Species and type phages of lactococcal bacteriophages

Lactococcal phages are classified according to morphology and DNA homology. Phages are differentiated into 12 phage species, and type phages of each species are proposed. Members and possible members of each species are named. Available data on type phages are tabulated including morphology, DNA characteristics and phage protein bands.     

Indomethacin treatment in amphotericin B induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is a serious side effect of various drugs. Elevated renal prostaglandin E₂ levels have been found in patients with lithium-induced NDI and have been implicated in the pathogenesis. We report the case of a patient who developed NDI following treatment with amphotericin B. Prostaglandin levels were elevated. Indomethacin had an antidiuretic effect and normalized prostaglandin levels.Abbreviations NDI nephrogenic diabetes insipidus - DNDI drug-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidius - ICU intensive care unit - PGE₂ Prostaglandin E₂ Correspondence to: K.-H. Meyer zum Buschenfelde     

Hypothalamo-hypophysäre Schilddrüsen-Achse,Plasmaproteinkonzentrationen und die hypophysäre Gonaden-Achse im Low-T3-Syndrom nach akutem Myokardinfarkt (AMI)

Summary In patients with severely acute diseases, a special relationship of thyroidal hormones with decreased T3 and increased rT3 levels is known, the so-called low T3 syndrome. The aim of this study was to elucidate the involvement of the hypothalamo-pituitary thyroid axis, the pituitary-gonadal axis, the altered hepatic function, the plasma proteins in the low T3 syndrome, and the evaluation of these parameters for prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Thirty-one patients (29 male, 2 female) with AMI entered the study for the determination of hypothalamo-pituitary thyroid axis and the plasma proteins. Besides routine laboratory determinations, TRH, TSH, T4, T3, rT3, CHE, albumin, total protein, TBG, and estradiol concentrations in plasma were measured daily for 5 days after AMI using immunological and other methods. Twelve male patients with AMI entered the study for the determination of pituitary-gonadal axis; the T3, rT3, estradiol, testosterone, FSH, and LH concentrations in serum were determined using immunological methods. We found that T3 and T4 decreased significantly to a minimum on the first and the second day, respectively, after admission and increased in the course of the observation period. In contrast, rT3 was elevated significantly within the first 2 days and decreased later. TSH and TRH decreased in the first 2 days and increased in the following days. CHE, albumin, and total protein levels significantly showed a minimum on day 4 and TBG significantly showed a minimum on the second day after AMI and increased to day 4. The estradiol and testosterone levels were high on admission and decreased in the following days and increased again in the observation period. FSH decreased in the first 2 days and increased in the following course similar to estradiol and testosterone. Patients who died within 2 weaks after AMI showed a plasma hormonal pattern of hypothyroidism with low TSH levels and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism on the second day, whereas this pattern is persistent in the following days. These results show the involvement of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis in the low T3 syndrome and that characteristics for acute partial insufficiency of the anterior pituitary gland are signs of a bad prognosis. Whether Gn-RH and ACTH also decreased after AMI is unknown. The necessity for substitution is unclear and needs further investigation

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Abkürzungen HVL Hypophysenvorderlappen - AMI Akuter Myokardinfarkt - T3 Total-Trijodthyronin - T4 Total-Thyroxin - rT3 reverse-T3 - TRH Thyreotropin-Releasing Hormon - Gn-RH Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormon - CRF Corticotropin-Releasing Factor - TSH Thyreotropin - TBG Thyroxin-bindendes Globulin - FSH Follikelstimulierendes Hormon - LH Luteinisierendes Hormon - CPK Kreatin-Phospho-Kinase - x Mittelwert - SD Standardabweichung Herrn Professor Dr. K. Schöffling zum 65. Geburtstag gewidmet     

Alterations in auditory fusion thresholds after cerebral injury in man

Patients with penetrating wounds of the left cerebral hemisphere have abnormal fusion thresholds for dichotically presented clicks even if tested 20 years after the trauma. At temporal separations at which normal listeners report two clicks, these patients report hearing a single click. This diminished temporal resolving power of patients with left posterior cerebral lesions is most pronounced in those who are deemed dysphasic.     

The atopic dog as a model of peanut and tree nut food allergy

BACKGROUND: Animal models are needed that mimic human IgE-mediated peanut and tree nut allergy. Atopic dogs have been previously used in a model of food allergy to cow's milk, beef, wheat, and soy, with the demonstration of specific IgE production and positive oral challenges similar to those seen in human subjects. OBJECTIVE: We sought to sensitize dogs to peanut, walnut, and Brazil nut and to assess whether sensitization is accompanied by clinical reactions and whether there is cross-reactivity among the different preparations. METHODS: Eleven dogs were sensitized subcutaneously by using an established protocol with 1 microg each of peanut, English walnut, or Brazil nut protein extracts in alum first at birth and then after modified live virus vaccinations at 3, 7, and 11 weeks of age. The dogs were sensitized to other allergens, including soy and either wheat or barley. Intradermal skin tests, IgE immunoblotting to nut proteins, and oral challenges were performed with ground nut preparations. RESULTS: At 6 months of age, the dogs' intradermal skin test responses were positive to the nut extracts. IgE immunoblotting to peanut, walnut, and Brazil nut showed strong recognition of proteins in the aqueous preparations. Each of the 4 peanut- and the 3 Brazil nut-sensitized dogs and 3 of the 4 walnut-sensitized dogs reacted on oral challenge with the corresponding primary immunogen at age 2 years. None of the peanut-sensitized dogs reacted clinically with walnut or Brazil nut challenges. One of the walnut-sensitized dogs had delayed (overnight) vomiting to Brazil nut. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of measurements of the mean amount of allergen eliciting a skin test response in dogs, the hierarchy of reactivity by skin testing is similar to the clinical experience in human subjects (peanut > tree nuts > wheat > soy > barley). Cross-reactivity, which was not apparent between soy and peanut or tree nuts or between peanut and tree nuts, was slight between walnut and Brazil nut. The results give further support to the dog as a model of human food allergy.