Dentate gyrus volume is reduced before onset of plaque formation in PDAPP mice: a magnetic resonance microscopy and stereologic analysis

High-resolution magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) was used to determine regional brain volumetric changes in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. These transgenic (Tg) mice overexpress human mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP) V717F under control of platelet-derived growth factor promoter (PDAPP mice), and cortical and hippocampal beta-amyloid (Abeta) deposits accumulate in heterozygotes after 8-10 mos. We used MRM to obtain 3D volumetric data on mouse brains imaged in their skulls to define genotype- and age-related changes. Hippocampal, cerebellar, and brain volumes and corpus callosum length were quantified in 40-, 100-, 365-, and 630-day-old mice. Measurements taken at age 100 days, before Abeta deposition, revealed a 12.3% reduction of hippocampus volume in Tg mice compared with WT controls. This reduction persisted without progression to age 21 mos. A significant 18% increase in hippocampal volume occurred between 40 and 630 days in WT mice, and no corresponding significant increase occurred in Tg mice. Cavalieri volume estimates of hippocampal subfields from 100-day-old Tg mice further localized a 28% volume deficit in the dentate gyrus. In addition, corpus callosum length was reduced by approximately 25% in Tg mice at all ages analyzed. In summary, reduced hippocampal volume and corpus callosum length can be detected by MRM before Abeta deposition. We conclude that overexpression of APP and amyloid may initiate pathologic changes before the appearance of plaques, suggesting novel targets for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and further reinforcing the need for early diagnosis and treatment.     

Common variants in the CLDN2-MORC4 and PRSS1-PRSS2 loci confer susceptibility to acute pancreatitis

Background/Objectives

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders often requiring hospitalization. Frequent aetiologies are gallstones and alcohol abuse. In contrast to chronic pancreatitis (CP) few robust genetic associations have been described. Here we analysed whether common variants in the CLDN2-MORC4 and the PRSS1-PRSS2 locus that increase recurrent AP and CP risk associate with AP.

Near full-length genome characterization of an HIV type 1 CRF25_cpx strain from Cameroon

Recombinant forms of HIV-1 contribute significantly to the ongoing epidemic. In the present study, we characterized the near full-length genome of one candidate HIV-1 CRF25_cpx strain originating in Cameroon, 06CM-BA-040. Viral RNA was extracted from plasma, and the genome was obtained using RT-PCR amplification to generate 10 overlapping fragments. Bootscanning, recombination breakpoint analysis, and phylogenetic trees confirmed that 06CM-BA-040 had a genomic structure consistent with two available CRF25_cpx reference sequences. The CRF25_cpx mosaic composition consisted of nine segments derived from subtypes A and G as well as unclassified (U) regions. Subtype G and CRF25_cpx clusters diverged from each other with long branch lengths but were distinct from other known subtypes with high bootstrap support (94%). The epidemiological significance of CRF25_cpx strains is unknown; however, the availability of additional genomic sequences will improve our understanding of the overall genetic diversity within this recombinant form of HIV-1.     

Incarceration,Maternal Hardship,and Perinatal Health Behaviors

Parental incarceration is associated with mental and physical health problems in children, yet little research directly tests mechanisms through which parental incarceration could imperil child health. We hypothesized that the incarceration of a woman or her romantic partner in the year before birth constituted an additional hardship for already-disadvantaged women, and that these additionally vulnerable women were less likely to engage in positive perinatal health behaviors important to infant and early childhood development. We analyzed 2006–2010 data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System to assess the association between incarceration in the year prior to the birth of a child and perinatal maternal hardships and behaviors. Women reporting incarceration of themselves or their partners in the year before birth of a child had .86 the odds (95 % CI .78–.95) of beginning prenatal care in the first trimester compared to women not reporting incarceration. They were nearly twice as likely to report partner abuse and were significantly more likely to rely on WIC and/or Medicaid for assistance during pregnancy. These associations persist after controlling for socioeconomic measures and other stressors, including homelessness and job loss. Incarceration of a woman or her partner in the year before birth is associated with higher odds of maternal hardship and poorer perinatal health behaviors. The unprecedented scale of incarceration in the US simultaneously presents an underutilized public health opportunity and constitutes a social determinant of health that may contribute to disparities in early childhood development.     

Diseño y características de los participantes de un programa para el desarrollo positivo de escolares (Medellín,Colombia)

The design of the program for the promotion of personal potential and prevention of risky health behaviors in school-aged children, PILAS! Better Adults, Better Kids, was based on local and international evidence on programs for the prevention of school-based violence. The program offers a training process for parents and teachers through active methodologies and advice (provided for 10 months) based on topics that encourage individual child development and the delegitimization of violence in everyday interactions. A total of 306 teachers, 800 parents and 12,800 children benefited from the program. An initial measurement was conducted using a scale ranging from 0 to 100 in a sample of 1751 children. The results showed an average of 80 in the children's social skills, but caregivers reported high levels of aggression. Communication and supervision failures were found among parents, as well as punishment practices through psychological and physical aggression. Another finding was low social cohesion in the neighborhood.     

Reliability of indicators of nursing care quality: testing interexaminer agreement and reliability

Objective

this study sought to test the interexaminer agreement and reliability of 15 indicators of nursing care quality.

Methods

this was a quantitative, methodological, experimental, and applied study conducted at a large, tertiary, public teaching hospital in the state of Paraná. For data analysis, the Kappa (k) statistic was applied to the categorical variables - indicators 1 to 11 and 15 - and the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to the continuous variables - indicators 12, 13, and 14, with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals. The categorical data were analyzed using the Lee software, elaborated by the Laboratory of Epidemiology and Statistics of Dante Pazzanese Institute of Cardiology - Brazil, and the continuous data were assessed using BioEstat 5.0.

Results

the k-statistic results indicated excellent agreement, which was statistically significant, and the values of the ICC denoted excellent and statistically significant reproducibility/agreement relative to the investigated indicators.

Conclusion

the investigated indicators exhibited excellent reliability and reproducibility, thus showing that it is possible to formulate valid and reliable assessment instruments for the management of nursing care.     

Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Nephroprotective Effects of PACAP in Diabetes

Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end-stage renal failure and accounts for 30–40 % of patients entering renal transplant programmes. The nephroprotective effects of the neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP38) against diabetes have been shown previously, but the molecular mechanisms responsible for these effects remain unknown. In the present study, we showed that PACAP treatment counteracted the diabetes-induced increase in the level of the proapoptotic pp38MAPK and cleaved caspase-3 and also decreased the p60 subunit of NFκB. The examined antiapoptotic factors, including pAkt and pERK1/2, showed a slight increase in the diabetic kidneys, while PACAP treatment resulted in a notable elevation of these proteins. PCR and Western blot revealed the downregulation of fibrotic markers, like collagen IV and TGF-β1 in the kidney. PACAP treatment resulted in increased expression of the antioxidant glutathione. We conclude that the nephroprotective effect of PACAP in diabetes is, at least partly, due to its antiapoptotic, antifibrotic and antioxidative effect in addition to the previously described antiinflammatory effect.     

A Mediterranean-like breakfast affects energy intake and appetite-related feelings

Energy intake and appetite feelings after the consumption of two different types of breakfast, a high-fiber, traditional, Mediterranean-type breakfast and a low-fiber, Western-type breakfast were compared. Sixteen non-obese young men received the two treatments on separate days: the Mediterranean- and the Western-type breakfasts were isocaloric, similar in volume and macronutrient content, but different in fiber content. Following a 4-hour fast, subjects offered an ad libitum lunch. Food consumed and subjective feelings of hunger, fullness, and desire to eat were evaluated. Energy intake in the ad libitum lunch was significantly lower after the Mediterranean-type, compared to the Western-type breakfast, adjusting for previous day’s energy intake (1488?±?468 versus 1674?±?416?kcal, respectively), whereas no energy compensation was made throughout the day. Furthermore, those who had the Mediterranean-type breakfast reported lower values in the desire to eat during study's course. These findings propose a fulfilling effect of a traditional, Mediterranean, high in fiber breakfast.     

Rapid decline of Zika virus NS1 antigen-specific antibody responses,northeastern Brazil

Virus Genes - Zika virus (ZIKV) is a positive-stranded RNA virus within the Flaviviridae family. After decades of circulation in Asia, ZIKV was introduced to Brazil in 2014–2015, associated...