Animal movement on the hoof and on the cart and its implications for understanding exchange within the Indus Civilisation

Movement of resources was essential to the survival and success of early complex societies. The sources and destinations of goods and the means of transportation - be it by boats, carts and/or foot - can often be inferred, but the logistics of these movements are inherently more difficult to ascertain. Here, we use strontium isotopic analysis to test hypotheses about the role of animal and animal-powered transport in medium and long-distance movement and exchange, using the Indus Civilization as a case study. Across the wide geographical spread of the Indus Civilisation, there is strong evidence for long-distance exchange of raw materials and finished objects and this process is presumed to involve boats and animal-driven transport, although there is little evidence as to the relative importance of each mode of movement. Strontium isotopic analysis of animal remains from four sites analysed for this study combined with results from nine other sites indicates limited long-distance animal movement between different geological zones within the Indus Civilisation. These findings suggest that individual animals primarily moved short- or medium-distances, though there are several significant exceptions seen in some pigs and cattle found at two large urban sites. We infer that long-distance transport of goods, be it raw materials, finished objects, other goods, or the animals themselves, could have occurred through the use of boats and waterways, by traction animals moving over long distances that did not end up in the archaeological record, and/or by different animals participating in many short to medium-distance movements.

Childhood obesity prevention across borders: A National Institutes of Health commentary

In response to the increasing rates of childhood obesity, the United States and countries across Latin America have invested in research that tests innovative strategies and interventions. Despite this, progress has been slow, uneven, and sporadic, calling for increased knowledge exchange and research collaboration that accelerate the adaptation and implementation of promising childhood obesity interventions. To share research results, challenges, and proven intervention strategies among Latin American and US researchers, particularly those working with Latino and Latin American populations, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) convened researchers from the United States and Latin America to highlight synergies between research conducted in Latin America and among Latino populations in the United States with the goal of catalyzing new relationships and identifying common research questions and strategies. This article highlights the NIH's research and priorities in childhood obesity prevention as well as areas for future direction, including overarching NIH plans and NIH institutes, centers, and offices investments in specific areas related to childhood obesity prevention in Latin America and/or among Latino populations in the United States.

A workshop report on the causes and consequences of sleep health disparities

Sleep deficiencies, which include insufficient or long sleep duration, poor sleep quality, and irregular timing of sleep, are disproportionately distributed among populations that experience health disparities in the United States. Sleep deficiencies are associated with a wide range of suboptimal health outcomes, high-risk health behaviors, and poorer overall functioning and well-being. This report focuses on sleep health disparities (SHDs), which is a term defined as differences in one or more dimensions of sleep health on a consistent basis that adversely affect designated disadvantaged populations. SHDs appear to share many of the same determinants and causal pathways observed for health outcomes with well-known disparities. There also appears to be common behavioral and biological mechanisms that connect sleep with poorer health outcomes, suggesting a link between SHDs and other health disparities observed within these designated populations. In 2018, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research convened a workshop with experts in sleep, circadian rhythms, and health disparities to identify research gaps, challenges, and opportunities to better understand and advance research to address SHDs. The major strategy to address SHDs is to promote integration between health disparity causal pathways and sleep and circadian-related mechanisms in research approaches and study designs. Additional strategies include developing a comprehensive, integrative conceptual model, building transdisciplinary training and research infrastructure, and designing as well as testing multilevel, multifactorial interventions to address SHDs.

Food insecurity and obesity: research gaps, opportunities, and challenges

Food insecurity, defined as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life, is a major public health concern with 11.8% of U.S. households (15.0 million) estimated to be affected at some point in 2017 according to the United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. While the link between food insecurity, diet quality, and obesity is well documented in the literature, additional research and policy considerations are needed to better understand underlying mechanisms, associated risks, and effective strategies to mitigate the adverse impact of obesity related food insecurity on health. With its Strategic Plan for NIH Obesity Research, the NIH has invested in a broad spectrum of obesity research over the past 10 years to understand the multifaceted factors that contribute to the disease. The issue of food insecurity, obesity and nutrition is cross-cutting and relates to many activities and research priorities of the institutes and centers within the NIH. Several research gaps exist, including the mechanisms and pathways that underscore the complex relationship between food insecurity, diet, and weight outcomes, the impacts on pregnant and lactating women, children, and other vulnerable populations, its cumulative impact over the life course, and the development of effective multi-level intervention strategies to address this critical social determinant of health. Challenges and barriers such as the episodic nature of food insecurity and the inconsistencies of how food insecurity is measured in different studies also remain. Overall, food insecurity research aligns with the upcoming release of the Strategic Plan for NIH Nutrition Research and will continue to be prioritized in order to enhance health, lengthen life, reduce illness and disability and health disparities.

Independent Validation of a Self-Report Version of the IBD Disability Index (IBDDI) in a Population-Based Cohort of IBD Patients

INTRODUCTION

A new clinician-administered inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) Disability Index (IBDDI) was recently developed and validated among a population in France. We aimed to validate the IBDDI in a North American setting and adapt for use as a self-report tool.

METHODS

Persons 18-65 years old from the population-based University of Manitoba IBD Research Registry were mailed a self-administered survey. This survey included the IBDDI and several scales that should correlate with a disability measure- the World Health Organization (WHO) Disability Assessment Scale (WHODAS) 2.0, Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ), and the K6-Kessler Emotional Distress Scale. We used Pearson correlation coefficients to assess construct validity, Cronbach's alpha to assess internal consistency, and Factor analysis to assess which of the IBDDI items likely belonged to a single IBD-related disability factor.

RESULTS

In response to the survey request,1143 (46% of those contacted) participated (61% female, mean age 51, 52% with Crohn's disease). On an index scale from 0-100, 14% had a score ≥50 (extreme disability, 18% of those with Crohn's disease; 10% of those with ulcerative colitis). There were strong correlations between IBDDI and WSAS (0.76), WHODAS (0.76), K6 (0.73), and an inverse correlation with IBDQ (-0.86). The Cronbach's alpha was high (0.88). All but 2 items (number of liquid stools in the past week and arthritis/arthralgia) of the 14 identified for IBDDI loaded highly onto a single factor (factor loading > 0.40).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings support the validity of this new self-report version of the IBDDI as a sound measure of disability in IBD.

Factors Associated with Anxiety About Colonoscopy: The Preparation, the Procedure, and the Anticipated Findings

BACKGROUND

Previous research has assessed anxiety around colonoscopy procedures, but has not considered anxiety related to different aspects related to the colonoscopy process.

AIMS

Before colonoscopy, we assessed anxiety about: bowel preparation, the procedure, and the anticipated results. We evaluated associations between patient characteristics and anxiety in each area.

METHODS

An anonymous survey was distributed to patients immediately prior to their outpatient colonoscopy in six hospitals and two ambulatory care centers in Winnipeg, Canada. Anxiety was assessed using a visual analog scale. For each aspect, logistic regression models were used to explore associations between patient characteristics and high anxiety.

RESULTS

A total of 1316 respondents completed the questions about anxiety (52% female, median age 56 years). Anxiety scores > 70 (high anxiety) were reported by 18% about bowel preparation, 29% about the procedure, and 28% about the procedure results. High anxiety about bowel preparation was associated with female sex, perceived unclear instructions, unfinished laxative, and no previous colonoscopies. High anxiety about the procedure was associated with female sex, no previous colonoscopies, and confusing instructions. High anxiety about the results was associated with symptoms as an indication for colonoscopy and instructions perceived as confusing.

CONCLUSIONS

Fewer people had high anxiety about preparation than about the procedure and findings of the procedure. There are unique predictors of anxiety about each colonoscopy aspect. Understanding the nuanced differences in aspects of anxiety may help to design strategies to reduce anxiety, leading to improved acceptance of the procedure, compliance with preparation instructions, and less discomfort with the procedure.

An integrated pharmacokinetic/pharmacogenomic analysis of ABCB1 and SLCO1B1 polymorphisms on edoxaban exposure

Edoxaban and its low-abundance, active metabolite M4 are substrates of P-glycoprotein (P-gp; MDR1) and organic anion transporter protein 1B1 (OATP1B1), respectively, and pharmacological inhibitors of P-gp and OATP1B1 can affect edoxaban and M4 pharmacokinetics (PK). In this integrated pharmacogenomic analysis, genotype and concentration-time data from 458 healthy volunteers in 14 completed phase 1 studies were pooled to examine the impact on edoxaban PK parameters of allelic variants of ABCB1 (rs1045642: C3435T) and SLCO1B1 (rs4149056: T521C), which encode for P-gp and OATP1B1. Although some pharmacologic inhibitors of P-gp and OATP1B1 increase edoxaban exposure, neither the ABCB1 C3435T nor the SLCO1B1 T521C polymorphism affected edoxaban PK. A slight elevation in M4 exposure was observed among SLCO1B1 C-allele carriers; however, this elevation is unlikely to be clinically significant as plasma M4 concentrations comprise <10% of total edoxaban levels.

Living gluten-free: adherence, knowledge, lifestyle adaptations and feelings towards a gluten-free diet

BACKGROUND

A gluten-free diet (GFD) requires tremendous dedication, involving substantive changes to diet and lifestyle that may have a significant impact upon quality of life. The present study aimed io assess dietary adherence, knowledge of a GFD, and the emotional and lifestyle impact of a GFD.

METHODS

Community dwelling adults following a GFD completed a questionnaire with items related to reasons for avoiding gluten, diagnostic testing, GFD adherence, knowledge and sources of information about a GFD, the Work and Social Adjustment Scale, and the effect of a GFD diet on lifestyle, feelings and behaviours.

RESULTS

Strict GFD adherence among the 222 coeliac disease (CD) patients was 56%. Non-CD individuals (n = 38) were more likely to intentionally ingest gluten (odds ratio = 3.7; 95% confidence interval = 1.4-9.4). The adverse impact of a GFD was modest but most pronounced in the social domain. Eating shifted from the public to the domestic sphere and there were feelings of social isolation. Affective responses reflected resilience because acceptance and relief were experienced more commonly than anxiety or anger. Non-CD respondents were less knowledgeable and less likely to consult health professionals. They experienced less anger and depression and greater pleasure in eating than CD respondents.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings obtained in the present suggest there is good potential for positive adaptation to the demands of a GFD; nevertheless, there is a measurable degree of social impairment that merits further study. The GFD may be a viable treatment option for conditions other than CD; however, education strategies regarding the need for diagnostic testing to exclude CD are required.

Religion, kinship and health behaviors of African American women

A positive relationship exists between functional health and religion. We present an empirical definition of religion and describe the key elements of religious behavior, building a model that can be used to explore the presumed relationship between religion and health. Semi-structured interactive interviews were conducted with 22 participants over a 6-month period. Head Start programs and churches located in the inner city of a large metropolitan area. Twenty-two African American women were aged from 21 to 45. We focus on social relationships and propose that prophet-created religions mimic kinship relationships and encourage kinship-like cooperation between members.

U.S. Cohort Differences in Body Composition Outcomes of a 6-Month Pedometer-Based Physical Activity Intervention: The ASUKI Step Study

Background:

Regular physical activity (PA) enhances health and is an important factor in disease prevention and longevity. The 2008 U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines recommends that all healthy adults attain at least 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity aerobic PA (e.g., brisk walking) to maintain and promote PA.

Objectives:

This study determined the effects of a 6-month pedometer-based worksite walking intervention with participants focusing on a goal of achieving 10,000 steps per day, on body composition in adults with a wide range of body mass index (BMI) values and compares the changes with outcomes of similar studies.

Materials and Methods:

The design was a single group, quasi-experimental study. All participants received a pedometer and were asked to register the daily number of steps. Men and women (n = 142; age = 41 ± 11.5 years; BMI = 27.2 ± 7.25 kg.m^-2) received body composition measures at 1, 3, and 6 months. A multilevel growth modeling approach was used to explore change over time and to predict change by steps, age, gender, and fat category categorized as normal and overweight/obese.

Results:

Significant individual differences in linear slopes and change over time were observed for waist circumference (WC) (-3.0 cm) only in unconditional model (t = -0.67, P = 0.02).

Conclusions:

A 3.0 cm loss in WC shows that a 10,000 step per day walking program has the potential to influence changes in body composition measures that are correlated with adverse health outcomes. While significant changes did occur there are some limitations. The analysis did not consider the data regarding completing of 10,000 steps per day and other potential factors that could influence the results. Compliance to the walking dose and initial physical activity and body composition levels are important to consider when studying body composition changes in such programs.

Clinical features and treatment outcomes of 41 dogs with sublingual ectopic thyroid neoplasia

Background

Thyroid neoplasia is common in dogs, but there are few reports of dogs with ectopic, sublingual thyroid tumors.

Objectives

To describe clinical features and outcomes of dogs with ectopic, sublingual thyroid neoplasia.

Animals

Five hundred and forty‐four dogs with thyroid neoplasia.

Methods

This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of dogs referred for thyroid neoplasia between 1995 and 2013. Data extracted included signalment, extent of thyroid disease (eutopic or ectopic; metastasis), serum thyroxine (T₄) concentration, treatment, and survival.

Results

Of 544 dogs with thyroid neoplasia, 41 (7.5%) dogs had ectopic sublingual thyroid tumors. The clinical features of these 41 dogs were similar to the cohort group of 503 dogs with eutopic or ectopic mediastinal thyroid tumors, but dogs with sublingual tumors were younger and less likely to have metastatic disease (15% versus 30%, P < .05). Of the 41 dogs, 28 received treatment: 21 with surgery (which included partial hyoidectomy in 13), 7 with radioiodine alone, and 13 with surgery followed by administration of radioiodine. Overall median survival was 562 days (range, 1‐1,850 days).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

When compared with eutopic thyroid carcinomas, ectopic sublingual thyroid tumors generally have a less aggressive biologic behavior. Many dogs have prolonged survival, even without treatment, although death because of local tumor invasiveness or metastasis can develop in some dogs. Surgical thyroidectomy, including partial hyoidectomy, is generally effective for control of local disease. Administration of radioiodine, alone or in combination with surgical treatment, is recommended for multifocal disease or metastasis.

Predicting complicated Crohn's disease and surgery: phenotypes, genetics, serology and psychological characteristics of a population-based cohort

BACKGROUND

Predictors of complicated Crohn's disease (CD), defined as stricturing or penetrating behaviour, and surgery have largely been derived from referral centre populations.

AIM

To investigate whether serological markers, susceptibility genes or psychological characteristics are associated with complicated CD or surgery in a population-based cohort.

METHODS

One hundred and eighty-two members of the Manitoba IBD Cohort with CD phenotyped using the Montreal classification underwent genetic and serological analysis at enrolment and after 5 years. One hundred and twenty-seven had paired sera at baseline and 5 years later and their data were used to predict outcomes at a median of 9.3 years. Serological analysis consisted of a seven antibody panel, and DNA was tested for CD-associated NOD2 variants (rs2066845,rs2076756,rs2066847), ATG16L1 (rs3828309, rs2241880) and IL23R (rs11465804). Psychological characteristics were assessed using semi-structured interviews and validated survey measures.

RESULTS

Sixty-five per cent had complicated CD and 42% underwent surgery. Multivariate analysis indicated that only ASCA IgG-positive serology was predictive of stricturing/penetrating behaviour (OR = 3.01; 95% CI: 1.28-7.09; P = 0.01) and ileal CD (OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.07-4.54, P = 0.03). Complicated CD behaviour was strongly associated with surgery (OR = 5.6; 95% CI: 2.43-12.91; P < 0.0001), whereas in multivariate analysis, only ASCA IgG was associated (OR = 2.66; 95% CI, 1.40-5.06, P = 0.003). ASCA titre results were similar at baseline and follow-up. Psychological characteristics were not significantly associated with disease behaviour, serological profile or genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

ASCA IgG at baseline was significantly associated with stricturing/penetrating disease at 9-10 years from diagnosis. Stricturing/penetrating disease was significantly associated with surgery. In a model including serology, the genotypes assessed did not significantly associate with complicated disease or surgery.

CXCR4 activation maintains a stem cell population in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells through AhR signalling

Background:

Tamoxifen is commonly used for breast cancer therapy. However, tamoxifen resistance is an important clinical problem. Continuous treatment with conventional therapy may contribute to cancer progression in recurring cancers through the accumulation of drug-resistant cancer progenitors.

Methods:

To investigate signalling mechanisms important for the maintenance and viability of drug-resistant cancer progenitors, we used microarray analysis, PCR array for genes involved in cancer drug resistance and metabolism, flow cytometry, soft agar colony formation assay, in vivo tumourigenicity assay and immunohistochemical analysis using tamoxifen-sensitive and tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer MCF7 cells.

Results:

Downregulation of CXCR4 signalling by small molecule antagonist AMD3100 specifically inhibits growth of progenitor cell population in MCF7(TAM-R) cells both in vitro and in vivo. Microarray analysis revealed aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signalling as one of the top networks that is differentially regulated in MCF7(TAM-R) and MCF7 xenograft tumours treated with AMD3100. Further, small molecule antagonists of AhR signalling specifically inhibit the progenitor population in MCF7(TAM-R) cells and growth of MCF7(TAM-R) xenografts in vivo.

Conclusion:

The chemokine receptor CXCR4 maintains a cancer progenitor population in tamoxifen-resistant MCF7 cells through AhR signalling and could be a putative target for the treatment of tamoxifen-resistant breast cancers.

Risk factors for immersion pulmonary edema: hyperoxia does not attenuate pulmonary hypertension associated with cold water-immersed prone exercise at 4.7 ATA

Hyperoxia has been shown to attenuate the increase in pulmonary artery (PA) pressure associated with immersed exercise in thermoneutral water, which could serve as a possible preventive strategy for the development of immersion pulmonary edema (IPE). We tested the hypothesis that the same is true during exercise in cold water. Six healthy volunteers instrumented with arterial and PA catheters were studied during two 16-min exercise trials during prone immersion in cold water (19.9-20.9°C) in normoxia [0.21 atmospheres absolute (ATA)] and hyperoxia (1.75 ATA) at 4.7 ATA. Heart rate (HR), Fick cardiac output (CO), mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP), central venous pressure (CVP), arterial and venous blood gases, and ventilatory parameters were measured both early (E, 5-6 min) and late (L, 15-16 min) in exercise. During exercise at an average oxygen consumption rate (Vo(2)) of 2.38 l/min, [corrected] CO, CVP, and pulmonary vascular resistance were not affected by inspired (Vo(2)) [corrected] or exercise duration. Minute ventilation (Ve), alveolar ventilation (Va), and ventilation frequency (f) were significantly lower in hyperoxia compared with normoxia (mean ± SD: Ve 58.8 ± 8.0 vs. 65.1 ± 9.2, P = 0.003; Va 40.2 ± 5.4 vs. 44.2 ± 9.0, P = 0.01; f 25.4 ± 5.4 vs. 27.2 ± 4.2, P = 0.04). Mixed venous pH was lower in hyperoxia compared with normoxia (7.17 ± 0.07 vs. 7.20 ± 0.07), and this result was significant early in exercise (P = 0.002). There was no difference in mean PAP (MPAP: 28.28 ± 8.1 and 29.09 ± 14.3 mmHg) or PAWP (18.0 ± 7.6 and 18.7 ± 8.7 mmHg) between normoxia and hyperoxia, respectively. PAWP decreased from early to late exercise in hyperoxia (P = 0.002). These results suggest that the increase in pulmonary vascular pressures associated with cold water immersion is not attenuated with hyperoxia.

Comt1 genotype and expression predicts anxiety and nociceptive sensitivity in inbred strains of mice

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a ubiquitously expressed enzyme that maintains basic biologic functions by inactivating catechol substrates. In humans, polymorphic variance at the COMT locus has been associated with modulation of pain sensitivity and risk for developing psychiatric disorders. A functional haplotype associated with increased pain sensitivity was shown to result in decreased COMT activity by altering mRNA secondary structure-dependent protein translation. However, the exact mechanisms whereby COMT modulates pain sensitivity and behavior remain unclear and can be further studied in animal models. We have assessed Comt1 gene expression levels in multiple brain regions in inbred strains of mice and have discovered that Comt1 is differentially expressed among the strains, and this differential expression is cis-regulated. A B2 short interspersed nuclear element (SINE) was inserted in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of Comt1 in 14 strains generating a common haplotype that correlates with gene expression. Experiments using mammalian expression vectors of full-length cDNA clones with and without the SINE element show that strains with the SINE haplotype (+SINE) have greater Comt1 enzymatic activity. +SINE mice also exhibit behavioral differences in anxiety assays and decreased pain sensitivity. These results suggest that a haplotype, defined by a 3'-UTR B2 SINE element, regulates Comt1 expression and some mouse behaviors.

Thymine Starvation and Single-Strand Breaks in Chromosomal Deoxyribonucleic acid of Escherichia coli

Single-strand breaks, as measured by the McGrath and Williams procedure, occur in chromosomal deoxyribonucleic acid of Escherichia coli cells during thymine starvation.

Childhood abuse, adult health, and health care utilization: results from a representative community sample

The long-term consequences of childhood abuse on adult mental health have been a major focus of research. Much less attention has been directed to its effects on physical health outcomes. By use of data from the Ontario Health Survey (n = 9,953), the association between retrospective reports of childhood physical and sexual abuse and adult health and health care utilization was examined in men and women. The population health survey was conducted from November 1990 to March 1991 in the Canadian province of Ontario. An association of moderate strength was found between childhood abuse and multiple health problems, poor or fair self-rated health, pain that interferes with activities, disability due to physical health problems, and frequent emergency room and health professional visits but not frequent general practitioner visits. These effects were more pronounced in females and younger respondents. The strength of the associations reported here with odds ratios of 1.3-2.2 was lower than that found between childhood abuse and adult mental health, with odds ratios of 1.9-3.4. Given the growing evidence of the long-term effects of childhood abuse, greater efforts are clearly needed in developing more effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of child abuse.

Association between β-adrenergic receptor polymorphisms and their G-protein-coupled receptors with body mass index and obesity in women: a report from the NHLBI-sponsored WISE study

OBJECTIVES

The beta-adrenergic receptor (betaAR) genes are candidate genes for obesity because of their roles in energy homeostasis and promotion of lipolysis in human adipose tissue. Objective is to determine the association between obesity and polymorphisms in genes of the beta(1)AR (ADRB1), beta(2)AR (ADRB2), beta(3)AR (ADRB3), Gs protein alpha (GNAS1), to which all three beta-receptors couple and the G protein beta3 subunit (GNB3), to which beta(3)ARs couple.

DESIGN

A case-control genetic association study.

SUBJECTS

A total of 643 black or white women enrolled in Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) study.

MEASUREMENTS

Genotypes were determined by PCR with single primer extension. Associations between genotype and body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist circumference, and obesity were made.

RESULTS

Polymorphisms in the three betaAR genes, GNAS1, and GNB3 were not associated with BMI, WHR, waist circumference, or obesity. Linear and logistic regression analyses found no contribution of either genotype or haplotype with anthropometric measurements or obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that among American women with suspected coronary heart disease, polymorphisms in the betaARs and their G-protein-coupled receptors do not contribute to increased BMI, WHR, waist circumference, or obesity. Given that 50% of all women die from coronary heart disease, and a higher percentage have heart disease during their lifetime, our results are likely generalizable to many American women.

Using protein-based motifs to stabilize peptides

While the use of synthetically derived novel inhibitor peptides as a source of new therapeutics for medicine remains incredibly promising, there is a major problem with implementing this technology, as many synthetic peptides have proven to be unstable and are degraded by peptidases in the host cell. In this study, we have investigated methods by which peptides can be stabilized using protein-based motifs in order to prevent the action of peptidases. Using an in vivo approach our laboratory developed to screen for synthetic peptides which can inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli, we found that protecting the amino or carboxyl terminus of the peptides via fusion to the very stable Rop protein, or the incorporation of two proline residues, increased the frequency at which potent inhibitor peptides could be isolated. Using an in vitro degradation assay in which extracts from several different cell types were tested, we demonstrated that peptides stabilized with multiple proline residues were more resistant to degradation than peptides stabilized by amidation or acetylation, two approaches that are routinely utilized to improve the stability of peptide drugs.

Optimized protocol for linear RNA amplification and application to gene expression profiling of human renal biopsies

Gene expression analysis using high-density cDNA or oligonucleotide arrays is a rapidly emerging tool for transcriptomics, the analysis of the transcriptional state of a cell or organ. One of the limitations of current methodologies is the requirement of a relatively large amount of total or polyadenylated RNA as starting material. Standard array hybridization protocols require 5-15 micrograms labeled RNA. To obtain these quantities from small amounts of starting RNA material, RNA can be amplified in a linear fashion. Here we introduce an optimized protocol for rapid and easy-to-use amplification of as little as 1 ng total RNA. Our analysis shows that this method is linear and highly reproducible and that it preserves similarities as well as dissimilarities between normal and disease-related samples. We applied this technique to the RNA expression profiling of human renal allograft biopsies with normal histology and compared them to the profiles of renal biopsies with histological evidence of chronic transplant nephropathy or chronic rejection. Among others, complement component C1r was found to be significantly up-regulated in chronic rejection and chronic transplant nephropathy biopsies compared to normal samples, while fructose-1,6-biphosphatase showed lower-than-normal expression.

Parental benefits, employment, and fertility dynamics

"This paper investigates the effect of parental benefits on the timing and spacing of births and on employment dynamics of Swedish women. Using microdata on wages and incomes, I estimate a reduced-form multistate duration model of the bivariate life-cycle fertility and employment process. The paper provides an example of the application of empirical procedures to develop and evaluate multistate hazard models. Estimation results are mixed, with estimated wage effects generally consistent with theoretical predications while estimated effects of the benefits are not. The evaluation procedures offer valuable diagnostic information and suggest several avenues for future research."

An in vivo study of novel bioactive peptides that inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli

We have created a system in which synthetically produced novel bioactive peptides can be expressed in vivo in Escherichia coli. Twenty thousand of these peptides were screened and 21 inhibitors were found that could inhibit the growth of E. coli on minimal media. The inhibitors could be placed into one of two groups, 1-day inhibitors, which were partially inhibitory, and 2-day inhibitors, which were completely inhibitory. Sequence analysis showed that two of the most potent inhibitors were actually peptide-protein chimeras in which the peptides had become fused to the 63 amino acid Rop protein which was also contained in the expression vector used in this study. Given that Rop is known to form an incredibly stable structure, it could be serving as a stabilizing motif for these peptides. Sequence analysis of the predicted coding regions from the next 10 most inhibitory peptides showed that four of the 10 peptides contained one or more proline residues either at or very near the C-terminal end of the peptide which could act to prevent degradation by peptidases. Collectively, based on what we observed in our screen of synthetic bioactive peptides that could prevent the growth of E. coli and what has been learned from structural studies of naturally occurring bioactive peptides, the presence of a stabilizing motif seems to be important for small peptides, if they are to be biologically active.

Anxiety sensitivity and major depression: examination of affective state dependence

An emerging body of research suggests that anxiety sensitivity (AS), and particularly a facet of AS labelled fear of cognitive dyscontrol, is elevated in depressed individuals and is associated with severity of depressed mood. The current prospective study extended previous work by investigating the extent of affective state dependency in the AS-depression relationship in 51 patients who had major depressive episode (MDE) at baseline assessment (Time 1) and did not have MDE 1 year later at follow-up (Time 2). Despite considerable reduction in severity of depressed mood, scores on the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (M=27) remained elevated. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that, after controlling for both Time 1 and Time 2 depression severity, Time 1 AS continued to predict residual Time 2 AS and increased prediction of variance from approximately 25% to 50%. Time 1 fear of cognitive dyscontrol AS continued to significantly predict Time 2 fear of cognitive dyscontrol AS when Time 2 fear of physical symptoms AS was statistically controlled. A subsample of recovered patients who displayed only minimal depression symptoms was compared to a matched sample of community controls. While the two groups did not significantly differ on level of depressed mood, the formerly depressed patients had significantly higher levels of AS. Implications for a proposed "depression sensitivity" are discussed.

Structure of the Ku heterodimer bound to DNA and its implications for double-strand break repair

The Ku heterodimer (Ku70 and Ku80 subunits) contributes to genomic integrity through its ability to bind DNA double-strand breaks and facilitate repair by the non-homologous end-joining pathway. The crystal structure of the human Ku heterodimer was determined both alone and bound to a 55-nucleotide DNA element at 2.7 and 2.5 A resolution, respectively. Ku70 and Ku80 share a common topology and form a dyad-symmetrical molecule with a preformed ring that encircles duplex DNA. The binding site can cradle two full turns of DNA while encircling only the central 3-4 base pairs (bp). Ku makes no contacts with DNA bases and few with the sugar-phosphate backbone, but it fits sterically to major and minor groove contours so as to position the DNA helix in a defined path through the protein ring. These features seem well designed to structurally support broken DNA ends and to bring the DNA helix into phase across the junction during end processing and ligation.

The physiological effects and metabolic alterations caused by the expression of Rhizobium etli pyruvate carboxylase in Escherichia coli

Oxaloacetate (OAA) plays an important role in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and for the biosynthesis of a variety of cellular compounds. Some microorganisms, such as Rhizobium etli and Corynebacterium glutamicum, are able to synthesize OAA during growth on glucose via either of the enzymes pyruvate carboxylase (PYC) or phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PPC). Other microorganisms, including Escherichia coli, synthesize OAA during growth on glucose only via PPC because they lack PYC. In this study we have examined the effect that the R. etli PYC has on the physiology of E. coli. The expressed R. etli PYC was biotinylated by the native biotin holoenzyme synthase of E. coli and displayed kinetic properties similar to those reported for alpha4 PYC enzymes from other sources. R. etli PYC was able to restore the growth of an E. coli ppc null mutant in minimal glucose medium, and PYC expression caused increased carbon flow towards OAA in wild-type E. coli cells without affecting the glucose uptake rate or the growth rate. During aerobic glucose metabolism, expression of PYC resulted in a 56% increase in biomass yield and a 43% decrease in acetate yield. During anaerobic glucose metabolism, expression of PYC caused a 2.7-fold increase in succinate concentration, making it the major product by mass. The increase in succinate came mainly at the expense of lactate formation. However, in a mutant lacking lactate dehydrogenase activity, expression of PYC resulted in only a 1.7-fold increase in succinate concentration. The decreased enhancement of succinate formation in the /dh mutant was hypothesized to be due to accumulation of pyruvate and NADH, metabolites that affect the interconversion of the active and inactive form of the enzyme pyruvate formate-lyase.

Psychological vulnerabilities in patients with major depression vs panic disorder

The tripartite model (Clark & Watson, 1991: Clark, L. A., & Watson, D. (1991). Tripartite model of anxiety and depression: Psychometric evidence and taxonomic implications. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 100, 316-336) posits that anxiety and depression share nonspecific features of neuroticism but that somatic arousal appears unique to anxiety, and low positive affect appears unique to depression. The present study controlled for these higher-order effects and evaluated the relative contributions of four, specific lower-order vulnerabilities (anxiety sensitivity, rumination, self-criticism, self-oriented perfectionism). Participants were 38 depressed patients and 38 patients with panic disorder matched as closely as possible for age and gender, and all were diagnosed using the same structured interview by an experienced clinician. Results from hierarchical logistic regression analysis were consistent with predictions from the tripartite model in that only the unique features of arousal and positive affectivity differentiated the two diagnostic groups. At a lower-order level, only anxiety sensitivity (and its facet of fear of physical symptoms) and a ruminative response style demonstrated incremental predictive ability. The discussion focuses on the relationships among these higher-order and lower-order variables, and their potential importance for understanding specific manifestations of psychopathology.

Genome-wide expression analysis reveals dysregulation of myelination-related genes in chronic schizophrenia

Neuropathological and brain imaging studies suggest that schizophrenia may result from neurodevelopmental defects. Cytoarchitectural studies indicate cellular abnormalities suggestive of a disruption in neuronal connectivity in schizophrenia, particularly in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Yet, the molecular mechanisms underlying these findings remain unclear. To identify molecular substrates associated with schizophrenia, DNA microarray analysis was used to assay gene expression levels in postmortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic and control patients. Genes determined to have altered expression levels in schizophrenics relative to controls are involved in a number of biological processes, including synaptic plasticity, neuronal development, neurotransmission, and signal transduction. Most notable was the differential expression of myelination-related genes suggesting a disruption in oligodendrocyte function in schizophrenia.

Fear: the impact and treatment of social phobia

Social phobia is the most common anxiety disorder in the community with a prevalence rate in the range of 5-8%. The problem most often emerges in childhood or adolescence. Individuals with generalized social phobia are at risk of developing other psychiatric disorders such as major depression, alcohol abuse and other anxiety disorders. Sufferers of social phobia often do not seek treatment until they encounter difficulty with comorbid disorders. Recent research indicates that social anxiety disorder is associated with higher levels of disability and greater reductions in quality of life than previously understood, with difficulties encountered in social relationships, education and employment. In previous years, there has been little or no known available effective treatment, and the disorder frequently goes unrecognized in primary care. However, new pharmacological (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, SSRIs) and psychological treatments are emerging that are able to produce significant symptom reduction and improvements in functioning and quality of life. In recent years, the SSRIs have been the focus of considerable research and are becoming one of the first-line treatments for social phobia. Early intervention in social phobia may improve quality of life, reduce disability and reduce the development of comorbid disorders.

Social phobia and potential childhood risk factors in a community sample

BACKGROUND

This study examined the relationship between potential childhood risk factors and social phobia in an epidemiological sample. Identifying risk factors such as childhood adversities can often uncover important clues as to the aetiology of a disorder. This information also enables health care providers to predict which individuals are most likely to develop the disorder.

METHODS

Data came from the Mental Health Supplement to the Ontario Health Survey of a survey of 8116 Canadian respondents, aged 15-64. Social phobia was diagnosed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Childhood risk factors were assessed by a series of standardized questions.

RESULTS

A positive relationship was observed between social phobia and lack of close relationship with an adult, not being first born (in males only), marital conflict in the family of origin, parental history of mental disorder, moving more than three times as a child, juvenile justice and child welfare involvement, running away from home, childhood physical and sexual abuse, failing a grade, requirement of special education before age 9 and dropping out of high school. Many of these variables remained significant after controlling for phobias, major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse. The data also suggest that some childhood risk factors may interact with gender to influence the development of social phobia.

CONCLUSIONS

Although an association was detected between social phobia and childhood risk factors, naturalistic prospective studies are needed to clarify the aetiological importance of these and other potential risk factors for the disorder.

Sertraline treatment of generalized social phobia: a 20-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

OBJECTIVE

The authors evaluated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, in the treatment of generalized social phobia.

METHOD

Adult outpatients with generalized social phobia (N=204) from 10 Canadian centers were randomly assigned to receive sertraline or placebo in a 2:1 ratio for a 20-week double-blind study following a 1-week, single-blind, placebo run-in. The initial dose of sertraline was 50 mg/day with increases of 50 mg/day every 3 weeks permitted after the fourth week of treatment (dosing was flexible up to a maximum of 200 mg/day). Primary efficacy assessments were the percentage of patients rated much or very much improved on the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) improvement item and the mean changes from baseline to study endpoint in total score on the social phobia subscale of the Marks Fear Questionnaire and total score on the Brief Social Phobia Scale.

RESULTS

In intent-to-treat endpoint analyses of 203 of the patients, significantly more of the 134 patients given sertraline (N=71 [53%]) than of the 69 patients receiving placebo (N=20 [29%]) were considered responders according to their CGI improvement scores at the end of treatment. The mean reductions in the social phobia subscale of the Marks Fear Questionnaire and in the total score on the Brief Social Phobia Scale were 32.6% and 34.3% in the sertraline group and 10.8% and 18.6% in the placebo group, respectively. Analysis of covariance showed superiority of sertraline over placebo on all primary and secondary efficacy measures. Sertraline was well tolerated: 103 (76%) of the 135 sertraline-treated patients and 54 (78%) of the 69 placebo-treated patients completed the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Sertraline is an effective treatment for patients with generalized social phobia.

Defective initiation in an Escherichia coli dnaA(Cs,Sx) mutant

Mutations in the Escherichia coli gene for initiation of DNA replication, dnaA, which suppress the polymerization defect and growth inhibition caused by temperature-sensitive (Ts) mutations in the polymerization gene, dnaX, are called Cs,Sx. We show here that these mutations, on their own, also cause defects in initiation, including inhibition of initiation at both low (20 degrees C) and high (44 degrees C) temperatures and asynchronous initiation at both the permissive (34 degrees C) and suppression (39 degrees C) temperatures. These findings suggests a relationship between partially defective initiation and suppression of the polymerization defect, both of which occur at 39 degrees C.

Prevention of relapse in generalized social phobia: results of a 24-week study in responders to 20 weeks of sertraline treatment

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, and effects on quality of life of sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, in the prevention of relapse of generalized social phobia. Fifty adult outpatients with generalized social phobia who were rated much or very much improved on the Clinical Global Impression Scale of Improvement (CGI-I) after 20 weeks of sertraline treatment (50-200 mg/day) were randomly assigned in a one-to-one ratio to either continue double-blind treatment with sertraline or immediately switch to placebo for another 24 weeks. The initial 20-week study was placebo-controlled, and 15 responders to placebo also continued to receive double-blind placebo treatment in the continuation study. Eighty-eight percent of patients in the sertraline-continuation group and only 40% of patients in the placebo-switch and placebo-responder groups completed the study. In intent-to-treat endpoint analyses, 1 (4%) of 25 patients in the sertraline-continuation group and 9 (36%) of 25 patients in the placebo-switch group had relapsed at study endpoint (chi2 = 8.0, Fisher exact test, p = 0.01). The relative risk (hazards ratio) for relapse associated with placebo-switch relative to sertraline-continuation treatment was 10.2 (95% confidence interval, 1.3-80.7). Mean CGI-Severity, Marks Fear Questionnaire (MFQ) Social Phobia subscale, and Duke Brief Social Phobia Scale (BSPS) total scores were reduced by 0.07, 0.34, and 1.86 in the Sertraline-Continuation group and increased by 0.88, 4.09, and 5.99 in the Placebo-Switch group (all F > 5.3, p < 0.03), respectively. CGI-Severity, MFQ Social Phobia subscale, and BSPS scores also increased in the Placebo-Responder group. Discontinuations because of lack of efficacy were 4% in the sertraline-continuation group, 28% in the placebo-switch group (chi2 = 5.36, Fisher exact test, p = 0.049), relative to sertraline, and 27% in the placebo-responder group. Sertraline was effective in preventing relapse of generalized social phobia. Future research should assess whether improvements may be maintained or further increased by longer periods of treatment or through the addition of cognitive-behavioral techniques.