5/6/7/8 mono or disubstituted 1H/1-phenyl-9H-pyrido [3,4 b] indoles--a new class of antifilarial agents and their relationship with voltage sensitive calcium channels in Setaria cervi

Synthetic compounds of 5/6/7/8 mono or disubstituted 1H/1-phenyl-9H pyrido (3,4 b) indole series were screened for their antifilarial activity in vitro by observing their effect on the spontaneous movements of the whole worm and nerve muscle preparation of S. cervi (Nematoda:Filarioidea). Of the 10 compounds tested only compound 87/581 was able to modify the movements of whole worm and nerve muscle preparation. This compound caused inhibition of spontaneous motility of whole worm and nerve muscle preparation of S. cervi characterized by initial short lasting stimulation followed by irreversible paralysis. The concentration required to inhibit the movements of n.m. preparation was 10 micrograms/ml as compared to 25 micrograms/ml for the whole worm preparation, suggesting a cuticular permeability barrier. Prior addition of compound 87/581 to the bath fluid blocked the calcium ion dependent stimulant effect of Ach and pyrantel pamoate. Further the initial stimulant effect of the compound was blocked by prior addition of nifedipine a calcium channel blocker. The findings suggest that the action is due to blockade of voltage sensitive calcium channels.

Production of cytotoxic factor by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in patients with dengue haemorrhagic fever

A unique cytokine, human cytotoxic factor (hCF), has been shown to occur in the sera of patients with dengue fever (DF) and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). The present study was undertaken to investigate the ability of fresh PBMC of such patients to produce hCF. The PBMC were cultured for 24 h and the culture supernatants (CS) were analysed for the presence of hCF by cytotoxicity assay, competitive ELISA and dot blot tests. In 90% of 246 cases CS were positive for hCF by the three tests. CS were positive for hCF in PBMC collected from days 1-20 of illness but not at later periods. Higher cytotoxic activity was observed in CS of days 1-4 of illness and was highest in cases of DHF grade IV and lowest in cases of DF. Dot blot hybridization of RNA extracted from the PBMC of the patients showed the presence of mRNA for hCF in 94% of cases. A similar number of patients showed the presence of hCF in situ in the PBMC smears by fluorescent antibody technique. hCF was found only in CD4+ T cells. The findings thus present direct evidence of the production of hCF by CD4 T cells of cases of DF/DHF.

Transcript analysis of the tobacco plastid operon rps2/atpI/H/F/A reveals the existence of a non-consensus type II (NCII) promoter upstream of the atpI coding sequence

The plastid ATP synthase complex is composed of nine subunits, of which six are encoded in the plastome. The plastid-encoded genes are arranged in two transcriptional units: atpB/E and atpI/H/F/A. We have recently reported that besides containing four -10 and -35 consensus-type (CT) promoters, the atpB/E operon also contains a non-consensus type (NCII) promoter that alone is responsible for its expression in non-photosynthetic plastids. As the functionality of ATP synthase requires expression of all nine subunits, NCII promoter-driven transcription of the atpI/H/F/A operon is to be expected in non-photosynthetic plastids. Therefore, a detailed transcriptional analysis of this operon was carried out using RNA samples from tobacco leaf, cultured cells (BY-2) and seedlings grown on streptomycin and spectinomycin; which contain chloroplasts, translationally active non-photosynthetic plastids and translationally inactive plastids, respectively. We identified a total of three transcription initiation sites (TIS) and four transcript processing sites in the non-coding regions of this operon. Our results also demonstrate that rps2 is co-transcribed with the atpI/H/F/A genes. One of the TIS (-208 atpI) is characterized by an NCII type promoter, while other two primary transcripts (-131 atpI and -384 atpH) initiate from CT promoters. In non-photosynthetic plastids the atpI/H/F/A-specific transcript pool seems to be solely contributed by initiation at the -208 atpI (NCII type) promoter, because transcripts from CT promoters do not accumulate in these plastid types.

Clinical evaluation of new balloon mountable coil stent: in-hospital and follow-up results

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility, safety and efficacy of elective deployment of a new coil-stent (KR stent) in patients with coronary artery disease. KR stent deployment was attempted in 100 patients (135 lesions) enrolled prospectively at a single centre from December 1996 to March 1997. Ten, 15, 18, 24, and 32 mm long KR stents were manually crimped onto balloons and deployed in native coronary artery lesions. Majority of the patients had recent acute coronary syndromes (unstable angina 30% and post-myocardial infarction angina 56%). Diabetes was present in 34 percent of the patients. Fifty-six percent had single-vessel and 44 percent multi-vessel disease. In 38 percent, the lesions were located in proximal segments and 40 percent of lesions were long. KR stents were successfully deployed in 98 percent of patients. Mean minimal luminal diameter increased by 2.89 +/- 0.63 mm (from 0.57 +/- 0.38 mm before to 3.45 +/- 0.56 mm after the procedure). Mean percent diameter stenosis decreased from 83.33 +/- 10.84 percent before to 3.38 +/- 5.74 percent after the stent deployment. Mean reference vessel diameter was 3.45 +/- 0.56 mm. There were occasional technical complications including balloon rupture (1), stent migration (2) and distal embolisation of atheromatous material (1). One patient developed subacute stent thrombosis. There were no other major in-hospital cardiovascular events. At the end of six-month follow-up, there were no myocardial infarction or death. Six patients presented with recurrence of symptoms within six-months of the procedure, four of whom underwent target vessel revascularisation procedure. In conclusion, the in-hospital and six-month follow-up clinical results were highly encouraging with KR stent. Successful deployment rates were high despite unfavourable clinical and angiographic background. Low clinical events on follow-up will make it suitable for elective stenting.

Prostaglandin production contributes to exercise-induced vasodilation in heart failure

Endothelial release of prostaglandins may contribute to exercise-induced skeletal muscle arteriolar vasodilation in patients with heart failure. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effect of indomethacin on leg circulation and metabolism in eight chronic heart failure patients, aged 55 +/- 4 yr. Central hemodynamics and leg blood flow, determined by thermodilution, and leg metabolic parameters were measured during maximum treadmill exercise before and 2 h after oral administration of indomethacin (75 mg). Leg release of 6-ketoprostaglandin F1alpha was also measured. During control exercise, leg blood flow increased from 0.34 +/- 0.03 to 1. 99 +/- 0.19 l/min (P < 0.001), leg O2 consumption from 13.6 +/- 1.8 to 164.5 +/- 16.2 ml/min (P < 0.001), and leg prostanoid release from 54.1 +/- 8.5 to 267.4 +/- 35.8 pg/min (P < 0.001). Indomethacin suppressed release of prostaglandin F1alpha (P < 0.001) throughout exercise and decreased leg blood flow during exercise (P < 0.05). This was associated with a corresponding decrease in leg O2 consumption (P < 0.05) and a higher level of femoral venous lactate at peak exercise (P < 0.01). These data suggest that release of vasodilatory prostaglandins contributes to skeletal muscle arteriolar vasodilation in patients with heart failure.

ESR and iron status in pregnancy

ESR (Westergen) correlated significantly with the iron status (as measured by Hb concentration, haematocrit, red cell count, MCH, P/H ratio, serum iron, TIBC and percent saturation of transferrin) in a group of pregnant women (PW) at term. Serum ferritin correlated negatively with the ESR but the correlation was not statistically significant. Serum ferritin levels of < 50 micrograms/L were present in 9 (34.6%) PW with ESR > or = 50 mm 1st hour and 5 (19.2%) PW with ESR < 50 mm 1st hour. The mean ESR in PW was 55.7 (+/- 22.9) and was > or = 50 mm 1st hour in 50% and < 75 mm 1st hour in 82.7%. The difference in the mean ESR in anaemic and nonanaemic PW was highly significant (p < 0.001), 87.5% anaemic PW with serum ferritin > 50 micrograms/L had ESR > or = 50 mm 1st hour, suggesting the possible effect of chronic infection in raising ferritin levels in these PW.

The significance of white-centered retinal hemorrhages in the shaken baby syndrome

Retinal hemorrhages in healthy children with or without a history of associated trauma are a strong indicator of child abuse. This report describes six cases of battered infants who presented with white-centered retinal hemorrhages. We discuss potential mechanisms for the presence of white-centered retinal hemorrhages in battered children.

Increased renal production of transforming growth factor-beta1 in patients with type II diabetes

Diabetic nephropathy is a common complication in patients with either type I or type II diabetes. The pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy is thought to involve both metabolic and vascular factors leading to chronic accumulation of glomerular mesangial matrix. In this context, both transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and endothelin may contribute to these processes. To determine if diabetic patients demonstrate increased renal production of TGF-beta and endothelin, aortic, renal vein, and urinary levels of these factors were measured in 14 type II diabetic patients and 11 nondiabetic patients who were undergoing elective cardiac catheterization. Renal blood flow was measured in all patients to calculate net mass balance across the kidney. Diabetic patients demonstrated net renal production of immunoreactive TGF-beta1 (830 +/- 429 ng/min [mean +/- SE]), whereas nondiabetic patients demonstrated net renal extraction of circulating TGF-beta1 (-3479 +/- 1010 ng/min, P < 0.001). Urinary levels of bioassayable TGF-beta were also significantly increased in diabetic patients compared with nondiabetic patients (2.435 +/- 0.385 vs. 0.569 +/- 0.190 ng/mg creatinine, respectively; P < 0.001). Renal production of immunoreactive endothelin was not significantly increased in diabetic patients. In summary, type II diabetes is associated with enhanced net renal production of TGF-beta1, whereas nondiabetic patients exhibit net renal extraction of circulating TGF-beta1. Increased renal TGF-beta production may be an important manifestation of diabetic kidney disease.

CHEST INJURIES IN BATTLE CASUALTIES

Battle casualties treated as indoor patients at a military hospital between December 89 and December 94 were prospectively evaluated. Out of 3640 patients, 388 (10.7%) had chest injuries. Among the 388 patients 190 (48.9%) had haemothorax. Pleurocentesis was the fastest and the most reliable means of establishing the diagnosis of haemothorax. Thoracostomy with supportive care was adequate to manage 75 per cent of these cases which included more than 50 per cent of those with massive haemothorax. Twelve patients out of the 190 cases (6.3%) who presented with haemothorax needed thoracotomy. The overall mortality in this series was 7 per cent.

Identification and functional significance of a new class of non-consensus-type plastid promoters

The promoter regions of most plastid transcription units have been reported to consist of prokaryotic -10 and -35-like consensus sequences. However, a few promoters with no homology to the consensus elements have also been characterized. A novel class of non-consensus plastid promoters--designated as non consensus type II (NC-II) promoters--that effect low-level constitutive expression of respective genes in photosynthetic as well as non-photosynthetic plastids is described in this paper. The abundance of NC-II promoter-derived transcripts remains unaltered even when light-grown seedlings are shifted to the dark. In contrast, transcripts from -10 and -35-like elements containing consensus type (CT) promoters accumulate to high levels in chloroplasts as compared with non-photosynthetic plastids of roots and cultured cells. Moreover, accumulation of these transcripts is greatly affected by light. The inhibition of plastid protein synthesis has no apparent effect on the abundance of the NC-II transcripts whereas levels of CT transcripts are greatly reduced. In vivo tagetitoxin (a plastid transcription inhibitor) treatment also reduces the levels of CT transcripts with no apparent inhibitory effect on the accumulation of NC-II transcripts. The accumulation of transcripts from both classes of promoters, however, is reduced when cytoplasmic protein synthesis is inhibited by in vivo treatment with cycloheximide. The results are suggestive of the possible existence of at least two distinctive systems for the synthesis and/or maintenance of plastid transcripts which differentiate between two classes of transcripts in a promoter-type specific manner.

MILITANCY TRAUMA : PENETRATING AND NONPENETRATING CARDIAC INJURY

Two hundred and eighty patients with serious chest injuries were treated at a service hospital during a period of 41 months. Out of 9 patients who suffered cardiac trauma S had penetrating cardiac injuries, 2 had penetrating pericardial injury and 2 patients had myocardial contusions. Myocardial contusions simulated myocardial infarction. All patients except one had polytrauma, associated injury to the lung or intra-abdominal organs. Early evacuation, resuscitation, high index of suspicion for cardiac injury and prompt surgical intervention were the keys to successful management in these patients. Thoracotomy was performed to repair the myocardial perforation and lacerated lung injuries. Associated infra-abdominal injuries were managed with laparotomy. Two patients died due to lack of cardiopulmonary bypass facilities and resistant cardiac arrhythmias. Seven patients had uneventful recovery.

Bilin chromophores as reporters of unique protein conformations of phycocyanin 645

At 45 degrees C, phycocyanin 645 maximally undergoes a reversible and stable conformational change. The change is observed in the visible (chromophore) region of the absorption and circular dichroism (CD) spectra. In the absorption spectrum, the absorbance is lower at 45 degrees C but remains much closer to the normal spectrum than to a strongly denatured spectrum. In the CD, a similar situation exists except that a negative band on the blue edge of the spectrum is much more strongly affected at 45 degrees C than the other bands. On returning to 20 degrees C, all these changes are restored to the original states. The protein is an alpha 2 beta 2 dimer at both 20 and 45 degrees C, and CD in the far-UV shows the identical protein secondary structures at both 20 and 45 degrees C. Fluorescence studies show that energy transfer occurs at both temperatures. At 50 degrees C the results are saliently different as the secondary structure changes and the spectral changes are mostly irreversible. At 50 degrees C, some monomers (alpha beta) are produced, and these monomers are very unstable at that temperature, resulting in the formation of some fully denatured polypeptides. Stable monomers can be produced at 20 degrees C and have visible absorption and CD spectra identical to the dimer at 45 degrees C. Therefore, the chromophores are reporting a tertiary conformational change at 45 degrees C, in which the two halves of the dimer each assume a monomer-like conformation prior to dissociating. These results are compared with a hypothesis for the chromophore topography, and the CD change at the blue edge of the spectra may result from the separation at 45 degrees C of a chromophore pair.

Total sleep deprivation and the thyroid axis: effects of sleep and waking activity

BACKGROUND

Circadian and sleep components modulate anterior pituitary release of thyrotropin (TSH), the chemical substance regulating the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3). The present study examined TSH, T4, and T3 concentrations across the wake-sleep boundary time (2300-0130 hours) before, during, and after a 64-h sleep deprivation paradigm. Additionally, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol were measured as an index of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation. Activity levels and ratings of effort required to perform cognitive tasks were also incorporated to evaluate physical and cognitive load, respectively, across the study period. Assessing the combined effects of activity and sleep deprivation on thyroid hormone economy is relevant to the relationship of high physical and/or cognitive performance demands during sleep deprivation inherent in extended military operations and space exploration.

METHODS

There were 12 healthy subjects who were monitored during a 2-d baseline period, 3 d of total sleep deprivation, and 2 nights of recovery sleep. Serum samples were collected at 2300 hours and 0130 hours across the entire study period, and measured for TSH, T4, T3, and glucocorticoids.

RESULTS

Change scores evaluated at the wake-sleep boundary time demonstrated significant inhibitory effects of sleep on thyroid hormone measures. As expected, sleep deprivation was associated with elevated TSH. However, sleep deprivation also significantly increased circulating levels of T3 at 2300 hours and T4 concentration change scores (2300-0130 hours). Glucocorticoid levels did not track thyroid hormone changes. Physical activity remained constant while subjective ratings of effort to perform cognitive tasks increased significantly during sleep deprivation.

CONCLUSION

Compared to sleep deprivation studies under constant conditions reporting no change in peripheral T4 and T3 levels, the present study suggests activity level, including cognitive effort to perform, during total sleep deprivation may produce substantive changes in the thyroid axis.

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER IN POLY-TRAUMA CASES

Six hundred and one patients, who sustained injuries in militant activities, admitted during a 7 month period to a zonal referral hospital were studied. The majority, 54.6% from the Armed Forces and 38.8% from the para-military forces, were in the age group of 22-53 years. There were 40 (6.7%) civilian casualties. These were in the age group of 20-45 years. A large number (75.7%) of the casualties manifested with post-traumatic stress symptoms. 24.3% of them were rated as post-traumatic stress disorder. Six months follow-up revealed persistence of post-traumatic stress disorder in 17.1% of the cases. By one year, 42.1% who responded to the follow-up letters had persistence of post-traumatic stress disorder in 4.95%. Early recognition of this psychic trauma and preventive strategies are discussed.

Essential fatty acid deficiency prevents multiple low-dose streptozotocin-induced diabetes in naive and cyclosporin-treated low-responder murine strains

We have previously shown that essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency prevents diabetes and ameliorates insulitis in low-dose streptozotocin (LDS)-treated male CD-1 mice. The effects of EFA deficiency on the incidence of diabetes after LDS treatment has not been examined in other strains. In contrast to highly susceptible CD-1 mice, several other strains of mice are only partially susceptible to LDS treatment and do not develop appreciable insulitis; however, the susceptibility of these strains can be markedly increased by cyclosporin A (CsA) pretreatment to reduce suppressor cell function. Weanling male BALB/cByJ, DBA/2J, and C57BL/6J mice were placed on EFA-deficient (EFAD) or control diets for 2 months and then divided into experimental and control groups. Ten EFAD and 10 control mice from each strain received LDS treatment (40 mg/kg/d 5 d); an additional 10 EFAD BALB/cByJ and another 10 control BALB/cByJ mice received subcutaneous CsA injections (20 mg/kg/d) for 14 days prior to and for 5 days simultaneous with LDS treatment (40 mg/kg/d 5 d). Plasma glucose levels for all mice were determined 3 times per week for 3 weeks after LDS treatment. Mean plasma glucose levels (+/- SEM) at the end of the experiment were significantly lower in the EFAD groups vs control groups in BALB/cByJ (P < 0.001), DBA/2J (P < 0.00001), and C57BL/6J (P = 0.012) mice. CsA supplementation increased the severity of diabetes in LDS-treated BALB/cByJ mice (P < 0.0005); however, EFA deficiency also prevented diabetes in CsA-supplemented BALB/cByJ mice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

An atpE-specific promoter within the coding region of the atpB gene in tobacco chloroplast DNA

The atpB and atpE genes encode beta and epsilon subunits, respectively, of chloroplast ATP synthase and are co-transcribed in the plant species so far studied. In tobacco, an atpB gene-specific probe hybridizes to 2.7- and 2.3-kb transcripts. In addition to these, a probe from the atpE coding region hybridizes also to a 1.0-kb transcript. The 5' end of the atpE-specific transcript has been mapped 430/431 nt upstream of the atpE translation initiation site, within the coding region of the atpB gene. In-vitro capping revealed that this transcript results from a primary transcriptional event and is also characterized by -10 and -35 canonical sequences in the 5' region. It has been found to share a common 3' end with the bi-cistronic transcripts that has been mapped within the coding region of the divergently transcribed trnM gene, approximately 236 nt downstream from the atpE termination codon. Interestingly, this transcript accumulates only in leaves and not in proplastid-containing cultured (BY-2) cells, indicating that, unless it is preferentially degraded in BY-2 cells, its expression might be transcriptionally controlled.

Developmental and light-dependent cues interact to establish steady-state levels of transcripts for photosynthesis-related genes (psbA, psbD, psaA and rbcL) in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The steady-state transcript levels for psbA, psbD, psaA and rbcL are low in dark-grown rice seedlings as compared to those grown in light. Following seed germination, they accumulate in an age-dependent manner, in dark as well as light, reaching a maximal level on the 7th or 8th day, before a slow decline sets in. But transcripts for psbA and psbD continue to maintain relatively-high levels even after 10 days of growth in light. Exposure of 5-day-old dark-grown seedlings to light results in an approximately 25-60-fold increase in transcripts during a period of 72 h, followed by a decrease. An analysis of data from both lines of investigation reveals that the developmental programme increases the transcript levels for psbA, psbD, psaA and rbcL by about 10-, 2.3-, 7.0- and 8.0-fold, respectively, between 5-8 days after germination and it is independent of light. At the same time, exposure of the seedlings to light during this period further enhances transcript levels by 5-, 11.4-, 6.6- and 7.8-fold, respectively. Thus, both developmental and light-dependent cues contribute to establish steady-state levels of transcripts for the chloroplast genes investigated.

Clinical predictors of hospitalization in an acute attack of bronchial asthma

The present study was undertaken to identify the clinical predictors of hospitalization in an acute attack of bronchial asthma in subjects aged 2-12 years. Seventy five children with an acute attack of bronchial asthma were evaluated. A detailed clinical history and examination was recorded and baseline investigations sent before starting therapy. All subjects were treated with injection adrenaline (two doses) and those who did not respond were hospitalized. Twenty subjects who were hospitalized were compared with 32 cases who were discharged and did not have a relapse on follow up. After multivariate analysis, the factors independently predictive of hospitalization were, pulsus paradoxus (> 10 mm Hg; OR = 1.02), younger age (below 5 years, OR = 0.98) and severe accessory muscle use (OR = 89.6). Presence of any 2 of these 3 clinical predictors has a high sensitivity (90%) and specificity (96%). The investigative variables significant after multivariate analysis were low pH (OR = 0.00) and polymorphonuclear leucocytosis (> 70%) on peripheral smear (OR = 1.12). The sensitivity of this model was similar (90%) but specificity was lower (90.6%). The addition of investigative variables to clinical model did not improve the predictability. It is concluded that it is possible to identify at presentation, children with acute bronchial asthma who require hospitalization and clinical variables are sufficient for this purpose.

Contribution of endothelium-derived relaxing factor to exercise-induced vasodilation in humans

Release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) from the vascular endothelium may contribute to skeletal muscle arteriolar vasodilation during exercise. The present study was undertaken to test this hypothesis. Ten normal subjects underwent brachial arterial catheter insertion and instrumentation of their forearm to measure plethysmographic forearm blood flow. Forearm blood flow was then measured at rest, during two levels of wrist flexion exercise (0.2 and 0.4 W), and during 0.4-W exercise with concurrent infusion of norepinephrine (100 ng.min-1 x 100 ml forearm volume-1). Measurements were made with and without infusion of N-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) (0.1-0.2 mg.min-1 x 100 ml forearm volume-1), a specific inhibitor of EDRF synthesis. Infusion of L-NMMA reduced resting forearm blood flow (control: 2.5 +/- 0.4 vs. L-NMMA: 1.5 +/- 0.1 ml.min-1 x 100 ml-1) and markedly reduced forearm blood flow response to acetylcholine (5 micrograms.min-1 x 100 ml forearm volume-1) (control: 20.2 +/- 2.9 vs L-NMMA: 4.0 +/- 1.0 ml.min-1 x 100 ml-1; both P < 0.01). However, L-NMMA had no significant effect on flow responses to exercise (0.2 W: 8.3 +/- 1.1 vs. 8.3 +/- 1.2; 0.4 W: 13.8 +/- 1.7 vs. 13.5 +/- 1.7; 0.4 W + norepinephrine: 10.3 +/- 2.4 vs. 9.4 +/- 2.6 ml.min-1 x 100 ml-1; all P = NS). These findings suggest that release of EDRF from the vascular endothelium contributes to skeletal muscle arteriolar vasodilation at rest but does not contribute to the arteriolar vasodilation produced by exercise.

Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty in mirror-image dextrocardia and rheumatic mitral stenosis

A 28-year-old woman with mirror-image dextrocardia and severe rheumatic mitral stenosis underwent successful percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV). Standard technique was altered to include transseptal catheterization via the left femoral vein and inter-atrial septal puncture with the transseptal needle rotated to a 7 o'clock position. The predilatation transmitral gradient (mean) of 16 mmHg decreased to 5 mmHg following PBMV. The valve area improved from 1.0 cm2 to 2.6 cm2. There were no complications. This case illustrates that transseptal catheterization can be accomplished safely in patients with unusual cardiac anatomy and mitral valvuloplasty can be performed in patients with mirror-image dextrocardia and rheumatic mitral stenosis.

A Pst+ polymorphism in the HEXA gene with an unusual geographic distribution

A polymorphic variant in the human HEXA gene is described. This gene encodes the alpha-subunit of hexosaminidase A, the enzyme which is deficient in Tay-Sachs disease (TSD). In individuals carrying the polymorphism there is a T-->C transition at position -6 in intron 13. The substitution creates a site for the restriction endonuclease Pst1. This variant has an unusual ethnogeographic distribution. It occurs on 1.4% of non-TSD carrier chromosomes in Ashkenazi Jews. All individuals ascertained carrying the Pst+ allele have ancestry in Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine. By contrast, no individuals carrying the Pst+ allele have been detected among non-Jewish Lithuanians, Jews of Sephardic origin or in several other ethnic groups. Two unrelated non-Jewish families have been identified in which the Pst+ variant occurs. In both cases the variant occurs on a chromosome carrying a novel TSD mutation (G772C) association with the B1 phenotype. The Pst+ G772C chromosomes are of Scots-Irish descent.

Characterization of gelatin-degrading metalloproteinase activities of the Dunning rat prostate tumor grown in nude mice

Proteinase activities in the Dunning R-3327 prostatic tumor grown in nude mice and the dorsal lobe of the normal Copenhagen rat prostate were characterized using gelatin-containing SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Calcium-stimulated activities of approximately 33, 42, 64, 71, 76, 85, 98, 115, and 120 Kd as well as a 91 Kd calcium-independent proteinase were detected in the tumor, whereas the dorsal prostate showed calcium-dependent activities of approximately 62 and 80 Kd and a calcium-independent activity much greater than 120 Kd. The zymographic calcium-dependent proteinase patterns in the other rat prostatic lobes (a 62 Kd proteinase in the anterior lobe; 59, 62, and 67 Kd forms in the ventral lobe; and 52, 62, and 72 Kd activities in the lateral lobe) were distinctive from that of the tumor and of the dorsal lobe. The calcium-dependent and -independent proteinases of the tumor were active over a broad range of pH values with optimal activity near pH 8.0-8.4. The calcium-dependent activities were inhibited by EDTA and EGTA. Barium and strontium could partially substitute for calcium. The calcium-independent activities were not affected by these chelators nor by the proteinase inhibitors benzamidine, epsilon-aminocaproic acid, tranexamic acid, hydrocinnamic acid, or iodoacetate. Similarly, the metalloproteinase activities were not affected by the latter inhibitors. There was little change in the predominant molecular forms (64, 71, and 76 Kd) of proteinase following castration of tumor-bearing nude mice; however, the 98 Kd calcium-dependent activity decreased and the 91 Kd calcium-independent activity increased as a result of this treatment.

A new Vibrio fischeri lux gene precedes a bidirectional termination site for the lux operon

The DNA downstream of the lux structural genes in the Vibrio fischeri lux operon has been sequenced and a new lux gene (luxG) has been identified. A hairpin loop that begins with a poly(A) region and ends with a poly(T) region and thus can function as a bidirectional termination site for luxG and a convergent gene is located immediately downstream of luxG. 3' S1 nuclease mapping has demonstrated that the luxG mRNA was induced in a cell-density-dependent fashion consistent with it being part of the lux system and that the lux mRNA terminated immediately after the hairpin loop. The mRNA coded by an open reading frame convergent to luxG on the complementary strand was also shown by S1 nuclease mapping to overlap the lux mRNA for at least 20 nucleotides before termination. Expression of DNA containing the hairpin loop, placed between a strong promoter and a reporter gene and transferred by conjugation into luminescent bacteria, demonstrated the very high efficiency of termination by this hairpin loop oriented in either direction. These results also demonstrate that the organization of the genes at the 3' ends of the lux operons of V. fischeri and V. harveyi has clearly diverged.

Gastric carcinoma presenting as polyarthritis

A patient with carcinoma of the stomach presenting with symmetrical polyarthritis of the upper limbs is described. Rheumatoid factor and LE cell were negative, but antinuclear antibody was positive. The arthritis subsided after the tumour was excised.

Electrohemostasis with endoscopic electrocoagulation in upper gastrointestinal bleed

Fifty patients who presented with upper gastrointestinal bleed were taken up for electrohemostasis with endoscopic electrocoagulation. Hemostasis was achieved in 32 patients at the first sitting, and in a second session in two of eight patients in whom it was attempted. No complications were encountered. EEC is an effective and safe method of achieving hemostasis in upper gastrointestinal bleed due to varied gastroduodenal lesions, and may help cut down the number of patients subjected to emergency surgery.

Increased blood pressure during potassium depletion in normotensive men

Epidemiologic studies suggest an inverse relation between potassium intake and the prevalence of hypertension. To investigate the effect of dietary potassium restriction on blood pressure, we used a randomized crossover design to study 10 healthy, normotensive men randomly assigned to isocaloric diets (each lasting nine days) providing either low (10 mmol per day) or normal (90 mmol per day) amounts of potassium, while sodium intake was maintained at the subjects' usual levels (120 to 200 mmol per day). With the low-potassium diet, plasma potassium levels declined from 3.8 to 3.2 mmol per liter (P less than 0.001), but plasma sodium and chloride levels were unchanged. The average daily excretion of urinary sodium (+/- SEM) on the low-potassium diet was significantly lower than that with the normal-potassium diet (10 +/- 10 vs. 144 +/- 10 mmol; P less than 0.001). The mean arterial pressure did not change significantly during normal potassium intake, but it increased over the nine days of the low-potassium diet from 90.9 +/- 2.2 to 95.0 +/- 2.2 mm Hg (P less than 0.05). Both mean arterial (P less than 0.01) and diastolic (P less than 0.005) pressures were significantly higher after the low-potassium diet than after the normal-potassium diet. Potassium depletion suppressed plasma aldosterone levels but had no effect on plasma renin activity or on arginine vasopressin or catecholamine levels. A saline infusion further increased the mean arterial pressure in the potassium-depleted subjects but had no effect in the control group (P less than 0.05). We conclude that short-term potassium depletion increases blood pressure in healthy, normotensive men and permits further increases in blood pressure after saline loading. We found no evidence that the hypertensive effect of potassium depletion resulted from changes in either renal hemodynamics or circulating levels of vasoactive hormones.

Effect of the Indian gooseberry (amla) on serum cholesterol levels in men aged 35-55 years

The effect on total serum cholesterol and its lipoprotein fractions of supplementation of the diet with amla (Emblica officinalis, Gaertn., the Indian gooseberry) was studied in normal and hypercholesterolaemic men aged 35-55 years. The supplement was given for a period of 28 d in the raw form. Both normal and hypercholesterolaemic subjects showed a decrease in cholesterol levels. Two weeks after withdrawing the supplement, the total serum cholesterol levels of the hypercholesterolaemic subjects rose significantly almost to initial levels.

Protein-induced glomerular hyperfiltration: role of hormonal factors

High protein diets acutely elevate the glomerular filtration rate. To characterize this response we administered 1 g of protein/kg body weight as a beef steak meal to nine, healthy male subjects and measured glomerular filtration rate (inulin clearance), renal plasma flow (p-amino hippurate clearance), plasma renin activity, aldosterone and plasma and urinary catecholamines. The subjects ingested the meal on three separate days and were pretreated with either placebo, 50 mg indomethacin (to inhibit renal prostaglandin synthesis), or 10 mg enalapril (to inhibit angiotensin II synthesis). Following placebo treatment protein feeding significantly increased the glomerular filtration rate, from a pre-meal level of 101 +/- 7 ml/min/1.73 m2 to a post-meal level of 130 +/- 6 ml/min/1.73 m2, P less than 0.005. A parallel rise in renal plasma flow and a fall in renal vascular resistance were noted. Indomethacin pretreatment attenuated the increase in glomerular filtration rate following the protein meal, 105 +/- 6 ml/min/1.73 m2 pre-meal level to 118 +/- 4 ml/min/1.73 m2 post-meal, P greater than 0.1. Enalapril pretreatment had no significant effect on protein-induced glomerular hyperfiltration. Protein feeding following placebo increased plasma aldosterone concentration while the concentrations were unchanged in the studies where enalapril or indomethacin was administered. Protein feeding following placebo or indomethacin did not alter plasma renin activity while plasma renin activity rose following enalapril administration. Urinary norepinephrine excretion rose while plasma norepinephrine concentration was unchanged in all three study groups. A decrease in urinary dopamine excretion was also noted four hours after the protein meal was ingested.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Third nerve palsy due to posterior communicating artery aneurysm: the importance of early surgery

The value of early, direct aneurysm clipping in restoring third-nerve function after palsy associated with a posterior communicating artery aneurysm is assessed.