The role of common single-nucleotide polymorphisms on exon 9 and exon 12 skipping in nonmutated CFTR alleles.

Classic cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by two loss-of-function mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, whereas patients with nonclassic CF have at least one copy of a mutant gene that retains partial function of the CFTR protein. In addition, there are several other phenotypes associated with CFTR gene mutations, such as idiopathic chronic pancreatitis. In CFTR-associated disorders and in nonclassic CF, often only one CFTR mutation or no CFTR mutations can be detected.

Use of recombinant ApxIV in serodiagnosis of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae infections, development and prevalidation of the ApxIV ELISA.

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is the etiological agent of porcine pleuropneumonia, which causes worldwide severe losses in pig farming. The virulence of the 15 serotypes of A. pleuropneumoniae is mainly determined by the three major RTX toxins ApxI, ApxII and ApxIII, which are secreted by the different serotypes in various combinations.

Virulence systems of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato promote bacterial speck disease in tomato by targeting the jasmonate signaling pathway.

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000 (Pst DC3000) causes bacterial speck disease on tomato. The pathogenicity of Pst DC3000 depends on both the type III secretion system that delivers virulence effector proteins into host cells and the phytotoxin coronatine (COR), which is thought to mimic the action of the plant hormone jasmonic acid (JA).

Characterization and cDNA-microarray expression analysis of 12-oxophytodienoate reductases reveals differential roles for octadecanoid biosynthesis in the local versus the systemic wound response.

12-Oxophytodienoate reductases (OPRs) belong to a family of flavin-dependent oxidoreductases. With two new tomato isoforms reported here, three OPRs have now been characterized in both tomato and Arabidopsis. Only one of these isoforms (OPR3) participates directly in the octadecanoid pathway for jasmonic acid biosynthesis, as only OPR3 reduces the 9S,13S-stereoisomer of 12-oxophytodienoic acid, the biological precursor of jasmonic acid.

cDNA microarray analysis of fusicoccin-induced changes in gene expression in tomato plants.

The effects of the fungal toxin fusicoccin (FC) on the tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) transcriptome were analyzed in the context of defense-related genes using a spotted microarray of 235 cDNAs. Pronounced changes in transcript abundance were observed for 64 (27%) of the represented genes.

Salicylate reduces susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to multiple antituberculosis drugs.

Salicylate induces multiple antibiotic resistance in various bacterial species. Here we investigated the effect of salicylate on the susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to a range of antituberculosis (anti-TB) drugs. In the presence of salicylate, the killing effects of isoniazid (INH), rifampin (RMP), ethambutol (EMB), streptomycin (STR), and p-aminosalicylate (PAS) were reduced, as shown with a tetrazolium redox dye viability assay and a bacterial survival assay.

Escherichia coli genes involved in resistance to pyrazinoic acid, the active component of the tuberculosis drug pyrazinamide.

The natural resistance of Escherichia coli to pyrazinoic acid (POA), the active derivative of pyrazinamide, was investigated. The TolC mutant was found to be more susceptible to POA and other weak acids than the wild-type strain. Mutation in EmrB but not AcrB efflux protein slightly increased POA susceptibility.

LeCPK1, a calcium-dependent protein kinase from tomato. Plasma membrane targeting and biochemical characterization.

The cDNA of LeCPK1, a calcium-dependent protein kinase, was cloned from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). LeCPK1 was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified from bacterial extracts.

[Complication rates of invasive intrauterine procedures in a centre for prenatal diagnosis and therapy].

Aim: A retrospective analysis of all complications occurring after invasive prenatal procedures was performed in order to have exact data for patient information and quality control in our department.

Method: During a period of two years 2256 invasive ultrasound-guided procedures were performed. With the help of a computer data base, the follow-up of 2066 patients was possible.

[Healing and helping in Hallstatt--on the medical history of mining town in Salzkammergut].

The medical care practiced at Hallstatt was specifically influenced by its salt mine, well known since prehistoric times, and by the isolated location of this place lying on a lake as well as in the mountains. Since the 16th century the Hallstatt saltworks had a hospital, with a special isolation ward since 1772. In addition to it, a small hospital for infectious diseases was opened at the beginning of the 20th century.

[3-dimensional models of actual or simulated cesarean sections].

Following upon an etymological and historical introduction, this report refers to two three-dimensional wax models of Caesarean sections, which have recently been acquired by the Pathological-anatomical Federal Museum in Vienna. Information is given on origin, dating and kind of production; questions of indication and operation technique, and--when in doubt--obduction technique, are being considered.

Limb-body wall complex: a compound anomaly pattern in body-wall defects.

Our presentation of four cases demonstrates the essential features of limb-body wall complex (LBWC), representing a compound anomaly pattern in body-wall defects. The diagnosis of this entity is based on two of the three following characteristics: (1) exencephaly/encephalocele and facial clefts; (2) thoraco- and/or abdominoschisis; and (3) limb defects. A definite association with internal anomalies and severe kyphoscoliosis makes a more distinct concept of the pathogenesis reasonable.

Cloning, expression, and characterization of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) aminopeptidase P.

A cDNA (LeAPP2) was cloned from tomato coding for a 654 amino acid protein of 72.7 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence was >40% identical with that of mammalian aminopeptidase P, a metalloexopeptidase.

X-ray structure of 12-oxophytodienoate reductase 1 provides structural insight into substrate binding and specificity within the family of OYE.

Background: 12-Oxophytodienoate reductase (OPR) is a flavin mononucleotide (FMN)-dependent oxidoreductase in plants that belongs to the family of Old Yellow Enzyme (OYE). It was initially characterized as an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of the plant hormone jasmonic acid, where it catalyzes the reduction of the cyclic fatty acid derivative 9S,13S-12-oxophytodienoate (9S,13S-OPDA) to 1S,2S-3-oxo-2(2'[Z]-pentenyl)-cyclopentane-1-octanoate. Several isozymes of OPR are now known that show different stereoselectivities with regard to the four stereoisomers of OPDA.

[Friedrich Schauta--a teacher in the shadow of his student?].

The difficult path to the "extended vaginal total extirpation" is connected with the outstanding personality of Friedrich Schauta. Czerny, Schuchardt und Dührssen had prepared it. Amreich, Staude and Stoeckel, Högler, Ingiulla, Navratil, Reiffenstuhl and Platzer, Dargent and Querleu extended the radicality of this cancer operation, advocated and recommended it.

Molecular characterization of tomato 3-dehydroquinate dehydratase-shikimate:NADP oxidoreductase.

Analysis of cDNAs encoding the bifunctional 3-dehydroquinate dehydratase-shikimate:NADP oxidoreductase (DHQase-SORase) from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) revealed two classes of cDNAs that differed by 57 bp within the coding regions, but were otherwise identical. Comparison of these cDNA sequences with the sequence of the corresponding single gene unequivocally proved that the primary transcript is differentially spliced, potentially giving rise to two polypeptides that differ by 19 amino acids. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that the longer transcript constitutes at most 1% to 2% of DHQase-SORase transcripts.

Induction of wound response gene expression in tomato leaves by ionophores.

Three ionophores were used to investigate a potential role of the plasma-membrane (PM) potential in the regulation of systemic wound-response gene expression in tomato (Lycopersicon escuilentum Mill.) plants. Valinomycin, nigericin, and gramicidin, which affect the PM potential by dissipating H+ and K+ gradients, respectively, induced the rapid accumulation of wound-response gene transcripts.

Identification and detection of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae by PCR based on the gene apxIVA.

The apxIVA gene, a recently discovered RTX determinant of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, was shown to be species-specific. DNA hybridization experiments using probes for various regions of apxIVA revealed that the 3'-terminus of this gene was present in all 14 serotypes of A. pleuropneumoniae but absent from phylogenetically related species.

Characterization of prosystemin expressed in the baculovirus/insect cell system reveals biological activity of the systemin precursor.

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) prosystemin in fusion with a viral signal peptide was expressed in Sf21 insect cell cultures after infection with recombinant baculoviruses. Prosystemin was purified from culture supernatants and its identity was confirmed by N-terminal sequence and mass-spectral analyses.

[Sacrococcygeal teratoma in obstetrics].

Materials/methods: 5 fetuses with prenatally diagnosed sacrococcygeal teratoma at the Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Therapy during a 30-month period. Modified splint technique according to Duzin, following a Pfannenstiel's incision in 4 cases.

Results: 4 infants with uninjured tumor could be transferred to pediatric surgery for treatment.

Apx toxins in Pasteurellaceae species from animals.

Pasteurellaceae species particularly of porcine origin which are closely related to Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae were analyzed for the presence of analogues to the major A. pleuropneumoniae RTX toxin genes, apxICABD, apxIICA and apxIIICABD and for their expression. Actinobacillus suis contains both apxICABD(var.

Salicylic acid-independent induction of pathogenesis-related gene expression by fusicoccin.

Treatment of tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) with fusicoccin (FC), an activator of the plasma-membrane H+-ATPase which maintains an electrochemical gradient across the plasma membrane, resulted in a dose-dependent accumulation of transcripts for intra- and extracellular pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins. The accumulation of PR protein transcripts was paralleled by an increase in leaf salicylic acid (SA) content.

LeSBT1, a subtilase from tomato plants. Overexpression in insect cells, purification, and characterization.

The cDNA of a tomato subtilase designated LeSBT1 was cloned from a tomato flower cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence indicated for LeSBT1 the structure of a prepro-protein targeted to the secretory pathway by virtue of an amino-terminal signal peptide. LeSBT1 was expressed in the baculovirus/insect cell system and a processed 73-kDa form of LeSBT1, lacking both signal peptide and prodomain, was purified to homogeneity from culture supernatants.

Acardiac twin pregnancy: associated with trisomy 2: case report.

Acardiac anomaly is a rare complication of multiple pregnancies. Arterial-to-arterial vascular anastomoses between twins, in the presence of a fused placenta, develop in the first trimester. Consequently the pump twin provides the acardius with blood.