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Biomedical subjects

A L Mitchell

Publications and source records attributed to A L Mitchell.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Type 1 neurofibromatosis gene: identification of a large transcript disrupted in three NF1 patients.

Von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis (NF1) is a common autosomal dominant disorder characterized by abnormalities in multiple tissues derived from the neural crest. No reliable cellular phenotypic marker has been identified, which has hampered direct efforts to identify the gene. The chromosome location of the NF1 gene has been previously mapped genetically to 17q11.2, and data from two NF1 patients with balanced translocations in this region have further narrowed the candidate interval. The use of chromosome jumping and yeast artificial chromosome technology has now led to the identification of a large (approximately 13 kilobases) ubiquitously expressed transcript (denoted NF1LT) from this region that is definitely interrupted by one and most likely by both translocations. Previously identified candidate genes, which failed to show abnormalities in NF1 patients, are apparently located within introns of NF1LT, on the antisense strand. A new mutation patient with NF1 has been identified with a de novo 0.5-kilobase insertion in the NF1LT gene. These observations, together with the high spontaneous mutation rate of NF1 (which is consistent with a large locus), suggest that NF1LT represents the elusive NF1 gene.

Adult↗

A locus for familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is closely linked to the cardiac myosin heavy chain genes, CRI-L436, and CRI-L329 on chromosome 14 at q11-q12.

We report that a gene responsible for familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) is closely linked to the cardiac alpha and beta myosin heavy chain (MHC) genes on chromosome 14q11. We have recently shown that probe CRI-L436, derived from the anonymous DNA locus D14S26, detects a polymorphic restriction fragment that segregates with familial HC in affected members of a large Canadian family. Using chromosomal in situ hybridization, we have mapped CRI-L436 to chromosome 14 at q11-q12. Because the cardiac MHC genes also map to this chromosomal band, we have determined the genetic distances between the cardiac beta MHC gene, D14S26, and the familial HC locus. Data presented here show that these three loci are linked within 5 centimorgans on chromosome 14 at q11-q12. The possibility that defects in either the cardiac alpha or beta MHC genes are responsible for familial HC is discussed.

Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic↗

Troublesome and disruptive behaviors in dementia. Relationships to diagnosis and disease severity.

Patients with dementia often manifest troublesome and disruptive behaviors in addition to intellectual impairments. This study evaluated behavioral disturbances in 126 demented patients examined sequentially, using questionnaires administered to primary caregivers to quantify the types and severity of behavioral disturbances. Eighty-three percent of the patients exhibited one or more of the targeted behaviors. The most common troublesome and disruptive behaviors clustered into three categories: aggressive, ideational, and vegetative. The prevalence and severity of the behaviors increased with global severity of dementia, but did not differ in either frequency or type when patients with three diagnoses were compared: Alzheimer's disease (AD), multi-infarct dementia (MID), and mixed AD and MID (MIX). The occurrence and severity of the target behaviors correlated modestly with the severity of dementia. Impairments of mental status correlated weakly with only a single troublesome and disruptive behavior--assaultiveness. These results suggest that troublesome and disruptive behaviors are a very frequent component of dementing disorders, are related to disease severity, and parallel (but are probably not determined by) intellectual deficit.

Adult↗

Effects of Plasmodium berghei infection on cytochromes P-450 2E1 and 3A2.

Metabolism and disposition of most drugs used to treat malaria are substantially altered in malaria infection. Few data are available that specify effects of malaria infection on drug metabolism pathways in humans or animal model systems. In this report, studies were undertaken to determine the effect of Plasmodium berghei infection on cytochrome P-450 (CYP450) 2E1 and 3A2-mediated metabolism and enzyme expression in rat liver microsomes. Malaria infection (MAL) resulted in significant decreases in total cytochrome P-450 content (56%, P < 0.05) and NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase activity (32%, P < 0.05) as compared to control (CON) rats. Chlorzoxazone 4-hydroxylase activity (CYP2E1-mediated) showed no significant difference between CON and MAL microsomes while testosterone 6-beta-hydroxylase activity (CYP3A2-mediated) was reduced by 41% (P < 0.05) in MAL. Enzyme kinetic studies and immunoblot analysis indicate that the loss of activity for CYP3A2 in malaria infection is due to significantly decreased CYP3A2 protein expression. The altered expression of CYP450s in malaria infection should be taken into account when treating patients with malaria in order to minimize drug-drug interactions or toxicity.

Animals↗

Direct inlay restorations: utilization of sonic preparation technology in conjunction with ceramic inserts.

Although glass inserts have enabled the use of direct restorative procedures for the placement of inlays and onlays, these techniques are often unable to address elementary patient concerns (i.e., aesthetics, fit, expense). The advent of a novel process that standardizes preparation design and facilitates the use of advanced restorative materials may provide an alternate means of providing acceptable treatment. This article highlights the use of a sonic preparation system with ceramic inserts to develop aesthetic direct inlay restorations that demonstrate the qualities traditionally exhibited by indirect ceramic materials.

Adult↗