Older adult women with chronic anorexia nervosa: heterogeneous adaptation to undernutrition over time.

Introduction: Anorexia nervosa (AN) in older adult women is primarily described through reviews or case reports focusing on psychiatric traits, with no comprehensive studies evaluating their complete nutritional and hormonal profiles. This study aimed to describe a group of women with anorexia nervosa aged above 35 years old (AN35), and compare them with young women with anorexia nervosa (ANY) and normal-weight control participants.

Method: Anthropometric, metabolic, nutritional, and psychiatric parameters were collected and compared among three groups of women: 50 AN35, 37 ANY, and 38 controls.

Very high bone mineral density in a monogenic form of obesity-associated insulin resistance.

Introduction: Alström syndrome (ALMS) is an ultra-rare metabolic disorder caused by biallelic loss-of-function in the Alms1 gene which encodes a ubiquitously expressed centrosomal protein of the primary cilium. Although ALMS is characterised by several metabolic and hormonal dysfunctions that can lead to an increased risk of developing osteoporosis and bone fracture, an increased BMD have been observed. The aim of this study was to characterise the anthropometric, clinical, genetic and densitometric features of bone health in a large adult UK cohort of subjects with ALMS.

Prognostic value of coronary risk factors, exercise capacity and single photon emission computed tomography in liver transplantation candidates: A 5-year follow-up study.

Background: Although consensus-based guidelines support noninvasive stress testing prior to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), the optimal screening strategy for assessment of coronary artery disease in patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) is unclear. This study sought to determine the relative predictive value of coronary risk factors, functional capacity, and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) on major adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in liver transplantation candidates.

Methods: Prior to listing for transplantation, 404 consecutive ESLD patients were referred to a University hospital for cardiovascular (CV) risk stratification.

[Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma of the radial pulse groove].

Background: Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma (AFH) is a slowly progressing rare soft-tissue tumour of moderate malignant potential. It is most commonly seen in children and young adults. Clinically, the lesion is easily confused with a haematoma or soft-tissue haemangioma, and the radiological aspects are not specific.

Chocolate flavanols and skin photoprotection: a parallel, double-blind, randomized clinical trial.

Background: Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation has deleterious effects on the skin, including sunburn, photoaging and cancer. Chocolate flavanols are naturally-occurring antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecules that could play a role in preventing cutaneous UV damage. We investigated the influence of 12-week high-flavanol chocolate (HFC) consumption on skin sensitivity to UV radiation, measured by minimal erythema dose (MED).

Eosinophilic fasciitis occurring under treatment with natalizumab for multiple sclerosis.

Background: Eosinophilic fasciitis is a rare sclerosing syndrome with a poorly understood etiology.

Objective: We report a case of eosinophilic fasciitis in a 40-year-old man undergoing treatment with natalizumab for multiple sclerosis. Natalizumab is a selective adhesion molecule inhibitor that prevents interaction of leukocytes with endothelial cells.

Consumption of chocolate in pregnant women and risk of preeclampsia: a systematic review.

Background: Previous studies have been limited in reporting the association between chocolate consumption, measured by interviewer-administered questionnaire or serum theobromine, a biomarker for cocoa, and risk of preeclampsia, and have showed somewhat conflicting results.

Methods/design: A systematic review of observational and experimental studies will be carried out. We will examine PubMed, Embase, and the entire Cochrane Library.

Vemurafenib and radiosensitization.

Importance: The BRAF inhibitor, vemurafenib, was recently approved for the treatment of patients with BRAFV600 metastatic melanoma. Wider use of this drug and longer follow-up periods of treatment are resulting in the emergence of a growing number of reports detailing new adverse effects. Cutaneous adverse effects are preeminent with UV-A-dependent phototoxicity, hyperkeratotic folliculitis, hand-foot skin reaction, hair changes, verrucous papillomas, keratoacanthomas, and squamous cell carcinomas.

Two length variants of the microsatellite FH2295 as markers for body size of female Portuguese water dogs.

Genetic studies in purebred Portuguese water dogs (PWD) have previously identified genetic loci controlling skeleton size. The FH2295 genetic marker was reported to control 43.6% of the size variation in this breed.

Genomic size of CENP-A domain is proportional to total alpha satellite array size at human centromeres and expands in cancer cells.

Human centromeres contain multi-megabase-sized arrays of alpha satellite DNA, a family of satellite DNA repeats based on a tandemly arranged 171 bp monomer. The centromere-specific histone protein CENP-A is assembled on alpha satellite DNA within the primary constriction, but does not extend along its entire length. CENP-A domains have been estimated to extend over 2,500 kb of alpha satellite DNA.

Impact of UK National Guidelines based on FRAX®--comparison with current clinical practice.

Objective: To assess whether clinician-determined treatment intervention thresholds are in line with the assessment of fracture risk provided by FRAX® and treatment recommendations provided by UK guidelines produced by the National Osteoporosis Guidelines Group (NOGG).

Design, Patients And Measurements: This was a retrospective cohort analysis of 288 patients consecutively referred for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning from primary care immediately prior to the introduction of the FRAX® algorithm. In addition to DXA assessment, patients completed a clinical risk factor questionnaire which included risk factors used in the FRAX® algorithm.

Phase II studies of polymer-doxorubicin (PK1, FCE28068) in the treatment of breast, lung and colorectal cancer.

Phase I studies of [N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide] (HPMA) copolymer-doxorubicin previously showed signs of activity coupled with 5-fold decreased anthracycline toxicity in chemotherapy-refractory patients. Here we report phase II studies using a similar material (FCE28068) in patients with breast (n=17), non-small cell lung (NSCLC, n=29) and colorectal (n=16) cancer. Up to 8 courses of PK1 (280 mg/m(2) doxorubicin-equivalent) were given i.

Human centromeric chromatin is a dynamic chromosomal domain that can spread over noncentromeric DNA.

Human centromeres are specialized chromatin domains containing the centromeric histone H3 variant CENP-A. CENP-A nucleosomes are interspersed with nucleosomes containing histone H3 dimethylated at lysine 4, distinguishing centromeric chromatin (CEN chromatin) from flanking heterochromatin that is defined by H3 lysine 9 methylation. To understand the relationship between chromatin organization and the genomic structure of human centromeres, we compared molecular profiles of three endogenous human centromeres, defined by uninterrupted higher-order alpha-satellite DNA, with human artificial chromosomes that contain discontinuous blocks of higher-order alpha-satellite DNA and noncentromeric DNA.

Pediatric in vivo cross-calibration between the GE Lunar Prodigy and DPX-L bone densitometers.

Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) machine cross-calibration is an important consideration when upgrading from old to new technology. In a recent cross-calibration study using adult subjects, close agreement between GE Lunar DPX-L and GE Lunar Prodigy scanners was reported. The aim of this work was to cross-calibrate the two machines for bone and body composition parameters for pediatrics from age 5 years onwards.

Identification of amino acids of Sindbis virus E2 protein involved in targeting tumor metastases in vivo.

Previous studies conducted in our laboratory with Sindbis viral vectors in animal models demonstrated excellent in vivo targeting of tumor cells and significant reduction of metastatic implant size. To explore the influence of Sindbis strain on these factors, we constructed new plasmids from the wild-type Ar-339 Sindbis virus strain and compared their sequences. We found differences in the replicase and envelope proteins between JT, HRSP, and Ar-339 sequences.

The relationship between lean body mass and bone mineral content in paediatric health and disease.

Introduction: The correct interpretation of DXA data is critical to the diagnosis and management of children with suspected bone disease. This study examines the various influences on bone mineral content (BMC), as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Materials And Methods: Six hundred and forty-six healthy school children and forty-three children with chronic diseases, aged 5-18 years, had their lumbar spine and whole body measured using a Lunar DPX-L DXA scanner.

Using sindbis viral vectors for specific detection and suppression of advanced ovarian cancer in animal models.

We studied the therapeutic value of Sindbis vectors for advanced metastatic ovarian cancer by using two highly reproducible and clinically accurate mouse models: a SCID xenograft model, established by i.p. inoculation of human ES-2 ovarian cancer cells, and a syngenic C57BL/6 model, established by i.

Unconventional indicators of drug dependence among elderly long-term users of benzodiazepines.

A quarter of the elderly population is prescribed benzodiazepines (BZD). This has led to growing concerns about drug dependence and the validity of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria for dependence to a substance. This study aimed to understand how dependence was experienced by long-term BZD users.

Bone density and body composition in children with growth hormone insensitivity syndrome receiving recombinant IGF-I.

Objective: There are few reports of the metabolic action of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) in vivo. Growth hormone insensitivity syndrome is a good model to examine the effects of IGF-I deficiency. This study was designed to assess body composition and bone density in children with growth hormone insensitivity syndrome before and after receiving treatment with recombinant IGF-I.

Bone density in the Asian thalassaemic population: a cross-sectional review.

Unlabelled: As survival improves in beta-thalassaemia, osteoporosis is emerging as a significant problem. This study examines bone mineral density (BMD) of thalassaemic patients of Asian origin (age range 9.5-24 y) to evaluate the extent of problems in this group and identify potential risk factors.

Nod genes and Nod signals and the evolution of the Rhizobium legume symbiosis.

The establishment of the nitrogen-fixing symbiosis between rhizobia and legumes requires an exchange of signals between the two partners. In response to flavonoids excreted by the host plant, rhizobia synthesize Nod factors (NFs) which elicit, at very low concentrations and in a specific manner, various symbiotic responses on the roots of the legume hosts. NFs from several rhizobial species have been characterized.

A comparison of performance of three gamma camera systems for positron emission tomography.

The development of coincidence positron imaging using a gamma camera should significantly increase PET utilization. This study has compared the performance of three such systems with each other and with an equivalent single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) measurement. A Carlson phantom, which consisted of a 20 cm diameter cylinder containing areas of uniform activity, hot lesions, cold lesions and orthogonal alternate hot and cold lines, was filled with an activity of 18F chosen to try and best exploit each camera and imaged for a fixed time (27 min).

Characterization of the common nodulation genes of the photosynthetic Bradyrhizobium sp. ORS285 reveals the presence of a new insertion sequence upstream of nodA.

We isolated and characterized nodA genes from photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic rhizobia nodulating the legume genus Aeschynomene, and found that the nodA sequence from photosynthetic stem-nodulating bacteria was phylogenetically distant from the other already described nodA genes. Characterization of the photosynthetic strain ORS285 common nod gene cluster (nodABC) showed, upstream of nodA, the presence of a new insertion sequence element belonging to the IS3 family and specific to a group of photosynthetic strains from Aeschynomene.