Preliminary characterization of isoimmunogenic placental antigens in the rabbit

By isoimmunization of adult virgin female rabbits with rabbit placental extracts we have demonstrated the production of humoral antibody against two antigens, Ag-1 and Ag-2. Neither antigen is a normal serum protein, nor are they allotype proteins. Ag-1 has an alpha-2 mobility and a molecular weights of about 400,000. Ag-2 exhibits a gamma mobility but was not characterized. The antibody activity directed to Ag-1 in immune sera was the complement-fixing IgG fraction. Direct fluorescence-labeled antibody technique revealed that Ag-1 is a ubiquitous intracellular antigen primarily localized in the nucleus. The fast-growing, SV-40 virus-transformed rabbit kidney cell line (TRK-1) expressed much higher levels of Ag-1 than the slow-growing, non-transformed normal rabbit kidney cell line (LLC-RK1). The possibility that elevation of Ag-1 production is associated with rapid cell proliferation is discussed.

A new low dose mammography technique

Reduction of radiation dosage to patients undergoing mammography is very important, especially when large-scale screening projects for early detection of breast carcinoma are considered. A new low dose mammographic technique employing Kodak XG film and Industrex F2 intensifying screen in a vacuum package has been evaluated in 533 patients. This Kodak system was found to provide excellent diagnostic quality image, and to be an acceptable technique for mammography.

Familial poliodystrophy, mitochondrial myopathy, and lactate acidemia

We describe a 16-year-old boy who has a progressive dementia and seizures. On investigation, he was found to have a mitochondrial myopathy and elevated lactate levels in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid. His sister died at 18 years of age of a similar condition.

Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia in infancy associated with parenteral alimentation

Liver biopsy was performed to exclude anatomic obstruction of the biliary tract in five prematurely born infants who had developed conjugated hyperbilirubinemia during intravenous alimentation with a protein hydrolysate. Each was being treated after having undergone a segmental intestinal resection for necrotizing enterocolitis. Bacterial and viral infections, metabolic disorders, and isoimmune hemolytic disease were excluded as possible causes of jaundice. Light microscopic and ultrastructural analysis disclosed cholestasis and hepatocellular injury without significant inflammatory reaction. Jaundice abated following permanent discontinuation of parenteral alimentation. The jaundice and cholestasis are interpreted to be hepatotoxic effects because of (1) their temporal relationship to the treatment and (2) the presence of hepatocellular damage.

The effect of palmitoyl-coenzyme A on rat heart and liver mitochondria. Oxygen consumption and palmitoylcarnitine formation

Rat heart and liver mitochondria, respectively, oxidized palmitoyl-CoA and palmitoylcarnitine optimally at 20-30 and 10-20 nmol substrate/mg. The oxidation of palmitoyl-CoA was accompanied by a lag in State 3 respiration that was proportional to the palmitoyl-CoA concentration. The delay in State 3 rates was more prolonged in liver than in heart at comparable palmitoyl-CoA levels. A similar range of palmitoyl-CoA concentrations produced significant inhibition of respiration in mitochondria oxidizing glutamate-malate. The inhibition was not due to a detergent effect of palmitoyl-CoA since addition of carnitine restored State 3 rates. Electron microscopic examination of mitochondria at low palmitoyl-CoA levels revealed normal ultrastructure. At comparable concentrations of palmitoyl-CoA, formation of palmitoylcarnitine by mitochondria from rat heart and liver followed first-order kinetics. The apparent first-order rate constants decreased with increasing palmitoyl-CoA. These results suggest that substrate inhibition may influence the rate of palmitoyl carnitine formation even at physiological concentrations of palmitoyl-CoA. The apparent first-order rate constant at palmitoyl-CoA levels (12 nmol palmitoyl CoA/mg) optimally oxidized by liver mitochondria, was one-third the value of the apparent rate constant measured in heart mitochondria at the identical substrate level. The prolongation in time to reach equilibrium may acocunt for the relatively greater respiratory sensitivity of liver mitochondria to increasing levels of palmitoyl-CoA.

Osmium-labeled polynucleotides. The reaction of osmium tetroxide with deoxyribonucleic acid and synthetic polynucleotides in the presence of tertiary nitrogen donor ligands

Osmium tetroxide in the presence of pyridine or 2,2'-bipyridine has been found to react completely with the pyrimidine moieties (thymine, uracil, and cytosine) in polynucleotides. Pyrimidine osmate ester moieties, L2OSO4-pyrimidine, were formed. The OSO4 has added across the 5,6 double bond and L=pyridine or 1/2-bipyridine. The pyridine derivatives were not stable and decomposed slowly after the OSO4-pyridine reagent was removed by gel chromatography. Labeled poly(uridylic acid) lost osmium completely during gel chromatography unless the eluent contained a high concentration of pyridine. The products formed between OSO4-bipyridine and polynucleotides were much more stable and the OS label was retained during and after gel chromatography. Both the OSO4-pyridine and OSO4-bipyridine reagents reacted more rapidly than the OSO4-CN-reagent.

Rhabdomyoma of the heart: ultrastructural study of three cases

The electron microscopic features of three primary cardiac rhabdomyomas were studied for the first time. Distinct striated muscle cells arranged in a disorderly fashion are described. The cases demonstrated a spectrum of possible myobibril differentiation with one case having only Z-bands and myosin filaments present while the other two had well formed thick and thin filaments with all of the bands present including Z, I, A, H, and M. Glycogen bodies, numerous mitochondria with tubular cristae, lipid deposits, and peculiar striated structures resembling zebra bodies were also seen. Desmonsomal attachments suggestive of Purkinje-type fibers were seen in all of the cases and were the only types seen in cases 2 and 3. In addition, intercalated discs characteristic of myocardial fibers were noted in case 1. This finding still leaves the exact histogenesis of the lesion uncertain although origin from two types of fibers is possible.

Film mammography: new low radiation technology

A new mammographic technique with Kodak MIN-R film and a Kodak MIN-R screen in a vacuum package has been evaluated in 607 cases. Direct mammographic comparison is made with the Du Pont Lo-dose system in the first 101 patients. The system provides excellent diagnostic quality images with at least a two-fold reduction in patient exposure compared to other current mammographic techniques.

Effect of biotin and niacin on lipid content of livers in the laying hen

Single Comb White Leghorn layers maintained in cages were fed a corn-soy diet with a simplified vitamin premix for a 12-week experimental period to determine the effect on liver lipid accumulation. Lipid content was only 29.6% of the liver dry matter and, therefore, was in the normal range and less than that seen in hens with fatty liver syndrome. Adding niacin (44 mg./kg.) or biotin (110 mug./kg.) either alone or in combination failed to significantly alter liver weight or liver lipid content. Liver lipid content of hens fed another diet with a more complex vitamin premix also was not significantly different from that of hens fed the diet with the simplified vitamin premix. None of the diets significantly affected egg production, egg weight, feed consumption or body weight changes observed over the 12-week period.

Liver lipid accumulation and performance of hens as affected by cage density and initial body weight

Hens housed in individual cages (25 46 cm.) laid significantly more eggs, consumed significantly more feed and had significantly larger livers with a higher lipid content than hens housed three to a cage in two experiments. Body weight gain was significantly higher for individually housed birds in experiment 1, but not in experiment 2. No difference was observed in mean egg weight or kg. feed per dozen eggs. In experiment 2 hens housed two to a cage laid slightly fewer eggs and accumulated slightly less liver fat but the differences were not significantly different fromthose housed individually. Hens socially dominant in three bird pens had higher liver fat accumulation than hens lower on the peck order but liver fat accumulation for the dominant hens still averaged less than hens housed either two or one per cage. Comparison of two strains in experiment 1 revealed a significant difference in rate of egg production and feed efficiency but no difference in liver fat accumulation. Pullets placed in four body weight classes prior to the start of the experiment did not differ significantly in liver fat accumulation per unit of body weight or percentof dry matter of the liver at the end of the experiment. Rate of egg production and feed efficiency were also not significantly different among the body weight classes.

Roentgen recognition of enlarged hilar lymph nodes: an anatomical review

A new anatomical classification of the hilar lymph nodes, and their usual roentgen distribution, is presented, along with the most appropriate radiographic techniques for their demonstration. The characteristic roentgen appearances of enlarged hilar lymph nodes in various locations are correlated with the differential diagnoses. The appearance of a rounded lobulated mass is the typical radiographic finding of total hilar enlargement. The diagnosis of hilar nodal enlargement is best made from lateral body section radiographs.

Identification of a butanol-extractable human placenta-specific antigen with alkaline phosphatase activity

N-Butanol extracts of whole-term placenta from different individuals were prepared, and used as immunogens to raise heterologous hyperimmune sera in rabbits. Upon immunoelectrophoresis the anti-placenta antisera could recognize at least six antigenic components in the placental extract even after they had been completely absorbed with pooled male serum proteins. However, the antisera so absorbed, designated (-PMS) antisera, could still react strongly with several normal adult tissue extracts including kidney. Systematic and quantitative absorptions of the (-PMS) antisera were thus further carried out with individual butanol extracts of normal adult liver, lung, intestine, stomach, kidney, bone, pancreas, spleen, heart, cerebrum, cerebellum, breast, and packed red cells, as well as a composite extract containing equal amounts of each of the 13 adult tissue extracts. Of the six antigenic components in the placental extracts reacting with the (-PMS) antisera the only one which retained its reactivity with the antisera throughout exhaustive absorptions was associated with alkaline phosphatase activity. This immunologic and enzymologic identity was confirmed with homogeneous placental alkaline phosphatase. Extracts from each of three placentae injected into three pairs of rabbits all produced an identical antibody reaction with the unique determinant(s) of placental alkaline phosphatase. The same identity of precipitin reaction was also found with extracts of 14 other placentae against each of these antisera. It thus firmly establishes that placental alkaline phosphatase is a characteristic placenta-specific fetal protein.

Congenital levojuxtaposition of the right atrial appendage. Association with persistent truncus arteriosus, type 4

Congenital levojuxtaposition of the right atrial appendage is a rare malformation most commonly associated with a transposition of the great arteries. We report a case of levojuxtaposition of the right atrial appendage associated with a persistant truncus arteriosus, type 4. Juxtaposition of the atrial appendage is a sign of severe cyanotic congenital heart disease, and this is best diagnosed by a selective right atriogram or superior venacavogram.

Effect of calcium propionate on performance of laying hens

Laying hens kept in individual cages were fed a practical diet supplemented with 0, 0.1, 0.2., 0.4, or 0.8% calcium propionate for a six-week period. Rate of egg production, average egg weight, feed consumption, and body weight change during the experiment were not significantly affected by and dietary treatments. Liver weight, moisture content and fat content were also no significantly affected by dietary treatments. The results show that the performance of normal hens is not changed by calcium propionate supplementation.

Influence of carbohydrate source on liver fat accumulation in hens

Four experiments were conducted with laying hens and one with broiler chicks to investigate the effect of carbohydrate source on fat accumulation in the liver. When corn and wheat in various proportions were fed to laying hens, the percent fat and total fat per liver increased as the proportion of corn increased. In comparison of different cereal grains and wheat samples in isocaloric diets, the total liver fat accumulated was the highest for hens fed grain sorghum, corn or triticale and the lowest for those fed barley, oats or rye. Intermediate levels of liver fat were obtained with wheat and similar liver fat contents were observed with hens fed different samples of West Coast wheat. There was no significant difference in liver fat of groups fed wheat diets made isocaloric with corn oil or animal fat, Liver fat accumulation of broiler chicks fed diets with corn or wheat was not significantly different. No difference in liver weight, liver fat content and total fat per liver was observed among hens fed diets containing either zero, one-half, or all glucose monohydrate substituted for corn. In comparisons of corn or wheat from different geographical area, no difference was observed in liver fat content of hens fed corn grown in Georgia or the Midwest or wheat grown in Georgia or in the Far West. Hens fed diets contaning corn had significantly more liver dry matter, liver fat, and total fat per liver than hens fed the isocaloric diets containing wheat. Considerably more fat accumulated in the livers of hens fed diets containing corn at Washington State University (15.4 to 19.6 g. fat/liver) than in hens fed corn at the University of Georgia (5.4 to 7.2 g. fat/liver), suggesting the existence of unidentified environmental factors affecting liver fat accumulation.

Fractionation studies on a factor in linseed meal protecting against selenosis in chicks

Growth rate of Single Combe White Leghorn cockerels fed a casein-gelatin-glucose diet was significantly depressed at two weeks when 10 p.p.m. or more selenium was added to the diet. When 20% linseed meal was included in the diet, growth was not reduced with 10 p.p.m. selenium and only slightly reduced with 20 p.p.m. selenium. Including 20% soybean meal failed to modify the toxicity. Levels of 5 and 10% linseed meal were less effective in counteracting selenosis than was 20%. Fractionation studies showed that a protective factor in linseed meal was extracted by methanol and ethanol and was not destroyed by autoclaving. Ashing the ethanol extract destroyed its activity. The factor was readily extracted by chlorform:methanol (2:1) but less effectively by acetone and diethyl ether. Washed chloroform:methanol extract was inactive but the washings contained the factor. Concentrates of the factor were active at less than 1% of the dry matter of the diet. The results of these studies show that linseed meal contains a heat stable, organic, polar factor that modified selenium toxicity in the chick.

Alveolar soft part sarcoma

Alveolar soft part sarcoma is a rare, highly malignant tumor. It usually arises in the skeletal muscles in the extremities of patients in their second or third decade with a female preponderance of 2:1. Three additional cases, including the angiographic findings, have been presented. The literature pertaining to this subject also has been reviewed.

Inefficacy of carnitine as a substitute for choline for normal reproduction in Japanese quail

An experiment was conducted to determine if DL-carnitine could partially or completely substitute for choline for maintaining normal reproduction in Japanese quail. Adding 2800 mg. choline chloride per kg. to a purified diet significantly increased egg production and egg weight and improved hatchability, but adding a similar level of carnitine failed to improve any of the parameters measured. Likewise, performance of quail fed 1400 mg. carnitine per kg. in combination with 1400 mg. choline chloride was no better than that obtained with quail fed choline chloride (1400 mg./kg.) alone.

Differential response in cardiomyopathy of chicks and turkeys to furazolidone toxicity

Dietary furazolidone (500 ppm or higher) significantly slowed the growth of chicks fed either a conventional or a purified diet and of turkeys fed a conventional diet. Deaths were significantly increased in turkeys fed 500 ppm and in chicks fed 700 ppm in the purified diet. Ratio of heart to body weight was significantly increased by furazolidone in turkeys, but not in chicks. Furazolidone did not induce anemia in either species. Turkeys and chicks differed markedly in cardiac response to toxic levels of furazolidone.

A simple radioimmunoassay of human placental alkaline phosphatase (Regan isoenzyme) using specific antibody polymers

Rabbit antiserum against highly purified high-molecular-weight B-variant of human placental alkaline phosphatase (M.W. 200,000) was rendered monospecific by absorption with polymerized pooled male serum proteins; the absorbed antiserum was then polymerized with ethyl chloroformate and used in radioimmunoassay as a stable solid-phase immunoabsorbent. Homogeneous preparation of the enzyme, with a specific activity of 477 mumoles phenol per mg per min, was also obtained by absorbing the chromatographically purified enzyme with polymerized rabbit antiserum directed to whole human serum proteins; the pure enzyme was then labeled with 125-I as the tracer retaining at least 80% of its antigenicity. Only a minute quantity of the polymerized antibody particles is required for each assay in admixture with the labeled and unlabeled enzyme. By adding a small amount of starch-gel particles before low-speed centrifugation, complete phase separation was achieved. The radioimmunoassay could detect 0.4 to 0.8 ng enzyme protein per tube, which is comparable to the sensitivity achieved by enzymic assays. However, radioimmunoassay is advantageous over the enzymic assay in being direct, specific (no interference by the nonplacental-type alkaline posphatase), and capable of detecting both catalytically active and inactive forms of the enzyme. Native variants of placental-type alkaline phosphatase including Regan isoenzyme and Nagao isoenzyme (D-phenotype of normal placental alkaline phosphatase), could thus be directly determined by this procedure in the clinical specimens.