The gene for the iron sulfur protein of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH-IP) maps to human chromosome 1p35-36.1

A partial human cDNA clone for the iron-protein (IP) subunit of succinate dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.99.1) was used in Southern analyses of restriction enzyme digests of genomic human and hamster DNA as well as hamster-human hybrids containing a limited number of human chromosomes. The gene for this protein was mapped to human chromosome 1. Digestion of genomic DNA with several restriction enzymes yielded two fragments detectable on a Southern blot, in contrast to the expectations based on the sequence of the cDNA clone. A preliminary analysis of a genomic clone with most of theIP gene has indicated the presence of several introns containing restriction sites detected by the Southern analysis. This genomic clone was also used for subregional mapping by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to human metaphase chromosomes. A single locus in the region 1p35-36.1 was identified.     

彻罗基族印地安儿童及青少年的体重指数和高密度脂蛋白

美国原著民易于出现胰岛素抵抗及相关的心血管病风险。因此，笔者对彻罗基族儿童和青少年的体重指数（BMI）是否与HDL—C（HDL胆固醇）、HDL微粒Lp（脂蛋白）A-Ⅰ和LpA-Ⅰ：A-Ⅰ相关进行了研究。在三个性别特异的年龄段（5～9岁，10～14岁和15～19岁）内按照BMIZ值的四分位值对研究对象进行分组，研究其肥胖和年龄相关的脂蛋白和HOMA—IR（HOMA模型胰岛素抵抗指数）值的趋势。在两个性别的三个年龄组中，HDL—C随着BMIZ值的四分位值的增加而降低。HDL-C、LpA-Ⅰ和LpA-Ⅰ：A-Ⅱ在男孩中随着年龄增加而降低，在女孩中则没有观察到该变化。在两个性别的三个年龄组中，Log HOMA-IR随着BMIZ值的四分位值的增加而增加。线性回归模型显示BMIZ值、甘油三酯和年龄与HDL—C相关，     

Use of antibiotic and analgesic drugs during lactation.

During lactation, multiple situations can arise that require maternal pharmacological treatment. Because of the many health advantages of human milk to infants, breast feeding should be interrupted only when the needed drug might be harmful to the nursing child and exposure via the breast milk will be sufficient to pose a risk. Since the majority of drugs have not been shown to cause adverse effects when used during lactation, and even temporary interruption of breast feeding can be difficult for the nursing dyad, decisions regarding maternal medication use during breast feeding should be based on accurate and up-to-date information. This article reviews available data on the most commonly used antibiotics and analgesics. The use of most antibiotics is considered compatible with breast feeding. Penicillins, aminopenicillins, clavulanic acid, cephalosporins, macrolides and metronidazole at dosages at the low end of the recommended dosage range are considered appropriate for use for lactating women. Fluoroquinolones should not be administered as first-line treatment, but if they are indicated, breast feeding should not be interrupted because the risk of adverse effects is low and the risks are justified. Paracetamol (acetaminophen), low-dose aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) [up to 100 mg/day] and short-term treatment with NSAIDs, codeine, morphine and propoxyphene are considered compatible with breast feeding. Safer alternatives should be considered instead of dipyrone, aspirin at a dosage >100 mg/day and pethidine (meperidine). In the light of the many safe alternatives for pain control, breast-feeding mothers should not be allowed to experience pain or be made to feel that they must choose between analgesia and breast feeding.     

The gut mucosal immune system in the neonatal period

Invasive sepsis in the newborn period is a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. The infant immune system undoubtedly differs intrinsically from the mature adult immune system. Current understanding is that the newborn infant immune system displays a range of competencies and is developing rather than deficient. The infant gut mucosal immune system is complex and displays a plethora of phenotypic and functional irregularities that may be clinically important. Various factors affect and modulate the infant gut mucosal immune system: components of the intestinal barrier, the infant gut microbiome, nutrition and the maternal–infant hybrid immune system. Elucidation of the phenotypic distribution of immune cells, their functional significance and the mucosa‐specific pathways used by these cells is essential to the future of research in the field of infant immunology.     

The Role of Health Literacy in Predicting Multiple Healthcare Outcomes Among Hispanics in a Nationally Representative Sample: A Comparative Analysis by English Proficiency Levels

Health literacy (HL) research among Hispanics currently focuses on individuals with limited English proficiency but impacts of HL on healthcare outcomes among other English language proficiency groups is relatively unknown. Regression models assessed associations between HL and healthcare outcomes for Hispanics overall (n = 4013) and for proficiency level sub-populations using the 2007 Pew Hispanic Health Survey. Overall, Hispanics with adequate HL percieved US medical care as “excellent,” were more satisfied with their doctor’s help, and reported “excellent” overall health. In the sub-population analysis, “excellent” perception of US healthcare was associated with HL among the Spanish and English dominant groups. Among bilinguals, adequate HL was associated with decreased use of traditional medicine. The effect of adequate HL varied within English proficiency groups. HL research that focuses only on Spanish dominant speakers can exclude a substantial percentage of English proficient or bilingual populations who have low HL.     

ApoC-III bound to apoB-containing lipoproteins increase with insulin resistance in Cherokee Indian youth

Because Native Americans are predisposed to obesity and type 2 diabetes associated with coronary artery disease, we assessed whether apoC-III bound to apoB-containing (LpB:C-III) and apoA-containing (LpA:C-III) lipoproteins, total apoC-III, apoB, and plasma lipids are associated with insulin resistance, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference in Cherokee children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years (n = 975). A cross-sectional analysis was done to determine associations of the lipoproteins with the homeostasis index (HOMA-IR) and BMI. When the data were grouped by quartiles for HOMA-IR and separated by three 5-year age groups (5-9, 10-14, and 15-19 years), the trend for LpB:C-III, triglyceride, and BMI z score to increase was significant for all age groups and both genders (P < .001). The trend to increase LpB:C-III with age was greater in boys (P < .0001) than in girls (P < .05) who tended to plateau after the age of 10 years. In contrast, the ratio of LpA:C-III to LpB:C-III decreased and the decrease was greater in boys (P < .0001) than girls (P < .01). Body mass index z score and waist circumference were correlated with LpB:C-III, triglyceride, apoB, and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol within each gender (P < .001). In multiple regression models, LpB:C-III, the dependent variable, was associated with HOMA-IR for both genders. We conclude that increases in LpB:C-III in childhood and adolescence are associated with insulin resistance and obesity supporting the need for prevention programs.     

Tuning mechanical performance of poly(ethylene glycol) and agarose interpenetrating network hydrogels for cartilage tissue engineering

Hydrogels are attractive for tissue engineering applications due to their incredible versatility, but they can be limited in cartilage tissue engineering applications due to inadequate mechanical performance. In an effort to address this limitation, our team previously reported the drastic improvement in the mechanical performance of interpenetrating networks (IPNs) of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG-DA) and agarose relative to pure PEG-DA and agarose networks. The goal of the current study was specifically to determine the relative importance of PEG-DA concentration, agarose concentration, and PEG-DA molecular weight in controlling mechanical performance, swelling characteristics, and network parameters. IPNs consistently had compressive and shear moduli greater than the additive sum of either single network when compared to pure PEG-DA gels with a similar PEG-DA content. IPNs withstood a maximum stress of up to 4.0 MPa in unconfined compression, with increased PEG-DA molecular weight being the greatest contributing factor to improved failure properties. However, aside from failure properties, PEG-DA concentration was the most influential factor for the large majority of properties. Increasing the agarose and PEG-DA concentrations as well as the PEG-DA molecular weight of agarose/PEG-DA IPNs and pure PEG-DA gels improved moduli and maximum stresses by as much as an order of magnitude or greater compared to pure PEG-DA gels in our previous studies. Although the viability of encapsulated chondrocytes was not significantly affected by IPN formulation, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content was significantly influenced, with a 12-fold increase over a three-week period in gels with a lower PEG-DA concentration. These results suggest that mechanical performance of IPNs may be tuned with partial but not complete independence from biological performance of encapsulated cells.