Effect of Simulated Annual At-home Bleaching on Susceptibility to Staining, Translucency, and Whiteness Variations of Computer-aided Design and Computer-aided Manufacturing Monolithic Materials

The effect of annual at-home bleaching on the color, translucency, and whiteness properties of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) monolithic materials requires investigation. The aim of the present in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of simulated annual at-home bleaching (consisting of daily applications for 10 hours a day for 14 days), for up to 3 years, on susceptibility to staining (ΔE00), translucency (ΔTP00), and whiteness (ΔWID) variations and on topography of CAD-CAM monolithic materials. Disks from the Lava Ultimate (LU), Vita Enamic (VE), IPS Empress CAD (EMP), and IPS e.max CAD (EMAX) were allocated as follows: 1) nonbleached or 2) bleached with 10% carbamide peroxide. After reading the CIE L*a*b* coordinates at baseline (R0), specimens were bleached or not and subsequently immersed for a 1-year simulated period in coffee before the next reading (R1). This process was repeated two more times, resulting in R2 and R3. The ΔE00, ΔTP00, and ΔWID between R1, R2, and R3 in relation to R0 were calculated. The surface topography was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. In general, bleaching increased the staining susceptibility of all materials when compared to the nonbleached groups and that of the LU, VE, and EMAX over the years. Bleaching decreased the translucency of the VE in all years and over the years. When compared to the nonbleached groups, bleaching decreased the whiteness of the LU and EMAX and increased the whiteness of the EMP, while the VE was not affected. In the LU, the whiteness decreased over the years in both treatments, whereas the other materials were not affected with time. All materials showed progressive topographic changes over the years. The simulated annual at-home bleaching with 10% carbamide peroxide adversely affected the topography and the optical and/or colorimetric properties of the evaluated materials.

Symposium review: Use of multiple biological, management, and performance data for the design of targeted reproductive management strategies for dairy cows

As the reproductive efficiency of dairy cattle continues to improve in response to better management and use of technology, novel reproductive management approaches will be required to improve herd performance, profitability, and sustainability. A potential approach currently being explored is targeted reproductive management. This approach consists of identifying cows with different reproductive and performance potential using multiple traditional and novel sources of biological, management, and performance data. Once subgroups of cows that share biological and performance features are identified, reproductive management strategies specifically designed to optimize cow performance, herd profitability, or alternative outcomes of interest are implemented on different subgroups of cows. Tailoring reproductive management to subgroups of cows is expected to generate greater gains in outcomes of interest than if the whole herd is under similar management. Major steps in the development and implementation of targeted reproductive management programs for dairy cattle include identification and validation of robust predictors of reproductive outcomes and cow performance, and the development and on-farm evaluation of reproductive management strategies for optimizing outcomes of interest for subgroups of cows. Predictors of cow performance currently explored for use in targeted management include genomic predictions; behavioral, physiological, and performance parameters monitored by sensor technologies; and individual cow and herd performance records. Once the most valuable predictive sources of variation are identified and their effects quantified, novel analytic methods (e.g., machine learning) for prediction will likely be required. These tools must identify groups of cows for targeted management in real time and with no human input. Despite some encouraging research evidence supporting the development of targeted reproductive management strategies, extensive work is required before widespread implementation by commercial farms.

Lactating dairy cows managed for second and greater artificial insemination services with the Short-Resynch or Day 25 Resynch program had similar reproductive performance

The objective of this randomized controlled experiment was to evaluate reproductive performance and reproductive physiological outcomes of lactating Holstein cows managed for second and greater artificial insemination (AI) services with the Short-Resynch or Day 25 Resynch program. Cows from 2 commercial farms were randomly assigned after first service to the Short-Resynch (SR; n = 870) or Day 25 Resynch (D25R; n = 917) program in which they remained until 210 d after first service or left the herd. Cows in D25R received GnRH 25 ± 3 d after AI, whereas cows in SR did not. Cows not reinseminated at detected estrus (AIE) by 32 ± 3 d after AI underwent nonpregnancy diagnosis (NPD) through transrectal ultrasonography (TUS). Nonpregnant cows from both treatments with a corpus luteum (CL) ≥15 mm and an ovarian follicle ≥10 mm (hereafter, CL cows) received 2 PGF_2α treatments 24 h apart, GnRH 32 h after the second PGF_2α, and timed AI 16 to 18 h later. Cows that did not meet the criteria to be included in the CL group (NoCL cows) received a modified Ovsynch protocol with progesterone (P4) supplementation [P4-Ovsynch; GnRH and controlled internal drug-release device (CIDR) in, 7 d later CIDR removal and PGF_2α, 24 h later PGF_2α, 32 h later GnRH, and 16 to 18 h later timed AI]. In a subgroup of cows, blood samples were collected and TUS conducted at each treatment to evaluate ovarian responses to resynchronization. Binary data were analyzed with logistic regression, continuous data by ANOVA, and time-to-event data by Cox's proportional hazard regression. A greater proportion (mean; 95% CI) of cows were AIE before NPD in the SR (60.5%; 57.0-63.8; n = 3,416) than the D25R (50.1%; 46.5-53.7; n = 3,177) treatment, whereas pregnancy per AI (P/AI) at 32 d for AIE services before NPD was greater for the D25R (41.3%; 38.8-43.8; n = 1,560) than the SR (37.6%; 35.5-39.8; n = 1,961) treatment. At NPD, a greater proportion of cows in the D25R (84.3%; 82.2-86.2) than the SR (77.0%; 74.4-79.4) treatment were considered CL cows. Pregnancy per AI at 32 d was greater for the D25R than the SR treatment for all timed AI services (D25R = 43.0%; 40.2-45.9 vs. SR = 36.8%; 33.8-39.8) and for CL cows (D25R = 42.8%; 39.7-45.9 vs. SR = 33.8%; 30.6-37.2) but did not differ for NoCL cows (D25R = 39.4%; 32.1-47.3 vs. SR = 44.0%; 36.8-51.4). The hazard ratio for time to pregnancy (1.03; 0.93-1.14) and the proportion of cows not pregnant at the end of the observation period (D25R = 5.9%; 4.4-7.8 vs. SR = 6.7%; 5.0-8.7) did not differ between SR and D25R treatments. The GnRH treatment 25 d after AI resulted in more cows with P4 >1 ng/mL (D25R = 80.5%; 75.3-84.9 vs. SR = 63.6%; 57.3-69.4) and smaller follicle diameter at NPD 32 ± 3 d after AI for D25R (16.2 ± 0.4 mm) than for SR (17.5 ± 0.4 mm); however, it did not affect follicle diameter and luteal regression risk (CL cows only) before TAI. We concluded that the use of reproductive management programs including SR and D25R for CL cows and the P4-Ovsynch protocol for NoCL cows resulted in similar hazard of pregnancy and proportion of nonpregnant cows for up to 210 d after first service.

SNF472, a novel anti-crystallization agent, inhibits induced calcification in an in vitro model of human aortic valve calcification

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether SNF472, the hexasodium salt of myo-inositol hexaphosphate (IP6 or phytate): 1. Inhibits induced calcification in cultured aortic valve interstitial cells (VIC) as an in vitro model of aortic valve stenosis and 2. Whether inhibition is different in VIC obtained from healthy and calcified aortic valves. VIC from healthy (n = 5) and calcified (n = 7) human aortic valves were seeded in basic growth medium, osteogenic differentiation medium alone, or in osteogenic medium with SNF472 (3, 10, and 30 μM) and cultivated for 3 weeks. Calcification was quantified spectrophotometrically after Alizarin Red staining. In VIC from calcified valves, a complete inhibition of calcification was observed with SNF472 concentrations of 10 and 30 μM (p < .01), significantly stronger than in VIC from healthy valves. When SNF472 was added to VIC after 1 week in osteogenic medium, 30 and 100 μM SNF472 inhibited the progression of ongoing calcification by 81 and 100% (p < .01), respectively. The same concentrations of SNF472 given after 2 weeks reduced calcification by 35 and 40% respectively (not significant). SNF472 inhibited both the formation and the progression of calcification with the strongest effect in VIC from calcified valves.

SNF472, a novel inhibitor of vascular calcification, could be administered during hemodialysis to attain potentially therapeutic phytate levels

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular calcification (CVC) is a major concern in hemodialysis (HD) and the loss of endogenous modulators of calcification seems involved in the process. Phytate is an endogenous crystallization inhibitor and its low molecular mass and high water solubility make it potentially dialyzable. SNF472 (the hexasodium salt of phytate) is being developed for the treatment of calciphylaxis and CVC in HD patients. We aimed to verify if phytate is lost during dialysis, and evaluate SNF472's behaviour during dialysis.

METHODS

Dialyzability was assessed in vitro using online-hemodiafiltration and high-flux HD systems in blood and saline. SNF472 was infused for 20 min and quantified at different time points.

RESULTS

Phytate completely dialyzed in 1 h at low concentrations (10 mg/l) but not when added at 30 or 66.67 mg/l SNF472. In bypass conditions, calcium was slightly chelated during SNF472 infusion but when the system was switched to dialysis mode the calcium in the bath compensated this chelation.

CONCLUSION

Phytate dialyses with a low clearance. The administration of SNF472 as an exogenous source of phytate allows to attain supra-physiological levels required for its potential therapeutic properties. As SNF472 is infused during the whole dialysis session, the low clearance would not affect the drug's systemic exposure.

A resynchronization of ovulation program based on ovarian structures present at nonpregnancy diagnosis reduced time to pregnancy in lactating dairy cows

Our objective was to evaluate time to pregnancy after the first service postpartum and pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) in dairy cows managed with 2 resynchronization of ovulation programs. After first service, lactating Holstein cows were blocked by parity (primiparous vs. multiparous) and randomly assigned to the d 32 Resynch (R32; n = 1,010) or short Resynch (SR; n = 1,000) treatments. Nonpregnancy diagnosis (NPD) was conducted 32 ± 3 d after AI by transrectal ultrasonography. Nonpregnant cows in R32 received the Ovsynch protocol: GnRH, PGF_2α 7 d later, GnRH 56 h later, and timed AI (TAI) 16 to 18 h later. Cows in SR with a corpus luteum (CL) ≥15 mm and a follicle ≥10 mm at NPD received PGF_2α, PGF_2α 24 h later, GnRH 32 h later, and TAI 16 to 18 h later. Cows in SR without a CL ≥15 mm or a follicle ≥10 mm at NPD received a modified Ovsynch protocol with 2 PGF_2α treatments and progesterone (P4) supplementation (GnRH plus CIDR, PGF_2α and CIDR removal 7 d later, PGF_2α 24 h later, GnRH 32 h later, and TAI 16 to 18 h later). Blood samples were collected from a subgroup of cows at the GnRH before TAI (R32 = 114; SR = 121) to measure P4 concentration. Binomial outcomes were analyzed with logistic regression and hazard of pregnancy (R32 = 485; SR = 462) with Cox's proportional regression in SAS (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). For P/AI analysis, the TAI service was the experimental unit (R32 = 720; SR = 819). Models included treatment and parity as fixed effects and farm as random effect. The hazard of pregnancy was greater for the SR treatment (hazard ratio = 1.18; 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.37). Median time to pregnancy was 95 and 79 d for the R32 and SR treatments, respectively. At NPD, 71.3 and 71.2% of cows had a CL for the R32 and SR treatments, respectively. Treatment did not affect overall P/AI 32 ± 3 d after AI (R32 = 31.0% vs. SR = 33.9%) or for cows with a CL at NPD (R32 = 32.7% vs. SR = 32.8%). For cows with no CL at NPD, P/AI was greater for the SR treatment (36.9%) than for the R32 treatment (28.6%). Pregnancy loss from 32 to 63 d after AI was similar for all services combined (R32 = 8.3% vs. SR = 10.4%) and for cows with no CL at NPD (R32 = 13.2% vs. SR = 7.2%) but tended to be affected by treatment for cows with a CL at NPD (R32 = 6.8% vs. SR = 11.9%). Treatment affected the proportion of cows with P4 ≤0.5 ng/mL at the GnRH before TAI for all cows (R32 = 68.4% vs. SR = 81.8%), tended to have an effect among cows with a CL (R32 = 70.0% vs. SR = 81.8%), and had no effect for cows with no CL (R32 = 64.7% vs. SR = 81.8%). We concluded that the SR program reduced time to pregnancy because of a reduction of the interbreeding interval for cows with a CL at NPD and greater P/AI in cows with no CL at NPD.

A novel pharmacodynamic assay to evaluate the effects of crystallization inhibitors on calcium phosphate crystallization in human plasma

Cardiovascular calcification (CVC) is a progressive complication of chronic kidney disease and a predictor of CV events and mortality. The use of biomarkers to predict CV risk and activities of potential or current treatment drugs in these patients could have a crucial impact on therapeutic approaches. Our aim was to develop a novel assay for measurement of the rate of calcium phosphate crystallization in human plasma and provide a tool to evaluate the effects of crystallization inhibitors. The efficacy of inhibitors was determined by adding inhibitory compounds (polyphosphates, fetuin-A, sodium thiosulfate or citrate) to control samples. The assay was additionally validated for SNF472, an experimental formulation of phytate being developed for the treatment of calciphylaxis and CVC in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis (HD). The method was repeatable and reproducible. The plasma crystallization rate was reduced up to 80% in a concentration-dependent manner following treatment with inhibitors in vitro, among which SNF472 was the most potent. This method appears beneficial in evaluating and discriminating between inhibitory activities of compounds such as polyphosphates on calcium phosphate crystallization, which present a novel therapeutic approach to treat CVC in ESRD patients.

Vertical flow constructed wetlands: kinetics of nutrient and organic matter removal

The kinetics of organic matter and nutrient removal in a pilot vertical subsurface wetland with red ferralitic soil as substrate were evaluated. The wetland (20 m(2)) was planted with Cyperus alternifolius. The domestic wastewater that was treated in the wetland had undergone a primary treatment consisting of a septic moat and a buffer tank. From the sixth week of operation, the performance of the wetland stabilized, and a significant reduction in pollutant concentration of the effluent wastewater was obtained. Also a significant increase of dissolved oxygen (5 mg/l) was obtained. The organic matter removal efficiency was greater than 85% and the nutrient removal efficiency was greater than 75% in the vertical subsurface wetland. Nitrogen and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) removal could be described by a first-order model. The kinetic constants were 3.64 and 3.27 d(-1) for BOD and for total nitrogen, respectively. Data on the removal of phosphorus were adapted to a second-order model. The kinetic constant was 0.96 (mg/l)(-1) d(-1). The results demonstrated the potential of vertical flow constructed wetlands to clean treated domestic wastewater before discharge into the environment.

Phosphorus retention capacity in red ferralitic soil

In this study the main physical-chemical characteristics of red ferralitic soil to use as substrate in subsurface wetlands was determined. The P-removal was evaluated in a short-term isotherm batch experiment and in a column percolation experiment. The acid characteristic and high content of iron minerals in the red ferralitic soil facilitated the phosphorus removal. Also the sorption isotherms at two different temperatures were obtained. The results showed that the sorption capacity increases with an increase in solution temperature from 25 to 35 °C. The experimental data were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich models, having a better fit to the Freundlich isotherms. The maximum P-sorption capacities estimated using the Langmuir isotherm were 0.96 and 1.13 g/kg at 25 and 35 °C respectively. Moreover a column experiment was carried out at two different flows. Sequential extractions of the phosphorus-saturated soil indicated that phosphorus is mainly bound with iron or aluminum minerals. The results have demonstrated a good potential for red ferralitic soil for phosphorus removal from urban wastewater.

Visna/Maedi virus genetic characterization and serological diagnosis of infection in sheep from a neurological outbreak

An extensive outbreak characterized by the appearance of neurological symptoms in small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) infected sheep has been identified in Spain, but the genetic characteristics of the strain involved and differential diagnostic tools for this outbreak remain unexplored. In this work, 23 Visna-affected naturally infected animals from the outbreak, 11 arthritic animals (both groups presenting anti-Visna/Maedi virus serum antibodies), and 100 seronegative animals were used. Eight of the Visna-affected animals were further studied post-mortem by immunohistochemistry. All had lesions in spinal cord, being the most affected part of the central nervous system in six of them. A representative strain of the outbreak was isolated. Together with other proviral sequences from the outbreak the virus was assigned to genotype A2/A3. In vitro culture of the isolate revealed that viral production was slow/low in fibroblast-like cells but it was high in blood monocyte-derived macrophages. The long terminal repeat (LTR) of the viral genome of this isolate lacked an U3-duplication, but its promoter activity in fibroblast-like cells was normal compared to other strains. Thus, viral production could not be inferred from the LTR promoter activity in this isolate. Analysis of the viral immunodominant epitopes among SRLV sequences of the outbreak and other known sequences allowed the design of a synthetic SU peptide ELISA that detected the Visna affected animals, representing a tool of epidemiological interest to control viral spread of this highly pathogenic strain.

Constitutive expression and enzymatic activity of Tan protein in brain and epidermis of Ceratitis capitata and of Drosophila melanogaster wild-type and tan mutants

The present report shows a partial biochemical characterization and life cycle expression of N-β-alanyldopamine hydrolase (Tan protein) in Ceratitis capitata and Drosophila melanogaster. This enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of N-β-alanyldopamine (NBAD), the main tanning precursor of insect brown cuticles. It also plays an important role in the metabolism of brain neurotransmitters, recycling dopamine and histamine. In contrast to NBAD-synthase, Tan is expressed constitutively in epidermis and does not respond directly to microbial challenge. Immunodetection experiments showed the novel localization of NBAD-hydrolase in the embryo central neural system and in different regions of the adult brain, in addition to optic lobes. We sequenced and characterized Drosophila mutants tan¹ and tan³. The latter appears to be a mutant with normal expression in neural tissue but weak one in epidermis.

Use of B7 costimulatory molecules as adjuvants in a prime-boost vaccination against Visna/Maedi ovine lentivirus

RNA transcripts of the B7 family molecule (CD80) are diminished in blood leukocytes from animals clinically affected with Visna/Maedi virus (VMV) infection. This work investigates whether the use of B7 genes enhances immune responses and protection in immunization-challenge approaches. Sheep were primed by particle-mediated epidermal bombardment with VMV gag and env gene recombinant plasmids together with plasmids encoding both CD80 and CD86 or CD80 alone, boosted with gag and env gene recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara virus and challenged intratracheally with VMV. Immunization in the presence of one or both of the B7 genes resulted in CD4+ T cell activation and antibody production (before and after challenge, respectively), but only immunization with CD80 and CD86 genes together, and not CD80 alone, resulted in a reduced number of infected animals and increased early transient cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) responses. Post-mortem analysis showed an immune activation of lymphoid tissue in challenge-target organs in those animals that had received B7 genes compared to unvaccinated animals. Thus, the inclusion of B7 genes helped to enhance early cellular responses and protection (diminished proportion of infected animals) against VMV infection.

Phylogenetic analysis of SRLV sequences from an arthritic sheep outbreak demonstrates the introduction of CAEV-like viruses among Spanish sheep

Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) cause different clinical forms of disease in sheep and goats. So far in Spain, Maedi visna virus-like (MVV-like) sequences have been found in both species, and the arthritic SRLV disease has never been found in sheep until a recent outbreak. Knowing that arthritis is common in goats, it was of interest to determine if the genetic type of the virus involved in the sheep arthritis outbreak was caprine arthritis encephalitis virus-like (CAEV-like) rather than MVV-like. Alignment and phylogenetic analyses on nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences from SRLV of this outbreak, allowed a B2 genetic subgroup assignment of these SRLV, compatible with a correspondence between the virus genetic type and the disease form. Furthermore, an isolate was obtained from the arthritic outbreak, its full genome was CAEV-like but the pol integrase region was MVV-like. Although its LTR lacked a U3 repeat sequence and had a deletion in the R region, which has been proposed to reduce viral replication rate, its phenotype in sheep skin fibroblast cultures was rapid/high, thus it appeared to have adapted to sheep cells. This outbreak study represents the first report on CAEV-like genetic findings and complete genome analysis among Spanish small ruminants.

Protection from Staphylococcus aureus mastitis associated with poly-N-acetyl beta-1,6 glucosamine specific antibody production using biofilm-embedded bacteria

Staphylococcus aureus vaccines based on bacterins surrounded by slime, surface polysaccharides coupled to protein carriers and polysaccharides embedded in liposomes administered together with non-biofilm bacterins confer protection against mastitis. However, it remains unknown whether protective antibodies are directed to slime-associated known exopolysaccharides and could be produced in the absence of bacterin immunizations. Here, a sheep mastitis vaccination study was carried out using bacterins, crude bacterial extracts or a purified exopolysaccharide from biofilm bacteria delivered in different vehicles. This polysaccharide reacted specifically with antibodies to poly-N-acetyl-beta-1,6-glucosamine (PNAG) and not with antibodies to other capsular antigens or bacterial components. Following intra-mammary challenge with biofilm-producing bacteria, antibody production against the polysaccharide, milk bacterial counts and mastitis lesions were determined. Bacterins from strong biofilm-producing bacteria triggered the highest production of antibodies to PNAG and conferred the highest protection against infection and mastitis, compared with weak biofilm-producing bacteria and non-cellular inocula. Thus, bacterins from strong biofilm bacteria, rather than purified polysaccharide, are proposed as a cost-efficient vaccination against S. aureus ruminant mastitis.

Estradiol Prevents Neural Tau Hyperphosphorylation Characteristic of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is three times more prevalent in women than men, and epidemiological studies have shown that estrogen replacement in aging women forestalls the onset of AD. Hyperphosphorylation of the tau protein that forms the neurofibrillary tangles found in AD brains might be responsible for the breakdown of microtubules in affected neurons. The mechanisms by which tau protein is phosphorylated in the AD brain are not fully understood. Using a human neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y) and primary cultures of newborn male or female rat cerebral cortical neurons, we investigated the effect of 17beta-estradiol on tau protein expression and phosphorylation. We found that estradiol increased total tau and induced dephosphorylation at the proline-directed site of the molecule. Further, estradiol prevented okadaic acid-induced hyperphosphorylation of tau in both proline- and non-proline-directed sites, and antiestrogens blocked this effect. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an effect of estradiol on naturally occurring and induced tau phosphorylation. This assumes special significance because the estrogen action was found to be sexually dimorphic in rat cortical neurons and differentiation-sensitive in human neuroblastoma cells.

Superior gluteal nerve: safe area in hip surgery

Injuries to the superior gluteal nerve are very bad complications in hip surgery. An exact knowledge of its course may be helpful in avoiding such problems. Nineteen half pelvises from ten male and female adult cadavers were dissected. Dissections revealed that the nerve divided into two (89.48%) or three (10.52%) branches after leaving the pelvis. The more caudal branch was responsible for innervation of tensor fascia latae. The distance and the angle from the entry points of all branches of the superior gluteal nerve into the deep surface of the gluteus medium and minimus muscles to the mid-point of the superior border of the greater trochanter were measured. The branch that innerved the tensor fascia latae was also followed. These data were subjected to several statistical tests. Based on these findings, and in order to prevent nerve damage, we propose to define a 2-3 cm safe area above the great trochanter.

Prenatal diagnosis in Rett syndrome

BACKGROUND/AIM

Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked neurodevelopmental dominant disorder that affects almost exclusively girls. The disease is mainly sporadic, caused by de novo mutations at MECP2 gene (Xq28), but a low percentage of familial cases have been reported. We present the results of RTT prenatal diagnosis in three families and discuss the usefulness of such analyses in diseases caused mainly by de novo mutations.

METHODS

For adult individuals, DNA was extracted from peripheral lymphocytes; for fetus analysis it was obtained from cultured amniotic fluid or from chorionic biopsy specimens. Mutation detection at MECP2 gene was first carried out in the patients by SSCP/HD analysis and subsequent sequencing. Family studies and prenatal diagnoses were done by direct analysis of previously characterized patients' mutations using SSCP/HD or restriction analysis.

RESULTS

Heterozygous mutations identified in the 3 patients were: 1061del96bp, 473C-->T, and 763C-->T, respectively. Mutations were not present in the mothers' DNAs obtained from peripheral lymphocytes. None of the 3 fetuses analyzed carried the mutation of the affected sister.

CONCLUSIONS

Recurrence within RTT families can be due to asymptomatic nonpenetrant carrier mothers or to parental germinal mosaicism for the MECP2 mutation. Since germline mosaicism can neither be predicted nor detected, families with 1 affected patient whose RTT-causing mutation has been previously identified can benefit from prenatal diagnosis which contributes to a decrease in the recurrence risk in a new pregnancy comparable to that of the normal population.

Usefulness of cathode ray tube color displays in chromaticity-discrimination experiments

Chromatic-discrimination thresholds have been determined by use of a CRT color monitor that simulates aperture and object observation modes. The results were compared with earlier ones [Appl. Opt. 35, 176 (1996)] that were obtained under the same experimental observation conditions with different devices. The differences found between the results obtained with the CRT monitor and with visual colorimeters are of the order of magnitude of interobserver variability (9%). However, greater differences were found between results for CRT monitors and for illuminated samples, which could be attributed to suboptimal distribution of the samples in color space. The current results support the usefulness of CRT color monitors in new chromatic-discrimination experiments.

Cytogenetic analysis of spermatozoa in the father of a child with a de-novo reciprocal translocation t(7;9) (q22;p23)

Analysis of sperm chromosomes was carried out in the father of a child with a de-novo reciprocal translocation t(7;9) (q22;p23) by G-banding and chromosome painting. Sperm metaphases were obtained using the zona-free hamster oocyte-human sperm fusion technique. A total of 138 complements were sequentially analysed by G-banding and fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH). The frequency of spermatozoa with structural chromosome abnormalities (5.1%) and the estimated conservative aneuploidy (1.4%) were within the range obtained in our control donors (6.9 and 4%). The sex ratio (45.3% X versus 54.7% Y) was not significantly different from the theoretical 1:1. A total of 309 sperm complements was analysed by FISH, 138 sequentially analysed by G-banding-FISH and another 171 analysed by FISH only. The frequencies of structural chromosome abnormalities for chromosomes 7 and 9 (0.6 and 0% respectively) were not significantly different from those obtained in our control donors (0.6 and 0.8%). No spermatozoa with the t(7;9) (q22;p23) were observed, showing no evidence for a germ-cell mosaicism. A statistically significant, positive association between sperm breakpoints and fragile sites (P = 0.0225) was observed. However, the coincidence between fragile sites and sperm breaks (80%) was not significantly different from that obtained in our control donors (79.2%). These results suggest that in this case the risk of structural chromosome abnormalities in further offspring is not increased, although an association between fragile sites and sperm chromosome breaks in the father does exist.

Innovative new concepts in augmentative breast surgery

The female breast is seen as a badge of feminine beauty in our society. While it can vary over time and with fashions, the perfect breast will always be symmetrically balanced and proportionate to the rest of the body. To create an aesthetic and symmetrically balanced breast using implants to enhance them is not an easy task. Surgery must combine the concepts of an ideal breast with the desires of the patient in terms of size. The satisfactory breast should remain soft, well positioned, and mobile to respond to gravity and postural changes. In attempting to construct an "ideal breast," certain basic aesthetic anatomical proportions should be taken into account: natural positioning of the breast in the thorax; symmetry; the position of the nipple-areola complex as the focal point of the breast in the frontal view; a side profile of the breast with a natural soft fall; and, overall, the position of the new inframammary crease in the standing position, while lying down, and while moving.

Sperm chromosome analysis in the father of a child with a de-novo reciprocal translocation t(11;15)(q12;q22) by G-banding and fluorescence in-situ hybridization

Analysis of sperm chromosomes by G-banding and two-colour fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) was carried out in the father of a child with a de-novo reciprocal translocation t(11;15)(q12;q22). Sperm chromosome complements were obtained after in-vitro fusion of zona-free hamster oocytes and donor spermatozoa. A total of 112 sperm complements was first analysed by G-banding. The frequency of structural chromosome aberrations (9.8%) and the conservative frequency of aneuploidy (0.0%) were not significantly different from those obtained in our control donors. The proportions of X-bearing (53.2%) and Y-bearing (46.8%) spermatozoa were not significantly different from the expected 1:1 ratio. A total of 313 sperm complements was analysed by two-colour FISH. The frequency of structural abnormalities for chromosomes 11 and 15 was 3.2 and 0.3% respectively. The frequency of rearrangements for chromosome 11 was statistically significant when compared with control donors (0.4%) (P < 0.0001). No spermatozoa with the t(11;15)(q12;q22) translocation were observed, showing no evidence for a germ-cell mosaicism. These results suggest that the de-novo involvement of chromosome 11 in a structural rearrangement is not random, and that in this patient an increased risk of de-novo structural chromosome abnormalities in further offspring does exist.

Coexistence of tetrasomy 8 and trisomy 8 in a case with myeloid metaplasia with myelofibrosis

We present a case of myeloid metaplasia with myelofibrosis (MM/MF), with tetrasomy 8 as the sole cytogenetic abnormality detected by conventional cytogenetic studies. Tetrasomy 8 was also detected by in situ interphase studies and confirmed by chromosome painting in metaphase. To our knowledge, this is the first case of MM/MF with tetrasomy 8. Noteworthy is the association with neurofibromatosis.

A new case of trisomy 5 as sole cytogenetic anomaly in acute myeloid leukemia

We present a case of acute myeloid leukemia (AML-M2) with trisomy 5 (+5) as the sole cytogenetic abnormality in a woman previously diagnosed with schizophrenia. To date, only two cases of AML (other than M2) with +5 as the only change have been reported. Moreover, an association between schizophrenia and partial trisomy of chromosome 5p has been described recently. To our knowledge, this is the first report of AML (subtype-M2) with +5. Noteworthy is the association with schizophrenia.

Heterochromatin decondensation in chromosomes from chorionic villus samples

The spontaneous decondensation of constitutive heterochromatic regions of chromosomes 1, 9, 16, and Y has been observed in 46.6 per cent of chorionic villus samples. This type of decondensation is occasionally observed in amniotic fluid cells (9 per cent) and has never been found in fetal lymphocytes. The phenomenon is similar to that described in spermatogonial metaphases, in primary and secondary spermatocytes and in human sperm chromosomes, although decondensation of the heterochromatin of chromosome 15 has never been recorded in chorionic villus samples.

Spontaneous chromosome fragility in chorionic villus cells

Human fragile sites are only very rarely expressed spontaneously. In this paper we report the presence of non-random spontaneous chromosome lesions (CL) in chorionic villus samples and their coincidence with fragile site (FS) bands. The average number of CL was about 9% both in RPMI-1640 and in Chang media. To determine any possible influence of external factors other than culture media, the results were grouped according to age of gestation. No differences were observed among the different groups. A total of 101 chromosome lesions could be precisely identified by sequential Leishman Staining/Wright G-banding; 76.2% of them coincided with FS-bands. The most affected region was at 1q12-1q21.1 (15.8% of total CL); other FS with a clustering of breakpoints in our study were 1p36, 1q44, 2q37, 3p24, 3q27, 10q22 and 16q23. These results suggest that spontaneous expression of some FS could be a characteristic of embryonic tissues.

[Prenatal diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy: the first experience in Spain]

We report the first prenatal diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy (MD) in Spain by DNA techniques. The previous familiar study allowed us to determine the DM haplotype in this family with the following probe/enzyme combinations: p4.1/Msp I, LDR 152/Bgl II, Apo CII/Ban I, Taq I, Bam HI, pSCII/Bgl I. In the tenth week of amenorrhea, a transabdominal biopsy was done to obtain chorionic villi. One part of the sample was processed for the cytogenetic analysis that revealed a 46 XY karyotype. The other part was used to perform the molecular analysis with two probes, p4.1 and LDR 152, determining that the fetus was a DM gene carrier with a 96% probability.

Karyotype screening of potential sperm donors for artificial insemination

Cytogenetic studies were carried out in 100 potential semen donors for artificial insemination (AI) before they underwent the routine procedures for acceptance or rejection into the programme, namely medical history, physical examination and blood and semen analyses. Results were only compared at the end of the study. In 80 cases, the karyotype was normal; 12 males showed polymorphic chromosome variants; seven had pericentric inversions of heterochromatic regions; one had a short inversion of chromosome 2; and in one case centromere fragility was observed. Six of the 12 males with normal variants were accepted into the programme and four of them had fathered from one to 13 normal children at the end of the study; the other six had been rejected, four of them because of abnormal seminograms, and another two because the motility control of the frozen semen was negative. Of the seven males with pericentric inversions, one dropped out of the programme; four were accepted and three of them had produced from two to five normal children at the end of the study; two had been rejected due to abnormal seminograms. The individual with centromere fragility was accepted and had produced four normal children at the end of the series. Our conclusion is that although cytogenetic studies of potential donors for AI would be desirable, routine screening for chromosome anomalies is not justified at present.

Human sperm chromosome studies in a reciprocal translocation t(2;5)

Sperm chromosome complements have been studied in a man heterozygous for a reciprocal translocation t(2;5)(p11;q15). Human sperm chromosomes were obtained after fertilization of zona-free hamster eggs. A total of 75 human sperm metaphases were analysed. On the complements studied, 59 (78.6%) resulted from a 2:2 segregation and 16 (21.3%) from a 3:1 segregation, 4:0 segregation was not observed. Our results indicate that at least 36% of sperm complements were unbalanced with respect to the translocation. The frequency of other chromosome anomalies unrelated to the translocation was 16%.