Defining the Relationship between Obesity and Total Joint Arthroplasty

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between obesity and patient‐administered outcome measures after total joint arthroplasty. Research Methods and Procedures: A voluntary questionnaire‐based registry contained 592 primary total hip arthroplasty patients and 1011 primary total knee arthroplasty patients with preoperative and 1‐year data. Using logistic regression, the relationships between body mass index and the several outcome measures, including Short Form‐36 and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, were examined. Results: There was no difference between obese and non‐obese patients regarding satisfaction, decision to repeat surgery, and Δphysical component summary, Δmental component summary, and ΔWestern Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores (p > 0.05 for all). Body mass index was associated with an increased risk of having difficulty descending or ascending stairs at 1 year (odds ratio, 1.2 to 1.3). Discussion: Obese patients enjoy as much improvement and satisfaction as other patients from total joint arthroplasty.     

An Imported Case of Echinococcosis of the Liver in a Korean Who Traveled to Western and Central Europe

Echinococcus granulosus, an intestinal tapeworm of dogs and other canids, infects humans in its larval stage and causes human echinococcosis or hydatid disease. In the Republic of Korea, 31 parasite-proven human echinococcosis cases have been reported, most of which were imported from the Middle East. We recently examined a 61-year-old Korean man who had a large cystic mass in his liver. ELISA was negative for tissue parasitic infections, including echinococcosis, cysticercosis, paragonimiasis, and sparganosis. The patient underwent surgery to remove the cyst, and the resected cyst was processed histopathologically for microscopic examinations. In sectioned cyst tissue, necrotizing protoscolices with disintegrated hooklets of E. granulosus were found. In some areas, only freed, fragmented hooklets were detected. The patient had traveled to western and central Europe in 1996, and had no other history of overseas travel. We report our patient as a hepatic echinococcosis case which was probably imported from Europe.     

Heterodimeric Aminopeptidase A from Bacillus licheniformis NS115

An aminopeptidase A (EC 3.4.11.7) was purified to homogeneity from Bacillus licheniformis NS115 and its enzymatic properties were characterized. The enzyme had an apparent molecular mass of 64 kDa, consisting of heterodimeric 42 kDa and 22 kDa subunits, and is a new enzyme from N-terminal analysis of heavy and light subunits. The light suhunit had no catalytic activity against the substrate and apparent K_m values of heavy and whole enzyme were 0.26 and 0.087 mM of γ-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide, respectively.     

Structural gene aberrations in mucopolysaccharidosis II (Hunter)

Summary A total of 14 unrelated German patients with X-linked iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS) deficiency (Hunter syndrome, MPS II) showing variable clinical manifestations was screened for structural gene aberrations by Southern analysis. Using the IDS cDNA clone c2S15 as a probe, no Southern fragments could be detected in blots in the severely affected patient G-65 with respect to DNA digested by HindIII, PstI and TaqI, suggesting a total loss of the IDS structural gene. In this patient, the flanking loci DXS 297, DXS 296 and DXS 466 were tested. The locus DXS 466 is involved in the deletion, whereas both of the other loci are present. A normal 9.0-kb fragment disappeared and an aberrant fragment of 3.5 kb occurred in the HindIII blot of patient G-117. A normal Southern pattern was found in PstI and TaqI blots of this patient. This result can be interpreted as the generation of an additional HindIII restriction site by point mutation in an IDS gene intron.     

The effect of size,age, and recent egg laying on copulatory choice of the hermaphroditic mollusc Aplysia juliana

Summary

Aplysia juliana is a cross-fertilizing, simultaneous hermaphrodite. During copulation, an individual may act as either a sperm donor or a sperm recipient, or both, when a pair copulates reciprocally. Experiments were conducted with A. juliana to determine if an animal's size, age, or recent egg-laying activity influenced its choice of copulatory role. Animals were isolated except when paired during daily, half-hour trials. In the first experiment, mature animals of different size (weight) but similar age were randomly paired. Animal size had no effect on the initial copulatory role chosen. In the second experiment, young, maturing A. juliana were paired with older animals. Young animals showed no preference in initial copulatory role either as a group or individually. Older A. juliana showed no copulatory preference as a group, but over half of the individuals demonstrated a consistent choice of one role. Some individuals acted almost exclusively as sperm donors, others as sperm recipients, suggesting that as an A. juliana ages, it is likely to develop a preference for a single copulatory role. A record of daily egg mass production was kept for all animals in the second experiment. Production of an egg mass since the last copulation did not affect the copulatory role chosen in the subsequent copulation.     

转Cry1Ac+Cry2Ab基因棉花主要生化物质含量变化及其对棉田昆虫的影响

【目的】新型转基因棉花在进入大规模商业化应用前,需对其生态环境安全性进行评价;同时,经基因改造的新型转基因抗虫棉花可能影响抗虫棉的次生代谢,进而导致一些综合的生态学效应,致使棉花生理上发生改变,这也是转基因植物安全性评价研究的重要内容。【方法】比较了不同关键时期新型转Cry1Ac+Cry2Ab基因棉花与转Cry1Ac基因棉花和非转基因棉花叶片的鲜重、干重和干鲜比、主要酶[超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)]活性、营养物质(蛋白质、氨态氮、脯氨酸和可溶性糖)和次生代谢产物(棉酚和单宁)含量的差异及其对棉田不同昆虫营养层昆虫个体总数和物种数的影响。【结果】棉花生长的蕾期、花期和花铃期,转Cry1Ac+Cry2Ab基因棉花、转Cry1Ac基因棉花和非转基因棉花叶片的鲜重、干重和干鲜比呈先升高后降低的趋势;SOD和POD活性在花铃期明显升高,CAT、APX和GR活性无显著变化;蛋白质、氨态氮含量无明显变化,脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量均表现为先升高后下降的趋势;棉酚含量在3个时期无显著变化,而单宁含量呈逐渐升高的趋势。3种棉花叶片中干物质积累、主要酶活性、营养物质和次生代谢产物含量均无显著差异;单株大铃数表现为转Cry1Ac+Cry2Ab基因棉花转Cry1Ac基因棉花非转基因棉花,小铃数则表现为转Cry1Ac基因棉花Cry1Ac+Cry2Ab基因棉花非转基因棉花;昆虫群落和害虫亚群落的昆虫个体总数均表现为转Cry1Ac+Cry2Ab基因棉田转Cry1Ac基因棉田非转基因棉田,天敌亚群落昆虫个体总数无显著变化;3种棉田中昆虫群落、害虫亚群落和天敌亚群落的物种数均未发生显著变化。【结论】转Cry1Ac+Cry2Ab基因棉花叶片干物质积累、产量性状、生化物质含量、酶活性在不同生长期表现不同,但上述参数在3种棉花之间无显著差异;且转Cry1Ac+Cry2Ab基因棉花具有较好的抗虫性,能有效降低棉田害虫数量。     

Relationship between Enoyl-CoA Hydratase and a Peroxisomal Bifunctional Enzyme,Enoyl-CoA Hydratase/3-Hydroxyacyl- CoA Dehydrogenase,from an n-Alkane-utilizing Yeast,Candida tropicalis

A protein exhibiting only enoyl-CoA hydratase (EC 4.2.1.17) activity was purified from an n- alkane-grown yeast, Candida tropicalis. This enzyme had a homotetrameric form composed of subunits with a molecular mass of 36kDa. On the other hand, a bifunctional enzyme exhibiting enoyl-CoA hydratase and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.35) activities was obtained from the same yeast cells when purified in the presence of protease inhibitors, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, antipain and chymostatin. The enzyme had a molecular mass of 105 kDa and was a monomeric form. Limited proteolysis of the bifunctional enzyme with α-chymotrypsin yielded a peptide mixture containing a 36 kDa fragment, the mixture showing about 76% of the original enoyl-CoA hydratase activity but no 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity. Comparison of the peptide maps of the purified enoyl-CoA hydratase and the 36 kDa fragment obtained from the bifunctional enzyme showed the similarity of these proteins. These results strongly suggest that the domain of enoyl-CoA hydratase is separable from the bifunctional enzyme through the action of a certain protease.     

First results on the feeding ecology of sympatric shrews (Insectivora: Soricidae) in the Tai National Park,Ivory Coast

The feeding ecology of a multi-species community of shrews inhabiting secondary forest and cacao-coffee plantations in the Tai National Park (Ivory Coast) was investigated. A total of 553 shrews were captured and 194 alimentary tracts were examined. Ten species were found, includingSylvisorex megalura and nine species ofCrocidura, forming a series with respect to body size. New ecological data on these little known African species are presented. All species of shrews ate a wide diversity of arthropods, with Coleoptera, Araneae, Formicidae and Diplopoda making the largest dietary contributions. Lumbricidae were eaten by two species.C. obscurior had an exceptionally long intestine for its size but there was no evidence of dietary specialisation in this or other shrew species. All species investigated ate predominantly small prey and there was no correlation between size of prey items consumed and body mass of shrew species. There was little evidence of resource partitioning amongst the shrews, despite differences in body size.     

Transthyretin gene V30M,H90N,and (del9) mutations in cardiomyopathy patients from St. Petersburg

A search of transthyretin (TTR) gene mutations was performed in patients with cardiomyopathies from St. Petersburg. Mutations H90N, V30M and deletion (del9) of nucleotides GACTTCTCC in position 6776 from the start codon of the TTR gene (in position 98782 according to reference sequence AC079096 (NCBI) was found. The H90N mutation in the third exon of TTR gene was detected in a son of a cardiomyopathy patient and in his mother, which lacked any clinical manifestations. Mutation V30M in exon 2 of TTR gene was found in heterozygous in one of the probands. Deletion (del9) was revealed in a patient with cardiomyopathy and in his two daughters from different marriages, who had no clinical manifestations of the disease. All the mutations revealed in this study were previously identified in other populations.     

Growth of seedlings of the invasives,Acacia saligna and Acacia cyclops in relation to soil phosphorus

Abstract Acacia saligna and Acacia cyclops are the dominant invasive alien plants of phosphorus-poor, sand-plain, lowland fynbos and the relatively phosphorus-rich strandveld vegetation of the southwestern Cape of South Africa, respectively, but their ranges overlap. Seedlings of the two species were grown in pots, in isolation and mixed, in up to seven treatments supplying a broad gradient in phosphorus (P) availability. Acacia saligna seedlings grew taller and had greater dry mass than those of A. cyclops at each level of P, but both peaked in response to the same relatively high soil P level and then tended to decline. Root : shoot ratios did not differ in response to P, but were greater in A. saligna. In mixture, A. saligna had a higher dry mass than A. cyclops at each level of P, but the relative differences between species were no greater than in isolation. Depth penetration of the soil by the tap root of A. saligna seedlings was over three times as rapid as that of A. cyclops over a 30 day period. The higher absolute growth rates of A. saligna were not related to seed size or seed nitrogen and P contents, as these were greater in A. cyclops. The contrasting distributions of the acacias do not appear to be a response to P availability per se, but possibly to the interaction of P with other factors such as moisture availability.     

Study the polymorphism of CYP3A5 and CYP3A4 loci in Iranian population with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Cancer reflects a complicated network of interactions between genes and environmental factors. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) is a multi-gene superfamily participating in the metabolism of xenobiotics. The aim of our study was to examine whether polymorphisms in the CYP enzyme genes affect the risk of developing larynx squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Polymorphism of CYP3A5 and CYP3A4 genes were investigated in 50 patients with laryngeal SCC and 100 control subjects by polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). In patients the CYP3A5 3*/3* and 1*/3*genotypes were detected in 92% and 8% respectively. There was no relation between genotype, allele frequency and grade/stage of tumor. In control group, the frequency of CYP3A5 3*/3* and CYP3A5 1*/3* genotype were 98% and 2% respectively. There was no significant difference in genotype and allele frequency of this gene between patient and control group. In respect of CYP3A41A*/B*, people in both patient and control groups had the same genotype of CYP3A41A*/1A*. In this study, the CYP gene variants were not associated with increased risk of laryngeal SCC. Study on the other genetic factors which are involved in activation/detoxication of procarcinogenes, such as CYP1A1, CYP1B1, CYP2E1 and gluthation S transferase is recommended.     

Purification and Characterization of a Lectin from Crotalaria paulina Seeds

A lectin was purified from Crotalaria paulina seeds by ion-exchange and FPLC molecular exclusion chromatography. CrpL had an apparent molecular mass of 30 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE under non-reducing and reducing conditions. CrpL effectively agglutinated human and cow erythrocytes, and this activity was not affected by 20 mM EDTA, showing no dependence of divalent cations. Hemagglutination was inhibited by N-acetyl- D-galactosamine, D-galactose and was also inhibited by glycoproteins, fetuin and asialofetuin. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of CrpL was identical to those of other lectins from the genus Crotalaria, and amino acid composition showed high amounts of Asx and Glx, and was rich in Gly, Ala and Ser, as also reported for lectins from other Crotalaria species. CrpL inhibited the growth of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli and Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae, suggesting a role of this lectin in the defense of seeds against bacterial infections.     

Molecular cloning and expression analyses of a new gene encoding 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase from Taxus × media

A new full-length cDNA encoding 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase (designated as TmHMGS, GenBank Accession No. AY644708), which catalyses the condensation of acetyl CoA and acetoacetyl CoA to form 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA as an early step in the taxol biosynthetic pathway, was isolated from young leaves of Taxus × media by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) for the first time. The full-length cDNA of TmHMGS contained a 1431 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a deduced protein of 476 amino acid residues. The deduced protein had an isoelectric point of 5.23 and a calculated molecular mass of about 53 kDa. Amino acid sequence comparison analysis showed that TmHMGS had high similarity with a number of HMGSs ranging from Schizosaccharomyces pombe to humans, with much higher identity with other HMGSs from plants than those from yeast and humans. Phylogenic analysis showed that TmHMGS had closest relationship with HMGS from Pinus sylvestris. Tissue expression pattern analysis showed that TmHMGS expressed in needles and stems at similar level, but no expression could be detected in roots. Expression of TmHMGS was all induced by under different elicitors such as silver nitrate, ammonium ceric sulphate and methyl jasmonate, revealed that TmHMGS was an elicitor-responsive gene.     

Overcompensation in response to simulated herbivory in the perennial herb <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sedum maximum</Emphasis>

A positive effect of herbivory on plant reproduction (overcompensation) has been documented mostly in monocarpic plants. Iteroparous perennials can be used to test whether enhanced reproduction in 1 year has negative future consequences as predicted by optimal allocation models. This study was intended to verify this prediction in the iteroparous herb Sedum maximum, applying mechanically simulated herbivory. I monitored 132 labelled S. maximum individuals during 2 years of study. They were randomly assigned to two groups: clipped and control. Infructescence dry mass, total seed dry mass, seed size, germination rate and an increase of root dry mass during the season were assessed in the experimental plants. Since only roots can survive to the next season, root dry mass was considered a reliable measure of allocation to future performance. Clipped plants showed increased fruit and seed dry mass versus the controls, with no other aspect of reproduction affected. Apical bud removal also had a positive effect on increase of root dry mass. The results indicate true overcompensation in response to simulated herbivory with no future costs of increased reproduction. Moreover, increased plant reproduction as a result of herbivory is likely to persist in the following years: clipping increased not only seed production but also root growth. This response is inconsistent with the results of optimal allocation models and the discrepancy is probably due to violation of the resource limitation assumption. Plants adapted to tolerate herbivory seem not to reproduce at the maximum rate when undamaged, but rather withhold resources to be allocated to reproduction after herbivory.     

不同生境下空心莲子草响应模拟昆虫采食的生长和化学防御策略

外来植物往往可以入侵多种生境并受到多种昆虫的采食,而不同生境条件将可能会影响这些入侵植物对昆虫采食的防御策略。以入侵我国的克隆植物——空心莲子草为研究对象,分别选择生长在水生生境、水陆两栖生境和陆生生境中的无性个体(分株),通过50%去叶处理模拟昆虫采食,分析不同生境下空心莲子草对模拟昆虫采食处理的生长及化学防御响应的差异。模拟昆虫采食处理显著抑制了陆生生境、水陆两栖生境以及水生生境下空心莲子草的根、茎、叶和总生物量,但对3种生境下空心莲子草的生物量分配(根冠比、根生物量分配、茎生物量分配和叶生物量分配)均无显著影响。陆生生境下空心莲子草根、茎和总生物量显著高于水陆两栖生境和水生生境,根冠比显著低于水陆两栖生境和水生生境。模拟昆虫采食处理显著降低了空心莲子草的木质素含量,而对单宁和总酚含量影响不显著。生境对木质素含量无显著影响,但陆生生境下空心莲子草单宁含量显著高于水陆两栖生境和水生生境,且总酚含量显著高于水陆两栖生境,表明陆生生境中空心莲子草具有更强的防御能力。空心莲子草木质素含量与总生物量无显著相关性,但在模拟采食情况下,其总酚含量与总生物量呈显著负相关,而无论模拟昆虫采食处理存在与否,空心莲子草单宁含量与总生物量均呈显著正相关。因此,空心莲子草存在昆虫介导的生长和化学防御之间的权衡,在昆虫采食的情况下可通过减少生长来增加对化学防御物质的投入,但生境对空心莲子草这种生长-防御权衡的影响十分有限。     

Conifer regeneration failure in New Zealand: dynamics of montane Libocedrus bidwillii stands

Size and age structure analysis were used to reconstruct the population dynamics of six apparently old and stable stands dominated by the conifers Libocedrus bidwillii and/or Dacrydium biforme in Camp Creek, Westland, New Zealand. All stands contained relatively even-aged groups of Libocedrus that had probably originated after either mass movement or windthrow. The age distributions of stands reflected the effects of disturbances 200–400 yr ago.There was no evidence to support synchronous failure of regeneration of Libocedrus and Dacrydium biforme. Between 1600 and 1800 A.D., the period of the postulated conifer regeneration gap, over 70% of trees of these species had established. A lack of Libocedrus regeneration over the last 200 yr reflects a lack of disturbance over that time. Because of the dominating influence of disturbances and other factors it may be inappropriate to use tree population structures alone to substantiate or refute claims of recent climate change.     

Effects of parentage on competitive ability and vulnerability to predation in Hyla chrysoscelis tadpoles

Four sibships of Hyla chrysoscelis larvae were used to examine the effects of parentage on mass at day 23 of growth and on vulnerability to predation. The H. chrysoscelis larvae were raised alone, in competition with Rana clamitans larvae, and in competition with siblings. Vulnerability to predation by adult Notophthalmus viridescens dorsalis was evaluated for Hyla that had been raised in competition with siblings. Sibships differed in body mass and vulnerability to predation. Competition with Rana or with siblings resulted in a major reduction in body mass. There were no interactions between the effects of parentage and level of competition on body mass. Vulnerability to predation by newts appeared to be determined partially by body mass and partially by parental influences on factors other than body mass. If the differences observed between factors determining body mass and vulnerability to predation reflect negative genetic correlations among these determinants, tradeoffs between selection for increased competitive ability and reduced vulnerability to predators may partially account for the existence of genetic variation for growth rate in larval Hyla.     

Partial hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase deficiency with full expression of the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome

Summary A patient with the full clinical expression of the classical Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is presented with a residual hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT) activity of 5–10% in erythrocyte lysate and about 30% in fibroblast lysate. The activities of other erythrocyte enzymes of purine metabolism were typical for a classical Lesch-Nyhan patient. The effects of allopurinol therapy on the excretion of urinary purine metabolites were studied by a newly developed isotachophoretic technique.The unusually high residual activity of HGPRT in erythrodytes and fibroblasts of the patient enabled the enzymologic characterization of the mutant enzyme: in fibroblasts the affinities for the substrates hypoxanthine and guanine were normal. However, there was an increased apparent K _m for phosphoribosylpyrophosphate (PRPP), a complete absence of product inhibition by IMP and GMP, and a decreased heat stability. Addition of PRPP did not stabilize the mutant enzyme. In addition to the altered properties of the fibroblast enzyme, the K _m of the erythrocyte enzyme for hypoxanthine was also increased.Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed the presence of an approximately normal amount of material cross-reacting with anti-human HGPRT antiserum. However, it appeared that this cross-reacting material had a decreased stability. When intact erythrocytes were incubated with radiolabeled purine bases, no formation of IMP or GMP could be detected, despite the relatively high residual activity of HGPRT in the hemolysate. The results fit the following hypothesis: as a consequence of a structural mutation affecting the PRPP-site of the enzyme and a decreased heat stability, the activity of the mutant enzyme under in vivo conditions is virtually zero.In the erythrocytes of the patient's mother a normal HGPRT-activity was found. However, the activity in her fibroblasts was lower than normal, while a decreased heat stability and an intermediate behavior towards IMP could be shown.Hair root analysis of several members of the patient's family confirmed the heterozygosity of the mother, whereas no other heterozygotes could be detected. The family anamnesis did not show other cases of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. These findings were taken as evidence that the patient described in this paper might represent a mutation orginating from the gametes in either of the maternal grandparents.     

Oxygen consumption and haematology of juvenile shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum during an acute 24 h saltwater challenge

This study focused on the acute physiological responses to saltwater exposure in juvenile shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum. In two separate laboratory experiments, 2 year‐old A. brevirostrum were exposed to either full (32) or half‐strength (16) seawater for up to 24 h. First, oxygen consumption rates were used to estimate the metabolic costs over 24 h. Secondly, blood and muscle samples were analysed at 6, 12 and 24 h for water loss, various measures of osmoregulatory status (plasma osmolality and ions) and other standard haematological variables. Juveniles exposed to full‐strength seawater showed significant decreases in oxygen consumption rates during the 24 h exposure. Furthermore, seawater‐exposed fish had significantly increased plasma osmolality, ions (Na⁺ and Cl^?) and a 17% decrease in total wet mass over the 24 h exposure period. To a lesser extent, increases in osmolality, ions and mass loss were observed in fish exposed to half‐strength seawater but no changes to oxygen consumption. Cortisol was also significantly increased in fish exposed to full‐strength seawater. While plasma protein was elevated following 24 h in full‐strength seawater, haemoglobin, haematocrit and plasma glucose levels did not change with increased salinity. These results imply an inability of juvenile A. brevirostrum to regulate water and ions in full‐strength seawater within 24 h. Nonetheless, no mortality occurred in any exposure, suggesting that juvenile A. brevirostrum can tolerate short periods in saline environments.     

Predicting competitive interactions between pioneer plant species by using plant traits

Abstract. A competitive effect hierarchy for 15 Namaqualand pioneer plant species was established by using the mean mass of the phytometer (Dimorphotheca sinuata) when grown in combination with itself and 14 other species. There were no clear groupings of species in the hierarchy. This competitive hierarchy (gradient) indicated which species are strong competitors (resulting in a low phytometer mass) with D. sinuata and which species are weak competitors (resulting in a high phytometer mass). Each plant species has a certain combination of plant traits which determines its life history strategy and competitive ability. Regressions of various plant traits (measured on plants grown singly) against phytometer biomass indicated which traits were significantly correlated. The traits, most being size-related, were: maximum shoot mass, total mass, stem mass, reproductive mass, leaf area, stem allocation, specific leaf area (SLA), vegetative height × diameter, leaf area ratio (LAR); and mean number of days to flower initiation. A forward stepwise multiple regression of the significant traits was used to determine an equation to predict competitive effect.