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PubMed2005

Financial compensation to adolescents for participation in biomedical research: adolescent and parent perspectives in seven studies.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of financial compensation on pediatric asthma research participation decision-making and determine whether perceptions of fair compensation differed for parents and adolescents, lower and higher income participants, and compensation-informed and uninformed participants in minimal and above minimal risk research. STUDY DESIGN: Adolescents (n = 36) with asthma and their parents reviewed 7 pediatric asthma research protocols, decided whether they would choose to participate, and provided estimates of "fair" compensation for their participation. Chi-square, analysis of variance, and analysis of covariance were used to determine the affects of compensation on participation and whether various respondents differed in the perceptions of fair compensation. RESULTS: Financial compensation did not affect participation decisions. Estimates of fair compensation were lower for adolescents, lower income respondents, and participants who were naive about potential compensation. Fair compensation estimates were higher than actual compensation for minimal risk studies and lower for above minimal risk studies. CONCLUSIONS: Financial compensation may be a minor consideration in pediatric research participation decision-making. Still, differences in how pediatric researchers and their prospective participants judge fair compensation create the potential for undue influence. Pediatric researchers should use caution when determining a reasonable financial compensation for research participation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Copy number gains on 5p15, 6p11-q11, 7p12, and 8q24 are rare in sputum cells of individuals at high risk of lung cancer.

UNLABELLED: Lung cancer specimens display recurrent copy number aberrations in distinguished chromosomal regions as compared with normal lung cells. Such alterations have been utilized in design of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probe sets in attempts to improve the cytological diagnosis of lung cancer. One of such probe sets, LAVysion, detects copy number changes in the centromeric region of chromosome 6 (CEP6), and regions 5p15, 8q24, and 7p12, often gained in lung cancer. METHODS: We evaluated the feasibility of the LAVysion multi-color probe set in detection of individuals at high risk of lung cancer by applying the FISH probe set on smears prepared of induced sputa obtained from 20 lung cancer patients, 43 asbestos-exposed workers, 21 heavy tobacco smokers, and 15 healthy never-smokers. The hybridized sputum smears were examined using fluorescence microscopy and the number of signals in epithelial cells was examined throughout the hybridized area. Additionally, we review here the previous studies using LAVysion probe set. RESULTS: The FISH probe set was slightly more sensitive than cytology alone in detecting lung cancer. No significant differences in copy number gain were found between high-risk individuals and healthy never-smokers. The proportions of individuals with copy number gains in sputa among the lung cancer patients, asbestos-exposed workers, tobacco smokers, and never-smokers were 50, 20, 12, and 27%, respectively, when three or more cells with a copy number gain detected by at least two different probes was used as the cut-off point. In comparison, the sensitivity of cytology in detecting lung cancer was 44%. In the lung cancer patients the number of abnormal cells by FISH correlated well with the cytologic atypia class (Spearman rank correlation coefficient 0.77, p<0.01). Using multivariant variance analysis, gains in CEP6, 5p15, 8q24 and 7p12 were not associated with smoking or asbestos exposure. CONCLUSIONS: FISH did not significantly exceed the sensitivity of sputum cytology in finding lung cancers. Significant differences were not found between sputa of asbestos-exposed individuals, heavy-smokers and never-smokers. More sensitive methods are needed for the follow-up of populations at high risk of contracting lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2004

Enumeration of Clostridium perfringens spores in groundwater samples: comparison of six culture media.

In order to investigate the ability of Fluorocult-supplemented TSC agar (TSCF (Fluorocult supplemented TSC-agar): prepared from Tryptose Sulfite Cycloserine Agar Base (Merck), D-cycloserine (Fluka Chemika, USA), and fluorocult TSC-Agar supplement (Merck)) for detecting spores of Clostridium perfringens in water, we analyzed groundwater samples, pretreated by heating to 80 degrees C/5 min, using this fluorogenic medium together with five other media: mCP agar (Panreac; Cultimed), TSC agar (Merck, Germany), TSN agar (Merck), and SPS agar (BBL, USA) by the membrane filtration technique, and Wilson-Blair agar (WB) following the still-in-force Spanish official method. Variance analysis of the data obtained shows statistically significant differences in the counts obtained between media employed in this work. The C. perfringens spore counts on mCP agar were significantly lower (P<0.05) than the corresponding values of TSC, TSCF, SPS, and WB media. No statistically significant differences were found between C. perfringens spore counts on TSCF compared with those of other methods used. On the other hand, the identification of typical and atypical colonies isolated from all media demonstrated that fluorogenic TSC agar was the most specific medium for C. perfringens spore recovery in groundwater samples. Additionally, the results obtained indicate that mCP agar, which is the reference method in the European Union, is not suitable medium for recovering C. perfringens spores from groundwater samples.

Clostridium perfringens↗
PubMed2004

[Heterogeneity of Brain Heart Infusion agar media (BHI): effects on the determination of the vancomycin and the teicoplanin minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of Staphylococcus aureus strains].

The influence of BHI media commercially available on the results of glycopeptides MIC measured by E-test method was studied on 36 S. aureus isolates (21 MRSA and 15 MSSA). The MIC obtained with the vancomycin and the teicoplanin determined by the E-test method, on the ready prepared BHI plates (AES) and the plate prepared at the laboratory among the four dehydrated bases (AES, Biorad, Oxoid, and Becton Dickinson), were compared. The mean of the MIC showed variations from 3.14 (Biorad) to 5.25 mg/L (Oxoid) and from 3.33 (Biorad) to 9.75 mg/L (ready prepared AES) respectively for the vancomycin and for the teicoplanin. A variance analysis (Test de Friedman) showed a significant difference between the five media (p <0.001) with the two antibiotics. The comparison of media 2 by 2 allowed that all combinations excepted one (Biorad vs Becton with the vancomycin) were statistically different (p <0.001). The variation of the MIC observed in relation to the origin of the product of BHI media requires the inclusion of glycopeptide-intermediate S. aureus reference strains to control the prepared culture media.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2005

The acute alterations in biochemistry, morphology, and contractility of rat-isolated terminal ileum via increased intra-abdominal pressure.

AIM AND SCOPE: To determine the acute effects of increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) on the biochemistry, morphology, and contractility of the isolated terminal ileum of rats. BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic procedures are used clinically in diagnostic and treatment modalities and experimentally as a model of ischemia-reperfusion injury induced by the elevation of IAP. Although some clinical and in vivo experimental studies investigate the results of ischemia-reperfusion injury whether induced by elevated IAP or clamping, there is no in vitro study that has investigated the acute effects of high IAP mimicked by a laparoscopic intervention in any of the intra-abdominal organs (like terminal ileum) on the basis of contractility which represents the motility. METHODS: Twenty-four adult with either sex Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups. The control group (Group I) was not subjected to any IAP. In Groups II and III, an IAP of 10 and 20 mmHg, respectively, was established by carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum for a period of 60 min. Thirty minutes after the desufflation, the terminal ileum was removed for in vitro pharmacological investigation, measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) values, and histopathological examination. Statistical comparisons among groups were done using the Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis, with post hoc comparison performed with the Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Tissue MDA value and the damage scores of mucosa and submucosa were significantly increased in both IAP groups. The smooth muscle layer was significantly damaged only in Group III. The contractions obtained by electrical field stimulation (EFS) were inhibited in both IAP groups, and the contractions to acetylcholine were inhibited in Group III when compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we can say that pneumoperitoneum induced IAP may inhibit contractile responses, cause structural alterations which may be related to ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat terminal ileum.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2005

Cadmium and lead contamination in japonica rice grains and its variation among the different locations in southeast China.

On the basis of a large-scale survey with 269 sampling sites and a field experiment with 12 cultivars grown at 3 ecologically different locations, Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) contamination in milled rice grains and its variation among different locations were investigated in the area of southeast China. The objective of this study was mainly to assess the present situation of Cd and Pb contamination in rice grains harvested locally and find out the variation of Cd and Pb background levels in rice grains among the diverse regional locations. The results showed that: a) Cd concentrations in milled rice grains ranged from trace (below 10 ng/g) to 340 ng/g, with the means of 81.4 ng/g (AM) and 55.2 ng/g (GM) for the 269 samples, whereas Pb concentrations ranged from trace (below 10 ng/g) to 1136 ng/g, with the means of 113.5 ng/g (AM) and 51.0 ng/g (GM), respectively. High frequency was observed for both the Cd and Pb concentrations ranging from trace to 200 ng/g, with 95.9% for Cd and 84.8% for Pb, respectively. b) ANOVA for the AMs and GMs among 269 sampling sites indicated that there were significant differences among the different spatial locations in Cd or Pb concentrations. c) The Cd concentrations in milled rice grains were poorly correlated with Pb concentration among the 269 sampling sites surveyed, and no significant difference (P>0.05) in the AMs or GMs of Cd and Pb concentration was observed among different cities within a range of the same provinces, only with an exception for 1-2 provinces. d) Variance analysis of Cd, Pb concentrations for 12 rice cultivars grown in three locations showed that the great difference in coefficients of variation (CV) was observed both among cultivars grown in the same location and among locations of cultivars planted, in which locations showed much more contribution to the variation of Cd or Pb concentration in milled rice grains as compared with cultivars.

Cadmium↗
PubMed2006

Molecular architecture and conformational flexibility of human RNA polymerase II.

Transcription by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is a central process in eukaryotic gene regulation. While atomic details exist for the yeast RNAPII, characterization of the human complex lags behind, mostly due to the inability to obtain large quantities of purified material. Although the complexes have the same protein composition and high sequence similarity, understanding of transcription and of transcription-coupled DNA repair (TCR) in humans will require the use of human proteins in structural studies. We have used cryo-electron microscopy, image reconstruction, and variance analysis to characterize the structure and dynamics of human RNAPII (hRNAPII). Our studies show that hRNAPII in solution parallels the conformational flexibility of the yeast structures crystallized in different states but also illustrate a more extensive conformational range with potential biological significance. This hRNAPII study will serve as a structural platform to build up higher-order transcription and TCR complexes and to gain information that may be unique to the human RNAPII system.

Cryoelectron Microscopy↗
PubMed2004

Helicoidal enteromyotomy in rats: an experimental model of intestinal lengthening.

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a congenital or acquired condition of poor absorption resulting from a reduced surface of the enteric mucosa. In most cases, it spontaneously resolves via an adaptive process in the remaining intestine. Intestinal lengthening is one therapeutic method used for refractory SBS. The present study evaluates the intestinal changes and weight gains following a new lengthening technique (helicoidal enteromyotomy) performed in growing rats. Thirty Wistar rats underwent enteromyotomy (group I) in a 5-cm jejunal segment or laparotomy only (group II). No animal underwent intestinal resection. Postoperatively monitored weight was animals were sacrificed on the day 28. Measurements were made of the anterior and middle half-perimeters and the length of the marked-out intestinal segment. Two animals in group I were excluded due to infraction of the technique (perforation of the mucosa). Group I had an initial weight loss, although variance analysis (ANOVA) showed that the speed of the weight gain was similar in the two groups after the postoperative day 4 (P =.245). When the half-perimeter dimensions and length of the manipulated intestinal segment were compared, group I showed an increased caliber and length (P <.001, for both comparisons). There was no baseline difference in caliber between the two groups (P =.127). Our results led us to conclude that helicoidal enteromyotomy increases intestinal length and caliber without causing upstream dilatation or interfering in weight gain.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

The food intake recording software system is valid among fourth-grade children.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the validity of the Food Intake Recording Software System (FIRSSt) against observation of school lunch and a 24-hour dietary recall (24hDR); and to test the effects of sequencing, observation and a hair sample as a bogus pipeline on accuracy of dietary report. DESIGN: Six-group design systematically varying sequence of self-report (FIRSSt vs 24hDR), observation of school lunch and hair sample as a bogus pipeline manipulation, with random assignment of participants. SUBJECTS/SETTING: 138 fourth-grade students in 2 elementary schools. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Accuracy of reported food consumption was measured in terms of matches, intrusions, and omissions among the FIRSSt, 24hDR, and as observed at school lunch. Students also completed self-report of performance with FIRSSt. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS PERFORMED: t tests, Pearson correlations, analysis of variance, factor analysis. RESULTS: When compared with school lunch observation for one meal, FIRSSt attained 46% match, 24% intrusion and 30% omission rates, while a dietitian-conducted 24hDR obtained 59% match, 17% intrusion, and 24% omission rates. FIRSSt attained 60% match, 15% intrusion, and 24% omission rates against 24hDR for all meals in the previous day. There was no evidence of sequence of assessment affecting accuracy indicators, but there was a weak effect of school lunch observation on percent intrusions. Obtaining a hair sample reduced the omission rate for FIRSSt vs 24hDR and increased the match rate for 24hDR vs observation, thereby enhancing this as a bogus pipeline procedure. Children generally enjoyed completing FIRSSt. Hispanic children were more likely to report problems using FIRSSt. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: FIRSSt is somewhat less accurate than a dietitian-conducted 24hDR. However, this lower-cost procedure provides a promising method for assessing diet among children. Observation of consumption at school lunch may be reactive and artificially increase agreement. Obtaining a hair sample as a bogus pipeline may be a valuable technique for enhancing the accuracy of dietary assessment among children.

Child↗
PubMed2003

Comparison of inflammatory markers in patients with diabetes mellitus versus those without before and after coronary arterial stenting.

Patients with diabetes are at increased risk for adverse events after coronary stenting, perhaps reflecting a pro-inflammatory state. To characterize the inflammatory response to coronary stenting in patients with and without diabetes, blood samples were obtained from 75 patients before stenting and 10 minutes, 1 hour, and 24 hours later. C-reactive protein (CRP, microg/ml), interleukin (IL)-6 (pg/ml), IL-1 receptor antagonist (pg/ml), and soluble CD40 ligand (ng/ml) were assayed in each sample by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Concentration changes after stenting were identified by repeated-measures analysis of variance. Multivariate analysis was performed to delineate independent predictors of increased concentrations of inflammation markers. Overall, 88% of patients had acute coronary syndromes; 36% had elevated markers of cardiac injury. The preprocedural concentrations of CRP in those with diabetes were more than twice as high as those in patients without diabetes. Two independent predictors of elevated preprocedural CRP concentrations were diabetes (odds ratio 3.95, 95% confidence interval 1.17 to 13.4) and a cardiac marker-positive acute coronary syndrome (odds ratio 3.70, 95% confidence interval 1.22 to 11.2). Preprocedural concentrations of IL-6, IL-1 receptor antagonist, and soluble CD40 ligand tended to be greater in patients with diabetes. The increase in CRP after stenting was much greater for patients without diabetes compared with that in patients with diabetes such that the apparent intensity of inflammation after 24 hours was similar in those with and without diabetes. Thus, patients with and without diabetes exhibit different inflammatory responses to stenting, reflecting the lower preprocedural inflammation in those without diabetes versus those with diabetes.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

The effect of ovulation induction on the concentration of maternal serum relaxin in twin pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the effects of fetal number, various ovulation induction treatments, and placental hormones on the concentration of maternal serum relaxin. STUDY DESIGN: The concentrations of relaxin, human chorionic gonadotropin, estriol, and alpha-fetoprotein were determined in blood samples drawn at 16 to 18 weeks for prenatal diagnosis in 72 singleton and 115 twin pregnancies and analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and stepwise multiple linear regression of the log-transformed data. RESULTS: The maternal serum concentrations of each of the four measured hormones were significantly higher in the twin pregnancies than in the singleton pregnancies: 1.4-fold for relaxin, 1.9-fold for human chorionic gonadotropin, 1.9-fold for estriol, and 2.2-fold for alpha-fetoprotein (all p < 0.01). The concentrations of each of the four hormones were significantly correlated with each of the others and with the number of fetuses (p < 0.01), except that estriol was not significantly correlated with human chorionic gonadotropin. The serum relaxin concentration in twin pregnancies after treatment with follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone (menotropins) (n = 10) was 3.3-fold that in twins resulting from spontaneous ovulation (n = 89, p < 0.01). In twins resulting from in vitro fertilization or gamete intrafallopian transfer (n = 9) the serum relaxin concentration was 2.6-fold higher than in twins resulting from spontaneous ovulation (p < 0.01). The effect of clomiphene citrate (1.2-fold, n = 7) failed to reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The second fetus causes a 1.4-fold increase in the concentration of maternal serum relaxin in twin pregnancies. Induction of ovulation with menotropins causes an additional 3.3-fold increase, whereas in vitro fertilization or gamete intrafallopian transfer treatment causes an additional 2.6-fold increase over that seen in twin pregnancies that followed spontaneous ovulation.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗
PubMed1998

The optimal route of delivery for fetal meningomyelocele.

OBJECTIVE: It has been proposed that cesarean section improves the long-term neurologic outcome of children with meningomyelocele. On the basis of this belief, a trial of labor is not offered in many centers. We hypothesized that there is no difference in immediate or long-term outcome by route of delivery for the fetus with meningomyelocele delivered in a tertiary care center. STUDY DESIGN: All fetuses (n = 60) with meningomyelocele delivered at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics between 1971 and 1995 were analyzed. Thirty-six cases were available for long-term follow-up. Motor, sensory, and anatomic levels were converted to a numeric scale. Variables were compared by one-way analysis of variance, chi2 analysis, and Fisher's exact test with significance at P < .05. RESULTS: There were no significant differences by route of delivery for gestational age of delivery, birth weight, meningomyelocele size, or neonatal mortality (vaginal: 1/22 = 4.5%, cesarean section: 2/17 = 11.8%, P = .82). An antenatal diagnosis was made with similar frequency in the two groups (vaginal: 15/21 = 71.4%, cesarean section: 13/15 = 86.7%). In addition, the length of long-term follow-up was similar (vaginal: 54.7 +/- 11.1 months, cesarean section: 33.7 +/- 8.6 months). There was no difference in long-term neurologic outcome as determined by the change in motor level, the change in sensory level, or when comparing the final motor level with the anatomic level. CONCLUSIONS: This study was unable to detect differences between either immediate or long-term outcome for the infant with isolated meningomyelocele when stratified by route of delivery. A multicenter randomized trial should be required before the acceptance of cesarean section as the optimal route of delivery for the fetus with meningomyelocele.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Increased amygdala response to masked emotional faces in depressed subjects resolves with antidepressant treatment: an fMRI study.

BACKGROUND: The amygdala has a central role in processing emotions, particularly fear. During functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) amygdala activation has been demonstrated outside of conscious awareness using masked emotional faces. METHODS: We applied the masked faces paradigm to patients with major depression (n = 11) and matched control subjects (n = 11) during fMRI to compare amygdala activation in response to masked emotional faces before and after antidepressant treatment. Data were analyzed using left and right amygdala a priori regions of interest, in an analysis of variance block analysis and random effects model. RESULTS: Depressed patients had exaggerated left amygdala activation to all faces, greater for fearful faces. Right amygdala did not differ from control subjects. Following treatment, patients had bilateral reduced amygdala activation to masked fearful faces and bilateral reduced amygdala activation to all faces. Control subjects had no differences between the two scanning sessions. CONCLUSIONS: Depressed patients have left amygdala hyperarousal, even when processing stimuli outside conscious awareness. Increased amygdala activation normalizes with antidepressant treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Anion permeation in human ClC-4 channels.

ClC-4 and ClC-5 are mammalian ClC isoforms with unique ion conduction and gating properties. Macroscopic current recordings in heterologous expression systems revealed very small currents at negative potentials, whereas a substantially larger instantaneous current amplitude and a subsequent activation were observed upon depolarization. Neither the functional basis nor the physiological impact of these channel features are currently understood. Here, we used whole-cell recordings to study pore properties of human ClC-4 channels heterologously expressed in tsA201 or HEK293 cells. Variance analysis demonstrated that the prominent rectification of the instantaneous macroscopic current amplitude is due to a voltage-dependent unitary current conductance. The single channel amplitudes are very small, i.e., 0.10 +/- 0.02 pA at +140 mV for external Cl(-) and internal I(-). Conductivity and permeability sequences were determined for various external and internal anions, and both values increase for anions with lower dehydration energies. ClC-4 exhibits pore properties that are distinct from other ClC isoforms. These differences can be explained by assuming differences in the size of the pore narrowing and the electrostatic potentials within the ion conduction pathways.

Anions↗
PubMed1986

A method for the rapid exchange of solutions bathing excised membrane patches.

In this communication we describe a technique for rapidly exchanging solutions bathing excised membrane patches, and present examples of its implementation using both outside-out and inside-out patches. The ability to make step changes in the concentration of channel-activating ligands (e.g., acetylcholine, calcium) offers a novel and direct means of measuring kinetic processes in the 10-100-ms range. The responses to step ligand concentration changes are well suited to ensemble variance analysis, yielding estimates of the number of channels in a patch, and testing assumptions of channel independence and homogeneity. Kinetic analysis of the pseudomacroscopic currents obtained by averaging large numbers of responses can be compared and correlated with analysis of the microscopic behavior of single channels, using the same membrane patch for both approaches. Practical and theoretical limitations associated with the method are briefly discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Smooth muscle and skeletal muscle myosins produce similar unitary forces and displacements in the laser trap.

Purified smooth muscle myosin in the in vitro motility assay propels actin filaments at 1/10 the velocity, yet produces 3-4 times more force than skeletal muscle myosin. At the level of a single myosin molecule, these differences in force and actin filament velocity may be reflected in the size and duration of single motion and force-generating events, or in the kinetics of the cross-bridge cycle. Specifically, an increase in either unitary force or duty cycle may explain the enhanced force-generating capacity of smooth muscle myosin. Similarly, an increase in attached time or decrease in unitary displacement may explain the reduced actin filament velocity of smooth muscle myosin. To discriminate between these possibilities, we used a laser trap to measure unitary forces and displacements from single smooth and skeletal muscle myosin molecules. We analyzed our data using mean-variance analysis, which does not rely on scoring individual events by eye, and emphasizes periods in the data with constant properties. Both myosins demonstrated multiple but similar event populations with discrete peaks at approximately +11 and -11 nm in displacement, and 1.5 and 3.5 pN in force. Mean attached times for smooth muscle myosin were longer than for skeletal-muscle myosin. These results explain much of the difference in actin filament velocity between these myosins, and suggest that an increased duty cycle is responsible for the enhanced force-generating capacity of smooth over skeletal-muscle myosin.

Actins↗
PubMed1999

Differential regulation of skeletal muscle L-type Ca2+ current and excitation-contraction coupling by the dihydropyridine receptor beta subunit.

The dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) of skeletal muscle functions as a Ca2+ channel and is required for excitation-contraction (EC) coupling. Here we show that the DHPR beta subunit is involved in the regulation of these two functions. Experiments were performed in skeletal mouse myotubes selectively lacking a functional DHPR beta subunit. These beta-null cells have a low-density L-type current, a low density of charge movements, and lack EC coupling. Transfection of beta-null cells with cDNAs encoding for either the homologous beta1a subunit or the cardiac- and brain-specific beta2a subunit fully restored the L-type Ca2+ current (161 +/- 17 pS/pF and 139 +/- 9 pS/pF, respectively, in 10 mM Ca2+). We compared the Boltzmann parameters of the Ca2+ conductance restored by beta1a and beta2a, the kinetics of activation of the Ca2+ current, and the single channel parameters estimated by ensemble variance analysis and found them to be indistinguishable. In contrast, the maximum density of charge movements in cells expressing beta2a was significantly lower than in cells expressing beta1a (2.7 +/- 0.2 nC/microF and 6.7 +/- 0. 4 nC/microF, respectively). Furthermore, the amplitude of Ca2+ transient measured by confocal line-scans of fluo-3 fluorescence in voltage-clamped cells were 3- to 5-fold lower in myotubes expressing beta2a. In summary, DHPR complexes that included beta2a or beta1a restored L-type Ca2+ channels. However, a DHPR complex with beta1a was required for complete restoration of charge movements and skeletal-type EC coupling. These results suggest that the beta1a subunit participates in key regulatory events required for the EC coupling function of the DHPR.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Anxiety and depression among the epileptics in general population in Benin (Western Africa)].

In order to assess prevalence of depression and anxiety among epileptic patients and to compare it to a control population, a matched case-control survey was performed in 196 persons above 18 Year old (98 epileptics and 98 controls matched according to sex, age 10 and social environment) in Republic of Benin (West Africa), using Goldberg's Depression and Anxiety scale. Two main investigators helped by 5 sociology students were trained on a questionnaire by a psychiatrist skilled with public health matters. People taking part in the survey are epileptic patients who already used health services. Inclusions took place within 17 communes of four departments (Mono, Zou, Ouémé, Atlantique) located in Southern part of Benin. The questionnaire used an Identity sheet and the Goldberg Depression Scale. Results are shown as mean standard deviations, for quantitative values, and percents for qualitative ones. Comparisons of proportions in qualitative variables are carried out using c2 test or Fisher's exact test. Comparisons of means rates between subject's groups are carried out with a Student t test or variance analysis. The correlations between two quantitative variables were assessed by linear correlation coefficient. Significance threshold chosen for the whole set of statistics analysis is 0.05. The majority of interviewed epileptic patients is young (average 32.6 11.5 Years old). A male predominance exists (sex ratio 1.28). 93% of interviewed persons live within their family, are married or cohabit (controls: 98.2%; cases: 87.9%); 57.4% are married (controls: 70%; cases: 44%). The most represented professional categories are craftsmen and shopkeepers (29.2%) as well as farmers (19.5%). Most of recruited patients live in an urban setting (55.4%) and 63.6% of interviewed persons had been living in the area of survey for over 10 Years. The most represented religion within the sample is Christian religion (67.7%), Animists (23.3%) and Muslims (5.8%). 97% of epileptic patients reported they had one fit during the two Years before the survey; roughly one half (48%) had 2 to 5 fits and 41.5% of them had more than 10 fits; only 14% say they have had an EEG. Presence of an Anti Epileptic Drug (77.5%) reduces anxiety and depression. Considering a severity threshold of 5 for anxiety and 2 for depression (8), proportions of epileptic patients displaying a severe anxiety (79.8%) or a severe depression (89.6%) are significantly higher (p<0.0001) than in control subjects (12.3% and 46.9%). Comparison of average scores confirms the difference (p<0.0001) between cases (5.8 2.0 and 2.3 1.9) and controls (4.7 2.4 and 2.0 2.1) regarding anxiety and depression. Neither the sex, nor age, nor life environment (urban/rural), nor frequency of fits hold significant influence over an-xiety and depression. However, results in this survey include higher average rates of anxiety and depression for women (6.3 1.8) than men (5.5 1.8), though such statement is only nearly significant (p=0.06). Results of the survey confirm the other works on this topic about characteristics of depression for epileptic patients, though results here are higher than usual. Anxiety and depression are common troubles found in epileptic patient, both often occurring at the same time. Two distinct theories about this fact are opposed, first explain the connection of anxiety and depression with epilepsy because of the social and cultural burden upon an epileptic patient in those countries, the second theory is about depression and epilepsy sharing some neuroaminergical dysfunctions; these facts were not considered in this survey. When taking into account the thresholds of seriousness on Goldberg's scale, proportion of controls displaying a probably deeper depression is high (46.9%) compared to usual hospital prevalence rates (4 to 25%) found in Western Africa where survey in general population are scarce. It could either be a bias in the selection or the confirmation that family and relatives of an epileptic patient are enduring a great psychic pain too; finally, this high rate o, this high rate of severe depression within controls may suggest a need to adapt thresholds of Goldberg's scale to match African populations. This hypothesis is interesting regarding the results of some Authors who validated this scale in population of aged people; they highlighted the fewer precision of two items (lost of interest, focus difficulties) and also a slight discriminatory weight for other few items. However the psychometric characteristics of Goldberg's scale are accurate (for depression subscale, a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 68%; for the whole scale, a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 68%). It would be pertinent to carry out a study to validate Goldberg's scale within some African populations. This study also highlights the importance of psychological factors in epilepsy and suggests a specific global care of the disease.

Adult↗