TCERG1L allelic variation is associated with cisplatin-induced hearing loss in childhood cancer, a PanCareLIFE study.

In children with cancer, the heterogeneity in ototoxicity occurrence after similar treatment suggests a role for genetic susceptibility. Using a genome-wide association study (GWAS) approach, we identified a genetic variant in TCERG1L (rs893507) to be associated with hearing loss in 390 non-cranial irradiated, cisplatin-treated children with cancer. These results were replicated in two independent, similarly treated cohorts (n = 192 and 188, respectively) (combined cohort: P = 5.3 × 10-10, OR 3.11, 95% CI 2.2-4.5). Modulating TCERG1L expression in cultured human cells revealed significantly altered cellular responses to cisplatin-induced cytokine secretion and toxicity. These results contribute to insights into the genetic and pathophysiological basis of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.

Drug-induced ototoxicity: Mechanisms, Pharmacogenetics, and protective strategies.

Drug ototoxicity limits the quality of life of patients after treatment, having serious consequences, especially for psychosocial development of children. Although the ototoxicity of many drugs resolves after treatment discontinuation, the use of platinum derivatives and aminoglycosides is associated with permanent hearing loss. In this review, we have listed ototoxic drugs and the mechanisms by which they damage the ears. Moreover, possible protective strategies and important methods for early detection of ototoxic effects are discussed.

Interactive effects of soil acidity and fluoride on soil solution aluminium chemistry and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) root growth.

A greenhouse study was conducted to determine if concentrations of fluoride (F), which would be added to acid soils via P fertilisers, were detrimental to barley root growth. Increasing rates of F additions to soil significantly increased the soil solution concentrations of aluminium (Al) and F irrespective of the initial adjusted soil pH, which ranged from 4.25 to 5.48. High rates of F addition severely restricted root growth; the effect was more pronounced in the strongly acidic soil. Speciation calculations demonstrated that increasing rates of F additions substantially increased the concentrations of Al-F complexes in the soil. Stepwise regression analysis showed that it was the combination of the activities of AlF2(1+) and AlF(2+) complexes that primarily controlled barley root growth. The results suggested that continuous input of F to soils, and increased soil acidification, may become an F risk issue in the future.

Three approaches to define desired soil organic matter contents.

Soil organic C is often suggested as an indicator of soil quality, but desirable targets are rarely specified. We tested three approaches to define maximum and lowest desirable soil C contents for four New Zealand soil orders. Approach 1 used the New Zealand National Soils Database (NSD). The maximum C content was defined as the median value of long-term pastures, and the lower quartile defined the lowest desirable soil C content. Approach 2 used the CENTURY model to predict maximum C contents of long-term pasture. Lowest desirable content was defined by the level that still allowed recovery to 80% of the maximum C content over 25 yr. Approach 3 used an expert panel to define desirable C contents based on production and environmental criteria. Median C contents (0-20 cm) for the Recent, Granular, Melanic, and Allophanic orders were 72, 88, 98, 132 Mg ha(-1), and similar to contents predicted by the CENTURY model (78, 93, 102, and 134 Mg ha(-1), respectively). Lower quartile values (54, 78, 73, and 103 Mg ha(-1), respectively) were similar to the lowest desirable C contents calculated by CENTURY (55, 54, 67, and 104 Mg ha(-1), respectively). Expert opinion was that C contents could be depleted below these values with tolerable effects on production but less so for the environment. The CENTURY model is our preferred approach for setting soil organic C targets, but the model needs calibrating for other soils and land uses. The statistical and expert opinion approaches are less defensible in setting lower limits for desirable C contents.

Modelling organic matter dynamics in New Zealand soils.

To ensure the sustainability of land systems in terms of nutrient cycling and maintenance of soil physical conditions, there is a need to understand soil organic matter (SOM) and its dynamics. It has been suggested that soil-carbon (C) models developed internationally do not perform well under New Zealand's unique climatic and soil mineralogical conditions. To test this hypothesis, we conducted 14C-labelled ryegrass decomposition studies and assessed the influence of abiotic factors on decomposition rates. These factors were characterized by estimating system mean residence times (MRTs) from estimates of first-order rate coefficients in a simple, three-compartment model. A range of MRTs obtained for decomposition was related to climatic conditions and soil properties. We summarise this work and extend this study to apply the Rothamsted soil-C turnover model, a five-compartment model, to our data with the view of testing both the model projections and the decomposability factors assumed in the model.

Translocation (2;14) associated with complex rearrangements of the Ig heavy chain in non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Cytogenetic analysis of a patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma revealed the following karyotype: 49,XXX,t(2;14)(q21;q32),+4,+8,del(13)(q14q21). Southern blot analysis with an Ig region probe showed non-productive rearrangements indicative of a translocation involving the Ig locus. However, molecular cloning of the abnormal rearrangements did not show novel sequences derived from chromosome 2 but showed that the BCL-6 gene was juxtaposed to the IgH enhancer. Three further clones with abnormal rearrangements involving the Ig locus, particularly Iggamma3, were isolated. This suggests that the mature lymphoid cells, in this patient, were capable of undergoing indiscriminate switch cleavage and religation.

Partial trisomy for 2q in a patient with dir dup(2) (q33.1q35).

A 22 year old woman with partial trisomy for the long arm of chromosome 2 is described. The karyotype is 46,XX, dir dup(2)(q33.1q35) de novo confirmed by FISH using a chromosome 2 specific paint. Parental chromosome studies were normal. To our knowledge this is the first report of trisomy for this specific segment of 2q and only the sixth case of de novo direct duplication of 2q, one of which was mosaic. Clinical features include epicanthus, clinodactyly, scoliosis, broad, flat nasal bridge, thin upper lip, long philtrum, and short neck.

Mosaicism with a normal cell line and an autosomal structural rearrangement.

Over three decades, 12 cases of mosaicism for an autosomal rearrangement were recognised in the major cytogenetics laboratories in New Zealand, eight of which were studied between 1990 and 1992. One case inferentially involved the gonad, eight the soma, and three both gonad and soma. This mosaicism could have arisen as a postzygotic event either in a conceptus that was initially normal, with the generation of an abnormal cell line, or in a conceptus having a supernumerary chromosome which was lost at a subsequent mitosis, thereby restoring a normal cell line. Three of the 12 cases involved a presumed direct duplication, an otherwise very uncommon rearrangement. This may indicate a propensity for direct duplications to arise at mitosis rather than at meiosis; unequal sister chromatid exchange is a plausible mechanism. Mosaicism has clinical relevance for genetic counselling, as an intragonadal cell line carrying a rearrangement could generate multiple unbalanced gametes. Mosaicism for an autosomal rearrangement my be very much more common that is, or ever could be, recognised.

Partial monosomy for chromosome 22 in a patient with del(22)(pter----q13.1::q13.33----qter).

An 18 month old girl with partial monosomy for the long arm of chromosome 22 is described. The karyotype was 46,XX,del(22)(pter----q13.1::q13.33----qter). To our knowledge this is the first report of monosomy for this specific segment of chromosome 22. Clinical features include developmental delay in all areas, hypotonia, macrosomia, full cheeks, eyebrows, and eyelids, mild epicanthus, wide nasal bridge, long philtrum, and thick lower lip. Parental chromosome studies were normal.

Three cases of partial trisomy 7q owing to rare structural rearrangements of chromosome 7.

Three cases of partial trisomy 7q are described. One case had duplication of region 7q22.1----q31.2 owing to a de novo direct intra-arm intrachromosomal duplication. The other two cases, first cousins, were trisomic for 7q34----qter, resulting from recombination within the inserted segment of a dir ins(7;17)(q34;q23.1q25.3)mat. All three cases had a number of the already recorded manifestations of partial trisomy 7q, namely strabismus, low set ears, depressed nasal bridge, small nose, hypotonia, and mental retardation.

Familial distal trisomy 8(q24.13----qter).

Trisomy for the distal part of the long arm of chromosome 8(q24.13----qter) is described in three sibs. The anomaly arose as an adjacent 1 meiotic segregation from a balanced reciprocal translocation t(1;8)(q44; q24.13)mat.

Partial monosomy 12p13.1----13.3.

We describe a 27 month old female child with partial monosomy for the short arm of chromosome 12: 46,XX,del(12)(p13.1----p13.3). She differs from the eight cases described by others, in that she is less severely affected. Her main clinical features are developmental delay, protruding tongue, strabismus, slightly unusual facies, slight micrognathia, and speech delay.

Preparation and analgesic activity of (-)-11 alpha-substituted 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-6 alpha,7-(methyleneoxy)-2,6-methano-3-benzazocines.

Dihydrocodeinone oxime (1) under Beckmann rearrangement conditions gave a product (2) that facilitated the preparation of (-)-11 alpha-substituted 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-6 alpha,7-(methyleneoxy)-2,6-methano-3-benzazocines, a hitherto little-examined series of morphine partial structures. Compounds 7a and 12 gave good levels of agonist antinociceptive activity. Masking of the 8-oxygen function, as in 6 and 8, dramatically reduced mouse hot-plate activity, as did its loss (9).

Analgesic actions of 3-substituted 6-tert-butyl-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-2,6-methano-3-benzazocines.

The synthesis of four 3-substituted 6-tert-butyl-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-2,6-methano-3-benzazocines is described. Derivatives with N-Me or N-phenethyl substituents do not differ significantly in their antinociceptive properties from compounds bearing 6-H or 6-Me; however, they are less active than 6-Ph analogues.

Studies on three rare fragile sites. 2q13, 12q13, and 17p12 segregating in one family.

Three fragile sites 2q13, 12q13, and 17p12 were found in one family. In the index case, who was first investigated in 1969 for low birth weight and bilateral inguinal hernia, three tissues were examined, blood, marrow, and skin. Three of the family have been reinvestigated after 17 years. Cultures for sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and the effects of aphidicolin, fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR), bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), and methotrexate on the frequency of the fragilities were studied. The mother of the index case who is an obligate carrier for the fragile 2q13 does not express it in folate/thymidine deficient medium. Further studies on her using a lymphoblastoid cell line, showed that there was a reduced level of fragility of 12q13 and 17p12 in B-lymphocytes compared to T-lymphocytes. Excess thymidine and FUdR when added to the lymphoblastoid cell line did not induce the 2q13. These studies also confirm the induction of a range of common fragile sites by treatment with aphidicolin, showing in addition homozygosity for at least 3p14, 6q26, 16q23, and Xp22. There were no detectable increases in the SCE rate between individuals with fragile sites and the five controls tested. There was no history of cancer or phenotypic abnormalities in the family.

A complex structural rearrangement of chromosome 4 in a woman without phenotypic features of Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome.

A 32-year-old mentally retarded woman was found to have a complex rearrangement of one chromosome 4. Her karyotype is interpreted as 46,XX,inv(4) (pter----p14::q12----p14::q12----qter) del (4) (pter----15.33::p15.2----qter). Clinically she does not show the features of the Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. Her phenotype and cytogenetic findings are compared with 2 other reported cases of 4p-without Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome.

Synthesis, stereochemistry, and analgesic activity of 4-mono- and 4,4-disubstituted 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-2,6-methano-3-benzazocines.

The synthesis of 4-alkyl-, 4-aralkyl-, and 4-alkenyl-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-2,6-methano-3-benzazocines is described together with some 4,4-disubstituted and 8-hydroxy derivatives. Evidence of the stereochemistry of the 4-substituent was from 1H and 13C NMR. In the 4-methyl series the equatorial epimer 1b has a higher analgesic (hot-plate) potency than 1a, and 10a, 10c, and 10f are also good agonists. 5a afforded analgesic properties without an antagonist component. Surprisingly 10d, bearing an 8-OH function, was without analgesic activity, contrasting with the significant hot-plate activity exhibited by 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-3,5,6-trimethyl-2,6-methano-3-benzazocine. If the assumption is made that the more active enantiomorph in members of this series is configurationally related to (-)-morphine, then it may be that the enantiotopic edge in hexahydro-2,6-methano-3-benzazocines has a narrow steric requirement for analgesic responses.