Leptin receptor expression in blood mononuclear cells of lactating women is associated with infant body weight: Potential role as a molecular biomarker.

Background: Molecular biomarkers of maternal leptin resistance associated with infant weight are needed.

Objectives: To evaluate gene expression of leptin receptor (LEPR), suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 (SOCS3) and insulin receptor in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of lactating women and their relationship with infant body weight and adiposity.

Methods: At day 10 postpartum, maternal gene expression in PBMCs as well as leptin and insulin concentrations in plasma and milk were assessed (n = 68).

A biosecurity survey on Iberian pig farms in Spain: Farmers' attitudes towards the implementation of measures and investment.

The Iberian pork industry has proven to be very important in South-Western Europe, not only due its contribution to the economy of the area, but also because of the peculiarities of the farms situated there. These farms raise Iberian pigs in systems ranging from fully outdoor rearing systems to intensive-rearing farms similar to the conventional pig production models. The implementation of biosecurity measures in Iberian pig farms can be complex and, at times, it can be perceived somewhat negatively by farmers, especially those who run more extensive pig production systems.

Zebrafish second heart field development relies on progenitor specification in anterior lateral plate mesoderm and nkx2.5 function.

Second heart field (SHF) progenitors perform essential functions during mammalian cardiogenesis. We recently identified a population of cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) in zebrafish expressing latent TGFβ-binding protein 3 (ltbp3) that exhibits several defining characteristics of the anterior SHF in mammals. However, ltbp3 transcripts are conspicuously absent in anterior lateral plate mesoderm (ALPM), where SHF progenitors are specified in higher vertebrates.

Tbx1 is required for second heart field proliferation in zebrafish.

Background: The mammalian outflow tract (OFT) and primitive right ventricle arise by accretion of newly differentiated cells to the arterial pole of the heart tube from multi-potent progenitor cells of the second heart field (SHF). While mounting evidence suggests that the genetic pathways regulating SHF development are highly conserved in zebrafish, this topic remains an active area of investigation.

Results: Here, we extend previous observations demonstrating that zebrafish tbx1 (van gogh, vgo) mutants show ventricular and OFT defects consistent with a conserved role in SHF-mediated cardiogenesis.

Latent TGF-β binding protein 3 identifies a second heart field in zebrafish.

The four-chambered mammalian heart develops from two fields of cardiac progenitor cells distinguished by their spatiotemporal patterns of differentiation and contributions to the definitive heart. The first heart field differentiates earlier in lateral plate mesoderm, generates the linear heart tube and ultimately gives rise to the left ventricle. The second heart field (SHF) differentiates later in pharyngeal mesoderm, elongates the heart tube, and gives rise to the outflow tract and much of the right ventricle.

Antidiabetic efficacy of bradykinin antagonist R-954 on glucose tolerance test in diabetic type 1 mice.

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1 diabetes) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease associated with many complications including nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy and hyperalgesia. Experimental evidence has shown that the bradykinin B1 receptor (BKB1-R) is involved in the development of type 1 diabetes and found to be upregulated alongside the disease. In the present study the effects of the selective BKB1-R antagonist the R-954 (Ac-Orn-[Oic(2), alpha-MePhe(5), D-beta Nal(7), Ile(8) ]des-Arg(9)-BK and the BKB1-R agonist des Arg(9)-BK (DBK) were studied on diabetic hyperglycemia.

Side effects of cyclosporine-A treatment in rats: gingival overgrowth and early hyperglycemia.

Gingival overgrowth is an adverse side effect of cyclosporine A (CsA) in the treatment of transplanted patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of CsA on new-onset diabetes mellitus and gingival overgrowth in rats, by measuring collagen, nitric oxide and microvascular permeability. Blood glucose level, collagen, nitric oxide level and vascular permeability were determined.

Pectin activation of MAP kinase and gene expression is WAK2 dependent.

The angiosperm extracellular matrix, or cell wall, is composed of a complex array of cellulose, hemicellulose, pectins and proteins, the modification and regulated synthesis of which are essential for cell growth and division. The wall associated kinases (WAKs) are receptor-like proteins that have an extracellular domain that bind pectins, the more flexible portion of the extracellular matrix, and are required for cell expansion as they have a role in regulating cellular solute concentrations. We show here that both recombinant WAK1 and WAK2 bind pectin in vitro.