Long-term spatial clustering in free recall

We explored the influence of space on the organisation of items in long-term memory. In two experiments, we asked our participants to explore a virtual environment and memorise discrete items presented at specific locations. Memory for those items was later on tested in immediate (T1) and 24 hours delayed (T2) free recall tests, in which subjects were asked to recall as many items as possible in any order. In experiment 2, we further examined the contribution of active and passive navigation in recollection dynamics. Results across experiments revealed a significant tendency for participants to consecutively recall items that were encountered in proximate locations during learning. Moreover, the degree of spatial organisation and the total number of items recalled were positively correlated in the immediate and the delayed tests. Results from experiment 2 indicated that the spatial clustering of items was independent of navigation types. Our results highlight the long-term stability of spatial clustering effects and their correlation with recall performance, complementing previous results collected in immediate or briefly delayed tests.

Growth in inhibitory control among low-income, ethnic-minority preschoolers: A group-based modeling approach

The emergence of self-regulation skills such as inhibitory control in children is an important developmental process associated with adjustment across multiple domains. Individual differences in inhibitory control are associated with family socioeconomic status but have not been studied in relation to variations in risk found within a low-income (i.e., high risk) sample (N = 407). Using a group-based modeling approach, change in inhibitory control was examined from 30 to 42 months of age in a sample of low-income Hispanic and African-American children. Patterns of change in inhibitory control were examined in relation to cumulative risk and child externalizing behavior using the Child Behavior Checklist measured at 42 months. A three-group solution was identified as optimally fitting the data, representing patterns of change in inhibitory control: a normative group, exhibiting increasing inhibitory control (48%); a low-stable group (40%); and a high-stable group (12%). Group membership did not differ by child ethnicity or gender. Higher cumulative risk was found among the children in the low-stable group than in the other groups. Mothers reported more externalizing problems at 42 months for children in the low-stable group than in the other groups, even controlling for the effect of cumulative risk. Intervention and policy implications are discussed.

A Spatial-Context Effect in Recognition Memory

We designed a novel experiment to investigate the modulation of human recognition memory by environmental context. Human participants were asked to navigate through a four-arm Virtual Reality (VR) maze in order to find and memorize discrete items presented at specific locations in the environment. They were later on tested on their ability to recognize items as previously presented or new. By manipulating the spatial position of half of the studied items during the testing phase of our experiment, we could assess differences in performance related to the congruency of environmental information at encoding and retrieval. Our results revealed that spatial context had a significant effect on the quality of memory. In particular, we found that recognition performance was significantly better in trials in which contextual information was congruent as opposed to those in which it was different. Our results are in line with previous studies that have reported spatial-context effects in recognition memory, further characterizing their magnitude under ecologically valid experimental conditions.

Milk production and composition, nitrogen utilization, and grazing behavior of late-lactation dairy cows as affected by time of allocation of a fresh strip of pasture

Eighty late-lactation dairy cows were used to examine the effects of allocating a new pasture strip of a sward based on ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) in the morning (a.m.; ∼0730 h) or in the afternoon (p.m.; ∼1530 h) on milk production and composition, nitrogen (N) utilization, and grazing behavior. Cows grazed the same pasture strips for 24 h and were offered the same daily herbage allowance. Herbage composition differed among treatments; p.m. herbage had greater dry matter (DM; 22.7 vs. 19.9%), organic matter (OM; 89.5 vs. 88.9%), and water-soluble carbohydrate (10.9 vs. 7.6%) concentrations and lesser crude protein (20.5 vs. 22.2%) and neutral detergent fiber (48.8 vs. 50.4%) concentrations compared with a.m. herbage. Total fatty acids (FA), α-linolenic acid, and polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) were greater in a.m. herbage, whereas monounsaturated FA were greater in p.m. herbage. Estimates of herbage DM intake did not differ among treatments. Daily milk yields and milk fat and milk protein concentrations were similar among treatments, whereas milk fat (684 vs. 627 g/cow), milk protein (545 vs. 505 g/cow), and milk solids (milk fat + milk protein) yields (1,228 vs. 1,132 g/cow) tended to be greater for cows on p.m. herbage. Rumenic acid and total PUFA in milk were greater for cows on a.m. herbage, whereas oleic acid was greater for cows on p.m. herbage. Estimates of urinary N excretion (g/d) did not differ among treatments, but urinary N concentrations were greater for cows on a.m. herbage (5.85 vs. 5.36 g/L). Initial herbage mass (HM) available (kg of DM/ha) and instantaneous HM disappearance rates (kg of DM/ha and kg of DM/h) did not differ, but fractional disappearance rates (0.56 vs. 0.74 per hour for a.m. vs. p.m., respectively) differed. Under the current conditions, timing of pasture strip allocation altered the herbage nutrient supply to cows; allocating a fresh strip of pasture later in the day resulted in moderate increases in milk and milk solids yields in late-lactation dairy cows. Conversely, a greater concentration of precursor FA in a.m. herbage resulted in a greater concentration of beneficial FA in milk, compared with cows on p.m. herbage.

Diurnal variation in urine nitrogen and creatinine concentrations from lactating cows grazing ryegrass-dominant pasture in autumn and late spring–summer

In dairy production systems based on grazed pasture, urine patches are the main source of nitrogen (N) losses via leaching and gaseous emission pathways. The volume and N concentration of urine influences the amount of N in a urine patch. We conducted systematic urine sampling to determine the diurnal variation in concentrations of N and creatinine (a proxy for urine volume), and the N : creatinine ratio, to identify the sampling required for accurately estimating the daily mean concentrations of N and creatinine. Nine groups (n = 6) of multiparous Friesian and Friesian × Jersey cows in autumn (220 ± 26 days-in-milk, milked twice daily) and nine groups (n = 6) in late spring–summer (228 ± 24 days-in-milk, milked once daily) were sequentially withdrawn from the farm herd at approximately weekly intervals and each group was offered a fresh allocation of ryegrass-dominant pasture twice daily after milking for 3 days (including at the equivalent time in the afternoon in late spring–summer when they were milked once daily). For each of the 18 different groups of cows, individual urine samples were collected on Day 3 at 1100 hours, 1500 hours (afternoon milking), 1800 hours and 0700 hours (the following morning milking), and, subsequently, analysed for total N and creatinine concentrations. In autumn, urine-N concentrations were higher (P = 0.0002) at 1800 hours (5.8 g N/L) than they were at 1500 hours or 0700 hours (mean of 4.2 g N/L). In late spring–summer, the concentrations were higher (P < 0.001) at 1100 hours (8.0 g N/L) than they were at 1500 hours, 1800 hours or 0700 hours (mean of 6.3 g N/L). The urine N : creatinine ratio was 214 mol/mol in autumn and 148 mol/mol in late spring–summer, but did not vary among sampling times during the day. The highest concentrations of N were in urine samples collected ~3 h post-allocation of fresh feed when cows had grazed actively and consumed the majority of the herbage available. For accurate estimates of the daily mean urine N concentration, sample collections should be timed to encompass this diurnal variation. For the N : creatinine ratio, which was more stable through the day, the timing of sample collection is less important for estimating a daily mean.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon-Induced Changes in Bacterial Community Structure under Anoxic Nitrate Reducing Conditions

Although bacterial anaerobic degradation of mono-aromatic compounds has been characterized in depth, the degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as naphthalene has only started to be understood in sulfate reducing bacteria, and little is known about the anaerobic degradation of PAHs in nitrate reducing bacteria. Starting from a series of environments which had suffered different degrees of hydrocarbon pollution, we used most probable number (MPN) enumeration to detect and quantify the presence of bacterial communities able to degrade several PAHs using nitrate as electron acceptor. We detected the presence of a substantial nitrate reducing community able to degrade naphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene (2MN), and anthracene in some of the sites. With the aim of isolating strains able to degrade PAHs under denitrifying conditions, we set up a series of enrichment cultures with nitrate as terminal electron acceptor and PAHs as the only carbon source and followed the changes in the bacterial communities throughout the process. Results evidenced changes attributable to the imposed nitrate respiration regime, which in several samples were exacerbated in the presence of the PAHs. The presence of naphthalene or 2MN enriched the community in groups of uncultured and poorly characterized organisms, and notably in the Acidobacteria uncultured group iii1-8, which in some cases was only a minor component of the initial samples. Other phylotypes selected by PAHs in these conditions included Bacilli, which were enriched in naphthalene enrichments. Several nitrate reducing strains showing the capacity to grow on PAHs could be isolated on solid media, although the phenotype could not be reproduced in liquid cultures. Analysis of known PAH anaerobic degradation genes in the original samples and enrichment cultures did not reveal the presence of PAH-related nmsA-like sequences but confirmed the presence of bssA-like genes related to anaerobic toluene degradation. Altogether, our results suggest that PAH degradation by nitrate reducing bacteria may require the contribution of different strains, under culture conditions that still need to be defined.

Prevalence of bovine milk pathogens in Azorean pastures: mobile versus fixed milking machines

The aims of the present study were (1) to evaluate the influence of using mobile (n=47) or fixed (n=45) milking machines in Azorean herds on the apparent prevalence of several milk pathogens in bulk tank milk (BTM) and (2) to determine whether separated subclinical mastitic cows can serve, in real time, as predictors of milk pathogen prevalence for the remaining animals at the herd level. The use of a mobile or fixed milking machine influenced (P≤0.05) the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus (72.3 per cent; n=34 v 51.1 per cent; n=23, respectively) and Klebsiella species (46.8 per cent; n=22 v 26.7 per cent; n=12, respectively). S aureus (95 per cent CI OR 1.1 to 6.0) and Klebsiella species (95 per cent CI OR 1.0 to 5.8) were 2.5 times more likely to increase in the BTM of herds using mobile milking machines. The prevalence of coagulase-negative staphylococci (100 per cent; n=92), Escherichia coli (75.0 per cent), Corynebacterium bovis (57.6 per cent), Enterococcus species (55.4 per cent), Streptococcus dysgalactiae (51.1 per cent), Streptococcus uberis (41.3 per cent), Actinomyces pyogenes or Peptostreptococcus indolicus (41.3 per cent) and Streptococcus agalactiae (32.6 per cent) in BTM remained similar among the herds. κ coefficients were always <0.70, indicating intra-herd disagreement of the prevalence of milk pathogens between BTM and separated milking cows. Milking hygiene should be improved in pastures, focusing specifically on herds that use a mobile milking machine. The segregated cows at milking time are not good predictors of milk pathogens in BTM.

Ultrasonography to investigate the effect of supplementing whole milk with complex carbohydrates and specific amino acids on curd retention in the abomasum of dairy calves

AIM

To determine whether the retention time of curd in the abomasum of calves was influenced by supplementing milk with a plant-derived carbohydrate and amino acid supplement, evaluated non-invasively using ultrasonography.

METHODS

Female dairy calves aged between 2-6 days of age were sourced from a commercial farm in March 2013. All calves were fed whole milk until weaning (4 L per day); 21 calves were supplemented with a probiotic until 18 days of age, and thereafter with a plant-derived complex carbohydrate and amino acid supplement until weaning, and 22 calves were just fed whole milk. Treatment groups were balanced for age, weight and breed. At 9-14, 24-29 and 52-57 days of age, the abomasum of each calf was examined using ultrasonography immediately before and after feeding, 1 and 2 hours after feeding, and then at 30 minute intervals until curd was no longer visible in the abomasum. Abomasal volume and curd size were recorded to assess retention time of curd in the abomasum.

RESULTS

At 9-14 days of age, mean retention time of curd in the abomasum was similar (4.6 hours) in both groups. At 24-29 days of age, when the supplemented calves had been receiving the supplement for approximately 10 days, mean curd retention time was longer by 1.4 (SE 0.28) hours in supplemented compared with unsupplemented calves (p<0.001). At 52-57 days of age, mean retention time was longer by 0.7 (SE 0.34) hours compared to unsupplemented calves (p=0.05).

CONCLUSION

Using ultrasonography, changes in abomasal content could be followed non-invasively over time and it was demonstrated that the plant-derived complex carbohydrate supplement increased the curd retention time in the abomasum. We speculate that the increased retention time enables an increased availability of nutrients following a more complete digestion of milk, thereby improving animal performance.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado-Joseph disease: segregation patterns and factors influencing instability of expanded CAG transmissions

Controversies about Mendelian segregation and CAG expansion (CAGexp) instabilities during meiosis in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado-Joseph disease (SCA3/MJD) need clarification. Additional evidence about these issues was obtained from the cohort of all SCA3/MJD individuals living in South Brazil. A survey was carried out to update information registered since 2001. Deaths were checked with the Public Information System, and data was made anonymous. Anticipation and delta-CAGexp from parent-offspring pairs, and delta-CAGexp between siblings were obtained. One hundred and fifty-nine families (94% of the entire registry) were retrieved, comprising 3725 living individuals as of 2015, 625 of these being symptomatic. Minimal prevalence was 6:100,000. Carriers of a CAGexp represented 65.6% of sibs in the genotyped offspring (p < 0.001). Median instability was larger among paternal than maternal transmissions, and instabilities correlated with anticipation (r = 0.38; p = 0.001). Age of the parent correlated to delta-CAGexp among 115 direct parent-offspring CAGexp transmissions (ρ = 0.23, p = 0.014). In 98 additional kindreds, the delta-CAGexp between 269 siblings correlated with their delta-of-age (ρ = 0.27, p < 0.0001). SCA3/MJD was associated with a segregation distortion favoring the expanded allele in our cohort. Instability of expansion during meiosis was weakly influenced by the age of the transmitting parent at the time of conception.

Regulation of cell death receptor S-nitrosylation and apoptotic signaling by Sorafenib in hepatoblastoma cells

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a relevant role during cell death regulation in tumor cells. The overexpression of nitric oxide synthase type III (NOS-3) induces oxidative and nitrosative stress, p53 and cell death receptor expression and apoptosis in hepatoblastoma cells. S-nitrosylation of cell death receptor modulates apoptosis. Sorafenib is the unique recommended molecular-targeted drug for the treatment of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. The present study was addressed to elucidate the potential role of NO during Sorafenib-induced cell death in HepG2 cells. We determined the intra- and extracellular NO concentration, cell death receptor expression and their S-nitrosylation modifications, and apoptotic signaling in Sorafenib-treated HepG2 cells. The effect of NO donors on above parameters has also been determined. Sorafenib induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells. However, low concentration of the drug (10nM) increased cell death receptor expression, as well as caspase-8 and -9 activation, but without activation of downstream apoptotic markers. In contrast, Sorafenib (10 µM) reduced upstream apoptotic parameters but increased caspase-3 activation and DNA fragmentation in HepG2 cells. The shift of cell death signaling pathway was associated with a reduction of S-nitrosylation of cell death receptors in Sorafenib-treated cells. The administration of NO donors increased S-nitrosylation of cell death receptors and overall induction of cell death markers in control and Sorafenib-treated cells. In conclusion, Sorafenib induced alteration of cell death receptor S-nitrosylation status which may have a relevant repercussion on cell death signaling in hepatoblastoma cells.

ROLE OF RS9939609 FTO GENE VARIANT IN WEIGHT LOSS, INSULIN RESISTANCE AND METABOLIC PARAMETERS AFTER A HIGH MONOUNSATURATED VS A HIGH POLYUNSATURATED FAT HYPOCALORIC DIETS

INTRODUCTION

common polymorphisms (rs9939609) of the fat mass and obesity associated gene (FTO) have been linked to obesity.

OBJECTIVES

our aim was to investigate the role of this polymorphism on insulin resistance, metabolic changes and weight loss secondary to a high monounsaturated fat vs a high polyunsaturated fat hypocaloric diets.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

a sample of 233 obese subjects was enrolled in a prospective way. In the basal visit, patients were randomly allocated during 3 months to; Diet M (high monounsaturated fat hypocaloric diet) or Diet P (high polyunsaturated fat hypocaloric diet).

RESULTS

after treatment with two diets and in both genotypes, weight, fat mass and waist circumference decreased. Lower levels of body mass index (BMI), weight and fat mass were detected after Diet P in A allele carriers than TT genotype subjects. With the diet type P and in both genotypes (TT and AT + AA), total cholesterol levels (-15.3 + 35.1 mg/dl vs -11.6 + 32.1 mg/dl: p > 0.05) and LDL cholesterol levels (-11.5 + 34.1 mg/dl vs -8.5 + 30.1 mg/dl: p > 0.05) decreased. In A allele carriers a significant decreased was detected in insulin levels (-2.8 + 2.1 UI/L vs -1.3 + 8.0 UI/L: p < 0.05) and HOMA index (-1.0 + 1.3 vs -0.2 + 2.1: p > 0.05), too. With the diet M and in both genotype groups, leptin levels (-8.0 + 17.1 ng/ ml vs -4.9 + 18.7 ng/ml: p > 0.05) decreased. Conclusiones: metabolic improvement secondary to weight loss was better in A carriers with a high polyunsaturated fat hypocaloric diet.

Fast mental states decoding in mixed reality

The combination of Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology, allowing online monitoring and decoding of brain activity, with virtual and mixed reality (MR) systems may help to shape and guide implicit and explicit learning using ecological scenarios. Real-time information of ongoing brain states acquired through BCI might be exploited for controlling data presentation in virtual environments. Brain states discrimination during mixed reality experience is thus critical for adapting specific data features to contingent brain activity. In this study we recorded electroencephalographic (EEG) data while participants experienced MR scenarios implemented through the eXperience Induction Machine (XIM). The XIM is a novel framework modeling the integration of a sensing system that evaluates and measures physiological and psychological states with a number of actuators and effectors that coherently reacts to the user's actions. We then assessed continuous EEG-based discrimination of spatial navigation, reading and calculation performed in MR, using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and support vector machine (SVM) classifiers. Dynamic single trial classification showed high accuracy of LDA and SVM classifiers in detecting multiple brain states as well as in differentiating between high and low mental workload, using a 5 s time-window shifting every 200 ms. Our results indicate overall better performance of LDA with respect to SVM and suggest applicability of our approach in a BCI-controlled MR scenario. Ultimately, successful prediction of brain states might be used to drive adaptation of data representation in order to boost information processing in MR.

Cardiovascular risk factors and adipocytokines levels after two hypocaloric diets with different fat distribution in obese subjects and rs6923761 gene variant of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor

BACKGROUND

The role of GLP-1 R variants on body weight response after dietary intervention is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to evaluate the effect of this polymorphism on cardiovascular risk factors, adipokine levels and weight loss secondary to a high monounsaturated fat vs. a high polyunsaturated fat hypocaloric diets in obese subjects.

DESIGN

391 obese subjects were randomly allocated to one of these two diets for a period of 3 months; diet M (high monounsaturated fat hypocaloric diet) and diet P (high polyunsaturated (PUFAs) fat hypocaloric diet).

RESULTS

Two hundred and twelve patients (54.2 %) had the genotype GG (wild group) and 179 (45.8 %) patients had the next genotypes; GA (146 patients, 37.3 %) or AA (33 patients, 8.7 %) (Mutant group). With both diets and in wild-type and mutant-type groups, BMI, weight, fat mass, waist circumference and systolic blood pressure decreased. Anthropometric parameters were higher in non-A-allele carriers than A-allele carriers. With both diets and in both genotypes, leptin, insulin levels and HOMA decreased. With the diet P and in wild genotype, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels decreased, too.

CONCLUSION

Our data showed a lack of association of rs6923761 GLP-1 R polymorphism with weight loss after a high monounsaturated fat and a high polyunsaturated fat hypocaloric diets. Better anthropometric parameters in obese subjects with the mutant allele (A) of rs6923761 GLP-1 R polymorphism were observed. Insulin levels and HOMA decreased in non-A carriers.

Fructooligosacharides reduce Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 pathogenicity through distinct mechanisms

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is ubiquitously present in the environment and acts as an opportunistic pathogen on humans, animals and plants. We report here the effects of the prebiotic polysaccharide inulin and its hydrolysed form FOS on this bacterium. FOS was found to inhibit bacterial growth of strain PAO1, while inulin did not affect growth rate or yield in a significant manner. Inulin stimulated biofilm formation, whereas a dramatic reduction of the biofilm formation was observed in the presence of FOS. Similar opposing effects were observed for bacterial motility, where FOS inhibited the swarming and twitching behaviour whereas inulin caused its stimulation. In co-cultures with eukaryotic cells (macrophages) FOS and, to a lesser extent, inulin reduced the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α. Western blot experiments indicated that the effects mediated by FOS in macrophages are associated with a decreased activation of the NF-κB pathway. Since FOS and inulin stimulate pathway activation in the absence of bacteria, the FOS mediated effect is likely to be of indirect nature, such as via a reduction of bacterial virulence. Further, this modulatory effect is observed also with the highly virulent ptxS mutated strain. Co-culture experiments of P. aeruginosa with IEC18 eukaryotic cells showed that FOS reduces the concentration of the major virulence factor, exotoxin A, suggesting that this is a possible mechanism for the reduction of pathogenicity. The potential of these compounds as components of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory cocktails is discussed.

Influence of G1359A polimorphysm of the cannabinoid receptor gene (CNR1) on insulin resistance and adipokines in patients with non alcoholic fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND

Considering the evidence that endogenous cannabinoid system plays a role in metabolic aspects of body weight and metabolic syndrome components such as non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of this polymorphism on insulin resistance, liver histological changes, anthropometric parameters and adipocytokines in patients with NAFLD.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A population of 71 patients with NAFLD was recruited in a cross sectional study. A biochemical analysis of serum was measured. Genotype of G1359A polymorphism of CB1 receptor gene CB1 receptor was studied. Forty one patients (36.9%) had the genotype G1359G (wild type group) and twenty nine (26.1%) patients G1359A or A1359A (mutant type group).

RESULTS

Twenty four 24 patients (32,3%) had a Brunt grade > 4 and 12 patients (17%) had a significative fibrosis (F > = 2). HOMA values were higher in wild type group than mutant type group. Adiponectin and visfatin levels were higher in mutant type group. Moreover, TNF-alpha and resistin levels were higher in wild type group than mutant type group. Patients with mutant genotype showed less frequently elevated levels of AST. AST > 40 UI/L was detected in 28.5% of patients in the mutant vs. 53% of patients with wild genotype, p < 0.05. Patients with mutant type group presented a percentage of Brunt grade > = 4 less frequently than patients with wild type group (28.5%vs 7.1%).

CONCLUSION

A variant of the polymorphism G1359A CBR1 is associated with lower levels of HOMA, TNF-alpha, resistin and higher levels of adiponectin than patients with the wild variant of this polymorphism. Besides, patients with A allele variant shown lower Brunt grade in liver biopsy.

Effects of C358A polymorphism of the endocannabinoid degrading enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) on weight loss, adipocytokines levels, and insulin resistance after a high polyunsaturated fat diet in obese patients

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The C385A polymorphism of FAAH gene (rs324420C>A) has been associated with obesity. We investigate the role of this polymorphism on anthropometric and insulin resistance responses to a high polyunsaturated fat hypocaloric diet.

METHODS

Obese individuals (no.=99) were assessed at baseline and after 3 months of a high polyunsaturated fat hypocaloric diet.

RESULTS

Seventy-one patients (71.7%) had the genotype C385C and 28 (28.3%) patients had the C385A (26 patients, 26.3%) or A358A (2 patients, 2.0%) (A allele carriers group) genotype. In A allele carriers and after dietary intervention, total cholesterol (-16.3 ± 37.4 mg/dl) and LDL-cholesterol (-12.9 ± 6.5 mg/dl) levels decreased. In subjects with C385C genotype, the decreases were significant in total cholesterol (-12.3 ± 27.4 mg/dl), LDL-cholesterol (-7.5 ± 20.5 mg/dl), insulin (-2.2 ± 6.2 mUI/l), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-R) (-0.79 ± 1.15 units) levels. The weight loss was similar in both genotype groups (-4.1 ± 3.8 kg vs -4.2 ± 3.2 kg). Only leptin levels had a significant similar decrease in both genotypes.

CONCLUSION

Subjects with C385C genotype of the FAAH showed an improvement on insulin and HOMA-R levels with a high polyunsaturated fat hypocaloric diet after weight loss during 3 months.

Increased milk protein synthesis in response to exogenous growth hormone is associated with changes in mechanistic (mammalian) target of rapamycin (mTOR)C1-dependent and independent cell signaling

The objective of this study was to determine if increased milk protein synthesis observed in lactating dairy cows treated with growth hormone (GH) was associated with mechanistic (or mammalian) target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) regulation of downstream factors controlling nucleocytoplasmic export and translation of mRNA. To address this objective, biochemical indices of mammary growth and secretory activity and the abundance and phosphorylation status of mTORC1 pathway factors were measured in mammary tissues harvested from nonpregnant lactating dairy cows 6 d after treatment with a slow-release formulation of GH or saline (n=4/group). Treatment with GH increased mammary parenchymal weight and total protein content and tended to increase ribosome number and cell size, whereas protein synthetic efficiency, capacity, and cell number were unchanged. Cellular abundance of the mTORC1 components mTOR and (phosphorylated) mTOR(Ser2448) increased, as did complex eukaryotic initiation factor 4E:eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (eIF4E:4EBP1), whereas no change was observed for mTORC1-downstream targets 4EBP1, 4EBP1(Ser65), p70/p85(S6K) and p70(S6K)Thre389/p85(S6K)Thre412. Changes in activation were not observed for any of the targets measured. These results indicate that GH treatment influences signaling to mTORC1 but not downstream targets involved in the nucleocytoplasmic export and translation of mRNA. Increased eIF4E:4EBP1 complex formation indicates involvement of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Abundance of MAPK pathway components eIF4E, eIF4E(Ser209), eIF4E:eIF4G complex, MAP kinase-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (MKNK1), MKNK1(Thr197202), and ribosomal protein S6 kinase, 90kDa, polypeptide 1 (RPS6KA1) increased significantly in response to GH, whereas relative activation of the proteins was unchanged. Expression of IGFBP3 and IGFBP5 increased, that of IGF1R decreased, and that of IGF1 remained unchanged in response to GH. PatSearch analysis of the milk caseins αS1-casein, αS2-casein, and β-casein, MAPK signaling target RPS6KA1, and proliferation gene IGFBP3 mRNA indicated that all contained putative eIF4E-sensitivity elements. In response to GH, these genes were all upregulated, suggesting that increased abundance of eIF4E and eIF4E(Ser209) plays a role in mediating their nucleocytoplasmic export. We propose that, in response to GH, the IGF1-IGF1R-MAPK signaling cascade regulates eIF4E-mediated nucleocytoplasmic export and translation of mRNA, whereas mTOR controls cell renewal, cell turnover, and rRNA transcription through an alternative signaling cascade.