Inheritance of nuclear DNA markers in gynogenetic haploid pink salmon.

We describe the inheritance of 460 PCR-based loci in the polyploid-derived pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) genome using gynogenetic haploid embryos. We detected a length polymorphism in a growth hormone gene (GH-2) intron that is caused by an 81 bp insertion homologous to the 3' end of the salmonid short interspersed repetitive element (SINE) SmaI. Such insertion polymorphisms within species bring into question the use of SINEs as phylogenetic markers. We confirmed that a microsatellite locus encodes a PCR-null allele that is responsible for an apparent deficit of heterozygotes in a population sample from Prince William Sound. Another set of microsatellite primers amplified alleles of the same molecular weight from both loci of a duplicated pair. In our analysis of several PCR-based multilocus techniques, we failed to detect evidence of comigrating fragments produced by duplicated loci. Segregation analysis of PCR-based markers using gynogenetic haploid embryos ensures that the interpretation of molecular variation is not complicated by heterozygosity, diploidy, or gene duplication. We urge investigators to test the inheritance of polymorphisms in salmonids prior to using them to measure genetic variation.

Clinical study of alar anatomy and surgery of the alar base.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze and quantify specific aspects of alar base anatomy and to identify anatomic configurations that may be correlated with specific surgical manipulations. DESIGN: Analysis in a population of patients presenting for aesthetic nasal surgery. SETTING: Facial plastic surgery practice. PATIENTS: The photographic slides of 120 white patients who presented for consultation were reviewed. INTERVENTIONS: On the base view of photographic slides, observations were made on the width of the alar base, recurvature of the alar base, thickness of the alar lobule, thickness of the alar wall, and flare of the alar wall. On the lateral view, observations were made on the vertical insertion of the ala on the face (cephalic, normal, or caudal), contour of alar rim in profile (gentle S-shape or straight), size of alar lobule (small, normal, or large), and alar-columellar relationship, with special attention to the presence of alar hooding. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A spreadsheet program was used to analyze the incidence of each configuration and any association between various features of the alar base. RESULTS: Anatomic diversity exists that requires a careful individual analysis for each patient. A planned surgical intervention must fit the patient's unique anatomy. Distinctive configurations of recurvature, vertical insertion, and other aspects of the alar base were observed, with special implications for the surgeon's approach. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomic diversity requires a thorough preoperative examination followed by selection of an approach that addresses the specific anatomic findings. The choice of the best alar reduction and sculpture technique ultimately relies on a precise analysis of the anatomic configuration of the patient's alar base.

A treatment for primary ciliary dyskinesia: efficacy of functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is an inherited disorder manifested in children as chronic otomastoiditis, recurrent pneumonia, and chronic sinusitis. The failure of the ciliary beat pattern to effectively function in the respiratory tract produces stasis of secretions with secondary inflammation, edema, and infection. The authors report three young children with PCD who presented with variable severities of symptoms. Each had the aforementioned respiratory tract problems. The child with the most severe symptomatology was treated with a variety of medical options, including long-term gamma globulin injections, but hospitalizations persisted twice per month because of severe sinopulmonary illness. All three of the children underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). In addition, two children received pressure equalization (PE) tubes. One child required a revision procedure. Their surgical outcomes are discussed. Follow-up of FESS in three children with this disorder shows a marked improvement in symptomatology with a decreased incidence of hospitalization and a somewhat decreased need for medical therapy.

Chronic ovine evaluation of a totally implantable electrical left ventricular assist system.

The totally implantable Novacor left ventricular assist system (LVAS) comprises a pump/drive unit (VAD), electronic control and power subsystem (ECP), variable volume compensator (VVC), and belt skin transformer (BST). The system is now undergoing chronic in vivo evaluation. Cumulative animal testing of VAD, VVC, and BST subsystems are 12.1, 4.9, and 43 years, respectively. The longest implants were 279 days for the VAD, 767 days for the VVC, and 1,148 days for the BST. A chronic implant of the total system was electively terminated at 260 days. The LVAS was powered via the BST. Continuously monitored hemodynamic and pump parameters have demonstrated normal hemodynamics and LVAS operation. Periodic VVC determinations suggest a 0.8 ml/day diffusive gas loss. Tether-free operation has been demonstrated with an Ag-Zn battery backpack. The animal was healthy and free of infection as indicated by routine hematologic, biochemical and serum enzyme determinations. Hemolysis is minimal (plasma free hemoglobin less than 5 mg%). Pump output ranged from 7 to 8 L/min. Severe valve calcification was the reason for elective termination at 260 days. This preclinical in vivo experience, and in vitro reliability studies, demonstrate efficacy of the total system.

Hierarchical Response of Light Harvesting Chlorophyll-Proteins in a Light-Sensitive Chlorophyll b-Deficient Mutant of Maize.

The light-sensitive chlorophyll b (Chl b)-deficient oil yellow-yellow green (OY-YG) mutant of maize (Zea mays) grown under conditions of high light exhibits differential reductions in the accumulation of the three major Chl b-containing antenna complexes and characteristic changes in thylakoid architecture. When observed by freeze-fracture electron microscopy, the most notable changes in the OY-YG thylakoid structure are: (a) a major reduction in the number of 8 nanometer particles of the protoplasmic fracture face of stacked membrane regions (PFs) paralleled by a 60% reduction in the chlorophyll-proteins (CP) associated with the peripheral light harvesting complex (LHCII) for photosystem II (PSII) and which give rise to the LHCII oligomer/monomer (CPII(*)/CPII) bands on mildly dissociated green gels; (b) a sizable decrease in the proportion of 11 to 13 nanometer particles of the protoplasmic fracture face of unstacked membrane regions (PFu) that parallels the loss of light harvesting complex I (LHCI) antennae from photosystem I (PSI) centers and a 40% reduction of the band containing CP1 and LHCI (CPI(*)) on mildly dissociating green gels; (c) an unchanged or slightly increased average size of particles of the exoplasmic fracture face of stacked (or appressed) membrane regions (EFs) along with a relative increase in CP29, the postulated bound LHC of PSII, and of CP47 and CP43, PSII core antenna complexes. This latter result sets the OY-YG mutant apart from all other Chl b-deficient mutants studied to date, all of which possess EFs particles that are substantially reduced in size. Based on these findings, we postulate that the bound LHCII associated with EFs particles consists mostly of CP29 chlorophyll proteins and very little, if any, CPII(*)/CPII chlorophyll proteins. Indeed, the CPII(*)/CPII chlorophyll proteins may be exclusively associated with the ;peripheral' LHCII units that give rise to 8 nanometer PF particles. The differential effect of the Chl b deficiency on the accumulation of the three main antenna complexes (CPII(*)/CPII>CPI(*)>CP29) suggests, furthermore, that there is a hierarchy among Chl b-binding proteins, and that this hierarchy might be an integral part of long-term photoregulation mediating Chl b partitioning in the chloroplast.

Compensatory Alterations in the Photochemical Apparatus of a Photoregulatory, Chlorophyll b-Deficient Mutant of Maize.

Characterization of the functional organization of the photochemical apparatus in the light sensitive chlorophyll b-deficient oil yellow-yellow green (OY-YG) mutant of maize (Zea mays) is presented. Spectrophotometric and kinetic analysis revealed substantially lower amounts of the light harvesting complex of photosystem II (LHCII-peripheral) in high light-grown OY-YG thylakoids. However, accumulation of a tightly bound LHCII appears unaffected by the lesion. Changes in photosystem (PS) stoichiometry include lower amounts of PSII with characteristic fast kinetics (PSII(alpha)) and a substantial accumulation of PSII centers with characteristic slow kinetics (PSII(beta)) in the thylakoid membrane of the OY-YG mutant. Thus, PSII(beta) is the dominant photosystem in the mutant chloroplasts. In contrast to wild type, roughly 80% of the mutant PSII(beta) centers are functionally coupled to the plastoquinone pool and are probably localized in the appressed regions of the thylakoid membrane. These centers, designated PSII(beta)-Q(B)-reducing (Q(B) being the secondary electron quinone acceptor of PSII), are clearly distinct from the typical PSII(beta)-Q(B)-nonreducing centers found in the stroma lamellae of wild-type chloroplasts. It is concluded that the observed changes in the stoichiometry of electron-transport complexes reflect the existence of a regulatory mechanism for the adjustment of photosystem stoichiometry in chloroplasts designed to correct any imbalance in light absorption by the two photosystems.