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Query: UMLS:C0016382 (flushing)
 6,387 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We have previously shown that fetal DNA can be detected in swabs and flushings obtained from the lower uterine pole prior to the termination of pregnancy. The presence of syncytiotrophoblast vesicles in transcervically retrieved samples suggested that this distinctive placental tissue was an abundant source of fetal DNA and a valuable resource in prenatal diagnosis strategies. In a more extensive study involving 150 terminations of pregnancy between 7 and 17 weeks gestational age, 29% of transcervically retrieved samples contained visible syncytial vesicles. Flushing of the uterine pole more frequently contained syncytia than direct aspiration (39% compared with 26% of samples) but this difference was not statistically significant. No samples > 14 weeks gestational age contained syncytia. Polymerase chain reaction analysis using Y-sequence specific-nested primers indicated the presence of fetal DNA in the absence of intact syncytial vesicles. We therefore examined samples by in-situ hybridization using Y-specific DNA probes. Positive labelling was observed in syncytial vesicles where present and in clumps of unidentified fetal cells. In addition, high numbers of naked nuclei were labelled in samples devoid of syncytia. These isolated nuclei are possibly derived from disrupted syncytia, and may be an important and hitherto overlooked contributory factor in fetal material which collects at the lower uterine pole.
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PMID:Non-syncytial sources of fetal DNA in transcervically recovered cell populations. 778 62

With increased application of co-solvent flushing technologies for removal of nonaqueous phase liquids from groundwater aquifers, concern over the effects of the solvent on native microorganisms and their ability to degrade residual contaminant has also arisen. This study assessed the impact of ethanol flushing on the numbers and activity potentials of trichloroethylene (TCE)-degrading microbial populations present in aquifer soils taken immediately after and 2 years after ethanol flushing of a former dry cleaners site. Polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed soluble methane monooxygenase genes in methanotrophic enrichments, and 16S rRNA analysis identified Methylocystis parvus with 98% similarity, further indicating the presence of a type II methanotroph. Dissimilatory sulfite reductase genes in sulfate-reducing enrichments prepared were also observed. Ethanol flushing was simulated in columns packed with uncontaminated soils from the dry cleaners site that were dosed with TCE at concentrations observed in the field; after flushing, the columns were subjected to a continuous flow of 500 pore volumes of groundwater per week. Total acridine orange direct cell counts of the flushed and nonflushed soils decreased over the 15-week testing period, but after 5 weeks, the flushed soils maintained higher cell counts than the nonflushed soils. Inhibition of methanogenesis by sulfate reduction was observed in all column soils, as was increasing removal of total methane by soils incubated under methanotrophic conditions. These results showed that impacts of ethanol were not as severe as anticipated and imply that ethanol may mitigate the toxicity of TCE to the microorganisms.
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PMID:Impacts of co-solvent flushing on microbial populations capable of degrading trichloroethylene. 1562 48

Flow-through aquifer columns were operated for 12 weeks to evaluate the benefits of aerobic biostimulation for the bioremediation of source-zone soil contaminated with chlorobenzenes (CBs). Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) was used to measure the concentration of total bacteria (16S rRNA gene) and oxygenase genes involved in the biodegradation of aromatic compounds (i.e., toluene dioxygenase, ring hydroxylating monooxygenase, naphthalene dioxygenase, phenol hydroxylase, and biphenyl dioxygenase). Monochlorobenzene, which is much more soluble than dichlorobenzenes, was primarily removed by flushing, and biostimulation showed little benefit. In contrast, dichlorobenzene removal was primarily due to biodegradation, and the removal efficiency was much higher in oxygen-amended columns compared to a control column. To our knowledge, this is the first report that oxygen addition can enhance CB source-zone soil bioremediation. Analysis by qPCR showed that whereas the biphenyl and toluene dioxygenase biomarkers were most abundant, increases in the concentration of the phenol hydroxylase gene reflected best the higher dichlorobenzene removal due to aerobic biostimulation. This suggests that quantitative molecular microbial ecology techniques could be useful to assess CB source-zone bioremediation performance.
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PMID:Aerobic bioremediation of chlorobenzene source-zone soil in flow-through columns: performance assessment using quantitative PCR. 1796 Apr 85

Three mixed-bred raptors (Falco rusticolus x Falco cherrug) from a German falcon breeder were presented with a history of respiratory distress. In one bird a laryngeal stridor was noted, and oral examination revealed an epiglottal swelling. In the other two birds, nasal discharge and sneezing were the main clinical symptoms. Nasal flushing samples and biopsies were collected for pathologic, bacteriologic, and parasitologic examination. Results confirmed a cryptosporidial infection. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA analysis identified the causative agent to be Cryptosporidium baileyi. No cryptosporidia were detected in fecal samples, indicating the infection was confined to the respiratory system. Analysis of prey animals (pigeons, quail) failed to identify the source of infection. Treatment was initiated with paromomycin in all three birds, whereas in two birds an additional therapy with azithromycin was given. However, no clinical improvement was seen after several weeks of treatment, and the birds either died or were euthanatized. To the authors' knowledge, these are the first confirmed cases of disease caused by cryptosporidia in the order of Falconiformes.
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PMID:Upper respiratory tract infection caused by Cryptosporidium baileyi in three mixed-bred falcons (Falco rusticolus x Falco cherrug). 1864 71

The aim of this study was to determine, in vivo, whether in vitro infected cryopreserved caprine sperm is capable of transmitting caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) vertically to early embryo development stages via artificial insemination with in vitro infected semen. Sperm was collected from CAEV-free bucks by electroejaculation. Half of each ejaculate was inoculated with CAEV-pBSCA at a viral concentration of 10(4) TCID(50)/mL. The second half of each ejaculate was used as a negative control. The semen was then frozen. On Day 13 of superovulation treatment, 14 CAEV-free does were inseminated directly into the uterus under endoscopic control with thawed infected semen. Six CAEV-free does, used as a negative control, were inseminated intrauterine with thawed CAEV-free sperm, and eight CAEV-free does were mated with naturally infected bucks. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect CAEV proviral-DNA in the embryos at the D7 stage, in the embryo washing media, and in the uterine secretions of recipient does. At Day 7, all the harvested embryos were PCR-negative for CAEV proviral-DNA; however, CAEV proviral-DNA was detected in 8/14 uterine smears, and 9/14 flushing media taken from does inseminated with infected sperm, and in 1/8 uterine swabs taken from the does mated with infected bucks. The results of this study confirm that (i) artificial insemination with infected semen or mating with infected bucks may result in the transmission of CAEV to the does genital tack seven days after insemination, and (ii) irrespective of the medical status of the semen or the recipient doe, it is possible to obtain CAEV-free early embryos usable for embryo transfer.
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PMID:Is caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) transmitted vertically to early embryo development stages (morulae or blastocyst) via in vitro infected frozen semen? 2234 7

Infusion of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide-38 (PACAP-38) provokes migraine attacks in migraineurs and headache in non-migraineurs. Adverse events like long-lasting flushing and heat sensation can be terminated with oral antihistamine treatment, indicating the involvement of mast cell activation after PACAP-infusion. Degranulation of rat peritoneal mast cells was provoked by several isoforms of PACAP via previously unknown receptor pharmacology. The effect might thus be mediated either via specific splice variants of the PAC1-receptor or via an unknown receptor for PACAP-38. In the present study, we characterize degranulation of rat meningeal mast cells in response to PACAP-receptor ligands. Furthermore, we investigate if PACAP-38-induced mast cell degranulation is mediated via PAC1-receptor splice variants and/or via the orphan Mas-related G-protein coupled member B3 (MrgB3)-receptor. To address this, the pharmacological effect of different PACAP isoforms on meningeal mast cell degranulation was investigated in the hemisected skull model after toluidine blue staining followed by microscopic quantification. Presence of mRNA encoding PAC1-receptor splice variants and the MrgB3-receptor in rat mast cells was investigated by Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. The effect of PACAP isoforms on PAC1- and MrgB3-receptor-expressing Xenopus laevis oocytes were performed by two-electrode voltage-clamp (TEVC) electrophysiology. PACAP-38 is a more potent mast cell degranulating agent than Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Peptide-27 (PACAP-27) in the meninges. Presence of mRNA encoding the PAC1-receptor and its different splice variants could not be detected in peritoneal mast cells by RT-PCR, whereas the orphan MrgB3-receptor, recently suggested to be a mediator of basic secretagogues-induced mast cell degranulation, was widely present. In PAC1-receptor-expressing Xenopus laevis oocytes both PACAP-38, PACAP-27 and the specific PAC1-receptor agonist maxadilan were equipotent, however, only PACAP-38 showed a significant degranulatory effect on mast cells. We confirmed Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Peptide(6-38) [PACAP(6-38)] to be a PAC1-receptor antagonist, and we demonstrated that it is a potent mast cell degranulator and have an agonistic effect on MrgB3-receptors expressed in oocytes. The present study provides evidence that PACAP-induced mast cell degranulation in rat is mediated through a putative new PACAP-receptor with the order of potency being: PACAP-38 = PACAP(6-38) > > PACAP-27 = maxadilan. The results suggest that the observed responses are mediated via the orphan MrgB3-receptor.
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PMID:PACAP-38 and PACAP(6-38) Degranulate Rat Meningeal Mast Cells via the Orphan MrgB3-Receptor. 3098 73