Translational research and behavioral sciences in developmental medicine: metabolic conditions of pregnancy versus autism spectrum disorders.

Recently, scientific literature informed that metabolic conditions in pregnant women may be associated with increased risk for autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders in their offspring. In a cohort study of more than 1000 children between the ages of 2 and 5 years, those who had mothers classified as having "metabolic conditions" (which included diabetes, hypertension, and obesity) during pregnancy were at a significantly higher risk for developing an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and neurodevelopmental delays. In addition, mothers with obesity were 1.

Results of an ELISPOT proficiency panel conducted in 11 laboratories participating in international human immunodeficiency virus type 1 vaccine trials.

We used an external quality assurance (EQA) panel to assess laboratory competency and comparability when performing ELISPOT assays in support of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vaccine trials. Cell recovery, viability, and frequency of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-secreting cells after antigen stimulation were obtained from 11 laboratories on a coded panel of 11 peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples. The median recovery and viability before plating for all samples were 35% and 86%, respectively, with notable interlaboratory and intrasample variability.

Lack of significant genotoxicity of purified soy isoflavones (genistein, daidzein, and glycitein) in 20 patients with prostate cancer.

Background: Genistein may be useful in the prevention or treatment of prostate cancer; however, it causes genetic damage in cultured human cells.

Objective: The objective was to assess the potential genotoxicity of a purified soy unconjugated isoflavone mixture in men with prostate cancer.

Design: Twenty patients with prostate cancer were treated with 300 mg genistein/d for 28 d and then with 600 mg/d for another 56 d.

Safety and pharmacokinetics of purified soy isoflavones: single-dose administration to postmenopausal women.

Background: Soy isoflavones are being evaluated as chemopreventive agents for breast and other cancers.

Objective: The objective was to perform safety and pharmacokinetic studies of purified unconjugated isoflavone preparations containing genistein, daidzein, and glycitein in postmenopausal women.

Design: Twenty-four healthy postmenopausal women ingested a single dose of 1 of 2 purified (from soybeans) isoflavone preparations that delivered a genistein dose of 2, 4, 8, or 16 mg/kg body wt.

Anchorage-independent growth of fibroblasts that express a truncated IGF-I receptor.

The purpose of this investigation was to study signaling by an insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-I R) that lacks the extracellular portion of the receptor. We transfected IGF-I R-negative mouse embryo fibroblasts with a truncated IGF-I R consisting of only the transmembrane and cytoplasmic part of the beta subunit. Proliferation as assessed by counting cells was the same for vector only transfectants and the truncated receptor transfectants in defined medium containing EGF and PDGF.