Molecular characterization of a high A2 beta thalassemia by direct sequencing of single strand enriched amplified genomic DNA

Two families, one of Anglo-Saxon-Dutch descent, and the other, West Indian black, have an atypical beta thalassemia characterized by an unusually high level of Hb A2 in the heterozygous state. Restriction endonuclease mapping showed a deletion of about 1.35 kilobase (kb) in the 5' region of the beta globin gene. Direct sequencing of a specific region of genomic DNA amplified by a new modification of the polymerase chain reaction defined the deletion to be 1,393 base pairs (bp) and to be the same in both families. The deletion extends from 485 bp 5' to the mRNA CAP site to the middle of the second intervening sequence. This deletion, together with three others previously described that remove the 5' end of the beta gene but leave the delta gene intact, are all associated with unusually high levels of Hb A2 in the heterozygous state.     

Effects of nativity, age at migration, and acculturation on smoking among adult Houston residents of Mexican descent

OBJECTIVES: We investigated differences in smoking behaviors between US-and Mexican-born ever smokers and examined the influence of US culture on smoking initiation. METHODS: Participants were 5030 adults of Mexican descent enrolled in an ongoing population-based cohort in Houston, Tex. RESULTS: More men than women reported current smoking; rates among US-born women were higher than those among Mexican-born women. Smoking rates among US-born men were higher than earlier published rates among Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites but similar to rates among African Americans. Current smoking rates among Mexican-born women were lower than published rates for Hispanics, non-Hispanic Whites, and African Americans. Older age, male gender, a higher level of acculturation, more than a high school education, and residing in a census tract with a higher median age predicted history of smoking among US-born participants. Among Mexican-born participants, older age, male gender, a higher level of acculturation, and younger age at migration predicted history of smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking interventions for people of Mexican descent should be tailored according to gender, nativity, and acculturation level and should target all ages, not just young people.     

Indirect electrochemical blood oxidation in the prophylaxis of suppurative-inflammatory complications after transurethral resection of the prostate

To investigate efficiency of indirect electrochemical blood oxidation in prophylaxis of infectious complications, 28 patients were treated with 0.06% hypochlorite solution (2 infusions, 2-3 days before TURP). These patients belonged to a high-risk group of infectious complications (80% of them had chronic prostatitis, 8 patients had bladder stones, 8 had undergone cystostomy). The results demonstrated that the complication rate in the above prepared patients fell four times as compared to the control group and the postoperati hospital stay was reduced by 3 days.     

Morbidity with temporary disability in railway tunnel workers

The paper presents data on the health status of a large professional group of transport building workers--those who build BAM railway tunnels and those who build Moscow and Saint Petersburg underground stations. Major factors that are associated with underground work and that form the level of morbidity with temporary disability are identified. Respiratory, osteomuscular, digestive diseases, accidents, intoxications, and injuries are predominant in the structure of temporary disability. Lines of better organization of therapeutical-and-prophylactic aid to this contingent are defined.     

Differential diagnostic value of prostate-specific antigen in prostatic hyperplasia

Diagnostic value of prostate specific antigen (PSA) was studied in 163 patients with prostatic hyperplasia. As PSA is not a cancer-specific test, it is recommended to obtain biopsy in patients with prostatic hyperplasia and PSA > 4 ng/ml to diagnose prostatic cancer early. Methods raising PSA specificity for differential diagnosis of prostatic hyperplasia are not absolutely reliable.