Encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis accompanied by maxillary compound odontoma and juvenile angiofibroma: report of a case

BACKGROUND: Encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis (ECCL) is a rare neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by congenital cutaneous, ocular, and neurologic abnormalities, which may be pronounced in the head and neck. CASE: In this article we present a well-documented case of a six-year-old boy with ECCL associated with oral manifestations. In this case, typical features such as large lipomatous brown pigmented plaques of the top of the skull with overlying alopecia, ptotic eyelid with decreased function, bulbar conjunctiva lipodermoid, microcalcifications and atrophy of cerebral parenchyma, and the widening of the frontal subarachnoid space and the fissure of Sylvius were accompanied by intraoral lesions, maxillary compound odontoma, and juvenile extranasopharyngeal angiofibroma of the gingiva. CONCLUSIONS: Although cases of odontomas have already been described and angiofibromas are a quite common extraoral finding, to our knowledge this is the first case of intraoral evaluation of both extranasopharyngeal juvenile angiofibroma and maxillary compound odontoma in ECCL syndrome.     

Physical wounding-assisted Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of juvenile cotyledons of a biodiesel-producing plant, Jatropha curcas L.

The non-edible plant Jatropha curcas L. is one of the most promising feedstock for sustainable biodiesel production as it is not a source of edible vegetable oils, produces high amounts of oil (approx. 30–60% in dry seeds) and does not require high-cost maintenance. However, as with other undomesticated crops, the cultivation of J. curcas presents several drawbacks, such as low productivity and susceptibility to pests. Hence, varietal improvement by genetic engineering is essential if J. curcas is to become a viable alternative source of biodiesel. There is to date no well-established and efficient transformation system for J. curcas. In this study, we tested various physical wounding treatments, such as sonication and sand-vortexing, with the aim of developing an efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation for J. curcas. The highest stable transformation rate (53%) was achieved when explants were subjected to 1 min of sonication followed by 9 min of shaking in Agrobacterium suspension. The transformation frequency achieved using this protocol is the highest yet reported for J. curcas.     

Magnetic resonance tomography in the diagnosis of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas

This work is based upon the experience in the diagnosis of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas (JAF) in 14 patients using MR-tomography and routine x-ray examination. In all the patients MR-tomography made it possible to assess the topical position of a tumor, its spreading to the cranial, nasal, accessory sinusal and orbital cavities, and the pterygopalatine and infratemporal spaces. MR-tomographic diagnosis made it possible to differentiate between tumor invasion and inflammatory processes detecting JAF attending tubotitides. However MR-tomography cannot be used alone to assess the status of osseous tissue.     

Description of transformation larvae and a juvenile of the dextral flounder,poecilopsetta praelonga (pleuronectidae, poecilopsettinae) from the northwestern waters of australia

Three late metamorphic transformation larvae ofPoecilopsetta praelonga (68.0–82.3 mm SL) and a juvenile (92.7 mm SL) captured from the waters off northwestern Australia (400–460 m deep) are described. The transformation larvae ofP. praelonga are distinguishable from the congeners of the same stage in having relatively low body depth (2.20–2.44 in SL), relatively large maxilla extending to anterior one-third of lower eye, and seven and six distinct spots along the dorsal and ventral margins of ocular side body, respectively. In the smallest specimen, the intestine was expanded posteriorly beyond the posterior wall of visceral cavity, but not in the larger specimens. The pectoral fin rays and the spines of scales were supposed to begin to be formed by about 80 mm SL. Ontogenetic changes which include decreasing ratios of upper jaw length to head length. and increasing ratios of depth of body muscle to body depth, were observed, based on a comparison of transformation larvae, a juvenile and adults.     

Lymphocyte transformation to connective tissue antigens in adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and a nonarthritic control population

Transformation of peripheral blood lymphocytes after exposure to connective tissue antigens was measured in patients with adult (n = 35) and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (n = 34), osteoarthritis (n = 21), ankylosing spondylitis (n = 15), and systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 26) and in control subjects (n = 36). The connective tissue antigens included homologous cartilage-type proteoglycan, cyanogen bromide-derived peptides of type I, II, and III collagens, and type I and II helical collagens. Lymphocyte transformation was not detected in the osteoarthritic and control groups, with one exception. Sensitization to at least one connective tissue antigen was detected in approximately one-third of the rheumatoid arthritic and lupus patients and in one-quarter of the juvenile rheumatoid patients. In ankylosing spondylitis, positive responses occurred to proteoglycan in 20% of patients tested but never to collagens or peptides. Sensitivity to proteoglycan was detected only in ankylosing spondylitis except for one patient with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and both forms of rheumatoid arthritis, lymphocyte transformation was usually more frequently detected to peptides than to the helical collagens. In adult rheumatoid arthritis, type II peptides elicited an elevated number of responses (14%) as did type I (9%) and III (8%) peptides to lesser degrees. Responses to type I (4%) and II (4%) helical collagens were infrequent. Rheumatoid arthritic patients usually exhibited sensitivity to only one antigen and lymphocyte transformation was often detected when the arthritis was improving. In juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, lymphocyte transformation was detected to peptides of type I (16%), II (9%), and III (29%) collagens and to helical type I (12%) and II (8%) collagens. In systemic lupus erythematosus, sensitization was detected to peptides of type I (13%), II (20%), and III (14%) collagens and to helical type I collagen (18%) but not type II collagen. Simultaneous sensitivity to several antigens often occurred in both systemic lupus erythematosus and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Examination of individual patients in all three rheumatic disease groups revealed that immune sensitivity developed to collagen peptides rather than to the helical molecules, particularly in the case of type II collagen. Thus, some patients with inflammatory arthritis exhibit immune responses to connective tissue components which are, as a group, characteristic for each type of arthritis. These responses, which were not obviously associated with disease activity, may develop as a result of inflammation or trauma which destroys connective tissue and exposes molecules, in either a native or degraded state, to cells of the immune system. Expression of sensitivity to these tissue antigens may contribute to the chronicity of the inflammatory arthritides.     

Agonistic behaviour of juvenile gulls,a neuroethological study

The results relating to agonistic behaviour obtained during an exploration of the brain of juvenile herring and lesser black-backed gulls (Larus argentatus and fuscus) with electrical stimulation are reported. As an introduction the normal agonistic behaviour of immature gulls is described. While the flight and aggressive behaviour is largely unritualized the threat behaviour is more stereotyped. Three basic threat patterns are distinguished: the arched, hunched, and squat postures. The relationship of these juvenile agonistic patterns with adult courtship is considered. A large number of sites evoking fear behaviour were found, anatomically widely and incoherently distributed. It is demonstrated that the spontaneous fearfulness levels of individual subjects influences the likelihood of obtaining escape eliciting loci. Stimulation of a nubmer of these sites had an after-effect: a persistent, increased probability of escape behaviour. It seems likely that a proportion of the fear sequences elicited were secondary responses to evoked sensory hallucinations and forced small movements. None of the sites explored yielded outright attack behaviour. Thirteen sites yielded characteristic threat sequences. About half of them produced changes in ‘mood’ persisting for some 15 min. The sites were clustered in a paleostriatal-septal periventricular and an infundibular area. Histological differentiation of the neuroventricular interface at these areas is noted. Based on these it is argued that the secretion of ‘liquormones’ is responsible for the changes in ‘mood’ that followed stimulation.     

Biolistic transformation of a procaryote, Bacillus megaterium

We present a simple and rapid method for introducing exogenous DNA into a bacterium, Bacillus megaterium, utilizing the recently developed biolistic process. A suspension of B. megaterium was spread onto the surface of nonselective medium. Plasmid pUB110 DNA, which contains a gene that confers kanamycin resistance, was precipitated onto tungsten particles. Using a biolistic propulsion system, the coated particles were accelerated at high velocities into the B. megaterium recipient cells. Selection was done by use of an agar overlay containing 50 micrograms of kanamycin per ml. Antibiotic-resistant transformants were recovered from the medium interface after 72 h of incubation, and the recipient strain was shown to contain the delivered plasmid by agarose gel electrophoresis of isolated plasmid DNA. All strains of B. megaterium tested were successfully transformed by this method, although transformation efficiency varied among strains. Physical variables of the biolistic process and biological variables associated with the target cells were optimized, yielding greater than 10(4) transformants per treated plate. This is the first report of the biolistic transformation of a procaryote.     

The ovicidal effects of a juvenile hormone and a juvenile hormone analogue on the fleshfly, Sarcophaga bullata

Egg fertility was reduced in adult females of Sarcophaga bullata treated topically with a juvenile hormone (Cecropia JH-1) or a juvenile hormone analogue, ZR-515 (isopropyl-11-methoxy-3,7,11-trimethyl-dodeca-2,4-dienoate), the effect was most noticeable when the flies were treated on the day of ovulation. Depending on the time of treatment, JH and JHA affected different stages of development. Treatment on the day before ovulation produced a high percentage of embryonic arrest; when the flies were treated on the day of ovulation a major proportion of fully developed embryos failed to hatch. Treatment at the early stages of embryogenesis caused mortality of larvae before molting to third instar. There was no delayed mortality after the third instar.

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Résumé Les effets ovicides d'une hormone juvénile (Cecropia JH-1) et d'un analogue d'hormone juvénile (ZR-515) ont été examinés par application locale sur des femelles adultes de Sarcophaga bullata à différents stades du dévelopement des ufs.Le traitement des mouches le jour de l'ovulation est très efficace et empèche les embryons totalement développés d'éclore et de donner des larves de premier stade.L'application de ces produits un jour avant l'ovulation provoque l'arrêt de l'embryogenèse; quand les mouches sont traitées un jour après l'ovulation, la mortalité est plus tardive et une proportion importante de larves meurt avant la mue donnant le troisième stade.

     

Formulation of pyriproxyfen, a juvenile hormone mimic, for tsetse control

A topical dose, in 1 microliter acetone, of 0.02 microgram-2-[1-methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy) ethoxy] pyridine, the juvenile hormone mimic pyriproxyfen (S-31183, Sumitomo Chemical Co.), caused an adult female tsetse, Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood, to produce non-viable offspring for the whole of her life. Using 14C labelled pyriproxyfen it was determined that as little as 0.001 microgram transferred to the in utero larva was sufficient to arrest development in the pupal stage. A formulation in vegetable oil was prepared for treating black cotton cloth targets which caused females to pick up 0.1 microgram active ingredient (a.i.) by tarsal contact during 1 min of exposure. Males exposed similarly for between 1 and 5 min transferred up to 0.016 microgram a.i. to females if they mated immediately after treatment. Doses as low as 0.01 micrograms in 10 microliters oil cm-2 on black cotton cloth targets caused females to produce non-viable offspring for at least two reproductive cycles following exposure. However, a dose of 0.1 microgram in 10 microliters oil cm-2 was necessary for an exposed male to cause disruption of the reproductive potential of his mate. This juvenile hormone mimic has potential to induce sterility via both sexes of tsetse using treated targets or traps under field conditions.     

Genetic transformation and regeneration of mature tissues of woody fruit plants bypassing the juvenile stage

Regeneration and transformation systems from mature plant material of woody fruit species have to be achieved as a necessary requirement for the introduction of useful genes into specific cultivars and the rapid evaluation of resulting horticultural traits. We report here, for the first time, a procedure for genetic transformation and regeneration of mature tissues of woody plants that overcomes the long juvenile periods and high heterozygosity that are characteristic of most of these species. An improved regeneration frequency from mature explants was obtained by invigoration of the plant material through grafting of mature buds on juvenile seedlings. Co-cultivation of the explants in feederplates after inoculation with Agrobacterium tumefaciens resulted in enhanced transformation frequencies. Furthermore, in vitro shoot-tip grafting of the regenerated mature shoots on seedling rootstocks provided a rapid and efficient system for plant production. Citrus is the most extensivel y grown fruit crop worldwide and sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) accounts for approximately 70% of the Citrus total production. Mature transgenic sweet orange plants have been obtained, which flowered and bore fruit in 14 months     

Biolistic transformation of a procaryote, Bacillus megaterium.

We present a simple and rapid method for introducing exogenous DNA into a bacterium, Bacillus megaterium, utilizing the recently developed biolistic process. A suspension of B. megaterium was spread onto the surface of nonselective medium. Plasmid pUB110 DNA, which contains a gene that confers kanamycin resistance, was precipitated onto tungsten particles. Using a biolistic propulsion system, the coated particles were accelerated at high velocities into the B. megaterium recipient cells. Selection was done by use of an agar overlay containing 50 micrograms of kanamycin per ml. Antibiotic-resistant transformants were recovered from the medium interface after 72 h of incubation, and the recipient strain was shown to contain the delivered plasmid by agarose gel electrophoresis of isolated plasmid DNA. All strains of B. megaterium tested were successfully transformed by this method, although transformation efficiency varied among strains. Physical variables of the biolistic process and biological variables associated with the target cells were optimized, yielding greater than 10(4) transformants per treated plate. This is the first report of the biolistic transformation of a procaryote.     

Insect yolk protein precursor, a juvenile hormone induced phosphoprotein

The juvenile hormone induced vitellogenic female-specific protein of $\text{Leucophaea}$$\text{maderae}$ was isolated from hemolymph of egg maturing females on DEAE or QAE anion-exchange columns. Minor contaminants could be removed by centrifugation to equilibrium on CsCl gradients. The buoyant density of this purified protein is 1.344 g/ml. It is a lipophosphoprotein of low phosphorus (0.14%) content. Essentially all ³²P label from in vivo labelled protein was recovered in phosphoserine. The amino acid residues of the vitellogenic protein compare well with the purified yolk protein.     

Regeneration of transgenic plants by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of somatic embryos of juvenile and mature Quercus robur

A protocol was developed for genetic transformation of somatic embryos derived from juvenile and mature Quercus robur trees. Optimal transformation conditions were evaluated on the basis of the results of transient GUS expression assays with five oak embryogenic lines and a strain of Agrobacterium tumefaciens (EHA105) harbouring a p35SGUSINT plasmid containing a nptII and a uidA (GUS) genes. For stable transformation, embryo clumps at globular/torpedo stages (4–10 mg) were inoculated with EHA105:p35SGUSINT bacterial cultures, cocultivated for 4 days and selected in proliferation medium with 75 mg/l of kanamycin. Putatively transformed masses appeared after 20–30 weeks of serial transfers to selective medium. Histochemical and molecular analysis (PCR and Southern blot) confirmed the presence of nptII and uidA genes in the plant genomes. Transformation efficiencies ranged from up to 2% in an embryogenic line derived from a 300-year-old tree, to 6% in a juvenile genotype. Twelve independent transgenic lines were obtained from these oak genotypes, and transgenic plantlets were recovered and acclimatized into the soil. This is the first demonstration of the production of transformed somatic embryos and regenerated plants from juvenile and mature trees of Q. robur and suggests the possibility of introducing other genetic constructions to develop trees that are tolerant/resistant to pathogens and/or biotic stresses.     

The role of juvenile hormone during larval-pupal transformation of Spodoptera littoralis: Switchover in the sensitivity of the prothoracic gland to juvenile hormone

Application of JHA to the final instar of Spodoptera littoralis larvae before they attain maximal body weight causes delay to or completely blocks the onset of metamorphosis, as indicated by the dorsal vessel exposure. When the same dose of JHA is administered to the larvae just after their attaining maximal body weight, at the time of the onset of gut-emptying, metamorphosis is substantially accelerated.By means of ligature experiments, it is shown that JHA has a direct effect on the prothoracic glands. It inhibits them at the beginning of the final instar and then stimulates them shortly before pupation. It seems that under normal conditions JH is necessary for pupal cuticle formation; those larvae which pupate without JH show adult characteristics.     

Correlation of transformation from epithelial to mesenchymal-like morphology and endogenous bFGF levels in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

CG-1 human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells in monolayer culture formed both cohesive, epithelial-like colonies and scattered, fibroblastic-like colonies in mixed proportions. In the presence of exogenously added bFGF (4 ng/ml), about 85% of the colonies formed were fibroblastic-like. CG-1 cells were capable of synthesizing and releasing bFGF, and, when compared by the immunological method, cells in fibroblastic-like colonies were found to contain higher levels of endogenous bFGF than cells in the epithelial-like colonies. Furthermore, cells in the peripheral region of the epithelial-like colonies, which were fibroblastic-like in morphology, also appeared to contain higher levels of endogenous bFGF. In addition, in the presence of suramin, neutralizing antibody to bFGF, or neutralizing antibodies to bFGF and EGF, the number of cohesive colonies formed was greatly increased. Moreover, addition of the 2 M NaCl-eluted heparin-Sepharose fraction of the CG-1 cell-coditioned medium promoted the formation of dispersed colony in a dose-dependent manner. The results suggest that bFGF can regulate CG-1 cell phenotype in an autocrine manner. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.