Relation between socioeconomic deprivation and pathological prognostic factors in women with breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE--To investigate the relation between socioeconomic deprivation and pathological prognostic factors in women with breast cancer as a possible explanation for socioeconomic differences in survival. DESIGN--Retrospective analysis of data from cancer registry and from pathology and biochemistry records. SETTING--Catchment areas of two large teaching hospitals in Glasgow. SUBJECTS--1361 women aged under 75 who had breast cancer diagnosed between 1980 and 1987. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Tumour size, axillary lymph node status, histological grade, and oestrogen receptor concentration in relation to deprivation category of area of residence. RESULTS--There was no significant relation between socioeconomic deprivation and four pathological prognostic factors: 93 (32%) women in the most affluent group presented with tumours less than 20 mm in size compared with 91 (31%) women in the most deprived group; 152 (48%) of the most affluent group presented with negative nodes compared with 129 (46%) of the most deprived group; 23 (22%) of the most affluent group presented with grade I tumours compared with 12 (17%) of the most deprived group; and 142 (51%) of the most affluent group had a low oestrogen receptor concentration at presentation compared with 148 (52%) of the most deprived group. None of these differences was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS--Differences in survival from breast cancer by socioeconomic deprivation category could not be accounted for by differences in tumour stage or biology. Other possible explanations, such as differences in treatment or in host response, should be investigated.     

Isolation and characterization of a type II restriction endonuclease from Streptococcus thermophilus

The alpha-toxin (phospholipase C) of Clostridium perfringens has been reported to contain catalytically essential zinc ions. We report here that histidine residues are essential for the co-ordination of these ion(s). Incubation of alpha toxin with diethylpyrocarbonate, a histidine modifying reagent, did not result in the loss of phospholipase C activity unless the protein was first incubated with EDTA, suggesting that zinc ions normally protect the susceptible histidine residues. When the amino acid sequences of three phospholipase C's were aligned, essential zinc binding histidine residues in the non-toxic B. cereus phospholipase C were found in similar positions in the toxic C. perfringens enzyme and the weakly toxic C. bifermentans phospholipase C.     

Immobilization of lipoxygenase in an alginate-silicate solgel matrix: formation of fatty acid hydroperoxides

A method for the immobilization of lipoxygenase (LOX) in an alginate-silicate gel matrix was developed. In this method, a mixture of calcium alginate beads and LOX in borate buffer are dispersed into a hexane solution of tetramethoxy-ortho-silicate (TMOS). Hydrolysis of the TMOS gives products that permeate and co-polymerize with the alginate gel to form a colloid within the beads that entraps the LOX. Optimum reaction conditions for sol-gel entrapment of LOX are at pH 9.0 in 0.2M borate buffer. The composite gel, after isolation and vacuum drying, had excellent protein retention that has good enzyme activity and stability at room temperature. The activity of the entrapped LOX was less than the activity of the free enzyme. However, the activity of the immobilized LOX can be restored by the addition of borate buffer and glycerol, or borate buffer saturated with an organic solvent. In contrast to the free enzyme in solution, which loses its activity in less than one day, sol-gel entrapped LOX retains its activity at ambient temperature for at least 25 days and can be recycled. This report demonstrates that the sol-gel entrapment method for immobilizing LOX can be useful in developing a process for the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids.     

Lysine-derived cross-links in the egg shell membrane

Egg shell membrane protein contains significant quantities of the lysine-derived aldehyde, allysine, and its aldol condensation product. NaB³H₄ reduction followed by alkaline hydrolysis of purified protein revealed that there were six residues/1000 of both allysine and the reduced aldol while only traces of desmosine and isodesmosine were detected. The amino acid composition of the membrane protein did not resemble that of mammalian elastin.     

The integument of the paddlefish,Polyodon spathula

The integument of the paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) is unusual as a relatively small amount of mucus is produced by epithelial cells that are not modified into regular mucous gland cells. A thick compact epidermis and dermis compensate for the slight amount of mucus secreted. Paddlefish have a variety of scales formed of concentric bony lamellae containing osteocytes. There are five kinds of scales: dorsal and ventral fulcra on the caudal fin, rhomboidal scales on the caudal lobe, horny denticles over the pectoral girdle, calcareous denticles on the trunk, and anchor-shaped plates on the rostrum. Except for the fulcra, the scales are undoubtedly vestigial. The numerous surface pits on the rostrum, head, operculum, and throat are epithelial invaginations which are not connected to lateral line canals. No nerves lead to the pits. The spherical to cuboidal and often ciliated cells at the base of the pits are considered to be aplasic cells of unformed neuromasts.     

Adenosine-5′-d: rotational conformation of the 5′-carbinol group

A synthesis of adenosine-5′-d (4), and its p.m.r. spectral characteristics, are described. The presence of deuterium in 4 gives rise to a 2:1 mixture of R and S configurations at C-5, thereby permitting specific assignments for the resonances of the residual 5′-protons. From the observed spin-spin coupling between the latter and H-4′, and estimate has been made of the rotamer population of the exocyclic 5′-carbinol group. It is shown that the gauche-gauche rotamer is preponderant (≈70%) and the gauche-trans one of minor importance (≈20%) in aqueous solution, which contrasts markedly with the preference for the latter rotamer exhibited by adenosine in the solid state.