Complement C3 serum levels in anorexia nervosa: a potential biomarker for the severity of disease?

BackgroundAnorexia nervosa carries the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. Even the most critically ill anorexic patients may present with normal 'standard' laboratory values, underscoring the need for a new sensitive biomarker. The complement cascade, a major component of innate immunity, represents a driving force in the pathophysiology of multiple inflammatory disorders. The role of complement in anorexia nervosa remains poorly understood. The present study was designed to evaluate the role of complement C3 levels, the extent of complement activation and of complement hemolytic activity in serum, as potential new biomarkers for the severity of anorexia nervosa.Patients and methodsThis was a prospective cohort study on 14 patients with severe anorexia nervosa, as defined by a body mass index (BMI) <14 kg/m2. Serum samples were obtained in a biweekly manner until hospital discharge. A total of 17 healthy subjects with normal BMI values served as controls. The serum levels of complement C3, C3a, C5a, sC5b-9, and of the 50% hemolytic complement activity (CH50) were quantified and correlated with the BMIs of patients and control subjects.ResultsSerum C3 levels were significantly lower in patients with anorexia nervosa than in controls (median 3.7 (interquartile range (IQR) 2.5-4.9) vs 11.4 (IQR 8.9-13.7, P <0.001). In contrast, complement activation fragments and CH50 levels were not significantly different between the two groups. There was a strong correlation between index C3 levels and BMI (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.71, P <0.001).ConclusionsComplement C3 serum levels may represent a sensitive new biomarker for monitoring the severity of disease in anorexia nervosa. The finding from this preliminary pilot study will require further investigation in future prospective large-scale multicenter trials

Lower-rim ferrocenyl substituted calixarenes: new electrochemical sensors for anions

New ferrocene substituted calix[4 and 5]arenes have been prepared and the crystal structure of a lower-rim substituted bis ferrocene calix[4]arene (7) has been elucidated. The respective ferrocene/ferrocenium redox-couples of compounds 6 (a calix[4]arene tetra ferrocene amide) and 8 (a calix[5]arene pentaferrocene amide) are shown to be significantly cathodically perturbed in the presence of anions by up to 160 mV in the presence of dihydrogen phosphate

The T-cell-specific adapter protein family: TSAd, ALX, and SH2D4A/SH2D4B

Adapter proteins play key roles in intracellular signal transduction through complex formation with catalytically active signaling molecules. In T lymphocytes, the role of several different types of adapter proteins in T-cell antigen receptor signal transduction is well established. An exception to this is the family of T-cell-specific adapter (TSAd) proteins comprising of TSAd, adapter protein of unknown function (ALX), SH2D4A, and SH2D4B. Only recently has the function of these adapters in T-cell signal transduction been explored. Here, we discuss advances in our understanding of the role of this family of adapter proteins in T cells. Their function as regulators of signal transduction in other cell types is also discussed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78649/1/j.1600-065X.2009.00829.x.pd

Structural Changes in U.S. Agricultural Production and Productivity

Livestock Production/Industries,

Can the palatability of healthy, satiety-promoting foods increase with repeated exposure during weight loss?

Repeated exposure to sugary, fatty, and salty foods often enhances their appeal. However, it is unknown if exposure influences learned palatability of foods typically promoted as part of a healthy diet. We tested whether the palatability of pulse containing foods provided during a weight loss intervention which were particularly high in fiber and low in energy density would increase with repeated exposure. At weeks 0, 3, and 6, participants (n = 42; body mass index (BMI) 31.2 ± 4.3 kg/m²) were given a test battery of 28 foods, approximately half which had been provided as part of the intervention, while the remaining half were not foods provided as part of the intervention. In addition, about half of each of the foods (provided as part or not provided as part of the intervention) contained pulses. Participants rated the taste, appearance, odor, and texture pleasantness of each food, and an overall flavor pleasantness score was calculated as the mean of these four scores. Linear mixed model analyses showed an exposure type by week interaction effect for taste, texture and overall flavor pleasantness indicating statistically significant increases in ratings of provided foods in taste and texture from weeks 0 to 3 and 0 to 6, and overall flavor from weeks 0 to 6. Repeated exposure to these foods, whether they contained pulses or not, resulted in a ~4% increase in pleasantness ratings. The long-term clinical relevance of this small increase requires further study.T32 AT000815 - NCCIH NIH HH

Blood manufacturing methods affect red blood cell product characteristics and immunomodulatory activity

Transfusion of red cell concentrates (RCCs) is associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes that may be affected by different blood manufacturing methods and the presence of extracellular vesicles (EVs). We investigated the effect of different manufacturing methods on hemolysis, residual cells, cell-derived EVs, and immunomodulatory effects on monocyte activity. Thirty-two RCC units produced using whole blood filtration (WBF), red cell filtration (RCF), apheresis-derived (AD), and whole blood-derived (WBD) methods were examined (n = 8 per method). Residual platelet and white blood cells (WBCs) and the concentration, cell of origin, and characterization of EVs in RCC supernatants were assessed in fresh and stored supernatants. Immunomodulatory activity of RCC supernatants was assessed by quantifying monocyte cytokine production capacity in an in vitro transfusion model. RCF units yielded the lowest number of platelet and WBC-derived EVs, whereas the highest number of platelet EVs was in AD (day 5) and in WBD (day 42). The number of small EVs (<200 nm) was greater than large EVs (≥200 nm) in all tested supernatants, and the highest level of small EVs were in AD units. Immunomodulatory activity was mixed, with evidence of both inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Monocytes produced more inflammatory interleukin-8 after exposure to fresh WBF or expired WBD supernatants. Exposure to supernatants from AD and WBD RCC suppressed monocyte lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine production. Manufacturing methods significantly affect RCC unit EV characteristics and are associated with an immunomodulatory effect of RCC supernatants, which may affect the quality and safety of RCCs

The Solar Neighborhood XIII: Parallax Results from the CTIOPI 0.9-m Program -- Stars with mu >= 1"/year (MOTION Sample)

We present the first set of definitive trigonometric parallaxes and proper motions from the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory Parallax Investigation (CTIOPI). Full astrometric reductions for the program are discussed, including methods of reference stars selection, differential color refraction corrections, and conversion of relative to absolute parallax. Using data acquired at the 0.9-m at CTIO, full astrometric solutions and $VRIJHK_s$ photometry are presented for 36 red and white dwarf stellar systems with proper motions faster than 1\farcs0/yr. Of these, thirty three systems have the first ever trigonometric parallaxes, which comprise 41% of MOTION systems (those with proper motions greater than 1\farcs0/yr) south of $\delta$ $=$ 0 that have no parallaxes. Four of the systems are new members of the RECONS 10 pc sample for which the first accurate trigonometric parallaxes are published here: DENIS J1048-3956 (4.04 $\pm$ 0.03 pc), GJ 1128 (LHS 271, 6.53 $\pm$ 0.10 pc), GJ 1068 (LHS 22, 6.97 $\pm$ 0.09 pc), and GJ 1123 (LHS 263, 9.02 $\pm$ 0.16 pc). In addition, two red subdwarf-white dwarf pairs, LHS 193AB and LHS 300AB, are identified. The white dwarf secondaries fall in a previously uncharted region of the HR diagram.Comment: 40 pages, 7 figures, accepted to The Astronomical Journal (scheduled for April 2005 issue), Re-submit, Table 2 running off the bottom of the page has been fixe

Postnatal liver growth and regeneration are independent of c-myc in a mouse model of conditional hepatic c-myc deletion

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The transcription factor <it>c-myc </it>regulates genes involved in hepatocyte growth, proliferation, metabolism, and differentiation. It has also been assigned roles in liver development and regeneration. In previous studies, we made the unexpected observation that c-Myc protein levels were similar in proliferating fetal liver and quiescent adult liver with c-Myc displaying nucleolar localization in the latter. In order to investigate the functional role of c-Myc in adult liver, we have developed a hepatocyte-specific <it>c-myc </it>knockout mouse, <it>c-myc^fl/fl</it>;<it>Alb</it>-<it>Cre</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Liver weight to body weight ratios were similar in control and <it>c-myc </it>deficient mice. Liver architecture was unaffected. Conditional <it>c-myc </it>deletion did not result in compensatory induction of other <it>myc </it>family members or in c-Myc's binding partner Max. Floxed <it>c-myc </it>did have a negative effect on <it>Alb</it>-Cre expression at 4 weeks of age. To explore this relationship further, we used the Rosa26 reporter line to assay Cre activity in the <it>c-myc </it>floxed mice. No significant difference in Alb-Cre activity was found between control and <it>c-myc^fl/fl</it>mice. c<it>-myc </it>deficient mice were studied in a nonproliferative model of liver growth, fasting for 48 hr followed by a 24 hr refeeding period. Fasting resulted in a decrease in liver mass and liver protein, both of which recovered upon 24 h of refeeding in the c<it>-myc^fl/fl;Alb</it>-Cre animals. There was also no effect of reducing <it>c-myc </it>on recovery of liver mass following 2/3 partial hepatectomy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>c-Myc appears to be dispensable for normal liver growth during the postnatal period, restoration of liver mass following partial hepatectomy and recovery from fasting.</p