Normal values for transbulbar sonography and magnetic resonance imaging of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) in children and adolescents.

PURPOSE: To establish normal values of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) in children and adolescents for transbulbar sonography and magnetic resonance imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 99 children and adolescents (age: 5.6 - 18.6 years, mean: 12 years) without neurologic or ophthalmologic disease, measurements of the ONSD with transbulbar sonography were performed. For comparison 59 children and adolescents (age: 5.1 - 17.4 years, mean 12.3 years) with a normal MR examination of the brain had measurements of the ONSD on a T2-weighted thin section sequence of the orbit. Besides establishing modality-related normal values, age dependency, accuracy and reproducibility of measurements were assessed. RESULTS: Overall the mean ONSD was 5.75 ± 0.52 mm for transbulbar sonography and 5.69 ± 0.31 mm for MRI. There was no statistical significance between the 95 % percentiles and age for both transbulbar sonography (p = 0.332) and MRI (p = 0.336). As a parameter for the reproducibility of measurements, the repeatability coefficient (RC) was between 0.34 mm and 0.46 mm. The concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) values revealed a high agreement between readers both for transbulbar sonography (0.868) and MRI (0.796). CONCLUSION: Normal values for ONSD in children and adolescents found in this study are significantly higher than assumed. The values found for transbulbar sonography are confirmed by comparable results for MR measurements. A precise sonographic measurement technique and the consideration of normal values found hereby are essential for correct interpretation of ONSD measurements in children and adolescents.

Interaction of IL-2R beta and gamma c chains with Jak1 and Jak3: implications for XSCID and XCID.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) signaling requires the dimerization of the IL-2 receptor beta.(IL-2R beta) and common gamma (gamma c) chains. Mutations of gamma c can result in X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (XSCID). IL-2, IL-4, IL-7 (whose receptors are known to contain gamma c), and IL-9 (whose receptor is shown here to contain gamma c) induced the tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of the Janus family tyrosine kinases Jak1 and Jak3. Jak1 and Jak3 associated with IL-2R beta and gamma c, respectively; IL-2 induced Jak3-IL-2R beta and increased Jak3-gamma c associations. Truncations of gamma c, and a gamma c, point mutation causing moderate X-linked combined immunodeficiency (XCID), decreased gamma c-Jak3 association. Thus, gamma c mutations in at least some XSCID and XCID patients prevent normal Jak3 activation, suggesting that mutations of Jak3 may result in an XSCID-like phenotype.

Interleukin-2 receptor gamma chain: a functional component of the interleukin-4 receptor.

The interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor gamma chain (IL-2R gamma) is an essential component of high- and intermediate-affinity IL-2 receptors. IL-2R gamma was demonstrated to be a component of the IL-4 receptor on the basis of chemical cross-linking data, the ability of IL-2R gamma to augment IL-4 binding affinity, and the requirement for IL-2R gamma in IL-4-mediated phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1. The observation that IL-2R gamma is a functional component of the IL-4 receptor, together with the finding that IL-2R gamma associates with the IL-7 receptor, begins to elucidate why deficiency of this common gamma chain (gamma c) has a profound effect on lymphoid function and development, as seen in X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency.

The frequency of snowline-region planets from four-years of OGLE-MOA-Wise second-generation microlensing.

We present a statistical analysis of the first four seasons from a "second-generation" microlensing survey for extrasolar planets, consisting of near-continuous time coverage of 8 deg2 of the Galactic bulge by the OGLE, MOA, and Wise microlensing surveys. During this period, 224 microlensing events were observed by all three groups. Over 12% of the events showed a deviation from single-lens microlensing, and for ~1/3 of those the anomaly is likely caused by a planetary companion. For each of the 224 events we have performed numerical ray-tracing simulations to calculate the detection efficiency of possible companions as a function of companion-to-host mass ratio and separation. Accounting for the detection efficiency, we find that 55 - 22 + 34 % of microlensed stars host a snowline planet. Moreover, we find that Neptunes-mass planets are ~ 10 times more common than Jupiter-mass planets. The companion-to-host mass ratio distribution shows a deficit at q ~ 10-2, separating the distribution into two companion populations, analogous to the stellar-companion and planet populations, seen in radial-velocity surveys around solar-like stars. Our survey, however, which probes mainly lower-mass stars, suggests a minimum in the distribution in the super-Jupiter mass range, and a relatively high occurrence of brown-dwarf companions.

Superficial bladder cancer treated by intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin or adriamycin: multicenter study interim report.

One hundred sixteen patients with superficial bladder cancers (Stages Ta, T1, and TIS) were evaluated and treated with either intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin [Tice strain] (BCG) or doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin [ADR]), in a multicenter study. One hundred nine of these patients currently have follow-up. Of these, 54 were completely resected and 55 incompletely resected. For complete resections, based on recurrence rates per 100 patient months, both BCG (0.22) and ADR (0.91) worked well, although BCG had a slightly lower recurrence rate. However, for incomplete resections, BCG (0.20) had a markedly lower recurrence rate than ADR (2.52). Eighteen patients failed initial treatment, with either BCG or ADR. All have been placed on long-term therapy schedules. Of the 12 failures who currently have follow-up, 11 (92%) have either partially or completely responded with additional intravesical therapy. No patients in this study have yet required cystectomies.

Effect of Host Plant Resistance to Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) on Virus Acquisition and Transmission by Its Whitefly Vector.

ABSTRACT The effect that Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV)-infected resistant tomato plants may have on virus epidemiology was studied. Four tomato genotypes that exhibit different levels of viral resistance, ranging from fully susceptible to highly resistant, served as TYLCV-infected source plants. Viral acquisition and transmission rates by white-flies following feeding on the different source plants were evaluated. TYLCV transmission rate by whiteflies that had fed on infected source plants 21 days postinoculation (DPI), shortly after the appearance of TYLCV symptoms, was negatively correlated with the level of resistance displayed by the source plant. Therefore, the higher the resistance, the lower the transmission rate. In addition, TYLCV DNA accumulation was shown to be lower in the resistant source plants compared with the susceptible plants. Whitefly survival rate, following feeding on source plants 21 DPI, was similar for all the cultivars tested. Significant differences in whitefly survival were found, however, following feeding on the infected source plants at 35 DPI; here, whitefly survival rate increased with higher levels of resistance displayed by the source plant. At 35 DPI, the susceptible plants had developed severe TYLCV disease symptoms, and transmission rates from these plants were the lowest, presumably due to the poor condition of these plants. Transmission rates from source plants displaying a medium level of resistance level were highest, with rates declining following feeding on source plants displaying higher levels of TYLCV resistance. TYLCV DNA accumulation in whiteflies following feeding on infected source plants at both 21 and 35 DPI was directly correlated with viral DNA accumulation in source plants. Results show that, in essence, the higher the resistance expressed, the less suitable the plant was as a viral source. Consequently, following acquisition from a highly resistant plant, TYLCV transmission by whiteflies will be less efficient.

A 34K SNP genotyping array for Populus trichocarpa: design, application to the study of natural populations and transferability to other Populus species.

Genetic mapping of quantitative traits requires genotypic data for large numbers of markers in many individuals. For such studies, the use of large single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping arrays still offers the most cost-effective solution. Herein we report on the design and performance of a SNP genotyping array for Populus trichocarpa (black cottonwood). This genotyping array was designed with SNPs pre-ascertained in 34 wild accessions covering most of the species latitudinal range. We adopted a candidate gene approach to the array design that resulted in the selection of 34 131 SNPs, the majority of which are located in, or within 2 kb of, 3543 candidate genes. A subset of the SNPs on the array (539) was selected based on patterns of variation among the SNP discovery accessions. We show that more than 95% of the loci produce high quality genotypes and that the genotyping error rate for these is likely below 2%. We demonstrate that even among small numbers of samples (n = 10) from local populations over 84% of loci are polymorphic. We also tested the applicability of the array to other species in the genus and found that the number of polymorphic loci decreases rapidly with genetic distance, with the largest numbers detected in other species in section Tacamahaca. Finally, we provide evidence for the utility of the array to address evolutionary questions such as intraspecific studies of genetic differentiation, species assignment and the detection of natural hybrids.

[The influence of negative air ions on the regulation of respiration and blood circulation under controlled physical stress, as well as on reaction time (author's transl)]. / Wirkung negativ geladener Luftionen auf die Regulation von Atmung und Kreislauf unter dosierter körperlicher Belastung sowie auf die Reaktionszeit.

Ten healthy male test subjects (aged 29--35 years) were put on a bicycle ergometer twice for 10 minutes each time and had to perform work of 1 W/kg body-weight while being subjected to normal air and air enriched with negative ions. Using ergospirometry, a number of physiological indices for respiration, circulation, and the aerobic metabolism were recorded. In a further test, the reaction time of 14 test subjects (aged 23-55 years) was tested under the condition of normal breathing air and air enriched with negative ions. The intake of oxygen, which is a gross indicator for the entire aerobic metabolism, is not influenced by negative air ions. Given a constant environment, the presence or absence of ions does not have any effect. Sudden introduction or removal of negative air ions induces changes in control that tend to be of a negative nature: there is an increase in breathing frequency, breathing equivalent, and cardiac frequency at constant oxygen intake (p less than 0.025). In testing reaction time, only the sudden introduction of negative air ions produced a statistically significant effect, i.e. prolongation of reaction time. This effect, too, is of a more negative nature (p less than 0.05).

Resolution enhancement by extrapolation of the optically measured spectrum of surface profiles.

Surface features are measured by the analysis of the diffracted field intensity distribution generated by a scanning Gaussian beam. The measured data are shown to represent the amplitude of the Gabor expansion coefficients of the complex function embossed by the surface onto the reflected wave front. The surface is reconstructed by use of a custom-designed algorithm based on generalized projections, with a resolution exceeding the classical diffraction limit.

Relatives' perceptions of their interactional behavior with a schizophrenic family member.

Relatives' (N = 77) perceptions of their recent interactional behavior with a schizophrenic family member (N = 51), as measured by an adjective checklist, were compared with outside observer ratings of the relatives' Affective Style (AS) and the patients' Coping Style (CS) during a family interaction task. Results indicated that, overall, the relatives in the present sample perceived their own interactional behavior toward the patient, as well as the patients' behavior toward them, in a way that paralleled their affective behavior as assessed by outside raters. Moreover, the relatives' rated their relationship with the patient in a fashion that was more predictive of the observed interactional behavior of both the relatives and the patients than were the outside observers' ratings of the relatives' Expressed Emotion (EE) measured either at the patients' index hospitalization (using the Camberwell Family Interview, CFI-EE) or during the post-discharge period (assessed with a brief Five-Minute Speech Sample method, FMSS-EE).

Relatives' awareness of their own expressed emotion as measured by a self-report adjective checklist.

Relatives' ratings of their affective attitudes toward a schizophrenic family member (N = 54) on a self-report adjective checklist were compared with two methods for rating expressed emotion (EE)--the original Camberwell Family Interview (CFI-EE) and a Five-Minute Speech Sample method (FMSS-EE). Eighty-four relatives were included in the sample. Results indicate that, in general, the relatives in the present sample perceive in themselves attitudes toward the patient that parallel those assessed by outside raters. A higher rate of correspondence was found between adjective ratings and concurrent FMSS-EE status than with prior CFI-EE status. Relatives classified as high-EE, critical by either method, were more readily discriminable in their adjective ratings from those rated low-EE than were relatives rated high-EE on the basis of emotional overinvolvement.

Calcium and protein phosphorylation in the transduction of gravity signal in corn roots.

The involvement of calcium and protein phosphorylation in the transduction of gravity signal was studied using corn roots of a light-insensitive variety (Zea mays L., cv. Patriot). The gravitropic response was calcium-dependent. Horizontal placement of roots preloaded with 32P for three minutes resulted in changes in protein phosphorylation of polypeptides of 32 and 35 kD. Calcium depletion resulted in decreased phosphorylation of these phosphoproteins and replenishment of calcium restored the phosphorylation.

Recombinant human pim-1 protein exhibits serine/threonine kinase activity.

The protein predicted by the sequence of the human pim-1 proto-oncogene shares extensive homology with known serine/threonine protein kinases, and yet the human Pim-1 enzyme has previously been reported to exhibit protein tyrosine kinase activity both in vitro and in vivo. Recently a new class of protein kinases has been identified which exhibits both protein-serine/threonine and protein-tyrosine kinase activities. We therefore investigated the possibility that the human Pim-1 kinase likewise possesses such bifunctional enzymatic phosphorylating activities. A full-length human pim-1 cDNA was subcloned into the bacterial vector pGEX-2T and the Pim-1 protein expressed as a fusion product with bacterial glutathione S-transferase (GST). The hybrid GST-Pim-1 fusion protein was affinity purified on a glutathione-Sepharose column prior to treatment with thrombin for cleavage of the Pim-1 protein from the transferase. Pim-1 was purified and the identity of recombinant protein confirmed by amino-terminal sequence analysis. Pim-1 was tested for kinase activity with a variety of proteins and peptides known to be substrates for either mammalian protein-serine/threonine or protein-tyrosine kinases and was found to phosphorylate serine/threonine residues exclusively in vitro. Both the Pim-1-GST fusion protein and the isolated Pim-1 protein exhibited only serine/threonine phosphorylating activity under all in vitro conditions tested. Pim-1 phosphorylated purified mammalian histone H1 with a Km of approximately 51 microM. Additionally, Pim-1 exhibited low levels of serine/threonine autophosphorylating activity. These observations place the human Pim-1 in a small select group of cytoplasmic transforming oncogenic kinases, including the protein kinase C, the Raf/Mil, and the Mos subfamilies, exhibiting serine/threonine phosphorylating activity.

Calcium-regulated in vivo protein phosphorylation in Zea mays L. root tips.

Calcium dependent protein phosphorylation was studied in corn (Zea mays L.) root tips. Prior to in vivo protein phosphorylation experiments, the effect of calcium, ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N-N' -tetraacetic acid (EGTA) and calcium ionophore (A-23187) on phosphorus uptake was studied. Calcium increased phosphorus uptake, whereas EGTA and A-23187 decreased it. Consequently, phosphorus concentration in the media was adjusted so as to attain similar uptake in different treatments. Phosphoproteins were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Distinct changes in phosphorylation were observed following altered calcium levels. Calcium depletion in root tips with EGTA and A-23187 decreased protein phosphorylation. However, replenishment of calcium following EGTA and ionophore pretreatment enhanced phosphorylation of proteins. Preloading of the root tips with 32P in the presence of EGTA and A-23187 followed by a ten minute calcium treatment, resulted in increased phosphorylation indicating the involvement of calcium, calcium and calmodulin-dependent kinases. Calmodulin antagonist W-7 was effective in inhibiting calcium-promoted phosphorylation. These studies suggest a physiological role for calcium-dependent phosphorylation in calcium-mediated processes in plants.

Organization, inducible-expression and chromosome localization of the human HMG-I(Y) nonhistone protein gene.

Members of the HMG-I(Y) family of mammalian nonhistone proteins are of importance because they have been demonstrated to bind specifically to the minor groove of A.T-rich sequences both in vitro and in vivo and to function as gene transcriptional regulatory proteins in vivo. Here we report the cloning, sequencing, characterization and chromosomal localization of the human HMG-I(Y) gene. The gene has several potential promoter/enhancer regions, a number of different transcription start sites and numerous alternatively spliced exons making it one of the most complex nonhistone chromatin protein-encoding genes so far reported. The putative promoter/enhancer regions each contain a number of conserved nucleotide sequences for potential binding of inducible regulatory transcription factors. Consistent with the presence of these conserved sequences, we found that transcription of the HMG-I(Y) gene is inducible in human lymphoid cells by factors such as phorbol esters and calcium ionophores. Detailed sequence analysis confirms our earlier suggestion that alternative splicing of precursor mRNAs gives rise to the major HMG-I and HMG-Y isoform proteins found in human cells. Furthermore, the gene's exon-intron arrangement fully accounts for all of the previously cloned human HMG-I(Y) cDNAs (1,2). Also of considerable interest is the fact that each of the three different DNA-binding domain peptides present in an individual HMG-I(Y) protein is coded for by sequences present on separate exons thus potentially allowing for exon 'shuffling' of these functional domains during evolution. And, finally, we localized the gene to the short arm of chromosome 6 (6p) in a region that is known to be involved in rearrangements, translocations and other abnormalities correlated with a number of human cancers.

Characterization of the proto-oncogene pim-1: kinase activity and substrate recognition sequence.

The human pim-1 proto-oncogene was expressed in Escherichia coli as a glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-fusion protein and the enzymatic properties of its kinase activity were characterized. Likewise, a Pim-1 mutant lacking intrinsic kinase activity was constructed by site-directed mutagenesis (Lys67 to Met) and expressed in E. coli. In vitro assays with the mutant Pim-1 kinase showed no contaminating kinase activity. The wild-type Pim-1 kinase-GST fusion protein showed a pH optimum of 7 to 7.5 and optimal activity was observed at either 10 mM MgCl2 or 5 mM MnCl2. Higher cation concentrations were inhibitory, as was the addition of NaCl to the assays. Previous work by this laboratory assaying several proteins and peptides showed histone H1 and the peptide Kemptide to be efficiently phosphorylated by recombinant Pim-1 kinase. Here we examine the substrate sequence specificity of Pim-1 kinase in detail. Comparison of different synthetic peptide substrates showed Pim-1 to have a strong substrate preference for the peptide Lys-Arg-Arg-Ala-Ser*-Gly-Pro with an almost sixfold higher specificity constant kcat/Km over that of the substrate Kemptide (Leu-Arg-Arg-Ala-Ser*-Leu-Gly). The presence of basic amino acid residues on the amino terminal side of the target Ser/Thr was shown to be essential for peptide substrate recognition. Furthermore, phosphopeptide analysis of calf thymus histone H1 phosphorylated in vitro by Pim-1 kinase resulted in fragments containing sequences similar to that of the preferred synthetic substrate peptide shown above. Therefore, under optimized in vitro conditions, the substrate recognition sequence for Pim-1 kinase is (Arg/Lys)3-X-Ser/Thr*-X', where X' is likely neither a basic nor a large hydrophobic residue.

Signal transduction in plants: evidence for the involvement of calcium and turnover of inositol phospholipids.

Involvement of calcium and turnover of inositol phospholipids in signal transduction was investigated using roots of a variety of corn (Zea mays L., cv. Merit) which require light to develop gravitropic sensitivity. Depletion of calcium in root tips by EGTA plus calcium ionophore A23187 prior to light treatment resulted in the loss of light-dependent gravisensitivity. Replenishment of calcium to depleted roots restored the light-dependent gravisensitivity. Light treatment of dark-grown roots resulted in an increased level of inositol trisphosphate as compared to controls. Furthermore, 5-hydroxytryptamine, which is known to promote the hydrolysis of phosphoinositides, sensitized dark-grown roots to gravity and increased inositol trisphosphate levels. These results support the hypothesis that calcium and inositol phospholipid turnover play a role in signal transduction in plants.

Different interleukin 2 receptor beta-chain tyrosines couple to at least two signaling pathways and synergistically mediate interleukin 2-induced proliferation.

One of the earliest events induced by interleukin 2 (IL-2) is tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins, including the IL-2 receptor beta chain (IL-2Rbeta). Simultaneous mutation of three tyrosines (Y338, Y392, and Y510) in the IL-2Rbeta cytoplasmic domain abrogated IL-2-induced proliferation, whereas mutation of only Y338 or of Y392 and Y510 inhibited proliferation only partially. While Y392 and Y510 were critical for IL-2-induced activation of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT proteins), Y338 was required for Shc-IL-2Rbeta association and for IL-2-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc. Thus, activation of both Jak-STAT and Shc-coupled signaling pathways requires specific IL-2Rbeta tyrosines that together act in concert to mediate maximal proliferation. In COS-7 cells, overexpression of Jak1 augmented phosphorylation of Y338 as well as Y392 and Y510, suggesting that the role for this Jak kinase may extend beyond the Jak-STAT pathway.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2)-mediated induction of the IL-2 receptor alpha chain gene. Critical role of two functionally redundant tyrosine residues in the IL-2 receptor beta chain cytoplasmic domain and suggestion that these residues mediate more than Stat5 activation.

The interleukin-2 receptor alpha chain (IL-2Ralpha) is potently induced by antigens, mitogens, and certain cytokines that include IL-2 itself. This induction leads to the formation of high affinity IL-2 receptors when IL-2Ralpha is co-expressed with the beta (IL-2Rbeta) and gamma (gammac) chains of this receptor. We investigated the signaling pathways mediating IL-2-induced IL-2Ralpha mRNA expression using 32D myeloid progenitor cells stably transfected with either wild type IL-2Rbeta or mutants of IL-2Rbeta containing tyrosine to phenylalanine substitutions. Of the six cytoplasmic tyrosines in IL-2Rbeta, we have found that only the two tyrosines that mediate Stat5 activation (Tyr-392 and Tyr-510) contribute to IL-2-induced IL-2Ralpha gene expression and that either tyrosine alone is sufficient for this process. Interestingly, the IL-7 receptor contains a tyrosine (Tyr-429)-based sequence resembling the motifs encompassing Tyr-392 and Tyr-510 of IL-2Rbeta. Further paralleling the IL-2 system, IL-7 could activate Stat5 and drive expression of IL-2Ralpha mRNA in 32D cells transfected with the human IL-7R. However, IL-3 could not induce IL-2Ralpha mRNA in 32D cells, despite its ability to activate Stat5 via the endogenous IL-3 receptor. Moreover, the combination of IL-3 and IL-2 could not "rescue" IL-2Ralpha mRNA expression in cells containing an IL-2Rbeta mutant with phenylalanine substitutions at Tyr-392 and Tyr-510. These data suggest that Tyr-392 and Tyr-510 couple to an additional signaling pathway beyond STAT protein activation in IL-2-mediated induction of the IL-2Ralpha gene.