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We have generated a panel of 55 somatic cell hybrids retaining fragments of human chromosome 4. Each hybrid has been characterized cytogenetically by FISH and molecularly by 37 STSs, evenly spaced along the chromosome. The panel can be exploited to map subregionally DNA sequences on chromosome 4 and to generate partial chromosome paints useful in the characterization of chromosomal rearrangements involving this chromosome. Furthermore, a panel of 84 YACs mapping on chromosome 4 has been characterized by FISH. A subset of this panel is recognized by STSs used in the somatic cell hybrid characterization. In this way a correlation between the genetic and the physical maps can be established. These resources have been used to investigate the conservation of the phylogenetic chromosome IV in great apes. The results indicate that all the pericentric inversions that differentiate chromosome IV in these species are distinct and that one of the breakpoints frequently lies very close to the centromere. In 4 instances, the YAC containing the breakpoint was identified. The breakpoint in IVq of PTR and MMU lies in the same YAC, suggesting that this breakpoint has been utilized twice in the evolutionary history of this chromosome.

PURPOSE. Fistula-in-ano anatomy and its relationship with anal sphincters are important factors influencing the results of surgical management. Preoperative definition of fistulous track(s) and the internal opening play a primary role in minimizing iatrogenic damage to the sphincters and recurrence of the fistula. METHODS. Physical examination and endoanal ultrasound (performed with a 10 MHz endoprobe), either conventionally or with an injection of hydrogen peroxide, were performed in 26 consecutive patients. Results were matched with surgical features to establish their accuracy in preoperative fistula-in-ano assessment. RESULTS. Accuracy rates of clinical examination endoanal ultrasound, and hydrogen peroxide-enhanced ultrasound were 65.4, 50, and 76.9 percent for primary tracks, 73.1, 65.4, and 88.5 percent for secondary tracks, and 80.8, 80.8, and 92.3 percent for horseshoe extensions, respectively. Compared with physical examination and endoanal ultrasound, accuracy of hydrogen peroxide-enhanced ultrasound was higher for transsphincteric and intersphincteric primary tracks and horseshoe extensions. Both endoanal ultrasound and hydrogen peroxide-enhanced ultrasound displayed a significantly higher accuracy in detecting the internal openings (53.8 and 53.8 percent, respectively) compared with clinical evaluation (23.1 percent;P=0.027). CONCLUSIONS. Our data suggest that hydrogen peroxide-enhanced ultrasound can be very reliable and useful in the definition of fistula anatomy, its relationship with anal sphincters, and, hence, surgical strategy. It also improves identification of secondary extensions, particularly horseshoe tracks. This method, besides being safe, economic and reputable, both preoperatively and postoperatively, could be helpful in checking operative results and recurrence.

Studies of large numbers of patients have enabled the identification of relatively infrequent chromosome changes, such as inv(3)(q21;q26), t(6;9)(p23;q34) and t(8;16)(p11;p11), whose clinico-biological significance is gradually becoming clearer. Translocations involving chromosomes 1 and 7 are relatively rare in myeloid neoplasias, being found in far less than 1% of cases; the rearrangement that occurs most frequently consists of an unbalanced translocation [t(1;7)(p11; p11)], resulting in complete loss of 7q, associated with therapy-related or environmentally-induced high-risk myelodysplasia. We recently observed three cases of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) with a previously unreported balanced translocation t(1;7) (p36;q34). Case 1 underwent autologous bone marrow transplantation and remains alive in CR; cases 2 and 3 relapsed after 10 and 4 months, respectively. The response to chemotherapy observed in our cases suggests that variable clinical features might be present in the broad cytogenetic category usually referred to as ‘7q abnormalities’ and contributes to an interesting previous observation of prolonged disease-free survival in a subset of AMLs with 7q− as the isolated chromosome change.

Autoimmune events, although rarely reported during interferon beta-1b (IFNB) treatment of relapsing-remitting (RR) multiple sclerosis (MS), may be more frequent than expected due to the many immunologic abnormalities associated with this disease. We report the prospective two-year follow-up of autoimmune events in 40 RR MS patients treated with IFNB and in 21 untreated MS controls. Thyroid and liver function and serum level of 12 autoantibodies (autoAbs) against organ- (thyroid, gastric, pancreatic) and non-organ-specific antigens were serially monitored. In contrast to control patients, autoAbs (anti-nuclear, -smooth muscle or -thyroid antigens) were detected in 13 IFNB-treated patients, and these were associated with thyroid or liver function alteration in many cases. Persistent autoimmune thyroid dysfunction occurred in three IFNB-treated patients, all of whom were women with a familial history of thyroid disease or baseline anti-thyroid autoAb positivity. For improvement of the MS relapse rate, thyroid dysfunction was adequately treated without stopping IFNB. Liver function alteration (17 IFNB-treated patients, associated with non-organ-specific autoAbs in four) was transient and did not require IFNB treatment to be stopped, with the exception of one patient who was already suffering from a drug-induced hepatopathy at baseline. During the IFNB treatment of MS, several autoimmune events may occur, indicating that thyroid and liver function and autoAbs must be carefully monitored.

Durante nuestras consultas de materiales documentales inéditos en archivos de Buenos Aires y el Noroeste argentino hallamos, dispersos, testamentos de indios cuyos textos recopilamos. Un estudio comparativo permitió determinar las razones por las que los indíenas hacían testamento, en general diferentes a las que tenían los españoles en iguales circunstancias; también la continuidad de costumbres originadas en el Tahuantinsuyu, sobre todo en lo que se refiere a la transmisión de objetos rituales. Se pudo trazar a través de estos documentos, usando el conocimiento previo de otro tipo de papeles, sistemas de parentesco, herencia de cargos, etc .. Para comprender el significado de la documentación que presentamos, hemos usado también da tos tomados de la arqueología.

La pichca : an oracle and a fortune game of chance and its persistence in andean space and time This essay focuses on a small truncated pyramid-shaped object, carved in wood, bone or stone, or molded in clay. The faces and bases of these objects having engravings which were interpreted in different ways when played as a European die. In pre-Hispanic times, such items were used to dialog with the huaca. They persist into the XXth century as wakeys and as a game of chance. The pre-Hispanic dispersion of this class of object comprises the Tahuantinsuyu and is a useful feature to determine Inca presence in regions with little monumental construction., La pichca : oracle et jeu de hasard (sa continuité dans l'espace et le temps andins) Cet essai traite d'un petit objet en forme de pyramide tronquée, taillé en bois, en os ou en pierre, ou modelé en argile, dont les faces et les bases gravées s'interprétaient de différentes manières quand on le jetait, comme un dé européen. À l’époque préhispanique, on l'utilisait pour dialoguer avec la huaca ; de nos jours, c'est un jeu de société ou un jeu de hasard. Son aire de diffusion préhispanique coïncide avec celle du Tahuantinsuyu ; il peut donc être un indicateur de la présence inca là où les signes architecturaux ou autres font défaut., Este ensayo trata de un pequeño objeto con forma de pirámide trunca, tallado en madera, hueso o piedra, o moldeado en arcilla, cuyas caras y bases tenían grabados que se interpretaban de diferentes maneras al ser jugado como un dado europeo. En la época prehispánica se le utilizó para dialogar con la huaca ; llegó al siglo XX como juego de velorio y como juego de fortuna ; su ámbito de dispersión prehispánica abarca el Tahuantinsuyu y es un rasgo útil para determinar algún tipo de presencia incaica en regiones con escaso registro monumental., Gentile Lafaille Margarita E. La pichca: oráculo y juego de fortuna (su persistencia en el espacio y tiempo andinos). In: Bulletin de l'Institut Français d'Études Andines, tome 27, N°1, 1998. pp. 75-131.

In the Canada-USA (CANUSA) Study, the dialysis dose was neither randomized nor held constant, was measured at 6 month intervals, and the relative risk of mortality (R) was found to correlate linearly to mean values of weekly peritoneal plus renal urea clearance normalized to volume, (KprT/ V)m, ranging from 1.5 to 2.3. A risk/dose (R/D) function was derived for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis from kinetic criteria for dose equivalency in hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) and the HD R/D function. This PD R/D function was nonlinear with breakpoint from steep to shallow slope at (KprT/V)ud = 2.00, where ud refers to uniform single doses in contrast to mean doses with wide variances on the mean. The predicted decrease in renal urea clearance KrT/V per 6 months of CANUSA follow-up was computed from serial measured KrT/V in the Randomized Dialysis Prescription and Clinical Outcomes Study and showed it to be 0.21 +/- 0.34. The CANUSA (KprT/V)m values were corrected for the distributed values of 3 months decrements in KrT/V, and the population mortality risk at each (KprT/V)m dose level reported in CANUSA was computed from summation of the product of the R/D curve and fractional distribution of (KprT/V)ud values. From these calculations, the authors conclude that maximum (KprT/V)ud level achieved in CANUSA was 2.00, and the study does not define R/D response above this level.

We have studied three members of a family (mother and two siblings) where the mother and father were first cousins and who presented a history of progressive mental deterioration, hyperkinetic extrapyramidal disorders, and epileptic seizures. They underwent the following examina- tions: cupremia, cupruria, and level of ceruloplasmin, genetic analysis for SCA1, 2, 3, 6, dentato-rubric-pallido-luysian atro- phy, and Huntington's disease, electromyography (EMG), electroencephalography (EEG), brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and investigation of acanthocytes with scan- ning electron microscopy. Genetic analysis was negative in all patients and acanthocytes were positive. EMG showed an axonal neuropathy in one sibling, EEG showed epileptiform activity in the two siblings, and MRI showed cortical atrophy in all subjects. This family shows the great variability of neu- roacanthocytosis and a dominant autosomal transmission, as described only once previously in the literature. Results Neurological examination showed tics, oro-facial dyskine- sia, and dystonia of the limbs in all subjects; neuropsycho- logical valutation showed a mild mental deterioration in all subjects. Cupremia, cupruria, level of ceruloplasmin, and all the genetic analyses were negative in all subjects. EMG showed a motor-sensitive axonal neuropathy in the female sibling. EEG showed bitemporal epileptiform activity in the two siblings, but not in the mother. MRI scans showed a hypointensity of the white matter in the T1-weighted images and a hyperintensity in the T2-weighted images, without enhance- ment with gadolinium in the parietal lobe of the male sibling. Global cerebral atrophy was observed in all subjects. Scanning electron microscopy revealed acanthocytes in all subjects. The siblings have been given antiepileptic therapy and neu- roleptics, with a good control of epileptic seizures and suffi- cient control of involuntary movements at the beginning of treatment. However, there has been progression in the last year.

Colonial survival of a prehispanic ceremony Abstract In 1784, it was still performed in Cochabamba the unbury of people decesed in the previous year, so as to carry on a ceremony related to the call of water for farms. The procession with skulls are similar to that of some prehispanic vessels., Survivance coloniale d'une cérémonie préhispanique Résumé En 1784 à Cochabamba, il était encore d’usage de sortir les morts de l'année antérieure de leur tombe, au cours d'une cérémonie destinée à demander de l'eau pour les cultures. La procession, où l'on portait les crânes à la main, ressemble à certaines représentations de poteries préhispaniques., Resumen En 1784 todavía se realizaba en Cochabamba el desentierro de las personas muertas el año anterior, a fin de llevar a cabo una ceremonia relacionada con el pedido de agua para las chacras. La procesión con calaveras es similar a la de algunas representaciones prehispánicas., Gentile Lafaille Margarita E. Supervivencia colonial de una ceremonia prehispánica. In: Bulletin de l'Institut Français d'Études Andines, tome 23, N°1, 1994. pp. 69-103.

Investigations on the inca accounting system. Prevailing conditions and perspectives Abstract Most well-known data about calculation strategy based on the decimal system used by the incas are herein, resumed and asserted. Accounting operations were obtained through a quadrille board and results were knotted in the quipu., Les recherches sur le système de comptabilité Inca. État actuel et perspectives Résumé Les informations les plus connues sur la façon de calculer des incas, basées sur le système decimal, sont résumées et commentées. Les comptes se faisaient sur une planche divisée en carreaux et les résultats étaient matérialisés par des noeuds sur le quipu., Resumen Se resume y comenta los datos más conocidos sobre la forma de calcular usada por los incas, basada en el sistema decimal. Las cuentas se efectuaban sobre una tabla cuadriculada y los resultados se anudaban en un quipu., Gentile Lafaille Margarita E. Las investigaciones en torno al sistema de contabilidad incaico. Estado actual y perspectivas. In: Bulletin de l'Institut Français d'Études Andines, tome 21, N°1, 1992. pp. 161-175.

The identification of prognostic factors which influence the long-term results of dental retransplantation and autotransplantation is one of the main aims of clinical research whose principal scope is remove or alter those factors which have a negative influence on outcome, and to identify the causes of failure and areas for improvement. The paper reports the most significant results of a clinical survey which was carried out on 135 patients who had undergone retransplantation and/or autotransplantation and were then followed for 8 years.

An interlaboratory evaluation was made of the 96 h AOAC method and the 24 h A-l procedure for the enumeration of fecal coliforms in samples of yellow corn meal, rye flour, mung beans, raw ground beef, and raw oyster homogenate. Results indicated that the efficiency of the A-l procedure, measured in terms of recovery of fecal coliforms, and the reproducibility of that recovery were dependent on the particular food being analyzed. Accordingly, until its efficiency can be more fully demonstrated, the A-l procedure is recommended only as a screening procedure for fecal coliforms in foods.

The relative efficiency of the Waring blender, the Stomacher 400, and the Stomacher 3500 for preparing food samples for microbiological analysis was studied. Comparative aerobic plate count (APC) values were determined on 671 samples, representing 30 categories of foods. Of the 26 categories of nonfatty foods, the blender gave significantly higher geometric mean APC values than those given by the Stomacher 400 and the Stomacher 3500 in 65 and 69 percent of the categories, respectively. In a comparison of the two Stomacher models, the Stomacher 400 gave significantly higher geometric mean APC values than these given by the Stomacher 3500 in 73 percent of the food categories. Addition of Tween 80 to four categories of fatty foods at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 percent did not raise the APC values given by either model of stomacher to the levels given by the Waring blender. Overall, the efficiency of both models of Stomacher, relative to the blender and to each other, was specific and depended upon the particular food being analyzed.

A 3-year-old girl developed acute oliguric renal failure and Coombs' positive hemolytic anemia during the course of a Group A, β-hemolytic streptococcal infection. Renal biopsy established the diagnosis of acute diffuse interstitial nephritis (ADIN) in combination with tubular necrosis. Electron microscopy of the biopsy specimen confirmed the finding of tubular necrosis and revealed focal areas of dilatation of the basal infoldings from the plasma membrane. The tubular basement membrane was fragmented. Peritoneal dialysis and other supportive measures sustained the patient until adequate renal function returned. To our knowledge, this patient represents the first reported case of recovery from ADIN associated with a streptococcal infection. The latent period between the onset of the infection and the renal manifestations, and the nature of the cellular response seen in the renal biopsy suggest an antigen-antibody reaction as the cause of the renal injury. The cause of oliguria in ADIN remains obscure. However, tubular necrosis is a well-known cause of acute oliguric renal failure and this lesion probably plays a role in the functional impairment of ADIN.

1. 1. The microsomal pellet obtained from the isolated mucosal cells of bladders of freshwater turtles contains a (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity. 2. 2. Mg2+-dependent 32P-labeling of the native and ouabain-trated protein by [γ-32P]ATP at 0° amounts to 0.29 and 0.19 nmole P per mg protein per 50 sec, respectively. In the native protein, addition of Na+ increased this labeling by 158%; and addition of Na+ + K+, decreased the labeling of the protein to the underlying Mg2-dependent level. In the ouabain-treated protein, addition of Na+ increased Mg2+-dependent labeling by 220%; but addition of Na+ + K+ resulted in no change in labeling which remained at the Mg2+ + Na+-dependent level. 3. 3. Mg2+-dependent 14C labeling of the native microsomal protein by [14C]ATP at 0° amounts to 0.72 nmole/mg porotein per 50 sec; and addition of Na+ decreases the Mg2+-dependent labeling by 46%. 4. 4. The Na+-induced decrement in microsomal binding of [14C]ATP simultaneously with the Na+-induced increment in binding of [32P]ATP suggests the formation and breakdown of a Na+-sensitive enzyme-ATP complex.

Methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) were compared with the A-l (direct) and the A-l (modified) methods for enumerating fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli in 702 samples, representing 11 food types. Geometric means of fecal coli-form most probable number (MPN) values of samples analyzed by the A-l (direct) and A-l (modified) methods were equal to or significantly higher than the geometric means of samples analyzed by the AOAC method in 9 (82%) and 11 (100%) of the food categories, respectively. Geometric means of E. coli MPNs of samples analyzed by the A-l (direct) and A-l (modified) methods were equal to or significantly greater than the geometric means of samples analyzed by the AOAC method in 4 (36%) and 8 (73%) of the food categories, respectively. Overall, a significant degree of correlation was demonstrated between the AOAC method and the A-l (modified) method in the enumeration of both fecal coliforms and E. coli in the majority of food types used in this evaluation.

The University of Southern California School of Medicine conducted a nationwide survey of 336 nephrologists to obtain demographic and clinical data on 6,411 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Patient demographic data, along with ESRD etiology and comorbid conditions noted by the physician, were compared across various modalities of dialysis. Characteristics of the treatment provided were differentiated by the mode of dialysis and the location of the patient encounter. Results of the analysis show that patients on peritoneal dialysis are more likely to be female and have higher rates of diabetes compared with hemodialysis (HD) patients. Statistically, patients on intermittent peritoneal dialysis are older, more likely to be black, and have a higher incidence of cardiovascular conditions. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients have greatest problem severity and require more physician time and more complex services, whereas home HD patients require the greatest number of diagnostic tests and therapeutic procedures. Hospital inpatient care shows greater case-mix severity and more intensive treatment, but this does not differ by the mode of dialysis. Finally, patients of freestanding dialysis facilities are more likely to have hypertensive renal disease, whereas patients at hospital-based facilities are older, more likely to be seen in the hospital, have more urgent and severe problems during dialysis rounds, and require more physician time, more complex services, and more diagnostic tests and therapeutic procedures.

Most investigators agree that CAPD is equivalent to hemodialysis for non-diabetic ‘standard’ patients - age 21–60, and without associated medical problems (1–4). In addition, most pediatric nephrologists consider CAPD or CCPD the dialysis modality of choice for children awaiting renal transplantation (5). Though the outcome of CAPD in the elderly seems favorable (6,7,8), no large experience with such individuals has been reported. This is particularly surprising because the prevalence of ESRD is increasing most rapidly in this age group (4,9), and overall, 50–60% of patients starting dialysis in the United States are over 60 years of age. This paper reviews experience in Southern California/Southern Nevada with chronic peritoneal dialysis in patients over 60 years of age.

An immunogold postembedding method for the ultrastructural localization of immunoglobulin G (lgG), IgA, IgM, C3, fibrinogen, and kappa and lambda immunoglobulin light chains was established. The method was performed on surplus tissue from renal biopsies fixed in 2% glutaraldehyde and embedded in acrylic LR White resin. Fifteen cases were studied and the localization of antigen in the dense deposits in glomeruli compared with the immunofluorescence (IF) findings on the same cases. The results obtained by IF and immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) were comparable for IgG and IgA. In most instances, IgM and C3 were more intensely labeled by IF than IEM. Some discrepancies were noted for fibrinogen. It is postulated that these differences are related to a partial loss of antigenicity due to fixation or chemical reaction with the embedding medium. The advantage of IEM resides in localizing antigens in very small deposits seen in early stages of glomerulonephritis. The method can supplement IF in diagnostically difficult cases or be substituted for it when material for IF is not available.

Experience with 775 patients over age 60 years treated by CAPD is reported. After 11.6 months 78% were alive and 32% were still on CAPD. Death was attributed to vascular disease in 62%. By the end of one year, 55% had their first episode of peritonitis, but 88% still had their original catheter. CAPD is a reasonable treatment for elderly patients with ESRD. Except for the expected increased mortality in this age group, the elderly compared favorably with younger patients treated by CAPD.

The endodontic endosseous implants were used to a lot of clinic indication. The Authors suggest their use in the median fractures of roots and describe the operative technic, of which they consider the long-term results.

From 53 cases of thrombosis of the internal carotid artery in the neck, collateral circulation through external carotid branches was angiographically demonstrated in 34 subjects. Anastomosis between external and intracranial circulations was seen to take place through three ways formed by internal maxillary, superficial temporal and facial arteries. The role of internal maxillary artery is emphasised as the most important pathway in the connections between the two circles.

The Network Coordinating Council (NCC) #4 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) study was designed to gather basic demographic information and analyze selected outcome parameters on all patients started on CAPD in Southern California/Southern Nevada. Between early 1979 and Dec 31, 1983, 775 patients were enrolled in the study for a total experience of 878.5 patient-years. Demographic data revealed 25% of patients were over 60 years old and 17.4% were less than 20 years old at the start of CAPD, 65% were white, and 28% had chronic glomerulonephritis as a cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Compared to all NCC #4 patients on dialysis (hemo and peritoneal), the young (less than 20 years old) and whites were overrepresented on CAPD. Patient outcome was assessed by life table analysis which revealed 90%, 80%, 70%, and 70% patient survival at 12, 24, 36, and 43 months, respectively; and technique success of 80%, 60%, 48%, and 40% for the same time periods, respectively. Over half of the dropout from CAPD and one third of the hospitalizations were related to recurrent infection. Few patients transferred from CAPD because of dissatisfaction with the technique or because of peritoneal membrane failure. CAPD is an excellent form of therapy for ESRD that controls uremia adequately and improves the quality of life for many patients. Long-term application of CAPD is hampered, however, by the high frequency of recurrent infections.

An interlaboratory evaluation was made of the 96 h AOAC method and the 24 h A-1 procedure for the enumeration of fecal coliforms in samples of yellow corn meal, rye flour, mung beans, raw ground beef, and raw oyster homogenate. Results indicated that the efficiency of the A-1 procedure, measured in terms of recovery of fecal coliforms, and the reproducibility of that recovery were dependent on the particular food being analyzed. Accordingly, until its efficiency can be more fully demonstrated, the A-1 procedure is recommended only as a screening procedure for fecal coliforms in foods.

The authors relate about 3 cases of newborn babies with adrenal haemorrhage. The only clinical sign found was the palpation of the lowered kidney. The diagnosis was made after an abdominal ultrasonography which turned out to be the decisive instrumental analysis.

After an analysis of the prosthetic troubles about atrophic edentulous ridges, the Authors describes the lowering mental nerve operation and consider its therapeutic benefit.

Evidence and hypotheses on the Atacama of the Puna of Jujuy and the Quebrada of Humahuaca.The pre-hispanic socio-political organization on the altiplano of Jujuy and in the Quebrada of Humahuaca is documented by numerous names of caciques and Indian groups. Using the data of archaeology and ethno-history, the Author attempts to reconstruct the regional cultural dynamics, and especially focuses on both inter-ethnic relationships and the relative time-depth of these groups., Évidences et hypothèses sur les Atacamas de la Puna de Jujuy et de la Quebrada de Humahuaca.L'organisation socio-politique préhispanique du haut plateau de Jujuy et de la Quebrada de Humahuaca est illustrée par un grand nombre de noms de caciques et de groupes indigènes mentionnés par les conquistadores. Utilisant les données de l'archéologie et de l'ethnohistoire, l'auteur s'attache à préciser les relations inter-ethniques et la chronologie relative de ces groupes., La organization sociopolítica de los indígenas prehispánicos que habitaron el atiplano de Jujuy y quebrada de Humahuaca es un tema que se cristaliza en cantidad de nombres de caciques y parcialidades documentados durante la conquista. Su significado interétnico y profundidad temporal relativa son los puntos de la dinámica cultural regional que la autora va a tratar usando datos que provienen de la arqueologia y de documentos espaňoles., Gentile Margarita E. Evidencias e hipótesis sobre los Atacamas en la Puna de Jujuy y Quebrada de Humahuaca. In: Journal de la Société des Américanistes. Tome 74, 1988. pp. 87-103.