Cloning, Nucleotide Sequence and Amplified Expression of the Gene Encoding the Extracellular Metallo (Zn) Dd-Peptidase of Streptomyces Albus G

in FEMS Microbiology Letters (1990), 71(1-2), 215-219

The gene encoding the extracellular metallo (Zn) DD-peptidase of Streptomyces albus G has been cloned in Escherichia coli DH5 alpha MCR via pBR322 or 325, and then transferred into Streptomyces lividans ... [more ▼]

The gene encoding the extracellular metallo (Zn) DD-peptidase of Streptomyces albus G has been cloned in Escherichia coli DH5 alpha MCR via pBR322 or 325, and then transferred into Streptomyces lividans TK24 via pIJ486, with substantial amplification of the expressed DD-peptidase. The gene has the information for the synthesis of a 255 amino acid precursor, the amino terminal region of which has the characteristic features of a signal peptide. The primary structure as deduced from nucleotide sequencing confirms that previously determined by chemical methods except for the occurrence of an Asp instead of Asn at position 1 and an additional Ala immediately downstream of Pro67. [less ▲]

Quantitative nephelometric assay for determining myoglobin evaluated

in Clinical Chemistry (1990), 36(9), 1675-8

A recently introduced automated nephelometric immunoassay involving shell/core particles for determination of myoglobin (Behringwerke) was evaluated with the BNA Nephelometer. Method precision was good ... [more ▼]

A recently introduced automated nephelometric immunoassay involving shell/core particles for determination of myoglobin (Behringwerke) was evaluated with the BNA Nephelometer. Method precision was good: the intra-assay CV varied between 1.5% and 6.1%; with daily calibration, the interassay CV ranged between 1.5% and 7.5%. For usual sample dilutions, the assay response varied linearly with myoglobin concentrations up to 23.1 nmol/L. After automatic dilution by the instrument, concentrations up to 2310 nmol/L could be measured without high-dose "hook" effect. Further manual dilution allowed measurement of myoglobin concentrations up to 26,000 nmol/L. Calibration was stable for at least seven days. We detected no significant interferences from hemoglobin, haptoglobin, bilirubin, iodine-containing contrast media, and rheumatoid factors. Treating lipemic samples with Lipoclean (Behringwerke) decreased test results. Simultaneously drawn serum and plasma samples from the same subject showed no consistent differences in myoglobin concentrations. The mean reference myoglobin concentration was 1.380 (SD 0.82) nmol/L for men and 0.878 (SD 0.45) nmol/L for women. In patients with renal insufficiency, serum creatinine values were moderately related to serum myoglobin values (r = 0.465). Although a commercial radioimmunoassay (Byk-Sangtec) and the nephelometric assay intercorrelated well (r = 0.929), values obtained by nephelometry were significantly lower (P less than 0.05). By both assays, results for heart and skeletal muscle tissue extracts showed no correlation, a finding that suggests the existence of multiple forms of myoglobin in human tissues. We conclude that immunonephelometry is a rapid, practical, and reliable method for measuring myoglobin in serum. [less ▲]

Acromegaly, multinodular goiter, and silent polyostotic fibrous dysplasia : a variant of the Mc Cune Albright syndrome.

in Journal of Endocrinological Investigation (1990), 13(8), 671-675

A 36-year-old woman is reported with a possible variant of the McCune-Albright syndrome. The triad was incomplete because of the absence of skin pigmentation and since the sexual precocity was not evident ... [more ▼]

A 36-year-old woman is reported with a possible variant of the McCune-Albright syndrome. The triad was incomplete because of the absence of skin pigmentation and since the sexual precocity was not evident. The presence of a pituitary mass and the secretory dynamics of growth hormone and prolactin were suggestive of a mammosomatotroph cell adenoma. A toxic multinodular goiter was also associated, but unique was the spontaneous normalization of the thyroid function. Unusual was the silent evolution of the polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, which was only fortuitously discovered during magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary region. Treatment of the acromegaly with the long-acting somatostatin analogue octreotide resulted in an important inhibition of the GH secretion and in a reduction of the volume of the pituitary adenoma. [less ▲]

Predicting galloping fatigue cycles in quad bundles.

in Proceedings of the CIGRE session 1990 (1990, August 28)

Galloping on power lines is approached by simulation. A particular attention is devoted to the twisting behaviour of the bundle under consideration. Loads on tower are also approached.

Transcriptional Analysis of the dd-Peptidase/Penicillin-Binding Protein-Encoding dac Gene of Streptomyces R61: Use of the Promoter and Signal Sequences in a Secretion Vector

in Molecular & General Genetics [=MGG] (1990), 223(1), 114-120

The promoter region of the gene encoding the extracellular DD-peptidase/penicillin-binding protein of Streptomyces R61 has been identified by in vivo promoter probing and S1 mapping. A secretion vector ... [more ▼]

The promoter region of the gene encoding the extracellular DD-peptidase/penicillin-binding protein of Streptomyces R61 has been identified by in vivo promoter probing and S1 mapping. A secretion vector, pDML116, was constructed by inserting into the multicopy Streptomyces plasmid pIJ702, a 247 bp DNA sequence that contained the transcriptional, translational and secretory signals and the 12 amino acid N-terminal region-encoding sequence of the mature Streptomyces DD-peptidase/penicillin-binding protein. Insertion, downstream of this 247 bp segment, of the Streptomyces R61 DD-peptidase-encoding gene or the Escherichia coli R-TEM beta-lactamase-encoding gene yielded plasmids pDML120 and pDML128, respectively, which allowed expression and secretion of the relevant enzymes by Streptomyces lividans. The maximal secretion levels obtained were 42 mg protein/ml for the autologous Streptomyces DD-peptidase and 0.9 mg protein/ml for the heterologous E. coli beta-lactamase. [less ▲]

Pituitary microadenomas: diagnosis with two-and three-dimensional MR imaging at 1.5 T before and after injection of gadolinium.

in Radiology (1990), 176(2), 419-428

The usefulness of different magnetic resonance (MR) imaging sequences (coronal and sagittal spin-echo [SE] and three-dimensional fast low-angle shot [3D FLASH]) in the detection of pituitary microadenomas ... [more ▼]

The usefulness of different magnetic resonance (MR) imaging sequences (coronal and sagittal spin-echo [SE] and three-dimensional fast low-angle shot [3D FLASH]) in the detection of pituitary microadenomas before and after gadolinium injection was prospectively evaluated in 28 patients with surgical confirmation. When evaluated separately, the most useful sequences in the detection of these microadenomas were coronal pregadolinium T1-weighted SE, coronal pregadolinium 3D FLASH, coronal postgadolinium T1-weighted SE, and coronal postgadolinium 3D FLASH. The combination of pre- and postgadolinium T1-weighted sequences with pre-and postgadolinium 3D FLASH sequences produced the highest number of true-positive findings (90%) and the lowest number of false-positive findings (5%). When a 1.5-T imaging unit with a high signal-to-noise ratio allowing useful three-dimensional acquisition is used, the authors advocate a coronal T1-weighted SE sequence, followed (if necessary) by a coronal 3D FLASH sequence, both without injection of gadolinium, in the diagnosis of pituitary microadenomas. When no confident diagnosis is reached, the same sequences should be performed after the injection of gadolinium. The sagittal pre- and postgadolinium T1-weighted SE and long-TR SE sequences are useful only in specific cases. [less ▲]

Engineering Geology Conditions of the Central Area of Shanghai : Preparation of the data for subsidence modelling

in Sixth International Congress of the International Association of Engineering Geology, Amsterdam (1990, August)

Immunocytochimie et diagnostic des leucémies aigües: mise au point d'une technique utilisant le complexe phosphatase alcaline-anticorps anti-phosphatase alcaline.

Master of advanced studies dissertation (1990)

Le diagnostic des leucémies aigues (LA) bénéficie à l'heure actuelle de différents outils complémentaires. Même si la classification FAB (Franco-Américaine-Britannique) reste la référence, il n'en demeure ... [more ▼]

Le diagnostic des leucémies aigues (LA) bénéficie à l'heure actuelle de différents outils complémentaires. Même si la classification FAB (Franco-Américaine-Britannique) reste la référence, il n'en demeure pas moins vrai que l'introduction des anticorps (Ac) monoclonaux a ouvert des perspectives nouvelles en associant des profils immunologiques aux différents types de leucémies aiguës. Des techniques immunocytochimiques utilisant différents enzymes, phosphatases alcaline et peroxydase, associés à des systèmes d'amplification, complexes phosphatase alcaline anticorps anti-phosphatase alcaline (APAAP) ou peroxydase anticorps anti-peroxydase (PAP) ou avidine-biotine peroxydase (ABC), permettent de travailler directement sur frottis sanguins ou médullaires. Ce travail propose une mise au point de la technique à l'APAAP sur lame, afin de répondre au problème posé par les moelles pauvres en blastes dont l'étude est difficile à réaliser par immunofluorescence en cytométrie de flux. [less ▲]

Cardiac Transplantation Beyond 55 Years of Age

in Transplant International (1990), 3(2), 59-61

Between January 1985 and December 1988, 20 patients over the age of 55 years (extremes 56-63 years; 15 men and 5 women) underwent cardiac transplantation. The cause of cardiopathy was ischemic in 70% of ... [more ▼]

Between January 1985 and December 1988, 20 patients over the age of 55 years (extremes 56-63 years; 15 men and 5 women) underwent cardiac transplantation. The cause of cardiopathy was ischemic in 70% of the cases. The immunosuppressive regimen consisted of cyclosporin A, corticoids, and azathioprine. Rejection episodes were monitored by endomyocardial biopsies and treated by pulses of corticoids or monoclonal antibodies (OKT3). The operative mortality was 10% (n = 2). The 1-year survival rate was 70%. The 1-year incidence of infection and/or rejection episodes was 1 and 1.53 episodes/patient, respectively. One patient was successfully retransplanted after 9 months because of intractable rejection. Age beyond 55 years is no longer a contraindication to cardiac transplantation. This change in recipient selection policy should lead to parallel changes in donor selection criteria. [less ▲]

Huile de poisson et facteurs de risque d'athérosclérose, un plus par rapport au régime hypolipemiant classique?

in Revue Médicale de Liège (1990), 45(6), 296-302