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Husso A, Pessa-Morikawa T, Koistinen VM, Kärkkäinen O, Kwon HN, Lahti L, Iivanainen A, Hanhineva K, Niku M. Impacts of maternal microbiota and microbial metabolites on fetal intestine, brain, and placenta. BMC Biol 2023; 21:207. [PMID: 37794486 PMCID: PMC10552303 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01709-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The maternal microbiota modulates fetal development, but the mechanisms of these earliest host-microbe interactions are unclear. To investigate the developmental impacts of maternal microbial metabolites, we compared full-term fetuses from germ-free and specific pathogen-free mouse dams by gene expression profiling and non-targeted metabolomics. RESULTS In the fetal intestine, critical genes mediating host-microbe interactions, innate immunity, and epithelial barrier were differentially expressed. Interferon and inflammatory signaling genes were downregulated in the intestines and brains of the fetuses from germ-free dams. The expression of genes related to neural system development and function, translation and RNA metabolism, and regulation of energy metabolism were significantly affected. The gene coding for the insulin-degrading enzyme (Ide) was most significantly downregulated in all tissues. In the placenta, genes coding for prolactin and other essential regulators of pregnancy were downregulated in germ-free dams. These impacts on gene expression were strongly associated with microbially modulated metabolite concentrations in the fetal tissues. Aryl sulfates and other aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands, the trimethylated compounds TMAO and 5-AVAB, Glu-Trp and other dipeptides, fatty acid derivatives, and the tRNA nucleobase queuine were among the compounds strongly associated with gene expression differences. A sex difference was observed in the fetal responses to maternal microbial status: more genes were differentially regulated in male fetuses than in females. CONCLUSIONS The maternal microbiota has a major impact on the developing fetus, with male fetuses potentially more susceptible to microbial modulation. The expression of genes important for the immune system, neurophysiology, translation, and energy metabolism are strongly affected by the maternal microbial status already before birth. These impacts are associated with microbially modulated metabolites. We identified several microbial metabolites which have not been previously observed in this context. Many of the potentially important metabolites remain to be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksi Husso
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tiina Pessa-Morikawa
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ville Mikael Koistinen
- Food Sciences Unit, Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Afekta Technologies Ltd., Kuopio, Finland
| | - Olli Kärkkäinen
- Afekta Technologies Ltd., Kuopio, Finland
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Hyuk Nam Kwon
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- School of Biological Sciences and Basic-Clinical Convergence Research Institute, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, 44610, South Korea
| | - Leo Lahti
- Department of Computing, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Antti Iivanainen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kati Hanhineva
- Food Sciences Unit, Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Afekta Technologies Ltd., Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mikael Niku
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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2
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Romero NG, Gutierrez G, Teixidó E, Li L, Klose J, Leung PC, Cañigueral S, Fritsche E, Barenys M. Developmental neurotoxicity evaluation of three Chinese herbal medicines in zebrafish larvae by means of two behavioral assays: Touch-evoked response and light/dark transition. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 121:108469. [PMID: 37673194 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is used among pregnant women. However, the question of its safety during pregnancy remains unclear. The use of these products relies on history of use data but there are specific toxicities like developmental neurotoxicity that are clearly understudied. Here we use the zebfrafish embryo developmental toxicity assay (ZEDTA) in combination with two behavioral assays: touch-evoked response and Light/Dark (L/D) transition assay to evaluate the neuro/developmental toxicity of three herbal products commonly used in CHM [Chinese name (abbreviation; part of the plant and Scientific name]: tian ma (TM; tuber form Gastrodia elata Blume), lei gong teng (LGT; root and rhizome of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f) and cha ye (green tea, leaves from Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze). In case significant alterations were detected, single components with potential exposure during pregnancy were identified in the literature and further tested. TM had no neurodevelopmental toxic potential in zebrafish embryos, while LGT and its main compounds triptolide and celastrol induced significant alterations in behavior. Developmental exposure to EGCG, the main catechin of green tea, also produced significant alterations in zebrafish embryos behavior after developmental exposure. A combination of ZEDTA with L/D Transition assay is proposed as a useful combination of alternative methods for DNT assessment of CHM products together with other New Approach Methodologies (NAMs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia G Romero
- GRET and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety of the University of Barcelona (INSA-UB), Spain
| | - Gerard Gutierrez
- GRET and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisabet Teixidó
- GRET and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety of the University of Barcelona (INSA-UB), Spain
| | - Lu Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong; National Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Modernization, Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, 314100, Jiaxing, China
| | - Jördis Klose
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ping Chung Leung
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong
| | - Salvador Cañigueral
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Farmacognòsia, i Terapèutica, Facultat de Farmàcia, i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ellen Fritsche
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany; Medical Faculty, University of Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; DNTOX GmbH, 40223 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marta Barenys
- GRET and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety of the University of Barcelona (INSA-UB), Spain; German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany.
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3
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Richards G, Tan DW, Whitehouse AJO, Chris McManus I, Beaton AA, Hickey M, Maybery MT, Licari MK, Lawson L. A longitudinal examination of perinatal testosterone, estradiol and vitamin D as predictors of handedness outcomes in childhood and adolescence. Laterality 2022; 27:547-580. [PMID: 35938410 DOI: 10.1080/1357650x.2022.2109656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The developmental origins of handedness remain elusive, though very early emergence suggests individual differences manifesting in utero could play an important role. Prenatal testosterone and Vitamin D exposure are considered, yet findings and interpretations remain equivocal. We examined n = 767 offspring from a population-based pregnancy cohort (The Raine Study) for whom early biological data and childhood/adolescent handedness data were available. We tested whether 18-week maternal circulatory Vitamin D (25[OH]D), and testosterone and estradiol from umbilical cord blood sampled at birth predicted variance in direction of hand preference (right/left), along with right- and left-hand speed, and the strength and direction of relative hand skill as measured by a finger-tapping task completed at 10 (Y10) and/or 16 (Y16) years. Although higher concentrations of Vitamin D predicted more leftward and less lateralized (regardless of direction) relative hand skill profiles, taken as a whole, statistically significant findings typically did not replicate across time-point (Y10/Y16) or sex (male/female) and were rarely detected across different (bivariate/multivariate) levels of analysis. Considering the number of statistical tests and generally inconsistent findings, our results suggest that perinatal testosterone and estradiol contribute minimally, if at all, to subsequent variance in handedness. Vitamin D, however, may be of interest in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth Richards
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Diana Weiting Tan
- School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.,Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.,School of Education, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - I Chris McManus
- Research Department of Clinical, Education and Health Psychology, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, Faculty of Brain Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University College London, London, UK.,Research Department for Medical Education, University College London Medical School, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alan A Beaton
- Department of Psychology, School of Human & Health Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK.,Department of Psychology, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK
| | - Martha Hickey
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne and the Royal Women's Hospital, Victoria, Australia
| | - Murray T Maybery
- School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Melissa K Licari
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Lauren Lawson
- Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.,Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), Long Pocket, Brisbane, Australia
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4
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Bhat A, Irizar H, Couch ACM, Raval P, Duarte RRR, Dutan Polit L, Hanger B, Powell T, Deans PJM, Shum C, Nagy R, McAlonan G, Iyegbe CO, Price J, Bramon E, Bhattacharyya S, Vernon AC, Srivastava DP. Attenuated transcriptional response to pro-inflammatory cytokines in schizophrenia hiPSC-derived neural progenitor cells. Brain Behav Immun 2022; 105:82-97. [PMID: 35716830 PMCID: PMC9810540 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2022.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) during prenatal development is an environmental risk factor for psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia (SZ). Converging lines of evidence from human and animal model studies suggest that elevated cytokine levels in the maternal and fetal compartments are an important indication of the mechanisms driving this association. However, there is variability in susceptibility to the psychiatric risk conferred by MIA, likely influenced by genetic factors. How MIA interacts with a genetic profile susceptible to SZ is challenging to test in animal models. To address this gap, we examined whether differential gene expression responses occur in forebrain-lineage neural progenitor cells (NPCs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) generated from three individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and three healthy controls. Following acute (24 h) treatment with either interferon-gamma (IFNγ; 25 ng/μl) or interleukin (IL)-1β (10 ng/μl), we identified, by RNA sequencing, 3380 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the IFNγ-treated control lines (compared to untreated controls), and 1980 DEGs in IFNγ-treated SZ lines (compared to untreated SZ lines). Out of 4137 genes that responded significantly to IFNγ across all lines, 1223 were common to both SZ and control lines. The 2914 genes that appeared to respond differentially to IFNγ treatment in SZ lines were subjected to a further test of significance (multiple testing correction applied to the interaction effect between IFNγ treatment and SZ diagnosis), yielding 359 genes that passed the significance threshold. There were no differentially expressed genes in the IL-1β-treatment conditions after Benjamini-Hochberg correction. Gene set enrichment analysis however showed that IL-1β impacts immune function and neuronal differentiation. Overall, our data suggest that a) SZ NPCs show an attenuated transcriptional response to IFNγ treatment compared to controls; b) Due to low IL-1β receptor expression in NPCs, NPC cultures appear to be less responsive to IL-1β than IFNγ; and c) the genes differentially regulated in SZ lines - in the face of a cytokine challenge - are primarily associated with mitochondrial, "loss-of-function", pre- and post-synaptic gene sets. Our findings particularly highlight the role of early synaptic development in the association between maternal immune activation and schizophrenia risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjali Bhat
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, UK; Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK; Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, UK
| | - Haritz Irizar
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK; Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, NY, USA
| | - Amalie C M Couch
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, UK
| | - Pooja Raval
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, UK
| | - Rodrigo R R Duarte
- Department of Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, NY, USA
| | - Lucia Dutan Polit
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, UK
| | - Bjorn Hanger
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, UK
| | - Timothy Powell
- Department of Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, NY, USA
| | - P J Michael Deans
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, UK
| | - Carole Shum
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, UK
| | - Roland Nagy
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, UK
| | - Grainne McAlonan
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, UK; Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Conrad O Iyegbe
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jack Price
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, UK
| | - Elvira Bramon
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Anthony C Vernon
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, UK.
| | - Deepak P Srivastava
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, UK.
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5
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Dobrzyńska MM, Gajowik A, Radzikowska J. The impact of preconceptional exposure of F0 male mice to bisphenol A alone or in combination with X-rays on the intrauterine development of F2 progeny. Mutat Res Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen 2022; 878:503480. [PMID: 35649674 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2022.503480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is used for the production of polycarbonates and epoxy resins. Exposure to chemical and physical environmental factors may influence the health of exposed individuals, and of the next generations. This paper describes the prenatal effects in the F2 generation of mice after exposure of F0 pubescent or mature males to BPA (5 mg/kg bw, 10 mg/kg bw, 20 mg/kg bw), X-rays (0.05 Gy) or a combination of both factors in low doses (0.05 Gy + 5 mg/kg bw BPA) for 8 weeks. F1 males were mated with females from the same group but from a different litter. The females were sacrificed before parturition and examined for the number of implantations, live foetuses, as well as early and late post-implantation deaths. The fertility of males and the percentage of pregnant females in each group were also assessed. Exposure of pubescent F0 males to 10 mg/kg bw of BPA decreased the frequency of fertile males. Following exposure of pubescent males, the frequency of pregnant females decreased in the groups of 10 mg/kg bw and 20 mg/kg bw of BPA, whereas after exposure of adult F0 males in the groups of 5 mg/kg bw and 20 mg/kg bw of BPA, no significant changes in the frequency of total, live and dead implantations in all the experimental groups were found. The results observed in regard to prenatal development of the F2 generation suggest that sperm of the sons of F0 pubescent males exposed to BPA contains genetic defects that affect the possibility of fertilization. The results of both pubescent and mature males exposed to BPA showed that fertilized eggs died before implantation, probably due to defects induced in the sperm. This confirmed that BPA induced transgenerational effects in male germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata M Dobrzyńska
- National Institute of Public Heath NIH - National Research Institute, Department of Radiation Hygiene and Radiobiology, Chocimska 24, 00-791 Warszawa, Poland.
| | - Aneta Gajowik
- National Institute of Public Heath NIH - National Research Institute, Department of Radiation Hygiene and Radiobiology, Chocimska 24, 00-791 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Joanna Radzikowska
- National Institute of Public Heath NIH - National Research Institute, Department of Radiation Hygiene and Radiobiology, Chocimska 24, 00-791 Warszawa, Poland
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Feyaerts D, Urbschat C, Gaudillière B, Stelzer IA. Establishment of tissue-resident immune populations in the fetus. Semin Immunopathol 2022; 44:747-766. [PMID: 35508672 PMCID: PMC9067556 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-022-00931-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The immune system establishes during the prenatal period from distinct waves of stem and progenitor cells and continuously adapts to the needs and challenges of early postnatal and adult life. Fetal immune development not only lays the foundation for postnatal immunity but establishes functional populations of tissue-resident immune cells that are instrumental for fetal immune responses amidst organ growth and maturation. This review aims to discuss current knowledge about the development and function of tissue-resident immune populations during fetal life, focusing on the brain, lung, and gastrointestinal tract as sites with distinct developmental trajectories. While recent progress using system-level approaches has shed light on the fetal immune landscape, further work is required to describe precise roles of prenatal immune populations and their migration and adaptation to respective organ environments. Defining points of prenatal susceptibility to environmental challenges will support the search for potential therapeutic targets to positively impact postnatal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorien Feyaerts
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA USA
| | - Christopher Urbschat
- grid.13648.380000 0001 2180 3484Division of Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Brice Gaudillière
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA USA ,grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA USA
| | - Ina A. Stelzer
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA USA
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7
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Lee J, Choi SJ, Jeong JS, Kim SY, Lee SH, Yang MJ, Lee SJ, Shin YJ, Lee K, Jeong EJ, Nam SY, Yu WJ. A humidifier disinfectant biocide, polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate, inhalation exposure during pregnancy induced toxicities in rats. J Hazard Mater 2021; 404:124007. [PMID: 33049556 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Biocides are widely used for their effective antiseptic and disinfectant properties, including polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG-P), which is also used as a biocide as it selectively disrupts bacterial cell membrane. It is used to clean humidifiers commonly used in the dry winter season in South Korea, which exposes people to PHMG-P inhalation. However, comprehensive toxicological data on PHMG-P inhalation exposure, including in pregnant women, and the potential occurrence of lung disease is lacking. Therefore, in this study, we investigated PHMG-P inhalation exposure-induced toxicities in pregnant rats and prenatal development of their conceptus. Pregnant rats were exposed to PHMG-P via inhalation at target concentrations of 0, 0.14, 1.60, and 3.20 mg/m3 from implantation to nearly parturition (from gestation day 6-20) and then analyzed for relevant abnormalities. Results showed systemic toxicities in the pregnant rats including respiratory function abnormalities, decreased body weight gain, and decreased food consumption at ≥1.60 mg/m3. Prenatal development toxicities, including decreased fetal weight with ossification retardations of fetal bones, were observed at 3.20 mg/m3. These results will contribute to clarifying the PHMG-P inhalation exposure-induced toxicities during pregnancy and support its risk assessment in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsoo Lee
- Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Research Group, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea; College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Jin Choi
- Department of Chemical Assessment, Korea Environment Corporation, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Seong Jeong
- Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Research Group, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Yun Kim
- Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Research Group, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hyub Lee
- Department of Chemical Assessment, Korea Environment Corporation, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Jin Yang
- Toxicological Pathology Research Group, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Jeongeup, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Jin Lee
- Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Research Group, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Jun Shin
- Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Research Group, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyuhong Lee
- Inhalation Toxicology Research Group, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Jeongeup, Republic of Korea; Department of Human and Environmental Toxicology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Ju Jeong
- Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Research Group, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Yoon Nam
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Wook-Joon Yu
- Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Research Group, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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Gomes TM, Dias da Silva D, Carmo H, Carvalho F, Silva JP. Epigenetics and the endocannabinoid system signaling: An intricate interplay modulating neurodevelopment. Pharmacol Res 2020; 162:105237. [PMID: 33053442 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid (eCB) system is a complex system comprising endogenous cannabinoids (eCBs), their synthesis and degradation enzymes, and cannabinoid receptors. These elements crucially regulate several biological processes during neurodevelopment, such as proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Recently, eCBs were also reported to have an epigenetic action on genes that play key functions in the neurotransmitter signaling, consequently regulating their expression. In turn, epigenetic modifications (e.g. DNA methylation, histone modifications) may also modulate the function of eCB system's elements. For example, the expression of the cnr gene in the central nervous system may be epigenetically regulated (e.g. DNA methylation, histone modifications), thus altering the function of the cannabinoid receptor type-1 (CB1R). Considering the importance of the eCB system during neurodevelopment, it is thus reasonable to expect that alterations in this interaction between the eCB system and epigenetic modifications may give rise to neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we review key concepts related to the regulation of neuronal function by the eCB system and the different types of epigenetic modifications. In particular, we focus on the mechanisms involved in the intricate interplay between both signaling systems and how they control cell fate during neurodevelopment. Noteworthy, such mechanistic understanding assumes high relevance considering the implications of the dysregulation of key neurogenic processes towards the onset of neurodevelopment-related disorders. Moreover, considering the increasing popularity of cannabis and its synthetic derivatives among young adults, it becomes of utmost importance to understand how exogenous cannabinoids may epigenetically impact neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Telma Marisa Gomes
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Diana Dias da Silva
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Helena Carmo
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Félix Carvalho
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
| | - João Pedro Silva
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
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Crispi F, Sepúlveda-Martínez Á, Crovetto F, Gómez O, Bijnens B, Gratacós E. Main Patterns of Fetal Cardiac Remodeling. Fetal Diagn Ther 2020; 47:337-344. [PMID: 32213773 DOI: 10.1159/000506047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The heart is a central organ in the fetal adaptation to an adverse environment. Fetal cardiac changes may persist postnatally and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Knowledge about fetal cardiac structural as well as functional remodeling has radically improved over the last few years. As it occurs in postnatal life, the fetal heart remodels - changing its structure and shape - to adapt to an insult. Several conditions have been reported to be associated with fetal cardiac remodeling including intrauterine growth restriction, diabetes, exposure to antiretroviral drugs, conception by assisted reproductive technologies, pulmonary stenosis, and other congenital heart diseases. Here we summarized the main observable patterns of cardiac remodeling, i.e., globular shape, hypertrophy without dilation, and hypertrophy with cardiomegaly. We discuss the potential pathophysiology behind different types of remodeling. Defining precisely the distinct patterns of fetal cardiac remodeling is critical for advancing in the understanding of fetal cardiovascular programming and its consequences on adult health, and potentially for the design of preventive strategies that might have an impact on long-term cardiovascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fàtima Crispi
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut Clínic de Ginecologia Obstetricia i Neonatologia, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Universitat de Barcelona, Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Barcelona, Spain,
| | - Álvaro Sepúlveda-Martínez
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut Clínic de Ginecologia Obstetricia i Neonatologia, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Universitat de Barcelona, Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Barcelona, Spain.,Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Francesca Crovetto
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut Clínic de Ginecologia Obstetricia i Neonatologia, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Universitat de Barcelona, Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Gómez
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut Clínic de Ginecologia Obstetricia i Neonatologia, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Universitat de Barcelona, Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bart Bijnens
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain.,IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Gratacós
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut Clínic de Ginecologia Obstetricia i Neonatologia, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Universitat de Barcelona, Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Barcelona, Spain
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10
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Abstract
This paper provides a summary of literature on epigenetic effects and infant health outcomes of maternal psychosocial stress during pregnancy. A search of literature yielded a large body of publications between 2008 and 2018. Relevant articles were selected, and additional sources were located from ancestry searches of reference lists. Results implicate maternal prenatal stress as a source of epigenetic mechanisms that affect fetal brain development and program risk for emotional dysregulation and mental disorders over a lifetime and across generations. Implications for nursing practice are explored at multiple levels of policy advocacy, public education, primary prevention, screening and intervention.
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11
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Abstract
This paper provides a summary of literature on epigenetic effects and infant health outcomes of maternal psychosocial stress during pregnancy. A search of literature yielded a large body of publications between 2008 and 2018. Relevant articles were selected, and additional sources were located from ancestry searches of reference lists. Results implicate maternal prenatal stress as a source of epigenetic mechanisms that affect fetal brain development and program risk for emotional dysregulation and mental disorders over a lifetime and across generations. Implications for nursing practice are explored at multiple levels of policy advocacy, public education, primary prevention, screening and intervention.
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12
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Abstract
A simultaneous analysis of the pre and postnatal growth data obtained for five exemplary animals (zebra, rat, guinea pig, chicken, tilapia) is performed. To this aim, the generalized von Bertalanffy (VB) model is employed in which one of the fitted parameters is related to the gestation or incubation period of the system under consideration. The results obtained reveal a descriptive power of the VB model in both the pre and postnatal stages for a wide range of the data analyzed using several goodness-of-fit metrics and biologically meaningful parameters fitted. It has been proved that generalized VB function with one parameter constrained to the experimental value of the gestation (incubation) period and other parameters fitted only to the postnatal data predicts with high accuracy the growth of animals in the developmental prenatal stages. Hence, the VB model features not only descriptive but also retro-predictive power to reproduce the prenatal growth patterns of the animals considered. Three main sources of the problems with the fit stability reported for the VB function are identified: nonlinear nature of the scaling n-exponent, its strong correlation with remaining parameters defining the model and n-value placed in the vicinity of the discontinuity point n = 1 or outside the standard range 0 ≤ n < 1 usually applied in the data analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Molski
- Theoretical Chemistry Department, Adam Mickiewicz University of Poznań, Poland.
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13
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Bieńkowska M, Mitas AW. Linear sound attenuation model for assessing external stimuli in prenatal period. Comput Biol Med 2018; 100:289-295. [PMID: 29198465 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2017.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The popularization of acoustic stimulation during the prenatal period encourages the analysis of sounds reaching the inside of the uterus. To assess the distortion of any sound stimuli, a mathematical model of attenuation has to be used. In this paper a mathematical model is proposed on the basis of data from a physical model. The physical model consisted of muscle slices of two different thicknesses placed in a tank filled with water. The amplitudes of sinusoidal waves between 160 and 2000 Hz were measured under the water surface. Using the collected data, a linear mathematical model of sound attenuation on the way to the fetal ear was created. The results indicated a rise in the amount of sound attenuation for increasing frequencies. Analysis of slope coefficients for two muscle thicknesses revealed that there is no significant difference between attenuation by the thinner and the thicker tissue. Finally, the model was verified with data obtained during experiments on animals. The proposed model of the sound transmission allowed assessment of the attenuation by a soft tissue. It reveals changes in the sound reaching fetal ears, which can make acoustic stimulation different than what is heard in postnatal life. The model can be used to simulate the distortion of any sound which is proposed to prenatal stimulation and to assess its quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Bieńkowska
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Roosevelta 40, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland.
| | - Andrzej W Mitas
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Roosevelta 40, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
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14
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Nguyen-Hoang P, Yeung R. From mother to child: the effects of prenatal maternal passive smoking on academic outcomes in the United States. J Public Health Policy 2018; 39:231-44. [PMID: 29531305 DOI: 10.1057/s41271-018-0122-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This is the first study in the United States to examine the effect of prenatal maternal passive smoking on student learning outcomes. We use a national sample of children in combination with ordinary least squares regression and matching methods to examine this effect. We find evidence that prenatal maternal exposure to secondhand smoke leads to lower academic performance in language/literacy and mathematics in the later years of elementary school, particularly for mothers who did not actively smoke while pregnant. Our results provide persuasive empirical evidence in support of public policies that address prenatal maternal exposure to secondhand smoking.
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15
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Szutorisz H, Hurd YL. High times for cannabis: Epigenetic imprint and its legacy on brain and behavior. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 85:93-101. [PMID: 28506926 PMCID: PMC5682234 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2017] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Extensive debates continue regarding marijuana (Cannabis spp), the most commonly used illicit substance in many countries worldwide. There has been an exponential increase of cannabis studies over the past two decades but the drug's long-term effects still lack in-depth scientific data. The epigenome is a critical molecular machinery with the capacity to maintain persistent alterations of gene expression and behaviors induced by cannabinoids that have been observed across the individual's lifespan and even into the subsequent generation. Though mechanistic investigations regarding the consequences of developmental cannabis exposure remain sparse, human and animal studies have begun to reveal specific epigenetic disruptions in the brain and the periphery. In this article, we focus attention on long-term disturbances in epigenetic regulation in relation to prenatal, adolescent and parental germline cannabinoid exposure. Expanding knowledge about the protracted molecular memory could help to identify novel targets to develop preventive strategies and treatments for behaviors relevant to neuropsychiatric risks associated with developmental cannabis exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrietta Szutorisz
- Friedman Brain Institute, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yasmin L Hurd
- Friedman Brain Institute, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Addiction Institute at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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Wenzel AG, Bloom MS, Butts CD, Wineland RJ, Brock JW, Cruze L, Unal ER, Kucklick JR, Somerville SE, Newman RB. Influence of race on prenatal phthalate exposure and anogenital measurements among boys and girls. Environ Int 2018; 110:61-70. [PMID: 29097052 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Select phthalates have antiandrogenic activity, which raises concern for adverse developmental outcomes given widespread exposure of pregnant women. Investigators have reported associations between maternal urinary phthalates and altered anogenital distance (AGD), a marker of in utero androgen activity, among offspring. However, data assessing the impact of race on these associations is sparse. OBJECTIVES To evaluate associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and AGD in a racially diverse newborn population. METHODS We prospectively collected second trimester urine from 187 African American and 193 white mothers, and used liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to measure eight phthalate metabolites and calculate molar sums. We measured anopenile (APD) and anoscrotal (ASD) distances of 171 boys and anoclitoral (ACD) and anofourchette (AFD) distances of 128 girls at delivery. We collected sociodemographic and clinical data from questionnaires and delivery records. RESULTS We identified a statistically significant inverse association for mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) and APD in boys (B=-1.57mm, p=0.02), which was stronger for African Americans (B=-2.07mm, p=0.04) than for whites (B=-1.23mm, p=0.22), although the racial interaction was not statistically significant (p=0.56). We found a longer ASD for higher molar sums of dibutyl phthalate (∑DBP; B=0.99mm, p=0.04), with stronger associations for whites (B=1.30mm, p=0.04) than for African Americans (B=0.39mm, p=0.59), again without a statistically significant racial interaction (p=0.34). Among girls, we found inverse associations for tertiles of MEHP with AFD and ACD, and statistically significant race-based interactions, in which ACD was longer for whites and shorter for African Americans, following exposure to monoethyl phthalate (MEP; p=0.01) and ∑DBP (p=0.08). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest race and sex play important roles in phthalate-associated reproductive developmental toxicity, with important implications for designing future investigations and health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abby G Wenzel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; National Institute of Standards and Technology, Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Michael S Bloom
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA.
| | - Celeste D Butts
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca J Wineland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - John W Brock
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina Asheville, Asheville, NC, USA
| | - Lori Cruze
- Department of Biology, Wofford College, Spartanburg, SC, USA
| | - Elizabeth R Unal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA
| | - John R Kucklick
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Stephen E Somerville
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Roger B Newman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Klimek M, Marcinkowska UM, Jasienska G. Value of digit ratio 2D:4D, a biomarker of prenatal hormone exposure, is stable across the menstrual cycle. Early Hum Dev 2017; 110:21-24. [PMID: 28499133 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2017.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Digit ratio (2D:4D) is used as a marker of prenatal hormone exposure and, consequently, as a predictor of many characteristics throughout a woman's lifespan. A previous study has suggested that values of 2D:4D vary across menstrual cycles and further questioned the reliability of a single measurement of 2D:4D among cycling women, while another study failed to confirm these results. However, these studies estimated the timing of cycle phases based on a date of menstruation reported by participants and also had small sample sizes. For our study, we evaluated potential changes in 2D:4D values across a menstrual cycle in a group of women among whom the phases of the menstrual cycle were determined by hormonal (luteinizing hormone based) ovulation tests. We studied 32 naturally cycling women aged 22-37 from rural Poland. Lengths of second and fourth digits were measured based on scans of both hands taken three times (i.e. in the follicular phase, peri-ovulatory phase and luteal phase of the cycle) for each participant. No differences in 2D:4D value across the menstrual cycle were detected either when right-hand, left-hand, and mean 2D:4D for both hands were analysed, nor when difference in the 2D:4D value between hands (Dleft-right) was evaluated. We documented that 2D:4D is independent of the phase of the menstrual cycle and these findings suggest that among naturally cycling women, a value of 2D:4D can be reliably obtained from measurements taken during any day of the menstrual cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Klimek
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Grzegorzecka 20, 31-531 Krakow, Poland.
| | - Urszula M Marcinkowska
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Grzegorzecka 20, 31-531 Krakow, Poland.
| | - Grazyna Jasienska
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Grzegorzecka 20, 31-531 Krakow, Poland.
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18
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Jakab A, Tuura R, Kellenberger C, Scheer I. In utero diffusion tensor imaging of the fetal brain: A reproducibility study. Neuroimage Clin 2017; 15:601-612. [PMID: 28652972 PMCID: PMC5477067 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2017.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Revised: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Our purpose was to evaluate the within-subject reproducibility of in utero diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics and the visibility of major white matter structures. Images for 30 fetuses (20-33. postmenstrual weeks, normal neurodevelopment: 6 cases, cerebral pathology: 24 cases) were acquired on 1.5 T or 3.0 T MRI. DTI with 15 diffusion-weighting directions was repeated three times for each case, TR/TE: 2200/63 ms, voxel size: 1 ∗ 1 mm, slice thickness: 3-5 mm, b-factor: 700 s/mm2. Reproducibility was evaluated from structure detectability, variability of DTI measures using the coefficient of variation (CV), image correlation and structural similarity across repeated scans for six selected structures. The effect of age, scanner type, presence of pathology was determined using Wilcoxon rank sum test. White matter structures were detectable in the following percentage of fetuses in at least two of the three repeated scans: corpus callosum genu 76%, splenium 64%, internal capsule, posterior limb 60%, brainstem fibers 40% and temporooccipital association pathways 60%. The mean CV of DTI metrics ranged between 3% and 14.6% and we measured higher reproducibility in fetuses with normal brain development. Head motion was negatively correlated with reproducibility, this effect was partially ameliorated by motion-correction algorithm using image registration. Structures on 3.0 T had higher variability both with- and without motion correction. Fetal DTI is reproducible for projection and commissural bundles during mid-gestation, however, in 16-30% of the cases, data were corrupted by artifacts, resulting in impaired detection of white matter structures. To achieve robust results for the quantitative analysis of diffusivity and anisotropy values, fetal-specific image processing is recommended and repeated DTI is needed to ensure the detectability of fiber pathways.
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Key Words
- AD, axial diffusivity
- CCA, corpus callosum agenesis
- CV, coefficient of variation
- Connectome
- DTI, diffusion tensor imaging
- Diffusion tensor imaging
- FA, fractional anisotropy
- Fetal brain connectivity
- Fetal diffusion MRI
- GW, gestational week
- MD, mean diffusivity
- Prenatal development
- RD, radial diffusivity
- ROI, region of interest
- SSIM, structural similarity index
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Affiliation(s)
- András Jakab
- Center for MR-Research, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland; Computational Imaging Research Lab (CIR), Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Ruth Tuura
- Center for MR-Research, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Ianina Scheer
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
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Frey AJ, Park BY, Schriver ER, Feldman DR, Parry S, Croen LA, Fallin DM, Hertz-Picciotto I, Newschaffer CJ, Snyder NW. Differences in testosterone and its precursors by sex of the offspring in meconium. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 167:78-85. [PMID: 27871978 PMCID: PMC5292277 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2016.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal metabolism exerts profound effects on development. The first stool of the newborn, meconium, provides a window into the prenatal metabolic environment. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of meconium as a novel matrix to quantify prenatal steroid levels. We quantified parameters of analytical interest regarding the use of meconium, including sample stability. We hypothesized that meconium steroid content would differ by sex, prompting analysis of meconium to test effects of prenatal steroid metabolism. Meconium from 193 newborns enrolled in the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI) study, including 107 males, and 86 females, were analyzed by isotope dilution-liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (ID-LC-HRMS) while blinded to identity for testosterone (T), androstenedione (AD), and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Steroid levels were compared by sex, and investigations of potential trends resulting from sample storage or processing was conducted. The unconjugated steroid content of meconium in ng/g (mean, standard deviation) was for males: T (2.67, 8.99), AD (20.01, 28.12), DHEA (13.96, 23.57) and for females: T (0.82, 1.63), AD (22.32, 24.38), DHEA (21.06, 43.49). T was higher in meconium from males (p=0.0333), and DHEA was higher in meconium from females (p=0.0202). 6 female and 3 male T values were below the limit of detection. No extreme variability in hydration or trend in steroid levels by storage time was detected. Sexually dimorphic levels of hormones may reflect gestational differentiation, and future studies should consider meconium analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Frey
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market St, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Bo Y Park
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, HH884 Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Emily R Schriver
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market St, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Daniel R Feldman
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market St, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Samuel Parry
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Division, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 2000 Courtyard Building, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lisa A Croen
- Autism Research Program, Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
| | - Daniele M Fallin
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, HH 850, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Craig J Newschaffer
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market St, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nathaniel W Snyder
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market St, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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20
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Gentillon H, Stefańczyk L, Strzelecki M, Respondek-Liberska M. Parameter set for computer-assisted texture analysis of fetal brain. BMC Res Notes 2016; 9:496. [PMID: 27887658 PMCID: PMC5124296 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-016-2300-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Magnetic resonance data were collected from a diverse population of gravid women to objectively compare the quality of 1.5-tesla (1.5 T) versus 3-T magnetic resonance imaging of the developing human brain. MaZda and B11 computational-visual cognition tools were used to process 2D images. We proposed a wavelet-based parameter and two novel histogram-based parameters for Fisher texture analysis in three-dimensional space. RESULTS Wavenhl, focus index, and dispersion index revealed better quality for 3 T. Though both 1.5 and 3 T images were 16-bit DICOM encoded, nearly 16 and 12 usable bits were measured in 3 and 1.5 T images, respectively. The four-bit padding observed in 1.5 T K-space encoding mimics noise by adding illusionistic details, which are not really part of the image. In contrast, zero-bit padding in 3 T provides space for storing more details and increases the likelihood of noise but as well as edges, which in turn are very crucial for differentiation of closely related anatomical structures. CONCLUSIONS Both encoding modes are possible with both units, but higher 3 T resolution is the main difference. It contributes to higher perceived and available dynamic range. Apart from surprisingly larger Fisher coefficient, no significant difference was observed when testing was conducted with down-converted 8-bit BMP images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugues Gentillon
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Barlicki University Hospital, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
- Institute of Electronics, The Faculty of Electrical, Electronic, Computer and Control Engineering, Technical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Ludomir Stefańczyk
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Barlicki University Hospital, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Michał Strzelecki
- Institute of Electronics, The Faculty of Electrical, Electronic, Computer and Control Engineering, Technical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Maria Respondek-Liberska
- Diagnosis and Prevention of Congenital Malformations, Instytut Centrum Zdrowia Matki Polki, Lodz, Poland
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21
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Fields C, Glazebrook JF. Disrupted development and imbalanced function in the global neuronal workspace: a positive-feedback mechanism for the emergence of ASD in early infancy. Cogn Neurodyn 2016; 11:1-21. [PMID: 28174609 DOI: 10.1007/s11571-016-9419-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Revised: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasingly being conceptualized as a spectrum disorder of connectome development. We review evidence suggesting that ASD is characterized by a positive feedback loop that amplifies small functional variations in early-developing sensory-processing pathways into structural and functional imbalances in the global neuronal workspace. Using vision as an example, we discuss how early functional variants in visual processing may be feedback-amplified to produce variant object categories and disrupted top-down expectations, atypically large expectation-to-perception mismatches, problems re-identifying individual people and objects, socially inappropriate, generally aversive emotional responses and disrupted sensory-motor coordination. Viewing ASD in terms of feedback amplification of small functional variants allows a number of recent models of ASD to be integrated with neuroanatomical, neurofunctional and genetic data.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James F Glazebrook
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL 61920 USA
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22
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Dyshniku F, Murray ME, Fazio RL, Lykins AD, Cantor JM. Minor Physical Anomalies as a Window into the Prenatal Origins of Pedophilia. Arch Sex Behav 2015; 44:2151-2159. [PMID: 26058490 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-015-0564-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Revised: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Evidence is steadily accumulating to support a neurodevelopmental basis for pedophilia. This includes increased incidence of non-right-handedness, which is a result primarily of prenatal neural development and solidified very early in life. Minor physical anomalies (MPAs; superficial deviations from typical morphological development, such as un-detached earlobes) also develop only prenatally, suggesting them as another potential marker of atypical physiological development during the prenatal period among pedophiles. This study administered the Waldrop Physical Anomaly Scale to assess the prevalence of MPAs in a clinical sample of men referred for assessment following a sexual assault, or another illegal or clinically significant sexual behavior. Significant associations emerged between MPA indices and indicators of pedophilia, including penile responses to depictions of children, number of child victims, and possession of child pornography. Moreover, greater sexual attraction to children was associated with an elevated craniofacial-to-peripheral anomalies ratio. The overall sample demonstrated a greater number of MPAs relative to prior samples of individuals with schizophrenia as well as to healthy controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Dyshniku
- Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Michelle E Murray
- Sexual Behaviours Clinic, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St., Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Rachel L Fazio
- Sexual Behaviours Clinic, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St., Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada.
| | - Amy D Lykins
- School of Behavioural, Cognitive, and Social Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - James M Cantor
- Sexual Behaviours Clinic, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St., Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Volk DW, Chitrapu A, Edelson JR, Lewis DA. Chemokine receptors and cortical interneuron dysfunction in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2015; 167:12-7. [PMID: 25464914 PMCID: PMC4427549 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2014.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Revised: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 10/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Alterations in inhibitory (GABA) neurons, including deficiencies in the GABA synthesizing enzyme GAD67, in the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia are pronounced in the subpopulations of neurons that contain the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin or the neuropeptide somatostatin. The presence of similar illness-related deficits in the transcription factor Lhx6, which regulates prenatal development of parvalbumin and somatostatin neurons, suggests that cortical GABA neuron dysfunction may be related to disturbances in utero. Since the chemokine receptors CXCR4 and CXCR7 guide the migration of cortical parvalbumin and somatostatin neurons from their birthplace in the medial ganglionic eminence to their final destination in the neocortex, we sought to determine whether altered CXCR4 and/or CXCR7 mRNA levels were associated with disturbances in GABA-related markers in schizophrenia. Quantitative PCR was used to quantify CXCR4 and CXCR7 mRNA levels in the prefrontal cortex of 62 schizophrenia and 62 healthy comparison subjects that were previously characterized for markers of parvalbumin and somatostatin neurons and in antipsychotic-exposed monkeys. We found elevated mRNA levels for CXCR7 (+29%; p<.0001) and CXCR4 (+14%, p=.052) in schizophrenia subjects but not in antipsychotic-exposed monkeys. CXCR7 mRNA levels were inversely correlated with mRNA levels for GAD67, parvalbumin, somatostatin, and Lhx6 in schizophrenia but not in healthy subjects. These findings suggest that higher mRNA levels for CXCR7, and possibly CXCR4, may represent a compensatory mechanism to sustain the migration and correct positioning of cortical parvalbumin and somatostatin neurons in the face of other insults that disrupt the prenatal development of cortical GABA neurons in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W. Volk
- Departments of Psychiatry University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213,Corresponding Author: David W. Volk, MD, PhD, W1655 BST, 3811 O’Hara St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Tel: 412-648-9617
| | - Anjani Chitrapu
- Departments of Psychiatry University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Jessica R. Edelson
- Departments of Psychiatry University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - David A. Lewis
- Departments of Psychiatry University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Departments of Neuroscience University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
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24
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Higuera-Matas A, Ucha M, Ambrosio E. Long-term consequences of perinatal and adolescent cannabinoid exposure on neural and psychological processes. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2015; 55:119-46. [PMID: 25960036 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Revised: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Marihuana is the most widely consumed illicit drug, even among adolescents and pregnant women. Given the critical developmental processes that occur in the adolescent and fetal nervous system, marihuana consumption during these stages may have permanent consequences on several brain functions in later adult life. Here, we review what is currently known about the long-term consequences of perinatal and adolescent cannabinoid exposure. The most consistent findings point to long-term impairments in cognitive function that are associated with structural alterations and disturbed synaptic plasticity. In addition, several neurochemical modifications are also evident after prenatal or adolescent cannabinoid exposure, especially in the endocannabinoid, glutamatergic, dopaminergic and opioidergic systems. Important sexual dimorphisms are also evident in terms of the long-lasting effects of cannabinoid consumption during pregnancy and adolescence, and cannabinoids possibly have a protective effect in adolescents who have suffered traumatic life challenges, such as maternal separation or intense stress. Finally, we suggest some future research directions that may encourage further advances in this exciting field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Higuera-Matas
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, National University of Distance Learning (UNED), C/ Juan del Rosal 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Marcos Ucha
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, National University of Distance Learning (UNED), C/ Juan del Rosal 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilio Ambrosio
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, National University of Distance Learning (UNED), C/ Juan del Rosal 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Jakab A, Kasprian G, Schwartz E, Gruber GM, Mitter C, Prayer D, Schöpf V, Langs G. Disrupted developmental organization of the structural connectome in fetuses with corpus callosum agenesis. Neuroimage 2015; 111:277-88. [PMID: 25725467 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.02.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Revised: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Agenesis of the corpus callosum is a model disease for disrupted connectivity of the human brain, in which the pathological formation of interhemispheric fibers results in subtle to severe cognitive deficits. Postnatal studies suggest that the characteristic abnormal pathways in this pathology are compensatory structures that emerge via neural plasticity. We challenge this hypothesis and assume a globally different network organization of the structural interconnections already in the fetal acallosal brain. Twenty fetuses with isolated corpus callosum agenesis with or without associated malformations were enrolled and fiber connectivity among 90 brain regions was assessed using in utero diffusion tensor imaging and streamline tractography. Macroscopic scale connectomes were compared to 20 gestational age-matched normally developing fetuses with multiple granularity of network analysis. Gradually increasing connectivity strength and tract diffusion anisotropy during gestation were dominant in antero-posteriorly running paramedian and antero-laterally running aberrant pathways, and in short-range connections in the temporoparietal regions. In fetuses with associated abnormalities, more diffuse reduction of cortico-cortical and cortico-subcortical connectivity was observed than in cases with isolated callosal agenesis. The global organization of anatomical networks consisted of less segregated nodes in acallosal brains, and hubs of dense connectivity, such as the thalamus and cingulate cortex, showed reduced network centrality. Acallosal fetal brains show a globally altered connectivity network structure compared to normals. Besides the previously described Probst and sigmoid bundles, we revealed a prenatally differently organized macroconnectome, dominated by increased connectivity. These findings provide evidence that abnormal pathways are already present during at early stages of fetal brain development in the majority of cerebral white matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- András Jakab
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Computational Imaging Research Lab (CIR) Vienna, Austria.
| | - Gregor Kasprian
- Department for Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna Austria
| | - Ernst Schwartz
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Computational Imaging Research Lab (CIR) Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerlinde Maria Gruber
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Systematic Anatomy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Mitter
- Department for Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna Austria
| | - Daniela Prayer
- Department for Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna Austria
| | - Veronika Schöpf
- Department for Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna Austria
| | - Georg Langs
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Computational Imaging Research Lab (CIR) Vienna, Austria; Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Dihazi GH, Mueller GA, Asif AR, Eltoweissy M, Wessels JT, Dihazi H. Proteomic characterization of adrenal gland embryonic development reveals early initiation of steroid metabolism and reduction of the retinoic acid pathway. Proteome Sci 2015; 13:6. [PMID: 25694770 PMCID: PMC4331441 DOI: 10.1186/s12953-015-0063-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adrenal glands are essential endocrine organs composed of two embryological distinct tissues. Morphological changes during their development are well described, but less understood with regard to their molecular mechanisms. To identify proteins and pathways, which drive the initial steps of the specification of the endocrine function of the adrenal gland, rat’s adrenal glands were isolated at different embryonic days (E): E14, E16, E18, E19 and postnatal day 1 (P1). Results The alteration of the proteome during the stages E16, E19 and P1 was investigated by combining two dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometric analysis. Out of 594 excised protein spots, 464 spots were identified, resulting in 203 non-redundant proteins. The ontogenic classification of the identified proteins according to their molecular function resulted in 10 different categories, whereas the classification of their biological processes resulted in 19 different groups. This gives an insight into the complex mechanisms underlying adrenal gland development. Interestingly, the expression of retinoic acid pathway proteins was decreased during the development of the adrenal gland, suggesting that this pathway is only important at early stages. On the other hand, key proteins of the cholesterol synthesis increased their expression significantly at E19 revealing the initiation of the endocrine specialization of the adrenal glands. Conclusions This study presents the first comprehensive wide proteome analysis of three different stages of embryonic adrenal gland development. The identified proteins, which were expressed in early stages of development, will shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying embryonic development of the adrenal gland. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12953-015-0063-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gry H Dihazi
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August University Goettingen, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, D-37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Gerhard A Mueller
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August University Goettingen, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, D-37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Abdul R Asif
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Georg-August University Goettingen, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, D-37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Marwa Eltoweissy
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August University Goettingen, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, D-37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Johannes T Wessels
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August University Goettingen, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, D-37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Hassan Dihazi
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August University Goettingen, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, D-37075 Goettingen, Germany
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27
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Van Dongen S, Galis F, Ten Broek C, Heikinheimo K, Wijnaendts LCD, Delen S, Bots J. No sexual dimorphism in human prenatal metacarpal ratios. Early Hum Dev 2014; 90:157-60. [PMID: 24480605 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2014.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2013] [Revised: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ratios of digit lengths are studied intensively as markers of prenatal sex hormone levels. AIM Study sexual dimorphism in ratios of metacarpals, which received less attention. METHODS We studied six metacarpal ratios in deceased human fetuses of ages 10 to 42weeks. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION We found no indication of a sexual dimorphism at this early stage of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Van Dongen
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Frietson Galis
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; NCB Naturalis, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Clara Ten Broek
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kristiina Heikinheimo
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, Institute of Dentistry, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | | | - Sofie Delen
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jessica Bots
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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Nourinezhad J, Gilanpour H, Radmehr B. Prenatal development of the fetal thoracic sympathetic trunk in sheep (Ovis aries). Auton Neurosci 2013; 177:154-62. [PMID: 23639816 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2013.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2013] [Accepted: 03/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
This study aims at clarifying the detailed morphological and topographical changes of the thoracic part of the sympathetic trunk of sheep during fetal development. Bilateral micro-dissection of the thoracic sympathetic trunk was performed on 40 sheep fetuses aged 6-20 weeks (18 males and 22 females) under a stereomicroscope. The cervicothoracic ganglion (CTG) was observed on 75/80 sides (93.7%) and was composed of the caudal cervical and the first thoracic ganglia on 45/80 sides (56.2%), and of the caudal cervical and the first two thoracic ganglia on 30/80 sides (37.5%). The presence of the two last (12th-13th) thoracic ganglia was not constant. The influence of the sex, the side of the body, and the ages of the fetus on the morphology and topography of the thoracic sympathetic trunk in sheep were identified. In spite of the differences in the morphology and topography of the thoracic sympathetic trunk between early and late fetal developments, the morphology and topography of the older fetal thoracic sympathetic trunk tended to be similar to that of the adult sheep. To comprehend the comparative morphology of the fetal thoracic sympathetic trunk more completely, our results were compared with previous studies. Consequently, differences and similarities in the composition and position of the CTG, presence of single caudal cervical ganglion without fusion to the thoracic ganglia, and absence of the thoracic ganglia, and presence of splitting of the interganglionic branch were found among sheep, pig, and human fetuses. Therefore, sheep might be the appropriate animal model to be applied in human sympathetic nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamal Nourinezhad
- Division of Anatomy and Embryology, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran.
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