Lymphatic drainage from the ventricular septum to the atrioventricular node in human beings.

It has been suggested that intracardiac lymphatics may play a role in the pathophysiologic processes involving the conduction system. To test the possibility of linkage between the ventricular septum and the atrioventricular (AV) node, india ink was injected into the ventricular septum of freshly removed human hearts. Microscopic sections of the AV node and adjacent tissue were examined for the presence of india ink. India ink was seen in and near the AV node in lymphatic channels and small veins. The implication is that potentially noxious materials can be transmitted by lymphatics from remote areas and influence adjacent conduction system fibers. Thus, it is possible that AV conduction disturbances after myocardial infarction may be induced by a lymphatic mechanism.

Nerve rootlet avulsion. A complication of myelography using the Chynn needle.

The authors report a case of traumatic removal of nerve tissue during myelography with the Chynn aspiration cannula. If such a situation occurs, the authors suggest making a second puncture at a different level.

The solution structure of PapGII from uropathogenic Escherichia coli and its recognition of glycolipid receptors.

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the primary cause of symptomatic urinary tract infection. The P-pili, a bacterial surface organelle, mediates the bacterial host--cell adhesion. The PapG adhesin has generated much interest in recent years, not only because of its clinical value, i.e. in the prevention of microbial adherence, but also because of its ability to promote virulence. Using multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and deuteration we have determined the solution structure of the adhesin domain from PapGII (PapGII-198). The novel structure of PapGII-198 is composed of a large elongated jellyroll motif. Despite an automated search of the structural database failing to reveal any similar proteins, PapGII adhesin shares some structural similarities with FimH. Furthermore, interpretation of NMR-titration data has enabled us to identify the putative binding site for the globoseries of oligosaccharides. This work provides insight into UPEC pathogenesis as well as aiding the development of preventative therapies and the guidance of future mutagenesis programmes.