A simple method for measurement of inulin in nanoliter samples using glass capillaries

Summary A simple method using glass capillaries instead of microcuvettes for measurement of inulin in nanoliter samples is given. Inulin was determined with anthron reagent (5 or 10 nl samples +3 l anthron reagent). Glass capillary tubes (o.d.=1 mm, i.d.=0.68 mm, length=150 mm) in which the chemical reaction took place during incubation at 56°C were directly introduced into the optical system of a Zeiss spectrophotometer PMQ II with sphere attachment and objective.Extinction was measured vertically to the axis of the capillary. The changes of extinction of 20 different capillaries with the blank at different positions was only 1.13×10^–3. The exactness of measurement in the concentration range of 100 200 400 750 1500 3000 mg-% inulin was for 5nl/3 l: 19.8 11.0 6.7 4.7 3.0 2.2%. 10nl/3 l: 13.0 8.4 5.1 3.9%.This method of measurement may also be applicable for other colorimetric reactions with nanoliter samples.This work was supported by Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung.     

Isolation and characterization of entomopox virions from virus-containing inclusions of Amsacta moorei (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

Preparations of Amsacta moorei entomopox virions were obtained from virus-containing inclusions (VCI) by using a carbonate-thioglycolate solution (pH 10.7–11.5). The virions possessed a uniform coat (“halo”) surrounding the viral envelope and exhibited an RNA polymerase activity. The “halo” could be removed by prolonged exposure to the carbonate-thioglycolate solution. Virions obtained by this treatment, however, possessed low infectivity and no detectable RNA polymerase activity. Removal of the “halo” by trypsin resulted in virions which possessed RNA polymerase activity and relatively high infectivity.Preparations of particles with and without the “halo” were similar in percent DNA, protein per OD₂₆₀, number of particles per OD₂₆₀, and RNA polymerase activity. Particles without the “halo,” however, were less dense (1.262 g/cm³) in CsCl than those with the “halo” (1.282 g/cm³) and 15–45 times more infective.Parallel studies of “nonhaloed” Amsacta virions (trypsin-treated) and vaccinia virions showed that both viruses contained similar amounts of protein per OD₂₆₀, but Amsacta virions contained only 36% of the DNA found in vaccinia.     

Lymphoma arising in an adenolymphoma

A malignant lymphoma that originated in association with an adenolymphoma (Warthin's tumor) of the parotid salivary gland is reported. The occurrence of lymphomas in salivary glands is discussed briefly.     

Chromosome abnormalities in chronic lymphocytic leukemia revealed by TPA as a mitogen

Bone marrow and peripheral blood cultures of chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients were mitogenically stimulated with TPA (12-0-tetradecanylphorbol-13-acetate). Clonal cytogenetic abnormalities were detected in frequencies varying from 15% to 100%, in five of the six patients studied. Parallel studies with pokeweek mitogen showed a much lower level of stimulation and only two abnormal clones were detected. The chromosome abnormalities described in this study are similar to those reported in CLL by other authors, particularly with respect to trisomy 12 and deletion 11q. A significant frequency of hypodiploidy and chromosome deletion was also detected in this study, and further studies are underway to determine the significance of these findings.     

Chronic myelogenous leukemia in the monosomic cell line of a fertile turner syndrome mosaic (45,X/46,XX)

Malignancy in patients with constitutional chromosome abnormality is of interest not only because it permits insights into the relationship between chromosome abnormality and cancer, but also because it provides opportunities to address such questions as the clonality and evolution of tumors. We report Ph¹-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in a 50-year-old mosaic (45,X/46,XX) Turner syndrome patient whose leukemia was restricted to the monosomic cell line. Our extensive cytogenetic studies of this patient demonstrated that non-leukemic normal cells persisted in the marrow and were able to proliferate during a period of temporary suppression of the leukemic clone following aggressive treatment.     

Point mutations in the P30 domain of the gag gene of Moloney murine leukemia virus

A series of point mutations in the P30 domain of the Moloney murine leukemia virus gag gene was generated by bisulfite treatment of heteroduplex DNAs containing a single-stranded region in the gag gene. One virus bearing such a mutation exhibited a coordinate defect in gag and pol function, and was similar to previously described deletion mutants with alterations in this gene. One mutant virus displayed a different phenotype: it could assemble virion particles and provide pol function, but the particles were defective in the early stages of infection. The continued concordance of the mutants' failure or ability to both assemble virions and provide pol lends further support to the proposal that similar parts of the gag gene are required for these two processes.     

A metacognitive model of social anxiety: Implications for treatment

This article represents an attempt to clarify questions posed by evidence of varying pathways to change in social anxiety. A new perspective is developed which addresses these questions and, importantly, lays the foundation for an innovative treatment approach. Essentially, social anxiety is construed here as the product of a disorganization in which feelings and cognitions (both conscious and preconscious) about the self, about other people, and about the relations between self and others are organized. Specifically, the socially anxious client experiences others autocentrically: that is, in terms of how the other person perceives, evaluates and affects one's own self. The result is a narrowed capacity for experiencing others. The goal of treatment in the new approach advocated here is to allow the individual to understand, appreciate and share the feelings, thoughts and experience of other people. Therapy is directed toward getting clients out of themselves and into other people.     

Lymphopenia in acute nitrofurantoin pleuropulmonary reactions

Each of 5 patients with acute nitrofurantoin pleuropulmonary reactions had profound lymphopenia and 4 had eosinophilia developing early in the clinical course after the drug was withdrawn. The 2 patients tested had only one third of the normal numbers of E rosettes (T lymphocytes) in the peripheral blood during recovery. Lymphoblastic transformation tests with purified nitrofurantoin were done in 3 patients and all of them were negative; responses to phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, and pokeweed were decreased but still normal. The diagnosis of various nitrofurantoin hypersensitivity reactions relies on clinical data. The mechanisms of these reactions presently remain unclear.     

Factors that affect genetic interaction during mixed infection with temperature-sensitive mutants of simian rotavirus SA11

A number of factors that affect genetic interaction during mixed infection with temperature-sensitive mutants of simian rotavirus SA11 have been examined. (1) Statistical analyses of recombination frequency (RF) indicated that (a) the variability noted in RF was not related to variations in experimental conditions and (b) a linear map of the mutations could not be drawn. (2) The wild phenotype of recombinant progeny was stable on passage. (3) Aggregates of progeny virus or heterozygous progeny virus particles did not contribute significantly to the observed RF. (4) RF increased in parallel with multiplicity of infection. (5) A maximal, or near maximal, RF was obtained at the earliest time significant recombinants could be detected. (6) Recombination was efficient at nonpermissive temperature. (7) Complementation did not occur or was inefficient. (8) Mutants from all recombination groups interfered with the growth of wild-type virus at both permissive and nonpermissive temperatures.     

Domains of simian virus 40 large T-antigen exposed on the cell surface

The orientation of SV40 large T on the surface of SV40-transformed mouse cells and of human cells infected with nondefective adenovirus 2 SV40 hybrid viruses has been studied. Using antibodies against a synthetic peptide corresponding to a region of 11 amino acids at the carboxyterminus of large T, the surface of formaldehyde-fixed SV40-transformed cells could be specifically stained by indirect immune fluorescence. Staining was inhibited by an excess of the peptide. These data suggest that the carboxyterminus of large T is exposed on the surface of formaldehyde-fixed cells. Antibodies against the carboxyterminus of large T also stained the surface of cells infected with the hybrid viruses Ad2⁺ND1, Ad2⁺ND2, and Ad2⁺ND4. Thus, the carboxytermini of the SV40-specific proteins synthesized in hybrid virus-infected cells are also exposed on the cell surface. When analyzed with an antiserum against purified denatured large T, which among many other determinants also recognizes the large T carboxyterminus, surface fluorescence was observed in cells infected by all three hybridviruses. The surface fluorescence of Ad2⁺ND1-infected cells, expressing an SV40-specific protein of 28 K, and Ad2⁺ND2-infected cells expressing SV40-specific proteins of 42 K and 56 K molecular weight, was completely inhibited by carboxyterminal peptide. However, the surface fluorescence of Ad2⁺ND4-infected cells, expressing SV40-specific proteins up to nearly full size large T, was unaffected by carboxyterminal peptide. Our data suggest that a major portion of large T, located between a region near the carboxyterminus and a region corresponding to the aminoterminus of the 56 K protein, is not exposed on the surface of hybridvirus-infected cells. However, some parts of the aminoterminal one-third of large T appear to be exposed again. We conclude that SV40 large T on the surface of SV40-transformed cells is oriented in a specific manner, suggesting that it is specifically associated with the plasma membrane.