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Triplicated alpha-globin loci in humans.

We have identified 12 individuals who are heterozygous for a chromosome with three alpha-globin genes. We determined the presence of the third alpha-globin locus by restriction endonuclease digestion and hybridization with alpha-globin cDNA probes. The three alpha-globin loci resided in an elongated fragment on digestion with EcoRI, BamHI, and Xba I, and the third locus was present in an additional 3.7-kilobase fragment on digestion with Hpa I, Sac I, and Bgl II. The locations of the restriction sites are compatible with a nonhomologous crossover mechanism producing the triple alpha loci. The frequency of the triple alpha loci was 0.0036 in American blacks and less than 0.004 in Sardinians, but was higher in Greek Crypriots (0.05). Individuals with five alpha-globin genes (alpha alpha/alpha alpha alpha) apparently showed no clinical or hematologic abnormalities.

Black People↗

Expression studies of delta-globin gene alleles associated with reduced hemoglobin A2 levels in Greek Cypriots.

We previously identified five delta-globin gene alleles associated with reduced hemoglobin (Hb) A2 (Trifillis, P., Ioannou, P., Schwartz, E., and Surrey, S. (1991) Blood 78, 3298-3305). We have now evaluated functional consequences of the changes after expression in COS-1 cells to monitor effects on RNA splicing. In addition, variant Hb A2 tetramers were expressed in yeast to assess effects of amino acid changes on oxygen binding and stability to heat and mechanical agitation. The G --> T change at codon 27 and the A --> G change in IVS-2 both affect RNA splicing, whereas the C --> T change at codon 97 and the AT deletion in IVS-2 have no effect. Oxygen equilibrium curves of the Hb A2 variants expressed in yeast were similar to that of wild type Hb A2. None of the three variant Hb A2 tetramers (Thr --> Ile at codon 4 (Hb deltaT4I), Ala --> Ser at codon 27 (Hb deltaA27S), and Arg --> Cys at codon 116 (Hb deltaR116C)) showed decreased heat stability compared with Hb A2, whereas the Hb deltaT4I variant showed highest instability to mechanical agitation. Co-expression in yeast of alpha-globin chain and the delta-chain variant containing a Leu --> Pro change at codon 141 yielded no identifiable tetramers, suggesting lack of assembly or severe tetramer instability. These studies show the probable cause for decreased Hb A2 for two alleles is due to defective splicing, whereas decreased protein stability, increased tetramer association with red cell membranes, increased interdisulfide bond formation of delta-chains, which inhibits assembly with alpha-chains, and/or reduced assembly is suggested for the other three alleles.

Alleles↗

In-group favoritism among Native and immigrant Turkish Cypriots: trait evaluations of in-group and out-group targets.

The authors investigated whether in-group favoritism manifests itself as praise for the in-group- or as denigration of the out-group. A total of 450 Turkish Cypriots (248 native, 202 immigrant) judged the applicability of positive and negative trait words to in-group and out-group targets. Both the native and the immigrant groups judged the positive traits as more applicable to their respective in-groups than to the out-group. The native group evaluated the negative social traits as more applicable to the immigrant group. The immigrant group also judged the negative social traits as more applicable to themselves. The two groups did not differ in their judgments for more personal negative traits.

Adult↗

Medical mediation.

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Congresses as Topic↗

Patterns of infant mortality from Armenian parish records: a study from 10 countries of the diaspora, 1737-1982.

Using parish records from 10 different countries with small Armenian communities, this study compared patterns of infant mortality in these countries over a period of 245 years. Deaths registered as aged < or = 1 year were used to estimate the numerator for the infant mortality rates (IMR) while the denominator was estimated from births in the same year based on baptisms in the appropriate registers. To check on the validity of using the baptisms as the denominator for the IMR, records of infant deaths were linked with the baptismal records. Thus, from a sample of 273 infant deaths 78.4% had a baptismal record in the registers of the same church in which the death was recorded. Of the deaths 60% had a recorded cause of death. Over the past 245 years, IMR have fallen substantially in all parishes. However, there were notable exceptions to this general pattern of declining IMR over time. For example, the IMR was tripled in Palestine during the decade of the First World War, possibly as a result of the influx of refugees deported from Turkey. A study of the seasonal occurrence of the deaths revealed peaking of deaths between May and August, a pattern influenced by the relative importance of gastroenteritis as a cause of death during the summer months in Egypt where the majority of these infant deaths were recorded. A review of the most important causes of death helped identify an outbreak of undetermined cause in Belgrade in 1737 and an outbreak of dysentery deaths in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1909.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Armenia↗

Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) foraging and nesting aggregations in the Caribbean and Atlantic: impact of currents and behavior on dispersal.

Although significant amounts of research have been dedicated to increasing the knowledge of the life history of green turtles (Chelonia mydas), large gaps exist in our understanding of juvenile migratory behavior. These gaps can be filled by genetic studies of foraging ground aggregations. Using mitochondrial DNA markers and Bayesian analyses, samples (n = 106) from a foraging aggregation in North Carolina indicated that animals from the east coast of the United States (54%) and Mexico (27%) dominate the composition with the remainder coming from other Caribbean and Atlantic nesting aggregations. These findings prompted a reanalysis of 4 regional foraging aggregations using Bayesian mixed stock analysis, analysis of molecular variance, and diversity measures. Significant regional population structure between northern and southern foraging aggregations in the Caribbean was detected (phiST = 0.27, P = 0.000) in addition to significant nesting aggregation structure (phiST = 0.87, P = 0.000). Haplotype diversity levels were highest at foraging aggregations located within the confluence of major current systems. These findings indicate that both currents and behavior have strong influences on the composition of foraging aggregations. In addition, our results provide evidence of juvenile homing to regional foraging grounds and highlight the difficulties of separating historical and current effects on recruitment patterns at foraging locations.

Animal Population Groups↗

Safety and feasibility of liver-directed ex vivo gene therapy for homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report was to provide detailed information on the safety and feasibility of surgical procedures associated with the first ex vivo liver-directed gene therapy trial for the treatment of vivo gene therapy for homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Familial hypercholesterolemia is an autosomal dominant disease in which the gene encoding the low density lipoprotein receptor is defective. Patients homozygous for this mutation have extraordinarily high levels of cholesterol and accelerated atherosclerosis and die prematurely of myocardial infarction. The concept of liver-directed gene therapy was based on the report of normalization of cholesterol levels by orthotopic cardiac/liver transplant in a child with homozygous FH. METHODS: Five patients with homozygous FH were selected for inclusion in this trial. The patients underwent hepatic resection and placement of a portal venous catheter. Primary hepatocytes cultures were prepared from the resected liver and transduced with a recombinant retrovirus encoding the gene for the human low density lipoprotein receptor. The genetically modified cells were then transplanted into the liver through the portal venous catheter. RESULTS: Numerous clinical, laboratory, and radiologic parameters were analyzed. Elevations of the hepatic transaminases and leukocyte counts and a decline in hematocrit count were noted. Transient elevations of the portal pressure were observed during cell infusion. No major perioperative morbidity--specifically, myocardial infarct, perioperative hemorrhage, or portal vein thrombosis--or death occurred as a result of this protocol. CONCLUSION: Liver-directed ex vivo gene therapy can be accomplished safely in humans and is appropriate for selected patients.

Adult↗

Cancer and communication: similarities and differences of men with cancer from six different ethnic groups.

This paper reports the communication aspects of a pilot study, which explored the cancer meanings and experiences of six men with cancer and their significant others from different ethnic groups. A case study design was applied using the principles of phenomenology. In-depth semi-structured individual interviews were conducted in participants' own homes, in London, UK. This paper will only deal with the communication aspects of the findings. Ten themes emerged from the comparative analysis of the study's data, with communication as a cross-cutting theme. Further analysis of this theme revealed similarities and differences of the participants' experiences of communicating with health professionals; families or friends; and God/Allah. In addition, similarities and differences in communicating meanings of cancer in different cultures were revealed. The findings revealed similarities in the way that men from these six cultures communicate with health professionals and their families following a diagnosis of cancer, and differences in how they communicated with God/Allah, which depended on their religious beliefs and practices.

Aged↗

Presymptomatic molecular diagnosis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease using PKD1- and PKD2-linked markers in Cypriot families.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), is a heterogeneous disorder, primarily characterized by the formation of cysts in the kidneys, and the late development in life of progressive chronic kidney failure. Three genes are implicated in causing ADPKD. One on chromosome 16, PKD1, accounts for 85-90% of all cases, and the PKD2 gene on chromosome 4 accounts for the remainder. A very rare third locus is still of unknown location. We used PKD1- and PKD2-linked polymorphic markers to make the diagnosis of ADPKD in young presymptomatic members in affected families. We showed that in young members of families where clinical diagnosis cannot be definitively established, molecular linkage analysis can assist clinicians in the diagnosis. In one family a 24-year old had one cyst on the right kidney; however, molecular analysis showed clearly that he had inherited the normal haplotype. In another family, in one part of the pedigree there was co-inheritance of the disease with a PKD1-linked haplotype which originated in a non-affected 78-year-old father. Analysis with PKD2-linked markers excluded this locus. The data can be explained in one of two ways. Either this family phenotype is linked to a third locus, or the proband was the first affected person, most probably because of a novel mutation in one of her father's chromosomes. In conclusion, the combined use of markers around the PKD1 and the PKD2 locus provides more definitive answers in cases where presymptomatic diagnosis is requested by concerned families.

Adult↗

Alpha thalassaemia hydrops fetalis in the UK: the importance of screening pregnant women of Chinese, other South East Asian and Mediterranean extraction for alpha thalassaemia trait.

OBJECTIVE: Alpha zero (alpha 0 or alpha-1) thalassaemia is an important genetic risk for women originating from Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines or South China. Cypriots are also at risk. Carriers of alpha zero thalassaemia trait can be detected by routine haemoglobinopathy screening. When a couple are both carriers, in each pregnancy there is a 25% risk that the fetus will have alpha thalassaemia hydrops fetalis; this is fatal for the fetus and carries serious obstetric and psychological risks for the mother. Most informed couples at risk request prenatal diagnosis and selective abortion. This study investigates the effectiveness of screening, counselling and prenatal diagnosis for alpha thalassaemia hydrops fetalis in the UK. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of the notes. SUBJECTS: 18 couples attending University College Hospital London for prenatal diagnosis of alpha thalassaemia hydrops fetalis since 1982. RESULTS: The study shows underdiagnosis of both alpha zero thalassaemia trait and alpha thalassaemia hydrops fetalis leading to avoidable stillbirths and complications in pregnancy. CONCLUSION: We recommend early screening for alpha zero thalassaemia trait for all women of Southeast Asian or eastern Mediterranean origin and the offer of prenatal diagnosis when indicated. The diagnosis of alpha thalassaemia hydrops fetalis should be considered in women of the relevant ethnic origin who have a stillbirth, neonatal death, abnormal ultrasound findings at fetal anomaly scanning (especially a large placenta), or who develop pre-eclampsia.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Autosomal-dominant medullary cystic kidney disease type 1: clinical and molecular findings in six large Cypriot families.

BACKGROUND: Autosomal-dominant medullary cystic kidney disease (ADMCKD), a hereditary chronic interstitial nephropathy, recently attracted attention because of the cloning or mapping of certain gene loci, namely NPHP1, NPHP2 and NPHP3 for familial juvenile nephronophthisis (NPH) and MCKD1 and MCKD2 for the adult form of medullary cystic kidney disease. Our aim was to present and discuss the clinical, biochemical, sonographic and histopathological findings in six large Cypriot families in whom molecular analysis has confirmed linkage to the MCKD1 locus on chromosome 1q21. METHODS: The clinical, biochemical, sonographic and histopathological findings in 186 members of six large Cypriot families with ADMCKD-1 are presented. Creatinine clearance was calculated according to the Cockroft-Gault formula and was corrected to a body surface area (BSA) of 1.73 m2. DNA linkage analysis was performed with previously identified flanking polymorphic markers. RESULTS: This disease is characterized by the absence of urinary findings in the vast majority of patients, leading to end-stage renal failure (ESRF) at a mean age of 53.7 years. Hypertension and hyperuricemia are common, especially in males, the former encountered more frequently in advanced chronic renal failure (CRF). Gout has been noted in a small percentage of male patients. Loss of urinary concentrating ability was not a prominent early feature of the disease, while severe natriuresis was observed in a few males toward ESRF. Renal cysts are mainly corticomedullary or medullary, and they are present in about 40.3% of patients and appear more frequently near ESRF. CONCLUSION: ADMCKD type 1 is a common cause of ESRF among our dialysis population. The disease is difficult to diagnose clinically, particularly in the early stage when renal cysts are not usually present, making them a weak diagnostic finding. A dominant pattern of inheritance and DNA linkage analysis are helpful in the diagnosis of this disease.

Cyprus↗