Complete coding sequence, exon/intron arrangement and chromosome location of ZNF45, a KRAB-domain-containing gene

Zinc finger genes represent a large multigene family present in mammalian and other genomes. A subgroup of these genes contain a conserved motif, the KRAB domain, at the NH2-terminal region, which was recently shown to posses a potent transcriptional repression activity. For one such gene, ZNF45, we determined the complete coding sequence, along with the exon/intron arrangement and the splice junctions. Exon 2 codes exclusively for the KRAB-A element of 42 amino acids, and exon 4 contains the 19 zinc finger repeats. In addition, we generated an EST (expressed sequence tag) from the 3'-end of ZNF45 that we used for polymerase chain reaction screening of a P1-derived genomic library. We isolated a 65-kb clone that was used for localizing this gene on chromosome 19q13.2 by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Surgical management, DNA content, and patient survival in adrenal cortical carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection is the only potentially curative treatment for adrenal cortical carcinoma, yet the value of extended resection, palliative resection, and tumor DNA analysis remains unclear.

METHODS

The records of 23 patients with adrenal cortical carcinoma who underwent primary surgical resection at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Flow cytometric DNA analysis was performed on primary tumor tissue from 14 patients.

RESULTS

Sixteen of 23 patients underwent complete resection. For these 16 patients the median follow-up was 43 months, the actuarial median survival was 46 months, and the actuarial 5-year survival rate was 46%. The seven patients who underwent incomplete resection all died of disease with a median survival of 8.5 months. Isolated local recurrence as the first site of failure occurred in two patients. Only completeness of resection (p = 0.004) and stage at presentation (p = 0.006) were significant prognostic indicators. None of the following predicted a poor prognosis in patients who underwent complete resection: (1) need for extended resection, (2) presence of renal vein or inferior vena cava tumor thrombus, or (3) tumor aneuploidy (14 of 14 tumors were aneuploid).

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term survival is possible in patients with adrenal cortical carcinoma if complete, margin-negative tumor resection can be achieved. Isolated local recurrence is uncommon after complete resection. Because adrenal cortical carcinomas are consistently aneuploid, tumor DNA content is not a useful prognostic factor.

Rapid-fractionation pre-operative chemoradiation for malignant periampullary neoplasms

The multimodality treatment of adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head has been shown to improve survival compared with surgery alone. The delivery of chemotherapy and radiation therapy (chemoradiation) before rather than after pancreaticoduodenectomy ensures that all patients who undergo surgery receive the other components of multimodality therapy. In an effort to reduce overall treatment time and cost, the use of rapid-fractionation preoperative chemoradiation was explored. Radiation therapy was delivered with 18-MeV photons to a total dose of 30 Gy given in 10 fractions over 2 weeks. 5-Fluorouracil was given concurrently by continuous infusion at a dose of 300 mg m-2 day-1. Four weeks after the completion of chemoradiation, patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and electron-beam intraoperative radiation therapy (10 Gy). All patients completed the treatment programme without delay. The rapid-fractionation programme was delivered at nearly half the cost of standard chemoradiation and histologic evidence of tumour cell injury was present in all resected specimens. There were no perioperative anastomotic complications, and median hospital stay was 20 days. Rapid-fractionation chemoradiation warrants further study in the neoadjuvant setting.

70-nm-bandwidth achromatic waveguide coupler

We report a general approach to the design of broadband waveguide couplers. A double-parallel grating assembly is used to cancel the first chromatic order, and a proper choice of prism glass and base angle is made to compensate for the second chromatic order. The technique was applied to a Corning glass 7059 waveguide, and a spectral bandwidth of 70 nm was measured by the use of two complementary procedures.

Significance of peritoneal cytology in patients with potentially resectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head

BACKGROUND

Recurrence in the peritoneum occurs in up to 50% of patients after a potentially curative pancreaticoduodenectomy. Previous authors have implicated preoperative fine-needle aspiration (FNA) as a cause of intraperitoneal tumor dissemination, although prior studies of peritoneal cytology findings have largely involved patients with locally advanced disease.

METHODS

A consecutive series of patients referred to our institution between 1991 and 1993 with suspected or biopsy-proven adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head was studied prospectively. All patients fulfilled criteria for resectability as assessed by computed tomography: no metastatic disease, no encasement of the superior mesenteric or hepatic arteries, and a patent superior mesenteric-portal venous confluence. Peritoneal washings were obtained at the time of staging laparoscopy and/or at subsequent laparotomy. Data regarding peritoneal cytology results, previous FNA, preoperative chemoradiation, eventual resection, pattern of disease recurrence, and survival were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 80 peritoneal washings from 60 consecutive patients were prospectively examined. Forty-nine (82%) of 60 patients underwent FNA before peritoneal washings were obtained. A total of four patients (7%) had positive peritoneal cytology findings: three (6%) of 49 who underwent prior FNA and one (9%) of 11 with no prior FNA. Similarly, no differences in eventual peritoneal failure or short-term survival were observed for patients who underwent prior FNA compared with patients who did not. All four patients with positive peritoneal cytology findings had metastatic disease (liver, three; peritoneum, one) at a median of 4.8 months after diagnosis; three of the four died of disease at a median of 8 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Positive peritoneal cytology findings are rare in patients with radiologically resectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. When found, positive peritoneal washings are an indicator of advanced disease characterized by unresectability, early metastasis, and short survival. Computed tomographic-guided FNA does not appear to increase the risk for positive peritoneal washings and represents a valid approach to the pretreatment diagnosis of patients with suspected pancreatic malignancy.

beta-Endorphin enhances the replication of neurotropic human immunodeficiency virus in fetal perivascular microglia

The effect of an endogenous opiate, beta-endorphin, on the replication of HIV was investigated in brain perivascular microglia. Beta-endorphin enhanced the synthesis of p-24 antigen and transactivation of HIV promoter. Dialysed culture supernatants of endorphin-treated microglia re-activated latent HIV infection. These culture supernatants showed elevated levels of interleukin-1 beta, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Sub-optimal concentration of beta-endorphin potentiated GP-120-induced synthesis of these cytokines. Nalaxone reversed beta-endorphin-induced, but not GP-120-induced, cytokine production and enhanced HIV replication. These results suggest that endogenous opiates may contribute to the progression of AIDS dementia complex.

Conversion of Xenopus ectoderm into neurons by NeuroD, a basic helix-loop-helix protein

Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins are instrumental in determining cell type during development. A bHLH protein, termed NeuroD, for neurogenic differentiation, has now been identified as a differentiation factor for neurogenesis because (i) it is expressed transiently in a subset of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems at the time of their terminal differentiation into mature neurons and (ii) ectopic expression of neuroD in Xenopus embryos causes premature differentiation of neuronal precursors. Furthermore, neuroD can convert presumptive epidermal cells into neurons and also act as a neuronal determination gene. However, unlike another previously identified proneural gene (XASH-3), neuroD seems competent to bypass the normal inhibitory influences that usually prevent neurogenesis in ventral and lateral ectoderm and is capable of converting most of the embryonic ectoderm into neurons. The data suggest that neuroD may participate in the terminal differentiation step during vertebrate neuronal development.

HLA-DQB1*0301 association with increased cutaneous melanoma risk

Susceptibility to a variety of malignancies has been linked to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes, including the HLA class II allele DQB1*0301. To determine whether melanoma risk is associated with HLA class II alleles, molecular oligotyping of HLA class II-DRB1, -DQA1 and -DQB1 genes was performed for 45 patients with melanoma. The DQB1*0301 allele was present in 56% of melanoma patients vs. 27% of 200 local Caucasian controls. This difference was highly significant (Bonferroni's-corrected chi-square p = 0.003, OR = 3.4). No other class II allele tested was present at significantly increased or decreased frequency in melanoma patients. Furthermore, presence of DQB1*0301 in melanoma patients was associated with advanced disease. Melanoma patients carrying the DQB1*0301 allele presented on average with thicker primary tumors (mean 3.7 mm vs. 1.8 mm, 2-tailed p = 0.02) and were more likely to present with regional or distant metastatic disease (stages III-IV, 44% vs. 5%, chi-square p = 0.003), compared to melanoma patients without DQB1*0301. Risk of melanoma incidence or progression may be influenced by DQB1*0301 or a closely linked gene.

A novel strong promoter of the groEx operon of symbiotic bacteria in Amoeba proteus

Gram- symbiotic bacteria (called X-bacteria), present in the xD strain of Amoeba proteus as required cell components, contain a large amount of a 67-kDa protein, a GroEL analog. The complete nucleotide (nt) sequence of the groEx operon of X-bacteria has been determined and it has a high degree of nt identity with those of other bacterial groE operons. The groELx gene is expressed in transformed Escherichia coli and has a novel and potent promoter (P2) in addition to the heat-shock consensus promoter (P1). This is shown by the production of GroELx in Escherichia coli transformed with modified DNA clones lacking P1 and by an enhanced production of a GroELx::beta-galactosidase fusion protein when a portion of groEx containing P2 is linked to the lacZ gene. Primer-extension analyses revealed the presence of possible P2 sequences within the open reading frame of the groESx gene. It is suggested that the presence of a potent P2 in the X-bacterial gene is an adaptation for the endosymbiotic bacteria to survive within a potentially hostile intracellular environment.

Managing unsuspected tumor invasion of the superior mesenteric-portal venous confluence during pancreaticoduodenectomy

Most surgeons believe that tumor invasion of the superior mesenteric-portal venous (SMPV) confluence is a contraindication to pancreaticoduodenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas or periampullary region. Traditional techniques for performing pancreaticoduodenectomy have emphasized the importance of establishing a tumor-free plane between the SMPV confluence and the neck of the pancreas. However, this maneuver does not reveal tumor invasion of the lateral wall of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) until after gastric and pancreatic transection--a point at which the surgeon has committed to resection. This unexpected but not uncommon finding likely contributes to the high incidence of margin-positive resections and subsequent local tumor recurrence. We describe our technique for segmental resection of the SMPV confluence at the time of pancreaticoduodenectomy. Routine ligation of the splenic vein and primary anastomosis of the SMV and portal vein have been abandoned in favor of an interposition graft using internal jugular vein.

A comparative study of the efficacy of postoperative analgesia with intraoperative epidural lidocaine with or without morphine

We compared postoperative analgesia in 15 patients (group A) who were given intraoperative epidural morphine 3 mg and lidocaine 150 mg after laminectomy/discectomy with that of 15 patients (group B) who were given only epidural lidocaine 150 mg. Epidural administration was accomplished by direct placement of the epidural catheter into the epidural space under direct vision during surgery. Eight patients (53%) in group A and 15 patients (100%) in group B required supplementary narcotics during the first 24 h postoperatively (P<0.05). The amount of supplementary narcotics given to group A patients was significantly less than that for group B (P<0.05), and the pain scores for group A patients were also significantly lower at 1, 2, and 6 h postoperatively (P<0.05). There was no difference in the observed side effects in the two groups. We conclude that postoperative pain relief following laminectomy/discectomy is superior when epidural morphine is added to lidocaine than when lidocaine is being used alone.

The Haw River syndrome: dentatorubropallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) in an African-American family

Haw River Syndrome (HRS) is a dominant neurodegenerative disease that has affected five generations of an African-American family in rural North Carolina. The disorder represents a unique spectrum of multiple system degenerations resembling Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar atrophy and dentatorubropallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA), a neurodegenerative disease that has been primarily reported in Japan. Recently, DRPLA has been shown to be due to an expanded trinucleotide repeat located on chromosome 12pter-p12. We have genotyped this family and found HRS to be tightly linked to the DRPLA region. Further examination demonstrates that, despite their distinct cultural origins and clinical and pathological differences, HRS is caused by the same expanded CTG-B37 repeat as DRPLA.

Role of polyamines on de novo shoot morphogenesis from cotyledons of Brassica campestris ssp. pekinensis (Lour) Olsson in vitro

The promotive effect of ethylene inhibitors (Els), i.e. AgNO3 and aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) on de novo shoot regeneration from cultured cotyledonary explants of Brassica campestris ssp. pekinensis cv. Shantung in relation to polyamines (PAs) was investigated. The endogenous levels of free putrescine and spermidine in the explant decreased sharply after 1-3 days of culture, whereas endogenous spermine increased, irrespective of the absence or presence of Els. AgNO3 at 30 μM did not affect endogenous PAs during two weeks of culture. In contrast, explants grown on medium containing 5 μM AVG produced higher levels of free putrescine and spermine which increased rapidly after three days and reached a peak at 10 days. An exogenous application of 5 mM putrescine also resulted in a similar surge of endogenous free spermine of the explant. More strikingly, shoot regeneration from explants grown in the presence of 1-20 mM putrescine, 0.1-2.5 mM spermidine, or 0.1-1 mM spermine was enhanced after three weeks of culture. However, exogenous PAs generally did not affect ethylene production, and endogenous levels of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) synthase activity and ACC of the explant. This study shows the PA requirement for shoot regeneration from cotyledons of B. campestris ssp. pekinensis in vitro, and also indicates that the promotive effect of PAs on regeneration may not be due to an inhibition of ethylene biosynthesis.

Allosteric interaction of a herpes simplex viral thymidine kinase with host DNA polymerase alpha in mouse LP1-1 cells

A DNA polymerase alpha-associated multienzyme complex isolated from mouse LP1-1 cells transfected with the thymidine kinase gene of herpes simplex virus type I (1) showed activities of DNA polymerase alpha, topoisomerase II, and thymidine kinase (TK) in the complex. TK antiserum recognized a 43 kDa polypeptide only in the fraction of the multienzyme complex prepared from the LP1-1 cells but not that from L-M(TK-) cells. In permeabilized cells, hydroxyurea did not show any inhibitory effect on either DNA polymerase or TK, whereas aphidicolin, novobiocin, and TK antiserum inhibited both enzymes. These results provide evidence for the functional association and an allosteric interaction between the viral TK and host DNA polymerase alpha.

Adrenal medullary disease in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2. Appropriate management

This article discusses screening for pheochromocytoma and timing of surgery, unilateral versus bilateral adrenalectomy. Anterior, posterior, and laparoscopic operative techniques are reviewed also.

The complete sequence and promoter activity of the human A-raf-1 gene (ARAF1)

The raf proto-oncogenes encode cytoplasmic protein serine/threonine kinases, which play a critical role in cell growth and development. One of these, A-raf-1 (human gene symbol, ARAF1), which is predominantly expressed in mouse urogenital tissues, has been mapped to an evolutionarily conserved linkage group composed of ARAF1, SYN1, TIMP, and properdin located at human chromosome Xp11.2. We have isolated human genomic DNA clones containing the expressed gene (ARAF1) on the X chromosome and a pseudogene (ARAF2) on chromosome 7p12-q11.21. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence from the ARAF1 genomic clones demonstrated that it consists of 16 exons encoded by minimally 10,776 nucleotides. The major transcriptional start site (+1) was determined by RNase protection and primer extension assays. Promoter activity was confirmed by functional assays using DNA fragments fused to a CAT reporter gene. The ARAF1 minimal promoter, located between nucleotides -59 and +93, has a low G + C content and lacks consensus TATA and Inr sequences but shows sequence similarity at position -1 to the E box that is known to interact with USF and TFII-I transcription factors.

Nonfunctioning islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas

BACKGROUND

Nonfunctioning islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas has a variable and often indolent natural history, which has resulted in a wide range of treatment recommendations. To more clearly define the natural history and appropriate treatment of this disease, we reviewed our institutional experience over the last 39 years.

METHODS

The records of all patients confirmed to have a nonfunctioning islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas were retrospectively reviewed. Kaplan-Meier life tables were constructed and log-rank comparisons were performed.

RESULTS

The 73 patients studied had an overall 5-year actuarial survival rate of 50%. Patients with localized disease at presentation (n = 39) had a significantly higher survival rate (p = 0.03) compared with patients with metastatic disease (n = 34). The 19 patients who underwent a potentially curative resection of the primary tumor had a significantly higher survival rate (p = 0.03) compared with the 20 patients with locally advanced, unresectable, nonmetastatic disease. Nine of these 20 patients died of complications of the primary tumor. In contrast, only 2 of 22 cancer-related deaths in the 34 patients with metastatic disease at diagnosis were due to the primary tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

(1) Surgical resection should be performed in patients with resectable nonmetastatic disease. (2) Resection of the primary tumor in the presence of metastatic disease is rarely indicated. (3) Innovative treatment strategies are needed for patients with locally advanced, unresectable, nonmetastatic tumors of the pancreatic head.

Parental imprinting of an Igf-2 transgene

As a consequence of parental imprinting in mice, the paternal allele encoding insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) is expressed, whereas the maternal allele is silent in most tissues. To examine whether cis-acting sequences involved in imprinting are located in the vicinity of the Igf-2 gene, we have constructed mouse transgenic lines and studied the expression of a 30 kb rat Igf-2 transgene, in which the coding region has been replaced with the lacZ reporter sequence. Chromatin position effects and/or absence of long-range regulatory elements seem to have affected tissue-specific expression in the transgenic mice. However, in one of six expressing lines, staining of embryos for beta-galactosidase activity was detected in a minor subset of tissues normally transcribing the endogenous homolog, but only when the transgene was transmitted paternally. This transgene was integrated into mouse chromosome 19, which is apparently free of imprinted loci. Although the possibility that the Igf-2 transgene was inserted into an as yet unidentified imprinted locus is discussed, a more likely interpretation of our results is that the transgene carries at least a portion of its own imprinting signal, because it consists of the genomic sequences of a locus already known to be imprinted and maintains the correct imprinting mode.

Purification and characterization of bovine brain gamma-aminobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase

gamma-Aminobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase was purified to homogeneity from bovine brain. The molecular weight of the native enzyme and subunit were 230,000 and 58,000, respectively. The Km value for gamma-aminobutyraldehyde and NAD+ were 154 microM and 53 microM, respectively. The optimum pH and temperature were 8.0 and 37 degrees C, respectively. N-terminal sequence of the enzyme is as follows: NH2-S-A-A-T-Q-A-V-P-T-P-N-Q-Q-COOH. The enzyme migrates on isoelectric focusing with pI = 6.5. Enhancement of the enzyme activity by polyamine, Mn2+, Mg2+ and inhibition by gamma-aminobutyric acid and Zn2+ will enhance the limited information on regulation of the gamma-ABALDH activity and GABA metabolism to some extent.

Human cytotoxic T-lymphocytes specific for autologous follicular lymphoma recognize immunoglobulin in a major histocompatibility complex restricted fashion

BACKGROUND

Previously, autologous Burkitt lymphoma-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) were found to express the gamma and delta T-cell receptor and recognize tumor idiotype in a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) unrestricted fashion.

METHODS

In this study, the authors established autologous CTL lines and clones specific for a B-cell follicular lymphoma.

RESULTS

These CTL are tumor specific and inhibited by antiimmunoglobulin monoclonal antibodies, but unlike the Burkitt lymphoma-specific CTL, they are MHC restricted and express the alpha and beta T-cell receptor.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies suggest that different B-cell lymphomas can induce CTL of different phenotypes and MHC restriction.

The identification and characterization of KRAB-domain-containing zinc finger proteins

The zinc finger motif is a highly conserved tandemly repeated sequence of 28-30 amino acids that was first identified in transcription factor TFIIIA from Xenopus laevis. Subsequently, similar motifs were found and characterized in many genes from mammalian genomes and the genomes of lower eukaryotes such as Drosophila and yeast, thereby defining a large superfamily of genes. Non-finger-coding modules conserved among members of subfamilies of zinc finger genes have been described in the murine genome (finger-associated boxes, or FAX domain) and the human genome (Krüppel-associated boxes, or KRAB domain). Here we report the identification and partial characterization of more members of the human KRAB-containing subfamily of genes. Based on Southern blot hybridization experiments, they also are zinc-finger-coding genes. All members share a highly homologous 42-amino-acid-long A element of the described KRAB domain. The conservation extends to the murine developmentally expressed zinc finger gene, mKr2. The homologous sequences, however, are part of the 5'-untranslated region. In all cases for which there is adequate information, the KRAB domain is found at the NH2-terminus of the respective protein. In one zinc-finger-encoding cDNA clone that we characterized further in this work, BRc1744 (ZNF45), the KRAB domain most probably constitutes the entire second exon of the gene. Based on the data, it is tempting to speculate that the FAX- and KRAB-containing zinc finger genes define subfamilies of genes with overlapping functions that participate in the regulation of common or similar developmental programs.

Interleukin 3 is a growth factor for human follicular B cell lymphoma

More than one-half of adults with non-Hodgkin's B cell lymphomas present with low-grade follicular lymphomas. These tumor cells are found in close association with follicular T lymphocytes and dendritic cells, suggesting that the surrounding cells may play a role in the support of follicular tumors. Supernatants from activated human peripheral blood lymphocytes were found to promote the in vitro proliferation of follicular tumor cells. This effect was entirely due to interleukin 3 (IL-3), a factor generally thought to cause the growth and differentiation of immature hematopoietic cells. IL-3 receptors were detected on fresh isolates of all primary follicular cell tumors examined. These findings suggest that follicular cell tumors may be dependent in vivo on IL-3 and that therapies directed against IL-3, its receptor, or the T cells that produce it may be effective treatment for follicular lymphoma.

Isolation and localization of a slow troponin (TnT) gene on chromosome 19 by subtraction hybridization of a cDNA muscle library using myotonic dystrophy muscle cDNA

Subtraction hybridization techniques were used to isolate 91 cDNA clones which are overexpressed in normal control skeletal muscle relative to muscle from patients with myotonic muscular dystrophy. The gene responsible for myotonic dystrophy (DM) has been localized to the 19q13.2-13.3 region of chromosome 19. To test as a candidate gene for DM, clones which represent differences in transcription are analyzed for localization to chromosome 19. One clone, designated MSL 366, was found to be on the long arm of chromosome 19 distal to the CKMM gene at 19q13.2. Sequence analysis confirmed that MSL 366 is the cDNA for human slow skeletal muscle troponin T. A genomic clone has been isolated and linkage studies with DM are in progress.

Pattern of the insulin-like growth factor II gene expression during early mouse embryogenesis

The mouse insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) gene encodes a polypeptide that plays a role in embryonic growth. We have examined the temporal and spatial pattern of expression of this gene in sections of the mouse conceptus between embryonic days 4.0 and 8.5 by in situ hybridization. Abundant IGF-II transcripts were detected in all the trophectodermal derivatives, after implantation. Labeling was then observed in primitive endoderm, but was transient and disappeared after formation of the yolk sac. Expression was next detected in extraembryonic mesoderm at the early primitive streak stage. Labeling in the embryo proper appeared first at the late primitive streak/neural plate stage in lateral mesoderm and in anterior-proximal cells located between the visceral endoderm and the most cranial region of the embryonic ectoderm. The position of the latter cells suggests that their descendants are likely to participate in the formation of the heart and the epithelium of the ventral and lateral walls of the foregut, where intense labeling was observed at the neural fold stage. Hybridization was also detected in cranial mesenchyme, including neural crest cells. The intensity of hybridization signal increased progressively in paraxial (presomitic and somitic) mesoderm, while declining in the ectoplacental cone. The neuroectoderm and surface ectoderm did not exhibit hybridization at any stage. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated co-localization of IGF-II transcripts, translated pre-pro-IGF-II, and the cognate IGF-II/mannose-6-phosphate receptor. These correlations are consistent with the hypothesis that IGF-II has an autocrine function.

A polymorphic DNA sequence (174-3.7) on chromosome 19 [D19S58]

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Cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for self tumor immunoglobulin express T cell receptor delta chain

CTL are thought to play a role in the elimination of transformed cells in vivo. The effectiveness of such CTL is in part dependent on recognition of tumor specific antigens. Among the best characterized tumor-specific antigens are the unique or idiotypic determinants on the Ig of B cell lymphomas. Here we describe the generation and properties of human CTL specific for the idiotype on autologous B cell tumors. These cells are CD3+,CD4-,CD8- and express the delta chain of the TCR. Such cells may prove useful in tumor-specific adoptive therapy.

A Bgl II polymorphism detected by LDR152 [D19S19]

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A new probe for the diagnosis of myotonic muscular dystrophy

Myotonic muscular dystrophy (DM) is the most common muscular dystrophy, affecting adults as well as children. It is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and is characterized by variable expressivity and late age-of-onset. Linkage studies have established the locus on chromosome 19. In order to identify tightly linked probes for diagnosis as well as to define in detail the DM gene region, chromosome 19 libraries were constructed and screened for restriction fragment length polymorphisms tightly linked to DM. A genomic clone, LDR152 (D19S19), was isolated that is tightly linked to DM; recombination fraction = 0.0 (95% confidence limits 0.0-0.03); lod score, 15.4.

Hemifacial spasm due to cerebellopontine angle lipoma: case report

We report the unique case of a patient with hemifacial spasm caused by a lipoma of the cerebellopontine angle, which was identified preoperatively by CT and MRI. Surgery resulted in complete resolution of facial spasm.

Persistently elevated AFP and AChE in amniotic fluid from a normal fetus following demise of its twin

Intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) in one of twins at 12 weeks of gestation was accompanied by markedly elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) at 17 and 18 weeks. Amniotic fluid AFP from the healthy surviving twin's sac at 18.5 and 23 weeks was also greatly increased along with a positive acetylcholinesterase (AChE) band. Persistently elevated AFP and positive AChE so long after fetal demise--6.5 and 11 weeks post IUFD--has not, to our knowledge, been previously described. In similar cases, high level ultrasound and careful placental examination at birth should be utilized to search for fetal abnormalities or multiple pregnancy with IUFD.

False-positive amniotic fluid acetylcholinesterase results: the need for a multifacet approach to the prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects

Two cases are presented with false-positive amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein and acetylcholinesterase results for the prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects. Stage II ultrasound revealed no lesions of the fetal spine in both cases. The alpha-fetoprotein and acetylcholinesterase results returned to normal on subsequent taps. Both pregnancies resulted in normal outcomes. A protocol is presented for managing pregnancies with abnormal alpha-fetoprotein and acetylcholinesterase results.

Beta-glucuronidase deficiency. A heterogeneous mucopolysaccharidosis

We studied two cases of beta-glucuronidase deficiency. One patient's disease was present at birth and the other patient's disease appeared in early childhood. The symptoms observed in both patients, although of differing severity, included peculiar facies, cloudy cornea, hepatosplenomegaly, hernia, kyphosis, recurrent infections, short stature, and developmental delay, as well as increased excretion of urinary chondroitin sulfate A/C and decreased levels of beta-glucuronidase activity. We reviewed all of the reported cases and examined the biochemical and clinical heterogeneity observed in this disorder.

Early precursors of site-specific cancers in college men and women

Physical and social characteristics recorded at college physical examination and reported in subsequent questionnaires to alumni in 1962 or 1966 by 50,000 former students from Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania were reviewed for their relationship to major site-specific cancer occurrence. The records of 1,359 subjects who died with a major site-specific cancer in a 16- to 50-year follow-up period and of 672 subjects who reported such a cancer by mail questionnaire in 1976 or 1977 were compared with those of 8,084 matched classmates who were known to be alive and free of cancer at the time subjects with cancer had died or had been diagnosed. Cigarette smoking, as reported both in student years and years as alumni, predicted increased risk for cancers of the respiratory tract, pancreas, and bladder. Student coffee consumption was associated with elevated risk for leukemia, but it was unrelated to cancers of the pancreas and bladder. Male students with a record of proteinuria at college physical examination experienced increased risk of kidney cancer, and those with a history of tonsillectomy experienced increased risk of prostate cancer. Students who at college entrance reported occasional vague abdominal pain were at elevated risk for pancreatic and colorectal cancers in later years. Increased body weight during college was associated with increased risks of kidney and bladder cancers, whereas for alumni this index was associated only with kidney cancer. Increased weight-for-height during college (but not in 1962 or 1966) predicted increased occurrence of female breast cancer. Jewish students experienced elevated risk for subsequent cancers of the female breast, colon, and combined colorectum. These and other findings are presented as clues deserving further exploration for any etiologic significance that they may hold for the cancer sites studied.

Early precursors of urogenital cancers in former college men

Physical and social characteristics recorded at college physical examination or reported at subsequent alumni questionnaire in 1962 or 1966 by 47,271 male former students from Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania were reviewed for their relationship to risk for cancers of the kidney, bladder, prostate and testis. The records of 213 subjects who died with 1 of these cancers in a 16-50 year followup period and of 280 subjects who reported such a cancer by mail questionnaire in 1976 or 1977 were compared with those of 1,972 matched classmates who were known to be alive and cancer-free at the time subjects with cancer had died or were diagnosed. Students with a record of proteinuria at college physical examination experienced increased risk of kidney cancer. Higher levels of body weight during college were associated with elevated risks of kidney and bladder cancers; however, increased weight in 1962/1966 related only to kidney cancer. A history of cigarette smoking as reported by questionnaire in 1962/1966 predicted increased occurrence of bladder cancer. Students with a history of tonsillectomy at college entrance experienced increased risk of prostate cancer, and those who reported cancer history in 1 or both parents were at increased risk for testicular cancer. These and other findings are presented as clues deserving further exploration for any etiological significance they may hold for the cancer sites studied.

Solubilization of the carcinogen nickel subsulfide and its interaction with deoxyribonucleic acid and protein

Significant concentrations (1-10 mM) of nickel(II) were found in solution after incubation of the potent carcinogen nickel subsulfide in 0.05 M Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, solutions containing DNA, rat liver microsomes, and NADPH. The presence of NADPH decreased the rate of solubilization of nickel subsulfide. The solubilized nickel exhibited electronic absorption spectra and magnetic moments characteristic of octahedral nickel(II). The solubilized nickel(II) bound to DNA with an apparent equilibrium constant of 730 M-1 and with a saturation binding value of one nickel per 2.4 nucleotides. Microsomes lowered the saturation binding of nickel to DNA but dramatically increased the amount of nickel-DNA complex stable to precipitation with salt and poly-(ethylene glycol). The amount of protein associated with DNA precipitated from protein-extracted solutions correlated with the amount of nickel bound to DNA. These results suggest that microsomes mediate the binding of nickel to DNA by forming a stable ternary protein-nickel(II)-DNA complex.

Purification and chemical characterization of human acidic alpha-D-mannosidase

The acidic alpha-D-mannosidase (EC 3.2.1.24) has been purified from human placentae. Milligram quantities of the enzyme were obtained from several placentae, using a step-wise purification procedure which includes Con A-Sepharose treatment, acetone precipitation, heat treatment, DEAE-cellulose column chromatography and preparative disc electrophoresis. A high degree of purity of the purified enzyme was demonstrated by acrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, and sedimentation equilibrium centrifugation. Immunological homogeneity of the preparation was demonstrated by a single precipitin line between the antiserum and purified, or partially purified enzyme preparation. The amino acid and carbohydrate composition of the enzyme was determined. The enzyme was found to be a glycoprotein containing 13.5% carbohydrate. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated at 205,000 +/- 18,400.

Structural comparison of hexosaminidases in primates

1. beta-Hexosaminidase (hex) structure was compared in various primates, using thin-layer isoelectric focusing on polyacrylamide gels and quantitative microcomplement fixation. 2. Isoelectric focusing revealed no intraspecies differences and similar interspecies patterns. 3. Hex A and B are evolving at a moderate, but equal, rate and in a manner consistent with accepted phylogenetic patterns. 4. Quantitative microcomplement fixation revealed a closer homology between human hex A and chimpanzee A or human hex B and chimpanzee hex B than between human hex A and human hex B.

The subunits of human hexosaminidase A

Previous studies of the subunit structure of hexosaminidase gave ambiguous results, but suggested that the enzyme was composed of six equally sized subunits. Dissociation of hexosaminidase A with p-chloromercuribenzoate produces an alkylated fragment with mol.wt. approx. 50000, which is converted into hexosaminidase S by treatment with dithiothreitol. Treatment of native hexosaminidase A with sodium dodecylsulphate results in the formation of a large and a small fragment. However, although the native enzyme has a sedimentation coefficient of 5.8S, dissociation by S-carboxymethylation and maleic anhydride treatment results in subunits exhibiting a single schlieren boundary on analytical ultracentrifugation with a sedimentation coefficient of 2.18S. These results indicate that the enzyme is composed of four subunits, each with molwt. approx. 25000-27000. The mol.wt. of the native enzymes is calculated to be approx. 110000. Our data are consistent with the subunit structures of hexosaminidases A, B and S as being alpha2beta2, beta4 and alpha4 respectively.

Purification and chemical characterization of human hexosaminidases A and B

N-Acetyl-beta-hexosaminidases A and B were purified to homogeneity from human placenta. In the initial step of purification, the enzymes were adsorbed on concanavalin A-Sepharose 4B and eluted from the column with alpha-methyl D-mannosides. Subsequent purification steps included DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, QAE-Sephadex [diethyl-(2-hydroxypropyl)aminoethyl-Sephadex] column chromatography, Sephadex G-200 gel filtration and preparative disc polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, followed by another QAE-Sephadex chromatography for the hexosaminidase A preparation, and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, calcium phosphate gel chromatography, Sephadex G-200 gel filtration, QAE-Sephadex chromatography and CM-cellulose chromatography for the hexosaminidase B preparation. The purified preparations, particularly hexosaminidase A, had significantly higher specific enzyme activities than previously reported. The preparations moved on polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis as single protein bands, which also stained for enzyme activity. Sedimentation-equilibrium centrifugation indicated homogenous dispersion of the enzymes, and the molecular weight was estimated as about 110000 for both enzymes. Complete amino acid and carbohydrate compositions of the two isoenzymes were determined, and, in contrast with previous suggestions, no sialic acid was found in the enzymes.

Propranolol treatment of essential tremor

Propranolol treatment of patients with essential tremor, selected for chronic, nonresting tremor of hands and head causing functional impairment, benefited only one of nine patients during a double-blind study (320 mg per day). No serious cardiorespiratory complications occurred in this screened patient group, but an elderly man became agitated and depressed. We conclude that propranolol does not benefit all patients with essential tremor and that this disorder may be caused by several biochemical mechanisms.