Setting out the frame conditions for feasible use of FFPE derived RNA

Introduction

The usage of formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue is characterized by its long shelf-life and simple handling. Therefore it is the most commonly available tissue specimen in routine diagnostics and histological studies. Formaldehyde fixation may result in RNA degradation and cross linking with proteins, while storage conditions also affect RNA integrity. The present study was designed to investigate the influence of these factors on RNA analysis.

A Golgi deimpregnation study of neurons in the rhesus monkey visual cortex (Areas 17 and 18)

Summary The morhological features of 298 neurons impregnated according to Golgi-Kopsch in areas 17 and 18 of Macaca mulatta were analyzed, and the same neurons were deimpregnated to visualize structural details of the somata in different types of neurons. The following cell types were investigated: Pyramidal and pyramid-like cells, spiny stellate cells, double bouquet cells, bipolar cells, chandelier cells, neurogliaform cells, basket and related cells. This procedure allows the evaluation of the nuclear-cytoplasmic proportion and the position of the nucleus besides shape and size of the cell body. Pyramidal and pyramid-like cells (N=43), spiny stellate cells (N=26), basket and related cells (N=126) are variable in these features. A positive correlation between soma size and width of the cytoplasm is found in pyramidal, pyramid-like cells and spiny stellate cells. With the exception of some large somata in both these types of neurons the nucleus is found in a central position. Double bouquet cells (N=6), bipolar cells (N=13) and chandelier cells (N=11) exhibit small cytoplasmic rims and centrally located nuclei. The small somata of neurogliaform cells (N=37), however, and the small to very large somata of basket and related cells show broad cytoplasmic portions surrounding the eccentrically located nuclei. These findings allow the identification of different neuronal types in Nisslstained sections on the basis of these soma features. This is a prerequisite for further detailed quantitative studies on the laminar distribution of different neuronal types in the visual cortex of the monkey.     

Cytotoxic T cell responses to haptenated cells III. Isolation and specificity analysis of continuously growing clones

Various procedures were used to derive continuously growing cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones from a primary culture containing responder cells from immunized mice and 3-(p-sulfophenyldiazo)-4-hydroxylphenyl acetic acid (SP)-or fluorescein isothiocyanate (FL)-coupled stimulator cells. It seems likely that CTL have to undergo some change, possibly genetic, to be able to grow continuously in T cell growth factor conditioned medium in the absence of any stimulator or filler cells. The most convenient and reliable procedure to generate CTL clones with different specificities was to establish from several aliquots of a primary culture cell populations continuously growing in medium conditioned with T cell growth factor(s). Clones with different specificities segregated in the different populations. SP-and FL-specific CTL clones restricted to H-2K^k, and H-2D^d and two FL-specific CTL clones with no apparent H-2 restriction are described.     

Casein is an essential cofactor in autoantibody reactivity directed against the C-terminal SmD1 peptide AA 83-119 in systemic lupus erythematosus

The C-terminal peptide SmD1(83-119) has been identified as an important autoantigen in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). ELISA studies have shown that roughly 70% of all sera from patients with SLE react with this peptide. Previous findings revealed that the addition of blocking agents and sample dilution buffers influences the discrimination between positive and negative anti-SmD1(83-119) sera in SLE. The aim of the present study was to identify possible cofactors in the anti-SmD1(83-119) reactivity. We therefore tested SLE sera (n=6) for anti-SmD1(83-119) reactivity by ELISA and analysed the effects of different blocking agents (1% skim milk, 1% gelatin, and 1% BSA). In our investigation, lipids were extracted from skim milk using dichlomethane, and the putative fraction was tested to assess the assay's ability to discriminate between positive and negative sera. The effects of enzymatic digestion by casein were analyzed, and different concentrations of casein were used to determine the role of this protein in the detection of anti-SmD1(83-119) antibodies by ELISA. Furthermore, rabbits were immunized with SmD1(83-119) adsorbed to casein and control proteins. One percent skim milk was the most effective blocking agent and sample dilution buffer for the discrimination between positive and negative sera. As demonstrated by SDS electrophoresis, the discriminative capacity was influenced by enzymatic digestion of skim milk proteins, but not by lipid extraction. Differences in anti-SmD1(83-119) reactivity upon variation of the casein concentration suggest that the protein plays a significant role in the detection of anti-SmD1(83-119) antibodies. However, our immunisation studies did not show any effect of casein on anti-SmD1(83-119) reactivity, suggesting that it has no immunogenic effect on the anti-SmD1(83-119) response. In conclusion, casein seems to be an important cofactor in autoantibody reactivity directed against the C-terminal SmD1(83-119) peptide and probably functions by changing the conformation of the peptide's critical epitope.     

Inherited deletion of subband Xp21.13 in a male with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The chromosomes of a male patient who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) with a molecular deletion were examined with an improved high resolution R type replication banding technique. High resolution cytogenetic analysis of the proband revealed a deletion of the Xp21.13 subband. His healthy mother was heterozygous for the deletion, which is subject to random X inactivation in lymphocytes. The X chromosomes of the proband's grandmother were normal, suggesting that the deletion of the Xp21.13 subband in the mother was a new mutation. The finding of a very small, cytologically visible Xp21.1 deletion in a male DMD patient with a molecular deletion emphasises the importance of resolving the fine structure in the Xp21 region.     

Crystallization and Melting Behavior of Poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate)‐Based Blends

Summary: Blends of high molecular weight poly(R‐3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) ( = 352 000 g · mol^?1), comprising of either low molecular weight poly(R‐3‐hydroxybutyrate) (D‐PHB) ( = 3 900 g · mol^?1) or poly[(R‐3‐hydroxybutyrate)‐co‐(R‐3‐hydroxyvalerate)] (PHBV) ( = 238 000 g · mol^?1) with 12 mol‐% hydroxyvalerate (HV) content as a second constituent, were investigated along with the thermal properties and morphologies. After isothermal crystallization, a lowering of the melting temperature of PHB can be observed with increasing content of the second component in the blends. This behavior points towards miscibility of the constituents both in the liquid and the solid state. Crystallization kinetics was studied under isothermal and non‐isothermal conditions. The overall kinetics of isothermal crystallization was analyzed in terms of the Avrami equation. Only one crystallization peak is observed in all cases for the PHB/D‐PHB and PHB/PHBV blends under the conditions studied. This demonstrates co‐crystallization of the constituents. The addition of D‐PHB or PHBV to PHB reduces the rate of crystallization of the blends compared to that of neat PHB. The corresponding activation energies of crystallization also decrease with an increasing concentration of the second constituent. Non‐isothermal crystallization, carried out with different cooling rates held constant, is discussed in terms of a quasi‐isothermal approach. The corresponding rate constants as functions of reciprocal undercooling show Arrhenius‐like behavior in a certain range of temperatures. At sufficiently high undercooling, the rate constants of crystallization for the isothermal process exceed those reflecting non‐isothermal conditions, whereas in the limit of low undercoolings, the rate constants become similar. Ring‐banded morphologies are observed when PHB is in excess. When the respective second component is the major component, fibrous textures of the spherulites develop.

Polarized micrograph of PHB/PHBV 90/10.     

Temporal pattern of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection and cell death in the mouse brain stem: influence of guanosine nucleoside analogues

Levels of bystander death occurring in herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-infected mouse brain stems were studied, as well as the extent to which bystander death is influenced by guanosine nucleoside analogue treatment. Consecutive sections from brain stems of HSV-1-infected mice were stained alternately for (i) viral infection and (ii) cell death (TUNEL assay). Virus antigen was detectable in brain stems on day 3 of infection, while TUNEL staining was comparatively lower. An increase in the extent of TUNEL staining was observed on day 4 of infection. Despite this increase, however, the ratio of TUNEL-stained to infection marker-stained tissue still indicated that the amount of TUNEL staining remained lower than infection staining at this time point. On days 5 and 6 of infection, TUNEL staining continued to increase and the TUNEL/infection marker ratio switched on day 6 in favour of excess TUNEL staining, which was observed in and around the foci of infection, suggesting bystander death. The excess TUNEL staining on day 6 of infection was further increased on treatment with antivirals. The significance and implications of these results are discussed with respect to the nature and mechanism of action of the TUNEL assay, dynamics of primary HSV-1 infection, immunological influences and potential effects of antiviral treatment. The potential problems of the TUNEL assay are considered in the context of viral infection and the TUNEL assay, in combination with infection marker staining, may potentially provide a model system for quantitative analysis of true bystander death during HSV infection in vivo.     

A new presenilin Alzheimer's disease case confirms the helical alignment of pathogenic mutations in transmembrane domain 5

In a case of familial early onset Alzheimer's disease, a mutation was detected in exon 7 of the presenilin 1 gene at codon 226 with a resultant amino acid change from leucine (CTC) to arginine (CGC) (L226R). This is a novel finding, yet is consistent with the previously reported mutations at codons 222, 229, 233 and 237 in transmembrane domain 5 which show a helical alignment of mutations in this domain. We conclude that the cause of Alzheimer's disease in this patient is an authentic PS1 gene abnormality responsible for the patient's early onset Alzheimer's disease.     

Evaluation of a resorbable, in situ setting bone substitute in a sheep model

The gold standard for bone substitution is the autologous bone graft, but because of its limited supply and the associated morbidity, the search for synthetic alternatives is necessary. A new in situ setting tricalcium phosphate cement was implanted in a trepanation defect (9.4 mm diameter, 10 mm depth) in the distal femoral epiphysis of sheep. Empty cavities and autologous bone graft were used as controls. Histologic and histomorphometric examinations were carried out after 12 weeks. Nearly 90% of the implanted cement was resorbed and replaced by ingrown bone with close contact between surrounding bone, new bone, and remaining cement particles. The amount of bone in the defect area was significantly higher in defects filled with cement relative to defects filled with autologous bone graft (mean 27 vs. 21%, 95% confidence intervals 23 to 31 and 18 to 23, p = 0.026). In conclusion, this new in situ setting cement is bioactive, resorbable, and osteoconductive. It will be useful as an alternative to autologous bone graft to fill stable defects.