Identification of immunoreactive atrial natriuretic peptide in atrial amyloid

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Clinical and cytogenetic survey of 39 individuals with Prader-Labhart-Willi syndrome

In a clinical and cytogenetic survey of 39 individuals with Prader-Labhart-Willi syndrome (PLWS) (23 males and 16 females ranging in age from 2 weeks to 39 years), an interstitial deletion of chromosome 15 (breakpoints q11 and q13) was identified in 21 cases and apparently normal chromosomes in the remainder. Studies of parental chromosome 15 variants showed that the del[15q] was paternal in origin, although chromosomes of both parents were normal. All chromosome deletions were de novo events. Possible causes for the chromosome deletion and the role of chromosome rearrangements in individuals with PLWS are discussed. Clinical characteristics of the deletion and nondeletion groups were recorded and compared with 124 individuals reported in the literature. Individuals with the chromosome deletion were found to have lighter hair, eye, and skin color, greater sun sensitivity, and higher intelligence scores than individuals with normal chromosomes. Correlation studies of metacarpophalangeal pattern profile variables and dermatoglyphic findings indicate apparent homogeneity of the deletion group and heterogeneity of individuals with PLWS and normal chromosomes.

Metacarpophalangeal pattern profile analysis in Prader-Willi syndrome. A follow-up report on 38 cases

Metacarpophalangeal pattern profile (MCPP) was determined on 38 Prader-Willi syndrome individuals and compared with a previous report on 16 patients. Chromosome analysis showed an interstitial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 15 in 20 subjects and normal chromosome results in the remaining 18 individuals. The mean hand profile of 38 individuals was essentially flat while the profiles for the two groups based on chromosome findings were separate in the metacarpal area. Correlation studies confirmed the homogeneity of the deletion group relative to Prader-Willi syndrome individuals with normal chromosomes. Discriminant analysis of Prader-Willi syndrome versus control individuals produced a function of three MCPP variables plus age which may be applied as another diagnostic tool.

Metacarpophalangeal pattern profile analysis in Sotos syndrome

The metacarpophalangeal pattern profile (MCPP) was analyzed on 16 Sotos syndrome patients. A mean Sotos syndrome profile was produced. Correlation studies confirm clinical homogeneity of Sotos syndrome individuals. Discriminant analysis of Sotos syndrome patients and normal individuals produces a function of two MCPP variables and age, which may provide a useful tool for diagnosis.

Linkage analysis in a large kindred with autosomal dominant transmission of polyglandular autoimmune disease type II (Schmidt syndrome)

Schmidt syndrome (PGA syndrome type II) is a rare condition characterized by polyglandular failure. It is an autosomal dominant trait with variable expressivity that was inherited over four generations in an the Indiana kindred. Association of HLA-B8 has been reported with Schmidt syndrome. Our proband is a 12-year-old boy with Addison disease, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), and vitiligo. Two of his eight sibs had either IDDM (sister) or vitiligo and hyperthyroidism (brother). His mother had hypothyroidism. Seven members of earlier generations apparently were also affected. We obtained peripheral blood for HLA and genetic analysis from 21 relatives in a family with 8 Schmidt syndrome individuals in three generations. HLA studies on 15 affected and unaffected relatives showed only 2 of 7 persons with B8-containing haplotypes. Therefore, no association exists between the B8-containing haplotype and the syndrome. We identified informative marker loci. No evidence for linkage of the Schmidt locus to any of the 14 markers was found and close linkage to esterase D and adenylate kinase and possibly properdin factor B was excluded.

Dermatoglyphic features in Prader-Willi syndrome with respect to chromosomal findings

Dermatoglyphic findings were compared in 38 Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) patients and 270 normal controls. Twenty-one of the PWS patients had an interstitial deletion of the proximal long arm of chromosome 15 and seventeen PWS cases had normal chromosomes. Findings in PWS are not diagnostic but do show some consistent deviations that can be used in the clinical evaluation of PWS patients. These include a displacement of the axial triradius away from the normal proximal position, an excess of whorls primarily on the thumbs, radial termination of the palmar A mainline, and lack of arches on the big toe. Deletion PWS patients were much more homogeneous than non-deletion cases with respect to plantar patterns. The previously reported deficit of plantar pattern intensity was restricted only to deletion PWS and was characterized by a lack of plantar interdigital II-IV patterns with almost exclusively hallucal distal loops.

Distribution and characterisation of immunoreactive somatostatin in human gastrointestinal tract

Immunoreactive somatostatin (IRS) was measured in acid extracts of human gastrointestinal tissue. The highest levels were found in the duodenum, pancreas, jejunum and stomach with lower levels in the ileum and colon. In the antrum, pylorus, duodenum and pancreas the main peak of IRS (1.6K IRS) coeluted with synthetic somatostatin-14 on both gel filtration chromatography and HPLC. In the body of stomach, jejunum, ileum and colon, a large peak coeluting with synthetic somatostatin-28 (3.5K IRS) on both chromatographic systems was also identified, while minor peaks of IRS assigned molecular weights of 6000 (6K) and greater than 15 000 (15K) were seen in some extracts. The total IRS content and pattern of molecular forms were similar in tissues obtained from adults at surgery or rapid post mortem, and in tissue taken from human fetuses after prostaglandin termination of pregnancy. When tissues were divided into mucosal and muscle layers, greater than 90% of the IRS was in the mucosa with less than 10% in the muscle layer. In the muscle layer the IRS was almost entirely the 1.6K form in all tissues. Immunohistochemical studies showed the IRS in the mucosa to be localised in endocrine-type cells, while in the muscle layer the IRS is present in nerve fibres and neurones of the myenteric plexus. It is suggested that (1) different mechanisms may control the biosynthesis of somatostatin-14 and somatostatin-28 in mucosal cells in different parts of the gut, (2) different biosynthetic controls may operate in endocrine-like and neuronal cells in the same region of the gut.

A possible etiology of the infertile 46XX male subject

We report on an infertile male patient with the predominant 46XX female karyotype. A testicular biopsy revealed widely separated testicular tubules, absence of sperm formation and large numbers of Leydig cells. Chromosome studies, including measurements of the X chromosomes, showed a significant difference between the lengths of the short arm of the 2 X chromosomes. This information lends support for an X-Y chromosome interchange as the etiology of this syndrome. The clinical features of this rare syndrome and other theories of etiology of XX male subjects are discussed.

A longitudinal study of nutritional intake in men

Seven-day dietary diaries were provided by 180 male participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging during each of three time periods (1961 to 1965, 1966 to 1970, and 1971 to 1975). These men are a highly educated, upper-middle class group. At the time of their first diary, they were aged 35 to 74 years. The data were analyzed for aging, cohort, and time effects on diet by utilizing three types of research designs concurrently: cross-sectional, longitudinal, and time series. The nutrients considered were calories, protein, carbohydrate, fat, saturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and cholesterol. Aging had a negative effect on intake of calories, fat, saturated fatty acids, and cholesterol. Cohort effects were not observed for any of these nutrients. Over time, intake of carbohydrates and cholesterol declined, while intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids rose.

Brief clinical report: prune belly syndrome in an anencephalic male

We describe a postmature anencephalic infant with atrophy of the abdominal musculature (prune belly syndrome). Other associations of these conditions are noted.

Metacarpophalangeal pattern profile analysis in Prader-Willi syndrome

Metacarpophalangeal pattern profile (MCPP) was determined on 16 Prader-Willi patients. Chromosome analysis of 14 patients showed an interstitial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 15 in seven subjects and normal chromosome results for the remaining individuals. Two separate and distinguishable hand profiles for each group based on the chromosome findings were identified. Correlation studies confirmed the homogeneity of the chromosome deletion group relative to the Prader-Willi individuals with normal chromosomes. Discriminant analysis of Prader-Willi versus normal individuals produces a function of three MCPP variables plus age which may provide a useful tool for diagnosis.

Brief clinical report: a child with radius aplasia, cleft of lip and palate, microcephaly, and unusual chromosome findings

We report a child with malformation syndrome of microcephaly, asymmetrical radius aplasia, and cleft of lip and palate, who was mosaic for a chromosome marker and/or ring of unknown origin. In view of the reported cases of limb deficiency with chromosome abnormalities and the unlikelihood that the patient has a recognized genetic syndrome, the cause of the patient’s syndrome may well be the extra chromosomal material.

Prader-Willi syndrome: are there population differences?

A 15 1/2-year-old black female with features consistent with the Prader-Willi syndrome is reported. This is the second case report of a black individual and the first case of a black female with the Prader-Willi syndrome. There is an apparent paucity of blacks reported with this condition. Whether this difference is a true difference or represents under-reporting is not known. We urge reporting of individuals representing other racial groups with this disorder and suggest population studies to determine the incidence as well as the true population difference in the Prader-Willi syndrome.

Increased frequency of sister-chromatid exchanges in alcoholics

The frequency of SCES was significantly increased in the alcoholics analyzed (10.6 &/- SD 0.66) when compared to the frequency of a control group (8.4 &/- SD 0.51). Statistical analysis of the data obtained showed that the increase was not apparently related to age, sex, cigarette smoking, duration in years of alcohol abuse, nutritional status or type of alcoholic beverage commonly consumed by the individual. Alcoholics recovering for at least one year from alcohol abuse were examined and the frequency of SCES was found to be equal to the SCE frequency in the control group. There was no statistical significance between the age, sex of the individual, smoking history and years of abstention from alcohol abuse with respect to the frequency of SCES. Therefore, one year of abstention appears sufficient to allow the SCE frequency to return to that found in the control group. In order to keep extraneous factors at a minimum and to analyze the effect of a particular factor, such as alcohol, on the number of SCES, a careful medical history and screening program was followed. However, more information is needed to determine which factors play a role in causing genetic damage and inducing SCES and to determine the significance SCES may have with respect to genetic information and function.

Sister chromatid exchange analysis in a 61 year-old female using various medications

Sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) are considered indicators of genetic damage and early chromosome changes. The SCE frequency from an individual who was taking several therapeutic drugs simultaneously (sulindac, premarin, amitriptyline) was found to be higher than the control group. The SCE frequency was 10.6 ± SD 1.66 while the SCE frequency from ten control subjects was 8.4 ± SD 0.51. The two-tailed t test was applied to the SCE data and a significant difference was found (p < 0.001). The etiology of the increased SCE frequency may be related to the use of various medications simultaneously but more research is needed in this area.

A unique Y/Y translocation in an infertile male

A monocentric and submetacentric Y/Y translocation without evidence of mosaicism was observed in a male with tall stature and azoospermia. Chromosome measurements of the abnormal Y of this patient and the normal Y of his father were undertaken to determine more precisely the chromosome break points in this translocation. The measurements failed to show a definite loss of chromatin from the original short arm of the proband's Y chromosome. The azoospermia and infertility in our patient, in contrast to his father, suggest that infertility may be associated with this specific Y/Y translocation in human males.

Sister-chromatid exchange in 4 human races

The frequencies of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) were investigated in lymphocytes in 32 normal adult individuals of both sexes with no interracial familial backgrounds from Caucasian, American black, oriental and native American races. There was no significant difference in the average frequency of SCEs in the 4 races.

Additional evidence for X-Y chromosome interchange in a 46,XX male

Evidence is presented to support a possible X-Y chromosome interchange etiology for the rare infertile 46,XX male syndrome. Cytogenetic studies including various chromosome banding techniques on lymphocytes and fibroblasts revealed the absence of a Y chromosome in the 400 early metaphase and midmetaphase chromosome plates analyzed. Measurements of the X chromosomes of this patient showed a significant difference in length between the terminal unstained bands on the short arms designated as p22 of the two X chromosomes. The difference was also significant when compared to the same type of measurements of the X chromosomes from normal females.

A case of Turner's syndrome, with apparently normal sex chromatin and chromosome findings

A case of an infertile female with 46 chromosomes and apparently normal sex chromatin is reported. The clinical findings resemble those of Turner’s syndrome with 45 chromosomes (designated as 45,X) and abnormal sex chromatin findings. A gonadal biopsy revealed streaked ovaries with fibrous connective tissue and no evidence of ovulation or primordial follicles. Chromosome studies of the peripheral blood lymphocytes, skin, and ovarian tissue revealed the presence of 46 chromosomes and an isochromosome of the long arm of the X chromosome, designated as 46,X,i(Xq). There was no evidence of chromosomal mosaicism.

This case emphasizes the importance of performing a complete chromosome analysis in patients who present with the clinical features of Turner’s syndrome, but who have apparently normal sex chromatin findings. The analysis can effectively rule out the syndrome, and can also provide a basis for prognosis and management of the patient, including genetic counseling of the family members.

Cryptophthalmos with an orbital cyst and profound mental and motor retardation

The cryptophthalmos syndrome generally consists of cryptophthalmia, dyscephaly (cleft lip and palate, nasal and ear defects, meningoencephaloceles, etc.), syndactyly, and urogenital malformations. This disorder is rare. Approximately 55 cases have been reported, with only a few described in the American literature. A three-year-old boy with this rare syndrome is described. Major clinical findings include: asymmetric bilateral cryptophthalmos, unilateral orbital cyst of the nasofrontal area, bilateral anophthalmos, right choanal atresia, right microtia, right auditory canal atresia, hypodontia, ankyloglossia, cartilaginous synchondroses of the cervical vertebrae, and bilateral acetabular dysplasia. Striking features of this case, in addition to the above, were profound mental and motor retardation. Syndactyly and renal anomalies were not observed.