Human BDNF rs6265 polymorphism as a mediator for the generalization of contextual anxiety

The Met allele of the human brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene might be a risk factor for anxiety disorders and is associated with reduced hippocampal volume. Notably, hippocampus plays a crucial role in contextual learning and generalization. The role of the BDNF gene variation in human context-conditioning and generalization is still unknown. We investigated 33 carriers of the Met allele (18 females) and 32 homozygous carriers of the Val allele (15 females) with a virtual-reality context-conditioning paradigm. Electric stimulations (unconditioned stimulus, US) were unpredictably delivered in one virtual office (CTX+), but never in another virtual office (CTX-). During generalization, participants revisited CTX+ and CTX- and a generalization office (G-CTX), which was a mix of the other two. Rating data indicated successful conditioning (more negative valence, higher arousal, anxiety and contingency ratings for CTX+ than CTX-), and generalization of conditioned anxiety by comparable ratings for G-CTX and CTX+. The startle data indicated discriminative learning for Met allele carriers, but not for Val homozygotes. Moreover, a trend effect suggests that startle responses of only the Met carriers were slightly potentiated in G-CTX versus CTX-. In sum, the BDNF polymorphism did not affect contextual learning and its generalization on a verbal level. However, the physiological data suggest that Met carriers are characterized by fast discriminative contextual learning and a tendency to generalize anxiety responses to ambiguous contexts. We propose that such learning may be related to reduced hippocampal functionality and the basis for the risk of Met carriers to develop anxiety disorders.     

Artificial sweetener consumption and urinary tract tumors in Cordoba, Argentina

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of the habitual use of the most common artificial sweeteners (AS) in the development of urinary tract tumors (UTT) in Argentina. METHODS: Case-control study of 197 patients with histologically confirmed UTT of transitional varieties, and 397 controls with acute, non-neoplastic, and non-urinary tract diseases, admitted to the same hospitals in Córdoba (Argentina) between 1999 and 2006. All subjects were interviewed about their use of AS and their exposure to other known or suspected risk factors for UTT. RESULTS: Fifty-one UTT patients (26%) and 87 controls (22%) used AS. The risk of UTT was significantly increased in long-term (> or =10 years) AS users compared with none-AS users. The OR (95% CI) for long-term consumers was 2.18 (1.22-3.89) and for short-term users was 1.10 (0.61-2.00) after adjustment for age, gender, BMI, social status. and years of tobacco use. CONCLUSION: Regular use of AS for 10 years or more was positively associated with UTT.     

VP16CREB-induced differentiation of neuroblastoma

Objective  Drug-induced differentiation is commonly used as a therapeutic modality for the treatment of neuroblastoma tumors. Increased level of cyclic adenosine 3′, 5′-monophosphate (cAMP) mediates terminal differentiation in some neuroblastoma cell lines through activation of several signaling networks, including cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). Objective was to test whether cAMP-induced differentiation in a murine neuroblastoma cell line (NBP2) is partly mediated by CREB. Methods  Fluorescent microscopy was used to document neuron-like morphological changes imparted by a constitutively active CREB (VP16CREB). Real time PCR (RT-PCR) was performed to verify changes in the expression of cAMP/CREB responsive genes. Results  It was found that transient expression of VP16CREB into NBP2 cells resulted in morphological changes that were characteristics of terminally differentiated neurons. Furthermore, increased expression of cAMP responsive genes was compromised in cells resisting VP16CREB-mediated differentiation. Conclusion  A constitutively active CREB induces terminal differentiation in a subset of NBP2 cell population. Altered expression of cAMP responsive genes may account for differentiation resistant phenotype in NBP2 cells.     

Early recognition of growth abnormalities permitting early intervention

Normal growth is a sign of good health. Monitoring for growth disturbances is fundamental to children's health care. Early detection and diagnosis of the causes of short stature allows management of underlying medical conditions, optimizing attainment of good health and normal adult height.

Conclusion

This review summarizes currently available information on monitoring for short stature in children and conditions usually associated with short stature and summarizes the authors’ conclusions on the early recognition of growth disorders.     

Effect of surface treatment of a glass-infiltrated alumina ceramic on the microtensile bond strength

This study evaluated the microtensile bond strength of a resin composite to a ceramic submitted to three surface treatments. Twelve glass-infiltrated alumina ceramic blocks (In-Ceram Alumina, VITA) and twelve resin composite blocks (Clearfil APX, Kuraray) with dimensions of 6mm x 6mm x 5mm were made. The surface of the ceramic was wet-grounded with # 600, 800 and 1200-grid sandpaper, and the blocks were divided in three groups: Group 1 - sandblasting with aluminum oxide - particles 110mm (Micro-Etcher, Danville); Group 2 - Rocatec System (ESPE): Tribochemical silica coating (Rocatec pre-powder + Rocatec-Plus powder + Rocatec-Sil); Group 3 - CoJet System (3M/ESPE): silica coating (silica oxide + ESPE-Sil). The ceramic blocks were cemented to the resin composite blocks with Panavia F (Kuraray Co), following the manufacturer's instructions, under load of 750g for 10min. The samples were stored (distilled water / 7 days / 37O C) and sectioned in two axis, x and y, with diamond disk under cooling in order to obtain samples (S) with 0.6 ± 0.1mm2 of adhesive area (n=36). The S were attached in adapted device for the microtensile test that was performed at an universal testing machine (EMIC), at a speed of 1mm/min. The results (MPa) were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05): G1 - 15.36; G2 - 30.98; G3 - 31.25. Groups 2 (Rocatec) and 3 (CoJet) presented larger bond strength than group 1. There was no statistical difference between group 2 and group 3.