Immunopathology of the uveitis in canine leishmaniasis.

Particular immunopathological features and their effects on the vascular permeability of different ocular structures were analysed in two dogs naturally infected by Leishmania infantum. The existence of specific anti-Leishmania immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the aqueous humour was confirmed by the ELISA technique. There was no correlation between antibody levels in the aqueous humour and the related serum.

Presence of antibodies in the aqueous humour and cerebrospinal fluid during Leishmania infections in dogs. Pathological features at the central nervous system.

In the present paper we show that in dogs, naturally infected with Leishmania infantum, the aqueous humour and the cerebrospinal fluid contain anti-Leishmania IgGs and that the specificity of antigen recognition of these fluids is similar to that of the sera. We also show that in the encephalon and cerebellum of these dogs there is a pathological sponge-like reaction accompanied by neuronal degeneration, mobilization of glial cells together with accumulation of amyloid deposits. The interstitial and intravascular deposition of IgGs and Leishmania antigens in choroid plexus suggest that in these animals there is a failure of the blood-cerebrospinal and ciliary bodies filtration barriers which may allow the transfer of anti-Leishmania IgGs from the blood stream to these fluids.

MYB.Ph3 transcription factor from Petunia hybrida induces similar DNA-bending/distortions on its two types of binding site.

MYB.Ph3 from Petunia is a member of the MYB transcription factor family that recognizes two types of binding site, resembling direct and inverted repeats of the motif GTTA, respectively, and flanked on their 5' side by an A-rich sequence. In this study, it is shown that MYB.

Dual DNA binding specificity of a petal epidermis-specific MYB transcription factor (MYB.Ph3) from Petunia hybrida.

The MYB.Ph3 protein recognized two DNA sequences that resemble the two known types of MYB DNA binding site: consensus I (MBSI), aaaAaaC(G/C)-GTTA, and consensus II (MBSII), aaaAGTTAGTTA. Optimal MBSI was recognized by animal c-MYB and not by Am305 from Antirrhinum, whereas MBSII showed the reverse behaviour.

[A controlled study of the effect of oral contraceptives on blood pressure].

The possible hypertensive effect of oral contraceptives is a controversial issue. We studied 371 women, admitted to the family planning program of a state funded outpatient clinic, that were followed during 12 months. These women were divided in four groups: Group 1 was constituted by 98 women that used intrauterine devices.

On-line fully automated solid-phase extraction-liquid chromatography analysis of 1,2-dihydro-4-(1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-1-pyridyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1-oxonaphthale ne-6- carbonitrile (UR-8225), a new potassium channel opener, in plasma samples.

A fully automated reversed-phase HPLC method for pharmacokinetic studies was developed for the determination in plasma samples of 1,2-dihydro-4-(1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-1-pyridyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1-oxonaphtha lene-6- carbonitrile (compound I), a new potassium channel opener. On-line solid-phase extraction was performed with disposable C18 cartridges. After clean up, the samples were eluted and transferred onto an RP-18 analytical column, where separation was performed with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-10 mM di-n-butylamine phosphate (28:72, v/v).

An indirect fluorescent antibody technique for detection of anti-Dermatophilus congolensis antibodies in sheep.

An indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) technique has been developed for detection of anti-Dermatophilus antibodies in sheep. Sera from 25 bacteriologically confirmed clinically affected sheep and from 10 negative non affected lambs were used. Whole cell antigen from brain heart infusion cultures of D.

Short rib-polydactyly syndrome and pericentric inversion of chromosome 4.

We report on a newborn infant with clinical and radiological manifestations of some type of short rib-polydactyly syndrome who died soon after birth. Chromosomal studies on peripheral blood lymphocytes and chondrocytes demonstrated an apparently balanced pericentric inversion of chromosome 4 (present in the mother also). This association may have occurred by chance but, if not, the chromosomal breakpoints could interrupt the gene responsible for short rib-polydactyly syndromes, or else be related to the mechanism of short rib-polydactyly syndromes.

[Hypertension in rural communities. Study in the VIII Region, Chile].

The aim of this work was to study the prevalence of hypertension in rural populations of the VIII region of Chile. Six thousand twenty four non institutionalized subjects. 14 years old or older, coming from eight randomly chosen rural communities were studied.

Petunia hybrida genes related to the maize regulatory C1 gene and to animal myb proto-oncogenes.

The maize C1 gene is a regulatory gene of the anthocyanin pathway. It is a part of a multigene family whose predicted protein products contain a region with homology to the DNA-binding domain of myb proto-oncogene products. Using as a probe an oligonucleotide mixture encoding a highly conserved region in plant MYB proteins, cDNAs encoding three related polypeptides expressed in the flower of Petunia hybrida have been isolated.

Pathological changes in kidneys of dogs with natural Leishmania infection.

A study was made of the nephropathy in canine leishmaniasis produced in ten adult dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum. Renal function analyses were performed (uraemia, creatinaemia, plasma proteins, biochemistry and urinary sediment), the humoral immune response (fluorescent antibodies and levels of serum IgG, IgM and IgA) was assessed and histopathological studies were carried out. Correlation of the results showed acute renal insufficiency which was reversible in two animals (endotheliomesangial glomerulonephritis) and irreversible in four cases corresponding to glomerulonephritis in its Type I and Type II proliferative forms; extensive increase in the glomerular basal membrane, proliferation of mesangial cells and growth of the mesangial matrix were observed, as was a widespread incidence of immune complex deposits.

Changes in the plasma concentrations of lipids and lipoprotein fractions in dogs infected with Leishmania infantum.

A study was made of serum concentrations of cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides, cholesterol bound to high-density lipoproteins (HDL), HDL1-cholesterol, HDL2-cholesterol and cholesterol bound to low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in 16 dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum (ZMON-1) taken from an endemic focus. Results were compared with those of a control group of ten healthy dogs. Statistically significant increases in cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol levels were observed.

[The treatment of intranodal tachycardias with intracavitary fulguration].

The electrical ablation of the His bundle with proximal intracardiac shocks of low energy was performed through an electrical catheter, to 14 patients with AV nodal reentry tachycardias refractory to pharmacological therapy, to whom at least 3 antiarrhythmic drugs were previously administered. The electrical energy applied oscillated between 10 to 150 Joules (114 average). 11 patients (72%) recovered the normal atrioventricular conduction and in the electrophysiological evaluation was found: 1--Increase in the duration of the AH interval.

[The use of endocavitary fulguration in the treatment of common auricular flutter].

Between April 1990 and July 1991, 10 patients, were fulgurated after right atrial endocardial mapping with the purpose of destroying or modifying the site of origin of atrial flutter. Mean age, 47 years old (23-61), 9 males. All patients suffered "common" atrial flutter episodes with very rapid ventricular response (greater than or equal to 150 beats per minute) refractory to pharmacological therapy.

Genetic and functional analysis of the basic replicon of pPS10, a plasmid specific for Pseudomonas isolated from Pseudomonas syringae patovar savastanoi.

The sequence of a 1823 base-pair region containing the replication functions of pPS10, a narrow host-range plasmid isolated from a strain of Pseudomonas savastanoi, is reported. The origin of replication, oriV, or pPS10 is contained in a 535 base-pair fragment of this sequence that can replicate in the presence of trans-acting function(s) of the plasmid. oriV contains four iterons of 22 base-pairs that are preceded by G+C-rich and A+T-rich regions.

[Agronomical and bromatological studies in jicama (Polymnia sonchifolia Poep et Endl.)].

An analysis of tuber roots yield and nutritional characteristics for 10 lines of jícama (Polymnia sonchifolia Poepp et Endl.) was carried out under the environmental conditions of Santa Catalina Experimental Station (12 degrees C of temperature and 3,100 m above sea level). The following average mean values were obtained: A fresh tuber root's yield from 29,755 to 73,558 kg/ha with 41,547 kg/ha of average, while the yield of the useful part (roots without skin) was from 24,309 to 60,097 kg/ha with 33,944 kg/ha of average.

Cloning vectors, derived from a naturally occurring plasmid of Pseudomonas savastanoi, specifically tailored for genetic manipulations in Pseudomonas.

A minimal replicon of 1.8 kb isolated from a 10-kb plasmid of Pseudomonas savastanoi, pPS10, has been used to obtain a collection of small vectors specific for Pseudomonas (P. savastanoi, P.

Isolation and identification of Babesia ovis in Extremadura (Spain).

A morphological and morphometric comparison was made of a Babesia ovis strain isolated in Extremadura (Spain) and a B. ovis strain from Turkey. Strains were morphologically similar, with a clear predominance of single sub-spherical or anaplasmoid forms.

Antibody response and duration of latent infection in sheep following experimental infection with Babesia ovis.

Babesia ovis isolated in Extremadura (Spain) was the subject of a serological study in experimentally inoculated sheep. The first antibody titres, determined by the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test, were observed 7-8 days post infection (p.i.

Growth hormone release in response to growth hormone-releasing hormone in term and preterm neonates.

The growth hormone response to a single intravenous dose of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) was examined in 23 healthy neonates (12 term and 11 preterm) aged 2-4 days. There were no significant increases in growth hormone concentrations at any point in time studied following GHRH administration in either group of newborns. The mean basal growth hormone levels of term neonates were significantly higher than those of the premature newborns (39.