Avian reticuloendotheliosis virus-transformed lymphoid cells contain multiple pp59v-rel complexes

The v-rel oncogene of avian reticuloendotheliosis virus type T (REV-T) encodes a 59-kilodalton (kDa) phosphoprotein located principally in the cytosol of transformed lymphoid cells. All of the detectable pp59v-rel was present in high-molecular-weight complexes containing at least five cellular proteins (p124, p115, p75c-rel, p70hsc, and pp40). Antiserum was developed against the 40-kDa protein, the most abundant cellular protein associated with the complex. The 40-kDa phosphoprotein was complexed with pp59v-rel in REV-T-transformed lymphoid cell lines arrested at different stages of B-cell development as well as in lymphoid tumor cells and in fibrosarcomas. The half-life (8 h) of pp40 in REV-T-transformed lymphoid cells was the same as that of pp59v-rel. Antiserum against pp40 permitted the identification of two pp59v-rel complexes. The most abundant cytoplasmic complex contained approximately 75% of the pp59v-rel and all of the detectable pp40 in REV-T-transformed lymphoid cells. Twenty-five percent of the pp59v-rel was present in a minor complex that contained the majority of p75c-rel along with p115 and p124. In nuclear extracts of REV-T-transformed lymphoid cells, pp59v-rel was complexed with pp40. The two high-molecular-weight proteins (p115 and p124) and p75c-rel were not detected in the nuclear complex. In the cytosolic complexes, pp40 was heavily phosphorylated, whereas the nuclear form was much less extensively phosphorylated.

Two-year follow-up of bibliotherapy for depression in older adults

The present study examined the long-term benefits of participation in a bibliotherapy program for depressed older adults. Thirty of the original 44 participants (68%) were assessed at approximately 2 years following treatment for clinician-rated and self-rated depression. There were no significant increases in either index suggesting that improvements were maintained. Follow-up questions revealed that most participants (77%) had not received other treatment, most (73%) felt their depression level had decreased, and over half (53%) had read at least parts of their assigned book during the 2-year interval. Results further support the potential for structured bibliotherapy as a treatment adjunct or alternative.

Infantile apnea monitoring and SIDS

Primary care practitioners are presented with many concerns and questions from families about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), apnea, and monitors. Clinicians need to know which symptoms are of concern, when to ask for consultation from an apnea center, and how to refer the parent for support and counseling. This article reviews the current knowledge of infantile apnea, monitoring, and SIDS. An approach to evaluation and management is presented.

Nephrotic syndrome: from toddlers to twenties

63 patients with steroid-sensitive, biopsy-proven minimal-change nephrotic syndrome were followed for between 10 and 21 years. 2 died. All the survivors had normal renal function and blood pressure, and only 2 had a single attack. Frequent relapse was more common with young age of onset and in boys. The frequency of relapse fell rapidly over the first 4 years after diagnosis and then plateaued. Relapses continued into adult life. No definite endpoint to the disease could be defined although there was a linear relation between length of remission and risk of subsequent relapse.

A reassessment of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein in diabetic pregnancy

We assessed maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) concentrations in 227 diabetic women who belonged to different groups of White's classification but found no difference either between the insulin-dependent and the normative population or between the former and diabetics who were not insulin-dependent. By contrast, we found in maternal blood a marked, statistically significant inverse correlation between maternal serum AFP and the concentration of glycosylated hemoglobin in maternal blood assayed within 6 weeks of each other in mid-gestation (r = -0.4, p less than 0.05), but not when glycosylated hemoglobin was determined in the first two months of pregnancy (r = 0.05). These data indicate that the decrease in maternal serum AFP found in pregnant diabetic women is related to the efficacy of diabetic control but not to the diabetic status. A correction in maternal serum AFP should therefore be applied only to values obtained for women with poor glycemic control. Decreased maternal serum AFP in poorly controlled diabetics may indicate reduced synthesis of other fetal proteins which, in turn, may correlate with fetal growth retardation and the occurrence of malformation.

Accumulation of technetium-99m MDP in an intramuscular hemangioma

The accumulation of a bone-seeking radiopharmaceutical on delayed imaging in a hemangioma has not been described previously. The variable scintigraphic findings of hemangiomas are described in detail.

Apnea of infancy--a clinical problem

Of 569 infants referred to the Children's Orthopedic Hospital and Medical Center Apnea Program (Seattle) for evaluation between 1978 and 1983, a total of 232 were discharged with cardiopulmonary monitors. Of these, 164 (71%) were at 38 weeks' gestation or more (term). In all, 203 (88%) presented with an episode in which vigorous stimulation or resuscitation was used to terminate the event. The mean age of the infants at first episode was 43 days. In 226 (97%) of the infants there was resolution of apnea symptoms by 1 year of age. During this interval, five infants died. Those infants who presented with severe episodes continued to have severe episodes at home and had a longer mean duration of monitoring than those presenting with milder symptoms.

Evaluation of a home apnea monitoring program

From July 1978 to November 1981, 251 infants were studied for apnea at Children's Orthopedic Hospital and Medical Center. Idiopathic apnea was diagnosed in 45% of the infants referred. Infants who had histories of severe episodes tended to have more severe epidoses on follow-up and required a longer monitoring period. Age at onset of apneic episodes was related directly o length of monitoring period. Prematurity was not found to correlate with age at onset or severity. Developmental problems evident in some infants will require long-term follow-up.

Breast cancer in association with lobular carcinoma in situ. Clinicopathologic review and treatment recommendation

A 6 year follow-up study of 80 women with coexisting lobular carcinoma in situ and infiltrating breast cancer has been conducted to emphasize the natural history and management of these cancers. Treatment of the contralateral breast is of utmost importance as lobular carcinoma in situ is a multicentric neoplasm associated with a subsequent high occurrence of invasive cancer. This series has documented a high incidence of bilateral cancer. Six patients (7.5 percent) had simultaneous bilateral tumors and eight patients (10 percent) had the subsequent development of a second primary tumor, representing approximately four times the expected rate. Despite a well structured out-patient department, follow-up was suboptimal. Six of eight metachronous tumors were detected at a late stage (T2 and greater).

Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and lower oral cavity in patients under 40 years of age

Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and lower oral cavity is uncommon in patients under the age of 40 years. The site distribution and male to female ratio of patients differed markedly from those of the overall squamous cell carcinoma group. The tongue was by far the most common site, and the majority of patients were women. There were no apparent etiologic or biologic factors noted. Lymph node metastases occurred in 38 percent of our patients and were present in six of seven tumor-related deaths. Those patients who died usually had a poor response to initial treatment, and most were dead within less than 2 years after diagnosis. The overall cure rate in our study patients was much better than that for the overall group of patients, and this was especially so in patients with tongue cancer (80 percent absolute cure rate). Aggressive treatment and careful follow-up for recurrence or metastases are necessary.

Serum calcitonin response to administration of calcium in newborn infants during exchange blood transfusion

In 25 newborn infants, 30 "exchange" transfusions were performed. Pre-exchange serum calcitonin concentrations of newborn infants were higher than those of normal adults and of donor blood used for exchange transfusion. A gradual decline of serum calcitonin concentrations was observed with increasing postnatal age. Serum calcium and magnesium concentrations were inversely related to serum calcitonin concentrations. Newborn infants had significant elevations of serum calcitonin values within a few minutes after the administration of calcium. Gestationally younger infants (less than or equal to 33 weeks) had significantly more pronounced and swifter elevations of serum calcitonin concentrations after calcium administration than gestationally more mature infants (less than 33 weeks). We speculate that calcitonin may be an important "fetal hormone" and that increased calcitonin concentrations may relate to the pathogenesis of neonatal hypocalcemia.

Spastic diplegia and the significance of mothers' previous reproductive loss

In order to explore the relationship between spastic diplegia and mothers' previous reproductive loss, 119 cases of spastic diplegia born between 1953 and 1977 were compared with two series of controls. One control group comprised a random sample of all births, the other a random sample of births matched for birthweight and length of gestation. A demonstrable difference in previous reproductive histories was found between mothers of cases of spastic diplegia and mothers of the first series of controls, but there was no such difference between mothers of cases and mothers of the second series. This suggests that the reproductive histories of mothers of cases of spastic diplegia are not unique, and that their unusual number of reproductive losses is related to the child's associated fetal growth-retardation and not to the presence of diplegia.

Characterization and mapping of RNase III cleavage sites in VSV genome RNA

Ribonuclease III cleaves the genome RNA of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) to yield an array of fragments which range in size from 3.5 to 0.1 x 10(6) daltons under partial digestion conditions. The locations of the RNase III cleavage sites which give rise to these fragments have been ordered relative to the 3' end of the virion RNA by digestion of 3' end-labeled RNA. Based on a map of the cleavage sites we predicted that fragments having the same size could be generated which contain information from each gene. Annealing of individual VSV mRNA probes to Northern blots of the separated RNase III-generated fragments confirmed that fragments having the same size are, in fact, generated which contain information from each coding region of the VSV genome. Analysis of maps of partial digestion products indicates that fragments having the same size arise repeatedly along the 3' half of the genome. The cleavage of VSV RNA by RNase III can be detected only if the nuclease treated molecules are denatured. This suggest that the structure features in VSV RNA which signal cleavage involve areas of higher order RNA structure.

Changing epidemiology of malignant melanoma in Queensland

Information provided by Queensland pathology laboratories shows that the annual incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma in Queensland has doubled from 16 per 100 000 population in 1966, to 32.7 per 100 000 in 1977. The incidence in males, and the males to females ratio have increased. The major sites of the tumour remain the same, except possibly for a reduction in the number of leg tumours in females in tropical Queensland. More tumours with an in-situ component of Hutchinson's melanotic freckle type are being diagnosed. The tumours diagnosed in 1977, compared with those in the Queensland Melanoma Project files from 1963 to 1969, are more superficial (Level 1 or Level 2), with nonelevated profile and smaller diameter. The findings suggest that the disease is being diagnosed and treated earlier.

Modern concepts of melanoma and its management

Malignant melanoma can be diagnosed at an early biological stage when relatively simple excisional surgery carries a remarkably good prognosis. For this to happen requires good public education, so that patients are aware of the potential danger of any change in a mole, and good professional education, so that physicians of first contact are alert to the possibility of melanoma in these patients.

Recovery of function after brain damage: the extrinsic stimulus specificity of spared neural traces

Previous research has demonstrated that while primary visual cortex lesions in rats will disrupt performance of a learned brightness discrimination, the neural traces associated with this discrimination are spared. Moreover, the spared neural traces may, in certain instances, influence the postoperative reinstatement of a brightness discrimination. The present research was designed to determine the generality of this postoperative influence. The results indicate that while the normal rat and the visual decorticate rat may readily transfer learning between discriminations involving different discriminative cues, a visual lesion between two discriminations prevents this transfer. These data are interpreted as indicating that the postoperative influence of a spared neural trace is dependent upon the reoccurrence of specific extrinsic stimulus cues.

Large bowel cancer: a retrospective study of 635 cases

A retrospective survey of 635 cases of large bowel cancer treated at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, from 1956 to 1970 is presented. The age and sex incidence, presentation and pathology are discussed, and a detailed analysis is made of treatment and operative mortality rates. The resectability rate was 72-2%; the operative mortality rate for resectable colonic lesions was 6-6%, and for resectable rectal lesions, 7-3%. There was an operative mortality rate in the presence of acute obstruction of 17-5%. This study forms the basis of a prospective survey presently being undertaken at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Utilization of iron gallate and other organic iron complexes by bacteria from water supplies

The degradation of four soluble organic iron compounds by bacteria isolated from surface waters and the precipitation of iron from these complexes by the isolates was studied. All eight isolates brought about the precipitation of iron when grown on ferric ammonium citrate agar. Three isolates were able to degrade ferric malonate, and three others degraded ferric malate with iron precipitation. Only three isolates, two strains of Pseudomonas and one of Moraxella, were able to degrade gallic acid when this was supplied as the sole carbon source. One strain of Pseudomonas was found to be active in degrading ferric gallate. Electron microscopy of cells of this bacterium after growth in ferric gallate as the sole carbon source yielded results indicating uniform deposition of the iron on or in the bacterial cells. Seven of the isolates could degrade the iron gallate complex if supplied with additional carbon in the form of yeast extract.

Scaling aphasics' error responses

An aphasic’s error response may roughly approximate the desired response or it may closely approximate the desired response. Since the relationship between actual response and desired response may have diagnostic and therapeutic utility, this study analyzed this relationship using a similarity continuum of gross, syntactic, and phonological components. The results indicated that recording of error responses as incorrect omits potentially useful clinical information.