Allelic diversity at the primate Mhc-G locus: exon 3 bears stop codons in all Cercopithecinae sequences

The aim of this study was to determine whether bisaramil-an antiarrhythmic compound under clinical investigation-influences the reperfusion-induced arrhythmias and biochemical parameters characterizing occlusion-reperfusion-induced free-radical reactions. The left descending coronary artery (LAD) was occluded for 60 min in anaesthetized dogs followed by one hour of reperfusion. Blood samples were taken at different times of the occlusion and reperfusion for the determination of plasma concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG); furthermore of the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Free-radical generating capacity of polymorph neutrophil granulocytes (PMN) was also measured. At the end of the experiments heart tissue samples were excised from the injured areas and from the intact part of the left ventricular muscle. In tissues samples the concentrations of MDA and GSH and the activity of SOD were determined. Bisaramil was given as an i.v. bolus injection at a dose of 2 mg kg-1 several minutes prior to the end of LAD-occlusion; then the administration was repeated in the 30th minute of reperfusion. In the control group (10 dogs) ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurred in seven cases which resulted in death in three. In the bisaramil-treated group, however. VF was seen in three cases and no death was recorded. Bisaramil inhibited the elevation of the plasma concentration of MDA and GSSG during the reperfusion and abolished the decrease in the plasma concentration of GSH during the occlusion and reperfusion. The activity of SOD and catalase in plasma was much better preserved in the bisaramil-treated group then in the controls. Bisaramil significantly inhibited the increase of the superoxide-radical generating capacity of PMNs during the reperfusion. The data obtained from myocardial tissue samples supported the cardioprotective effect of bisaramil. The biochemical investigation of ischemic-reperfused myocardium showed that bisaramil promoted preservation of SOD-activity and of tissue glutathione. Results of this study clearly showed that bisaramil has a significant effect on ischemiareperfusion injury. Besides its inhibitory effects on ischaemia-reperfusion induced arrhythmias it has a special benefit in influencing free-radical mediated damage leading to better preservation of membranes and to limitations of irreversible cell injuries.     

Association of the glycogen synthase locus on 19q13 with NIDDM in Pima Indians

Skeletal muscle glycogen synthase (encoded by GYS1 on chromosome 19q13.3) is the rate-limiting enzyme in insulin-mediated non-oxidative glucose disposal. Our previous studies have demonstrated an impairment of insulin-stimulated GYS1 activities in insulin-resistant Pima Indians, and associations of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) with the GYS1 locus were reported recently in Finnish and Japanese populations. We have performed linkage and association analyses of GYS1 and seven additional DNA markers on 19q with NIDDM, and with parameters of insulin action in the Pima Indians. We have found a significant association of NIDDM with GYS1 genotypes (p = 0.009), and with common GYS1 alleles (p = 0.022) in the Pima Indians. We have performed a detailed comparative analysis of the GYS1 gene, mRNA, and protein product in insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant Pima Indians. No mutations in GYS1 coding sequences were detected; nor did we find alterations of GYS1 mRNA expression or of its basal enzymatic activity in insulin-resistant Pima Indians. These results contrasted with a 25% reduction of immunoreactive protein in insulin-resistant subjects as detected by Western blotting with an antibody specific for the C-terminal end of GYS1 (t-test p = 0.024; Wilcoxon's rank-sum test, p = 0.04). Because no mutations were detected in the DNA encoding this epitope, the difference in immunoreactivity may reflect post-translational modification(s) of the protein rather than a difference in the gene itself, or it could have occurred by chance. We conclude that our data do not indicate alterations in the GYS1 gene as the cause for the observed association, and that a different locus near GYS1 may be the contributing genetic element.     

Estimates by computer simulation of genetic distances from comparisons of RNAse A mismatch cleavage patterns

The RNAse A mismatch cleavage method was used to analyze genomic variability in RNA and DNA systems. However, there is no method which relates the digestion patterns observed to the extent of genetic variation. Here we report computer simulations which provide a simple estimator of genetic distances from the comparison of RNAse A digestion patterns. The results show that the number of non-shared fragments is proportional to the number of mutations between each pair of sequences compared. This prediction is supported by the comparison of the RNAse A mismatch patterns and the nucleotide sequences of a set of influenza A (H3N2) hemagglutinin genes. The procedure allows a quantitative and reliable use of the RNAse A mismatch cleavage method.     

Utility of Albicans ID plate for rapid identification of Candida albicans in clinical samples. Rapid identification of Candida albicans

A clinical study was carried out in an attempt to assess the efficacy of a newly designed electric toothbrush compared to a conventional manual toothbrush using the American Dental Association's protocol for evaluating toothbrushes. An Oral-B 35 manual toothbrush, which served as the control, was compared to the Plaq & White125 electric toothbrush. Examinations were performed by two calibrated examiners at baseline, day 15 and day 30. Examinations included the gingival index, plaque index and bleeding index. Mean indices were calculated and compared between the two brushes using the repeated measures multiple analysis of variance. No statistically significant differences between the mean indices on the three examination days were observed following the use of the manual or the electric toothbrushes. The results of this study demonstrate that the electric toothbrush was numerically more effective than the manual toothbrush in reducing supragingival plaque levels, either before or after brushing, at each examination date compared to baseline plaque values. However, this difference was not statistically significant. This and other findings concluded that the Plaq & White toothbrush is comparable to the control ADA-accepted toothbrush.     

Applying nutrition and diabetes recommendations in the nurse practitioner setting

Medical nutrition therapy is essential for successful management in persons with diabetes. This article discusses implementation of the 1994 revised nutrition guidelines for persons with diabetes by the nonregistered dietitian professional, particularly in the nurse practitioner's setting. Major changes in the guidelines are addressed including the liberalization of sucrose, and basic nutrition assessment, referral guidelines, a sample nutrition history, and case studies to assist the nurse practitioner when a registered dietitian is unavailable.