Physical mapping of 2000 kb of the mouse X chromosome in the vicinity of the Xist locus

A physical map encompassing approximately 2.0 megabases (Mb) in the region of the mouse X-inactivation center has been constructed. The map extends from the Gjb-1 locus to the Xist locus and demonstrates the order of probes inseparable by genetic analysis. The deduced locus order is as follows: Gjb-1, Ccg-1, DXCrc171, Rps4, Phka, DXCrc177, DXCrc318, Xist. Detailed physical mapping in the region between the Phka and Xist loci indicates the position of CpG-rich islands associated with the 5' end of genes. The DXCrc177 and DXCrc318 loci, both defined by probes derived from linking clones, are associated with CpG-rich islands. The map provides a framework for the isolation of underlying sequences in the mouse X-inactivation center region.     

The pathogenetic and treatment aspects of the neurological manifestations in lumbar osteochondrosis

The process of searching for a new dean is a challenge. Access to new technologies and increasing demands placed on nursing faculty and administrators may alter traditional search strategies as well as committee composition and technical support. The author addresses the impact of these changes on the dean search process. In addition, the author details the essential tasks of a search committee.     

Effect of selenium-enriched yeast pretreatment on the antioxidative defense in the skin of rats exposed to heat shock

Skin protection against heat shock and the specificity in the organization of antioxidative defenses were examined in rats given oral antioxidative pretreatment with selenium (Se)-enriched yeast and vitamins E, C, and A for 15 days and then exposed to hyperthermia. The activity of antioxidative enzymes in the skin and the liver was monitored 1 hour and 3 hours after heat shock. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was increased in the skin after heat shock in the groups supplemented with antioxidants, but not in the controls. In contrast, the activity of liver GSH-Px was increased only in the controls receiving antioxidants. Heat shock led to a decrease in liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity at 1 hour in the antioxidant-supplemented group, but this was unchanged in the liver of all other groups and in the skin. The activity of thioredoxin reductase (TR) in the skin was increased in the antioxidant supplemented group 1 hour after heat shock, whereas the hepatic thioredoxin reductase activity was decreased. The activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were unaffected by either treatment. These results suggest that supplementation with antioxidants protects the skin against heat shock, especially with respect to the GSH-Px and TR activity. The different response of the skin in comparison with the liver probably reflects differences in organization and regulation of antioxidative defenses.     

Cricothyroid joint injury

We report a rare case of Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) in a 41-year-old Japanese man with a history of middle-age onset of bronchial asthma who had severe abdominal pain. He presented with ileus caused by an annular ulcer of the ileum, attributable to mucosal ischemia resulting from necrotizing vasculitis of the mesenteric artery. He also had marked hypereosinophilia (51.5%), elevated serum IgE levels (34040 IU/ml), and generalized enlargement of the superficial cervical lymph nodes, containing eosinophilic granulomas. A stenotic lesion caused by an annular ulcer in the ileum was found and resected by laparotomy. Microscopic examination of the resected specimen revealed luminal narrowing or occlusion of small arteries in the ulcer base, subserosa, and mesenterium resulting from marked fibrotic intimal thickening with fragmentation or lack of the internal elastic lamina. These findings were diagnosed as vasculitis, scar stage. The postoperative course was uneventful, with the patient receiving a maintenance dose of prednisolone (10-15 mg/day) for 7 years subsequently. We must carefully diagnose and treat patients with middle-age onset asthma, because the symptom may be a lung manifestation of CSS, in which various organs including gastrointestinal tract are involved as a result of systemic necrotizing vasculitis.     

Repeated episodes of transient radiating back and leg pain following spinal anesthesia with 1.5% mepivacaine and 2% lidocaine

Various chitinases have been identified in plants and categorized into several groups based on the analysis of their sequences and domains. We have isolated a tobacco gene that encodes a predicted polypeptide consisting of a 20-amino acid N-terminal signal peptide, followed by a 245-amino acid chitinolytic domain. Although the predicted mature protein is basic and shows greater sequence identity to basic class I chitinases (75%) than to acidic class II chitinases (67%), it lacks the N-terminal cysteine-rich domain and the C-terminal vacuolar targeting signal that is diagnostic for class I chitinases. Therefore, this gene appears to encode a novel, basic, class II chitinase, which we have designated NtChia2;B1. Accumulation of Chia2;B1 mRNA was induced in leaves in association with the local-lesion response to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) infection, and in response to treatment with salicylic acid, but was only slightly induced by treatment with ethephon. Little or no Chia2;B1 mRNA was detected in roots, flowers, and cell-suspension cultures, in which class I chitinase mRNAs accumulate to high concentrations. Sequence comparisons of Chia2;B1 with known tobacco class I and class II chitinase genes suggest that Chia2;B1 might encode an ancestral prototype of the present-day class I and class II isoforms. Possible mechanisms for chitinase gene evolution are discussed.     

Treatment of atypical autism in Martin-Bell syndrome

The paper reports the case of sibs, brother and sister, with Martin-Bell's syndrome confirmed cytogenetically. Mental retardation and autism were the main phenomena in the clinical picture. Positive effect was achieved by means of Skvortsov--Osipenko method (metameric injection of cerebral hydrolysates' preparations, stimulation of visual, acoustic and proprioceptive analyzers). A decline of the signs of intellectual retardation and autism were observed in both children.