Identification of cytoplasmic ancestor gene-pools of Musa acuminata Colla and Musa balbisiana Colla and their hybrids by chloroplast and mitochondrial haplotyping.

Cytoplasmically inherited characters such as resistance to viral and fungal diseases, determination of starch types, crop yield, resistance to low or high temperature often contribute to the advantageous phenotypic traits of plants. In the present study, our goal was to elucidate the genealogy of cytoplasmic genomes chloroplast and mitochondria in banana. Banana breeding is rather complicated because of the low fertility and mostly unknown origin of the edible cultivars, therefore, knowledge on the putative fertile ancestors of cytoplasmic genomes chloroplast and mitochondria would be beneficial for breeding programmes. Based on the established marker systems distinct species specific gene-pools could be identified for both chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes for Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana wild types, respectively. Detailed analysis of the species specific chloroplast and mitochondrial gene-pools of M. acuminata and M. balbisiana revealed six chloroplast and seven mitochondrial gene-pools in the analysed accessions. Comparative analysis of the haplotypes revealed the presence of Primary Centers of origin for both chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes of both species supporting the idea of common origin of these genomes. Cytotypes representing combinations of M. acuminata chloroplast and mitochondrial gene-pools were identified in majority of the analysed hybrid cultivars. A single M. acuminata cytotype was present in the majority of the analysed cultivars, which combination was not detected in any of the wild types. On the other part a single balbisiana cytotype was identified participating in the formation of interspecies hybrids. The strong preference for the presence of certain cytoplasmic gene-pools in cultivars may indicate hundreds of years of natural as well as of farmers' selection supplementing the phenotypic traits provided by the nuclear genome. Based on the present results the present day subspecies classification of M. acuminata is also discussed.

Ty1-copia retrotransposon-based S-SAP (sequence-specific amplified polymorphism) for genetic analysis of sweetpotato.

RNaseH-LTR regions of the Ty1-copia retrotransposon were amplified and cloned from the sweetpotato genome using RNaseH gene-specific degenerate primers and restriction site-specific adaptor primers. Ninety clones out of the 240 sequenced were identified with a variable degree of homology to the Ty1-copia RNaseH gene. Three ( Str6, Str85, Str187) of the 90 had characteristic RNaseH-gene, stop codon, polypurine track and putative 3' LTR sequence elements. Analysis of nine selected genotypes representing Africa, South and Central America, as well as Papua New Guinea, by the established S-SAP technique revealed that the majority of the Ty1-copia transposon insertions were unique (33 to 64%) and only few common bands were detected. Analysis of 177 East African varieties further supported this finding and showed that most of the copia retrotransposon locations were represented only by some genotypes. Considering that sweetpotato has been present in the East African region for only about 500 years, and the number of genotypes introduced was possibly limited, a surprisingly high level of genetic variability of the transposon insertion sites was detected. These findings may indicate the putative activity of the retrotransposon in sweetpotato in the recent past. Comparison of the copia retrotransposon insertion-based S-SAP method to AFLP and RAPD showed that the majority of the markers were more polymorphic (97-99%) in the case of S-SAP in comparison to AFLP (70-90%) and RAPD (88%). Thus demonstrating the transposon-based molecular marker system was very efficient for genotyping.

[Renal gravel formation inducing renal insufficiency as a side-effect of ceftriaxon]. / Vesehomok-képzdés és veseelégtelenség ceftriaxon mellékhatásaként.

Ceftriaxon is a third-generation cephalosporin with a wide and powerful spectrum of antimicrobal activity. It is often used in pediatrics. The authors draw the attention to the side-effect of the medicament, which might cause renal gravel-formation. They report a case of a 9-years old boy, who suffered from ceftriaxone-associated cholelithiasis and hephrolithiasis, which induced anuria and uraemia.

Stable electrotransformation of symbiont candidate diazotrophic bacterium with plasmids carrying selectable and screenable marker genes.

Nitrogen-fixing symbioses had been established between the originally asymbiotic soil bacterium Azotobacter vinelandii CCM289 and different lower and higher plant species. Better characterization and further development of such artificial systems require a reliable genetic transformation method for the introduction of marker genes into symbiont candidates. The performance of electroporation was evaluated using pJB3 (4.8 kb), pBI121 (12.8 kb) and pFAJ31.2 (24 kb) plasmid DNAs containing selectable (Ap, Km, Tc) and screenable (gusA, lacZ) marker genes. The adapted methods for the preparation of transformation-competent azotobacters and their electroporation (18 kV/cm electric field strength, 5 ms time constant, 0 degree C) provided up to 6.8 x 10(5) transformants per microgram plasmid DNA, which is about 10(3) times the transformation efficiency achieved in control experiments. No electrotransformants were obtained with the 24-kb pFAJ31.2. The size of plasmid DNA did not significantly affect the efficiency of transformation. Transformants were able to grow at antibiotic concentrations that were 100-200 times greater than the lowest amounts that completely inhibited the growth of wild-type bacteria. A constitutive expression of gusA gene was observed in transformants with the CaMV 35S promoter-gusA fusion containing pBI121, while lacZ expression was not detected under the control of the lac promoter in pJB3 transformants. Electroporated plasmids were reisolated from transformants in their original form, while non-transformed bacteria did not contain indigenous plasmids. PCR amplification and Southern DNA blot hybridization showed the integration of plasmid DNA into the host genome as well. Transformants retained their nitrogen-fixing ability and had normal morphological and growth characteristics. Experimental findings proved the stable maintenance of plasmid DNA in azotobacters, making possible the routine transformation and detection of these symbiont candidates.

Characterization of calcified deposits on contraceptive intrauterine devices.

The formation of calcified deposits on > 200 contraceptive intrauterine devices (IUD) was quantitated as a function of time in healthy women, pregnant women, and women with a pathologic lesion. The incrustment formation was significantly enhanced when inflammation occurred, but change could not be observed in cases of pregnancy. The incrustments were analyzed by x-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, x-ray microprobe, and ultramicrochemical stone analysis techniques. Major components and their average w/w percent quantities in the incrustments are as follows: calcium carbonate 75%, apatite 5%, and organic matrix 20%. Earlier hypotheses on the chemical processes of deposit formation are discussed, and a new, ionic mechanism of calcification on IUD surfaces is suggested.

PIP: Calcium incrustation on the surface of an IUD significantly increases the likelihood of side effects such as bacterial and fungoid infections. The time-dependence of calcification on IUDs and the chemical composition of calcified deposits were investigated in devices removed from more than 200 healthy women with lower abdominal complaints or a planned or accidental pregnancy. A linear relationship was found between the amount of incrustation on plastic IUDs and the duration of IUD use. Incrustment formation was faster when inflammation occurred, presumably as a result of enhanced excretion of incrustment-forming compounds, but pregnancy had no effect on this rate. Deposit formation on copper IUDs was less uniform and proceeded at a slower rate. The incrustments were characterized by x-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, x-ray microprobe, and ultramicrochemical stone analysis techniques. On average, incrustments were composed of calcium carbonate (75%), organic matrix (20%), and apatite (5%). The rate of incrustation depended not only on the size and quality of the IUD, but also on the individual capability of the uterus to produce calcium ions. The growth of incrustments on IUDs can be monitored by noninvasive ultrasonography.

[ESWL in renal tubular acidosis]. / Extrakorporális lökéshullám-veseközúzás renális tubuláris acidózisban.

ESWL is a suitable modality for the management of lithiasis caused by RTA, especially in case of renal or ureteric stones. Smash of calculi in ducts of Bellini is worthy to be considered if the fragments can get into the renal pelvic space and the renal function improve. At present it is still a matter of discussion.

[Complex therapy of cystine calculi]. / A cisztinkövesség komplex terápiája.

Authors report their experiences with management of cystine urolithiasis between 1975-1992. 61 patients were observed and treated with dietotherapy, medicaments, open surgery, percutaneous nephrolithotomy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Difficulties of treatment of this rare stone have been demonstrated with data of 3 patients (lack of screening and early diagnosis, unsystematic prophylaxis, formation of large stones).

Prophylaxis of oxalate urolithiasis with alkaline citrates.

Hypocitraturia, hypercalciuria, hypokalaemia, and some form of acidosis are often characteristic accompanying symptoms of calcium containing urinary stone formation. These alterations may be controlled or normalized with the administration of alkaline citrates which slow the relative growth rate of calcium oxalate crystals down. In response to the administration of a single 2-g dose of Magurlit granulate, also regarded as alkaline citrate, citrate excretion increases, urinary Ca/citrate, Ca/creatinine, and Ca.P/creatinine quotients decrease. Since these changes of the urinary constituents are advantageous as far as the prophylaxis of stone formation is considered and may be observed following the administration of other citrate mixtures as well the application of Magurlit is recommended for the prevention of calcium oxalate stones and for the treatment of distal renal tubular acidosis.

The antiallatal effects on locusts and lethal effects on nematodes of synthetic precocene-1 derivatives differing at the carbon 7 position.

Fourteen precocene-1 (P1) derivatives differing at C-7 were synthetized and tested for their antiallatal activities on Locusta migratoria (in vitro and in vivo) and nematocidal effects on Caenorhaditis elegans. An outstanding antiallatal effect was produced by 7-propargyloxy-P1 in vitro. It caused an elevated rate of mortality when applied in vivo to locusts or nematodes. The antiallatal effect of 7-cyclopentyloxy-P1 was not accompanied by toxicity. Aralkyloxy substitution at C-7 eliminated the precocene activity.

Echographic evaluation of the incrustation of intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUD).

The ultrasonographic study of Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices (IUD) is reported. In their earlier investigations authors have shown that, after a prolonged use of IUD, incrustation develops over the surface of the IUD. The presence of an incrustate could be observed both during in vitro as well as in vivo ultrasonographic studies.

PIP: After prolonged IUD use, incrustation has been observed to form on the surface of the device and can give rise to excessive bleeding and inflammation. This study sought to assess the ability of ultrasound to detect IUD incrustation under both in vivo and in vitro conditions. In the in vitro experiments, Szontagh and Copper T 200 IUDs gave characteristic linear echoes. The incrustated devices were easily differentiable from unused IUDs, showing greater thickness and circumscribed hyper-reflective regions. In the in vivo examinations, the linear echoes could be visualized over the surface of the control Szontagh IUD, while the linear echoes of the calcified IUD were irregular and circumscribed hyper-reflective regions could be detected. The Copper T 200 device showed a homogeneous hyper-reflective echo with parallel thick lines. In the in vitro experiment, the described changes were more conspicuous at higher ultrasound frequencies; however, unused and calcified IUDs could be accurately differentiated at frequencies of 3.5 MHz (the norm in abdominal diagnostics). Overall, these findings confirm that incrustate deposited on the surface of an IUD can be detected by real-time scanners of a good resolution. Thus, it is recommended that ultrasonographic technique be used for this purpose as well as for the detection of the location of an IUD within the uterus.

[Incrustation of marker threads of intrauterine devices in the uterine cavity and cervix uteri]. / Inkrustation der Markierungsfäden von Intrauterinpessaren im Cavum und der Cervix uteri.

If the indicating thread of intrauterine contraceptive devices is situated inside the uterine cavity, it is incrustated in the same way with calcium carbonate like the device itself. In 20 per cent the intracervical part of the thread is incrustated, too. The danger of an ascending inflammatory disease is increasing with the precipitation of substances, probably, denaturated fibrine or mucine according to the infrared spectral analysis.

Morphological characteristics of incrustates of intrauterine contraceptive devices.

The morphology of incrustates formed on intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUD) is described. It is demonstrated that due to manufacturing technology some IUDs have long, parallel excavations serving as sites for incrustate formation. A regional difference of incrustation on the different parts of IUD has also been observed. Electron microscopy was carried out in tissue fragments attached to removed IUDs. Alterations correspond to acute or chronic inflammation. Incrustate on the surface of IUD appears to have a primary role in induction of the process.

PIP: Inorganic incrustates and cellular accumulations on used IUDs, 50 Szontaghs, 13 Copper T-200s, 3 Gravigards and 2 Lippes Loops, were examined. The IUDs had been worn 0.5-9 yr. The white, inorganic matter, previously determined to be calcium carbonate and some calcium phosphate, was photographed and quantitated by dissolving in 2 M HC1. The areas covered were symmetrical on Szontagh IUDs, and ranged from spotty, beaded or ribbon-like patterns to continuous coverage, without any obvious relation to length of use. The plastic body, copper wire and threads, if located intrauterine, were all covered. Szontagh IUDs were more likely to have a striped appearance, due to long furrows on their surface. Copper wire tended to be covered on the outside surface first. Electron microscopic observations of cellular debris revealed red blood cells, fibrin, macrophages and leukocytes, with occasional giant cells: a picture of chronic inflammation. This line of research prompts the questions: are incrustates and inflammatory debris beneficial for contraceptive effect, or counterproductive? Would it be better to design smooth hydrophobic IUDs that would resist accumulation of salts and cellular material?

Correlation between the incrustation of intrauterine devices and the duration of their use.

The usefulness and side-effects of intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) are evaluated on the basis of various aspects (e. g. effect of postabortal and post-partal insertion, expulsion of device, frequency of pregnancies, bleeding and inflammation, etc.) [1, 2, 3, 4]. However, the incrustation of the device has been ignored although the coating on the major part of the surface is easy to study. The rough surface coating is very likely to be associated with some side-effects [5]. In our report we have tried to find some links between the degree of incrustation and the duration of using the device.

A rare enzyme deficiency causing formation of 2,8-dihydroxyadenine (purine body) calculi.

Deficiency in the enzyme adenine-phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) has given rise to the formation of 2,8-dihydroxyadenine calculi, which are extremely rare. It is the first case of this kind reported in Hungary.