Cytogenetic analysis of bone marrow from patients with primary myelodysplastic syndrome

Of 34 patients with primary myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), 26 (76.5%) were found to have chromosome defects using an improved bone marrow culture method and high-resolution G-banding technique induced by actinomycin D. The frequency of abnormalities varied among the subtypes: 1/2 in refractory anaemia with ringed sideroblasts; 18/24 in refractory anaemia; 5/6 in refractory anaemia with excess of blasts (RAEB); and 2/2 in refractory anaemia with excess of blasts in transformation. The most frequent abnormalities, either single, double or complex defects, were -5/5q-, -7, +8 and +21; 16q-/16p-, +19 and -X were also common. The percentage of aneuploid cells, in particular hypodiploid cells, was increased. The abnormalities were detected more frequently in complex aberrations associated with RAEB and RAEB in transformation. The presence of -5/5q- as a sole aberration was associated with longer mean survival time (greater than 18 months) but multiple (more than two) chromosomal abnormalities were associated with a poorer prognosis and a mean survival time of only 7.5 months. Chromosome follow-up studies indicated that patients with -7, +8, +21, -X and complex defects, increased hypodiploid cells and karyotpic evolution were likely to have a high risk of transformation to leukaemia or to a more severe subtype of MDS with a short overall mean survival time. These defects, mostly of the deleted type, are assumed to play a specific role in the pathogenesis of myelodysplasia. Repeated chromosomal analyses during the clinical course convey more accurate prognostic criteria for patients.

A physical map of the Salmonella typhimurium LT2 genome made by using XbaI analysis

XbaI digestion and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of the genome of Salmonella typhimurium LT2 yields 24 fragments: 23 fragments (total size, 4,807 kb) are from the chromosome, and one fragment (90 kb) is from the virulence plasmid pSLT. Some of the 23 fragments from the chromosome were located on the linkage map by the use of cloned genes as probes and by analysis of strains which gain an XbaI site from the insertion of Tn10. Twenty-one of the fragments were arranged as a circular physical map by the use of linking probes from a set of 41 lysogens in which Mud-P22 was stably inserted at different sites of the chromosome; fragment W (6.6 kb) and fragment X (6.4 kb) were not located on the physical map. XbaI digestion of strains with Tn10 insertions allowed the physical locations of specific genes along the chromosome to be determined on the basis of analysis of new-fragment sizes. There is good agreement between the order of genes on the linkage map, which is based primarily on P22 joint transduction and F-mediated conjugation, and the physical map, but there are frequently differences in the length of the interval from the two methods. These analyses allowed the measurement of the amount of DNA packaged in phage P22 heads by Mud-P22 lysogens following induction; this varies from ca. 100 kb (2 min) to 240 kb (5 min) in different parts of the chromosome.

Treatment of hemophilia A with a highly purified factor VIII concentrate prepared by anti-FVIIIc immunoaffinity chromatography

To reduce the risk of pathogenic virus transmission associated with the therapeutic administration of plasma-derived anti-hemophilic factor (FVIIIc), a process utilizing anti-FVIIIc immunoaffinity chromatography to isolate FVIIIc has been developed. In addition, the starting cryoprecipitate solution has been treated with an organic solvent/detergent mixture to inactivate lipid-enveloped viruses. A final ion exchange chromatography step is used to further remove contaminants, e.g., anti-FVIIIc antibody, potentially leached with FVIIIc during the immunoaffinity step. The purified FVIII is stabilized for lyophilization and storage by the addition of human albumin. The monoclonal anti-FVIIIc antibody used in the immunoaffinity step of the process is not detectable in the final preparation. Viral reduction studies performed at specific steps of the process demonstrate that 11 logs of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and greater than 4-5 logs of other lipid-enveloped viruses are inactivated within the first 30 s of exposure to the solvent/detergent mixture and 4-5 logs of various model viruses, e.g. Endomyocarditis virus (EMC), are physically removed during washing of the immunoaffinity column. The lyophilized product is reconstituted using sterile water in a matter of seconds. The pharmacokinetics of Hemofil M were compared to those obtained using a standard heat-treated concentrate (Hemofil CT) in five severe factor VIII deficient hemophiliacs in a randomized, cross-over study. No statistically significant differences were observed in mean half life (p greater than 0.6) or median recovery (p = 0.4) between the two preparations. No clinically significant adverse effects were observed in patients receiving either FVIII preparation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Scavenging effect of catechin on free radicals studied by molecular orbital calculation

The eigenvectors, net charges, and electron population on catechin were calculated with molecular orbital method MNDO. It was found that the 2 hydroxyls on the benzene ring of the chromane were more active than the others on the other benzene ring when it reacted with a free radical.

Fusion of scoliosis by Harrington distraction rod. Interspinous process and sublaminar wiring compared in 42 cases

Forty-two consecutive patients with scoliosis who between 1981 and 1988 underwent posterior Harrington distraction rod and interspinous process or sublaminar wiring were retrospectively reviewed. No difference was found between the techniques with respect to age, sex, curve pattern, curve magnitude, levels fused, operative time, blood loss, correction, and loss of correction at the 1-year and 2-year follow-up. The interspinous process wiring was superior to the sublaminar wiring as regards ease of technique, early ambulation, few complications, and a more effective means for maintaining the correction without postoperative immobilization.

Human papillomavirus types 16 and 33, herpes simplex virus type 2 and other risk factors for cervical cancer in Sichuan Province, China

Cancer of the cervix is relatively common in China, but has been investigated epidemiologically in only a few studies. In the hospital-based case-control study reported here, we investigated the role of various lifestyle and dietary factors, as well as infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 33 and herpes simplex virus type 2 in the aetiology of invasive cervical cancer. The study was conducted in Sichuan province, and involved 101 cases with histologically-confirmed cervical cancer recruited from the gynaecological oncology clinic of the West China University Hospital, and 146 controls recruited from patients attending the gynaecology clinic of the same hospital. Risk of cervical cancer was greatly increased in association with infection with HPV 16/33, the adjusted odds ratio for those with evidence of infection being 32.9 (95% CI 7.7-141.1). In contrast, infection with HSV 2 was not associated with a significantly altered risk of cervical cancer. Indices of sexual history and of dietary habits also showed no association with risk of cervical cancer, while good personal and genital hygiene were associated with markedly reduced risk. Although the results of this study are consistent with a causal role for HPV in the aetiology of cervical cancer, bias or increased viral expression following malignant transformation cannot be excluded as explanations for the strong positive association.

[Changes in oxygen extraction rate after craniocerebral injury]

Changes of oxygen metabolism were observed in 8 experimental dogs and in 9 patients with head injury. Each dog harbored a bag in the epidural space, and was injected normal saline. The ICP was raised to 13.3 kPa and to 20.0 kPa respectively. Arterial oxygenation declined and mixed venous oxygenation went up when the ICP was raised to the given level and maintained for 30 minutes. The oxygen extraction rate decreased from 25.00 +/- 5.40% to 21.50 +/- 4.60% (P less than 0.01) at the ICP level of 20 kPa. Tissue hypoxia was observed in all patients. Although PaO was higher than inspiring air when patients inhaled 50% oxygen. Tissue hypoxia was not improved. The results suggest that the patients head injury is complicated by not only hypoxemia but decrease of oxygen extraction in tissue and organs. We consider that the alteration is responsible for multiple organs failure injury.

The role of venous hypertension in the pathogenesis of Legg-Perthes disease. A clinical and experimental study

Thirty-two patients in whom Legg-Perthes disease apparently involved only one hip were examined with venography, measurement of intraosseous and intra-articular pressures, arthrography, and dynamic triphasic bone-imaging with 99mTc methylene diphosphonate. The arterial flow of blood in the affected femoral head was slightly decreased, but the difference from that on the normal side was not statistically significant. However, there was marked disturbance of the venous drainage in the diseased hip, elevated intraosseous pressure in the affected femoral neck, and increased intra-articular pressure in the involved hip compared with the normal side. An animal model was then created in twenty immature dogs, venous drainage was obstructed, and intraosseous pressure of the femoral head and neck was elevated by injection of four milliliters of semiliquid silicone into the femoral neck. In eleven of the dogs, areas of avascular necrosis resembling those associated with Legg-Perthes disease developed in the femoral head.

Peptostreptococcus hydrogenalis sp. nov. from human fecal and vaginal flora

We describe Peptostreptococcus hydrogenalis sp. nov., which is found in human feces and vaginal discharge. This new species was established on the basis of the results of DNA-DNA hybridization among anaerobic cocci. The results of different biochemical reactions also are given. The type strain of this species is strain GIFU 7662 (= JCM 7635).

Evaluation of the microplate hybridization method for rapid identification of Legionella species

Rapid genetic identification of 23 Legionella species was performed using microdilution plate hybridization. When an isolate appeared to be a strain of the Legionella species, its DNA was quickly extracted, labelled with photobiotin and distributed to microdilution wells where 23 different DNAs had previously been immobilized. After hybridization for 90 min at 45 degrees C, the microdilution well which emitted the maximum fluorescence was determined. The criterion for interpreting results of this genetic identification method is given.

[Therapeutic effects of borneol-walnut oil in the treatment of purulent otitis media]

170 patients were treated with borneol-walnut oil of various concentrations, and the controls (108 patients) were treated with neomycin compound. As a result, the total effective rates were 98.06% and 84.26% respectively (P less than 0.001). This indicated that the therapeutic effects of borneol-walnut oil for the treatment of purulent otitis media were superior to that of neomycin compound. The most optimal concentration of borneol-walnut oil was 20% through clinical and laboratory observations. Due to its simple composition, significant therapeutic effects and nontoxic reactions, the borneol-walnut oil has been proved a promising external remedy for the treatment of purulent otitis media.

Rapid procedure to determine the DNA base composition from small amounts of gram-positive bacteria

A universal rapid procedure to determine the DNA base composition (mol% guanine + cytosine) of Gram-positive bacteria is described. Cells of Gram-positive bacteria were lysed with achromo-peptidase and the mol% G + C of their DNAs were determined by using high performance liquid chromatography. One ml of a Gram-positive bacterial suspension which matched MacFarland No. 3 standard turbidity was sufficient to determine the mol% G + C within 3 h.

Long-term reno-cardiovascular effects of orally administered aconiti tuber in humans

The reno-cardiovascular effects of Aconiti Tuber were studied. In a controlled, double-blind, and randomized clinical trial, it was found that in 9 months, Aconiti Tuber, after preparation (120 degrees C, 40 min), (1) had no apparent adverse effects, (2) showed positive inotropic, positive chronotropic, and vasodilator effects, (3) increased renal blood flow, and glomerular filtration rate, Na+/Cl-/K+ excretions. The renal function test results could be interpreted as secondary to hemodynamic changes. We conclude that specially prepared Aconiti Tuber may be a promising cardiotonic agent.

Spindle cell carcinoma of cornea and conjunctiva with pseudosarcomatous metaplasia. Light microscopic, electron microscopic and immunohistochemical findings in 2 patients

We studied the electron microscopic and immunohistochemical findings in two elderly patients with spindle cell carcinoma of the cornea and conjunctiva. By light microscopy, correct diagnosis was made by finding the transition between the pleomorphic spindle shaped tumor cells and the overlying squamous epithelium. Ultrastructural findings indicated that squamous cell origin included tonofilament-associated desmosomes and keratohyaline granules in the tumor cells. Positive immunohistochemical staining with antikeratin antibodies provided further evidence to prove the origin of spindle cell carcinoma. Follow-up of the two patients showed the malignant tumor to be quite aggressive in terms of intraocular invasion in the first patient and local recurrence in the second.

Simple genetic method to identify viridans group streptococci by colorimetric dot hybridization and fluorometric hybridization in microdilution wells

Simple dot hybridization and fluorometric hybridization methods in microdilution wells were designed and established for rapid and routine genetic identification of viridans group streptococci. Reference DNA extracted from each strain of 24 reference Streptococcus species was fixed both on a nitrocellulose filter and in a microdilution well. A 1-ml portion of the bacterial suspension which matched the turbidity of McFarland no. 2 standard was prepared when a streptococcal strain was isolated. It was lysed with achromopeptidase, and the DNA was quickly labeled with photobiotin under a sunlamp for 15 min. Dot hybridization and fluorometric hybridization were then carried out between the labeled DNA of the unknown organism and 24 unlabeled reference DNAs. Hybridized fragments on a nitrocellulose filter were detected by using alkaline-phosphatase-conjugated streptavidin and analyzed with a color graphic analyzer. Hybridized fragments in microdilution wells were quantitatively detected by using an enzyme, streptavidin-conjugated beta-D-galactosidase, and a fluorogenic substrate, 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-galactoside. Strains belonging to each genetically distinct species could be identified by this dot blot hybridization test. However, some clinical strains cross-hybridized with two or more reference species, and then they were difficult to differentiate by dot blot hybridization. In such a case, fluorometric identification provided reliable results because the fluorometric method was more quantitative than dot blot identification. By these methods, it was possible to determine species assignment within the viridans group.

Intact motility as a Salmonella typhi invasion-related factor

Invasiveness of Salmonella typhi was investigated. At first, we introduced Tn5 into the chromosome of a wild-type S. typhi strain, GIFU 10007, and screened the independent Tn5 insertion mutants for noninvasive (Inv-) strains. During the first half of this work, we obtained 4 Inv- strains from 1,338 independent Tn5 mutants. The four were either nonflagellate (Fla-), nonmotile (Mot-), or nonchemotactic (Che-). We then isolated more Fla-, Mot-, or Che- mutants and examined the invasiveness of these mutants. Sixty-three spontaneous or Tn5 insertion motility mutants, i.e., Fla-, Mot-, or Che-, were independently isolated from the wild-type strain GIFU 10007; all of them were noninvasive. Motile revertants isolated from some of these mutants showed the same invasiveness as the parent strain. P22-mediated transductional crosses were carried out between some of the motility mutants (as the recipients) and the Fla- reference strains of S. typhimurium with known deletion sites on the genome (as the donors). The mutational sites of the S. typhi mutants were assigned almost evenly to the three flagellar gene regions (regions I, II, and III) of S. typhimurium. The invasiveness of the motile recombinants obtained from the transduction assays was examined. The restoration of intact motility resulted in the restoration of invasiveness. Thus, we conclude that intact motility is an invasion-related factor of S. typhi. The relationship of Vi antigen to the invasiveness of S. typhi was also studied. Vi-negative mutants with intact motility remained invasive, whereas all 63 Inv- spontaneous or Tn5 mutants were Vi positive. Therefore, Vi antigen was not related to the invasiveness of S. typhi.

Clear cell lymphoma: a clinicopathological study of four cases

Four cases of clear cell lymphoma were studied by means of light and electron microscopy, enzyme-histochemistry, and E- and EAC-rosette formation. On light microscopic examination the tumors were seen to be composed mainly of round, oval, or slight irregular cells with water-clear, abundant cytoplasm. The neoplastic cells has round, oval, or convoluted nuclei with fine, evenly dispersed chromatin and one or more small but distinct nucleoli. On electron microscopic examination the clear cell lymphoma were characterized by lymphoid cells with striking electron lucent cytoplasm with few organelles. According to E-rosette test and enzyme-histochemical findings, the investigators proposed that the clear cell lymphoma may be derived from T-cell lineages. Differentiated diagnoses of clear cell lymphoma from B-immunoblastic sarcoma, pleomorphic cell lymphoma, clear cell sarcoma, and clear carcinomas derived from lung, ovary, or kidney were discussed.

Small-scale DNA preparation for rapid genetic identification of Campylobacter species without radioisotope

A simplified and rapid genetic identification method for Campylobacter species without radioisotope was established. Three different amounts of DNA (200, 50, and 12.5 ng) extracted from each type strain of Campylobacter species with standard Marmur's procedure were spotted on a nitrocellulose filter. DNA obtained from one ml bacterial suspension at a concentration of McFarland standard turbidity No. 1 of Campylobacter fetus, C. jejuni, C. coli, and C. pylori isolates were sufficiently labeled with photo-biotin within 15 min and clearly hybridized with the type strain of the corresponding species within four to six hours. Hybridized spots were visualized with alkaline-phosphatase-conjugated streptavidin color-detection method. The reaction was usually stopped within 30 min. Atypical clinical isolates such as a nitrate-negative C. jejuni, two nalidixic acid-resistant C. jejuni, and two strains of C. fetus able to grow at 42 C, which were tentatively identified as such, were definitely identified by the simplified DNA hybridization method presented here. This method will be applicable routinely for the definite identification of atypical strains of Campylobacter species and other gram-negative bacteria difficult to identify biochemically.

Mitogenic effect of polyclonal anti-porcine lymphocyte E-receptor antiserum IgG

In the present paper we report the mitogenic effect of the sheep anti-porcine lymphocyte E-receptor antiserum IgG(APERIgG) on porcine peripheral T-lymphocytes in vitro. The effect was apparently dose-dependent and not seen in the B-lymphocyte cultures. Kinetic study showed that the maximal 3H-thymidine incorporation, similar to that induced by Con A, occurred on the third day of incubation. Neither F(ab')2 nor Fab fragment of APERIgG was able to induce cell proliferation, indicating that the integrity of IgG molecule was essential for cell response. It was very interesting to note that though there is cross antigenicity between porcine and human E-receptors, no similar effect could be produced by APERIgG in human peripheral lymphocyte cultures under the same experimental conditions, suggesting the existence of minor difference in structure between the porcine and human E-receptors.

Molecular characterization of a conjugative R-lac plasmid in Salmonella typhi isolated from a patient with typhoid fever

In a strain of Salmonella typhi isolated from a patient with post-operative typhoid fever, a 217-Kb conjugative plasmid has been detected which codes for lactose fermentation and drug resistance to sulphonamides (SA), chloramphenicol (CP), ampicillin (AP), kanamycin (KM) and trimethoprim (TP). The physical and genetic map was constructed. The lac region containing the lacI gene, the regulatory region and the lacZ and lacY genes was shown to be structurally identical to that of Escherichia coli K12. A transposon carrying genes for resistance to CP and AP, as well as four copies of IS1-like elements, were detected and localized on the plasmid. Their role in the emergence of such a large plasmid is discussed.

Synergistic activation of retinal capillary pericyte proliferation in culture by inositol triphosphate and diacylglycerol

Inositol triphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DG) are second messengers which control ionic events implicated in cell proliferation in a variety of tissues. In order to determine if these two second messengers control the proliferation of bovine retinal capillary pericytes (BRCP) or feline retinal pigment epithelial cells (FRPE) in culture, both intact BRCP or FRPE or BRCP or FRPE made permeable by saponin were used to study the effects of IP3 and DG on [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA. [3H]Thymidine incorporation by BRCP made permeable to saponin showed specific IP3 dose-dependence; the apparent Km was 0.3 microM of IP3. Similar effects of A23187, a Ca2+ ionophore, or synthetic DG (1-oleoyl-2 acetyl-glycerol) were also observed. The combination of synthetic DG (0-,2-,4-, 8 micrograms ml-1) and 1 microM A23187 produced greater stimulation of [3H]thymidine incorporation by intact BRCP than was seen with DG or A23187 alone. In contrast to BRCP. [3H]thymidine incorporation by FRPE was not stimulated by IP3, A23187 or synthetic DG. The synergistic activation of IP3 and DG provided direct evidence to support the view that BRCP proliferation in vitro were regulated by the levels of the two second messengers.

Acetylcholine receptor antibody in patients with myasthenia gravis

The determination of acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR Ab) titer by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in patients with myasthenia gravis was introduced. The optimal conditions were determined by chequerboard determination. The specificity was confirmed by inhibition tests. The sensitivity is 9 p mole. The comparison of AChR Ab titers among 49 myasthenic patients, 19 non-myasthenic neurological patients and 20 healthy blood donors has shown that it is a highly sensitive, specific, reproducible, rapid, simple and inexpensive method for determining AChR Ab and that it is highly valuable for the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis.

The capacity of lymphokine production by peripheral blood lymphocytes from aged humans

The functional capability to produce interleukin 2 (IL2) and interferon gamma (IFN gamma) by peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from elderly humans was evaluated. Thirty-nine samples of PBL derived from donors aged from 56 to 79 yr were cultured with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) as stimulus at 37 degrees C for 48 hours. The IL2 activity in the supernatants was measured by its ability to sustain the IL2-dependent CTLL growth. Cultures of elder human T cells produced low level of IL2 activity, that is on the average of 9.7 +/- 9.8 mu/ml, equivalent to 28.1% the IL2 activity in parallel cultures of PBL derived from young donors (34.2 +/- 8.3 mu/ml, assessed on the basis of 145 samples). In the elder humans, the IL2 production by PBL decreased progressively as the increase of the age of the donors. In contrast to the impairment of IL2 production, the amount of IFN gamma secretion by elder human T cells was almost at the same level as that by young human T cells. The average IFN gamma activity of 39 samples of elder PBL cultures and 128 samples of young PBL cultures was 2,961 +/- 736 mu/ml and 3133 +/- 950 mu/ml, respectively. There was no significantly positive correlation between the level of IL2 and IFN gamma when comparison was made based on each individual samples. This implies that it may exist an alternative way of IFN gamma production which does not require the induction by IL2, and the relatively high level of IFN gamma may not impose adverse effect on the IL2 production.

Genetic differences among the A/J X C57BL/6J recombinant inbred mouse lines and their degree of association with glucocorticoid-induced cleft palate

Hydrocortisone sodium phosphate was injected intramuscularly into A/J, C57BL/6J and recombinant inbred lines from these two parental lines to study the genetics of steroid-induced cleft palate in a situation of identical maternal and fetal genotypes. The strains were typed for H-2 (the major histocompatibility locus), beta-glucuronidase and beta 2-microglobulin, which served as markers on chromosomes 17, 5 and 2, respectively. Hepatic glucocorticoid binding capacity had been previously measured in Hepes buffer and Hepes buffer plus dithiothreitol (DTT). The level of glucocorticoid binding in Hepes buffer and in Hepes plus DTT, as well as their ratio, was compared to the incidence of steroid-induced cleft palate in the recombinant inbred lines. A correlation was found between the response of glucocorticoid binding to DTT (expressed as a ratio of binding in the presence of DTT to binding without DTT) and hydrocortisone-induced cleft palate. When analyzing the effect of the three chromosomal markers on hydrocortisone-induced cleft palate, the b alleles of beta 2-microglobulin and of beta-glucuronidase were associated with a higher incidence. Genetic analyses of the differences between these two inbred strains of mice in the incidence of steroid-induced cleft palate show it not to be monogenic.

Genetics of glucocorticoid receptor levels in recombinant inbred lines of mice

Hepatic glucocorticoid receptor binding activity was measured in A/J, C57BL/6J, their F1 reciprocal crosses and their F1 recombinant inbred (RI) lines. The glucocorticoid binding capacity was measured in Hepes buffer and Hepes buffer plus dithiothreitol (DTT). The A/J parental strain showed higher levels, and a greater increase of glucocorticoid binding in the presence of DTT, than did the C57BL/6J strain. The response of binding in the presence of DTT to that without DTT was expressed as a ratio. The levels and distribution of these measurements among the RI lines and F1 reciprocal crosses suggested that there was a maternal effect on glucocorticoid receptor binding capacity. The data on RI lines suggested epistatic interactions, but could fit a two-gene model. beta 2-Microglobulin, beta-glucuronidase and H-2 (located on chromosomes 2, 5, and 17, respectively) were chosen to analyze any association to glucocorticoid receptor binding, because they have been considered to be related to glucocorticoid-induced cleft palate or glucocorticoid receptors. No significant associations were found.

Lipopolysaccharide-mediated induction of RNA polymerase I activity and amount in murine B lymphocytes

The effect of lipopolysaccharide on RNA polymerase I activity in primary cultures of murine B lymphocytes has been examined. In cells treated with mitogen for 48 h, the activity of RNA polymerase I was approximately 15 times greater than in control cells. In situ localization of RNA polymerase I using indirect immunofluorescence indicated that there was at least a 10-fold increase in the amount of this enzyme associated with nucleoli of 48 h mitogen-treated cells relative to control cells. Immunoblotting experiments demonstrated a similar increase in the concentration of the 190-kDa subunit bound to DNA; the concentrations of the other polymerase I-associated polypeptides did not correlate with rRNA synthesis. Assuming 1 mol of the 190-kDa polypeptide/mol of polymerase I, it was estimated that 2,300 and 30,000 molecules of enzyme were associated with rDNA in the unstimulated and stimulated B cell, respectively. Thus, an increased cellular concentration of the 190-kDa subunit of RNA polymerase I and its association with ribosomal DNA may be a crucial step in rRNA synthesis.

Prognosis of rectal carcinoma patients operated with a stapling device: a review of 150 cases

A new type of suturing stapler was designed and has been tried in animal experiments and in clinical application, showing it to be an efficient instrument to use in colorectal surgery. During the period September 1977 to 1982, 150 cases of carcinoma of the rectum were treated by tumor resection and colorectal anastomosis with a suturing stapler device. The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year survival rates were 94.0, 83.8, 75.7, and 62.5%, respectively. For those patients with liver metastasis, operation including resection of the primary and, if possible, surgical removal of solitary metastatic nodules, was recommended.

Induction of sIg-negative B lymphocytes for differentiation by PWM

It has been reported in the literature that PWM-responsive B lymphocytes are sIgM+, sIgD-, lack receptors for mouse erythrocytes, and are larger than PWM-negative lymphocytes. This paper describes the observation of B cells among the thymocytes from a patient with myasthenia gravis. In the thymocytes, actually no sIg+ cell was found, and Staphylococcus aureus Cowen strain I could not induce the mononuclear cells in the thymus to differentiate. It was surprising that 6.9 per cent of the cells were BA-1 positive cells. At the same time, in the presence of PWM, 9680 +/- 555 cells out of 1 X 10(-6) thymocytes could be induced to differentiate to immunoglobulin-secreting cells (ISC) in culture. This result suggests that PWM might be able to induce sIg- B lymphocytes to differentiate as well.

Isolation and purification of a small peptide with activity of increasing E-receptor expression from calf thymus

A small peptide of molecular mass lower than 1,000 daltons was isolated and purified from a crude extract of calf thymus. It has been demonstrated to have the activity of increasing E-rosette formation and E-receptor expression of human and porcine T-lymphocytes with three different in vitro assays. Amino acid composition analysis showed that this peptide consists of glutamic acid, aspartic acid and glycine residues at a molecular ratio of 3:3:2. A hypothesis of a multi-factoral and multi-staged mechanism of regulation of thymocyte differentiation and maturation in the thymus is proposed.

[Angiomatosis of bone--report of two cases]

Primary angiomatosis of bone is a rare bone tumor. Only 26 cases have been reported previously in literature. The authors add two cases in this paper. In one of them the right calcaneus bone and distal phalanges of the first and second toes were involved, an occurrence not yet been described. From the clinical point of view, the authors made an attempt to put forward a criterion for distinguishing the two types of primary bone angiomatosis--angiomatosis and massive osteolysis. The first type was usually operable with good results. As for the second type, no proper therapy has been found but irradiation might relieve the symptoms and control the development of the tumor. The authors emphasize that the roentgenogram is too equivocal to diagnose and the definite diagnosis almost always depends upon histopathologic examination characterized by the formation of abundant capillaries or cavernous vessels or both.

Study on the effect of calf thymic peptides preparation (TP) on human B lymphocytes

Extensive experimental evidence has shown that thymic hormones (or factors) affect and regulate the differentiation and function of T lymphocytes. However, little is known about the action, if any, of thymic hormones on B lymphocytes. This paper reports the results of an investigation of the effect of a calf thymic peptide preparation (TP) prepared in our laboratory, on the proliferation and differentiation of human B lymphocytes. TP at concentrations higher than 1 micrograms (protein)/ml inhibited the proliferative responses of human B lymphocytes to the stimulation by Staphylococcus aureus Cowen strain I (SAC) and F(ab')2 fragments of goat anti-human IgM, mu chain specific antibody (anti-mu). TP itself had neither toxic nor mitogenic effect on B cells. TP at concentrations of 60 and 100 micrograms/ml did not affect the differentiation of B cells driven by SAC and PWM in a reverse PFC assay, but appeared to suppress the production in some individuals of total IgG and IgM in culture supernatants in a PWM system. Preculture of B cells with 60 micrograms/ml of TP for 40 hrs showed a suppression of the proliferative response to SAC and anti-mu stimulation, suggesting that TP might act on cells directly and persistently for some time. When TP was added to the culture on day 0 or on day 1, a similar decrease of inhibition of B cell proliferation was observed. A decrease in monocytes from 15-17% to 5% did not appreciably influence the suppression of SAC- or anti-mu-induced proliferation of B cells by TP. These preliminary results suggest that a calf thymic peptides preparation might have some direct effect on B lymphocytes.

Murine glucocorticoid receptors and the H-2 locus--a reappraisal

It has been demonstrated that susceptibility to glucocorticoid-induced formation of cleft palate is regulated by the mouse histocompatibility complex (H-2). This has encouraged us to examine H-2 effects on glucocorticoid binding in tissues of adult animals which would provide sufficient material with which to study the biochemical mechanism of the H-2 effect. Although it has been reported that cytosol prepared from lungs of adult mice with a high susceptibility to steroid-induced cleft palate formation have a higher level of glucocorticoid binding than lung cytosol prepared from a low-susceptibility strain, we are unable to demonstrate any influence of H-2 on binding capacity in this tissue from adult animals when glucocorticoid receptors are assayed in the presence of receptor reducing and stabilizing agents that maximize binding capacity. Cytosol prepared from rat liver contains an endogenous receptor-reducing system composed of NADPH and thioredoxin. It has also been reported that the murine H-2 complex contains a gene(s) that regulates the level of a modifier(s) in fetal hepatic cytosol that affects the binding of glucocorticoids to the receptor. Of two known low molecular weight modifiers that could account for this effect, we have previously established that the heat-stable, steroid receptor "modulator" is not regulated by the H-2 complex. In the present work we have assayed thioredoxin, a second potential modifier, in liver cytosols prepared from adults of two pairs of two H-2 congenic mouse strains. Our results show that the amount of thioredoxin is the same in all four mouse strains and that it is not regulated by the H-2 locus. At this time, we are unable to identify a system in adult mice in which the widely reported regulation of glucocorticoid binding by the mouse histocompatibility locus can be submitted to definitive biochemical study.

Isolation, purification and biochemical characterization of E-receptors on surfaces of porcine peripheral lymphocytes

A report on the study of isolation, purification and biochemical characterization of two glycoproteins, designated as Gp1 and Gp2, with E-receptor activity from the surfaces of porcine peripheral lymphocytes is presented. The molecular weights of Gp1 and Gp2 have been found to be 58,000 and 29,000 Daltons, and the isoelectric points 6.8 and 5.5 respectively. N-terminal amino acid residues of Gp1 are glycine and alanine, and that of Gp2 is glycine. Monospecific rabbit anti-Gp1 antiserum shown to inhibit E-rosette formation of porcine lymphocytes has been obtained. The present paper gives for the first time the evidence that the E-receptor of porcine lymphocytes, Gp1 appears to have cross antigenicity with that of human lymphocytes. Further studies of Gp2 in detail and its relationship to Gp1 will be published elsewhere.