Long term follow-up of two sibs with an autosomal recessive form of chrondrodysplasia punctata and epilepsy

Long term follow-up of two sibs with an autosomal recessive form of chrondrodysplasia punctata and epilepsy: A variety of osteodysplasias are referred to with the term chondrodysplasia punctata (CDP). Here we report on two sibs, a boy and a girl, with probable autosomal recessive form of CDP and epilepsy followed-up for 30 and 19 years, respectively. Family history was unremarkable but for consanguinity. Pregnancies and deliveries were uneventful. At birth, length was 46 (-3SD) and 45 (-4SD) cm, respectively. Craniofacial dysmorphism was noted: severe nasal hypoplasia, flat face, hypertelorism, a low nasal bridge, short stature. Skeletal abnormalities included epiphyseal stippling in the thoracic spine, bilateral proximal and distal humeri, femur, tibia and bilateral carpal and tarsal bones. The boy had a hemivertebrae T12, with absence of a rib. After the age of 6 years facial dysmorphism had improved. Final height was 154 cm (-3SD) in the boy and 158 cm (-0,5SD) in the girl. The boy was operated on for scoliosis. Both sibs had club feet, the girl had also genu valgum. IQ was evaluated to be 55 in the girl and 83 in the boy. The first non febrile generalized seizure appeared in the boy when he was 11 months of age, and in the girl when she was 25 months of age. Both had many other seizures and were taking antiepileptics. EEG were abnormal. Karyotypes were normal. Extensive screening for metabolic disorders was normal. Acquired in utero CDP were excluded. We suggest the sibs described in this report have yet another provisionally unique possibly autosomal recessive syndrome, with CDP and epilepsy as phenotypic traits.     

XYY chromosomal complement,proven by fluorescence,in a child with trisomy 21: 48,XYY,21+

Summary Clinical, cytogenetic, autoradiographic, fluorescence microscopic and dermatoglyphic data of a boy with 48,XYY,21+ karyotype are reported. The child had some clinical anomalies common in Down's syndrome. DNA replication of the 2 Y chromosomes was synchronous in all labelled metaphases. It was possible to distinguish the two Y's from the pairs No. 21-22 under the fluorescence microscope and single as well as double Y bodies were demonstrated in buccal mucosa cells. Dermatoglyphic investigation revealed some features typical for mongolism.     

Case of mucolipidosis type I with a primary alpha-D-neuraminidase deficiency

The authors describe a case of mucolipidosis I, the 9th reported in the world literature. The diagnosis was suspected in a 5 year old boy, from the appearance of hurler-like facial features. Lumbar kyphosis, dysostosis multiplex, cherry-red macular spot and foam cells in the bone marrow and it was confirmed by the characteristic oligosacchariduria (on thin layer chromatography) and excess sialic acid in cultured fibroblasts which also showed profoundly diminished activity of alpha D Neuraminidase (on two substrates - N-acetyl-Neuramin Lactose and 4 Methyl umbelliferyl N-acetyl-Neuraminide). The parents had intermediate enzyme activities, suggesting heterozygotism. After a review of the literature, the authors attempt to define the place of mucolipidosis I in the sialidoses.     

Mosaic 45,xy,-21/46,xy in a child with G deletion syndrome I.

A mosaic 45,XY,-21/46,XY was found in a boy with G deletion syndrome I who showed microcephaly, downward, antimongoloid slanted eyes, micrognathism, large, low set ears, small penis and bilateral inguinoscrotal hernia.     

Case report of a boy with penoscrotal transposition, double urethra, pseudodiphallia, and ectopic scrotum

The paper describes a 14 year old Saudi boy with penoscrotal transposition and double urethra placed side by side in the penis. Ectopic scrotal skin and a pseudopenis were seen over the right ischial tuberosity. The patient had a large lumbosacral lipoma, which probably caused paralysis and atrophy of the right leg through an intraspinal extension.     

Phenotypic variability of mannosidosis type II: report of two Greek siblings.

Two patients, a 13-year-old boy and his 24-year-old sister, were diagnosed as mannosidosis type II cases, on the basis of both presenting extremely reduced plasma and white blood cell acid-alpha-mannosidase are reported. With the exception of mental retardation and neurosensory deafness the two siblings manifested a wide phenotypic variability. The boy had several facial features indicating a lysosomal storage disorder, as well as spondylolisthesis. His sister, apart from heavy eyebrows and lower jaw prognathism appeared normal.     

131I]metaiodobenzylguanidine therapy in paraganglioma.

Our experience with [131I]metaiodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG) therapy in a 10 year old boy is reported. At disease onset, in May 1988, this boy presented a large mass in the upper left abdominal quadrant, which was resected with a histopathological diagnosis of extra-adrenal malignant pheochromocytoma (paraganglioma). He subsequently underwent two further surgical resections and chemotherapy. When 131I-MIBG therapy was started, in June 1990, skeletal and abdominal metastases were present. These localizations were revealed by 131I-MIBG scans and confirmed by x-ray examination. At present 6 courses of therapy have been performed with a cumulative activity of 29.6 GBq. Side-effects have been limited to vomiting and mild thrombocytopenia, lasting 2 weeks during the second course of therapy. After 15 months of therapy, a progressive reduction of MIBG uptake, coupled with a stabilization of the lythic lesions, has been observed.     

Study of Childhood Urinary Tract Infection in General Practice

A study of bacteriuria was conducted among 426 of the 436 children under the age of 13 in a general practice in north-west London. Three girls and one boy were found to have asymptomatic bacteriuria, and a further girl with bacteriuria presented with abdominal pain and fever. The calculated incidence of urinary tract infection was 1·4% per annum. Most of the childhood urinary infections in this practice occurred before the age of 5 years, and the incidence of significant bacteriuria in this age group was 4·9% per annum. Five other children (four girls and one boy) in the practice were known to have had proved urinary tract infection. Of the total of eight children known to have had significant bacteriuria and investigated radiologically, three girls and two boys had radiological abnormalities in the urinary tract.Pyuria and proteinuria did not prove to be useful in the prediction of asymptomatic bacteriuria. Urinary tract infection with renal tract abnormality was found in this practice to be at least five times as common as diabetes in childhood.     

误诊为头皮脓肿经抗生素及植皮治疗无效的脓癣——附2例报告

目的 报道2例误诊为头皮脓肿经长期抗生素及植皮治疗失败的须癣毛癣菌所致的脓癣病患者,分析脓肿和脓癣的鉴别要点。方法 例1为9岁男童,头皮外伤后脓肿、溃疡28d,经抗生素治疗无效,行植皮术后5d再发生脓肿溃疡。取皮损处断发行10％KOH涂片镜检、培养,发现并分离出致病真菌,沙堡弱琼脂培养基上呈白色粉状菌落,可使含尿素培养基变红,即尿素酶试验阳性,小培养见螺旋菌丝及分隔棒状大分生孢子,鉴定为须癣毛癣菌。例2为8岁女童,头顶脓肿、溃疡24d,抗感染治疗不愈而接受植皮,术后7d再发脓性丘疹。从皮损处标本中发现、分离出致病真菌,经上述方法鉴定为须癣毛癣菌。结果 2例患者结合真菌学检查和临床表现确诊为脓癣,予伊曲康唑100mg／d内服近2个月皮损均痊愈,但供皮区遗留瘢痕和色素改变。结论 真菌病原学检查是避免脓癣误诊的关键,伊曲康唑内服治疗脓癣有效、安全。     

Comparison of the spermatozoan morphology of Isognomon bicolor and Isognomon alatus (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Isognomonidae)

In this study we used transmission and scanning electron microscopy to examine the spermatozoan structure of Isognomon bicolor and Isognomon alatus. The spermatozoa of both species were of the primitive or ect-aquasperm type. The acrosomal morphologies were essentially similar but the top of the acrosomal vesicle in I. bicolor sperm had a slightly flattened edge whereas the apex of the acrosomal vesicle of I. alatus sperm had a rounded outline. This difference suggested that acrosomal morphology could be an important character for taxonomic differentiation. In the present work, the results demonstrated that the gamete ultrastructure of the two distinct species I. alatus, from Panama, and I. bicolor, from the southeastern region of Brazil, were similar to the other studied species of the superfamily Pterioidea.     

Molecular structure, polymorphism, and toxicity of lantadene A, the pentacyclic triterpenoid from the hepatotoxic plant Lantana camara

Lantadene A (22 beta-angeloyloxy-3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid), a pentacyclic triterpenoid compound from lantana (Lantana camara) leaves has been obtained in two polymorphic forms I and II. Form I had white, fluffy, and rod-shaped uniform crystals. Form II particles were irregular, shining, and polyhedral. The two forms differed in melting behavior. The powder x-ray diffraction of form I showed sharp peaks whereas from II did not contain distinct peaks. From single-crystal three-dimensional x-ray structure determination, the molecular structure of form I has been established. A/B and B/C rings of the molecule are trans fused while D/E rings are cis fused. The packing of the molecule is stabilized by hydrogen bonding. Form I of lantadene A was non-toxic to guinea pigs on oral administration. Form II induced ictericity and toxicity associated with decrease in feed intake and fecal output, hepatomegaly, increase in plasma bilirubin, and acid phosphatase activity.     

Two cases of homicide from the pre-ceramic neolithic era of Arabia Petraea

Human remains from Basta 1 (P PN B, 6. Mill. B.C.) and Sabra 1 (Khiamian, 7. Mill. B.C.) were prepared and studied; the results show that Basta 1 was a permanent settlement and Sabra 1 was a temporary summer camp. Both settlements are located in Arabia Petraea. Basta 1, No. 3477: The calvarium of a boy, aged 8 to 9 a, from Basta 1 was studied. The race can be determined as orientalide, according v. Eickstedt's classification. The boy was killed; as evidence by 2 blows to the skull occurring while he was alive. The cause of death has been reconstructed, using parallels taken from ethnological and forensic medical research. First, the boy received a light blow on the left forehead, with a sharp weapon. The authors present as a working hypothesis that the motivation for the death was rape, taking place as the boy was (probably) in a semi-conscious state. After recovering and rising to his feet, the boy suffered a deadly blow on the back of the skull (rabbit punch). A blunt instrument was used for the second blow. The body lay where it fell over 1 a or more; afterwards it was found by members of his own group. They removed the calvarium and buried it in their permanent settlement. The manner in which burial took place, would seem to indicate, that no further religious or ritual ceremony was involved. This type of crime has been observed e.g. as occurring among purely male groups-such as temporary herdsmen. In case of the boy from Basta 1, this would the earliest evidence for the occurrence of this type of sexual delinquency in prehistoric times. Sabra 1, No. 4088: Skull fragments of 2 individuals were recovered from a camp fire shifted by humans, in Sabra 1. Individual I is a male, aged 25 to 30 a; Individual II is a female of 25 to 30 a (or perhaps even younger). The examination showed that the bone fragments had been subjected to temperatures less than or equal to 200 degrees C (examination of bone material) and around 100 degrees C (evidence of charcoal material), when they were still fresh. The bones were not burned but grilled (or roasted). The evidence would indicate a case of antropophagy. The parallels in ethnological studies show that anthropophagy occurs only in farming societies, as religious rites; up to now, there is no evidence for this type of rites among the hunting and collecting groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

The 48,XXXX/49,XXXXY/49,XXXX,i(Yq) mosaicism in a 3-year-old boy from a twin pregnancy

Summary A 3-year-old boy from twin pregnancy with the features of marked dystrophia from birth, deficient growth, considerable retardation of physical and mental development, numerous somatic defects, suspected congenital heart disease, and hypoplastic external genitalia, is reported. The 48,XXXX/49,XXXXY/49,XXXX,i(Yq) karyotype was diagnosed. The boy's brother, normally developed, had a 46,XY karyotype. It was found on the basis of serologic findings that the brothers were dizygotic twins.     

Effects of the anabolic steroid, boldenone undecylenate, on certain reproductive parameters in bulls

A total of 17 bulls was used to study the effects of boldenone undecylenate on growth and semen characteristics in beef bulls. In trial 1 nine mature mixed-breed beef bulls with satisfactory semen quality were divided into two groups. Group I (n = 5) received boldenone undecylenate (1.1 mg/kg) at 21 d intervals for a total of seven treatments (147 d). Group II (n = 4) served as untreated controls. Semen was collected from each group by electroejaculation on each treatment day and evaluated according to the standards of the Society for Theriogenology. Although neither the percentage of spermatozoa with primary or secondary morphological abnormalities was different, the ejaculates of Group I bulls contained a higher percentage of abnormal spermatozoa than those in Group II. In trial 2, eight mixed-breed bull calves, average weight 140.4 kg, were maintained under drylot conditions in a single paddock. The bulls were divided into two equal groups. Group I (n = 4) received boldenone undecylenate as in Trial 1. Group II (n = 4) served as untreated controls. The bulls were weighed and the scrotal circumference (SC) was measured every 21 d until it reached 30 cm, at which time semen was collected and evaluated as in Trial 1. Group I bulls had a higher percentage of spermatozoa with primary morphological abnormalities than bulls in Group II. Group I bulls had a higher average daily gain (ADG) than Group II bulls and required 21 d longer for the SC to reach 30 cm. Semen quality for all bulls was satisfactory at each sampling day.     

Patau综合征患者额外13号染色体父亲起源

报告1例孕38周经剖腹产出生的畸形男儿。患儿双侧唇裂,严重腭裂,胸骨畸形,骶部脊柱裂,双侧睾丸未降,足内翻。出生后10分钟由于呼吸衰竭而夭折。患儿经外周血淋巴细胞染色体核型分析为47,XY,+13,后经荧光原位杂交技术加以证实。对患儿及其父母进行短重复序列D13S317位点检测,证实患儿额外的13号染色体源自父亲第一次减数分裂不分离。     

Neurologically normal development of a patient with severe methionine adenosyltransferase I/III deficiency after continuing dietary methionine restriction

Background

There is not much information on established standard therapy for patients with severe methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT) I/III deficiency.

Case presentation

We report a boy with MAT I/III deficiency, in whom plasma methionine and total homocysteine, and urinary homocystine were elevated. Molecular genetic studies showed him to have novel compound heterozygous mutations of the MAT1A gene: c.191T>A (p.M64K) and c.589delC (p.P197LfsX26). A low methionine milk diet was started at 31 days of age, and during continuing dietary methionine restriction plasma methionine levels have been maintained at less than 750 μmol/L. He is now 5 years old, and has had entirely normal physical growth and psychomotor development.

Conclusions

Although some severely MAT I/III deficient patients have developed neurologic abnormalities, we report here the case of a boy who has remained neurologically and otherwise normal for 5 years during methionine restriction, suggesting that perhaps such management, started in early infancy, may help prevent neurological complications.     

Two plant-type ferredoxins from a blue-green alga, Nostoc verrucosum.

Two plant-type ferredoxins were isolated and purified from a blue-green alga, Nostoc verrucosum. They were separable by chromatography on a DEAE-cellulose column. The slow-moving band was designated ferredoxin I (Fd I) and the fast-moving band was ferredoxin II (Fd II). The ratio of the yield of ferredoxins I and II was about 1 : 0.84. Both ferredoxins had absorption spectra similar to those of plant-type ferredoxins. Two atoms of non-heme iron and two of labile sulfur were found per mol of both ferredoxin I and ferredoxin II. Their molecular weights were identical and estimated to be about 18 000 by a gel filtration method. The biochemical activities of these Nostoc ferredoxins were studied: the NADP photoreduction activity on one hand and the NADP-cytochrome c reductase activity on the other.     

Preference for a first-born boy in Western societies

Many studies in the last 45 years have shown that women prefer a boy to a girl for their first-born child, suggesting that this preference is universal in Western societies. A careful examination of these studies reveals, however, that the subjects were often women who were not pregnant and/or students. A review of sixteen studies with first-time-pregnant women showed that in most cases the opposite was true, namely, that a girl was desired more often than a boy, especially during the last two decades (from 1981 to 1996). Data concerning expectant fathers, however, indicate that they prefer a boy rather than a girl. A preference for a boy first was also observe for both non-expectant males and females. Women's preference for a male child decreased and men's preference increased slightly when the two sub-periods (before 1980vs after 1981) were compared. A difference between men and women is, however, evident whatever the sub-period: men more often prefer a boy than women. These findings suggest that something specific about being pregnant is related to the preference for a girl first.