Chromosome 13 long arm interstitial deletion associated with features of Noonan phenotype

A 22-year-old Caucasian mildly retarded male presented with facial features of high nasal bridge, prominent supraorbital ridges, some malar hypoplasia, prognathism, short philtrum, and prominent full lips associated with shortness of stature, nuchal webbing, and esotropia. His cardiac exam and genital development were normal. The diagnosis of Noonan syndrome had been previously entertained. A chromosome analysis revealed an interstitial deletion of a chromosome 13 at (q21.32q22.3).     

Prominent eye: operative management in lower lid and midfacial rejuvenation and the morphologic classification system

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a standard method for the identification of eye prominence and to review operative modifications necessary in patients with prominent eyes. A Hertel exophthalmometer was used to define a classification system according to the degree of eye prominence. A total of 43 patients undergoing lower lid or midfacial rejuvenation were included in the study. Preoperative parameters, including vector analysis, laxity, scleral show, rotational deformity, lateral canthus-to-lateral orbital rim distance, lateral-to-medial canthal distance, and exophthalmometry measurement, were documented. Intraoperatively, techniques including horizontal shortening and lateral canthoplasty placement were documented. Postoperative evaluation included scleral show, rotational deformity, and lateral-to-medial canthal distance. The proposed morphologic classification system divided patients into four groups on the basis of their degree of prominence, as measured by exophthalmometry, defined as deep-set (<14 mm), normal (15 to 17 mm), moderately prominent (18 to 19 mm), and very prominent (>20 mm). Operative techniques were different between the groups, with correction of laxity in the deep-set eyes and accentuated overcorrection of scleral show in the prominent eyes. The use of an exophthalmometer to classify patients before blepharoplasty may help reduce the risk of complications by identifying high-risk patients.     

Structure of nucleosomes. Localization of the H2A and H2B histone segments interacting with DNA using DNA-protein crosslinking]

Histones' H2A and H2B peptidic points which interact with nucleosomal DNA have been identified by using the methods of DNA--protein covalent cross-linking. H2B can be linked to DNA via its N-terminal tail and via several lysines contained within residues 24-34. The most prominent site of histone H2A covalent linking to DNA is His-123, the less prominent being Lys-119 and Lys-124.     

Malignant melanoma of mediastinum misdiagnosed as a spindle cell thymoma in a fine needle aspirate: a case report

BACKGROUND: Malignant melanomas in the medastinum are extremely rare. Both primary melanomas and metastatic lesions from a primary elsewhere can occur in the mediastinum. Aspiration biopsy of a melanoma at this unusual site may pose problems in diagnosis. CASE: A 35-year-old woman presented with an anterior mediastinal mass. Cytologic smears were hemorrhaghic and revealed a loosely dispersed population of spindle cells with prominent nucleoli. In view of the location, the possibility of spindle cell thymoma was suggested on cytology. Subsequent histology revealed a malignant melanoma. CONCLUSION: This case stresses that the cytopathologist should keep in mind the remote differential diagnosis of a malignant melanoma while evaluating spindle cell neoplasms of the mediastinum, especially in tumors with prominent cell dispersal and with cells that have prominent nucleoli even without melanin pigment. Accurate diagnosis helps in evaluating patients and avoids unnecessary surgery when the lesion represents a metastasis to the mediastinum from a primary elsewhere.     

Function of nuchal humps of a cichlid fish from Lake Tanganyika: inferences from morphological data

Nuchal humps occur in various fish groups, but their functions are rarely studied. Both sexes of Cyphotilapia gibberosa, a cichlid fish endemic to Lake Tanganyika, possess nuchal humps. This study morphologically analysed the humps of this species to assess the primary factors responsible for hump development. Semi-landmarks showed that the size of male humps positively correlated with body condition, and thicknesses of hypodermises implied that the humps were larger in males than in females. These facts suggest that sexual selection on male humps is intense. Semi-landmarks showed that the humps were less prominent in females than in males, and that the transformation of nuchal humps with growth (becoming more prominent) ceased at medium body size in females. These facts suggest that sex recognition likely plays a role in the evolution of the uniform humps of large females, because, according to this hypothesis, a morphologically moderate hump may be favoured. If male humps also function as a sex recognition trait, the transformation of nuchal humps is expected to cease at a certain body size, as did female humps. However, the male humps became continuously more prominent from the smallest to the largest individuals examined. The body size at which hump transformation stops or at which extreme hump shape interferes with sex recognition may be outside of the size range of the present samples. A prominent nuchal hump may also function as a species recognition trait, because sympatric cichlid species do not develop nuchal humps as prominent as this species. In short, the present morphological analyses do not contradict the hypotheses that C. gibberosa individuals recognise conspecifics and their sex from the shapes of the nuchal humps, and that females prefer males with larger humps.     

Roberts' — SC phocomelia syndrome with cytogenetic findings

Summary This paper reports the physical and cytogenetic findings in an eight-year-old severely mentally retarded female child with the following features: tetraphocomelia; weight, lenght, and head circumference below the third percentile; microcephaly with prominent frontal bones; hypertelorism; shallow orbits; prominent eyes; bilateral corneal opacities; micrognathia; hypoplastic alae nasi; small, low set ears; short neck; sparse silvery blond hair; severe flexion deformities of both knees and wrist joints; a cardiac murmur. Cytogenetic studies revealed premature centromere separation.     

Complete trisomy 17p a relatively new syndrome

A patient with a de novo duplication of 17p is described. A comparison with five other published cases indicates several features in common that seem characteristic of the syndrome. Primary features include, low birth weight, small size, severe mental and motor retardation, heart defect, failure to thrive and peculiar facial traits. The prominent facial features are, a tendency for round and flat mid face, small palpebral fissures, hypertelorism, microcephaly and low set prominent ears.     

Effects of monensin on Na+/K(+)-ATPase and Ca(++)-AtPase activities in chick skeletal muscle and myocardium after subacute treatment

Chicks were treated at 2 weeks of age with 4,15, 40, 100 and 150 mg/kg of monensin, an ionophore used for its anticoccidial and growth-promoting properties. In the present immunohistochemical study, the expressions and distribution of Na+/K(+)-ATPase and Ca(++)-ATPase were studied in myocardium and skeletal muscles (pectoral and quadriceps femoris). We detected an increase of Na+/K(+)-ATPase immunostaining with prominent staining of the sarcolemma and a slight increase of Ca(+)-ATPase with prominent staining of the sarcoplasma.     

Squash smear findings of spherical amyloid in pituitary prolactinoma. A case report

BACKGROUND: Pituitary prolactinoma containing spherical amyloid is rare. Squash smear findings of spherical amyloid in pituitary prolactinoma are characteristic. CASE: A 25-year-old woman presented with a pituitary tumor. The intraoperative squash smear showed abundant, homogeneous, eosinophilic material with multiple prominent striations. The scattered atypical cells in the periphery contained an irregular, bizarre nucleus; coarse chromatin; occasional prominent nucleoli; rare cytoplasm; and prolactin immunoreactivity. CONCLUSION: The characteristic squash smear findings should be helpful in the diagnosis of this rare tumor.     

Are growth alterations a consequence of surgery for prominent ears?

This study was undertaken to detect growth alterations after surgery for prominent ears. The cartilage excision technique was used in all 76 patients seen for follow-up. Two hundred students served as controls. Auricular measurements were done according to standardized guidelines of anthropometry. There was no significant difference in the retroauricular angle between the surgical group and controls. The morphologic ear length in the surgical group was significantly smaller than in controls. Maximum ear length was significantly greater in men. Our measurements in the control group were significant below the reference values reported in the literature. Comparing the ear index of both groups with published data, we found a harmony between the width and the length of the ear. We could demonstrate that prominent ears were significantly larger in all other dimensions and that auricular growth does not stop following surgery for prominent ears with the cartilage excision method. We also evaluated subjective criteria such as tolerance to cold, scar formation, and patient satisfaction.     

Are growth alterations a consequence of surgery for prominent ears?

This study was undertaken to detect growth alterations after surgery for prominent ears. The cartilage excision technique was used in all 77 patients seen for follow-up. Two hundred students served as controls. Auricular measurements were done according to standardized guidelines of anthropometry. There was no significant difference between the retroauricular angle in the surgical group and in controls. The morphologic ear length in the surgical group was significantly smaller than in controls. Maximum ear length was significantly greater in men. Our measurements in the control group were significant below the reference values reported in the literature. Comparing the ear index of both groups with published data, we found a harmony between the width and the length of the ear. We could demonstrate that prominent ears were significantly larger in all other dimensions and that auricular growth does not stop following surgery for prominent ears with the cartilage excision method. We also evaluated subjective criteria such as tolerance to cold, scar formation, and patient satisfaction.     

Neosteinernema longicurvicauda n. gen., n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), a Parasite of the Termite Reticuldermes flavipes (Koller)

A nematode isolated from the termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Koller) was identified and described as a new genus and species, Neosteinernema longicurvicauda. Primary distinguishing characters, by contrast to members of the genus Steinernema, were females having prominent phasmids, a curved tail longer than the body width at the anus, a spiral shape in juvenile-bearing females, and juveniles becoming infective-stage juveniles before emerging from the female; males having prominent phasmids, a digitate tail tip, a characteristic shape of the spicules (foot-shaped with a hump on the dorsal side), and 13-14 pairs of genital papillae, with eight pairs preanal; and infective juveniles having prominent phasmids and a filiform curved tail as long as the esophagus. Adult nematodes are found outside the termite cadaver. Diagnosis of the family Steinernematidae was emended to accommodate the new species.     

Captures of boll weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in traps associated with different habitats

Programs to eradicate the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman, from cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., in the United States rely heavily on pheromone traps for monitoring weevil populations in both active and posteradication maintenance programs. Modifications to trapping protocols that increase trap effectiveness should contribute to this eradication effort. Between October 1996 and May 1997 and between September 1997 and April 1998, we compared trap effectiveness, indicated by the numbers of captured weevils, in relation to selected habitat types. Each study period was divided into fall, winter, and spring seasons. Traps were closely associated with seven habitat types, including four types with prominent erect vegetation (brush-lined irrigation canal, brush, sugarcane, and resaca or ox-bow lake) and three types with only low-growing or sparse erect vegetation (irrigation drainage canal, unimproved pasture, and fallow fields). Captures of male and female weevils were statistically similar regardless of season or trapping habitat. Although captures differed significantly among habitats, these differences varied among seasons. Trapping habitats with prominent vegetational features generally produced higher weekly captures of weevils than habitats lacking these features. Also, captures in traps associated with prominent vegetation indicated seasonal differences in weevil activity, with highest captures occurring during the fall. Traps associated with habitats lacking prominent vegetation did not statistically demonstrate seasonal differences. Our results indicate that immediate trap surroundings strongly influence the effectiveness of the boll weevil pheromone trap. These results also suggest that effectiveness of current trapping programs may be improved through purposeful association of traps with selected vegetational features.     

Specific nucleotide sequences in HeLa cell inverted repeated DNA: enrichment for sequences found in double-stranded regions of heterogeneous nuclear RNA

Inverted repeat DNA was isolated from HeLa cell nuclei and transcribed in vitro with Escherichia coli RNA polymerase in the presence of [alpha-³²P]nucleoside triphosphates. The RNA products were digested with T₁ ribonuclease and subjected to separation in two dimensions. The pattern of the prominent oligonucleotides was almost indistinguishable from that seen when the double-stranded regions from ³²P-labeled HeLa cell heterogeneous nuclear RNA were fingerprinted in a similar manner. The sequences of several of the largest prominent T₁ ribonuclease-generated oligonucleotides were determined and were found to agree with those isolated from the double-stranded heterogeneous nuclear RNA that migrated to the same positions in the fingerprints. The most prominent component of the inverted repeat DNA appears to be sequences that are transcribed into double-stranded regions in heterogeneous nuclear RNA molecules.     

Twenty-Four-Hour Variation in the Occurrence and Survival of Potentially Lethal Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia

The temporal pattern in the occurrence and primary outcome of resuscitation of out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia was studied. The onset time of 117 cases of tachyarrhythmia exhibited a double-peaking 24-h variation with a first prominent peak in the midmorning and a second less prominent one during the late afternoon and early evening hours. Survival after resuscitation also was time dependent, showing a quite different temporal pattern. Survival was lowest during the daytime and greatest (four to five times greater) during the night. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia may be dependent on autonomic regulation.     

Trisomy 12p syndrome

Summary The first case of trisomy of probable 12p mosaicism originated de novo is presented. Comparison of the clinical findings of this patient with those of previously described cases of 12p trisomy derived from translocated chromosomes indicates that the symptoms of 12p trisomy are: (1) normal birth weight and physical development, (2) severe psychomotor retardation and generalized hypotonia, (3) peculiarly round face with prominent cheeks, hypertelorism, epicanthus, broad, flat nasal bridge, short nose with anteverted nostrils, large philtrum, broad, prominent lower lip, and (4) poly(syn)dactyly of feet.     

An unusual pattern of lysine rich histone components is associated with spermatogenesis in rat testis

Lysine rich histones from the testes as well as many other organs from sexually mature rats were examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Extracts from testes contained a prominent species that was at most a minor component in the other tissues examined. Detailed comparison of lysine rich histones from testis and thymus by column chromatography revealed marked quantitative differences in three of the five resolvable components. Treatment with bacterial alkaline phosphatase did not alter the electrophoretic behavior of any of the fractions resolved from testis or thymus. The appearance of one of the components in the testis as a prominent band could be correlated with the occurence of the early phases of active spermatogenesis.     

Effects of Culture and Gender on Judgments of Intent and Responsibility

Do different cultures hold different views of intentionality? In four studies, participants read scenarios in which the actor’s distal intent (a focus on a broader goal) and proximal intent (a focus on the mechanics of the act) were manipulated. In Studies 1–2, when distal intent was more prominent in the actor’s mind, North Americans rated the actor more responsible than did Chinese and South Asian participants. When proximal intent was more prominent, Chinese and South Asian participants, if anything, rated the actor more responsible. In Studies 3–4, when distal intent was more prominent, male Americans rated the actor more responsible than did female Americans. When proximal intent was more prominent, females rated the actor more responsible. The authors discuss these findings in relation to the literatures on moral reasoning and cultural psychology.     

Calmodulin-binding proteins in teleost retina, rod inner and outer segments, and rod cytoskeletons

125I-calmodulin gel overlay techniques have been used to identify calmodulin-binding proteins in teleost retina, in a rod fragment preparation which contains rod inner and outer segments (RIS-ROS), and in RIS-ROS cytoskeletons. We have previously shown that teleost rods change length in response to changes in light conditions, that rod movement is mediated by the actin filaments in the rod inner segment, and that both Ca2+ and cAMP appear to be involved in regulating rod movement. We report here the development of a rod fragment preparation (RIS-ROS), which retains the movable part of the rod, for use in biochemical analysis of rod motility. Gel overlay studies indicate that isolated whole retinas have six prominent calmodulin-binding proteins, migrating at 240 K, 190 K, 150 K, 61 K and a doublet at 18/19 K. In contrast, detached RIS-ROS have three different prominent calmodulin-binding proteins, migrating at 330 K, 33 K, and 31 K. RIS-ROS cytoskeletons have been produced by extraction with Triton X-100; they contain both actin filament bundles and microtubules associated with the connecting cilium. RIS-ROS cytoskeletons have 3 prominent calmodulin-binding proteins migrating at 240 and 18/19 K. These proteins produce faint bands in gel overlays of intact RIS-ROS, but prominent bands in overlays of whole retina. The 240 K protein of RIS-ROS cytoskeletons co-migrates with the 240 K calmodulin-binding subunit of rat brain fodrin. We suggest that the rod 240 K calmodulin-binding protein may be a spectrin-like protein which participates in Ca2+- and calmodulin-regulation of rod motility.     

The distribution of microfilament bundles in rabbit endothelial cells in the intact aorta and during wound healing in situ

The distribution of microfilament (MF) bundles in rabbit thoracic aortic endothelial cells (EC) fixed in situ was examined using en face preparations and the fluorescent probe 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole-phallacidin. In the normal aorta, prominent peripheral MF bundles are seen near the cell borders running the full length of each cell, parallel to the direction of blood flow, while shorter less prominent bundles are seen in the more central regions. In EC covering the flow dividers at intercostal ostia, the central MF bundles are more prominent, longer, and more numerous than in the other regions of the aorta examined. This increase in the number, size, and length of central MF bundles may result from the response of the cells to the higher shear forces present in this region of the vessel wall. Following denudation of the endothelium from a segment of the aorta with a balloon catheter, there is an initial reduction in the size of all of the MF bundles in cells near the wound edge. This is followed by an increase in the number and size of the central MF bundles. At 48 h after wounding, strongly stained central MF bundles could be detected in EC up to 0.75 mm from the wound edge. Adjacent to the wounds that had failed to reendothelialize 10 months after denudation, some regions had EC with prominent peripheral MF bundles and others, EC with prominent central MF bundles. At the very edge of the wound, the EC and their MF bundles were oriented with their long axes parallel to the wound edge and perpendicular to the direction of blood flow. The failure of the wounded vessel wall to become fully reendothelialized may be related to the orientation of EC at the wound edge. These results show that EC migration in situ is accompanied by a dramatic change in the organization of MF in which different stages can be identified. Microfilament bundles in rapidly migrating cells in vivo, 24 and 48 h after wounding, resemble stress fibers seen in EC migrating in vitro and in slowly migrating fibroblasts and epithelial cells.