Cloning and sequencing of cDNA clones encoding chicken lamins A and B1 and comparison of the primary structures of vertebrate A- and B-type lamins

Nuclear lamins are intermediate-filament-type proteins forming a fibrillar meshwork underlying the inner nuclear membrane. The existence of multiple isoforms of lamin proteins in vertebrates is believed to reflect functional specializations during cell division and differentiation. Although biochemical criteria may be used to classify many lamin isoforms into A- and B-type subfamilies, the structural features distinguishing the members of these subfamilies remain to be characterized fully. Here, we report the complete primary structures of chicken lamins A and B1, as they are deduced from cloned cDNAs; in the accompanying paper we present the complete sequence of lamin B2, a second avian B-type lamin. Comparisons of the chicken lamin sequences with each other and with those of other lamins allow us to establish structural features that are common to members of both subfamilies. Conversely, multiple sequence alignments make it possible to identify a number of structural motifs that clearly differentiate B-type lamins from A-type lamins. With this information at hand, we attempt to correlate different biochemical properties of A- and B-type lamins with the presence or absence of specific sequence motifs.

[Lipoma of the corpus callosum in an infant with seizures]

A 3 month-old boy was admitted because of short convulsions commencing with a peculiar grin. A lipoma of the corpus callosum was diagnosed by X-ray of the skull, cranial ultrasound, CT and magnetic resonance tomography. Following treatment with phenobarbital convulsions were not observed any longer. Surgical removal of the tumour was not indicated.

Income inequality in small regions: a study of Australian statistical divisions

This paper provides "empirical analysis of the nature of the relationship between economic development of regions and income inequality in Australian sub-state regions. It does so in the context of considering the validity of the 'augmented inverted U' hypothesis and the influence of factors such as the business cycle, political issues, and demographic trends, which are likely to cause income inequality to change over time." Data are from the Australian censuses for the years 1976 and 1981.

Sequence and identification of the nucleotide binding site for the elongation factor Tu from Thermus thermophilus HB8

Two structural genes for the Thermus thermophilus elongation factor Tu (tuf) were identified by cross-hybridization with the tufA gene from E. coli. The sequence of one of these tuf genes, localized on a 6.6 kb Bam HI fragment, was determined and confirmed by partial protein sequencing of an authentic elongation factor Tu from T. thermophilus HB8. Expression of this tuf gene in E. coli minicells provided a low amount of immuno-precipitable thermophilic EF-Tu. Affinity labeling of the T. thermophilus EF-Tu and sequence comparison with homologous proteins from other organisms were used to identify the guanosine-nucleotide binding domain.

Evidence of a selective major vascular marginal pool of lymphocytes in the lung

The size and mobilization of the pulmonary vascular pool of lymphocytes was studied in young pigs. Blood lymphocytes, labeled in vitro with a fluorescent dye, were injected either intravenously or into the left heart. Comparable high numbers of lymphocytes were found in the lung after 30 min, demonstrating a specific homing of lymphocytes to the lung vascular bed. When the left lung was perfused with a cell-free medium for as long as 4 h in vitro, a continuous venous release of lymphocytes was found that resulted in about 1.5 x 10(9) lymphocytes and 5.7 x 10(6)/min leukocytes. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were labeled with 51Cr in vitro and injected intravenously. Fifteen minutes or 1 day later the lungs were perfused, and the release of cell-bound radioactivity was measured. The data indicate the existence of a large intravascular pulmonary lymphocyte pool. The sequestration of lymphocytes in the lung in many lymphocyte migration studies is not a removal of effete cells but a physiologic phenomenon.

A surgical strategy for femoro-crural reconstruction

In order to improve the results of femoro-distal bypass grafting a number of tactics are suggested. The bypass distance should be kept to a minimum using autologous vein as a bridge between open segments. Anastomoses should be end to end wherever possible because of their haemodynamic characteristics and collaterals should be preserved by a proximal end to side anastomosis. When salvaging the extremity the dissection should be kept to a minimum in tissue which is already ischaemic.

Modulation of LH-secretion in ovariectomized ewes by constant infusions of oestradiol and 4-hydroxyoestradiol: effects of varying infusion times and of high oestrogen doses

Ovariectomized ewes were infused for different times (2-24 h) during the breeding season (September to February) with oestradiol (E2, 2 micrograms/h) or the catecholoestrogen 4-hydroxyoestradiol (4-OHE2, 10 micrograms/h). At these infusion rates comparable plasma levels of E2 and 4-OHE2 were obtained when steady state was reached after 3 h (E2: 20 +/- 4 pg/ml; 4-OHE2: 22 +/- 3 pg/ml). When E2 was infused for at least 6 h, all animals had significant LH-surges, starting 14-16 h after the beginning of oestrogen treatment, even when E2 was infused for up to 24 h. 4-OHE2, however, had only to be infused for 4 h to induce significant LH-surges in all animals tested. When E2 was infused for 12 h at a rate of 100 micrograms/h, the LH-surges in these ewes were significantly lower than the LH-surges in the same animals treated for 12 h with E2 at a rate of 2 micrograms/h. These data indicate: Once E2 has been administered at a specific infusion rate for a critical time period of 6 h, LH-surges occur, no matter whether the E2-infusion is continued or stopped. For the catecholoestrogen 4-OHE2 this critical time period amounts only to 4 h, if comparable plasma levels of either oestrogen are achieved. This might hint at a prolonged intracellular action of 4-OHE2 as compared to E2. At extremely high infusion rates of E2 (100 micrograms/h for 12 h) the positive oestrogen effect is significantly impaired, a finding supporting the concept of a bell-shaped dose-response relationship between oestrogens and their positive effect on LH-secretion.

Significant improvement in flow through a potential internal mammary graft after partial approximation of the sternum

A large internal mammary artery provided inadequate flow on testing, but its use was fortunately not abandoned until after partial closure of the sternal retractor. Reassessment following this maneuver identified ample flow.

[Oral pancreas function test with FDL in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis]

The diagnostic accuracy of a tubeless pancreatic function test--Pancreolauryl (PLT)--was evaluated on 97 patients and healthy controls: we found a pathological result of PLT in 31 (88.6%) of 35 patients with proven chronic pancreatitis and a normal PLT in 30 (90%) of 33 controls with no pancreatic disease. In 29 patients with a defined gastrointestinal disease other than chronic pancreatitis the test result was pathological in 51%. This result points towards a limited specificity of the PLT in this latter group, but shows its usefulness as an indicator for maldigestion accompanying the primary disease. In comparison to firmly established diagnostic means for chronic pancreatitis the PLT result was in accordance with the Secretin-Ceruletide function test in 81.3% with ERCP in 80.9% and with computertomography in 76.4%.

Nitrite and nitrosamines in gastric juice: risk factors for gastric cancer?

Nitrite and nitrosamine concentrations have been measured in 108 patients undergoing gastroscopy as a part of routine gastrointestinal investigations. The nitrite and nitrosamine values of 20 patients with duodenal and 11 patients with benign gastric ulcer were within the range of the values of 26 normal subjects. The nitrite and nitrosamine concentrations in 32 patients with inflammatory changes of the gastric mucosa were slightly higher than normal values and correlated with the progressive degrees of the severity. In 19 patients with atrophic gastritis the concentrations of nitrite and nitrosamines were significantly elevated in comparison with those of all other groups. Our data suggest a relationship between the constant exposure of an already damaged gastric mucosa to N-nitroso compounds and the known high incidence of gastric cancer in atrophic gastritis.

[Intragastral nitrosation - cancer risk in the operated stomach (author's transl)]

The concentration of nitrite and N-nitroso compounds was examined in the fasting gastric juice of 44 patients with regard to the known cancer risk to the operated stomach. All patients had surgery for therapy of an ulcer disease. The operation had taken place an average of 2.5 years previously. Enlisted as a control group were 26 age-matched individuals with healthy stomachs. The concentration of nitrite and N-nitroso compounds in the gastric juice of the vagotomized patiens (PGV) did not differ from that of the controls. On the other hand, a significant increase of the nitrite concentration was found in the gastric juice of those patients resected according to the Billroth I or II procedures. The fraction of N-nitroso compounds, however, was significantly elevated in relation to the other gastric juice samples only in the Billroth II resected stomach. The importance of the increase of nitrite and N-nitroso compounds to the cancer risk inherent in the gastric stump is the subject of discussion.

Late survival following use of intraaortic balloon pump in revascularization operations

The early and late results of intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) support in 197 patients with pure myocardial revascularization were analyzed. Group I, 61 patients, had IABP support initiated preoperatively; Group II, 99 patients, had IABP support in the operating room because of inability to be weaned from bypass; and Group III, 37 patients, had support instituted for persistent low cardiac output state in the postoperative period. The early results showed that 73% were discharged from the hospital and that delayed use of the IABP was associated with a high mortality and high rate of perioperative myocardial infarction. When the results between men and women were compared, no statistical difference was noted. After a mean follow-up of 18 months, there were 9 late deaths. Three were due to noncardiac causes. The two-year cardiac actuarial survival for the hospital survivors was 96% and all three groups had uniformly good symptomatic relief. After hospital discharge, the late results of patients who required use of the IABP in conjunction with pure myocardial revascularization were the same as for patients who did not require IABP support.

Are nitrite and N-nitroso compounds in gastric juice risk factors for carcinoma in the operated stomach?

The concentration of nitrite and N-nitroso compounds was examined in the fasting gastric juice of 44 patients operated on for ulcer disease an average of 2.5 years previously and in 26 age-matched patients with healthy stomachs (controls). The concentration of nitrite and N-nitroso compounds in the gastric juice of the vagotomised patients did not differ from that of the controls. On the other hand, significant increases in nitrite concentrations were found in the gastric juice of patients managed by Billroth I or II procedures. The fraction of N-nitroso compounds was significantly increased only in the Billroth II resected stomach. These findings are relevant to the known cancer risk inherent in the gastric stump.

Initial clinical experience with a new temporary left ventricular assist device

A new, simple left ventricular assist system has been developed and its use in experimental animals has been evaluated. The system achieves ventricular drainage by a transaortic valve cannula and utilizes a new centrifugal pump; the blood access is unique in requiring only a simple end-to-side synthetic graft anastomosis to the ascending aorta. Adequate pulsatility is obtained by concomitant use of an intraaortic balloon pump. This case report documents our initial clinical experience with this system in a postoperative patient with profound left ventricular failure unresponsive to all usual treatment. There was temporary recovery of left ventricular function upon decannulation after five and a half days of assist pumping. Despite the eventual death of the patient, the system functioned adequately, suggesting that it has good potential for use in a small, selected group of patients.

Blood conservation during myocardial revascularization

A prospective study of blood utilization in 50 consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass was undertaken. Blood was removed from all patients during induction of anesthesia and reinfused after bypass (mean, 675 ml). Intraoperatively, all discard suction was routed through a regionally heparinized collecting and processing system, and the resulting red cell concentrate was transfused. At the conclusion of bypass, all blood remaining in the pump oxygenator was retained for transfusion. After operation, shed mediastinal blood was collected in a sterile, filtered collection system and transfused. Normovolemic anemia was accepted in hemodynamically stable patients. The mean amount of patients' blood salvaged by the intraoperative system was 259 ml (range, 0 to 724 ml) and by the postoperative system, 194 ml (range, 0 to 564 ml). Ninety-four percent (47/50) of the patients received no bank blood or blood products during their hospital stay. No patients received bank blood intraoperatively or during the first 24 hours following operation. There were no complications attributable to blood salvage techniques.