Changes in marriage seasonality among some european rural populations

The preservation or the change of the population structure is often strictly related to the acquisition or loss of behavioural models: the choice of the wedding period is among them. Analysing the period in which people marry, it is possible to point out modifications in the economy, in the work calendar and it also can be helpful to determine the importance of religious traditions. In this work, the authors study the marriage seasonality of nine rural European populations in France, Spain and Italy and its evolution during the last two centuries. The research has allowed to point out three different patterns of marriage seasonality: the Autumn marriage, the Winter marriage and populations with no remarkable seasonal variations. The first distribution results from the combination of work calendar, harsh climate in winter and religious traditions (the month of May consacrated to Maria, the Lent and Advent period), while the second one is due mostly to summer migrations. The importance of these factors tend to reduce during the XX century, making the distributions more homogeneous.     

Interethnic genetic differentiation: GM polymorphism in eastern Senegal.

Analysis of GM polymorphism has been performed on 1,806 individuals representing three sympatric ethnic groups--Bedik, Fulani, and Mandenkalu--of eastern Senegal. Haplotype frequencies estimated by maximum likelihood have been used to compute common genetic pools between the three samples and a number of other sub-Saharan African populations. Despite extreme linguistic and sociocultural differentiations and very high levels of endogamy, especially in the Bedik and Niokholo Mandenkalu, the three populations share about 90%-95% of their haplotype frequencies in a system which commonly provides strong genetic differentiations. This supports the view that, despite its importance at a large continental scale level, as it is discussed for a set of populations from many regions of sub-Saharan Africa, sociocultural differentiation usually has little effect on local genetic diversity.     

A phase I trial with recombinant interferon γ (Roussel UCLAF) in advanced cancer patients

Summary A total of 29 patients with advanced malignancy were treated with recombinant interferon (rIFN, specific activity = 2.10⁷ units/mg, purity >95%) given by intravenous bolus at doses escalating from 0.01 mg/m² to 5 mg/m² (2 × 10⁵–10⁸ IU/m²) in nine successive steps (at least 3 patients/step). Injections of rIFN were repeated every 72 h for 15 days. Toxicity was evaluated according to the WHO scale. Fever and chills occurred in all patients treated without clear dose effect. Nausea and vomiting appeared at the fifth dose level and their frequency seemed to be dose-related. Cardiovascular side-effects (first-degree atrioventricular reversible block) were observed at the 2 mg/m² and 5 mg/m² levels (3 patients). Hematological toxicities were mild (2 grade 1 and 1 grade II cases of granulocytopenia). Minor biological modifications included a transitory rise in hepatic enzymes (12 patients), which correlated with the presence of liver metastasis. Hypocholesterolemia was observed in 18 patients. The appearance of antibodies against rIFN was not detected. One partial clinical response was observed in a patient receiving 2 mg/m². During rIFN therapy this patient had the highest scores in this series for peripheral T lymphocytes with an activated phenotype (HLA DR⁺, TAC⁺) = 15% and for natural killer (NK) cells (NKH1, Leu19⁺) = 17%. rIFN appears as a well-tolerated and promising therapeutic agent with toxicities and mode of action probably distinct from IFN and .     

Human red-cell acid phosphatase (ACP1): a new mutant (ACP1*KUK) detected by isoelectric focusing, kinetics of thermostability and substrate activity

A new rare mutant of the red-cell acid phosphatase (ACP1) is described using conventional gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing migration. According to the electrophoretic patterns obtained, the new mutant ACP1* KUK is different from the ACP* H and ACP1* A' variants already described. The enzyme activities and the thermostability curves definitively confirm the existence of a new variant. The transmission of this mutant was followed through a pedigree of three generations. The family originated from Czechoslovakia. The frequency of the variant is probably less than 0.001.     

Chromosome numbers of three Calligonum species (Polygonaceae)

The chromosome number 2n=36 for Calligonum korlaense Z. M. Mao and the chromosome number 2n=18 for Calligonum yengisaricum Z. M. Mao and Calligonum ruoqiangense Liou f. is reported for the first time.     

Expression and regulation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in endometrial cells in vivo and in vitro

JNK(c-Jun N-terminal kinase) is one of the main types of mitogen-activated protein kinases. JNK modulates inflammation and apoptosis in response to stress. Our hypothesis is that temporal and spatial changes in JNK activity regulate inflammation in human endometrium and that fluctuation in estrogen and progesterone levels may play a role in JNK activation. Therefore, we aimed to determine total-(t-) and active-(phosphorylated, p-) JNK expression in endometrial tissues in vivo by immunohistochemistry, and in vitro by immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemistry revealed moderate cytoplasmic and nuclear t-JNK immunoreactivity, and mostly nuclear p-JNK immunoreactivity throughout the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy. The highest p- and t-JNK immunoreactivity was detected in late secretory phase (P < 0.05). We observed that endometrial stromal cell (ESC)s showed a significant increase in p-JNK expression following 48 h of estrogen combined with progesterone (E(2) + P(4)) withdrawal from the culture conditions, compared to control and non-withdrawal groups (P < 0.05). Upon treatment with JNK inhibitor SP600125, we observed a significantly decreased interleukin (IL)-8 level (P < 0.05) in the presence and absence of E(2). These results demonstrate that JNK expression increases during the late secretory phase when the inflammatory response is highest. Inhibition of IL-8 expression by SP600125 suggests that JNK is involved in regulation of proinflammatory mediators of endometrium.     

A new surgical approach in genital lymphedema

A new surgical approach has been used in a case of genital lymphedema. After resection of the lymphedematous mass, U-shaped flaps were made from the suprapubic region anteriorly and the posterior scrotal skin posteriorly. The denuded penis was transposed to its original place by passing it through a buttonhole incision made on the anterior flap. The testicles were placed and fixed in pouches prepared between the anterior and posterior flaps. The patient had an acceptable postoperative outcome both in testicular function and habitual sexual activities.     

Phosphoglucomutase-1 subtypes in two populations in Adriatic islands: presence of PGM1*W3 (PGM1*7+) allele.

Allele frequencies at the phosphoglucomutase-1 (PGM1) locus have been investigated in two Croatian (Yugoslavian) populations from neighboring islands, Silba and Olib. The genotype distributions are significantly different though the two islands are only 2 km apart. In the light of demographic and historical data, a few hypotheses explaining these results are discussed. A rare variant, PGM1*W3, usually found in Asia, is present in 4 inhabitants from the Olib island.