Maternal obesity and long-term neuropsychiatric morbidity of the offspring

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics - To evaluate the long-term pediatric neuropsychiatric morbidity of children born to obese patients. A population-based cohort analysis was performed comparing...     

JC Virus T-Antigen DNA in Gastrointestinal Mucosa of Immunosuppressed Patients: A Prospective,Controlled Study

Background  

JC virus (JCV), a polyoma virus, is the etiological agent of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in immunosuppressed patients. JCV T-Ag has proven oncogenic potential and is expressed in colonic polyps and carcinomas. We proposed that the prevalence of JCV T-Ag DNA is higher in the normal gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa of immunosuppressed patients compared with their immunocompetent counterparts.     

A Novel Mutation in a Critical Region for the Methyl Donor Binding in DNMT3B Causes Immunodeficiency,Centromeric Instability,and Facial Anomalies Syndrome (ICF)

Purpose

Immunodeficiency, centromeric instability, and facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome is an extremely rare autosomal recessive disease. The immune phenotype is characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia in the presence of B cells. T cell lymphopenia also develops in some patients. We sought to further investigate the immune defect in an ICF patient with a novel missense mutation in DNMT3B and a severe phenotype.

Methods

Patient lymphocytes were examined for subset counts, immunoglobulin levels, T and B cell de novo production (via excision circles) and receptor repertoire diversity. Mutated DNMT3B protein structure was modeled to assess the effect of a mutation located outside of the catalytic region on protein function.

Results

A novel homozygous missense mutation, Ala585Thr, was found in DNMT3B. The patient had decreased B cell counts with hypogammaglobulinemia, and normal T cell counts. CD4⁺ T cells decreased over time, leading to an inversion of the CD4⁺ to CD8⁺ ratio. Excision circle copy numbers were normal, signifying normal de novo lymphocyte production, but the ratio between naïve and total B cells was low, indicating decreased in vivo B cell replication. T and B cell receptor repertoires displayed normal diversity. Computerized modeling of the mutated Ala585 residue suggested reduced thermostability, possibly affecting the enzyme kinetics.

Conclusions

Our results highlight the existence of a T cell defect that develops over time in ICF patient, in addition to the known B cell dysfunction. With intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment ameliorating the B cell defect, the extent of CD4⁺ lymphopenia may determine the severity of ICF immunodeficiency.

     

Hoxa2 knockdown in Xenopus results in hyoid to mandibular homeosis.

The skeletal structures of the face and throat are derived from cranial neural crest cells (NCCs) that migrate from the embryonic neural tube into a series of branchial arches (BAs). The first arch (BA1) gives rise to the upper and lower jaw cartilages, whereas hyoid structures are generated from the second arch (BA2). The Hox paralogue group 2 (PG2) genes, Hoxa2 and Hoxb2, show distinct roles for hyoid patterning in tetrapods and fishes. In the mouse, Hoxa2 acts as a selector of hyoid identity, while its paralogue Hoxb2 is not required. On the contrary, in zebrafish Hoxa2 and Hoxb2 are functionally redundant for hyoid arch patterning. Here, we show that in Xenopus embryos morpholino-induced functional knockdown of Hoxa2 is sufficient to induce homeotic changes of the second arch cartilage. Moreover, Hoxb2 is downregulated in the BA2 of Xenopus embryos, even though initially expressed in second arch NCCs, similar to mouse and unlike in zebrafish. Finally, Xbap, a gene involved in jaw joint formation, is selectively upregulated in the BA2 of Hoxa2 knocked-down frog embryos, supporting a hyoid to mandibular change of NCC identity. Thus, in Xenopus Hoxa2 does not act redundantly with Hoxb2 for BA2 patterning, similar to mouse and unlike in fish. These data bring novel insights into the regulation of Hox PG2 genes and hyoid patterning in vertebrate evolution and suggest that Hoxa2 function is required at late stages of BA2 development.     

The impact of obstetric gel on the second stage of labor and perineal integrity: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: Dianatal® is a bioadhesive gliding film which reduces the opposing force to vaginal childbirth. We aimed to investigate the safety, applicability, and impact of Dianatal® obstetric gel on second stage of labor and perineal integrity.

Methods: Low-risk singleton pregnancies at term were prospectively enrolled. Eligible women were randomly assigned to either labor management without using obstetric gel, or labor management using intermittent application of obstetric gel into the birth canal during vaginal examinations, starting at active phase of labor (≥4?cm dilation). The primary measured outcome was the length of second stage of labor.

Results: Overall, 200 cases were analyzed. Demographic, obstetrical, and labor characteristics were similar between the groups. Neither adverse events nor maternal or neonatal side effects were observed. The mean lengths of the active and second stages of labor were comparable between the obstetric gel-treated and the control groups (157 versus 219 min and 48 versus 56 min, respectively). None of the women had grade III/IV perineal tears. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were not negatively influenced by using obstetric gel. No difference was found after sub-group analysis for spontaneous vaginal delivery.

Conclusion: Dianatal® obstetric gel is safe in terms of maternal or neonatal use. Albeit a trend toward shorter labor stages using Dianatal® obstetric gel, no significant differences were noted among the groups. In order to further investigate the influence of the obstetric gel on labor stage interval, perineal integrity and maternal and neonatal outcomes, larger randomized clinical trials are needed to be carried out.     

You are not in the army now! A field study on the impact of a Preparation for Civilian Life program on young soldiers

Recent years have seen the implementation of educational programs aimed at developing future orientation and better employability skills, mostly for people new to or returning to the job market. In a field study, we investigated the impact of a 5-day program on reintegration to civilian life on young Israeli combat soldiers' time preferences, gratitude, patriotism, and perceptions of their combat experience. Questionnaires administered before and after the program revealed a positive effect on future orientation but a negative effect on gratitude and perceptions of the combat experience. Although the positive effect on future orientation is in line with the program design, the negative effects found should be taken into consideration when planning or improving similar educational programs.