Preparation of single molecules and supramolecular complexes for high-resolution metal shadowing.

We have compared the appearance and preservation of molecular and supramolecular structures in preparations that were dried in vacuo at room temperature or freeze-dried. Fibrinogen and brain spectrin molecules appear similar in both types of preparation provided that drying at room temperature is performed in the presence of glycerol, which results in an even and reproducible distribution of such molecules (Shotton et al., 1979, J.

Carcinoma of the cervix stage IB: results of treatment with radiation therapy.

An analysis has been made of 101 patients treated with radiation therapy for epidermoid carcinoma of the cervix Stage IB (FIGO) from January 1970 through December 1976. The patients were treated with a combination of intracavitary therapy and external beam therapy delivering a total combined dose of 8000 rad to the paracervical areas (Points AR and AL) and 5500 rad to the pelvic lymph nodes (Points IR and IL). The cumulative, disease-free survival at 2, 3 and 5 years was 89%, 87% and 84%.

Actin and myosin function in acanthamoeba.

We have studied the functions of contractile proteins in Acanthamoeba by a combination of structural, biochemical and physiological approaches. We used electron microscopy and image processing to determine the three-dimensional structure of actin and the orientation of the molecule in the actin filament. We measured the rate constants for actin filament elongation and re-evaluated the effect of MgCl2 on the filament nucleation process.

Use of the flexible sigmoidoscope in women with previous pelvic irradiation.

Pelvic irradiation has been reported to be a risk factor for colonic malignancy. We performed flexible sigmoidoscopy with serial pinch biopsies in 20 asymptomatic women treated with irradiation for cervical cancer more than 10 years ago in order to determine the feasibility of the technique and to detect late radiation effects. The examination was well tolerated by 14 (70%) of the patients, and the instrument was passed to 40 cm in 14 (74%) of 19 women.

Brain spectrin, a membrane-associated protein related in structure and function to erythrocyte spectrin.

An immunoreactive analogue of erythrocyte spectrin has been purified from brain membranes. This protein co-sediments with and cross-links actin filaments, associates with spectrin-binding sites on erythrocyte membranes, and has been visualized by rotary shadowing as an extended, flexible rod. The brain spectrin comprises 3% of the total membrane protein, and may have a major role in mediating linkage of actin to membranes.

Rehabilitation management of muscular dystrophy and related disorders: I. The role of exercise.

When evaluating the effect of a modality such as exercise, maturation in children, the rate of progression of the disease, and the degree of weakness should be considered. The two major factors critical in producing overwork weakness are the degree of weakness at the time the exercise program is started and the intensity of the exercise training program. Exercise therapy is apparently not harmful and may be beneficial in patients with motor unit diseases if it is started early in the course of the diseases when muscle fiber degeneration is minimal, and is carried out at submaximal levels.

Rehabilitation management of muscular dystrophy and related disorders: II. Comprehensive care.

Management of patients with motor unit diseases is now more aggressive than in the past. Most physicians and therapists now believe that it is important to preserve maximal function as long as possible. Treatment should be prospective to inhibit deformity, prolong independent ambulation, and maximize functional capabilities.

Polymorphism of actin paracrystals induced by polylysine.

We describe a method for the induction of different polymorphic forms of actin filament paracrystals. This polymorphism is probably based on differences in the stagger and/or polarity of adjacent filaments in single-layered paracrystals and by superposition of different layers in multilayered paracrystals. The helical parameters defining the filament geometry are indistinguishable for the different polymorphic forms observed and for the four different actins used.

Mononuclear-cell infiltration in ovarian cancer. I. Inflammatory-cell infiltrates from tumour and ascites material.

Malignant effusions and tumour tissue obtained at surgery provided material for a study of the prognostic value of the various inflammatory cells in the prognosis of human ovarian cancer. Ascitic fluids predominantly contained inflammatory cells; tumour cells, both singly and in clusters, were a minor component. Tumour cells were usually in excess in dispersed solid material.

Mononuclear-cell infiltration in ovarian cancer. III. Suppressor-cell and ADCC activity of macrophages from ascitic and solid ovarian tumours.

Macrophages have been isolated from ascitic and collagenase-dispersed tumours from patients undergoing surgery for ovarian cancer. Macrophages were present in varying proportions in both sites, though the ration of macrophages to tumour cells was higher in ascites. Marked variation in size (as detected by sedimentation velocity) and cytochemical markers in the macrophages was noted.

Mononuclear-cell infiltration in ovarian cancer. II. Immune function of tumour and ascites-derived inflammatory cells.

Mononuclear cell fractions were isolated from blood, ascites and solid tumours of patients undergoing surgery for Stages III and IV adenocarcinoma of the ovary, and evaluated for their response in NK, ADCC and PHA assays. Control experiments with the same fraction of normal blood indicated that these responses were not influenced by the enzymes used to isolate the tumour and ascites inflammatory cells. The inflammatory cell fractions isolated from both tumour sites which sedimented in the velocity range of blood mononuclear cells were adequate in number and composition for comparison with similar cells from blood.

Gynecologic operative experience in women exposed to DES in utero.

A review of 309 women exposed to DES in utero revealed 43 major gynecologic procedures, excluding cesarean section, in 33 women (11%) with a mean age of 24.3 years. Pelvic adhesions (54%), ovarian cysts (36%), and ectopic pregnancies (21%) were the major operative findings; no invasive gynecologic malignancies were identified.

Protection against endometrial carcinoma by combination-product oral contraceptives.

Seventy-nine patients with endometrial carcinoma were compared with 203 control subjects regarding their use of combination-product oral contraceptives (OCs). Overall, 6.3% of patients and 15.