Effects of topiramate on ethanol and saccharin consumption and preferences in C57BL/6J mice.

Background: Topiramate has recently been found to be more effective than placebo as an adjunct treatment for alcohol dependence, but it has not yet been investigated in animal models of ethanol consumption. The current experiment examined the effects of topiramate on ethanol drinking in mice using a continuous access, two-bottle choice procedure.

Method: C57BL/6J male mice were offered a 10% v/v ethanol solution versus tap water over 4 consecutive days per week.

Metastatic spinal cord compression by solid tumors.

As the survival of cancer patients continues to improve, physicians in the 21st century face the challenge of early detection of metastatic spinal cord compression. Prompt diagnosis and intervention increase the likelihood of functional recovery. Because the epidural space is the most common site of spinal cord metastasis from solid tumors, this article will review the epidemiology, relevant anatomy, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, treatment, and prognosis for metastatic epidural spinal cord compression.

Alvimopan, a novel, peripherally acting mu opioid antagonist: results of a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III trial of major abdominal surgery and postoperative ileus.

Objective: To demonstrate that alvimopan (6 or 12 mg) accelerates recovery of gastrointestinal (GI) function in patients undergoing laparotomy for bowel resection or radical hysterectomy.

Summary Background Data: Postoperative ileus (POI) following laparotomy may increase morbidity and extend hospitalization. Opioids can contribute to the duration of POI.

Structure-function analysis of tRNA(Gln) in an Escherichia coli knockout strain.

The diverse and highly specific interaction between RNAs and proteins plays an essential role in many important biological processes. In the glutamine aminoacylation system, crystal structures of the free and ligated macromolecules have provided a description of the tRNA-protein interactions at the molecular level. This data lays the foundation for genetic, biochemical, and structural analyses to delineate the set of key interactions that governs the structure-function relationships of the two macromolecules.

Allopregnanolone does not influence ethanol-induced conditioned place preference in DBA/2J mice.

Rationale: The neurosteroid allopregnanolone (ALLOP; 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one) produces behavioral and discriminative characteristics similar to that of ethanol (EtOH) and can modulate some of the behavioral and electrophysiological effects of EtOH.

Objective: The present experiments investigated ALLOP modulation of the effects of EtOH in a place conditioning procedure in male DBA/2J mice.

Methods: In a series of experiments examining different EtOH doses (1, 2 g/kg) and ALLOP administration times, ALLOP (0, 3.

The Omp85 family of proteins is essential for outer membrane biogenesis in mitochondria and bacteria.

Integral proteins in the outer membrane of mitochondria control all aspects of organelle biogenesis, being required for protein import, mitochondrial fission, and, in metazoans, mitochondrial aspects of programmed cell death. How these integral proteins are assembled in the outer membrane had been unclear. In bacteria, Omp85 is an essential component of the protein insertion machinery, and we show that members of the Omp85 protein family are also found in eukaryotes ranging from plants to humans.

Determination of bone age in children with cartilaginous dysplasia (multiple hereditary osteochondromatosis and Ollier's enchondromatosis).

Cartilaginous dysplasias (multiple hereditary osteochondromatosis [MHO] and Ollier's enchondromatosis [OE]) are common pediatric orthopaedic conditions. Long bone growth deformities commonly develop in children with MHO and OE. The timing of procedures frequently used to treat these deformities is often dependent upon the bone age.

Scoliotic curve patterns in patients with Chiari I malformation and/or syringomyelia.

Study Design: A retrospective radiographic review was performed on 41 patients with scoliosis associated with a Chiari I malformation and/or syringomyelia.

Objectives: To characterize curve patterns and curve features in this population and possibly refine the radiographic indications for magnetic resonance imaging in patients with a normal history and physical examination.

Summary Of Background Data: A subset of patients with "idiopathic" scoliosis may have an underlying neurologic abnormality.

Tom40, the import channel of the mitochondrial outer membrane, plays an active role in sorting imported proteins.

The Translocase of the Outer Mitochondrial membrane (TOM complex) is centred on a channel, created by Tom40, serving as the only means of entry for proteins into the mitochondrion. Proteins destined for internal mitochondrial compartments interact subsequently with one of the two distinct protein Translocases of the Inner Mitochondrial membrane (TIM23 and TIM54 complexes) or follow specialized paths into the intermembrane space. To investigate the sorting of precursor proteins to these various sub-mitochondrial compartments, we created a library of tom40 mutants and screened for alleles selectively corrupt in protein sorting.

Recognition of acceptor-stem structure of tRNA(Asp) by Escherichia coli aspartyl-tRNA synthetase.

Protein-RNA recognition between aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and tRNA is highly specific and essential for cell viability. We investigated the structure-function relationships involved in the interaction of the Escherichia coli tRNA(Asp) acceptor stem with aspartyl-tRNA synthetase. The goal was to isolate functionally active mutants and interpret them in terms of the crystal structure of the synthetase-tRNA(Asp) complex.

Neonatal kyphectomy in the patient with myelomeningocele.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study was used to investigate a group of neonates with myelomeningocele who had a kyphectomy performed in conjunction with dural sac closure during the first few days of life.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of operative intervention in the neonatal period to correct the kyphotic deformity in the patient with myelomeningocele and to monitor its long-term results.

Summary Of Background Data: Orthopedic management originally focused on the immediate treatment of the kyphotic deformity in the infant with myelomeningocele.

Review of existing research on microgravity boiling and two-phase flow: future experiments on the international space station.

This paper describes research objectives on boiling and two-phase flow under microgravity conditions from both scientific and technological points of view. Existing research for various systems in flow boiling are briefly reviewed and problems indicated for research conducted by available facilities with short microgravity duration. A wide range of experimental subjects that become possible by using different types of test sections is clarified and the validity of long term experiments is emphasized.

Annular flow film characteristics in variable gravity.

Annular flow is a frequently occurring flow regime in many industrial applications. The need for a better understanding of this flow regime is driven by the desire to improve the design of many terrestrial and space systems. Annular two-phase flow occurs in the mining and transportation of oil and natural gas, petrochemical processes, and boilers and condensers in heating and refrigeration systems.

Prenatal ethanol exposure and spatial navigation: effects of postnatal handling and aging.

Prenatal ethanol exposure results in spatial navigation deficits in young and mid-aged animals. In contrast, postnatal handling attenuates spatial deficits that emerge with age in animals that are not handled. Therefore, we investigated the ability of handling to attenuate spatial deficits in animals prenatally exposed to ethanol (E).

A conserved proline residue is present in the transmembrane-spanning domain of Tom7 and other tail-anchored protein subunits of the TOM translocase.

The TOM translocase consists of several integral membrane proteins organised around the channel forming protein Tom40. Here we show that one of these protein subunits, Tom7, is a tail-anchored protein. The carboxy-terminal 33 amino acids of Tom7 contain the information for targeting the protein to the mitochondrial outer membrane, and a conserved proline residue within the transmembrane segment is required for efficient targeting of Tom7 to the outer membrane.

Both paracetamol and ibuprofen are equally effective in managing flu-like symptoms in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients during interferon beta-1a (AVONEX) therapy.

Interferon beta-1a is an established therapy for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Adverse effects in the first weeks of treatment are common. This open-label, multicenter, randomized, prospective study compared treatment of flu-like symptoms (FLS) with paracetamol versus ibuprofen administered 48 h within interferon injection.

The structure of an AspRS-tRNA(Asp) complex reveals a tRNA-dependent control mechanism.

The 2.6 A resolution crystal structure of an inactive complex between yeast tRNA(Asp) and Escherichia coli aspartyl-tRNA synthetase reveals the molecular details of a tRNA-induced mechanism that controls the specificity of the reaction. The dimer is asymmetric, with only one of the two bound tRNAs entering the active site cleft of its subunit.

Parental training and involvement in sexuality education for students who are deaf.

The study examined whether schools for the deaf were providing services to assist parents in communicating with their children about sexuality (including sexual signs) and whether parents were involved in the sexuality education curriculum within their child's school. The Sexuality Curriculum Questionnaire for Educators of Students Who Are Deaf (Getch & Gabriel, 1998) was completed by 71 educators teaching sexuality curricula in schools for the deaf across the United States. Results indicated that parents were more likely to be involved in approval and development of their children's sexuality education than to receive assistance with sexuality education from the schools.

Plasmid systems to study RNA function in Escherichia coli.

Determining the functional activity of an essential RNA in vivo presents special challenges. We have devised an in vivo analysis of alternative forms of an essential tRNA gene in Escherichia coli knockout cells using either a plasmid switch or a regulated two-plasmid system. The model system is presented together with a description of the new plasmids and procedures necessary to effect these analyses.

Construction of an Escherichia coli knockout strain for functional analysis of tRNA(Asp).

The specific aminoacylation of tRNA is critical for translation of the genetic code. A molecular description of aminoacylation requires knowledge of the relevant three-dimensional structures, biochemical parameters and the structure-function relationship of the synthetase and its substrate tRNA. Extensive structural and biochemical data are available on the aspartic acid system of Escherichia coli, but there is a paucity of cellular functional data.

Variations in corticosterone feedback do not reveal differences in hpa activity after prenatal ethanol exposure.

Background: Prenatal ethanol exposure results in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) hyperresponsiveness to stressors in adult animals. Possible mechanisms mediating this alteration in HPA responsiveness include stress-associated changes in corticosterone (CORT) feedback signals, alterations in CORT signals under basal conditions, and CORT-independent mechanisms.

Methods: We examined the effects of adrenalectomy (ADX) and CORT replacement with a constant, low-level CORT signal via CORT/cholesterol pellets on HPA responses to restraint stress.

Simple and efficient method for measuring anti-toxoplasma immunoglobulin antibodies in human sera using complement-mediated lysis of transgenic tachyzoites expressing beta-galactosidase.

A simple and efficient method using transgenic Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites expressing beta-galactosidase was developed for detection of specific antibodies against the parasite in sera of patients. The titers obtained with the new test were similar to those obtained with the Sabin-Feldman dye test run in parallel. Although significant changes in endpoint titers were not observed when sera drawn sequentially at 2- to 3-week intervals were tested with both procedures, apparent differences in antibody affinity were observed with the new test which were not perceptible with the Sabin-Feldman dye test.

Effects of prenatal ethanol exposure and postnatal handling on conditioned taste aversion.

Studies have shown that animals prenatally exposed to ethanol (E) exhibit deficits in conditioned taste aversion as well as displaying hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) hyperresponsiveness during exposure to stressors. In contrast, postnatal handling has been shown to attenuate both emotional and HPA reactivity under certain conditions. The present study tested the hypothesis that handling could attenuate adverse effects of prenatal ethanol exposure on consummatory behavior and HPA activity in a conditioned taste aversion task.

The alpha and the beta: protein translocation across mitochondrial and plastid outer membranes.

In the evolution of mitochondria and plastids from endosymbiotic bacteria, most of the proteins that make up these organelles have become encoded by nuclear genes and must therefore be transported across the organellar membranes, following synthesis in the cytosol. The core component of the protein translocation machines in both the mitochondrial and plastid outer membranes appears to be a beta-barrel protein, perhaps a relic from their bacterial ancestry, distinguishing these translocases from the alpha-helical-based protein translocation pores found in all other eukaryotic membranes.