Project description:In order to determine whether dis-regulation of a genetic pathway could explain the increased apoptosis of parp-2-/- double positive thymocytes, the gene expression profiles in double positive thymocytes derived from wild-type and parp-2-/- mice were analysed using Affymetrix oligonucleotide chips (mouse genome 430 2.0).
Project description:Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is formed by heterogeneous ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament. The patho-mechanism of OPLL is still largely unknown. MicroRNAs are small nucleatides that function as regulators of gene expression in almost any biological process. However, few microRNAs are reported to have a role in the pathological process of OPLL. Therefore, we performed high-throughput microRNA sequencing and transcriptome sequencing of primary OPLL and PLL cells in order to decipher the interacting network of microRNAs in OPLL. MRNA and microRNA profiles were done using primary culture cells of human ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) tissue and normal posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) tissue.
Project description:Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is formed by heterogeneous ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament. The patho-mechanism of OPLL is still largely unknown. Recently, disorders of metabolism are thought to be the center of many diseases such as OPLL. Advanced glycation end product (AGE) are accumulated in many extracellular matrixes such as ligament fibers, and it can functions as cellular signal through its receptor (RAGE), contributing to various events such as atherosclerosis or oxidative stress. However, its role in OPLL formation is not yet known. Therefore, we performed high-through-put RNA sequencing on primary posterior longitudinal ligament cells treated with different doses of AGEs (1µM, 5µM and negative control), with or without BMP2 (1µM). mRNA profiles of Primary human posterior longitudinal ligament cells stimulated with various stimuli (Control, 1µM AGE-BSA, 5µM AGE-BSA, 1µM AGE-BSA with BMP2, 5µM AGE-BSA with BMP2) were generated by deep sequencing on Ion Proton
Project description:Parkinson's Disease (PD) is primarily caused by aggregates of alpha synuclein (SNCA) in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra, but PD is a systemic disease and may lead to PD-associated dementia complex. PD-associated encephalopathy is a late manifestation in PD patients at risk for example owing to mutations of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase. Defects of lysosomal waste removal and aggregation of mutant alpha synuclein (SNCA) impacts of the proteome. Here, we studied the proteome of the prefrontal cortex in Pink1-/-SNCA A53T double mutant mice in comparison with their wildtype controls. Pink1-/-SNCA A53T mice carry a loss of function knock-in mutation of PTEN induced kinase (Pink1), plus the human A53T mutation of alpha synuclein (SNCA-A53T) [1, 2]. Homozygous Pink1-/-SNCA A53T double mutant mice were generated by crossing Pink1-/- mice (background: 129/SvEv) with A53T-SNCA-overexpressing PrPmtA mice (background: FVB/N) and then, interbreeding the littermates. Wildtype (WT) control mice are hybrids from a crossbreeding of 129/SvEv and FVB/N mice, which were descended from littermates of the respective single mutant animals. Pink1-/-SNCA A53T mice develop spontaneous motor symptoms at advanced ages, with a progressive incidence above 15 months of age. The phenotype of Pink1-/-SNCA A53T and wildtype control mice was observed during aging. Mice were euthanized at an age of 1-1.5 years (matched with the controls). The cortices were rapidly removed and frozen in liquid nitrogen and processed for label free proteomic analyses.
Project description:BackgroundFatty fish is the dominant dietary source of n-3 LCPUFAs but it also contains other micronutrients considered important for brain development and function. To our knowledge, the effect of fatty fish intake on cognitive function in adolescents has not been investigated in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) previously. The aim of the present trial was to investigate whether consumption of fatty fish meals three times per week for 12 weeks could alter attention performance in adolescents compared to similar meals with meat or n-3 LCPUFA supplements.MethodsIn the Fish Intervention Studies-TEENS (FINS-TEENS), adolescents from eight secondary schools (n = 426; age: 14-15y) were individually randomized. Attention performance was assessed with the d2 test of attention. Differences between groups from pre to post intervention were assessed with linear mixed effect models and general estimates equation. The fish group was set as reference. Dietary compliance was recorded for each meal throughout the trial and controlled for in the adjusted analyses.ResultsThe improvement in processing speed was significantly lower in the meat (-11.8; 95% CI: -23.3, -0.4) and supplement (-13.4; 95% CI: -24.9, -1.8) group compared to the fish group (reference). The supplement group also showed inferior improvement in total performance (-10.4; 95% CI: -20.0, -0.7) compared to the fish group (reference). The results were slightly affected when controlling for dietary compliance. Omission errors decreased in the meat group compared to the fish group (Incidence rate ratio = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.74, 0.98), but the difference disappeared when controlling for dietary compliance.ConclusionsWe observed a small beneficial effect of fatty fish, compared to meat meals and supplements on processing speed. However, these results are difficult to interpret due to low dietary compliance. This study shows that different taste preferences among participants is challenging in intervention trials with food. A prospective cohort design may be a better alternative when studying diet in the future.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT02350322 .
Project description:ObjectiveThe relationship between Helicobacter pylori and the intestinal microbiota has not yet been clearly demonstrated in children and adolescents. The present study aimed at evaluating how H. pylori infection could affect the intestinal microbiota in adolescents using genetic analysis.DesignCross-sectional study.Setting and participantsWe included subjects from a longitudinal project involving H. pylori screening and treatment of junior high school third-grade students (aged 14 or 15 years) in Saga Prefecture. The study included a control group (n=79) and an H. pylori group (n=80) tested negative and positive for the anti-H. pylori antibody in the urine and H. pylori antigen in stool specimens, respectively.InterventionsThe intestinal microbiota was evaluated in stool specimens using 16S rRNA gene/DNA/amplicon sequencing with next-generation sequencing.Primary and secondary outcome measuresWe assessed alpha and beta diversity, just as well as relative abundances within the bacterial composition at the genus level in both groups.ResultsAs shown by the alpha diversity of the 16S rRNA gene/DNA/amplicon sequence data, the control group exhibited lower microbial species richness with lower alpha diversity compared with the H. pylori group (p<0.001). The beta diversity of the intestinal microbiota profile also differed between the two groups (p<0.01). The relative abundance of the Prevotella genus was higher in the H. pylori group (p<0.01) concomitant with a gain in body mass index (BMI) in the H. pylori group (p<0.01) compared with the control group.ConclusionH. pylori infection significantly affected the intestinal microbiota in Japanese adolescents. In addition, the prevalence of the Prevotella genus is concomitantly increased along with the BMI in H. pylori-infected students.Trial registration numberUMIN000028721.
Project description:Maternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 14 (upd(14)mat) is responsible for a Prader-Willi-like syndrome with precocious puberty. Although upd(14) is often hypothesized to result from trisomy rescue mechanism, T14 cell lines are usually not found with postnatal cytogenetic investigations. We report the coexistence of both chromosomal abnormalities in a 15-year-old girl.
Project description:There is robust evidence linking diet and physical activity to major public health concerns such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis. Dietary habits of children and adolescents are frequently discussed in health policy debates due to their modifiability, making them viable targets for prevention and health promotion initiatives. This study aimed to assess the dietary habits of 14-15-year-old Faroese adolescents using an online 24 h recall tool, examining their intake relative to public recommendations and exploring associations with health behaviour and wellbeing. A total of 78 participants (45 girls, 33 boys), with a mean age of 14.3 years, recorded their food intake and completed a questionnaire. Results indicated a higher intake of saturated fats and sugar and a lower intake of dietary fibre, n-3 fatty acids, fruits, and vegetables compared to recommendations. Healthier food intake was associated with better health behaviour and wellbeing. This very first study of Faroese adolescents' overall diet underscores the need for health-promoting interventions, and suggests the feasibility of using an online 24 h recall tool for dietary assessment in this age group, albeit with necessary adjustments for Faroese language and traditional foods.
Project description:RNA seq analysis was conducted to determine gene expression in the day 14 ovine conceptus. This was used in conjunction with the day 14 PPARG ChIP-seq analysis to identify genes bound by PPARG which were also expressed or not expressed in the day 14 conceptus. Understanding changes in gene expression during early pregnancy is critical to improving fertility and reproductive efficiency in ruminants. RNA seq analysis of 4 conceptuses from 4 individual Day 14 pregnant columbia/rambouillet crossbred ewes