[Amplification and rearrangement of proto-oncogene c-abl in human leukemia cells]

DNA of peripheral blood or bone marrow leukocytes from 8 normal subjects, 7 cases of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), 2 of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and 1 of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), having been digested by endonuclease Eco RI or Pst I separately, was hybridized with the probes of 3' fragment (Pst I/Hind III) or 5' fragment (Hinc II/Pst I) of Abelson murine leukemia virus (A-MuLV) oncogene v-abl. The proto-oncogene c-abl, which is homologous to v-abl, was found amplified in 4 ALL, 1 CML and 1 AML. In one of these 4 ALL, c-abl was amplified even over 100 times. A new c-abl BamH I fragment with 6.7 kilobase pairs (kb) in length was observed in 2 ALL and 1 CML out of these 6 cases with amplification, but none of this fragment was found in the normal subjects or other leukemia patients. These 3 patients with the presence of 6.7 kb fragment were high risk ones and 2 of them had died, suggesting that 6.7 kb fragment be the index of poor prognosis. The amplification and rearrangement of c-abl imply the activation of proto-oncogene in leukemogenesis.

Recommending an improved method for monitoring and estimating fugitive emissions

This paper presents a description of an improved method for monitoring and estimating fugitive emissions, the main features of which are (1) the adoption of a multi-curve layout of monitoring points and (2) the application of a Pasquill-Gifford (PG) model modified with a term of correction, exp (Bx), obtained through curvilinear regression of the data collected. Compared to other known methods dealing with fugitive emissions, this method is characterized by its greater proficiency in correcting the deviations in the estimation resulting from the roughness of the ground surface of a site being investigated and from other physical, chemical, and atmospheric factors. The estimated values arrived at are of greater accuracy and reliability. The author suggests that this method can be widely applied in the selection of sites and the determination of protective (buffer) zones for factories giving off fugitive emission.

Cytochemical demonstration of guanase in human liver using yellow tetrazolium

Histochemical studies of human guanase (guanine deaminase) have seldom been undertaken, in part because of technical difficulties which result in heavy background staining. We reported a modified procedure for histochemical demonstration of guanase in human tissues involving hydrolytic deamination of the substrate guanine to xanthine via guanase, and then oxidation of xanthine to uric acid, with concomitant reduction of nitrotetrazolium blue (NBT). In this report, we describe a modification of this method for cytochemical demonstration of guanase at the fine structural level using yellow tetrazolium in place of NBT for determination of the intracellular distribution of guanase in human hepatocytes. In the hepatocytes, the reaction products were seen to be concentrated in the nucleus, in mitochondria, cisternae of the smooth and/or rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, and lysosomes. The precise locations of the reaction product in the cisternae of the nuclear envelope, chromosomes, and nucleus could not be determined. However, the reaction products in the mitochondria were clearly seen to be located in the spaces of cristae. This information of the intracellular distribution of guanase in normal hepatocytes will be useful in determining the physiological role of this enzyme and in further studies on diseased hepatocytes including those in non-A non-B hepatitis.

Effects of Temperature on H Secretion and Uptake by Excised Flexor Cells during Dark-Induced Closure of Samanea Leaflets

Previous studies reveal that dark-induced closure of Samanea leaflets is accompanied by H(+) secretion from flexor motor cells. We now report that flexor tissue excised in the light, incubated in a weakly buffered bathing solution, and then darkened at different temperatures (18 degrees C-30 degrees C) acidified the medium (indicating net H(+) efflux) at all temperatures tested, but most rapidly at the highest temperature. However, pH changes reversed direction after 20 to 70 minutes; the lower the temperature, the later pH reversal occurred, and the lower the pH at reversal and after 45 minutes. These data provide a basis for the previously reported promotive effect of low temperature on dark-induced leaflet closure, assuming net H(+) and K(+) fluxes are opposite in direction. Net H(+) efflux at all temperatures tested was greater when the impermeant molecule iminodiacetate replaced small permeant anions in the bathing solution, suggesting that H(+) uptake is coupled to anion uptake, probably via a H(+)/anion symport system. When permeant anions were deficient, the amount of malate in the tissue increased, presumably by new synthesis. Malate synthesis would substitute for H(+)/anion uptake in charge balance and in providing H(+) for cytoplasmic pH regulation.

Regional assignment of human alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) gene to 4pter----4q21

The hybrid clone FD1 constructed by fusion of Chinese hamster cell line Wg3-h with human lymphocyte was irradiated with X-ray. Fourteen survival clones were isolated and 3 of them, F5B, F52B, F61A were analyzed in detail by cytogenetic and biochemical methods. The results of chromosome G-banding followed by Giemsa-11 differential staining show that there exists a deleted human chromosome 4 in all of the three hybrids. This deletion of human chromosome 4 in F61A is 4pter----4q21. The results of isozyme analysis of phosphoglucomutase-2 (PGM2) which is located on 4p14----4q21 confirm our cytogenetic conclusion. We used polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to study the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in human lymphocyte, Wg3-h and hybrid clones. Their electrophoretic pattern showed that human ADH isozyme did express, in the peripheral blood lymphocyte, hybrids F5B, F52B, F61A and FD1. According to these results, we suggest that one of the Class I ADH structural genes is located on the human chromosome 4pter----4q21. Recently, McKusick reported that Class I ADH gene cluster had been assigned to chromosome 4q21----4qter. Considering this fact, we suggest that Class I ADH gene might be assigned to chromosome 4q21 or on its vicinity.

Establishment of a human/Chinese hamster hybrid clone panel

Combined with the chromosome G-banding, followed by Giemsa-11 techniques and chromosomal marker isozyme analysis, 6 out of 200 subclones have been analyzed in detail. A primary hybrid clone panel has been established, which can be used to map genes on chromosomes 4, 5, 8, 12, 20 and 22. Since the panel contains deleted chromosomes 4, 5, 8 and 12, genes on these chromosomes can be mapped regionally.

Alkaloids of Lycoris guangxiensis1

A new alkaloid, N-allylnorgalanthamine ( 1), was isolated from the bulbs of LYCORIS GUANGXIENSIS Y. Hsu et Q. J. Fan (Amaryllidaceae). Additionally, seven known alkaloids, lycorine, narwedine, galanthamine, lycoramine, crinine, norgalanthamine, and pseudolycorine were also obtained. The structure of 1 was established through the interpretation of spectral data.

Stabilized ubisemiquinone in reconstituted succinate ubiquinone reductase

QP-S, a ubiquinone (Q) protein, accepts electrons from succinate through succinate dehydrogenase (SDH). A new method has produced a preparation of QP-S which has a different amino acid composition and SDS gel electrophoretic pattern from that of the old preparation (Biochemistry 19, 3579-3585 (1980)). The new preparation contains less than 1 nmol heme/mg protein; the activity of the preparation was not proportional to its heme content. A thenoyltrifluoroacetone sensitive free radical signal was detected by EPR spectroscopy in succinate-Q reductase reconstituted from this QP-S and SDH; the characteristics of this species identify it as ubisemiquinone. At pH 7.4, the Em of the two electron step was about 70 mV with E1 = 5 mV and E2 = 125 mV. The properties of the radical differed slightly from those of "Qs" radical in more intact preparations (e.g. submitochondrial particles). The present is the simplest system in which such a succinate reducible ubisemiquinone free radical has been demonstrated.

Injection of copper powder into epididymides via vas deferens on male fertility

In adult SD rats, a single injection of silicon rubber containing 10mg metallic copper particles via vas deferens into each cauda epididymis could induce male infertility. Although the copper contact in the cauda epididymides of treated rats was significantly higher than that in the controls, the serum copper concentration did not rise significantly, while the histology of important organs and blood testosterone levels did not change. Treated animals gained weight as fast as the controls, suggesting a low systemic toxicity of this procedure. In 5 of the 8 treated rats, fertility was restored 16 weeks after treatment with normal testicular copper concentration and testicular histology. In 3, fertility was not restored within 16 weeks and the testicular copper concentration was significantly higher than in the controls. Only in these 3 rats were different degrees of damage noted in the seminiferous epithelium and it is anticipated that the fertility will be restored after a certain period of time since sperm production was unaffected. The delayed recovery of fertility in these rats is attributed to the diffusion of copper ions into the testis. It would appear that the injection of silicon rubber containing copper particles via the vas deferens to the cauda epididymides is a potential approach for male contraception.

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency in adults

A clinicopathological examination was carried out on eight adult patients with alpha-1-antitrypsin (ATT) deficiency. Phenotyping confirmed five patients with PiMZ, two patients with PiZ-, and one patient with PiZZ. Cirrhosis was found in six of the patients, four of whom had a history of excessive ethanol consumption. Hepatitis B surface antigen was positive in two patients with cirrhosis. Dysplastic change was present in four patients, although no neoplasia in the liver was found in all patients. All patients had periodic acid-Schiff positive and diastase resistant inclusions of hepatocytes, which were identified as ATT by indirect immunoperoxidase stain. The possibility of the combined effects of ATT inclusions and such harmful stimuli such as alcohol or viral hepatitis infection may render the hepatocytes more susceptible to damage, and may contribute to development of cirrhosis.

Effect of Tripterigium wilfordii Hook. f. on the fertility of rats

Studies were undertaken to assess the effect of the total glycosides extracted from Tripterigium wilfordii Hook. f. (GTW), a ready-made Chinese herb medicine, on the fertility of both male and female rats. In male rats, GTW was given by gastric gavage at a dose of 10 mg/kg per day, 6 days a week for 8 weeks. All the treated animals became infertile. The body weight growth was normal and the mating behavior was present. There was a drastic decrease in the viability of the epididymal spermatozoa, while the decrease in the sperm density, though significant, was far less marked. Seminiferous tubular damage was minimal and no perceptible change was observed in the Leydig and the Sertoli cells. All other parameters examined, including the serum testosterone level and the histology of various organs, were normal. In female rats, GTW given orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg per day on days 1-4 or 7-9 of pregnancy did not significantly affect the fertility. It is thus concluded that non-toxic dose of GTW can cause infertility in male rats, the mechanism of which may involve and interference in the function of the epididymal and/or testicular spermatozoa; in female rats, the dose regimens employed do not have significant anti-implantation or early-pregnancy termination effect.