Fragile X premutation screening in women with premature ovarian failure

We have screened 132 women with premature ovarian failure for fragile X (FRAXA) premutations. Three out of 23 (13%) pedigrees with the familial premature ovarian failure and 3/106 (3%) of women with the sporadic form of premature ovarian failure have FRAXA premutations compared with an expected prevalence of 1:590 (P=0.02). The mechanism of the association between FRAXA premutations and premature ovarian failure is unknown but as a genetic marker, FRAXA screening will be particularly valuable in predicting premature ovarian failure in some pedigrees and in the identification of families at risk of transmitting fragile X syndrome.      

通信兵智力水平与专业水平的关系

0　引言　智力在很大程度上决定着个体的作业绩效水平 [1 - 3] ,同时也是预测个体职业成就的一个重要指标 .因此 ,我们试图通过对通信兵智力的测量与分析 ,揭示通信兵智力与专业技术水平的关系以及通信兵重要岗位人员智力与专业技术水平的关系 ,为最终科学地建立通信兵职业适宜性测评体系奠定必要的工作基础 .1　对象和方法1.1　对象　某集团军通信团在岗专业技术人员 ,其中技术难度高的报、话务专业人员 6 3名 ,载波、接力等仅对仪器进行操作的专业人员 5 1名 ,外线、架设等一般专业人员 43名 ,共 15 7名 .工作 1a以上 ,年龄在 18～ 32岁之…     

Oral health status and treatment needs among school children in Sana’a City,Yemen

To cite this article:
Int J Dent Hygiene
DOI: 10.1111/j.1601‐5037.2009.00398.x
Al‐Haddad KA, Al‐Hebshi NN, Al‐Ak’hali MS. Oral health status and treatment needs among school children in Sana’a City, Yemen. Abstract: Data on the oral health status and treatment needs among Yemeni children are lacking. Objectives: To assess caries prevalence, treatment needs and gingival health status among school children in Sana’a City and to examine how these are affected by age, gender and khat chewing. Methods: 1489 children (6‐ to 14‐year old) were randomly selected from 27 schools representing all nine districts of Sana’a City. Dental caries and treatment needs were evaluated using standard WHO oral survey methods. The plaque index (PI), calculus index (CI) and the gingival index (GI), recorded at the six Ramfjord’s teeth, were used to assess gingival health status. Results: 4.1% of the study subjects were caries‐free. Prevalence of these was significantly higher among the males. Overall, mean dmfs, dmft, DMFS and DMFT scores were 8.45, 4.16, 3.59 and 2.25 respectively. The decayed component accounted for >85% of the scores. The highest dmfs/dmft means were found among the 6–8 years age group, while the highest DMFS/DMFT means were scored by the 12–14 years age group. The need for restorative treatment and extractions was high; the former was significantly higher among the females. All subjects had gingivitis; the mean PI, CI and GI were 1.25, 0.3 and 1.36 respectively. Khat chewing did not affect caries experience; however, it was significantly associated with higher PI, CI and GI scores. Conclusions: The prevalence of caries, gingivitis and treatment needs among children in Sana’a city is high. More surveys in other Yemeni cities to generate comprehensive data are required.     

The human autosomal gene DAZLA: testis specificity and a candidate for male infertility

The DAZ (Deleted in AZoospermia) and DAZLA (DAZ-like autosomal) genes may be determinants of male infertility. The DAZ gene on the long arm of the human Y chromosome is a strong candidate for the 'azoospermia factor' (AZF). Its role in spermatogenesis is supported by its exclusive expression in testis, its deletion in a high percentage of males with azoospermia or severe oligospermia, and its homology with a Drosophila male infertility gene boule. No DAZ homologous sequences have been found on the mouse Y chromosome. Instead, a Dazla gene was isolated from mouse chromosome 17 and has been considered to be a murine homologue of DAZ. However, the homology between human DAZ and mouse Dazla is not strong, and Dazla contains only one of the seven DAZ repeats found in DAZ. We report the isolation of the human DAZLA gene by screening a human testis cDNA library with a DAZ cDNA clone. DAZLA encodes only one DAZ repeat and shares high homology with the mouse Dazla, indicating that these two genes are homologues. Using a panel of rodent-human somatic cell lines and fluorescence in situ hybridization, the DAZLA gene was mapped to 3p24, a region not known to share homology with mouse chromosome 17. The DAZLA gene may be involved in some familial cases of autosomal recessive male infertility.      

The combined contraceptive vaginal device (NuvaRing®): A comprehensive review

Objectives?The aim of this study is to review the development of NuvaRing® over the past decade to illustrate its use-effectiveness and acceptance as an alternative contraceptive option for women.

Methods?The data were extracted from the literature using computerised MEDLINE system. NuvaRing® is a new combined hormonal contraceptive vaginal ring made of ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymer, releasing 120?μg etonorgestrel and 15?μg ethinyloestradiol per day. This ring is inserted on any day from day 1 to day 5 of a menstrual cycle for 21 days, thereafter removed for 7 days ring-free period and discarded.

Results?Complete inhibition of ovulation is observed during treatment with this device. Clinical exposure to NuvaRing® for 1786 women-years has resulted in 21 pregnancies, giving a Pearl Index of 1.18. Withdrawal bleeding (4.7–5.3 days) is regular (97–99% of cycles) with rare incidence of irregular bleeding (2.6–6.4%). The cycle control is good with the use of this combined contraceptive vaginal ring. NuvaRing® is well tolerated and accepted by women as compared to oral pill.

Conclusions?NuvaRing® is an effective vaginal contraceptive option for women. However, further study is needed for monitoring its long-term effectiveness and impact on patient's quality of life since the NuvaRing^R is marketed in many countries.     

Platelets lacking functional CD36 (glycoprotein IV) show reduced adhesion to collagen in flowing whole blood

A parallel-plate perfusion chamber has been used to evaluate the contribution of the adhesive membrane glycoprotein CD36 (GPIV) to platelet adhesion on type I collagen in flowing whole blood at a shear rate of 800 s-1. In one series of experiments, reconstituted normal blood (hematocrit 0.4; platelet count 1.5 x 10(5)/microL) was prepared from washed red blood cells, plasma, and washed platelets that had been incubated with Fab fragments of a monospecific polyclonal anti-CD36 antibody (50 micrograms/mL, 30 minutes, 37 degrees C). Percent surface coverage of collagen-coated coverslips using reconstituted blood with antibody-blocked platelets, as compared with paired reconstituted controls (100%), was 50% at 2 minutes, 87% at 5 minutes, and 90% at 10 minutes. Further studies were performed by perfusion of whole blood from a healthy donor of the Naka-negative phenotype, whose platelets constitutively lack CD36, over collagen-coated coverslips. In this case, percent surface coverage was 55% of normal controls at 2 minutes, 76% of controls at 5 minutes, and 72% of controls at 10 minutes. In both preparations, platelets lacking functional CD36 had a statistically significant decrease (P < .005) in adhesion after 2 minutes and 10 minutes perfusion but not at 5 minutes. These results show that functional CD36 facilitates the rapid adhesion of platelets to collagen and that this effect is seen at the earliest time points of their interaction.     

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc position in patients with TMJ pain assessed by coronal MRI

Objectives:

To assess the position of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc in patients with TMJ pain and compare it with equivalent published data of asymptomatic volunteers.

Methods:

The oblique coronal closed- and open-jaw MR images from 66 patients with TMJ pain were evaluated. Clinical examination followed the research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders. In all coronal images, the transverse condylar axis and the medial and lateral edges of the disc were determined using special software. Inter-rater agreement was calculated [two raters; inter-rater correlation coefficient (ICC)]. The presence of osteoarthrosis (OA) was determined by two independent raters. The influence of OA was estimated in patients (generalized estimation equation model). The results were compared with those of healthy volunteers (t-test). Differences between closed and open jaw in patients were analysed with the Wilcoxon matched-pair test.

Results:

The ICC was good for the transverse condylar axis (0.987) and the medial edge of the disc (0.799) and fair for the lateral edge (0.355). On average, the disc projected 5.5% to the medial side; laterally, the condyle was partially uncovered by the disc (−16.6%). In the open-jaw position, both the medial and the lateral edges shifted medially (to 17.6% vs −23.6%, Wilcoxon matched-pair test, p < 0.001). OA had no significant influence (generalized estimation equation model, p = 0.952). The disc position differed significantly from asymptomatic individuals (t-test, p < 0.001) who showed a medial disc position and full coverage of the condyle.

Conclusions:

In patients with TMJ pain, the disc seems to be smaller and located less medially than in healthy volunteers. The extent of the medial shift on opening was similar.     

地西泮的肠胃循环对中枢抑制作用的影响

研究了小鼠ig不同酸度溶液和活性碳对地西泮肠胃循环的干扰,是否影响其中枢抑制作用。HPLC法测定证实,酸性液体(pH1)ig可使小鼠iv地西泮后1h胃中地西泮排泌量显著增加。以iv地西泮后睡眠持续时间、自主活动抑制及转棒试验跌落率的恢复速度和死亡率为指标,比较了酸性活性碳(2g·kg^-1)、中性活性碳和生理盐水对地西泮中枢抑制作用的影响。结果表明,酸性碳组动物其地西泮所致中枢抑制状态的恢复速度明显加快,死亡率降低。