CAG repeat number is not inversely associated with androgen receptor activity in vitro.

A negative linear association between androgen receptor (AR) function and the CAG repeat numbers is generally assumed. However, in vivo data concerning the association between CAG number and androgenic effects have been conflicting. Since former in vitro studies mostly have been based on extreme CAG lengths and reporter-systems containing viral promoters, the objective of this study was to investigate ARs with CAG lengths within normal range (16, 22 and 28) in a reporter-assay with the human prostate specific antigen promoter as target. We also wished to elucidate whether the interpretation of the results was depending on the methods used for adjustment of transfection efficiency and protein content. With beta-galactosidase as transfection control, 22CAG had the highest activity (set to 100%) compared with 16CAG [mean 78% (range 41-132), P = 0.005] and 28CAG [68% (26-162), P = 0.006], whereas renilla-luciferase resulted in 16CAG behaving similar to 22CAG [104% (56-165), P = 0.7] and 28CAG having lower activity [59% (33-101), P = 0.004]. In these experiments, also the empty vector displayed considerable background activity. When adjusting for AR protein, the 22CAG genotype had the highest activity; 16CAG and 28CAG displaying 20% (10-47, P < 0.0001) and 12% (5-21, P < 0.0001) thereof. Similar results were obtained with adjustment for total protein. Thus, by normalizing for AR-content, contrary to various control vectors, the highest AR activity was confined to the 22CAG and not 16 CAG, which may at least partly explain the discrepancy in data aiming to link physiological conditions to CAG repeat length.

Scholastic achievement at age 16 and risk of schizophrenia and other psychoses: a national cohort study.

BACKGROUND: There is abundant evidence that schizophrenia is associated with cognitive deficits in childhood. However, previous studies investigating school performance have been inconclusive. Furthermore, there are several biological and social factors that could confound the association. We investigated whether school performance at age 16 is associated with risk of adult schizophrenia and other psychoses in a large national cohort, while controlling for multiple confounders. METHOD: Using a national sample of 907 011 individuals born in Sweden between 1973 and 1983, we used Cox regression to assess whether scholastic achievement at age 15-16 predicted hospital admission for psychosis between ages 17 and 31, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Poor school performance was associated with increased rates of schizophrenia [hazard ratio (HR) 3.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.8-5.3], schizo-affective disorder (HR 4.2, 95% CI 1.9-9.1) and other psychoses (HR 3.0, 95% CI 2.3-4.0). Receiving the lowest (E) grade was significantly associated with risk for schizophrenia and other psychoses in every school subject. There was no evidence of confounding by migrant status, low birthweight, hypoxia, parental education level or socio-economic group. CONCLUSIONS: Poor school performance across all domains is strongly associated with risk for schizophrenia and other psychoses.

Night eating and nocturnal eating-two different or similar syndromes among obese patients?

OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study was to identify subjects with (1) night eating syndrome (defined as morning anorexia, evening hyperphagia and insomnia) and (2) nocturnal eating syndrome (defined as eating at night after having gone to bed). In the literature the differences and similarities between these two syndromes are not clear. SUBJECTS: One-hundred and ninety-four obese patients from an academic, clinical obesity unit. Mean BMI (+/-s.d.) was 40+/-5 kg/m2, age 44+/-12 y and 76% were women. MEASUREMENTS: Questionnaires with multiple choices and open questions along with the Binge Eating Scale. RESULTS: Fourteen percent of the patients met the criteria for night eating and/or nocturnal eating syndrome. Night eating syndrome was manifest in 6% of the patients and nocturnal eating syndrome in 10%. Both the night eaters and the nocturnal eaters had more trouble getting to sleep than the patients without night/nocturnal eating problems (P<0.001 and P<0.01). The nocturnal eaters also had more trouble staying asleep (P<0.001). Morning anorexia was not typically found in nocturnal eaters. Being on long-term sick leave was more common among the nocturnal eaters (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Fourteen percent of the patients at our obesity unit met the criteria for night eating and/or nocturnal eating syndrome. There are clear similarities between night eating syndrome and nocturnal eating syndrome, but also differences.

"Extravagances" during weight reduction, an analysis of food preference and selection.

As part of a behavioural modification programme for weight reduction in outpatients, obese clients [body mass index (BMI) 41.5+/-5.9 kg/m2], planned to eat once a week, an "extravagance", defined as a highly desired food in controlled quantities. Women (N=65) chose sweets as an "extravagance" more often than did men (42 vs. 17%), whereas men (N=21) preferred alcoholic beverages (44 vs. 16%). The majority described eating the "extravagance" as an enjoyable experience. Fifty out of 69 patients named a food dish as one of the three things that they liked best to eat or drink, 39 listed different kinds of sweets and 29 had a preference for alcoholic beverages. Foods that the patients perceived as a potential contribution to their weight problems were mainly sweets, food dishes and sandwiches.

Successful treatment of Brucella melitensis end-carditis.

Brucella endocarditis is a rare, but often fatal, complication of brucellosis. A 32 year old man acquired brucellosis while on a visit to his former home in Greece and presented six months later with malaise, fever and aortic regurgitation. Blood cultures grew Brucella melitensis biotype 1. Combined chemotherapy with streptomycin, tetracycline and rifampin sterilized his blood; however, his aortic valve was replaced owing to recurrent emboli and cardiac failure. Over the next 18 months the patient's antibody titer to Brucella fell and his blood reamined sterile. Cure was achieved by resection of the infected aortic valve and 10 weeks of bactericidal therapy for B. melitensis.

A Littrow-McCubbin high resolution infrared spectrometer.

We have recently built a vacuum infrared spectrometer with demonstrated capability of resolving 0.03 cm(-1). The instrument is designed around a 2.5-m Littrow-McCubbin monochromator and has an effective range of from 1-40 micro. The design, construction, and performance of the instrument are described.