G to A substitution in the distal CCAAT box of the A gamma-globin gene in Greek hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin

The sequence 5'TTGGPyCAAT 3' (the 'CCAAT box') is a constituent of the promoter region of many eukaryotic and prokaryotic genes and is believed to play a part in promoter function. A characteristic of the two fetal human globin genes (A gamma and G gamma) is a duplication of a 12-base pair (bp) sequence containing the CCAAT box. Here we report a G----A substitution in the TTG sequence of the distal CCAAT box of the A gamma-globin gene in an individual with the A gamma (Greek) type of hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin (HPFH). This represents the first report of a natural mutation of the CCAAT box in a eukaryotic gene. The fact that this transition is associated with inappropriate expression of the A gamma gene in adult life suggests that the CCAAT box (or its surrounding sequences) may have a role in the developmental control of gamma-globin genes.

Effect of a thymic factor, thymostimulin, on growth and pulmonary metastases of Lewis lung carcinoma

The antitumor and antimetastatic activities of a thymic factor, thymostimulin (TP-1), with or without cyclophosphamide (CPA) were examined in C57BL/6 mice inoculated with Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL). Tumor growth was followed by determining the tumor diameter after tumor implantation. TP-1 given to mice every 2 days after tumor implantation significantly inhibited tumor growth without affecting the survival rate. For induction of spontaneous pulmonary metastases, 3LL cells were implanted into the footpads of mice, and the implanted tumor was removed on day 9. The antimetastatic effect of TP-1 on pulmonary metastases after removal of the primary tumor was evaluated by counting the number of pulmonary surface nodules. TP-1 showed antimetastatic activity depending on its time of administration and dose. Combined therapy with TP-1 plus CPA significantly prolonged the survival of mice with pulmonary metastases. The cytolytic activities of spleen cells on 3LL cells were enhanced in mice treated with TP-1 and/or CPA and the cytolytic activity of nonadherent spleen cells, the T-cell population, was enhanced. The role of cytolytic spleen cells in inhibiting and preventing metastases was discussed.

[The appraisal of biliary drainage for intrahepatic gall stones, with special reference to an end-to-side hepaticojejunostomy]

Between 1961 and 1983, eighty-six patients with intrahepatic gall stones were identified from a group of 1,140 patients admitted for cholelithiasis. Surgical procedures performed in this series were 37 choledochotomies with external biliary drainages, 33 transduodenal papilloplasties, 37 bilioenteric anastomosis and 15 hepatectomies. In the long term follow up studies after surgical treatment by each procedures, the favorite results were obtained in 41.2% of cases with choledochotomies with external drainages, in 34.4% of cases with transduodenal papilloplasties, in 82.4% of cases with bilioenteric anastomosis and in 88.7% of cases with hepatectomies. Hepatectomy seemed to be a most effective treatment for the prevention of recurrence of stones. However, if the calculi were in the right or both of hepatic lobes, hepatectomy might be a high risk operation and technical proficiency were required in operation. In such cases, we performed an end to side anastomosis between the common hepatic duct and the jejunum (Roux en Y anastomosis) for the postoperative endoscopic lithotomy. In this operation the jejunal stump was made to be an enterocutaneous fistula for the later percutaneous endoscopic lithotomy. This operation has the following advantages; 1) the time of operation were shortened in the removal of stones because of this operation were performed for the postoperative endoscopic lithotomy, 2) retrograde cholangitis was less likely to develop than other operations, 3) retained stones dropped into bowel easily by making a big anastomotic stoma, 4) the cholangioscope could be inserted into either bile ducts of the right and left hepatic lobes, 5) the fistula would be able to be reused for the endoscopic treatment at later recurrence of intrahepatic gall stones.

Binding of benzo(a)pyrene with peroxidase and its oxidation by peroxidase-H2O2 intermediate

The oxidation of benzo(a)pyrene (BP) by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) (EC 1.11.1.7) was examined spectrophotometrically by the decomposition of peroxidase-H2O2 intermediate "compound II." The rate constant of the oxidation of BP was 9.5 X 10(4) M-1 sec-1. The oxidation of BP by HRP was inhibited at high BP concentrations, and the hydrogen donor (BP) inhibition constant, KA', was 1.48 microM. The association constant, Kassoc, of the formation of a complex of BP and HRP at 403 nm was 4.37 X 10(4) M-1. The oxidation products of BP have been identified as 1,6-, 3,6- and 6,12-quinone BP. These products showed no mutagenicity in the mutagenicity assay.

Oxidation of benzo(a)pyrene and 7,8-dihydro-7,8-dihydroxy benzo(a)pyrene by horseradish peroxidase-H2O2 intermediate: fluorometric study

The capacity of oxidation of benzo(a)pyrene (BP) and its analog to be oxidized by peroxidases in several tissues has been studied. The kinetics of the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) oxidation of BP and 7,8-dihydro-7,8-dihydroxy benzo(a)pyrene (BP-7,8-diol) were examined. Effective ratios of H2O2 and HRP for catalytic oxidation were 13.74 for BP and 4.58 for BP-7,8-diol. The maximum ratio was approximately 90 for both hydrogen donors (BP and BP-7,8-diol) to the ES complex. The maximum ratio of oxidized BP and BP-7,8-diol to HRP was 5.7. Ks values for H2O2 were 1.68 and 6.35 microM for BP and BP-7,8-diol, respectively. The mean values of the rate constants, k5, for the oxidation of BP and BP-7,8-diol were 0.56 X 10(5) M-1 sec-1 and 4.1 X 10(5) M-1 sec-1, respectively, at low concentrations. At low concentrations a Hill plot of the oxidation of BP showed a negative value (nH = 0.5) and at high concentrations nH = 1.0. On the other hand, that of BP-7,8-diol showed positive cooperativeness (nH = 1.8). These oxidation reactions caused substrate (donor) inhibition at high concentrations. The inhibition constants, KA', were 9.8 and 5.65 microM for BP and BP-7,8-diol, respectively. The reactivity of the oxidation of BP-7,8-diol was five to six times larger than that of BP.

[A case of primary adenosquamous carcinoma of the stomach associated with gastric polyposis]

We report a 76-year-old woman with Borrmann 3 carcinoma associated with gastric polyposis, who underwent total gastrectomy and splenectomy. Histopathological study of resected specimens revealed squamous cell carcinoma in some sections keratinization was seen; other sections evidenced adenocarcinoma. Due to intra- acinous epithelial stratification and platyform development, the adenosquamous carcinoma was considered to have originated from squamous epithelial metaplasia of the adenocarcinoma cells. Of 90,639 patients who had undergone resection to treat gastrocarcinoma, 236 (0.26%) had adenosquamous carcinoma. However, only 7 cases were associated with polyposis.

Restriction endonuclease mapping of gamma-delta-beta-globin region in G gamma (beta)+ HPFH and a Chinese A gamma HPFH variant

Restriction endonuclease mapping of the beta-globin genomic region was used for studying the molecular basis of two variants of hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH): an African G gamma (beta)+ HPFH and a Chinese HPFH variant with predominant synthesis of A gamma chains. HPFH and control DNA samples were digested with a battery of restriction enzymes, and the fragments were identified by hybridization to a family of discrete probes. DNA fragments from the A gamma HPFH (Chinese) and the G gamma (beta)+ HPFH individuals were identical with those of the normal controls. These findings suggest that the two mutants are the result of small structural anomalies of DNA sequences that play a role in the regulation of the expression of gamma-globin genes.

[Localized amyloidosis of the ureter: report of a case]

A case of primary amyloidosis of the ureter is presented. The patient was a 48-year-old woman with a 5-year history of asymptomatic macrohematuria. Roentgenographic examination showed left hydronephrosis and stenosis of the left distal ureter. Histological examination of the biopsied specimen during the operation revealed no malignancy; and, left partial ureterectomy and uretero- vesiconeostomy was performed. Congo red stain proved amyloid deposition after surgery. Rectal biopsy was negative for amyloid; and, other laboratory findings were within normal range. Thus it was diagnosed as a primary localized amyloidosis of the ureter. Importance of intraoperative histologic examination was discussed. This is the 22nd case in the literature.

J chain is encoded by a single gene unlinked to other immunoglobulin structural genes

Immunoglobulin J chain mediates the polymerization of both IgM and IgA immunoglobulins. Its synthesis is closely regulated in B lymphocytes, apparently at the level of RNA transcription. To define the genetic bases of this regulation, we have determined the location and number of J chain genes in the mouse. Analysis of DNA from a group of somatic cell hybrids containing various mouse chromosomes on a constant background of Chinese hamster chromosomes indicated that this gene is located on mouse chromosome 5, unlinked to immunoglobulin heavy and light chain structural genes. Restriction mapping experiments further suggested the existence of a single J chain gene per haploid genome. This result was confirmed by quantitative analyses of band intensities yielded by Southern blots of mouse genomic DNA and J gene-containing plasmid DNA.

Expression of the J chain gene during B cell differentiation is inversely correlated with DNA methylation

During B cell differentiation, transcription of the J chain gene is initiated. To determine the regulatory mechanism involved, we have analyzed the structure of the J chain gene in cell lines representing successive stages in B cell development. Comparison of restriction sites showed that the J chain gene does not require a rearrangement of DNA for expression; cleavage sites present in embryonic J chain DNA were preserved through all the subsequent differentiative steps. However, comparison of 5-methylcytosine contents showed that J chain gene expression correlates with a loss of methyl groups. The J chain gene was heavily methylated in cell types not expressing J chain (i.e., embryo and lymphomas representative of immature and mature B cells) and significantly less methylated in cell lines representative of antigen-stimulated lymphocytes synthesizing J chain. These changes in J chain gene methylation represent a specific differentiation-induced response. Analyses of the heavy chain C mu and C gamma 2b genes, which are expressed at earlier and later stages than the J chain gene, showed that the C mu sequences were undermethylated in all cell types examined whereas the C gamma 2b sequences were undermethylated only in cell lines expressing the IgG2b protein. The primary encounter of a B cell with antigen must therefore trigger events that effect J chain gene transcription through a mechanism involving loss of methyl groups from cytosine.

Correlation between the association and the desmutagenicity of benzo(a)pyrene by hemin: comparison with hemoproteins, transient metals and amines

The mutagenicity of the potent carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene proved to be lost by binding with hemin and other tested compounds. The association constant (Kass) and the desmutation constant (Kmut) of benzo(a)pyrene and hemin were 8.5 x 10(4) M(-1) and 7.0 x 10(-4) M(-1), respectively. The correlation coefficient (gamma) of the association and the desmutation of benzo(a)pyrene and hemin was nearly 1, and the coefficient of regression of association on the desmutation, gamma (sigma ass/sigma mut), was 0.78. The correlation of other compounds, ferric chloride among transient metals, and 3,3'-diaminodipropylamine and p-phenylenediamine, were also almost 1 in both values, but their Kass an Kmut were must smaller than those of hemin: Kass:Kmut, 525 M(-1):520 M(-1) for ferric chloride, 2.2 x 10(3) M(-1):2.3 x 10(3) M(-1) for diaminodipropylamine and 175 M(-1):125 M(-1) for p-phenylenediamine. Good agreement of Kass and Kmut means that the desmutation of benzo(a)pyrene is caused by binding with tested materials.

Bulk flow in the cerebrospinal fluid system of the dog

Ventriculo-cisternal, intracranial subarachnoid-to-subarachnoid space and spinal subarachnoid space perfusions were carried out on dogs. The perfusate contained inulin as a tracer and the design of these experiments was based upon the concept that inulin leaves cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compartments only by means of bulk absorption, and that actual diffusion and active transport of inulin is negligibly small. Inulin was removed from different CSF spaces by bulk absorption at rates which varied linearly with hydrostatic pressure. The rate of formation of CSF is equal to inulin clearance plus the difference between outflow and inflow rates. The total CSF formation in dogs weighing 12 to 17 kg was measured as 0.065 ml/min, and 58.5 per cent of this amount was found to come from extraventricular CSF space. The rates are independent of hydrostatic pressure in the range studied.

Detection of experimental and clinical brain edema using an electrical impedance method

✓ To clarify the development of brain edema, the electrical impedance of white matter was measured with intracerebral implanted electrodes in cold-induced edema in the cat and in cases of edema after major intracranial surgery. Impedance measurements were made at 50 kc using a tetrapolar electrode method with a pair of concentric platinum electrodes. The impedance of the brain gradually decreased 25% after several hours of cold application. The amount of increase of sulfate space of brain showed a good correlation with decrease of impedance. In four postoperative cases of brain tumor, a 7.5% to 25% decrease of impedance was observed within several hours of surgery. A severe case of brain edema, in which the prognosis was poor, showed marked intracranial pressure and 25% decrease of impedance.

Extraventricular origin of the cerebrospinal fluid: formation rate quantitatively measured in the spinal subarachnoid space of dogs

✓ The spinal subarachnoid space of the dog was perfused with an artificial cerebrospinal fluid containing inulin as a tracer. The experimental procedures were based upon the concept that the decrease in inulin concentration occurring during the perfusion was exclusively a function of the volume of newly formed cerebrospinal fluid in the system.