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Extremely thermostable phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase from an extreme thermophile, Rhodothermus obamensis.

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) was purified from an extremely thermophilic bacterium, Rhodothermus obamensis, growing optimally at 80 degrees C, which had recently been isolated from a shallow marine hydrothermal vent in Japan. The native enzyme was a homotetramer of 400 kDa in molecular mass, as estimated by gel filtration chromatography, and the subunit exhibited an apparent molecular mass of 100 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The optimum temperature for enzyme activity was 75 degrees C. The enzyme exhibited an absolute requirement for divalent cations and a pH optimum of 8.0. The enzyme was extremely thermostable and there was no loss of enzyme activity on incubation for 2 h at 85 degrees C. The enzyme exhibited a positive allosteric property with acetyl-CoA and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, and a negative one with L-aspartate and L-malate. These effectors affected not only the thermophilicity but also the thermostability of the enzyme, and the substrate, co-factors, and salts increased the thermostability as well. The extrinsic thermostabilization might be a possible mechanism for adaptation of the enzyme to high temperature.

Acetyl Coenzyme A

Severe open fractures of the lower extremity: a retrospective evaluation of the Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS)

Recent reports using the Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS) suggest that a score of > or = 7 is 100% accurate in predicting the need for amputation of severely injured lower extremities. To further evaluate the value of the MESS in predicting amputation, specifically with respect to type IIIB and type IIIC (Gustilo and Anderson) open fractures of the tibia, we retrospectively evaluated 24 patients with these injuries. A significant difference (p = 0.001) between MESS values of 13 salvaged (6.36 +/- 0.35 SEM) and 11 amputated limbs (6.36 +/- 0.54 SEM) was found. A MESS value of > or = 4 was most sensitive (100%); a MESS value of > or = 7 was most specific, and a MESS value of > or = 7 was found to have a positive predictive value of 100%. Subsequently, we addressed recent criticisms of the MESS by including nerve injury in the scoring system and by separating soft-tissue and skeletal injury components of the MESS. We modified the MESS with a score called the NISSSA and applied it retrospectively to our cases. After careful statistical comparison we found both the MESS and NISSSA to be highly accurate (p < 0.005) in predicting amputation. The NISSSA was found to be more sensitive (81.8% versus 63.6%) and more specific (92.3 versus 69.2%).

Adolescent

Measuring functional outcomes in work-related upper extremity disorders. Development and validation of the Upper Extremity Function Scale.

Questionnaire-based measures of function have been validated extensively in studies of chronic illness and work-related low back pain. These measures have only recently been developed for upper extremity disorders (UEDs), and there is little information on their utility in evaluation of injured workers. We developed the Upper Extremity Function Scale (UEFS), an eight-item, self-administered questionnaire, to measure the impacts of UEDs on function. This instrument was tested in a cohort of 108 patients with work-related UEDs and 165 patients with the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS); both groups were enrolled in prospective follow-up studies. The UEFS demonstrated excellent psychometric properties, including good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha > 0.83), relative absence of floor effects, and excellent convergent and discriminant validity, compared with measures of symptom severity and clinical findings. In the CTS group, the UEFS was more responsive to significant improvements over time than clinical measures such as grip and pinch strength. These data support the use of a self-reported functional scale as a measure of outcome in studies of work-related UEDs. Further investigations in working populations are needed to substantiate its utility in workers with UEDs who have not yet sought medical care.

Adult

[Clinical aspects of using extremely high frequency electromagnetic radiation in the complex treatment of occlusive vascular diseases of the lower extremities].

A method of local influencing with the extremely high frequency electromagnetic irradiation on the points of acupuncture was used in the complex treatment of 44 patients with obliterative diseases of the vessels of the lower extremities at the age of 34-75 years. Obliterative atherosclerosis was diagnosed in 15 of them, obliterative endarteritis --in 29. A high effectiveness of the method even in late stages of vascular pathology was noted. No complications were observed.

Adult

[Primary reconstruction in extremity saving resection of the lower extremity].

Limb sparing procedures have become possible in many cases of tumor resections of the lower extremity by using the new free-tissue transplantation technique. In some cases the stump can be elongated. Forty-four patients were treated for soft tissue sarcoma of the lower extremity. In only one case conventional amputation was necessary. In all other cases the limb was saved by primary reconstruction. In four cases a distalisation of the stump was achieved.

Adult

[Control of puerperium in swine under conditions of extremely shortened nursing method. 1. Results of histological studies in postpartum involution and regeneration of the uterus under conditions of extremely shortened nursing period and medicamentous control of puerperium].

Uterus tissue samples were taken from 31 sows which had been under regimes of extremely shortened nursing periods and differentiated medication to control their puerperium. The samples were taken following laparotomy during the first postpartum oestrus as well as in subsequent phases of the cycle and histologically tested for puerperal involution and regeneration. The endometrium and myometrium of sows in oestrus were found to be in a condition which widely corresponded to normal oestrus condition of the uterus wall, when their piglets had been weaned in the third postpartum week. However, untreated sows in oestrus, whose piglets had been weaned extremely soon, that is in the second postpartum week, displayed numerous signs of inadequate postpartum involution and regeneration. Oxytocin was found to work well in speeding up regeneration of both the endometrium and myometrium. Intramuscular injection of twice nine International Units per die, from the first through ninth days postpartum, helped to complete largely all regeneration processes up to the first oestrus, when piglets had been weaned in the second postpartum week. Oral antibiotic medication (chlortetracycline) and parenteral application of vitamins failed to produce any substantive and histologically recordable effect on puerperal involution processes.

Animals

N5,N10-methenyltetrahydromethanopterin cyclohydrolase from the extremely thermophilic sulfate reducing Archaeoglobus fulgidus: comparison of its properties with those of the cyclohydrolase from the extremely thermophilic Methanopyrus kandleri.

Archaeoglobus fulgidus and Methanopyrus kandleri are both extremely thermophilic Archaea with a growth temperature optimum at 83 degrees C and 98 degrees C, respectively. Both Archaea contain an active N5,N10-methenyltetrahydromethanopterin cyclohydrolase. The enzyme from M. kandleri has recently been characterized. We describe here the purification and properties of the enzyme from A. fulgidus. The cyclohydrolase from A. fulgidus was purified 180-fold to apparent homogeneity and its properties were compared with those recently published for the cyclohydrolase from M. kandleri. The two cytoplasmic enzymes were found to have very similar molecular and catalytic properties. They differed, however, significantly with respect of the effect of K2HPO4 and of other salts on the activity and the stability. The cyclohydrolase from A. fulgidus required relatively high concentrations of K2HPO4 (1 M) for optimal thermostability at 90 degrees C but did not require salts for activity. Vice versa, the enzyme from M. kandleri was dependent on high K2HPO4 concentrations (1.5 M) for optimal activity but not for thermostability. Thus the activity and structural stability of the two thermophilic enzymes depend in a completely different way on the concentration of inorganic salts. The molecular basis for these differences are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence

Molecular physiology of carbamoylation under extreme conditions: what can we learn from extreme thermophilic microorganisms?

The importance of protein-protein interactions in the physiology of extreme thermophiles was investigated by analyzing the enzymes involved in biosynthetic carbamoylation in Thermus ZO5 and by comparing the results obtained with already available or as yet unpublished information concerning other thermophilic eu- and archaebacteria such as Thermotoga, Sulfolobus, and Pyrococcus. Salient observations were that (i) the highly thermolabile and reactive carbamoylphosphate molecule appears to be protected from thermodegradation by channelling towards the synthesis of citrulline and carbamoylaspartate, respectively precursors of arginine and the pyrimidines; (ii) Thermus ornithine carbamoyltransferase is clearly a thermophilic enzyme, intrinsically thermostable and showing a biphasic Arrhenius plot, whereas aspartate carbamoyltransferase is inherently unstable and is stabilized by its association with dihydroorotase, another enzyme encoded by the Thermus pyrimidine operon. Possible implications of these results are discussed.

Archaea

[Excessive stress damage of the lower extremity caused by sports. The value of sonographic diagnosis in stress damage of the lower extremity].

150 sportsmen with lesions and diseases of the lower extremity served as basis for demonstrating the possibilities offered by diagnosis via sonography. Main indications were articular and paraarticular diseases of the large joints (hip and knee) to demonstrate effusions, ganglia, bursae and tendon ruptures, diseases and injuries of the musculature at the thigh and lower leg, as well as the Achilles tendon with its various changes such as rupture, achillodynia and peritendinitis. Muscular and tendon ruptures can be differentiated via sonography in respect of extension, type, age and localisation. This makes differentiated treatment possible. Intraarticular lesions of the knee joint remain the domain of arthroscopy. Sonographic findings should always be supplemented by anamnesis, clinical findings and x-ray film so as not to overlook any bony injuries and damage of the capsular ligaments.

Adolescent

[On the legality of the term "diabetic angiopathy of the lower extremities". Part III. The influence of the stage of the lower extremities' main artery occlusion on the severity of microangiopathy].

In 40 patients with diabetic angiopathy of lower extremities in terminal stage during investigation of cutaneous biopsies using electronic microscopy it was established that changes in femoral skin are more pronounced than in a foot skin, showing more severe signs of microangiopathy in a preserved main blood flow zone. The author proposes a concept, according to which the angiopathy stage reflects the diabetes mellitus stage.

Adult

Comparing the incidence of lower extremity amputations across the world: the Global Lower Extremity Amputation Study.

A substantial proportion of lower extremity amputations (LEAs), particularly in people with diabetes, are thought to be preventable by the provision of appropriate health care. Information on the incidence of LEAs which is accurate, up-to-date, and comparable cross-sectionally and longitudinally is essential to guide and monitor interventions aimed at their prevention. Current information on the incidence of LEAs is limited and differences between studies in case definition, presentation of rates, level of ascertainment, and population age structure often make meaningful comparisons impossible. To remedy this situation the global LEA study has been established. The study is designed to compare the incidence of LEAs over time within and between communities across the world. The methodology includes adherence to a standard definition of LEA, standardized methods of data collection with built-in quality control, and correction for under-ascertainment of cases (using capture-recapture methodology). Centres wishing to take part in the study must be able to identify a study population of at least 250,000, have reasonably up-to-date population numbers by age and sex, and be prepared to stay in the study for at least 2 years. A study registration form (Appendix 1) is provided.

Age Factors

[Effect of sub-extreme and extreme factors on liver lysosomes].

Functional state of the lysosomal liver system in rats under subextreme and extreme influences (an intense muscle tension, fasting and combination of the both factors) was studied. An elevation of the acid hydrolases activity and labilization of the lysosomal membranes could be observed in the course of the body overstraining. Activation of lysosomal system correlated well with the extent of overstraining and reflected an adaptive reconstruction of the cellular structure and metabolism.

Animals

[The floating joint injury of the lower and upper extremity--epidemiology, therapy and results in 40 extremities].

GOAL: Floating Joint Injuries (FJI) are resulting from high energy traumas and are often combined with additional neuro/vascular damage. The high incidence of severe open or closed soft tissue injuries is complicating the initial management and requires a broad surgical know-how also in minimal-invasive fixation techniques. In a retrospective analysis of our cases treated between 1980 and 1995, we try to find out some important therapeutical feedback for the future. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Of the 37 patients, 33 had a FJI of the lower (2 bilateral) and 7 patients of the upper extremity. 90% were road traffic injuries, 75% showed an open fracture situation and 25% an associated neuro-vascular injury. All fractures were stabilised within the first hours, femur, humerus and forearm in one step, the tibia in 33% in two steps (initial external fixator ...). 80% of the FJI have been reexamined after 1-2 y. RESULTS: Local complication: Femur: 4/33 (1 infection, 2 refractures, 1 non-union). Tibia: 11/33 (5 infections, 4 delayed/non-unions, 2 malalignements). Humerus: 0/7. Forearm: 1/7 (1 malalignement). 1-2 y-results: Very good-good: Femur: 26/27 (96%). Tibia: 23/27 (85%). Humerus: 4/5. Forearm: 3/5. DISCUSSION: FJI should be stabilised as soon as possible in a way allowing for early functional aftercare of the affected joint. Most complications are observed in the proximal tibia fracture because of the thin and therefore often severely (open or closed) injured soft tissue cover. Despite a staged procedure, there exists a high complication rate, which probably can be reduced in the future by the single-step use of the hybrid external fixateur.

Adolescent