Association of a genetic polymorphism in human apolipoprotein B-100 with intermediate density lipoprotein concentrations

Immunochemical techniques have been used to identify five antigenic (Ag) sites on apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB), the major protein constituent of very low density (VLDL), intermediate density (IDL), and low density lipoproteins (LDL). Each Ag site results from allelic variation at a specific locus of the apoB gene. In the present study, we assessed whether variations in the five Ag loci were associated with concentrations of plasma lipids or lipoprotein fractions measured by analytical ultracentrifugation in a group of 44 healthy men. Pair-wise analyses of the Ag markers revealed that Ag(a1/d), in association with either Ag(x/y) or Ag(t/z), is significantly related to plasma IDL-mass concentrations. In this cohort we detected no significant associations of the Ag alleles (singly or in combination) with plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, or mass of total VLDL or LDL. These results suggest that genetic variations in the apoB molecule may predispose to variations in concentrations of IDL that could have consequences for atherosclerotic risk.     

Thrombotic complications of silicone rubber catheters during autologous marrow and peripheral stem cell transplantation: prospective comparison of Hickman and Groshong catheters.

Thrombosis is common after placement of silicone rubber subclavian vein catheters in patients with malignancy receiving conventional doses of chemotherapy. To determine the incidence of this complication in marrow transplant patients and the effect of different catheter designs on thrombosis rates, patients were randomized to receive either open-ended Hickman catheters or valve-ended Groshong catheters for venous access during the transplantation procedure. A total of 35 catheters were placed, of which 23 were double-lumen (11 Groshong and 12 Hickman) and 12 were single-lumen (six Groshong and six Hickman). Arm venograms were performed on all patients at the time of hematopoietic recovery or occurrence of symptoms of subclavian vein thrombosis. There were 10 cases of total subclavian vein thrombosis (three were symptomatic) and 12 cases of asymptomatic non-occlusive mural thrombi. Only 13 normal veins were found. There was no difference in thrombosis rate between the Hickman and Groshong catheters. Double lumen catheters tended to be more likely to cause total venous occlusion (nine of 23) than single lumen catheters (one of 12) (p = 0.06, Fisher's exact test). We conclude that subclavian vein thrombosis is a common occurrence after placement of silicone rubber catheters for venous access during marrow transplantation. Most cases are asymptomatic. Groshong catheters are just as likely to cause this complication as Hickman catheters.     

The assimilated os sustentaculi

The assimilated os sustentaculi is a projection of bone from the medial aspect of the sustentaculum tali which is surmounted by a similar projection from the medial tubercle of the talus. The accessory joint so formed may develop secondary osteoarthritis changes. This congenital anomaly is very rate. The present report is of 2 additional cases.     

DNA repair synthesis in individuals with and without a family history of cancer

The influence of family history on DNA repair synthesis, unscheduledDNA synthesis (UDS), was assessed in volunteers with or withouta family history of cancer. UDS, following treatment of mononuclearleukocytes with N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene, was measuredas the incorporation of [³H] into DNA in the presence of hydroxyurea.The positive family history group (n=71) had an average of 2.4first-degree relatives with cancer, defined as any major cancer,excluding skin cancer: 31 participants reported that canceroccurred in both their parents. The ‘no family history’comparison group (n=29) had no family history of cancer throughthe second degree. There was a significant reduction in UDSin cells from individuals with family history, compared to thosewith no family history (P>0.002). This relationship was notexplained by factors known to influence UDS, such as age, smokingor hypertension. We conclude that reduced UDS in mononuclearleukocytes is associated with a family history of any majorcancer, and is not confined to a history of cancer of any singleorgan site. This conclusion is further supported by the observationthat individuals (n=13) with parents who had an earlier onsetof cancer (<60 years) also had a significantly lower DNArepair synthesis than those (n=18) whose parents had later diagnosisof cancer (>60 years).     

A survey of child care workers: Implications for administrators regarding job stress and satisfaction

Child care agencies in Ohio were surveyed concerning their programs and child care workers so as to better understand factors that contribute to job stress, attrition, and satisfaction. The survey provided data regarding the population served at the agencies and the characteristics of child care workers, their services, concerns, desires, and rewards. The findings indicate that environmental variables contribute largely to perceived concern and desired changes, whereas success with children provides a prominent source of job satisfaction.     

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis and psoriasis—A report of a new association and review of related disorders

In summary, we have described two patients with CRMO and psoriasis, and have reviewed the musculoskeletal manifestations associated with pustular eruptions of the palms and soles. In view of the frequent occurrence of PPP in patients with CRMO, we suggest that the occurrence of psoriasis in our two patients is more than coincidence, and that noninfectious, inflammatory lesions of bone may be another musculoskeletal manifestation of psoriasis. This rare association, as well as the association of PPP with disorders associated with new bone formation, may shed new insights on the relatively common finding of periosteal elevation associated with psoriatic arthritis and the occasional severe juxta-articular osteolytic destructive bone lesions seen in psoriatic arthritis.     

Neuronal vacuole formation in the rat posterior cingulate/retrosplenial cortex after treatment with the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist MK-801 (dizocilpine maleate)

Cytoplasmic vacuoles appear in neurons of the posterior cingulate/retrosplenial cortex (PC/RS) of rats after treatment with N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists. Prominent dilatation of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum has been described within 2 h; however, the ultrastructural features of vacuole formation are unknown. To investigate this, the present study examined the PC/RS cortex of male rats (age 60–70 days) at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min after subcutaneous treatment with 1 mg/kg of the noncompetitive NMDA antagonist MK-801 (dizocilpine maleate, 5-methyl-10, 11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo [a,d] cyclohepten-5,10-imine). Subtle mitochondrial dilatation was identified in a few neurons as early as 15 min postdose (MPD). By 30 MPD, dilatation was more pronounced in mitochondria and also involved the endoplasmic reticulum and perinuclear space. Ribosomal disaggregation and degranulation were also evident by 30 MPD. At all subsequent time points, dilatation of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum progressed in severity. Although the relative involvement of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum varied, glia were not involved. These ultrastructural data suggest that after treatment with MK-801, mitochondrial dilatation precedes involvement of endoplasmic reticulum in vacuolization of susceptible PC/RS cortical neurons. The early mitochondrial effects identified in this study suggest an initial metabolic insult that rapidly progresses to affect endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes. This strengthens the relationship between the ability of certain NMDA antagonists to induce energy perturbations and neuronal vacuoles in the same region of the rat cerebral cortex.