Genomics of the human carnitine acyltransferase genes.

Five genes in the human genome are known to encode different active forms of related carnitine acyltransferases: CPT1A for liver-type carnitine palmitoyltransferase I, CPT1B for muscle-type carnitine palmitoyltransferase I, CPT2 for carnitine palmitoyltransferase II, CROT for carnitine octanoyltransferase, and CRAT for carnitine acetyltransferase. Only from two of these genes (CPT1B and CPT2) have full genomic structures been described. Data from the human genome sequencing efforts now reveal drafts of the genomic structure of CPT1A and CRAT, the latter not being known from any other mammal.

Perinatal changes in myocardial metabolism in lambs.

Background: Lactate accounts for a third of myocardial oxygen consumption before and in the first 2 weeks after birth. It is unknown how the remainder of myocardial oxygen is consumed. Glucose is thought to be important before birth, whereas long-chain fatty acids (LC-FA) are the prime substrate for the adult.

Rationale for a conditional knockout mouse model to study carnitine palmitoyltransferase I deficiencies.

Several severe congenital cardiomyopathies are known to be associated with deficiencies in long-chain fatty acid transport and oxidation. Our studies are focused on a key enzyme in the regulation of intracellular long-chain fatty acid transport: carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1. Of this enzyme, two isoforms are expressed in the neonatal heart: L-CPT1 (the "liver-type" isoform) and M-CPT1 (the "muscle-type" isoform).

The gene for human TATA-binding-protein-associated factor (TAFII) 170: structure, promoter and chromosomal localization.

The TATA-binding protein (TBP) plays a central role in eukaryotic transcription and forms protein complexes with TBP-associated factors (TAFs). The genes encoding TAF(II) proteins frequently map to chromosomal regions altered in human neoplasias. TAF(II)170 of B-TFIID is a member of the SF2 superfamily of putative helicases.

First-pass lung uptake and pulmonary clearance of propofol: assessment with a recirculatory indocyanine green pharmacokinetic model.

Background: The principal site for elimination of propofol is the liver. The clearance of propofol exceeds hepatic blood flow; therefore, extrahepatic clearance is thought to contribute to its elimination. This study examined the pulmonary kinetics of propofol using part of an indocyanine green (ICG) recirculatory model.

Lower arterial glucose concentrations in lambs with aortopulmonary shunts after an 18-hour fast.

Spontaneously occurring hypoglycemia has been described in children with severe acute congestive heart failure. Hypoglycemia may be the result of an increase in glucose utilization in tissues, a decrease in glucose production, or a decrease in the dietary intake of nutrients. To determine whether hypoglycemia may also occur in congenital heart disease with volume overloading, we investigated glucose metabolism during and after an 18-hour fast in nine lambs with an aortopulmonary left-to-right shunt and nine control lambs.

Cytological evidence that the C-terminus of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I is on the cytosolic face of the mitochondrial outer membrane.

Carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT I) is a key enzyme in the regulation of beta-oxidation. The topology of this enzyme has been difficult to elucidate by biochemical methods. We studied the topology of a fusion protein of muscle-type CPT I (M-CPT I) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) by microscopical means.

Optimised sample preparation of synovial fluid for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis DNA by polymerase chain reaction.

Objective: To optimise sample preparation of synovial fluid for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Methods: Serial dilutions of purified CT elementary bodies in synovial fluid were prepared. The synovial fluid pellet was processed by eight different methods of sample preparation.

Recirculatory and compartmental pharmacokinetic modeling of alfentanil in pigs: the influence of cardiac output.

Background: Cardiac output (CO) is likely to influence the pharmacokinetics of anesthetic drugs and should be accounted for in pharmacokinetic models. The influence of CO on the pharmacokinetic parameters of alfentanil in pigs was evaluated using compartmental and recirculatory models.

Methods: Twenty-four premedicated pigs were evaluated during halothane (0.

Myocardial lactate metabolism in fetal and newborn lambs.

Background: Around birth, myocardial substrate supply changes from carbohydrates before birth to primarily fatty acids after birth. Parallel to these changes, the myocardium is expected to switch from the use of primarily lactate before birth to fatty acids thereafter. However, myocardial lactate uptake and oxidation around birth has not been measured in vivo.

The Sox-13 gene: structure, promoter characterization, and chromosomal localization.

We have recently identified the HMG box transcription factor Sox-13 and described its expression during murine embryogenesis. Here we describe the structure of the murine Sox-13 gene. This gene spans approximately 12 kb and consists of 13 exons.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis shows the frequent occurrence of 14q32.3 rearrangements with involvement of immunoglobulin switch regions in myeloma cell lines.

In many B-cell malignancies, 14q32.3 chromosomal rearrangements involving the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) locus have been shown to be pathognomonic for the disease. Although in myeloma heterogeneous and complex karyotypes are found, 14q32.

Lactate kinetics at rest and during exercise in lambs with aortopulmonary shunts.

In a previous study [G. C. M.

Identification of APC2, a homologue of the adenomatous polyposis coli tumour suppressor.

The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumour-suppressor protein controls the Wnt signalling pathway by forming a complex with glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK-3beta), axin/conductin and betacatenin. Complex formation induces the rapid degradation of betacatenin. In colon carcinoma cells, loss of APC leads to the accumulation of betacatenin in the nucleus, where it binds to and activates the Tcf-4 transcription factor (reviewed in [1] [2]).

Genetic mapping of the copper toxicosis locus in Bedlington terriers to dog chromosome 10, in a region syntenic to human chromosome region 2p13-p16.

Abnormal hepatic copper accumulation is recognized as an inherited disorder in man, mouse, rat and dog. The major cause of hepatic copper accumulation in man is a dysfunctional ATP7B gene, causing Wilson disease (WD). Mutations in the ATP7B genes have also been demonstrated in mouse and rat.

Bacterial antigens in reactive arthritis and spondarthritis. Rational use of laboratory testing in diagnosis and follow-up.

An aetiological diagnosis of reactive arthritis is based on the demonstration of recent or ongoing infection with the causative bacterium. This may be done by serological demonstration of antibacterial antibodies, demonstration of the causative microorganism at an extra-articular site or by identification of bacterial nucleic acids or antigens in joint material from patients with aseptic arthritis. The finding of elevated titres of bacteria-specific IgG- and IgA-class antibodies may indicate recent or persistent infection, but has some limitations due to the prevalence of such antibodies among apparently healthy individuals and the persistence of such antibodies after the infection.

Increased myocardial lactate oxidation in lambs with aortopulmonary shunts at rest and during exercise.

Free fatty acids are the major fuels for the myocardium, but during a higher load carbohydrates are preferred. Previously, we demonstrated that myocardial net lactate uptake was higher in lambs with aortopulmonary shunts than in control lambs. To determine whether this was caused by an increased lactate uptake and oxidation or by a decreased lactate release, we studied myocardial lactate and glucose metabolism with 13C-labeled substrates in 36 lambs in a fasting, conscious state.

Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling of the EEG effect of alfentanil in rats: assessment of rapid functional adaptation.

1. The purpose of the present investigation was to quantify rapid functional adaptation in the concentration-pharmacological effect relationship of alfentanil in rats using quantitative EEG parameters as a pharmacodynamic endpoint. Three groups of 6-7 rats received in a randomized fashion two consecutive infusions of 2.

Do I dare? Using role-play as a teaching strategy.

Role-play is a teaching strategy that models patient behaviors and nursing interventions that students need to learn in psychiatric nursing. Applications of this strategy can be used in both classroom and clinical settings. Benefits of using role-play range from cost effectiveness and active learning to modeling expected performance/skill levels and increasing self-confidence and assertiveness.

Perinatal changes in myocardial supply and flux of fatty acids, carbohydrates, and ketone bodies in lambs.

No information is available on perinatal changes in myocardial metabolism in vivo. We measured myocardial supply and flux of fatty acids, carbohydrates, and ketone bodies in chronically instrumented fetal, newborn (1-4 days), and juvenile (7 wk) lambs, by measuring aorta-coronary sinus concentration differences and blood flow. In the fetal lambs, myocardial supply and flux of fatty acids were zero.