Motor dysfunction in mild cognitive impairment as tested by kinematic analysis and transcranial magnetic stimulation

ObjectivePrevious studies have demonstrated voluntary movement alterations as well as motor cortex excitability and plasticity changes in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). To investigate the pathophysiology of movement abnormalities in MCI, we tested possible relationships between movement abnormalities and primary motor cortex alterations in patients.MethodsFourteen amnestic MCI (aMCI) patients and 16 healthy controls were studied. Cognitive assessment was performed using clinical scales. Finger tapping was recorded by a motion analysis system. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to test the input/output curve of motor evoked potentials, intracortical inhibition, and short-latency afferent inhibition. Primary motor cortex plasticity was probed by theta burst stimulation. We investigated correlations between movement abnormalities, clinical scores, and cortical neurophysiological parameters.ResultsMCI patients showed less rhythmic movement but no other movement abnormalities. Cortical excitability measures were normal in patients, whereas plasticity was reduced. Movement rhythm abnormalities correlated with frontal dysfunction scores.ConclusionOur study in MCI patients demonstrated abnormal voluntary movement and plasticity changes, with no correlation between the two. Altered rhythm correlated with frontal dysfunction.SignificanceOur results contribute to the understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms of motor impairment in MCI.     

Risk and protective factors for wellbeing in older veterans in New Zealand

Objectives: To compare indicators relating to aging and health among veterans and non-veterans, and identify factors associated with subjective wellbeing (SWB) of older New Zealand veterans.

Methods: Self-reported data were obtained from participants in a longitudinal cohort study of New Zealand older adults. Responses from 352 veterans and 1500 non-veterans (age range of 55–86 and gender matched) were selected as a comparison group on indicators related to health and aging. The association of these indicators with veterans’ SWB were assessed using hierarchical regression.

Results: Apart from being older, smoking more, and having more chronic conditions, veterans did not differ from non-veterans on indicators of health and wellbeing. Mental health, physical health, purpose in life, housing satisfaction, and capabilities (choice and freedom) accounted for a significant amount of variance in veterans’ SWB.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that older veterans do not differ greatly on indices of health and aging from their non-veteran peers. Results support previous findings that lower mental and physical health is associated with lower SWB for veterans. Building upon prior findings, the current results demonstrate that interventions focusing on enhancing a sense of purpose in life, supporting one's capability to achieve, and strengthening social and physical environment through social connectedness, may serve as protective factors for SWB in veterans.     

Resistin is elevated in cystic fibrosis sputum and correlates negatively with lung function

Background

Resistin is an immunometabolic mediator that is elevated in several inflammatory disorders. A ligand for Toll-like receptor 4, resistin modulates the recruitment and activation of myeloid cells, notably neutrophils. Neutrophils are major drivers of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease, in part due to the release of human neutrophil elastase- and myeloperoxidase-rich primary granules, leading to tissue damage. Here we assessed the relationship of resistin to CF lung disease.

外胚叶发育不全基因及其受体在斑马鱼牙齿早期发育中的表达

目的 探讨外胚叶发育不全（EDA）基因及其受体（EDAR）基因在斑马鱼早期咽齿发育过程中的表达模式,为进一步研究其在牙齿发育过程中的功能奠定基础。方法 提取受精后48 h（48 hpf）的斑马鱼胚胎总RNA,之后逆转录合成cDNA,以该cDNA为模板,特异性扩增斑马鱼咽齿特异性标记基因dlx2b、Eda信号通路相关基因eda及edar基因片段,用TA克隆试剂盒将这3个基因片段分别连接到pGEMT载体上,将对应质粒用聚合酶链反应（PCR）线性化,以PCR线性化做模板,选择相应的RNA聚合酶体外转录,合成dlx2b、eda及edar基因的反义mRNA探针。收集36、48、56、60、72、84 hpf的斑马鱼胚胎,运用全胚原位杂交技术检测eda及edar基因在斑马鱼咽齿发育部位的表达分布。比较原位杂交结果eda及edar表达区域与斑马鱼咽齿特异性标记基因dlx2b所指示咽齿部位的关系。结果 获得了dlx2b、eda及edar基因的反义mRNA探针。原位杂交结果显示,48~72 hpf时eda及edar在鳃弓牙齿相应部位可见强棕褐色阳性信号,与dlx2b所指示咽齿部位吻合。结论 Eda信号通路配体与受体在斑马鱼咽齿早期发育过程中即牙齿发生至形态发生阶段于咽齿部位特异性强表达,这一结果显示该信号通路可能参与斑马鱼咽齿早期发育的调控。     

The screen for cognitive impairment in psychiatry (SCIP) is associated with disease severity and cognitive complaints in major depression

Objective: To assess the relationship between the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP) score and illness severity, subjective cognition and functioning in a cohort of major depressive disorder (MDD) patients.

Methods: Patients (n?=?40) diagnosed with MDD (DSM-IV-TR) completed the SCIP, a brief neuropsychological test, and a battery of self-administered questionnaires evaluating functioning (GAF, SDS, WHODAS 2.0, EDEC, PDQ-D5). Disease severity was evaluated with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI).

Results: Age and sex were associated with performance in the SCIP. The SCIP-Global index score was associated with disease severity (r?=??0.316, p?<?.05), the SDS, a patient self-assessment of daily functioning (r?=??0.368, p?<?.05), and the EDEC subscales of patient-reported cognitive deficits (r?=??0.388, p?<?.05) and their functional impacts (r?=??0.335, p?<?.05). Multivariate analysis adjusted for age and sex confirmed these tests are independent predictors of performance in the SCIP (CGI-S, F_[3,34]?=?4.478, p?=?.009; SDS, F_[3,34]?=?3.365, p?=?.030; EDEC-perceived cognitive deficits, F_[3,34]?=?5.216, p?=?.005; EDEC-perceived impacts of functional impairment, F_[3,34]?=?5.154, p?=?.005).

Conclusions: This study confirms that the SCIP can be used during routine clinical evaluation of MDD, and that cognitive deficits objectively assessed in the SCIP are associated with disease severity and self-reported cognitive dysfunction and impairment in daily life.