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Conclusive evidence was provided that y', the upstream of the two linked simian y-globin loci (5'-y'-'y2-3'), is a pseudogene in a major group of New World monkeys. Sequence analysis of PCR-amplified genomic fragments of predicted sizes revealed that all extant genera of the platyrrhine family Atelidae [Lagothrix (woolly monkeys), Brachyteles (woolly spider monkeys), Ateles (spider monkeys), and Alouafta (howler monkeys)] share a large deletion that removed most of exon 2, all of intron 2 and exon 3, and much of the 3' flanking sequence of y. The fact that two functional 'y-globin genes were not present in early ancestors of the Atelidae (and that y1 was the dispensible gene) suggests that for much or even all of their evolution, platyrrhines have had ly2as the primary fetally expressed 'y-globin gene, in contrast to catarrhines (e.g., humans and chimpanzees) that have 'y' as the primary fetally expressed y-globin gene. Results from promoter sequences further suggest that all three platyrrhine families (Atelidae, Cebidae, and Pitheciidae) have y2 rather than y' as their primary fetally expressed y-globin gene. The implications of this suggestion were explored in terms of how gene redundancy, regulatory mutations, and distance of each 'y-globin gene from the locus control region were possibly involved in the acquisition and maintenance of fetal, rather than embryonic, expression.

Objectives Both oral health problems and depression among pregnant women contribute to maternal-infant health outcomes. Little is known, however, about the potential effects of clinically-significant depression on the oral health status of pregnant women. The purpose of the present study was to determine the influence of clinically-significant depression and rural- or urban-dwelling status on oral health outcomes among pregnant women. Materials and Methods Pregnant women (N=685) in rural (i.e., West Virginia) and urban (i.e., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) areas of northern Appalachia were assessed by calibrated examiners regarding gingivitis, oral hygiene, and DMFT, completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression scale (CESD), and provided demographics. Participants were categorized based on clinically significant depressive symptoms (CESD>=16) and rural/urban domicile. Results Women with depression and those living in rural areas had worse oral health on all three indices than their non-depressed and urban counterparts. Conclusions Depression, particularly among women in rural areas, impacts certain oral health indices, and represents a modifiable target for intervention. Moreover, treatments designed specifically for rural populations may be of particular utility. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant may benefit from regular depression screenings from their dental and medical healthcare providers.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate two polymorphisms near the D2 receptor gene (TaqI A RFLP and C microsatellite) and a VNTR for D4. A nonparametric linkage (NPL) technique, SIBPAL, was used to test for the presence or absence of linkage in 54 multiplex alcoholic families. These families had been ascertained through two alcoholic proband siblings in order to increase the density of alcoholic cases within these pedigrees. Phenotypic definitions of alcoholism were manipulated in an effort to determine the impact of severity (signs of physical dependence, early age of onset, presence of antisocial personality disorder) on the likelihood of finding positive evidence for linkage. A regression analysis that simultaneously evaluated the allele sharing identical by descent for Feighner criteria alcoholism in affected, unaffected, and discordant sib pairs (SIBPAL) for two D2 polymorphisms and the D4 polymorphism gave no evidence for linkage. Phenotypes associated with greater alcoholism severity (presence of physical dependence symptoms, earlier onset, or comorbid antisocial personality disorder) revealed some evidence for linkage. The presence of one or more physical dependence symptoms in combination with Feighner criteria alcoholism provided some evidence favoring linkage (TaqI A and D4). Alcoholics with an earlier onset of alcoholism showed some evidence for linkage especially when the presence of physical dependence was required (e. g., morning drinking, wanted to stop drinking but could not, binges or benders, and evidence of withdrawal symptoms). Finally, alcoholics with antisocial personality disorder differed significantly in their allele sharing from nonalcoholics for both D2 polymorphisms. Am. J. Med. Genet. (Neuropsychiatr. Genet.) 88:676-685, 1999.