“
“Vascular risk factors play a significant role in the pathogenesis and progression of AD. MPV is an index of platelet activation and may be a potential marker

of inflammation to demonstrate the vascular damage in AD. The aim of the present study is to assess whether platelet volume would be useful in predicting vascular damage in AD. A total of 126 patients with AD (male/female: 44/82, mean age 76.2 +/- 6.8 years) and 286 patients as controls with normal cognitive function (male/female: 123/163, mean age 75.2 +/- 6.3 years) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. MPV values were determined for all study participants. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and clock drawing tests (CDT) were performed for cognitive assessment, DSM-IV and NINCDS-ADRDA criteria were used for diagnosis of AD. The mean MPV values were significantly higher in AD group (8.46 +/- 1.15 vs. Tubastatin A in vitro 8.17 +/- 0.90; p = 0.011). In this study, significantly higher MPV values in patients with AD have been detected. Since increased MPV levels are usually LY2835219 considered as a vascular risk factor, the results of this study suggested the role of platelet activation in the vascular pathogenetic basis of AD. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Chemotherapy often causes damage to hematopoietic tissues, leading to

acute bone marrow suppression and the long term development of leukemias. Niacin deficiency, which is common in cancer patients, causes dramatic genomic instability in bone marrow cells in an in vivo rat model. From a mechanistic perspective, niacin deficiency delays excision repair and causes double strand break accumulation, which in turn favors chromosome breaks and translocations. Niacin deficiency Selleck Napabucasin also impairs cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in response to DNA damage, which combine to encourage the survival

of cells with leukemogenic potential. Conversely, pharmacological supplementation of rats with niacin increases bone marrow poly (ADP-ribose) formation and apoptosis. Improvement of niacin status in rats significantly decreased nitrosourea-induced leukemia incidence. The data from our rat model suggest that niacin supplementation of cancer patients may decrease the severity of short- and long-term side effects of chemotherapy, and could improve tumor cell killing through activation of poly(ADP-ribose)-dependent apoptosis pathways. [Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(4):725-32]“
“Objective: Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of GABA degradation leading to elevations in brain GABA and gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB). The effect of chronically elevated GABA and GHB on cortical excitability is unknown. We hypothesized that use-dependent downregulation of GABA receptor expression would promote cortical disinhibition rather than inhibition, predominantly via presynaptic GABAergic mechanisms.

Direct differentiation of MSCs, as an JAK2 inhibitors clinical trials important mechanism of injured kidney repair, warrants further investigation.”
“FLAGG SY, REGIS DP, PETERSEN K, MAHON RT. Interrupted oxygen prebreathing and decompression outcomes in swine. Aviat Space Environ Med 2013; 84:12-6. Background: Rescue from a disabled submarine may result in substantial risk for severe decompression sickness (DCS) among survivors. Oxygen prebreathe (OPB) before rapid decompression has been shown to significantly reduce risk or delay onset for severe DCS in animals. However, the duration of this benefit remains unknown and might even be lost if a delay between the prebreathe period to initiation of recompression therapy allows

for nitrogen reaccumulation. Methods: We hypothesized that the benefit of OPB would be lost following subsequent periods of air interruption in a 70-kg swine saturation model. Following OPB of 45 or 60 min with varying periods (30, 45, 60 min) of air interruption, 61 swine exposed to 2.7 ATA for 22 h were rapidly decompressed. Swine without OPB served as negative controls and swine treated

with 45 min of OPB without air interruption served as positive controls. Results: Comparing experimental groups for Type II DCS incidence showed OPB120/60 being the only experimental group (11%) statistically different than the negative control group OPB0 (80%). Log rank tests comparing Type II DCS free survival only showed statistically significant selleck inhibitor differences for OPB45/60 compared to positive control group OPB45, while, more importantly, demonstrating a significant difference for OPB120/60 compared to that approximated for OPB45, indicating a significant reversal of the air interruption effects with longer OPB on Type II DCS disease free survival. Discussion: Based on these findings we concluded that the protective effects of OPB against severe DCS are reduced with increasing periods of air interruption.”
“Background: The value of physical examination findings in the diagnosis of pneumonia in children may be limited, and the accuracy of physicians in predicting pneumonia is not known.\n\nObjective: We

sought to determine the correlation between physicians’ RepSox concentration assessment of the likelihood of pneumonia and radiographic presence of pneumonia.\n\nMethods: Prospective observational study of children 21 years or younger presenting to a pediatric emergency department, who had a chest radiography performed for suspicion of pneumonia. Physicians recorded clinical findings and likelihood of pneumonia before obtaining the radiograph. Definite and probable pneumonia was defined by a radiologist’s interpretation of the radiograph.\n\nResults: Of 2071 children, 147 (7%) had definite radiographic pneumonia, whereas 321 (15%) had probable or definite pneumonia. Among patients perceived to be at lowest risk for pneumonia (<5% prediction), 4.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.9%-5.7%) had definite pneumonia, and 10.0% (95% CI, 8.3%-12.

However, the use of MTPs remains controversial. This review describes published

experiences with MTPs and illustrates the potential value of several MTPs currently utilized by academic transfusion services. Published by Elsevier Inc.”
“Aims: Do assessments of alcohol dependence demonstrate similarly validity across Hispanics and non-Hispanic Caucasians? This investigation examined this question.\n\nMethod: it employed confirmatory factor analyses for ordered-categorical measures to search for Measurement bias oil the AUDADIS, a standardized measure of alcohol dependence. across BI 6727 chemical structure Hispanic (n = 4819) and non-Hispanic Caucasians (n = 16, 109) in a nationally representative survey of alcohol use in the United States conducted in 2001 and 2002.\n\nMeasurement: Analyses considered whether 27 items operationalizing the DSM-IV alcohol dependence construct provided equivalent measurement.\n\nFindings and conclusions: Nine items revealed statistically significant bias, suggesting strong caution regarding the cross-ethnic validity of alcohol dependence. Sensitivity analyses established that item level differences erroneously impact alcohol dependence estimates among the https://www.selleckchem.com/products/lgk-974.html 2001-2002 US Hispanic population. Biased measurement underestimates differences between Hispanics and

non-Hispanic Caucasians, underestimates Hispanics’ true use levels, and falsely minimizes current increases in drinking behavior evidenced among Hispanics. Findings urge improved public health efforts among the Hispanic community and underscore the necessity for cultural sensitivity when generalizing measures and constructs developed in the majority to Hispanic individuals. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“The seasonal appearance and population abundance of nymphs and adults of

Closterotomus trivialis (Costa) were studied by weekly canopy shaking samplings in an olive and a citrus orchard in Chania, Greece, from January to May 2009. In addition, samples were taken from weeds referred to in the literature as alternative host plants for C. trivialis. NU7441 manufacturer Results showed that nymphal instars of C. trivialis were first recorded on weeds in mid-January. The first adult appearance was recorded on Mercurialis annua L. in early March in the citrus orchard, while in the olive orchard, it was recorded 13 days later. A significantly higher population of C. trivialis under field conditions was found on M. annua followed by Urtica sp., Parietaria officinalis L. and Sinapis alba L. Population density on olive (Olea europaea L.) and sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) trees as well as on Sonchus oleraceus L. and Malva sylvestris L. was very low in general. Collected information on host plant preference of C.

falciparum and S. cerevisiae.

We found an abundance Trichostatin A ic50 of epistatic interactions in the parasite and a much smaller number of such interactions in yeast. The genome of P. falciparum also harboured several epistatic interaction hotspots that putatively play a role in drug resistance mechanisms. The abundance of observed epistatic interactions might suggest a mechanism of compensation for the extremely limited repertoire of transcription factors. Interestingly, epistatic interaction hotspots were associated with elevated levels of linkage disequilibrium, an observation that suggests selection pressure acting on P. falciparum, potentially reflecting host-pathogen interactions or drug-induced selection.”
“Objective:

This paper investigates a general concept of reproducibility with regard to its application on experiments with homeopathic potencies.\n\nMethods: The experimental situation for distinguishing a homeopathic potency and its solvent is described in a formal way. This allows the application of the weak law of large numbers. Experimental arrangements are described in a formal way. This allows conclusions to be drawn about the possible existence hypoxia-inducible factor cancer of nonlocal influences on an experiment.\n\nConclusions: From a pragmatic as well as from a global point of view, a general concept of reproducibility supports decisions whether or not effects in experiments with homeopathic potencies do exist.”
“Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder. All mendelian patterns of inheritance have been described. We identified a homozygous p.A335V mutation in the MED25 gene in an extended Costa Rican family

with autosomal recessively inherited Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy linked to the CMT2B2 locus in chromosome 19q13.3. MED25, also known as ARC92 and ACID1, is a subunit of the human activator-recruited cofactor (ARC), a family of large transcriptional coactivator complexes related to the yeast Mediator. MED25 was identified by virtue of functional Cl-amidine research buy association with the activator domains of multiple cellular and viral transcriptional activators. Its exact physiological function in transcriptional regulation remains obscure. The CMT2B2-associated missense amino acid substitution p.A335V is located in a proline-rich region with high affinity for SH3 domains of the Abelson type. The mutation causes a decrease in binding specificity leading to the recognition of a broader range of SH3 domain proteins. Furthermore, Med25 is coordinately expressed with Pmp22 gene dosage and expression in transgenic mice and rats. These results suggest a potential role of this protein in the molecular etiology of CMT2B2 and suggest a potential, more general role of MED25 in gene dosage sensitive peripheral neuropathy pathogenesis.

interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10:1002/jbt.20252″
“Vinnik E, Itskov PM, Balaban E. beta- And gamma-band EEG power predicts illusory auditory continuity perception. J Neurophysiol 108: 2717-2724, 2012. First published July 5, 2012; doi:10.1152/jn.00196.2012.-Because acoustic landscapes are complex and rapidly changing, auditory AZD8931 systems have evolved mechanisms that permit rapid detection of novel sounds, sound source segregation, and perceptual restoration of sounds obscured by noise. Perceptual restoration is particularly important in noisy environments because it allows organisms to track sounds over time even when they are masked. The continuity

illusion is a striking example of perceptual restoration with sounds perceived as intact even when parts of selleck compound them have been replaced by gaps and rendered inaudible by being masked by an extraneous sound. The mechanisms of auditory filling-in are complex

and are currently not well-understood. The present study used the high temporal resolution of EEG to examine brain activity related to continuity illusion perception. Masking noise loudness was adjusted individually for each subject so that physically identical sounds on some trials elicited a continuity illusion ( failure to detect a gap in a sound) and on other trials resulted in correct gap detection. This design ensured that any measurable differences in brain activity would be due to perceptual differences rather than physical differences among stimuli. We found that baseline activity recorded immediately before presentation of the stimulus significantly predicted the occurrence of the continuity illusion in 10 out of 14 participants based on power differences in gamma-band EEG (34-80 Hz). Across all participants, power in the beta and gamma (12-to 80-Hz range) was informative about the subsequent perceptual

decision. These data suggest that a subject’s baseline brain state influences the strength of continuity illusions.”
“A series of shape-memory polyurethanes PU-H71 price based on poly(E-caprolactone) diol were prepared with novel hydroxyl-terminated hyperbranched polyurethanes as crosslinkers and were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, H-1-NMR, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, dynamic mechanical analysis, tensile testing, and shape-memory testing. The molecular weight of the soluble polymers ranged from 5.1 x 10(4) to 29.0 x 10(4) g/mol. The differential scanning calorimetry and wide-angle X-ray diffraction data indicated that when the crystallinities of the crosslinked polymers were compared to that of linear polyurethane, this parameter was improved when the crosslinker was in low quantity. The storage modulus ratios obtained from the dynamic mechanical analyses data of the crosslinked polymers were also high compared to that of the linear polyurethane.

Interactions of the homodimeric Escherichia coli beta clamp with its known partners involves multiple surfaces, including a hydrophobic cleft located near the C-terminus of each clamp protomer.\n\nResults: A mutant E. coli

beta clamp protein lacking a functional hydrophobic cleft (beta(C)) complemented the temperature sensitive growth phenotype of a strain bearing the dnaN159 allele, which encodes a thermolabile mutant clamp protein (beta 159). Complementation was conferred by a beta(C)/beta 159 heterodimer, and was observed only in the absence of the dinB gene, which encodes DNA polymerase IV (Pol IV). Furthermore, the complemented strain was proficient for umuDC (Pol V) -dependent ultraviolet light (UV) -induced mutagenesis.\n\nConclusions: Our results suggest that a single cleft in the homodimeric E. coli beta sliding Adavosertib order clamp protein is sufficient to support both Nirogacestat order cell viability, as well as Pol III, Pol IV, and Pol V function in vivo. These

findings provide further support for a model in which different Pols switch places with each other on DNA using a single cleft in the clamp.”
“A [3,3]-rearrangement that is used for facile construction of chiral allenamides is described. A propargylic alcohol, a chlorophosphite, and Cbz-azide are combined to provide a propargylic phosphorimidate that, in the presence of catalytic palladium(II), rearranges to an allenamide. By varying the substitution pattern on the propargylic alcohol, mono-, di-, and trisubstituted allenamides can be accessed in good yields. Additionally, the use of an enantiomerically enriched propargylic alcohol enables the preparation of stereochemically selleck chemicals defined allenamides.”
“Plants respond to pathogen attack by transcriptionally regulating defense-related

genes via various types of transcription factors. We identified a transcription factor in rice, OsNAC111, belonging to the TERN subgroup of the NAC family that was transcriptionally upregulated after rice blast fungus (Magnaporthe oryzae) inoculation. OsNAC111 was localized in the nucleus of rice cells and had transcriptional activation activity in yeast and rice cells. Transgenic rice plants overexpressing OsNAC111 showed increased resistance to the rice blast fungus. In OsNAC111-overexpressing plants, the expression of several defense-related genes, including pathogenesis-related (PR) genes, was constitutively high compared with the control. These genes all showed blast disease-responsive expression in leaves. Among them, two chitinase genes and one beta-1,3-glucanase gene showed reduced expression in transgenic rice plants in which OsNAC111 function was suppressed by a chimeric repressor (OsNAC111-SRDX). OsNAC111 activated transcription from the promoters of the chitinase and beta-1,3-glucanase genes in rice cells. In addition, brown pigmentation at the infection sites, a defense response of rice cells to the blast fungus, was lowered in OsNAC111-SRDX plants at the early infection stage.

The study of the growing number of human diseases associated with toxic repeat-containing transcripts provides EPZ015938 important insight into the understanding of the complex pathways of RNA toxicity. This review describes some of the recent advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind DM and other RNA-dominant disorders.”
“Results: Our method performs well in terms of both micro- and macro-averaged performance, achieving micro-F(1) of 0.76 and macro-F(1) of 0.36 on the publicly available DECA corpus. Re-curation of the DECA corpus was performed,

with our method achieving 0.88 micro-F(1) and 0.51 macro-F(1). Our method improves over standard classification techniques [such as support vector machines (SVMs)] in a number of ways: flexibility, interpretability and its resistance to the effects of class bias in the training data. Good performance is achieved without the need for computationally expensive parse tree generation or ‘bag of words classification’.”
“Objectives: To assess the prevalence of genital abnormalities among neonates in two public maternityschools.\n\nMethods: Case-control, cross-sectional

descriptive study. Genital morphology of 2,916 neonates was assessed using a clinical protocol between 04/19/2010 and 04/18/2011. Control group included neonates without birth defects, born at the same maternity unit and in the same day in which a case was identified. Fisher and KruskalWallis tests were used for statistics.\n\nResults: The study identified 29 (1:100) neonates Selleckchem Erastin with genital abnormalities. Most of them were examined within 3 days of life and presented only one genital defect. Morphological abnormalities comprised: genital ambiguity (1/29), fusion of labia majora (1/29), micropenis (2/29), enlarged clitoris (6/29), hypospadia (9/29), and combined defects (4/29). Only one case reported the genital abnormality in the statement of live birth correctly. Prematurity occurred in 13/29 cases and was the only

variable statistically associated with genital defects. Eight cases agreed on the complementary Selleckchem RG-7388 investigation of the genital defect, among which three were diagnosed with disorder of sex development.\n\nConclusions: There is a high prevalence of genital abnormalities in the maternity units included in the present study and most cases are under-diagnosed and under-reported. Our results reinforce the importance of a careful examination of genital morphology in neonatal period towards the recognition of minor defects that can be clinical features of a disorder of sex development. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2012;88(0:489-95.”
“Misotermes mindeni Disney and Neoh is a solitary endoparasitoid of Macrotermes gilvus (Hagen) (Termitidae: Macrotermitinae), exclusively parasitizing the head of major soldiers.

(J Am Acad Dermatol 2009;61:294-302.)”
“Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disorder caused by inactivating mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes and characterized by slow-growing tumors in multiple organs. Of the affected individuals, 10% display subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs), which can lead to PRIMA-1MET nmr substantial neurological morbidity. The TSC1/TSC2 protein complex is a negative regulator of the mTOR pathway. Hence, mutations in these genes in preclinical models are associated

with increased mTOR pathway activation and heightened sensitivity to mTOR inhibitors. We hereby report our experience with RAD001 (Everolimus) therapy, a novel mTOR inhibitor, in inducing a dramatic regression of SEGAs.\n\nA patient with TSC and SEGAs was treated with 10 mg/day oral RAD001. MRIs and neuro-ophtalmological exams were performed

before and at regular intervals following the initiation of therapy.\n\nThe lesions exhibited significant regression in several tumor locations and stabilization in others, accompanied with an improvement of his visual status. Treatment was well tolerated for 11 months but was than discontinued due to hypertension and elevated CPK, without evidence for rhabdomyolysis. Yet, during 9 months following the VS-4718 mw interruption of therapy, SEGAs remained unchanged.\n\nOral RAD001 demonstrated preliminary encouraging results as treatment of astrocytomas associated with TSC. These preliminary results were recently supported by the Novartis announcement of the phase II study of RAD001 for SEGAs, which was not published yet. According to their statement, 75% of the patients showed reduction of SEGAs’ volume following treatment with RAD001. Based on these results, RAD001 may be an alternative to surgery in selected patients with TSC and SEGAs.”
“It is well known that fish caudal fins can be completely regenerated after fin amputation. Although much research on fin regeneration has been

carried out, there have been very few reports regarding fin PF-04929113 clinical trial regeneration after tail amputation. In this study, we used grass carp, common carp, koi carp, and zebrafish as experimental organisms. Some caudal fins could be distinctly regenerated in 2 weeks after tail amputation. After all-trans-retinoic acid treatment and tail amputation, zebrafish were unable to regenerate caudal fins that could be seen with the naked eye. However, after tail amputation, more than half of the zebrafish tested were able to regenerate caudal fins. Caudal fin regeneration depended on the presence of musculature and endoskeleton at the site of amputation. These caudal fins arose from segments of the endoskeleton, which contrast with currently accepted knowledge. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 312B:762-769, 2009. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.”
“Resistance is increasing to several critical antimicrobials used to treat Salmonella typhimurium infection, urging people to search for new antimicrobial agents.

However, SI has not been examined systematically with respect to its relationships to psychopathology. We aimed to investigate associations between SI and psychopathology, including gender-related differences. Method: We performed a secondary data analysis of Wave-2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a national sample of 34,653 adults in the www.selleckchem.com/products/BI-2536.html United States. DSM-IV-based diagnoses of mood, anxiety, drug and personality disorders were assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated

Disabilities Interview Scheduled DSM-IV Version. Results: The prevalence of SI was considerable (14.7%), with greater acknowledgment by men than women (18.9% versus 10.9%; p smaller Selleckchem DMH1 than 0.0001). For both women and men, SI was positively associated with most Axis-I and Axis-II psychiatric disorders (OR range: Women,

Axis-I:1.89-6.14, Axis-II:2.10-10.02; Men, Axis-I:1.92-6.21, Axis-II:1.63-6.05). Significant gender-related differences were observed. Among women as compared to men, SI was more strongly associated with social phobia, alcohol abuse/dependence, and paranoid, schizotypal, antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, avoidant and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders. Conclusion: The robust associations between SI and psychopathology across genders suggest the need for screening and interventions related to SI for individuals with psychiatric concerns. The stronger associations between SI and psychopathology among women as compared to men emphasize the importance of a gender-oriented perspective in targeting SI. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the extent to SI predates, postdates or co-occurs with specific psychiatric conditions. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Boechera perstellata is an endangered plant found only in middle Tennessee and north central Kentucky. After sampling 4 Tennessee and 3 Kentucky populations,

genetic variability and population structure were examined for this species using find more isozymes, chloroplast DNA, and microsatellites (averaging 35, 29, and 27 individuals per population per class of marker, respectively). The only genetic variability detected for 23 isozymes was a fixed difference between Tennessee and Kentucky populations at 1 locus. Fixed differences between populations of the 2 states were also observed for 3 chloroplast markers. Polymorphism at 19 nuclear microsatellites was 74% at the species level and averaged 21% at the population level. However, observed heterozygosity was extremely low in all populations, ranging from 0.000 to 0.005. High F-IS values (0.93) suggest that Boechera perstellata is a primarily selfing species. Tennessee populations have more genetic diversity than Kentucky populations of B. perstellata. Microsatellite markers revealed substantial genetic divergence between the states and genetic differences among populations within each state.

The number of evaluable patients enrolled in the + EIASD and -EIASD arms were 23 and 24, respectively. DLTs were predominantly dermatological and gastrointestinal effects, as observed

in previous clinical trials of sorafenib. The MTD was 600 mg BID for patients receiving EIASDs and 800 mg BID for those who were not. The plasma pharmacokinetics of sorafenib were not significantly affected by the concurrent administration of EIASDs. The MTD of sorafenib given orally BID on a continuous basis was established as 600 mg BID in patients with malignant glioma who were concurrently receiving EIASDs and 800 mg BID in those who were not. Further evaluation is warranted of sorafenib at the recommended MTD against recurrent or progressive malignant glioma in combination with other molecularly selleckchem targeted drugs or in the newly diagnosed setting concurrent with chemoradiation.”
“Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) prognosis is currently based solely on clinical parameters. The identification of additional factors associated with MDS outcome could be used to further improve the current scoring system such as the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS). The present study evaluates the role of epidemiological markers as predictors of survival for 365 adult de novo MDS patients. Multivariable

STA-9090 cost Cox regression analysis was used to estimate overall survival. Median follow-up time was 22 months. At the time of last follow-up, 271 patients (74.3 %) had died. For all MDS patients, medium-high lifetime occupational agrochemical exposure (HR 1.85, CI 1.19-2.89) remained as an independent predictor of MDS

survival. Stratified analysis by gender showed that a parts per thousand yen25 pack-years smoked (HR 1.44, CI 1.001-2.09) and medium-high AZD7762 inhibitor lifetime occupational agrochemical exposure (HR 1.84, CI 1.15-2.97) were independent predictors of MDS survival in men, but not in women. For MDS patients stratified by IPSS categories, a parts per thousand yen25 pack-years smoked (HR 1.75, CI 1.005-3.06) was an independent predictor for intermediate 1 IPSS risk group only, and medium-high lifetime occupational agrochemical exposure was associated with increased mortality (HR 4.36, CI 1.20-15.8) in the high IPSS risk group. Smoking and lifetime occupational agrochemical exposure may play a role in MDS survival. Incorporating relevant epidemiological markers with known clinical predictors of outcome may help physician stratify patients and customize treatment strategies to improve the outcome of MDS.”
“Recent genetic studies have implicated a number of candidate genes in the pathogenesis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Polymorphisms of CNTNAP2 (contactin-associated like protein-2), a member of the neurexin family, have already been implicated as a susceptibility gene for autism by at least 3 separate studies.