Genetic analysis of the yeast NUD1 endo-exonuclease: a role in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks

The deoxyribonucleases (DNases) have been shown genetically to be important in the vital processes of DNA repair and recombination. The NUD1 gene, which codes for an endo-exonuclease of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was analyzed for its role in the DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair processes. While the nud1 strain is only slightly sensitive to ionizing radiation, expression of the HO-endonuclease to introduce a DSB at the MAT locus in that strain results in cell death. Cell survival is inversely proportional to the duration of HO-endonuclease expression. Analysis of the surviving colonies from the nud1 strain indicated that many of the survivors are sterile and that the proportion of these sterile survivors increases with the time of HO-endonuclease expression. On the other hand, the surviving colonies from the isogenic NUD1 strain are mating-proficient. Interestingly, double mutants of nud1 rad52 are more resistant to ionizing irradiation than the rad52 strain and have a cell-survival fraction of 32% for rad52-1 nud1 and 9% for rad52::URA3 nud1 following prolonged HO-endonuclease expression, indicating that nud1 has a suppressor effect on the DSB-induced lethality in rad52. Polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that many of the nud1 survivors contained small alterations within the MAT locus, suggesting that the survivors arose through the process of non-homologous end-joining. These results suggest that the endo-exonuclease acts at a DSB to promote DNA repair via the homologous recombination pathway. Received: 20 July / 20 September 1998     

SUICIDE ATTEMPT DUE TO METOCLOPRAMIDE-INDUCED AKATHISIA

Akathisia as a side-effect of metoclopramide has received increasing attention in consultation-liaison psychiatry in recent years. A case of metoclopramide-induced akathisia resulting in a suicide attempt is reported in order to highlight the suffering of such patients and the factors that lead to misdiagnosis.     

Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia due to HLA-A2 antibody.

A male, full-term baby with thrombocytopenia was born by a G3P2A1 mother who was not associated with autoimmune disease. Platelet antibody screening was positive by using lymphocytotoxicity test, platelet suspension immunofluorescence test and solid-phase red cell adherence test. The identified HLA antibody was of A2 specificity. It was confirmed by testing the mother's and the baby's sera against the lymphocytes and platelets of 10 HLA-A2-positive donors. The possibility of platelet-specific antibody as the cause of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia was ruled out by testing against platelets of 10 HLA-A2-negative donors and the known platelet-specific antigens utilizing immobilized, purified platelet glycoprotein as targets. The mother's serum reacted strongly with both the father's and the baby's platelets and lymphocytes. This neonatal thrombocytopenia was most likely due to the maternal HLA antibody, which was induced by her antecedent gestations.     

Melatonin Levels in the Gastrointestinal Tissues of Fish, Amphibians, and a Reptile

Melatonin was detected by radioimmunoassay in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of several species of fish (sturgeon, rainbow trout, carp), amphibians (axolotl, leopard frog, bullfrog), and one reptile (red-sided garter snake), which were sacrificed during the daytime. The highest levels of melatonin were detected in the snake [means = 1018 pg/g stomach, 328 pg/g proximal gut (PG), 511 distal gut (DG)] and carp (means = 102 pg/g stomach, 146 pg/g PG and 141 pg/g DG). Lowest levels were found in the axolotl (means = 44 pg/g stomach and PG, 92 pg/g DG) and the bullfrog (means = 73 pg/g esophagus, 78 pg/g stomach, 20 pg/g PG, and 152 pg/g DG). In most cases there were no statistically significant differences in the melatonin levels among various GIT tissues of the same species but there were differences in tissue levels between different species.     

A comparison of arterial and venous flaps.

The survival rate and elastic properties of the anterior abdominal skin flap in Sprague-Dawley rats were studied in three groups of animals. In group 1 where the flaps were supplied by a normal artery, arterial flaps (1A) had better survival rate and elastic properties than venous flaps (1B). In group 2, where the flaps were supplied by an artery with diminished perfusion pressure, the arterial flaps (2A) still had slightly better results than venous flaps (2B). However, in group 3 where the flaps were supplied by a vein, venous flaps (3B) had better results than arterial flaps (3A).     

Mycobacterium marinum infection of the hand and wrist. Results of conservative treatment in twenty-four cases

Inadequate débridement, extensive scarring, and breakdown of the wound have been commonly encountered after surgical débridement has been employed as the initial treatment of infection with Mycobacterium marinum involving the deep structures of the hand. Because of our disappointment with the results of this form of treatment, from 1982 to 1986 we treated twenty-four patients who had such an infection with rifampicin and ethambutol after a diagnostic biopsy was done. Surgical treatment was deferred until it was determined that the infection had not been controlled by the chemotherapy. The clinical outcome for these patients could be divided into three patterns: eleven patients (Group I) had a good result with no complications, three patients (Group II) had delayed healing of the wound, and ten patients (Group III) did not have a good response to conservative treatment and required one or more surgical débridements. Complications were sometimes associated with use of the drugs, and loss of visual acuity was a concern in three patients. In twenty-one (87 per cent) of the patients, at follow-up the function of the treated hand was equal to that of the other hand. Persistent pain, a discharging sinus, and previous local injection of steroids were unfavorable prognostic factors. If these factors are present, surgical débridement is advised.     

Free-floating ball thrombus in left atrium: pathological features and clinical implications

A patient with a free-floating ball thrombus in the left atrium complicating mitral stenosis is described. The pathological features and clinical implications are discussed.     

Pleural effusion following coronary perforation during balloon angioplasty: an unusual presentation of the postpericardiotomy syndrome.

We report on the development of features of the postpericardiotomy syndrome following coronary perforation during balloon angioplasty, in a patient that was managed conservatively. The case illustrates that while cardiac tamponade does not invariably follow coronary perforation, late consequences derived from this complication may occur. It also widens the spectrum of conditions where the postpericardiotomy syndrome has been observed.