Détermination de l’expression des gènes codant pour le TNF-α et la leptine par RT-PCR dans le sang de vaches présentant un déplacement de la caillette à gauche

The aims of this study are to evaluate the TNF-α and leptin gene expression in blood from Holstein cows with left abomasal displacement and to correlate it with induced liver injury. The TNF-α and leptin expression in blood samples was determined by RT-PCR after normalisation using the constant expression of the housekeeping GAPDH gene in cows with left abomasal displacement (LAD) (n = 20) before surgery and 7 days after as well as in healthy controls (n = 10). Plasma hepatic enzyme (AST: aspartate aminotransferase, ALT: alanine aminotransferase and ALP: alkaline phosphatase) activities were measured in parallel. Plasma AST and ALP activities dramatically increased in diseased cows during the preoperative period and then declined. Although not significantly, the leptin expression tended to decrease in LAD affected cows while the TNF-α expression tended to increase during the postoperative period. These results suggest that TNF-α may be associated with liver damage during abomasal displacement and that leptin was inversely correlated.Les objectifs de cette étude ont été d’évaluer l’expression des gènes codant pour le TNF-α et la leptine dans le sang de vaches Holstein présentant un déplacement à gauche de la caillette et de la corréler avec les lésions hépatiques induites. L’expression du TNF-α et de la leptine a été déterminée par RT-PCR après normalisation en considérant l’expression du gène de ménage GAPDH comme constante dans les échantillons sanguins provenant de vaches atteintes d’un déplacement à gauche de la caillette (n = 20) avant et 7 jours après traitement chirurgical ou provenant de vaches saines (témoins, n = 10). Les activités plasmatiques des enzymes hépatiques (AST : aspartate aminotransférase, ALT ; alanine aminotransférase et PAL : phosphatase alcaline) ont été mesurées en parallèle. Les activités plasmatiques de l’AST et de la PAL étaient considérablement augmentées chez les vaches malades avant la chirurgie puis elles ont diminué durant la période postopératoire. Bien que les variations n’aient pas été significatives, l’expression de la leptine chez les animaux malades a tendu à diminuer alors que celle du TNF-α a augmenté durant la période postopératoire. Ces résultats suggèrent que le TNF-α pourrait être associé aux lésions hépatiques associées à un déplacement de la caillette alors que la leptine serait inversement corrélée.Scientific Research Projects Commission of Mehmet Akif Ersoy Universit

Serological Investigations of Brucellosis in Cattle, Farmers and Veterinarians in the Kars District of Turkey

The prevalence of brucellosis was investigated in cattle, farmers and veterinarians in the Kars district of Turkey between 2004 - 2006. In order to achieve this, a total of 407 serum samples of cattle from 27 herds having history of abortions were examined for Brucella antibodies by RBPT and SAT. In addition, the sera collected from 246 farmers (130 males and 116 females) and 28 veterinarians in the same district were analysed serologically by RBPT, SAT and ELISA. Of the cattle sera analysed, 134 (32.92%) and 141 (34.64%) were determined as positive by RBPT and SAT, respectively. Thirty-two (13%), 35 (14.22%) and 44 (17.88%) of the farmers' sera were found positive for brucellosis by RBPT, SAT and ELISA, respectively. There was no significant difference between sexes for Brucella seropositivity. Of the 28 sera from veterinarians, 13 (46.42%) were positive by the three serological tests. The high prevalence of brucellosis both in cattle and humans suggests that brucellosis is common in this area. Preventive and control measures should be implemented and pursued more strictly to reduce and/or eradicate brucellosis from the area

SLC25A22 is a novel gene for migrating partial seizures in infancy

Objective To identify a genetic cause for migrating partial seizures in infancy (MPSI). Methods We characterized a consanguineous pedigree with MPSI and obtained DNA from affected and unaffected family members. We analyzed single nucleotide polymorphism 500K data to identify regions with evidence of linkage. We performed whole exome sequencing and analyzed homozygous variants in regions of linkage to identify a candidate gene and performed functional studies of the candidate gene SLC25A22. Results In a consanguineous pedigree with 2 individuals with MPSI, we identified 2 regions of linkage, chromosome 4p16.1-p16.3 and chromosome 11p15.4-pter. Using whole exome sequencing, we identified 8 novel homozygous variants in genes in these regions. Only 1 variant, SLC25A22 c.G328C, results in a change of a highly conserved amino acid (p.G110R) and was not present in control samples. SLC25A22 encodes a glutamate transporter with strong expression in the developing brain. We show that the specific G110R mutation, located in a transmembrane domain of the protein, disrupts mitochondrial glutamate transport. Interpretation We have shown that MPSI can be inherited and have identified a novel homozygous mutation in SLC25A22 in the affected individuals. Our data strongly suggest that SLC25A22 is responsible for MPSI, a severe condition with few known etiologies. We have demonstrated that a combination of linkage analysis and whole exome sequencing can be used for disease gene discovery. Finally, as SLC25A22 had been implicated in the distinct syndrome of neonatal epilepsy with suppression bursts on electroencephalogram, we have expanded the phenotypic spectrum associated with SLC25A22. Ann Neurol 2013;74:873-882 © 2013 American Neurological Association

Psychiatric disorders among older prisoners: a systematic review and comparison study against older people in the community

Objectives: Despite emerging evidence that older prisoners experience poor mental health, literature in this area is still limited. In the present systematic review and meta-analysis, we report on the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among older prisoners and compare our findings against community studies on older people. Methods: We searched on Assia, PsycInfo, MedLine, Embase, Web of Science, Google and Gov.uk. We carried out bias assessments, rated studies for quality and ran a heterogeneity test. We meta-analysed prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders through an aggregate weighted mean and calculated Relative Risk and statistical significance against community studies. Sensitivity analyses were further performed. Results: We reviewed nine studies and obtained the following prevalence: “Any psychiatric disorder” 38.4%, depression 28.3%, schizophrenia/psychoses 5.5%, bipolar disorder 4.5%, dementia 3.3%, cognitive impairment 11.8%, personality disorder 22.9%, alcohol abuse 15.9%, anxiety disorders 14.2%, PTSD 6.2%. Older prisoners were found to have higher RR for every single psychiatric disorder against older people in the community, with the sole exception of alcohol abuse (RR=1) and dementia (RR=.75). The prevalence rates were statistically significantly higher (p<.05) among the prisoners for “Any psychiatric disorder”, depression and personality disorder. Overall, the sensitivity analyses confirmed our original results. Conclusion: Our findings point at a high prevalence of every single psychiatric disorder among older prisoners, who also experience rates of dementia and alcohol abuse comparable to those reported in the community. Our results have relevant implications for policy and practice in this area. Further research is crucial to confirm findings from this study

CHMP1A encodes an essential regulator of BMI1-INK4A in cerebellar development

Charged multivesicular body protein 1A (CHMP1A; also known as chromatin-modifying protein 1A) is a member of the ESCRT-III (endosomal sorting complex required for transport-III) complex but is also suggested to localize to the nuclear matrix and regulate chromatin structure. Here, we show that loss-of-function mutations in human CHMP1A cause reduced cerebellar size (pontocerebellar hypoplasia) and reduced cerebral cortical size (microcephaly). CHMP1A-mutant cells show impaired proliferation, with increased expression of INK4A, a negative regulator of stem cell proliferation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation suggests loss of the normal INK4A repression by BMI in these cells. Morpholino-based knockdown of zebrafish chmp1a resulted in brain defects resembling those seen after bmi1a and bmi1b knockdown, which were partially rescued by INK4A ortholog knockdown, further supporting links between CHMP1A and BMI1-mediated regulation of INK4A. Our results suggest that CHMP1A serves as a critical link between cytoplasmic signals and BMI1-mediated chromatin modifications that regulate proliferation of central nervous system progenitor cells

Apitherapy with the Venom of Apis sp. (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Apidae)

40th Congress of the Federation-of-European-Biochemical-Societies (FEBS) - The Biochemical Basis of Life -- JUL 04-09, 2015 -- Berlin, GERMANYWOS: 000362570602164Federat European Biochemical So