Slow and fast fiber isoform gene expression is systematically altered in skeletal muscle of the Sox6 mutant, p100H.

We have previously demonstrated that p100H mutant mice, which lack a functional Sox6 gene, exhibit skeletal and cardiac muscle degeneration and develop cardiac conduction abnormalities soon after birth. To understand the role of Sox6 in skeletal muscle development, we identified muscle-specific genes differentially expressed between wild-type and p100H mutant skeletal muscles and investigated their temporal expression in the mutant muscle. We found that, in the mutant skeletal muscle, slow fiber and cardiac isoform genes are expressed at significantly higher levels, whereas fast fiber isoform genes are expressed at significantly lower levels than wild-type. Onset of this aberrant fiber type-specific gene expression in the mutant coincides with the beginning of the secondary myotube formation, at embryonic day 15-16 in mice. Together with our earlier report, demonstrating early postnatal muscle defects in the Sox6 null-p100H mutant, the present results suggest that Sox6 likely plays an important role in muscle development.     

Identification of neurons with acetylcholinesterase and NADPH-diaphorase activities in the centrifugal visual system of the chick

The isthmo-optic nuclei (ION) and ectopic neurons, which constitute the centrifugal visual system (CVS), are thought to be cholinoceptive and nitrergic. However, it is not clear which neurons express these markers, namely the ones that project to the retina rather than in neurons that only participate in a local circuit. Therefore, to characterize the neurochemical patterns of the centrifugal visual system in the post-hatched chick, retinopetal cells of the isthmo-optic nuclei and the ectopic region were identified via immunolabeling for cholera toxin, a neuronal tracer, which has been injected in the ocular globe. Then, double labeled with acetylcholinesterase histochemistry to reveal cholinergic synapses, or NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry as a nitrergic marker. Briefly, acetylcholinesterase activity was present mainly in cholera toxin labeled cell bodies of the isthmo-optic nucleus and the ectopic region indicating that retinal projecting neurons of centrifugal visual system comprise a cholinoceptive pathway. On the other hand, NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry was present in the neuropile and sparse cell bodies inside of the isthmo-optic nucleus and in ectopic neurons which were not cholera toxin positive suggesting their role in an intrinsic circuit of the centrifugal visual system. These data support the idea that these two neurochemical systems are present in distinct neuronal populations in the centrifugal visual system.     

Antagonism of the discriminative effects of ethylketazocine,cyclazocine, and nalorphine in macaques

dl-Ethylketazocine (EKC, 0.01 mg/kg) and saline were established as discriminative stimuli for food-maintained responding in macaque monkeys. Thirty consecutive presses on a right or left lever were reinforced with food, contingent on whether EKC or saline were administered before the session. For tests of antagonism, naltrexone, or UM 979 [(l)-5,9-alpha-dimethyl-2-(3-furylmethyl)-2-hydroxy-6,7-benzomorphan] was administered concomitantly with EKC,dl-cyclazocine, or nalorphine. Both antagonists blocked completely the EKC discriminative stimulus. The antagonism of the stimulus and rate-altering effects of EKC was surmountable, with considerable intersubject variability in the magnitude of the EKC dose increase required to overcome the blockade. Cyclazocine and nalophine, mixed agonist-antagonist opioids that share stimulus properties with EKC, were also susceptible to antagonism. Naltrexone antagonized completely the EKC stimulus effects of nalorphine; naltrexone and UM 979 antagonized completely the EKC stimulus effects of cyclazocine. Naltrexone antagonism of the cyclazocine stimulus was not surmountable, due to a lack of antagonism of the rate-decreasing effects of high cyclazocine doses.     

Success of Maternal and Child Health Pipeline Training Programs: Alumni Survey Results

Maternal and Child Health Journal - The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Pipeline Training Program, promotes development of a diverse health workforce by training undergraduate students from...     

Barriers and Facilitators to Participation in Health Screening: an Umbrella Review Across Conditions

Prevention Science - Screening is an essential prevention practice for a number of health conditions. However, screening coverage remains generally low. Studies that investigate determinants of...     

High Prevalence of Low Birth Weight Babies Born to Pregnant Women Referred to a District Hospital in Rural Zambia

Maternal and Child Health Journal - Low birthweight (LBW) is a significant public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa and LBW in rural Zambia is high. Our study explored the prevalence of LBW for...     

Barriers and Facilitators to Effective Implementation of the NAMWEZA Intervention in Dar es Salaam,Tanzania

Prevention Science - The NAMWEZA intervention was implemented, using a ten-session group format, to build skills targeting psychosocial vulnerabilities and enhancing HIV prevention among people...     

In Vivo Observation of Cutaneous Larva Migrans by Fluorescence-Advanced Videodermatoscopy

Fluorescence-advanced videodermatoscopy is not a widespread diagnostic technique. Its application in dermatology can facilitate the diagnosis of diseases such as cutaneous larva migrans by enabling us to recognize the precise position of larva in vivo on the skin. Using this noninvasive technique, we detected a case of cutaneous larva migrans in a patient.     

Sexual Contact as Risk Factor for Campylobacter Infection,Denmark

Campylobacteriosis is a disease of worldwide importance, but aspects of its transmission dynamics, particularly risk factors, are still poorly understood. We used data from a matched case-control study of 4,269 men who have sex with men (MSM) and 26,215 controls, combined with national surveillance data on Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., and Shigella spp., to calculate matched odds ratios (mORs) for infection among MSM and controls. MSM had higher odds of Campylobacter (mOR 14, 95% CI 10–21) and Shigella (mOR 74, 95% CI 27–203) infections, but not Salmonella (mOR 0.2, 95% CI 0–13), and were less likely than controls to have acquired Campylobacter infection abroad (χ² = 21; p<0.001). Our results confirm that sexual contact is a risk factor for campylobacteriosis and also suggest explanations for unique features of Campylobacter epidemiology. These findings provide a baseline for updating infection risk guidelines to the general population.