To what extent does IQ 'explain' socio-economic variations in function?

Background  

The aims of this study were to examine the extent to which higher intellectual abilities protect higher socio-economic groups from functional decline and to examine whether the contribution of intellectual abilities is independent of childhood deprivation and low birth weight and other socio-economic and developmental factors in early life.     

Discordant repeat size and phenotype in Kennedy syndrome

Previous reports in the literature have described correlation of increasing repeat length with severity of the phenotype, in Kennedy syndrome. We describe male siblings with different repeat lengths, with lack of expression of the phenotype in the sibling with the longer repeat length. The phenotype was identical to motor neurone disease. There is variability of expression in Kennedy syndrome and repeat length even in siblings cannot be taken as a conclusive indicator of severity. CAG repeat length cannot be used to predict the natural history of Kennedy disease. The diagnosis of Kennedy syndrome should be considered in male patients presenting with atypical motor neurone disease.     

Imaging of fluorescent neurons labelled with fluoro-gold and fluorescent axon terminals labelled with AMCA (7-amino-4-methylcoumarine-3-acetic acid) conjugated antiserum using a UV-laser confocal scanning microscope.

This paper describes the implementation of an ultraviolet (UV) laser (Spectra Physics 171-18 with 3 lines: 334, 351 and 364 nm in UV) as light source for fluorescence confocal scanning microscopy. With this instrument it is possible to use fluorophores not previously available for confocal laser microscopical imaging of fluorophores such as fluoro-gold and AMCA. In the study we show confocal laser microscopical imaging of fluorescent motoneurons labelled by retrograde transport of fluoro-gold and AMCA-fluorescent axon terminals labelled with antisera against immunogenes as thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). These two fluorophores may be recorded simultaneously or separately by using a filter that suppresses the emission of one of the fluorophores. The described instrument should also be useful in applications involving detection of monoamines by the Falck-Hillarp technique, as well as measurements of cytosolic free calcium by indicators such as Fura-2 and Indo-1. Measurements performed in reflected and fluorescence light indicated that the resolution along the optical axis improved by about 25% when UV (351 nm) is used instead of visible light (514 nm). This figure is close to that expected on theoretical basis. There are, however, also serious problems related to the use of UV excitation. Firstly, objectives must be selected based on their UV transmission properties. Secondly, chromatic aberration may cause a substantial focal shift between illuminating and emitted light, calling for a flexible instrumental design in order to allow for compensation. As shown here, this problem can be circumvented by using reflecting objectives but at a price of lower resolution compared with high-aperture refracting objectives.     

Synchronous colonic adenocarcinoma and extragenital malignant mixed mesodermal tumour

A synchronous occurrence of large bowel adenocarcinoma and extragenital malignant mixed mesodermal tumour (MMMT) is reported. This case represents the sixth extragenital MMMT reported in the literature.     

INTERFERONS IN ONCOLOGY

SUMMARY The interferons are natural glycoproteins secreted in response to various stimuli, including viral infection. They have antiviral, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory effects on different target cell populations. Since recombinant human interferons have become available, they have been tested in a wide range of malignancies. They are well established in the treatment of hairy cell leukaemia, chronic myelogenous leukaemia and multiple myeloma. Although they have documented activity against lymphoma, melanoma, renal cell cancer and carcinoid tumours, their role in the treatment of these tumours is less clear. In the common solid tumours, such as lung cancer and colorectal cancer, the use of interferons remains experimental. Here we will summarise their practice applications in oncology, using randomised studies where available to establish their place in multi-modality treatment. We will not discuss their use as antiviral or immunomodulating agents in viral and autoimmune diseases, multiple sclerosis or after organ transplantation.