Prolonged maternal separation induces undernutrition and systemic inflammation with disrupted hippocampal development in mice

Objective: Prolonged maternal separation (PMS) in the first 2 wk of life has been associated with poor growth with lasting effects in brain structure and function. This study aimed to investigate whether PMS-induced undernutrition could cause systemic inflammation and changes in nutrition-related hormonal levels, affecting hippocampal structure and neurotransmission in C57BL/6J suckling mice. Methods: This study assessed mouse growth parameters coupled with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) serum levels. In addition, leptin, adiponectin, and corticosterone serum levels were measured following PMS. Hippocampal stereology and the amino acid levels were also assessed. Furthermore, we measured myelin basic protein and synapthophysin (SYN) expression in the overall brain tissue and hippocampal SYN immunolabeling. For behavioral tests, we analyzed the ontogeny of selected neonatal reflexes. PMS was induced by separating half the pups in each litter from their lactating dams for defined periods each day (4 h on day 1, 8 h on day 2, and 12 h thereafter). A total of 67 suckling pups were used in this study. Results: PMS induced significant slowdown in weight gain and growth impairment. Significant reductions in serum leptin and IGF-1 levels were found following PMS. Total CA3 area and volume were reduced, specifically affecting the pyramidal layer in PMS mice. CA1 pyramidal layer area was also reduced. Overall hippocampal SYN immunolabeling was lower, especially in CA3 field and dentate gyrus. Furthermore, PMS reduced hippocampal aspartate, glutamate, and gammaaminobutyric acid levels, as compared with unseparated controls. Conclusion: These findings suggest that PMS causes significant growth deficits and alterations in hippocampal morphology and neurotransmission.This work was supported in part by National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grant 5R01HD053131, funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, and Brazilian grants from CNPq and CAPES (Grant # RO1 HD053131). The authors would like to thank Dr. Patricia Foley for veterinarian technical support and Dr. Jose Paulo Andrade for the excellent comments and suggestions to improve this manuscript. N.S. contributed with the stereological studies. I.L.F. and R.B.O. contributed with the behavioral studies. I.L.F., R.B.O., and R.L.G. contributed with the study design, study analysis, and manuscript preparation. G.A.M. and P.B.F. contributed with neurochemical brain analyses. J.I.A.L. and G.M.A. contributed with hormonal and CRP serum analyses. D.G.C., K.M.C., and R.S.R. contributed with animal experimentation and data collection

The role of inflammation in epilepsy.

Epilepsy is the third most common chronic brain disorder, and is characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate seizures. Despite progress in pharmacological and surgical treatments of epilepsy, relatively little is known about the processes leading to the generation of individual seizures, and about the mechanisms whereby a healthy brain is rendered epileptic. These gaps in our knowledge hamper the development of better preventive treatments and cures for the approximately 30% of epilepsy cases that prove resistant to current therapies. Here, we focus on the rapidly growing body of evidence that supports the involvement of inflammatory mediators-released by brain cells and peripheral immune cells-in both the origin of individual seizures and the epileptogenic process. We first describe aspects of brain inflammation and immunity, before exploring the evidence from clinical and experimental studies for a relationship between inflammation and epilepsy. Subsequently, we discuss how seizures cause inflammation, and whether such inflammation, in turn, influences the occurrence and severity of seizures, and seizure-related neuronal death. Further insight into the complex role of inflammation in the generation and exacerbation of epilepsy should yield new molecular targets for the design of antiepileptic drugs, which might not only inhibit the symptoms of this disorder, but also prevent or abrogate disease pathogenesis

A survey on cut flower preferences and expectations

Turkey has great potential in cut flower production. Export is the main activity to accelerate the production. Domestic consumption has also great importance in this improvement. Therefore, it is important to know consumer preferences. In order to determine consumer's trends and expectations, a public survey was conducted in different regions of Turkey between the years 2005 and 2006, with 1141 interviewees. The survey group consisted of 427 females and 714 males in different age and income groups. Fourty percent of the interviewees were in the medium and low income group (385-770 USD month-1). Fifty eight percent of the consumers mentioned that they bought flowers only on special days and their purchasing frequency did not depend on cut flower prices. Only 31% of the consumers stated that they bought flowers for themselves. Flowers were the most preferred gifts (39.7%) compared to other choices. The priorities of the consumers in flower purchase were freshness (21.7%), colour (17.8%), other quality parameters (17.6%), scent (14.3%) and price (10.3%). Rose with 70.3%, narcissus with 8% and carnation with 6% are the cut flower species which are mostly preferred. Red, white and yellow are the primary colour choices of the consumers

Changing epidemiological features of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

PubMedID: 11545478Background: Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a chronic central nervous (CNS) system infection caused by measles virus. Because changing immunization practices affect the epidemiology of measles and consequently SSPE, we examined the epidemiological data of our SSPE registry. Materials and Methods: Age of onset, age at onset of measles, duration of latent period and immunization status were examined in cases recorded at the SSPE Registry Center in Turkey between 1975 and 1999. Results: Age of onset diminished from 13 years before 1994 to 7.6 years after 1995; age at onset of measles declined from 29 months to 20 months and the latent interval from 9.9 years to 5.9 years. Age at onset of measles and immunization status did not directly affect the duration of the latent period. Conclusion: Although its incidence has decreased in Turkey, SSPE has been seen at younger ages in recent years. This change cannot be attributed solely to younger age at onset of measles. Factors affecting the duration of the latent period should be investigated further

Molecular analysis of fragile X syndrome in Antalya Province

Background: Detection of the (CGG)n repeats in the FMR1 gene that cause the fragile X syndrome (FXS), has become a milestone for phenotype-genotype correlation in FXS. Aims: To screen the FMR1 gene CGG repeats in index cases with FXS and their family members in the Antalya Province. Setting and design: This study was prospectively conducted between January 200and March 2005 in Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya. Materials and Methods: A series of 132 cases from three hospitals in Antalya Province were studied. All cases were molecularly screened using non-radioactive Expand Long PCR method that was confirmed by Southern blotting. Results: Seventeen out of 132 cases were found to have a full mutation, including three that were mosaic for premutations/full mutations. Of the 132 cases, eight were found to have the premutation size of the CGG repeats. The remaining 107 cases were identified as normal. Conclusions: Due to premature ovarian failure and Fragile X premutation Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome related with the premutation, the detection of the premutation will provide valuable information both for clinical follow-up and genetic counseling. In conclusion, our data suggest that expansion of CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene can be analyzed by Expand Long PCR, an efficient and non-radioactive method that can be used to monitor the expansion of premutation to full mutation, which would eventually lead to reduce the FXS prevalence

Comparison of two different regimens of combined interferon-alpha 2a and lamivudine therapy in children with chronic hepatitis B infection

WOS: 000236640500013PubMed ID: 16640106Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of two regimens of combined interferon-alpha 2a (IFN-alpha 2a) and lamivudine (3TC) therapy in childhood chronic hepatitis B. Methods: A total of 177 patients received IFN-alpha 2a, 9 million units (MU)/m(2) for 6 months. In group 1 (112 patients, 8.7 +/- 3.5 years), 3TC (4 mg/kg/day, max 100 mg) was started simultaneously with IFN-alpha 2a, in group 11 (65 patients, 9.6 +/- 3.8 years) 3TC was started 2 months prior to IFN-alpha 2a. 3TC was continued for 6 months after antiHBe seroconversion or stopped at 24 months in non-responders. Results: Baseline alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 134.2 +/- 34.1 and 147.0 +/- 45.3; histological activity index (HAI) was 7.4 +/- 2.7 and 7.1 +/- 2.3; and HBV DNA levels were above 2,000 pg/ml in 76% and 66% of patients in groups I and 11, respectively (P > 0.005). Complete response was 55.3% and 27.6% in groups I and 11, respectively (P 0.05). Breakthrough occurred in 17.9% and 24.6%; breakthrough times were 15.9 +/- 4.6 and 14.1 +/- 5.1 months; and relapse rates were 6.8% and none in groups I and 11, respectively (P > 0.05, P > 0.05, P > 0.05). Responders had higher HAI (HAI > 6) and higher pre-treatment ALT than non-responders. Conclusion: Simultaneous 3TC+IFN-alpha 2a yields a higher response and earlier antiHBe seroconversion and viral clearance than consecutive combined therapy. Relapse rate is low. Predictors of response are high basal ALT and high HAI scores. 3TC can be administered for 24 months without any side effect and breakthrough rate is comparable with previous studies