Monosomy 21: a new case confirmed by in situ hybridization

Summary A new case of total monosomy 21 in a newborn is described. The diagnosis was first made using the cytogenetic data; it was then confirmed by the dosage of copper-superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) which showed a 50% decrease. In situ hybridization with a probe previously assigned to chromosome 21 was used to rule out the possibility of a partial monosomy with an unbalanced reciprocal translocation.     

Influence of arm position on measurement of blood pressure.

A series of measurements of blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive subjects showed that measurements made with a sphygmomanometer with the arm dependent by the side were consistently higher than those made with the arm horizontal at heart level. The mean difference in a group of 90 hypertensive outpatients was 11/12 mm Hg. Failure to appreciate the importance of arm position may lead to erroneous measurements of blood pressure. This has important implications for clinical practice and research.     

The stimulus-secretion coupling of amino acid-induced insulin release metabolic interaction L-asparagine and L-leucine in pancreatic islets

1. Because L-asparagine augments insulin release evoked by L-leucine, the metabolism of these two amino acids was investigated in rat pancreatic islets. 2. L-Leucine inhibited the uptake and deamidation of L-asparagine, but failed to exert any obvious primary effect upon the further catabolism of aspartate derived from exogenous asparagine. 3. L-Asparagine augmented the oxidation of L-leucine, and effect possibly attributable to activaion of 2-ketoisocaproate dehydrogenase. 4. The association of L-asparagine and L-leucine exerted a sparing action on the utilization of endogenous amino acids, so that the integrated rate of nutrients oxidation was virtually identical in the sole presence of L-leucine and simultaneous presence of L-asparagine and L-leucine, respectively. 5. It is proposed that the enhancing action of L-asparagine upon insulin release evoked by L-leucine is attributable to an increased generation rate of cytosolic NADPH rather than any increase in nutrients oxidation.     

Genes for the biosynthesis of spinosyns: applications for yield improvement in Saccharopolyspora spinosa

Spinosyns A and D are the active ingredients in an insect control agent produced by fermentation of Saccharopolyspora spinosa. Spinosyns are macrolides with a 21-carbon, tetracyclic lactone backbone to which the deoxysugars forosamine and tri-O-methylrhamnose are attached. The spinosyn biosynthesis genes, except for the rhamnose genes, are located in a cluster that spans 74 kb of the S. spinosa genome. DNA sequence analysis, targeted gene disruptions and bioconversion studies identified five large genes encoding type I polyketide synthase subunits, and 14 genes involved in sugar biosynthesis, sugar attachment to the polyketide or cross-bridging of the polyketide. Four rhamnose biosynthetic genes, two of which are also necessary for forosamine biosynthesis, are located outside the spinosyn gene cluster. Duplication of the spinosyn genes linked to the polyketide synthase genes stimulated the final step in the biosynthesis — the conversion of the forosamine-less pseudoaglycones to endproducts. Duplication of genes involved in the early steps of deoxysugar biosynthesis increased spinosyn yield significantly. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2001) 27, 399–402. Received 31 May 2001/ Accepted in revised form 09 July 2001     

Heart rate and respiratory patterns in mild hypoxia in unanaesthetized newborn mammals

The heart rate and respiratory patterns in hypoxia are not well documented in unanaesthetized intact newborn animals. We studied heart rate and respiratory patterns during quiet sleep in 17% inspired O2 in 31 unanaesthetized newborns of five species: lamb, piglet, puppy, kitten, and rabbit. There was no significant change in mean heart rate and respiratory rate with hypoxia for any species. Brief apneas greater than 5 s were frequent (5-8/h), both in 21 and 17% O2 only in lambs and puppies. No sustained periodic breathing was induced by hypoxia. Thus, mild hypoxia has little steady-state effect on heart rate and respiratory rate and pattern in these unanaesthetized newborns. These findings are compatible with depressed chemoreceptor threshold, but indicate a remarkably mature respiratory pattern in full-term newborns of these species.