Evolution du risque infectieux chez l'enfant atteint de leucémie.

Infection is the leading cause of illness and death in children with leukemia. The risk of infection may change over time as regimens of therapy are modified. A review of the hospital charts of 166 infants in whom leukemia had been diagnosed between 1976 and 1980 revealed an increased number of deep fungal infections (20 v. 3) during this period in comparison with the number between 1969 and 1976 in 164 patients treated at the same hospital whose leukemia was diagnosed between 1969 and 1975. The 20 severe fungal infections between 1976 and 1980 were characterized by difficulty of diagnosis (a definite diagnosis having been made three times out of four only at autopsy), an important role of Candida but also of Aspergillus (the latter having been isolated almost as often as the former) and a grave prognosis (the mortality being very high [75%] and much above that for gram-positive septicemia [6%] and that for gram-negative septicemia [31%]). This increase in frequency of fungal infections was concurrent with the introduction of phase-1 chemotherapy, which was often responsible for prolonged neutropenia. To reduce the risk of infection in children with leukemia it appears to be essential to improve diagnostic methods and approaches to therapy.     

Mechanisms and consequences of shell fouling in the kelp snail,Norrisia norrisi (Sowerby) (Trochidae): Indirect effects of octopus drilling

The kelp snail, Norrisia norrisi (Sowerby), dwells on the large kelps Macrocystis pyrifera (L.) and Eisenia arborea Areschoug, and is rare on benthic substrata. Approximately 4% of the snail population is dislodged from plants each day. Per capita mortality of snails on the benthos is an order of magnitude greater than individuals on kelp. Even though snails displaced to the bottom actively seek a plant to climb, we found that between 20–40% of marked snails released on the bottom were killed over a 24-day period. While most N. norrisi are free of epibionts on their shells, ≈30% of the population are encrusted by the barnacle Megabalanus californicus (Pilsbry). The majority of barnacle fouling was the result of failure by Octopusbimaculatus (Verrill) to kill Norrisia norrisi; barnacle cyprids settled in octopus drill holes in the shells of live kelp snails. N. norrisi encrusted by barnacles were less effective in exploiting kelp compared with unfouled snails. Moderately to heavily fouled snails were dislodged from kelp twice as frequently and remained on the benthos much longer than snails without epibionts. Laboratory tests revealed that escape velocities of N. norrisi from asteroid predators were much reduced by shell fouling, and that snails carrying barnacles were most likely to be captured and consumed. Hence octopus increase mortality of kelp snails in two ways. First, octopus can kill N. norrisi encountered on the bottom. Second, kelp snails drilled by octopus, but not killed outright, will become fouled by barnacles. This results in a subsequent risk of mortality from all benthic predators that is at least 8-fold greater than for unfouled kelp snails.     

Treatment of deep vein thrombosis with streptokinase.

From September 1962 to May 1972 145 patients with acute or subacute deep vein thrombosis confirmed by phlebography were treated with streptokinase. During the same period 42 patients considered unfit for thrombolytic therapy were treated with herapin and oral anticoagulants. The results, assessed by repeat phlebography, in 93 of the patients treated with streptokinase were compared with those in 42 patients treated with heparin. The age, sex, and severity of occlusion were roughly similar in both groups. Streptokinase treatment was successful in 42 per cent, partially successful in 25 per cent, and unsuccessful in 32 per cent of the 93 patients compared with none, 10 per cent, and 88 percent respectively in the 42 patients treated with heparin. Streptokinase was more effective when the thrombus was in proximal rather than calf veins. Thrombi of more than six days old were readily lysed. Plasma fibrinogen levels were below 0-8 g/1 (80 mg/100 ml) in nearly all patients successfully treated. The incidence of pulmonary embolism was no greater with streptokinase than with heparin treatment. Only prolonged follow-up would show whether thrombolytic treatment would be effective in preventing late complications of deep vein thrombosis such as chronic venous insufficiency.     

Plain and Complex Flagella of Pseudomonas rhodos: Analysis of Fine Structure and Composition

Cells of Pseudomonas rhodos 9-6 produce two morphologically distinct flagella termed plain and complex, respectively. Fine structure analyses by electron microscopy and optical diffraction showed that plain flagellar filaments are cylinders of 13-nm diameter composed of globular subunits like normal bacterial flagella. The structure comprises nine large-scale helical rows of subunits intersecting four small-scale helices of pitch angle 25 degrees . Complex filaments have a conspicuous helical sheath, 18-nm wide, of three close-fitting helical bands, each about 4.7-nm wide, separated by axial intervals, 4.7 nm wide, running at an angle of 27 degrees . The internal core has similar but not identical substructure to plain filaments. Unlike plain flagella, the complex species is fragile and does not aggregate in bundles. Mutants bearing only one of two types of flagellum were isolated. Cells with plain flagella showed normal translational motion, and cells with complex flagella showed rapid spinning. Isolated plain flagella consist of a 37,000-dalton subunit separable into two isoproteins. Complex filaments consist of a 55,000-dalton protein; a second 43,000-dalton protein was assigned to complex flagellar hooks. The results indicate that plain and complex flagella are entirely different in structure and composition and that the complex type represents a novel flagellar species. Its possible mode of action is discussed.     

Feinstrukturanalyse der komplexen Geißeln von Rhizobium lupini H 13-3

Zusammenfassung Zellen von Rhizobium lupini H 13-3 besitzen 5–10 peritrich inserierte komplexe Geißeln, deren Feinstruktur durch Hochauflösungs-Elektronenmikroskopie und lichtoptische Diffraktion analysiert wurde. Das Geißelfilament hat einen Durchmesser von 160 Å und besteht aus einem zylindrischen Kern (Durchmesser ca. 110 Å), der fest von drei Bändern einer helikalen Scheide umgeben ist. Die Scheidenbänder sind 49 Å breit, durch 49 Å-Intervalle voneinander getrennt und haben eine Steigung von 31°. Die komplexen Geißelfilamente bestehen aus einem 43 000-Dalton-Protein, das den Kern und die helikale Scheide aufbaut. Beide gehen übergangslos aus dem proximalen Geißelhaken hervor, der einen Durchmesser von 150 Å und eine Länge von 600 bis 800 Å hat. Die Diffraktionsanalyse des Geißelhakens zeigte eine helikale Grundanordnung von globulären Untereinheiten, die ein Oberflächengitter von 5 parallelen Schrauben (Steigung 29° bzw. 33°) bilden, von denen jede fast 11 Untereinheiten pro Helixungang trägt. Die komplexen Geißeln von R. lupini H 13-3 und Pseudomonas rhodos [Schmitt et al.: J. Bact. 117, 844–857 (1974)] sind ein neuer Typ von Bakteriengeißeln. Sie zeigen deutliche Übereinstimmung in der Feinstruktur, der festen Verbindung von helikaler Scheide und Geißelhaken sowie in der Fragilität ihrer Filamente; sie unterscheiden sich deutlich im Molekulargewicht der Flagellinmonomeren (43 000 bzw. 55 000). Zellen von R. lupini H 13-3 führen schnelle, vibrierende Translationsbewegungen aus. Mögliche Mechanismen der Bewegung komplexer Geißeln werden diskutiert.

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Fine structure analysis of the complex flagella of Rhizobium lupini H 13-3

Cells of Rhizobium lupini H 13-3 possess 5 to 10 peritrichously inserted complex flagella, which were analyzed by high resolution electron microscopy and by optical diffraction. The flagellar filament has a diameter of 160 Å; it consists of a cylindrical core (diameter approximately 110 Å) surrounded by three close-fitting bands of a helical sheath. The helical bands are 49 Å wide, separated by axial intervals, 49 Å wide, and run at an angle of 31°. Complex filaments consist of a 43 000-dalton protein representing the core and the helical sheath. These originate from the proximal hook, which has a diameter of 150 Å and a length of 600 to 800 Å. The diffraction analysis of the hook showed a helical arrangement of globular subunits forming a surface of 5 parallel small-scale helices (pitch-angles 29° and 33°, respectively), each carrying almost 11 subunits per period. The complex flagella of R. lupini H 13-3 and Pseudomonas rhodos [Schmitt, et al.: J. Bact. 117, 844–857 (1974)] represent a novel type of bacterial flagella. There is agreement in their fine structures, in the intimate connection of the helical sheath and the core, and in the fragility of their filaments. Thery are clearly distinguished by the molecular weights of their flagellin monomers (43 000 and 55 000, respectively). Cells of R. lupini H 13-3 show fast, vibrating, translational motions. Possible mechanisms of complex flagellar motion are discussed.

Herrn Professor Wolfram Heumann zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Red cell enzymes of the Pongidae

Summary The red cell enzymes acid phosphatase, adenylate kinase, adenosine deaminase and phosphoglucomutase were analyzed by horizontal starch gel electrophoresis in 43 members of the family Pongidae: Pongo pygmaeus (n=10), Gorilla g. gorilla (n=8), Pan troglodytes (n=22) and Pan paniscus (n=3).In all the Pongidae a red cell acid phosphatase zymogram corresponding to the phenotype B in man was found. The adenylate kinase corresponded to the human phenotype AK 1. All the Pongidae showed the same homozygous adenosine deaminase phenotype which was different from the zymograms in man and was designated ADA ape. In all Pongidae the allele PGM ₁ ¹ was present, in addition in Gorilla g. gorilla a second allele was demonstrated, PGM ₁ ^Go . In Pan troglodytes a second allele, PGM ₁ ^Pan was recognized. In Pongo pygmaeus and Gorilla g. gorilla the PGM₂ patterns differed in their migration rates from PGM₂ 1 in man. In one individual of the species Pan troglodytes a PGM₂ zymogram was found resembling the heterozygous phenotype PGM₂ 3–1, PGM ₂ ¹ PGM ₂ ³, (type Palmer) in man. In all the other individuals of the species Pan troglodytes and in those of the species Pan paniscus the PGM₂ zymogram corresponded to the phenotype PGM₂ 1 in man.

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Zusammenfassung Bei 43 Vertretern der Familie Pongidae, Pongo pygmaeus (n=10), Gorilla g. gorilla (n=8), Pan troglodytes (n=22) und Pan paniscus (n=3), wurden die Erythrocytenenzyme saure Phosphatase, Adenylatkinase, Adenosindeaminase und Phosphoglucomutase mit der horizontalen Stärkegelelektrophorese analysiert. Bei allen Pongiden fanden wir eine saure Phosphatase, die dem Phänotyp B des Menschen entsprach, und eine Adenylatkinase, die dem Phänotyp AK 1 des Menschen glich. Alle Pongiden besaßen das gleiche, einem homozygoten Phänotyp entsprechende Adenosindeaminase-Zymogramm, das sich von den Zymogrammen des Menschen unterschied; wir bezeichnen diesen Phänotyp mit ADA ape. Bei allen Pongiden kommt das Allel PGM ₁ ¹ vor, bei Gorilla g. gorilla zusätzlich ein zweites Allel, PGM ₁ ^Go , und bei Pan troglodytes ein zweites Allel, PGM ₁ ^Pan . Die PGM₂-Zymogramme von Pongo pygmaeus und Gorilla g. gorilla unterschieden sich in ihrer elektrophoretischen Wandergeschwindigkeit vom Phänotyp PGM₂ 1 des Menschen. Bei einem Individuum der Species Pan troglodytes fanden wir ein heterozygotes PGM₂-Zymogramm, das an den heterozygoten Phänotyp PGM₂ 3–1, PGM ₂ ¹ PGM ₂ ³ (Typ Palmer) des Menschen erinnerte, bei allen übrigen Individuen der Species Pan troglodytes und bei denen der Species Pan paniscus ein homozygotes PGM₂-Zymogramm, das dem Phänotyp PGM₂ 1 des Menschen entsprach.

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Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.