No abstract

One of the loci responsible for genetic susceptibility to insulindependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is the insulin-linked polymorphic region (ILPR, also known as IDDM2). This polymorphic G-rich minisatellite, located in the promoter region of the human insulin gene, comprises a variable number of tandemly repeating sequences related to ACAGGGGTGTGGGG. An interesting characteristic of the ILPR is its ability to form unusual DNA structures in vitro, presumably through formation of G-quartets. This ability to form G-quartets raises the intriguing possibility that transcriptional activity of the insulin gene may in fact be influenced by the quaternary DNA topology of the ILPR. We now show that single nucleotide differences in the ILPR known to affect insulin transcription are correlated with ability to form unusual DNA structures. Through the design and testing of two high transcriptional activity ILPR repeats, we demonstrate that both inter-and intramolecular G-quartet formation in the ILPR can influence transcriptional activity of the human insulin gene, and thus, may contribute to that portion of diabetes susceptibility attributed to the IDDM2 locus.G-quartets ͉ tetrastrand DNA ͉ variable number of tandem repeats ͉ insulin gene-linked polymorphic region

No abstract

We are living in a very distressing time. Each day, the news is filled with disturbing accounts of war, bioterrorism, questionable accidents, threats, and scares. Adults and children alike feel threatened in their everyday lives. Although many counselors are familiar with ways to help families cope with crisis, loss, and grief, little training has been focused on helping families cope with the stress related to amorphous threats. This article, which can be shared with parents, discusses some tools and guidelines that can be used to help parents help their children cope. Topics include how parents can talk with different aged children, how they can help children turn fear into resiliency, what the signs of distress are, and how to use family meetings to teach coping skill sand establisha forum for open communication.