Pro-opiomelanocortin peptides in the human fetal pituitary

Levels of immunoreactive pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) peptides (N- and C-terminal ACTH, N- and C-terminal LPH and α-MSH) have been measured in pituitary extracts from human fetuses of 12–22 weeks gestation. The levels of ACTH were 30–200 times higher than α-MSH in all fetuses studied. Sephadex G-75 and G-25 chromatography of 8 extracts showed peaks of 34 kilodaltons (K) POMC, 22K ACTH, β-LPH, γ-LPH, β-endorphin, approximately 8K ACTH, 1–39 ACTH, α-MSH and CLIP. The 8K and 22K forms of ACTH are both partly glycosylated.In vitro culture of pituitaries from 2 fetuses (22 and 26 weeks gestation) gave a detectable basal output of ACTH but not of α-MSH. Stimulation of these pituitary cells with human fetal and rat hypothalamic extracts and with synthetic ovine CRF-41 produced a significant increase in ACTH release, and either small or undetectable amounts of α-MSH.These results demonstrate the presence of POMC-related peptides in early gestation human fetal pituitaries and suggest that ACTH, and not α-MSH, is the major corticotrophic hormone at this stage of gestation.     

Total Hip Replacement in Osteoarthrosis using the Charnley Prosthesis

Charnley low-friction arthroplasty was performed on 352 osteoarthritic hips, usually because of severe pain. Three hundred and twenty hips were reviewed at a special follow-up clinic or by postal questionnaire. After operation 89% of hips were pain-free or caused only occasional discomfort, and in 76% there was an increased range of movement. Of those patients actually seen for review 79% were judged to have a good or excellent result. The most frequent single complication was deep infection, which occurred in 5·3% of hips.     

Effect of nitrate on the synthesis and decay of nitrate reductase of Neurospora

1. A method was developed to examine the turnover of nitrate reductase by the use of tungstate. 2. Evidence is presented which suggests that the disappearance of nitrate reductase activity from Neurospora mycelia exposed to non-inducing conditions is due to the disappearance of the enzyme protein(s) from the mycelia, and not merely due to the disappearance of its (their) catalytic power. 3. The presence of NO(3) (-) in the culture medium slows down the rate of degradation of nitrate reductase in Neurospora in vivo.     

Secondary and Apparent Primary Antibody Responses After Group A Streptococcal Vaccination of 21 Children

A partially purified M protein, extracted from a mouse-virulent strain of type 3, group A streptococcus, was administered subcutaneously in gradually increasing amounts at weekly intervals to 21 children in a Family Program. Seven children with type 3 bactericidal antibody in prevaccination sera showed a secondary response. Of 14 children with no detectable type 3 bactericidal antibody prior to vaccination, 13 developed definite type 3 antibody during or soon after vaccination. This response appeared to be of the primary variety in at least some of the 13 children because (i) the total incidence of antibody response (20 of 21) was greater than can be accounted for by the documented incidence of clinical and subclinical type 3 infections among children of our Family Program during a period of 14 years, (ii) the response in the 13 children with no detectable antibody prior to vaccination was more delayed than in those showing a definite secondary response, and (iii) on the average, the amount of vaccine needed for a response in these 13 children was 15 to 28 times greater than that required for the secondary response. Local skin reactions were variable among the vaccinated children. Systemic reactions were infrequent and not severe. The giving of multiple injections of partially purified M protein did not seem to cause cutaneous hypersensitivity.     

A new method for the quantitative determination of monosaccharides, amino sugars and N-acetylneuraminic acid and of 6-deoxyhexose (fucose) in the presence of other sugars

1. Monosaccharides, amino sugars and N-acetylneuraminic acid were determined by using an original colorimetric assay procedure, based on the detection of formaldehyde released after periodate oxidation. A range of these compounds was investigated by this method and they were all found to obey Beer's law within the concentration range 0-0.6mumole/ml. 2. A simple method for the determination of 6-deoxyhexose concentration in the presence of other monosaccharides is also described. 3. The optimum pH for the release of formaldehyde from sugars by periodate oxidation was 7.0-7.5. 4. The methods described have considerable advantages over existing assay systems and their particlar value in automatic colorimetry, where the use of concentrated acids is undesirable, is discussed.