Purity of staphylococcal delta-haemolysin obtained by three different procedures

Three methods at present available for the purification of staphylococcal delta-haemolysin were compared as to the purity and identify of the product obtained. None yielded a pure preparation of delta-haemolysin; one of the three preparations did not contain demonstrable delta-haemolysin when tested electrophoretically, but it contained deoxyribonuclease, penicillinase, phosphatase and alpha-haemolysin. The second preparation had delta-haemolysin activity and was free of alpha-haemolysin, but it contained lipase, egg-yolk factor, esterase, deoxyribonuclease, penicillinase, phosphatase and hyaluronidase. The third preparation contained all of the products mentioned above, except phosphatase, and it also contained alpha-haemolysin, staphylokinase, lysozyme and caseinase. These findings are discussed with special reference to the requirement for criteria of purity in work with staphylococcal products.

Agar plate tests of enhanced sensitivity for detecting biologically active products of staphylococcal filtrates

Optimal conditions for detecting staphylokinase, phosphatase, protease, lipase, esterase, egg yolk factor, lysozyme, deoxyribonuclease, hyaluronidase, penicillinase, and alpha-, beta-, and delta-hemolysins in cell-free filtrates of selected strains of staphylococci by agar plate methods were established by studying the effect of factors such as buffer composition, pH, ionic strength, type of agar, nature and concentration of substrate, and certain metal ions. The final tests that evolved from this study are simple to perform, require only 6 mul of the sample per test, and are capable of detecting microgram and, in some cases, nanogram quantities of the product. The zones of reaction can also be quantitatively related to the amount of material present. The test may also be useful for the detection of extracellular products of other microorganisms.

Suicidal age and childhood onychophagia among psychotic veterans

The relationship between childhood onychophagia (fingernail biting) and the suicidal and nonsuicidal mean age among 150 hospitalized psychotic veterans was investigated. The results show that the suicidal mean age is significantly younger than the nonsuicidal mean age and that the childhood onychophagia variable "focal suicide" significantly lowers the mean age of suicidal veterans, but does not significantly lower the mean age of nonsuicidal veterans.

The suppressive effect of the interferon on the ability of mouse spleen cells synthesizing IgE to sensitize rat skin for heterologous adoptive cutaneous anaphylaxis

Mouse spleen cells which are synthesizing IgE can sensitize rat skin for HACA. When such cells are treated with mouse interferon, their ability to sensitize rat skin is reduced or completely inhibited. Two hundred PRD50 units of interferon reduced HACA reactions by more than 50%; 600 units gave complete inhibition. Interferon may act by inhibiting IgE synthesis and/or release.

Restoration of oxidative phosphorylation by purified N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-sensitive latent adenosinetriphosphatase from Mycobacterium phlei

The N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD)-sensitive latent adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) (EC 3.6.1.3; ATP phosphohydrolase) from Mycobacterium phlei has been purified to homogeneity and used to resotre oxidative phosphorylation to detergent-extracted membranes. The phosphorylation was inhibited by DCCD any by tetraphenylboron and valinomycin. The enzyme was solubilized from the membrane vesicles by treatment with cholate followed by extraction with Triton X-100. After partial purification on a sucrose gradient, the enzyme was purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography on Sepharose coupled to ADP. The DCCD-sensitive latent ATPase of coupling factor from M. phlei consists of two components, the latent ATPase (Bcf4), which is insensitive to DCCD, and an intrinsic membrane component, BCF0. This hydrophobic portion of the DCCD-sensitive ATPase was partially purified on a sucrose gradient after solubilization with detergents from membrane vesicles that had been first depleted of the BCF4 by washing with 0.25 M sucrose. When BCF0 was combined with purified BCF4, the latent ATPase of the resulting complex was sensitive to DCCD. Moreover, like the purified DCCD-sensitive latent ATPase, the combined BCF4 and BCF0 restored coupled phosphorylation to detergent-extracted membranes.

Venous intravasation of pantopaque during myelography. Report of two cases and a review of the literature

Pantopaque venous intravasation, an uncommon complication of myelogram, has been reported since 1945. Traumatic spinal puncture has been known to be associated with Pantopaque venous intravasation, but its close relationship with the level of spinal puncture at the L5-S1 intervertebral disc space has not been emphasized. Spinal puncture at that level should be discouraged in order to prevent Pantopaque venous intravasation and pulmonary embolism during myelography.

Suicidal behavior and childhood onychophagia in hospitalized psychiatric veterans

This investigation of adult suicidal behavior and childhood onychophagia among hospitalized psychiatric male veterans suggests that for only personality disorders does childhood non-onychophagia show a significant relationship to adult nonsuicidal behavior. Otherwise, this study indicates that the presence or abscence of childhood onychophagia is not a significant suicidal or nonsuicidal factor among these veterans with a psychotic, neurotic, or personality disorder classification.

Glioma of the jugular foramen. Case report

A case is presented of a jugular foramen syndrome caused by an ectopic glioma. Treatment was by intracapsular removal through a suboccipital craniectomy.

In vitro biosynthesis of sialosylgalactosylceramide (G7) by mouse brain microsomes

A sialytransferase activity which catalyzes the synthesis of sialosylgalactosylceramide (G7) from added galactocerebroside and CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid has been demonstrated in mouse brain microsomes. The enzyme reaction shows a pH optimum of 6.3 and requires detergents. Both Mn2+ and Ca2+ inhibited the reaction, whereas Mg2+ had no effect. The apparent Km for galactocerebroside leading to G7 was estimated to be 8.7 X 10(-4) M. The same microsomal preparation also synthesized hematoside when ceramide lactoside was the glycolipid acceptor. The apparent Km for ceramide lactoside was about one-tenth that for galactocerebroside. When the preparations were partially inactivated by heat the synthesis of G7 and of hematoside was reduced at approximately the same rate. Liver appeared to have the highest activity for G7 synthesis (as well as of hematoside), followed by brain. The synthesis of B7 by mouse brain microsomes in vitro demonstrates a new pathway for brain ganglioside synthesis.

Suicidal age and childhood onychophagia among veterans with personality disorders

The relationship between childhood onychophagia (finger-nail biting) and the mean age of suicidal and nonsuicidal veterans was investigated among 70 V.A. hospitalized males, diagnosed as personality disorders. The results show that the mean age of suicidal veterans was significantly lower than that of nonsuicidal veterans, and the childhood onychophagia variable, "focal suicide," significantly lowered the mean age of suicidal veterans, but did not significantly lower the mean age of nonsuicidal veterans.

Post-traumatic ophthalmic vein arterialization

An unusual case of post-traumatic exophthalmos without pulsation, bruit or thrill, due to missile injury is presented. Arterialization of the ophthalmic vein represents one of the very few situations where an eye injury can lead to exsanguination and dealth unless the diagnosis is made early. Prompt carotid arteriography is advised to document the pathologic process and guide appropriate therapy.

Energy-transducing membrane-bound coupling factor-ATPase from Mycobacterium phlei. I. Purification, homogeneity, and properties

The membrane-bound coupling factor from Mycobacterium phlei was solubilized from membrane vesicles by washing with low ionic strength buffer or 0.25 M sucrose. The solubilized enzyme exhibited coupling factor, latent ATPase, and succinate oxidation-stimulating activity. Purification by affinity chromatography using Sepharose coupled to ADP yielded a homogeneous preparation of latent ATPase which was purified about 200-fold with an 84% yield in a single step. Purified latent ATPase exhibited coupling factor activity but no succinate oxidation-stimulating activity. The molecular weight of latent ATPase was determined to be 250,000 +/- 10,000 by Sephadex G-200 chromatography. The ATPase was unmasked by trypsin treatment and activated by Mg2+ ion. However, trypsin treatment inactivated the coupling factor activity in the purified enzyme, indicating that the catalytic sites for ATPase and coupling activity are different. Unlike mitochondrial ATPase, latent ATPase from M. phlei was not cold-labile. Of the nucleoside triphosphates, UTP, ITP, and epsilon-ATP (1-N6-ethenoadenosine triphosphate) were hydrolyzed to a lesser extent compared to ATP. Kinetic data showed that ADP acted as a competitive inhibitor of latent ATPase activity with a Ki of 5 x 10(-3) M. Uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation and respiratory inhibitors did not affect the latent ATPase activity, while sodium azide (0.1 mM) inhibited the latent ATPase activity.

Inhibition of Deamination of Arabinosylcytosine (NSC-63878) by Rhodium(II) Acetate

The nobel metal "cage" complex, rhodium(II) acetate, was found to inhibit the deamination of the fraudulent nucleoside, arabinosylcytosine. Potent inhibition of a purified cytidine deaminase from mouse kidney was observed when either cytidine or arabinosylcytosine was used as substrate.

Pulmonary granulomas in a patient with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease

A patient with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease is described. Lung biopsy revealed noncaseating granulomas in conjunction with the typical vascular changes of this entity. This concurrence has not been previously described.

Purification and properties of membrane-bound coupling factor-latent ATPase from Mycobacterium phlei

The membrane bound coupling factor-latent ATPase was solubilized from the membrane vesicles of Mycobacterium phlei by using 0.25 M sucrose or low ionic strength buffer. Purification of the solubilized enzyme by use of Sepharose-ADP conjugate gel yielded a homogenous preparation of latent ATPase which was purified about 216-fold in a single step with an 84% yield. The enzyme exhibits a specific activity of 39 mumoles of ATP hydrolyzed per min per mg protein. The purified enzyme exhibits coupling factor activity. Electrophoresis in two dissociating solvent systems indicates that the enzyme contains at least three major polypeptides of molecular weights 56,000, 51,000, and 46,000 daltons, and two minor polypeptides of 30,000 and 17,000 daltons. Equilibrium binding studies of ADP with purified coupling factor-latent ATPase reveal the presence of two nucleotide binding sites per molecule with an apparent Ka of 8.1 X 10(-5) M. By use of affinity chromatography, another latent ATPase has been isolated from the solubilized enzyme, which does not exhibit coupling factor activity.

Interferon-mediated increased lysis of L-cells by vesicular stomatitis virus

L-929 cells have been cultivated for more than 6 months in the presence of interferon. These L-cells, referred to as L-int cells, were found to be more susceptible to the lytic properties of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) than normal L-929 cells. This phenomenon has been demonstrated by the production of clear plaques as opposed to cloudy plaques as well as the increased release of cell incorporated 3H-thymidine after VSV infection. The L-int cells were also signicantly more susceptible than L-929 cells to the cytotoxic properties of DEAE-dextran, protamine sulfate, and methylated albumin.This interferon-induced change to L-cells is not stable. Increased susceptibility to VSV lysis is lost after 4–6 cell generations in the absence of interferon, and increased susceptibility to DEAE-dextran is lost after 16–24 cell generations in the absence of interferon. Moreover, the increased sensitivity to VSV lysis and polycation cytotoxicity can be induced after overnight treatment of L-929 cells with interferon.

Restoration of degraded images by composite gratings in a coherent optical processor

A study has been made on restoration of degraded images utilizing spatial filtering techniques in a coherent optical processor. This study differs from other coherent approaches in that the spatial filters employed contain only composite gratings that are quite simple to produce. A general method of synthesizing the appropriate composite gratings for the linearly smeared as well as multiply exposed and out-offocus images will be presented in some detail with experimental results. The extension of the method of synthesis to other types of degradation will be briefly discussed. in Appendix A.

Single step detection of blurred images in a coherent optical processor

Two important operations that can be performed by coherent optical processing systems are image detection and image restoration. These operations require complex spatial filters, and if both operations are to be performed, cascaded processing stages employing two separate spatial filters are usually needed. Spatial filters are described that will perform in a single step both operations simultaneously, thus eliminating the need of extra processing stages while providing the advantages of higher efficiency and smaller space requirements. The filters are characterized by their simplicity and are easily fabricated using conventional techniques. Experimental results are presented.

Isolation of parietal cells from glutaraldehyde-fixed rabbit stomach

A method is introduced to isolate and purify parietal cells from the rabbit stomach which has been briefly perfused with 1% glutaraldehyde via the celiac artery. The fixed mucosa is initially digested with 1% trypsin and subsequently with 1% collagenase solution. The parietal cells are more resistant to the effects of these proteolytic enzymes than the other cell types in the gastric mucosa and can be recovered and purified by centrifugation in a discontinuous sucrose gradient. Glutaraldehyde fixation reduces the tendency of cell clumping and, therefore, facilitates isolation of the separated cells. The final yield from each adult rabbit stomach varies from 0.1 to 0.4 ml packed parietal cells of about 97% purity determined by nuclear counts. The nuclei and mitochondria of most of the isolated cells appear to be intact on electron micrographs, but the cell membrane is focally disrupted; the nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) can be stained with Feulgen technique and extracted with perchloric acid for quantitative determination. Biochemical studies on incorporation of thymidine-3H into DNA of the parietal cells have been carried out in normal young adult rabbits and in rabbits under chronic histamine stimulation. The results show that there is no significant incorporation of thymidine-3H by mature parietal cells in any of the two groups of animals, although the whole mucosa DNA hydrolysates always exhibit a high specific activity.

Interferon inhibition of DNA synthesis and cell division

Using monodispersed cell suspensions, interferon preparations were shown to have both a lethal and a growth-depression effect in the same concentration range as that required for antiviral activity. In addition, synchronized cells treated with interferon respond by delaying their normal uptake of thymidine during S phase until after a period during which new protein is synthesized. Puromycin added during this period prevents both the synthesis of this protein and the subsequent synthesis of DNA.

Synthesis of a spatial filter for the combined operations of subtraction and correlation

As is known, a coherent optical data processing system can be used to perform convolution and correlation with ease. Recently it has been shown that the system with diffraction gratings in the spatial filtering plane can also add or subtract complex patterns displayed symmetrically in the input plane. A method is described here for synthesizing a spatial filter so that the coherent system can perform both correlation and subtraction simultaneously in real time. As a particular application of this technique, we present results of using such filters in optical feature extraction.

Matrix multiplication by optical methods

The utilization of coherent optical correlation techniques in the performance of matrix multiplication by-optical analog methods has been investigated mathematically. Although the basic concepts have been known for some time, we have not been able to find explicit analyses in the existing literature. Since many correlations other than those corresponding to the desired matrix multiplication terms exist, methods of isolating the desired from the undesired terms are presented. Various spatial configurations for both the input and output arrays are discussed. For the special cases of 2 x 2 matrices the analyses are presented in greater detail. Using simple circ function distributions, the effects of finite-sized array elements and detector apertures are investigated.

Variation of interferon production during the cell cycle

The capacity of cells to produce interferon has been found to depend on the phase in the cell cycle at which virus infection took place. Monolayer cultures of L cells were synchronized by the double thymidine-block method. Such synchronously growing cultures were used to study the ability of cells to produce interferon when they were infected with ultraviolet-inactivated Newcastle disease virus (UV-NDV) at different phases of the cell cycle. In all instances, interferon was detected early and reached a maximum at about 16 hr after infection. However, the levels of interferon found in medium of cultures infected at early post-deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthetic (G2) and to some extent at late G2 phases of the cell cycle were comparatively lower than those found in cultures infected at the early DNA synthetic (S) phase. There appeared also in these infected growing cultures a transient period when interferon production was apparently delayed. This period corresponded interestingly with the time of mitotic burst. Infection of thymidine- or 1-beta-d-arabino-furanosylcytosine-inhibited cultures with UV-NDV also led to similar interferon response as that observed in growing cultures infected at early S. However, no transient delay of interferon production was demonstrated in these cultures.

Interferon production by human leukocytes in vitro: some biological characteristics

Interferon was optimally produced in human peripheral leukocyte cultures incubated for approximately 19 hr in the presence of Sendai virus at a multiplicity of 10 to 50 EID(50)/cell. For determining whether deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis per se was essential for interferon production, 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (Ara-C), a potent DNA inhibitor was studied for its effect on interferon production in leukocytic and bone marrow cell cultures. These cells showed no impaired capacity to produce interferon when treated with 15 mug of Ara-C per ml. Interferon yields were also determined in leukocyte cultures treated with actinomycin D (0.1 mug/ml) and puromycin (10 mug/ml) at various times before and after virus inoculation. The data suggested that sequential transcriptive and translational events were required for the de novo synthesis of interferon by the infected leukocytes, in a manner similar to other known virus-induced interferon-producing systems. The synthesis of macromolecules and the effects of antimetabolites in leukocytes and bone marrow cell cultures were followed by measuring the incorporation of thymidine-2-(14)C, uridine-5-(3)H, and L-phenylalanine-1-(14)C. The effect of 0.1 mug of actinomycin per ml on the capacity of leukemic leukocytes to produce interferon was also studied. Preliminary data showed that, in contrast to nonleukemic leukocytes, interferon production by leukemic leukocytes was only partially inhibited by actinomycin.