scholarly journals Alterations in brain glycogen levels influence life-history traits and reduce the lifespan in female Drosophila melanogaster

Biology Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepashree Sheshadri ◽  
Akanksha Onkar ◽  
Subramaniam Ganesh
Keyword(s):  
Glycogen Synthase ◽  
Specific Effect ◽  
Aging Brain ◽  
Metabolic Processes ◽  
Widespread Occurrence ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Complex Relationships ◽  
Pooled Samples

Sexual dimorphism in lifespan, wherein females outlive males, is evident across all animal taxa. The longevity difference between sexes is controlled by multiple physiological processes with complex relationships to one another. In recent years, glycogen, the storage form of glucose, has been shown to cause rapid aging upon forced synthesis in healthy neurons. Glycogen in the form of corpora amylacea in the aging brain is also widely reported. While these studies did suggest a novel role for glycogen in aging, most of them have focused on pooled samples, and have not looked at sex-specific effects, if any. Given the widespread occurrence of sex-biased expression of genes and the underlying physiology, it is important to look at the sex-specific effect of metabolic processes. In the present study, using transgenic fly lines for the human glycogen synthase, we investigated the sex-specific effect of glycogen on stress resistance, fitness, and survival. We demonstrate that Drosophila females with altered levels of glycogen in the brain display a shortened lifespan, increased resistance to starvation, and higher oxidative stress than male flies. The present study thus provides a novel insight into the sex-specific effect of glycogen in survival and aging and how differences in metabolic processes could contribute to sex-specific traits.

scholarly journals Common and specific effects of the two major forms of prolactin in the rat testis

2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (6) ◽  
pp. E1795-E1803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valencia L. Williams ◽  
Ariel DeGuzman ◽  
Hong Dang ◽  
Mitsumori Kawaminami ◽  
Timothy W. C. Ho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Luteinizing Hormone ◽  
Fas Ligand ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Specific Effect ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase ◽  
Luteinizing Hormone Receptor ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase ◽  
Specific Effects

Prolactin (PRL) has both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on testicular function, a finding we hypothesized may be related in some part to the form of the hormone present or administered. In the analysis of the pituitary secretion profiles of early pubescent vs. mature male rats, we found PRL released from early pubescent pituitaries had about twice the degree of phosphorylation. Treatment of mature males with either unmodified PRL (U-PRL) or phosphorylated PRL (via the molecular mimic S179D PRL) for a period of 4 wk (circulating level of ∼50 ng/ml) showed serum testosterone decreased by ∼35% only by treatment with the phospho-mimic S179D PRL. Given the specificity of this effect, it was initially surprising that both forms of PRL decreased testicular expression of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein. Both forms also increased expression of the luteinizing hormone receptor, but only S179D PRL increased the ratio of short to long PRL receptors. Endogenous PRL and luteinizing hormone levels were unchanged in all groups in this time frame, suggesting that effects on steroidogenic gene expression were directly on the testis. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling analysis combined with staining for 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and morphometric analysis showed that S179D PRL, but not U-PRL, increased apoptosis of Leydig cells, a finding supported by increased staining for Fas and Fas ligand in the testicular interstitium, providing an explanation for the specific effect on testosterone. S179D PRL, but not U-PRL, also increased apoptosis of primary spermatogonia, and U-PRL, but not S179D PRL, decreased apoptosis of elongating spermatids. Thus, in mature males, hyperprolactinemic levels of both forms of PRL have common effects on steroidogenic proteins, but specific effects on the apoptosis of Leydig and germ cells.

Imazapyr herbicideformulation induced multiple abnormalities in gonadal development of Xenopus laevis at environmentally relevant concentrations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluwaseun Olusegun Babalola ◽  
Van Johannes Hannes
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Gonadal Development ◽  
Angular Deformity ◽  
Widespread Occurrence ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Pristine Area ◽  
Abnormality Index ◽  
Reproductive Disruptions ◽  
Degree Of Association ◽  
Multiple Abnormalities

Abstract Mankind is now in the era of environmental contamination and pollution, where the environment has become a warehouse of its several toxicants. In fact, there are no longer any pristine area without these anthropogenic toxicants, with serious consequences on wildlife’s physiological processes including growth and reproduction. The widespread occurrence of pesticides for example, is being linked to numerous reproductive malformations in wildlife organisms, but the degree of association has not been characterised. Using the extended Xenopus Metamorphosis Assay (XEMA) protocol, the exposure impacts of imazapyr herbicide formulation (Arsenal), approved for aquatic environment was assessed on gonadal development of Xenopus laevis at environmentally relevant concentrations of 0.5, 2.0, and 3.5 mg/L. The formulation significantly reduced the mean body mass at premetamorphosis (NF-stage 55) at 3.5 mg/L concentration compared to the control. In sex ratio, the exposure only showed marginal fluctuations at all the exposure concentrations. For gonadal malformations, an abnormality index of 17.5%, 25%, and 35% was derived at 0.5 mg/L, 2.0, and 3.5 mg/L concentrations respectively, with malformations including tissues separation, segmented aplasia, aplasia, mixed sex, narrow hypoplasia, and angular deformity. This study showed that at relevant environmental concentrations, this formulation induced concentration dependent complex gonadal malformations, suggesting its potential capacities to induced serious reproductive disruptions that can negatively impacts fecundity, fertility, and general reproductive fitness of amphibians. In order to protect the wildlife from reproductive impacts, there is a serious need for cautions in application of this herbicide formulation

Did ‘the Princess on the Pea— Suffer from Fibromyalgia Syndrome?

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 184-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Lundeberg ◽  
Iréne Lund
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Dysfunction ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Fibromyalgia Syndrome ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Specific Effect ◽  
Pain Syndrome ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Systematic Effects

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic pain syndrome characterised by central sensitisation resulting in hypersentivity of the skin and deeper tissues as well as fatigue. Possibly the princess in Hans Christian Andersen's ‘The Princess and the Pea’ suffered from FMS since chronic sleep disturbances are typical in FMS. These sleep disturbances have been attributed to a dysfunction in the systems regulating sleep and wakefulness resulting in loss of deep sleep. In addition, many patients with FMS experience cognitive dysfunction, characterised by impaired concentration and short term memory consolidation, a complaint also commonly reported in other sleep disorders. In recent reviews evaluating the efficacy of acupuncture in FMS it has been concluded that acupuncture has no specific effect. A prerequisite for this conclusion is that all the major symptoms in the syndrome have been assessed. However, previous studies have generally focused on the pain alleviating effect of acupuncture in FMS. We have observed that not only pain but also sleep and cognitive dysfunction may be ameliorated in response to acupuncture, suggesting that these variables should be taken into account when evaluating the effects of acupuncture in FMS. Furthermore, the results demonstrated great individual variability apart from the systematic effects related to the group, indicating that individually performed treatment strategies are required. Our suggestion is supported by experimental and clinical studies showing that acupuncture may affect in somnia and alertness, and that there may be neurophysiologic bases for these specific effects.

scholarly journals Circadian variations in gene expression in rat abdominal adipose tissue and relationship to physiology

2010 ◽  
Vol 42A (2) ◽  
pp. 141-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siddharth Sukumaran ◽  
Bai Xue ◽  
William J. Jusko ◽  
Debra C. DuBois ◽  
Richard R. Almon
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Gene Array ◽  
Circadian Oscillation ◽  
Peripheral Tissues ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Rat Adipose Tissue

Circadian rhythms occur in all levels of organization from expression of genes to complex physiological processes. Although much is known about the mechanism of the central clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the regulation of clocks present in peripheral tissues as well as the genes regulated by those clocks is still unclear. In this study, the circadian regulation of gene expression was examined in rat adipose tissue. A rich time series involving 54 animals euthanized at 18 time points within the 24-h cycle (12:12 h light-dark) was performed. mRNA expression was examined with Affymetrix gene array chips and quantitative real-time PCR, along with selected physiological measurements. Transcription factors involved in the regulation of central rhythms were examined, and 13 showed circadian oscillations. Mining of microarray data identified 190 probe sets that showed robust circadian oscillations. Circadian regulated probe sets were further parsed into seven distinct temporal clusters, with >70% of the genes showing maximum expression during the active/dark period. These genes were grouped into eight functional categories, which were examined within the context of their temporal expression. Circadian oscillations were also observed in plasma leptin, corticosterone, insulin, glucose, triglycerides, free fatty acids, and LDL cholesterol. Circadian oscillation in these physiological measurements along with the functional categorization of these genes suggests an important role for circadian rhythms in controlling various functions in white adipose tissue including adipogenesis, energy metabolism, and immune regulation.

scholarly journals Epigenetic mechanism of carbohydrate sulfotransferase 3 (CHST3) downregulation in the aging brain

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Baidoe-Ansah ◽  
M Sadman Sakib ◽  
Shaobo Jia ◽  
Andre Fischer ◽  
Rahul Kaushik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chondroitin Sulfate ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanism ◽  
Aging Brain ◽  
Chondroitin Sulfates ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Bona Fide ◽  
Old Mice ◽  
The Brain

AbstractNeural extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex molecular meshwork surrounding neurons and glial cells in the extracellular space. Structural and functional state of ECM in the brain is tightly regulated by various components of neural ECM such as hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, link proteins, tenascins, various matrix-modifying enzymes such as chondroitin sulfate synthases and carbohydrate sulfotransferase together with matrix-degrading enzymes. Age-dependent accumulation of ECM molecules is implicated in the age-associated decline in synaptic and cognitive functions. Understanding age-associated changes in the expression of genes involved in regulating various components of ECM can provide an insight into the role of ECM in the aging brain. Hence, in this study, we compared the expression levels of ECM regulating genes in three groups of mice: 2-3 months old mice (2-3M), 22- to 26-month-old mice (22-26M) and more than 30-month-old mice (>30M). Using qPCR, we discovered that in the hippocampus of >30M old mice, the majority of ECM related genes are downregulated, while genes related to neuroinflammation are highly upregulated. This pattern was accompanied by a decrease in cognitive performance of the >30M old mice and was most correlated among ECM-related genes with the downregulation of carbohydrate sulfotransferase 3 (CHST3) gene expression. Interestingly, in 24-26M mice, no general decrease in the expression of ECM related genes was observed, although we still found the upregulation in neuroinflammatory genes and downregulation of CHST3. Further analysis of epigenetic mechanisms revealed a decrease in H3K4me3, three methyl groups at the lysine 4 on the histone H3 proteins, associated with the promoter region of CHST3 gene in non-neuronal (NeuN-negative) but not in neuronal (NeuN-positive) cells. We conclude that in 22-26 M old brains there are minor changes in expression of the studied bona fide neural ECM genes but there is a prominent epigenetic dysregulation of the CHST3 gene responsible for 6-sulfation of chondroitin sulfates, which may lead to impaired brain plasticity and cognitive decline.

scholarly journals The Relationship of Mathematical Competence and Mathematics Anxiety

2015 ◽  
Vol 223 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Jenßen ◽  
Simone Dunekacke ◽  
Michael Eid ◽  
Sigrid Blömeke
Keyword(s):  
Mathematics Anxiety ◽  
Math Anxiety ◽  
Personality Characteristic ◽  
Situational Factors ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Mathematical Competence ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Situational Characteristics ◽  
Complex Relationships ◽  
And Mathematics

In educational contexts, it is assumed that mathematical competence can be viewed as a trait. However, studies have yet to examine whether mathematical competence is actually a stable personality characteristic or rather depends on situational factors. Thus, construct validity has not yet been confirmed in this respect. The present study closes this research gap with regard to prospective pre-school teachers when measured across measurement occasions with similar situational characteristics. This study also examines the idea that math anxiety is a relevant negative predictor of mathematical competence. Both research objectives were examined using latent state-trait theory (LST) modeling, which allows for the investigation of occasion-independent and occasion-specific variability over time. The competence and anxiety of n = 354 prospective pre-school teachers were assessed twice across a period of three weeks. Results indicated no occasion-specific effects and moderate negative relations between math anxiety and all mathematical domains. The utility of LST modeling for construct validation and the investigation of complex relationships are discussed.

scholarly journals DNA methylation mutants in Physcomitrella patens elucidate individual roles of CG and non-CG methylation in genome regulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (52) ◽  
pp. 33700-33710
Author(s):  
Katherine Domb ◽  
Aviva Katz ◽  
Keith D. Harris ◽  
Rafael Yaari ◽  
Efrat Kaisler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Physcomitrella Patens ◽  
Plant Genome ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Genome Regulation ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
Study Context ◽  
Or Genes

Cytosine (DNA) methylation in plants regulates the expression of genes and transposons. While methylation in plant genomes occurs at CG, CHG, and CHH sequence contexts, the comparative roles of the individual methylation contexts remain elusive. Here, we present Physcomitrella patens as the second plant system, besides Arabidopsis thaliana, with viable mutants with an essentially complete loss of methylation in the CG and non-CG contexts. In contrast to A. thaliana, P. patens has more robust CHH methylation, similar CG and CHG methylation levels, and minimal cross-talk between CG and non-CG methylation, making it possible to study context-specific effects independently. Our data found CHH methylation to act in redundancy with symmetric methylation in silencing transposons and to regulate the expression of CG/CHG-depleted transposons. Specific elimination of CG methylation did not dysregulate transposons or genes. In contrast, exclusive removal of non-CG methylation massively up-regulated transposons and genes. In addition, comparing two exclusively but equally CG- or CHG-methylated genomes, we show that CHG methylation acts as a greater transcriptional regulator than CG methylation. These results disentangle the transcriptional roles of CG and non-CG, as well as symmetric and asymmetric methylation in a plant genome, and point to the crucial role of non-CG methylation in genome regulation.

scholarly journals Municipal Residence Level of Long-Term PM10 Exposure Associated with Obesity among Young Adults in Seoul, Korea

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayeun Kim ◽  
Kyuhyun Yoon
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Specific Effect ◽  
Life Time ◽  
Total Study Population ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors ◽  
Pm10 Exposure

Background: The associations between long-term exposure to particulate matters (PM) in residential ambiance and obesity are comparatively less elucidated among young adults. Methods: Using 2017 Community Health Survey data with aged 19−29 participants in 25 communities, Seoul, the relationship between obesity and long−term PM10 levels of living district was examined. We defined obesity as overweight (25≤BMI<30) or obese (30≤BMI) using Body Mass Index (BMI) from self-reported anthropometric information. Analysis was conducted sampling weighted logistic regression models by fitting municipal PM10 levels according to individual residence periods with 10 years and more residing in a current municipality. Socio-demographic factors were adjusted over all models and age−specific effect was explored among aged 19–24 and 25–29. Results: Total study population are 3,655 [men 1,680 (46.0%) and aged 19–24 1,933 (52.9%)] individuals. Among the communities with greater level of PM10; 2001–2005, associations with obesity were increased for overall with residence period; 10 years ≤ [Odds ratio, OR 1.071, 95% Confidence interval (CI) 0.969–1.185], 15 years ≤ [OR 1.118, 95% CI 1.004–1.245], and 20 years ≤ [OR 1.156, 95% CI 1.032–1.294]. However, decreased associations were detected for PM10; 2006–2010, and age–specific effects were modified according to the residence period. Conclusions: Although currently PM10 levels are decreasing, higher levels of PM10 exposure at the residential area during the earlier life-time may contribute in increasing obesity among young adults.

scholarly journals Reporting and misreporting of sex differences in the biological sciences

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yesenia Garcia-Sifuentes ◽  
Donna L Maney
Keyword(s):  
Biological Sciences ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Biomedical Research ◽  
Specific Effect ◽  
National Institutes Of Health ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Biological Variable ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Increasing Risk ◽  
Do So

As part of an initiative to improve rigor and reproducibility in biomedical research, the U.S. National Institutes of Health now requires the consideration of sex as a biological variable in preclinical studies. This new policy has been interpreted by some as a call to compare males and females with each other. Researchers testing for sex differences may not be trained to do so, however, increasing risk for misinterpretation of results. Using a list of recently published articles curated by Woitowich et al. (eLife, 2020; 9:e56344), we examined reports of sex differences and non-differences across nine biological disciplines. Sex differences were claimed in the majority of the 147 articles we analyzed; however, statistical evidence supporting those differences was often missing. For example, when a sex-specific effect of a manipulation was claimed, authors usually had not tested statistically whether females and males responded differently. Thus, sex-specific effects may be over-reported. In contrast, we also encountered practices that could mask sex differences, such as pooling the sexes without first testing for a difference. Our findings support the need for continuing efforts to train researchers how to test for and report sex differences in order to promote rigor and reproducibility in biomedical research.

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