Vulnerability to emotionally negative stimuli in Parkinson's disease: an investigation using the Emotional Stroop task.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether the pathophysiological changes associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) lead to an increased vulnerability to react to negative emotional stimuli and hence to depression. It is hypothesized that nondepressed PD patients will demonstrate, associated with particular PD and/or cognitive variables, vulnerability to the interfering effects of negative words on the Emotional (sad) Stroop task (EST).

Background: Depression has been reported to occur frequently in PD, but there is controversy regarding its pathophysiology: psychosocial factors versus neurobiologic ones.

Basal cell carcinoma development is associated with induction of the expression of the transcription factor Gli-1.

Recent work has established that activation of Hedgehog/patched signalling plays a key role in the development of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). In Drosophila the effects of hedgehog signalling are mediated by the transcription factor Cubitus interruptus, which is homologous to the mammalian Gli family of transcription factors. In order to investigate the downstream consequences of patched gene inactivation in BCCs, we have investigated the expression of Gli-1 and Gli-3 in normal skin and BCCs by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization.

Expression pattern and cellular distribution of the murine homologue of AF10.

We have cloned Af10, the murine homologue of the MLL partner gene AF10. The predicted open reading frame of Af10 contains 1069 aa which are 90% identical to those of AF10. Af10 contains an N-terminal cysteine-rich region with a LAP/PHD finger, a leucine zipper domain and a glutamine-rich region at the C-terminus, features also found in the human proteins AF10 and AF17.

Molecular biology of varicella-zoster virus. A review prepared for the UK Advisory Group on Chickenpox.

Varicella-zoster virus (human herpesvirus 3; VZV) is one of eight herpes viruses that routinely infect humans. It is classified as a member of the genus Varicellovirus, subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, family Herpesviridae. Of the other human herpes viruses it is most closely related to the herpes simplex viruses (also members of the Alphalerpesvirinae).

Effect of nerve growth factor treatment on p75NTR gene expression in lumbar dorsal root ganglia of streptozocin-induced diabetic rats.

Previous work shows that gene expression for p75NTR in lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRG) is deficient in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats, while expression of trkA protein is unaffected. This is the first study on the effect of diabetes on immunohistochemical staining and axonal transport of p75NTR in sensory neurons. We also investigated the novel effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) treatment on the levels of mRNA and protein of the NGF receptors, trkA and p75NTR, in normal and diabetic rats.

Effect of sciatic nerve crush on local and target tissue production of neurotrophin-3 transcripts in rats.

The effect of sciatic nerve crush in adult rats on neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) mRNA expression at the site of crush and in ipsilateral foot skin was studied using competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (cRT-PCR). Mid-sciatic nerve crush resulted in a significant reduction in the expression of NT-3 mRNA in nerve segments distal to the injury site at 3 and 7 days (approximate 60% decrease; P < 0.01).

Electrophoretic DNA analysis for the detection of apoptosis.

There are many techniques available for the detection of apoptotic cells; some are based on morphological changes, others on biochemical events. However, electrophoretic detection of the systematic cleavage of DNA into oligonucleosomal multimers of 180-200 bp remains the "hallmark" of apoptosis. Conventional constant field agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA from apoptotic cells can be used to resolve the multimers into the characteristic DNA ladders indicative of apoptotic cell death.

Increased capsaicin-induced secondary hyperalgesia as a marker of abnormal sensory activity in patients with fibromyalgia.

In this study, capsaicin-induced secondary hyperalgesia was assessed as a marker of abnormal nociceptive processing in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). The area of mechanical secondary hyperalgesia induced by a standard solution of capsaicin placed on the volar forearm was measured in ten patients with FM and the results compared to those obtained in ten patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ten normal subjects. The area of secondary hyperalgesia was found to be substantially increased in both the FM and RA groups compared with controls.

Surgery as salvage therapy in chemotherapy-resistant nonseminomatous germ cell tumours.

Objective: To review our experience of surgical staging for residual masses after chemotherapy in patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumour (NSGCT) and positive tumour markers.

Patients And Methods: Of 107 patients with metastatic NSGCTs treated surgically after chemotherapy from 1978 to 1995, 30 (median age 30.5 years, range 20-52) had positive tumour markers.

Linkage of familial Hibernian fever to chromosome 12p13.

Autosomal dominant periodic fevers are characterized by intermittent febrile attacks of unknown etiology and by recurrent abdominal pains. The biochemical and molecular bases of all autosomal dominant periodic fevers are unknown, and only familial Hibernian fever (FHF) has been described as a distinct clinical entity. FHF has been reported in three families-the original Irish-Scottish family and two Irish families with similar clinical features.

Exclusion of the familial Mediterranean fever locus as a susceptibility region for autosomal dominant familial Hibernian fever.

Autosomal dominant periodic fevers constitute a range of syndromes characterised by recurrent attacks of fever and abdominal pain. Familial Hibernian fever (FHF) has been described in only one United Kingdom based family, but two other Irish families have been found with similar clinical features. FHF resembles familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in several clinical features, but the mode of inheritance of FHF is dominant whereas FMF is recessive.

RET-like immunostaining of spinal motoneurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The receptor tyrosine kinase RET is part of a functional receptor for glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and neurturin (NTN) which are potent neurotrophic factors for motoneurons. Here, we have studied RET-like immunoreactivity of motoneurons in post-mortem spinal cords of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and in controls. We report that the intensity of RET-like immunostaining of motoneurons in ALS is decreased significantly to 81% of control values.

Characterization of a murine model for the rapid assessment of acute photodynamic response in tumour and muscle.

A murine implanted colorectal tumour model is described in which a measurement of tumour depth of necrosis is combined with a simultaneous measurement of muscle damage. The response of this model to a range of photodynamic therapy parameters was characterized using the chlorin photosensitizer mTHPC (temoporfin, Foscan(R)R). Both tumour depth of necrosis (measured directly and on histology) and muscle swelling correlate with the dose of photosensitizer and light, and are shown to be repeatable and consistent with published values obtained under similar conditions using established models.

Gluconeogenesis, glucose handling, and structural changes in livers of the adult offspring of rats partially deprived of protein during pregnancy and lactation.

Maternal protein restriction is a model of fetal programming of adult glucose intolerance. Perfused livers of 48-h- starved adult offspring of rat dams fed 8% protein diets during pregnancy and lactation produced more glucose from 6 mM lactate than did control livers from rats whose dams were fed 20% protein. In control livers, a mean of 24% of the glucose formed from lactate in the periportal region of the lobule was taken up by the most distal perivenous cells; this distal perivenous uptake was greatly diminished in maternal low protein (MLP) livers, accounting for a major fraction of the increased glucose output of MLP livers.

Increased levels of plasma 8-EPI-PGF2α in patients with end stage renal failure.

F2-isoprostanes are a series of prostaglandin-F2 like compounds specifically derived from peroxidation of arachidonic acid by a mechanism independent of the cyclooxygenase pathway. Of these, 8-epi PGF2α is shown to be a potent vasoconstrictor. In this study, we have analysed plasma 8-epi PGF2α as a marker of oxidative stress in patients with end stage renal failure (ESRF) undergoing haemodialysis (HD) or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

The depletion of substance P by diclofenac in the mouse.

Diclofenac in hyaluronan is analgesic and angiostatic. The depletion of substance P may be a common mechanism. Mice received diclofenac, diclofenac in hyaluronan, or saline i.

Glial-derived neurotrophic factor in human adult and fetal intestine and in Hirschsprung's disease.

Background & Aims: Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) signals through the product of the ret proto-oncogene, which is known to be mutated in Hirschsprung's disease and other conditions with gut dysmotility. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of GDNF and its receptor component (RET) in human adult and developing intestine and to evaluate their distribution pattern in Hirschsprung's disease.

Methods: GDNF and RET were detected immunohistochemically, and GDNF was quantified by immunoassay in specimens of human adult and fetal colon and Hirschsprung's disease intestine.

Principles of the Polymerase Chain Reaction in Haematology.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an automated process that specifically amplifies selected DNA sequences that are usually chosen to reflect the presence of genes, or parts of genes, in the sample material. Since many genetic alterations resulting in the onset of disease are now detectable using PCR, it can be used as both a diagnostic and prognostic tool. Genetic changes can occur in DNA due to mutation, deletion, inversion or chromosomal translocation.

Activation of ET(A) receptors is partially responsible for the rapid increase in haematocrit induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide in the rat.

It is believed that changes in the production and release of endothelin-1 (ET-1) are mediated over prolonged periods, and, therefore, that it is unlikely that ET-1 mediates rapid responses within the circulation. Here we show that ET-1 is involved in the rapid changes produced by injection of LPS in vivo. In anaesthetised rats, a bolus of LPS induced an increase in haematocrit and a fall in blood pressure within 10 min.

Growth factors in angiogenesis: current interest and therapeutic potential.

Angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel development, is an essential component of the body's physiology and contributes to the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases such as benign and malignant neoplasia and rheumatoid arthritis. Failure of this physiological response is also important in abnormalities of wound healing in diseases such as duodenal ulceration and diabetes. Angiogenesis is controlled by a variety of factors that initiate, control and terminate this complex, multi-stage process.

Molecular aspects of design of immunoassays for drugs.

An understanding of the molecular structure of the antibody binding site, the epitope complementary to the antibody, and the intermolecular forces that determine the affinity and specificity of the interaction of antibody and epitope is fundamental to the design of immunoassays. This is particularly important for haptens because their small size results in small changes in substituent functional groups, e.g.

Cancer and precancer in India.

Dental students are encouraged to undertake elective study overseas to increase their clinical experience with diseases that are uncommon in the UK. India has a high incidence of oral cancer and precancer and is an ideal destination for students interested in the study of malignant oral disease. This article reports the findings of a student on elective study to India.