[Transplantation of free vascularized jejunum for esophageal reconstruction]

Two cases of pharyngo-esophageal carcinoma treated with tumor resection followed by insertion of a vascularized jejunal free graft using microsurgical technique in order to maintain esophageal contiguity are presented. Both cases have received pre-operative radiotherapy. This presentation is motivated by the excellent results obtained in this palliative treatment of said type of cancer. The jejunal transplant improves the quality of life of these patients with less morbidity and mortality compared with other methods of esophageal reconstruction.

Genetics of rye phosphatases: evidence of a duplication

Genetic analyses were conducted on alkaline phosphatases of the endosperm of dry kernels and leaf acid phosphatases in four open pollinated and one inbred line of cultivated rye (Secale cereale L.). A total of seven alkaline phosphatase isozymes were observed occurring at variable frequencies in the different cultivars analyzed. We propose that at least five loci control the alkaline phosphatases of rye endosperm - Alph-1, Alph-2, Alph-3, Alph-4 and Alph-5 - all of which have monomeric behaviour. The leaf acid phosphatases are controlled by one locus and have a dimeric quaternary structure. All loci coding for alkaline phosphatase isozymes showed one active, dominant allele and one null, recessive allele, except for the locus Alph-3 which showed two active, dominant alleles and one null, recessive one. The linkage analyses suggest the existence of two linkage groups for alkaline phosphatases: one of them would contain Alph-2, Alph-4, Alph-5 and the locus/loci coding isozymes 6 and 7. This linkage group is located in the 7RS chromosome arm. The other group would include Alph-1 and Alph-3 loci, being located in the 1RL chromosome arm. Leaf acid phosphatases have been previously located in the 7RL chromosome arm. Our data also support an independent relationship between loci controlling the endosperm alkaline phosphatases and leaf acid phosphatases.

The peroxidase isozymes of the wheat kernel: tissue and substrate specificity and their chromosomal location

Peroxidase isozymes were studied in the Triticum aestivum L. kernel and in nullisomic-tetrasomic and ditelocentric combinations of 'Chinese Spring' wheat. Analyses were carried out on different parts of dry kernels (embryo plus scutellum and endosperm) using polyacrylamide and starch gel electrophoresis, different electrophoretic buffer systems and various staining methods. The peroxidase isozymes showed a low substrate-specificity and a high tissue-specificity. The embryo plus scutellum and the endosperm always presented different peroxidase patterns. Endosperm peroxidases were associated with chromosome arms 7DS, 4BL and 7AS; whereas the embryo plus scutellum isozymes were related to chromosome arms 3AL, 3BL and 3DS. The different results obtained using various electrophoretic techniques are due to the buffer system used. All staining procedures employed revealed the same peroxidase isozymes.

Location of genes coding isozyme markers on Aegilops umbellulata chromosomes adds data on homoeology among Triticeae chromosomes

Zymogram analysis was used to identify the Aegilops umbellulata chromosomes that carry the structural genes for particular isozymes. Wheat, Aegilops and wheat-Aegilops hybrid derivative lines (which contained identified Aegilops chromosomes) were tested by gel electrophoresis for isozymes of particular enzymes. It was found that Aegilops chromosome A (nomenclature according to G. Kimber 1967) carries a structural gene for 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, Aegilops chromosome B carries structural genes for glucose phosphate isomerase and phosphoglucose mutase, Aegilops chromosome D carries genes for leaf peroxidases, Aegilops chromosome E carries structural genes for endosperm peroxidases, acid phosphatases and leaf esterases, Aegilops chromosome F carries a gene for embryo plus scutellum peroxidases and Aegilops chromosome G carries structural genes for endosperm alkaline phosphatases, leaf alkaline phosphatases and leaf esterases. The results obtained indicate that chromosome B is partially homoeologous of the wheat chromosomes of group 1 and 4, and chromosome E is partially homoeologous of wheat chromosomes of groups 7 and 4. Circumstantial evidence is also provided about the possible association between chromosomes C, D and A of A. umbellulata respectively with chromosomes 5, 2 and 1 of wheat.

Biochemical evidence of homoeology between Triticum aestivum and Agropyron intermedium chromosomes

The alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), phosphoglucose mutase (PGM), glucosephosphate isomerase (GPI), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), leaf esterases (ESTL), leaf acid (ACPH) and endosperm alkaline (PHE) phosphatases, leaf peroxidases (PERL) zymogram phenotypes of Triticum aestivum, Agropyron intermedium, Triticum aestivum - Agropyron intermedium octoploids and six Agropyron intermedium chromosome additions to Triticum aestivum and two ditelocentric addition lines were determined. It was found that the six disomic chromosome addition lines and one ditelocentric chromosome addition line could be distinguished from one another and from the other possible lines on the basis of the zymogram phenotypes of these isozymes. The structural gene Acph-X1 was located on Agropyron chromosome L1, the genes Got-X3 and Mdh-X2 on chromosome L2, the gene Gpi-X1 on chromosome L3, the genes Adh-X1, Pgm-X1 and Phe-3 on chromosome L4, gene Perl-1 on chromosome L5 and the gene Estl-2 on chromosome L7 and chromosome arm L7d2. These gene locations provide evidence of homoeology between Agropyron chromosomes L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 and L7 and the Triticum aestivum chromosomes of homoeologous groups 7, 3, 1, 4, 2 and 6, respectively.

Esterase isozymes in rye - characterization, genetic control and chromosomal location

The zymogram phenotypes that 'Chinese Spring'-'Imperial', 'Holdfast'-'King II' and 'Kharkov'-'Dakold' wheat-rye addition lines presented for esterase isozymes were determined using polyacrylamide gel ectrophoresis. The analyses were carried out with different parts of the dry kernel, namely embryo plus scutellum and endosperm, leaves and roots. In all cases, embryo plus scutellum, endosperm and leaf presented different patterns of esterases. The patterns of leaves and roots were the same. Results indicate that rye esterases exist as monomers and dimers. Dimeric esterases are controlled by one locus located on the 3R chromosomes of 'Imperial', 'King II' and 'Dakold' rye cultivars. Five loci involved in the production of monomeric esterases have been located on the 6R chromosomes of these cultivars, specifically on the long arm of the 'King II' 6R chromosome. On the basis of these results, considerations concerning chromosome homoeology and homology are made.

Chromosomal location of isozyme markers in wheat-barley addition lines

The peroxidase (CPX, PER), α-amylase (α-AMY), acid and alkaline phosphatase (PHE, PHS) and esterase (EST) zymogram phenotypes of 'Chinese Spring' wheat, 'Betzes' barley and a number of presumptive 'Betzes' chromosome additions to 'Chinese Spring' were determined. It was found that five disomic chromosome addition lines could be distinguished from one another and from the other two possible lines on the basis of the zymogram phenotypes of these isozymes. The structural genes Cpxe-H1 and Cpxe-H2 were located in 'Betzes' chromosome 1, the Perl-H5 and Perl-H6 in chromosome 2, the α-Amy-H2 and α-Amy-H3 in chromosome 7, the Phs-H5 and Phs-H4 in chromosomes 1 and 3 respectively, the Phe-H2, Phe-H3 and Phe-H4 in chromosome 1, the Phe-H1 in chromosome 3, the Ests-H4, Este-H2 and Ests-H6, Este-H8 in chromosomes 1 and 3 respectively and the Estl-H10 and Estl-H2 structural genes were related to chromosomes 3 and 6 respectively. These gene locations provide evidence of homoeology between 'Betzes' chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 and the rye chromosomes 7, 2, 3, 6 and 5, respectively, and also between 'Betzes' chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 and the 'Chinese Spring' homoeologous groups 7, 2, 3, 6 and 5, respectively.

Cerebellar hemangioblastoma and subependymoma: a case report of an unprecedented association

We report the case of a 71-year-old man who suffered from both a cerebellar hemangioblastoma and a subependymoma (glomerate subependymal astrocytoma) of the base of the fourth ventricle. His symptoms included episodes of loss of consciousness, cerebellar ataxia, and postural vertigo. The clinical diagnosis presented considerable difficulties. The simultaneous occurrence of both tumors in one patient has not been reported previously. After reviewing the literature, we conclude that this unusual association was a result of chance rather than common oncogenic factors.

Chromosomal locations of phosphoglucomutase, phosphoglucose isomerase, and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase structural genes in different rye cultivars

Phosphoglucomutase, phosphoglucose isomerase, and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase isozymes have been studied in 'Chinese Spring' – 'Imperial', 'Holdfast' – 'King II', and 'Kharkov'–'Dakold' wheat–rye addition lines using starch and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The analyses were conducted with different parts of dry kernels (embryo plus scutellum, and endosperm), leaves, and roots. In all cases the zymogram phenotypes obtained were the same, independent of the tissue analysed. Germination and maturation processes were also studied. One locus involved in the production of phosphoglucomutase isozymes was located on chromosome 4R of 'Dakold' and on 4RS of 'Imperial' and 'King II' cultivars. Evidence was obtained that one locus controlling the phosphoglucose isomerase isozymes is located on chromosome 1R of these three rye cultivars analysed, specifically on the short arm of chromosome 1R in 'King II'. Also, three loci controlling the glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase isozymes have been placed on chromosomes 7R, 6R, and 3R of the rye cultivars analysed, and more exactly, on 7RL of 'Imperial' and 'King II' and on 6RL of 'King II'. Biochemical evidence of homology between chromosome arms of the different cultivars of rye analysed, and homoeology between chromosome arms of wheat and rye is reported. Germination and maturation processes support the hypothesis that the expression of rye isozymes studied in dry kernel, leaf, and root, and during germination and maturation, is controlled by the same chromosome arms.Key words: wheat–rye addition lines, isozyme structural genes, phosphoglucomutase, phosphoglucose isomerase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase.

ASSOCIATION OF ISOZYMES WITH A RECIPROCAL TRANSLOCATION IN CULTIVATED RYE (SECALE CEREALE L.)

In rye (Secale cereale L. cv. "Ailés") the progeny of a cross between a structural heterozygote for a reciprocal translocation (involving the 1R chromosome) and a homozygote for the standard chromosome arrangement were analyzed for the electrophoretic patterns of eight different leaf isozymes and also for their meiotic configuration at metaphase I.—The Got-3 and Mdh-2b loci are linked to each other and also to the reciprocal translocation. The Mdh-2b locus is located in the interstitial segment of the 3Rq chromosome arm, with an estimated distance of 8 cM to the breakpoint. Therefore, the reciprocal translocation involves the 1R and 3R chromosomes.—Also, the Mdh-1 and 6-Pgd-2 loci are linked (16 ± 3 cM) and have been located on the 2Rq arm. Finally, the Per-3 and Per-4 loci are located on the 2Rp chromosome arm at an estimated distance of 26 ± 4 cM.

Phosphogluco mutase - a biochemical marker for group 4 chromosomes in the Triticinae

Structural genes for the isozymes of phosphogluco mutase (PGM) (EC 2.7.5.1) have been located on chromosome arms 4Aα, 4BL and 4DS of hexaploid wheat. These results support the homoeologies observed among these chromosome arms and also support the notion of conservation of gene synteny groups within the Triticinae.

Spontaneous partial empty sella. A study of 41 cases

53 cases of partial empty sella turcica have been studied, both clinically and radiologically. Excluding 12 with an incomplete endocrine study, 41 remain of which 31 cases (75.6%) were found to have an adenohypophyseal hyperfunction of the hyperplasia (primary hypothyroidism, etc.) or adenoma type (acromegaly, etc.); 4 (9.7%) had a clear neurological cause (head trauma, thrombosis in the venous sinus, hydrocephalus) and only 6 (14.6%) were of unknown, primary or idiopathic cause. The published cases of "primary" partial empty sella have been revised, proposing: the substitution of the term "primary" for "spontaneous", since as we have already pointed out, the majority of the "spontaneous" cases are attributable to pituitary hyperfunction and a few of them to neurological or neurosurgical processes. Finally, we should like to emphasize the importance of empty sella in the prognosis and treatment of those patients whose most exact diagnostic terminology would be, for example, hypothyroidism "with" partial empty sella turcica, or, as another example, prolactinoma "with" empty sella.

A comparative study of the changes of peroxidase patterns during wheat, rye, and triticale germination

A comparative study on the electrophoretic peroxidase patterns of rye (Secale cereale L.), tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum L. durum), hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and hexaploid Triticale during kernel germination has been carried out. Endosperm, embryo, coleoptile, and the first leaf have been analyzed. A drastic change in peroxidase patterns was observed during the first hours of germination in all the materials studied. The triticale peroxidase patterns were similar to tetraploid wheat female parent patterns. The chromosomal locations of two leaf peroxidase isozymes of hexaploid wheat 'Chinese Spring' are also reported. These two isozymes, C9 and C10, are associated with chromosome arms 3DS and 7DS, respectively.

The chromosomal location of malate dehydrogenase isozymes in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The malate dehydrogenase (E.C. no 1.1.1. 37) of Triticum aestivum L. cv. Chinese Spring, shows two activity zones. The results obtained support the hypothesis that the malate dehydrogenase isozymes of zone II are dimers composed of the six possible combinations of subunits coded by triplicate genes located in the long arms of chromosomes of the homoeologous group 1.

The inheritance of rye seed peroxidases

Genetic analyses were conducted on peroxidase of the embryo and endosperm of seeds of one open pollinated and six inbred lines of cultivated rye (Secale cereale L.), and one line of Secale vavilovii Grossh. The analyses of the individual parts of the S. cereale seed yield a total of 14 peroxidase isozymes. Isozymes m, a, b, c, d, e, f and g (in order from faster to slower migration) were found in the embryo plus scutellum, while isozymes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 (also from faster to slower migration) were peculiar of the endosperm. S. vavilovii has isozymes m, c1, d, e, f and g in its embryo plus scutellum, and isozyme 2 in the endosperm. Segregation data indicated that at least 13 different loci would be controlling the peroxidase of S. cereale. Isozymes a and b are controlled by alleles of the same locus, all the other loci have one active and dominant allele coding for one isozyme, and other null and recessive allele. The estimation of linkage relationships shows that five endosperm loci are linked, and tentative maps are shown. A possible dosage effect and the existence of controlling gene(s) for endosperm isozyme 4 is reported. All these data and the high frequency of null alleles found are discussed in relation to recent reports.

The chromosomal location of factors determining the presence of phenolic compounds in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Using thin-layer chromatography and nulli-tetrasomic and ditellosomic series of Triticum aestivum L. cv. 'Chinese Spring', it has been possible to relate the phenolic compounds found in adult plant leaves and 12 day-old seedling leaves with the chromosomes or chromosome arms 1 B, 2 BL, 3 BL, 5 A, 6 AL, 7 B and 7 DS.

Dementia paralytica: deterioration from communicating hydrocephalus

Five patients suffering from dementia paralytica who failed to improve or deteriorated after one or several high dosage courses of penicillin, had pneumoencephalographic patterns suggesting communicating hydrocephalus. Measurements of the ventricular index, ratio of cella media to width of the temporal horn, and the callosal angle differed from that in seven cases of dementia paralytica with associated cerebral atrophy. An isotope cisternogram in three cases with communicating hydrocephalus further confirmed a blockage of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at the parasagittal subarachnoid space. Three patients exhibited the full syndrome of gait apraxia, incontinence, and pyramidal tract signs associated with a severe degree of dementia. Shunting of the CSF in three cases was followed by immediate improvement in two, one in a longlasting way. No active parenchymal inflammation was observed in any of three brain biopsy samples taken during surgery, except for leptomeningeal fibrosis in one. Chronic leptomeningitis in dementia paralytica may impair subarachnoid CSF absorption with subsequent communicating hydrocephalus. Progression or inadequate responses after therapeutic dose of penicillin in dementia paralytica should prompt investigation for this complication as an alternative, effective treatment could be offered.

The chromosomal location of peroxidase isozymes of the wheat kernel

The analysis of the individual parts of the Triticum aestivum L. kernel yields a total of 11 peroxidase isozymes: m, n, a, c, d1, d, d2, e, f, g and h (in order from faster to slower migration). Isozymes a, c and d are found in the endosperm (Ed) and seed coats (C), while m, n, d1, d2, e, f, g and h are peculiar to the embryo and scutellum (E + S). The use of the nullitetrasomic and ditellosomic series of 'Chinese Spring' wheat allows peroxidase isozymes to be associated with specific chromosome arms. Isozymes a, c and d (Ed) are associated with chromosome arms 7D(S), 4B(L) and 7A(S); whereas isozymes m, d2, e and f are associated with chromosome arms 3D(S), 3B(L), 3D(L) and 3D(L), respecitvely. Thus, the E + S isozymes are associated with homoeology group 3 and the Ed isozymes with homoeology groups 7 (a and d isozymes) or 4 (c isozymes).

Familial communicating syringomyelia

Calssical cervical syringomyelia was found in 3 members of one family. All 3 underwent air myelogram, and a Chiari malformation type I and postural collapse of the spinal cord was found in each case. An affected 7-year-old boy was discovered after a clinical and radiological survey of 8 first-degree relatives on the basis of mild scoliosis, pyramidal tract signs in the lower limbs and enlarged sagittal diameter of the cervical canal. One other member had basilar impression of the skull but no neurological abnormalities. No positive correlation was found between either the size of the cystic cord enlargement or descent of the ectopic tonsils with the duration or severity of the neurological findings. Suboccipital decompressive craniotomy and upper cervical laminectomy in one case was followed by improvement in strength and sensation 1 year later. Progression in familial syringomyelia appears to occur through a mechanism identical to that in the sporadic form and surgery is therefore also indicated. In affected families, routine survey of close relatives for abnormal neurological signs, and radiological evidence of scoliotic deformity of the spine, enlarged cervical canal and bone abnormalities at the craniovertebral junction may prove valuable for early detection. A dominantly inherited, genetically determined malformation seems to be the probable mechanism of inheritance in this family.