Chromosomal evolution in Gekkonidae. I. Chromosome painting between Gekko and Hemidactylus species reveals phylogenetic relationships within the group.

Geckos are a large group of lizards characterized by a rich variety of species, different modes of sex determination and diverse karyotypes. In spite of many unresolved questions on lizards' phylogeny and taxonomy, the karyotypes of most geckos have been studied by conventional cytogenetic methods only. We used flow-sorted chromosome-specific painting probes of Japanese gecko (Gekko japonicus), Mediterranean house gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) and flat-tailed house gecko (Hemidactylus platyurus) to reveal homologous regions and to study karyotype evolution in seven gecko species (Gekko gecko, G.

Epigenetic modifications on X chromosomes in marsupial and monotreme mammals and implications for evolution of dosage compensation.

X chromosome dosage compensation in female eutherian mammals is regulated by the noncoding Xist RNA and is associated with the differential acquisition of active and repressive histone modifications, resulting in repression of most genes on one of the two X chromosome homologs. Marsupial mammals exhibit dosage compensation; however, they lack Xist, and the mechanisms conferring epigenetic control of X chromosome dosage compensation remain elusive. Oviparous mammals, the monotremes, have multiple X chromosomes, and it is not clear whether they undergo dosage compensation and whether there is epigenetic dimorphism between homologous pairs in female monotremes.

Skinks (Reptilia: Scincidae) have highly conserved karyotypes as revealed by chromosome painting.

Skinks represent the most diversified squamate reptiles with a great variation in body size and form, and are found worldwide in a variety of habitats. Their remarkable diversification has been accompanied by only a few chromosome rearrangements, resulting in highly-conservative chromosomal complements of these lizards. In this study cross-species chromosome painting using Scincus scincus (2n = 32) as the source genome, was used to detect the chromosomal rearrangements and homologies between the following skinks: Chalcides chalcides (2n = 28), C.

Large-scale population study of human cell lines indicates that dosage compensation is virtually complete.

X chromosome inactivation in female mammals results in dosage compensation of X-linked gene products between the sexes. In humans there is evidence that a substantial proportion of genes escape from silencing. We have carried out a large-scale analysis of gene expression in lymphoblastoid cell lines from four human populations to determine the extent to which escape from X chromosome inactivation disrupts dosage compensation.

Characteristics of males over 50 years who present with a fracture: epidemiology and underlying risk factors.

Osteoporosis and fragility fractures in men constitute a considerable burden in healthcare. We have reviewed 2035 men aged over 50 years with 2142 fractures to clarify the epidemiology of these injuries and their underlying risk factors. The prevalence of osteoporosis ranged between 17.

Use of glycerol as an optical clearing agent for enhancing photonic transference and detection of Salmonella typhimurium through porcine skin.

The objective of this study was to evaluate glycerol (GLY) and GLY + dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to increase photonic detection of transformed Salmonella typhimurium (S. typh-lux) through porcine skin. Skin was placed on 96-well plates containing S.

The DNA sequence of the human X chromosome.

The human X chromosome has a unique biology that was shaped by its evolution as the sex chromosome shared by males and females. We have determined 99.3% of the euchromatic sequence of the X chromosome.

Dissociative identity disorder and the nurse-patient relationship in the acute care setting: an action research study.

This paper presents the results of an action research study into the acute care experience of Dissociative Identity Disorder. The study, which was grounded in principles of critical social science, utilized focus group interviews and narrative construction. Nurses and patients are under-represented in all clinical evaluation and their voices need to be heard if services are to be truly collaborative.

Can scintimammography reduce "unnecessary" biopsies?

99Tc-sestamibi prone scintimammography (SMM) is a new, noninvasive method of imaging breast tumors. A pilot study has suggested that SMM increases the specificity of mammography, and that SMM could be used as an adjunct to mammography to reduce the number of mammographically indicated biopsies. The goal of this study was to further evaluate the efficacy of SMM in diagnosing or excluding breast carcinoma.

Radiological seminar CCXLIV: Wegener's granulomatosis.

This case was a typical presentation for Wegener's granulomatosis with respect to the pulmonary and renal findings. Over the course of the past ten years this patient has done relatively well with only two major exacerbations requiring hospitalization. His renal function has apparently not been compromised to date.

Reliability of clinical measurements of lumbar lordosis taken with a flexible rule.

The purpose of this study was to examine the intratester and intertester reliability of lumbar lordosis measurements taken with a flexible rule. Two physical therapists (Tester 1 and Tester 2) took measurements on 40 subjects without low back pain (LBP) and on 40 subjects with LBP. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to determine the degree of agreement between repeated measurements taken by the same therapist and between measurements taken by the two therapists.

Autoerotic asphyxial death following television broadcast.

How individuals who engage in autoerotic asphyxial activities first become aware of its purported erotic potential is debated. The case of an adult male who died from autoerotic asphyxiation shortly after watching a television show that discussed sexual asphyxiation is reported. A request is made that medical examiners and coroners report other accidental autoerotic deaths that are temporally associated with this television broadcast.

Trial of a new acellular pertussis vaccine in healthy adult volunteers.

Immunogenicity and reactogenicity of a new acellular pertussis vaccine were tested in healthy adults. The vaccine contained three constituents of Bordetella pertussis; filamentous haemagglutinin, pertussis toxin (PT) and fimbriae bearing agglutinogens 2 and 3. The constituents were separately purified, treated with formaldehyde and combined with one of two aluminium adjuvants.

Effects of microwave radiation on living tissues.

Prompted by an alleged case of child abuse resulting from microwave oven burns and the discovery of one other case, an animal model was chosen to explore microwave burn characteristics upon living, perfusing tissue. Anesthetized piglets were exposed to radiation from a standard household microwave oven for varying lengths of time, sufficient to result in full-thickness skin and visceral burns. Characteristic burn patterns were grossly identified.

Implications of trombiculid mite bites: report of a case and submission of evidence in a murder trial.

Bites of Trombiculid mites implicated a suspect during a homicide investigation. Clinical documentation of the bites, correlation with entomological studies, and submission of evidence at trial are reported. Insects that have a discrete geographic distribution and leave bites of a characteristic nature may have important forensic science implications.

1-Aryl-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes, a new series of nonnarcotic analgesic agents.

A series of 1-aryl-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes was synthesized by hydride reduction of 1-arylcyclopropanedicarboximides.