The mouse Mid1 gene: implications for the pathogenesis of Opitz syndrome and the evolution of the mammalian pseudoautosomal region

We have recently reported isolation of the gene responsible for X- linked Opitz G/BBB syndrome, a defect of midline development. MID1 is located on the distal short arm of the human X chromosome (Xp22. 3) and encodes a novel member of the B box family of zinc finger proteins. We have now cloned the murine homolog of MID1 and performed preliminary expression studies during development. Mid1 expression in undifferentiated cells in the central nervous, gastrointestinal and urogenital systems suggests that abnormal cell proliferation may underlie the defect in midline development characteristic of Opitz syndrome. We have also found that Mid1 is located within the mouse pseudoautosomal region (PAR) in Mus musculus , while it seems to be X- specific in Mus spretus. Therefore, Mid1 is likely to be a recent acquisition of the M. musculus PAR. Genetic and FISH analyses also demonstrated a high frequency of unequal crossovers in the murine PAR, creating spontaneous deletion/duplication events involving Mid1. These data provide evidence for the first time that genetic instability of the PAR may affect functionally important genes. In addition, we show that MID1 is the first example of a gene subject to X-inactivation in man while escaping it in mouse. These data contribute to a better understanding of the molecular content and evolution of the rodent PAR.      

Influence of synchronous and sequential stimulation on muscle fatigue

In acute experiments the sciatic nerve of the rat is electrically stimulated to induce fatigue in the medial Gastrocnemius muscle. Fatigue tests are carried out using intermittent stimulation of different compartments (sequential) or a single compartment (synchronous) of the sciatic nerve. The activation of different compartments is achieved by dividing nerve fibres into subbundles and placing them in separate grooves in a multigroove electrode. The aim of the investigation is to quantify the effect of sequential contra synchronised stimulation in reducing muscle fatigue, with no overlap between compartments. Overlap between two compartments is calculated using the combined and individual forces from both compartments. Sequential stimulation of two and three compartments is investigated. There is a significant decrease of fatigue in sequential stimulation compared to synchronous. After 2 min of intermittent stimulation the force time level is significantly increased in sequential stimulation, than in synchronous stimulation. The rate of force time decrease is significantly slower in sequential stimulation than in synchronous stimulation. With sequential stimulation it takes significantly longer before the maximal force time is reached than with synchronous stimulation.     

Über die Verteilung von Radiostrontium in den Organen eines menschlichen Feten

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

In vivo measurement of intracellular pH in human brain during different tensions of carbon dioxide in arterial blood. A 31P-NMR study

The effect of changes in carbon dioxide tension in arterial blood upon intracellular pH in brain tissue was studied in seven healthy volunteers, aged 22-45 years. The pH changes were monitored by use of 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, performed on a whole-body 1.5 Tesla Siemens imaging system. The measurements were carried out during hyperventilation and with the subject breathing atmospheric air containing 5 vol. % and 7 vol. % carbon dioxide. Intracellular pH increased significantly during 15 min of hyper-ventilation and decreased significantly during 18 min respiration of air containing 7 vol. % carbon dioxide. The intracellular buffer capacity was estimated. These results suggest that the ventilation response to carbon dioxide is correlated to changes in intracellular fluid pH.     

EEG-Monitored ECT: A Comparison of Seizure Duration under Anesthesia with Etomidate and Thiopentone

Electroencephalogram-monitored electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was carried out in 20 depressed inpatients. Before treatment, patients were randomly allocated to treatment using etomidate (Hypnomidat) (n = 10) or thiopentone (n = 10) for anesthesia. The groups were matched for sex, age, weight, and type and severity of depression. The seizure duration (seconds) was measured by electroencephalography (EEG), and the electrical energy (Joules, J) was determined for each treatment. A ratio of seizure duration:electrical energy (s/J) was computed. Both seizure duration and seizure duration:electrical energy were greater in the etomidate group than in the thiopentone group, whereas electrical energy did not differ significantly. The number of treatments in the etomidate group did not differ from that in the thiopentone group, as may be expected, perhaps because of the small size.     

Medical, social and occupational history as risk indicators for low-back trouble in a general population

Sixty-eight medical, social, and occupational history variables were analyzed in a general population of 442 men and 478 women, aged 30, 40, 50, and 60 years to identify possible indicators for first-time experience and recurrence or persistence of low-back trouble (LBT) during a 1-year follow-up. Variables that in univariate analyses showed statistically significant indications for future LBT were subjected to stepwise logistic regression analyses. The most important indicators for recurrence or persistence of LBT thus identified were, for men, intermittent claudication, restlessness, or other discomfort in the lower limbs, frequent headache, and living alone. For women, the corresponding indicators were rumbling of "the stomach" and feeling of fatigue. For first-time experience of LBT, the indicators identified by the regression analyses were frequent pain in the top of the stomach, previous hospitalizations and operations, daily smoking, and a long distance from home to work. The result suggests that the population likely to experience future LBT does not enjoy good general health even prior to its first LBT episode, and this, in turn, may be due to greater psychosocial pressure.