Schizophrenia in a North Swedish geographical isolate, 1900–1977. Epidemiology, genetics and biochemistry

Over 200 schizophrenic patients belonging to three major and interrelated pedigree complexes have been investigated over the past 30 years in a North Swedish geographically isolated population, presently numbering about 6,000. An intensive investigation of a number of biochemical correlates and genetic markers in a few selected families belonging to one of the major pedigrees has indicated new strategies for the current research program.
Schizophrenia, as defined operationally, is significantly associated with decreased activities of two enzymes (1) blood platelet monoamine oxidase, (2) plasma dopamine-β-hydroxylase, and (3) with the genetic marker Gc² (group specific antigen). Both enzymes are subject to genetic variation. A positive score for linkage between schizophrenia and low plasma DBH activity has been calculated, but, so far, available data are insufficient for discrimination between linkage and partial contribution of genetically controlled low plasma DBH to the pathogenesis of the disease. Alternatively, both mechanisms could be involved.
As a model for continued research, schizophrenia is explained as based on a double dominant-recessive genotype (Aabb), representing a vulnerability which in about 50 % of cases develops into clinical schizophrenia. It is suggested that the dominant mutation (A) operates on or affects MAO activity, and that the recessive genotype (bb) is instrumental in low variates of DBH activity and very likely such variates within the normal range of physiological variation. Moreover, it is suggested that the combined effects of MAO- and DBH-reduced efficiency on the metabolism of e.g. dopamine could be an essential pathogenic mechanism for the schizophrenic illness which is segregating in this population.     

HLA in North Colombia Chimila Amerindians

HLA-A,-B,-C,-DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles have been studied in Chimila Amerindians from Sabana de San Angel (North Colombian Coast) by using high resolution molecular typing. A frequent extended haplotype was found:HLA-A*24:02-B*51:10-C*15:02-BRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02 (28.7%) which has also been described in Amerinndian Mayos Mexican population (Mexico, California Gulf, Pacific Ocean). Other haplotypes had already been found in Amerindians from Mexico (Pacific and Atlantic Coast), Peru (highlands and Amazon Basin), Bolivia and North USA. A geographic pattern according to HLA allele or haplotype frequencies is lacking in Amerindians, as already known. Also, five new extended haplotypes were found in Chimila Amerindians. Their HLA-A*24:02 high frequencies characteristic is shared with aboriginal populations of Taiwan; also, HLA-C*01:02 high frequencies are found in New Zealand Maoris, New Caledonians and Kimberly Aborigines from Australia. Finally, this study may show a model of evolutionary factors acting and rising one HLA allele frequency (-A*24:02), but not in others that belong to the same or different HLA loci.     

The universal muscular chamber. A basic unit of the genitourinary, cardiovascular, gastro-intestinal, skeletal, cutaneous, respiratory and other systems, endocameral hypertension; and spasm, the key to their idiopathic diseases and arthropathies

Starting with the integument, we see many organs are contractile sacs or multiples thereof, which tubes or bags constitute the major part of the entire body. Recognition of this basic unit and its characteristics sheds new light, individually and collectively, on many disorders previously considered unrelated. Muscular tears and perforations develop in the walls of these chambers, being no way peculiar to those organs, wherein, hydrochloric acid occurs. So, it is not necessary to explain the absence of excessive acid from patients who exhibit holes in the gastric, uterine, aortic, duodenal, rectal, pulmonary, retina, and other walls. Muscle, not acid is the great common factor relating idiopathic disorders in the gastrointestinal tract to each other and to similar diseases in other systems. When the units are linked together, the lesions tend to appear as arthropathies, i.e. at the joints. Rephrasing common-place observations, frees us from conventional, conceptual cul-de-sacs. An observation is only as good as its interpretation, so all possibilities must be considered, otherwise, we will remain blinded by our misconceptions.     

Der Einfluß von Nahrungsmitteln und Rauchen auf die klinisch-chemische Diagnostik von Phäochromozytom,Neuroblastom und Karzinoid-Syndrom

Zusammenfassung Der Einfluß von verschiedenen Nahrungsmitteln auf Methoden zur Bestimmung von Adrenalin (AD), Noradrenalin (NA), Vanillinmandelsäure (VMS), Metanephrinen (MN), Homovanillinsäure (HVS) und 5-Hydroxyindolessigsäure (5-HIE) im 24 h-Harn zur Diagnose des Phäochromozytoms bzw. Karzinoid-Syndroms wurde untersucht. Die in die Untersuchung einbezogenen Nahrungsmittel waren: Tee, Kaffee, Mandeln, Ananas, Käse, Walnüsse, Vanillepudding, Bananen, Tomaten und Milchschokolade. Außerdem wurde der Einfluß des Zigarettenrauchens auf die Bestimmung von AD, NA, VMS und MN untersucht.Walnüsse führten zu einer starken Erhöhung der 5-HIE-Ausscheidung. Bananen erhöhten die Ausscheidung von AD, NA, VMS, MN und 5-HIE. Kaffee und Ananas bewirkten eine geringe Zunahme der MN-Werte. Rauchen von 20–30 Zigaretten/Tag beeinflußte keine der vier Variablen.Wenn die beschriebenen Methoden benutzt werden, sollte lediglich auf den Verzehr von Bananen und Walnüssen vor und während der Harnsammelperioden verzichtet werden, da die oberen Normgrenzen im Harn überschritten werden könnten. Ein Verzicht auf Kaffee und Ananas in normalen Mengen ist nicht erforderlich. Es besteht kein Anlaß, weiterhin die bisherigen umfangreichen Restriktionen der übrigen Nahrungsmittel beizubehalten.     

A comparative study of the effects of dimebon,obsidan, finoptin,and cordaron on the functional state of ischemic focus and size of necrotic zone in experimental myocardial infarction

Dimebon, an antihistamine agent, exerts a moderate antianginal effect, improving the function of ischemic focus in the myocardium and decreasing the necrotic zone in experimental myocardial infarction. Dimebon is less active than obsidan, finoptin (except for the size of the necrotic zone), and cordaron. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 122, No. 12, pp. 642–644, December, 1996     

Effects of sex steroid hormones on lipid peroxidation and glutathione antioxidant system in rat skin

Effects of estradiol and testosterone on the intensity of lipid peroxidation and contents of glutathione redox system components in the dermis and epidermis of rat skin were studied. Only estradiol induced considerable dose-dependent and tissue-specific biphasic antioxidant effects on the skin. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 128, No. 12, pp. 663–666, December, 1999     

Adhesion and growth of CaCo2 cells on surface-modified PEEK substrata

A series of surface-functionalized poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) films has been prepared by selective wet-chemistry; they are hydroxylated polymer (PEEK-OH) obtained by reduction, aminated polymer (PEEK-[]-NH2) prepared by coupling a diisocyanate reagent to PEEKOH (PEEK-[]-NCO) followed by hydrolysis, and carboxylated and aminocarboxylated polymers (PEEK-[]-GABA and PEEK-Lysine) resulting from the coupling of aminoacids to PEEK-[]-NCO. The aminated and carboxylated substrata promoted the adhesion and growth of CaCo2 cells in the presence of serum. Fibronectin (FN), an extra-cellular matrix protein, has been covalently fixed and/or adsorbed on various PEEK substrata, in the presence or not of a polymeric surfactant (Pluronic F68). The performances of the FN-grafted substrata (PEEK-[]-FN(1) and PEEK-[]-FN(2)) were significantly higher than those of reference substrata simply coated with FN (PEEK-OH(+FN)(1) and (2), PEEK-[]-NH2(+FN)(1) and (2)), considering the adhesion and spreading of CaCo2 cells in the absence of serum. Moreover, the stability of the adherent cells on the FN-adsorbed substrata dramatically depended on the experimental conditions applied during the PEEK coating with FN.     

THE ODYSSEY – A JUNGIAN PERSPECTIVE: INDIVIDUATION AND MEETING WITH THE ARCHETYPES OF THE COLLECTIVE UNCONSCIOUS

Homer's epic tale of the 20-year return of Odysseus from the Trojan War is investigated with particular reference to Jung's theory of individuation. Odysseus' meetings with 'the anima' in the form of goddesses, sirens and female monsters and his visit to Hades demonstrate the confrontation and humanization of aspects of the archetypal level of the psyche, central to Jung's theories of psychic growth and development. Jung's important ideas of the psychoid level and the transcendent function are explored and linked both to his investigations into medieval alchemy and with findings from contemporary neuroscience. The importance of Jung's constructive method of the interpretation of dreams and myths is shown to be central.