Development of oculomotor functioning in preadolescence, adolescence, and adulthood

We examined developmental differences in smooth pursuit eye tracking proficiency in a large sample of preadolescent, adolescent, and adult males. Smooth pursuit was quantified using general measures of oculomotor functioning and by examining the frequency and dynamic characteristics of specific saccadic events. Examination of age effects using general measures indicated that, by late adolescence, the smooth pursuit system reached adult levels of functioning. No significant differences were found between the adolescent and adult groups on most global measures. However, both groups had better eye tracking than the preadolescent group, suggesting that during preadolescence the oculomotor system is still developing and is not yet capable of optimal performance. Examination of the frequency and dynamic characteristics of the saccadic events yielded additional information regarding the nature of the smooth pursuit eye tracking differences of the three age groups.     

Myoepitheliom des Weichgewebes

Zusammenfassung Der Fall eines Myoepithelioms des tiefen Weichgewebes wird mit klinisch-pathologischen, ultrastrukturellen und genetischen Befunden vorgestellt. Bei einem 30-jährigen Patienten fand sich ein Weichgewebstumor am rechten Unterschenkel innerhalb der tiefen Wadenmuskulatur mit Ausmaßen von 13,2x8,2x9 cm. Histologisch lagen Strukturen eines Myoepithelioms mit lobulärer, teils trabekulärer und nestartiger Lagerung der blanden epitheloiden und spindeligen Tumorzellen in einer fibromyxoiden, teils chondroiden Matrix vor mit immunhistochemischer Expression von Panzytokeratinen, S100-Protein sowie Calponin, fokal auch GFAP und EMA. Ultrastrukturell fanden sich Glykogeneinlagerungen und subplasmalemmale Verdichtungsstrukturen, wobei eindeutige Myofilamente nicht zu sichern waren (bei immunhistochemisch fehlender Aktinexpression). Mit Hilfe der komparativen genomischen Hybridisierung (CGH) konnte ein Zugewinn am Y-Chromosom nachgewiesen werden. Ein 17p-Verlust war zwar nicht eindeutig zu detektieren, kann aber bei der geringen Auflösung der CGH auch nicht ausgeschlossen werden. Der Patient war 25 Monate nach vollständiger Tumorresektion krankheitsfrei.Myoepitheliome bzw. Mischtumoren des Weichgewebes stellen seltene Weichgewebsneoplasien dar, die — wie im dargestellten Fall — eine erhebliche Größe erreichen können und andere Weichgewebstumoren oder -sarkome klinisch-radiologisch imitieren können. Bei einer Lokalrezidivrate von 20% nach Angaben der Literatur ist eine vollständige chirurgische Entfernung mit Nachbeobachtung zu empfehlen.Gewidmet Herrn Dr. Heinrich Dickmans.     

Evidence for linkage of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate to a region on chromosome 2

Results from a genome-wide screen of 10 multiplex families ascertained through probands with nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) in Mexico, Argentina, and the United States yielded suggestive evidence of linkage to chromosomes 2, 6, 17 and 18. Fine mapping excluded all regions except chromosome 2. Subsequent analysis was performed on the original 10 families plus an additional 16 families using 31 markers on chromosome 2. This analysis showed intriguing evidence of linkage to 2q (Zlr=2.26, empirical P-value=0.028 in a chromosome-wide analysis). Transmission disequilibrium tests also revealed evidence of linkage and disequilibrium for two markers in this region (D2S168 and D2S1400 with P-values=0.022 and 0.006, respectively). A subset of these 26 families provided additional evidence for a susceptibility gene for CL/P on 2q, suggesting that further studies of genes in this region are warranted.     

Self-reported illness and general practice consultations in Asian-born and British-born residents of West London

Summary Using data collected in a large scale community survey, some aspects of illness behaviour were compared in Asian-born and British-born residents of West London. Asian-born men were found to be far more likely to consult a general practitioner than British men, although the former group reported less long-standing illness and emotional distress than the latter. Self-assessed health among Asian men was significantly worse than among native men, and it was this health measure which was found to have the greatest effect on general practice consultations when a linear model was constructed. Differences in illness behaviour between Asian-born an indigenous women were not significant.     

Effects of the co-carcinogen catechol on benzo[a]pyrene metabolism and DNA adduct formation in mouse skin

We have studied the effects of the co-carcinogen catechol (1,2-dihydroxybenzene)on the metabolic activation of [³H] benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) inmouse skin, in vivo and on the binding of BaP metabolites toDNA and protein at intervals from 0.5–24 h. Upon topicalapplication of 0.015 mg [³H]BaP and 0.25 or 0.5 mg catecholper mouse, catechol had little effect on the total amount of[³H]BaP metabolized in mouse skin, but it affected the relativeproportions of [³H]BaP metabolites. Catechol (0.5 mg/mouse)decreased the proportion of watersoluble [³H]BaP metabolites,ethyl acetate-soluble polar metabolites and quinones, but doubledthe levels of unconjugated 3-hydroxy-BaP at all measured intervalsafter treatment. Catechol also caused a small increase in thelevels of trans-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydroBaP and trans-9,10-dihydroxy-9,10-dihydroBaP0.5 h after treatment. Two hours after treatment, the levelsof these metabolites subsided to those of the controls. Catecholdid not affect the levels of glutathione conjugates of BaP.However, it caused a decrease in glucuronide and sulphate conjugateformation from BaP. Catechol caused an 2-fold increase in theformation of anti-7, 8-dihydroxy-9, 10-epoxy-7, 8, 9, 10-tetrahydroBaP(BPDE) DNA adducts and elevated the ratio of anti-syn-BPDE-DNAadducts 1.6 to 2.9-fold. Catechol treatment increased the radioactivityassociated with epidermal proteins after [³H]BaP application.Because catechol increased levels of 3-hydroxyBaP, we consideredthe possibility that 3-hy-droxyBaP might enhance the tumor initiatingactivities of BaP or BPDE in mouse skin; a bioassay demonstratedthat this was not the case. The results of this study indicatethat one important effect of catechol related to its co-carcinogenicityis its ability to enhance formation of anti-BPDE-DNA adductsin mouse skin.     

Preterm Birth Among US and Foreign-Born Non-Hispanic Black Birthing Parents in Massachusetts: Variation by Nativity,Region, and Country of Origin

Maternal and Child Health Journal - Foreign-born non-Hispanic Black (NHB) birthing parents are less likely to have a preterm birth (PTB) than US-born NHBs. There is further variation by region and...     

The ethical anatomy of payment for research participants

Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy - In contrast to most publications on the ethics of paying research subjects, which start by identifying and analyzing major ethical concerns raised by the...     

Effects of Dietary Oat Beta-Glucans on Colon Apoptosis and Autophagy through TLRs and Dectin-1 Signaling Pathways—Crohn’s Disease Model Study

Background: Crohn’s disease (CD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract with alternating periods of exacerbation and remission. The aim of this study was to determine the time-dependent effects of dietary oat beta-glucans on colon apoptosis and autophagy in the CD rat model. Methods: A total of 150 Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into two main groups: healthy control (H) and a TNBS (2,4,6-trinitrobenzosulfonic acid)-induced colitis (C) group, both including subgroups fed with feed without beta-glucans (βG−) or feed supplemented with low- (βGl) or high-molar-mass oat beta-glucans (βGh) for 3, 7, or 21 days. The expression of autophagy (LC3B) and apoptosis (Caspase-3) markers, as well as Toll-like (TLRs) and Dectin-1 receptors, in the colon epithelial cells, was determined using immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Results: The results showed that in rats with colitis, after 3 days of induction of inflammation, the expression of Caspase-3 and LC3B in intestinal epithelial cells did not change, while that of TLR 4 and Dectin-1 decreased. Beta-glucan supplementation caused an increase in the expression of TLR 5 and Dectin-1 with no changes in the expression of Caspase-3 and LC3B. After 7 days, a high expression of Caspase-3 was observed in the colitis-induced animals without any changes in the expression of LC3B and TLRs, and simultaneously, a decrease in Dectin-1 expression was observed. The consumption of feed with βGl or βGh resulted in a decrease in Caspase-3 expression and an increase in TLR 5 expression in the CβGl group, with no change in the expression of LC3B and TLR 4. After 21 days, the expression of Caspase-3 and TLRs was not changed by colitis, while that of LC3B and Dectin-1 was decreased. Feed supplementation with βGh resulted in an increase in the expression of both Caspase-3 and LC3B, while the consumption of feed with βGh and βGl increased Dectin-1 expression. However, regardless of the type of nutritional intervention, the expression of TLRs did not change after 21 days. Conclusions: Dietary intake of βGl and βGh significantly reduced colitis by time-dependent modification of autophagy and apoptosis, with βGI exhibiting a stronger effect on apoptosis and βGh on autophagy. The mechanism of this action may be based on the activation of TLRs and Dectin-1 receptor and depends on the period of exacerbation or remission of CD.     

Incretin Hormones in Obesity and Related Cardiometabolic Disorders: The Clinical Perspective

The prevalence of obesity continues to grow rapidly worldwide, posing many public health challenges of the 21st century. Obese subjects are at major risk for serious diet-related noncommunicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Understanding the mechanisms underlying obesity pathogenesis is needed for the development of effective treatment strategies. Dysregulation of incretin secretion and actions has been observed in obesity and related metabolic disorders; therefore, incretin-based therapies have been developed to provide new therapeutic options. Incretin mimetics present glucose-lowering properties, together with a reduction of appetite and food intake, resulting in weight loss. In this review, we describe the physiology of two known incretins—glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and their role in obesity and related cardiometabolic disorders. We also focus on the available and incoming incretin-based medications that can be used in the treatment of the above-mentioned conditions.