Objectives
High rates of non-right-handedness (NRH) and mixed-handedness exist in neurodevelopmental disorders. Dysfunctional neurodevelopmental pathways may be implicated in the underlying ...pathophysiology of bipolar disorders (BD), at least in some subgroups. Yet little is known about correlates of NRH and mixed-handedness in BD. The objectives of this national study are to determine (i) the prevalence of NRH and mixed-handedness in a well-stabilized sample of BD individuals; (ii) if NRH/mixed-handedness in BD is associated with a different clinical, biological and neurocognitive profile.
Methods
We included 2174 stabilized individuals. Participants were tested with a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests. Handedness was assessed using a single oral question. Learning and/or language disorders and obstetrical complications were recorded using childhood records. Common environmental, clinical and biological parameters were assessed.
Results
The prevalence of NRH and mixed-handedness were, respectively, 11.6 and 2.4%. Learning/language disorders were found in 9.7% out of the total sample and were associated with atypical handedness (only dyslexia for mixed-handedness (
p
< 0.01), and dyslexia and dysphasia for NRH (
p
= 0.01 and
p
= 0.04, respectively). In multivariate analyses, NRH was associated with a younger age of BD onset (aOR 0.98 (95% CI 0.96–0.99) and lifetime substance use disorder (aOR 1.40 (95% CI 1.03–1.82) but not with any of the cognitive subtasks. Mixed-handedness was associated in univariate analyses with lifetime substance use disorder, lifetime cannabis use disorder (all
p
< 0.01) and less mood stabilizer prescription (
p
= 0.028). No association was found between NRH or mixed-handedness and the following parameters: trauma history, obstetrical complications, prior psychotic symptoms, bipolar subtype, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, peripheral inflammation or body mass index.
Conclusions
Handedness may be associated with specific features in BD, possibly reflecting a specific subgroup with a neurodevelopmental load.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between induced apoptosis of human luteinized granulosa cells (GCs) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome.
Study design: We ...induced apoptosis with interferon gamma and an anti-human Fas antibody in cultured GCs isolated from follicular fluids coming from 25 different women undergoing 25 consecutive IVF cycles. After examination of 1000 GCs stained by DAPI with a fluorescent microscope, we determined the percentages of apoptotic GCs. Ovarian, endometrial and IVF parameters were recorded for every woman.
Results: We classified the women according to their induced GCs apoptosis percentages in two groups. Group 1 with a low percentage of apoptotic GCs (11.6±4.8%) had a significantly higher pregnancy rate (
P<0.05) than group 2 with a high percentage of apoptotic GCs (59.5±14.8%). No other statistically significant differences were observed.
Conclusion: Resistance of human GCs to apoptosis might be implicated in IVF outcome
Cryo‐electron microscopy of vitreous sections Al‐Amoudi, Ashraf; Chang, Jiin‐Ju; Leforestier, Amélie ...
The EMBO journal,
September 15, 2004, Letnik:
23, Številka:
18
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Since the beginning of the 1980s, cryo‐electron microscopy of a thin film of vitrified aqueous suspension has made it possible to observe biological particles in their native state, in the absence of ...the usual artefacts of dehydration and staining. Combined with 3‐d reconstruction, it has become an important tool for structural molecular biology. Larger objects such as cells and tissues cannot generally be squeezed in a thin enough film. Cryo‐electron microscopy of vitreous sections (CEMOVIS) provides then a solution. It requires vitrification of a sizable piece of biological material and cutting it into ultrathin sections, which are observed in the vitrified state. Each of these operations raises serious difficulties that have now been overcome. In general, the native state seen with CEMOVIS is very different from what has been seen before and it is seen in more detail. CEMOVIS will give its full potential when combined with computerized electron tomography for 3‐d reconstruction.
SUMMARY
1. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the blood pressure (BP) response, the BP and heart rate (HR) components of the startle reaction and the structure of the carotid artery and ...the aorta during chronic infusion of angiotensin (Ang) II in Fischer 344 (F344) compared with Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats, two in‐bred normotensive contrasted strains.
2. Osmotic mini‐pumps filled with saline vehicle or AngII (120 ng/kg per min) were implanted subcutaneously in 8‐week‐old normotensive rats and infused for 4 weeks in F344 rats (saline, n = 10; AngII, n = 10) and WKY rats (saline, n = 10; AngII, n = 9). Basal BP, HR and the responses to an acoustic startle stimulus (duration 0.7 s, 115 dB) were recorded in conscious rats. The structure of the carotid artery and aorta was determined in 4% formaldehyde‐fixed arteries.
3. Compared with WKY rats, vehicle‐treated F344 rats had lower bodyweight (BW; 266 ± 7 vs 299 ± 9 g; P < 0.05) and heart weight (0.80 ± 0.02 vs 0.98 ± 0.04 g; P < 0.05) and higher aortic systolic BP (SBP; 131 ± 1 vs 123 ± 5 mmHg; P < 0.001) and diastolic BP (98 ± 3 vs 89 ± 2 mmHg; P < 0.001). In F344 rats, compared with the WKY rats, the wall thickness/BW ratio was increased in the carotid artery (156 ± 9 vs 131 ± 6 nm/g; P < 0.05) and abdominal aorta (264 ± 13 vs 217 ± 12 nm/g; P < 0.05) and decreased in the thoracic aorta (246 ± 13 vs 275 ± 8 nm/g; P < 0.05). There was no difference in elastin and collagen density. Angiotensin II differentially enhanced BP in both strains: (SBP: 163 ± 5 and 132 ± 4 mmHg in F344 and WKY rats, respectively; Pstrain × treatment < 0.05). Circumferential wall stress was increased in the aorta of F344 rats compared with WKY rats (1176 ± 39 vs 956 ± 12 kPa (P < 0.001) and 1107 ± 42 vs 813 ± 12 kPa (P < 0.001) in thoracic and abdominal aortas, respectively). The startle response was amplified in F344 rats, with enhanced increases in SBP and pulse pressure (PP) and bradycardia compared with responses of WKY rats (+44 ± 9 mmHg, +10 ± 2 mmHg and −40 ± 17 b.p.m., respectively, in F344 rats vs+28 ± 4 mmHg, + 4 ± 2 mmHg and −19 ± 10 b.p.m. in WKY rats, respectively; Pstrain < 0.05 for BP and PP). The startle response was not affected by AngII.
4. These results indicate a higher BP producing an increase in wall thickness in F344 rats compared with WKY rats. We propose that an increase in sympathetic nervous activity causes these haemodynamic differences, as suggested by the excessive increase in BP during an acoustic startle stimulus. Angiotensin II increased BP in F344 rats, but did not exaggerate the increase in BP during the startle reaction.
Past exploration of Jupiter's diverse satellite system has forever changed our understanding of the unique environments to be found around gas giants, both in our solar system and beyond. The ...detailed investigation of three of Jupiter's Galilean satellites (Ganymede, Europa, and Callisto), which are believed to harbour subsurface water oceans, is central to elucidating the conditions for habitability of icy worlds in planetary systems in general. The study of the Jupiter system and the possible existence of habitable environments offer the best opportunity for understanding the origins and formation of the gas giants and their satellite systems. The JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) mission, selected by ESA in May 2012 to be the first large mission within the Cosmic Vision Program 2015–2025, will perform detailed investigations of Jupiter and its system in all their inter-relations and complexity with particular emphasis on Ganymede as a planetary body and potential habitat. The investigations of the neighbouring moons, Europa and Callisto, will complete a comparative picture of the Galilean moons and their potential habitability. Here we describe the scientific motivation for this exciting new European-led exploration of the Jupiter system in the context of our current knowledge and future aspirations for exploration, and the paradigm it will bring in the study of giant (exo) planets in general.
► A description of the ESA-led JUICE (Jupiter Icy moons Explorer) mission. ► The emergence of habitable worlds around gas giants. ► Future exploration of the Jovian system.
SummaryUsing a spectral procedure, we studied the acute and chronic effects of enalapril and hydralazine on the variability of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) in conscious Wistar rats. In the ...acute protocol, rats received two injections 25 min apart (saline followed by enalaprilic acid or hydralazine hydrochloride). In the chronic protocol, animals received oral enalapril maleate, hydralazine hydrochloride, or distilled water. A 5-min recording session was initiated on day 12. Acute enalapril and hydralazine amplified the low-frequency (LF) component of the systolic BP (SBP) spectrum. Chronic enalapril reduced the variability of BP, as indicated by the lower variance in SBP distribution. Chronic enalapril preferentially reduced the amplitude of the 400-mHz oscillations of SBP. Acute administration of enalapril or hydralazine resulted in BP variability profiles, suggesting a reflexly mediated vascular sympathetic activation. In contrast, chronic angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) blockade with enalapril caused a significant decrease in the LF oscillations of BP. This could reflect a reduced sympathetic outflow to vascular smooth muscles.
Low total energy expenditure (TEE, MJ/d) has been a hypothesized risk factor for weight gain, but repeatability of TEE, a critical variable in longitudinal studies of energy balance, is understudied. ...We examine repeated doubly labeled water (DLW) measurements of TEE in 348 adults and 47 children from the IAEA DLW Database (mean ± SD time interval: 1.9 ± 2.9 y) to assess repeatability of TEE, and to examine if TEE adjusted for age, sex, fat-free mass, and fat mass is associated with changes in weight or body composition. Here, we report that repeatability of TEE is high for adults, but not children. Bivariate Bayesian mixed models show no among or within-individual correlation between body composition (fat mass or percentage) and unadjusted TEE in adults. For adults aged 20-60 y (N = 267; time interval: 7.4 ± 12.2 weeks), increases in adjusted TEE are associated with weight gain but not with changes in body composition; results are similar for subjects with intervals >4 weeks (N = 53; 29.1 ± 12.8 weeks). This suggests low TEE is not a risk factor for, and high TEE is not protective against, weight or body fat gain over the time intervals tested.
BackgroundThe SMART study randomized 5472 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected patients with CD4+ cell counts >350 cells/μL to intermittent antiretroviral therapy (ART; the drug conservation ...DC group) versus continuous ART (the viral supression VS group). In the DC group, participants started ART when the CD4+ cell count was <250 cells/μL. Clinical outcomes in participants not receiving ART at entry inform the early use of ART MethodsPatients who were either ART naive (n=249) or who had not been receiving ART for ⩾6 months (n=228) were analyzed. The following clinical outcomes were assessed: (i) opportunistic disease (OD) or death from any cause (OD/death); (ii) OD (fatal or nonfatal); (iii) serious non-AIDS events (cardiovascular, renal, and hepatic disease plus non–AIDS-defining cancers) and non-OD deaths; and (iv) the composite of outcomes (ii) and (iii) ResultsA total of 477 participants (228 in the DC group and 249 in the VS group) were followed (mean, 18 months). For outcome (iv), 21 and 6 events occurred in the DC (7 in ART-naive participants and 14 in those who had not received ART for ⩾6 months) and VS (2 in ART-naive participants and 4 in those who had not received ART for ⩾6 months) groups, respectively. Hazard ratios for DC vs. VS by outcome category were as follows: outcome (i), 3.47 (95% confidence interval CI, 1.26–9.56; P=.02); outcome (ii), 3.26 (95% CI, 1.04–10.25; P=.04); outcome (iii), 7.02 (95% CI, 1.57–31.38; P=.01); and outcome (iv), 4.19 (95% CI, 1.69–10.39; P=.002) ConclusionsInitiation of ART at CD4+ cell counts >350 cells/μL compared with <250 cells/μL may reduce both OD and serious non-AIDS events. These findings require validation in a large, randomized clinical trial Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00027352
A palatal defect with bucconasal fistula often follows exeresis of palatal tumors. It cannot be directly sutured. Several techniques have been used to cure such defects: palatal obturator, free, or ...local flaps.
The tongue pediculated flap is an easy, safe, and reliable surgical option to reconstruct palatal defects. The tongue flap is a double-layer muscular and mucosal flap that requires two surgeries. During the first, the flap is harvested on the tongue and partially sutured on the anterior portion of the palatal defect. During the second, the pedicle is freed from the tongue and sutured to the posterior portion of the palatal defect. Between these two surgeries the patient is fed through a nasogastric tube.
The tongue flap is easy and reproducible. It can be recommended in mediopalatal defects after cancer palatal surgery. Its esthetical and functional results are excellent. It is an alternative to palatal obturator, which are not well tolerated in the long run. Similar but uneven results are obtained with free flaps. Free flaps do not require a second surgery but are more difficult to implement in developing countries.
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