A novel assay for factor XIII based on cross-linking of synthetic peptides: analysis of different substrates.

A novel assay for factor XIII is described that utilizes exclusively small synthetic peptides as substrates for the cross-linking reaction catalyzed by activated factor XIII (FXIIIa). The acyl donor substrate (selection peptide) is immobilized on a microplate via biotin while the acyl acceptor substrate (detection peptide) is labeled with the fluorochrome Oregon green to allow sensitive detection without the need for secondary enzyme systems for signal amplification. Starting with an amino acid sequence from the fibrin gamma-chain (GQQHHLGGAKQAGDV) as a prototype peptide, the influence of amino acid exchanges were investigated with respect to their impact on the FXIIIa-catalyzed reaction. It was found that FXIIIa readily accepts a broad range of substrate peptides, with a proline neighboring the essential lysine having the most detrimental effect. The assay appears to be valuable for the molecular characterization of factor XIII and may be used for a deeper investigation into the substrate requirements of this final enzyme of wound repair, and eventually also for the characterization of other transglutaminases.     

Tumorous space occupying lesions of the scapula. An analysis of preoperative assessment of invasion

The radiographic and histological morphology of 38 tumors lesions of the scapula are analyzed. Osteochondromas (n = 12), chondrosarcomas (n = 7), plasmacytomas (n = 4) and Ewing's sarcomas (n = 3) were the most frequent neoplasms. The radiographically determined growth rates allowed an estimate of the dignity in all cases. Benign lesions were only observed in the first five decades of life, and were mostly located in the scapular blade. Most tumors found in the acromion and in the glenoid region and all lesions diagnosed in the 6th to the 8th decades of life were malignant. In 63.2% of cases correct diagnosis of the type of lesion present was possible on radiographic examination.     

Effects of Lovastatin Alone or Combined with Irradiation on Tumor Cells in Vitro and in Vivo

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of lovastatin alone or combined with radiation on U87MG and FaDu cells in vitro and U87MG tumors in vivo. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cell number, p21(WAF1) expression, apoptosis, reproductive cell death, and cell-cycle distribution were investigated after incubation of U87MG and FaDu cells in vitro. The effect of lovastatin (50 mg/kg/day) on tumor growth and on tumor growth delay after single-dose irradiation with 20 Gy was investigated using U87MG tumors in nude mice. RESULTS: Lovastatin dose dependently decreased cell number and proliferation of U87MG and FaDu cells. The proportion of cells in G0/G1 phase, apoptosis and p21 protein expression increased after lovastatin alone or combined with 4-Gy irradiation in both cell lines. Effects of lovastatin on cell cycle and cell number were more pronounced in U87MG compared to FaDu. No radiosensitization of clonogenic cells by lovastatin could be demonstrated in both cells lines, but the colony-forming ability after lovastatin alone was decreased in FaDu cells. In vivo, lovastatin decreased tumor volume over time but did not increase growth delay after irradiation of U87MG tumors with 20 Gy. CONCLUSION: The data support effects of lovastatin on proliferation, apoptosis and colony-forming ability in vitro and tumor volume in vivo. At the drug concentration achievable, lovastatin did not improve the effects of radiation on U87MG tumors in vivo.     

218. Perioperatives Risiko nach allgemeinchirurgischen Eingriffen: Erfahrungen mit einer Qualitätssicherung über 4 Jahre

Zusammenfassung Über 52 Monate wurden 4747 allgemeinchirurgische Planeingriffe prospektiv erfasst. Postoperative Komplikationen (Wundinfektion, Pneumonie, Revision, Letalität) wurden mit einem Punktescore bewertet, der die konkrete Zahl der zu erwartenden Komplikationen auf 10 Operationen der gleichen Art wiedergibt. Der Wert einer solchen Erfassung des Komplikationsrisikos zeigte sich in Verlaufsuntersuchungen, bei denen die postoperativen Komplikationen im 4-Monatsrhythmus aufgetragen wurden: Ursachen von Komplikationen konnten erforscht und beseitigt werden.     

Rapid identification of female carriers of DMD/BMD by quantitative real-time PCR

Recently developed PCR systems offer online-monitoring of amplification and allow simple and reliable DNA quantification. We have used the LightCycler system to develop a simple and rapid method for direct identification of female carriers of deletions and duplications in the dystrophin gene. The challenge resides in the ability to identify the presence of a deleted or duplicated allele over the background contributed by the normal allele. Quantification is based on the determination of the ratio between potentially deleted/duplicated dystrophin exons and non-deleted/-duplicated reference exons using the unspecific dsDNA-dye SYBRgreen I. In a retrospective study, we evaluated our method in female relatives of DMD/BMD patients with known carrier status by comparative analysis of deleted or duplicated versus non-deleted/-duplicated exons. Carrier status was accurately attributed in 100% of cases, the mean ratios being 0.52+/-0.12 for deletion carriers (expected value: 0.5) and 1.56+/-0.18 for duplication carriers (expected value: 1.5) vs. 1.022+/-0.17 for non-carriers (expected value: 1.0). The method proved to be simple, rapid, reliable, and cost-effective. It may be used for direct determination of deletions/duplications in potential DMD/BMD carriers and may easily be adapted for other genetic conditions involving deletions and duplications.     

Postextrasystolic regulation patterns of blood pressure and heart rate in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Assessment of fluctuations in heart rate (HR) following a premature ventricular complex (PVC) is valuable for identifying patients at high risk of sudden cardiac death. We hypothesised that postextrasystolic potentiation is the main determinant of the regulation patterns of blood pressure (BP) and HR following a PVC. Twelve patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) and 13 control subjects with single PVCs (comparable coupling intervals) were investigated. Non-invasive finger arterial BP and ECGs were analysed. Regulation patterns following a single PVC were quantified using the indices postextrasystolic amplitude potentiation (PEAP) and maximum turbulence slope of five consecutive mean BP values (MBP-TS), and compared with the HR turbulence parameters turbulence slope (HR-TS) and turbulence onset (HR-TO). PEAP was significantly higher in IDC patients compared to controls (48.7 ± 32.6 vs. 9.8 ± 5.4 %, P < 0.01), whereas MBP-TS was lower (0.97 ± 0.60 vs. 2.07 ± 1.04 mmHg BBI⁻¹ (BBI, beat-to-beat interval), P < 0.05), as was HR-TS (8.46 ± 7.90 vs. 30.73 ± 22.90 ms BBI⁻¹, P < 0.01). HR-TO was significantly higher in IDC patients (−0.56 ± 2.19 vs. −5.52 ± 4.13 %, P < 0.01). In addition, the regulation patterns of BP and HR following a single PVC differed significantly between IDC patients and controls. Specifically, we observed pronounced PEAPs in IDC patients. The baroreflex response initiated by the low pressure amplitude of the PVC was suppressed in IDC patients due to the augmented potentiation of the first postextrasystolic blood pressure. Furthermore, IDC patients displayed impressive postextrasystolic pulsus alternans phenomena, whereas healthy subjects exhibited a typical baroreflex pattern. The pulsus alternans phenomenon seems to be triggered by a PVC.     

Twelve novel myosin VIIA mutations in 34 patients with Usher syndrome type I: confirmation of genetic heterogeneity

Usher syndrome is a heterogeneous autosomal recessive trait and the most common cause of hereditary deaf-blindness. Usher syndrome type I (USH1) is characterised by profound congenital sensorineural hearing loss, vestibular dysfunction, and prepubertal onset of retinitis pigmentosa. Of the at least six different loci for USH1, USH1B maps on chromosome 11q13, and the MYO7A gene has been shown to be defective in USH1B. MYO7A encodes myosin VIIA, an unconventional myosin, and it consists of 48 coding exons. In this study, MYO7A was analysed in 34 unrelated Usher type I patients by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and direct sequencing. We identified a total of 12 novel and unique mutations, all single base changes. In addition, we found a previously reported nonsense mutation (C31X) on nine alleles of a total of six patients from Denmark.     

Absolute pitch and pupillary response: effects of timbre and key color

The pitch identification performance of absolute pitch possessors has previously been shown to depend on pitch range, key color, and timbre of presented tones. In the present study, the dependence of pitch identification performance on key color and timbre of musical tones was examined by analyzing hit rates, reaction times, and pupillary responses of absolute pitch possessors (n = 9) and nonpossessors (n = 12) during a pitch identification task. Results revealed a significant dependence of pitch identification hit rate but not reaction time on timbre and key color in both groups. Among absolute pitch possessors, peak dilation of the pupil was significantly dependent on key color whereas the effect of timbre was marginally significant. Peak dilation of the pupil differed significantly between absolute pitch possessors and nonpossessors. The observed effects point to the importance of learning factors in the acquisition of absolute pitch.     

Impact of postanesthesia care unit delirium on self-reported cognitive function and perceived health status: a prospective observational cohort study

Quality of Life Research - The objective of this study was to determine the influence of postanesthesia care unit (PACU)&nbsp;delirium on self-reported cognitive function and perceived health...