RFLP mapping on potato chromosomes of two genes controlling extreme resistance to potato virus X (PVX)

Two different chromosomal locations of major genes controlling extreme resistance to potato virus X (PVX) were found by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of two populations segregating for the resistance. The resistance gene Rx1 mapped to the distal end of chromosome XII, whereas Rx2 was located at an intermediate position on linkage group V in a region where reduced recombination and segregation distortion have also been observed. These linkage anomalies were due to abnormal behaviour of the chromosome contributed by the resistant parent P34. The results presented were obtained using two different strategies for mapping genes of unknown location. One approach was the use of probes revealing polymorphic loci spread throughout the genome and resulted in the mapping of Rx1. The second approach was based on the assumption of possible linkage between the resistance gene and clone-specific DNA fragments introduced from a wild potato species. Rx2 was mapped by adopting this strategy.

Cytological evidences of SDR-FDR mixture in the formation of 2n eggs in a potato diploid clone

Macrosporogenesis and microsporogenesis were investigated in a diploid S. tuberosum x S. chacoense potato hybrid, characterized by more than 50% 2n egg formation. Fifty-five percent of dyad formation of 2n macrospores is ascribed to two meiotic abnormalities: omission of the second meiotic division, occurring at a frequency of 38%, and irregular spindle axis orientation at metaphase I at a frequency of 16%: These abnormalities give origin to a mixture of 2n eggs, composed of mostly second division restitution (SDR) and a small portion of first division restitution (FDR). Microsporogenesis showed rare dyads of 2n microspores depending on parallel spindles observed in anaphase II.

[Clinical experience with an anticholinergic spasmolytic cimetropium bromide in the treatment of patients with renal colic]

We treated 38 consecutive outpatients with ureter colic with a new anticholinergic spasmolytic agent, cimetropium bromide, in order to evaluate its efficacy in this condition. After assessing pain intensity by means of a visual analogic scale, we administered 5 mg i.v. Already after 30 minutes, 4 patients (11%) reported complete subsidence of pain. In 21 patients (55%) pain subsided almost completely within one hour. Eighteen patients required a second 5 mg i.v. injection after one hour; of these, 13 (72%) had complete regression or marked reduction of pain. Apart from dryness of the mouth which appeared in two cases after the second injection and was of moderate intensity, no side effects were observed.

Localization by restriction fragment length polymorphism mapping in potato of a major dominant gene conferring resistance to the potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis

A major dominant locus conferring resistance against several pathotypes of the root cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis was mapped on the linkage map of potato using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers. The assessment of resistance versus susceptibility of the plants in the experimental population considered was based on an in vivo (pot) and an in vitro (petri dish) test. By linkage to nine RFLP markers the resistance locus Gro1 was assigned to the potato linkage group IX which is homologous to the tomato linkage group 7. Deviations from the additivity of recombination frequencies between Gro1 and its neighbouring markers in the pot test led to the detection of a few phenotypic misclassifications of small plants with poor root systems that limited the observation of cysts on susceptible roots. Pooled data from both tests provided better estimates of recombination frequencies in the linkage interval defined by the markers flanking the resistance locus.

[The treatment of refractory hyperlipoproteinemias]

The authors have studied a group of 25 patients treated with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor associated with DEAE-dextran, a safe and useful drug for the treatment of dyslipidemia. The patients were selected from a group of subjects previously submitted to long-term treatment with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor only who had failed to achieve normal cholesterol blood levels. The combined treatment with DEAE-dextran (1.5 g 3 times daily) and simvastatin (20 mg once daily) for 90 days lead to a further significant decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride blood levels. These findings confirm the validity of the association of an ion exchange resin with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor in the treatment of refractory dyslipidemias.

[A large case load of patients with dyslipidemia: effects of treatment with deae-dextran]

The authors report the results of an open trial in 859 dyslipidemic patients, performed with the cooperation of general practitioners, treated with isocaloric diet and daily doses of 3 g deae-dextran for 3 months. Deae-dextran was effective in reducing cholesterol and triglyceride blood levels and in controlling body weight. The drug was very well tolerated and no significant side effects were registered during treatment with deae-dextran.

A new surgical technique for fibrosed interventricular septum

We describe a new surgical technique for the treatment of fibrosed interventricular septum, with or without left ventricular aneurysm. It is designed for patients whose ventriculograms revealed important septal dysfunction. Eleven patients ranging from 37 to 66 years of age were operated upon between 1984 and 1988. The left ventricle was opened through the aneurysm or the anterior wall when only anterior septal fibrosis was present. In patients with large aneurysms, two purse-string sutures were placed on the inside surface of the intact ventricle, around its limits, for approximation. The fibrosed septum was thus excluded from the new ventricular cavity. A patch was placed between the fibrosed and the healthy septum, reaching to the ventricular wall, all around the transitional edge. Both, ventricular geometry and function were improved. All patients were asymptomatic after one year follow-up.

Primary adult lactose malabsorption in Italy: regional differences in prevalence and relationship to lactose intolerance and milk consumption

A study of regional differences in prevalence of primary adult lactose malabsorption in Italy was conducted on 205 subjects. Their origin was determined by their grandparents' birthplace, 89 from northern, 65 from central, and 51 from southern areas of Italy. Lactose malabsorption was diagnosed with standard oral lactose tolerance test and blood glucose determinations. Lactose malabsorbers showed symptoms more frequently than absorbers after the test load of lactose (p less than 0.01) they also reported milk intolerance more frequently (p less than 0.01). Prevalence of lactose malabsorption is significantly lower in the central sample (19%) than in the northern (52%) and southern (41%) samples (p less than 0.01). This finding contrasts with the hypothesis of a continuous increase in frequency of lactose malabsorption from northern to southern Europe and is probably due to the complex genetic history of the Italian population.

Detection of sperm surface related antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence test on sperm suspensions. Indirect IFT on sperm suspensions

An indirect immunofluorescence test (IIFT) using sperm suspensions was carried out on 20 sera with sperm agglutinins (SA) and on 25 negative controls. IIFT gave results highly correlated with the occurrence of sperm agglutinating activity. Moreover, a relation was found among class of Ig involved in IF reactivity, fluorescent stain pattern and type of sperm agglutinations. In all sera with "mixed" or "tail-tail" sperm agglutinating activity, IgG were involved in IF reactivity; the fluorescent stain constantly appeared in a granular pattern along the sperm tail and most often on the head surface too. In relation to high titres of "head-head" sperm agglutinating activity, IgM were involved in IF reactivity; here the fluorescent stain appeared to be localized on acrosomal surface. The results indicate that indirect IFT on sperm suspensions specifically detects sperm surface related antibodies.

Diurnal cycle of core temperature in huddling, week-old rat pups

Lean Zucker rat pups were reared at 25 degrees C on four staggered 12:12 light:dark cycles with lights on at 0100, 0700, 1300 or 1900 hr. Core temperature (Tc) of 5- to 8-day-old pups was measured repeatedly at the rearing temperature of 25 degrees C between 0700 and 1900 hr using a procedure that minimally interfered with spontaneous nursing cycles and huddling of the pups. Tc of litters measured 30 to 60 min after the mother spontaneously left the nest was low and variable (32.2-35.4 degrees C) during the first few hours after lights-on, but was uniformly high and much less variable (35.5-36.5 degrees C) around the time of lights-off. Pup Tc was phase-advanced to the nocturnal elevation of maternal Tc, and lagged several hours behind the diurnal elevation of nursing activity. Cyclic variations in Tc of pups huddling in the nest thus reflect a diurnal rhythm in the ability and/or drive for body temperature defense that is independent of heat derived from the mother during nursing.

Glyceryl ether metabolism: regulation of buoyancy in dogfish Squalus acanthias

The ratios of concentrations of diacyl glyceryl ethers to triglycerides are increased significantly in the livers of weighted dogfish (Squalus acanthias) in comparison to an unweighted control group. The hydrostatic properties of the liver may be regulated through the metabolism of these two classes of lipids which have different specific gravities.