Spina bifida-predisposing heterozygous mutations in Planar Cell Polarity genes and Zic2 reduce bone mass in young mice

Fractures are a common comorbidity in children with the neural tube defect (NTD) spina bifida. Mutations in the Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway contribute to NTDs in humans and mice, but whether this pathway independently determines bone mass is poorly understood. Here, we first confirmed that core Wnt/PCP components are expressed in osteoblasts and osteoclasts in vitro. In vivo, we performed detailed µCT comparisons of bone structure in tibiae from young male mice heterozygous for NTD-associated mutations versus WT littermates. PCP signalling disruption caused by Vangl2 (Vangl2Lp/+) or Celsr1 (Celsr1Crsh/+) mutations significantly reduced trabecular bone mass and distal tibial cortical thickness. NTD-associated mutations in non-PCP transcription factors were also investigated. Pax3 mutation (Pax3Sp2H/+) had minimal effects on bone mass. Zic2 mutation (Zic2Ku/+) significantly altered the position of the tibia/fibula junction and diminished cortical bone in the proximal tibia. Beyond these genes, we bioinformatically documented the known extent of shared genetic networks between NTDs and bone properties. 46 genes involved in neural tube closure are annotated with bone-related ontologies. These findings document shared genetic networks between spina bifida risk and bone structure, including PCP components and Zic2. Genetic variants which predispose to spina bifida may therefore independently diminish bone mass

Urine iodine excretion in patients with papillary thyroid cancer evaluation of the relationship with the presence of BRAF mutation

Iodine is an essential element for the production of thyroid hormones. In recent years, it has been suggested that excessive consumption of iodine may play a role in the pathogenesis of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). In addition, studies have suggested that high iodine consumption is an important risk factor for the formation of a BRAF mutation in the thyroid gland. A prospectively designed study included 132 cases scheduled for thyroidectomy for various reasons. Urine iodine levels of all patients were examined before the operation. The iodine excretion levels of the patients were grouped according to the median urinary iodine concentration determined in community screenings (those with <100 µg L-1 low iodine excretion, those with 100-199 µg L-1 normal iodine excretion, those with 200-299 µg L-1 high iodine excretion). Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the post-operative pathology results. As a result of thyroid histopathology, benign (n: 44), PTC (n: 88) (BRAF (+): 44 and BRAF (-): 44) cases were included in the study. BRAF mutations in patients diagnosed with PTC were evaluated using the “Real Time PCR Melting Curve Analyzer” method. The relationship between urinary iodine excretion levels and clinical, histopathological and BRAF positivity was examined. In our study, no difference was found in urinary iodine excretion between patients with and without PTC. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was observed more frequently in patients with PTC (p=0.023). In addition, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was statistically more frequently detected in the BRAF (-) group compared to the BRAF (+) and control group (p=0.034). Despite studies suggesting that high iodine consumption is important in PTC pathogenesis, we did not find a relationship between the mutation and iodine consumption, which plays an important role in the development of PTC

Upper Gastrointestinal Perforations: A Possible Danger of Antibiotic Overuse

BACKGROUND: The role of changes in gut microflora on upper gastrointestinal (UGI) perforations is not known. We conducted a retrospective case-control study to examine the relationship between antibiotic exposure-a proxy for microbiome modulation-and UGI perforations in a national sample. METHODS: We queried a 5% random sample of Medicare (2009-2013) to identify patients \u3e /= 65 years old hospitalized with UGI (stomach or small intestine) perforations using International Classification of Diseases diagnosis codes. Cases with UGI perforations were matched with 4 controls, each based on age and sex. Exposure to outpatient antibiotics (0-30, 31-60, 61-90 days) prior to case patients\u27 index hospitalization admission data was determined with Part D claims. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of antibiotic exposure on UGI perforation. RESULTS: Overall, 504 cases and 2016 matched controls were identified. Compared to controls, more cases had antibiotic exposure 0-30 days (19% vs. 3%, p \u3c 0.001) and 31-60 days (5% vs. 2%, p \u3c 0.001) prior to admission. In adjusted analyses, antibiotic exposure 0-30 days prior to admission was associated with 6.8 increased odds of an UGI perforation (95% CI 4.8, 9.8); 31-60 days was associated with 1.9 increased odds (95% CI 1.1, 3.3); and 61-90 days was associated with 3.7 increased odds (95% CI 2.0, 6.9). CONCLUSIONS: Recent outpatient antibiotic use, in particular in the preceding 30 days, is associated with UGI perforation among Medicare beneficiaries. Exposure to antibiotics, one of the most modifiable determinants of the microbiome, should be minimized in the outpatient setting

Supplemental Material - The Paradox in Positive and Negative Aspects of Emotional Functioning Among Older Adults with Early Stages of Cognitive Impairment

Supplemental Material for The Paradox in Positive and Negative Aspects of Emotional Functioning Among Older Adults with Early Stages of Cognitive Impairment by Manrui Zhang, Emily Ho, Cindy J. Nowinski, Rina S. Fox, Ezgi Ayturk, Tatiana Karpouzian-Rogers, Miriam Novack, Hiroko H Dodge, Sandra Weintraub, Richard Gershon in Journal of Aging and Health.</p