Staphylococcus pseudintermedius necrotizing fasciitis in a dog

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius was implicated as the cause of rapidly progressive and fatal necrotizing fasciitis in a dog. The isolate was methicillin-susceptible and did not contain genes encoding the Panton-Valentine leukocidin. While Streptococcus canis is typically considered to be the main cause of necrotizing fasciitis in dogs, staphylococci should also be considered.

Malignant transformation of teratoma to primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET): Outcome analysis with retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and PNET specific chemotherapy

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Background: Malignant transformation of teratoma to PNET is a rare entity. Surgical resection has been the mainstay of therapy because these tumors are not curable with cisplatin based chemotherapy. We report long-term survival and potential cure with retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) and PNET specific chemotherapy. Methods: Retrospective review of 75 patients (pts) with PNET in the testis or at distant metastasis treated from Jan 1988 to Dec 2007. 74 had RPLND as part of initial treatment or at relapse. PNET specific chemotherapy consisted of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine alternating with ifosfamide and etoposide. Available PNET specimens were tested for the Ewing's sarcoma (EWS) translocation using a FISH-based method. Results: The median follow-up was 40 months (range 2 to 235). 27 pts presented with clinical stage I disease. 18 underwent primary RPLND with PNET in the retroperitoneum in 5. 4 are dead of disease (DOD). 9 elected surveillance or adjuvant chemotherapy. 8 relapsed with PNET. 4 are DOD. 48 pts presented with metastatic disease. 20 are DOD, 24 have no evidence of disease (NED) and 4 are alive with disease. 50 of 75 pts had PNET documented metastasis with an estimated 5 years disease specific survival of 47%. 10 of these were treated with PNET specific chemotherapy for unresectable disease. 8 of the 10 achieved objective response with the duration of response ranging from 4 to 73 months. 2 pts are NED. 2 additional pts were treated with PNET specific chemotherapy as adjuvant to RPLND. Both are continuously NED. Specimens from 14 pts were tested for the EWS translocation, 2 were positive. Conclusions: Malignant transformation of teratoma to PNET carries an adverse prognosis. RPLND is an integral part of the therapeutic strategy. PNET specific chemotherapy, adjuvant to RPLND or for treatment of unresectable disease followed by surgery, may result in long-term survival and potential cure.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

A literature review and case reports series on the use of phosphodiesterase inhibitors in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction

Summary

The term ‘female sexual dysfunction’ (FSD) encompasses a number of different disorders, and while their aetiologies are not fully understood, the sub-classifications of this broad umbrella term are increasingly becoming more established and accepted. However, there is less consensus regarding the optimal treatment of these conditions. While it is known that phosphodiesterase (PDE5) is involved in the female sexual response, the clinical and research evidence supporting the unlicensed use of PDE5 inhibitors (PDE5i) in women is inconclusive and at times contradictory. In this article we explore this further by means of a comprehensive literature review on the use of PDE5i in the treatment of FSD and we also present our clinical experience of using these drugs in this context.

Wireless body sensor networks for health-monitoring applications

Current wireless technologies, such as wireless body area networks and wireless personal area networks, provide promising applications in medical monitoring systems to measure specified physiological data and also provide location-based information, if required. With the increasing sophistication of wearable and implantable medical devices and their integration with wireless sensors, an ever-expanding range of therapeutic and diagnostic applications is being pursued by research and commercial organizations. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of recent developments in wireless sensor technology for monitoring behaviour related to human physiological responses. It presents background information on the use of wireless technology and sensors to develop a wireless physiological measurement system. A generic miniature platform and other available technologies for wireless sensors have been studied in terms of hardware and software structural requirements for a low-cost, low-power, non-invasive and unobtrusive system.

Association of paediatric mastocytosis with a polymorphism resulting in an amino acid substitution (M541L) in the transmembrane domain of c-KIT

BACKGROUND

The receptor tyrosine kinase c-KIT plays a key role in normal mast cell development. Point mutations in c-KIT have been associated with sporadic or familial mastocytosis.

OBJECTIVES

Two unrelated pairs of apparently identical twins affected by cutaneous mastocytosis attending the Mastocytosis Clinic at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, provided an opportunity to assess the possible contribution of c-KIT germline mutations or polymorphisms in this disease.

METHODS

Tissue biopsy, blood and/or buccal swab specimens were collected from 10 children with mastocytosis. To detect germline mutations/polymorphisms in c-KIT, we studied all coding exons by denaturing high pressure liquid chromatography. Exons showing mismatches were examined by direct sequencing. The influence of the substitution identified was further examined by expressing the variant form of c-KIT in factor-dependent FDC-P1 cells.

RESULTS

In both pairs of twins, a heterozygous ATG to CTG transition in codon 541 was observed, resulting in the substitution of a methionine residue in the transmembrane domain by leucine (M541L). In each case, one parent was also heterozygous for this allele. Expression of M541L KIT in FDC-P1 cells enabled them to grow in human KIT ligand (stem cell factor, SCF) but did not confer factor independence. Compared with cells expressing wild-type KIT at a similar level, M541L KIT-expressing cells displayed enhanced growth at low levels of SCF, and heightened sensitivity to the KIT inhibitor, imatinib mesylate.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that the single nucleotide polymorphism resulting in the substitution M541L may predispose to paediatric mastocytosis.

Restraint stress induces lymphocyte reduction through p53 and PI3K/NF-kappaB pathways

Restraint stress, either physical or psychological, can modulate immune function. However, the mechanisms associated with stress-induced lymphocyte reduction remains to be elucidated. We have previously shown that chronic stress induces Fas-mediated lymphocyte reduction. Here, we investigated the mechanisms by which restraint stress modulates lymphocyte reduction. Our data have shown that inhibition of p53 by the p53 inhibitor PFT-alpha attenuates stress-induced reduction in lymphocyte numbers. These results were verified using p53 knockout mice, suggesting a pivotal role of p53 in this process. In addition our data have indicated that PI3K/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) signaling pathway plays an important role in the stress-induced lymphocyte reduction. Our study thus demonstrates that restraint stress promotes lymphocyte reduction through p53 and PI3K/NF-kappaB pathways.

Molecular phylogeny and divergence dates for Australasian elapids and sea snakes (hydrophiinae): evidence from seven genes for rapid evolutionary radiations

One of the most prolific radiations of venomous snakes, the Australo-Melanesian Hydrophiinae includes approximately 100 species of Australasian terrestrial elapids plus all approximately 60 species of viviparous sea snakes. Here, we estimate hydrophiine relationships based on a large data set comprising 5800 bp drawn from seven genes (mitochondrial: ND4, cytb, 12S, 16S; nuclear: rag1, cmos, myh). These data were analysed using parsimony, likelihood and Bayesian methods to better resolve hydrophiine phylogeny and provide a timescale for the terrestrial and marine radiations. Among oviparous forms, Cacophis, Furina and Demansia are basal to other Australian elapids (core oxyuranines). The Melanesian Toxicocalamus and Aspidomorphus group with Demansia, indicating multiple dispersal events between New Guinea and Australia. Oxyuranus and Pseudonaja form a robust clade. The small burrowing taxa form two separate clades, one consisting of Vermicella and Neelaps calanotus, and the other including Simoselaps, Brachyurophis and Neelaps bimaculatus. The viviparous terrestrial elapids form three separate groups: Acanthophis, the Rhinoplocephalus group and the Notechis-Hemiaspis group. True sea snakes (Hydrophiini) are robustly united with the Notechis-Hemiaspis group. Many of the retrieved groupings are consistent with previous molecular and morphological analyses, but the polyphyly of the viviparous and burrowing groups, and of Neelaps, are novel results. Bayesian relaxed clock analyses indicate very recent divergences: the approximately 160 species of the core Australian radiation (including sea snakes) arose within the last 10 Myr, with most inter-generic splits dating to between 10 and 6 Ma. The Hydrophis sea snake lineage is an exceptionally rapid radiation, with > 40 species evolving within the last 5 Myr.

Evidence of local evolution of tomato-infecting begomovirus species in West Africa: characterization of tomato leaf curl Mali virus and tomato yellow leaf crumple virus from Mali

Tomato yellow leaf curl (TYLC) and tomato leaf curl (ToLC) diseases are serious constraints to tomato production in Mali and other countries in West Africa. In 2003 and 2004, samples of tomato showing virus-like symptoms were collected during a survey of tomato virus diseases in Mali. Three predominant symptom phenotypes were observed: (1) TYLC/ToLC (stunted upright growth and upcurled leaves with interveinal yellowing and vein purpling), (2) yellow leaf crumple and (3) broccoli or bonsai (severe stunting and distorted growth). Squash blot (SB) hybridization with a general begomovirus probe and/or SB/PCR analyses revealed begomovirus infection in plants with each of these symptom phenotypes and no evidence of phytoplasma infection. Sequence analysis of PCR-amplified begomovirus fragments revealed two putative new begomovirus species associated with the TYLC/ToLC and yellow leaf crumple symptom phenotypes, respectively. Full-length clones of these begomoviruses were obtained using PCR and overlapping primers. When introduced into N. benthamiana and tomato plants, these clones induced upward leaf curling and crumpling (the TYLC/ToLC-associated begomovirus) or downward leaf curl/yellow mottle (yellow leaf crumple-associated begomovirus) symptoms. Thus, these begomoviruses were named tomato leaf curl Mali virus (ToLCMLV) and tomato yellow leaf crumple virus (ToYLCrV). The genome organization of both viruses was similar to those of other monopartite begomoviruses. ToLCMLV and ToYLCrV were most closely related to each other and to tobacco leaf curl Zimbabwe virus (TbLCZV-[ZW]) and tomato curly stunt virus from South Africa (ToCSV-ZA). Thus, these likely represent tomato-infecting begomoviruses that evolved from indigenous begomoviruses on the African continent. Mixed infections of ToLCMLV and ToYLCrV in N. benthamiana and tomato plants resulted in more severe symptoms than in plants infected with either virus alone, suggesting a synergistic interaction. Agroinoculation experiments indicated that both viruses induced symptomatic infections in tomato and tobacco, whereas neither virus induced disease symptoms in pepper, common bean, small sugar pumpkin, African eggplant, or Arabidopsis. Virus-specific PCR primers were developed for detection of ToLCMLV and ToYLCrV and will be used to further investigate the distribution and host range of these viruses.

Heat-shock proteins and their role in chondrocyte protection, an application for autologous transplantation

Articular cartilage injury presents a unique therapeutic challenge. As cartilage possesses no blood or nerve supply of its own it has a particular susceptibility to early injury and a poor capacity for self-repair. Treatment options are limited and injury can eventually lead to osteoarthritis. Autologous chondrocyte transplantation is an exciting therapeutic development, but despite initial encouraging results, graft failure and formation of fibro- as opposed to hyaline cartilage remain problematic. Bleeding is an inevitable consequence of surgery, and blood-induced cartilage damage is well documented. It is hypothesised here that protecting chondrocytes against blood could significantly improve results. Heat-shock protein induction may confer chondroprotection. The expression of heat-shock proteins in human chondrocytes and rat femoral head cartilage following heat shock was analysed by Western blotting, and red-blood-cell-induced chondrocyte death was assessed by cell viability and apoptosis by flow cytometry. We demonstrate that heat-shock induced expression of heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) (rat and human) and HSP32 (human). Blood and blood products reduced rat cartilage proteoglycan synthesis and human chondrocyte viability, and induced human chondrocyte apoptosis at concentrations considerably lower than those reported previously. The induction of HSP70 in rat cartilage was ineffective in reducing chondrocyte death in the absence or presence of red blood cells or red cell products. Heat shock to human chondrocytes reduced low levels of apoptosis (<20%) and cell death induced by low levels of blood products, but not higher levels. Induction of HSP32 with diacetylrhein appeared to be more effective and may hold greater promise. Blood has potent adverse effects on chondrocytes and the induction and chondroprotective effects of heat-shock proteins could be applied to increase the initial success of implanted chondrocytes improving the outcome of autologous chondrocyte transplantation.

A case of disseminated histoplasmosis successfully treated with the investigational drug posaconazole

A 79-year-old man with a 3-month history of weight loss and fever was diagnosed with disseminated histoplasmosis. When the infection became refractory to itraconazole therapy, posaconazole was prescribed. The patient became asymptomatic within 1 month of beginning treatment, and his general health improved. Posaconazole was discontinued after 6 months, and the patient has remained well since.

Defining the mechanisms by which leptin stimulates proliferation of ovarian cancer cells

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Background: Ovarian cancer (OvCa) ranks fourth as the cause of death related to cancer in women in the U.S. The vast majority (>90%) of OvCa originates from the ovarian surface epithelium. There is sufficient evidence to suggest that hormones, especially estrogen, may be involved in the etiopathogenesis of epithelial OvCa. Recent studies indicate that leptin participates either directly or indirectly to promote carcinogenesis in both breast and endometrial cancers. Furthermore it has been proposed that leptin may elicit its action via an estrogen related pathway. Leptin can stimulate proliferation of some OvCa cell lines and has been implicated as a potential biomarker for OvCa. However the mechanism(s) by which leptin contributes to the growth of OvCa has yet to be defined. We hypothesize that leptin’s effect will be mediated in part by estrogen receptor (ER) pathways. Methods: Three epithelial OvCa cell lines (IGROV1, OVCAR5 and TOV21G) and one benign human ovarian surface epithelial cell line (HOSE) were evaluated. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting were used to assess leptin and leptin receptor (ObR), respectively. Leptin (0.06 nM–6.25 nM) induced effects on cell proliferation were assessed in the presence or absence of an aromatase enzyme inhibitor (Anastrozole) or the ER antagonist (ICI182780). Further, we explored leptin-induced effects on ERα promoter activity as evidenced by change in fluorescence via a dual luciferase promoter reporter. All experiments were conducted in triplicate. All data were subjected to ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test (p < 0.05). Results: All ovarian cell lines expressed ObR; whereas, no measurable amounts of leptin were detected in conditioned media. Leptin stimulated cell proliferation in both the benign and malignant lines. Leptin-induced cell proliferation was inhibited by Anastrozole and ICI182780. Furthermore, leptin stimulated luciferase activity of the ERα promoter/reporter. Conclusions: Leptin promotes proliferation of benign and malignant ovarian epithelial cells and appears to be mediated, at least in part, via aromatase and ER which may have therapeutic implications. This work was supported by the Vincent Memorial Hospital, SG Komen Foundation and the Advanced Medical Research Foundation.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Evaluation of serial serum IL-6 levels in women with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer on a prospective clinical trial

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Background: Elevated levels of IL-6 in serum have been reported in patients (pts) with mullerian malignancies (MM) and have been associated with a poor prognosis. Little is know about the behavior of IL-6 during effective cytotoxic therapy and its correlation to various clinical parameters. Methods: Pts with surgically debulked FIGO Stage II, III, and IV MM were enrolled in the Modified Triple Doublets trial. 83 pts were assigned to a cohort in accordance with the extent of surgical debulking. Cohort I included women who had been optimally cytoreduced to <1cm of residual tumor. Cohort II consisted of pts who had either post-debulking residual disease >1cm or stage IV disease. Both cohorts were treated with 3 sequential chemotherapy doublets, gemcitabine/carboplatin, paclitaxel/carboplatin, and adriamycin/topotecan. Each doublet was delivered for 3 cycles. Serum was collected from pts prior to initiating each doublet at cycles 1, 4, 7 and at the end of study (post cycle 9). Serum IL-6 levels were measured in triplicate by sandwich ELISA. Results: Pts with MM had elevated levels of IL-6 following debulking surgery (mean = 12.7 pg/ml) as compared to normal controls (n = 11, mean IL-6 = 1.5 pg/ml, p =.01). While there was no significant correlation between IL-6 levels and stage of disease, the IL-6 serum concentrations did correlate with extent of surgical debulking (p = 0.0182). IL-6 concentrations dropped throughout all cycles of platinum based treatment with post platinum treatment mean concentration of 3.9pg/ml. IL-6 levels did not correlate with outcome of second look operation and there was no statistically significant correlation between IL-6 and CA-125 levels (p = 0.1612). Survival data is still immature with a median follow-up of 34 months, yet elevation of IL-6 levels following surgery demonstrates a trend towards inferior survival. Conclusions: IL-6 levels are elevated in ovarian cancer pts following surgical debulking and correlate with the volume of residual disease following surgical cytoreduction. Values decrease during cytoreductive platinum based chemotherapy although IL-6 was not as predictive of response as was CA-125. Data demonstrates a weak correlation betweenworse survival and elevated IL-6 levels. Supported by the Lana Vento Foundation.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Primary systemic vasculitis: treatment of difficult cases

The primary systemic necrotizing vasculitides are a severe group of diseases, which untreated have a high mortality. The majority respond to treatment with high dose steroids and cyclophosphamide, however a significant proportion of those treated suffer morbidity due to the side effects of these agents, and a number of patients are refractory to treatment. We review and discuss alternative and emerging treatment options for patients who fail or cannot tolerate conventional therapy. An interesting subgroup of patients with systemic vasculitis and antiphospholipid antibodies provides an additional diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. We review what is known about this subgroup, and suggest screening for antiphospholipid antibodies in all patients with systemic vasculitis.

Performance and Reliability of the CPB/ECMO Initiative Forward Lines Casualty Management System

The Cleveland Clinic Foundation CPB/ECMO Initiative Forward Casualty Management System is an economical, compact, transportable, disposable system designed to permit a rapid expansion of trauma management services requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) pulmonary support. The system, composed of a rotary blood pump, a pump motor driver, and an electronic control console as the blood pumping subsystem, also includes commonly used compatible commercial oxygenators, venous reservoirs, and cannulae. In vitro durability testing accumulated over 100 hours without failure. In vivo reliability was tested in 10 calves under general anesthesia during 6 hours of CPB and ECMO under full heparinization at nominal operating conditions of 4-5 l/min and 2-4 l/min blood flow respectively, and mean arterial pressures between 65 and 100 mm Hg. A mean time to failure of 57 hours was reached during the animal series. Results of these test series demonstrated that this system has the capability to reliably operate during a 6-hour conventional CPB or ECMO procedure, while providing flexibility and ease of use for the operator.

A novel Shigella dysenteriae serovar isolated in Canada

The etiological agent most commonly associated with bacillary dysentery is Shigella. As part of its mandate, the Bacteriology and Enteric Disease Program of Health Canada identifies and serotypes unusual isolates of Shigella received from provincial laboratories of public health. In this report, six unusual isolates from three provinces were analyzed biochemically and serologically using slide and tube agglutinations and molecularly using standard pulsed-filed gel electrophoresis (PFGE), PCR, and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) techniques. All six isolates were identical. PFGE analysis grouped these strains; biochemically, they were mannitol negative and consistent with the profile of Shigella. Serologically, these strains produced weak reactions in Shigella dysenteriae serovars 4 and 16 and Escherichia coli O159 and O173 antisera. Molecular serotyping by PCR-RFLP of the rfb gene produced an S. dysenteriae serovar 2/E. coli O112ac pattern. They were positive by PCR for ipaH and ial enteroinvasive genes but negative for all other genes tested. Antiserum was prepared from one of the isolates and tested against Shigella and E. coli reference strains as well as the other isolates. The antiserum reacted with the five remaining isolates and showed cross-reactivity with S. dysenteriae serovars 1, 4, and 16; Shigella flexneri type 3; and E. coli O118, O159, O168, O172, and O173 antigens. Absorbing the sera with E. coli O159 and S. dysenteriae serovar 4 antigen removed all cross-reactions and only slightly reduced the homologous titer. Based on biochemical, molecular, and complete serological analysis, we propose that these six isolates represent a new provisional serovar of S. dysenteriae, type strain BEDP 02-5104.

A perfusionist's role in lung transplant preservation

The major obstacles of organ transplantation are the shortage of available organs from donors and the limited time an organ remains viable. The scarcity of organs has increased the importance of effective preservation technology. The optimal lung preservation techniques are controversial and in a state of evolution. Recent areas of research include the ideal perfusate solution, the benefit of different pharmacological additives and the best techniques for organ preservation. Our technique for lung preservation has yielded highly successful results. The perfusionist delivers 4-5 L of modified Euro-Collins solution and 500 microg of prostaglandin E1 through a circuit. The designed circuit allows the perfusate to be delivered cold and at a pressure less than 40 mmHg via the use of a manually operated centrifugal pump.

RESULTS

In 2002, the operative mortality for all lung transplants was 2.7%. One-year and two-year survival for recipients was 79% and 68% respectively; the national average for one-year survival was around 77% with a 9% mortality. As organ transplant surgery continues to grow, effective organ preservation techniques and technology will expand as well.

A case of clozapine-induced tonic-clonic seizures managed with valproate: implications for clinical care

We describe a case of clozapine-induced seizures in a patient with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. She had previously been treated unsuccessfully with a number of atypical antipsychotic medications, before she was eventually started on clozapine. She experienced two separate episodes of observed fits whilst on an initial daily dose of 125 mg and, subsequently, on a daily dose of 237.5 mg. Following discontinuation of clozapine, she was rechallenged and again was observed to have seizures. Appropriate investigations ruled out any organic cause of the fits and clozapine was successfully restarted, together with sodium valproate. By the time of treatment stabilization, the patient had not experienced any further fits. These findings suggest that clozapine-induced seizures can be successfully treated, that gradual dose titration can reduce the likelihood of further episodes of seizures and that concomitant use of a suitable mood stabilizer/anti-epileptic medication can improve the outcome of treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Furthermore, the concomitant use of fluoxetine and clozapine is discouraged, with citalopram suggested as a suitable antidepressant in those depressed patients receiving clozapine.

Cultivating rural healthcare professionals: the Norfolk General Hospital Health Science Perspectives Program

Studies around the world have shown that where healthcare professionals establish their practices is influenced by where they grow up and receive their training. In our Simcoe, Ontario-based Norfolk General Hospital (NGH), about 40% of our physicians and 80% of other medical health professionals study nearby and return here to their rural roots.

Antiretroviral therapy-induced psychosis: case report and brief review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

We present a case of psychosis in an individual with known HIV infection whose symptoms developed approximately 1 month following the commencement of combination antiretroviral therapy consisting of abacavir (ABC), nevirapine and combivir. She presented with severe persecutory delusions, accompanied by mutism, posturing and catatonia. Following cessation of therapy and the introduction of a low-dose antipsychotic, her mental state resolved to a stable premorbid level, and no further disturbances of behaviour were noted. Furthermore, when re-challenged with the above combination minus ABC, there were no further episodes of psychosis. It is proposed that the aetiology of the psychosis was related to her antiretroviral therapy.

METHODS

Cessation of antiretroviral medication and initiation of antipsychotic medication with appropriate monitoring and assessment.

RESULTS

Subjective and objective improvements in psychotic symptoms and presentation.

CONCLUSION

The current case suggests that sudden onset psychotic disturbances in HIV-infected individuals in the absence of other known organic or other causal factors could be related to treatment with antiretroviral therapy, and that cessation of this can markedly improve psychiatric morbidity. Furthermore, treatment with antipsychotic medication can lead to alleviation of psychotic symptoms and enable the re-introduction of antiretroviral medication.

Neither lymphotoxin alpha nor lymphotoxin beta receptor expression is required for biogenesis of lymphoid aggregates or differentiation of natural killer cells in the pregnant mouse uterus

Gene ablation studies in mice indicate that lymphotoxin (LT)alpha, LTbeta and LTbetaR are essential for the genesis of lymph nodes (LN), normal structural development of peripheral lymphoid tissues and the differentiation of natural killer (NK) cells. LTbetaR binds to the heterotrimeric cytokines LTalpha1beta2 and LIGHT. LTs also regulate stromal cell expression of lymphocyte homing chemokines. Uterine decidualization in normal (+/+) mice is accompanied by the appearance and maturation of large numbers of uterine NK (uNK) cells that differentiate from precursors mobilized to the uterus from secondary lymphoid tissues. uNK cells accumulate in a transient, lymphocyte-rich region known as the metrial gland or, more recently, the mesometrial lymphoid aggregrate of pregnancy (MLAp). To determine if LTs contribute to development of the MLAp, and to the differentiation and/or localization of uNK cells, a histological study was undertaken of implantation sites from LTalpha null, LTbetaR null and gestation day-matched, normal mice. Implantation sites from the gene-ablated mice contained abundant numbers of uNK cells that localized appropriately. This indicates that the stromally derived molecules supporting NK cell differentiation in the uterus differ from those used in secondary lymphoid organs.

Review article: faecal markers in the assessment of activity in inflammatory bowel disease

The fundamental pathological process behind ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease is intestinal inflammation. As the precise cause of this is not yet completely understood, current treatment strategies are aimed at reducing or eliminating the inflammation. Endoscopic examination and histological analysis of biopsy specimens remain the 'gold standard' methods for detecting and quantifying bowel inflammation; however, these techniques are costly, invasive, and repeated examinations are unpopular with patients. Disease activity questionnaires and laboratory 'inflammatory markers', although widely used, show an unreliable correlation with endoscopy and histology. New markers need to be developed to detect and quantify bowel inflammation. These would be of use diagnostically and also an aid to pharmacological treatment.

Molecular discrimination of garfish Hyporhamphus (Beloniformes) larvae in southern Australian waters

A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay developed for discrimination between garfish larvae (family Hemiramphidae, order Beloniformes) found in southern Australian waters was based on species-specific amplification of part of the mitochondrial control region. The species were easily discerned by the number and distinct sizes of PCR products (Hyporhamphus melanochir, 443 bp; H. regularis, 462 and 264 bp). Although based on a single gene, the method will correctly identify the species of individuals in at least 96% of tests for H. melanochir and 94% of tests for H. regularis.

Control of specific gene expression by gibberellin and brassinosteroid

We identified a recessive, brassinolide-insensitive mutant caused by a deletion allele (bri1-201) of the brassinosteroid (BR) receptor BRI1. The bri1-201 mutant displayed altered expression levels of genes differentially regulated by gibberellin (GA). RNA-blot analysis revealed that BR and GA antagonistically regulate the accumulation of mRNAs of the GA-responsive GASA1 gene, as well as the GA-repressible GA5 gene. Expression studies with cycloheximide indicated that the antagonistic effects of GA and BR on GA5 require de novo protein synthesis. Reporter transgene analyses and RNA-blot analysis showed that BR and GA modulate GA5 expression, at least in part, at the transcriptional level, and that the signals are independent and subtractive.

Analysis of candidate antagonists of IAP-mediated caspase inhibition using yeast reconstituted with the mammalian Apaf-1-activated apoptosis mechanism

We have reconstituted the Apaf-1-activated apoptosis mechanism in Sacchromyces cerevisiae such that the presence of a constitutively active form of Apaf-1 together with both Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 results in yeast death. This system is a good model of the Apaf-1-activated pathway in mammalian cells: MIHA (XIAP/hILP), and to a lesser degree MIHB (c-IAP1/HIAP2) and MIHC (c-IAP-2/HIAP1) can inhibit caspases in this system, and protection by IAPs (inhibitor of apoptosis) can be abrogated by coexpression of the Drosophila pro-apoptotic proteins HID and GRIM or the mammalian protein DIABLO/Smac. Using this system we demonstrate that unlike DIABLO/Smac, other proteins which interact with mammalian IAPs (TAB-1, Zap-1, Traf-1 and Traf-2) do not act to antagonise IAP- mediated caspase inhibition.