Quantification of phenolic metabolites of environmental chemicals in human urine using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and isotope dilution quantification

We have developed a method to measure 12 urinary phenolic metabolites of pesticides or related chemicals. The target chemicals for our method are 2-isopropoxyphenol; 2,4-dichlorophenol; 2,5-dichlorophenol; carbofuranphenol; 2,4,5-trichlorophenol; 2,4,6-trichlorophenol; 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol; para-nitrophenol, ortho-phenylphenol, pentachlorophenol, 1-naphthol and 2-naphthol. The sample preparation involves enzyme hydrolysis, isolation of the target chemicals using solid phase extraction cartridges, a phase-transfer catalyzed derivatization, cleanup using sorbent-immobilized liquid/liquid extraction cartridges, and concentration of the sample. Derivatized samples are analyzed by capillary gas chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy using isotope dilution calibration for quantification. The limits of detection are in the mid ng/L range and the average coefficient of variation was below 15% for most of the analytes. Using our method, we measured concentrations of the target chemicals in urine samples from the general population.     

Scalp EEG for the diagnosis of epilepsy and photosensitivity in the baboon

Spontaneous seizures have been observed in several baboon species housed at the Southwest National Primate Research Center (SNPRC), including Papio hamadryas anubis and cynocephalus/anubis, hamadryas/anubis, and papio/anubis hybrids. The goal of this study was to establish a noninvasive, reliable electroencephalographic technique to characterize epilepsy phenotypes and assess photosensitivity in these subspecies. Thirty baboons with witnessed seizures, and 15 asymptomatic baboons underwent scalp electroencephalograms (EEGs) with photic stimulation (PS). The sensitivity and specificity of surface EEG for identifying interictal epileptic discharges (IEDs) in baboons with witnessed seizures were examined. The morphology of IEDs, electroclinical features of seizures and responses to PS, reproducibility of EEG findings, and intrarater reliability were also evaluated. Twenty-three seizure baboons (77%) demonstrated IEDs, predominantly with frequencies of 4-6 Hz in 18 baboons and 2-3 Hz in six baboons. Two seizure animals had a mixture of 2-3-Hz and 4-6-Hz IEDs. All animals with 2-3-Hz IEDs were 3 years old or younger. Myoclonic seizures (MS) and generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) were recorded in 13 baboons (43%). PS activated IEDs in 15 baboons (50%) and seizures in nine baboons. The presence of IEDs or seizures was not associated with a particular gender or species (Fisher exact test, alpha=0.05). Seizures were more common in animals >3 years old, while PS-induced IEDs and seizures were more prevalent in P.h. anubis/cynocephalus crosses compared to P.h. anubis. In the asymptomatic controls, IEDs were recorded in five baboons (33%), and photoparoxysmal responses were observed in two (13%). Surface EEG is a sensitive and reliable instrument for characterizing the epilepsy encountered in Papio species. Electroclinically, the seizure animals had generalized epilepsy with photosensitivity. The variation in IED morphology may be age-related or it may reflect different epileptic phenotypes. Ketamine provoked IEDs and seizures in most seizure animals and only in a few asymptomatic baboons; therefore, it may enhance the sensitivity of surface EEG for detecting a predisposition to epilepsy.     

Expression of mRNAs encoding for two different olfactory receptors in a subset of olfactory receptor neurons

Evidence has accumulated to support a model for odorant detection in which individual olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) express one of a large family of G protein-coupled receptor proteins that are activated by a small number of closely related volatile chemicals. However, the issue of whether an individual ORN expresses one or multiple types of receptor proteins has yet to be definitively addressed. Physiological data indicate that some individual ORNs can be activated by odorants differing substantially in structure and/or perceived quality, suggesting multiple receptors or one nonspecific receptor per cell. In contrast, molecular biological studies favor a scheme with a single, fairly selective receptor per cell. The present studies directly assessed whether individual rat ORNs can express multiple receptors using single-cell PCR techniques with degenerate primers designed to amplify a wide variety of receptor sequences. We found that whereas only a single OR sequence was obtained from most ORNs examined, one ORN produced two distinct receptor sequences that represented different receptor gene families. Double-label in situ hybridization studies indicated that a subset of ORNs co-express two distinct receptor mRNAs. A laminar segregation analysis of the cell nuclei of ORNs labeled with the two OR mRNA probes showed that for one probe, the histogram of the distribution of the cell nuclei along the depth of the epithelium was bimodal, with one peak overlapping the (unimodal) histogram for the other probe. These results are consistent with co-expression of two OR mRNAs in a population of single ORNs.     

Application of beta-irradiation through the struts of a previously deployed stent

The application of beta-radiation in coronary arteries is a promising new technique for the treatment of in-stent restenosis. This is the first case in which the 5 F. delivery catheter of the Beta-Cath trade mark system was advanced through the struts of a stent, previously deployed in an adjacent branch, so as to deliver radiation to the target vessel.     

Expression of adhesion molecules in lungs of mice infected with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis conidia

In infected tissues, leukocyte recruitment is mediated by interactions between adhesion molecules, expressed on activated vascular endothelial cells, and ligands present on circulating cells. We evaluated the inflammatory response and the expression of cellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, CD18, LFA-1 and Mac-1) in lungs of BALB/c mice infected with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis conidia. When compared with uninfected animals, infected mice had a significant increase in the inflammatory response during the first 4 days, peaking 2-3 days post-challenge, 40.3% vs. 0.0% and 41.8% vs. 0.7%, respectively. This inflammatory infiltrate was composed mainly of neutrophils and macrophages with a few eosinophils and lymphocytes. An increase in the intensity of immunofluorescence (IF) for ICAM-1 was also observed during days 1-4. ICAM-1 was present in bronchiolar epithelium, type II pneumocytes, and macrophages, as well as on vascular endothelium. The control animals presented ICAM-1 constitutively. In infected mice, VCAM-1 was only observed on vascular endothelium during the first 2 days, with some macrophages expressing this molecule throughout the study periods. CD18 and Mac-1 but not LFA-1 were expressed with a high intensity on neutrophils and macrophages present in the inflammatory infiltrate. In addition, we observed a significant decrease in Colony forming units (CFUs) after the first 2 days post-challenge. These findings suggest that during these early stages, up-regulation of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, CD18 and Mac-1 expression occurs, participating in the inflammatory process and as such, in the pathogenesis of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM).     

The ins and outs of intracellular chloride in olfactory receptor neurons

Stimulation of olfactory receptor neurons with odors culminates in opening of a ciliary Ca2+-activated Cl- channel. Because intracellular Cl- ([Cl-]i) is above electrochemical equilibrium in these cells, the result is cell depolarization that triggers action potentials that carry information to the olfactory bulb. In this issue of Neuron, Reisert and coworkers use combined pharmacological and mouse genetic approaches to show that the transporter responsible for maintaining Cl- above electrochemical equilibrium is NKCC1, a (Na+)(2Cl-)(K+) cotransporter found in other tissues, including neurons.     

Analysis of training-induced changes in ethyl acetate odor maps using a new computational tool to map the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb

Odor quality is thought to be encoded by the activation of partially overlapping subsets of glomeruli in the olfactory bulb (odor maps). Mouse genetic studies have demonstrated that olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) expressing a particular olfactory receptor target their axons to a few individual glomeruli in the bulb. While the specific targeting of OSN axons provides a molecular underpinning for the odor maps, much remains to be understood about the relationship between the functional and molecular maps. In this article, we ask the question whether intensive training of mice in a go/no-go operant conditioning odor discrimination task affects odor maps measured by determining c-fos up-regulation in periglomerular cells. Data analysis is performed using a newly developed suite of computational tools designed to systematically map functional and molecular features of glomeruli in the adult mouse olfactory bulb. This suite provides the necessary tools to process high-resolution digital images, map labeled glomeruli, visualize odor maps, and facilitate statistical analysis of patterns of identified glomeruli in the olfactory bulb. The software generates odor maps (density plots) based on glomerular activity, density, or area. We find that training up-regulates the number of glomeruli that become c-fos positive after stimulation with ethyl acetate.     

Identification to the species level of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus</Emphasis> isolated in probiotic prospecting studies of human,animal or food origin by 16S-23S rRNA restriction profiling

Background  

The accurate identification of Lactobacillus and other co-isolated bacteria during microbial ecological studies of ecosystems such as the human or animal intestinal tracts and food products is a hard task by phenotypic methods requiring additional tests such as protein and/or lipids profiling.     

Characterization of pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis by PCR-based DNA fingerprinting techniques

Strains of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam) were characterized for pathogenicity and for DNA polymorphism using different PCR-based techniques. Using amplified restriction fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), strains were distinguished from each other and also from other Xanthomonas strains. Cluster analysis showed a high correlation between DNA polymorphism and pathogenicity. Four Xam strains were further analyzed using three PCR-based techniques, AFLP, AFLP-pthB and RAPD-pthB. Various primer combinations were used including primers specific to a Xam pathogenicity gene (pthB) along with RAPD or AFLP primers. The AFLP primer combinations EcoRI+T/MseI+A and EcoRI+T/MseI+T were the most efficient to discriminate among pathogenic and nonpathogenic Xam strains. Polymorphic bands were excised from the gel, amplified and cloned. Sequences analysis showed significant homology with bacterial pathogenicity island, genes involved in pathogenic fitness and regulators of virulence. Three cloned AFLP fragments were used as probes in DNA blot experiments and two of them showed significant polymorphism.     

Comparison of crowding and food restriction effects on growth, body weight gain and endocrine status in the rat

The present work compares the effects of post-weaning crowding and those of food restriction on growth, body weight gain and the levels of several hormones, in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Crowding resulted in reduced food intake and diminished body weight gain. Rats daily receiving the same amount of food as that eaten by crowded rats (food-restricted group) showed similar body weight gain as crowded rats, but higher growth rate. Neither crowding nor food restriction altered the pituitary-adrenal axis. In contrast, both treatments decreased serum insulin, growth hormone (GH), somatomedin C (Sm-C) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) as compared to control rats. The reduction of GH and Sm-C levels was similar in crowded and food-restricted rats but that of TSH was higher in food-restricted, rather than in crowded rats. The present data indicate that the effects of crowding could only be partially explained by the concomittant reduction of food intake and that the serum levels of the hormones studied could not explain the differences between the crowded and food-restricted rats with regard to growth.