Effects of resistance training in humans on neck muscle performance, and electromyogram power spectrum changes

The purpose of this study was to quantify the neuromuscular cervical adaptations to an 8 week strength training programme. Seven healthy men, with no pathological conditions of the neck, performed a lateral flexion isometric resistance-training programme three times a week. The training sessions consisted of one set of ten contractions, each of 6 s duration, at 60% of the predetermined maximal voluntary isometric torque (MVT_im) (warm-up) and two sets of eight contractions, each of 6 s duration, at 80% MVT_im. The training effects were evaluated in three ways: muscle size, strength and fatigability. The cross-sectional areas (CSA) of the trapezius (TRP) and sternocleidomastoideus (SCM) muscles were determined using a computerised tomographic scanner. Results showed an increase in the CSA of TRP and SCM muscles after training, 8.8% at C5 level and 6.4% at C7 level for SCM muscle and 12.2% at C7 level for TRP muscle. Strength increased significantly under both isometric and isokinetic conditions (35% and 20%, respectively). Muscle fatigability in lateral flexion was quantified during a sustained isometric contraction at 50% of MVT_im. The shift of the mean power frequency of the electromyogram power spectrum density function of SCM muscle toward lower frequencies was less after training (14.6% compared to 6.8%). These results indicate the beneficial effect of a strength-training programme which increases neck muscle size and strength during lateral flexion, and decreases the fatigability of the superficial muscles of the neck. Electronic Publication     

心脑疾病对同步十二导联心电图多重分形谱的影响

对心脑疾病人群的同步十二导联ECG(心电图)进行多重分形特性分析,发现不同导联的多重分形曲线互不重叠。计算其十二导联平均的多重分形奇异强度分布范围以及分布范围的十二个导联间的离散特性,发现不同人群中存在互为交叉而有明显不同的结果。用十二导联多重分形Δα的平均值Δα及其离散度δα(取Δα的标准差)两个参量来描述其多重分形谱特征。发现健康人与心脏病人Δα接近,但δα相差较大;健康人与脑损伤患者δα接近,但Δα相差较大。预示着多重分形特性受到神经自律和心脏组织结构的自谐特性的双重控制,特征参数Δα与神经控制相对应,δΔ与心脏组织结构自谐特性的各向异性相对应。     

Phenotype delineation of ZNF462 related syndrome

Zinc finger protein 462 (ZNF462) is a relatively newly discovered vertebrate specific protein with known critical roles in embryonic development in animal models. Two case reports and a case series study have described the phenotype of 10 individuals with ZNF462 loss of function variants. Herein, we present 14 new individuals with loss of function variants to the previous studies to delineate the syndrome of loss of function in ZNF462. Collectively, these 24 individuals present with recurring phenotypes that define a multiple congenital anomaly syndrome. Most have some form of developmental delay (79%) and a minority has autism spectrum disorder (33%). Characteristic facial features include ptosis (83%), down slanting palpebral fissures (58%), exaggerated Cupid's bow/wide philtrum (54%), and arched eyebrows (50%). Metopic ridging or craniosynostosis was found in a third of study participants and feeding problems in half. Other phenotype characteristics include dysgenesis of the corpus callosum in 25% of individuals, hypotonia in half, and structural heart defects in 21%. Using facial analysis technology, a computer algorithm applying deep learning was able to accurately differentiate individuals with ZNF462 loss of function variants from individuals with Noonan syndrome and healthy controls. In summary, we describe a multiple congenital anomaly syndrome associated with haploinsufficiency of ZNF462 that has distinct clinical characteristics and facial features.     

A new physical assay method for tobacco mosaic virus using a radioactive virus recovery standard and the first derivative of the ultraviolet absorption spectrum

A new physical assay method for tobacco mosaic virus is described which incorporates two improvements on previous procedures. Losses of up to 75% of virus during extraction are corrected by adding a trace of radioactive virus to leaf samples before homogenization, and determining percentage recovery of radioactivity in final virus preparations. Estimation of virus concentration in partially purified preparations is from the first derivative (dA/d lambda) of the ultraviolet absorption spectrum, using a pronounced signal from the tryptophan fine-structure absorption band at 285-293 nm. This method is highly insensitive to ultraviolet-absorbing contaminants, which cause errors and increase variation between replicates, when estimation of virus concentration is by normal measurement of ultraviolet absorption (A260). The method can be applied to at least some other viruses.     

运用变性高效液相色谱对肺炎克雷伯菌产ESBL进行基因分型

目的 通过运用变性高效液相色谱（DHPLC）技术对前期研究已确认产超广谱β-内酰胺酶（ESBL）的肺炎克雷伯菌临床分离株TEM型质粒进行基因分型,试图建立一种方便快捷的用于ESBL分子诊断及其流行病学监测的新方法.方法 利用PCR技术从肺炎克雷伯菌临床分离株中扩增出TEM型质粒的编码序列,扩增产物运用DHPLC技术进行分析,分析提示,异常的样本通过测序确定其基因突变的类型,最后通过比对确定其基因型.结果 共分析了101例肺炎克雷伯菌临床分离株,全部样本均扩增出TEM型质粒的编码序列,经过DHPLC分析,52例（51.4%）样本表现为单一的洗脱峰,其形态与TEM-1标准菌株的峰型相一致,测序确定它们的碱基序列亦相一致,不存在变异,为TEM-1型;49例（48.6%）样本表现为异常的洗脱峰,它们均为双峰,形态一致,但异源双链峰的高度有差异,测序结果表明它们均存在四种相同的基因突变,在NCBI网站比对后确定为TEM-116;测序结果还提示,部分样本中TEM-1和TEM-116混合存在,其比例的不同表现为DHPLC时异源双链峰高度的差异;文献检索表明,本次确定的TEM-116为一新的基因亚型,为国内首次报道.结论 DHPLC具有简便快捷、高通量和自动化的特点,重复性好,不仅可对已知突变作出即时诊断,还可发现新的基因亚型,不失为一种较好的ESBL分子诊断方法及其流行病学监测手段.     

华南地区质粒介导超广谱β-内酰胺酶的基因分型研究

目的：了解华南地区质粒介导超广谱β－内酰胺酶（ESBLs）的发生率及基因型特征。方法：收集2001年4月－9月革兰阴性菌临床分离无重复株共1184株，采用NCCLS表型筛选和确认试验进行了ESBLs产酶的识别，E-test法检测各亚型ESBLs的MICs值，质粒接合及电转化实验，耐药质粒提取及酶切指纹分析，等电聚焦电泳，PCR通用引物扩增TEM、SHV、CTX－M、VEB、PER、SFO基因及其克隆测序进行ESBLs基因分型和质粒定位。结果：革兰阴性苗ESBLs的检出率为14．6％（173／1184）；获得产ESBLs接合子67株，电转化子11株，其中产CTX－M－14型ESBLs为33．3％（26／78）、CTX－M－3为23．1％（18／78）、CTX－M－9为14．1％（11／78）及SHV-2a为2．6％（2／78），未定型为5．1％（4／78）；29．5％（23／78）野生株伴广谱酶TEM－1或SHV－1型；各型ESBLs基因约定位在35－190kb大小的可接合性低执行者拷贝数天然质粒上；CTX－M型ESBLs以对头孢噻肟高水平高耐为特征。结论：华南地区质粒介导的ESBLs以CTX－M型衍生酶为主，其次是SHV型酶。     

High resolution quantitative EEG analysis

Summary High resolution spectral methods are explored as an alternative to broad band spectral parameters (BBSP) in quantitative EEG analysis. In a previous paper (Valdes et al. 1990b) regression equations (Developmental surfaces) were introduced to characterize the age-frequency distribution of the mean and standard deviation of the log spectral EEG power in a normative sample. These normative surfaces allow the calculation of z transformed spectra for all derivations of the 10/20 system and z maps for each frequency. Clinical material is presented that illustrates how these procedures may pinpoint frequencies of abnormal brain activity and their topographic distribution, avoiding the frequency and spatial smearing that may occur using BBSP. The increased diagnostic accuracy of high resolution spectral methods is demonstrated by means of receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Procedures are introduced to avoid type I error inflation due to the use of more variables in this type of procedure.     

Molecular characterisation of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. isolates at a tertiary-care centre in Lebanon

The prevalence of bla _CTX-M, bla _TEM and bla _SHV genes among extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing clinical isolates of Escherichia coli ( n  = 50) and Klebsiella spp. ( n  = 50) from Lebanon was 96%, 57% and 67%, and 40%, 82% and 84%, respectively. Genotyping revealed that the clonal diversity was unrelated to the presence of bla genes. Sequence analysis of 16 selected isolates identified the bla _CTX-M-15, bla _TEM-1, bla _OXA-1 and six bla _SHV genes, as well as the gene encoding the quinolone-modifying enzyme AAC(6')-Ib-cr. The genes encoding CTX-M-15 and AAC(6')-Ib-cr were carried on a 90-kb plasmid of the pC15-1a or pCTX-15 type, which transferred both ESBL production and quinolone resistance from donors to transconjugants.     

Genotype and phenotype correlation in 103 individuals with 2q37 deletion syndrome reveals incomplete penetrance and supports HDAC4 as the primary genetic contributor

The 2q37 deletion syndrome, also described in the literature as brachydactyly‐mental retardation syndrome (MIM 600430), is caused by deletion or haploinsufficiency of the HDAC4 gene, which encodes the histone deacetylase 4 protein. Although the most commonly described hallmark features of the 2q37 deletion syndrome include brachydactyly type E, developmental delay, obesity, autistic features, and craniofacial or skeletal dysmorphism, a literature review of 101 published cases plus two newly reported individuals indicates that there is a high degree of variability in the presence of some of the features that are considered the most characteristic of the syndrome: overweight and obesity (34%), cognitive‐behavioral issues (79%), dysmorphic craniofacial features (86%), and type E brachydactyly (48%). These features overlap with other neurodevelopmental conditions, including Smith‐Magenis syndrome (SMS), and may be incompletely penetrant or demonstrate variable expressivity, depending on the specific chromosomal anomaly. With the advent of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), array‐based comparative genomic hybridization, and next‐generation DNA sequencing, more detailed molecular diagnoses are possible than in years past, enabling refined characterization of the genotype–phenotype correlation for subjects with 2q37 deletions. In addition, investigations into molecular and gene expression networks are expanding in neurodevelopmental conditions, and we surveyed HDAC4 downstream gene expression by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, further implicating HDAC4 in its role in the regulation of RAI1. Correlation of clinical data defining the impact on downstream gene expression and the potential clinical associations across neurodevelopment will improve our understanding of these complex conditions and potentially lead to common therapeutic approaches.     

GATA6 mutations: Characterization of two novel patients and a comprehensive overview of the GATA6 genotypic and phenotypic spectrum

The first human mutations in GATA6 were described in a cohort of patients with persistent truncus arteriosus, and the phenotypic spectrum has expanded since then. This study underscores the broad phenotypic spectrum by presenting two patients with de novo GATA6 mutations, both exhibiting complex cardiac defects, pancreatic, and other abnormalities. Furthermore, we provided a detailed overview of all published human genetic variation in/near GATA6 published to date and the associated phenotypes (n = 78). We conclude that the most common phenotypes associated with a mutation in GATA6 were structural cardiac and pancreatic abnormalities, with a penetrance of 87 and 60%, respectively. Other common malformations were gallbladder agenesis, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and neurocognitive abnormalities, mostly developmental delay. Fifty‐eight percent of the mutations were de novo, and these patients more often had an anomaly of intracardiac connections, an anomaly of the great arteries, and hypothyroidism, compared with those with inherited mutations. Functional studies mostly support loss‐of‐function as the pathophysiological mechanism. In conclusion, GATA6 mutations give a wide range of phenotypic defects, most frequently malformations of the heart and pancreas. This highlights the importance of detailed clinical evaluation of identified carriers to evaluate their full phenotypic spectrum.