Spanish and African contribution to the genetic pool of the Canary islanders: data from GM and KM haplotypes and RFLPs in the immunoglobulin IGHG loci

Data on the GM and KM haplotypes and RFLPs in the immunoglobulin IGHG loci are reported intending to evaluate the genetic contribution of the different populations (Europeans and Africans) who settled Tenerife Island. The GM and KM allotypic systems reveal an estimated European genetic admixture of 88%. The only possible African contribution is the presence of the GM*1,17;...;5* haplotype (2.5%), but no other traces of Black African characteristic haplotypes are found. Although new RFLP haplotypes are described, DNA variation is similar to that reported in Caucasoids with a marked absence of restriction fragments characteristic of Black Africans.

The natriuretic effect of nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system remains despite the presence of mild-to-moderate renal failure

BACKGROUND

Calcium channel blockers facilitate the renal excretion of sodium and this effect is maintained during chronic administration of these drugs. However, it is unknown whether this natriuretic effect remains despite the presence of a decreased renal function.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the natriuretic capacity of nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) and lisinopril in patients with mild-to-moderate chronic renal failure.

METHODS

An open-label, randomized, comparative study was conducted to compare the natriuretic capacity of nifedipine GITS and lisinopril in the presence of mild-to-moderate renal failure (creatinine clearance 30-80 ml/min). After a wash-out period of 4 weeks an intravenous saline infusion (30 ml/kg of body weight of isotonic saline in 4 h) was performed and repeated after 4 weeks of active therapy. Two sex- and age-matched groups of hypertensive patients (n = 25) were included in the study. Renal failure was diagnosed as secondary to nephrosclerosis in all the patients.

RESULTS

A significant increase in the renal capacity to excrete the sodium load was observed in patients receiving nifedipine GITS (n = 11) but not in those taking lisinopril (n = 13). Both drugs controlled blood pressure to a similar extent. No changes were observed in body weight, glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow (measured as inulin and paraaminohippurate clearances). A significant drop was observed in urinary albumin excretion after lisinopril, but not after nifedipine. Heart rate was higher in nifedipine group.

CONCLUSION

The natriuretic capacity of nifedipine GITS remains despite the presence of mild-to-moderate chronic renal failure. Such an effect takes place in the absence of changes in renal hemodynamics, suggesting that it is caused by a direct tubular effect.

Childhood Lead Poisoning in Russia: A Site-specific Pediatric Blood Lead Evaluation

Lead poisoning in children is an international concern. Health effects vary according to a child's blood lead level. Historically, the problem of lead poisoning in Russia had been defined by analysis of hair samples. In Saratov, Russia, during the spring of 1996, the authors conducted the first evaluation of blood lead levels among Russian children. The mean blood lead level of 579 samples analyzed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was 7.7 µg/dL (range 3.0 to 35.7 µg/dL). The sensitivity of hair analysis in identifying blood lead levels above 10 µg/dL was 50%. Most of the environmental samples evaluated (including water, dust, paint, and soil) were within acceptable U.S. remediation standards. Almost one-fourth of the Russian children evaluated during this site-specific investigation had blood lead levels capable of causing adverse health effects in children. Hair analysis is not an adequate method for identifying these children. Additional investigations in other Russian cities are necessary in order to determine the extent of lead poisoning in Russia's children.

Evaluation of Infant Diarrhea Associated with Elevated Levels of Sulfate in Drinking Water: A Case-Control Investigation in South Dakota

The objective of this study was to assess the association between infant diarrhea and ingestion of water containing elevated sulfate levels. The authors identified 274 mothers of infants born in 19 South Dakota counties with high water sulfate concentrations. Demographic information and seven-day- recall dietary and health data were obtained by telephone interviews. Sulfate in drinking water was measured from samples submitted by the participants. Logistic regression was used to estimate the risk for diarrhea (>/=3 loose stools in 24 hours). Questionnaires were completed for 274 households: 69% drank municipal water and 54% reported using the water in the infants' diets. Thirty-nine infants developed diarrhea. Of the 170 households that submitted water samples, 141 (83%) were using the water in the infants' diets. The median sulfate level of the water samples was 264 mg/L. Twenty-five of the infants developed diarrhea. Average infant daily sulfate intake was not significantly associated with an increased diarrhea rate. There was no significant association between sulfate ingestion and the incidence of diarrhea for the range of sulfate levels studied. There was no evidence of a dose-response or threshold effect. However, because of the small number of the most highly exposed infants, the possibility of such an association should be further evaluated.

Degenerate and specific PCR assays for the detection of bovine leukaemia virus and primate T cell leukaemia/lymphoma virus pol DNA and RNA: phylogenetic comparisons of amplified sequences from cattle and primates from around the world

Degenerate and specific PCR assays were developed for bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) and/or primate T cell leukaemia/lymphoma viruses (PTLV). The degenerate assays detected all major variants of the BLV/PTLV genus at a sensitivity of 10-100 copies of input DNA; the specific systems detected 1-10 copies of input target. Sensitivity was 100% in specific DNA-PCR assays done on peripheral blood from seropositive BLV-infected cattle and HTLV-I- or HTLV-II-infected humans, and 62% in RNA/DNA-PCR assays on sera from BLV seropositive cattle. The pol fragments from 21 different BLV strains, isolated from cattle in North and Central America, were cloned and sequenced, and compared to other published BLV and PTLV pol sequences. BLV and PTLV sequences differed by 42%. Sequence divergence was up to 6% among the BLV strains, and up to 36% among the PTLV strains (with PTLV-I and PTLV-II differing among themselves by 15% and 8%, respectively). Some cows were infected with several BLV strains. Among retroviruses, BLV and PTLV sequences formed a distinct clade. The data support the interpretation that BLV and PTLV evolved from a common ancestor many millennia ago, and some considerable time before the PTLV-I and PTLV-II strains diverged from each other. The dissemination of the BLV strains studied probably resulted from the export of European cattle throughout the world over the last 500 years. The relatively similar mutation rates of BLV and PTLV, after their various points of divergence, suggest that there could be a much wider genetic range of BLV than has currently been defined.

APO E polymorphism in Spanish and Moroccan populations

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction in one Moroccan and six Spanish populations, a total of 660 individuals. No significant differences were observed between samples, and the mean relative frequencies (with 95% confidence intervals) found were 0.104 (0.069-0.139) for the epsilon4 allele, 0.855 (0.813-0.897) for epsilon3 and 0.041 (0.015-0.067) for epsilon2. Frequencies of the epsilon4 allele were low in comparison to Northern European populations, but similar to those reported for other South-European populations. The presence of a rare mutation, E2 Christchurch, in one Basque individual was confirmed by sequence analysis.

Genetic study of the population of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain): protein markers and review of classical polymorphisms

Data on six protein polymorphisms (19 alleles) from the human population of Tenerife are presented and discussed along with other classical markers in relation to the origin of the Canarians. Genetic influences from three population groups were considered: the Iberians, and the Berbers and non-Berbers (Arabs) from north Africa. The systems examined show the Tenerife population lies within the limits of variation described for various Iberian groups, with a slight tendency towards the characteristics of north African populations. When blood groups, red cell enzymes and serum protein data were considered, the similarity of the Canary population to Iberians seems strengthened (70% estimated contribution of Iberian peninsula genes to the present-day Canarian pool), while some relation with north African groups is shown. Genetic distances between Canarians and Arabs and Canarians and Berbers are lower than those between the two north African groups, indicating a relative and comparable contribution of each to the present-day gene pool of the Canarian population. The Arab contribution could be attributable to the slaves who were introduced to these islands after the conquest in the 15th century, while the Berber contribution could be the remnants of the extinct aboriginal peoples of the islands (Guanches) or a more recent immigration due to slavery. Genetic data do not allow us to distinguish between these two possibilities.

Comparative performances of enzyme-linked immunosorbent, western blot, and polymerase chain reaction assays for human T-lymphotropic virus type II infection that is endemic among Indians of the Gran Chaco region of South America

BACKGROUND

Human T-cell lymphoma/leukemia viruses types I and II (HTLV-I and HTLV-II) are related exogenous human retroviruses. The former is definitely pathogenic while disease association with the latter is unclear. There are two subtypes of HTLV-II, A and B. Currently, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) based on HTLV-I antigens are used to screen for the presence of HTLV-I and -II antibodies. Confirmation and subtyping are accomplished by Western blot (WB) or ELISAs based on HTLV-I whole viral antigens and/or HTLV-I and HTLV-IIA peptides. The sensitivity and specificity of these serologic assays were compared to those of HTLV-I and-II-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays in tests on samples from Indians from South America in whom the HTLV-IIB subtype is endemic.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Sera from 246 Gran Chaco Indians were evaluated for HTLV antibodies with the use of four ELISAs (Retrotek HTLV-I; Cambridge Biotech rgp21 enhanced HTLV-I/II; Vironostika HTLV-I/II; and Select HTLV-I/II), and a WB assay. Peripheral blood leukocyte DNA from each Indian was analyzed for HTLV-I or HTLV-II pol DNA via PCR. Fifteen of the PCR-positive samples were further subtyped via cloning and sequencing and/or oligomer restriction.

RESULTS

Ninety-seven samples (39%) were positive for HTLV-II by serologic and/or PCR assays. All 15 positive DNA samples that were further analyzed were of the HTLV-IIB subtype and were clustered as a highly conserved phylogenetic group. Comparative analyses indicate that the sensitivity and specificity of the various assays were: PCR, 97 and 100 percent; Retrotek, 70 and 91 percent; Cambridge Biotech, 74 and 96 percent; Vironostika, 73 and 99 percent; Select 72 and 98 percent; and WB, 70 and 100 percent.

CONCLUSION

The sensitivities of the tested HTLV serologic assays were comparable. However, the specificity of the Retrotek ELISA was significantly lower than that of the others. When positive, the subtyping assays were very specific. However, PCR assays would seem preferable or to be a necessary adjunct for the sensitive detection of HTLV-IIB infection.

Endemic infection with human T cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type IIB in Argentinean and Paraguayan Indians: epidemiology and molecular characterization

Human T cell leukemia/lymphoma virus (HTLV-II) type II infection was detected by polymerase chain reaction or serologic analyses (or both) in 22% of 697 Indians of six different ethnic back-grounds inhabiting the Argentinean and Paraguayan Gran Chaco. None was infected with HTLV-I. The prevalence of HTLV-II increased with age (14% in those < 13 years and 23% in those > or = 13 years). HTLV-II infection was found in all 20 Gran Chaco communities studied, but marked differences (44%-4%) in the rate of infection were observed even in communities separated by only a few miles. These variations correlated closely with ethnicity. In the high-incidence communities, infection clustered within families, with evidence for both sexual and perinatal transmission, primarily via breast-feeding. By contrast, only 2% of 94 Mapuche Indians from southern Argentina were positive for HTLV-II. Analyses of pol and long terminal repeat sequences from 15 Gran Chaco HTLV-II strains indicated that they constitute a highly conserved branch of the HTLV-IIB substrain.

Genetics, geography, and culture: the population of S. Pietro Island (Sardinia, Italy)

An interesting aspect of the island of Sardinia (Italy) is the wide range of genetic variability within the island itself. The variability is widened by the presence of some populations of different ethnic origin who speak a language other than Sardinian. This work deals with the study of the genetic structure of the Carloforte population which inhabits the tiny island of S. Pietro 4 km off the southwest coast of Sardinia. S. Pietro was first populated in 1738 by emigrants coming from the island of Tabarka (Tunisia) who spoke an archaic form of the Ligurian dialect. Data on genetic polymorphisms in the Carloforte population are presented and discussed in relation to some Sardinian and Italian populations. Data on demographic and matrimonial structure are also presented. The genetic analyses show the Carloforte population as being clearly separated from both Sardinians and continental Italians. The isolation of Carloforte, highlighted by language diversity, endogamy, and consanguinity levels and marriage area, supports the idea of genetic diversity linked to cultural peculiarity.

Laryngeal involvement in pediatric neurofibromatosis: a case report and review of the literature

A case of neurofibroma of the larynx occurring in generalized neurofibromatosis (von Recklinghausen's disease) is presented, and the previously reported pediatric cases are reviewed. Laryngeal involvement in neurofibromatosis is rare and the predominant signs and symptoms include dyspnea, stridor, loss or change of voice and dysphagia. Problems posed related to diagnosis, management and course of this infrequent laryngeal localization are discussed.

Association between indoor residential contamination with methyl parathion and urinary para-nitrophenol

Methyl parathion, a pesticide listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Toxicity Category I (i.e., most toxic), is not licensed for indoor use, and human exposure has resulted in the deaths of infants and children. From January 1991 through November 1994, an unlicensed pesticide applicator sprayed the interior of more than 200 homes in Lorain County, Ohio, with methyl parathion. To measure the environmental contamination this spraying caused, we measured methyl parathion in residential samples (air filtration and surface wipe) collected from a subset of 64 homes. To measure human exposure, we collected urine samples from 142 people living in these homes and measured urinary levels of para-nitrophenol, a methyl parathion metabolite. We then used a generalized estimating equation to evaluate the association between residential contamination and human exposure. The model included the age of the resident, the number of days between pesticide application and sample collection, and air and surface-wipe methyl parathion concentrations. As expected, the air and surface-wipe concentrations each had a significant inverse relationship with the number of days between application and sample collection. The model explained 65.7% of the variation in urinary para-nitrophenol concentrations. The form of this model could be used to estimate urine p-nitrophenol in residents exposed to methyl parathion in situations where urine specimens are not available. We recommend site-specific validation of this model.

Acylated flavonol sophorotriosides from pea shoots

Seven flavonols were isolated and identified from Pisum sativum (cv Solara) shoots. The 3-glucoside, and 3-sophorotrioside [beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D- glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside] of quercetin, the 3-sophorotrioside of kaempferol, and the acylated derivatives of quercetin 3-sophorotrioside with p-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic and sinapic acids on the hydroxyl at the 6-position of the terminal sugar. The caffeic and sinapic acid esters are two new naturally occurring compounds. This is the first report in which the structures of the p-coumaryl- and ferulyl-sophorotriosides of quercetin, which were previously reported from pea leaves, have been completely established by means of 1H NMR studies including COSY, NOESY and TOCSY experiments.

Cryptosporidium muris: prevalence, persistency, and detrimental effect on milk production in a drylot dairy

A total of 1746 individual fecal samples were obtained from milking cows during three separate visits to a drylot dairy farm. In addition, 1240 fecal samples were also obtained from cows in four additional farms. Cryptosporidium muris was prevalent in all five herds sampled. Cows that were sampled more than once invariably remained in the same shedding category. Cows shedding C. muris oocysts produced significantly less milk (approximately 3.2 kg/d). After corrections for the effects of age, parity, pen, and DIM in a logistic regression model, mean daily milk production was significantly associated with shedding status.

Reproductive performance in high producing dairy cows treated with recombinant bovine somatotropin

The reproductive performance of 156 cows treated with recombinant bST for two consecutive lactations was assessed as part of a target animal safety study conducted in the San Joaquín Valley of central California. Daily intramuscular administration of 17.2, 51.6, and 86 mg of bST per cow started at d 70 postpartum and ended at dry-off or 305 d postpartum. The AI did not begin until d 70 postpartum. During the first lactation study, multiparous cows treated with bST had significantly decreased pregnancy rates, increased behavioral anestrus, and increased anestrus confirmed by palpation. Treated primiparous cows in first lactation had shorter mean days to first standing estrus. In the second lactation study, cows treated with bST had an increased rate of delayed uterine involution, cystic ovarian condition, behavioral anestrus, and anestrus confirmed by palpation. Progeny from the first lactation cows were evaluated for rates of growth, morbidity, mortality, and for reproductive performance; no difference was detected between the progeny from different groups.

Host soluble factors with blocking and stimulating activity on the expression of the bovine leukemia virus

The bovine leukemia virus (BLV), like the human T cell leukemia viruses (HTLV-I and -II), is usually present in its host in a transcriptionally repressed state. However, the viral genome becomes derepressed a few hours after the infected lymphocytes are cultured in vitro. Depending upon the concentrations tested, plasma and lymphatic fluid of BLV-infected cattle have either stimulatory (BSF) or inhibitory (PBB) activity on viral expression in these cultures. These activities can be separated by chromatographic procedures. BSF is either an antiviral antibody or a BLV-induced molecule that binds to IgG. After complete removal of BSF, the PBB activity can be more consistently detected in bovine plasma and lymphatic fluid. PBB activity can also be demonstrated in human plasma. It seems likely that this activity is responsible for the latent state in which BLV, HTLV-I and -II, and human immunodeficiency virus are usually present in their hosts.

Interval from calving to conception in high producing dairy cows treated with recombinant bovine somatotropin

Intervals from calving to conception in cows treated for two lactations with recombinant bST were ascertained using survival analysis methods. Daily intramuscular administration of placebo, 17.2, 51.6, or 86 mg of bST per cow started at d 70 postpartum and ended at culling or drying off. Breeding began at d 70 postpartum. Multiparous cows treated during the first lactation had significantly longer intervals from calving to conception. Cows treated during the previous lactation, but not during the second lactation, had significantly shorter intervals from calving to conception. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used with adjustment for the confounding effect of serum metabolites, milk production, energy balance, and body condition.

Pregnancy incidence in high producing dairy cows treated with recombinant bovine somatotropin

Reproductive performance in cows exposed for two lactations to recombinant bST was measured using unconditional logistic regression. Intramuscular administration of 17.2, 51.6, and 86 mg of recombinant bST/d per cow started at d 70 postpartum and ended at dry-off or 305 d postpartum. Performance was measured as the cumulative incidence of cows becoming pregnant by 305 d post-partum. Within each parity group, cows treated with bST had higher total milk yield. During the first study lactation, the log odds of a cow becoming pregnant decreased linearly as dose increased, following adjustment for serum cholesterol, blood urea N, average daily milk yield, peak milk yield, net energy balance, and body condition score. However, differences in pregnancy incidence between treated and untreated cows were statistically significant only at the higher dose categories, the 51.6 and 86.0 mg of recombinant bST per cow. During the second study lactation, pregnancy rates were similar to those in the first lactation; rates reduced as recombinant bST dose increased. The singular exception was for cows exposed to recombinant bST during the previous lactation but not during the second. In the latter group, previously treated cows had higher pregnancy incidence than did the controls.

Essentiality of Boron for Symbiotic Dinitrogen Fixation in Pea (Pisum sativum) Rhizobium Nodules

The effect of boron deficiency on symbiotic nitrogen fixation in pea (Pisum sativum) was examined. The absence of boron in the culture medium resulted in a decrease of the number of nodules and an alteration of nodule development leading to an inhibition of nitrogenase activity. Examination of boron-deficient nodules showed dramatic changes in cell walls and in both peribacteroid and infection thread membranes, suggesting a role for boron in the stability of these structures. These results indicate that boron is a requirement for normal nodule development and functionality.

High rate of infection with the human T-cell leukemia retrovirus type II in four Indian populations of Argentina

Sera from 215 non-drug-injecting Toba and Mataco-Mataguayo pure Indians belonging to four communities in northern Argentina were examined using assays that allow differentiation between reactivities due to type-specific antigens of the human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus (HTLV). Three of these populations have very little contact with non-Indian groups and reside in remote, isolated areas. HTLV-II type-specific seroreactivity was present in 24 (13.7%) of the 175 Indians older than 13 years of age and in none of the 40 who were of younger ages. None of the Indians had antibodies reacting with HTLV-I type-specific antigen. Seroreactivity was more prevalent and appeared at younger ages in females than in males. The majority of the HTLV-II-seropositive Indians belonged to the more isolated communities. The seroprevalences among the Tobas and Mataco-Mataguayo Indians were comparable. With the exception of a Toba who was positive in a test for Treponema pallidum, no serological evidence of sexually transmitted infections with this spirochete, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus was found among the Indians tested. None of the 55 non-Indian people tested in the region showed HTLV-II type-specific seroreactivity. PCR analysis of DNA isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes of seropositive Indians confirmed that the virus present in these populations is HTLV-II. Sequence analysis of PCR-amplified genomic segments showed that the virus belongs to the HTLV-II subtype which has been found to be endemic in other Paleo-American Indians.

Emergency coronary stenting for acute occlusive dissection of the left main coronary artery

Catheter-induced left main coronary artery dissection is a rare but serious complication of diagnostic cardiac angiography. We report the case of a patient with mitral regurgitation and accidental dissection of the left main coronary artery successfully managed with intracoronary stent that allowed emergent surgical revascularization and mitral replacement.

Finger dermatoglyphics in Delta de l'Ebre: a Mediterranean Spanish population

Pattern types and quantitative finger dermatoglyphics have been analyzed in a Spanish population samples (141 males, 200 females) from the Mediterranean coast. For both dermatoglyphic traits sexual and bilateral differences were tested by means of Chi-square and Student's t-test. Concerning the pattern types the male samples show an intermediate position in the Spanish variation range, whereas the female sample differs from all the populations compared. In regard of the quantitative values the Delta de l'Ebre population is within the general range of ridge counts described for other Iberian samples. This is valid for both sexes.