Simultaneous detection of SCE and Q-bands on human chromosomes by a double-staining technique

Human lymphocytes were cultured for two cell cycles in the presence of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), and the resulting metaphase chromosomes were first stained with quinacrine mustard (QM) and then, immediately afterwards, with Hoechst 33258, without any intermediate destaining. Both Q-banding patterns and sister chromatid differential staining were photographed subsequently on the same metaphase using two different filter blocks of the fluorescence microscope.     

Ultrastructural responses by Golgi apparatus of rat submandibular gland to beta-adrenergic, alpha-adrenergic, and cholinergic stimulation

Rat submandibular gland tissue pieces were stimulated in vitro for 30 min with a beta-adrenergic agent or a cyclic AMP analog to stimulate protein secretion, or with alpha-adrenergic or cholinergic agents or a Ca2+ ionophore to stimulate fluid secretion. Acinar cells were examined by transmission electron microscopy. In control tissue, acinar cells showed little evidence of secretory activity. The Golgi apparatus was sparse and was associated with a few small, immature secretory granules with fine fibrillar contents. Following secretory granule discharge stimulated by isoproterenol or dibutyryl cyclic AMP, acinar cells were constricted, and had extensive basolateral membrane folding and tightly packed rough endoplasmic reticulum. Golgi complexes were prominent and had multiple small granules with filamentous contents. After stimulation of fluid secretion by alpha-adrenergic agents (epinephrine, phenylephrine), or cholinergic agents (acetylcholine, carbachol, pilocarpine), or a Ca2+ ionophore (A23187), the Golgi apparatus had compact concave cisternae enclosing aggregates of tubulovesicles. Acinar cells were distended, basolateral membranes were expanded, and rough endoplasmic reticulum was dilated and vesiculated.     

Persistent organochlorines, sedentary occupation, obesity and human male subfertility

BACKGROUND: Studies have suggested that the quality of human semen has been declining over recent decades, presumably because of lifestyle or environmental factors. METHODS: Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides were analysed in the plasma of 25 men with poor semen quality, 20 men with normal semen quality and idiopathic subfertility and 27 men with normal semen quality and female factor subfertility. Samples of seminal fluid were also analysed to assess the relationship between the levels in blood and semen. RESULTS: The results indicate no difference in the levels of organochlorines between the groups. The levels of organochlorines in seminal fluid were proportional to the levels in plasma, but approximately 40 times lower. Men with poor semen quality were three times more likely to be obese than men with normal semen quality. There was also a significant negative correlation between semen quality parameters and body mass index among men with normal semen quality. The prevalence of sedentary work was lowest among men with the best semen quality. CONCLUSIONS: Poor semen quality was found to be associated with sedentary work and obesity but not with plasma levels of persistent organochlorines. More research is needed to assess whether sedentary lifestyle and obesity are causal factors in the decline of semen quality.     

The use of detergents and immunoperoxidase reagents for the ultrastructural demonstration of internal immunoglobulin in lymph cells.

Lymph-borne immunoblasts were fixed in dilute glutaraldehyde and then treated with saponin. This treatment made most parts of the cells permeable to ferritin, so that anti-immunoglobulin (Ig) antibodies which had been conjugated to horse radish peroxidase (HRP) had no difficulty in gaining access to Ig which thus could be demonstrated at an ultrastructural level. Best results were obtained by fixing the cells in 0.1% glutaraldehyde for 7 min and then treating them with a 1% solution of saponin for 100 min at 55 degrees C before exposing them to the Ig-HRP conjugate. The method yielded reproducible results and although it causes a small amount of ultrastructural damage, it may be of value in detecting a variety of intracellular antigens.     

Identification of the major structural proteins of two BALB/c myeloma C-type viruses.

We have analyzed the structural proteins of the C-type viruses produced by cloned lines of the MOPC-21 and FLOPC-1 BALB/c murine myelomas. These viruses, designated MO₂₁-MuMAV and FL₁-MuMAV, respectively, have been shown to be composed of proteins with approximate molecular weights of 90,000, 75,000, 17,000, 12,000, and 10,000 daltons. In addition, these viruses contain a “doublet” with molecular weights of approximately 30,000 daltons. The 90,000- and 75,000-dalton proteins are glycosylated. The p30 “doublet” as well as the NB-ecotropism is retained upon subsequent virus cloning in SC-1 cells, passage through NIH-3T3, or BALB/3T3 cells, or microtiter plate cloning of SC-1 cells replicating cloned virus. The two cloned MuMAVs appeared to possess the p30 proteins of the endogenous BALB/c N- and B-tropic viruses described by Hopkins and co-workers (N. Hopkins, J. Schindler, and R. Hynes, 1977, J. Virol.21, 309–318; J. Schindler, R. Hynes, and N. Hopkins, 1977, J. Virol. 23, 700–707). Subsequent tryptic peptide analysis of the myeloma virus p30 proteins demonstrated that these proteins share extensive homology with, but not identity to, the two prototype BALB/c ecotropic endogenous virus p30 proteins.     

Biological activities of glycoproteins of HVJ (Sendai virus) studied by reconstitution of hybrid envelope and by concanavalin A-mediated binding: a new function of HANA protein and structural requirement of F protein in hemolysis.

When HANA protein of HVJ (Sendai virus) was denatured by dithiothreitol treatment, concanavalin A added to the system or influenza virus hemagglutinin reconstituted with treated HVJ-envelope to form hybrid by SM-2 dialysis method could not replace a role of HANA for hemolysis. Binding of the treated samples to erythrocytes was restored by them, however. Thus, a hypothesis is proposed that intactness of not only F but also HANA protein of HVJ is required for envelope-cell fusion, in other words, HANA protein of HVJ may play some positive role other than binding in the process of the virus-induced hemolysis.     

Direct prenatal chromosome diagnosis of a malignancy

A fetal tumor was suspected at 31 weeks of gestation. The occurrence of polyhydramnios led to an ultrasound examination, which revealed deformation of the fetal head, face, eye, and neck. This was confirmed by computerized tomography. Amniocentesis yielded cells with an inverted duplication of chromosome #1. This abnormality of chromosome #1 marked the malignant teratoma cells in the amniotic fluid. Cytogenetic analysis of tumor tissue and of normal tissue obtained postnatally confirmed that the abnormality of chromosome #1 observed in amniotic fluid cells was confined to the tumor. The constitutional karyotype was normal. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the direct chromosomal detection of malignancy before birth.     

Stimulus range influences intensity and hedonic ratings of flavour

Five concentrations of an artificial orange drink were presented for sensory evaluation in three overlapping concentration ranges. Three sensory panels, each of 30 subjects, rated the concentrations for intensity of flavour (intensity scale), relation to ideal flavour intensity (ideal-point scale), and pleasantness (hedonic scale). Except for the two extreme concentrations, neither of which was presented in more than one range, in all three response tasks the mean rating for a given concentration varied with the concentration range in which it was presented. However, the mean ratings showed good correspondence across response tasks (e.g. the concentration perceived as "moderately sweet" on the intensity scale was perceived as "just right" on the ideal-point scale and of maximal pleasantness on the hedonic scale), suggesting a link between the intensity and hedonic dimensions of sensory experience.     

Cerebral hemodynamics in patients with moyamoya disease. A study of regional cerebral blood flow by the 133Xe inhalation method

Regional cerebral blood flow was measured by the 133Xe inhalation method in 20 young patients with moyamoya disease and five young healthy volunteers. Most patients showed low values of mean hemispheric blood flow in both hemispheres. Regional cerebral blood flow was at a low value in the upper frontal region and at an almost average value in the posterotemporal and occipital regions, which was different from the "hyperfrontal" pattern in healthy volunteers. Regional cerebral blood flow was reduced evenly by hyperventilation. By 5% CO2 inhalation, regional cerebral blood flow was increased in the temporooccipital regions and was nearly unchanged or decreased in the frontal region.     

Work absenteeism and well-being in patients treated for hypertension

The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of detectionand treatment of hypertension on work absenteeism and otherindicators of well-being. Because the study was performed aspart of a trial comparing structured and regular hypertensioncare, we also analysed the impact of these different methodsof organizing care. Matching for age and sex, three sampleswere drawn: one from regular medical care (N = 123) one fromstructured protocol care (N = 238) and one from normotensivesubjects, aware of their blood pressure level (N =128). Insurancedata did not reveal any differences between the three groupsin the amount of work absenteeism during a six-year period.Moreover, we found no short-term rise in work absenteeism duringthe first year after diagnosis. Finally, interviews failed toshow significant differences between the three groups with respectto general satisfaction with life or other aspects of psychologicalwell-being. We conclude that the patients treated for hypertension did notdiffer importantly from normotensive subjects with regard toillness-induced work absenteeism or other aspects of psychologicalwell-being.