Perception of #TheDress in childhood is influenced by age and green-leaf preference.

The perception of the ambiguous image of #TheDress may be influenced by optical factors, such as macular pigments. Their accumulation during childhood could increase with age and the ingestion of carotenoid-containing foods. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the visual perception of the dress in children would differ based on age and carotenoid preference. This was a cross-sectional, observational, and comparative study. A poll was administered to children aged 2 to 10 years. Parents were instructed to inquire about the color of #TheDress from their children. A carotenoid preference survey was also completed. A total of 413 poll responses were analyzed. Responses were categorized based on the perceived color of the dress: blue/black (BB) (n = 204) and white/gold (WG) (n = 209). The mean and median age of the WG group was higher than the BB group (mean 6.1, median 6.0 years, standard deviation [SD] 2.2; mean 5.5, median 5.0 years, SD 2.3; p = 0.007). Spearman correlation between age and group was 0.133 (p = 0.007). Green-leaf preference (GLP) showed a statistically significant difference between groups (Mann-Whitney U: p = 0.038). Spearman correlation between GLP and group was 0.102 (p = 0.037). Logistic regression for the perception of the dress as WG indicated that age and GLP were significant predictors (age: B weight 0.109, p = 0.012, odds ratio: 1.115; GLP: B weight 0.317, p = 0.033, odds ratio: 1.373). Older children and those with a higher GLP were more likely to perceive #TheDress as WG. These results suggest a potential relationship with the gradual accumulation of macular pigments throughout a child's lifetime.

Novel Radiological Brain Anomalies in a Patient with Congenital Muscular Dystrophy due to FKRP Mexican Founder Mutation c.1387A > G: Review of the Literature.

Mutations in the FKRP gene result in phenotypes with severe forms of congenital muscular dystrophies (CMD) and limb-girdle muscular dystrophies. We present a Mexican patient with a pathogenic homozygous mutation in the FKRP gene (c.1387A > G, p.Asn463Asp) and CMD with radiological brain anomalies as disseminated hyperintensity lesions and discrete generalized cortical atrophy. These findings have not been reported to the best of our knowledge in other patients with the same mutation. The mutation c.1387A > G, p.Asn463Asp in the FKRP gene has been described to have a founder effect in central Mexico, since all the patients described to date are of Hispanic origin. Therefore, we emphasize studying mutations in the FKRP gene in Hispanic pediatric patients with clinical suspicion of CMD. Clinical and molecular diagnosis of specific CMD subtypes is needed to help clarify the prognosis, management, and genetic counseling to the patient and families.

Neurogenesis after Spinal Cord Injury: State of the Art.

Neurogenesis in the adult state is the process of new neuron formation. This relatively infrequent phenomenon comprises four stages: cell proliferation, cell migration, differentiation, and the integration of these cells into an existing circuit. Recent reports suggest that neurogenesis can be found in different regions of the Central Nervous System (CNS), including the spinal cord (SC). This process can be observed in physiological settings; however, it is more evident in pathological conditions. After spinal cord injury (SCI), the activation of microglial cells and certain cytokines have shown to exert different modulatory effects depending on the presence of inflammation and on the specific region of the injury site. In these conditions, microglial cells and cytokines are considered to play an important role in the regulation of neurogenesis after SCI. The purpose of this article is to present an overview on neural progenitor cells and neurogenic and non-neurogenic zones as well as the cellular and molecular regulation of neurogenesis. Additionally, we will briefly describe the recent advances in the knowledge of neurogenesis after SCI.

Immunization with neural-derived peptides increases neurogenesis in rats with chronic spinal cord injury.

AIMS: Immunization with neural-derived peptides (INDP) has demonstrated to be a promising therapy to achieve a regenerative effect in the chronic phase of the spinal cord injury (SCI). Nevertheless, INDP-induced neurogenic effects in the chronic stage of SCI have not been explored. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, we analyzed the effect of INDP on both motor and sensitive function recovery; afterward, we assessed neurogenesis and determined the production of cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, and TNF alpha) and neurotrophic factors (BDNF and GAP-43). During the chronic stage of SCI, rats subjected to INDP showed a significant increase in both motor and sensitive recovery when compared to the control group. Moreover, we found a significant increase in neurogenesis, mainly at the central canal and at both the dorsal and ventral horns of INDP-treated animals. Finally, INDP induced significant production of antiinflammatory and regeneration-associated proteins in the chronic stages of SCI. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that INDP has a neurogenic effect that could improve motor and sensitive recovery in the chronic stage of SCI. Moreover, our results also envision the use of INDP as a possible therapeutic strategy for other trauma-related disorders like traumatic brain injury.