RESUMEN
The ability of myeloid regulatory cells (MRCs) to control immune responses and to promote tolerance has prompted enormous interest in exploiting them therapeutically to treat inflammation, autoimmunity, or to improve outcomes in transplantation. While immunomodulatory small-molecule compounds and antibodies have provided relief for some patients, the dosing entails high systemic drug exposures and thus increased risk of off-target adverse effects. More recently, MRC-based cell-therapy products have entered clinical testing for tolerance induction. However, the elaborate and expensive protocols currently required to manufacture engineered MRCs ex vivo put this approach beyond the reach of many patients who might benefit. A solution could be to directly program MRCs in vivo. Here we describe a targeted nanocarrier that delivers in vitro-transcribed mRNA encoding a key anti-inflammatory mediator. We demonstrate in models of systemic lupus erythematosus that infusions of nanoparticles formulated with mRNA encoding glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) effectively control the disease. We further establish that these nanoreagents are safe for repeated dosing. Implemented in the clinic, this new therapy could enable physicians to treat autoimmune disease while avoiding systemic treatments that disrupt immune homeostasis.
Asunto(s)
Autoinmunidad , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico , Humanos , Inflamación , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/genética , Células Mieloides , Factores de TranscripciónRESUMEN
Aortic stenosis affects 0.028% of cats in a shelter population, with valvular aortic stenosis compromising almost half of these cases. Of congenital heart diseases reported in cats, aortic stenosis is the second most common one, affecting 17% of these cases. Existing literature on valvular aortic stenosis is scant, and thus, presentation and prognosis of affected animals is poorly understood. In this case series, we describe three cats with confirmed valvular aortic stenosis. All cases were diagnosed echocardiographically, and all three had visible aortic valve leaflet fusion and a poststenotic dilation of the ascending aorta. Congestive heart failure developed in all three cases, and prognosis was poor. This case report highlights the existence of aortic valve dysplasia in cats and may allow clinicians a better understanding of the clinical presentation of this congenital abnormality.
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Estenosis de la Válvula Aórtica/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Gatos/diagnóstico , Animales , Estenosis de la Válvula Aórtica/congénito , Estenosis de la Válvula Aórtica/diagnóstico , Enfermedades de los Gatos/congénito , Gatos , Ecocardiografía/veterinaria , Femenino , MasculinoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Mild traumatic brain injury is a common presentation to Emergency Departments. Early identification of patients with cognitive deficits and provision of discharge advice are important. The Abbreviated Westmead Post-traumatic Amnesia Scale provides an early and efficient assessment of post-traumatic amnesia for patients with mild traumatic brain injuries, compared with the previously used assessment, the Modified Oxford Post-traumatic Scale. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study reviewed 270 patients with mild traumatic brain injury assessed for post-traumatic amnesia over a 2-year period between February 2011 and February 2013. It identified those assessed with Abbreviated Westmead Post-traumatic Amnesia Scale versus Modified Oxford Post-traumatic Scale, the outcomes of these post-traumatic amnesia assessments, the hospital length of stay for patients, and their readmission rates. RESULTS: The Abbreviated Westmead Post-traumatic Amnesia Scale was used in 91% of patient cases (and the Modified Oxford Post-traumatic Scale in 7%), and of those assessed with the Abbreviated Westmead Post-traumatic Amnesia Scale, 94% cleared post-traumatic amnesia testing within 4 h. Of those assessed with the Abbreviated Westmead Post-traumatic Amnesia Scale, 56% had a shorter length of stay than had they been assessed with the Modified Oxford Post-traumatic Scale, resulting in 295 bed-days saved. Verbal and written discharge advice was provided to those assessed for post-traumatic amnesia to assist their recovery. In all, 1% of patients were readmitted for monitoring of mild post-concussion symptoms. CONCLUSION: The Abbreviated Westmead Post-traumatic Amnesia Scale provides an effective and timely assessment of post-traumatic amnesia for patients presenting to the Emergency Department with mild traumatic brain injury compared with the previously used assessment tool. It helps identify patients with cognitive impairment and the need for admission and further investigation, resulting in appropriate access to care. It also results in a decreased length of stay and decreased hospital admissions, with subsequent cost savings to the hospital.
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Amnesia/diagnóstico , Conmoción Encefálica/complicaciones , Tiempo de Internación/estadística & datos numéricos , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Amnesia/etiología , Niño , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Retrospectivos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
In 2015, H3N2 canine influenza emerged in dogs in the greater Chicago area. During this time, a 10-year-old German Shepherd dog presented to the referring veterinarian with lethargy and coughing that quickly progressed to death. This report describes the macroscopic and microscopic lesions and the molecular testing performed to identify the novel North American H3N2 strain of canine influenza. The larynx, pharynx, and trachea were covered by a fibrinonecrotic membrane. Bilaterally, the lungs had multifocal subpleural necrosis of the caudal lung lobes with hemorrhage, congestion, and pulmonary edema. Staphylococcus pseudointermedius was isolated from the lung. Mycoplasma cynos was identified by real-time polymerase chain reaction from nasal passages, oropharynx, larynx, trachea, and cranial lung lobes. The neuraminidase gene sequence from the influenza virus isolated obtained from this dog had ≥98% homology to the strain circulating in the Chicago area.
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Enfermedades de los Perros/virología , Subtipo H3N2 del Virus de la Influenza A , Infecciones por Orthomyxoviridae/veterinaria , Animales , Chicago , Enfermedades de los Perros/patología , Perros , Resultado Fatal , Infecciones por Orthomyxoviridae/patología , Infecciones por Orthomyxoviridae/virologíaRESUMEN
Baseline information on the diversity and population densities of fungi collected from soil debris and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) roots was determined. Samples were collected from Tifton, GA, and Starkville, MS containing cotton field soil treated with the nematicides 1,3-dichloroproprene (fumigant) and aldicarb (granules). A total of 10,550 and 13,450 fungal isolates were collected from these two study sites, respectively. Of this total, 34 genera of plant pathogenic or saprophytic species were identified. Pathogenic root fungi included Fusarium spp. (40% of all isolations), Macrophomina, Pythium, Rhizoctonia, and Sclerotium. Fusarium and Rhizoctonia were the most common fungal species identified and included F. oxysporum, F. verticillioides and F. solani, the three Fusarium species pathogenic on cotton plants. Population densities of Fusarium were not significantly different among locations or tissue types sampled. Macrophomina was isolated at greater numbers near the end of the growing seasons. Anastomosis groups of R. solani isolated from roots and soil debris included AG-3, -4, -7, 2-2, and -13 and anastomosis groups of binucleate Rhizoctonia included CAG-2, -3, and -5. Occurrences and frequency of isolations among sampling dates were not consistent. Fluctuations in the frequency of isolation of Rhizoctonia did not correspond with changes in frequency of isolation of the biological control fungus, Trichoderma. When individual or pooled frequencies of the mycobiota were compared to nematicide treatments, no specific trends occurred between treatments, application methods or rates. Results from this study show that use of 1,3-D and aldicarb in cotton fields does not significantly impact plant pathogenic fungi or saprophytic fungal populations. Thus cotton producers need not adjust seedling disease control measures when these two nematicides are used.
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Aldicarb/farmacología , Compuestos Alílicos/farmacología , Antinematodos/farmacología , Hongos/efectos de los fármacos , Gossypium/microbiología , Raíces de Plantas/microbiología , Microbiología del Suelo , Animales , Hongos/crecimiento & desarrollo , Hongos/aislamiento & purificación , Hidrocarburos Clorados , Enfermedades de las Plantas/microbiología , Enfermedades de las Plantas/parasitologíaRESUMEN
A 2-year (1999-2000) study was conducted at Starkville and Stoneville, MS to determine if the occurrence of the mycoflora varied on Roundup Ready (transgenic) compared to conventional soybean (Glycine max) cultivars. A total of 7,658 fungal isolates were identified from the pod and seed tissues of four cultivars compared at growth stages R6 and R8. Ninety-nine percent of all fungi isolated were mitosporic fungi and ascomycetes. In both years, total fungal isolates from the two locations were greater from the pod (65%) than from seed (33%) tissues. Isolation frequency from conventional cultivars was 54% compared to 46% for the transgenic cultivars. The most common fungi identified that are reported pathogens of soybean included Alternaria, Cercospora, Cladosporium, Diaporthe, Fusarium and Verticillium spp. When main effects and interactions were compared among the frequency data for the fungal genera, significant differences occurred, but consistent trends were not noted. Isolation frequencies of Diaporthe spp. during the R6 growth stage, were significantly greater on the conventional than on the transgenic cultivars in both years of the study, but only at Starkville. Isolation frequencies from samples taken during the R8 growth stage were similar at both locations in 1999 and 2000. Fusarium spp. isolated at R6 and R8 growth stages from pod and seed tissues were significantly greater on conventional than on transgenic cultivars in 2000. Even though frequencies were often significantly different between the transgenic and conventional cultivars, the data was not consistent between locations, pod and seed tissues, or growth stages. The pod and seed mycoflora of transgenic and conventional soybean cultivars was, therefore, similar in Mississippi.
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Frutas/microbiología , Hongos/aislamiento & purificación , Glycine max/microbiología , Glicina/análogos & derivados , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/microbiología , Semillas/microbiología , Antifúngicos/administración & dosificación , Ascomicetos/aislamiento & purificación , Glicina/administración & dosificación , Mississippi , Hongos Mitospóricos/aislamiento & purificación , Enfermedades de las Plantas/microbiología , GlifosatoRESUMEN
Sensory properties and rate of meltdown of nonfat (0% fat) and low-fat (2% fat) vanilla ice creams processed either by conventional valve homogenization or microfluidization of their mixes were compared with each other and to ice cream (10% fat) processed by conventional valve homogenization. Mixes for frozen dairy desserts containing 0, 2, and 10% fat were manufactured. Some of the nonfat and low-fat ice cream mixes were processed by microfluidization at 50, 100, 150, and 200 MPa, and the remaining nonfat and low-fat ice cream mixes and all of the ice cream mix were processed by conventional valve homogenization at 13.8 MPa, first stage, and 3.4 MPa, second stage. The finished frozen and hardened products were evaluated at d 1 and 45 for meltdown rate and for flavor and body and texture by preference testing. Nonfat and low-fat ice creams that usually had a slower meltdown were produced when processing their mixes by microfluidization instead of by conventional valve homogenization. Sensory scores for the ice cream were significantly higher than sensory scores for the nonfat and low-fat ice creams, but the sensory scores for the conventional valve homogenized controls for the nonfat ice cream and low-fat ice cream were not significantly different from the sensory scores for the nonfat ice cream and low-fat ice cream processed by microfluidization of the mixes, respectively. Microfluidization produced nonfat and low-fat ice creams that usually had a slower meltdown without affecting sensory properties.
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Productos Lácteos , Manipulación de Alimentos/métodos , Alimentos Congelados , Grasas de la Dieta/análisis , Calor , Humanos , Helados/análisis , Sensación , Gusto , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
Serum paraoxonase (PON1) is a high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated enzyme that hydrolyses aromatic esters, organophosphates and lactones and can protect low-density lipoprotein (LDL) against oxidation. These properties are influenced by a well-characterized polymorphism (Q192R) in human PON1. We now report the identification and characterization of a phenotypically similar, but genetically distinct polymorphism in rabbit PON1. This polymorphism in rabbits was detected by phenotyping sera obtained from 16 inbred rabbit strains and 20 outbred New Zealand White rabbits by paraoxonase/arylesterase activity. The genetic basis of the rabbit polymorphism was determined by DNA sequencing and found to reside in a region distinct from the human Q192R and M55L polymorphisms. Three variant nucleotides within exon 4 (corresponding to P82S, K93E and S1O1G) were found to segregate with the observed rabbit PON1 phenotypes (rPON1A and rPON1B). The rPON1A and rPON1B proteins were purified and compared to the two human isoforms (192Q and 192R). The human and rabbit PON1s displayed similar characteristics with respect to physical properties and substrate specificity. However, rPON1A and rPON1B hydrolysed a variety of substrates at different rates. The rPON1A was also at least three-fold more efficient at protecting LDL from oxidation than rPON1B. Our characterization of a rabbit PON1 polymorphism provides useful insights into important functional residues in PON1. In addition, due to the observed similarities between the rabbit and human polymorphisms, the rabbit may serve as a good model to examine the effect of human PON1 polymorphisms in disease development.
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Esterasas/genética , Isoenzimas/genética , Polimorfismo Genético , Animales , Arildialquilfosfatasa , Secuencia de Bases , Cartilla de ADN , Esterasas/sangre , Esterasas/metabolismo , Exones , Haplotipos , Homocigoto , Humanos , Isoenzimas/sangre , Isoenzimas/metabolismo , Conejos , Especificidad de la Especie , Especificidad por SustratoRESUMEN
The paraoxonase gene family contains at least three members: PON1, PON2, and PON3. The physiological roles of the corresponding gene products are still uncertain. Until recently, only the serum paraoxonase/arylesterase (PON1) had been purified and characterized. Here we report the purification, cloning, and characterization of rabbit serum PON3. PON3 is a 40-kDa protein associated with the high density lipoprotein fraction of serum. In contrast to PON1, PON3 has very limited arylesterase and no paraoxonase activities but rapidly hydrolyzes lactones such as statin prodrugs (e.g. lovastatin). These differences facilitated the complete separation of PON3 from PON1 during purification. PON3 hydrolyzes aromatic lactones and 5- or 6-member ring lactones with aliphatic substituents but not simple lactones or those with polar substituents. We cloned PON3 from total rabbit liver RNA and expressed it in mammalian 293T/17 cells. The recombinant PON3 has the same apparent molecular mass and substrate specificity as the enzyme purified from serum. Rabbit serum PON3 is more efficient than rabbit PON1 in protecting low density lipoprotein from copper-induced oxidation. This is the first report that identifies a second PON enzyme in mammalian serum and the first to describe an enzymatic activity for PON3.
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Esterasas/fisiología , Lactonas/metabolismo , Lipoproteínas HDL/metabolismo , Lipoproteínas LDL/metabolismo , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Animales , Arildialquilfosfatasa , Secuencia de Bases , Esterasas/genética , Peroxidación de Lípido , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Peso Molecular , ConejosRESUMEN
Glucocorticoid (GC) administration induces atrophy of skin, bone, and other organs, partly by reducing tissue content of glycosaminoglycans, particularly hyaluronic acid (HA). We took advantage of the recent cloning of the three human hyaluronan synthase (HAS) enzymes (HAS1, HAS2 and HAS3), to explore the molecular mechanisms of this side effect. Northern and slot blots performed on RNA extracted from cultured dermal fibroblasts and the MG-63 osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cell line indicated that HAS2 is the predominant HAS mRNA in these cells. Incubation of both cell types for 24 h in the presence of 10(-6) M dexamethasone (DEX) resulted in a striking 97--98% suppression of HAS2 mRNA levels. Time-course studies in fibroblasts demonstrated suppression of HAS2 mRNA to 28% of control by 1 h, and to 1.2% of control by 2 h, after addition of DEX. Dose-response studies in fibroblasts indicated that the majority of the suppressive effect required concentrations characteristic of cell-surface GC receptors, a point confirmed by persistent DEX-induced suppression in the presence of RU486, an antagonist of classic cytosolic steroid hormone receptors. Nuclear run-off experiments showed a 70% suppression of HAS2 gene transcription in nuclei from DEX-treated fibroblasts, which is unlikely to fully explain the rapid 50--80-fold reduction in message levels. Experiments with actinomycin D (AMD) demonstrated that the message half-life was 25 min in cells without DEX, whereas the combination of AMD with DEX dramatically increased the half-life of HAS2 mRNA, suggesting that DEX acts by inducing a short-lived destabilizer of the HAS2 message. Direct assessment of HAS2 mRNA stability by wash-out of incorporated uridine label established a half-life of 31 min in cells without DEX, which substantially shortened in the presence of DEX. In conclusion, GCs induce a rapid and sustained, near-total suppression of HAS2 message levels, mediated through substantial decreases in both gene transcription and message stability. These effects may contribute to the loss of HA in GC-treated organs.
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Atrofia/enzimología , Atrofia/metabolismo , Fibroblastos/enzimología , Glucocorticoides/farmacología , Glucuronosiltransferasa/metabolismo , Glicosiltransferasas , Proteínas de la Membrana , Osteoblastos/enzimología , ARN Mensajero/metabolismo , Piel/enzimología , Transferasas , Proteínas de Xenopus , Northern Blotting , Núcleo Celular/metabolismo , Células Cultivadas , Clonación Molecular , Dactinomicina/farmacología , Dexametasona/farmacología , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Fibroblastos/patología , Antagonistas de Hormonas/farmacología , Humanos , Hialuronano Sintasas , Mifepristona/farmacología , Inhibidores de la Síntesis del Ácido Nucleico/farmacología , Osteoblastos/patología , Osteosarcoma/enzimología , Osteosarcoma/patología , Piel/patología , Factores de Tiempo , Transcripción Genética , Células Tumorales Cultivadas , Uridina/metabolismoRESUMEN
In the late stages of spermatogenesis, winter flounder produce a family of high molecular mass (80-200 kDa) basic nuclear proteins (HMrBNPs) that combine with the normal complement of histones to produce condensed sperm chromatin with an increased nucleosomal repeat length. The HMrBNPs have a biased amino-acid composition in which Arg, Ser, Lys and Pro are abundant because of their presence in many simple peptide repeats. The organization of these repeats was deduced by cDNA cloning. The predominant repeating units are related 26- and 30-amino-acid sequences that in turn are linked by 6-amino-acid spacers to form 58- and 62-amino-acid repeats. Subsets of these repeats are also present, such as a dispersed 20-amino-acid repeat and a tandem array of nine heptapeptides at the C-terminus. The HMrBNPs appear to have evolved from an extreme H1 variant that has an N-terminal tail of HMrBNP-like sequence linked to an H1 globular region. Based on sequences of the most abundant HMrBNP cDNAs, and the lack of hybridization between HMrBNP mRNAs and a DNA probe for the H1 globular region, the latter domain appears to have been lost during expansion and amplification of the HMrBNP-like repeats. Transcripts of the HMrBNP and H1 variant genes are present in testis RNAs only during the mid-spermatid stage of spermatogenesis, at the same time that HMrBNPs in their highly phosphorylated form first appear in the nucleus. Judging by the lack of a lag between HMrBNP mRNA synthesis and translation, the mRNAs for these highly basic proteins are not stored for any length of time. Instead, the deposition of HMrBNPs onto DNA, which coincides with the major reorganization and silencing of the chromatin, may be controlled by dephosphorylation.
Asunto(s)
Cromatina/genética , Proteínas de Peces , Lenguado/genética , Histonas/genética , Espermatozoides/metabolismo , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Animales , Secuencia de Bases , Cromatina/química , Clonación Molecular , Codón , ADN Complementario , Ligamiento Genético , Histonas/química , Masculino , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , ARN Mensajero/genética , Homología de Secuencia de AminoácidoRESUMEN
The high molecular weight basic nuclear proteins (HMrBNPs), which are tightly bound to sperm chromatin in winter flounder, are made up of imperfect reiterations of simple peptide sequences that contain phosphorylatable DNA-binding motifs. Genomic Southern blots hybridized with probes to the coding and non-coding regions of HMrBNP mRNA showed that HMrBNP sequences form a complex multi-gene family. Previously, one gene (2B) was used to establish an evolutionary link between histone H1 and the HMrBNPs. Further examination of this complex, multi-gene family has now revealed that the majority of the HMrBNP genes are linked as 4.5 kb direct tandem repeats that each contain a 2.8 kb coding region and a 1.7 kb intergenic region (IR). These findings, combined with the cloning of the IR, established that the tandemly repeated genes lack introns and code for the abundant 3 kb HMrBNP mRNAs that produce the prominent 110 kDa HMrBNP. Southern blotting of DNAs from other righteye flounder species showed that HMrBNP multi-gene families were present in closely related species, though with substantial differences in restriction patterns and band intensities, but were not detected in more distantly related flounders. These observations are consistent with recent and rapid elaboration of the HMrBNP gene family.
Asunto(s)
Lenguado/genética , Proteínas Nucleares/genética , Espermatozoides/metabolismo , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Animales , Secuencia de Bases , Amplificación de Genes , Masculino , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Familia de MultigenesRESUMEN
The brain organization for movement in a 20-year-old man with a history of intrauterine or perinatal right middle cerebral artery stroke was studied. [(15)O]-water positron emission tomography demonstrated a normal pattern of activation during finger movement in the right hand. Movement of the hemiparetic left hand was associated with activation in the supplementary motor area bilaterally and in the left premotor cortex. Blood flow increase was observed in the right temporal lobe adjacent to an extensive area of encephalomalacia, suggesting atypical motor function in the temporal lobe.
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Arterias Cerebrales/diagnóstico por imagen , Trastornos Cerebrovasculares/complicaciones , Hemiplejía/diagnóstico por imagen , Hemiplejía/etiología , Corteza Motora/diagnóstico por imagen , Tomografía Computarizada de Emisión , Adulto , Circulación Cerebrovascular/fisiología , Trastornos Cerebrovasculares/diagnóstico por imagen , Dominancia Cerebral/fisiología , Encefalomalacia/diagnóstico por imagen , Dedos/fisiopatología , Mano/fisiopatología , Hemiplejía/fisiopatología , Humanos , Masculino , Registros Médicos , Corteza Motora/fisiopatología , Movimiento/fisiología , RadiografíaRESUMEN
Chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase (C6ST) is the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of chondroitin 6-sulfate, a glycosaminoglycan implicated in chondrogenesis, neoplasia, atherosclerosis, and other processes. C6ST catalyzes the transfer of sulfate from 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate to carbon 6 of the N-acetylgalactosamine residues of chondroitin. Based on the previously published avian sequence, we searched the database of expressed sequence tags (dbEST) and obtained partial-length cDNAs that we completed by 5'-RACE using human chondrosarcoma and endothelial-cell RNA as template. Stable transfection of our full-length expression construct into CHO-K1 cells resulted in marked increases in C6ST and keratan sulfate sulfotransferase (KSST) enzymatic activities in cell homogenates. The predicted 411 amino acid sequence of human C6ST contains an N-terminal hydrophobic domain consistent with membrane insertion, four potential sites for N-linked glycosylation, several consensus sequences for protein phosphorylation, and one RGD sequence. The human and chick C6ST cDNA share 51% nucleotide identity, 40% amino acyl identity, and 75% amino acyl conservation. The human C6ST gene structure has been elucidated and exhibits an intron-less coding region, and the gene has been mapped to human chromosome 11 by radiation hybrid panel mapping.
Asunto(s)
Cromosomas Humanos Par 11/genética , Sulfotransferasas/genética , Acetilgalactosamina/metabolismo , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Secuencia de Bases , Condroitín/metabolismo , Mapeo Cromosómico , Clonación Molecular , ADN Complementario/genética , Expresión Génica , Humanos , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Fosfoadenosina Fosfosulfato/metabolismo , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , Homología de Secuencia de Aminoácido , Carbohidrato SulfotransferasasRESUMEN
Unlike mammals, birds, and most other fishes, winter flounder completes spermatogenesis without replacing its germ cell histones with protamines. Instead, during spermiogenesis, these fish produce a family of high molecular weight (80,000-200,000) basic nuclear proteins (HMrBNPs) that bind to sperm chromatin containing the normal complement of histones. These large, basic proteins are built up of tandem iterations of oligopeptide repeats that contain phosphorylatable DNA-binding motifs. Although the HMrBNPs have no obvious homology to histones, protamines, or other sperm-specific chromatin proteins, we report here the isolation of a clone (2B) from a winter flounder genomic DNA library that establishes a link between the HMrBNPs and histone H1. The 2B sequence contains an open reading frame, which, when conceptually translated, encodes a 265-residue protein. At its N terminus the translation product contains numerous simple repeats that match the oligopeptides contained within the HMrBNPs. Unexpectedly, the C terminus of the putative protein shows 66% identity and 76% conservation to the histone H1 globular domain. This connection suggests that the HMrBNPs may have originated from the extended N-terminal tail region of a testis-specific, H1-like linker histone.
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Cromatina/química , Lenguado/genética , Histonas/genética , Espermatozoides/química , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Animales , Secuencia de Bases , Biblioteca Genómica , Masculino , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , Homología de Secuencia de AminoácidoRESUMEN
We studied the effect of Microfluidizer technology (sometimes referred to as "microfluidization"), a new ultra-high pressure homogenization process, on spores of Bacillus licheniformis in ice cream mix. Four batches of pasteurized ice cream mix were preheated to 33, 36, 44, or 50 degrees C, and spores of B. licheniformis were added to yield an inoculum of 2.0 x 10(4) spores/ ml of mix. Samples were treated at 50,000, 100,000, 150,000, and 200,000 kPa. Respective percentages of spore destruction ranged from 6 to 68%. As process pressure in the Microfluidizer system increased, the temperature of the product also increased. At the Microfluidizer system outlet, temperatures ranged from 46 to 88 degrees C. Therefore, a combination of forces, including high pressure and temperature, likely had a multiplier effect on spore destruction during Microfluidizer processing of ice cream mix. Data suggest that it might be possible to design a pasteurizer-Microfluidizer system that would inactivate most bacterial spores in dairy foods without the extreme heat treatment currently required in commercial processing operations.
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Bacillus , Conservación de Alimentos/métodos , Tecnología de Alimentos , Helados , Calor , Presión , Esporas BacterianasRESUMEN
Growth of Bacillus cereus ATCC 33018 was evaluated in half and half (10.5% fat), whipping cream (30% fat), and nondairy creamer (7.5% fat). Samples were inoculated with approximately 10 vegetative cells/ml or 100 spores/ml and were subsequently stored at 4, 7, 23 and 32 degrees C. Within 9 h at 32 degrees C and 11 h at 23 degrees C, in both half and half and whipping cream, vegetative cells and spores reached population levels that can cause foodborne illness. No growth occurred in any product stored at 4 or 7 degrees C. Sodium stearoyl lactylate, a fatty acid derivative that is used as an emulsifier, inhibited growth of spores and vegetative cells in the nondairy creamers stored at either 32 or 23 degrees C.
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Bacillus cereus/crecimiento & desarrollo , Café , Productos Lácteos/microbiología , Alimentos Formulados/microbiología , Temperatura , Infecciones por Bacillaceae/microbiología , Humanos , Esporas Bacterianas/fisiologíaRESUMEN
Two F2 populations of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) from the crosses of HS46 x MARCABUCAG8US-1-88 (MAR) and HS46 x Pee Dee 5363 (PD5363) were characterized for restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) using DNA probes. Seventy-three probe/enzyme combinations were used in the HS46 x MAR population analysis, which resulted in 42 informative polymorphic fragments. These 42 moleclar markers represented 26 polymorphic loci, which consisted of 15 codominant and 11 dominant (+/-) genotypes. Chi-square analyses of these loci fit expected genotypic ratios of 1â¶2â¶1 and 3â¶1, respectively An analysis of these loci with the MAPMAKER program resulted in the establishment of four linkage groups A, B, C, and D with 4,2,2, and 2 loci, respectively, as well as 16 unlinked loci. Six probe-enzyme combinations were assayed on the HS46 x PD5363 population, which resulted in 11 informative polymorphic fragments. These 11 fragments represented 6 polymorphic loci, 1 dominant (+/-) and 5 codominant genotypes. The MAPMAKER analysis of these loci yielded 2 linked loci. Thus, a total of 53 polymorphic fragments and 32 polymorphic loci, representing five linkage groups, were identified among the two families.
RESUMEN
Benzocaine (BNZ) and lidocaine (LC) are commonly used topical (spray) anesthetics approved for use in humans. Benzocaine has structural similarities to methemoglobin (MHb)-forming drugs that are current candidates for cyanide prophylaxis, while LC has been reported to increase MHb in man. In this study, we compared MHb and sulfhemoglobin (SHb) production in three groups of Macaques (Chinese rhesus and Indian rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina)) after exposure to BNZ and LC. Formation of SHb, unlike MHb, is not thought to be reversible and therefore is considered to be of greater toxic significance. Both MHb and SHb levels were measured periodically on a CO-Oximeter. All rhesus macaques (n = 8) were administered an intratracheal/intranasal) dose of 56 mg (low dose) or 280 mg (high dose) of BNZ or 40 mg of LC in a randomized cross-over design (all animals received all three treatments). Pig-tailed macaques (n = 6) were given an intranasal dose of 56 mg of BNZ and 40 mg of LC. As no differences in the peak MHb or time to peak (mean +/- SD) were observed among the three macaque subspecies, the data were pooled. Lidocaine did not cause MHb or SHb formation above baseline in any monkey. In contrast, all monkeys (n = 14) had a significant elevation in peak MHb formation after 56 mg of BNZ, which ranged from 4.0% to 19.4% with an average of 8.6 +/- 4.0% (mean +/- SD), with peak MHb levels reached at 30 min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Asunto(s)
Benzocaína/efectos adversos , Lidocaína/efectos adversos , Macaca , Metahemoglobinemia/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Monos/inducido químicamente , Sulfohemoglobinemia/veterinaria , Administración Intranasal , Anestesia Local/efectos adversos , Anestesia Local/veterinaria , Animales , Benzocaína/administración & dosificación , Monóxido de Carbono/metabolismo , Estudios Cruzados , Lidocaína/administración & dosificación , Macaca mulatta/metabolismo , Macaca nemestrina/metabolismo , Metahemoglobina/metabolismo , Metahemoglobinemia/inducido químicamente , Oximetría/veterinaria , Consumo de Oxígeno/efectos de los fármacos , Especificidad de la Especie , Sulfahemoglobina/metabolismo , Sulfohemoglobinemia/inducido químicamenteRESUMEN
Cochliobolus sativus (Ito and Kurib.) Drechsl. ex Dastur is a major foliar pathogen of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) which can greatly reduce the quantity and quality of forages available for animal consumption. A greenhouse screening program was initiated to determine the inheritance of resistance to C. sativus in tall fescue over several cycles of mass selection. Resistance to C. sativus in four tall fescue cultivars was increased with 2-3 cycles of mass selection. Realized heritabilities were low to moderate (0.04 to 0.58) indicating that environmental influences on the expression of resistance are quite high. Variances were unchanged by selection, indicating that further improvement should be possible. However, progress with mass selection can be expected to be slow. Lesion size was decreased in each cultivar by selecting for lesion coverage. Lesion size, being independent of inoculum load and therefore less subject to environmental variation, should be considered as an additional selection criteria to improve the rate of progress.