EcoRI RFLP at 19q13.1 identified by the anonymous DNA sequence p58B18 [D19S32]

Images

MspI RFLP at 19q12-q13.1 identified by the anonymous DNA sequence p30B18 [D19S31]

Images

Absorption and tissue distribution of various polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDDs and PCDFs) in the rat

A defined mixture of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDDs and PCDFs) was parenterally administered to rats and absorption and tissue distribution were measured: 1) Toluene/DMSO (1 + 2; v/v) proved to be a convenient vehicle for the subcutaneous administration of the various PCDDs and PCDFs. Seven days after application the rate of absorption was 90% of the administered dose or even higher for almost all of the PCDDs/PCDFs in the mixture. In a few cases only (e.g. OCDD) the rate was found to be 84-89%; 2) Seven days after subcutaneous administration all 2378-substituted congeners were found in the liver, whereas only a few non-2378-substituted congeners could be measured in minor quantities. The 2378-substituted congeners also predominated in adipose tissue; however, most of the non-2378-substituted congeners were also detected; 3) The amount deposited within the liver as percentage of the administered dose differed for the various 2378-substituted PCDDs and PCDFs, ranging from less than 10% for OCDD or 2378-T4CDF, and between 60 and close to 100% for 12378-P5CDD or the H6CDDs. Therefore, the concentration ratio (liver/adipose tissue) was also found to be very different, ranging from less than 3 in the case of 2378-T4CDD or 2378-T4CDF to greater than 40 in the case of 1234678-H7CDD, 23478-P5CDF, 123678-H6CDF, or 1234678-H7CDF; 4) Studies performed at the time period of ongoing absorption (13-14 h after injection) provided the first evidence that some of the non-2378-substituted congeners do reach substantial concentrations in hepatic tissue shortly after administration; 5) Subsequent to intraperitoneal injection of the same PCDD/PCDF mixture the concentrations within the liver were found to be almost identical with that found after subcutaneous injection. In contrast, much higher concentrations of the congeners were found in (abdominal) adipose tissue; 6) In the liver of untreated rats of the same strain no T4CDDs/T4CDFs or P5CDDs/P5CDFs were detectable under our experimental conditions.

MspI RFLP at 19cen-q12 identified by the anonymous DNA sequence pPM17.4 [D19S29]

Images

TaqI RFLP at 19q13.1 identified by the anonymous DNA sequence p5B18 [D19S28]

Images

MspI RFLP at 19q12-q13.1 identified by the anonymous DNA sequence p20B18 [D19S30]

Images

Reduced proliferative response of mouse spleen cells to mitogens during infection with Salmonella typhimurium or Listeria monocytogenes

A significant reduction in the mitogenic responsiveness (uptake of 3H-thymidine) of murine spleen cells to concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin or lipopolysaccharide was observed during infection with virulent Salmonella typhimurium. The decreased response to mitogens could be observed independent of the immunity to typhimurium (Ity) genotype, i.e. in CBA/J mice and C3H/HeJ mice (Ityr) as well as in C57BL/6 mice (Itys). Because reduced responsiveness was demonstrated in C3H/HeJ mice, which are susceptible to S. typhimurium infection but are unresponsive to lipopolysaccharide, it is concluded that the two phenomena are not correlated with one another. A similar decrease in response to mitogens was shown in mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes. Reduction in mitogenic responsiveness was directly correlated with the number of viable bacteria detected in the spleen cell suspension. Decreased lymphoproliferation could be observed as early as 2 days after infection and lasted 3 weeks in sublethally infected mice. The question remains whether or not the reduced responsiveness indicates an enhanced susceptibility to infection or merely represents a high degree of activation of defense mechanisms.

[The De Barsy syndrome]

De Barsy syndrome is defined by the combination of a progeroid aspect, cutis laxa, cornea clouding, growth retardation, mental retardation and athetoid movements. The clinical symptoms of a male infant are described and compared with all other cases reported in literature. The aetiology of this syndrome is unclear; inheritance is probably autosomal recessive.

Elimination of various polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDDs and PCDFs) in rat faeces

A defined mixture (of a composition characteristic of that present in incinerator fly ash) of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and -furans (PCDDs and PCDFs) was subcutaneously administered to rats and the elimination of the unchanged congeners via faeces was measured. 1) All congeners administered could be found in faeces. 2) The rates of elimination via faeces were rather different for the different congeners. 3) The most toxic congeners, 2378-T4CDD and 12378-P5CDD, were present in unmetabolized form in faeces to less than 4% and less than 8% of the administered dose within the first week. Thus, parenteral administration clearly minimizes contamination of the animal quarters when compared with corresponding oral dosing. 4) The rate of unchanged elimination was apparently especially pronounced for the higher chlorinated PCDDs and PCDFs. The highest excretion rate was found for 1234678-H7CDD (up to 30% of administered dose). 5) No obvious differences were observed in the rates of elimination of the unchanged substances via faeces of the 2378-substituted or the non-2378-substituted isomers.

Localization of the gene for X-linked Alport's syndrome

X-chromosomal DNA probes defining various polymorphic DNA markers were used to study genetic linkage in three families with Alport's syndrome. With the DXS17 marker, only a single cross-over was observed in 26 informative meioses, and evidence for linkage was also obtained with the DXS11 marker. These data localize the gene for the X-linked form of Alport's syndrome to the middle of the long arm of the X chromosome.

Vascular sympathetic nerve function in congestive heart failure

To determine if intrinsic abnormalities of sympathetic nerve function might contribute to enhanced vascular tone in congestive heart failure, chronic myocardial infarction (infarct) was produced in rats by coronary artery ligation 9 to 10 months previously for comparison with animals subjected to sham operation (sham). The excised pulmonary artery, preincubated with 3H-norepinephrine (NE) was superfused, and stimulated electrically at 2, 4, 8 and 16 Hz. The nonnormalized data at each frequency for electrically evoked 3H overflow in excess of basal outflow was similar in sham and infarct vessels (difference not significant); however, the shape of the frequency-response curves was different. The 3H overflow/pulse from sham vessels was constant between 2 and 16 Hz; however, for the infarct vessels there was a significant reduction (p less than 0.05) at the highest frequency (16 Hz). Because of an 18.4% lower peak 3H overflow at 16 Hz (difference not significant), the infarct frequency-response curve shifted significantly (4 and 8 Hz, p less than 0.025 and p less than 0.01) to the left when data were expressed as a percent of peak percent 3H overflow, suggesting an increased sensitivity of the system. These data suggest that an intrinsic vascular sympathetic nerve abnormality is not a major cause of the increased plasma NE in congestive heart failure; increased nerve activity or decreased clearance of NE may be more important.

Tight linkage between myotonic dystrophy and apolipoprotein E genes revealed with allele-specific oligonucleotides

In 16 families with myotonic dystrophy (DM) a novel approach based on use of allele-specific oligonucleotides has been employed to study the linkage relationship between the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene and DM. Synthetic oligonucleotides, designed to discriminate between APOE alleles epsilon 3 and epsilon 4, enabled us to distinguish heterozygous carriers in a hybridization assay. In a subset of families, the relevant segment of the APOE gene was enzymatically amplified to increase the sensitivity of the method. For DM and APOE, a maximum lod score (zmax of 7.47 was obtained at a recombination frequency (theta) of 0.047 (male theta = female theta). No recombination (maximum lod score of 5.61 at theta = 0.0) was found between APOE and the apolipoprotein CII (APOC2) gene. These results suggest that, in addition to APOC2, APOE is a useful marker for presymptomatic DM diagnosis.

Effect of ganglion blockade with pentolinium on circulating neuropeptide Y levels in conscious rats

The vasoconstrictor peptide, neuropeptide Y (NPY), is present in perivascular noradrenergic neurons of all mammals studied and may be important in the regulation of blood pressure. High plasma levels of NPY have been measured in the rat. To investigate partially the source and factors controlling the release of the circulating peptide, the effect of pentolinium tartrate administration has been studied in conscious rats. Pentolinium given as a bolus (5 mg/kg) followed by an infusion of a further 5 mg/kg/30 min produced a highly significant reduction in blood pressure of more than 40 mm Hg, when compared to either basal values or control animals treated with saline. Pentolinium treatment resulted in significantly lower plasma neuropeptide Y levels (31.0 +/- 6.7 fmol/ml) compared with those of control animals (78.6 +/- 8.2 fmol/ml). Circulating catecholamines were also significantly reduced in those animals receiving pentolinium. These results are compatible with circulating NPY arising from the sympathetic nervous system, with release being controlled by the mechanisms already established for catecholamines.

Increased response of brachial artery diameter to norepinephrine in hypertensive patients

The hyperresponsiveness of small arteries to norepinephrine is well documented in essential hypertensive patients. Our objective was to investigate in situ the reactivity to norepinephrine of the diameter of large arteries, which are involved in the arterial disease of hypertension as well as small arteries. Brachial artery diameter, blood flow velocity, local volumic blood flow, and local vascular resistances were determined noninvasively with a pulsed Doppler system in 19 patients with essential hypertension and 9 normotensive subjects, before and after the administration of placebo (glucose) or increasing doses of norepinephrine (10, 20, and 40 ng.kg-1.min-1 iv) given in a single-blind fashion. In hypertensive patients, norepinephrine (40 ng.kg-1.min-1) induced 1) a significant decrease in brachial artery diameter, local blood velocity, volumic flow, and conductance and 2) a small increase in mean arterial pressure. These hemodynamic changes did not occur in the placebo group and were significantly greater in hypertensive patients than in normotensive subjects, although plasma norepinephrine increased to the same extent in both groups. We conclude that in hypertensive patients the increase in vascular reactivity to norepinephrine involves not only the resistive vessels but also the large arteries thus decreasing their conducting and buffering function.

[After care in colorectal cancer]

The poor results of nonsurgical cancer therapy in locally recurring colorectal carcinoma and its metastases urge for an early diagnosis of these complications. Serial CEA-levels are the most promising tool to detect even preclinical tumour-growth. Because the incidence of tumor recurrence or metastases is highest in the first and second year after surgery the follow-up of the patients should be as close as possible during this time.

Muscarinic inhibitory effect in the guinea pig dentate gyrus in vitro

Various drugs known to affect synaptic transmission were tested for their effects on extracellular field potentials evoked in the dentate granule cell layer of guinea pig hippocampal slices. Presumptive commissural (CF) and perforant path (PP) fibers were stimulated electrically by two separate pairs of stimulating electrodes. CF stimulation elicited a field potential with a current sink and PP stimulation with a current source in the cell layer. Bath-applied carbachol (0.5-10 microM), in an atropine sensitive manner, depressed the CF-evoked field potential, but left the PP-evoked field potential unchanged. Further pharmacological testing revealed that this effect is likely to be mediated by inhibitory neurons in the dentate hilus.

Deposition of cocaine in tissue after lethal and repeated sublethal administration to sheep

The deposition of cocaine in tissue after lethal administration to sheep was investigated. In addition, the presence of cocaine in tissue obtained from sheep treated for 30 days with a sublethal dose (2.4 mg/kg b.wt.) after 1-day, 1-week, or 1-month withdrawal was studied. The determination of cocaine was performed by radioimmunoassay. The concentrations measured represent the sum of cocaine and its metabolites. The presence of cocaine was also qualitatively proven by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. After a lethal dose administration cocaine was found in all investigated organs. The highest concentrations were present in liver, bile, and kidney. In tissue obtained from the sheep treated daily with a sublethal dose and killed after 1-week withdrawal, the concentrations found were significantly lower. After 1-month withdrawal, cocaine was not to be discovered in tissue.

Improved early diagnosis of adult polycystic kidney disease with flanking DNA markers

A new polymorphic DNA marker for the diagnosis of autosomal dominant adult polycystic kidney disease (APKD) has been identified. The new marker, 24-1, flanks the APKD gene on the side opposite to the alpha globin on the short arm of chromosome 16. When both DNA polymorphisms bracketing the gene are informative the reliability of prenatal and presymptom diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease in non-recombinants (92% of cases) is more than 99%.

[Positive diagnosis of irritable colon: a scored chart or standardized anamnesis?]

The diagnostic score of Kruis to diagnose the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has recently gained widespread application. We therefore evaluated the case histories of 373 patients attending the gastroenterological outpatient department retrospectively using the questionnaire of these authors. In contrast to Kruis et al's findings, by applying their discriminating score the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome was made in only 51% of the patients who underwent complete gastrointestinal survey without pathological findings. However, the group of IBS was significantly separable from malignant or inflammatory disease. We therefore conclude that the diagnosis of IBS should only be made by ruling out organic disease (except in the case of young people with normal physical and laboratory check up findings and a good response to treatment). For these patients we simplified the questionnaire, omitting calculations.

[Role of Pseudomonas maltophilia and "Pseudomonas like bacteria group Va" in the etiology of Crohn disease]

In 1976, Parent and Mitchell isolated cell-wall defective bacteria of the species Pseudomonas maltophilia and Pseudomonas like bacteria group Va from resected bowel tissue of 8 consecutively operated patients with Crohn's disease. The control group, which included patients with ulcerative colitis, was negative in this respect. The isolated strains were available for our own investigations. New Zealand white rabbits were inoculated with killed bacteria to produce specific antisera. Frozen sections of affected tissue from 6 consecutively operated Crohn patients were incubated with the various antisera and investigated by indirect immunofluorescence. No positive reactions were demonstrable in repeated tests with different dilutions of antisera. Our results do not support the hypothesis that bacteria of the species Pseudomonas maltophilia and Pseudomonas like bacteria group Va are an etiologic factor in Crohn's disease.

[Sialic acid containing compounds in the hemofiltrate of patients with chronic renal insufficiency. II. Isolation and structure determination of sialoglycopeptides]

Four sialyl glycopeptides have been isolated from the hemofiltrate of a patient with end stage renal disease using reverse osmosis, gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. Structural studies including one- and two-dimensional 1H-NMR spectroscopy, FAB mass spectrometry and enzymatic degradation indicated the following structures: (Formula: see text). While the disialyl glycopeptide has been previously characterized from normal and pregnancy urine, the three other sialyl glycopeptides could be isolated for the first time from biological material. The origin of these compounds and their possible clinical relevance is subject to further investigations.