Extending Chirality in Group XIV Metallatranes.

The syntheses of the racemic amino alcohol rac-N(CH2CMe2OH)(CMe2CH2OH)(CH2CHMeOH) (L22'1*H3, 2) and its representative N(CH2CMe2OH)(CMe2CH2OH)(CH2C(R)HMeOH) (L22'1RH3, 3) with the stereogenic carbon center being R-configured are reported. Also reported are the stannatranes L22'1*SnOt-Bu (4) L22'1RSnOt-Bu (6) and germatranes L22'1*GeOEt (5) and L22'1RGeOEt (7) as well as the trinuclear tin oxocluster [(µ3-O)(µ3-O-t-Bu){SnL22'1R}3] (8). NMR and IR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS), and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis characterize these compounds. Computational studies accompany the experimental work and help understand the diastereoselectivity observed in the course of the metallatrane syntheses.

Continuous-Time Fitted Value Iteration for Robust Policies.

Solving the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation is important in many domains including control, robotics and economics. Especially for continuous control, solving this differential equation and its extension the Hamilton-Jacobi-Isaacs equation, is important as it yields the optimal policy that achieves the maximum reward on a give task. In the case of the Hamilton-Jacobi-Isaacs equation, which includes an adversary controlling the environment and minimizing the reward, the obtained policy is also robust to perturbations of the dynamics. In this paper we propose continuous fitted value iteration (cFVI) and robust fitted value iteration (rFVI). These algorithms leverage the non-linear control-affine dynamics and separable state and action reward of many continuous control problems to derive the optimal policy and optimal adversary in closed form. This analytic expression simplifies the differential equations and enables us to solve for the optimal value function using value iteration for continuous actions and states as well as the adversarial case. Notably, the resulting algorithms do not require discretization of states or actions. We apply the resulting algorithms to the Furuta pendulum and cartpole. We show that both algorithms obtain the optimal policy. The robustness Sim2Real experiments on the physical systems show that the policies successfully achieve the task in the real-world. When changing the masses of the pendulum, we observe that robust value iteration is more robust compared to deep reinforcement learning algorithm and the non-robust version of the algorithm. Videos of the experiments are shown at https://sites.google.com/view/rfvi.

Chelating Phosphorus-An O, C, O-Coordinating Pincer-Type Ligand Coordinating PIII and PV Centres.

The sequence of reactions of the phosphorus-containing aryllithium compound 5-t-Bu-1,3-[(P(O)(O-i-Pr)2 ]2 C6 H2 Li (ArLi) with Ph2 PCl, KMnO4 , elemental sulfur and elemental selenium, respectively, gave the aryldiphenylphosphane chalcogenides 5-t-Bu-1,3-[(P(O)(O-i-Pr)2 ]2 C6 H2 P(E)Ph2 (1, E=O; 2, E=S; 3, E=Se). Compound 1 partially hydrolysed giving [5-t-Bu-1-{(P(O)(O-i-Pr)2 }-3-{(P(O)(OH)2 }C6 H2 ]P(O)Ph2 (4). The reaction of ArLi with PhPCl2 provided the benzoxaphosphaphosphole [1(P), 3(P)-P(O)(O-i-Pr)OPPh-6-t-Bu-4-P(O)(O-i-Pr)2 ]C6 H2 P (5i) as a mixture of the two diastereomers. The oxidation of 5i with elemental sulfur gave the benzoxaphosphaphosphole sulfide [1(P), 3(P)-P(O)(O-i-Pr)OP(S)Ph-6-t-Bu-4-P(O)(O-i-Pr)2 ]C6 H2 (5) as pair of enantiomers P1(R), P3(S)/P1(S), P3(R) of the diastereomer (RS/SR)-5 (5b). The aryldiphenylphosphane 5-t-Bu-1,3-[(P(O)(O-i-Pr)2 ]2 C6 H2 PPh2 (6) was obtained from the reaction of the corresponding aryldiphenylphosphane sulfide 2 with either sodium hydride, NaH, or disodium iron tetracarbonyl, Na2 Fe(CO)4 . The oxidation of the aryldiphenylphosphane 6 with elemental iodine and subsequent hydrolysis yielded the aryldiphenyldioxaphosphorane 9-t-Bu-2,6-(OH)-4,4-Ph2 -3,5-O2 -2,6-P2 -4λ5 -P-[5.3.1.0]-undeca-1(10),7(11),8-triene (7). Both of its diastereomers, (RR/SS)-7 (7a) and (RS/SR)-7 (7b), were separated as their chloroform and i-propanol solvates, 7a⋅2CHCl3 and 7b⋅i-PrOH, respectively. DFT calculations accompanied the experimental work.

The legacy of hope summit: a consensus-based initiative and report on eating disorders in the U.S. and recommendations for the path forward.

BACKGROUND: Several unsuccessful attempts have been made to reach a cross-disciplinary consensus on issues fundamental to the field of eating disorders in the United States (U.S.). In January 2020, 25 prominent clinicians, academicians, researchers, persons with lived experience, and thought leaders in the U.S. eating disorders community gathered at the Legacy of Hope Summit to try again. This paper articulates the points on which they reached a consensus. It also: (1) outlines strategies for implementing those recommendations; (2) identifies likely obstacles to their implementation; and (3) charts a course for successfully navigating and overcoming those challenges. METHODS: Iterative and consensual processes were employed throughout the Summit and the development of this manuscript. RESULTS: The conclusion of the Summit culminated in several consensus points, including: (1) Eating disorder outcomes and prevention efforts can be improved by implementing creative health education initiatives that focus on societal perceptions, early detection, and timely, effective intervention; (2) Such initiatives should be geared toward parents/guardians, families, other caretakers, and frontline healthcare providers in order to maximize impact; (3) Those afflicted with eating disorders, their loved ones, and the eating disorders community as a whole would benefit from greater accessibility to affordable, quality care, as well as greater transparency and accountability on the part of in-hospital, residential, and outpatient health care providers with respect to their qualifications, methodologies, and standardized outcomes; (4) Those with lived experience with eating disorders, their loved ones, health care providers, and the eating disorders community as a whole, also would benefit from the establishment and maintenance of treatment program accreditation, professional credentialing, and treatment type and levels of care guidelines; and (5) The establishment and implementation of effective, empirically/evidence-based standards of care requires research across a diverse range of populations, adequate private and government funding, and the free exchange of ideas and information among all who share a commitment to understanding, treating, and, ultimately, markedly diminishing the negative impact of eating disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Widespread uptake and implementation of these recommendations has the potential to unify and advance the eating disorders field and ultimately improve the lives of those affected. A cross-disciplinary group of eating disorder professionals, thought leaders, and persons with lived experience have come together and reached a consensus on issues that are fundamental to the battle against the life-threatening and life-altering illnesses that are eating spectrum disorders. Those issues include: (1) the need for early detection, intervention, prevention, and evidenced-based standards of care; (2) the critical need to make specialized care more accessible and affordable to all those in need; (3) the importance of developing uniform, evidenced-based standards of care; (4) the need for funding and conducting eating spectrum disorder research; and (5) the indispensability of advocacy, education, and legislation where these illnesses are concerned. During the consensus process, the authors also arrived at strategies for implementing their recommendations, identified likely obstacles to their implementation, and charted a course for successfully navigating and overcoming those challenges. Above all else, the authors demonstrated that consensus in the field of eating spectrum disorders is possible and achievable and, in doing so, lit a torch of hope that is certain to light the path forward for years to come.

Estimating the Prevalence and Genetic Risk Mechanisms of ARFID in a Large Autism Cohort.

This study is the first genetically-informed investigation of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), an eating disorder that profoundly impacts quality of life for those affected. ARFID is highly comorbid with autism, and we provide the first estimate of its prevalence in a large and phenotypically diverse autism cohort (a subsample of the SPARK study, N = 5,157 probands). This estimate, 21% (at a balanced accuracy 80%), is at the upper end of previous estimates from studies based on clinical samples, suggesting under-diagnosis and potentially lack of awareness among caretakers and clinicians. Although some studies suggest a decrease of disordered eating symptoms by age 6, our estimates indicate that up to 17% (at a balanced accuracy 87%) of parents of autistic children are also at heightened risk for ARFID, suggesting a lifelong risk for disordered eating. We were also able to provide the first estimates of narrow-sense heritability (h2) for ARFID risk, at 0.45. Genome-wide association revealed a single hit near ZSWIM6, a gene previously implicated in neurodevelopmental conditions. While, the current sample was not well-powered for GWAS, effect size and heritability estimates allowed us to project the sample sizes necessary to more robustly discover ARFID-linked loci via common variants. Further genetic analysis using polygenic risk scores (PRS) affirmed genetic links to autism as well as neuroticism and metabolic syndrome.

MeSi(CH2 SnRO)3 (R=Ph, Me3 SiCH2 ): Building Blocks for Triangular-Shaped Diorganotin Oxide Macrocycles.

The syntheses of the novel silicon-bridged tris(tetraorganotin) compounds MeSi(CH2 SnPh2 R)3 (2, R=Ph; 5, R=Me3 SiCH2 ) and their halogen-substituted derivatives MeSi(CH2 SnPh(3-n) In )3 (3, n=1; 4, n=2) and MeSi(CH2 SnI2 R)3 (6, R=Me3 SiCH2 ) are reported. The reaction of compound 4 with di-t-butyltin oxide (t-Bu2 SnO)3 gives the oktokaideka-nuclear (18-nuclear) molecular diorganotin oxide [MeSi(CH2 SnPhO)3 ]6 (7) while the reaction of 6 with sodium hydroxide, NaOH, provides the trikonta-nuclear (30-nuclear) molecular diorganotin oxide [MeSi(CH2 SnRO)3 ]10 (8, R=Me3 SiCH2 ). Both 7 and 8 show belt-like ladder-type macrocyclic structures and are by far the biggest molecular diorganotin oxides reported to date. The compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses, electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), NMR spectroscopy, 1 H DOSY NMR spectroscopy (7), IR spectroscopy (7, 8), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (2, 7, 8).

Behavioral Alterations in Mice Carrying Homozygous HDAC4 A778T Missense Mutation Associated With Eating Disorder.

Eating disorders (EDs) are serious mental illnesses thought to arise from the complex gene-environment interactions. DNA methylation patterns in histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) locus have been associated with EDs and we have previously identified a missense mutation in the HDAC4 gene (HDAC4 A786T ) that increases the risk of developing an ED. In order to evaluate the biological consequences of this variant and establish a useful mouse model of EDs, here we performed behavioral characterization of mice homozygous for Hdac4 A778T (corresponding to human HDAC4 A786T ) that were further backcrossed onto C57BL/6 background. When fed high-fat diet, male, but not female, homozygous mice showed a trend toward decreased weight gain compared to their wild-type littermates. Behaviorally, male, but not female, homozygous mice spent less time in eating and exhibited reduced motivation to work for palatable food and light phase-specific decrease in locomotor activity. Additionally, homozygous Hdac4 A778T female, but not male, mice display social subordination when subjected to a tube dominance test. Collectively, these results reveal a complex sex- and circadian-dependent role of ED-associated Hdac4 A778T mutation in affecting mouse behaviors. Homozygous Hdac4 A778T mice could therefore be a useful animal model to gain insight into the neurobiological basis of EDs.

Control of Λ- and Δ-Isomerization of the Atrane Cages in Group XIV Metallatranes by Chiral Axial Substituents.

The syntheses of the novel stannatranes N(CH2CMe2O)3Sn-(1 S)-(-)-OC(O)C(OMe)(CF3)(C6H5), 1( S, Δ), and N(CH2CMe2O)3Sn-(1 R)-(+)-OC(O)C(OMe)(CF3)(C6H5), 2( R, Λ), and germatranes N(CH2CMe2O)3Ge-(1 S)-(-)-OC(O)C(OMe)(CF3)(C6H5), 3( S, Δ), and N(CH2CMe2O)3Ge-(1 R)-(+)-OC(O)C(OMe)(CF3)(C6H5), 4( R, Λ) (with 1, S, Δ-configured/2, R, Λ-configured and 3, S, Δ-configured/4, R, Λ-configured being pairs of enantiomers) are reported. The compounds were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The epimerization via Λ â‡Œ Δ ring flip of the enantiomeric stannatrane pair 1( S, Δ)/2( R, Λ) was investigated by NMR experiments at variable temperatures and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Cis versus Trans: The Coordination Environment about the Tin(IV) Atom in Spirocyclic Amino Alcohol Derivatives.

The syntheses of amino alcohols MeN(CH2 CH2 CMe2 OH)2 (1), MeN(CMe2 CH2 OH)(CH2 CMe2 OH) (2), MeN(CH2 CH2 CH2 OH)(CH2 CMe2 OH) (3), MeN(CH2 CH2 CMe2 OH)(CH2 CMe2 OH) (4), MeN(CH2 CH2 CMe2 OH)(CH2 CH2 OH) (5), and MeN(CH2 CH2 OH) (CH2 CH2 CH2 OH) (6) as well as spirocyclic tin(IV) alkoxides spiro-[nBuN(CH2 CMe2 O)2 ]2 Sn (7), spiro-[MeN(CH2 CH2 CMe2 O)2 ]2 Sn (8), spiro-[para-FC6 H4 N (CH2 CMe2 O)2 ]2 Sn (9), spiro-[MeN(CMe2 CH2 O)(CH2 CMe2 O)]2 Sn (10), spiro-[MeN(CH2 CH2 CH2 O)(CH2 CMe2 O)]2 Sn (11), spiro-[MeN(CH2 CH2 CMe2 O)(CH2 CMe2 O)]2 Sn (12), spiro-[MeN(CH2 CH2 CMe2 O)(CH2 CH2 O)]2 Sn (13) and spiro-[MeN(CH2 CH2 O)(CH2 CH2 CH2 O)]2 Sn (14) are reported. The compounds were characterized by 1 H, 13 C (1-14) and 119 Sn (7-14) NMR and IR spectroscopy, EIMS and single-crystal XRD (2, 7-10 and 13, 14). Graph-set analyses were performed for compounds [(MeNH(CMe2 CH2 OH)(CH2 CMe2 OH)][HC(O)O] (2 a) and 2. The coordination environment about the tin(IV) centre of the spirocyclic compounds and their possible stereoisomers were analysed by DFT calculations (spiro-[MeN(CH2 CMe2 O)2 ]2 Sn, 8-10 and 13).

Interplay of Lewis acidity, intramolecular O→Sn interactions and selectivity: organotin-functionalized crown ethers as ditopic hosts for sodium and potassium halides.

The increased Lewis acidity in organotin-functionalized crown ethers X3SnCH2[19]-crown-6 (5, X = I; 6, X = Br; 7, X = Cl) not only resulted in ditopic complexation of sodium/potassium halides, but also offers an excellent strategy to manipulate through intramolecular O→Sn interactions the selectivity of the crown ether moiety towards Na+/K+ depending on the solvent.

Novel and ultra-rare damaging variants in neuropeptide signaling are associated with disordered eating behaviors.

OBJECTIVE: Eating disorders develop through a combination of genetic vulnerability and environmental stress, however the genetic basis of this risk is unknown. METHODS: To understand the genetic basis of this risk, we performed whole exome sequencing on 93 unrelated individuals with eating disorders (38 restricted-eating and 55 binge-eating) to identify novel damaging variants. Candidate genes with an excessive burden of predicted damaging variants were then prioritized based upon an unbiased, data-driven bioinformatic analysis. One top candidate pathway was empirically tested for therapeutic potential in a mouse model of binge-like eating. RESULTS: An excessive burden of novel damaging variants was identified in 186 genes in the restricted-eating group and 245 genes in the binge-eating group. This list is significantly enriched (OR = 4.6, p<0.0001) for genes involved in neuropeptide/neurotrophic pathways implicated in appetite regulation, including neurotensin-, glucagon-like peptide 1- and BDNF-signaling. Administration of the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist exendin-4 significantly reduced food intake in a mouse model of 'binge-like' eating. CONCLUSIONS: These findings implicate ultra-rare and novel damaging variants in neuropeptide/neurotropic factor signaling pathways in the development of eating disorder behaviors and identify glucagon-like peptide 1-receptor agonists as a potential treatment for binge eating.

Emerging Treatments in Eating Disorders.

Eating disorders (EDs), including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, constitute a class of common and deadly psychiatric disorders. While numerous studies in humans highlight the important role of neurobiological alterations in the development of ED-related behaviors, the precise neural substrate that mediates this risk is unknown. Historically, pharmacological interventions have played a limited role in the treatment of eating disorders, typically providing symptomatic relief of comorbid psychiatric issues, like depression and anxiety, in support of the standard nutritional and psychological treatments. To date there are no Food and Drug Administration-approved medications or procedures for anorexia nervosa, and only one Food and Drug Administration-approved medication each for bulimia nervosa (fluoxetine) and binge-eating disorder (lisdexamfetamine). While there is little primary interest in drug development for eating disorders, postmarket monitoring of medications and procedures approved for other indications has identified several novel treatment options for patients with eating disorders. In this review, I utilize searches of the PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov databases to highlight emerging treatments in eating disorders.

Introducing Stereogenic Centers to Group XIV Metallatranes.

The syntheses of the novel amino alcohols NH(CH2CMe2OH)2(CMe2CH2OH) (1) and N(CH2CMe2OH)(CMe2CH2OH)(CH2CH2OH) (2) as well as the stannatranes N(CH2CMe2O)(CMe2CH2O)(CH2CH2O)SnX (3, X = Ot-Bu), N(CH2CMe2O)3SnOC(O)C9H13O2, 4, and germatranes N(CH2CMe2O)(CMe2CH2O)(CH2CH2O)GeX (5, X = OEt; 6, X = Br) are reported. The compounds were characterized by 1H, 13C (1-6), 119Sn (3, 4), and 15N (2, 3, 5) NMR and IR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Graphset analyses were performed for compounds 1 and 2. Detailed NMR spectroscopic studies including variable temperature 1H (3, 5, 6) and 119Sn (3, 4) DOSY experiments reveal the stannatrane 3 being involved in a monomer-dimer equilibrium. Both the stannatranes 3 and 4 as well as the germatranes 5 and 6 show Λ â‡Œ Δ isomerization of the atrane cages in solution.

Reactivity of Elemental Tin and Zinc toward Organophosphonic Acid Dialkyl Esters: A New One-Pot Recipe for the Synthesis of Coordination Assemblies Derived from O-Alkylorganophosphonate Ligands.

A new recipe for the synthesis of diorganotin bis(O-alkylorganophosphonate)s, R12Sn{O(P)(O)(OR1)R}2 [R = R1 = methyl (1); R1 = ethyl and R = methyl (2), allyl (3), 2-thienyl (4), benzyl (5)], has been developed from the direct reaction of elemental tin (powder) with organophosphonic acid dialkyl esters, RP(O)(OR1)2, in the presence of a catalytic amount of potassium iodide under ambient conditions (130 °C, 18-20 h). The key steps in the proposed catalytic cycle involve the monodealkylation of phosphonate diester and in situ generation of a R1SnI or R12SnI2 intermediate via the oxidative addition of alkyl iodide on tin. Evidence in support of the formation of organotin species comes from the isolation of Me2Sn{O(P)(O)(OiPr)Me}2 (6) from the direct reaction of tin metal with MeP(O)(OiPr)2 in the presence of methyl iodide. The method has also been extended to isolate Zn{OP(O)(OMe)Me}2 (7) using metallic zinc as the precursor. All of the compounds have been characterized by IR and NMR studies as well as X-ray crystallography for 2, 4, 6, and 7.

The Eating-Disorder Associated HDAC4A778T Mutation Alters Feeding Behaviors in Female Mice.

BACKGROUND: While eating disorders (EDs) are thought to result from a combination of environmental and psychological stressors superimposed on genetic vulnerability, the neurobiological basis of EDs remains incompletely understood. We recently reported that a rare missense mutation in the gene for the transcriptional repressor histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) is associated with the risk of developing an ED in humans. METHODS: To understand the biological consequences of this missense mutation, we created transgenic mice carrying this mutation by introducing the alanine to threonine mutation at position 778 of mouse Hdac4 (corresponding to position 786 of the human protein). Bioinformatic analysis to identify Hdac4-regulated genes was performed using available databases. RESULTS: Male mice heterozygous for HDAC4A778T did not show any metabolic or behavioral differences. In contrast, female mice heterozygous for HDAC4A778T display several ED-related feeding and behavioral deficits depending on housing condition. Individually housed HDAC4A778T female mice exhibit reduced effortful responding for high-fat diet and compulsive grooming, whereas group-housed female mice display increased weight gain on high-fat diet, reduced behavioral despair, and increased anxiety-like behaviors. Bioinformatic analysis identifies mitochondrial biogenesis including synthesis of glutamate/gamma-aminobutyric acid as a potential transcriptional target of HDAC4A778T activity relevant to the behavioral deficits identified in this new mouse model of disordered eating. CONCLUSIONS: The HDAC4A778T mouse line is a novel model of ED-related behaviors and identifies mitochondrial biogenesis as a potential molecular pathway contributing to behavioral deficits.

Syntheses, Structures, and Complexation Studies of Tris(organostannyl)methane Derivatives.

The syntheses of tris(organostannyl)methanes HC(SnX n Ph(3-n))3 (1, n=0; 2, n=1, X=I; 3, n=1, X =F; 4, n=1, X=Cl; 5, n=1, X=OAc; 6, n=2, X=I; 7, n=2, X=Cl) and the organostannate complexes Et4N[HC(SnIPh2)3⋅F] (8), Ph4P[HC(SnClPh2)3⋅Cl] (9), and [Ph4P]2[HC(SnCl2Ph)3⋅2 Cl] (10) are reported. The compounds were characterized by 1H, 13C, 19F, and 119Sn NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, electrospray mass spectrometry, and (with the exception of 3) single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. From the reaction between 2 and AgClO4 resulted the unprecedented hexanuclear organotin oxocluster [HC{Sn(ClO4)2Ph2}2Sn(OH)2Ph]2 (11), the molecular structure of which was elucidated by using X-ray crystallography.

Novel Stannatrane N(CH2CMe2O)2(CMe2CH2O)SnO-t-Bu and Related Oligonuclear Tin(IV) Oxoclusters. Two Isomers in One Crystal.

The syntheses of the alkanolamine N(CH2CMe2OH)2(CMe2CH2OH) (1), of the stannatrane N(CH2CMe2O)2(CMe2CH2O)SnO-t-Bu (2), and of the trinuclear tin oxocluster 3 consisting of the two isomers [(µ3-O)(O-t-Bu){Sn(OCH2CMe2)(OCMe2CH2)2N}3] (3a) and [(µ3-O)(µ3-O-t-Bu){Sn(OCH2CMe2)(OCMe2CH2)2N}3] (3b) as well as the isolation of a few crystals of the hexanuclear tin oxocluster [LSnOSn(OH)3LSnOH]2 [L = N(CH2CMe2O)2(CMe2CH2O)] (4) are reported. The compounds were characterized by 1H, 13C, 15N, and 119Sn (1-3) nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (1-4). A graph set analysis was performed for compound 1. The relative energies of 3a and 3b were estimated by density functional theory calculations that show that the energy differences are small.

A Ferrocenyl-Backboned Unsymmetric O,C-Coordinating Ligand and Its Tin Derivatives.

The syntheses of the phosphonyl-substituted ferrocenyl stannane Fe[{η (5)-C5H3-1-SnPh3-2-P(O)(O-iPr)2}{η (5)-C5H4P(O)(O-iPr)2}] (1) and its iodine derivative Fe[{η (5)-C5H3-1-SnPh2I-2-P(O)(O-iPr)2}{η (5)-C5H4P(O)(O-iPr)2}] (2) are reported. The syntheses of the corresponding salts Fe[{η (5)-C5H3-1-SnPh2-2-P(O)(O-iPr)2}{η (5)-C5H4P(O)(O-iPr)2}]X (3, X=Al{OC(CF3)3}4, 4, X=ClO4, 5, X=HgI3), respectively, are also described. The compounds are characterized by elemental analyses, (1)H, (13)C, (31)P, (119)Sn NMR and IR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and, except for 4 and 5, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.

Loss of estrogen-related receptor alpha disrupts ventral-striatal synaptic function in female mice.

Eating disorders (EDs), including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-ED, are mental illnesses characterized by high morbidity and mortality. While several studies have identified neural deficits in patients with EDs, the cellular and molecular basis of the underlying dysfunction has remained poorly understood. We previously identified a rare missense mutation in the transcription factor estrogen-related receptor alpha (ESRRA) associated with development of EDs. Because ventral-striatal signaling is related to the reward and motivation circuitry thought to underlie EDs, we performed functional and structural analysis of ventral-striatal synapses in Esrra-null mice. Esrra-null female, but not male, mice exhibit altered miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents on medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the ventral striatum, including increased frequency, increased amplitude, and decreased paired pulse ratio. These electrophysiological measures are associated with structural and molecular changes in synapses of MSNs in the ventral striatum, including fewer pre-synaptic glutamatergic vesicles and enhanced GluR1 function. Neuronal Esrra is thus required for maintaining normal synaptic function in the ventral striatum, which may offer mechanistic insights into the behavioral deficits observed in Esrra-null mice.

Brain imaging demonstrates a reduced neural impact of eating in obesity.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated functional brain response differences to food in women with BMI either <25 kg/m(2) (lean) or >35 kg/m(2) (severe obesity). DESIGN AND METHODS: Thirty women, 18-65 years old, from academic medical centers participated. Baseline brain perfusion was measured with arterial spin labeling. Brain activity was measured via blood-oxygen-level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging in response to food cues, and appeal to cues was rated. Subjective hunger/fullness was reported pre- and post-imaging. After a standard meal, measures were repeated. RESULTS: When fasting, brain perfusion did not differ significantly between groups; and both groups showed significantly increased activity in the neo- and limbic cortices and midbrain compared with baseline (P < 0.05, family-wise-error whole-brain corrected). Once fed, the lean group showed significantly decreased activation in these areas, especially the limbic cortex, whereas the group with severe obesity showed no such decreases (P < 0.05, family-wise-error whole-brain corrected). After eating, appeal ratings of food decreased only in lean women. Within groups, hunger decreased (P < 0.001) and fullness increased (P < 0.001) fasted to fed. CONCLUSIONS: While fasting, brain response to food cues in women did not differ significantly despite BMI. After eating, brain activity quickly diminished in lean women but remained elevated in women with severe obesity. These brain activation findings confirm previous studies.