Effects of Thyroxine Exposure on Osteogenesis in Mouse Calvarial Pre-Osteoblasts

The incidence of craniosynostosis is one in every 1,800-2500 births. The gene-environment model proposes that if a genetic predisposition is coupled with environmental exposures, the effects can be multiplicative resulting in severely abnormal phenotypes. At present, very little is known about the role of gene-environment interactions in modulating craniosynostosis phenotypes, but prior evidence suggests a role for endocrine factors. Here we provide a report of the effects of thyroid hormone exposure on murine calvaria cells. Murine derived calvaria cells were exposed to critical doses of pharmaceutical thyroxine and analyzed after 3 and 7 days of treatment. Endpoint assays were designed to determine the effects of the hormone exposure on markers of osteogenesis and included, proliferation assay, quantitative ALP activity assay, targeted qPCR for mRNA expression of Runx2, Alp, Ocn, and Twist1, genechip array for 28,853 targets, and targeted osteogenic microarray with qPCR confirmations. Exposure to thyroxine stimulated the cells to express ALP in a dose dependent manner. There were no patterns of difference observed for proliferation. Targeted RNA expression data confirmed expression increases for Alp and Ocn at 7 days in culture. The genechip array suggests substantive expression differences for 46 gene targets and the targeted osteogenesis microarray indicated 23 targets with substantive differences. 11 gene targets were chosen for qPCR confirmation because of their known association with bone or craniosynostosis (Col2a1, Dmp1, Fgf1, 2, Igf1, Mmp9, Phex, Tnf, Htra1, Por, and Dcn). We confirmed substantive increases in mRNA for Phex, FGF1, 2, Tnf, Dmp1, Htra1, Por, Igf1 and Mmp9, and substantive decreases for Dcn. It appears thyroid hormone may exert its effects through increasing osteogenesis. Targets isolated suggest a possible interaction for those gene products associated with calvarial suture growth and homeostasis as well as craniosynostosis. © 2013 Cray et al

Informe de la campaña ARGELIA0204 para la evaluación de recursos demersales en las costas de Argelia (Mediterráneo sud-occidental)

RESUMEN: Del 5 de Febrero al 8 de Marzo de 2004 se llevó a cabo la campaña de prospección pesquera con arrastre de fondo ARGELIA0204 en aguas de Argelia, a bordo del B/O Vizconde de Eza. Se realizaron 114 pescas (6 nulas) entre 40 y 760 m de profundidad. Se presentan los resultados de las capturas realizadas en esta campaña y se analizan los índices de abundancia y biomasa de las especies más importantes, así como su distribución de tallas, por sector geográfico y estrato batimétrico. Se comparan los rendimientos y las tallas obtenidos con los de la campaña realizada en 2003 en la misma área y con otras campañas realizadas en el Mediterráneo.RÉSUME: Rapport de la campagne ARGELIA0204 portant évaluation des ressources demersaux des côtes Algériennes (Méditerranée sud-occidental).- Du 05 du Février au 8 du Mars 2004, s’est réalisée une campagne de prospection par chalutage du fond ARGELIA0204 des côtes Algériennes, a bord du B/O Vizconde de Eza. 114 traits de pêche (6 annulées) ont été effectue entre 40 et 800 m de profondeur. Les résultats des captures réalisées durant cette campagne et l’analyse des indices d’abondance et biomasse des espèces les plus importantes sont présentés, par secteur, par aire géographique et strate bathymétrique, ainsi que leurs distributions de tailles par secteur géographique et strate bathymétrique. Les rendements et les tailles obtenus ont fait l’objet d’une comparaison avec les autres campagnes réalisées dans la Méditerranée.ABSTRACT: Report of the ARGELIA0204 survey for the assessment of the deep-sea demersal resources off Algerian coast (south-western Mediterranean).- From 5 February to 8 March 2004 the bottom-trawl survey ARGELIA0204 was developed in waters off Argelia, on board R/V Vizconde de Eza. 114 hauls (6 null) were carried out between 40 and 800 m depth. The results on the captures obtained during this survey are shown and abundance and biomass indexes of the most important species are analyzed by geographic sector and area, and bathymetric stratum, as their size distribution by geographic sector and bathymetric stratum. Yields and sizes obtained are compared to those from other surveys carried out in the Mediterranea

Categorization of the context within the medical domain

The context itself has multiple meanings may vary according to the domain of application. This contextual flexibility was behind the emergence of so such huge number of context definitions. Nevertheless, all the proposed definitions do not provide solid ground for systems developers’ expectations, especially in healthcare domain [1]. This issue prompted researchers to divide the context into a set of concepts that would facilitate organizing of contextual knowledge. The conventional taxonomies of context are always too complex, and we need to fight to make them useful in the intended application area. In this paper, we propose a new context classification which covers almost all the context aspects that we may need to develop a tele-monitoring system for chronic disease management

Addressing gaps in care of people with conditions affecting sex development and maturation

Differences of sex development are conditions with discrepancies between chromosomal, gonadal and phenotypic sex. In congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, a lack of gonadotropin activity results primarily in the absence of pubertal development with prenatal sex development being (almost) unaffected in most patients. To expedite progress in the care of people affected by differences of sex development and congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, the European Union has funded a number of scientific networks. Two Actions of the Cooperation of Science and Technology (COST) programmes - DSDnet (BM1303) and GnRH Network (BM1105) - provided the framework for ground-breaking research and allowed the development of position papers on diagnostic procedures and special laboratory analyses as well as clinical management. Both Actions developed educational programmes to increase expertise and promote interest in this area of science and medicine. In this Perspective article, we discuss the success of the COST Actions DSDnet and GnRH Network and the European Reference Network for Rare Endocrine Conditions (Endo-ERN), and provide recommendations for future research

Role of PACAP and VIP Signalling in Regulation of Chondrogenesis and Osteogenesis

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) are multifunctional proteins that can regulate diverse physiological processes. These are also regarded as neurotrophic and anti-inflammatory substances in the CNS, and PACAP is reported to prevent harmful effects of oxidative stress. In the last decade more and more data accumulated on the similar function of PACAP in various tissues, but its cartilage- and bone-related presence and functions have not been widely investigated yet. In this summary we plan to verify the presence and function of PACAP and VIP signalling tool kit during cartilage differentiation and bone formation. We give evidence about the protective function of PACAP in cartilage regeneration with oxidative or mechanically stress and also with the modulation of PACAP signalling in vitro in osteogenic cells. Our observations imply the therapeutic perspective that PACAP might be applicable as a natural agent exerting protecting effect during joint inflammation and/or may promote cartilage regeneration during degenerative diseases of articular cartilage