Changes in face-specific neural processing explain reduced cuteness and approachability of infants with cleft lip

The current study investigated whether changes in the neural processing of faces of infants with a facial abnormality – a cleft lip – mediate effects of the cleft lip on judgments of infant cuteness and approachability. Event-related potentials (ERPs) in response to pictures of faces of healthy infants and infants with a cleft lip, and ratings of cuteness and approachability of these infant faces, were obtained from 30 females. Infants with a cleft lip were rated as less attractive (less cute and approachable) than healthy infants, and both the N170 and P2 components of the ERP were of reduced amplitude in response to pictures of infants with a cleft lip. Importantly, decreased configural processing of infant faces with a cleft lip, as evidenced by reduced N170 amplitudes, mediated the reduced attractiveness ratings for infants with a cleft lip compared to healthy infants. Our findings help elucidate the mechanisms behind the less favorable responses to infants with a cleft lip, highlighting the role of face-specific rather than domain-general neural processes.     

Effects of parathyroidectomy on bone formation and mineralization in hemodialyzed patients

Undecalcified sections of doubly tetracycline-labeled transiliac bone biopsy specimens obtained from ten hemodialyzed patients before and 10 to 16 months after parathyroidectomy (PTX) were analyzed. Before parathyroidectomy (total PTX with autotransplant in six patients and subtotal PTX in four patients), all the patients demonstrated histological evidence of hyperparathyroidism with increased resorption parameters. A high bone formation rate (BFR) was noted in all patients but one who had both an increase in the osteoid seam thickness and a low calcification rate characteristic of osteomalacia. A significant correlation was found between immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels and BFR at the tissue and at the basic multicellular unit (BMU) levels. Parathyroidectomy was associated with a dramatic drop in resorption surfaces and osteoclast number as well as in bone formation rate at the tissue, BMU, and cell-levels. After PTX, the bone formation rate at the tissue level was low or in the lower range of normal values in six patients. The thickness index of osteoid seams was significantly reduced and no evidence of osteomalacia was present even in the six patients showing bone aluminum deposits after PTX. One of the three patients, who had an iPTH level within the normal range after PTX, showed an osteoid excess associated with a low bone formation rate. These date demonstrate that increased PTH secretion is an important factor of bone formation in dialyzed patients and that excessive reduction of the PTH secretion leads to an inactive bone.     

Aortoiliac reconstruction and renal transplantation: Staged or simultaneous

Aortoiliac atherosclerosis can jeopardize the outcome of renal transplantation. During a five-year period, 176 renal transplants were performed. Of these, four patients underwent prior or simultaneous arterial reconstruction. In two, transplantation was successfully performed three and ten months after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. In the two others with aortoiliac occlusive lesions, simultaneous arterial reconstruction and transplantation were successfully performed. We conclude that the discovery of aortoiliac lesions in a candidate for renal transplantation warrants consideration for staged or simultaneous arterial reconstruction to widen the indications for transplantation in such individuals and provide satisfactory long-term transplant durability.