Gene transfer by electroporation into intact scutellum cells of wheat embryos

Gene transfer into intact cells was achieved by electroporating zygotic wheat embryos without any special pretreatment. Electroporation was tissue specific in so far as scutellum cells were found to be much more susceptible to gene transfer than other cell types of the embryo. The orientation of the embryos in the electroporation chamber also influenced the number of transformed scutellum cells; during electroporation, as in electrophoresis, the negatively charged plasmid DNA molecules seemed to move towards the positive electrode. Therefore, the embryos were arranged so that the scutella faced the negative electrode. The use of plasmids carrying either two chimeric anthocyanin regulatory genes or a chimeric gusA gene allowed clear identification of transformed cells in the scutellum. On some of the embryos, more than 100 transformed scutellum cells were found after electroporation with single electric pulses of 275 V/cm discharged from a 960-μF capacitor and with 100 μg DNA/ml electroporation buffer. Using the anthocyanin marker system, visibly transformed cells grew to produce red sectors

Concurrent Validity of Two Gait Performance Measures in Children with Neuromotor Disorders

AIMS: To investigate the concurrent validity of two mobility performance measures, the Functional Mobility Scale (FMS) and the Gillette Functional Assessment Questionnaire - walking scale (FAQ) in an inpatient pediatric neurorehabilitation setting. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were collected on 71 children (mean age 12.7 years) with neuromotor gait impairments who participated in an inpatient rehabilitation program to evaluate aspects of concurrent validity of the FMS and FAQ. Physiotherapists independently performed ratings. Comparator instruments included the walking item of the Functional Independence Measure for children, 10-m and 6-minute walking tests, and Gross Motor Function Measure-88 dimension E. All tests were completed within 7 days. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to test a priori formulated hypotheses regarding the strength and direction of the measures relationships. RESULTS: The children had a broad spectrum of mobility levels, including all levels of FMS and levels 2-10 of FAQ. Spearman correlation coefficients with comparator measures varied between 0.58-0.79 for the FMS and 0.69-0.73 for the FAQ. Hypotheses concerning correlation strengths and directions were met for FMS and FAQ. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate that the FMS and FAQ are valid to evaluate functional mobility in pediatric inpatient neurorehabilitation