Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) interaction with parenting practices on callous-unemotional traits in preschoolers

Background and Objectives: From a gene-by-environment perspective, parenting in interaction with the polymorphism in the Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene (MAOA-uVNTR) might also be associated with increased callous-unemotional traits (CU) in preschoolers. MAOA-uVNTR results in differential enzyme activity, so that high-activity alleles (MAOA-H) are linked to reduced dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine availability in comparison to low-activity allele (MAOA-L). As MAOA-uVNTR has been previously described to moderate the relationship between childhood parental maltreatment and aggressive and antisocial behavior, it may also play a role in CU traits etiology.MethodsData was collected through questionnaires answered by parents and teachers. MAOA-uVNTR was genotyped in 368 Caucasian children from a community sample (51.9% male). Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to analyze the interaction effect of MAOA genotypes and both positive parenting and punitive parenting practices on CU traits at two different periods (3 and 5 years old) and separately by sex.ResultsNo significant interactions were found for boys. Among girls, a significant interaction effect was found for MAOA-LL carriers, who showed higher CU traits at age 5 when exposed to higher punitive or positive parenting at age 3.ConclusionsOur study provides the first evidence for significant MAOA × early parenting effects on CU traits in preschoolers, specifically among female MAOA-LL carriers. This suggests that the MAOA-LL genotype for girls is associated with higher sensitivity to both positive and punitive parenting in girls, so that MAOA-LL emerges as a genotype that confers higher vulnerability to parental influences. (AU)

CT analysis of the Stafne's bone defects of the mandible.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the aetiology of Stafne's bone defects by analysing the CT findings of two types of defects, which appeared differently on panoramic radiographs. METHODS: 32 lesions with suspicion of the Stafne's bone defect on a panoramic radiograph were categorised into two groups: typical "Stafne type", which showed the connection to the base of the mandible, and non-typical "Cyst type", which showed no connection. Age, sex, the existence of hypertension and the following CT findings: location, size and inner content of the defect, existence of expansion of the buccal cortical bone, and location of submandibular glands, were analysed. RESULTS: There were 14 "Stafne type" and 17 "Cyst type" on the panoramic radiographs. One lesion in the "Cyst type" was a true cystic lesion and was excluded from further review. The "Stafne type" was seen primarily in the posterior and inferior locations, while the "Cyst type" was seen in the anterior and superior locations on the CT. The size of the defect was significantly larger in the "Stafne type". Buccal cortical expansion was observed only in three lesions in the "Stafne type". While the "Cyst type" contained mainly fatty tissue, the "Stafne type" contained other soft tissues. Though the submandibular glands on the defect side were located anteriorly in both types compared with those on the contralateral side and on the control patients, they spread mainly outwards in the "Stafne type". CONCLUSION: The Stafne's bone defects are thought to be caused by the dislocated submandibular gland. The differences between the two types might occur as a result of a different location of the submandibular gland.

Predictors of functional impairment in children and adolescents.

The goal of this study was to investigate the variables that best predict functional impairment in children and adolescents. Two hundred and eight psychiatric and 129 pediatric children aged 7 to 17 years were assessed with measures of psychopathology, functional impairment, temperament, marital discord, educational style, coping, developmental milestones, stressful life events, medical history, school information, and family history of psychopathology. Multiple regression models adjusted by psychopathology were estimated. The global model, which included all the significant variables in partial models, revealed the following predictors of impairment: receiving review lessons, chronic disease or handicap, the presence of problems the child interpreted as stressful, late onset and long duration of psychopathological problems. These indicators could be useful for the proper identification of children with severe difficulties, in order to provide them with adequate psychological services.

Synthesis of basement membrane by gastrointestinal cancer cell lines.

Gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma-derived cell lines were studied in order to determine their pattern of expression of basement membrane components and their ability to form a basement membrane. In contrast to the well-preserved expression of laminin beta 2, beta 3, gamma 1, and gamma 2 chain mRNAs, five of eight gastrointestinal cancer cells lacked alpha 3 mRNA. Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic examination of four cell lines transplanted subcutaneously to SCID mice demonstrated the presence of both alpha 3 and alpha 5 chains and the formation of a basal lamina in two cases. The other two cell lines lacked both alpha 3 and alpha 5 chains and could not form a basal lamina, suggesting that this deficiency may be a factor which affects their ability to form a basement membrane. This abnormality might play some role in stromal invasion by tumour cells in gastrointestinal cancer.

Diagnostic agreement between clinicians and the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents--DICA-R--in an outpatient sample.

The paper examines the diagnostic agreement between clinicians and the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents. One hundred and thirty-seven outpatients-children and adolescents, and their parents-were diagnosed independently following DSM-III-R criteria by clinicians and by the DICA-R. The diagnostic concordance between clinicians and DICA-R ranged from low to moderate in the majority of the categories. The only exception was Conduct Disorder. Differences depending on the informant and the quality of the information (cognitive vs. observable) were observed. Combining the information from the child/adolescent and their parents ameliorates the concordance. The reasons for the scanty agreement found could be due to the fact that clinicians and structured interviews differ in what they evaluate (conditions on which they focus), how they evaluate (strictness in the criteria application, use of different informants and different information etc.), and when they evaluate (present condition vs. lifespan). After analysing the pros and cons of both, the use of structured interviews is advisable for research purposes. There is a clear need for a variety of informants, and the combination of information from different sources is recommended, depending on the age of the children and the type of disorder.