Diagnostic strategies for C-reactive protein

Background  

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) has been identified in prospective epidemiological research as an independent risk marker for cardiovascular disease. In this paper, short-term biological variation of CRP is documented and a strategy to test the reliability of a single CRP sample is proposed.     

Genetic diversity and relationships in mulberry (genusMorus) as revealed by RAPD and ISSR marker assays

Background  

The genus Morus, known as mulberry, is a dioecious and cross-pollinating plant that is the sole food for the domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori. Traditional methods using morphological traits for classification are largely unsuccessful in establishing the diversity and relationships among different mulberry species because of environmental influence on traits of interest. As a more robust alternative, PCR based marker assays including RAPD and ISSR were employed to study the genetic diversity and interrelationships among twelve domesticated and three wild mulberry species.     

Impact of early applied upper limb stimulation: The EXPLICIT-stroke programme design

Background  

Main claims of the literature are that functional recovery of the paretic upper limb is mainly defined within the first month post stroke and that rehabilitation services should preferably be applied intensively and in a task-oriented way within this particular time window. EXplaining PLastICITy after stroke (acronym EXPLICIT-stroke) aims to explore the underlying mechanisms of post stroke upper limb recovery. Two randomized single blinded trials form the core of the programme, investigating the effects of early modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (modified CIMT) and EMG-triggered Neuro-Muscular Stimulation (EMG-NMS) in patients with respectively a favourable or poor probability for recovery of dexterity.     

Ethylene Is Responsible for a Disturbed Development of Plant Reproductive System under Conditions of Space Flight

The development of reproductive organs was studied on three dwarf cultivars of wheat Triticum aestivum and the fast-cycling Brassica rapa plants, grown under earth control conditions, during the space flight in the Mir orbital station, and in a earth experiment that simulated growth conditions during the space flight, including an elevated content of ethylene in the air (1 mg/m³ on average). We found that the embryological characteristics of the plants were not affected by space flight conditions. The elevated ethylene content in air resulted in some changes in the morphometric characteristics of inflorescences and a greater frequency of sterility similar under conditions of space flight and control earth experiment. We conclude that the abnormalities and modifications in the development of reproductive organs, induced by space flight conditions, were caused by a secondary factor, an elevated ethylene content in the cabin air, rather than by microgravity.     

Structural complexes in the squid giant axon membrane sensitive to ionic concentrations and cardiac glycosides

Giant nerve fibers of squid Sepioteuthis sepioidea were incubated for 10 min in artificial sea water (ASW) under control conditions, in the absence of various ions, and in the presence of cardiac glycosides. The nerve fibers were fixed in OsO4 and embedded in Epon, and structural complexes along the axolemma were studied.     

H-Type Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy: Complex Molecular Features and Similarities with Human Prion Diseases

We previously reported that some cattle affected by bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) showed distinct molecular features of the protease-resistant prion protein (PrP^res) in Western blot, with a 1–2 kDa higher apparent molecular mass of the unglycosylated PrP^res associated with labelling by antibodies against the 86–107 region of the bovine PrP protein (H-type BSE). By Western blot analyses of PrP^res, we now showed that the essential features initially described in cattle were observed with a panel of different antibodies and were maintained after transmission of the disease in C57Bl/6 mice. In addition, antibodies against the C-terminal region of PrP revealed a second, more C-terminally cleaved, form of PrP^res (PrP^res #2), which, in unglycosylated form, migrated as a ≈ 14 kDa fragment. Furthermore, a PrP^res fragment of ≈7 kDa, which was not labelled by C-terminus-specific antibodies and was thus presumed to be a product of cleavage at both N- and C-terminal sides of PrP protein, was also detected. Both PrP^res #2 and ≈7 kDa PrP^res were detected in cattle and in C57Bl/6 infected mice. These complex molecular features are reminiscent of findings reported in human prion diseases. This raises questions regarding the respective origins and pathogenic mechanisms in prion diseases of animals and humans.Key Words: prion, BSE, Creutzfeldt-Jakob, Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker, Western blot, amyloid     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">M. tuberculosis</Emphasis> genotypic diversity and drug susceptibility pattern in HIV- infected and non-HIV-infected patients in northern Tanzania

Background  

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major health problem and HIV is the major cause of the increase in TB. Sub-Saharan Africa is endemic for both TB and HIV infection. Determination of the prevalence of M. tuberculosis strains and their drug susceptibility is important for TB control.     

Assessment of the genetic distances between some species of the family Bradybaenidae (Mollusca,Pulmonata)

On the basis of inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) loci and the nucleotide sequences of nuclear (18S and ITS-1) and mitochondrial genes (COI and 16S), a phylogenetic analysis of the three species of terrestrial mollusks of the family Bradybaenidae (Mollusca, Pulmonata), Bradybaena fruticum Müll., Bradybaena schrencki Midd., and Bradybaena transbaicalia Shileyko, was conducted to clarify their taxonomic status. The analysis showed that Br. fruticum was far apart from the other two species (Br. schrencki and Br. transbaicalia). The genetic distance between the latter puts in doubt their status as distinct species. It is suggested that the species Br. transbaicalia can be treated as a form of Br. schrencki var. transbaicalia.