Chemical properties, distribution, and physiology of plant and algal carbonic anhydrases

Plant carbonic anhydrases (CAs) have a range of molecular weights (MW). Among flowering plants, dicotyledons with C3 photosynthesis have two isoenzymes of 140-250K each with 6 subunits, while monocotyledons have two isoenzymes of 42-45K. Plant and animal CAs have a similar amino acid content, subunit size and zinc content, suggesting they are homologous proteins, although the higher plant CAs have no esterase activity and are not strongly inhibited by sulfonamides. Algal CAs vary widely in MW and some are highly sensitive to sulfonamides like the animal enzymes. The two plant isoenzymes, from the chloroplast and cytosol, can be separated by gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and subsequently visualized by enzymic H+ ion production. In plants, CAs probably facilitate diffusion of CO2 to the site of photosynthetic fixation; they may also have a role in pH regulation, in the use of bicarbonate by aquatic plants and in concentrating inorganic carbon within the chloroplast.

Hypercalcemia in head and neck carcinoma. Incidence and prognosis

A retrospective review of all head and neck cancers seen between January 1, 1975, and September 1, 1981, at Harper-Grace Hospitals, Detroit, Michigan, was performed. Of 1438 patients with head and neck cancers, 41 (2.9%) had hypercalcemia (calcium greater than 11.0 mg%) during the course of their disease. The incidence of hypercalcemia by site was 13 of 351 (3.7%) larynx, 7/280 (2.5%) pharynx, 19/733 (2.6%) oral cavity (floor of mouth 4/171, tongue 9/209, tonsil 5/176, palate 1/95, other 0/82, 2/26 (7.7%) nasal cavity, and 0/48 salivary gland carcinomas. Chest radiograph results were positive for mass lesions in 17/35 (49%). Bone scans and/or x-ray results were positive in 15/31 (48%), negative in 16/31 (52%), and were not evaluated in 10 patients. Of five patients tested, all had inappropriately elevated serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) for their serum calcium level. The hypercalcemia was medically treated in 29/41 (70%), with return-to-normal calcium levels in 17/29 (59%). Twelve patients (30%) received only terminal care. Survival from the diagnosis of hypercalcemia ranged from 1 to 514+ days (mean, 80+ days; median 33 days). It is concluded that hypercalcemia is unusual in head and neck carcinoma. Furthermore, hypercalcemia frequently is a late manifestation and terminal event. Finally, hypercalcemia in some patients may be mediated by PTH production.

Reliability and validity of the Direct Observation Form of the Child Behavior Checklist

This article reports reliability and validity data for the Direct Observation Form (DOF) of the Child Behavior Checklist. Observational data were collected on two samples of boys aged 6-11 in classroom settings. Interobserver agreement was high: r = .92 for behavior problem score and r = .83 for on-task score. Generalizability, as measured by the one-way intraclass correlation, was .86 and .71 for behavior problem score and on-task score, respectively. In terms of validity, DOF scores correlated significantly and in the expected directions with teacher-reported problem behavior, school performance, and adaptive functioning. In addition, boys who had been referred by their teachers due to problem behavior obtained significantly higher behavior problem scores and significantly lower on-task scores than a matched sample of normal boys observed in the same classrooms.

Chemotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A ten-year experience

Seventeen patients, 14 after radiation therapy relapse, with measurable nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated with chemotherapy. Remissions were observed in 9 of 17 (53%) with 3 complete (CR) and 6 partial responses (PR). Five (2 CR + 3 PR) of seven patients with lymphoepithelioma achieved remission, 4 (1 CR + 3 PR) of 8 with keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma, and 2 progressions with transitional cell carcinoma. Complete remissions were only achieved with CDDP-based combinations, with 2 of the 3 CR rendered histologically free of disease at the time of repeat biopsy of the tumor bed. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is responsive to chemotherapy, even after radiation therapy relapse. The most effective chemotherapy combinations contain CDDP. Histologic differentiation did not appear to influence the frequency of remissions.

A usage-safety study of two new, dry skin formulations in patients with atopic dermatitis

A usage-safety study involving two new dry skin formulations was conducted using a group of subjects with a history of atopic dermatitis. The results indicate that these formulations are safe in persons with inactive to mildly active dermatitis and are effective in alleviating the signs of dry skin, particularly on the legs. However, one individual with very active dermatitis developed an irritant reaction to one test formulation, possibly related to the fragrance contained therein.

Quantitation of cutaneous Langerhans cells of sarcoidosis patients

Langerhans cells play a role in cell-mediated immune reactions which are often depressed in sarcoidosis. We examined the epidermis of 17 anergic patients with sarcoidosis (Kveim-reactive and/or biopsy-proved) for the number of Langerhans cells in noninvolved skin and in any cutaneous sarcoidal lesions. Skin biopsies of 10 healthy volunteers served as controls. In comparison to controls, the epidermis overlying noninvolved (p less than 0.05), sarcoidal (p less than 0.0005), and Kveim-reactive (p less than 0.005) skin contained significantly fewer detectable Ia and T6 antigen-bearing Langerhans cells. The reductions within noninvolved skin were most pronounced in patients with multisystem disease. Lower epidermal Langerhans cell densities, in comparison to controls, were detected in both prednisone-treated and untreated patients. Epidermis overlying sarcoidal skin of untreated patients contained significantly fewer Ia and T6 antigen-bearing Langerhans cells (p less than 0.05, p less than 0.0025, respectively) than epidermis from noninvolved skin. Whether reduced numbers of cutaneous Langerhans cells are due to either a local and/or systemic effect of sarcoidosis, or reflect the anergic state of these patients is unknown.

The practicality of chronic hepatic artery infusion therapy of primary and metastatic hepatic malignancies: ten-year results of 124 patients in a prospective protocol

Ten-year results are presented of 124 patients with malignancy apparently limited to the distribution of the hepatic artery, treated to prospective protocol with continuous infusion of 5-FUdR through an hepatic artery catheter. Nearly all patients had moderate to massive hepatic replacement. Of 88 patients with colorectal carcinoma, 64 (73%) had clinically objective and subjective remission. Median survival for responders was 13 months; for the entire group, ten months. Of 13 patients with hepatoma, nine had clinically significant regression with a median survival of 11 months. Ten patients had carcinoma of the gall bladder or bile duct with seven obtaining clinically significant regression. Complications encountered are discussed and are similar to other series. Of the patients experiencing clinically significant remission, all but one reached the complete independence performance status, and 84% reached normal activity levels. Thus, for hepatic localized tumor, this therapy is worthwhile and practical.

Mal de Meleda treated with 13-cis retinoic acid

Identical twins with mal de Meleda, a rare genodermatosis, displayed the characteristic "glove and sock" hyperkeratosis, hyperhidrosis, and malodor. Their parents, who are first cousins, are unaffected and originated from Calabria, Italy, which is not far from Meleda (Mljet). The disorder is probably transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. Previous therapy with grenz rays, topical preparations of adrenocorticosteroids, lactic acid, retinoic acid, and bland emollients had been unsuccessful. One of the twins was treated with 13-cis retinoic acid taken by mouth for 16 weeks with dramatic improvement. The major adverse effect was cheilitis, which did not force discontinuation of the treatment.

Intracellular location of carbonate dehydratase (carbonic anhydrase) in leaf tissue

Two proteins which have carbonate dehydratase (carbonic anhydrase, EC 4.2.1.1) activity were shown to be in the chloroplasts and in the cytosol of leaves of Brassica chinensis, Spinacia oleracea, and in variegated leaves of Tradescantia albiflora and Hedera canariensis. The chloroplastic enzyme is smaller than the one in the cytosol, as it runs farther on gradient polyacrylamide gels. It was separated from the other by isolation of chloroplasts of Brassica and Spinacia on sucrose density gradients; approximately half of the total activity was in the chloroplasts.

Comparison of continuously infused 5-fluorouracil with bolus injection in treatment of patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma

In a randomized series of 70 patients with with colo rectal adenocarcinoma, a comparison of systemic 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy administered as a continuous 120-hours infusion vs. intravenous bolus injection daily for 5 days demonstrated superiority of prolonged intravenous infusion. The most striking advantage of prolonged infusion of 5-FU was the absence of myelotoxicity. Fifteen of the 34 patients treated with infusion and 8 of the 36 patients treated by bolus injection developed objective tumor responses. The difference in response rate at least in part is explainable by unequal distribution of patients with different characteristics between the two treatment groups.

Nectar Production in Abutilon IV. Wate'r and Solute Relations

Nectar secreted by isolated nectaries floated on sucrose solution was of a higher total molar concentration than the medium. However, under steady-state conditions, the 8ucrose concentration was lower than that of the medium, the nectar containing glucose and fructose in addition to sucrose_ When mannitol was added to the medium the osmotic pressure of the nectar exceeded that of the medium although the total molar sugar concentration of the nectar could be somewhat less

Nectar Production in Abutilon III. Sugar Secretion

Analysis of Abutilon nectaries shows that the sugar content of the nectary rises sharply as nectar secretion begins. Nectar secretion on the plant occurs at a steady rate of 2-5 mg total sugar per flower. hour for 36-48 hr. A total of about 100 mg sugar per flower is secreted, and this is about seven times the maximum sugar content of the nectary at any time. Secretion of sugar in nectar by isolated nectaries floating on 0--0� 4M sucrose solution is in two phases. During phase I the rate is independent of concentration of sucrose in the external medium, but the rate is decreased by increasing the osmotic pressure of the medium with mannitol. In phase II the rate of secretion of sugar depends on the concentration of sucrose in the external medium and is independent of increase in osmotic pressure with mannitol. The rate is zero on water and reaches a maximum on about O� 4M sucrose. Secretion is reduced in both phases on media of sucrose concentration