Molecular characterization of dengue virus 1 from autochthonous dengue fever cases in Croatia

AbstractIn the summer of 2010, two autochthonous dengue fever cases were detected in Croatia. Here we report the retrospective detection of an additional case of dengue fever, representing the first sustained autochthonous transmission in Europe since 1928. In addition, we present the phylogenetic analyses based on two sequences from the Pelješac peninsula, southern Croatia. The sequences were identified as dengue virus genotype 1 and recovered from two out of the three Pelješac patients in whom infection occurred

Axon swellings produced in vivo in isolated segments of nerves

Within 3–5 hrs after cutting rat and cat sciatic nerves into segments which had no connection with the cell body, club-shaped axon swellings were observed at both ends of the segments. The swollen portion of these axons showed increased histochemical reactions for DPN-diaphorase, lactic dehydrogenase, malic dehydrogenase, succinic dehydrogenase, and protein; the increase lasted for 24–48 hrs after the nerve was cut. The swollen axons were morphologically and histochemically similar to, but never as markedly changed, as those observed in the proximal stumps of severed nerves. The development of axon swellings was prevented by depolarization of the entire segment with KCl; however, if KCl was applied selectively to the stumps of the segment, it appeared to intensify rather than prevent the swelling. It was also noted that the extent of axon swelling was inversely proportional to the length of the segment. These observations suggested that the development and extent of axon swelling was related to the intensity of local injury currents in the tissue. Innerhalb von 3–5 Std nach Zerschneidung des Nervus ischiadicus von Ratten und Katzen in Segmente, die keine Verbindung mit dem Zellkörper besitzen, sind zylinderförmige Axonschwellungen an beiden Enden der Segmente zu beobachten. Der angeschwollene Teil dieser Axone zeigt verstärkte histochemische Reaktionen auf DPN-Diaphorase, Milchsäure-Dehydrogenase, Apfelsäure-Dehydrogenase, Bernsteinsäure-Dehydrogenase und Protein; dieser Anstieg hält 24–48 Std nach der Durchtrennung des Nervs an. Die Axonschwellungen sind sowohl morphologisch als auch histochemisch ähnlich — jedoch niemals in gleich starker Ausprägung — jenen, die in den proximalen Stümpfen von verletzten Nerven beobachtet werden.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47224/1/401_2004_Article_BF00684398.pd

Contractile and histochemical properties of regenerating cross-transplanted fast and slow muscles in the rat

The soleus (SOL) or extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of month-old rats were denervated for 14 days and then cross-transplanted so that the fast muscle was placed into the bed of the slow muscle and vice versa. At 17, 30, 60, and 90 days the transplants were tested for certain contractile and histochemical properties. By 90 days the cross-transplanted SOL showed complete conversion of the full contraction time and nearly complete conversion of the half relaxation time to those of the normal EDL. In contrast, the contraction and relaxation times of the cross-transplanted EDL became considerably slowed, but did not attain the values of the normal SOL. Histochemical staining for ATPase and SDH activity demonstrated similar transformations of fiber types. The degree of transformation of twitch and histochemical characteristics in cross-transplanted muscles was greater than the values reported after cross-innervation of the same muscles. The cross-transplantation model has certain advantages over nerve cross-union experiments because the cross-transplanted muscle is placed in the normal functional environment of the other muscle.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47444/1/424_2004_Article_BF00584286.pd