The identification and localization of a human gene with sequence similarity to Polycomblike of Drosophila melanogaster

The Drosophila Polycomb group (PcG) of genes is required for the epigenetic regulation of a number of important developmental genes, including the homeotic (Hox) genes. The members of this gene family encode proteins that do not share sequence similarity, implying that each plays a unique role in this epigenetic repression mechanism. Polycomblike (Pcl) was the second PcG gene to be identified. We report here the isolation and characterization of a human cDNA, termed PHF1, which encodes a protein with significant sequence similarity to Drosophila Polycomblike (PCL). The region of similarity between PHF1 and PCL includes the two PHD fingers (C4-H-C3 motif), the region between them, and sequences C-terminal to the PHD fingers. PHF1 and PCL are 34% identical over this 258-residue region. PHF1 was mapped to 6p21.3 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. While several genetic diseases that are likely to result from developmental abnormalities map to this region, PHF1 is not a clear candidate gene for any of them.     

Adaptive resource management in middleware: a survey

Current middleware technologies cannot meet the demands of new application areas, such as embedded and mobile systems, that require mechanisms for dealing with a changing environment. This article reviews several approaches for providing adaptive resource management for middleware. Current middleware technologies, such as the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) and .NET (http://msdn.microsoft.com/net), mask system and network heterogeneity problems and alleviate the inherent complexity of distributed systems in many application areas. However, the recent emergence of new application areas for middleware, such as embedded systems, real-time systems, and multimedia, imposes challenges that few existing middleware platforms can meet. In particular, because they impose greater resource-sharing and dynamism demands, these application areas require more complex and sophisticated middleware. Resource sharing must be controlled and predictable to ensure that activities running on the same middleware instance have adequate resources.     

Thomson's corpuscles [historical biography]

It is 100 years since the electron was discovered by J.J. Thomson. In this paper, the author reviews the life and work of a man who transformed the view of the fundamental constituents of matter, laying the foundations for modern electronics     

A network interface unit to support continuous media

The combination of high-speed multiservice networks and multimedia workstations offers considerable potential for the development of distributed multimedia applications. A key problem is how to integrate continuous-media types such as audio and video into a distributed workstation environment. An experimental system architecture based on a specialized multimedia network interface that attempts to provide this integration is described. The design and implementation of this system are discussed in depth in terms of workstation enhancement and distributed system support. A new approach to the problem of media synchronization is introduced, and the importance of quality of service in the architecture is highlighted. Experiences encountered during this work are described, comparison with other approaches is made, and likely future developments in multimedia network interfacing are discussed     

Conservation of baculovirus inhibitor of apoptosis repeat proteins (BIRPs) in viruses, nematodes, vertebrates and yeasts

The purpose of this study was to compare striatal D2 dopamine receptor occupancy of various typical neuroleptics and clozapine in relation to the occurrence of extrapyramidal side effects (EPS). Forty-four inpatients with schizophrenia, including 12 patients with schizodominant schizoaffective disorder, were evaluated using 123I-iodobenzamide (IBZM) and single photon emission computed tomography. Striatal D2 dopamine receptor occupancy was estimated by use of a striatal/frontal cortex ratio (ST/FC) of IBZM binding. Fourteen patients were neuroleptic-free and served as controls. Six patients were treated with clozapine and 24 patients were treated with various typical neuroleptics. ST/FC ratios in patients taking typical neuroleptics were significantly lower than those who were neuroleptic free or treated with clozapine. Patients with EPS had lower ST/FC ratios than those without EPS. A significant linear relationship between ST/FC ratios and severity of EPS estimated by the Simpson-Angus-Scale was established (r=-0.51, p=0.041).     

Pathogenesis of renal calculi in distal renal tubular acidosis. Possible role of parathyroid hormone

Elevated circulating levels of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (PTH), hypercalciuria and renal calculi were found in 3 patients with distal renal tubular acidosis (RTA). Treatment with alkali resulted in a fall of PTH toward normal and a reduction in urinary calcium, but the frequency of urolithiasis was unchanged. In one patient in whom prolonged follow-up was possible, a subtotal parathyroidectomy was performed. This was followed by virtual cessation of stone formation despite persistence of the acidification defect. This study suggests that RTA may be associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism and that the consequent elevation in PTH may play a contributory role in the pathogenesis of renal calculi.     

Software for genome mapping by fingerprinting techniques

A genome mapping package has been developed for reading and assembling data from clones analysed by restriction enzyme fragmentation and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The package comprises: data entry; matching; assembly; statistical analysis; modelling. Data entry can be either manual or by a semiautomatic system based on a scanning densitometer. The primary emphasis in the analytical routines is on flexibility and interactive convenience, so that the operator has full knowledge of and control over the growing map, but a variety of automatic options are included. The package continually grows to meet the needs of the Caenorhabditis project.     

The allergen content of castor beans and castor pomace

The allergen content of 10 varieties of decorticated, defatted castor beans, as determined by a serological method, ranged from 6.1 to 9.0%. This range of allergen content probably does not offer an encouraging prospect for the development of an allergen-free castor bean by plant breeding. The allergen content of samples of commercial castor pomace ranged from 0.092 to 4.2%. It is apparent from these results that some current commercial milling practices are capable of reducing significantly the allergen content of castor pomace. This is a laboratory of the Eastern Utilization Research and Development Division, Agricultural Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture.     

Los Angeles airport noise and mortality--faulty analysis and public policy

A well-publicized investigation in Los Angeles showed a higher mortality rate in 1970-1971 among residents in a high-noise area near Los Angeles International Airport than in a low-noise control area. The authors of this report attributed the difference to the effects of jet aircraft noise. A reanalysis of the data did not confirm the original results. Once the confounding effects of age, race, and sex were taken into account by direct and indirect methods of standardization, there was little difference in the mortality experience of the airport and control areas. Adjusted mortality rates due to all causes, cardiovascular diseases, or cerebrovascular disease did not differ appreciably between the two areas and were nearly identical to those of Los Angeles County during 1970.     

Tenure Choice and Labour Market Outcomes

In a series of papers Andrew Oswald has suggested that since home owners are relatively less mobile across geographic locations than renters, regional home ownership rates are positively correlated with regional unemployment rates. This paper examines this hypothesis at the individual level. Search theory suggests that when a subset of the population is less mobile than others, this less mobile group (that is, owners) will have lower probability of employment, longer spells of unemployment and lower wages than more mobile renters. These hypotheses on inferior labour market outcomes for owners were tested using US Current Population Survey data as well as data from the Panel Survey of Income Dynamics. The empirical model suggests that these hypotheses are not supported by any of the tests. Home owners, conditionally or unconditionally, have better labour market outcomes than renters.