Publications by authors named "B R Southey"

The alternative splicing of a gene results in distinct transcript isoforms that can result in proteins that differ in function. Alternative splicing processes are prevalent in the brain, have varying incidence across brain regions, and can present sexual dimorphism. Exposure to opiates and other substances of abuse can also alter the type and incidence of the splicing process and the relative abundance of the isoforms produced.

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  • * Identifying prohormones and the neuropeptides derived from them is crucial for understanding and utilizing the increasing number of sequenced genomes.
  • * The text outlines a reliable method for discovering prohormones in genomic data using accessible tools and databases, facilitating the search for new neuropeptides and enhancing proteomic research.
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  • DNA methylation is an epigenetic change that influences gene expression, with effects varying by developmental stage, inflammation, and sex.
  • In a pig model, researchers examined how maternal viral infection and sex affect DNA methylation patterns in the hypothalamus, identifying 120 differentially methylated sites linked to various biological processes.
  • Findings indicate that maternal infection can lead to significant long-term epigenetic changes that differ between males and females, potentially impacting immune response and other developmental processes.
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The hypothalamic molecular processes participate in the regulation of the neuro-immune-endocrine system, including hormone, metabolite, chemokine circulation, and corresponding physiological and behavioral responses. RNA-sequencing profiles were analyzed to understand the effect of juvenile immune and metabolic distress 100 days after virally elicited maternal immune activation during gestation in pigs. Over 1,300 genes exhibited significant additive or interacting effects of gestational immune activation, juvenile distress, and sex.

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  • - Prenatal stress can lead to maternal immune activation (MIA), affecting brain development and metabolism, with lasting effects that may manifest later in life.
  • - A study using a pig model revealed that both MIA and postnatal stress significantly influenced fifty-nine hippocal metabolites, with some showing interactive effects, impacting important pathways in metabolism and brain function.
  • - The findings suggest that prenatal and postnatal stressors may disrupt metabolic pathways linked to neuroinflammation, supporting the "double-hit hypothesis," which indicates that prior MIA can worsen the effects of later stress on brain health.
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