Etiology of lipid-laden macrophages in the lung

Uniquely positioned as sentinel cells constantly exposed to the environment, pulmonary macrophages are vital for the maintenance of the lung lining. These cells are responsible for the clearance of xenobiotics, pathogen detection and clearance, and homeostatic functions such as surfactant recycling. Among the spectrum of phenotypes that may be expressed by macrophages in the lung, the pulmonary lipid-laden phenotype is less commonly studied in comparison to its circulatory counterpart, the atherosclerotic lesion-associated foam cell, or the acutely activated inflammatory macrophage. Herein, we propose that lipid-laden macrophage formation in the lung is governed by lipid acquisition, storage, metabolism, and export processes. The cellular balance of these four processes is critical to the maintenance of homeostasis and the prevention of aberrant signaling that may contribute to lung pathologies. This review aims to examine mechanisms and signaling pathways that are involved in lipid-laden macrophage formation and the potential consequences of this phenotype in the lung.

The CHALLENGE trial: the effects of a virtual reality-assisted exposure therapy for persistent auditory hallucinations versus supportive counselling in people with psychosis: study protocol for a randomised clinical trial

Background

Many patients suffering from schizophrenia spectrum disorders continue having distressing auditory hallucinations in spite of treatment with antipsychotic medication. The aim of this trial is to examine the effect of a targeted virtual reality therapy for persistent auditory hallucinations in individuals with psychosis. The trial explores whether this type of therapy can decrease the severity, frequency and distress of auditory hallucinations and, additionally, whether it can reduce clinical symptoms and enhance daily functioning in individuals with psychosis.

Methods

The study is a randomised, assessor-blinded parallel-group superiority clinical trial, allocating a total of 266 patients to either the experimental intervention or supportive counselling. The participants will be randomised to either (1) seven sessions of virtual reality therapy or (2) seven sessions of supportive counselling to be delivered within the first 12 weeks after inclusion in the study. All participants will be assessed at baseline and 12 and 24 weeks post-baseline. Independent assessors blinded to the treatment allocation will evaluate the outcome. The primary outcome is the level of auditory hallucinations measured with the Psychotic Symptoms Rating Scales (PSYRATS-AH) total score at the cessation of treatment at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes are frequency of auditory hallucinations, the distress caused by auditory hallucinations, perceived voice power, patient acceptance of voices, patients’ ability to respond to voices in an assertive way and social and daily function.

Discussion

Promising evidence of the efficacy of this immersive virtual reality-based therapy for auditory hallucinations exist, but evidence needs to be established in a large, methodological rigorous trial. If the therapy proves to be beneficial in reducing the severity of refractory auditory hallucinations, a large group of patients with schizophrenia and related disorders could be the target group of this short-term psychotherapeutic intervention.

P12.11.B The role of miRNAs in glioma in response to hypoxia

Background

Hypoxia, low oxygen, is a microenvironment that promotes tumour progression, particularly in gliomas. The regulation of many biological processes are maintained by miRNAs. The hypoxia status of glioma cells effects the regulation of processes by affecting the expression of individual miRNAs.The aims of this study is identifying significant miRNAs that are either under or overexpressed in hypoxia compared to normoxia in glioma cells and further exploring the effect of hypoxia on miR-92a-3p and miR-149-5p in gliomas on the apoptotic and cellular senescence pathways.

Material and Methods

A range of glioma cells were used for screening including primary cell lines: GIN28 and GIN31; low-grade cell lines: LGG19 and LGG24; paediatric cell line: SF188 and commercially available glioblastoma cell line U87. These cells were culture at both 1% (hypoxia) and 20% (normoxia) oxygen levels. Screening of miRNAs was achieved by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) using miRNA specific primers. Knockdowns/in were achieved by transfecting with miR-92a-3p and miR-149-5p mimics and inhibitors. Caspase-glo assay was used to assess the effect of hypoxia on apoptosis.

Results

miRNA 92a-3p and miR-149-5p were found to be downregulated and upregulated respectively in primary gliomas cells in hypoxia compared to normoxia. These particular miRNAs are also found to have multiple targets in apoptosis and cellular senescence.

Conclusion

The screening of 90 miRNAs among the different categories of gliomas highlighted multiple miRNAs that were significant in hypoxia compared to normoxia. Using primary cell lines have identified hypoxia-affected miRNAs in glioblastomas. This discovery will increase our knowledge and understanding of the hypoxia effect on miRNAs which may aid and direct targeted therapy to conquer hypoxia in glioblastomas.

Decreasing surface albedo signifies a growing importance of clouds for Greenland Ice Sheet meltwater production

Clouds regulate the Greenland Ice Sheet’s surface energy balance through the competing effects of shortwave radiation shading and longwave radiation trapping. However, the relative importance of these effects within Greenland’s narrow ablation zone, where nearly all meltwater runoff is produced, remains poorly quantified. Here we use machine learning to merge MODIS, CloudSat, and CALIPSO satellite observations to produce a high-resolution cloud radiative effect product. For the period 2003–2020, we find that a 1% change in cloudiness has little effect (±0.16 W m⁻²) on summer net radiative fluxes in the ablation zone because the warming and cooling effects of clouds compensate. However, by 2100 (SSP5-8.5 scenario), radiative fluxes in the ablation zone will become more than twice as sensitive (±0.39 W m⁻²) to changes in cloudiness due to reduced surface albedo. Accurate representation of clouds will therefore become increasingly important for forecasting the Greenland Ice Sheet’s contribution to global sea-level rise.

Here the authors use remote sensing observations and machine learning to show that clouds will become increasingly important for determining the Greenland Ice Sheet’s contribution to global sea levels due to decreasing albedo in the ablation zone.

Abstract PD2-01: A platform of CDK4/6 inhibitor-resistant patient-derived breast cancer organoids illuminates mechanisms of resistance and therapeutic vulnerabilities

CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) in combination with antiestrogens have revolutionized the treatment of ER+ metastatic breast cancer (MBC), significantly prolonging survival. However, this combination is not curative, and tumors eventually acquire resistance. Following progression on this combination, patients are left with limited treatment options. A diverse array of mechanisms of resistance to CDK4/6i + antiestrogens have been described. However, laboratory models that capture this heterogeneity of resistance mechanisms are lacking. Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) provide a rapid, robust and reliable platform that recapitulates intra-tumor heterogeneity, partially mimics the cancer microenvironment, and accurately predicts drug response. We aspired to generate a platform of CDK4/6i-resistant breast cancer PDOs to serve as models for understanding acquired resistance to CDK4/6i + antiestrogens and identifying therapies to overcome resistance. We successfully established 16 PDOs out of 32 biopsies (50% efficiency) of metastates from patients with ER+ MBC progressing on CDK4/6i (palbociclib or abemaciclib) + antiestrogens (letrozole or fulvestrant; median response to combination = 9 months). Our collection includes PDOs derived from lobular (n=3) and inflammatory (n=2) breast cancers and reflects racial/ethnic diversity (50% white/not Hispanic; 18.8% Hispanic; 12.5% Black; 12.5% other/unknown). Next-gen sequencing reports were available for 10 patients from which organoids were established, revealing alterations associated with CDK4/6i and/or antiestrogen resistance, including ESR1 (n=2), HER2/ERBB2 (n=2), PTEN (n=2), CCNE1 (n=1), NF1 (n=1), and ARID1A (n=1). Furthermore, one biopsy and its derived organoid lost ER expression, and 5 harbored PIK3CA activating mutations. Thus far, we have performed targeted DNA-sequencing on 7 PDOs and found 13/15 (86.7%) concordance with driver mutations from tumor NGS reports. PDOs established from CDK4/6i-resistant biopsies maintained resistance to palbociclib or abemaciclib ± fulvestrant (500 nM each) in 3D cell viability assays (6 days of treatment). In contrast, control PDOs established from primary ER+ breast cancer surgical samples (n=2) were sensitive to each CDK4/6i ± fulvestrant (median viability for combination=25.6-31.5% for control vs 65.2-80.5% for resistant). GSEA analysis of RNA-seq data from control (n=2) and CDK4/6i-resistant (n=6) PDOs cultured in estrogen-depleted media ± 200 nM palbociclib revealed that palbociclib treatment resulted in downregulation of E2F target and G2M checkpoint signatures in control but not resistant PDOs. Next, we performed a high-throughput screen of 1,000 compounds in 3 resistant PDOs. One PDO showed exquisite sensitivity to G2/M cell cycle checkpoint components, including CDK1, PLK1, Aurora kinase, ATR, Chk1, and Wee1 inhibitors. Finally, treatment of 10 resistant PDOs with the CDK2/4/6 inhibitor PF-06873600 revealed that the CCNE1 (cyclin E1)-amplified PDO was highly sensitive (IC50=130 nM vs >1000 nM), supporting that CCNE1-amplified tumors are vulnerable to CDK2 inhibition. Conclusions: PDOs can be successfully established from ER+ MBC biopsies, maintain the resistant phenotype in culture, retain driver alterations found in tumors from which they were derived, and fail to suppress E2F targets following treatment with CDK4/6i. Therefore, these PDOs represent valuable models to understand and explore diverse mechanisms of CDK4/6i resistance and therapeutic vulnerabilities.

Citation Format: Ariella B. Hanker, Sumanta Chatterjee, Yunguan Wang, Dan Ye, Dhivya R. Sudhan, Brian M. Larsen, Lauren C. Smith, Yilin Zhang, Vishal Kandagatla, Kuntal Majmudar, Ezequiel Renzulli, Saurabh Mendiratta, Kimberly Blackwell, Alana L. Welm, Sunati Sahoo, Nisha Unni, Cheryl M. Lewis, Tao Wang, Ameen A. Salahudeen, Carlos L. Arteaga. A platform of CDK4/6 inhibitor-resistant patient-derived breast cancer organoids illuminates mechanisms of resistance and therapeutic vulnerabilities [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD2-01.

Cannabidiol reduces withdrawal symptoms in nicotine-dependent rats

RATIONALE

Cannabidiol (CBD) reduces craving in animal models of alcohol and cocaine use and is known to modulate nicotinic receptor function, suggesting that it may alleviate symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. However, preclinical evaluation of its efficacy is still lacking.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to test the preclinical efficacy of a chronic CBD treatment in reducing nicotine dependence using measures of withdrawal symptoms including somatic signs, hyperalgesia, and weight gain during acute and protracted abstinence.

METHODS

Male and female Wistar rats were made dependent on nicotine using osmotic minipumps (3.15 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks, after which minipumps were removed to induce spontaneous withdrawal. Three groups received CBD injections at doses of 7.5, 15, and 30 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks, starting 1 week into chronic nicotine infusion. The control groups included rats with nicotine minipumps that received vehicle injections of sesame oil instead of CBD; rats implanted with saline minipumps received sesame oil injections (double vehicle) or the highest dose of CBD 30 mg/kg/day. Throughout the experiment, serum was collected for determination of CBD and nicotine concentrations, mechanical sensitivity threshold and withdrawal scores were measured, and body weight was recorded.

RESULTS

CBD prevented rats from exhibiting somatic signs of withdrawal and hyperalgesia during acute and protracted abstinence. There was no dose-response observed for CBD, suggesting a ceiling effect at the doses used and the potential for lower effective doses of CBD. The saline minipump group did not show either somatic signs of withdrawal or hyperalgesia during acute and protracted abstinence, and the highest dose of CBD used (30 mg/kg/day) did not alter these results.

CONCLUSIONS

This preclinical study suggests that using CBD as a strategy to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms upon nicotine cessation may be beneficial.

Cigarette Smoking Trajectories in Adult Former Smokers Using the JUUL System

Objective: In this study, we assessed cigarette smoking over 12 months among adult former smokers who newly purchased a JUUL Starter Kit (JSK). Methods: Prevalence of past 30-day smoking and factors associated with smoking were assessed among adult (age ≥ 21) former established smokers, stratified as recent (quitting ≤ 12 months) and long-term quitters (> 12 months), who purchased a JSK and completed ≥ 1 of 6 follow-up assessments (N = 4786). Results: Recent quitters had higher rates (16.6%-19.9%) of past 30-day smoking than long-term quitters (6.4%-9.2%) across the 12-month period; smoking prevalence did not significantly increase over time in either subgroup. Few participants (6.5% of recent quitters, 2.8% of long-term quitters) reported smoking at both 9 and 12 months, a pattern that might indicate persistent smoking. Past 30-day JUUL use remained high (≥ 87%) across the 12 months. Participants who used JUUL more frequently were less likely to smoke. Conclusions: Among former smokers who purchased JUUL, prevalence rates of smoking were low and stable across the 12-month period, suggesting there was not a growing cohort of former smokers resuming smoking. Smoking was more common in recent quitters than long-term quitters. Greater use of JUUL was associated with reduced odds of smoking resumption.

The Hidden Brain: Uncovering Previously Overlooked Brain Regions by Employing Novel Preclinical Unbiased Network Approaches

A large focus of modern neuroscience has revolved around preselected brain regions of interest based on prior studies. While there are reasons to focus on brain regions implicated in prior work, the result has been a biased assessment of brain function. Thus, many brain regions that may prove crucial in a wide range of neurobiological problems, including neurodegenerative diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders, have been neglected. Advances in neuroimaging and computational neuroscience have made it possible to make unbiased assessments of whole-brain function and identify previously overlooked regions of the brain. This review will discuss the tools that have been developed to advance neuroscience and network-based computational approaches used to further analyze the interconnectivity of the brain. Furthermore, it will survey examples of neural network approaches that assess connectivity in clinical (i.e., human) and preclinical (i.e., animal model) studies and discuss how preclinical studies of neurodegenerative diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders can greatly benefit from the unbiased nature of whole-brain imaging and network neuroscience.

Developing Translational Vaccines against Heroin and Fentanyl through Investigation of Adjuvants and Stability

The nearly insurmountable adversity that accompanies opioid use disorder (OUD) creates life-altering complications for opioid users. To worsen matters, existing small-molecule drugs continue to inadequately address OUD due to their engagement of the opioid receptor, which can leave the user to deal with side effects and financial hardships from their repeated use. An alternative therapeutic approach utilizes endogenously generated antibodies through active vaccination to reduce the effect of opioids without modulating the opioid receptor. Here, we explore different adjuvants and storage conditions to improve opioid vaccine efficacy and shelf life. Our results revealed that inulin-based formulations (Advax) containing a CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) acted as effective adjuvants when combined with a heroin conjugate: immunized mice showed excellent recovery from heroin-induced antinociception accompanied by high titer, high opioid affinity serum antibodies similar to the immunopotentiating properties of traditional alum-based adjuvants. Moreover, nonhuman primates vaccinated with a heroin/fentanyl combination vaccine demonstrated potent antibody responses against opioids when formulated with both inulin and alum adjuvants. Finally, storing a freeze-dried opioid vaccine formulation maintained efficacy for up 1 year at room temperature. The results from our studies represent an advance toward a clinically feasible opioid vaccine.

Clinical Heinz Body Anemia in a Cat After Repeat Propofol Administration Case Report

Heinz body formation has been reported in cats repeatedly administered propofol for anesthesia induction, although the resultant changes were deemed of little clinical significance (1, 2). This report suggests repeated propofol administration to some individual cats might induce anemia with clinical signs and cessation of propofol administration may result in rapid resolution. A 9-years-old American Domestic Shorthair cat receiving a 20-fraction radiation protocol for lateral thoracic fibrosarcoma showed lethargy, decreased appetite and activity, and Heinz body (3+ on blood smear examination) anemia (packed cell volume 22%; reference interval 24-45%) after 12 repeated propofol anesthesia inductions. The anesthesia induction protocol was adjusted to exclude propofol. Over the following week, the anemia resolved (packed cell volume, 30%), and the cat's activity level, appetite and attitude improved. The total dose of propofol received over the 12 treatments was 62.4 mg/kg.

Validation of a nicotine vapor self-administration model in rats with relevance to electronic cigarette use

The debate about electronic cigarettes is dividing healthcare professionals, policymakers, manufacturers, and communities. A key limitation in our understanding of the cause and consequences of vaping is the lack of animal models of nicotine vapor self-administration. Here, we developed a novel model of voluntary electronic cigarette use in rats using operant behavior. We found that rats voluntarily exposed themselves to nicotine vapor to the point of reaching blood nicotine levels that are similar to humans. The level of responding on the active (nicotine) lever was similar to the inactive (air) lever and lower than the active lever that was associated with vehicle (polypropylene glycol/glycerol) vapor, suggesting low positive reinforcing effects and low nicotine vapor discrimination. Lever pressing behavior with nicotine vapor was pharmacologically prevented by the α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist and α7 receptor full agonist varenicline in rats that self-administered nicotine but not vehicle vapor. Moreover, 3 weeks of daily (1 h) nicotine vapor self-administration produced addiction-like behaviors, including somatic signs of withdrawal, allodynia, anxiety-like behavior, and relapse-like behavior after 3 weeks of abstinence. Finally, 3 weeks of daily (1 h) nicotine vapor self-administration produced cardiopulmonary abnormalities and changes in α4, α3, and β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit mRNA levels in the nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex. These findings validate a novel animal model of nicotine vapor self-administration in rodents with relevance to electronic cigarette use in humans and highlight the potential addictive properties and harmful effects of chronic nicotine vapor self-administration.

Leveraging Neural Networks in Preclinical Alcohol Research

Alcohol use disorder is a pervasive healthcare issue with significant socioeconomic consequences. There is a plethora of neural imaging techniques available at the clinical and preclinical level, including magnetic resonance imaging and three-dimensional (3D) tissue imaging techniques. Network-based approaches can be applied to imaging data to create neural networks that model the functional and structural connectivity of the brain. These networks can be used to changes to brain-wide neural signaling caused by brain states associated with alcohol use. Neural networks can be further used to identify key brain regions or neural "hubs" involved in alcohol drinking. Here, we briefly review the current imaging and neurocircuit manipulation methods. Then, we discuss clinical and preclinical studies using network-based approaches related to substance use disorders and alcohol drinking. Finally, we discuss how preclinical 3D imaging in combination with network approaches can be applied alone and in combination with other approaches to better understand alcohol drinking.

Advances in smoking cessation pharmacotherapy: Non-nicotinic approaches in animal models

The landscape of worldwide tobacco use is changing, with a decrease in traditional smoking and an exponential rise in electronic cigarette use. No new nicotine cessation pharmacotherapies have come to market in the last 10 years. The current therapies that have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for nicotine cessation include nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline, a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, and the atypical antidepressant bupropion. Nicotine replacement therapy and varenicline both act on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Bupropion inhibits the dopamine transporter, the norepinephrine transporter, and the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors to inhibit smoking behavior. Notwithstanding these treatments, rates of successful nicotine cessation in clinical trials remain low. Recent pharmacological approaches to improve nicotine cessation rates in animal models have turned their focus away from activating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The present review focuses on such pharmacological approaches, including nicotine vaccines, anti-nicotine antibodies, nicotine-degrading enzymes, cannabinoids, and metformin. Both immunopharmacological and enzymatic approaches rely on restricting and degrading nicotine within the periphery, thus preventing psychoactive effects of nicotine on the central nervous system. In contrast, pharmacologic inhibition of the enzymes which degrade nicotine could affect smoking behavior. Cannabinoid receptor agonists and antagonists interact with the dopamine reward pathway and show efficacy in reducing nicotine addiction-like behaviors in preclinical studies. Metformin is currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of diabetes. It activates specific intracellular kinases that may protect against the lower metabolism, higher oxidation, and inflammation that are associated with nicotine withdrawal. Further studies are needed to investigate non-nicotinic targets to improve the treatment of tobacco use disorder. This article is part of the special issue on 'Contemporary Advances in Nicotine Neuropharmacology'.

Collapse dynamics of spherical cavities in a solid under shock loading

Extraordinary states of highly localised pressure and temperature can be generated upon the collapse of impulsively driven cavities. Direct observation of this phenomenon in solids has proved challenging, but recent advances in high-speed synchrotron radiography now permit the study of highly transient, subsurface events in real time. We present a study on the shock-induced collapse of spherical cavities in a solid polymethyl methacrylate medium, driven to shock states between 0.49 and 16.60 GPa. Utilising multi-MHz phase contrast radiography, extended sequences of the collapse process have been captured, revealing new details of interface motion, material failure and jet instability formation. Results reveal a rich array of collapse characteristics dominated by strength effects at low shock pressures and leading to a hydrodynamic response at the highest loading conditions.

Development of the central nervous system in equine twin fetuses derived by somatic cell nuclear transfer

Because of the growing importance of horses in leisure and several sports, somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is being used more frequently for cloning animals for performance and reproductive purposes. However, because of the need to perforate the zona pellucida during microsurgical reconstruction of the oocyte, it is possible that SCNT-derived embryos undergo premature hatching, resulting in embryo bisection and twinning. Therefore, because equine twin pregnancies often lead to abnormal embryo development and pregnancy failure, we performed a detailed comparative assessment of equine twin fetuses derived by SCNT with particular attention on the development of the central nervous system at 40 and 60 days gestation. The results of this study indicate that although cloned twin embryos show small differences in size, they do not exhibit apparent macro- or microscopic developmental discrepancies in the central nervous system, suggesting that the twining phenomenon resulting from SCNT does not affect fetal differentiation.

Grey eosinophils in a Miniature Schnauzer with a poorly differentiated mast cell tumor

A 10-year-old female spayed Miniature Schnauzer was presented for investigation of an intra-nasal mass. The mass was diagnosed by histopathologic examination as an undifferentiated round cell neoplasm with an infiltrate of segmented leukocytes, interpreted as neutrophilic inflammation. The mass was treated with palliative radiation and systemic chemotherapy due to the presence of regional lymph node metastasis. During subsequent monitoring over several months, the peripheral leukocyte concentration was repeatedly within reference intervals to slightly increased with low numbers of toxic neutrophils. Four months after the initial diagnosis, there was a significant leukocytosis of 66 100 cells/μL, and 39 700 cells/μL of the leukocytes had variably mature, lobulated, and hypolobulated nuclei, and grey cytoplasm with clear vacuoles, resembling grey eosinophils. To further characterize these cells, peripheral blood smears from the patient and a canine control with eosinophilia were stained for alkaline phosphatase (AP), peroxidase, and esterase activities, and with Luxol fast blue (LFB). Histopathologic sections of the nasal mass were stained with LFB and immunohistochemically for tryptase. On blood smears, the cytoplasm of the suspected grey eosinophils stained for AP and granules stained with LFB confirmed that there was an eosinophilic lineage. Peroxidase staining was weak, and esterase staining was absent. On histopathologic sections from the nasal mass, the segmented leukocytes contained LFB-staining granules, indicating an eosinophilic infiltrate was present. Neoplastic cells expressed tryptase, which confirms a mast cell lineage. Our findings suggest that grey eosinophils might be under-recognized and interpreted incorrectly as toxic neutrophils. This report expands the canine breeds in which these eosinophils have been identified.

Treating hoarding disorder with compassion-focused therapy: A pilot study examining treatment feasibility, acceptability, and exploring treatment effects

OBJECTIVES

Hoarding disorder (HD) was recognized as a psychiatric disorder in 2013. Existing literature suggests room for improvement in its treatment. The current pilot study aimed to provide an initial evaluation on the potential of compassion-focused therapy (CFT) as an intervention for HD, with the primary aim being assessing its feasibility and acceptability, and the secondary being evaluating its effects.

DESIGN

Both CFT and a second round of the current standard of treatment and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) were investigated in the current study as follow-up treatment options for individuals who had completed CBT but were still significantly symptomatic.

METHODS

Forty eligible individuals were enrolled (20 in each treatment). Treatment feasibility and acceptability were assessed by quantitative and qualitative measures. To explore treatment effects, HD symptom severity, HD-related dysfunctions, and their underlying mechanisms were assessed pre-treatment and post-treatment.

RESULTS

Retention rates were 72% for CFT and 37% for CBT. All participants and 79% of the participants rated CFT and CBT, respectively, as good or excellent. After receiving CFT as a follow-up treatment, HD symptom severity dropped below the cut-off point for clinically significant HD for 77% of the treatment completers, and 62% achieved clinically significant reduction in symptom severity. In contrast, after completing a second course of CBT, 23% had HD symptom severity dropped below the cut-off threshold, and 29% achieved clinically significant symptom reduction.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study showed satisfactory feasibility and acceptability of CFT. Moreover, it also found promising effects of CFT in addressing hoarding-related mechanisms that may not have been sufficiently addressed by CBT. The results suggest promising potential of CFT as a treatment for HD. Further investigation on this intervention is needed.

PRACTITIONER POINTS

CFT may be a promising treatment option, particularly for those who do not respond well to CBT. Improving emotion regulation and negative self-perception by applying CFT interventions may help relieve hoarding symptoms. Generalization of the findings should be applied with caution given the small convenience sample of the current study. Statistical comparison on treatment effect measures between CFT and CBT as follow-up treatments was not available due to small sample size. Therefore, the comparative conclusions based on this pilot study should be made with caution.

Monoclonal Antibodies for Combating Synthetic Opioid Intoxication

Opioid abuse in the United States has been declared a national crisis and is exacerbated by an inexpensive, readily available, and illicit supply of synthetic opioids. Specifically, fentanyl and related analogues such as carfentanil pose a significant danger to opioid users due to their high potency and rapid acting depression of respiration. In recent years these synthetic opioids have become the number one cause of drug-related deaths. In our research efforts to combat the public health threat posed by synthetic opioids, we have developed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the fentanyl class of drugs. The mAbs were generated in hybridomas derived from mice vaccinated with a fentanyl conjugate vaccine. Guided by a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) binding assay, we selected six hybridomas that produced mAbs with 10^-11 M binding affinity for fentanyl, yet broad cross-reactivity with related fentanyl analogues. In mouse antinociception models, our lead mAb (6A4) could blunt the effects of both fentanyl and carfentanil in a dose-responsive manner. Additionally, mice pretreated with 6A4 displayed enhanced survival when subjected to fentanyl above LD₅₀ doses. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that the antibody sequesters large amounts of these drugs in the blood, thus reducing drug biodistribution to the brain and other tissue. Lastly, the 6A4 mAb could effectively reverse fentanyl/carfentanil-induced antinociception comparable to the opioid antagonist naloxone, the standard of care drug for treating opioid overdose. While naloxone is known for its short half-life, we found the half-life of 6A4 to be approximately 6 days in mice, thus monoclonal antibodies could theoretically be useful in preventing renarcotization events in which opioid intoxication recurs following quick metabolism of naloxone. Our results as a whole demonstrate that monoclonal antibodies could be a desirable treatment modality for synthetic opioid overdose and possibly opioid use disorder.

Heroin vaccine: Using titer, affinity, and antinociception as metrics when examining sex and strain differences

Anti-drug vaccines have potential as new interventions against substance use disorder (SUD). However, given the challenges seen with inter-individual variability in SUD vaccine trials to date, new interventions should ensure a robust immune response and safety profile among a diverse population. This requires accounting for sex and heritable genetic differences in response to both abused substances as well as the vaccination itself. To test response variability to our heroin-tetanus toxoid (Her-TT) immunoconjugate vaccine, we vaccinated male and female mice from several mouse strains including Swiss Webster (SW), BALB/c, and Jackson diversity mice (J:DO). Previous studies with vaccinated male SW mice demonstrated a rare hypersensitivity resulting in mice rapidly expiring with exposure to a low dose of heroin. Our results indicate that this response is limited to only male SW mice, and not to any other strain or female SW mice. Our data suggest that this hypersensitivity is not the result of an overactive cytokine or IgE response. Vaccination was similarly effective among the sexes for each strain and against repeated heroin challenge. Inbred BALB/c and J:DO mice were found to have the best vaccine response against heroin in antinociception behavioral assay. These results highlight the importance of incorporating both male and female subjects, along with different strains to mimic diverse human populations, as new SUD vaccines are being tested.

A chemically contiguous hapten approach for a heroin-fentanyl vaccine

Background: Increased death due to the opioid epidemic in the United States has necessitated the development of new strategies to treat addiction. Monoclonal antibodies and antidrug vaccines provide a tool that both aids addiction management and reduces the potential for overdose. Dual drug vaccines formulated by successive conjugation or by mixture have certain drawbacks. The current study examines an approach for combatting the dangers of fentanyl-laced heroin, by using a hapten with one epitope that has domains for both fentanyl and heroin. Results: We evaluated a series of nine vaccines developed from chemically contiguous haptens composed of both heroin- and fentanyl-like domains. Analysis of the results obtained by SPR and ELISA revealed trends in antibody affinity and titers for heroin and fentanyl based on epitope size and linker location. In antinociception studies, the best performing vaccines offered comparable protection against heroin as our benchmark heroin vaccine, but exhibited attenuated protection against fentanyl compared to our fentanyl vaccine. Conclusion: After thorough investigation of this strategy, we have identified key considerations for the development of a chemically contiguous heroin-fentanyl vaccine. Importantly, this is the first report of such a strategy in the opioid-drug-vaccine field.

Lateral Flow Assessment and Unanticipated Toxicity of Kratom

The leaves of the Mitragynine speciosia tree (also known as Kratom) have long been chewed, smoked, or brewed into a tea by people in Southeastern Asian countries, such as Malaysia and Thailand. Just this past year, the plant Kratom gained popularity in the United States as a "legal opioid" and scheduling it as a drug of abuse is currently pending. The primary alkaloid found in Kratom is a μ-opioid receptor agonist, mitragynine, whose structure contains a promising scaffold for immunopharmacological use. Although Kratom is regarded as a safe opioid alternative, here we report the LD₅₀ values determined for its two main psychoactive alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, as comparable to heroin in mice when administered intravenously. Given Kratom's recent emergence in the U.S., there is currently no diagnostic test available for law enforcement or health professionals, so we sought to design such an assay. Mitragynine was used as a starting point for hapten design, resulting in a hapten with an ether linker extending from the C9 position of the alkaloid. Bacterial flagellin (FliC) was chosen as a carrier protein for active immunization in mice, yielding 32 potential monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for assay development. Antimitragynine mAbs in the range of micro- to nanomolar affinities were uncovered and their utility in producing a convenient lateral flow detection assay of human fluid samples was examined. Antibodies were screened for binding to mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, and performance in lateral flow assays. Two monoclonal antibodies were subcloned and further purified with 93 and 362 nM affinity to mitragynine. Test strip assays were optimized with a detection cut off of 0.5 μg/mL for mitragynine in buffer and urine (reflecting projected clinically relevant levels of drug in urine), which could be beneficial to law enforcement agencies and health professionals as the opioid epidemic in America continues to evolve.

Improved Admixture Vaccine of Fentanyl and Heroin Hapten Immunoconjugates: Antinociceptive Evaluation of Fentanyl-Contaminated Heroin

Fentanyl and its derivatives have become pervasive contaminants in the U.S. heroin supply. Previously, we reported a proof-of-concept vaccine designed to combat against heroin contaminated with fentanyl. Herein, we optimized the admixture vaccine and found that it surpassed the individual vaccines in every antinociceptive test, including a 10% fentanyl to heroin formulation. It is anticipated that other co-occurring drug abuse disorders may also be examined with admixture vaccines.

Early phosphoproteomic changes for adverse outcome pathway development in the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) brain

Adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) are conceptual frameworks that organize and link contaminant-induced mechanistic molecular changes to adverse biological responses at the individual and population level. AOPs leverage molecular and high content mechanistic information for regulatory decision-making, but most current AOPs for hormonally active agents (HAAs) focus on nuclear receptor-mediated effects only despite the overwhelming evidence that HAAs also activate membrane receptors. Activation of membrane receptors triggers non-genomic signaling cascades often transduced by protein phosphorylation leading to phenotypic changes. We utilized label-free LC-MS/MS to identify proteins differentially phosphorylated in the brain of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) aqueously exposed for 30 minutes to two HAAs, 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), a strong estrogenic substance, and levonorgestrel (LNG), a progestin, both components of the birth control pill. EE2 promoted differential phosphorylation of proteins involved in neuronal processes such as nervous system development, synaptic transmission, and neuroprotection, while LNG induced differential phosphorylation of proteins involved in axon cargo transport and calcium ion homeostasis. EE2 and LNG caused similar enrichment of synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis. This study is the first to identify molecular changes in vivo in fish after short-term exposure and highlights transduction of rapid signaling mechanisms as targets of HAAs, in addition to nuclear receptor-mediated pathways.

Crystallography Coupled with Kinetic Analysis Provides Mechanistic Underpinnings of a Nicotine-Degrading Enzyme

Nicotine oxidoreductase (NicA2) is a bacterial flavoenzyme, which catalyzes the first step of nicotine catabolism by oxidizing S-nicotine into N-methyl-myosmine. It has been proposed as a biotherapeutic for nicotine addiction because of its nanomolar substrate binding affinity. The first crystal structure of NicA2 has been reported, establishing NicA2 as a member of the monoamine oxidase (MAO) family. However, substrate specificity and structural determinants of substrate binding and/or catalysis have not been explored. Herein, analysis of the pH-rate profile, single-turnover kinetics, and binding data establish that pH does not significantly affect the catalytic rate and product release is not rate-limiting. The X-ray crystal structure of NicA2 with S-nicotine refined to 2.65 Å resolution reveals a hydrophobic binding site with a solvent exclusive cavity. Hydrophobic interactions predominantly orient the substrate, promoting the binding of a deprotonated species and supporting a hydride-transfer mechanism. Notably, NicA2 showed no activity against neurotransmitters oxidized by the two isoforms of human MAO. To further probe the substrate range of NicA2, enzyme activity was evaluated using a series of substrate analogues, indicating that S-nicotine is the optimal substrate and substitutions within the pyridyl ring abolish NicA2 activity. Moreover, mutagenesis and kinetic analysis of active-site residues reveal that removal of a hydrogen bond between the pyridyl ring of S-nicotine and the hydroxyl group of T381 has a 10-fold effect on KM, supporting the role of this bond in positioning the catalytically competent form of the substrate. Together, crystallography combined with kinetic analysis provides a deeper understanding of this enzyme's remarkable specificity.

Randomised clinical trial of community-based peer-led and psychologist-led group treatment for hoarding disorder

BACKGROUND

Treatment for hoarding disorder is typically performed by mental health professionals, potentially limiting access to care in underserved areas.

AIMS

We aimed to conduct a non-inferiority trial of group peer-facilitated therapy (G-PFT) and group psychologist-led cognitive-behavioural therapy (G-CBT).

METHOD

We randomised 323 adults with hording disorder 15 weeks of G-PFT or 16 weeks of G-CBT and assessed at baseline, post-treatment and longitudinally (≥3 months post-treatment: mean 14.4 months, range 3-25). Predictors of treatment response were examined.

RESULTS

G-PFT (effect size 1.20) was as effective as G-CBT (effect size 1.21; between-group difference 1.82 points, t = -1.71, d.f. = 245, P = 0.04). More homework completion and ongoing help from family and friends resulted in lower severity scores at longitudinal follow-up (t = 2.79, d.f. = 175, P = 0.006; t = 2.89, d.f. = 175, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Peer-led groups were as effective as psychologist-led groups, providing a novel treatment avenue for individuals without access to mental health professionals.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

C.A.M. has received grant funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and travel reimbursement and speakers' honoraria from the Tourette Association of America (TAA), as well as honoraria and travel reimbursement from the NIH for serving as an NIH Study Section reviewer. K.D. receives research support from the NIH and honoraria and travel reimbursement from the NIH for serving as an NIH Study Section reviewer. R.S.M. receives research support from the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Aging, the Hillblom Foundation, Janssen Pharmaceuticals (research grant) and the Alzheimer's Association. R.S.M. has also received travel support from the National Institute of Mental Health for Workshop participation. J.Y.T. receives research support from the NIH, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and the California Tobacco Related Research Program, and honoraria and travel reimbursement from the NIH for serving as an NIH Study Section reviewer. All other authors report no conflicts of interest.

Efficacious Vaccine against Heroin Contaminated with Fentanyl

The sharp increase in overdose deaths involving illicit opioid use has been declared a national crisis in the United States. This growing number of overdose deaths can in part be attributed to the increased frequency of fentanyl contamination in the United States heroin supply. To combat this growing trend, we designed a vaccine containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl hapten-conjugates as a proof-of-concept immunotherapy targeting a combination of these drugs. Rodents immunized with the admixture vaccine showed drug retention in serum and reduced distribution in the brain after administration of an intravenous bolus of heroin coadministered with fentanyl (10% w/w). Moreover, the admixture vaccine performed as well as or better than individual immunoconjugate vaccines in antinociception behavioral models and recognized six other fentanyl analogues with nanomolar affinity. Taken together, these data highlight the potential of an admixture vaccine against heroin contaminated with fentanyl.

An enzymatic advance in nicotine cessation therapy

A nicotine-degrading enzyme termed NicA2 was altered (NicA2-J1) through fusion of an albumin binding domain to increase its half-life. Examination of NicA2-J1 in vivo demonstrated a complete blockade of brain nicotine access, which in turn blunted nicotine's psychoactive effects. These data further support development of pharmacokinetic nicotine cessation therapeutics.

Mesenchymal-like stem cells in canine ovary show high differentiation potential

OBJECTIVES

Recent studies have reported the existence of stem cells in ovarian tissue that show enhanced proliferative and differentiation potential compared to other adult tissues. Based on this evidence, we hypothesized that ovarian tissue contained mesenchymal-like stem cells (MSC) that could be isolated using a novel rapid plastic adhesion technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We established MSC lines derived from ovarian and adipose tissue based on their ability to rapidly adhere to plastic culture dishes in the first 3 hours after plating and studied their potentiality in terms of molecular markers and differentiation capacity.

RESULTS

Morphological and kinetic properties of in vitro cultured ovarian MSC were similar to adipose-derived MSC, and both reached senescence after similar passage numbers. Ovarian-derived MSC expressed mesenchymal (CD90 and CD44) but not haematopoietic markers (CD34 and CD45), indicating similarity to adipose-derived MSC. Moreover, ovarian-derived MSC expressed NANOG, TERT, SOX2, OCT4 and showed extensive capacity to differentiate not only into adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic tissue but also towards neurogenic and endodermal lineages and even precursors of primordial germ cells.

CONCLUSION

These results show for the first time the derivation of ovarian cells with the molecular properties of MSC as well as wide differentiation potential. Canine ovarian tissue is accessible, expandable, multipotent and has high plasticity, holding promise for applications in regenerative medicine.

An expeditious green route toward 2-aryl-4-phenyl-1H-imidazoles

Background

Azaheterocycles are an important class of compounds because of their highly potent medicinal activities, and the imidazole subcategory is of special interest in regard to drug discovery research.

Findings

An expeditious synthetic protocol of 2-aryl-4-phenyl-1H-imidazoles has been accomplished by reacting phenylglyoxal monohydrate, ammonium acetate, and aldehyde under sonication. Following this green approach a series of 2-aryl-4-phenyl-1H-imidazoles has been synthesized using diversely substituted aldehydes.

Conclusions

A rapid and simple synthetic procedure to synthesize diversely substituted 2-aryl-4-phenyl-1H-imidazoles has been reported. Other salient features of this protocol include milder conditions, atom-economy, easy extraction, and minimum wastes. The present procedure may find application in the synthesis of biologically active molecules.

Differentiation of equine induced pluripotent stem cells into a keratinocyte lineage

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY

Skin trauma in horses often leads to the development of chronic nonhealing wounds that lack a keratinocyte cover, vital for healing. Reports in mouse and man confirm the possibility of generating functional keratinocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), thus presenting myriad potential applications for wound management or treatment of skin disease. Similarly, differentiation of equine iPSC (eiPSC) into a keratinocyte lineage should provide opportunities for the advancement of veterinary regenerative medicine.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to develop an efficient method for the differentiation of eiPSC into a keratinocyte lineage. It was hypothesised that eiPSC can form differentiated keratinocytes (eiPSC-KC) comparable with primary equine keratinocytes (PEK) in their morphological and functional characteristics.

STUDY DESIGN

Experimental in vitro study.

METHODS

Equine iPSC established using a nonviral system were treated for 30 days with retinoic acid and bone morphogenetic protein-4 to induce directed differentiation into iPSC-KC. Temporospatial gene and protein expression by eiPSC-KC was measured at weekly intervals of differentiation and in response to calcium switch. Proliferative and migratory capacities of eiPSC-KC were compared with those of PEK.

RESULTS

Equine iPSC, upon directed differentiation, showed loss of pluripotency genes and progressive increase in pancytokeratin expression indicating ectodermal specification into keratinocytes. High differentiation efficiency was achieved, with 82.5% of eiPSC expressing keratin 14, a marker of epidermal-specific basal stem cells, after 30 days of directed differentiation. Moreover, the proliferative capacity of eiPSC-KC was superior, while the migratory capacity (measured as the ability to epithelise in vitro wounds) was comparable with that of PEK.

CONCLUSIONS

This proof of concept study suggests that eiPSC can successfully be differentiated into equine keratinocytes (eiPSC-KC) with features that are promising to the development of a stem cell-based skin construct, with the potential to regenerate lost or damaged skin.

Precision Measurement of the p(e,e^{'}p)π^{0} Reaction at Threshold

New results are reported from a measurement of π^{0} electroproduction near threshold using the p(e,e^{'}p)π^{0} reaction. The experiment was designed to determine precisely the energy dependence of s- and p-wave electromagnetic multipoles as a stringent test of the predictions of chiral perturbation theory (ChPT). The data were taken with an electron beam energy of 1192 MeV using a two-spectrometer setup in Hall A at Jefferson Lab. For the first time, complete coverage of the ϕ_{π}^{*} and θ_{π}^{*} angles in the pπ^{0} center of mass was obtained for invariant energies above threshold from 0.5 up to 15 MeV. The 4-momentum transfer Q^{2} coverage ranges from 0.05 to 0.155 (GeV/c)^{2} in fine steps. A simple phenomenological analysis of our data shows strong disagreement with p-wave predictions from ChPT for Q^{2}>0.07 (GeV/c)^{2}, while the s-wave predictions are in reasonable agreement.

Bacterial and fungal pattern recognition receptors in homologous innate signaling pathways of insects and mammals

In response to bacterial and fungal infections in insects and mammals, distinct families of innate immune pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) initiate highly complex intracellular signaling cascades. Those cascades induce a variety of immune functions that restrain the spread of microbes in the host. Insect and mammalian innate immune receptors include molecules that recognize conserved microbial molecular patterns. Innate immune recognition leads to the recruitment of adaptor molecules forming multi-protein complexes that include kinases, transcription factors, and other regulatory molecules. Innate immune signaling cascades induce the expression of genes encoding antimicrobial peptides and other key factors that mount and regulate the immune response against microbial challenge. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the bacterial and fungal PRRs for homologous innate signaling pathways of insects and mammals in an effort to provide a framework for future studies.

Immune potential of allogeneic equine induced pluripotent stem cells

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) have brought immense hope to cellular therapy and regenerative medicine. However, the antigenicity of iPSC has not been well documented and remains a hurdle for clinical applications. Expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules by human and murine iPSC is downregulated, making these cells potentially safe for transplantation. No such data are available for any large animal model.

OBJECTIVES

To measure expression of MHC molecules on equine iPSC (eiPSC) and describe their antigenicity using intradermal testing. The hypothesis was that allogeneic eiPSC weakly express MHC molecules and would not elicit a rejection response when injected intradermally.

STUDY DESIGN

Experimental study involving both in vitro and in vivo components.

METHODS

Two green fluorescent protein-expressing eiPSC lines were analysed by flow cytometry for MHC expression. One line was then transplanted intradermally, along with appropriate controls, into 2 unrelated experimental horses. Blood was collected pre- and 7 days post transplantation. The wheals formed at the sites of injection were measured at regular intervals beginning at 0.25 h until 4 weeks. Tissue samples of the injected sites were obtained at 2, 3, 7 and 30 days post transplantation and analysed by histopathology and immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

Both eiPSC lines weakly expressed MHC molecules. eiPSC were detectable up to 7 days following allogeneic transplantation and elicited no apparent systemic response. Injection of eiPSC caused small wheal formation at the skin surface. Skin sections revealed CD4(+) and CD8(+) mononuclear cells up to 30 days post transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that while transplantation of allogeneic eiPSC elicits a moderate cellular response, it does not cause acute rejection. The feasibility of banking allogeneic iPSC for regenerative medicine applications should be explored.

Neonatal morbidity and mortality of 31 calves derived from somatic cloning

BACKGROUND

The neonatal period is associated with high morbidity and mortality in cloned calves.

OBJECTIVE

To describe morbidity and mortality in cloned calves from birth to 2 years of age.

ANIMALS

Thirty-one somatic cell-derived Holstein calves delivered at a veterinary teaching hospital.

METHODS

Medical files were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Four calves were stillborn. Five calves born alive had physical congenital defects. Twenty-three calves had an enlarged umbilical cord. Laboratory abnormalities included acidemia, respiratory acidosis, hyperlactatemia, anemia, stress leukogram, decreased total protein, albumin and globulins, and increased creatinine. Twenty-five calves survived the 1st hour of life. Among them, 11 stood without assistance within 6 hours of birth, 10 calves took longer than 6 hours to stand, and 4 never stood. Twenty-two calves suffered from anorexia. Twelve calves had complications arising from umbilical cord infections. Three calves developed idiopathic hyperthermia (>40°C). Eight calves suffered from gastrointestinal problems, including ruminal distension, abomasal ulcers, neonatal enteritis, intussusception, and abomasal displacement. Mortality between birth and 3 weeks of age was 32% (10/31). Causes of death and reasons for euthanasia included stillbirths, respiratory failure, and limb deformities. Mortality between 3 weeks and 2 years of age was 19% (4/21), with deaths in this group attributed to generalized peritonitis and complications arising from umbilical infections. Overall, mortality rate within 2 years of age was 14/31 (45%).

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Respiratory problems, limb deformities, and umbilical infections were the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in these cloned calves.

Developmental and epigenetic anomalies in cloned cattle

Many of the developmental anomalies observed in cloned animals are related to foetal and placental overgrowth, a phenomenon known as the 'large offspring syndrome' (LOS) in ruminants. It has been hypothesized that the epigenetic control of imprinted genes, that is, genes that are expressed in a parental-specific manner, is at the root of LOS. Our recent research has focused on understanding epigenetic alterations to imprinted genes that are associated with assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as early embryo in vitro culture (IVC) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in cattle. We have sought and identified single nucleotide polymorphisms in Bos indicus DNA useful for the analysis of parental-specific alleles and their respective transcripts in tissues from hybrid embryos derived by crossing Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle. By analysing differentially methylated regions (DMRs) of imprinted genes SNRPN, H19 and the IGF2R in cattle, we demonstrated that there is a generalized hypomethylation of the imprinted allele and the biallelic expression of embryos produced by SCNT when compared to the methylation patterns observed in vivo (artificially inseminated). Together, these results indicate that imprinting marks are erased during the reprogramming of the somatic cell nucleus during early development, indicating that such epigenetic anomalies may play a key role in mortality and morbidity of cloned animals.

Separate and overlapping relationships of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

There is debate regarding the dimensional versus categorical nature of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study utilized confirmatory factor analysis to examine this issue. ADHD symptoms rated on interviews and rating scales from a large sample of individuals (ages 3-17, 74 % male, 75 % Caucasian) with ADHD were examined (n = 242). Four potential factor structures were tested to replicate prior findings in a sample with a wide age range and included only participants who met DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Correlations with executive function measures were performed to further assess the separability and validity of the derived factors. The data support a bifactor model with a general ADHD factor and two specific factors, inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Importantly, the individual factors were also differentially correlated with executive functioning measures. This study adds to a growing literature suggesting both a general component to ADHD, as well as dimensional traits of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, associated with distinct executive functioning profiles. The presence of a general underlying factor contraindicates separating the inattentive and combined subtypes of ADHD into distinct disorders.

Aberrant expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin proteins in placenta of bovine embryos derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer

Abnormal placental development is common in the bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)-derived fetus. In the present study, we characterised the expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin, structural proteins of adherens junctions, in SCNT gestations as a model for impaired placentation. Cotyledonary tissues were separated from pregnant uteri of SCNT (n = 6) and control pregnancies (n = 8) obtained by artificial insemination. Samples were analysed by western blot, quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Bovine trophectoderm cell lines derived from SCNT and control embryos were analysed to compare with the in utero condition. Although no differences in E-cadherin or β-catenin mRNA abundance were observed in fetal tissues between the two groups, proteins encoded by these genes were markedly under-expressed in SCNT trophoblast cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed a different pattern of E-cadherin and total β-catenin localisation in SCNT placentas compared with controls. No difference was observed in subcellular localisation of dephosphorylated active-β-catenin protein in SCNT tissues compared with controls. However, qRT-PCR confirmed that the wingless (WNT)/β-catenin signalling pathway target genes CCND1, CLDN1 and MSX1 were downregulated in SCNT placentas. No differences were detected between two groups of bovine trophectoderm cell lines. Our results suggest that impaired expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin proteins, along with defective β-catenin signalling during embryo attachment, specifically during placentation, is a molecular mechanism explaining insufficient placentation in the bovine SCNT-derived fetus.

Loss of methylation at H19 DMD is associated with biallelic expression and reduced development in cattle derived by somatic cell nuclear transfer

Although cloning of mammals has been achieved successfully, the percentage of live offspring is very low because of reduced fetal size and fewer implantation sites. Recent studies have attributed such pathological conditions to abnormal reprogramming of the donor cell used for cloning. The inability of the oocyte to fully restore the differentiated status of a somatic cell to its pluripotent and undifferentiated state is normally evidenced by aberrant DNA methylation patterns established throughout the genome during development to blastocyst. These aberrant methylation patterns are associated with abnormal expression of imprinted genes, which among other genes are essential for normal embryo development and gestation. We hypothesized that embryo loss and low implantation rates in cattle derived by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) are caused by abnormal epigenetic reprogramming of imprinted genes. To verify our hypothesis, we analyzed the parental expression and the differentially methylated domain (DMD) methylation status of the H19 gene. Using a parental-specific analysis, we confirmed for the first time that H19 biallelic expression is tightly associated with a severe demethylation of the paternal H19 DMD in SCNT embryos, suggesting that these epigenetic anomalies to the H19 locus could be directly responsible for the reduced size and low implantation rates of cloned embryos in cattle.

New roles and mechanism of action of BMP4 in postnatal tooth cytodifferentiation

During the phase of overt tooth cytodifferentiation that occurs after birth in the mouse and using the 3.6Collagen1a-Cre and the BMP4 floxed and BMP4 knockout mice, the BMP4 gene was deleted in early collagen producing odontoblasts around postnatal day 1. BMP4 expression was reduced over 90% in alveolar osteoblasts and odontoblasts. There was decreased rate of predentin to dentin formation and decreased mature odontoblast differentiation reflected in reduced DMP1 expression and proper dentinal tubule formation, as well as reduced Collagen type I and Osteocalcin expression. We observed mutant dysmorphogenic odontoblasts that failed to properly elongate and differentiate. The consequence of this failed differentiation process leads to permanent loss of dentin thickness, apparent enlarged pulp chambers in the molars and reduced bone supporting the tooth structures in mice as old as 10-12 months. Deletion of the BMP4 gene in odontoblasts also indirectly disrupted the process of enamel formation that persisted throughout life. The mechanism for this altered differentiation program in the absence of the BMP4 gene in odontoblasts is from decreased BMP signaling, and decreased expression of three key transcription factors, Dlx3, Dlx5, and Osterix. BMP signaling, as well as Dlx3 and Amelogenin expression, is also indirectly reduced in the ameloblasts of the odontoblast BMP4 cKO mice. This supports a key paracrine or endocrine postnatal role of odontoblast derived BMP4 on the proper amelogenesis and formation of the enamel.

Precise measurement of the neutron magnetic form factor G(M)n in the few-GeV2 region

The neutron elastic magnetic form factor was extracted from quasielastic electron scattering on deuterium over the range Q;{2}=1.0-4.8 GeV2 with the CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab. High precision was achieved with a ratio technique and a simultaneous in situ calibration of the neutron detection efficiency. Neutrons were detected with electromagnetic calorimeters and time-of-flight scintillators at two beam energies. The dipole parametrization gives a good description of the data.

Search for the photoexcitation of exotic mesons in the pi+pi+pi- system

A search for exotic mesons in the pi;{+}pi;{+}pi;{-} system photoproduced by the charge exchange reaction gammap-->pi;{+}pi;{+}pi;{-}(n) was carried out by the CLAS Collaboration at Jefferson Lab. A tagged-photon beam with energies in the 4.8 to 5.4 GeV range, produced through bremsstrahlung from a 5.744 GeV electron beam, was incident on a liquid-hydrogen target. A partial wave analysis was performed on a sample of 83 000 events, the highest such statistics to date in this reaction at these energies. The main objective of this study was to look for the photoproduction of an exotic J;{PC}=1;{-+} resonant state in the 1 to 2 GeV mass range. Our partial wave analysis shows production of the a_{2}(1320) and the pi_{2}(1670) mesons, but no evidence for the a_{1}(1260), nor the pi_{1}(1600) exotic state at the expected levels. An upper limit of 13.5 nb is determined for the exotic pi_{1}(1600) cross section, less than 2% of the a_{2}(1320) production.

Measurement of direct f0(980) photoproduction on the proton

We report on the results of the first measurement of exclusive f_{0}(980) meson photoproduction on protons for E_{gamma}=3.0-3.8 GeV and -t=0.4-1.0 GeV2. Data were collected with the CLAS detector at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. The resonance was detected via its decay in the pi;{+}pi;{-} channel by performing a partial wave analysis of the reaction gammap-->ppi;{+}pi;{-}. Clear evidence of the f_{0}(980) meson was found in the interference between P and S waves at M_{pi;{+}pi;{-}} approximately 1 GeV. The S-wave differential cross section integrated in the mass range of the f_{0}(980) was found to be a factor of about 50 smaller than the cross section for the rho meson. This is the first time the f_{0}(980) meson has been measured in a photoproduction experiment.

Prenatal mild ventriculomegaly predicts abnormal development of the neonatal brain

BACKGROUND

Many psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders are associated with mild enlargement of the lateral ventricles thought to have origins in prenatal brain development. Little is known about development of the lateral ventricles and the relationship of prenatal lateral ventricle enlargement with postnatal brain development.

METHODS

We performed neonatal magnetic resonance imaging on 34 children with isolated mild ventriculomegaly (MVM; width of the atrium of the lateral ventricle >/= 1.0 cm) on prenatal ultrasound and 34 age- and sex-matched control subjects with normal prenatal ventricle size. Lateral ventricle and cortical gray and white matter volumes were assessed. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) in corpus callosum and corticospinal white matter tracts were determined obtained using quantitative tractography.

RESULTS

Neonates with prenatal MVM had significantly larger lateral ventricle volumes than matched control subjects (286.4%; p < .0001). Neonates with MVM also had significantly larger intracranial volumes (ICV; 7.1%, p = .0063) and cortical gray matter volumes (10.9%, p = .0004) compared with control subjects. Diffusion tensor imaging tractography revealed a significantly greater MD in the corpus callosum and corticospinal tracts, whereas FA was significantly smaller in several white matter tract regions.

CONCLUSIONS

Prenatal enlargement of the lateral ventricle is associated with enlargement of the lateral ventricles after birth, as well as greater gray matter volumes and delayed or abnormal maturation of white matter. It is suggested that prenatal ventricle volume is an early structural marker of altered development of the cerebral cortex and may be a marker of risk for neuropsychiatric disorders associated with ventricle enlargement.