Diameter increase of collagen fibrils of the mouse endometrium during decidualization

The diameter of collagen fibrils was measured in different regions of the antimesometrial endometrium of mice on days 5, 6, and 7 of pregnancy as well as in the endometrium of virgin mice. The average diameter of fibrils of virgin mice was 39.18 nm (range: 20-80). In the region of fully decidualized cells, the averages and ranges were 45.32 nm (30-170), 89.39 nm (30-270), and 125.88 nm (20-370), respectively, on days 5, 6, and 7 of pregnancy. Thick fibrils larger than 70 nm had irregular profiles. Our results show that the increase in diameter is associated with the decidualization of the mouse endometrium.     

Synthesis and characterization of Respiratory Syncytial Virus protein G related peptides containing two disulfide bridges.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the most important cause of bronchiolitis and viral pneumonia in infants and young children. Approximately 100000 children are hospitalized in the USA each year as a result of RSV infections. During the research and development of subunit human Respiratory Syncytial Virus vaccines (hRSV), we have produced numerous synthetic peptides and recombinant proteins containing the four cysteines of the highly conserved central region of the G attachment protein. For several of these disulfide-containing peptides, all possible oxidized isomers were synthesized using various oxidation conditions and resulting in different ratios of isomers. Each isolated isomer was fully characterized by RP-HPLC, FZCE and ES-MS after purification by preparative RP-HPLC. The different cysteine pairings were unambiguously established after enzymatic digestion, LC-MS analysis and peptide microsequencing. These synthesis and analytical methods were developed for the characterization on one hand, of recombinant fusion protein BBG2Na which is currently being investigated in advanced clinical phases as a very promising vaccine candidate, and on the other hand, for peptides which were synthesized to be evaluated as conjugate vaccines or as immunochemical tools, after covalent coupling to carrier proteins. Furthermore, these studies allowed us to determine which of the different possible isomers was the most stable and probably the preferred form in native conditions. Finally, the different oxidation and analysis conditions, should be useful for disulfide pairing studies of other peptides and proteins having the same 'xCxxCxxxxxCxxxCx' framework, such as G proteins of non-human RSV strains, developed by other groups as veterinary vaccine candidates for example.     

Pelodera (syn. Rhabditis) strongyloides as a cause of dermatitis – a report of 11 dogs from Finland

Background  

Pelodera (Rhabditis) strongyloides is a small saprophytic nematode that lives in decaying organic matter. On rare occasions, it can invade the mammalian skin, causing a pruritic, erythematous, alopecic and crusting dermatitis on skin sites that come into contact with the ground. Diagnosis of the disease is based on case history (a dog living outdoors on damp straw bedding) with characteristic skin lesions and on the demonstration of typical larvae in skin scrapings or biopsy. Pelodera (rhabditic) dermatitis cases have been reported mainly from Central European countries and the United States.     

Various characteristics of intravenous polyvalent immunoglobulins

Polyvalent human immunoglobulins for intravenous use (GVP) are obtained by fractionating human plasma with ethanol, according to a method in which traces of pepsin at pH4 eliminate any anticomplementary activity. All the analytical tests have come within official requirements. Results of extended tests concerning specificity, potency, immunoglobulin subclass distribution, biological half-life and opsonic function are presented. Since their official release for clinical use on July 1st, 1983, almost 15,000 therapeutic units of 2.5 g of immunoglobulins have been consumed without any reported major side effects. Multicenter clinical trials are being carried out with adults and children. Available results confirm very good tolerance, and, as expected, effectiveness for well known and codified indications.     

Bases and spaces: resources on the web for accessing the draft human genome - II - After publication of the draft

The volume of human genome sequence and the variety of web-based tools to access it continue to grow at an impressive rate, but a working knowledge of certain key resources can be sufficient to get the most from your genome. This article provides an update to Genome Biology 2000, 1(4):reviews2001.1-2001.5.     

LASER SAFETY THRESHOLDS FOR CETACEANS AND PINNIPEDS

An increase in the use of oceanographic lidar has raised concern over laser safety for marine mammals. We were able to address some of these concerns by combining information about current laser safety standards, retinal damage mechanisms for humans, and research on eye anatomy for humans, cetaceans, and pinnipeds. To estimate the irradiance at the retina, the image size at the retina and pupil diameter must be known. We estimate the smallest spot size using retinal resolution or visual acuity for six species of cetaceans and five species of pinnipeds. A sensitivity ratio was calculated for each species using the ratio of the irradiance at the retina of the marine mammal to the irradiance at the retina of humans. The sensitivity ratio was used to suggest exposure limits for the various species. Because the human eye is more sensitive than either the cetacean or pinniped eye, we conclude that laser energies that are eye-safe for humans will also be safe for marine mammals, and higher laser irradiances may be permissible if illumination of humans is avoided.