A Study of a Caucasian Family with Variant von Willebrand’s Disease in Association with Vascular Telangiectasia and Haemoglobinopathy

A family was identified which carries multi-haematological disorders including Type IIA von Willebrand’s disease, vascular telangiectasia, and a haemoglobinopathy (haemoglobin S trait). In the affected individuals, the von Willebrand’s disease varies in its expression from an asymptomatic form to a severe form especially in those patients with telangiectasia. Some patients have vascular telangiectasia in the mucous membranes of the mouth and lips. In two patients endoscopy disclosed telangiectasia in the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. All of the patients who had telangiectasia also had von Willebrand’s disease. An incidental finding was the presence of an abnormal haemoglobin (haemoglobin S) in some family members. The pattern of inheritance of the haemoglobinopathy was unrelated to the inheritance pattern of von Willebrand’s disease. The presence of haemoglobin S did not interfere with the aggregation of platelets in response to ristocetin.

Recent trends in the intrinsic water-use efficiency of ringless rainforest trees in Borneo

Stable carbon isotope (δ(13)C) series were developed from analysis of sequential radial wood increments from AD 1850 to AD 2009 for four mature primary rainforest trees from the Danum and Imbak areas of Sabah, Malaysia. The aseasonal equatorial climate meant that conventional dendrochronology was not possible as the tree species investigated do not exhibit clear annual rings or dateable growth bands. Chronology was established using radiocarbon dating to model age-growth relationships and date the carbon isotopic series from which the intrinsic water-use efficiency (IWUE) was calculated. The two Eusideroxylon zwageri trees from Imbak yielded ages of their pith/central wood (±1 sigma) of 670 ± 40 and 759 ± 40 years old; the less dense Shorea johorensis and Shorea superba trees at Danum yielded ages of 240 ± 40 and 330 ± 40 years, respectively. All trees studied exhibit an increase in the IWUE since AD 1960. This reflects, in part, a response of the forest to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. Unlike studies of some northern European trees, no clear plateau in this response was observed. A change in the IWUE implies an associated modification of the local carbon and/or hydrological cycles. To resolve these uncertainties, a shift in emphasis away from high-resolution studies towards long, well-replicated time series is proposed to develop the environmental data essential for model evaluation. Identification of old (greater than 700 years) ringless trees demonstrates their potential in assessing the impacts of climatic and atmospheric change. It also shows the scientific and applied value of a conservation policy that ensures the survival of primary forest containing particularly old trees (as in Imbak Canyon and Danum).

Frontal sinus depth at four landmarks in breeds of dog typically affected by sinonasal aspergillosis

The objective of this study was to assess whether the frontal sinuses in dogs with aspergillosis and of breeds typically affected by this condition were deeper at a more caudal location. CT scans of the head performed at the Small Animal Teaching Hospital, University of Liverpool, between April 2007 and March 2009 for dogs diagnosed with aspergillosis (group 1) and unaffected dogs of similar breeds (group 2) were selected for study. Sinus depth was measured at four standardised locations from reconstructed images of these CT scans. Data were compared for differences in sinus depth between groups and between landmarks. No significant difference was found between measurements within individual dogs or for each of the various landmarks between groups. Difference in depth of the sinuses between landmarks was significant (P<0.001). Sinus depth was significantly greater at the more caudal landmarks and was shallowest at the previously recommended landmark for sinus entry. In 54 per cent of dogs, the frontal sinus depth measured less than or equal to 2 cm at one or more of the landmarks. Sinus entry at the deepest point will reduce the risk of accidentally damaging underlying structures. This may be approximately 1 cm caudal, in breeds of dog that typically develop aspergillosis, to a previously suggested landmark.

Promoter trapping identifies real genes in C. elegans

Promoter trapping involved screening uncharacterized fragments of C. elegans genomic DNA for C. elegans promoter activity. By sequencing the ends of these DNA fragments and locating their genomic origin using the available genome sequence data, promoter trapping has now been shown to identify real promoters of real genes, exactly as anticipated. Developmental expression patterns have thereby been linked to gene sequence, allowing further inferences on gene function to be drawn. Some expression patterns generated by promoter trapping include subcellular details. Localization to the surface of particular cells or even particular aspects of the cell surface was found to be consistent with the genes, now associated with these patterns, encoding membrane-spanning proteins. Data on gene expression patterns are easier to generate and characterize than mutant phenotypes and may provide the best means of interpreting the large quantity of sequence data currently being generated in genome projects.

A simple and sensitive bioassay for the detection of toxic materials using a unicellular green alga

A simple assay for phytotoxicity, using small scale cultures of Chlorella vulgaris, is described. Growth after 3 days' incubation in 0.5 cm(3) medium is assessed by DMSO-acetone extraction and chlorophyll determination. The method is sensitive enough to detect phytotoxicity in small samples of material and this is illustrated by the inhibitory effects of microgram additions of copper, cadmium and zinc.

A study of a Caucasian family with variant von Willebrand's disease in association with vascular telangiectasia and haemoglobinopathy

A family was identified which carries multi-haematological disorders including Type IIA von Willebrand's disease, vascular telangiectasia, and a haemoglobinopathy (haemoglobin S trait). In the affected individuals, the von Willebrand's disease varies in its expression from an asymptomatic form to a severe form especially in those patients with telangiectasia. Some patients have vascular telangiectasia in the mucous membranes of the mouth and lips. In two patients endoscopy disclosed telangiectasia in the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. All of the patients who had telangiectasia also had von Willebrand's disease. An incidental finding was the presence of an abnormal haemoglobin (haemoglobin S) in some family members. The pattern of inheritance of the haemoglobinopathy was unrelated to the inheritance pattern of von Willebrand's disease. The presence of haemoglobin S did not interfere with the aggregation of platelets in response to ristocetin.

Variant von Willebrand's disease and pregnancy

The clinical course and coagulation profile of a pregnant patient with variant von Willebrand's disease were followed from the second trimester through puerperium. The clinical course was characterized by a normal delivery and absence of abnormal bleeding or need for replacement therapy. The coagulation profile demonstrated an increase in factor VIII procoagulant activity, factor-VIII-related antigen, and platelet aggregation activity in response to ristocetin prior to delivery. Postpartum, these factors decreased to prepregnancy values with distinctly different patterns. Factor VIII procoagulant activity continued to rise for 5 days after delivery and then decreased with a half-life of approximately 6 days. Factor-VIII-related antigen began to decrease just prior to delivery, displaying a half-life or approximately 6 days. Ristocetin cofactor activity, however, dropped immediately postpartum and displayed a half-life of approximately 6 hr. The ristocetin cofactor activity was associated with factor-VIII-related antigen, which displayed a significantly smaller molecular weight than does normal factor-VIII-related antigen. Larger aggregates of factor-VIII-related antigen. Larger aggregates of factor-VIII-related antigen did not appear during the pregnancy, and ristocetin cofactor activity could not be demonstrated in fragments of less than 0,8 x 10(6).