Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers linked to the Ligon lintless (Li(1)) mutant in cotton.

Ligon lintless (Li(1)) is a monogenic, dominant mutant in cotton, whose expression results in extreme reductions in fiber length on mature seed. The objectives of this research were to compare fiber initiation between the Li(1) mutant and TM-1 to reveal the fiber initiation differences between normal and mutant phenotypes, to develop a linkage map of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers with the Li(1) locus, and to identify the chromosomal location of the Li(1) locus. Comparative scanning electron microscopy studies of fiber development in a normal TM-1 genotype and the near-isogenic Li(1) mutant at 1 and 3 days postanthesis revealed little differences between the two during early stages of development, suggesting that Li(1) gene expression occurs later, probably during the elongation phase. Thirty-eight SSR loci were found to be polymorphic between TM-1 and Li(1) and were used for mapping in an F(2) population. Twenty-two SSR loci, along with Li(1), were located on eight linkage groups, covering a total genetic distance of 218.3 cM. Analysis of individual monosomic and monotelodisomic plants indicated that two SSR loci (MP4030 and MP673) from the Li(1) linkage group were located on chromosome 22.

FISH mapping of the 5S and 18S-28S rDNA loci in different species of Glycine.

Wild germplasms are often the only significant sources of useful traits for crops, such as soybean, that have limited genetic variability. Before these germplasms can be effectively manipulated they must be characterized at the cytological and molecular levels. Modern soybean probably arose through an ancient allotetraploid event and subsequent diploidization of the genome. However, wild Glycine species have not been intensively investigated for this ancient polyploidy. In this article we determined the number of both the 5S and 18S-28S rDNA sequences in various members of the genus Glycine using FISH. Our results distinctly establish the loss of a 5S rDNA locus from the "diploid" (2n = 40) species and the loss of two from the (2n = 80) polyploids of GLYCINE: A similar diploidization of the 18S-28S rDNA gene family has occurred in G. canescens, G. clandestina, G. soja, and G. max (L.) Merr. (2n = 40). Although of different genome types, G. tabacina and G. tomentella (2n = 80) both showed two major 18S-28S rDNA loci per haploid genome, in contrast to the four loci that would be expected in chromosomes that have undergone two doubling events in their evolutionary history. It is evident that the evolution of the subgenus Glycine is more complex than that represented in a simple diploid-doubled to tetraploid model.

Influence of temperature and growth phase on expression of a 104-kilodalton Listeria adhesion protein in Listeria monocytogenes.

Interaction of Listeria monocytogenes with mammalian intestinal cells is believed to be an important first step in Listeria pathogenesis. Transposon (Tn916) mutagenesis provided strong evidence that a 104-kDa surface protein, designated the Listeria adhesion protein (LAP), was involved in adherence of L. monocytogenes to a human enterocyte-like Caco-2 cell line (V. Pandiripally, D. Westbrook, G. Sunki, and A. Bhunia, J. Med. Microbiol. 48:117-124, 1999). In this study, expression of LAP in L. monocytogenes at various growth temperatures (25, 37, and 42 degrees C) and in various growth phases was determined by performing an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and Western blotting with a specific monoclonal antibody (monoclonal antibody H7). The ELISA and Western blot results indicated that there was a significant increase in LAP expression over time only at 37 and 42 degrees C and that the level of LAP expression was low during the exponential phase and high during the stationary phase. In contrast, there were not significant differences in LAP expression between the exponential and stationary phases at 25 degrees C. Examination of the adhesion of L. monocytogenes cells from exponential-phase (12-h) or stationary-phase (24-h) cultures grown at 37 degrees C to Caco-2 cells revealed that there were not significant differences in adhesion. Although expression of L. monocytogenes LAP was different at different growth temperatures and in different growth phases, enhanced expression did not result in increased adhesion, possibly because only a few LAP molecules were sufficient to initiate binding to Caco-2 cells.

[A new papillotome for cannulation, pre-cut or conventional papillotomy]. / Ein neues Papillotom für Sondierung, Vorschnitt oder konventionelle Papillotomie.

UNLABELLED: A new papillotome was designed to overcome certain drawbacks of the needle-knife, that is most commonly used for precut sphincterotomies. The intention was to develop an instrument at least as good as the needle-knife or the Erlangen-type precut papillotome for precut procedures. In addition, it had to be suitable for direct cannulation of the biliary or pancreatic duct. PATIENTS AND METHODS: According to a prospective protocol 54 patients in whom a papillotomy was indicated were examined with the new instrument. The protocol allowed three futile attempts to cannulate or two inadvertant cannulations of the pancreatic duct with a standard cannula and hydrophilic guide wire before a precut was performed. The new baby-papillotome has a diameter of only 1 mm and a short 10 mm cutting wire. Similar to a guide wire it is introduced via a 6F- or 7F-introducer catheter. RESULTS: Cannulation of the desired duct (the bile duct in 48 patients, the pancreatic duct in five patients, Billroth II anatomy in three patients) was successful within one session in 98% (53/54). In one patient, the bile duct was successfully cannulated in a second session using the baby-papillotome, resulting in an overall success rate of 100%. Primary cannulation using the new papillotome without precut was obtained in 24% (13/54). Complications were mild pancreatitis in one patient and nonsignificant bleeding in three (immediate endoscopic hemostasis in all, no transfusions, no drop of hematocrit). There were no serious complications. CONCLUSION: The new baby-papillotome is suitable for precut as well as for primary cannulation. In this first series, the desired duct was cannulated in 98% within the first session with a low complication rate. Further studies of the new instrument seem desirable.

Is pancreatoscopy of any benefit in clarifying the diagnosis of pancreatic duct lesions?

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Modern fine-caliber endoscopes enable clinicians to directly visualize the pancreatic duct. They allow intraductal manipulation under optical control. We tried to evaluate the additional diagnostic potential of pancreatoscopy in assessing inconclusive intraductal pancreatic changes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively performed 20 pancreatoscopies in 18 patients with inconclusive ductal abnormalities that had been previously investigated by computed tomography (CT) scan, abdominal ultrasound and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The CHF-BP 30 (Olympus Optical Co., Japan) endoscope with an outer diameter of 3.1 mm and an instrumentation channel of 1.2 mm was used. Biopsies, cytological brushing and fluid collection were carried out, and the site of ductal abnormality was visualized. Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) was carried out in every patient prior to insertion of the pancreatoscope. RESULTS: Seven intraductal tumors were histologically confirmed, i.e. five intraductal papillary mucinous tumors and two adenocarcinomas. Benign appearance of the intraductal lesion plus negative histopathological examinations were confirmed by a follow-up of two years in eight patients. Five had chronic pancreatitis, and a further three had pancreatitis with strictures, blood clot obstruction, and idiopathic benign stricture, respectively. There were no complications with the exception of one bleeding episode after EST; no pancreatitis occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatoscopy is of diagnostic value in addition to CT, transabdominal ultrasound and ERCP in the differential diagnosis of poorly defined pancreatic lesions, particularly when assessing alterations of the ductal caliber without parenchymatous lesions.

[Universal organ involvement in Rendu-Osler-Weber disease: interdisciplinary diagnosis and interventional therapy]. / Der universelle Organbefall bei Morbus Rendu-Osler-Weber: interdisziplinäre Diagnostik und interventionelle Therapie.

A case of hereditary hemorrhagic teleangiectasia (HHT, Morbus Rendu-Osler-Weber) in a 63-years-old patient presenting with recurrent gastrointestinal and nasopharyngeal bleeding who required transfusion of 100-200 units of red blood cell concentrate a year is reported. Endoscopically, one source of bleeding could be located in the upper part of the jejunum. Multiple Osler spots were found in the antrum, the bulbal and descending part of the duodenum without signs of bleeding. Colonoscopy revealed no further lesions. Selective mesentericography visualized dilatation of the arterial arcardes in the duodenal region with early venous filling. During coeliacography, parenchymal deposits of contrast medium appeared in the liver. Numerous angiodysplastic arterial alterations from the lower ethmoidal arteria were shown to be another source of bleeding. They were embolized using microspheres and thereby terminating epistaxis. Termination of epistaxis was the crucial prerogative for the consecutive aortal valve replacement. At abdominal ultrasound, the liver harbored multiple anechoic lesions and a bigger cystic formation with portal inflow and early venous distribution. This teleangiectatic portovenous-malformation was confirmed on abdominal computertomography and on T1-enhanced images of MRT, too. This case examplifies the universal character of organ distribution in HHT and underlines the value of complementary diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.

[Sphincter of Oddi disfunction in "idiopathic" recurrent pancreatitis]. / Sphinkter-Oddi-Dysfunktion bei "idiopathischer" rezidivierender Pankreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: As the pathogenesis of acute recurrent pancreatitis remains unclear in 30% of patients, it was the aim of this study to find out whether and how often changes in sphincter of Oddi motility is present in these patients and whether endoscopic treatment promises success. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 18 patients (three men, 15 women; mean age 41.5 [30-56] years) with "idiopathic" acute recurrent pancreatitis seen consecutively between April 1991 and November 1995, were included in the study. In none had laboratory examinations, sonography, computed tomography and endosonography (n = 11) demonstrated any unusual findings. Neither exocrine (pancreaolauryl test in 8, secretin-pancreozymin test in 10 patients), nor endocrine (oral glucose tolerance test) pancreatic insufficiency had been found. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography had excluded morphological changes in the biliary-pancreatic system. All patients underwent endoscopic manometry. When a basal sphincter of Oddi pressure > or = 40 mm Hg was demonstrated in the pancreatic sphincter segment, combined endoscopic sphincterotomy was done of both the biliary and the pancreatic component. RESULTS: Nine patients had a raised basal sphincter pressure in the pancreatic segment of the sphincter, but in only four in the biliary one as well. The phasic sphincter motility was normal in all patients. In four patients iatrogenic pancreatitis developed after the procedure (mild in three, moderately severe in one). Eight of the nine patients who had a sphincterotomy remained symptom-free during a mean follow-up period of 21 months, but only three of the nine with normal manometric findings. CONCLUSION: Half of the patients with acute recurrent pancreatitis of unknown cause have sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, usually limited to the pancreatic segment of the sphincter, Endoscopic sphincterotomy can prevent recurrent pancreatitis in most of the patients.

The role of endoscopy in biliary obtruction / Papel de la endoscopia en la obtruccion biliar

Este artículo nos brinda una visión general acerca de la estrategia diagnóstica en el manejo de la ictericia obstructiva, enfatizando el rol de los procedimientos endoscópicos como los metodos de elección