Norepinephrine transporter and α2c adrenoceptor allelic variants and personality factors

It has been suggested that reward dependence, as measured by the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ), is related to central noradrenergic activity, a proposition supported by two studies of urinary norepinephrine metabolite. In the current investigation, 190 normal young Han Chinese were examined, with genetic polymorphisms determined for the norepinephrine transporter (1287G/A) and the α_2c‐adrenoceptor (Del322–325) to test the association with TPQ personality traits. No significant association was demonstrated for these two polymorphisms and any of the TPQ personality‐factor scores, including reward dependence and its subscales. Our negative findings suggest that the investigated polymorphisms of the norepinephrine transporter and the α_2c adrenoceptor do not play a major role in the reward‐dependence personality trait as assessed by TPQ. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Polymorphism p53 codon-72 and invasive cervical cancer: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Although some studies have reported that the arginine isoform on codon 72 of p53 increases the susceptibility to invasive cervical cancer, such data remain controversial. The objective of this study was to quantitatively summarize the evidence for such a relationship. METHODS: Our data sources consisted of a MEDLINE search of the literature published before December 2002, bibliography review, and expert consultation. Thirty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Information on sample size, study design, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and method of genotype determination was abstracted by two reviewers using a standardized protocol. The overall odds ratio (OR) of the p53 gene on invasive cervical cancer was estimated using the Mantel-Haenzel method. RESULTS: The overall OR (95% confidence interval) for cervical cancer among those with the homozygous mutant (Arg/Arg) was 1.2 (1.1-1.3, P=0.001) compared with those with the heterozygous mutant (Arg/Pro). By a cellular type of cervical cancer, the overall OR among those with Arg/Arg was statistically significant in adenocarcinomas (1.7, 1.1-2.6, P=0.024), but not in squamous cell carcinomas (1.1, 0.9-1.2, P=0.960), compared with Pro/Pro. Compared with Arg/Pro, the OR among those with Arg/Arg was statistically significant in HPV types 16 (1,5, 1.2-2.0, P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the p53 gene was associated with increased risk for invasive cervical cancer. However, the risk varied by country, cellular, and HPV type.     

Impact of clinical history on fracture detection with radiography

The effect of knowledge of localizing symptoms and signs in the detection of fractures was studied. Forty radiographs of the extremities were examined twice by seven radiologists; the sessions were separated by 4 months. In 26 cases, a subtle fracture was present; 14 cases were normal. In half of the cases at each session, the precise location of pain, tenderness, or swelling was provided. The observer was asked to determine if the case was normal or abnormal (provide the exact location of the fracture) and to indicate the degree of confidence in the diagnosis. Responses were converted to a numeric scale for analysis. Analysis of receiver operator characteristic parameters indicates that clues regarding location of trauma facilitate detection of fractures. The improvement is based largely on an increased true-positive rate without an increased false-positive rate, regardless of the decision criteria of the radiologist (overall willingness to "overread" or "underread"). This has direct clinical applicability and reinforces the plea of radiologists for precise clinical information.     

Lymph node infarction – a rare complication associated with disseminated intra vascular coagulation in a case of dengue fever

Background  

Lymph node infarction is known to occur in association with many non-neoplastic and neoplastic conditions however its occurrence in association with DIC is not reported hitherto in the literature.     

An Extension of the Regression of Offspring on Mid-Parent to Test for Association and Estimate Locus-Specific Heritability: The Revised ROMP Method

The Regression of Offspring on Mid-Parent (ROMP) method is a test of association between a quantitative trait and a candidate locus. ROMP estimates the trait heritability and the heritability attributable to a locus and requires genotyping the offspring only. In this study, the theory underlying ROMP was revised (ROMP_rev) and extended. Computer simulations were used to determine the type I error and power of the test of association, and the accuracy of the locus-specific heritability estimate. The ROMP_rev test had good power at the 5% significance level with properly controlled type I error. Locus-specific heritability estimates were, on average, close to simulated values. For non-zero locus-specific heritability, the proposed standard error was downwardly biased, yielding reduced coverage of 95% confidence intervals. A bootstrap approach with proper coverage is suggested as a second step for loci of interest.
ROMP_rev was applied to a study of cardiovascular-related traits to illustrate its use. An association between polymorphisms within the fibrinogen gene cluster and plasma fibrinogen was detected (p < 0.005) that accounted for 29% of the estimated fibrinogen heritability. The ROMP_rev method provides a computationally fast and simple way of testing for association and obtaining accurate estimates of locus-specific heritability while minimizing the genotyping required.     

Acute effects of serotonin on rat bladder contractility.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to investigate in vitro the effects of serotonin on the rat detrusor. In particular, it examines which drugs inhibit the serotonin-induced detrusor contractions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Isometric tension changes of isolated rat bladder muscle strips were recorded in an organ bath using a force transducer. Acute effects of serotonin (0.0001-0.01 mM) on resting tension were assessed. Electrical field stimulation (EFS); bethanechol (0.0001-0.01 mM); ATP (1-3 mM)- or KCl (63.5-254 mM)-induced contractions using an application in an organ bath were compared with serotonin-induced contractions. In order to examine the action mechanism of serotonin-induced stimulation, EFS-, bethanechol-, ATP- or KCl-induced contraction on serotonin treatment (0.001 mM) was assessed and serotonin (0.001-0.1 mM) was cumulatively added to the organ bath following preincubation with propranolol, ketanserin, tropisetron, propiverine, sodium nitroprusside or doxazosin. RESULTS: The serotonin-induced response has two phases: an initial transient contraction and a prolonged tonic phase. Serotonin produced a reversible and dose-dependent contraction of the detrusor strips. Responses to bethanechol significantly increased with a concentration of 0.001 mM serotonin (p < 0.05). There was no effect on the responses to ATP, KCl, or EFS on 0.001 mM serotonin. The 5-HT(2) receptor is mainly responsible for serotonin-induced contractions of the detrusor (p < 0.05), while the 5-HT(1) receptor is partially responsible. Doxazosin and propiverine each significantly suppressed the response to serotonin, while sodium nitroprusside and tropisetron each had no effect (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Because the 5-HT(2) antagonist blocked the effect of serotonin-induced bladder contractions and the stimulation of the adrenoreceptors, the 5-HT(2) antagonist seems to improve lower urinary tract symptoms.     

Acute coronary syndromes

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below. Key points Coronary artery disease accounts for >30% ofdeaths in Western society. The diagnosis of myocardial infarctionshould be qualified by size, causation and time from occurrence. Mortalityis reduced by immediate or ‘primary’ percutaneouscoronary intervention or thrombolysis within the first 24 hof onset of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Strategiesto reduce platelet activation (glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptorantagonists, or clopidogrel) are now recommended in the treatmentof high-risk non-ST-segment myocardial infarction/unstable angina. Elevatedserum troponins may be the result of non-ischaemic myocardialdamage, especially in critical illness.