Transferrin subtypes in the Polish population

Transferrin subtypes were determined by isoelectric focusing on a thin-layer polyacrylamide gel, using a mixture of ampholine of three pH ranges. In a sample of the Polish population numbering 361 subjects, six Tf subtypes dependent on three alleles Tfcc1, Tfcc2, Tfcc3 were encountered. They occurred with the following frequency: 0.744, 0.212, 0.044. It was found that Tf system in the Polish population was in a good agreement with Hardy Weinberg equilibrium.     

Social phobia subtyping with the MMPI-2.

The present article examines the utility of the MMPI-2 for the subtyping of social phobia (SP). Cluster analysis was conducted on the MMPI-2 profiles of 109 patients with SP. Clusters were compared on demographic and clinical variables prior to treatment, as well as following completion of cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT). Three distinct clusters emerged. The first is characterized by an absence of significant scale elevations and appears to be consistent with the reported "circumscribed" subtype of SP. It is associated with a significantly later age at onset of SP, a higher proportion of married individuals, and lower scores on pretreatment clinical variables. Significant elevations on Scales 2 (Depression) and 7 (Psychasthenia) and moderately high scores on pretreatment clinical variables characterize the second cluster. The third cluster is characterized by significantly high elevations on Scales 8, 7, and 2, and the highest scores on pretreatment clinical variables. Patients from all three groups improved significantly following a course of CBGT.     

Different genetic components in the Norwegian population revealed by the analysis of mtDNA and Y chromosome polymorphisms

The genetic composition of the Norwegian population was investigated by analysing polymorphisms associated with both the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y chromosome loci in a sample of 74 Norwegian males. The combination of their uniparental mode of inheritance and the absence of recombination make these haplotypic stretches of DNA the tools of choice in evaluating the different components of a population's gene pool. The sequencing of the Dloop and two diagnostic RFLPs (AluI 7025 and HinfI at 12 308) allowed us to classify the mtDNA molecules in 10 previously described groups. As for the Y chromosome the combination of binary markers and microsatellites allowed us to compare our results to those obtained elsewhere in Europe. Both mtDNA and Y chromosome polymorphisms showed a noticeable genetic affinity between Norwegians and central Europeans, especially Germans. When the phylogeographic analysis of the Y chromosome haplotypes was attempted some interesting clues on the peopling of Norway emerged. Although Y chromosome binary and microsatellite data indicate that 80% of the haplotypes are closely related to Central and western Europeans, the remainder share a unique binary marker (M17) common in eastern Europeans with informative microsatellite haplotypes suggesting a different demographic history. Other minor genetic influences on the Norwegian population from Uralic speakers and Mediterranean populations were also highlighted.     

PGM1 subtypes in the Polish population

Frequency of PGM1 subtypes in the sample of the Polish population numbering 197 subjects was determined by the method of isoelectric focusing. Ten subtypes were encountered. Frequencies of genes were calculated from the subtype distribution with the following results: for PGM1+1 0.698, for PGM1-1 0.058, for PGM2+1 0.180 and for PGM2-1 0.064.     

Sequential activation of muscle synergies during locomotion in the intact cat as revealed by cluster analysis and direct decomposition

During goal-directed locomotion, descending signals from supraspinal structures act through spinal interneuron pathways to effect modifications of muscle activity that are appropriate to the task requirements. Recent studies using decomposition methods suggest that this control might be facilitated by activating synergies organized at the level of the spinal cord. However, it is difficult to directly relate these mathematically defined synergies to the patterns of electromyographic activity observed in the original recordings. To address this issue, we have used a novel cluster analysis to make a detailed study of the organization of the synergistic patterns of muscle activity observed in the fore- and hindlimb during treadmill locomotion. The results show that the activity of a large number of forelimb muscles (26 bursts of activity from 18 muscles) can be grouped into 11 clusters on the basis of synchronous co-activation. Nine (9/11) of these clusters defined muscle activity during the swing phase of locomotion; these clusters were distributed in a sequential manner and were related to discrete behavioral events. A comparison with the synergies identified by linear decomposition methods showed some striking similarities between the synergies identified by the different methods. In the hindlimb, a simpler organization was observed, and a sequential activation of muscles similar to that observed in the forelimb during swing was less clear. We suggest that this organization of synergistic muscles provides a means by which descending signals could provide the detailed control of different muscle groups that is necessary for the flexible control of multi-articular movements.     

HLA-B*15 subtypes in Burmese population by sequence-based typing

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*15 encompasses an increasing number of subtypes of more than 150. Frequency studies and a strong genetic association between HLA subtypes and susceptibility to drug hypersensitivity have been reported in different ethnic populations. To identify HLA-B*15 subtypes in Burmese using sequence-based typing (SBT) method, we selected 65 HLA-B*15 -positive samples from 170 unrelated healthy Burmese who were genotyped HLA-B * by polymerase chain reaction with the sequence-specific primer method. The frequency of HLA-B*15 in Burmese was found to be 38.2%. By the SBT method, results showed 10 alleles of HLA-B*15 subtypes. Four common alleles, B*1502 (45.2%), B*1532 (16.4%), B*1525 (12.3%), and B*1501 (8.2%), were found in 82.1% of HLA-B*15 -positive Burmese. Whereas the B*1501 was the highest in the Caucasians, Koreans, and Japanese, the highest frequency of HLA-B*15 alleles in Burmese was B*1502 (45.2%) that is similar to the frequency found in northeastern Thais and Vietnamese. This study is the first report of HLA-B*15 subtypes in Burmese. These results will provide the basic data in the further study in transplantations, genetic association with diseases, and drug hypersensitivity.     

Reduced genetic structure of the Iberian peninsula revealed by Y-chromosome analysis: implications for population demography

Europe has been influenced by both intra- and intercontinental migrations. Since the Iberian peninsula was a refuge during the Last Glacial Maximum, demographic factors associated with contraction, isolation, subsequent expansion and gene flow episodes have contributed complexity to its population history. In this work, we analysed 26 Y-chromosome biallelic markers in 568 chromosomes from 11 different Iberian population groups and compared them to published data on the Basques and Catalans to gain insight into the paternal gene pool of these populations and find out to what extent major demographic processes account for their genetic structure. Our results reveal a reduced, although geographically correlated, Y-chromosomal interpopulation variance (1.2%), which points to a limited heterogeneity in the region. Coincidentally, spatial analysis of genetic distances points to a focal distribution of Y-chromosome haplogroups in this area. These results indicate that neither old or recent Levantine expansions nor North African contacts have influenced the current Iberian Y-chromosome diversity so that geographical patterns can be identified.     

Illness fears in the general population

OBJECTIVES: Because relatively little is known about illness fears, we sought to estimate the prevalence, risk factors, and morbidity associated with such fears in the community. METHODS: We conducted a brief telephone survey of persons aged 40 to 65 years from randomly selected households in the Johnson County, Iowa, area. Respondents were asked whether a series of illness and medical care items made them no more nervous, somewhat more nervous, or much more nervous than other people. Those who reported more discomfort were asked to what extent this interfered with medical care or caused impairment or distress. Information about demographic and health characteristics was also obtained. RESULTS: Five hundred persons, 62% of those contacted, responded to the survey. A factor analysis revealed four fear dimensions: illness/injury, medical care, blood/needle, and aging/death. Five percent of respondents reported much more nervousness in relation to at least four of six illness/injury items, 4% indicated that such fears interfered with their medical care, and 5% reported some negative effect on their life. Similarly, 5% of respondents reported much more nervousness in relation to at least two of four medical care items. Illness/injury fears were somewhat more common in persons with lower income and education and in those with medical conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This survey shows that fears of illness and medical care are common in the general population and indicates that lower socioeconomic status and experience with illness are associated with these fears. The findings also suggest that interference with care occurs among those with the strongest fears.     

Subtyping depression in the medically ill by cluster analysis

Background

There is increasing awareness of the need of subtyping major depressive disorder, particularly in the setting of medical disease. The aim of this investigation was to use both DSM-IV comorbidity and the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR) for characterizing depression in the medically ill.

Methods

1700 patients were recruited from 8 medical centers in the Italian Health System and 1560 agreed to participate. They all underwent a cross-sectional assessment with DSM-IV and DCPR structured interviews. 198 patients (12.7%) received a diagnosis of major depressive disorder. Data were submitted to cluster analysis.

Results

Two clusters were identified: depressed somatizers and irritable/anxious depression. The somatizer cluster included 58.6% of the cases and was characterized by DCPR somatization syndromes (persistent somatization, functional somatic symptoms secondary to a psychiatric disorder, conversion symptoms, and anniversary reactions) and DCPR alexithymia. The anxious/irritable cluster had 41.4% of the total sample and included DCPR irritable mood and type A behavior and DSM-IV anxiety disorders.

Limitations

The study has limitations due to its cross-sectional nature. Further, these findings require additional validation in another sample.

Conclusions

The findings indicate the need of expanding clinical assessment in the medically ill to include the various manifestations of somatization, irritable mood, type A behavior and alexithymia, as encompassed by the DCPR. Subtyping major depressive disorder may yield improved targets for psychosomatic research and treatment trials.     

Genetic structure of Kuwaiti population revealed by Y-STR diversity

In this study, a sample of 126 Kuwaiti was analysed using 12 Y-chromosome short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphisms. A total of 101 different haplotypes were identified, among which 87 were individual specific. The high haplotype diversity (0.994) supports the usefulness of Y-STR markers in Kuwaiti population diversity investigation. Our results suggest a close genetic relationship between Kuwait and other populations of the Arabian Peninsula, and an even more pronounced similarity of Kuwaiti populations and Yemenis and Saudi Arabians.     

Electrophysiological and morphological heterogeneity of slow firing neurons in medial septal/diagonal band complex as revealed by cluster analysis

Slow firing septal neurons modulate hippocampal and neocortical functions. Electrophysiologically, it is unclear whether slow firing neurons belong to a homogeneous neuronal population. To address this issue, whole-cell patch recordings and neuronal reconstructions were performed on rat brain slices containing the medial septum/diagonal band complex (MS/DB). Slow firing neurons were identified by their low firing rate at threshold (<5 Hz) and lack of time-dependent inward rectification (Ih). Unsupervised cluster analysis was used to investigate whether slow firing neurons could be further classified into different subtypes. The parameters used for the cluster analysis included latency for first spike, slow after-hyperpolarizing potential, maximal frequency and action potential (AP) decay slope. Neurons were grouped into three major subtypes. The majority of neurons (55%) were grouped as cluster I. Cluster II (17% of neurons) exhibited longer latency for generation of the first action potential (246.5+/-20.1 ms). Cluster III (28% of neurons) exhibited higher maximal firing frequency (25.3+/-1.7 Hz) when compared with cluster I (12.3+/-0.9 Hz) and cluster II (11.8+/-1.1 Hz) neurons. Additionally, cluster III neurons exhibited faster action potentials at suprathreshold. Interestingly, cluster II neurons were frequently located in the medial septum whereas neurons in cluster I and III appeared scattered throughout all MS/DB regions. Sholl's analysis revealed a more complex dendritic arborization in cluster III neurons. Cluster I and II neurons exhibited characteristics of "true" slow firing neurons whereas cluster III neurons exhibited higher frequency firing patterns. Several neurons were labeled with a cholinergic marker, Cy3-conjugated 192 IgG (p75NTR), and cholinergic neurons were found to be distributed among the three clusters. Our findings indicate that slow firing medial septal neurons are heterogeneous and that soma location is an important determinant of their electrophysiological properties. Thus, slow firing neurons from different septal regions have distinct functional properties, most likely related to their diverse connectivity.     

Social phobia and potential childhood risk factors in a community sample

BACKGROUND: This study examined the relationship between potential childhood risk factors and social phobia in an epidemiological sample. Identifying risk factors such as childhood adversities can often uncover important clues as to the aetiology of a disorder. This information also enables health care providers to predict which individuals are most likely to develop the disorder. METHODS: Data came from the Mental Health Supplement to the Ontario Health Survey of a survey of 8116 Canadian respondents, aged 15-64. Social phobia was diagnosed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Childhood risk factors were assessed by a series of standardized questions. RESULTS: A positive relationship was observed between social phobia and lack of close relationship with an adult, not being first born (in males only), marital conflict in the family of origin, parental history of mental disorder, moving more than three times as a child, juvenile justice and child welfare involvement, running away from home, childhood physical and sexual abuse, failing a grade, requirement of special education before age 9 and dropping out of high school. Many of these variables remained significant after controlling for phobias, major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse. The data also suggest that some childhood risk factors may interact with gender to influence the development of social phobia. CONCLUSIONS: Although an association was detected between social phobia and childhood risk factors, naturalistic prospective studies are needed to clarify the aetiological importance of these and other potential risk factors for the disorder.     

Somatoform pain disorder in the general population

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain disorder is assumed to represent a frequent and disabling condition. However, data on the prevalence of somatoform pain symptoms and somatoform pain disorder in the community are limited to date. METHODS: German versions of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview were administered to a representative national sample of 4,075 people. Somatoform pain disorder was diagnosed by standardized diagnostic algorithm based on the DSM-III-R criteria (absence of adequate physical findings). One subgroup was identified as also meeting the DSM-IV criterion B for 'significant distress or psychosocial impairment due to the somatoform pain'. RESULTS: A lifetime prevalence rate of somatoform pain disorder according to DSM-III-R of 33.7% and a 6-month rate of 17.3% was found. When applying the DSM-IV B criterion, the prevalence rate dropped to 12.3 and 5.4%, respectively. In both groups more than 95% of the probands had contacted their doctor because of the pain. In 25% of the probands the pain was positively assigned to psychological factors. A female:male ratio of 2:1 was found. CONCLUSIONS: Somatoform pain disorder (DSM-III-R) is a frequent condition. However, only about one third of these subjects is severely distressed or impaired by the pain. A clear operationalized concept of the DSM-IV criterion C 'psychological factors are judged to have an important role in the onset, severity, exacerbation or maintenance of the pain' should be provided in the further development of the diagnosis 'pain disorder' in order to make this diagnosis suitable for general population surveys.     

Segregation analysis of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in a general population in north Italy

Chromosomal mosaicism was found in 38 of 4,000 chorionic villus samples examined from 1998 to 2003. A small fraction of these (5/38) were confirmed as true mosaics by analysis of amniotic fluid. Twenty-nine cases that fit the definition of confined placental mosaicism were followed with clinical and cytogenetic analysis throughout the pregnancy, at birth and in a few cases into infancy. This was done to determine the prognostic interpretation of prenatal cytogenetic results from multiple specimens in a single pregnancy and thus allow for reevaluation of the genetic counseling. In 2 of these 29 cases, low-level mosaicism was found in the neonate, and in 1 of these the chromosome abnormality is probably the cause of the resulting minor phenotypic abnormalities. Families face unique difficulties when confined placental mosaicism is the prenatal diagnosis, and it is extremely important that the counseling they receive takes into consideration the unlikely possibility of the placental abnormality appearing in fetal tissues.     

Specific somatoform disorder in the general population

The authors assessed the validity of the recently proposed diagnosis for specific somatoform disorder in the general population. German versions of the DSM-IV adapted Composite International Diagnostic Interview were administered to a representative sample of 4075 individuals. Multivariate analyses were used to compare impairment, life satisfaction, and use of health care. A total of 803 of 4075 subjects (19.7%) with undifferentiated somatization disorder were identified, which included 51 subjects (1.3%) who met criteria for specific somatoform disorder. Subjects with specific somatoform disorder were more impaired, had lower life satisfaction, and had higher use of health care than subjects with undifferentiated somatization disorder only. The proposed diagnosis of specific somatoform disorder demonstrated a high validity independent of comorbid depressive and anxiety disorders.     

Differential distribution of somatostatin receptor subtypes in rat brain revealed by newly developed somatostatin analogs.

Somatostatin receptor subtypes were labeled with the somatostatin analogs [125I]CGP 23996 and [125I]MK 678 and the distribution of these receptors in rat brain was investigated using quantitative autoradiographic techniques. [125I]CGP 23996 and [125I]MK 678 specifically label different populations of somatostatin receptors in rat brain. In a number of brain regions striking differences in the distribution of the somatostatin receptor subtypes labeled by each peptide were observed. High levels of binding sites for both [125I]CGP 23996 and [125I]MK 678 were present in the cerebral cortex, CA1 region and subiculum of the hippocampus. In contrast, high levels of [125I]MK 678 binding were found in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus while few [125I]CGP 23996 binding sites were observed in this brain region. [125I]CGP 23996 binding was detected in the central region of the interpeduncular nucleus whereas the dorsal and lateral subnuclei of this brain area expressed mainly somatostatin receptors with high affinity for MK 678. The locus coeruleus and regions of the superior colliculus and hypothalamus selectively express [125I]MK 678-sensitive somatostatin receptors. Furthermore, limbic structures such as the lateral septum, the nucleus accumbens and ventromedial striatum had much higher levels of [125I]MK 678 binding sites than [125I]CGP 23996 binding sites. Differences in the expression of the somatostatin receptor subtypes were also detected in the substantia nigra. [125I]CGP 23996 binding was present in the pars reticulata but not the pars compacta whereas the reverse distribution for [125I]MK 678 binding sites was observed. The differential distribution of [125I]CGP 23996 and [125I]MK 678 binding sites in rat brain supports the hypothesis that these peptides selectively label different somatostatin receptor subtypes in the central nervous system.