips. In the 48 hips with a follow-up time of more than 10 years (M = 20.6), the results were classified as good (normal hip) in 22, moderate in 16, and poor in 10 hips. Compared with the natural disease course, the long-term outcome appears to be improved by open reduction of the femoral head, with 60% of the hips free of degenerative changes and 19% with mild osteoarthrosis. Analysis of individual gliding angles and subcapital correction depending on the direction of the slip should lead to restoration of near-normal anatomic conditions or a normal hip function.

Structural analysis of rDNA in the genus Nicotiana

The nucleotide sequence of the intergenic spacer (IGS) region between the 25S and the 18S rRNA coding regions has been determined for tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). The IGS (5140 bp in length) can be subdivided into several regions (I-VII) two of which, upstream and downstream of the putative transcription initiation site (TIS), contain prominent subrepeats (A and C). The unique sequence in the central part of the IGS (region IV) preceding the TIS is extremely AT-rich. The distance from the putative TIS to the 5' end of the 18S rRNA gene is 3005 bp. The IGS sequences are compared with potato (Solanum tuberosum) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) IGS. Restriction mapping of 13 Nicotiana species shows that considerable rDNA repeat length heterogeneity in this genus is probably due to different numbers of A and C subrepeats.

Charge movement in overstretched amphibian skeletal muscle cut fibers

Membrane current experiments were done in the absence of any permeable ion (except calcium) and the presence of TTX (tetrodotoxin) and TEA+ (tetraethylammonium) in the external solution and caesium in the internal solution at two different sarcomere lengths (3.8 and 4.56 microns) in skeletal muscle fibers of frog (pipiens). Single cut fibers were voltage-clamped in a double Vaseline gap apparatus, and intramembrane charge movement and slow calcium currents were measured. In order to obtain the charge movement, a conventional control was used (the response to a negative pulse) obtained in normally polarized fiber. A descriptive analysis of the results shows us that at 3.8 microns the fibers respond with slow calcium current and charge movement with the characteristics of charge 1 (Q1), but at a sarcomere length of 4.56 microns, just a slow calcium current is obtained. The absence of intramembrane charge movement in overstretched fibers could suggest a modification in the transverse tubular system geometry obscuring the charge movement phenomenon (the linear membrane capacity in stretched fibers was 13.10 micro F/cm2 as average for 5 fibers and in overstretched ones was 13.61 micro F/cm2 as average for 11 fibers). The presence of slow calcium current in this condition (overstretched fiber) means an electrical connection of the tubule with superficial membrane and suggests that the charge movement does not correspond to gating of the "L" type calcium channel.

Osmoregulation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa under hyperosmotic shock

Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 strain was found to be able to tolerate 700 mM NaCl. 0.5 mM of the osmoprotectant betaine restablished the growth of this strain in 1200 mM NaCl. Intracellular K+ and glutamate concentrations of P. aeruginosa PAO1 after an hyperosmotic shock (400 mM NaCl) showed a permanent increase. Adition of betaine (0.5 mM) to the medium with NaCl had an inhibitory effect on the intracellular accumulation of glutamate. The results indicate that P. aeruginosa PAO1 resists high NaCl concentrations, K+ accumulation and glutamate synthesis probably being the first mechanisms involved in adaptation to osmotic stress. Also is is demonstrated that betaine modulates intracellular glutamate levels in osmotically stressed P. aeruginosa PAO1.

[Epiphysiolysis of the femoral head--can surgery prevent later arthritis?]

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is one of the few orthopaedic emergencies. All orthopaedic surgeons agree that operation is the treatment of choice. In early stages, complete healing is possible. Fixation in situ is sufficient. If there is more severe dislocation of the head of the femur, the results become worse. More sophisticated and more difficult interventions aim at correction of the deformity, which may be a preliminary stage ['prearthrosis'] of osteoarthritis later in life. According to the extent of the slip, the surgeon may choose among different operations. The decision in a particular case is not easy. Complications are relatively frequent and sometimes severe. Long-term control show the late results and can thereby give guidelines for the surgeon's choice. Early diagnosis, however, is still decisive for a good prognosis in later life. As the disease is rather rare, the doctor who sees the patient first must be aware of it. Even at an early stage diagnosis can always be made on the basis of history, clinical findings and two X-rays.