Progress in mapping human epilepsy genes

The chromosomal loci for seven epilepsy genes have been identified in chromosomes 1q, 6p, 8q, 16p, 20q, 21q, and 22q. In 1987, the first epilepsy locus was mapped in a common benign idiopathic generalized epilepsy syndrome, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). Properdin factor or Bf, human leukocyte antigen (HLA), and DNA markers in the HLA-DQ region were genetically linked to JME and the locus, named EJM1, was assigned to the short arm of chromosome 6. Our latest studies, as well as those by Whitehouse et al., show that not all families with JME have their genetic locus in chromosome 6p, and that childhood absence epilepsy does not map to the same EJM1 locus. Recent results, therefore, favor genetic heterogeneity for JME and for the common idiopathic generalized epilepsies. Heterogeneity also exists in benign familial neonatal convulsions, a rare form of idiopathic generalized epilepsy. Two loci are now recognized; one in chromosome 20q (EBN1) and another in chromosome 8q. Heterogeneity also exists for the broad group of debilitating and often fatal progressive myoclonus epilepsies (PME). The gene locus (EPM1) for both the Baltic and Mediterranean types of PME or Unverricht-Lundborg disease is the same and is located in the long arm of chromosome 21. Lafora type of PME does not map to the same EPM1 locus in chromosome 21. PME can be caused by the juvenile type of Gaucher's disease, which maps to chromosome 1q, by the juvenile type of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (CLN3), which maps to chromosome 16p, and by the "cherry-red-spot-myoclonus" syndrome of Guazzi or sialidosis type I, which has been localized to chromosome 10. A point mutation in the mitochondrial tRNA(Lys) coding gene can also cause PME in children and adults (MERFF).

The synthesis of 7 alpha-methyl-substituted estrogens labeled with fluorine-18: potential breast tumor imaging agents

The 7 alpha-methyl substituent is reported to increase the binding affinity of estradiol for the estrogen receptor (ER). In order to evaluate whether this substituent would improve the in vitro binding characteristics and the in vivo tissue distribution of 18F labeled estrogens that we are developing as positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging agents for ER-positive breast tumors, we have prepared four 18F labeled analogs of 7 alpha-methylestradiol. These ligands were labeled in the 16 alpha or 16 beta position with 18F by nucleophilic displacement of the corresponding epimeric estrone trifluoromethanesulfonates with 18F fluoride ion. Lithium aluminum hydride reduction afforded the estradiol (E2) series, while lithium trimethylsilylacetylide addition provided the 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE2) series. The decay-corrected yields were 2-35% for a synthesis time of 85 minutes for the E2 series, and 120 minutes for the EE2 series, and the effective specific activities were 158-1213 Ci/mmol. In nearly every case, the 7 alpha-methyl substituent increases ER binding affinity (measured at 25 C) and decreases binding to high affinity serum steroid binding proteins, alphafetoprotein, and sex steroid binding protein; this substituent, however, increases the lipophilicity and the predicted non-specific binding (estimated from octanol-water partition coefficients determined by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography/[HPLC]), with the result that the ratio of ER binding to non-specific binding is nearly the same for the 7 alpha-methyl substituted analogs as for the corresponding unsubstituted analogs. In vivo distribution studies demonstrated a high level of receptor-mediated uptake in receptor-rich target tissues (uterus, ovaries), and in some cases, other tissues with low ER titers (secondary target tissues, e.g., muscle, thymus) showed significant displaceable uptake, presumed to be receptor-mediated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Molecular basis for the inhibition of human alpha-thrombin by the macrocyclic peptide cyclotheonamide A

The macrocyclic peptide cyclotheonamide A (CtA), isolated from the marine sponge Theonella sp., represents an unusual class of serine protease inhibitor. A complex of this inhibitor with human alpha-thrombin, a protease central to the bioregulation of thrombosis and hemostasis, was studied by x-ray crystallography. This work (2.3-A resolution) confirms the structure of CtA and reveals intimate details about its molecular recognition within the enzyme active site. Interactions due to the "Pro-Arg motif" (Arg occupancy of the S1 specificity pocket; formation of a hydrogen-bonded two-strand antiparallel beta-sheet with Ser214-Gly216) and the alpha-keto amide group of CtA are primarily responsible for binding to thrombin, with the alpha-keto amide serving as a transition-state analogue. A special interaction with the "insertion loop" of thrombin (Tyr60A-Thr60I) is manifested through engagement of the hydroxyphenyl group of CtA with Trp60D as part of an "aromatic stacking chain." Biochemical inhibition data (Ki values at 37 degrees C) were obtained for CtA with thrombin and a diverse collection of serine proteases. Thus, CtA is just a moderate inhibitor of human alpha-thrombin (Ki = 0.18 microM) but a potent inhibitor of trypsin (Ki = 0.023 microM) and streptokinase (Ki = 0.035 microM). The relative lack of potency of CtA as a thrombin inhibitor is discussed with respect to certain structural features of the enzyme complex. We also report the total synthesis of CtA, by a convergent [2 + 3] fragment-condensation approach, to serve the preparation of cyclotheonamide analogues for structure-function studies.

[A clinical study on the effect of non-adrenergic non-cholinergic nerves in asthma]

Non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) nerves are the third nervous system in the lung. There are increasing evidences that the main transmitters of NANC inhibitory (NANC-i) nerves and NANC excitatory (NANC-e) nerves are vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and substance P (SP) respectively. We measured the levels of plasma VIP. SP and bronchial responsiveness in the patients with asthma. Chronic bronchitis and healthy subjects. The results showed that VIP level is decreased and negatively correlated with airway resistance, whereas SP level is increased and positively correlated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in asthma. It is suggested that overexcitation of NANC-e nerves and deficiency of NANC-i nerves are closely related with asthma attack and BHR.

[A clinical study on determination of plasma vasoactive intestinal peptide and the relationship between plasma vasoactive intestinal peptide and bronchial responsiveness in asthmatics]

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), which is localized in normal human lung, may play an important role in regulating bronchial tone, pulmonary blood flow and mucus secretion. The level of plasma VIP and bronchial responsiveness were studied in patients with asthma, chronic bronchitis and the healthy subjects. The results showed that the level of plasma VIP in asthmatic patients during acute attack and symptom-free period was significantly lower than that in the patients with bronchitis and the healthy subjects and it is negatively correlated with the bronchial hyperresponsiveness. It is suggested that both asthmatic attack and bronchial tone are related with the decrease of VIP.

[Mitochondrial DNA polymorphism of cattle (Bos taurus) and mithun (Bos frontalis) in Yunnan Province]

An analysis of cleavage patterns of mtDNA by restriction endonuclease was performed for fifteen Yunnan native cattle, two Kunming black and white cow, and one mithun (Bos frontalis). Two types of mtDNA molecule were detected in Yunnan native cattle: five individuals showed the type of yellow cattle (Bos taurus), the other ten showed that of zebu cattle (Bos indicus), suggesting their European and zebu origins. The mtDNA in Kunming black and white cow also consists of two restriction types. The mithun mtDNA showed the type of zebu cattle, indicating the close relationship between the origins of mithun and zebu cattle.

Amelioration of autoimmune encephalomyelitis by myelin basic protein synthetic peptide-induced anergy

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that can be induced in susceptible strains of mice by immunization with myelin basic protein (MBP) or its immunodominant T cell determinants, serves as a model of human multiple sclerosis. Tolerance to MBP in adult mice was induced by intraperitoneal injection of synthetic peptides of immunodominant determinants of MBP and prevented MBP-induced EAE. Furthermore, tolerance-inducing regimens of peptides administered to mice after the disease had begun (10 days after induction with MBP) blocked the progression and decreased the severity of EAE. Peptide-induced tolerance resulted from the induction of anergy in proliferative, antigen-specific T cells.

Epidermal growth factor: receptor binding and effects on the sex accessory organs of sexually mature male mice

The role of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in maintaining the integrity of the male sex accessory glands was investigated in the mouse. In the sexually mature male C3H mouse, EGF levels were highest in the submandibular gland, followed by the seminal vesicles and the prostate. Twenty eight days after sialoadenectomy (Sx), EGF fell below detectable limits in the serum and in the seminal vesicles. However, the prostate still retained 22% of its immunoreactive EGF. There was a seven-fold increase in serum testosterone after sialoadenectomy. Despite this drastic rise in testosterone, both prostatic and seminal vesicular weights were reduced, serum levels of LH were suppressed only by 37% and FSH levels were not altered. All these changes were abolished by the simultaneous administration of exogenous EGF at 100 micrograms./kg./day for 28 days. Both prostatic and seminal vesicular membranes contained binding sites for 125I-EGF. Binding was maximal after one hour of incubation at room temperature. Two classes of binding sites were shown for either organ (Kd = 1.2 nM, n = 56 fmol/mg. and Kd = 74 nM, n = 540 fmol/mg. for prostate; Kd = 0.9 nM, n = 29 fmol/mg. and Kd = 93 nM, n = 150 fmol/mg. for seminal vesicle). The binding of 125I-EGF was displaced by excess EGF and TGF-alpha but not by insulin, ILGF-2 and PDGF. These data suggest that EGF may have an important role in maintaining the integrity of the seminal vesicle and the prostate in the mouse. While the seminal vesicle appears to acquire EGF by uptake from the environment, the prostate may have the ability to synthesize EGF locally.

A comparison of herpes simplex virus specific antibodies found in human milk and serum

It is not known if milk antibody protects infants from herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. As a first step to test this hypothesis, anti-HSV antibodies were studied in human milk. Paired serum and milk samples were analyzed for anti-HSV antibodies by ELISA, Western blot analysis (WBA), neutralization (NT) plaque assay, and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay. Nineteen of the 20 serum samples showed anti-HSV activity by ELISA and ADCC, and 18 showed activity by WBA and NT. We found a significant association between the immunoassays for detection of anti-HSV antibodies in sera. Fewer of the human milk samples showed anti-HSV activity; only one milk sample was positive by ELISA and one by NT assay, four by ADCC and 12 by WBA. The milk sample from the seronegative donor was also negative. We found a poor association of antibody titers in human milk and serum antibody titers using ELISA, NT, and ADCC assays. There was a significant (p = 0.022) association between serum and milk results using WBA. Among the four assays, WBA was the most sensitive for antibody detection. It will be used in an on-going prospective study to determine the role of anti-HSV antibody in the protection against HSV infections in infants.

Synthesis of high affinity fluorine-substituted ligands for the androgen receptor. Potential agents for imaging prostatic cancer by positron emission tomography

We have prepared nine androgens substituted with fluorine at C-16 or C-20 to evaluate their potential, as positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging agents for prostatic cancer when labeled with the positron emitting radionuclide fluorine-18 (t1/2 = 110 min). These compounds represent members from the following classes of androgens: testosterone (T), 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 7 alpha-methyl-19-nortestosterone (MNT), mibolerone (Mib), and metribolone (R1881). All of these compounds were prepared by functionalization of suitable androgen precursors, and the synthetic routes were developed to allow the introduction of fluorine by a fluoride ion displacement reaction late in the synthesis, as is required for the preparation of these compounds in fluorine-18 labeled form. We have also prepared four androgens in which the C-3 carbonyl or 17 beta-hydroxyl groups are replaced by fluorine. Most of the fluorine-substituted androgens show high affinity for the androgen receptor (AR), although fluorine substitution lowers their affinity by a small factor. None of the androgens where fluorine replaces oxygen functions at C-3 or C-17 have substantial affinity for AR. Derivatives of the natural androgens (T and DHT) as well as MNT have little affinity for other steroid hormone receptors (progesterone and mineralocorticoid receptors), whereas the Mib and R1881 derivatives have somewhat greater heterologous binding. With sex steroid binding protein, a human serum binding protein, the pattern of binding affinities is nearly the reverse, with derivatives of Mib, R1881 and MNT having low affinity, and DHT and T, high affinity. From these fluorine-substituted compounds, we can select several whose preparation in fluorine-18 labeled form for further tissue distribution studies is merited.

Fluorine-18-labeled androgens: radiochemical synthesis and tissue distribution studies on six fluorine-substituted androgens, potential imaging agents for prostatic cancer

We have synthesized six androgens labeled with 18F as potential imaging agents for prostatic cancer. These include 16 beta-fluorine-substituted testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and mibolerone, 16 alpha- and 16 beta-fluorine substituted 7 alpha-methyl-19-nortestosterone, and 20-fluoro-R1881 (metribolone). All of the radiochemical preparations proceeded in satisfactory yield, giving material with adequately high effective specific activity for the in vivo studies. In the tissue distribution studies in diethylstilbestrol-treated male rats, high selective uptake by the prostate was observed that ranged from 0.39% to 1.21% injected dose (ID)/g at 1 hr and 0.20 to 0.47 at 4 hr, with prostate-to-blood and prostate-to-muscle ratios ranging from 3.28 to 9.45, respectively, at 1 hr and 4.06 to 35.0, respectively, at 4 hr. Those compounds that are likely to be metabolized rapidly showed lower prostate uptake but higher uptake selectivity at 4 hr; at earlier times, uptake selectivities were more comparable. Compounds with a 16 beta-fluorine substituent showed extensive metabolic defluorination, resulting in ca. 50% of the dose being deposited in bone at 4 hr. This is consistent with a 16 alpha-hydroxylation process that may proceed rapidly with these compounds, but would be retarded by a 17 alpha-methylation, blocked by inversion of stereochemistry at C-16, and would not affect fluorine at the C-20 position. These fluoroandrogens, together with 20-fluoromibolerone described previously, are the first positron-emitting androgens to show high affinity and selective uptake by androgen target tissues in vivo, and they may be useful as in vivo prostate imaging agents in man.

Detection of neonatal seizures through computerized EEG analysis

Neonatal seizures are a symptom of central nervous system disturbances. Neonatal seizures may be identified by direct clinical observation by the majority of electrographic seizures are clinically silent or subtle. Electrographic seizures in the newborn consist of periodic or rhythmic discharges that are distinctively different from normal background cerebral activity. Utilizing these differences, we have developed a technique to identify electrographic seizure activity. In this study, autocorrelation analysis was used to distinguish seizures from background electrocerebral activity. Autocorrelation data were scored to quantify the periodicity using a newly developed scoring system. This method, Scored Autocorrelation Moment (SAM) analysis, successfully distinguished epochs of EEGs with seizures from those without (N = 117 epochs, 58 with seizure and 59 without). SAM analysis showed a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 98%. SAM analysis of EEG may provide a method for monitoring electrographic seizures in high-risk newborns.

Fuzzy Logic for medical expert systems

The use of linguistic approximation enables knowledge to be represented in a more meaningful way and this is especially important in medical domain as it involves a lot of subjective decision making; Fuzzy Logic, introduced by Zadeh, has the ability to represent this imprecise expression. In this paper, an alternative approach of Fuzzy Logic in handling the approximate reasoning in expert systems will be described. The approach does not use the General Modus Ponen on the compositional rule of inference, but instead it uses a collection of rules to specify the properties of the inference (in making decision). An example of medical domain is described as its application.

Gene mapping in the idiopathic generalized epilepsies: juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, childhood absence epilepsy, epilepsy with grand mal seizures, and early childhood myoclonic epilepsy

Idiopathic generalized epilepsies, i.e., juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), childhood absence epilepsy, and epilepsy with grand mal [generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS)], are the most common genetic epilepsies. Linkage studies using Bf, HLA serologic, and DNA markers by three independent investigators, one from Los Angeles and two from Berlin, have localized the JME locus to the short arm of chromosome 6 (6p). Because members of the same JME family have the same JME phenotype of childhood absence epilepsy, epilepsy with grand mal (GTCS) seizures, or early childhood myoclonic epilepsy (ECME), our observations give evidence for a single-locus etiology in 6p for JME and for at least some of the childhood absence seizures, epilepsy with grand mal (GTCS) seizures, and ECME. Studies should now address whether locus heterogeneity exists within childhood absence epilepsy, epilepsy with grand mal (GTCS) seizures, or ECME. Markers linked to JME (Bf, HLA serologic, and DNA markers in the DQ region) can be used to resolve etiologic heterogeneity. Using such markers, both linked and unlinked forms of phenotypes that are clinically indistinguishable may be detected and provide evidence for etiologic heterogeneity. Studies should also concentrate on narrowing the JME locus to 2 to 3 cm by screening families with recombinant events using RFLPs, candidate genes, and new expressed sequences on chromosome 6.

Experience with the island inferior gluteal thigh flap compared with other local flaps for the reconstruction of the pelvic area

The pelvic area can be one of the most difficult areas in the body to reconstruct. We divide pelvic wounds into three functional categories: spinal cord injury with no sensation or motor function, spinal cord injury with partial sensorimotor function, and miscellaneous injury, such as that resulting from congenital causes, trauma, or tumor resection. We have found the posterior thigh, particularly the island inferior gluteal thigh flap, to be an excellent choice for all three types of wounds, with the added advantages of sensate coverage and sparing of ambulation musculature in patients for whom such aspects are important. We have found that designing flaps based on the vascular territories of major blood vessels--the angiosome approach described by Taylor and Palmer--provides an excellent and reliable flap for most wounds in the pelvic area. In most patients, the major source vessel is the inferior gluteal artery and the flap is taken as an island flap. When this is not possible or when the island flap does not offer an advantage, we have chosen other local flaps. Our report covers our experience with 36 such procedures in 31 patients, with follow-up ranging from 3 months to 2 years.

Mapping the gene for juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

The practice of epileptology at a molecular level, where gene products are identified by gene mapping, will soon be possible for a growing number of epilepsies. Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is the first of such epilepsies to be mapped to a chromosome, namely chromosome 6p21.3. Family studies of 68 JME probands from California revealed 50% of all families reported seizures in first- or second-degree relatives. Twelve percent of all family members other than the proband had epileptic seizures. Eighty percent of symptomatic siblings and 6% of asymptomatic siblings had diffuse 4- to 6-Hz multispike-wave complexes. Twelve percent of asymptomatic parents had diffuse, nonspecific slow waves mixed with spikes or sharp waves. JME is tightly linked to the Bf-HLA loci in chromosome 6. No matter what mode of inheritance is assumed, linkage to the clinical manifestations of JME and its associated EEG traits is indicated by lod scores over 3.0, as long as "EEG affected" but clinically asymptomatic family members are counted as affected during LIPED analysis. Studies are now being done to further localize the JME site. At the same time, further linkage studies should decide if JME is heterogeneous within itself and whether the same JME site in 6p21.3 underlies absence and grand mal epilepsies.

Accuracy considerations in incoherent analysis of PIV Images

The performance of incoherent image processing methods applied to PIV is discussed. The contributions of experimental parameters and postexperiment processing hardware in the final accuracy of PIV velocity estimates are considered.

Regulation of plasma lipid transfer by the high-density lipoproteins

Mechanisms that regulate the activity of the plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (lipid protein transfer-I) are poorly understood. We have examined the role of endogenous regulators of the lipid transfer process, in particular the plasma high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), in both humans and two species previously reported to be devoid of cholesteryl ester transfer activity, the rat and the pig. Chromatography of d greater than 1.21 g/ml plasma on phenyl-Sepharose either enhanced (human) lipid transfer activity or unmasked (rat and pig) a nearly completely suppressed lipid transfer activity. The HDLs (either native or delipidated) were shown to be a rich source of a plasma lipid transfer inhibitor protein. Partial purification of the HDL-derived lipid transfer inhibitor protein was achieved by sequential chromatography on phenyl- and DEAE-Sepharose. Additional analysis of plasma from patients with very low (Tangier disease), normal, or very high levels of HDL cholesterol (hyperalphalipoproteinemia) revealed a significant inverse correlation between plasma cholesteryl ester transfer activity and the subjects HDL cholesterol level. These results suggest that circulating levels of the plasma high density lipoproteins may be an important determinant of plasma cholesteryl ester transfer activity, through the function of the HDL-derived lipid transfer inhibitor protein.

Distribution of vascular resistance in terminal arteriolar networks of cat sartorius muscle

Morphometric information on the terminal arteriolar networks (n = 10) in cat sartorius muscle [Koller et al., Am. J. Physiol. 253 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 22): H154-H164, 1987] is utilized in the calculations of distribution of vascular hindrance throughout the networks. These networks have tree-type geometry, i.e., they do not contain closed loops. The results are discussed in terms of simulated flow distribution. The flow calculations are based on the exact geometry of the arteriolar networks (the control and dilated diameter and the length of each vascular segment) and on assumed values of postarteriolar resistances. Three cases of postarteriolar resistances are considered: zero, constant, and randomly distributed. With zero postarteriolar resistances, the distribution of flow in the terminal arteriolar segments would be highly heterogenous. The simulated flow in each terminal segment is determined primarily by the number of bifurcations on the pathway leading to the terminal segment, with a slight compensation for the length of the pathways. The coefficient of variation of flow in the control state, CV(Qc), would be close to the value in the dilated state, CV(Qd). When each of the terminal segments is connected to a constant postarteriolar resistance, the CV's in both states decrease. The coefficient of variation in the dilated state becomes significantly smaller than in the control state. When postarteriolar resistances are randomly distributed, both CV's increase, and their values become closer to each other. These results suggest that postarteriolar resistances may play a very important role in distribution of flow in the microvascular network. This study formulates a framework for the quantification of the effect of arteriolar dilation on flow redistribution in the network.

Analysis of vascular pattern and dimensions in arteriolar networks of the retractor muscle in young hamsters

A quantitative analysis of the distribution of microvascular blood flow and oxygen delivery requires a detailed description of the vascular network geometry. The distributions of lengths and diameters were determined in terminal arteriolar networks of the cheek pouch retractor muscle of young (34 +/- 2 days) hamsters. We compared the Strahler centripetal vessel ordering scheme, which assigns lowest order to the capillaries and proceeds upstream toward the larger vessels, with the centrifugal ordering scheme, which begins with the input arteriole and proceeds downstream toward the capillaries. The terminal networks of the retractor muscle typically contain 2 to 4 Strahler orders and 2 to 6 centrifugal orders. The coefficients of variation of diameter and length are smaller for Strahler ordering than for centrifugal ordering. In addition, for Strahler ordering, we found that the sequence of number of vessels obeyed Horton's law. We have compared three different methods of calculating the bifurcation, diameter, and length ratios. As an alternative method for analyzing network topology, we also studied the distribution of the number of segments on each pathway from the inlet of a network to a capillary. The information obtained from this analysis is useful for the mathematical modeling of flow in the microvascular network.

Quantitative analysis of arteriolar network architecture in cat sartorius muscle

The geometry of the arteriolar network is one of the major determinants of blood flow distribution within a tissue. The purpose of this study was to describe the distribution of geometrical variables (lengths, diameters) as well as the pattern of branching in the nonarcading portion of the arteriolar network in skeletal muscle. The exteriorized cat sartorius muscle was used as the experimental model. The intravascular fluorescence of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled Dextran 150 was observed with a low-light-level video camera, and the vascular networks were mapped. Arteriolar lengths and diameters were measured, and vessel position in the network was characterized by Strahler's method of ordering, in which the first-order arterioles give rise to most of the capillaries. Typically, the nonarcading, terminal networks contain three or four arteriolar orders. The sequences of the number of vessels, mean diameter, and mean length for each order are accurately described by geometric progressions (Horton's law). The distribution of diameters within each order was rather narrow: typically two-thirds of the vessels fell within 20% of the mean value. The spread was reduced by half when vessels within a single network were considered. During vasodilation to a standard stimulus the relative dispersion of diameters increased modestly. The distribution of vessel lengths was broader than for diameters. Two-thirds of vessels of a single order fell within 50-75% of the mean. The spread was less within individual networks. The variability of vessel geometry and branching patterns was substantially less within a single network than for a population drawn from a group of networks.

Nucleotide sequence of a portion of the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus genome containing the EcoRI site-rich region (hr5) and an open reading frame just 5' of the p10 gene

The nucleotide sequence of a 1587 bp region lying within the HindIII-Q fragment of Autographa californica multiple nucleocapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) DNA has been determined. It begins in the EcoRI-S-EcoRI-X region, continues to the HindIII-P/Q boundary and contains an open reading frame that codes for a polypeptide of 240 amino acids (p26). This open reading frame is also included in the 1100 and 1500 base transcripts previously mapped to this region. The sequence reveals that the 5' ends of the 1100 and 1500 base transcripts are located 20 bp downstream from the end of a putative TATA box (TAATTAAAT) and 19 bp upstream from the translation start codon (ATG) of the p26 open reading frame. The translation termination codon (TAA) falls in the immediate 5' flanking region of the major late p10 gene of AcMNPV, 3 bp downstream from the putative TATA box. The probable polyadenylation site for the 1100 base transcript lies 23 bp downstream from the cap site for the 750 and 2500 base transcripts encoding the p10 protein. The 5' flanking region of the p26 open reading frame contains the EcoRI site-rich region, hr5, whose sequence is included here. The EcoRI site-rich region, hr5, consists of six imperfect tandem repeats of a sequence that includes the EcoRI recognition site. These direct repeats also include many inverted repeats.

Oral mucous membrane pemphigoid. A study of sixty-five patients

Sixty-five patients with oral mucous membrane pemphigoid were examined, treated, and followed for a mean of 3.5 years. Seventy-two percent were women, and the mean age was 59 years. In most patients multiple oral sites were involved and the gingiva was affected in 94% of the patients. Seven patients had ocular lesions (symblepharon), and seven others had nasal, vaginal, or pharyngeal involvement. Persons with skin lesions (bullous form) were not included in this series. Topical and systemic anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressive medications were successful in controlling signs and symptoms. There were no spontaneous remissions. Candidiasis, tobacco, other diseases, and drugs did not appear to be related to the pemphigoid.

The design of a diet restricted in saturated very long-chain fatty acids: therapeutic application in adrenoleukodystrophy

Adrenoleukodystrophy is an inherited, progressive disorder of the CNS white matter and adrenal glands, associated with the pathognomonic accumulation of saturated very long-chain fatty acids, particularly C26:0. It has been previously demonstrated that the fatty acids that accumulate in adrenoleukodystrophy are, at least in part, of dietary origin. This observation, coupled with success of dietary phytanic acid restriction in a related disorder, Refsum's disease, encouraged us to develop a diet that would restrict dietary C26:0 intake. We report here the very long-chain fatty acids content of 135 common foods and development of a diet that restricts C26:0 intake to 3 mg, compared to 12 to 40 mg in the standard American diet. To limit C26:0 intakes it was found necessary to restrict fatty foods and the outer coverings of vegetables and fruits. In contrast to the success of phytanic acid restriction in limiting disease progress in Refsum's patients, administration of the very long-chain fatty acid-restricted diet to seven adrenoleukodystrophy patients for 3- to 24-month periods was found to be ineffective in lowering their plasma very long-chain fatty acids or in improving clinical status. Recently endogenous synthesis of C26:0 has been demonstrated and this may account for the failure of dietary therapy in adrenoleukodystrophy. It is possible that dietary restriction may augment other therapies in the future.

Chromosome analysis of isolated colony erythroblasts in chronic myelogenous leukaemia

To isolate and karyotype the progeny of erythroid progenitors, we applied colony erythroblasts derived from plasma clot marrow cultures from two healthy adults and two patients with newly diagnosed Ph1+ chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) to discontinuous Stractan density gradients. Erythroid colony proliferation by patient cells was increased relative to that of normal donor cells (P less than 0.01). 'Endogenous' colonies appeared in patient but not in normal donor marrow cultures. Greater than 95% of nucleated cells equilibrating at rho greater than or equal to 1.071 were basophilic proerythroblasts. While analysis of chromosome spreads of normal donor cells in this fraction showed normal karyotypes, cells from patient marrow cultures were Ph1+, whether cultured in the presence or absence of added erythropoietin. These findings suggest that chromosome abnormalities of erythroid progenitors may be expressed by their progeny in tissue culture, and that Stractan may be a useful supporting medium for separating colony erythroblasts for chromosome analysis.

Colouring matters of Australian plants. XXII. Ventilagone: crystal structure and an approach to synthesis

The crystal structure of the title compound, a naturally occurring tricyclic quinone, C16H16O5, has been found to be (1R*,3S*)-7,10- dihydroxy-1,3,8-trimethyl-3,4,6,9-tetrahydro-1H-naphtho[2,3-c]-pyran- 6,9-dione by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods at 295(1) K and refined by least squares to a residual of 0.033 for 1143 'observed' reflections. Crystals are monoclinic, P21, a 8.346(8), b 16.79(2), c 4.911(5)Ǻ, β 101.17(8)°, Z 2. The molecule is shown to have the cis configuration. As an approach to the synthesis of the pigment the model compound 5-chloro-8-methoxy-1,3-dimethylisochroman has been prepared and the two racemic forms have been separated and characterized.

The primary sequence of rabbit alpha-globin mRNA

The rabbit alpha-globin DNA insertion in the chimeric plasmid pHb 72 (Liu et al., 1977) has been sequenced by the method of Maxam and Gilbert (1977). This has enabled us to determine the messenger RNA(mRNA) sequence beginning in the 5' untranslated region 9 nucleotides before the initiation codon and extending through the first 361 nucleotides of the translated region. The data reported here overlap and are in complete agreement with sequences determined by Baralle (1977) for the 5' end of the mRNA and by Proudfoot et al. (1977) for the 3' end. Our sequence is also in agreement with the partial complementary RNA (cRNA) sequencing data which we reported previously (Paddock et al., 1977), this work marks the completion of the primary sequence of the rabbit alpha-globin mRNA. These observations reaffirm the high fidelity with which gene copies can be synthesized in vitro, cloned in a bacterial plasmid and maintained in the host. The general features of the mRNA nucleotide sequence are duscussed with particular attention given to the base composition and codon preferences observed and to comparison of this sequence with other completed mRNA gene sequences. A new computer program has been used to search for the most stable base-pairing arrangement of the completed mRNA.

Effect of procaine HCLl on ATP: calcium-dependent alterations in red cell shape and deformability

Procaine hydrochloric acid, a cationic anesthetic, although unable to prevent the effect of calcium ionophore A23187 on erythrocytes, inhibited the discocyte--echinocyte transformation, increased viscosity, and decreased filterability of red cells undergoing ATP depletion. The effects were abolished by washing ATP-depleted, procaine HCl-treated red cells prior to these determinations. Procaine HCl had no effects on volume, incubated osmotic fragility, or monovalent cation composition of ATP-depleted red cells. The drug increased 45Ca uptake by ATP-depleted red cells but did not change the fraction of membrane-bound calcium. Sodium dodecyl sulfate acrylamide gel electrophoresis of membrane proteins from ATP-depleted red cells revealed formation of high molecular weight protein complexes, which were not formed when biconcave shape and ATP content were maintained by incubation with adenine (0.54 mM) and inosine (12.7 mM); Formation of these complexes was not prevented when the biconcave shape was maintained by procaine HCl. It was concluded that the maintenance of the biconcave shape and normal deformability during ATP depletion by procaine HCl was not related to a displacement of membrane-bound calcium and inhibition of ATP-dependent rearrangement of red cell membrane proteins.

Nucleotide sequences from the rabbit beta globin gene inserted into Escherichia coli plasmids

A 169-nucleotide region from the rabbit beta globin gene has been sequenced by analysis of complementary DNA's cloned in bacterial plasmids. Comparison of these sequences with those established for this gene by other techniques provides evidence of a high degree of fidelity and allows the unambiguous establishment that these plasmids do not contain harmful sequences.