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Biomedical subjects

A van der Hout

Publications and source records attributed to A van der Hout.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Inclusion of malignant fibrous histiocytoma in the tumour spectrum associated with hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer.

Sarcomas, including the malignant fibrous histiocytomas (MFHs), are not known to be part of the tumour spectrum of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) as epidemiologically established. Therefore, occurrence of MFH in an HNPCC family may very well be coincidental. HNPCC is associated with germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes, including the MSH2 gene. We analysed an MFH diagnosed in a 45-year-old male HNPCC patient carrying a germline MSH2 mutation for HNPCC-associated molecular characteristics, to investigate a possible relationship between the tumour and that mutation. DNA analysis revealed microsatellite instability and loss of one MSH2 copy, and immunohistochemistry showed absence of nuclear MSH2 protein staining. To investigate whether this is a common finding in MFH, microsatellite instability and nuclear MSH2 protein staining was tested for in 5 and 6 sporadic MFHs, respectively. None showed microsatellite instability and all stained positively for MSH2. Together, these findings show that in rare cases, MFH may be part of the HNPCC tumour spectrum.

Adenocarcinoma↗

A cystic fibrosis mutation associated with mild lung disease.

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis is the most common lethal autosomal recessive disorder among whites. Among Dutch patients with cystic fibrosis, delta F508 is the most common mutation and A455E the second most common mutation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene on chromosome 7. A455E is associated with preserved pancreatic function and residual secretion of chloride across membranes. We investigated whether it is also associated with less severe pulmonary disease in patients with cystic fibrosis. METHODS: A total of 33 patients with compound heterozygosity for the A455E mutation were matched according to age and sex with patients who were homozygous for the delta F508 mutation. The pairs were analyzed with respect to the following outcome variables: age at diagnosis, pulmonary-function values, and the frequency of pseudomonas colonization, pancreatic sufficiency, and diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: Cystic fibrosis was diagnosed at a later age in the patients with the A455E mutation than in the delta F508 homozygotes (mean age at diagnosis, 15.0 vs. 3.1 years; P < 0.001). Fewer patients with the A455E mutation had pancreatic insufficiency (21.2 percent vs. 93.9 percent, P < 0.001), and none had diabetes mellitus (0 percent vs. 27.3 percent, P = 0.004). Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were significantly higher in the patients with the A455E mutation (mean FEV1, 73.9 percent of the predicted value vs. 54.3 percent of the predicted value; P = 0.002; mean FVC, 88.7 percent of the predicted value vs. 76.3 percent of the predicted value; P = 0.04). Fewer patients with the A455E mutation were colonized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (33.3 percent vs. 60.6 percent, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: A455E is a common mutation causing cystic fibrosis in the Netherlands. Although several mutations are known to be associated with less severe pancreatic disease, our findings demonstrate a correlation between the A455E mutation and mild pulmonary disease. Because mortality in this disease depends primarily on the progression of pulmonary disease, patients with the A455E mutation have a better prognosis than patients who are homozygous for the delta F508 mutation.

Adolescent↗

A human glioblastoma line with karyotypic nullisomy 13 containing several chromosome 13-specific sequences.

Using a biochemical approach (evaluation of esterase D activity) and recombinant DNA techniques (in situ and filter hybridization with specific DNA probes) a glioblastoma cell line with karyotypical nullisomy 13 was shown to contain several chromosome #13-specific sequences. They were assigned to a marker chromosome. This finding suggests that cytogenetic descriptions of deletions or chromosome losses will gain considerable power of the statement when supplemented by molecular analysis, particularly since, by now, DNA probes have been accumulated for all chromosomes and all their subfragments.

Chromosome Banding↗

An instrument for the accurate and continuous measurement of halothane concentrations in nitrous oxide-oxygen mixtures.

An instrument is described which measures continuously both the halothane concentration and the composition of the carrier gas when the vaporizer is situated outside the breathing circuit. The instrument is an adapted katharometer in which the out-of-balance voltage is used to measure the concentration of one compound in a three-component mixture, and the total voltage reduction across the constant-current-supplied bridge is used to indicate the proportions of the other two components. Halothane concentrations can be determined with an inaccuracy of 0.1% for concentrations up to 6%. Nitrous oxide (N2O) concentration in the nitrous oxide-oxygen mixture, serving as carrier gas, can be determined with an accuracy of 1% over the whole range up to 100% N2O. The 99% response time of the instrument is approximately 1 min.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗