Analysis of the Equalization of Inverted Repeats and Neurovirulence Using a Pseudorabies Virus Mutant Strain Altered at the Ul/Ir Junction

A recombinant pseudorabies (Aujeszky’s disease) virus (PrV) designated as vE16lac was constructed by deleting a 3-kbp DNA segment spanning the junction of long and short components of the viral genome, and by replacing the deleted segment with a lacZ-expression cassette. The aim of constructing this mutant was (a) to determine whether the terminal repeat (Tr) can serve as a template for the regeneration of the internal repeat (Ir), and (b) whether this deletion causes a reduction in the neuroinvasiveness of the virus. To analyze the mechanism of equalization, revertant viruses were selected and structurally characterized from vE16lac infection of PK-15 cells, mice and pigs. Because all revertants acquired Ir sequences identical to that of the wild-type virus, the equalization process occurred using the Tr as a template to reconstitute the Ir. We also found that the recombinant virus vE16lac was virulent in both pigs and mice. The data are discussed in view of studies performed with similar PrV mutants by other authors (Rall et al., 1992, Dean and Cheung, 1995 and Dean et al., 1996). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Continuous and stepwise cystometry through suprapubic catheters--effect of infusion pattern and infusion rate on the cystometrogram of the normal human bladder

Continuous cystometry at two filling rates (50 and 100 ml min-1) and stepwise cystometry (successive rapid volume infusions followed by bladder wall relaxation) were performed in 12 healthy subjects. Suprapubic catheters were used for infusion and recording of perivesical and intravesical pressures. The continuous cystometrograms obtained at filling rates of 50 and 100 ml min-1, respectively, did not differ with respect to desire to void, transmural pressure increase or bladder capacity. Stepwise cystometry allowed the bladders to be filled to a slightly larger volume than during continuous cystometry, but with comparatively lower transmural pressures only at very large distension of the bladder. There was considerable inter-individual variation in transmural pressure at both continuous and stepwise cystometry. Stepwise cystometry did not appear to provide any important additional information about pressure-volume relationship in the normal human bladder than could be obtained at routine clinical cystometry.     

In vitro appearance of large human histamine-containing basophilic cells

The appearance of large human basophilic cells containing histamine was followed to reflect cell maturation in cultures of peripheral blood leukocytes. Aliquots were taken on day 0 and after 7, 9-10 and 14 days in culture, and the basophilic cell numbers were determined in 200 microliter cytospin specimens stained with Wright's stain. The number of small basophils initially present declined during the culture period. The number of spontaneously appearing large basophilic cells varied among the cultures from different individuals and was slightly, though not significantly, higher in atopic individuals than in normals. In cultures of cells from atopic individuals, the number of large basophilic cells was reproducibly increased by the addition of appropriate allergen to the cultures. In cultures of cells from normal individuals, the number was increased two- to six-fold by adding conditioned medium (CM), either from 3-day cultures of cells from atopic individuals stimulated with allergen or with CM from the Mo T cell leukemic line. The addition of mitomycin C decreased the number of large basophilic cells and cycloheximide abrogated their appearance.     

Artifact analysis of approximate helical cone-beam CT reconstruction algorithms

In this paper, four approximate cone-beam CT reconstruction algorithms are compared: Advanced single slice rebinning (ASSR) as a representative of algorithms employing a two dimensional approximation, PI, PI-SLANT, and 3-PI which all use a proper three dimensional back-projection. A detailed analysis of the image artifacts produced by these techniques shows that aliasing in the z-direction is the predominant source of artifacts for a 16-row scanner with 1.25 mm nominal slice thickness. For a detector with isotropic resolution of 0.5 mm, we found that ASSR and PI produce different kinds of artifacts which are almost at the same level, while PI-SLANT produces none of these artifacts. It is shown that the use of redundant data in the 3-PI method suppresses aliasing artifacts efficiently for both scanners.     

Plasma cystine concentration and redox state in aging and physical exercise

Because redox-regulated signalling pathways are often modulated by the thiol/disulfide redox state (REDST), changes in plasma REDST may possibly account for pathological processes. We, therefore, investigated the mechanisms that account for changes in the plasma REDST as derived in first approximation from the cystine and acid soluble thiol (mainly cysteine) concentrations. Elderly subjects (studies A) and younger subjects after intensive physical exercise (IPE) (study B) i.e. subjects in conditions typically associated with decreased insulin responsiveness, showed, on the average, an increase in the plasma total free amino acid (TAA) concentration to approximately 3000 microM, including an increase in cystine but no increase in the thiol concentration if compared with controls. The REDST was decreased accordingly. A study on the postabsorptive amino acid exchange rates across the lower extremities (study C) indicated that a TAA level > or =2800 microM supports a balanced net protein synthesis even under conditions of weak insulin stimulation, suggesting that high TAA levels may prevent the release of cysteine into the blood in the postabsorptive state. Collectively, these studies indicate that the age-related oxidative shift in plasma REDST may result from the decrease in amino acid clearance capacity and may be aggravated by excessive physical exercise.     

Association analysis of a polymorphism in the G‐protein stimulatory α subunit in patients with major depression*

Growing evidence suggests that G‐proteins may be involved in pathogenesis and treatment of affective disorders. Several studies have reported altered levels and/or activities of stimulatory G‐proteins in depression. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a polymorphism in the stimulatory α subunit of G‐proteins (T/C point mutation in exon 5; ATT → ATC at codon 131) is associated with major depression or response to antidepressant treatment. Therefore, we performed a case‐control association study with 212 depressive patients and 137 healthy, unrelated controls. There was no evidence for an association between the investigated polymorphism in the Gα_s gene and major depression, as well as to treatment response. The results of our study are in concordance with recently published findings which do not support the hypothesis that the gene for the stimulatory α subunit of G‐proteins is a major susceptibility factor in the pathophysiology of major depression. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Die Veränderung der corticalen Gleichspannung bei kompletter und inkompletter Ischämie des Gehirns

Zusammenfassung Die corticale Gleichspannung wurde an isolierten Hundeköpfen von der Konvexität des Gehirns (Gyrus lateralis) gegen Nase (Knochenoberfläche des os frontale) bei kompletter und inkompletter Gehirnischämie gemessen.Während kompletter Gehirnischämie verschiebt sich die Gleichspannung nach einer initialen Positivierung, die 1,5–2,75 min nach Ischämiebeginn ein Maximum von 1,5–2 mV erreicht, in negativer Richtung. Diese Negativierung erreicht 3–8 min nach Ischämiebeginn einen steady state von im Mittel 6,5 mV. Nach Ende der kompletten Gehirnischämie kommt es nach einer kurzfristigen Positivierung zu einer länger dauernden Negativierung.Bei inkompletter Gehirnischämie kommt es zu einer Negativierung der Gleichspannung, wenn der Blutdruck auf 80–40 mm Hg abgefallen ist. Es wird vermutet, daß die Negativierung bei der für das Gehirn kritischen Blutdruckhöhe beginnt.Auszugsweise vorgetragen auf der 31. Tagung der Deutschen Physiologischen Gesellschaft Würzburg 1966 [Pflügers Arch. ges. Physiol. 289, R 5 (1966)].     

Degeneration and electron microscope analysis of the synaptic glomeruli in the lateral geniculate body

Summary Optic fibers of retinal origin terminate in the lateral geniculate body exclusively in the so called glomerular synapses. They can be recognized on the basis of their unusually large irregular mitochondria having very few cristae. In the cat the structure of the optic terminal profiles is rather dense. The majority of terminals in most glomeruli originate from axons of other source. Relatively large axon terminal profiles of unusually light structure cannot be brought to degeneration by any interference with extraneous pathways. From Golgi information it becomes obvious that they originate from local Golgi 2nd type neurons. Small rather dense axonal profiles of the glomeruli can occasionally be traced back by degeneration to the occipital cortex (parastriate), although most of the descending cortical afferents of the lateral geniculate body terminate outside the glomeruli on more proximal parts of the dendrites. — Axo-axonic synapses are very frequent. If an optic terminal is involved, it appears that by structural standards it is presynaptic to the non optic. As judged, however, from the numerous axoaxonic contacts persisting after enucleation, many of the contacts are established between non optic axon terminals. — The progress of secondary degeneration and particularly the removal from the glomeruli of degeneration fragments is unexpectedly rapid. — The possible functional significance of these findings, especially also with regards to presynaptic inhibition, is discussed.     

Distribution of an adenohypophysial constituent in the body. I. Wholebody autoradiographical studies in the mouse.

A peptide with a molecular weight of about 5 000 has previously been shown to affect the output of semen in frogs and probably also in mammals. This sperm-releasing substance is not part of any known gonadotropic hormone. The distribution of this substance has been investigated using whole-body autoradiography. Radioactive material is incorporated into the epididymis, the adenohypophysis and probably also into the ovary.