Use of essential gene, encoding prophobilinogen deaminase from extreme psychrophilic Colwellia sp. C1, to generate temperature-sensitive strain of Francisella novicida.

UNLABELLED: Previously, several essential genes from psychrophilic bacteria have been substituted for their homologues in mesophilic bacterial pathogens to make the latter temperature sensitive. It has been noted that an essential ligA gene from an extreme psychrophile, Colwellia sp. C1, yielded a gene product that is inactivated at 27°C, the lowest that has been observed for any psychrophilic enzyme, and hypothesized that other essential proteins of that strain would also have low inactivation temperatures. This work describes the partial sequencing of the genome of Colwellia sp. C1 strain and the identification of 24 open reading frames encoding homologues of highly conserved bacterial essential genes. The gene encoding porphobilinogen deaminase (hemC), which is involved in the pathway of haem synthesis, has been tested for its ability to convert Francisella novicida into a temperature-sensitive strain. The hybrid strain carrying the C1-derived hemC gene exhibited a temperature-sensitive phenotype with a restrictive temperature of 36°C. These results support the conclusion that Colwellia sp. C1 is a rich source of heat-labile enzymes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The issue of biosafety is often raised when it comes to work with pathogenic organisms. The main concern is caused by the risk of researchers being exposed to infectious doses of dangerous microbes. This paper analyses essential genes identified in partial genomic sequence of the psychrophilic bacterium Collwelia sp. C1. These sequences can be used as a mean of generating temperature-sensitive strains of pathogenic bacteria. Such strains are incapable of surviving at the temperature of human body. This means they could be applied as vaccines or for safer work with dangerous organisms.

Extended rethymectomy in the treatment of refractory myasthenia gravis: original video-assisted technique of resternotomy and results of the treatment in 21 patients.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of extended rethymectomy in patients with myasthenia gravis. Additionally, an original technique of resternotomy is described. Extended rethymectomy was performed on 21 patients with refractory myastenic symptoms after a previous transsternal thymectomy. In 8 patients the original video-assisted technique of complete longitudinal resternotomy with the aid of a special sternal retractor elevating the sternum from above and below was used. Severe intraoperative haemorrhage from the lacerated left innominate vein occurred in 3/13 patients operated on before the video-assisted technique of resternotomy had been introduced. In none of the 8 patients operated on with video-assisted resternotomy such a complication was noted. PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: retained thymic lobe (4/21 patients), ectopic foci of thymic tissue (13/21 patients) no thymic tissue (4/21 patients). Results of follow-up: complete remission (11.8%), improvement (64.7%); no improvement (35.3%) during the follow-up period (mean 3.4 years). There was neither deterioration of myasthenia nor mortality during follow-up in this group. We conclude that described technique of video-assisted resternotomy reliably prevents the laceration of the heart and great vessels, and that complete remission and improvement rates in patients operated on with the extended rethymectomy are relatively low but deterioration of myasthenia is prevented.

[Morphology of a lithic lesion of the bone treated with cement filling with the addition of methotrexate]. / Morfologia litycznego ubytku oraz tkanek z sasiedztwa przerzutu nowotworowego leczonego plomba cementowa z dodatkiem metotreksatu.

The results of histopathologic examination of a lithic bony lesion and of the surrounding soft tissues obtained from a metastatic site from 2 patients are presented. Both patients had been previously treated surgically with a 40 g bone cement filling with 2 g of methotrexate. Revision surgical intervention was necessary because of loss of stability at the fracture site in a 68 year old female after with a metastasis from breast cancer after 8 weeks and in a 72 year old male with metastasis from cancer of the prostate after 10 weeks. During revision surgery the metal plates and the cement were removed. Tissues samples from the fracture site were taken for histopathologic examination. Fibrosis of connective tissue and haemosiderin accumulation were noted in the soft tissues surrounding the fractures site. Where there was direct contact between the bone cement and bone, necrosis of bone trabeculae and granuloma like bodies were noted. Revision surgery 10 weeks after the first procedure revealed more advanced bony necrosis. No cancerous tissue was observed in any of the cases.

Use of bovine somatotropin at the time of surgery for left displacement of the abomasum in dairy cows. Minnesota Dairy Practitioners Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a single dose of recombinant bovine somatotropin (bST) on certain metabolic values, health, and milk production of dairy cows undergoing surgery for left displacement of the abomasum. DESIGN: Blinded clinical trial. ANIMALS: 413 cows with left displacement of the abomasum. PROCEDURE: A single 500-mg dose of bST was administered to dairy cows following surgery in field practice conditions for left displacement of the abomasum. A placebo of the same carrier without bST was administered to control cows in this blinded study. Metabolic and production responses in a short-term follow-up period were measured. RESULTS: Blood glucose concentrations in cows 3 to 5 days after surgery were statistically higher for treated cows than for control cows. A higher proportion of treated cows had improved urine ketone test results than did controls. Significant differences in other metabolic values, health, and milk production were not detected. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Treatment of metabolically compromised cows with bST may have some positive effects, but further investigation is needed to confirm therapeutic value.

Carcinosarcoma of the lung. Report of three cases.

This article presents three cases of carcinosarcoma of the lung which is considered to be a rare neoplasm. The authors describe supposed etiology, clinical symptoms, preoperative diagnostic difficulties, surgical interventions performed, postoperative course and follow-up. The role of modern histopathological techniques like use of monoclonal antibodies reaction against keratin, vimentin and neurofilaments in differential diagnosis is emphasized. Short review of other authors reports is presented.

[Pincoffs-Bard's syndrome in a 15-year old girl]. / Zespól Pincoffs-Bard'a u I5-letniej dziewczynki.

A case of primary stomach carcinoma (or Pincoff's-Bard syndrome) with extensive radiologic shadows on chest X-ray and clinical signs of respiratory failure has been presented. The case concerned a 15-year-old girl being diagnosed in several hospital because of pulmonary lesions. The diagnosis was made on a basis of the autopsy.

Use of prostaglandin F2 alpha as a postpartum reproductive management tool for lactating dairy cows.

This study compared three programs for reproductive management of the postpartum period for reproductive performance and net economic benefit within three dairy herds (n = 1624 cows). Cows on one program received PGF alpha injection at 25 to 32 d postpartum for reproductive therapy, and cows on a second program received additional PGF2 alpha at 39 to 46 d postpartum for synchronization of estrus. These programs were compared with a postpartum program of rectal palpation based on veterinary intervention. Survival analysis indicated that cows receiving PGF2 alpha for reproductive therapy and synchronization of estrus had an 11% higher rate of first AI and 10% higher rate of pregnancy than did cows receiving the rectal palpation. No differences existed between the cows receiving rectal palpation and those receiving the PGF2 alpha. Because overall conception rates and conception rates at first AI did not differ among programs, the improved reproductive performance of cows receiving PGF2 alpha for both therapy and synchronization may be attributed to greater synchronization of estrus, which resulted in improved estrus detection. A partial budget indicated that the PGF2 alpha programs were less expensive than the rectal palpation program. When PGF2 alpha was used for postpartum reproductive therapy and synchronization of estrus, reproductive performance and net economic benefit were increased compared with those of the other programs.

[A case of extrapulmonary hamartoma]. / Przypadek odpryskowiaka o umiejscowieniu pozaplucnym.

Rare case of hamartoma localised extrapulmonary in the chest cavity is described. Clinical evaluation as well as histopathological features were identical with typical intrapulmonary hamartomas.

[Cause of rare pulmonary tumors. Two cases of pulmonary carcinosarcoma]. / Z kazuistyki rzadkich guzów pluc. Dwa przypadki miesakoraków pluca.

Two cases of primary pulmonary carcinosarcoma in men, aged 59 and 57 years, have been described. These are 100-th and 101-st descriptions in the world literature, being the second and third in Poland. The preoperative diagnosis of malignant neoplasm of endobronchial tumour was established on the basis of cytologic examination of sputum and specimen from bronchus. While the peripheral tumour was diagnose on the basis of fine needle transthoracic biopsy. The ultimate diagnosis was made by relying on histological examination, as well as after application of monoclonal antibodies. Cytokeratin and vimentin expression were detected in endobronchial neoplasm, but only cytokeratin expression was disclosed in the neoplasm peripherally in the lung parenchyma. The authors focus the attention on the increase, evidenced in the last ten years, of primary malignant and non-malignant, uniform and mixed mesenchymal tumours of the lungs, as well as on the relevant new problems and difficulties in microscopic preoperative diagnosis.

[Comparative evaluation of some morphologic methods for detecting Helicobacter pylori in gastric mucosa]. / Ocena porównawcza niektórych metod morfologicznych wykrywania Helicobacter pylori w blonie sluzowej zoladka.

Gastroscopic examination was performed in 183 patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms, with brush biopsy and taking of mucosa specimens for cytological and histopathological examination in order to detect the presence of Helicobacter pylori. Greater effectiveness of brush biopsy was demonstrated in comparison to histological examination of tissue fragments and significantly higher effectiveness of staining using the Giemsa-May-Grunwald method was shown in comparison to staining with hematoxylin and eosin.

[Tissue morphology at the site of fusion after osteotomy of the proximal end of the femur in children]. / Morfologia tkanek okolicy zespolenia po osteotomii blizszego konca kosci udowej u dzieci.

The preliminary results of histomorphologic examination of tissue harvested at the site of bone plate junction, screw and plate-blade holes as well as from the fascia and muscle around the fusion site. The samples were taken at the time of the plate removal. A cartilage resembling growth plate, callus and bony trabeculae were found in preparations examined, what may indicate proliferation around the plate. Focal necrosis implies tissue destruction. Tawny deposits positively reacting to iron detectors and inflammatory infiltration were common findings. This may prove formulation of biologically active metallic albumins.

Chemical synthesis of nucleoside-gamma-[32P]triphosphates of high specific activity.

A simple chemical procedure for the preparation of four common ribonucleoside 5-gamma-[32P]triphosphates of high specific activity (up to 10 Ci/mmole) based on the condensation of orthophosphoric acid with the corresponding nucleoside 5-diphosphate in the presence of ethyl chloroformate as well as the methods of purification and identification of the products are described.

A method of the rapid preparation of adenosine 5'-gamma-[32P] triphosphate by chemical synthesis.

A new chemical method for the synthesis of adenosine 5'-gamma-[32P] triphosphate has been developed based on the reaction of adenosine 5'-diphosphate with ethyl chloroformate. The resulting active mixed anhydride was able to react with [32P]-triethylammonium orthophosphate to give gamma-[32P]ATP.