Interstitial deletion in the long arm of chromosome no. 5

A case of a male infant with several congenital anomalies combined with an interstitial deletion of the long arm of chromosome no. 5 is presented. The symptoms of the infant were compared to five previous reported cases with similar interstitial deletions in 5q.     

Abnormal courtship conditioning in males mutant for the RI regulatory subunit of Drosophila protein kinase A

The previously described site-selected P-element mutagenesis of a Drosophila gene encoding the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase generates mutants that have defective behavior in the olfactory learning test. Here we describe the effect of the same mutations in a courtship conditioning assay. Wild-type males can distinguish between virgin females (which they court vigorously), and fertilized females (which they court less vigorously). After exposure to fertilized females, wild-type males modify their behavior by decreasing courtship to subsequent target virgins, an effect that may last for many hours. Like wild-type males, PKA-RI mutant males are also able to distinguish between virgin and fertilized females. PKA-RI males also modify their behavior towards virgin females after prior exposure to a fertilized female, but such an effect is short-lived, suggesting a defect in memory rather than learning. We also show that under these conditions the behavior of PKA-RI males is similar to that of amnesiac, dunce and rutabaga males.     

Epitrochlearis muscle. I. Mechanical performance, energetics, and fiber composition

An in vitro rat muscle preparation is described that can contract at rates of 12-240 twitches/min. Maximum dF/dt paralleled maximum twitch tension, their ratio being constant at approximately 8 ms for contraction rates of 12-120 twitches/min. Time to peak tension was 8-13 ms, time to peak dF/dt 5-8 ms, and half-relaxation time 4 ms. These parameters were unaffected by rate of contraction or duration of isometric work. Differential ATPase staining demonstrated that 60-65% of the fibers were fast-twitch white, 20% fast-twitch red, and 15% slow-twitch red. The preponderance of fast-twitch fibers correlated with the observed mechanical performance of the muscle. Muscles contracting for 60 min at rates up to 48 twitches/min maintained total adenine nucleotide content (ATP, ADP, AMP) at near resting levels. At higher twitch rates (72-240 twitches/min), total adenine nucleotide content decreased 40%, reflecting exclusively a fall in ATP in the presence of adequate phosphocreatine stores. Adequate oxygenation was reflected by lactate-to-pyruvate ratios in the range of 11-15 at all rates of contraction.     

A member of a conserved Plasmodium protein family with membrane-attack complex/perforin (MACPF)-like domains localizes to the micronemes of sporozoites

Pore-forming proteins are employed by many pathogens to achieve successful host colonization. Intracellular pathogens use pore-forming proteins to invade host cells, survive within and productively interact with host cells, and finally egress from host cells to infect new ones. The malaria-causing parasites of the genus Plasmodium evolved a number of life cycle stages that enter and replicate in distinct cell types within the mosquito vector and vertebrate host. Despite the fact that interaction with host-cell membranes is a central theme in the Plasmodium life cycle, little is known about parasite proteins that mediate such interactions. We identified a family of five related genes in the genome of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii encoding secreted proteins all bearing a single membrane-attack complex/perforin (MACPF)-like domain. Each protein is highly conserved among Plasmodium species. Gene expression analysis in P. yoelii and the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum indicated that the family is not expressed in the parasites blood stages. However, one of the genes was significantly expressed in P. yoelii sporozoites, the stage transmitted by mosquito bite. The protein localized to the micronemes of sporozoites, organelles of the secretory invasion apparatus intimately involved in host-cell infection. MACPF-like proteins may play important roles in parasite interactions with the mosquito vector and transmission to the vertebrate host.     

Ammonium salt catalyzed copolymerization of 2-hydroxy-4-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)benzophenone with phthalic anhydride

Ammonium salt catalyzed copolymerization of 2-hydroxy-4-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)benzophenone with phthalic anhydride was studied. The conversion curves could be linearized by the first order equation and the experimental rate constants k_exp for the initiation by various ammonium salts were determined. The rate of copolymerization was found to depend on the size of the cation but not on the type of anion. k_exp is a function of the first power initiator concentration but is independent of epoxide and anhydride concentration. The activation energy for the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CAB) initiated copolymerization in nitrobenzene was determined to be 73,5 kJ/mol. The kinetic scheme of copolymerization, which agrees well with the experimental results, was solved. The rate constant of the copolymerization of 2-hydroxy-4-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)benzophenone with phthalic anhydride catalyzed by CAB in nitrobenzene was found to be 2,76·10^?2l.mol^?1·s^?1. The ratio of rate constants for both propagation steps, i.e. reaction of carboxylate anion with epoxide (k₃) and reaction of alkoxide anion with anhydride (k₂), was determined to be k₃/k₂ = 0,2 ± 0,1.     

Role of the blue mechanism in wavelength discrimination

The role of blue cones as well as the pathways they supply (collectively called the "blue mechanism") is evaluated by comparing ordinary wavelength discrimination functions with those obtained using two methods designed to inhibit the blue mechanism selectively. These methods use a just-noticeable-border criterion (JNB), instead of the usual one of just-noticeable-difference, and a yellow preadapting field to induce transient tritanopia. Without transient tritanopia, the data obtained using the just-noticeable-border criterion reveal a small contribution of the blue mechanism to wavelength discrimination. Transient tritanopia, with JNB, produces an additional selective loss of wavelength discrimination in a spectral region flanking 460 nm, which yields a function resembling those for tritanopes previously examined.     

Normal cerebrospinal fluid pressure in the newborn

Lumbar CSF pressure (CSFP) was measured on 61 occasions, in 49 babies undergoing lumbar puncture as part of a septic screen, by means of Gaeltec pressure transducers. In normal circumstances, intracranial pressure (ICP) has the same value. Measurements were made when the baby was horizontal and quiet, with the head deflexed. For acceptance of the measurement, it was essential for the CSF to be clear and to show pressure pulses with respiration, heartbeat and jugular occlusion. The mean CSFP and standard deviation were 2.8 +/- 1.4 mm Hg (3.8 +/- 1.9 cm water), with a normal range of 0 to 5.7 mm Hg (0 to 7.6 cm water). This value is similar to previous reports of CSFP measured invasively in infants, but is much lower than the "ICP" established noninvasively. No relationship was found between birthweight, gestational age, current weight, postmenstrual age, or postnatal age and CSFP.     

Puumala Virus Infection in Family,Switzerland

We report 3 cases of Puumala virus infection in a family in Switzerland in January 2019. Clinical manifestations of the infection ranged from mild influenza-like illness to fatal disease. This cluster illustrates the wide range of clinical manifestations of Old World hantavirus infections and the challenge of diagnosing travel-related hemorrhagic fevers.     

Liver-First Approach for Synchronous Colorectal Metastases: Analysis of 7360 Patients from the LiverMetSurvey Registry

Annals of Surgical Oncology - The liver-first approach in patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) has gained wide consensus but its role is still to be clarified. We aimed to...