Variation at 10 protein coding loci in the mbenzele pygmies from the central african republic and a comparison with microsatellite data

Ten protein coding loci (6‐PGD, A1‐AT, ACP1, CaII, ESD, GC, GPX1, Hbβ, PGM1, and TF) were analyzed in the Mbenzele Pygmies from the Central African Republic. The frequency data were used to calculate the genetic distances between Mbenzele Pygmies and other African groups. In the principal coordinate plot of F_ST genetic distances, the Mbenzele cluster together with other Pygmies of the western cluster, the Biaka from C.A.R., Gielli from Cameroon, and Babinga from Congo. By contrast, they are considerably distanced from other Pygmy groups of the eastern cluster (Twa from Rwanda, Mbuti from Zaire). Genetic distances obtained using protein loci were compared with those based on microsatellite loci. The two distance matrices are insignificantly correlated (r = 0.268; one tail probability = 0.332), and the main difference is in the higher genetic affinity between the Mbenzele and Biaka Pygmies observed at the protein level. Although reasons underlying the discrepancy between inter‐populational variation at protein and DNA loci are not established with certainty, the comparison suggests that the genetic distance between the Mbenzele and Biaka Pygmies at microsatellite loci could have been shaped by genetic drift. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 14:9–14, 2002.© 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Chronic peritoneal dialysis in paediatrics: Experience of a national registry

The results of the first 3 year' collaboration of the Italian Registry of Paediatric Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis (CPD) (1986–1988) are presented. This Registry acquired data on the majority of the paediatric patients treated with CPD in Italy, thus providing a national picture in a field where few nationwide surveys are available. Patients of less than 15 years of age at the start of dialysis were enrolled and clinical data collected until the age of 19 years. The number of nephrological paediatric centres participating in the Registry increased from 7 in 1986 to 11 in 1988. The total number of patients on CPD was 70 and the percentage of dialysed children treated with CPD ranged from 40.2% to 43.6%. Data on 89 peritoneal catheters were collected: during 1417 dialysis-months 70 catheter-related complications were observed (1:20.8 dialysis-months); actuarial catheter survival was 92.7% at 6 months, 84.8% at 1 year and 68.8% at 2 years. The incidence of peritonitis changed from 1 episode every 10.9 patient-months in 1986 to 1 every 19.8 in 1988. Abdominal hernias were the other main clinical complication observed. The survival of patients was 92.5% at 3 years, while the technique survival at the same time was 84%.     

Activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in mice selected for left- or right-handedness

Asymmetry in brain modulation of the immune system has been previously described. In mice, paw preference has been shown to be associated with immune reactivity but the mechanisms involved in such an association are not yet known. The autonomic nervous system and the neuroendocrine system are considered as major candidates for neural influences on the immune system. In the present study, the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis of adult female mice selected for paw preference (left-handers vs. right-handers) was assessed by measuring both adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone plasma levels, as well as the in vitro responses of hypothalamus and adrenocortical cells to various hormone releasing stimuli. The results reported here showed no difference in the activity of the HPA axis between left- and right-handed mice, suggesting that this neuroendocrine axis is not implicated in the association between functional brain asymmetry and immune reactivity. However, our results do not exclude the possibility that the HPA axis could play a role in such an association under other circumstances, such as during development or stressful situations.     

Myxoglobulosis of the appendix

Myxoglobulosis is a rare morphologic variant of appendiceal mucocele characterized by intraluminal mucinous globules of the appendix. Most reported cases have presented clinically as an acute abdomen or as an incidental laparotomy or autopsy finding. We report a case of myxoglobulosis in a 32-year-old man who presented with an extra-appendiceal mass following a 10-year symptomatic course. Laparotomy disclosed a pericecal collection of opaque, white globules originating from a perforated appendix walled off by fibrous adhesions. The globules exhibited some histologic and staining properties at variance with those described in previous reports. These findings suggest that myxoglobulosis may be more heterogeneous pathogenetically than the distinctive gross appearance of the lesion would indicate.     

Further consideration of the clonal nature of Salmonella typhi: evaluation of molecular and clinical characteristics of strains from Indonesia and Peru.

We examined envelope protein profiles, chromosomal restriction endonuclease digest patterns, and immune responses to envelope proteins for collections of Salmonella typhi strains isolated in Peru and Indonesia. Only minor differences in envelope protein patterns were apparent among strains. Strains from 7 of 20 Indonesian patients had a distinct chromosomal digest pattern compared with patterns of Peruvian and other Indonesian strains. Strains with this pattern carried the gene for the j flagellar antigen (H1-j); differences in response to envelope proteins of j and d strains were noted on immunoblot analysis. Our data suggest that there are genotypic and phenotypic differences among S. typhi strains. The clinical importance of these differences remains to be fully evaluated; however, in this study it was not possible to show a clear correlation between strain characteristics and disease severity.     

Effect of MHC class-I transfection on local tumor growth and metastasis in an H-2-negative clone derived from a chemically induced fibrosarcoma.

GR9 is a chemically induced fibrosarcoma composed of clones with different H-2 class-I expression. These clones differ with respect to local growth and spontaneous metastasis. The B9 clone (H-2 negative) is highly tumorigenic (local growth) but of low metastatic potential (spontaneous metastasis assay). We have analyzed the effect that transfection of H-2Dd and H-2Kd genes on this clone have upon local growth, lung colonization after i.v. injection and ability to form spontaneous metastases. The results showed that the effect on local growth of transfection of the Kd-gene was stronger than that of the Dd gene. In addition, B9 co-transfected with H-2Kd and Dd genes showed the highest immunogenic properties in syngeneic BALB/c mice. Interestingly, the pSV2-neo transfected clone gave almost the same result as that obtained with Dd transfection. Lung colonization after i.v. injection of the different clones (experimental metastasis), paralleled the results obtained for local growth: the number of lung nodules followed the cadence KdDd less than Kd less than Dd less than pSV2. Survival of mice was always inversely correlated with local growth, e.g., all mice injected with 5 x 10(5) B9 H-2KdDd transfected cells survived. In contrast, no mice injected with the B9 control did. These differences were abrogated in irradiated and nude BALB/c mice. Finally, all transfected clones remained non-metastatic in a spontaneous metastasis assay, behaving as the control, non-transfected B9 cells.     

Acute and chronic ethanol alter somatosensory-evoked potentials in conscious rats.

This study examined the effects of acute and chronic ethanol on cortical somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs) of laboratory rats. Evoked potentials were recorded following stimulation of the left hindpaw before and after injection of either saline or ethanol. Animals were then chronically exposed to ethanol in vapor inhalation chambers for five weeks. Recordings of SEPs before and after acute ethanol injection were then obtained 24 h and again seven days after withdrawal from ethanol exposure. The results indicate that acute ethanol produced a dose-dependent reduction in SEP amplitude, but did not alter peak latencies. Chronic ethanol exposure and withdrawal resulted in a significant increase in preinjection baseline response amplitudes when measured at 24 h after withdrawal, but not at seven days, and this treatment did not alter response latency or the effects of acute ethanol administration.     

Anastomotic stenosis after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: A rational approach to treatment.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic stenosis, a common sequela to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, has a reported incidence of 1.6-27% and recurs in 17-33%. No universal guidelines for optimal treatment exist. The aim of this study was to develop guidelines to treat stenosis that achieve the lowest rate of recurrence while avoiding the complications of excessive dilation. METHODS: This prospective 2-part study enlisted consecutive patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass who developed an anastomotic stenosis. In the first part, all patients, regardless of the grade of stenosis, underwent dilation to 12 mm and were followed up for recurrence. In the second part, patients underwent dilation according to the grade of stenosis (12 mm for low, 13.5 mm for medium, 15 mm for high) and were followed up for recurrence. RESULTS: Among 1345 consecutive Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients, 204 developed an anastomotic stenosis (15.2%). No differences were found in gender, mean age, preoperative body mass index, or weight loss at 1 year. In part 1, the recurrence rate for low-, medium-, and high-grade stenosis was 2.6%, 34.4%, and 35.9%. In part 2, the corresponding rates were 9.7%, 26.3%, and 43.6%. The corresponding mean number of additional dilations per patient with recurrence in part 1 was 1.0, 1.5, and 2.1 and, in part 2, were 1.0, 1.0 and 1.2. CONCLUSION: The results of this study have shown that the stenosis grade can predict the risk of recurrence and determine the optimal balloon size. Definitive treatment was achieved in >90% of patients with low-grade stenosis dilated to 12 mm. Medium- and high-grade stenosis predicted > or =25% recurrence, but increasing the balloon size reduced the number of additional dilations required for patients with recurrence.