A panel of partial chromosome paints and YAC probes specific for human chromosome 2.

Twenty nine hybrids retaining fragments of human chromosome 2 were characterized by reverse-FISH and by a panel of 106 STSs. Most of the hybrids are radiation hybrids retaining fragments of chromosome 2 as the only human contribution. The hybrid panel dissected chromosome 2 in 69 distinct physical regions, allowing a fine mapping of the sequences. These hybrids are particularly useful as starting points for generation, via Alu-PCR, of specific partial chromosome paints (PCP). We also report the mapping by FISH of 60 YACs located on chromosome 2. These resources can be advantageously used in cytogenetic investigations, with particular reference to cancer cytogenetics, as illustrated with the renal carcinoma cell line KRC/Y.

A panel of radiation hybrids and YAC clones specific for human chromosome 5.

We report the characterization, by reverse fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), of 59 hybrids retaining fragments of human chromosome 5. Most of these hybrids are radiation hybrids generated by gamma irradiating, at low dosage, a monochromosomal hybrid retaining chromosome 5 as its only human contribution. The partial chromosome paints generated from these hybrids will make powerful tools for cytogenetic investigations, especially on the cytogenetic evolution of primates, and examples are reported. The molecular characterization of these hybrids was refined using 74 sequence-tagged sites (STSs), which allowed the physical dissection of chromosome 5 into 71 distinct regions with an average length of 2.7 Mb. The panel, therefore, is also suitable for high-precision subregional mapping of new genes or sequences located on chromosome 5. As an additional resource for cytogenetic studies involving chromosome 5, we report the characterization, by FISH, of 73 YACs from CEPH. The vast majority of these YACs are recognized by at least one of the STSs used for hybrid characterization, thus enabling the integrated use of YACs and partial chromosome paints derived from the hybrids.

Lung cinescintigraphy in the dynamic assessment of ventilation and mucociliary clearance of asbestos cement workers.

OBJECTIVES: To verify in vivo whether lung cinescintigraphy confirms the effect of asbestos on the patency of the smallest airways and on the efficiency of mucociliary clearance in asbestos cement workers. METHODS: 39 male subjects were examined: 30 asbestos cement workers and nine workers never exposed to occupational respiratory irritants. All subjects had a chest radiograph (International Labour Organisation (ILO) 1980); standard questionnaire on chronic bronchitis; spirometry; arterial blood gas analysis; carbon monoxide transfer factor (TLcosb); pulmonary O2 and CO2 ductances (DuO2, DuCO2); electrocardiogram; and lung cinescintigraphy after radioaerosol inhalation for the measurement of mucociliary clearance time in vivo in the smallest ciliated airways and for the assessment of radioaerosol deposition in alveoli (alveolar deposition index). RESULTS: Apart from nine non-exposed subjects, the 30 asbestos cement workers were so classified on the basis of chest radiography: nine of them as healthy exposed, 10 with pleural plaques, and 11 with asbestosis. The four groups had similar ages, work seniority, and smoking habits. Exercise dyspnoea was significantly more frequent in asbestos cement workers. Lung function variables of workers with effects related to asbestos were significantly lower than the other two groups. The PaO2, TLcOsb and DuO2 mean values were significantly lower in exposed workers than non-exposed. The mean PacO2 value was significantly higher in the asbestosis group than in the other three groups. Workers with effects related to asbestos showed a significantly lower alveolar deposition index and a significantly higher mucociliary clearance time than the other two groups. Subjects with asbestosis showed similar differences from those with pleural plaques. CONCLUSIONS: Lung cinescintigraphy confirms in vivo the effects of asbestos on bronchiolar and alveolar patency and on efficiency of mucociliary clearance in the smallest ciliated airways. Finally, lung cinescintigraphic variables are able to discriminate workers with asbestosis from those with pleural plaques.

Functional and molecular changes in FoF1 ATP-synthase of cardiac muscle during aging.

We have studied the functional and molecular changes of mitochondrial FoF1 ATP synthase of cardiac muscle during aging. ATP hydrolase activity was lower in sonic submitochondrial particles prepared from hearts of senescent rats (24 months) than in those prepared from hearts of adult rats (12 months). Oligomycin-sensitive proton conduction of cardiac submitochondrial particles was greater in senescent rats than in adult rats. The beta subunit of F1, detected immunologically in submitochondrial particles, was less in senescent rats than in adult rats. Exposure of cardiac submitochondrial particles from adult rats to free radicals, generated by 60Co, resulted in inactivation of ATP hydrolase activity and a decreased content of F1. The structural and functional alterations of mitochondrial FoF1 ATP synthase during aging may be expected to affect energy metabolism, and our results suggest that they could originate from the action of free radicals generated in the inner mitochondrial membrane.

[A new CT technic in the study of intracanalicular neurinoma of the acoustic nerve. Preliminary report]. / Nuova tecnica TC di studio dei neurinomi intracanalicolari dell'acustico. Rapporto preliminare.

A preliminary report is presented on a new technique for the detection and the diagnosis of intracanalicular acoustic neuromas. The technique consists of preliminary CT scans on petrous bones, after iv administration of a bolus of contrast medium. The scans are performed at a predetermined level of the middle portion of the internal auditory canals. The early enhancement is then evaluated of the soft tissues contained into the auditory canal on the side with retrocochlear neurosensory hypoacusis. The images obtained are then processed by an image processing program, thus enhancing the contrast resolution and allowing an optimal depiction of the lesion. In the past 10 months, 67 patients with clinical suspicion of acoustic neuromas were studied. This technique allowed the diagnosis of 2 acoustic neuromas with a purely intracanalicular involvement.