Ethanol-induced lipid peroxidation: potentiation by long-term alcohol feeding and attenuation by methionine

Lipid peroxidation has been incriminated in some types of drug-induced liver injury, but it is unclear whether it contributes to or is present in alcoholic liver injury. In order to study this question, hepatic lipid peroxidation (measured as formation of diene conjugates) and hepatic GSH were assessed in baboons and rats after short- and long-term ethanol administration. Compared to controls, baboons fed alcohol for 1 to 4 years (chronic administration) had increased hepatic diene conjugates (16.9 +/- 4.8 OD/gm of liver) and depressed GSH (3.8 +/- 0.6 VS. 6.3 +/- 0.8 mumol/gm of liver; p less than 0.01) after an overnight withdrawal from ethanol. Administration of 1.6 gm/kg ethanol over 6 hr (acute administration) increased diene conjugates (17.6 +/- 4.3) and decreased GSH (3.2 +/- 0.5; p less than 0.01) in control animals and had an even greater effect in animals chronically fed alcohol (diene conjugates 48.5 +/- 9.2; GSH 1.8 +/- 0.3; p less than 0.001). In six rats fed alcohol for 5 to 6 weeks (chronic administration), an increase in diene conjugates was detected in microsomes (0.343 +/- 0.210 OD/mg of lipid) and mitochondria (0.143 +/- 0.061), accompanied by decrease in arachidonic acid and C22 polyenes, after acute ethanol administration (3 gm/kg p.o.) but no significant change in GSH. Simultaneous administration of methionine attenuated diene conjugate formation (0.107 +/- 0.058 and 0.035 +/- 0.020 OD/mg of lipid, respectively) and fatty acid changes. Thus chronic alcohol feeding potentiates lipid peroxidation produced by an acute dose of ethanol; these changes are not dependent on GSH depression but may be potentiated by it.

Therapeutic renal artery occlusion with a detachable balloon

The use of a new detachable balloon for renal artery occlusion is described. Successful treatment of renal lesions in 5 patients, including 2 tumors, 2 arteriovenous fistulas and 1 case of malignant hypertension with renal failure, is reported.

Cytotoxic T cell interactions with antigen. Potential relevance for drug-related lupus

Understanding of cytotoxic T cell recognition may be relevant to the study of drug-related lupus because either cell-mediated cytotoxicity (CMC) contributes to triggering the disease or CMC provides an informative model to study T cell recognition of foreign antigen. As a model, CMC demonstrates the following: 1) Antigen presentation can occur by membrane insertion of the antigen, covalent modification of the cell surface, or cell surface adsorption of the antigen; these may be modes of presentation by which drug-related antigens induce adverse responses. 2) HLA antigens regulate a wide variety of immune responses; this may be crucial in drug-related lupus since HLA antigens may regulate autoimmune responses, may affect an individual's susceptibility to lupus, and may increase the risk for other specific adverse drug reactions.

Effects of chronic alcohol feeding on thiamin status: biochemical and neurological correlates

The effects of chronic alcohol feeding on thiamin status are controversial; both adverse and beneficial effects have been reported. In order to study these effects, rats and baboons were pair-fed liquid diets containing thiamin in excess of dietary requirements and either ethanol (rats 36%, baboons 50% of total calories) or the identical diet with ethanol substituted isocalorically by carbohydrate. In the rat, chronic alcohol feeding for up to 6 months had no effects on tissue thiamin measured by transketolase assay, thiamin pyrophosphate effect, or bioassay with Ochromonas danica. Shuttle box avoidance learning in rats was impaired in animals rendered thiamin deficient but not in animals fed control or alcohol-containing liquid diets. In baboons, chronic alcohol feeding for up to 3 yr had no effects on blood levels of thiamin or on urinary excretion of thiamin. Thus, chronic alcohol feeding along with nutritionally supplemented diets does not appear to significantly affect thiamin status.

The role of histocompatibility antigens (HLA) in infection

We have tried to describe and evaluate in epidemiologic terms what has been done in less than a decade to define the influence of a unique genetic system on susceptibility and response to infection. The extent of its influence on disease susceptibility has only begun to be measured, and our understanding of the mechanistic and functional aspects of HLA and disease association is in its infancy. We hope it is clear from the foregoing review that the immunogeneticist, the epidemiologist, and the biostatistician all have much to offer each other as the work progresses.

Attenuation of the ethanol-induced hepatic redox change after chronic alcohol consumption in baboons: metabolic consequences in vivo and in vitro

Acute ethanol administration results in increased hepatic NADH/NAD+ ratio and inhibition of galactose elimination, tricarboxylic acid cycle activity, and fatty acid oxidation. To determine how this redox change is affected by chronic alcohol consumption and to assess the resulting metabolic consequences, we studied baboons which were fed alcohol as 50% of their total calories. Redox changes were evaluated through measurement of galactose elimination in vivo and lactate/pyruvate ratios in liver slices in vitro. The metabolic consequences of these changes were assessed through measurement of CO2 production and fatty acid oxidation in liver slices and hepatic lipid accumulation. Chronic alcohol feeding resulted in attenuation of inhibition of galactose elimination, increase in the lactate/pyruvate ratio, and decrease in fatty acid oxidation which were caused by acute ethanol administration. These metabolic adaptations were associated with reduced accumulation of hepatic fat.

Population studies of the HLA-linked SB antigens

Using allogeneic T-cell recognition we have previously defined five new histocompatibility antigens designated "SB" antigens. To standardize typing for these antigens, cryopreserved, primed lymphocytes are now used as standard reagents and a technique of cluster analysis has been modified to score typing results objectively. Two primed lymphocyte reagents are used to define each SB antigen; although derived from independent responder-stimulator combinations, the concordance between the reagents is good (r is greater than 0.86). The SB-antigen distribution in a population of 215 normal donors in consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium of alleles of a single locus. Estimated gene frequencies ranged between 3 percent (SB5) and 36 percent (SB4) with 31 percent blanks. Analysis of association between the SB antigens and A, B, DR antigens in 200 normal donors revealed that associations were generally weak with a few exceptions, in particular, the A1, B8, DR3, SB1 "haplotype" and also the B7, DR2, SB5 "haplotype".

Virus-immune cytotoxic T cells recognize structural differences between serologically indistinguishable HLA-A2 molecules

The self-specificity of human influenza virus-immune cytotoxic T cells has been analyzed in order to identify the relationship between the self-determinants which they recognize and the serologically defined HLA-A and -B antigenic determinants. Virus-immune T cells were generated in vitro by culture of normal adult peripheral blood lymphocytes with A/HK influenza virus. Virus-immune effectors from HLA-A2 positive donors were tested on panels of virus-infected target cells from donors who were either HLA-mismatched or matched only for the HLA-A2 specificity. Virus-immune T cells from 11/11 A2-positive donors lysed all A2-matched virus-infected target cells (and no HLA-mismatched targets), except that each of these effector cell populations consistently failed to lyse the virus-infected target cells from one A2-positive donor (designated M7). Although the A2 antigen of donor M7 could also be distinguished from the A2 antigen of other donors by alloimmune cytotoxic T cells, no differences in the A2 antigen of donor M7 could be defined by extensive serological analyses. Results of isoelectric focusing of A2 molecules from three individuals plus M7 demonstrated that the M7 A2 heavy-polypeptide chain is structurally distinct. These results indicate that: 1) there is a strong but incomplete association between a self antigen recognized by virus-immune T cells and the serologically defined HLA-A2 specificity; and 2) there may be at least two structurally and functionally distinct epitopes on the same A2 molecule: one is the serologically defined HLA-A2 antigenic determinant; the other is the self determinant recognized by T cells on HLA-A2 molecules.

Evidence for a new segregant series of B cell antigens that are encoded in the HLA-D region and that stimulate secondary allogenic proliferative and cytotoxic responses

Five new histocompatibility antigens, designated secondary B cell or (SB) antigens, have been identified by secondary allogeneic proliferative and cytotoxic responses. The reagents used to define the SB antigents are lymphocytes primed between donors matched for all known HLA antigens. The SB antigens stimulate weak primary allogeneic proliferative responses (a mean relative response of 8%) but strong secondary proliferative responses. Strong secondary cell-mediated cytotoxicity is generated against target antigens that are distinguishable from the SB antigens defined by proliferation. Studies by direct lysis and by cold-target inhibition indicate that these target antigens are preferentially expressed on B cells relative to T cells. The SB antigens segregate with HLA, and the gene(s) encoding the SB1, 3, and 4 antigens maps centromeric to HLA-B. The SB antigens are major histocompatibility antigens not only because they are encoded by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes, but also by the functional criteria that the proliferative and cytotoxic responses to SB antigens are not restricted by HLA-DR or HLA-A,-B. Parallel studies of the SB antigens and the DR antigens with respect to: (a) their preferential expression on B cells, (b) their function in secondary allogeneic proliferative and cytotoxic respones, and (c) the location of their structural gene within the MHC. However, the SB antigens and the DR antigens are clearly distinct antigens, because population studies indicate that they can occur independently, and family studies indicate that specific SB antigens segregate with HLA haplotypes having different D and DR specificities. Our data are consistent with the hypotheses that the SB antigens are a new segregant series of B cell alloantigens, and that the SB gene and the DR gene derive from a duplicated ancestral gene.

HLA-linked B cell alloantigens of a new segregant series: population and family studies of the SB antigens

In order to define the new human histocompatibility antigens, we have generalized primed lymphocytes using responder and stimulator cells matched for all recognized HLA-linked histocompatibility antigens (A,B,C,D,DR,MB). Many such primed lymphocytes give highly discriminatory proliferative responses specific for antigens which differ between HLA-A,B,C,D,DR, and MB matched restimulating cells. Five distinct antigens have been defined which appear to be part of a single segregant series (designated "SB"). Studies in a DR/GLO recombinant family indicate that the antigens are coded by an HLA-linked gene telomeric to GLO. Family studies of 57 HLA haplotypes provide an estimate of genotype frequency which is 12% or less for four of the SB alleles but approximately 50% for the most common (SB4, which may be a "public: determinant); approximately 25% of haplotypes are blank. Population studies of one of the SB antigens (SB1) suggest that it is in linkage disequilibrium with the SB antigens are part of a highly polymorphic new segregant series of B cell alloantigens encoded by a gene that maps between HLA-B and GLO.

Human cytotoxic T cell responses to trinitrophenyl hapten and influenza virus. Diversity of restriction antigens and specificity of HLA-linked genetic regulation

This report compares both the HLA restriction patterns and Ir gene regulation of human in vitro T cell-mediated cytotoxic responses to the trinitrophenyl (TNP) hapten and the type A and B influenza viruses. Comparison of the restriction patterns of these cytotoxic responses indicates that A/HK and B/HK are recognized in conjunction with polymorphic HLA-A and -B self determinants, whereas TNP is recognized in association with a more complex spectrum of self determinants. These self determinants include polymorphic HLA-A and -B determinants, polymorphic non-HLA-A and -B determinants that probably include DR antigens, and non-polymorphic determinants that appear to be species specific. Analysis of the self determinants recognized by human T cells in conjunction with influenza virus demonstrates that (a) the antigens recognized by virus-immune T cells can be distinguished from the serologically defined HLA-A and -B antigenic determinants, and (b) there may be multiple self determinants on individual HLA-A molecules that T cells can recognize in conjunction with virus. The results of family studies indicate that donors' T cells often preferentially respond to virus (and to a lesser extent TNP) in conjunction with products of one parental HLA haplotype (haplotype preference). In the family study, three HLA-identical siblings preferentially recognize paternal HLA antigens in conjunction with A/HK, and maternal HLA antigens in conjunction with B/HK and TNP, which indicates antigen-specific HLA-lined genetic control. Population studies demonstrate virus-specific differences in the ability of donors to respond to selected self HLA-A and -B antigens in conjunction with virus. These differences may be controlled by Ir genes that are distinct from HLA-A and -B, because differences are observed in the response patterns of HLA-A- and -B-matched individuals.

Phenotypic and genetic variation in the susceptibility of Haemophilus influenzae type b to antibodies to somatic antigens

Haemophilus influenzae type b (H.i.b) has been investigated with respect to phenotypic and genetic variations resulting in differential susceptibility to bactericidal antibody. Previous studies had shown that after growth in infected rats or in dialysate of rat serum, H.i.b strain Eag became more resistant to the bactericidal activity of antisomatic antibody. We now report that a similar phenotypic shift occurs when strain Eag is incubated with dialysate of human serum, that the increased resistance is to antibodies against determinants in the lipopolysaccharide not for the somatic antigens generally, and that most strains of H.i.b undergo the shift. To assess genetic differences in exposed antigens, a panel of 13 H.i.b isolates from cerebrospinal fluid were analyzed with cross-adsorbed antisera. Seven different patterns were found that could be accounted for through the variable expression of six antigens. These ranged from infrequent (found on 1:13 strains) to common (10:13 strains). At least four were somatic rather than capsular determinants; the most common (antigen 1) was contained in lipopolysaccharide. The epidemiologic relevance of the genetic variations was explored using pairs of isolates from two children who had had two documented infections with H.i.b. In both cases the isolates varied in somatic antigen expression. The strains from one patient differed in the expression of antigen 1. The isolates from the other were indistinguishable in sub-typing for the six classified antigens, but differed in the expression of an additional antigen identified by use of the patient's serum.

The self determinants recognized by human virus-immune T cells can be distinguished from the serologically defined HLA antigens

The self specificity of human influenza virus-immune cytotoxic T cells has been analyzed in order to clarify the relationship between the self antigens that they recognize and the serologically defined HLA-A and -B antigens. Virus-immune effectors from HLA-A2-positive donors were tested on panels of virus-infected target cells from donors who were either HLA-mismatched or matched only for HLA-A2. Virus-immune T cells from 11 out of 11 A2-positive donors lysed all A2-matched virus-infected target cells (and no HLA-mismatched targets), except that each of these effector cells consistently failed to lyse virus-infected target cells from one A2-positive donor (designated M7). Although the A2 specificity of donor M7 could also be distinguished from the A2 antigen of other donors by alloimmune cytotoxic T cells, no differences in the A2 antigen of donor M7 could be defined by extensive serologic analyses. These results indicate that there is a strong but incomplete association between a self antigen recognized by virus-immune T cells and the serologically defined HLA-A2 specificity.

The self determinants recognized by human virus-immune T cells can be distinguished from the serologically defined HLA antigens

The self specificity of human influenza virus-immune cytotoxic T cells has been analyzed in order to clarify the relationship between the self antigens that they recognize and the serologically defined HLA-A and -B antigens. Virus-immune effectors from HLA-A2-positive donors were tested on panels of virus-infected target cells from donors who were either HLA-mismatched or matched only for HLA-A2. Virus-immune T cells from 11 out of 11 A2-positive donors lysed all A2-matched virus-infected target cells (and no HLA-mismatched targets), except that each of these effector cells consistently failed to lyse virus-infected target cells from one A2-positive donor (designated M7). Although the A2 specificity of donor M7 could also be distinguished from the A2 antigen of other donors by alloimmune cytotoxic T cells, no differences in the A2 antigen of donor M7 could be defined by extensive serologic analyses. These results indicate that there is a strong but incomplete association between a self antigen recognized by virus-immune T cells and the serologically defined HLA-A2 specificity.

Human cytotoxic T-cell responses to type A and type B influenza viruses can be restricted by different HLA antigens. Implications for HLA polymorphism and genetic regulation

The present study compares human cytotoxic T-cell responses to two closely related viruses (type A and type B influenza) to understand the antigen-specific elements involved in HLA-linked genetic control of cytotoxic T-cell responses. The HLA antigens function as self antigens that are recognized by cytotoxic T cells sensitized against either virus. However, studies in an informative family indicate that in this family, the HLA antigens preferentially recognized in conjunction with type A influenza (A/HK) differ from the HLA antigens preferentially recognized in conjunction with type B influenza (B/HK). Similarly, population studies demonstrate that some (but not all) donors whose T cells recognized A/HK in conjunction with HLA-A2 failed to recognize B/HK in conjunction with HLA-A2. Thus, HLA-linked regulation must operate by a mechanism(s) that is specific both for the self HLA antigen and the viral antigen. Furthermore, these findings indicate that different HLA antigens may facilitate T-cell responses to different pathogens, which would result in an evolutionary advantage for HLA heterozygosity.

Increased hepatic production of alpha-amino-n-butyric acid after chronic alcohol consumption in rats and baboons

Chronic alcohol consumption produces an increase in plasma alpha-amino-n-butyric acid (AANB) in humans. The mechanism of this increase was investigated in experimental animals. In the rat, administration of ethanol as 36% of total calories for 4--6 wk produced a threefold rise in plasma AANB associated with a sixfold increase in hepatic AANB. The increased gradient from liver to plasma suggested enhanced hepatic production. This was verified in liver slices from these animals: They showed a twofold increase in hepatic production of AANB. In the baboon, hepatic vein catheterization studies revealed a marked stimulation in splanchnic release of AANB after chronic but not acute alcohol consumption. Liver slices from these animals showed a two- to threefold increase in AANB production. Thus, increased hepatic production of AANB may explain the increased plasma levels seen in experimental animals and humans after chronic alcohol consumption.

Sequelae of prolonged ventilatory support for pediatric surgical patients

The evolution of intensive prolonged respiratory support has been a major development in improving survival in the critically-ill child. That intensive respiratory support can be maintained for prolonged periods of time even in the home with survival of good babies is the subject of this report. In a 3-yr period, 2112 surgical patients were admitted to intensive care facilities with an over-all survival of 95%. Ventilatory support was required in 368 (17.4%) of these children, and survival in this group was 75.3%. Prolonged mechanical ventilation was necessary in 13 of the 368 children (3.5%) for a mean support time of 359 days (range 101 to 1095). Of these 13 children, 4 died while hospitalized (30.8%), and 3 died subsequently after being discharged (23.1%) for a total mortality of 53.8%. However, 6 children (46.2%) survive, 3 free of ventilatory support and 3 being weaned from their machine at home. The greatest cost in this expensive program was delivered to the survivors and psycho-social and developmental data confirm that these children are good babies with favorable long-term prognoses.

Detection of alcoholism relapse: comparative diagnostic value of MCV, GGTP, and AANB

Mean red blood cell volume (MCV), plasma gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP), and plasma alpha amino-n-butyric acid (AANB) were measured in 245 patients undergoing treatment for alcoholism at the V.A. Medical Center, Bronx, N.Y. and Raleigh Hills Hospitals, Denver, Colo. AANB and GGTP, but not MCV, decreased following withdrawal from alcohol and during a period of abstinence. Among patients who relapsed, AANB and GGTP, but not MCV, increased in a majority of subjects. The combined use of AANB and GGTP identified 28/33 heavy drinkers, while 4/33 patients in remission had positive tests. In conclusion, measurement of AANB and GGTP are useful in documenting the success of treatment for alcoholism and in identifying patients who relapse following treatment for alcoholism.

Differences in HLA antigen recognition by human influenza virus-immune cytotoxic T cells

The specificity of in vitro induced human influenza-immune cytotoxic effector cells was analyzed with respect to recognition of HLA-A and -B-linked gene products. The influenza-immune cytotoxic activity observed on panels of virus-infected targets demonstrated that virus-immune effectors preferentially lyse targets with which they share HLA-A or -B specificities. Virus-immune effectors from certain donors recognized virus in conjunction with some, but not all, of their self HLA-A and -B antigens. Among donors who share a given HLA antigen (such as A2 or B7), there are differences in the ability of their virus-immune T cells to recognize the shared antigen. Virus-infected target cells from HLA-A2 or -B7 "nonresponder" donors could be lysed by virus-immune T cells obtained from other donors who shared only the HLA-A2 or -B7 antigen with these target cells. These observations suggest that the absence of cytotoxic T cell responses by some donors to influenza virus in conjunction with HLA-A2 or -B7 is not due to control by the structural genes that code for these HLA antigens, but rather may result from control by regulatory genes that act at the level of the responder and/or stimulator cell. The results are discussed in the context of Ir gene regulation of human T cell responses.

HLA-linked genetic control of the specicity of human cytotoxic T-cell responses to influenza virus

We have investigated elements of the genetic control of human in vitro cytotoxic T-cell responses to influenza virus-infected autologous cells by studies of a large family. The pattern of virus-immune cytotoxicity among siblings demonstrated T-cell recognition of influenza virus predominantly (greater than 90%) in association with determinants which are coded by genes linked to HLA (P less than 0.0002). Many family members consistently generated cytotoxic activity against influenza predominantly in association with antigens coded by genes of only one of their HLA haplotypes. Such haplotype preferences were consistent among HLA-identical siblings, indicating that the specificity of the T-cell response to influenza virus in association with HLA-A and -B antigens is controlled by genes linked to HLA.

Virus specificity of human influenza virus-immune cytotoxic T cells

The virus specificity of human in vitro cytotoxic T cell responses to influenza virus was studied with the use of peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes from normal adult volunteers. Previous natural exposure of these donors to a variety of type A influenza viruses was documented by HI antibody titers. Cells sensitized in vitro with A/HK or A/PR8 were cytotoxic for autologous target cells infected with A/HK, A/PR8, or A/JAP 305 type A influenza viruses, but not for B/HK-infected or uninfected cells. B/HK-sensitized effector cells lysed target cells infected with B/HK but not targets infected with type A viruses. A/HK- and A/PR8-immune effector populations were shown to recognize cross-reactive antigens on A/HK- and A/PR8-infected target cells by cold target competition. Influenza-immune effector cells were cytotoxic for virus-infected autologous targets but much less so for virus-infected allogeneic targets. This self-restriction suggested that the cytotoxicity was largely T cell-mediated and was confirmed by cell separation analysis. Thus, the human secondary cytotoxic T cell response in vitro to influenza viruses is predominantly directed against cross-reactive determinants on cells infected with serologically distinct type A influenza viruses.

Specificity of human cytotoxic responses to chemically modified autologous cells

Human PBML can generate cytotoxic responses to autologous cells that have been chemically modified with TNP or DNP. The cytotoxic effectors have precise hapten specificity. The DNP-specific effectors recognize DNP in association with cell surface alloantigens, which appear to be at least partially associated with HLA-A and -B. The TNP-specific effectors recognize TNP in association with several classes of determinants--some of which are HLA-linked alloantigens that are incompletely associated with HLA-A and -B, while other determinants are widely shared among humans.

Alcoholism and alcoholic liver injury: new diagnostic and prognostic tests

Recently developed tests that measure levels of alpha-amino-n-butyric acid (AANB) and serum glutamic dehydrogenase (GDH) may improve screening for early detection of heavy drinking and liver injury, respectively. With these tests, a "three-level" approach to the problem is now possible: (1) detection of heavy drinking on the basis of a biochemical marker (such as AANB); (2) detection of liver injury (necrosis and inflammation) on the basis of serum liver tests (such as GDH); and (3) detection of alcoholics in whom cirrhosis is prone to develop by the screening of liver biopsy specimens for precirrhotic lesions (such as pericentral sclerosis).

Spontaneous platelet aggregation reversed by flurbiprofen

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Plasma amino acid abnormalities in the alcoholic: respective role of alcohol, nutrition, and liver injury

Plasma amino acid abnormalities are common in alcoholics, but the respective role of alcoholism, nutrition, and liver injury in producing these abnormalities is unknown. To elucidate this question, amino acids were measured in 56 alcoholics and 32 nonalcoholics with liver disease, and in an experimental model of alcoholic liver injury in the baboon. Dietary protein deficiency depressed branched-chain amino acids with a tendency to decreased alpha-amino-n-butyric acid. By contrast, chronic alcoholic consumption selectively increased these amino acids both in short term (2 to 4 weeks) studies in human beings and in 1 to 4-year studies in baboons. Moderate liver injury had no significant effects on these amino acids whereas advanced cirrhosis depressed branched-chain amino acids. Thus, plasma branched-chain amino acids and alpha-amino-n-butyric acid in the alcoholic are affected by at least three variables: dietary protein deficiency and advanced cirrhosis which tend to decrease these amino acids, and chronic alcohol consumption which tends to increase them.

Biochemical tests for the detection of alcoholism: comparison of plasma alpha-amino-n-butyric acid with other available tests

The measurement of AANB relative to leucine was found to be a useful biochemical test for the detection of chronic alcohol consumption. This test, in combination with GGTP determinations, provided a sensitive means of detection (81% positive) for chronic alcohol consumption with a minimum of false positive determinations (2%).

Portal hypertension in a patient with chronic myeloid leukaemia

A patient with chronic myeloid leukaemia treated with busulphan for 4-5 years, developed signs of busulphan toxicity and portal hypertension with ascites, oesophageal varices and jaundice. At post-mortem there was minimal leukaemic infiltration but there were alterations in the liver architecture sufficient to explain the portal hypertension. The pathogenesis of the liver changes and their possible relationship to splenomegaly and busulphan toxicity are considered.

Glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase (total and isoenzyme activity) in the early diagnosis of myocardial infarction

Enzyme "panels," in which creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activities in serum are measured, are useful indicators of myocardial infarction. We examined a further enzyme, glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.12), by comparison with creatine kinase (EC 2.7.3.2), in the early diagnosis of such infarctions. Results indicate that this total dehydrogenase appears in the serum before total creatine kinase activity; however, the lack of cardio-specificity relating to the dehydrogenase isoenzyme fraction 2 in comparison to the creatine kinase MB band is a major disadvantage, as is its relatively poor in vitro stability. We conclude that measurement of this dehydrogenase does not allow a substantially earlier diagnosis of myocardial infarction.

Plasma alpha amino-n-butyric acid to leucine ratio: an empirical biochemical marker of alcoholism

The plasma ratio of alpha-amino-n-butyric acid to leucine was elevated in ambulatory and hospitalized alcoholics as well as in baboons fed alcohol along with an adequate diet. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between this ratio and the degree of alcoholism assessed by three separate medical and psychological criteria in patients maintained on methadone.

The paradox of Hemophilus infuenzae type B bacteremia in the presence of serum bactericidal activity

We investigated the role of serum bactericidal activity in Hemophiplus influenzae type b infections in infants with meningitis and in a rat model. In infected infants, 13/22 admission sera had bactericidal activity against the infecting strain, and bacteremia was as frequent in those with bactericidal activity (54%) as those without (56%). The coexistence of bactericidal activity and bacteremia was reproduced and studied in experimentally infected weanling rats. Serum from such rats kills in vitro 95% of conventionally broth-grown bacteria within 10 min, but does not kill organisms obtained from the infected animals. Thus bactericidal activity as conventionally determined for H. influenzae b may have no relevance in vivo, Incubation of broth-grown bacteria in normal rat serum for 30 min at 37 degrees C produces a resistance like that of in vivo organisms. This phenotypic conversion depends on factors that are of molecular weight less than 1,000, stable to 100 degrees C, but destroyed by ashing. When injected intravenously into nonimmune animals, broth-grown bacteria are quickly cleared, while serum-preincubated bacteria are not. The latter, however, are cleared when injected into bacteremic rats (half-life 30 min). Bacteremia in the rats may persist despite this capacity for clearance because bacteria are entering the blood from extravascular fluids, which contain greater than 90% of the total bacterial burden.

IAA transport during the phototropic responses of intact Zea and Avena coleoptiles

Transport of indolyl-3-acetic acid (IAA) was studied during the phototropic responses of intact shoots and detached coleoptiles of Zea mays L. and Avena sativa L. The use of a high specific activity [5-(3)H]IAA and glass micropipettes enabled asymmetric application of the IAA to be made to individual coleoptiles with minimal tissue damage.A unilateral stimulus of 2.59×10(-11) einstein cm(-2) of blue light, probably in the dose range of the first positive phototropic response, caused significant net lateral movement of radioactivity from [5-(3)H]IAA away from the illuminated side of intact shoots and detached coleoptile apices of both Avena and Zea. The magnitude of the net lateral movement was 15.3% in Zea seedlings and 12.3% in Avena seedlings. Chromatographic analyses indicated that the movement of radioactivity reflected that of IAA. A phototropic stimulus of 1.24×10(-7) einstein cm(-2), which was probably in the second positive dose range, caused significant lateral movement of radioactivity in intact shoots and detached coleoptiles of Zea but not of Avena.In intact Zea seedlings, neither phototropic dosage affected the longitudinal transport of IAA. In intact Avena seedlings, first positive stimulation inhibited longitudinal transport only when the IAA was applied to the illuminated side of the coleoptile, but second positive stimulation inhibited basipetal movement of IAA regardless of the side of application.Exposing the intact seedlings to red light before phototropic stimulation abolished lateral transport after a first positive stimulus in Zea and in Avena.Phototropic stimulation can thus induce a lateral transport of IAA towards the shaded side of the coleoptiles of both Zea and Avena seedlings, and can affect longitudinal movement of IAA in the coleoptile of Avena. However, since phototropic curvature was observed under certain conditions in the absence of either of these effects, the extent to which they are involved in the induction of asymmetric growth in a stimulated coleoptile has yet to be resolved.

Localization and identification of auxin in roots of Zea mays

Roots of 3.5-day-old seedlings of Zea mays cv. Giant White Horsetooth contain an extractable auxin which has chromatographic properties and reactions to chromogenic sprays identical with those of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). By separating stele from cortex (and root tips) before extraction it was shown that the auxin is localized predominantly in the stele, with little being found in the cortex. Whole roots, isolated cortices and isolated steles accumulate and metabolize exogenously applied IAA-1-(14)C. The stelar tissue is distinguished from whole roots and cortical tissue in having a different pattern of IAA metabolism.

The lateral transport of IAA in intact coleoptiles of Avena sativa L. and Zea mays L. during geotropic stimulation

Movement of IAA was studied in excised coleoptile apices and whole seedlings of Zea mays L. and Avena sativa L. during geotropic stimulation. A micropipette technique permitted the application of [5-(3)H]IAA at predetermined points on the coleoptiles with minimal tissue damage.When [5-(3)H]IAA was applied to the upper side of a horizontal excised Zea coleoptile, about 60% of the recoverable radioactivity had moved into the lower half after 2 h. In contrast, when application was made to the lower side of a horizontal excised coleoptile, only 4% of the radioactivity migrated to the upper half. There was, thus, a net downward movement of 56%. Similar patterns of distribution were found for radioactivity in both the tissue and the basal receiver blocks. In horizontal shoot tissues of intact Zea seedlings a net downward movement of about 30% of the recoverable radioactivity occurred after 1 h of geotropic stimulation. Comparable experiments with Avena indicated a net downward movement of 6-12% in excised apices of coleoptiles and in the intact shoot. In both Zea and Avena chromatographic analyses of tissue and receiver blocks indicated that the movement of radioactivity reflected that of IAA.In Zea coleoptiles, the lateral migration of radioactivity after 2 h was 3 to 4 times greater in the apical tissues than in the basal tissues. A significant net downward movement of radioactivity was detected after 10 min of geotropic stimulation in the extreme apex of Zea coleoptiles but not in the more basal regions.These experiments show that downward lateral transport of IAA occurs in intact shoots of Zea and Avena seedlings upon geotropic stimulation. Lateral transport of IAA had previously been demonstrated only in sub-apical segments of Zea coleoptiles.

The source and lateral transport of growth inhibitors in geotropically stimulated roots of Zea mays and Pisum sativum

The positive geotropic responses of the primary roots of Zea mays and Pisum sativum seedlings depend upon at least one growth inhibiting factor which arises in the root cap and which moves basipetally through the apex into the extending zone. The root apex (as distinct from the cap) and the regions more basal to the extending zone are not sources of growth regulators directly involved in the geotropic response. A difference in the concentration or effectiveness of the inhibitory factor(s) arising in the cap must be established between the upper and lower halves of a horizontal root. Positive geotropic curvature in a horizontal root is attributable, at least in part, to a downward lateral transport of inhibitor(s) from the upper to the lower half of the organ.

Platelet adhesiveness in gout

Platelet adhesiveness studies were performed by two techniques in twenty-two gout patients and closely matched controls under carefully standardized conditions. No significant difference in platelet adhesiveness was found between the groups.

Identification of auxin from Zea coleoptile tips by mass spectrometry

The auxin from Zea coleoptile tips has been identified conclusively as IAA.

Aluminium containers

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