Arrangements of alpha-globin gene cluster in Taiwan

In a gene mapping study on 217 newborn babies in Taiwan with alpha- and zeta-globin probes, we have observed 4 cases (1.84%) of alpha-thalassemia-2 heterozygotes (zeta zeta-alpha/zeta zeta alpha alpha) without increased levels of hemoglobin (Hb) Bart's in the cord blood. Eleven subjects (5.07%) were found to have the South East Asian alpha-thalassemia-1 haplotype (zeta zeta--SEA/zeta zeta alpha alpha) with increased Hb Bart's levels ranging from 2.2 to 9%. One case, with Hb Bart's level of 14% in the cord blood, was found to have the genotype of zeta zeta--SEA/zeta zeta alpha alpha T (0.46%). Four heterozygotes (1.84%) were found with the triple alpha gene anti-rightward arrangement (zeta zeta alpha alpha alpha 3.7/zeta zeta alpha alpha). Twenty-one heterozygotes (9.68%) were found to have the triple zeta-globin gene arrangement (zeta zeta zeta alpha alpha/zeta zeta alpha alpha). A new triple zeta-globin gene variant with a BamHI polymorphism was also observed in this study.

[Gilles de la Tourette syndrome associated with epileptiform discharges: report of three cases]

This report presents the clinical observation of 3 cases of Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (GTS) with epileptiform discharge of electroencephalogram (EEG). During the past 2 years (1986-1987), 8 cases of GTS were diagnosed in the pediatric department of National Taiwan University Hospital. Three of them presented epileptiform discharges. Diffuse bilateral parieto-occipital spikes in waking and light sleep periods were noted in case 1, who was a 10-year-old girl. Case 2 was a 9-year-old boy, his EEG showed sporadic spikes over right fronto-central area during light sleep. In case 3, a 6-year-old boy, frequent sharps and spikes appeared in left centro-temporal area in waking and sleep EEG. Case 3 had received antiepileptic therapy. The EEG recovered to normal, the symptoms of the involuntary movement became more prominent. All of the 3 cases improved significantly after haloperidol monotherapy. Based on the clinical observations and literature review, we noted that the incidence of epileptiform discharge in GTS was higher than that in nonepileptic normal population. Although some authors suggested that a seizure state possibly play a subtle role in the genesis of Tourette's symptoms, this inference was not supported by our experience. We observed that haloperidol was effective to this syndrome with or without epileptiform discharge. Therefore, antiepileptic agents, which might alter the metabolism of dopamine, was not recommended for treating GTS patients.

[X-linked dyskeratosis congenita with aplastic anemia--genetic and hematologic studies]

Two brothers in a Chinese family were affected with dyskeratosis congenita (DC). The proband's stepbrother died of pancytopenia and rectal adenocarcinoma. The proband with progressive pancytopenia was studied in genetics and hematology. Family investigations suggest that the disorder was inherited as an X-linked recessive transmission. No specific chromosome aberrations were detected in both peripheral blood and bone marrow cells. Bone marrow biopsy revealed markedly hypocellular marrow without prominent reticulin fibers. Hematopoiesis was assessed by assay of granulomonocytic (CFU-GM) colonies and clusters in vitro. Numbers of CFU-GM were profoundly reduced in marrow cultures from our patient. Although a defect in the stromal microenvironment and lymphocyte mediated suppression could not be excluded. It is possible that the defect is intrinsic to the hematopoietic stem cells. The familial disease described by this paper favors that the dyskeratosis congenita is X-linked with constitutional aplastic anemia. It is believed that the pancytopenia with hypocellular marrow in DC is an inherited rather than an acquired condition.

Hypophysectomy decreases and growth hormone increases the turnover and mass of rat liver glutamine synthetase

Hypophysectomy diminishes rat liver glutamine synthetase (GS) activity and growth hormone (GH) administration restores this activity to normal levels; brain GS is unaffected. We have now investigated the effects of long-term hypophysectomy (45-day) and GH treatment on the GS mass (amount of enzyme) and turnover in rat liver and brain. Labeled GS was isolated by immunoprecipitation at intervals between one and six days after pulse administration of [U-14C] leucine and the GS half-life (t1/2) was determined. The GS mass was obtained by immunoassay and by calculation using the specific activity of purified GS. GS turnover was calculated by multiplying the GS mass by the first-order rate constant of degradation (kd). During the time course of each experiment, the GS mass did not change, indicating that in each of the three hormonal states studied, a steady state existed. Hypophysectomy increased the t1/2 of hepatic GS from 3.8 to 8.8 days and decreased GS turnover from 0.38 to 0.1 microgram/100 g body wt/day; the GH regimen used restored the turnover to above normal levels, 0.6 microgram/100 g body wt/day. The GS mass decreased from 2.0 to 1.2 micrograms/100 g body wt and GH restored the GS mass to normal levels. The brain enzyme was not affected by hypophysectomy or GH.

The effect of lipopolysaccharide on the production of GM-EA, GM-CSA, and PGE2 by human monocyte-derived lipid-containing macrophages

Monocyte-derived lipid-containing macrophage (MDLM) was the major source of granulomonopoietic enhancing activity (GM-EA) but these well-differentiated cells were unable to synthesize constitutively the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating activity (GM-CSA) that was contributed mostly by the younger monocytoid cells. The presence of various concentrations (0.5-10 micrograms/ml) of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) potentiated the production of GM-EA by MDLM. Enhancement of GM-EA production peaked at about 0.5 micrograms/ml of LPS, but at higher doses (10-40 micrograms/ml) LPS became suppressive. In parallel, LPS-induced production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was observable only at higher doses (10-40 micrograms/ml), suggesting a correlation between PGE2 production and LPS-mediated suppression of GM-EA synthesis. At optimal concentration (0.5 micrograms/ml), LPS could effectively override the inhibitory effect of interferon-gamma on the production of GM-EA. In addition, GM-CSA production by MDLM can be partly restored by stimulation with high doses of LPS (10-40 micrograms/ml). These results suggest that MDLMs have functional potentials similar to the younger macrophages and may play an important role in the regulation of myelopoiesis through the release of GM-EA and related regulators.

Characterization of the ileS-lsp operon in Escherichia coli. Identification of an open reading frame upstream of the ileS gene and potential promoter(s) for the ileS-lsp operon

The preceding paper presents evidence for the co-transcriptional expression of the ileS and lsp genes in Escherichia coli. To identify the promoter for the ileS-lsp operon, we have determined the nucleotide sequence of an 1.8-kilobase DNA fragment between the rpsT and IleS genes. The sequence data have revealed an open reading frame, designated gene X, which encodes a polypeptide with 312 amino acid residues. Both in vivo and in vitro expressions of the x gene result in the synthesis of a soluble protein with an apparent Mr of 35,000. The x gene is transcribed in the same direction as that of the ileS-lsp operon and opposite to that of the upstream adjacent rpsT gene. No transcription termination sequence can be discerned in the intercistronic region between the x and ileS genes. DNase I footprinting experiment revealed a RNA polymerase binding site at 170-151 base pairs upstream of the x gene.

Effect of Electrical Stimulation on Meat Microflora: Observations on Agar Media, in Suspensions and on Beef Carcasses

Electrical stimulation of beef carcasses did not cause a significant reduction in surface microbial population at three different sampling positions immediately following slaughter. However, significant microbial reduction (P<0.05) was found at position 2 (muscle above aitch bone) but not at position 1 (inside of neck) or position 3 (fat on outside of round) after 72 h of chilling storage. Nine bacterial species from eight different genera commonly associated with meat were inoculated on three different agar media which varied in electrical conductivity. Electrical stimulation of these media caused a reduction in numbers of microorganisms under various voltage and time treatments. Spore-forming bacteria were the most resistant to the electrical treatments. Among the non-spore formers, gram-negative bacteria were more resistant to electrical treatment than gram-positive bacteria. Also, microorganisms inoculated on the lowest resistance medium A revealed greater reduction in numbers than that of the other media with higher resistance. A five log cycle reduction in Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas putrefaciens and Pseudomonas fragi was found in 0.85% saline solution and phosphate buffered saline solution after a 30-V, 5-min treatment, but little change in count was detected in 0 . 1% aqueous peptone or 2.5 M sucrose solution.