Inter-individual differences in pain processing investigated by functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brainstem and spinal cord.

The experience of pain is a highly complex and personal experience, characterized by tremendous inter-individual variability. The purpose of this study was to use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to characterize responses in the brainstem and spinal cord to the same heat stimulus in healthy participants, to further our understanding of individual differences in pain perception. Responses to noxious heat stimuli at 49°C were investigated in 20 healthy individuals by means of fMRI of the brainstem and spinal cord, at 3 Tesla, and were compared with brain fMRI and quantitative sensory testing. Blood oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD) responses were detected with a general linear model (GLM) and effective connectivity was examined with structural equation modeling (SEM). Reported pain ratings ranged from 18 to 84/100 across the participants. Consistent with previous research, brain fMRI results show that BOLD responses in a number of cortical regions are correlated with individual pain ratings. Correlations between pain scores and BOLD responses are also demonstrated in the spinal cord dorsal horn, locus coeruleus, and thalamus. SEM results demonstrate the network of brainstem and spinal cord regions that contribute to the pain response, and reveal differences related to individual pain sensitivity. The results of this study are consistent with the conclusion that individual differences in pain perception in healthy participants are a consequence of differences in descending modulation of spinal nociceptive processes from brainstem regions.

Prostate cancer susceptibility genes on 8p21-23 in a Dutch population.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in Europe and the United States. Numerous studies have indicated genetics to have a major role in the aetiology of this disease; as much as 42% of the risk may be explained by heritable factors. Genome-wide association studies have detected an association between prostate cancer and chromosome 8p21-23. In this study, we analysed eight microsatellite (MS) markers in that region in order to confirm previous results and narrow down the location of candidate prostate cancer genes. METHODS: 292 cases and 278 controls were selected from the Netherlands Cohort Study (NLCS). The following MSs were used in the analyses: D8S136, D8S1734, D8S1742, D8S261, D8S262, D8S351, D8S511 and D8S520. Associations were evaluated using a χ(2) test and logistic regression. We checked for any effects on the association by tumour stage. RESULTS: Associations that were found confirmed previous research that pointed to the 8p21-23 region. Two MSs: D8S136 (odds ratio (OR), 0.69; P=4.00 × 10(-28)), and D8S520 (OR, 0.80; P=3.37 × 10(-11)), were consistently and strongly related with prostate cancer. Genotype analysis showed an additive effect for D8S136 (P-trend=6.22 × 10(-03)) and D8S520 (P-trend=2.62 × 10(-22)), suggesting an increased risk for people with a short number of repeats on both alleles at those markers. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides strong evidence that the 8p21-23 region is likely to harbour prostate cancer genes.

Calcium levels in the maxillae of human foetuses / Niveles de calcio en los maxilares de fetos humanos

Calcium along with phosphorus and carbonate imparts hardness and strength to skeletal system. Most of the human studies in this context are based on informations in postnatal life. There are different theories to explain the manner in which the matrix of bone becomes impregnated with the two inorganic salts, calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. In our study, 29 human foetuses were obtained from the museum section of Department of Anatomy, J .N. Medical College, Aligarh, and divided into five groups. Maxillae were cleaned by separating the soft tissue and dissolved in concentrated nitric acid to determine calcium. Results were analysed by using Student's 't' test. The most striking feature of our findings was a reduction in aforementioned relative calcium in subsequent groups of foetuses. This decrease was highly significant in foetuses of last three groups i.e. III, IV and V. On the other hand, when total amount of calcium in foetal maxillae of adjacent groups were compared, a steady rise in concentration of calcium was noticed but no definite pattern was observed. Sexual dimorphism could be considered only in groups IV and V foetuses due to lack of female foetuses in first three groups. Some scientists did consider the human foetal bones but their interests were confined to parietal bone, femur and teeth. None of the earlier studies considered calcium concentration in maxillae of human foetuses. Therefore, our study aimed at measuring the level of calcium in maxillae of developing human foetuses in different age groups to find pattern, if any, during development for medicolegal purposes.

El calcio junto con el fósforo y el carbonato otorgan la dureza y la fuerza al sistema esquelético. La mayoría de los estudios en seres humanos se basan en la información de la vida postnatal. Existen diferentes teorías para explicar la manera en que la matriz del hueso se impregna con las de sales inorgánicas, fosfato de calcio y carbonato de calcio. Fueron utilizados 29 fetos humanos del Museo del Departamento de Anatomía, Facultad J. N. Medical, Aligarh, divididos en cinco grupos. Los maxilares fueron limpiados separando los tejidos blandos, luego se disolvieron en ácido nítrico concentrado para determinar el nivel de calcio. Los resultados se analizaron a través de la prueba t de Student. La característica más notable fue la reducción de calcio en los grupos subsecuentes de los fetos. Esta disminución fue muy significativa en los fetos de los tres últimos grupos es decir, III, IV y V. Por otro lado, cuando se comparó la cantidad total de calcio en maxilares fetales de los grupos adyacentes, se observó un aumento constante en la concentración de calcio, sin ningún patrón definido. El dimorfismo sexual pudo ser considerado sólo en los grupos IV y V de los fetos, ya que la falta de fetos femeninos en los primeros tres grupos impidió su comparación. Algunos científicos han examinado los huesos del feto humano, pero sus intereses se limitan a los huesos parietales, al fémur y los dientes. Ningún de los primeros estudios considera la concentración de calcio en los maxilares de los fetos humanos. Así el objetivo de este estudio fue medir el nivel de calcio durante desarrollo de fetos humanos en maxilares de fetos de diferentes edades para determinar algún patrón, si los hubiera, con fines médico-legales.

New geochronological, paleoclimatological, and archaeological data from the Narmada Valley hominin locality, central India.

The oldest known fossil hominin in southern Asia was recovered from Hathnora in the Narmada Basin, central India in the early 1980's. Its age and taxonomic affinities, however, have remained uncertain. Current estimates place its maximum age at >236ka, but not likely older than the early middle Pleistocene. The calvaria, however, could be considerably younger. We report recent fieldwork at Hathnora and associated Quaternary type-sections that has provided new geological and archaeological insights. The portion of the exposed 'Boulder Conglomerate' within the Surajkund Formation, which forms a relict terrace and has yielded the hominin fossils, contains reworked and stylistically mixed lithic artifacts and temporally mixed fauna. Three mammalian teeth stratigraphically associated with the hominin calvaria were dated by standard electron spin resonance (ESR). Assuming an early uranium uptake (EU) model for the teeth, two samples collected from the reworked surface deposit averaged 49+/-1ka (83+/-2ka, assuming linear uptake [LU]; 196+/-7ka assuming recent uptake [RU]). Another sample recovered from freshly exposed, crossbedded gravels averaged 93+/-5ka (EU), 162+/-8ka (LU) or 407+/-21ka (RU). While linear uptake models usually provide the most accurate ages for this environment and time range, the EU ages represent the minimum possible age for fossils in the deposit. Regardless, the fossils are clearly reworked and temporally mixed. Therefore, the current data constrains the minimum possible age for the calvaria to 49+/-1ka, although it could have been reworked and deposited into the Hathnora deposit any time after 160ka (given the LU uptake ages) or earlier (given the RU ages). At Hathnora, carbonaceous clay, bivalve shells, and a bovid tooth recovered from layers belonging to the overlying Baneta Formation have yielded (14)C ages of 35.66+/-2.54cal ky BP, 24.28+/-0.39cal ky BP, and 13.15+/-0.34ky BP, respectively. Additional surveys yielded numerous lithics and fossils on the surface and within the stratigraphic sequence. At the foot of the Vindhyan Hills 2km from the river, we recovered a typologically Early Acheulean assemblage comprised of asymmetrical bifaces, large cleavers with minimal working, trihedral picks, and flake tools in fresh condition. These tools may be the oldest Acheulean in the Narmada Valley. Several lithics recovered from the Dhansi Formation may represent the first unequivocal evidence for an early Pleistocene hominin presence in India. In situ invertebrate and vertebrate fossils, pollen, and spores indicate a warm, humid climate during the late middle Pleistocene. High uranium concentrations in the mammalian teeth indicate exposure to saline water, suggesting highly evaporative conditions in the past. Late Pleistocene sediment dated between 24.28+/-0.39cal ky BP and 13.15+/-340ky BP has yielded pollen and spores indicating cool, dry climatic conditions corresponding to Oxygen Isotope Stage 2 (OIS 2). An early Holocene palynological assemblage from the type locality at Baneta shows evidence for relatively dry conditions and a deciduous forest within the region. The Dhansi Formation provisionally replaces the Pilikarar Formation as the oldest Quaternary formation within the central Narmada Basin. The Baneta Formation, previously dated at 70ka to 128ka, correlates with the late Pleistocene and early Holocene. Our results highlight the need for further Quaternary geological and paleoanthropological research within the Narmada Basin, especially because dam construction threatens these deposits.

Noise level in different places of Dhaka Metropolitan City (DMC) and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in Dhaka City dwellers.

A cross sectional, exploratory study was designed at "National Center for Hearing and Speech for Children" (NCHSC), Dhaka, Bangladesh, from May 2001 to June 2002, with a view to determine the average noise level in different places of Dhaka Metropolitan City (DMC), and also aiming at evaluating the extent of Noise-induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) in different groups of city dwellers and finally a base line information. A total of 32 places in DMC were selected randomly. The highest noise level recorded 104 dB at Sayedabad bus terminal and the lowest 68 dB in Banani and Baridhara residential area. In silent zone of DMC, average noise level was 79 dB, in residential zone 72 dB, in commercial zone 90 dB, and in mixed zone average noise level was recorded at 91 dB. Measured noise levels were more than acceptable and permissible levels in all places of DMC. A total of 312 persons aged between 15-45 years (mean age- 24.64 years) were enrolled for the study as per inclusion criteria. Gender-wise male were 211(67.62%) and female were 101(32.57%). Profession-wise Automobile drivers were 57(18.26 %), Garment workers 58(18.55 %), City dwellers 72(23.07%), Students 72(23.07%), Traffic polices 12(3.85%), Hawkers and Road side shopkeepers were 41(13.1%). Definite noise notch (>25dB) at 4KHz observed in 33(10.58%) audiogram of persons under study. Automobile drivers, Traffic polices, Road side hawkers and Shop keepers, Garment workers are mostly affected were 17.54%, 16.4%, 12.09% and 12.06% respectively. A total of 201 persons (64.42%) were not aware of their hearing impairment, 244(78%) of the person had poor level of knowledge regarding bad effects of noise on health and about protective means available. Amongst persons (33) found to have NIHL did not use any protective device.

Screening--a unique way of better health care delivery for ENT patients.

A few Ear Camps were carried out amongst 25 schools and madrashas of Dhaka City having 10,102 pupils, to see the prevalence of ENT diseases and hearing impairment. A primary screening was done by the Bangladesh Council for Child Welfare (BCCW) with the possibilities of suffering from ear, nose & throat diseases with the help of questionnaire and clinical examination by qualified doctor. The word "Screening" is used in this paper not in the epidemiological sense but to imply primary selection. 1,403 (13.89%) were issued registration card for ENT consultation. Five otolaryngologist, one audiometrician, two ancillary staffs, BCCW workers, local volunteers and school teachers conducted the 3 days long camp. Secondary screening by the otolaryngologists revealed pathology in 1,101 students (10.89%). 26 children (0.26%) were attending schools with severe hearing loss. ENT diseases appeared to be common in urban school children and screened proved to be an efficient method for health care delivery.

Role of dietary fibre on platelet adhesiveness.

Fifty five adult patients of diabetes mellitus and fourteen normal healthy subjects matched for age and sex were studied to see the effect of dietary fibre on platelet adhesiveness. In patients of diabetes mellitus the platelet adhesiveness 2 1/2 hrs. after a load of glucose was significantly higher (p = less than 0.001) as compared to normal individuals under the same conditions. After a glucose load with fibre the platelet adhesiveness in patients with diabetes mellitus fell significantly (p = less than 0.001). Although there was a fall in platelet adhesiveness in normal subjects also, it was statistically not significant. Supplements of fibre in the diet of diabetic patients may prevent or delay the vascular complications.