Genetic changes of CDH1, APC, and CTNNB1 found in human brain tumors

This paper focuses on changes in E-cadherin (CDH1), adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), and beta-catenin (CTNNB1) in 50 tumors of the central nervous system. All gene products are components of adherens junctions, but are also involved in wnt signaling. The results of our analysis showed LOH of CDH1 gene in 31% of meningiomas examined (significant correlation; p=0.002). LOH was noted in a single case of germinoma, while other tumor types did not demonstrate any change in CDH1. Fourteen samples (29.2%) with changes in APC gene were observed. The changes were seen in 33.3% of glioblastomas and in 27% of meningiomas; LOH occurred in five informative astocytomas (20%) and in six informative neurinomas (17%). One oligoastrocytoma showed LOH at exon 11, and one medulloblastoma had allelic imbalance at both exons. Five samples (10%) showed heteroduplexes in exon 3 of beta-catenin. Potential mutations were confined to two meningiomas, one astrocytoma, one glioblastoma, and one germinoma. Our results suggest that genetic changes in wnt components are involved in brain tumor genesis. Changes in E-cadherin are involved in meningiomas, while changes in APC gene occur in different tumor types, with glioblastomas showing the highest percentage.     

Reliability of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 baseline testing: A 2-week test–retest study

ObjectivesTo examine short-term test-retest reliability of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 (SCAT5).DesignLongitudinal study.MethodsSixty-two professional male ice hockey players (mean age = 22.5, SD = 3.2) completed a preseason baseline test twice over a two-week interval. Half of the players were tested by the same assessor on both testing sessions. Spearman’s correlations (rs) were used to determine linear agreements, and Wilcoxon signed rank tests (sig r) were used to determine mean differences, between testing sessions.ResultsSymptoms had high test–retest reliability (Score: rs = 0.85, p < 0.001, sig r p < 0.001; Severity: rs = 0.84, p < 0.001, sig r p < 0.001). The reliability coefficients for the SAC (rs = 0.58, p < 0.001, sig r: p = 0.412), and mBESS (rs = 0.40, p = 0.001, sig r: p = 0.607) were considerably lower than symptoms. More than half (52%) of the athletes reported at least one baseline symptom (Md = 1, M = 2.2, SD = 3.3). The most commonly reported symptoms were fatigue or low energy and neck pain. The broad ranges of SAC total scores (range = 28?45, Md = 35, M = 35.4, SD = 4.2) and SAC test–retest change scores (range ?7 to +11) were mostly due to variability on the memory performance, tested using 10-item word lists. The number of mBESS single leg stance errors (Md = 1, Md 3.2, SD = 4.0) was greater than Tandem stance errors (Md = 0, Md = 2.0, SD = 3.6).ConclusionsThe two-week test–retest reliability of the SCAT5 baseline scores varied from moderate to high. However, there was considerable individual variability on the SAC and mBESS scores and most players have notable short-term fluctuation on performance even if uninjured. Recommendations for interpreting change on the SCAT5 are provided.     

The Association Between Salivary Hormone Levels and Children’s Inpatient Aggression: A Pilot Study

Aggression is a common management problem for child psychiatry hospital units. We describe an exploratory study with the primary objective of establishing the feasibility of linking salivary concentrations of three hormones (testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA], and cortisol) with aggression. Between May 2011 and November 2011, we recruited 17 psychiatrically hospitalized boys (age 7–9 years). We administered the Brief Rating of Aggression by Children and Adolescents (BRACHA) and Predatory-Affective Aggression Scale (PAAS) upon admission. Saliva samples were collected from the participants during a 24-h period shortly after admission: immediately upon awakening, 30 min later, and again between 3:45 and 7:45 P.M. Nursing staff recorded Overt Aggression Scale ratings twice a day during hospitalization to quantify aggressive behavior. The salivary cortisol concentrations obtained from aggressive boys 30 min after awakening trended higher than levels from the non-aggressive boys (p = 0.06), were correlated with the number of aggressive incidents (p = 0.04), and trended toward correlation with BRACHA scores (p = 0.06). The aggressive boys also showed greater morning-to-evening declines in cortisol levels (p = 0.05). Awakening levels of DHEA and testosterone were correlated with the severity of the nearest aggressive incident (p < 0.05 for both). The BRACHA scores of the aggressive boys were significantly higher than scores of the non-aggressive boys (p < 0.001). Our data demonstrate the feasibility of collecting saliva from children on an inpatient psychiatric unit, affirm the utility of the BRACHA in predicting aggressive behavior, and suggest links between salivary hormones and aggression by children who undergo psychiatric hospitalization.     

Supply and demand challenges to modern contraceptive use in Azerbaijan.

OBJECTIVES: We conducted a survey of health facilities and household members to determine supply and demand aspects of contraceptive use in Azerbaijan. METHODS: In June 2005, we conducted interviews with 758 women and 253 men in a community-based survey in 40 communities in five districts. We also surveyed a sample of health facilities and pharmacies and conducted interviews with key informants. RESULTS: Both men and women in these communities desire small families, yet significant supply and demand impediments exist. Despite community interest, lack of knowledge of contraception is prevalent. Fear of side effects plays a role in non-use and discontinuation of modern methods, although little opportunity exists for counselling on side effects, since few health workers are trained. An obstacle to use is legislation that only allows contraception to be prescribed by gynaecologists, who are mostly concentrated in the hospitals of urban centres. However, the main handicap to increased use of modern contraception, is insufficient contraceptive supply. Not only is there a lack of method choice nationally, but few of the facilities we surveyed had any contraceptives available. This situation threatens to worsen as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) retracts commodities' funding. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of knowledge of modern contraception, lack of trained staff and poor commodity availability signals that much remains to be done for the people of Azerbaijan to achieve their fertility control goals.