Mitochondrial respiration in peripheral blood mononuclear cells correlates with depressive subsymptoms and severity of major depression

Mitochondrial dysfunction might have a central role in the pathophysiology of depression. Phenotypically, depression is characterized by lack of energy, concentration problems and fatigue. These symptoms might be partially explained by reduced availability of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as a consequence of impaired mitochondrial functioning. This study investigated mitochondrial respiration in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), an established model to investigate the pathophysiology of depression. Mitochondrial respiration was assessed in intact PBMCs in 22 individuals with a diagnosis of major depression (MD) compared with 22 healthy age-matched controls using high-resolution respirometry. Individuals with MD showed significantly impaired mitochondrial functioning: routine and uncoupled respiration as well as spare respiratory capacity, coupling efficiency and ATP turnover-related respiration were significantly lower in the MD compared with the control group. Furthermore, mitochondrial respiration was significantly negatively correlated with the severity of depressive symptoms, in particular, with loss of energy, difficulties concentrating and fatigue. The results suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to the biomolecular pathophysiology of depressive symptoms. The decreased immune capability observed in MD leading to a higher risk of comorbidities could be attributable to impaired energy supply due to mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus mitochondrial respiration in PBMCs and its functional consequences might be an interesting target for new therapeutical approaches in the treatment of MD and immune-related comorbidities.     

The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and carotid receptors modulate hyperglycemia induced by hemorrhage

The aim of this study was to assess the role of cholinergic transmission in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) and carotid body receptors in mediating a rise in plasma glucose levels in response to hemorrhagic hypotension in rats. Methylatropine (1x10(-9) mol) or 0.15 M NaCl (0.2 microl) was injected into the PVN of Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g bearing a chronic jugular catheter for blood sampling and hemorrhage (1.2 ml/100 g/2 min). Polyethylene cannulae (PE-10) were inserted into the left femoral artery for cardiovascular monitoring. In the other experimental protocol, hemorrhage was performed on rats submitted to bilateral carotid receptor denervation (H-CD). The results show that the hyperglycemic response to hemorrhage was decreased by either methylatropine (H-MA) treatment or bilateral carotid receptor denervation (10.3+/-0.4 mM, control, n=15 vs. 7.7+/-0.2 mM, H-MA, n=12, and 7.6+/-0.3 mM, H-CD, n=5, p<0.01). Furthermore, methylatropine did not affect the recovery of blood pressure after hemorrhage-induced hypotension, suggesting that the metabolic and pressor adjustments have different efferent pathways. Our data demonstrate that cholinergic input from the PVN and carotid receptors (chemo- and/or baroreceptors) might participate in the same neural pathway activated by hemorrhage-induced hypotension that produces hyperglycemia.     

Needle electrodes can be used for bispectral index monitoring of sedation in burn patients

IMPLICATIONS: We present the results of a study examining the agreement of bispectral index values obtained using original sensor and subdermal needle electrodes in burn patients. Both types of electrodes can be used interchangeably to monitor depth of sedation.     

Standards for total body fat and fat-free mass in infants

Data on body composition in conjunction with reference centiles are helpful in identifying the severity of growth and nutritional disorders in infancy and for evaluating the adequacy of treatment given during this important period of rapid growth. Total body fat (TBF) and fat-free mass (FFM) were estimated from total body electrical conductivity (TBEC) measurements in 423 healthy term Caucasian infants, aged 14-379 days. Cross sectional age, weight, and length related centile standards are presented for TBF and FFM. Centiles were calculated using Altman's method, based on polynomial regression and modelling of the residual variation. The TBF percentage steeply increased during the first half year of life, and slowly declined beyond this age. Various simple TBEC derived anthropometric prediction equations for TBF and FFM are available to be used in conjunction with these standards. Regression equations for the P50 and the residual SD, depending on age, weight, or length, are provided for constructing centile charts and calculating standard deviation scores.     

The STR system in the human phenylalanine hydroxylase gene: true fragment length obtained with fluorescent labelled PCR primers

We present a simple, fast, non-radioactive method for the analysis of the polymorphic short tandem repeat (STR) system in the human phenylalanine hydroxylase gene. Previously, sizing of the STR marker involved radiolabelling of PCR amplified fragments and resolution on denaturing polyacrylamide gels using M13 sequencing ladder as a standard. However, this method consistently gave sizes 2 bp longer than the known sequence. The fluorescent method presented here employs internal lane standards and enables accurate sizing of the fragments. To avoid confusion, we suggest that the true fragment lengths are used as reference values in the future. The analysis of STR alleles is valuable for population genetic studies and for targeted mutation screening in phenylketonuria (PKU). It can replace RFLP-based haplotype analysis for carrier detection, and we report its use for prenatal diagnosis in a Northern Irish family with PKU. The analysis of 250 Northern Irish chromosomes, including 128 PKU alleles, showed no significant difference between normal and PKU alleles, with fragment lengths of 238 and 242 bp most common in both groups.     

Twins with moyamoya disease

Moyamoya disease is a progressive disease which involves the internal carotid arteries and its branches bilaterally. The disease is reported both in adults and in children. Moyamoya disease is frequently seen in Japanese patients having certain human leucocyte antigen (HLA) haplotypes including HLA-Aw24, Bw46 and Bw54. Twin cases are rarely reported in the literature. We hereby present the first Turkish monozygotic twins with moyamoya disease whose HLA haplotypes are A2, A9, B21, Bw22, Bw4, Bw6, Cw3, and DR2, DR4, DRw52, DRw53, Dq7. The patients with advanced disease were given nifedipine and intravenous immunoglobulin (400mg/kg/d for 5 days). During the 11 months of follow-up, the patients were attack free.     

Differences in cortisol concentrations in adolescents with eating disorders: a systematic review

Objective

To perform a systematic review of the literature for scientific evidence of possible differences in cortisol concentrations in adolescents with eating disorders.