两个新RUNX2基因突变引起家族性锁骨颅骨发育不全

Objective To identify the RUNX2 gene mutation in two unrelated Chinese families with cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), and to assess the feasibility of gene diagnosis for patients with CCD. Methods Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples of 4 patients and 4 healthy members in the two pedigrees as well as 102 unrelated healthy controls. All 7 coding exons and their flanking intronic sequences of the RUNX2 gene were amplified by PCR, then the PCR products were sequenced bi-directionally. The sequencing results were compared with normal sequences in GenBank to identify the mutation. The mutation was confirmed by RFLP with restriction endonuclease. Results In one family, a novel heterozygous missense mutation c. 346T＞A (W116R) in exon 1 of the RUNX2 gene was detected in the two affected individuals, and the mutation was further confirmed with Bsr Ⅰ restriction endonuclease digestion. In the other family, a novel nonsense mutation c. 610A＞T (K204X) was identified in the two patients. No above sequence change was found in the 102 healthy controls. Conclusion Two novel RUNX2 mutations were found in two unrelated Chinese families with cleidoeranial dysplasia. The identification of these mutations further extended the mutation spectrum of RUNX2 gene and will facilitate prenatal diagnosis and gene diagnosis of CCD.     

两个新RUNX2基因突变引起家族性锁骨颅骨发育不全

Objective To identify the RUNX2 gene mutation in two unrelated Chinese families with cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), and to assess the feasibility of gene diagnosis for patients with CCD. Methods Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples of 4 patients and 4 healthy members in the two pedigrees as well as 102 unrelated healthy controls. All 7 coding exons and their flanking intronic sequences of the RUNX2 gene were amplified by PCR, then the PCR products were sequenced bi-directionally. The sequencing results were compared with normal sequences in GenBank to identify the mutation. The mutation was confirmed by RFLP with restriction endonuclease. Results In one family, a novel heterozygous missense mutation c. 346T＞A (W116R) in exon 1 of the RUNX2 gene was detected in the two affected individuals, and the mutation was further confirmed with Bsr Ⅰ restriction endonuclease digestion. In the other family, a novel nonsense mutation c. 610A＞T (K204X) was identified in the two patients. No above sequence change was found in the 102 healthy controls. Conclusion Two novel RUNX2 mutations were found in two unrelated Chinese families with cleidoeranial dysplasia. The identification of these mutations further extended the mutation spectrum of RUNX2 gene and will facilitate prenatal diagnosis and gene diagnosis of CCD.     

Liddle's syndrome caused by a novel mutation of the γ-subunit of epithelial sodium channel gene SCNN1G in Chinese

Objective To screen the mutation of the β and γ subunits of epithelial sodium channel gene SCNN1 in two families with Liddle's syndrome. Methods Two patients clinically diagnosed as Liddle's syndrome and their family members were enrolled. Peripheral blood samples were collected and total genomic DNA was prepared. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the exon 13 of the SCNN1B and SCNN1G gene. PCR products were purified and subjected to direct DNA sequencing. Results A heterozygous nonsense mutation at codon 564 of the SCNN1B gene from CGA(Arg) to stop codon(TGA)was detector in the proband of family 1. More importantly, a novel heterozygous nonsense mutation of CAG (Gln) to stop codon TAG at codon 567 of the SCNN1G gene was detected in the proband and another two members of family 2. Conclusion Screening for specific mutations of the SCNN1 gene in relatives of patients with Liddle's syndrome can be used to identify the previously unrecognized cases within the family.A new nonsense mutation(Q567X) of the SCNN1G gene is likely the cause of Liddle's syndrome in family 2.     

Liddle's syndrome caused by a novel mutation of the γ-subunit of epithelial sodium channel gene SCNN1G in Chinese

Objective To screen the mutation of the β and γ subunits of epithelial sodium channel gene SCNN1 in two families with Liddle's syndrome. Methods Two patients clinically diagnosed as Liddle's syndrome and their family members were enrolled. Peripheral blood samples were collected and total genomic DNA was prepared. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the exon 13 of the SCNN1B and SCNN1G gene. PCR products were purified and subjected to direct DNA sequencing. Results A heterozygous nonsense mutation at codon 564 of the SCNN1B gene from CGA(Arg) to stop codon(TGA)was detector in the proband of family 1. More importantly, a novel heterozygous nonsense mutation of CAG (Gln) to stop codon TAG at codon 567 of the SCNN1G gene was detected in the proband and another two members of family 2. Conclusion Screening for specific mutations of the SCNN1 gene in relatives of patients with Liddle's syndrome can be used to identify the previously unrecognized cases within the family.A new nonsense mutation(Q567X) of the SCNN1G gene is likely the cause of Liddle's syndrome in family 2.     

A mutation in the type Ⅱ hair keratin KRT86 gene in a Han family with monilethrix

Monilethrix, a congenital disease of hair, is usually associated with mutations in keratin genes, like KRT81, KRT83 and KRT86. We conducted this study to investigate the mutation of type Ⅱ human basic hair keratin hHb/ KRT gene in a Han family with monilethrix and obtain information for potential pathogenic mechanism study of monilethrix. Peripheral blood samples were drawn for genomic DNA detection. Exon 1 and exon 7 of the KRT81, KRT83 and KRT86 genes were amplified by PCR. All PCR products were sequenced directly using an ABI 310 DNA sequencer. These sequences were aligned with the standard sequences in GenBank using the BLAST software. PCR products were digested with restriction endonuclease and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was performed. In this study, we identified one novel mutation, which is a heterozygous transitional mutation of G→A at position 1,289 in exon 7 of the KRT86 gene [R430Q (KRT86)]. RFLP assays for the novel mutation excluded the possibility of polymorphism. The R430Q mutation of the KRT86 gene may be pathogenic for monilethrix. Meanwhile, we did not find any novel mutation or recurrent mutation in exons 1 and 7 of KRT81 and KRT83 and exon 1 of KRT86. There is a potential pathogenic gene in the subjects and our results expand the spectrum of mutations in the hHb6 gene.     

Analysis of TGFBI gene mutation in a Chinese family with atypical Reis-Bückler corneal dystrophy

Objective To identify the TGFBI gene mutation and the relationship between genotype and phenotype of a Chinese family with atypical Reis-Bückler corneal dystrophy (RBCD). Methods Four patients, two non-carrier relatives of the family were enrolled in the present study. In addition to ophthalmologic examinations, PCR amplification and DNA sequencing of exons 4, 11, 12, and 14 of the TGFBI gene were carried out. Exon 14 was also sequenced in 100 healthy controls. Results A G to A transition at eodon 623 in all affected members was identified. This mutation resulted in a substitution of glyeine (GGC) to aspartic acid (GAC) at the protein level. None of the healthy family members, or any of the 100 control subjects carried this mutation. Conclusion The G623D mutation of the TGFBI gene caused an atypical Reis-Buckler corneal dystrophy in this family. This mutation is reported in Chinese for the first time.     

Analysis of TGFBI gene mutation in a Chinese family with atypical Reis-Bückler corneal dystrophy

Objective To identify the TGFBI gene mutation and the relationship between genotype and phenotype of a Chinese family with atypical Reis-Bückler corneal dystrophy (RBCD). Methods Four patients, two non-carrier relatives of the family were enrolled in the present study. In addition to ophthalmologic examinations, PCR amplification and DNA sequencing of exons 4, 11, 12, and 14 of the TGFBI gene were carried out. Exon 14 was also sequenced in 100 healthy controls. Results A G to A transition at eodon 623 in all affected members was identified. This mutation resulted in a substitution of glyeine (GGC) to aspartic acid (GAC) at the protein level. None of the healthy family members, or any of the 100 control subjects carried this mutation. Conclusion The G623D mutation of the TGFBI gene caused an atypical Reis-Buckler corneal dystrophy in this family. This mutation is reported in Chinese for the first time.     

Secular change in menarche in women in Madrid

The age at menarche was estimated by recollection in 1617 women between the ages of 18 and 60 in Madrid and a nearby suburb, Pinto. The population of Pinto is working-class and the Madrid group, taken from residential neighbourhoods , belongs to the upper middle class. In both groups we found a diminution in average age at menarche, from 14.04 to 13.02 years in Madrid and from 14.55 to 13.16 years from about 1935 to about 1965 in Pinto. These changes have been more intense in the group which is less well-off economically, where living conditions have varied much more drastically.     

Intestinal helminthiasis in school children in Haiti in 2002

A survey on intestinal helminths in school children was conducted in Haiti in 2002. This first nationwide study involving the entire country was stratified by department according to urban and rural zones using the cluster method. Focusing on elementary school children (n=5792; age range 3 to 20 years), it involved 26 urban and 49 rural schools randomly selected. Stools were preserved in formalin and examined by the Ritchie technique. Thirty-four per cent of stools (1981/5792) tested positive for intestinal helminths with the following parasites identified: Ascaris lumbricoides (27.3%), Trichuris trichiura (7.3%), Necator americanus (3.8%), Hymenolepsis nana (2%), Taenia sp. (0.3%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (0.2%). The helminth prevalence was higher in rural (38.4%) compared to urban areas (30%). There was no significant difference in prevalence by sex and age. The importance of geohelminths changed from one department to another with the highest prevalence found in the Southern department of Grande Anse (73.7%) and the lowest prevalence in the Center department (20.6%). Five out of the country's nine departments had a similar prevalence varying from 25.5% to 28.2%. Intestinal helminthic polyparasitism was observed in a percentage of infested school children comprise between 3.4% and 28.6% according in relation to the geographical area. A program to fight against geohelminths in school children should be initiated as a public health priority. Albendazole is the drug of choice. Frequency of drug distribution should be based on the prevalence of geohelminths in each department.     

Experience in adult population in dengue outbreak in Delhi

A dengue outbreak has recently hit the Indian capital. We studied the clinical profile of adult patients. Five hundred and sixty patients of dengue infection were admitted in a specially created ward according to the criteria laid down by WHO. Haematemesis (28.28%), epistaxis (26.78%) and malena (14.28%) were some of the common presentations. Similarly lymphadenopathy, especially cervical (30.89%), palatal rashes (26.96%) and hepatomegaly (23.75%) were the most commonly encountered findings on physical examination. Most of the cases were of dengue fever with haemorrhage and only 2.5% cases were classified under dengue haemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome. The average hospital stay was 3.4 days but only 9.8 hours in the eleven patients who died, suggesting their late arrival in preterminal situation giving little time for resuscitation. Thrombocytopenia was not a feature and only 12.85% patients had platelet count less than 70,000/cmm. Most of the patients who were admitted with thrombocytopenia, showed normalization in their platelet counts in next few days. Serological examination demonstrated evidence of recent dengue infection in 41.17% patients. Few patients required blood or platelet concentrate transfusion. Eleven patients died, three due to DIC, one of intracranial haemorrhage and seven due to massive gastric haemorrhage. Rest of the patients recovered completely. Thus we can conclude that recent outbreak in Delhi was of dengue fever with haemorrhage and mortality was very low in patients who came early to the hospital.     

Changes in the hypothalamic nuclei in in experimental allergy

Summary In rabbits subjected to prolonged sensitization and in which the Arthus phenomenon was induced there was a marked reaction of the hypothalamic nuclei. Staining by Gomori's method indicated a cellular swelling, loss of granules, and protoplasmic vacuolization in the supraoptic nucleus. There was a considerable increase in the size of the cross-sectional area of the cells. The same effects were much less well shown in the paraventricular nucleus. These results show that marked signs of increased neurosecretion developed in the animals at the height of the Arthus phenomenon.(Presented by Active Member AMN SSSR V. V. Parin) Translated from Byulleten Éksperimental'noi biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 55, No. 4, pp. 110–113, April, 1963.     

Development in in vitro toxicology

There are three principal pressures driving the development of in vitro toxicology: (1) the need for more efficient testing systems to cope with the large number of xenobiotics currently being developed; (2) public pressure to reduce animal experimentation; and (3) a need for a better understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity. Within this, in vitro toxicology is focused on local, systemic, and target-organ toxicity. It is becoming increasingly apparent that a step or decision-tree approach using input of a variety of experimental data (physicochemical properties, biokinetics, cytotoxicity) provides the most efficient system for predicting toxicity. Examples of the use of in vitro toxicity systems for prediction of systemic toxicity and target-organ (liver) toxicity are presented.Originally presented at ECCP 93.