Short stature in a mother and daughter with terminal deletion of Xp22.3

Short stature in females is often caused by hemizygosity for the terminal portion of Xp due to monosomy X or a deletion. We report on a mother and daughter with short stature as sole phenotypic abnormality and deletion of bands Xp22.32-p22.33 demonstrated by classic and molecular cytogenetic analysis. In both individuals, the deleted X chromosome was late replicating. Molecular analysis suggested that the deletion is terminal and the breakpoint was localized between the STS and DXS7470 loci in Xp22.32. Chromosome analysis is often done on females with short stature to exclude Ullrich-Turner syndrome. Small deletions, terminal or interstitial, are easily missed by conventional cytogenetic investigation; thus molecular analyses are useful to detect those cases. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Vecuronium in Rats with Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome: Treatment with NG-Monomethyl-L-Arginine

Background: Insufficient detoxification caused by nitric oxide-related inhibition of cytochrome P450 may be important for metabolism of numerous drugs, including vecuronium. The present study investigated the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of vecuronium in rats with inflammatory liver dysfunction.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 56) were randomly allocated into two groups: In the sepsis group, liver inflammation was established by injection of 56 mg/kg heat-killed Corynebacterium parvum; control rats received the solvent. At day 4, groups were subdivided according to treatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (250 mg/kg) or placebo. The aminopyrine breath test was performed to assess cytochrome P450 activity. Rats were anesthetized with propofol and mechanically ventilated. Duration of action of vecuronium (1.2 mg/kg) was measured by evoked mechanomyography (stimulation of the sciatic nerve, contraction of the gastrocnemius muscle). In seven rats of each subgroup a 50% neuromuscular blockade was established by a continuous vecuronium infusion. Vecuronium plasma levels were measured and plasma clearance of vecuronium was calculated. Nitric oxide synthesis was assessed by measuring nitrite/nitrate serum levels.

Results: In sepsis/placebo rats, vecuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade was prolonged (144% of control/placebo), vecuronium plasma levels at 50% neuromuscular blockade were increased (122% of control/placebo), and plasma clearance was decreased (68% of control/placebo). NG-monomethyl-L-arginine therapy in rats with sepsis improved cytochrome P450 activity and plasma clearance of vecuronium, shortened duration of action of vecuronium, but did not alter the elevated vecuronium plasma levels.     

乙型肝炎病毒preS1 多肽在大肠杆菌中的表达与纯化研究

目的　获得大量完整的重组乙肝病毒（ Ｈ Ｂ Ｖ）ｐｒｅ Ｓ１ 多肽纯品,以利于ｐｒｅ Ｓ１ 功能与免疫学性质的研究。方法　比较不同表达载体及不同的培养、诱导和纯化条件,最大限度地使表达产物免受大肠杆菌蛋白酶的降解。结果　分析不同长度ｐｒｅ Ｓ１ 基因在两种不同载体,两种表型宿主菌中表达产物的状况,可看出在ｐｒｅ Ｓ１ 第５６ 和６４ 位氨基酸之间存在两个 Ｅ．ｃｏｌｉ 蛋白酶切割点。用ｐ Ｑｅ９载体和 Ｍ１５（ｐ Ｒ Ｅ Ｐ４） 宿主菌, Ｉ Ｐ Ｔ Ｇ 诱导１２ 小时以 Ｎｉ Ｎ Ｔ Ａ 琼脂糖柱在变性条件下纯化,能获得１０ ｍｇ／ Ｌ 以上具有良好免疫学活性的电泳纯ｐｒｅ Ｓ１ 蛋白。结论　缩短诱导时间、用一步法在变性条件下纯化表达产物可获得无明显降解的ｐｒｅ Ｓ１ 完整蛋白。     

Investigating the concordance in molecular subtypes of primary colorectal tumors and their matched synchronous liver metastasis

To date, no systematic analyses are available assessing concordance of molecular classifications between primary tumors (PT) and matched liver metastases (LM) of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We investigated concordance between PT and LM for four clinically relevant CRC gene signatures. Twenty-seven fresh and 55 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded pairs of PT and synchronous LM of untreated mCRC patients were retrospectively collected and classified according to the MSI-like, BRAF-like, TGFB activated-like and the Consensus Molecular Subtypes (CMS) classification. We investigated classification concordance between PT and LM and association of TGFBa-like and CMS classification with overall survival. Fifty-one successfully profiled matched pairs were used for analyses. PT and matched LM were highly concordant in terms of BRAF-like and MSI-like signatures, (90.2% and 98% concordance, respectively). In contrast, 40% to 70% of PT that were classified as mesenchymal-like, based on the CMS and the TGFBa-like signature, respectively, lost this phenotype in their matched LM (60.8% and 76.5% concordance, respectively). This molecular switch was independent of the microenvironment composition. In addition, the significant change in subtypes was observed also by using methods developed to detect cancer cell-intrinsic subtypes. More importantly, the molecular switch did not influence the survival. PT classified as mesenchymal had worse survival as compared to nonmesenchymal PT (CMS4 vs CMS2, hazard ratio [HR] = 5.2, 95% CI = 1.5-18.5, P = .0048; TGFBa-like vs TGFBi-like, HR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.1-5.6, P = .028). The same was not true for LM. Our study highlights that the origin of the tissue may have major consequences for precision medicine in mCRC.     

De novo microduplications at 1q41, 2q37.3, and 8q24.3 in patients with VATER/VACTERL association

The acronym VATER/VACTERL association describes the combination of at least three of the following congenital anomalies: vertebral defects (V), anorectal malformations (A), cardiac defects (C), tracheoesophageal fistula with or without esophageal atresia (TE), renal malformations (R), and limb defects (L). We aimed to identify highly penetrant de novo copy number variations (CNVs) that contribute to VATER/VACTERL association. Array-based molecular karyotyping was performed in a cohort of 41 patients with VATER/VACTERL association and 6 patients with VATER/VACTERL-like phenotype including all of the patients'' parents. Three de novo CNVs were identified involving chromosomal regions 1q41, 2q37.3, and 8q24.3 comprising one (SPATA17), two (CAPN10, GPR35), and three (EPPK1, PLEC, PARP10) genes, respectively. Pre-existing data from the literature prompted us to choose GPR35 and EPPK1 for mouse expression studies. Based on these studies, we prioritized GPR35 for sequencing analysis in an extended cohort of 192 patients with VATER/VACTERL association and VATER/VACTERL-like phenotype. Although no disease-causing mutation was identified, our mouse expression studies suggest GPR35 to be involved in the development of the VATER/VACTERL phenotype. Follow-up of GPR35 and the other genes comprising the identified duplications is warranted.     

Three- and 4-dimensional ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology: proceedings of the american institute of ultrasound in medicine consensus conference.

The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine convened a panel of physicians and scientists with interest and expertise in 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology to discuss the current diagnostic benefits and technical limitations in obstetrics and gynecology and consider the utility and role of this type of imaging in clinical practice now and in the future. This conference was held in Orlando, Florida, June 16 and 17, 2005. Discussions considered state-of-the-art applications of 3D ultrasound, specific clinical situations in which it has been found to be helpful, the role of 3D volume acquisition for improving diagnostic efficiency and patient throughput, and recommendations for future investigations related to the utility of volume sonography in obstetrics and gynecology.