Successful replantation in ten-digit complete amputations

The authors report a case of successful replantation of all fingers in a ten-finger complete amputation. Among the factors responsible for the successful outcome were an adequate number of microsurgically-trained resident surgeons and staff, good organization and supervision by senior staff, emphasis on precision and perseverance in the operative procedures, and postoperative management. Follow-up is 15 months, and the patient now has a pair of functionally and cosmetically good hands.

Telomeric association: another characteristic of cancer chromosomes?

Telomeric associations between single chromatids and double chromatids of nonhomologous normal human chromosomes and altered markers were observed in two morphologically distinct squamous-cell carcinoma lines derived from a surgical specimen. Chromosomes 2, 3, 5, and 16 were associated by their telomeric ends more frequently than other chromosomes.

Molecular cloning of a species-specific DNA probe for Campylobacter jejuni

Conventional procedures for isolating and identifying Campylobacter jejuni are cumbersome and time-consuming. A simpler approach would be to use DNA probes to identify these organisms. To obtain such probes we cloned chromosomal DNA from C. jejuni into the lambda replacement vector EMBL 4. Recombinant phages were screened for C. jejuni-specific inserts by DNA hybridization using chromosomal DNA from either C. jejuni or C. coli which had been radioactively labelled with 32P. By this means, recombinant phages were identified which hybridized to C. jejuni but not to C. coli DNA. These phages were then subjected to further screening using DNA from other Campylobacter species. Three DNA fragments were identified which hybridized to DNA from eight ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) strains of C. jejuni but not to DNA from C. coli, C. laridis, C. fetus or a variety of other bacterial species. These DNA fragments are suitable for use as specific probes in DNA-based diagnostic tests for C. jejuni infections.

A specific alpha-fetoprotein gene binding protein in alpha-fetoprotein producing rat hepatomas

A specific alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) gene binding nuclear protein (Mol. Wt. 149,000) was determined in Morris hepatoma 7777 cells by the protein blotting technique. This protein is not present in normal adult rat liver and non-AFP producing Morris hepatoma 5123tc. Neoplasia induced in rats fed the hepatocarcinogen 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzine enhanced AFP gene activity and re-expressed specific AFP gene binding nuclear protein. The precise role of this protein in AFP gene regulation remains to be determined.

NMR Studies of Simple Molecules on Metal Surfaces

In recent years, improvements in the sensitivity of nuclear magnetic resonance have made it possible to detect progressively smaller numbers of nuclei. Experiments and studies previously thought to be impractical can now be undertaken, for example, the study of phenomena at surfaces. Nuclear magnetic resonance has been applied to study simple molecules (carbon monoxide, acetylene, and ethylene) adsorbed on metal surfaces (ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, and platinum). The metals, in the form of clusters 10 to 50 angstroms in diameter, supported on alumina, are typical of real catalysts. The experiments provide information about the bonding of the molecules to the metal, the structures the molecules assume after adsorption, the motion of molecules on the surface, the breakup of molecules induced by heating, and the products of such breakup.

Quantitative and qualitative analyses of serum antibodies elicited in adults by Haemophilus influenzae type b and pneumococcus type 6A capsular polysaccharide-tetanus toxoid conjugates

Covalent binding to immunogenic proteins increases the immunogenicity of the capsular polysaccharides of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and pneumococcus type 6A (Pn6A). Conjugates composed of Hib, Pn6A, or the cross-reacting Escherichia coli K100 covalently bound to tetanus toxoid (TT) were injected into young adult volunteers. Local reactions were common and were probably due to Arthus reactivity mediated by the preexisting antibodies reacting with the TT component of the conjugates. Fever occurred in about 10% of the volunteers after the first injection; no volunteers had fever after the second injection. Similar levels of Hib or Pn6A antibodies were elicited by either 50- or 100-micrograms doses or by concurrent injection of two different conjugates (Hib-TT and Pn6A-TT or Hib-TT and K100-TT). The Hib-TT elicited about a 180-fold increase in Hib antibodies, and the Pn6A-TT conjugate elicited about an 8-fold increase in Pn6A antibodies after one injection. Booster reactions were not elicited in adults; similar levels of antibodies in the five experimental groups suggested that the responses elicited by the conjugates were maximal. A one-way cross-reaction was noted as Pn6A conjugates elicited rises of Hib antibodies in 13 of 20 volunteers; only 4 of 59 volunteers immunized with Hib-TT had increases in Pn6A antibodies. The preimmunization Hib antibodies were composed of immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgA, and IgG. The postimmunization sera showed an increase in all three isotypes; the elevation of the IgG was the highest of the three isotypes. Conjugate-induced antibodies to both the polysaccharide and TT exerted biological activities that have been correlated with immunity. Adsorption of the Hib-TT onto aluminium hydroxide resulted in higher levels and an earlier Hib antibody response in infant rhesus. These results encourage the evaluation of Hib and Pn6A conjugates in human children and infants.

Induction of increased antibody responses to pneumococcal type 19F polysaccharide by Klebsiella polysaccharide

The level of antibody to pneumococcal 19F polysaccharide (PS) was studied in the serum of mice inoculated with klebsiella K2 PS or pneumococcal 19F PS or both. The serum antibody levels and the IgM plaque-forming-cell (PFC) response after immunization were higher in mice given both K2 PS and 19F PS than in mice of a control group given 19F PS alone. This immune response was also higher than the sum of PFC production in mice given 19F PS or K2 PS separately. Thus, K2 PS produced the cross-reactive antibody to 19F PS and also enhanced the magnitude of the antibody response to 19F PS. This response appeared to be specific for the 19F PS. The resulting high levels of antibody to pneumococcal 19F persisted for eight weeks after the administration of K2 PS and 19F PS. Animals immunized with both type 3 PS and K2 PS did not show an increased antibody response to pneumococcal type 3 PS. Klebsiella K-O3 antigen also stimulated the immune response to 19F PS. Higher immunologic responses to 19F PS were also induced in nude mice injected with the cross-reacting K2 PS or K47 PS and 19F PS. The ability to stimulate an antibody response to 19F PS by administering both K2 PS and 19F PS could not be transferred with spleen cells obtained from mice given both K2 PS and 19F PS.