The -300 region of the interleukin 10 (IL-10) promoter contains a functional NF-KB binding site composed of the decamer sequence 5'-GGGAAAATCC-3'. Probes representing the -300 region or the NF-KB site alone interacted with NF-KB proteins present in phorbol myristate acetate-, lipopolysaccharide-, or Sendai virus-induced myeloid cell extracts as well as recombinant NFKB1 (p50)

Human genomic clones of the haptoglobin Hp1F and the ‘haptoglobin related’ gene (Hpr) have been isolated. The two genes are adjacent, spanning a region of approximately 21 kb. A comparison of their coding sequences shows that Hpr differs from Hp1F at 28 codons. Northern blot and primer elongation analyses with human liver RNA show that the haptoglobin gene Hp1F appears to be transcribed some 1000‐fold less in fetal than in adult liver. In adult liver the amount of Hpr mRNA is at the lower limit of detection, therefore the extent of its expression is at most less than 1000‐fold that of the Hp1F gene. No Hpr mRNA can be detected in fetal liver.

We have cloned a segment of cDNA from human liver coding for an apoferritin subunit, probably an H chain. Sequence comparison with the available protein sequence shows that our clone corresponds to a ferritin subunit present as a minor species in human spleen and placenta, but as major species in HeLa cells. Northern blot analysis shows the existence of only one band of similar size in human liver, HeLa cells, Daudi lymphoma and Hep3B hepatoma cell lines. In contrast, Southern blot analysis provides evidence for a multigene family.

We have isolated and sequenced a cDNA clone coding for human Retinol Binding Protein. The sequence indicates that Retinol Binding Protein is synthesized as a single polypeptide chain precursor which is then matured to the secreted protein by removal of a leader peptide. Southern and Northern blot analysis suggest that the gene is present in one or few copies per haploid genome and is transcribed in a single mRNA species.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of cimetropium bromide, a new antimuscarinic compound, in relieving symptoms of patients with irritable bowel syndrome over a three month period. Seventy consecutive outpatients were given cimetropium (50 mg tid) or placebo according to a double blind, randomised, parallel groups design. Symptoms were evaluated initially and at monthly intervals up to the end of the study period. One patient receiving placebo withdrew because of treatment failure. Pain score decreased by 40, 66,85% in the cimetropium group, at the end of the first, second and third months respectively, compared with 26, 32 and 52% reductions among controls (p=0 0005). At the end of treatment there was a 86% reduction in the number of abdominal pain episodes per day in the cimetropium group compared with 50% in the placebo group (p=0-001). Constipation and diarrhoea scores decreased by 59 and 49% in the cimetropium treated patients, compared with 37 and 39% in controls, the differences between being not significant. At the end of the study 89% of the patients treated with cimetropium considered themselves as globally improved as opposed to 69% in the placebo group (p=0 039). The corresponding 95% confidence intervals for the differences between the proportion of improved patients in the two groups were from 11% to 29%. Six patients taking cimetropium complained of slight dry mouth. The results of this study showed that cimetropium bromide is effective in relieving pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.