Identification of the gene encoding the human mitochondrial RNA polymerase (h-mtRPOL) by cyberscreening of the Expressed Sequence Tags database

A gene cloning strategy based on the screening of the Expressed Sequence Tags database (dbEST) using sequences of mitochondrial housekeeping proteins of yeast was employed to identify the cDNA encoding the precursor of the human mitochondrial RNA polymerase (h- mtRPOL). The 3831 bp h-mtRPOL cDNA is located on chromosome 19p13.3 and encodes a protein of 1230 amino acid residues. The protein sequence shows significant homologies with sequences corresponding to mitochondrial RNA polymerases from lower eukaryotes, and to RNA polymerases from several bacteriophages. The mitochondrial RNA polymerase carries out the central activity of mitochondrial gene expression and, by providing the RNA primers for replication- initiation, is also implicated in the maintenance and propagation of the mitochondrial genome. Genes involved in the control of mtDNA replication and gene expression are attractive candidates for human disorders due to abnormalities of nucleo-mitochondrial intergenomic signalling. The availability of the h-mtRPOL cDNA will allow us to test its role in mitochondrial pathology. In addition, we propose the 'cyberscreening' of dbEST, based on yeast/human cross-species comparison, as a powerful, simple, rapid and inexpensive method, that may accelerate several-fold the molecular dissection of the human mitochondrial proteome.      

Bullous eosinophilic cellulitis (Wells'' syndrome) associated with Churg–Strauss syndrome

We report a patient with Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) with asthma, eosinophilia, nasal polyposis and ANCA-associated multisystem vasculitis, who's skin eruption started with erythematous urticarial-plaques followed by haemorrhagic bullae. Histology of the plaques revealed 'flame figures' in the dermis with no granulomatous or vasculitic process, consistent with the diagnosis of eosinophilic cellulitis or Wells' syndrome. The association of CSS and Wells' syndrome observed in this patient may have a common pathogenesis. CSS may induce Wells' syndrome by an unknown factor.     

Diagnosis and treatment of intrauterine adhesions by microhysteroscopy

In this report of 69 patients, a new type of hysteroscope was used to evaluate the extent and character of intrauterine adhesions, to perform lysis of them, and to monitor the effects of therapy. Additionally, prospective studies with regard to pathogenesis and endometrial regeneration can be achieved in vivo. In 59 patients the procedures were performed in an office setting using a CO2 hysteroscopic technique without the need for local anesthesia or cervical dilatation. Of 30 infertile patients, 38% subsequently had uncomplicated deliveries. The severe forms of this disease still remain very difficult to treat effectively. When the adhesions were severe or the procedure painful, the operation was scheduled under general anesthesia (ten cases). A sequential hysteroscopy with good patient acceptance affords additional opportunity for removing residual adhesions and intrauterine devices, and serves as a basis for ending treatment with steroids.     

Low seminal zinc bound to high molecular weight proteins in asthenozoospermic patients: evidence of increased sperm zinc content in oligoasthenozoospermic patients [published erratum appears in Hum Reprod 1998 Jun;13(6):1750]

Total seminal zinc concentration, seminal zinc fraction bound to high molecular weight proteins (HMW-Zn%) and zinc content in spermatozoa were assayed in the ejaculates of 90 asthenozoospermic patients subdivided into two study groups: normoasthenozoospermics (group I: n = 50) and oligoasthenozoospermics (group II: n = 40). The zinc concentrations of patients were compared with those of a control group of donors showing normal semen parameters. All samples were also investigated for their sperm membrane functional integrity by the hypo- osmotic swelling test (HOS). The results showed normal total zinc concentrations but very low HMW-Zn% values (P < 0.001) in seminal plasma of the two groups of asthenozoospermic patients compared to the controls. Furthermore higher zinc amounts (P < 0.001) were measured in spermatozoa of oligoasthenozoospermic patients compared to group I and to the control group. Oligoasthenozoospermics also displayed a lower HOS score (P < 0.001) compared to the other two groups. These data suggest that the increased unbound seminal zinc could contribute to the decrease of sperm motility in normoasthenozoospermic and oligoasthenozoospermic patients. A further impairment in sperm motility could occur in the oligoasthenozoospermic patients where the increase of seminal free zinc was followed by a major zinc uptake by spermatozoa. The higher intrasperm zinc content in these patients could be a reflection of their low sperm membrane functionality.      

Cervical surgery in infertility

We wish to stress three original techniques among the numerousoperations which can be performed on the uterine cervix forthe treatment of infertility. The first treatment is for cervicaldysplasia of the cervix, a conization performed by electrosurgeryunder local anaesthesia, using a metallic handle of 23 mm, associatedwith vaporization by a CO2 laser at the edges of the resection.This technique, used for 125 patients, has permitted adequateresection. The rate of incomplete resection is > 10%. Thismethod has preserved the possibility of pregnancies withoutabortion. The second technique is the surgical repair of a largepost obstetrical split of the cervix by an abdominal exposure.After dissection of the bladder, the vagina is opened longitudinally,the cervix exposed and repaired carefully. Four patients whohad previously had four to six abortions between 4 and 6 monthsof gestation, succeeded in achieving a full term pregnancy bythis technique. The third technique is the resection of theisthmic septum by microscissors or microelectrocautery underlocal or general anaesthesia by hysteroscopy. Twelve cases,five with primary infertility, seven with second infertilityand habitual abortions, were operated on by this technique in1986-87. Four pregnancies have resulted.     

In-111-labeled leukocyte scintigraphy in suspected orthopedic prosthesis infection: comparison with other imaging modalities

When infection of prosthetic orthopedic implants is suspected, optimal management requires accurate confirmation or exclusion of infection. The authors retrospectively studied 98 patients with possible infection who underwent scanning with indium-111-labeled white blood cells (WBCs) and subsequently underwent surgery within 14 days. At surgery, 50 patients had infections, as determined by means of culture or histologic results. The diagnostic accuracy of In-111 scanning was compared with that of plain radiography, arthrography, three-phase bone scanning, and various clinical and laboratory findings classically associated with infection. Positive findings on In-111 WBC scans and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates were found to be the most predictive variables in the diagnosis of septic prostheses (P less than or equal to .001 and P less than or equal to .002, respectively). Likelihood ratio analysis more clearly demonstrated the superiority of In-111 WBC scanning, with positive and negative scans yielding likelihood ratios of 5.0 and 0.16, respectively.