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Biomedical subjects

R J Russell

Publications and source records attributed to R J Russell.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Molecular and genetic studies on the euchromatin-heterochromatin transition region of the X chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster. 1. A cloned entry point near to the uncoordinated (unc) locus.

A recombinant Charon 4 bacteriophage has been isolated on the basis of RNAs which are enriched in the head of the adult Drosophila melanogaster and hence are likely to be of neural origin. The cloned insert maps to the near vicinity of the uncoordinated locus in polytene chromosome band 19E8. This band is within the transition zone between the euchromatic and heterochromatic regions of the X chromosome, a region which has been well characterized cytogenetically. The insert contains both repetitious and low copy number sequences, some of which vary extensively in both frequency and restriction fragment size between different laboratory strains. One particular family of moderately repeated sequences occurs predominantly in divisions 19 and 20 of the X chromosome and perhaps the distally located X heterochromatin. The molecular landscape surrounding the initial entry point contains many repeated sequences and is thus unlike those observed in most published chromosomal walks. The possible significance of the presence of repeated families in the distinct properties of this region are discussed.

Animals↗

A review of schistosomiasis in immigrants in Western Australia, demonstrating the unusual longevity of Schistosoma mansoni.

Sixteen patients with imported schistosomiasis in Western Australia, a non-endemic area, are recorded. Ten with Schistosoma mansoni had lived there for over 20 years, three for over 31 years and two for more than 32 years. No record of a life span of 31 years for S. mansoni can be found in the literature. The principal symptomatology in three patients with S. mansoni was hypersplenism. Four patients with S. mansoni were asymptomatic. Ten had eosinophil counts greater than 0.3 X 10(9)/1 and one who showed no peripheral eosinophilia had numerous eosinophil myelocytes in his bone marrow. A diagnosis of schistosomiasis was initially suspected in five cases by respective discovery of eosinophil myelocytes in the bone marrow, radiological evidence of calcification of the bladder wall and beading of both ureters, cytoscopic findings of sandy patches in the bladder, discovery of ova in the wall of a fallopian tube at ectopic gestation and the presence of ova and an adult worm in a uterine leiomyoma. The risk of infection of the Ord River Dam is greater for S. japonicum than for the African species. An epidemiological feature of this series is that refugees from Poland contracted schistosomiasis (S. mansoni) in refugee camps in East Africa and then migrated to Western Australia between 1950 and 1953.

Animals↗

Stability of the cloned 'joint region' of herpes simplex virus DNA.

To isolate stable recombinants containing the 'joint region', or L-S junction, of herpes simplex virus DNA, the EcoRI restriction enzyme cleavage fragments were cloned into both coliphage lambda and plasmid vectors. The authentic joint region was found in the plasmid but not in the lambda vector. The plasmid-joint region recombinant DNAs appeared stable on limited passage. Subcloning the small BamHI L-S junction fragment into plasmid pBR322 gave rise to both stable and unstable recombinant DNAs.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

Histiolymphocytic lymphosarcoma in the subcutis of two horses.

Two aged mares with histiolymphocytic lymphosarcoma had multiple rapidly proliferating tumours in the subcutis. Consistent haematological changes were absent. One mare had lymph node involvement but no neoplastic lesions in the viscera. Microbiological examination of tumour tissue showed coryneform bacteria; there was no evidence of C-type or lytic viruses or of reverse transcriptase. Prominent intramitochondrial crystalline inclusions were in histiocytic tumour cells.

Animals↗

Antigenic determinants of influenza virus hemagglutinin. II. Antigenic reactivity of the isolated N-terminal cyanogen bromide peptide of A/Memphis/72 hemagglutinin heavy chain.

Gel filtration of a cyanogen bromide digest of pure intact hemagglutinin from A/Memphis/102/72 influenza virus allowed the isolation of a variety of fragments. One of these fragments consists of three cyanogen bromide peptides (CNl and CN3 from HA1, and CNl from HA2) which remain linked together by disulphide bonds. This fragment was found to be antigenically active, as it was able to form antigen-antibody complexes (detected by affinity chromatography of radioiodinated peptide-IgG mixtures on protein A-Sepharose) with IgG directed against the protein moiety of viral hemagglutinin. The three cyanogen bromide peptides present in this disulphide-linked fragment were separated by gel filtration, carried out under reducing conditions, and tested for antigenic activity after controlled reoxidation of the individual peptides. Only one cyanogen bromide peptide, CNl from HA1, showed significant binding to antibody. The results indicate that antigenic activity of A/Mem/1O2/72 hemagglutinin resides within the N-terminal 170 amino acid residues of the hemagglutinin heavy chain.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Scanning electron microscopy of Spironucleus (Hexamita) muris infection in mice.

An epizootic disease characterized by failure to gain weight, lethargy, enteropathy, and death developed in weanlings from a production colony of NIH/Nmri CV mice. Light microscopic and scanning electron microscopic examination of the intestine revealed large numbers of protozoan parasites identified as Spironucleus (Hexamita) muris. The extensive, entangled mass of organisms in the intestinal lumen enveloped the villi and continued deep within the crypts of Lieberkühn. Inflammation and significant intestinal lesions were not observed. The scanning electron microscopic appearance of the small intestine in spironucleosis gives credence to a pathogenesis of malabsorption with subsequent, severe malnutrition and death in weanling mice.

Age Factors↗

Antigen-induced locomotor responses in lymphocytes.

The effect of protein antigens on the locomotion of lymphocytes from the lymph nodes draining the site of antigenic challenge in immunized mice, and from the same nodes in control mice, was studied in filters using a checkerboard assay in which the absolute concentration and the concentration gradient of attractant was varied in a series of chambers. Serum albumin (HSA or BSA) was chemokinetic for unimmunized lymphocytes inasmuch as the distance migrated into filters by cells in its presence varied with the absolute concentration of albumin, but not with the concentration gradient, indicating an influence of the serum albumin on the rate but not on the direction of locomotion. Ovalbumin and nonalbumin proteins did not show this effect. Using the same assay, the migration of primed lymphocytes in the presence of the priming antigen was shown to be influenced by the antigen gradient in a way that suggested a positive chemotactic response of the lymphocytes to antigen. This response was only shown clearly when the cells were in a chemokinetic medium containing serum albumin.

Animals↗

Alterations of mononuclear phagocyte function induced by Lewis lung carcinoma in C57BL mice.

The function of the reticulo-endothelial system in mice bearing Lewis lung carcinomas has been measured by(1) the rate of clearance of carbon particles from the circulation in vivo and calculation of the phagocytic index K; (2) chemotactic locomotion of macrophages in vitro in the presence or absence of serum or tumour supernate. The ability of the bone marrow to develop macrophage colonies in vitro in the presence or absence of sera from tumour-bearing mice has also been tested. A clear depression of macrophage locomotion and macrophage colony formation in vitro was found in the presence of sera or tumour supernates from tumour-bearing mice as early as 24 to 72 h after tumour inoculation. Similarly, tumour-bearing mice showed marked depression of carbon clearance in tests repeated throughout the first 72 h after tumour inoculation. This early depression of macrophage function may be an important step in allowing escape of tumour cells from host resistance.

Animals↗

Inhibition, by anaesthetic agents, of human leucocyte locomotion towards chemical attractants.

The effects of local, i.v. and volatile anaesthetic agents on locomotion of human blood leucocytes were studied in vitro. Blood neutrohpils and monocytes and PHA-activated lymphocytes were allowed to migrate in filters towards standard chemotactic agents and the effect of adding anaesthetic agents to the system was measured. The results showed that locomotion of all cell types was depressed reversibly by all classes of anaesthetics used at clinical concentrations. The pattern of depression varied according to the cell type under study and the class of anaesthetic used. The action of anaesthetics on chemically stimulated locomotion of leucocytes was analysed. It was concluded that the principal action of these drugs is primarily on the mechanism of locomotion itself, rather than on the capacity of the cells to detect and respond to concentration gradients of attractants. Serum albumin can protect against the inhibitory action of anaesthetics.

Anesthetics↗