RNA sequencing reveals region-specific molecular mechanisms associated with epileptogenesis in a model of classical hippocampal sclerosis.

We report here the first complete transcriptome analysis of the dorsal (dDG) and ventral dentate gyrus (vDG) of a rat epilepsy model presenting a hippocampal lesion with a strict resemblance to classical hippocampal sclerosis (HS). We collected the dDG and vDG by laser microdissection 15 days after electrical stimulation and performed high-throughput RNA-sequencing. There were many differentially regulated genes, some of which were specific to either of the two sub-regions in stimulated animals. Gene ontology analysis indicated an enrichment of inflammation-related processes in both sub-regions and of axonal guidance and calcium signaling processes exclusively in the vDG. There was also a differential regulation of genes encoding molecules involved in synaptic function, neural electrical activity and neuropeptides in stimulated rats. The data presented here suggests, in the time point analyzed, a remarkable interaction among several molecular components which takes place in the damaged hippocampi. Furthermore, even though similar mechanisms may function in different regions of the DG, the molecular components involved seem to be region specific.

Minocycline as potent anticonvulsant in a patient with astrocytoma and drug resistant epilepsy.

Minocycline, a tetracycline family antibiotic, is known to inhibit microglial activation and proinflammatory cytokine release in animal models. Experimental data show that these immune processes may play a role in epilepto- and ictogenesis. We present the case of a patient with marked reduction in seizure frequency during minocycline therapy with severe symptomatic epilepsy due to an astrocytoma.

Values and public acceptability dimensions of sustainable egg production.

The attributes of egg production that elicit values-based responses include the price and availability of eggs, environmental impacts, food safety or health concerns, and animal welfare. Different social groups have distinct interests regarding the sustainability of egg production that reflect these diverse values. Current scientifically based knowledge about how values and attitudes in these groups can be characterized is uneven and must be derived from studies conducted at varying times and using incomplete study methods. In general, some producer and consumer interests are translated through markets and are mediated by market mechanisms, whereas others are poorly reflected by economic behavior. An array of survey and focus group research has been performed to elicit consumer and activist beliefs about performance goals they would expect from an egg production system. These studies provide evidence that consumers' market behavior may be at odds with their ethical and political beliefs about performance goals.

Economic and market issues on the sustainability of egg production in the United States: analysis of alternative production systems.

Conventional cage housing for laying hens evolved as a cost-effective egg production system. Complying with mandated hen housing alternatives would raise marginal production costs and require sizable capital investment. California data indicate that shifts from conventional cages to barn housing would likely cause farm-level cost increases of about 40% per dozen. The US data on production costs of such alternatives as furnished cages are not readily available and European data are not applicable to the US industry structure. Economic analysis relies on key facts about production and marketing of conventional and noncage eggs. Even if mandated by government or buyers, shifts to alternative housing would likely occur with lead times of at least 5 yr. Therefore, egg producers and input suppliers would have considerable time to plan new systems and build new facilities. Relatively few US consumers now pay the high retail premiums required for nonconventional eggs from hens housed in alternative systems. However, data from consumer experiments indicate that additional consumers would also be willing to pay some premium. Nonetheless, current data do not allow easy extrapolation to understand the willingness to pay for such eggs by the vast majority of conventional egg consumers. Egg consumption in the United States tends to be relatively unresponsive to price changes, such that sustained farm price increases of 40% would likely reduce consumption by less than 10%. This combination of facts and relationships suggests that, unless low-cost imports grew rapidly, requirements for higher cost hen housing systems would raise US egg prices considerably while reducing egg consumption marginally. Eggs are a low-cost source of animal protein and low-income consumers would be hardest hit. However, because egg expenditures are a very small share of the consumer budget, real income loss for consumers would be small in percentage terms. Finally, the high egg prices imposed by alternative hen housing systems raise complex issues about linking public policy costs to policy beneficiaries.

Outcomes in African Americans and Hispanics with lupus nephritis.

Poor outcomes have been reported in African Americans and Hispanics compared to Caucasians with lupus nephritis. The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to identify independent predictors of outcomes in African Americans and Hispanics with lupus nephritis. In total, 93 African Americans, 100 Hispanics, and 20 Caucasians with a mean age of 28 +/- 13 years and an annual household income of 32.9 +/- 17.3 (in 1000 US dollars) were studied. World Health Organization (WHO) lupus nephritis classes II, III, IV, and V were seen in 9, 13, 52, and 26%, respectively. Important baseline differences were higher mean arterial pressure (MAP) in African Americans compared to Hispanics and Caucasians (107 +/- 19, 102 +/- 15, and 99 +/- 13 mmHg, P < 0.05), and higher serum creatinine (1.66 +/- 1.3, 1.25 +/- 1.0, and 1.31 +/- 1.0 mg/dl, P < 0.025). African Americans had lower hematocrit compared to Hispanics and Caucasians (29 +/- 5, and 31 +/- 6, and 32 +/- 7%, P < 0.05), and lower annual household income (30.8 +/- 14.9, 33.1 +/- 15.9, and 42.2 +/- 29.3 in 1000 US dollars; P < 0.05). Lower prevalence of WHO class IV was seen in Caucasians (30%) compared to Hispanics (57%, P = 0.03) and African Americans (51%, P = 0.09). Development of doubling creatinine or end-stage renal disease was higher in African Americans and Hispanics than in Caucasians (31, 18, and 10%; P < 0.05), as was the development of renal events or death (34, 20, and 10%; P < 0.025). Our results suggest that both biological factors indicating an aggressive disease and low household income are common in African Americans and Hispanics with lupus nephritis, and outcomes in these groups are worse than in Caucasians.

Parallel line bioassay in practice. Practical aspects of design, analysis, and regulatory requirements from the technician's point of view.

Bioassay technicians sometimes have limited statistical training and require more help when preparing bioassay data for filing with regulatory agencies. Three things should be considered when approaching problems in statistics: (i) Assess the situation: data should be checked for accuracy and bias; (ii) Is the situation resolving on its own? Are the skills in place to answer this question? (iii) If no to 2, find expert help. Some sources of variability in bioassays are listed. Some sources of expert help are listed. An example is given of how a statistics problem was solved by a technician unfamiliar with statistics. Some practical tips for design, analysis and regulatory issues are presented.

Estradiol inhibits the increase of hypothalamic neuropeptide Y messenger ribonucleic acid expression induced by weight loss in ovariectomized rats.

Anorexia and weight loss produced by estradiol (E2) may involve altered expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the hypothalamus. We tested this hypothesis using ovariectomized (OVX) rats by replacing E2 with SILASTIC brand capsule implants and measuring NPY messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in the arcuate nucleus by in situ hybridization. To equalize the effects of weight loss on NPY mRNA expression, E2 deficient OVX rats were pair-fed (n = 10) for 2 days to an OVX group receiving E2 (n = 12). Compared with the weight gain (P < 0.02) of E2 deficient OVX rats (n = 10), OVX rats replaced with E2 and pair-fed OVX rats both had 12.5% lower food intake and weight (P < 0.05). E2 replacement elevated insulin 52% (P < 0.05) and lowered NPY hybridization 32% (P < 0.05) compared with pair-fed controls. During a 2-day fast, E2 replacement (N = 12) attenuated the elevation of NPY mRNA levels 50% (P < 0.01) compared with E2 deficiency (n = 15). Therefore, when E2 is administered to OVX rats, reduced NPY mRNA expression in the hypothalamus is unlikely to be a primary cause of weight loss, although it may contribute to the maintenance of reduced food intake and body weight.

Legislative efforts to protect children from tobacco.

Public health laws intended to prevent children from smoking have been enacted in many states. We surveyed the relevant laws in all states and the District of Columbia. The efficacy of one such law prohibiting the sale of tobacco to individuals under the age of 18 years was assessed with the cooperation of an 11-year-old girl. She was successful in 75 of 100 attempts to purchase cigarettes. On the basis of this experience and a review of existing laws, we have made recommendations for a model law. These include a prohibition of the possession of tobacco by minors, a prohibition of the sale of tobacco to minors, a requirement for a warning sign at the point of sale, a ban on cigarette vending machines, and a reward for individuals reporting violators of vending laws.

KIE: The authors surveyed state and District of Columbia public health laws aimed at keeping tobacco products out of children's hands. They then tested the efficacy of the Massachusetts ban on selling tobacco to minors with the help of an 11-year-old assistant, who was able to purchase cigarettes from 75 of the 100 businesses that she visited. In view of the serious health consequences of nicotine addiction, which often begins in childhood, the authors make recommendations for a model law that would outlaw tobacco possession by children and the sale of tobacco products to individuals under 21, promote health education about tobacco, and regulate more strictly the sale and distribution of tobacco products in general.