Structure of the BoLA-DRB3 gene and promoter.

The cattle major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II DR gene product is a heterodimer encoded by the BoLA-DRA and -DRB3 genes. Several groups have isolated cDNA and genomic clones for these genes, but their full genomic organization has not been described. We used a combination of long-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cloning and sequencing to define the organization of the DRB3 gene on existing genomic clones and in genomic DNA. We estimate the size of the coding region to be 11.4 kbp. Sequencing of full-length PCR clones from two different haplotypes confirmed that they carried complete DRB3 genes and allowed the design of probes and primers to isolate and characterize the DRB3 promoter and 3' end. Fragments carrying the 5' end of the DRB3 gene and its promoter were identified on bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones carrying the BoLA-DR genes. A 10-kbp promoter fragment was subcloned from one clone and a 1.7-kbp region including exon 1 and the promoter was sequenced. A 3-kbp fragment encoding exons 4-6 and the entire 3' untranslated region of the DRB3 gene was isolated from lambda clone A1 and sequenced. This provides us with improved characterization of the DRB3*0101 and DRB3*2002 alleles, and also subcloned 5' and 3' flanking regions of the polymorphic DRB3 gene for use in functional studies.     

Naturlatexallergie

As a consequence of AIDS prevention strategies, the use of powdered disposable latex gloves in hospitals and private medical practices has increased conspicuously in the past 10 years, and allergic reactions to natural latex have become a frequently observed problem. The clinical picture of type I allergies (immediate hypersensitivity) to natural latex ranges from slight, local allergic symptoms (urticaria, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis) to asthmatic complaints up to severest anaphylactic reactions. In addition to health care employees, patients are being affected with an increasing tendency during a variety of surgical and other medical interventions. Due to its enormous hygienic and economic significance, natural latex has become one of the most frequently studied sources of allergies. Efforts were undertaken to identify the causes and triggering factors, to develop diagnostic tools and continue to improve upon them, and to establish preventive measures and implement them successfully.     

Hereditary deficiency of antithrombin III, protein C and protein S: prevalence in patients with a history of venous thrombosis and criteria for rational patient screening.

Data in the literature on the prevalence of hereditary deficiency of the natural coagulation inhibitors are conflicting. We conducted a prospective study on 680 consecutive patients with a history of venous thrombosis to determine the prevalence of hereditary deficiency of antithrombin III (AT III), protein C(PC) and protein S(PS) and to establish selection criteria for rational patient screening. The mean age of the patients at investigation was 44.3 +/- 15.4 years, while that at the first thrombotic event was 38.5 +/- 14.8 years. The total prevalence of inhibitor deficiency states was 48/680 (7.1%). 19/680 patients (2.8%) had AT III-deficiency, 17 (2.5%) PC-deficiency, nine (1.3%) PS-deficiency and three (0.4%) a combined deficiency. In 37/48 deficient patients family studies were performed and the hereditary nature was established in 19 cases (2.8% of total patient population, six with AT III-deficiency, eight with PC-deficiency, four with PS-deficiency and one with a combined deficiency). Family studies in these 19 patients revealed 46 additional individual patients with a hereditary deficiency state. A positive family history was found in 15/19 (79%) with a proven hereditary deficiency state, in 153/619 (25%) of non-deficient patients and in 11/29 (38%) of deficient patients without established hereditary nature. The mean age at the first thrombotic event was significantly lower in patients with a hereditary deficiency state (26.8 years) compared with the other two groups (39.0 and 39.7 years, respectively). In all patients with a hereditary deficiency the first thrombotic event occurred before the age of 45 years.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Preservation of sexual function after salvage retroperitoneal node dissection following chemotherapy for testicular tumors

Summary Salvage radical retroperitoneal node dissection for large residual masses remaining after chemotherapy for testicular cancer was performed in 41 patients. In 10 instances it was possible to carry out a radical removal and attempt to preserve the sympathetic chain on one side. Ejaculation was preserved in 8 of these cases. Where removal of the mass was complete (33 cases) active cancer was present in 6, only one of whom developed tumor recurrence. Salvage node dissection is worthwhile, and in about 25% of cases can be performed with preservation of ejaculation.     

IgA nephropathy and polycystic kidney disease

We report a patient with polycystic kidney disease, advanced renal failure, and nephrotic-range proteinuria. Kidney biopsy revealed IgA nephropathy with lesions of focal and segmental glomerular sclerosis. This association had not been previously described and is probably coincidental. This case supports the assumption that the nephrotic-range proteinuria observed in some polycystic patients could be the consequence of another superimposed glomerular disease. This glomerulopathy can worsen the course of azotemia in these patients.     

Dorsal root ganglia cocultured with macrophages: an in vitro model to study experimental demyelination

The present investigation introduces an in vitro model to study macrophage properties during demyelination. Rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were cultured for obtaining myelinated peripheral nerve fibers. These cultures were exposed to non-resident macrophages. In untreated control cultures, there was no indication of myelin removal by the added macrophages. DRG were exposed to enzymatically generated oxygen radicals using the xanthin/xanthin oxidase or the glucose/glucose oxidase system. Assessment of Schwann cell viability and ultrastructural morphology revealed different patterns of cell cytotoxicity and morphological changes in different experiments. High concentrations caused complete tissue necrosis of the DRG, while low concentrations did not affect either cell viability or ultrastructural morphology. Under intermediate experimental conditions, oxygen radicals caused non-lethal Schwann cell damage leading to Schwann cell retraction and myelin sheath rejection. Myelin lamellae were disrupted and decompacted. These changes were followed by a selective macrophage attack on myelin sheats, resulting in demyelination. Axons, Schwann cells and sensory ganglion cells survived this attack. The specificity of the oxygen radical effects was tested in experiments using the oxygen radical scavengers catalase and superoxide dismutase. Catalase prevented the described effects on cell morphology and subsequently blocked demyelination by non-resident macrophages.Supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) (Br 1274/1-1)