Topical magnetic resonance for the study of muscle metabolism in human myopathy

The role of changes in energy metabolism are obvious in the myopathies with described enzyme defects, but the ability afforded by topical magnetic resonance spectroscopy to study these changes repeatedly and non-invasively helps provide an understanding of the alterations in energy metabolism seen in muscle complaints of which the aetiologies are still unclear. Attention is focused on interpreting the findings with particular regard to Duchenne muscular dystrophy.     

Evaluation of an animal model system for cryptosporidiosis: therapeutic efficacy of paromomycin and hyperimmune bovine colostrum-immunoglobulin.

Several immunodeficient rodent models currently exist in which persistent, largely asymptomatic, Cryptosporidium parvum infections can be established. Piglets, in contrast, develop a self-limiting diarrheal illness. We have consequently developed an animal model system in which scid mice were used to screen drugs for inhibitory activity against C. parvum, after which the drugs' therapeutic potential was evaluated with piglets. Paromomycin and hyperimmune bovine colostrum-immunoglobulin were selected to evaluate this system. C. paravum infections in suckling scid mice tended to be associated with villus surfaces, while in weaned and in older scid mice infections were more commonly localized in abscessed crypts. Rates of oocyst shedding in suckling scid mice were 50 to 200 times higher than in weaned mice and therefore made suckling mice a considerably more sensitive model for drug testing. Paromomycin given in high doses over 9 to 10 days was not toxic to either scid mice (3,000 mg/kg of body weight per day) or piglets (500 mg/kg/day). Paromomycin treatment was very effective against villus surface infections in suckling mice and considerably less effective against infections in inaccessible sites such as abscessed crypts and stomach pits seen in weaned and adult scid mice. The therapeutic efficacy of paromomycin in piglets depended on the severity of the diarrheal illness. Mild to moderate diarrhea and infection were cleared after paromomycin treatment of piglets infected with one C. parvum isolate. However, paromomycin had no impact on severely affected piglets infected with a second isolate, presumably because of a rapid transit time through the gut. In contrast to paromomycin hyperimmune bovine colostrum-immunoglobulin treatment reduced the rate of C. parvum infection moderately in scid mice and only slightly in piglets, again probably because of a rapid transit time through the gut and inactivation in the stomach. It was also clear that the impact of effective drugs against C. parvum can be detected within 5 days after the onset of treatment in either model.     

Noise levels in a clinical chemistry laboratory

An investigation into the noise levels in a clinical chemistry laboratory has been carried out. It was shown that although the levels were insufficient to cause damage to hearing, they exceeded the criteria of acceptability for offices and workshops.     

Genetic control of the antibody response to poly(L Tyr, L Glu)-poly(DL Ala)--poly(L Lys) in mice: analysis of (low responder x low responder)F1 hybrids

The antibody response to the synthetic polypeptide poly (L Tyr, L Glu)-poly (DL Ala)--poly (L Lys) designated (T,G)-A--L, was investigated in inbred, congenic, F1 and F2 hybrid strains of mice. The antibody response was analysed at both low (10 microgram) and high (50 microgram) immunizing doses of (T,G)-A--L. Antibodies were measured using both a modified Farr assay and a plate binding assay. At low immunizing doses it was found that all of the congenic and non-congenic (low responder x low responder) F1 hybrids were low responders. However, the quantitative antibody response of one non-congenic (low responder x low responder) F2 hybrid segregated in a 1:1 ratio of high responders to low responders, suggesting some form of complementation of (T,G)-A--L Ir genes. At high immunizing doses it was found that congenic and non-congenic (low responder x low responder) F1 hybrids were all high responders, indicating a complementation of Ir genes to (T,G)-A--L. This complementation was confirmed using two different routes of immunization, namely footpad and intraperitoneal. Furthermore the quantitative antibody responses of (low responder x low responder) F2 hybrids segregate in a 1:1 ratio of high responders to low responders. The class of antibodies produced to (T,G)-A--L in (low responder x low responder) F1 hybrids was determined by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200, and found to be predominantly IgG, with lesser amounts of IgM.     

Transgenic and Natural Mouse Models of Proteolipid Protein (PLP)-Related Dysmyelination and Demyelination

The X chromosome-linked PLP/DM-20 gene is the CNS myelin gene most frequently associated with mutations, resulting in dysmyelination in several species including man (Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, X-linked Spastic Paraplegia). The pathology of most PLP gene mutations is characterized by hypomyelination, glial cell proliferation, increased numbers of microglia, and premature oligodendrocyte death. In most mutants, residual myelin structures have an abnormal ultrastructure and periodicity. Surprisingly, transgenic mice which carry extra copies of the wild type PLP gene show dysmyelination, demonstrating that the PLP gene is dosage sensitive. Pathological changes of transgenic mice vary from the phenotype of natural mutants. Specifically, many Golgi saccules of oligodendrocytes are vacuolated and the cytoplasm contains autophagic vacuoles hinting at a perturbation in protein trafficking. In fact, upon transgenic overexpression PLP becomes a prominent peripheral myelin protein, whereas in normal Schwann cells PLP is restricted from entering the myelin compartment. Surprisingly, transgenic animals which overexpress PLP/DM-20 at a low level appear normal during early development, but later spontaneously demyelinate. The mechanisms underlying this demyelination phenotype is unknown but an immune-mediated process has been suggested. All attempts to correct the phenotype of natural PLP mutants, such as jimpy mice, with a wild type transgene have had little effects, indicating a dominant-negative effect of the mutant gene product. On the other hand, mice with a targeted disruption of the PLP/DM-20 gene have suprisingly minor clinical signs. This suggests that the lethal phenotype associated with the majority of PLP gene mutations is a complex combination of loss and gain-of-function effects of a mutant myelin protein.     

Direct modulatory effect of C-reactive protein on primary human monocyte adhesion to human endothelial cells

C-reactive protein (CRP) is the prototypic acute phase serum protein in humans. The effects of CRP on primary human monocyte adhesion molecule expression and interaction with the endothelium have not been studied. Herein, we describe an investigation into the phenotypic and functional consequences of CRP binding to peripheral blood monocytes ex vivo. Peripheral whole blood was collected from healthy, non-smoking males. Mononuclear cells (MNC) and monocytes were isolated by differential centrifugation using lymphoprep and Dynal negative isolation kit, respectively. Cells were exposed to CRP from 0 to 250 micro g/ml for 0-60 min at 37 degrees C and analysed for (a) CD11b, PECAM-1 (CD31) and CD32 expression by flow cytometry and (b) adhesion to LPS (1 micro g/ml; 0-24 h) treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). CD14+ monocyte expression of CD11b increased significantly up to twofold when exposed to CRP, compared to controls. There was no significant difference in CD32 expression, whereas CD31 expression decreased after exposure to CRP. CRP treatment of monocytes inhibited their adhesion to early LPS-activated HUVEC (0-5 h). However, the adhesion of CRP-treated monocytes to HUVEC was significantly greater to late activation antigens on HUVEC (24 h, LPS) compared to controls. We have shown that CRP can affect monocyte activation ex vivo and induce phenotypic changes that result in an altered recruitment to endothelial cells. This study provides the first evidence for a further role for C-reactive protein in both monocyte activation and adhesion, which may be of importance during an inflammatory event.     

Association analysis of chromosome 1 migraine candidate genes

Background  

Migraine with aura (MA) is a subtype of typical migraine. Migraine with aura (MA) also encompasses a rare severe subtype Familial Hemiplegic Migraine (FHM) with several known genetic loci. The type 2 FHM (FHM-2) susceptibility locus maps to chromosome 1q23 and mutations in the ATP1A2 gene at this site have recently been implicated. We have previously provided evidence of linkage of typical migraine (predominantly MA) to microsatellite markers on chromosome 1, in the 1q31 and 1q23 regions. In this study, we have undertaken a large genomic investigation involving candidate genes that lie within the chromosome 1q23 and 1q31 regions using an association analysis approach.     

Investigation of Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptors genes and migraine susceptibility

Background  

Migraine is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of severe headache, affecting around 12% of Caucasian populations. It is well known that migraine has a strong genetic component, although the number and type of genes involved is still unclear. Prior linkage studies have reported mapping of a migraine gene to chromosome Xq 24–28, a region containing a cluster of genes for GABA A receptors (GABRE, GABRA3, GABRQ), which are potential candidate genes for migraine. The GABA neurotransmitter has been implicated in migraine pathophysiology previously; however its exact role has not yet been established, although GABA receptors agonists have been the target of therapeutic developments. The aim of the present research is to investigate the role of the potential candidate genes reported on chromosome Xq 24–28 region in migraine susceptibility. In this study, we have focused on the subunit GABA A receptors type ε (GABRE) and type θ (GABRQ) genes and their involvement in migraine.     

Virological and serological diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection in bone marrow allograft recipients

To detect cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections, a total of 1,074 cultures of urine, saliva, or blood were collected weekly from 43 consecutive patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Twenty-three patients were seronegative before transplant and primary infection occurred in 2 (9%). Twenty patients were initially seropositive and recurrent infections occurred in 5 (25%). Three patients in the recurrent group had proven CMV pneumonitis; viraemia was detected in two recipients, while the third had CMV isolated only from bronchial lavage fluid. The serological response of the 43 patients was defined by testing 559 serial sera for specific IgG and IgM antibodies by radioimmunoassay. Passive acquisition of IgG antibodies from blood products was found in 78% of initially seronegative recipients. One patient with primary infection responded in a pattern typical of immunocompetent individuals with long-term production of specific IgG and transient production of specific IgM antibodies. The second patient also had a typical response, but this was delayed until several weeks after the start of virus excretion. In patients with recurrent infections, specific IgM production did not correlate with episodes of virus excretion. Three of five such patients failed to mount a specific IgM response, and these were the only patients in the study to develop CMV pneumonitis. We conclude that CMV infection in bone marrow recipients can only be diagnosed by detection of virus; therefore, the ability of these patients to mount humoral immune responses should not be relied upon for diagnostic purposes.