Upper limb motor rehabilitation impacts white matter microstructure in multiple sclerosis

Upper limb impairments can occur in patients with multiple sclerosis, affecting daily living activities; however there is at present no definite agreement on the best rehabilitation treatment strategy to pursue. Moreover, motor training has been shown to induce changes in white matter architecture in healthy subjects.This study aimed at evaluating the motor behavioral and white matter microstructural changes following a 2-month upper limb motor rehabilitation treatment based on task-oriented exercises in patients with multiple sclerosis.Thirty patients (18 females and 12 males; age. = 43.3. ±. 8.7. years) in a stable phase of the disease presenting with mild or moderate upper limb sensorimotor deficits were randomized into two groups of 15 patients each. Both groups underwent twenty 1-hour treatment sessions, three times a week. The "treatment group" received an active motor rehabilitation treatment, based on voluntary exercises including task-oriented exercises, while the "control group" underwent passive mobilization of the shoulder, elbow, wrist and fingers.Before and after the rehabilitation protocols, motor performance was evaluated in all patients with standard tests. Additionally, finger motor performance accuracy was assessed by an engineered glove.In the same sessions, every patient underwent diffusion tensor imaging to obtain parametric maps of fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity. The mean value of each parameter was separately calculated within regions of interest including the fiber bundles connecting brain areas involved in voluntary movement control: the corpus callosum, the corticospinal tracts and the superior longitudinal fasciculi.The two rehabilitation protocols induced similar effects on unimanual motor performance, but the bimanual coordination task revealed that the residual coordination abilities were maintained in the treated patients while they significantly worsened in the control group (p. = 0.002). Further, in the treatment group white matter integrity in the corpus callosum and corticospinal tracts was preserved while a microstructural integrity worsening was found in the control group (fractional anisotropy of the corpus callosum and corticospinal tracts: p. = 0.033 and p. = 0.022; radial diffusivity of the corpus callosum and corticospinal tracts: p. = 0.004 and p. = 0.008). Conversely, a significant increase of radial diffusivity was observed in the superior longitudinal fasciculi in both groups (p. = 0.02), indicating lack of treatment effects on this structure, showing damage progression likely due to a demyelination process.All these findings indicate the importance of administering, when possible, a rehabilitation treatment consisting of voluntary movements. We also demonstrated that the beneficial effects of a rehabilitation treatment are task-dependent and selective in their target; this becomes crucial towards the implementation of tailored rehabilitative approaches. © 2013 The Authors

Adiponectin in relation to childhood myeloblastic leukaemia

Adiponectin, an adipocyte-specific secretory protein known to induce apoptosis, has been reported to be inversely related to breast and endometrial cancers and recently found to inhibit proliferation of myeloid but not lymphoid cell lines. We hypothesised that adiponectin may be inversely associated with acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML), but not with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia of B (ALL-B) or T (ALL-T) cell origin in children. Blood samples and clinical information were collected over the period 1996–2000 from 201 children (0–14 years old) with leukaemia (22 AML, 161 ALL-B and 18 ALL-T cases) through a national network of childhood Hematology-Oncology units in Greece and from 201 controls hospitalised for minor pediatric ailments. Serum adiponectin levels were measured under code, at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA using a radioimmunoassay procedure. Each of the three leukaemia groups was compared with the control group through multiple logistic regression. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for an increase of adiponectin equal to 1 s.d. among controls were estimated controlling for gender, age, as well as for height and weight, expressed in age–gender-specific centiles of Greek growth curves. Adiponectin was inversely associated with AML (OR=0.56; 95% CI, 0.34–0.94), whereas it was not significantly associated with either ALL-B (OR=0.88; 95% CI, 0.71–1.10) or ALL-T (OR=1.08; 95% CI, 0.67–1.72). Biological plausibility and empirical evidence point to the importance of this hormone in the pathogenesis of childhood AML

Seasonal fluctuations in plasma thyroid hormones, in two strains of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), during the first and second reproductive cycle: relation with their photoperiodically altered spawning time

Plasma L-thyroxine (T4) and 3,5,3′-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) were determined, at monthly intervals, in two strains of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Shasta and Kamloops) undergoing their first and second reproductive cycle. Trout (in a sex ratio 1:1) were held under three seasonally-changing photoperiod (P) regimes and almost constant temperature (11-14 °C all year round), diet and management. The P1 protocol increased fourfold the duration of the spawning period while P2 decreased it (time between the start and end of spawning was 8-10 days). T3 concentration was 5.7 ± 2.9 ng/ml and T4 5.6 ± 2.8 ng/ml (x̄ ± s.d.) for all performed determinations. Higher plasma T3 value was recorded in 1+ year old fish as compared with 2+ year old ones. In the majority of monthly samples, T3 concentration exceeded T4 during the first reproductive cycle, while the opposite was recorded during the second cycle. Several differences were found in the number and timing of peak T3, T4 values between the two reproductive cycles. Minimum T3, T4 plasma concentrations occurred during the spawning period, in all groups, and lower concentrations were recorded in mature females as compared to non-mature. Sex-related differences in plasma T3, T4 levels and maturity stages were observed. Both strains showed similar seasonal variations of circulating thyroid hormones. © 1991

Serum folate and B12 levels in association with cognitive impairment among seniors: results from the VELESTINO study in Greece and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize existing evidence on the effect of serum folate and vitamin B12 levels on cognitive impairment among elders via a meta-analysis, also including unpublished data from a cross-sectional study of seniors ( > 65 years) residing in Velestino, Greece. METHOD: Serum measurements and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) assessments were available for 593 Velestinians. In addition, 12 studies availing data on folate blood levels (N = 9,747) and 9 on B12 (N = 8,122) were identified following a search algorithm; pooled effect estimates were derived. RESULTS: Cognitive impairment (MMSE < 24) among Velestenians was associated with lower education level in both genders; decreased social activity, depressive symptoms and low folate levels in males; older age in females. Meta-analyses showed an adverse effect of low-folate levels on cognition (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.40-1.96); B12 was nonsignificantly associated (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.88-1.40). DISCUSSION: Low folate levels are associated with cognitive impairment of seniors; underlying pathophysiological mechanisms should be further explored

Seasonal fluctuations in plasma thyroid hormones, in two strains of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), during the first and second reproductive cycle: relation with their photoperiodically altered spawning time

Plasma L-thyroxine (T4) and 3,5,3′-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) were determined, at monthly intervals, in two strains of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Shasta and Kamloops) undergoing their first and second reproductive cycle. Trout (in a sex ratio 1:1) were held under three seasonally-changing photoperiod (P) regimes and almost constant temperature (11-14 °C all year round), diet and management. The P1 protocol increased fourfold the duration of the spawning period while P2 decreased it (time between the start and end of spawning was 8-10 days). T3 concentration was 5.7 ± 2.9 ng/ml and T4 5.6 ± 2.8 ng/ml (x̄ ± s.d.) for all performed determinations. Higher plasma T3 value was recorded in 1+ year old fish as compared with 2+ year old ones. In the majority of monthly samples, T3 concentration exceeded T4 during the first reproductive cycle, while the opposite was recorded during the second cycle. Several differences were found in the number and timing of peak T3, T4 values between the two reproductive cycles. Minimum T3, T4 plasma concentrations occurred during the spawning period, in all groups, and lower concentrations were recorded in mature females as compared to non-mature. Sex-related differences in plasma T3, T4 levels and maturity stages were observed. Both strains showed similar seasonal variations of circulating thyroid hormones. © 1991

Growth and anabolic hormones, leptin, and neuromuscular performance in moderately trained prepubescent athletes and untrained boys

We investigated hormonal regulators of growth and development, leptin levels, body composition, neuromuscular performance, and the associations among them in trained prepubertal athletes (experimental group [EG]) and an untrained control group (CG). Informed consent was obtained from the children and their parents. Their maturation stage was evaluated according to Tanner&apos;s criteria. There were no differences between EG and CG in physical characteristics, body mass index (BMI), lean body mass, testosterone (T), sex hormone-binding globulin, free androgen index, growth hormone (GH), hand grip strength, and jumping performance. Leptin levels and percent fat of the EG were significantly lower than those of the CG (p &amp;lt; 0.05-0.005). Leptin levels were significantly correlated to body fat and BMI for both the EG and the CG (r = 0.51-0.79). There is little evidence that leptin has a positive effect on growth and anabolic factors. Sex hormone-binding globulin and GH may explain the variation of leptin in athletes with low T (R2 = 0.43) and in CG (R2 = 0.35), respectively. Leptin seems to be a permissive factor for the onset of puberty, and the training background needs an optimal biological maturation to produce significant differences in muscle and power performance

Annual cycles of growth rate, feeding rate, food conversion, plasma glucose and plasma lipids in a population of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) farmed in floating marine cages

Specific growth rate, average daily food intake, gross conversion efficiency, plasma total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol and glucose were evaluated annually in a population of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) intensively reared in floating marine cages. These data are aimed at improving productivity and allows more precise limits to be placed on the hematological parameters which are a necessary precondition for the assessment of fish condition and health. Specific growth rate (%), average daily food intake (%) and gross conversion efficiency showed relatively higher values in the warm spring and summer months. The specific growth rate correlated better with the seawater temperature and the average daily food intake than with the photoperiod. The concentrations of plasma total lipids, triglycerides and glucose were higher in summer. Plasma total cholesterol concentrations were higher during the pregametogenesis and gametogenesis periods. Plasma triglycerides correlated better with photoperiod and plasma glucose than with the seawater temperature

Disparities of infant and neonatal mortality trends in Greece during the years of economic crisis by ethnicity, place of residence and human development index: a nationwide population study

OBJECTIVE: To study trends of infant mortality rate (IMR) and neonatal mortality rate in Greece during the period 2004-2016 and explore the role of sociodemographic factors in the years of crisis. DESIGN: Nationwide individual data for live births and infant (0-11 months) deaths provided by the Hellenic Statistical Authority were examined using Poisson, joinpoint regression and interrupted time series (ITS) analyses. SETTING: Greece. PARTICIPANTS: All infant deaths (n=4862) over the 13-year period, of which 87.2% were born to Greek mothers, and respective live births. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Evolution of IMR (0-364 days), early (<7 days) neonatal mortality rate (ENMR), late (7-27 days) neonatal mortality rate (LNMR) and post neonatal (28-364 days) mortality rate (PNMR) trends, by maternal nationality, place of residence and Human Development Index (HDI). RESULTS: By Poisson regression, overall, during the study period, among infants of Greek mothers, IMR and PNMR declined significantly (-0.9%; 95% CI -1.7% to -0.1% and -1.6%; -3.0% to -0.2% annually, respectively), although differentially by place of residence (IMRurban: -2.1%; -2.9% to -1.3%, IMRrural: +10.6%; 7.6% to 13.6%). By contrast, among infants of non-Greek mothers, the low starting IMR/ENMR/LNMR/PNMR increased significantly (max ENMR:+12.5%; 8.6% to 16.5%) leading to a non-significant time-trend pattern overall in Greece. The inverse associations of HDI with IMR, ENMR and PNMR were restricted to Greek mothers' infants. Joinpoint regression analyses among Greek mothers' infants indicated non-significant increasing trends of IMR and ENMR following the crisis (+9.3%, 2012-2016, p=0.07 and +10.2%, 2011-2016, p=0.06, respectively). By contrast, the high (+17.1%; 8.1% to 26.9%, p=0.002) IMR increases among non-Greek infants were restricted to 2004-2011 and equalised to those of Greek mothers' infants thereafter. ITS analyses in preset years (2008, 2010, 2012) identified significantly increasing trends in IMR, LNMR and PNMR after 2012, and in ENMR after 2010, among Greek mothers' infants. CONCLUSIONS: HDI and rural residence were significantly associated with IMR. The strongly decreasing IMR trends among Greek-mothers' infants were stagnated after a lag time of ~4 years of crisis approximating the previously sharply increasing trends among non-Greeks