Hair cells in the inner ear of the pirouette and shaker 2 mutant mice

The shaker 2 (sh2) and pirouette (pi) mouse mutants display severe inner ear dysfunction that involves both auditory and vestibular manifestation. Pathology of the stereocilia of hair cells has been found in both mutants. This study was designed to further our knowledge of the pathological characteristics of the inner ear sensory epithelia in both the sh2 and pi strains. Measurements of auditory brainstem responses indicated that both mutants were profoundly deaf. The morphological assays were specifically designed to characterize a pathological actin bundle that is found in both the inner hair cells and the vestibular hair cells in all five vestibular organs in these two mutants. Using light microscope analysis of phalloidin-stained specimens, these actin bundles could first be detected on postnatal day 3. As the cochleae matured, each inner hair cell and type I vestibular hair cell contained a bundle that spans from the region of the cuticular plate to the basal end of the cell, then extends along with cytoplasm and membrane, towards the basement membrane. Abnormal contact with the basement membrane was found in vestibular hair cells. Based on the shape of the cellular extension and the actin bundle that supports it, we propose to name these extensions cytocauds. The data suggest that the cytocauds in type I vestibular hair cells and inner hair cells are associated with a failure to differentiate and detach from the basement membrane.     

Molecular epidemiology of macrolide resistance in neonatal bloodstream isolates of group B streptococci

Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed on 122 neonatal bloodstream isolates of group B streptococci (GBS) to further examine the relationship between macrolide resistance and serotype V GBS (GBS-V). Over one-third (35%) of macrolide-resistant GBS belonged to a single PFGE subtype of GBS-V, which was also the most common GBS-V subtype noted in previous Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance studies. Erm methylase (ermA and ermB) was the most common resistance mechanism detected, present in 12 of 20 macrolide-resistant GBS.     

Preparation and evaluation of a soluble derivative of the antiallergic compound trans-2, 3b, 4, 5, 7, 8b, 9, 10-octahydronaphtho [1, 2-c:5, 6-c'] dipyrazole (LC-6)

In the present report we describe the preparation of LC-6.2HCl, a soluble derivative of the synthetic bispyrazole LC-6. Because the latter was practically insoluble in aqueous and organic media, experiments which indicated that it had antiallergic activity were confined to in vivo studies following its oral administration. The availability of soluble LC-6.2HCl made it possible to administer the drug i.v. or i.p. Through these routes it exhibited greater antiallergic activity than by the oral route, as judged by lower ID50's and by the achievement of 100% PCA inhibition. The latter result had not previously been attained orally with the base. Furthermore, when injected i.v. or i.p. LC-6.2HCl showed prolonged inhibitory activity, a valuable attribute of the parent compound. The in vivo activity of the soluble salt, which we describe, further establishes the potential therapeutic value of the drug.     

Wertigkeit moderner Verfahren zur Lokalisation von Phäochromocytomen

Zusammenfassung Bei sechs Patienten mit adrenalem Phäochromocytom erfolgte die Lokalisationsdiagnostik durch Ultraschalluntersuchung, Phlebographie der Nebennieren und selektiver Katecholaminbestimmung im Blut der Vena cava sowie der Nebennierenvenen. Durch die selektive Katecholaminbestimmung konnten alle Phäochromocytome lokalisiert werden, durch die Ultraschalluntersuchung fünf, durch die Phlebographie vier. Ein Phäochromocytom von 1,5 g Gewicht, das nur durch die selektive Katecholaminbe-stimmung, nicht aber durch Ultraschall oder Phlebographie lokalisiert wurde, konnte computertomographisch dargestellt werden.Um Fehldiagnosen bei der selektiven Katecholaminbestimmung zu vermeiden, darf vor der Blutentnahme aus den Nebennierenvenen kein Röntgenkontrastmittel injiziert werden, da dies zu einer erheblichen Adrenalin- oder Noradrenalinfreisetzung aus dem Nebennierenmark führen kann.     

Energetics of karate kumite

It is speculated that anaerobic metabolism is the predominant source of energy in karate kumite. However, no experimental proof is currently available. The metabolic cost and fractions of aerobic and anaerobic energy of karate kumite fighting were investigated. Ten male nationally or internationally ranked karateka [means (SD) age 26.9 (3.8) years, height 1.80 (0.08) m, mass 77.2 (12.8) kg] performed two to four fights scheduled and judged like a championship. Oxygen uptake was measured continuously with a portable spirometric device. Blood lactate was determined immediately before, and minute by minute after, each fight. Aerobic, anaerobic alactic and anaerobic lactic energy were calculated from oxygen uptake during the fight (VO₂), the fast component of the post-fight oxygen uptake (VO_2PCr) above resting values and changes in blood lactate concentration (Net-BLC), respectively. Altogether, 36 fights lasting 267 (61) s were analysed. The referees decisions caused an activity-to-break ratio of approximately 2:1. VO₂, VO_2PCr, and Net-BLC per fight were 165.3 (52.4) ml^.kg^–1, 32.2 (7.2) ml^.kg^–1and 4.2 (1.9) mmol^.l^–1; the overall energy cost above rest was 334.3 (86.3) kJ per fight. Fractions of aerobic, anaerobic alactic, and lactic energy sources were 77.8 (5.8)%, 16.0 (4.6)%, and 6.2 (2.4)%, respectively. The results indicate a high metabolic rate in karate kumite. However, the acyclic activity profile implies that aerobic metabolism is the predominant source of energy and there is anaerobic supplementation, mainly by high-energy phosphates.     

Utility of the ratio of food-specific IgE/total IgE in predicting symptomatic food allergy in children

BACKGROUND: Double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges are time-consuming, expensive and not without risk to patients. Therefore, an in vitro test that could accurately diagnose food allergy would be of great value. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of the ratio of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE)/total IgE compared with specific IgE (sIgE) alone in predicting symptomatic food allergy. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 992 controlled oral food challenges performed in 501 children (median age 13 months). The ratio of sIgE/total IgE was calculated and tested for correlation with the outcome of food challenges. Receiver operator characteristics (ROC)-curves were performed; predicted probabilities and predictive decision points were calculated. RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between the ratio and the outcome of food challenges for cow's milk (CM), hen's egg (HE), and wheat, but not for soy. The ROC and predicted probability curves as well as sensitivity and specificity of the decision points of the ratio were similar to those of sIgE levels for CM, HE and wheat. CONCLUSION: In view of the greater effort needed to determine the ratio, without benefit compared with the sIgE alone, the calculation of the ratio of sIgE/total IgE for diagnosing symptomatic food allergy offers no advantage for CM, HE, wheat or soy. For the majority of cases controlled oral food challenges still remain the method of choice.     

Darstellung und polymerisation von O-vinylacetalen. Untersuchung von O-, S- und N-vinylverbindungen. VI

Formaldehyde- and acetaldehyde-O-vinylacetals were synthesized by dehydrohalogenation of the analogous β-hydroxyethyl-compounds. If initiated radically the monomers do not homopolymerize well but they form regular alternating copolymers with maleic anhydride. In case of the kationic polymerization the O? CH₂? O-groups act as chain transfer agents. On heating the poly-O-vinyl-acetals especially with LEWIS acids a hydride shift takes place, and polymers with ester-side-chains are formed.