Mode of Delivery among HIV-Infected Pregnant Women in Philadelphia, 2005-2013

Objective

Current guidelines call for HIV-infected women to deliver via scheduled Caesarean when the maternal HIV viral load (VL) is >1,000 copies/ml. We describe the mode of delivery among HIV-infected women and evaluate adherence to relevant recommendations.

Study Design

We performed a population-based surveillance analysis of HIV-infected pregnant women in Philadelphia from 2005 to 2013, comparing mode of delivery (vaginal, scheduled Caesarean, or emergent Caesarean) by VL during pregnancy, closest to the time of delivery (≤1,000 copies/ml versus an unknown VL or VL >1,000 copies/ml) and associated factors in multivariable analysis.

Results

Our cohort included 824 deliveries from 648 HIV-infected women, of whom 69.4% had a VL ≤1,000 copies/ml and 30.6% lacked a VL or had a VL >1,000 copies/ml during pregnancy, closest to the time of delivery. Mode of delivery varied by VL: 56.6% of births were vaginal, 30.1% scheduled Caesarean, and 13.3% emergent Caesarean when the VL was ≤1,000 copies/ml; when the VL was unknown or >1,000 copies/ml, 32.9% of births were vaginal, 49.9% scheduled Caesarean and 17.5% emergent Caesarean. In multivariable analyses, Hispanic women (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.17, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.04–0.76) and non-Hispanic black women (AOR 0.27, 95% CI 0.10–0.77) were less to likely to deliver via scheduled Caesarean compared to non-Hispanic white women. Women who delivered prior to 38 weeks’ gestation (AOR 0.37, 95% CI 0.18–0.76) were also less likely to deliver via scheduled Caesarean compared to women who delivered after 38 weeks’ gestation. An interaction term for race and gestational age at delivery was significant in multivariable analysis. Non-Hispanic black (AOR 0.06, 95% CI 0.01–0.36) and Hispanic women (AOR 0.03, 95% CI 0.00–0.59) were more likely to deliver prematurely and less likely to deliver via scheduled C-section compared to non-Hispanic white women. Having a previous Caesarean (AOR 27.77, 95% CI 8.94–86.18) increased the odds of scheduled Caesarean delivery.

Conclusions

Only half of deliveries for women with an unknown VL or VL >1,000 copies/ml occurred via scheduled Caesarean. Delivery prior to 38 weeks, particularly among minority women, resulted in a missed opportunity to receive a scheduled Caesarean. However, even when delivering at or after 38 weeks’ gestation, a significant proportion of women did not get a scheduled Caesarean when indicated, suggesting a need for focused public health interventions to increase the proportion of women achieving viral suppression during pregnancy and delivering via scheduled Caesarean when indicated.     

Body mass index and chronic energy deficiency of adult males of Central Indian populations

Data on body weight, height, and sitting height from 11,496 adult males, age 18-62 years, belonging to 38 different populations of five major social groups (scheduled tribes, scheduled castes, "other backward castes," general castes, and Muslims) of Central India were taken for our analysis to assess the nutritional status of these groups. Cormic index and body mass index (BMI) were computed, and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out among different populations as well as among social groups separately on Cormic index and BMI. Shape, size, and generalized distances among the different social groups were computed and dendrograms were drawn. The level of malnutrition is the lowest among the general castes. The opposite is the case with the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. Comparison of the coefficient of variation shows that there is variation in weight and BMI but that there is no marked variation in the other anthropometric variables. The ANOVA on Cormic index and BMI suggests that the people within a population are more homogeneous than the people between populations. There is a positive but statistically insignificant correlation between Cormic index and BMI. The five social groups differ more in size distance than in shape distance. According to the dendrogram of generalized distance values, the Muslims and the general castes can be grouped into one cluster and the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and other backward castes can be grouped into another cluster.     

Effects of Artificial Dawn and Morning Blue Light on Daytime Cognitive Performance,Well-being,Cortisol and Melatonin Levels

Light exposure elicits numerous effects on human physiology and behavior, such as better cognitive performance and mood. Here we investigated the role of morning light exposure as a countermeasure for impaired cognitive performance and mood under sleep restriction (SR). Seventeen participants took part of a 48h laboratory protocol, during which three different light settings (separated by 2?wks) were administered each morning after two 6-h sleep restriction nights: a blue monochromatic LED (light-emitting diode) light condition (BL; 100?lux at 470?nm for 20?min) starting 2?h after scheduled wake-up time, a dawn-simulating light (DsL) starting 30?min before and ending 20?min after scheduled wake-up time (polychromatic light gradually increasing from 0 to 250?lux), and a dim light (DL) condition for 2?h beginning upon scheduled wake time (<8?lux). Cognitive tasks were performed every 2?h during scheduled wakefulness, and questionnaires were administered hourly to assess subjective sleepiness, mood, and well-being. Salivary melatonin and cortisol were collected throughout scheduled wakefulness in regular intervals, and the effects on melatonin were measured after only one light pulse. Following the first SR, analysis of the time course of cognitive performance during scheduled wakefulness indicated a decrease following DL, whereas it remained stable following BL and significantly improved after DsL. Cognitive performance levels during the second day after SR were not significantly affected by the different light conditions. However, after both SR nights, mood and well-being were significantly enhanced after exposure to morning DsL compared with DL and BL. Melatonin onset occurred earlier after morning BL exposure, than after morning DsL and DL, whereas salivary cortisol levels were higher at wake-up time after DsL compared with BL and DL. Our data indicate that exposure to an artificial morning dawn simulation light improves subjective well-being, mood, and cognitive performance, as compared with DL and BL, with minimal impact on circadian phase. Thus, DsL may provide an effective strategy for enhancing cognitive performance, well-being, and mood under mild sleep restriction.     

Scheduled food hastens re-entrainment more than melatonin does after a 6-h phase advance of the light-dark cycle in rats

Circadian desynchrony occurs when individuals are exposed to abrupt phase shifts of the light-dark cycle, as in jet lag. For reducing symptoms and for speeding up resynchronization, several strategies have been suggested, including scheduled exercise, exposure to bright light, drugs, and especially exogenous melatonin administration. Restricted feeding schedules have shown to be powerful entraining signals for metabolic and hormonal daily cycles, as well as for clock genes in tissues and organs of the periphery. This study explored in a rat model of jet lag the contribution of exogenous melatonin or scheduled feeding on the re-entrainment speed of spontaneous general activity and core temperature after a 6-h phase advance of the light-dark cycle. In a first phase, the treatment was scheduled for 5 days prior to the phase shift, while in a second stage, the treatment was simultaneous with the phase advance of the light-dark cycle. Melatonin administration and especially scheduled feeding simultaneous with the phase shift improved significantly the re-entrainment speed. The evaluation of the free-running activity and temperature following the 5-day treatment proved that both exogenous melatonin and specially scheduled feeding accelerated re-entrainment of the SCN-driven general activity and core temperature, respectively, with 7, 5 days (p < 0.01) and 3, 3 days (p < 0.001). The present results show the relevance of feeding schedules as entraining signals for the circadian system and highlight the importance of using them as a strategy for preventing internal desynchrony.     

Scheduled voluntary wheel running activity modulates free-running circadian body temperature rhythms in Octodon degus

Entrainment of the circadian pacemaker to nonphotic stimuli, such as scheduled wheel-running activity, is well characterized in nocturnal rodents, but little is known about activity-dependent entrainment in diurnal or crepuscular species. In the present study, effects of scheduled voluntary wheel-running activity on circadian timekeeping were investigated in Octodon degus, a hystricomorph rodent that exhibits robust crepuscular patterns of wakefulness. When housed in constant darkness, O. degus exhibited circadian rhythms in wheel-running activity and body temperature (Tb) with an average period length (tau) of 23.39 +/- 0.11 h. When wheel running was restricted to a fixed 2-h schedule every 24 h, tau increased on average 0.39 +/- 0.09 h but did not result in steady-state entrainment. Instead, relative coordination between the fixed running schedule and circadian timing was observed. Tau was greatest when scheduled wheel running occurred at CT 20.5 (0.4 h greater than DD baseline tau). Scheduled running activity also influenced Tb waveform symmetry, reflecting concomitant changes in the circadian activity-rest ratio (alpha:rho). Aftereffects of the scheduled wheel-running paradigm were also observed. In 2 animals, tau lengthened from 23.20 and 23.80 h to 24.14 and 24.15 h, respectively, and remained relatively stable for approximately 1 month during the wheel schedule. Although behavioral activity appears to be a weak zeitgeber in this species, these data suggest that nonphotic stimuli can phase delay the circadian pacemaker in O. degus at similar times of the day as in nocturnal hamsters and mice, and in humans.     

Sleep/wake patterns and circadian typology in preschool children based on standardized parental self-reports

We studied the sleep/wake patterns and circadian typology of Japanese preschool children living in the Tokyo metropolitan area (193 boys and 190 girls, 4–6 years of age) from June to July 2012 based on a standardized parental self-reporting questionnaire. Our major findings are as follows: (1) sleep/wake timing was delayed, and the duration of nocturnal sleep (sleep period as well as time in bed) increased from that on scheduled days (weekdays) to that on free days (weekends) for all ages. (2) The duration of daily sleep (24?h), including daytime nap, was longer for 4-year-old children compared with that in 5- to 6-year-old children, but not significantly different between scheduled and free days within each age group. (3) The distribution of chronotypes was 36.3% for morning (M)-type, 48.8% for neither (N)-type and 11.2% for evening (E)-type, and this distribution was independent of sex or age. (4) Sleep/wake timing delays were observed from M-type and N-type to E-type during scheduled and free days. (5) The duration of nocturnal sleep decreased but increased for 24-h sleep time from M-type and N-type to E-type on scheduled days. (6) Sleep durations did not differ among chronotypes on free days. (7) Chronotypes were associated with parents’ diurnal preferences, mealtimes and attendance at kindergartens or childcare centers but not with sex, age, season of birth, exposure to multimedia or exposure to morning sunlight in their bedrooms. When these results were compared with those for older children and adolescents, similar sleep/wake patterns and circadian typology were observed, although to a lesser degree, in children as young as 4–6 years of age. Napping may compensate, in part, for an accumulated weekday sleep deficit. The distribution of chronotypes was associated with differences in sleep/wake timing and duration and was influenced by the parents’ diurnal preferences and lifestyles. Further research on preschool children is required to investigate whether circadian typology affects their behavioral, emotional and cognitive development.     

Feeding entrainment of locomotor activity rhythms in the goldfish is mediated by a feeding-entrainable circadian oscillator

Periodic food availability can act as a potent zeitgeber capable of synchronizing many biological rhythms in fishes, including locomotor activity rhythms. In the present paper we investigated entrainment of locomotor rhythms to scheduled feeding under different light and feeding regimes. In experiment 1, fish were exposed to a 12:12?h light/dark cycle and fed one single daily meal in the middle of the light phase. In experiment 2, we tested the effect of random versus scheduled feeding on the daily distribution of activity. During random feeding, meals were randomly scheduled with intervals ranging from 12 to 36?h, while scheduled feeding consisted of one single daily meal set in the middle of the light or dark phase. Finally, in experiment 3, we studied the synchronization of activity rhythms to feeding under constant darkness (DD) and after shifting the feeding cycle by either advancing or delaying the feeding cycle by 9?h. The results revealed that goldfish synchronized to feeding, overcame light entrainment and significantly changed their daily distribution of activity according to their feeding schedule. In addition, the daily activity pattern modulated by feeding differed between layers: a peak of activity being noticeable directly after feeding at the bottom, while an anticipatory behaviour was obvious at the surface of the tank. Under DD and no food, free-running rhythms averaging 25.5?± 1.9?h (mean?±?SD) were detected. In conclusion, some properties of feeding entrainment (e.g. anticipation of the feeding time, free-running rhythms following termination of periodic feeding, and the stability of ø after shifting the feeding cycle) suggested that goldfish have (a) separate but tightly coupled light- and food-entrainable oscillators, or (b) a single oscillator that is entrainable by both light and food (one synchronizer being eventually stronger than the other).     

FEEDING ENTRAINMENT OF FOOD-ANTICIPATORY ACTIVITY AND per1 EXPRESSION IN THE BRAIN AND LIVER OF ZEBRAFISH UNDER DIFFERENT LIGHTING AND FEEDING CONDITIONS

Food provided on a periodic basis can act as a potent synchronizer, being a stronger zeitgeber than light for peripheral oscillators in mammals. In fish, however, little is known about the influence of feeding time on the circadian pacemaker and the relationship between central and peripheral oscillators. The aim of this research was to investigate the influence of mealtime on the activity rhythms, and on central (brain) and peripheral (liver) oscillators in zebrafish. The authors tested different feeding times under a light-dark (LD) cycle and the endogenous origin of food-anticipatory activity (FAA) by feeding zebrafish at a fixed time under constant bright-light conditions (LL). The authors then measured locomotor activity and the expression of the clock gene per1 in animals under a LD cycle and fed at random times during the light phase, with restricted feeding at the mid-light phase (ML) or with restricted feeding during the mid-dark phase (MD). Finally, the authors measured locomotor activity and per1 expression in fish maintained under LL under either random feeding or scheduled feeding. Zebrafish displayed FAA in all the groups fed at a fixed time but not when feeding was randomly scheduled. Under LL, fish entrainment persisted, and when released under fasting conditions FAA free-ran with a circa-24-h period. The expression of per1 in the brain of fish under LD showed a daily rhythm with the acrophase (peak time) at the end of the dark phase regardless of feeding schedule. This brain rhythm disappeared in LL fish under both random feeding and scheduled feeding. Feeding at MD advanced the phase of per1 in the liver by 7?h compared with the ML-fed group phase (23:54 versus 07:23?h, respectively). In addition, under LL scheduled feeding entrained the rhythms of per1 expression in the liver. This study reveals for the first time that scheduled feeding entrains peripheral oscillators in a fish species, zebrafish, which is a powerful model widely used for molecular genetics and for the study of basic clock mechanisms of the vertebrate circadian system. (Author correspondence: jflopez@um.es)     

The effects of predictable and unpredictable schedules of physical restraint upon rats

Adult, male rats were subjected to 15, 25, or 36 regularly or irregularly scheduled sessions of physical restraint. Irregularly scheduled restraint applied for 25 or 36 sessions, resulted in post-trial alterations in plasma levels of corticosterone, glucose, and free fatty acids of greater magnitude and longer duration than did regularly scheduled trials. The results confirm a more pronounced effect for the unpredictable stress.     

Effect of substance P on ethanol consumption in subchronically alcoholized rats in the limited scheduled access paradigm

The effect of substance P on alcohol intake was studied in rats using a limited scheduled access paradigm. Ascending doses of substance P (100 and 200 micrograms/kg) were administered intraperitoneally to rats approximately 30 minute prior to their 1-hour-per-day access to alcohol. Each dose was administered for 3 successive days, and the effect of substance P was compared to that of saline solution control. Substance P at the dose of 100 micrograms/kg had no effect on alcohol consumption but significantly decreased the alcohol intake at the dose of 200 micrograms/kg. Thus, substance P reduces the alcohol motivation of rats in a limited scheduled access paradigm.     

Regulation of food intake by neuropeptide Y in goldfish

In mammals, neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a potent orexigenic factor. In the present study, third brain ventricle (intracerebroventricular) injection of goldfish NPY (gNPY) caused a dose-dependent increase in food intake in goldfish, and intracerebroventricular administration of NPY Y1-receptor antagonist BIBP-3226 decreased food intake; the actions of gNPY were blocked by simultaneous injection of BIBP-3226. Goldfish maintained on a daily scheduled feeding regimen display an increase in NPY mRNA levels in the telencephalon-preoptic area and hypothalamus shortly before feeding; however, a decrease occured in optic tectum-thalamus. In both fed and unfed fish, brain NPY mRNA levels decreased after scheduled feeding. Restriction in daily food ration intake for 1 wk or food deprivation for 72 h resulted in increased brain NPY mRNA levels. Results from these studies demonstrate that NPY is a physiological brain signal involved in feeding behavior in goldfish, mediating its effects, at least in part, through Y1-like receptors in the brain.     

BMI and Severity of Clinical and Radiographic Signs of Hip Osteoarthritis

Obesity might be involved in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) not only via increased mechanical loading, but also via an inflammatory component possibly causing increased pain and functional disability. The study aim was to examine the relationship between BMI and clinical symptoms as well as radiographic severity of OA in patients scheduled for primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). We conducted a cross‐sectional study of 855 patients scheduled for a first THA for primary OA at a single centre between November 2001 and December 2006. The primary outcome was clinical and radiographic severity of OA, which was evaluated in four BMI categories (18.5–24.9, 25–29.9, 30–34.9 and ≥35 kg/m²). We used the Harris Hip Score (HHS) and the Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) to assess pain and function. The severity of radiographic hip joint damage was evaluated using the Kellgren–Lawrence classification. Multivariate analyses were performed to adjust for potential confounders. In patients scheduled for THA, increasing BMI was associated with significantly higher levels of pain and functional disability on both HHS (P for trend <0.001) and WOMAC (P for trend <0.001). However, the degree of radiographic joint damage remained similar across BMI categories. These findings emphasize the need to further investigate the potential pathogenic role of obesity and low‐grade inflammation in OA and underscore the importance of obesity prevention to avoid early prosthetic replacement of the hip.     

Phase shifts in circadian peripheral clocks caused by exercise are dependent on the feeding schedule in PER2::LUC mice

Circadian rhythms are regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) clock, which is the main oscillator and peripheral clock. SCN clock can be entrained by both photic and non-photic stimuli, and an interaction exists between photic and non-photic entrainment. Moreover, peripheral circadian clocks can be entrained not only by scheduled restricted feeding, but also by scheduled exercise. Thus, the entrainment of peripheral circadian clocks may be the result of an interaction between the entrainment caused by feeding and exercise. In this study, we examined the effect of wheel-running exercise on the phase of the peripheral clocks (kidney, liver and submandibular gland) in PER2::LUC mice under various feeding schedules. Phase and waveforms of the peripheral clocks were not affected by voluntary wheel-running exercise. Exercise for a period of 4 h during the early dark period (morning) delayed the peripheral clocks, while exercise for the same duration during the late dark period (evening) advanced the peripheral clocks. The feeding phase was advanced and delayed by evening and morning exercise, respectively, suggesting that the feeding pattern elicited by the scheduled exercise may entrain the peripheral clocks. Exercise did not affect the phase of the peripheral clock under the 1 meal per day schedule. When the phase of the peripheral clocks was advanced by the feeding schedule of 2 or 4 meals per day during light and/or dark periods, wheel-running exercise during the morning period significantly and equally shifted the phase of all organs back to the original positions observed in mice maintained under free-feeding conditions and with no exercise. When the schedule of 2 meals per day during the dark period failed to affect the phase of peripheral clock, morning exercise did not affect the phase. Wheel-running exercise increased the levels of serum corticosterone, and the injection of dexamethasone/corticosterone instead of exercise shifted a phase that had advanced under the feeding schedule of 2 meals per day, back to the normal position. The liver and submandibular glands exhibit higher sensitivity to dexamethasone than the kidneys. In adrenalectomized mice, treadmill-induced normalization of the advanced phase under a feeding schedule of 2 meals per day was not observed. In summary, scheduled exercise-induced phase shifts were weaker compared to scheduled feeding-induced phase shifts. The phase advance caused by the feeding schedule of 2 or 4 meals per day was suppressed by wheel-running, treadmill exercise or dexamethasone/corticosterone injection in the early dark period (morning). Corticosterone release may be involved in exercise-induced phase shift of peripheral clocks. These results suggest that there is an interaction between the phase shifts caused by feeding and exercise schedules in peripheral clocks.     

Contextual correlates of child malnutrition in rural Maharashtra

This paper examines the role of observed contextual factors like topography, development and literacy on severe malnutrition among social groups in rural Maharashtra based on the Reproductive and Child Health District Level Household Survey (RCH-DLHS) Round II (2002-04) data. Multilevel modelling techniques were applied in order to examine the district-wise variations in severe malnutrition associated with the characteristics of the places (contextual effects), as the relationships with the type of people (compositional effects) have already been well established. The results show that developmental aspects such as road connectivity, community literacy, toilet facilities and household standard of living contribute positively to the status of severe malnutrition. Also, the scheduled tribe, aboriginal underprivileged group are more at risk of severe malnourishment due to a lack of proper development, poor awareness about maintaining and enhancing the nutritional value of food and lack of hygiene and sanitation as compared with the scheduled castes, another aboriginal group.     

Enzymic chemical reaction under microgravity environment in space

In recent years, some papers have reported synergism in the biological effects of space radiation and microgravity. However, there is no direct evidence for these phenomena. As one possible mechanism, we investigated whether DNA ligation in the final step of DSBs repair of DNA molecules induced by radiation is depressed by microgravity. Therefore, we have scheduled the space experiments of the effects of microgravity on repair activity of T4 DNA ligase for DSBs prepared with digestion of a restriction enzyme (Sma I) to plasmid DNA. As another possible mechanism, the high mutation frequency may be induced from abnormal base-incorporation during DNA replication under microgravity. Using the Taq polymerase and polymerase III, we have also scheduled whether mutation frequency is affected by microgravity during DNA replication for a damaged DNA base induced by an alkylating agent (N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, MNU).     

Erythrocyte enzyme polymorphisms in the Kamboh caste of Patiala, Punjab

Data are presented on six erythrocyte enzyme polymorphisms (ADA, GLO I, EsD, AK, AP, GPI) in the Kamboh, a scheduled caste inhabiting the Patiala district of the Indian state of Punjab. With their high ADA2 (18.5%), Pa (42.5%) and GPI3 (5.3%) and a rather low GLO1 (18.8%) frequencies, the Kamboh differ from all other populations of Punjab.     

Two-Level Scheduling for Video Transmission over Downlink OFDMA Networks

This paper presents a two-level scheduling scheme for video transmission over downlink orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) networks. It aims to maximize the aggregate quality of the video users subject to the playback delay and resource constraints, by exploiting the multiuser diversity and the video characteristics. The upper level schedules the transmission of video packets among multiple users based on an overall target bit-error-rate (BER), the importance level of packet and resource consumption efficiency factor. Instead, the lower level renders unequal error protection (UEP) in terms of target BER among the scheduled packets by solving a weighted sum distortion minimization problem, where each user weight reflects the total importance level of the packets that has been scheduled for that user. Frequency-selective power is then water-filled over all the assigned subcarriers in order to leverage the potential channel coding gain. Realistic simulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art scheduling scheme by up to 6.8 dB in terms of peak-signal-to-noise-ratio (PSNR). Further test evaluates the suitability of equal power allocation which is the common assumption in the literature.     

Cell-cycle defect of DNA repair in progeria skin fibroblasts

We examined the temporal regulation of DNA repair during synchronous cell proliferation in normal and progeroid human fibroblasts. Ultraviolet light-induced (254 nm, 20 J/m2) unscheduled DNA synthesis was measured at 4-h intervals after serum stimulation, for up to 32 h. Normal cells regulated DNA repair in a defined temporal sequence, showing a peak in the induction of DNA repair just before DNA synthesis. Progeroid skin fibroblasts failed to show an increase in nucleotide excision repair before scheduled DNA synthesis, but the background level of DNA repair was not significantly different from that in controls. Regulation of repair in progeroid human fibroblasts appeared similar, but not identical to that previously reported by Gupta and Sirover (1984b) for xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C. Our results suggest that patients with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria may have a defect in DNA repair; the results offer nominal evidence that the average level of UV-induced DNA is decreased, and that individuals with this disease lack both the normal enhancement of DNA repair before scheduled DNA synthesis and the temporal control of DNA repair.     

Dopaminergic and brain-derived neurotrophic factor signalling in inbred mice exposed to a restricted feeding schedule

Increased physical activity and decreased motivation to eat are common features in anorexia nervosa. We investigated the development of these features and the potential implication of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and dopaminergic signalling in their development in C57BL/6J and A/J inbred mice, using the 'activity-based anorexia' model. In this model, mice on a restricted-feeding schedule are given unlimited access to running wheels. We measured dopamine receptor D2 and BDNF expression levels in the caudate putamen and the hippocampus, respectively, using in situ hybridization. We found that in response to scheduled feeding, C57BL/6J mice reduced their running wheel activity and displayed food anticipatory activity prior to food intake from day 2 of scheduled feeding as an indication of motivation to eat. In contrast, A/J mice increased running wheel activity during scheduled feeding and lacked food anticipatory activity. These were accompanied by increased dopamine receptor D2 expression in the caudate putamen and reduced BDNF expression in the hippocampus. Consistent with human linkage and association studies on BDNF and dopamine receptor D2 in anorexia nervosa, our study shows that dopaminergic and BDNF signalling are altered as a function of susceptibility to activity-based anorexia. Differences in gene expression and behaviour between A/J and C57BL/6J mice indicate that mouse genetic mapping populations based on these progenitor lines are valuable for identifying molecular determinants of anorexia-related traits.