Sclerosing cholangitis: CT findings

The value of computed tomography (CT) in the detection of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) in the intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary systems was assessed by comparing CT scans of 20 cases of PSC with cholangiographic findings. In 16 of 19 cases of extrahepatic duct disease demonstrated with cholangiography, CT demonstrated abnormalities of the common hepatic duct, or bile duct, including duct stenosis, mural nodularity, duct dilatation, wall thickening, and mural enhancement. CT demonstrated intrahepatic disease in all 20 cases, including duct dilatation, duct stenosis, pruning, and beading. CT was superior to cholangiography in characterization of the status of the intrahepatic duct system in 11 of 20 cases. In addition, CT demonstrated extrabiliary complications of PSC in 12 cases and superimposed cholangiocarcinoma in three cases. While cholangiography remains the standard for diagnosis and follow-up of PSC, CT can provide valuable information about the extent and complications of the disease.     

经关节入路微创钢板固定技术治疗股骨远端C型骨折

目的探讨经关节入路微创钢板固定(MIPPO)技术治疗股骨远端C型骨折的临床疗效。方法2002年4月～2005年2月,应用MIPPO技术治疗股骨远端C型骨折14例,按AO/ASIF分类：C1型3例,C2型6例,C3型5例。先行关节内骨折切开复位、松质骨螺钉固定,再行髁上部分骨折间接复位、经关节内切口插入髁支撑钢板或LISS钢板桥接固定骨折。结果12例患者获得10～32个月(平均18．4个月)随访,骨折均获愈合,愈合时间10周～12个月,平均4．6个月。按Kolmert和Wulff的评价标准：优4例,良5例,可2例,差1例,优良率为75%。结论应用MIPPO技术治疗股骨远端C型骨折实现了微创操作,具有创伤小、软组织干扰少、骨折愈合快等优点,疗效满意。     

GGA1 acts as a spatial switch altering amyloid precursor protein trafficking and processing

The beta-amyloid (Abeta) precursor protein (APP) is cleaved sequentially by beta-site of APP-cleaving enzyme (BACE) and gamma-secretase to release the Abeta peptides that accumulate in plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). GGA1, a member of the Golgi-localized gamma-ear-containing ARF-binding (GGA) protein family, interacts with BACE and influences its subcellular distribution. We now report that overexpression of GGA1 in cells increased the APP C-terminal fragment resulting from beta-cleavage but surprisingly reduced Abeta. GGA1 confined APP to the Golgi, in which fluorescence resonance energy transfer analyses suggest that the proteins come into close proximity. GGA1 blunted only APP but not notch intracellular domain release. These results suggest that GGA1 prevented APP beta-cleavage products from becoming substrates for gamma-secretase. Direct binding of GGA1 to BACE was not required for these effects, but the integrity of the GAT (GGA1 and TOM) domain of GGA1 was. GGA1 may act as a specific spatial switch influencing APP trafficking and processing, so that APP-GGA1 interactions may have pathophysiological relevance in AD.     

Identification and characterization of novel uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase gene mutations in a large series of porphyria cutanea tarda patients and relatives

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) arises from decreased hepatic activity of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (UROD). Both genetic and environmental factors interplay in the precipitation of clinically overt PCT, but these factors may vary between different geographic areas. Decreased activity of UROD in erythrocytes was used to identify patients with UROD mutations among a group of 130 Spanish PCT patients. Nineteen patients (14.6%) were found to harbor a mutation in the UROD gene. Eight mutations were novel: M1I, 5del10, A22V, D79N, F84I, Q116X, T141I and Y182C. Five others were previously described: F46L, V134Q, R142Q, P150L and E218G. The new missense mutations and P150L were expressed in Escherichia coli. D79N and P150L resulted in proteins that were localized to inclusion bodies. The other mutations produced recombinant proteins that were purified and showed reduced activity (range: 2.3–73.2% of wild type). These single amino acid changes were predicted to produce complex structural alterations and/or reduced stability of the enzyme. Screening of relatives of the probands showed that 37.5% of mutation carriers demonstrated increased urinary porphyrins. This study emphasizes the role of UROD mutations as a strong risk factor for PCT even in areas where environmental factors (hepatitis C virus) have been shown to be highly associated with the disease.     

Reversing antibiotic resistance

Over the past decade many well-tried chemotherapeutic agents have lost their effectiveness. This is due to a phenomenon referred to as multi-drug resistance. The most likely cause of multi-drug resistance is an increase in the activity of an efflux pump mediated through the actions of a P-glycoprotein. There is a continuing search, not only for new chemotherapeutic agents, but also for agents that can reverse the acquired resistance to existing agents.     

A novel form of autosomal recessive pure hereditary spastic paraplegia maps to chromosome 13q14

BACKGROUND: Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by a progressive weakening and spasticity of the lower limbs. HSP is classified according to the presence or absence of accompanying neurologic problems and by the mode of inheritance. Currently, 17 loci have been linked to the various forms of HSP. OBJECTIVE: To determine the chromosomal location of a gene causing pure autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia. METHODS: Genotyping using fluorescently labeled microsatellite markers was performed on three affected individuals and three unaffected individuals from a family displaying pure autosomal recessive HSP (ARHSP) and sensorineural deafness. All family members were then included in the analysis to narrow the genetic interval. Candidate genes were screened for the presence of mutations by heteroduplex analysis. RESULTS: The paraplegic trait linked to a 1.8-Mb region of chromosome 13q14 flanked by the FLJ11712 gene and the microsatellite marker D13S270. The deafness did not link to this region and did not cosegregate with the paraplegic trait. CONCLUSION: The HSP that this family had represents a novel genetic form of pure ARHSP as no other form of HSP (autosomal dominant or recessive) has been linked to chromosome 13.     

Epogam evening primrose oil treatment in atopic dermatitis and asthma

Essential fatty acids are claimed to have positive effects in atopic diseases. In a double blind, placebo controlled, parallel group study 58 out of 60 children, with atopic dermatitis and the need for regular treatment with topical skin steroids, completed a 16 weeks' treatment period with either Epogam evening primrose oil or placebo capsules. Twenty two of these subjects also had asthma. The parents used diaries to record symptom scores and concomitant medication. Peak expiratory flow was measured and disease activity was monitored by the clinician every four weeks. The plasma concentrations of essential fatty acids increased significantly in the group treated with Epogam capsules. The study demonstrated significant improvements of the eczema symptoms but no significant difference was found between the placebo and the Epogam groups. No therapeutic effect was shown on asthma symptoms or fidget.     

Pericardial effusion complicating a percutaneous central venous line in a neonate

A premature infant developed pericardial effusion four days after the insertion of a 25-gauge silastic percutaneous central venous catheter. The effusion contained parenteral nutrition fluid and resolved rapidly after withdrawal of the catheter. Pericardial effusion is a potential complication of percutaneous, as well as surgically placed, central venous catheters.     

The STR system in the human phenylalanine hydroxylase gene: true fragment length obtained with fluorescent labelled PCR primers

We present a simple, fast, non-radioactive method for the analysis of the polymorphic short tandem repeat (STR) system in the human phenylalanine hydroxylase gene. Previously, sizing of the STR marker involved radiolabelling of PCR amplified fragments and resolution on denaturing polyacrylamide gels using M13 sequencing ladder as a standard. However, this method consistently gave sizes 2 bp longer than the known sequence. The fluorescent method presented here employs internal lane standards and enables accurate sizing of the fragments. To avoid confusion, we suggest that the true fragment lengths are used as reference values in the future. The analysis of STR alleles is valuable for population genetic studies and for targeted mutation screening in phenylketonuria (PKU). It can replace RFLP-based haplotype analysis for carrier detection, and we report its use for prenatal diagnosis in a Northern Irish family with PKU. The analysis of 250 Northern Irish chromosomes, including 128 PKU alleles, showed no significant difference between normal and PKU alleles, with fragment lengths of 238 and 242 bp most common in both groups.