Units of DNA replication in S-phase human cells

Current methods of physical mapping allow the estimation of genomic distances (i.e. DNA contents) from linear distances between DNA markers in interphase nuclei, and in this study we estimated the size of focal centers of DNA replication in cultured S-phase human cells. Our results indicate that the conformation of S-phase chromosome fibres in the range of contour lengths 0.1-3.0 microns fits the random walk model and, therefore, the quantitative methods of interphase mapping can be applied to the estimation of sizes of replication units. The obtained data show the existence of multiple non-clustered small units less than 150 kb in size, equivalent to small replicons detected by fiber DNA radioautography, and also a significant fraction of big units more than 500 kb in size, representing groups of small replicons and/or big replicons. These big units are detected as chains of small replication foci, probably reflecting the structural chromatin organization in well-known loop domains, since the experimentally induced decrease of replicons to the average size 12 kb does not lead to any change in the pattern of indicated chains.     

Isolation, purification, and alteration of some functional groups of major milk proteins: a review

This review covers selected methods of isolation and purification of mainly alpha s-casein, beta-casein, kappa-casein, beta-lactoglobulin, and alpha-lactalbumin. Selected methods of alteration of some functional groups of these proteins also were reviewed. Isolation and purification of milk proteins per se are methods of modifying the individual milk proteins. Gram quantities of these proteins can now be purified in a relatively short time using ion-exchange resins. Due to the prominent use of non-food-grade reagents in the procedures for preparation of these milk proteins, individual proteins are not maximally utilized for the manufacture of food/feed and pharmaceutical products. Therefore, intensive research efforts are needed to obviate the problems associated with underutilization of milk proteins.     

Medico-genetic study of residents of Marii El republic: burden of hereditary diseases in four regions of the republic

A medical genetic study of Orshanskii, Morkinskii, Sovetskii, and Semurskii raions (districts) of the Marii El Republic was performed. The total number of subjects examined was 115,743. Meadow Maris and Russians accounted for the most part of the populations of the districts studied. A total of 147 families with presumably autosomal dominant (AD) pathology and 150 families with presumably autosomal recessive (AR) or X-linked pathology (270 and 169 affected persons, respectively) were revealed. Segregation analysis demonstrated a good agreement between the observed and expected segregation frequencies for both AR and AD diseases, as well as a considerable number of sporadic cases of presumably AD diseases. The incidence of hereditary diseases was estimated separately for different population groups. Significant differences in this incidence were revealed between the urban and rural, as well as between the Russian and Mari populations; the average incidence was 2.33 affected subjects per 1000 people. The incidence of AR diseases was significantly higher in Maris than in Russians (1.34 x 10(-3) and 0.82 x 10(-3), respectively). The populations studied exhibited a significant, high correlation between the incidence of AR diseases and the levels of random and local inbreeding. The incidence of X-linked recessive diseases was approximately the same as in Russian populations studied earlier. Its average value was 0.5 per 1000 men; the incidence in the Mari and Russian populations did not differ significantly. The higher AD incidence in the total population studied and the higher AR incidence in the Meadow Mari population compared to the populations studied earlier are discussed.     

Increase in serum leptin and uterine leptin receptor messenger RNA levels during pregnancy in rats

Pregnancy is a physiological state associated with significant changes in appetite, thermogenesis, and lipid metabolism, functions which are regulated in part by a hormone, leptin, secreted by adipocytes. Leptin has also been shown to have a role in reproduction, promoting centrally-regulated maturation of the reproductive system and signaling the presence of adequate maternal energy stores for fertility. Here we demonstrate that serum leptin levels are modulated during normal rat pregnancy with a 1.8-fold increase during pregnancy followed by a decrease just before parturition. Leptin receptor mRNA levels in the uterus are also regulated with an increase about 2.7-fold during this same period, whereas there is no change in other tissues examined. The results suggest that leptin may play a role during pregnancy, perhaps regulating energy utilization.     

Comparison of two algorithms and their associated charges when evaluating adrenal masses in patients with malignancies

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to compare two proposed algorithms used when evaluating an adrenal mass discovered during staging evaluation of a patient with a known malignancy. Such evaluation was meant to lead to determination of the relative charges associated with each algorithm. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients with known malignancies who required evaluation of an adrenal mass underwent both chemical shift imaging (CSI) and CT-guided for CSI. The hospital charges incurred for each procedure and any associated complications were normalized using national relative-value scale charges and conversion factors. A decision analysis was performed to compare the relative charges that would have been incurred if adrenal MR imaging had been performed in all patients, followed by CT-guided biopsy only in those patients with MR findings not diagnostic of adrenocortical adenoma, and the relative charges incurred if only CT-guided adrenal biopsy had been performed in every patient. RESULTS: Twenty-three (43%) of 54 adrenal masses were shown to be metastases by CT-guided biopsy. The sensitivity and specificity of CSI for the diagnosis of adrenocortical adenoma were 94% and 100%, respectively. The charges incurred by performing MR imaging as the initial examination with subsequent CT-guided biopsy only in those patients with CSI findings not diagnostic of adenoma would have been similar to those incurred by first performing CT-guided adrenal biopsy in every patient. CONCLUSION: CSI is an accurate, noninvasive technique for evaluating adrenal masses in patients with cancer. If CT-guided biopsy is used only when CSI is not diagnostic of adrenocortical adenoma, the associated charges would be virtually the same as when CT-guided biopsy is performed as the first test in every patient. Moreover, biopsies could have been avoided in 54% of these patients.     

Hyaluronidases in tissue invasion

Hyaluronidases are broadly distributed enzymes with varying substrate specificities, a wide range of pH optima, and different catalytic mechanisms. They may be used by organisms to invade one another. Hyaluronidases have also been invoked as mechanisms for tumor invasion and metastatic spread. In this review, we will concentrate more on the different kinds of hyaluronidases involved in tissue invasion other than cancer metastasis, present some of the rapidly accumulating new data, and address the paradox that both hyaluronidase as well as its hyaluronan substrate are associated with invasion.