Neurobiological foundations of multisensory integration in people with autism spectrum disorders: the role of the medial prefrontal cortex.

This review aims to relate the sensory processing problems in people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), especially multisensory integration (MSI), to the role of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) by exploring neuroanatomical findings; brain connectivity and Default Network (DN); global or locally directed attention; and temporal multisensory binding. The mPFC is part of the brain¿s DN, which is deactivated when attention is focused on a particular task and activated on rest when spontaneous cognition emerges. In those with ASD, it is hypoactive and the higher the social impairment the greater the atypical activity. With an immature DN, cross-modal integration is impaired, resulting in a collection of disconnected fragments instead of a coherent global perception. The deficit in MSI may lie in the temporal synchronization of neural networks. The time interval in which the stimulation of one sensory channel could influence another would be higher, preventing integration in the typical shorter time range. Thus, the underconnectivity between distant brain areas would be involved in top-down information processes (relying on global integration of data from different sources) and would enhance low level perception processes such as over focused attention to s

Inside and out: the activities of senescence in cancer.

The core aspect of the senescent phenotype is a stable state of cell cycle arrest. However, this is a disguise that conceals a highly active metabolic cell state with diverse functionality. Both the cell-autonomous and the non-cell-autonomous activities of senescent cells create spatiotemporally dynamic and context-dependent tissue reactions. For example, the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) provokes not only tumour-suppressive but also tumour-promoting responses. Senescence is now increasingly considered to be an integrated and widespread component that is potentially important for tumour development, tumour suppression and the response to therapy.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from NPG via http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nrc377

Dietary fructose in relation to blood pressure and serum uric acid in adolescent boys and girls

Evidence that fructose intake may modify blood pressure is generally limited to adult populations. This study examined cross-sectional associations between dietary intake of fructose, serum uric acid and blood pressure in 814 adolescents aged 13–15 years participating in the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study. Energy-adjusted fructose intake was derived from 3-day food records, serum uric acid concentration was assessed using fasting blood and resting blood pressure was determined using repeated oscillometric readings. In multivariate linear regression models, we did not see a significant association between fructose and blood pressure in boys or girls. In boys, fructose intake was independently associated with serum uric acid (P<0.01), and serum uric acid was independently associated with systolic blood pressure (P<0.01) and mean arterial pressure (P<0.001). Although there are independent associations, there is no direct relationship between fructose intake and blood pressure. Our data suggest that gender may influence these relationships in adolescence, with significant associations observed more frequently in boys than girls

Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Safety of Lisinopril in Pediatric Kidney Transplant Patients: Implications for Starting Dose Selection

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/111964/1/cpt127.pd

Urine alkalization facilitates uric acid excretion

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Increase in the incidence of hyperuricemia associated with gout as well as hypertension, renal diseases and cardiovascular diseases has been a public health concern. We examined the possibility of facilitated excretion of uric acid by change in urine pH by managing food materials.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Within the framework of the Japanese government's health promotion program, we made recipes which consist of protein-rich and less vegetable-fruit food materials for H⁺-load (acid diet) and others composed of less protein but vegetable-fruit rich food materials (alkali diet). Healthy female students were enrolled in this consecutive 5-day study for each test. From whole-day collected urine, total volume, pH, organic acid, creatinine, uric acid and all cations (Na⁺,K⁺,Ca²⁺,Mg²⁺,NH₄⁺) and anions (Cl^-,SO₄^2-,PO₄^-) necessary for the estimation of acid-base balance were measured.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Urine pH reached a steady state 3 days after switching from ordinary daily diets to specified regimens. The amount of acid generated ([SO₄^2-] +organic acid-gut alkai) were linearly related with those of the excretion of acid (titratable acidity+ [NH₄⁺] - [HCO₃^-]), indicating that H⁺in urine is generated by the metabolic degradation of food materials. Uric acid and excreted urine pH retained a linear relationship, where uric acid excretion increased from 302 mg/day at pH 5.9 to 413 mg/day at pH 6.5, despite the fact that the alkali diet contained a smaller purine load than the acid diet.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We conclude that alkalization of urine by eating nutritionally well-designed food is effective for removing uric acid from the body.</p

Reply: KRAS status analysis and anti-EGFR therapies: is comprehensiveness a biologist's fancy or a clinical necessity?

We thank Dr Lopez-Crapez et al 2010 to have taken cue fro

Implicit modeling to detail the Temporal Conceptual Model of a Complex Area with remediation of Combined Plumes in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo

There are contaminated properties and regions that have been named abroad as Complex Areas due to the existence of technical or non-technical challenges that require atypical strategies and timelines for their restoration. One such study area, with more than 20 years of environmental management, was subjected to Implicit Modelling to assist in the detailing and evaluation of its Temporal Conceptual Model. The results reinforced a clear and holistic understanding of its evolution and challenges, including the existence of Combined Plumes generated from distinctly source areas. Interventions in the area were confirmed to have benefited from regional understandings and aspects of Adaptive Management, such as the definition of intermediate objectives, continuous refinement of the conceptual model and remediation. It was concluded that recognizing Complex Areas and applying Adaptive Management has the potential to assist the management of more sites in Brazil. This is recommended to be done while taking into account local adaptations and considerations, such as: including in the definition of Complex Areas that the challenges should demonstrably present high complexity and require atypical times for restoration or rehabilitation (more than 15 years, in São Paulo); considering as a technical challenge the extensive mantle of weathering of humid tropical regions; considering as a technical and non-technical challenge the high number of unregistered catchment wells; considering as a non-technical challenge the existence of socioeconomic conflicts; evaluating, including with isotopic studies, the possible presence of Combined Plumes.Existem propriedades e regiões contaminadas que têm sido denominadas no exterior como Áreas Complexas em virtude de desafios técnicos ou não técnicos que requerem estratégias e prazos atípicos para sua restauração. Uma área de estudo desse tipo, com mais de 20 anos de gerenciamento ambiental, foi objeto de modelagem implícita para auxiliar no detalhamento e avaliação do seu Modelo Conceitual Temporal. Os resultados reforçaram o entendimento claro e holístico sobre sua evolução e seus desafios, incluindo Plumas Combinadas geradas de fontes com localização distinta. Foi confirmado que as intervenções na área se beneficiaram de entendimentos regionais e aspectos de Gerenciamento Adaptativo, tais como a definição de objetivos intermediários e o contínuo aperfeiçoamento do modelo conceitual e da remediação. Concluiu-se que o reconhecimento de Áreas Complexas e a aplicação de Gerenciamento Adaptativo têm o potencial de auxiliar no gerenciamento de mais locais no Brasil. Recomenda-se que isso seja feito contemplando adaptações e considerações locais, tais como: englobar, na definição de Áreas Complexas, que os desafios devem, comprovadamente, apresentar alta complexidade e requerer tempos atípicos para sua restauração ou reabilitação (mais de 15 anos, em São Paulo); considerar como desafio técnico o extenso manto de intemperismo de regiões tropicais úmidas; apreciar como desafio técnico e não técnico o alto número de poços de captação não outorgados; considerar como desafio não técnico a existência de conflitos socioeconômicos; e avaliar, inclusive com estudos isotópicos, a possível presença de Plumas Combinadas

Modelagem implícita para detalhamento do Modelo Conceitual Temporal de Área Complexa com remediação de Plumas Combinadas na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo

Existem propriedades e regiões contaminadas que têm sido denominadas no exterior como Áreas Complexas em virtude de desafios técnicos ou não técnicos que requerem estratégias e prazos atípicos para sua restauração. Uma área de estudo desse tipo, com mais de 20 anos de gerenciamento ambiental, foi objeto de modelagem implícita para auxiliar no detalhamento e avaliação do seu Modelo Conceitual Temporal. Os resultados reforçaram o entendimento claro e holístico sobre sua evolução e seus desafios, incluindo Plumas Combinadas geradas de fontes com localização distinta. Foi confirmado que as intervenções na área se beneficiaram de entendimentos regionais e aspectos de Gerenciamento Adaptativo, tais como a definição de objetivos intermediários e o contínuo aperfeiçoamento do modelo conceitual e da remediação. Concluiu-se que o reconhecimento de Áreas Complexas e a aplicação de Gerenciamento Adaptativo têm o potencial de auxiliar no gerenciamento de mais locais no Brasil. Recomenda-se que isso seja feito contemplando adaptações e considerações locais, tais como: englobar, na definição de Áreas Complexas, que os desafios devem, comprovadamente, apresentar alta complexidade e requerer tempos atípicos para sua restauração ou reabilitação (mais de 15 anos, em São Paulo); considerar como desafio técnico o extenso manto de intemperismo de regiões tropicais úmidas; apreciar como desafio técnico e não técnico o alto número de poços de captação não outorgados; considerar como desafio não técnico a existência de conflitos socioeconômicos; e avaliar, inclusive com estudos isotópicos, a possível presença de Plumas Combinadas