Review: Implication of redox imbalance in animal health and performance at critical periods, insights from different farm species

The process of oxidative stress occurs all over the production chain of animals and food products. This review summarises insights obtained in different farm species (pigs, ruminants, poultry, and fishes) to underpin the most critical periods for the venue of oxidative stress, namely birth/hatching and weaning/start-feeding phase. Common responses between species are also unravelled in periods of high physiological demands when animals are facing dietary deficiencies in specific nutrients, suggesting that nutritional recommendations must consider the modulation of responses to oxidative stress for optimising production performance and quality of food products. These conditions concern challenges such as heat stress, social stress, and inflammation. The magnitude of the responses is partly dependent on the prior experience of the animals before the challenge, reinforcing the importance of nutrition and other management practices during early periods to promote the development of antioxidant reserves in the animal. When these practices also improved the performance and health of the animal, this further confirms the central role played by oxidative stress in physiologically and environmentally induced perturbations. Difficulties in interpreting responses to oxidative stress arise from the fact that the indicators are only partly shared between studies, and their modulations may also be challenge-specific. A consensus about the best indicators to assess pro-oxidative and antioxidant pathways is of huge demand to propose a synthetic index measurable in a non-invasive way and interpretable along the productive life of the animals.

Barley strigolactone signalling mutant hvd14.d reveals the role of strigolactones in abscisic acid-dependent response to drought

Strigolactones (SLs) are a group of plant hormones involved in many aspects of plant development and stress adaptation. Here, we investigated the drought response of a barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) mutant carrying a missense mutation in the gene encoding the SL-specific receptor HvD14. Our results clearly showed that hvd14.d mutant is hyper-sensitive to drought stress. This was illustrated by a lower leaf relative water content (RWC), impaired photosynthesis, disorganization of chloroplast structure, altered stomatal density and slower closure of stomata in response to drought in the mutant compared to the wild type parent cultivar Sebastian. Although the content of abscisic acid (ABA) and its derivatives remained unchanged in the mutant, significant differences in expression of genes related to ABA biosynthesis were observed. Moreover, hvd14.d was insensitive to ABA during seed germination. Analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana mutant atd14-1 also demonstrated that mutation in the SL receptor resulted in increased sensitivity to drought. Our results indicate that the drought-sensitive phenotype of barley SL mutant might be caused by a disturbed ABA metabolism and/or signalling pathways. These results together uncovered a link between SL signalling and ABA-dependent drought stress response in barley.

Human iPSC-Derived Hippocampal Spheroids: An Innovative Tool for Stratifying Alzheimer Disease Patient-Specific Cellular Phenotypes and Developing Therapies

The hippocampus is important for memory formation and is severely affected in the brain with Alzheimer disease (AD). Our understanding of early pathogenic processes occurring in hippocampi in AD is limited due to tissue unavailability. Here, we report a chemical approach to rapidly generate free-floating hippocampal spheroids (HSs), from human induced pluripotent stem cells. When used to model AD, both APP and atypical PS1 variant HSs displayed increased Aβ42/Aβ40 peptide ratios and decreased synaptic protein levels, which are common features of AD. However, the two variants differed in tau hyperphosphorylation, protein aggregation, and protein network alterations. NeuroD1-mediated gene therapy in HSs-derived progenitors resulted in modulation of expression of numerous genes, including those involved in synaptic transmission. Thus, HSs can be harnessed to unravel the mechanisms underlying early pathogenic changes in the hippocampi of AD patients, and provide a robust platform for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting early stage AD.

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Rapid generation of hippocampal spheroids (HSs) from hiPSCs using defined chemical agents

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hiPSC-derived HSs can be utilized as a source of hippocampal neurons

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hiPSC-derived HSs can be used to model Alzheimer disease

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hiPSC-derived HSs can be used to develop innovative therapeutic solutions

Short cold exposures during incubation and postnatal cold temperature affect performance, breast meat quality, and welfare parameters in broiler chickens

Cold stimulations during egg incubation were reported to limit the occurrence of ascites in broilers subjected to cold temperature after 14 d of age. However, data are lacking on the impacts of such strategy in case of cold temperature conditions at start. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of incubation and posthatch cold challenge on performance, breast muscle integrity, and meat processing quality in broiler chickens. Ross 308 eggs were incubated under control temperature (I₀, 37.6°C) or subjected to 15°C during 30 min on day 18 and 19 of incubation (I₁). Chicks from each group were reared in floor pens either at standard rearing temperature (T₀), from 32°C at 0 d to 21°C at 21 d of age, or exposed to colder rearing temperature (T₁), from 29°C at 0 to 21°C at 21 d of age. All birds were then kept at 21°C until slaughter (day 40), when body weights (BW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), breast muscle yield, meat processing quality, and the occurrences of meat defects, hock burns, and pododermatitis were recorded. No significant impact of incubation conditions on hatchability was observed. At day 40, BW was more under T₁ than under T₀ conditions, with T₀ females (but not males) presenting more BW after I₁ than after I₀ conditions. In the whole period, T₁ chickens presented lower FCR than T₀ chickens and higher breast meat yields at day 40. The occurrence of white striping was more in I₁T₁ males than in all other groups, except for the I₀T₁ males. Hock burns were more frequent in I₁T₁ males than in all females and I₀T₀ males, whereas the occurrence of pododermatitis was lower in T₀ males than in other groups. Despite some positive effects of I₁ incubation on growth after starting under low ambient temperature, this study reveals the limits of such strategy concerning chicken health and welfare, demonstrating that early thermal environment is a major component of the quality and sustainability of chicken meat production.

Generation of an induced pluripotent stem cell line (CSC-32) from a patient with Parkinson's disease carrying a heterozygous variation p.A53T in the SNCA gene

Here, we describe the generation of an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line, from a male patient diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD). The patient carries a heterozygous variation p.A53T in the SNCA gene. Skin fibroblasts were reprogrammed using the non-integrating Sendai virus technology to deliver OCT3/4, SOX2, c-MYC and KLF4 factors. The generated iPSC line (CSC-32) preserved the mutation, displayed expression of common pluripotency markers, differentiated into derivatives of the three germ layers, and exhibited a normal karyotype. The clone CSC-32B is presented thereafter; it can be used to study the mechanisms underlying PD pathogenesis.

Barley ABI5 (Abscisic Acid INSENSITIVE 5) Is Involved in Abscisic Acid-Dependent Drought Response

ABA INSENSITIVE 5 (ABI5) is a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor which acts in the abscisic acid (ABA) network and is activated in response to abiotic stresses. However, the precise role of barley (Hordeum vulgare) ABI5 in ABA signaling and its function under stress remains elusive. Here, we show that HvABI5 is involved in ABA-dependent regulation of barley response to drought stress. We identified barley TILLING mutants carrying different alleles in the HvABI5 gene and we studied in detail the physiological and molecular response to drought and ABA for one of them. The hvabi5.d mutant, carrying G1751A transition, was insensitive to ABA during seed germination, yet it showed the ability to store more water than its parent cv. "Sebastian" (WT) in response to drought stress. The drought-tolerant phenotype of hvabi5.d was associated with better membrane protection, higher flavonoid content, and faster stomatal closure in the mutant under stress compared to the WT. The microarray transcriptome analysis revealed up-regulation of genes associated with cell protection mechanisms in the mutant. Furthermore, HvABI5 target genes: HVA1 and HVA22 showed higher activity after drought, which may imply better adaptation of hvabi5.d to stress. On the other hand, chlorophyll content in hvabi5.d was lower than in WT, which was associated with decreased photosynthesis efficiency observed in the mutant after drought treatment. To verify that HvABI5 acts in the ABA-dependent manner we analyzed expression of selected genes related to ABA pathway in hvabi5.d and its WT parent after drought and ABA treatments. The expression of key genes involved in ABA metabolism and signaling differed in the mutant and the WT under stress. Drought-induced increase of expression of HvNCED1, HvBG8, HvSnRK2.1, and HvPP2C4 genes was 2-20 times higher in hvabi5.d compared to "Sebastian". We also observed a faster stomatal closure in hvabi5.d and much higher induction of HvNCED1 and HvSnRK2.1 genes after ABA treatment. Together, these findings demonstrate that HvABI5 plays a role in regulation of drought response in barley and suggest that HvABI5 might be engaged in the fine tuning of ABA signaling by a feedback regulation between biosynthetic and signaling events. In addition, they point to different mechanisms of HvABI5 action in regulating drought response and seed germination in barley.

Chicken adaptive response to low energy diet: main role of the hypothalamic lipid metabolism revealed by a phenotypic and multi-tissue transcriptomic approach

Background

Production conditions of layer chicken can vary in terms of temperature or diet energy content compared to the controlled environment where pure-bred selection is undertaken. The aim of this study was to better understand the long-term effects of a 15%-energy depleted diet on egg-production, energy homeostasis and metabolism via a multi-tissue transcriptomic analysis. Study was designed to compare effects of the nutritional intervention in two layer chicken lines divergently selected for residual feed intake.

Results

Chicken adapted to the diet in terms of production by significantly increasing their feed intake and decreasing their body weight and body fat composition, while their egg production was unchanged. No significant interaction was observed between diet and line for the production traits. The low energy diet had no effect on adipose tissue and liver transcriptomes. By contrast, the nutritional challenge affected the blood transcriptome and, more severely, the hypothalamus transcriptome which displayed 2700 differentially expressed genes. In this tissue, the low-energy diet lead to an over-expression of genes related to endocannabinoid signaling (CN1R, NAPE-PLD) and to the complement system, a part of the immune system, both known to regulate feed intake. Both mechanisms are associated to genes related polyunsaturated fatty acids synthesis (FADS1, ELOVL5 and FADS2), like the arachidonic acid, a precursor of anandamide, a key endocannabinoid, and of prostaglandins, that mediate the regulatory effects of the complement system. A possible regulatory role of NR1H3 (alias LXRα) has been associated to these transcriptional changes. The low-energy diet further affected brain plasticity-related genes involved in the cholesterol synthesis and in the synaptic activity, revealing a link between nutrition and brain plasticity. It upregulated genes related to protein synthesis, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid oxidation in the hypothalamus, suggesting reorganization in nutrient utilization and biological synthesis in this brain area.

Conclusions

We observed a complex transcriptome modulation in the hypothalamus of chicken in response to low-energy diet suggesting numerous changes in synaptic plasticity, endocannabinoid regulation, neurotransmission, lipid metabolism, mitochondrial activity and protein synthesis. This global transcriptomic reprogramming could explain the adaptive behavioral response (i.e. increase of feed intake) of the animals to the low-energy content of the diet.

Cellular alterations identified in pluripotent stem cell-derived midbrain spheroids generated from a female patient with progressive external ophthalmoplegia and parkinsonism who carries a novel variation (p.Q811R) in the POLG1 gene

Variations in the POLG1 gene encoding the catalytic subunit of the mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma, have recently been associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), especially in patients diagnosed with progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO). However, the majority of the studies reporting this association mainly focused on the genetic identification of the variation in POLG1 in PD patient primary cells, and determination of mitochondrial DNA copy number, providing little information about the cellular alterations existing in patient brain cells, in particular dopaminergic neurons. Therefore, through the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), we assessed cellular alterations in novel p.Q811R POLG1 (POLG1^Q811R) variant midbrain dopaminergic neuron-containing spheroids (MDNS) from a female patient who developed early-onset PD, and compared them to cultures derived from a healthy control of the same gender. Both POLG1 variant and control MDNS contained functional midbrain regionalized TH/FOXA2-positive dopaminergic neurons, capable of releasing dopamine. Western blot analysis identified the presence of high molecular weight oligomeric alpha-synuclein in POLG1^Q811R MDNS compared to control cultures. In order to assess POLG1^Q811R-related cellular alterations within the MDNS, we applied mass-spectrometry based quantitative proteomic analysis. In total, 6749 proteins were identified, with 61 significantly differentially expressed between POLG1^Q811R and control samples. Pro- and anti-inflammatory signaling and pathways involved in energy metabolism were altered. Notably, increased glycolysis in POLG1^Q811R MDNS was suggested by the increase in PFKM and LDHA levels and confirmed using functional analysis of glycolytic rate and oxygen consumption levels. Our results validate the use of iPSCs to assess cellular alterations in relation to PD pathogenesis, in a unique PD patient carrying a novel p.Q811R variation in POLG1, and identify several altered pathways that may be relevant to PD pathogenesis.

Hemorrhagic transformation after stroke: inter- and intrarater agreement

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a complication of stroke that can occur spontaneously or after treatment. We aimed to assess the inter- and intrarater reliability of HT diagnosis.

METHODS

Studies assessing the reliability of the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study (ECASS) classification of HT or of the presence (yes/no) of HT were systematically reviewed. A total of 18 raters independently examined 30 post-thrombectomy computed tomography scans selected from the Aspiration versus STEnt-Retriever (ASTER) trial. They were asked whether there was HT (yes/no), what the ECASS classification of the particular scan (0/HI1/HI2/PH1/PH2) (HI indicates hemorrhagic infarctions and PH indicates parenchymal hematomas) was and whether they would prescribe an antiplatelet agent if it was otherwise indicated. Agreement was measured with Fleiss' and Cohen's κ statistics.

RESULTS

The systematic review yielded four studies involving few (≤3) raters with heterogeneous results. In our 18-rater study, agreement for the presence of HT was moderate [κ = 0.55; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.41-0.68]. Agreement for ECASS classification was only fair for all five categories, but agreement improved to substantial (κ = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.69-0.75) after dichotomizing the ECASS classification into 0/HI1/HI2/PH1 versus PH2. The inter-rater agreement for the decision to reintroduce antiplatelet therapy was moderate for all raters, but substantial among vascular neurologists (κ = 0.70; 95% CI, 0.57-0.84).

CONCLUSION

The ECASS classification may involve too many categories and the diagnosis of HT may not be easily replicable, except in the presence of a large parenchymal hematoma.

Effect of low incubation temperature and low ambient temperature until 21 days of age on performance and body temperature in fast-growing chickens

Thermal manipulation during embryogenesis was previously reported to decrease the occurrence of ascites and to potentially improve cold tolerance of broilers. The objective of our study was to explore the effects of the interaction of cold incubation temperatures and cool ambient temperatures until 21 d of age on performance and body temperature. Ross 308 eggs were incubated either under control conditions I₀ (37.6°C) or with cyclic cold stimulations I₁ (6 h/d at 36.6°C from d 10 to 18 of incubation) or with 2 cold stimulations I₂ (30 min at 15°C) at d 18 and 19 of incubation. These treatments were followed by individual rearing and postnatal exposure to either standard rearing temperature T₀ (from 33°C at hatching to 21°C at d 21) or continuously lower temperature T₂ (from 28°C at hatching to 21°C at d 21) or exposure to cyclically lower temperature T₁ (with circadian temperature oscillations). Treatments I₁ and I₂ did not significantly alter hatchability compared to control incubation (with 94.8, 95.1, and 92.3%, respectively), or hatching BW and overall chick quality. Hatching body temperature (Tb) was 0.5 and 0.3°C higher in I₁ than in I₀ and I₂ groups, respectively (P = 0.007). A doubled occurrence of health problems was observed with T₂ condition, regardless of incubation or sex. At d 3, BW was 2% lower with treatment I₁ than with I₀ and I₂ and was 3% higher in T₁ and T₂ groups than in T₀, but these effects disappeared with age. Group T₂ presented a 5% higher feed intake than the control group T₀ between 3 and 21 d of age (P = 0.025). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was affected by experimental conditions (P < 0.001), with low FCR values obtained with I₂ incubation in control or cyclically cold postnatal conditions. Maximal FCR values were observed in the continuously cold postnatal conditions, in males submitted to control incubation and in females submitted to I₁ incubation, revealing sex-dependent effects of the treatments on performance.

Improved Detection of New MS Lesions during Follow-Up Using an Automated MR Coregistration-Fusion Method

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

MR imaging is the key examination in the follow-up of patients with MS, by identification of new high-signal T2 brain lesions. However, identifying new lesions when scrolling through 2 follow-up MR images can be difficult and time-consuming. Our aim was to compare an automated coregistration-fusion reading approach with the standard approach by identifying new high-signal T2 brain lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis during follow-up MR imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective monocenter study included 94 patients (mean age, 38.9 years) treated for MS with dimethyl fumarate from January 2014 to August 2016. One senior neuroradiologist and 1 junior radiologist checked for new high-signal T2 brain lesions, independently analyzing blinded image datasets with automated coregistration-fusion or the standard scroll-through approach with a 3-week delay between the 2 readings. A consensus reading with a second senior neuroradiologist served as a criterion standard for analyses. A Poisson regression and logistic and γ regressions were used to compare the 2 methods. Intra- and interobserver agreement was assessed by the κ coefficient.

RESULTS

There were significantly more new high-signal T2 lesions per patient detected with the coregistration-fusion method (7 versus 4, P < .001). The coregistration-fusion method detected significantly more patients with at least 1 new high-signal T2 lesion (59% versus 46%, P = .02) and was associated with significantly faster overall reading time (86 seconds faster, P < .001) and higher reader confidence (91% versus 40%, P < 1 × 10^-4). Inter- and intraobserver agreement was excellent for counting new high-signal T2 lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that an automated coregistration-fusion method was more sensitive for detecting new high-signal T2 lesions in patients with MS and reducing reading time. This method could help to improve follow-up care.

Generation of an induced pluripotent stem cell line (CSC-44) from a Parkinson's disease patient carrying a compound heterozygous mutation (c.823C>T and EX6 del) in the PARK2 gene

Mutations in the PARK2 gene, which encodes PARKIN, are the most frequent cause of autosomal recessive Parkinson's disease (PD). We report the generation of an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line from a 78-year-old patient carrying a compound heterozygous mutation (c.823C>T and EX6del) in the PARK2 gene. Skin fibroblasts were reprogrammed using the non-integrating Sendai virus technology to deliver OCT3/4, SOX2, c-MYC and KLF4 factors. The generated cell line CSC-44 exhibits expression of common pluripotency markers, in vitro differentiation into the three germ layers and normal karyotype. This iPSC line can be used to explore the association between PARK2 mutations and PD.

In vivo setup characterization for pulsed electromagnetic field exposure at 3 GHz

An in vivo setup for pulsed electric field exposure at 3 GHz is proposed and characterized in this work. The exposure system allows far field, whole-body exposure of six animals placed in Plexiglas cages with a circular antenna. Chronic exposures under 18 W incident average power (1-4 kW peak power) and acute exposures under 56 W incident average power (4.7 kW peak power) were considered. Numerical and experimental dosimetry of the setup allowed the accurate calculation of specific absorption rate (SAR) distributions under various exposure conditions. From rat model numerical simulations, the whole-body mean SAR values were 1.3 W kg(-1) under chronic exposures and 4.1 W kg(-1) under acute exposure. The brain-averaged SAR value was 1.8 W kg(-1) and 5.7 W kg(-1) under chronic and acute exposure, respectively. Under acute exposure conditions, a 10 g specific absorption of 1.8  ±  1.1 mJ · kg(-1) value was obtained. With temperature rises below 0.8 °C, as measured or simulated on a gel phantom under typical in vivo exposures, this exposure system provides adequate conditions for in vivo experimental investigations under non-thermal conditions.

Creation of a library of induced pluripotent stem cells from Parkinsonian patients

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are becoming an important source of pre-clinical models for research focusing on neurodegeneration. They offer the possibility for better understanding of common and divergent pathogenic mechanisms of brain diseases. Moreover, iPSCs provide a unique opportunity to develop personalized therapeutic strategies, as well as explore early pathogenic mechanisms, since they rely on the use of patients' own cells that are otherwise accessible only post-mortem, when neuronal death-related cellular pathways and processes are advanced and adaptive. Neurodegenerative diseases are in majority of unknown cause, but mutations in specific genes can lead to familial forms of these diseases. For example, mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 gene lead to the motor neuron disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), while mutations in the SNCA gene encoding for alpha-synuclein protein lead to familial Parkinson's disease (PD). The generations of libraries of familial human ALS iPSC lines have been described, and the iPSCs rapidly became useful models for studying cell autonomous and non-cell autonomous mechanisms of the disease. Here we report the generation of a comprehensive library of iPSC lines of familial PD and an associated synucleinopathy, multiple system atrophy (MSA). In addition, we provide examples of relevant neural cell types these iPSC can be differentiated into, and which could be used to further explore early disease mechanisms. These human cellular models will be a valuable resource for identifying common and divergent mechanisms leading to neurodegeneration in PD and MSA.

Pertinent plasma indicators of the ability of chickens to synthesize and store lipids

Excessive deposition of body fat is detrimental to production efficiency. The aim of this study was to provide plasma indicators of chickens' ability to store fat. From 3 to 9 wk of age, chickens from 2 experimental lines exhibiting a 2.5-fold difference in abdominal fat content and fed experimental diets with contrasted feed energy sources were compared. The diets contained 80 vs. 20 g of lipids and 379 vs. 514 g of starch per kg of feed, respectively, but had the same ME and total protein contents. Cellulose was used to dilute energy in the high-fat diet. At 9 wk of age, the body composition was analyzed and blood samples were collected. A metabolome-wide approach based on proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was associated with conventional measurements of plasma parameters. A metabolomics approach showed that betaine, glutamine, and histidine were the most discriminating metabolites between groups. Betaine, uric acid, triglycerides, and phospholipids were positively correlated (r > 0.3; P < 0.05) and glutamine, histidine, triiodothyronine, homocysteine, and β-hydroxybutyrate were negatively correlated (r < -0.3; P < 0.05) with relative weight of abdominal fat and/or fat situated at the top of external face of the thigh. The combination of plasma free fatty acids, total cholesterol, phospholipid, β-hydroxybutyrate, glutamine, and methionine levels accounted for 74% of the variability of the relative weight of abdominal fat. On the other hand, the combination of plasma triglyceride and homocysteine levels accounted for 37% of the variability of fat situated at the top of external face of the thigh. The variations in plasma levels of betaine, homocysteine, uric acid, glutamine, and histidine suggest the implication of methyl donors in the control of hepatic lipid synthesis and illustrate the interplay between AA, glucose, and lipid metabolisms in growing chickens.

Expression profile of hypothalamic neuropeptides in chicken lines selected for high or low residual feed intake

The R(+) and R(-) chicken lines have been divergently selected for high (R(+)) or low (R(-)) residual feed intake. For the same body weight and egg production, the R(+) chickens consume 40% more food than their counterparts R(-) lines. In the present study we sought to determine the hypothalamic expression profile of feeding-related neuropeptides in these lines maintained under fed or food-deprived conditions. In the fed condition, the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) was 17-fold lower (P<0.05) and the ghrelin receptor was 7-fold higher (P<0.05) in R(+) compared to R(-) chicken lines. The hypothalamic expression of the other studied genes remained unchanged between the two lines. In the fasted state, orexigenic neuropeptide Y and agouti-related peptide were more responsive, with higher significant levels in the R(+) compared to R(-) chickens, while no significant differences were seen for the anorexigenic neuropeptides pro-opiomelanocortin and corticotropin releasing hormone. Interestingly, C-reactive protein, adiponectin receptor 1 and ghrelin receptor gene expression were significantly higher (12-, 2- and 3-folds, respectively), however ghrelin and melanocortin 5 receptor mRNA levels were lower (4- and 2-folds, P=0.05 and P=0.03, respectively) in R(+) compared to R(-) animals. We identified several key feeding-related genes that are differently expressed in the hypothalamus of R(+) and R(-) chickens and that might explain the difference in feed intake observed between the two lines.

Exposure of embryos to cyclically cold incubation temperatures durably affects energy metabolism and antioxidant pathways in broiler chickens

Cyclically cold incubation temperatures have been suggested as a means to improve resistance of broiler chickens to ascites; however, the underlying mechanisms are not known. Nine hundred eggs obtained from 48 wk Ross broiler breeders were randomly assigned to 2 incubation treatments: control I eggs were incubated at 37.6°C throughout, whereas for cold I eggs the incubation temperature was reduced by 1°C for 6 h daily from 10 to 18 d of incubation. Thereafter, chickens were reared at standard temperatures or under cold exposure that was associated or not with a postnatal cold acclimation at d 5 posthatch. At hatch, hepatic catalase activity and malondialdehyde content were measured. Serum thyroid hormone and triglyceride concentrations, and muscle expression of several genes involved in the regulation of energy metabolism and oxidative stress were also measured at hatch and 5 and 25 d posthatch. Cold incubation induced modifications in antioxidant pathways with higher catalase activity, but lower expression of avian uncoupling protein 3 at hatch. However, long-term enhancement in the expression of avian uncoupling protein 3 was observed, probably caused by an increase in the expression of the transcription factor peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α. These effects were not systematically associated with an increase in serum triiodothyronine concentrations that were observed only in chickens exposed to both cold incubation and later acclimation at 5 d with cold rearing. Our results suggest that these conditions of cyclically cold incubation resulted in the long-term in changes in antioxidant pathways and energy metabolism, which could enhance the health of chickens reared under cold conditions.

Thermal manipulation of the embryo modifies the physiology and body composition of broiler chickens reared in floor pens without affecting breast meat processing quality

Selection in broiler chickens has increased muscle mass without similar development of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, resulting in limited ability to sustain high ambient temperatures. The aim of this study was to determine the long-lasting effects of heat manipulation of the embryo on the physiology, body temperature (Tb), growth rate and meat processing quality of broiler chickens reared in floor pens. Broiler chicken eggs were incubated in control conditions (37.8°C, 56% relative humidity; RH) or exposed to thermal manipulation (TM; 12 h/d, 39.5°C, 65% RH) from d 7 to 16 of embryogenesis. This study was planned in a pedigree design to identify possible heritable characters for further selection of broiler chickens to improve thermotolerance. Thermal manipulation did not affect hatchability but resulted in lower Tb at hatching and until d 28 post-hatch, with associated changes in plasma thyroid hormone concentrations. At d 34, chickens were exposed to a moderate heat challenge (5 h, 32°C). Greater O2 saturation and reduced CO2 partial pressure were observed (P < 0.05) in the venous blood of TM than in that of control chickens, suggesting long-term respiratory adaptation. At slaughter age, TM chickens were 1.4% lighter and exhibited 8% less relative abdominal fat pad than controls. Breast muscle yield was enhanced by TM, especially in females, but without significant change in breast meat characteristics (pH, color, drip loss). Plasma glucose/insulin balance was affected (P < 0.05) by thermal treatments. The heat challenge increased the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio in controls (P < 0.05) but not in TM birds, possibly reflecting a lower stress status in TM chickens. Interestingly, broiler chickens had moderate heritability estimates for the plasma triiodothyronine/thyroxine concentration ratio at d 28 and comb temperature during the heat challenge on d 34 (h(2) > 0.17). In conclusion, TM of the embryo modified the physiology of broilers in the long term as a possible adaptation for heat tolerance, without affecting breast meat quality. This study highlights the value of 2 new heritable characters involved in thermoregulation for further broiler selection.

Genetic variability of metabolic characteristics in chickens selected for their ability to digest wheat

Improving feed efficiency remains crucial for poultry production. Birds have previously been selected on their ability to digest their diet, as assessed by AMEn (Apparent ME corrected for 0 nitrogen). Such selection, for either a high (D+) or a low AMEn (D-), affects energy, nitrogen, lipid, and starch digestibility. The aim of this study was to establish whether selection on the digestive ability of birds modified metabolic traits. A total of 630 broiler chickens of the eighth generation of a divergent selection experiment on AMEn were used for this purpose. A balance trial was performed to determine energy, nitrogen, and phosphorus retention. Growth performance was recorded and body protein and lipid deposition assessed by breast and abdominal fat yields. Tibia development and mineralization were also studied and heat production was indirectly assessed through the measurement of body temperature during fasting and feeding. Phenotypic correlations estimated within line showed that an increased efficiency was associated to fatter birds and more solid bones in D- but not in D+ line, whereas increased consumption was associated with more solid bones in D+ but not in D- line. The heritability estimates for metabolic traits were relatively high, except for temperature traits (from 0.08 to 0.12), ranging from 0.28 to 0.56 for body composition, and from 0.38 to 0.77 for bone characteristics. Breast meat yield did not differ between the 2 lines whereas a slight increase in abdominal fat yield was observed in the high-digestion line (D+). The relative dry tibia weights and ash weights were greater in D+ birds (+6.56 and +8.06%, respectively) but the lengths and the diameters of the tibia were lower (-7.89 and -3.77%, respectively). Finally, AMEn was poorly correlated with almost all metabolic traits (ranging from -0.10 to 0.20), indicating that the ability of the animal to digest its diet is genetically independent of post-digestion metabolic traits.

Report from the European Myeloma Network on interphase FISH in multiple myeloma and related disorders

The European Myeloma Network has organized two workshops on fluorescence in situ hybridization in multiple myeloma. The first aimed to identify specific indications and consensus technical approaches of current practice. A second workshop followed a quality control exercise in which 21 laboratories analyzed diagnostic cases of purified plasma cells for recurrent abnormalities. The summary report was discussed at the EHA Myeloma Scientific Working Group Meeting 2010. During the quality control exercise, there was acceptable agreement on more than 1,000 tests. The conclusions from the exercise were that the primary clinical applications for FISH analysis were for newly diagnosed cases of MM or frank relapse cases. A range of technical recommendations included: 1) material should be part of the first draw of the aspirate; 2) samples should be sent at suitable times to allow for the lengthy processing procedure; 3) most importantly, PCs must be purified or specifically identified; 4) positive cut-off levels should be relatively conservative: 10% for fusion or break-apart probes, 20% for numerical abnormalities; 5) informative probes should be combined to best effect; 6) in specialist laboratories, a single experienced analyst is considered adequate; 7) at least 100 PC should be scored; 8) essential abnormalities to test for are t(4;14), t(14;16) and 17p13 deletions; 9) suitable commercial probes should be available for clinically relevant abnormalities; 10) the clinical report should be expressed clearly and must state the percentage of PC involved and the method used for identification; 11) a retrospective European based FISH data bank linked to clinical data should be generated; and 12) prospective analysis should be centralized for upcoming trials based on the recommendations made. The European Myeloma Network aims to build on these recommendations to establish standards for a common European data base to define subgroups with prognostic significance.

Characterization of an alternative transcript of the human CREB3L2 gene

CREB3L2, a member of the CREB3 family of transcription factors, spans >120 kbp and is composed of 12 exons. We characterized a widely expressed transcript of CREB3L2 generated by an intronic polyadenylation site in intron 4 of the gene. It could be translated to a CREB3L2 variant which is localized both in the nucleus and the endoplasmatic reticulum. The protein retains the N-terminal transactivation domain but lacks the DNA-binding domain, the transmembrane domain and the C-terminal part. Experiments using a GAL4 DNA-binding domain fusion model showed that the transcript is a transactivator but it cannot exert its function through the CRE and ATF6 binding sites and has little effect on the GRP78 promoter. Whether this transcript has a cellular function or is targeted for degradation by nonsense-mediated RNA decay system of RNA surveillance is currently unknown.

Effects of heat exposure on Akt/S6K1 signaling and expression of genes related to protein and energy metabolism in chicken (Gallus gallus) pectoralis major muscle

In order to improve understanding of the heat-induced changes in muscle growth, we determined the expression of genes related to protein and energy metabolism in the pectoralis major muscle of chickens. We also explored the protein kinase B (PKB also called Akt)/p70 S6 kinase (S6K1)/S6 pathway that mediates anabolic signals thereby regulating metabolism and hypertrophic/atrophic balance. Four-week-old chickens were exposed to 32 or 22 degrees C for 1 week. Chickens from both groups were then fasted for 16 h or left fed, and submitted to an oral administration of glucose-arginine to induce an anabolic response (30-min treatment) or left untreated. High ambient temperature and the associated decrease in feed intake modified the expression of certain energy-related genes (e.g. -40% for PGC-1alpha) and protein metabolism (e.g. about +80% for atrogin-1), but the expression of several muscle metabolism-related genes considered here was unchanged. The capacity for muscle protein synthesis, i.e. RNA/protein ratio, was reduced in warm conditions (approximately -20%). Slightly lower activation of S6 induced by glucose-arginine treatment was found at 32 degrees C compared to 22 degrees C, which might indicate somewhat lower efficiency of mRNA translation. Analysis of glucose/insulin balance suggested changes in glucose metabolism under heat exposure. However, this remains to be characterized.

dup(19)(q12q13.2): array-based genotype-phenotype correlation of a new possibly obesity-related syndrome

Small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMCs) derived from the near-centromeric area of chromosome 2 are very rare. In addition, duplications of the 2p11.2-->q11.2 region have displayed considerable variability between patients harboring and lacking clinical findings. Moreover, constitutional duplication of the 19q12-->q13.2 region has previously only been described in two cases and was associated with delay of developmental milestones, corpus callosum anomalies, and obesity. Herein, we present a genotype-phenotype correlation in a patient harboring two sSMCs derived from chromosomes 2 and 14 or 22, respectively. The DNA was studied using G-banding, fluorescence in situ hybridization techniques, and array-based comparative genomic hybridization. A 48,XX,+der(2)del(2)(p11)del(2)(q11.2),+der(14)t(14;19)(q11;q12)del(19)(q13.31) or 48,XX,+der(2)del(2)(p11)del(2)(q11.2),+der(22)t(22;19)(q11;q12)del(19)(q13.31) was detected in the patient. The sSMC 14;19 or 22;19, with its centromere originating from either chromosome 14 or 22, encompassed a 13.56 megabase (Mb) 19q derived region, harboring 263 genes, and the sSMC 2 a 2.71 Mb region including 29 genes. The patient had symptoms including a ventral septal defect, bilateral grade IV urinary reflux, corpus callosum agenesis, microphthalmia, and obesity. The 19q segment contained the genes AKT2, CEACAM1, CEBPA, LIPE, and TGFB1 which are involved in adipose tissue homeostasis and insulin resistance, and could potentially contribute to the obese phenotype observed. Array-based genetic characterization and long-term clinical evaluation with attention toward weight gain in patients with chromosome 19q duplications might in the future lead to the description of a obesity-associated genetic syndrome, something that could have implications in management and treatment of patients carrying a dup(19)(q12q13.2). Whether the der(2)(p11q11.2) contributes to the phenotype remains inconclusive.

The beta-adrenergic system is involved in the regulation of the expression of avian uncoupling protein in the chicken

Avian uncoupling protein (avUCP) is orthologous to UCP3, which is suggested to be involved in fatty acid metabolism and to limit the mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species in mammals. In the chicken, the role and regulation of avUCP remain to be clarified. The aim of this study was to explore the control of avUCP expression by the beta-adrenergic system, known to be involved in avian thermoregulation and lipid utilization, and in UCP expression in mammals. Therefore, we measured the expression of avUCP mRNA and protein in the Pectoralis major muscle of chickens injected with the beta(2) agonist isoproterenol, and we investigated the potential pathways involved in the regulation of avUCP mRNA expression. Avian UCP mRNA expression was increased 7-fold 4h after isoproterenol injection, leading to a tendency to a 40% increase in avUCP protein 24h post-injection. This increase was preceded, 30 min after isoproterenol injection, by changes in the chicken thyroid status and in the muscular expression of PPARalpha, PPARbeta/delta, and PPARgamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha). Moreover, the analysis of the avUCP promoter sequence suggested potential binding sites for PPARs and for thyroid hormone receptors. We also detected the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase, which has recently been reported to be involved in UCP3 regulation in mammals. This study presents for the first time evidence of beta-adrenergic control on avUCP messenger expression in chicken muscle and suggests the potential involvement of AMPK and several transcription factors in this regulation.

Microwave exposure of neuronal cellsin vitro: Study of apoptosis

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate microwave (MW) effects on neuronal apoptosis in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human neuroblastoma cells SH-SY5Y were exposed to a 900 MHz global system for mobile communication (GSM) or continuous-wave (CW) radiofrequency fields for 24 h in a wire-patch cell. The specific absorption rates (SAR) used were 2 W/kg for CW and 0.25 W/kg average for GSM. During CW exposure, an increase of 2 degrees C was measured, and controls with cells exposed to 39 degrees C were then performed. Apoptosis rate was assessed immediately or 24 h after exposure using three methods: (i) 4',6-diamino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining; (ii) flow cytometry using double staining with TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and propidium iodide (PI); and (iii) measurement of caspase-3 activity by fluorimetry.

RESULTS

No statistically significant difference in the apoptosis rate was observed between sham and 24 h MW-exposed cells, either GSM-900 at an average SAR of 0.25 W/kg, or CW 900 MHz at a SAR of 2 W/kg, either 0 h or 24 h post-exposure. Furthermore, for CW-exposure, apoptosis rates were comparable between sham-, CW-, 37 degrees C- and 39 degrees C-exposed cells. All three methods used to assess apoptosis were concordant.

CONCLUSION

These results showed that, under the conditions of the present experiment, MW-exposure (either CW or GSM-900) does not significantly increase the apoptosis rate in the human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y.

Expression levels of HMGA2 in adipocytic tumors correlate with morphologic and cytogenetic subgroups

Background

The HMGA2 gene encodes a protein that alters chromatin structure. Deregulation, typically through chromosomal rearrangements, of HMGA2 has an important role in the development of several mesenchymal neoplasms. These rearrangements result in the expression of a truncated protein lacking the acidic C-terminus, a fusion protein consisting of the AT-hook domains encoded by exons 1–3 and parts from another gene, or a full-length protein; loss of binding sites for regulatory microRNA molecules from the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of HMGA2 has been suggested to be a common denominator.

Methods

Seventy adipocytic tumors, representing different morphologic and cytogenetic subgroups, were analyzed by qRT-PCR to study the expression status of HMGA2; 18 of these tumors were further examined by PCR to search for mutations or deletions in the 3'UTR.

Results

Type (full-length or truncated) and level of expression varied with morphology and karyotype, with the highest levels in atypical lipomatous tumors and lipomas with rearrangements of 12q13-15 and the lowest in lipomas with 6p- or 13q-rearrangements, hibernomas, spindle cell lipomas and myxoid liposarcomas. All 18 examined tumors showed reduced or absent expression of the entire, or parts of, the 3'UTR, which was not due to mutations at the DNA level.

Conclusion

In adipocytic tumors with deregulated HMGA2 expression, the 3'UTR is consistently lost, either due to physical disruption of HMGA2 or a shift to production of shorter 3'UTR.

The POU5F1P1 pseudogene encodes a putative protein similar to POU5F1 isoform 1

POU5F1, which encodes a transcriptional factor, has two alternatively spliced transcripts, 1 and 2, as well as six pseudogenes. Transcript 1 is considered to be a key regulator of cellular pluripotency and self-renewal. The POU5F1 pseudogene, POU5F1P1 on 8q24, encodes a protein with 95% homology with the isoform 1 of POU5F1. It is located 15 kbp downstream of the SNP rs6983267, which is strongly associated with an increased risk of prostate and colon cancer, and within the amplified region in a variety of human malignancies. The previous finding of expressed sequence tags suggests that POU5F1P1 can be expressed. We showed that a putative POU5F1P1 protein is localized in the nucleus, acts as a transcriptional activator and regulates the expression in a similar way to the POU5F1 isoform 1. However, POU5F1P1 was a weaker activator than isoform 1 of POU5F1, possibly due to the amino acid substitutions.

[Severe shoulder dystocia: study of 14 cases treated by Jacquemier's maneuver]

OBJECTIVE

Shoulder dystocia is a dreadful complication of vaginal deliveries since it can be responsible of brachial plexus palsies and even neonatal deaths. Unlike most studies, we defined shoulder dystocia as the enclosing of fetal shoulders above the superior strait (cavity station of 1cm) and situations being resolved only by delivery of the posterior arm (Jacquemier's maneuver). The purpose of this study was to analyze cases of shoulder dystocia in terms of maternal and neonatal complications and to compare risk factors with those identified in the literature.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of 14 cases of severe shoulder dystocia (SSD) which occurred at our hospital between January 1995 and January 2007. TSD was diagnosed in the absence of engagement of both fetal shoulders requiring recourse to Jacquemier's maneuver for delivery. Any gestational diabetes, abnormal progression of labour, suspicion or existence of fetal macrosomia, instrumental delivery, and neonatal complications were noted.

RESULTS

The incidence of SSD was around 1 per thousand. Multiparity, weight gain greater than 15kg and gestational diabetes were moderately present in our study group. Only 20% of neonates were macrosomic and 50% had a birth-weight of less than 4000g. In 80% of cases, an instrumental extraction was practised. Brachial plexus injuries affected 20% of neonates, no fracture was observed, one child died following an unresolved SSD.

CONCLUSION

This series shows that the incidence of SSD is rare and difficultly predictable even though identified risk factors exist. However, an instrumental extraction seems frequently associated with SSD and any extraction should take into account the presence of known risk factors. In spite of the severity of our cases of shoulder dystocia, complications found seemed to be similar to those observed in the literature.