Mapping parathyroid hormone, β-globin,insulin, and LDH-A genes within the human chromosome 11 short arm by spot blotting sorted chromosomes

Summary Rearranged human chromosomes carrying segments of chromosome 11 were separated from the normal chromosome 11 by high-resolution chromosome sorting. Sorted chromosomes were tested with parathyroid hormone, -globin, insulin, and LDH-A gene-specific probes to determine the genes carried by each chromosome segment. Based on the gene content and karyotypes of these abnormal chromosomes, the parathyroid hormone, -globin, insulin, and LDH-A genes and the unique restriction fragment ADJ-762 are all located on the terminal band of the short arm of human chromosome 11 (band 11p15), with LDH-A proximal to the other loci.     

Localization of alpha 1-microglobulin (HC protein) in normal human tissues: an immunohistochemical study using monoclonal antibodies

Summary Alpha-1-microglobulin is a low molecular weight (approximately 30 000 d) glycoprotein present in biological fluids. It is heterogeneous in charge. A monoclonal antibody was used to investigate the tissue distribution of the protein in normal human tissues and cell lines by indirect immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase techniques. The protein was demonstrable in cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage, in thymus and T cell dependent areas of spleen, lymph node and tonsils. It was detected in several lymphoid or nonlymphoid cell lines but not in peripheral blood lymphocytes. The microglobulin was also detectable in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. Finally, it was observed in glandular secretions (sudoral glands and mucosal glands of the digestive tract) where it may be associated with IgA. Possible explanations for the highly divergent results previously reported with polyclonal antisera to ₁ microglobulin are discussed.     

Generation of nonspecific murine cytotoxic T cells in vitro by purified human interleukin 2

Murine spleen cells developed into nonspecific cytotoxic cells within 72 hr of culture in the presence of highly purified sources of human interleukin 2. In whole spleen cell cultures, human interleukin 2 generated effector cells which were Thy 1.2⁺, Lyt 2.2⁺, resistant to γ irradiation (1000 R), and capable of lysing both H-2 compatible and incompatible targets. The effector cells generated in this manner were not restricted to classical natural killer cell-sensitive targets. If thymus-derived cells (T cells) were depleted from the spleen cell population before culture with human interleukin 2, the effector cells generated were enriched in effectors capable of lysing natural killer cell-sensitive targets. Interferon was not produced in interleukin 2-stimulated spleen cell cultures. In addition, heterologous antibody to murine -γ-interferon did not abrogate the generation of cytotoxic cells by human interleukin 2. These and additional data suggest that human interleukin 2 is capable of stimulating γ-irradiation-sensitive Thy 1.2⁺ cell(s) capable of lysing a variety of target cells regardless of inherent sensitivities to classical natural killer cells. Thy 1.2^? cells were also stimulated by human interleukin 2 and lysed only natural killer cell-sensitive targets. Human interleukin 2 caused some Thy 1.2^? cells to become susceptible to lysis by anti-Thy 1.2 serum and complement.     

Genetic structure of natural populations of the red-spotted newt,Notophthalmus viridescens

Genetic variation is described at 15 loci in 2 neotenic and 12 nonneotenic populations of red-spotted newts. Though high levels of genetic similarity (I=0.990) were found among all populations, allele frequencies at six of the eight most polymorphic loci show significant heterogeneity across populations. Change in allele frequencies at two of these loci (Pep-2 and Ldh-1) is significantly correlated with latitude. Interspecific homologies are established for newt peptidases based on substrate specificities and lactate dehydrogenases based on tissue distribution, thermal stability, and kinetic properties. Nonneotenic populations are highly variable (H=0.157) and neotenic populations are only slightly, but significantly, less variable (H=0.120). The high levels of heterozygosity detected in nonneotenic populations may result from large effective population size and/or environmental heterogeneity. The unexpectedly high heterozygosity values obtained for the neotenic populations may indicate adult dispersal or the presence of some previously undetected red efts at these localities. In any case, a major change in life history has apparently had little effect on the genetic structure of these populations.This research was supported by grants from the Blakeslee Fund of Smith College.     

Cytokinin-induced switch in development in excised cotyledons of radiata pine cultured in vitro

Cotyledons of Pinus radiata D. Don were cultured under shoot-forming (plus cytokinin) and elongating (minus cytokinin) conditions. Using. autoradiographic and precursor incorporation techniques, the sites and rate of macromolecular synthesis were examined during the first five days in culture. Active incorporation of ³H-thymidine, ³ H-uridine and ³H-leucine occurred. In shoot-forming cotyledons the incorporation became preferentially located in the epidermal and sub-epidermal cell layers in contact with the medium. In elongating cotyledons, in contrast, incorporation was randomly distributed, and the amount of incorporation declined with time. Biochemically, differences in DNA, RNA and total protein synthetic patterns were observed. In elongating cotyledons the rates of RNA and protein synthesis were higher during the first 48 h than in shoot-forming tissues, after which the synthetic rates were similar. Two peaks of newly formed DNA were observed in both tissues. These findings indicate that the cytokinin-induced changes in developmental pathways began within 24 h in culture.     

Passive Transfer of Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome in Mice: Decreased Rates of Resting and Evoked Release of Acetylcholine from Skeletal Muscle

Mice were injected for 1-2 months daily with 10 mg immunoglobulin G (IgG) from four patients with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS); control mice were injected with pooled human IgG from normal donors. Gastrocnemius muscles were homogenised for the assay of acetylcholine (ACh), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), and cholinesterase (ChE). The ACh, ChAT, and ChE contents of gastrocnemius muscles from "LEMS mice" were about the same as the control values, which were 180 pmol, 40 nmol X h-1 (37 degrees C), and 15 mumol X h-1 (37 degrees C), respectively. Hemidiaphragms were treated with an irreversible ChE inhibitor (Soman) and incubated at 20 degrees C for estimation of ACh release. Resting ACh release from experimental muscles was reduced by about 25% (P2 less than 0.05) and the release evoked by 3 s-1 nervous stimulation by 50% (P2 less than 0.05). On the other hand, 50 mM KCl-induced transmitter release was not abnormal in LEMS mice. The findings indicate that IgG antibody from patients with LEMS may bind to nerve terminal determinants that are involved in quantal and nonquantal ACh release.     

Levator advancement technique for eyelid ptosis

There have been many procedures advocated for the treatment of eyelid ptosis. The technique advocated in this paper consists of careful dissection and identification of anatomic landmarks, including preaponeurotic fat, Whitnall's superior transverse ligament, and the vertically oriented blood supply of the levator muscle. The attachment of the levator muscle into the cephalad portion of the levator muscle into the cephalad portion of the levator aponeurosis can be identified and easily dissected in order to perform the procedure of detachment and advancement to the tarsal plate. This procedure for ptosis has been successful in management in moderate to severe ptosis and in some cases has actually increased the muscle function, thereby enhancing the result. In this technique, the full length of levator muscle remains, so maximum excursion is achieved postoperatively. In addition, this surgical approach may be utilized for levator-lengthening procedures in cases of thyroid exophthalmus or overcorrected ptosis simply by performing the reverse procedure of detachment and insertion of a spacer based on the same ratio. Good results have been achieved in over 20 patients, with the exception of two patients who had absent to poor function and in whom undercorrection was present postoperatively.     

Aerodynamics of Ephedra trifurca

Computer simulations are used to predict the behavior of pollen grains with different physical properties within the acceleration field created around the ovules of the gymnosperm Ephedra trifurca. A modelling procedure is given that (1) calculates the number of pollen grains captured by an ovule's pollination-droplet and (2) gives a correlation between pollination efficiency and the physical properties (= mass, size) of different types of pollen. Based on this procedure, the number of Ephedra pollen grains captured by micropyles can be less than the number captured from other species. However, the mass and size of Ephedra pollen grains appear to coincide with those predicted to yield a local maximum of pollination efficiency, i.e. slightly larger or smaller values of either mass or size would decrease the probability of capture. In addition, the properties of Ephedra pollen grains operate synergistically in the aerodynamic environment around ovules and are focused to collide with pollination-droplets. By analogy, the properties of Ephedra pollen coincide with those predicted for a localized adaptive peak. The physical properties of pollen grain types other than E. trifurca that can maximize pollen capture are not generally represented in the aerobiology of Ephedra during the pollination season. Therefore, the phenology of pollen release, community taxonomic-composition, and the physics of particle capture play collectively important roles in the reproductive success of Ephedra trifurca.     

Solubilization and assay of a colony-stimulating factor receptor from murine macrophages

The colony-stimulating factor, CSF-1, selectively stimulates the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of mononuclear phagocytes. The solubilization, assay, and characteristics of the CSF-1 receptor from the J774.2 murine macrophage cell line are described. The recovery of cell-surface receptor in the postnuclear supernatant membrane fraction of hypotonically disrupted cells was 76%. Recovery of the ligand binding activity of the receptor after solubilization of this fraction with 1% Triton X-100 was approximately 150%. The binding of 125I-CSF-1 to intact cells and membrane preparations was consistent with the existence of a single class of high-affinity receptor sites. In contrast, the equilibrium binding of 125I-CSF-1 to the solubilized postnuclear fraction indicated the existence of two distinct classes of binding site (apparent Kds 0.15 nM and 10 nM). A rapid assay was developed for the high-affinity sites, which were shown to be associated with the CSF-1 receptor. The function of the low-affinity sites, which have not been demonstrated on intact cells or cell membranes and which are 13 times more abundant than the high-affinity sites, is unknown. The solubilized high-affinity receptor-CSF-1 complex was stable on storage at 0 degrees C and -70 degrees C but dissociated at 37 degrees C. Dissociation also occurred at 0 degrees C in buffers of low pH (4.0) or high ionic strength (0.7 M NaCl).     

Alteration in the zooplankton community of a fly ash treated lake

The zooplankton community in Lake Charles East, Indiana, was sampled from June, 1974 through September, 1977 as part of a lake restoration study. About 1.8 × 10⁴ kg of lime and 1.8 × 10⁶ kg of ponded fly ash were added to the lake during May through August, 1975 to precipitate phosphate and seal the sediments. Annual mean species number (5.2–11.3) and annual mean species diversity (H′, 0.9–1.3) were highest in 1976, the first year after treatment. By the second post-treatment year these variables had returned to pretreatment levels. Prior to treatment Cladocera were dominant during fall and early winter (Sept.–Dec. 1974), with Copepoda dominant in late winter and spring (Jan.–May 1975). After treatment Cladocera were dominant throughout the fall and winter (Nov. 1957–May 1976). Copepoda were again dominant in August 1976. The short term effect of the treatment appeared to be termination of the latter part of the copepod annual cycle through elimination of aestivating copepodites in the summer and increased abundance of Cladocera during the winter and spring immediately following treatment. Community composition one year after treatment was similar to that observed prior to treatment.