A Theory of Frustration and Its Effect.

One of the key legal questions that COVID-19 has raised relates to the status of the traditional contractual doctrine of frustration. The pandemic and the ongoing lockdowns across the globe have made it difficult for many contracts to perform. At the same time, there is a deep doctrinal and conceptual confusion with respect to the very essentials of this doctrine and its remedy - i.e., what happens after an adjudicative tribunal declares that a given contract has been frustrated. The paper offers a unified conceptual account of the frustration doctrine and claims that both the doctrine and its remedy crystallize a single unifying idea.

Expression of alternatively terminated unusual human butyrylcholinesterase messenger RNA transcripts, mapping to chromosome 3q26-ter, in nervous system tumors.

To study the molecular origin of the altered regulation of butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) in nervous system tumors, BuChE complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences from human glioblastoma and neuroblastoma cDNA libraries were compared with BuChE cDNAs from normal fetal and adult tissues. A single 2.6-kilobase BuChE cDNA sequence was found in all normal tissues, whereas an additional alternatively terminated BuChE cDNA clone was found in both tumor libraries. The tumor-specific cDNA contained a 3',0.7-kilobase nontranslatable extension, as well as several nucleotide alterations in the normal polyadenylation site. Single-base mutations in the coding region of this unusual BuChE cDNA infer two amino acid substitutions: Asp70----Gly and Ser425----Pro. The Asp70----Gly change has recently been implicated with "atypical" BuChE, which is deficient in its capacity to hydrolyze succinylcholine. The 3.6-kilobase mRNA was less abundant in RNA blot hybridization than the 2.6-kilobase mRNA, which is in agreement with the low ratios between the 3.6- and 2.6-kilobase BuChE cDNA clones in glioblastoma and neuroblastoma libraries. Furthermore, size fractionation and microinjection of glioblastoma polyadenylated RNA, followed by enzyme activity and selective inhibition measurements, demonstrated two peaks of functional BuChE mRNA, the heavier one probably reflecting the longer transcripts. Chromosomal mapping of the 0.7-kilobase 3' fragment by in situ hybridization localized it to a unique 3q26-ter position, where we recently found an inheritably amplified "silent" defective CHE gene in a family exposed to the cholinesterase inhibitor methyl parathion. Our findings confirm previous genetic linkage mapping of the functional CHE gene to the 3q26-ter position and demonstrate that extended functional mRNA transcripts encoding a BuChE form with two modified amino acids are produced from this gene in glioblastoma and neuroblastoma cells.

Cell-mediated immunity to polio and HLA antigens in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Cell-mediated immunity to poliovirus was demonstrated in 21 of 33 patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), whereas no response to poliovirus was found in patients suffering from other neurologic disorders or in healthy controls. Three of the severe bulbar cases produced a migration inhibition factor (MIF) in the presence of poliovirus, although skin tests to common antigens were negative. An increased incidence (46 percent) of HLA-A3 was found in patients with amytrophic lateral sclerosis. Nine of the 13 patients with HLA-A3 antigen also had a positive index of MIF to poliovirus. These findings suggest a strong linkage between HLA-A3 and poliovirus in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Familial lipoid adrenal hyperplasia: genetic marker data and an approach to prenatal diagnosis.

Some of the anatomic endocrine, and genetic aspects of lipoid adrenal hyperplasia were studied in an inbred Israeli-Arab family with two affected sibs. One sib, a genetic female, presented with acute Addisonian crisis. Endocrine studies documented elevated ACTH levels and no detectable steroids of gonadal or adrenal origin. The other patient, a male pseudo-hermaphrodite, was found at autopsy to have typical lipoid adrenal hyperplasia and ectopic adrenal tissue adjacent to an intra-abdominal testicle. Complete vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes were present in addition to the Wolffian structures. This unique observation supports the view that steroids may be necessary for Müllerian inhibitory factor to induce regression of Müllerian structures. The segregation of 27 autosomal markers was studied in one affected and five unaffected sibs. Genetic linkage to HLA, MNS, and GPT is unlikely. In addition, the affected sib is heterozygote for a haplotype of chromosome 1 which includes the Rh, Fy, PGM-1 systems. Determination of fetal gender by the combined use of ultrasonography and amniocentesis is suggested for prenatal diagnosis and improved risk counselling.

The expression of HLA class I antigens in germ cell testicular cancer.

The expression of HLA class I antigens in testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) was studied by the immunoperoxidase technique. In the normal testicle, the interstitial cells of Leydig as well as most of the germ cells were significantly stained. In typical seminoma, 75% of the tumor cells in stage I and 30% in stage II were stained. In embryonal cell carcinoma, 25% of the cases in stage I and less than 10% of those in stage II were stained. Mature teratoma was stained in most of the cases, whereas in malignant teratoma only 35% of the cases showed some staining of the tumor cells. In mixed tumors each component displayed its characteristic staining pattern. The expression of class I antigens on tumor cells is required for immune recognition and lysis of the tumor by cytotoxic T-cells. The reduced expression of class I antigens that was related to histologic characteristics and stage suggests that some testicular tumors may escape immune surveillance and become biologically more aggressive.

Male fertility in factor XIII deficiency.

Seven homozygotes for F-XIII deficiency were found in a large inbred Israeli-Arab kindred. One affected woman had early abortions. Two affected men and one probably affected man had children, two of whom also were affected. Paternity was confirmed by segregation of HLAs and erythrocyte antigens and enzymes. This is the first documentation of normal male fertility in unequivocally affected patients. Clinical variability or genetic heterogeneity may account for previously reported male infertility.

Familial varicocele.

Described are two families in each of which two young males had varicocele. HLA-A, B, C and D5R antigen studies were performed in one family but no genetic factors could be determined. In a review of several large series of patients with varicocele we found no mention of familial occurrence. Although the linkage between adolescent varicocele and spermatogenic dysfunction is still debatable, it is concluded from our experience that it is worthwhile examining other male members of families of affected adolescents or children but that expensive invasive studies are not warranted.

Development of a scale for measuring impaired control over alcohol consumption: a preliminary report.

Impaired control over drinking has occupied a central place in explanations of alcohol dependence since the late 18th century. Despite this key theoretical role, no instrument has been developed to directly assess the construct. This article describes the development of a three-part Impaired Control Scale (ICS), in which Part 1 measures the degree to which a subject has attempted to exercise control over drinking in the past 6 months; Part 2 measures the degree of success in controlling drinking over the past 6 months; and Part 3 measures the subject's belief in his or her ability to control drinking if it were attempted. Psychometric analysis showed that, despite difficulties reported in the literature, impaired control could be measured in a reliable fashion, with satisfactory discriminant and concurrent validity. Preliminary investigation of the relationship between the ICS and elements of the alcohol dependence syndrome suggests that the construct of impaired control is related to, but may be distinguished from, a general factor of alcohol dependence. While more research is needed to replicate these findings and to examine interrelationships among the various parts of the ICS, the scale may have both theoretical and practical value in research and treatment for alcohol dependence and its related problems.

Fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) as an aid to marker chromosome identification in prenatal diagnosis.

Five cases of supernumerary marker chromosomes were identified in prenatal diagnosis as derived from chromosomes 18, X, and Y. One unexpected finding was in a case where the PCR was positive for the SRY gene while fluorescence in situ hybridization was positive for two X centromeres. In another case with an X derived supernumerary marker the newborn was phenotypically normal. Two women with fetal mar(18) and mar(Xp) decided to terminate the pregnancy. The fifth pregnancy had a karyotype of 46,XX,-15,+der(15)t(Y:15)(q11,23;p13). A phenotypically normal girl was born at term.

[In-situ hybridization on chorionic villi chromosomes].

Novel techniques for the prenatal diagnosis of inherited defects are currently being developed. The long-range aim is to be able to predict precisely, at an early stage of fetal development, the tendency of the fetus to develop multiple genetic, congenital or acquired diseases. We adapted the technique of gene mapping by in-situ hybridization for use with chromosomes from fetal chorionic villi sampling (CVS). Refined mapping of the genes coding for cholinesterase (CHE) in comparison with the haptoglobin and the transferrin receptor genes on CVS chromosomes Nos. 3 and 16 revealed 3 CHE genes in positions 3q21, 3q26, and 16q12. In view of genetic linkage data, at least 2 of these appear to be potentially active. These findings demonstrate that genes, for which molecularly cloned DNA probes are available, may be localized on CVS chromosomes by comparing their localization with that of known genes after in-situ hybridization. The implications for prenatal diagnosis are promising.

Changes in physical and chemical constituents of crab meat during storage at refrigerator temperature (7+/-2 degrees C).

The present study was initiated to determine the deteriorative changes occurred in the nutritive quality of crabmeat during storage at refrigerator temperature (7+/-2) for the period of one week. The parameters studied for the assessment of quality are pH, water, total protein and salt soluble protein, TMA-N, TVB-N content. The results indicate a significant increase (p < or = 0.001) in pH, water, TMA. TVB while total protein salt soluble protein, and total lipid contents were significantly decreased (p < or = 0.001) as compared to fresh tissue. Our finding recommended that the quality of crabmeat is acceptable upto one day of storage at refrigerator temperature after that it becomes deteriorated.

Persistent organohalogen contaminants in plasma from groups of humans with different occupations in Bangladesh.

The present study is aimed to assess persistent organic halogenated pollutants in humans living in Bangladesh. The results are compared to other similar studies in the region and globally. Human blood plasma were collected from groups of men and women with different occupations, i.e. being students, garment industry workers, employees at the Power Development Board (PDB), all groups in Dhaka, fishermen and fishermen wife's from Dhaka and another group from Barisal district. The plasma was analysed for hexachlorobenzene (HCB), the hexachlorocyclohexane isomers, alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, gamma-HCH and delta-HCH, the DDT group of chemicals, chlordane compounds, trans-chlordane, cis-chlordane, oxychlordane, trans-nonachlor, trans-heptachlorepoxide, methoxychlor and mirex. The most abundant contaminant, in all groups studied, p,p'-DDE is dominating, with p,p'-DDT/Sigma DDT ratios indicating recent and ongoing DDT exposure. Among the other pesticides analysed beta-HCH is the most abundant indicating the use of technical HCH products instead of Lindane (gamma-HCH). While the Sigma DDT is present in the low ppm range the beta-HCH is detected in up to approx. 400 ppb, lipid basis. The beta-HCH is most abundant in the groups of students. In contrast to the pesticides analysed very low concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) are present in all study groups, with e.g. CB-153 in the range of 5-30 ng g(-1) fat. The concentrations of the DDT group of chemical differ significantly between fishermen and fishermen's wives living and working in the Dhaka area versus those living and working in Barisal. Also, fishermen and their wives had significantly different concentrations of DDT compared to garment industry workers.

Heterosexual and homosexual coercion, sexual orientation and sexual roles in medical students.

Rape has been conceptualized on a dimension of normal male behavior. The Koss and Oros (1982) study used a questionnaire that allowed men to respond only as sexual aggressors of women, and women only as victims of men. Medical students' responses to a modified questionnaire, in which both sexes reported being aggressors and/or victims, revealed that relatively comparable proportions of men and women were victims of coercive experiences: 35% of women and 30% of men experiencing constant physical attempts to have sexual activity. Forms of coercion not involving threat or use of force were more common, more exclusively heterosexual, and carried out by more equivalent percentages of men and women. 15% of women and 12% of men felt initially coerced into sexual activity but then enjoyed it. Threat or use of force to attempt to or to obtain intercourse were employed by 4% of men and 2% of women and experienced by 5% of both sexes. Half the male victims and female aggressors and a quarter of the male aggressors and female victims who reported such coercion stated it was homosexual. The ratio of homosexual/heterosexual feelings reported by male, but not female, students correlated with the degree of the homosexual coercion they both carried out and experienced. The degree of sexual coercion carried out by men and women correlated with their masculine sex role scores, suggesting, if the dimensional concept of rape is valid, that rape is on a continuum with masculine rather than male behaviors.