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Objective: Hand dysfunction is common in systemic sclerosis (SSc). We undertook this study to evaluate the capacity of autologous adipose‐derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) to improve hand function in SSc patients. Methods: The Scleroderma Treatment with Celution Processed Adipose Derived Regenerative Cells Trial was a prospective, randomized, double‐blind trial of ADRCs, in which ADRCs were obtained from patients with SSc by small‐volume adipose tissue harvest, and the fingers of each patient were injected with ADRCs. The primary end point was change in hand function at 24 and 48 weeks, assessed using the Cochin Hand Function Scale (CHFS). One of the secondary end points included the change in Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index (HAQ DI) at 48 weeks. Separate prespecified analyses were performed for patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) and those with limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc). Results: Eighty‐eight patients were randomized to receive ADRCs (n = 48 [32 patients with dcSSc and 16 with lcSSc]) or placebo (n = 40 [19 patients with dcSSc and 21 with lcSSc]). Change in hand function according to CHFS score was numerically higher for the ADRC group compared to the placebo group but did not achieve statistical significance (mean ± SD improvement in the CHFS score at 48 weeks 11.0 ± 12.5 versus 8.9 ± 10.5; P = 0.299). For patients with dcSSc, the between‐group difference in the CHFS at 48 weeks was 6.3 points (nominal P = 0.069). For the secondary end point, the dcSSc group exhibited a between‐group difference of 0.17 points in the HAQ DI (nominal P = 0.044) at 48 weeks. Of the ADRC‐treated patients with dcSSc, 52% reported improvement greater than the minimum clinically important difference for both CHFS and HAQ DI compared to 16% in the placebo group (nominal P = 0.016). Small‐volume adipose tissue harvest and ADRC treatment were well tolerated. Conclusion: While the primary end point of this trial was not achieved, efficacy trends were observed in patients with dcSSc. Adipose tissue harvest and ADRC injection were demonstrated to be feasible. Further clinical trials of this intervention in the setting of dcSSc are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research / Revue Canadienne de Recherche Vétérinaire is the property of Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Obesity in the United States and worldwide reached epidemic proportions within the last 20 years. Obesity is a very powerful health determinant or indicator that facilitates the development and progression of several metabolic diseases, insulin resistance, and low-grade chronic inflammation. Low-grade chronic inflammation in adipose tissue (AT) is marked by the accumulation of T cells, macrophages, and other immune cells and increased production of proinflammatory cytokines. During the onset of obesity but before the influx of macrophages, the AT is infiltrated by T cells that are strongly implicated in the initiation of obesity-associated inflammation. In comparing mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) with those fed a normal diet (ND), we observed in HFD epididymal AT induction and infiltration of activated T cells, an accumulation and polarization of macrophages, and an increase in populations of activated CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells that express CXCR3 or killer cell lectin-like receptor subfamily G member 1 (KLRG1). Levels of inflammatory cytokines and leptin and the results of in vitro co-culture experiments revealed interactions among HFD- and ND-induced CD8+ T cells, macrophages, and adipocytes. Our findings suggest that obese tissues activate and induce both CD4+ and CD8+ CD69+ T cells and augment the expression of CXCR3 receptors, which promotes the recruitment and numbers of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages to maintain low-grade chronic inflammation. The results support the hypothesis that CXCR3-expressing CD8+T cells play an essential role in the initiation and maintenance of adipose tissue inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity, defined as a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or above, has increased considerably in incidence and frequency within the United States and globally. Associated comorbidities including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease have led to a focus on the mechanisms promoting the prevention and treatment of obesity. Commonly utilized in vitro models employ human or mouse preadipocyte cell lines in a 2-dimensional (2D) format. Due to the structural, biochemical, and biological limitations of these models, increased attention has been placed on "organ on a chip" technologies for a 3-dimensional (3D) culture. Herein, we describe a method employing cryopreserved primary human stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells and a human blood product-derived biological scaffold to create a 3D adipose depot in vitro. The "fat-on-chip" 3D cultures have been validated relative to 2D cultures based on proliferation, flow cytometry, adipogenic differentiation, confocal microscopy/immunofluorescence, and functional assays (adipokine secretion, glucose uptake, and lipolysis). Thus, the in vitro culture system demonstrates the critical characteristics required for a humanized 3D white adipose tissue (WAT) model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of obesity has increased dramatically over the past two decades with a prevalence of approximately 40% of the adult population within the United States. The current study examines the potential for transgenerational adipocyte (fat cell) epigenetic alterations. Adipocytes were isolated from the gonadal fat pad of the great-grand offspring F3 generation 1-year old rats ancestrally exposed to DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), atrazine, or vehicle control in order to obtain adipocytes for DNA methylation analysis. Observations indicate that there were differential DNA methylated regions (DMRs) in the adipocytes with the lean or obese phenotypes compared to control normal (non-obese or lean) populations. The comparison of epigenetic alterations indicated that there were substantial overlaps between the different treatment lineage groups for both the lean and obese phenotypes. Novel correlated genes and gene pathways associated with DNA methylation were identified, and may aid in the discovery of potential therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases such as obesity. Observations indicate that ancestral exposures during critical windows of development can induce the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of DNA methylation changes in adipocytes that ultimately may contribute to an altered metabolic phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The most important disadvantage of fat graft, which is also a late-term complication, is graft resorption. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of thrombin, which is reported to increase the tissue regeneration and angiogenesis in many areas, to viability of fat graft. Settings and Design: Twenty Wistar-Albino type adult male rats were used in the study. They were divided into four groups as one control group and three experimental group. Subjects and Methods: Inguinal fat pads were excised and reduced to 500 mg (±1 mg) in all animals. To obtain thrombin, 3 animals were sacrificed. One percent amount of 0.25 mg lidocaine hydrochloride was injected to the scapular regions of the animals. Afterward, subcutaneous cavities were formed there to place the fat tissue inside. After placing the graft, varying proportions of thrombin were injected to the animals in the experimental groups. No thrombin was not injected to the control group. After 90 days, the experimental animals were sacrificed, and the fat grafts were removed. Statistical Analysis Used: The data obtained from control and experimental groups were analyzed using SPSS software (version 20.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Normal fat ratio, cyst or vacuole development, inflammation, fibrosis, microvascular density, apoptosis, and weight score differences between groups were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test. To compare two groups with different scores, Mann-Whitney U test was used. The statistical significance level was accepted as 0.05 (P = 0.05). Results: Macroscopic, histological, and statistical evaluations showed that thrombin has reduced the weight and volume loss on fat graft, increased viable fat cell amount and reduced inflammation on receptive area. Conclusion: The positive effects of thrombin on the viability of fat graft have given us courage to use it in further studies. Longer follow-ups are necessary and more studies are required to use it in clinical practice in combination with fat grafts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Fisioterapia Brasil is the property of Atlantica Editora and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The prevalence of obesity over the last several decades in the United States has tripled among children and doubled among adults. Obesity increases the incidence and progression of multiple myeloma (MM), yet the molecular mechanisms by which adipocytes contribute to cancer development and patient prognosis have yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we obtained human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) from twenty-nine normal (BMI = 20-25 kg/m(2)), overweight (25-30 kg/m(2)), obese (30-35 kg/m(2)), or super obese (35-40 kg/m(2)) patients undergoing elective liposuction. Upon differentiation, adipocytes were co-cultured with RPMI-8226 and NCI-H929 MM cell lines. Adipocytes from overweight, obese and super obese patients displayed increased PPAR-gamma, cytochrome C, interleukin-6, and leptin protein levels, and decreased fatty acid synthase protein. 8226 MM cells proliferated faster and displayed increased pSTAT-3/STAT-3 signaling when cultured in adipocyte conditioned media. Further, adipocyte conditioned media from obese and super obese patients significantly increased MM cell adhesion, and conditioned media from overweight, obese and super obese patients enhanced tube formation and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2. In summary, our data suggest that adipocytes in the MM microenvironment contribute to MM growth and progression and should be further evaluated as a possible therapeutic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Despite being banned in the U.S., organochlorine toxins such as DDT are frequently detected in human adipose tissue. The main route of exposure is through the consumption of contaminated foods and subsequent intestinal packaging of DDT into chylomicrons. These chylomicrons, which also contain dietary triacylglycerol (TG), are delivered directly to peripheral tissues without first being metabolized by the liver. The physiological process by which these compounds are delivered from chylomicrons to adipose is not well understood, but is clinically relevant since it bypasses first-pass metabolism. Based on its highly lipophilic nature, it has been assumed that DDT is transferred to peripheral tissues similar to TG; however, this has not been measured. Here, we use the lymph fistula rat to isolate chylomicrons containing both DDT and TG. These chylomicrons are the in vivo DDT delivery vehicle. Using 3T3-L1 adipocytes, we investigated the rate at which DDT transfers from chylomicrons to adipocytes, and mediators of this process. This novel approach closely approximates the in vivo DDT exposure route. We show that: 1) DDT repartitions from chylomicrons to adipocytes, 2) this transport does not require hydrolysis of TG within the chylomicron, and is stimulated by the inhibition of LPL, 3) albumin does not inhibit DDT uptake, 4) DDT dissolved in DMSO does not appropriately mimic in vivo DDT transport; and most importantly, 5) DDT uptake from chylomicrons does not mimic the uptake of TG from the same particles. Understanding these factors is important for designing interventions for human populations exposed to DDT. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified over 40 genomic regions significantly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, GWAS results are not always straightforward to interpret, and linking these loci to meaningful disease etiology is often difficult without extensive follow-up studies. The authors expanded on previously reported type 2 diabetes mellitus GWAS from the nested case-control studies of 2 prospective US cohorts by incorporating expression single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) information and applying SNP set enrichment analysis to identify sets of SNPs associated with genes that could provide further biologic insight to traditional genome-wide analysis. Using data collected between 1989 and 1994 in these previous studies to form a nested case-control study, the authors found that 3 of the most significantly associated SNPs to type 2 diabetes mellitus in their study are expression SNPs to the lymphocyte antigen 75 gene (LY75), the ubiquitin-specific peptidase 36 gene (USP36), and the phosphatidylinositol transfer protein, cytoplasmic 1 gene (PITPNC1). SNP set enrichment analysis of the GWAS results identified enrichment for expression SNPs to the macrophage-enriched module and the Gene Ontology (GO) biologic process fat cell differentiation human, which includes the transcription factor 7-like 2 gene (TCF7L2), as well as other type 2 diabetes mellitus-associated genes. Integrating genome-wide association, gene expression, and gene set analysis may provide valuable biologic support for potential type 2 diabetes mellitus susceptibility loci and may be useful in identifying new targets or pathways of interest for the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A podcast featuring Bruce Blumberg, professor of developmental biology at the University of California, Irvine in California, is reviewed.

Abstract: Obesity is a public health crisis in the United States. Targeting preadipocyte to adipocyte conversion may be an effective approach to regulate adipose mass. Using differential screening we identified Fstl1, a secreted glycoprotein with roles in immunomodulation, cell growth, cardioprotection, and vascularization, as a “preadipokine”. Fstl1 is highly expressed in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and dramatically downregulated early in their differentiation to adipocytes. Northern blot analysis of murine tissues reveals white adipose tissue (WAT), lung and heart as primary sites of Fstl1 transcript expression. In WAT, Fstl1 transcript is restricted to the preadipocyte-containing stromal-vascular cell population. Time course studies in multiple adipogenesis models reveal downregulation of Fstl1 is a hallmark of white and brown adipocyte conversion. By Western blot, we show culture media of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes contains high levels of Fstl1 protein that rapidly decline in adipocyte conversion. Moreover, we observe a correlation between preadipocyte phenotype and Fstl1 expression in that TNFα-mediated de-differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes is accompanied by re-expression of Fstl1 transcript and protein. Treatment of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with a panel of 18 hormones and other agents revealed the demethylating agent 5-aza-cytidine decreases Fstl1 transcript and protein levels by ∼90%. Furthermore, of 10 additional preadipocyte-expressed genes analyzed we find Pref-1, Col1A1, Sca-1/Ly6a, Lox and Thbs2, are also downregulated by 5-aza-cytidine. Using luciferase reporter constructs containing 791 or 3922bp of the Fstl1 5′ flanking region, we determine negative transcriptional regulation by Kruppel-like factor 15. Together, our data suggest downregulation of Fstl1 expression may be an important feature of preadipocyte to adipocyte conversion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Laser-assisted liposuction (LAL) is a recent innovation within the field of liposculpture. In addition to body contouring, the indications of LAL are skin retraction in areas of flaccidity and fat melting for challenging surgical cases including revisions, areas of dense fibrosity, and large-volume cases. A photothermal effect explains the effects of LAL on tissue, regardless of the wavelength used. Advantages of LAL include reduced bruising, edema, pain, and recovery time. Disadvantages are most often related to thermal effects on tissue, such as skin blistering. Currently, 3 wavelengths, 980, 1064, and 1320 nm, are Food and Drug Administration-approved for LAL. Comparative studies examining the safety and efficacy of LAL have appeared in the medical literature. Technical considerations, emerging technology, and future indications are important to the success and continued development of this procedure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article examines the ethnic differences in the incidence and prevalence of obesity-related disease outcomes in Hispanic Americans and African Americans. They were reportedly chosen because they are two largest ethnic minority groups in the U.S. and they share a similar propensity for obesity and insulin resistance but have different profiles for obesity-related disease outcome. Obese Hispanic Americans were noted to have greater fat cell size and greater likelihood of adipocyte macrophage infiltration and cell death.

OBJECTIVE -- Inflammation is associated with both chronic kidney dysfunction and type 2 diabetes. Adiponectin, a novel circulating anti-inflammatory protein made by adipocytes, has been reported to be lower in diabetic than nondiabetic subjects. In contrast, serum levels of adiponectin are elevated in end-stage renal disease. We sought to investigate the relation between adiponectin and mild to moderate renal dysfunction in men with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS -- Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the relation between serum adiponectin concentrations and the presence of renal dysfunction (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <60 ml/min per 1.73 m² by the four-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation) in participants with type 2 diabetes in the Health Professionals' Follow-Up Study. A total of 733 men were included in this cross-sectional analysis. RESULTS -- Adiponectin was positively correlated with age (Spearman coefficient, r = 0.19, P < 0.001) and negatively correlated with weight (Spearman coefficient, r = -0.18, P < 0.001). Those with adiponectin in the second quartile or higher (>10 µg/ml) compared with those in the first quartile had a reduced odds for renal dysfunction (multivariate odds ratio 0.48 [95% CI 0.28-0.81]). These results were unchanged when serum lipids were included in the multivariate model. CONCLUSIONS -- We conclude that a higher serum adiponectin concentration is associated with reduced odds of moderate renal dysfunction in men with type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although microarray and proteomic studies have indicated the expression of unique and unexpected genes and their products in human and rodent adipose tissue, similar studies of meat animal adipose tissue have not been reported. Thus, total RNA was isolated from stromal-vascular (S-V) cell cultures (n = 4; 2 arrays; 2 cultures/array) from 90-d (79% of gestation) fetuses and adipose tissue from 105-d (92% of gestation) fetuses (n = 2) and neonatal (5-d-old) pigs (n = 2). Duplicate adipose tissue microarrays (n = 4) represented RNA samples from a pig and a fetus. Dye-labeled cDNA probes were hybridized to custom microarrays (70-mer oligonucleotides) representing more than 600 pig genes involved in growth and reproduction. Microarray studies showed significant expression of 40 genes encoding for known adipose tissue secreted proteins in fetal S-V cell cultures and adipose tissue. Expression of 10 genes encoding secreted proteins not known to be expressed by adipose tissue was also observed in neonatal adipose tissue and fetal S-V cell cultures. Additionally, the agouti gene was detected by reverse transcription-PCR in pig S-V cultures and adipose tissue. Proteomic analysis of adipose tissue and fetal and young pig S-V cell culture-conditioned media identified multiple secreted proteins including heparin-like epidermal growth factor-like growth factor and several apolipoproteins. Another adipose tissue secreted protein, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, was identified by ELISA in S-V cell culture media. A group of 20 adipose tissue secreted proteins were detected or identified using the gene microarray and the proteomic and protein assay approaches including apolipoprotein-A1, apolipoprotein-E, relaxin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and IGF binding protein-5. These studies demonstrate, for the first time, the expression of several major secreted proteins in pig adipose tissue that may influence local and central metabolism and growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronary heart disease (CHD) morbidity and mortality are more prevalent in Blacks than Whites in the United States. Most studies evaluate the dietary intake and health of Black Americans as one group and do not consider possible differences among ethnic subgroups within the U.S. Black population. We used data from NHANES III to assess whether dietary intake, CHD risk factors, and predicted 10-y risk of CHD differed between non-Hispanic Black adults born in the United States (NHB-US), and non-Hispanic and Hispanic Black adults born outside of the United States (NHB-non US, HB-non US). Data were provided from single 24-h dietary recalls, biochemical measures, the medical examination, and self-reported responses to survey questions. NHB-US had higher intakes of energy, fat, protein, meat, added sugars, and sodium, and lower intakes of fruits, fiber, and most micronutrients. NHB-US also had higher predicted 10-y risk of developing CHD (5.8%) than NHB-non US (3.7%, P<0.001) or HB-non US (4.7%, P=0.017). Both immigrant groups had better CHD risk profiles and lower proportions of persons with metabolic syndrome and other CHD-related conditions. Our findings show differences in dietary intake and risk of CHD and related health conditions among ethnic subgroups of Blacks living in the United States. Future studies of diet and health should consider cultural differences within the Black population to better understand and reduce overall health disparities in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) is a serious problem in western European societies and in the United States. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are a broad group of compounds used to decrease insulin resistance in TDM2. To date, it has been believed that TZDs act mainly through activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). The PPARγ receptor is important in differentiation of preadipocytes into mature adipocytes. Therefore, given the potential of structurally related thiopyrano[2,3- d ]thiazoles Les-2194 and Les-3377 and 4-thiazolidinone derivative Les-3640 to interact with the PPARγ receptor, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of the 4-thiazolidinone-based derivatives mentioned above on the process of 3T3-L1 cell line differentiation into adipocytes. In the first part of our study, we prove that Les-2194, Les-3377, and Les-3640 are cytotoxic to 3T3-L1 cells. In the next stage, we determine that Les-2194, Les-3377, and Les-3640 stimulate lipid accumulation (using the ORO staining method) and induce specific gene expression (Dlk1 , Fabp4 , Vegfa , Pai-1 , Resistin , Adiponectin , and Pparγ). Our data show that rosiglitazone, pioglitazone, Les-2194, and Les-3640 at a concentration of 2 μM do not affect 3T3-L1 cell viability and do not activate the apoptotic process. Only Les-3377 decreased the number and metabolism of the cells. Although all the studied compounds influenced the expression of Dlk1, Fabp4, Vegfa, Pai-1, Resistin, Adiponectin, and Pparγ genes, none of them caused gene expression similar to that induced by rosiglitazone or pioglitazone. The ORO staining showed that rosiglitazone and pioglitazone induced lipid accumulation in the 3T3-L1 cell line, which is a marker of mature adipocytes. Only rosiglitazone increased Pparγ protein expression after 14 days of differentiation. [Display omitted] • Rosiglitazone, pioglitazone, Les-2194, and Les-3640 at a concentration of 2 μM do not affect 3T3-L1 cell viability. • Les-3377 decreased the number and metabolism of cells and the expression of Pparγ, Resistin, Vegfa, and Fabp4 mRNAs. • Only rosiglitazone and pioglitazone induced lipid accumulation in the 3T3-L1 cell line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on the effect of adipose on the function of the cardiovascular system. It mentions that the adipose-specific (aP2) Cre-lox system was developed to determine the importance of adipose-derived factors produced by fat cells in the vascular function. On the other hand, the author argues that cardiovascular diseases are still considered the major cause of death in the U.S. and risk factors related to adiposity continue to increase.

Summary In the United States alone, one-third of adults and nearly one-quarter of children are clinically obese. This growing epidemic is of serious concern as obesity confers a significant risk to developing numerous chronic conditions, including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. The alarming incidence of obesity and the rising costs of treating the associated diseases has increased the urgency of acquiring a deeper understanding of all aspects of adipocyte (fat cell) biology, including how these cells form, how they are regulated, and how increased adiposity leads to disease. Since the turn of the new century we have witnessed great progress in understanding the complexities of adipocyte function and their developmental origin. As a result, our view of adipocytes has now changed dramatically. Here, I provide a brief primer on some of the hot topics that have emerged in this field of research, which now includes aspects of endocrinology, cardiology, cancer biology, and stem cell and developmental biology. I also highlight some of the unique opportunities for therapeutic targeting of adipose tissue in metabolic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a U.S. study which identified progenitor cells present in white fat and skeletal tissues of mice that can be induced to differentiate into brown fat cells. A protein called BMP-7, a known key factor for the development of brown fat cells, was found to induce mouse cells marked with a protein called Sca1 to display characteristics of brown fat cells. The study by Yu-Hua Tseng and colleagues appeared in the 2011 issue of the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences."

An estimated 1.3 million people in the United States suffer from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA causes profound changes in the synovial membrane of joints, and without early diagnosis and intervention, progresses to permanent alterations in joint structure and function. The purpose of this study is to determine if nonlinear optical microscopy (NLOM) can utilize the natural intrinsic fluorescence properties of tissue to generate images that would allow visualization of the structural and cellular composition of fresh, unfixed normal and pathologic synovial tissue. NLOM is performed on rabbit knee joint synovial samples using 730- and 800-nmexcitation wavelengths. Less than 30 mWof excitation power delivered with a 40×, 0.8-NAwater immersion objective is sufficient for the visualization of synovial structures to a maximum depth of 70 mwithout tissue damage. NLOM imaging of normal and pathologic synovial tissue reveals the cellular structure, synoviocytes, adipocytes, collagen, vascular structures, and differential characteristics of inflammatory infiltrates without requiring tissue processing or staining. Further study to evaluate the ability of NLOM to assess the characteristics of pathologic synovial tissue and its potential role for the management of disease is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the discovery of the origin of brown fat which is an energy-using tissue closely related to muscle. Topics include the difference between white fat, which is used to store energy, and brown fat, which burns fat molecules that is used to generate body heat. Also discussed is research by U.S. scientists investigating the role of the gene PRDM16 and how silencing it switched the fat cell's identity to something similar to muscles.

Discusses the development of obesity research in the United States (U.S.). Status of obesity in the U.S.; Details on the studies of cultured adipocytes and their differentiation processes.

States that research from the University of Georgia (UGA) has shown the hormone leptin to kill fat cells rather than reduce their size. Information from Clifton A. Baile, professor of foods and nutrition and animal science at UGA; How leptin is produced; Suggestion from Dr. Hao Qian.

The article offers news related to bioscience. Endangered foreign plant species intercepted in the U.S. will find a new rescue center in the greenhouses of the College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) at the State University of New York. Lead poisoning from anglers' weights is the number one killer of swans in Great Britain. An infant study revealed that there is no difference in the number of fat cells between obese and nonobese infants.