Worth the wait: effects of age of onset of marijuana use on white matter and impulsivity

Rationale: Marijuana (MJ) use continues to rise, and as the perceived risk of using MJ approaches an all-time historic low, initiation of MJ use is occurring at even younger ages. As adolescence is a critical period of neuromaturation, teens and emerging adults are at greater risk for experiencing the negative effects of MJ on the brain. In particular, MJ use has been shown to be associated with alterations in frontal white matter microstructure, which may be related to reports of increased levels of impulsivity in this population. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between age of onset of MJ use, white matter microstructure, and reported impulsivity in chronic, heavy MJ smokers. Methods: Twenty-five MJ smokers and 18 healthy controls underwent diffusion tensor imaging and completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. MJ smokers were also divided into early onset (regular use prior to age 16) and late onset (age 16 or later) groups in order to clarify the impact of age of onset of MJ use on these variables. Results: MJ smokers exhibited significantly reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) relative to controls, as well as higher levels of impulsivity. Earlier MJ onset was also associated with lower levels of FA. Interestingly, within the early onset group, higher impulsivity scores were correlated with lower FA, a relationship that was not observed in the late onset smokers. Conclusions: MJ use is associated with white matter development and reported impulsivity, particularly in early onset smokers

Examination of the kinematic structures in İzmir (Western Anatolia) with repeated GPS observations (2009, 2010 and 2011)

The Western Anatolia and the Aegean Sea regions are one of the most significant seismically active and rapidly deforming fields in the world. Generally, seismic activities cause deformations and these deformations are monitored with Global Positioning System (GPS) /Global Navigation System (GNSS). In this context, GPS data were used to determine the deformation of İzmir and its surrounding to estimate the relative plate motions. In this study, the kinematic structures of the faults, which control the seismic hazard in İzmir and its surroundings, processing results of the three-year (2009, 2010 and 2011) episodic GPS observations and the estimation of displacements for 21 GPS stations were presented. The aim of this study is to examine interplate motion of the stations and their relations with the tectonic structures, seismicity and paleomagnetism and additionally, to interprete the motions of the study area relative to different block motions. Consequently, the mean motion of the study area was found approximately 25 mm/yr (towards the SSW) in the Eurasia fixed frame solution. The Aegean block fixed frame and the Anatolian block fixed frame solutions were computed relative to Euler vectors. In Aegean and Anatolian block solutions it was determined that the stations move separately, not as a group. In Euler pole solution, some stations are separated from each other and meanwhile some stations are grouped by considering the differences and similarities of the station motions. According to this solution three lines and two regions were described in the study area. The relations between seismicity and paleomagnetic studies and the kinematic structures determined in Anatolian block fixed frame and Euler pole solution were also investigated. When the Anatolian block fixed frame solution and the earthquakes occurred between the years 1973 and 2011 were evaluated together, it was found that in the high seismically active region especially near to Sığacık bay, the motions of GPS stations were different even though their locations were close to each other. As a result of this, the relationship between the vector directions and active tectonism was determined. Additionally, in the Euler pole solution directions of the motion were found to be coherent with the paleomagnetic results, particularly in Urla and its surroundings. Here, the block fixed frame and Euler pole solutions and additionally, relations of them with seismicity and tectonism were mentioned as difference from previous studies. Besides, in this study, high importance was given to locate each station in main geological formations of the study area. Keywords: GPS/GNSS; Western Anatolia; Izmir; Tectonic feature

Monoids and Maximal Codes

In recent years codes that are not Uniquely Decipherable (UD) are been studied partitioning them in classes that localize the ambiguities of the code. A natural question is how we can extend the notion of maximality to codes that are not UD. In this paper we give an answer to this question. To do this we introduce a partial order in the set of submonoids of a monoid showing the existence, in this poset, of maximal elements that we call full monoids. Then a set of generators of a full monoid is, by definition, a maximal code. We show how this definition extends, in a natural way, the existing definition concerning UD codes and we find a characteristic property of a monoid generated by a maximal UD code.Comment: In Proceedings WORDS 2011, arXiv:1108.341

CYP17, GSTP1, PON1 and GLO1 gene polymorphisms as risk factors for breast cancer: an Italian case-control study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Estrogens, environmental chemicals with carcinogenic potential, as well as oxidative and carbonyl stresses play a very important role in breast cancer (BC) genesis and progression. Therefore, polymorphisms of genes encoding enzymes involved in estrogen biosynthesis pathway and in the metabolic activation of pro-carcinogens to genotoxic intermediates, such as cytochrome P450C17α (CYP17), endogenous free-radical scavenging systems, such as glutathione S-transferase (GSTP1) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1), and anti-glycation defenses, such as glyoxalase I (GLO1), could influence individual susceptibility to BC. In the present case-control study, we investigated the possible association of CYP17 A1A2, GSTP1 ILE105VAL, PON1 Q192R or L55M, and GLO1 A111E polymorphisms with the risk of BC.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The above-said five polymorphisms were characterized in 547 patients with BC and in 544 healthy controls by PCR/RFLP methods, using DNA from whole blood. To estimate the relative risks, Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using unconditional logistic regression after adjusting for the known risk factors for BC.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>CYP17 polymorphism had no major effect in BC proneness in the overall population. However, it modified the risk of BC for certain subgroups of patients. In particular, among premenopausal women with the A1A1 genotype, a protective effect of later age at menarche and parity was observed. As to GSTP1 and PON1 192 polymorphisms, the mutant Val and R alleles, respectively, were associated with a decreased risk of developing BC, while polymorphisms in PON1 55 and GLO1 were associated with an increased risk of this neoplasia. However, these findings, while nominally significant, did not withstand correction for multiple testing.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Genetic polymorphisms in biotransformation enzymes CYP17, GSTP1, PON1 and GLO1 could be associated with the risk for BC. Although significances did not withstand correction for multiple testing, the results of our exploratory analysis warrant further studies on the above mentioned genes and BC.</p

Effects of short-term treatment with simvastatin on serum lipids in patients with hypercholesterolemia

Hypolipidemic effects of simvastatin, a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase in thirteen patients (8 women and 5 men, aged between 55-74 years) with hypercholesterolemia were investigated. Hypercholesterolemic patients were treated with simvastatin in a dose of 10 mg daily for 4 weeks. No drug was used these patients in the weeks 5-8. At the end of these period, Simvastatin was given again in a dose of 20 mg daily in the weeks 9-12. Serum total, LDL and HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in patients with hypercholesterolemia were determined before and under treatment with 10 or 20 mg of simvastatin daily. Blood samples were drawn at every 4 weeks for serum lipids. Serum lipids were also determined for thirteen healthy subjects. Significant decreases were noted under treatment with 10 mg of simvastatin/day in serum cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (p<0.05) in the weeks 1-4, however an unaltered levels in serum triglycerides and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol were observed. Total and LDL-cholesterol increased at the end of untreated period (p<0.05), but HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides did not change significantly. After 12 weeks serum total and LDL-cholesterol were reduced with 20 mg of simvastatin/day (p<0.05), but triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol remained unchanged under simvastatin treatment. We conclude that simvastatin is effective in lowering total and LDL-cholesterol in patients with hypercholesterolemia during short-term administration

Assessment of vitronectin, soluble epithelial-cadherin and TGF-β1 as a serum biomarker with predictive value for endometrial and ovarian cancers

Objectives: Extracellular matrix components, including vitronectin (VN), soluble epithelial-cadherin (sE-cadherin) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), play a key role in the invasion and metastasis of cancer. The objective of the study was to determine the clinical significance of serum levels of these molecules in patients with endometrial and ovarian cancers. Materials and Methods: Serum levels of VN, sE-cadherin and TGF-β1 in patients with endometrial (n=28) and ovarian cancers (n=40) and healthy controls (n=41) were measured by ELISA using commercial kits. Results: A significant difference was found in VN, sE-cadherin and TGF-β1 levels between patients and healthy controls (p<0.01, p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). Serum VN and sE-cadherin levels were decreased significantly in both endometrial and ovarian cancer patients compared to controls (p<0.01, p<0.01, respectively). Conversely, TGF-β1 levels were increased significantly in patients with ovarian cancer as compared to controls (p<0.01). There was no significant difference between healthy controls and endometrial cancer patients. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study reveals that serum VN, sE-cadherin and TGF-β1 levels can be candidate targets for providing new diagnostic procedures in endometrial and ovarian cancers

In Vitro and Ex Vivo Investigation of the Antibacterial Effects of Methylene Blue against Methicillin-Resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>

Methylene blue (MB) is a water-soluble dye that has a number of medical applications. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was selected as a subject for research due to the numerous serious clinical diseases it might cause and because there is a significant global resistance challenge. Our main goal was to determine and analyze the antibacterial effects of MB against S. aureus both in vitro and ex vivo to enhance treatment options. A total of 104 MRSA isolates recovered from various clinical specimens were included in this study. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of MB against MRSA isolates were determined by the agar dilution method. One randomly selected MRSA isolate and a methicillin-susceptible S. aureus strain (S. aureus ATCC 25923) were employed for further evaluation of the antibacterial effects of MB in in vitro and ex vivo time-kill assays. A disc diffusion method-based MB + antibiotic synergy assay was performed to analyze the subinhibitory effects of MB on ten isolates. MICs of MB against 104 MRSA isolates, detected by the agar dilution method, ranged between 16 and 64 µg/mL. MB concentrations of 4 and 16 µg/mL showed a bactericidal effect at 24 h in the ex vivo time-kill assays and in vitro time-kill assays, respectively. We observed a significant synergy between cefoxitin and methylene blue at a concentration of 1–2 μg/mL in two (20%) test isolates. Employing MB, which has well-defined pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and safety profiles, for the treatment of MRSA infections and nasal decolonization could be a good strategy