A case of near-triploidy in chronic myelogenous leukemia.

A 61-year-old woman with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in accelerated phase had a near-triploid bone-marrow karyotype. This karyotype is an unusual finding in CML, as we review 12 previously published similar cases. These patients do not differ clinically from other patients with CML in blast crisis.

The cost of treating immune thrombocytopenic purpura using intravenous Rh immune globulin versus intravenous immune globulin.

Multiple factors, including efficacy, toxicity and cost, may influence the decision to treat immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) with intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) or intravenous Rho (D) immune globulin (IV RhIG). We conducted a survey of 50 hospitals in 31 states to determine the costs for treating ITP using conventional doses for IVIG or IV RhIG, based on package insert recommendations. The average cost for a dose of IVIG ($2,771) was 71.

Anatomical distribution of prolactin-releasing peptide and its receptor suggests additional functions in the central nervous system and periphery.

A recently identified neuropeptide with PRL-releasing capabilities binds to and activates a previously known orphan G protein-coupled receptor, GPR10. We initiated a study to define the pharmacology of the peptide/receptor interaction and to identify the distribution of the peptide and its receptor in the central nervous system to elucidate sites of action of the peptide. The PRL-releasing peptide (PrRP) is a C-terminally amidated, 31-amino acid peptide derived from a 98-amino acid precursor.

Brain dopamine D2 receptor mRNA levels are elevated in young spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Levels of brain dopamine D2 receptor expression were compared between spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) controls by quantitative in situ hybridisation, using a complementary RNA probe for D2 receptor mRNA. In SHR which were 6 weeks of age, significantly higher levels of D2 receptor mRNA were found in the caudate-putamen (42%), nucleus accumbens (23%), olfactory tubercle (17%) and substantia nigra (38%) compared to age-matched WKY controls. D2 receptor mRNA levels were also higher in the substantia nigra (27%) of 12-14-week old SHR compared to WKY.

Cloning and functional expression of the human histamine H3 receptor.

Histamine regulates neurotransmitter release in the central and peripheral nervous systems through H3 presynaptic receptors. The existence of the histamine H3 receptor was demonstrated pharmacologically 15 years ago, yet despite intensive efforts, its molecular identity has remained elusive. As part of a directed effort to discover novel G protein-coupled receptors through homology searching of expressed sequence tag databases, we identified a partial clone (GPCR97) that had significant homology to biogenic amine receptors.

Trisomy 16pter to 16q12.1 and monosomy 22pter to 22q11.2 resulting from adjacent-2 segregation of a maternal complex chromosome rearrangement.

We report on a 16-week-old male fetus with partial trisomy 16 and partial monosomy 22 resulting from 3:3 adjacent-2 segregation of a maternal balanced complex chromosome translocation involving chromosomes 5, 16, and 22. The karyotype of the 29-year-old phenotypically normal mother was 46,XX,t(5;16;22)(q31.3;q12.

Integration of 101 DNA markers across human Xp11 using a panel of somatic cell hybrids.

One hundred and one DNA markers previously assigned to the short arm of the human X chromosome were localized on a hybrid mapping panel consisting of ten radiation-reduced, and four classical somatic cell hybrids. Of the 101 DNA markers, 16 are genes, two are pseudogenes, 13 are expressed sequence tags, 32 are simple tandem repeats (STRs), four are restriction fragment length polymorphisms, one is a variable number of tandem repeats, and 33 are sequence tagged sites (STSs). Three of these markers, two STSs and one STR, were generated from the products of an inter-Alu PCR library of a radiation-reduced hybrid containing Xp11.

Hyperdiploid karyotype in a choroid plexus papilloma.

A choroid plexus papilloma from a 23-month-old child was found to have a hyperdiploid karyotype. This karyotype is compared with that of other choroid plexus papillomas. Our results are also compared with flow cytometry results and the karyotypes of choroid plexus carcinomas.

Localization of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 in rat tissues: in situ studies.

In the rat, the enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (11betaHSD2) converts the glucocorticoid corticosterone into receptor-inactive 11-dehydrocorticosterone, thereby allowing preferential access of aldosterone to mineralocorticoid receptors (MR). The present study examines the distribution of this enzyme by in situ hybridization, using a homologous complementary RNA probe for 11betaHSD2. 11betaHSD2 messenger RNA was detected in classic epithelial aldosterone target tissues (kidney, salivary glands, and colon), the female reproductive system (ovary, oviduct, uterus, and placenta), and the adrenals; levels in heart, testis, and liver were below the limits of detection.

Hybridization histochemical localization of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 in rat brain.

11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-HSD) activity allows aldosterone occupancy of mineralocorticoid receptors by inactivating endogenous glucocorticoids. The expression of the 11-HSD2 gene, a low Km, NAD+ dependent species of 11-HSD, was found in several discrete areas of the rat brain by in situ hybridization. Cells strongly positive for 11-HSD2 mRNA were found in the commissural portion of the nucleus tractus solitarius, subcommissural organ and ventrolateral ventromedial hypothalamus.

Glucocorticoid receptor, mineralocorticoid receptors, 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 and -2 expression in rat brain and kidney: in situ studies.

In mammals, 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-HSD) activity allows aldosterone occupancy of mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) by inactivating endogenous glucocorticoids. The present study examined the distribution of 11-HSD2, 11-HSD1, glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and MR in kidney and brain. High levels of expression of 11-HSD2 were found in renal cortical distal tubules and more diffusely expressed in distal tubules of the medulla.

Confined placental mosaicism in CVS and pregnancy outcome.

The perinatal outcome of 26 patients with confined placental mosaicism (CPM) detected in chorionic villus sampling (CVS) who wished to continue their pregnancies was compared with that of two controls per patient matched for age and parity (n = 52). There were no significant differences in birth weight or gestational age at delivery between patients with CPM and controls. There were no cases of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in the CPM patients as compared with two (2/52, 3.

Diffuse-variant tenosynovial giant cell tumor: a rare and aggressive lesion.

The diffuse-variant tenosynovial giant cell tumor is rare. Although it shares histologic features with the exclusively intra-articular pigmented villonodular synovitis and local tenosynovial giant cell tumor, its behavior differs dramatically, being locally very aggressive. We report a case of a diffuse-variant aggressive tenosynovial giant cell tumor that, although diploid by flow cytometry, demonstrated trisomy 7 and 5 as well as clonal rearrangements involving chromosomes 1, 3, and 15.

Evidence of chromosome 9 origin of the euchromatic variant band within 9qh.

Fluorescence in-situ hybridization studies using a whole chromosome 9 painting probe were performed on three individuals from two different families, who carry a chromosome 9 variant with an extra band within the elongated 9qh region. The results confirm the euchromatic nature of the extra band, and provide evidence that it is of chromosome 9 origin. This variant band, which may not be very rare, thus possibly results from a duplication of a segment of 9qh plus band p12 or part of band q21.

Local origins of some GABAergic projections to the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus in the rat.

Axonal transport and immunohistochemical methods were used to characterize the organization of glutamic acid decarboxylase-immunoreactive (GAD-ir) projections to the paraventricular (PVH) and supraoptic (SO) nuclei of the hypothalamus in the rat. In line with prior reports, GAD-ir varicosities were found to be densely and quite uniformly distributed throughout the hypothalamus, including the PVH and the SO. Nonetheless, the periventricular part of the PVH was consistently found to contain a disproportionately high density of GAD-ir elements.

Gastric mucosal erosions induced by lateral hypothalamic damage: neuronal and dopaminergic mechanisms.

Electrolytic lateral hypothalamic (LH) lesions produce numerous disorders including aphagia, gastric mucosal erosions and autonomic and sensorimotor dysfunctions. This series of experiments examined whether damage to LH neurons or dopaminergic fibers of passage produce similar forms and severity of gastric erosions, as well as other disorders. In Experiment 1, LH neurons were destroyed by the excitatory neurotoxin, kainic acid, that presumably leaves axonal fibers of passage intact.

Familial complex chromosomal rearrangement resulting in duplication/deletion of 6q14 to 6q16.

A familial complex chromosomal rearrangement (CCR) was ascertained through a mentally retarded, dysmorphic individual. Carriers of the CCR have the karyotype 46,XX or XY, t(6;15)(q16;q21), ins(3;6)(q12;q14q16), and malsegregation of the CCR resulted in loss of the segment 6q14 to 6q16 in the proband, and in an additional copy of the same segment in three members of the extended family. The proband has features similar to other reported cases with deletion of 6q1.

Attitudes of registered nurses toward euthanasia.

We sought to identify variables that contribute to euthanasia attitude and behavior, including demographics, death fears, experience with death, attitudes toward patient autonomy, and level of moral development. Subjects were 137 registered nurses from the southeastern United States representing 13 clinical nursing areas. Principal components analysis identified four factors that together explained 62.

Gastric mucosal damage induced by lateral hypothalamic lesions in female rats: influence of age and ovariectomy.

Male rats given lateral hypothalamic (LH) lesions exhibit an acute increase in gastric acid secretion and develop erosions of the glandular portion of the stomach within 24 h. Since this process has been examined predominantly in male rats, the present experiments were devised to study the effects of LH lesions on the gastric mucosa of female rats. In Experiment 1, 1-year-old Sprague-Dawley female rats given LH lesions exhibited erosions in the rumenal portion of the stomach, a pattern unlike that found in both young and old male rats.

Thermogenesis following meal feeding, isoproterenol, and cold in rats with LH lesions.

Responses to several thermogenic stimuli were measured in rats maintaining stable but reduced body weights following lateral hypothalamic (LH) lesions. Oxygen consumption was monitored in open-circuit respirometers before and after exposure to cold (16.5 degrees C), intubation of a meal, and isoproterenol injection (40 micrograms/kg 0.

Contrasting effects of centromedial and basolateral amygdaloid lesions on stress-related responses in the rat.

The effects of lesions in the centromedial and basolateral amygdala were examined using three different tests sensitive to the following stress-related responses: exploratory behavior, pain reactivity, and immune responses. The most clear-cut results were found with exploratory behavior. Rats with lesions of the centromedial amygdala tended to explore a radial-arm maze more quickly and entered more novel arms of the maze than controls.

A familial interstitial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 21.

A mother and daughter with an interstitial deletion of the chromosome segment 21q11 to 21q21.3 have similar minor dysmorphism and mild mental retardation. These two patients are compared to others in the literature with deletion of the same region of chromosome 21.