Misassembly of full-length Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia 1 protein is linked to altered dopamine homeostasis and behavioral deficits.

Disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) is a mental illness gene first identified in a Scottish pedigree. So far, DISC1-dependent phenotypes in animal models have been confined to expressing mutant DISC1. Here we investigated how pathology of full-length DISC1 protein could be a major mechanism in sporadic mental illness. We demonstrate that a novel transgenic rat model, modestly overexpressing the full-length DISC1 transgene, showed phenotypes consistent with a significant role of DISC1 misassembly in mental illness. The tgDISC1 rat displayed mainly perinuclear DISC1 aggregates in neurons. Furthermore, the tgDISC1 rat showed a robust signature of behavioral phenotypes that includes amphetamine supersensitivity, hyperexploratory behavior and rotarod deficits, all pointing to changes in dopamine (DA) neurotransmission. To understand the etiology of the behavioral deficits, we undertook a series of molecular studies in the dorsal striatum of tgDISC1 rats. We observed an 80% increase in high-affinity DA D2 receptors, an increased translocation of the dopamine transporter to the plasma membrane and a corresponding increase in DA inflow as observed by cyclic voltammetry. A reciprocal relationship between DISC1 protein assembly and DA homeostasis was corroborated by in vitro studies. Elevated cytosolic dopamine caused an increase in DISC1 multimerization, insolubility and complexing with the dopamine transporter, suggesting a physiological mechanism linking DISC1 assembly and dopamine homeostasis. DISC1 protein pathology and its interaction with dopamine homeostasis is a novel cellular mechanism that is relevant for behavioral control and may have a role in mental illness.

Femoral nerve infusion after primary total knee arthroplasty: a prospective, double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Effective analgesia after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) improves patient satisfaction, mobility and expedites discharge. This study assessed whether continuous femoral nerve infusion (CFNI) was superior to a single-shot femoral nerve block in primary TKA surgery completed under subarachnoid blockade including morphine. METHODS: We performed an adequately powered, prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled trial comparing CFNI of 0.125% bupivacaine versus normal saline following a single-shot femoral nerve block and subarachnoid anaesthesia with intrathecal morphine for primary TKA. Patients were randomised to either treatment (CFNI 0 ml to 10 ml/h 0.125% bupivacaine) or placebo (CFNI 0 ml to 10 ml/h normal saline). Both groups received a single-shot femoral nerve block (0.25% 20 ml bupivacaine) prior to placement of femoral nerve catheter and subarachnoid anaesthesia with intrathecal morphine. All patients had a standardised analgesic protocol. The primary end point was post-operative visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score over 72 hours post-surgery. Secondary outcomes were morphine equivalent dose, range of movement, side effects, and length of stay. RESULTS: A total of 86 patients were recruited. Treatment and placebo groups were comparable. No significant difference was found in VAS pain scores, total morphine equivalent requirements, side effects, range of movement, motor block, or length of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: No significant advantage was found for CFNI over a single-shot femoral block and subarachnoid anaesthesia after TKA. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2015;4:11-16.

The bicuspid aortic valve: an integrated phenotypic classification of leaflet morphology and aortic root shape.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a classification of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) that includes both leaflet morphology and aortic shape. SETTING: Two academic medical centres of the University of Washington, Seattle. PATIENTS: 191 adult patients with BAV. INTERVENTIONS: Review of clinical data and transthoracic echocardiograms. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Assessment of leaflet morphology; valve function; aortic shape and dimensions. RESULTS: We identified three morphologies: type 1, fusion of right and left coronary cusp (n = 152); type 2, right and non-coronary fusion (n = 39); and type 3, left and non-coronary fusion (n = 1). Comparing type 1 and 2 BAV, there were no significant differences in age, height, weight, blood pressure or aortic valve function. Type 1 was more common in men (69 vs 45%). The aortic sinuses were larger in type 1, while type 2 had larger arch dimensions. Myxomatous mitral valves were more common in type 2 BAV (13% vs 2.6%, p<0.05). Three aortic shapes were defined: normal (N), sinus effacement (E), and ascending dilatation (A). Comparing type 1 to type 2 BAV, shape N was more common in type 1 (60% vs 32%), and type A was more common in type 2 (35% vs 54%,); type E was rare (p<0.01 across all groups). CONCLUSION: A comprehensive BAV phenotype includes aortic shape. Type 1 BAV is associated with male gender and normal aortic shape but a larger sinus diameter. Type 2 leaflet morphology is associated with ascending aorta dilatation , larger arch dimensions and higher prevalence of myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Disruption of TCBA1 associated with a de novo t(1;6)(q32.2;q22.3) presenting in a child with developmental delay and recurrent infections.

A boy with developmental delay, particularly of speech, a distinct face, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, and recurrent infections was found to have an apparently balanced de novo t(1;6)(q32.3;q22.3) translocation. Fluorescent in situ hybridisation with BAC/PAC clones and long range polymerase chain reaction products assessed in the human genome sequence localised the chromosome 1 breakpoint to a 9.8 kb segment within a hypothetical gene, LOC388735, and the chromosome 6 breakpoint to a 12.8 kb segment in intron 4 of the T-cell lymphoma breakpoint-associated target 1 (TCBA1) gene. Disruption and/or formation of TCBA1 fusion genes in T cell lymphoma and leukaemia cell lines suggests a role for this gene in tumorigenesis. The isolated mouse Tcba1 gene shows 91% amino acid sequence similarity with human TCBA1. It is expressed in fetal and adult brain and with lower levels in liver and testis. The human gene has been reported to be expressed exclusively in brain and thymus. Reduced TCBA1 expression in brain and thymus may explain at least some of the symptoms in this patient. It is concluded that germline alterations of the TCBA1 gene are associated with developmental delay and typical physical features.

Pregnancy in women with congenital heart disease: the importance of evaluation and counselling.

Issues surrounding the growing population of pregnant women with congenital heart disease are becoming increasingly important as more women with surgically corrected heart conditions reach childbearing age.

A cryptic deletion of 2q35 including part of the PAX3 gene detected by breakpoint mapping in a child with autism and a de novo 2;8 translocation.

We report a de novo, apparently balanced (2;8)(q35;q21.2) translocation in a boy with developmental delay and autism. Cross species (colour) paint (Rx) and SKY FISH, forward and reverse chromosome painting, and FISH with subtelomeric probes were used to examine the patient's karyotype, but further rearrangements were not detected. FISH with region specific clones mapping near 2q35 and 8q21.2 breakpoints and STS mapping performed on the isolated derivative chromosomes were used to refine the location of the breakpoints further. A cryptic deletion of between 4.23 and 4.41 Mb in extent and involving at least 13 complete genes or transcription units was found at the breakpoint on 2q35. The deletion includes the promoter and 5' untranslated region of the paired box 3 (PAX3) gene. The child has very mild dystopia canthorum which may be associated with the PAX3 haploinsufficiency. The 8q21.2 breakpoint is within MMP16 which encodes matrix metalloproteinase 16. We postulate that the cryptic deletion and rearrangement are responsible for the patient's phenotype and that a gene (or genes) responsible for autism lies at 2q35 or 8q21.2. The results present a step towards identifying genes predisposing to autism.

Two supernumerary marker chromosomes, originating from chromosomes 6 and 11, in a child with developmental delay and craniofacial dysmorphism.

The interpretation of the significance of marker chromosomes, which can be encountered at prenatal diagnosis, is extremely problematic. Various factors contribute to the difficulty of clarifying the phenotypic risks of supernumerary marker chromosomes, including differences in the size, structure, and origin of marker chromosomes, as well as the occurrence of multiple marker chromosomes of different origin in the same proband. Research on marker chromosomes is currently in a data-accumulation phase. We report the presence of two marker chromosomes, originating from chromosomes 6 and 11, in a child with developmental delay and craniofacial dysmorphism and discuss the related literature.

Chicken microchromosomes are hypermethylated and can be identified by specific painting probes.

Microdissection of single chicken microchromosomes (MICs) followed by degenerate oligonucleotide-primed (DOP) PCR allows the rapid generation of MIC-specific DNA libraries. Since some libraries derived from a single (or a few) chromosome(s) label the entire MIC fraction, the majority of chicken MICs share repetitive DNA sequences that are not found on the macrochromosomes. In evolutionarily distant bird species, MICs are invariably hypermethylated. Methylcytosine staining provides additional in situ evidence for the high gene content of MICs and strong compartmentalization of avian genomes.

Diffusion MRI detects early events in the response of a glioma model to the yeast cytosine deaminase gene therapy strategy.

Detection of a therapeutic response early in the course of cancer treatment, before tumor growth delay or regression, is not currently possible in experimental models or clinical medicine. New interim measures of therapeutic response would be particularly useful in the development of cancer chemosensitization gene therapy by facilitating optimization of gene transfer protocols and prodrug dosing schedules. Diffusion MRI is a sensitive technique producing quantitative and noninvasive images of the apparent mobility of water within a tissue. We investigated the utility of diffusion MRI for detecting early changes associated with a refined cytosine deaminase (CD)/5-fluorocytosine (5FC) chemosensitization gene therapy paradigm in orthotopic 9L gliomas stably expressing the recently cloned S. cerevisiae CD gene. Mean tumor diffusion increased 31% within 8 days of initiating 5-FC treatment, preceding tumor growth arrest and regression. Complete regression of the intracranial tumor was observed in four of five treated animals, and recurrent tumor in the remaining animal exhibited water diffusion behavior similar to primary, untreated tumors. These results demonstrate the efficacy of the yCD/5FC strategy for glioma and suggest that increased tumor water diffusion is an indicator of active therapeutic intervention.

N-Acetyl-L-phenylalanine.

The structure of the title compound, C(11)H(13)NO(3), is characterized by a two-dimensional infinite network of intermolecular N-H.O and O-H.O hydrogen bonds.

Somatic pairing between subtelomeric chromosome regions: implications for human genetic disease?

Fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) has been used to study the spatial orientation of subtelomeric chromosome regions in the interphase nucleus. Compared to interstitial chromosomal sites, subtelomeres showed an increased number of somatic pairings. However, pairing frequency also depended on the specific regions involved and varied both between different subtelomeres and between different interstitial regions. An increased incidence of somatic pairing may play at least some role in the frequent involvement of the subtelomeres in cytogenetically cryptic chromosome rearrangements. In patients suffering from facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), which is associated with a deletion of subtelomeric repeats, the FSHD region on 4qter showed a changed pairing behavior, which could be indicative of a position effect and/or trans-sensing effect as a cause for disease.

Genomic structure and comparative analysis of nine Fugu genes: conservation of synteny with human chromosome Xp22.2-p22.1.

The pufferfish Fugu rubripes has a compact 400-Mb genome that is approximately 7.5 times smaller than the human genome but contains a similar number of genes. Focusing on the distal short arm of the human X chromosome, we have studied the evolutionary conservation of gene orders in Fugu and man. Sequencing of 68 kb of Fugu genomic DNA identified nine genes in the following order: (SCML2)-STK9, XLRS1, PPEF-1, KELCH2, KELCH1, PHKA2, AP19, and U2AF1-RS2. Apart from an evolutionary inversion separating AP19 and U2AF1-RS2 from PHKA2, gene orders are identical in Fugu and man, and all nine human homologs map to the Xp22 band. All Fugu genes were found to be smaller than their human counterparts, but gene structures were mostly identical. These data suggest that genomic sequencing in Fugu is a powerful and economical strategy to predict gene orders in the human genome and to elucidate the structure of human genes.

Three-dimensional surface characterization for orthopaedic joint prostheses.

This study attempts to investigate a range of 'better' methods for the characterization of the three-dimensional (3D) surface topography of orthopaedic joint prostheses. In this paper, a new characterization tool for the comprehensive identification and evaluation of functional features of these surface topographies is presented. For identification, the surface topography is investigated in a space-scale space, by employing wavelet analysis. The roughness, waviness and form involved in surface topography are consequently separated and recovered respectively. The multiscalar topographical features are identified and captured. The errors caused as a consequence of three-dimensional measurement methods can be reduced. After identification, the three-dimensional surface assessment techniques previously reported by Stout and co-workers are used for the quantitative evaluation of various surface roughness features of the orthopaedic joint prostheses. Moreover, the functional properties, such as bearing area, material volume and void volume which are significantly effected by large peaks, pits and scratches are studied and the location of isolated peaks, pits and scratches in the different scales is also clearly characterized. In this work, measurement of the femoral heads and acetabular cups is carried out to demonstrate the applicability of the characterization technique for the three-dimensional surface topography of orthopaedic joint prostheses.

Gain of 9p in the pathogenesis of polycythemia vera.

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a clonal stem cell disorder characterized by excessive erythrocyte production, resulting in absolute erythrocytosis. No specific structural chromosomal abnormalities have been reported in PV to date. We have observed two cases of PV with an extra i(9)(p10) as the sole anomaly, and FISH analysis using a 9p-specific chromosome microdissection probe showed that two other PV patients previously identified as having an add(18p) and an add(1p) as the primary changes actually carried a der(18)t(9;18)(p12;p11.2) and a der(1)t(1;9)(p12;p12), respectively. The same FISH assay was employed to evaluate domain signals on interphase cells of 15 more cases of PV with normal karyotypes and five normal controls. Two patients were observed with a significant increase in the percentage of cells with three domain signals. Our results strongly indicate that an additional i(9)(p10) is a new and recurrent primary chromosome anomaly in PV, and, in consideration of trisomy 9 being one of the most common anomalies in PV, amplification of a gene or genes on 9p, but not on 9q, may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of PV.

Site of action of a uremic serum fraction inhibiting sodium transport in frog skin.

The rate coefficients and fluxes of sodium across the outside and inside barriers of an in vitro, short-circuited frog skin preparation were determined in the presence of a uremic serum fraction to localize the site of action of an inhibitor of sodium transport. In unpaired studies, the mean depression of short-circuit current (SCC) resulting from the addition of the uremic serum fraction (21.9+/-2.2%) was significantly greater than the decrease in SCC resulting from either frog Ringer's wash or normal serum fractions. Paired studies comparing active and inactive uremic serum fractions indicated that the reduction in net sodium transport, whether calculated from changes in SCC(-0.55+/-0.12muEq/h) or changes in unidirectional Na fluxes (-0.56+/-0.15 muEq/h) was significantly greater in hemi-skins treated with the active fraction. The depression in sodium transport was associated with a significant decrease of sodium movement from the skin to the inside compartment, phi22 (-0.62+/-0.2 muEq/h). The results of these studies suggest that the inhibition of sodium transport ascribed to the uremic serum fraction is due to an inhibition of the active transport mechanism located at the serosal barrier.