Multilocus analyses of seven candidate genes suggest interacting pathways for obesity-related traits in Brazilian populations

We investigated whether variants in major candidate genes for food intake and body weight regulation contribute to obesity-related traits under a multilocus perspective. We studied 375 Brazilian subjects from partially isolated African-derived populations (quilombos). Seven variants displaying conflicting results in previous reports and supposedly implicated in the susceptibility of obesity-related phenotypes were investigated: β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) (Arg16Gly), insulin induced gene 2 (INSIG2) (rs7566605), leptin (LEP) (A19G), LEP receptor (LEPR) (Gln223Arg), perilipin (PLIN) (6209T > C), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARG) (Pro12Ala), and resistin (RETN) (-420 C > G). Regression models as well as generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) were employed to test the contribution of individual effects and higher-order interactions to BMI and waist-hip ratio (WHR) variation and risk of overweight/obesity. The best multilocus association signal identified in the quilombos was further examined in an independent sample of 334 Brazilian subjects of European ancestry. In quilombos, only the PPARG polymorphism displayed significant individual effects (WHR variation, P = 0.028). No association was observed either with the risk of overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2), risk of obesity alone (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) or BMI variation. However, GMDR analyses revealed an interaction between the LEPR and ADRB2 polymorphisms (P = 0.009) as well as a third-order effect involving the latter two variants plus INSIG2 (P = 0.034) with overweight/obesity. Assessment of the LEPR-ADRB2 interaction in the second sample indicated a marginally significant association (P = 0.0724), which was further verified to be limited to men (P = 0.0118). Together, our findings suggest evidence for a two-locus interaction between the LEPR Gln223Arg and ADRB2 Arg16Gly variants in the risk of overweight/obesity, and highlight further the importance of multilocus effects in the genetic component of obesity.     

The effect of industrial pollution on copper,lead, zinc and cadmium concentration in xylem rings of resistant (Populus marilandica) and sensitive (P. balsamifera) species of poplar

Summary The patterns of radial distribution of copper, lead, zinc and cadmium in two species of poplar, growing under polluted conditions near a copper smelter, were investigated. Populus marilandica is very resistant to such pollution, but P. balsamifera is sensitive. Soils were examined for concentrations of these metals, and only a surface layer of soil was polluted with copper and lead. P. balsamifera absorbed much more cadmium than P. marilandica under the same conditions. P. marilandica shows a pattern of copper radial distribution with significantly increased concentration of the meral in the layers in the middle of the trunk compared to P. balsamifera. Zinc and cadmium have a pattern with increased metal concentration from the bark towards the pith of the tree. In the case of copper and lead the pattern indicates increased concentrations of these metals in the rings adjacent to the pith while the pattern in other parts of the tree remains unconfirmed due to poor precision. Poplar xylem seems to accumulate zinc and cadmium while the content of lead in xylem is much lower than in the adjacent soil.This paper is dedicated to the memory of Professor Stefan Bialobok, Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences in Kornik     

Gene structure,transcripts and calciotropic effects of the PTH family of peptides in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xenopus</Emphasis> and chicken

Background  

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) belong to a family of endocrine factors that share a highly conserved N-terminal region (amino acids 1-34) and play key roles in calcium homeostasis, bone formation and skeletal development. Recently, PTH-like peptide (PTH-L) was identified in teleost fish raising questions about the evolution of these proteins. Although PTH and PTHrP have been intensively studied in mammals their function in other vertebrates is poorly documented. Amphibians and birds occupy unique phylogenetic positions, the former at the transition of aquatic to terrestrial life and the latter at the transition to homeothermy. Moreover, both organisms have characteristics indicative of a complex system in calcium regulation. This study investigated PTH family evolution in vertebrates with special emphasis on Xenopus and chicken.     

Unusual metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma to larynx and hypopharynx a case report

Background  

Although direct infiltration of papillary carcinoma of thyroid to larynx, trachea and esophagus is well recognized, lymphatic and vascular metastases to larynx and hypopharynx have rarely been reported.     

A resistin gene polymorphism is associated with body mass index in women

The potential association of resistin (RETN) gene variability with obesity-related phenotypes was investigated in 585 non-diabetic individuals of European descent. The polymorphism studied (–420 C>G) is located in the RETN gene 5-flanking region. A significant association between the polymorphism and body mass index and waist circumference was observed in the women subsample (n=356), where the G allele was somewhat less frequent in the overweight/obese group than in normal-weight individuals (0.25 vs. 0.32; p=0.040; OR=0.70 [0.50–0.98]). Female carriers of the G-allele presented a lower mean BMI than C/C homozygotes (25.5 vs. 26.8 kg/m²; p=0.010). Furthermore, when women were stratified by menopausal status, the association was restricted to premenopausal women (C/C homozygotes, mean BMI=26.3 kg/m²; G-carriers, 24.4 kg/m²; p=0.014). Our findings suggest that RETN gene variation has gender-specific effects on BMI and warrants further investigation of its implications for the development of obesity.     

First record of Adelges (Cholodkovskya) viridanus (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) in North America,with a description of the fundatrix form in Japan

Adelges (Cholodkovskya) viridanus (Cholodkovsky 1896) (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) is found throughout Eurasia where it is understood to be anholocyclic, feeding on species of larch (Larix), without host alternation. For the first time, we report this species in North America, outside of its native range, from specimens collected in an arboretum in Ohio, USA. Molecular phylogenetic analysis was inconclusive as to whether it was introduced from Europe or Asia. In addition, specimens collected from Picea jezoensis in Japan were confirmed for the first time as A. (C.) viridanus by matching DNA sequences to specimens collected on Larix. Therefore, A. (C.) viridanus is either capable of completing a host-alternating holocycle in Japan, or includes very recently diverged anholocyclic populations on Picea. Finally, we describe the adult fundatrix form, which was previously unknown.     

Stress protein of cyanobacteria CP36: interaction with photoactive complexes and formation of supramolecular structures

Cyanobacterium Anacystis nidulans R2, Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (wild-type strain and mutants Delta2 and Delta3 lacking PSII and PSI, respectively), and Synechocystis sp. BO 9201 synthesize the pigment--protein complex CP36 (CPIV-4, CP43') under iron deficiency in the medium. Accumulation of CP36 is accompanied by structural reorganizations in the photosynthetic membranes. Integrating mean times of excitation relaxation (quenching) are 2.2 nsec (CP36), 1 nsec (PSI), and 420 psec (PSII in Fm state). The energy migration between CP36 and the photosystems can be described by a model of a one-layer ring of CP36 around core-complexes. The excitation from CP36 to PSI is transferred within <10 psec. The energy transfer from CP36 to PSII occurs during 170 psec. Cells with low content of CP36 probably contain only a latent fraction of unbound to phycobilisomes PSII which is the analog of PSIIbeta of higher plants. In PSI there are four binding sites for CP36 monomers per RC. PSII can bind up to 32 molecules of CP36 per RC. Cells with a large amount of CP36 contain monomer form of PSII core-complex which can bind eight tetramers of CP36 (8 binding sites). In conditions of iron deficiency only one monomer of a dimer PSII core-complex is destroyed and released chlorophyll is accumulated in CP36. Accumulation of CP36 in A. nidulans cells can be accompanied by membrane stacking which is similar to the stacking in chlorophyll b-containing organisms. The stacking can occur in the region of localization of PSII latent fraction bound to CP36. The membrane stacking shields PSII stromal surfaces from the aqueous phase for activation of electron transfer on the acceptor side of PSII.     

Hip joint replacement surgery for idiopathic osteoarthritis aggregates in families

In order to determine whether there is a genetic component to hip or knee joint failure due to idiopathic osteoarthritis (OA), we invited patients (probands) undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty for management of idiopathic OA to provide detailed family histories regarding the prevalence of idiopathic OA requiring joint replacement in their siblings. We also invited their spouses to provide detailed family histories about their siblings to serve as a control group. In the probands, we confirmed the diagnosis of idiopathic OA using American College of Rheumatology criteria. The cohorts included the siblings of 635 probands undergoing total hip replacement, the siblings of 486 probands undergoing total knee replacement, and the siblings of 787 spouses. We compared the prevalence of arthroplasty for idiopathic OA among the siblings of the probands with that among the siblings of the spouses, and we used logistic regression to identify independent risk factors for hip and knee arthroplasty in the siblings. Familial aggregation for hip arthroplasty, but not for knee arthroplasty, was observed after controlling for age and sex, suggesting a genetic contribution to end-stage hip OA but not to end-stage knee OA. We conclude that attempts to identify genes that predispose to idiopathic OA resulting in joint failure are more likely to be successful in patients with hip OA than in those with knee OA.