Bcl-2 allows effector and memory CD8+ T cells to tolerate higher expression of Bim.

As acute infections resolve, most effector CD8(+) T cells die, whereas some persist and become memory T cells. Recent work showed that subsets of effector CD8(+) T cells, identified by reciprocal expression of killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1) and CD127, have different lifespans. Similar to previous reports, we found that effector CD8(+) T cells reported to have a longer lifespan (i.

An improved methodology for modeling neurobehavioral late-effects of radiotherapy in pediatric brain tumors.

Background: Technical advances in radiation oncology provide new opportunities to study neurobehavioral outcomes of radiation therapy (RT) in children treated for brain tumors.

Methods: In this study, we describe an approach to modeling late-effects using integral biologically effective dose (IBED) combined with improved measurement of critical neuropsychological functions.

Results: IBED was found to provide more differentiated information about dose distribution than prescribed dose in five subjects treated for brain tumors.

Dose response to melatonin treatment for disordered sleep rhythm in a blind child.

We assessed the effectiveness and safety of melatonin in normalizing sleep in a 7-year-old blind child with a longstanding sleep/wake cycle disorder, using a double-masked, randomized treatment trial of placebo, a physiological dose (0.14 mg) and a supraphysiological dose (2.2 mg) of melatonin.

Serum testosterone associates with lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in black and white males, 10 to 15 years of age, through lowered apolipoprotein AI and AII concentrations.

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations decrease during adolescence in males in association with increasing pubertal maturation and free testosterone (F-T). To determine whether F-T effects lower HDL-C levels by decreasing the amount of cholesterol associated with the major protein moeities associated with HDL-C (apolipoprotein [apo]AI and AII) or by decreasing the concentrations of these proteins, we studied 251 black and 285 white boys, ages 10 to 15 years. In cross-sectional analysis, advancing puberty associated with decreasing HDL-C, apoAI, and apoAII in boys of each ethnic group.

Estradiol and testosterone effects on lipids in black and white boys aged 10 to 15 years.

Previous studies of lipids in adolescent males have shown greater increases in triglycerides and decreases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in white boys compared with black boys, significant correlations between sex hormones and lipids, and complex body mass index (BMI) hormone-lipid associations. Within this frame of reference, we assessed race, BMI, and sex hormones as predictors of lipid parameters in 536 black and white boys recruited from area schools. Black boys were more advanced in puberty than white boys.

The roles of placental growth hormone and placental lactogen in the regulation of human fetal growth and development.

The human growth hormone (hGH)/human placental lactogen (hPL) gene family, which consists of two GH and three PL genes, is important in the regulation of maternal and fetal metabolism and the growth and development of the fetus. During pregnancy, pituitary GH (hGH-N) expression in the mother is suppressed; and hGH-V, a GH variant expressed by the placenta, becomes the predominant GH in the mother. hPL, which is the product of the hPL-A and hPL-B genes, is secreted into both the maternal and fetal circulations after the sixth week of pregnancy.

Serum glutathione in adolescent males predicts parental coronary heart disease.

Background: Traditional risk factors account for only half of the morbidity and mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD). There is substantial evidence that oxidative injury plays a major role in the atherosclerotic process. Thus, antioxidants may protect against development of atherosclerosis.

Overweight, fat patterning, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in black and white boys.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationships of overweight and fat patterning with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in black and white boys.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis of CVD risk factors by weight and central adiposity groups in black and white boys, aged 10 to 15 years. Mean adiposity, lipid, and blood pressure variables were compared between weight and central adiposity groups within race by using linear regression models.

Overweight, fat patterning, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in black and white girls: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study.

Objective: To determine the association of overweight and central adiposity with cardiovascular disease risk factors in black and white 9- and 10-year-old girls.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data collected from participants in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study. Girls were classified as overweight or not with the use of the age- and sex-specific 85th percentiles of the body mass index (kilograms per square meter) distributions from the combined NHANES (I and II) data set.

Association of body fat distribution and cardiovascular risk factors in children and adolescents.

Background: Obesity is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adults and less favorable cardiovascular risk factor status in children and adolescents. In adults, fat distribution has been shown to be related to lipid and lipoprotein concentrations, blood pressure levels, and left ventricular mass. These relationships have not been extensively studied in young subjects.

Left ventricular geometry and severe left ventricular hypertrophy in children and adolescents with essential hypertension.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy has been established as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in adults. Recent research has refined this relationship by determining a cutpoint of 51 g/m(2.7) for LV mass index indicative of increased risk and defining LV geometric patterns that are associated with increased risk.

The conjoint trait of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high triglycerides in adolescent black and white males.

To evaluate the interrelationships among body composition, blood pressure, and lipid phenotypes in adolescent black and white boys, we assessed racial distributions of lipids, blood pressure, and obesity and their joint occurrence in black and white boys aged 10 to 15 years. Subjects were recruited from Cincinnati (OH) schools. Because the differences in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TGs) are the most profound coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factor differences between black and white males, we assigned subjects to one of four low-HDL-C and high-TG categories (normal and increased risk) using the age/race-specific 25th (HDL-C) and 75th (TG) percentiles.

The utility of body mass index as a measure of body fatness in children and adolescents: differences by race and gender.

Objective: To evaluate whether body mass index (BMI) is a representative equivalent measure of body fatness independent of age, race, gender, sexual maturation, and distribution of fat in children and adolescents.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study of 192 healthy subjects (100 boys and 92 girls, 103 white and 89 black) age 7 to 17 years. Methods.

Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 and cytomegalovirus in adolescents.

We determined the prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibodies in a cohort of adolescents 12 to 22 years of age in anticipation of the development of vaccines to control HSV and CMV infections. For the overall study population, we found that 62% were seropositive for HSV type 1 (HSV-1), 12% were seropositive for HSV type 2 (HSV-2), and 65% were seropositive for CMV. Race was not related to HSV-1 seropositivity, but African-American adolescents were more likely than Caucasian adolescents to be seropositive for HSV-2 and CMV.