Renal malakoplakia Acute onset of renal failure due to bilateral upper tract involvement

A case of malakoplakia-induced acute renal failure is presented. In the twenty months following diagnosis the patient remains anuric. Malakoplakia involving the upper urinary tract is not self-limiting and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute renal failure.     

Isolated translocation of Wernicke's area to the right hemisphere in a 62-year-man with a temporo-parietal glioma

We describe a case of translocation of temporo-parietal language function (Wernicke's area) to the contralateral hemisphere in a right-handed patient with a left temporo-parietal glioma. This translocation was identified by functional MR imaging (fMRI) and validated by direct cortical stimulation during gross-total resection. The current case exemplifies how preoperative fMRI can identify unexpected language organization as a result of tumor growth, affording surgery to patients who may otherwise be deemed inoperable.     

The molecular structure of the DNA fragments eliminated during chromatin diminution in Cyclops kolensis

Presumptive somatic cells of the copepod Cyclops kolensis specifically eliminate a large fraction of their genome by the process of chromatin diminution. The eliminated DNA (eDNA) remains only in the germline cells. Very little is known about the nature of the sequences eliminated from somatic cells. We cloned a fraction of the eDNA and sequenced 90 clones that total 32 kb. The following organizational patterns were demonstrated for the eDNA sequences. All do not contain open reading frames. Each fragment contains 1-3 families of short repeats (10-30 bp) highly homologous within families (87%-100%). Most repeats are separated by spacers up to 50 bp long. Homologous regions were found between fragments, motifs from 15-300 bp in length. Among fragments there occur groups in which the same motifs are ordered in the same fashion. However, spacers between the motifs differ in length and nucleotide composition. Ubiquitous motifs (those occurring in all fragments) were identified. Analysis of motifs revealed submotifs, each occurring within several motifs. Thus, motifs may be regarded as mosaic structures composed of submotifs (short repeats). Taken together, the results provide evidence of a high organizational ordering of the DNA sequences restricted to the germline. With this in mind, it appears incorrect to refer to this part of the genome as junk. Moreover, eDNA is redundant for only the somatic cells-its function is to be sought in germline cells.     

Serological evidence of Cryptosporidium infections in a Russian city and evaluation of risk factors for infections

PURPOSE: Assess the relative frequency of Cryptosporidium infections and risk factors for infection in Cherepovets, Russia. METHODS: In June 1999, data on demographic, socioeconomic, hygienic characteristics, and recent gastrointestinal illness were collected on 50 community-recruited adults and 50 blood donors. The community group then maintained daily diaries of exposures and gastrointestinal symptoms for 5 months. Sera samples at the inception and conclusion of the study were tested for antibody responses to the 15/17 kDa and 27 kDa Cryptosporidium antigens using mini-immunoblots. RESULTS: At the inception, 68% and 88% of study participants had detectable serological responses to 15/17 kDa and 27 kDa antigens. Older age was associated with stronger antibody responses to both antigens. Attendance at swimming pools was associated with stronger responses to both antigens in predominantly male blood donors. Over the follow-up period, drinking non-boiled water from shallow draw-wells was associated with an increase in serological response to the 27 kDa antigen. Self-reported gastrointestinal illness was not associated with an increase in serological response. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of positive serological responses in Cherepovets was higher than in most prior Cryptosporidium serosurveys in non-outbreak communities. Drinking water is an important pathway for infection.