Recombinant DNA probes for Mycoplasma synoviae

A genomic library was prepared from Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) strain WVU 1853 cloned in plasmid vector pUC8 and transformed in Escherichia coli host JM83. In dot blot assays, four transformed E. coli clones hybridized with 32P-labeled chromosomal DNA of MS but not with 32P-labeled chromosomal DNA of M. gallisepticum (MG) strain S6. In Southern hybridization, each of the CsCl-purified recombinant plasmid clones was shown to contain two MS DNA fragments between 1.0 to 2.3 kbp in length. 32P-Labeled probes prepared from each of the four recombinant plasmids hybridized in dot blot assays with MS strain WVU 1853 and nine MS field isolates but not with MG strains S6, K810, F2F10, four MG field isolates, and 15 other species of avian mycoplasmas.

10-year survival rate for patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiation therapy. Clinical analysis of 367 cases

Of 1,344 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated during 1961-1965 at the Shanghai Cancer Hospital, 367 who survived over 10 years after radiation therapy, were analysed. The results showed that the patients with stage I, II nasopharyngeal carcinoma and those with stage III, IV, the 10-year survival rates were 41.5% and 22.8% respectively, the overall 10-year survival rate being 27.3%. The 10-year survival rate was higher for female patients than for males, and was not related to the age of the patients and the pathological type of this carcinoma. The optimal tumor dosage was thought to be 60-70 Gy 350(95.4%) out of the 367 patients received radiotherapy only once. The rest received repeated irradiation for recurrence. For the reirradiated patients, the 10-year survival rate was 13.5%. Most recurrences occurred 5 years after radiotherapy (12/17), and only 5 within 3 years.

Antigenic analysis of three strains of Mycoplasma meleagridis of varying pathogenicity

Three strains of Mycoplasma meleagridis of varying pathogenicity were characterized by conventional serologic methods and by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The three strains (RY-39A, MC-25B, and RY-39C) did not differ by cross agglutination, immunofluorescence and immunodiffusion tests. However, the strains differed in their protein patterns as determined by SDS-PAGE.

Involvement of a nucleolar component, perichromonucleolin, in the condensation and decondensation of chromosomes

A component of the nucleolar material, perichromonucleolin (PCN), was identified by a specific antiserum against nucleoli obtained from a scleroderma patient. The distribution and changes of PCN during the mitotic cycle were followed using this antiserum and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. Based upon the behavior of PCN during mitosis, it could be differentiated into chromosomal and nonchromosomal portions. During prophase the former gradually associates with the surface of the condensing chromosomes and forms the coat or pellicle around the metaphase and anaphase chromosomes. This pellicle PCN is carried by the anaphase chromosomes to the daughter nuclei. During the time from telophase to interphase, the pellicle PCN dissociates from the decondensing chromosomes and is incorporated into the new nucleoli. The nonchromosomal PCN, after the breakdown of the nuclear membrane, distributes in the cytoplasmic region around the condensed chromosomes and diffuses into the cytoplasm during anaphase. Preliminary biochemical analysis by immunoblotting showed that the PCN consists of two main proteins with molecular masses of 36 kDa and 30 kDa.

Long term survival of radiotherapy for esophageal cancer: analysis of 1136 patients surviving for more than 5 years

One thousand one hundred and thirty-six patients surviving for more than five years after radiotherapy were studied. The important prognostic factors are: lesion less than 5 cm in length, lesion located in the upper-third segment and lesion that is radiosensitive. The radiation dose given to long term survivors varies greatly, i.e., 2700 to 9300 rad. Yet, for the sensitive type of lesion, doses lower than 5000 rad could also effect a cure. The delivery of an optimum dose determined by serial examinations during radiotherapy could improve the result of treatment. For local recurrent lesions, the value of a second course of radiation is extremely limited and surgery is the only means to offer a cure. For metastasis in the lymph nodes, radiation offers some hope of cure, although the long term outcome may not be satisfactory. For second primary cancer of the esophagus, aggressive radiation still gives encouraging results.