Birth seasonality of childhood central nervous system tumors: Analysis of primary data from 16 Southern-Eastern European population-based registries

Season of birth, a surrogate of seasonal variation of environmental exposures, has been associated with increased risk of several cancers. In the context of a Southern-Eastern Europe (SEE) consortium, we explored the potential association of birth seasonality with childhood (0-14 years) central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Primary CNS tumor cases (n = 6,014) were retrieved from 16 population-based SEE registries (1983-2015). Poisson regression and meta-analyses on birth season were performed in nine countries with available live birth data (n = 4,987). Subanalyses by birth month, age, gender and principal histology were also conducted. Children born during winter were at a slightly increased risk of developing a CNS tumor overall [incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.06, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.99-1.14], and of embryonal histology specifically (IRR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.01-1.27). The winter peak of embryonal tumors was higher among boys (IRR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.05-1.46), especially during the first 4 years of life (IRR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.03-1.71). In contrast, boys <5 years born during summer seemed to be at a lower risk of embryonal tumors (IRR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.54-0.99). A clustering of astrocytomas was also found among girls (0-14 years) born during spring (IRR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.03-1.46). Although the present exploratory results are by no means definitive, they provide some indications for age-, gender- and histology-related seasonal variations of CNS tumors. Expansion of registration and linkage with cytogenetic reports could refine if birth seasonality is causally associated with CNS tumors and shed light into the complex pathophysiology of this lethal disease.

Mortality and survival patterns of childhood lymphomas: geographic and age-specific patterns in Southern-Eastern European and SEER/US registration data

Childhood (0-14 years) lymphomas, nowadays, present a highly curable malignancy compared with other types of cancer. We used readily available cancer registration data to assess mortality and survival disparities among children residing in Southern-Eastern European (SEE) countries and those in the United States. Average age-standardized mortality rates and time trends of Hodgkin (HL) and non-Hodgkin (NHL; including Burkitt [BL]) lymphomas in 14 SEE cancer registries (1990-2014) and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER, United States; 1990-2012) were calculated. Survival patterns in a total of 8918 cases distinguishing also BL were assessed through Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariate Cox regression models. Variable, rather decreasing, mortality trends were noted among SEE. Rates were overall higher than that in SEER (1.02/106 ), which presented a sizeable (-4.8%, P = .0001) annual change. Additionally, remarkable survival improvements were manifested in SEER (10 years: 96%, 86%, and 90% for HL, NHL, and BL, respectively), whereas diverse, still lower, rates were noted in SEE. Non-HL was associated with a poorer outcome and an amphi-directional age-specific pattern; specifically, prognosis was inferior in children younger than 5 years than in those who are 10 to 14 years old from SEE (hazard ratio 1.58, 95% confidence interval 1.28-1.96) and superior in children who are 5 to 9 years old from SEER/United States (hazard ratio 0.63, 95% confidence interval 0.46-0.88) than in those who are 10 to 14 years old. In conclusion, higher SEE lymphoma mortality rates than those in SEER, but overall decreasing trends, were found. Despite significant survival gains among developed countries, there are still substantial geographic, disease subtype-specific, and age-specific outcome disparities pointing to persisting gaps in the implementation of new treatment modalities and indicating further research needs.

Survival trends in childhood chronic myeloid leukaemia in Southern-Eastern Europe and the United States of America

AIM

To assess trends in survival and geographic disparities among children (0-14 years) with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) before and after the introduction of molecular therapy, namely tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in Southern-Eastern European (SEE) countries and the USA.

METHODS

We calculated survival among children with CML, acute lymphoblastic (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in 14 SEE (1990-2014) cancer registries and the U.S. Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program (SEER, 1990-2012). We used Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariate Cox regression models to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Among 369 CML cases, substantial improvements were noted in 2-year survival during the post-TKI (range: 81-89%) compared to pre-TKI period (49-66%; HR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.23-0.60). Risk of death was three times higher for <5-year-old children versus those aged 10-14 years (HR: 3.03, 95% CI: 1.85-4.94) and 56% higher for those living in SEE versus SEER (HR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.01-2.42). Regardless of geographic area and period of TKI administration, however, age seems to be a significant determinant of CML prognosis (pre-TKI period, HR_0-4y: 2.71, 95% CI: 1.53-4.79; post-TKI period, HR_0-4y: 3.38, 95% CI: 1.29-8.85). Noticeably, post-TKI survival in CML overall approximates that for ALL, whereas therapeutic advancements for AML remain modest.

CONCLUSION

Registry data show that introduction of molecular therapies coincides with revolutionised therapeutic outcomes in childhood CML entailing dramatically improved survival which is now similar to that in ALL. Given that age disparities in survival remain substantial, offering optimal therapy to entire populations is an urgent priority.

Disparities in melanoma incidence and mortality in South-Eastern Europe: Increasing incidence and divergent mortality patterns. Is progress around the corner?

INTRODUCTION

Most countries in South-Eastern Europe (SEE) have lower incidence, but higher mortality rates of malignant melanoma (MM) of the skin compared to North-Western Europe (NWE). We explored trends in MM incidence and mortality in SEE countries by sex and age and compared them with the trends in NWE.

METHODS

We obtained data on incident cases and deaths from MM (ICD-10 code C43) from 11 population-based cancer registries in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Malta, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey. We calculated age-specific rates for 25-49 ('young'), 50-69 ('middle aged') and 70+ years ('older') and estimated the average annual percent of change in incidence and mortality trends 2000-2010 according to age group and sex, using joinpoint regression analysis.

FINDINGS

The incidence rates of MM across the region were uniformly increasing. Significant increases in mortality rates were observed in middle aged men in Serbia and Bulgaria, middle aged women in Slovenia, older men in the Czech Republic, Serbia and Turkey, and older women in Slovenia and Serbia.

INTERPRETATION

While MM incidence rates were still increasing across SEE, mortality trends diverged and were less favourable than in NWE. Empowering cancer registration and improving the quality of incidence and mortality data will be essential for monitoring progress in MM control. In the context of prevention of melanoma, disparities in early detection appear to be widening the gap between SEE and NWE, while the provision of care to patients with advanced disease is likely to prove a challenge for regional healthcare budgets.

Childhood central nervous system tumour mortality and survival in Southern and Eastern Europe (1983-2014): Gaps persist across 14 cancer registries

AIM

Childhood central nervous system (CNS) tumour registration and control programs in Southern and Eastern Europe remain thin, despite the lethal nature of the disease. Mortality/survival data were assembled to estimate the burden of malignant CNS tumours, as well as the potential role of sociodemographic survival determinants across 14 cancer registries of this region.

METHODS

Average age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated, whereas time trends were quantified through Poisson and Joinpoint regressions. Kaplan-Meier curves were derived for the maximum and the more recent (10 and 5 year) registration periods. Multivariate Cox regression models were used to assess demographic and disease-related determinants.

RESULTS

Variations in mortality (8-16 per million) and survival (5-year: 35-69%) were substantial among the participating registries; in most registries mortality trend was stable, whereas Bulgaria, having the highest starting rate, experienced decreasing annual mortality (-2.4%, p=0.001). A steep decrease in survival rates was evident before the second year of follow-up. After controlling for diagnostic subgroup, age, gender and diagnostic year, Greece seemed to present higher survival compared with the other contributing registries, although the follow-up period was short. Irrespective of country, however, rural residence was found to impose substantial adverse repercussions on survival (hazard ratio (HR): 1.2, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-1.4).

CONCLUSION

Cross-country mortality and survival variations possibly reflect suboptimal levels of health care delivery and cancer control in some regions of Southern and Eastern Europe, notwithstanding questionable death certification patterns or follow-up procedures. Continuous childhood cancer registration and linkage with clinical data are prerequisite for the reduction of survival inequalities across Europe.

Childhood central nervous system tumours: Incidence and time trends in 13 Southern and Eastern European cancer registries

AIM

Following completion of the first 5-year nationwide childhood (0-14 years) registration in Greece, central nervous system (CNS) tumour incidence rates are compared with those of 12 registries operating in 10 Southern-Eastern European countries.

METHODS

All CNS tumours, as defined by the International Classification of Childhood Cancer (ICCC-3) and registered in any period between 1983 and 2014 were collected from the collaborating cancer registries. Data were evaluated using standard International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) criteria. Crude and age-adjusted incidence rates (AIR) by age/gender/diagnostic subgroup were calculated, whereas time trends were assessed through Poisson and Joinpoint regression models.

RESULTS

6062 CNS tumours were retrieved with non-malignant CNS tumours recorded in eight registries; therefore, the analyses were performed on 5191 malignant tumours. Proportion of death certificate only cases was low and morphologic verification overall high; yet five registries presented >10% unspecified neoplasms. The male/female ratio was 1.3 and incidence decreased gradually with age, apart from Turkey and Ukraine. Overall AIR for malignant tumours was 23/10(6) children, with the highest rates noted in Croatia and Serbia. A statistically significant AIR increase was noted in Bulgaria, whereas significant decreases were noted in Belarus, Croatia, Cyprus and Serbia. Although astrocytomas were overall the most common subgroup (30%) followed by embryonal tumours (26%), the latter was the predominant subgroup in six registries.

CONCLUSION

Childhood cancer registration is expanding in Southern-Eastern Europe. The heterogeneity in registration practices and incidence patterns of CNS tumours necessitates further investigation aiming to provide clues in aetiology and direct investments into surveillance and early tumour detection.

Control of human and plant fungal pathogens using pentaene macrolide 32, 33-didehydroroflamycoin

AIMS

The aim of this study was to address the toxicity of recently described polyene macrolide 32, 33-didehydroroflamycoin (DDHR) on a wide range of fungal pathogens and its potential to control plant fungal diseases.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The antifungal activity of DDHR in vitro was examined against common human and plant pathogenic fungi using a broth microdilution assay and a disk diffusion assay. Minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from 12·5 to 35 μg ml(-1) . A radial growth inhibition assay showed that DDHR inhibited mycelia growth, inducing mycelial necrosis and affecting sporulation. During the in vivo assay on apple fruits administration of DDHR 1 h before fungal inoculation inhibited spreading of the infection. Importantly, DDHR exhibited no phytotoxic effects on the model plant, Capsicum annum, verified by the plant growth rate and chlorophyll content.

CONCLUSIONS

DDHR inhibits growth of various plant pathogens in vitro with the strongest activity against Alternaria alternata, Colletotrichum acutatum and Penicillium expansum, and protects apple fruits from decay.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This is the first report of the inhibitory effect of DDHR on important pathogenic fungal isolates. DDHR could be a good scaffold for developing new antifungal agents for fruit and vegetable protection.

Mortality from cervical cancer in Serbia in the period 1991-2011

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to analyze trends of death rates for cervical cancer (CC) on territory of The Republic of Serbia in the period 1991-2011.

METHODS

In this descriptive epidemiological study, unpublished data of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia were used for the analysis of mortality due to CC among women in Serbia, from 1991 to 2011. Three different types of rates were calculated: crude, age-specific and age-adjusted rates. The age-standardized rates were calculated by the direct method of standardization using the World Standard Population as standard. The trends were assessed by joinpoint linear regression analysis. An average annual percentage change (AAPC) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed for trends.

RESULTS

The average age-standardized CC mortality rate (ASCCMR) was 7.03 per 100,000. The lowest value of the ASCCMR was at the beginning of the observed period (6.05 per 100,000) and the highest was 8.17 per 100,000 in 2008. The age-adjusted CC mortality rates have been continuously and significantly increasing (AAPC=+0.7, 95% CI=0.3- 1.1, p<0.05). In all age groups we found increasing trends, except in the age group of 65-74 years.

CONCLUSION

Since ASCCMR has been steadily increasing during the period observed, reducing these rates is highly warranted. To achieve this target, an organized CC screening program is essential.

Cancer mortality in central Serbia

PURPOSE

Cancer is the one of the leading cause of death worldwide. The aim of this study was to examine cancer mortality trends in the population of central Serbia in the period from 2002 to 2011.

METHODS

The descriptive epidemiological method was used. The mortality from all malignant tumors (code C00-C96 of the International Disease Classification) was registered. The source of mortality data was the published material of the Cancer Registry of Serbia. The source of population data was the census of 2002 and 2011 and the estimates for inter-census years. Non-standardized, age-adjusted and age-specific mortality rates were calculated. Age adjustment of mortality rates was performed by the direct method of standardization. Trend lines were estimated using linear regression.

RESULTS

During 2002-2011, cancer caused about 20% of all deaths each year in central Serbia. More men (56.9%) than women (43.1%) died of cancer. The average mortality rate for men was 1.3 times higher compared to women. A significant trend of increase of the age-adjusted mortality rates was recorded both for males (p<0.001) and for females (p=0.02). Except gastric cancer, the age-adjusted mortality rates in men were significantly increased for lung cancer (p=0.02), colorectal cancer (p<0.05), prostate cancer (p=0.01) and pancreatic cancer (p=0.01). Age-adjusted mortality rates for breast cancer in females were remarkably increased (p=0.01), especially after 2007.

CONCLUSIONS

In central Serbia during the period from 2002 to 2011, there was an increasing trend in mortality rates due to cancers in both sexes. Cancer mortality in males was 1.3-fold higher compared to females.

IGFBP-2 nuclear translocation is mediated by a functional NLS sequence and is essential for its pro-tumorigenic actions in cancer cells

IGFBP-2 is highly expressed in both the serum and tumor tissues of most cancers, and is considered one of the most significant genes in the signature of major cancers. IGFBP-2 mainly modulates IGF actions in the pericellular space; however, there is considerable evidence to suggest that IGFBP-2 may also act independently of the IGFs. These IGF-independent actions of IGFBP-2 are exerted either via interactions at the cell surface or intracellularly, via interaction with cytoplasmic or nuclear-binding partners. The precise mechanism underlying the intracellular/intranuclear localization of IGFBP-2 remains unclear. In this study, we investigated IGFBP-2 nuclear localization in several common cancer cells with the aim of dissecting the mechanism of its nuclear trafficking. IGFBP-2 is detected in the nuclei of common cancer cells, including breast, prostate and several neuroblastoma cell lines, using cell fractionation and confocal microscopy. Via nuclear import assays, we show that nuclear entry of IGFBP-2 is mediated by the classical nuclear import mechanisms, primarily through importin-α, as demonstrated by the use of blocking, competition and co-immunoprecipitation assays. Bioinformatics analysis of the IGFBP-2 protein sequence with PSORT II identified a classical nuclear localization signal (cNLS) sequence at 179PKKLRPP185, within the IGFBP-2 linker domain, mutagenesis of which abolishes IGFBP-2 nuclear import. Accordingly, the NLSmutIGFBP-2 fails to activate the VEGF promoter, which would otherwise occur in the presence of wild-type IGFBP-2. As a consequence, no activation of angiogenic processes were observed in NLSmutIGFBP-2 expressing SHEP cells when implanted onto our in vivo quail chorio-allantoic membrane model. Taken together, these data show for the first time that IGFBP-2 possesses a functional NLS sequence and that IGFBP-2 actively translocates into the nucleus by a classical nuclear import mechanism, involving formation of IGFBP-2 complexes with importin-α. Nuclear IGFBP-2 is required for the activation of VEGF expression and consequent angiogenesis.

Changes in the chondrocyte and extracellular matrix proteome during post-natal mouse cartilage development

Skeletal growth by endochondral ossification involves tightly coordinated chondrocyte differentiation that creates reserve, proliferating, prehypertrophic, and hypertrophic cartilage zones in the growth plate. Many human skeletal disorders result from mutations in cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) components that compromise both ECM architecture and chondrocyte function. Understanding normal cartilage development, composition, and structure is therefore vital to unravel these disease mechanisms. To study this intricate process in vivo by proteomics, we analyzed mouse femoral head cartilage at developmental stages enriched in either immature chondrocytes or maturing/hypertrophic chondrocytes (post-natal days 3 and 21, respectively). Using LTQ-Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry, we identified 703 cartilage proteins. Differentially abundant proteins (q < 0.01) included prototypic markers for both early and late chondrocyte differentiation (epiphycan and collagen X, respectively) and novel ECM and cell adhesion proteins with no previously described roles in cartilage development (tenascin X, vitrin, Urb, emilin-1, and the sushi repeat-containing proteins SRPX and SRPX2). Meta-analysis of cartilage development in vivo and an in vitro chondrocyte culture model (Wilson, R., Diseberg, A. F., Gordon, L., Zivkovic, S., Tatarczuch, L., Mackie, E. J., Gorman, J. J., and Bateman, J. F. (2010) Comprehensive profiling of cartilage extracellular matrix formation and maturation using sequential extraction and label-free quantitative proteomics. Mol. Cell. Proteomics 9, 1296-1313) identified components involved in both systems, such as Urb, and components with specific roles in vivo, including vitrin and CILP-2 (cartilage intermediate layer protein-2). Immunolocalization of Urb, vitrin, and CILP-2 indicated specific roles at different maturation stages. In addition to ECM-related changes, we provide the first biochemical evidence of changing endoplasmic reticulum function during cartilage development. Although the multifunctional chaperone BiP was not differentially expressed, enzymes and chaperones required specifically for collagen biosynthesis, such as the prolyl 3-hydroxylase 1, cartilage-associated protein, and peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerase B complex, were down-regulated during maturation. Conversely, the lumenal proteins calumenin, reticulocalbin-1, and reticulocalbin-2 were significantly increased, signifying a shift toward calcium binding functions. This first proteomic analysis of cartilage development in vivo reveals the breadth of protein expression changes during chondrocyte maturation and ECM remodeling in the mouse femoral head.

Comprehensive profiling of cartilage extracellular matrix formation and maturation using sequential extraction and label-free quantitative proteomics

Articular cartilage is indispensable for joint function but has limited capacity for self-repair. Engineering of neocartilage in vitro is therefore a major target for autologous cartilage repair in arthritis. Previous analysis of neocartilage has targeted cellular organization and specific molecular components. However, the complexity of extracellular matrix (ECM) development in neocartilage has not been investigated by proteomics. To redress this, we developed a mouse neocartilage culture system that produces a cartilaginous ECM. Differential analysis of the tissue proteome of 3-week neocartilage and 3-day postnatal mouse cartilage using solubility-based protein fractionation targeted components involved in neocartilage development, including ECM maturation. Initially, SDS-PAGE analysis of sequential extracts revealed the transition in protein solubility from a high proportion of readily soluble (NaCl-extracted) proteins in juvenile cartilage to a high proportion of poorly soluble (guanidine hydrochloride-extracted) proteins in neocartilage. Label-free quantitative mass spectrometry (LTQ-Orbitrap) and statistical analysis were then used to filter three significant protein groups: proteins enriched according to extraction condition, proteins differentially abundant between juvenile cartilage and neocartilage, and proteins with differential solubility properties between the two tissue types. Classification of proteins differentially abundant between NaCl and guanidine hydrochloride extracts (n = 403) using bioinformatics revealed effective partitioning of readily soluble components from subunits of larger protein complexes. Proteins significantly enriched in neocartilage (n = 78) included proteins previously not reported or with unknown function in cartilage (integrin-binding protein DEL1; coiled-coil domain-containing protein 80; emilin-1 and pigment epithelium derived factor). Proteins with differential extractability between juvenile cartilage and neocartilage included ECM components (nidogen-2, perlecan, collagen VI, matrilin-3, tenascin and thrombospondin-1), and the relationship between protein extractability and ECM ultrastructural organization was supported by electron microscopy. Additionally, one guanidine extract-specific neocartilage protein, protease nexin-1, was confirmed by immunohistochemistry as a novel component of developing articular cartilage in vivo. The extraction profile and matrix-associated immunostaining implicates protease nexin-1 in cartilage development in vitro and in vivo.

Time trends in cancer mortality in central Serbia

OBJECTIVE

To examine cancer mortality trends in Central Serbia (1985-2002).

METHODS

Cancer mortality rates were based on the official death certificates (n=192849). They were standardized for age and sex.

RESULTS

In the observed period, mortality rates showed a tendency to increase in both males (y = 118.54 + 2.27x, p = 0.0001) and females (y = 83.32 + 1.02x, p = 0.0001). Mortality of lung cancer increased in both sexes (y = 32.38 + 0.86x, p < 0.001 for males, y = 6.25 + 0.25y, p < 0.001 for females), as did colorectal cancer (y = 10.87 + 033x, p < 0.001 for males, y = 8.51 + 0.09x, p < 0.05 for females). Breast cancer mortality rates increased (y = 14.48 + 0.35x, p = 0.0001), and so did cervical cancer (y = 5.14 + 0.14x, p < 0.01). Mortality of gastric cancer in males has been moderately decreasing after 1990s (y(19902002) = 13.67-0.20x, p < 0.01), while prostate cancer mortality remained relatively stable.

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing cancer mortality trends in the last 18 years in Central Serbia indicate the extremely urgent needs for health authorities to adopt measures of cancer prevention that proved effective in other countries.

Effect of NaCl on seed germination in some Centaurium Hill. Species (Gentianaceae)

The influence of high NaCl concentrations on seed germination in both light and darkness was examined in the species Centaurium pulchellum, C. erythraea, C. littorale, C. spicatum, and C. tenuiflorum. Salt tolerance was found to depend on the life history of the seeds. To be specific, seeds of all five species failed to complete germination when exposed to continuous white light if kept all the time in the presence of 100-200 mM and greater NaCl concentrations. However, when after two weeks NaCl was rinsed from the seeds and the seeds were left in distilled water under white light for an additional two weeks, all species completed germination to a certain extent. The percent of germination not only depended on NaCl concentration in the prior medium, but was also species specific. Thus, seeds of C. pulchellum, C. erythraea, and C. littorale completed germination well almost irrespective of the salt concentration previously experienced. On the other hand, seeds of C. tenuiflorum completed germination poorly if NaCl concentrations in the prior media were greater than 200 mM. When seeds after washing were transferred to darkness for an additional 14 days, they failed to complete germination if previously imbibed on media containing NaCl concentrations greater than 400 mM. However, the seeds of all species, even if previously imbibed at 800 mM NaCl, could be induced to complete germination in darkness by 1 mM gibberellic acid. .

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma incidence and survival in European children and adolescents (1978-1997): report from the Automated Childhood Cancer Information System project

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs) constitute a large and heterogeneous group of malignant tumours. This paper describes and interprets geographical patterns (1988-1997) and time trends (1978-1997) of NHL incidence and survival in European children and adolescents. All 7702 lymphomas that were not Hodgkin's, were extracted from the Automated Childhood Cancer Information System (ACCIS) database and included in different analyses. In children under 15 years of age and for the period 1988-1997, the overall NHL age-adjusted incidence rate was 9.4 per million and has been increasing over 20 years by 0.9% per year on average (P=0.002). In adolescents aged 15-19 years, the age-specific incidence rate was 15.9 per million, increasing annually by 1.7% (P=0.007). Five-year survival of children diagnosed in 1988-1997 was 77%, ranging from 58% in the East to 83% in the West. A substantial increase in survival was observed in all European regions. Systematic monitoring and evaluation of childhood and adolescent data on NHL will contribute to further improvement in public health policy for the young population of Europe.

Psychiatric symptoms associated with cortical-subcortical dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease

Positron emission tomography was used to evaluate 3 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients: 1 with major depression, 1 with emotional lability, and 1 with apathy. Compared with 5 non-mood-disordered AD patients, the patient with depression had diminished relative regional cerebral blood flow (rel-CBF) in the anterior cingulate and superior temporal cortices, bilaterally. This patient also showed diminished rel-CBF in the left dorsolateral prefrontal and right medial temporal and parietal cortices. The patient with emotional lability had diminished rel-CBF in the anterior cingulate and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices, bilaterally, and left basal ganglia. The patient with apathy had diminished rel-CBF in the basal ganglia and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, bilaterally. Results are consistent with the hypothesis of a common frontal-temporal-subcortical substrate (e.g., involving aminergic nuclei) in the etiology of depression in AD. Frontal-subcortical dysfunction may also be associated with emotional lability and apathy in AD, although these may be related to a greater involvement of frontal-basal ganglia circuits.

[Review of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and other prion diseases]

INTRODUCTION

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rapidly progressive dementia syndrome which is probably caused by prions. The annual incidence of this disease is 1/1,000,000. Most cases are sporadic in type, although 10-15% are familial. The total incidence of CJD has not changed following the epidemic due to a new variant (nv-CJD); however, this has led to greater awareness of the subject.

OBJECTIVE

To review current scientific knowledge of CJD.

DEVELOPMENT

A search was made for relevant literature using MEDLINE. The criteria proposed for diagnosis of CJD include the presence of progressive dementia and at least two of the following characteristics: 1. Myoclonias, 2. Cortical blindness, 3. Pyramidal, extrapyramidal or cerebellar signs, 4. Akinetic mutism, or 5 Abnormal EEG. Laboratory and neuroimaging investigations may also help in diagnosis of CJD, although neuropathological confirmation is necessary for definite diagnosis. Two promising methods of pre mortem diagnosis of CJD are determination of 14-3-3 protein in the cerebrospinal fluid, in the case of sporadic CJD, and biopsy of the palatine tonsil in the case of nv-CJD. The physiopathology of CJD seems to be centred on the proteins forming prions, which are glycoproteins found in the plasmatic membrane and are very often expressed in the neurons, particularly at neuromuscular junctions and synapses. The pathological form resists proteolytic degradation, so that they accumulate in the CNS. The precise neurotoxic mechanism of these proteins is still not clear.

CONCLUSIONS

There is still no treatment for CJD. Further studies of the physiopathological mechanisms of prion diseases may help in the development of treatment to delay the progress of this disease.

[Morphogenesis of the embryonic head of the chicken following treatment of the isolated brain with actinomycin D and puromycin. First observations]

Isolated brains of 40 hours-old chick embryos are treated by actinomycin D or puromycin solutions at various concentrations and during a relatively short time. Actinomycin D induced ocular malformations varying from subnormal types to anophthalmy. Above a certain concentration, it inhibits lens development. Puromycin is less powerful and determines microphthalmy and synophthalmy, with lens formation in all cases. It seems that actinomycin D could diffuse from the brain to the optic vesicles and inhibit their inductive influence upon the lentogen placodes.

NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITIES AND COMPARISON OF MEASURES OF FEED ENERGY FOR GILTS FED RATIONS VARYING IN ENERGY AND PROTEIN LEVEL DURING GROWTH, GESTATION AND LACTATION

An experiment with 20 gilts, fed at different levels of energy and protein intake, was conducted to investigate the apparent digestibility of nutrients during growth, gestation and lactation; and to compare apparent digestible energy (DE) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) as measures of the energy value of swine rations.Apparent protein digestibility averaged 76 per cent and did not vary between periods (growth, gestation, lactation), but apparent digestibility of other nutrients did vary. Digestibility of crude fat in the feeds ranged from 46 to 76 per cent, while 15 per cent added stabilized tallow had a digestibility of over 94 per cent. The digestibilities of dry matter, protein and crude fiber were improved and digestibility of nitrogen-free extract reduced when gilts received supplemental fat in their ration. Increasing the level of protein in the ration tended to increase protein digestibility. There was a significant littermate effect on digestibility of protein, fat and TDN.The determined DE and TDN values were similar to calculated values and did not differ significantly between periods. The correlation coefficient (r) between kcal. DE/gm. of feed and percentage TDN was.93. The r between coefficients of digestibility for energy and for dry matter was.95 and between coefficients of digestibility for energy and for organic matter was. 96. An average ratio of 2,028 kcal. DE/lb. TDN or 4.47 kcal. DE/gm. TDN was found. There were differences in this ratio between rations and between periods.