Changes in homologous and heterologous gap junction contacts during maturation-inducing hormone-dependent meiotic resumption in ovarian follicles of Atlantic croaker

Homologous (granulosa cell-granulosa cell) gap junction (GJ) contacts increase in ovarian follicles of Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) during the early (first) stage of maturation, but their profile during the second stage [i.e., during maturation-inducing hormone (MIH)-mediated meiotic resumption] is unknown. The profile of homologous GJ contacts during the second stage of maturation in croaker follicles was examined in this study and compared to that of heterologous (granulosa cell-oocyte) GJ, for which changes have been previously documented. Follicles were incubated with human chorionic gonadotropin to induce maturational competence (first stage), and then with MIH to induce meiotic resumption. The follicles were collected for examination immediately before and after different durations of MIH exposure until the oocyte had reached the stage of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD; index of meiotic resumption). Ultrathin sections were observed by transmission electron microscopy, and homologous and heterologous GJ contacts were quantified along a 100-microm segment of granulosa cell-zona radiata complex per follicle (three follicles/time/fish, n=3 fish). Relatively high numbers of both types of GJ were observed before and after the first few hours of MIH exposure (up to the stage of oil droplet coalescence). GJ numbers declined during partial yolk globule coalescence (at or near GVBD) and were just under 50% of starting values after the completion of GVBD (P<0.05). These results confirm earlier observations that GVBD temporally correlates with declining heterologous GJ contacts, and for the first time in teleosts show that there is a parallel decline in homologous GJ. The significance of the changes in homologous and heterologous GJ is uncertain and deserves further study.     

Effect of women's nutrition before and during early pregnancy on maternal and infant outcomes: a systematic review

Current understanding of biologic processes indicates that women's nutritional status before and during early pregnancy may play an important role in determining early developmental processes and ensuring successful pregnancy outcomes. We conducted a systematic review of the evidence for the impact of maternal nutrition before and during early pregnancy (<12 weeks gestation) on maternal, neonatal and child health outcomes and included 45 articles (nine intervention trials and 32 observational studies) that were identified through PubMed and EMBASE database searches and examining review articles. Intervention trials and observational studies show that periconceptional (<12 weeks gestation) folic acid supplementation significantly reduced the risk of neural tube defects. Observational studies suggest that preconceptional and periconceptional intake of vitamin and mineral supplements is associated with a reduced risk of delivering offspring who are low birthweight and/or small-for-gestational age (SGA) and preterm deliveries (PTD). Some studies report that indicators of maternal prepregnancy size, low stature, underweight and overweight are associated with increased risks of PTD and SGA. The available data indicate the importance of women's nutrition prior to and during the first trimester of pregnancy, but there is a need for well-designed prospective studies and controlled trials in developing country settings that examine relationships with low birthweight, SGA, PTD, stillbirth and maternal and neonatal mortality. The knowledge gaps that need to be addressed include the evaluation of periconceptional interventions such as food supplements, multivitamin-mineral supplements and/or specific micronutrients (iron, zinc, iodine, vitamin B-6 and B-12) as well as the relationship between measures of prepregnancy body size and composition and maternal, neonatal and child health outcomes.     

Cardiac troponin T levels are associated with poor short- and long-term prognosis in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema

Background The clinical determinants of increased cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema are not well defined, and the ability of this marker to predict long-term mortality has not yet been documented. Methods Eighty-four patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema without acute myocardial infarction were prospectively enrolled. cTnT was measured in samples obtained 6 and 12 hours after admission. Results cTnT levels of 0.1 ng/mL or greater were found in 46 patients (55%). Thirty-two patients (38%) died during follow-up. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for cTnT was 0.70 and 0.69 at 6 and 12 hours (P = .47), and the cTnT cutoff value of 0.1 ng/mL was 66% and 69% sensitive and 63% and 71% specific, respectively, in predicting subsequent mortality. Patients were assigned to group 1 if they had cTnT lower than 0.1 ng/mL and to group 2 if they had cTnT levels of 0.1 ng/mL or greater. A history of coronary artery disease was present in 72% of group 2 versus 50% of group 1 patients (P = .04). Patients in group 2 were also older than those in group 1 (mean age, 68 years vs 61 years; P = .021). The 3-year survival in group 1 was 76% compared with 29% in group 2 (log-rank test, P < .001). In a Cox proportional hazards model, elevated cTnT emerged as the only prognostic marker of long-term mortality (risk ratio [RR] = 2.31; 95% CI, 1.011-5.280; P = .047). Conclusions A cTnT level of 0.1 ng/mL or greater was associated with poor long-term survival and emerged as a powerful independent predictor of mortality in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema. (Am Heart J 2002;143:814-20.)     

Activities contributing to energy expenditure among Guatemalan adults

Background  

Guatemala has experienced a substantial increase in overweight and obesity in recent years, yet physical activity patterns and consequent energy expenditure are largely unexplored in this population.     

Generation of the Brucella melitensis ORFeome Version 1.1

The bacteria of the Brucella genus are responsible for a worldwide zoonosis called brucellosis. They belong to the α-proteobacteria group, as many other bacteria that live in close association with a eukaryotic host. Importantly, the Brucellae are mainly intracellular pathogens, and the molecular mechanisms of their virulence are still poorly understood. Using the complete genome sequence of Brucella melitensis, we generated a database of protein-coding open reading frames (ORFs) and constructed an ORFeome library of 3091 Gateway Entry clones, each containing a defined ORF. This first version of the Brucella ORFeome (v1.1) provides the coding sequences in a user-friendly format amenable to high-throughput functional genomic and proteomic experiments, as the ORFs are conveniently transferable from the Entry clones to various Expression vectors by recombinational cloning. The cloning of the Brucella ORFeome v1.1 should help to provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of virulence, including the identification of bacterial protein-protein interactions, but also interactions between bacterial effectors and their host's targets.     

Preoperative risk stratification in infective endocarditis. Does the EuroSCORE model work? Preliminary results.

OBJECTIVE: There is an important role for risk prediction in cardiac surgery. Prediction models are useful in decision making and quality assurance. Patients with infective endocarditis (IE) have a particularly high risk of mortality. The aim was to assess the performance of European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) in IE. METHODS: The additive and logistic EuroSCORE models were applied to all patients undergoing surgery for IE (Duke criteria) between January 1995 and April 2006 within our prospective institutional database. Observed and predicted mortalities were compared. Model calibration was assessed with the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Model discrimination was tested by determining the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-one consecutive patients undergoing 191 operations were analyzed. Observed mortality was 28.8%. For the entire cohort the mean additive score was 10.4 (additive predicted mortality of 14.2%). The mean logistic predicted mortality was 27.1%. Discriminative power was good for the additive and the logistic models for the entire series. Area under ROC curve were 0.83 (additive) and 0.84 (logistic) for the entire cohort, 0.81 and 0.81 for the aortic position, 0.91 and 0.92 for the mitral position, 0.81 and 0.81 for the native valve, 0.82 and 0.83 for the prosthetic valves, and 0.81 and 0.51 for the gram-positive microorganisms, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This initial sample may be small; however, additive and logistic EuroSCORE adequately stratify risk in IE. Logistic EuroSCORE has been calibrated in IE, a special group of very high-risk patients. Further studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm these initial results.     

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery in adults

A 24 year old male with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery was surgically treated with aortocoronary bypass with saphenous vein graft. The clinical signs and pathophysiology of this cardiopathy are reviewed, with emphasis on the great importance of collateral circulation in its prognosis.     

Chondroma of the tongue. Report of a case and review of the literature

A case of chondroma of the tongue in a 53-year-old male is reported. A review of the literature is presented.     

Pharmacokinetics and stability properties of catalase modified with water-soluble polysaccharides

Bovine liver catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) was chemically modified with mannan, carboxymethylcellulose, and carboxymethylchitin. The enzyme retained about 48-97% of the initial specific activity after glycosidation with the polysaccharides. The prepared neoglycoenzyme was 1.9-5.7 fold more stable against the thermal inactivation processes at 55 degrees C, in comparison with the native counterpart. Also, the modified enzyme was more resistant to proteolytic degradation with trypsin. Pharmacokinetics studies revealed higher plasma half-life time for all the enzyme-polymer preparations, but better results were achieved for the enzyme modified with the anionic macromolecules.