Associations between variants of bone morphogenetic protein 7 gene and growth traits in chickens

1. Enhancing bone strength to solve leg disorders in poultry has become an important goal in broiler production. Bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7), a member of the BMP family, represents an attractive therapeutic target for bone regeneration in humans and plays critical roles in skeletal development. 2. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between BMP7 gene expression, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and growth traits in chickens. Here, a SNP (c.1995T>C) in the chicken (Gallus gallus) BMP7 gene was identified, that was associated with growth and carcass traits. 3. Genotyping revealed that the T allele occurred more frequently in breeds with high growth rates, whereas the C allele was predominant in those with low growth rates. The expression level of BMP7 in the thigh bone of birds with the TT genotype was significantly higher than in those with the CC genotype at 21, 42 and 91 d of age. 4. These findings suggest that selecting the birds with the TT genotype of SNP c.1995T>C could improve bone growth, could reduce leg disorders in fast-growing birds. The SNP c.1995T>C may serve as a selective marker for improving bone growth and increasing the consistency of body weights in poultry breeding.

Design and performance of an X-ray scanning microscope at the Hard X-ray Nanoprobe beamline of NSLS-II

A hard X-ray scanning microscope installed at the Hard X-ray Nanoprobe beamline of the National Synchrotron Light Source II has been designed, constructed and commissioned. The microscope relies on a compact, high stiffness, low heat dissipation approach and utilizes two types of nanofocusing optics. It is capable of imaging with ∼15 nm × 15 nm spatial resolution using multilayer Laue lenses and 25 nm × 26 nm resolution using zone plates. Fluorescence, diffraction, absorption, differential phase contrast, ptychography and tomography are available as experimental techniques. The microscope is also equipped with a temperature regulation system which allows the temperature of a sample to be varied in the range between 90 K and 1000 K. The constructed instrument is open for general users and offers its capabilities to the material science, battery research and bioscience communities.

Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the microRNA miR-1596 locus with residual feed intake in chickens

MicroRNAs are an abundant class of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression. Genetic variations in microRNA sequences may be associated with phenotype differences by influencing the expression of microRNAs and/or their targets. This study identified two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genomic region of the microRNA miR-1596 locus of chicken. Of the two SNPs, one was 95 bp upstream of miR-1596 (g.5678784A>T) and the other was in the middle of the sequence producing the mature microRNA gga-miR-1596-3p (g.5678944A>G). Genotypic distribution of the two SNPs had large differences among 12 chicken breeds (lines), especially between the fast-growing commercial lines and the slow-growing Chinese indigenous breeds for the g.5678784A>T SNP. Only the g.5678784A>T SNP was significantly associated with residual feed intake (RFI) in the F2 population derived from a fast-growing and a slow-growing broiler as well as in the pure Huiyang bearded chicken. The birds with the AA genotype of the g.5678784A>T SNP had lower RFI and higher expression of the mature gga-miR-1596-3p microRNA of miR-1596 than did those with the other genotypes of the same SNP. We also found that the expression of the mature gga-miR-1596-3p microRNA of miR-1596 was significantly associated with RFI. These findings suggest that miR-1596 can become a candidate gene related to RFI, and its genetic variation may contribute to changes in RFI by altering expression levels of the mature gga-miR-1596-3p microRNA in chicken.

Accumulation of melanin in the peritoneum causes black abdomens in broilers

A suspected case of localized visceral hyperpigmentation was described for a breed of broiler in China. Using optical microscopy, the accumulation of pigments in the abdominal skin and visceral peritoneum was observed. Electron microscopy was used to further study the ultrastructure of the pigmented peritoneum, and pigment granules resembling melanosomes at different stages were found, and melanocytes were present in this tissue. Infrared spectroscopy was used to analyze the physical-chemical properties of pigments extracted from these broilers. Using synthetic melanin as a reference and the melanin from the peritoneum of Silkie fowls as a control, the pigments in the peritonea of these broilers were found to be melanin, and it had a chemical structure similar to that of melanin from the Silkie fowl peritoneum. In this way, the black abdomens of these broilers were found to have been caused by accumulation of melanin produced by melanocytes in visceral peritonea.

The Bionanoprobe: hard X-ray fluorescence nanoprobe with cryogenic capabilities

Hard X-ray fluorescence microscopy is one of the most sensitive techniques for performing trace elemental analysis of biological samples such as whole cells and tissues. Conventional sample preparation methods usually involve dehydration, which removes cellular water and may consequently cause structural collapse, or invasive processes such as embedding. Radiation-induced artifacts may also become an issue, particularly as the spatial resolution increases beyond the sub-micrometer scale. To allow imaging under hydrated conditions, close to the `natural state', as well as to reduce structural radiation damage, the Bionanoprobe (BNP) has been developed, a hard X-ray fluorescence nanoprobe with cryogenic sample environment and cryo transfer capabilities, dedicated to studying trace elements in frozen-hydrated biological systems. The BNP is installed at an undulator beamline at sector 21 of the Advanced Photon Source. It provides a spatial resolution of 30 nm for two-dimensional fluorescence imaging. In this first demonstration the instrument design and motion control principles are described, the instrument performance is quantified, and the first results obtained with the BNP on frozen-hydrated whole cells are reported.

Hybrid diamond-silicon angular-dispersive x-ray monochromator with 0.25-meV energy bandwidth and high spectral efficiency

We report on the design, implementation, and performance of an x-ray monochromator with ultra-high energy resolution (ΔE/E ≃ 2.7 × 10(-8)) and high spectral efficiency using x rays with photon energies E ≃ 9.13 keV. The operating principle of the monochromator is based on the phenomenon of angular dispersion in Bragg back-diffraction. The optical scheme of the monochromator is a modification of a scheme reported earlier [Shvyd'ko et al., Phys. Rev. A 84, 053823 (2011)], where a collimator/wavelength selector Si crystal was replaced with a 100-μm-thick type IIa diamond crystal. This modification provides a very-small-energy bandwidth ΔE ≃ 0.25 meV, a 3-fold increase in the aperture of the accepted beam, a reduction in the cumulative angular dispersion rate of x rays emanating from the monochromator for better focusing on a sample, a sufficient angular acceptance matching the angular divergence of an undulator source (≈ 10 μrad), and an improved throughput due to low x-ray absorption in the thin diamond crystal. The measured spectral efficiency of the monochromator was ≈ 65% with an aperture of 0.3 × 1 mm(2). The performance parameters of the monochromator are suitable for inelastic x-ray spectroscopy with an absolute energy resolution ΔE < 1 meV.

Performance and characterization of the prototype nm-scale spatial resolution scanning multilayer Laue lenses microscope

Synchrotron based x-ray microscopy established itself as a prominent tool for noninvasive investigations in many areas of science and technology. Many facilities around the world routinely achieve sub-micrometer resolution with a few instruments capable of imaging with the spatial resolution better than 100 nm. With an ongoing effort to push the 2D/3D resolution down to 10 nm in the hard x-ray regime both fabrication of the nano-focusing optics and stability of a microscope become extremely challenging. In this work we present our approach to overcome technical challenges on the path towards high spatial resolution hard x-ray microscopy and demonstrate the performance of a scanning fluorescence microscope equipped with the multilayer Laue lenses focusing optics.

Identification of an abundant allergen from the sheep louse, Bovicola ovis

Infestation of sheep with the louse Bovicola ovis is common worldwide and leads to an allergic dermatitis referred to as 'scatter cockle'. IgE from an infested lamb was used in immunoaffinity chromatography to purify allergens from crude preparations of whole B. ovis and its faeces. SDS-PAGE of the affinity-purified eluates from both preparations showed a dominant band with M(r) of 28.5 kDa. Spleen cells from a mouse immunised with B. ovis faecal antigens were used to produce hybridomas which were screened by ELISA to identify those producing monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to the allergens purified by IgE immunoaffinity chromatography. Western blotting demonstrated that all of the mAbs examined recognised the 28.5 kDa allergen. The allergen, purified using immunoaffinity columns constructed with one of the specific mAbs, was shown to cause immediate and late-phase responses on intradermal skin testing in B. ovis-infested but not in naïve lambs. Levels of serum IgE specific for the purified allergen were significantly higher in infested than in naïve lambs (P < or = 0.0025). N-terminal and internal amino acid (aa) sequences obtained from the purified 28.5 kDa allergen were used to design primers to amplify a partial cDNA probe from B. ovis cDNA by PCR. The amplified probe was radiolabeled and used to screen a B. ovis cDNA library. The complete nucleotide sequence of the allergen was determined from the sequences of the positive clones from the library. The full-length cDNA encodes a 255 aa protein including a secretory leader sequence of 26 aas and a mature protein of 229 aas. The encoded protein showed strong homology to several hypothetical proteins of unknown function from diverse species and weak homology with lipid-binding proteins of Xenopus tropicalis and Galleria mellonella. This is the first allergen to be identified from a louse and it has been designated Bov o 1 in accordance with the criteria of the World Health Organization/International Union of Immunological Societies Allergen Nomenclature Subcommittee.

Heritability of resistance to infestation with the body louse, Bovicola ovis, in Romney sheep bred for differences in resistance or resilience to gastro-intestinal nematode parasites

The inheritance of resistance to louse infestation and the related allergic skin disease, cockle, was examined in Romney lambs. The lambs used in the study were the 2001- and 2004-born progeny of four experimental breeding lines ("Resistant", "Susceptible", "Resilient" and "Control") developed as part of a long-term study of the genetics of host resistance (maintenance of low faecal egg count (FEC) under nematode challenge) or resilience (maintenance of health and productivity under nematode challenge irrespective of FEC) to nematode parasites in sheep. Between 13 and 22 progeny (equally distributed between males and females, where possible) from each of five sires in each line were selected each year for this trial. All lambs (n=701) were examined for lice (Bovicola ovis) before artificial infestation; in 2001 the lambs were free of natural infestation, whilst in 2004 naturally acquired infestation was evident. In November 2001 and May 2002, approximately 60 B. ovis were transferred to each lamb, followed by monitoring at approximately 2-monthly intervals until August 2002. Similar procedures, but with fewer monitoring times, were repeated on the 2004 lambs. Overall, lambs in the Control line were significantly more susceptible to louse infestation and cockle compared with those in the other three lines (P<0.001). Least squares-means (SEM) of log-transformed louse score for the control, resistant, susceptible and resilient lines, respectively, were 2.178 (0.045), 1.499 (0.050), 1.618 (0.050) and 1.587 (0.044), and for cockle score were 1.36 (0.05), 0.76 (0.05), 0.95 (0.05) and 0.78 (0.05). From all progeny together, the heritability of log-transformed louse score was 0.22 (Standard Error (SE) 0.06) in autumn and 0.34 (SE 0.08) in winter, with a value of 0.44 (SE 0.09) when these data were combined. These estimates were similar to those obtained for resistance to gastro-intestinal nematodes in these breeding lines, using log-transformed FECs. Heritability estimates for cockle score in autumn, winter and when combined were 0.06 (SE 0.04), 0.45 (SE 0.09) and 0.40 (SE 0.09), respectively. The genetic correlations of mean log-transformed louse score with mean cockle score and levels of two different louse antigens in wool were, respectively, 0.97 (SE 0.04), 0.96 (SE 0.08) and 0.95 (SE 0.09). However, there was no significant genetic correlation between louse scores and FEC. These results suggest that selective breeding would be effective in reducing louse infestation and cockle in sheep, but that differences in louse burdens were not related to differences in nematode burdens as indicated by FECs.

A cryogenically stabilized meV-monochromator for hard X-rays

The design and performance results for a cryogenically stabilized high-resolution monochromator for 23.880 keV (lambda = 52 pm) X-rays are presented. The four-crystal-reflection monochromator is suitable for nuclear resonant scattering measurements from 119Sn compounds using synchrotron radiation. The design includes a low-vibration cryostat that maintains two of the four crystal reflections at a temperature where the coefficient for thermal expansion of the crystalline material (silicon) vanishes. Test results demonstrate a 1.3 meV bandwidth with negligible broadening due to vibrations and a spectral efficiency of 37% when used with an undulator source.

Growth-promoting effect of recombinant human growth hormone and stanozolol in girls with Turner syndrome

Ten girls with Turner syndrome were treated with a combination therapy of recombinant human growth hormone (R-hGH) and low dose stanozolol for a period of 8 to 36 months. The results showed that when compared with the growth rate before the treatment, the growth rates after treatment with R-hGH and stanozolol showed a sustained increase, reaching 9.0 +/- 1.9 cm/year during the first year of treatment; the height age increase by 2.5 +/- 0.8 years while the bone age increase were 1.0 +/- 0.7 years; and the predicted final adult height at the end of the first year of the treatment increased to 149.4 +/- 6.1 cm compared to their original mean of 142.8 +/- 4.2 cm. We are led to conclude that therapy with R-hGH in combination with stanozolol can increase the growth velocity and significantly increase the predicted adult height of children with Turner syndrome.

Bacterial virus phi29 pRNA as a hammerhead ribozyme escort to destroy hepatitis B virus

The DNA-packaging pRNA of bacterial virus phi29, which forms dimers and then hexamers, contains two independent tightly self-folded domains. Circularly permuted pRNAs were constructed without impacting pRNA folding. Connecting the pRNA 5'/3' ends with variable sequences did not disturb its folding and function. These unique features, which help prevent two common problems - exonuclease degradation and misfolding in the cell, make pRNA an ideal vector to carry therapeutic RNAs. A pRNA-based vector was designed to carry hammerhead ribozymes that cleave the hepatitis B virus (HBV) polyA signal. The chimeric HBV-targeting ribozyme was connected to the pRNA 5'/3' ends as circularly permuted pRNA. Two cis-cleaving ribozymes were used to flank and process the chimeric ribozyme. The hammerhead ribozyme including its two arms for HBV targeting was able to fold correctly while escorted by the pRNA. The chimeric ribozyme cleaved the polyA signal of HBV mRNA in vitro almost completely. Cell culture studies showed that the chimeric ribozyme was able to enhance the inhibition of HBV replication when compared with the ribozyme not escorted by pRNA, as demonstrated by Northern blot and e-antigen assays. pRNA could also carry another hammerhead ribozyme to cleave other RNA substrate. These findings suggest that pRNA can be used as a vector for imparting stability to ribozymes, antisense, and other therapeutic RNA molecules in vivo.

[Fetal ultrasound biometry in a Cameroonian population: study of femur length]

The length of the fetal femur was measured by fetal ultrasonography in Cameroonian population as a preliminary step in constructing local curves for fetal growth. This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in 3 centers in Yaoundé, Cameroon over a period of one year. A total of 803 pregnant women (mean age, 27.15 years) knowing the exact date of the last menstrual period (LMP) were included. Based on ultrasound findings demonstrating a single fetus with normal development. Gestational age ranged from 12 to 42 weeks of amenorrhea (WOA). The mean length of the femur increased from 16.61 +/- 2.25 mm at 13 WOA to 75.36 +/- 4.85 mm at 42 WOA. There was a good correlation with gestational age and findings reported in the literature. Curves obtained using these data were compared with those in the literature. In most cases femur lengths measured in Cameroonian fetuses were slightly longer than European standards throughout pregnancy.

Cell cycle analysis by cyclin E + A/DNA multiparameter flow cytometry in exponential growth MOLT-4 cells

OBJECTIVE

To establish a new method for analyzing the cell cycle in tumor which is a kind of cell cycle disease.

METHODS

Mixtures of cyclin E and cyclin A antibodies were incubated with fixed MOLT-4 cells, and measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

We developed a cyclin E + A/DNA flow cytometry analysis method, which may distinguish G0, early G1, late G1, S, G2 and M phase cells, rather than three phases in the DNA content histogram.

CONCLUSION

Cyclin E + A/DNA multiparameter flow cytometry can simultaneously differentiate in the same sample six cell groups: G0, early G1, late G1, S, G2 and M phase cells. It performed better than any other cell cycle analysis methods that we have used and has a definite cell biology foundation.

[IFN-r/IL-4 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the patients with chronic severe hepatitis]

OBJECTIVE

To understand the expressions of interferon-r (INF-r) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of the patients with chronic severe hepatitis (CSH).

METHODS

PBMCs from the patients with CSH were separated routinely and stimulated by PMA/Ionomycin/Monensin. The production of IFN-r/IL-4 by CD4+ T cells in PBMC was determined by fluorescence activated call sorting (FACS) analysis and fluorescence-quantitative PCR assay for quantification of HBV DNA.

RESULTS

The percentage of IFN-gamma-producing T cells in CD4+ T cells was higher in patients with CSH (7.2%-26.3%) than in normal controls (2.2%-11.9%) (P<0.01). The percentage of Th1 cells increased significantly with the raise of hepatic inflammation activity. The percentage of IL-4-producing T cells in CD4+ T cells did not differ significantly between patients with CSH and normal controls. The quantification of HBV DNA decreased significantly with the increase of the percentage of IFN-gamma-producing T cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Th1 cell is associated with hepatic inflammatory activity and IFN-gamma depresses HBV replication.

Increased serum levels of eotaxin in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

The CC-chemokines eotaxin and eotaxin-2, produced by epithelial and phagocytic cells, are potent and selective chemoattractants for eosinophils and basophils. The eosinophil is a potent inflammatory cell thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study we investigated the serum concentrations of eotaxin and eotaxin-2 in patients with Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis.

METHODS

Thirty-one patients with Crohn disease, 35 patients with ulcerative colitis and 41 control patients were studied. Eotaxin and eotaxin-2 serum levels were measured with solid phase sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

RESULTS

Significantly increased serum eotaxin levels were observed in both patients with Crohn disease (289.4+/-591.5 pg/ml) and ulcerative colitis (207.0+/-243.4 pg/ml) when compared with controls (138.0+/-107.8 pg/ml) (P < 0.01). Moreover, patients with active Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis showed significantly higher serum eotaxin levels than patients with quiescent disease (434.0+/-776.8 pg/ml versus 113.8+/-65.4 pg/ml in Crohn disease and 295.7+/-337.1 versus 121.2+/-91.9 pg/ml in ulcerative colitis, P < 0.05). In contrast, there was no significant difference in eotaxin-2 serum levels among patients with Crohn disease (863.5+/-448.2 pg/ml), ulcerative colitis (1028.3+/-431.4 pg/ml) and controls (981.4+/-539.4 pg/ml).

CONCLUSIONS

Eotaxin is significantly increased in serum of patients with active Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, suggesting that this cytokine may play a role in the pathogenesis of IBD.

Increased serum levels of eotaxin in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

The CC-chemokines eotaxin and eotaxin-2, produced by epithelial and phagocytic cells, are potent and selective chemoattractants for eosinophils and basophils. The eosinophil is a potent inflammatory cell thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study we investigated the serum concentrations of eotaxin and eotaxin-2 in patients with Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis.

METHODS

Thirty-one patients with Crohn disease, 35 patients with ulcerative colitis and 41 control patients were studied. Eotaxin and eotaxin-2 serum levels were measured with solid phase sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

RESULTS

Significantly increased serum eotaxin levels were observed in both patients with Crohn disease (289.4+/-591.5 pg/ml) and ulcerative colitis (207.0+/-243.4 pg/ml) when compared with controls (138.0+/-107.8 pg/ml) (P < 0.01). Moreover, patients with active Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis showed significantly higher serum eotaxin levels than patients with quiescent disease (434.0+/-776.8 pg/ml versus 113.8+/-65.4 pg/ml in Crohn disease and 295.7+/-337.1 versus 121.2+/-91.9 pg/ml in ulcerative colitis, P < 0.05). In contrast, there was no significant difference in eotaxin-2 serum levels among patients with Crohn disease (863.5+/-448.2 pg/ml), ulcerative colitis (1028.3+/-431.4 pg/ml) and controls (981.4+/-539.4 pg/ml).

CONCLUSIONS

Eotaxin is significantly increased in serum of patients with active Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, suggesting that this cytokine may play a role in the pathogenesis of IBD.

Helicobacter pylori infection: mechanism of colonization and functional dyspepsia Reduced colonization of gastric mucosa by Helicobacter pylori in mice deficient in interleukin-10

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a potent anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory cytokine. Mice deficient in IL-10 production (IL-10-/-mice) develop a spontaneous chronic enterocolitis, suggesting that IL-10 is an important regulator of the mucosal immune response in vivo. The objective of this study was to determine the role of endogenous IL-10 in the host defense against gastric colonization by Helicobacter pylori by using IL-10-deficient mice.

METHODS

The IL-10-/-mice were inoculated intragastrically with a mouse-adapted H. pylori isolate (Sydney Strain 1). Gastric colonization by H. pylori (biopsy urease test and bacterial colony counts), serum levels of H. pylori-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) M, A, G, isotypes of IgG, and the gastric mucosal inflammatory scores were determined 6 weeks after inoculation. Results were compared with those obtained from H. pylori-infected control mice (IL-10+/-mice).

RESULTS

The colonization of gastric mucosa by H. pylori was reduced approximately 100-fold (P < 0.0001) in IL-10-/-mice (log10 4.87 +/- 0.26CFU/g tissue) as compared to IL-10+/-mice (log10 6.64 +/- 0.22 CFU/g tissue). Furthermore, IL-10-/-mice infected with H. pylori had significantly higher H. pylori-specific IgA and IgG antibodies in serum (P < or = 0.01), and developed much more severe chronic active gastritis than infected IL-10+/-mice. The median scores of the infiltration of gastric mucosa by mononuclear cells and neutrophils were up to threefold higher in IL-10-/-mice than they were in IL-10+/-mice.

CONCLUSION

Our studies suggest that endogenous IL-10 is an inhibitor of the protective immune response to H. pylori infection. Interleukin-10 participates in the downregulation of H. pylori-induced gastric inflammatory responses, which apparently confers a survival advantage to the organism promoting more effective colonization of gastric mucosa.

Inhibition of mitogen-induced murine lymphocyte proliferation by Helicobacter pylori cell-free extract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Previous studies have shown that lysates of Helicobacter pylori inhibit mitogen-induced proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The objective of the present study was to determine whether H. pylori cell-free extract (HPCE) has similar effects on murine lymphoid cells and could, therefore, be used to further delineate the mechanisms of alteration of lymphocyte function by H. pylori.

METHODS

The HPCE was prepared from a H. pylori reference strain and from five clinical strains with varying status of cagA and vacA. Mouse splenic and mesenteric lymph node cells were cultured in microwell plates in the presence or absence of varying concentrations of HPCE (0.625-12.5 microg/mL). T cell mitogens were added into the culture 2 h later and the cells were cultured at 37 degrees C in 5% CO2 for a further 72 h. Cell proliferation was determined by a non-radioactive rapid dye assay and the percentage inhibition caused by HPCE was calculated.

RESULTS

Pre-exposure to HPCE significantly inhibited concanavalin A-induced proliferation of murine spleen and mesenteric lymph node cells (up to 100% inhibition; P < or = 0.01). The HPCE also inhibited lymphocyte proliferation stimulated by mitogens phorbol-myristate-acetate and ionomycin and by the anti-CD3epsilon monoclonal antibody (P < or = 0.05). The inhibition was dose-dependent, but independent of the presence of virulence genes cagA or vacA. Treatment of HPCE at 80 degrees C for 30 min, but not at 55 degrees C for 60 min, completely abolished its inhibitory action. The HPCE, pretreated with pronase E, proteinase K, trypsin, acid or alkali also completely lost its inhibitory effect (P < or = 0.01), while in contrast, treatment with carboxypeptidase and leucine aminopeptidase had no effect.

CONCLUSION

Helicobacter pylori produces heat-labile proteins or peptides that suppress T cell mitogen-induced proliferation of murine lymphoid cells in a similar manner to that observed with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The mouse cell culture system can, therefore, be used as a model to further study the mechanisms of action and antigen specificity of these immunomodulatory factors.

[An investigation of small marker chromosome in eight Turner syndrome patients by fluorescence in situ hybridization and DNA analysis]

OBJECTIVE

To direct genetic counseling and identify the origin of small marker chromosome in patients with Turner syndrome stigmata.

METHODS

The specific primer on the sex determining region on Y (SRY) and biotin labeled X- and Y-chromosome DNA probes were utilized in the analysis of sex chromosome-derived markers. The PCR product from the amplification was detected on agarose gel, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was conducted to metaphase chromosome.

RESULTS

In 8 patients who had a small marker chromosome, five markers were derived from the X chromosome and three from the Y chromosome. Two patients with a Y-derived marker were determined by Y-chromosome probe as well as by SRY sequences amplification. One patient with a Y-derived marker was only demonstrated by FISH.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study demonstrate successfully the value and necessity of FISH utilizing DNA probes combined with specific amplification on SRY gene in the identification of sex chromosome marker. Such identification is important not only for clinical care, but also for understanding phenotype-karyotype correlations.

Helicobacter pylori infection in interleukin-4-deficient and transgenic mice

BACKGROUND

Interleukin (IL)-4 is a potent anti-inflammatory and Th2-type immunoregulatory cytokine. Helicobacter pylori infection in humans induces a polarized Th1 immune response characterized by increased production of interferon-gamma and absence of IL-4. This study was designed to determine the role of endogenous IL-4 in the host defence against gastric colonization by H. pylori using IL-4-deficient (IL-4-/-) and transgenic (IL-4 Tg) mice.

METHODS

IL-4-/- mice and IL-4 Tg mice were inoculated intragastrically with H. pylori Sydney Strain 1. Gastric colonization by H. pylori (biopsy urease test and bacterial colony counts), serum levels of H. pylori-specific immunoglobulin M, A, G, isotypes of IgG, and the gastric mucosal inflammatory scores were determined 6 weeks after inoculation. Results were compared with those obtained from H. pylori-infected IL-4+/+ (controls for IL-4-/- mice) and IL-4 WT (controls for IL-4 Tg) mice.

RESULTS

Colonization of the gastric mucosa by H. pylori in IL-4-/- mice was similar to that of control IL-4+/+ mice. There was no significant difference in titres of H. pylori-specific antibodies or gastric inflammatory scores between the two groups of mice. Colonization of gastric mucosa by H. pylori was consistently lower in IL-4 Tg mice (log10 6.40+/-1.09 CFU/g tissue) compared with IL-4WT mice (log10 7.20+/-0.34 CFU/g tissue), although the difference was not significant. Nevertheless, IL-4 Tg mice did have significantly higher titres of H. pylori-specific IgA and IgG (P< or =0.01).

CONCLUSION

These results show that endogenous IL-4 is not a major contributor to host resistance to H. pylori, and enhanced IL-4 production has little if any effect on gastric colonization by this organism, despite increased specific antibody production.

Rapid elimination of Helicobacter pylori and reduction of histocompatibility leucocyte antigen-DR expression 12 h after a single dose of omeprazole, amoxycillin and metronidazole triple therapy

BACKGROUND

Studies of eradication of Helicobacter pylori and subsequent resolution of H. pylori-related gastritis, have focused mainly on medium and long-term change following eradication therapies. Results from those studies have shown that both acute and chronic inflammatory changes found in gastric mucosa eventually return to normal. However, the early events in the stomach, particularly the effects on bacterial density and acute inflammatory markers of anti-H. pylori treatment, are largely unknown. The objective of this study was therefore to examine changes in the number of H. pylori, and the severity of gastric mucosal inflammation in the gastric biopsy specimens of patients before (0 h group, n = 14) and 12 h (12 h group, n = 14) after initiating anti-H. pylori treatment.

METHODS

Biopsies were assessed, either quantitatively or semi-quantitatively, for the presence of H. pylori, neutrophils, mast cells, intraepithelial lymphocytes and the expression of histocompatibility leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DR by gastric epithelium and the results were compared between groups.

RESULTS

Median H. pylori scores were 5 (range 2-5) and 0 (range 0-2) in biopsies from untreated and 12 h post-treatment groups, respectively (P < 0.001). In most 12 h post-treatment biopsies, H. pylori organisms could not be identified. There was a significant reduction in HLA-DR expression by gastric epithelium (median 3.5 with range 2-4 at 0 h group vs median 2 with range 0-4, P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes, CD3+ cells, mast cells or the distribution and density of neutrophils (all P > 0.05). Furthermore, the severity of gastritis as scored with the Sydney system was similar in both untreated and treated groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that elimination of H. pylori organisms and resolution of some inflammatory markers occurs as early as 12 h following a single dose of omeprazole 40 mg, amoxycillin 1.0 g and metronidazole 400 mg, which suggests that rational therapeutic strategies with shorter duration using the currently available drugs may be possible.

Design of compact absorbers for high-heat-load X-ray undulator beamlines at SPring-8

A compact and high-heat-load absorber for the SPring-8 X-ray undulator beamline has been developed and installed. It consists of an upper heat-absorber part and a lower photon duct part, which are configured together in a water-cooled GlidCop body. The absorber part has a horizontal notch shape and the photon duct part forms a rectangular open channel under the absorber part. Two types of absorber are designed: one, with wire mesh channels, is 486 mm long, 70 mm high and 64 mm wide; the other, with smooth-bore channels, is 610 mm long, 75 mm high and 70 mm wide. Thermal and stress analyses show that they withstand the 12.3 kW heat load and the maximum heat flux of 940 W mm(-2) at normal incidence.

Smart X-ray beam position monitor system using artificial-intelligence methods for the Advanced Photon Source insertion-device beamlines

At the Advanced Photon Source (APS), each insertion-device (ID) beamline front end has two X-ray beam position monitors (XBPMs) to monitor the X-ray beam position for both vertical and horizontal directions. Performance challenges for a conventional photoemission-type XBPM during operations are contamination of the signal from the neighbouring bending-magnet sources and the sensitivity of the XBPM to the insertion-device gap variations. Problems are exacerbated because users change the ID gap during their operations, and hence the percentage level of the contamination in the front-end XBPM signals varies. A smart XBPM system with a high-speed digital signal processor has been built at the Advanced Photon Source for the ID beamline front ends. The new version of the software, which uses an artificial-intelligence method, provides a self-learning and self-calibration capability to the smart XBPM system. The structure of and recent test results with the system are presented in this paper.

Synthetic diamond-based position-sensitive photoconductive detector development for the Advanced Photon Source

A novel X-ray beam-position detection device that we call a position-sensitive photoconductive detector (PSPCD) is designed to have synthetic diamond as its substrate material. We proved that it is feasible to use synthetic diamond to make a hard X-ray position-sensitive detector based on the photoconductivity principle and that it acts as a solid-state ion chamber. Experiments on different PSPCD samples using synthetic diamond with a high-heat-flux white undulator beam, as well as with monochromatic hard X-ray beams, have been performed at the Advanced Photon Source. Recent test results with the PSPCD in the quadrant configuration as an X-ray beam-position monitor and in a multipixel array as an X-ray beam profiler are presented in this paper.

Optical design for laser Doppler angular encoder with sub-nrad sensitivity

A novel laser angular-encoder system has been developed based on the principles of radar, the Doppler effect, optical heterodyning and self-aligning multiple-reflection optics. Using this novel three-dimensional multiple-reflection optical path, an increase in resolution of 10 to 20 times has been reached compared with commercially available laser Doppler displacement meters or laser interferometer systems. With the new angular encoder, sub-nrad resolution has been attained in the 8 degrees measuring range in a compact set-up [about 60 (H) x 150 (W) x 370 mm (L)] for high-energy-resolution applications at the Advanced Photon Source undulator beamline 3-ID.

Study on the relationship between cytogenetics and phenotypic effect in Turner's syndrome

The cytogenetics and clinical stigmata in 5 cases of Turner's syndrome were studied. Three of them were non-mosaic 1(Xq) and two with partial monosome of a X chromosome short are (Xp21), whose DNA replication patterns of inactive X chromosome were analyzed by RBG technique. Results showed that differences between the replication patterns in cases of X chromosome deletion (Xp21) and normal females existed; that the behavior of abnormal X expressed nonrandom inactivation. It was suggested that the phenotype may be closely related with both X chromosome replication pattern and its inactivation behavior, which might be useful in genetic counselling.

Impact of Yersinia enterocolitica enteritis on disaccharidase activity and small intestinal morphology in colostrum-deprived newborn piglets

The effect of enteritis on the development of the small intestine was examined in newborn, colostrum-deprived piglets infected with a human isolate of Y. enterocolitica (serotype 0:3, biotype 4) soon after birth. The piglets were killed 3 days (n = 6) or 5 days (n = 8) after infection, or antibiotic therapy was commenced on day 5 and the animals killed on day 14 (n = 5). Compared with the non-infected controls, infected animals had reduced mucosal lactase and sucrase, but not maltase activity, while after antibiotic therapy, previously infected piglets had a lower lactase and a higher maltase and sucrase activity. Lactase activity was significantly reduced in the duodenum and jejunum, and mean values were lower in the ileum, but the difference did not reach significance; maltase activity was greater at all ages from the distal jejunum to the mid-ileum; sucrase activity was reduced in all segments up to day 5 but after antibiotic therapy was increased in the jejunum and appeared early in the ileum. Enzyme profiles were more mature along the crypt-villus axis in some segments of the intestine in previously infected piglets. Sodium-potassium-ATPase activity was unchanged. There was a reduced villus height:crypt depth ratio, crypt hyperplasia and increased crypt cell proliferation. Morphological maturation, indicated by loss of vacuoles and location of the nucleus at the base of the enterocyte, proceeded distally from the duodenum to ileum from 3 to 14 days of age when only the ileum remained immature. In infected piglets, there was reduced vacuolation and earlier location of the nucleus at the base of the cell in the distal intestine. Accelerated maturity of specific disaccharidases and enterocyte morphology in infected piglets appears to be due to physical damage to the mucosa resulting in faster proliferation of crypt cells and migration of enterocytes. It is suggested that this may reduce macromolecular internalisation and impair the ability to utilise dietary carbohydrate and may have long-term effects on growth and immunological responses of the gut.

Experimental infection of newborn piglets with Yersinia enterocolitica: an animal model of enteritis

Newborn, colostrum-deprived Large White piglets infected with a human isolate of Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 4 serotype 0:3 were used as an animal model of yersiniosis. Within 3 hours of birth and before being fed, 14 piglets were inoculated orogastrically with 10 ml of bacterial suspension containing about 3 x 10(10) colony forming units of Y. enterocolitica, followed by 10 ml of 10% NaHCO3 solution. A further 14 litter mates acted as controls. The animals were reared on an artificial milk formula and humanely killed at 3 or 5 days after infection. Of the 14 infected piglets, 11 became anorexic, five vomited and 13 developed diarrhoea. Yersinia enterocolitica was isolated from their faeces and small intestinal contents. Body weight gains and the plasma glucose concentrations were significantly lower in the infected piglets than in the controls. Damage to the mucosa was observed in the whole gastro-intestinal tract, but was more severe in the small intestine and caecum. Micro-abscesses surrounding bacteria were present at the base of the villi in all parts of the small intestine, particularly in the distal ileum. Lesions were present in the small intestine in all infected piglets by day 3 and were more extensive by day 5. The liver was damaged by day 5, but not day 3. Similar lesions were seen in the mucosa of the stomach in one of six piglets at 3 days and in two of eight piglets at 5 days. It is hypothesised that the hypoacidity in the newborn stomach, as well as the administration of the NaHCO3 solution, may have produced favourable conditions for bacterial invasion.

Effects of Yersinia enterocolitica infection on growth of the body and internal organs in newborn colostrum-deprived piglets

Yersinia enterocolitica enteritis in newborn, colostrum-deprived piglets fed a human milk formula caused a reduced milk intake and decreased gain in weight but not length of the body. In infected piglets, the weight of the liver was less than in controls but other abdominal organs were unaffected. The weight of the caecum and small intestinal muscle were greater, but the length and weight of the small intestine and colon were not different. In infected piglets, the RNA concentration of the small intestinal mucosa was elevated whereas the concentrations of DNA and protein were unchanged, and total lactase activity was reduced. After antibiotic therapy, the liver weight was greater and the body weight increased at the same rate as the controls but was still lower at 14 days. The body weight of the control piglets increased linearly over the 14 days after birth. The stomach, pancreas and spleen grew more rapidly, but the liver more slowly, than the body as a whole but the kidneys had a minimum relative weight at 5 days. The total lactase activity and protein and RNA concentrations of the small intestinal mucosa decreased with age, the RNA to a greater extent than the protein.