Isolation and characterization of a neomycin-resistant mutant of Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum with a lesion in Na+-translocating ATPase (synthase).

A mutant of Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum with a lesion in membrane Na+-translocating ATPase (synthase) was isolated. The total ATPase activity in permeabilized cells of this mutant was elevated three-fold as compared with the wild-type strain. In contrast to wild-type cells, mutant ATPase was neither inhibited by DCCD nor stimulated by Na+ ions.

Differential expression of the heavy-chain ferritin gene in non-adhered and adhered oligodendrocytes.

Oligodendrocytes (OLGs) synthesize and maintain central nervous system myelin. Little is known about the molecules and pathways involved in signaling the commencement of myelination; yet myelination is spatially and temporally controlled. We are interested in deciphering the signaling events that control the on and off switch of myelination.

The economic life of seriously mentally ill people in the community.

Objective: The study examined economic disincentives and incentives to work among people with serious mental illness.

Methods: Fifty people with severe and persistent mental illness who were living in the community were interviewed about the amount and sources of their income and expenses. In addition, a randomly selected group of 100 people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder was interviewed about work, income, and wage requirements.

The economic advancement of the mentally ill in the community: 2. Economic choices and disincentives.

In order to evaluate the extent to which economic factors influence the life choices of people with mental illness, we interviewed 50 mentally ill people living in Boulder, Colorado. Subjects experience significant financial disincentives to work. The average total cash and noncash income of part-time employed subjects ($1,028 a month) is only modestly higher than that of unemployed subjects ($929 a month).

The presence of H+ and Na(+)-translocating ATPases in Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum and their possible function under alkaline conditions.

Two ATPases with different apparent molecular masses of approx. 500 kDa and 400 kDa were identified in the EDTA extract of the cell membranes of Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum. Western blotting with polyclonal antiserum reactive with beta-subunit of mitochondrial ATPase from rat liver and yeast was used for further analysis of these ATPases.

The economic advancement of the mentally ill in the community: 1. Economic opportunities.

Consumer cooperatives have been shown to be feasible in Europe for generating adequately reimbursed jobs for the mentally ill, and may be viable in the U.S..

GRASP: a novel heparin-binding serum glycoprotein that mediates oligodendrocyte-substratum adhesion.

Cell-substratum adhesion plays a crucial part in the cascade of events that control growth or turn on and consummate a differentiation program. We are investigating the molecular basis of oligodendrocyte (OLG) cytodifferentiation, employing pure cultures of OLGs isolated from postmyelination brains. We have shown that such OLGs will regenerate in vitro and reenact the ontogenic development of myelin, but to do so they need a signal.

Quantitative detection of whey cream in sweet cream and butter.

A simple and sensitive assay is described that can detect trace amounts of whey cream in sweet cream and in butter made from that cream. The method is based on the detection of sialic acid and involves a color reaction between Ehrlich's reagent and sialic acid. The procedure is faster than other methods for detection of whey.

Genetic amniocentesis in twin pregnancies: results of a multicenter study of 529 cases.

To evaluate the risk of abortion after genetic amniocentesis in twin pregnancies, a retrospective study of 15 centers was performed. The spontaneous abortion rate up to 20 completed weeks of gestation was 2.3%; the abortion rate up to 28 completed weeks, as defined by WHO, was 3.

Myelin palingenesis. 1. Electron microscopical localization of myelin/oligodendrocyte proteins in multilamellar structures by the immunogold method.

The issue of the capacity of mature oligodendrocytes to remyelinate naked axons has not been totally resolved. The impression is that for this to happen, oligodendrocytes have to undergo cell division. We are interested in providing an answer to the question: can oligodendrocytes myelinate more than once? To address this question, we are using a model system consisting of pure cultures of postmyelination oligodendrocytes.

Indications for pacemaker implantation in the Kearns-Sayre syndrome.

The Kearns-Sayre syndrome is a rare condition, characterized by progressive external ophthalmoplegia, retinal pigmentary degeneration and progressive impairment of cardiac conduction, which mainly determines the prognosis. Two young patients (aged 13 and 18 years) without symptoms of cardiac disease presented with an electrocardiogram showing sinus rhythm, a normal atrio-ventricular conduction time, right bundle branch block and a left anterior fascicular block. Electrophysiologic investigation showed prolongation of His-ventricular interval at rest, which further increased during atrial pacing.

Complete atrioventricular dissociation and His bundle tachycardia in a newborn: problems in prenatal diagnosis and postnatal management.

A newborn infant with complete atrioventricular dissociation and infranodal tachycardia, detected at 33 weeks gestation by fetal echocardiography, is described. In the perinatal period, infra or juxta-nodal tachycardia was noted, compromising the hemodynamic state of the newborn. A combination of flecainide and propranolol terminated the arrhythmia.

Plasma membrane of cultured oligodendrocytes: II. Possible structural and functional domains.

An oligodendrocyte plasma membrane-rich fraction, F2.2, was resolved by equilibrium density centrifugation on a linear sucrose gradient from 0.5 M to 1.

Plasma membrane of cultured oligodendrocytes: I. Isolation, purification, and initial characterization.

Oligodendrocytes generate myelin as extensions of the plasma membrane. Myelin has been well characterized, yet little is known concerning oligodendrocyte plasma membrane. We have developed a reproducible method for the isolation of an oligodendrocyte plasma membrane-rich fraction (F2.

Plasma membrane of cultured oligodendrocytes: III. Relatedness to myelin.

We have compared highly purified fractions of oligodendrocyte plasma membrane to myelin by one- and two dimensional gel electrophoresis and found them to be distinct. The major myelin proteins--proteolipid protein (PLP), DM-20, and myelin basic protein (MBP), which dominate the sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis pattern of myelin--were minor components of the plasmalemma. However, 2',3', cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (CNPase) and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) were represented equally in both membranes.

Transoesophageal cross-sectional echocardiographic recognition of an aortic valve ring abscess and a subannular mycotic aneurysm.

We present the apparently unique transoesophageal cross-sectional echocardiographic features of a mycotic aneurysm of the left ventricular outflow tract communicating with an abscess in the anterior free wall of the left ventricle. Precordial echocardiographic studies had been hampered by the interposition of an aortic valve prosthesis.

Cultured oligodendrocytes. A role for cell-substratum interaction in phenotypic expression.

Oligodendrocytes can be maintained in two states: nonattached; we call these cells B3.f; morphologically they resemble freshly isolated cells; attached; we refer to the latter as B3.fA.

Mature oligodendrocytes cultured in the absence of neurons recapitulate the ontogenic development of myelin membranes.

We have maintained isolated oligodendrocytes in culture for up to 5 months. Over time cultured cells acquire conspicuous membranous profiles that either emanate from cell processes and perikarya or are apposed to them. These membranous profiles have biochemical and ultrastructural features characteristic of myelin.

A simple cell disrupter designed for small cells with relatively large nuclei.

A simple cell disrupter that is particularly suitable for breaking small cells with relatively large nuclei is described. Cells are disrupted by the shearing forces set up as they are pushed by a positive N2 pressure through a 0.8- to 1.