Retraction Note: Musical practice and BDNF plasma levels as a potential marker of synaptic plasticity: an instrument of rehabilitative processes

Abstract Background and objectives The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of musical practice on brain plasticity. BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) is a neurotrophin involved in neuroplasticity and synaptic function. Materials and methods We recruited 48 healthy subjects of equal age and sex (21 musicians and 27 non-musicians). All subjects were administered the AQ (Autism-Spectrum Questionnaire) and plasma levels (PLs) of BDNF, oxytocin (OT), and vasopressin (VP) were measured in the blood sample of every participant. Results. The difference between BDNF PLs in the two groups was found to be statistically significant (t = − 2.214, p = 0.03). Furthermore, oxytocin (OT) PLs and musical practice were found to be independent positive predictors of BDNF PLs (p < 0.04). We also found a negative correlation between BDNF PLs and AD (attention to detail) sub-scale score of AQ throughout the whole sample. Assuming BDNF PLs to be a marker of synaptic plasticity, higher PLs could be associated with the activation of alternative neural pathways: a lower score in the “attention to detail” sub-scale could imply greater flexibility of higher cerebral functions among musicians. Further researches should be conducted to assess the rehabilitative usefulness of these findings among patients affected by psychiatric disorders.

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DUSP1 Is a Potential Marker of Chronic Inflammation in Arabs with Cardiovascular Diseases

Disease Markers ◽

10.1155/2018/9529621 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Abdelkrim Khadir ◽

Sina Kavalakatt ◽

Mohammed Dehbi ◽

Monira Alarouj ◽

Abdullah Bennakhi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Chronic Inflammation ◽

Plasma Levels ◽

Recurrent Events ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Least Square ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Low Grade ◽

Potential Marker ◽

Diabetes Status

Background. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks persist in patients despite the use of conventional treatments. This might be due to chronic inflammation as reflected in epidemiological studies associating circulating low-grade inflammatory markers with CVD recurrent events. Here, we explored this potential link by assessing plasma dual-specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) levels and comparing them to high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) levels and their associations to conventional CVD risk factors in confirmed CVD patients. Methods. Human adults with reported CVD (n=207) and controls (n=70) living in Kuwait were used in this study. Anthropometric and classical biochemical parameters were determined. Plasma levels of DUSP1, oxLDL, and hsCRP were measured using human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results. DUSP1 and hsCRP plasma levels and their least square means were higher in CVD cases, while oxLDL plasma levels were lower (p<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that DUSP1 and hsCRP are independently associated with CVD in the studied population, as reflected by 2-fold and 1.5-fold increased risks with increased levels of DUSP1 and hsCRP, respectively. In our study, DUSP1 levels were found to be associated with CVD despite statin treatment and diabetes status (p<0.05), whereas hsCRP mainly correlated with obesity markers. Conclusions. Circulating DUSP1 might be a predictor of chronic subclinical inflammation and residual risk in CVD patients, whereas our data suggest that the association between hsCRP and CVD is largely accounted for adiposity risk factors.

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Circulating steroid levels as correlates of adipose tissue phenotype in premenopausal women

Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation ◽

10.1515/hmbci-2017-0082 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Geneviève B. Marchand ◽

Anne-Marie Carreau ◽

Sofia Laforest ◽

Julie-Anne Côté ◽

Marleen Daris ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adipose Tissue ◽

Plasma Levels ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Premenopausal Women ◽

Fat Distribution ◽

Adipocyte Size ◽

Fat Percentage ◽

Potential Marker ◽

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass ◽

Adipocyte Hypertrophy

AbstractBackgroundObesity-related alterations in the circulating steroid hormone profile remain equivocal in women. Our objective was to identify circulating steroid levels that relate to increased adiposity and altered adipose phenotype in premenopausal women.Materials and methodsIn a sample of 42 premenopausal women [age 46 ± 3 years; body mass index (BMI) 27.1 ± 4.2 kg/m2], 19 plasma steroids were quantified by electrospray ionization-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (ESI-LC-MS/MS). Body composition and fat distribution were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and computed tomography (CT), respectively. Markers of adipose tissue function including adipocyte size distributions, radiological attenuation and macrophage infiltration were also analyzed in surgically obtained visceral and subcutaneous fat samples.ResultsMany negative correlations were observed between adiposity measurements such as BMI, body fat percentage or total abdominal adipose tissue area and plasma levels of androstenedione (Δ4) (r = −0.33 to −0.39, p ≤ 0.04), androsterone (ADT) (r = −0.30 to −0.38, p ≤ 0.05) and steroid precursor pregnenolone (PREG) (r = −0.36 to −0.46, p ≤ 0.02). Visceral adipocyte hypertrophy was observed in patients with low PREG concentrations (p < 0.05). Visceral adipose tissue radiologic attenuation, a potential marker of adipocyte size, was also positively correlated with PREG levels (r = 0.33, p < 0.05). Low levels of PREG were related to increased number of macrophages infiltrating visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (p < 0.05).ConclusionPlasma levels of androgens and their precursors are lower in women with increased adiposity and visceral adipocyte hypertrophy. Low circulating PREG concentration may represent a marker of adipose tissue dysfunction.

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