Analysis of interphase cells for the Philadelphia translocation using painting probe made by inter-Alu-polymerase chain reaction from a radiation hybrid

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probe for the identification of the Philadelphia (Ph) translocation [t(9;22) (q34;q11)] in chronic myelogenous leukemia cells was developed by inter-Alu-polymerase chain reaction of DNA from an interspecific somatic cell hybrid containing approximately 5 Mb of human DNA covering the ABL gene region on human chromosome 9q34. This probe was large enough to be effective in identifying the genomic domains yet small enough to resolve them in more than 90% of bone marrow interphase cells. Combination of the probe with a cosmid contig probe for the BCR region of chromosome 22 in two- color FISH reduced the frequency of false-positive identification of the Ph chromosome to less than 1%. The procedure allows detection of as few as 1% Ph+ cells independent of the cycling status or BCR/ABL expression level of cells, and the quantitation of non-Ph chromosome- containing interphase nuclei in the marrow of patients judged 100% Ph+ by standard cytogenetics.     

Spontaneous pneumothorax due to Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome in a Chinese family

A Chinese woman presented with a spontaneous pneumothorax and a family history suggestive of the autosomal dominant transmission of pneumothorax. The patient also had skin fibrofolliculomas and folliculin gene deletion, compatible with Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD) syndrome. The importance of BHD syndrome and other familial spontaneous pneumothoraces is discussed.     

Cancer Prevention through Legislation-Hong Kong Experience

Cancer is the major cause of death worldwide and in the local community. Due to the aging population and changes in lifestyle of the citizens, it is expected that the incidence of cancer will continue to increase. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, about 30% of cancer death can be prevented. The fight against cancer relies on support from the government, together with collaborations with the policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public. Legislation can act as a tool for cancer prevention. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the global cancer burden and to describe how cancer legislation acts as a tool for cancer prevention in the Hong Kong region.     

Patient satisfaction with out-of-hours primary care in the Netherlands

Background  

In recent years out-of-hours primary care in the Netherlands has changed from practice-based to large-scale cooperatives. The purpose of this study is to determine patient satisfaction with current out-of-hours care organised in general practitioner (GP) cooperatives, and gain insight in factors associated with this satisfaction.     

Lack of association between polymorphism of the human cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase gene and obesity

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether genetic variation in the cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase gene (PRKG1) is associated with obesity. METHODS: The study included 143 individuals from New York City area, NY, USA. The subjects were sampled on the basis of body mass index (BMI): obese (BMI ranging from 33.8 to 89.5 kg/m(2)), and nonobese (BMI ranging from 16.0 to 29.4 kg/m(2)). The association between C2276T polymorphism in PRKG1 gene and obesity was tested using linear regression analysis. RESULTS: BMI levels were predicted by linear regression models adjusted for demographic factors. An analysis was performed twice: in individuals of all ethnic backgrounds and in European-Americans only. In both cases, genotype did not have a significant effect. CONCLUSION: We found no evidence that the C2276T polymorphism in the PKRG1 gene is associated with obesity.     

Relationship between the chemical structure and neurotropic activity in a series of nitrogen-containing derivatives of (3)-1, 2-dicarbaundecarborate

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal -