Catabolite repression-resistant mutations of the Bacillus subtilis alpha-amylase promoter affect transcription levels and are in an operator-like sequence

The amyR1 locus controls the regulated transcription of amyE, the structural gene encoding alpha-amylase in Bacillus subtilis. Transcription of amyE is activated in early stationary phase cells, and can be repressed by rapidly metabolized carbon sources such as glucose. Transcription of amyE initiates in vitro from a promoter recognized by the major vegetative form of RNA polymerase, E sigma 43. S1 nuclease mapping of in-vivo amylase transcripts suggests that this promoter is also used in vivo. Two independently isolated cis-acting mutations, gra-5 and gra-10, which abolish glucose-mediated repression of amylase synthesis without altering temporal activation, were determined by DNA sequencing to result from a G.C to A.T transition at a position located five base-pairs downstream from the start site of transcription. While this is the first example of a site involved in catabolite repression of gene expression in a Gram-positive micro-organism, the region surrounding the gra mutations shows considerable homology to certain cis-acting regulatory loci in Escherichia coli, suggesting that such sequences have been evolutionarily conserved.

Myocutaneous flaps in general surgery

In recent developments in the repair of large surgical defects where simple flap rotation may have been previously employed, myocutaneous flaps are being used because of functional advantages and to decrease the number of reconstructive procedures. The authors have employed myocutaneous flaps in 40 cases from January 1980 until April 1985 at Presbyterian Medical Center in Chonju. The primary disease was malignant in 31 cases and benign in 9 cases. Seven types of flaps were employed: The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (20 cases); the trapezius myocutaneous flap (12 cases); the latissimus dorsi flap (2 cases); an osteomyocutaneous flap employing the sternocleidomastoid and clavicle (1 case); the gracilis myocutaneous flap (3 cases); the gluteus maximums myocutaneous flap (1 case); and a tensor fascia lata flap in one case. In more than 75% the skin island survived and an eventually successful result was obtained in 35 cases (87.5%).

Evaluation of health aspects of sugars contained in carbohydrate sweeteners. Report of Sugars Task Force, 1986

A critical review composed of two parts: estimates of present levels of sugars intake and of recent trends in nutritive carbohydrate sweetener content of the food supply and a review of recent scientific literature addressing potentially adverse health effects associated with sugars consumption. The review contains an executive summary, an appendix with 75 tables summarizing the estimation of sugars intake of U.S. population groups, and over one thousand citations.

Subcorneal pustular dermatosis treated with phototherapy

A 12-year-old boy had a 5-year history of recurrent generalized dermatoses with scales, crusts, and pustules. Histologic findings showed subcorneal blisters filled with polymorphonuclear leukocytes typical of subcorneal pustular dermatosis. Dapsone and prednisolone with a topical fluocinolone acetonide did not produce improvement. The skin lesions cleared completely after 11 exposures of UV-B three times a week. After 8 months of follow-up, there has been no recurrence.

Thickening of the capillary basement membrane of the quadriceps muscle in Vacor-induced diabetic patients

The effect of Vacor diabetes mellitus on the quadriceps muscle capillary basement membrane thickness has been examined by the electron microscopic method. With this procedure, it was possible to obtain an objective evaluation of the significance of capillary basement membrane thickening in Vacor diabetes mellitus. The results of such a study on the muscle capillary basement membrane in 10 normal subjects and 9 Vacor-poisoned patients have demonstrated the following: (1) the average basement membrane width of Vacor patients (2801 A +/- SD 614) is over twice that of normal subjects (1300 +/- 185 A), and all 9 cases demonstrated muscle capillary basement membrane thickening; (2) there is a significant association of basement membrane width with age (P less than 0.01), but not with the duration of the disease or fasting blood glucose values in the Vacor group. The results of the present study indicate that diabetes mellitus induced by Vacor poisoning can lead to microangiopathy, and that such basement membrane thickening is an early and consistent finding.

Oriental infestational cholangitis

One hundred forty-one patients with non-neoplastic cholangitis in Southwest Korea were analyzed for etiologic factors, pathologic changes, and clinical management in an effort to understand the clinicopathologic course of this disease. Our study supports the concept of infestational cholangitis. A staging system for this disease process has been proposed. The limited value of choledocholithotomy and choledochostomy in the more advanced stages of the disease process has been documented, suggesting the need for more effective internal biliary drainage when irreversible changes have occurred.

An experimental study on corneocytes of acutely and chronically irritated skin

An experimental study concerning the effect of acute and chronic irritation on corneocytes was made in relation to cell number, size, and shape. Corneocytes from skin acutely irritated with a rough towel differed from those of normal skin: There was about a 60% decrease in the count and the corneocytes were 14% smaller in size on day 1 of the experiment. These parameters became normal in count and size after 10 days and 5 days, respectively. Concerning the morphological classification of cell outlines, there was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups except for slightly increased numbers of irregular cells in the experimental group. For the chronic irritation study, subjects were scrub nurses who had worked in the operating room for more than 3 years; ward nurses were used as a control group. Corneocytes from scrub nurses differed from those of the nonirritated skin of ward nurses; the number was twice as high on day 1 of the experiment. Two and four days later, the cell number markedly decreased and was similar to that in the control group. Throughout the experimental period, the surface of the corneocytes was 15% smaller in the experimental group than in the control group. There was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to corneocyte morphology.

Fungal Invertase as an Aid for Fermentation of Cane Molasses into Ethanol

Comparative studies of the fermentation of cane molasses into ethanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the presence or absence of fungal invertase were performed. When cane molasses was fermented by the yeast at 30°C and pH 5.0, the presence of the enzyme had no effect on ethanol production. At pH 3.5, ethanol production was increased by the addition of invertase. At 40°C, the addition of invertase increased ethanol production by 5.5% at pH 5.0 and by 20.9% at pH 3.5.

Perspective of Food and Drug Administration on Dietary sodium

The sodium and potassium content of typical American diets of infants, toddlers, and adults was determined, both for total content and for content at the commodity group level, by chemical analysis of representative diets from 1977 through 1980. In recent years the scientific community has reached a consensus that high sodium intake is positively associated with hypertension. Various professional groups urge the American public to reduce their sodium intake. Several monitoring initiatives of the Food and Drug Administration relative to sodium in the national food supply are discussed.

Alteration of the circulating life and antigenic properties of bovine adenosine deaminase in mice by attachment of polyethylene glycol

Polyethylene glycol was attached covalently to adenosine deaminase (ADA) using cyanuric chloride as the coupling agent. The modified adenosine deaminase (PEG-ADA) appears to lose its immunogenicity in mice following multiple intravenous injections. PEG-ADA does not react with antibodies raised against native ADA. The circulating half-life (T1/2) of PEG-ADA was increased to 28 hr. The lack of detectable antibody formation and long circulating life may make PEG-ADA suitable for treating human ADA deficiency.

Combination cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (CAP) chemotherapy for extensive non-small cell carcinomas of the lung

Fifty consecutive patients with extensive non-small cell carcinoma of the lung were randomized to one of two chemotherapeutic regimens. Twenty-three patients (group 1) received cyclophosphamide (600 mg/mg(2)), doxorubicin (40 mg/m(2)), and cisplatin (50 mg/m(2)) every 3 weeks; 27 patients (group 2) received cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m(2)), doxorubicin (40 mg/m(2)), and cisplatin (100 mg/m(2)) every 3 weeks. The objective response rates were 4% and 7% in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Median survival duration was 15.2 weeks (group 1) and 21.7 weeks (group 2; P greater than or equal to 0.3). Hematologic toxicity was minimal in group 1 and moderate in group 2. Renal toxicity was moderate in group 2 only. Combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin as used in this study is not superior to previous studies in this institution using cyclophosphamide as a single agent.

Estimation of dietary iodine intake of Americans in recent years

The iodine content of diets of typical American infants, toddlers, and adults in recent years was found to be far in excess of the amount necessary for adequate nutrition. Dairy products were the major contributor. Other large contributors were grain and cereal products, sugars and adjuncts, and meat, fish, and poultry in adult diets and grain and cereal products and meat, fish, and poultry in infant and toddler diets. A statistical evaluation of the data and a discussion of possible sources of iodine are presented.

Radial birefringent element and its application to laser resonator design

We have invented a quasi-Gaussian profile-transmittance filter based on radially varying the phase retardation in a birefringent element. The radial birefringent element has been applied to resonator design and has demonstrated its usefulness in generating an improved resonator spatial-mode profile.

The effect of antifungal agents on pancreatic and gastric secretion in rats

This study was designed to investigate the effects of griseofulvin, 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC), and amphotericin B on pancreatic and gastric secretion after the administration of a single large dose, or repeated small doses for 3 weeks, in male albino rats. The exocrine functions of the main digestive glands were only slightly affected by griseofulvin and were not affected by 5-FC. In contrast, a single large dose of amphotericin B caused a marked inhibition of exocrine functions of the main digestive glands. The rats treated with 5-FC lost body weight markedly during 2 weeks of administration.