Hyperosmotic stress-induced caspase-3 activation is mediated by p38 MAPK in the hippocampus.

The cellular response to insult occurs by signaling via the stress-activated protein kinases, p38, and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK). In the present study, we determined if hyperosmotic stress to rat hippocampal slices activates p38 and JNK and whether hyperosmolarity is a potential apoptotic stimulus in this experimental paradigm. Hyperosmotic stress, produced by addition of sorbitol to the incubation buffer, increased p38 phosphorylation; in contrast, JNK phosphorylation was not increased above control levels.

Phosphorylation of HSP27 and synthesis of 14-3-3epsilon are parallel responses to hyperosmotic stress in the hippocampus.

A stress-responsive, mitogen-activated protein kinase, p38, is activated by phosphorylation in response to adverse environmental insults. In the present study, the effects of hyperosmolarity on p38 activation and protein synthesis in the brain were examined. Hyperosmotic stress of rat brain slices, produced by addition of sorbitol to the incubation buffer, produced prolonged phosphorylation and activation of p38, most prominently in the hippocampus as compared to the cortex or cerebellum.

Maternal effects in human cleft lip and palate.

To look for a persistent maternal effect of CL(P) and CP, 8,000 pedigrees were screened for half sibships, and data were pooled from 16 investigators. After excluding known genetic or cytogenetic diagnoses from the probands with facial clefts, a recurrence risk of .011 was obtained for CL(P) based upon 342 maternal half sibs.

Genetic and epidemiologic studies of oral characteristics in Hawaii's schoolchildren: V. Sibling correlations in occlusion traits.

Sibling correlations with adjustment for age, sex, and other covariates showed the highest degree of similarity in incisor width, followed by malalignment, overjet, overbite, crowding, spacing, and crossbites. The smallest intrafamily correlations were observed in the variables in buccal segment relationship, especially in neutroclusion and idealized occlusion pattern.

Polydactyly in the American Indian.

Polydactyly has an incidence in the American Indian twice that of Caucasians. A minimum estimate of this incidence is 2.40 per 1,000 live births.