Molecular Cloning of the Japanese Quail α A Globin cDNA

Double stranded cDNA was synthesized using the poly (A) + RNA of the Japanese quail reticulocytes and ligated into the EcoRI site ofλgt 10 phage DNA. A recombinant phage,λQαG1 was selected by plaque hybridization using a 30mer synthetic oligonucleotide probe specific to the α globin gene. The size of the cDNA insert in the recombinant phage DNA was 0.53 kb and the restriction map was similar to that of the chicken α A globin gene. Nucleotide sequencing of the cDNA insert indicated that it contained the entire coding information for the α A globin

DNA Amplification and Nucleotide Sequence Determination of a Region of Mitochondrial DNA in the Sea Snake, Laticauda Semifasciata

We determined the nucleotide sequence of a region of the 12S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of the sea snake, Laticauda semifasciata, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We synthesized oligonucleotide primers according to the nucleotide sequence of human mt DNA 12S rRNA gene and found that the target sequence (386bp) of the sea snake mtDNA could be amplified with these primers. The nucleotide sequence of the amplified region of the sea snake mt DNA was determined on six separate plasmid clones for each individual snake DNA and matched completely among the DNA samples of three sea snakes. The sequence homology in the region of the mtDNA 12S rRNA gene between L. semifasciata and human is 69.1%

Molecular Analysis of Common Types ofﾎｱ-Thalassemia Associated with(ﾎｲ-Thalassemia in Northern Thailand

We applied PCR strategies to detect the common types of ﾎｱ- thalassemia determinants which were associated with ﾎｲ- thalassemia in northern Thailand. Two types of deletions in the ﾎｱ-globin gene locus;the 18 kb deletion of Southeast Asian type(-ﾎｱSEA)and the 3.7 kb rightward deletion(-ﾎｱ3.7), and the most prevalent non-deletion mutation, Hb Constant Spring(ﾎｱC8, TAA to CAA at the codon 141)were investigated in 22 cases of ﾎｲ-thalassemia. Nine ﾎｲ-thalassemia patients were found to be associated with one or two of these defective ﾎｱ-globin gene determinants and the mean hemoglobin concentration in these patients was 6.3 ﾂｱ 1.1 g/dl whereas it was 5.6ﾂｱ.0.8 g/dl in 12 ﾎｲ-thalassemia patients without ﾎｱ- globin gene abnormalities ; the difference is statistically insignificant (p = 0.08). The level of anemia was severe in the ﾎｲ-thalassemia patients carrying a single ﾎｱ-globin gene abnormality in the heterozygous compounds ; whereas the (ﾎｲ-thalassemias withﾎｱ-globin gene defects in both alleles showed less severe anemia. A patient carrying the ﾎｱ ・｣8 determinant in homozygous compound showed the highest hemoglobin level among these ﾎｲ-thalassemia patients

Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Development and Natural History [AO Spine RECODE-DCM Research Priority Number 2].

Study design: Narrative review. Objectives: To discuss the current understanding of the natural history of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). Methods: Literature review summarizing current evidence pertaining to the natural history and risk factors of DCM. Results: DCM is a common condition in which progressive arthritic disease of the cervical spine leads to spinal cord compression resulting in a constellation of neurological symptoms, in particular upper extremity dysfunction and gait impairment. Anatomical factors including cord-canal mismatch, congenitally fused vertebrae and genetic factors may increase individuals\u27 risk for DCM development. Non-myelopathic spinal cord compression (NMSCC) is a common phenomenon with a prevalence of 24.2% in the healthy population, and 35.3% among individuals \u3e60 years of age. Clinical radiculopathy and/or electrophysiological signs of cervical cord dysfunction appear to be risk factors for myelopathy development. Radiological progression of incidental Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (OPLL) is estimated at 18.3% over 81-months and development of myelopathy ranges between 0-61.5% (follow-up ranging from 40 to 124 months between studies) among studies. In patients with symptomatic DCM undergoing non-operative treatment, 20-62% will experience neurological deterioration within 3-6 years. Conclusion: Current estimates surrounding the natural history of DCM, particularly those individuals with mild or minimal impairment, lack precision. Clear predictors of clinical deterioration for those treated with non-operative care are yet to be identified. Future studies are needed on this topic to help improve treatment counseling and clinical prognostication

Ultrastructure of Aortic Lesions in Restricted-Ovulator Chickens

Aortas from normal roosters, normal layers and hereditary restricted-ovulator hens (nonlayers) were examined electron-microscopically and biochemically. In accordance with an abnormal increase in plasma lipid levels, lipid-rich aortic lesions were more frequently observed in these nonlayers than in the layers and roosters. The three types of lipid-containing cells observed in these experimental animals originated from smooth muscle cells, fibroblast-like cells or macrophages. The malonaldehyde content was remarkably high in the plasma and aortic tissue of the nonlayers. Degenerate cells without stainable lipid, characterized by cytolysis and pyknotic nuclei, were frequently observed in the abdominal aortas of the nonlayers. These findings suggest that oxidized lipids, as well as hyperlipidmedia, may be responsible for the development of atherosclerosis in these nonlayers