A comprehensive genetic map of the human genome based on 5,264 microsatellites.

The great increase in successful linkage studies in a number of higher eukaryotes during recent years has essentially resulted from major improvements in reference genetic linkage maps, which at present consist of short tandem repeat polymorphisms of simple sequences or microsatellites. We report here the last version of the Généthon human linkage map. This map consists of 5,264 short tandem (AC/TG)n repeat polymorphisms with a mean heterozygosity of 70%.

Increased resistance to ischaemic injury in the isolated perfused atherosclerotic heart of the cholesterol-fed rabbit.

Objective: In isolated, Langendorff-perfused hearts in the early stages of atherosclerosis from rabbits exposed to hypercholesterolaemia induced by 2% cholesterol feeding for 6 weeks (n = 23), and age-matched normal controls fed standard chow (n = 12), we studied baseline cardiac haemodynamics and the susceptibility of these hearts to 30 min global, normothermic ischaemia and 90 min reperfusion.

Methods: Spontaneously beating hearts were perfused with oxygenated Krebs buffer (pH 7.4) at constant pressure, and were enclosed in a thermostated water jacket at 37 degrees C.

Peripheral neuropathy in subclinical hypothyroidism.

Alterations in peripheral nerves are well documented in overt myxedema but not in subclinical hypothyroidism. We performed electrophysiologic studies to investigate such abnormalities in patients with normal serum total T4 and hyperresponsiveness of TSH to TRH, either with normal or high levels of basal circulating TSH. Subjects were divided in three groups: (i) Hypothyroidism Stage I (group () (n = 17, mean age = 39 +/- 34 years), T4 = 9 +/- 0.

Somatodendritic internalization and perinuclear targeting of neurotensin in the mammalian brain.

Polypeptide hormones and growth factors have long been known to internalize into peripheral target cells as a result of their interaction with cell surface receptors. Studies in culture have suggested that certain neuropeptides might undergo a similar type of translocation in neurons. To investigate this possibility in adult mammalian brain, we have examined by confocal laser microscopy the events that follow the binding of fluorescein-tagged derivatives of the tridecapeptide neurotensin to basal forebrain cholinergic cells.

[Morbidity of percutaneous biopsy of kidney transplants (Vim-Silverman and Tru-cut needles)].

Objectives: To evaluate the morbidity of renal transplant biopsies performed after simple ultrasonographic identification of the transplants, using a Vim-Silverman or Tru-cut needle.

Methods: From January 1987 to April 1991, 360 renal transplant biopsies were performed after simple ultrasonographic identification of the transplants, using a Vim-Silverman (n = 204) or Tru-cut (n-156) needle. In 221 transplants, these biopsies were performed because of a rise of serum creatinine (n = 319) or proteinuria (n = 17) or were even performed systematically (n = 24).

Binding and internalization of neurotensin in hybrid cells derived from septal cholinergic neurons.

Autoradiographic studies from our laboratory have previously demonstrated a selective association of high affinity neurotensin (NT) binding sites with basal forebrain cholinergic neurons. In search of an in vitro model for further characterization of the role and regulation of these sites, we have examined the binding and internalization of 125I-Tyr3-NT (125I-NT) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated NT (fluo-NT) on SN17 hybrid cells, produced by fusion of embryonic murine septal cells with neuroblastoma. 125I-NT binding to SN17 membrane preparations was specific and saturable.

Molecular structure and mechanism of action of the crotoxin inhibitor from Crotalus durissus terrificus serum.

An antivenom protein has been identified in the blood of the snake Crotalus durissus terrificus and proved to act by specifically neutralizing crotoxin, the main lethal component of rattlesnake venoms. The aim of this study was to purify the crotoxin inhibitor from Crotalus serum (CICS), and to analyze its mechanism of action. CICS has been purified from blood serum of the Crotalus snake by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200, ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel, and FPLC gel filtration on a Superose 12 column.

Influence of a long-term zinc-deficient diet on rat platelet function and fatty acid composition.

A reduced zinc intake is associated with numerous abnormalities and, in particular, with hemostasis dysfunction. In this report, we studied the effects of a long-term dietary zinc restriction on platelet function. Three groups of rats were analyzed: a zinc-deficient group (ZD) and two zinc-adequate fed groups, one pair-fed (PF) and one ad libitum fed (AL).

Immunological recognition of different forms of the neurotensin receptor in transfected cells and rat brain.

In this work, the molecular forms of the rat neurotensin receptor (NTR) expressed in transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, in infected Sf9 insect cells and in rat cerebral cortex were immunologically detected by means of an anti-peptide antibody raised against a fragment of the third intracellular loop of the receptor. Immunoblot experiments against a fusion protein indicated that the anti-peptide antibody recognized, under denaturing conditions, the corresponding amino acid sequence within the NTR. In immunoblot analysis of membranes from NTR-transfected CHO cells, high levels of immunoreactivity were observed between 60 and 72 kDa, while only a faint labelling was observed at 47 kDa, the molecular mass deduced for the rat NTR cDNA.

Auxacolor, a new commercial system for yeast identification: evaluation of 182 strains comparatively with ID 32C.

The incidence of deep candidiasis, particularly in immunocompromised patients, and the emergence of less sensitive yeast species to new antifungal agents explain the interest of their rapid identification. A new identification system, Auxacolor (Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur), has been evaluated, comparatively to ID 32C strip taken in reference (bioMérieux SA). These systems include respectively 13 and 29 carbohydrate assimilation tests.

[Responses of medical imaging in battered children. The Silverman-Ambroise Tardieu syndrome].

Imaging procedures offer an important contribution to the syndrome of the abused child that F.N. Silverman himself proposes to call the Ambroise Tardieu syndrome.

Neurotensin promotes oscillatory bursting behavior and is internalized in basal forebrain cholinergic neurons.

Cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain magnocellular complex (BF) constitute the primary source of ACh to the cerebral cortex and are thought to be instrumental in mediating cortical activation and plasticity. Recent light and electron microscopic studies have revealed a selective association of receptors for the neuropeptide neurotensin (NT) with BF cholinergic neurons, suggesting that this peptide may be playing a key role in the control of BF cholinergic function. In the present study, we have investigated by means of intracellular recording in guinea pig brain slices the neuromodulatory actions of NT on the intrinsic excitability of BF cholinergic neurons that were identified electrophysiologically by their low-threshold discharge, slow afterhyperpolarization, and transient outward rectification (TOR).

Cloning, expression, and alternative splicing of the receptor for anti-Müllerian hormone.

Anti-Müllerian hormone, also called Müllerian-inhibiting substance or factor, is a glycoprotein dimer belonging to the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily and synthesized by immature Sertoli cells and postnatal granulosa cells. Anti-Müllerian hormone plays a key role in sex differentiation by inducing the regression of Müllerian ducts in the male fetus. It is also responsible for the stunting and masculinization of fetal ovaries in bovine freemartin fetuses and may be involved in the control of follicular maturation in the postnatal ovary.

Antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in patients infected with HIV.

Deficiency in antioxidant micronutrients have been observed in patients with AIDS. These observations concerning only some isolated nutrients demonstrate a defect in zinc, selenium, and glutathione. An increase in free radical production and lipid peroxidation has been also found in these patients, and takes a great importance with recent papers presenting an immunodeficiency and more important an increase in HIV-1 replication secondary to free radicals overproduction.

Synthesis of a biologically active fluorescent probe for labeling neurotensin receptors.

We synthesized a fluorescent derivative of the tridecapeptide neurotensin (NT), with the aim of providing a new tool for the pharmacological characterization and anatomic localization of NT receptors in mammalian brain. Fluoresceinylated NT (N alpha-fluoresceinyl thiocarbamyl (FTC)-[Glu1]NT; fluo-NT) was synthesized using solid-phase methodology and purified to 99% homogeneity by preparative high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Analytical HPLC, acidic and carboxypeptidase Y hydrolysis, and fast atom bombardment-mass spectroscopy confirmed that the purified compound was selectively labeled on the [Glu1] terminus and that a single FTC moiety was coupled to each molecule of [Glu1]NT.

Distinct choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) bipolar neurons project to local blood vessels in the rat cerebral cortex.

Innervation of rat intracortical cerebral blood vessels by acetylcholine (ACh) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) remains largely unexplored and it is not known if the cells of origin are intra- or extracortical nor if perivascular fibers colocalize ACh and VIP. Cortical cholinergic innervation arises primarily from the basal forebrain and to a small extent from intrinsic bipolar ACh neurons thought to be the sole source of cortical VIP. In order to evaluate if intracortical perivascular ACh terminals could be distinguished from those of the basal forebrain by their colocalization with VIP, we performed a double immunofluorescence study and determined the percentage of colocalization of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and VIP in cortical neurons, as well as in terminal fields associated with intracortical blood vessels.

Zea3: a pleiotropic mutation affecting cotyledon development, cytokinin resistance and carbon-nitrogen metabolism.

When photomorphogenesis takes place during early plant development, the cotyledons undergo a metabolic transition from heterotrophic sink metabolism to autotrophic source metabolism. A mutant screen was devised for seedlings affected in the regulation of nitrate assimilation during this early sink-source transition in Nicotiana plumbaginifolia. A mutant (EMS 203.

IgM and IgA rheumatoid factors in canine polyarthritis.

IgM and IgA rheumatoid factor (RF) were detected by ELISA using a purified dog IgG as antigen in normal controls (N = 84), dogs with unclassified polyarthritis (N = 95), dogs with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (N = 22), dogs with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (N = 35), dogs with leishmaniasis or heart worm disease (N = 20) and dogs with pyometra (N = 16). Frequency and titre of IgM and IgA RF are low and comparable (P < 0.05) in dogs with unclassified polyarthritis or RA: respectively 24.

Immunologic alterations in patients with sensorineural hearing disorders.

The autoimmune etiology suspected for some forms of hearing loss, supported by the clinical efficacy of steroid therapy, is thought to involve immune complexes, autoantibodies directed to the inner ear and/or cellular effectors. We report a study performed in 57 individuals with sudden deafness (n = 17, group 1) or progressive sensorineural hearing impairment (n = 40, group 2). A severe depletion in CD3+ and CD4+ peripheral lymphocytes was observed in group 1 and a marked decrease of CD8+ cells levels was observed in both groups.

Interest in and limits to the utilization of reporter genes for the analysis of transcriptional regulation of nitrate reductase.

Reporter gene techniques and mutant analysis were used to identify the molecular basis of the regulation of the expression of nitrate reductase (NR) by nitrate and nitrate-, or ammonium-derived metabolites (N-metabolites), in the true diploïd species Nicotiana plumbaginifolia and in the amphidiploïd species Nicotiana tabacum. The N. plumbaginifolia mutant E23 results from the insertion of a Tnt1-like retrotransposon (Tnp2) in the first exon of the single-copy nia gene, which encodes nitrate reductase.

Immunological characterization of an immunomodulatory epitope in S-antigen/arrestin with a sequence motif common to tumor necrosis factor alpha.

Some monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to retinal S-antigen recognize a phylogenetically conserved epitope (S2) in the N-terminal part of the protein. These antibodies have been shown to inhibit the induction of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis by S-antigen in rats. Using Pepscan method, we localized this epitope on the amino acid (aa) residues 40-50, i.

Effects of a multivitamin mineral supplement on zinc and copper status during pregnancy.

The effect of a multivitamin-mineral supplement was investigated during pregnancy according to a double-blind protocol by determining zinc and copper in maternal plasma, mononuclear and polynuclear zinc and copper at the third, sixth, eighth, and ninth months of gestation. The subjects were supplemented from the first trimester until delivery. A significant decrease was observed in plasma zinc that varied from 11.