Correction to: Determination of the Genetic and Synergistic Suppression of a Methoxyfenozide-Resistant Strain of the House Fly Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae).

Due to an unfortunate turn of events, the surname of the last author appeared incorrectly in the original publication as the name should have read Binyameen.

Determination of the Genetic and Synergistic Suppression of a Methoxyfenozide-Resistant Strain of the House Fly Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae).

Musca domestica Linnaeus (house fly, Diptera: Muscidae) is a major veterinary and medical important pest all over the world. These flies have ability to develop resistance to insecticides. The present trial was performed to discover the inheritance mode (autosomal, dominance, number of genes involved) and preliminary mechanism of methoxyfenozide resistance in order to provide basic information necessary to develop resistance management strategy for this pest. A strain of M. domestica (MXY-SEL) was exposed to methoxyfenozide for 44 generations which developed a 5253.90-fold level of resistance to methoxyfenozide. The overlapping fiducial limits of LC50 values of the reciprocal crosses, F1 (MXY-SEL ♂ × Susceptible ♀) and F1† (MXY-SEL ♀ × Susceptible ♂), suggest that inheritance of methoxyfenozide resistance was an autosomal and likely completely dominant trait (DLC = 0.93 and 0.94 for F1 and F1†, respectively). Backcrosses of the F1 with the parental MXY-SEL or Susceptible population predict a polygenic mode of inheritance. Piperonyl butoxide significantly altered the LC50 values, suggesting enhanced detoxification by cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases is a major mechanism of resistance to methoxyfenozide in the MXY-SEL strain. The estimated realized heritability was 0.07 for methoxyfenozide. These results would be helpful for the better management of M. domestica.

Assessment of obesity, overweight and its association with the fast food consumption in medical students.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a condition in which excess body fat accumulates, which leads to various adverse effects on health, particularly cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which reduce life expectancy and/or increase health problems. Fast food consumption is one of the factors which have been reported as a cause of obesity. Body mass index (BMI) is used to assess obesity and overweight, which can be calculated by using the formula, weight in kg, divided by square of height in metres. AIM: This study focused on the relationship of body mass index with fast food consumption, associated soft drink consumption and physical activity. METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Biochemistry, SBKS MI and RC, and Sumandeep Vidyapeeth. This study was approved by the ethical review board .One hundred and forty seven medical students from 1(st) year MBBS course were included in this study. Self-structured questionnaire was used, which contained several data like information on age, height, weight, education level. The formula used for calculating BMI was, weight in kg, divided by square of height in metres (Kg/m(2)). RESULTS: In our study, out of 147 students, a total of 138 students (more than 90%) used to have fast food. Among these, a total of 47 students (34.05%) were pre-obese and obese. Out of 147 students, 87 students (59.18%) were in normal weight range, while 13 (8.84%) students were underweight. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data was compiled in an Excel worksheet and it was analyzed for percentages and proportions. Chi-square and Pearson's correlation test were also applied wherever they were applicable and Alpha error was set at a 5% level. CONCLUSION: In our study, a significant relationship was found between BMI and fast food consumption, less physical activity, and intake of soft drinks.

Characterization and polymorphism of keratin associated protein 1.4 gene in goats.

Keratin-associated proteins (KAPs) are among the main structural components of the animal fibers and form semi-rigid matrix wherein the keratin intermediate filaments (KIFs) are embedded. Variation in the KAP genes has been reported to affect the structure of KAPs and hence fiber characteristics. As no information is available on this gene in Capra hircus therefore, present work was undertaken to characterize and explore the different polymorphic variants of KAP1.4 gene at DNA level in different breeds/genetic groups of goats of Kashmir. Cashmere (Changthangi, 30 animals) and non-Cashmere (Bakerwal and Kargil goats, 20 animals each) goats formed the experimental animals for the study. Single strand conformation polymorphism technique was employed for exploring variability at gene level. On exploring the size variability in KAP1.4 gene between Ovine and Caprine, it was concluded that sheep KAP1.4 gene has a deletion of 30 nucleotides. In comparison to published nucleotide sequences of sheep, goat sequences explored are differing at positions 174, 462 and 568 and at these positions "G", "T" and "T" nucleotides are present in sheep, but are replaced by "A", "C" and "C" respectively, in goats. By SSC studies, two genotypes were observed in each genetic group and in Bakerwal goats the genotypes were designated as A1A1 (0.40) and A1A2 (0.60) and were formed by two alleles A1 (0.70) andA2 (0.30). The different SSC patterns observed in Kargil goats were designated as B1B1 (0.35) and B1B2 (0.65) genotypes with frequencies of B1 and B2 alleles as 0.675 and 0.325, respectively. Similarly, two genotypes C1C1 (0.60) and C1C2 (0.40) were observed in Changthangi goats and the frequencies of C1 and C2 alleles were 0.80 and 0.20, respectively. These alleles were later confirmed by sequencing. The sequences of these alleles are available in NCBI under Acc. No's. JN012101.1, JN012102.1, JN000317.1, JN000318.1, JQ436929 and JQ627657. It was concluded that all the alleles observed in a breed were unique to the breed. The designated A1 and A2 alleles of Bakerwal goats differ from each other at positions 245 and the nucleotides observed were "C" or "A" and at position 605 of the nucleotide sequence "T" or "C", were observed. The designated B1 and B2 alleles of Kargil goats differed from each other at positions 224, 374, 375 and 521. The nucleotides observed in two SSC pattern were C→G, A→G, G→A and T→C, respectively. The designated C1 and C2 alleles of Changthangi goats differed from each other at one position 440 with the change of "A"→"C". Only two mutations C224G and G375A in Kargil goats resulted in change of the Cysteine (C)→Serine (S) and Alanine (A)→Threonine (T), respectively. The nucleotide sequences of KAP 1.4 gene in Bakerwal, Kargil and Changthangi goats showed 99.7% similarity with each other and 96.7% with sheep and 74.4% with mice. Average guard fiber length and diameter were 81.02±0.16 mm and 67.53±0.97 µm, respectively, and average down fiber length and diameter was 48.38±0.70 mm and 13.32±0.29 µm, respectively for Changthangi goats. Average guard fiber length and diameter were 63.51±4.52 mm and 105.31±4.48 µm, respectively for Bakerwal goats and 62.60±5.03 mm and 107.18±2.30 µm, respectively for Kargil goats. The effects of the observed genotypes on Cashmere fiber diameter, Cashmere fiber length in Changthangi goats and guard fiber length and guard fiber diameters in Changthangi, Kargil and Bakerwal goats were found to be non-significant (P>0.05).The nonsignificant association between the polymorphism and fiber attributes reported herein may be due to small sample size.

Occurrence of diclofenac and its metabolites in surface water and effluent samples from Karachi, Pakistan.

Diclofenac and five of its transformation products were identified in Malir River and Lyari River water as well as in effluent samples from Karachi, Pakistan. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the identification of 3'-hydroxydiclofenac and 8-chlorocarbazole-1-yl-ethanoic acid in environmental samples. Their estimated concentrations ranged between 0.08-0.3 microg L(-1) and 0.03-0.4 microg L(-1), respectively. In addition, 4'- and 5-hydroxydiclofenac as well as 1-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indole-2-one were detected in the samples at concentrations between 0.4-1.8, 0.01-0.3, and 0.02-0.2 microg L(-1), respectively. The hydroxy derivatives seem to reflect human excretions via household wastewater, while the chlorocarbazole derivative is related to abiotic photolytic transformation of diclofenac.

Stabilization of phenylalanine ammonia lyase against organic solvent mediated deactivation.

A potential novel therapy for phenylketonuria involves oral administration of microencapsulated phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), an enzyme that converts phenylalanine to transcinnamic acid. A drawback of this potential therapy is that encapsulated PAL retains only 23% of its activity. Microcapsules are prepared by emulsifying PAL in 10% hemoglobin solution with water-saturated ether (WSE) and subsequent addition of cellulose nitrate dissolved in ether:ethanol (E:E) mixture. The objective of this paper was to determine the contribution of emulsification to the overall loss in activity of encapsulated PAL, and to devise strategies to protect PAL against such loss in activity. Emulsification was simulated by stirring the aqueous phase containing PAL with the organic phase. The mixture was then centrifuged, and the protein content and catalytic activity of PAL in the aqueous phase was measured. Emulsification of PAL solution with WSE caused no loss in activity but resulted in a loss in protein content of aqueous phase. Size exclusion chromatography and gel electrophoresis studies showed that the loss was primarily due to the specific loss of impurities in the PAL sample. Emulsification of PAL solution with E:E resulted in a 50% decrease in its activity. Among the additives, hydroxypropyl-gamma-cyclodextrin and hydroxy propyl-beta-cyclodextrin protected PAL against emulsion mediated loss in activity.

Pneumococcal pneumonia in patients requiring hospitalization: effects of bacteremia and HIV seropositivity on radiographic appearance.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to establish the incidence of lobar versus bronchopneumonia patterns in patients hospitalized for pneumococcal pneumonia and to determine whether bacteremia or HIV status affects the radiographic appearance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-one patients with community-acquired pneumococcal pneumonia and positive findings on admission chest radiographs were selected from a group of 105 patients with positive findings for Streptococcus pneumoniae from sputum or blood cultures. Patients less than 16 years old and those with nosocomial pneumonia, aspiration pneumonia, or coexistent lung disease were excluded. The dominant pattern was classified as lobar or lobular bronchopneumonia by two radiologists who were unaware of results from blood cultures and HIV testing. RESULTS: Forty-three females and 38 males, with a mean age of 48 years (age range, 16-92 years), required admission for pneumococcal pneumonia. Fifty-nine (73%) of the 81 patients were bacteremic and 20 (25%) of the 81 patients were HIV-positive, including 14 patients (17%) who were both bacteremic and HIV-positive. Among all the patients, focal lobar consolidation was the most common pattern, observed in 48%. Multifocal lobar consolidation was the next most frequent pattern, occurring in 33%. Multifocal and focal bronchopneumonia patterns were seen in 16% and 2% of the patients, respectively. Overall, multifocal consolidation occurred in 49%. The dominant radiographic pattern and incidence of multicentric disease were not affected by HIV seropositivity (p = 0. 61) or bacteremia (p = 0.17). CONCLUSION: Lobar consolidation, involving single or multiple lobes, is the most common radiographic pattern of community-acquired pneumococcal pneumonia in patients requiring hospitalization. The pattern of consolidation is not influenced by bacteremia or HIV status.

Bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma: impact of histology on dominant CT pattern.

The authors set out to determine how histologic variability in bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma impacts dominant radiographic patterns shown by computed tomography (CT). Thoracic CT's of all patients with pathologically confirmed bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma diagnosed over a 36-month period were reviewed without knowledge of underlying histologic type. The dominant CT pattern was recorded as 1) air space consolidation; 2) focal nodule or mass; and 3) multicentric nodules or masses. Nodules and masses were further characterized according to borders, distribution, and associated findings, including spiculations and air bronchograms. Histology was independently reviewed. Twenty-seven patients, 16 women and 11 men, mean age 60 years, were diagnosed with bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma. In 6 (22%) of the 27 cases, the histology was mucinous, with malignant goblet cells identified. Five (83%) of the six mucinous neoplasms manifested as air space consolidation and three (50%) of the six presented with multiple nodules, in which two had coexisting air space consolidation. Of the remaining 21 cases (78%) with nonmucinous histology, the primary malignant cells of origin included Clara cells (n = 8), tall columnar epithelial cells (n = 7) and alveolar type II pneumocytes (n = 6). Sclerosis was a dominant histologic feature in 14 (67%) of the 21 cases. Seventeen (81%) of the nonmucinous neoplasms presented as isolated nodules or masses and four (19%) presented as multiple nodules or masses. Of these four patients with multifocal disease and nonmucinous histology, multiple bronchioloalveolar adenomas accounted for multicentricity in two of the patients. Significant correlations included air space consolidation with mucinous histology (p = 0.001) and focal nodule or mass with nonmucinous histology (p = 0.001). At CT of bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma, the patterns of air-space consolidation correlate with mucinous histology and isolated nodules or masses with nonmucinous histology. The pattern of multiple nodules or masses, however, did not correlate with histology. Coexisting bronchioloalveolar adenomas can contribute to apparent multicentric disease in patients with nonmucinous histology.

Effects of EGF and TGFbeta1 on c-myc gene expression and DNA synthesis in embryonic hamster palate mesenchymal cells.

Previous work has shown that cell proliferation is a major contributor to the early palate morphogenesis in mammals. The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of EGF, TGFbeta1 and their combination on proliferation (measured by DNA synthesis) and on the expression of a growth related proto-oncogene, c-myc, in embryonic hamster palate mesenchymal cells (HPMC). Vertically developing hamster palatal shelves were dissected on day 11 of gestation, and trypsinized, and primary cultures were grown in DMEM + 10% serum at 37 degrees C and 5% CO2. Following appropriate growth factor treatment of HPMC, DNA synthesis was measured by scintillation counting and extracted RNA was subjected to Northern blot analysis. In serum-starved, pre-confuent cultures treated with EGF (20 ng/ml), DNA synthesis was stimulated in the presence of 2.5% serum. In contrast, treatment of HPMC with TGFbeta1 (10 ng/ml) in the presence or absence of EGF/serum for 24 hr, or HPMC pre-treatment with TGFbeta1 (30 min) followed by EGF/serum (24 hr), resulted in an arrest of DNA synthesis. Northern blot analysis of RNA extracted from HPMC showed that as serum-starved, growth-arrested cells progressed through G0 to G1 phase of the cell cycle, following EGF treatment, c-myc was expressed by 1 hr and declined thereafter. In contrast, TGFbeta1 did not support expression of c-myc. Following pre- or co-treatment with TGFbeta1, the EGF +/- serum-induced expression of c-myc was seen between 1 and 6 hr. It appears that EGF-induced expression of c-myc may be involved in advancing the HPMC in G1, and thus may contribute to the onset of DNA synthesis in HPMC. Since co- or pre-treatment with TGFbeta1 did not inhibit EGF/serum induced expression of c-myc, it is possible that growth arresting effect of TGFbeta1 may not be exerted directly through inhibition or blockage of c-myc expression.

In vivo and in vitro assessment of mitogen activated protein kinase involvement during quail secondary palate formation.

Spatiotemporally regulated cell proliferation and differentiation are crucial for the successful completion of morphogenesis of the vertebrate secondary palate. An understanding of the mechanisms by which these cellular phenomena are regulated during palate development involves the identification of the various signal transduction pathways. In the present study, the presence and activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases were investigated during the development of quail secondary palate. The palatal shelves were dissected on days 5-9 of incubation, homogenized, and centrifuged, after which the samples were separated by anion exchange fast protein liquid chromatography. The fractions were analyzed for myelin basic protein (MBP) phosphorylation. In addition, primary cultures of quail palate mesenchymal cells (QPMCs) were treated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and prepared for MBP phosphorylation assays. A temporally regulated pattern of phosphotransferase activity, characterized by a three-fold increase in phosphotransferase activity toward MBP between days 5 and 8 of incubation, was observed during quail palate development. Western blotting, using MAP kinase antibodies, demonstrated the presence of a 42-kDa isoform between days 5 and 9 of incubation, during which the level of protein remained constant. Antityrosine immunoblotting with 4G10 also detected a 42-kDa protein. Phosphotransferase assays, using either a MAP kinase-specific substrate peptide (S5) or a protein kinase C inhibitor (R3), further confirmed the presence of a MAP kinase in the developing palate of quail. Because diverse biological processes occur concurrently during in vivo palate morphogenesis, the involvement of MAP kinase was explored further in primary cell culture. The data showed that EGF stimulated proliferation and activated 42-kDa MAP kinase in QPMCs. It is suggested that MAP kinase cascade may be involved in growth factor-regulated cell proliferation during morphogenesis of quail secondary palate.

CT manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related pulmonary infections.

The infectious pulmonary complications of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are reviewed, with emphasis on the spectrum of CT imaging findings and diagnostic accuracy and limitations as reported in the current literature. Changes in epidemiologic trends for common AIDS-related infections and the associated ranges of CD4 lymphocyte counts, when these infections are typically encountered, are discussed.

CT angiogram sign: incidence and significance in lobar consolidations evaluated by contrast-enhanced CT.

OBJECTIVE: The CT angiogram sign--that is, the ability to see normal pulmonary vasculature within parenchymal consolidations--was initially reported as specific for the diagnosis of bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma. Our purpose was to establish the frequency of this sign in lobar consolidations of varied causes as revealed by contrast-enhanced CT. We also sought to determine if the presence of this sign contributed to the specificity of radiographic diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All consecutive contrast-enhanced thoracic CT examinations performed for evaluation of lobar consolidations between May 1994 and April 1997 were reviewed. The CT angiogram sign was considered present when segments of pulmonary vessels could be identified within alveolar consolidations. Medical records were reviewed to establish the causes of the consolidations. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients (24 women, mean age = 59 years; 27 men, mean age = 46 years) had lobar or multilobar consolidations due to pneumonia without central obstruction (n = 20), pneumonia or pneumonitis with central obstruction (n = 19), passive atelectasis (n = 7), and (one case each) mucus plugging, lipoid pneumonia, pulmonary lymphoma, bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma, and pulmonary hemorrhage. The CT angiogram sign was present in 15 (29%) of 51 consolidations, including seven (37%) of 19 postobstructive consolidations, four (20%) of 20 cases of pneumonia without central obstruction, one (14%) of seven cases of passive atelectasis, and each single case of lymphoma, bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma, and lipoid pneumonia. CONCLUSION: The CT angiogram sign is a common finding in lobar consolidations evaluated by contrast-enhanced CT. However, the sign does not add specificity to the radiographic diagnosis.

Image-guided localization for video-assisted thoracic surgery.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has become a useful diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the management of lung, pleural, and mediatstinal disease. Preoperative image-guided localization is performed to aid the surgeon in the thoracoscopic resection of small lung lesions that would otherwise be difficult to resect. This article describes the techniques of localization and reviews our experience with this procedure. While the majority of localization procedures are performed during an immediately preoperative computed tomography (CT), the use of intraoperative lesion localization using an endosonographic probe has been reported. The need for localization before resection is dependent on the skill and experience of the thoracoscopist and the characteristics of the lung lesions.

High-resolution CT in the acute exacerbation of cystic fibrosis: evaluation of acute findings, reversibility of those findings, and clinical correlation.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were threefold: to compare high-resolution CT (HRCT) of adult patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) during acute exacerbations with asymptomatic patients with CF, to evaluate reversibility of HRCT abnormalities after exacerbations, and to correlate HRCT with clinical parameters. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Nineteen symptomatic and eight asymptomatic patients were prospectively evaluated by HRCT and pulmonary function tests (PFTs). Symptomatic patients were reassessed 2 weeks after the exacerbation. Studies were independently reviewed by two radiologists using a modified Bhalla scoring system, noting the presence, extent, and severity of bronchiectasis, peribronchial thickening, mucus plugging, and atelectasis or consolidation. Modifications to the Bhalla system included evaluation of the presence and profusion of centrilobular nodules and air-fluid levels within bronchiectatic cavities. The highest possible score was 24 points. Higher scores indicated greater severity. Mosaic perfusion was noted but not included in the modified Bhalla HRCT score. Total modified Bhalla HRCT score and components of the HRCT score were correlated with corresponding PFT parameters. RESULTS: Bronchiectasis, peribronchial thickening, mucus plugging, centrilobular nodules, and mosaic perfusion were identified in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Air-fluid levels in bronchiectatic cavities, identified in two patients, represented the only finding limited to acute exacerbation. Reversible findings included air-fluid levels (100%), centrilobular nodules (36%), mucus plugging (33%), and peribronchial thickening (11%). Total HRCT severity scores of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients correlated with forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = .44, p = .01) and forced expiratory volume at 1 sec (FEV1) (r = .34, p = .04). Severity of bronchiectasis correlated with FVC (r = .50, p = .004) and FEV1 (r = .40, p = .02). Mucus plugging and centrilobular nodules did not correlate with PFT parameters. In the symptomatic patients, improvement in HRCT score correlated with changes in FEV1/FVC (r = .39, p = .049). CONCLUSION: Air-fluid levels in bronchiectatic cavities were the only parenchymal finding shown by HRCT that was limited to the acute exacerbation of CF in our study population. However, this finding was rare, being seen in two of 19 patients. Mucus plugging, centrilobular nodules, and peribronchial thickening were potentially reversible findings in symptomatic patients. HRCT accurately revealed disease severity in patients with CF. We also found that changes in HRCT scores correlated with clinical improvement as determined by PFTs.

Necrotizing fasciitis: CT characteristics.

PURPOSE: To establish computed tomographic (CT) criteria for the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty CT scans in 20 patients with pathologically proved necrotizing fasciitis were reviewed retrospectively for fascial thickening, fat infiltration, focal fluid collection, soft-tissue gas, muscle involvement, and intra-abdominal extension; the findings were correlated with clinical factors, including associated illnesses, disease site, treatment, and outcome. RESULTS: Average patient age was 57.8 years; there were 13 men and seven women. Four patients (20%) died. Asymmetric fascial thickening and fat stranding were seen in 16 patients (80%). Gas tracking along fascial planes was present in 11 patients (55%), and abscesses were found in seven patients (35%). Infection sites were scrotum (n = 6), a lower extremity (n = 4), perineum (n = 4), neck (n = 2), back (n = 2), arm (n = 1), and abdomen (n = 1). Underlying illness (n = 17) was diabetes in 10 patients (50%), alcoholism in three (15%), chronic renal failure in two (10%), and drug abuse in two (10%). CONCLUSION: CT criteria of asymmetric fascial thickening and gas are valuable in assessing suspected necrotizing fasciitis. CT also can provide information on coexistent deep collections.

The activation of MAP kinase during vertical palatal shelf development in hamster.

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase has been implicated in signal transduction pathways that regulate cell cycle progression during the proliferation of eukaryotic cells. Previous studies have shown that a rapid burst of cell proliferation is a major event of the development of mammalian palatal shelves in a vertical direction. The present study analyzed the involvement of MAP kinase during the vertical development of the secondary palate in hamster. Palates were dissected at various times between days 10:00 and 12:00 of gestation, homogenized, centrifuged and fractionated on a Mono Q column by fast protein liquid chromatography. The fractions were assayed for phosphotransferase activity toward myelin basic protein, and also toward a synthetic peptide APRTPGGRR (S5), which was more specifically utilized by MAP kinase. The data showed that MAP kinase activity increased during the initial phase, i.e., between days 10:00 and 11:12, and then decreased during the latter half of vertical palate development, i.e., between days 11:12, and 12:00 of gestation. Western blotting studies, using antibodies raised against the subdomain I ATP binding sequence (GEGA), subdomain III (ERK1-III), and the C-terminus (ERK1-CT) of MAP kinases, demonstrated the presence of both the 42-kDa and 44-kDa MAP kinase isoforms between days 10:12 and 12:12 of gestation. A monoclonal antibody (4G10), which detects phosphotyrosine, demonstrated phosphorylation of both the 42-kDa and 44-kDa isoforms. The amount of protein remained constant during vertical palatal shelf development indicating that the differential activity of MAP kinase was most likely due to post-translational modification (i.e., phosphorylation). There was a good correlation between the temporal expression of MAP kinase activity and the rates of cell proliferation in the developing vertical palate suggesting a possible involvement of MAP kinase in regulation of cell proliferation during secondary palate development.

Interpretation of chest radiographs in AIDS patients: usefulness of CD4 lymphocyte counts.

Specific infections and neoplasms that are complications of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) occur within various CD4 lymphocyte count ranges. Knowledge of how these counts correlate with radiographic appearances of these entities can limit the differential diagnosis because certain conditions are uncommon above a specific count. In patients with CD4 lymphocyte counts above 200 cells/mm3 and radiographic findings of cavitary and noncavitary consolidation, bacterial pneumonia and Mycobacterium tuberculosis are the major diagnostic considerations. As the CD4 lymphocyte count falls, these infections are still common; however, cavitation is seen less frequently with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and unusual bacterial infections, including those caused by Rhodococcus equi and Nocardia asteroides, should be considered. In patients with counts below 200 cells/mm3, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is the most common infection, usually manifesting radiographically as a reticular interstitial pattern. At CD4 lymphocyte counts of 50-200 cells/mm3, disseminated fungal infection and Kaposi sarcoma become prevalent. In patients with advanced AIDS and counts below 50 cells/mm3, radiographic nodular or reticular patterns may indicate AIDS-related lymphoma and cytomegalovirus and Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infections. When CD4 lymphocyte counts are applied to interpretation of chest radiographs in AIDS patients, the working differential diagnosis of a radiographic pattern can be tailored to the clinical situation of a given patient.

Developmental alterations in casein kinase 2 activity during the morphogenesis of quail secondary palate.

BACKGROUND: During the progression of avian secondary palate morphogenesis, the rate of cell proliferation declines, whereas the production and accumulation of extracellular matrices increases. To investigate the regulation of these events, we examined the quail secondary palate for the activity of casein kinase 2 (CK 2), a pleiotropic serine/threonine second messenger independent enzyme implicated in cell growth and differentiation. METHODS: Quail palatal shelves were dissected between days 5 and 9 of incubation, which is the period of palate morphogenesis in quail, and prepared either for light microscopic observations or homogenized, cleared by ultracentrifugation, and then subjected to fractionation on a MonoQ column by fast protein liquid chromatography and Western immunoblotting. RESULTS: Histological examination showed that the palatal shelves appeared on day 5 of incubation and approximated by day 8 of incubation. Fractionation of palate extract using a Mono-Q column revealed the presence of a major peak of phosvitin phosphotransferase activity which eluted with 0.5 M NaCl. This activity peak coincided with the presence of a 42 kDa subunit of CK 2 as determined by Western blotting with a CK 2 specific antibody. The CK 2 activity towards phosvitin was elevated on days 5 and 6 and then rapidly declined by day 9. The decrease in CK 2 activity did not correlate with a decrease in CK 2 protein during palate development indicating that the differential activity of the CK 2 enzyme observed during quail palate development may be due to post-translational modifications of the enzyme. A high positive correlation was found between the CK 2 phosphotransferase activity and both the proliferation index and DNA synthesis during palate development. CONCLUSION: On the basis of literature analysis and the results of the present study, it was suggested that the activity of CK 2 may be regulated along with protein kinase A to coordinate cell proliferation and the synthesis of extracellular matrices during palate development in quail.

Changes in casein kinase 2 activity during development of the secondary palate in the hamster.

BACKGROUND: Casein kinase 2 (CK 2) is a serine/threonine kinase that has been ubiquitously conserved in all eukaryotic cells. The exact functions of this enzyme have not yet been clarified; however, studies have repeatedly suggested that it may play crucial roles in the regulation of cell proliferation. During the formation of the secondary palate in the hamster, bursts of cell proliferation occur during the initial half of vertical shelf development, which decrease during the subsequent steps of palate morphogenesis, thus indicating that the cell cycle in the developing vertical palate may be tightly regulated. METHODS: In the present study, palatal shelves were dissected at 12-hour intervals between days 10 and 12 of gestation, which is the period of vertical shelf development in the hamster. The palates were homogenized and cleared by ultracentrifugation and the resultant supernatants were fractionated on a Mono Q column by fast protein liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Using phosvitin as a substrate, the phosphotransferase activity in the fractionated samples decreased steadily from days 10 to 11, increased to a fivefold peak on day 11:12, and then decreased on day 12 of gestation. Western blot analysis using two CK 2 specific antibodies demonstrated that both the 42-kDa (alpha) and the 38-kDa (alpha') subunits of the CK 2 holoenzyme were found throughout the formation of the vertical palatal shelves in the hamster. The amount of alpha and alpha' subunits appears to remain constant, which suggested that the differential activity of the CK 2 enzyme may be due to posttranslational modifications. CK 2 activity correlated well with DNA synthesis (i.e., cell proliferation) rates from days 10 to 11, but not from days 11 to 12 of gestation. CONCLUSIONS: It is proposed that the activity of CK 2 may regulate the rate of cell proliferation by stimulation of progression through G1 phase of the cell cycle and may also relate to the effects of various growth factors during the vertical development of mammalian palate.