Parent and Child ADHD Symptoms in Relation to Parental Attitudes and Parenting: Testing the Similarity-Fit Hypothesis

Objective: We tested the similarity-fit hypothesis that predicts more positive parenting when both parent and child have high levels of ADHD symptoms compared to when only one does. Method: Mothers and fathers of 156, 5 to 13 year old sons participated (110 boys with ADHD, 46 without). Parent inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms were examined, in interaction with child ADHD, as predictors of parental tolerance, empathy, encouragement of child autonomy, and positive parenting. Results: Several interactions of parent ADHD symptoms and child ADHD were detected which suggested that for parents with low levels of symptoms, the presence of child ADHD was associated with less positive parenting attitudes and behavior, but this negative relation between positive parenting and child ADHD was dampened among parents with more ADHD symptoms. Conclusions: Considered alongside the well documented parenting difficulties associated with parental ADHD, our findings suggest that parental ADHD symptoms also may help to mitigate some of the challenges facing families of children with ADHD.     

Immunological role of CD4<Superscript>+</Superscript>CD28<Superscript>null</Superscript> T lymphocytes,natural killer cells,and interferon-gamma in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease: relation to disease severity and response to therapy

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with alterations in immune phenotypes. CD4⁺CD28^null T lymphocytes have pro-inflammatory functions and are linked to vascular diseases. To assess the percentage of CD4⁺CD28^null T lymphocytes, natural killer cells (NK), and IFN-gamma levels, we compared 40 children and adolescents with SCD with 40 healthy controls and evaluated their relation to disease severity and response to therapy. Patients with SCD steady state were studied, focusing on history of frequent vaso-occlusive crisis, hydroxyurea therapy, and IFN-gamma levels. Analysis of CD4⁺CD28^null T lymphocytes and NK cells was done by flow cytometry. Liver and cardiac iron overload were assessed. CD4⁺CD28^null T lymphocytes, NK cells, and IFN-gamma levels were significantly higher in patients than controls. Patients with history of frequent vaso-occlusive crisis and those with vascular complications had higher percentage of CD4⁺CD28^null T lymphocytes and IFN-gamma while levels were significantly lower among hydroxyurea-treated patients. CD4⁺CD28^null T lymphocytes were positively correlated to transfusional iron input while these cells and IFN-gamma were negatively correlated to cardiac T2* and duration of hydroxyurea therapy. NK cells were correlated to HbS and indirect bilirubin. Increased expression of CD4⁺CD28^null T lymphocytes highlights their role in immune dysfunction and pathophysiology of SCD complications.     

Early acute antibody-mediated rejection of a negative flow crossmatch 3rd kidney transplant with exclusive disparity at HLA-DP

Donor-specific alloantibodies (DSA) to HLA-DP may cause antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), especially in re-transplants. We describe the immunization history of a patient who received 3 kidney transplants; the 3rd kidney was completely matched except at DPA1 and DPB1. Prior to the 3rd transplant, single antigen bead analysis (SAB) showed DSA reactivity against DPA1 shared by the 1st and 3rd donors, but B and T flow crossmatch (FXM) results were negative. Within 11 days the 3rd transplant underwent acute C4d+ AMR which coincided with the presence of complement (C1q)-binding IgG1 DSA against donor DPA1 and DPB1. Using HLAMatchmaker and SAB, we provide evidence that eplet (epitope) spreading on DPA1 and eplet sharing on differing DPB1 alleles of the 1st and 3rd transplants was associated with AMR. Since weak DSA to DPA1/DPB1 may induce acute AMR with negative FXM, donor DPA1/DPB1 high resolution typing should be considered in sensitized patients with DP-directed DSA.     

Intestinal epithelial wound healing assay in an epithelial–mesenchymal co-culture system

Rapid and efficient healing of epithelial damage is critical to the functional integrity of the small intestine. Epithelial repair is a complex process that has largely been studied in cultured epithelium but to a much lesser extent in mucosa. We describe a novel method for the study of wound healing using a co-culture system that combined an intestinal epithelial Caco-2/15 cell monolayer cultured on top of human intestinal myofibroblasts, which together formed a basement membrane-like structure that contained many of the major components found at the epithelial–mesenchymal interface in the human intestine. To investigate the mechanism of restitution, small lesions were generated in epithelial cell monolayers on plastic or in co-cultures without disturbing the underlying mesenchymal layer. Monitoring of wound healing showed that repair was more efficient in Caco-2/15–myofibroblast co-cultures than in Caco-2/15 monolayers and involved the deposition of basement membrane components. Functional experiments showed that the addition of type I collagen or human fibronectin to the culture medium significantly accelerated wound closure on epithelial cell co-cultures. This system may provide a new tool to investigate the mechanisms that regulate wound healing in the intestinal epithelium.     

Effect of a novel benzimidazole derivative in experimental Schistosoma mansoni infection

Currently, praziquantel is the only drug of choice for treatment of schistosomiasis. Reports of praziquantel resistance raise concerns about future control of the disease. Therefore, the search for new schistosomicidal drugs is eminent. In this study, the effect of a novel benzimidazole-derived compound (compound BTP-Iso) was assessed in mice harboring adult Schistosoma mansoni (Egyptian strain). Mice were treated 42 days p.i. with compound BTP-Iso using two treatment regimens (200 or 300 mg/kg). In both regimens, there were significant reductions in the number of recovered S. mansoni worms especially females and in immature ova, in addition to a significant reduction in the number and size of hepatic granulomata. A dose of 300 mg/kg resulted in a significant decrease in intestinal and hepatic tissue egg loads. Effect on schistosomes was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, where adult worms recovered from mice treated with 200 mg/kg of compound BTP-Iso revealed tegumental alternations, characterised by swelling of tegumental ridges, bleb formation, and mild erosion in male worms; however in females, there were extensive erosion and destruction of the tegumental surface. These promising results may encourage future use of compound BTP-Iso in the treatment of schistosomiasis. However, more research is needed to detect the effect of compound BTP-Iso on early developmental stages of S. mansoni and on other species of human schistosomes.     

Therapeutic properties in Tunisian hot springs: first evidence of phenolic compounds in the cyanobacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leptolyngbya</Emphasis> sp. biomass,capsular polysaccharides and releasing polysaccharides

Background

In Tunisia, the use of hot spring waters for both health and recreation is a tradition dating back to Roman times. In fact, thermal baths, usually called “Hammam” are recommended as a therapeutic and prophylactic measure against many types of illness and toxicity. While the chemical concentration of thermal water is admittedly associated with its therapeutic effects, the inclusion in spa waters of efficient bioproduct additives produced by photosynthetic microorganisms and that act against oxidative stress may comprise a significant supplementary value for thermal centers. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant potential of the Tunisian thermophilic cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya sp. and to determine its phytochemical constituents and phenolic profile.

Methods

BME (Biomass Methanolic Extract), CME (Capsular polysaccharides Methanolic Extract) and RME (Releasing polysaccharides Methanolic Extract) of Leptolyngbya sp. were examined for their antioxidant activities by means of DPPH, hydroxyl radical scavenging and ferrous ion chelating assays. Their total phenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) and vitamin C contents, as well as their phenolic profiles were also determined.

Results

BME has the highest content of phenols (139?±?1.2 mg/g), flavonoids (34.9?±?0.32 mg CEQ/g), carotenoids (2.03?±?0.56 mg/g) and vitamin C (15.7?±?1.55 mg/g), while the highest MAAs content (0.42?±?0.03 mg/g) was observed in CME. BME presented both the highest DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability with an IC₅₀ of 0.07 and 0.38 mg/ml, respectively. The highest ferrous chelating capacity was detected in CME with an IC₅₀?=?0.59 mg/ml. Phenolic profiles revealed the presence of 25 phenolic compounds with the existence of hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, resveratrol and pinoresinol.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated that the cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya sp. possesses abundant natural antioxidant products which may have prophylactic and therapeutic effects on many types of illness and toxicity. The present findings not only explain and reinforce the rationale behind traditional therapeutic practices in Tunisia in the exploitation of the country’s hot springs, but support the addition of Leptolyngbya to thermal waters as a means to enhance the value and reputation of the curative nature of Tunisian thermal waters.

     

Exercise- and insulin-stimulated muscle glucose transport: distinct mechanisms of regulation.

In mammals, skeletal muscle is the primary target for the stimulation of glucose transport by a variety of activators. These include the hormone insulin and stimuli which increase energy demand such as exercise, hypoxia, and challenges to the oxidative chain. While it is known that both stimuli rapidly elevate glucose uptake into muscle by signalling the translocation of glucose transporters from intracellular stores to the plasma membrane, there are numerous contrasts between energy stressors and insulin in their mechanisms of glucose transport activation. Exercise and insulin recruit distinct intracellular pools of glucose transporters in skeletal muscle and the maximal effects of contraction and insulin are additive. Activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) is utilized by insulin to induce glucose transporter translocation, but does not participate in the responses to exercise or hypoxia. These findings suggest that energy stressors utilize different mechanisms from insulin to increase glucose influx; however, how these factors elicit their response is not clear. This review will summarize our current knowledge of these alternative pathways of glucose transport regulation. Emphasis is placed on the use of the mitochondrial uncoupler dinitrophenol to investigate mediators of this alternative signalling pathway in L6 muscle cells, a line used to characterize physiological responses in muscle such as glucose transport.     

Interlaboratory validation of a CD71-based flow cytometric method (Microflow) for the scoring of micronucleated reticulocytes in mouse peripheral blood

An interlaboratory study was performed to validate an anti-CD71/flow cytometry-based technique for enumerating micronucleated reticulocytes (MN-RETs) in mouse peripheral blood. These experiments were designed to address International Workshop on Genotoxicity Test Procedures validation criteria by evaluating the degree of correspondence between MN-RET measurements generated by flow cytometry (FCM) with those obtained using traditional microscopy-based methods. In addition to these cross-methods data, flow cytometric MN-RET measurements for each blood sample were performed at two separate sites in order to evaluate the reproducibility of data between laboratories. In these studies, groups of male CD-1 mice were treated with vehicle (saline or vegetable oil), a negative control (saline or vegetable oil), or four dose levels of five known genotoxicants (clastogens: cyclophosphamide, benzo[a]pyrene, 5-fluorouracil, methotrexate; aneugen: vincristine sulfate). Exposure occurred on 3 consecutive days via intraperitoneal injection, and blood samples were obtained approximately 24 hr after the final treatment. MN-RET frequencies were determined for each sample based on the analysis of 2,000 (microscopy) and 20,000 (FCM) reticulocytes. Regardless of the method utilized, each genotoxic agent was observed to cause statistically significant increases in the frequency of MN-RETs, and each response occurred in a dose-dependent manner. Spearman's correlation coefficient (rs) for FCM versus microscopy-based MN-RET measurements (nine experiments, 252 paired measurements) was 0.740, indicating a high degree of correspondence between methods. The rs value for all flow cytometric MN-RET measurements performed at the two independent sites was 0.857 (n = 248), suggesting that the automated method is highly transferable between laboratories. Additionally, the flow cytometric system offered advantages relative to microscopy-based scoring, including a greater number of cells analyzed, much faster analysis times, and a greater degree of objectivity. Collectively, data presented in this report suggest that the overall performance of mouse peripheral blood micronucleus tests is enhanced by the use of the flow cytometric scoring procedure.     

Evaluation of serum mesothelin in malignant and benign ovarian masses

Purpose

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of serum mesothelin levels in patients with ovarian masses in comparison to serum cancer antigen (CA) 125 levels.

Methods

This diagnostic accuracy study was conducted in a gynecological oncology unit at Ain Shams University Maternity hospital. Based on radiological and clinical findings, a total of 110 patients were consecutively recruited. Preoperative serum mesothelin levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique, while CA125 levels were determined using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. All patients underwent exploratory laparotomy. Preoperative serum levels of both markers were correlated to histopathological reports obtained from each patient.

Results

A total of 96 patients were finally analyzed. Of the included 96 patients, 58 (60.4 %) had a benign ovarian lesion, while 38 (39.6 %) had a malignant lesion. The median serum CA125 levels were significantly higher in patients with malignant ovarian lesions than in patients with benign ovarian lesions [335.5 mIU/mL (range 60–1,127 mIU/mL) versus 33.65 mIU/mL (range 10.36–174 mIU/mL), P < 0.001]. The median serum mesothelin level was significantly higher in patients with malignant ovarian lesions than in patients with benign ovarian lesions [104.1 nmol/L (range 6.5–215.4 nmol/L) versus 12.65 nmol/L (range 6.5–102 nmol/L), P < 0.001]. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for mesothelin and CA125 were 97.4 and 98.3 % and 97.4 and 56.9 %, respectively. The combination of mesothelin with CA125 did not add predictive value to mesothelin compared with mesothelin alone [same sensitivity (97.4 %) and same specificity (98.3 %)]. Serum mesothelin levels rather than serum CA125 levels were a significant predictor of early-stage ovarian malignancy [Area under the curve = 0.732, 95 % confidence interval (0.543–0.921), P = 0.031].

Conclusion

In ovarian cancer, mesothelin seemed to have the same sensitivity, but a higher specificity than CA125. Combination of mesothelin and CA125 had no advantage over mesothelin alone. Mesothelin rather than CA125 was a significant predictor of early-stage ovarian cancer (stage I/II).     

Cushing's syndrome caused by multinodular adrenocortical dysplasia in a 3-year-old child. Association with a neurologic syndrome

A case of multinodular pigmented adrenocortical hyperplasia occurring in a child aged 4 years is reported. The disease suggested an autonomously functioning lesion with low plasma ACTH. At surgery both adrenals presented with brown or yellow patches on the surface corresponding to multiple nodules. Unilateral adrenalectomy was followed by complete recovery and normal ACTH response to IV lysine vasopressin with a follow-up of 3 years. The patient also presented mild spastic diplegia and retarded mental development of unexplained origin.