Monoclonal origin of multicentric Kaposi's sarcoma lesions

BACKGROUND: Kaposi's sarcoma has features of both hyperplastic proliferation and neoplastic growth. Multiple lesions, in which spindle cells are prominent, often arise synchronously over widely dispersed areas. We tested the hypothesis that the spindle cells in these multicentric lesions originate from a single clone of precursor cells. METHODS: To determine whether Kaposi's sarcoma is a monoclonal disorder, we assessed the methylation patterns of the androgen-receptor gene (HUMARA) in multiple lesions from women with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. In polyclonal tissues, about half the copies of each HUMARA allele are methylated, whereas in cells derived from a single clone all the copies of only one allele are methylated. To minimize contamination by normal DNA, we used microdissection to isolate areas composed primarily of spindle cells, the putative tumor cells. RESULTS: Eight patients with a total of 32 tumors were studied. Of these tumors, 28 had highly unbalanced methylation patterns (i.e., predominant methylation of one HUMARA allele). In all the tumors that had unbalanced methylation from a given patient, the same allele predominated. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that Kaposi's sarcoma is a disseminated monoclonal cancer and that the changes that permit the clonal outgrowth of spindle cells occur before the disease spreads.     

The viscom—a system of ‘soft’ video-terminals

The Portsmouth Polytechnic Visual-communication system, Viscom (vik-om), has been designed to provide high-speed Interaction with an ICL 4130 computer. A feature of the system is that its software device routine is used not only to facilitate data transfers but also to provide an open-ended list of keyboard functions to augment those provided by the hardware.     

On the application of fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to the elucidation of specific interactions in miscible polyester-poly(vinyl chloride) blends

FT-IR spectroscopic studies have been performed in an attempt to elucidate the nature of the specific interactions occurring in miscible poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL)-poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) blends. Studies of low molecular weight analogues, polymer/solvent mixtures and blends of PCL and α-deuterated PVC are presented. The results strongly suggest that a hydrogen bonding type of interaction between the carbonyl bond of PCL and the α-hydrogen of PVC exists in compatible PCL-PVC blends.     

Comparison of several styles of typography in English.

"Five styles of typography—spaced units, vertical, square span, and arrangement of one phrase per line, and conventional—were compared using untrained subjects. This paper reports two fairly independent series of experiments: a series using a tachistoscope presentation, and a series in which the subjects read passages of about 1500 words… . The tachistoscope series suggests that there are advantages to the new arrangements, but the reading series suggests that subjects must be trained to read these new arrangements before the advantage will be fully realized." From Psyc Abstracts 36:04:4LM62C. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Vegetable protein—A delayed birth?

Manufacturing technology related to vegetable protein is ahead of its marketing counterpart. Communication among technical, marketing, and consumer groups is required if formed vegetable protein is to succeed as a foodstuff. Perhaps, the final status of vegetable protein will be determined by how well these communication lines are established. One of 13 papers presented in the symposium, “Soy Protein,” at the AOCS Spring Meeting, Mexico City, April 1974.     

Stability of the Mokohydrate Crystal form of Cefazolin Sodium as a Function of Moisture

Moisture effects on the stability of the monohydrate crystal form of cefazolin sodium were investigated. Results show that increased moisture content of this compound adversely affects the microbiological and polarographic stability at elevated temperatures. In addition, butyl rubber stoppers provided more protection against moisture than natural rubber stoppers at higher humidity conditions.     

Computer aids for participation in housing design

This paper describes two computer programs developed to promote design participation among future building users. The software developed allows the user to create his future housing layout by assembling symbols on a computer terminal screen and be constantly guided and apprised of the environmental, spatial, locational and legislative consequences of his design decisions.     

Improving comprehensibility by shortening sentences.

As measured by cloz tests, technical passages divided into short sentences were significantly more comprehensible than their long sentence counterparts, but the magnitude of the improvement was small--about 6%. A sentence-by-sentence comparison suggested these hypotheses for more detailed study (a) It may improve comprehensibility if "clause fragments" such as subordinate clauses are raised to full sentences (b) It may improve comprehensibly to divide sentences joined by conjunctions (but, for, because, etc.) that signal that the 1st clause is qualified by the 2nd one (c) It will not improve comprehensibility to divide a sentence joined by "and" into 2 sentences (d) Shortening clauses may be more effective than merely emphasizing their boundaries by punctuating them as separate sentences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)