Protocol for the Gut Bugs in Autism Trial: a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial of faecal microbiome transfer for the treatment of gastrointestinal symptoms in autistic adolescents and adults.

Introduction: Autism (formally autism spectrum disorder) encompasses a group of complex neurodevelopmental conditions, characterised by differences in communication and social interactions. Co-occurring chronic gastrointestinal symptoms are common among autistic individuals and can adversely affect their quality of life. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of oral encapsulated faecal microbiome transfer (FMT) in improving gastrointestinal symptoms and well-being among autistic adolescents and adults.

An open-label pilot trial of faecal microbiome transfer to restore the gut microbiome in anorexia nervosa: protocol.

Introduction: Individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) harbour distinct gut microbiomes compared with healthy individuals, which are sufficient to induce weight loss and anxiety-like behaviours when transplanted into germ-free mice. We hypothesise that faecal microbiome transfer (FMT) from healthy donors would help restore the gut microbiome of individuals with AN, which in turn, may aid patient recovery.

Methods: We aim to conduct an open-label pilot study in 20 females aged 16-32 years in Auckland, New Zealand who meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) criteria for AN and have a body mass index 13-19 kg/m.

Establishing a database of patients with diabetes and an interest in research participation.

Aims: To establish interest in medical research and student training, based on demographics of those attending public-funded diabetes services and types of research.

Method: Patients who attended the Auckland Diabetes Centre (ADC) between July 2018 and July 2019 were invited via text message (SMS) to register their interest in being contacted for future health research projects and medical training. Consenting adults were enrolled in the Auckland Diabetes Centre Volunteer Database (ADCVD) and sent a survey on the acceptability of various types of research and factors influencing participation.

Subregion-Specific Proteomic Signature in the Hippocampus for Recognition Processes in Adult Mice.

The hippocampal formation is a brain structure essential for higher-order cognitive functions. It has a complex anatomical organization and cellular composition, and hippocampal subregions have different properties and functional roles. In this study, we used SWATH-MS to determine whether the proteomes of hippocampus areas CA1 and CA3 can explain the commonalities or specificities of these subregions in basal conditions and after recognition memory.

The Dynamics of microRNA Transcriptome in Bovine Corpus Luteum during Its Formation, Function, and Regression.

The formation, function, and subsequent regression of the ovarian corpus luteum (CL) are dynamic processes that enable ovary cyclical activity. Studies in whole ovary tissue have found microRNAs (miRNAs) to by critical for ovary function. However, relatively little is known about the role of miRNAs in the bovine CL.

Quantitative profiling of peptides from RNAs classified as noncoding.

Only a small fraction of the mammalian genome codes for messenger RNAs destined to be translated into proteins, and it is generally assumed that a large portion of transcribed sequences--including introns and several classes of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs)--do not give rise to peptide products. A systematic examination of translation and physiological regulation of ncRNAs has not been conducted. Here we use computational methods to identify the products of non-canonical translation in mouse neurons by analysing unannotated transcripts in combination with proteomic data.

Early life epigenetic programming and transmission of stress-induced traits in mammals: how and when can environmental factors influence traits and their transgenerational inheritance?

The environment can have a long-lasting influence on an individual's physiology and behavior. While some environmental conditions can be beneficial and result in adaptive responses, others can lead to pathological behaviors. Many studies have demonstrated that changes induced by the environment are expressed not only by the individuals directly exposed, but also by the offspring sometimes across multiple generations.

Epigenetic modifications of the neuroproteome.

In the central nervous system, epigenetic processes are involved in a multitude of brain functions ranging from the development and differentiation of the nervous system through to higher-order cognitive processes such as learning and memory. This review summarises the current state of the art for the proteomic analysis of the epigenetic regulation of gene expression, in particular the PTM of histones, in the brain and cellular model systems. It describes the MS technologies that have helped the identification and analysis of histones, histone variants and PTMs in the brain.

Identification of combinatorial patterns of post-translational modifications on individual histones in the mouse brain.

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins are biochemical processes required for cellular functions and signalling that occur in every sub-cellular compartment. Multiple protein PTMs exist, and are established by specific enzymes that can act in basal conditions and upon cellular activity. In the nucleus, histone proteins are subjected to numerous PTMs that together form a histone code that contributes to regulate transcriptional activity and gene expression.

A crosstalk between β1 and β3 integrins controls glycine receptor and gephyrin trafficking at synapses.

The regulation of glycine receptor (GlyR) number at synapses is necessary for the efficacy of inhibition and the control of neuronal excitability in the spinal cord. GlyR accumulation at synapses depends on the scaffolding molecule gephyrin and is linked to GlyR synaptic dwell time. However, the mechanisms that tune GlyR synaptic exchanges in response to different neuronal environments are unknown.

Towards a better understanding of nuclear processes based on proteomics.

The complex structural and functional organisation of the brain warrants the application of high-throughput approaches to study its functional alterations in physiological and pathological conditions. Such approaches have greatly benefited from advances in proteomics and genomics, and from their combination with computational modelling. They have been particularly instrumental for the analysis of processes such as the post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins, a critical biological process in the nervous system that remains not well studied.

Comprehensive mapping of post-translational modifications on synaptic, nuclear, and histone proteins in the adult mouse brain.

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins in the adult brain are known to mark activity-dependent processes for complex brain functions such as learning and memory. Multiple PTMs occur in nerve cells, and are able to modulate proteins in different subcellular compartments. In synaptic terminals, protein phosphorylation is the primary PTM that contributes to the control of the activity and localization of synaptic proteins.

Changes in the proteome after neuronal zif268 overexpression.

Long-lasting forms of brain plasticity are a cellular basis for long-term memory, and their disturbance underlies pathological conditions such as dementia and cognitive impairment. Neuronal plasticity is a complex process that utilizes molecular cascades in the cytoplasm and the nucleus and involves numerous transcription factors, in particular, immediate early genes (IEGs). The signaling cascades that control IEGs are fairly well described, but the downstream transcriptional response is poorly understood, especially its late components.

Control of the establishment of aversive memory by calcineurin and Zif268.

Emotional memory is a rapidly acquired and persistent form of memory, and its robustness is in part determined by the initial strength of the memory. Here, we provide new evidence that the protein phosphatase calcineurin (CaN), a potent negative regulator of neuronal signaling that is known to constrain learning and memory, critically regulates the establishment of emotional memory through mechanisms involving the immediate early gene Zif268 (also known as Egr1). We found that CaN is inhibited in the amygdala during the establishment of aversive memory, but Zif268 is activated.