Distribution of allelic forms of erythrocyte H1 histones in Japanese quail populations divergently selected for amount of weight loss after transient starvation

Three polymorphic subtypes of erythrocyte histone H1 (H1.a, H1.b, and H1.z) were analyzed using a sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel in quail populations divergently selected for a high (line 1) or low (line 2) reduction in body mass following temporary food withdrawal. Both H1.b and H1.z histone alleles were found to be differently distributed in these populations during the selection period. The frequency of b1 in line 2 was approximately 1.9-2.8 times lower than in line 1 and approached the values in line 1 when the selection was suspended. Similarly, the frequency of allele z2 at locus H1.z increased significantly (about 1.6-2.3 times) in line 2 during selection and returned to the initial values when selection was stopped. On the other hand, allele a0 at locus H1.a was kept at relatively low levels (usually below 0.05) in both lines during selection. At that time its level was approximately three to four times lower than in a random mating control population. When selection was suspended, the frequency of a0 in line 1 increased significantly, approaching the values in the control line, and remained essentially unchanged in line 2. Thus, all three polymorphic histone H1 loci in quail responded through changes in allele frequencies to the breeding selection, which was directed at the amount of body weight loss upon transient starvation. It seems that either H1 histone locus could be linked to loci controlling the rate of body weight reduction following starvation or weight loss during fasting might be influenced by a panel of H1 histone alleles that can contribute to functional differences in avian chromatin.     

An epidemiologic, clinical, and therapeutic study of childhood Guillain-Barré syndrome in Kuwait: is it related to the oral polio vaccine?

We studied Guillain-Barré syndrome, affecting children 12 years old or less, throughout Kuwait, in the period between January 1, 1992, and March 31, 1997. Nineteen children had the diagnostic criteria of Guillain-Barré syndrome, with an overall annual incidence rate of 0.95/100,000 population at risk. Female patients outnumbered male patients with a sex ratio of 1.4:1. There was a clustering of cases in winter and spring and in the year 1996. The disease symptoms were relatively severe in our patients because only 16% (3 of 19) of them were able to walk at the height of their illness, whereas the rest were bed or chair bound or needed assisted ventilation. Two patients had the electrodiagnostic features of axonal neuropathy and both had residual deficits on follow-up, whereas the rest recovered fully. All the patients received intravenous immunoglobulin. The mean time to walk unaided was 23.5 days (range, 2-84 days) after intravenous immunoglobulin and excluding the two patients with axonal neuropathy, and full recovery was achieved in a mean time of 103 days (range, 30-300 days). Contrary to previous studies, we found no correlation between oral polio vaccine administration and Guillain-Barré syndrome in 2 successive years (1995 and 1996) during a nationwide campaign targeting children less than 5 years old.     

A new mumps virus lineage found in the 1995 mumps outbreak in western Switzerland identified by nucleotide sequence analysis of the SH gene

We determined the nucleotide sequence of the SH gene its flanking regions over a range of 380 nucleotides for three distinct mumps virus (MUV) isolates. Two isolates from the 1992 mumps epidemic in Western Switzerland and one MUV isolated in 1995 in the same geographic area have been analyzed and compared to 16 recently published SH nucleotide sequences and their presumed amino acid sequences. The nucleotide sequences from the 1992 MUV isolates were identical and closely related to two MUV strains from Eastern Switzerland and strains from the U.K. The MUV isolated in 1995 is clearly different from all other strains.     

Activating mutations of the Gs alpha-gene in nonfunctioning pituitary tumors

The majority of pituitary tumors are of monoclonal origin; however, the molecular basis for their formation is poorly understood. Somatic mutations in the alpha-subunit of the GTP-binding protein, Gs alpha (gsp oncogene) have been found in about one third of GH-secreting tumors. Mutations in another alpha-subunit of a GTP-binding protein, Gi2 alpha (gip mutations) have been described in other endocrine tumors. In this study, we examined 21 nonfunctioning pituitary tumors and 4 macroprolactinomas for gsp mutations and 27 nonfunctioning tumors and 4 macroprolactinomas for gip mutations. Using the polymerase chain reaction and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, 2 nonfunctioning pituitary tumors displayed migration abnormalities when the Gs alpha-gene was analyzed. Sequence analysis of these abnormally migrating polymerase chain reaction products revealed two previously known gsp mutations: arginine at codon 201 altered to cysteine, and glutamine at codon 227 changed to leucine. No gip mutations could be demonstrated. These findings emphasize the monoclonal origin of nonfunctioning pituitary tumors and suggest that cAMP may play a role in tumorigenesis of nonfunctioning pituitary tumors.     

Activation of 5-HT2 receptors facilitates depolarization of neocortical neurons by N-methyl-D-aspartate

We prospectively studied 63 children with transient hyperglycemia to determine their risk of acquiring insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and to evaluate the predictive value of immunologic markers of prediabetes and of the intravenous glucose tolerance test. Children with transient hyperglycemia were identified by a prospective systematic review of the laboratory reports of a large children's hospital and an office-based pediatric practice and by referral from pediatricians. Transient hyperglycemia occurred in 0.46% of children seen in the children's hospital and in 0.013% of children attending a pediatric office practice. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus developed within 18 months of identification in 32% of children in whom transient hyperglycemia was discovered in the absence of a serious illness, compared with 2.3% of children identified during a serious illness (relative risk, 13.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.56 to 123.5). Islet cell antibodies and competitive insulin autoantibodies each had a 100% positive predictive value for IDDM; the negative predictive value of islet cell antibodies and competitive insulin autoantibodies was 96% and 98%, respectively. The stimulated insulin release during an intravenous glucose tolerance test, adjusted for age, had the highest overall accuracy of prediction. All children less than 6 years of age with stimulated insulin release levels < 85 pmol/L (12 microU/ml) subsequently had IDDM, as did an 11-year-old child whose stimulated insulin release level was below the 1st percentile of 170 pmol/L (24 microU/ml). To date, no child whose stimulated insulin release level was above the 5th percentile has had IDDM. We conclude that when transient hyperglycemia occurs during a serious intercurrent illness, the risk of progression to IDDM is low. In contrast, one third of children in whom transient hyperglycemia is identified without a serious illness can be expected to have IDDM within 1 year. A combination of islet cell antibodies, competitive insulin autoantibodies, and stimulated insulin release levels during an intravenous glucose tolerance test can accurately distinguish children with prediabetes from those with presumed benign transient increases in plasma glucose concentrations.     

Study of adenovirus production in serum-free 293SF suspension culture by GFP-expression monitoring

BACKGROUND: Recently, investigators have reported the use of endoscopic myotomy in the treatment of esophageal achalasia. As with the open operation, considerable disagreement exists regarding the appropriate length of the myotomy and the need for a concomitant antireflux procedure. METHODS: Patients presenting with symptomatic achalasia between 1993 and 1997 were included in this prospective study. Preoperative studies included barium upper gastrointestinal study, endoscopy, and esophageal manometry. Laparoscopic myotomy was completed in all 20 patients; 18 had concomitant Toupet fundoplication. RESULTS: Operative times ranged from 95 to 345 minutes (mean 216). Blood loss ranged from 50 to 300 cc (mean 100 cc). There were 7 minor complications (5 mucosal injuries repaired laparoscopically, 1 bile leak and 1 splenic capsular tear). Nine patients began a liquid diet on the first day postoperatively; 19 were tolerating liquids by postoperative day 3. Hospital stay ranged from 2 to 20 days (mean 5). Eighteen patients had complete relief of dysphagia, with less than one reflux episode per month. One individual continues to have mild persistent solid food dysphagia. Another patient initially did well but subsequently developed mild recurrent dysphagia and reflux. One patient required laparoscopic take-down of the wrap because of recurrent dysphagia and now has no problems swallowing, but does complain of mild reflux. Two other patients also have mild reflux, 1 of whom did not undergo fundoplication. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic Heller myotomy can be performed safely with excellent results in patients with achalasia. Adding a partial fundoplication appears to help control postoperative symptoms of reflux. This procedure should be considered the procedure of choice in patients with symptomatic esophageal achalasia.     

Drug therapy of hemiballism. Review of the literature and personal observations

Hemiballism is a rare hyperkinetic disorder which is characterized by irregular vigorous rotatory movements of the limbs of one side of the body. The disabling and exhausting movements with their high risk of severe injuries require an acute drug treatment. However, there are no common guidelines for the treatment of this disorder. Therefore we reviewed the available literature to establish a concept for a rational symptomatic drug treatment. Furthermore, own observations in 6 patients with hemiballism of different origins are reported.     

Influence of To?pa Peat Preparation on the phagocytic activity and bactericidal properties of granulocytes in healthy volunteers

It was found, that To?pa Peat Preparation (TPP) administered to healthy volunteers in doses of 100-300 mg/day during 14 days evoked the stimulation of the phagocytic and bactericidal activity of the granulocytes. The dose of 600 mg/day causes only a transient and insignificant increase of phagocytic and bactericidal properties of the granulocytes.