Stage-dependent expression of extra-embryonic tissue-spermatogenesis-homeobox gene 1 (ESX1) protein, a candidate marker for X chromosome-bearing sperm.

Extra-embryonic tissue-spermatogenesis-homeobox gene 1 (Esx1) encodes an X-linked homeobox protein. Despite the fact that the temporal and spatial mRNA expression pattern of the protein has been studied extensively in the testis, specific localisation of ESX1 in the testis remains to be determined. In the present study, we generated ESX1 antiserum to investigate the stage- and tissue-specific expression of ESX1 in the mouse.

[Epidemiology, prognosis and prevention of choriocarcinoma in University Hospital of Dakar].

The objective of this study was to define epidemiological profile of choriocarcinoma in Senegal, to evaluate its prognosis and to submit a better strategy of prevention. It's a retrospective cases-control study; all choriocarcinoma diagnosed from January 1st to December 31st 2000 at Dakar University Teaching Hospital. The control were chosen among patients who had molar abortion during the same time than the cases and did not developed the pathology after at least 12 months of medical follow up.

Vascular parkinsonism--an important cause of parkinsonism in older people.

Parkinsonism due to cerebrovascular disease (vascular parkinsonism, VP) is a distinct clinicopathological entity. It accounts for 4.4-12% of all cases of parkinsonism.

Isolated patellar revisions for failed metal-backed components: 2- to 9-year follow-up.

Results of isolated patellar revisions for failed metal-backed patellae remain controversial. Isolated patellar revisions from April 1993 to April 2000 were assessed for complication rates, the Knee Society score (KSS), implant survival, and radiological loosening. Twenty-nine knees were revised in patients aged 71.

Major alteration of the expression site of endogenous cellulases in members of an apical termite lineage.

Termites are among the most important cellulose-digesting animals on earth, and are well-known for the symbiotic relationship they have with cellulolytic trichomonad and oxymonad flagellates (unicellular eukaryotes). Perhaps less well-known is the fact that approximately 75% of the approximately 2600 described termite species -- those belonging to the family Termitidae -- do not harbour such flagellates. Unlike most termites from other families, the majority of termitids do not consume wood, feeding instead on soil, leaf litter, fungi, grass, or lichen.

[Emerging rickettsioses].

Ticks are known to carry and transmit a number of microbial agents that cause diseases in humans and animals. Among these are members of the order Rickettsiales (alpha-proteobacteria), which include the genera Rickettsia and Ehrlichia. The most common and well-known Rickettsial human disease in Europe is Mediterranean Spotted Fever (MSF), caused by Rickettsia conorii.

A novel alpha-Proteobacterium resides in the mitochondria of ovarian cells of the tick Ixodes ricinus.

An intracellular bacterium from Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in Italy was characterized by electron microscopy (EM), PCR sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, molecular phylogenetic analysis, and in situ hybridization (ISH). This bacterium was shown by EM to be present in the cytoplasm, as well as in the mitochondria of ovarian cells. When universal 16S rRNA bacterial primers were used, PCR amplification of ovarian DNA followed by cloning and sequencing resulted in the same sequence being found in each sample.

Minimally invasive unicondylar versus total condylar knee arthroplasty--early results of a matched-pair comparison.

Fifty consecutive patients with isolated medial compartmental osteoarthritis of the knee were treated with minimally invasive unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). An equal number of patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) performed in the same period were selected and matched with respect to age, pre-operative range of motion and radiological grade of knee arthrosis. Both groups of patients were prospectively followed up.

On the origin of termite workers: weighing up the phylogenetic evidence.

Resolving the phylogenetic history of a 'true' worker caste in termites is essential to our understanding of termite eusocial evolution. Whether this caste is ancient and monophyletic or derived and polyphyletic will have a tremendous impact on our interpretation of termite eusocial history and remains an outstanding question in termite biology. Recent work has begun to re-examine this question in light of new phylogenetic information, but new questions have now arisen about how best to model character state changes in termite caste systems.

A symbiont of the tick Ixodes ricinus invades and consumes mitochondria in a mode similar to that of the parasitic bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus.

We have recently performed molecular characterisation of an intracellular alpha-proteobacterium, named IricES1, which resides in the ovarian tissue of female Ixodes ricinus ticks from Italy. A unique characteristic of this bacterium is its ability to invade the mitochondria of the cells in which it resides. Although some ultrastructural studies have been performed on close relatives of this bacterium from I.

Stress fracture of the medial tibial plateau after minimally invasive unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: a report of 2 cases.

Minimally invasive unicompartmental knee arthroplasty has been increasingly popular for the past few years. Several short- and medium-term published reports have shown it to be as efficacious as open unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, with reduced morbidity. However, complications specifically related to the minimally invasive techniques are not well documented.

Evidence for the presence of a cellulase gene in the last common ancestor of bilaterian animals.

Until recently, the textbook view of cellulose hydrolysis in animals was that gut-resident symbiotic organisms such as bacteria or unicellular eukaryotes are responsible for the cellulases produced. This view has been challenged by the characterization and sequencing of endogenous cellulase genes from some invertebrate animals, including plant-parasitic nematodes, arthropods and a mollusc. Most of these genes are completely unrelated in terms of sequence, and their evolutionary origins remain unclear.

Purification, characterization, cDNA cloning and nucleotide sequencing of a cellulase from the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle, Psacothea hilaris.

A cellulase (endo-beta-1,4-glucanase, EC 3.2.1.

The evolution of soil-burrowing cockroaches (Blattaria: Blaberidae) from wood-burrowing ancestors following an invasion of the latter from Asia into Australia.

Morphologically similar cockroaches in the subfamilies Panesthiinae and Geoscapheinae (Blattaria: Blaberidae) display contrasting feeding habits, behaviour and biogeographical distributions. Panesthiinae, found throughout Asia and Australia, all live in and feed on decaying wood that they burrow into. Geoscapheinae are restricted to Australia and construct and live in burrows in the soil, where they feed on dry leaves taken from the surface.

Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix. The controversy persists: a review.

Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the appendix continue to engender considerable debate in their diagnosis, management, and role in pseudomyxoma peritonei. This review addresses ongoing controversies with these unique neoplasms. Case reports and institutional series of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma were retrieved from the literature using Medline Search (1985-1996) using the following key words: appendix; mucinous cystadenocarcinoma; pseudomyxoma peritonei.

Evidence for cocladogenesis between diverse dictyopteran lineages and their intracellular endosymbionts.

Bacteria of the genus Blattabacterium are intracellular symbionts that reside in specialized cells of cockroaches and the termite Mastotermes darwiniensis. They appear to be obligate mutualists, and are transmitted vertically in the eggs. Such characteristics are expected to lead to equivalent phylogenies for host and symbiont, and we tested this hypothesis using recently accumulated data on relationships among termites and cockroaches and their Blattabacterium spp.

[Choriocarcinoma in Senegal: epidemiology, prognosis and prevention].

Objective: The objective of this study was to define the epidemiological profile of choriocarcinoma in Senegal, to evaluate its prognosis and to submit a better way of prevention of this pathology in an area with poor medical care.

Material And Method: It was a retrospective case-control study of all choriocarcinomas diagnosed from January 1st to December 31st 2000 at Dakar university teaching hospital. The witnesses were chosen among patients who had had molar abortion at the same time as the cases at study and had not developed the pathology after at least 12 months of aftercare.

First detection of spotted fever group rickettsiae in Ixodes ricinus from Italy.

Ixodes ricinus from Italy were examined for the first time to detect whether rickettsiae were present. Using molecular methods, we detected three different spotted fever group rickettsiae, including Rickettsia helvetica. Our results raise the possibility that bacteria other than R.

[Pulmonary strongyloidiasis complicated by E. coli meningitis in a HIV-1 and HTLV-1 positive patient].

Introduction: Disseminated strongyloidiasis occurs in immunodepressed patients, notably those infected by retroviruses.

Observation: A pulmonary strongyloidiasis, complicated by an Escherichia coli meningitis, occurred in a patient exhibiting seropositivity HIV1 for the past year. The status of cell immunity, with 354 lymphocytes T CD4+/mm3, could not explain this severe complication.

Osteoporotic hip fractures in Singapore--costs and patient's outcome.

Introduction: Little data are available on costs and outcome associated with osteoporotic hip fractures in Singapore.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on 280 consecutive hip fractures in patients older than 60 years admitted over a 3-year period.

Results: The mean age of patients was 80 years.

Influence of patellar thickness on results of total knee arthroplasty: does a residual bony patellar thickness of

With patellar thickness averaging 24.0 mm and 21.9 mm in Singapore men and women undergoing total knee arthroplasty, achievement of precut thickness is difficult if the recommended residual bony thickness of 15 mm is maintained.