Biomedical subjects

I Kiss

Publications and source records attributed to I Kiss.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Mutation of a gene for a Drosophila kinesin-like protein, Klp38B, leads to failure of cytokinesis.

Mutations in a gene (Klp38B) encoding a novel kinesin-like protein in Drosophila melanogaster lead to the formation of polyploid cells in the larval central nervous system and in the follicle cells of adult egg chambers. Some homozygous mutants survive to adulthood and also exhibit morphological defects indicative of abnormal cell cycle progression, including rough eyes, missing bristles, and abnormal abdominal cuticles. In larval brains, there is no accumulation of mitotic cells and the frequency of anaphase figures is comparable to wild type, suggesting that nuclear division is not affected. Such brains contain polyploid cells with metaphase and anaphase chromosomes associated with bipolar spindles. Such spindles have a number of unseparated centrosomes at their poles reflecting the degree of polyploidy of the cell. Follicle cells frequently contain two nuclei of roughly equal size. Taken together, we conclude that these Klp38B mutations lead to a failure of cytokinesis resulting in polyploidy, and discuss whether or not this is a direct effect of the mutation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Carbon source utilization and isoenzyme analysis as taxonomic aids for toxigenic Neosartorya species and their relatives.

Collection strains representing species belonging to the genus Neosartorya and its relatives from section Fumigati of the genus Aspergillus were compared for some of their phenotypic features. The examination of both the carbon source utilization and isoenzyme patterns provided a useful tool for clustering these strains. Many species (e.g. Neosartorya hiratsukae, N. quadricincta, N. spinosa, N. aurata, N. aureola) could readily be distinguished from other species based on their specific isoenzyme and carbon source utilization spectra. Close relationship was observed between the A. fumigatus and N. fischeri strains. Aspergillus strain FRR 1266, which also revealed distinct mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA patterns, and amplified DNA profiles, was the closest relative of the recently described N. pseudofischeri species, and could also be distinguished from the A. fumigatus strains by its specific carbon source utilization patterns. High levels of variability were detected among N. glabra and A. viridinutans strains; most of the strains of Australian origin formed distinct clusters.

Ascomycota↗

PubMed1997

The activation by magnesium treatment of anti-oxidants eliminating the oxygen free radicals in Drosophila melanogaster in vivo.

Drosophila melanogaster adults of the Oregon R and Canton S wild-type stocks were fed for 24 h with 0.10 M, 0.25 M and 0.50 M MgCl2 in 1 per cent sugar solution. This treatment resulted in a significant increase (10-50 per cent) in the activities of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase as well as in the concentration of the non-enzymatic antioxidant glutathione (GSH). The increased activities could be due to the increased synthesis caused by the Mg treatment.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Is the presence of distant metastasis associated with c-myc amplification in gastric cancer?

The expression of the c-myc oncogenes has already been reported in human gastric carcinoma. Overexpression can be the consequence of oncogene amplification and often correlates with different prognostic factors. Authors investigated the value of c-myc oncogene amplification in 23 patients (9 male, 14 female, aged 28-85 yrs) with gastric cancer and its correlation to the following clinical and histopathological parameters: grade, TNM stage, Lauren's type, localisation and severity of disease. DNA was isolated from formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissue for quantitative dot-blot hybridisation. Amplified c-myc was found in 6 out of 23 cases. Its values ranged from 2.12 up to 18.2 (average 9.1). Significant association was found between the presence of c-myc amplification and distant metastasis (corr. coeff.: 0.5623, p < 0.01). High scores of the other parameters also correlated with c-myc, albeit not significantly. The result of cluster analysis, based on the similarity of the parameter values for the individual patients proved that the age was the decisive factor in creating two groups. The distribution of patients into these groups did not seem to coincide with the presence of c-myc amplification or distant metastasis, inspite of the proved correlation between them.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Neutrophils obtained from obliterative atherosclerotic patients exhibit enhanced resting respiratory burst and increased degranulation in response to various stimuli.

Tissue destruction in atherosclerosis is partly due to uncontrolled protease and oxygen radical release. In this study we investigated the release of elastase and myeloperoxidase, as well as the production of reactive oxygen species by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) obtained from patients with obliterative atherosclerotic of the lower legs. In addition we measured the plasma concentration of xanthine oxidase. PMNLs of atherosclerotic patients have a greater ability to increase elastase and myeloperoxidase release after their stimulation with formyl-methionin-leucyl-phenylalanin (fMLP) and calcium ionophore, A23187, independently of their age, than PMNLs of healthy middle-aged subjects. Similarly to healthy elderly subjects there was an increased superoxide anion (O2-) production under basal condition in both atherosclerotic patient age-groups. The activation of PMNLs with fMLP and A23187 enhanced O2- formation both in healthy subjects and in patients with atherosclerotic disease of the lower legs, however the increase was significantly less in the latter group. No biochemical parameters showed significant correlation with patient's risk factors, however myeloperoxidase production was significantly higher in less severe stage of the disease (P < 0.05). We found that patients with atherosclerotic disease of the lower legs have higher plasma xanthine oxidase level than control subjects. This study indicates an other piece of evidence suggesting the activation and involvement of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis of the lower legs. The similar tendencies in the reactivity of neutrophils during aging and in atherosclerosis suggest that atherosclerosis may be an early aging process.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Morphine's name.

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Attitude to Health↗

PubMed1996

[Serum elastin peptide concentration and human leukocyte elastase/antiproteinase balance in peripheral obstructive atherosclerosis].

In some pathological states such as therosclerosis tissue destruction may be accelerated due to uncontrolled protease release of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and other events such as decreased concentration and/or the inactivation of main protease inhibitor molecules in the serum. In this study, the authors measured the elastase release of polymorphonuclear leukocytes which increased in atherosclerosis independently of the patients aged compared to healthy young subjects. These findings were similar to the response of polymorphonuclear leukocytes separated from healthy elderly subjects. Simultaneously, the main plasma proteinase inhibitors such as alpha-1-antitrypsin and alpha-2-macroglobulin in healthy and atherosclerotic subjects were determined. alpha-1-antitrypsin did not decrease significantly, whereas alpha-2-macroglobulin did in sera of atherosclerotic patients compared to age matched subjects (p < 0.05). In contrast, the activity of porcine pancreatic elastase was more effectively neutralized by the plasma obtained from healthy subjects suggesting diminished antiprotease activity of sera obtained from patients. The authors concluded that increased elastase release and decreased antiproteinase activity should be considered in atherosclerotic arterial wall damage. The similarity of the results in aged and therosclerotic subjects suggests that arteriosclerosis is an earlier aging process.

Arteriosclerosis↗

PubMed1996

Parotid gland ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

The diagnostic value of parotid gland ultrasonography (Acuson 128, 7 MHz transducer) was studied in 62 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and in 69 controls of similar age and sex distribution. Different degrees (mild, evident or gross) of parenchymal inhomogeneity (PIH) were the most important sonographic changes in SS; they occurred in 83.9% of the patients. The sonographic results (the presence or absence of PIH) were in accordance with the parotid sialographic and scintigraphic findings and the histology of the minor salivary glands in 87.3, 84.7 and 84.3% of the cases, respectively. Of the degrees of PIH, only evident and gross PIH are thought to be of true diagnostic value for SS. On the basis of the good agreement between the sonographic and sialographic results, consideration of the introduction of parotid sonography as an alternative to sialography is suggested in SS if the latter method cannot be performed.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Site-selected mutagenesis of the Drosophila second chromosome via plasmid rescue of lethal P-element insertions.

This paper describes a fast and efficient approach to correlating cloned genes with mutant phenotypes in Drosophila. We make use of a large collection D. melanogaster lines with recessive lethal insertions of a P[lacW] transposon on their second chromosome. Within this collection there clearly must be many insertions corresponding to Drosophila genes that have been cloned and characterized, e.g., via homology with cloned mammalian genes, but for which mutant phenotypes have yet to be identified. We have made use of the fact that P[lacW] contains a plasmid replicon to establish a collection of rescued plasmids containing genomic DNA flanking the sites of transposon insertion. Plasmids representing a total of 1836 lines were independently rescued and pooled in batches of 10 and 100. Pools of 100 plasmids were screened by hybridization with cDNAs corresponding to cloned second chromosome loci. Hybridizing pools were then narrowed down to single plasmids by a process of subdivision and rehybridization, and corresponding mutant lines were obtained. The success rate was better than one in four. This rate would undoubtedly be improved by the use of genomic DNA probes.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Detection of homologous DNA sequences in animal adenoviruses by polymerase chain reaction.

A primer pair originally designed for the universal detection of human adenovirus (HAV) serotypes of all subgenera was modified then tested and found feasible for the detection of different bovine, ovine, and porcine adenovirus (BAV, OAV, and PAV, respectively) serotypes. Apparently, in the examined viruses, parts of the DNA sequence coding for the basal part of the hexon protein are conserved enough for being applicable in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as primers. Positive amplification could be obtained even from the so-called subgroup 2 BAVs, which viruses do not cross react with HAVs or subgroup 1 BAVs in Southern hybridisation.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

PubMed1996

Infectious canine hepatitis: detection of canine adenovirus type 1 by polymerase chain reaction.

A primer pair and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method earlier tested for the detection of human and animal adenoviruses were used to demonstrate the presence of canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) in tissue culture and clinical specimens. A simple procedure of sample preparation was elaborated making the PCR easily applicable in rapid confirmation of the diagnosis of infectious canine hepatitis.

Adenoviridae↗

PubMed1995

Gene disruptions using P transposable elements: an integral component of the Drosophila genome project.

Biologists require genetic as well as molecular tools to decipher genomic information and ultimately to understand gene function. The Berkeley Drosophila Genome Project is addressing these needs with a massive gene disruption project that uses individual, genetically engineered P transposable elements to target open reading frames throughout the Drosophila genome. DNA flanking the insertions is sequenced, thereby placing an extensive series of genetic markers on the physical genomic map and associating insertions with specific open reading frames and genes. Insertions from the collection now lie within or near most Drosophila genes, greatly reducing the time required to identify new mutations and analyze gene functions. Information revealed from these studies about P element site specificity is being used to target the remaining open reading frames.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

[Management of cholelithiasis associated with acute edematous pancreatitis].

The authors operated on fifty-four patients for gallstone disease associated with acute edematous pancreatitis in the years 1988-1993. The patients were operated on in the first admission, after the symptoms of pancreatitis had run their course and after normalization of amylase-concentration. Preoperative EST was successful in 7%. Depending on the results of routine intraoperative cholangiomanometry choledochotomy was carried out in 11% of the cases. There were no surgical technical difficulties in operations performed in the same admission. At the onset of pancreatitis the authors consider it right to apply one of the objective prognostic scoring systems suitable to predict the severity and prognosis of pancreatitis. Then, depending on its result and the risks of the planned intervention, ERCP-EST is proposed, leaving the gallbladder "in situ" and, either traditional, or laparoscopic cholecystectomy is also permissible.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1995

[Biliary calculi in infancy and childhood].

Authors analyse the data of 48 children with cholelithiasis (29 girls, 19 boys, mean age: 8,7 years). In the infants the gallstones developed mostly on the basis of predisposing disease and in them the spontaneous stone dissolution is frequent. Patients were divided into two groups. In the I. group gallstones developed at the presence of predisposing diseases, in the II. group such disease were not identified. In childhood more patients belong to the I. group as our results and earlier reports show, in this group characteristic symptoms cannot be found. In the II. group the vague abdominal pain was the most frequent symptom. Beyond the age of 10 years the sex ratio and the symptoms are similar to those of adults. In the I. group in 8 cases, while in the II. in 16 cases was operation done. In the latter group in two patient stone dissolution took place with Ursodeoxycholicacid. In childhood complication are infrequent. The ultrasound examination is a very useful tool in the diagnosis and follow up of these patients.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1995

Identification of a nuclear factor-I family protein-binding site in the silencer region of the cartilage matrix protein gene.

Cartilage matrix protein (CMP) is synthesized by chondrocytes in a developmentally regulated manner. Here we have dissected promoter upstream elements involved in its transcriptional regulation. We show that although the 79-base pair CMP minimal promoter is promiscuous, 1137 base pairs of 5'-flanking region are capable of directing tissue- and developmental stage-specific transcription when fused to a reporter gene. This results from two positive control regions which, in proliferating chondrocytes, relieve the repression mediated by two non-tissue-specific negative control regions. Characterization of the promoter proximal silencer by DNase I footprinting and gel shifts revealed the presence of two elements, SI and SII, which bound mesenchymal cell proteins. Methylation interference analysis indicated a gapped palindromic binding site similar to nuclear factor I (NF-I) family proteins within SI, but only a half-site within SII. Gel shift assays with specific NF-I and mutated SI competitors, binding of recombinant NF-I, as well as supershift analysis with NF-I-specific antiserum verified the binding of NF-I family proteins to the SI element. Double-stranded SI and SII oligonucleotides inserted in single copy in either orientation were found to repress both homologous and heterologous promoters upon transfection into mesenchymal cells. Transcriptional repression also occurred when a consensus NF-I site itself was fused to the CMP minimal promoter. We conclude that NF-I-related protein(s) can mediate transcriptional repression in cells of mesenchymal origin.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

[The value of ultrasonic diagnosis in acute appendicitis].

The diagnostic accuracy and practical value of graded compression ultrasound was evaluated in 298 patients admitted for ultrasound examination because of having suspected appendicitis by surgeons. The result of the ultrasound was considered to be positive, if the inflamed appendix, larger, than 6.5 mm in outer diameter or an abscess was depicted. Of the 99 pathologically proven cases of acute appendicitis ultrasound was positive in 94, that is the sensitivity was 94.9%. The diagnostic accuracy and specificity were 96.3% and 97.9%. The predictive value of a positive test was 95.9%, and was 97.5% of a negative one. In the group of patients under 18 years (140 patients) sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy were 93.3%, 96.3% and 95% respectively. The use of ultrasound helped many patients to earlier operation and reduced considerably the negative laparotomy rate. The routine use of ultrasound in the diagnosis of appendicitis especially if the clinical presentation is equivocal, complements usefully the clinical signs and increases diagnostic accuracy.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1995

The overgrown hematopoietic organs-31 tumor suppressor gene of Drosophila encodes an Importin-like protein accumulating in the nucleus at the onset of mitosis.

The tumor suppressor gene overgrown hematopoietic organs-31 (oho31) of Drosophila encodes a protein with extensive homology to the Importin protein of Xenopus (50% identity), the related yeast SRP1 protein, and the mammalian hSRP1 and RCH1 proteins. A strong reduction in the expression of oho31 by a P element inserted in the 5' untranslated region of the oho31 transcript or a complete inactivation of oho31 by imprecise P element excision leads to malignant development of the hematopoietic organs and the genital disc, as shown by their growth autonomy in transplantation assays. We have cloned the oho31 gene of Drosophila melanogaster and determined its nucleotide sequence. The gene encodes a phosphoprotein of 522 amino acids made of three domains: a central hydrophobic domain of eight repeats of 42-44 amino acids each, displaying similarity to the arm motif found in junctional and nucleopore complex proteins, and flanked by two hydrophilic NH2- and COOH-terminal domains. Immunostaining revealed that the OHO31 protein is supplied maternally and rapidly degraded during the first 13 nuclear divisions. Thereafter, the OHO31 protein is predominantly expressed, albeit at reduced levels, in proliferating tissues. During the interphase of early embryonic cell cycles, the OHO31 protein is present in the cytoplasm and massively accumulates in the nucleus at the onset of mitosis in late interphase and prophase. The nuclear import of OHO31 is, however, less pronounced during later developmental stages. These results suggest that, similar to Importin, OHO31 may act as a cytosolic factor in nuclear transport. Moreover, the cell cycle-dependent accumulation of OHO31 in the nucleus indicates that this protein may be required for critical nuclear reactions occurring at the onset of mitosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

P-element mutations affecting embryonic peripheral nervous system development in Drosophila melanogaster.

The Drosophila embryonic peripheral nervous system (PNS) is an excellent model system to study the molecular mechanisms governing neural development. To identify genes controlling PNS development, we screened 2000 lethal P-element insertion strains. The PNS of mutant embryos was examined using the neural specific marker MAb 22C10, and 92 mutant strains were retained for further analysis. Genetic and cytological analysis of these strains shows that 42 mutations affect previously isolated genes that are known to be required for PNS development: longitudinals lacking (19), mastermind (15), numb (4), big brain (2), and spitz (2). The remaining 50 mutations were classified into 29 complementation groups and the P-element insertions were cytologically mapped. The mutants were classified in five major classes on the basis of their phenotype: gain of neurons, loss of neurons, organizational defects, pathfinding defects and morphological defects. Herein we report the preliminary phenotypic characterization of each of these complementation groups as well as the embryonic lacZ expression pattern of each P-element strain. Our analysis indicates that in most of the P-element insertion strains, the lacZ reporter gene is not expressed in the developing PNS.

Animals↗