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.     

Retrograde, trans-synaptic and transneuronal transport of fragment C of tetanus toxin by sympathetic preganglionic neurons

The atoxic binding fragment of tetanus toxin, Fragment C, was injected into paravertebral ganglion 14, the avian homologue of the mammalian stellate ganglion. Postinjection survival intervals were varied from 2.5 h to 33 days. Experiments performed at the shortest survival time of 2.5 h showed that Fragment C was retrogradely transported by sympathetic preganglionic axons at a rate greater than or equal to 10 mm/h. At survival times ranging from 5 to 15 h. Fragment C-positive, retrogradely labeled sympathetic preganglionic neurons were observed within the last cervical spinal segment and throughout the first three thoracic spinal cord segments. Sporadic retrograde labeling of sympathetic preganglionic neurons was evident within the fourth and fifth thoracic spinal cord segments. Fragment C-labeled perikarya and dendrites exhibited both diffuse cytoplasmic immunostaining as well as intracellular, perinuclear accumulations of small. Fragment C-positive granules. Retrogradely labeled preganglionic neurons were found within both autonomic subnuclei within avian thoracic spinal cord; the column of Terni and the nucleus intercalatus spinalis. The distribution and numerical density of retrogradely labeled sympathetic preganglionic neurons indicated further that: (a) both myelinated and unmyelinated preganglionic axons appear to be capable of intra-axonally transporting Fragment C; and (b) it is unlikely that there is differential Fragment C labeling of a morphologically distinct population of sympathetic preganglionic neurons within or across subnuclei. Fragment C is transferred out of sympathetic preganglionic somas and dendrites into the surrounding neuropil at an aggregate rate greater than or equal to 5 mm/h. Trans-synaptic transport was evident at postinjection survival times as short as 5 h and continued to increase in density within the sympathetic preganglionic neuropil for 24 h. Fragment C-positive terminal labeling persisted for at least 20 days. At survival times greater than or equal to 1 day. Fragment C-positive puncta and weak intracellular labeling of neurons were evident in areas of the spinal gray outside of the nuclear boundaries of the column of Terni and nucleus intercalatus. The regions showing evidence of trans-synaptic and transneuronal labeling included: (a) a group of small cells dorsal to the column of Terni, (b) lamina V and (c) lamina VII. This expansion of Fragment C-labeled neuronal elements was segmental in organization and co-extensive with the retrograde labeling pattern of sympathetic preganglionic neurons. Spinal interneurons in these regions may provide segmental, monosynaptic input to sympathetic preganglionic neurons. Fragment C leaked into the systemic circulation from the site of injection in paravertebral ganglion 14.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

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.