Increased circulating apoptotic lymphocytes in children with Down syndrome

Down syndrome (DS) resembles immunodeficiency with increased infections, auto‐immune diseases, and hematological malignancies. Until now, immunological studies in DS mainly focused on T‐lymphocytes. We recently described a profound B‐lymphocytopenia in children with DS. This could be caused by increased apoptosis. Therefore, we determined expression of flowcytometric markers for apoptosis [Annexin‐V (AV) and propidium iodide (PI)] on peripheral lymphocytes in 72 children with DS and 32 age‐matched controls (AMC). Within the total lymphocyte compartment, apoptosis was more pronounced in DS; it increased with age. Moreover, apoptosis was highest within the B‐lymphocyte compartment which may be a contributing factor to the B‐lymphocytopenia found in DS. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 59: 1310–1312. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Rodentizidresistenz und Konsequenzen

Resistance to anticoagulant rodenticides, such as warfarin was first described in 1958. Polymorphisms in the vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1) gene and respective substitutions of amino acids in the VKOR enzyme are the major cause for rodenticide resistance. Resistant Norway rats in Germany are characterized by the Tyr139Cys genotype, which is spread throughout the northwest of the country. Resistant house mice with the VKOR variants Tyr139Cys, Leu128Ser and Arg12Trp/Ala26Ser/Ala48Thr/Arg61Leu (spretus type) are distributed over a number of locations in Germany. Resistance can reduce management attempts with consequences for stored product protection, hygiene and animal health. Anticoagulants of the first generation (warfarin, chlorophacinone, coumatetralyl) as well as bromadiolone and difenacoum are not an option for the control of resistant Norway rats. The same applies for house mice whereby the tolerance to compounds can be different between local incidences. Due to the higher toxicity and tendency to persist, the most potent anticoagulant rodenticides brodifacoum, flocoumafen and difethialone should be applied but only where resistance is known. In other cases less toxic anticoagulants should be preferred for rodent management in order to mitigate environmental risks. Resistance effects of further VKOR polymorphisms and their combinations, the spread of resistant rats and conditions supporting and reducing resistance should be investigated in order to improve resistance management strategies.     

Sense of threat and coping strategies of Israeli older adults during a military operation

To examine what levels of sense of threat functionally disabled older people experience during war and the coping strategies they use to protect themselves; to examine factors that explain their sense of threat and coping strategies. A convenience sample that included 138 respondents who were functionally disabled older adults and received homecare services. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire. The majority of respondents stayed in their homes during the military operation and used a shelter during part or all the times when there was rocket shelling. The findings showed that a variety of factors were significantly correlated with sense of threat and coping strategies; gender and education were significant in explaining sense of threat, and living arrangement was significant in explaining use of shelter; while number of children was significant in explaining frequency of staying at home during the military operation. However, Holocaust survivor status, formal and informal support, and functional status were insignificant in explaining any of the dependent variables. Holocaust survivors feel no more threat compared to those who did not experience the Holocaust. Communities should be prepared to provide emergency services to ease the sense of threat of functionally disabled older adults during wartime and to assure their use of shelter, in particular those who live alone.