The lipoprotein profile of women with hyperprolactinaemic amenorrhoea

The aim of this study was to evaluate the lipoprotein profile in women with hyperprolactinaemic amenorrhoea and to establish whether effective dopamine agonist therapy might have a beneficial effect. Blood samples were collected from women with hyperprolactinaemic amenorrhoea and from controls matched for age, body mass index and smoking. Follow-up blood samples were collected from women on dopamine agonist therapy as treatment for their hyperprolactinaemia. Plasma cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, serum oestradiol and prolactin were measured. No statistically significant differences were found in the lipoprotein profile of the patient (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. During treatment with the dopamine agonist, bromocriptine (n = 9), significant reduction in total cholesterol [4.87 (3.98-5.87) versus 5.60 (4.55-6.61) mmol/l, P = 0.024] and LDL cholesterol [3.22 (2.01-4.23) versus 3.72 (2.59-4.93) mmol/l, P = 0.033] was noted. We conclude that beneficial alterations in the lipoprotein profile may occur in response to effective dopamine agonist therapy, presumably as a consequence of return of ovarian function and alleviation of oestrogen deficiency. Women with hyperprolactinaemic amenorrhoea should be encouraged to take effective therapy to improve their lipoprotein profile and potentially reduce their cardiovascular risk.     

Dielectrophoretic assay of bacterial resistance to antibiotics

The dielectrophoretic collection spectra of antibiotic-sensitive and antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis have been determined. These indicate that in the absence of antibiotic treatment there is a strong similarity between the dielectric properties of sensitive and resistant strains, and that there is a significant difference between the sensitive strains before and after treatment with the antibiotic streptomycin after 24 h exposure. This method offers possibilities for the assessment of bacterial resistance to antibiotics.     

Sequence relations and coding properties of a subgenomic RNA isolated from barley stripe mosaic virus

A subgenomic (SG) RNA ( approximately 800 nucleotides) is a minor component of barley stripe mosaic virus RNAs. The SG-RNAs isolated from the Type and North Dakota 18 (ND18) strains of BSMV have sequence homology with RNA 2 of the ("pseudo-two component") Type strain, which has two electrophoretic components, but only limited homology is evident with RNA 2 of the ND18 and Norwich strains, which have three electrophoretic components ("three component" strain). Instead, eDNAs from SG-RNA hybridize most efficiently with RNA 3 of the ND18 and Norwich strains. In wheat germ extracts the SG-RNAs direct the synthesis of two polypeptides with apparent molecular weights of 20 to 21 x 10(3). However, these two polypeptides were difficult to detect by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of extracts from Type- or ND18-infected barley and so appear not to accumulate during infection.     

Functional consequences of ROMK mutants linked to antenatal Bartter's syndrome and implications for treatment

The antenatal variant of Bartter's syndrome is an autosomal recessive kidney disease characterized by polyhydramnios, premature delivery, hypokalemic alkalosis and hypercalciuria. It is genetically heterogeneous, having been linked recently to mutations in an ATP- sensitive, renal outer medullary K+channel, ROMK, and earlier to mutations in the Na-K-2Cl co-transporter, NKCC2. We characterized four of the mutations reported in three heterozygous ROMK variants of antenatal Bartter's and found that each expressed a distinct phenotype in Sf9 cells. One mutation expressed normal function and appears to be an allelic polymorphism. The other three mutations produced channels with significantly reduced K+fluxes. However, the mechanisms in each case were different and reflected abnormalities in phosphorylation, proteolytic processing or protein trafficking. The different mechanisms may be important in the design of appropriate therapy for patients with this disease.      

Uterine myomata and outcome of assisted reproduction

The aim of this work was to study the effect of uterine myomata on the implantation rate and outcome in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Among 406 patients, 51 (12.6%) were found to have uterine corporeal myomata. Twelve patients were excluded from the study as they had large myomata, submucous myomata or intramural myomata encroaching on the cavity. These patients were advised to have myomectomy before being enrolled in the IVF/ICSI programme. The remaining patients (n = 39) were sorted according to the number, site and size of the myomata as assessed by transvaginal sonography. Three patients had more than one myoma. Most of the myomata were subserous (72.7%) and the mean diameter of the myomata was 3.5 +/- 0.9 cm. A control group (n = 367) was chosen with normal uteri and no history of uterine reconstruction surgery. The mean age of myoma patients was 34.7 +/- 3.6 years as compared to 34.0 +/- 4.4 years in the control group. The age, period of infertility, body mass index, duration and number of human menopausal gonadotrophin ampoules needed for stimulation, oestradiol levels, number of oocytes retrieved and the fertilization rate were not significantly different in the myoma patients compared to the control group. Fifteen myoma patients (38.5%) subsequently showed one or more pregnancy sacs on ultrasonography of which three (20%) spontaneously aborted during the first trimester and two (13.3%) had preterm labour, as compared to 123 (33.5%), 19 (15.5%) and nine (7.3%) respectively, among the control group (P = 0.27, 0.33 and 0.21). In conclusion, uterine corporeal myomata, not encroaching on the cavity and <7 cm in mean diameter, do not affect the implantation or miscarriage rates in IVF or ICSI.