Weight loss outcomes are generally worse for dogs and cats with class II obesity, defined as > 40% overweight.

In pet dogs and cats, adiposity is most-often estimated clinically using a 9-category body condition score (BCS), with BCS 9 equating to ~ 40% overweight. Animals that are more overweight (> 40%) are seen in clinical practice but are not appropriately depicted by descriptions in the existing categories. To determine whether being > 40% overweight has clinical relevance, this study aimed to compare the outcomes of weight management in animals that were > 40% overweight with those < 40% overweight. Records of dogs and cats attending a specialist obesity care clinic, where adiposity is determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), were reviewed. Animals were assigned to two classes (class I ≤ 40% overweight: 118/398 [40%] dogs and 68/116 [59%] cats; class II, > 40% overweight: 180/398 [60%] dogs and 48/116 [41%] cats) based on DXA results, and weight loss outcomes were compared. Fewer class II dogs obesity completed weight management than class I dogs (P < 0.001), rate of weight loss was also slower (P = 0.012) and lean tissue loss greater (P < 0.001). Compared with class I, cats with class II obesity lost more weight (P = 0.048) albeit over a longer period (P = 0.043) leading to greater lean tissue loss (P = 0.004). Approximately half the pets presenting to a specialist clinic were have class II obesity (> 40% overweight), and some weight loss outcomes are worse for these animals.

RHS6 coordinately regulates the Th2 cytokine genes by recruiting GATA3, SATB1, and IRF4.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a Th2 cell-driven inflammatory disease and a major public health concern. The cis-acting element Rad50 hypersensitive site 6 (RHS6) in the Th2 locus control region is essential for regulation of the Th2 cytokine genes; however, its role in allergic airway inflammation and underlying molecular mechanisms of the regulation by RHS6 are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: We sought to understand the role of RHS6 in the development of allergic airway inflammation and its molecular mechanism for Th2 cytokine expression. METHODS: We used an ovalbumin-induced allergic inflammation model with RHS6-deficient mice to examine the role of RHS6 in this process. To examine molecular mechanism of RHS6 for Th2 cytokine expression, we used DNA affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry, quantitative RT-PCR, ELISA, intracellular cytokine staining, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and co-immunoprecipitation. RESULTS: Deletion of RHS6 caused a dramatic resistance to allergic airway inflammation. RHS6 recruited transcription factors GATA3, SATB1, and IRF4, which play important roles in expression of all three Th2 cytokine genes. RHS6 deficiency caused inhibition of transcription factor-induced Th2 cytokine gene expression. CONCLUSION: RHS6 is a critical regulatory element for allergic airway inflammation and for coordinate regulation of Th2 cytokine genes by recruiting GATA3, SATB1, and IRF4.

Success rates for functional MR imaging in children.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Functional MR imaging is widely used for research in functional brain development in healthy children. However, obtaining high-quality brain imaging data from pediatric research participants requires cooperation that is challenging for young children. In this study, we examined success rates for fMRI in typically developing children in both longitudinal and cross-sectional research study designs to inform the recruitment needs of future pediatric brain imaging studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the cross-sectional study, 459 healthy children (5-18 years of age, 215 girls) were recruited. A subset of 30 healthy children 5-7 years of age from the cross-sectional cohort were selected and scanned for 10 consecutive years in the longitudinal arm of the study. Following anatomic scans, each participant attempted 4 functional MR imaging tasks. Success rate was defined as the proportion of fMRI tasks completed. Differences in success rates across sexes and in cross-sectional-versus-longitudinal cohorts were evaluated by using the Fischer exact test. RESULTS: In the cross-sectional study, 74% of the children completed all tasks. Success rates for individual tasks ranged from 34% to 67% for children 5-7 years of age and 76%-100% for those 8-18 years of age. In the longitudinal study, 89% of children completed all tasks in all 10 years. We established significance (P < .0001) between the cross-sectional and longitudinal cohorts for both 0% and 100% task completion rates. There was no significance between sexes. CONCLUSIONS: When designing pediatric fMRI studies in children, the sample sizes indicated by power analysis should be scaled up according to age (ie, 33% for ages 8-18 years, 50% for ages 5-7 years).

Mesoplastia facial: escultura facial mini-invasiva progresiva. Reestructuración cutánea como técnica antienvejecimiento / Facial mesoplasty: Mini-invasive facial progresive sculputure. Cutaneous restructuration like antiaging technique

Cuando pensamos en envejecimiento, muchas preguntas vienen a nuestras mentes, ¿Cómo evitarlo? ¿Cómo disminuir este terrible e irreversible proceso? Desde hace años he estudiado las causas del envejecimiento y cómo restaurar los daños cutáneos y frenar la muerte celular. He utilizado para ello una técnica que revirtió y detuvo muchas de las etapas de este proceso en más de 300 pacientes que no deseaban ser sometidos a cirugía. Se utilizó para ello el principio de que la piel se nutre de dentro hacia fuera, con una solución nutritiva con los nutrientes ideales, vitaminas y cofactores que se aplicaron en la piel directamente. El mecanismo común del envejecimiento seguramente está asociado con el tiempo, sin embargo la exposición a tóxicos, la pobre o deficiente detoxificación, la irradiación solar, son factores que bloquean los procesos metabólicos. En el caso de tener daño en la piel es posible restaurarlo mejorando la salud, o mejor que esto, evitando la muerte celular. Esta técnica trata de proporcionar y alimentar la piel localmente con los nutrientes correctos administrados en el interior de la piel. El proceso consiste en administrar los nutrientes adecuados a través de una mezcla nutritiva combinada con diferentes concentraciones de ácido hialurónico lineal dependiendo del daño y creando columnas tensionales o de soporte con ácido hialurónico reticulado. La técnica se realizó en más de 300 pacientes con un seguimiento mayor de 48 meses. Los resultados fueron 60.8% excelentes, 27.02%muy buenos, 11.48% regulares y solo 3.37% sin cambios; como complicación observamos equímosis en 12.5%, 14% dolor en el área de aplicación y solo 1.25% tuvieron reacción local y edema. La técnica de reestructuración cutánea es segura, efectiva y es capaz de retardar el envejecimiento, mantener un resultado quirúrgico evitando intervenciones múltiples para rejuvenecimiento y puede usarse como preparación para nuevos métodos como el uso de la radiofrecuencia (AU)

When we think about aging, many questions come to our minds. How to avoid it? How to decrease this terrible and irreversible process imposed on us?. Over the past years I have studied the causes of aging and how to restore the skin and to eliminate the death of the cells. In my diverse studies, a technique was used to reverse and stop many of the stages of the aging process in more than 300 patients who didn’t want to rejuvenate through aggressive surgeries. The right nutrients like vitamins, co-vitamins, and co-factors were applied from inside of the skin and made it possible to slow the aging process. The common mechanism that causes aging surely is associated with time; however, exposition to toxics, poor of lack detoxification, and solar irradiation are factors among others that change and block the metabolic process. The technique consists on providing and feeding the skin locally with the right nutrients from inside the skin; if cells are deficient in all nutrients and if they are damaged; if so, then a rich nutrient plus lineal hyaluroniuc acid in different concentrations are used depending of the damage degree, and to create columns of tension with the reticulated hyaluronic acid that tenses the areas. The study has been performed with more than 300 patients during 48months approximately. The results were outstanding in 60.8%, very good in 27.02%, moderated in 11.48%, no changes in 3.37%. The side effects were 12.5% with some bruises in the area of application, 14% had some pain in the area during application, and 1.25% had a reaction with edema. This technique is simple, secure, effective, and is able to delay aging and the most important, it may avoid rejuvenating by multiple surgeries, and prepare the skin for other complementary methods like radiofrecuency (AU)

Regulation of IL-4 gene expression by distal regulatory elements and GATA-3 at the chromatin level.

Using a transgenic approach, we examined distal regulatory elements located in the IL-4 locus and the role of GATA-3 at these elements. The intergenic DNase I hypersensitive sites (HSS) showed strong enhancement, and the intronic enhancer (IE) and HS5/HS5a sites showed weaker enhancement of the IL-4 promoter. Elements in the 3' region of the IL-4 gene contributed to Th2 specificity. All individual enhancers were T cell activation dependent but not Th2 specific, with the exception of IE. However, when these distal elements were combined into a "minilocus," expression was strongly enhanced and Th2 specific. GATA-3 mediated strong enhancement of IL-4 promoter activity in Th1 cells when the promoter was embedded in the minilocus or linked to HSS and IE, demonstrating that GATA-3 acts through these elements to regulate IL-4 gene expression.

Gender differences in the depressive effect of widowhood in later life.

OBJECTIVES: This study documented the stronger adverse effect of widowhood on the psychological well-being of men than that of women and explained why this gender difference in the effect of widowhood exists. METHODS: Data came from Wave 1 of the National Survey of Families and Households. Married and widowed people aged 65 and older were selected (n = 1,686). The dependent variable was the Center for Epidemiologic Studies--Depression scale (CES-D). RESULTS: Widowhood was indeed more depressing for men than women. However, this was due primarily to the fact that married men were much less depressed than married women; widowed men and women were comparably depressed. Other contributors to the stronger effect of widowhood for men included men's shorter average time since widowhood, lower frequency of church attendance, stronger dislike of domestic labor, and lessened ability to assist their children. DISCUSSION: Although widowhood has a strong depressive effect for older men, its effect for women is nonsignificant, and it explains a small proportion of the variation in depressive symptomatology. This suggests that most people, particularly women, adapt relatively well in the long run.

Antisense DNA-targeting protein kinase A-RIA subunit: a novel approach to cancer treatment.

Enhanced expression of the RIa subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase type I (PKA-I) has been shown during carcinogenesis, in human cancer cell lines and in primary tumors. We demonstrate that the sequence-specific inhibition of RIa gene expression by antisense oligonucleotides results in the differentiation of leukemia cells and growth arrest of cancer cells of epithelial origin and tumors in mice. The loss of RI by the antisense results in rapid increase in the half-life of the competitor molecule, RII protein, via its stabilization in a holoenzyme complex (PKA-II) that insures depletion of PKA-I and sustained inhibition of tumor growth. RI antisense, which restrains tumor cell growth by turning on the signals for blockade of tumor cell survival, namely blockade of the tyrosine kinase signaling, cell cycle deregulation and apoptosis, provides a single gene-targeting approach to treatment of cancer.

Ala99ser mutation in RI alpha regulatory subunit of protein kinase A causes reduced kinase activation by cAMP and arrest of hormone-dependent breast cancer cell growth.

Expression of the RIalpha regulatory subunit of protein kinase A type I is increased in human cancer cell lines, in primary tumors, in cells after transformation, and in cells upon stimulation of growth. Ala99 (the pseudophosphorylation site) of human RIalpha was replaced with Ser (RIalpha-p) for the structure-function analysis of RIalpha. MCF-7 hormone-dependent breast cancer cells were transfected with an expression vector for the wild-type RIalpha or mutant RIalpha-p. Overexpression of RIalpha-P resulted in suppression of protein kinase A type II, the isozyme of type I kinase, production of kinase exhibiting reduced cAMP activation, and inhibition of cell growth showing an increase in G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle and apoptosis. The wild-type RIalpha overexpression had no effect on protein kinase A isozyme distribution or cell growth. Overexpression of protein kinase A type II regulatory subunit, RIIbeta, suppressed RIalpha and protein kinase A type I and inhibited cell growth. These results show that the growth of hormone-dependent breast cancer cells is dependent on the functional protein kinase A type I.

Are expectations for care related to the receipt of care? An analysis of parent care among disabled elders.

This investigation explores the relationship between the degree to which older parents expect assistance from their children and the actual amount of care they receive from their children. Combining the theories of reasoned action and intergenerational solidarity, we hypothesize that global expectations (social norms about receiving care) influence specific expectations (behavioral intentions to seek care), but that it is specific expectations that influence the amount of care received from children. Data were collected at three points over a 12-month period among a sample of impaired older parents (65+) who lived independently in community settings (n = 334). Using structural equation models, the results were consistent with the hypothesis. We conclude that the theory of reasoned action is a useful adjunct to the theory of intergenerational solidarity by proposing that parents adjust their global expectations to reflect the specific realities of the lives of their children.

The influence of community context on the preferences of older adults for entering a nursing home.

Previous research has established that rural elders are more likely to enter a nursing home than elders living in suburban and urban areas. This research examined preferences for long-term care alternatives using a telephone survey of community-dwelling elders (age 65+). In contrast to admission patterns, urban elders were more likely to prefer nursing home care if unable to live independently. This difference persisted in multinomial logit models that included other predictors of nursing home use. Thus, rural elders may be more likely to experience discrepancies between their preferred mode of long-term care and the actual outcomes that they may ultimately experience.

Type II protein kinase A up-regulation is sufficient to induce growth inhibition in SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells.

We have previously reported that overexpression of RII beta subunit of protein kinase A, which markedly reduces RI alpha protein, induces growth inhibition in SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells. To determine whether the reduction of RI alpha or protein kinase A isozyme type I is essential in the growth inhibition of SK-N-SH cells, we overexpressed RI alpha in sense and antisense orientation. Type I protein kinase A activity was increased in the RI alpha-overexpressing cells and was decreased in the RI alpha antisense-expressing cells. However, the changes in type I protein kinase A activities did not affect cell growth. Overexpression of RII beta or C alpha increased type II protein kinase A and inhibited cell growth in both cell lines regardless of the type I protein kinase A level. These results indicate that type II protein kinase A is the main effector in the cAMP-mediated growth regulation of SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells.

Racial differences in the household composition of elders by age, gender, and area of residence.

Using census data and an innovative technique for describing the composition of households from the perspective of elders, this research provides a more detailed description of race differences in living arrangements of older persons than has previously existed. In addition, cross tabulations of race with other factors known to influence household composition (gender, age, and area of residence) are examined. While white women are more likely than black women to live alone, the reverse is true among men. Whites are more likely than blacks to live in married-couple-only households, and blacks are more likely than whites to live in multigenerational households, although these differences decrease with advancing age. Blacks are also more likely than whites to live with collateral kin or non-kin only, although these categories comprise small proportions of the population. Implications of these differences for caregiving and quality of life among older persons are discussed.

Culture of first-trimester and full-term human chorionic villus explants: role of human chorionic gonadotropin and human placental lactogen as a viability index.

In long-term cultures of human chorionic villus explants, the viability of the tissue must be controlled to ensure the reliability of functional studies. Ionic levels (pH), gas concentrations (pO2, pCO2) and metabolic markers (glucose, lactate) in the culture medium are often utilized. Analyses of hormone, enzyme and protein levels are also frequently used to estimate viability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether in vitro release and immunoreactivity of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and human placental lactogen (hPL) were correlated with the viability of first-trimester and full-term chorionic villus explants as determined by histopathology. Villus explants of first-trimester and full-term pregnancies were incubated in 6-well plates of RPMI medium which was supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum. Incubations were performed for 10 days, and the plates were kept at 37 degrees C under a water-saturated atmosphere containing 5% CO2 and 95% O2. The medium was replaced every day and samples of supernatant were frozen for later testing of hCG (first trimester) or hPL (full term), glucose consumption and lactate production. The tissue was also fixed and embedded for light-microscopic examination and immunocytochemistry. The hCG release remained stable during 6-7 days at a high level before decreasing, whereas hPL release decreased during the first 5-6 days then stabilized at a relatively low level. Only hCG kinetics were significantly different between tissue incubated with and without cycloheximide or iodoacetic acid. Both hCG and hPL immunoreactivity were not significantly different between tissue cultures with, and without, addition of cycloheximide or iodoacetic acid and even with morphological evidence of trophoblast and endothelial necrosis. The immunoreactivity for both hormones remains highly positive when the significant release has stopped, and does not reflect the tissue viability.

Gender differences in parent care: demographic factors and same-gender preferences.

This study tested the hypothesis that, when aging parents are assisted in the tasks of daily living by their adult children, the gender of the child providing care depends in part upon the gender of the parent requiring care. Data on 4,371 infirm elders and their 13,172 adult children from the National Long-Term Care Survey were analyzed by means of logistic regression. Separate analyses show that adult children are more likely to provide care to a parent of the same gender, and infirm elders are more likely to receive care from a child of the same gender. Because the substantial majority of elderly parents requiring care from children are mothers, this tendency toward gender consistency in the caregiving relationship partially accounts for the fact that daughters are more likely than sons to be involved in parent care.

The health status, health services utilization, and support networks of the rural elderly: a decade review.

Research from the 1980s on several dimensions of health and health care among the rural elderly is reviewed. Following a brief discussion of the demographic patterns and life conditions of the rural elderly, the current state of knowledge regarding health status, health services utilization, and the potential for informal and familial care of the elderly is examined. The review concentrates on studies that include comparisons between rural and urban populations and/or control for additional variables that are known to covary with residence. Such analyses permit the documentation of the effects of residential location on health indicators net of other factors. The review concludes that the rural elderly are relatively disadvantaged in terms of both health status and access to health care services, and have little if any advantage over the urban elderly in their access to informal sources of care. Following the review, an agenda for future research is identified.

Social relations and the self-esteem of older persons.

This study employs survey data from a sample of persons 55 years of age and older to examine the antecedents of self-esteem. Hypotheses are derived from a theoretical orientation that hinges on the ability of the individual to terminate relations that might be productive of negative reflected appraisals. Consistent with hypotheses, friendship interaction is positively related to self-esteem, whereas kinship interaction is not. Marital satisfaction also affects self-esteem positively; among men, this effect is stronger for the retired than for the employed. Finally, never-married and nonemployed older women have lower self-esteem than other women have. Implications are drawn regarding the importance and role of self-esteem in theories of psychological well-being among older persons.

Retirement and marital satisfaction.

This study examined the effects of retirement status, length of retirement, and spouse's retirement status on marital satisfaction. Although some previous research and theory suggest that retirement has salutary effects on the quality of marriage, we find no such pattern here. Instead, some small negative effects are observed, particularly involving effects of husbands' retirement on the marital satisfaction of employed wives. These results suggest an explanation in terms of the household division of labor, employing insights from equity theory. Overall, there is no indication of any beneficial impact of retirement on the marital satisfaction of either husbands or wives.

Social integration and fear of crime among older persons.

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that fear of crime is inversely proportional to social integration among elderly adults. Data were obtained by mailed questionnaire from a large sample (N = 2,832) of residents of Washington State aged 55 and over. The results indicate that the most important antecedents of fear of crime, among the variables included here, were indicators of previous direct or indirect victimization experience. Neighborhood integration for men, and voluntary association participation for women, were related negatively to fear of crime as expected. Other dimensions of social involvement, however, evinced little or no relationship to fear. The implications of these findings for the further development of explanatory theory are discussed.