A 45,X male with evidence of a translocation of Y euchromatin onto chromosome 15

A 19-year-old male with azoospermia was found to have a 45,X karyotype with additional euchromatic material on 15p. The parents' karyotypes are normal. The cytogenetic data, the positive H-Y-typing, and the presence of Yp-specific restriction fragments detected in the proband's genome by molecular DNA probes suggest that the short arm of the Y chromosome, including part of the centromere, is translocated onto the nucleolus organizer region (NOR) of chromosome 15.

Hyperthermia after discontinuance of levodopa and bromocriptine therapy: impaired dopamine receptors a possible cause

Hyperthermia, with no signs of any underlying infection, may occur in the course of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, fatal catatonia, heat stroke, or malignant hyperthermia. We describe hyperthermia as a complication after discontinuance of antiparkinsonian treatment with levodopa/carbidopa and bromocriptine. Impaired nigrostriatal, hypothalamic, and mesolimbic dopaminergic functions could be involved in pathogenesis.

[Anomalous chordae tendineae of the left ventricle. Echocardiographic study]

Left ventricular false tendons (or anomalous bands) have been described in several anatomic studies. Recently the echocardiographic features of such false tendons have been reported also. We have found a prevalence of 36 cases in 1,600 consecutive patients examined (2.2%). False tendons represent a rather common and benign phenomenon. Echocardiography is the most useful tool in the detection of false tendons.

Sensorineural deafness in the FG syndrome: Report on four new cases

We report on four new cases of FG syndrome with typical manifestations of this X-linked inherited condition and note a hitherto undescribed sign, sensorineural deafness. The association between sensorineural deafness and imperforate anus is likely to represent more than a chance occurrence, given its presence also in the Townes-Brocks syndrome.

Interstitial deletion of chromosome 3p: report of a patient and delineation of a proximal 3p deletion syndrome

We report on a patient with a de novo interstitial deletion of the proximal portion of the short arm of chromosome 3 (p12----14.2). The deleted portion excludes the constitutive fragile site assigned to band 3p14. The phenotype of the patient, together with that of three previously reported cases, seems to be sufficiently characteristic to allow the delineation of a proximal 3p deletion syndrome.

The Perlman syndrome: familial renal dysplasia with Wilms tumor, fetal gigantism and multiple congenital anomalies

We describe a familial syndrome of renal dysplasia, Wilms tumor, hyperplasia of the endocrine pancreas, fetal gigantism, multiple congenital anomalies and mental retardation. This condition was previously described by Perlman et al [1973, 1975] and we propose to call it the "Perlman syndrome." It appears to be transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. The possible relationships between dysplasia, neoplasia and malformation are discussed.

Some questions on the significance of chromosome alterations in leukemias and lymphomas: a review

Recent improvement in the methods of chromosome analysis has allowed recognition of consistent chromosome alterations in several human cancers, especially leukemias and lymphomas. At the same time, newly discovered human cellular oncogenes have been mapped to individual chromosomes, with precise band assignment. Some of the assignments are coincident with the breakpoints of translocations observed in particular tumors. In fact, a relocation of the corresponding oncogenes has been observed in the cells of some of these tumors. Two notable examples are that of the t(9;22) translocation of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), causing the transfer of the oncogene c-abl from chromosome 9 to chromosome 22, and that of the t(8;14) translocation of Burkitt lymphoma, causing the transfer of the oncogene c-myc from chromosome 8 to chromosome 14. These findings can be taken as indicative of a critical role of chromosome alterations in the origin of cancer, through the activation of one or more cellular oncogenes, although there is no firm evidence that such an activation actually occurs. In addition, some concern exists over the validity of accepting in vitro transformation of a cell line by oncogenes as a model of carcinogenesis in man. For these reasons the question on the significance of chromosome alterations in leukemias and lymphomas should not be considered entirely settled yet. Useful models, whose study may lead to the clarification of this important point, are represented by premalignant conditions, such as the myeloproliferative disorders, where chromosome abnormalities are present before the development of a bona fide neoplasm, and by the aneuploidy syndromes, in which there exists an association between a constitutional chromosome anomaly and an increased risk of cancer.

A possible explanation for the low incidence of gonosomal aneuploidy among the offspring of triplo-X individuals

A review of the reproductive performance of 47,XXX individuals showed that the incidence of gonosomal aneuploidy among the offspring is low. To explain this unexpected phenomenon it is hypothesized that fertile triplo-X individuals have chromosomally normal oogonia due to mitotic nondisjunction in a cell from which the primordial germ line took origin. Mosaic 46,XX/47,XXX individuals have a somewhat higher risk of bearing aneuploid offspring, possibly due to a constitutional tendency toward gonosomal nondisjunction.

Reproductive risks for translocation carriers: cytogenetic study and analysis of pregnancy outcome in 58 families

Here we report on studies of the reproductive risks for heterozygous carriers of chromosome translocations. Pregnancy outcome, breakpoints, mode of segregation of the translocated chromosomes, and resulting chromosome imbalance were analyzed in 58 families (46 with reciprocal and 12 with Robertsonian translocations) ascertained for birth of a malformed child, recurrent spontaneous abortion, or hypogonadism. These families include a total of 122 informative sibships. The analysis of the data, after correction for ascertainment bias, showed that the incidence of spontaneous abortion is nearly 50% in reciprocal and between 20 and 25% in Robertsonian translocation families ascertained for malformed child or recurrent abortion. The risk of malformed infants with unbalanced genome is approximately 6% among the liveborn offspring of reciprocal translocation carriers and 23% among the liveborn offspring of carrier mothers of t(14q21q). The distribution of the breakpoints on the chromosomes involved in reciprocal translocations ascertained through a malformed child is nonrandom, with an excess on chromosomes 5, 9, 13, and 15. The study of chromosome imbalance, expressed as gain or loss of a portion of genetic information relative to the total haploid autosome length (percent HAL), shows that among the common types of disjunction-segregation leading to unbalanced gametes, adjacent 1 seems to be the one producing on the average the least level of genome imbalance. This explains why it is the most frequently observed type of segregation giving rise to gametes from which subjects with a chromosome imbalance compatible with life can be generated.

Appearance of altered cell-surface fucosyl glycopeptides in concomitance with chromosomal alterations in the gross virus-infected pre-leukemic thymus of the rat

The appearance of a class of fast-eluting cell-surface glycopeptides that are encountered almost exclusively in malignant and certain pre-malignant cells was monitored in the course of leukemogenesis in the thymus of rats injected at birth with Gross leukemia virus. The altered glycopeptides appeared as early as 15 days after virus injection, when the animals were still clinically healthy and no histological signs of the disease were present in the thymus. Their amount was further increased at 30 days, and reached a maximum in the fully developed lymphoma. The development of this early phenotypic marker of malignancy appeared to be concomitant with that of chromosomal anomalies in the thymus. Since these anomalies are non-random, the existence of a causal relationship between the glycopeptide change and the loss of specific chromosomes might be hypothesized.

A boy with ring chromosome 15 derived from a t(15q;15q) Robertsonian translocation in the mother: cytogenetic and biochemical findings

We describe a boy with a ring chromosome 15, showing the manifestations characteristic of this condition, ie, growth deficiency and unusual facial appearance with minor anomalies. The ring was derived from a t(15q;15q) chromosome of the mother, who had also had four spontaneous abortions. The respective karyotypes were 45,XX, -15,-15,+t(15q;15q) (mother) and 46,XY,-15,+r(15q;15q)mat (15q13 leads to cen leads to 15q26)(son). The ring chromosome lacked the short arms of the two translocated chromosomes 15 and was duplicated for a portion of the long arms near the centromere, probably cen leads to q13. Data from enzyme assays suggest that this duplicated region carries the alpha-mannosidase gene.

Effects of ACTH on the zona glomerulosa of sodium-loaded timolol maleate-treated rats: stereology and plasma hormone concentrations

The effect of chronic ACTH administration on the growth and aldosterone secretion of the zona glomerulosa of sodium-loaded timolol maleate-treated rats was investigated by stereological and radioimmunological techniques. Combined sodium loading and timolol maleate administration induced a significant atrophy of the zona glomerulosa and its cells. The plasma concentration of aldosterone was significantly decreased, while that of corticosterone did not vary. ACTH administration completely reversed zona glomerulosa atrophy, and the plasma concentration of corticosterone was noticeably enhanced, whereas that of aldosterone underwent a further decrease. This data suggests that in the absence of the other adrenoglomerulotrophic factors, ACTH stimulates the growth of the zona glomerulosa, but transforms its parenchymal elements to a functional fasciculata cell type.

Cytogenetic findings in 4952 prenatal diagnoses. An Italian collaborative study

The development of prenatal diagnosis in Italy was made difficult by the restrictions of the old abortion law and only in recent years has a consistent number of cases been investigated. We report the experience on prenatal chromosome diagnosis of ten Italian centers participating in a collaborative study on 4952 diagnoses performed from 1972 to 1980. The main indication groups were: advanced maternal age (2882 cases), previous child with chromosome anomaly from parents with normal karyotype (847 cases), and chromosome anomaly in one parent (97 cases). The other indications for amniocentesis, including cases without a cytogenetic risk, have been assembled into a "miscellaneous" group (1126 cases). We found 125 abnormal fetal karyotypes (2.5%) of which 89 were unbalanced (1.8%). The frequencies and types of chromosome anomalies are reported in detail for each indication group and are compared with the corresponding one from the European Munich Conference. The great majority of these Italian data were not included in the Munich report.

Sleep and human cerebellar pathology

The organization and the quantitative evaluation of sleep stages were studied in patients with cerebellar syndrome. 25 polygraphic night recordings were scored according to the criteria suggested by Rechtschaffen & Kales (1968) and the sleep parameters investigated were referred to those indicated by Williams et al. (1974). The results matched with a homogeneous sample of normal subjects. Significant alterations were observed for several parameters of sleep, and the possible causes discussed.

A balanced translocation t(4;9) (q35;q12) with a breakpoint within the heterochromatic region of chromosome 9 in a woman with recurrent abortion

A case of recurrent abortion was found to be associated with the presence in the mother of a balanced translocation between chromosomes 4 and 9. The karyotypes of the proposita was: 46,XX,t(4;9)(q35;q12). The effects of this translocation are discussed in the light of other cases reported in the literature.

Properties and significance of a small marker chromosome in amniotic fluid cells

We report the presence of a small supernumerary metacentric chromosome in an amniotic fluid cell culture. The extra chromosome was inherited from the mosaic mother, and was characterized by the presence of four satellite regions, two on each side of the centromere. The pregnancy proceeded to term, and our findings were confirmed in the clinically normal offspring. The problems posed by the presence of the marker chromosome, in terms of both cytogenetic diagnosis and genetic counseling, are discussed in the light of similar cases from the literature.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and sheep brain. A report from central and Southern Italy

The places of origin of 7 out of 8 patients with CJD coincide with the distribution of sheep-rearing in central and southern Italy, confirming the suggested link between this disease and eating and-or handling sheep CNS tissue. Since 6 of the 8 cases were women, it seems more likely that the virus responsible for CJD enters the body through a break in the skin of the hands and forearms in the process of foodhandling rather than via the Digestive tract. This aspect should be borne in mind when investigating the problems of CJD transmission.

Computed tomography of sphenoid wing meningiomas: tumor location related to distal edema

A review of the computed tomography and clinical characteristics of a series of sphenoid wing meningiomas revealed a high incidence of edema involving the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere. This edema frequently accounted for the clinical presentation indicating the non-localizing insidious nature of these tumors. The etiology of the edema appears to be related in parts to the location of tumor in the middle cranial fossa and its proximity to the major venous pathways of this area.

Role of cell surface receptor mobility in concanavalin A-induced agglutination of Novikoff hepatoma and normal rat liver cells

The relationshio between Con A-receptor mobility and Con A-induced agglutination of Novikoff hepatoma and normal rat liver cells was investigated. Novikoff cells, incubated with fluorescein-labelled Con A at 3 degrees C displayed uniform, ring-like surface fluorescence. Increasing the temperature of the cells to 37 degrees C caused capping of Con A receptors in approximately 65% of the cells, a phenomenon that could be prevented by prefixing the cells with glutaraldehyde. In spite of these variations in Con A-receptor distribution, Con A-induced agglutination was remarkably constant over a temperature range from 3 to 37 degrees C. In contrast to Novikoff cells, normal hepatocytes displayed a uniform, ringlike surface fluorescence at both 3 and 37 degrees C. No capping was observed. However, hepatocytes, similar to Novikoff cells, were agglutinable by low concentrations of Con A. These findings indicate that, in this model system, Con A-induced cytoagglutination is not dependent upon long-range lateral mobility of Con A receptors. The qualitative differences in the lateral mobility of cell-surface Con A receptors of normal and malignant rat liver cells may represent a marker for neoplastioc transformation during hepatocarcinogenesis, adaptation to growth in ascitic form, or progression of a tumour to a more malignant state.

Fine structure of the rabbit adrenal cortex and the effects of short-term ACTH administration

The fine structure of the rabbit adrenal cortex was investigated. The parenchymal cells display the ultrastructural features of steroid-producing cells, and also contain numerous electron-dense bodies frequently located near intercellular canaliculi, when open into the subendothelial space. Short-term ACTH-administration induced a noticeable decrease in the volume of the lipid compartment in the cells of all three cortical zones and a significant increase in the volume of dense bodies in the cells of zona fasciculata and zona reticularis. The hypothesis that these dense bodies are secretory granules is discussed in the light of biochemical evidence showing that ACTH increases the concentration of both corticosterone and cortisol in the decapsulated-enucleated adrenal homogenate and does not affect the activity of two lysosome-marker enzymes (i.e., acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase).

Investigations on the turnover of adrenocortical mitochondria. XII. Studies on the mechanism of the ACTH-induced elongation of the half-life of rat zona fasciculata mitochondria

The half-life of rat adrenocortical mitochondria was determined by high resolution autoradiography and liquid scintillation spectroscopy as previously described (Mazzocchi et al., '76). The results obtained by the two approaches were in good agreement. In the normal rats the half-life of adrenocortical mitochondria averaged 11 days. ACTH significantly increased mitochondrial half-life to about 16 days, and chloramphenicol significantly decreased this parameter in both untreated and ACTH-administered rats to about seven days. It is suggested that the ACTH-induced maintenance and slowing down of the degradation rate of adrenocortical mitochondria requires continuous mitochondrial DNA-dependent protein synthesis.

Studies on the persistence of differentiated functions in rat hepatocytes set into primary tissue culture. II. Production of specific exportable proteins and the effect of purine cyclic nucleotides: an immunofluorescent study

Immunofluorescent studies showed that even after 15 days in vitro primary neonatal rat hepatocytes contained in their cytoplasm detectable amounts of different adult rat serum proteins, including fibrinogen and proalbumin. Estimation of the intensity of specific fluorescence revealed that in untreated cultures the hepatocytic content of the various exportable antigens progressively diminished between the 5th and 15th day in vitro. Treatment with cAMP (10(-5) M daily) alone increased in hepatocytic cytoplasm, with respect to parallel controls, the content of total exportable proteins and of proalbumin. Daily administration of an equimolar association (10(-5) M) of cAMP with cGMP increased the total protein, proalbumin and fibrinogen content of hepatocytes. Daily treatment with cGMP (10(-5) M) alone caused only light and transitory increases in the content of proalbumin and fibrinogen. Rocket immune electrophoresis showed that the hepatocytic secretion of specific proteins into the growth medium persisted up to the 15th day, although progressively diminishing in intensity. The secretion of total exportable proteins and of albumin, but not of fibrinogen, was stimulated by cGMP used alone or coupled with equimolar cAMP.

Investigations on the turnover of adrenocortical mitochondria. X. A correlated biochemical stereological study of the effects of chronic treatment with chloramphenicol on the mitochondria of the rat zona fasciculata

The effects of chloramphenicol (CAP) on rat adrenocortical cells were investigated by biochemical and stereological methods. It was found that administering 50mg/kg of CAP every 12 hours provoked a persistent inhibition of the incorporation of 3H-leucine into mitochondrial proteins. Chronic treatment (up to 15 consecutive days) with this dose of CAP induced a significant decrease in the volume of the mitochondrial compartment, in the surface area of the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes and in the number of mitochondria per cell. These results confirm the hypothesis that the ACTH-induced maintenance of adrenocortical mitochondrial growth requires continuous mitochondrial DNA-dependent protein synthesis.

Effects of ACTH and 3',5'-cyclic purine nucleotides on the morphology and metabolism of normal adult human adrenocortical cells in primary tissue culture

Stereological studies showed that treatment of normal adult human adrenocortical cells in primary culture with ACTH or cyclic-AMP for 2 days results in similar increases in the volume of cells, of the mitochondrial and "membrane space" compartments and of the surface area of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial cristae, and decrease in the lipid content of the cells. These changes were more marked after 8 days of treatment. Treatment for 2 days with cyclic-GMP had no striking effects on cell ultrastructure, whereas an 8-day treatment led to ultrastructural changes similar to those obtained after 2 days of ACTH- or cyclic-AMP-treatment. A discrete population of untreated cortical cells maintained a slow proliferation that was not effected by exposure to cyclic-GMP, but was significantly increased in cultures treated with ACTH or cyclic-AMP. Radioimmunological studies showed that untreated cortical cells kept secreting progesterone and cortisol and that ACTH, but neither cyclic nucleotide, increased the secretion rate per cell of both hormones. These results assign a major role to cyclic-AMP and a minor one to cyclic-GMP in the mediation of the differentiation-promoting and trophic effects, but not in the steroidogenic effects of ACTH on the human adrenal cortex.