摘要:

Recently identified molecular mechanisms (mitochondrial DNA mutations, genomic imprinting, uniparental disomy, unstable trinucleotide repeats) responsible for the non-Mendelian patterns of some genetic diseases are reviewed. Among the diseases considered are LHON (Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy), MERRF (myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers), MELAS (mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes), Prader-Willi syndrome, Angelman syndrome, fragile-X syndrome, myotonic dystrophy, as well as other

ISSN:1011-7571    

DOI:10.1159/000157481

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1994

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

A comparative study was conducted in Kuwait’s Maternity Hospital to investigate the consequences of obesity on pregnancy, labor and fetal outcome. Kuwaiti mothers were selected from the labor wards’ registration every fifth day during the first 3 months of 1990. The 290 selected subjects were structurally interviewed on their first postnatal day. According to the skinfold method used, 55.5% of the subjects were found to be obese. Maternal age and parity were found to be significantly (p < 0.01) associated with fat percentage. After controlling for the effects of age and parity, prepregnancy hypertension was highly associated with fat percentage (p < 0.001). The rates of preeclampsia and multiple pregnancy among obese women were higher. All known diabetic women in this series were obese. Gestational diabetes was significantly (p < 0.05) higher among obese patients. Prolonged labor was more likely in obese than non-obese primiparas (p < 0.05). Obese women were 1.6 times more liable to have induced labor and 5 times more likely to have large-for-dates babies than non-obese patients. It is recommended that public awareness about the hazards of obesity to both mother and fetus be promo

ISSN:1011-7571    

DOI:10.1159/000157482

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1994

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Sixty-nine Kuwaiti and 115 non-Kuwaiti Arab women with gestational ages ≧ 25 weeks were screened using a reflectance photometer to determine random capillary blood glucose (RCBG). All known diabetics were excluded. The mean ± SEM blood glucose was 5.6 ± 0.25 mmol/l in the Kuwaiti group and 5.0 ± 0.14 mmol/l in the non-Kuwaiti Arab group (p < 0.05). This is much higher than would be expected and illustrates the importance of obtaining reference values from local populations. Among the Kuwaitis, 10% had RCBG values between 6.9 and 8.9 mmol/l and 8.7% had values ≧ 9 mmol/l. This contrasts with only 1.8% of the non-Kuwaiti Arabs. RCBG values were not related to age, gestational week (after 25th) or number of deliveries. However, they significantly increased (p < 0.05) with increasing weight and decreased (p < 0.01) with increasing time elapsed after breakfast: 2 h after eating, the 95% upper limit was 9 mmol/l; after 4 h, this value had dropped to 7 mmol/l. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were performed in all subjects, using the WHO criteria for diagnosing diabetes mellitus. In comparison with OGTT results, the cut-off levels for the calculated sensitivity and specificity of RCBG screening were 86.6 and 92.9%, respectively. It is suggested that the decision to perform an OGTT should be based on RCBG using the appropriate cutoff levels in relation to the amount of time elapsed after bre

ISSN:1011-7571    

DOI:10.1159/000157483

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1994

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Sera were collected from 18 children with celiac disease and 49 children with other forms of chronic diarrhea. Of the 49 children with other forms of chronic diarrhea, 35 had postenteritis, 8 had giardiasis and 6 had other diagnoses. Thirty children with nongastrointestinal disorders were tested and used as controls. The sera were tested for gliadin, α-gliadin and reticulin antibodies: false-positive values in children with other forms of chronic diarrhea were encountered in 27, 45, and 4% and in 3, 3, and 0% of controls, respectively. The sensitivity in celiac disease was 89,89 and 50%, while the specificity was 71 49 and 94%, respectively. In Kuwait, postenteritis syndromes are common causes of protracted diarrhea. Antibodies to gliadins are as sensitive but significantly less specific for celiac disease (CD) than those reported in developed countries. The combined testing of antigliadin and antireticulin antibodies raised the diagnostic specificity to 94%

ISSN:1011-7571    

DOI:10.1159/000157484

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1994

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Fine-needle aspirations (FNA) were taken from 308 patients with palpable breast masses at the Kuwait Cancer Control Centre (KCCC) from January 1985 to December 1986. Thirty-five cases were diagnosed positive, 4 suspicious and 269 negative for malignant cells. Histological verification was obtained in 32 of the 35 positive cases, 2 of the 4 suspicious cases and 56 of the 269 negative cases. Three-year follow-up studies were conducted on 46 patients with negative cytology. Clinical impressions and mammographic diagnoses were compared with the results from the FNA. Only cases with histological verifications or with 3-year follow-up studies were analyzed. During this study, FNA had a specificity of 100% while physical examination and mammography had ‘complete’ specificities of 94.4 and 90%, respectively. ‘Complete’ sensitivities of 97.1% for FNA, 96.8% for physical examination and 93.3% for mammography were r

ISSN:1011-7571    

DOI:10.1159/000157485

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1994

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum IgG from 139 inpatients were analyzed for the detection of oligoclonal banding by isoelectric focusing on agarose (AIEF) with immunoperoxide staining. All of the patients had been admitted to one of the three major hospitals dealing with neurological diseases in Kuwait (Ibn Sina, Mubarak Al-Kabeer and Al-Amiri Hospitals). Of the 139 patients, 23 had oligoclonal bands in the CSF, 9 had evidence of intrathecal synthesis of IgG (bands in CSF but not in parallel serum), and 9 had evidence of systemic immune stimulation (oligoclonal bands in the CSF and in parallel serum). In 5 cases, serum was not available for an appropriate interpretation. Patients with intrathecal synthesis of IgG had demyelinating diseases and infections of the central nervous system (CNS). Patients with systemic immune response had infections, connective tissue disorders and malignancy. In cases with positive oligoclonal IgG in CSF, the diagnosis of diseases not associated with immune response within the CNS may be excluded. Our results compare favorably with already published sensitivity of AIEF and further recommend this method as a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of neurologic disease.

ISSN:1011-7571    

DOI:10.1159/000157486

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1994

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Thirty non-pregnant female albino rabbits of the blanc du Bouscat strain were selected for this study. Laparotomies were performed on the animals. Both uterine horns of each animal were transected, then repaired by end-to-end anastomosis. Before closing the abdomen, 1% sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC), 7 ml/kg body weight, was instilled in 20 animals (study group) and dextran 70, 7 ml/kg body weight, was instilled in the remaining 10 animals (control group). Two weeks later, the animals were re-explored and adhesion formations were assessed. It was found that SCMC reduced adhesion formation in the treated animals more than dextran 70.

ISSN:1011-7571    

DOI:10.1159/000157487

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1994

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

The effect of extra-weight loading was studied using Syrian (CHF 148) hamsters. Thirty animals were divided into three groups: sedentary control (SC), sedentary extra-weight loaded (SEW) and extra-weight loaded and aerobic running training (EWAT). The animals were made to carry extra weight (15% of body weight) continuously for 8 weeks. Additionally, aerobic running training was provided to the EWAT group with gradually increased loading. Contractile characteristics of gastrocnemius muscles were determined in vitro. Means of body mass and gastrocnemius mass were compared. Body mass and gastrocnemius mass increased significantly in the SEW group. Twitch tension was enhanced in both the SEW and EWAT groups. Tetanic tension was significantly higher only in the EWAT group. Compared to the SC group, time to peak and half relaxation time significantly increased in gastrocnemius muscles of SEW hamsters and decreased in EWAT hamsters. The tension values for development during tetanic contraction and decline during relaxation were considerably higher for the EWAT group. Similar values were obtained for the SC and SEW groups. The findings indicate that, whereas constant extra-weight loading may increase muscle mass, it decreases muscle contraction speed and does not affect muscle tension. In contrast, constant extra-weight loading combined with aerobic running training enhances the contractile characteristics of muscles.

ISSN:1011-7571    

DOI:10.1159/000157488

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1994

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

A 47-year-old male was treated with chloramphenicol for a suspected lower urinary tract infection. Five days later, his urine output had dropped and was associated with a rapid rise in serum creatinine. A percutaneous renal biopsy showed evidence of acute interstitial nephritis. He was treated with low-dose steroids and his renal functions returned to normal within days. A causative association between acute interstitial nephritis and chloramphenicol is suggested.

ISSN:1011-7571    

DOI:10.1159/000157489

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1994

数据来源: Karger