Subject(s)
Athetosis/complications , Athetosis/genetics , Chorea/complications , Chorea/genetics , Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use , Athetosis/drug therapy , Carbamazepine/therapeutic use , Child , Chorea/drug therapy , Diazepam/therapeutic use , Drug Therapy, Combination , Humans , Male , Pedigree , Severity of Illness Index , Valproic Acid/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Seven relatives of previously described proband with X-linked Kennedy's spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) were investigated by means of clinical, biochemical and molecular genetic methods. The patients' age was 13-70 years. Clinical and biochemical investigations revealed SBMA in two males. Molecular genetic analysis by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed pathological expansion of trinucleotide CAG repetitions in 5'-region of androgene receptor gene in both patients. Five heterozygous female carriers were discovered meanwhile. PCR-method permitted to diagnose the disease exactly, to reveal heterozygous carrier of pathological gene and to perform potential prenatal diagnosis.
Subject(s)
DNA/blood , Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/diagnosis , Adolescent , Aged , DNA/genetics , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Heterozygote , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/genetics , Mutation , Neurologic Examination , Pedigree , Polymerase Chain Reaction , SyndromeABSTRACT
Populations of children living in the Bryansk territory (radionuclide contamination 0.2-63.9 Cu/km2) are characterized by heterogeneous blood counts, though relevant mean values are close to control. Mean cytochemical indices indicated a significant reduction in activity of point nonspecific esterase (NSEP), a marker of mature T-cells, in children from all the contaminated districts. Shifts in cytochemical blood lymphocytogram by NSEP test evidencing rejuvenascence of T-lymphocyte pool were recorded in 12-33% of children from different villages. A 10% decrease in NSEP suggested poor adaptation and feasibility of immunodeficiency. In one-third of children with low NSEP the number of lymphocytes with large-granular PAS reaction may reflect uneffective B-lymphopoiesis in these children. In two villages significantly contaminated with 137Cs and 90Sr half of the children had blood hemoglobin above 150 milligrams. Children from three villages exhibited a sharp rise in the number of lymphocytes with intensive-granular PAS reaction. These changes may be related to thyroid abnormalities. The number of children at risk of health deterioration grows with growing environmental contamination with 137Cs.