A large multigene family codes for the polypeptides of the crystalline trichocyst matrix in Paramecium.

The secretory granules (trichocysts) of Paramecium are characterized by a highly constrained shape that reflects the crystalline organization of their protein contents. Yet the crystalline trichocyst content is composed not of a single protein but of a family of related polypeptides that derive from a family of precursors by protein processing. In this paper we show that a multigene family, of unusually large size for a unicellular organism, codes for these proteins.

Essential syphilitic alopecia revisited.

There has been a resurgence of syphilis in the past decade. Uncommonly, diffuse hair loss, termed essential alopecia, is the only sign of syphilitic infection. We describe two patients with syphilis in whom the first sign of disease was alopecia and discuss the clinical and histopathologic findings of essential syphilitic alopecia.

Phialophora verrucosa: a new cause of mycetoma.

A 29-year-old Thai woman had draining sinus tracts, tumefaction, and granules on the plantar aspect of the foot. Phialophora verrucosa was isolated from the lesion. P.

Clinical and histologic findings in temporal triangular alopecia.

Background: Temporal triangular alopecia (TTA; also called "congenital triangular alopecia") is a common disorder that is assumed to be congenital. Little is known about its histologic features.

Objective: Our purpose was to describe four new cases, review the literature, and present histologic features based on vertical and transverse sectioning.

[Quality assurance regarding pressure sores in a Danish hospital population].

Seven hospital departments were enrolled in the first step in a quality assurance process regarding pressure sores. A total of 2317 patients representative of a Danish hospital population were included. At the time of admission 2.

Follicular degeneration syndrome in men.

Background And Design: Follicular degeneration syndrome (FDS, formerly called hot comb alopecia) has only been described in black women. The clinical and histologic features of eight black men with a scarring alopecia resembling FDS were studied.

Observations: All eight men had evidence of scarring alopecia, which was most prominent on the crown of the scalp.

Evidence for defects in membrane traffic in Paramecium secretory mutants unable to produce functional storage granules.

The ciliated protozoan Paramecium has a regulated secretory system amenable to genetic analysis. The secretory storage granules, known as trichocysts, enclose a crystalline matrix with a genetically determined shape whose biogenesis involves proteolytic maturation of a family of precursor molecules into a heterogeneous set of small acidic polypeptides that crystallize within the maturing vesicles. We have developed an original pulse-chase protocol for monoxenic Paramecium cultures using radiolabeled bacteria to study the processing of trichocyst matrix proteins in wild-type and mutant cells.

Bowen's disease of the nail bed and periungual area. A clinicopathologic analysis of seven cases.

Background: This article describes the clinical and histologic features of seven cases of Bowen's disease (BD) of the nail bed, evaluates the role of human papillomavirus in the bowenoid change, and discusses optimal therapy.

Observation: The patients presented with the clinical features of verruca vulgaris (n = 3), nail dystrophy and onycholysis (n = 2), paronychia (n = 1), and acral melanoma (n = 1). Histologically, the lesions demonstrated acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, and anaplasia, involving the full thickness of the epithelium.

Indications for cesarean section in singleton pregnancies in two Danish counties with different cesarean section rates.

Objective: To compare the clinical indications for delivery by cesarean section (CS) in singleton pregnancies in two Danish counties with different CS rates, and to describe the relation between CS in the two counties and parity, mother's age, type of delivery department, gestational age at birth, and birthweight.

Design: A population-based, follow-up study based on antecedent data.

Setting: Two Danish counties, where women deliver in obstetric as well as surgical departments, with a CS rate of 8.

Cesarean section in twin pregnancies in two Danish counties with different cesarean section rates.

Objective: Based on a comparison of the clinical indications for cesarean section (CS) in two Danish counties and a review of the literature regarding this issue the aim of this study was to discuss possible explanations for variations in CS rates in twin pregnancies. The comparison of indications for CS in twin pregnancies was made between two Danish counties, one with a high and one with a low overall CS rate in twin deliveries, taking into account the distribution of parity, mother's age, gestational age at birth, and birth weight.

Design: A population based, historic follow-up study based on antecedent data.

Antibodies that can discriminate between dynein heavy chains and their HUV1 photoproducts.

Dyneins are multi-subunit enzymes that transduce chemical energy into the mechanical energy that makes cilia and flagella beat and moves organelles towards the minus end of microtubules. The ATPase activity is borne by heavy chains, and recent molecular analysis indicates that dynein heavy chain genes form an ancient multigene family: the similarity between the same isoform of two distantly related species is greater than that between different isoforms of the same species. We have exploited sequence identities between a Paramecium axonemal dynein heavy chain gene cloned in our laboratory and sequences of dynein heavy chains from other species to prepare antibodies against active-site peptides capable of recognizing dynein heavy chains regardless of species or isoform.

Protein processing and morphogenesis of secretory granules in Paramecium.

The ciliated protozoan Paramecium provides a model system for the study of regulated secretion, featuring architecturally complex secretory storage granules-trichocysts-docked at the plasma membrane, ready to respond to an exocytotic stimulus. The trichocysts are characterized by crystalline contents that confer upon the organelle a defined shape which can be altered by single gene mutation. The crystalline trichocyst contents are built up from a heterogeneous set of small acidic polypeptides generated by proteolytic maturation of a family of precursor molecules, suggesting an important role for protein processing in this system.

Management of prelabor rupture of membranes at term. A randomized study.

Objective: To compare the rate of obstetric interventions, length of labor, and maternal morbidity in pregnancies with prelabor rupture of membranes at term after either early or late induction of labor in both primiparous and pluriparous women.

Design: Prospective, randomized study.

Subjects: 362 women with singleton pregnancies, cephalic presentations, gestational age of 36 completed weeks or more were allocated at random to induction with oxytocin either 6 hours after PROM (n = 62) (early) or 24 hours (n = 62) (late).

Tool design, user characteristics and performance: a case study on plate-shears.

Performance, grip forces and fatigue were studied in six male and six female subjects while cutting with plate-shears. Three types of plate-shears were used, one standard and two modified, either with a spring grip, or with a spring grip in combination with a reduced grip span. In addition, three types of plate - easy, moderately difficult and difficult to cut - were used.

A cube model for the classification of work with hand tools and the formulation of functional requirements.

In an interdisciplinary research project, a model, visualized as a cube, was developed for the classification and analysis of work with hand tools and for communication of different ways of solving problems related to manual handling. The dimensions of the cube are demands of force, precision and time. Each dimension is divided into three levels of low, moderate and high demands respectively.

An approach to ergonomics evaluation of hand tools.

Based on current knowledge of cumulative trauma disorders in the hand and forearm, related to the use of hand tools, an analysis was undertaken of variables to be considered in ergonomics evaluation of hand tools. Measurement methods were developed and an evaluation station was implemented. Measurement methods are physical, physiological or psychophysical.

Androgen biology as a basis for the diagnosis and treatment of androgenic disorders in women. II.

In the May 1993 issue of the Journal we reviewed the basic science of androgen biology in women. We now discuss the evaluation of suspected hyperandrogenism and the therapeutic modalities available.

Androgen biology as a basis for the diagnosis and treatment of androgenic disorders in women. I.

Disorders of androgen excess in women are common in the practice of dermatology. The literature regarding the evaluation and treatment of women with cutaneous hyperandrogenism (acne, hirsutism, and alopecia) is vast and is contained in numerous subspecialty journals. At first glance, the basic science knowledge required to understand androgen biology appears exceedingly complex.

The follicular degeneration syndrome in black patients. 'Hot comb alopecia' revisited and revised.

Background: The history, physical examination, and histologic findings in 10 black women with a common, distinctive form of scarring alopecia (formerly called hot comb alopecia) were retrospectively studied. A detailed history of hair care habits was obtained, and scalp biopsy specimens were examined after both vertical and transverse sectioning.

Observations: Poor correlation is noted between the usage of a hot comb and the onset or progression of disease.