The prenatal attenuation of brain/body development through interactions between growth hormone, triiodothyronine and testosterone during prenatal development of female neonates

The relations of serum growth hormone (GH), free testosterone (T), and free triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations to the head circumference, height, and weight were studied in the human neonates. Blood was taken from the umbilical cord immediately after the birth, to measure the hormone concentrations. GH was found to be inversely correlatd with the bodily measures in the female neonates; there were no significant correlations between these variables in males. In females, free T3 negatively linearly correlated with GH, and positively linearly correlated with the neonatal head circumference, height, and weight. Serum free T levels was found to be positively linearly correlated with GH, and negatively linearly correlated with the neonatal body measures in the same subjects. It was suggested that GK may exert growth reducing effects through T3 and T during perinatal development

Total brain tissue sialic acid levels due to glutathione effect in experimental epilepsy

Epilepsy can be described as a group of neurological disorders, characterized by recurrent episodes of convulsive seizures, loss of consciousness, sensory disturbances, abnormal behavior, or all of these. Altered glutathione metabolism in association with increased oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases such as seizures. It is therefore reasonable to propose that sialic acid levels can be affected by this pathological state or, alternately, by seizures. The present study showed that the sialic acid levels were significantly different between the experimental groups as well as in the subgroup analysis. The results suggest that glutathione may have a neuroprotective effect by decreasing sialic acid levels in mice brain

Unertan syndrome: A case series demonstrating human devolution

A large family with six individuals exhibiting the Unertan syndrome (UTS) was identified residing in southern Turkey. All of the individuals had mental impairments and walked on all four extremities. The practice of intra-familial marriages suggested that the UTS may be an autosomal recessive disorder, similar to previously described cases. The inferior portions of the cerebellum and vermis were absent as evidenced by MRI and CT scans. The height and head circumference of those affected were within normal ranges. Barany's test suggested normal vestibular system function. The subjects could not name objects or their close relatives. The males (n = 4) could understand simple questions and commands, but answered questions with only one or two sounds. The females (n = 2) were superior to the males with respect to language skills and walking, suggesting an association between walking and speaking abilities. One male exhibited three walking patterns at the same time: quadripedal, tiptoe, and scissor walking. Another male used two walking styles: quadripedal and toe-walking. It is emphasized that there are important differences between the UTS and the disequilibrium syndrome. It is suggested that the inability to walk upright in those affected with the UTS may be best explained by a disturbance in lateral-balance mechanisms, without being related to the cerebello-vestibular system. An interruption of locomotor development during the transition from quadripedality to bipedality may result in habitual walking on all four extremities and is normal in some children. Because quadripedal gait is an ancestral trait, individuals with the UTS, exhibiting a manifestation of reverse evolution in humans. may be considered an experiment of nature, useful in understanding the mechanisms underlying the transition from quadripedality to bipedality during human evolution. The proposed mutant gene or gene pool playing a role in human quadrupedality may also be responsible for human bipedality at the same time. Herein there is no intent to insult or injure; rather, this report is an endeavor to better understand human beings. Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of International Journal of Neuroscience for the following free supplemental resource(s): video clips