Hb Duan [alpha 75(EF4)Asp----Ala], Hb Westmead [alpha 122(H5)His----Gln], and alpha-thalassemia-2 (-4.2 Kb deletion) in a Chinese family

Detailed data are presented concerning the relative amounts of Hb A and two alpha chain variants (Hb Duan with alpha 75 Asp----Ala, and Hb Westmead with alpha 122 His----Gln), and the occurrence of an alpha-thalassemia-2 heterozygosity in five members of a small Chinese family. The three children who have the three abnormalities inherited the alpha-Duan and alpha-thalassemia-2 heterozygosities from their father, and the alpha-Westmead heterozygosity from their mother. The base substitution which leads to the synthesis of the alpha-Duan chain occurred at codon 75 of the alpha 1 globin gene of the chromosome which also carried the alpha-thalassemia-2 deletion; the concentration of alpha-Duan (37% of total alpha) is similar to that observed for other alpha chain variants, linked to an alpha-thalassemia-2 condition.

Convolutional reconstruction algorithm for fan beam concave and convex circular detectors

A modified convolution-backprojection reconstruction algorithm for a circular detector with an arbitrary radius of curvature has been derived for fan-beam geometries. The algorithm reduces to conventional fan-beam algorithms for flat detectors and for curved detectors having whose radii of curvature coincident with the X-ray tube focal spot. The algorithm substitutes a power series of convolution integrals in place of a single convolution integral. Computer simulations have verified the validity of the algorithm for a detector that curves away from the X-ray source. In this case, it has been demonstrated that good reconstructions are obtained when only a few of the terms of the power series are retained. The development of this algorithm represents a first step toward a cone-beam reconstruction algorithm that eventually will be used for an image-intensifier-based computerized-tomography volume imager being developed in the authors' laboratory.

Localization of neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity in the cat hypothalamus

The distribution pattern of neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity (NPY-Li) in cat hypothalamus was studied using avidin-biotin modification of immunocytochemical method. This study showed cell bodies containing NPY-Li in the periventricular and the infundibular nuclei and also a moderate number of neurons with NPY-Li in the ventromedial nucleus, an observation not reported in earlier studies. Fibers with NPY-Li were noted throughout the hypothalamus, but most prominently within the periventricular regions. The location of NPY cells within the hypothalamus suggests the possibility of an interaction with dopaminergic and other proopiomelanocortinergic neurons.

The distribution pattern of alpha-MSH-like immunoreactivity in the cat central nervous system

The distribution pattern of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone-like immunoreactivity (alpha-MSH-Li) was studied in cats using avidin-biotin modification of immunocytochemical method. Cell bodies containing alpha-MSH-Li were observed in the medial basal hypothalamus, especially in the infundibular nucleus, the lateral hypothalamus and near zona incerta. Fibers with alpha-MSH-Li extended beyond the hypothalamus, into the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus, rostral amygdala, periaqueductal gray, locus ceruleus, parabrachial nucleus and medial nucleus of the nucleus tractus solitarius. Axons with alpha-MSH-Li were also seen diffusely in various cortical areas, but more extensively in the limbic cortical regions. The distribution pattern of the cell bodies and fibers containing alpha-MSH-Li bears several similarities to that seen in rats, but differs in that the alpha-MSH-Li was not observed in cell bodies in locations other than the medial basal and lateral hypothalamus.

Hb F-Xin-Su or A gamma I73(E17)Asp----His: a new slow-moving fetal hemoglobin variant

A slow-moving gamma chain variant was discovered in the cord blood of an infant born to parents of the Han nationality from Jiangsu. The variant, which migrated electrophoretically at alkaline pH between Hb A and Hb D, was characterized by an Asp----His substitution at gamma 73, while residues gamma 75 and gamma 136 were occupied by Ile and Ala, respectively. As the A gamma T-chain was also present, this baby has two types of abnormal gamma-chain. The variant was named Hb F-Xin-Su.

Hb F-Xinjiang or A gamma T25(B7)Gly----Arg: a new slow-moving unstable fetal hemoglobin variant

This report describes a new fetal hemoglobin variant, Hb F-Xinjiang, which was observed in a newborn baby of the Han nationality. Its electrophoretic mobility at pH 8.6 was slower than that of Hb D. Structural analyses identified the variant as A gamma T25(B7)Gly----Arg. Heat stability test showed that the variant was unstable.

The distribution pattern of adrenocorticotropin-like immunoreactivity in the cat central nervous system

The distribution pattern of adrenocorticotropin-like immunoreactivity (ACTH-LI) in cats using the avidin-biotin modification of an immunocytochemical method shows cell bodies containing ACTH-LI in the medial basal hypothalamus, especially in the infundibular nucleus. The fibers from these neurons extended beyond the hypothalamus, into the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus, rostral amygdala, periaqueductal gray, locus coeruleus, parabrachial nucleus and medial nucleus of the nucleus tractus solitarius. The distribution pattern of the cell bodies and fibers containing ACTH-LI bears several similarities to that seen in rats. The pattern differs from that of rats in the fact that the termination in the amygdala is more extensive and that ACTH-LI was not observed in cell bodies in any location other than the medial basal hypothalamus.

The projection pattern of the suprageniculate nucleus to the caudate nucleus in cats

The suprageniculate nucleus of the posterior thalamus is a source of non-intralaminar thalamic nucleus which projects selectively to the medial and intermediate regions of the caudate nucleus in cats.

Tumor-initiating and promoting activities of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in vivo and in vitro

The carcinogenic effects of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), including its potential as an initiator and as a promoter of carcinogenesis, were studied in mouse liver and skin and in rat liver in vivo, and in mouse epidermis-derived JB6 cells in vitro. A mouse model for liver initiation and promotion involved initiation by injection of N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) intraperitoneally into male B6C3F1 mice at 4 weeks of age, followed by exposure to either DEHP in the diet (3000, 6000, or 12,000 ppm) or phenobarbital in the drinking water (500 ppm), beginning 1 to 2 weeks later and continuing for periods of from 1 day to 18 months. Female F344/NCr rats were subjected to a similar protocol in which promotion continued for 14 weeks. DEHP promoted focal hepatocellular proliferative lesions (FHPL), including hyperplastic foci and neoplasms initiated by DEN in mice but not in rats. Skin-painting studies in female CD-1 or SENCAR mice involved initiation by a single topical exposure to 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]-anthracene (DMBA) applied to the dorsal skin, followed by repeated percutaneous exposure to a tumor promoter, either DEHP or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). To test for two-stage skin tumor promotion, SENCAR mice were initiated with DMBA and then TPA was administered for only 2 weeks, after which DEHP was subsequently administered for 26 weeks. DEHP displayed very weak complete promoting activity and definite second stage promoting activity in SENCAR mouse skin, but was inactive under our conditions on CD-1 mouse skin. In vitro promoting activity of DEHP and its hydrolysis products, mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) and 2-ethylhexanol (EH), was studied by using promotable mouse epidermis-derived JB6 cells. DEHP and MEHP promoted JB6 cells to anchorage independence, while EH did not.

The significance of carotid stenosis or ulceration

Data from the medical treatment group of the Aspirin in TIA study were reviewed, and prospective analysis of patients with asymptomatic bruits was performed to see whether carotid stenosis (0 to 49% or 50 to 99%) or ulceration produced an increased risk of ipsilateral TIA or infarct. In symptomatic arteries, greater than 50% stenosis without ulceration implied a higher risk of subsequent symptoms. Ulceration was associated with an increased risk only in nonstenotic vessels. Lesion anatomy was not related to outcome in asymptomatic arteries, and the incidence of cerebral infarct was low. Factors other than anatomy must play a large role in determining subsequent risk.