P-transposable vectors expressing a constitutive and thermoinducible hsp82-neo fusion gene for Drosophila germline transformation and tissue-culture transfection

Three P-transposable vectors (approx. 16, 12, and 9 kb) were constructed containing a hsp82-neo fusion gene encoding a truncated heat-shock protein 82 of Drosophila pseudoobscura and the bacterial neomycin phosphotransferase (NPT). In transgenic Drosophila melanogaster, hsp82-neo exhibits high levels of housekeeping gene promoter and NPT activities in all cells in the absence of heat-shock and is further induced (fivefold) by elevated temperatures (35 degrees-36 degrees C). The hsp82-neo selection of transformants is possible from embryo to adulthood. The hsp82-neo insertion in a P-element plasmid carrying an alcohol-dehydrogenase-encoding gene (Adh) produced plasmids pHS22 (approx. 16 kb) and pHS24 (approx. 12 kb), in which both genes were expressed, as observed in 13 transgenic strains. Cloning of DNA fragments up to at least 16 kb in a third vector, pHS85 (approx. 9 kb), lacking the Adh cointegrate is facilitated by a 104-bp multiple cloning site (MCS) positioned downstream (3') from hsp82-neo. To accept inserts of nonselectable foreign genes, MCS provides 20 restriction sites, eight of them unique. The hsp82-neo-expressing vectors also function in cell-culture transfection assays. The hsp82-neo fusion gene (3.73 kb) may be of wide application as a dominant selection marker in other animal systems and plants.     

Bizarre atypia in gastric brushings associated with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) for unresectable hepatic neoplasms has been associated with gastric ulcers and epithelial atypia that may be misinterpreted as carcinoma. Gastric brushings were reviewed from six patients who developed gastric ulcers with histologically proven atypia following HAIC. Marked cytologic atypia, reminiscent of a pronounced radiation effect, was present in gastric epithelial cells in five patients. The atypical cells occurred singly or in small sheets. They were markedly enlarged but a low nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio was preserved. The abundant cytoplasm was vacuolated or foamy. Binucleation and multinucleation were common, and massive nucleoli were characteristic. The brushings also contained the reparative, inflammatory and necrotic changes associated with usual benign gastric ulcers. The bizarre atypia associated with HAIC can be a source of misdiagnosis of cancer in cytologic as well as in histologic specimens.     

Anatomical and physiological characteristics of individual neurones in the central antennal pathway of insects

Signals of tens up to hundreds of thousands of (mostly olfactory) receptor cells on an insect antenna are switched to a comparatively low number of neurones in the antennal lobe of the deutocerebrum in circumscribed units of neuropile, the glomeruli. Each glomerulus is connected via its output neurone to two separate neuropiles (calyces of mushroom body, and lateral lobe) of the protocerebrum. Local interneurones interconnect between the glomeruli. Certain modes of convergence between receptors and central neurones provide for a very high sensitivity of the latter to certain odours and their sensitivity for complex odour stimuli, and in many cases for a marked multimodality. Anatomical and physiological data are given especially for pheromone sensitive neurones and their projections.     

Characterization of rabbit lactate dehydrogenase-M and lactate dehydrogenase-H cDNAs. Control of lactate dehydrogenase expression in rabbit muscle

Two cDNA clones were isolated, one corresponding to the mRNA coding for lactate dehydrogenase-M (LDH-M), the other to the mRNA coding for lactate dehydrogenase-H (LDH-H). The cDNA inserts consist of the entire open reading frame for LDH-M and a partial sequence, from amino acid 117 to 332, for LDH-H. Using these two clones as probes we demonstrate that: (a) the abundance of mRNA is muscle-type dependent; (b) the ratio M/H subunit for protein and mRNA is well related in the muscles studied; and (c) the M + H mRNA level is not relative to the total LDH activity.     

Comparative effects of trichothecene mycotoxins on bovine platelet function: Acetyl T-2 toxin,a more potent inhibitor than T-2 toxin

The effects of the trichothecene mycotoxins (acetyl T-2 toxin, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, palmityl T-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), deoxynivalenol (DON), and T-2 tetraol) on bovine platelet function were examined in homologous plasma stimulated with platelet activating factor (PAF). The mycotoxins inhibited platelet function with the following order of potency: acetyl T-2 toxin > palmityl T-2 toxin = DAS > HT-2 toxin = T-2 toxin. While T-2 tetraol was completely ineffective as an inhibitor, DON exhibited minimal inhibitory activity at concentrations above 10×10^?4M. The stability of the platelet aggregates formed was significantly reduced in all mycotoxin treated platelets compared to that of the untreated PAF controls. It is suggested that the increased sensitivity of PAF stimulated bovine platelets to the more lipophilic mycotoxins may be related to their more efficient partitioning into the platelet membrane compared to the more hydrophilic compounds.     

An extensive review on antifungal approaches in the treatment of mucormycosis

During the period of COVID-19, the occurrences of mucormycosis in immunocompromised patients have increased significantly. Mucormycosis (black fungus) is a rare and rapidly progressing fungal infection associated with high mortality and morbidity in India as well as globally. The causative agents for this infection are collectively called mucoromycetes which are the members of the order Mucorales. The diagnosis of the infection needs to be performed as soon as the occurrence of clinical symptoms which differs with types of Mucorales infection. Imaging techniques magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scan, culture testing, and microscopy are the approaches for the diagnosis. After the diagnosis of the infection is confirmed, rapid action is needed for the treatment in the form of antifungal therapy or surgery depending upon the severity of the infection. Delaying in treatment declines the chances of survival. In antifungal therapy, there are two approaches first-line therapy (monotherapy) and combination therapy. Amphotericin B ( 1 ) and isavuconazole ( 2 ) are the drugs of choice for first-line therapy in the treatment of mucormycosis. Salvage therapy with posaconazole ( 3 ) and deferasirox ( 4 ) is another approach for patients who are not responsible for any other therapy. Adjunctive therapy is also used in the treatment of mucormycosis along with first-line therapy, which involves hyperbaric oxygen and cytokine therapy. There are some drugs like VT-1161 ( 5 ) and APX001A ( 6 ), Colistin, SCH 42427, and PC1244 that are under clinical trials. Despite all these approaches, none can be 100% successful in giving results. Therefore, new medications with favorable or little side effects are required for the treatment of mucormycosis.