A simplified PCR-based method for the detection of Renibacterium salmoninarum utilizing preparations of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum) lymphocytes.

A method for the detection of Renibacterium salmoninarum by PCR is described. A rapid, reliable procedure was developed for the extraction of DNA, which could be applied to infected kidney homogenates and head kidney lymphocyte preparations. The target for DNA amplification was a 376-bp region of the gene encoding the 57-kDa major surface antigen (MSA).

Mutagenesis of segment 487Phe-Ser-Arg-Asp-Arg-Lys492 of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase produces pumps defective in ATP binding.

The lysine residue Lys492 located in the large cytoplasmic domain of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase is implicated in nucleotide binding through affinity labeling. The contribution of segment 487Phe-Ser-Arg-Asp-Arg-Lys492 to ATP binding and pump function has been investigated through the introduction of 11 site-directed amino acid mutations. ATP binding was measured through competitive inhibition of [gamma-32P]2',3'-O-(2,4, 6-trinitrophenyl)-8-azido-adenosine triphosphate photolabeling of Lys492 or its substitute.

Role of GTP hydrolysis in fission of caveolae directly from plasma membranes.

Caveolae are specialized invaginated cell surface microdomains of undefined function. A cell-free system that reconstituted fission of caveolae from lung endothelial plasma membranes was developed. Addition of cytosol and the hydrolysis of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) induced caveolar fission.

Diagnostic evaluation of cancer antigens RAK .1. Cervical and ovarian cancer.

Cancer antigens RAK-p120, p42, and p25, which exhibit biological, immunological and molecular similarity to the proteins expressed by Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 (HIV-1), were found in 47 of 47 tested cases of serous adenocarcinoma of the ovary, and 45 of 45 tested cases of squamous carcinoma of the cervix. Normal ovary and cervix did not express antigens RAK. High molecular weight protein (RAK-p160) was detected in the blood of over 61% of ovarian and 72% of cervical cancer patients, and in 14.

Neuropsychological subgroups of dementia of the Alzheimer's type.

Neuropsychological aspects of Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type (DAT) was considered using the scores from the Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG) portion of the Cambridge Index of Mental Disorders in the Elderly (CAMDEX). CAMCOG scores for 51 DAT patients and 79 normal subjects were cluster analyzed. Results showed that the CAMCOG was effective in separating normal from demented subjects.

PDGF AA as mediator in nicotine-dependent carcinogenesis.

Effect of nicotine on PDGF AA and PDGF BB interaction with cervical cancer SiHa cells was tested. [125I]PDGF AA was internalized by cells and accumulated in the cytoplasm and nucleus (chromatin). In the absence of nicotine, maximal accumulation of [125I]PDGF AA inside the cells occurred after 1 day of incubation, which was followed by a progressive degradation of the growth factor during the next 2, 3 and 5 days of cell exposure.

Definition of a nucleotide binding site on cytochrome c by photoaffinity labeling.

We have used TNP-8N3-AMP (2'(3')-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)-8-azidoadenosine monophosphate) and TNP-8N3-ATP to probe the ATP binding site(s) of cytochrome c. Irradiation of cytochrome c with close to stoichiometric amounts of TNP-8N3-AMP at low ionic strength derivatized approximately half of the protein, with the mono-derivatized species being associated with four peaks (B, 6%; C, 17%; D, 24%; E, 4%) eluted from a cation exchange column. Irradiation in the presence of ATP suggested that the main peaks C and D resulted from more specific nucleotide binding.

Loss of an X chromosome in aggressive angiomyxoma of female soft parts: a case report.

Cytogenetic analysis of an aggressive angiomyxoma of the vulvar region of a 16-year-old female revealed loss of one X chromosome (45,X,-X) in eight of 20 metaphase cells analyzed. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) performed on disaggregated cells from paraffin embedded lesional tissue confirmed loss of an X chromosome in 31% of cells. Cytogenetic analysis performed on peripheral blood showed a normal chromosomal complement (46,XX).

Holographic particle-image velocimetry in the first International Microgravity Laboratory aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery.

In January 1992 the Space Shuttle Discovery carried the first International Microgravity Laboratory into Earth orbit for eight days. One of the many experiments carried out during the orbit was a combined study of triglycine sulfate crystal growth from solution and fluid-particle-dynamics studies in microgravity. Optical diagnostics included holocameras to provide concentration measurements and three-dimensional particle tracking.

Inhibition of cancer cell growth by internalized immuno-histone conjugates.

MAb NS 88 directed against breast cancer cells, which is internalized and translocated to the cell nucleus, was conjugated with histone and labeled with 125I. 125I-MAb-histone complexes (M(r) 250,000) were internalized by breast and cervical cancer cells and localized in the cytoplasm and chromatin. Electrophoretic analysis of the cells extracted from the conjugates revealed the same molecular weights of the cytoplasmic and chromatin complexes as those of the native conjugate.

Immunodetection of squamous cell carcinoma-associated variant of nuclear protein.

A new monoclonal antibody, MAb C63.3, was developed by immunizing mice with the high molecular weight fraction of the cytoplasmic proteins from the cervical squamous cell carcinoma. In Western blotting, MAb C63.

Neuropsychological characteristics of learning disabled/gifted children.

The neuropsychological characteristics of 68 learning-disabled/gifted children (LD/Gifted) were studied using the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery for Children (HRNB-C). The proportion of LD/Gifted children identified as impaired was low compared to previous research that has examined the proportion of school-identified learning-disabled students who scored within the impaired range on the HRNB-C. Consistent with previous research, the results of this study indicated that LD/Gifted children were also more likely to demonstrate impairment on the Tactual Performance Test-Memory, Tactual Performance Test-Localization, and Trails B-Errors components of the HRNB-C.

Separation of caveolae from associated microdomains of GPI-anchored proteins.

In situ coating of the surface of endothelial cells in rat lung with cationic colloidal silica particles was used to separate caveolae from detergent-insoluble membranes rich in glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins but devoid of caveolin. Immunogold electron microscopy showed that ganglioside GM1-enriched caveolae associated with an annular plasmalemmal domain enriched in GPI-anchored proteins. The purified caveolae contained molecular components required for regulated transport, including various lipid-anchored signaling molecules.

Utilization of maternal perinatal risk indicators in the differential diagnosis of ADHD and UADD children.

The purpose of this study was to differentiate between children diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), children with Undifferentiated Attention-Deficit Disorder (UADD) and a control group using maternal perinatal information. The sample consisted of 74 ADHD, 56 UADD, and 135 normal children between the ages of 6 years, 5 months and 13 years, 4 months. The results supported the use of maternal perinatal information in the diagnosis of attention disorders.

Relationship between the Bracken Basic Concept Scale and the Differential Ability Scales with an at-risk sample of preschoolers.

This study investigated the relationship between the Bracken Basic Concept Scale and the Differential Ability Scales with 35 at-risk preschoolers between the ages 3-6 and 5-11. A Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient of .70 was obtained between the Bracken Basic Concept Scale Total Test scores and the General Conceptual Ability scores of the Differential Ability Scales.

Growth factor-mediated mechanisms of nicotine-dependent carcinogenesis.

The direct effect of nicotine on the expression of receptors for the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) and the internalization, intracellular distribution and stability of these growth factors in cervical cancer cell line SiHa was studied. Nicotine at concentrations in the range 0.05-0.

Catalysis of an ATP analogue untethered and tethered to lysine 492 of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase.

2',3'-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)-8-azido-AMP (TNP-8N3-AMP) and -ATP photolabel Lys-492 at the active site of the Ca(2+)-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum (McIntosh, D. B., Woolley, D.

Salvage therapy for recurrent and refractory ovarian cancer with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow support: a Gynecologic Oncology Group pilot study.

Nine patients with recurrent or refractory epithelial ovarian carcinoma following previous chemotherapy were treated with high-dose carboplatin (300 mg/m2) and ifosfamide according to a dose escalation schedule (1.50, 1.75, 2.

Effect of distance from the polluting focus on relative concentrations of Bacteroides fragilis phages and coliphages in mussels.

Concentrations of fecal bacteria, somatic and F-specific coliphages, and phages infecting Bacteroides fragilis in naturally occurring black mussels (Mytilus edulis) were determined. Mussels were collected over a 7-month period at four sampling sites with different levels of fecal pollution. Concentrations of both fecal bacteria and bacteriophages in mussel meat paralleled the concentration of fecal bacteria in the overlying waters.