SH1 domain autophosphorylation of P210 BCR/ABL is required for transformation but not growth factor independence

P210 BCR/ABL is a chimeric oncogene implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic myelogenous leukemia. BCR sequences have been shown to be required for activation of the tyrosine kinase and transforming functions of BCR/ABL. In this work, we show that two other structural requirements for full transforming activity of P210 BCR/ABL include a functional tyrosine kinase and the presence of tyrosine 1294, a site of autophosphorylation within the tyrosine kinase domain. Replacement of tyrosine 1294 with phenylalanine (1294F) greatly diminishes the transforming activity of BCR/ABL without affecting the specific activity of the protein tyrosine kinase. Expression of an exogenous myc gene in fibroblasts partially complements the transforming capacity of mutant P210 BCR/ABL (1294F). Surprisingly, tyrosine 1294 is not required for efficient induction of growth factor-independence in hematopoietic cell lines by P210 BCR/ABL. These results suggest that autophosphorylation at tyrosine 1294 may be important for recognition and phosphorylation of cellular substrates in the pathway of transformation, but it is not critical for mediating the events which lead to growth factor independence.     

Diagnosis-related groups: a comparative analysis of hospital activity in different countries

Comparative study of hospital activities in the Novgorod district and nine countries of the European Community, carried out within the framework of the International Project CAMISE (Case Mix and Severity) of the European Community on the basis of the classification system for diagnosis-related groups, showed a lower Case Mix Index, a longer hospital stay for all major disease, and a lower surgical activity in the hospitals of the Novgorod district in comparison with other European countries. The detected differences are largely due to specific features in the organization of hospital service in Russia (no special hospitals for acute and chronic patients, no nursing homes) and insufficiently intensive therapeutic and diagnostic process.     

Influence of sucrose on the thermodynamic properties of the 11S globulin of Vicia faba-dextran-aqueous solvent system

A study of the influence of sucrose on the thermodynamic properties of the model (protein-polysaccharide-water) system 11S globulin-dextran-water has been carried out. A significant increase in 11S globulin solubility in aqueous medium was observed in the vicinity of the protein isoelectric point on addition of sucrose to a solution of the protein. For carrying out thermodynamic investigations of this phenomenon, the borderline conditions for complete solubility of the 11S globulin in aqueous medium were chosen, namely pH 7.0, I = 0.1 mol/dm³. The effect of sucrose on the thermodynamic parameters of the different types of pair interactions in the system ( the second virial coefficients) was estimated. It was observed that the second virial coefficient of both 11S globulin and dextran increases greatly under 50% w/v sucrose in aqueous medium. The cross second virial coefficient, characterizing interactions between protein and polysaccharide, decreases, indicating an increase in the thermodynamic compatibility of the biopolymers in this case. The conditions thermodynamically sufficient for stability of the systems with respect to diffusion were calculated on the basis of the thermodynamic parameters obtained.     

DNA fingerprinting of the lizard Lacerta dahli: isolation of a genomic polymorphism of mini- and microsatellite loci

We performed a lateral approach for the release of post-traumatic stiffness of the elbow in 22 patients using a modified technique designed to spare the lateral ligaments. They were reviewed after a mean interval of 26 months. The total humeroulnar joint movement had increased from a mean of 74 degrees to 129 degrees and forearm rotation from a mean of 135 degrees to 159 degrees. Both pain and function in the elbow had improved significantly. This modified lateral approach allows release of post-traumatic contracture without disruption of the lateral collateral ligament or the origins of the extensor tendon at the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. The advantages include a simplified surgical procedure, less operative morbidity, and unrestricted rehabilitation.     

Increasing the number of uses of the refractories in the slide gates of large steel-teeming ladles

Conclusions A method of enrichment of brucite by washing and sorting of it was developed. An experimental lot of composite slide gate plates for two teemings from the 300-ton steel teeming ladles of Magnitogorsk Metallurgical Combine was prepared from enriched fused brucite at Magnesite Combine. The physicochemical indices of the plates were 97.9 wt.% magnesium oxide with a nonequiaxiality of the periclase crystals of 1.94, 0.3% silica, 0.2% iron oxide, compressive strength 110 N/mm², and open porosity 12%. Under conditions of repeated openings and closings the plates made it possible to provide 100% quality teeming of the first heat and to direct 60% of the slide gates to repeated teeming, which was done with 32%. For a final experimental verification it would be desirable to prepare a larger experimental production lot of refractories using the method developed with specific repeated use.Translated from Ogneupory, No. 2, pp. 47–51, February, 1988.     

Ectopic pregnancy involving the rectum

A case of advanced extrauterine pregnancy involving the rectum and with passage of fetal limb through the anus is presented. The patient probably had a heterotopic gestation.     

Lack of association of higher insulin levels with diffuse atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in nondiabetics

Since there is experimental evidence that insulin promotes atherosclerosis, we tested the hypothesis that insulin levels are higher in patients with diffuse atherosclerotic coronary artery disease by measuring insulin levels in 46 nondiabetic patients with angiographically defined diffuse coronary artery disease and 46 normal controls with angiographically normal coronary arteries. Fasting insulin levels were similar in both groups of patients: 7.70 +/- 5.77 microU/mL in those with diffuse coronary disease versus 7.39 +/- 5.01 microU/mL in controls. Also, insulin levels drawn 1 and 2 h after oral glucose challenge were not significantly different in patients with diffuse disease (48.78 +/- 32.46 microU/mL and 42.26 +/- 32.38 microU/mL, respectively) compared with patients with normal coronary arteries (51.03 +/- 28.01 microU/mL and 43.79 +/- 31.62 microU/mL, respectively). We conclude that insulin probably does not promote clinical atherosclerosis in nondiabetics.