Lens-specific expression of recombinant ricin induces developmental defects in the eyes of transgenic mice

An expression system for cell lineage ablation in transgenic mice was constructed in which a modified form of the A subunit of ricin, a toxic lectin produced by the castor bean Ricinus communis, can be expressed under the direction of tissue-specific regulatory signals. A chimeric gene was formed by fusing the promoter and 5'-flanking sequences of the lens-specific mouse alpha A-crystallin gene with a modified ricin A cDNA, and this construction was integrated into the germ line of transgenic mice. These animals develop profound microphthalmia with severe developmental defects of the eye, relating primarily to the disorganization and death of cells forming the lens. In addition, this defect is associated with several abnormalities, including eye size, folding of the retina, and ectopic lens material in other regions of the eye. The phenotype of this engineered developmental mutation suggests that the normal development of alpha A-crystallin-producing lens fiber cells is essential for the proper growth, organization, and orientation of optic structures.

[Extramedullary plasmacytoma of small intestine--a case report]

Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP), being different from multiple myeloma, is very rare. One case of primary EMP of small intestine and review of literature are presented. The patient, 69-year-old male, was admitted because of left lower abdominal pain and anemia. A mass, table-tennis in size, was palpated. Intestinal obstruction was found by plain X-ray film. It was diagnosed as EMP of small intestine by pathology after exploratory celiotomy. Immunohistochemical stain showed that intracytoplasmic immunoglobulin was monoclonal IgG. Lambda. The blood Bence-Jones protein and bone marrow puncture were negative. The patient received chemotherapy after operation and was followed for two years giving satisfactory result. The pathogenesis, clinical feature, diagnostic criteria and treatment are discussed.

EEG findings during special psychical state (Qi Gong state) by means of compressed spectral array and topographic mapping

Wallace first reported the changes in EEG during transcendental mediation [6]. Banquet [1] observed, on the basis of spectral analysis of the EEG, that the mediation state was a unique state of consciousness, and separate from wakefulness, drowsiness or sleep. The Qi Gong of China is not the same as either transcendental mediation or the Yoga Gong. The EEG during Qi Gong state is clearly different from those recorded during the resting state. The changes in the EEG during the Qi Gong have not been reported previously. The EEG alpha activity during the Qi Gong state occurs predominantly in the anterior regions. The peak frequency of EEG alpha rhythm is slower than the resting state. The change of EEG during Qi Gong between anterior and posterior half is negative correlation. These changes are statistically significant.

Characterization of rabbit cytochrome P450IIC4 cDNA and induction by phenobarbital of related hepatic mRNA levels

We have cloned cDNA containing a partial sequence of a rabbit cytochrome P-450 (designated cytochrome P450IIC4) cDNA that is a member of the cytochrome P450IIC subfamily. The cDNA contains 770 bp of which the first 429 code for the C-terminal 143 amino acids of cytochrome P450IIC4. The protein coding region of the cDNA is 98% homologous with that of cytochrome P450IIC5 and the 3' untranslated region is about 90% homologous. In contrast to the constitutive isozyme, cytochrome P450IIC5, mRNA in the liver that hybridized to the 3' untranslated region of cytochrome P450IIC4 cDNA was increased about 8-fold 24 hours after a single injection of phenobarbital.

Cosmid vectors for rapid genomic walking, restriction mapping, and gene transfer

We have designed cosmid vectors for rapid genomic "walking" and restriction mapping. These vectors contain the transcription promoters from either bacteriophage SP6, T7, or T3 flanking a unique BamHI cloning site. Mammalian expression modules encoding the dominant marker neomycin phosphotransferase or the amplifiable dihydrofolate reductase gene expressed from SV40 promoters were inserted for use in gene transfer studies. Restriction sites for the enzymes Not I and Sfi I, which cut mammalian DNA very infrequently, have been engineered near the transcriptional promoters to enable the excision of most inserts as single, full-length fragments. Genomic libraries representative of mouse, human, and hamster genomes were constructed by inserting 33- to 44-kilobase-pair (kbp) DNA fragments, generated by partial cleavage of genomic DNA with Mbo I or Sau3A, into the unique BamHI site. Digestion of recombinant cosmids with restriction enzymes that cleave frequently but do not disrupt the transcriptional promoters generates two small DNA templates for the synthesis of end-specific RNA probes to facilitate directional "walking." Cosmid restriction maps can be determined rapidly by one of several methods. The cosmids and methods we describe should have wide utility in determining the functional and structural organization of complex eukaryotic genomes and for physically linking distant genetic loci.

[Cisplatin or combined cisplatin and 60Co radiation in the treatment of advanced lung cancer--report of 145 cases]

The result of 145 patients with advanced primary lung cancer treated by cisplatin alone or combined cisplatin and 60Co radiation from June 1981 to August 1983 is reported. 75 of these cases were clinical stage III and 70 stage IV. 57 (39%) were proved by pathology and 64 (44%) by cytology, totalling 121 (83%) as non-small cell lung cancers. The other 24 (17%) were diagnosed by clinical means. All the patients were divided into two groups. Group I, 26 cases were treated by cisplatin alone. In this group, no complete response was found, the partial response rate was 31% and 1-year survival rate was 40%. Group II, 119 patients were treated by the combination of cisplatin and 60Co radiation. Complete response rate was 16%, partial 59%, 1 and 2-year survival rates were 52% and 33%, respectively. The results show that the combination of cisplatin and 60Co therapy is more effective for the advanced lung cancers.