A simpler cardiac arrest model in the mouse

OBJECTIVE

Delivering alternating currency (AC) to right ventricular endocardium to induce ventricular fibrillation (VF) in mice is complicated. We tried to validate whether transoesophageal AC stimulation could induce VF and how long AC stimulation had to be sustained to prevent the spontaneous cardioversion of VF in mice.

METHODS

A pacing electrode was inserted orally into the oesophagus and AC was delivered to esophagus through the pacing electrode to stimulate the heart and induce VF in 15 mice. The incidence of VF and time of AC stimulation were recorded 4min after onset of VF cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was started.

RESULTS

VF was induced by short AC stimulation in all 15 mice. With the prolongation of AC stimulation, the incidences of spontaneous cardioversion of VF decreased whereas the incidence of pulseless electrical activity (PEA) increased accordingly. Following the termination of prolonged AC stimulation, VF occurred only in 1 of 15 mice, but PEA in 14 of 15 mice. Before CPR 1 of 15 and 12 of 15 animals remained in VF and in PEA, respectively, while 2 of 15 animals developed into asystole. After CPR, 11 of 15 animals were successfully resuscitated.

CONCLUSION

VF can be induced by a short period of transoesophageal AC stimulation in mice. However, prolonged AC stimulation is prone to induce PEA other than VF. Nonetheless, the development of a mouse CA model in this manner is simpler and easier, which may have practical significance for facilitating experimental investigation on CA and CPR.

Ventricular fibrillation induced by transoesophageal cardiac pacing: A new model of cardiac arrest in rats

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether transoesophageal cardiac pacing can induce ventricular fibrillation (VF) and how long the cardiac pacing has to be sustained to prevent the reversion of the VF induced.

METHODS

A pacing electrode was inserted orally into the oesophagus and high-frequency ventricular pacing was performed so as to elicit VF in 25 Sprague-Dawley rats. Incidences of VF and time of cardiac pacing were observed and recorded. Four minutes after onset of VF cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated.

RESULTS

A short interval of high-frequency ventricular pacing caused an immediate drop of blood pressure, loss of pulse and increase of right atrial pressure in the same time frame. When the cardiac pacing was terminated, VF was elicited at least once or more than once in all of the 25 rats. However, the VF elicited by the burst stimulation could be defibrillated spontaneously. With the prolongation (120-180 s) of cardiac pacing, the incidence of defibrillation of VF decreased from 100 to 0%. VF persisted in 19 of 25 animals, developed into asystole in 5 of 25 animals and converted into pulseless electrical activity in 1 of 25 animals prior to CPR. Following CPR 22 of 25 animals were resuscitated.

CONCLUSIONS

Transoesophageal cardiac pacing can induce VF in rats. However, the cardiac pacing is required for at least 120-180 s to ensure that VF does not spontaneously convert. We can use the technique to establish a new and simpler rat cardiac arrest (CA) model, which may facilitate experimental investigation on CPR.

A simpler cardiac arrest model in rats

Two disadvantages of electrical induction of cardiac arrest used currently are that it is a technically complicated procedure and the consequent thermal injury, which prompts us to search for a simpler method with less adverse effect to induce ventricular fibrillation (VF) in rats. Different potential (18, 24, 30, and 36 V) of alternating current (AC) were administered to elicit VF in 15 rats via pacing electrode placed in esophagus. Four minutes after onset of VF, conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated. Restoration of spontaneous circulation was defined as the return of supraventricular rhythm with a mean aortic pressure of 20 mm Hg or greater for a minimum of 5 minute. Ventricular fibrillation was achieved by short interval of AC stimulation in all of the rats. After the termination of prolonged AC stimulation, electrocardiogram indicated VF occurred in 6 of 15 rats, asystole in 3 of 15 rats and pulseless electrical activity in 6 of 15 rats. Before CPR, however, electrocardiogram indicated that only 2 of 15 and 4 of 15 animals remained in VF and pulseless electrical activity, respectively, whereas 9 of 15 animals presented as asystole. After CPR, 11 of 15 animals were resuscitated. Necropsy showed that there was no gross evidence of thermal injury on the surface layer of the heart. Therefore, development of a rat cardiac arrest model by transesophageal AC stimulation is simpler and less adverse effect, which may have practical significance for facilitating experimental investigation on cardiac arrest and CPR.

The role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in planning treatment protocols for hepatocellular carcinoma before radiofrequency ablation

AIM

To evaluate the clinical value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in identifying the tumour number, ablation range and feeding vessels before ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and to compare the efficacy of RFA after CEUS with the efficacy of RFA after non-enhanced ultrasonography (US) without contrast medium administration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 2002 to 2005, 81 patients with 110 HCCs underwent CEUS with SonoVue before RFA treatment (group A). Eighty six patients with 112 HCCs who underwent US without contrast enhancement before RFA served as the control group (group B). The average diameters of the lesions in group A and group B were 3.6+/-1.1cm and 3.5+/-1.1cm, respectively. There were no significant differences in clinical data between the two groups. Regular follow-up after treatment was performed using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). After treatment, complete necrosis was defined as the absence of viable tissue in treated tumours at the 1-year follow-up CECT.

RESULTS

Using CEUS an additional seven small lesions (< or =2.0 cm) were found compared with those found using CECT and conventional US. CEUS showed that 56.4% of lesions (62/110 tumours) were larger in size and 49.1% (54/110 tumours) became more irregular in shape during the arterial phase than on conventional US. Feeding vessels were detected using CEUS in 52 (91.2%) of 57 lesions that were larger than 3.5 cm. The follow-up period was at least 1 year for each case. The complete tumour necrosis rate in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (92.2% versus 83.0%; p=0.036).

CONCLUSION

CEUS can be used to more accurately define the size and contour of lesions, and to detect additional small or satellite lesions and the feeding vessel of HCC tumours. CEUS provided important information for designing the ablation protocol, and might improve the efficacy of RFA.

Epinephrine, but not vasopressin, improves survival rates in an adult rabbit model of asphyxia cardiac arrest

Although vasopressin has been reported to be more effective than epinephrine for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in ventricular fibrillation animal models, its efficacy in asphyxia model remains controversy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of vasopressin vs epinephrine on restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in a rabbit model of asphyxia cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest was induced by clamping endotracheal tube. After 5 minutes of basic life-support cardiopulmonary resuscitation, animals who had no ROSC were randomly assigned to receive either epinephrine alone (epinephrine group; 200 microg/kg) or vasopressin alone (vasopressin group; 0.8 U/kg). The coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) was calculated as the difference between the minimal diastolic aortic and simultaneously recorded right atrial pressure. Restoration of spontaneous circulation was defined as an unassisted pulse with a systolic arterial pressure of 60 mm Hg or higher for 5 minutes or longer. We induced arrest in 62 rabbits, 15 of whom had ROSC before drug administration and were excluded from analysis. The remaining 47 rabbits were randomized to epinephrine group (n = 24) and vasopressin group (n = 23). Before and after drug administration, CPP in epinephrine group increased significantly (from -4 +/- 4 to 36 +/- 9 mm Hg at peak value, P = .000), whereas CPP in vasopressin group increased only slightly (from 9 +/- 5 to 18 +/- 6 mm Hg at peak value, P = .20). After drug administration, 13 of 24 epinephrine rabbit had ROSC, and only 2 of 23 vasopressin rabbit had ROSC (P < .01). Consequently, we conclude that epinephrine, but not vasopressin, increases survival rates in this adult rabbit asphyxia model.

A dynamic model for assessing universal Hepatitis A vaccination in Canada

Vaccination against Hepatitis A virus (HAV) in Canada is currently targeted toward high-risk groups. However, universal vaccination has been adopted in several other countries with a similar disease burden. Here we develop an age-structured compartmental model of HAV transmission and vaccination in Canada to assess potential universal vaccination strategies. The model predicts that universal vaccination at age 1 (respectively 4, 9, 15), with phasing out of targeted vaccination, would reduce reported incidence by 60% (respectively 52, 36, 31%) and mortality attributable to HAV by 56% (respectively 45, 26, 25%), relative to continued targeted vaccination, over 80 years.

A comparison of transoesophageal cardiac pacing and epinephrine for cardiopulmonary resuscitation

The use of cardiac pacing to deal with bradycardia is well established. There is debate as to the benefits during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This study was performed to compare the effects of transoesophageal cardiac pacing and high-dose epinephrine on the benefits of cardiopulmonary resuscitation after asphyxial cardiac arrest in rats. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes were randomly selected to a saline group (Sal-gro, treated with normal saline 1 mL IV, n = 10), an epinephrine group (Epi-gro, treated with epinephrine 0.4 mg/kg IV, n = 10), or a pacing group (Pac-gro, treated with normal saline 1 mL IV combined with transoesophageal cardiac pacing, n = 10) in a blinded fashion during resuscitation after 10 minutes of asphyxial cardiac arrest. Manual chest compression was in all cases performed using the same methodology by the same personnel who was blinded to hemodynamic monitor tracings. The rate of restoration of spontaneous circulation was 1 (10%), 7 (70%), and 8 (80%) of 10 in Sal-gro, Epi-gro, and Pac-gro, respectively. The rate of ventilator withdrawal within 60 minutes after resuscitation in Pac-gro was higher than that of Epi-gro (8/8 vs 1/7, respectively; P = .001); the survival rate after 2 hours in Pac-gro was significantly higher than that in Epi-gro (7/8 vs 1/7, respectively; P = .01). The data demonstrate that both epinephrine and transoesophageal cardiac pacing are effective within 10 minutes of asphyxia in rats. It is worth noting that transoesophageal cardiac pacing produced a better outcome with respiration and longer survival time compared with epinephrine after restoration of spontaneous circulation.

Does naloxone alone increase resuscitation rate during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a rat asphyxia model?

Cardiac arrest was induced with asphyxia to identify if naloxone alone increases resuscitation rate during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a rat asphyxia model. The animals were randomized into either a saline group (Sal-gro, treated with normal saline 1 ml iv, n = 8), a low-dose naloxone group (treated with naloxone 0.5 mg/kg iv, n = 8), or a high-dose naloxone group (HN-gro, treated with naloxone 1 mg/kg iv, n = 8) in a blinded fashion during resuscitation. At the end of 10 minutes of asphyxia, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was started, and each drug was administered at the same time. The rate of restoration of spontaneous circulation was seen in 1 of 8, 3 of 8, and 7 of 8 animals in the Sal-gro, LN-gro, and HN-gro, respectively. The rate of restoration of spontaneous circulation in HN-gro was significantly higher than that in Sal-gro (P < .05). Naloxone (1 mg/kg) alone can increase resuscitation rate following asphyxial cardiac arrest in rats.

Transoesophageal cardiac pacing is effective for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a rat of asphyxial model

OBJECTIVE

To investigate effectiveness of transoesophageal cardiac pacing in a rat model of asphyxial cardiac arrest.

METHODS

Ten minutes after the tracheal tube had been clamped, cardiac arrest (CA) occurred in 20 Sprague-Dawley rats, and the rats were assigned randomly to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a control group or CPR combined with transoesophageal cardiac pacing in a pacing group. Restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was defined as an unassisted pulse with a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of >or=20 mmHg for >or=1 min.

RESULTS

ROSC was significantly more frequent in the pacing group compared with the control group (7/10 versus 1/10, P<0.05). Faster ROSC and longer survival trend in the pacing group were seen compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION

Transoesophageal cardiac pacing is effective for CPR in a rat of asphyxial model. However, the precise mechanism is not clear and further experiments will be necessary.

Filamin A mutations cause periventricular heterotopia with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To define the clinical, radiologic, and genetic features of periventricular heterotopia (PH) with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS).

METHODS

Exonic sequencing and single stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis was performed on affected individuals. Linkage analysis using microsatellite markers on the X-chromosome was performed on a single pedigree. Western blotting evaluated for loss of filamin A (FLNA) protein and Southern blotting assessed for any potential chromosome rearrangement in this region.

RESULTS

The authors report two familial cases and nine additional sporadic cases of the EDS-variant form of PH, which is characterized by nodular brain heterotopia, joint hypermobility, and development of aortic dilatation in early adulthood. MRI typically demonstrated bilateral nodular PH, indistinguishable from PH due to FLNA mutations. Exonic sequencing or SSCP analyses of FLNA revealed a 2762 delG single base pair deletion in one affected female. Another affected female harbored a C116 single point mutation, resulting in an A39G change. A third affected female had a 4147 delG single base pair deletion. One pedigree with no detectable exonic mutation demonstrated positive linkage to the FLNA locus Xq28, an affected individual in this family also had no detectable FLNA protein, but no chromosomal rearrangement was detected.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the Ehlers-Danlos variant of periventricular heterotopia (PH), in part, represents an overlapping syndrome with X-linked dominant PH due to filamin A mutations.

Standard treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection is suboptimal in non-ulcer dyspepsia compared with duodenal ulcer in Chinese

BACKGROUND

Recent studies suggest that the Helicobacter pylori eradication rate in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia is lower when compared to patients with peptic ulcer diseases.

AIM

The aim of this study was to study the efficacy of triple therapy for H. pylori infection in patients with duodenal ulcer vs. patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia.

METHODS

A total of 582 Chinese patients with proven H. pylori infection were recruited to receive: omeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg and clarithromycin 500 mg all given twice daily for 7 days (OCA regime). Endoscopy with rapid urease test, histology and culture were performed before treatment. Post-treatment H. pylori status was determined by (13)C-urea breath test. Metronidazole, clarithromycin and amoxicillin resistance was defined as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of >8 microg/mL, >1 microg/mL and >1 microg/mL, respectively.

RESULTS

A significantly higher (intention-to-treat/per-protocol) eradication rate was found in patients with duodenal ulcer than those with non-ulcer dyspepsia (91/94% vs. 84/88% respectively, P = 0.011 and P = 0.016). Clarithromycin resistance rate was higher in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia than those with duodenal ulcer (14% vs. 6%, P = 0.015). Clarithromycin resistance (40% vs. 5%, P < 0.001, OR 12, 95% CI: 5.7-24.3) and the diagnosis of non-ulcer dyspepsia (91% vs. 84%, P = 0.011, OR 2.0, 95% CI: 1.2-3.3) significantly affected the success of H. pylori eradication.

CONCLUSION

Clarithromycin resistance accounts for the significantly lower and suboptimal H. pylori eradication rate of OCA regimen in Chinese patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia compared to those with duodenal ulcer.

[The polymorphism of nine STR loci on the genetic original identification of complete hydatidiform mole]

To explore the genetic origin of hydatidiform mole (CHM), 33 cases of CHM were collected mainly from Harbin Red Cross Central hospital from 1998.6 to 2001.5 and studied by multiplex-PCR, products were separated using denaturing polyacrylamide gel and were detected by silver stain for 9 different STR loci analysis. Among 33 samples of CHM, DNA from only paternal origin was found in 27 cases (81.8%, 27/33), and from both parents in 6 cases (18.2%, 6/33); and in the former, the homozygous CHM and the heterozygous CHM were 22 cases (66.7%, 22/33) and 5 cases (15.1%, 5/33), respectively. There was difference between analysis of microsatellite DNA polymorphism and pathological diagnosis in hydatidiform moles' classification. The results suggest that the analysis of 9 polymorphic STR loci is suitable for genetic original identification of hydatidiform moles.

A population-based epidemiologic study of irritable bowel syndrome in South China: stratified randomized study by cluster sampling

BACKGROUND

The detailed population-based data on irritable bowel syndrome in South China are lacking.

AIMS

To assess the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in South China and its impact on health-related quality of life.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A face-to-face interview was carried out in South China to assess the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome. Random clustered sampling of permanent inhabitants aged 18-80 years was carried out under stratification of urban and suburban areas. The impact of irritable bowel syndrome on health-related quality of life was evaluated using the Chinese version of SF-36.

RESULTS

A total of 4178 subjects (1907 male and 2271 female) were interviewed. The adjusted prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in South China is 11.50% according to the Manning criteria and 5.67% according to the Rome II criteria. Factors including history of analgesic use such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (odds ratio 3.83), history of food allergies (odds ratio 2.68), psychological distress (odds ratio 2.18), life events (odds ratio 1.89), history of dysentery (odds ratio 1.63) and negative coping style (odds ratio 1.28) were significantly associated with the presence of irritable bowel syndrome (P < 0.05). Irritable bowel syndrome was significantly associated with a decrement in health-related quality of life score.

CONCLUSION

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder in South China and has a negative impact on health-related quality of life.

Perineural invasion is associated with increased relapse after external beam radiotherapy for men with low-risk prostate cancer and may be a marker for occult, high-grade cancer

PURPOSE

To investigate the risk of postradiotherapy prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure on the basis of pretreatment risk factors in prostate cancer patients with and without perineural invasion (PNI) in prostate biopsy specimens and to explain the observation that otherwise low-risk patients with PNI experience decreased freedom from PSA failure after external beam radiotherapy (RT).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The study cohort consisted of 381 patients who underwent RT between 1989 and 2000 for clinically localized prostate cancer. A single genitourinary pathologist scored the absence or presence of PNI on all prostate biopsy specimens. Patients were divided into low-, intermediate- and high-risk subgroups on the basis of their 1992 American Joint Committee on Cancer T-stage, pretreatment PSA level, and Gleason score. Cox regression uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate whether the presence or absence of PNI in the biopsy specimen was a predictor of the time to post-RT PSA failure for patients in each pretreatment risk group. PSA failure was defined using the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology consensus definition. Actuarial PSA failure-free survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and comparisons were performed using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

Cox regression univariate analysis revealed that PNI was a significant predictor of the time to PSA failure in the low-risk (p = 0.04) and high-risk (p = 0.03) cohorts. The 5-year PSA failure-free survival rate was 50% vs. 80% (p = 0.04) in low-risk patients, 70% vs. 75% (p = 0.72) in intermediate-risk patients, and 29% vs. 53% (p = 0.03) in high-risk patients with and without PNI, respectively. Cox regression multivariate analysis within the high-risk group revealed that a PSA level > or =20 ng/mL (p = 0.01) and Gleason score > or =8 (p = 0.02), but not PNI, were the only significant predictors of the time to PSA failure after RT. However, an association was found between the presence of PNI in the needle biopsy specimen and a biopsy Gleason score of 8-10 (p = 0.06). The association was stronger between the presence of PNI in the needle biopsy specimen and a biopsy Gleason score of 7-10 (p = 0. 033).

CONCLUSION

A decrement in PSA outcome after RT for low-risk patients with PNI-positive biopsy specimens was found. The association between PNI and high Gleason score provides a possible explanation for the loss of statistical significance of PNI in the Cox regression multivariate analysis of the high-risk cohort. The data suggest that PNI found in the biopsy specimen of an otherwise low-risk patient predicts for occult high-grade disease that is missed owing to the sampling error associated with prostate biopsy. The association between PNI and a high Gleason score argues for the use of more aggressive therapy, such as hormonal therapy with RT and/or dose escalation, in these select patients.

Differential inducibilities of GFAP expression, cytostasis and apoptosis in primary cultures of human astrocytic tumours

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is an astrocytic lineage-specific intermediate filament protein, and its expression or non-expression is inversely correlated with the tumourigenecity of astrocytoma cells. To estimate the GFAP levels of astrocytes in intracranial tumour tissues, we established primary cultures from six astrocytic tumour specimens and used a double-staining flow cytometric method to detect the different levels of GFAP among these primary cultures. Although these primary cultures exhibited the same Matrigel invasiveness, their GFAP expression is inversely related to the rate of cell growth and the histologic grade of the original tumour. Phenylacetate, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and sodium butyrate, which are potent inducers of differentiation in various cancer cells, have been examined for their effects on these primary cultures. Cytostasis was more or less caused by these compounds in all six primary cultures, but induction of GFAP was observed only in the primary culture derived from a less malignant astrocytoma specimen having the highest intrinsic GFAP level. Interestingly, this primary culture, but not others, also exhibited increased HRG-alpha expression after phenylacetate or sodium butyrate treatment. Loss of the inducibility of differentiation-related gene expression could be one of the events involved in the malignant progression of astrocytomas. In addition, the chemotherapeutic agent BiCNU has a killing effect on all six primary culture cells, with LD50 less than 60 nM. The underlying mechanism was through the induction of apoptosis in these primary culture cells regardless of their varying malignancies of original tumours. However, unlike colon cancer and leukaemia cells, sodium butyrate could not induce apoptosis within 4 days in these astrocytic tumour cells, indicating that the cell context of different cell types indeed determined the ability of sodium butyrate to induce apoptosis.

Novel mutation and prenatal sonographic findings of glutaric aciduria (type I) in two Taiwanese families

Glutaric aciduria type I (GA I) is an autosomal recessively inherited inborn error with a defect of the enzyme glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase (GCDH), which has never been diagnosed prenatally in Taiwanese patients. We present the prenatal sonographic findings and mutational analysis data of three children in two Taiwanese families. One patient from each family was diagnosed postnatally due to macrocephaly and neurological deterioration at 4 months and 10 months, respectively. The third child, sister of the first patient, was diagnosed prenatally at 11 weeks' gestation through chorionic villus sampling (CVS). Molecular analysis revealed that the fetus and child in Family 1 were homozygous for a common mutation, IVS10 -2A>C, which has not been reported in the Caucasian population. The patient in Family 2 was a compound heterozygote for IVS10 -2A>C and a novel mutation 749T>C (L238P). After genetic counseling, the couple decided to continue the second pregnancy. However, dilatation of quadrigeminal cistern (QC) and suspicious macrocephaly were noted at 30 weeks. Progressive dilatation of the QC associated with macrocephaly, fronto-temporal atrophy and wide space of perisylvian fissure were found in the follow-up scans. The affected girl was delivered at 37 weeks' gestation by cesarean section. Postnatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies confirmed the prenatal sonographic findings. With prenatal sonographic findings and mutational analysis presented in the present cases, the feasibility of prenatal diagnosis of GA I in high-risk pregnancy can not be overlooked.

Metachronous bilateral mammary metaplastic and infiltrating duct carcinomas: a molecular study for clonality

Mammary metaplastic carcinoma is uncommon. In this study, both carcinoma and sarcoma components of a metaplastic carcinoma and a subsequent metachronous contralateral infiltrating ductal carcinoma were analyzed by microsatellite analysis for the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) patterns at multiple sites on chromosome arms 3p, 6q, 8, 9p, 11, 13q, 14q, 16q, and 17p. The LOH patterns between the carcinoma and sarcoma components in the first tumor were similar, indicating clonality. The LOH patterns between the first and second tumors were different at all chromosome arms, indicating different clonality and a second primary. We demonstrated a second primary carcinoma in a patient with previous metaplastic carcinoma rather than a metastasis with carcinoma component only.

A degeneration-based hypothesis for interpreting fibrillar changes in the osteoarthritic cartilage matrix

The collagen fibrillar architectures in the general matrix of cartilage slices removed from both normal and osteoarthritic femoral heads were examined by both differential interference light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Whereas the normal general matrix contained a finely differentiated pseudo-random weave of fibrils developed from an interconnected array of radial elements, the osteoarthritic general matrix was characterised by the presence of structurally distinct regions consisting of strongly aligned radial bundles of fibrils and associated intense tangles or 'knotted' features. Simple structural models were developed to explore possible transformation structures based on two different types of interconnectivity in the three-dimensional fibrillar network. These models support the hypothesis that the distinctive ultrastructural features of the osteoarthritic general matrix can develop as a consequence of largely passive degradative changes occurring in the fibrillar weave originally present in the normal matrix. This could, in principle, occur independently of any new structure that might develop as a consequence of any upregulation of collagen associated with the osteoarthritic process.

Hepatocyte nuclear factors-1alpha, -1beta, and -3beta expressed in the gonad of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)

Hepatocyte nuclear factors (HNFs) are upstream regulators of many liver-specific genes and are involved in many cellular functions in the body, but their existence, expression, and function in gonads are still poorly understood. Here we report on the first cloning of partial cDNAs of HNF-1alpha and -1beta and full HNF-3beta cDNA from a tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) liver cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence of tilapia HNF-3beta has a 90 to 96% identity with those of other fishes (dwarf gourami, medaka, and zebrafish), 74% with mammals (human, rat, and mouse), and 82% with Xenopus. RT-PCR detected IGF-I and -II and HNF-1alpha, -1beta, and -3beta in both liver and gonads and the identity of the PCR fragments was confirmed by PCR hybridization. Immunoprecipitation and Western blotting also detected all three HNF proteins in both liver and gonads. Expression of HNFs in the gonads of the tilapia suggests that multi-HNFs may form a cascade to regulate gonadal physiology in the bony fish.

Environmentally induced reversible conformational switching in the yeast cell adhesion protein alpha-agglutinin

The yeast cell adhesion protein alpha-agglutinin is expressed on the surface of a free-living organism and is subjected to a variety of environmental conditions. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy shows that the binding region of alpha-agglutinin has a beta-sheet-rich structure, with only approximately 2% alpha-helix under native conditions (15-40 degrees C at pH 5.5). This region is predicted to fold into three immunoglobulin-like domains, and models are consistent with the CD spectra as well as with peptide mapping and site-specific mutagenesis. However, secondary structure prediction algorithms show that segments comprising approximately 17% of the residues have high alpha-helical and low beta-sheet potential. Two model peptides of such segments had helical tendencies, and one of these peptides showed pH-dependent conformational switching. Similarly, CD spectroscopy of the binding region of alpha-agglutinin showed reversible conversion from beta-rich to mixed alpha/beta structure at elevated temperatures or when the pH was changed. The reversibility of these changes implied that there is a small energy difference between the all-beta and the alpha/beta states. Similar changes followed cleavage of peptide or disulfide bonds. Together, these observations imply that short sequences of high helical propensity are constrained to a beta-rich state by covalent and local charge interactions under native conditions, but form helices under non-native conditions.

Rubella virus DI RNAs and replicons: requirement for nonstructural proteins acting in cis for amplification by helper virus

A rubella virus (RUB) replicon was constructed by replacing the 3' proximal structural protein ORF (SP-ORF) in Robo402, a RUB infectious cDNA clone, with a reporter gene, green fluorescent protein (GFP). This replicon, RUBrep/GFP, mimics naturally occurring RUB defective-interfering (DI) RNAs generated during serial undiluted passage that maintain the 5' proximal nonstructural protein ORF (NS-ORF) but contain deletions in the SP-ORF. Following transfection of Vero cells with in vitro RNA transcripts from RUBrep/GFP, replicon replication occurred and the replicon was amplified and spread to other cells in the presence of standard helper virus. GFP expression was a much more sensitive indicator of replicon replication than was Northern analysis to detect replicon-specific RNAs. Most of a series of RUBrep/GFP constructs with deletions in the NS-ORF not only were incapable of self-replication, but were not amplified by standard helper virus. The only exception was a construct with an in-frame deletion between two NotI sites that removed nucleotides 1685-2192 of the genome; this construct did not express GFP by itself, but did express GFP in the presence of standard helper RUB and was spread to other cells. Thus, with the exception of this region, the NS-ORF is required in cis for amplification of RUB replicons by standard helper virus, explaining the selection of DI RNAs that maintain the NS-ORF. Surprisingly, when the NotI deletion was introduced into Robo402, a viable virus resulted that replicated only threefold less efficiently than did Robo402 virus. Thus, the NotI region of the NS-ORF is not necessary for virus replication. This deletion covers a region of the NS-ORF without predicted function, which therefore may function as a spacer or hinge between functional domains. Nevertheless, it was an unexpected finding that a small virus such as RUB could dispense with approximately 10% of its genome.

Characteristics of a disease of Sphagnum fuscum caused by Scleroconidioma sphagnicola

Scleroconidioma sphagnicola Tsuneda, Currah & Thormann, a dematiaceous hyphomycetous fungus, was found to cause a disease of Sphagnum fuscum (Schimp.) Klinggr. Hyphae of S. sphagnicola penetrated into chlorophyllose cells of host leaves and caused degeneration of chloroplasts, resulting in chlorosis of the infected leaves. Parasite hyphae often grew inside the host cell wall, and cavities were created around the hyphae. The invaded cell wall of Sp. fuscum appeared swollen and showed wavy deformation. In advanced stages of disease development, infected leaf chlorophyllose cells and stem cortical cells were necrotic and the entire plant became brown, shriveled, and brittle. Hyphae of S. sphagnicola began to form microsclerotia during early stages of disease development. Microsclerotia either formed conidiogenous cells on their surface or remained metabolically inactive and did not form conidiogenous cells. It was concluded that S. sphagnicola is a necrotrophic pathogen of Sp. fuscum, and its morphological and phenological features show remarkable adaptations for dispersal and colonization as a pathogen in bog habitats.Key words: moss, fungal pathogen, pathogenesis, chlorosis, necrosis, microsclerotia.

Characterization of the RcsC-->YojN-->RcsB phosphorelay signaling pathway involved in capsular synthesis in Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli and other enteric microorganisms produce an extracellular polysaccharide capsule, called colanic acid, under certain environmental conditions. This capsular synthesis is regulated by the RcsC (sensor kinase)-->YojN (phosphotransfer intermediate)-->RcsB (response regulator) phosphorelay signal transduction under certain growth conditions. Nonetheless, little is known about signals that exaggerate the Rcs-system. To gain insight into signals that activate the Rcs-system, here we searched for genes that activate the Rcs-system, provided that those on a multicopy plasmid were introduced into E. coli. We identified several such genes, namely, rcsB, rcsA, djlA, lolA, and ompG. The DjlA, LolA, and OmpG proteins are particularly interesting in that they are all located on the cell surface, where the primary sensor RcsC histidine-kinase is localized. Implications of these findings are discussed with special reference to the mechanism by which RcsC perceives external signals.