Elevated serum creatine phosphokinase in subjects with McLeod syndrome

McLeod phenotype red cells of the Kell blood group system have acanthocytic morphology and reduced in vivo survival. The phenotype has an X-linked mode of inheritance and is found in some males who have no abnormality of leukocyte function and in some who have X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). We now describe an association between the McLeod phenotype and an abnormal elevation of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK). The increase is of the MM isoenzyme type, derived from skeletal muscle or cardiac muscle, and muscle biopsy shows evidence of muscle cell changes. All of 11 males who have McLeod syndrome but do not have CGD have high levels of serum CPK. Males with McLeod syndrome and CGD may have normal or high levels of the enzyme. Individuals with other variant phenotypes in the Kell system have normal levels of serum CPK. Studies on a large kindred, which includes 5 people of McLeod phenotype, show high CPK levels only in the members of McLeod type. We conclude that the high level of CPK in the serum of these people is a reflection of a muscle cell anomaly and that in these individuals it is a pleiotropic effect of the X-linked gene that produces the McLeod red cell phenotype.

Duffy antigen changes on red blood cells stored at low temperature

Red blood cells stored in saline solution for two weeks at 12 C lose some of their Fya, Fyb, and Fy3 antigenicity. At the same time substances with specific inhibitory activity against appropriate Duffy antibodies appear in the saline. Similar changes could not be recognized in time-expired commercial reagent red blood cell samples.

Calcium dependent regulation of brain and cardiac muscle adenylate cyclase

The very close interdependence of Ca2+ and hormones in the overall metabolism of cyclic nucleotides has recently been emphasized by Cheung. Clearly the results presented here show that [Ca2+] in the physiological range (less than 10(-7) M to greater than 10(-6) M) has profound effects on the activity of adenylate cyclase from both brain and cardiac muscle. Whereas both brain and cardiac cyclase exhibit a Ca2+ dependent inhibition (perhaps mediated by calmodulin), only the brain cyclase is activated by Ca2+ via calmodulin. With both cyclases there is an inverse relationship between the inhibition of cyclase and the activation of calmodulin dependent (cAMP and cGMP) phosphodiesterase as a function of Ca2+ concentration. Because the IC50's for Ca2+ are the same in both heart and brain, the possibility exists that the Ca2+ inhibitory site of both cyclases is similar and perhaps identical. Considering the ability of Ca2+ to both stimulate and inhibit cyclase, one could imagine that in different species, tissues, or regions of the same tissue, there could exist multiple populations of cyclase, that is a cyclase which would only show Ca2+ dependent inhibition, Ca2+ dependent stimulation, or the biphasic response to Ca2+ (FIGURE 7). The fact that Ca2+ still regulates adenylate cyclase after various stimuli (histamine, NaF, etc.) suggests that Ca2+ may function to regulate the cyclase over shorter time periods (regardless of its state of stimulation) and that other affectors of cyclase (e.g., hormones) would serve to regulate the cyclase over longer time periods.

Effects of RMI 12330A, a new inhibitor of adenylate cyclase on myocardial function and subcellular activity

1 RMI 12330A, a lactam-imine, at concentrations of 10(-4) M and higher, inhibited basal as well as isoprenaline and NaF-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity of guinea-pig heart homogenates. However, RMI 12330A was a more potent inhibitor of histamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase (IC50 of 1.5 X 10(-5) M). 2 In the isolated work-performing heart of the guinea-pig, RMI 12330A (IC50 of 1.1 X 10(-6) M) depressed all cardiac functions: pressures developed, dP/dt, contractile force, dF/dt, work performance and stroke work. Left atrial pressure rose and the positive inotropic response to increasing heart rate (staircase) became negative. Histamine, isoprenaline and ouabain no longer caused positive inotropic effects. 3 Increasing the perfusate calcium concentration from 2.5 mM to 4.5 and 6.5 mM completely restored cardiac function after its depression by RMI 12330A. 4 RMI 12330A uncoupled mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation; the classical uncoupler, dinitrophenol, had the same effects on cardiac dynamics as RMI 12330A. 5 RMI in high doses inhibited hydrolytic activity of Na+, K+-ATPase of crude and purified heart preparations (IC50 of 1.7 X 10(-4) M) and inhibited ouabain binding to the same enzymes (IC50 of 1.5 X 10(-4) M). 6 A lactam-imine analogue of RMI 12330A that had no effect on adenylate cyclase, was also without effect on any of the systems examined.

Familial hypersensitivity pneumonitis induced by Bacillus subtilis

Six members of one family developed symptoms consistent with hypersensitivity pneumonitis after exposure to wood dust generated during the remodeling of a bathroom in their house. A detailed microbiologic investigation of the house and surrounding areas resulted in the isolation of 2-Bacillus species. The vegetative cell and spore extracts of these organisms were used for extensive in vivo and in vitro laboratory tests. All symtomatic members of the family demonstrated positive bronchoprovocation responses to vegetative cell extracts of B. subtilis. Two patients with clinical disease exhibited immediate positive skin tests to similar extracts. Positive lymphoproliferative responses to the vegetative cell extract of B. subtilis were observed in 4 of 5 symptomatic patients and in 1 additional patient tested with the spore form of B. subtilis. It is postulated that the abrupt appearance of this family epidemic depended on the special circumstance of continued exposure to high concentrations of B. subtilis organisms within the household. B. subtilis should be added to the list of antigens causing hypersensitivity penumonitis. Prompt recognition and elimination of this new causal agent could prevent irreversible lung damage in susceptible patients.

Mosaicism of red cell ABO type without recognizable cause

A 19-year old woman has been found whose red cells are a mixture of groups A1B (60%) and A1 (40%). Tests for many other genetic markers show no other evidence of mosaicism. She is not a twin and her parents and a sib are of normal ABO type. The cause of her dual population of red cells cannot be established, but may be an effect of somatic crossing over or mutation.

Anti-Sdx: a "new" auto-agglutinin related to the Sda blood group

Two examples of a "new" IgM saline-agglutinating auto-antibody are described. The antibodies bind complement, have the ability to cause in vivo hemolysis, and are most active at room temperature at a pH of about 6.5. Despite tests on more than 5,000 people, no nonreactive cell sample has been found. The reactive antigen is not denatured by neuraminidase, papain, or ficin, and is present on i adult red blood cells. The antibodies appear to be slightly inhibited by human saliva and milk, and more convincingly inhibited by urine from Sd(a+) persons. They are not inhibited by urine from Sd(a-) persons, but are strongly inhibited by guinea pig urine. The serologic characteristics indicate a relationship to the Sda blood group and the auto-antibody has been named antiSdx. Sdx antigen is present on red blood cells from some higher primates and is absent from rabbit, rhesus monkey, dog and sheep cells.

Beta-Adrenergic receptors and catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase of the human placenta

Beta-Adrnergic receptor and beta-adrenergic sensitive adenylate cyclase were demonstrated in membrane fractions of human placenta. Placental membranes from normal term pregnancies bound the beta-adrenergic antagonist (-)[3H]dihydroalprenolol to a single saturable class of sites (Kd = 2.31 +/- 0.23 nM; n = 9; maximal capacity, 112 +/- 9 fmol/mg). Competition for binding was stereoselective for (-)isomers of propranolol, and beta-adrenergic agonists displayed competition for the placental receptor in the order (-)isoproterenol greater than (-)epinephrine greater than (-)norepinephrine, typical of a beta 2 type receptor. Beta-Adrenergic receptor was present in placental tissue as early as 10 weeks gestational age, and binding capacity decreased slightly with advancing gestation. [3H]Dihydroalprenolol binding was coupled to epinephrine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity throughout gestation. The subcellular distribution of both beta-adrenergic receptors and epinephrine-stimulated adenylate cyclase suggest their localization primarily in nonbrush border membrane fractions, presumably from plasma membranes more closely related to the fetal rather than to the maternal circulation. Epinephrine-sensitive adenylate cyclase was not present in purified brush border preparations which were directly exposed to maternal blood in the intervillous space.

Studies on histamine H2 receptors coupled to cardiac adenylate cyclase. Effects of guanylnucleotides and structural requirements for agonist activity

In particulate preparations from guinea-pig ventricle, histamine in the concentration range 10(-6)--10(-3) M caused a 3--5fold stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity which was dependent on the presence of GTP. The effects of fourteen analogs of histamine were examined on this cyclase preparation. Five of the compounds studied proved to be partial agonists relative to histamine while nine others had essentially the same intrinsic activity as histamine. The intrinsic activities of the partial agonists were increased by GppNHp to the extent that dimaprit, which was a partial agonist in the presence of GTP, became a full agonist in the presence of GppNHp. The relative potencies of the full agonists as activators of the cyclase were found to correlate with the relative potencies on physiologically defined H2 receptor systems. Activation of the cyclase by histamine, as well as by several of the agonist analogs, including dimaprit and tolazoline, was completely blocked by the H2 antagonist cimetidine, but was not affected by pharmacologically relevant concentrations of the H1 antagonist mepyramine, the beta-blocker alprenolol, or the alpha-blocker phentolamine. The results suggest that all the agonists studied probably interact with a common H2 receptor site on the cardiac muscle cell leading to activation of adenylate cyclase. The accompanying increase in cyclic AMP is presumably responsible for the chronotropic and inotropic effects of histamine and related compounds on cardiac muscle.

Components of the difference in hemoglobin concentrations in blood between black and white women in the United States

Hemoglobin and the per cent transferrin saturation (TS) distributions of 742 black and 3074 white women drawn from a large probability sample of the US civilian noninstitutionalized population (HANES I) were examined to ascertain the magnitude and nature of an observed systematic difference in hemoglobin levels. This significant hemoglobin difference was primarily related to a different relationship between hemoglobin and TS for blacks and whites, and not related to differences in TS between the races. This difference between the races in the relationship between hemoglobin and TS explained almost all of the difference in hemoglobin concentration at the mean, the median and higher percentiles, and half or more of the difference at the first and third percentiles of the cumulative hemoglobin distributions of the white and black populations sampled. The practical implication of these findings is that white hemoglobin diagnostic criteria (standards) are inappropriate for blacks, and vice versa, both at the mean and at the lower hemoglobin levels of clinical interest.

Physical growth: National Center for Health Statistics percentiles

Anthropometry is an effective and frequently performed child health and nutrition screening procedure. The value of physical growth data depends on their accuracy and reliability, how they are recorded and interpreted, and what follow-up efforts are made after identification of growth abnormality. The new National Center for Health Statistics percentiles can be used to improve identification of potential health and nutritional problems and to facilitate the epidemological comparison of one group of children with others.

Adenylate cyclase from human decidua parietalis

Adenylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.1) activity was demonstrated in membrane fractions of human decidua parietalis. Adenylate cyclase activity was associated with membrane fractions of decidua but not chorion or amnion. Prostaglandins PGE1 and PGE2 but neither PGD2 nor PGF2 alpha stimulated this activity at gestational ages 18 to 40 weeks. Fluoride and guanosine triphosphate stimulated decidual adenylate cyclase; however, epinephrine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was demonstrable only in the presence of guanosine triphosphate. The possible roles of adenylate cyclase activity in the decidua are discussed.

Differences in localization of insulin receptors and adenylate cyclase in the human placenta

The interactions of hormones with plasma membranes in the human placenta were characterized for specific fetal and maternal components. The microvillus brush border membrane, which is exposed to maternal blood in the intervillous space, was markedly enriched in specific insulin receptors but contained no hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase. On the other hand, a basal plasma membrane fraction, which is presumably exposed more directly to fetal hormones, contained adenylate cyclase which was sensitive to prostaglandins, epinephrine, and fluoride but was not enriched in insulin receptors or other brush border markers. This study demonstrates separate fetal and maternal aspects of placental-hormone interactions. This separation and the relative impermeability of the placenta to hormones may allow for independent maternal and fetal components of the interaction of hormones with the placenta.

Therapy with cromolyn sodium

Cromolyn is a prototype of a new series of drugs, the pharmacologic activities of which may offer an entirely new approach in the treatment of asthma. Whereas bronchodilator drugs and steroids act primarily at tissue sites to counteract the effects of various toxic mediators released from tissue mast cells, cromolyn prevents the release of such mediators from mast cell membranes. The advent of cromolyn sodium therapy has been recognized as a significant advance by the pharmaceutical industry, which is rapidly developing a series of cromolyn-like drugs with similar properties. Many of these compounds are active orally, and some preliminary investigations suggest that they also could be clinically effective. Cromolyn has therapeutic value in immunologic and nonimmunologically induced bronchospasm, being particularly suited for conditions amenable to long-term prophylactic therapy. The risk-to-benefit ratio of cromolyn sodium therapy is excellent. Cromolyn sodium is an important adjunct in the treatment of asthma. By topical administration the drug has been effective in seasonal and perennial rhinoconjunctivitis and in selected cases of gastrointestinal allergy to foods.

Immunologic staging of prostatic carcinoma: three years of experience

The immunological specificity of prostatic acid phosphatase has been demonstrated previously in the laboratory and used in a small number of patients. Our findings in 96 patients using gel immunodiffusion with an acid phosphatase antiserum in the study of bone marrow aspirates and lymph nodes are reported.

Antagonism of histamine-activated adenylate cyclase in brain by D-lysergic acid diethylamide

D-Lysergic acid diethylamide and D-2-bromolysergic acid diethylamide are competitive antagonists of the histamine activation of adenylate cyclase [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing); E.C. 4.6.1.1] in broken cell preparations of the hippocampus and cortex of guinea pig brain. The adenylate cyclase is linked to the histamine H2-receptor. Both D-lysergic acid diethylamide and D-2-bromolysergic acid diethylamide show topological congruency with potent H2-antagonists. D-2-Bromolysergic acid diethylamide is 10 times more potent as an H2-antagonist than cimetidine, which has been the most potent H2-antagonist reported, and D-lysergic acid diethylamide is about equipotent to cimetidine. Blockade of H2-receptors could contribute to the behavioral effects of D-2-bromolysergic acid diethylamide and D-lysergic acid diethylamide.

Comparison of the daily endogenous faecal magnesium excretion from sheep eating grass with high sodium or high potassium concentrations

Metabolism trials were conducted with two sheep to determine the daily endogenous faecal magnesium excretion and the true magnesium availability of grass which had either a high potassium or a high sodium content. The experiment was conducted as a simple cross-over design and the isotope dilution technique using 28Mg was employed. The sheep ate sodium fertilised grass containing 0-73 per cent Na and 1-55 per cent K and potassium fertilised grass containing 0-15 per cent Na and 3-12 per cent K in the dry matter. The daily endogenous faecal magnesium excretion was not found to be significantly different for each sheep on both grasses; this excretion was approximately 13 per cent of the total faecal magnesium output. The true availability of magnesium was greater in the sodium fertilised grass than in the potassium fertilised grass. It was concluded that the daily endogenous faecal magnesium excretion was not affected by altering the herbage levels of sodium and potassium.

Attitudes toward parenting in dual-career families

The authors interviewed 28 dual-career families with young children and found that the wives and mothers in particular experience difficulties in respect to the proliferation of role demands in both home and job situations. The greatest strain was in the maternal role; guilt and anxiety were prominent. The literature is reviewed, techniques used by dual-career families to resolve role strain are discussed, and suggestions are made for the clinician's role as facilitator for reducing role strain among career mothers.

The interaction of histamine and guanylnucleotides with cardiac adenylate cyclase and its relationship to cardiac contractility

Histamine stimulates adenylate cyclase activity in a washed membrane preparation from guinea-pig ventricle. Marked synergistic effects are observed with histamine and GTP. In the absence of GTP, the degree of stimulation of the enzyme by histamine is slight and occurs only in the presence of relatively high concentrations of ATP suggesting that ATP, or contaminating GTP in commercial preparations of ATP, may partially satisfy the guanylnucleotide requirement. The GTP analog, GppNHp, strongly and irreversibly activates the cardiac enzyme. Preincubation studies, in which the membranes are treated with GppNHp alone or in combination with histamine followed by estensive washing, indicate that histamine markedly increases the rate of activation of the enzyme by the guanylnucleotide. It is suggested that the mechanism of action of histamine on adenylate cyclase involves a facilitation of the interaction of guanylnucleotides with the regulatory site of the enzyme. The relative activities for stimulation of adenylate cyclase of a series of histamine analogs correlate quite well with the activities of these derivatives on four H2-receptor systems, including atrial rate and ventricular contractility and do not correlate with the activities on H1-receptors. The H2-receptor antagonists, burimamide and metiamide, competitively inhibit hitamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase and the dissociation constants for these antagonists on the enzyme agree with the pharmacological data on the H2-receptors in the atria and ventricles. Our results suggest that histamine-stimulated cardiac adenylate cyclase can be classified inotorpic and chronotropic effects of histamine on the intact heart.

Quantitative structure-activity studies on monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Quantitative structure-activity studies were carried out on a series of N-isopropylaryl hydrazides which inhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO). The inhibitory potencies of these compounds of MAO were found to correlate with the electron-withdrawing capacity of the aryl ring substituents as estimated by both empirical Hammet sigma constants and electronic indices from molecular orbital calculations. Based on these correlations and previously published data on other classes of MAO inhibitors, a general model for the inhibitor pharmacophore is proposed: potent MAO of an aromatic ring; electron-withdrawing groups on the aromatic ring or replacing the phenyl ring with certain types of heterocyclic rings will tend to increase the potency.

Treatment of lumbar disks with chymopapain

Symptoms arising from a herniated disk appear when the nucleus pulposus or soft inner portion of the disk bulges against a nerve root. When conservative treatment fails to help the patient, the enzyme chymopapain is currently being used in the treatment of such conditions. Injected directly into the disk, the chymopapain dissolves the nucleus by enzymatic action which selectively breaks certain bonds within the nucleus. The pressure within the center is decreased, hence the pressure against the nerve root is relieved, alleviating the symptoms. Because back care is particularly important following such treatment, physical therapy is valuable in promoting continued relief. The major emphasis of the therapy back care program is on abdominal strengthening exercises and postural training.

Lamellation of the diploe in the skulls of patients with sickle cell anaemia

This study describes the radiological and pathological findings in a necropsy series of 70 skulls of Nigerian patients with sickle cell gene, and 70 controls matched for sex and age with no sickle cell gene. 6 (35%) of the 17 patients with sickle anaemia, or 17% of 35 patients with sickle cell gene excluding the trait, all under age 10 years, were shown to have bone trabeculae within the diploe arranged in stripes parallel to the curvature of the cranial tables on radiography. Histological examination of the skulls with curvilinear stripes showed long trabeculae of bone within the diploe similarly arranged in parallel rows but joint at variable intervals by short bridges of bone. The radiolucent areas between trabeculae corresponded to areas of marrow hyperplasia. A skull radiograph in an African child presenting with this radiological sign should raise the suspicion of sickel cell disease.

Citrate uptake in membrane vesicles of Klebsiella aerogenes

In whole cells of Klebsiella aerogenes grown anaerobically on citrate as sole carbon source, citrate uptake is followed by rapid catabolism of the substrate via the inducible citrate fermentation pathway. Membrane vesicles prepared from such cells take up citrate but do not catabolize it. Vesicles process d-lactate dehydrogenase and the Na+-requiring oxalacetate decarboxylase. Citrate is taken up in the presence of Na+, and other monovalent cations, such as NH4+, Rb+, Cs+, or K+, do not substitute for Na+. Li+ appears to act synergistically with Na+. Citrate uptake is inhibited by N-2, cyanide, azide, sulfhydryl reagents, dinitrophenol, fluorcitrate, and hydroxycitrate.

Some aspects of changing body composition of mice during successive pregnancies and lactations

Mice that had produced and reared three successive litters gained more weight than virgins. No differences in skeletal size were noted between the two groups but the mated mice accumulated a deficit of calcium and phosphorus. They also showed a rhythmical variation in body composition.

Growth Inhibition in Thiobacillus neapolitanus by Histidine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, and Threonine

Thiobacillus neapolitanus , a strict chemoautotroph, is sensitive to the addition of 10 −4 m methionine, histidine, threonine, or phenylalanine to the thiosulfate medium on which it grows. When histidine, threonine, or phenylalanine are added at the time of inoculation, spontaneous mutants tolerant to the three amino acids are selected. These mutants appear to result from a single genetic change; of 18 independently isolated histidine-tolerant mutants, all are also tolerant to phenylalanine and threonine. The uptake of 14 C-phenylalanine into exponentially growing cells of one such mutant is negligible in contrast with the uptake observed in the phenylalanine-sensitive parent. The addition of methionine to the medium slows growth, but spontaneous mutants are not selected. Inhibition of growth by these amino acids is observed only under conditions of amino acid imbalance; the addition of an equimolar mixture of 16 amino acids, in which each component is present at a concentration of 10 −3 m , causes no inhibition. Histidine and threonine inhibition may be released by equimolar amounts of any one of seven amino acids: serine, alanine, glycine, leucine, valine, tryptophan, or tyrosine; histidine inhibition is also released by isoleucine, and threonine inhibition by methionine. None of the inhibiting amino acids inhibits oxidation of thiosulfate in cell suspensions. A group of hexoses, pentoses, and Krebs cycle intermediates were tested for inhibition of growth or release of inhibition by histidine, phenylalanine, or threonine, but no effects, either inhibition or relief of inhibition, were found.