A prospective study of alterations in balance among patients with Parkinson's Disease. Protocol of the postural evaluation.

The aim of this study is to determine whether the balance problems experienced by Parkinson's disease (PD) patients may in part be due to dysfunctional processing of vestibular information, and to search for factors that may help predict the risk of falls. We evaluated the balance of 45 idiopathic PD patients and 20 healthy subjects by means of computerized dynamic posturography using sensory organization tests (SOT), rhythmic weight shift (RWS) tests and limits of stability (LOS) tests; and by the timed up-and-go (TUG) test. PD patients had poorer scores in the SOT than controls for overall balance and vestibular and visual inputs. They also performed worse in RWS and LOS tests, and were slower in performing the TUG test. Hoehn-Yahr stage did not correlate with vestibular input. Balance impairment in PD patients involves deteriorated processing of vestibular input, but this deterioration is independent of disease progression. Falls are related to PD patients' reduced limits of stability.

Transcription and processing of RNA from mouse ribosomal DNA transfected into hamster cells.

Transcription of mouse genes coding for rRNA in CHO cells was promoter dependent at levels 3 to 10% of that of endogenous rRNA synthesis. Northern (RNA) and S1 nuclease mapping analyses demonstrated that transcription proceeds through the entire gene segment coding for rRNA in transfected constructs and continues, at least in some cases, into the adjoining plasmid sequences. S1 nuclease mapping also detected some processing cleavages in the transcripts, including those at the 3' terminus of 18S rRNA, those at the rapidly cleaved site at +650 in the external transcribed spacer, and those at a previously uncharacterized, rapidly cleaved site in the internal transcribed spacer. Deletion of sequences upstream or downstream from the promoter generally had no measurable effect on the level of transcription, but deletion of a 300-base-pair XhoI-XhoI fragment starting 1,287 base pairs from the transcription start site sharply increased the steady-state level of rRNA. Effects on processing were harder to test, because many intermediates are too unstable to detect even by S1 nuclease mapping; however, the data suggest that RNAs with deletions in the external transcribed spacer are processed poorly at distal sites. Processing at some sites may thus depend on interactions involving distant segments of rRNA.

Maternal and Zygotic Interactions between the Abnormal Oocyte Mutation and the Scute Inversion in DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER.

The authors have studied the interaction between the abnormal oocyte mutation and an inversion of the X chromosome, In( 1)sc(4), which has a proximal breakpoint in or near the heterochromatic region (ABO) that maternally interacts with the abo product. It has been demonstrated that the presence of X chromosomes carrying this inversion, besides a marked increase in the severity of the maternal effect of the abo mutation, produces a zygotic effect resulting in the lethality of the progeny of stocks homozygous for abo and sc(4). These results indicate that the sc(4) inversion carries an abnormal region indispensable for the development of abo zygotes from sc(4);abo mothers.

Mapping of the MYCL2 processed gene to Xq22-23 and identification of an additional L MYC-related sequence in Xq27.2.

We report here the identification of a human genomic sequence from the q27.2 region of the X chromosome which shows a high homology to the L-MYC proto-oncogene. This sequence is not the MYCL2 homology, previously mapped to the long arm of the X chromosome at q22-qter by Morton et al., as we located the MYCL2-processed gene in Xq22-23, using a panel containing a combination of hybrid DNA carrying different portions of the human X chromosome. Based on computer analysis, the MYC-like sequence (MYCL3) is 98.2% identical to a portion of exon 3 of the MYCL1 gene and maps to the Xq27.2 region, between the DXS312 and DXS292 loci.

More detailed characterization of some of the HL60 karyotypic features by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

We performed a focused chromosome analysis on the HL60 cell line by multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), using probes for the unequivocal identification of specific chromosome regions and subregions. The purpose of this karyotypic re-evaluation was to confirm and to characterize in more detail chromosome rearrangements already identified by means of classic cytogenetic approaches and recurrently detected from the initial establishment of the cell line. The observations reported may help reassess the potential of the HL60 cell line in understanding the molecular events underlying the non-random karyotype alterations associated with acute myeloid leukemias (AML).

The usefulness of computerized dynamic posturography for the study of equilibrium in patients with Meniere's disease: correlation with clinical and audiologic data.

The use of computerized dynamic posturogaphy (CDP) in the evaluation of patients with balance alterations not only allows quantification of the subject's capacity to maintain a stable centre of gravity, but also analysis of the degree to which the subject is able to use different types of sensory information. The present study investigated the possible use of CDP for clinical staging of vestibular diseases, specifically Meniere's disease (MD). We applied CDP sensory organization tests to 75 patients with definitive MD (AAO-HNS 1995 criteria). A total of 98 CDP sessions were included in the analysis, which focused on four CDP parameters specifically related to vestibular function (condition-5 score, condition-6 score, overall balance score, and VEST, a measure of the relative importance of vestibular information for maintenance of balance). We found a statistically significant relationship between audiometric hearing threshold and CDP scores, especially in patients with audiometrically advanced disease. In addition, CDP scores showed statistically significant variation with time elapsed since the last typical vertigo attack, suggesting that patients can be usefully grouped into three MD activity-level categories: recent post-attack (less than 1 week since last vertigo attack), late post-attack (1 week - 60 days since last attack), and inactive MD (more than 60 days since last attack). On the basis of these results, we propose expected ranges for each of the four CDP parameters in each of the three MD activity-level categories, allowing staging in terms of balance and posture. This staging system complements existing staging systems (based on audiometric criteria, and on subjective assessment of the severity of vertigo attacks and their implications for quality of life).

Ultrastructure of the organ of Jacobson and comparative study with olfactory mucosa.

The organ of Jacobson has been studied in lizards, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits and dogs by means of embedding in nitrocellulose, semithin sectioning, and electron microscopy. The various elements of the organ in the species studied have been analysed and a comparative study carried out between the sensory portion of the organ and the olfactory epithelium.

[Papillary carcinoma in a cyst of the thyroglossal duct. Review]. / Carcinoma papilar en quiste del conducto tirogloso. Revisión.

The AA. report a new case of papillary carcinoma inside a cyst of the thyroglossal duct and give a survey of the related literature. They point out the importance of echography when a case of the kind is suspected.

[Non-fatal firearm injuries of the head and neck]. / Heridas por arma de fuego no mortales a nivel de cabeza y cuello.

There is depicted the evolutive course of 6 men with gunshot wounds of the neck and head, fortunately not threatening their lives. All victims were men between 18 and 67 years of age. Three times the gun fired a single projectile, whereas the other 3 were multiple projectiles. The latter cases resulted in heavier damages. Etiologically the events were classified as: 3 cases as suspected murder, 2 as attempted suicide and in the last case, an accident. The management has been both medical and surgical under general anesthesia, in order to repair the disorders and/or remove the bullets in 5 occasions. The sixth case did not allow removal of the bullet because of expected risk. All the cases did seemingly well, in spite of 2 who had postoperative complications which delayed healing.

[Acoustic trauma from firearms: study of auditory function]. / Trauma acústico por arma de fuego: estudio de la función auditiva.

This article deals with the shift in audiometric tracings brought about by the discharge of firearms (acute acoustic trauma). The study included 60 subjects with normal hearing, between 18 and 20 years of age. Each individual shot 25 bullets in about 5 minutes, at an intensity level calculated at 163 dB. None of them related antecedents of sensorineural deafness. The audiometric examinations were performed as follows: the first one prior to the experiment, the second immediately after the series of shots, and others 8 and 40 hours later. These are the conclusions drawn out by the AA.: the most important and lasting deafness was verified in the left ear. The 6000 c/s frequency was the most affected. Recovery of the previous hearing level was total in 80.5% of the cases within 40 hours. Two subjects having otosclerotic relatives showed certain difficulties in recovering.

[Clinical trial of the use of the combination of piracetam and dihydroergocristine in vertigo from different causes]. / Ensayo clínico sobre la aplicación de la asociación piracetam y dihidroergocristina en cuadros vertiginosos de diferente etiología.

We report on the therapeutic effect of a combination of piracetam and dihydroergocristine in 55 vertiginous patients, of both sexes, between 20 and 67 years of age, from different causes (not scheduled for surgery). The trial lasted 3 months, and the drugs were taken twice daily. Aside from one case who stopped the drug therapy because of intolerance, the conclusions drawn by the AA. are seemingly good, both subjectively and objectively (audiometric and electronystagmographic tracings).

[Descriptive epidemiological study of a year-long otologic consultation in a tertiary hospital]. / Estudio epidemiológico descriptivo de una consulta de otología durante un año en un hospital de tercer nivel.

Despite the spreading of Otologic care Units it is surprising the lack of comprehensive epidemiologic descriptions of patients attended in these Departments. A greater efficacy would be the result of better protocols designs and consequently a much better sanitary behaviour. We make a register of protocols and several aspects epidemiologic and diagnostical of our first consultations in the Unit during 1998. Were studied 595 cases, 320 women and 275 men, middle age was 49.91 years. From each one was controlled and analyzed the age, the sex, where they come from under the sanitary view-point, consult reason and diagnosis achieved.

[Study of hearing in normally-hearing elderly patients. I. Auditory threshold]. / Estudio de la audición en ancianos normoacusicos. I. Umbral auditivo.

Through this paper the AA. examine 504 ears of 252 subjects of both sexes, between 60 and 84, all feeling subjectively normal regarding this sense, without otologic conditions in the past or at present. The explorations done were air and bone tonal audiometry. At the time the results were assessed, the coefficient of variability and standard deviation were kept in mind.

[Study of hearing in normally-hearing elderly patients. II. Supraliminal tests]. / Estudio de la audición en ancianos normoacusticos. II. Pruebas supraliminares.

Five-hundred-and-four ears of 252 people, between 60 and 84 years of age have been tested. All of the group had supposedly good hearing, without otic antecedents and free of any complaint related to the ear. The tests done were: recruitment (Lüscher-Zwislocki), tone decay (Carhart) and automatic audiometry (von Békésy). In assessing the results, the coefficient of variability and standard deviation were kept in mind. Lastly, the AA. compare their own results with those attained in other published series.

[Analysis of the resonant frequency of the middle ear in otosclerosis]. / Análisis de la frecuencia de resonancia del oído medio en la otosclerosis.

Multifrequency tympanometry scans pressures and frequencies from 226 to 2000 Hz to analyze the resonant frequency of the middle ear, which determines the balance between stiffness and mass. We studied 143 patients (a total of 200 ears) diagnosed as otosclerosis at the E.N.T. Service of Santiago de Compostela University Hospital Complex, and 136 control subjects. The mean age of patients was 47.7 years; women were predominant (female/male ratio 2.25:1). The mean duration of the disease was 10.4 years. Using the Virtual model 310 tympanometer, we calculated the resonant frequency through the susceptance tympanogram, corresponding to the minimal frequency at which the central notch of the tympanograrn was equal to or less than the negative tail. The mean resonant frequency was 1230 Hz, the tympanometric amplitude was 88.32 daPa, and the admittance of the middle ear was 0.63 cc. We confirmed an increase in the resonant frequency in patients with otosclerosis compared with normal subjects (1132.33 Hz), and a decrease in the admittance of the middle ear. The relation between the two values was significant.

[Parameters of normality in multifrequency tympanometry]. / Parámetros de normalidad en la timpanometría de multifrecuencia.

Multifrequency tympanometry studies consist of tympanography using probe tone frequencies ranging from 200 to 2000 Hz, improving the study of acoustic transmission through the tympano-ossicular system because then two components of admittance, conductance and susceptance, can be separated. The resonance frequency is the frequency at which mass and spring elements of the middle ear cancel each other out, leaving only the friction component. This measurement has been found to be more sensitive to the presence of pathologies that affect the tympano-ossicular system, such as otosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is necessary to know normal pattents of tympanometric parameters to improve the study of these diseases. Multifrequency tympanometry performed on 136 patients, 91 women and 45 men, age range 11-78 years. The mean resonant frequency of the middle ear was 1132.33 Hz, mean static admittance 0.76 dapa, and mean tympanometric amplitude 94.31 mmhos ac. Age showed no systematic effect of age on any of these measures in this population, and no significant association was found between static admittance or tympanometric amplitude and resonance frequency.

[Flow cytometry for the determination of DNA in head and neck carcinomas]. / La citometría de flujo para la determinación de DNA en los carcinomas de cabeza y cuello.

The technique used for DNA determination in tumoral cells from carcinomas of head and neck is described. Results obtained are commented on as is too the future of this technique for the better understanding of the behavior of the tumor and consequently of its treatment.

[Study and incidence of carcinoma of the larynx in women]. / Estudio e incidencia del carcinoma de laringe en mujeres.

Recent publications show an increase in the frequency of laryngeal carcinoma in women. Previous studies of patients in our health district (1875-1994) showed a male/female ratio of 56/1. However, a retrospective study of all laryngeal carcinomas diagnosed in a recent year (June 1997-May 1998) showed an overall male/female ratio of 10/1. Women are older at time of diagnosis than men (mean 70.33 years). None of the women was a regular drinker and only one smoked. Glottic location and absence of metastatic lymph node enlargement predominated at time of diagnosis.