A point mutation (W70A) in the rod PDE-gamma gene desensitizing and delaying murine rod photoreceptors

PURPOSE: To examine the corneal electroretinogram (ERG) of transgenic mice (W70A mice) carrying a point mutation (W70A) in the gene encoding for the gamma-subunit of rod cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDEgamma). METHODS: The ERG of W70A mice was compared with that of normal mice. Cone responses were separated from rod responses by light adaptation, whereas rod sensitivity was assessed by threshold stimulation with dim light. Spectral sensitivity curves of the ERG were obtained using a constant response criterion. RESULTS: The ERG of the W70A mouse has a desensitized, delayed rod b-wave at threshold, and a prolonged rod b-wave at higher flash intensities. The a-wave is absent even at maximal stimulation. The cone ERG of the W70A mouse is indistinguishable from that of normal mice. The spectral sensitivity of the W70A mouse is maximal in the UV spectrum, in contrast to the normal mouse, which is most sensitive in the green region of the spectrum. This supports the interpretation of the results as normal cone and abnormal rod function in the W70A mouse. CONCLUSIONS: The W70A mouse represents new model of stationary nyctalopia that can be recognized by its unusual ERG features.     

Factors associated with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee in Hong Kong Chinese: obesity, joint injury, and occupational activities

In 1998, a case-control study was conducted in Hong Kong on hospital patients with osteoarthritis of the hip (n = 138) and osteoarthritis of the knee (n = 658). Age- and sex-matched controls were recruited consecutively from general practice clinics in the same region. The following three risk factors were found to be associated with osteoarthritis of both the hip and the knee: first, a history of joint injury: for osteoarthritis of the hip, the odds ratio = 25.1 (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.5, 181) in men and 43.3 (95% CI: 11.7, 161) in women; for osteoarthritis of the knee, the odds ratio = 12.1 (95% CI: 3.4, 42.5) in men and 7.6 (95% CI: 3.8, 15.2) in women; second, climbing stairs frequently: for osteoarthritis of the hip, the odds ratio = 12.5 (95% CI: 1.5, 104.3) in men and 2.3 (95% CI: 0.6, 8.1) in women; for osteoarthritis of the knee, the odds ratio = 2.5 (95% CI: 1.0, 6.4) in men and 5.1 (95% CI: 2.5, 10.2) in women; third, lifting heavy weight frequently: for osteoarthritis of the hip, the odds ratio = 3.1 (95% CI: 0.7, 14.3) in men and 2.4 (95% CI: 1.1, 5.3) in women; for osteoarthritis of the knee, the odds ratio = 5.4 (95% CI: 2.4, 12.4) in men and 2.0 (95% CI: 1.2, 3.1) in women. In addition, subjects whose height and weight were in the highest quartile were at increased risk of osteoarthritis of the hip and knee, respectively (p < 0.05).     

Pregnant adolescent and adult women have similarly low intakes of selected nutrients

OBJECTIVE: To examine the dietary intake of pregnant adolescents during the second and third trimester of pregnancy, and to compare their nutrient intake with that of pregnant adults. DESIGN: Two 7-day food records (14 days) from subjects participating in a larger randomized clinical calcium trial: the first at 19 to 21 weeks and the second between 29 and 31 weeks gestation. Intake of energy and selected nutrients were calculated and compared with dietary standards. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Fifty-nine pregnant adolescents and 97 pregnant adults recruited from prenatal clinics at a metropolitan university hospital. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Two sample t tests, equality of variances, and repeated measures (analysis of variance). RESULTS: There was no difference in mean nutrient intakes between the second and third trimesters. Using two 7-day food records, we found mean intakes for energy, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, folate, and vitamins D and E to be below recommended standards in both groups. Other nutrients examined met or exceeded reference values. Total daily intakes for energy and 11 nutrients were significantly higher in the adolescent compared to the adult diets (P < .05). These differences were not evident when nutrient values were corrected for energy, indicating that increased energy intake in the teen-aged population was contributed by nutrient-dense foods. APPLICATIONS: This study indicates the need for continued dietary monitoring of pregnant adolescents and pregnant adults, including nutrition guidance that stresses food sources of calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, fiber, folate, and vitamins D and E, the nutrients found deficient in their diets.     

Primary right atrial synovial sarcoma manifesting as transient ischemic attacks

Primary tumors of the heart are rare and most of them benign. The majority of benign cardiac tumors are myxomas while almost all malignant cardiac tumors are sarcomas. We present a case of primary right atrial synovial sarcoma, a form of sarcoma particularly rare in the heart. The tumor manifested clinically as transient ischemic attacks probably related to a patent foramen ovale allowing paradoxical tumor embolization.     

Anti‐fibrotic and Anti‐tumorigenic Effects of Rhein,a Natural Anthraquinone Derivative,in Mammalian Stellate and Carcinoma Cells

Anthraquinone compounds have been recognized to possess antiinflammatory, anti‐fibrotic and anti‐tumour properties and thus applied in human and veterinary therapeutics as active substances of medicinal products. Amongst the anthraquinones isolated from Rheum palmatum, also known as da‐huang, rhein was detected as one of the highest metabolite contents in the bloodstream of mammals. The biological activities of rhein therefore deserve detailed investigation. In this study, we aimed to delineate the mechanism of inhibitory actions of rhein on fibrotic and tumorigenic processes by means of various biochemical assays, such as immunofluorescent staining, real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting analyses in rat pancreatic stellate cells (LTC‐14), human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells (PANC‐1) and human colon carcinoma cells (SW480 and SW620). Our results demonstrated that the application of rhein notably suppressed the mRNA and protein levels of various fibrotic and tumorigenic mediators including alpha‐smooth muscle actin, type I collagen, fibronectin, N‐cadherin and matrix metalloproteinases in the testing mammalian cells. The mechanism of the suppressive actions of rhein was associated with the modulation of the sonic hedgehog and serine‐threonine kinase signalling pathways. In conclusion, we suggest that rhein may serve as a therapeutic or an adjuvant agent in anti‐fibrotic and anti‐tumorigenic approaches. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adolescent Knowledge,Attitudes and Practices of Healthy Eating: Findings of Qualitative Interviews among Hong Kong Families

To tackle unhealthy eating among adolescents, it is crucial to understand the dietary knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on which adolescent eating habits are based. This qualitative study identifies the gaps in KAP by exploring what Chinese adolescents know, perceive, and practice regarding healthy eating to better inform targeted interventions for this important health problem. Parent–adolescent dyads were purposively sampled based on, for example, the dietary intake, age, and gender of the adolescent and household income, and each completed a 30 to 60 min interview. Twelve themes were synthesized: knowledge: (1) dietary recommendations, (2) health outcomes of healthy eating, (3) nutrition content in food, and (4) access to healthy meals; attitudes: (5) outcome expectation for healthy eating, (6) food preferences, and (7) self-efficacy regarding adopting healthy eating; and practices: (8) going grocery shopping for healthy food, (9) eating home-prepared meals. (10) eating out in restaurants or consuming takeaway food, (11) fruit and vegetable consumption, and (12) snacking, perceived unhealthy eating to be low risk, made unhealthy choices regarding snacking and eating out, and had insufficient fruit and vegetable intake. Programs should emphasize the positive short-term health outcomes of healthy eating and empower adolescents to acquire food preparation skills to sustain healthy eating habits.     

Perinatal asphyxia in infants of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers

Infants of diabetic mothers are thought to be at risk for perinatal asphyxia. We hypothesized that the following are significant risk factors for perinatal asphyxia: poor third-trimester glycemic control, diabetic vascular disease (nephropathy, retinopathy) appearing in pregnancy, pregnancy-associated hypertension, smoking, prematurity, fetal macrosomia, and maternal hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia within 6 hours preceding delivery. We prospectively studied 162 infants born to 149 diabetic mothers (White classes B through R-T). Perinatal asphyxia was defined clinically as fetal distress during labor (late decelerations, persistent fetal bradycardia, or both), 1-minute Apgar score less than or equal to 6, or intrauterine fetal death. Forty-four infants (26.7%) had perinatal asphyxia. The presence of perinatal asphyxia did not correlate with third-trimester glycemic control, pregnancy-associated hypertension, smoking, fetal macrosomia, or maternal hypoglycemia before delivery, but it did correlate significantly with nephropathy appearing in pregnancy, maternal hyperglycemia before delivery, and prematurity. We speculate that (1) the appearance of diabetic vasculopathy (nephropathy) during pregnancy is accompanied by placental vascular disease and subsequently by fetal compromise and (2) in pregnancy complicated by diabetes, maternal and subsequently fetal hyperglycemia before delivery leads to fetal hypoxemia.     

Modulatory effects of adiponectin on the polarization of tumor‐associated macrophages

The plasticity of macrophages with selective functional phenotypes partially arises in respective to their microenvironment. Tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) may promote disease progression with tumor specific manner. Here we report that in pediatric malignant soft‐tissue tumors, the presence of TAMs and expression of adiponectin (APN) are heterogeneous. Both APN and TAMs had high expression in rhabdomyosarcoma, especially in the malignant subtype, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. To investigate the mode of action of APN on TAM activation, a murine MN/MCA1 sarcoma model was used. The Results revealed that exogenous APN had no effect on MN/MCA1 proliferation but tumor size was markedly reduced in apn^?/? mice versus WT controls. The accumulation of TAMs in apn^?/? mice was also reduced which correlated to downregulated serum levels of MCP‐1. Likewise, TAMs in apn^?/? mice exhibited a M1‐like phenotype, characterized by increase in MHC II^high population and M1 phenotypic markers, such as iNOS gene and serum TNF‐α accompanied by a decrease in M2 markers, namely YM1 gene and serum IL‐10. In addition, APN deficiency increased the number of CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells and NK cells in tumors and reduced tumor metastasis. The altered phenotype of TAMs in apn^?/? mice was associated with a marked decrease in phospho‐p38 and treatment with a p38 MAPK inhibitor significantly reduced tumor size and increased MHC II expression on TAMs in WT mice, implying p38 MAPK signaling pathway may contribute to APN‐mediated TAM polarization. Collectively, our findings suggest that APN may have a potential role in regulating soft tissue sarcoma growth.