Protein Patterns of Early Mouse Embryos During Development

Using high resolution two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the major protein species (labeled in vitro with ³⁵S-methionine) of mouse embryos were examined starting with the unfertilized egg up to the blastocyst stage (fourth day of development). The analysis was then continued using in vitro culture techniques up to the 10th equivalent gestation day. At all periods of development distinct protein changes could be seen. However, major alterations in the protein synthesis pattern were noted between the 2nd and 3rd day in vivo and around the 8th equivalent gestation day in vitro. A complete series of gels is presented such that proteins can be easily identified in terms of their molecular weights and isoelectric points.     

Lerp-feeding in birds: A smorgasbord experiment

Lerps from three species of psyllids were presented to recently-caught wild birds. A total of 187 birds of 29 species was tested, each for a 20 min period. In most trials some lerps were eaten. Lerps of Glycaspis fuscovena were favoured by 21 of 22 bird species which ate lerps in the trials. Almost all lerps of Creiis ?corniculata were left uneaten. The percentage consumption of lerps of Lasiopsylla striatus was intermediate. This ordering is consistent with biomass and concentration of soluble sugars, though it is the reverse of the order for protein content. There was significant variation between bird species in the number of lerps eaten, with the best performers being thornbills, Weebill, pardalotes. Rufous Whistler, and White-eared, Brown-headed and Fuscous Honeyeaters. In most cases, associated with the detachment of the covering lerp, the psyllid nymph sheltering underneath was eaten also. This varied substantially between bird species and the nymph itself was probably an unimportant object of foraging. Most bird species ate a higher proportion of large (>2 mm long) than of small (< 2 mm) lerps; this was so especially for birds with relatively broad bills.     

Osteogenesis imperfecta: the audiological phenotype lacks correlation with the genotype

Background

Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), a common autosomal dominant disorder, was shown in one study to be associated with a 15-year decrease in life expectancy. However, data on mortality in NF1 are limited. Our aim was to evaluate mortality in a large retrospective cohort of NF1 patients seen in France between 1980 and 2006.

Methods

Consecutive NF1 patients referred to the National French Referral Center for Neurofibromatoses were included. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated as the ratio of observed over expected numbers of deaths. We studied factors associated with death and causes of death.

Results

Between 1980 and 2006, 1895 NF1 patients were seen. Median follow-up was 6.8 years (range, 0.4-20.6). Vital status was available for 1226 (65%) patients, of whom 1159 (94.5%) survived and 67 (5.5%) died. Overall mortality was significantly increased in the NF1 cohort (SMR, 2.02; CI, 1.6-2.6; P < 10^-4). The excess mortality occurred among patients aged 10 to 20 years (SMR, 5.2; CI, 2.6-9.3; P < 10^-4) and 20 to 40 years (SMR, 4.1; 2.8-5.8; P < 10^-4). Significant excess mortality was found in both males and females. In the 10-20 year age group, females had a significant increase in mortality compared to males (SMR, 12.6; CI, 5.7-23.9; and SMR, 1.8; CI, 0.2-6.4; respectively). The cause of death was available for 58 (86.6%) patients; malignant nerve sheath tumor was the main cause of death (60%).

Conclusions

We found significantly increased SMRs indicating excess mortality in NF1 patients compared to the general population. The definitive diagnosis of NF1 in all patients is a strength of our study, and the high rate of death related to malignant transformation is consistent with previous work. The retrospective design and hospital-based recruitment are limitations of our study. Mortality was significantly increased in NF1 patients aged 10 to 40 years and tended to be higher in females than in males.     

The turbulent boundary between water science and water management

SUMMARY. 1. It is common to observe friction between limnologists and the managers of water resources. This is often a result of misunderstandings about the cultures within which each works.
2. There are a number of ways that science can contribute to effective management of water resources, but limnologists must appreciate that there are value questions which are not the sole prerogative of science to answer.
3. Managers often misunderstand science and expect it to deliver a truth that is non-arguable. They fail to understand the very process of science demands no such truths, so that assumptions, methods and conclusions can always be challenged.
4. One way to bridge this boundary is to develop the scientific broking role. Another is to do better and more relevant science. Ways of doing both are discussed.     

c‐erbB‐2 and p53 expression in breast cancer fine needle aspirates

The aim of this study was to co‐evaluate c‐ erbB ‐2 and p53 protein expression in breast cancer fine needle aspirates (FNA) and to compare this with histological variables and the immunohistochemical phenotype of the tumours. Furthermore, we assessed the relationship of c‐ erbB ‐2 and p53 immunocytochemical expression to tumour prognostic factors. We examined 124 breast cancer FNAs and 79 matched surgical specimens using the avidin–biotin complex (ABC) and the alkaline phosphatase immunocytochemical techniques. C‐ erbB ‐2 immunopositivity was detected in 37.9% of the FNAs, while 31.7% were positive for p53. A statistically significant correlation was observed between p53 negativity and absence of c‐ erbB ‐2 immunostaining in the FNAs ( P =0.0007). Smears from infiltrating ductal carcinomas tended to be more frequently positive for p53 (36.7%) than those from lobular carcinomas (11.7%) ( P =0.054). In matched tumour tissues, c‐ erbB ‐2 was positive in 16.7% and p53 in 19% of cases. The immunocytochemical results for both c‐ erbB ‐2 and p53 were significantly correlated with the immunohistochemical results. There was no correlation between c‐ erbB ‐2 and p53 immunostaining, in both FNAs and tissues, and patients' menopausal status, tumour size, grade and lymph node status.     

Defining the cost of the Egyptian lymphatic filariasis elimination programme

BACKGROUND: Ultrasonography (USG) is known to be a suitable tool for diagnosis in lymphatic filariasis as the adult filarial nematode Wuchereria bancrofti in scrotal lymphatic vessels of infected men can be detected by the characteristic pattern of movement, the Filaria Dance Sign. In onchocerciasis, moving adult worms have not yet been demonstrated by USG. In addition the verification of drug effects on living adult Onchocerca volvulus filariae in trials is hampered by the lack of tools for longitudinal observation of alterations induced by potentially macrofilaricidal drugs in vivo. The present study was carried out to determine the frequency of detection of moving adult filariae of O. volvulus by USG. METHODS: In an endemic region for onchocerciasis in Ghana, 61 patients infected with onchocerciasis were recruited by palpation and onchocercomas examined by USG using an ultrasound system equipped with a 7.5 - 10 MHz linear transducer. Onchocercomas were recorded on videotape and evaluated with regard to location, number and size, as well as to movements of adult filariae. RESULTS: In the 61 patients 303 onchocercomas were found by palpation and 401 onchocercomas were detected by USG. In 18 out of 61 patients (29.5%), altogether 22 nodules with moving adult O. volvulus filariae were detected and are presented in animated ultrasound images as mp-4 videos. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonographical examinations of onchocercomas where living adult filariae can be displayed may serve as a new tool for the longitudinal observation in vivo of patients with onchocerciasis undergoing treatment and as an adjunct to histological evaluation.