Meta-analytic evidence for neuroimaging models of depression: State or trait?

Background

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disease burden worldwide. With the rapid growth of neuroimaging research on relatively small samples, meta-analytic techniques are becoming increasingly important. Here, we aim to clarify the support in fMRI literature for three leading neurobiological models of MDD: limbic–cortical, cortico–striatal and the default mode network.

Methods

Searches of PubMed and Web of Knowledge, and manual searches, were undertaken in early 2011. Data from 34 case-control comparisons (n=1165) and 6 treatment studies (n=105) were analysed separately with two meta-analytic methods for imaging data: Activation Likelihood Estimation and Gaussian-Process Regression.

Results

There was broad support for limbic–cortical and cortico–striatal models in the case-control data. Evidence for the role of the default mode network was weaker. Treatment-sensitive regions were primarily in lateral frontal areas.

Limitations

In any meta-analysis, the increase in the statistical power of the inference comes with the risk of aggregating heterogeneous study pools. While we believe that this wide range of paradigms allows identification of key regions of dysfunction in MDD (regardless of task), we attempted to minimise such risks by employing GPR, which models such heterogeneity.

Conclusions

The focus of treatment effects in frontal areas indicates that dysregulation here may represent a biomarker of treatment response. Since the dysregulation in many subcortical regions in the case-control comparisons appeared insensitive to treatment, we propose that these act as trait vulnerability markers, or perhaps treatment insensitivity. Our findings allow these models of MDD to be applied to fMRI literature with some confidence.     

Serum Levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17 and IFN-γ and Their Association with Markers of Bone Metabolism in Vitamin D-Deficient Female Students

Different studies have shown the regulatory effects of vitamin D₃ on the immune system and bone metabolism. Regarding the effects of vitamin D on immune cells and the importance of cytokines on bone metabolism, we assessed the association between serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17 and IFN-γ cytokines and bone metabolism markers (Ca, P, PTH, ALP) in female students with vitamin D deficiency compared with control group. A total of 100 subjects with 25-hydroxy vitamin D₃ (25-(OH) D₃) deficiency were selected as case and 100 subjects with sufficient 25-hydroxy vitamin D₃ (25-(OH) D₃) were selected as the control group. The serum levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17 and IFN-γ were measured by ELISA method. Ionized Ca, PTH, P, ALP levels were also determined in all participants. The results showed a statistically significant positive correlation between the levels of ALP with IFN-γ, PTH with IL-17 and a significant negative correlation between P with IL-10 in vitamin D deficient group. The results suggest that IL-17, IFN-γ and IL-10 are important mediators of bone metabolism and vitamin D affect bone metabolism, at least in part, through immune system. In addition, not only vitamin D affect bone metabolism but also modulates immune responses.     

The association of endothelin-1 gene polymorphism and its plasma levels with hypertension and coronary atherosclerosis

IntroductionEndothelin-1 (ET-1) is the most potent among all vasoconstrictors, and its association with cardiovascular diseases has been reported before. Our aim was to investigate the association of ET-1 plasma level and its gene polymorphisms (rs5370 and rs10478694) with hypertension and coronary atherosclerosis (CA).Material and methodsThis study was carried out on 128 women and 132 men, who were divided into 4 groups: hypertensive without atherosclerosis (H+A–); hypertensive with atherosclerosis (H+A+); non-hypertensive with atherosclerosis (H–A+); and non-hypertensive without atherosclerosis (control group). Endothelin-1 plasma levels were measured by ELISA, and gene polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction – restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods. Coronary artery diseases (CAD) were then defined based on angiography data.ResultsThe ET-1 plasma level was significantly higher in the H+A+ group in comparison with the other groups, especially H+A–. Comparing people with CA and those without it, the highest frequency level of the T allele of rs5370 was found in people with CA. Significantly higher frequencies of the 3A allele were detected in hypertensive patients in comparison with non-hypertensive individuals, when analyzing rs10478694.ConclusionsEndothelin-1 plasma level shows a direct association with the risk of CA development. The T allele of rs5370 can be regarded as a risk factor for CA development. The 3A allele of rs10478694 can be associated with the risk of hypertension; therefore, it can be concluded that ET-1 and its gene polymorphisms play an important role in CA development and hypertension observed in the south-eastern populations of Iran.     

Microanatomical study of testis in juvenile ostrich (Struthio camelus)

The majority of investigations on the testis, as the main organ of male reproductive system, have been performed in mammalian species, with few studies on bird species. Thus, the structure of the ostrich testis remains largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the microanatomical characteristics of the testis in five juvenile ostriches. A stereological study was performed according to the Delesse principle. The mean volume fraction of the seminiferous tubules was 0.569, and the mean volume of the seminiferous tubules in an average testis was 1.04 cm³. The Paraffin-embedded sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson’s trichrome, Alcian blue, and periodic acid–Schiff stains. Histological studies revealed that the spermatogonial stem cells and Sertoli cells were localized inside the seminiferous tubules, close to the basement membrane. Inside the tubules a few meiotic cells up to the spermatozoa stage were located in a centripetal manner. Outside the tubules, one to three layers of euchromatic peritubular myoid cells were present, surrounded by loose interstitial connective tissue. A thick tunica albuginea contained many myoid cells and some rete ducts, with the latter extending from the hilus to the free surface of the testis. Straight seminiferous tubules were distributed in the lateral surfaces and hilar portions of the capsule but were rare in the free surface. These capsular rete ducts may participate in testicular fluid transit from the distal tubules through the capsule.     

Clinical outcome and bowel function after surgical treatment in Hirschsprung's disease

Background:

Bowel function has been reported to be adversely affected following surgery in cases of Hirschsprung. We retrospectively studied both the clinical outcome and bowel function status following surgery in patients diagnosed with Hirschprung''s disease (HD). 161 cases, who underwent pull-through operations for HD in Sheikh Pediatric Tertiary Centre, Mashhad, Iran. The specified time bracket spanned between 2006 and 2011.

Materials and Methods:

Data was extracted from Health Information System with the aim of investigating patients for both short and long-term gastrointestinal (GI) complications after surgery bases in addition to the concurrence of any associated anomalies. Three main procedures were analysed in this respect (Swenson, Duhamel and Soave).

Results:

In a study of 96 (59%) boys and 65 (40.3%) girls, mortality rate was reported to be 15.5% (15 males and 10 females). A considerable majority of almost three fourths were detected with both early and late GI complications after surgery. The latter mainly included constipation (30.8%), incontinence (19.8%), enterocolitis (8%), diarrhea (11%) in a declining order of incidence. Down syndrome and others HD-associated anomalies were detected in 3.7% and 24.3% of cases respectively.

Conclusions:

Constipation and foecal incontinence were the most prevalent postoperative complications, which were reported almost as frequent in other studies. Yet, Enterocolitis, was reported slightly less in prevalence. Also mortality rates were considerably higher, compared to developed nations.Key words: Bowel function, constipation, foecal incontinence, Hirschsprung''s disease     

Fibromyxoma in the reticulo-omasal orifice of a cow

A 3-year-old female Holstein cow was referred for necropsy examination with the history of inappetence, progressive indigestion, distension of the rumen and death. At necropsy examination, a lobulated grey-white mass (12?×?8?×?5 cm) was found close to the reticulo-omasal orifice. On sectioning, the tumour mass was gelatinous with intervening fibrous septa. Microscopical examination revealed unencapsulated mass composed of various cellular parts and matrices. There were proliferated spindle shaped fibrocytes producing repetitive collagenous fibres. There were also foci of low cellularity containing stellate cells with small and hyperchromatic nuclei arranged in a mucinous ground substance. On the basis of the gross and histopathological findings and histochemical stainings, the tumour was diagnosed as a fibromyxoma. This tumour has not been recorded previously in the reticulo-omasal orifice of a cow.     

Scolicidal effectiveness of essential oil from Zataria multiflora and Ferula assafoetida: disparity between phenolic monoterpenes and disulphide compounds

Hydatidosis in humans and animals is a substantial cause of deaths in many parts of the world. Surgery and the chemotherapeutic agents are the main treatments for hydatid disease; however, most of them are accompanied by adverse side effects. In this study, the scolicidal effect of essential oils from Zataria multiflora and Ferula assafoetida against Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices was investigated. Essential oils from Z. multiflora and F. assafoetida were prepared by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Carvacrol (29.2 %), thymol (25.4 %), p-cymene (11.2 %), linalool (9.6 %), and γ-terpinene (8 %) were detected as the main components of the Z. multiflora, while the main components of F. assafoetida were E-1-propenyl-sec-butyl disulfide (62.7 %), β-ocimene (21.7 %) and β-pinene (5 %). Scolicidal activities of the essential oils against protoscolices for Z. multiflora and F. assafoetida were obtained at concentrations more than 17 and 60 μg/mL, respectively. Accordingly, it was concluded that both essential oils can selectively reduce protoscolices viability, and Z. multiflora, which contains phenolic monoterpenes, is more cytotoxic rather than F. assafoetida which contains disulfide compounds. Therefore, Z. multiflora and F. assafoetida could be recommended as a treatment against hydatid cyst.     

Frequency of fall-related injuries of female patients referred to the trauma center in the city of Kashan from years 2005 to 2008

Objective:Falls are one of the life events leading to injury and in serious cases cause high morbidity and mortality.This research was conducted to determine the fall incidence among female population ...