Brain-derived neurotrophic factor stimulates hypothalamic and gonadal reproductive hormones and oocyte maturation in zebrafish.

In Brief: The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been shown to regulate metabolism in zebrafish. This research shows that Bdnf is a regulator of female zebrafish reproduction and reproductive hormones.

Abstract: BDNF is a peptide widely known for its role in neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity.

Fat mass and obesity associated gene and homeobox transcription factor iriquois-3 mRNA profiles in the metabolic tissues of zebrafish are modulated by feeding and food deprivation.

Fat mass and obesity associated gene (FTO) has been strongly associated with obesity, and it is functionally linked to the homeobox transcription factor iriquois-3 (IRX3). In mammals, FTO and IRX3 are involved in the regulation of food intake and metabolism. This study aimed to determine whether FTO and IRX3are affected by feeding and food unavailability.

Intraperitoneal administration of kisspeptin-10 modulates follicle maturation, gonadal steroids, calcium and metabolites in Sterlet sturgeon, Acipenser ruthenus.

Kisspeptin is a multifunctional neurohormone, primarily involved in the regulation of reproduction. We tested whether peripheral administration of kisspeptin10 (KP-10) via intraperitoneal injection or slow release affects reproductive hormones and metabolites in Sterlet sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus). Plasma and mucus 17β-estradiol (E), and testosterone (T), plasma and follicular vitellogenin (VTG) and calcium (Ca) as well as glucose and lipids were determined.

Growth factors and female reproduction in vertebrates.

Female reproductive efficiency is influenced by the outcomes of various processes, including folliculogenesis, apoptosis, response to gonadotropin signaling, oocyte maturation, and ovulation. The role of hormones in regulating these processes and other reproductive activities has been well established. It is becoming increasingly evident that in addition to well-characterized hormones, growth factors play vital roles in regulating some of these reproductive activities.

Ablepharon macrostomia syndrome: Absent prepuce in the first case report in West Africa.

Ablepharon macrostomia syndrome (AMS) is an extremely rare congenital ectodermal dysplastic disease characterised by craniofacial, skin, skeletal and genital abnormalities. Very few cases have been reported since the first case report in 1977. We report the case of a 6-day-old male delivered to unrelated parents.

A Multi-Faceted Approach to Tuberculosis Active Case Finding among Remote Riverine Communities in Southern Nigeria.

Nigeria accounts for 11% of the worldwide gap between estimated and reported individuals with tuberculosis (TB). Hard-to-reach communities on the Southern Nigeria coast experience many difficulties accessing TB services. We implemented an active case finding (ACF) intervention in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states utilizing three approaches: house-to-house/tent-to-tent screening, community outreach and contact investigation.

Metabolic changes of Japanese schizophrenic patients transferred from hospitalization to outpatients.

It is well known that schizophrenic patients have high incidence of metabolic syndrome and life-style related diseases. There are reports that the rates of these diseases are increased more in outpatients than inpatients, but are also reports that the rates are not different between both patient groups. These differences might be related to the length of hospitalization.

A cross-sectional study on metabolic similarities and differences between inpatients with schizophrenia and those with mood disorders.

Background: One of the main causes of death in psychiatric patients is cardiovascular diseases which are closely related with lifestyle-related diseases. Psychiatric disorders include schizophrenia and mood disorders, whose symptoms and treatment medicines are different, suggesting that they might have different metabolic disorders. Thus, we studied the differences of lifestyle-related diseases between schizophrenia and mood disorders in Japan.

Efficacy of ivermectin against gastrointestinal nematodes of pig in Nsukka area of Enugu State, Nigeria.

Ivermectin is a frequently used anthelmintic in pig production in Nigeria, because it is very effective against a broad range of endo- and ecto-parasites. However, gastrointestinal (GI) nematode infection still remains a major threat in pig production in Enugu state, Nigeria. Hence, the efficacy of ivermectin against GI nematode parasites of pig was evaluated in pig farms located in Nsukka area of Enugu State, using the Faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT).

Development of diabetes mellitus associated with quetiapine: A case series.

We aimed to describe the characteristics and clinical course of patients who developed diabetes associated with the use of quetiapine.This study included patients who received quetiapine for over a month between April 2008 and November 2013, and were diagnosed as having new-onset diabetes after initiation of quetiapine. We excluded patients who developed diabetes more than 1 year after discontinuation of quetiapine.

Correlation between brain damage, associated biomarkers, and medication in psychiatric inpatients: A cross-sectional study.

Background: We clarified the correlation between brain damage, associated biomarkers and medication in psychiatric patients, because patients with schizophrenia have an increased risk of stroke.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was performed from January 2013 to December 2015. Study participants were 96 hospitalized patients (41 men and 55 women) in the Department of Psychiatry at Kohnodai Hospital, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan.

Powerful peracetic acid-ionic liquid pretreatment process for the efficient chemical hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass.

The aim of this work was to design a new method for the efficient saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass (LB) using a combination of peracetic acid (PAA) pretreatment with ionic liquid (IL)-HCl hydrolysis. The pretreatment of LBs with PAA disrupted the lignin fractions, enhanced the dissolution of LB and led to a significant increase in the initial rate of the IL-HCl hydrolysis. The pretreatment of Bagasse with PAA prior to its 1-buthyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim][Cl])-HCl hydrolysis, led to an improvement in the cellulose conversion from 20% to 70% in 1.

Increased Silent Brain Infarction Accompanied With High Prevalence of Diabetes and Dyslipidemia in Psychiatric Inpatients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: Patients with schizophrenia have increased risk of atherosclerotic diseases. It is already known that lifestyle-related disorders and the use of antipsychotics are closely related with the progression of atherosclerosis in psychiatric patients. Stroke as well as coronary heart disease play an important role in the cause of death in Asia and Japan.

[Clinical experience with clozapine in 55 cases of treatment-resistant schizophrenia].

Up until October 2012, Kohnodai Hospital had introduced clozapine treatment for 55 cases of treatment-resistant schizophrenia. In all cases, previous antipsychotic medication was discontinued the day before clozapine administration began. Of the 55 cases, 45(85%)are continuing clozapine administration, and 40 cases (73%) are receiving outpatient treatment.

Peracetic acid-ionic liquid pretreatment to enhance enzymatic saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass.

To enhance enzymatic saccharification of pine biomass, the pretreatment reagents peracetic acid (PAA) and ionic liquid (IL) were validated in single reagent pretreatments or combination pretreatments with different sequences. In a 1h saccharification, 5-25% cellulose conversion was obtained from the single pretreatment of PAA or IL. In contrast, a marked enhancement in conversion rates was achieved by PAA-IL combination pretreatments (45-70%).

Low melting point pyridinium ionic liquid pretreatment for enhancing enzymatic saccharification of cellulosic biomass.

The potential of 1-hexylpyridinium chloride ([Hpy][Cl]), to pretreat cellulosic feedstocks was investigated using microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel) and Bagasse at 80 °C or 100 °C. Short [Hpy][Cl] pretreatments, <30 min, at lower temperature accelerate subsequent enzymatic saccharification of Avicel. Over 95% conversion of pretreated Avicel to glucose was attained after 24h enzymatic saccharification under optimal conditions, whereas regenerated Bagasse showed 1-3-fold higher conversion than untreated biomass.

Short time ionic liquids pretreatment on lignocellulosic biomass to enhance enzymatic saccharification.

The potential of 1-buthyl-3-methylpyridinium chloride, [Bmpy][Cl], as a pretreatment solvent for lignocellulosic biomasses, Bagasse and Eucalyptus, was investigated. The yields of regenerated biomasses ranged between 35% and 96%, and varied according to the pretreatment time, type of ionic liquid (IL) and biomass. The pretreatment of the biomass with [Bmpy][Cl] resulted in up to 8-fold increase in the cellulose conversion when compared with the untreated biomass.

Anticariogenic potentials of clove, tobacco and bitter kola.

Objective: To investigate three tropical plant materials - clove seeds [Syzygium aromaticum (S. aromaticum)], bitter kola fruits [Garcinia kola (G. kola)] and tobacco leaves (Nicotiana species) as potential targeted killers of Streptococcus mutans (S.

Cotrimoxazole resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from sputum of HIV-positive patients.

The prevalence and cotrimoxazole susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from sputum of 100 HIV-positive patients attending the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research clinic was investigated using standard microbiological methods. Eleven of the sputum specimens grew Streptococcus pneumoniae. Antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that all the isolates were sensitive to amoxicillin, augmentin, erythromycin and chloramphenicol but were resistant to cotrimoxazole.