Perception of patterns of musical beat distribution in phonological developmental dyslexia:significant longitudinal relations with word reading and reading comprehension

In a recent study, we reported that the accurate perception of beat structure in music ('perception of musical meter') accounted for over 40% of the variance in single word reading in children with and without dyslexia (Huss et al., 2011). Performance in the musical task was most strongly associated with the auditory processing of rise time, even though beat structure was varied by manipulating the duration of the musical notes.

Comparative analysis of the distribution of bradykinin-, GYIRFamide- and neuropeptide F-like immunoreactivities in the monogenean, Diclidophora merlangi

An indirect immunocytochemical technique combined with confocal scanning laser microscopy has been used to demonstrate immunoreactivities to the nonapeptide, RPPGFSPFR (bradykinin, BK) and the endogenous flatworm regulatory peptide, GYIRFamide in the nervous system of the monogenean, Diclidophora merlangi. In addition, a simultaneous double-labelling technique was employed to examine possible co-localization of GYIRFamide- and neuropeptide F (NPF) immunoreactivities, using antisera to the C-terminal nonapeptide-amide of NPF (Moniezia expansa, FAIIGRPRF.NH2). BK immunostaining was restricted to a small population of nerve cells and associated fibres within the Ventral nerve cords and to 2 pairs of nerve cells innervating the cirrus and the pharynx, respectively. No immunopositive nerve cells and fibres were identified within the brain or in association with the female reproductive apparatus. In contrast, GYIRFamide staining was abundant throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems, and appeared similar to the staining pattern revealed using an FMRFamide antiserum. GYIRFamide immunoreactivity was localized to nerve cells and fibres within the paired cerebral ganglia and the longitudinal ventral, dorsal and lateral nerve cords and their numerous interconnecting transverse commissures. The plexuses of the buccal suckers, pharynx and clamps of the haptor were strongly immunopositive for GYIRFamide, as were nerve cells innervating the ootype, the oviduct and the vitelline reservoir of the reproductive apparatus. Double-labelling experiments indicated an apparent co-localization of GYIRFamide and NPF immunoreactivities.

Distribution of Childhood Health Indices: Associations with Moves along the "Property Ladder"

Background
Childhood deprivation is a major risk to public health. Poor health in the early years accumulates and is expressed in adult health inequalities. The importance of social mobility - moves into and out of poverty or, indeed, change in relative affluence - for child wellbeing is less well understood. Home ownership and house value may serve as a useful measure of relative affluence and deprivation.
Method
Analysis of the Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study dataset focused on cohort members aged 18 and under at the 2001 census and their families. Using housing tenure and house value reported in 2001 and 2011, moves along the “housing ladder” over ten years were identified. Outcome measures were physical disability and mental health status as reported in 2011. Logistic regression models tested if health outcomes varied by upward and downward changes in house value.
Results
After controlling for variations in age, sex, general health and social class, mental health is worse among those who moved to a lower value house. Compared to ‘no change’, those moving from the upper quintile of house value into social renting accommodation were almost six times more likely to report poor mental health (OR 5.90 95% CI 4.52, 7.70). Conversely, those experiencing the greatest upward movement were half as likely to report poor mental health (OR 0.46 95% CI 0.31, 0.68). There were smaller associations between physical health and downward (OR 2.66 95% CI 2.16, 3.27), and upward (OR 0.75 95% CI 0.61, 0.92) moves.
Conclusion
Poor mental health is more strongly associated with declines in living standards than with improvements. The gradient appears at multiple points along this proxy affluence-deprivation spectrum, not only at the extremes. Further research should explore whether circumstances surrounding moves, or change in social position explains the differential association between the health correlates of upward versus downward mobility.