Molecular epidemiology of the SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron BA.2 sub-lineage in Denmark, 29 November 2021 to 2 January 2022.

Following emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron in November 2021, the dominant BA.1 sub-lineage was replaced by the BA.2 sub-lineage in Denmark. We analysed the first 2,623 BA.2 cases from 29 November 2021 to 2 January 2022. No epidemiological or clinical differences were found between individuals infected with BA.1 versus BA.2. Phylogenetic analyses showed a geographic east-to-west transmission of BA.2 from the Capital Region with clusters expanding after the Christmas holidays. Mutational analysis shows distinct differences between BA.1 and BA.2.

The microbiome of the appendix differs in patients with and without appendicitis: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis seems to be a disease of infectious origin, but the detailed pathogenesis is unknown. We aimed to investigate the microbiome of the appendix lumen in patients with and without appendicitis, including a comparison of the subgroups of complicated versus uncomplicated appendicitis. METHODS: This prospective observational cohort study included adult patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy for suspected appendicitis. According to histopathologic findings, the investigated groups consisted of patients with and without appendicitis, including subgroups of complicated versus uncomplicated appendicitis based on the surgical report. A swab of the appendix lumen was analyzed for genetic material from bacteria with shotgun metagenomics, and outcomes included analyses of microbiome diversity and differential abundance of bacteria. RESULTS: A total of 53 swabs from patients with suspected appendicitis were analyzed: 42 with appendicitis (16 complicated) and 11 without appendicitis. When comparing patients with and without appendicitis, they were equally rich in bacteria (alpha diversity), but the microbiome composition was dissimilar between these groups (beta diversity) (P < .01). No consistent bacterial species were detected in all patients with appendicitis, but a least 3 genera (Blautia, Faecalibacterium, and Fusicatenibacter) and 2 species, Blautia faecis and Blautia wexlerae, were more abundant in patients without appendicitis. For the subgroups complicated versus uncomplicated appendicitis, both measures for microbiome diversity were similar. CONCLUSION: The appendix microbiome composition of genetic material from bacteria in adult patients with and without appendicitis differed, but the microbiome was similar for patients with complicated versus uncomplicated appendicitis. Trial registration NCT03349814.

Stereological assessment of pancreatic beta-cell mass development in male Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats: correlation with pancreatic beta-cell function.

The present study was initiated to improve our understanding of pancreatic beta-cell dynamics in male Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats and hence provide a framework for future diabetes studies in this animal model. Male ZDF rats from 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 20 and 26 weeks of age were subjected to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The animals were then euthanized and pancreases were removed for morphometric analyses of pancreatic beta-cell mass. As evident by a marked fourfold increase in insulin secretion, insulin resistance developed rapidly from 6 to 8 weeks of age. Simultaneously, the pancreatic beta-cell mass expanded from 6.17 ± 0.41 mg at 6 weeks of age, reaching a maximum of 16.5 ± 2.5 mg at 16 weeks of age, at which time pancreatic beta-cell mass gradually declined. The corresponding changes in glucose/insulin homeostasis were analysed using a standard insulin sensitivity index (ISI), an area under the curve (AUC) glucose-insulin index, or simple semi-fasted glucose levels. The study demonstrated that male ZDF rats underwent rapid changes in pancreatic beta-cell mass from the onset of insulin resistance to frank diabetes coupled directly to marked alterations in glucose/insulin homeostasis. The study underscores the need for a critical co-examination of glucose homeostatic parameters in studies investigating the effects of novel anti-diabetic compounds on pancreatic beta-cell mass in the male ZDF rat. A simple assessment of fasting glucose levels coupled with information about age can provide a correct indication of the actual pancreatic beta-cell mass and the physiological state of the animal.

Gene expression profiling of individual hypothalamic nuclei from single animals using laser capture microdissection and microarrays.

In order to identify novel genes involved in appetite and body weight regulation we have developed a microarray based method suitable for detecting small changes in gene expression in discrete groups of hypothalamic neurons. The method is based on a combination of stereological sampling, laser capture microdissection (LCM), PCR based amplification (SuperAmp), and one-color cDNA microarray analysis. To validate the method we assessed and compared fasting induced changes in mRNA levels of Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) of diet-induced obese rats using cDNA microarrays, quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization. All methods revealed statistically significant fasting-induced changes in NPY and POMC expression. An additional 3480 differentially expressed probes (fold change >1.22, t-test p=0.05) were identified in the microarray analysis. Our findings demonstrate a consistent gene expression pattern across three different gene expression detection methods and strongly suggest that LCM coupled microarray analysis combined with SuperAmp can be used as a semi-quantitative mRNA profiling tool. Importantly, the sensitivity of the method greatly improves the usefulness of the microarray technology for gene expression profiling in non-homogeneous tissues such as the brain.

The putative neuropeptide TAFA5 is expressed in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and is regulated by dehydration.

In a search for novel genes involved in the hypothalamic control of body energy homeostasis bioinformatic tools were applied. Analysis of the presence of structural features characteristic for secretory peptides was used as a first step in the identification of novel neuropeptides, and was followed by analysis of expression patterns. The gene product previously named TAFA5 was identified during this process. The overall mRNA expression pattern of TAFA5 was assessed using quantitative PCR on rat cDNA libraries. Furthermore, the brain mRNA and polypeptide expression patterns were examined in rats using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Our results substantiate previous findings that TAFA5 is mainly expressed in the central nervous system. Furthermore, we found TAFA5 mRNA to be highly expressed in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) where it co-localized with vasopressin and oxytocin in magno- and parvocellular neurons. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed TAFA5 immunoreactivity in the PVN in accordance with the in situ hybridization data. Given the high levels of expression in the PVN, it was investigated whether TAFA5 mRNA levels were affected by fasting or dehydration. Interestingly, it was observed that TAFA5 mRNA was specifically down-regulated in the PVN following water deprivation. Based on our findings we suggest that TAFA5 may be involved in the regulation of fluid homeostasis.

Expression and distribution of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor mRNA, protein and binding in the male nonhuman primate (Macaca mulatta) brain.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is released from endocrine L-cells lining the gut in response to food ingestion. However, GLP-1 is also produced in the nucleus of the solitary tract, where it acts as an anorectic neurotransmitter and key regulator of many autonomic and neuroendocrine functions. The expression and projections of GLP-1-producing neurons is highly conserved between rodent and primate brain, although a few key differences have been identified. The GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) has been mapped in the rodent brain, but no studies have described the distribution of GLP-1Rs in the nonhuman primate central nervous system. Here, we characterized the distribution of GLP-1R mRNA and protein in the adult macaque brain using in situ hybridization, radioligand receptor autoradiography, and immunohistochemistry with a primate specific GLP-1R antibody. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the GLP-1R is localized to cell bodies and fiber terminals in a very selective distribution throughout the brain. Consistent with the functional role of the GLP-1R system, we find the highest concentration of GLP-1R-immunoreactivity present in select hypothalamic and brainstem regions that regulate feeding, including the paraventricular and arcuate hypothalamic nuclei, as well as the area postrema, nucleus of the solitary tract, and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. Together, our data demonstrate that GLP-1R distribution is highly conserved between rodent and primate, although a few key species differences were identified, including the amygdala, where GLP-1R expression is much higher in primate than in rodent.

Expression of the fatty acid receptor GPR120 in the gut of diet-induced-obese rats and its role in GLP-1 secretion.

Stimulation of the G protein coupled receptor GPR120 has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing effects, to promote glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion, and to play a key role in sensing dietary fat and control energy balance. In a search for differentially expressed genes potentially involved in food intake and body-weight regulation we identified GPR120 to be differentially regulated in the intestine of selectively bred diet induced obese (DIO) and diet resistant (DR) rats. Subsequently we investigated the effect of GPR120 receptor stimulation with the long chain fatty acid alpha linolenic acid (ALA) on GLP-1 secretion in rats. Independent of diet (high or low fat), GPR120 expression showed a two-fold increase in the intestine of DIO compared to DR rats. In situ hybridization revealed a broad expression of GPR120 in the gut mucosa in both intestinal epithelial and endocrine cells. Using double in situ hybridization GPR120 mRNA did not appear to be enriched in preproglucagon expressing L-cells. In line with the anatomical data, ALA administration did not increase circulating GLP-1 levels. Our data shows a widespread expression of GPR120 in the gut epithelium and can not confirm a major role for GPR120 in the regulation of GLP-1 secretion. The broad expression of GPR120 in the gut epithelium supports reports indicating a putative role of GPR120 as a sensor of dietary fat.

Long-term characterization of the diet-induced obese and diet-resistant rat model: a polygenetic rat model mimicking the human obesity syndrome.

The availability of useful animal models reflecting the human obesity syndrome is crucial in the search for novel compounds for the pharmacological treatment of obesity. In the current study, we have performed an extensive characterization of the obesity syndrome in a polygenetic animal model, namely the selectively bred diet-induced obese (DIO) and diet-resistant (DR) rat strains. We show that they constitute useful models of the human obesity syndrome. DIO and DR rats were fed either a high-energy (HE) or a standard chow (Chow) diet from weaning to 9 months of age. Metabolic characterization including blood biochemistry and glucose homeostasis was examined at 2, 3, 6, and 9 months of age. Furthermore, in 6-month-old HE-fed DIO rats, the anti-obesity effects of liraglutide and sibutramine were examined in a 28-day study. Only HE-fed DIO rats developed visceral obesity, hyperleptinemia, hyperinsulinemia, and dyslipidemia, and showed a worsening of glucose tolerance over time. In line with the hyperlipidemic profile, a severe hepatic fat infiltration was observed in DIO rats at 6 months of age. The effects of liraglutide and sibutramine were tested in 6-month-old DIO rats. Both compounds effectively reduced food intake and body weight in DIO rats. Liraglutide furthermore improved glucose tolerance when compared with sibutramine. Our data highlights the usefulness of a polygenetic animal model for screening of compounds affecting food intake, body weight, and glucose homeostasis. Furthermore, the results underscore the effectiveness of GLP-1 mimetics both as anti-diabetes and anti-obesity agents.