Developmental Determinants in Embryos of Caenorhabditis elegans.

C. elegans is proving useful for the study of cell determination in early embryos. Breeding experiments with embryonic lethal mutants show that abnormal embryogenesis often results from defective gene function in the maternal parent, suggesting that much of the information for normal embryonic development is laid down during oogenesis.

Immunofluorescence visualization of germ-line-specific cytoplasmic granules in embryos, larvae, and adults of Caenorhabditis elegans.

By using fluorescent antibody staining, we have followed cytoplasmic granules unique to germ-line cells throughout the life cycle of Caenorhabditis elegans. These elements, designated P granules, are segregated exclusively to germ-line precursor cells during early embryogenesis. Prior to mitosis at each of the early cleavages that produce a somatic and germ-line daughter cell, the granules become localized in the region of cytoplasm destined for the germ-line daughter.

Continued heavy drinking and survival in alcoholic cirrhotics.

Survival of 64 male chronic alcoholic cirrhotics with first-onset ascites discharged from a gastrointestinal convalescent service was examined over a 32-mo period of study. Of 54 patients discharged as improved, 23 (43%) remained abstinent for a mean time of 14.0 mo and 15 (28%) resumed heavy drinking (greater than 2 g/kg/day).