Genetic models for the analysis of data from the families of identical twins

Genetic models are described which exploit the unique relationships that exist within the families of identical twins to obtain weighted least squares estimates of additive, dominance and epistatic components of genetic variance as well as estimates of the contributions of X-linked genes, maternal effects and three sources of environmental variation. Since all of the relationships required to achieve a resolution of these variance components are contained within each family unit, the model would appear to be superior to previous approaches to the analysis of quantitative traits in man.     

Relationship of passive cigarette-smoking to sudden infant death syndrome

The smoking habits of 56 families who lost babies to the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) were compared to those of 86 control families. A higher proportion of SIDS mothers smoked both during pregnancy (61% vs. 42%) and after their babies were born (59% vs. 37%). SIDS mother also smoked a significantly greater number of cigarettes than controls. Exposure to cigarette smoke ("passive smoking") appears to enhance the risk of SIDS for reasons not known.     

Preparation and storage of platelet concentrates. I. Factors influencing the harvest of viable platelets from whole blood

Abnormalities of the systemic atrioventricular (A-V) valve are frequently present in patients with corrected transposition. Systemic A-V valve regurgitation is usually present and may be amenable to operative correction with valve replacement if the regurgitation is caused by normally positioned but deformed valve leaflets or a dilated valve ring, or both. Systemic A-V valve regurgitation secondary to the more common Ebstein-type malformation of the inverted tricuspid valve is an inoperable conditon at present. Displacement of the valve leaflets below the level of the valve ring may be seen in the angiocardiograms of patients with this finding and is the differentiating feature between the two lesions. Ten cases of systemic A-V valve regurgitation in patients with corrected transposition are reviewed to illustrate these features.     

Intraoral reconstruction in head and neck cancer surgery

The effect of prostaglandins (PGs) on the hepatic biotransformation of hexobarbital (Hechi) and p-chloro-N-methylaniline (PCMA) was determined in male rats. PCMA metabolism in slices was decreased by all PGs (PGA1, PGB1, PGE1, PGE2, PGF1alpha, PGF2alpha), ranging in concentration from 1 mu M to 1 mM. PGA1, at 1 mM, produced the greatest degree of inhibition, 39%. PG addition to microsomes, however, failed to alter PCMA metabolism. In contrast to PCMA biotransformation, Hechi metabolism was increased by all PGs in slices but not in liver subfractions. PGs of the E and F series were the most potent, producing a two-fold increase in Hechi metabolism at 1 mM after a 20 min preincubation. The increased effect was observed as early as 10 min and lasted for 4 hr. The relationship of PG metabolism and binding to cytochrome P-450 is presented as a possible mechanism to account for the opposite effects on Hechi and PCMA, type I and II substrates respectively, metabolism.     

Inhibition of HeLa cell messenger RNA translation by 7-methylguanosine 5'-monophosphate

Translation of HeLa cell RNA containing poly(A) in a wheat germ cell-free system is markedly but incompletely inhibited by 7-methylguanosine 5'-monophosphate (m7G5'p). We have analyzed the translation products synthesized in the presence of different concentrations of m7G5'p and find that translation of all mRNAs is equally inhibited. To demonstrate the specificity of the inhibitor for RNAs with 5'-terminal m7G5' ppp... we show that specific translation products of satellite tobacco necrosis virus RNA, which does not have this 5' terminus, are synthesized in the presence of m7G5' p. Protein synthesis programmed by endogenous mRNA in a HeLa cell-free system is inhibited after a 10-min lag by m7G5' p. Other guanosine nucleotides without the 7-methyl group or with the phosphate in a different position are not inhibitor. We show that translation of all mRNAs is inhibited to a similar extent by m7G5'p in the HeLa cell-free system, by synthesizing 35S-labeled proteins in the presence of different inhibitory concentrations of this nucleotide and analyzing the translation products by electrophoresis and autoradiography. Translation of encephalomyocarditis virus RNA added to the HeLa cell-free system is not inhibited by m7"g5p; this viral RNA does not have this nucleotide at the 5' terminus. This indicates that m7G5'p specifically inhibits translation of mRNAs with the 5' terminus m7G5'ppp... and suggests that initiation of translation of picornavirus RNA may proceed via a mechanism different from that of cellular mRNAs.     

Assessing Rubus honey value: Pollen and phenolic compounds content and antibacterial capacity

Twenty-three honey samples from Galicia (Northwest Spain) were analysed to determine their botanical origin, phenolic compounds and antibacterial activity. In all samples Rubus pollen was predominant, followed by that of Castanea sativa. Other important pollens found belong to Cytisus type, Trifolium repens, Echium, Eucalyptus globulus, Erica umbellata, Erica cinerea, Campanula type and Frangula alnus.Eight phenolic compounds (caffeic, p-coumaric and ellagic acids, pinocembrin, chrysin, galangin, tectochrysin and kaempferol) were determined by solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by HPLC/DAD analysis. p-Coumaric and ellagic acids were the main constituents of the phenolic fraction (ca. 5.5 mg/kg each, mean value), followed by the pair chrysin plus galangin (ca. 1.2 mg/kg, mean value) and pinocembrin (ca. 1.0 mg/kg, mean value). Antibacterial activity was checked against five Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Micrococcus luteus, Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus cereus) and four Gram-negative bacteria (Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium). B. cereus and P. mirabilis were the most sensitive microorganisms. This is the first study concerning the phenolic compounds and antibacterial activity of Rubus honey, which proved to be a good source of phenolic compounds and antimicrobial agents with potential health benefits.