Reduced expression of the epidermal growth factor signaling system in preeclampsia

INTRODUCTION

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling system regulates trophoblast differentiation, and its disruption could contribute to perinatal disease. We hypothesized that this pathway is altered in preeclampsia, a disorder associated with trophoblast apoptosis and failure to invade and remodel the uterine spiral arteries.

METHODS

Six EGF family peptides and a truncated EGF receptor splice variant (p110/EGFR) were examined using immunohistochemistry in the trophoblast of placentas (N = 76) from women with preeclampsia, and compared to placentas from women of similar gestational age (GA) with preterm labor (PTL) or small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses, as well as normal term placentas. EGF, transforming growth factor-α (TGFA), and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HBEGF) were evaluated using ELISA in maternal plasma from another 20 pregnancies with or without preeclampsia. Cell death was evaluated in the HTR-8/SVneo human cytotrophoblast cell line using TUNEL to evaluate the protective effects of EGF peptides.

RESULTS

Trophoblast HBEGF, TGFA, and EGF were significantly reduced in preeclampsia compared to PTL and SGA, while p110/EGFR accumulated significantly on the surface of the chorionic villi (p < 0.05). Plasma EGF levels were significantly decreased in preeclamptic patients, compared to non-preeclamptic patients (p < 0.05). HBEGF, EGF, TGFA, epiregulin, and betacellulin each blocked cytotrophoblast cell death in vitro (p < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

Three members of the EGF family are dysregulated in placentas with preeclampsia, whereas p110/EGFR, a potential EGF receptor antagonist, is overexpressed. These findings are consistent with the concept that disruption of the EGF signaling system contributes to aberrant trophoblast development associated with preeclampsia.

Results of the ALEGRIA study in Luxembourg. An epidemiological, observational study to describe symptom impact and control in patients with GERD and an evaluation of the GERD Impact Scale

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

The aim of this observational study was to perform the first epidemiology study in a primary care patient population with GERD in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and to evaluate the added value of the GERD Impact Scale (GIS) patient questionnaire.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

152 Patients with symptoms of GERD from 20 study centers were included. At visit 1, demographic data including lifestyle factors and the patients' symptoms were recorded. GERD symptoms and their severity, treatment changes and the GIS were all assessed at baseline (visit 1), visit 2 (4-6 weeks) and visit 3 (8-14 weeks). Analyses were performed on an intent-to-treat basis.

RESULTS

142 patients were included in the analysis, which comprised 50% men and 50% women with a mean BMI of 27 kg/m2. Documented lifestyle factors included consumption of caffeine-containing beverages (87% of patients), stress (62%) and alcohol consumption (53%); 44% of patients were smokers or ex-smokers. The median duration of GERD was 2.0 years. Upon inclusion, 46% were receiving, or had received, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), antacids (44%), H2-receptor antagonists (21%) or no treatment (21%). PPIs were prescribed at the first visit in the majority of cases (94%) with 75% of patients being prescribed esomeprazole with a median daily dose of 40 mg. The GIS score correlated well with the clinician's judgment of symptom severity and was reported to help determine the appropriate treatment and evaluate the patient's response in approximately 80% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In this, the first epidemiological study on GERD patients in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, data was obtained as planned. The novel patient questionnaire was judged to be helpful by the physician and data shows that the GIS may have an added value over current assessments.

Evaluation of culture media for Paenibacillus larvae applied to studies of antimicrobial activity

This study was conducted to compare different liquid culture media for Paenibacillus larvae growth in order to find the best one to be used in studies on activity of antimicrobial substances, such as essential oils. P. larvae presented poor growth in usual broths such as Mueller-Hinton, commonly employed in antimicrobial activity assays. Growth in liquid media was evaluated using Paenibacillus larvae strains isolated from hives located in different geographical zones. The MYT medium (Mueller-Hinton broth, yeast extract and thiamine) was selected out of the eight liquid media analyzed, as it proved to be the most adequate due to its higher absorbance at 620 nm. The following mean values were obtained from the four P. larvae strains: 0.227 +/- 0.016 for the Cobo strain, 0.279 +/- 0.015 for La Plata strain, 0.758 +/- 0.020 for Mechongué strain and 0.244 +/- 0.0079 for Sierra de los Padres strain, respectively.

[Antimicrobial activity of honey the southeast of Buenos Aires Province against Escherichia coli]

This study assessed the susceptibility of Escherichia coli to the antimicrobial activity of honeys by different techniques. Honeys used were from the southeast region of Buenos Aires province. In order to evaluate antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, solutions containing 0, 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50% (w/v) of honey were prepared. Liquid media (Mueller-Hinton and Mac Conkey broths) were used to assess the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) by the serial dilution test. The minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) was determined by counting on nutritive and Mac Conkey agar. In addition, for the evaluation of total antibacterial activity, the agar diffusion method was used. A reduction of microbial growth of 96% in Mueller-Hinton broth and of 90% in Mac Conkey broth by honey solutions containing 50% and 25% (w/v), was respectively observed. The bactericide action of honey in nutritive agar proved negative. The MBC value in Mac Conkey agar was 25% (w/v) of honey. The methods used for measuring the antibacterial activity in the present work were adequate to prove that honeys are active against E. coli at 25 and 50% (w/v) concentrations. The results obtained by the dilution method with Mueller-Hinton broth and the agar diffusion method were both concordant.

[Inhibition of Paenibacillus larvae employing a mixture of essential oils and thymol]

In vitro antimicrobial activity of a mixture of two essential oils and thymol against Paenibacillus larvae, causal agent of American Foulbrood (AFB), was evaluated. The essential oils were extracted from cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris). The third component used, thymol, is the major component of the essential oil of thyme which contains 39.9% of thymol. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) in Mueller-Hinton broth by the tube dilution method and minimal bactericide concentration (MBC) on MYPGP agar were evaluated. Thyme registered MIC values of 150-250 microg/ml and MBC values of 200-300 microg/ml, while the MIC and MBC values obtained for cinnamon were of 50-100 microg/ml and 100-125 microg/ml. Thymol showed similar MIC and MBC values of 100-150 microg/ml. No significant differences between the bacterial strains were detected, but significant differences between essential oils and thymol activity were registered (P<0,01). An inhibitory synergetic effect on AFB was observed reducing MIC and MBC values due to the use of a mixture of 62.5% of thyme, 12.5% of cinnamon and 25% of thymol.

Separate sets of neurons of the central nucleus of the amygdala project to the substantia innominata and the caudal pontine reticular nucleus in the rat

The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is generally regarded as a control nucleus of subcortical target systems. Due to its widespread projections to different brain areas it is able to modulate emotional behavior of the organism. However, it is still not clear whether single neurons of the CeA project to different areas or to one target area. Injections of the retrograde tracers Fluorogold and True Blue into target regions of the central nucleus of the amygdala, i.e., the substantia innominata (SI) and the caudal pontine reticular nucleus (PNC), revealed overlapping but otherwise distinct neuronal populations within mainly the medial division of the CeA. From our study we conclude that SI and PNC receive input from different subsets of amygdala neurons.

MICA, HLA-B haplotypic variation in five population groups of sub-Saharan African ancestry

The human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I chain-related gene A (MICA), located 46 kb centromeric to HLA-B, encodes a stress-inducible protein, which is a ligand for the NKG2D receptor. In addition to its primary role in immune surveillance, data suggest that MICA is involved in the immune response to transplants and in susceptibility to some diseases. In this study, 152 subjects from the Yoruba (n=74), Efik (n=32), and Igbo (n=46) tribes of southern Nigeria, 39 nationwide African-American stem cell donors, and 60 African-American individuals residing in the metropolitan Boston area were studied for MICA, HLA-B allelic variation, haplotypic diversity, and linkage disequilibrium (LD). MICA and HLA-B exhibited a high degree of genetic diversity among the populations studied. In particular, MICA allele and HLA-B-MICA haplotype frequencies and LD in the Efik and Igbo tribes were significantly different from the other study groups. HLA-B and MICA loci demonstrated significant global LD in all five populations (P-values &<0.00001). LD also varied in a haplotype-specific manner. A novel MICA allele was detected in the Boston population. These findings are important from an anthropologic perspective, and will inform future HLA-linked disease association studies in related ethnic groups of African-derived ancestry.

[Microbiological study of dehydrated garlic (Allium sativum L.) and onion (Allium cepa L.)]

A microbiological study during the process and the storage of garlic (Allium sativum L.) and onion (Allium cepa L.) dehydrated, with the additional barriers of blanching or brine immersion, was made. In all raw materials the average counts of aerobic mesophilic bacteria expressed in CFU/g ranged from 1.2 x 10(2) to 1.6 x 10(3), molds and yeasts from 60 to 1.6 x 10(3), Lactobacillus spp. and Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides between 10 and 50. Microorganisms identified were Penicillium spp., Monilia spp., Lactobacillus brevis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides and yeasts in garlic; Mucor spp., Penicillium spp., Monilia spp., Lactobacillus brevis and yeasts in both types of onions. Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides was detected in only kind of onion. In dehydrated garlic storage, Penicillium spp., Monilia spp., Lactobacillus brevis and yeasts were detected. In garlic, when a blanching step was carried out no microflora was detected. Mucor spp., Penicillium spp., Monilia spp. and Lactobacillus brevis were identified in both types of dehydrated onions. When brine immersion was included the microflora detected was significantly lower and only Penicillium spp. were found. The use of additional barriers such as blanching or brine immersion produces an important effect on the microbiological stability in these products.

Enlarged spinoglenoid notch veins causing suprascapular nerve compression

OBJECTIVE

To report the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of enlarged veins in the spinoglenoid notch as a cause of suprascapular nerve compression.

DESIGN AND PATIENTS

Six patients presented to MR imaging for evaluation of chronic shoulder pain. Clinical information and MR imaging studies were reviewed. The spinoglenoid notch vascular structures were compared with measurements made in 10 age-matched controls.

RESULTS

Spinoglenoid notch vascular structures measured in 10 asymptomatic age-matched control patients ranged from 1 to 4 mm in diameter with an average of 2.2 mm. The six study patients had vascular structures that ranged from 6 to 10 mm in diameter with an average of 8.4 mm. Atrophy and fatty infiltration of the infraspinatus muscle was noted as an associated finding at MR imaging in all six patients. Surgery was performed in three of the six patients, at which time a venous varix was identified in the spinoglenoid notch in all three patients.

CONCLUSION

We describe distended veins in the spinoglenoid notch. These may be readily apparent at MR imaging and should be distinguished from paralabral ganglion cysts compressing the suprascapular nerve in the absence of labral tears, especially if percutaneous aspiration of a ganglion cyst is entertained.

The myelin basic protein gene is expressed in differentiated blood cell lineages and in hemopoietic progenitors

Myelin basic proteins (MBP) are major constituents of the myelin sheath of oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system, respectively. We previously showed that MBP-related transcripts are present in the bone marrow and the immune system. These mRNAs are transcribed from a region called 0', consisting of three exons, located upstream of the classical MBP exons; these three exons belong to the long MBP gene otherwise called "Golli-MBP." The most abundant of these mRNAs, now called HMBP (hemopoietic MBP), encompasses the sequence encoded by the region 0' plus exon 1 and part of intron 1 of the classic MBP gene. Antisera to recombinant HMBP proteins are immunoreactive with proteins of about 26-28 kDa in brain, thymus, and spleen. This report demonstrates that HMBP proteins are present in the vast majority (>95%) of thymic T cells, which express the corresponding transcripts, as do mature T cells from lymph nodes and spleen. HMBP mRNAs and proteins are also manifest in the majority of spleen B lymphocytes and in B cell lines. In addition to lymphoid cells, HMBP proteins are in all types of myeloid lineage cells, i.e., macrophages, dendritic cells, and granulocytes, as well as in megakaryocytes and erythroblasts. Finally, HMBP proteins are present in CD34+ bone marrow cells, and, furthermore, in highly proliferative cultures, these CD34+ cells express HMBP RNAs and proteins. Thus, MBP gene products are present both in the nervous system and in the entire hemopoietic system.

Determination of benzoyl peroxide and benzoic acid levels by HPLC during wheat flour bleaching process

Freshly milled wheat flour has a pale yellow color due to its carotenoids content. Benzoyl peroxide is a bleaching agent typically used to give such flour a better appearance. This free-radical initiator promotes carotenoids oxidation, thereby producing less colored compounds, and benzoic acid is a main final product. Samples of wheat flour were treated with 150 ppm of benzoyl peroxide to begin a bleaching process, and then subjected to ethyl ether extraction at different intervals of time. Benzoyl peroxide and benzoic acid levels in these extracts were monitored by means of HPLC in individual experiences. The resulting concentration of benzoyl peroxide after 9 days of contact with the bleaching agent was 11 ppm, dropping afterward to nondetectable levels. A maximum value for benzoic acid of 16 ppm was found after 12 h of bleaching. Subsequently this level decreased continuously until reaching a residual value of 6 ppm after 3 months.

Local and systemic cytokine responses during experimental human influenza A virus infection. Relation to symptom formation and host defense

To further understand the role of cytokine responses in symptom formation and host defenses in influenza infection, we determined the levels of IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-alpha, TGF-beta, and TNF-alpha in nasal lavage fluid, plasma, and serum obtained serially from 19 volunteers experimentally infected with influenza A/Texas/36/91 (H1N1) and correlated these levels with various measures of infection and illness severity. We found that IL-6 and IFN-alpha levels in nasal lavage fluids peaked early (day 2) and correlated directly with viral titers, temperature, mucus production, and symptom scores. IL-6 elevations were also found in the circulation at this time point. In contrast, TNF-alpha responses peaked later (day 3 in plasma, day 4 in nasal fluids), when viral shedding and symptoms were subsiding. Similarly, IL-8 peaked late in the illness course (days 4-6) and correlated only with lower respiratory symptoms, which also occurred late. None of IL-1beta, IL-2, or TGF-beta levels increased significantly. These data implicate IL-6 and IFN-alpha as key factors both in symptom formation and host defense in influenza.

Hematopoietic bone marrow in the adult knee: spin-echo and opposed-phase gradient-echo MR imaging

Hematopoietic bone marrow in the distal femur of the adult may be mistaken for a pathologic marrow process in magnetic resonance imaging of the knee. We investigated the incidence of hematopoietic marrow in the distal femur in a series of 51 adult patients and compared spin-echo (TR/TE in ms: 500/35, 2000/80) and opposed-phase gradient-echo (0.35 T, TR/TE in ms: 1000/30, theta = 75 degrees) magnetic resonance images. Zones with intermediate to low signal intensity on T1-weighted spin-echo and opposed-phase gradient-echo sequences representing hematopoietic marrow within high signal intensity fatty marrow were observed in 18 of the 51 patients. Five patterns of marrow signal reduction were identified; type 0: uniform high signal, i.e., no signal change; type I, focal signal loss; type II, multifocal signal loss without confluence; type III, confluent signal loss; and type IV, complete homogeneous reduction in marrow signal. Opposed-phase gradient-echo sequences demonstrated markedly greater red-yellow marrow contrast than conventional spin-echo sequences. Follow-up studies in three patients using a gradient-echo sequence with TE varying from 10 to 21 ms at 1-ms increments showed a cyclic increase and decrease in red and yellow marrow signal intensity depending on the TE. The contribution of intravoxel chemical shift effects on red-yellow marrow contrast in opposed-phase gradient-echo images was verified by almost complete cancellation of the TE-dependent marrow signal oscillation with use of a chemically selective pulse presaturating the water protons. Hematopoietic marrow in the adult distal femur in the absence of hematologic abnormalities is found primarily in women of menstruating age.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Residual and reconverted hematopoietic bone marrow in the distal femur. Spin-echo and opposed-phase gradient-echo MRT]

The distal femur contains usually only fatty marrow in the adult. We investigated the incidence of areas of residual and reconverted hematopoietic marrow in the distal femur in a series of 50 adult patients using conventional spin-echo and opposed-phase gradient-echo MR images. Zones with intermediate to low signal intensity in both sequences representing hematopoietic marrow within high signal intensity fatty marrow were observed in 17 of the 50 patients. Opposed-phase gradient-echo sequences demonstrated significantly greater red-yellow marrow contrast than conventional spin-echo sequences. Residual red marrow may represent a biologic variation of the normal adult pattern of red-yellow marrow distribution in women of menstruating age. Reconverted red marrow appears to be related to increased erythrocyte demand. It should not be mistaken for bone marrow malignancy. Absence of epiphyseal involvement, cortical destruction and soft-tissue mass in residual and reconverted hematopoietic marrow are helpful differential criteria.

Gastric H,K-ATPase topography: amino acids 888-907 are cytoplasmic

Gastric acidification is mediated by H,K-ATPase, an integral protein of apical membranes of gastric parietal cells. Hydropathy analysis of H,K-ATPase alpha subunit primary structure predicts eight transmembrane (TM) domains, while omeprazole-binding data were interpreted in terms of ten TM domains (Mercier et al. (1991) FASEB J. 5, A749). In the present study, tryptic hydrolysis of gastric mucosal microsomes gave a set of peptides which bound the monoclonal antibody HK 12.18, a highly specific probe of the H,K-ATPase. An antiserum against the C-terminus of H,K-ATPase alpha subunit bound the same peptides, and one smaller peptide. The binding data suggested a putative epitope for HK 12.18, and a 20-mer peptide encompassing this site was synthesized. This peptide bound directly to HK 12.18, displaced HK 12.18 from microsomal H,K-ATPase, and blocked HK 12.18 immunostaining of gastric parietal cells. In addition, intact gastric microsomes competitively inhibited binding of HK 12.18 to peptide-BSA conjugate. Taken together, these data place the HK 12.18 epitope between amino acids 888-907 and identify this domain as cytosolic. This result specifically excludes a pair of TM domains between the sixth and seventh TM alpha helices of the H,K-ATPase and supports a secondary structure model with eight TM domains.

Behaviour studies of the fungicide cymoxanil in two strains of the fungus Botrytis cinerea and in haemolymph of locust and lobster. I. In situ monitoring by internal surface reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

A method for following the metabolism of the fungicide cymoxanil in various biological media is described. By using a recently developed high-performance liquid chromatographic method, with an internal surface reversed-phase column, it is unnecessary to clean up the sample before analysis. Thus this technique makes monitoring in fungi as well as in arthropod haemolymph easier and faster.

How to keep your best people for the '90s

Getting good people to join us merely sets the stage for achievement. the real payoff depends on how we deal with them and how long they stay. From the CEO's perspective, the most important requirements for the '90s are: Know what you mean by performance in all jobs, in all functions, and at all levels. Hire accountable people. Know what it takes to hire and keep the best people and do it. Invest what it takes to fill at least 70% of your promotions with people from the inside; they will consistently perform better than outsiders. Weed out non-performers promptly and as religiously as you seek outstanding new people. Have a human resource plan in place before you grow beyond your people's capability to deliver. Build a strong, active, useful board of directors to provide an objective perspective on your actions as CEO and on the development of the company. Do not try to clone yourself. Hire people who are better than you and keep them as long as you can. Listen to them; invest in them; and benefit from them, so that when you are ready for retirement, you can sit on their board of directors.

Distribution of rabbit mucosal glycoprotein throughout urinary tract

The mucin layer covering the transitional epithelium of the bladder is thought to be an anti-adherence substance for bacteria. We describe the use of an immunoperoxidase staining technique to demonstrate the presence of glycoprotein lining the urothelium of both the upper and lower urinary tracts of the rabbit. Antisera against this glycoprotein (GP1) were raised in Swiss-Webster mice. The genitourinary tracts of male and female NZW rabbits were removed and sequentially treated with mouse anti-GP1 sera, biotin-labelled anti-mouse IgG, and an avidin-biotinylated horseradish peroxidase complex. The results demonstrated that an antigenically similar (or identical) glycoprotein covers the distal renal tubules and urothelium of the renal pelvis, ureters, bladder, and urethra, suggesting that it may function as an antibacterial defense mechanism throughout the urinary tract.

Specificity of T lymphocyte lines for peptides of myelin basic protein

T lymphocyte lines specific for myelin basic protein (BP) can mediate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), or can protect against the active induction of the disease. To investigate the antigenic fine specificity of guinea pig (GP) BP-specific T cell lines raised from different rat strains, and to determine whether functionally different T lymphocyte lines and clones recognized the same or different regions of the BP molecule, the proliferation responses of line cells were assessed after stimulation with purified peptides of GP-BP. Lewis rat T cell lines and clones selected for responses to whole GP-BP responded selectively to the 68-88 amino acid sequence of GP-BP, but not to the 1-37, 43-67, or 89-169 sequences. The region of GP-BP recognized by Lewis T cells was additionally defined to include the 75-80 amino acid sequence, because a T cell clone responded equally to GP and rat BP which differed by only one amino acid at position 79, but did not respond to human or bovine BP, which had a Gly-His insertion in this region. T lymphocyte lines derived from the F344 and PVG (Weizmann) rat strains shared the same selective response to peptide 68-88, but lines from BN rats responded to an epitope(s) outside of the 68-88 sequence. The functional capacity of the various T cell lines to mediate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) or to induce resistance against EAE was independent of their specificity for the different GP-BP peptides; lines specific for epitope(s) within or excluded from the 68-88 sequence could be encephalitogenic depending on their strain of origin, and various lines specific for the 68-88 peptide could induce both disease and protection, disease only, or neither activity.

Specificity of T lymphocyte lines for peptides of myelin basic protein

T lymphocyte lines specific for myelin basic protein (BP) can mediate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), or can protect against the active induction of the disease. To investigate the antigenic fine specificity of guinea pig (GP) BP-specific T cell lines raised from different rat strains, and to determine whether functionally different T lymphocyte lines and clones recognized the same or different regions of the BP molecule, the proliferation responses of line cells were assessed after stimulation with purified peptides of GP-BP. Lewis rat T cell lines and clones selected for responses to whole GP-BP responded selectively to the 68-88 amino acid sequence of GP-BP, but not to the 1-37, 43-67, or 89-169 sequences. The region of GP-BP recognized by Lewis T cells was additionally defined to include the 75-80 amino acid sequence, because a T cell clone responded equally to GP and rat BP which differed by only one amino acid at position 79, but did not respond to human or bovine BP, which had a Gly-His insertion in this region. T lymphocyte lines derived from the F344 and PVG (Weizmann) rat strains shared the same selective response to peptide 68-88, but lines from BN rats responded to an epitope(s) outside of the 68-88 sequence. The functional capacity of the various T cell lines to mediate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) or to induce resistance against EAE was independent of their specificity for the different GP-BP peptides; lines specific for epitope(s) within or excluded from the 68-88 sequence could be encephalitogenic depending on their strain of origin, and various lines specific for the 68-88 peptide could induce both disease and protection, disease only, or neither activity.

Urinary bladder glycoproteins of the rabbit: extraction, biochemical and immunological studies

The mucin layer of the bladder covering the transitional epithelium is thought to be an anti-adherence substance for bacteria. We have previously demonstrated that removal of this layer results in increased bacterial colonization. In this present communication we report our attempts to isolate and characterize the components of the mucin layer. Bladders were removed from female NZW rabbits and the mucosal layer was extracted with 0.1 M NaCl. Fractional centrifugation and column chromatography on AcA 34 and AcA 22 resulted in the separation of a partially purified glycoprotein, containing 30% carbohydrate, migrating as a single peak (4.5S) in the analytical ultracentrifuge. It was immunogenic in mice and the antisera were used to develop both a radioimmunoassay and an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The antigenic activity of the glycoprotein was destroyed by protease or extremes of pH, but not by several glycosidases. In addition the murine antisera could not be inhibited by a panel of naturally occurring glycoproteins or glycosaminoglycans.

A DNA recombinant database management system

A set of computer programs is described which constitutes a clone database management system. Maintenance of the database and the stocks of material is designed to be under the control of one person or group of people, who may insert, delete or modify data entries, and who may interrogate the database as to which stocks are in need of checking. The system is organised in such a way that information is freely and speedily available to all users. Database entries may be accessed by name or key word.

The effect of pre-existing bacteriuria on bladder resistance to superinfection in the rabbit

Pre-existing bacteriuria of 2 to 3 weeks' duration in the rabbit had no effect on either the histological integrity of the sialomucin layer (anti-adherence factor) of the bladder mucosa or the protective effect of this layer against super-infection.

Action de la septorine, phytotoxine synthétisée par Septoria nodorum, sur la phosphorylation oxydative dans les mitochondries isolées de Coléoptiles de Blé

Septorin is a phytotoxin produced by Septoria nodorum. It reduces the growth of susceptible wheat cultivar "Etoile de choisy" seedlings. On mitochondria isolated from the same cultivar, the septorin induces changes in respiratory activities similar to the 2,4 dinitrophenol (2,4 D) effects. In this paper, the conditions of "in vitro" production of septorin and the steps of the purification are described.