Human erythrocyte antigens: II. The In(Lu) gene regulates expression of an antigen on an 80-kilodalton protein of human erythrocytes

We have previously shown that a murine monoclonal antibody (A3D8) identifies a human erythrocyte protein antigen whose expression is regulated by the Lutheran inhibitor [In(Lu)] gene. In the present study, we demonstrated by immunoprecipitation and Western blot techniques that the antigen defined by A3D8 was on an 80-kD erythrocyte membrane protein. A second 170-kD protein was coprecipitated with the 80-kD protein but failed to show antigen activity by Western blot analysis. The 170-kD protein, when analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in two dimensions, was composed of 50- and 30-kD disulfide-linked subunits. In(Lu) Lu[a-b-) erythrocytes differed from Lu(a+b+) or Lu(a-b+) erythrocytes in that In(Lu) deoxycholate erythrocyte membrane extracts contained trace amounts of immunoprecipitable 80-kD protein compared with detergent-solubilized erythrocyte membrane extracts prepared from Lu(a+b+) or Lu(a-b+) subjects.     

Blastomycosis in a young African man presenting with a pleural effusion

Blastomyces dermatitidis is a dimorphic fungus endemic to northwestern Ontario, Manitoba and some parts of the United States. The fungus is also endemic to parts of Africa. Pulmonary and extrapulmonary findings of a 24-year-old African man who presented with weight loss, dry cough and chronic pneumonia not resolving with antibiotic treatment are presented. The unusual occurrence of pulmonary blastomycosis associated with skin lesions and a moderate pleural effusion is reported.     

Elevated expression and altered pattern of activity of DNA methyltransferase in liver tumors of rats fed methyl-deficient diets

DNA methyltransferase (MTase) activity in nuclear extracts from neoplastic and preneoplastic livers of rats fed a methyl-deficient diet (MDD) is elevated compared with that seen in the livers of control rats. Nuclear proteins were prepared in the presence of protease inhibitors including trans-epoxy succinyl-L-leucylamido-(4- guanido)butane and were fractionated by isoelectric focusing. In normal, control liver, two distinct MTase fractions were observed. In MDD-induced malignant liver, a third fraction, in addition to the previous two, was also seen. Both the DNA substrate and the cytosine site specificities of the third MTase fraction differ from those of the other two fractions. The distinct MTase activity in liver tumor has significantly more de novo MTase activity than do the MTase fractions of normal, control liver. Thus, normal and neoplastic rat livers differ in DNA MTase fractionation patterns and site specificities. The altered DNA MTase activity observed in rat liver tumors caused by MDDs may be one of the critical factors contributing to cancer formation through abnormal DNA methylation.      

Cystic fibrosis and the phenotypic expression of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

Recent experiments in cultured cyst epithelial cells from kidneys of patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) have shown that the cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is present in the apical surface of these cells and mediates chloride (Cl-) and fluid secretion in vitro. To determine whether the presence of CF with the expression of mutated CFTR proteins modifies cyst formation in ADPKD, we studied a large family with both inherited diseases. ADPKD in this family is linked to PKD1. The family is composed of 26 members; 11 members with ADPKD, 4 members with CF, and 2 members with both diseases. Renal volumes measured by computerized tomography (CT), calculated creatinine clearances, and other clinical parameters in the family members with ADPKD and CF were compared with those in the family members with ADPKD alone, as well as to a large population of patients with ADPKD. The patients with CF and ADPKD, but not the CF heterozygote carriers with ADPKD, had less severe polycystic kidney and liver disease, as indicated by normal renal function; smaller renal volume, even when corrected for height and body surface area; and the absence of hypertension and liver cysts. These observations suggest that the coexistence of CF may reduce the severity of ADPKD.     

7-溴化乙氧苯四氢巴马汀抗心律失常作用的机理

7-溴化乙氧苯四氢巴马汀(7-bromoethoxybenzene-tetrahydropalmatine,EBP)10及30μmol/L均能明显延长豚鼠乳头状肌动作电位时程(APD),但对动作电位幅度(APA),静息电位(RP),超射(OS),零期最大上升速率(V_max)无显著影响。EBP能按剂量抑制犬浦氏纤维慢内向电流(I_si)及钾外向电流(I_x)的峰值。     

Q-angle, Pelvic width, and Intercondylar notch width as predictors of knee injuries in women soccer players in South Africa

Objective

To investigate the association between the three anatomical factors of Q-angle (QA), pelvic width (PW) and Intercondylar notch width (INW) and knee injuries among the U-23 female soccer players of South Africa

Methods

The study is a case-control prospective study design. Twenty four U-23 women soccer players of the South African team were purposively chosen to participate in this study. Participants were divided into two groups: group1 (Case) was those with knee injuries, while those without injuries were in group-2 (Control). PW and INW were measured after X-rays of the hip were taken while the QA was measured manually with the goniomenter. Association between anatomical factors and knee injuries were tested with ANOVA.

Results

Q-angle ranged from 14° to 18° for both injured and non injured groups. PW was between 24 –29 cm for both injured and non injured groups. INW was between 1.3mm and 2.8mm for the right and between 1.4mm and 2.5mm for the left notch for the injured group, while INW for the right and left of the non injured group were between 1.7mm to 2.1mm and 1.8mm to 2.1mm, respectively No significant association between knee injuries and each of the anatomical factors was found QA (p= 0.74), PW (p=0.34), INW (right and left respectively) (p=0.142 & p=0.089).

Conclusion

The three anatomical factors of QA, PW and INW could not be used to predict knee injuries amongst the U-23 female players in South Africa.     

An analysis of Liberia's 2007 national health policy: lessons for health systems strengthening and chronic disease care in poor, post-conflict countries

Background

Globally, chronic diseases are responsible for an enormous burden of deaths, disability, and economic loss, yet little is known about the optimal health sector response to chronic diseases in poor, post-conflict countries. Liberia's experience in strengthening health systems and health financing overall, and addressing HIV/AIDS and mental health in particular, provides a relevant case study for international stakeholders and policymakers in other poor, post-conflict countries seeking to understand and prioritize the global response to chronic diseases.

Methods

We conducted a historical review of Liberia's post-conflict policies and their impact on general economic and health indicators, as well as on health systems strengthening and chronic disease care and treatment. Key sources included primary documents from Liberia's Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, published and gray literature, and personal communications from key stakeholders engaged in Liberia's Health Sector Reform. In this case study, we examine the early reconstruction of Liberia's health care system from the end of conflict in 2003 to the present time, highlight challenges and lessons learned from this initial experience, and describe future directions for health systems strengthening and chronic disease care and treatment in Liberia.

Results

Six key lessons emerge from this analysis: (i) the 2007 National Health Policy's 'one size fits all' approach met aggregate planning targets but resulted in significant gaps and inefficiencies throughout the system; (ii) the innovative Health Sector Pool Fund proved to be an effective financing mechanism to recruit and align health actors with the 2007 National Health Policy; (iii) a substantial rural health delivery gap remains, but it could be bridged with a robust cadre of community health workers integrated into the primary health care system; (iv) effective strategies for HIV/AIDS care in other settings should be validated in Liberia and adapted for use in other chronic diseases; (v) mental health disorders are extremely prevalent in Liberia and should remain a top chronic disease priority; and (vi) better information systems and data management are needed at all levels of the health system.

Conclusions

The way forward for chronic diseases in Liberia will require an increased emphasis on quality over quantity, better data management to inform rational health sector planning, corrective mechanisms to more efficiently align health infrastructure and personnel with existing needs, and innovative methods to improve long-term retention in care and bridge the rural health delivery gap.