Mitochondrial DNA variability detected in a single wheat regenerant involves a rare recombination event across a short repeat

The mitochondrial genome of the selfed progeny of a plant regenerated from long-term somatic tissue culture displays specific structural rearrangements characterized by the appearance of novel restriction fragments. A mitochondrial DNA library was constructed from this selfed progeny in the SalI site of cosmid pHC79 and the novel fragments were subsequently studied. They were shown to arise from reciprocal recombination events involving DNA sequences present in the parental plant. The regions of recombination were sequenced and the nucleotide sequences were aligned with those of the presumptive parental fragments. We characterized an imperfect short repeated DNA sequence, 242 bp long, within which a 7-bb DNA repeat could act as a region of recombination. The use of PCR technology allowed us to show that these fragments were present in both parental plants and tissue cultures as low-abundance sequence arrangements.     

[H](+)S 14297: A novel, selective radioligand at cloned human dopamine D3 receptors

The selective dopamine D₃ receptor antagonist [³H](+)S 14297 ((+)-[7-(N,N-dipropylamino)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-naphtho(2,3b)dihydro,2,3-furane]), labelled to high specific activity (145 Ci/mmol), bound to cloned human dopamine D₃ receptors but displayed negligible binding to cloned human D₂ receptors. [³H](+)S 14297 exhibited rapid association and dissociation, high affinity saturable binding (K_d = 7.0 nM) and a competition binding profile highly correlated with that of [¹²⁵I]iodosulpride (r = 0.98).     

Energy spectra of poly(arylenevinylene)s containing different aromatic units

The energy gaps of poly(p-arylenevinylene)s with phenylene, naphthylene and anthrylene subunits are determined by extrapolating the UV/VIS spectroscopic data of the oligomers. The band structure of the three polymers was theoretically investigated. The topology-, geometry- and correlation-factors were determined upon which the energy spectra of this class of one-dimensional π-electron systems depend.     

Aromatase and its inhibitors in breast cancer treatment — overview and perspective

Summary Estrogen has an important role in stimulating the growth of breast carcinomas. Inhibition of estrogen production is therefore a logical treatment strategy. A number of selective inhibitors have been developed against aromatase, a cytochrome P-450 enzyme which catalyzes the rate limiting step in the biosynthesis of estrogens. The mechanisms of the aromatase reaction, current knowledge of the enzyme, and regulation of its expression are discussed as the basis for inhibitor development. Two classes of aromatase inhibitors, steroidal and non-steroidal compounds, are now coming into use. Among the steroid substrate analogues, 4-hydroxyandrostenedione (4-OHA) has been shown to be effective in breast cancer patients with advanced disease and was recently approved for treatment in the United Kingdom. Several different classes of compounds which act as aromatase inhibitors are currently in clinical trials and should provide breast cancer patients with a number of treatment options. Among these are highly potent and selective non-steroidal inhibitors which have recently been found to suppress plasma and urinary estrogens over 95% in breast cancer patients. The potency of these newer aromatase inhibitors provides the opportunity to determine whether complete suppression of estrogen production and action will result in enhanced tumor regression.     

Sterile surgical technique for shunt placement reduces the shunt infection rate in children: preliminary analysis of a prospective protocol in 115 consecutive procedures

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the rigid application of a sterile protocol for shunt placement was applicable on a routine basis and allowed the reduction of shunt infections (SI) in children. Materials and methods Since 2001, a rigid sterile protocol for shunt placement in children using neither antibiotic-impregnated catheters nor laminar airflow was prospectively applied at Erasme Hospital, Brussels, Belgium. For assessing the protocol efficacy before continuation, we preliminarily analyzed the results of the first 100 operated children (43 females, 57 males, 49 aged <12 months; 115 consecutive shunt placement/revision procedures). All procedures were performed by the same senior surgeon, one assistant, one circulating nurse, one anesthesiologist. The sterile protocol was rigidly imposed to these four staff members: uniformed surgical technique; limited implant and skin edge manipulation; minimized human circulation in the room; scheduling surgery as first morning operation; avoiding postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak; double gloving; procedures of less than 30-min duration; systemic antibiotics prophylaxis. We analyzed separately: (1) children carrying an increased risk of SI (n = 38) due to preoperative external ventricular drainage, CSF leak, meningitis, glucocorticoids, chemotherapy; (2) children aged <12 months; (3) procedures for shunt revision. Results Errors in protocol application were recorded in 71/115 procedures. They were mainly done by non-surgical staff, decreased with time and were medically justified in some young children. Surprisingly, no SI occurred (follow-up, 4 to 70 months). One child developed an appendicitis with peritonitis (Streptococcus faecalis) after 6 months. No SI was found. After peritonitis was cured, shunt reinsertion was uneventful. Conclusion These preliminary results suggest that a uniform and drastic sterile surgical technique for shunt placement: (1) can be rigidly applied on a routine basis; (2) can lower the early SI rate below 1%; (3) might have a stronger impact to reduce SI than using antibiotic-impregnated catheters and optimizing the operative environment such as using laminar airflow and reducing the non-surgical staff. This last issue will be evaluated further in the present ongoing protocol.     

Reconstruction of upper digestive tract: reducing morbidity by laparoscopic pull-up.

BACKGROUND: Gastric pull-up is a useful method for reconstruction of the upper digestive tract, with considerable morbidity/mortality, especially in esophageal cancers (EC). OBJECTIVE: To analyze the experience of a multidisciplinary team with a laparoscopic gastric pull-up (LGPU) method, with or without thoracoscopy, in a series of 120 patients with EC. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1992 to 2004, 120 EC [cervical/cervicothoracic (3.0%), middle third (15.0%), and inferior third (82.0%)]. Most were squamous cell carcinomas (47.0%) and adenocarcinomas (34.0%). Stomach was dissected and mobilized exclusively by laparoscopy. Occasionally, laparoscopic approach was extended cranially, until connecting with cervical dissection. In other cases, dissection of thoracic esophagus was accomplished through a thoracoscopic approach. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients (68.0%) had LGPU; 39 (32.0%) needed thoracoscopy. Mortality was 5.9%. Complications were fistula (10.0%) and pneumonia (10.0%). All fistulae closed spontaneously; 89.2% of patients could swallow a normal oral diet. CONCLUSION: Low morbidity/mortality of LGPU for EC compared favorably with conventional techniques.