Sex ratio in relation to fathers'' occupations.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the sex ratio of children varies between fathers of different occupations. METHODS: The sex ratio (the ratio of the number of boys to the number of girls at birth) was calculated in relation to paternal occupation in the cohort of all 253,433 live births in Cumbria, north west England, from 1950-89. Exact binomial confidence intervals were used to estimate whether the sex ratio in each occupational category was significantly different from that for the rest of the cohort. RESULTS: There were fewer occupational categories with significantly different sex ratios at the 5% level than expected by chance alone, assuming the same binomial distribution of sexes at birth within each paternal occupation. CONCLUSIONS: Significant variation of the sex ratio with fathers' occupations was not found. There is some evidence that the sex ratio shows less variance than expected under a binomial model which assumes independence of the sex of each child; a possible explanation of this may be parental preference for limiting family size after children of both sexes have been born or some other factor which results in children within a family being more likely to be of both sexes rather than the same sex.     

INTRA-AORTIC BALLOON RUPTURE CAUSING FEMORAL ENTRAPMENT

Rupture of an intra-aortic balloon counterpulsator (IABCP) demands immediate removal. We report a case of thrombus formation within a Datascope IABCP secondary to IABCP rupture, necessitating surgical exploration for removal. There is a disturbing pattern of balloon ruptures with this type of IABCP.     

Control of pollen hydration in Brassica requires continued protein synthesis, and glycosylation in necessary for intraspecific incompatibility

Pollen hydration and self-incompatibility (SI) in Brassica have been studied by using a combination of in vivo video-microscopy and experiments with metabolic inhibitors. Experiments with cycloheximide confirm earlier observations that pollen hydration is regulated through protein synthesis. No protein or glycoprotein has positively been identified with this event; however, it is unlikely that the total pool of any particular glycoprotein is involved, but rather a newly synthesized or otherwise activated fraction. Micromanipulation of pollen on the stigmatic papillae suggests that access to this hydration regulation system is limited to members of the Brassicaceae: pollen grains of other species—even those possessing dry stigmas—fail to hydrate. It is proposed that an interaction between enzymes of the stigma surface and the superficial layer of the pollen grain coating creates continuity between the content of the papillar wall and the grain protoplast. Inhibition of protein synthesis also overcomes SI, and since the advent of regulated hydration and synthesis of the so-called S-gene glycoproteins coincide with the acquisition of the SI system, there is strong circumstantial evidence that the same molecular species is involved in both processes. Experiments with tunicamycin, which prevents glycosylation of glycoproteins, indicate that the glycosyl groups of the S-gene glycoprotein are required for the operation of the SI system but not for the regulation of hydration. Further experiments suggest that pollen is positively inhibited on incompatible papillae but that this inhibition is biostatic. Recovery from the effects of the SI system appears to involve the metabolism of an inhibitor by the pollen. SI in Brassica thus emerges as a sophisticated process under dynamic control in both the female and male partners. The evolutionary advantages of such a system are discussed.     

Pulmonary artery catheterization: a modified technique

A modified technique for catheterization of the pulmonary artery was developed. It involves the passage of a tapered, movable-core, J-tipped guide wire across the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery followed by the advancement of a straightened Grollman pigtail catheter. The technique was successful in 34 of 34 pulmonary artery catheterizations. The method avoids prolonged catheter manipulation within the right ventricle. In addition, since the catheter does not cross the tricuspid valve until the guide wire has been advanced, the occasional complication of the pigtail "hooking" on a tricuspid valve leaflet or chordae tendineae during catheter withdrawal and manipulation is prevented.     

Giant cell tumor of the scapula

This study reviews the demographic, radiologic, and histologic characteristics of 13 cases of an important primary skeletal neoplasm, giant cell tumor of bone, occurring in an uncommon location, the scapula. that eight of 13 patients presented prior to 20 years of age contrasts significantly with the typical age distribution (between 20–40 years) encountered in giant cell tumors arising in long bones. As it does elsewhere in the skeleton, giant cell tumor of the scapula frequently demonstrates cystic and/or telangiectatic components on histologic examination. The radiologic appearances of giant cell tumor in the scapula and in more typical locations are similar and include: (1) well-defined (geographic) margins, occasionally with a delicate sclerotic rim, (2) prominent trabeculations, (3) expanded bone contour, (4) frequent extension to the subchondral plate, and (5) absence of internal mineralization. Tumor sites within the scapula included: coracoid process, acromion, and body (three cases each); glenoid (two cases); and superior and inferior angles (one case each).The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense, or the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.     

PJA-BP expression and TCR delta deletion during human T cell differentiation

Recombination of deltaRec to psiJalpha will delete the TCR delta gene, which is thought to play an important role in the bifurcation of the TCR alphabeta versus TCR gammadelta differentiation lineages. We recently detected a DNA-binding protein in human thymocytes, the so- called PJA-BP, which recognizes the psiJalpha gene segment and might be one of the factors involved in the regulation of preferential deltaRec- psiJalpha rearrangements. We now investigate PJA-BP expression and its correlation with TCR delta gene deletion in thymocytes. Our electrophoretic mobility shift assay experiments showed that the PJA-BP is evolutionary conserved in human, murine and simian thymocytes. Using a large series of human hematopoietic malignancies (n = 30), we conclude that PJA-BP expression is thymocyte specific and seems to be restricted to thymocytes committed to the TCR alphabeta lineage. Analysis of seven well-defined human thymocyte subpopulations showed that preferential deltaRec-psiJalpha rearrangements as well as PJA-BP expression can be detected from the immature CD34-/CD1+/CD3- /CD4+/CD8alpha+beta- thymocyte differentiation stage onwards. These experiments indicate that expression of PJA-BP in human thymocytes starts simultaneously with preferential deltaRec-psiJalpha rearrangements, which supports our hypothesis that PJA-BP is one of the factors involved in the preferential recombination of deltaRec to psiJalpha.      

Prevalence and incidence of HIV among incarcerated and reincarcerated women in Rhode Island

This study explores recent temporal trends in HIV prevalence among women entering prison and the incidence and associated risk factors among women reincarcerated in Rhode Island. Results from mandatory HIV testing from 1992 to 1996 for all incarcerated women were examined. In addition, a case control study was conducted on all seroconverters from 1989 to 1997. In all, 5836 HIV tests were performed on incarceration in 3146 women, 105 of whom tested positive (prevalence, 3.3%). Between 1992 and 1996, the annual prevalence of HIV among all women known to be HIV-positive was stable (p = .12). Age >25 years, nonwhite race, and prior incarceration were associated with seropositivity. Of 1081 initially seronegative women who were retested on reincarceration, 12 seroconverted during 1885 person-years (PY) of follow-up (incidence, 0.6/100 PY). Self-reported injection drug use (IDU; odds ratio [OR], 3.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-10.1) was significantly associated with seroconversion, but sexual risk was not (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.4-3.5). Incarceration serves as an opportunity for initiation of treatment and linkage to community services for a population that is at high risk for HIV infection.