The ex-Gaussian distribution of reaction times in adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

We investigated the three parameters (mu, sigma, tau) of ex-Gaussian distribution of RT derived from the Conners’ continuous performance test (CCPT) and examined the moderating effects of the energetic factors (the inter-stimulus intervals (ISIs) and Blocks) among these three parameters, especially tau, an index describing the positive skew of RT distribution. We assessed 195 adolescents with DSM-IV ADHD, and 90 typically developing (TD) adolescents, aged 10–16. Participants and their parents received psychiatric interviews to confirm the diagnosis of ADHD and other psychiatric disorders. Participants also received intelligence (WISC-III) and CCPT assessments. We found that participants with ADHD had a smaller mu, and larger tau. As the ISI/Block increased, the magnitude of group difference in tau increased. Among the three ex-Gaussian parameters, tau was positively associated with omission errors, and mu was negatively associated with commission errors. The moderating effects of ISIs and Blocks on tau parameters suggested that the ex-Gaussian parameters could offer more information about the attention state in vigilance task, especially in ADHD.     

Human parvovirus B19 infection in patients with chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Parvovirus B19 has been reported to be detected in the sera of patients with acute or chronic hepatitis. The prevalence and clinical significance of B19 DNA in serum samples from patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were investigated. METHODS: Serum samples from 54 patients with HBV infection, 51 with HCV infection and 53 normal controls were examined for anti-B19 antibodies and B19 DNA by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Southern blotting and direct nucleotide sequencing, respectively. RESULTS: Anti-B19 IgM and IgG antibodies were detected in 19 (35.2%) and 46 (85.2%) of 54 serum samples from patients with HBV infection, and eight (15.7%) and 36 (70.6%) of 51 serum samples from patients with HCV infection. B19 DNA was detected in serum samples of 20 (37%) of 54 patients with HBV infection and 12 (23.5%) of 51 patients with HCV infection, but not in 53 serum samples from normal controls. The occurrence of liver dysfunction was not affected by B19 infection in patients with HBV and HCV infection (P > 0.05). All of the 20 serum samples with B19 DNA from patients with chronic HBV infection and all of the 12 serum samples with B19 DNA from patients with chronic HCV infection exhibited TW-3 subtype and TW-9 subtype, respectively. The variant subtypes of B19 were found to be distinctive in patients with HBV or HCV infection. CONCLUSIONS: These data revealed that human parvovirus B19 infection was frequently found in patients with chronic HBV or HCV infection. The variant genotypes were present in patients with different chronic hepatitis. The coinfection of B19 with HBV or HCV did not increase the frequency of liver dysfunction in patients with chronic hepatitis. Long-term longitudinal studies are required to determine the natural course of parvovirus B19 infection and whether its coinfection affects the natural history of chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C.     

Increased cardiac injury in NZB/W F1 mice received antibody against human parvovirus B19 VP1 unique region protein

Human parvovirus B19 (B19) infection has been postulated to both myocardial injury and development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the influence of anti-B19-VP1u antibodies on cardiac disorders in SLE is still obscure. To elucidate the effects of anti-B19-VP1u IgG in SLE, passive transfer of PBS, normal rabbit IgG or rabbit anti-B19-VP1u IgG was injected intravenously into NZB/W F1 mice, respectively. Significant expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were detected in NZB/W F1 mice receiving rabbit anti-B19-VP1u IgG. Markedly cardiomyocyte disarray and lymphocyte infiltration were observed in left ventricle of hearts from NZB/W F1 mice receiving rabbit anti-B19-VP1u IgG. Additionally, significant increases of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) activity and protein expression were detected in left ventricle of hearts from NZB/W F1 mice receiving B19-VP1u IgG. Accordingly, significant increase of phosphorylated p-38 and NF-κB proteins were observed in left ventricle of hearts from NZB/W F1 mice receiving B19-VP1u IgG. However, no significant variation of cardiac atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (h-FABP) and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) were detected among all experimental groups. These findings firstly demonstrated the aggravated effects of anti-B19 VP1u IgG on cardiac injury by induction of inflammatory but not myocardial infarction-associated proteins through activation of phosphorylated p-38 and NF-κB signaling.     

Other impairment associated with developmental language delay in preschool-aged children

The aim of this study was to investigate developmental impairment in several domains that might be associated with developmental language delay. The records of 56 preschool children with developmental language delay and 31 nonimpaired children were reviewed. Children with language delay were more likely than those in the nonimpaired group to have cognitive developmental delay (Mental Development Index < 70) (P < .001) and gross and fine motor delay (gross: 28 [50%] versus 5 [16%], P = .002; fine: 34 [62%] versus 11 [35%], P = .02). Children with language delay were significantly more likely to have impairment than were nonimpaired children in gross motor, fine motor, comprehension-conceptual and personal-social (P = .01, P = .02, P = .01, P = .02, respectively) functional domains. Our findings indicate that preschool children with language delay have wide-ranging difficulties in development and function.     

Expression of anti-cardiolipin antibodies and inflammatory associated factors in patients with schizophrenia

Numerous studies have implicated a connection between schizophrenia and autoimmune disorders. However, the precise relationship and underlying mechanism are still obscure. To further identify the association between autoimmune disorders and schizophrenia, the mRNA expressions of various cytokines and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in monocytes are examined by using RT-PCR. Additionally, ELISA and zymography were performed to determine the anti-cardiolipin antibody (aCL) and MMP9 activity in serum form schizophrenic patients. Notably, significantly increased interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 mRNA were observed in schizophrenic patients, whereas significant reductions of TLR-3 and TLR-5 mRNA were detected. Moreover, significantly increased levels of aCL antibody and a higher frequency of positive-MMP9 activity were detected in serum from patients with schizophrenia. Meanwhile, no significant association was found between each of the medications and aCL activity. These findings demonstrated autoimmune-related phenomena in schizophrenic patients and further suggested a connection between schizophrenia and autoimmune disorders.     

Prevalence and genotype distribution of cervical human papillomavirus infection in Macao

Population‐specific epidemiological data on human papillomavirus (HPV) infection are essential for formulating strategies to prevent cervical cancer. The age‐specific prevalence of HPV infection was determined among 1,600 women enrolled for cervical screening in Macao. A U‐shaped age‐specific prevalence curve with a first peak (prevalence rate, 10%) at 20–25 years and a second peak (13%) at 51–55 years was observed. Co‐infections with multiple types were detected in 32.5% of HPV‐positive subjects and without significant variation among different age groups (P = 0.318). The majority (84.6%) of the positive samples harbored high‐ or probable high‐risk HPV types, and these types also exhibited a similar U‐shaped age‐specific prevalence curve. In contrast, low and unknown‐risk HPV types remained at a low prevalence (1.5–2.5%) throughout the age groups between 20 and 50 years, and with a small peak (4.5%) at 51–55 years. HPV 52 was the most common type found in 26.8% of positive samples, followed by HPV 16 (15.5%), HPV 68 (11.4%), HPV 18 and HPV 58 (8.9% each), HPV 54 (8.1%), HPV 53 (7.3%), HPV 39 (6.5%), HPV 33 and HPV 66 (5.7% each). In conclusion, because of the early peak of infection, vaccination and educational campaigns in Macao should start early and target at teenagers. The presence of a second peak containing mainly high‐risk HPV types in older women indicates the need to evaluate the cover of the cervical screening programme for older women. Further study to determine the contribution of HPV 52 in high‐grade cervical neoplasia and invasive cancers in Macao is warranted. J. Med. Virol. 82:1724–1729, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.