Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism in preeclampsia and normal pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism in pregnant women with and without preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: Preeclampsia was defined as hypertension and pathologic proteinuria in pregnant women after gestational week 20. Genomic DNA was isolated from leukocytes. The insertion-deletion polymorphism in intron 16 of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene was detected in DNA samples with the use of the polymerase chain reaction. Chi-squared and Student t tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In preeclampsia (n=51 women) angiotensin-converting enzyme genotypes were deletion-D (DD) in 16 women (31%), insertion-I (II) in 12 women (24%), and insertion-deletion in 23 women (45%); in the control group (n=71), the angiotensin-converting enzyme genotypes were DD in 21 women (30%), II in 17 women (24%), and insertion-deletion in 33 women (46%). Angiotensin-converting enzyme genotype distribution and allelic frequencies were not different between groups. CONCLUSION: No difference in the angiotensin-converting enzyme genotype distribution was found between preeclampsia and normal pregnancy. The results showed no association between angiotensin-converting enzyme polymorphism and the development of preeclampsia.     

T cell receptor gamma (TCRG) gene rearrangements in Brazilian children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: analysis and implications for the study of minimal residual disease

The high frequency of T cell receptor gamma (TCRG) gene rearrangements in both B-lineage and T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), its easy detection and the lower incidence of oligoclonality make this gene one of the main target for the detection of minimal residual disease by PCR in childhood ALL. We analyzed the frequency and type of TCRG rearrangements in DNA samples obtained from the bone marrow of 102 Brazilian children at diagnosis using PCR and automatic sequencing. TCRG rearrangements were found in 69% of patients with B-lineage ALL and in 94% of patients with T cell ALL. In contrast to other studies, rearrangements involving the Vgamma9 segment reported to be uncommon were the most frequent both in B-lineage and T cell ALL and involved 49/109 (45%) of the rearranged alleles. This fact should be considered when standardizing consensus primers for the study of minimal residual disease in different populations.     

Neuroendocrine aspects of chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a serious health concern affecting over 800000 Americans of all ages, races, socioeconomic groups and genders. The etiology and pathophysiology of CFS are unknown, yet studies have suggested an involvement of the neuroendocrine system. A symposium was organized in March 2001 to explore the possibility of an association between neuroendocrine dysfunction and CFS, with special emphasis on the interactions between neuroendocrine dysfunction and other abnormalities noted in the immune and autonomic nervous systems of individuals with CFS. This paper represents the consensus of the panel of experts who participated in this meeting.     

Regional distribution of fatiguing illnesses in the United States: a pilot study

Background  

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating illness with no known cause or effective therapy. Population-based epidemiologic data on CFS prevalence are critical to put CFS in a realistic context for public health officials and others responsible for allocating resources.     

Integration of gene expression,clinical, and epidemiologic data to characterize Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Background  

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has no diagnostic clinical signs or diagnostic laboratory abnormalities and it is unclear if it represents a single illness. The CFS research case definition recommends stratifying subjects by co-morbid conditions, fatigue level and duration, or functional impairment. But to date, this analysis approach has not yielded any further insight into CFS pathogenesis. This study used the integration of peripheral blood gene expression results with epidemiologic and clinical data to determine whether CFS is a single or heterogeneous illness.     

Temperature effect in the production of multiple xylanases by Aspergillus fumigatus

This work has evaluated the temperature effect in the production of multiple xylanases by a locally isolated strain of Aspergillus fumigatus Fresenius. Three isoenzymes, identified as xylanases I, II, and III with apparent molecular weight of 45.7 KDa, 39.8 KDa and 18.2 KDa, respectively, were produced in cultures developed at 30 degrees C and at 42 degrees C. The pattern of distribution of xylanase activity among the three isoenzymes was greatly affected by the growth temperature: at 30 degrees C, the total xylanase activity was distributed homogeneously among the three enzymes, while at 42 degrees C, the total xylanase activity was mainly due to the fractions with the highest MW (I and II) and the xylanase III was a minor component.     

Test-retest reliability of measures of social network in the "Pró -Saúde" Study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate test-retest reliability of social network-related information of the" Pr -Sa de" study. METHODS: A test-retest reliability study was conducted using a multidimensional questionnaire applied to a cohort of university employees. The same questionnaire was filled out twice by 192 non-permanent employees with two weeks apart. Agreement was estimated using kappa statistics (categorical variables), weighted kappa statistics, log-linear models (ordinal variables), and intraclass correlation coefficient (discrete variables). RESULTS: Estimates of reliability were higher than 0.70 for most variables. Stratified analyses revealed no consistently varying patterns of reliability according to gender, age or schooling strata. Log-linear modelling showed that, for the study ordinal variables, the model of best fit was "diagonal agreement plus linear by linear association". CONCLUSIONS: The high level of reliability estimated in this study suggests that the process of measurement of social network-related aspects was adequate. Validation studies, which are currently being conducted, will complete the quality assessment of this information.     

Prenatally acquired cytomegalovirus encephalopathy

A case is reported of congenital cytomegalovirus infection. A baby girl was born at an estimated gestational age of 35 weeks to a 26-year-old Hispanic women. There was maternal cocaine abuse and poor prenatal care, and variable decelerations, abruptio placentae, and meconium-stained fluid occurred in the intrapartum period. Cytomegalovirus was isolated from the urine, with growth occurring in 48 hours, and the neonate had characteristic neurodevelopment handicaps.     

Elements of affective instability associated with suicidal behaviour in patients with borderline personality disorder

OBJECTIVE: To identify elements of affective instability associated with an increased likelihood of impulsivity and then to determine whether these elements characterize patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and suicidal behaviour. METHOD: We prospectively followed 82 individuals with BPD and a history of recurrent suicidal behaviour who recorded their current mood states, impulsivity, suicide ideation, and environmental stressors (triggers) 6 times daily over 3 weeks. RESULTS: Our results suggested that mood amplitude was correlated with impulsivity and that 4 subgroups defined by mean scores on mood amplitude and negative mood intensity significantly differed in the number of suicidal behaviours reported in the last year. CONCLUSIONS: A subgroup of BPD patients appears to be at elevated risk for suicidal behaviour based on high mood amplitude and mean negative mood intensity. Clinicians might target this group for monitoring and interventions to reduce the likelihood of suicidal behaviour.