The use of multiple thresholds and segregation analysis in analyzing the phenotypic heterogeneity of multifactorial traits

(1) Three models based on multifactorial inheritance are introduced to account for phenotypic heterogeneities. These models are used to determine whether subforms of a triat are: (a) different degrees of the same process, (b) non-familial environmental variants of the same process, and (c) independently transmitted processes. (2) The parameters of each model consist of two population prevalences and either one, two, or three correlation coefficients which reflect the three hypotheses given above. The models are formulated so that a likelihood ratio test may be performed to discriminate between them. (3) The following types of analyses are described: (a) analysis of prevalence data with separate population prevalence estimates, (b) analysis of prevalence data with the proband a parent with specified spouse, (c) analysis of prevalence data with the proband an offspring with specified parents, and (d) the full segregation distribution of families using Complex Segregation Analysis. (4) When compared with the Analysis of Prevalences, Complex Segregation Analysis has the following advantages: (a) the number of degrees of freedom for parameter estimates is greater and separate estimates of the population prevalences are not necessary, (b) standard errors of the parameters are smaller, and (c) the power to discriminate models is increased. (5) Phenotypic heterogeneities such as age of onset, severity, and sex effect can be more completely understood by the methods of analyses described above. The nosology of familial disorders can also be clarified, and environments relevant to the transmission of the trait can be detected. This approach is particularly suitable for the analysis for behavioural traits since it does not require the assumption that environmental effects common to relatives be ignored. (6) Finally, our experience indicates that incorporating both prevalence and pedigree data into a single analysis decreases the time required to perform the analysis.

The influence of Triton X-100 on the nuclear envelope of the isolated liver cell nuclei

In order to obtain more precise information on an eventual presence of extra-membranous lipids in the interior of the nucleus, the effects of Triton X-100 on the lipid content and ultrastructure of isolated rat liver nuclei was investigated. Enzyme markers (a.o. glucose-6-phosphatase) were used to control impurities of the nuclear fractions biochemically along with transmission electron microscopy and qualitative and quantitative light microscopy to check the condition of the nuclei obtained. Treatment of the nuclear fraction with increasing concentrations of Triton X-100 resulted in a decrease of the phospholipid content down to 25% at a Triton X-100/protein ratio of 0.4. A further decrease to 8% was measured at a ratio of 1.5. Electron microscopy of nuclei of the latter group showed nuclei containing outer membrane fragments in 2.5% of their surfaces. The composition of lipids extracted from a nuclear fraction appeared to be markedly changed after treatment with Triton X-100 with an increase of the percentage of neutral lipids and the phospholipids diphosphatidyl-glycerol and spingomyelin. From the chemical and morphological data obtained, the conclusion was drawn that a substantial part of the lipids remaining in the isolated nuclei after treatment with Triton X-100 is localized in both membranes of the nuclear envelope. It cannot however, be excluded that a small portion would be present in the interior of the nuclei.

Adaptation of the Naphthol Yellow S staining for objects with high protein content

In measuring isolated rat liver cells stained with Naphthol Yellow S (NYS) at optimal conditions of pH (2.8), the absorbances measured at the absorption peak of 430 nm appeared to be far too high locally to enable accurate cytophotometric measurements. In order to bring down these absorbances, different techniques for flattening the cells, off-peak measurement and NYS staining at non-optimal pH levels have been applied respectively. Using albumin incorporated in polyacrylamide model films, the reliability of off-peak measurements and the quantitative aspects of the modified protein staining procedures have been investigated. It was found that the NYS procedure can be used as a quantitative protein staining not only at pH 2.8, but also at pH 2.0, 3.5 and 4.0 respectively. The problem with regard to the cytophotometric measuring of isolated liver cells could only be solved, however, by combining a specially developed flattening procedure (by centrifuging small drops of suspension) with staining at non-optimal pH levels. In contrast to the model film results, off-peak measurements applied in situ appeared to give rather unreliable results. In cases of a combined Feulgen-NYS staining, the Fuelgen-DNA values were not significantly influenced by any of the modifications of the original NYS staining procedure.

A comparison for extracorporeal and travenol coils for the conduct of short haemodialysis: a consumer report

A cross-over study carried out over a 24 week period during 1975-76 was designed to test the relative merits of Extracorporeal versus Travenol coils for thrice weekly short periods of haemodialysis for patients with end-stage renal failure. Predictability of and capacity for ultrafiltration were excellent and equally good for both products. Leak rates in Travenol coils were 9.3% as compared to 4.3% for Extracorporeal coils. Dialysances of BUN, creatinine, and phosphate were significantly higher with Travenol coils than with Extracorporeal coils, but this increase was not as great as might be expected from the greater surface area of the Travenol coil. Despite the greater functional efficiency of the Travenol coils we could detect no difference in the degree of biochemical control of the patients as judged by standard pre and post dialysis blood chemistries. Residual blood volumes averaged 9 mls for the Travenol coils as compared to 1.6 mls for Extracorporeal coils.

Early sexual experience and prostitution

The authors compared several aspects of early sexual experience found in two earlier studies of prostitutes with results of research on "normal" women. The prostitutes had in common many negative experiences not found or found less often in other populations of young women. These include incestuous and/or coerced sex, lack parental guidance, intercouse at a young age, and few or no meaningful relationships with males. These women had discovered that sex could lead to a kind of status, even though that status is negatively labeled by the wider culture. In a society that values women on the basis of their sexuality, a woman who views herself as "debased" may see prostitution as a viable alternative--perhaps the only alternative.

The epithelium in healing experimental standard lesions in the gastric mucosa of the rat. A light microscopical and scanning electron microscopical study

In a series of experiments in rats, the movement of the advancing sheet of epithelial cells streaming from a border region into the woind bed of standardized defects in the glandular mucosa of the stomach was studied using the light microscope and the scanning electron microscope (SEM). A very high synthetic activity of mucus in gastric lining cells of the border region (with a typical shift in its reaction product towards a more acidly reacting product showing metachromasia with toluidine blue) was observed histochemically, together with a loss of characteristic features of glandular cells in the border region with an increase in mitotic activity. The SEM images enabled a detailed analysis of the advancing epithelial front in its relation to the border regions. Considerable local differences were noted in the moving pattern of the migrating epithelium, possibly in relation with the nature of the base on which it has to move. The lesion of 3 mm diameter appeared to close usually after 10 days; in some instances, however, small epithelial defects were later found which could easily be traced with the SEM.

Intravenous administration of diazepam in patients with chronic liver disease

The EEG response and drug kinetics after intravenous infusion of diazepam at 1-0 mg/min until nystagmus, dysarthria, and moderate sedation developed, has been investigated in five normal subjects and 17 patients with chronic liver disease. Diazepam induced adequate premedication with a similar clinical response in all subjects with no adverse reactions. Maximal response was during or within five minutes of infusion. The dose of diazepam required in liver chronic disease was 17-9 +/- 1-4 mg (M +/- SEM) compared with 27 +/- 5-4 mg in controls (p less than 0-01). Dose correlated significantly with serum albumin (p less than 0-05). Baseline mean dominant frequency (MDF) and slow wave index (SWI) significantly correlated with albumin (p less than 0-01). After diazepam, the MDF decreased and SWI increased. The change was greatest at the time of maximal clinical response. It was greater in liverdisease and was greatest in patients with previous hepaticencephalopathy. In spite of reduced dose requirements in liver disease, there was no significant difference in plasma concentration at the end of drug infusion...

Baseline fetal heart rate characteristics as an indicator of fetal status during the antepartum period

A retrospective study was designed to determine whether the baseline fetal heart rate (FHR), recorded before oxytocin infusion, would have any correlation with the outcome of the oxytocin challenge test (OCT).

A study of factors influencing drug disposition in chronic liver disease, using the model drug (+)-propranolol

The pharmacokinetics, following i.v. administration of (+)-propranolol (40 mg) have been compared to in vitro measurement of protein binding and biochemical parameters of liver function in six normal subjects and twenty patients with stable chronic liver disease. The clearance of (+)-propranolol decreased with evidence of increasing severity of impairment of liver function correlating significantly with a fall in serum albumin, a rise in bilirubin and a prolongation in prothrombin index. The clearance of (+)-propranolol correlated with and was numerically similar to the clearance of indocyanine green in normal subjects and also in patients with chronic liver disease. Protein binding was decreased in chronic liver disease, but this change was not related to changes in plasma proteins. In normal subjects and patients without ascites the volume of distribution increased with decreases in protein binding. Ascites was associated with a further increase in the volume of distribution. The considerable variation in half-life largely depends on changes in liver blood flow, the degree of protein binding and the plasma protein pool size.

The HL-A type of Rg(a-) individuals

The investigation of 2 examples of anti-Rga led to the observation that the phenotype HL-A 1,8 occurs very frequently among Rg(a-) individuals.

A simple device for spot counting in photomicrographs or electron micrographs

A simple apparatus for spot counting in photomicrographs or electron micrographs is described, consisting of an illuminator on which the photographic print in placed and a counting pen. By making small holes in the photograph with the specially designed spring-loaded counting pen, the spot counted can be clearly located by the light from the illuminator falling through the hole, whereas a microswitch built into the counting pen makes an electronic counting system to move one digit.

Clinical experience with the oxytocin challenge test. II. An ominous atypical pattern

Three cases have been observed over the past 3 years at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, Women's Hospital, which have shown an unusual fetal heart rate response to induced uterine contractions during the antepartum period. All 3 cases resulted in perinatal death apparently due to asphyxia. This report describes this unusual pattern and presents a discussion of its possible significance.

Histological features of the palatal mucosa in denture sore mouth. Densities of mast cells in the lamina propria and histological features in the epithelium of the denture bearing and non-denture bearing human palatal mucosa in comparison with patients suffering from denture sore mouth

A histological investigation was carried out on biopsy specimens taken from patients suffering from denture sore mouth. The results were compared with those obtained in previous investigations on denture and non-denture-wearers. The sections were studied by standardized quantitative morphometric methods. After 4 years the denture bearing palatal epithelium from both groups, the denture wearers and the patients suffering from a denture sore mouth did not show changes in mean thickness of the epithelium from both groups, the denture wearers and the patients suffering from a denture sore mouth did not show changes in mean thickness of the epithelium compared with the controls. The mitotic index in denture bearing epithelium from patients suffering from denture sore mouth was three times lower than in the epithelium of the normal denture wearers. The three groups of patients investigated did not show differences in density of mast cells in the lamina propria of their palatal epithelium.

Influenza vaccination and mortality from bronchopneumonia in the elderly

In a three-year influenza vaccination programme carried out among elderly patients these were found to have a lower haemagglutination-inhibiting antibody level and a poorer serological response to vaccination than younger persons in the same city. Although there was little difference in overall respiratory illness between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups until the third year of observation, those who received vaccine showed a substantially smaller incidence of bronchopneumonia and a significantly lower mortality than those not so protected. The observations are believed to justify the giving of influenza vaccine in this age-group.

The effect of leukocyte hydrolases on bacteria. III. Bacteriolysis induced by extracts of different leukocyte populations and the inhibition of lysis by macromolecular substances

The lysis of 14C-labeled bacteria by hydrolases of human and rabbit leukocytes was studied in vitro. While Staphylococcus albus, Streptococcus faecalis, and Streptococcus mutans were highly susceptible to lysis, Staphylococcus auresus was intermediate in its susecptibility to lysis by the leukocyte enzymes. Group A Streptococcus, Listeria monocytogenes, Shigella flexneri, Escherichia coli, and Mycobacterium smegmatis were very resistant to degradation by these enzymes. The lytic activity of leukocyte lysates from human and rabbit blood was probably due to acid hydrolases of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Extracts of human blood monocytes and of rabbit peritoneal and lung macrophages were less lytic for the bacteria tested. Lymphocytes and platelet extracts were not bacteriolytic. The lytic effect of the leukocyte lysates was not inhibited by KCN or sodium azide, but was abolished to a large extent by cationic polyelectrolytes such as protamine sulfate, histone and leukocyte cationic proteins, and poly-lysine, as well as by the anionic polyelectrolytes such as heparin, chondroitin sulfate, DNA, carrageenin, alginate sulfate, dextran sulfate, and ploy-L-glutamic acid. Other potent inhibitors of bacteriolysis were trypan blue, congo red, phosphatidic acid, normal immunoglobulins, and components of streptococcal cell wall.