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HH
Terms modified by HH Selected AbstractsTropomyosin expression and dynamics in developing avian embryonic musclesCYTOSKELETON, Issue 5 2008Jushuo Wang Abstract The expression of striated muscle proteins occurs early in the developing embryo in the somites and forming heart. A major component of the assembling myofibrils is the actin-binding protein tropomyosin. In vertebrates, there are four genes for tropomyosin (TM), each of which can be alternatively spliced. TPM1 can generate at least 10 different isoforms including the striated muscle-specific TPM1, and TPM1,. We have undertaken a detailed study of the expression of various TM isoforms in 2-day-old (stage HH 10,12; 33 h) heart and somites, the progenitor of future skeletal muscles. Both TPM1, and TPM1, are expressed transiently in embryonic heart while TPM1, is expressed in somites. Both RT-PCR and in situ hybridization data suggest that TPM1, is expressed in embryonic heart whereas TPM1, is expressed in embryonic heart, and also in the branchial arch region of somites, and in the somites. Photobleaching studies of Yellow Fluorescent Protein-TPM1, and -TPM1, expressed in cultured avian cardiomyocytes revealed that the dynamics of the two probes was the same in both premyofibrils and in mature myofibrils. This was in sharp contrast to skeletal muscle cells in which the fluorescent proteins were more dynamic in premyofibrils. We speculate that the differences in the two muscles is due to the appearance of nebulin in the skeletal myocytes premyofibrils transform into mature myofibrils. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Ice Minimizes Discomfort Associated with Injection of Botulinum Toxin Type A for the Treatment of Palmar and Plantar HyperhidrosisDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 2007KEVIN C. SMITH MD BACKGROUND The value of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) for treatment of palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis (HH) has been limited by injection pain, which in the past has generally required administration of a nerve block. We describe the successful use of ice applied to the intended injection point followed immediately by application of either ice or vibration to skin adjacent to the injection point to reduce discomfort associated with injection of BTX-A for the treatment of palmar and plantar HH. RESULTS During needle insertion and injection of BTX-A, both the application of ice to the intended injection point followed by application of ice adjacent to the injection point (ice+ice) and the application of ice to the intended injection point followed by application of vibration adjacent to the injection point have been preferred by our patients to nerve block. These two techniques allow efficient treatment of both hands and/or both feet in a single session. CONCLUSION By eliminating the need for nerve blocks, the techniques described here will enlarge the pool of physicians who can administer BTX-A for palmar and plantar HH, and will enlarge the pool of patients who are willing to have this treatment. [source] Ventral specification and perturbed boundary formation in the mouse midbrain in the absence of Hedgehog signalingDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 5 2008Jennifer L. Fogel Abstract Although Hedgehog (HH) signaling plays a critical role in patterning the ventral midbrain, its role in early midbrain specification is not known. We examined the midbrains of sonic hedgehog (Shh) and smoothened (Smo) mutant mice where HH signaling is respectively attenuated and eliminated. We show that some ventral (Evx1+) cell fates are specified in the Shh,/, mouse in a Ptc1 - and Gli1 -independent manner. HH-independent ventral midbrain induction was further confirmed by the presence of a Pax7 -negative ventral midbrain territory in both Shh,/, and Smo,/, mice at and before embryonic day (E) 8.5. Midbrain signaling centers are severely disrupted in the Shh,/, mutant. Interestingly, dorsal markers are up-regulated (Wnt1, Gdf7, Pax7), down-regulated (Lfng), or otherwise altered (Zic1) in the Shh,/, midbrain. Together with the increased cell death seen specifically in Shh,/, dorsal midbrains (E8.5,E9), our results suggest specific regulation of dorsal patterning by SHH, rather than a simple deregulation due to its absence. Developmental Dynamics 237:1359-1372, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Platelet-derived growth factors in the developing avian heart and maturating coronary vasculatureDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 4 2005Nynke M.S. Abstract Platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) are important in embryonic development. To elucidate their role in avian heart and coronary development, we investigated protein expression patterns of PDGF-A, PDGF-B, and the receptors PDGFR-, and PDGFR-, using immunohistochemistry on sections of pro-epicardial quail,chicken chimeras of Hamburger and Hamilton (HH) 28,HH35. PDGF-A and PDGFR-, were expressed in the atrial septum, sinus venosus, and throughout the myocardium, with PDGFR-, retreating to the trabeculae at later stages. Additionally, PDGF-A and PDGFR-, were present in outflow tract cushion mesenchyme and myocardium, respectively. Small cardiac nerves and (sub)epicardial cells expressed PDGF-B and PDGFR-,. Furthermore, endothelial cells expressed PDGF-B, while vascular smooth muscle cells and interstitial epicardium-derived cells expressed PDGFR-,, indicating a role in coronary maturation. PDGF-B is also present in ventricular septal development, in the absence of any PDGFR. Epicardium-derived cells in the atrioventricular cushions expressed PDGFR-,. We conclude that all four proteins are involved in myocardial development, whereas PDGF-B and PDGFR-, are specifically important in coronary maturation. Developmental Dynamics 233:1579,1588, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Hemiconvulsion,hemiplegia syndrome in a patient with severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancyEPILEPSIA, Issue 9 2009Takafumi Sakakibara Summary We report a 2-year-old girl who had repeated febrile or afebrile seizures since infancy. Prolonged left/right hemiconvulsions and myoclonus of the eyelids/extremities with generalization to tonic,clonic seizures, were refractory to antiepileptic agents. At age 1 year and 4 months, she contracted rotavirus infection, and developed status epilepticus with persistent right hemiclonic seizures. Left unilateral brain edema with subsequent emergence of cortical laminar necrosis and white matter lesions, and progressive atrophy of the left cerebral hemisphere were noted during this period. She showed residual right hemiparesis and mild intellectual disability, and had generalized/eyelid myoclonia and hot water epilepsy after a 5-month seizure-free period. Analysis for SCN1A, the gene encoding the neuronal voltage-gated Na+ channel ,1 subunit revealed a nonsense mutation, R1892X. These indicate the potential risk in patients with severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy (SMEI) to develop hemiconvulsion,hemiplegia (HH) syndrome. SCN1A mutations may need to be further explored in patients with HH syndrome without features of SMEI. [source] Unconventional Spin Crossover in Dinuclear and Trinuclear Iron(III) Complexes with Cyanido and Metallacyanido BridgesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 21 2009alitro Abstract A nonsymmetrical triamine, 1,6-diamino-4-azahexane, was Schiff-condensed with (X-substituted) o -salicylaldehyde to yield pentadentate ligands X-L5: salpet and MeBu-salpet. These ligands form mononuclear, dinuclear, and trinuclear FeIII complexes, whose structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Of the mononuclear complexes, [FeIII(salpet)Cl] and [FeIII(MeBu-salpet)Cl] are high spin (S = 5/2), whereas [FeIII(salpet)CN]·MeOH is low spin (S = 1/2). The dinuclear and trinuclear complexes show a kind ofthermally induced spin crossover. The dinuclear complex [L5FeIII(CN)FeIIIL5](ClO4)·2H2O (L5 = salpet) is a mixed-spin assembly: the C -coordinated FeIII center is low spin (L) and the N -coordinated FeIII center is high spin (H) at low temperature; an antiferromagnetic interaction occurs between them. This LH reference state is mixed with the LL one. Upon heating, the system shows an increasing content of the HH state. Also, the dinuclear complex [L5FeIII(CN)FeIIIL5](BPh4)·2MeCN (L5 = MeBu-salpet) exhibits a spin transition between LH and HH spin pairs. The mixed-valence trinuclear complex [L5FeIII{FeII(CN)5(NO)}FeIIIL5]·0.5MeOH·3.75H2O (L5 = salpet) shows spin crossover with a residual high-spin fraction at liquid He temperature owing to the LL + LH ground state. The metallacyanido-bridged complex [L5FeIII{Ni(CN)4}FeIIIL5]·2MeOH (L5 = MeBu-salpet) contains a high-spin pair, HH, over the whole temperature interval with a ferromagnetic exchange interaction. A theoretical model was outlined that allows simultaneous fitting of all available experimental data (magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, high-spin mole fraction obtained from the Mössbauer spectra) on a common set of parameters. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009) [source] River restoration, habitat heterogeneity and biodiversity: a failure of theory or practice?FRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 2010MARGARET A. PALMER Summary 1. Stream ecosystems are increasingly impacted by multiple stressors that lead to a loss of sensitive species and an overall reduction in diversity. A dominant paradigm in ecological restoration is that increasing habitat heterogeneity (HH) promotes restoration of biodiversity. This paradigm is reflected in stream restoration projects through the common practice of re-configuring channels to add meanders and adding physical structures such as boulders and artificial riffles to restore biodiversity by enhancing structural heterogeneity. 2. To evaluate the validity of this paradigm, we completed an extensive evaluation of published studies that have quantitatively examined the reach-scale response of invertebrate species richness to restoration actions that increased channel complexity/HH. We also evaluated studies that used manipulative or correlative approaches to test for a relationship between physical heterogeneity and invertebrate diversity in streams that were not in need of restoration. 3. We found habitat and macroinvertebrate data for 78 independent stream or river restoration projects described by 18 different author groups in which invertebrate taxa richness data in response to the restoration treatment were available. Most projects were successful in enhancing physical HH; however, only two showed statistically significant increases in biodiversity rendering them more similar to reference reaches or sites. 4. Studies manipulating structural complexity in otherwise healthy streams were generally small in scale and less than half showed a significant positive relationship with invertebrate diversity. Only one-third of the studies that attempted to correlate biodiversity to existing levels of in-stream heterogeneity found a positive relationship. 5. Across all the studies we evaluated, there is no evidence that HH was the primary factor controlling stream invertebrate diversity, particularly in a restoration context. The findings indicate that physical heterogeneity should not be the driving force in selecting restoration approaches for most degraded waterways. Evidence suggests that much more must be done to restore streams impacted by multiple stressors than simply re-configuring channels and enhancing structural complexity with meanders, boulders, wood, or other structures. 6. Thematic implications: as integrators of all activities on the land, streams are sensitive to a host of stressors including impacts from urbanisation, agriculture, deforestation, invasive species, flow regulation, water extractions and mining. The impacts of these individually or in combination typically lead to a decrease in biodiversity because of reduced water quality, biologically unsuitable flow regimes, dispersal barriers, altered inputs of organic matter or sunlight, degraded habitat, etc. Despite the complexity of these stressors, a large number of stream restoration projects focus primarily on physical channel characteristics. We show that this is not a wise investment if ecological recovery is the goal. Managers should critically diagnose the stressors impacting an impaired stream and invest resources first in repairing those problems most likely to limit restoration. [source] Selective defoliation by sheep according to slope and plant species in the hill country of New ZealandGRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 4 2003I. F. López Abstract The objective of the study was to evaluate the grazing behaviour by sheep in hill country paddocks in New Zealand which had received two long-term fertilization and stocking rate treatments [high fertility,high stocking rate (HH); low fertility,low stocking rate (LL)]. Herbage accumulation and selective grazing were evaluated within low slope (LS), medium slope (MS) and high slope (HS) categories. Transects lines were placed and tillers of Agrostis capillaris and Lolium perenne in the LS category; A. capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum and L. perenne in the MS category; and A. capillaris and A. odoratum in the HS category were marked. The leaf length of each marked tiller was measured and used to determine selective grazing over 3 weeks during each season. The highest herbage accumulation rates were during spring and the lowest in summer and winter. The LS category showed the highest herbage accumulation rates and HS the lowest. Except for autumn, the marked tillers were more frequently grazed in the HH than in the LL paddock. During summer, autumn and spring, grazing frequency in the slope categories was in the order LS > MS > HS. During winter sheep did not discriminate between slope category. During summer, autumn and spring, sheep did not selectively graze the species studied but this was not the case during winter. Overall, sheep selectively grazed L. perenne. In all the seasons L. perenne consistently had the longest leaves but within species there was no consistent relationship between leaf length and probability of being grazed. Selective grazing changed through the year according to herbage accumulation rate. Sheep concentrated grazing in the category LS when herbage accumulation rate was high, but they did not discriminate between slope categories in winter when herbage accumulation rate was low. [source] Changes in Regional Variation of Medicare Home Health Care Utilization and Service Mix for Patients Undergoing Major Orthopedic Procedures in Response to Changes in Reimbursement PolicyHEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 4 2009John D. FitzGerald Background. Significant variation in regional utilization of home health (HH) services has been documented. Under Medicare's Home Health Interim and Prospective Payment Systems, reimbursement policies designed to curb expenditure growth and reduce regional variation were instituted. Objective. To examine the impact of Medicare reimbursement policy on regional variation in HH care utilization and type of HH services delivered. Research Design. We postulated that the reimbursement changes would reduce regional variation in HH services and that HH agencies would respond by reducing less skilled HH aide visits disproportionately compared with physical therapy or nursing visits. An interrupted time-series analysis was conducted to examine regional variation in the month-to-month probability of HH selection, and the number of and type of visits among HH users. Subjects. A 100 percent sample of all Medicare recipients undergoing either elective joint replacement (1.6 million hospital discharges) or surgical management of hip fracture (1.2 million hospital discharges) between January 1996 and December 2001 was selected. Results. Before the reimbursement changes, there was great variability in the probability of HH selection and the number of HH visits provided across regions. In response to the reimbursement changes, though there was little change in the variation of probability of HH utilization, there were marked reductions in the number and variation of HH visits, with greatest reductions in regions with highest baseline utilization. HH aide visits were the source of the baseline variation and accounted for the majority of the reductions in utilization after implementation. Conclusions. The HH interim and prospective payment policies were effective in reducing regional variation in HH utilization. [source] Photocycloaddition of Six-Membered Cyclic Enones to Propen-2-yl IsocyanateHELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA, Issue 8 2007Maryam Bahaji Abstract On irradiation in the presence of propen-2-yl isocyanate (4), six-membered cyclic enones 3 are converted into regio- and stereoisomeric mixtures of [2+2] cycloadducts 5,10; the preferentially formed HT products, 5,8, can be converted into the corresponding bicyclic amines by acid hydrolysis, whereas, under these conditions, the regioisomeric HH -isocyanato derivatives undergo a retro-Mannich reaction. [source] Home Hemodialysis: Associations with Modality FailureHEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2003BA Young Purpose: To determine risk factors for home hemodialysis (HH) failure. Methods: We conducted a prospective study from 12/2000 to 9/2002 using data from the 1709 patients who received renal replacement therapy at the Northwest Kidney Centers (NWKC). Prevalent and incident Home Hemodialysis (HH) patients were included in the analysis. Baseline demographics, date of entry and date of exit from HH were ascertained for all patients. Differences among groups were assessed by independent t-test for continuous variables and by chi-squared test for categorical variables. Risk of HH failure was assessed with logistic regression. Results: Of the 116 patients who initiated training in the NWKC HH program (6.8%), 77.7% remained in the HH program, 10.3% received a transplant and 10.3% returned to in-center dialysis. Compared to patients who received a transplant or returned to in-center dialysis, HH patients were more likely to be older (65 vs. 54 yrs, P < .05) and were on dialysis longer (3.8 ± 4.7 vs. 2.3 ± 3.0 yrs, p < 0.05). Ethnicity, gender, primary renal disease and helper status were similar between groups, and were not associated with increased risk of HH failure. Unadjusted 3-year mortality was 31.7% for HH patients. HH patients who died were more likely to be older (p < 0.05) and to have diabetes (P < 0.01) than those who returned to in-center dialysis or who received a transplant. Conclusions: In HH patients, older age but not ethnicity, gender or helper status was associated with treatment failure. Older age and diabetes remain risk factors for mortality in the HH population. [source] The effect of ultrasonically activated irrigation on reduction of Enterococcus faecalis in experimentally infected root canalsINTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 11 2010A. J. Harrison Harrison AJ, Chivatxaranukul P, Parashos P, Messer HH. The effect of ultrasonically activated irrigation on reduction of Enterococcus faecalis in experimentally infected root canals. International Endodontic Journal, 43, 968,977, 2010. Abstract Aim, To investigate the ability of an ultrasonically activated irrigating system to eliminate bacteria from the canal wall and dentinal tubules of extracted teeth. Methodology, One hundred and thirty roots of intact human teeth were inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis for 4 weeks. The straight roots were randomly allocated to a baseline group (n = 25) or subjected to routine cleaning and shaping procedures (n = 105). Two sub-groups of prepared canals were then additionally exposed either to ultrasonic irrigation with 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for 1 min (n = 35) or to 1 week of intracanal medication with calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] (n = 35). All roots were processed for light microscopy (Brown and Brenn stain) (n = 28) or scanning electron microscopy (n = 7). Triplicate histological sections from each of the apical, middle and coronal thirds were scored for bacterial presence using pre-defined criteria. Results, Baseline bacterial penetration resulted in an average depth of tubule invasion of 151 ,m. Routine canal preparation failed to eliminate bacteria consistently from either the canal wall or within tubules. Ultrasonic irrigation and medication with Ca(OH)2 consistently eliminated bacteria from the canal wall (P < 0.001) compared with baseline and routine treatment, and more frequently from dentinal tubules than routine canal preparation alone (P < 0.01). Ultrasonic irrigation was as effective in bacterial reduction as 1 week of intracanal medication with Ca(OH)2, but neither led to complete bacterial elimination in all roots. Conclusions, Ultrasonically activated irrigation for 1 min with 1% NaOCl after canal preparation in straight root canals is potentially an effective supplementary step in microbial control. [source] Intracytoplasmic sperm injection as a complement to gonadotrophin treatment in infertile men with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadismINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 4 2005BRANKO ZORN Summary In this study we sought to determine whether intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) could improve the efficacy of treatment with gonadotrophins in gonadotrophin-deficient men in terms of pregnancy. A series of six adult men (aged 26,47 years) with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (HH) is reported: four men with prepubertal isolated idiopathic HH (IIHH) and two adult-onset HH, as part of hypopituitarism secondary to surgical treatment of a pituitary tumour. All were azoospermic. To restore spermatogenesis, all received hormonal treatment with intramuscular human menopausal gonadotrophins (HMG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) for 2 to 23 months. High basal serum inhibin B was predictive of rapid and complete recovery of spermatogenesis. In the two adult-onset HH, a natural pregnancy was achieved within 3 months. The four men with IIHH underwent ICSI because of poor sperm quality. ICSI using fresh or frozen-thawed ejaculated spermatozoa was performed after 6,23 months of gonadotrophin treatment. ICSI provided good clinical results in terms of fertilization and embryo quality, and resulted in three pregnancies that ended in three term deliveries. In men with oligozoospermia related to prepubertal IIHH, ICSI shortens the hormonal treatment and enhances the chances of pregnancy. [source] Low-grade fever: how to distinguish organic from non-organic formsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 3 2010M. Affronti Summary Background and aim:, Low-grade fever (LGF) is defined as a body temperature between 37.5 and 38.3 °C, which is below the classical value reported for fever of unknown origin (FUO). We attempted to characterise its epidemiology, aetiology and clinical aspects to improve the methodological approach to diagnosis. Design and Methods:, We reviewed and evaluated a survey of patients with LGF, followed as outpatients of our Department, a tertiary referral centre from 1997 to 2008. The same classifications were applied for classical FUO, and in the patients diagnosed with LGF, we also investigated for habitual hyperthermia (HH). Results:, Seventy-three patients were selected and divided into two groups: group A included 32 patients classified with organic fever and group B included 41 patients with HH. Aetiology of organic LGF was: infectious disease 59%; neoplasm 3.1%; inflammatory non-infectious disease 6.2%; miscellaneous 18.7%; undiagnosed 12.5%. Mean age was significantly higher in the organic fever than in the HH group (p < 0.02). Splenomegaly and loss of weight were significantly associated with organic fever (p < 0.05), while dizziness and general malaise were associated with HH. Lack of any pathological signs at physical examination was significantly more frequent in HH (p < 0.0001). Among the biochemical tests, white blood cells and C-reactive protein were more frequently above normal limits in group A than in group B (p < 0.05). Conclusions:, In our experience, LGF requires the same methodological diagnostic approach as FUO, because there is no relationship between body temperature values and the severity of the underlying diseases, and the aetiological spectrum is also the same. [source] Correlations between the Sonic Hedgehog Pathway and basal cell carcinomaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 11 2007Omar Lupi MD The Hedgehog (HH) family of intercellular signaling proteins has some essential functions in patterning both invertebrate and vertebrate embryos. Identified as an important regulator of segment polarity and tissue organization in flies, the HH pathway can also play a significant role in human development and in cutaneous carcinogenesis. The family received their name because when the D. melanogaster HH protein malfunctions the mutant fly ends up looking like a small prickly ball, similar to a curled up hedgehog. The Sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway is implicated in the etiology of the most common human cancer, the basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Mutations in the receptor of SHH, the patched gene (PTCH), have been characterized in sporadic BCCs as well as those from patients with the rare genetic syndrome nevoid BCC. Human PTCH is mutated in sporadic as well as hereditary BCCs, and inactivation of this gene is probably a necessary if not sufficient step for tumorigenesis. Delineation of the biochemical pathway in which PTCH functions may lead to rational medical therapy for skin cancer and possibly other tumors. [source] Iron-overload and genotypic expression of HFE mutations H63D/C282Y and transferrin receptor Hin6I and BanI polymorphism in German patients with hereditary haemochromatosisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IMMUNOGENETICS, Issue 3 2000R. Gottschalk Gene variations of HFE, a HLA-class I like molecule, are highly associated with hereditary haemochromatosis (HH). Functional as well as molecular studies of the HFE protein have indicated that the molecule is involved in iron metabolism and that the HFE gene variations observed among HH patients affect its interaction with the transferrin receptor (TfR). In the present study, we have therefore analysed the relationship between the HFE gene variants, C282Y and H63D, and body iron status among 85 German HH patients. In addition, two TfR gene polymorphism, TfR-Hin6I and TfR-BanI, were typed that have been reported to define ethnically distinct haplotypes. As controls we used 251/159 healthy German blood donors. Seventy-eight (92%) patients were C292Y homozygous, the H63D mutation was present in five (6%) patients with none of the patients being H63D homozygous. Serum transferrin, transferrin saturation and liver iron content were determined prior to therapeutic intervention. Among C282Y homozygous patients serum ferritin levels (2294 ± 3174 vs. 463 ± 224 µg L,1, P < 0.0001) and transferrin saturation (86 ± 18% vs. 62 ± 25%, P = 0.048) were elevated significantly compared with C282Y and/or H63D heterozygous patients. In addition, the liver iron content (291 ± 165 vs. 138 ± 95 µmol g,1, P = 0.028) and liver iron index (6.4 ± 2.8 vs. 3.2 ± 2.3, P = 0.019) were increased among C282Y homozygotes compared with C282Y heterozygotes. In contrast, no difference was observed between patients and controls regarding the distribution of TfR- Hin6I and TfR- BanI alleles. These data indicate that the iron intake is higher among C282Y homozygous patients compared with C282Y heterozygous or C282Y/H63D compound heterozygous individuals and supports the functional role of the HFE protein in iron metabolism whereas the TfR gene variants seem to have no influence on iron uptake. [source] Nutritional hypogonadotropic hypogonadism presented with decreased ejaculatory volumeINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 2 2005KOICH UDAGAWA Abstract A 19-year-old male college student presented with decreased ejaculatory volume. Endocrinological examinations demonstrated a hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) caused by a gonadotropin-releasing hormone deficiency from the hypothalamus. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging did not demonstrate any abnormalities. The possible causative factor of this adult-onset HH was excessive weight-loss (,26% in 1 year) due to inadequate food intake and an irregular lifestyle. Semen analyses and serum gonadotropin and testosterone values gradually improved as the patient became accustomed to his new life and regained weight. [source] Relation of polymorphism in the promotor region for the human osteocalcin gene to bone mineral density and occurrence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal Chinese women in TaiwanJOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 5 2001Huey-Yi Chen Abstract Osteoporosis is a common disorder with a strong genetic component. Our aim was to evaluate the correlation of the HindIII osteocalcin gene polymorphism to bone mineral density (BMD) and their relationship to osteoporosis. We determined the HindIII osteocalcin gene polymorphism using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction analysis in postmenopausal Chinese women in Taiwan. The osteocalcin gene polymorphism was detected by the restriction enzyme HindIII, where the H allele indicated the absence of the cuttable site and the h allele indicated its presence. We then related the genotypes to BMD and occurrence of osteoporosis in these women. The allelic frequencies for postmenopausal Chinese women in Taiwan were 64% for h and 36% for H in HindIII restriction fragment length polymorphisms. The prevalence of each genotype in the study population was 37.7% hh, 52.6% Hh, and 9.7% HH. The subjects with genotype hh had the greatest BMD at the lumbar spine and the femoral neck, and those with HH had the smallest BMD at the femoral neck, but these differences did not reach statistical significance. The HindIII osteocalcin genotype showed a significant effect on the prevalence of osteoporosis in the subjects at the femoral neck, that is, women with genotype HH had a 6.4 times greater risk for osteoporosis (P < 0.05), and those with genotype Hh had a 1.2 times greater risk than women with genotype hh. In conclusion, the HindIII osteocalcin gene polymorphism is associated with reduced BMD and predisposes women to osteoporosis at the femoral neck. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 15:251,255, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Accumulation of methylglyoxal in the gingival crevicular fluid of chronic periodontitis patientsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 4 2003S. Kashket Abstract Background, aims: Methylglyoxal (MG), a toxic product of cellular metabolism, is elevated in tissues and fluids in a number of human diseases. A cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine whether MG accumulates in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of chronic periodontitis patients. Methods: GCF samples were collected for 30 s each from three teeth with pocket depths greater than 3 mm (DD sites), from 14 chronic periodontitis patients. Control samples were taken from three healthy sites (DH sites) in the same patients, as well as from seven subjects who were periodontally healthy (HH sites). Fluid volumes were determined and the strips were placed in 0.5 N perchloric acid. Subsequently, samples were derivatized with o -phenylenediamine and the resulting methylquinoxaline was assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography on Lichrospher® -100 RP-18, with UV detection. Results: Mean pocket depths were 5.7±0.7, 2.7±0.6 and 2.7±0.5 mm (mean±SD) for the DD, DH and HH sites, respectively. Mean MG levels were found to be 208.7±241.7 and 142.9±235.7 pmol/site in the GCF from DD and DH sites, respectively (p=0.0023), but only 11.5±4.4 pmol/site for the HH sites. Bacteroides forsythus has been found to accumulate high levels of MG in culture (unpublished data) and, consistent with this, the sampled diseased sites contained higher levels of B. forsythus than the corresponding healthy sites (2.7±4.2×105 versus 0.7±1.1×105, respectively; p=0.022). Total "red complex" microorganisms were significantly elevated in the DD sites. Conclusions: In view of the known protein- and DNA-modifying effects of MG, the finding of elevated levels of MG in the GCF from chronic periodontitis patients supports the hypothesis that MG may contribute to destructive tissue damage in this disease. Zusammenfassung Hintergrund: Methylglyoxal (MG), ein toxisches Produkt des Zellstoffwechsels, ist bei einer Reihe menschlicher Erkrankungen in Geweben und Körperflüssigkeiten erhöht. Zielsetzung: Querschnittsstudie zur Klärung der Frage, ob sich MG in der Sulkusflüssigkeit (SF) bei Patienten mit chronischer Parodontitis ansammelt. Methoden: Bei 14 Patienten mit chronischer Parodontitis wurde SF für 30 s an 3 Zähnen mit Sondierungstiefen >3 mm (DD-Stellen) gewonnen. Kontrollproben wurden von jeweils 3 gesunden Stellen (DH-Stellen) bei den gleichen Patienten und bei 7 parodontal gesunden Personen gewonnen (HH-Stellen). Die Flüssigkeitsvolumina wurden bestimmt und die Probenstreifen in 0,5 N Perchlorsäure gegeben. Anschließend wurden die Proben mit o-Phenyldiamin versetzt und das resultierende Methylquinoxalin wurde mittels High-Performance-Liquid-Chromatographie in einem Lichrospher®-100 RP-18 bei UV-Detektion nachgewiesen. Ergebnisse: Die mittleren Sondierungstiefen lagen bei 5,7±0,7, an den DD-Stellen, bei 2,7±0,6 (DH) und 2,7±0,5 mm (Mittelwert + Standardabweichung) (HH). Die mittleren MG-Spiegel lagen bei 208,7±241,7 an den DD-Stellen und bei 142,9±235,7 pmol/Stelle an den DH-Stellen (p=0,0023), aber nur bei 11,5±4,4 pmol/Stelle an den HH-Stellen. Es war gezeigt worden, dass Bacteroides forsythus in Kultur hohe Konzentrationen von MG ansammelt (unveröffentlichte Daten) und übereinstimmend damit wurden an den untersuchten DD-Stellen höhere Zahlen von B. forsythus gefunden als an den entsprechenden gesunden Stellen (2,7±4,2×105 versus 0,7±1,1×105; p=0,022). Die Zahl aller Keime des "Roten Komplexes" waren an DD-Stellen signifikant erhöht. Schlussfolgerungen: In Anbetracht der bekannten Proteine und DNS verändernden Effekte von MG unterstützt dieser Nachweis erhöhter MG-Spiegel in der SF bei Patienten mit chronischer Parodontitis die Hypothese, dass MG zur Gewebezerstörung bei Parodontitis beiträgt. Résumé Références et buts: Le méthylglyoxal (MG), un produit toxique du métabolisme cellulaire est retrouvé en quantitéélevée dans les tissus et les fluides lors de nombreuses maladies humaines. Une étude croisée fut réalisée pour déterminer si MG s'accumulait dans le fluide gingival (GCF) des patients atteints de parodontite chronique. Méthodes: Des échantillons de GCF furent prélevés pendant 30 secondes chacun de 3 dents avec des profondeurs de poches de plus de 3 mm (sites DD), chez 14 patients atteints de parodontites chroniques. Des échantillons contrôles furent prélevés sur des sites sains (sites DH) chez les mêmes patients, et aussi chez 7 sujets au parodonte sain (sites HH). Les volumes de fluide furent déterminés et les bandelettes ont été mises dans 0.5 N d'acide perchlorique. Puis, les échantillons furent transformés à l'aide de o-phenylenediamine et la méthylquinoxaline ainsi créée fut analysé par chromatographie liquide à haute performance sur une Lichrospher®-100 RP-18, avec détection aux UV. Résultats: Les profondeurs de poche moyenne étaient de 5.7 ± 0.7, 2.7 ± 0.6 et 2.7±0.5 mm (moyenne ± SD) pour les sites DD, DH et HH, respectivement. Les niveaux moyen de MG étaient de 208.7±241.7 et 142.9±235.7 pmol/site dans le fluide des sites in DD et DH, respectivement (p=0.0023), mais seulement de 11.5±4.4 pmol/site pour les sites HH. On a trouvé que Bacteroides forsythus accumulait de hauts niveaux de MG en culture (données non publiées) et les sites malades échantillonnés contenait effectivement de plus hauts niveaux de B. forsythus que les sites sains correspondants (2.7±4.2×105 contre 0.7±1.1×105, respectivement; p=0.022). Les microorganismes du complexe rouge étaient significativement en nombre élevé dans les sites DD. Conclusions: Au vu des effets connus de MG pour modifier les protéines et l'AND, la découverte de niveaux élevés de MG dans le fluide gingival de patients atteints de maladie parodontale chronique supporte l'hypothèse selon laquelle MG pourrait contribuer aux dommages tissulaires destructifs rencontrés au cours de cette maladie. [source] Esophageal motility in patients with sliding hiatal hernia and reflux esophagitisJOURNAL OF DIGESTIVE DISEASES, Issue 2 2002Ping YE OBJECTIVE: To study the radiographic and esophageal motility changes that are characteristic of patients with both sliding hiatus hernia (HH) and reflux esophagitis. METHODS: Thirty patients were diagnosed with HH by using gastroscopy. These patients were divided into two groups according to the severity of their esophagitis: group HH1 (grades A and B, n= 18); group HH2 (grades C and D, n= 12). Sliding HH was confirmed by barium meal examination. Radiographic techniques were used to test for spasms and strictures, the coarseness of the mucosa, and to study the types of reflux and clearance. Esophageal pH (24-h), lower esophageal sphincter pressure and the frequency and amplitude of esophageal peristalsis during reflux were also studied. RESULTS: Radiography revealed that the mucosa was coarse in all cases. Eighty percent of patients had sucking reflux and 36.7% had passive clearance. The percentages of total, supine and upright acid exposure times were greater in patients with HH than those in the controls (P < 0.01), but the difference between the HH1 and HH2 groups was not significant. Lower esophageal sphincter resting pressure was less in the HH group than that in the control group (P < 0.05). However, there were no differences in the length of the sphincter among groups. During episodes of acid reflux, the frequency and amplitude of peristalsis, and the percentage of normal primary esophageal peristalsis were all lower in HH patients than in the controls, and the duration of peristalsis was increased relative to that of the controls (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Sucking reflux and passive clearance are very important in HH. Esophageal acid exposure time does not correlate with the severity of esophagitis. Lowered lower esophageal sphincter resting pressure, decreased frequency and amplitude, and increased duration of esophageal peristalsis during the episode of reflux may play an important role in the pathogenesis of sliding HH. [source] FREQUENCY OF SALMONELLA, CAMPYLOBACTER, LISTERIA AND ENTEROBACTERIACEAE DETECTION IN COMMERCIALLY COOL WATER-WASHED SHELL EGGSJOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 4 2006DEANA R. JONES ABSTRACT The effect of cool water washing on shell egg temperature and pathogen detection was examined. Three temperature schemes were utilized in commercial dual washer systems: (1) HH = 48.9C, 48.9C; (2) HC = 48.9C, 23.9C; and (3) CC = 23.9C, 23.9C. HH eggsmaintainedthe highest surface temperature (26.25C in-line, 20.25C off-line and 23.25C combined, P < 0.05). The lowest temperatures were found in the CC eggs (21.25C in-line, 17.25C off-line and 19.25C combined). The frequency of Enterobacteriaceae detection in shell and membrane emulsions was greatest for the CC eggs (P < 0.05 for in-line and combined). There was no difference in Enterobacteriaceae detection for the off-line facility. Salmonella was detected in three of 384 samples from the in-line facility. They were found in HC (2) and CC (1) shell emulsions. Two of 384 samples were positive for Campylobacter from the in-line facility (CC). Three wash water samples were positive for Listeria in the off-line facility (1 HC, 2 CC). No pathogens were detected in the egg contents during this study. The results of this study indicate that warm followed by cool water washing has the potential of decreasing egg temperature while maintaining surface microbiology at an acceptable level. [source] Forecasting commercial paper ratesJOURNAL OF FORECASTING, Issue 1 2004Conway Lackman Abstract A model previously developed by Lackman (C. L. Lackman, Forecasting commercial paper rates. Journal of Business Finance and Accounting15 (1988) 499,524) for the period 1960 to 1985 is updated to include the 1990s and incorporate statistical techniques relating to tests for stationary conditions not available in 1988. As in the previous model, the demand for commercial paper by each institution (Households (HH), Life Insurance Companies (LIC), Non-Financial Corporations (CRP) and Finance Corporations (FC)) and the total demand is simulated. Simulations of the commercial paper rate are also generated,using just the demand equations (total supply exogenous) and then employing the entire model (supply endogenous) to determine the rate. Simulation periods are from 1960:2 to 2001:4 for all demand simulations. The dynamic simulation of the total demand for commercial paper performs well. The resulting root mean square error, 3.485, compares favourably with the Federal Reserve Boston,Massachusetts Institute of Technology (FRB,MIT) estimate of the commercial paper rate (deLeeuw and Granlich, 1968). Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Study of arteriosclerosis in patients with hiatal hernia and reflux esophagitisJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 11 2007Kenji Furuta Abstract Background and Aim:, It has been reported that the prevalence of hiatal hernia (HH) and reflux esophagitis (RE) increases with age, as does the degree of arteriosclerosis. However, it has not been investigated whether or not arteriosclerosis is correlated with the presence of HH and RE. Therefore, we prospectively investigated the degree of arteriosclerosis in patients with HH and RE compared with subjects without HH and RE. Methods:, We prospectively enrolled 1683 people who visited Shimane Environment and Health Public Corporation for annual medical check-ups. All subjects were investigated by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for the possible presence of HH and RE. Factors used for assessing cardiovascular risk were sex, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking and drinking habits, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC). Arteriosclerosis was investigated by measuring systolic blood pressure, heart-carotid pulse wave velocity (HCPWV), bilateral ankle brachial index (ABI) and heart-ankle PWV (HAPWV). Results:, The number of patients with HH and RE was 624 (37.1%) and 143 (8.5%), respectively. The HDLC level of the patients with HH was significantly lower, and the levels of BMI, TG and arteriosclerotic parameters were higher than those of the subjects without HH after adjusting for confounding factors (sex, age and smoking and drinking habits). Cardiovascular and arteriosclerosis parameters except for TG did not differ between the subjects with and without RE. Conclusion:, Levels of arteriosclerosis parameters in patients with HH were higher than in those without HH. However, the association between arteriosclerosis and presence of RE was not clarified. [source] Modified Rachford-Rice equations including interfacial contributions and their application to the nucleation processAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 7 2010Bernardo Carreón-Calderón Abstract The Rachford-Rice expressions [Rachford HH, Rice JD, Petroleum Trans AIME 1952;195:327-328] have been modified to include interfacial contributions in the calculation of the equilibrium coexistence between two macroscopic phases. It is shown that two-phase equilibrium states for first-order phase transitions from nucleation to the presence of evolved macroscopic phases can be characterized by using these generalized expressions. Thus, this new treatment allows the determination of the critical inclusion of nucleation of the so-called dispersed phase in a way similar to the determination of incipient new-phase formation points of a saturated phase on the binodal curve. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010 [source] Myeloid-related protein (MRP8/14) expression in gingival crevice fluid in periodontal health and disease and after treatmentJOURNAL OF PERIODONTAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2010E. Andersen Andersen E, Dessaix IM, Perneger T, Mombelli A. Myeloid-related protein (MRP8/14) expression in gingival crevice fluid in periodontal health and disease and after treatment. J Periodont Res 2010; 45: 458,463. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective:, Myeloid-related protein (MRP8/14) and its subunits are biomarkers of inflammation. The present study evaluated whether gingival crevice fluid levels of these markers discriminate periodontitis from healthy sites in patients with chronic periodontitis or diseased from healthy subjects, and whether these biomarkers detect longitudinal changes after therapy. Material and Methods:, Levels of MRP8/14, MRP14 and total protein were quantified in 19 periodontitis patients before non-surgical periodontal therapy, after 3 and 6 mo of treatment, and were measured once in 11 periodontally healthy subjects. In total, diseased subjects contributed 59 sites with probing depths >4 mm (PP) and 21 sites <4 mm (PH); healthy subjects contributed 91 sites (HH). Results:, Overall, in diseased subjects, MRP8/14, MRP14 and total protein were not significantly different between PP and PH sites. However, at baseline, MRP8/14 and total protein had significantly higher values at sites in periodontally diseased than in healthy subjects. Clinical improvement was associated with a significant decrease of MRP8/14 and MRP14 from baseline to month 6 in PP sites. Interestingly, a similar decrease was observed in PH sites for all three markers. At 6 mo, however, levels of MRP8/14 and protein in PP and PH sites of patients were still significantly higher than in healthy subjects. Conclusion:, Gingival crevice fluid levels of MRP8/14 did not differentiate between clinically diseased and healthy sites in patients with chronic periodontitis. However, this marker was elevated in periodontally diseased compared with healthy subjects, and its values decreased following therapy. MRP8/14 may be used to monitor the response to treatment. [source] Granulocyte elastase activity in static and flow gingival crevicular fluidJOURNAL OF PERIODONTAL RESEARCH, Issue 3 2003Lijian Jin Objectives:, This study aimed to evaluate the volume of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and granulocyte elastase activity in static GCF (sGCF) and flow GCF (fGCF) from subjects with various periodontal conditions. Methods:, Eleven periodontally healthy, 10 gingivitis and 12 periodontitis subjects were recruited and the sites investigated consisted of healthy sites from healthy subjects (HH); healthy (HG) and gingivitis sites (GG) from gingivitis subjects; and healthy (HP), gingivitis (GP) and periodontitis sites (PP) from periodontitis subjects. fGCF samples were collected either 1 min or 5 min following sGCF collection by paper strip technique. GCF volume was determined by Periotron® 6000 and granulocyte elastase activity was assayed with a specific substrate [l -pyroglutamyl- l -prolyl- l -valine- p -nitroanilide(pGluProVal-pNA)]. Results:, At baseline, no significant differences existed in clinical and GCF parameters between the two matched sites for subsequent collection of fGCF samples either 1 min or 5 min after sGCF sampling in all subjects. The flow exudate in HG and HP sites quickly replenished to sGCF levels, while a delayed replenishment was found in HH sites, despite the similar sGCF volumes of these sites. The GCF volume and elastase levels in the fGCF at 1 min were higher in GP sites than in GG sites (P < 0.05). Overall, depletion of elastase levels in the fGCF at 1 min was observed in all subjects, whereas elastase levels in the fGCF at 5 min had replenished to sGCF levels in HP, GP, PP sites and GG sites, but had remained at a lower level in HH and HG sites. An overall positive correlation was found between sGCF and fGCF for GCF volume and elastase activity (P < 0.001); however, this correlation varied with GCF parameters and with site conditions of the subjects concerned. Conclusions:, This study shows that patterns of dynamic changes in GCF flow and elastase activity varied under different periodontal conditions. Assessment of both sGCF and fGCF may allow better insight into the dynamic change of the target components in GCF. [source] Evaluation of hydrate-screening methodsJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 7 2008Yong Cui Abstract The purpose of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of several common hydrate-screening techniques, and to provide guidelines for designing hydrate-screening programs for new drug candidates. Ten hydrate-forming compounds were selected as model compounds and six hydrate-screening approaches were applied to these compounds in an effort to generate their hydrate forms. The results prove that no screening approach is universally effective in finding hydrates for small organic compounds. Rather, a combination of different methods should be used to improve screening reliability. Among the approaches tested, the dynamic water vapor sorption/desorption isotherm (DVI) method and storage under high humidity (HH) yielded 60,70% success ratios, the lowest among all techniques studied. The risk of false negatives arises in particular for nonhygroscopic compounds. On the other hand, both slurry in water (Slurry) and temperature cycling of aqueous suspension (TCS) showed high success rates (90%) with some exceptions. The mixed solvent systems (MSS) procedure also achieved high success rates (90%), and was found to be more suitable for water-insoluble compounds. For water-soluble compounds, MSS may not be the best approach because recrystallization is difficult in solutions with high water activity. Finally, vapor diffusion (VD) yielded a reasonably high success ratio in finding hydrates (80%). However, this method suffers from experimental difficulty and unreliable results for either highly water-soluble or water-insoluble compounds. This study indicates that a reliable hydrate-screening strategy should take into consideration the solubility and hygroscopicity of the compounds studied. A combination of the Slurry or TCS method with the MSS procedure could provide a screening strategy with reasonable reliability. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 97:2730,2744, 2008 [source] Hierarchy of the non-covalent interactions in the alanine-based secondary structures.JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2009DFT study of the frequency shifts, electron-density features Abstract The alanine (Ala)-based cluster models of C5, C7, and C10 H-bonds are studied at the DFT/B3LYP level. CPMD/BLYP simulations of the infinite polyalanine , -helix (C13 H-bond) and the two-stranded , -sheets are performed. Combined use of frequency shifts and electron-density features enable us to detect and describe quantitatively the non-covalent interactions (H-bonds) defining the intrinsic properties of Ala-based secondary structures. The energies of the primary NHO H-bonds are decreasing in the following way: C13,>,C5,,,C7,>,C10. The energies of the secondary NHO, N,HN, and HH interactions are comparable to those of the primary H-bonds (,4.5,kcal/mol). Side chain,backbone CHO interaction is found to be the weakest non-covalent interaction in the considered species. Its energy is ,0.5,kcal/mol in the infinite polyalanine , -helix. Quantum-topological electron-density analysis is found to be a powerful tool for the detection of secondary non-covalent interactions (COHC and HH) and bifurcated H-bonds, while the frequency shift study is useful for the identification and characterization of primary or secondary H-bonds of the NHO type. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Effect of pH on the Preparation of ,-Calcium Sulfate Hemihydrate from FGD Gypsum with the Hydrothermal MethodJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 12 2008Baohong Guan pH is one of the most important parameters that determine the crystallization process, but it is always neglected in the preparation of ,-calcium sulfate hemihydrate (,-HH) from calcium sulfate dihydrate (DH) with the hydrothermal method. Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum, which is mainly composed of DH, was used as raw material to obtain ,-HH through dehydration in a Ca,Mg,K,Cl-solution medium at 95°C under atmospheric pressure. The initial pH values of the suspensions were adjusted from 1.2 to 8.0 to explore the influence of pH on the dehydration process and the product characteristics. The results showed that ,-HH crystal was the only dehydration product with the pH ranging from 1.2 to 8.0. With the increase of initial pH, the dehydration rate decreased and the formed ,-HH crystal had a larger particle size. The length/width ratio decreased markedly from 4.8 to 2.9 as the initial pH increased from 1.2 to 7.3. pH had a profound influence on the dehydration of DH and the morphology of ,-HH via its effect on the supersaturation and perhaps also the precipitation of Ca(OH)2 in an alkaline environment. [source] Association Between the Functional Polymorphism of Catechol- O -Methyltransferase Gene and Alcohol Consumption Among Social DrinkersALCOHOLISM, Issue 2 2000Jussi Kauhanen Background: A common functional genetic polymorphism in the catechol- O -methyltransferase (COMT) gene (Val158 Met) results in 3- to 4-fold differences in COMT enzyme activity and dopamine inactivation rate. Previous studies have shown that type I alcoholism is more common among subjects with low activity COMT genotype (LL), compared with high activity (HH) or heterozygotic (LH) genotypes. Methods: We studied alcohol consumption and the COMT genotype in middle-aged Finnish men (n= 896), who represented an unselected ethnically homogenous population sample and reported using alcohol during the past year. Average alcohol use in pure ethanol (grams per week) was compared between subjects with LL genotype and subjects with LH or HH genotypes. Results: Men with LL genotype (30% of all subjects) reported 27% higher weekly alcohol consumption compared with the two other genotype groups (p < 0.05). The difference remained statistically significant after a multivariate adjustment for sociodemographic factors and prior or existing diseases (p= 0.031). Conclusions: The results indicate that COMT polymorphism may contribute significantly to alcohol intake not only in alcoholics but also in a general male population. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||