Lysosomal enzymes in sera and granulocytes of patients with chronic liver diseases

The authors have measured the activity of acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronaidase and cathepsin-D in tthe sera of patients with different liver diseases, and the actvity of beta-glucuronidase in granulocytes and the rate of its release. Using the method for the releaseof beta-glucuronidase from the granulocytes they drew conclusions to thedegree of the membrane-damage occurring in the liver diseases. They provided that in the sera of patients with different liver diseases the increase in the activity of the acid phosphatase and the beta-glucuronidase is different. According to their in vitro studies the decrease in the beta-glucuronidase activity measured in the granulocytes, and the release of enzyme is in connection with the type of liver disease and with the different degree of lysosomal membrane alteration.

Experimental model of leukemic infiltrative pericarditis reflecting a human disease

In human leukemias, pericarditis may be associated with leukemic pericardial infiltration. In order to obtain more information about the pathogenesis of the leukemic involvement of the pericardium, sterile talc-induced pericarditis was produced in acute lymphoid leukemic male hybrid mice. The animals invariable showed leukemic pericardial infiltration within 14 days. In leukemic mice without any treatment or with intrapericardial physiological NaCl injection (instead of talc), leukemic involvement of the pericardium did not occur.

Cloning the modification methylase gene of Bacillus sphaericus R in Escherichia coli

The gene coding for the sequence-specific modification methylase methM . BspI of Bacillus sphaericus R has been cloned in Escherichia coli by means of plasmid pBR322. The selection was based on the expression of the cloned gene which rendered the recombinant plasmid resistant to BspI restriction endonuclease cleavage. The gene is carried by a 9 kb BamHI fragment and by a smaller 2.5 kb EcoRI fragment derived from the BamHI fragment. The Bsp-specific methylase level was found to be higher in the recombinant clones than in the parental strain. The methylase gene is probably located on the Bacillus sphaericus chromosome, and not on a plasmid known to be carried by this strain. The recombinant clones do not exhibit an BspI restriction endonuclease activity.

Chromosome abnormalities, clinical and morphological manifestations in metamorphosis of chronic myeloid leukemia

Seventeen cases of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in metamorphosis have been investigated by cytogenetic methods. Six patients were studied in slow transformation and others in the terminal blastic phase of the disease. Of these, 3 cases were myeloid, 3 myelomonocytic, 1 megakaryoblastic, 1 promyelocytic and 4 lymphoid in their morphological and cytochemical appearance. Some correlation could be observed between the clinical, morphological, cytochemical and cytogenetic findings of the different subgroups. The results demonstrate the importance of chomosome investigations in the early diagnosis of metamorphosis and in distinguishing the different subgroups of the terminal stage of CML.

[Treatment of obesity in the elderly with behaviour modification techniques]

Several common methods of treating obesity (diet alone, diet plus medical information, and diet plus behaviour therapy) were compared in a health-spa setting. 107 men (mean age 57.3 +/- 8.0) and 116 women (mean age 61.0 +/- 7.7) participated in the study. Changes in weight during the 26 day treatment period and 3-month follow-up period were registered. The behaviour therapy group showed the greatest weight loss during the treatment period and the least weight gain at follow-up, the difference to the group with medical information was statistically significant. In the behaviour therapy group there were also fewer patients whose weight at follow-up was above their beginning weight.

CPC-PTA section staining of acid glycans

A cetylpyridinium chloride-phosphotungstic acid procedure suggested by Kelényi and Kiss (1976) for the staining of mast cell granules in ultrathin sections was slightly modified with regard to pretreatment, pH of incubation, and rinsing of sections. The method also proved suitable for the demonstration of various mucosubstances and of cartilage proteoglycan aggrebates.

Physical map of the seven ribosomal RNA genes of Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli DNA was digested with restriction endonucleases BamHI, PstI, EcoRI, SalI, HindIII, XhoI, BglII, SmaI, HpaI and with selected double and triple combinations of the same enzymes. The digests were electrophoresed and hybridized with 32P-labelled ribosomal RNA by using the Southern blotting technique. The resulting bands could be arranged into seven groups, and it was possible to construct a unique physical map of the seven rRNA genes (operons) of the bacterial chromosome. Mapping information obtained on several transducing phages and recombinant plasmids carrying rRNA genes, and mapping data published in the literature helped to determine the final map. The results suggest that phage lambda daroE152 carries a "hybrid" rRNA gene which was probably formed by recombination between two different chromosomal rRNA genes.

Cloning of an E. coli ribosomal RNA gene and its promoter region from lambdarifd18

The DNA of the specialized transducing phage lambdarifd18, which carries a bacterial rRNA transcription unit, was digested with restriction enzymes EcoRI and/or BamHI. Attempts were made to clone fragments containing the presumed rRNA promoter region or the entire rRNA gene in RSF2124 or pBR313 plasmid vectors with the following results: (1) We failed to clone an EcoRI fragment with the rRNA promoter region in plasmid RSF2124. (2) A smaller EcoRI-BamHI fragment with the rRNA promoter was also unclonable by itself, but one recombinant was found containing this fragment together with another large (7 Mdaltons) fragment, derived from phage lambda. The presence of this large fragment proved to be essential. The identity of these DNA fragments in the recombinant clone was confirmed by redigestion with several restriction enzymes, hybridization with rRNA, and in vitro transcription experiments, which showed preferential rRNA transcription. (3) A BamHI fragment encompassing the entire rRNA gene was easily cloned. Such stable clones carried a doubled number of rRNA genes. In vitro transcription using the recombinant plasmid resulted in 70% rRNA transcription. These recombinant clones allow the easy purification of the relevant DNA fragments for further investigation including sequencing.

Biochemical characterization of the restriction-modification system of Bacillus sphaericus

A type II restriction endonuclease (endo R . Bsp) has been purified from Bacillus sphaericus to electrophoretic homogeneity. The enzyme appears to be a single polypeptide chain with a molecular weight of 35000. Its pH optimum is around 8.2, it requires 20 mM Mg2+ for optimal activity and it is inhibited by Zn2+. The yield of the enzyme is higher than that of any type II restriction endonuclease so far reported. The enzyme also cleaves single-stranded DNA, albeit at a slower rate. It seems likely that single-stranded DNA is cleaved at the same sequences as double-stranded DNA. Bacillus sphaericus also contains a modification methylase (meth M . Bsp) which completely protects the cell's own DNA against cleavage by its restriction endonuclease. The methylase activity has been partially purified, it copurifies with the nuclease until the next to the last step. The enzyme does not require ATP or Mg2+, it transfers the methyl group of S-adenosyl-methionine to cytosine residues of DNA. As the action of this methylase completely protects any DNA from endo R . Bsp cleavage, it seems likely that the methylase recognizes and methylates the same sequence (dG-dG-dC-dC) as the nuclease.

Ependyma and supraependymal structures in some areas of the fourth ventricle in the rat

The ependyma was investigated in five areas of the rat ventricle system by means of both light and electron microscopy. The columnar, cuboidal and flattened types of the ependymal cells were mainly seen. All of them were seen in the fourth ventricle, while in the aqueductus cerebri and in the central canal the flattened type of the cell was lacking. An unusual variation as to the form of the ependymal cells was found on the roof of the fourth ventricle. Three groups of intraventricular structures were found in all investigated parts of the ventricle system: supraependymal globular structures containing irregularly arranged cristae, supraependymal protrusions appearing as homogeneous contents, and nerve profiles including nerve endings and nerve axons. The morphological characteristics of the ependyma and intraventricular profiles in the fourth ventricle allow to suppose a certain role of these structures in the exchange of various materials between the CSF, ependyma and neuropile.