Sequence Analysis of the RNA Polymerase Gene of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Serotype Asia1

The complete nucleotide (nt.) sequence of the RNA polymerase (3D) gene and 81 nt. in the 3-untranslated region of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotype Asia1 (IND63/72) was determined and compared with the sequence of other FMDV serotypes. The 3D genomic region was 1410 nt. long encoding 470 amino acids with an inframe stop codon (TAA) at nt. position 1411–1413. The deduced amino acid sequence of the protein showed 8 conserved motifs as reported in other picornaviruses, 2 of which are 100% identical across the serotypes. Antigenic regions in the polymerase protein were predicted and found to be located at the N-terminus of the protein. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the FMD viruses were segregated into different clusters based on geographical origin; the Asia1 virus did not cluster tightly with any of the geographical groups.     

The structure of the cushions in the feet of African elephants (Loxodonta africana)

The uniquely designed limbs of the African elephant, Loxodonta africana, support the weight of the largest terrestrial animal. Besides other morphological peculiarities, the feet are equipped with large subcutaneous cushions which play an important role in distributing forces during weight bearing and in storing or absorbing mechanical forces. Although the cushions have been discussed in the literature and captive elephants, in particular, are frequently affected by foot disorders, precise morphological data are sparse. The cushions in the feet of African elephants were examined by means of standard anatomical and histological techniques, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In both the forelimb and the hindlimb a 6th ray, the prepollex or prehallux, is present. These cartilaginous rods support the metacarpal or metatarsal compartment of the cushions. None of the rays touches the ground directly. The cushions consist of sheets or strands of fibrous connective tissue forming larger metacarpal/metatarsal and digital compartments and smaller chambers which were filled with adipose tissue. The compartments are situated between tarsal, metatarsal, metacarpal bones, proximal phalanges or other structures of the locomotor apparatus covering the bones palmarly/plantarly and the thick sole skin. Within the cushions, collagen, reticulin and elastic fibres are found. In the main parts, vascular supply is good and numerous nerves course within the entire cushion. Vater-Pacinian corpuscles are embedded within the collagenous tissue of the cushions and within the dermis. Meissner corpuscles are found in the dermal papillae of the foot skin. The micromorphology of elephant feet cushions resembles that of digital cushions in cattle or of the foot pads in humans but not that of digital cushions in horses. Besides their important mechanical properties, foot cushions in elephants seem to be very sensitive structures.     

Erg?nzung und Unterstützung zu konventionellen Tumortherapien Misteltherapie

Die anthroposophische Misteltherapie kann etablierte onkologische Standardtherapien im Sinne einer umfassenderen und ganzheitlichen Versorgung erg?nzen.     

The influence of attenuation correction and reconstruction techniques on the detection of hypo-perfused lesions in brain SPECT images

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the effects of attenuation correction and reconstruction techniques on the detection of hypoperfused lesions in brain SPECT imaging. METHODS: A software phantom was constructed using the data available on the BrainWeb database by assigning activity values to grey and white matter. The true attenuation map was generated by assigning attenuation coefficients to six different tissue classes to create a non-uniform attenuation map. The uniform attenuation map was calculated using an attenuation coefficient of 0.15 cm(-1). Hypoperfused lesions of varying intensities and sizes were added. The phantom was then projected as typical SPECT projection data, taking into account attenuation and collimator blurring with the addition of Poisson noise. The projection data were reconstructed using four different methods: filtered back-projection in combination with Chang's first-order attenuation correction using the uniform or the true attenuation map and maximum likelihood iterative reconstruction using the uniform or the true attenuation map. Different Gaussian post-smoothing kernels were applied onto the reconstructed images and the performance of each procedure was analysed using figures of merit such as signal-to-noise ratio, bias and variance. RESULTS: Uniform attenuation correction offered only slight deterioration of the signal-to-noise ratio compared to the true attenuation map. Maximum likelihood produced superior signal-to-noise ratios and lower bias at the same variance in comparison to the filtered back-projection. CONCLUSION: Uniform attenuation correction is adequate for lesion detection while maximum likelihood provides enhanced lesion detection when compared to filtered back-projection.     

Contact sensitizers downregulate the expression of the chemokine receptors CCR6 and CXCR4 in a skin dendritic cell line

Chemokines are involved in the control of dendritic cell (DC) trafficking, which is critical for the immune response, namely in allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). In this work, we investigated by flow cytometry the effect of the contact sensitizers 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB), 1,4-phenylenediamine (PPD) and nickel sulfate (NiSO₄), on the surface expression of the chemokine receptors CCR6 and CXCR4 in DC. As an experimental model of a DC we used a fetal skin-derived dendritic cell line (FSDC), which has morphological, phenotypical and functional characteristics of skin DC. Our results show that all the skin sensitizers studied decreased the membrane expression of the chemokine receptors CCR6 and CXCR4. In contrast, 2,4-dichloronitrobenzene (DCNB), the inactive analogue of DNFB without contact sensitizing properties, was without effect on the surface expression of these receptors. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which induces the maturation of DC, also reduced surface CCR6 and CXCR4 expression.     

Aided auditory steady-state responses in infants

Infants with hearing loss routinely receive hearing aids several months before reliable behavioral responses to amplified sound can be observed. This necessitates objective measures to validate hearing-aid fittings. A single report has demonstrated the use of ASSRs to determine aided thresholds in children but data in young infants is still lacking. The current study explored aided ASSR compared to unaided ASSR thresholds and subsequent behavioral thresholds in a group of six young infants with hearing loss who received hearing aids between three and six months of age. Aided ASSR thresholds were obtained in 83% of frequencies where aided behavioral thresholds were obtained, with a mean threshold difference of 13+/-13 dB. The aided ASSR-based threshold estimates were within 15 dB of behavioral thresholds in 63% of cases, indicating a moderate correlation (r = 0.55). Comparing aided and unaided ASSR measurements revealed an average functional gain of 36+/-15 dB. These results indicate that ASSRs can provide the first evidence of robust hearing aid benefit in young infants several months before behavioral responses are observed.     

Neuro-ophthalmological manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus in Asian patients

Purpose : To report eight patients with diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who presented with a variety of neuro‐ophthalmological complications and outcomes. Methods : A review of the follow up, subsequent management and outcomes of the neuro‐ophthalmological complications of eight patients with SLE. Results : The patients presented with a myriad of symptoms of varying severities. The most common manifestations were that of optic neuropathy and eye movement abnormalities. The outcome was variable ranging from complete recovery to optic atrophy with navigational visual acuity. Treatment was often empirical, although early treatment with corticosteroids has been tried with varying success. Conclusions : The pathophysiology in the neuro‐ ophthalmological manifestations of SLE is thought be due to vaso‐occlusive disease of the small vessels of the nerve and brain, secondary to an autoimmune process. Ophthalmologists may need to consider the diagnosis of SLE in young women who present with a recent onset of neuro‐ophthalmological symptoms and signs.