The contribution of psychological distress to socio-economic differences in cause-specific mortality: a population-based follow-up of 28 years

Background  

Psychological factors associated with low social status have been proposed as one possible explanation for the socio-economic gradient in health. The aim of this study is to explore whether different indicators of psychological distress contribute to socio-economic differences in cause-specific mortality.     

Clustering of mutations in the biotin-binding region of holocarboxylase synthetase in biotin-responsive multiple carboxylase deficiency

Holocarboxylase synthetase (HCS) catalyses the biotinylation of the four biotin-dependent carboxylases found in humans. A deficiency in HCS results in biotin-responsive multiple carboxylase deficiency (MCD). We have identified six different point mutations in the HCS gene in nine patients with MCD. Two of the mutations are frequent among the MCD patients analyzed. Four of the mutations cluster in the putative biotin- binding domain as deduced from the corresponding Escherichia coli enzyme and consistent with an explanation for biotin-responsiveness based on altered affinity for biotin. The two others may define an additional domain involved in biotin-binding or biotin-mediated stabilization of the protein.      

Platelet adhesion to collagen types I through VIII under conditions of stasis and flow is mediated by GPIa/IIa (alpha 2 beta 1-integrin)

Platelet adhesion to fibrillar collagens (types I, II, III, and V) and nonfibrillar collagens (types IV, VI, VII, and VIII) was investigated in the presence of physiologic concentrations of divalent cations under conditions of stasis and flow. Under static conditions, platelet adhesion was observed to collagen types I through VII but not to type VIII. Under flow conditions, platelet adhesion to collagen types I, II, III, and IV was almost independent of shear rates above 300/s. Collagen type V was nonadhesive. Platelet adhesion to collagen type VI was shear rate-dependent and optimal at a rate of 300/s. Collagen types VII and VIII showed minor reactivity and supported platelet adhesion only between shear rates 100 to 1,000/s. Monoclonal antibody (MoAb) 176D7, directed against platelet membrane glycoprotein Ia (GPIa; very late antigen [VLA]-alpha 2 subunit), completely inhibited platelet adhesion to all collagens tested, under conditions of both stasis and flow. Platelet adhesion to collagen type III at shear rate 1,600/s was only inhibited for 85%. The concentration of antibody required for complete inhibition of platelet adhesion was dependent on the shear rate and the reactivity of the collagen. An MoAb directed against GPIIa (VLA-beta subunit) partially inhibited platelet adhesion to collagen. These results show that GPIa-IIa is a major and universal platelet receptor for eight unique types of collagen.