Search

Overfeeding and fasting both increase circulating free cortisol levels and appear to alter the balance between cortisol and its inactive metabolite, cortisone. The effect of fasting on free cortisol levels is modified by sex. Further study is needed to determine the mechanisms driving the increases in cortisol.

Caloric restriction (CR) is now a popular lifestyle choice due to its ability in experimental animals to improve lifespan, reduce body weight, and lessen oxidative stress. However, more and more emerging evidence suggests this treatment requires careful consideration because of its detrimental effects on the skeletal system. Experimental and clinical studies show that CR can suppress bone growth and raise the risk of fracture, but the specific mechanisms are poorly understood. Reduced mechanical loading has long been thought to be the primary cause of weight loss-induced bone loss from calorie restriction. Despite fat loss in peripheral depots with calorie restriction, bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT) increases, and this may play a significant role in this pathological process. Here, we update recent advances in our understanding of the effects of CR on the skeleton, the possible pathogenic role of BMAT in CR-induced bone loss, and some strategies to mitigate any potential side effects on the skeletal system.

Lateral abdominal wall hernias are relatively rare and present unique challenges to repair. Our group has developed an algorithm for repair based on several anatomic characteristics identified on preoperative imaging. Herein, we report our algorithm and outcomes of a large series of open retromuscular lateral abdominal wall hernia repairs.Open retromuscular lateral abdominal wall hernia repairs performed at our institution from August 2014 through April 2021 were identified in the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative (ACHQC). Hernia characteristics, etiology, operative techniques, postoperative outcomes, and long-term patient-reported outcomes were extracted from the ACHQC database, chart review, and telephone follow-up.Of 464 patients who underwent hernia repair, 121 with isolated lateral abdominal wall hernias (L1-4) and mean follow-up of 34 ± 24 months had a clinical recurrence rate of 0.9% (n=1) and bulge rate of 37% (n=42). The median HerQLes and PROMIS® pain intensity scores improved 37 and 9 points, respectively. Another 343 patients with lateral (L1-4) and midline (M1-5) abdominal wall hernias and mean follow-up of 29 ± 21 months had a clinical recurrence rate of 6% (n=20) and bulge rate of 35% (n=117). The median HerQLes and PROMIS® pain intensity scores improved by 43 and 16 points, respectively.We present an algorithm for open retromuscular lateral abdominal wall hernia repair with relatively low anatomic recurrence rates and substantial improvement in patient-reported quality of life and pain. Notably, postoperative bulging is commonly reported by patients, likely due to underlying denervation injuries from the original incision.

Hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) withinC9orf72is the most common genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Thalamic atrophy occurs in both sporadic and familial FTD but is thought to distinctly affect HRE carriers. Separately, emerging evidence suggests widespread derepression of transposable elements (TEs) in the brain in several neurodegenerative diseases, includingC9orf72HRE-mediated FTD (C9-FTD). Whether TE activation can be measured in peripheral blood and how the reduction in peripheralC9orf72expression observed in HRE carriers relates to atrophy and clinical impairment remain unknown. We used FreeSurfer software to assess the effects ofC9orf72HRE and clinical diagnosis (n= 78 individuals, male and female) on atrophy of thalamic nuclei. We also generated a novel, human, whole-blood RNA-sequencing dataset to determine the relationships among peripheralC9orf72expression, TE activation, thalamic atrophy, and clinical severity (n= 114 individuals, male and female). We confirmed global thalamic atrophy and reducedC9orf72expression in HRE carriers. Moreover, we identified disproportionate atrophy of the right mediodorsal lateral nucleus in HRE carriers and showed thatC9orf72expression associated with clinical severity, independent of thalamic atrophy. Strikingly, we found global peripheral activation of TEs, including the human endogenous LINE-1 elementL1HS.L1HSlevels were associated with atrophy of multiple pulvinar nuclei, a thalamic region implicated in C9-FTD. Integration of peripheral transcriptomic and neuroimaging data from human HRE carriers revealed atrophy of specific thalamic nuclei, demonstrated thatC9orf72levels relate to clinical severity, and identified marked derepression of TEs, includingL1HS, which predicted atrophy of FTD-relevant thalamic nuclei.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTPathogenic repeat expansion inC9orf72is the most frequent genetic cause of FTD and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS; C9-FTD/ALS). The clinical, neuroimaging, and pathologic features of C9-FTD/ALS are well characterized, whereas the intersections of transcriptomic dysregulation and brain structure remain largely unexplored. Herein, we used a novel radiogenomic approach to examine the relationship between peripheral blood transcriptomics and thalamic atrophy, a neuroimaging feature disproportionately impacted in C9-FTD/ALS. We confirmed reduction ofC9orf72in blood and found broad dysregulation of transposable elements—genetic elements typically repressed in the human genome—in symptomaticC9orf72expansion carriers, which associated with atrophy of thalamic nuclei relevant to FTD.C9orf72expression was also associated with clinical severity, suggesting that peripheralC9orf72levels capture disease-relevant information.

Background and AimsWe aimed to determine whether a targeted gene expression panel could predict clinical outcomes in paediatric ulcerative colitis [UC] and investigated putative pathogenic roles of predictive genes.MethodsIn total, 313 rectal RNA samples from a cohort of newly diagnosed paediatric UC patients (PROTECT) were analysed by a real-time PCR microfluidic array for expression of type 1, 2 and 17 inflammation genes. Associations between expression and clinical outcomes were assessed by logistic regression. Identified prognostic markers were further analysed using existing RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data sets and tissue immunostaining.ResultsIL13RA2 was associated with a lower likelihood of corticosteroid-free remission (CSFR) on mesalamine at week 52 (p = .002). A model including IL13RA2 and only baseline clinical parameters was as accurate as an established clinical model, which requires week 4 remission status. RORC was associated with a lower likelihood of colectomy by week 52. A model including RORC and PUCAI predicted colectomy by 52 weeks (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.71). Bulk RNA-seq identified IL13RA2 and RORC as hub genes within UC outcome-associated expression networks related to extracellular matrix and innate immune response, and lipid metabolism and microvillus assembly, respectively. Adult UC single-cell RNA-seq data revealed IL13RA2 and RORC co-expressed genes were localized to inflammatory fibroblasts and undifferentiated epithelial cells, respectively, which was supported by protein immunostaining.ConclusionTargeted assessment of rectal mucosal immune gene expression predicts 52-week CSFR in treatment-naïve paediatric UC patients. Further exploration of IL-13Rɑ2 as a therapeutic target in UC and future studies of the epithelial-specific role of RORC in UC pathogenesis are warranted.

We report the characterization and applications of core-shell Cu-Ir nanocatalysts for fuel cells. Core-shell Cu-Ir particles with tunable thickness of Ir can be oxidized to remove the Cu core and obtain Ir shells. The thickness of the Ir shells determines the stability and optimization of the precious metals. We showed with in situ scanning transmission electron microscopy the remarkable stability of the Ir shells at elevated temperatures under oxidative and reductive environments. In situ microscopy and in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy showed that traces of remaining copper could be detected in the Ir shells. Electrochemical measurements for oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reactions show promising activity and stability compared to a commercial catalyst. Thin Ir shells, with high surface area per gram of Ir, were more active but less stable than thicker shells. In contrast, thicker Ir shells were more stable and had excellent electrochemical properties in both aqueous and alkaline environments. Hence, Ir nanoshells appear as promising candidates to reduce the cost of catalysis while improving chemical performance in fuel cells.

Highly concentrated antibody formulations are oftentimes required for subcutaneous, self-administered biologics. Here, we report the creation of a unique formulation for our first–in– class FSH–blocking humanized antibody, MS-Hu6, which we propose to move to the clinic for osteoporosis, obesity, and Alzheimer’s disease. The studies were carried out using our Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) platform, compliant with the Code of Federal Regulations (Title 21, Part 58). We first used protein thermal shift, size exclusion chromatography, and dynamic light scattering to examine MS-Hu6 concentrations between 1 and 100 mg/mL. We found that thermal, monomeric, and colloidal stability of formulated MS-Hu6 was maintained at a concentration of 100 mg/mL. The addition of the antioxidant L–methionine and chelating agent disodium EDTA improved the formulation’s long–term colloidal and thermal stability. Thermal stability was further confirmed by Nano differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Physiochemical properties of formulated MS-Hu6, including viscosity, turbidity, and clarity, conformed with acceptable industry standards. That the structural integrity of MS-Hu6 in formulation was maintained was proven through Circular Dichroism (CD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Three rapid freeze–thaw cycles at –80°C/25°C or –80°C/37°C further revealed excellent thermal and colloidal stability. Furthermore, formulated MS-Hu6, particularly its Fab domain, displayed thermal and monomeric storage stability for more than 90 days at 4°C and 25°C. Finally, the unfolding temperature (Tm) for formulated MS-Hu6 increased by >4.80°C upon binding to recombinant FSH, indicating highly specific ligand binding. Overall, we document the feasibility of developing a stable, manufacturable and transportable MS-Hu6 formulation at a ultra–high concentration at industry standards. The study should become a resource for developing biologic formulations in academic medical centers.

During development, early-life stress (ELS) impairs cognition, learning, and emotional regulation, in part by disrupting neural circuitry in regions underlying these higher-order functions. In addition, our recent work indicates that ELS also alters simple sensory perception: ELS impaired auditory perception and neural encoding of short gaps in sounds, which are essential for vocal communication. The combination of higher-order and basic sensory disruption suggests that ELS is likely to affect both the perception and interpretation of communication signals. We tested this hypothesis by measuring behavioral responses to conspecific vocalizations (those emitted by other gerbils) in ELS and untreated Mongolian gerbils. Because stress effects often differ by sex, we separately examined females and males. To induce ELS, pups were intermittently maternally separated and restrained from post-natal days (P) 9–24, a time window when the auditory cortex is most sensitive to external disruption. We measured the approach responses of juvenile (P31–32) gerbils to two types of conspecific vocalizations: an alarm call, which is emitted to alert other gerbils of a potential threat, and the prosocial contact call, which is emitted near familiar gerbils, especially after separation. Control males, Control females, and ELS females approached a speaker emitting pre-recorded alarm calls, while ELS males avoided this source, suggesting that ELS affects the response to alarm calls in male gerbils. During playback of the pre-recorded contact call, Control females and ELS males avoided the sound source, while Control males neither approached nor avoided, and ELS females approached the sound. These differences cannot be accounted for by changes in locomotion or baseline arousal. However, ELS gerbils slept more during playback, suggesting that ELS may reduce arousal during vocalization playback. Further, male gerbils made more errors than females on a measure of working memory, but the sex difference of cognition in this context may stem from novelty aversion rather than impaired memory. These data indicate that ELS influences behavioral responses to ethologically relevant communication sounds in a sex-specific manner, and are among the first to demonstrate an altered response to auditory stimuli following ELS. Such changes may arise from differences in auditory perception, cognition, or a combination of factors, and suggest that ELS may affect auditory communication in human adolescents.