Catabolism of naphthalene and salicylate byPseudomonas fluorescens

Analysis of spent naphthalene growth media ofPseudomonas fluorescens by GC-MS revealed the presence of salicylate. Gentisate 1,2-dioxygenase and pyrocatechol 1,2-dioxygenase were induced by growth on naphthalene, whereas only pyrocatechol 1,2-dioxygenase was induced during growth on salicylate. These results suggest the existence of alternative degradative routes of salicylate,via gentisate and pyrocatechol, which are involved in the catabolism of naphthalene.     

A locus for familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is closely linked to the cardiac myosin heavy chain genes, CRI-L436, and CRI-L329 on chromosome 14 at q11-q12

We report that a gene responsible for familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) is closely linked to the cardiac alpha and beta myosin heavy chain (MHC) genes on chromosome 14q11. We have recently shown that probe CRI-L436, derived from the anonymous DNA locus D14S26, detects a polymorphic restriction fragment that segregates with familial HC in affected members of a large Canadian family. Using chromosomal in situ hybridization, we have mapped CRI-L436 to chromosome 14 at q11-q12. Because the cardiac MHC genes also map to this chromosomal band, we have determined the genetic distances between the cardiac beta MHC gene, D14S26, and the familial HC locus. Data presented here show that these three loci are linked within 5 centimorgans on chromosome 14 at q11-q12. The possibility that defects in either the cardiac alpha or beta MHC genes are responsible for familial HC is discussed.     

Endogenous respiration and regulation in a primitive marine fungus

The relationship between the respiration and the presence and utilization of endogenous and exogenous substrates was studied in the non-filamentous obligately marine fungus Thraustochytrium aureum. Using isotopic and manometric methods, it was shown that almost all exogenous glucose is assimilated, whilst almost all the oxygen consumption in the presence of exogenous glucose was due to oxidation of endogenous reserves. In contrast, exogenous glutamate, which cannot serve as the sole carbon source for growth, inhibits respiration of endogenous materials, and is itself rapidly oxidized. The uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol stimulates the oxidation of endogenous reserves without affecting the uptake and use of exogenous glucose. These data strongly support the idea of physiologic compartmentation in this organism.     

Effects of chronic administration of somatostatin on rat exocrine pancreas

We studied the effects of somatostatin on synthesis of pancreatic DNA, RNA and protein and on pancreatic weight and contents of DNA, protein, amylase and chymotrypsinogen in rats. In short term synthesis studies, rats were injected with 100 micrograms . kg-1 somatostatin or 0.15 M NaCl (control) at times 0, 8 and 16 h. Eight rats from each treatment group were killed 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 h after beginning treatment. Incorporation rates in vivo of [3H]thymidine into DNA, [3H]uridine into RNA and [14C]phenylalanine into total protein were significantly depressed by somatostatin. In long term studies, four groups of 12 rats were injected every 8 h for 5 days with 0.15 M NaCl or 11, 33 or 100 micrograms . kg-1 somatostatin. Body weight was unaffected but pancreatic contents of DNA, protein and enzymes were significantly decreased by somatostatin. Administration of somatostatin inhibits DNA, RNA and protein synthesis in exocrine pancreas with resulting decreases in DNA and enzyme contents.     

Hormonally sensitive cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in liver cells. An ecto-enzyme

Ecto-cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity was determined from freshly isolated and cultured liver cells. The cells were capable of hydrolyzing cyclic AMP in the medium. The ecto-phosphodiesterase represents a low Km phosphodiesterase which was activated by physiological concentrations of insulin. The product, 5'-AMP, was recovered in the medium and not with the cells. The enzyme was inhibited with aminophylline and trypsin. The ecto-phosphodiesterase activity was proportional to cell number, and total phosphodiesterase activity increased 5- to 10-fold when the cells were ruptured. About one-third of the ecto-phosphodiesterase activity from freshly isolated liver was due to phosphodiesterase in the medium. No phosphodiesterase was in the medium of cultured liver cells.     

Comparative particle recoveries by the retracting rotorod,rotoslide and Burkard spore trap sampling in a compact array

An array comprising 4 intermittent (retracting) rotorods, 3 (swingshield) rotoslides and one Burkard (Hirst) automatic volumetric spore trap was operated on an urban rooftop during 70 periods of 9, 15 or 24 hours in late summer. Standard sampling procedures were utilized and recoveries of pollens as well as spores ofAlternaria, Epicoccum, Pithomyces andGanoderma species compared. Differences between paired counts from each sampler type showed variances increasing with levels of particle prevalence (and deposition). In addition, minimal, non-random, side-to-side and intersampler differences were noted for both impactor types. Exclusion of particles between operating intervals by rotoslides and rotorods was virtually complete. Spore trap recoveries for all particle categories, per m³, exceeded those by both impactors. The greatest (7-fold) difference was noted for the smallest type examined (Ganoderma). For ragweed pollen, an overall spore trap/impactor ratio approached 1.5. Rain effects were difficult to discern but seemed to influence rotoslides least. Overall differences between impactors were quite small but generally favored the rotoslide in this comparison. Our data confirm the relative advantages of suction traps for small particles. Both impactors and spore traps are suited to pollen and large spore collection, and, with some qualification, data from both may be compared.     

SEQUENTIAL ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF STONE HEART SYNDROME IN A PATIENT SUPPORTED SIX DAYS WITH AN ABDOMINAL LEFT VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE (ALVAD)

A 21-year-old male patient underwent aortic and mitral valve replacement for progressive cardiac failure due to acute bacterial endocarditis. Ischemic myocardial contracture developed during attempts to restore cardiac activity following hypothermic, ischemic, cardioplegic arrest. An abdominal left ventricular assist device (ALVAD) was implanted and supported the circulation for nearly six days prior to cardiac transplantation. The preoperative EKG showed sinus tachycardia with left anterior hemiblock. Postoperatively, there was complete electromechanical dissociation. The postoperative EKG showed a superior and leftward shift of the axis. There was a marked loss of QRS voltage and variable degrees of atrioventricular block. At times, only P waves were present. On the fourth postoperative day, there was an axis shift to the extreme right. Prior to transplantation, sinus rhythm returned, and the axis shifted leftward once again. The common denominator of all the abnormal postoperative electrocardiograms was the conspicuous low voltage that probably signified early and extensive myocardial damage. To our knowledge, this is the first instance wherein a sequential electrocardiographic analysis of stone heart syndrome has been undertaken.     

L-histidine induced changes in adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate levels in rat brain and amounts of apo-, holo-a and holo-b fatty acid synthetases in rat liver.

When fasted rats were fed a chow or fat-free diet supplemented 5% with L-histidine for three days, the brain adenosine 3′:5′-monophosphate (cAMP) level increased. A 50% increase occurred in rats fed a chow diet and 20% increase in rats fed a fat-free diet. Purification of liver fatty acid synthetase and the isolation of liver apo-, holo-$\text{a}$ and holo-$\text{b}$ fatty acid synthetases demonstrated that L-histidine feeding caused changes in the relative amounts of these enzymes. Apo- and holo-$\text{b}$ fatty acid synthetases increased while the holo-$\text{a}$ form simultaneously decreased. This effect was observed in rats fed either chow or fat-free diets supplemented with L-histidine.     

L-histidine-induced suppression of lipogenic enzymes.

Diets supplemented 5% with L-histidine produce hypercholesterolemia and increase cholesterol biosynthesis in rat liver. We now report an $\text{inhibitory}$ effect of L-histidine on lipogenic enzymes in the liver. In this study, L-histidine was added to chow and fat-free diets and fed to rats for 18 days. After two days of fasting, the rats were refed the same diet for three days prior to sacrifice. L-histidine decreased fatty acid synthetase activity by 51% when it was added to the chow diet and by 26% when it was added to the fat-free diet. Isocitrate dehydrogenase activity was not altered significantly in rats fed diets supplemented with L-histidine.