Hemispheric asymmetry and theory of mind: Is there an association?

Introduction. In autism and schizophrenia attenuated/atypical functional hemispheric asymmetry and theory of mind impairments have been reported, suggesting common underlying neuroscientific correlates. We here investigated whether impaired theory of mind performance is associated with attenuated/atypical hemispheric asymmetry. An association may explain the co-occurrence of both dysfunctions in psychiatric populations. Methods. Healthy participants (n 129) performed a left hemisphere (lateralised lexical decision task) and right hemisphere (lateralised face decision task) dominant task as well as a visual cartoon task to assess theory of mind performance. Results. Linear regression analyses revealed inconsistent associations between theory of mind performance and functional hemisphere asymmetry: enhanced theory of mind performance was only associated with (1) faster right hemisphere language processing, and (2) reduced right hemisphere dominance for face processing (men only). Conclusions. The majority of non-significant findings suggest that theory of mind and functional hemispheric asymmetry are unrelated. Instead of ''overinterpreting'' the two significant results, discrepancies in the previous literature relating to the problem of the theory of mind concept, the variety of tasks, and the lack of normative data are discussed. We also suggest how future studies could explore a possible link between hemispheric asymmetry and theory of mind.

Department of Health and Children business plan 2004

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E2F activation of S phase promoters via association with HCF-1 and the MLL family of histone H3K4 methyltransferases.

E2F transcriptional regulators control human-cell proliferation by repressing and activating the transcription of genes required for cell-cycle progression, particularly the S phase. E2F proteins repress transcription in association with retinoblastoma pocket proteins, but less is known about how they activate transcription. Here, we show that the human G1 phase regulator HCF-1 associates with both activator (E2F1 and E2F3a) and repressor (E2F4) E2F proteins, properties that are conserved in insect cells. Human HCF-1-E2F interactions are versatile: their associations and binding to E2F-responsive promoters are cell-cycle selective, and HCF-1 displays coactivator properties when bound to the E2F1 activator and corepressor properties when bound to the E2F4 repressor. During the G1-to-S phase transition, HCF-1 recruits the mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) and Set-1 histone H3 lysine 4 methyltransferases to E2F-responsive promoters and induces histone methylation and transcriptional activation. These results suggest that HCF-1 induces cell-cycle-specific transcriptional activation by E2F proteins to promote cell proliferation.

Integració d'un business intelligence en un ERP

Aquest projecte mostra la importància que pot tenir un sistema basat en Business Intelligence, dins d’una empresa o organització, donant una eina per augmentar la competitivitat, treballant les dades que s’obtenen dels diferents sistemes de gestió que hi ha dins l’empresa. Aquest gran nombre de dades històriques les transformarem per formar una base de dades de qualitat, i les explorarem per tal d’extreure’n informació útil en format gràfic, per ajudar a la pressa de decisions per part dels directius.

Genome-wide association analysis identifies 20 loci that influence adult height.

Adult height is a model polygenic trait, but there has been limited success in identifying the genes underlying its normal variation. To identify genetic variants influencing adult human height, we used genome-wide association data from 13,665 individuals and genotyped 39 variants in an additional 16,482 samples. We identified 20 variants associated with adult height (P < 5 x 10(-7), with 10 reaching P < 1 x 10(-10)). Combined, the 20 SNPs explain approximately 3% of height variation, with a approximately 5 cm difference between the 6.2% of people with 17 or fewer 'tall' alleles compared to the 5.5% with 27 or more 'tall' alleles. The loci we identified implicate genes in Hedgehog signaling (IHH, HHIP, PTCH1), extracellular matrix (EFEMP1, ADAMTSL3, ACAN) and cancer (CDK6, HMGA2, DLEU7) pathways, and provide new insights into human growth and developmental processes. Finally, our results provide insights into the genetic architecture of a classic quantitative trait.

Department of Health and Children business plan 2006

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Department of Health and Children Corporate Business Plan 2007

Department of Health and Children Corporate Business Plan 2007 This document sets out the broad business and role of the Department of Health and Children, and provides information on the Departmentâ?Ts Key Objectives and corresponding Key Performance Indicators for 2007. Click here to download PDF 223kb

Department of Health and Children Corporate Business Plan 2008

Department of Health and Children Corporate Business Plan 2008 Click here to download PDF 552kb

Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies identifies six new Loci for serum calcium concentrations.

Calcium is vital to the normal functioning of multiple organ systems and its serum concentration is tightly regulated. Apart from CASR, the genes associated with serum calcium are largely unknown. We conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of 39,400 individuals from 17 population-based cohorts and investigated the 14 most strongly associated loci in ≤ 21,679 additional individuals. Seven loci (six new regions) in association with serum calcium were identified and replicated. Rs1570669 near CYP24A1 (P = 9.1E-12), rs10491003 upstream of GATA3 (P = 4.8E-09) and rs7481584 in CARS (P = 1.2E-10) implicate regions involved in Mendelian calcemic disorders: Rs1550532 in DGKD (P = 8.2E-11), also associated with bone density, and rs7336933 near DGKH/KIAA0564 (P = 9.1E-10) are near genes that encode distinct isoforms of diacylglycerol kinase. Rs780094 is in GCKR. We characterized the expression of these genes in gut, kidney, and bone, and demonstrate modulation of gene expression in bone in response to dietary calcium in mice. Our results shed new light on the genetics of calcium homeostasis.

Lack of association between connexin40 polymorphisms and coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: Cx40 is a gap junction protein important for cell-cell communication in the endothelium. Polymorphisms in the promoter region of the human Cx40 gene, -44G>A and +71A>G, were shown to reduce Cx40 transcription by half. As mice with an endothelial-specific deletion of Cx40 are more susceptible to atherosclerosis, this study was designed to discover a correlation between these polymorphisms and atherosclerosis in European populations.¦METHODS AND RESULTS: 803 patients referred to the Geneva University Hospitals for elective coronary angiography were divided according to the number of significantly stenosed vessels (from 0 to 3) and were genotyped for the Cx40 polymorphisms. Genotype distribution in the control group was -44GG/+71AA=59.8%, -44AG/+71AG=35.1% and -44AA/+71GG=5.2%. Surprisingly, this distribution was similar in the CAD group, with -44GG/+71AA=58.5%, -44AG/+71AG=37.6% and -44AA/+71GG=3.8% (p=0.67). Moreover, no significant association between histological carotid plaque composition of culprit lesions and Cx40 polymorphisms could be detected in 583 Dutch patients of the Athero-Express study.¦CONCLUSIONS: Despite a clear antiatherogenic role of Cx40 in mice, our study could not detect an association of Cx40 promoter polymorphisms and CAD in human. Moreover, a correlation with atherosclerotic plaque stability or hypertension could not be demonstrated either. Connexin polymorphisms affecting channel function may be of greater importance for cardiovascular disease than polymorphisms affecting the expression level of the protein.

The association of genetic markers and malaria infection in the Brazilian Western Amazonian region

Almost all individuals (182) belonging to an Amazonian riverine population (Portuchuelo, RO, Brazil) were investigated for ascertaining data on epidemiological aspects of malaria. Thirteen genetic blood polymorphisms were investigated (ABO, MNSs, Rh, Kell, and Duffy systems, haptoglobins, hemoglobins, and the enzymes glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glyoxalase, phosphoglucomutase, carbonic anhydrase, red cell acid phosphatase, and esterase D). The results indicated that the Duffy system is associated with susceptibility to malaria, as observed in other endemic areas. Moreover, suggestions also arose indicating that the EsD and Rh loci may be significantly associated with resistance to malaria. If statistical type II errors and sample stratification could be ruled out, hypotheses on the existence of a causal mechanism or an unknown closely linked locus involved in susceptibility to malaria infection may explain the present findings.

LLT Community Association

Laurencetown, Lenaderg & Tullylish Community Association (LLT) manage a community centre which serves the surrounding rural areas. Programmes include: parent & toddler, youth group, older peopleï¿_s group (offering 1-1 support) and supports other outlying rural groups. LLT has completed 3 Level 2 projects in the past.The first 3 projects have helped develop better understanding and promoted better access to pharmacy services etc (3 miles away), have raised the profile of LLT and put health on the agenda and has worked well with a range of specific groups including men, older people, pre schoolers etc and is currently seeking to target teenagers and parents. A good working relationship has developed between the pharmacist and LLT. They want to continue a similar approach developed through their Level 2 applications but with an increased focus on pre-school children and young people (teenagers) with their parents. Year 1 includes a health fair, 6 talks to local groups, 10 consultations for older people, 4 sessions for mothers, 4 sessions for fathers and 3 sessions with young people. Most of these, apart from the Health Fair, will be repeated in Year 2 & 3.

Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke Association

The project will develop a relationship with the pharmacist in Bessbrook and Kilkeel. 3 sessions will be held in each area allowing time for 1-1 support for clients and carers.