Hypothalamic-Specific Manipulation of Fto, the Ortholog of the Human Obesity Gene FTO, Affects Food Intake in Rats

Sequence variants in the first intron of FTO are strongly associated with human obesity and human carriers of the risk alleles show evidence for increased appetite and food intake. Mice globally lacking Fto display a complex phenotype characterised by both increased energy expenditure and increased food intake. The site of action of FTO on energy balance is unclear. Fasting reduces levels of Fto mRNA in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus, a site where Fto expression is particularly high. In this study, we have extended this nutritional link by demonstrating that consumption of a high fat diet (45%) results in a 2.5 fold increase in Arc Fto expression. We have further explored the role of hypothalamic Fto in the control of food intake by using stereotactic injections coupled with AAV technology to bi-directionally modulate Fto expression. An over expression of Fto protein by 2.5-fold in the ARC results in a 14% decrease in average daily food intake in the first week. In contrast, knocking down Arc Fto expression by 40% increases food intake by 16%. mRNA levels of Agrp, Pomc and Npy, ARC-expressed genes classically associated with the control of food intake, were not affected by the manipulation of Fto expression. However, over expression of Fto resulted in a 4-fold increase in the mRNA levels of Stat3, a signalling molecule critical for leptin receptor signalling, suggesting a possible candidate for the mediation of Fto's actions. These data provide further support for the notion that FTO itself can influence key components of energy balance, and is therefore a strong candidate for the mediation of the robust association between FTO intronic variants and adiposity. Importantly, this provide the first indication that selective alteration of FTO levels in the hypothalamus can influence food intake, a finding consistent with the reported effects of FTO alleles on appetite and food intake in man

Multiple dimensions of phylogenetic diversity are needed to explain the complex aboveground-belowground diversity relationships

<p>The complex relationship between aboveground and belowground diversity and whether they act as surrogates for one another remains unresolved. Increasing evidence suggests that investigating phylogenetic diversity could provide valuable insights into the interplay between plants and soil microbes, but the proliferation of phylogenetic diversity metrics has hindered comparative studies and the identification of general patterns. To overcome this challenge, we implemented a multi-dimensional framework that classifies phylogenetic diversity metrics into three dimensions: richness, divergence, and regularity, each of which captures different ecological aspects of species differences. Then we applied this framework to investigate the relationship between above and belowground diversity in a subtropical forest in Eastern China. We found that phylogenetic diversity of plant and soil microbes, including bacteria and fungi, were more strongly correlated at the richness and regularity dimension compared with divergence dimension. Further analyses revealed that these observed correlation patterns can be attributed to the influence of soil total phosphorus content, which is the limiting factor of plant and microbial phylogenetic diversity at richness and regularity dimensions. Together, our study demonstrated the necessity of using a multi-dimensional approach to advance our understanding of the complex relationships between plant and soil microbial biodiversity.</p><p>Funding provided by: National Natural Science Foundation of China<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001809<br>Award Number: NSFC3222051</p><p>Funding provided by: Shanghai Rising-Star Program<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013105<br>Award Number: 20QA1402900</p><p>Funding provided by: National Natural Science Foundation of China<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: https://ror.org/01h0zpd94<br>Award Number: NSFC31971553</p><p>This study was conducted in a subtropical forest located in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, Eastern China in 2017, with a subtropical monsoon climate characterized by an average annual temperature of 16.2°C and an average annual precipitation of 1700 mm. Dominant tree species in the area include <em>Pinus massoniana</em>, <em>Schima superba</em>, and <em>Cunninghamia lanceolata</em>. Our study comprised 16 plots situated in three different locations, dominated by various tree species ( 40 – 60-year-old stand), including both unmanaged secondary forests and forests that underwent close-to-nature silviculture treatment. In total, we obtained 16 plots, representing a clear diversity gradient and different composition structure across sites. For each plot, five bulk-soil cores (3.8 cm in diameter, 0-10 cm depth), excluding litter and organic horizons, were collected using a five-point sampling method and placed in separate sterile plastic bags. We obtained a total of 80 soil samples from the 16 plots in October 2019. The plant composition of all plots was investigated in August 2019. Every tree stem with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm in the plot was sampled. We found 117 plant species in total across all the study plots, both gymnosperms and angiosperms were included.</p&gt

Multiple dimensions of phylogenetic diversity are needed to explain the complex aboveground-belowground diversity relationships

<p>The complex relationship between aboveground and belowground diversity and whether they act as surrogates for one another remains unresolved. Increasing evidence suggests that investigating phylogenetic diversity could provide valuable insights into the interplay between plants and soil microbes, but the proliferation of phylogenetic diversity metrics has hindered comparative studies and the identification of general patterns. To overcome this challenge, we implemented a multi-dimensional framework that classifies phylogenetic diversity metrics into three dimensions: richness, divergence, and regularity, each of which captures different ecological aspects of species differences. Then we applied this framework to investigate the relationship between above and belowground diversity in a subtropical forest in Eastern China. We found that phylogenetic diversity of plant and soil microbes, including bacteria and fungi, were more strongly correlated at the richness and regularity dimension compared with divergence dimension. Further analyses revealed that these observed correlation patterns can be attributed to the influence of soil total phosphorus content, which is the limiting factor of plant and microbial phylogenetic diversity at richness and regularity dimensions. Together, our study demonstrated the necessity of using a multi-dimensional approach to advance our understanding of the complex relationships between plant and soil microbial biodiversity.</p><p>Funding provided by: National Natural Science Foundation of China<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001809<br>Award Number: NSFC3222051</p><p>Funding provided by: Shanghai Rising-Star Program<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013105<br>Award Number: 20QA1402900</p><p>Funding provided by: National Natural Science Foundation of China<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: https://ror.org/01h0zpd94<br>Award Number: NSFC31971553</p><p>This study was conducted in a subtropical forest located in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, Eastern China in 2017, with a subtropical monsoon climate characterized by an average annual temperature of 16.2°C and an average annual precipitation of 1700 mm. Dominant tree species in the area include <em>Pinus massoniana</em>, <em>Schima superba</em>, and <em>Cunninghamia lanceolata</em>. Our study comprised 16 plots situated in three different locations, dominated by various tree species ( 40 – 60-year-old stand), including both unmanaged secondary forests and forests that underwent close-to-nature silviculture treatment. In total, we obtained 16 plots, representing a clear diversity gradient and different composition structure across sites. For each plot, five bulk-soil cores (3.8 cm in diameter, 0-10 cm depth), excluding litter and organic horizons, were collected using a five-point sampling method and placed in separate sterile plastic bags. We obtained a total of 80 soil samples from the 16 plots in October 2019. The plant composition of all plots was investigated in August 2019. Every tree stem with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm in the plot was sampled. We found 117 plant species in total across all the study plots, both gymnosperms and angiosperms were included.</p&gt

Multiple dimensions of phylogenetic diversity are needed to explain the complex aboveground-belowground diversity relationships

<p>The complex relationship between aboveground and belowground diversity and whether they act as surrogates for one another remains unresolved. Increasing evidence suggests that investigating phylogenetic diversity could provide valuable insights into the interplay between plants and soil microbes, but the proliferation of phylogenetic diversity metrics has hindered comparative studies and the identification of general patterns. To overcome this challenge, we implemented a multi-dimensional framework that classifies phylogenetic diversity metrics into three dimensions: richness, divergence, and regularity, each of which captures different ecological aspects of species differences. Then we applied this framework to investigate the relationship between above and belowground diversity in a subtropical forest in Eastern China. We found that phylogenetic diversity of plant and soil microbes, including bacteria and fungi, were more strongly correlated at the richness and regularity dimension compared with divergence dimension. Further analyses revealed that these observed correlation patterns can be attributed to the influence of soil total phosphorus content, which is the limiting factor of plant and microbial phylogenetic diversity at richness and regularity dimensions. Together, our study demonstrated the necessity of using a multi-dimensional approach to advance our understanding of the complex relationships between plant and soil microbial biodiversity.</p><p>Funding provided by: National Natural Science Foundation of China<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001809<br>Award Number: NSFC3222051</p><p>Funding provided by: Shanghai Rising-Star Program<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013105<br>Award Number: 20QA1402900</p><p>Funding provided by: National Natural Science Foundation of China<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: https://ror.org/01h0zpd94<br>Award Number: NSFC31971553</p><p>This study was conducted in a subtropical forest located in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, Eastern China in 2017, with a subtropical monsoon climate characterized by an average annual temperature of 16.2°C and an average annual precipitation of 1700 mm. Dominant tree species in the area include <em>Pinus massoniana</em>, <em>Schima superba</em>, and <em>Cunninghamia lanceolata</em>. Our study comprised 16 plots situated in three different locations, dominated by various tree species ( 40 – 60-year-old stand), including both unmanaged secondary forests and forests that underwent close-to-nature silviculture treatment. In total, we obtained 16 plots, representing a clear diversity gradient and different composition structure across sites. For each plot, five bulk-soil cores (3.8 cm in diameter, 0-10 cm depth), excluding litter and organic horizons, were collected using a five-point sampling method and placed in separate sterile plastic bags. We obtained a total of 80 soil samples from the 16 plots in October 2019. The plant composition of all plots was investigated in August 2019. Every tree stem with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm in the plot was sampled. We found 117 plant species in total across all the study plots, both gymnosperms and angiosperms were included.</p&gt

The anti-atherogenic aspect of metformin treatment in insulin resistant women with the polycystic ovary syndrome : role of the newly established pro-inflammatory adipokine Acute-phase Serum Amyloid A; evidence of an adipose tissue-monocyte axis

Objective: Acute-phase Serum Amyloid A (ASAA) is a novel pro-inflammatory adipokine, increased in obese, insulin resistant subjects. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with inflammation and atherosclerosis. We assessed sera, adipose tissue (AT) mRNA and protein levels of ASAA of PCOS women and matched controls. Ex vivo regulation of AT ASAA by D-glucose, effects of metformin treatment on circulating ASAA in PCOS subjects and effects of sera from normal and PCOS subjects (before and after metformin) on ASAA production (THP-1 macrophages) were also studied. Methods and results: Circulating ASAA (ELISA), subcutaneous and omental AT ASAA mRNA (RT-PCR) and protein (western blotting) were significantly higher in PCOS women (P < 0.05). In AT explants, glucose significantly increased ASAA production and secretion (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Furthermore, ASAA production (THP-1 macrophages) was significantly greater by sera from PCOS women compared to controls (P < 0.01). ASAA protein production was significantly decreased by sera from PCOS women following 6 months of metformin treatment (P < 0.05). After 6 months of metformin treatment, there was a significant decrease in circulating ASAA (P < 0.05). Importantly, changes in intima media thickness were predictive of changes in circulating ASAA (P=0.034). Conclusion: Serum and AT ASAA are increased in PCOS women and are elevated by glucose. Metformin treatment decreases serum ASAA in these women. An adipose tissue-monocyte axis may be pivotal in the pathogenesis of inflammation and atherosclerosis. ASAA may be a valuable diagnostic marker in the management of dysmetabolic states including PCOS. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Using Dark Fiber and Distributed Acoustic Sensing for Near-Surface Characterization and Broadband Seismic Event Detection

We present the first case study demonstrating the use of regional unlit fiber-optic telecommunication infrastructure (dark fiber) and distributed acoustic sensing for broadband seismic monitoring of both near-surface soil properties and earthquake seismology. We recorded 7 months of passive seismic data on a 27 km section of dark fiber stretching from West Sacramento, CA to Woodland, CA, densely sampled at 2 m spacing. This dataset was processed to extract surface wave velocity information using ambient noise interferometry techniques; the resulting Vs profiles were used to map both shallow structural profiles and groundwater depth, thus demonstrating that basin-scale variations in hydrological state can be resolved using this technique. The same array was utilized for detection of regional and teleseismic earthquakes and evaluated for long period response using records from the M8.1 Chiapas, Mexico 2017, Sep 8th event. The combination of these two sets of observations conclusively demonstrates that regionally extensive fiber-optic networks can effectively be utilized for a host of geoscience observation tasks at a combination of scale and resolution previously inaccessible

Hypothalamic-specific manipulation of Fto , the ortholog of the human obesity gene FTO , affects food intake in rats

Sequence variants in the first intron of FTO are strongly associated with human obesity and human carriers of the risk alleles show evidence for increased appetite and food intake. Mice globally lacking Fto display a complex phenotype characterised by both increased energy expenditure and increased food intake. The site of action of FTO on energy balance is unclear. Fasting reduces levels of Fto mRNA in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus, a site where Fto expression is particularly high. In this study, we have extended this nutritional link by demonstrating that consumption of a high fat diet (45%) results in a 2.5 fold increase in Arc Fto expression. We have further explored the role of hypothalamic Fto in the control of food intake by using stereotactic injections coupled with AAV technology to bi-directionally modulate Fto expression. An over expression of Fto protein by 2.5-fold in the ARC results in a 14% decrease in average daily food intake in the first week. In contrast, knocking down Arc Fto expression by 40% increases food intake by 16%. mRNA levels of Agrp, Pomc and Npy, ARC-expressed genes classically associated with the control of food intake, were not affected by the manipulation of Fto expression. However, over expression of Fto resulted in a 4-fold increase in the mRNA levels of Stat3, a signalling molecule critical for leptin receptor signalling, suggesting a possible candidate for the mediation of Fto's actions. These data provide further support for the notion that FTO itself can influence key components of energy balance, and is therefore a strong candidate for the mediation of the robust association between FTO intronic variants and adiposity. Importantly, this provide the first indication that selective alteration of FTO levels in the hypothalamus can influence food intake, a finding consistent with the reported effects of FTO alleles on appetite and food intake in man

Distributed Acoustic Sensing Using Dark Fiber for Near-Surface Characterization and Broadband Seismic Event Detection.

We present one of the first case studies demonstrating the use of distributed acoustic sensing deployed on regional unlit fiber-optic telecommunication infrastructure (dark fiber) for broadband seismic monitoring of both near-surface soil properties and earthquake seismology. We recorded 7 months of passive seismic data on a 27 km section of dark fiber stretching from West Sacramento, CA to Woodland, CA, densely sampled at 2 m spacing. This dataset was processed to extract surface wave velocity information using ambient noise interferometry techniques; the resulting VS profiles were used to map both shallow structural profiles and groundwater depth, thus demonstrating that basin-scale variations in hydrological state could be resolved using this technique. The same array was utilized for detection of regional and teleseismic earthquakes and evaluated for long period response using records from the M8.1 Chiapas, Mexico 2017, Sep 8th event. The combination of these two sets of observations conclusively demonstrates that regionally extensive fiber-optic networks can effectively be utilized for a host of geoscience observation tasks at a combination of scale and resolution previously inaccessible