Ethanol and cytokine secretion.

Cytokines are regulatory polypeptides secreted during the generation of an immune or inflammatory response by lymphocytes, cells of the monocyte/macrophage series, and a variety of other cell types. Alterations in the production, site of action, or metabolism of cytokines by exogenous factors, such as ethanol (EtOH), may have deleterious effects on the immune system as a whole. EtOH has been implicated in the onset of a variety of immune defects in vivo including effects on the production of cytokines critically involved in inflammatory responses (tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 1 and interleukin 6).

Nitroaromatics Are Substrates for the TOL Plasmid Upper-Pathway Enzymes.

Expression of the xylMA genes encoding for toluene monoxygenase from the lactose promoter in a broad-host-range plasmid allows the oxidation of toluene and m- and p-nitrotoluene to their corresponding benzyl alcohols and benzaldehydes in Pseudomonas putida and Escherichia coli. Benzyl alcohols accumulate until reaching a concentration of about 80 muM, while benzaldehydes accumulate steadily with time for at least 24 h. TOL-encoded benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase and benzaldehyde dehydrogenase recognize m- and p-nitro-substituted compounds as substrates.

Mutagenesis and DNA repair for alkylation damages in Escherichia coli K-12.

In this work we report on the isolation of an Escherichia coli K-12 mutation, which confers a high sensitivity to bacteria cells to mutagenesis by simple monofunctional alkylating agents. The mutation emerged spontaneously from a bacterial strain that already proved useful in various mutagenicity studies. By monitoring the influence of such a mutation on the frequency of induced mutation by ethylating (EMS, DES, ENU, ENNG) vs.

Metal, mutagenicity, and biochemical studies on bivalve molluscs from Spanish coasts.

Three species of marine bivalve molluscs (Chamelea gallina, Ruditapes decussatus, and Crassostrea gigas) have been studied in order to evaluate the levels of pollution on the South Atlantic Spanish littoral. Several transition metals (Cu, As, Cd, Sn, Hg, Pb) were determined as a general index of total contamination. Animals from putative contaminated areas exhibited higher metal contents than those from cleaner waters.

A conserved coronavirus epitope, critical in virus neutralization, mimicked by internal-image monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies.

Monoclonal antibody (MAb) 6A.C3 neutralizes transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus (TGEV) and is specific for a conserved epitope within subsite Ac of the spike (S) glycoprotein of TGEV. Six hybridomas secreting anti-idiotypic (Ab2) MAbs specific for MAb 6A.

Activation of the Pseudomonas TOL plasmid upper pathway operon. Identification of binding sites for the positive regulator XylR and for integration host factor protein.

Expression of the Pseudomonas putida TOL plasmid upper pathway operon requires a promoter that belongs to the -12/-24 class. Stimulation of transcription from this promoter is positively controlled by the effector-activated XylR protein and requires a form of RNA-polymerase holoenzyme containing the RpoN-encoded sigma factor, sigma 54. XylR-dependent stimulation of transcription from the Pseudomonas TOL upper pathway promoter was examined using deletions, insertions, and in vivo dimethyl sulfate footprinting.

Early postnatal diazepam exposure alters sex differences in the rat brain.

The volume and neuron number of the sexually dimorphic accessory olfactory bulb and locus coeruleus are altered by early postnatal exposure (from the day of birth to postnatal day 16) to diazepam. After diazepam treatment, both volume and neuron number were decreased in the male accessory olfactory bulb and in the female locus coeruleus. These results indicate that early postnatal diazepam administration can bear gender-dependent teratogenic effects upon sexually dimorphic nuclei and suggest that endogenous benzodiazepines may be involved in the sexual differentiation of the brain.

[Histrionic personality disorder in a psychiatry department at a general hospital].

The personality disturbances imply problem within the psychiatric assistance, both for its difficult delimitation and classification and for the limited results and bad use obtained from therapeutic resources. We studied 402 patients psychiatric service of a general hospital over a period approximately 2 years, 70 (17.5%) were diagnosed DSM-III with Personality disturbances: 44 females (62.

Promoter-upstream activator sequences are required for expression of the xylS gene and upper-pathway operon on the Pseudomonas TOL plasmid.

Stimulation of transcription from the Pseudomonas TOL plasmid xylS gene promoter (Ps) and the upper-pathway operon promoter (Pu) is dependent on the positive regulator protein XylR activated by an effector molecule such as 3-cholorotoluene, and on RpoN, an RNA polymerase sigma factor. Mutational analysis of the Ps and Pu promoters showed that upstream activator sequences located between -110 and -218bp upstream of the main transcription initiation point are required for regulated expression from these promoters. A search for homologous nucleotide sequences in the -110 to -218bp region in Pu and Ps revealed conserved sequences that may act as putative recognition sequences for the XylR protein.

SBR: a computer program to record and analyse sexual behavior in rodents.

SBR (Sexual Behavior Recorder) is a program designed to record and analyse data from research on the sexual behavior of rats and other animals with similar patterns of sexual behavior. SBR allows the user to record the characteristic events of both the male and female's sexual behavior: mounts, intromissions, ejaculations and lordosis. It also allows the user to record two other types of events, and analyse them in terms of frequency and duration, using two user-defined keys.

Sexual dimorphism in the parastrial nucleus of the rat preoptic area.

This work investigates the possible existence of sex differences in the volume of the parastrial nucleus (PSN), a component of the preoptic area in the rat. The effects of postnatal (on day 1 after birth) male orchidectomy and female androgenization on this nucleus were studied. The volume of the PSN was greater in the control females than in the control males and postnatal treatments reversed this sexual dimorphism.

Mutagenesis in Escherichia coli lacking catalase.

Escherichia coli K-12 strains completely lacking catalase activity due to mutations in katG, katE, and katF genes were constructed in order to assess the role of hydrogen peroxide in mutagenesis. Mutagenesis was monitored by selecting forward mutations to L-arabinose resistance. Lethality was measured at experimental conditions equivalent to those of the mutant yield by using a mixed culture of pairs of isogenic strains distinguished by their differential nutritional requirements.

Regulator and enzyme specificities of the TOL plasmid-encoded upper pathway for degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons and expansion of the substrate range of the pathway.

The TOL plasmid upper pathway operon encodes enzymes involved in the catabolism of aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylenes. The regulator of the gene pathway, the XylR protein, exhibits a very broad effector specificity, being able to recognize as effectors not only pathway substrates but also a wide variety of mono- and disubstituted methyl-, ethyl-, and chlorotoluenes, benzyl alcohols, and p-chlorobenzaldehyde. Benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase and benzaldehyde dehydrogenase, two upper pathway enzymes, exhibit very broad substrate specificities and transform unsubstituted substrates and m- and p-methyl-, m- and p-ethyl-, and m- and p-chloro-substituted benzyl alcohols and benzaldehydes, respectively, at a high rate.

Beta-carotene stimulates human leukocytes to secrete a novel cytokine.

The effect of beta-carotene on cytokine production by human peripheral blood leukocytes was tested. Beta-carotene stimulated the secretion of a novel cytotoxic cytokine when peripheral blood cells were exposed to carotenoid concentrations between 10(-6) and 10(-10) M. Beta-carotene-treated supernatants caused the cytolysis of four out of the six human tumor cell lines tested.

Early effects of gonadal steroids on the neuron number in the medial posterior region and the lateral division of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in the rat.

This work investigates the possible existence of sex differences in the number of neurons in the medial posterior region (BNSTMp) and the lateral division (BNSTL) of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in the rat. These two zones of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis belong, respectively, to the vomeronasal system (VNS), and to the main olfactory system (MOS). In the BNSTMp, males showed a greater number of neurons than females.

Total and specific IgE levels in human hydatid disease determined by enzyme-immunoassay. I. Preoperative levels.

The levels of total IgE and specific IgE in preoperative sera from 29 adult patients with surgically confirmed hydatidosis were studied by means of enzyme-immunoassay. Sera from 88 healthy donors were likewise studied. Findings showed that in the majority of the hydatidosis cases there was an increase of specific IgE and total IgE although individual variance was significant.

Changes in lymphocyte subsets and macrophage functions from high, short-term dietary ethanol in C57/BL6 mice.

Chronic administration of a diet containing 7% ethanol (36% of total calories) for 8 days to male C57/BL6 mice resulted in significant changes in functioning of macrophages. Peritoneal exudate macrophages from the ethanol-fed mice released more tumor cell cytotoxic materials upon culturing in vitro than cells from controls. However, peritoneal exudate cells continued to respond to exogenous beta carotene in vitro to produce additional cytotoxic materials.

The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in the rat: regional sex differences controlled by gonadal steroids early after birth.

The effects of postnatal (on day 1 (D1) after birth) male orchidectomy and female androgenization on the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) were studied. The volume of the medial posterior region of the BNST was greater in the control males than in the control females. Postnatal treatment reversed these differences.

Vestibular response in denatured rape oil intoxication.

During the spring of 1981 a massive intoxication broke out in Spain, which is presently attributed to the ingestion of denatured rape oil, and which has been called 'Toxic Syndrome' (TS). We studied 51 patients affected by the TS one year after the onset of their disease, analyzing their vestibular responses in the caloric test with the help of an analog-digital computer. A significant decrease in the number of nystagmic beats of the affected patients can be observed, while the rest of the parameters studied show similar values to those found simultaneously in 30 normal subjects.

Spontaneous cholecystocutaneous fistula.

We have reported a case of spontaneous cholecystocutaneous fistula that opened externally at the site of a healed surgical scar in the right upper quadrant.

Reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract in patients with tetralogy of Fallot: early and late results.

Total correction of tetralogy of Fallot was performed on 161 consecutive patients between 1966 and 1979. Forty-four per cent had undergone a previous palliative operation. A right ventricular outflow patch was used in 58% of the patients.