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Z Ahmed

Publications and source records attributed to Z Ahmed.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Mutations of the protocadherin gene PCDH15 cause Usher syndrome type 1F.

Human chromosome 10q21-22 harbors USH1F in a region of conserved synteny to mouse chromosome 10. This region of mouse chromosome 10 contains Pcdh15, encoding a protocadherin gene that is mutated in ames waltzer and causes deafness and vestibular dysfunction. Here we report two mutations of protocadherin 15 (PCDH15) found in two families segregating Usher syndrome type 1F. A Northern blot probed with the PCDH15 cytoplasmic domain showed expression in the retina, consistent with its pathogenetic role in the retinitis pigmentosa associated with USH1F.

Aged

Usher syndrome 1D and nonsyndromic autosomal recessive deafness DFNB12 are caused by allelic mutations of the novel cadherin-like gene CDH23.

Genes causing nonsyndromic autosomal recessive deafness (DFNB12) and deafness associated with retinitis pigmentosa and vestibular dysfunction (USH1D) were previously mapped to overlapping regions of chromosome 10q21-q22. Seven highly consanguineous families segregating nonsyndromic autosomal recessive deafness were analyzed to refine the DFNB12 locus. In a single family, a critical region was defined between D10S1694 and D10S1737, approximately 0.55 cM apart. Eighteen candidate genes in the region were sequenced. Mutations in a novel cadherin-like gene, CDH23, were found both in families with DFNB12 and in families with USH1D. Six missense mutations were found in five families with DFNB12, and two nonsense and two frameshift mutations were found in four families with USH1D. A northern blot analysis of CDH23 showed a 9.5-kb transcript expressed primarily in the retina. CDH23 is also expressed in the cochlea, as is demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction amplification from cochlear cDNA.

Alleles

Measurement of calcium influx under voltage clamp in molluscan neurones using the metallochromic dye arsenazo III.

1. The metallochromic indicator dye, arsenazo III, was injected into somata of molluscan neurones from Archidoris monteryensis. Membrane current and dye absorbance change were simultaneously monitored under voltage clamp. 2. Absorbance measured at 660 nm increased during positive-going voltage steps large enough to activate membrane conductances. In situ idifference spectra were qualitatively similar to dye, dye-calcium difference spectra recorded in vitro. The absorbance change was abolished by either a thorough removal of external calcium or internal chelation of calcium by EGTA. It was concluded that the absorbance increase primarily reflected changing internal calcium concentration and that the calcium entered from the outside. 3. Dye absorbance increased in a nearly linear fashion during voltage clamp pulses of 100--300 msec duration. This is in qualitative agreement with electrical stuidies which demonstrated only fractional inactivation of calcium conductance during such periods. Plots of absorbance change vs. Vm peaked at +30 to +40 mV and fell off sharply until approximately +70 mV where the slope became less steep. A null or reversal of the absorbance change was generally observed aroung +110 mV. Evidence is presented that calcium influx was in some cases sufficient to cause sizeable changes in its equilibrium potential. 4. During multisecond voltage clamps the slope of the absorbance change showed a large decline. Where barium substituted for calcium as the influx species in identical clamps, the absorbance at 660 nm also increased but in a much more linear fashion. Except for a slight effect on the initial few pulses, the absorbance signal did not recover after a period of barium influx. These results suggest that part of the slope decline might result from processes related to calcium uptake and not to membrane conductance decrease. 5. Dye absorbance changes during normal and TEA action potentials were measured. Comparison of these changes with voltage clamp records indicated that calcium influx during a spike was capable of raising concentration by roughly 2 X 10(-7) M if the cell were considered to be a uniform sphere with no buffering capacity. Calcium influx during action potentials was increased dramatically by TEA, primarily as a result of a prolonged plateau phase. The existence and duration of the plateau was controlled mainly by potassium conductance systems, however. There was no evidence found for facilitation of the calcium conductance. 6. Following a moderate influx of calcium it required 20--60 sec, depending on the neurone, for the dye absorbance to return to base line (at 9 degrees C). The recovery time course showed a marked difference when examined at different wavelengths. For lambda = 660 nm there was an initial period in which the absorbance decreased rapidly, followed by a slower phase which generally carried the absorbance below the initial (prepulse) value...

Action Potentials

Hypertension in Secretariate population of Bangladesh.

A total of 8,172 persons constituting 98.6% of the total Secretariate Population of Bangladesh were screened for elevated blood pressure. One thousand and ninety cases (13.3%) showed diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or above. Those with diastolic blood pressure of 95 or above constituted 3.7% of the population. More than two-thirds of the latter group (71.6%) remained undetected indicating that vast majority of our hypertensive population remains undiagnosed and untreated. It is recommended that the misconception regarding symptomatic hypertenson should be removed by adequate emphasis on the preventive value of the control of hypertension on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complication. A plea has also been made for a large-scale survey to determine the extent of the problem in Bangladesh.

Adolescent