Temporomandibular joint: morphology and signal intensity characteristics of the disk at MR imaging

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been used in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) primarily to define the disk position. This report examines altered morphology and signal intensity characteristics of the TMJ disk as they relate to the severity of internal derangement. Two hundred sixteen joints in 133 patients with a history of such derangement. were imaged with MR. Disk position, signal intensity, morphology, and the presence of osteoarthritis were determined for each joint. The normal disk was not anteriorly displaced and had a normal "bow-tie" shape. A grade 1 disk was anteriorly displaced and had a normal shape; a grade 2 disk was anteriorly displaced and had an abnormal shape. Forty (19%) joints were considered normal; none of these exhibited osteoarthritis. One hundred thirty-nine (64%) joints were grade 1; osteoarthritis was found in 17%. Thirty-seven (17%) were grade 2; osteoarthritis was found in 95%. All forty normal joints had high or intermediate signal intensity in the disk. Osteoarthritic joints had a higher percentage of disks with diminished intensity (P less than .0001). Severe or untreated osteoarthritis is known to be a complication of TMJ internal derangements; hence this grading system seems to correlate with the severity of internal derangement.     

Mobilization of early hematopoietic progenitor cells with BB-10010: a genetically engineered variant of human macrophage inflammatory protein- 1 alpha

BB-10010 is a genetically engineered variant of human macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha with improved solution properties. We show here that it mobilizes stem cells into the peripheral blood. We investigated the mobilizing effects of BB-10010 on the numbers of circulating 8-day spleen colony-forming units (CFU-S8), CFU-S12, and progenitors with marrow repopulating ability (MRA). A single subcutaneous dose of BB-10010 caused a twofold increase in circulating numbers of CFU-S8, CFU-S12, and MRA 30 minutes after dosing. We also investigated the effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G- CSF) and the combination of G-CSF with BB-10010 on progenitor mobilization. Two days of G-CSF treatment increased circulating CFU-S8, CFU-S12, and MRA progenitors by 25.7-, 19.8-, and 27.7-fold. A single administration of BB-10010 after 2 days of G-CSF treatment increased circulating CFU-S8, CFU-S12, and MRA even further to 38-, 33-, and 100- fold. Splenectomy resulted in increased circulating progenitor numbers but did not change the pattern of mobilization. Two days of treatment with G-CSF then increased circulating CFU-S8, CFU-S12, and MRA by 64-, 69-, and 32-fold. A single BB-10010 administration after G-CSF treatment further increased them to 85-, 117-, and 140-fold, respectively, compared with control. We conclude that BB-10010 causes a rapid increase in the number of circulating hematopoietic progenitors and further enhances the numbers induced by pretreatment with G-CSF. BB- 10010 preferentially mobilized the more primitive progenitors with marrow repopulating activity, releasing four times the number achieved with G-CSF alone. Translated into a clinical setting, this improvement in progenitor cell mobilization may enhance the efficiency of harvest and the quality of grafts for peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.     

Increase in hippocampal theta oscillations during spatial decision making

The processing of spatial and mnemonic information is believed to depend on hippocampal theta oscillations (5–12 Hz). However, in rats both the power and the frequency of the theta rhythm are modulated by locomotor activity, which is a major confounding factor when estimating its cognitive correlates. Previous studies have suggested that hippocampal theta oscillations support decision‐making processes. In this study, we investigated to what extent spatial decision making modulates hippocampal theta oscillations when controlling for variations in locomotion speed. We recorded local field potentials from the CA1 region of rats while animals had to choose one arm to enter for reward (goal) in a four‐arm radial maze. We observed prominent theta oscillations during the decision‐making period of the task, which occurred in the center of the maze before animals deliberately ran through an arm toward goal location. In speed‐controlled analyses, theta power and frequency were higher during the decision period when compared to either an intertrial delay period (also at the maze center), or to the period of running toward goal location. In addition, theta activity was higher during decision periods preceding correct choices than during decision periods preceding incorrect choices. Altogether, our data support a cognitive function for the hippocampal theta rhythm in spatial decision making. © 2014 The Authors Hippocampus Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index values in 9-year-old rural Norwegian children

Aim: To describe cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index (BMI) values in a representative population of 9-year-old Norwegian children in two rural communities and compare present values with previous findings.
Methods: Two hundred and fifty-nine 9-year-old children were invited, and 256 participated in this study. Maximal oxygen uptake was directly measured during a continuous progressive treadmill protocol. Body mass and height were also measured.
Results: The mean ± SD relative maximal oxygen uptake was 52.8 ± 6.5 for boys and 46.9 ± 7.2 mL/kg/min for girls. Eight percent of the boys and 16.8% of the girls were classified as overweight, and 1.6% of the boys and 6.9% of the girls as obese. Mean age, body mass, height and Ponderal index were not significantly different between sexes. Girls had a higher BMI than boys (p = 0.05).
Conclusion: Compared to earlier Norwegian studies, children's BMI values seem to have increased substantially. This increase is most pronounced in girls. When assessing these differences using the PI, this increase is less marked. Comparing maximal oxygen uptake data with that in earlier Nordic studies, there is no evidence that fitness has declined among 9-year olds. However, the limitations of the few earlier studies make reliable comparisons difficult.     

Infantile mortality in Ile-et-Vilaine (1970-1986)

The rates and the causes of infantile mortality between 1970 and 1986 in the district of Ille-et-Vilaine are reported. During that period, infantile mortality rate decreased from 18.7 to 7.06% and from 12.4 to 3.6% during the first week (0-6 days), thereby suggesting the efficacy of medical care programs for this pediatric age group in France. Since 1980, with more accurate record keeping, using the recommended international classifications, there is a relative stagnation in the rate or early neonatal deaths (3.97 to 3.67) as compared to a sizable drop in the rates of late neonatal deaths (1.90 to 0.73) and post neonatal deaths (4.63 to 2.57). Congenital abnormalities have become the most important cause of death (34%) before prematurity (24.58%). However, the number of congenital anomalies should quickly decrease with prenatal screening programs leading to interruption of pregnancies. Although the percentage of infantile deaths due to prematurity has decreased from 66% between 1970 and 1974 to 24.58% in recent years, prematurity remains an important cause of death. Infections have decreased and the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is currently the most important cause of death during the postneonatal period. The well known factors of risks are confirmed and particularly increased vulnerability of the population with a low socio-economic status which should lead to appropriate prevention programs. Despite these very impressive results, birth remains the most vulnerable period of life and current efforts should continue. Priority must be given to the improvement of prenatal care which requires good ongoing collaboration between obstetrics and pediatrics and the use of the Maternity Health Booklet.