ABSTRACT
A 31-year old Egyptian was referred to evaluate the etiology of elevated liver enzymes. The patient had been suffering from diabetes type 1 for three years and complained about episodes of light diarrhea. Laboratory investigation revealed a moderate elevation of cholestatic enzymes. Ultrasound examination and computed tomography did not show mechanical biliary obstruction. Drug-induced cholestasis, viral hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis could be excluded as well. Finally, schistosomiasis mansoni was diagnosed by microscopic stool examination as well as histological evaluation of biopsy specimens obtained during colonoscopy. This parasitic disease may cause slowly progressive liver injury by the release of schistosome eggs into the portal vein system. Histological evaluation of liver specimens of this patient showed portal inflammation and the presence of pigmented macrophages. This pattern, though unspecific, was consistent with the diagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni. Treatment with praziquantel resulted in regression of diarrhea episodes and normalization of cholestatic enzymes within three months.
Subject(s)
Cholestasis, Intrahepatic/etiology , Emigration and Immigration , Liver Function Tests , Schistosomiasis mansoni/diagnosis , Adult , Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic/pathology , Biopsy , Cholestasis, Intrahepatic/diagnosis , Cholestasis, Intrahepatic/pathology , Colon/pathology , Diagnosis, Differential , Egypt/ethnology , Feces/parasitology , Humans , Intestinal Mucosa/pathology , Male , Schistosomiasis mansoni/pathology , SwitzerlandABSTRACT
The chromosomal translocation t(8;21) is one of the most frequent aberrations associated with acute myeloid leukaemia. It joins the 5' section of the AML1 gene with the almost complete open reading frame of MTG8 (ETO). The resulting fusion RNA represents a leukaemia-specific target for antisense/ribozyme inhibition. We tested several asymmetric hammerhead ribozymes targeted against the fusion site for their ability to cleave the AML1/MTG8 RNA at low magnesium concentrations. One ribozyme cleaves AML1/MTG8 RNA with high catalytic efficiency without binding or cleaving the wild-type AML1 transcript. The presence of cellular RNA does not affect the cleavage. Injection of AML1/MTG8 RNA and ribozyme RNA into Xenopus eggs or oocytes causes a specific reduction of AML1/MTG8 protein expression. Asymmetric anti-AML1/MTG8 ribozymes may be valuable modulators of AML1/MTG8 expression in leukaemic cells.
Subject(s)
DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins , RNA, Catalytic/metabolism , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Animals , Base Sequence , Catalysis , Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Hydrolysis , Kinetics , Molecular Sequence Data , Nucleic Acid Conformation , Oocytes/metabolism , RNA, Catalytic/chemistry , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein , Transcription Factors/genetics , Xenopus laevisABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the likeliness for peripheral nerve lesions following extracorporeal shock wave application. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 82 rabbit sciatic nerves were randomized to undergo low-energetic (0.08 mJ/mm2), middle-energetic (0.28 mJ/mm2) or no (controls) shock wave therapy. After 1 to 28 days an independent neuropathologist checked the specimen for signs of neural lesions. RESULTS: Only after 14 and 28 days vacuolic swelling of the axons was noted, somewhat pronounced in the middle-energetic group. In no case was there any disruption of the nerve's continuity. We did not observe any neurapraxia. CONCLUSION: Shock wave application does not threaten peripheral nerve integrity in an animal model.
Subject(s)
Lithotripsy/adverse effects , Sciatic Nerve/injuries , Animals , Equipment Safety , Rabbits , Risk Factors , Sciatic Nerve/pathologyABSTRACT
The case of a 29 year-old female patient who had experienced pain in the right midfoot for 5 years which was diagnosed as a degenerative or rheumatic change and treated by physiotherapy and medication. By means of magnetic resonance imaging we identified a soft-tissue tumor of the midfoot. Histology provided the findings of a monophasic fibrous synovial sarcoma. The case history is reported together with a presentation of the disease and its radiological diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Foot Diseases/diagnosis , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Sarcoma, Synovial/diagnosis , Soft Tissue Neoplasms/diagnosis , Adult , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Foot/pathology , HumansABSTRACT
Based on partial amino acid sequences obtained from tryptic peptides of the purified 24K antigen of Borna disease virus (BDV), we identified and sequenced four independent cDNA clones established from BDV-infected MDCK cells. Each of the clones encodes a polypeptide of 201 residues (Mr 22461) that differs considerably from an amino acid sequence published recently. In vitro transcription/translation of both the wild-type and a 5' truncated clone lacking the first ATG codon yielded a peptide that comigrates on electrophoresis with a polypeptide immunoprecipitated from BDV-infected cells. The deduced amino acid sequence contains a putative signal for nuclear targeting.
Subject(s)
Antigens, Viral/chemistry , Borna disease virus/immunology , RNA, Viral/chemistry , Viral Proteins/chemistry , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology , Antigens, Viral/genetics , Base Sequence , Blotting, Northern , Borna disease virus/genetics , Cell Nucleus/chemistry , Chromatography, Affinity , Cytosol/chemistry , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Molecular Sequence Data , Molecular Weight , Peptide Fragments/chemistry , Peptide Fragments/genetics , Precipitin Tests , Protein Biosynthesis , Transcription, Genetic , Viral Proteins/geneticsABSTRACT
The structure of nocturnal sleep of 16 volunteers, participating in the anaerobic sports of trampolining, dancing, and soccer, was monitored by means of polygraphic recordings. Since trampolining requires the acquisition of unfamiliar patterns of motor coordination, it can be considered as a special form of motor learning, whereas the acquisition of motor skills specific for dancing and soccer can be linked with motor patterns of normal biped locomotion. According to this view, an experimental group of 8 volunteers was formed; they participated in a training course of trampolining. In addition, a control group of 8 subjects was recruited, who engaged in one of the other two anaerobic sports. Subjects who had acquired new motor skills during a 13-wk. program in trampolining showed a statistically significant increase in REM-sleep. By contrast, the 8 subjects of the control group showed no considerable changes in REM-sleep. This suggests that efforts in acquiring new and complex motor patterns activate processes specifically involved in the generation of REM stage during nocturnal sleep.
