RESUMO
The current prediction of genes in the Plasmodium falciparum genome database relies upon a limited number of specially developed computer algorithms. We have re-annotated the sequence of chromosome 2 of P. falciparum by a computer-assisted manual analysis, which is described here. Of 161 newly predicted introns, we have experimentally confirmed 98. We regard 110 introns from the previously published analyses as probable, we delete 3, change 26 and add 135. We recognise 214 genes in chromosome 2. We have predicted introns in 121 genes. The increased complexity of gene structure on chromosome 2 is likely to be mirrored by the entire genome.
Assuntos
Cromossomos/genética , Biologia Computacional/métodos , Éxons/genética , Genes de Protozoários , Íntrons/genética , Plasmodium falciparum/genética , Algoritmos , Animais , Antígenos de Protozoários/genética , Sequência de Bases , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Proteínas de Protozoários/genética , Proteínas de Protozoários/metabolismo , Sítios de Splice de RNA , Alinhamento de SequênciaRESUMO
Within a 199,866 base pair (bp) portion of a Plasmodium vivax chromosome we identified a conserved linkage group consisting of at least 41 genes homologous to Plasmodium falciparum genes located on chromosome 3. There were no P. vivax homologues of the P. falciparum cytoadherence-linked asexual genes clag 3.2, clag 3.1 and a var C pseudogene found on the P. vivax chromosome. Within the conserved linkage group, the gene order and structure are identical to those of P. falciparum chromosome 3. This conserved linkage group may extend to as many as 190 genes. The subtelomeric regions are different in size and the P. vivax segment contains genes for which no P. falciparum homologues have been identified to date. The size difference of at least 900 kb between the homologous P. vivax chromosome and P. falciparum chromosome 3 is presumably due to a translocation. There is substantial sequence divergence with a much higher guanine+cytosine (G+C) content in the DNA and a preference for amino acids using GC-rich codons in the deduced proteins of P. vivax. This structural conservation of homologous genes and their products combined with sequence divergence at the nucleotide level makes the P. vivax genome a powerful tool for comparative analyses of Plasmodium genomes.
Assuntos
Cromossomos/genética , Sequência Conservada , Plasmodium falciparum/genética , Plasmodium vivax/genética , Sintenia , Animais , Cromossomos Artificiais de Levedura/genética , Biologia Computacional/métodos , Mapeamento de Sequências Contíguas , Éxons/genética , Biblioteca Gênica , Humanos , Íntrons/genética , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Proteínas de Protozoários/genética , Proteínas de Protozoários/metabolismo , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Homologia de SequênciaRESUMO
A new algorithm, PfAGSS, for predicting 3' splice sites in Plasmodium falciparum genomic sequences is described. Application of this program to the published P. falciparum chromosome 2 and 3 data suggests that existing programs result in a high error rate in assigning 3' intron boundaries.
Assuntos
Algoritmos , Biologia Computacional/métodos , Íntrons , Plasmodium falciparum/genética , Sítios de Splice de RNA , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Éxons , Genoma de Protozoário , Dados de Sequência MolecularRESUMO
Results of a follow-up study of 50 adolescents treated in a day-hospital program are reported. The program admits seriously disturbed adolescents, over two-thirds with a personality diagnosis. Patients are treated in the day hospital for an average of 3 to 9 months. Outcome results are two-thirds adaptive outcome and one-third poor outcome as measured on a level of function scale in the areas of peer and social functioning, occupational functioning, and family relationships. Variables that were significantly related to outcome were significant relationships to peers and staff at discharge, diagnosis, learning disabilities, age at admission, family substance abuse, and type of discharge. These findings are explained in the context of the treatment philosophy.
Assuntos
Adolescente Hospitalizado/psicologia , Hospital Dia/estatística & dados numéricos , Relações Interpessoais , Avaliação de Processos e Resultados em Cuidados de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Transtornos da Personalidade/terapia , Adolescente , Coleta de Dados , Estudos de Avaliação como Assunto , Humanos , PrognósticoRESUMO
Preliminary to a stimulant comparison study, 31 children with minimal brain dysfunction randomly received either placebo or a megavitamin combination. During a two-week trial, only two children responded so well that stiumlants were not considered necessary; both were in the placebo group. Change scores from pretest to posttest on four blind ratings by teachers and parents did not show a significant difference between the placebo and vitamin groups.
Assuntos
Transtorno do Deficit de Atenção com Hiperatividade/tratamento farmacológico , Terapia Ortomolecular , Ácido Ascórbico/uso terapêutico , Criança , Feminino , Glutamatos/uso terapêutico , Humanos , Hipercinese/tratamento farmacológico , Deficiências da Aprendizagem/tratamento farmacológico , Masculino , Ácidos Nicotínicos/uso terapêutico , Terapia Ortomolecular/métodos , Ácido Pantotênico/uso terapêutico , Piridoxina/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
Double-blind crossover comparison of methylphenidate hydrochloride, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and caffeine after placebo washout in 29 children with minimal brain dysfunction (MBD) showed on six ratings that methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine were significantly (P less than .05 to P less than .001) better than placebo and caffeine, but not significantly (P less than .05) different from each other. Placebo, caffeine, and ratings before drug did not differ significantly. Of 26 drug responders, 12 responded best to dextroamphetamine, ten to methylphenidate, and one to caffeine. The latter child showed no improvement at all with either prescription stimulant. Methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine were each efficacious for six children who did not respond to the other stimulant. All three drugs showed significant (P less than .05) weight loss and cardiovascular side effects, the latter possibly spurious. Dextroamphetamine showed a significant (P less than .05) decrease from placebo in "tummyaches."
Assuntos
Transtorno do Deficit de Atenção com Hiperatividade/tratamento farmacológico , Cafeína/uso terapêutico , Dextroanfetamina/uso terapêutico , Metilfenidato/uso terapêutico , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Ensaios Clínicos como Assunto , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Método Duplo-Cego , Análise Fatorial , Feminino , Humanos , Hipercinese/tratamento farmacológico , MasculinoRESUMO
Double-blind crossover randomized Latin square comparison of placebo, dextroamphetamine, and levoamphetamine in 31 consecutively diagnosed children with minimal brain dysfunction (MBD) replicated a smaller nonrandom study. Both isomers showed significantly more benefit than placebo but were not significantly different from each other. Dextroamphetamine showed a nonsignificant trend of superiority over levoamphetamine. Of 25 subjects who responded well to drugs, three responded only to levoamphetamine, five only to dextroamphetamine, and 17 to both. This study seems to confirm the efficacy of levoamphetamine in MBD. An unsocialized aggressive subgroup (308.4) showed a nonsignificant trend for levoamphetamine superiority, in contrast to the hyperkinetic (308.0) and overanxious (308.2) subgroups. Those who responded best to levoamphetamine tended (not significantly) to be from poorer functioning families. Parents' ratings, but not teachers' or psychiatrists' ratings, showed significant placebo effect.
Assuntos
Anfetamina/uso terapêutico , Transtorno do Deficit de Atenção com Hiperatividade/tratamento farmacológico , Dextroanfetamina/uso terapêutico , Transtorno do Deficit de Atenção com Hiperatividade/genética , Pressão Sanguínea , Peso Corporal , Criança , Ensaios Clínicos como Assunto , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
The authors compared the efficacy of caffeine, methylphenidate, and d-amphetamine in children with minimal brain dysfunction using a double-blind crossover design. The slight improvement with caffeine was not significantly better than placebo. Both prescription drugs resulted in significant improvement and were significantly superior to caffeine. The authors suggest that the discrepancy between these results and an earlier, more optimistic report mat stem from the use in this study of pure caffeine rather than whole coffee.
