Including Growth Pattern Research Articles

Exploring Botanical Innovations in Fish Aquaculture: A Review of Biological Impacts and Industry Prospects

Culture fisheries play a crucial role in providing protein-rich sustenance for the expanding global population. However, the intensification of fish farming comes with a downside – heightened stress among fish, which subsequently escalates the risk of disease transmission. The emergence of resilient bacterial populations and the accumulation of residues in body tissues due to the use of drugs and chemicals have underscored the necessity for the development of environmentally friendly and durable solutions. Notably, there has been a recent upsurge in interest regarding the use of botanical products to enhance aquaculture practices. Plant derived secondary metabolites have demonstrated their efficacy in stimulating appetite, facilitating growth, boosting immune responses, and exhibiting antibacterial as well as anti-parasitic properties within the realm of aquaculture. This article aims to comprehensively examine the body of research on the application of plant-derived products in pisciculture, elucidating their effects on various biological aspects of fish, including growth patterns, immune system functionality, pigmentation, blood composition, and reproductive parameters. Furthermore, the article also delivers inputs into an assessment of the current status of these practices, the methodologies deployed, and the challenges encountered in integrating plant-based solutions into the aquaculture industry.

In Vitro Model for Studying Differentiation and Changes of Multi-Omics on Murine Airway Epithelial Cells Stimulated with Cigarette Smoke Extract.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is largely attributed to tobacco smoke exposure. Investigating how airway epithelial cells functionally adapt to tobacco smoke is crucial for understanding the pathogenesis of COPD. The present study was to set up an in vitro model using primary murine airway epithelial cells to mimic the real-life impact of tobacco smoke. Unlike established cell lines, primary cells retain more in vivo-like properties, including growth patterns, aging, and differentiation. These cells exhibit a sensitive inflammatory response and efficient differentiation, thus closely representing physiological conditions. In this model, primary murine airway epithelial cells were cultured for 28 days under an air-liquid interface with an optimal concentration of cigarette smoke extract (CSE), which led to the transformation of a monolayer of undifferentiated cells into a pseudostratified columnar epithelium, indicative of CSE acclimation. Comprehensive multi-omics analyses were then applied to elucidate the mechanisms by which CSE influences the differentiation of basal airway cells. These insights provide a deeper understanding of the cellular processes underpinning COPD progression in response to tobacco smoke exposure.

Estimating the growth parameters, exploitation rate, biomass and maximum sustainable yield of long whisker catfish Mystus gulio (Hamilton, 1822) in the coastal waters from southwestern Bangladesh

The research provides a comprehensive analysis of Mystus gulio including growth pattern, growth parameters, recruitment patterns, mortality rates, biomass, exploitation rate (E), and the estimation of maximum sustainable yield (MSY) within the southwestern coastal waters of Bangladesh. From January to December 2017, fishers provided around 1200 specimens. FAO-ICLARM Stock Assessment Tool and Excel-add-in-solver were used to assess stock status through length-frequency data. Indeed, the research findings indicated that the population of M. gulio displayed negative allometric for both individuals (b = 2.53 for male, b = 2.50 for female), as demonstrated by the calculated allometric coefficient value. Nonetheless, the population's dynamic characteristics revealed an asymptotic length (L∞) of 19.34 cm, 23.28 cm and growth coefficient (K) 0.94 year−1 and 0.81 year−1 for male and female M. gulio. The growth performance indexes (Ø') of 2.55 and 2.64 for male and female and maximum lifespan (tmax) 3.20 years and 3.70 years respectively. This study revealed that the slightly variations in the natural mortality rate (M) for both specimens at 1.55 year−1 and 1.59 year−1. The fishing mortality rate (F) 2.75 year−1 and 1.98 year−1and total mortality rate (Z) 4.30 year−1 and 3.57 year−1 for male and females, respectively. The maximum permissible exploitation rate (Emax = 0.421) was lower than the actual exploitation rate (E = 0.63). The MSY was calculated at 67.968 metric tons. Without a doubt, overfishing stands out as the most critical threat to the wild stock. Therefore, it is clear that the existing fishing approach was not efficiently managed the standing stock in a sustainable manner. The findings would be useful for established proper fishing regulations in coastal waters and the surrounding ecosystems.

Risk factors for recurrent urinary tract infections in young infants under the age of 24 months

Purpose: Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children is a major challenge for pediatricians. This study was designed to investigate the risk factors for recurrent UTIs and determine the association between recurrent UTIs and clinical findings, including growth patterns in infants and children younger than 24 months of age. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 147 patients <24 months of age with UTIs who were hospitalized between August 2018 and October 2021. The patients were divided into recurrent and single UTI episode groups. Clinical findings and anthropometric and laboratory data were compared between the two groups.Results:In the recurrent UTI group, the weight-for-length (WFL) percentile at the first UTI diagnosis was lower compared to the single UTI episode group, and the weight-for-age percentile at 3-month and 6-month follow-ups after the first UTI decreased (all P<0.05). In univariable logistic regression analysis, higher birth weight, lower WFL percentile, the presence of hydronephrosis, acute pyelonephritis or vesicoureteral reflux, the use of prophylactic antibiotics, and non-Escherichia coli infections were associated with the development of recurrent UTIs (all P<0.05). However, in the multivariable analysis, only the presence of hydronephrosis and prophylactic antibiotic use were independently related to UTI recurrence (P<0.05). Conclusion: The presence of hydronephrosis at the first UTI can be helpful for predicting UTI recurrence in young children aged < 24 months. Antibiotic prophylaxis may be associated with UTI recurrence. Potential growth delay should be carefully monitored in infants with recurrent UTI.

Review and Application of Integrin Alpha v Beta 6 in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cholangiocarcinoma and Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Integrin Alpha v Beta 6 is expressed primarily in solid epithelial tumors, such as cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer. It has been considered a potential and promising molecular marker for the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma share genetic, histological, and pathophysiological similarities due to the shared embryonic origin of the bile duct and pancreas. These cancers share numerous clinicopathological characteristics, including growth pattern, poor response to conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and poor prognosis. This review focuses on the role of integrin Alpha v Beta 6 in cancer progression. It addition, it reviews how the marker can be used in molecular imaging and therapeutic targets. We propose further research explorations and questions that need to be addressed. We conclude that integrin Alpha v Beta 6 may serve as a potential biomarker for cancer disease progression and prognosis.

Cutaneous verrucous carcinoma: A clinicopathological study of 21 cases with long-term clinical follow-up.

BackgroundCutaneous verrucous carcinoma (CVC) is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma and sometimes shares similar clinical and histopathological features with other verrucous lesions.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of 21 patients diagnosed with CVC between 2012 and 2022 by reviewing clinical and histopathological data. We also compared the clinicopathological features of patients with CVC, giant condyloma acuminatum (GCA), and pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia (PEH). We obtained follow-up data by reviewing medical records and telephone interviews.ResultsThe average age of patients with CVC was 63.6 years, with a male predominance. The location of disease is mostly found in the foot, followed by the lower legs. Histologically, CVC is characterized by an exo-endophytic growth pattern with severe keratinization and a blunted rete ridge with pushing margins. Clinical features including exudation and crusting, induration, irregular borders, and warty surface, as well as pathological features including growth pattern, koilocytotic cells, depth and morphologic features of acanthosis, severe keratinization, and degree of dermal inflammation, were significant in distinguishing cutaneous CVC, GCA, and PEH.ConclusionIdentification of the clinicopathological features is essential to distinguish CVC from its mimics and to make an early diagnosis. Because of the potential for recurrence and metastasis, CVC requires aggressive treatment.

Interelemental osteohistological variation in Massospondylus carinatus and its implications for locomotion.

Massospondylus carinatus Owen, 1854 is an iconic basal sauropodomorph dinosaur from the Early Jurassic of southern Africa. Over 200 specimens have been referred to this taxon, spanning the entire ontogenetic series from embryo to adult. Consequently, it provides an ideal sample for investigating dinosaur developmental biology, including growth patterns and growth rates, through osteohistological analysis. Massospondylus carinatus was the first early-branching sauropodomorph dinosaur for which a femoral growth series was sampled. Since then, growth series of other non-avian dinosaur taxa have shown that growth plasticity, interelemental variation, and ontogenetic locomotory shifts can complicate our understanding of growth curves and patterns. To investigate these questions further, it is necessary to sample multiple skeletal elements from multiple individuals across a large range of sizes, something that is often hindered by the incompleteness of the fossil record. Here, we conducted a broad, multielement osteohistological study of long bones (excluding metapodials) from 27 specimens of Massospondylus carinatus that span its ontogenetic series. Our study reveals substantial variations in growth history. A cyclical woven-parallel complex is the predominant bone tissue pattern during early and mid-ontogeny, which transitions to slower forming parallel-fibred bone during very late ontogeny. The bone tissue is interrupted by irregularly spaced cyclical growth marks (CGMs) including lines of arrested growth indicating temporary cessations in growth. These CGMs show that the previously recorded femoral growth plasticity is also visible in other long bones, with a poor correlation between body size (measured by midshaft circumference) and CGM numbers. Furthermore, we found that the growth trajectory for an individual can vary depending on which limb element is studied. This makes the establishment of an accurate growth curve and determination of the onset of reproductive maturity difficult for this taxon. Finally, we found no evidence of differential growth rates in forelimb vs hindlimb samples from the same individual, providing further evidence falsifying hypothesised ontogenetic postural shifts in Massospondylus carinatus.

Life-history traits of ten commercially important small indigenous fish species (SIFS) in the Oxbow lake (Southwestern Bangladesh): key for sound management

For the first time, we revealed the life-history traits including growth pattern (length-weight relationships, LWRs), condition factors, form factor (a3.0), first sexual maturity (Lm), age at first sexual maturity (tm), life span (tmax), natural mortality (Mw), asymptotic length (L∞), and optimum catchable length (Lopt) of ten commercially important small indigenous fish species (SIFS) in the Oxbow lake (Baor), southwestern regions of Bangladesh. A total of 1651 specimens were sampled during January to December 2020 with traditional fishing gears including seine nets, gill nets, and lift nets. Individual total length (TL) and body weight (BW) were measured by digital slide calipers and digital balance, respectively. To calculate the Lm, empirical maximum length-based model was considered, and Lopt was calculated based on L∞. The TL vs. BW relationship indicated positive allometric growth for Chanda nama (Hamilton 1822), Channa punctata (Bloch 1793), Channa striata (Bloch 1793), Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Hamilton 1822), Macrognathus pancalus (Hamilton 1822), and Puntius sophore (Hamilton 1822), but negative allometric growth for Badis badis (Hamilton 1822), Gudusia chapra (Hamilton 1822), Glossogobius giuris (Hamilton 1822), and Hyporhamphus limbatus (Valenciennes, 1847). All r2 values exceed 0.910 that indicated all LWRs were highly significant (P < 0.001). According to Spearman correlation test, Fulton's condition factor (KF) vs. BW was highly correlated (P < 0.001), indicating better well-being for these species. Moreover, a3.0 indicates B. badis, C. punctata, C. striata, G. giuris, H. limbatus, L. guntea were elongated; C. nama, P. sophore, were short and deep; G. chapra was fusiform, and M. pancalus was eel-like body shape respectively. The minimum tm and tmax were obtained as 0.74year and 2.66year for C. striata and maximum were 0.93year and 3.31year for B. badis, respectively. This study provided information on tm and tmax for ten SIFS that is globally absent. From empirical models, the smallest mean value of Lm was found for B. badis (3.98cm), and the greatest was found for C. striata (16.96cm). The minimum Lopt was obtained as 3.78cm TL for B. badis and maximum was 14.09cm TL for C. punctata. The minimum Mw was documented as 1.39 for B. badis and maximum was 1.73 for C. striata. The output of this research will be helpful for developing sustainable management policies and protection of SIFS through the application of mesh size based on Lm and Lopt in the Oxbow lakes, Bangladesh and neighboring countries.

Some biological aspects of the spotted snakehead Channa punctate (Bloch, 1793) in the wetland ecosystem, Gajner Beel, North-western Bangladesh

Documenting and updating life history traits of wild fish are prerequisite for undertaking any conservation and enhancement programme from inland waters. The spotted snakehead Channa punctata (Bloch, 1793) is an important small indigenous food fish in Asian countries which has high nutritional and commercial value. This is the first work on describing life-history traits including growth pattern, condition factors (Fulton’s, KF; Allometric, KA; Relative condition, KR; Relative weight, WR), form factor (a3.0), size at first sexual maturity (Lm) and natural mortality (Mw) in the Gajner Beel, northwestern Bangladesh during July 2018 to December 2019. Traditional fishing gears were used for sampling. Different lengths (i.e., total length, TL; standard length, SL) and body weight (BW) of each individual were taken using digital slide calipers and an electronic balance to the nearest 0.01 cm and 0.01 g, respectively. In total, 583 individuals ranging from 5.8-22.8 cm TL and 1.96-115.08 g BW were collected in this study. On the basis of b value, the growth pattern of C. punctata was isometric (b=3.0) in all the LWRs. Also, all LWRs were highly significant with r2 values ≥0.979. The LLR was highly significant (p<0.001) with r2 =0.992. Among the four types of condition factor, KF showed highly significant relationship with TL and BW (p<0.001). Therefore, KF considered the best for assessing the overall health of this species in the Gajner Beel, NW Bangladesh. Wilcoxon Signed rank test showed that, WR was not significantly different from 100 (p=37235). Also, the calculated a3.0 was 0.0111, which indicates the fish was fusiform in shape. Moreover, the Lm and Mw were 12.67 cm TL and 0.96 year-1 , respectively. Therefore, the findings of this study would serve as baseline for stock assessment of floodplain wetland population and sustainable management of wild C. punctata in Gajner Beel and adjoining watershed. Keywords: Channa punctata, Condition factor, Gajner Beel, Natural mortality, Size at first sexual maturity, Wetland

Pola Pertumbuhan dan Faktor Kondisi Ikan Brek (Barbonymus balleroides val. 1842) dari Perairan Pulau Jawa Koleksi Museum Zoologi Bogoriense (MZB)

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;B&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;rek fish (Barbonymus balleroides) is a consumption, fish that is widely used by people around the River. The population has started to decline, but not yet cultivated. Therefore, research has been conducted as a basis for its domestication, including growth patterns and condition factor of Brek Fish. The total length (TL) of each individual was measured using a digital caliper with an accuracy of 0.05 mm, while the body weight was weighed using an analytical scale with an accuracy of 0.0001 g. the data obtained were analyzed by linear regression found in the microsoft excel program. The results showed that the growth pattern of brek fish was allometric negative, the average condition factor value of brek fish (B. balleroides) was 1.026. The author hopes this research can be used as basic biological information to support the conservation of Brek Fish (B. ballerodes).&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Update of pathological diagnosis of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumor

Pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors are common in pathological practice and its pathological classification and histological grading are not exactly the same as that of those in the digestive tract and pancreas. In 2015 edition of World Health Organization classification, pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors are classified as carcinoid tumors (including typical carcinoid and atypical carcinoid), small cell lung carcinoma, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, and precursor lesion diffuse idiopathic neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia; each category has distinctive morphological and immunohistochemical features. The morphologic features including growth patterns and cytological appearances are keys for the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumor, and immunohistochemical findings are also critical for its diagnosis. Furthermore, the diagnostic criteria vary for different types of specimen. In this article, we present a concise review and summary of the update of clinicopathological characterizations of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumor, with an emphasis on its diagnostic criteria and differential diagnosis.

34 COMPARISON OF PROLIFERATION AND TELOMERASE ACTIVITY IN FIBROBLASTS DERIVED FROM GYEONG-JU DONGGYEONG DOGS ACCORDING TO THEIR AGE

Donggyeong dog is a breed considered a natural monument in Korea since 2012. Nevertheless, this breed is only found in Gyeong-ju and is classified as endangered. The use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) could be applied to preserve these endangered dogs. Among various ART, somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) may be a good technique for achieving propagation of genetically identical individuals. For this reason, we investigated the effect of age of the cell donor on several characteristics, including growth pattern, doubling time of cell populations, cell size, viability, and telomerase activity in Gyeong-ju Donggyeong dog fibroblast cultures before SCNT. Primary fibroblast cell cultures were performed using ear biopsies from 1-year-old (D-1yr) and 7-year-old (D-7yr) Donggyeong dogs and cells at passage 2 to 6 from in this study. Cells were plated at 1 × 105 cells well–1 in a 6-well plate. Cells were harvested every 24 h for 6 days, and cell number was determined to measure growth pattern and doubling time. The harvested cells were stained with trypan blue, their size and viability were analysed using a Countess Automated Cell Counter (Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA, USA). Telomerase activity was measured by telomeric repeat amplification protocol using TeloTAGGG Telomerase PCR ELISAPLUS. All experiments were replicated at least 3 times. Statistical analysis was performed using Graphpad Prism (GraphPad Software Inc., San Diego, CA, USA), and t-test (P &lt; 0.05) was used to compare the growth pattern, doubling time, cell size, viability, and telomerase activity between D-1yr and D-7yr groups. Growth curves in both groups showed the typical “S” shape and no significant differences between D-1yr and D-7yr groups. However, doubling times from 2nd to 5th passages of D-1yr (20.0 ± 0.3 h, 38.0 ± 0.5 h, 38.7 ± 0.5 h, and 53.4 ± 1.4 h) were significantly shorter than those of D-7yr (37.0 ± 1.2 h, 54.0 ± 3.6 h, 63.3 ± 1.8 h, and 100.9 ± 4.4 h). Cells from 6th passage of D-7yr and 7th passage of D-1yr did not reach confluence. Cell size of D-1yr (13.6 ± 0.2 μm) was significantly smaller than that of D-7yr (14.9 ± 0.3 μm; P &lt; 0.001). There was no significant difference between D-1yr (89.4 ± 1.4%) and D-7yr (88.9 ± 1.2%) in cell viability but relative telomerase activity was significantly higher in D-1yr (37.8 ± 7.5) compared with D-7yr (19.0 ± 6.2, P &lt; 0.001). In conclusion, these results suggest that fibroblasts derived from young Donggyeong dogs are more suitable for SCNT than those from old donors. For further study, dog cloning using D-1yr and D-7yr should be performed to evaluate the effect of donor age in canine SCNT efficiency.

Clinical Features of Congenital Adrenal Insufficiency Including Growth Patterns and Significance of ACTH Stimulation Test

Congenital adrenal insufficiency is caused by specific genetic mutations. Early suspicion and definite diagnosis are crucial because the disease can precipitate a life-threatening hypovolemic shock without prompt treatment. This study was designed to understand the clinical manifestations including growth patterns and to find the usefulness of ACTH stimulation test. Sixteen patients with confirmed genotyping were subdivided into three groups according to the genetic study results: congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (CAH, n=11), congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia (n=3) and X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita (n=2). Bone age advancement was prominent in patients with CAH especially after 60 months of chronologic age (n=6, 67%). They were diagnosed in older ages in group with bone age advancement (P<0.05). Comorbid conditions such as obesity, mental retardation, and central precocious puberty were also prominent in this group. In conclusion, this study showed the importance of understanding the clinical symptoms as well as genetic analysis for early diagnosis and management of congenital adrenal insufficiency. ACTH stimulation test played an important role to support the diagnosis and serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels were significantly elevated in all of the CAH patients. The test will be important for monitoring growth and puberty during follow up of patients with congenital adrenal insufficiency.

Pediatric Cutaneous Angiosarcomas

Cutaneous angiosarcomas are rare tumors, which predominantly arise in the sun-exposed skin of the head and neck of adult and elderly patients. Rarely, these tumors can be seen in children. We identified cutaneous angiosarcomas in 10 children and assessed clinical (patient age, tumor site, tumor size, and tumor focality) and histologic features including growth pattern (vasoformative vs. solid), mitotic rate (mitotic figures per 10 high power field), necrosis (present vs. absent), and cell shape (epithelioid vs. nonepithelioid). Tumors predominated in the lower extremities (6 of 10) of female patients (2 male and 8 female); age at diagnosis ranged from 1.5 months to 15 years. Four patients had preexisting conditions: congenital hemihypertrophy of the contralateral limb, the Aicardi syndrome, congenital lymphedema, and congenital hemangioma treated with radiation therapy. Tumors were located in the lower extremity (6), flank (1), elbow (1), and buccal mucosa (1), and ranged in size from 0.6 to 6.5 cm. Eight cases showed predominantly epithelioid morphology, 1 case showed mixed epithelioid and spindled morphology and 1 case was entirely spindled. Mitotic activity ranged from 1 to 55 mitotic figures per 10 high power field. Necrosis was seen in 5 cases. Clinical follow-up was obtained for 9 patients: 4 died of disease (range, 12 to 49 mo; mean, 25 mo) and 5 patients were alive without disease (18 mo to 28 y). Five patients had metastatic disease; sites of involvement included the lung, soft tissue, lymph node, pleura, liver, and bone. Cutaneous angiosarcomas in children are rare tumors, which are commonly associated with a preexisting condition, suggesting a greater role for genetics as opposed to environmental factors in the pathogenesis of these tumors.

Angiosarcomas Arising in the Viscera and Soft Tissue of Children and Young Adults

Angiosarcomas are rare tumors that predominantly affect adult and elderly patients and pursue an aggressive clinical course with high mortality. Although angiosarcomas are well described in a variety of clinical settings, they have been incompletely characterized. We identified 15 high-grade angiosarcomas arising from the viscera and soft tissue of patients 21 years old and younger from institutional and consultation files. Both clinical (patient age, tumor site, tumor size, tumor focality) and histologic features including growth pattern (vasoformative vs. solid), nuclear grade (high vs. low), mitotic rate (mitotic figures/10 high-power fields), necrosis (present vs. absent), and cell shape (epithelioid vs. nonepithelioid) were assessed. Tumors arose in both sexes (8 males; 7 females); age at diagnosis ranged from 3 months to 19 years (mean, 10 y, 5 mo; median, 11 y). Tumors were located in the mediastinum (7), visceral organs (2 in liver, 1 in spleen), breast (2), mesentery (1), pelvis (1), and deep soft tissue of upper extremity (1). Tumor size was documented for 8 patients (range 3.5 to 13 cm; mean 8.1 cm). Eight cases showed epithelioid morphology and 7 cases were primarily spindled. Of 8 cases assessed for podoplanin expression by immunohistochemistry, 7 were negative and 1 was positive. Clinical follow-up was obtained for all patients: 10 (67%) died of disease (range, 27 mo to 11 y; mean, 6 y 8 mo) and 4 patients were alive without disease (range, 27 to 132 mo; mean, 79 mo). Although extremely rare, angiosarcomas do affect children and young adults and this diagnosis should be considered in atypical vascular tumors occurring in the mediastinum and those with brisk mitotic activity and/or necrosis.

Recent advances in the natural history of hepatocellular carcinoma

Ongoing advances in liver disease management and basic research in recent years have changed our knowledge of the natural history of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Indeed, the natural history of this tumor is fairly long and covers a preclinical and a clinical phase. Some of the biological steps involved in cell transformation and different carcinogenic pathways have been identified, disclosing potential novel markers for HCC. Following the progress in surveillance and early diagnosis, much more is now known about precancerous lesions and the process leading to overt HCC, including growth patterns, dedifferentiation and neoangiogenenesis. In particular, research has focused on clinical and biological factors predicting tumor aggressiveness and patients' prognosis. Lastly, clinical studies have described tumor presentation, evolution and causes of patients' death and how the new knowledge has influenced clinical management and patients' survival in recent years. By addressing 10 key questions, this review will summarize well-established and novel features of the natural history of HCC.

The prenatal environment and later cardiovascular disease

Exposure of an embryo or fetus to a sub-optimal environment increases its risk of acquiring coronary disease and heart failure in adult life through a process known as programming. For example, stress experienced in utero and during early postnatal life imparts an increased vulnerability for adult onset cardiovascular disease. Programming is a change in gene expression pattern that occurs in response to a stressor and leads to altered growth of specific organs during their most critical times of development. Known stressors include improper nourishment, hypoxia and excess glucocorticoids. Programming becomes evident through a number of risk factors that are only now becoming understood, including growth patterns in childhood, structural and cellular changes to the heart and coronary vessels, impaired endothelial function, and altered lipid metabolism. Thus, adults most vulnerable for coronary artery disease may have experienced rapid weight gain in childhood and now have dyslipidemias and depressed endothelial function.

Intrauterine growth and its relationship to size and shape at birth.

Birth size and shape are commonly used as indicators of fetal growth. Epidemiologic studies have suggested a relationship between birth size and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in later life. Certain "growth phenotypes" have been linked to the development of certain components of cardiovascular disease, particularly babies who display disproportional growth in utero. These observations are based on retrospective analysis of historical data sets. If the "Fetal Origins of Adult Disease" hypothesis is to be generalisable to the present day, then it is essential to establish whether these "growth phenotypes" exist within the normal distribution of birth size. The UCL Fetal Growth Study is a prospective study of antenatal fetal growth assessed by ultrasound at 20 and 30 wk gestation in 1650 low risk, singleton, white pregnancies. Measures of birth size were obtained and analyzed by principal components to explain shape at birth. Birth measures were also related to antenatal growth measurements to determine the strength of ultrasound evaluation in determining subsequent growth. There was significant sexual dimorphism in all measures at birth, with males heavier, longer, and leaner than females. From 20 wk of gestation onwards, males had a significantly larger head size than females. Parity, maternal height, and body mass index were important determinants of birth weight (p < 0.001). Cigarette smoking influenced birth weight, length, and head circumference (p < 0.001) but had no effect on placental size. Principal component analysis revealed that proportionality was the predominant size/shape at birth (55% of variance explained). A further 18% of variance was explained by a contrast between weight, head circumference, and length versus three skinfolds. Anthropometric measures as assessed by ultrasound at 20 and 30 wk gestation were poor predictors of birth length, weight, and head circumference (adjusted R(2) 18, 40, and 28% at 30 wk gestation scan, respectively). These predictions were not improved by including growth patterns between 20 and 30 wk. There is sexual dimorphism in a number of anthropometric measures at birth and in utero. These sex differences are important determinants of body size and shape. In a low risk population delivering at term, body shape was largely determined by proportionality between anthropometric measures. The low correlations between antenatal measures and birth size suggest that it is unwise to ascribe birth shape phenotypes to adverse events at any particular stage of gestation. The weak relationship also suggests that routine antenatal scans around 30 wk of gestation to predict growth problems are unlikely to be of benefit in the majority of cases.

Distribution of CD1a-positive Langerhans cells and lymphocyte subsets in transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. An immunohistological study on frozen sections.

The distribution of CD1a-positive Langerhans cells, CD4-positive T-helper cells, and CD8-positive T-suppressor cells in 36 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder was studied immunohistochemically on frozen sections. Multiple tissue specimens from the tumour, the adjacent mucosa, and random bladder wall biopsies were examined. Langerhans cells were mainly interspersed among the tumour cells, whereas T-helper cells were present in aggregates in the stroma. T-suppressor cells were present both in aggregates in the stroma and among the tumour cells. There was a marginal relationship between the density of Langerhans cells and the density of T-helper/inducer cells and a good relationship with CD8-positive cells. There was no statistically significant difference in the population density of Langerhans cells associated with the various clinicopathological variables, including growth pattern, histological grade and stage, or patient's age and sex. On the contrary, a statistically significant difference was found in the CD1a/CD4 ratio among specimens of different grades. These results show that CD1a cell populations correlate with T-cell populations in bladder cancer, suggesting that Langerhans cells take part in the immune response carried out by T lymphocytes, their task being apparently antigen presentation.

HLA‐DR antigen expression and lymphocyte subsets in transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. An immunohistological study on frozen sections

Lymphocyte subpopulations (B cells, CD4, CD8), interleukin-20 receptors (IL-2), monocytes/macrophages (Leu M5), and HLA-DR antigen expression were studied immunohistochemically on frozen sections from 38 bladder cancer specimens. T cells predominated over B cells in all tumours. CD4-positive lymphocytes predominated over CD8 in the stroma (CD4/CD8: 1.35/l), while in epithelial tumour cells CD8 was the prominent subpopulation (CD8/CD4: 1.75/l). Aberrant HLA-DR expression was found in 21.05 per cent of bladder tumours. A strong correlation between CD4 and CD8 population densities and macrophages with the other subpopulations was noticed. In HLA-DR-positive tumours, there was no correlation of the percentage of positive cells with CD4- and CD8-positive lymphocyte populations. Various parameters including IL-2 receptors, B cells, CD8- and CD4-positive cells, and macrophages did not differ significantly between the groups of tumours expressing and not expressing HLA-DR antigen. There were no statistically significant differences in the population densities of B cells, CD8- or CD4-positive cells, IL-2 receptor, monocytes/macrophages, and HLA-DR antigen expression among various clinicopathological parameters, including growth pattern, histological grade and clinical stage or patient's age and sex. These findings suggest that in transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder, HLA-DR antigen expression is independent of lymphocyte subpopulations. It is therefore possible that HLA-DR expression by tumour cells reflect the existence of separate HLA-DR-positive or HLA-DR-negative tumour clones.