An Examination of the Association between 5-HTTLPR,Combat Exposure,and PTSD Diagnosis among U.S. Veterans

Objective

To examine the association between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism of the serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) gene, combat exposure, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis and among two samples of combat-exposed veterans.

Method

The first sample included 550 non-Hispanic Black (NHB) combat-exposed veterans. The second sample included 555 non-Hispanic White (NHW) combat-exposed veterans. Participants were genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 variants of the SLC6A4 gene. A structured clinical interview was used to diagnose PTSD. Combat and civilian trauma exposure were assessed with validated self-report instruments. Logistic regression was used to test for main effects of 5-HTTLPR on PTSD diagnosis as well as gene x environment (GxE) interactions after adjusting for sex, ancestry proportion scores, civilian trauma exposure, and combat exposure.

Results

Within the NHB sample, a significant additive effect was observed for 5-HTTLPR (OR = 1.502, p = .0025), such that the odds of having a current diagnosis of PTSD increased by 1.502 for each additional S’ allele. No evidence for an association between 5-HTTLPR and PTSD was observed in the NHW sample. In addition, no evidence for combat x 5-HTTLPR effects were observed in either sample.

Conclusion

The present study suggests that there may be an association between 5-HTTLPR genotype and PTSD diagnosis among NHB veterans; however, no evidence for the hypothesized 5-HTTLPR x combat interaction was found.     

Microbial community structure analysis of a benzoate-degrading halophilic archaeal enrichment

A benzoate-degrading archaeal enrichment was developed using sediment samples from Rozel Point at Great Salt Lake, UT. The enrichment degraded benzoate as the sole carbon source at salinity ranging from 2.0 to 5.0 M NaCl with highest rate of degradation observed at 4.0 M. The enrichment was also tested for its ability to grow on other aromatic compounds such as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA), gentisic acid, protocatechuic acid (PCA), catechol, benzene and toluene as the sole sources of carbon and energy. Of these, the culture only utilized 4-HBA as the carbon source. To determine the initial steps in benzoate degradation pathway, a survey of ring-oxidizing and ring-cleaving genes was performed using degenerate PCR primers. Results showed the presence of 4-hydroxybenzoate 3-monooxygenase (4-HBMO) and protocatechuate 3, 4-dioxygenase (3,4-PCA) genes suggesting that the archaeal enrichment might degrade benzoate to 4-HBA that is further converted to PCA by 4-HBMO and, thus, formed PCA would undergo ring-cleavage by 3,4-PCA to form intermediates that enter the Krebs cycle. Small subunit rRNA gene-based diversity survey revealed that the enrichment consisted entirely of class Halobacteria members belonging to the genera Halopenitus, Halosarcina, Natronomonas, Halosimplex, Halorubrum, Salinarchaeum and Haloterrigena. Of these, Halopenitus was the dominant group accounting for almost 91 % of the total sequences suggesting their potential role in degrading oxygenated aromatic compounds at extreme salinity.     

Hyaluronidase and collagenase inhibitory activities of the herbal formulation <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triphala guggulu</Emphasis>

Myrrh (guggulu) oleoresin from the Commiphora mukul tree is an important component of antiarthritic drugs in Ayurvedic medicine. Clinical data suggest that elevated levels of hyaluronidase and collagenase type 2 enzymes contribute significantly to cartilage degradation. Triphala guggulu (TG) is a guggulu-based formulation used for the treatment of arthritis. We assessed the chondroprotective potential of TG by examining its effects on the activities of pure hyaluronidase and collagenase type 2 enzymes. Triphala shodith guggulu (TSG), an intermediate in the production of TG, was also examined. A spectrophotometric method was used to assay Hyaluronidase activity, and to detect potential Hyaluronidase inhibitors. Aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of TSG showed weak but dose-dependent inhibition of hyaluronidase activity. In contrast, the TG formulation was 50 times more potent than the TSG extract with respect to hyaluronidase inhibitory activity. A validated X-ray film-based assay was used to measure the gelatinase activity of pure collagenase type 2. Hydro-alcoholic extracts of the TG formulation were 4 times more potent than TSG with respect to collagenase inhibitory activity. Components of Triphala were also evaluated for their inhibitory activities on hyaluronidase and collagenase. This is the first report to show that the T2 component of Triphala (T. chebula) is a highly potent hyaluronidase and collagenase inhibitor. Thus, the TG formulation inhibits two major enzymes that can degrade cartilage matrix. Our study provides the first in vitro preclinical evidence of the chondroprotective properties of TG.     

First report of parasitism of the Trichogramma bruni Nagaraja (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in eggs of urbanus proteus (L.) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) in snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) ( L.)

Aiming to verify the presence of eggs parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma, for using in the biological control of insects pests, were collected eggs from long tailed skipper butterfly, a lepidopteran defoliator of snap beans, which presented eggs with parasitism characteristics (dark eggs). The eggs were taken to the laboratory were 44.9% of parasitism was verified. Viability was 96.3%, with an average of 6.6 individuals per egg and a sexual ratio of 0.93. Male specimens were identified as Trichogramma bruni Nagaraja. It is the first report of parasitism in this host and culture.     

Concerted transpositions of mobile genetic elements coupled with fitness changes in Drosophila melanogaster

In an inbred low-activity (LA) strain of Drosophila melanogaster with a low level of fitness and a complex of inadaptive characters, in situ hybridization reveals an invariant pattern of distribution of three copia-like elements (mdg-1, mdg-3, and copia). Rare, spontaneous, multiple transpositions of mobile elements in the LA strain were shown to be coupled with a drastic increase of fitness. A changed pattern of various types of mobile elements was also observed on selecting the LA strain for higher fitness. High-fitness strains show transpositions of mobile elements to definite chromosomal sites ("hot spots"). Concerted changes in the location of three different mobile elements were found to be coupled with an increase of fitness. The mdg-1 distribution patterns were also examined in two low-fitness strains independently selected from the high-fitness ones. Fitness decrease was accompanied by mdg-1 excision from the hot spots of their location usually detected in the high-fitness strains. The results suggest the existence of a system of adaptive transpositions of mobile elements that takes part in fitness control.      

Biochemical and stress responses of rohu Labeo rohita and mrigal Cirrhinus mrigala in relation to acclimation temperatures

The biochemical and stress responses of two Indian major carps, rohu Labeo rohita and mrigal Cirrhinus mrigala were studied after acclimating them to four preset temperatures (26, 31, 33 and 36° C) for 30 days. The blood glucose and liver glycogen levels showed an inverse trend in both the species and were significantly different in L. rohita at higher temperatures. The decrease in the liver glycogen level of C. mrigala , however, was not significant. Plasma cortisol levels increased significantly whereas the ascorbic acid content in the brain and kidney of both the species decreased significantly with increasing temperatures. Total lipid content in the liver of both the species decreased significantly with increasing acclimation temperatures. The phospholipid concentration decreased in L. rohita with increasing acclimation temperatures, and in C. mrigala the values decreased up to 33° C and increased at 36° C. In C. mrigala , the cholesterol level decreased up to 33° C and then increased at 36° C, but the absolute value was lower in comparison to L. rohita . The cholesterol levels, however, were not significantly different in L. rohita . Triglycerides and free fatty acids concentrations decreased significantly with increasing acclimation temperatures in both the species. The present study indicates species-specific metabolic responses of L. rohita and C. mrigala to thermal acclimation.