[Separation anxiety and reunion in the transference in 4 children].

In four ongoing cases treated with psychoanalytic psychotherapy, the reactions presented before and after a Christmas break and the place of such reactions in the transference are examined. Separation-anxiety was evident and expressed clearly in typical reactions. However, during the reunion, the reactions took diverse forms: failure to recognise the therapist; use of maniac defenses, use of body language and self injury; verbal and motor inhibition, use of symbolic angry material and concern for a fantasied baby.


Uterine prolapse in pregnancy caused by a very large mucinous cyst.

The literature review and a case report of a 25 years old patient who started to suffer from an extemely large abdomen, sever oedema, dyspnea, and uterine prolapse from the 30th week in her third pregnancy because of a very large mucinous cyst. The prolapsed uterus improved with bed rest. She delivered at term with no complication. The cyst was removed three weeks after the delivery with about ten litres of mucoid secretion in it. The patient left hospital on the tenth post operative day.


Purpura hyperglobulinemica (Waldenstrom).

A case of hyperglobulinemic purpura of Waldenstrom with involvement of trunk and arms of 10 years duration has been presented. The patient had mild anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, positive rheumatoid factor and no evidence of immonological abnormalities associated for with systemic lupus erythematosus. A brief review of clinical manifestation and pathogenesis is cited.


The family role in the aetiology of schizophrenia in Iran.

The family characteristics of 100 Schizophrenic patients were compared with the family characteristics of 100 subjects recognized as normal. It was confirmed that the family disruptions amond the schizophrenics was significantly more than in the non-psychiatric group. This study could not find a family which could be specifically called as schizophrenic family, but what was found was a general defective and conflictive parent-child communication, but not a specific type of communication. Based on such findings, it was concluded that it is such dysfunction in parent-child communication which negatively affects the child's identification process, specifically when the child is going through the formative years of life. The influence of inadequate family atmosphere was also discussed in relation with few studies and it was inferred that such inappropriate family conditions are among other precipitating factors in the etiology of schizophrenia, becasue the of predisposing factors are regarded as dependent on genetic constitution.


Increased induced abortion rate in 1966, an aspect of a Japanese folk superstition.

Adecrease of about 463 000 live births occurred in Japan in 1966, constituting a sharp departure from the linear trend before and after. This was partly caused by contraception and partly by induced abortion. The induced abortion rate, 43.1 per 1000 births in the year (a total of 65 000), was significantly higher than the 30.6 expected (46.200 total) from the regression trend computed from the years 1963 to 1969. No epidemics were reported in 1966 which might have caused the increase in abortion. It is more likely to be due to observance of Hinoe-Uma (Elder Fire-Horse), which comes round every sixty years by zodiac almanac. This event represents a superstition observed only by the Japanese, in whcih it is a bad omen for female babies to be born in the year. 1966 was the most recent year of Hinoe-Uma.


Eruption of permanent teeth in West African (Gambian) children in relation to age, sex and physique.

Dental records of 635 West African (Gambian) children within the age range of 4.5-14 yr yielded 2108 examinations for boys and 1863 for girls. There was no difference between eruption ages of homologous permanent teeth on the left and the right side of the same jaw. Except for PM1 and PM2, teeth in the lower jaw erupted earlier. There was a clear sex difference in eruption age, which was earlier in females. Calendar age can be estimated from the state of permanent dentition, though the error of the estimate increases with the number of teeth, being about 0.5 years for 1 or 2 teeth and increasing to slightly over 1 year for 12 teeth or more. There was an association between the number of teeth erupted at a given age and height and weight of the children. Also children with fewer teeth at a given age contain a greater proportion of children below standard weight or height for that age. This effect disappeared when children were classified in terms of weight for height.


Comparative study of haemoglobin types of two populations of eastern Senegal--Bedik and Niokholonko.

The haemoglobin types of 1487 of the East Senegal Bedik and Niokholonko populations have been studied. There are significant differences between them, the most likely explanation of which is that the populations are of different origins. The Bedik appear to be the most ancient known settlers in East Senegal: they possess only A and S haemoglobins. The Niolholonko came later, probably from Mali: they have a lower frequency of S genes but AC and AD phenotypes are also encountered among them.


Sex ratio of live births in south-western Nigeria.

Among European and North American whites, the proportion of males among live births is about 51.4%, while among negroes in the United States the figure is 50.7%. To test the correctness of the common assumption that the proportion among Africans is the same as that for negroes in the United States, records over seven years for Yorubas of south-western Nigeria have been examined. Among 548 558 hospital live births the male proportion was 51.37%, while vital registration records for one urban and one rural town showed a figure of 51.39% in 315 735 live births. Of the total 864 331 live births, the overall proportion was 51.4 +/- 0.05%, significantly higher than the 50.7% for American negroes.


Sexual differentiation in the innominate bone studied by multivariate analysis.

A series of 60 innominate bones of known age and sex were measured producing 17 absolute measurements from which 7 indices were created. These bones were used in forming reference groups to develop a computer-applied discriminant function for sexual allocation. One set of data was discarded because the sexual attribution of the bone was found to be inadequate. From the remaining 59 bones 58 were sexed correctly when the discrininant function was applied to them retrospectively; 54 were sexed correctly with a probability exceeding 0.95. It is likely, however, that the accuracy achieved here would not be reached by applying information from this reference group to new material.


The 1972 Cuban national child growth study as an example of population health monitoring: design and methods.

A stratified 3-stage random sample of 50 360 children ages 0-19 drawn from the whole population of Cuba was measured in a large-scale growth study during 1972-73. Fifteen anthropometric measurements were taken and puberty stages and menarche status were assessed. Hand-wrist radiographs were done on 10% of the sample. Information regarding the social and education status of the parents was obtained and parental heights were measured. One year later, 30% of the sample were re-measured and 10% re-X-rayed. The overall response rate was 96% at pre-school and primary school age, and a lettle less later. Quality control sessions were held at which the nine measuring teams compared results. No significant differences were found between teams working different parts of the island. Differences between duplicate measurements of stature by individual measurers had standard deviations approximating 0.20 cm. Individual measurers' means differed from the grand means of all measurers by up to +/- 0.2 cm for stature, +/- 0.4 cm for sitting height and +/- 0.5 mm (7% of mean) for triceps skinfold. One or more measurements lay outside the 3rd-97th centile limits in 21% of individuals. Scrutiny of these individuals' records resulted in elimination of measurements in amounts ranging from 0.1% (triceps skinfold) to 1.1% (crown-rump length). Problems of planning and execution of growth surveys designed to set national standards are described, and solutions given or suggested.


Human foetal measurements between 50 and 150 days of gestation, in relation to crown-heel length.

Weights and a number of linear measurements were related to crown-heel length in fresh apparently normal foetuses ranging from 8 to 21 weeks' post-menstrual age. The average relationships agreed remarkably well with results reported many years ago on the basis of preserved specimens mostly from spontaneous abortions. There was no evidence of sex differences.


Population structure of the Juang tribe in Orissa, India.

The coefficient of kinship of the Juangs, a very primitive tribe in the state of Orissa in eastern India, is estimated. The Juang population is sub-divided into two breeding groups: one practising shifting cultivation in the hilly regions of the former state Keonjher and Pal-Lahara, called here "primitive group"; the other settled in Dhenkanal and practising normal Indian agriculture, called here "advanced group". From the migration matrix the mean eoefficient of kinship in a population subdivided by geographically restricted clans is estimated to be 0.0045 for the primitive group and 0.0324 for the advanced group. These values correspond to Alpine and Micronesian isolates, respectively. Estimates from genealogies of randomly paired sibships are substantially smaller (0.0016 and 0.0131, respectively), but are biased downward by incompleteness of pedigrees and by neglect of restricted migration within each group. Therefore the estimates from the migration matrix are presumably more reliable in this material, and perhaps commonly in tribal populations.


The age at menarche in Somalia.

The mean age at menarche calculated by the recollected-age method for 524 Somalian girls, all over 16 years of age, was 14.78 +/- 0.07 years. The subjects, gathered from schools and other communities in the capital and from the Catholic Missions in Benadir and Upper and Lower Giuba, originated from all the regions of the country. Regions showed a significant difference in menarcheal age.


Serum protein and red cell enzyme polymorphisms in Oraon tribe, India.

Blood specimens from 134 Oraon, a Dravidian-speaking tribe in Bihar, India, have been tested for haptoglobin, transferrin, ceruloplasmin, phosphoglucomutase, lactate dehydrogenase, albumin, and malate dehydrogenase types by starch gel electrophoresis. Low Hp1 and high TfD gene frequencies emerge.


Foetal growth from 50 to 150 days of gestation.

Weight and several linear measurements have been related to postmenstrual age in a series of fresh, apparently normal foetuses, ranging in age from 8 to 21 weeks. Although the correlation between these variables and age was high, the prediction of foetal age from such measurements can never be precise, due in part to difficulties inherent in the concept of postmenstrual age. The average relationships agreed in general with those in previous reports, including those based on spontaneous abortion material.


Effects of exercise therapy on total and component tissue leg volumes of patients undergoing rehabilitation from lower limb injury.

Anthropometric and X-ray data were collected on 20 young male patients undergoing a systematic programme of exercise therapy following fracture of the leg and consequent immobilization for 25--254 (mean 117) days. Estimates of total leg volume, calculated from X-ray or from anthropometric measurements, were essentially interchangeable in both the injured and uninjured legs. A procedure for estimating muscle volume from total leg volume is given. At the start of rehabilitation, muscle volume was significantly smaller (860 ml, 16 per cent) in the injured than in the uninjured leg. By the end of rehabilitation (mean 50 days) the injured leg had siginficantly increased by 360 ml (8 per cent) over its initial volume, and the uninjured one had increased but not significantly (120 ml, 2 per cent), so that the injured leg was still approximately 11 per cent (620 ml) small than the uninjured. The initial degree of atrophy and the period of immobilization were not significantly correlated, although the latter showed a negative relationship (P greater than 0.05) with the rate of increase of muscle volume in the injured leg. No significant correlation was found between the ratio of injured/uninjured leg volumes and muscle width measurements at 1/3 subischial, at 12.7 cm above the knee joint space or at the maximum calf. In systematic studies involving atrophy muscle volume must therefore be estimated either by anthropometry or by X-ray measurements.


Skin reflectance results from Holy Island, Northumberland.

The skin reflectance values at three EEL filters: 601, 605, and 609 of 100 inhabitants of Holy Island, Northumberland, are reported. They show no sex differences but a significant age difference and a marked regional difference. A method for examining regional differences in skin colour is introduced.


Prediction of adult height of girls from height and dental maturity at ages 6-10 years.

The relationship between height and dental development was studied in 56 healthy girls by the use of the chronological age at the references point of the eruption curve of the permanent teeth. There was a high correlation between age plus height at this reference point and adult height. When growth rate was taken into account, the correlation increased. It is thus possible to predict final body height from the age at which the eruption of the first twelve permanent teeth occurs plus the height at that time. The residual standard deviation of predicted adult height was 2.3 cm.


Quantitative study of the ABO system in several groups of African populations.

Agglutination percentages of red blood cells from European and from three African populations (Twareg from Mali, Sara from Central African Republic, and Niokholonko from Senegal) in the ABO system have been compared. The results show a greater agglutinability of group O erythrocytes with anti-H sera, for African subjects than for Europeans. No significant difference was noted between African and European B subjects, except for the Niokholonko, whose agglutination percentage was slightly higher with anti-B. The study of group A disclosed a large number of Aint in all African populations studied. The AB African red cells seem to be less agglutinable with anti-A and anti-A1 sera than European ones; A and A1 antigens may be depressed by a strong B antigen.


Estimating the age of the human foetus from crown-rump measurements.

When data from various sources were compared, it was found that estimates of foetal age based upon crown-rump measurements varied considerably. These variations are probably related to the positions in which the foetuses were measured. Tables relating foetal age to foetal length should therefore specify the precise posture in which the foetus was placed for measurement. A standard readily reproducible position is proposed for the foetus when recording its length and it is suggested that crown-rump length should be related to "conceptual" age instead of the more conventional "menstrual" age.


Were girl babies sacrificed to a folk superstition in 1966 in Japan?

Although it was expected by observers in Japan that the potency of belief in the superstition of the year of Fire-horse would be made apparent by a decrease in births and an increase of the induced abortion rate, an increase of infant mortality rate was not anticipated. However, an analysis of the early neonatal mortality rate of accidents and violence revealed a remarkable increase for girls but not for boys in 1966, the most recent year of Fire-horse. This fact is consistent with the superstition that women born in the year of Fire-horse are ill-fated.


Body composition changes during lactation in a New Guinea population.

Some body composition changes during lactation in women of Karkar Island, Papua New Guinea, suggest that body fat reserves, measured by changes in weight, diminish during the course of lactation and that subcutaneous fat reserves diminish with parity. The data are discussed in terms of the possible nutritional control of fertility of women in a subsistence economy.


A consideration of the chi-square test of Hardy--Weinberg equilibrium in a non-multinomial situation.

The multinomial Dirichlet distribution was used to study the effect of correlation between observations in a sample on the frequency of rejection of the Hardy--Weinberg Law when in fact it was true in the population being sampled. It was shown that the usual X2 goodness-of-fit test of Hardy--Weinberg is very sensitive to non-multinomial sampling. In view of the lack of statistical power of the test to detect deviations due to in breeding, it is likely that whenever H--W is rejected using samples of size 100 or less, the underlying causation is sample correlation rather than failure of the H--W law to be true. Related to these findings is, of course, the effect of pooling heterogeneous frequencies or, in the case of contingency tables, Simpson's paradox (see Simpson, 1951).


Galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase in fibroblasts: isozymes in normal and variant states.

Electorphoretic properties of galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase in cultured skin fibroblasts of normal humans and individuals with different enzyme variants have been studied. Normal fibroblast lysates showed four activity bands, each slower moving than the erythrocyte enzyme. The transferase variants revealed different mobilities analogous to those found in erythrocytes. These findings suggest that subunits of human transferase associate variously with one another in a manner specific for each tissue and that in transferase variant states, an altered subunit results in a characteristic alteration in electrophoretic mobility which is analogous for each tissue.


Genetics of acheiropodia ("The handless and footless families of Brazil"): IV. Sex ratio, consanguinity and birth order.

The sex ratio among acheiropods is shown to be not significantly different from the sex ratio among their normal sibs, as well as among other segments of the family (parental sibships, cousin sibships and other sibships). The frequency of consanguineous marriages among the parents of acheiropods (82%) is one of the highest thus far reported among parents of individuals affected with rare autosomal recessive anomalies or diseases. No evidence was found of any overall positive or negative birth order effect on the incidence of acheiropodia. These results further strengthen the hypothesis of a simple genetic mechanism for acheiropodia, namely autosomal recessive inheritance, without any detectable complication as regards sex ratio, consanguinity and birth order. Although the family size from heterozygous parents (producing at least one acheiropod) was twice as large as family sizes in other segments of the families (8 against 4), we have at present no evidence to support either heterozygous advantage or reproductive compensation.


The estimation of pairwise relationships.

Relationships between the individuals of a population have been previously studied from the point of view of prediction. Edwards (1967) suggested that the problem of detailed population structure could also be studied from the point of view of inference. Even where inferences of practical applicability cannot be made, such an approach can increase understanding of the relation between genealogical and genetic structure. In this paper we consider a specific problem which provides an introduction to the ideas and methods of genealogical inference. This is the problem of estimating the pairwise relationship between two individuals on the basis of their phenotypes at several loci. There is no theoretical problem in the extension from pairwise to joint relationship.


Observation on the familial appearance of diseases associated with metabolic disorders of the mother.

The familial appearnace of diseases in which a metabolic disorder of the mother causes foetal damage is examined and illustrated with typical pedigrees. The expected frequencies with which relatives of the probands are at risk are tabulated, and the effect of reduced maternal fertility is discussed. The familial appearance of disease is compared with that produced by maternal--foetal antigenic imcompatibility.


Aconitase polymorphism in man.

1. An electrophoretic method is described which resolves two groups of aconitase isozymes in human tissues, one group corresponding to the mitochondrial and the other to the soluble enzyme. This method has been used to screen human populations for electrophoretic variation. 2. Variant phenotypes of both the mitochondrial and the soluble aconitase are described, and family studies and sib-pair data demonstrate that the variation is genetically determined. 3. The variant isozyme patterns are accounted for in terms of allelic variation at two independent gene loci, ACONM and ACONS, which encode the mitochondrial and the soluble aconitase respectively. The electrophoretic survey has so far revealed two alleles at ACONM and seven alleles at ACONS. 4. The electrophoretic patterns shown by heterozygous individuals indicate that both soluble and mitochondrial aconitase are monomeric. The variant patterns also indicate that certain minor aconitase components resolved under the electrophoretic conditions employed represent 'secondary' isozymes of the primary translation products. 5. Population data on Europenas and Nigerians are presented and it is shown that both rare and common electrophoretic variants are segregating in the human species. The variation due to the three most common ACONS alleles in the Nigerians constitues a polymorphism.


Cytogenetics and infertility in man. I. Karyotype and seminal analysis: results of a five-year survey of men attending a subfertility clinic.

A systematic survey of 1599 male patients attending a subfertility clinic has shown that 2.2% were chromosomally abnormal. This frequency was approximately five times higher than that found among the normal male population. The majority of chromosome abnormalities (at least in chromatin-negative males) appeared to be exerting their effect on male fertility through disturbance of spermatogenesis. The contribution made by chromosome abnormalities causing recurrent abortion in wives was negligible. The possible reasons underlying impairment of spermatogenesis in man are discussed in relation to the findings in other species, and the suggestion that some elimination of chromosomally unbalanced gametes occurs from the human male germ line is proposed.


The use of lod scores for the determination of the order of loci on a chromosome.

A method is given for calculating the probabilities of the possible gene orders for a group of syntenic loci using lod scores calculated for each pair of loci in the group. Applying it, we find the most probable gene order for the five loci on chromosome 1 to be PGM1; Rh; PGD; PEP-C; Fy. However, the probabilities for other orders such that Rh lies between PGM1 and PGD with PEP-C and Fy outside these three are of a similar order of magnitude and no firm conclusions can be given. The probability for other possible orders is negligible.


Thy-1 variants of mouse lymphomas: biochemical characterization of the genetic defect.

The surface proteins of Thy-1 positive mouse lymphomas and Thy-1 negative variants were labeled by lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination and characterized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecylsulphate and by immunological studies. The loss of the serologically defined Thy-1 antigenic determinant correlated with the absence of a radioactive band corresponding to a T lymphocyte-specific surface glycoprotein, T25, on autoradiographs of the iodinated proteins of Thy-1 negative variants. Reexpression of Thy-1 on hybrid cells dervied from fusions of complementary Thy-1 negative variants correlated with the reappearance of T25. Quantitative absorption studies using an antiserum which specifically recognized T25 confirmed that the Thy-1 negative variants have no detectable T25 (less than 0.03 of that of the Thy-1 positive lines) on their surface. Biosynthetic labeling studies revealed that none of the Thy-1 negative variants synthesized T25. However, synthesis of an immunologically cross-reactive molecule could be detected in two variants. On the basis of these results, we propose a model which describes a possible structure of the Thy-1 antigenic determinant and explains the biochemical nature of the genetic lesions leading to the loss of Thy-1 in these variants.


Formation of a keratinizing epithelium in culture by a cloned cell line derived from a teratoma.

From a transplantable mouse teratoma it has been possible to derive an established keratinizing cell line (XB) which grows well in cultures containing lethally irradiated 3T3 fibroblasts at the correct density. Single cells of the keratinizing line grow into colonies each consisting of a stratified squamous epithelium. The keratinizing nature of the colonies has been demonstrated by specific staining with Rhodanile blue, and by light and electron microscopy of sections through the colonies. A function of fibroblasts appears to be a strict requirement for keratinization and an important though less strict requirement for cell growth. The fibroblast function can be carried out by medium harvested from 3T3 cultures. It is possible to detect keratinizing colonies in primary cultures of disaggregated teratoma cells combined with 3T3 cells. Such colonies appeared in cultures of a transplantable teratoma with an overall frequency of 6 X 10(-6) of the cells plated. Nonkeratinizing colonies of cells with otherwise very similar appearance were about 10 fold more abundant. Since both the keratinizing and the related nonkeratinizing colonies can be identified in the living state, it is possible to isolate them from the primary cultures.


Serial cultivation of strains of human epidermal keratinocytes: the formation of keratinizing colonies from single cells.

Human diploid epidermis epidermal cells have been successfully grown in serial culture. To initiate colony formation, they require the presence of fibroblasts, but proliferation of fibroblasts must be controlled so that the epidermal cell population is not overgrown. Both conditions can be achieved by the use of lethally irradiated 3T3 cells at the correct density. When trypsinized human skin cells are plated together with the 3T3 cells, the growth of the human fibroblasts is largely suppressed, but epidermal cells grow from single cells into colonies. Each colony consists of keratinocytes ultimately forming a stratified squamous epithelium in which the dividing cells are confined to the lowest layer(s). Hydrocortisone is added to the medium, since in secondary and subsequent subcultures it makes the colony morphology more oderly and distinctive, and maintains proliferation at a slightly greater rate. Under these culture conditions, it is possible to isolate keratinocyte clones free of viable fibroblasts. Like human diploid fibroblasts, human diploid keratinocytes appear to have a finite culture lifetime. For 7 strains studied, the culture lifetime ranged from 20-50 cell generations. The plating efficiency of the epidermal cells taken directly from skin was usually 0.1-1.0%. On subsequent transfer of the cultures initiated from newborns, the plating efficiency rose to 10% or higher, but was most often in the range of 1-5% and dropped sharply toward the end of their culture life. The plating efficiency and culture lifetime were lower for keratinocytes of older persons.


Sequence organization of the human genome.

The organization of three sequence classes--single copy, repetitive, and inverted repeated sequences--within the human genome has been studied by renaturation techniques, hydroxylapatite binding methods, and DNA hyperchromism. Repetitive sequence classes are distributed throughout 80% or more of the genome. Slightly more than half of the genome consists of short single copy sequences, with a length of about 2 kb interpersed with repetitive sequences. The average length of the repetitive sequences is also small and approximates the length of these sequences found in other organisms. The sequence organization of the human genome therefore resembles the sequence organization found in Xenopus and sea urchin. The inverted repeats are essentially randomly positioned with respect to both sequence class and sequence arrangement, so that all three sequence classes are found to be mutally interspersed in a portion of the genome.


The organization of sea urchin histone genes.

Sucrose gradient analysis of total sea urchin DNA cleaved with the EcoRI and Hind III restriction endonucleases and identification of histone coding gene sequences by hybridization with histone mRNA have elucidated the basic organization of the histone gene repeat unit. These data, plus results obtained by electrophoretic analysis of purified endonuclease-cleaved sea urchin histone DNA and hybridization with cRNA transcribed from the eucaryotic segment of constructed plasmid chimeras cloned in E. coli, show that the several DNA sequences coding for individual histone proteins are intermingled in a 7 kilobase (kb) repeat unit. Cleavage of total sea urchin DNA with EcoRI produces 2.2 and 4.8 kb fragments, and which are contained in a 7 kb Hind III fragment. Cleavage with both enzymes reveals that the 2.2 kb EcoRI fragment contains a Hind III site 0.15--0.2 kb from an end. RNA.DNA hybridization between chimeric palsmic DNA and purified individual mRNAs isolated from sea urchin embryo polyribosomes has been used to assign coding sequences to either the 2.2 or 4.8 kb region of the histone DNA repeat unit. A map of the histone genes is proposed.


Nucleotide sequence of human placenta cytoplasmic initiator tRNA.

Cytoplasmic initiator tRNA from human placenta has been purified. The nucleotide sequence of this tRNA has been determined and found identical to that of initiator tRNA from mammalian cytoplasm.


Treatment of hypoparathyroidism with 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol.

Five patients with hypoparathyroidism (three post thyroidectomy and two idiopathic) were treated with synthetic 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-(OH)2-D3) for up to 6 months. In each case daily oral administration of 1 microgram 1,25-(OH)2-D3, either alone or with additional calcium, raised ther serum calcium into the normal range. The serum phosphorus and the renal tubular reabsorption of phosphorus fell during treatment. None of these patients developed hypercalcaemia and no other complications of treatment have been recorded. 1,25-(OH)2D3 seems to represent a significant improvement over conventional methods for treating hypoparathyroidism.


The heterogeneity of gastrin, with reference to conversion of gastrin-17.

High-resolution gel chromatography monitored by a sensitive radioimmunoassay for gastrin has disclosed that gastrin circulates in twenty different components. Since the assay is specific for the biological active sequence of gastrin (-Trp-Met-Asp-PheNH2), we conclude that all the twenty circulating molecular forms of gastrin encountered in this study may participate in the regulation of gastric acid secretion. There are two dominating forms of gastrin in serum: gastrin-34-like components and gastrin-17-like components. The former constituted 60% and the latter constitutes approximately 30% of the immunoreactive gastrins. We suggest that extragastrointestinal conversion of gastrin-17, released from tissue, is an important source of gastric-34-like components. Such conversion has been observed in intact man and pig. Studies with the isolated perfused porcine liver indicate that the liver is important in the metabolism of gastrin-17, and that conversion may be a hepatic function.


A re-examination of the conformation of secretin in water.

An examination of a series of peptides corresponding to partial sequences of secretin and the application of empirical conformational parameters to the sequence has reopened the question about the position of the short helical stretch in the folded chain. In earlier studies, this was tentatively placed near the N-terminus, while newly accumulated evidence points to the C-terminal area. The possible role of ion pairs in the stabilization of the folding was investigated by the preparation and examination of synthetic analogues of the C-terminal tricosapeptide part of secretin. The carboxyl groups of glutamic acid (in position 9) and of aspartic acid (in position 15) were replaced by carboxamides. The 9-glutamine and the 15-asparagine analogues show a significant decrease in helical character. This loss of "structure" is even more pronounced in the 9-glutamine-15-asparagine tricosapeptide. Thus, ion-pair formation is indeed implicated as one of the forces which stabilize the folded conformation of the chain. Possible correlations between biological activity and secretin-like architecture were studied on several smooth muscle preparations.


Regulation of calcitonin secretion in vitro.

We have developed methods for the long-term maintenance of monolayer cultures of both human and trout calcitonin-secreting (C-) cells (Roos et al., 1974a, 1975). Secreted calcitonin (CT) can be measured by specific and sensitive radioimmunoassays for human calcitonin (HCT) and trout calcitonin (TCT) (Deftos, 1971; Deftos et al., 1974; Roos et al., 1974b). The combined application of these cell culture and radioimmunoassay methods to the in vitro study of CT secretion has revealed fundamental differences in the regulation by divalent ions of CT secretion in mammalian and nonmammalian C-cells. Our results also indicate a specific role for secretin as a CT secretagogue in trout. In addition to establishing the individual secretory effects of calcium and the enteric polypeptide hormones on the C-cells of both species, we have investigated the combined effects of these agents in both human and trout C-cell cultures. The noncompetitive augmentation of the secretory effects resulting from the actions of specific combinations of these secretagogues in each of these C-cell populations suggests that CT secretion is regulated by co-ordinate interaction of specific ionic and peptide secretagogues. An elucidation of the cellular mechanisms involved in such multifactorial control of C-cell function should result from the continued investigation of CT secretion in these C-cell cultures.


Structure activity studies on somatostatin.

Seven synthetic analogues of somatostatin helped clarify structural requirements for suppression of growth hormone secretion in rats. Size of the ring is not critical; deletions of serine-13, lysine-4 or asparagine-5 result in peptides which retain an appreciable fraction of the activity. The analogue des-Ala1, Gly2, Asn5-somatostatin lowers plasma growth hormone and insulin levels without affecting plasma glucagon levels significantly.


Analogues of human calcitonin. IV. Influence of leucine substitutions in positions 12, 16 and 19 on hypocalcaemic activity in the rat.

The replacement of the three aromatic amino acids in positions 12, 16 and 19 of human calcitonin (HCT) by leucine residues, which occupy the corresponding positions, in ultimobranchial, e.g. salmon and eel, calcitonins, increased the hypocalcaemic potency of the peptide, as determined by bioassay on the rat, about 10-fold. The individual substitutions were not all equally augmentative: leucine (12) enhanced the activity of HCT about 4--5 times, but leucine (16) and (19) afforded no increase at all. Combination of leucine (12) with a deamino cysteine at the N-terminus yielded an analogue 10 times more potent than HCT. Another analogue containing valine in position 8 in place of methionine as well as the three leucine substituents in position 12, 16 and 19 proved more active than the tri-leucine analogue, but the additional introduction of tyrosine (22) nearly doubled the hypocalcaemic potency of the latter. The duration of the hypocalcaemic effects of the substituted peptides closely followed the changes in potency.


Hereditary bone dysplasia with hyperphosphatasaemia: response to synthetic human calcitonin.

Four cases of familial bone dysplasia with hyperphosphatasaemia were treated with synthetic human calcitonin. Prior to therapy, all four cases were characterized by marked bone deformity, pain, tenderness and elevated levels of serum alkaline phosphatase and urinary hydroxyproline. Treatment with calcitonin produced in each case a striking clinical, biochemical and radiographic remission. Pain and tenderness was greatly diminished and urinary hydroxyproline and serum alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly decreased. Radiographic regression of the bony abnormalities was apparent as early as 4 1/2 months after the start of treatment. Prior to therapy bones exhibit no real organization. After calcitonin treatment, the radiographic appearance of a normal cortex and medullary cavity was clearly evident for the first time.


The relationship between oestrogen status and bone loss in post-menopausal women.

The relationships between the rate of change of metacarpal cortical width, urinary hydroxyproline/creatinine ratio, net absorption of calcium and maturation value of vaginal smear have been examined in normal post-menopausal women and crush fracture cases. Rapid bone loss, high bone resorption and low calcium absorption are shown to be associated with poor oestrogen status, with crush fracture cases presenting an exaggerated view of the normal post-menopausal situation.


Modes of inactivation of neurohypophysial hormones: significance of plasma disappearance rate for their physiological responses.

Analogues of oxytocin and deaminooxytocin with 4-glutamine replaced by 4-glutamic acid methyl ester readily lose their uterotonic activity when incubated with rat serum, presumably by hydrolysis to the much less active 4-glutamic acid derivatives. On the other hand, inactivation of the deaminooxytocin analogue in the rat uterus, as demonstrated by the "oil-bath" technique, is only slightly more rapid than that of deaminooxytocin and distinctly slower than that of oxytocin. Its in situ/in vitro ratio of uterotonic activity is less than 0.1 whereas that for deaminooxytocin is about 3 and also the peristence of the uterotonic effect in situ is slightly less than that of deaminooxytocin. The results with these "rapidly inactivated" analogues can be used as proof of some predictions of the three-compartment model for tissue distribution of neurohypophysial hormones and its influence upon the time course of a biological response published earlier. The potential use of analogues of neurohypophysial hormones as probes for inactivation mechanisms and the results thus far obtained are discussed.


Contributions of pressure and flow sensitivity to autoregulation in mesenteric arterioles.

The relative influence of presence and flow on dilation of arterioles with pressure reduction was examined in preparations of cat mesentery. Erythrocyte velocity and diameter were measured in individual arterioles during stepwise reduction in mesenteric arterial pressure. Volume flow was calculated from velocity and diameter data. Approximately half of the arterioles which dilated with pressure reduction also showed an increase in volume flow. In a second series of experiments, a graded reduction of flow in single arterioles was produced by local downstream occlusion. Graded occlusion caused dilation. In a third series, flow in single arterioles was completely stopped by downstream occlusion, and arterial pressure was then lowered. Most arterioles dilated with pressure reduction. In a fourth series, flow in the total preparation was completely stopped and static intravascular pressure set by a reservoir. Elevation of static pressure typically produced arteriolar constriction. We conclude from these studies that the mesenteric arteriole is sensitive both to intravascular pressure and flow, with the former probably more important than the latter in the phenomenon of autoregulation.


Mechanism of pellet egestion in great-horned owls (Bubo virginianus).

To study the mechanism of oral pellet egestion in great-horned owls, bipolar electrodes and strain-gauge transducers were chronically implanted in the esophagus, muscular stomach, and duodenum of six owls. Recordings from conscious owls plus simultaneous radiographic observations revealed characteristic gastrointestinal motility patterns associated with egestion. Beginning at about 12 min before egestion, gastric contractions formed the final shape of the pellet and pushed it into the lower esophagus. The pellet was moved out of the esophagus by antiperistalsis during the last 8--10 s before egestion. During pellet egestion, contractions of abdominal muscles were not detected. Pellet egestion appears to be unlike either emesis in mammals with a simple stomach or regurgitation in ruminants.


Regulation of avian insulin secretion by isolated perfused chicken pancreas.

Chicken insulin secretory responses to glucose, glucagon, tolbutamide, and lack of Mg2+ were measured using isolated perfused in situ chicken pancreata. Although elevating perfusate glucose concentration from 100 to 250 mg/100 ml failed to increase insulin release, 500 mg glucose/100 ml provoked a transient 5-min insulin response. Additionally, 700 mg glucose/100 ml resulted in both a transient response and subsequent elevation in secretory rate that continued throughout the following 50-min stimulatory period. Glucagon (500 microgram/ml) and omission of perfusate Mg2+ potentiated glucose-stimulated insulin output by 6 and 25%, respectively. A faster release of insulin (less than 1 min) occurred during tolbutamide infusion (0.13 mg/ml) than with either 500 or 700 mg glucose per 100 ml (2-3 min); however, secretory rates declined to near basal levels within 5 min. Mammalian-like insulin responses to glucose, glucagon, Mg2+ lack, and tolbutamide suggest similarities between avian and mammalian beta-cell insulin secretory mechanisms. Nevertheless, the relatively high chicken insulin release threshold and low insulin output to glucose indicate that chicken pancreata are relatively glucose insensitive.


Biophysical properties of mycobacteriophages.

Biophysical characterization of two mycobacteriophages (Phlei phage and Butyricum phage) was carried out. Biophysical parameters obtained were: (i) buoyant densities in CsCl of I . 51 g/ml for both phages; (ii) sedimentation coefficient of 490 S and 410 S; (iii) DNA content of 42 and 34% and (iv) mol. wt. calculated by electron microscopic dimensions to be 123 x 10(6) and 116 x 10(6) for Butyricum and Phlei phage, respectively.


Civil background variables significant to the development of psychiatric disorders during military service.

The author served as a military psychiatrist for one year. In this article, he presents material from a personally conducted examination of soldiers with psychiatric disorders. He has also collected material on two control groups of soldiers. He has also processed patient material collected by other military psychiatrists. Both patient groups are compared with the two control groups concerning various civilian background factors. The study shows that the patients differ from the controls regarding a number of negative factors in their civilian background. These factors can be seen as predisposing to the development of psychiatric disorders while in the Military. The author concludes that these factors ought to be identified at the conscription examination, which is at present inadequate from a psychiatric viewpoint. An effort should be made at conscription to construct a profile of the individual's adaptability. The possibility of the development of a psychiatric disorder could thus be better evaluated.


Psychiatry on the prevention of crime.

The main endeavor of Forensic Psychiatry is to find out the causes, to investigate the psychodynamics of crime, hence based on them, to try to prevent or to treat them. In this connection, I will not enter into details today about the position of delinquency into psychodynamics, as they have elsewhere been described, I only would emphasize so-called "hystero-epilepsy" of Charcot.


Etiology and the prevention of wars (preliminary thoughts).

There is a suggestion in the previous paper that a way out to convey the overwhelming progress and "heavy" civilization of humanity may be to explore the Space, the Universe, and it, indeed, results in an excellent job what American and Soviets together are these days endeavoring toward new exploration in Space. Let us see now, is this way out going to give the solution of our problem, hence avoid wars in the world?


Visual and auditory cognitive processing affected by epilepsy.

Neuropsychological studies of epileptic patients may be expected to reveal specific cognitive dysfunction even in patients with normal general intellectual ability. Difficulties in cognitive processing by visual-spatial and auditory-verbal modes are indicated by this investigation employing the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and the Token Test, with epileptics of normal intelligence. Impairment in capacity for sustained, focused attention significantly affects performance of epileptic patients on these clinical measures, and others as well which require vigilance and attention and sensory-perceptual discrimination.


Inappropriate counter-regulatory hormone levels in insulin treated diabetes.

The data herein presented describe, identify, and quantitate interrelationships among blood glucose and serum insulin, growth hormone, cortisol, and glucagon levels of hospitalized insulin-treated diabetic patients. The findings indicate that conventional diet and insulin therapy of diabetes mellitus is almost always accompanied by inappropriate counter-regulation by growth hormone, cortisol, and glucagon. The data are consonant with the hypothesis that a shortage of insulin is only one of the multihormonal defects of diabetes.


A controlled comparative trial of unilateral and bilateral sinusoidal and pulse E.C.T. in endogenous depression.

Sixty-six depressed patients who achieved a score of 6 or more on the Newcastle Scale were randomly allocated to 3 different modes of E.C.T.--unilateral sinusoidal, bilateral sinusoidal and pulse. Outcome, one month after completition of 6 or more E.C.T., was assessed by mean fall in Hamilton's score. Overall, there was a highly significant improvement but among the 3 groups there were no significant differences, findings not accounted for by differences in mean age, numbers of E.C.T. given or mean initial Hamilton's score among the groups. The practical and theoretical implications of the results were discussed. There seems little justification for the continued use of bilateral sinusoidal E.C.T. as opposed to other methods.


Mood studies of alcoholic patients.

A series of mood studies of alcoholics before, during, and after participation in an inpatient treatment program is reviewed. Data highlight the extreme affective heterogeneity which characterizes alcoholics.


[Dermatoglyphics and creases in a family with brachydactyly (type Drinkwater I) to the question of the relation between dematoglyphics and four-finger-crease (author's transl)].

Dermatoglyphics and creases of three persons (grandmother, mother, son) with brachydactyly (type Drinkwater I) were examined. The finger prints showed only arches and loops of very low quantitative value. On the palm the increased frequency of a high ending of line D, of thenar patterns as well as the general tendency to form an ulnar loop on the hypothenar region were striking. All the three persons had a classical transverse crease (four-finger-crease) on both hands. The relation between dermatoglyphics and transverse crease is discussed from the aspect of the etiology of the four-finger-crease.


A study of "palthi" posture among Indians.

"Palthi" (leg-folding) posture has been studied in a random survey of 864 right handed and 37 left handed persons, ranging from 5 to 66 years of age and belonging to the Gwalior district of Madhya Pradesh (Central India). The results show that the frequency of L-type "Palthi" (i.e. left leg crossed above the right leg) is significantly greater than that of R-type, and that it is not correlated either with age, sex, or handedness. Since "Palthi" is fairly under voluntary control, the cerebral dominance may be an important factor in the genesis of this posture pattern. This is well in keeping with the revised concept of cerebral dominance.


Some morphological measures in tubercular patients and their comparison with normals.

One hundred and fifty tubercular patients from the Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases Department Medical College, Patiala, were compared with the normal population of the same ages from Patiala district. The tubercular patients and the normal individuals do not differ significantly in height, lower extremity length, bicristal breadth and humerus bicondylar diameter. However, the values of weight, sitting height, biacromial diameter, chest circumference and femur bicondylar diameter are significantly less among the patients. The indices--sitting height/height, lower extremity length/sitting height, biacromial diameter/bicristal breadth--also show significant differences in the physique of the two groups.


[Body shape and temperature regulation. Studies on Indian students].

On a sample of n = 23 Indian students associations between the heat loss ability after thermic stress and anthropometric variables (body height, body weight, body surface, weight/surface ratio) could be seen. The biological meaning of these findings is discussed with special reference to the climatic associated geographical variability of the human physique.


Differential drug therapy of the hyperlipoproteinaemias. The efficacy of lipid lowering drugs alone and in combination.

In a trial of lipid lowering drugs a 6 week course of treatment gives reasonably reproducible post-treatment values. Comparison of serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels after treatment should be preferred to percentage reductions, in both individual patients and groups of patients. Therapy with clofibrate combined with Bufor gives lower post-treatment values than does either drug alone. Cholestyramine drugs like Cuemid and Questran give post-treatment cholesterol values which cannot be predicted from the result of clofibrate treatment alone.


[Chromosomal proteins: histones and acid proteins].

Experimental data about the chemistry and the biology of chromosomal proteins are reviewed. Paragraphs include: aminoacid sequential data and post-translational covalent modications of histones, histone chemical differences in different tissues of the same species and in homologous organs of different species, histone synthesis subcellular localization and its association with DNA synthesis, histone synthesis transcriptional and translational control, histone synthesis during meiosis, oogenesis and early embryogenesis. The possible role of histones as controllers of gene expression is discussed and a model of primary structure of chromatine is proposed. The "acidic proteins" data concern the high tissue eterogenity of these proteins and their role in the steroid-hormon-controlled gene expression. The possible role of acidic proteins as general controllers of gene expression in eucariotic cells is discussed.


Recent developments in automatic refraction.

A detailed description of the Ophthalmetron is given. This is an automatic refractometer using the principle of infra-red retinoscopy and having a sensitivity range from -18.00 D to +17.00 D with a resolution of 0.25 D. By means of a rapid light scan across the patient's pupil the instrument determines the direction of motion of the retinal reflex in all meridians and a movement null-point is determined electronically. Results are then plotted automatically on a chart drum. Some early validation studies have shown the Ophthalmetron to provide a refraction end-point in good agreement with conventional retinoscopic findings. The paper concludes with an appendix in which the features of three commercially available automatic refractometers are compared.


Structural and functional analysis of ribosome subunits isolated from mouse liver following a toxic dose of dimethylnitrosamine.

Ribosomal subunits, isolated from mouse liver after a single dose of 50 mg/Kg b. w. of DMN, have been tested for their structural and functional properties. CsCl analysis has shown that after DMN treatment no loss of structural proteins occurs in both 40 S and 60 S ribosome subunits. It has been also demonstrated that these subunits are able to synthetize in the poly-U programmed system at low Mg++ concentrations, in the presence of heterologous initiation factors, at the same efficiency as the corresponding controls.


Eye movements in heterophoria.

Reference is made to earlier reports by the author in which versional recovery eye movements were observed during the cover test in the non-occluded eye in case of heterophoria. This provided support for Hering's Law, although the magnitude of the versional movement did not relate to the degree of heterophoria. Recent studies of eye movements during the cover test on very small heterophorias have suggested there is a threshold value below which these versional recovery movements are absent, and that is presence depends on such factors as the size of the phoria, the degree of ocular motor dominance and patient concentration.


Responses of simple and non-oriented cells to stimuli of variable duration in areas 17 and 18 of cat visual cortex.

Single unitresponses to photic stimuli of variable duration were studied in the cat visual areas 17 and 18. The closed-chamber technique was used to record extracellularly impulsive electrical activity in locally anaesthetized, Flaxedil-paralyzed and artificially ventilated cats. Stimulus duration ranges between 0.020 and 10 sec, the background luminance and the intensity of stimuli being constant. We found a first group of cells which fire independently of the stimulus duration; a second group which fire in close relation to the stimulus duration in a rather wide range of values, and a third group which fire monotonously as long as the stimulus goes on. The three groups of cells are supposed to be three functionally different types of cortical cells.


Stereopsis measured by random-dot patterns--a new clinical test.

Comparative measures are presented of stereo-acuity by random-dot stereograms using a phase difference haploscope and a Titmus stereogram. Using two groups of fifteen subjects each, one with full binocular vision and the other of small-angle strabismic amblyopes, greater discrimination between subject groups was found with the random-dot stereograms. It is concluded that random-dot stereograms produced by crossed Polaroid would be a more effective clinical means of determining stereo-acuity.


The effect of pilocarpine on the ACA ratio.

The results of an experiment on ten subjects of the combined effects of pilocarpine and phenyleprine on the accommodation/convergence association (ACA) ratio. Using the gradient test method a significant decrease in the ACA ratio was found at the p=0.01 level. A physiological basis for this effect is hypothesized.


Visual acuity and colour vision tests--a preliminary report.

Results are reported of a preliminary survey of colour vision changes in fifteen patients with central serous retinopathy. Colour vision was monitored with the HRR plates, 100-hue test and Nagel anomaloscope. In those patients revealing an acquired dyschromatopsia the defect had a tritan-like response. However, diagnosis is made difficult because of the positively correlated trend between 100-hue error score and visual acuity.


The design of diagnostic tests for defective colour vision.

Pseudoisochromatic plates are among the most popular tests for defective colour vision. They are particularly good for screening but are less good in assessing the degree and type of the colour vision defect. To select colours for use in diagnostic plates a large number of colour defective subjects have made colour matches with the Lovibond Tintometer and the isochromatic data collected. Pseudoisochromatic plates have been printed using pairs of colours only and incorporating both a random dot and a regular dot format. These plates have proved effective in a clinical trial. Not only must pairs of inks be carefully selected to lie upon appropriate isochromatic lines but the luminance contrast between the two colours must be kept within 5%. Failure to control luminance contrast is as much a source of error in currently available pseudoischromatic tests as the inappropriate use of colour.


[Transversions and transitions].

The investigation of 163 spontaneous point mutations of the human hemoglobin and the analysis of the genetic code make it possible to estimate the relative probability of transversions, which happens to be 0.30. From 23 possible nonsense mutations 15 are the transversions. Hence the genetic code provides the low probability of the mutational termination of the protein chain. The most dangerous are the mutations in the codon UGG (Trp).


[Stereochemical analysis of the polypeptide chains secondary structure by Courtauld space-filling models. I. Dipeptide allowed conformations].

For all the 20 natural amino acid residues the conformations, permitted by taking into account steric interactions (a small variation of valent angles was admitted) and interactions with the solvent (water) were singled out.


[Investigation of DNA complexes with histones F3 and F3+F2a2].

Characteristic viscosity, sedimentation constant and optical anisotropy were studied of the complexes formed between DNA and histone fractions F3 and F3+F2a2. The parameters mentioned continuously change with the increase of protein content within the complex. Analysis of experimental data shows that binding of a histone bads to a decrease of size and thermodynamic rigidity of the DNA molecule. On the basis of results obtained a model of F3 histone binding with DNA is suggested, amino acid sequence of this protein being taken into account. Comparison of behaviour of nucleohistones DNA+F3 and DNA+F1 studied previously testifies different way of binding of these histones to DNA.


[DNA nuclear satellites of the genus Brassica].

Distribution of nuclear DNA of nine species of the genus Brassica in caesium chloride density gradient has been studied. It has been shown that the amount of the satellite DNA component with the density of 1.704 g.cm-3 varies within a wide range. It is completely absent in B. oleracea and its amount reaches 37% in B. nigra. The other species have an intermediate position. The absence of the latent satellite DNA component in B. oleracea has been shown by equilibrium ultracentrifugation in Cs2SO4 density gradient containing Hg++. Denaturation-renaturation properties of the nuclear DNA of B juncea have been studied.


[Rheiological behaviour of deoxyribonucleoprotein systems of chromatin. I. DNP in high ionic strength solutions (0.7 M NaCl)].

The rheological behaviour of deoxyribonucleoprotein (DNP) in high ionic strength solutions (0,7 M NaCl) is indicative of the presence, in these systems, of linearly ordered DNP microstructures, which are reversibly destroyed by mechanical influences. The examination of the models of spatial network which are capable of providing the limit of fluidity for low concentrated DNP solutions permits to abandon the model of bound tracery network. The existence of interrupted network is proposed which is formed by fixation of microstructures in the secondary potential minimum without direct contact. It is concluded that DNP is able to organize liquid-cristalline structures with linear orientation of the axes of microstructural elements. The possibility of superhelical organization of such microstructures is not excluded. The long-range surface forces take part in stabilization of DNP-microstructures.


[Investigation of the structure of nitrogenase by means of electron microscopy combined with optical diffraction].

Nitrogenase molecules are observed in electron micrographs as hepta or octa hedral rings about 100 angstrom in diameter and stick-like particle 95 angstrom wide and as long as 300 angstrom and more. The electron microscopy pattern was investigated by the optical diffraction technique. It is shown that the nitrogenase molecule has a cylindrical helical structure. The helical parameters of this structure have been determined. The molecule is composed of a family of discrete helixes (number of helixes 8), the spacing between the nearest subunits along the vertical axis being 25 angstrom and the period of the structure about 50 angstrom. It is supposed that the stick-like particle as a side-view projection of the polymerized round molecules. A hypothetic model of the protein is presented.


[Membrane proteins of the hydrocarbon oxidation system in Pseudomonas denitirficans].

Pseudomonas denitrificans membranes have been isolated. Difference of membranes in peculiar protein fractions on the account of mutation in the oxidation system of higher n-alkanes is revealed. Reorganization of membrane connected with the change of protein showing the property of structural protein and taking part in alkane oxidation is observed. Participation of structural protein in providing substrate specificity of oxidation complex is supposed.


[Theoretical conformation analysis of cytidine 2',3'-cyclic phosphate].

On the basis of calculations of conformational states of cytidine 2',3'-cyclic phosphate it is shown that the syn-form with a gauche-trans position of the exocyclic group C(5')H2OH is preferential.


[Globular protein hydration by a differential dielectrometric method].

A differential method is described for measuring dielectric constants and losses in aqueous protein solutions at millimetrerange wavelengths. Employment of the method allows to improve the accuracy of determining the degree of hydratation. A method has also been suggested for taking into account the contribution of ions to the dielectric constant of solutions. The differential method was used to study hydratation of nine globular proteins. The data obtained are compared with the corresponding values provided by other experimental techniques and with theoretical predictions based on some models of hydratation. Good agreement is obtained with results provided by the isopiestic and NMR techniques. The discrepancy shown for hemoglobin is discussed in the paper. As has been shown, the dielectric method registers a monomolecular surface layer of water only. With pH varying between 4.0 and 3.2, a significant increase is observed in the hydratation of serum albumin. Presumably, this effect is connected with a N--F conformational transition.


[Site of nuclear DNA replication in embryonic cells of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius].

In the sea urchin embryonic cells, all newly synthesized nuclear DNA (n-DNA) pulse-labeled by 3H-thymidine was found within DNA-membrane complex (DNA-mc) isolated by centrifugation of lysates of nuclei after their treatment with Sarkosyl, Brij-35, or sodium dodecylsulfate through neutral sucrose (10--30%) gradients. This attachment has been shown not to be an artifact due to the unspecific effect of the detergents or the destabilization of the secondary structure of n-DNA because the association of the exogenous 14C-DNA with nuclear membrane and chromatin did not occur during the isolation of the DNA-mc. n-DNA was not replaced from DNA-mc when the latter was isolated in the excess of unlabeled denatured DNA. n-DNA associated with DNA-mc behaved as a precursor of chromosomal DNA. It is suggested that in sea urchin embryonic cells the synthesis of nuclear DNA is carried out by the replicative complex attached to the nuclear membrane.


[Complex formation of di-oligodeoxyadenylyl-5',5'-pyrophosphatess with polyuridylic acid].

The complex formation of P1,P2-bis-trideoxyadenylyl-, P1-trideoxyadenylyl, P2-hexadeoxyadenylyl and P1,P2-bis-deoxyadenylyl-5',5-pyrophosphates with polyuridylic acid has been studied. It is shown that these compounds form triple-stranded complexes with poly-U, which have much the same absorption and circular dichroism spectra as those of (oligo-dA).2(poly-U). These results are considered as a support of an earlier suggestion about the irregular relative orientations of the oligodeoxyadenylates in the triple-stranded complexes with poly-U.


[Tyrosine residues in histones. Kinetics of histones F1 and F2A1 nitration by tetranitromethane].

The kinetics of nitration of tyrosine residues in histones F1 and F2a1 by tetranitromethane has been investigated. At low ionic strength and 30-fold molar excess of nitrating agent the nitration reaction results in fast modification of all tyrosine residues in both histones. At the same time the rates of modification of different tyrosine residues in histone F2a1 are not identical and markedly exceed the rate of N-Ac-OEt-Tyr nitration in a model system. The increase of reaction mixture ionic strength causes an increase of modification rates. The differential UV-absorption spectra of histone F1 obtained by temperature perturbation show an abnormal positive characteristic maximum at 286.8 nm. Analysis of the dependence of nitration rates of tyrosine residues in histones in saline solutions upon the ionic strength and of difference UV-absorption spectra of histones leads to a conclusion that there are specific interactions of definite parts of histone polypeptide chains. These interactions may arise from aggregation of histone molecules.


[Intracellular transport of nuclear ribosomal RNA in Acetabularia mediterranea].

The ribosomal RNA transport from a nucleus to a perinuclear cytoplasm and its following distribution in the cytoplasm of Acetabularia mediterranea cells were studied using transplantation of RNA-labeled rhizoid into unlabeled stalk. In addition rifamycin treatment was used for inhibition of cytoplasmic RNA synthesis. Acetabularia nuclei contain the stable RNA fractions similar to those present in some other eukaryotes. Nuclear 25S and 17S ribosomal RNA rapidly enter the rhizoid cytoplasm whereas the following trasfer of them to other regions of the cell is a very slow process. Within two days only an insignificant part of 25S and 17S ribosomal RNA is transferred from the rhizoid to the stalk and is distributed there over the base-apical gradient. No preferential transfer of the nuclear ribosomal RNA to the apical region was observed.


[Effect on the whole alimentary starvation on DNA synthesis in cells precursors in human bone marrow].

The rate of DNA synthesis in cells precursors of the bone marrow of 15 psychic patients was studied by tritiated thymidine autoradiography during different periods of whole alimentary starvation (duration 28 days) which was used with the aim of therapy. It was shown that starvation induced rapid, "leap", "uneven" block of DNA synthesis and decrease in mitotic index. It was found that DNA synthesis block was marked with different degree in different marrow cells. It was supposed that DNA synthesis block occured mainly during G1--S period of interphase. During the initial period of refeeding, intensification of DNA synthesis, which preceded to sharp increase in mitotic index, was observed.


[Modifications of ribosomes from rat liver with alkylating derivatives of tRNA].

Alkylating analogs of peptidyl-tRNA: N-chloroambucilyl-14C-phenylanalyl-tRNA (1), N-iodoacetyl-14C-phenylalanyl-tRNA (2) and N-bromo-acetyl-14C-phenlalanyl-tRNA (3) were applied for the modification of the peptidyl-transferase center of the 80S ribosomes from rat liver. These analogs, being in the teronary complex poly-U: ribosome : tRNA analog, modified ribosomal proteins and ribosomal RNA. The modification is directed to large ribosomal subunit. It is found, that (1) modifies ribosomal proteins L5, L25, L31 and L32 and (2) modifies ribosomal proteins L4, L6, L10+L11, L13 and L30.


[Conformational transition within the A-form of complementary nucleic acids in solution].

Circular dichroic spectra of A-DNA in 78% ethanol and of tRNA in water and ethanol solutions have been studied at different concentrations of NaCl. An increase in the Na+ concentration from 0.5.10(-4) M to 5.10(-4) M results in a shift of the positive CD band at 264 nm of the A-DNA to a longer wavelength, 272 nm. Simultaneously, the magnitude of the 210 nm band decreases. By contrast in the case of tRNA in water solution an increase in NaCl content results in straight opposite shifts of the CD spectra. This opposite behaviour is shown to the due to a difference in ions effects in water and water-ethanol solutions, since tRNA in the ethanol solution behaves in the same way as A-DNA does in 78% ethanol. We suppose that in aqueous solution in increase in the cation concentration would stabilize the helical conformations with progressively decreasing narrow groove, i. e. more wound. At a high concentration of ethanol (60--80%) the formation of specific complex between the hydrated cations and the double-stranded regions should be taken into consideration. Thus, the hydrated cations may insert into the deep groove exerting the opposite effect of unwinding.


[Conformational features of beta-lipotropic hormone and its fragments].

Structural features of porcine and bovine beta-lipotropic hormone and fragments of porcine hormone have been studied by the methods of circular dichroism and infra-red sectroscopy and by analysis of amino acid sequence. It has been established that the structure of the hormone includes a set of regular helical forms which varies considerably with the humidity and dielectric constant of the medium. The presence of left-handed helical conformations of the poly-L-proline II type in aqueous medium and moist films and their transformations with the variation of the parameters of the medium has been demonstrated. The role of the extended left-handed helical structures in hormone functions in the blood and intercellular space is discussed.


[Transient states in the photoreactions of chlorophyll-protein complexes].

Transient short-lived species arising in chlorophyll-protein complexes of PS I on flash excitation were studied by means of flash-photolysis and luminescence methods. Complexes were isolated from chloroplasts by the solubilisation in SDS and subsequent electrophoresis. Three different types of reactions associated with: a) the triplet state of monomeric chlorophyll; b) redox reactions in reaction centres; c) photochemical reactions of monomeric chlorophyll were established on excitation. The arrangement of different forms of chlorophyll connected with the protein globule is discussed.


[Melting of DNA-total histone complexes in the presence of noradrenaline].

Study is presented of the effect of noradrenaline on thermic denaturation of DNA-total histone complexes within the range of protein concentrations which corresponds to c1/c2 0-1.7 in solutions of 10(-3) M Na+ ionic strength (c1 and c2 being the weight concentrations of protein and nucleic acid, respectively). Denaturation of these systems has been found to be strongly affected by bivalent metals contained in DNA samples. Their presence accounts for the high temperature and wide melting range of DNA and diminution of the latter with an increase of the protein concentration in DNA-histone complexes. The denaturation parametres obtained for the studied systems are in fair agreement with predictions from the clip thermodynamic theory. Noradrenaline is shown to be capable of destabilizing DNA-total histon complexes. This is due to the inactivation of bivalent metals bound with DNA by noradrenaline. It is also suggested that noradrenaline does not weaken the histone binding with a nucleic acid.


[Influence of UV-light on erythrocyte membrane structure and catalytic behaviour of membrane acetylcholine esterase].

UV-light is shown to induce the structural transitions in the erythrocyte membrane described by S-shape curves in plots of the structural response versus the irradiation dose. In contrast to the free acetylcholine esterase (AChE) UV-light acts on the membrane enzyme as a mixed inhibitor (simultaneous change in Vmax and Km). The modification of the environment structure of residual enzyme is suggested to be the main reason of this phenomenon. The effect is under the control of membrane integrity and disappears after its desintegration. Membrane AChE treated ultrasonically both prior to and after irradiation is inactivated without a Km change. The data obtained show the influence of erythrocyte membrane structure on the catalytic behaviour of membrane-bound AChE.


[Biochemical heterogeneity of mitochondria].

Rat liver mitochondria were fractionated on the basis of their sedimentation coefficients in the gradient of ficoll. The fractions ("heavy", "middle" and "light" mitochondria) were heterogeneous with regard to the content of protein, DNA, cytochrome a + a3 and respiratory activity. Heterogeneity of mitochondria did not result from the damage or microsomal and lysosomal contamination. The biosynthesis of DNA, RNA and proteins in the different fractions of mitochondria was studied. In vivo incorporation of radioactive precursor into RNA was highest in the fractions of "middle" mitochondria, whereas in vitro the "heavy" mitochondria showed maximum activity in the synthesis of RNA. In vitro DNA synthes was maximum in the fractions of "heavy" mitochondria, protein synthesis in "heavy" and "light" mitochondria. Activity of the synthesis of RNA, DNA and proteins in vitro depends on the content of DNA and cytochrome a + a3 in the different fractions of mitochondria. It is supposed that heterogeneity of mitochondria may be connected with their biogenesis.


[Conformation of the denatured DNA molecule in solutions of different ionic strengths].

The conformation of the denatured DNA molecule of different molecular weights in the solutions of various ionic composition was studied by the methods of viscometry, light scattering and flow birefringence. Formaldehyde purified from metallic ions with the help of ionites was used for fixation of the denatured state of the DNA molecule. It has been shown that theories developed for flexible macromolecules are in a sufficient accordance with hydrodynamical and optical data. The unperturbed dimensions, equilibrium rigidity of the macromolecule in solutions of different ionic strengths, mu, were determined. In the range of mu greater than or equal to 0.005 the length of Kuhn's segment (A) is equal to approximately 40 A and its value increases with an increase of mu. At mu 0.001 A approximately 60 A and mu 0.0005 A approximately 85 divided by 100 A. A relation between intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight of the denatured DNA molecule was established. Data on the flow birefringence in the solutions of the denatured DNA have shown that the sigh of optical anisotrophy of the macromolecule depends on the ionic strength. The observed dependency may be explained only by assuming that ionic strength influences the equilibrium orientation of nitrogen base planes with respect to the main chain of the macromolecule.


[Secondary structure of nuclear precursors of the informational RNA (pre-mRNA)].

The secondary structure of pre-mRNA species from mouse Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells extracted with phenol at the temperatures either 55-65 degrees C or 65-85 degrees C was investigated. A fraction of the double helical regions of pre-mRNA was estimated by two methods: a) by recording of melting curves; b) by measuring fluorescence lifetimes of acridine orange dye adsorbed on the nucleic acid. This fraction was about 64-68%. Further lowering of ionic strength down to 0.024 results in 10-15% decrease in the fraction of double regions. Both lowering of ionic strength and increase of the temperature up to 50-55 degrees C results in despiralisation of pre-mRNA regions which contain more than 70% of AU-nucleotide pairs. Only regions containing mainly GC-nucleotide pairs remain double-stranded under heating to temperatures above 50 degrees C. These facts were established on the basis of studies of acriflavin dye complexes with pre-mRNA.


[Molecular basis of olfactory reception. I. Artificial lipid membrane sensitive to odorous substances].

The properties of artificial lipid membranes modified by frog offactory preparation obtained by ultrasonic treatment of frog olfactory tissues were investigated. Out of the 24 odorous substances which were tested five active stimulants were identified each inducing a resistance drop of the modified membrane when added to the cell. The studies of this effect in solutions with different salt content demonstrated that the decrease in resistance resulted most probably from an increased membrane permeability to Na+ ions. The dyes did not affect the resistance of modified membranes. Mercury bichloride at the concentration of 5 . 10(-4) M was shown to block the responce of the membrane when added to the cell prior to stimulants. At the same time mercury biochloride did not practically affect the membrane resistance after its response to the odorants. The possible ways of increasing the sensitivity of modified membranes to odorants are discussed.


[Hydrolysis of acetals and approach to the modeling mechanism of reactions involving lysozyme].

Using quantum chemistry CNDO/2 method the mechanism of reaction of polysaccharides with lysozyme was investigated. The molecule of acetal (H3C-O-CH2-O-CH3) was taken as the simplest substrate model. In the framework of the simple model the influence of interaction of the substrate with Glu-35 and Asp-52 on activation of the substrate is described. It is essential that for the maximum activation of the bond broken the optimum (but not the most energetically advantageous) arrangement of Glu-35 should be realized. The optimum arrangement of the amino acid residues of the enzyme should also be realized for the liberation of the groups which took part in the reaction, only one degree of freedom being actual in this process, and the motion of the system occurs along this degree of freedom. It was shown that substrate distortion could cause its activation.


[Nonglycosidic analogues of nucleotides. IX. Self-association of 9-(omega'-hydroxyalkyl) adenine omega'-phosphates in aqueous solutions].

The dependence of the NMR spectra of adenosine 5'-phosphate and phosphates of 9-(2'-hydroxyethyl)-, 9-(3'-hydroxypropyl)- and 9-(4'-hydroxybutyl)adenines on temperature and concentration has been investigated in aqueous solutions.


[Generalization of the Monod-Wyman-Changeux model for the case of multisubstrate reactions].

A general equation is derived for the rate of multisubstrate reaction catalyzed by oligomeric enzyme E(R, T) liable to concerted transitions Ro in equilibrium To or Ro in equilibrium 2To. It is shown that with some assumptions about the enzymes the rate equations can be constructed from the rates of corresponding reactions catalyzed by a single active site. These single active site rate equations are known for the majority of catalysis mechanisms, otherwise they can be easily deduced. As an example the rate equation is derived for the reaction S1 + S2 + S3 in equilibrium S4 + S5 catalyzed by an oligomeric enzyme according to the ordered ter-bi mechanism.


[Partial fractionation and physico-chemical properties of non-histone chromatin proteins].

The non-histone chromatin proteins (NHP) were isolated by a modified Wang technique. NHP were easily dissoluble in solutions of a physiological ionic strength within a wide pH range. NHP were subdivided into 18 zones by analytical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. NHP have molecular weights within the range 15,000 greater than 200,000. A part of NHP showed similar molecular weight but different values of molecular charge. NHP were separated by a gel filtration into 6 fractions. Two fractions were individual proteins. The great bulk of NHP has a molecular weight less than 40,000, and 6-6.5% of NHP-more than 100,000. The fractions different from each other in a specific UV-absorbtion, fluorescence and circular dichroism. The nhp fraction of a smaller molecular weight has a smaller content of alpha-helix (8%) and the greatest polarity of the environment of tryptophan residues; the molecules of this fraction may have a loose tertial structure. Other NHP have 15-24% of alpha-helix and possibly have compact globular sites.


[Kinetic model describing the action of tryptophanyl-tRNA-synthetase].

Reaction rates for ATP-PPi isotope exchange (vex) and tryptophanyl-tRNA formation (vaa) catalysed concomitantly in one incubation mixture by beef pancreas tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (trsase) have been examined as a function of substrate concentrations. Comparison of the vex/vaa ratio found experimentally with the ratio predicted theoretically conforms the mechanism suggested earlier and permits to describe it in more detail. I. At least two reaction routes exist in which an ATP-PP: exchange is allowed. These routes are interconnected with each other via the stage at which tRNA binds to the enzyme. 2. In both these routes the low molecular weight substrates bind with enzyme in the order ATP first, tryptophan second. 3. Enzyme-aminoacyladenylate complex is an intermediate in the reaction of aminoacyl-tRNA formation. Pyrophosphate is detached from the enzyme prior to tRNA. 4. The enzyme releases AMP and tryptophanyl-tRNA in a random fashion. All the aformentioned properties are common both for trigger mechanism and Yarus-Berg mechanism which up to now were considered in literature independently.


[Effect of porphyrin ring ligands on the affinity of heme iron to axial ligands].

To clarify the influence of protein surrounding on the heme reactivity in heme proteins the effect of interaction between a porphyrin ring and pi-acceptor molecule, 1,2,4-trimethyl-pyridinium (TMP), on the affinity of deuteroheme to axial ligands (imidazole and cyanide) has been studied as a model system. It is shown that TMP induces the fourfold decrease in equilibrium constant of imidazole to deuteroheme. From the analysis of the two stages for cyanide binding it is concluded that TMP decreases the binding constant of the first cyanide by 40 times and does not apparently influence the second ligand binding. The effect of TMP on the reactivity of deuteroheme to axial ligands is interpreted as a result of a decrease in the electron density on the iron orbitals which is due to the altered pi-eleectron density in the porphyrin pi-system through the donor-acceptor interaction with TMP molecules. The possible significance of the contacts between the porphyrin and neighboring amino acid residues in determining heme affinity to axial ligands is discussed.


[Dependence of fluorescence spectra of chloroplasts from the activity of photosystem 2].

By means of high sensitive spectrofluorometer the fluorescence spectra have been measured of normal chloroplasts and those with blocked photosystem 2 activity due to photoinhibition or treatment with 0.6 M tris-buffer. At room temperature fluorescence spectra of inactivated chloroplasts are similar to the spectrum of normal chloroplasts measured at low light intensity. Under excitation by intense light a decrease of intensity at 685 nm is appeared (about 3-4 times) in the fluorescence spectra of inactivated chloroplasts as compared to the spectrum of normal chloroplasts. The sharp intensity decrease of maxima at 685 and 695 nm (3-4 times) and small decrease at 680 and 730 nm (by 30-50%) are observed in low temperature fluorescence spectra of inactivated chloroplasts. Thus, the damage of photosystem 2 reaction centres is not accompanied by the preferential decrease of the only fluorescence band. The similarity of fluorescence difference spectra of chloroplasts distinguished by the state of photosystem 2 reaction centre, and the complex structure of difference spectra indicate that the variable fluorescence of chloroplasts during the induction is due to the emission of bulk chlorophyll alpha of the photosystem 2.


[Intermolecular interaction of adenosine-5'-phosphate with phenylalanine and tryptophan by nuclear magnetic resonance].

Equilibrium constants (K) of the complex formation of adenosine-5'-phosphate with phenylalanine (27 l/mol) and tryptophan (67 l/mol) in water (D2O, pD 9.9) have been determined. The comparison of the equilibrium constant values allowed to find the sequence of probabilities of the approach of aromatic amino acids to adenosine-5'-phosphate (tryptophan greater than tyrosine greater than phenylalanine). It has been shown that the dependence of lg K on l/T in the system phenylalanine-adenosine-5'-phosphate is non-linear. The ranges of the positive values of enthalpy (deltaH) and entropy (deltaS) changes of the complex phenylalanine-adenosine-5'-phosphate formation in the temperature interval 28-65 degrees have been found (deltaH = 0.2-1.5 kcal/mol, delta S = 14-50 e.u.). The conclusion about the hydrophobic interaction of aromatic cycles of nucleotide and amino acids has been deduced from the received data.


[Discovery of age effect in molecular structure of collagen].

The temperature dependences of the NMR-broad line spectra of collagen from Achilles tendon have been investigated. It is found that the narrow doublet splitting collapsed at certain temperature Tx determined by age of collagen sample. The Tx varied from approx. +35 degrees C for 8 years sample to -2 degrees C for 82 years. The interpretation of results obtained is based on the theory of NMR spectra of diffusing water molecules.


[Double modification of cytidine residues in DNA].

The reaction of O-beta-diethylaminoethylhydroxylamine (O-beta-HA) with cytidine was studied and its mechanism was shown to be analogous to that of the reaction of hydroxylamine of O-methylhydroxylamine with cytidine. In experiments involving reaction of denatured DNA with O-beta-HA., Sephadex G-15 columns were used for the quantitative separation of normal and modified nucleosides after enzymatic hydrolysis of modified DNA by exonuclease A5 followed by alkaline phosphatase treatment. DNA cytidine residues of free cytidine with O-beta-HA. Modified cytidines can form complex with phosphotungstic acid (PTA). It was shown that one mole of PTA was bound per one mole of modified cytidine either in DNA or in free state. Electron microscopic examination of denatured DNA molecules modified by O-beta-HA and reacted with PTA revealed linear arrays of electron-scattering spots which presumably correspond to PTA molecules complexed with modified cytidine in DNA chains.


[RNA biosynthesis in mitochondria under conditions of prolonged inhibition of protein biosynthesis in rat liver cytoplasm].

When cytoplasmic protein synthesis is inhibited by cycloheximide (CHI) in vivo synthesis of water-soluble mitochondrial proteins and of mitochondrial RNA is decreased. These changes measured in isolated rat liver mitochondria are similar to those observed in vivo and correlate with the changes the synthesis of water-soluble proteins in mitochondria. When the cytoplasmic fraction (30,000 g-supernatant) had been added to the mitochondria showing decreased RNA synthesis, the RNA synthesis increased to the control level (the incubation conditions were favourable for the protein transport from microsomes to mitochondria). RNA synthesis in mitochondria was not stimulated by cytoplasmic fractions from the CHI-pretreated rats. After prolonged dialysis these fraction stimulated RNA synthesis even to a greater extent than cytoplasmic fractions from the untreated animals. Mitochondrial RNA polymerase activity (measured in mitochondrial extracts supplemented with exogenous DNA) was higher in extracts of mitochondria from livers of normal rats than in extracts of mitochondria from livers of animals injected with CHI.


[Properties of satellite DNA of Phaseolus vulgaris].

Nuclear DNA components of Ph. vulgaris were preparatively separated by equilibrium ultracentrifugation in Hg++-Cs2SO4 density gradient (buoyant density of the major component in CsCl density gradient 1.694 g/cm3., satellite component--1.703 g/cm3). The properties of individual DNA fractions were investigated. The melting curve of satellite DNA of Ph. vulgaris has biphasic character. The observed heterogeneity of satellite DNA component is of intermolecular nature. This is illustrated by the splitting of unsheared satellite DNA into two components during renaturation, as well as by its behaviour in Hg++-Cs2SO4 density gradient at high rf value. The width of satellite DNA reassociation curve covers three decades of Cot. The length of the major repeating sequences of the satellite component is close to the length of phage T2 DNA. During chromatography on MAK column satellite DNA elutes earlier than the major component due to its higher GC-content. It is suggested that one of the satellite DNA fractions of Ph. vulgaris contains rRNA genes.


[Effect of hyperhybridization of nucleic acids].

The reasons for the effect of hyperhybridization (HH) of nucleic acids, when the degree of binding of labelled fragments in the heterologous reaction is higher than in the homologous one, are discussed. The object of investigation was DNA of salmon. HH is most demonstrative in hybridization of a DNA fraction which forms thermostable duplexes (Tm greater than or equal to 75 degrees). HH is accounted for by the fact that closely related species and intraspecies forms differ in the percentage of this fraction; therefore if a species with a small content of this fraction in the genome is chosen as a reference species, hybridization of its DNA with that of another species with a high content of the thermostable fraction, exceeds 100% with respect to the homologous fraction). A correction coefficient is suggested allowing comparison between experiments with different reference species. It appears that the genomes of less specialized, as compared with highly specialyzed species, contain more DNA forming thermostable duplexes. It is therefore recommended to use as reference DNA of species, the structure of karyotype and morphologt of which have more in common with the ancestral form.


[Solubilization of chromatin by an endogenous enzymic Ca2+, Mg2+-dependent factor. Activity of residual chromatin].

An endogenous Ca2+, Mg2+-dependent factor of enzymic nature (apparently an endonuclease) digests a part of chromatin in the rat liver nuclei producing DNA fragments of an uniform size. After 60 min of incubation at 15 degrees C and pH 7.50 in the presence of 5 mM MgCl2 and 2 mM CaCl2 87-93% of the total chromatin becomes soluble. The insoluble chromatin however contains 70-85% of the in vivo newly synthesized RNA. In regenerating liver the proportion of the insoluble residual chromatin increases while the radioactivity of the newly synthesized DNA in this fraction is highest. Residual chromatin can be solubilized by ultrasonic treatment only. The Ca2+, Mg2+-dependent dissolving factor is not present either in brain or in PMN leucocyte nuclei.


[Integration and transfection of an arbovirus by mammalian cells].

A system: L cells chronically infected with Sindbis virus was studied. Unlike acute infection wherein the mature virions are produced, the chronically infected tissue culture produces subviral structures-infectious ribonucleoproteins. Molecular hybridization experiments revealed the integration of the viral genome (DNA-transcript) into the cellular genome. Transfection experiments showed the possibility to induce the synthesis of the virus in sensitive cells treated with DNA from the chronically infected cells.


[Light-induced absorption changes at 590 nm in isolated pea chloroplasts and their relation to plastocyanin].

The light-induced decrease in absorption with the minimum at 590-595 nm has been found in chloroplasts of etiolated pea seedlings by the method of dual-wavelength difference spectrophotometry. It has been shown that this effect is caused by photoreduction of the electron carrier with the absorption maximum of its oxidized form at 590 nm. Photoreduction of the carrier has been observed after excitation both by the short-wave (646 nm) and long-wave (709 nm) red light, although the latter is less effective. It has been suggested that the absorption changes at 590 nm are caused by light-induced redox conversions of plastocyanin bound to chloroplast membrane.


[Nucleoprotein melting. I. Theory of helix-coil transition of DNA in the presence of proteins with cooperative character of interaction under conditions of reversible binding].

Helix-coil transition of DNA with attached extended ligands able to interact with one another during adsorption on DNA (cooperative or uncooperative binding) has been considered. The general formulae describing dependence of polymer melting curve on concentration of attached ligands have been obtained. It has been shown that cooperativity of interaction with DNA stipulates for two phase profile of the melting curve. The results obtained show that proteins which interact with DNA cooperatively may cause two phase helix-coil transition under conditions of reversible binding.


[Theoretic analysis of conformation of proteins. I. Minimization of potential energy of ribonuclease S].

Variation of ribonuclease S structure is analysed with the potential energy being minimized by a computer. The function of potential energy contains the potentials of bond and angle distortions, torsional and non-valent interactions. It is shown that after 100 iterations the potential energy is decreased from the value of 6500 kcal/mole to--1012 kcal/mole, 92% of complete change of energy fitting the first ten iterations. The root mean square deviation (r. ms. d.) of final structure from the initial one is 0.232 A (0.206 A for the backbone and 0.257 A for side groups). The forbidden non-valent contacts are completely removed after minimization. R. ms. d. of the equilibrium value is decreased from 0.097 to 0.006 A for bond lengths; from 7.660 to 3.65 degrees for valence an-les and from 9.44 to 6.95 degrees for rotation angles around the peptide bonds. Distribution of tensions along the protein chain after minimization is considerably changed, the tensions decreasing in average by 100 times.


[Properties of the cell-free protein synthesizing system from the fibroin region of the Bombyx mori silkgland].

Microsomes isolated from the fibroin region of the Bombyx mori silkgland synthesize in the cell-free system a glycin rich polypeptide or polypeptides presumably representing fibroin precursors. Besides microsomes the system requires ATP and ATP-generating system, GTP, soluble protein fraction and tRNA, glycine incorporation is inhibited by puromycin and cycloheximide. It is shown that the synthesis of a polypeptide with high Gly/Lys ratio requires soluble protein fraction isolated from the silk gland at the end of the instar V. When the soluble protein fraction from the larvoe at the early instar V is used the Gly/Lys ratio in the product is markedly lower. These results permit to suggest that fibroin synthesis may be regulated at the level of tRNA aminoacylation.


[Metabolism of mRNA in regenerating mouse liver: acceleration of the processing and decay of mRNA].

The kinetics of accumulation of poly(A+)mRNA in polyribosomes and the ratio: poly(A+)mRNA/(poly A-)mRNA were studied in regenerating mouse liver. It has been found, that the ratio: (poly A+)mRNA/(poly A-)mRNA was associated with the function of the cells: (poly A+)mRNA fraction has been decreased to 7% at 7 hours after partial hepatectomy and then reached the original value (25%) at 30-40 hours. The kinetics of accumulation of (poly A+)mRNA in polyribosomes during the transition from resting to growing state has revealed that both the lifetime and the presumable time of processing of the mRNAs of free and membranebound polyribosomes were decreased as compared to resting liver cells.


[Electron microscope study of antigen constituents of the phage DDVI and its h-mutant].

A comparative study of the fine antigen structure of phage DDVI and its h mutant using neutralization reaction and the electron microscopy of the phage-antibody complex has shown that the head and the tail of these phages have common protein constituents. The bulk of the antigens located in tail's fibers and in a base plates is also identical. However, the application of the cross-adsorbed sera has shown that the phage DDVI and the h mutant differ by only one specific antigen located in the distal part of tail's fibers.


[Changes in base composition and molecular population of wheat DNA on germination].

Germination of wheat seeds results in small changes of the GC content of total DNA (from 47.5 to 49.0 mole %): at the same time the amount of 5-methylcytosine in seeds 10 hours after wetting and at day 3 of germination significantly decrease (from 6.0 to 5.4 and 5.2 mole %, respectively). The wheat genome is methylated in non-uniform fashion: moderute repeats (less than a hundred copies, interval Cot = 0,12 . 10(2)-420) possess the maximal amount of 5-methylcytosine, while the unique sequences (Cot greater than 420) have the lowest 5-methylcytosine content. Methylation of highly reiterated sequences (Cot less than 0,8 . 10(-2) is similar to that of the total DNA. At day 3 of germination the amount of 5-methycytosine in all DNA fractions is lower as compared with these fractions isolated from DNA of dormant seeds. This is probably due to (1) diminution in the amount of reiterated sequences with high 5-methylcytosine content and (2) to lowering of DNA methylation level in germinating seeds. Changes in DNA methylation may be associated with the regulation of gene activity in the differentiating plant cells at various stages of ontogenesis.


The pill and other drugs.

Drugs may interact with oral contraceptives by influencing their absorption, stimulating or inhibiting their metabolism, or acting through the same or physiologically opposing receptor mechanisms. Breakthrough bleeding and spotting are the warning signs that should encourage enquiry about additional drug taking. The use of powerful enzyme-inducing drugs like phenobarbitone or rifampicin, effectively rules out the use of oral contraception as a reliable method of fertility control. The problem of drug interaction with oral contraceptives should be kept in perspective; the number of reports is still very low.