Reassignment of human renin gene to chromosome 1q32 in studies of a (1;4)(q42;p16) translocation

The human renin gene (REN) has been assigned to chromosome 1q42. Linkage studies are, however, inconsistent with this localization. We therefore reexamined the question of the location of REN using a patient whose distal chromosome 1q arm was translocated to chromosome 4 [(1;4)(q42;p16)]. In situ hybridization using a 3H-labelled REN probe demonstrated hybridization signals confined to the q32 band of chromosome 1, with radioactivity in the translocated 1q42 region being similar to the low levels along all other chromosomes.

Intelligence function in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia after treatment

In order to evaluate the effects of chemotherapy and central nervous system prophylaxis on the intelligence function of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 147 patients were divided into 2 groups according to their different treatment regimens. Group A included 75 patients with ALL who were diagnosed and treated from 1981 to 1986. Group B included 72 ALL patients diagnosed and treated from 1988 to 1990. A control group included 73 healthy children who shared the same education and environmental background with the patients. Chinese revisions of Wechsler measures of intelligence quotient were used to estimate verbal IQ, performance IQ and total IQ in the 3 groups. American-produced Systate software was used to analyze the data. Results showed that IQ distribution, verbal IQ, performance IQ and total IQ of group A were obviously lower than those in the control group. Verbal IQ and total IQ of group B were also reduced. Significant differences of verbal IQ and performance IQ as well as total IQ were also found between groups A and B. Multiple regression analysis showed negative correlations between IQ and cranial irradiation dosage, times of intrathecal MTX and time after irradiation.

Isolation and characterization of a linear plasmid from the entomopathogenic fungus Ascosphaera apis

An extrachromosomal DNA plasmid was isolated from both mating types of the entomopathogenic fungus Ascosphaera apis and named pAaL. The subculture in which pAaL was first identified originated from mummified honey bee larvae from an apiary in Wyoming. Very similar, homologous plasmids were found in 9 out of 10 of isolates collected from diverse geographic locations. The plasmid is found inside the mitochondria, has the same buoyant density as mitochondrial DNA in bisbenzamide--CsCl gradients, and does not contain sequences homologous to either mitochondrial DNA or genomic DNA. The plasmid is linear, double-stranded, of 12 kilobase pair, and has a higher copy number than the mitochondrial DNA. Endonuclease and exonuclease digestions suggest that an inverted repeat is probably present at each terminus and that pAaL has two blocked 5' ends, probably due to the presence of terminal binding proteins. Restriction site data showed pAaL to be AT-rich. There were no apparent differences in the growth rate, culture appearance, and reproductive cycle of plasmid-bearing or plasmid-free A. apis isolates. pAaL was stably inherited in the plasmid-free strains, but it was lost in the progeny of crosses and reciprocal crosses between the plasmid-free strain and plasmid-bearing strains. The biological function of this plasmid has not yet been determined.

[Case control study on risk factors of cerebral thrombosis]

In order to explore the pathogenic risk factors or protective factors of cerebral thrombosis, 1:1 matched case control study was done in 110 cases diagnosed by computerized tomography (CT). Both cases and controls were selected from several provincial and municipal hospitals in Jinan, Shandong Province, China. Every case was matched with one control on sex, race, age, occupation, residential area, educational level and economic status. 31 factors were analysed and 9 risk or protective factors were found by univariate analysis and multiple stepwise regression. Using the same 9 factors as independent variables, conditional logistic regression was performed and 4 factors were confirmed as pathogenic risk factors or protective factor of cerebral thrombosis (alpha = 0.01). They are high blood pressure (beta = 3.46, OR = 7.57), abdominal skinfold thickness (beta = 3.21, OR = 3.77), familial aggregation of stroke (beta = 2.25, OR = 12.64) and high level HDL2-C (beta = -2.99, OR = 0.16). Moreover, reliability of collective data and control o: bias were evaluated and discussed.

Localization of human glandular kallikrein-1 gene to chromosome 19q13.3-13.4 by in situ hybridization

Humans possess 3 fully characterized kallikrein-like genes. The gene expressed in kidney, pancreas and salivary gland (KLK), and the gene encoding prostate-specific antigen (APS) have been localized to chromosome 19q13.2-qter. The present study describes the localization of the remaining gene, hGK-1, which has highest homology to and a similar tissue specificity of expression as the APS gene. Using a [3H]-labeled probe derived from a hGK-1 genomic clone, we demonstrated hybridization confined to the q13.3 and q13.4 bands of chromosome 19 and suggest that kallikrein genes may possibly be located near the border of these two bands.

Determinants of estimated insulin resistance and beta-cell function in Indian, Creole and Chinese Mauritians. The Mauritius NCD Study Group

Associations with insulin resistance and islet beta-cell function have been studied cross-sectionally in a population-based sample of 4278 Mauritians comprising Asian Indian, Creole and Chinese subjects. Insulin resistance and beta-cell function were estimated by a computer solved model based on fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations. Insulin resistance increased with declining glucose tolerance, whereas beta-cell function was highest in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and lowest in those with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Indian subjects had the highest beta-cell function, while ethnic differences in insulin sensitivity were less marked. This may indicate that deranged beta-cell function rather than insulin resistance is the primary determinant of hyperinsulinaemia and glucose intolerance in Asian Indians. beta-Cell function declined with age more sharply than did insulin sensitivity, suggesting that the age-related decline in glucose tolerance is primarily related to loss of beta-cell function. Body mass index, waist/hip ratio, physical inactivity and female sex were independently associated with insulin resistance and beta-cell function. Subjects with a family history of diabetes had increased insulin resistance, irrespective of glucose tolerance. This or similar models may have application in longitudinal population-based studies which seek to determine the relative contributions of insulin resistance and beta-cell function to the aetio-pathogenesis of NIDDM.

[Diagnosis value of lateral pharyngeal roentgenography in snoring disease]

In this paper, X-ray findings of the lateral pharynx before uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in 14 cases of snoring disease were studied. The results are as follows. There is less than 5 mm in anterior-posterior airway of pharyngeal cavity (13 cases), and 8 mm (1 case), in diameter. Minimum 2 mm, average 4.4 mm. There is less than 25 mm length of uvula (7 cases), 28-35 mm (7 cases). Minimum 22 mm, average length is 27.9 mm. Shape of uvula is thick and long (12 cases), thick and short 1 case, thin and long 1 case. The etiology, abnormal X-ray finding and X-ray examination of the lateral pharynx, etc. in snoring disease have been discussed.

Localization of human cardiac beta-myosin heavy chain gene (MYH7) to chromosome 14q12 by in situ hybridization

The genes coding for each human cardiac myosin heavy chain (alpha-MHC and beta-MHC, MYH6 and MYH7, respectively) are tightly linked and the alpha-MHC gene has been assigned to chromosome 14. In order to provide a more precise regional localization, in situ hybridization experiments were carried out using a 3H-labeled probe derived from a beta-MHC genomic clone. The results demonstrated that the human cardiac MHC genes are located within the q12 band of chromosome 14.