Retinol-binding protein 4 and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase/visfatin in rat obesity models.

Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase/visfatin (Nampt/visfatin) are adipocyte-secreted proteins (adipokines) whose relevance to the metabolic syndrome and regulation in obesity remain controversial. Here, we tested the hypothesis that adipose tissue expression and circulating levels of these two adipokines are elevated in obesity by analyzing their changes in both a genetic and a diet-induced model of obesity in the rat (obese FA/ FA Zucker rats and Wistar rats fed a cafeteria diet, respectively). Compared with lean controls, obese FA/ FA rats were hyperleptinemic, hyperinsulinemic, and insulin resistant and had reduced RBP4 serum levels and mRNA levels in adipose depots, unchanged Nampt/visfatin serum levels, and reduced Nampt/visfatin mRNA levels selectively in the inguinal adipose depot.

Hapten synthesis and monoclonal antibody-based immunoassay development for detection of the fungicide trifloxystrobin.

High-affinity and selective monoclonal antibodies have been produced against the strobilurin fungicide trifloxystrobin. A battery of functionalized haptens has been synthesized, and conjugate-coated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays following different procedures have been developed. On the one hand, a two-step conjugate-coated immunoassay was optimized using extended or short incubation times, with limits of detection of 0.

Performance of two monoclonal immunoassays in mixtures of cross-reacting dithiophosphorus pesticides.

A statistical approach for the analysis of complex samples by immunoassay is proposed in this article. Two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), one of them in the conjugate-coated format and the other in the antibody-coated format, were evaluated for their suitability to the analysis of mixtures of three organodithiophosphorus pesticides: azinphos-methyl, azinphos-ethyl and phosmet. It was found that the apparent affinity of the antibody to each analyte changed in the presence of a cross-reacting compound in the antibody-coated ELISA format, but not when the conjugate-coated ELISA format was used.

Blood levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor correlate with several psychopathological symptoms in anorexia nervosa patients.

Background: Evidence of a role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the pathophysiology of eating disorders (ED) has been provided by association studies and by murine models. BDNF plasma levels have been found altered in ED and in psychiatric disorders that show comorbidity with ED.

Aims: Since the role of BDNF levels in ED-related psychopathological symptoms has not been tested, we investigated the correlation of BDNF plasma levels with the Symptom Checklist 90 Revised (SCL-90R) questionnaire in a total of 78 ED patients.

Hapten synthesis and monoclonal antibody-based immunoassay development for the detection of the fungicide kresoxim-methyl.

Strobilurin fungicides have been increasingly used for fungus pest control since they were introduced in 1996. For pesticide residue detection, immunoassays constitute nowadays a valuable approach. This paper describes the synthesis of functionalized haptens of kresoxim-methyl, the production of monoclonal antibodies, and the development of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

Association of NTRK3 and its interaction with NGF suggest an altered cross-regulation of the neurotrophin signaling pathway in eating disorders.

Eating disorders (EDs) are complex psychiatric diseases that include anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, and have higher than 50% heritability. Previous studies have found association of BDNF and NTRK2 to ED, while animal models suggest that other neurotrophin genes might also be involved in eating behavior. We have performed a family-based association study with 151 TagSNPs covering 10 neurotrophin signaling genes: NGFB, BDNF, NTRK1, NGFR/p75, NTF4/5, NTRK2, NTF3, NTRK3, CNTF and CNTFR in 371 ED trios of Spanish, French and German origin.

MRPS18CP2 alleles and DEFA3 absence as putative chromosome 8p23.1 modifiers of hearing loss due to mtDNA mutation A1555G in the 12S rRNA gene.

Background: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations account for at least 5% of cases of postlingual, nonsyndromic hearing impairment. Among them, mutation A1555G is frequently found associated with aminoglycoside-induced and/or nonsyndromic hearing loss in families presenting with extremely variable clinical phenotypes. Biochemical and genetic data have suggested that nuclear background is the main factor involved in modulating the phenotypic expression of mutation A1555G.

All-trans retinoic acid increases oxidative metabolism in mature adipocytes.

Background/aims: In rodents, retinoic acid (RA) treatment favors loss of body fat mass and the acquisition of brown fat features in white fat depots. In this work, we sought to examine to what extent these RA effects are cell autonomous or dependent on systemic factors.

Methods: Parameters of lipid metabolism and related gene expression were analyzed in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes after exposure to RA or vehicle.

Temporomandibular joint soft-tissue pathology, II: Nondisc abnormalities.

The most important objective in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is to determine the location of disk, because the presence of a displaced disk is a critical sign of TMJ dysfunction. However, a high frequency of disk displacement appears in asymptomatic volunteers; thus, other MRI indirect signs of TMJ dysfunction can help in the diagnosis. Further studies using the latest MRI techniques allow a better understanding of the sources of joint pain and the discrepancy between imaging findings and patient symptoms.

Functional connectivity of the hippocampus in elderly with mild memory dysfunction carrying the APOE epsilon4 allele.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate functional connectivity of the hippocampus during a fMRI face-name learning task in a group of elders with mild memory impairment on the basis of the presence or absence of the APOE epsilon4 allele. Twelve epsilon4 carriers and 20 non-carriers with mild memory dysfunction and exhibiting equivalent performance in clinical evaluations of global cognitive function and memory were studied. Subjects underwent a fMRI session consisting of a face-name encoding memory task.

Altered brain-derived neurotrophic factor blood levels and gene variability are associated with anorexia and bulimia.

Murine models and association studies in eating disorder (ED) patients have shown a role for the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in eating behavior. Some studies have shown association of BDNF -270C/T single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with bulimia nervosa (BN), while BDNF Val66Met variant has been shown to be associated with both BN and anorexia nervosa (AN). To further test the role of this neurotrophin in humans, we screened 36 SNPs in the BDNF gene and tested for their association with ED and plasma BDNF levels as a quantitative trait.

4,300-year-old chimpanzee sites and the origins of percussive stone technology.

Archaeological research in the African rainforest reveals unexpected results in the search for the origins of hominoid technology. The ancient Panin sites from Côte d'Ivoire constitute the only evidence of prehistoric ape behavior known to date anywhere in the world. Recent archaeological work has yielded behaviorally modified stones, dated by chronometric means to 4,300 years of age, lodging starch residue suggestive of prehistoric dietary practices by ancient chimpanzees.

SNPassoc: an R package to perform whole genome association studies.

Unlabelled: The popularization of large-scale genotyping projects has led to the widespread adoption of genetic association studies as the tool of choice in the search for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) underlying susceptibility to complex diseases. Although the analysis of individual SNPs is a relatively trivial task, when the number is large and multiple genetic models need to be explored it becomes necessary a tool to automate the analyses. In order to address this issue, we developed SNPassoc, an R package to carry out most common analyses in whole genome association studies.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met and psychiatric disorders: meta-analysis of case-control studies confirm association to substance-related disorders, eating disorders, and schizophrenia.

Background: There is an increasing recognition that the pathophysiology of mental disorders could be the result of deregulation of synaptic plasticity with alterations of neurotrophins. The valine (Val)66-to-methionine (Met) variant, located in the pro brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) sequence, has been extensively studied through linkage and association approaches in several psychiatric disorders.

Methods: We performed a meta-analysis restricted to individual case-control studies in different categories of mental disorders and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism.

Increased cerebral activity in Parkinson's disease patients carrying the DRD2 TaqIA A1 allele during a demanding motor task: a compensatory mechanism?

Previous studies suggest that neuroimaging techniques are useful for detecting the effects of functional genetic polymorphisms on brain function in healthy subjects or in patients presenting with psychiatric or neurodegenerative conditions. Former evidence showed that individuals carrying risk alleles displayed broader patterns of brain activity during behavioural and cognitive tasks, despite being clinically comparable to non-carriers. This suggests the presence of compensatory brain mechanisms.

Abnormal orbitofrontal development due to prematurity.

Objective: To investigate the effects of prematurity on sulcal formation.

Methods: We evaluated the depth and volume of the primary olfactory sulcus (developed at 16 weeks' gestation) and the secondary orbital sulci (which start to develop at 28 weeks' gestation) in a sample of 22 adolescents with history of very-preterm birth (VPTB). We compared this preterm sample with a sample of subjects born at term and matched by age, gender, and sociocultural status.

Contribution of the serotoninergic system to anxious and depressive traits that may be partially responsible for the phenotypical variability of bulimia nervosa.

Eating disorders (ED), such as anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), are complex psychiatric phenotypes influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. We investigated the genetic contribution of four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the serotonin receptor 5HT2C and two sequence variants within the serotonin transporter SLC6A4 to different ED-related psychopathological symptoms in a total sample of 82 ED patients. All patients were diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria and underwent diagnostic and psychopathological assessments by means of structured clinical interviews and rating scales.

Remodeling of white adipose tissue after retinoic acid administration in mice.

A reduced brown adipose phenotype in white adipose tissue (WAT) may contribute to obesity and type 2 diabetes in humans. Retinoic acid, the carboxylic form of vitamin A, triggers in rodents a reduction of body weight and adiposity and an increased expression of uncoupling proteins in brown adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. In this study, we investigated possible remodeling effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in WAT depots.

White matter volume and concentration reductions in adolescents with history of very preterm birth: a voxel-based morphometry study.

Very preterm birth (VPTB) is an important risk factor for white matter (WM) damage. We used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to examine regional WM brain abnormalities in 50 adolescents with antecedents of very preterm birth (VPTB) without evidence of WM damage on T2-weighted MRI. This group was compared with a group of 50 subjects born at term and matched for age, handedness and socio-cultural status.

MR imaging of temporomandibular joint dysfunction: a pictorial review.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction is a common condition that is best evaluated with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The first step in MR imaging of the TMJ is to evaluate the articular disk, or meniscus, in terms of its morphologic features and its location relative to the condyle in both closed- and open-mouth positions. Disk location is of prime importance because the presence of a displaced disk is a critical sign of TMJ dysfunction.

Correlations of thalamic reductions with verbal fluency impairment in those born prematurely.

Prematurity is associated with reduced brain volume, and the thalamus is among the structures most affected. We used a voxel-based morphometry analysis of gray matter to map regional atrophy in the thalamus in a sample of 30 adolescents with antecedents of very preterm birth. The preterm sample was compared with 30 controls matched by age, sex, handedness and sociocultural status.

Effects of retinoic acid administration and dietary vitamin A supplementation on leptin expression in mice: lack of correlation with changes of adipose tissue mass and food intake.

Retinoic acid (RA) administration and chronic vitamin A supplementation were reported to inhibit adipose tissue leptin expression in rodents, but the impact of this effect on food intake and its relationship with changes of body adiposity was not analyzed. Here, we have studied the effects of RA administration at three different doses on body weight, adipose tissue mass, food intake, adipose tissue leptin expression and circulating leptin levels in NMRI mice; the effects of chronic vitamin A supplementation with a 40-fold excess retinyl palmitate on the same parameters in NMRI and C57BL/6J mice; and the effects of RA and retinoid receptors agonists on leptin expression in brown and white adipocyte cell model systems. The results show that vitamin A down-regulates leptin expression in white and brown adipose tissue and circulating leptin levels independently of changes of adipose tissue mass and, for the first time to our knowledge, that this effect does not correlate with increased food intake.

Hippocampal functional magnetic resonance imaging during a face-name learning task in adolescents with antecedents of prematurity.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to map hippocampal activation during a declarative memory task in a sample of 14 adolescents with antecedents of prematurity (AP). The sample with AP was matched by age, sex and handedness with 14 full-term controls with no history of neurological or psychiatric illness. The target task consisted in learning 16 novel face-name pairs, and the control task involved the examination of two repeated face-name pairs.

Volume changes in gray matter in first-episode neuroleptic-naive schizophrenic patients treated with risperidone.

Structural neuroimaging techniques have consistently shown that treatment of schizophrenic patients with conventional antipsychotics causes an increase in basal ganglia volume. However, findings in schizophrenic patients treated with the newer atypical antipsychotic drugs are less consistently reported. To explore this issue, the authors used a whole-brain, unbiased, and automated technique for comparing brain structural features across scans in schizophrenic patients before and after a treatment with the atypical antipsychotic risperidone.