An abnormal terminal X-Y interchange accounts for most but not all cases of human XX maleness

To determine if human XX maleness results from an abnormal chromosomal X-Y interchange, we studied the inheritance of the paternal pseudoautosomal region in nine patients. Those six patients in whom Y-specific DNA was found (Y(+)) inherited the entire pseudoautosomal region from the paternal Y chromosome and lost that of the paternal X chromosome. Moreover, in three Y(+) cases, we observed the deletion of a paternal Xp locus tightly linked to the pseudoautosomal region. These results definitively show that an abnormal and terminal X-Y interchange during paternal meiosis causes Y(+)XX maleness. In contrast, no abnormal X-Y interchange was observed in any of the three Y(-) cases analyzed, suggesting that maleness can occur in the absence of any Y-specific DNA.     

The inheritance of seed peroxidases of wheat and rye: further data

Summary Further data on the inheritance of seed peroxidases of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and rye (Secale cereale L.) have been obtained from the genetic analysis of several progenies of both species. Additional data on the inheritance and the chromosomal location and linkage have been obtained for peroxidases of wheat embryo and rye endosperm. The general presence of null alleles in peroxidase loci has been confirmed in both species. In addition to simple monogenic inheritance, epistatic segregations have been observed in both species. These epistatic segregations again suggest the presence of regulatory genes controlling the expression of individual peroxidases in both species and also the existence of several duplicate homoeologous genes in wheat. Known linkage relationships have been confirmed and new ones are indicated. Loci for embryo wheat peroxidases seem to be in chromosomes of the homoeology group 3. The rye endosperm ones should be in chromosome 7R, although it is hypothesized that a duplication of gene EPer1 is located in chromosomes 4R and 7R.     

Pyridoxal 5'phosphate binding site of Escherichia coli beta cystathionase and cystathionine gamma synthase comparison of their sequences

The phosphopyridoxyl peptides of beta cystathionase and cystathionine gamma synthase of Escherichia Coli were identified after reduction, carboxymethylation and proteolysis of the holoenzymes. Their comparison with those obtained from rat liver gamma cystathionase (Fearon, C.W., Rodkey, J.A. and Abeles R.H. 1982. Biochemistry 21 3790-3794.) showed a high degree of homology between the three PLP binding sites with the presence of the tripeptide sequence: Thr-Lys(Pxy)-Tyr in their structure. This homology suggests that these enzymes of methionine metabolism have probably the same origin.     

Dibutyryl-cyclic AMP inhibits cholesterol esterification in J 774 monocyte-like cells

The effect of dibutyryl-cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) and theophylline was investigated on oleic acid incorporation into cholesteryl esters and triacylglycerols in the mouse monocyte-macrophage cell line J 774. 24h pretreatment of macrophages with dbcAMP decreased cholesteryl ester formation in a dose-dependent manner (about 4 fold reduction for dbcAMP 10(-4)M + theophylline 10(-3)M), while oleic acid incorporation into triacylglycerols was markedly (2 to 3 fold) enhanced. The catabolism of acetylated LDL was only slightly affected (about 15-20% reduction with dbcAMP 5 X 10(-4)M + theophylline 10(-3)M). Acyl Coenzyme A: cholesterol-O-acyl-transferase activity, measured in vitro on cell homogenates, was reduced in dbcAMP-treated cells, whereas diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity was increased. These results suggest that cyclic AMP can modulate cholesteryl ester and triacylglycerol formation in macrophages, and that these metabolisms are inversely regulated. Agents which increase cyclic AMP intracellular level could be of interest for reducing cholesteryl ester accumulation in macrophages.     

Production and characterization of four monoclonal antibodies against porcine pancreatic colipase

Four monoclonal antibodies directed against porcine colipase have been generated by hybridization of myeloma cells with spleen cells of BALB/c immunized mice. Antibodies were screened by binding to immobilized colipase in a solid-phase assay. Monoclonal antibodies were purified by affinity chromatography on colipase coupled to Sepharose. All monoclonal antibodies are of the IgG1 class with high affinity for the antigen. The dissociation constant of the complex formed in solution between porcine colipase and antibody varied from 1.1 X 10(-10) M to 1.8 X 10(-8) M. Epitope specificity was studied for each antibody and in pairs with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results indicate that the four monoclonal antibodies react with at least three different antigenic regions of colipase. Finally, three monoclonal antibodies were found to be potent inhibitors of colipase activity. Antiporcine monoclonal antibodies appear to be suitable probes for studying the lipid affinity site of the protein cofactor of pancreatic lipase.     

Two new species of Serjania (Sapindaceae) from Brazil

Two new Brazilian species,Serjania fluminensis andS. unidentata, are described, illustrated, and discussed.     

Adenine nucleotide contents and energy charge of Azotobacter vinelandii grown at low phosphate concentration

The effect of a low phosphate concentration on intracellular adenine nucleotide content, oxygen consumption and poly--hydroxybutyrate deposition was investigated with N-free and NH ₄ ⁺ batch cultures of Azotobacter vinelandii. When the microorganisms were cultured under low-phosphate concentrations the cells contained much larger amounts of poly--hydroxybutyrate, but displayed lower oxygen consumption activities and energy charge values than did control cells. Also, the ratio ATP to ADP was much higher in control cells and the intracellular levels of ATP were lower in low-phosphate cells.     

Leghemoglobin in Lupin Plants (Lupinus albus cv Multolupa)

Leghemoglobin was localized by immunogold techniques in nodules of Lupinus albus cv Multolupa inoculated with Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lupinus) strain ISLU 16. The protein localization was performed in nodules embedded in Spurr's and Araldite epoxy resins and Lowycryl K4M. A very good preservation of both the ultrastructure and antigenicity was obtained with the tissues embedded in Araldite following glutaraldehyde fixation and unpostfixed in osmium tetroxide. Lupin leghemoglobin is a stable and abundant protein which allows a conventional method to be safely used for localization of leghemoglobin. Labeling of leghemoglobin was specifically confined to the cytosol matrix and nuclei. Gold particles were never observed in the peribacteroidal spaces nor in the cytoplasmic organelles of the infected cells. Decrease of leghemoglobin was observed when the plants were grown with 10.7 micromolar and 21.4 micromolar of nitrate.     

Immediate breast reconstruction: reducing the risks

One-hundred and sixty-five consecutive immediate breast reconstructions in 157 patients were reviewed. Reconstructions were performed with tissue expanders (53 percent) or immediate gel prostheses (47 percent). Immediate reconstruction was associated with an 18 percent rate of implant loss. Certain risk factors were identified at the p less than 0.05 level using immediate gel implants: failure to achieve complete muscle coverage of the implant, smoking at the time of surgery, initial gel implants of 400 ml or more volume, and age. Expander loss was increased by detaching the pectoralis major (p less than 0.05) and probably by lack of complete muscle coverage in general. Chemotherapy, history of previous smoking, and clinical stage of the carcinoma did not seem to affect reconstructive success. Smoking and patient age should be considered during patient selection for immediate reconstruction. Muscle coverage of the prosthesis should always be attempted. Muscle coverage is mandatory in the smoker. Gel implants of 400 ml or more volume are to be avoided at the initial operation. This approach should enable all surgeons to achieve lower rates of implant loss.     

Results of combined therapy in patients with nonseminomatous testicular tumors

The results of multidrug therapy of 44 male patients with non-seminomatous testicular tumours are discussed. The diagnosed tumours were of all stages of the clinical advances and were treated with combined chemotherapy (surgery and PVP regimen). Thirty two patients (73%) are followed up between 7 and 103 months and survived, complete remission is noted in 29 patients (66%) including 6 patients who survived over 5 years. Symptoms of the tumour are found in 3 patients. Twelve patients (27%) died. The treatment did not produce life-threatening complications. The obtained results have been compared with those reported by other authors.