Computerized detection of morphological changes to glioma cells during estramustine and ion-channel blocker perifusion.

A perifusion technique for microscopy with computerized detection of early changes in cell morphology during continuous perifusion was used to show that the geometry of cultured glioma cells (MG-251) changes rapidly when they are exposed to estramustine phosphate (EMP). When the cells were exposed to 20 or 40 mg l(-1) EMP, cell volume projected cell area (PCA) rapidly increased. When the Na+,K+-ATPase blocker ouabain (100 micromol l(-1)) was added to the EMP (40 mg l(-1)) perifusion, the acute EMP response was eradicated. When the PCA curve for ouabain alone was subtracted from the curve of combined ouabain and EMP perifusion, the resulting curve showed that ouabain completely blocked the EMP-induced increase in PCA. When the Na+, K+, Cl- co-transport inhibitors bumetanide (10 micromol l(-1)), or furosemide (100 micromol l(-1)), were added to EMP (40 mg l(-1)), the acute increase in PCA seen for EMP alone was also completely blocked. This study shows that inhibitors of ion transmembrane transport can modify EMP-induced cell volume increases. This may be of particular importance since the blockers have been found to interfere also with the cytotoxic function of EMP during cell culture. Thus, it is possible that cell volume changes could serve as a rapid technique for predicting the cytotoxic activity of antineoplastic drugs.     

Fusion and Matrix Protein Gene Sequence Analysis of Paramyxoviruses of Type 1(PMV-1) Isolated from Pigeons in Slovenia

Paramyxoviruses of type 1 (PMV-l) isolated from pigeons were genetically analyzed. A part of the fusion and the matrix protein genes were amplified and sequenced, Typical amino acid sequences associated with virulence were determined at the fusion protein cleavage site in all PMV-1 isolates. All Slovene pigeon PMV-1 strains share high amino acid sequence similarity with other pigeon strains. In the phylogenetic tree, they are clustered together with pigeon PMV-1 isolates with moderate pathogenicity. Phylogenetic analysis obtained from the fusion and the matrix protein gene alignments showed the same branching order. Viruses circulating among pigeons were found to form quite unique lineage of virulent NDV strains.     

Exploring cancer register data to find risk factors for recurrence of breast cancer – application of Canonical Correlation Analysis

Background  

A common approach in exploring register data is to find relationships between outcomes and predictors by using multiple regression analysis (MRA). If there is more than one outcome variable, the analysis must then be repeated, and the results combined in some arbitrary fashion. In contrast, Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) has the ability to analyze multiple outcomes at the same time.     

Mapping of sporulation-specific functions in the yeast syntaxin gene<Emphasis Type="Italic"> SSO1</Emphasis>

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has two closely related plasma membrane syntaxins, Sso1p and Sso2p, which together provide an essential function in vegetative cells. However, Sso1p is also specifically needed during sporulation; and this function cannot be provided by Sso2p. We used fusions between SSO1 and SSO2 to map the sporulation-specific function of SSO1. We found that the two N-terminal -helices Ha and Hb of Sso1p are important for sporulation, since it is reduced 8-fold for fusions where Ha and Hb are derived from Sso2p. In contrast, the C-terminal half of Sso1p does not seem to be specifically required for sporulation. Surprisingly, we further found that the 3 untranslated region (3UTR) of SSO1 is essential for sporulation. Western blots failed to reveal a preferential expression of Sso1p in sporulating cells, indicating that effects on gene expression are unlikely to explain why the SSO1 3UTR is needed for sporulation.Communicated by S. Hohmann     

Coxsackievirus B3-induced acute pancreatitis: analysis of histopathological and viral parameters in a mouse model.

Coxsackievirus B3 infection in mice was studied histopathologically, by virus isolation and by nucleic acid hybridization after intraperitoneal inoculation of the virus. Extensive viraemia was detected for 1-3 days post-infection. All mice developed necrotizing acute pancreatitis and focal myocarditis. Pancreatitis eventually lead to complete atrophy of the exocrine pancreas. However, the islets of Langerhans and pancreatic ducts remained morphologically intact. Virus could be demonstrated in pancreatic tissue for 1-5 days post-infection by in-situ and spot hybridization as well as by virus isolation. Virus was not detectable on days 7-22 post-infection suggesting an autodigestive aetiology in further destruction of the exocrine pancreas. The mouse model described here permits detailed analysis of viral and host factors in the pathogenesis of enterovirus infections. Since coxsackie B viruses have been proposed to be aetiological agents in human acute pancreatitis, the application of in-situ hybridization allows analysis of enteroviruses directly from pancreatic tissue of clinical routine specimens.     

Clinical and ethical perspective of neurosurgical care in patients from beyond the southern border of Turkey: challenges of patients in war

Journal of Public Health - Because an increasing number of patients travel internationally to seek medical care, Turkey offers comprehensive and outstanding services under extraordinary conditions...