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Background: Classroom‐based active breaks can help typically developing children reduce sitting, increase physical activity and improve cognitive functions and on‐task behaviour. Yet, this strategy has not been tested in children with intellectual disability (ID) – a population who are insufficiently active. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 5‐week active breaks intervention on cognitive functions and on‐task behaviour in schoolchildren with ID. Methods: Twenty‐four children, aged between 8 and 12 years (37.5% girls), were recruited. Children's cognitive functions (response inhibition, lapses of attention, interference and working memory) were measured at baseline and end of trial using computer‐based tests. Sitting, standing and movement patterns were assessed with inclinometers, and on‐task behaviour was directly observed in the classroom before and after active breaks, at baseline, mid‐trial and end of trial. Linear mixed models were used to investigate the intervention effects on cognitive functions and sedentary patterns; generalised linear mixed models were used to analyse on‐task behaviour data. Results: A significant time × group interaction was found for working memory favouring the intervention (B = 11.56, 95% confidence interval [1.92, 21.21]). No significant effects were found in relation to the other measures of children's cognition or on‐task behaviour. Stepping time and bouts of sitting were positively affected. Conclusions: Classroom‐based active breaks can increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in children with ID and might also benefit their working memory. Further research is required to clarify the effects on cognition and to investigate whether this strategy has other benefits in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In exercise and cognition research, few studies have investigated whether and how the qualitative aspects of physical exercise may impact cognitive performance in the short or long term. This commentary, after recalling the evidence on the "dose-response" relationship, shifts the focus to intersections between different research areas that are proposed to shed light on how qualitative exercise characteristics can be used to obtain cognitive benefits. As concerns the acute exercise area, this commentary highlights the applied relevance of developmental and aging studies investigating the effects of exercise bouts differing in movement task complexity and cognitive demands. As regards the chronic exercise area, potential links to research on cognitive expertise in sport, functional ability in aging, and life skills training during development are discussed. "Gross-motor cognitive training" is proposed as a key concept with relevant implications for intervention strategies in childhood and older adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of acute exercise on 53 young (16-24 years) and 47 older (65-74 years) adults' switch-task performance. Participants practiced sports requiring either low or high cognitive demands. Both at rest and during aerobic exercise, the participants performed two reaction time tasks that differed in the amount of executive control involved in switching between global and local target features of visual compound stimuli. Switch costs were computed as reaction time differences between switch and nonswitch trials. In the low demanding task, switch costs were sensitive only to age, whereas in the high demanding task, they were sensitive to acute exercise, age, and sport-related cognitive expertise. The results suggest that acute exercise enhances cognitive flexibility and facilitates complex switch-task performance. Both young age and habitual practice of cognitively challenging sports are associated with smaller switch costs, but neither age nor cognitive expertise seem to moderate the relationship between acute exercise and switch-task performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of ergogenic aids is common in sport, even among preadolescent athletes (8,15,25). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between preadolescents? use of nutritional ergogenic aids (creatine and amino acids) and gender, age, athletic participation, and sport-relevant psychological factors (i.e., sport success motivation, task and ego orientation, self-efficacy). Two thousand four hundred and fifty 11- to 13-year-old children participated in this study. Results suggest that substance use increases with age, especially among male preadolescents, and that gender differences are particularly marked among older preadolescents; and that a high commitment to sport training represents a risk factor of ergogenic supplementation only when it is linked to certain psychological dispositions such as a high ego orientation and a low task orientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Populations of isogenic cells often respond coherently to signals, despite differences in protein abundance and cell state. Previously, we uncovered processes in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae pheromone response system (PRS) that reduced cell-to-cell variability in signal strength and cellular response. Here, we screened 1,141 non-essential genes to identify 50 "variability genes". Most had distinct, separable effects on strength and variability of the PRS, defining these quantities as genetically distinct "axes" of system behavior. Three genes affected cytoplasmic microtubule function: BIM1, GIM2, and GIM4. We used genetic and chemical perturbations to show that, without microtubules, PRS output is reduced but variability is unaffected, while, when microtubules are present but their function is perturbed, output is sometimes lowered, but its variability is always high. The increased variability caused by microtubule perturbations required the PRS MAP kinase Fus3 and a process at or upstream of Ste5, the membranelocalized scaffold to which Fus3 must bind to be activated. Visualization of Ste5 localization dynamics demonstrated that perturbing microtubules destabilized Ste5 at the membrane signaling site. The fact that such microtubule perturbations cause aberrant fate and polarity decisions in mammals suggests that microtubule-dependent signal stabilization might also operate throughout metazoans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the relationship between regional and whole body fat accumulation and core cognitive executive functions. Design: Cross-sectional study. Settings and participants: 78 healthy men and women aged between 65 and 75 years recruited through consumer's database. Measurements: DXA measured percentage total body fat, android, gynoid distribution and android/gynoid ratio; inhibition and working memory updating through Random Number Generation test and cognitive flexibility by Trail Making test. First-order partial correlations between regional body fat and cognitive executive function were computed partialling out the effects of whole body fat. Moderation analysis was performed to verify the effect of gender on the body fat-cognition relationship. Results: Results showed a differentiated pattern of fat-cognition relationship depending on fat localization and type of cognitive function. Statistically significant relationships were observed between working memory updating and: android fat (r = -0.232; p = 0.042), gynoid fat (r = 0.333; p = 0.003) and android/gynoid ratio (r = -0.272; p = 0.017). Separating genders, the only significant relationship was observed in females between working memory updating and gynoid fat (r = 0.280; p = 0.045). In spite of gender differences in both working memory updating and gynoid body fat levels, moderation analysis did not show an effect of gender on the relationship between gynoid fat and working memory updating. Conclusions: Results suggest a protective effect of gynoid body fat and a deleterious effect of android body fat. Although excessive body fat increases the risk of developing CDV, metabolic and cognitive problems, maintaining a certain proportion of gynoid fat may help prevent cognitive decline, particularly in older women. Guidelines for optimal body composition maintenance for the elderly should not target indiscriminate weight loss, but weight maintenance through body fat/lean mass control based on non-pharmacological tools such as physical exercise, known to have protective effects against CVD risk factors and age-related cognitive deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical and cognitive training seem to counteract age-related decline in physical and mental function. Recently, the possibility of integrating cognitive demands into physical training has attracted attention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of twelve weeks of designed physical-cognitive training on executive cognitive function and gait performance in older adults. Thirty-six healthy, active individuals aged 72.30 ± 5.84 years were assigned to two types of physical training with major focus on physical single task (ST) training (n=16) and physical-cognitive dual task (DT) training (n=20), respectively. They were tested before and after the intervention for executive function (inhibition, working memory) through Random Number Generation and for gait (walking with/without negotiating hurdles) under both single and dual task (ST, DT) conditions. Gait performance improved in both groups, while inhibitory performance decreased after exercise training with ST focus but tended to increase after training with physical-cognitive DT focus. Changes in inhibition performance were correlated with changes in DT walking performance with group differences as a function of motor task complexity (with/without hurdling). The study supports the effectiveness of group exercise classes for older individuals to improve gait performance, with physical-cognitive DT training selectively counteracting the age-related decline in a core executive function essential for daily living. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) system exploits host cell genetics in order to display binary protein-protein interactions (PPIs) via defined and selectable phenotypes. Numerous improvements have been made to this method, adapting the screening principle for diverse applications, including drug discovery and the scale-up for proteome wide interaction screens in human and other organisms. Here we discuss a systematic workflow and analysis scheme for screening data generated by Y2H and related assays that includes high-throughput selection procedures, readout of comprehensive results via next-generation sequencing (NGS), and the interpretation of interaction data via quantitative statistics. The novel assays and tools will serve the broader scientific community to harness the power of NGS technology to address PPI networks in health and disease. We discuss examples of how this next-generation platform can be applied to address specific questions in diverse fields of biology and medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organismal fitness depends on the ability of gene networks to function robustly in the face of environmental and genetic perturbations. Understanding the mechanisms of this stability is one of the key aims of modern systems biology. Dissecting the basis of robustness to mutation has proven a particular challenge, with most experimental models relying on artificial DNA sequence variants engineered in the laboratory. In this work, we hypothesized that negative regulatory feedback could stabilize gene expression against the disruptions that arise from natural genetic variation. We screened yeast transcription factors for feedback and used the results to establish ROX1 (Repressor of hypOXia) as a model system for the study of feedback in circuit behaviors and its impact across genetically heterogeneous populations. Mutagenesis experiments revealed the mechanism of Roxi as a direct transcriptional repressor at its own gene, enabling a regulatory program of rapid induction during environmental change that reached a plateau of moderate steady-state expression. Additionally, in a given environmental condition. Roxi levels varied widely across genetically distinct strains; the ROX1 feedback loop regulated this variation, in that the range of expression levels across genetic backgrounds showed greater spread in ROX1 feedback mutants than among strains with the ROX1 feedback loop intact. Our findings indicate that the ROX1 feedback circuit is tuned to respond to perturbations arising from natural genetic variation in addition to its role in induction behavior. We suggest that regulatory feedback may be an important element of the network architectures that confer mutational robustness across biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess whether an enrichment of the co-ordinative demands of physical education (PE) during the curricular time may more efficiently improve co-ordinative abilities than the traditional PE program. One hundred and fifty-two middle school students aged 11–12 years were randomly assigned either to an experimental ( n=77) or to a traditional ( n=75) PE program lasting 5 months. The experimental intervention was structured in different modules focused on co-ordination abilities. Pre- and post-intervention tests assessed students' fitness (1 mile run/walk, curl-up, flexed arm hang, trunk lift, sit and reach, 30 m run, standing long jump, basketball forward throw) and motor co-ordination abilities (four field tests of kinesthetic discrimination and response orientation ability). After the intervention period, both groups showed a significant increment in most fitness tests. However, only the experimental group showed a significant improvement or a significantly more pronounced improvement than the control group in co-ordinative performances. The results show that both experimental and traditional PE interventions lead to increase physical fitness levels, but only the experimental one also improves co-ordinative abilities. Thus, focusing on a multivariate PE approach linking co-ordination and fitness training seems to add quality to students' experiences without reducing their effectiveness in terms of physical fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells use a prototypic cell signalling system to transmit information about the extracellular concentration of mating pheromone secreted by potential mating partners. The ability of cells to respond distinguishably to different pheromone concentrations depends on how much information about pheromone concentration the system can transmit. Here we show that the mitogen-activated protein kinase Fus3 mediates fast-acting negative feedback that adjusts the dose response of the downstream system response to match the dose response of receptor-ligand binding. This ‘dose–response alignment’, defined by a linear relationship between receptor occupancy and downstream response, can improve the fidelity of information transmission by making downstream responses corresponding to different receptor occupancies more distinguishable and reducing amplification of stochastic noise during signal transmission. We also show that one target of the feedback is a previously uncharacterized signal-promoting function of the regulator of G-protein signalling protein Sst2. Our work suggests that negative feedback is a general mechanism used in signalling systems to align dose responses and thereby increase the fidelity of information transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Podocyte loss by apoptosis, in addition to favouring progression of established diabetic nephropathy, has been recently indicated as an early phenomenon triggering the initiation of glomerular lesions. This study aimed to assess the rate of glomerular cell death and its relationship with renal functional, structural and molecular changes in rats with experimental diabetes. Male Sprague–Dawley rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes and coeval non-diabetic control animals were killed at 7 days and at 2, 4 and 6 months for the assessment of apoptosis, renal function, renal structure and the expression of podocyte markers and apoptosis- and cell cycle-related proteins. Glomerular cell apoptosis was significantly increased in diabetic vs non-diabetic rats at 4 months and to an even greater extent at 6 months, with podocytes accounting for 70% of apoptosing cells. The increase in apoptosis was preceded by increases in proteinuria, albuminuria and mean glomerular and mesangial areas, and by reductions in glomerular cell density and content of synaptopodin and Wilms’ tumour protein-1. It coincided with the development of mesangial expansion and glomerular sclerosis, and with the upregulation/activation both of tumour protein p53, which increased progressively throughout the study, and of p21 (also known as cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A, CIP1 and WAF1), which peaked at 4 months and decreased thereafter. Glomerular cell (podocyte) apoptosis is not an early feature in the course of experimental diabetic glomerulopathy, since it is preceded by glomerular hypertrophy, which may decrease glomerular cell density to the point of inducing compensatory podocyte hypertrophy. This is associated with reduced podocyte protein expression (podocytopathy) and proteinuria, and ultimately results in apoptotic cell loss (podocytopenia), driving progression to mesangial expansion and glomerular sclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AGEs have been implicated in renal disease associated with ageing, diabetes and other age-related disorders. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) promote formation of AGEs, which cause AGE-receptor-mediated ROS generation with activation of signalling pathways leading to tissue injury and further AGE accumulation. ROS generation is regulated by the Src homology 2 domain-containing transforming protein C1 (Shc1) isoform p66Shc, whose deletion has been shown to protect from tissue injury induced by ageing, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia and ischaemia-reperfusion by preventing oxidative stress. This study was aimed at assessing the role of p66Shc in the modulation of oxidative stress and oxidant-dependent renal injury induced by AGEs. For 10 weeks, male p66 shc knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were injected with 60 μg/day albumin modified or unmodified by $$N^\varepsilon - \left( {carboxymethyl} \right)\;\text{lysine}$$ (CML). Mice were then killed for the assessment of renal function and structure, as well as systemic and renal tissue oxidative stress. Upon CML injection, KO mice, in contrast to WT mice, showed no or only mild forms of proteinuria, glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial expansion, glomerular sclerosis, renal/glomerular cell apoptosis and extracellular matrix upregulation. Moreover, KO mice had lower circulating and tissue AGEs than WT mice and unchanged plasma isoprostane 8-epi-prostaglandin- $${\text{F}}_{{2{\text{ $ \alpha $ }}}} $$ levels, renal/glomerular CML, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, AGE receptor and NAD(P)H oxidase 4 (NOX4) content (and expression of the corresponding genes), and nuclear factor κB activation (NFκB). Mesangial cells from KO mice exposed to CML showed no or slight increase in ROS levels and NFκB activation, again at variance with WT cells. These data indicate that p66Shc participates in the pathogenesis of AGE-dependent glomerulopathy by mediating AGE-induced tissue injury and further AGE formation through ROS-dependent mechanisms involving NFκB activation and upregulation of Nox4 expression and NOX4 production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

p66(Shc) regulates both steady-state and environmental stress-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Its deletion was shown to confer resistance to oxidative stress and protect mice from aging-associated vascular disease. This study was aimed at verifying the hypothesis that p66(Shc) deletion also protects from diabetic glomerulopathy by reducing oxidative stress. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic p66(Shc) knockout (KO) mice showed less marked changes in renal function and structure, as indicated by the significantly lower levels of proteinuria, albuminuria, glomerular sclerosis index, and glomerular and mesangial areas. Glomerular content of fibronectin and collagen IV was also lower in diabetic KO versus wild-type mice, whereas apoptosis was detected only in diabetic wild-type mice. Serum and renal tissue advanced glycation end products and plasma isoprostane 8-epi-prostaglandin F2alpha levels and activation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) were also lower in diabetic KO than in wild-type mice. Mesangial cells from KO mice grown under high-glucose conditions showed lower cell death rate, matrix production, ROS levels, and activation of NF-kappaB than those from wild-type mice. These data support a role for oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of diabetic glomerulopathy and indicate that p66(Shc) is involved in the molecular mechanism(s) underlying diabetes-induced oxidative stress and oxidant-dependent renal injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we studied the quantitative behaviour and cell-to-cell variability of a prototypical eukaryotic cell-fate decision system, the mating pheromone response pathway in yeast. We dissected and measured sources of variation in system output, analysing thousands of individual, genetically identical cells. Only a small proportion of total cell-to-cell variation is caused by random fluctuations in gene transcription and translation during the response (‘expression noise’). Instead, variation is dominated by differences in the capacity of individual cells to transmit signals through the pathway (‘pathway capacity’) and to express proteins from genes (‘expression capacity’). Cells with high expression capacity express proteins at a higher rate and increase in volume more rapidly. Our results identify two mechanisms that regulate cell-to-cell variation in pathway capacity. First, the MAP kinase Fus3 suppresses variation at high pheromone levels, while the MAP kinase Kss1 enhances variation at low pheromone levels. Second, pathway capacity and expression capacity are negatively correlated, suggesting a compensatory mechanism that allows cells to respond more precisely to pheromone in the presence of a large variation in expression capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Splitting and apparent splicing of ribosomal RNA, both previously unknown in vertebrates, were found in rodents of the genus Ctenomys. Instead of being formed by a single molecule of 4.4 kb, 28S rRNA is split in two molecules of 2.6 and 1.8 kb. A hidden break, mapping within a 106 bp ‘intron’ located in the D6 divergent region, is expressed in mature ribosomes of liver, lung, heart and spleen, as well as in primary fibroblast cultures. Testis-specific processing eliminates the intron and concomitantly the break site, producing non-split 28S rRNA molecules exclusively in this organ. The intron is flanked by two 9 bp direct repeats, revealing the acquisition by insertion of a novel rRNA processing strategy in the evolution of higher organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Illustrates that changes in promoter structure affect splice site selection of RNA (ribonucleic acid) polymerase II transcripts. Investigation of the splicing of ED I exon; What alternative splicing assay combined with promoter swapping was used to show; Results obtained; Discussion of results.

This work is concerned with the morphometric analysis of 19 subcutaneous hemangiomas of capillary and cavernous types, to investigate their evolution. Our results suggest that hemangiomas in adults are of malformative nature, and that there is no clear-cut separation between the above types, which only designate extreme patterns of non-intermittent series. Cavernous changes are probably due to blood flow and intravascular pressure in originally capillary hemangiomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ureterocele decompression by endoscopic or open incision was the primary treatment in 59 children with 63 ureteroceles. Of these, 18 were intravesical and 45 were ectopic. The endoscopic or open incision adequately decompressed all intravesical ureteroceles and 37 of 45 ectopic ureteroceles (82%). After incision, the secondary operation rate was 17% for intravesical and 62% for ectopic ureteroceles. In our opinion, endoscopic or open incision must be considered a definitive treatment in the large majority of intravesical ureteroceles and is also valid in ectopic ureteroceles. In these cases, the early decompression obtained by this approach produced significant functional recovery, fewer urinary tract infections, and facilitated subsequent surgery in those patients requiring complete surgical reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the results of a long-term follow-up study in 78 children with urethral strictures. The ages ranged from 1 month to 20 years and the follow-up from 8 months to 15 years (average 5.9 years). Balloon dilation was the primary treatment in 66 patients. Manipulative management (balloon dilation and endoscopic urethrotomy) was performed in 68 cases and was successful in 55. There were no complications. Balloon dilation alone provided an 80% success rate (53/66). Twenty-two patients were treated by one-stage urethroplasty, with an overall 95.5% success rate. The surgical repair was performed in 12 patients as a secondary procedure after failure of conservative treatment. Our data do not support the rather poor results usually reported in the pediatric literature associated with the balloon dilation technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuropsychiatric manifestations are serious and frequent complications of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by motor disturbance (including waxy flexibility and catalepsy), stupor, excitement, negativism, mutism, echopraxia and echolalia. Catatonia associated with SLE has been only rarely reported, especially in children. Here we present a case of a 14-year-old patient encountered in consultation-liaison psychiatry who presented catatonia associated with SLE. Her catatonia was refractory to treatment with pulse methylprednisolone, intravenous cyclophosphamide and rituximab. The patient responded to a combined therapy of electroconvulsive therapy and benzodiazepines. The present case suggests that although rarely reported, catatonia seen in the background of SLE should be promptly identified and treated to reduce the morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Presents a letter to the editor referencing articles and topics on the papillary serious carcinoma of ovarian type of the testis, published in previous issues.

Background: Although easy access to the Internet can provide much information for patients, the quality and accuracy of information are uncertain. This investigation evaluated information concerning laparoscopic bariatric surgery available via the Internet. Methods: Searches on the six most popular search engines and two metasearch engines were performed. The first 20 “hits” for each separate search were included in the study. Results: A total of 602 “hits” were found. Only 119 unique Web sites were found. Although 63 of the 119 sites discussed some procedure related to laparoscopic obesity surgery, 18 of the 63 had biased or misleading information, 30 did not discuss the details of the procedure, 37 did not discuss other procedures, 30 did not discuss complications, 37 did not discuss death as a risk, and 7 did not discuss laparoscopic procedure as an option. Only 89 of the original 602 “hits” led to Web sites that discussed laparoscopic obesity surgery, details of the procedure, and complications in an unbiased manner. Conclusions: A large amount of information is available via the Internet. However, it is difficult for the patient to identify the unbiased information. The Internet is not a dependable source of information for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the occurrence of Rushton's hyaline bodies in the odontogenic cysts. Staining of calcium with alizarin; Demonstration of calcium and iron in single cells within the epithelium; Presence of keratin at the periphery of Rushton bodies.

Over a 14-year period, a total of 40 patients underwent surgical revision after an unsuccessful orchiopexy attempt. Overall, 34 reorchiopexies (1 bilateral) and 7 orchiectomies were performed. All reorchiopexies were carried out using extensive mobilization of the testis and spermatic cord. This approach was sufficient for scrotal placement of the testis in 23 instances; however, it was necessary to transpose the spermatic vessels medially in the remaining 11 (incision of the transversalis fascia in 5, incision of the transversalis fascia and division of the inferior epigastric vessels in 6). Only 1 prepuberal boy developed testicular atrophy (2%). Functional long-term assessment was done in 20 postpuberal patients using testicular ultrasound and sperm analysis. The reoperated cryptorchid testes were significantly smaller than the controls (P < 0.005), but decreased fertility was only noted in 3 patients (18.7%). We conclude that testicular volume in adulthood is not directly related to fertility, so that accurate reorchiopexy seems to be the best way to preserve fertility in this special group of cryptorchid patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detection of an elevated prolactin level in the nonpregnant patient usually directs attention to the investigation of the pituitary gland. We describe a patient with secondary amenorrhea and galactorrhea in whom such an elevated prolactin level did initially lead to the discovery of a pituitary mass that was treated first unsuccessfully with surgery, and then successfully with medical therapy. After medical therapy normal menstruation continued, galactorrhea recurred intermittently, and the prolactin level rose again and remained in the approximately 36-micrograms/L range. However, 2 years later an ovarian teratoma was discovered incidentally and was removed surgically. On pathological evaluation the teratoma was noted to include prolactin-containing tissue, and immediately after surgery the patient's prolactin level and responsiveness to stimulatory testing returned to normal. To our knowledge this is the first case report of the association of clinically evident hyperprolactinemia with an ovarian cystic teratoma that contained prolactin-producing tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the correlation between matrix metalloproteinase activity and tumor necrosis factor-α in salivary extravasation mucocele. Staining of eight extravasation mucoceles for interstitial collagenase and vascular endothelial growth factor; Use of avidin-streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase technique with biotinylated antibodies.

Crossed testicular ectopia (CTE), also known as transverse testicular ectopia, is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by the presence of two testes of contralateral origin at a single location. Associated genitourinary abnormalities have been reported in 20% of cases. CTE has also been noted together with disorders of sexual differentiation in a few cases. We have reviewed the clinical assessment and surgical management in an uncommon case in which both crossed intra-abdominal testicular ectopia and true hermaphroditism were present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the lecture titled "Physical Activity in Older Individuals: Scientific Evidence," by L. Capranica and colleagues, given at the Age and Health Forum Catanzaro on December 5-7, 2009 in Italy, is presented.

A correction to the article "Regulated Cell-to-Cell Variation in a Cell-Fate Decision System," by Alejandro Colman-Lerner, Andrew Gordon and colleagues.