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A Fryer

Publications and source records attributed to A Fryer.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Prenatal diagnosis and presymptomatic detection of neurofibromatosis type 1.

A two year experience of DNA diagnosis for NF1 is presented. Twenty-three NF1 families have been analysed using 11 closely linked and intragenic markers. Prenatal testing was undertaken for six families; 11 affected subjects and their partners wished to know if they would be informative for future prenatal testing, seven of whom are so far fully informative. Presymptomatic testing was done for six subjects. Despite the availability of a series of closely linked markers, informativeness could not be achieved in all of the families tested.

Adolescent↗

Genetic heterogeneity in tuberous sclerosis. Study of a large collaborative dataset.

Tuberous sclerosis (TSC) is a multisystem autosomal dominant hamartosis whose genetics is complicated by reduced penetrance and widely varying clinical expression. Results of linkage analyses have variously suggested two different locations for a TSC gene. A collaborative dataset has been assembled to clarify the issue of genetic heterogeneity. We have now analyzed the data from a combined sample of 111 families. Using Ott's HOMOG programs, we completed three tests of homogeneity: (1) for chromosome 9q, (2) for chromosome 11q, and (3) for the combined 9q and 11q data. For test 1 the chi-square (1 df) was 21.54 (p less than 0.001), for test 2 the chi-square (1 df) was 0.13 (p greater than 0.35), and for test 3 the chi-square (2 df) was 37.61 (p less than 0.0001). Additionally, we examined the combined data for evidence that a third, as yet unlinked locus exists. Results of this last test were suggestive but not significant. Clearly loci for TSC are present on both chromosomes 9q and 11q. The maximum likelihood estimate of the proportion of chromosome 9q-linked families is 0.38, for chromosome 11q-linked families is 0.47, and for the unlinked type 0.15. Alternative explanations for these latter families include chance sampling of recombinants, nongenetic phenocopies, or misclassification.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11↗

Membrane specific carbonic anhydrase (CAIV) expression in human tissues.

Membrane-bound carbonic anhydrase IV (CAIV) expression has been evaluated in a range of fetal and adult human tissues and in cell culture. All tissues tested showed expression of CAIV, assessed by Western blotting, with a single immunodetected band at 55 kDa. The levels varied in fetal lung and liver during development and in various zones of the fetal brain. CAIV was clearly expressed in lung, pancreatic tumour and skin cell cultures.

Blotting, Western↗

Paternal origin of new mutations in von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis.

Von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis (NF-1) is a common autosomal dominant disorder. The estimated new mutation rate (1 x 10(-4] is one of the highest for a human disorder. Here we report that in 12 of 14 families we have analysed, the new mutation is of paternal origin. This result is similar to that recently obtained for retinoblastoma. In other genetic disorders that show a bias towards paternal origin of new mutations, there is a marked increase in the incidence of mutations with paternal age, consistent with the mutations arising from replication errors in mitosis of spermatogonial stem cells. In retinoblastoma and NF-1, however, such paternal age effects are slight or absent. The mechanism or timing of germline mutation could therefore be different in the two cases.

Adult↗

Chorionic villus sampling for prenatal diagnosis in Wales using DNA probes--5 years' experience.

Chorionic villi were sampled from 125 women who requested prenatal diagnosis, either for genetic disorder or because of advanced maternal age. Of these, 105 samples were obtained by the transcervical route and 20 were obtained by the transabdominal approach. The sampling success rate was 97 per cent (122/125). The mean maternal age of the patients was 31 years (range 17-44) and the mean gestational age at which the chorionic villus sampling was performed was 10 weeks (range 7-13 weeks). Seventy-four of these diagnoses involved the use of DNA markers. The minimal size of the sample used for DNA diagnosis was 5 mg. Maternal contamination was detected in two samples. A diagnosis was provided on all but two samples. The fetal loss rate was high initially but fell to 1.9 per cent in 1988.

Adolescent↗

Porphyria cutanea tarda and haemochromatosis: a family study.

A female patient aged 73 presented with a history of general malaise and hyperpigmentation. Iron studies in the patient and immediate family members indicated that the proband was homozygous for haemochromatosis, but subsequent investigations revealed that porphyria cutanea tarda was responsible for her signs and symptoms. Venesection of four units of blood brought her symptoms under control. The interplay between porphyria cutanea tarda and excess iron deposition is discussed as is the role of extending investigations to first and second degree relatives when either haemochromatosis or porphyria cutanea tarda is suspected.

Aged↗

A 90 kb DNA deletion associated with neurofibromatosis type 1.

A deletion of 90 kb of DNA has been identified in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1, using pulsed field gel electrophoresis. The deletion lies between probes 17L1A and AC5 in the critical region of chromosome 17 and represents the only molecular alteration found by PFGE in a series of 90 unrelated patients. The subject showing the deletion is an isolated case, shows typical clinical features, and represents one of the first examples of a molecular deletion to be found in this disorder.

Chromosome Deletion↗

Close flanking markers for neurofibromatosis type I (NF1).

A genetic linkage study with 16 polymorphic DNA markers spanning the region 17p11-17q24 in 22 NF1 families is presented. Close linkage between NF1 and eight pericentromeric markers (HHH202, EW206, CRI-L946, EW203, EW301, FG2, p17H8, and CRI-L581) has been found, probe HHH202 being the closest marker to NF1. Genetic heterogeneity has been excluded. The study of multiply informative meioses suggests that the probes HHH202 and RW206 are flanking markers for NF1. The most likely order on the basis of multiply informative meioses and multipoint mapping is pter-pA10.41-EW301-cen-HHH202-NF1-EW206-++ +EW207-qter.

Chromosome Mapping↗

The human glutathione S-transferases. Immunohistochemical studies of the developmental expression of Alpha- and Pi-class isoenzymes in liver.

Immunohistochemical studies of the developmental expression of the Alpha- and Pi-class glutathione S-transferases in human liver have shown that the Pi enzyme is expressed in bile-duct epithelium and some hepatocytes but not in haematopoietic cells. This locus is down-regulated during gestation in hepatocytes but not in epithelium. The enzymes of the Alpha set were also found in only some hepatocytes, and it appears that many cells express neither these nor the Pi forms.

Adult↗

Future Fit: a cardiovascular health education and fitness project in an after-school setting.

Future Fit was developed to provide a low cost, heart health education and fitness program that could be incorporated readily into existing after-school programs with minimal teacher training and nominal expenditures for equipment and supplies. Participants in the 12-week demonstration project were 55 third and fourth grade students enrolled in after-school programs at four sites, randomly assigned to experimental and control conditions. Results indicated significant knowledge gains and changes in knowledge, attitude, and behavior at home. These outcomes suggest health and fitness programming in the after-school setting can be an effective complement to the education provided within the school setting.

Attitude to Health↗

Origin of both coronary arteries from the pulmonary trunk associated with hypoplasia of the aortic tract complex: a new entity.

The first case of origin of both coronary arteries from the pulmonary trunk, associated with hypoplasia of the aortic tract complex is reported. Although this is a lethal anomaly, as both coronary arteries originate from the pulmonary artery, it is conceivable that surgical intervention could make this unusual entity a viable one. Possible surgical techniques are discussed.

Aortic Valve↗

Predictors of clinical hypomagnesemia. Hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, hyponatremia, and hypocalcemia.

Four studies were conducted, each determining the frequency of hypomagnesemia in patients already found to have one abnormal electrolyte determination. Hypomagnesemia occurred in 42% of patients with hypokalemia, 29% of patients with hypophosphatemia, 27% of patients with hyponatremia, and 22% of patients with hypocalcemia. These observations suggest that detection of either hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, hyponatremia, or hypocalcemia, all of which are routinely available determinations, should alert the clinician to order serum magnesium determinations because of the frequent association of hypomagnesemia with these electrolyte perturbations. Optimally, levels of serum Mg should be determined on a routine basis because of the frequency of the occurrence of hypomagnesemia in hospitalized patients.

Humans↗

Intravenous magnesium--potential hazard of inadequate mixing.

Failure to mix 24.5 mM of magnesium, added as 50% MgSO4 in 1 liter of intravenous fluid, results in a high concentration of Mg in the initial 10-cc aliquot: 1,145.7 mM/liter. Adequate dispersion can be obtained after three inversions. We conclude that because of the extremely high concentrations of Mg that can result if no mixing is done, it is imperative that hospital personnel ensure that added Mg is adequately dispersed in intravenous fluid prior to administration. A method of signalling the inadequacy of mixing is to color code additives with a harmless dye to alert personnel to the problem of inadequate dispersement.

Coloring Agents↗

Hypomagnesemia and hypokalemia in 1,000 treated ambulatory hypertensive patients.

This study reports on the prevalence of hypomagnesemia (4.5%), by the stringent criterion of less than or equal to 1.25 mEq/L, and hypokalemia (17%) in 1,000 ambulatory hypertensive patients under treatment at the VA Medical Center, Oklahoma City. The hypomagnesemic group required a greater number of antihypertensive medications than the nonhypomagnesemic patients to maintain their blood pressure in the acceptable range. These observations suggest the possibility that magnesium may play an important role in blood pressure control and indicate the need for further studies.

Ambulatory Care↗

Magnesium and potassium interrelationships, experimental and clinical.

1) Coexisting Mg and K deficiency may occur with greater frequency than has been previously appreciated. 2) Profound hypokalemia, or refractoriness to K repletion or coexisting hypokalemia and hypocalcemia should suggest the possibility of concurrent Mg and K depletion. 3) The identification and treatment of concurrent K and Mg depletion is especially important in patients with congestive heart failure because of problem of digitalis toxicity. 4) We believe that the role of magnesium in optimizing cardiac function remains to be elucidated, identification and treatment of coexisting Mg and K depletion will be facilitated by making serum Mg a routine electrolyte determination together with Na, K, Cl, CO2.

Adult↗