Transcranial Doppler.
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Anesthesia, Conduction↗
Biomedical subjects
A Lambert
Publications and source records attributed to A Lambert.
Cardiovascular risk factors in children from the Belgian province of Luxembourg. The Belgian Luxembourg Child Study.
The Province of Luxembourg is an area in Belgium with a high prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus among adults. In the present study, children in the age groups 6-8, 8-10, and 10-12 years were selected at random from school classes (n = 1,028), with a participation rate of 70.3%. Anthropometric factors, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose, plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, and insulin levels were measured in 1992. All anthropometric and metabolic variables increased with age, except for waist: hip circumference ratio in boys and cholesterol in girls. In the oldest group, girls who had passed menarche were taller and heavier and had greater skinfold, body mass index, insulin, and systolic blood pressure values but lower total cholesterol levels and waist: hip ratios than girls who had not passed menarche. Boys had lower skinfolds and higher waist: hip ratios than girls in all age groups, and were significantly shorter and lighter in the oldest age group. There was no difference in body mass index between the two sexes. Girls had higher triglyceride and insulin levels in the 10- to 12-year age group, lower blood glucose values in the 8-10 and 10-12 age groups, and lower diastolic blood pressures in the 8-10 age group. Obesity, blood glucose, triglycerides, insulin, and blood pressure were highly interrelated. Cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, and blood pressure values were all among the highest of values previously reported in other studies. The deciles of body mass index above 50 appeared to be particularly elevated, suggesting that obesity, when present, was pronounced in this population of children. These findings suggest an accumulation of genetic susceptibility to cardiovascular disease and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in this stable, ethnically homogeneous, and rather isolated part of continental Europe.
Anthropometry↗
Small bowel biopsy by remote control: experimental study on dogs.
Telemetry has been used for 30 years in medicine because it requires no link between patients and apparatus. To take advantage of this, we have developed a multipurpose intestinal capsule for the small bowel, with interchangeable tips triggered by remote control. A new tip, performing small bowel mucosal biopsy by remote control is presented. The location of the capsule is radiotransmitted by means of a cogwheel, which is rotated by contact with the intestinal wall. At the chosen site (ie, a number of centimeters from the pylorus), the remote control is activated and the mucosal biopsy is performed through a suction port and kept inside the tip. The capsule then passes throughout the bowel and is recovered in the stool to allow examination of the biopsies. The results of 24 studies on a dog (crossing of the pylorus, length, transit time, velocity) are analyzed to validate the method. Biopsies were accomplished in the stomach, the small bowel (ileum), and the colon. The device failed two times, but no complications occurred. Biopsies, with average surfaces were 6mm2, never penetrated the longitudinal muscular layer. The system is precise to within 3 cm, efficient, reliable, noninvasive, and causes minimal discomfort during investigation.
Analysis of Variance↗
Recombinant human luteinizing hormone: a partial physicochemical, biological and immunological characterization.
The aim of this study was to partially characterize the glycoform composition of a recombinant human luteinizing hormone preparation (rhLH; Serono), an early version of the material (LHadi) which is currently being assessed for clinical application. Specifically, the charge (pl) and internal carbohydrate complexity of this rhLH was examined and compared with that of an alternative commercially available form of recombinant LH (Crystal Chem) and a pituitary International Reference Preparation (IRP). All preparations were separated by charge by chromatofocusing them on a pH gradient (7-4) using a 4 ml mono-P column is conjunction with a fast performance liquid chromatography system and by complexity of the oligosaccharide structures using concanavalin A (con-A) lectin affinity chromatography. LH in both the unfractionated and fractionated material was assessed by immunoradiometric assay (IRMA, I-LH) and by the in-vitro Leydig cell bioassay (B-LH). Both assays were calibrated against IRP 80/552. The in-vitro biopotency of the preparations was 18187 (Serono rhLH), 12063 (Crystal Chem rhLH) and 6658 (80/552) IU/mg; biological:immunological ratios were 1.14 (80/552), 1.90 (Crystal Chem rhLH) and 1.99 (Serono rhLH). However, similar qualitative data were obtained by both bioassay and immunoradiometric assay following fractionation, with the median pl of the bioactive LH in the preparations being 5.5 (24% > pH 6), 5.52 (18% > pH 6) and 4.97 (0% > pH 6) for the Serono, Crystal Chem and pituitary preparations respectively. Further all three contain < 1% of the complex carbohydrate structures and between 36-44% and 56-63% of the intermediate and simple forms of bioactive LH. In conclusion, the Serono recombinant LH preparation has a higher in-vitro bioactivity and is more basic than the other two preparations although the complexity of its carbohydrate moities appears to be similar.
Animals↗
Internal carbohydrate complexity of the oligosaccharide chains of recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone (Puregon, Org 32489): a comparison with Metrodin and Metrodin-HP.
Glycoforms of recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone (rhFSH) (Org 32489, Puregon) were characterized using concanavalin A lectin affinity chromatography to reveal information about the internal carbohydrate complexity (extent of carbohydrate side-chain branching) of the preparations. The rhFSH glycoforms were measured by radioimmunoassay and a two-site immunoradiometric assay and compared with those in two urinary preparations (Metrodin and Metrodin-HP) used in assisted reproduction programmes and a urinary FSH international standard 70/45 (uFSH IS 70/45). Similar data were obtained with both assays; rhFSH had 6% complex internal carbohydrate structures compared with 22-27% for Metrodin, Metrodin-HP and uFSH. The proportion of simple carbohydrate structures was also different, with rhFSH having 18.5 compared with 4.5-9.3% for Metrodin, Metrodin-HP and uFSH. A linear relationship was observed between the percentage glycoforms with an isoelectric point (pl) < 4 and the log percentage simple forms (logarithmic regression; r = 0.93) indicating a direct relationship between carbohydrate complexity and charge heterogeneity. In summary, rhFSH contains fewer complex forms and an increased proportion of simple carbohydrate structures in comparison with Metrodin, Metrodin-HP and IS 70/45.
Carbohydrates↗
A search for immunoglobulins inhibiting gonadal cell steroidogenesis in premature ovarian failure.
Premature ovarian failure (POF) may be caused by the action of circulating gonadotrophin receptor-blocking antibodies. Luteinizing hormone (LH)-stimulated testosterone production from mouse Leydig cells and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)-stimulated oestradiol production from immature rat Sertoli cells were therefore studied in the presence of protein-G purified immunoglobulin G (IgG) samples from control subjects (n = 9), infertile women with elevated early follicular phase FSH levels but otherwise normal menstrual cycles (n = 10), and patients with POF (n = 10) or Graves' disease (n = 10). A saturating and subsaturating (78% for LH; 60% for FSH) dose of each hormone was chosen for study. A commercial preparation of human IgG (Sigma IgG, 0.75 mg/ml) employed as negative control had no effect on basal or gonadotrophin-stimulated steroidogenesis. In its presence, saturating doses of LH (2 IU/l) and FSH (20 IU/l) gave rise to 11.2 +/- 0.8 (n = 7) and 25.1 +/- 5.8 (n = 8) fold increases in steroid secretion. IgG (0.75 mg/ml) had no effect in the four groups on LH-stimulated testosterone outputs using a saturating (2 IU/l) or subsaturating (1 IU/l) dose of hormone. For example, LH (2 IU/l)-stimulated testosterone production was 94% (83-96 median; interquartile range) and 88% (81-99) of the Sigma IgG control for control and POF groups respectively. However, four out of nine IgG samples from the normal subjects (mean +/- SEM = 86 +/- 6%), two out of 10 of the high FSH group (77 +/- 4%), five out of 10 with Graves' disease (86 +/- 3%) and six out of 10 with POF (76 +/- 6%) gave rise to LH (2 IU/l)-stimulated testosterone outputs which were lower (P < 0.05) than that of Sigma IgG control. Using the identical set of patients and an IgG concentration of 0.25 mg/ml, the FSH-stimulated oestradiol outputs of the four groups were similar when using either the saturating (20 IU/l) or subsaturating (5 IU/l) dose of the hormone. Thus, the percentage of FSH (20 IU/l)-stimulated oestradiol production of the Sigma IgG control was 81 (66-89 median, interquartile range) and 50 (38-84) for control and POF groups respectively. However, once again individual patients had inhibitory IgGs such that four out of nine (controls), three out of 10 (high FSH group), four out of 10 (Graves' disease) and six out of 10 (POF patients) inhibited (P < 0.05) FSH (20 IU/l)-stimulated oestradiol secretion by 52 +/- 9 (mean +/- SEM), 44 +/- 7, 52 +/- 6 and 41 +/- 6% respectively. Of the patients with inhibitory IgGs the extent of inhibition of gonadotrophin-stimulated steroid secretion was similar between the groups. In conclusion, there is little evidence to suggest that immunoglobulins blocking gonadotrophin receptors are a mechanism for POF in a large proportion of women suffering from this condition.
Adult↗
Pancreatic islet macroencapsulation: a new device for the evaluation of artificial membrane.
We propose a new device especially designed to test membranes for islet macroencapsulation. It is composed of three independent parts: a support made of three polytetrafluoroethylene rings, the membrane that forms the walls of the encapsulation chamber, and a collagen gel that immobilizes the islets. Studies of this device were performed with the AN69 membrane. After 2 months of implantation in the peritoneal cavity of rats, the empty device was found to be biocompatible, referred to as weak cellular adhesion. In vitro the encapsulation preserved the peak of insulin release in response to high glucose during a perifusion test (0.36 +/- 0.02 microU/ml/islet for free or encapsulated islets). As a result of the collagen gel, the morphological aspect and functional activity were still preserved after 7 days of culture. In vivo xenotransplantation into diabetic mice normalized the fasting glycemia up to 30 days. Numerous macrophages adhered to the outer surface of the membrane, and a layer of cells emerging from the destruction of islets covered the inner surface. In addition, the morphological aspect of many islets was altered. By showing that the AN69 membrane was only partially efficient for islet xenotransplantation, this new device proved to be of interest for testing a variety of membranes.
Acrylic Resins↗
The effect of eccentric exercise on serum creatine kinase activity in different ethnic groups.
Eccentric exercise causes release of muscle creatine kinase (CK) 3-4 days after exercise. Racial variation in basal serum CK has been reported but the reasons for this are unknown. We studied 30 subjects of different ethnic origin (Caucasian, Afro-Caribbean, Asian) before and after eccentric exercise. Basal serum CK was significantly higher in the Afro-Caribbean group (201 +/- 134 IU/L, median +/- SD) compared to Caucasians (81 +/- 57 IU/L). The Asian group had intermediate CK values (144 +/- 93 IU/L). The intra-individual range of peak post-exercise CK values obtained was very wide (95-30 200 IU/L) with little difference in median CK between the Afro-Caribbean (8450 +/- 9020 IU/L) and Caucasian groups (7600 +/- 8800 IU/L). The median value for the Asian group was lower (594 +/- 5410 IU/L). A sub-group of 15 individuals undertook a second bout of exercise 2 weeks later and all subjects demonstrated a training effect resulting in a marked attenuation of enzyme efflux. The variation in CK between the ethnic groups was not related to measurements of muscle strength or body mass, although the torque: body mass ratio followed the same order as the basal CK, i.e. the Afro-Caribbeans had the highest values. These results highlight the importance of considering ethnic origin and previous exercise history when interpreting serum CK assay results.
Adult↗
Direct stimulatory effect of insulin-like growth factor-I on monocyte and macrophage tumor necrosis factor-alpha production.
GH has been demonstrated to play a physiological role in the priming of macrophages for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) synthesis. Although evidence has been presented that GH exerts this effect by an indirect mechanism, the mediators of GH stimulation of TNF alpha synthesis have not been identified. Because insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a major mediator of many GH effects, in the present study we investigated the direct in vitro effect of this growth factor on macrophage TNF alpha production. Treatment of murine macrophages with physiological concentrations of IGF-I (0.13-130 nM) enhanced both basal and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophage TNF alpha release and messenger RNA levels. Induction of basal TNF alpha production was also observed after treatment of the cells with supraphysiological concentrations of insulin (130-1300 nM). Exposure of human monocytes to IGF-I led to a similar increase of basal TNF alpha production and messenger RNA expression. Preexposure of macrophages with specific antibodies against IGF-I and IGF-I receptor before IGF-I addition resulted in a complete abrogation of the stimulatory effect of IGF-I on TNF alpha production, indicating that specific binding of IGF-I to its receptor is required for macrophage TNF alpha induction by IGF-I. In contrast to the stimulatory effect of IGF-I, neither GH (0.1-10 micrograms/ml) nor IGF-II (0.13-130 nM) enhanced macrophage TNF alpha release in vitro. To assess the role of the tyrosine kinase system in mediating IGF-I-induced basal TNF alpha production, macrophages were preincubated with the specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein and tyrphostin A9, before IGF-I exposure. Addition of these compounds resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of the stimulatory effect of IGF-I on macrophage TNF alpha release, indicating that protein tyrosine kinase activation is required for TNF alpha stimulation by IGF-I. Taken together, these results demonstrate that IGF-I is a monocyte/macrophage activating factor that enhances TNF alpha production, and that such effect is mediated via the IGF-I receptor and involves tyrosine kinase activation.
Animals↗
Role of oxidant injury on macrophage lipoprotein lipase (LPL) production and sensitivity to LPL.
We investigated, in the present study, the role of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) in the control of macrophage lipoprotein lipase (LPL) secretion. Exposure of murine macrophages to increasing concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) resulted in enhanced basal LPL production and mRNA levels. The increase of LPL production was reduced in the presence of antioxidants. Oxidant stress also modulated the regulation of macrophage LPL production by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha). While antioxidants accentuated the inhibition of LPL by TNF alpha, addition of H2O2 significantly attenuated TNF alpha-induced LPL inhibition. As LPL has been shown to induce macrophage TNF alpha release, the effect of reactive oxygen species on LPL-induced TNF alpha production was also examined. Simultaneous treatment of macrophages with LPL and H2O2 or pretreatment of macrophages with H2O2 prior to LPL stimulation decreased the LPL-induced TNF alpha release by macrophages to the same extent. Under these experimental conditions, LPL binding to macrophages was markedly decreased. These data indicate that ROI are effective enhancers of macrophage LPL production and modulate macrophage response to LPL. These effects may represent additional mechanisms through which oxidant stress may participate to the development of atherosclerosis.
Animals↗
Tumor vascularity--a novel prognostic factor in advanced cervical carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE: In the search for the optimal treatment of advanced cervical cancer, the identification of valid prognostic factors obtainable without histopathologic investigation of the entire tumor and the locoregional lymph nodes is of paramount interest. Tumor microvessel density has recently been demonstrated to correlate strongly with disease aggressiveness in breast cancer and other malignancies. METHODS: We established a computerized image analysis system to quantify tumor microvascularity by using the closest-individual method, which determines the distribution of distances from random points within the tumor to the closest microvessel (DTCMV). Tumor microvascularity was assessed in paraffin sections of two cylindrical 2 x 20-mm core biopsies obtained transvaginally from the 12 and 6 o'clock positions of each tumor and then immunohistochemically stained for Factor VIII-related antigen. The oncologic relevance of tumor vascularity is studied in an open prospective trial. RESULTS: Tumor vascularity was quantified in 42 patients with cervical cancers > 3 cm in largest diameter, FIGO stages Ib-IVa. This new parameter representing pathophysiological tumor-host interactions was independent of various other patient and tumor characteristics, including age, FIGO stage, tumor size, differentiation, lymph node metastases and lymphatic space involvement. Thirty-nine patients were treated with curative intent either by primary surgery (n = 22) or radiation (n = 17). After a median observation time of 18 months (range 4-41 months), the patients with higher tumor vascularity (mean DTCMV < 83 microns) had significantly shorter disease-free (P = 0.025) and overall (P = 0.032) survival probabilities than patients with lower tumor vascularity (mean DTCMV > or = 83 microns). Cox regression analysis identified tumor vascularity as the strongest independent prognostic factor in this group of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of tumor microvascularity by computerized image analysis of defined tumor biopsies could become a novel means of predicting tumor aggressiveness in non-early cervical cancer.
Adenocarcinoma↗
In-vitro biopotency and glycoform distribution of recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone (Org 32489), Metrodin and Metrodin-HP.
In this study the in-vitro biopotency and glycoform distribution of human recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (FSH, Org 32489) has been assessed. The biopotency of recombinant FSH was studied using animal (rat Sertoli) and human (granulosa-lutein) cell models. Recombinant FSH, as measured in the rat Sertoli cell assay, was more potent than the urinary preparations Metrodin, Metrodin-HP and IS 70/45 with half maximal stimulation (ED50; mean +/- SEM, n > 3) occurring at 2.2 +/- 0.5 IU/I (recombinant FSH), 4.7 +/- 1.1 IU/I (Metrodin), 13.2 +/- 0.7 IU/I (Metrodin-HP) and 6.4 +/- 0.3 IU/I (IS 70/45); the pituitary preparation IRP 83/575 had an ED50 of 10.4 +/- 0.1 IU/I. Using human granulosa-lutein cells, cultured for up to 4 days in the absence of exogenous steroid precursors, recombinant FSH was either without effect (three out of five patients) or inhibited both oestradiol and progesterone secretion. FSH (83/575) was without effect on oestradiol with preparations from any of the patients but slightly stimulated (134 +/- 8%; mean +/- SEM, P < 0.05) progesterone production at the highest dose (80 IU/I). The distribution of FSH isoforms, assessed by polyclonal radioimmunoassay, following chromatofocusing over the ranges pH < 3.5 and pH 3.5-7.0 respectively was recombinant FSH, 12.4 and 87.6%; Metrodin, 19.8 and 80.2%; Metrodin-HP, 50.2 and 49.8%; IS 70/45, 15.0 and 85.0%; IS 83/575, 70.9 and 29.1%. All glycoforms were pI < 7.0 for the five preparations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Animals↗
Variability in the immunoreactive and bioactive follicle stimulating hormone content of human urinary menopausal gonadotrophin preparations.
The within- and between-batch variation in the immunoreactive and in-vitro bioactive FSH content of Pergonal, Metrodin and Metrodin-HP was investigated. Three batches of Pergonal and Metrodin, consisting of three ampoules in each batch, and three batches of Metrodin-HP, consisting of between one and three ampoules per batch, were selected at random. The follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) content of Pergonal, Metrodin and Metrodin-HP was determined by radioimmunoassay (R-FSH) and the in-vitro rat Sertoli cell bioassay (B-FSH) using the international urinary standard 70/45. The variability in the FSH content of the preparations was evaluated within and between batches by analysis of variance. Within-batch variability of B-FSH was not observed in Pergonal or Metrodin-HP but was seen in two batches of Metrodin in which the potency varied by up to 2.4 fold (P = 0.03). The between-batch R-FSH potencies of Pergonal (P1-P3) varied, with P2 (59.8 +/- 0.6) and P3 (61.7 +/- 0.9) being higher than P1 (47.1 +/- 1.5 mean +/- SEM IU/ampoule, P < 0.01). A similar pattern of variability was observed for B-FSH. For Metrodin, each of the batch R-FSH potencies was dissimilar (P < 0.02), with estimates ranging from 34.9 +/- 1.2 to 64.3 +/- 1.8 IU/ampoule. Furthermore, the extensive within-batch B-FSH variation from two batches confounded any meaningful comparison of between-batch variability. For Metrodin-HP, there was no between-batch B-FSH variation (29.0 +/- 6.1 to 33.0 +/- 0.3 IU/ampoule) and the R-FSH content was also well controlled (41.2 +/- 0.5 to 46.9 +/- 1.1 IU/ampoule).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Analysis of Variance↗
Effect of pantothenic acid and ascorbic acid supplementation on human skin wound healing process. A double-blind, prospective and randomized trial.
This study aimed at testing human skin wound healing improvement by a 21-day supplementation of 1.0 g ascorbic acid (AA) and 0.2 g pantothenic acid (PA). 49 patients undergoing surgery for tattoos, by the successive resections procedure, entered a double-blind, prospective and randomized study. Tests performed on both skin and scars determined: hydroxyproline concentrations, number of fibroblasts, trace element contents and mechanical properties. In the 18 supplemented patients, it was shown that in skin (day 8) Fe increased (p < 0.05) and Mn decreased (p < 0.05); in scars (day 21), Cu (p = 0.07) and Mn (p < 0.01) decreased, and Mg (p < 0.05) increased; the mechanical properties of scars in group A were significantly correlated to their contents in Fe, Cu and Zn, whereas no correlation was shown in group B. In blood, AA increased after surgery with supplementation, whereas it decreased in controls. Although no major improvement of the would healing process could be documented in this study, our results suggest that the benefit of AA and PA supplementation could be due to the variations of the trace elements, as they are correlated to mechanical properties of the scars.
Adolescent↗
Lipoprotein lipase synergizes with interferon gamma to induce macrophage nitric oxide synthetase mRNA expression and nitric oxide production.
Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) induces macrophage tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene expression and protein secretion. Since TNF-alpha can increase interferon gamma (IFN-gamma)-dependent nitric oxide (NO) production, we studied whether LPL may synergize with IFN-gamma for the induction of macrophage NO production. Although ineffective by itself, LPL in combination with IFN-gamma increased L-arginine-dependent NO production in a dose-dependent manner. Preincubation of LPL with an anti-LPL neutralizing antibody totally suppressed this effect. Increased NO synthetase (NOS) mRNA expression was also observed after macrophage treatment with IFN-gamma and LPL. Protein synthesis was required for the induction of NOS mRNA, and a TNF-alpha-mediated effect of LPL on NOS gene expression and NO production was observed. The ability of LPL to augment IFN-gamma-dependent NOS mRNA expression was associated with an increase in the NOS gene transcriptional activity but not in the NOS mRNA stability. Finally, binding of nuclear proteins to the nuclear factor-kappa B- and TNF-alpha-responsive sequences of the macrophage NOS promotor was decreased by treatment of the cells by IFN-gamma alone or in combination with LPL. These data provide evidence for a link between LPL and arginine metabolism in macrophages and further stress the role of LPL in the regulation of macrophage activation.
Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
[The intestinal capsule: a new way of investigating the small intestine].
The small bowel is difficult to explore because of its location far away from the natural orifices. The aim of this study is to describe a telemetric, autonomous and multifunctional capsule (39 mm in length and 11 mm in diameter) designed according to a modular system to explore the small bowel. It consists of a central cylinder containing a location detector which allows permanent data collection concerning its position in the small bowel, the length of the small bowel and the transit velocity; secondly, several interchangeable tips allow either aspiration of a sample of intestinal juice, or release of a substance previously placed in the capsule, or to perform a mucosal biopsy. After having been swallowed by the patient, the capsule passes through the whole gut and is then recovered in the stools between 24 and 48 hours later. The preliminary study consisted of comparing, in patients undergoing a surgical procedure, the small bowel length measured by telemetry (542.3 +/- 113.8 cm) to that measured intraoperatively by the arithmetical mean of the mesenteric and antimesenteric edges (515 +/- 112.7 cm), p = 0.28. These different interchangeable working tips have already been used to determine the level of absorption of various substances, the discovery of absorption sites and the performance of mucosal biopsies without any material link between patient and the measuring or recording equipment. The main advantages of this intestinal capsule are the possibility to continuously transmit its location, its total autonomy and remote control of the desired action.
Biopsy↗
Familial trends of obesity through three generations: the Belgian-Luxembourg child study.
Province de Luxembourg in Belgium is an area with clustering of obesity as well as other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. In this study, obesity was studied in a total of 1028 boys and girls in age-strata 6-8, 8-10, 10-12 years, selected at random from school classes. Participation rate was about 70%. Non-participants did not differ from participants in comparisons of school records of height and weight. Furthermore, information on birth weight, parents' height and weight was collected, as well as reported problems of obesity in grandparents. The results show a high prevalence of pronounced obesity in these children. BMIs were strongly correlated between the children and both parents. Furthermore, grandparents' obesity problems were related to the BMI of parents, and also to obesity indices in the children. Birth weights were related to current BMI of the children (in girls only for the youngest age-group), and to their mothers' BMI. It was concluded that obesity is prevalent in this area and can be traced through three generations, and seems to be discoverable already at birth. Energy intake is high and physical activity level is low in these children. However, statistical analyses suggest that familial factors exert a greater impact than environmental factors on the BMI of the children. These results, as well as the wide-spread, consistent familial clustering of obesity, traceable already at birth, suggest influence of strong genetic traits for obesity in this population.
Adolescent↗
Structure of the bovine follicle-stimulating hormone receptor complementary DNA and expression in bovine tissues.
We report the complementary DNA structure obtained by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction amplification encoding the complete amino acid sequence for the bovine follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (bFSHr). The deduced amino acid sequence for the cDNA revealed a mature polypeptide consisting of 678 amino acids (theoretical weight of 76.4 kDa) and a 17 amino acid putative leading signal peptide. The receptor consists of a large NH2-terminal extracellular membrane domain of 349 aa with 3 potential N-linked glycosylation sites, a transmembrane domain (264 aa) consisting of 7 putative membrane spanning segments, and an intracytoplasmic COOH-terminal domain (65 aa). Four potential phosphorylation sites were found in the transmembrane domain and the COOH-terminal domain. The amino acid sequence is 97%, 89%, and 88% homologous to the ovine, human, and rat FSHr respectively, with complete conservation of the 22 cysteine residues in the whole protein and the 3 N-linked glycosylation sites on the extracellular membrane domain. Northern blot analysis of total mRNA in bovine tissues revealed a major mRNA transcript of 2.55 kb for the bFSHr in the ovary without corpus luteum, and in the testis. No expression was found in other tissues analyzed. Total RNA from bovine granulosa cells collected from pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG)-treated prepubertal heifers showed 2 major mRNA transcripts of 6.8 and 2.55 kb, and 3 minor transcripts of 3.8, 3.3, and 1.6 kb. Bovine granulosa cells cultured with porcine FSH (0, 2, 10 ng/ml) for 4 days showed a decrease in the steady state level of the FSHr mRNA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Amino Acid Sequence↗