Search

AbstractBackground: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is one of the most common primary glomerular diseases. Although its clinical course is usually benign, some patients develop end-stage renal failure (ESRF). The role of immunosuppressive drugs in the treatment of IgAN remains controversial. The effect of treatment with prednisolone and azathioprine and the clinical and histological parameters related to a poor outcome are examined retrospectively in this analysis. Methods: Seventy-four patients with IgAN and a follow-up period of 10 years were included in this study. Forty-one were treated with prednisolone (initially 60 mg/day) and azathioprine (initially 2 mg/kg BW/day) in gradually reduced doses for 24 ± 9 months, whereas 33 patients received no immunosuppressive drugs. The clinical course was estimated using the end-points of doubling of baseline serum creatinine and/or ESRF. The contribution of clinical and histological parameters in the clinical outcome was estimated by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The overall clinical courses of both groups of patients showed a rather similar pattern. Doubling of serum baseline creatinine was observed in 9 of 41 treated (22%) and in 10 of 33 untreated (30%), whereas ESRF developed in 6 treated (15%) and 6 untreated patients (18%) (p = NS). However, treated patients with heavy proteinuria (>3 g/24 h) had a significantly better outcome compared to untreated (doubling of serum creatinine in 29 vs. 78% and ESRF in 17 vs. 55%, p < 0.05). Proteinuria (p < 0.01), mean blood pressure (p < 0.02), baseline serum creatinine (p = 0.02) and severity of interstitial myofibroblast expression (p = 0.02) were identified as independent risk factors related to a poor outcome by multivariate analysis. Side effects of treatment were not uncommomn and observed in 10 (24%) patients. Conclusion: Treatment with prednisolone and azathioprine is beneficial in ameliorating the clinical course of a subset of IgAN patients with heavy proteinuria or impaired renal function. Patients with advanced renal failure and severe chronic histological lesions should not be treated by this regimen as no benefit is expected and there is a risk of side effects.Copyright © 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel

The transposable element Ac from maize, in combination with the phenotypic selectable marker rolC, was employed in transformation experiments of a hybrid aspen clone. A number of transgenic clones exhibited light-green sectors on green leaves. In vitro regeneration from leaves showing a high number of light-green spots resulted in R2 plants, which also showed light-green sectored leaves. However, only one out of 385 regenerated plants obtained showed green leaves. Both PCR and northern analysis indicated Ac excision and restoration of rolC expression. In Southern blot analysis of this green plant additional bands were observed as compared to the original R1 plant. The occurrence of these bands and a suggested Ac excision in the non-green L1-epidermal layer leading to periclinal chimerism of this plant is discussed.

Aspen (Populus tremula) and hybrid aspen (P. tremula × P. tremuloides) were transformed with different gene constructs using two types of promoter. The aim was to determine the influence of the reporter gene rolC, controlled by promoters of viral or plant origin, on genetic and morphologic expression of different transgenic aspen clones. An improved transformation method using leaf discs was developed, by which putative transgenic plantlets were regenerated at high efficiencies (up to 34%) on kanamycin-containing medium. Transgenic aspen carrying the rolC gene from Agrobacterium rhizogenes under control of the cauliflower-35S-promoter are reduced in size with smaller leaves, whereas aspen transgenic for the same rolC gene, but under control of the light inducible rbcS promoter from potato, are only slightly reduced in size compared to untransformed controls. However, all clones carrying 35S-rolC and rbcS-rolC genes revealed light-green colouration of leaves when compared to untransformed aspen. Owing to this special feature, constructs were used in which expression of the rolC gene was inhibited by insertion of a transposable element, Ac, from maize. Transgenic aspen transformed with the 35S-Ac-rolC and rbcS-Ac-rolC genes were morphologically similar to untransformed aspen, but out of 54 independently regenerated 35S-Ac-rolC transgenic aspen clones, 30 clones showed light-green/dark green variegated leaves. In contrast, out of 19 independently transformed rbcS-Ac-rolC aspen clones, only two clones revealed light-green/dark green variegated leaves. The role of bacterial strains in transformation, and molecular genetics of transgenic aspen plants (including the function of the transposable element, Ac, in the aspen genome) are discussed

One hybrid aspen (P. tremulaL. × P. tremuloidesMichx.) clone transgenic for different chimeric gene constructs has been used to determine hormonal levels in several plant tissues. Mainly, transgenic aspen carrying the rolCgene from Agrobacterium rhizogenesunder control of the cauliflower-mosaic-virus 35S-promoter and the light inducible rbcSpromoter from potato were compared with untransformed aspen. Determination of various hormones in different rolCtransgenic plant tissues revealed changes in levels conditioned by 35S-rolCand rbcS-rolCtransgenic aspens as compared with controls. These changes could be specific for a woody plant species. Measurements of hormones in predormant buds of 35S-rolCtransgenics showed levels of abscisic acid of about half of the content as measured in predormant buds of untransformed controls. Two further determinations during the resting period (at the middle and at the end) confirmed the lower ABA level in 35S-rolCtransgenics. In spring, these 35S-rolCtransgenics started to flush at least 2 weeks before the control plants. This possibly suggests the involvement of ABA in the process of maintenance of dormancy and break from it in this tree species. Tree-specific developmental characteristics are discussed in the light of varying hormone levels in aspen-Populus, a woody plant model system.

Cold-start emissions from current technology vehicles equipped with catalytic converters can account for over 80 percent of the emissions produced during the Federal Test Procedure (FTP). Excessive pollutants can be emitted for a period of one to two minutes following cold engine starting, partially because the catalyst has not reached an efficient operating temperature. Electrically heated catalysts, which are heated prior to engine starting, have been identified as a potential strategy for controlling cold-start emissions. This paper summarizes the emission results of three gasoline-fueled and three methanol-fueled vehicles equipped with electrically heated catalyst systems. Results from these vehicles demonstrate that heated catalyst technology can provide FTP emission levels of nonmethane organic gases (NMOG), carbon monoxide (CO), and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) that show promise of meeting the Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards established by the California Air Resources Board.

Among patients attending a hospital in Delhi area (North India) 200 subjects were selected for study of diet, its relation to serum lipid fractions, and variation due to diabetes.A study of dietetic habits by questionnaire method revealed the amount of total average calories to be 2,000/day, carbohydrates 60%, fat (animal, vegetable) 28.6%, and protein (animal and vegetable) 11.4%.A significant degree of hyperlipemia was observed in all the groups of patients; diabetics and those with vascular disease when compared to the normal individuals. Diabetics with vascular disease had significantly high total serum lipid values as compared to those having diabetes mellitus, or vascular disease alone. Cholesterol and phospholipids were not different in patients with vascular disease with or without diabetes. Triglyceride levels were maximum in the group of patients having diabetes mellitus and vascular disease, when compared to the group having diabetes mellitus or vascular disease alone. This lipid fraction was significantly elevated in nondiabetics having vascular disease, when compared to diabetics having no vascular disease, i.e., triglycerides were consistently high in patients having vascular disease, and this abnormality increased in diabetics with vascular disease.Isotopic studies collaborated the altered neutral fat tolerance in both the groups of diabetics; the diabetics with vascular disease showed an increased rise of neutral fat and sustained it for a longer duration as compared to those who did not have vascular disease. Patients with vascular disease, but no diabetes, showed similar abnormalities but to a lesser degree.It is therefore concluded that, at least in metabolic disorders like diabetes, the dietary fat did not seem significantly contributory to the serum lipid levels. With the presence of vascular disease among diabetics, the increase of triglyceride and delay in its turnover were significant and exceeded those seen in those with vascular disease alone. High carbohydrate intake in the local diets through intermediary metabolism or an anomaly of endogenous fat turnover may account for the lipid pattern observed among the diabetics in this part of the world.

Genetic tumors occurring in interspecific hybrids of certain plant genera, especially Nicotiana, are reviewed. Cytogenetic, physiological, and radiation studies on these tumors are discussed in relation to current hypotheses regarding mechanisms responsible for tumor initiation and development.