From the Cover: PNAS Plus: Amygdala lesions disrupt modulation of functional MRI activity evoked by facial expression in the monkey inferior temporal cortex

Significance

Successful social interaction depends on the ability to recognize others, evaluate their mental states (e.g. intentions, desires, and beliefs), and “read” their emotional states. Here, we show that, in monkeys, damage to the amygdala, a brain structure that is central to the expression of emotion, significantly disrupts the processing of emotional facial expression in high-level visual cortical areas involved in face recognition. These findings suggest that the projections of the amygdala to visual cortical areas likely enhance the sensory processing of biologically important signals, including those related to potential environmental threats and social contexts.     

Field Evaluation of a PCR Test for Schistosoma japonicum Egg Detection in Low-Prevalence Regions of China

Sensitive Schistosoma japonicum detection methods are needed to progress from schistosomiasis control to elimination. The sensitivity of the Kato-Katz thick smear and miracidium hatching tests decrease with infection intensity and serological tests cannot always identify current infections. We evaluated a fecal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to detect S. japonicum infection in 106 humans and 8 bovines in China. PCR was highly sensitive, detecting S. japonicum DNA at 0.5 eggs/g of stool. Comparing PCR examination of a single stool sample to the miracidium hatching test using three consecutive stool samples, more humans were hatching test positive (20%) than PCR positive (15%). However, two individuals were PCR positive in a village where no infections were detected by coprological methods. The sensitivity of PCR makes it a promising tool for schistosomiasis diagnostics and screening, although egg shedding variability and stool sample size present challenges for any detection method in low-transmission areas.     

Timing of palate repair affecting growth in complete unilateral cleft lip and palate

ObjectiveTo evaluate the facial morphology characteristics of patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCCLPs) who had undergone cleft palate repair at different times.DesignThis study included 46 nonsyndromic UCCLPs and 38 age and sex matched non-cleft patients. 35 cephalometric measurements were used to evaluate the facial morphology. Student’s t-test, one-way ANOVA and rank sum tests were used for comparison. Significant difference was defined at 95% level.ResultsThe data showed that UCCLPs who had palatoplasty between 7 and 12 years had greater PMP-A, PMP-ANS, Ba-ANS, Ba-A, Ba-N-ANS than those operated on before 4 years of age, and UCCLPs who had palatoplasty at 4–12 years had smaller Y-axis angle than those operated on before 4 years of age.ConclusionsThe maxillary sagittal length increased gradually as von Langenbeck repair was delayed. UCCLPs who underwent palate repair using von Langenbeck technique at 4–12 years had a more protrusive maxilla and less clockwise rotated mandible than those repaired before 4 years. UCCLPs operated using the von Langenbeck technique at 4–12 years had better head-face morphology than those operated on before 4 years. There was no difference in facial morphology among UCCLPs with palate repair at 4–12 years.     

周期性张应力对成纤维细胞增殖能力的影响

目的探讨周期性张应力对体外培养的小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞增殖特性的影响。方法将体外培养的L929细胞分为加力组与对照组,加载周期性张应力的细胞为加力组,不加力的为对照组。应用细胞应力加载系统对L929细胞加载8%形变率、0.1 Hz的周期性张应力,分别在加力1 h、2 h、4 h和8 h后应用流式细胞仪分析细胞周期;四甲基偶氮唑盐比色法分析细胞的增殖活性。结果加力组加力1 h(q=5.532,P<0.01)与2 h(q=6.569,P<0.01),S期细胞比率(S-phase fraction,SPF)较对照组出现了下降,并伴有细胞数量的增加(P>0.05);加力组在加力4 h后,SPF较对照组下降(P>0.05),细胞数量增加(P>0.05);加力组在加力8 h后,SPF较对照组开始出现增高(q=4.287,P<0.05),细胞数量显著增加(q=5.202,P<0.01)。结论 8%形变率、0.1 Hz的周期性张应力引起细胞增殖活性的变化,表现为随应力加载时间的延长,细胞的增殖活性出现先被抑制、后被促进的改变。     

下颌骨成釉细胞癌-原发型伴颌下淋巴结转移1例

成釉细胞癌-原发型是一种少见的原发型牙源性恶性肿瘤,临床报道较少。本文报道1例下颌骨成釉细胞癌-原发型伴颌下淋巴结转移患者,并结合文献资料,对其临床组织病理学特征、诊断和治疗等进行讨论。     

Usefulness of pumpkin seeds combined with areca nut extract in community-based treatment of human taeniasis in northwest Sichuan Province, China

Taeniasis refers to the infection with adult tapeworms of Taenia spp. in the upper small intestine of humans, which is also a cause of cysticercosis infection in either both humans and/or animals. Currently the most commonly applied anthelminthics for treatment of taeniasis are praziquantel and niclosamide. Praziquantel is very effective, but has the risk of induction of epileptic seizures or convulsions in carriers with asymptomatic concurrent neurocysticercosis. In contrast, niclosamide is safe and effective, but is not readily available in many endemic countries including China. In the current community-based study, we assessed the curative effect of either pumpkin seeds or areca nut extract alone in taeniasis, and also looked at synergistic effects of these two herb drugs on tapeworms. In the study group with the pumpkin seed/areca nut extract treatment, 91 (79.1%) of 115 suspected taeniasis cases (with a history of expulsion of proglottids within the previous one year) released whole tapeworms, four (3.5%) expelled incomplete strobila, and no tapeworms or proglottids were recovered in the remaining 20 cases. In these 115 persons, 45 were confirmed as taeniasis before treatment by microscopy and/or coproPCR. Forty (88.9%) of 45 confirmed cases eliminated intact worms following treatment. The mean time period for complete elimination of tapeworms in 91 taeniasis cases was 2h (range 20min to 8h 30min), and 89.0% (81) of 91 patients discharged intact worms within 3h after drug administration. In Control Group A with treatment of pumpkin seeds alone, 75.0% (9/12) of confirmed taeniasis cases expelled whole tapeworms, but the mean time period for complete elimination was about 14h 10min (range 3h 20min to 21h 20min), which was much longer than that (2h) for the study group, whereas in Control Group B treated with areca nut extract alone, only 63.6% (7/11) of taeniasis cases discharged whole tapeworms, and the mean time period was 6h 27min (range 1-22h). Mild side effects included nausea and dizziness in about 46.3% of patients with the pumpkin seeds/areca nut extract treatment, but all discomforts were transient and well tolerated. In conclusion, a synergistic effect of pumpkin seed and areca nut extract on Taenia spp. tapeworms was confirmed in the current study, primarily in producing an increased rate of effect on tapeworm expulsion (average time 2h for combination vs 6-21h for individual extracts). The pumpkin seed/areca combined treatment was indicated to be safe and highly effective (89%) for human taeniasis.     

Neonatal screening for severe primary immunodeficiency diseases using high-throughput triplex real-time PCR

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) are inborn errors of immune function that require prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent life-threatening infections. The lack of functional T or B lymphocytes in these diseases serves as a diagnostic criterion and can be applied to neonatal screening. A robust triplex PCR method for quantitation of T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) and κ-deleting recombination excision circles (KRECs), using a single Guthrie card punch, was developed and validated in a cohort of 2560 anonymized newborn screening cards and in 49 original stored Guthrie cards from patients diagnosed with SCID, XLA, ataxia-telangiectasia, Nijmegen-breakage-syndrome, common variable immunodeficiency, immunoglobulin A deficiency, or X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome. Simultaneous measurement of TREC and KREC copy numbers in Guthrie card samples readily identified patients with SCID, XLA, ataxia-telangiectasia and Nijmegen-breakage-syndrome and thus facilitates effective newborn screening for severe immunodeficiency syndromes characterized by the absence of T or B cells.