Distinct Regionalization Patterns of Cortical Morphology are Associated with Cognitive Performance Across Different Domains.

Cognitive performance in children is predictive of academic and social outcomes; therefore, understanding neurobiological mechanisms underlying individual differences in cognition during development may be important for improving quality of life. The belief that a single, psychological construct underlies many cognitive processes is pervasive throughout society. However, it is unclear if there is a consistent neural substrate underlying many cognitive processes. Here, we show that a distributed configuration of cortical surface area and apparent thickness, when controlling for global imaging measures, is differentially associated with cognitive performance on different types of tasks in a large sample (N = 10 145) of 9-11-year-old children from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive DevelopmentSM (ABCD) study. The minimal overlap in these regionalization patterns of association has implications for competing theories about developing intellectual functions. Surprisingly, not controlling for sociodemographic factors increased the similarity between these regionalization patterns. This highlights the importance of understanding the shared variance between sociodemographic factors, cognition and brain structure, particularly with a population-based sample such as ABCD.

Early infant adipose deposition is positively associated with the n-6 to n-3 fatty acid ratio in human milk independent of maternal BMI.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Excessive infant weight gain in the first 6-month of life is a powerful predictor of childhood obesity and related health risks. In mice, omega-6 fatty acids (FAs) serve as potent ligands driving adipogenesis during early development. The ratio of omega-6 relative to omega-3 (n-6/n-3) FA in human milk (HM) has increased threefold over the last 30 years, but the impact of this shift on infant adipose development remains undetermined. This study investigated how maternal obesity and maternal dietary FA (as reflected in maternal red blood cells (RBCs) composition) influenced HM n-6 and n-3 FAs, and whether the HM n-6/n-3 ratio was associated with changes in infant adipose deposition between 2 weeks and 4 months postpartum. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Forty-eight infants from normal weight (NW), overweight (OW) and obese (OB) mothers were exclusively or predominantly breastfed over the first 4 months of lactation. Mid-feed HM and maternal RBC were collected at either transitional (2 weeks) or established (4 months) lactation, along with infant body composition assessed using air-displacement plethysmography. The FA composition of HM and maternal RBC was measured quantitatively by lipid mass spectrometry. RESULTS: In transitional and established HM, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was lower (P=0.008; 0.005) and the arachidonic acid (AA)/DHA+eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ratio was higher (P=0.05; 0.02) in the OB relative to the NW group. Maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and AA/DHA+EPA ratios in transitional and established HM were moderately correlated (P=0.018; 0.001). Total infant fat mass was increased in the upper AA/DHA+EPA tertile of established HM relative to the lower tertile (P=0.019). The amount of changes in infant fat mass and percentage of body fat were predicted by AA/EPA+DHA ratios in established HM (P=0.038; 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Perinatal infant exposures to a high AA/EPA+DHA ratio during the first 4 months of life, which is primarily reflective of maternal dietary FA, may significantly contribute to the way infants accumulate adipose.

Gender issues and partner preferences among a sample of emergency medical technicians.

INTRODUCTION: From its beginnings, the provision of emergency medical services in the United States has been a male-dominated occupation. The objective of this exploratory study was to determine if and how such issues might influence partner preferences of male and female emergency medical technicians (EMTs). METHODS: Initially, unstructured interviews were conducted with 10 EMS workers enrolled in a paramedic training program in order to see whether and how such issues might affect partner preferences. From the data obtained during these interviews, a questionnaire was developed and distributed to participants in an annual meeting of Louisiana Association of Nationally Registered EMTs. Participation was voluntary and uncompensated. RESULTS: A total of 49 EMTs (22 women, 27 men) completed the questionnaire. The major gender-related issues could be classified into three dimensions: 1) physical strength; 2) assumption of authoritative roles; and 3) structural (organizational) preparedness to implement gender--friendly working environment. In general, the gender of a partner now "makes no difference". CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the EMS work worlds are reflective of the larger society of which they are a part. Now is the time for EMS systems to examine the gendered nature of their organization and of the issues of gendered expectations prevalent in EMS work. Future research should document the changes now due in the field of emergency medical services.

Enhanced shoot regeneration from Brassica campestris by silver nitrate.

The morphogenetic response of Brassica campestris genotype R500 to inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis and action was investigated. A medium containing 1.0 mg.l(-1) NAA, 2.0 mg.l(-1) BAP, and 30 or 60 µM AgNO3 significantly enhanced both the percentage shoot regeneration and the number of shoots per cotyledon expiant. Although callus proliferation occurred on hypocotyl segments, no shoots were formed in response to AgNO3 with expiants older than five days. Cotyledons older than six days formed shoots only with AgNO3. Cobalt chloride at 20 and 30 µM increased cotyledon shoot regeneration but was inferior to AgNO3. Hypocotyl segments were unresponsive. Salicylic acid at 25 and 50 µM prevented both shoot regeneration and callusing without any obvious toxic effects. Removal of expiants from AgNO3 after 12 days did not alter the percentage of shoot regeneration but increased the number of shoots per expiant. This response was dependent on the level of BAP. Percentage shoot regeneration and number of shoots per cotyledon explant were not affected by removal of CoCl2. These results indicate that the poor regenerative capacity of this genotype may be related to ethylene biosynthesis or metabolism.

Long-term results of BCG vaccination in the southern United States.

PIP: A controlled trial of Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccination was conducted in 1950 among 64,136 residents of Muscogee County, Georgia, and Russell County, Alabama. Only 11% of the total study population is now estimated to have been infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. About half of the initial nonreactors to tuberculin were vaccinated. Throughout 14 years of observation, tuberculosis continued to develop more frequently among initial reactors than among those who were nonreactors at the start of the trial. Among the nonreactors, vaccination accounted for a reduction in tuberculosis of only 14%, meaning that the net reduction in the entire study population was less than 5%. The slight contribution made by vaccination was manifested almost entirely during the 1st 4 years of the trial. Moreover, BCG vaccination was least effective among groups most in need of protection, especially Blacks. Although tuberculosis appeared to be most common among persons with small amounts of subcutaneous fat and those in inadequate housing, there was no indication that either of these factors could account for the lack of effectiveness of BCG vaccination. It is concluded that the risk of tuberculosis among nonreactors is too low to justify the use of BCG in the US. To achieve a dramatic decline in tuberculosis morbidity, it is necessary to find ways to stop the continued development of tuberculosis among persons with old established infections.^ieng