Ms Components Research Articles

Maturation of Auditory Cortex Neural Activity in Children and Implications for Auditory Clinical Markers in Diagnosis.

Functional brain markers that can inform research on brain abnormalities, and especially those ready to facilitate clinical work on such abnormalities, will need to show not only considerable sensitivity and specificity but enough consistency with respect to developmental course that their validity in individual cases can be trusted. A challenge to establishing such markers may be individual differences in developmental course. The present study examined auditory cortex activity in children at an age when developmental changes to the auditory cortex 50 ms (M50) and 100 ms (M100) components are prominent to better understand the use of auditory markers in pediatric clinical research. MEG auditory encoding measures (auditory evoked fields in response to pure tone stimuli) were obtained from 15 typically developing children 6–8 years old, with measures repeated 18 and 36 months after the initial exam. MEG analyses were conducted in source space (i.e., brain location), with M50 and M100 sources identified in left and right primary/secondary auditory cortex (Heschl's gyrus). A left and right M50 response was observed at all times (Time 1, Time 2, Time 3), with M50 latency (collapsing across hemisphere) at Time 3 (77 ms) 10 ms earlier than Time 1 (87 ms; p < 0.001) and with M50 responses on average (collapsing across time) 5 ms earlier in the right (80 ms) than left hemisphere (85 ms; p < 0.05). In the majority of children, however, M50 latency changes were not constant across the three-year period; for example, whereas in some children a ~10 ms latency reduction was observed from Time 1 to Time 2, in other children a ~10 ms latency reduction was observed from Time 2 to Time 3. M100 responses were defined by a significant “peak” of detected power with magnetic field topography opposite M50 and occurring 50–100 ms later than the M50. Although M100s were observed in a few children at Time 1 and Time 2 (and more often in the right than left hemisphere), M100s were not observed in the majority of children except in the right hemisphere at Time 3. In sum, longitudinal findings showed large between- and within-subject variability in rate of change as well as time to reach neural developmental milestones (e.g., presence of a detectable M100 response). Findings also demonstrated the need to examine whole-brain activity, given hemisphere differences in the rate of auditory cortex maturation. Pediatric research will need to take such normal variability into account when seeking clinical auditory markers.

Metabolic syndrome in androgenetic alopecia patients; Is serum regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted the missing link?

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common cause of hair loss affecting both men and women. There are many conflicting results about the relationship between AGA and metabolic syndrome, (MetS) and the pathogenesis of the metabolic disorders in AGA patients is not completely elucidated. Evaluation of the prevalence of MetS and the possible role of RANTES in pathogenesis of the MS among AGA patients. A total of 160 subjects were enrolled in this work; included 100 patients clinically diagnosed with AGA and 60 apparently healthy control subjects. They were evaluated for MS components according to National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) adult treatment panel 3 (ATP3) and measurement of serum RANTES level using ELISA kits. Metabolic syndrome was present in 30.0% of AGA patients and in 10.0% of the control group (P=.038), Studied AGA patients showed significantly higher serum RANTES when compared to control group (P value<.001). Moreover, serum RANTES levels were significantly positively correlated with BMI, FBG, TC, and LDL-c levels in AGA patients with MetS. Metabolic syndrome components were prevalent among AGA patients. Serum RANTES level was significantly higher in all AGA patients and specifically in those with MS as it was significantly positively correlated with some MetS components which reflects its possible role in pathogenesis of MetS in AGA patients.

Disentangling EEG responses to TMS due to cortical and peripheral activations

Backgroundthe use of combined transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroencephalography (EEG) for the functional evaluation of the cerebral cortex in health and disease is becoming increasingly common. However, there is still some ambiguity regarding the extent to which brain responses to auditory and somatosensory stimulation contribute to the TMS-evoked potential (TEP). Objective/Hypothesisto measure separately the contribution of auditory and somatosensory stimulation caused by TMS, and to assess their contribution to the TEP waveform, when stimulating the motor cortex (M1). Methods19 healthy volunteers underwent 7 blocks of EEG recording. To assess the impact of auditory stimulation on the TEP waveform, we used a standard figure of eight coil, with or without masking with a continuous noise reproducing the specific time-varying frequencies of the TMS click, stimulating at 90% of resting motor threshold. To further characterise auditory responses due to the TMS click, we used either a standard or a sham figure of eight coil placed on a pasteboard cylinder that rested on the scalp, with or without masking. Lastly, we used electrical stimulation of the scalp to investigate the possible contribution of somatosensory activation. Resultsauditory stimulation induced a known pattern of responses in electrodes located around the vertex, which could be suppressed by appropriate noise masking. Electrical stimulation of the scalp alone only induced similar, non-specific scalp responses in the in the central electrodes. TMS, coupled with appropriate masking of sensory input, resulted in specific, lateralized responses at the stimulation site, lasting around 300 ms. Conclusionsif careful control of confounding sources is applied, TMS over M1 can generate genuine, lateralized EEG activity. By contrast, sensory evoked responses, if present, are represented by non-specific, late (100–200 ms) components, located at the vertex, possibly due to saliency of the stimuli. Notably, the latter can confound the TEP if masking procedures are not properly used.

Validity of the pediatric simple metabolic syndrome score

AimsTo compare the validity of the conventional continuous metabolic syndrome score (ccMS) and pediatric simple metabolic syndrome score (PsiMS) for the prediction of MS in Korean adolescents. MethodsA total of 2983 adolescents aged 10–18 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2017) were enrolled. The ccMS was calculated by aggregating the sex and age-specific z-scores of body mass index, systolic blood pressure (SBP), glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides. The PsiMS was calculated using the following formula: 〔2x(waist/height (cm)〕+〔glucose (mg/dL)/100〕+〔triglycerides (mg/dL)/150〕+〔SBP (mmHg)/130〕-〔HDL-C (mg/dL)/40〕. ResultsMean PsiMS was significantly higher in subjects with MS compared with those without MS (3.24 vs. 1.93 in boys, 3.11 vs. 1.80 in girls; P < 0.001). Both ccMS and PsiMS were significantly higher in subjects with more MS components compared to adolescents with fewer components (P-for-trend<0.001). Among the adolescents without MS but in the PsiMS quintile 5, 33.5% presented two or more MS components. The receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated an equally good performance of ccMS (AUC = 0.975) and PsiMS (AUC = 0.958) for identifying adolescent MS risk. PsiMS showed a good stratification of MS risk in the generalized linear model. ConclusionPsiMS is an accurate and efficient scoring system to assess and monitor the risk of adolescent MS in the research and clinical practice.

Event-related potentials in a two-choice oddball task of impaired behavioral inhibitory control among males with tendencies towards cybersex addiction

Background and aimsImpaired behavioral inhibitory control (BIC) is known to play a crucial role in addictive behavior. However, research has been inconclusive as to whether this is also the case for cybersex addiction. This study aimed to investigate the time course of BIC in male individuals with tendencies towards cybersex addiction (TCA) using event-related potentials (ERPs) and to provide neurophysiological evidence of their deficient BIC.MethodsThirty-six individuals with TCA and 36 healthy controls (HCs) were given a Two-Choice Oddball task that required them to respond differently to frequent standard stimuli (images of people) and infrequent deviant stimuli (pornographic images) within 1,000 ms. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded as the participants performed the task.ResultsDespite the similarity of standard stimuli between the groups in terms of reaction times (RTs), the RTs of the TCA group to deviant stimuli were much slower than those of the HC group. The behavioral difference was accompanied by group differences in the averaged amplitudes of N2 (200–300 ms) and P3 (300–500 ms) components in the deviant-standard difference wave. More specifically, compared to the HC group, the TCA group demonstrated smaller N2 and P3 amplitude differences for deviant than standard stimuli.Discussion and conclusionsIndividuals with TCA were more impulsive than HC participants and shared neuropsychological and ERP characteristics of substance use disorder or behavioral addictions, which supports the view that cybersex addiction can be conceptualized as a behavioral addiction.

Event-related potentials in a two-choice oddball task of impaired behavioral inhibitory control among males with tendencies towards cybersex addiction.

Impaired behavioral inhibitory control (BIC) is known to play a crucial role in addictive behavior. However, research has been inconclusive as to whether this is also the case for cybersex addiction. This study aimed to investigate the time course of BIC in male individuals with tendencies towards cybersex addiction (TCA) using event-related potentials (ERPs) and to provide neurophysiological evidence of their deficient BIC. Thirty-six individuals with TCA and 36 healthy controls (HCs) were given a Two-Choice Oddball task that required them to respond differently to frequent standard stimuli (images of people) and infrequent deviant stimuli (pornographic images) within 1,000 ms. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded as the participants performed the task. Despite the similarity of standard stimuli between the groups in terms of reaction times (RTs), the RTs of the TCA group to deviant stimuli were much slower than those of the HC group. The behavioral difference was accompanied by group differences in the averaged amplitudes of N2 (200-300 ms) and P3 (300-500 ms) components in the deviant-standard difference wave. More specifically, compared to the HC group, the TCA group demonstrated smaller N2 and P3 amplitude differences for deviant than standard stimuli. Individuals with TCA were more impulsive than HC participants and shared neuropsychological and ERP characteristics of substance use disorder or behavioral addictions, which supports the view that cybersex addiction can be conceptualized as a behavioral addiction.

Genetic polymorphisms −137 (G > C) (rs187238) and −607 (C > A) (rs1946518) and serum level of interleukin 18 in Fars ethnic groups with metabolic syndrome in Northern Iran

Introduction: We aimed to determine the genetic polymorphisms and serum level of interleukin 18 in Fars ethnic groups.Material and methods: 226 Fars ethnic groups were participated. The ATP III criteria were used to assess MS components. The SNPs of the IL-18 gene were determined with ARMS-PCR.Results: The GG, GC, and CC genotypes of −137 were 50%, 40%, and 10%. The CC, CA, and AA genotypes of −607 were 45%, 37%, and 18%. The GG, GC, and CC genotypes of −137 were 44.20%, 43.40%, and 12.40%, and were 55.75%, 36.28%, and 7.97% in subjects with and without MS, respectively. The CC, CA, and AA genotypes of −607 were 48.70%, 37.20%, and 14.20% and were 41.60%, 37.20%, and 21.20% in both groups, respectively.Conclusion: IL-18 gene may different in specific populations, different ethnic groups and geographic regions. The IL-18 polymorphisms might not be used as a marker of metabolic syndrome.

The temporal course of vicarious embarrassment: An electrophysiological study

ABSTRACT Vicarious embarrassment as a social pain emotion has been studied from cognitive and neuroimaging perspectives. However, the dynamic time course of vicarious embarrassment remains unclear. We conducted an event-related potential (ERP) study to investigate the temporal dynamics of vicarious embarrassment and examine the role of perspective-taking in an emotional judgment task. The ERP results showed that vicarious embarrassment evoked more negative MFN (250–310 ms) and N400 (400–520 ms) components than the neutral condition over the frontal region. The time-frequency analysis results showed that, in the 200–1,600 ms time window, greater alpha power was elicited when participants imagined themselves rather than others in an awkward situation; in the 500–1,900 ms time window, for both groups, vicarious embarrassment involved greater theta oscillations than the neutral condition over the frontal region. These results extend previous findings that vicarious emotion involves mentalizing processes, and demonstrate that people first detect and evaluate the target’s misconduct and negative outcomes and then experience the vicarious embarrassment.

Tailor-Made Surgery Based on Functional Networks for Intractable Epilepsy.

Normal and pathological networks related to seizure propagation have got attention to elucide complex seizure semiology and contribute to diagnosis and surgical monitoring in epilepsy treatment. Since focal and generalized epileptogenic syndromes abnormalities might involve multiple foci and large-scale networks, we applied electrophysiolpgy (cortco-cortico evoked potential; CCEP), and tractography to make detailed diagnosis for complex syndrome. All 14 epilepsy patients with no or little abnormality on images investigations underwent subdural grid implantation for epilepsy diagnosis. To perform quick network analysis, we recorded and analyzed high gamma activity (HGA) of epileptogenic activity and CCEPs to identify pathological activity distribution and network connectivity. [Results] Pathological CCEPs showed two negative deflections consisting of early (>40 ms) and late (>150 ms) components in electrically stable circumstance at bed side and early CCEPs appeared in 57% of the patients. On the basis of the CCEP findings, tractography detected anatomical connections. Early components of pathological CCEPs diminished after complete disconnection of tractoography-based fibers between the foci in seven of eight cases. One case with residual pathological CCEPs showed poorer outcome. Thirteen (92.8%) patients with or without CCEPs who underwent network surgery had favorable prognosis except for a case with wide traumatic epilepsy. Intraoperative CCEP measurements and HGA mapping enabled visualization of pathological networks and clinical impotence as a biomarker to improve functional prognosis. HGA/CCEP recording should shed light on pathological and complex propagation for epilepsy surgery.

Frontocentral N200 and P300 Difference in Eyewitness and Instructed-non Witness during Memory Decision using Event-related Potentials

본 연구는 사건관련전위(event-related potentials, ERPs)를 이용하여 기억 판단 과정에서 발생하는 인지처리, 특히 반응 갈등과 반응 억제를 반영하는 전두 중앙(FCz) N200 (200~300 ms)과 P300(300~500 ms) 성분을 분석하여 피해자 및 목격자들의 기억을 평가할 수 있는 방법을 탐색해보고자 하였다. 목격집단(N=9)은 동영상에서 본 목표자극(만원 다발)을 동영상에서 목격했다고 반응하고, 지시집단(N=8)은 동영상에서 보지 못한 목표자극을 목격했다고 반응하도록 안내받았다. 이들은 뇌파를 기록하면서 목격 여부에 따라 본인의 경험과 일치하는 문장이 화면에 제시되었을 때는 버튼을 누르고, 그외에는 버튼 누르는 것을 억제하는 과제를 수행하였다. 분석결과, 지시집단이 목격집단보다 반응 단계에서 갈등을 반영하는 N200 진폭은 감소하였으며, 반응 억제를 반영하는 P300 진폭이 증가한 것이 관찰되었다. 이런 결과는 실제 목격 여부에 따라 목격 판단의 인지신경생물학적 기전이 다르다는 것을 보여주며, 더 나아가 ERP를 이용하여 기억 판단 과정을 추론함으로써 목격자들의 실제 기억 여부를 변별할 가능성이 있음을 시사한다.The purpose of the current study was to investigate the cognitive neurobiological mechanisms of the memory decision process in the eyewitness using event-related potentials (ERPs). We analyzed N200 (200~300 ms) and P300 (300~500 ms) components recorded in FCz electrode. The witness group (N=9) was the participants who witnessed the target stimulus (bundle of 10,000 KRW) and the instruction group (N=8) was the participants who did not actually see the target stimulus in the video but responded to see the stimulus. Participants were performed the memory decision task of pressing the button only when the statement was congruent to their memory. Results showed lower N200 and higher P300 in the instruction group during decision task. These results indicated different cognitive neurobiological mechanisms for memory decision in real eyewitness and false eyewitness.

Unleashing shear: Role of intercellular traction and cellular moments in collective cell migration

In the field of endothelial biology, the term “shear forces” is tied to the forces exerted by the flowing blood on the quiescent cells. But endothelial cells themselves also exert physical forces on their immediate and distant neighbors. Specific factors of such intrinsic mechanical signals most relevant to immediate neighbors include normal (Fn) and shear (Fs) components of intercellular tractions, and those factors most relevant to distant neighbors include contractile or dilatational (Mc) and shear (Ms) components of the moments of cytoskeletal forces. However, for cells within a monolayer, Fn, Fs, Mc, and Ms remain inaccessible to experimental evaluation. Here, we present an approach that enables quantitative assessment of these properties. Remarkably, across a collectively migrating sheet of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells, Fs was of the same order of magnitude as Fn. Moreover, compared to the normal components (Fn, Mc) of the mechanical signals, the shear components (Fs, Ms) were more distinctive in the cells closer to the migration front. Individual cells had an innately collective tendency to migrate along the axis of maximum contractile moment – a collective migratory process we referred to as cellular plithotaxis. Notably, larger Fs and Ms were associated with stronger plithotaxis, but dilatational moment appeared to disengage plithotactic guidance. Overall, cellular plithotaxis was more strongly associated with the “shear forces” (Fs, Ms) than with the “normal forces” (Fn, Mc). Finally, the mechanical state of the cells with fast migration speed and those with highly circular shape were reminiscent of fluid-like and solid-like matter, respectively. The results repeatedly pointed to neighbors imposing shear forces on a cell as a highly significant event, and hence, the term “shear forces” must include not just the forces from flowing fluid but also the forces from the substrate and neighbors. Collectively, these advances set the stage for deeper understanding of mechanical signaling in cellular monolayers.

Uniformly 15N-Labeled Recombinant Ricin A-Chain as an Internal Retention Time Standard for Increased Confidence in Forensic Identification of Ricin by Untargeted Nanoflow Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Ricin, a toxic protein from the castor plant, is of forensic and biosecurity interest because of its high toxicity and common occurrence in crimes and attempted crimes. Qualitative methods to detect ricin are therefore needed. Untargeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) proteomics methods are well suited because of their high specificity. Specificity in LC-MS/MS comes from both the LC and MS components. However, modern untargeted proteomics methods often use nanoflow LC, which has less reproducible retention times than standard-flow LC, making it challenging to use retention time as a point of identification in a forensic assay. We address this challenge by using retention times relative to a standard, namely, the uniformly 15N-labeled ricin A-chain produced recombinantly in a bacterial expression system. This material, added as an internal standard prior to trypsin digestion, produces a stable-isotope-labeled standard for every ricin tryptic peptide in the sample. We show that the MS signals for 15N and natural isotopic abundance ricin peptides are distinct, with mass shifts that correspond to the numbers of nitrogen atoms in each peptide or fragment. We also show that, as expected, labeled and unlabeled peptides coelute, with relative retention time differences of less than 0.2%.

Risk factors for the metabolic syndrome components of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia after living donor liver transplantation

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MS) is the most common long-term complication after liver transplantation, and it has been increasing in incidence. The aim of this study was to clarify the risk factors for each MS component -hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia-after living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT), including characteristics of living-donors. MethodsData related to clinicopathological parameters including MS components in 461 consecutive patients who underwent LDLT were analyzed retrospectively. ResultsPrevalence of all MS components (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia) increased from 9.3%, 16.5%, and 7.2% before LDLT to 44.9%, 45.3%, and 50.8% after LDLT, respectively. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, the three factors, cyclosporine use (OR 2.086, P = 0.001), recipient age (OR 1.036, P = 0.001), and BMI (OR 1.072, P = 0.026) were independent predictors for post-LDLT hypertension. Next, the three factors, male recipient (OR 2.471, P < 0.001), recipient age (OR 1.039, P = 0.002), and donor BMI (OR 1.124, P = 0.012) were independent for post-LDLT diabetes mellitus. The four factors, cyclosporine use (OR 2.015, P = 0.001), prolonged prednisolone use (OR 1.928, P = 0.002), recipient age (OR 1.019, P = 0.037), and GRWR (OR 0.316, P = 0.037) were independent for post-LDLT dyslipidemia as well. ConclusionsNot only recipient-related factors but also donor-related factors were independently associated with each targeted post-LDLT MS component.

S-Ketamine's Effect Changes the Cortical Electrophysiological Activity Related to Semantic Affective Dimension of Pain: A Placebo- Controlled Study in Healthy Male Individuals.

BackgroundPrevious studies using the electroencephalogram (EEG) technique pointed out that ketamine decreases the amplitude of cortical electrophysiological signal during cognitive tasks, although its effects on the perception and emotional-valence judgment of stimuli are still unknown.ObjectiveWe evaluated the effect of S-ketamine on affective dimension of pain using EEG and behavioral measures. The hypothesis was that S-ketamine would be more effective than placebo, both within and between groups, to attenuate the EEG signal elicited by target and non-target words.MethodsThis double-blind parallel placebo-controlled study enrolled 24 healthy male volunteers between 19 and 40 years old. They were randomized to receive intravenous S-ketamine (n = 12) at a plasmatic concentration of 60 ng/ml or placebo (n = 12). Participants completed a computerized oddball paradigm containing written words semantically related to pain (targets), and non-pain related words (standard). The volunteers had to classify the words either as “positive,” “negative” or “neutral” (emotional valence judgment). The paradigm consisted in 6 blocks of 50 words each with a fixed 4:1 target/non-target rate presented in a single run. Infusion started during the interval between the 3rd and 4th blocks, for both groups. EEG signal was registered using four channels (Fz, Pz, Pz, and Oz, according to the 10–20 EEG system) with a linked-earlobe reference. The area under the curve (AUC) of the N200 (interval of 100–200 ms) and P300 (300–500 ms) components of event-related potentials (ERPs) was measured for each channel.ResultsS-ketamine produced substantial difference (delta) in the AUC of grand average ERP components N200 (P = 0.05) and P300 (P = 0.02) at Pz during infusion period when compared to placebo infusion for both targets and non-targets. S-ketamine was also associated with a decrease in the amount of pain-related words judged as negative from before to after infusion [mean = 0.83 (SD = 0.09) vs. mean = 0.73 (SD = 0.11), respectively; P = 0.04].ConclusionOur findings suggest that S-ketamine actively changed the semantic processing of written words. There was an increase in electrophysiological response for pain-related stimuli and a decrease for standard stimuli, as evidenced by the increased delta of AUCs. Behaviorally, S-ketamine seems to have produced an emotional and discrimination blunting effect for pain-related words.Clinical Trial Registrationwww.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03915938.

Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is increased post-liver transplantation even in recipients with no pre-existing risk factors.

Post-liver transplant (LT) metabolic syndrome (PTMS) and cardiovascular (CVS) mortality are becoming increasingly prevalent following sustained improvements in post-LT survival. We investigated the prevalence and predictors of PTMS and CVS complications in a cohort of consecutive LT recipients. We reviewed prospectively collected data of patients (n=928) who underwent LT (1995-2013) and survived at least 1-year post-LT or died before that due to a major CVS complication. Median follow-up was 85months (IQR=106). The prevalence of PTMS was 22.4% and it developed de novo in 183 recipients (19.7%). A total of 187 (20.2%) patients developed at least one CVS event post-LT within a median of 49months (IQR=85). Overall mortality rate was 22.6% (n=210). Causes of death were CVS events (n=45, 21.4%), malignancies (21%), liver-related deaths (20%) and infections (6.7%). Independent predictors of major CVS events were: documented CVS disease pre-LT (Hazard Ratio (HR)=3.330; 95% CI=1.620-6.840), DM (HR=1.120; 95% CI 1.030-1.220), hypertension (HR=1.140; 95% CI 1.030-1.270), dyslipidaemia (HR=1.140; 95% CI 1.050-1.240) and creatinine levels at 1year (HR=1.010; 95% CI=1.005-1.013). Among LT recipients without pre-LT CVS disease or MS components (n=432), 85 recipients developed ≥1 CVS events (19.7%) with independent predictors being DM (HR=1.150; 95% CI=1.010-1.320), creatinine levels at 1year (HR=1.020; 95% CI=1.010-1.030) and hypertension (HR=1.190; 95% CI=1.040-1.360). Post-LT patients are at increased risk of CVS morbidity even in the absence of pre-existing metabolic risk factors. Renal sparing immunosuppressive protocols might reduce CVS events post-LT.

Effect of Probability Information on Bayesian Reasoning: A Study of Event-Related Potentials.

People often confront Bayesian reasoning problems and make decisions under uncertainty in daily life. However, the time course of Bayesian reasoning remains unclear. In particular, whether and how probabilistic information is involved in Bayesian reasoning is controversial, and its neural mechanisms have rarely been explored. In the current study, event-related potentials (ERP) were recorded from 18 undergraduates who completed four kinds of Bayesian reasoning tasks. It was found that compared with the high hit rate task, the low hit rate task elicited more significant N1 (100∼200 ms) and N300 (250∼350 ms) components, suggesting that N1 might be associated with the attention to stimulus materials, and N300 might be associated with the anchor to hit rate. In contrast to the low base rate task, the high base rate task elicited more significant late positive components (LPC, 350∼700 ms), indicating that LPC might reflect the adjustment of probability estimation based on the base rate. These results demonstrate that both the base rate and hit rate play significant roles in Bayesian reasoning, and to some extent, these findings verify that people may follow the “anchoring-adjustment” heuristic in Bayesian reasoning. The current findings provide further proof for the information processing mechanism of Bayesian reasoning.

Auditory evoked response delays in children with 47,XYY syndrome.

47,XYY syndrome (XYY) is a male sex chromosome disorder where individuals have an X chromosome and two copies of the Y chromosome. XYY is associated with a physical phenotype and carries increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Latencies of auditory evoked responses measured by magnetoencephalography have shown atypical prolongations in several neuropsychiatric and genetic disorders; specifically, delayed auditory responses have been observed in ASD. In this study, we investigated the associations of genotype and clinical phenotype with auditory processing. Whole cortex magnetoencephalography recorded during a passive auditory paradigm (500 Hz tones) was used to assess the auditory evoked response in three groups of male children: idiopathic ASD, typically developing, and XYY boys. Response waveforms were computed for left and right auditory cortex and latencies of the ∼50 ms (M50) and ∼100 ms (M100) components were determined. M50 latencies were significantly delayed compared with typically developing controls in children with ASD in the right hemisphere only, and in children with XYY in the left hemisphere only, irrespective of whether they met diagnostic criteria for ASD. Findings on the later M100 component trended in the same directions but did not attain significance, due to increased variance. Replicating previous findings, decreased M50 and M100 latencies with age were observed bilaterally. Overall, while XYY shares an electrophysiological phenotype (delayed evoked response latency) with idiopathic ASD, the hemispheric differences warrant further investigation.

Effect of patient education on metabolic syndrome components among females in Zagazig University outpatient clinics, Egypt: An intervention study

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MS) is a major health problem worldwide. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of lifestyle modification regarding MS components among adult females. MethodsAn intervention study performed on 120 adult females with MS (60 intervention and 60 controls) selected randomly from Zagazig University outpatient clinics. Intervention group received patient education program while controls received traditional management. MS components were compared with three months interval representing Pre-Post follow up results. ResultsTwo groups showed significant improvement in all MS components but mean change was significantly higher in intervention group. Three months follow up demonstrated that 63.4% of intervention group had reversal of their MS versus 15% of control group. ConclusionPatient education improved all MS components and considered significantly more effective than traditionally adopted management. So, we recommend its application on all MS patients.

Metabolic syndrome in occupational respiratory diseases

Introduction.Metabolic syndrome (MS) is currently considered as aninterdisciplinary medical problem, which is due to its wide prevalence and interrelation with the development of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. It is of interest to study the combination of MS and respiratory diseases due to their common pathogenetic mechanisms.Objectiveis to assess an importance of studying MS in patients with occupational respiratory diseases and a possibility of using laboratory parameters as risk markers for developing occupational respiratory diseases and metabolic syndrome combination.Materials and methods.The results of examination of 257 patients with occupational bronchopulmonary pathology were analyzed. Additional tests in patients with occupational asthma (OA) included levels of serum leptin and polymorphisms of inflammatory process regulation genes (interleukins–4, 6, 10, tumor necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein (CRP), leptin receptor).Study results and discussion.MS was detected in 58.7% of patients with occupational bronchial asthma (OA), in 44.1% of patients with occupational chronic bronchitis, in 48.6% of patients with occupational COPD, and in 38.7% of patients with pneumoconiosis. MS components appeared to be associated with respiratory function parameters. Role of Gln223Arg polymorphisms of leptin receptor gene and C3872T of CRP gene in development of leptin resistance has been confirmed. Findings are that genotype CC (C174G) of IL–6 gene gets 2.5-fold increase of MS development risk (OR=2.507, 95% CI=1.045–6.017), the presence of three or more cytokine gene polymorphisms 2.4 times increases the need to use systemic steroids to control OA (OR=2.449, 95% CI=1.127–5.324).Conclusion.Measures aimed to prevent the development of metabolic disorders in workers exposed to industrial aerosol are at the same time measures to reduce the risk of developing respiratory diseases and to prevent progression of existing diseases. Using informative laboratory markers can optimize treatment and preventive measures, taking into account the individual characteristics of the organism.

LEFT HEART CHAMBERS REMODELING IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS WITH METABOLIC SYNDROME

The study included 87 patients with a reliable diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), who were divided into two groups based on the presence of criteria for metabolic syndrome (MS). The parameters of lipid profile, morphometric, functional parameters of the left heart, signs of atherosclerosis of the aorta by Echocardiography were studied. Ms components were found in 53 people (60,9 %). The thickness of the interventricular septum, the posterior wall of the left ventricle (LV), LV myocardial mass index, indices of the time of early diastolic filling blood flow slowdown, LV isovolumetric relaxation time in patients with RA and RA and MS combination were higher than in the control group. Average values of end-systolic, end-diastolic sizes, LV ejection fractions were within normal limits. Almost all patients with MS showed signs of atherosclerosis of the aorta, a higher rate of atherogenicity, a tendency to form a concentric type of remodeling of the left heart, as well as diastolic dysfunction by hypertrophic type.