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S Andrew

Publications and source records attributed to S Andrew.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Geographical distribution of haplotypes in Swedish families with Huntington's disease.

This study was planned to determine the number of origins of the mutation underlying Huntington's disease (HD) in Sweden. Haplotypes were constructed for 23 different HD families, using six different polymorphisms [(CCG)n, GT70, 674, BS1, E2 and 4.2], including two within the gene. In addition, extensive genealogical investigations were performed, and the geographical origin of the haplotypes was studied. Ten different haplotypes were observed suggesting multiple origins for the HD mutation in Sweden. Analysis of the two polymorphic markers within the HD gene (the CCG repeat and GT70) indicates that there are at least three origins for the HD mutation in Sweden. One of these haplotypes (7/A) accounts for 89% of the families, suggesting that the majority of the Swedish HD families are related through a single HD mutation of ancient origin. Furthermore, three of the families that were previously considered to be unrelated could be traced to a common ancestor in the 15th century, a finding that is consistent with this hypothesis.

Alleles↗

DNA analysis of distinct populations suggests multiple origins for the mutation causing Huntington disease.

Results of association studies can be significantly biased if the ancestry of the control population is not similar to that of the affected population. One approach to overcome such a bias is to use distinct populations where controls and affected individuals are likely to be of similar descent. We have examined homogeneous populations of French, Danish and Swedish ancestry for nonrandom allelic association between Huntington disease (HD) and several markers previously shown to be in association with HD. No evidence for nonrandom allelic association between HD and these markers was shown in these populations. The demonstration of association in a United Kingdom (UK) sample of similar size, and lack of significant differences in allele frequencies between the French, Danish, Swedish and UK populations suggested that the absence of association was not predominantly a consequence of allele frequencies or sample size. To investigate further the number of potential HD chromosomes, DNA haplotypes were constructed for the Danish, French, Swedish and UK populations. The minimum of two HD haplotypes observed in each of the French, Danish and Swedish populations, compared to the one haplotype in the UK population of a similar size, is an important factor accounting for the absence of association between HD and the DNA markers in these populations. Furthermore, these data are in favour of multiple independent origins for the mutation causing HD.

Alleles↗

Nonrandom association between Huntington disease and two loci separated by about 3 Mb on 4p16.3.

The gene for Huntington disease (HD) has been localized close to the telomere on the short arm of chromosome 4. However, refined mapping using recombinant HD chromosomes has resulted in conflicting findings and mutually exclusive candidate regions. Previously reported significant nonrandom allelic association between D4S95 and HD provided support for a more proximal location for the defective gene. In this paper, we have analyzed 17 markers, spanning approximately 6 Mb of DNA distal to locus D4S62, for nonrandom association to HD. We confirm the previous findings of nonrandom allelic association between D4S95 and HD. In addition, we provide new data showing significant nonrandom association between HD and 3 markers at D4S133 and D4S228, which are approximately 3 Mb telomeric to D4S95.

Alleles↗

Delineation of a 50 kilobase DNA segment containing the recombination site in a sporadic case of Huntington's disease.

No detectable rearrangements involving chromosome 4p16.3 have been observed in patients with Huntington's disease (HD). New mutations for HD could involve structural alterations which might aid the localization of the defective gene. We have reinvestigated a well documented sporadic case of HD. DNA haplotyping with markers between D4S10 and the telomeric locus D4S141 reveals a recombination event in one chromosome of the sporadic HD patient. The site of recombination maps within a 50 kilobase (kb) region, about 700 kb from the 4p telomere. Based on the extremely low HD mutation rate and significantly decreased recombination in the distal region of 4p, we hypothesize a direct link between the site of the recombination and HD in this patient.

Adult↗

Early detection of water intoxication.

1. It has been estimated that between 3% and 6% of patients in psychiatric treatment settings are affected by water intoxication. Water intoxication with consequent hyponatremia can result in disturbing clinical conditions. 2. Early detection is an important factor because of the insidious nature and rapid development of this syndrome. 3. A risk analysis for the early detection of this serious condition has been developed. It is easily administered and effective in categorizing a patient's level of risk.

Adult↗

Isolation and characterization of new highly polymorphic DNA markers from the Huntington disease region.

The defect causing Huntington disease (HD) has been mapped to 4p16.3, distal to the DNA marker D4S10. Subsequently, additional polymorphic markers closer to the HD gene have been isolated, which has led to the establishment of predictive testing programs for individuals at risk for HD. Approximately 17% of persons presenting to the Canadian collaborative study for predictive testing for HD have not received any modification of risk, in part because of limited informativeness of currently available DNA markers. Therefore, more highly polymorphic DNA markers are needed, which will further increase the accuracy and availability of predictive testing, specifically for families with complex or incomplete pedigree structures. In addition, new markers are urgently needed in order to refine the breakpoints in the few known recombinant HD chromosomes, which could allow a more accurate localization of the HD gene within 4p16.3 and, therefore, accelerate the cloning of the disease gene. In this study we present the identification and characterization of nine new polymorphic DNA markers, including three markers which detect highly informative multiallelic VNTR-like polymorphisms with PIC values of up to .84. These markers have been isolated from a cloned region of DNA which has been previously mapped approximately 1,000 kb from the 4p telomere.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4↗

Genomic organization and complete sequence of the human gene encoding the beta-subunit of the cGMP phosphodiesterase and its localisation to 4p 16.3.

As part of the search for the Huntington disease (HD) gene we have cloned and sequenced 34 kb of genomic DNA containing the full-length gene for the beta-subunit of the human cGMP phosphodiesterase (beta-cGMP PDE). This gene is localized to 4p16.3 about 700 kb proximal to the 4p telomere and represents the most telomeric gene characterized on 4p to date. We show that this gene is comprised of 22 exons spanning approximately 43 kb of genomic DNA. We also provide 400 bp immediately 5' to the putative initiator methionine and 700 bp of 3' flanking sequences. Northern blot analysis of several human tissues revealed a highly abundant 3.5 kb transcript and a minor signal of 4.5 kb in retinal tissue. Alignment of the deduced amino acid sequence to the previously identified beta-subunits of the cGMP PDEs of mouse and cow demonstrates highly significant similarities and, therefore, confirms the identity of the cloned gene. A defect in the beta-subunit of the cGMP PDE gene has been shown recently to be the cause for the retinal degeneration in the rd mouse. The cloning of the human homolog and the knowledge of its genomic organization with exon/intron boundaries will allow rapid assessment of the role of this gene in the causation of human retinopathies.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Mononuclear and multinuclear macrophages in filarial infections.

Filarial infections commonly involve chronic tissue responses to these complex and resiliant organisms. These responses, which occur with a number of the parasitic stages of filariae, involve macrophages, and these cells appear to be important in immunologically induced destruction and removal of these important parasites of man and animals. Details of their presence and experimental induction as well as their distinction into a number of morphological types, including multinuclear (giant cell) forms, is described in this communication. The ability of these various forms to function in phagocytic and immunologically mediated adherence assays is also described.

Animals↗

ABO blood group and susceptibility to urinary tract infection: no evidence for involvement of isohaemagglutinins.

Investigations of the possible mechanisms underlying the increased susceptibility of women who are blood group B and non-secretors of water-soluble blood group antigen to recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) revealed that isohaemagglutinins are not involved in bactericidal killing or agglutination of 8 serotypes (1,2) of Escherichia coli frequently associated with UTI. The implications of these results and possible areas for future studies are discussed.

ABO Blood-Group System↗