Genetic polymorphism of inter-alpha-trypsin-inhibitor (ITI): formal genetic and linkage analyses

The polymorphism of inter-alpha-trypsin-inhibitor, ITI, was demonstrated by isoelectric focusing in agarose gels (pH 5-8) followed by protein blotting and immunoassay. Segregation in 239 families with 677 children is consistent with the formal hypothesis that there are two common codominant alleles, ITI*1, ITI*2, and one rare codominant allele, ITI*3, at an autosomal locus ITI. Allele frequencies were calculated as ITI*1 = 0.600, ITI*2 = 0.393, ITI*3 = 0.007. Linkage analysis with 36 markers is presented. Slightly positive lod scores were obtained for PGM3 (zeta = 1.35, theta = 0.10) and AK1 (zeta = 1.34, theta = 0.10).

Separation of human alloalbumin variants by isoelectric focusing

A technique for the separation of human alloalbumin variants by means of isoelectric focusing in the presence of 8M urea and 60 mM L-serine is described. The potential usefulness of this technique in the detection and classification of genetic heterogeneity at the albumin locus is demonstrated by the differentiation of three human alloalbumin variants of European origin.

A principle for the formation of the spatial structure of cortical feature maps

Orientation-selective cells in the striate cortex of higher animals are organized as a hierarchical topographic map of two stimulus features: (i) position in visual space and (ii) orientation. We show that the observed structure of the topographic map can arise from a principle of continuous mapping. For the realization of this principle we use a mathematical model that can be interpreted as an adaptive process changing a set of synaptic weights, or synaptic connection strengths, between two layers of cells. The patterns of orientation preference and selectivity generated by the model are similar to the patterns seen in the visual cortex of macaque monkey and cat and correspond to a neural projection that maps a more than two-dimensional feature space onto a two-dimensional cortical surface under the constraint that shape and position of the receptive fields of the neurons very smoothly over the cortical surface.

Genetic studies on human thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG)

An enzyme immunoassay technique combined with Western blotting is described to demonstrate thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) by isoelectric focusing in thin-layer polyacrylamide gels with 8 mol/l urea. Quantitative evaluation was by laser densitometry. No genetic charge variants of TBG were encountered in a sample of 840 unrelated individuals from southwestern Germany. There was no correlation between structural and quantitative variations in the TBG protein. Results from a family with quantitative TBG deficiency strongly support the postulated X-linked mode of inheritance. The method described can be considered as an additional diagnostic tool in thyroid evaluation.

Anxiety

The analysis is a study of the nature of anxiety in human experience. The author reviews the work of theologian Paul Tillich and psychologist Rollo May and clarifies the role of anxiety in life. The article reflects the need for a basic religious affirmation as one faces the anxiety of life which comes from the many threats to human existence.

Self-organizing maps for internal representations

One of the biological mechanisms that has so far been poorly understood is the ability of the brain to form representations of primary sensory experiences at increasingly higher levels of abstraction. At many lower perceptual levels, sensory information first becomes represented in topographically ordered sensory maps. In these maps neurons become tuned in a regular manner to simple stimulus features, such as amplitude, frequency, or direction of sound. In this paper it is shown that a model, originally devised by Kohonen for the understanding of the self-organized formation of such "lower-level maps," can also explain the formation of more abstract maps, such as adaptive maps for use in motor control, or maps in which, during a learning stage, the neurons become tuned in an orderly fashion to aspects of the semantic meaning of words. The actual presence of such maps in the brain is speculative at present, but many maps of simpler type have been found. It is argued that the process of the adaptive formation of maps may offer a way to a more unified understanding of many aspects of information processing in the brain.

Linkage analysis in granular corneal dystrophy (Groenouw I), Schnyder's crystalline corneal dystrophy, and Reis-Bücklers' corneal dystrophy

Tight linkage was excluded for 8 markers in 37 blood relatives from 3 families, 29 of whom had granular corneal dystrophy (Groenouw I). Inconclusive results were obtained for linkage with four marker loci. The highest positive LOD score was 0.57 for linkage between glutamic pyruvic transaminase and granular corneal dystrophy. Tight linkage was excluded for glyoxalase-1 in eight individuals from one family with Schnyder's crystalline corneal dystrophy. Results were inconclusive for another six markers. Positive LOD scores were obtained for linkage with adenylate-kinase 1 and the ABO blood group, with values of 1.16 and 0.67, respectively. Among six blood relatives with Reis-Bücklers' corneal dystrophy, the highest positive LOD score was 1.17 for linkage with mitochondrial malic enzyme. For another six markers informative for linkage analysis, the results were inconsistent.

Linkage analyses of human peptidase C (PEPC), human factor H (HF), and coagulation factor XIIIB (F13B)

Linkage data on human peptidase C (PEPC), human factor H (HF), and coagulation factor XIIIB (F13B) are presented. The results confirm linkage between HF and F13B (lod = 5.32 at theta = 0.10 in males), and give strong evidence for linkage between PEPC and HF (lod = 5.14 at theta = 0.10 in males) and between PEPC and F13B (lod = 3.55 at theta = 0.10 in males). The claim that PEPA is linked with HF must be withdrawn.

Electrophoretic and isoelectric focusing studies in Brazilian Indians: data on four systems

Three-hundred ninety-nine individuals living in seven populations of two Brazilian Indian tribes (Macushi and Içana River Indians) were tested for the phosphoglucomutase 1 (PGM1), properdin factor B (BF), haptoglobin (HP), and alpha-1-antitrypsin (PI) systems. We observed significant internal heterogeneity in the two tribes for the PGM1 alleles and in the Macushi for the HP markers. Frequencies in three of the four systems (the exception being BF) also show clear differences in the Macushi and Içana River Indians. Compared with other ethnic groups, South American Indians generally present high frequencies of PGM1*1B, BF*S, HP*1S, and PI*M3. On the other hand, PGM1*1A, PI*M1, and PI*M2 are reduced, and HP*1F is absent or rare. This is the first report about HP subtypes among American Indians.

Human factor H (beta 1H-globulin): linkage analysis

Linkage data on human factor H (HF) and 22 other human genetic markers are presented. Close linkage at theta less than 0.10 can be ruled out for a series of marker systems (Rh, PGM1, ACP1, Jk, Tf, Gc, MNSs, ME2, HLA, GLO1, ORM, Gt, PI, Hp, GPT). Strong evidence for linkage was obtained for peptidase A (PEPA) with lods greater than 3.0 at theta = 0.10 in males and at theta = 0.20 for the sexes combined. From this result the HF locus can be provisionally assigned to chromosome 18.

Formal genetics of esterase D (EC 3.1.1.1): evidence for a sex-phenotype association

The formal genetics of esterase D (EC 3.1.1.1) was studied in family data and mother/child pairs. A general agreement with mendelian expectations was found. However, a significant sex-phenotype association was detected in families from northwestern Portugal as well as in mother/child pairs and family data from southwestern Germany.

[Results of percutaneous transluminal dilatation of cerebral vascular stenoses]

The present paper is a review of 37 successful catheter dilatations of supra-aortic vascular stenoses. There were sixteen patients with a total of 21 stenoses of the internal carotid, vertebral artery or common carotid artery and sixteen patients with subclavian stenoses. Amongst the patients with stenoses of the cerebral vessels, there were ten with multiple lesions and six with a single stenosis. Three patients had successful dilatations of bilateral stenoses. The indications, technique, and complications of catheter dilatation of lesions of the cerebral vessels are described and discussed.

The use of dietary fiber in the management of simple, childhood, idiopathic, recurrent, abdominal pain. Results in a prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial

Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) affects 10% to 18% of school-age children and is caused by obvious organic pathology in fewer than 10% of cases. Two recent studies do not support previous beliefs that most RAP is psychogenic. Studies have shown disorders of bowel motility in children with RAP similar to those of adult irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); controlled trials of additional dietary fiber in adult IBS have shown beneficial results. We did a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 52 children with RAP and demonstrated a clinically and statistically significant decrease in pain attacks (at least 50% fewer) in almost twice as many children who were given additional fiber as placebo. Compliance was excellent in both groups and side effects were few. Although the cause of RAP is poorly understood, it is hypothesized that the beneficial effect of added fiber is due to its effect on shortening transit time, as in IBS.

Linkage between the loci for mitochondrial malic enzyme (ME2) and coagulation factor XIIIA subunit (F13A)

The locus for the mitochondrial malic enzyme (ME2) seems to be closely linked to the gene coding for the A subunit of coagulation factor XIII (F13A). From 18 informative families with 54 children a maximum lod score of 4.33 was obtained at a recombination fraction of 0.10. Since the assignment of F13A to the short arm of chromosome 6 was recently confirmed, the locus for ME2 can be added to this linkage group. The map order seems to be: GLO1 - HLA - F13A - ME2.

Cell fusion responsible for horizontal oncogenesis by human tumors in nude mice

Human tumor xenotransplants derived from 4 different carcinomas were established in athymic mice and maintained by serial passage. In vivo human/mouse cell fusion and induction of neoplastic growth of adjacent mouse tissue was investigated in serial passages by isoenzyme analysis, by chromosome analysis and by cloning of induced tumorigenic mouse cells. In 2 xenotransplants human/murine hybrid isoenzyme complexes of pyruvate-glutamate transaminase, glucosephosphate isomerase and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase were detected. Metaphases containing human and murine chromosomes were found in the first in vitro passage of excised xenotransplants. Cloning of induced mouse tumor cells yielded tumor cell lines tumorigenic in athymic as well as in immunocompetent mice.

[Value of radiological diagnosis in the complex study of femur head necrosis in children. 2. Scintigraphic and arteriographic studies in the framework of the complex diagnosis of femur head necrosis]

101 scintigraphic investigations and 42 angiograms show that the vascular tamponade is the decisive factor for the beginning of necrosis of the femoral head ossification center. Plain films, scintigraphy and angiography give information of the duration of the disease. Extent and localisation of the circulatory disturbance are important for the prognosis of the disease. From stage classification and prognostic factors the conclusions for therapy can be drawn.

Antenatal records: do they help us? A new record for watching fetal growth

An antenatal record is described which uses a questionnaire to detect mothers and babies at risk, and a graph for charting fetal growth indirectly, by maternal weight, height of fundus, and girth, to give a clear picture. By working out scores for fetal growth and cervical ripeness, guidance is given on when to take action to save babies likely to be born too soon or too late. Our slogan, "Be a Fetal Growth Watcher", serves as a mnemonic for: "Fundus, Girth, Weight".