A high-resolution metric HAPPY map of human chromosome 14

We have mapped 1001 novel sequence-tagged sites on human chromosome 14. The mean spacing between markers is approximately 90 kb, most markers are mapped with a resolution of better than 100 kb, and physical distances are determined. The map was produced using HAPPY mapping, a simple and widely applicable in vitro approach that is analogous to linkage or to radiation hybrid mapping, but that circumvents many of the difficulties and potential artifacts associated with these methods. We show also that the map serves as a robust scaffold for building physical maps using large-insert clones.     

Training for and maintaining interviewer consistency with the ASI

A case of an isolated tuberculous abscess of the liver in a 47-years-old woman with a 2-year history of disease is presented. Only 17 similar cases have been reported previously in the literature. The symptomatology of this patient, confused initially with a chronic calculous cholecystitis and then with an hepatic pyogenic abscess exemplify what has been described for this rare disease presentation. A review of the pertinent literature is presented.     

Langerhans cell density in normal human oral mucosa and skin: relationship to age, smoking and alcohol consumption

Hyperthyroidism is a common endocrinologic disorder affecting many organ systems. Musculoskeletal and neurological involvement present themselves as fatigue, muscle weakness and paralysis. Electromyography (EMG) is essential for differential diagnosis of muscle weakness. Well defined neuropathy and myopathy have been described in these patients. In the present study 17 hyperthyroid patients were evaluated with electrophysiological tests in addition to physical and neurological examinations and biochemical laboratory studies. Needle EMG, motor and sensory conduction velocities, median and tibial somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) were studied. For assessment of the activity of disease clinical status, neurological symptom and disability scores and serum T3, T4 and TSH levels were examined. Statistical analysis of neuroelectrophysiological findings of the patient and the control groups yielded meaningful difference in the needle EMG, sensory conduction velocity and evoked potential findings. Abnormalities were observed in 80% of the proximal muscles besides polyphasic potentials that were seen in 20% of the extensor digitorum brevis muscle. Median, ulnar and sural nerve sensory action potential amplitudes were found to be lower than that of the control group. Sural sensory nerve conduction velocity of patients was decreased in 35.5%, prolongation of median SEP latencies and increase in the amplitudes were not however statistically significant. Prolongation of Tibial SEP N1, P2 latencies were seen in 47%, amplitudes of N1 were increased in 88.2%, P2 in 58.8%, N2 in 47%. The thyroid clinical status score was correlated with Tibial SEPs amplitude. These findings suggest the presence of an initial axonal type of mild polyneuropathy. As a conclusion electrophysiological studies can be useful in the diagnosis of asymptomatic polyneuropathy in hyperthyroid patients.     

Enterogastric bile reflux during technetium-99m-sestamibi cardiac imaging

Twenty-six patients with squamous cell cancer of the cervix were treated with i.v. paclitaxel, 250 mg/m2 over 3 h every 21 days. They received steroid, H1 and H2 blocker premedications, and granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) support (5 microgram/kg/day). No prior chemotherapy, except as a radiation sensitizer, was allowed. The median age was 50 (range, 36-81) years, and performance status Zubrod was 1 (range, 0-2). Eight (33%) patients had prior surgery, and 22 (92%) had prior radiation therapy. Twenty-four patients were evaluable for response; 2 were later found to be ineligible. Five patients had partial responses (21%; 95% confidence interval, 6-40%), and 14 (58%; 95% confidence interval, 35-78%) had stable disease. The median duration of response was 10 (range, 3-27+) weeks. The responses were within the radiation port (four responses) and outside of it (one response). The median interval from the start of irradiation to the start of paclitaxel in responding patients was 94 weeks, whereas in patients with stable disease it was 68 weeks, and in patients whose disease progressed it was 46 weeks. Eighty-eight percent of the 105 cycles of paclitaxel were administered at a dose of 250 mg/m2 or higher. Granulocytopenia was brief and noncumulative, with grades 3 and 4 experienced by 5 and 3 patients, respectively. G-CSF was used for a median of 7 (range, 2-14) days/cycle. Anemia was mild, with G3 noted in 3 patients, and thrombocytopenia was not significant. Infections and musculoskeletal pain were mild and infrequent. Sensory (14 patients G1 or G2 and 2 patients G3) and motor (4 patients G1 or G2 and 1 patient G3) neurotoxicity was noted. There was no significant cardiovascular toxicity. Paclitaxel is active in patients with squamous cell cancer of the cervix and is well tolerated at this dose schedule with G-CSF support.     

Lessons learned from the DIASTAT vascular access graft

In male Syrian hamsters, short days induce regression of the reproductive system, but eventually spontaneous recrudescence occurs ensuing from refractoriness to the inhibitory photoperiod. Although the photoperiod of 12 L:12 D (12 h light:12 h dark) may act like a short day by inducing the testicular cycle outlined above, it may fail to evoke the increase of circulating concentrations of prolactin that accompanies testicular recrudescence. This photoperiod may fail to induce photorefractoriness, as indicated by the prolonged low concentrations of prolactin in the blood. Herein, hamsters were exposed to either 8 L:16 D or 12 L:12 D from weaning and by 28 weeks exposure to either photoperiod, the hamsters had large testes following recrudescence from a photoperiod induced-regression). Transfer to 8 L:16 D from 12 L:12 D at 28 weeks resulted in a second testicular regression and recrudescence. In a second experiment, the testes of hamsters moved to 8 L:16 D from 12 L:12 D after 29 weeks exposure to the latter photoperiod similarly regressed and then regrew. Serum concentrations of prolactin decreased in these males after transfer to the shorter daylength but also decreased in hamsters kept under 12 L:12 D both groups were usually below those of hamsters moved to 14 L:10 D. These results show that exposure for 28 or 29 weeks to 12 L:12 D was insufficient to induce photorefractoriness, despite the recrudescence of the testes following involution.