87Sr/86Sr from rock and soil into vine and wine

For provenance assignments of wines strontium isotope ratios can be used because soils from different wine-growing regions, and hence the wines grown there, each show specific ratios. Some successful applications are demonstrated.

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⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr aus Gestein und Boden in Rebe und Wein

Zusammenfassung Zur Herkunftsbestimmung von Weinen können Strontium-Isotopenverhältnisse herangezogen werden, da die Böden verschiedener Weinbaugebiete, und damit die dort gezogenen Weine, jeweils spezifische Verhältnisse aufweisen. Einige erfolgreiche Anwendungen werden demonstriert.

     

IsK and KvLQT1: mutation in either of the two subunits of the slow component of the delayed rectifier potassium channel can cause Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome

The Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome (JLNS) comprises profound congenital sensorineural deafness associated with syncopal episodes. These are caused by ventricular arrhythmias secondary to abnormal repolarisation, manifested by a prolonged QT interval on the electrocardiogram. Recently, in families with JLNS, Neyroud et al. reported homozygosity for a single mutation in KVLQT1 , a gene which has previously been shown to be mutated in families with dominantly inherited isolated long QT syndrome [Neyroud et al . (1997) Nature Genet ., 15, 186-189]. We have analysed a group of families with JLNS and shown that the majority are consistent with mutation at this locus: five families of differing ethnic backgrounds were homozygous by descent for markers close to the KVLQT1 gene and a further three families from the same geographical region were shown to be homozygous for a common haplotype and to have the same homozygous mutation of the KVLQT1 gene. However, analysis of a single small consanguineous family excluded linkage to the KVLQT1 gene, establishing genetic heterogeneity in JLNS. The affected children in this family were homozygous by descent for markers on chromosome 21, in a region containing the gene IsK . This codes for a transmembrane protein known to associate with KVLQT1 to form the slow component of the delayed rectifier potassium channel. Sequencing of the affected boys showed a homozygous mutation, demonstrating that mutation in the IsK gene may be a rare cause of JLNS and that an indistinguishable phenotype can arise from mutations in either of the two interacting molecules.     

Patient preference for self-collected cultures for group B streptococcus in pregnancy

The purpose of this study was to examine the factors which affect the level of fatigue among patients participating in clinical trials in which this symptom had been assessed with the EORTC QLQ-C30. Data were assembled from 2390 patients in ten clinical trials in which the QLQ-C30 had been used to assess baseline and on-study quality of life. The relationship between the level of fatigue reported by the patients on the fatigue scale of this questionnaire and patient and disease characteristics was assessed in univariate and multivariate cross-sectional analyses. In addition, changes in fatigue scores were compared in a longitudinal analysis among patients on two arms of an anti-emetic trial whose emesis control was markedly different. Baseline fatigue levels differed substantially among patients taking part in the different trials. Factors associated with greater fatigue severity on univariate analysis included: female gender, presence of metastatic disease, and poorer performance status. In addition, on multivariate analyses the oldest patients were found to have less fatigue, as were patients with breast cancer, while patients with ovarian and lung cancer experienced greater fatigue. Patients on the arm of the anti-emetic trial in which emesis was better controlled showed significantly less increase in fatigue after receiving chemotherapy. The fatigue scale of the QLQ-C30 appears to provide a useful approach to assessing this important symptom. The relationships found between fatigue and patient and disease characteristics need further exploration as does the degree to which the QLQ-C30 fully captures this dimension of quality of life.     

Cloning, tissue expression, and chromosomal localization of the mouse IRS-3 gene

Insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins are key regulators of basic functions such as cellular growth and metabolism. They provide an interface between multiple receptors and a complex network of intracellular signaling molecules. Two members of this family (IRS-1 and IRS-2) have been identified previously. In this investigation, we analyzed a mouse expressed sequence tag clone that proved to be a new member of the IRS family. Sequence analysis of this clone and comparison with the sequences deposited in GenBank demonstrates this protein may be the murine homolog of rat IRS-3, recently purified and cloned from rat adipocytes. Accordingly, we have named our protein mouse IRS-3. The expressed sequence tag clone contains the complete coding sequence of 1485 bp, encoding a protein of 495 amino acids. Sequence alignment with the other members of the IRS family shows that this protein contains pleckstrin homology and phosphotyrosine-binding domains that are highly conserved. In addition, there is conservation of many tyrosine phosphorylation motifs responsible for interactions with downstream signaling molecules containing SH2 domains. The murine IRS-3 messenger RNA (2.4 kilobases in length) is expressed in many tissues, with highest levels in liver and lung. Mouse IRS-3 is highly expressed in the first part of the embryonic life, when IRS-1 messenger RNA is barely detectable. Unlike the genes encoding IRS-1 and IRS-2, the IRS-3 gene contains an intron (344 bp in length) in the region between the pleckstrin homology and the phosphotyrosine-binding domains. Fluorescent in situ hybridization localized the mouse IRS-3 gene on the telomeric region of chromosome 5G2. Cloning of the murine IRS-3 gene will make it possible to apply genetic approaches to elucidate the physiological role of this new member of the IRS family of proteins.