Enhanced acetylcholine-induced dilation in afferent arterioles in simvastatin-fed rats

OBJECTIVE

3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors have been shown to increase renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate independent of their lipid lowering effects. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of simvastatin on acetylcholine-induced vasodilation in the renal microcirculation. The hypothesis of the study was that simvastatin would increase acetylcholine-induced vasodilation in the renal microcirculation.

METHODS

The hydronephrotic kidney preparation was used. On the day of the experiment the kidney was prepared for videomicroscopy and dose-response curves were done with acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside (10(-10) M to 10(-5) M) in simvastatin-fed rats ??(n=8) and control rats (n=13). The vasodilator responses of afferent and efferent arterioles were directly quantitated using videomicroscopy. L-NAME; (N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) was also given in a group of simvastatin-fed rats (10(-5) M) to determine if it would block the acetylcholine (Ach)-induced vasodilation.

RESULTS

Simvastatin enhanced Ach-induced vasodilation in the afferent arteriole compared to control rat responses to Ach. At 10(-7) M, ACH caused a 31.6+/-7.2% increase from baseline diameter in the afferent arteriole in the simvastatin-fed rats compared to a 23+/-8.1% vasodilation in the control rats (p<0.05). There were no differences in the response to ACH in the efferent arteriole between the two groups. L-NAME completely abolished the ACH response in the simvastatin-fed rats.

CONCLUSIONS

The increase in renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate observed with simvastatin may be due to its preglomerular vasodilator effects. This may be due to an increase in nitric oxide production.

Dendritic cell-based cancer immunotherapy targeting MUC-1

Vaccination therapy using dendritic cells (DC) as antigen presenting cells (APC) has shown significant promise in laboratory and animal studies as a potential treatment for malignant diseases. Pulsing of autologous DCs with tumor-associated antigens (TAA) is a method often used for antigen delivery and choice of suitable antigens plays an important role in designing an effective vaccine. We identified two HLA-A2 binding novel 9-mer peptides of the TAA MUC1, which is overexpressed on various hematological and epithelial malignancies. Cytotoxic T cells generated after pulsing DC with these peptides were able to induce lysis of tumor cells expressing MUC1 in an antigen-specific and HLA-restricted fashion. Within two clinical studies, we demonstrated that vaccination of patients with advanced cancer using DCs pulsed with MUC1 derived peptides is well tolerated without serious side effects and can induce immunological responses. Of 20 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, 6 patients showed regression of metastases with 3 objective responses (1 CR, 2 PR). Furthermore, we found that in patients responding to treatment T cell responses for antigens not used for treatment occurred suggesting that antigen spreading in vivo might be a possible mechanism of mediating antitumor effects. These results demonstrate that immunotherapy in patients with advanced malignancies using autologous DCs pulsed with MUC1 derived peptides can induce immunological and clinical responses. However, further clinical studies are needed to identify the most potent treatment regimen that can consistently mediate an antitumor immune response in vivo.

Endotoxin: physical requirements for cell activation

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the eminent lipid component of the outer leaflet of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and the major initiator of innate immune response to bacterial infection. Below the critical micellar concentration (CMC), LPS is exclusively present as a monomer. Above this concentration, aggregates are formed. Increasing the concentration beyond the CMC leads to an increase in aggregate concentration, whereas the concentration of monomers remains constant or even decreases. The question how LPS activates immune cells and whether the aggregate or the monomer is the biologically active unit has been and still is controversial. To prepare clearly defined monomeric solutions, we utilized a dialysis set-up consisting of a donor and an acceptor chamber, separated by a dialysis diaphragm with a cut-off of 5 kDa, thus allowing only monomers to pass. Human mononuclear cells (MNCs) were then stimulated with equal concentrations of aggregates and monomers, respectively, of deep rough mutant LPS from Escherichia coli strain F515 (Re LPS) and TNF-alpha release was determined. In contrast to earlier and very recent work of others, we started with a preparation of aggregate-suspensions and pure monomer-solutions and show that monomers are significantly less active than aggregates in the absence and presence of serum proteins at identical concentrations. In our model, we propose that LPS aggregates are detected by membrane-associated LBP and intercalated into the cell membrane to bring LPS into close proximity to signaling proteins in the membrane, thus finally leading to cell activation. To support this model, we present data showing that LBP is indeed present in or at the cell membrane of human macrophages.

Macro-FF: Improving AI Planning with Automatically Learned Macro-Operators

Despite recent progress in AI planning, many benchmarks remain challenging for current planners. In many domains, the performance of a planner can greatly be improved by discovering and exploiting information about the domain structure that is not explicitly encoded in the initial PDDL formulation. In this paper we present and compare two automated methods that learn relevant information from previous experience in a domain and use it to solve new problem instances. Our methods share a common four-step strategy. First, a domain is analyzed and structural information is extracted, then macro-operators are generated based on the previously discovered structure. A filtering and ranking procedure selects the most useful macro-operators. Finally, the selected macros are used to speed up future searches. We have successfully used such an approach in the fourth international planning competition IPC-4. Our system, Macro-FF, extends Hoffmann's state-of-the-art planner FF 2.3 with support for two kinds of macro-operators, and with engineering enhancements. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our ideas on benchmarks from international planning competitions. Our results indicate a large reduction in search effort in those complex domains where structural information can be inferred.

In vivo culture of IVM/IVF embryos in bovine oviducts by transvaginal endoscopy

This study was conducted to establish a new approach for in vivo culture of in vitro produced embryos in the bovine oviduct by transvaginal endoscopy. Embryos were in vitro matured, fertilized and cultured for 1-4 days and assigned to groups consisting of 10-30 embryos. Embryos were transferred unilaterally into oviducts of 24 heifers by the means of transvaginal endoscopy. After 3-6 days of in vivo incubation embryos were re-collected. Experiment I aimed to evaluate the capability of embryos to migrate to the uterus. The uterine horns of four animals were flushed first, followed by a combined flushing of both oviducts and uterine horns resulting in collection rates of 31 and 34%, respectively. In experiment II, the transfer of embryos into the oviduct close to ovulation (day 1-2--experiment IIA) or at a more advanced cyclic stage (day 3--experiment IIB) succeeded in the collection of 46 and 34% of the transferred complexes, of which 13 and 37% showed the blastocyst stage. This is the first report of successful recovery of transferable blastocysts by transvaginal endoscopy after tubal in vivo culture in the homologous species of originally in vitro produced embryos.

Ortho- and heterotopic bone grafts in bifocal transport osteogenesis for craniofacial reconstruction--an experimental study in sheep

Bifocal transport osteogenesis (BTO) is a promising technique for the reconstruction of extended osseous craniofacial defects. Aim of this study was to determine the potential of this technique related to various donor sites of the transport segment. In 10 adult sheep critical size defects of the calvaria were treated by gradual movement of a transport segment consisting either of autogenous regional free calvarial bone grafts (n=5) or autogenous illiac free bone grafts (n=5). Latency period was 5 days; the rate of distraction was 1mm per day and extended approximately 40 days. The consolidation period was 28 days. After harvesting, specimens were investigated by conventional radiography, CT-scans, histologically and by fluorescence. In both groups transport osteogenesis resulted in a complete closure of the critical size defect. Membranous bone formation and remodeling occurred during the entire period of distraction and consolidation. The volumes and thickness of newly formed bone at the defect site were increased significantly when calvarial bone grafts were used (P<0.05). Iliac bone grafts became progrediently smaller during distraction, while the volume of calvarial grafts remained relatively constant (P<0.05). In conclusion, transport segments consisting of calvarial and iliac bone resulted in a reliable closure of craniofacial critical size defects in adult organisms; the application of calvarial bone grafts resulted in an increased extend of bone formation.

Intrauterine repair of gastroschisis in fetal rabbits

OBJECTIVE

Infants with gastroschisis (GS) still face severe morbidity. Prenatal closure may prevent gastrointestinal organ damage, but intrauterine GS repair (GSR) has not been established yet.

METHODS

In New Zealand White rabbits we developed and compared GS versus GSR: creation of GS was achieved by hysterotomy, right-sided laparotomy of the fetus and pressure on the abdominal wall to provoke evisceration. GSR was accomplished by careful reposition of eviscerated organs and a running suture of the fetal abdominal wall. For study purposes, 18 animals were divided equally into 3 groups: GS, GS with GSR after 2 h, and unmanipulated controls (C). Vitality was assessed by echocardiography. After 5 h all animals were sacrificed.

RESULTS

GSR inflicted no increased mortality, because all fetuses survived GS or GS with GSR. All fetuses with GS demonstrated significant evisceration of abdominal organs. In contrast, the abdominal wall of the fetuses from GSR was intact.

CONCLUSION

The present animal model demonstrated the technical feasibility and success of an intrauterine repair of GS for the first time. However, further long-term studies (leaving GS and GSR in utero for several days) will be necessary to compare survival rates and intestinal injury, motility or absorption. The clinical application of GSR in utero remains a vision so far.

Stenting of the ductus arteriosus and banding of the pulmonary arteries: basis for various surgical strategies in newborns with multiple left heart obstructive lesions

OBJECTIVE

To present an institutional experience with stent placement in the arterial duct combined with bilateral banding of the pulmonary artery branches as a basis for various surgical strategies in newborns with hypoplastic left heart obstructive lesions.

DESIGN

Observational study.

SETTING

Paediatric heart centre in a university hospital.

PATIENTS

20 newborns with various forms of left heart obstructive lesions and duct dependent systemic blood flow.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients underwent percutaneous ductal stenting and surgical bilateral pulmonary artery banding. Atrial septotomy by balloon dilatation was performed as required, in one premature baby by the transhepatic approach.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Survival; numbers of and reasons for palliative and corrective cardiac surgery.

RESULTS

One patient died immediately after percutaneous ductal stenting. One patient died in connection with the surgical approach of bilateral pulmonary banding. Stent and ductal patency were achieved for up to 331 days. Two patients underwent heart transplantation and two patients died on the waiting list. Ten patients had a palliative one stage procedure with reconstruction of the aortic arch and bidirectional cavopulmonary connection at the age of 3.5-6 months. There was one death. One patient is still awaiting this approach. Two patients received biventricular repair. In one, biventricular repair will soon be provided.

CONCLUSIONS

Stenting the arterial duct combined with bilateral pulmonary artery banding in newborns with hypoplastic left heart or multiple left heart obstructive lesions allows a broad variation of surgical strategies depending on morphological findings, postnatal clinical conditions, and potential ventricular growth.

Penetration of capecitabine and its metabolites into malignant and healthy tissues of patients with advanced breast cancer

Capecitabine is an oral prodrug of 5-fluorouracil (FU). Since FU concentrations achieved in malignant lesions are an important determinant of efficacy, we investigated the intratumoral transcapillary transfer of capecitabine and its metabolites in vivo. A total of 10 patients with skin metastases from breast cancer received a daily dose of 2500 mg m(-2) capecitabine administered orally in two divided doses for 2 weeks. Microdialysis probes were inserted into a cutaneous metastasis and subcutaneous connective tissue to evaluate the interstitial tissue pharmacokinetics of capecitabine and its metabolites 5'-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine (DFCR), 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (DFUR), and FU by capillary electrophoresis. As intended with the prodrug design of capecitabine, FU was present in low concentrations in tumour interstitium (median c(max): 0.26 microg ml(-1)) when compared with capecitabine, DFCR, and DFUR (median c(max): 2.66, 4.22, and 2.13 microg ml(-1), respectively). Capecitabine and its metabolites easily penetrated malignant and healthy tissue and equilibrated within 45 min between plasma and tissue interstitium. Considering tissue exposure at the extracellular level, no significant differences between healthy and malignant tissues were observed. Our data show that absorption and metabolism determined the tissue pharmacokinetics of capecitabine. There was no evidence of drug tolerance, which may be attributed to impaired transcapillary transfer into tissue, even after repeated administration as shown for three patients.

Peritoneal tuberculosis with negative polymerase chain reaction results: report of two cases

Peritoneal tuberculosis is rarely observed in European countries. We report on peritoneal tuberculosis in two female immigrants from Somalia and Columbia who presented with diffuse abdominal pain, fever, weight loss and exudative, lymphocytic ascites. Laboratory investigations showed an increase in C-reactive protein and carcinoma antigen 125 serum levels. Nodular peritoneal lesions and adhesions were detected by ultrasound and computed tomography. In both patients, peritoneal biopsy from laparoscopy revealed epitheloid granulomas with central necrosis and multinucleate giant cells. Microscopy and PCR analysis were, however, negative for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in both patients. Despite repeated testing, ascites culture became positive for M. tuberculosis in only one patient. Shortly after starting antituberculous drug treatment, both patients improved, ascitic fluid disappeared and C-reactive protein and carcinoma antigen 125 serum levels returned to normal. Even in Western countries, peritoneal tuberculosis should be considered in any febrile patient with abdominal signs and symptoms, particularly if ascites is present. Empirical antituberculous treatment is justified in patients with clinical and histological features highly suggestive of peritoneal tuberculosis, even in cases with negative results from microscopy, culture and PCR analysis.

Predictors of treatment failure during highly active antiretroviral therapy (racing trial)

PURPOSE

To determine factors associated with virological failure during long-term treatment with the triple combination of saquinavir soft gel capsule, zalcitabine and zidovudine.

METHOD

Open-label, prospective, multicentre study undertaken in private practices and the outpatient department of the Auguste-Viktoria-Hospital. A total of 95 patients with plasma HIV RNA > 5000 copies/ml who had received no more than 6 months pre-treatment with NRTIs and no prior PI therapy received saquinavir soft gel, zalcitabine and zidovudine for 52 weeks, before being randomly assigned to either remain on therapy or switch to nelfinavir, lamivudine and zidovudine for further 52 weeks.

RESULTS

Combination therapy with saquinavir, zalcitabine and zidovudine was found to be effective and well tolerated, with virological response to therapy maintained for up to 2 years. In patients responding to therapy, switching to a novel triple regimen did not result in a virological or immunological worsening, but it did not confer an additional clinical benefit. Factors predictive of early treatment failure (virological failure within 16 weeks of treatment initiation) included high viral load and presence of RT mutations at baseline (OR: 0.30, 95% CI 0.11 0.83 and OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.03 0.52, respectively), with baseline viral load and the development of genotypic mutations on therapy being predictive of late treatment failure (16 52 weeks; OR: 0.15, 95% 0.05 0.46 and OR: 0.26, 95% CI < 0.001 1.16, respectively). Plasma saquinavir concentration < 50 mg/ml at 4 weeks was also found to be an independent risk factor for both early and late treatment failure (OR: 1.80, 95% CI 1.23 2.64 and OR: 1.16, 95% CI 0.84 1.60, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

While antiretroviral drug resistance appears to be a principal cause of treatment failure, other factors such as inadequate drug plasma concentrations also play a role.

Low-temperature electron microscopy for the study of polysaccharide ultrastructures in hydrogels. II. Effect of temperature on the structure of Ca2+-alginate beads

Calcium alginate beads were thermally treated at temperatures ranging from 25 degrees C to 130 degrees C for periods of up to 30 minutes. Important modifications to the structure of the alginate beads were shown to be a function of the temperature and period of incubation at each temperature. Modifications to the alginate beads included reduction in size, mechanical resistance, and molecular weight cut-off with increasing temperature and incubation period. Thus, heating 700 microm calcium alginate beads for 20 min at 130 degrees C resulted in a 23% reduction in diameter, 70% increase in mechanical resistance, and 67% reduction in molecular weight cut-off. Incubation of calcium alginate beads containing 2 x 10(6) kDa blue dextran for 20 min at 130 degrees C resulted in no detectable loss of either dye or alginate. This indicates the shrinkage of the beads was due to re-arrangement of the alginate chains within the beads, coupled with loss of water. This hypothesis was verified by direct visual observation of calcium alginate beads before and after thermal treatment using cryo-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM). Unlike other microscopy methods cryo-SEM offers the advantage of extremely rapid freezing which preserves the original structure of the alginate network. As a result cryo-SEM is a powerful tool for studies of hydrogel and capsule structure and formation. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that the water entrapped in 2% alginate beads was present in a single state, irrespective of the thermal treatment. This result is attributed to the low alginate concentration used to form the beads.

Low-temperature electron microscopy for the study of polysaccharide ultrastructures in hydrogels. I. Theoretical and technical considerations

The high-pressure freezing (HPF) technique was applied to the cryo-immobilization of alginate gels and the quality of the freezing analyzed on a TEM by comparison of the segregation pattern of samples of decreasing thickness. Dynamic simulations of heat transfer within an idealized slab of pure water surrounded by two walls of aluminium were performed to illustrate the effect of the heat-transfer coefficient by convection on the cooling rate of the sample. Heat-transfer coefficients in liquid nitrogen and liquid propane at ambient pressure were measured using a carefully characterized thermocouple and the values incorporated as parameters in heat-transfer simulations to compare the efficiency of the plunge-freezing technique with the high-pressure freezing technique. Values of the heat-transfer coefficient in liquid nitrogen and liquid propane, calculated between 273 K and 173 K were 670 and 18420 W/m(2)/K, respectively. Based on TEM observations and the results of heat-transfer simulations, the HPF technique was adapted to the cryo-fixation of 50-microm-thick alginate gels. The occurrence of artifacts was rejected because no differences were observed in the pattern of cryo-fixed and freeze-substituted samples of various thickness, with and without ethanol as cryo-protectant. A sample thickness of 50 microm was found to ensure an adequate preservation of structures as small as a few nanometers, as verified by TEM and SEM observations. Finally, DSC measurements on alginate solutions and alginate beads revealed that under the experimental conditions (0-3%), alginate cannot be considered to be an efficient cryo-protectant.

Empirical comparison of DRG variants using cardiovascular surgery data: initial results of a project at 18 German hospitals

In 2000, the responsibility for selecting a DRG variant for use in Germany was assigned to a body comprising representatives of hospitals and insurers called the Self-Administration Board (or Board in this paper). To help the Board, we applied cardiac surgery data from 18 German hospitals to eight different DRG variants. The error caused by bad coding quality could be minimized this way, since all diagnoses and procedures in cardiac surgery must be recorded for quality assurance purposes. To match the German code to the appropriate code required by the DRG variant, we created mapping tables whenever needed. As far as cardiac surgery is concerned, the Australian AR-DRG and the French GHM variants provided the best medical relevance, while the AR-DRG variant considered the level of severity better. Other variants would have to be updated to better reflect the level of medical complexity. Three main causes for wrong grouping could be identified for all systems: incomplete mapping, not enough reference to multidisciplinary treatments, and system construction problems.

Post-burn breast resurfacing using an abdominal full-thickness skin graft

We describe a case of delayed resurfacing of the right breast using the abdominal skin as a full-thickness graft in a 38-year-old woman who sustained a scald injury in childhood. The postoperative results are shown.

The influence of age on the response of major depression to electroconvulsive therapy: a C.O.R.E. Report

As part of a C.O.R.E., multi-site longitudinal study comparing continuation electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) vs. continuation pharmacotherapy, the authors determined the response of 253 patients with major depression to acute-phase, bilateral ECT by use of the 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Remission rates for three age-groups, > or =65 years; 46-64 years; and < or =45 years, were 90 percent, 89.8 percent, and 70 percent, respectively. Age, as a continuous variable, positively influenced response to treatment. Bilateral, dose-titrated ECT is a highly effective acute treatment for major depression, and older age confers a greater likelihood of achieving remission.

Rapid response of identified resident endoneurial macrophages to nerve injury

Macrophages play a central role in the pathogenesis of peripheral neuropathy but the role of resident endoneurial macrophages is undefined because no discriminating markers exist to distinguish them from infiltrating hematogenous macrophages. We identified and characterized resident endoneurial macrophages during Wallerian degeneration in radiation bone marrow chimeric rats created by transplanting wild-type Lewis rat bone marrow into irradiated TK-tsa transgenic Lewis rats. In such animals, resident cells carry the transgene, whereas hematogenous cells do not. As early as 2 days after sciatic nerve crush and before the influx of hematogenous macrophages, resident transgene-positive endoneurial macrophages underwent morphological and immunophenotypic signs of activation. At the same time, resident macrophages phagocytosing myelin were found, and proliferation was detected by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. Continuous bromodeoxyuridine feeding revealed that resident endoneurial macrophages sequentially retracted their processes, proliferated, and expressed the ED1 antigen, rendering them morphologically indistinguishable from hematogenous macrophages. Resident endoneurial macrophages thus play an early and active role in the cellular events after nerve lesion before hematogenous macrophages enter the nerve. They may thus be critically involved in the pathogenesis of peripheral neuropathy particularly at early stages of the disease and may act as sensors of pathology much like their central nervous system counterparts, the microglial cells.

ECT remission rates in psychotic versus nonpsychotic depressed patients: a report from CORE

OBJECTIVE

To compare the relative efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in psychotic and nonpsychotic patients with unipolar major depression.

METHODS

The outcome of an acute ECT course in 253 patients with nonpsychotic (n = 176) and psychotic (n = 77) unipolar major depression was assessed in the first phase of an ongoing National Institute of Mental Health-supported four-hospital collaborative study of continuation treatments after successful ECT courses. ECT was administered with bilateral electrode placement at 50% above the titrated seizure threshold. The remission criteria were rigorous: a score <or=10 on the 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) after 2 consecutive treatments, and a decrease of at least 60% from baseline.

RESULTS

The overall remission rate was 87% for study completers. Among these, patients with psychotic depression had a remission rate of 95% and those with nonpsychotic depression, 83%. Improvement in symptomatology, measured by the HRSD, was more robust and appeared sooner in the psychotic patients compared with the nonpsychotic patients.

CONCLUSION

Bilateral ECT is effective in relieving severe major depression. Remission rates are higher and occur earlier in psychotic depressed patients than in nonpsychotic depressed patients. These data support the argument that psychotic depression is a distinguishable nosological entity that warrants separate treatment algorithms.

The platelet function dose-response to abciximab during percutaneous coronary revascularization is variable

The platelet function dose-response to incremental abciximab (Reopro, Eli Lilly/Centocor, Indianapolis, IN) bolus dosing during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was evaluated in 85 patients using a point-of-service platelet function assay. Patients received incremental bolus doses of abciximab at 10- to 20-min intervals; platelet function was measured at 10-min intervals during dosing. The percentage of patients achieving > or = 80% inhibition of platelet function after 50%, 75%, and 100% of a standard abciximab bolus was 40%, 87%, and 95%, respectively. There were no significant associations between the platelet function dose-response to abciximab and age, weight, platelet count, hematocrit, heparin dose, peak activated clotting time, thienopyridine use prior to PCI, gender, cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, or clinical syndrome. This study demonstrated significant interpatient variability in platelet function dose-response to abciximab with a substantial proportion (87%) of patients achieving high-level platelet function inhibition with less than the standard abciximab bolus dose.

Nuclear transfer in cattle with non-transfected and transfected fetal or cloned transgenic fetal and postnatal fibroblasts

The efficiency of nuclear transfer (NT) using two primary cultures of fetal fibroblasts (FF1 and FF2) was compared vs. the same cultures transfected with an expression vector in which the bovine prochymosin coding sequence is placed under the control of the bovine alpha(S1)-casein promoter (TFF1 and TFF2). In addition, fibroblasts of a cloned transgenic fetus (TRFF1) derived from TFF1 and ear skin fibroblasts of a 1-month-old cloned transgenic calf (TRCF1) derived from TRFF1 were used as nuclear donors. Embryos reconstructed from FF1 (44%) and FF2 (52%) developed to the blastocyst stage at a significantly (P < 0.05) higher rate than those derived from TFF1 (24%) and TFF2 (27%). The proportions of cleaved embryos and blastocysts were significantly (P < 0.05) higher with TRFF1 than with TRCF1 used as nuclear donors (75 vs. 66% and 33 vs. 16%, respectively). Transfer of NT embryos derived from FF2 and TFF2 to recipients resulted in similar pregnancy rates on day 30 (52 and 48%, respectively). However, with TFF2 embryos, the majority of pregnancies (8/11; 73%) was lost in the first and second trimesters of gestation, whereas 4/11 (36%) pregnancies with FF2 embryos were lost during the full period of in vivo development. Of 11 FF2 and 6 TFF2 born calves (25 and 13% of transferred embryos, respectively), 6 and 3 survived including one oversized FF2 calf. After transfer of TRFF1 and TRCF1 NT embryos to recipients, initial pregnancy rate was as a tendency higher in the TRFF1 (49%) than in the TRCF1 group (30%). The majority (14/17) of TRFF1 pregnancies and all TRCF1 pregnancies were lost in the first and second trimester. A high proportion of TRFF1 calves (5/8) showed increased body weights, and only two calves which were also large survived. These findings demonstrate that (i) extended culture associated with transfection and selection procedures may induce changes of donor cells which markedly decrease the efficiency of nuclear transfer and (ii) these changes are not reversed by recloning.

Intramuscular fat content and genetic variants at fatty acid-binding protein loci in Austrian pigs

Intramuscular fat is an important meat quality trait in pig production. Previously, genetic variants of the heart fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) gene and the adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) gene were suggested to be associated with intramuscular fat content. The objective of this investigation was to study these associations in the three most important Austrian breeding populations (Piétrain, Large White, and Landrace). Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the H-FABP gene revealed a new MspI polymorphic site and genetic variation in all three breeds. Microsatellite analysis of the A-FABP locus showed up to nine different microsatellite alleles segregating. In Austrian breeds, no significant influence of the A-FABP and H-FABP gene polymorphisms on intramuscular fat could be detected. We also evaluated possible associations between the genetic variations at the H-FABP and A-FABP loci and other growth and carcass traits (average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, lean meat content, pH values, meat color, and drip loss). With regard to the extent of the effects, these genetic markers cannot be recommended for selection on growth and carcass traits in Austrian breeding populations.

DNA microsatellite analysis for parentage control in Austrian pigs

We present an efficient parentage control for pigs based on ten polymorphic microsatellite markers analyzed in a single PCR reaction. Assuming one known parent ("paternity control"), combined exclusion probabilities (CEPs) ranged from 99.18% (Landrace), 99.74% (Piétrain) to 99.76% (Large White) for the most important Austrian breeds. Assuming a known parent-pair ("parentage control", e.g. a substituted offspring), the CEP of the 10-plex PCR increased to 99.97% (Landrace) and 99.99% (Piétrain and Large White). We developed an additional standby battery of 5 markers, which might be applied in those cases, where the CEP of the 10-plex PCR is not sufficient. Therefore an automated, cost and time reduced genotype analysis for pigs is available.

Evaluation of hydroxyapatite implants in vertebral bodies and extremities by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

This pilot study evaluated hydroxyapatite (HA) implants (Endobon) into bone with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Nineteen patients (median age 57 years; range 18-67 years) have been evaluated. Eight received granulated HA into vertebral bodies after trauma, while 11 received HA blocks into extremity bones after trauma (n = 8) or fibrous dysplasia (n = 2). In a 1.5-T MR scanner, transversal T1-weighted, flash, 2-dimensional images were obtained. Signal intensities were measured in regions of interest (ROI) from the centre and periphery of HA, trabecular bone, fat and air before and after gadolinium (Gd) contrast enhancement, and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was calculated. After Gd application the SNR in HA increased significantly, peripherally (11.7 without vs 18.2 with Gd, P = 0.003) more than in the centre (7.9 without vs 11.9 with Gd, P = 0.007). The SNR of the HA was higher in patients with block implants compared with granulated HA (P > 0.008). After Gd application, granulated HA enhances significantly less than HA blocks. During insertion of HA, the granulated form is compressed more and is therefore more compact than the HA block. This might hinder integration into the bone structure and the blood supply. SNR of the HA margin was higher than centrally, which might be due to granulomatous tissue after trauma and/or operation or beginning marginal integration.