Assessing cubicle dimensions for finishing bulls based on animal behaviour and cleanliness

Finishing bulls need increasingly large cubicles throughout their growth, and optimal cubicle dimensions may differ from those used for dairy cows. The space requirements of finishing bulls was investigated by observing standing-up and lying-down behaviour, lying duration and number of lying bouts, as well as the cleanliness of cubicles and animals before and after increasing cubicle size at four different points in time. Lying area in the cubicles measured 120 × 70 cm at the start and 185 × 110 cm at the end of the finishing period (approx. at 160 and 550 kg, respectively). Twenty animals kept in four groups were observed at weights of approximately 220, 330, 380 and 500 kg before and after cubicle dimensions were increased. The proportion of standing-up events with more than one head lunge decreased with enlargement of the cubicles (P = 0·01). As cubicle size increased, bulls hit the partition rails less on standing up, except at 220 kg weight where the pattern was inverted (interaction: P = 0·001). Partitions were also hit less on lying down as cubicle size increased, except at 220 kg weight with an inverse pattern (interaction: P = 0·01). The number of exploratory head sweeps before lying down did not change with cubicle enlargement (P > 0·5). Bulls slipped more often with cubicle enlargement, except at 380 kg where the difference was inverted (interaction: P = 0·03). They never fell and never turned around in the cubicles. In general, both animals and cubicles were very clean. On average, lying duration decreased (P < 0·01) while the number of lying bouts tended to increase (P = 0·052) with enlargement of the cubicles but the absolute differences were small. Consequently at each point in time, the smaller cubicles still seemed to provide sufficient lying space for the bulls. If the impacts with the partitions were minor and did not represent a serious welfare concern, as suggested by qualitative observations, the cubicle dimensions used could be considered suitable for housing the type of finishing bulls used in this study.

Altered expression of SOCS3 in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus during seasonal body mass changes in the field vole, Microtus agrestis

We have previously shown that cold-acclimated (8 degrees C) male field voles (Microtus agrestis) transferred from short day (SD, 8 h light) to long day (LD, 16 h light) photoperiod exhibit an increase in body mass lasting 4 weeks, after which they stabilise at a new plateau approximately 7.5 g (24.8%) higher than animals maintained in SD. By infusing voles with exogenous leptin, we have also demonstrated that SD voles respond to the hormone by reducing body mass and food intake, whereas LD animals increasing body mass are resistant to leptin treatment. In the present study, we investigated whether seasonal changes in body mass could be linked to modulation of the leptin signal by suppressor of cytokine signalling-3 (SOCS3). We used in situ hybridisation to examine hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) expression of SOCS3, neuropeptide Y (NPY), agouti-related peptide (AgRP), pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) genes in 90 voles exposed to either SD or LD for up to 11 weeks. LD voles increasing body mass had significantly higher levels of SOCS3 mRNA than SD or LD voles with a stable body mass. There were no associated changes in expression of NPY, AgRP, POMC and CART genes. These results suggest that voles that regulate body mass at either the lower (SD) or upper (LD) plateau remain sensitive to leptin action, whereas SOCS3-mediated leptin resistance is a short-term mechanism that enables animals to move between the stable body mass plateaus. Our data provide evidence that expression of SOCS3 in the ARC is involved in the modulation of the strength of the leptin signal to facilitate seasonal cycles in body mass and adiposity.

Ribosome biogenesis and cell growth: mTOR coordinates transcription by all three classes of nuclear RNA polymerases

The target of rapamycin (TOR) signal-transduction pathway is an important mechanism by which eucaryotic cells adjust their protein biosynthetic capacity to nutrient availability. Both in yeast and in mammals, the TOR pathway regulates the synthesis of ribosomal components, including transcription and processing of pre-rRNA, expression of ribosomal proteins and the synthesis of 5S rRNA. Expression of the genes encoding the numerous constituents of ribosomes requires transcription by all three classes of nuclear RNA polymerases. In this review, we summarize recent advances in understanding the interplay among nutrient availability, transcriptional control and ribosome biogenesis. We focus on transcription in response to nutrients, detailing the relevant downstream targets of TOR in yeast and mammals. The critical role of TOR in linking environmental queues to ribosome biogenesis provides an efficient means by which cells alter their overall protein biosynthetic capacity.

Universal childhood immunisation with pneumococcal vaccine and meningococcal serogroup C vaccine introduced in Germany

In July 2006, vaccination against meningococcal C and pneumococcal disease was added to the routine childhood immunisation programme in Germany

Leg lesions and cleanliness of finishing bulls kept in housing systems with different lying area surfaces

The influence of the quality of different lying surfaces on lesions and swellings at the joints as well as on the cleanliness of finishing bulls throughout the fattening period was studied. On 17 farms (623 bulls), pens with fully slatted concrete floors (CONCRETE), with rubber coated slats (RUBBER), with cubicles (CUBICLES, provided with five different types of soft lying mat) and with a littered lying area (STRAW) were compared. Bulls kept on STRAW developed the smallest lesion scores at the joints. In CUBICLES, there was a huge variability in the lesion scores depending on the type of lying mat, ranging from values comparable to STRAW up to and greater than the values for CONCRETE. The highest lesion scores at the carpal joints were found on CONCRETE, with intermediate values on RUBBER and in CUBICLES. At the tarsal joints, lesion scores were similar on CONCRETE and RUBBER and in the same range or worse on most mats in the CUBICLES. Swelling scores were highest on CONCRETE and intermediate on RUBBER and in CUBICLES compared to STRAW. In general, there was a steady increase in the lesion scores of the leg joints throughout the fattening period on CONCRETE, RUBBER and STRAW, whereas on some of the mats in CUBICLES these scores were at a high level from early on in the fattening period. Animals in all the housing systems were clean over the whole fattening period. Littering the lying area in CUBICLES affected neither the lesion scores nor the swelling scores at the joints nor animal cleanliness. In conclusion, both rubber coated slats and cubicles provided with soft lying mats were favourable with regard to the levels of lesions and swellings of the leg joints of finishing bulls compared to concrete slats. However, these levels were even lower in pens with a straw bedded lying area.

Sequence characterization and expression patterns of defensin and lysozyme encoding genes from the gut of the reduviid bug Triatoma brasiliensis

The cDNAs encoding an intestinal defensin (def1) and lysozyme (lys1) of the reduviid bug Triatoma brasiliensis have been amplified by PCR using specific oligonucleotide primers and 5'- and 3'-RACE, cloned and sequenced. The 576 bp clone has an open reading frame of 282 bp and encodes a pre-prodefensin with 94 amino acid residues, containing a putative signal and activation peptide cleavage site at Ser19 and Arg51, respectively. The genomic DNA contains a second defensin gene with similar characteristics, 88.3% identity and also one intron of 107 nucleotides. The 538 bp clone has an open reading frame of 417 bp, encoding a pre-lysozyme with 139 amino acid residues. The putative signal peptide is cleaved at alanine 18. Using whole mount in situ hybridization, high expression of both genes has been found, distributed uniformly throughout the entire cardia and the blood-storing stomach and to a much lower extent in the digesting small intestine. Using quantitative real-time PCR, the expression level of def1 was also shown to be very low in small intestine, rectum and salivary glands; in the stomach, expression was 500-2500 times higher than in the cardia and fat body. No expression of lys1 could be detected in the salivary glands and rarely a very low expression in the small intestine, rectum and fat body. Lys1 expression in the stomach was 60-300 times higher than in the cardia. Comparing the levels in unfed fifth instars and up to 15 days after feeding, a strong def1 induction was evident in the fat body at 15 days after feeding and in the stomach a maximum level of def1 and lys1 at 5 days after feeding.

Nanocapsules as drug delivery systems

Dispersed polymer nanocapsules can serve as nano-sized drug carriers to achieve controlled release as well as efficient drug targeting. The dispersion stability and the primary physiological response are mainly determined by the type of the surfactant and the nature of the outer coating. Their release and degradation properties largely depend on the composition and the structure of the capsule walls. Another important criterion is the capsule size, where an optimum is generally seen for radii ranging between 100 and 500 nm. Nanocapsules can be prepared by four principally different approaches: interfacial polymerization, interfacial precipitation, interfacial deposition, and self assembly procedures. All these procedures offer their individual advantages and disadvantages when it comes to the design of optimized drug carrier systems. The most important capsule parameters such as capsule radius distribution, the capsule surface, the thickness and the permeability of the capsule membrane and its thermal or chemical decomposition, are discussed and examples are shown. In combination with efficient preparation procedures, nanocapsule dispersions allow for new and promising approaches in many kinds of pharmaceutical therapies.

Renale Anämie — eine wichtige Folgeerkrankung der Niereninsuffizienz

Anemia is as a frequent complication in patients with chronic kidney disease, which gains in importance in the treatment of patients with renal disease. The main cause of renal anemia is the inadequately low production of endogenous erythropoietin. Often the patients develop an additional absolute or functional iron deficiency, which complicates the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Substitution of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) is the most effective therapy. The goal is a stable haemoglobin level >11 g/dl. An often additional existing iron deficiency should be balanced adequately according to the guidelines. With consequent and early treatment morbidity, mortality, and quality of life can be effectively improved.

NMR-Characterization of Magnetic Fluids

31P-NMR spectra have been measured on aqueous solutions and gels of phosphorylated polyvinyl alcohol in absence and in presence of dispersed magnetic nanoparticles. In this system, the rotational diffusion is still rapid enough for a sufficient averaging of the CSA tensor of the 31P nucleus. At the same time, the lateral diffusion of the 31P nuclei is significantly reduced. Under these circumstances, it is possible to detect the spatial distribution of the local field by 31P-NMR. The obtained line shape exhibits the characteristic shark fin pattern which has been predicted on a theoretical basis. This basically supports the proposed dependence of the NMR line shape on the velocity of lateral diffusion which allows for detailed analysis of lateral motion.

Tailoring the flow of soft glasses by soft additives

We examine the vitrification and melting of asymmetric star polymer mixtures by combining rheological measurements with mode coupling theory. We identify two types of glassy states, a single glass, in which the small component is fluid in the glassy matrix of the big one, and a double glass, in which both components are vitrified. Addition of small-star polymers leads to melting of both glasses, and the melting curve has a nonmonotonic dependence on the star-star size ratio. The phenomenon opens new ways for externally steering the rheological behavior of soft matter systems.

Phase diagram of the system sodium alginate/water: A model for biofilms

Sodium alginate is a polyelectrolyte consisting of the monomer units beta-D-mannuronate and alpha-L-guluronate. Mainly based on the theory of Khokhlow et al., the state diagram of the binary system alginate/water has been calculated using different sets of parameters like degree of ionization, degree of polymerization and interaction function. The calculations comprise miscibility gaps, liquidus curves, eutectic points and the behaviour at temperatures below the melting point of water. Also gel and swelling curves have been treated, where gels are physically crosslinked. The DSC diagram of a 0.5 by wt.% polymer sol shows a double melting peak, which is explained by a heterogeneity above 0 degrees C. The crystallization of water seems to concentrate the gelled system irreversibly.

Effect of photoperiod on body mass, food intake and body composition in the field vole, Microtus agrestis

Many small mammals respond to seasonal changes in photoperiod by altering body mass and adiposity. These animals may provide valuable models for understanding the regulation of energy balance. Here, we present data on the field vole (Microtus agrestis) - a previously uncharacterised example of photoperiod-induced changes in body mass. We examined the effect of increased day length on body mass, food intake, apparent digestive efficiency, body composition, de novo lipogenesis and fatty acid composition of adipose tissue in cold-acclimated (8 degrees C) male field voles by transferring them from a short (SD, 8 h:16 h L:D) to long day photoperiod (LD, 16 h:8 h L:D). During the first 4 weeks of exposure to LD, voles underwent a substantial increase in body mass, after which the average difference between body masses of LD and SD voles stabilized at 7.5 g. This 24.8% increase in body mass reflected significant increases in absolute amounts of all body components, including dry fat mass, dry lean mass and body water mass. After correcting body composition and organ morphology data for the differences in body mass, only gonads (testes and seminal vesicles) were enlarged due to photoperiod treatment. To meet energetic demands of deposition and maintenance of extra tissue, voles adjusted their food intake to an increasing body mass and improved their apparent digestive efficiency. Consequently, although mass-corrected food intake did not differ between the photoperiod groups, the LD voles undergoing body mass increase assimilated on average 8.4 kJ day(-1) more than animals maintained in SD. The majority (73-77%) of the fat accumulated as adipose tissue had dietary origin. The rate of de novo lipogenesis and fatty acid composition of adipose tissue were not affected by photoperiod. The most important characteristics of the photoperiodic regulation of energy balance in the field vole are the clear delineation between phases where animals regulate body mass at two different levels and the rate at which animals are able to switch between different levels of energy homeostasis. Our data indicate that the field vole may provide an attractive novel animal model for investigation of the regulation of body mass and energy homeostasis at both organism and molecular levels.

Oxidative stress in colon tissue induced by vitamin E depletion

Inflammatory disorders of the bowel and colon cancer are associated with elevated indices of oxidative stress. Analogous elevations in markers of oxidative stress and loss of cell-membrane integrity are also observed in the colons of rats deficient in vitamin E (D-α-tocopherol), the major lipid-soluble antioxidant in biological systems. The causal relationship between colon pathologies associated with oxidative stress and dietary deficiency in antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin E is still uncertain. Investigation of potential mechanisms by which lack of dietary vitamin E may lead to clinically relevant pathological changes in colon tissue was conducted using gene expression profiling strategies on vitamin E-sufficient and -deficient rats. Morphological changes and increased indices of lipid peroxidation were linked to vitamin E deficiency. These changes in colon tissue are potentially important in disease pathogenesis of the colon linked with oxidative stress or other direct consequences of inadequate levels of vitamin E.

Effect of 5-HT1A receptor activation on hypothalamic glucose

The somatodendritic 5-HT1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT reduces serotonergic activity and stimulates feeding in freely feeding rats. Interactions between circulating glucose and 5-HT1A receptor expression related to feeding have been described. The aim of the present microdialysis study was to (1) describe the relation between feeding and glucose in the LH, (2) to investigate if peripherally administered 8-OH-DPAT itself has an effect on extracellular glucose in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) of conscious rats. Baseline glucose concentrations were significantly different in microdialysis samples obtained from food deprived rats compared to freely feeding rats. After re-feeding, a significant rise in glucose levels by 45% was observed in the formerly food deprived rats. In freely feeding rats, 8-OH-DPAT (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced glucose level in the LH significantly. The effect of 8-OH-DPAT on brain glucose was antagonized by pre-treatment with the 5-HT1A antagonist WAY 100635 (3 mg/kg i.p.) which had no effect on its own. The data indicate, therefore, that the effect of 8-OH-DPAT on hypothalamic glucose is mediated by 5-HT1A receptors. In contrast, the same dose of 8-OH-DPAT proven effective in the brain had no effect on peripheral glucose. Only a very high dose of the 5-HT1A agonist (1.8 mg/kg i.p.) had a hyperglycaemic effect in the periphery. In conclusion, the present results show for the first time, that glucose in the lateral hypothalamus increases with a meal. The data demonstrate furthermore 8-OH-DPAT-induced changes of hypothalamic glucose level, implicating 5-HT1A receptors being involved not only in the control of hypothalamic 5-HT as shown before, but also in the control of hypothalamic glucose.

Interaction between alginates and manganese cations: identification of preferred cation binding sites

Algal and bacterial alginates have been studied by means of 13C NMR spectroscopy in presence of paramagnetic manganese ions in order to reveal the nature of their interaction with bivalent cations. It is found that the mannuronate blocks bind manganese cations externally near their carboxylate groups, while guluronate blocks show the capability to integrate Mn2+ into pocket-like structures formed by adjacent guluronate residues. In alternating mannuronate-guluronate blocks, manganese ions preferentially locate in a concave structure formed by guluronate-mannuronate pairs. Partial acetylation of the alginate generally reduces its capability to interact with bivalent cations, however, the selectivity of the binding geometry is conserved. The results may serve as a hint for the better understanding of the alginate gelation in presence of calcium ions.

Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor activates DNA-dependent protein kinase and reduces formation of radiation-induced dicentric chromosomes

PURPOSE

To test a stimulatory effect of the radioprotector Bowman Birk protease inhibitor (BBI) upon DNA repair processes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An effect of BBI upon DNA repair was investigated by quantification of radiation-induced dicentric chromosomes. Sensitivity to ionizing radiation was determined by clonogenic survival assay. Quantification of activity of the DNA-dependent kinase was performed by immunoprecipitation and phosphorylation of a TP53-derived peptide.

RESULTS

The formation of radiation-induced dicentric chromosomes was reduced significantly after pretreatment of cells with BBI. By using a cell line with an inducible expression of a mutated TP53, it was shown that the BBI-mediated reduction of dicentric chromosome formation depended on the presence of wild-type TP53. To get further insights into the molecular mode of action of BBI, activity of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) was quantified. BBI treatment resulted in a stimulation of basal (DNA-PK) activity. In SCID mouse fibroblasts deficient in DNA-PK activity, BBI failed to reduce the amount of radiation-induced dicentric chromosomes and the radioprotective effect was absent. Likewise, cells expressing mt.TP53 did not show radioprotection by BBI.

CONCLUSIONS

It was observed that BBI exerts its radioprotective effect by a reduction of incorrect DNA repair, resulting in a reduced amount of dicentric chromosomes. This effect on the fidelity of DNA repair is TP53 dependent and correlated with induction of DNA-PK activity.

Radioprotection of normal tissue to improve radiotherapy: the effect of the Bowman Birk protease inhibitor

Specific radioprotection of normal tissue represents a promising approach to improve radiotherapy. The ultimate feature of a normal tissue selective radioprotector is that tumor tissue is excluded from protection. Radioprotectors of the current generation, such as Ethyol, are not explicit normal tissue specific. In contrast, the Bowman Birk protease inhibitor, which is known to prevent in vitro and in vivo radiation-induced carcinogenesis, was found to be normal tissue specific. Moreover, the molecular restrictions for this specificity were identified. The radioprotective effect is dependent upon the presence of a functional wt. TP53. Since a high amount of tumors have lost TP53 function during tumor development, the clinical application of BBI to protect normal tissue from radiation damage would effectively improve the therapeutic outcome of radiation therapy. We succeeded to identify stimulation of DNA-repair mechanisms, such as nucleotide excision repair (NER) and nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ), as molecular mode of action. These results are in good agreement with the observations that BBI concomitantly exhibits anticarcinogenic effect and radioprotective effects. Taken together, BBI is recommended as a radioprotector for normal tissue expressing wild type TP53 during treatment of tumors characterized by a mutant TP53.

Unexplained syncope in patients with structural heart disease and no documented ventricular arrhythmias: value of electrophysiologically guided implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy

AIMS

To evaluate electrophysiologically guided implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy in patients with syncope, structural heart disease and no documented sustained ventricular tachycardia (sVT).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS) was performed in 52 patients (age 62+/-10 years): 40 patients had ischaemic and 12 patients had idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. On PVS sVT and ventricular fibrillation were induced in seven and four patients, respectively, and two patients spontaneously experienced symptomatic sVT. These patients received an ICD (ICD group, n=13). Non-inducible patients were left on conventional therapy (non-ICD group, n=39). During 5+/-2.8 years five ICD patients received therapies, all appropriate. There were seven non-sudden deaths and overall survival analysis revealed no significant difference. Recurrent syncope occurred in five ICD and four non-ICD patients and did not correlate well with sVT. The positive and negative predictive values of PVS for tachyarrhythmias or sudden death were 36 and 98%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Syncope per se does not necessarily herald a bad prognosis. PVS identifies high-risk patients. Induction of ventricular fibrillation with double or triple extrastimuli is of limited value. Patients with poor left ventricular function and bad clinical condition benefit most from an ICD. Syncope and sVT are not necessarily correlated during follow-up, which may merit consideration.

Lipid transfer protein 1 is a possible allergen in Arabidopsis thaliana

BACKGROUND

The Arabidopsis thaliana genome was recently fully sequenced, and this plant is now considered as the most useful model to study the effects of genetic engineering. The aim of the present study was to identify A. thaliana IgE-binding molecules and to localize their genes in order to evaluate the potential effect of gene insertion on the expression of IgE-binding molecules.

METHODS

A. thaliana flower proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and transferred onto a nitrocellulose sheet. The nitrocellulose sheet was successively incubated with human sera known to contain IgE that binds to rapeseed proteins, alkaline phosphatase-conjugated goat anti-human IgE and 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate and nitroblue tetrazolium. One allergen was further identified by N-terminal amino acid microsequencing.

RESULTS

The results showed that some individuals possessed IgE that recognized numerous proteins with high molecular masses and various isoelectric points. This binding pattern strongly suggests that the epitopes recognized by these IgE could be, at least partly, sugar residues. Otherwise, out of the 10 sera that possessed IgE to Arabidopsis flower proteins, one serum strongly recognized a unique basic protein with an apparent molecular mass of around 14 kD. This protein was identified by amino acid microsequencing as the lipid transfer protein 1 (LTP1).

CONCLUSION

We have demonstrated that A. Thaliana LTP1 is IgE reactive. The gene encoding this protein is located on chromosome 2, but it has been described that family 1 of A. Thaliana LTPs constitutes a multigenic family with genes located on various chromosomes.

Human renal fibroblasts derived from normal and fibrotic kidneys show differences in increase of extracellular matrix synthesis and cell proliferation upon angiotensin II exposure

Angiotensin II (Ang II) as a vasoactive hormone may be involved in progressive renal interstitial fibrosis. We investigated the influence of Ang II on cell proliferation and synthesis of extracellular matrix (collagen I, III and fibronectin) in human renal fibroblasts derived from normal (TK 173 cell line) and fibrotic (TK 188 cell line) kidneys which possess both Ang II type l and type 2 (AT1 and AT2) receptors. Incubation of the cells with Ang II increased the cell proliferation and the synthesis of extracellular matrix significantly in both cell lines. However, proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis showed a greater increase in the cells derived from the fibrotic kidney. The Ang II mediated effect on cell proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis was diminished in the presence of the AT1 receptor blocker losartan in both cell lines. No inhibition was observed using the AT2 receptor blocker PD123319. Ang II induced cell proliferation could be completely inhibited by incubation with human TGF-beta1 antibody. Incubation with Ang II did not affect TGF beta 1 production but in untreated cells TGF-beta 1 content was higher in the cells derived from the fibrotic kidney. This might be the reason for the more sensitive reaction on exposure to Ang II.

Polygalacturonase (pectinase), a new oilseed rape allergen

BACKGROUND

Type I hypersensitivity to rapeseed pollen allergens was described as the result of a cross-sensitization with various pollens that could constitute an aggravating factor in birch or grass pollen allergies. Recently, a few rapeseed pollen allergens were described. The aim of the present work was to identify new rapeseed pollen allergens by using two-dimensional gel analysis, microsequencing, and mass spectrometry.

METHODS

Water extractable proteins from oilseed rape pollen or stamen were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The proteins were then electroblotted onto a nitrocellulose (NC) sheet. The NC sheets were successively incubated with (1) individual human sera pre-selected for their immunoglobulin E (IgE) reactivity to rapeseed pollen proteins, (2) alkaline phosphatase (AP)-conjugated goat anti-human IgE and (3) AP substrate. The allergens localized by this method were then identified by microsequencing and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 18 sera studied, five recognized a wide multispot zone with a molecular mass around 43 kD and pIs between 6.5 and 8.5. The results obtained with two representative sera are shown. From this zone, two isoforms of the polygalacturonase enzyme were identified by microsequencing. Confirmation was obtained through MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis.

CONCLUSION

The present results allow the identification of a new rapeseed allergen that can be the main allergen for some patients.

Pulsed field gradient NMR on polybutylcyanoacrylate nanocapsules

The applicability of pulsed field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to nanocapsule systems is demonstrated on dispersed poly-n-butylcyanoacrylate nanocapsules as a model system. Spectroscopic data are presented that allow for the structural characterization of the inner cavities, the observation of Brownian motion of the capsules and the detection of rapid molecular exchange through the capsule walls. An analytical formula is proposed that yields equilibrium populations and average residence times of a given tracer molecule, thus leading to crucial information regarding the permeability of the capsule walls. Based on these analytical methods, two varieties of nanocapsules are compared that derive from two different preparation procedures. It is found that thinner capsule walls obtained under acidic conditions of the organic phase during interfacial polymerization lead to correspondingly higher exchange rates of benzene as a tracer molecule.

Self-reported functional status as a predictor of coronary artery bypass graft surgery outcome in elderly patients

BACKGROUND

Surgeons have traditionally relied mainly on clinical intuition in the selection of elderly candidates for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The overall increasing number of patients undergoing CABG and limited resources require that a more rational approach be used to screen out candidates who are least likely to benefit from the surgery.

HYPOTHESIS

Preoperative functional status is a more sensitive predictor of mortality and poor postoperative functional status than age.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective preoperative and postoperative geriatric assessment was obtained for 123 patients who had undergone CABG at the Montreal General Hospital. Montreal, Quebec. Preoperative and postoperative health and functional status were assessed using the Canadian version of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36) 1 to 1.5 years following surgery. The questionnaires were compiled according to the method described by Stewart et al and scores were transformed linearly to a 0 to 100 scale. In addition to functional status, the presence of comorbidities and other risk factors known to influence the outcome of CABG were recorded.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the likelihood of having a poor functional status before or after surgery, or death as an outcome of CABG in the young elderly group versus the old elderly group. Preoperative functional status was found to predict postoperative functional status; however, there was no significant association between preoperative functional status and the presence of comorbidity. The presence of comorbidity did not affect the postoperative functional status, but increased the likelihood of death.

CONCLUSION

Functional status was demonstrated to be a significant predictor of CABG outcome. When compared with age, functional status was also found to be a more reliable predictor of CABG outcome, which had not been previously demonstrated. Women were found to be more likely to have a poor preoperative functional status than their male counterparts. This may account in part for the decreased success rate of CABG in elderly women.

HIV-infected prisoners: what mental health services are constitutionally mandated?

State and federal correctional facilities currently have approximately 23,000 inmates who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These inmates suffer from the same mental health disorders as uninfected inmates but are additionally subject to mental health problems uniquely related to their HIV infection. Many prison systems are struggling to provide minimal mental health care to uninfected inmates. How will prisoners address the additional mental health needs of the staggering number of inmates being diagnosed with AIDS and HIV? This article describes the type of mental health services that are constitutionally mandated and discusses whether and how prisons will have to respond to the distinct mental health issues related to HIV infection.

Structural analysis of nanocapsules by nuclear magnetic resonance

The applicability of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to dispersed pharmaceutical carriers is demonstrated on poly-n-butylcyanoacrylate nanocapsules as a model system. Spectroscopic data are presented that simultaneously reflect the chemical nature and the molecular mobility of individual system components. The results are analysed by numeric simulation procedures that reproduce the spectroscopic results based on the given experimental conditions together with rotational and lateral diffusion of the particles. Under consideration of the complete data set, a comprehensive model on the structure of the nanocapsule system is developed. Details of the model include the assignment of system components to the capsule wall as well as to the internal and the external liquid phase. Further, the capsule size, the permeability of the capsule walls, and molecular adsorption to the capsule surface is observed and determined.

Interest of two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis for the characterization of the individual sensitization to latex allergens

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Latex allergy is a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction that mainly affects high-risk populations such as health care workers, spina bifida-affected or multiply-operated children. Ten molecules have so far been identified and registered as latex allergens (Hev b 1 to Hev b 10). The aim of the present investigation was to identify the major latex allergens by an individual analysis of the IgE response of latex-allergic patients to latex proteins separated by two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Latex proteins from a sap or a glove extract were separated by 2-D electrophoresis and transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane. Each membrane was incubated with the serum of one latex-allergic patient. The most frequently recognized latex allergens were characterized in sap and glove extracts using monoclonal antibodies or amino acid microsequencing.

RESULTS

The one-dimensional screening of 54 patient sera revealed 4 major bands recognized by IgE. The 2-D analysis of the sensitization to latex allergens allows the identification of allergen isoforms and the characterization of an individual response diversity. Hev b 6.01 was recognized by 88.9% of the patients. Protein spots around 14 kD were recognized by 48.1% of the patients and corresponded to Hev b 6.03 as well as other proteins. A not yet characterized doublet of acidic proteins with molecular masses of 43 and 94 kD was recognized by 20.4% of the sera. Only 5.5% of the sera did not recognize any of these 4 major allergens. Hev b 1 is the main protein from the glove extract but was not constantly found in sap extracts.

CONCLUSIONS

One-dimensional electrophoretic analysis of the allergen is usually not sufficient to characterize the individual specificity of the IgE response to latex allergens. Latex-glove proteins which are allergens can be absent from the sap extracts and the sensitization to these allergens could be underestimated. Individual 2-D analysis of the sensitization to latex allergens is useful to define the best allergen mixture required for diagnosis and needed for individual therapy monitoring.

O-phospho-L-tyrosine protects TP53 wild-type cells against ionizing radiation

O-phospho-L-tyrosine (P-Tyr) has been reported previously to inhibit growth of several cancer cell lines at mM concentrations. In the present study, we investigated the effect of this compound on tumor cells and normal cells in combination with radiation exposure. It could be demonstrated for the first time that P-Tyr at microM concentrations protects TP53 wild-type cells against ionizing radiation (SF4 minus BBI = 0.28, SF4 plus BBI = 0.45). On the contrary, human transformed or tumor cell lines characterized by mutated or functional inactivated TP53 were not altered or increased in their radiation sensitivity (SF4 minus BBI = 0.32, SF4 plus BBI = 0.22). Treatment of wild-type TP53 cells with P-Tyr induced stabilization of TP53 within 3 and 16 hours and a subsequent increase in CDKN1A expression after treatment. Consequently, a 16-hours pretreatment of cells with P-Tyr led to a significant radioprotective effect. This was not observed in cell lines with mutated TP53, which shows no radioprotection by P-Tyr. Thus, the present data suggest that P-Tyr-mediated radioprotection is dependent on preirradiation stabilization of TP53. The results indicate that P-Tyr is a radioprotective agent that can potentially be very useful and easy to deliver for radiation protection in general and especially in radiation therapy of TP53-mutated tumors.

Monomer composition and sequence of alginates from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Alginates from four strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one mucoid strain isolated from a technical water system, one strain isolated from a patient with cystic fibrosis and two mutants of this strain with a defect which affects the O-acetylation of the extracellular alginate, have been isolated and analysed for monomer composition and sequence by 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The detected contributions of different monomer triplets (triads) were compared with values expected from a statistical chain constitution based on the given monomer ratio. While a typical algal alginate presents a nearly statistical distribution of uronic acids in the polymer chain, a strong deviation from the statistical arrangement of mannuronate (M) and guluronate (G) was found in the alginate of the mucoid strains of P. aeruginosa, being most expressed for the triad MMM. This feature is partially lost in the alginate from the mutant strains, indicating that the O-acetylation is linked to a mechanism which takes influence on the chain sequence. The strong preference for MG-pairs in the parent strain of P. aeruginosa may be connected to a stronger binding of cations in the MG-vicinity.

Peritoneal implantation of squamous cell carcinoma following rupture of a dermoid cyst during laparoscopic removal

BACKGROUND

In recent years, there has been a move toward using laparoscopy in the management of presumed benign ovarian masses. This paper discusses the use of laparoscopy for ovarian masses (particularly dermoid cysts). The focus is on the implications for unexpected malignancies.

CASE

We report here a case involving a dermoid cyst that was removed at laparoscopy and was subsequently found to contain a squamous cell carcinoma. Spillage of the cyst's contents occurred at the time of removal. At staging laparotomy, peritoneal implants of the tumor were found, upgrading the tumor from FIGO stage Ia to IIc.

CONCLUSION

Spillage rates of dermoid cyst content with laparoscopic removal are inevitably higher than with excision at laparotomy. It remains controversial whether upstaging from FIGO stage Ia to IIc affects prognosis; however, in this case it led to aggressive adjuvant therapy which imposed significant additional morbidity, including loss of fertility, on the patient. One should be aware of the possibility of unexpected malignancy when the decision to manage an ovarian mass laparoscopically is made.

Physical, chemical and biological processes in Lake Vostok and other Antarctic subglacial lakes

Over 70 lakes have now been identified beneath the Antarctic ice sheet. Although water from none of the lakes has been sampled directly, analysis of lake ice frozen (accreted) to the underside of the ice sheet above Lake Vostok, the largest of these lakes, has allowed inferences to be made on lake water chemistry and has revealed small quantities of microbes. These findings suggest that Lake Vostok is an extreme, yet viable, environment for life. All subglacial lakes are subject to high pressure (approximately 350 atmospheres), low temperatures (about -3 degrees C) and permanent darkness. Any microbes present must therefore use chemical sources to power biological processes. Importantly, dissolved oxygen is available at least at the lake surface, from equilibration with air hydrates released from melting basal glacier ice. Microbes found in Lake Vostok's accreted ice are relatively modern, but the probability of ancient lake-floor sediments leads to a possibility of a very old biota at the base of subglacial lakes.

Nanofilms and nanoclusters: energy sources driving fluorophores of biochip bound labels

Nanoclusters and nanofilms have the potential to amplify fluorescence and thus to enhance the signal of labeled biomolecules on biochip surfaces. Fluorescent molecules are bound at a certain distance to a resonant layer of a metal or a semiconductor or both, resulting in enhanced absorption and emission of the fluorophore within the electromagnetic near-field. This property makes the system highly useful for interaction studies, including those of DNA and proteins. Due to the amount of data, derived from various sequencing projects and from Proteomic interaction studies within the next years, microarrays (or biochips) will represent a central technology in every lab facilitating high-throughput screening and being easily interfaced with computer databases. However, most chips suffer from the disadvantage of insufficient signal-to-noise (background) ratio and are thus limited to molecules of medium-to-high abundance. Novel approaches are needed for identification of, e.g., low copy RNAs or regulatory proteins. Here we present a study, using novel surface enhanced chips in the standard glass-slide-formats. Applying surface-enhanced fluorescence (SEF), the chips turned out to be useful for interaction studies, such as DNA hybridization, thereby strongly enhancing the on-chip-signals. Compared to standard glass-slide-DNA chips, both the fluorescent signals as well as signal-to-noise ratio were considerably higher.

[Quality of life and psychosocial factors during treatment with antihypertensive drugs. A comparison of captopril and quinapril in geriatric patients]

BACKGROUND

There is an increasing prevalence of older adults (> 65 years) with hypertension and the need for antihypertensive medication. It is well established that elderly hypertensive patients benefit from drug treatment with regards to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Due to the comorbidity and reduced quality of life (QOL) in the elderly, drug-induced changes of well-being and QOL are especially important to maintain compliance and social abilities. Whereas in most studies different antihypertensive agents exerted similar influences on QOL, Captopril was found to be superior to other antihypertensives in some trials.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

In this controlled non-randomized study 100 elderly hypertensive patients (mean age 75.4 +/- 7.2 years; 56% female) were treated with Captopril (25-50 mg twice daily) or the newer ACE-inhibitor Quinapril (5-20 mg per day). Blood pressure and QOL were recorded initially and after 6 months, assessment of QOL was based on a validated questionnaire (PLC).

RESULTS

Blood pressure fell from 153/82 mm Hg to 142/80 mm Hg with Captopril and 154/82 to 142/80 mm Hg [corrected] with Quinapril. An improvement of QOL was only seen with Quinapril, mainly due to better mood and lower depression scores. Analysis of underlying psychosocial factors on QOL found lack of social support, female sex and a current life event as additional significant negative influences on QOL.

CONCLUSION

A favorable antidepressive effect of Quinapril in elderly hypertensive patients is concluded and should be studied in further investigations.