Biological osteosynthesis versus traditional anatomic reconstruction of 20 long-bone fractures using an interlocking nail: 1994-2001

ObJECTIVE: To observe differences in surgical and healing times as well as complication rates in dogs with a comminuted long-bone fracture stabilized with an interlocking nail (IN) using either anatomic or biologic repair. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Twenty client-owned dogs with comminuted long-bone fractures. METHODS: Medical records for dogs with fractures repaired during a 7-year period were reviewed; 20 dogs had repair with an IN nail and radiographic evidence of healing. These 20 dogs where divided into 2 groups, anatomic (11 dogs) and biological (9) repair, for statistical evaluation. Surgical and healing time and complication rates were compared between groups. RESULTS: Median surgical times were: anatomic (95 minutes) and biologic (110 minutes; P=.06). Median healing times were anatomic (8 weeks) and biologic (6 weeks; P=.04). No statistical differences were observed in complication rates (the likelihood that a case required a second surgery [P=.58], the likelihood of a complication that was managed non-surgically [P=.27]). Use of a bone graft did not shorten healing times (P=.55). CONCLUSIONS: Biological osteosynthesis provides clinical advantages over anatomic reconstruction with respect to a reduction in surgical and healing time without increasing complication rates. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Highly comminuted long-bone fractures can be successfully repaired using an IN without reconstructing the fracture fragments in dogs.     

Salt-induced conversion of B-DNA to Z-DNA inhibited by aflatoxin B1

The carcinogen aflatoxin B1 was reacted with a polymer of alternating deoxyguanine and deoxycytosine residues to determine the effect that adduct formation has on the conversion of this polymer from the right-handed B-DNA form found at low salt concentrations to the left-handed Z-DNA form found at high salt concentrations. Reaction with aflatoxin strongly inhibited the salt-induced conversion of this polymer from B-DNA to Z-DNA. This inhibition could be detected even at relatively low binding levels.     

Expanding the utilization of sustainable plant products in aquafeeds: a review

Continued growth and intensification of aquaculture production depends upon the development of sustainable protein sources to replace fish meal in aquafeeds. This document reviews various plant feedstuffs, which currently are or potentially may be incorporated into aquafeeds to support the sustainable production of various fish species in aquaculture. The plant feedstuffs considered include oilseeds, legumes and cereal grains, which traditionally have been used as protein or energy concentrates as well as novel products developed through various processing technologies. The nutritional composition of these various feedstuffs are considered along with the presence of any bioactive compounds that may positively or negatively affect the target organism. Lipid composition of these feedstuffs is not specifically considered although it is recognized that incorporating lipid supplements in aquafeeds to achieve proper fatty acid profiles to meet the metabolic requirements of fish and maximize human health benefits are important aspects. Specific strategies and techniques to optimize the nutritional composition of plant feedstuffs and limit potentially adverse effects of bioactive compounds are also described. Such information will provide a foundation for developing strategic research plans for increasing the use of plant feedstuffs in aquaculture to reduce dependence of animal feedstuffs and thereby enhance the sustainability of aquaculture.     

Human lupus inclusions and interferon

Raji cells, a human B lymphoblastoid cell line of Burkitt lymphoma origin, formed lupus inclusions when grown in a medium conditioned by the growth of Raji cells whose DNA thymidine residues had been unifilarly (single-strandedly) substituted with bromodeoxyuridine. Ultracentrifugation of this medium in excess of that required to remove Epstein-Barr virus and all other known mammalian viruses did not prevent the formation of the inclusions, and treatment of the conditioned medium with pronase destroyed the activity. These results demonstrate the presence of a protein that is secreted from bromodeoxyuridine-substituted Raji cells and is capable of inducing nonbromodeoxyuridine-substituted cells to form lupus inclusions. Interferon (100 units per milliliter) was found in the conditioned medium. Inclusions also formed in Raji cells grown in fresh medium supplemented with human leukocyte or fibroblast interferon (100 units per milliliter).     

Cell-adhesive motif in region II of malarial circumsporozoite protein

The segment of the malarial circumsporozoite (CS) protein designated Region II is highly conserved among different malarial species. A similar sequence is also present in several other proteins, including thrombospondin, properdin, and a blood-stage antigen of Plasmodium falciparum. By means of peptides synthesized from sequences of the Plasmodium vivax CS protein in the vicinity of Region II, it was found that two overlapping 18- to 20-amino acid peptides promoted the adhesion of a variety of human hematopoietic cell lines. The amino acid sequence valine-threonine-cysteineglycine (VTCG), contained within this common motif, was shown to be the critical sequence for the observed cell-adhesive properties.