We have constructed a series of promoter or upstream activating sequence (UAS)-probe plasmids carrying the Tn5-derived neomycin resistance gene whose seven additional ATG codons in the 5'-untranslated region were completely or partially removed. When the deleted version of the neo sequence retaining only one additional ATG (NeoD) was expressed under the control of a TDH3 promoter whose UAS was deleted, the transformed cells were unable to grow at a low concentration of the antibiotic G418. In contrast with this, yeast cells expressing the NeoC sequence and having no additional ATG exhibited a high level of G418-resistance. Moreover, the UAS-probe system using NeoD has been successfully applied for the identification of several E. coli DNA sequences that clearly function as UASs in yeast cells. Two of these prokaryotic sequences with UAS activity were identified as a part of the coding region of the tgt and the hydG gene, respectively.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Chronological SPECT studies of a patient with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.

We describe here chronological single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with N-isopropyl-p-[123I]iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) of a patient with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) from the early clinical stages. The case, an 8-year-old Japanese girl, was in clinical stage I of the disease on admission. A SPECT study with 99mTc-hexamethylprophyleamine oxime (99mTc-HM PAO) and 123I-IMP revealed hypoperfusion of cerebral blood flow in the bilateral occipital areas and a part of the cerebellum. Initially, no abnormal findings were observed on CT and MRI. Subsequently, however, MRI indicated abnormal signal intensity dominantly in the area of the occipital white matter where hypoperfusion of cerebral blood flow was found by the initial SPECT studies. This abnormal cerebral hypoperfusion appeared to improve after treatment with oral inosiplex and intrathecal interferon-alpha over 6 months of the clinical course. The abnormal signal intensity on the MRI also decreased, but simultaneous cranial CT demonstrated diffuse cortical atrophy and slight ventricular dilatation.

Amphetamines↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Flunitrazepam for sleep disturbance in children with intractable epilepsy.

Add-on therapy with flunitrazepam (FNZ) was performed in 5 children with marked sleep disturbance and intractable seizures. Correction of the sleep disturbance was attained immediately after the start of FNZ administration in all patients. Furthermore, a significant decrease in the seizure frequency (3 patients) and improved quality of life (4 patients) were concomitantly observed. There was no adverse effect or interaction with conventional AEDs on long-term use.

Child↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hereditary dilated cardiomyopathy in Holstein-Friesian cattle in Japan: association with hereditary myopathy of the diaphragmatic muscles.

This report deals with the pathology and genetic basis of dilated cardiomyopathy in 10 Holstein-Friesian cows aged 3-6 years, a disease similar to that reported in Simmental-Red Holstein and Holstein-Friesian cattle in several other countries. The main clinical signs were associated with systemic circulatory failure, and at necropsy the animals showed cardiomegaly, severe congestion and fibrosis of the liver, and systemic cardiac oedema. Histologically, hypertrophy and vacuolation of the cardiac muscle fibres and severe fibrosis were noted. Electron microscopically, the sarcoplasm of the hypertrophic fibres was seen to be filled with fine structures of low electron-density, together with thin filamentous material, suggesting myofibrillar lysis. The mitochondria showed increased size, an abnormal cristae pattern and vacuolation due to partial loss of cristae. Pedigree analysis of the affected cattle indicated an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. The family line of this cardiomyopathy overlapped with that of hereditary myopathy of the diaphragmatic muscles in Holstein-Friesian cattle, the pathological aspects and inheritance mode of which were reported previously. The available evidence suggested a genetic association between these two pathologically distinct diseases.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical evaluation of the Gyro Pump C1E3 as a cardiopulmonary bypass pump.

The Gyro Pump C1E3 is a new centrifugal pump with numerous features, including a ceramic pivot bearing system, secondary vanes, and an eccentric inlet port. To evaluate its biocompatibility, antithrombogenicity, and produced hemolysis, we used the Gyro Pump during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) cases to compare it with the BioMedicus pump. From September 1998 to February 1999, 30 consecutive patients underwent CABG under conventional CPB. Fifteen patients were supported by the Gyro Pump C1E3 (Group G), and the remaining 15 patients, by a BioMedicus BP-80 pump (Group B). In both groups, flow rate was equivalent. Blood samples were taken as follows: preoperative, 60 minutes after the end of the procedure, and at postoperative days (POD) 0, 1, and 2. We evaluated the plasma free hemoglobin (free Hb) as an indication of hemolysis; beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) and platelet factor four (PF-4) as an indication of platelet deterioration; C3, C4, CH50 for complement activation; coagulation parameters, fibrinolytic factor, thrombomodulin, nitric oxide (NO), and endothelin as an indication of endothelial deterioration. This was the first clinical sized Gyro Pump CIE3. De-airing from the pump was easily accomplished via the eccentric oblique inlet port. The system, including its console, was easily and simply controlled. Perioperative laboratory data were not markedly changed in either group with demonstrated equivalence for biocompatibility and hemolysis. After pumping, no thrombus formation or pivot wear were observed inside the pump. This atraumatic, small centrifugal pump appears well suited not only for CPB but also for circulatory support.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Endoscopic pericardial fenestration for a patient with sustained lupus pericarditis.

A 57-year-old woman was diagnosed in January 1982 with SLE based on ANA 1:640, positive LE cell preparation, proteinuria (3+), and pericarditis. In 1984, 1994, and 1997, the pericardial effusion was noted to have increased without signs of disease exacerbation or cardiac tamponade, and pericardial drainage was repeated to control the effusion. A massive pericardial effusion developed in August 1997. After tuberculosis, hypothyroidism, neoplasm, and progression of SLE were ruled out, we decided to perform pericardial fenestration. A safe and minimally invasive pericardial fenestration was successfully completed endoscopically. Pathologic study of the specimen revealed chronic pericarditis. We consider endoscopic pericardial fenestration to be useful for at risk patients with pericarditis to control the effusion and establish a differential diagnosis.

Endoscopy↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Appearance of mesothelioma cells in sputum. A case report.

A case in which mesothelioma cells appeared in sputum is reported. There has been only one earlier reported case of the exfoliation of mesothelioma cells into sputum. A postmortem examination in our case disclosed a lepidic growth of mesothelioma cells along the alveolar wall of the lung, suggesting that this mode of spread in the lung was probably responsible for the shedding of tumor cells in sputum. Cytopathologists should be aware of this possibility in differentiating this entity from adenocarcinoma involving the pleura.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Proceedings: 108. Hemodynamic characteristics of skeletal muscle (gastrocnemius of dog) observed with copper oxygen electrode (author's transl)].

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Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Alteration in ventricular gradient at rest in patients with ischemic heart disease].

The possibility of using alteration in the ventricular gradient (VG) to discern the presence of ischemic heart disease was studied in 30 patients with effort angina pectoris(AP), 21 with vasospastic angina (VSA), 21 with chest pain syndrome (CPS), and 20 healthy volunteers (control). The VG of each consecutive heart beat over a 22-sec interval was calculated by microcomputer from resting Frank-lead X, Y, Z scalar electrocardiograms. The mean values and standard deviations (SD) for the azimuth, elevation, and magnitude of the VG in each group were calculated. The SD and SD/mean ratios for each parameter were used as indices of VG alteration in the groups, and the indices were compared. The SD and SD/mean for the magnitude and elevation of VG were significantly greater in the AP group than in the CPS and control groups. The SD for the azimuth of VG was significantly greater in the AP group than in the CPS and control groups (p < 0.01). The SD and SD/mean for the magnitude of VG were greater in the AP group than in the VSA group (p < 0.01). The SD/mean for the elevation and magnitude of the VG were greater in the VSA group than in the control group (p < 0.01). The SD/mean of the magnitude of the VG was found to be the best index, as it was higher than the upper limit of the control group. The sensitivity and specificity were 80 and 91% (AP vs CPS, p < 0.001), and 43 and 91% (VSA vs CPS, not significant), respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Change in cross-bridge activation rate constant (Kac) after six-minute walk in patients with heart failure].

Cardiac adrenergic activity is increased in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and is excessively increased during mild exercise. Changes in cardiac adrenergic activity were examined in normal individuals and patients with CHF before and after mild exercise using the cross-bridge activation rate constant (Ka), which may represent the adrenergic activity related to the working left ventricular myocardium. Ten normal volunteers and 31 patients with stable CHF underwent echocardiography. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measured in all the CHF patients using left ventriculography or radionuclide cineangiography. The patients were classified into two groups: group 1 with an LVEF > or = 50% (n = 16) and group 2 with an LVEF < 50% (n = 15). The cause of CHF was old myocardial infarction in 25 patients and dilated cardiomyopathy in 6. All subjects exercised by walking for 6 min after resting in the supine position for 30 min. The blood pressure, electrocardiogram, phonocardiogram, and M-mode echocardiogram were recorded simultaneously before and after exercise. The values of Ka and Kac (Ka corrected for the individual heart rate) were calculated from the QS2 interval and the heart rate (HR) as follows: Ka = 3/QS2 interval, and Kac = Ka +0.0249 (66-HR). Before exercise, the HR was significantly higher in group 2, but the Kac value showed no significant difference between all three groups. The increase of HR with exercise (delta HR) and the Kac value after exercise were not significantly different between all three groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗