Susceptibility of different leukemic cell lines to the anticellular and antiviral effects of interferons

A total of 18 different types of human leukemic cell lines were tested for their susceptibility to the anticellular and antiviral effects of interferons (IFNs) alpha, beta and gamma. In general, only the three myelogenous leukemic cell lines U937, KG-1 and HL-60 were found to be highly susceptible to the anticellular effect of the different IFNs while cells of the other lineages were relatively resistant. In order to determine whether the cell lines were sensitive to the antiviral effects of IFNs, the cells were first screened for their ability to support the replication of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), sindbis virus (SBV) and semliki forest virus (SFV). Unexpectedly, only three cell lines--Raji, K562 and U937 were highly susceptible to SFV while other cell lines were relatively refractory to all three viruses. Using SFV as indicator virus, the antiviral activity of all IFNs could be detected in all three cell lines and their relative efficiency was in the order of alpha greater than beta greater than gamma. The significance of these results were discussed.

The place of temocillin in the treatment of hospital infections

Infection due to Gram-negative bacteria continues to be a common problem in the hospital environment, for which a wide variety of antibiotics is available. Among Enterobacteria, resistance is expressed most commonly via beta-lactamases. Temocillin is the first penicillin to show stability to beta-lactamases of Gram-negative bacteria, therefore it is in this type of infection that the initial assessments of temocillin should be made.

The activity of temocillin against Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas and Haemophilus influenzae

The in vitro antimicrobial activity of temocillin against 130 strains of Enterobacteriaceae and 27 strains of Pseudomonas and other related Gram-negative organisms was compared with carbenicillin, mezlocillin and piperacillin. Temocillin was compared with ampicillin against 76 strains of Haemophilus influenzae. More than 90% of Enterobacteriaceae including 65 carbenicillin-resistant strains were inhibited by 8 mg/L of temocillin. Pseudomonas spp. were less susceptible to temocillin than to the other 3 penicillins. 35 out of 38 strains of beta-lactamase-producing H. influenzae were inhibited by 2 mg/L of temocillin. But with 38 ampicillin-sensitive and non-beta-lactamase-producing ampicillin-resistant strains, temocillin was slightly less active than ampicillin. There was no significant enhancement of temocillin activity by clavulanic acid against 20 strains of Gram-negative rods producing characterised beta-lactamases. The resistance to plasmid-mediated and chromosomal beta-lactamase extracts was also studied by bioassay method. No enzyme extracts tested could hydrolyse temocillin except that from one Flavobacterium strain.

A 12-base-pair DNA motif that is repeated several times in metallothionein gene promoters confers metal regulation to a heterologous gene

To define DNA sequences involved in mouse metallothionein-I (MT-I) gene promoter function and metal regulation, we fused the 5' flanking sequences of the MT-I gene to the coding sequences of a viral thymidine kinase (TK) gene. A series of 5' deletion, 3' deletion, linker-scanning, and internal deletion mutants of the MT-I promoter was constructed and assayed by microinjection into mouse eggs. The results indicate that at least two related promoter elements can confer some metal regulation independently. Those mutations that had the most severe effect on regulation impinge on a 12-base-pair conserved sequence that is repeated several times within the mouse MT-I and other MT promoters. To test the regulatory function of this sequence, it was synthesized as a pair of complementary oligonucleotides and inserted into the promoter of the TK gene. A single insertion of this sequence conferred limited metal regulation onto the TK promoter, whereas a construct with two separate inserts was regulated as efficiently as the MT-I promoter.

Two-dimensional echocardiographic detection of pericardiocentesis-induced intrapericardial thrombus

Heart puncture-induced hemopericardium is a serious complication of the pericardiocentesis. Two-dimensional echocardiographic examination performed in two patients just before and after the development of hemopericardium revealed a unique image in which pericardial bleeding manifested itself by an echodensity thrombus appearance adjacent to the cardiac chambers. With appropriate differentiation to some other intrapericardial echodensity masses, such distinctive images can be highly specific for active bleeding into the pericardial sac.

The activity of vancomycin and teicoplanin alone and in combination with gentamicin or ampicillin against Streptococcus faecalis

The in vitro activities of vancomycin and teicoplanin against 56 strains of Streptococcus faecalis were compared. Killing curves showed that vancomycin and teicoplanin were bacteriostatic and that synergy was achieved when each was combined with gentamicin. The bactericidal activity displayed by 4 mg/l of ampicillin against Streptococcus faecalis was antagonized by 4 mg/l of vancomycin and 0.5 mg/l of teicoplanin respectively.

Transgenic mice harboring SV40 T-antigen genes develop characteristic brain tumors

A high percentage of transgenic mice developing from eggs microinjected with plasmids containing the SV40 early region genes and a metallothionein fusion gene develop tumors within the choroid plexus. A line of mice has been established in which nearly every affected animal succumbs to this brain tumor. Thymic hypertrophy and kidney pathology are also observed in some mice. SV40 T-antigen mRNA and protein are readily detected in affected tissues; however, SV40 T-antigen gene expression is barely detectable in unaffected tissues or in susceptible tissues prior to overt pathology, suggesting that tumorigenesis depends upon activation of the SV40 genes. Comparison of DNA from tumor tissue (or cell lines derived from tumors) with DNA from unaffected tissues reveals structural rearrangements as well as changes in DNA methylation of the foreign DNA. The SV40 genes are frequently amplified in tumor tissue, which further indicates that their expression is intimately involved in tumorigenesis in transgenic mice.

Transmission distortion and mosaicism in an unusual transgenic mouse pedigree

We have analyzed the structure, expression, and inheritance of a foreign DNA insert of an unusual transgenic mouse, designated MyK-103. The insert is composed of two copies of pMK (a metallothionein-thymidine kinase fusion gene) oriented as inverted repeats. No methylation of the foreign DNA could be detected. The original transgenic mouse was mosaic; 10% to 20% of both somatic and germ cells contained the plasmid insert. The pMK insert has been stably transmitted by females through five generations; however, expression of thymidine kinase is extremely variable in different members of the pedigree. Although males carrying the pMK insert are fertile, they never transmit the pMK insert. We propose that the foreign DNA has disrupted a gene that must be expressed during haploid stages of spermatogenesis.

The interatrial septal echocardiogram: relationship to left atrial volume change in the normal and diseased heart

The echocardiogram of the interatrial septum (IAS) was examined using the right-sided parasternal approach. The IAS can be detected in 56% of patients with heart disease and in 24% of normal subjects. In this study, we analyzed 15 normal subjects and 35 patients with right (RA) or left (LA) atrial overloading. The normal IAS shows anterior motion during ventricular systole and predominantly posterior motion in three phases during ventricular diastole. The normal IAS motion is easily correlated with events in the cardiac cycle and reflects LA volume change. In patients with pure mitral stenosis (MS), the IAS was motionless and the total amplitude of the IAS echocardiogram was decreased. In seven patients with pure mitral regurgitation (MR), the features of systolic fluttering (SF) and systolic premature anterior motion (SPAM) of the IAS movement were noted in three and six patients, respectively. The total amplitude of the IAS echocardiogram was increased. In 14 patients with MS combined with MR, SPAM was noted in six patients and three other patients presented SF of the IAS. The total amplitude of the IAS echocardiogram was normal or decreased. In two patients with tricuspid regurgitation, a reverse systolic motion of the IAS was found. These abnormal IAS motions can be explained on the basis of LA volume changes in each type of heart disease. Thus, a study of IAS motion can aid the understanding of various cardiac disease states.

Induction of mouse metallothionein-I mRNA by bacterial endotoxin is independent of metals and glucocorticoid hormones

++Induction of metallothionein-I (MT-I) mRNA by bacterial endotoxin (LPS) was examined. A single injection of LPS induced MT-I mRNA accumulation in both liver and kidney comparable to that induced by heavy metals. Maximal message levels were achieved 6 hr after LPS administration, prior to any increase in either hepatic or renal Zn or Cu. Experiments in which LPS was administered to transgenic mice harboring recombinant genes made by fusing the MT-I gene promoter to the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase structural gene revealed that the response to LPS is independent of glucocorticoid hormones. These experiments begin to define the region of the MT-I gene promoter required for the LPS response.

The killing effects of cefathiamidine or ampicillin alone and in combination with gentamicin against enterococci

The in-vitro activity of cefathiamidine against Streptococcus faecalis and Str. faecium were studied in comparison with other beta-lactams. All the 56 strains of Str. faecalis tested were inhibited by 2 mg/l of cefathiamidine. MICs of ampicillin were twofold higher than those of cefathiamidine and MICs of cephaloridine and cephazolin were 8-16-fold higher. No significant inoculum effect on MICs of cefathiamidine could be seen. Two isolates of Str. faecium showed resistance to the four antibiotics. The MBCs of cefathiamidine and ampicillin for ten strains of Str. faecalis showed that the ratios of MBC/MIC were greater than 64. The rates of killing of Str. faecalis were reduced at concentrations of cefathiamidine and ampicillin greater than the MIC. The most rapid killing was obtained at 2 mg/l cefathiamidine or 4 mg/l of ampicillin. With the addition of 1 mg/l gentamicin this paradoxical bacteriocidal effect was eliminated. Time killing studies showed 99.9% of the cells were killed within 6 h by a combination of aminoglycoside and beta-lactam. The paradoxical bacteriocidal effect of cefathiamidine and ampicillin was also demonstrated on solid media.

Expression of creatine kinase isoenzyme during oogenesis and embryogenesis in the mouse

Creatine kinase activity was discovered in the growing mouse oocyte and in the preimplantation embryo. Changes in the enzyme activity during the growth and maturation of the egg and during the development of the embryo up to the blastocyst stage were determined. Close similarity of the protein to the brain-type isoenzyme of creatine kinase was established immunochemically. The kinetic parameters of the brain-type isoenzyme (M. R. Iyengar, C. E. Fluellen, and C. W. L. Iyengar, 1982, J. Muscle Cell Motil. 3, 231-246) and the pattern of development-associated changes in activity suggest a possible role for creatine kinase in maintaining the reported high ATP/ADP ratio (L. Ginsberg and N. Hillman, 1975, J. Reprod. Fertil. 43, 83-90), which is essential for the biosynthetic activities of the embryo.

Genetics of cleft lip and cleft palate in China

During the past 10 years, 60 cases of cleft lip with or without cleft palate [CL(P)] were recorded among 45,072 newborns at Shanghai International Peace Maternity and Infant Hospital, China. The incidence was 1.33 per 1,000 births. The family histories of 163 CL(P) patients were analyzed. The incidences of CL(P) in the first-, second-, and third-degree relatives of CL(P) patients were 11/246 (4.47%), 10/1,032 (0.97%), and 6/1,727 (0.35%), respectively. Of the 163 probands, three had a history of consanguinity of the parents (1.8%), in contrast to 0.77% in the general population. These data are suggestive of multifactorial inheritance. The heritability of CL(P) in our study calculated by Falconer's formula was 77.6%.

Evaluation of midpelvic contraction

Of the pelvic parameters, IS, which represents the narrowest pelvic dimension is of great value in determining the midplane capacity; WS's Sum, which represents two dimensions of the posterior segment, only concerns the space available in the posterior segment and, therefore, can explain the occurrence of easy delivery in patients with short I.S. but long P.S.M.; Area, which gives two dimensions of the whole midpelvis, not only stresses the space available within the whole midpelvis, but can also indicate whether there is any shortening of the two diameters or not. WS's Sum is consequently superior to I.S. and Area is superior to both WS's Sum and I.S. in the evaluation of midplane capacity.

Floating fetal head in primiparas at term

A total of 924 pelvimetries made for floating fetal head at term in primiparas was analyzed according to the pelvic parameters and outcomes. More android and platypelloid type pelves, and more OP position and Naegele's obliquities were found. Significant shortening of obstetrical conjugate. A-P diameter of actual inlet and reduced Mengert area of the inlet were the common characteristics in this series. One third of the patients required abdominal delivery, and half of the vaginal deliveries needed instrumental help.

Differential regulation of metallothionein-thymidine kinase fusion genes in transgenic mice and their offspring

A fusion plasmid, pMK, containing the mouse metallothionein-I promoter/regulatory region joined to the structural gene of herpesvirus thymidine kinase, was introduced into mice by microinjection into fertilized eggs followed by reinsertion of the eggs into foster mothers. Fifteen percent (10 of 69) of the mice developing from this procedure carried pMK sequences. Seven of these mice expressed high levels of viral thymidine kinase in the liver. This enzyme is inducible by heavy metals, as indicated by assay of thymidine kinase activity following sequential partial hepatectomies with or without cadmium treatment. However, glucocorticoid treatment has been ineffective in all transgenic mice tested. The pMK sequences are extensively methylated at a variety of restriction sites, indicating the existence of a de novo methylation enzyme. We have analyzed the inheritance of pMK sequences and their expression in several pedigrees. These fusion genes are inherited as though they were integrated into a single chromosome; however, their expression may be extinguished, diminished or enhanced in the offspring relative to that of the parent. In some animals there is a correlation between changes in DNA methylation and expression of these fusion genes.

Regulation of metallothionein--thymidine kinase fusion plasmids injected into mouse eggs

A plasmid was constructed with the promoter/regulatory region of the mouse metallothionein-I gene fused to the structural gene of herpesvirus thymidine kinase. When mouse eggs were microinjected with this plasmid and incubated with cadmium (a natural inducer of metallothionein gene transcription) thymidine kinase activity increased approximately 10-fold compared with control eggs not exposed to cadmium. Analysis of a set of deletion mutants revealed that the minimum sequence required for cadmium regulation lies within 90 nucleotides of the transcription start site.

Serum triglyceride levels in newborns and mothers at parturition

From August 1980 to March 1981, paired cord venous blood and maternal antecubital venous blood were measured for triglyceride concentrations with the enzymatic method of triglyceride G-3-PDH UV end point assay, using the Hitachi Model 716 autoanalyser. The mean value of cord serum triglyceride concentrations in the cohort of 100 normal newborns was 28 ng/100 ml and the cut-off point of P95 was 48 mg/100 ml. In normotriglyceridemic newborns and hypertriglyceridemic newborns the mean values were 29 mg/100 ml and 66 mg/100 ml, respectively. However, the mean values of the corresponding triglyceride concentrations of maternal blood were not remarkably different among these 3 groups; they ranged from 190 to 193 mg/100 ml. The cord blood triglyceride level was much lower than that of maternal blood levels, with a ratio of 15% in the cohort of normal population of newborns and mothers. These findings showed that the cord serum triglyceride level was independent of the maternal serum triglyceride concentration and was of fetal origin. The relative impermeability of the placenta to this serum constituent and the lack of utilization of fat as a major source of energy in the period of normal intrauterine fetal life may, in part, account for the low serum triglyceride level in cord blood.

Pelvimetry of Chinese females with special reference to pelvic type and maternal height

A total of 1619 x-ray pelvimetries were analyzed to establish whether there are any differences in pelvic measurements between the four pelvic types. Of these, 1367 were analyzed to find out the relation between the capacity of each pelvic plane and maternal height. Of the 1619 cases, 564 (34.8%) were gynecoid. 330 (20.4%) anthropoid, 277 (17.1%) android and 448 (27.7%) platypellic. There were considerable differences in pelvic measurements among the four types; android pelves have smaller diameters than gynecoid and anthropoid pelves. These findings suggest that pelvic types classified on the basis of impression alone may have a prognostic significance regarding the course of labor. Maternal height has a positive correlation with pelvic measurements; this correlation is greater at the inlet than at midplane and outlet and is, moreover, more evident in gynecoid and platypellic than in anthropoid and android pelves. If maternal height is less than 150 cm, there is great probability that inlet capacity will be less than average; if it is less than 145 cm. low borderline contraction is highly probable.

Somatic expression of herpes thymidine kinase in mice following injection of a fusion gene into eggs

A plasmid, designated pMK, containing the structural gene for thymidine kinase from herpes simplex virus (HSV) fused to the promoter/regulatory region of the mouse metallothionein-I gene, was injected into the pronucleus of fertilized one-cell mouse eggs; the eggs were subsequently reimplanted into the oviducts of pseudopregnant mice. The first experiment produced 19 offspring, one of which expressed high levels of HSV thymidine kinase activity in the liver and kidney. pMK DNA sequences were detected in equal amounts in several tissues of the expressing mouse as well as in three mice that did not express HSV thymidine kinase activity. In all cases, several copies of the pMK plasmid were tandemly duplicated and integrated into mouse DNA. It appears as though multiple copies of the intact plasmid were fused by homologous recombination either before or after integration at a single site in the mouse genome. The overall efficiency of obtaining somatic expression of thymidine kinase in experiments performed to date is about 10% (4/41), and twice this number have integrated pMK DNA. This procedure not only provides a means of introducing new genes into mice, but it will also be a valuable system for studying tissue-specific regulation of gene expression.

Retrieval in a Computer-assisted Pathology Encoding and Reporting System (CAPER)

A previous report described an online computer-assisted pathology encoding and reporting system (CAPER) developed at the Massachusetts General Hospital that accessions specimens, monitors their state of completion, produces all log books, and permits instantaneous display of all diagnoses rendered within a three-year period. The present report updates the functions currently available and describes a new function that enables the pathologist, independent of computer programmer support, to request complex, in-depth searches of the entire accumulated pathology data base, which at present contains in excess of 150,000 cases and 5,000,000 pieces of information. The pathologist can instruct the system to compare more than 30 types of data items through the development of Boolean expressions. The report also describes the test codes that were developed to reflect the work product of the surgical pathology division, form the basis for automated billing and compilation of monthly and yearly statistics, and are an integral part of the long-term data base for in-depth searches.

Protein degradation during preimplantation development of the mouse

The half-lives of labelled proteins were determined for mouse preimplantation embryo stages from the germinal vesicle oocyte to the early blastocyst. While no significant differences were found among half-lives for 1-cell stages, or among half-lives for cleavage stages, a significant (P less than 0.05) 28% decrease in half-life was observed between the 1-cell and the cleavage stages. Labelled protein half-lives were 18.2 and 13.1 h for the 1-cell and cleavage stages respectively. Fertilization probably initiates this increase in protein degradation rate although no significant decrease was detected until after the first cleavage.

Mouse oocytes transcribe injected Xenopus 5S RNA gene

Transcripts produced after injection of the Xenopus 5S RNA gene into oocyte germinal vesicles of mice migrate electrophoretically with the 5S RNA marker, an indication that the gene is transcribed and processed with considerable accuracy. Approximately two 5S RNA molecules are transcribed per gene per hour. This system may be useful in studying DNA processing and gene regulation by the mammalian ovum and might be modified to allow permanent incorporation of specific genes into mice.

Resistance to interferon of a human adenocarcinoma cell line, HEC-1, and its sensitivity to natural killer cell action

A human endometrial cancer cell line, HEC-1, was found to be resistant to the antiviral and anticellular action of interferon. However, HEC-1 cells were susceptible to the cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells, and interferon enhanced such NK activity. When HEC-1 cells were treated with interferon, sensitivity of HEC cells to the cytotoxicity of NK cells was not suppressed.

Changes in protein synthesis following fertilization of the mouse ovum

A quantitative method utilizing double isotope labeling with 3H-methionine and 35S-methionine and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was employed to compare synthesis of 95 individual proteins in fertilized and unfertilized mouse ova. It was found that six proteins had significantly (P less than 0.05) increased rates of synthesis while 11 proteins had significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased rates of synthesis following fertilization. The studies indicate that there are changes in the synthetic rates of a much larger number of proteins at the time of fertilization than expected from previous reports.

Translation of globin messenger RNA by the mouse ovum

It has been demonstrated that the Xenopus oocyte can translate rabbit haemoglobin messenger RNA (mRNA) following microinjection of the message into the cell. The Xenopus oocyte has since been shown to be capable of translating a variety of messenger RNAs from different species. This system has proved useful in un-erstanding the mechanism of message translation and has also provided information about the translation capability of the Xenopus oocyte. Several other cell types, including HeLa cells and fibroblasts, can also translate exogenous message injected into the cell. However, there have been no reports of injection of mRNA into oocytes or fertilised one-cell ova of mammalian species. Nevertheless, the latter system could be of considerable use in studying the processing of exogenous messages in a mammalian system undergoing development, as well as providing insight into the way the early embryo processes injected messages and the protein products of such messages. We report here the results of injecting message into the fertilised one-cell mouse ovum and show that both mouse and rabbit globin mRNA are translated in this system.

Mortality and morbidity in a pulp and a paper mill in the United States: a ten-year follow-up

Two hundred and seventy-one men seen in 1963, who worked in a pulp and a paper mill, were followed up ten years later, in 1973. Death certificates were obtained for those who died. There did not appear to be any increased mortality in the group, nor was there any increased specific cause of death. A morbidity study of 200 men seen at both times did not show any differences in respiratory symptoms or prevalence of chronic non-specific respiratory disease. Analysis of pulmonary function showed little, if any, difference between groups. Analysis of retired, deceased, and still-working categories did suggest that exposures to Cl2 or SO2 might have a slight adverse effect on pulmonary function.

The influence of oral penicillamine and diet on lead poisoning in rats

In spite of continued lead intake, the oral chelate d-penicillamine was effective in reducing blood lead levels of lead-poisoned weanling rats on three different low-residue diets: a standard rat diet, a low calcium diet, and the trace metal salt modified EPA diet. A significant lessening of weight gain was evident in those on the low calcium diet.