Mycobacteriosis-associated mortality in wild striped bass (Morone saxatilis) from Chesapeake Bay, U.S.A.

The striped bass (Morone saxatilis) is an economically and ecologically important finfish species along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. Recent stock assessments in Chesapeake Bay (U.S.A.) indicate that non-fishing mortality in striped bass has increased since 1999, concomitant with very high (>50%) prevalence of visceral and dermal disease caused by Mycobacterium spp. Current fishery assessment models do not differentiate between disease and other components of non-fishing mortality (e.g., senescence, predation); therefore, disease impact on the striped bass population has not been established. Specific measurement of mortality associated with mycobacteriosis in wild striped bass is complicated because the disease is chronic and mortality is cryptic. Epidemiological models have been developed to estimate disease-associated mortality from cross-sectional prevalence data and have recently been generalized to represent disease processes more realistically. Here, we used this generalized approach to demonstrate disease-associated mortality in striped bass from Chesapeake Bay. To our knowledge this is the first demonstration of cryptic mortality associated with a chronic infectious disease in a wild finfish. This finding has direct implications for management and stock assessment of striped bass, as it demonstrates population-level negative impacts of a chronic disease. Additionally, this research provides a framework by which disease-associated mortality may be specifically addressed within fisheries models for resource management.

Follow-up evaluation of resected lumbar vertebral chordoma over 11 years: a case report.

STUDY DESIGN: A case report with an 11-year follow-up assessment after resection and reconstruction for lumbar chordoma is given. The literature relevant to this topic is reviewed. OBJECTIVES: To report the long-term outcome in a case of lumbar chordoma, to review the literature on vertebral chordoma, and to outline the rationale for surgical resection in such cases. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Chordoma is a malignant bone tumor that grows slowly, often recurs locally, and metastasizes late. Although different treatment approaches exist, including radiation and surgery, the only curative treatment is early and complete surgical excision of the tumor. Immediate spinal stability must be achieved with appropriate replacement or bone graft with rigid fixation. METHODS: The 11-year follow-up evaluation of a 42-year-old woman with L3 and L4 vertebral body chordoma treated with complete removal, femoral shaft allograft replacement, fusion, and rigid metal fixation is reported. The patient was observed with serial physical examinations, radiographs, and laboratory studies over 11 years. RESULTS: At this writing, 11 years after the resection of the L3 and L4 chordoma, the patient is asymptomatic without evidence of recurrence or metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: As reported, vertebral chordomas are not curable, but the authors' experience contradicts this. The surgeon should aim at a wide, or at least a marginal, excision followed by a stable reconstruction.

Analysis of genetically modified plant gene expression using GUS fluorimetry.

A fluorimetric assay method for the analysis of beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene expression in genetically modified plants is described. Optimization of this method for woody plants and a statistical approach suitable for comparisons of gene expression in different transformants or tissues of the same plant is described. Example data from elm (Ulmus procera) SR4 regenerant plants, shown to be genetically modified by PCR and DNA-DNA hybridizations, in which higher GUS expression levels are found in stems than in leaves demonstrates the utility of this approach.

RS2: a sugar beet gene related to the latex allergen Hev b 5 family.

A novel gene (RS2) has been isolated from a Beta vulgaris (cv. Regina) cDNA library. The expression of this gene was enhanced in the mature storage organ as compared to leaf tissue. The protein encoded by this gene was found to be alanine- and glutamic acid-rich and it resembles members of the latex allergen Hev b 5 family.

Regeneration of phenotypically normal English elm (Ulmus procera) plantlets following transformation with an Agrobacterium tumefaciens binary vector.

A transformation system was developed for English elm (Ulmus procera Salisbury) using Agrobacterium tumefaciens C58 pMP90 p35SGUS/INTRON, allowing for the transfer of foreign genes and regeneration of phenotypically normal elm plantlets. The PCR analysis indicated that both nptII and uidA genes were stably inserted in the plant genome. beta-Glucuronidase histochemical and fluorimetric assays revealed expression of the uidA gene in the shoots, leaves, stems and roots of regenerated transgenic plants. The DNA-DNA hybridizations confirmed the presence of the uidA gene in regenerant plants. Factors influencing successful transformation and regeneration of elms included: identifying gene-transfer-proficient Agrobacterium strains for use with elms; developing an infection protocol allowing T-DNA transfer while retaining the ability to remove inciting bacteria; and identifying selection conditions to eliminate non-transformed material and choice of regeneration medium to allow shoot production. The potential utility of an effective elm transformation and regeneration system in the control of Dutch elm disease is discussed.

Minimizing liability risks of head and neck injuries in football.

Although catastrophic head and neck injuries in football occur infrequently, their occurrence is almost always followed by litigation. The athletic trainer has to be sure he/she has adequate liability insurance to cover the costs of a defense and a possible judgment. General claims filed against athletic staffs usually deal with instruction, equipment, matching of participants, supervision, and/or postinjury care. The defenses to these claims include: statutory immunity, assumption of risk, releases or waivers, and the reckless disregard standard. The athletic trainer plays a key role in head and neck injury prevention and care, and must be aware of litigation possibilities, along with methods of risk management. We present recommendations aimed at minimizing the risk of head and neck injuries and the risk of liability. The areas covered are: preparing for head and neck lawsuits, preventing head and neck injuries, and postcatastrophic injury care. We base these recommendations on principles that the athletic trainer can easily apply to other areas, broadening the risk management concept presented.

Orthopaedic clinical research. Deficiencies in experimental design and determinations of outcome.

The validity of the designs of some published orthopaedic clinical-research studies has been questioned. It has also been suggested that such studies should focus more on the outcome in terms of the health of the patients rather than primarily on procedural or technical concerns. To test the validity of these criticisms, ten published reports on the surgical treatment of patients who had a selected diagnosis were reviewed to evaluate the strategies that had been used in the design of the study and the outcome in terms of the patient's health. Ten articles on the long-term follow-up of patients after primary total hip arthroplasty for the treatment of osteoarthritis, published in peer-reviewed journals, were examined to determine the strategies that had been used in the design of each study and the methods of reporting the outcomes. All ten articles were found to be deficient in terms of design, to be flawed by confusing data, and to contain results of doubtful validity. The emphasis in the reported outcomes was predominantly on the status of the prosthetic device instead of on the health of the patients in whom the prosthetic device had been used. Authors, journals, program committees, and professional societies must share the blame for the publication of flawed studies that are designed using inappropriate strategies. In the future, reports on orthopaedic clinical research must focus more on the health of and the economic benefits to the patients and less on the outcome of the technology that was used in providing the services.

Stress fracture of the pubic ramus in a swimmer.

Stress fracture is common in military recruits, joggers, and runners. Stress fracture in the pubic ramus is not common, and it constitutes only 1.25% of all stress fractures. A stress fracture, avulsion type of the pubis at the insertion of adductor magnus on an active swimmer is reported here.

Transformation of sugarcane protoplasts by direct uptake of a selectable chimaeric gene.

Sugarcane protoplasts were transformed to kanamycin resistance at a frequency of approximately 8 in 10(7) following PEG-induced uptake of Sma1 linearised pABD1 plasmid. DNA-treated protoplasts were cultured in agarose droplets, and protoplast-derived transformants selected on 80 µg ml(-1) kanamycin. Transformed tissues maintained on this level of antibiotic expressed APH(3')II activity, and contained DNA that hybridised to a probe with the APH(3')II gene.

Intrathoracic chordoma presenting as a posterior superior mediastinal tumor.

A case of thoracic chordoma successfully treated with surgical excision is reported and described. Thoracic chordomata presenting as posterior superior mediastinal tumors occur infrequently and may be highly malignant lesions. Early radical surgery through thoracotomy provide the best hope of cure, and radiation offers only temporary regression of tumor.