The ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) locus: analysis of RFLPs in gyrate atrophy.

A cDNA probe (HOAT1) for ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) has recently been used to map (1) the structural gene for this enzyme to chromosome 10 and (2) several related DNA sequences to the X chromosome. We have defined six RFLPs for OAT, to explore its possible role in gyrate atrophy (GA) of the choroid and retina, an autosomal recessive genetic disorder associated with a deficiency of OAT activity. The RFLPs, which are detected by noncoding single-copy probes from the OAT gene and by subclones of the HOAT1 cDNA, all map on human chromosome 10, producing an overall level of heterozygosity for the OAT locus of 83%.

GABA and amino acid concentrations in lumbar CSF in patients with treated and untreated epilepsy.

Lumbar free CSF GABA and amino acid concentrations were measured in 43 patients with newly diagnosed untreated epilepsy and 26 patients with chronic drug-resistant epilepsy. The results were compared with those from 51 control patients. No differences in free CSF GABA concentration could be detected between patients with epilepsy, either treated or untreated, and controls.

Cyclic voltammetry of quinolinium salts and related compounds: correlation with structure and anticancer activity.

Cyclic voltammetry data were obtained for 12 salts of quinolines, one pyridine, and one open-chain imine which possess varying degrees of anticancer activity. The structural features include sidechain bis(2-methylthio)vinyl, 2-methylthio-2-aminovinyl, dithioacetic acid, 2-quinolylvinyl, 2-styrylvinyl, and guanidine sulfide functionalities. Reduction potentials ranged from -0.

Gabapentin as an antiepileptic drug in man.

Gabapentin, 1-(aminomethyl) cyclohexane acetic acid, is a GABA analogue whose antiepileptic properties were tested in a double blind cross-over trial design as add-on therapy in a dose ranging study which compared 300 mg, 600 mg, and 900 mg/day (each dose given for 2 months) in 25 patients with severe partial and generalised epilepsies. A dose related antiepileptic effect was observed. All three doses were well tolerated and no psychometric impairment was noted.

The influence of enamel prism orientation on leakage of resin-bonded restorations.

A new method is described for the quantification of leakage between etched enamel and restorative resin. A significant correlation was demonstrated between the plane of enamel section prior to etching and subsequent leakage. It is suggested that these findings will be of value in the design of cavities for use with the acid-etch technique; when possible, enamel should be prepared to expose prisms transversely prior to etching and bonding.

Charge transfer-oxy radical mechanism for anticancer agents: mAMSA derivatives, rhodamine 123, and nickel salicylaldoximate.

The proposal is advanced that many anticancer agents may function via redox reactions resulting in generation of toxic oxy radicals which destroy neoplastic cells. Cyclic voltammetry was performed with some of the main types: iminium ions (protonated mAMSA derivatives), quinone derivatives (rhodamine 123) and metal complexes (nickel(II) salicylaldoximate). In addition, relevant literature data are provided.

Juvenile hyaline fibromatosis.

The literature recording cases of the rare juvenile hyaline fibromatosis is reviewed. Gingival enlargement is a regular feature of this entity. A case report and treatment of the gingival lesions are described, and the differential diagnosis and prognosis are discussed.

A comparative study of progabide, valproate, and placebo as add-on therapy in patients with refractory epilepsy.

A three way single blind cross-over comparison of progabide, valproate and placebo, as adjunctive therapy, was undertaken in 64 patients with therapy-resistant partial and generalised seizures. The study was not completed because of the incidence of elevated hepatic enzymes on progabide. Analysis of efficacy showed progabide to be inferior to valproate against all seizure types, particularly against tonic-clonic seizures.

Modulation of Actinomyces viscosus colonization of mouse teeth in vivo by immunization with fimbrial adhesins.

Experiments were performed to determine whether immunization of mice with fimbrial adhesins isolated from Actinomyces viscosus T14V could modulate infection of tooth surfaces in animals challenged with the homologous strain. Saliva and sera from animals immunized in the submandibular gland region contained elevated levels of fimbria-specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG, whereas saliva and sera from sham-immunized animals did not. There was a statistically significant inverse correlation between the presence of fimbria-specific antibodies in saliva and serum and the levels of bacterial colonization on molar tooth surfaces.

Fimbria-specific antibodies in serum and saliva of mice immunized with Actinomyces viscosus T14V fimbriae.

Fimbria-specific antibody responses were compared in mice immunized with purified fimbrial adhesins in the region of the submandibular gland (i.e., local site) or at a remote site in the back.

Cyclic voltammetry of phenazines and quinoxalines including mono- and di-N-oxides. Relation to structure and antimicrobial activity.

Cyclic voltammetry data were obtained for eight phenazines and phenazine-N-oxides, and eleven quinoxalines and quinoxaline-N-oxides: 1,6-phenazine-diol-5,10-dioxide (iodinin), iodinin copper complex, 6-methoxy-1-phenazinol-5,10-dioxide 1,6-dimethoxyphenazine-5-oxide, 1,6-phenazinediol, 1,6-dimethoxyphenazine, quinoxaline-1,4-dioxide, 2-methylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide, 2,3-diphenylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide, 2-carboxyquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide, 5-hydroxyquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide, 5-hydroxy-8-methoxyquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide, 2-methylquinoxaline, 2,3-diphenylquinoxaline, 5-hydroxyquinoxaline, 5-hydroxy-8-methoxyquinoxaline and 2-(2-quinoxalinylmethylene)hydrazine carboxylic acid methyl ester-1,4-dioxide (Carbadox). The di-N-oxides exhibit the most positive E1/2 values within each class. Reversible first wave reductions were observed for iodinin, iodinin copper complex, 1,6-dimethoxyphenazine-5-oxide, 1,6-dimethoxyphenazine, quinoxaline-1,4-dioxide, 2-methylquinoxaline-1,4-oxide and 2,3-diphenylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide.

Early growth predicts timing of puberty in boys: results of a 14-year nutrition and growth study.

Diet and growth were studied prospectively in 78 boys ages 6 months to 14 years. All boys were well nourished and not grossly obese. Pubertal development was evaluated at age 14 years, and the results correlated with diet and early growth.

Cerebral arteriovenous malformations and epilepsy: factors in the development of epilepsy.

Sixty-one patients of a population of 343 with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) were diagnosed with seizures. Their AVMs were larger (p less than 0.02) and more frequently superficial (p less than 0.

Actinomyces viscosus colonization of mouse teeth.

The implantation of Actinomyces viscosus strain T14V-J1 was studied in mice in vivo. The optimum age range for implantation was from 40 to 80 days. The minimum infective dose of strain T14V-J1 required for colonization in all inoculated animals (ID100) was 5 X 10(8) CFU for 40-day-old mice and 1 X 10(9) CFU for 100-day-old mice.

Arteriovenous malformations of the brain: natural history in unoperated patients.

Two-hundred and seventeen patients from a total population of 343 patients with arteriovenous malformations, were managed without surgery. Follow up was for a mean of 10.4 years.

The lack of effect of sodium valproate on the pharmacokinetics of oral contraceptive steroids.

Patients taking anticonvulsants such as phenobarbitone, phenytoin and carbamazepine together with their oral contraceptive steroid may suffer contraceptive failure because of the enzyme-inducing properties of these anticonvulsants. We have examined, in six women, the effect of sodium valproate, an effective broad spectrum anticonvulsant, on the area under the plasma concentration versus time profile (AUC) of ethinyloestradiol (EE2) and levonorgestrel (Ng). Prior to sodium valproate therapy the mean AUC for EE2 was 880 +/- 109 pg/ml X h (+/- S.

Psychological adaptation of siblings of chronically ill children: research and practice implications.

Studies of the psychological adjustment of physically healthy siblings to their sibling's chronic illness indicate that there is no one-to-one correspondence between the presence of a chronic illness and risk for psychological disturbance in nonafflicted children. Although the presence of a chronic illness may increase siblings' subjective distress, effects of a chronic illness on the psychological adjustment of siblings are selective and vary with age, sex, and type of illness. Chronic illness is a stressor which, in interaction with other variables, may contribute to increased risk of psychological disturbance for some siblings.

Epidermoid spinal cord tumour after lumbar puncture.

A 5 year old boy developed an implantation dermoid tumour after a lumbar puncture in infancy. A survey of senior paediatricians has shown it to be common practice to use an unstiletted needle for lumbar puncture in small children. A stiletted needle is recommended for all such procedures.

Atrial myxoma presenting with cerebral haemorrhage.

Emboli from left atrial myxomas are a recognized cause of cerebral ischaemia. The myxomatous embolus may infiltrate the cerebral arterial wall, resulting in aneurysmal dilatation with a risk of rupture. Myxoma-associated cerebral haemorrhage has been described in patients with progressive neurological dysfunction.

Obesity prognosis: a longitudinal study of children from the age of 6 months to 9 years.

The development of body fatness and leanness is examined in an ongoing prospective nutrition and growth study. Individual skinfold thicknesses, relative weights, weight gains, activity levels, and caloric intakes were examined at seven ages between 6 months and 9 years. Changes in body fatness in this group of children provide evidence that the obese infant usually does not become the obese child.