Sequence and expression pattern of the Drosophila melanogaster mitochondrial porin gene: evidence of a conserved protein domain between fly and mouse

We have recently cloned a cDNA encoding mitochondrial porin in Drosophila melanogaster and shown its chromosomal localization (Messina et al., FEBS Lett. (1996) 384, 9-13). Such cDNA was used as a probe for screening a genomic library. We thus cloned and sequenced a 4494-bp genomic region which contained the whole gene for the mitochondrial porin or VDAC. It was found that this D. melanogaster porin gene contains five exons, numbered IA (115 bp), IB (123 bp), II (320 bp), III (228 bp) and IV (752 bp). The exons II, III and IV contain the protein coding sequence and the 3' untranslated sequence (3'-UTR). The first base in exon II precisely corresponds to the first base of the starting ATG codon. Exon IA corresponds to the 5'-UTR sequence reported in the published cDNA sequence. Exon IB corresponds to an alternative 5'-UTR sequence, demonstrated to be transcribed by 5'-RACE experiments. The exon-intron splicing borders and the length of the exon III perfectly match a homologous internal exon detected in the mouse genes. Such exon encodes a protein domain predicted by sequence transmembrane arrangement models to contain major hydrophilic loops and it is thus suspected to have a conserved distinct function. In situ hybridization experiments confirmed the localization of the genomic clone on the chromosome 2L at region 32B3-4. Together with genomic Southern blotting at various stringencies, the same experiment did not confirm the presence of a second genetic locus on D. melanogaster chromosomes. Northern blots demonstrated that the porin gene is a housekeeping one: three messages of approx. 1.2-1.6 kbp are transcribed in every fly developmental stage that was studied. They were shown to derive by an alternative usage of different promoters and polyadenylation sites.

[Star-gait measured by craniocorpography: pattenrs, classification, physiopathological considerations and clinical utility]

The results of craniocorpographic recordings in the Babinski-Weil test are discussed, focusing on the star-shaped variant. The variants of star-shaped gait are defined as posterior, centered, advanced, forward, extreme, and lateral. In 22 healthy individuals and 60 patients, star-shaped gait was the most common deviation. Extreme star-shaped gait was the most frequent variant in the healthy subjects and the backward variant was the most frequent in the patient group.

[The head-thrust test (HTT): physiopathological considerations and its clinical use in daily practice]

The basis of the head-thrust test is that when a head thrust is made in the horizontal plane, the ipsilateral semicircular channel (SCC) shows gaze stabilization because the homolateral SCC is completely inhibited. This test was studied by electronystagmography and the main parameters, the amplitude and latency of the compensatory ocular movements, were analyzed. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of this test were estimated in a series of 22 patients. The values were, respectively, 54, 100, 100 and 68%.

[CO2 laser surgery in otolaryngology: experience in 1992]

The authors made a retrospective study of patients treated with laser CO2 in 1992 in the ENT. Clinic of the University Hospital of Puerto Real (Cádiz). The following parameters were considered: age, sex, province of origin, nature of the disease, type of surgical intervention, clinical evolutions and results to evaluate the efficacy of laser-therapy, its indications and its application limits. Furthermore, a comparison was made of these data and the their equivalents achieved during the five-year period 1986-1991. Indications, use of the laser CO2 and appropriate power for the pathological process and site of lesions were noted.

Origins of the LACC, 1901-1922

The Los Angeles College of Chiropractic (LACC) can trace its history from D. D. Palmer through Thomas H. Storey, D.C. to Charles A. Cale, D.C., N.D., the LACC's founder. The formation and early history of the College is intimately intertwined with the naturopathic movement and to a lesser extent the osteopathic profession in southern California during the first two decades of this century. Although the school would eventually become the largest producer of chiropractors in the densest chiropractic jurisdiction in the world, its early survival was not always certain, and its later status as a bellwether for the rest of the profession was not yet in evidence. Organized by Charles Cale in 1910 and chartered in 1911, the school would suspend operations for several years (1914-6) while Charles and Linnie Cale acquired osteopathic credentials. The school's rebirth in 1916 marked the beginning of the final push for the initiative act of 1922 that licensed chiropractors and ended some of the most intensive legal persecutions by organized medicine that chiropractors would ever experience. This initial phase of LACC's history (through 1922) set the stage for at least 12 subsequent mergers and reorganizations to form today's LACC. The College would later lead the state's and the profession's efforts to broaden and deepen the chiropractic curriculum during the middle ages of chiropractic.

[The angiographic evaluation of elastic recoil after coronary angioplasty]

Coronary angioplasty is an effective recanalization technique, but is plagued by a high restenosis rate. One of the major effects of balloon dilatation is the stretching of the vessel wall and the subsequent elastic recoil. Although a well known phenomenon, few data have been published on the evaluation of elastic recoil after coronary angioplasty. The purpose of this study was to quantify the acute and short-term elastic recoil after coronary dilatation. Thirty-six patients underwent coronary angioplasty. A digital end-diastolic acquisition of the coronary artery was performed before, immediately after, at 15 min and at 20 hours after dilatation. Elastic recoil was defined as the difference between the diameter of the inflated balloon and the diameter of the vessel after dilatation. It was quantified by a semi-automatic computer-assisted program. Our data show a high elastic recoil immediately after dilatation, equal to 27.9% (p < 0.0001), which continues for the next 20 hours to a final value of 34.1%. No difference was found in the amount of elastic recoil depending on the coronary artery involved, length, severity and eccentricity of the stenosis, time and pressure used during balloon inflation. Elastic recoil was more pronounced (p = 0.002) using balloons with a balloon diameter/vessel diameter ratio > 1.

[Variation in the composition of fatty acids of zeaxanthin and astaxanthin monoesters in the ovary and hepatopancreas of Penaeus schmitti during ovogenesis]

The carotenoid esters of the shrimp, Penaeus schmitti, were investigated by thin layer chromatography and absorption spectrophotometry. Astaxanthin monoester and zeaxanthin monoester were identified in hepatopancreas and ovaries during the sexual development. The nature of fatty acids derived from these natural esters has been determined quantitatively by gas chromatography of their methyl esters. The variations of linkage between fatty acids and carotenoids during ovogenesis are measured. The role of zeaxanthin monoester in carotenoids transfer from hepatopancreas to ovaries during this sexual development, and relations between lipid and carotenoid metabolism are discussed.

[Variation in the free amino acid content of ovary, hepatopancreas and hemolymph of Penaeus schmitti during ovarian maturation (Crustacea, Decapoda, Penaeidae)]

Quantitative and qualitative variations of free-amino-acids contents (FAA) of ovaries, hepatopancreas and haemolymph have been studied in the course of ovarian maturation in Penaeus schmitti. In the ovary, FAA content, expressed as microM/g ovary fresh weight, decreases from 56.2 to 23.6 microM between gonadosomatic index (GSI) 0.8 and GSI 7.1. There is an increase of hepatopancreas FAA content of 33.4% till GSI 4. Haemolymph FAA content increases from 0.32 to 1.76 microM/ml, with maximal values of 3.74 microM/ml when GSI are between 3 and 4. FAA content of ovaries, expressed as microM/g of animal, is 3.2 fold higher at the end of maturation, with a main increase in the first stages of ovogenesis. Maturation process has a quantitative effect on all FAA, but, on a qualitative point of view, it concerns mainly lysine, arginine and glycine. The main variations of AA composition (expressed as percentage of total FAA) are observed in haemolymph.

[Variations in protein levels in the hemolymph, hepatopancreas and ovary of Penaeus schmitti during ovarian maturation (Crustacea, Decapoda, Peneidae)]

Variations of protein concentrations in the haemolymph, hepatopancreas and ovaries were studied during the ovarian maturation of the shrimp Penaeus schmitti. The main variations observed during this physiological process are the increase of protein and the decrease of water contents in the ovary, more pronounced at the first stages of gonadosomatic index (GSI:0-4). During ovarian maturation, water content of the ovaries and hepatopancreas decrease from 10.7 and 3.9% respectively. In relative values, protein content increases from about 40.0% in the ovary, 47.5% in the haemolymph and 15.4% in the hepatopancreas. In absolute values, the protein concentrations of the hepatopancreas showed no significant variation. In the opposite, ovary protein content is 14.7 fold higher at the end than the early stages of vitellogenesis. Relations between haemolymph, hepatopancreas and ovary with eventual transfers of protein material are discussed.